The Jambalaya News - 01/29/15, Vol. 6, No. 21

2 January 29, 2015

Vol. 6 • No. 21

January 29, 2015 • Volume 6 • Issue 21

715 Kirby St. Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-436-7800 Fax: 337-990-0262 www.thejambalayanews.com Publisher/Executive Editor Lauren Abate de Albuquerque lauren@thejambalayanews.com

Contributors Nicole Shuff Arabie George Cline Angie Kay Dilmore Dan Ellender Julie Ann Faye Mike McHugh Roger Miller Justin Morris Ron Muniz Patti Phillips Brian Pitre Britney Blanchette Pitre Terri Schlichenmeyer Karla Tullos David Yantis Sales sales@thejambalayanews.com Graphics Art/Production Director Burn Rourk Business Office Manager Jeanie Taggart

Legal Disclaimer The views expressed by The Jambalaya News columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Jambalaya News, its editors or staff.

The Jambalaya News is solely owned, published by 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. 21

On cover: West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital’s Maternity Ward

COVER STORY 24 WCCH Women’s Center REGULARS 6 We Are SWLA! 8 The Dang Yankee 8 Adoption Corner 9 Tips from Tip 10 Huntin’ Tales 12 Soul Matters 13 A Ruff Life 15 Stir Dat Pot FEATURES 5 Federal Permit Needed for Golden Eagle

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28 Step Right Up! Circus Exhibit

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SENIOR HEALTH 17 Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: The Silent Killer 19 Small Changes Can Lower Stroke Risk 20 Pharmacists Protect Patients’ Best Interests 23 Dental Implants: What Your Smile Could be Missing THE SPICE OF SWLA 30 Event Guide 33 Hashtag Dat 34 Family Fun Night at the Movies 35 Acting Up! 36 Nightlife Guide 38 Daiquiri Delights 43 Justin Morris’s Lake Charles 44 Bookworm Sez...

45 Funbolaya 46 Society Spice

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A Note From Lauren

Memories Nudged We all have our memories of the decades that we’ve lived through. We remember the clothes we wore, the music we listened to, our favorite perfume and TV shows and restaurants, and even our favorite foods back then. When we get together with family and old friends, we invariably reminisce. And it’s at these times that we realize how much we’ve forgotten.

Oh, all the memories are there, buried somewhere deep in our subconscious.

But there they remain, completely stuck, until a comment brings them to the surface, or an old photo jogs the memory. And if there’s nothing or no one to pry those memories loose, they remain hidden.

I’ve always thought I had a pretty good memory. But Facebook has proven me wrong.

There are all kinds of groups you can join on Facebook for whatever interests you. I joined one for Retro Ads, and as the ads and photos are posted, often several an hour, I am suddenly seeing long-forgotten products

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that I used regularly decades earlier—and never thought about again.

Take Crazy Foam, for example. Apparently, it’s actually still around, but that’s news to me. It was a big deal for us kids in the 60s. It was basically an aerosol can of soap, and its slogan was “The Toy That Cleans.”

The tops of the cans came in various shapes: a duck, a dog, Fred Flintstone, etc. You could squirt it all over the tub and tiles and no harm done, and when you were through making a mess, it got you clean. I even remember the smell.

It made bath time fun. That may have even been another one of their slogans.

Ands speaking of baths, there was the scented powder bath mitt. After I saw it on Facebook, I remember getting one for Christmas one year and loving it. It was decorated with flowers and the fragrance was heavenly. We had one of those magnificent old clawfooted tubs that puts today’s tubs to shame. Once filled, the water stayed hot for hours, if that’s how

long you wanted to stay in and didn’t mind getting wrinkled like a prune. I have to say that it was probably one of the best things about living on Barnes Ave. Of course back then, I wanted everything modern and despised that old tub because it was, well, old.

I didn’t appreciate it until it was gone. But just imagine soaking in that wonderful tub, up to your chin in bubbles, patting yourself all over with this lovely fragrant mitt after your bath and getting into a warm nightgown and going off to bed. A wonderful memory that has eluded me until now.

Does anyone remember Fizzies? They were fruit-flavored tablets that you could drop into a glass of water for a refreshing drink. I remember Tang, which I thought was so cool because the astronauts brought it to the moon, and that’s how it was promoted back then, but I forgot all about Fizzies, which I now remember I enjoyed. Apparently they didn’t last too long; they contained cyclamates, an older version of aspartame that reportedly caused cancer in lab rats, so it was promptly discontinued. But like everything, it’s been brought back in a newer, improved (which means it doesn’t taste as good)

version available on the Internet.

There are plenty of things that I do remember vividly: St. Joseph’s Aspirin for Children; Jiffy Pop Popcorn, which you prepared over the stove; Chock’s Vitamins (actually tasted like chalk); Smith Brothers Cherry-Flavored Cough Drops (let’s face it, candy); Play-Dough (my favorite color was blue and I loved the smell); Trimline telephones, sticky Ah-So Sauce that my mother would use to make Chinese Spare Ribs; Brioschi, a lemon-flavored, effervescent antacid that we would put on our tongues because it tickled. All this and more created a backdrop to our existence as we went about the business of living.

And this makes me wonder what other things I’ve forgotten through the years, and why certain things are remembered and others are not. Who knows?

It’s all a mystery, and life is for learning.

Lauren Abate de Albuquerque

Vol. 6 • No. 21

Heckhaven Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Federal Permit Needed for Golden Eagle

By Lauren Abate de Albuquerque In January 2011, a golden eagle was found injured north of Baton Rouge. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries (WLF) brought him to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, where surgery was performed on his fractured leg.

That June, LSU called WLF to release him, believing he was well enough to return to the wild. He was taken to Rockefeller Refuge, but unfortunately, it was discovered that he could not fly.

At this point, Suzy Heck was called in.

Heck runs Heckhaven Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in south Lake Charles. Its mission is to release wild-born creatures that have found themselves in the hands of man back into their natural environment.

“He came to me with a wing injury,” she says. “I thought he had a fractured elbow, but when it was x-rayed, it showed a heavy calcium deposit in his right elbow joint.”

The big bird has been with Heck ever since. Named “Calcasieu,” which means “Screaming Eagle,” he is called “Sieu-Sieu” for short.

“I spent six months doing physical therapy with him,” she continues. “We got the calcium down, but he still can’t fly above about six feet, and he’ll come down after 15-20 feet. And he can’t maneuver in flight due to a feather deformity on the dorsal right wing (over his elbow joint area) which hasn’t been corrected after several molts.” In addition, the eagle still has seven pins in his leg. Therefore, Sieu-Sieu has been deemed non-releasable.

With the growing human population and the push for a better, cleaner energy environment, more and more land is being taken from the natural eagle territory, causing a greater intervention between man and wildlife.

“This intervention is causing an increasing number of injured eagles being sent to rehabilitators,” Heck explains. “After rehab, many of these eagles are able to be released and returned to the wild. But the ones with injuries (wing, eye, leg, etc.) while not lifethreatening, are deemed non-releasable, and they are being euthanized because most of the now-acceptable eagle holding facilities are full and are not accepting any more eagles. And, many of these facilities have Vol. 6 • No. 21

the eagles only for display, or for feather collecting, and do not use the eagles for the purpose of education.”

Heckhaven is a registered Louisiana and federal 501(c)3 corporation. It carries both state and federal permits for rehab and education with hawks and owls, but the eagle permit is a separate, more involved permit.

“The federally permitted rehabilitation centers have years of experience and knowledge in the handling and care of eagles,” Heck says. “The centers do education programs, which bring the nonreleasable raptors to the attention of the general public.”

The euthanizing of perfectly healthy non-releasable eagles, when they can be used for education, goes against everything a wildlife rehabilitator stands for, and Heck is understandably upset.

In March of 2012, she filed an application for an Education Possession Permit with the federal permit office in Atlanta that handles our region’s bird permits. She heard nothing from them until January 2014, and the news wasn’t good.

According to regulations, “Only zoological parks, scientific societies and museums that are open to the general public and are either established, maintained, and operated as a governmental service or are privately endowed and organized but not operated for profit are eligible for an Eagle Exhibition Permit 50CFR10.12and50CFR22.21...”

“As I am none of the above, Resee Collins, the federal permit handler for this region in Atlanta, stated that if I could get one of the above to put the permit in their name, but with my name and address indicating where the eagle will stay, there would be no problem,” Heck explains. She

says that an association with Heckhaven, or herself personally, would require absolutely no responsibility to the associated organization, monetarily, or otherwise. “All care, enclosures, insurance, permit fees, etc., are already covered by Heckhaven and will remain that way.”

Heck has spoken to many of these entities already. “McNeese State University, LSU, the Louisiana zoos, etc., are all sympathetic, but none want any more involvement with the government than they already have. Ft. Polk was very interested as the golden eagle (known as the Warrior Eagle) is the ‘unofficial’ mascot of the military, but SieuSieu has been pushed to the back now because of the re-emerging of the talk of cuts to many of the military bases. And, many of the politicians are just getting over the elections.”

In the years they have been together, Heck and Sieu have bonded completely. “I have glovetrained him and Sieu enjoys the attention and is gentle,” Heck says. “He would make a wonderful ambassador for Heckhaven, and a great educational addition that everyone visiting would remember their whole lives.

But, until we get the federal permit, we cannot use our golden eagle in our educational programs.”

Federal Wildlife and Fisheries is discussing allowing an individual to have an Eagle Education Permit, but it is still just in the talking stage. But Heck remains optimistic.

“The future of the wildlife, and our planet earth, rests in the hands of those we educate today.”

Heckhaven Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is a 501(c) non-profit, non-government funded, totally self-supported agency, relying on public donations and out-of-pocket contributions. For more information, go to heckhaven.com.

January 29, 2015 5

Calcasieu Community Clinic Board Elects New Officers Calcasieu Community Clinic of Lake Charles has elected new board members for 2015: Josh Darby, president; George Cestia, VP, Dr. John Stubblefield, secretary and Karen Drewett, treasurer.

Family & Youth Announces 2015 Board Officers Family & Youth Counseling Agency, Inc. is proud to announce the 2015 officers of the board of directors. Ann Barilleaux, CenterPoint Energy, will serve as chair of the Family & Youth board.

Mark Hanudel, R&H Refractory Services, will serve as vice-chair; Randy Davis, Lake Charles Toyota, will serve as secretary; Donald Brinkman, Port of Lake Charles, will serve as treasurer; and Buddy Hamic, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff ’s Office, is Immediate Past Chair.

McDonald’s and Tyson Foods Donate to Abraham’s Tent McDonald’s and Tyson Foods, Inc. partnered recently to donate 960 cases of chicken to Abraham’s Tent in Lake Charles.

The food bank serves more than 250 meals daily in Southwest Louisiana. It provides (L to R) Blake Roberts, Tyson Foods; Pearl Cole, food for emergencies Abraham’s Tent; Gena Johnson, Tyson Foods; and Doug Gehrig, McDonald’s of SWLA. through the United Way, clothing and basic medical services including blood pressure checks and physician visits.

President Josh Darby presents outgoing President, Robby Guillory with a service award along with Kayla Rigney, Executive Director of the Calcasieu Community Clinic.

Genesis Riding Center of WCCH Receives Donation from Krewe de Karoline Krewe de Karoline recently held their Seventh Annual Benefit Poker Run for the Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. Thanks to the support of the community, the event, which consisted of a poker run, chili cook-off, silent auction, and live auction, raised $7,000 for the center. Since 2008, Krewe de Karoline has raised $63,000 for the Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center and has been honored for its fundraising efforts by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. For more information on the services of the center, call (337) 625-3972.

