The Jambalaya News - 02/25/16, Vol. 7, No. 21

February 25, 2016 • Volume 7 • Issue 21

715 Kirby St. Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-436-7800 Fax: 337-990-0262

On Cover: Rosewater Grill & Tavern, New at Delta Downs Racetrack•Casino•Hotel

COVER 18 Introducing Delta Downs’ Rosewater Grill & Tavern

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www.thejambalayanews.com Publisher/Executive Editor Lauren Abate lauren@thejambalayanews.com

Contributors Nicole Shuff Arabie Roger Miller Jason Machulski Justin Morris Russell Pawlowski Terri Schlichenmeyer

Sales sales@thejambalayanews.com

Graphics Art/Production Director Burn Rourk Business Office Manager Jeanie Rourk

REGULARS 4 We Are SWLA! 6

Fishin’ Tales

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Soul Matters

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The Pirate’s Platter

20 Adoption Corner 33 Tales of the Bayou Pickers FEATURES 14 New Business Year One: Most Common Mistakes 14 Is Entrepreneurship For You? 16 The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese

THE SPICE OF SWLA 20 LC Symphony Presents Orff ’s Carmina Burana 22 Event Guide 24 Live @ The Lakefront’s 2016 Line-up Announced 25 LABT’s Spring Gala Ballet Performance

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.

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26 Historic City Hall: Two New Exhibitions 27 Bookworm Sez… 28 Nightlife Guide 30 Justin Morris’s Lake Charles

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34 Society Spice

Vol. 7 • No. 21

Spring

Has Sprung!

Well, Mardi Gras season came and went in the blink of an eye.

Even though it ended much earlier than the norm, winter appeared to end with it. No more frosty nights, even though we barely had any to begin with this year. I highly approve of The Winter of 2015-2016.

I think the rest of the country does, as well. My old stomping grounds did not get much precipitation, either. Kelly only complained about one or two harrowing journeys on her commuter bus ride from Burlington to Boston, instead of the usual 10 or more. Considering that last year was the worst winter in recorded history for Massachusetts, the good citizens have a lot to celebrate on St. Patrick’s Day (as if they needed another reason).

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Of course, it’s only the end of February, and Mother Nature can be tricky up North. I remember a surprise April 1 blizzard that shut the whole city down. So they’re not out of the woods yet. But they’re squeaking by, holding their breaths, hoping their good luck holds out until Opening Day at Fenway Park.

(Which I have attended in the past and can be damn cold.)

Down here, it’s springtime in the South, which means the sun is shining and flowers are blooming and birds are chirping. The few people I know who love the cold (Roger Miller, Heather Hidalgo, I’m looking at YOU) are probably staring mournfully at their sweaters and boots, not ready to pack them away just yet, hoping for a last-

minute visit from the Frost Miser.

There may be some chilly evenings to come, but I think we can safely say good-bye to winter and rejoice in the Easter Bunny decorations that popped out in all the stores after the stroke of midnight on February 15.

Spring brings all kinds of fabulous things to enjoy here. I’m not even talking about the rest of the state. Just our little neck of the woods, the place where some people still think nothing happens (who ARE you people?) has so many events coming up that we can’t possibly go to all of them.

The Winter Beer Fest is coming up soon on March 5. It will be held in the courtyard of the Calcasieu Marine Building in downtown Lake Charles and it benefits the Lake Charles Symphony! Last year’s event was a sellout, so make sure you get your tickets now if you haven’t already. Another fabulous fundraiser for the Symphony is the Wild Beast Feast, which will also be held in the courtyard on April 2. Sample delicious wild game and seafood offerings from local sportsmen. And speaking of the Symphony, they will present their last concert of the season (before the Summer Pops, of course!) on April 16. Turn to page 20 for a description of Carl Orff ’s Carmina Burana and then get your tickets!

Next month we can enjoy not one but two fabulous ballet galas: the Lake Area Ballet Theatre’s

Spring Gala Showcase on March 11 and the Lake Charles Civic Ballet’s Assemble’ 2016 March 19-20.