New Executive Director of Autism Services of SWLA Toby Osburn has been appointed executive director of Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana and DirectCare Inc. effective January 12. From 2004 to 2011, he was dean of student services at McNeese State University and most recently served as associate vice president for university services. A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Osburn has a master’s degree in counseling and a doctoral degree in higher education, both from the University of North Texas. He serves as co-chair of the board Toby Osburn of trustees of Lake Area Medical Center and is a volunteer with the Calcasieu Medical Reserve Corps.

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Margaret Hoffpauir, president of Krewe de Caroline, along with several members of the organization, present the donation to Carmen Steward, equestrian tech for Genesis.

Imperial Calcasieu Museum Announces Sasol Grant for Mossville History Project The Imperial Calcasieu Museum, in partnership with the Louisiana State University/T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History and local writer/journalist Bill Shearman, was awarded a grant from Sasol of more than $275,000, to capture, record, preserve and Vol. 6 • No. 21

make available the written and oral history of the people and community of Mossville. Complete written and oral histories, copies of family photographs, aerial photographs, video and photographs of standing structures and artifacts will be collected and made available for public viewing. The project is expected to be completed and made available to the public by the fall of 2015.

Phillips 66 Donates to McNeese Phillips 66 has donated $25,000 to the McNeese State University College of Engineering through the McNeese Foundation.

LC Recreation and Parks Dept. Receives Grant The City of Lake Charles Recreation and Parks Department recently received a grant for $3,500 through a partnership between the National Recreation and Park Association and Rain CII Carbon LLC. The funding provided for a community project, which included new benches and receptacles at Lock Park.

(L to R): Marvin Lubin and Karla Edwards, Rain CII. Standing: LC Mayor Randy Roach and Nicholas Fountaine, Rain CII.

New Restaurant Concept at L’Auberge L’Auberge Casino Resort held a ribbon cutting recently to formally unveil a new restaurant concept, Favorites Southern Kitchen. The casually elegant bistro is open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night, and patio dining is available. For more information and menus, visit www.llakecharles.com/amenities/dinin.

Phillips 66 representatives Laurie Hatton, Lake Charles refinery; Jennifer Campbell, senior adviser for engineering recruiting; Thad Satterfield, director of university relations; Dr. Nikos Kiritsis, college dean, and McNeese President Philip C. Williams. McNeese Photo

CITGO Employees Donate to United Way SWLA CITGO Lake Charles Refinery employees recently gave more than $620,000 to United Way SWLA. The funds were raised by employees during the 2014 CITGO United Way, “See the Need and Take the Lead” campaign. CITGO Employees are generous contributors to United Way every year and CITGO continues to be the largest benefactor of the organization, contributing more than $12.7 million since 1975.

Vol. 6 • No. 21

January 29, 2015 7

Bingeing Bad The thing that amazes me about today’s society is how we don’t think twice about paying for things that used to be free.

Take water, for instance. If you walked into a store during the 1960’s and paid two dollars for a bottle of water, everyone would think you had the sense of a Milk Dud. The same is true with television. It used to be that everyone got his or her programming for free over an antenna. You can still do that, in fact. Sure, you wouldn’t get as many channels as you do with a pay subscription.

Instead of over 200 channels with nothing worth watching, you may get only five. But you save a lot of money, enough perhaps to buy a round of water for everyone in the stands at your next high school basketball game.

Even at that, you’d probably still have money left over subscribe to a service such as Netflix or Amazon Prime that streams Video on Demand. The beauty of these services is that they allow you to watch what you want

whenever you want. I made the switch myself a few months back.

My old pay TV provider keeps calling to try to get me to come back. Ironically, they usually call when I’m watching something on Netflix.

“You’ve called at a bad time,” I’d say. “I’m in the middle of watching Breaking Bad. “That’s fine, sir. We’ll try back in an hour.”

“You’d better make it next Thursday,” I reply. “I’ve still got 39 more episodes.”

This illustrates one of the risks involved with Video on Demand. With VOD, our society has found a brand new obsession (as if we really need one) called ‘binge watching.” Folks will get so wrapped up in a TV series that they will watch every season, from the first episode to the last, without getting up off the sofa even to eat or take a shower. In fact, many

water districts have reported a sharp drop in usage since the advent of Video on Demand for this very reason. It’s either that or people are showering with bottled water. I wouldn’t be surprised.

There’s another risk that comes with Video on Demand— one that I have faced personally and that I completely didn’t foresee.

Because all of the programming is offered for streaming only after it has run on the network channels, there’s a distinct likelihood that someone you know has already seen it before you and will give away all of the juicy plot points before you get the chance to watch it for yourself.

Recently, I was part of a conversation where the topic was television. By the time it was over, I’d been robbed of every surprise twist in Walking Dead,

The Wire, Game of Thrones, and the devil knows what else. This was despite my best efforts to steer the conversation towards The Beverly Hillbillies, which is perhaps the only series that I’ve yet seen in its entirely.

I have a solution to this problem, and that would be for producers to institute a secret handshake that would be revealed during the series finale.

If you start talking to someone and he doesn’t know the secret handshake, then you’d know that any discussion involving that particular series would be strictly taboo.

Such issues aside, I’m totally sold on streaming video. I’m thinking of offering my services as a spokesperson. I’ve even got a line: “I’m Binge Watching ‘Dang Yankee’, and I have Video on Demand.” Eat your heart out, Rob Lowe.

Mike McHugh is a syndicated columnist from Lake Charles.

You can follow him on his blog at thedangyankee.com or on Twitter @dang_yankee.

Cooper is a male Chihuahua mix and weighs less than 10 pounds. He is a beautiful boy with the markings of a red heeler. He has nothing but love in his eyes and heart to give to his new adopter. We believe that Cooper is around two years old. He was rescued from a kill shelter just in the nick of time.

Cooper is crate-trained and working on house training. He is great with both dogs and cats. If you have room in your heart and your home for this sweet boy, then please call or email: (337)478-7294, lapaw@bellsouth.net. A vet check and home visit are required. Hurry, Cooper is waiting!

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Vol. 6 • No. 21

demand have and will rule the market.

Crawfish Time!

The Price of Oil Gas prices have fallen dramatically, with oil prices declining from over the $100 per barrel range down to well under $50. This will have both beneficial and detrimental effects on our lives. Filling the car’s gas tank is costing less than it has in many years; we never dreamed that gasoline would be under $2 per gallon ever again. It will eventually return to $4 and more in the future; my crystal ball is in the shop so I can’t tell you when, but it will.

Unfortunately, there is a downside to lower oil prices.

Southwest Louisiana is oilinfused in its essence. It does not take a genius to realize that higher oil prices mean a lot more of those higher paying jobs for us and for our neighbors. The industrial expansion forecast for our area is fueled (pardon the pun) by our oil processing industrial base. Lower oil prices could have long-term detrimental effects on us if they last for too long.

Jobs, jobs, jobs are at risk, as well as the production profits to companies, stockholders and retirees dependent on oil revenue. Those banking on alternative energy sources to replace fossil fuels will also be hindered as lower petroleum product prices will put the brakes on the non-competitive priced alternatives. Supply and Vol. 6 • No. 21

Of interest to crawfish lovers will be the effect that lower fuel prices have on the price of these tasty little critters. It has been the mantra of the crawfish producers and thereby, the sellers that the cost of fuel has caused the unbelievably high prices of crawfish that we have had to endure the last few years. Unfortunately, businesses are loath to reduce the price of a product once they have achieved higher pricing. They always want to establish the higher price as the baseline for the future.

This year, the industry cannot blame the high price on fuel; that’s not going to fly.

Note that some of the boilers have started with very high prices for the early part of the season, where they are normally much pricier for sure. It will be interesting to watch how competition will work as fast as the price of fuel has fallen.

Remember, we did not expect to see gasoline under $3 ever again. It would be wonderful to eat boiled crawfish under $3 a pound once more.

Taxes. Checkpoints.

Again.

As you should expect, just about every government entity from the federal level on down is moaning and groaning for additional revenue measures. Prepare yourself for the onslaught: sales tax and fee increases, and hidden and unhidden taxes are aiming at your pocketbook. No agency ever seems to want to reduce their size and numbers; on the contrary, they want to grow themselves to bloat their worth.

We will hear heartrending accounts of how this and how that are the most necessary needs that could have ever existed. We

are told that employees’ salaries are not being competitive, that their costs are rising (like yours never do) and therefore, there’s a need for deeper penetration into your wallet.

Thankfully, we can vote against those that require voter approval. Some have been levied by legislative action, such as the 20 percent salary increase for state police funded by tickets issued to those of us that don’t carry proper automobile insurance. The city of Jennings has recently announced that they will increase the ticketing of Interstate travelers to bolster their coffers (they lamented the ticket count has fallen to approximately 500 a month from 1,000. I’m sure they wouldn’t call that a quota--NOT).

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the double time pay these off-duty officers receive for this work; it doesn’t make me wonder why profit patrolling is preferred to “Protecting and Serving.” Even worse, they have announced that if you challenge the ticket in court and lose (heh, heh, heh), the fine will double and go on your record. Nothing like a little coercion to make you go along with the program.

The roadblock checkpoints that routinely examine your seatbelts, insurance, inspection sticker, license and breath are intrusions that also compensate the officers at higher pay rates. I would think that violent crimes would deserve more of the focus, but I’m just a taxpayer. You know the routine. If they can call some-

thing for “Public Safety,” they most certainly will, valid or not. The pursuit of the illusive greenback continues.

Supermarket Roundup Mardi Gras parties, balls and the accompanying merriment leads to the demand for adult beverages. We have checked on some of these items before Thanksgiving and will check on them in the future. Here are some prices of popular brands many of us will serve to our friends this season. The prices were obtained on Tuesday, January 20 and reflect posted prices where the products were placed for sale. Stores were: AlbertsonsCountry Club Road, Market Basket-Nelson Road, KrogerMcNeese Street and WalmartNelson Road.

Korbel Champagne, Brut.

750 ml bottle: Albertsons $14.99, Market Basket $13.89, Kroger $14.19, Walmart $10.97.

Crown Royal Blended Canadian Whisky, 750 ml bottle: Albertsons $24.99, Market Basket $26.50, Kroger $27.99, Walmart $26.11.

E&J Brandy, VS, 750 ml bottle: Albertsons $9.99, Market Basket $9.69, Kroger $9.49, Walmart $9.97.

Budweiser, 12-pack, 12-ounce bottles: Albertsons $11.99, Market Basket $13.89, Kroger $14.19, Walmart $10.97.

January 29, 2015 9

Roger’s Trees Hiding behind an oak tree is not the deer-hunting norm.

Neither is in front of it. “Up in” is the usual route. Yet, I took the hides less traveled by, in front and behind an oak tree. It is the stuff of legend. My journey from trophy buck doofus to self-proclaimed Hawkeye has become Bolan Hall Plantation and South Carolina folklore.

This is the tale now known throughout the Palmetto State as “Roger’s Trees.”

Having made several an-

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nual trips to visit and hunt with Bob Phipps and his wife Lee, I observed two things of great importance to my now fabled Cajun expertise. Deer, when flushed from the fields at Bolan Hall, usually fled left to the peninsula that extended out into the Broad River, or bolted straight across the open ground toward the levee.

Having spent a year awaiting and planning my next deer hunt astride a horse, I now had the chance to put my cunning

to the test. This time, when the deer flushed and fled, I astutely rode to the right of the peninsula. The other hunters rode in chase, just as I had envisioned it. In pursuit, they drove the game up the point. The deer’s flashing white tail was easily spotted from atop my mount beneath the limbs of a massive oak. Our leaping quarry followed the land’s neck and became visible above the palmettos and scrub brush with every white flagged bound. Then he

ran down the abutment and fled directly toward me. Continuing that course would necessitate running smack dab into me under the tree. To flee right would be into a marshy bog. A left would follow the riverbank and up onto the open. That deer and every deer after him slowed almost to a halt to decide.

Sitting astride my mount like a Frederick Remington Cowboy, Model 97 Winchester 12 gauge shotgun shouldered and cocked, I didn’t let that first one pass. The shot at that range literally knocked him. I dismounted, pommeled rope in hand, tied his feet, and began the haul back to the barn with visions of deer sausage and roasts two-stepping merrily in my head. The rest of the hunting cavalry trailed behind me, most assuredly singing my praises.

That‘s the Tale and I’m sticking to it.

However, the title of this tale is “Roger’s Trees,” so here’s the second tree. I had noted the other deer flight path was across the open fields to an expansive oak along the riverbank. There they fled right or left along the levee. I set up there sans horse, Model 97 shotgun in hand. The mounted hunters were tiny black shapes in the distance, spread out in a line four horses abreast.

The riders began their hunt in Vol. 6 • No. 21

hopes of flushing a deer close enough to shoot. Luck was with them and I heard the shotgun’s booms.

Edging my head around the oak, I could see the deer fleeing ahead of them. Behind him was some damn fool riding wide open in full chase. On they came, deer and rider dodging downed trees, leaping gullies, and swerving or crashing through brush. Crazier yet, the horseman was gaining on the wounded deer. When they got within fifty yards of me, the rider spurred his horse, swung abreast of the deer and pulled off a one handed shot that crashed the deer down within ten feet of me.

That’s the Tale and I’m sticking to it.

Sorta. In the first tree tale, I did purposely ride to the oak back off the peninsula in hopes of getting a shot. I was astride no horse; he was tied to the brush behind the tree. Yet, I did see all as I described it. Yours truly was as surprised as the

Vol. 6 • No. 21

fleeing deer when he almost halted to turn left or right. With my shotgun resting on a scrub tree limb, even I couldn’t miss a stunned stupid stopped deer.

I was to take three more deer there over the years with the same trick; thus, Roger’s Tree I. As for Bob Phipps’s Comanche ride, that’s a fact Jack. He’d never tell you, way too much like bragging for Bobby, but in his youth, he was New York State’s Champion Equestrian. And as for Roger’s Tree II, I bagged two deer from behind it but without Bob’s accompanying horsemanship display.

Make note also that this time, the deer were actually running when I stepped from behind the tree and shot them from about ten yards away. As Bobby would say with his English boarding school accent, “I say Roger, it is much more sporting to shoot them running, one can‘t get them all to stand still.”

So there you have it. Two trees. Six deer. It’s the thing of Legend.

January 29, 2015 11

began to happen.

Stay in faith no matter what. Ask to be shown love and truth about what you are feeling. Be still and listen to your heart as it reveals the truth. When we begin to give the most valuable gift we can, we grow and heal. That gift is giving ourselves to others.

Just remember to continue opening the door of your heart as fully as you can. Be at peace. Ask to be shown the way you should approach others when love steps forward in your life.

It will be step-by-step process. Most of us hide the I am leaving some things pain behind laughter, by behind. You have to delibkeeping busy, and by simply erately choose to not carry ignoring it and pushing it old wounds and unloving back down. You might have patterns across that door. even begun to start wearing it I have opened the door to very well. It’s time to remove other encounters. Part of us it and face the mirror that has wants to grow and the other part resists been waiting for your reflecand wants to remain tion. The feelings that rise up planted firmly right to the surface may be painful. where we are.

I no longer welcome suffering when it knocks on my door. Instead, I hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on it. It has not been an easy journey to leave behind what I know and who I once was. My heart was hidden away and protected. Then, on July 4, 2011 my sleeping heart was awakened to life by a tremendous blow to my head. This impact that awakened my heart was like a death...I feel as though I lost several pieces of me.

You can look at it as a seed that God planted within me that day when he picked me back up off of that marble floor. I guess I had to “fall to the ground and die” so that I could become the woman I am now. I had to learn to close the doors before another opened. I breathed in a gust of grace and growth

Closed Doors As one door is closed in your life a new one opens before you.

Pause briefly at this threshold and know that what you are leaving behind is for the best...

-M.E. Miro Have you ever experienced leaving behind a part of your past and embracing the person you hope to become? What do you wish to tear up...to give away...to burn...to remove? Do you want to give away whatever keeps you from being your true self, from living freely and simply? To burn old memories and experiences that wounded you? To remove obstacles that keep you from being a loving person again?

I personally can relate to all that I have described. I long to plant seeds of kindness, to be healthy spiritually and to plant those seeds in myself and others I meet. I want to sing the song of my soul, to create the book waiting in my heart. To be and feel freedom and love.

All of those things are gradually happening in my life, but only because 12 January 29, 2015

Know that this is all part of your spiritual journey. The journey to become the person you have always been destined to be. There is so much more for you. It’s time to move, even though you might not like to be led. You must forgive and love yourself back to wholeness.

Choose to be honest and real with yourself. Move forward and face fears. Most important is to live the life that God intended for you.

Don’t waste another minute, hour, day, week, month or year in a place that is sad and unhappy. Unlock the inner door to your heart, even though it may be doublebolted, chained, padlocked and nailed shut. There are many things knowingly and unknowingly that have caused this door to be firmly secured.

In the gospel of Luke, Zechariah closed the door

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to his heart by refusing to believe his prayers have been answered. The angel tells Zechariah his aging wife will bear a son, but he rejects the amazing news. Zechariah then becomes mute until the birth of his son, John the Baptist, at which time his “mouth is opened.” This story symbolizes how the inner door locks when we close the mind or heart to mystery (Lk 1:5021,57-80) Question: Have I locked a door that keeps me from expanding my relationship with God, myself, or others?

(Heart Sharing) Sit quietly. Enter into stillness. Place your hand over your heart. Now, focus on a part of yourself that has a locked door or is resistant to growth. Imagine these words being whispered to you: “Peace, peace to your heart.” Allow the words to be repeated until peace flows and settles within you. The message should begin to root inside of your heart. Allow the locked door to gradually open. Ask God to give you the strength to do what you feel is right. Just say what’s on your mind and speak to God from your heart. Trust that God is present in your prayer.

Prayer Christ, Come through the locked doors of my inner dwelling place.

Bring your comforting peace to where I am most in need of it.

I open the door of my heart to you.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. (Jn 14:1) To book a Soul Matters Session with Nicole Shuff Arabie, call (337) 540-6573.

You can also go to her Facebook page at www.facebook. com/DeclutteringYourSoul Vol. 6 • No. 21

Busting Dog Myths: Part One Many of us have been around dogs all of our lives. So, many of us believe we know dogs pretty well. However, there are still some common mistakes that a lot of us make due to old myths that are still widely believed. The most common myth that I hear and read about most often is that dogs will attack when unprovoked, especially certain breeds of dogs that are often considered “dangerous.”

UNLESS the aggression is caused by medical (thyroid problems, tumors, etc.) or neurological issues, aggression is a learned behavior that is usually caused by one or a mixture of the following: no socialization (or late socialization), using physical force and/or punishment as discipline, being tethered for long durations of time, and/or lack of proper management.

Aggression is not breed-exclusive. Any breed can become aggressive or show aggressive tendencies. So, that debunks certain breeds being “aggressive breeds.” Some dogs can do more damage than others, so this is one of the reasons why some breeds have that reputation.

Obviously a Rottweiler will do more damage than a Chihuahua.

Dogs never attack unless they are provoked.

We see photos on social media all the time of a dog lying down with a baby or small child crawling on top of the dog, or even attempting to ride the dog like a horse. These photos terrify me because 75 percent of the time, the dog is giving clear signals that he is stressed.

We’ve all been told that a dog wagging his tail is a happy dog, and that when a dog’s hair stands up he is scared or ready to attack. Well, that’s not always true. Dogs do wag their tails when they are happy, yet they also wag when they may be nervous, on alert, or feel threatened. Their hair may stand up when they are scared or ready to attack, but sometimes it is because they are super excited and a bit overstimulated. This can lead to “redirected energy” or “redirected aggression,” so this is still something you need to be aware of.

Zoologist and animal behaviorist Dr. Muriel Brasseur states in an online magazine, Mirror, “The tail is an essential part of the dog’s com-

munication system, and the height, motions, speed, and whether tense or relaxed are all important factors… For example, a low to mid-tail wagging slowly could signify a relaxed dog or a worried dog, while a tail held up higher, and wagging faster could mean a dog is happy and excited, OR on the alert.

“The direction of movement also appears to be significant. A 2007 study led by scientists at the University of Trento, in Italy, revealed that dogs wag their tails to the right when looking at something they want to approach, such as their owner.

However, they wag their tails to the left when faced with something they want to back away from, such as an unfriendly or aggressive dog.”

Something as simple as a dog yawning can sometimes mean a dog is stressed out. Most people would not think twice about a dog yawning when a baby is climbing on him… until…SNAP! Then, the dog is blamed, rather than the guardians for not listening to what the dog was trying to say and/or managing the situation properly.

The most common stress signals are: yawning, nose licking, shaking the head or body, side glances, stiff body, grooming, wide eyes and scratching. However, you cannot just look at one part of the body to determine what your dog is trying to tell you. You must look at the body as a whole, as previously quoted

by Dr. Brasseur. I always encourage my clients to search the Internet for documentation and videos of dog body language and stress signals so that they can have a better understanding of communicating properly with their dogs. I encourage you to do the same. It is so important to have clear and effective communication with both our own and others’ dogs…not only for our dogs’ overall happiness, but for everyone’s safety, as well.

That’s all for now! Until next time, Happy Training!

Britney (Blanchette) Pitre, CPDT-KA Bons Chiens Dog Training, LLC. (337) 422-4703 Facebook.com/BonsChiensDogTraining www.bonschiens.com January 29, 2015 13

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Chicken Bonne Femme Hello, everybody!

Today we’re going to visit one of my favorite dishes, “Chicken Bonne Femme.” This dish has its roots in France but is a true Creole Classic. Bonne femme means “good wife” or “good woman.” This dish is prepared in the a la menagere manner. It’s a rustic and simple way to prepare a dish, since you will serve in the same container in which it is cooked.

What You’ll Need About 3 pounds of bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs Salt and pepper 8 – 12 slices of thick bacon (if you know me, you know I’m using 12) 2 pounds of small red potatoes, washed and halved 1 large onion chopped fine 4 – 6 cloves of garlic, minced 2 teaspoons of fresh thyme, minced 2 cups of good white wine (separated into 1 cup portions) ½ cup chicken broth 1 teaspoon of “Louisiana” brand hot sauce 4 green onions sliced thin from end to end 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

What You’ll Do Cook the bacon over medium heat until somewhat crisp in a Dutch oven. When done (should take 7 -8 minutes), use a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and brown all over. Th is should take about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate to rest.

Arrange the potatoes cut side down and brown over medium heat. Once browned, stir in the onion, cook a few minutes and then add the garlic and thyme and cook for about 30 seconds. It will smell fantastic. Stir in half of the wine (one cup), the chicken broth, hot sauce and half of the bacon. Bring to a boil.

Return the chicken and any juices that may be in the plate to the pot. Cook over medium-low heat covered, until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is at 175 degrees. This should take about 20-25 minutes. So, while that’s happening enjoy the other cup of white wine. When done, sprinkle with the green onion, parsley and the rest of the bacon. Season with salt and pepper and enjoy.

This is a great dish to prepare on a lazy day with friends and family. There are several variations of this dish and some friends I have shared it with have added ingredients to their liking and made it their own. Feel free to do this but keep the basic recipe the same, please.

Until next time, don’t forget to…. STIR DAT POT! Vol. 6 • No. 21

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An abdominal aortic aneurysm (or AAA) is caused by a weakening of the aorta due to age, disease or other conditions. As the bulge grows, the wall of the aorta becomes weaker. This condition, if left untreated, could cause the aorta to rupture or burst. A rupture of the aorta leads to serious internal bleeding or death.