Both will be held at the Rosa Hart Theater. Go to our Events section in this issue for more information and enjoy the magic of the ballet!

What else is coming up? The annual Black Heritage Festival brings amazing talent, delicious food and hundreds of vendors March 4-5 at the Civic Center. The Sulphur Mines Festival celebrates Sulphur’s Heritage March 11-12 with all kinds of fun things to see and do across the bridge. Live @ the Lakefront lets us bask in our balmy spring weather while listening to hot music on the lake three consecutive Fridays starting March 11.

The Church of the Good Shepherd is having their annual book sale March 18-20 and the Palm Sunday Tour of Homes will showcase some lovely homes in the downtown Charpentier District March 20.

Still bored? I can’t imagine why.

Get out there and discover everything SWLA has to offer. It’s there, just waiting for you.

Lauren Abate

February 25, 2016 3

Symphony, Common Ground LA, Children’s Theatre Co., LA Choral Foundation, Lake Charles Little Theatre, Lake Charles Community Band, Black Heritage Festival, KC Productions SWLA, Inc., ACTS Theatre, Itinerant Theatre, and Jazz in the Arts. For more information on the Arts Council’s services and programs, visit www.artscouncilswla.org.

Local Photographer Exhibits in New Orleans

Cooper, Medearis Appointed to CVB’s Board of Directors

Edwina Medearis

Lauren Cooper

Lauren Cooper, representing the West Calcasieu Community Center Authority and Edwina Medearis, on behalf of the City of Lake Charles, were appointed to serve on the board of directors for the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau. Cooper is employed at City Savings Bank in DeQuincy and is active in the community as a member of the DeQuincy Federated Service League and an event organizer for the Railroad Days Festival, as well as having served as the DeQuincy Chamber of Commerce president for the past three years. Medearis is a registered nurse and has owned Medearis Costumes, Gifts & Balloons for 33 years. She has served on numerous boards in the past and was the recipient of the Governor Edwin Edwards LA Minority Business Person of the Year in 1992 and the American Postal Service Women in History Award in 2002.

LCMH Announces 2016 Board of Directors

Local photographer Tim Fontenot is having an exhibit at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans. Fourteen prints from his Southwest Louisiana collection will be on display for one month beginning March 1 in a main corridor to the medical center’s entrance. Fontenot has been shooting images of south Louisiana and beyond since 1975. Fontenot is a member of Associated Louisiana Artists, the Louisiana Artist Roster, a board member of the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana, and the Regional Arts Network.

Tim Fontenot

Regional Supporters Donate to Dog Park The Quality of Life Fund for Southwest Louisiana received four $1,000 donations from local residents, Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and the Greater Lake Charles Rotary Club. This $4,000, along with other recent donations, brings the fund up to 45 percent of its original goal. The Quality of Life Task Force, part of the SWLA Economic Development Alliance, has been working with the City of Lake Charles to develop an off-leash public dog park in the downtown area. The park will offer dogs and their owners an off-leash play area where they can socialize with other canines and their owners. Taxdeductible donations may be made to the Community Foundation for the Quality of Life Fund. Checks may be mailed to P.O. Box 3125, Lake Charles, LA, 70602 or donations may be made on line at foundationswla.org. Direct questions to awhite@allianceswla.org.

Axiall Donates to SOWELA Axiall Corporation donated $5,000 to the SOWELA Technical Community College Foundation as a sponsor of the SOWELA Flying Tigers Car Show – a fundraising event to benefit student scholarships.