“An aneurysm can occur in any artery in the body, but it usually occurs in the abdominal aorta, just below the kidneys,” says Dr. J. King White, a cardiologist at the Heart & Vascular Center, a part of the Memorial Medical Group.

AAAs are known as the silent killer since they tend to grow over time and are usually asymptomatic. The likelihood of having an AAA is increased if you have a family history of aneurysms, a history of smoking and/or high blood pressure. AAAs are more commonly found in men over 50 years of age, although younger people and women may also have them.

Early detection of AAAs is crucial to prevent rupture and death. AAAs

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are usually detected by ultrasound or computerized tomography. They are occasionally found on routine physical examinations by their primary care physician.

If the aneurysm has reached a certain size, the abdominal aneurysm can be treated by either open surgical repair or more commonly by a minimally invasive technique called endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Open surgical repair involves making an abdominal incision from below the breastbone to the top of the pubic bone, and then sewing a graft into the artery

above and below the aneurysm.

EVAR is non-surgical, can be done under local anesthesia and usually requires only an overnight stay in the hospital.

“To perform an EVAR, we make two small puncture sites in the groins. We put half of the graft through one side and the other half of the graft through the other side and connect them once they are inside the aneurysm,” Dr. White says. “The blood flow is cut off to the aneurysm and overtime the aneurysm will decrease in size.”

There are several stent graphs available, but the Ovation Prime is the least invasive stent graft on the market today.

It offers a unique sealing technology that utilizes polymer-filled sealing rings to maximize seal and conformability in both straightforward and challenging anatomies.

“This allows a less invasive procedure and quicker recovery for our patients,” Dr. White says.

You can contact the Heart & Vascular Center by calling (337) 494-3278.

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When it comes to your risk of stroke, small changes can yield big results – results that could lower your risk of stroke, according to a study published in the journal Stroke.

Cardiologist Michael Turner, MD, member of the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital Regional Heart Center medical staff, explains that stroke is caused by a blocked blood vessel or bleeding in the brain. He says the signs of a stroke include a sudden severe headache, weakness, numbness, vision problems, confusion, trouble walking or talking, dizziness and slurred speech. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.

Dr. Turner says the greatest risk reduction tool for stroke and heart attack if you know you are at high risk is medication management with a prescription statin, but he adds that lifestyle factors are something everyone should be aware of.

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In the new study, researchers looked at seven factors known to affect stroke risk: cigarette smoking, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, physical activity and diet. They traced over 30 thousand people, all over age 45, for four years to see how much improvement in any of these areas it takes to prevent stroke.

The good news is it doesn’t take much to make a difference. Each risk factor for stroke was scored from 0 to 2, with 0 being crummy, 1 kind of okay, and 2 terrific. Even a one-point improvement in the total score across all seven factors was found to significantly reduced stroke risk. Each improvement of a point on the 14-point scale meant an 8 percent reduction in stroke.

“We all know we need to manage

these known risk factors for heart disease and stroke, but many people feel overwhelmed by the big changes they feel they need to make,” says Dr. Turner.

“The big message from this study is that even a small improvement in any one area makes a difference. You Making a small change that will actually lower your risk should feel less daunting than completely changing your lifestyle. Any change is better than non improvement at all, and hopefully, small changes will lead to bigger ones down the road.”

If you are curious about which one of the seven risk factors studied to tackle first, Dr. Turner recommends focusing on blood pressure, because that leads to the greatest risk reduction, which was also confirmed by the study. “For example, every 20 millimeters of lowered systolic pressure lowers your risk of stroke by 50 percent.”

You can learn more about stroke risk and take an online cardiac risk assessment at www.christusstpatrick.org/cardiacrisk.

January 29, 2015 19

Pharmacists

By Patti Phillips R.Ph.

Pharmacists are committed to helping patients receive their medications as well as have a favorable response to their medication regimen. Pharmacists are known for being drug therapy experts. What other healthcare profession is so accessible to patients and provides a service free of

20 January 29, 2015

charge?

Pharmacy is an evolving profession where constant changes in healthcare lead to many new responsibilities for the pharmacy team. In other words, pharmacists are no longer just dispensing medications. They are dealing with insurance issues, administering vaccines, monitoring drug use in an effort to thwart illegal activities, counseling on over-the-counter medication, answering phones, and other multi-tasking activities--all while trying to perform the main task of filling prescriptions.

Insurance companies now require more information from the pharmacist and doctor to approve processing and payments.

This is called prior authorization and adds additional responsibilities and delays to the processing of the prescription.

Pharmacists have also become immunizers and are now offering flu, shingles and various other vaccinations. We need time to screen the patient, administer the injection

Protect Patients’

Best Interests

and monitor the patient once the shot is given for possible adverse effects.

One thing that has improved our ability to read the prescription is the processing of e-scripts, or electronic prescriptions sent through the computer. It has not reduced the amount of errors on prescriptions; it has simply just made them more legible. The errors require a clarification or correction from the physician’s office, which results in a delay for the patient.

Another downfall of e-scripts is that the patient does not receive the paper prescription and does not know when the actual prescription arrives at the pharmacy.

Many times, the patient arrives before the prescription has been received.

Pharmacists run a monitoring program before filling narcotics or pain medications. This is due to the high rate of abuse of these medications. It helps prevent people who see multiple doctors and receive multiple prescriptions from acquiring these medications and selling them on the street.

There is yet another level of nonpre-

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scription medications referred to as “behind the counter” medications (e.g., pseudoephedrine products) that require the additional step of entering the patient into a database. This ensures the patient is not excessively purchasing the main ingredient needed for methamphetamine laboratories.

The addition of drive-through windows to pharmacies was initially a luxury for dropping off and picking up prescriptions. It has become a nightmare for most pharmacists. It has given the public the perception that your prescription order should be filled in the same amount of time that it takes to receive your fast food items. This hinders the pharmacist from being able to gather the proper information from the patient before processing the prescription and the ability to counsel the patient afterwards.

Every time a pharmacist fills a prescription, there are multiple things that must be taken into account: Is it the right drug? The correct dose?

The right route? Does it include the correct times to be taken daily? Are there any drug interactions?

Is it a therapeutic duplication? Will the patient get the right outcome?

Additionally, there are constant interruptions, such as answering the phone, counseling patients on prescription and over-the-counter medications, enduring harsh attitudes about price increases that are out of our sphere of influence, trouble-shooting insurance problems, and supervising technicians and cashiers.

I am a pharmacist, but I am a human being first.

I became a pharmacist to help people and I am proud of what I do. Shopping for pharmaceuticals is not like shopping for fast food. Pick a pharmacist and a pharmacy you trust, and then give them the proper information and the time to fill your prescription. Take an extra minute to allow the pharmacist to counsel you on your medication.

The doctor, the pharmacist and the patient are all crucial elements of the healthcare team and must work together for a favorable outcome.

CPSO To Host AARP Smart Driver Safety Program The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff ’s Office will host an AARP Smart Driver Safety Program Thursday, February 12 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the CPSO John Scott Doyle Building behind the Calcasieu Sheriff ’s Prison at 5400 E. Broad Street. Upon completion of the program you will receive a certificate, which may entitle you to discounts on your car insurance for up to three years.

The cost of the class is $15 for AARP members, and $20 for non-members. There is limited seating available. To reserve your seat ,please call (337) 263-4563 or (337) 2634370. Lunch will be provided at no cost.

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West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital to Offer Foot Screenings

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital will offer complimentary foot screenings on Monday, February 2 from 5-6:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Wound Healing Center.

Foot and ankle specialist Dr. Kalieb Pourciau with Center for Orthopaedics will be conducting the foot screenings, and will provide patients with information on how to prevent, detect, and manage foot complications. A representative from Center for Orthopaedics will also be on hand to assist patients with specialty shoes. Diabetes patients are encouraged to attend.

Appointments for the screenings are limited. To register, or receive additional information, call (337) 528-4708.

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Dental Implants: What your Smile Could be Missing Your mouth is the most critical component of your outward appearance. Transcending all cultures and backgrounds, a smile can denote amusement, relief, gratitude and triumph. It can represent happiness and even pride for its owner.

Unfortunately, smiling doesn’t come easy for everyone. Some are self-conscious about missing or diseased teeth. Many are uncomfortable with the idea of dentures or a bridge or have experienced discomfort due to dentures or a bridge. Dental implants are a great solution for some, helping you regain a strong, healthy bite—often in as little as one or two trips to the dentist.

“Dental implants can be a more convenient and stable option for tooth replacement,” says Dr. Steven Park, a dentist at Robinson Dental Group in Lake Charles. “Implants are the closest thing to regaining the natural tooth—providing a more natural feel that not only makes a patient feel more physically at ease, but also helps them regain confidence in their smile.”

A dental implant is an artificial root that is inserted into the jaw to replace the tooth, mimicking its original, natural structure. The implant consists of three pieces—an anchor-

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ing root, an abutment and a crown.

Placement of the implant is a three-stage procedure. The first stage involves implanting the anchoring root into the jawbone to serve as a strong and stable base for the crown.

After the root is given time to merge with the jawbone, then the second stage focuses on removing a protective cover on the anchor.

Then an abutment goes into the anchor and impressions are made so that a crown can be fabricated. In stage three, the new tooth, which is the crown, is fitted as the final restoration.

The dental implant process is a medical advancement in itself, but the precision of the procedure is advanced by the latest 3-D dental imaging technology. The 3-D digital CT scanner provides highly accurate and detailed three-dimensional views of the anatomy of a patient’s mouth with a high-resolution, realtime scan of bone, teeth, tooth orientation, tooth and nerve relation, airways and sinuses.

“The new CT scanner gives us the ability to place an implant with the utmost precision,” says Dr. Park. “Its detailed scans allow us to perform a practice surgery on the computer, enabling us to prepare for any problems and achieve the best possible

results. Besides assisting with the procedure, the scanner also allows our patients to better visualize and better understand the implant process.”

Dr. Park lists the following as benefits to dental implants: Implants: •Can replace one or more missing teeth •Can be customized to fit your personal needs.

•Can provide a long-term solution for tooth replacement.

•Do not rely on other teeth for support.

•Can enhance food choices.

•Can improve speech.

•Can improve self-esteem.

Dr. Park says, “If you are in good health, have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant—you are probably a good candidate for a dental implant. Your dentist will carefully review your medical history and conduct a thorough dental examination to determine if you are a good candidate.”

For more information on dental implants, visit robinsondentalgroup.net or call Robinson Dental Group at (337)4743636 in Lake Charles or (337) 429-5057 in Moss Bluff.

January 29, 2015 23

By Angie Kay Dilmore The birth of a baby is one of life’s most precious and memorable events. West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital’s (WCCH’s) recent $2 million renovation and expansion, and the sheer number of deliveries that they perform each year – in addition to how long they’ve been doing it – make them a serious contender when deciding where to have your baby. At WCCH, the goal of the physician and nursing staff is to make a mother’s childbirth experience as pleasant and perfect as possible.

“The renovation was necessary due to a growth in patient volume,” said Karen Lambert Clapp, director of marketing at WCCH. “We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of deliveries performed at our hospital over the past couple of years. Such an increase made us rethink several aspects of our facility as our goal was to have a space that complimented that growth.”

Named For a Legend

Delivering babies for over 60 years is a big accomplishment for a healthcare facility in this area, and it takes the dedication of a team to make that happen. Years before the

Nurses’ Station

renovation, WCCH’s labor and delivery unit was named after Dr. Sallye Jean Toniette, a well-known and well-respected physician of obstetrics and gynecology and the first female obstetrician in Calcasieu Parish. The official name of the unit is the Sallye Jean Toniette, MD, Women’s Center.

“She started practicing in 1959 and was the cornerstone of labor and delivery in this area for years,” said Clapp.

Toniette retired in 2003, but still plays an active role at WCCH by serving on the WCCH Foundation Board.

“We’re proud to house a unit named in the honor of Dr. Toniette,” said Clapp. “It inspires us daily to carry on her dedication and passion for women’s care.”

The Team

The primary physicians serving WCCH’s labor and delivery unit are Dr. Ben Darby, a member of the WCCH Medical Staff since 1976, and Dr. Scott Bergstedt, a member of the WCCH Medical Staff since 1995, both of who practice at OBG-1 of WCCH. Their team also includes Certified Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Allison Hansen and Marilyn Watson, a women’s health nurse practitioner.

If a newborn is in critical condition and requires care beyond WCCH’s Level II nursery, WCCH collaborates with neonatologists Dr. Juan Bossano and Dr. Chih Hoa Lin and other local facilities to provide the appropriate level of care.

The pediatricians at the Pediatric Center 24 January 29, 2015

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of SWLA and the Children’s Clinic all have privileges at WCCH, as well as numerous family physicians in addition to other local physicians.

During a delivery at WCCH, the patient is assisted by a physician and two nurses; one for the mother and one for the baby.

Jessica Buxton, Maternal Child Care Nurse Manager, said that everyone in her department is cross-trained to work in all three areas: labor and delivery, post-partum care, and nursery. According to Buxton, “this is beneficial for our patients and helps the unit run more smoothly. Any nurse can care for any patient, regardless of the situation. All the nurses in the unit know what is going on in all areas of the unit.”

New Look, Improved Services

When planning the renovation and expansion of the labor and delivery unit, the WCCH marketing department and administration wanted the aesthetics of the facility to match the exceptional care and state of the art technology offered. The unit now has a very modern, contemporary feel. Patient rooms and the new waiting area are family friendly. They incorporated convenience into the plan by allowing patients and family members to get coffee and snacks on their own, which provides a sense of freedom.

The space is open and comfortable.

“Our new unit is much more efficient,” said Brenda Quesnel, Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nurse.

“The renovation is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable, but it also provides clinical benefits for the patients, physicians, and staff,” she said. Buxton said the new design also allows for better communication between staff members and physicians.

As part of the expansion, WCCH added one labor and delivery room, bringing the total to three. They also added an additional post-partum room, an area where new moms can recover after delivery. The nursery and all patient rooms in that area have also been renovated.

Originally, the unit had two separate nurses’ stations divided by a wall.

With the renovation, they now have a single nurses’ station with an open floor plan. A new high tech central patient monitoring system allows a physician to access real time progress of their patients via a smartphone.

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doctors can observe vital signs, fetal monitoring strips, and other clinical data.

“It’s like having the patient’s chart in front of them,” said Buxton. “If necessary, a doctor can order a C-section and by the time he gets to the hospital, the patient is on the table ready for surgery.” This technology provides patients with increased safety and a sense of security and peace of mind.

Part of the plan to expand the labor and delivery unit resulted from the foresight of WCCH Administration to accommodate the potential increase in Sulphur’s population due to anticipated industrial growth. “We know we’re going to have younger families coming into the area,” said Clapp.

More Than Birthing Babies

A wide range of services is offered at the Women’s Center at WCCH. In addition to labor and delivery services, they provide routine and high risk pregnancy care, outpatient monitoring with a physician order, many educational classes including gestational diabetes education, general gynecological surgeries, and Level II nursery care. A Level II nursery cares for infants born between 32-40 weeks gestation that may require help with weight gain, feedings, IV therapy, jaundice treatment, or oxygen therapy.

WCCH has a breastfeeding counselor on staff to help mothers who may be having lactation issues or infants who are struggling with breastfeeding. Quarterly breastfeeding classes are offered. They also have a breast pump rental program, using the most up-to-date Medela hospital-quality pumps and supplies.

Childbirth classes are offered online. Expectant couples meet with the childbirth educator to get materials and review how to access the course. Then they access course

Delivery room January 29, 2015 25

content and watch the educational segments that accompany the course at home at their convenience. Online classes offer several benefits. Sometimes it is difficult for couples to attend classes at the same time. Some women may be on bed rest. Online classes allow couples to learn on their own time at their own pace. If an older brother or sister struggles to transition to life with the new baby, sibling classes are also available.

Midwifery Services

Allison Hansen is a certified nurse midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner at OBG-1 of WCCH. As a midwife, Hansen assists expectant mothers with alternative natural labor and delivery techniques, but also attends and delivers mothers who choose epidurals or medication for pain control. According to Buxton, a large number of all vaginal deliveries at WCCH are assisted by Hansen, who is described as active and supportive of her patients and dedicated to her profession. “Allison loves her job, and her patients love her,” added Buxton.

The practice of midwifery has been around for centuries, if not since the beginning of humanity. But the common perception of midwifery – the wise elderly woman traveling on horseback to a backwoods cabin in a snowstorm to deliver a baby – is outdated. Modern midwifery has come a long way. For instance, Hansen does not make house calls.

“We have a new opportunity to educate the residents of

Southwest Louisiana about this service and its availability here with this renovation,” said Clapp. “We have dedicated resources to ensure this option is available for those who want to take advantage of it. What makes midwifery at WCCH so great is that Allison is fully supported by Dr. Darby and Dr. Bergstedt. When needed, she has the expertise of these doctors, as well as the nurses on the unit, to assist her.”

WCCH planned some of their renovation around the needs of a midwife and her patients. One delivery room has a spacious modern shower with a bench to soothe women in labor. Another room has a special tub for women in early labor. Other equipment, such as birthing bars on the beds and birthing balls (like exercise balls that women can lean, sit, or rock on) assist women in labor.

Portable fetal monitors allow the patient freedom to get out of bed and walk around.

Good Reviews

The Sallye Jean Toniette, MD, Women’s Center at WCCH is open, ready, and eager to serve patients. “Since we have completed this project, we have received much positive feedback from the community,” said Quesnel.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of this renovation.”

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital is located at 701 Cypress Street in Sulphur. For more information or to schedule a tour of the facility, call (337) 527-4361.

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Waiting Area

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January 29, 2015 27

Internationally Acclaimed Entertainer and Curator at Historic City Hall for Step Right Up!

Timothy Noel Tegge

Internationally acclaimed variety entertainer Timothy Noel Tegge will hold a gallery talk at Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center.

The talk will take place during the opening reception for Step Right Up! Behind the Scenes of the Circus Big Top, 1890-1965 on Jan. 30.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with a preview of the exhibition in the third floor gallery. The talk will begin at 6 in the second floor gallery, after which Tegge will guide the audience through the gallery.

Tegge, a third-generation showman and performer, was born and raised in the circus. He first donned clown makeup at age three, appearing with his father, also a clown at the time, in a parade. That was all it took to ignite a lifelong love affair with the world of sawdust and spangles. By the time he was five years old, Timothy was applying his own makeup and performing in the ring of the family-owned TNT & Royal Olympic Circus.

Now, 50 years later, Tegge can still be seen in the spotlight of some of the nation’s largest circus productions--sometimes as a clown, often an illusionist, and more regularly as the ringmaster and performance director--traveling several months every year across the U.S. and Canada.

He founded the Tegge Circus Archives (www.teggecircusarchives. com) in 1985 to help preserve and promote the history and culture of the traditional circus through touring exhibitions, informative lectures, educational workshops, and the media. The holdings in his collection date back to the late 1700s, integrating thousands of original posters, advertising materials, photographs; motion picture footage and audio recordings; and hundreds of vintage costumes, artifacts, and specialty items.

Step Right Up: Behind the Scenes of the Circus Big Top, 1890-1965 produced by Exhibits USA and curated by Tegge, is on a national tour of museums through March 2018, and will be on exhibit at Historic City Hall from January 30-March 14, 2014. The core exhibit features nearly one hundred individual items, all selected exclusively from Tegge’s massive collection.

Also opening the same evening will be Visible Visions of Southwest Louisiana and Beyond by Timothy Fontenot. Fontenot will host a reception in the first floor gallery at 5:30-8 p.m. Everyone is invited to stop in and meet this local fine art photographer. Visible Visions will hang through April 11.

Historic City Hall is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted. Charlestown Farmers’ Market is open on Bilbo Street behind the center every Saturday 8 a.m.-noon. For more information, please call 491-9147 or visit www.cityoflakecharles.com.

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Robbie Austin: Glimmer Twins Jan. 16-Feb. 27 This exhibit will showcase new works by Lake Charles native Robbie Austin.

The opening reception will be held Fri., Jan. 16 from 6-8 p.m. in the GibsonBarham Gallery of the Imperial Calcasieu Museum and a gallery talk will be given. The exhibit will be on display until February 27. (337) 439-3797.

sandwiches, fettuccine, mini quiches and petit fours. Then, grab your bingo cards! Exciting prizes donated by local businesses will go to the winners of eight bingo games, and door prizes will be given out to many lucky guests.

Individual tickets are $50; half tables of four are $200; full table of eight is $400. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (337) 433-1611.

Step Right Up! Circus Big Top Exhibit Opens Jan. 30 Fashionably Red SLAC Benefit Jan. 31 In an era spanning the early 20th century, through depression-ridden times and the Red Scare, the Big Top was a thrilling spectacle that burst into towns along the American road and railways. Explore a history fraught with intrigue and majesty and run away with the circus! Exhibit runs through March 14.

1911 Historic City Hall, 1001 Ryan Street, Lake Charles. (337) 491-9159.

Come to the Chateau du Calcasieu on Sat., Jan 31 for a 1950’s-Vintage Style Benefit sponsored by Lake City Entertainment. Doors open at 6 p.m. There will be food, drinks and live entertainment along with a silent auction and fashion show. Tickets are $20 per person. Portion of proceeds will go towards client services at the Southwest Louisiana AIDS Council. (678) 763-4532

McNeese Baseball/Softball Diamond Dinner Jan. 30 Shrek Jr. The Musical Jan. 31 - Feb. 1 The McNeese baseball and softball teams will officially kick off the 2015 season by holding their annual Diamond Dinner on Fri., Jan. 30 at Treasure’s of Marilyn’s located on 3510 5th Avenue in Lake Charles. Social hour from 6-7 p.m., cash bar throughout the evening and dinner at 7, live and silent auctions.

Premium table for $300 (seats eight) or individual tickets for $20. For table/ tickets call the baseball office at 575-5903 or the softball office at 562-4245.

Beethoven, Buffet & Bubbly Jan. 31 Bingo Buffet to benefit the Lake Charles Symphony at the Lake Charles Country Cub on Jan. 31! Enjoy a glass of champagne punch or sparkling beverage as you listen to the sounds of the symphony’s string trio along with finger

30 January 29, 2015

The LaGrange Choral and Theater Department are back again with their production of Shrek Jr. The Musical at LaGrange High School. Come and be transformed into a world of Fairytale Creatures and Smelly Ogres! $5 General Admission Tickets! Sat., Jan, 31 @ 2 & 7 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. (337) 217-4960.

Picasso at the Lapin Agile Feb. 4-8 McNeese State University’s Department of Performing Arts presents Picasso at the Lapin Agile, which features the characters of Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, who meet at a bar called the Lapin Agile (Nimble Rabbit). Both men are on the verge of an amazing idea (Einstein will publish his special theory of

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relativity in 1905 and Picasso will paint Les Demoiselles d’Avignon in 1907) where they have a lengthy debate about the value of genius and talent while interacting with a host of other characters. Performances are Feb. 4-8 at 7:30 p.m. (337) 475-5000.

SW District Livestock Show & Rodeo Feb. 5-7 The District Livestock Show & Rodeo returns to the Burton Complex in Lake Charles for “The Greatest Show on Dirt.” There will be a variety of rodeo performances, livestock shows, a Queen’s Pageant and more. The “mane” attraction is the professional rodeo performances that kick into gear each night featuring bucking broncos, thundering hooves and cheering fans. Go to www. southwestdistrictlivestockshowandrodeo.com or call (337) 515-9115.