Lake Charles Memorial Health System recently announced the 2016 board of directors. The board is a group of community leaders in finance, media, public policy and business who volunteer their time and talents to advocate and lead the health system. They include Louis M. Todd, Sr., Chairman; Thomas Shearman, Chairman-Elect/Vice Chairman & Secretary; Denise Emerson Rau, Past Chairperson; Larry M. Graham, President/Assistant Secretary; Leroy Fredericks, M.D., Medical Staff President; Ron Lewis, Jr., M.D., Medical Staff Past President; Gerry Hebert, M.D., Medical Staff President- Elect; Judge Gene Thibodeaux; Joe Miller, Jr.; Richard Martinez, M.D.; Alan LeBato, M.D.; Mitchell Adrian and Mark Abraham.

LC Partnership Grants Awarded to Area Events The Arts Council of SWLA is pleased to announce the grant awards for the 2016-2017 LC Partnership Grant. This competitive grant program is funded annually by the City of Lake Charles and administered by the Arts Council. Twenty-four grants were awarded to projects and organizations located within the city limits of Lake Charles, including Tipitina’s Foundation, Bayou Writer’s Group, Dr. F. G. Bulber Youth Orchestra, Whistle Stop, Cajun French Music Association-Lake Charles Chapter, Lake Charles Civic Ballet, Lake Area Ballet Theatre, LA Film & Video Art, Inc., Lake Charles 4 February 25, 2016

Axiall’s VP of Operations Jim Rock presents donation to Marianne White, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, and Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Chancellor.

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Northwestern Mutual is Presenting Sponsor of CHRISTUS Dragon Boat Race

Stream Wetland Services Donates to Family & Youth Family & Youth Counseling Agency received $5,000 from Stream Wetland Services for the third annual G2X FISHO-RAMA, which was held October 17, 2015 at Calcasieu Point Landing. Over 150 individuals participated in the tournaL to R: Julio Galan, President/ CEO of Family & Youth ment and enjoyed and Gray Stream, Stream Wetland Services. great food, fun, and entertainment. Proceeds from the event support the eight divisions of Family & Youth Counseling Agency.

Northwestern Mutual is the presenting sponsor of the CHRISTUS ST. Patrick’s fourth annual Dragon Boat Race. The race benefits the Children’s Miracle Network program at St. Patrick’s Hospital. As a first-time presenting sponsor, Northwestern Mutual is making a significant commitment to promoting the health and wellness of SWLA’s children. The race will be held on April 23 and as many as 35 teams will compete along the Lake Charles seawall.

Nora Popillion, Director of Entertainment and PR at Delta Downs (right) presents a $5,000 check to the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation CMN Director Cara Wyland (left).

Northwestern Mutual representatives Ted P. Harless Jr., (far right) and Marty DeRouen (second from right) present a check for $10,000 to CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation representatives Kay Barnett, Exec. Dir. of Development, (far left) and Cara Wyland, CMN Director (second from left).

Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center Receives Donation The Smith family recently designated the Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital as the recipient of a $10,000 donation. Prior to this donation, the center received donations totaling $20,000 in memory of Jan Gwatney, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Smith, Jr. The Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center provides outpatient occupational therapy services to the developmentally disabled by utilizing hippotherapy and a variety of therapy processes. For more information on the services of the center, call (337) 625-3972.

Vol. 7 • No. 21

February 25, 2016 5

Photos by Chris Romero

Sac-a-lait Serenade As usual, Chad Shuff was a man of his word. He’d promised during a visit over a year ago that we’d make the trek to his fishing camp at Holly Point near Noble, Louisiana. All it took was his phone call and it was on. After a 35-year hiatus, I’d again be angling the 185,000-acre, biggest man-made lake in the South: Toledo Bend Lake. Obviously, I wasn’t going to be throwing lures over the whole expanse, just the part Chad knew so well.

Toledo Bend Lake is on the Texas/Louisiana border about half way up Louisiana’s Sabine River western border.

Chad, his auburn haired girlfriend Sandra Thellan and fluffy white Maltese/ Poodle mix Ruby soon arrived at my apartment. We were off on the hour-anda-half, sure-get-to-know-each other drive into Louisiana hill country. I’d seen the

pictures of saddle blanket white perch and hog bass Chad had ever so teasingly posted on my Facebook page. Now it was my turn.