Lutcher Theater Presents Guys and Dolls Feb. 6 The Broadway classic Guys and Dolls will play the Lutcher Theater in Orange, Texas Fri., Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Bustling with gamblers, gangsters, and sassy showgirls, Guys and Dolls celebrates Broadway’s golden era with one of the greatest scores ever written for a musical. Tickets from $45-$65 are on sale now at www.lutcher.org or by calling the Lutcher Box Office at (409) 866-5535.

Stellar Beans Annual Patrons’ Art Show Feb. 6-28 Stellar Beans presents the third annual Patrons’ Art Show for friends and patrons who have not had an art show of their own before. Artists’ reception Feb. 6. 319 Broad Street, Lake Charles. (337) 564 5739; stellarbeans@yahoo.com.

Death by Chocolate Murder Mystery Dinner Feb. 12 Sulphur’s Community Theatre, The Mines, present Death by Chocolate at the West Calcasieu Arena & Events Center in Sulphur on Feb. 12. Admission is $50 and includes dinner and the show. Starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. (337) 215-1301.

Valentine’s Cruise Feb. 14 Cruise the river aboard the Lady of the Lake and enjoy food, fun, dancing and music by JC Melancon and the Bayou Band! Cruise will depart from Riverside Resort (Loggerheads) and runs from 6-9 p.m. Cash bar available.

Menu: (buffet style) ribeye steak, potatoes au gratin, fried okra, crab-stuffed mushrooms, shrimp cocktail, garden salad, bread roll, fruits and cheeses, hors d’oeuvres, desserts. Tickets are $100 per person. (337) 491-6794, must be 21 to attend.

Boat, Sport and RV Show Feb. 20-22 This three-day event at the Lake Charles Civic Center is touted as the region’s largest. See 43 brands of boats & 99 brands of RVs in one easy to shop location, plus campground info, scuba gear, jet skis, resort information, guides, ATVs, fishing tackle and much more! Adults $8; children 15 and under free (with paid adult). (337) 436-4355.

Winter Beer Festival Feb. 21 The inaugural Louisiana Winter Beer Festival will be held 1-4 p.m. at the Calcasieu Marine Bank Building and will feature over 50 craft beers, ciders, and meads from Louisiana and other American Craft Breweries as well as local food selections, prizes, a home-brew competition, and live music. Regular admission is $40, VIP admission is $80. Tickets Available at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-louisiana-winter-beer-festival-tickets14935005002?aff=efbevent Vol. 6 • No. 21

January 29, 2015 31

Be a Part of Sulphur’s First Mardi Gras Parade!

This year, Sulphur is celebrating in grand style, and you should be a part of it! Enter the Sulphur Mardi Gras parade!

Each group, float, or vehicle

should have a sign on both sides of the unit that indicates the theme.

Make your sign large enough to be read from the sidewalk on each side of the street. Each float

or unit in the parade should be a representation of the Mardi Gras season. All music used in the presentation of your float, vehicle or performing unit should be ap-

Mardi Gras Madness 5k Feb. 15 The Lake Area Runners are excited to announce their newest race, the Mardi Gras Madness 5k--a race unlike any the Lake Area has seen before! During the peak of the carnival season, you’ll be running the parade route down Ryan Street an hour before The Children’s Parade!

The parade crowds will cheer you on along the way, and there will be food, beverages, and Zydeco at the finish! The

32 January 29, 2015

route will start on Gill Street near the Lake Charles Civic Center, and will finish near the end of the parade route near Sale Road. There will

be an epic finish line festival, and you’ll enjoy food, drink, and dancing as you watch the parade go by! Have your family members pick you up at the finish, or use the race day shuttles available take you back to your car for a small fee. Times: Registration is at 1:30 p.m.; race starts at 2:30.

Admission is $30. To register, go to http://www.active.com/ lake-charles-la/running/mardi-gras-madness-5k-2015.

propriate.

The more music, the better, but please keep it appropriate so that the parade will be a pleasant experience for all age viewers. This is a family event. Throws are allowed.

Parade units should have walkers to prevent people from getting too close.

Line up will begin at 12:30 p.m. and all units should be in place by 1:30 p.m. There is no entry fee.

Parade participants will enter from Beglis Parkway onto the West end of Maplewood Drive (between Walgreen’s and Kroger’s). Units will be lined up in the “S” curve between Novus and City Savings Bank, utilizing three of the five lanes. Lineup is first come after initial spaces are reserved by the City of Sulphur.

For more information, contact Sulphur City Hall at (337) 5274500.

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Sweet Chic Cupcakes It all started in a little apartment, with an old home oven and a very ambitious young lady. Lake Charles native and owner/operator of SweetChic Cupcakes, Roxie (Boston) Smith, began her baking career in 2009 while completing her senior year at McNeese State University.

Roxie’s chic little cupcakes and her gourmet flavors quickly earned her a “sweet” reputation. With this rising success, Roxie expanded her business in true Support Local fashion by selling her confectionary gems to several local restaurants and Sweet Chic’s King food vendors. Her delectable cannolis and irresistible cake pops can still be purchased at 121 Artisan Bistro. The collaboration was such a success that Roxie dedicated herself to baking and really started to grind. With orders increasing daily, desserts flying out the door, and hundreds of new ideas brewing, it was time for a much bigger kitchen.

Growing pains behind her, Roxie opened doors to the public, as well as her imagination. Armed with an official storefront and some brand-new equipment, SweetChic quickly became much more than your average dessert shop.

Branded with her new pink seersucker logo, Roxie set out to make SweetChic a household name. A new location, mixed with new clients, and tossing bundles of new requests was the recipe for a whole Vol. 6 • No. 21

new menu.

Picking inspirational fruits from her family tree, Roxie jammed together a load of new dessert ideas. Dusting off her apron, Roxie stepped out of her kitchen with a diverse new selection of cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and dozens of other homemade treats.

Combining old family flavors with new age techniques and gourmet presentation, these guilty pleasures brought business to a rolling boil.

Though, it doesn’t stop there…

In the course of Cake Cheesecake the last three years, Roxie has honed her skills in cake design, as well as a multitude of signature desserts that have truly set her apart from any other bakery in the area. Since introducing them, her custom cakes have become one of the most sought after items on the menu.

Using everything from Rice Krispies™ treats to airbrush kits and custom-built stands to finely craft together her masterpieces, SweetChic has introduced the Lake Area to cake designs that have been compared to those of Buddy Valastro, of TLC’s Cake Boss.

From birthdays, to weddings, to baby showers, to children’s parties, to graduations, Roxie works closely with you to ensure you get the perfect cake for your special day. Roxie’s design skills are limited only by her customers’ needs. Practicing new techniques with every new

design, she never stops building on what her business can offer.

Nonetheless, the colorful creations that can be found at SweetChic don’t just look good; they are a mouthwatering blend of exquisite flavors. The mini cupcakes are as unique in design as they are in taste--German Chocolate, Red Velvet, and Cookies & Cream just to name a few.

The home-style sugar cookies get two huge crumby thumbs up and the chocolate chips are a chocoholic’s dream.

Roxie never stops experimenting. By testing out her genius ideas with friends and family, she keeps new creations pouring out of the SweetChic kitchen almost daily. The real treat this year is the infamous “King Cake” Cheese Cake.

A creamy homemade cheesecake atop a layer of strawberry filling, piled on a flaky shortbread crust, baked to perfection, and covered in a rich stick-to-yourfingers-icing.

Selling more cake than she can bake is not a problem for her, either. Roxie has recently moved to a shop on Prien Lake Road, equipped with an ever-growing menu, speedy drive through, and a talented, and friendly staff. SweetChic’s ability to keep our city away from boring, cookie-cutter desserts is worth more than highlighting. It’s worth supporting!

So if you or someone you know has not had a chance to try one of these delectable goodies, then stop in, sweeten up, and HASHTAG DAT! As always, eat, sleep, drink, and Support Local. #SweetChicCupcakes #LocalsSupportingLocals #SupportLocal January 29, 2015 33

Paddington (Weinstein, 2015) one. Here we have a small Toss it up to my geocentric upbringing, but I’d never bear from darkest Peru who heard of the Paddington chil- has made his way to London. dren’s books until this movie All he wants is a home and family, but he’s left by himcame out. But the series is self alone at the train station well known in Great Britain, until late evening. Then along where the original author is comes a proper English famstill living. ily, the Browns: Father Henry, I gathered from my rehis wife Mary, and two tween search that Paddington is as children, Judy and Jonathan. much an English Product as Seeing the bear alone, Harry Potter and Mr. Bean.

Grumpy Henry wants the But he has a much stronger family to move along and pedigree: The first Paddington book was publish in 1958. ignore him, but Mary goes up to the bear and finds a tag on All of this to say that him that reads “Please take Paddington is a very simCare of this Bear.” Her heart ple movie, but a very sweet

34 January 29, 2015

is warmed and she convinces her husband and children to take him home, just for the evening. Before leaving the station, they give him a name, Paddington (because they are at Paddington Station.)

Remember, this movie is based on a children’s book.

Paddington talks, very well, and even has British manners and wears a wonderful red hat, under which he keeps a spare marmalade sandwich. The beauty of the story is that no one, including the Browns, expresses any surprise over Paddington’s remarkable qualities. Which, when you stop and think about it, is exactly the way a child would react to a cute talking bear.

If Paddington’s London is reminiscent of that in Mary Poppins, its plot reminds us of 101 Dalmatians. Here, the villain is an evil taxidermist (played by Nicole Kidman), who picks up on Paddington’s presence in London and plans on stuffing him for display in the Natural History Museum.

I’m not a fan of movies about anthropomorphic

animals. Usually the special effects are clumsy and the story is weak, but Paddington transcends these qualities. First of all the acting is first rate, with Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) as Mr. Brown, Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine) as Mary, and in a wonderful supporting role, Julie Walters (Harry Potter) as their relative, Mrs. Bird.

Never will you find such a likeable and appealing family as they work through the problems of dealing with a wayfaring bear like Paddington.

And the storyline, though quite simple, brings to bear all the trappings you would expect in a movie based on those proud Britons. At one point Paddington encounters a guard from Buckingham Palace and receives hospitality British-style. Practically every side character is English Weird, straight out of a BBC network sitcom. There’s a character listening in on conversations with a glass pressed against a wall, a bit of Monty Pythonesque Drag, even a Calypso band (Tobago Crusoe) adding to the soundtrack at appropriate times as Paddington passes in front of them while walking down the street.

But above them all, there is Paddington himself, who will make you forget you’re watching a mix of special effects and real life actors as he pulls you into his heartwarming story of a bear who needs a home.

Children of all ages and adults will enjoy this movie.

It goes a little slow at times, but then, I’m comparing it to Sponge Bob and other American Childhood icons.

In summary, a splendid time is guaranteed for all.

God Save the Queen. Paddington is rated PG because, Britain. Right!

Vol. 6 • No. 21

Getting into the Oscar Mood In the coming weeks, you’ll be able to watch Oscar winners and nominees old and new on the big screen in Lake Charles. Let’s get our Oscar predicting muscles warmed up by taking a look at movies that have already won the coveted little gold man. Then you’ll have a benchmark to compare the current Oscar nominees to before marking your ballot. But before I discuss the Oscar classics on the big screen, I want to propose a rental first.

All About Eve may not be about the Oscars but it certainly winks at it. The first scene is set at an awards ceremony with a fictional gold statue with the movie’s characters seated around fancy tables Golden-Globes-style. Throughout the rest of the movie, we learn the actress about to win the night’s biggest theatre award wormed her way into and out of her co-workers hearts as she connived her way to the top. The film’s final image is of someone we suspect may backstab her in the same way.

The true Oscar-worthy genius of the image is how it accomplishes this without a word of dialogue.

Not only will this young actress attempt to give Eve a taste of her own medicine, so will another actress and another, and another before her and after her on to infinity. Let’s hope that today’s Oscar nominees got where they are through talent and hard work!

Some fun facts on this film include Bette Davis’ infamous Vol. 6 • No. 21

line “Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.” And a young Marilyn Monroe appears in a small role. Monroe’s spot-on comic delivery makes it obvious this newcomer would be taking on Bette-Davis-size roles herself in future movies.

Now on to the Oscar oldies on the big screen: Funny Girl is also about the entertainment industry. Only this time, it’s Barbra Streisand singing and joking her way to the top playing real life entertainer Fanny Brice. This bio pic traces Brice’s rise to fame from the slums of the Lower East Side to the razzle dazzle of the Ziegfeld Follies.

As a teen, I used to rent this movie and cut it off after the first two thirds of the film. It’s all fun and games and laughter and music for the first part of the story.

But everyone’s biography is not happy-go-lucky all the time and the last part of the film reflects the real life family troubles of Miss Brice.

Some fun Oscar facts: This film was Barbra Streisand’s feature film debut. Also, when she was nominated for the Oscar she was a member of the Academy and like most nominees, voted for herself.

If she hadn’t, she would have tied with Katharine Hepburn for the year’s Best Actress Oscar.

Oh Audrey! Oh how I love thee in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. That’s the next big screen Oscar classic.

Interestingly, the main character

Holly Golightly has become one of Audrey Hepburn’s signature roles, but author Truman Capote envisioned Marilyn Monroe for the role. Marilyn’s drama coach said playing a call girl was not good for her image. Yet, today, we often think of Audrey Hepburn as the epitome of class. Oh well, Mr. Capote, you don’t’ know everything.

A fun Oscar note: The song that won the Oscar, “Moon River,” was almost not included in the film. Audrey Hepburn insisted that it stay in. In my opinion, she may not have a perfect singing voice, but I’ve always loved her sweet, wistful version the best.

The final Oscar Classic in the series is the original full-length 201-minute version of Giant.

Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean bring to life the rivalry of a Texas cattle rancher and an oil tycoon. This movie marks the legendary James Dean’s last film due to a tragic twist of irony. During the shoot, Dean appeared in an interview-style TV commercial promoting safe driving. His last advice was “Drive safely, because the life you save

may be mine.” Sadly, James Dean died a few weeks later in a car crash.

Actor Nick Adams provided Dean’s voice for a few lines to finish the film. One of Dean’s contributions to the look of the film is seen when he gives a long drunken soliloquy. He asked that they film it in a long shot to emphasize his character’s hopeless isolation.

You can catch all these Oscar classics at Cinemark: Funny Girl: Feb. 1, 2 p.m.; Feb. 4, 2 and 7 p.m.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Feb. 8, 2 p.m.; Feb. 11, 2 and 7 p.m.

Giant: Feb. 15, 2 p.m.; Feb 18, 2 and 7 p.m.

I hope to have watched all the new Oscar nominees before the ceremony on February 22. Until then, if you’re really obsessed with the Oscars and want to be sure you catch every single one of the new 2015 nominees on the big screen, Cinemark in Baton Rouge is having a marathon weekend, a half marathon weekend, and a week showing two of the nominees per night. Go to www. cinemark.com for details.

January 29, 2015 35

Thursday, Jan. 29 Happy Hour 4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC Jenny Slaydon 6 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Chubby Carrier & Bayou Swamp 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Karaoke Night 9 p.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC

DJ Trey 9 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC DJ Crush 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Stellar Beans

Hosts Environmental Movement Films Jan. 30

Three short films focused on aspects of the environmental movement will be screened starting at Stellar Beans Coffee House in downtown Lake Charles on January 30 at 6:30 p.m.

The Great St. Tammany Fracking Rebellion is a 17-minute film that chronicles the grassroots response of St. Tammany Parish residents to a proposal to bring fracking into that parish — which had not seen an oil well drilled there in more than 25 years. The proposal to frack was made in April and the rebellion began immediately. The video is by Mike Stagg of Lafayette.

Lost Paradise: The GreenARMY’s No Big Oil Bailout Tour is a 40-minute documentary by New York-based musician and filmmaker Moss Robeson. He accompanied a small group from the GreenARMY in a four-day tour through Louisiana’s Coastal Zone in late April 2014 that started in New Orleans and concluded in Abita Springs, with stops in Thibodaux, Erath, Cameron, Westlake, Lafayette, Baton Rouge and Hammond in between.

GreenARMY: Year One is an 11-minute video by Mike Stagg that chronicles high36 January 29, 2015

lights from the first year of the GreenARMY’s activities in Louisiana. It features leaders from community and statewide environmental groups in action across the state.

Stellar Beans Coffee Shop is located at 319 Broad Street, Lake Charles. For more information, email geolaker@msn.com.

Vol. 6 • No. 21

Friday, Jan. 30 Jenny Slaydon 7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Tom and Mick 7 p.m. @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, LC Members Only 8 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC LA Roxx 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder LA Express 9 p.m. @ Gator Lounge

Vol. 6 • No. 21

Delta Downs 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

Mr. DJ 9 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC Acoustic Pie 9 p.m.- midnight @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., Lake Charles

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

Dance Night 9 p.m.- 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., Lake Charles

DJ Crush 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Saturday, Jan. 31 Jenny Slaydon 7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC John Cessac 7 p.m. @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, Lake Charles

Merle Haggard 8 p.m. @ Golden Nugget Tickets start at $39 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd., LC Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin Cajuns 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live

Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder LA Express 9 p.m. @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton Mr. DJ 9 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC Jessie Taylor 9-midnight @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC Special Event Night 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC Hazy Ray 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC

January 29, 2015 37

DJ Crush 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Sunday, Feb. 1 Mckenzie Mill 11 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Monday, Feb. 2 Open Mic Night 9 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC

Two for Tuesday on Everything!

9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC

Tuesday, Feb. 3

Wednesday, Feb. 4

Guys Night @Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC

Karoake with DJ Cornbread 7 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC

Daiquiri Delights

By Ron Muniz

Alyssa Broussard and Maile Spurlin at Funky Monkey 38 January 29, 2015

Mardi Gras is just around the corner and in the spirit of all things festive, I was given an assignment: Go drink.

Then write about it. What?

Finally, something I can do!

Don’t argue with the boss, right? I took the task eagerly and set my sights on the perfect carnival drink. But, with day-long parades, block parties, and bouncing from one group to the next, this concoction had to be portable, sustainable and stay cold.

Enter the frozen daiquiri.

This delightful drink came out of necessity. When other forms of alcohol were rationed during WWII, rum was readily available, thanks to trade agreements with Latin American. Rum-based, early daiquiris were poured over ice and became quite fashionable in the 1940s.

Probably the most popular drink among revelers on Bourbon Street is the famous New Orleans Hurricane. But, since the Crescent City is over there and I’m over here, I set off on a serious journey to find the frozen Lake City equivalent.

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Kory Fontenot aka One Man Band 8 – 11 p.m. @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC Talent Night 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC

Thursday, Feb. 5 Happy Hour

4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC Backyard Boys 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder DJ Trey 9 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC

Karaoke Night 9 p.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC

11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Brick FloydPink Floyd Tribute

Friday, Feb. 6

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

Live Music 7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

FUNKY MONKEY DAIQUIRIS My first stop was Funky Monkey Daiquiris on Prien Lake Road. I’ve heard about their signature drink, “The Category 5 Hurricane” and in the mood for a bit of monkey business, I thought I should try it.

Owner Nate Arnold met me at the counter and claims his Cat 5 to be the strongest daiquiri in town. Feeling adventurous, I ordered the large! The drink was inspired after a trip to New Orleans with his wife who wanted to bring the classic Hurricane back to the Lake Area, but with a twist.

“We use five different types of rum in our Cat 5, from light to dark” said Arnold. Yes, that’s right. A Category 1 has one shot of rum, a Category 3, three shots and so on. In a cup the size of a bowling pin, bartender Alyssa Broussard gave me all five, grinning cheek to cheek. With this massive serving of frozen goodness before me, chuckles filled the room. “I’ll check on you in about 20 minutes” said Arnold.

While sipping my drink at the tropical depression stage, a good friend of mine, Stratton Doyle tells me a story of how he once out-drank an Englishman in Europe: “Ah, you’re a Yank? You Yanks can’t drink worth a (expletive),” said the Englishman. “I’m from Louisiana, man. We’re the most drinkingest state in the country,” Doyle replied.

The bet was on. Loser pays the tab. “Thanks for the free drinks, mate” said the Englishman, sure of himself for the win. Pint for pint, shot for shot, Doyle and the Englishman went on until the Brit was on the floor and the boy from the bayou state, barely holding on to his chair, proclaimed his victory “See, I told you we could drink, you (expletive)!”

Doyle said proudly.

Since this was “research,” I drew lines down my cup from Cat 1 to Cat 5 and monitored my progress, or decline, so to speak. Let’s just say the drink made landfall in my brain just after Cat 3. Bartender Hannah Breaux, creator of another Funky Monkey original, “The Jumper,” coined the term “Instant Amnesia” for my Cat 5. Good thing I took notes. Enjoying every last drop, I somehow made it to the bottom of my cup. Arnold did come back to check on me, so I was told.

The Category 5 combines a classic Hurricane mix with five different types of rum.

You know there’s some serious booze in there, but the sweetness of the mix helps to offer a smooth finish to this Vol. 6 • No. 21

Crystal LaVergne at Coolers Ice House amazingly delightful drink. If you want a lot of bang for your buck try a Category 5 Hurricane. With something for everyone the Monkey offers 40 different daiquiris to choose from.

January 29, 2015 39

Danny O’Flaherty: Songs & Stories 7 p.m. @ Stellar Beans Coffee House 319 Broad St., LC Greywolf 8 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Karaoke with Avid Sounds 9 p.m. @ Coolers 3622 1/2 Ryan St. LC

Joe Harmon & the Harmonics 9 p.m. @ Gator Lounge Delta Downs 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

Triggerproof 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Logan Soileau Band 9 p.m.- midnight @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC Dance Night

FROSTY FACTORY One cannot do proper analysis without visiting the first frozen drink establishment in Lake Charles, the Taj Mahal of daiquiris, The Frosty Factory. Owner Dorothy Branch or “Miss Dot” as everyone calls her, opened her business back in 1983 on Prien Lake Road. The Frosty later moved to Ryan Street in 1987 and in 2002, settled across from the McNeese Football stadium on Common Street where it stands today.

It was karaoke night, the place was packed and I made my way to the bar. “What can I get you?” Bartender Morgan German said with a smile. “I have no idea. What’s popular?” I replied. That’s all it took as German proceeded to serve me sample after sample from more than 25 different varieties. “This is called a Popsicle,” she said, bringing over a favorite among the regulars. But, so was the Monkey Shine, which tasted like bananas, and the Jungle Juice, and Ruff Stuff and the Bayou Rum, with spiced rum straight from the Lacassine distillery.

Then German gave me something called the Banana Split, which was a combination of the Monkey Shine and their Pina Colada.

Great taste without all the guilt! Sample after sample kept coming and I kept tasting. I was amazed at just how much she knew about every frozen drink along the bar. Eventually, I settled on the Kajun Kooler, which had rum and brandy and came highly recommended

by Miss Dot. This was a great drink and after a long day, it helped to take the edge off.

With plenty of pool tables, shuffle board, karaoke and dozens of drinks to choose from, there’s lots to do at The Frosty. You’ll also find a knowledgeable staff, plenty of room and friendly patrons. I will definitely be back.