We had an awful lot of catching up to do on what had transpired in the 30 years since I’d taught Chad at LaGrange High School. Like his grandfather and father, Chad was a union ironworker and had been on jobs all over the US. After a number of on-the-job and car wreck injuries, Chad was in training to be an operator at ABC School. Meanwhile, it was time to fish.

Parking under the oaks that shaded his camp, the first thing I saw was a pier as beaten and busted up as we were. Seems a big storm had done in his and a number of other wharves. Chad’s Pro Series Bass Tracker was tied up to his neighbor’s pier.

Kelly Stevens

6 February 25, 2016

While Chad and I planned our excursion, Sandra cooked up Cajun pork chops in a dark Slap Your Mama gravy.

The next morning Sandra and Chad were off to Alexandria for their physical therapy before I was even up. I was left to fish off his and the neighbor’s wharves, read and just generally goof off until they returned. Having no luck angling, I headed back up to the camp for an another cup of coffee and the James Lee Burke book I was reading. The outer door I had closed behind me when I left the camp must have been set to lock. It did. Undaunted, I tried all the windows.

Even took one of the screens off but the windows were all latched shut. I was still killing time down on the pier fishing when Chad and Sandra finally returned around noon.

“Catch anything?” Chad asked as he ambled down the hill.

“Nope, but I did manage to lock myself out,” I replied.

Chad was so perplexed at my statement he stopped half way down to what was left of his wharf. He noted I was on the pier next to his. Then it dawned on both of us, with me on the wrong wharf, that I wasn’t locked out of his camp. Just the neighbor’s.

Yet another of my “Well, duh!” moments that bemused him and Sandra and made for some good-natured kidding back and forth.

It had finally warmed into the high ‘50s, so we were to swing out around the peninsula and into the out of the wind calm inlet. We were on a mission to catch a monster bass that had tossed Chad’s lure just a few days before. Seems it was my day to lock on to things as I hooked Vol. 7 • No. 21

Chad Shuff tree limbs, brush, weeds but no monster bass.

“Let’s go catch some white perch,” Chad said as he pointed to this stump about 200 yards away.

“My Dad’s favorite, Chad,” I replied as Chad steered us there. He tied us off, rigged our bass rigs for sac-a-lait and set the minnow bucket between the two of us.

“Just drop the minnow down to bottom, crank twice and fish up from the bottom,” Chad advised.

It proved to be good advice as he hauled in slab-sized white perch. My expertise proved to be catching and keeping the catfish out of our perch hole. Oh, I caught a few white perch but Chad had the three to one edge here. Who caught what mattered not as I watched Chad filet our sac-

a-lait at his fish cleaning station.

He even asked how many fish filets I wanted per freezer bag to take home.

Visions of browned baked flaked filets steeped in butter, lemon slices, and lemon pepper swam in my head as we headed up to the correct camp this time.

That night, after a fried fish supper, we pulled chairs up to the fire pit, piled the logs in and got it burning. The neighbor I’d met the night before, Kelly Stevens, appeared with a large drink in one hand and his guitar in the other.

“Just what I need is some drunk redneck strumming his guitar and singing bad Country and Western songs,” I thought. For the second time at Chad and Sandra’s I was woefully wrong. Kelly started with a local’s song about viewing life through a clouded whiskey glass in his hometown bar. He moved on to Hank Williams Sr. and Jr., Waylon, Willie, Johnny, George and the new Nashville stars. Kelly even mixed in songs he’d heard from lesser soulful singers while running his open mike show in town. It was truly a soulful sac-a-lait serenade and he never even touched that drink until he laid his guitar down. Sometimes being so wrong is so right.

Shane, Roger, Jeanette & Glenn

Vol. 7 • No. 21

February 25, 2016 7

Navigational Magnetism Do you ever notice how things come crashing into your life? Where did it come from--that continuous transmission of motion from one part to another? Are we supposed to accept all of it? Do we assume that everything is not always what it seems to be at first sight and then claim the right to see whether there is another explanation for it?

Thoughts, images, etc., are sort of a naive reality to perception of the external world, which we commonly apply names and concepts to.

How can you explain when one thing or person connects you to the exact person, place or thing you are seeking at that very moment? Maybe a high magnetism from one person radiating outwardly towards another begins the navigational directional pull.

This combination meets and perhaps begins to produce explosives which then become much more active and far-reaching in their effects.

Wholes are ordinarily sets in which the parts reciprocally determine one another through the observing mind and brain. Language has an 8 February 25, 2016

important function. Words and thoughts can run parallel to, predict, and determine events in the external world around you.

Let’s look at the order of things in our lives: Most of us look at life events like this: A=B, B=C. A, B and C are patterns representing external things or processes. What we really need to understand is that these patterns claiming to represent external happenings cannot all remain excited to stay in that order. They end up clashing within the interaction of patterns when our thoughts run parallel to reality, which is not “the mind” or “the self ” sensing data.

If we keep trying to stack our thoughts on top of each

other, we will find that they will eventually begin to fall down.

When a bridge is built, it has gone through many things to ensure that it will withstand the weight it will bear, the weather it will face, etc. Modern technology uses instruments that are able to calculate the possible events that could occur with that bridge.

Our brains are similar these instruments to when the bridge begins to feel and show the strains that have been put on it.

Let’s revisit patterns again.

A is larger than a and B is larger than b and you are able to see that. You are able to recognize this with your eyes.

Our memory has traced what we have been taught. If, for some reason, your eyes did not sense the slight difference of sizing, it could result in a false behavior in the response. You wouldn’t be able to determine that the appearance is false.

Instead our brain might be picking up the same number of corners. It

is a deflection of the balance.

What is essential to understand is that we must respond to straightness and to bentness; we have all acquired habits in passing along the straight lines in our lives, and consequently, we have also encountered a break when faced by something new. These different related things must be blended into a single reaction. We must be able to see and recognize the entire visual field. If not, we will be led away to another visual area in our view. This new wave pattern will then create pressure in those areas, becoming a highly complicated pattern. Consequently, we won’t be able to measure correctly.

Our words should be regarded with great respect, for they are tools that we usually fit into some complicated reality. We must be clear with what we say and think.

Feelings are results of words that navigate toward us with magnetism. Those feelings change in color and shade, which then lead us to judge the use of a word correctly or incorrectly, which can then lead to confusion and argument.

Let go of the narrowminded thinking. There are no short cuts or an easier way out. We must experience all of it in our lives to become whole. Let go and let God have control. Listen and learn. Allow Him to fine tune the instrument that you are.

Not allowing the tune-up can result in much needed repairing before you fall apart. Go and grow in your life and experience joy and love.

To book a Soul Matters Session with Nicole Shuff Arabie, call (337) 5406573. You can also go to her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DeclutteringYourSoul Vol. 7 • No. 21

Roasted Curried Cauliflower From what the Pirate can gather, the history of curry goes back a long way. While evidence suggests that its use probably originated in India, there are indications of it being used in 1700 BC Mesopotamia. Curry was used in England as early as the 1300s and probably even earlier than that. It was mentioned in the first book written on English cooking during the time of Richard II (late 1300s).

Curry is used in the cuisine of almost every country and can be incorporated into any dish. Curry powder itself is not a single spice but a blend of different spices and can be either mild or hot.

My mother came from Braintree, a small town in England located in Essex. Although we grew up using only salt and pepper on most dishes, she would occasionally cook a chicken curry, which I still cook today.

I made Roasted Curried Cauliflower for the family recently and they ate every floret. Taking cauliflower, which has little to no taste, and turning it into this wonderful dish was a journey, but the Pirate prevailed again with this pleasing twist.

roasting pan. Pull apart onion quarters into separate layers; add to cauliflower. Whisk oil, vinegar, curry powder, paprika, coriander, cumin and salt. Pour dressing over vegetables; toss to coat. Spread vegetables in single layer. Sprinkle with pepper.