40 January 29, 2015

Morgan German at Frosty Factory Vol. 6 • No. 21

9 p.m. – 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC DJ Mig 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Saturday, Feb. 7 Live Music

7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Mr. DJ 9 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC Special Event Night 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s

COOLERS ICE HOUSE it was a joy to drink. But I’ll My final stop in the quest for the perfect daiquiri led me to Coolers Icehouse on Ryan Street. A smoke-free establishment, Coolers is a great place to bring a date who doesn’t want smoke in her hair. But, if you need a cigarette there’s plenty of space on the front deck outside to mix and mingle.

Once inside, there were folks everywhere. A solo guitarist provided live music at a good volume allowing people to chat away about their day.

At the bar, I met the husband and wife team of Colby and Crystal LaVergne. These two worked well together slanging dranks for the crowd and keeping everyone hydrated and happy.

Some of their popular frozen drinks like the Cajun Storm, Walk Me Home, Liquid Marijuana, and the Cooler’s Greenade came highly recommended, but Colby insisted on one in particular. “You gotta try the Swamp Thing.” This was awesome. Hints of raspberry, margarita, and hurricane along with melon to top it off were all working in perfect harmony in my cup.

The color was tomato red, the taste was amazing and Vol. 6 • No. 21

have to come back for that Greenade and perhaps the Cajun Storm.

Nestled along Ryan Street Midtown, Coolers is also a great place to catch the Merchants’ Parade, Children’s Parade or come Fat Tuesday, the Krewe of Krewes’ Parade.

If variety is the spice of

112 W. Broad St., LC Joe Harmon & the Harmonics 9 p.m. @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

Skipper Drost 9 p.m.- midnight @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC

life, then frozen daiquiris are the fuel that funnels the soul. Try them all, I say.

Whether it’s Funky Monkey Daiquiris, The Frosty Factory or Coolers Icehouse you’ll surely find your drink of choice this Mardi Gras season and maybe you too can out-drink an Englishman. Cheers!

January 29, 2015 41

The Kodiax/Brother Jac 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., Lake Charles DJ Mig 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Wednesday, Feb. 11 Karaoke with DJ Cornbread 7 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC Jim Pharis 8-11 p.m. @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC

Open Mic Night 9 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC

Karaoke with Avid Sounds 9 p.m. @ Coolers 3622 1/2 Ryan St. LC

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Talent Night 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC

Guys Night @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC

Thursday, Feb. 12 Dancing 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC

42 January 29, 2015

Happy Hour 4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC

Live Music 6 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Richard LeBouef & Two Step 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder DJ Trey 9 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC Karaoke Night 9 p.m @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC DJ San-D 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Vol. 6 • No. 21

YOU SHOULD BE DANCING You know, I really like ABBA. A strange thing for a mid-30something male from Southwest Louisiana to say but, yeah... I really do like ABBA. I’m sitting here watching the first rays of sun just start to creep from below the horizon after a night at the disco. Now, some 40 years after the fact, the scene/genre has remained a cultural and musical milestone in our lives, even to those such as myself who were just arriving, or some of us who weren’t even born as the disco era itself was dying.

Despite the vitriol it received in its later days, it still has nostalgic affinity and a definite quirky charm that appeals to anyone looking to cut loose and have some shameless fun.

Whether it’s the flashy fashions of the day, putting one’s best Travolta on the dance floor, or belting out some Bee Gees or Donna Summer, there is uninhibited silly fun if you’re willing to break out the polyester, slip on the platform shoes and go out and get some of it.

Disco was born in the early ‘70s with its heyday running from 1976 through 1979. Musically, it had a certain style of tempo, rhythm and structure that produced smash hits but also became a genre that was defined, deified and demonized by its driving dance beats, excessive flair and the penchant for a crazed, drug-fueled, sexy vibe that rolled through the American night clubs of that era. Club-goers explored, indulged, experimented and immersed themselves in music and dance, abandoning their own apprehensions and that of those around them. It was a bit of that latter interpretation of the theme that came through to me tonight.

As many of you may know, beloved local staple Cigar Club not only features live music three nights a week but has also been known, on occasion, to throw the varied shindig or two with the annual January Disco an easy favorite of the bunch.

The 2015 edition was complete with the mirror balls, swirling lights, custom cocktails and the sounds of K.C. and The Sunshine Band, Gloria Gaynor, ELO, Barry White, The O’Jay’s, Village People and all of the usual suspects that took you right back to ‘78. Something in the sounds and style of the night found the normally quiet people talking and laughing and the shy ones out dancing. While the scene was certainly no Roxy nor Limelight nor the famed 54, it certainly was disco, and hardly a soul in attendance didn’t get swept up into it before the night was done.

What I felt that night was, in many ways, that same carefree and almost hedonistic impulse that fueled the discotheque scene--not the extreme behaviors that unfortunately became Vol. 6 • No. 21

associated with the clubs and the demise of the Disco Era-but just that desire to cut loose and feel good. That’s what the music itself was about.

The songwriters weren’t trying to change the world with their lyrics or their craft, like Dylan, for example. They produced something commercial that consumers enjoyed and wanted more of.

So, whatever your scene is, whether it be Sinners at My Place, Oh Rhien ay Luna Live, Entrenched Defilement at Center Stage, D.J. Tyski at 3topia, The Kadillacs at The Isle, The Molly Ringwalds at Party By The Pool, or Reba McEntire at Coushatta, or if it is indeed ABBA playing on the jukebox at a crazy disco party, realize that it’s not what type of music you like that’s important. It’s finding the music that makes you feel that abandon and happiness and getting out there to the events so you experience it. Find the music that moves you and go be a part of it.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some Dancing Queen to listen to...

SOMETHING’S HAPPENING HERE...

January 30 – Bag Of Donuts – Luna Live Admittedly, my favorite of such similarly themed bands in the region. Fun, fast-paced show from a group of New Orleanians that are capturing the flamboyant spirit of the Crescent City with big costumes and lights behind their set of “Superpop” that will smack you with hit after hit all night long. One of the most enjoyable acts I’ve had the pleasure of working with. GO SEE THEM! February 6 – Joe Harmon and The Harmonics – Delta Down’s Gator Lounge A former Platter singing your favorite classic soul and R&B hits backed by musicians hailing from Lil’ Alfred’s band. Not much more needs to be said. Soul and Swamp Pop fans... GO SEE THEM! February 6th – Trigger Proof – Mikko Lounge at Coushatta Baton Rouge-based Trigger Proof has been making their way back and forth across the Gulf Coast for a while now and delivers a great show with all of your classic and modern hits.

Featuring former Soul Vacation chanteuse Katie Pilipauskas, TP gives all of you who aren’t going to see Joe Harmon at Delta an alternative. Very talented and entertaining. GO SEE THEM! NA NA NA NA, NA NA NA NA, HEY HEY HEY, GOODBYE...

Stay tuned for stories, anecdotes, reviews criticisms and critiques on all things musical or entertaining in the months and issues to come. Until then, I’ll see you at the show!

January 29, 2015 43

The Undertaker’s Daughter You are a chip off the old block.

You’re just like your father. Just like your mother. Cut from the same cloth and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree – which was okay when you were a kid. Back then, you wanted to grow up just like them, anyhow.

Or not. When you’re the child of a parent with an unusual career – for instance, if you’re The Undertaker’s Daughter you might, as did Kate Mayfield, pick another path.

Kate Mayfield spent most of her young life surrounded by death. Just after she was born in the late 1950s, her parents moved the family to tiny Jubilee, Kentucky, where Mayfield’s father had decided to open a funeral home. There were two funeral homes there – one for Jubilee’s black residents and one for whites – but he reasoned that there was room for competition.

He didn’t reckon on the town’s Old Guard, which closed ranks among themselves and almost stopped the newcomer in his tracks.

Slowly, though, and with the help of one of the town’s most eccentric and forward-thinking residents, Mayfield’s father was accepted in the small town and his business thrived. He hired a few locals for help when times were busy and, as was the norm then, he also ran 44 January 29, 2015

one of the town’s ambulances. The family lived in an apartment above the coffins and embalming room, Mayfield’s mother worked her way into the town’s social life, the Mayfield children settled into Jubilee’s schools, and the dead came and went at Mayfield and Son Funeral Home.

But Jubilee was no Mayberry.

Racism was a way of life there and, though Mayfield says that the family maid was sometimes her only friend, there was an otherwise strict separation of black and white. As time passed, life in the small-town became a cauldron of gossip and sniping; Mayfield was reprimanded by teachers and taunted by schoolmates for liking a black boy; and The Old Guard continued to plague her father, whose secrets began to affect everyone around him. Mayfield, a teenager by then, knew her family would never leave Jubilee…. but she couldn’t wait to go.

Have you ever gotten a gift that was different – and better – than you expected? That’s what happens when you open The Undertaker’s Daughter.

You might think, for example, that the title indicates a tale of living with

a funeral director, but you’d only be partially correct. Author Kate Mayfield includes plenty of funny, heartfelt, sad memories of life above death, though she starts her book with a game of bridge and a love letter to small town life, a lifetime ago.

And yet – we see the dark spots, and the love letter soon becomes a Dear John letter. For that, I buried myself in this book.

While you may (rightly) see comparisons to a couple of popular works of fiction, remember that this book is a memoir - and a good one at that. Look for The Undertaker’s Daughter and you’ll be glad to block off your time for it.

“The Undertaker’s Daughter” by Kate Mayfield c. 2015, Gallery Books $24.99/ $29.99 Canada, 368 pages Vol. 6 • No. 21

Vol. 6 • No. 21

January 29, 2015 45

CARC MARDI GRAS BALL The 18th Annual CARC Mardi Gras ball was held at the Isle of Capri Event Center, and the good times rolled! This non-profit organization supports persons with disabilities and gives them opportunities such as this wonderful evening to celebrate with friends and supporters. Party on!

Michelle Thomas and Lucin Thibodeaux

April White and Thomas Outhouse

Heather Hebert and Sara Gorsulowsky

Kristy Duos, Cody Guilbeaux, Abigail Schmitt and Samantha Rathjen

Latoya Reado, Chantelle Stubin and Jennifer Robinson

CALCASIEU PARISH JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW The 4th annual Calcasieu Parish Junior Livestock Show was held at the Burton Complex. Over 400 students from around 60 Calcasieu parish schools competed at this three-day event, showing the animals that they have cared for throughout the year. Lots of oinking, mooing, cackling—and lots of blue ribbons!

See y’all next year!

Abbie Pearce, Carsyn Berry and Rachelle Dunn

Grant Racca with Kendal and McKenna Henry 46 January 29, 2015

Katherine and Claire Leonards

Grady Arbour and Keri Vic

Devin and Dalton Guillory and Joshua and Jessie Vincent

Vol. 6 • No. 21

MARDI GRAS COMMUNITY DANCE A swinging, blinging, “free” good time was had by all at the Mardi Gras Community Dance at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Presented by the City of Lake Charles and Community Inclusion, folks danced the night away to great music and enjoyed free hot dogs and beverages. Thank you, Lake Charles!

Garry Marshal and Lydia Carroll

Lewis Vincent and Jelena Carroll

Kimberly Lopez and Hillary Lein

Butch Faust, Sarah Whitlock, Mark Lavergne and Karen LaRocca

Shelby Perry, Bailey King and Alyssa Ceasar

MARDI GRAS BALL MADNESS It was a fabulous night of glitz and glam, partying, presentations, food, dancing and more as the various Krewes put on their annual balls at the Civic Center. Whether it was a formal or costume ball, members and guests got into the spirit of Mardi Gras! A toast to one heck of a celebration!

Tammy Truax, Craig Boudreaux and Keith Wimberly

Janie Duplechin, Libby Richards, Lisa Perry, Leslie Truax and Tina Bertrand Vol. 6 • No. 21

Nicole and Scott Jackson

Carrie Kudla and Stevie Bubeck

Colleen Phillips, Jennifer Ren and Charlotte Roan January 29, 2015 47