Roast vegetables until tender, stirring occasionally, about 35 minutes. (Can be made two hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm in 450°F oven 10 minutes, if desired.)

Mound vegetables in large bowl. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Ingredients

12 cups cauliflower florets (from about 4 lbs. cauliflower) 1 large onion, peeled, quartered 1 teaspoon coriander 1 teaspoon cumin 3/4 cup olive oil 1/2 cup red wine vinegar 3 1/2 teaspoons curry powder 1 tablespoon Hungarian hot paprika 1 3/4 teaspoons salt 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450°F. Place cauliflower florets in large

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Mosquito Protection Aids in Fight against Zika Virus The rapid spread of the Zika virus has health experts alarmed, with ongoing research being conducted to determine how and why it is spreading and what Americans can do to protect themselves.

The virus causes microcephaly, a neurological disorder resulting in babies being born with abnormally small heads. This causes severe developmental issues and sometimes death.

In Brazil during 2014, there were 146 cases; in 2015, there were 4,180 cases.

So far, 51 babies have died. At this time, there is no vaccine or medicine to treat the infection.

The symptoms are mild and include fever, headache, rash and possible pink eye.

The most common way the virus is spread is through mosquitoes. “The good news is that the United States has

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far better mosquito control than many of the affected countries,” explained Robert Soileau, pest control expert and manager of J&J Exterminating in Lake Charles. “At this time of the year, mosquitoes are not as active in our area.

We’ll have to wait and see what happens as the weather warms up. Hopefully, we won’t see an increase of people getting the Zika virus; but because our area has a high amount mosquitoes for many months, it’s something we should all be watching.”

The CDC encourages all those with concern to actively protect against mosquitoes.

Mosquito control treatments are available to greatly reduce mosquitoes for homeowners. “Customers who choose these treatments are seeing far fewer mosquitoes than previously. They’re safe for children and

pets and give homeowners a measure of protection against mosquitoes.

With these mosquito-borne viruses, it’s another reason to consider them,” Soileau said.

At this time, the Zika virus is spreading throughout 24 countries located in Latin American and the Caribbean. Reports of the Zika virus have been confirmed in Americans who recently traveled to infected areas, with a case confirmed in Arkansas. The concern is whether these imported cases could result in locally transmitted cases.

The CDC has issued a travel advisory for pregnant women, or those who may become pregnant, to avoid the affected countries, several of which are popular winter travel destinations, including the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic.

February 25, 2016 11

SLEEP DISORDER CENTER OF LOUISIANA

Daytime Activities, Foods May Sabotage Sleep at Night Daytime activities may be the culprit to sleepless nights, according to local sleep expert Phillip Conner, MD, with the Sleep Disorder Center of Louisiana. “Our lifestyles are fast-paced. When it comes time to sleep, our bodies may not ready to slow down that quickly. People may have habits that are interfering with their ability to sleep,” Dr. Conner said.

Without sleep, the body breaks down both mentally and physically. Lack of sleep causes sluggishness, mood swings and lack of concentration.

Spicy foods, especially when eaten late in the day, make it difficult to fall asleep for those who experience heartburn. “Lying down makes heartburn worse and the discomfort hinders sleep,” said Dr. Conner.

Nicotine and caffeine are known sleep stealers. Both are stimulants and should be avoided within a few hours of bedtime. “Better yet, avoid nicotine altogether,” he advised. In addition to coffee, caffeine is present in many of the foods commonly eaten, such as chocolate, tea and sodas. “For people who have trouble sleeping, keep a close watch on all foods eaten late in the day, and into the evening. Read the food labels and cut out the foods that contain caffeine,” Dr. Conner said.

Alcohol is a sleep stealer in disguise. It’s a common aid for relaxation, but it has a rebound effect, causing wakefulness in the wee hours of the morning. “The sleep you get from alcohol is not a good, quality rest,” he explained.

Exercising during the day is recommended to keep weight, blood pressure and cholesterol in check. It boosts energy levels and helps to tire out your body, reducing stress and promoting sleep. Alertness is a positive side effect of exercising, which is why some people find that exercising in the evening tends to keep them awake later.

Others are not bothered by it. “It can be difficult to fall asleep a few hours after strenuous exercise. If someone is having trouble falling asleep, they should look at their activity level in the evening. By exercising earlier in the day, their bodies might react better and be ready to fall asleep at bedtime,” said Dr. Conner.

If sleeplessness continues, Dr. Conner advised a sleep consultation to determine the cause. Lack of sleep can cause many problems, including cardiovascular disorders.

“It should not be ignored or put off,” he said.

For more information on sleep problems, call the Sleep Disorder Center of Louisiana at 310-REST (7378).

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Mistake 1: Thinking you can save money by not employing someone to do all the administrative work You need to decide in the first year what you are good at that will earn you the greatest dollar return for your time spent.

Is it typing up letters, posting the mail and answering the telephone? NO. Get someone to do your admin work so you can focus on making money and growing your sales.

Even if you just employ someone part-time, it’s worth it so you can make better use of your time.

Mistake 3: Underestimating the workload Don’t start a business thinking that it will all be easy money and not much work.

In your first year, be prepared to put in the hours and build the necessary infrastructure to support yourself. Expect to create plenty of systems and processes so you can streamline your operations and become efficient. Once these are in place, things will become easier. Creating a Policies and Procedures Manual initially will give you clarity and direction so you can grow.

Mistake 2: Taking on all customers in your first year — and getting burned It’s tempting to not to turn away potential customers. You want as many customers as possible, right? Wrong! In your first year, you can expect people to realize that you are a new business, and they will take advantage of you, asking for discounts or reduced prices. Stand firm and value what you do. Don’t be pushed around by new customers coming to you thinking they can get your products cheaper or your services for less simply because you’re new.

Mistake 4: Not having enough working capital Expect customers to drag their feet when paying you, so make sure you have a backup of spare cash to use as working capital to carry you through the months when cash flow is tight. Don’t underestimate how much spare cash you will need because you will get hit with unplanned business expenses, especially in your first year. Also make sure you implement a strong debt collection policy. Follow up overdue invoices quickly and relentlessly. I always say a customer is not really a customer until they pay your bill. If a customer has an unpaid

bill but wants additional work from you, don’t agree to do it until they settle their existing account.

Mistake 5: Expecting customers to come to you Don’t expect to sit in your office and think new work will just flood in. It’s not going to happen. And don’t just rely on social media. Advertise in local papers, hand out flyers, and occasionally grab a handful of your business cards and spend your lunchtime knocking on doors of other businesses and introducing yourself. Join the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Kiwanis and any other organization where you can both network and promote your business.

Your first year will be hard, but it can be rewarding if you are willing to put in the time and effort in the beginning. It’s much smoother sailing after the first couple of years once you have built the infrastructure, systems and processes. This doesn’t mean you still won’t have problems with customers, staff and suppliers, but what it does mean is that you will have the experience and knowledge to tackle and overcome these obstacles. Make the effort and put in the hard work, and you will be rewarded.

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Vol. 7 • No. 21

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February 25, 2016 13

Starting your own business can be an exciting and rewarding experience. It can offer numerous advantages such as being your own boss, setting your own schedule and making a living doing something you enjoy. But, becoming a successful entrepreneur requires thorough planning, creativity and hard work.

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Consider whether you have the following characteristics and skills commonly associated with successful entrepreneurs: • Comfortable with taking risks: Being your own boss also means you’re the one making tough decisions.

Entrepreneurship involves uncertainty. Do you avoid

uncertainty in life at all costs?

If yes, then entrepreneurship may not be the best fit for you. Do you enjoy the thrill of taking calculated risks? Then read on.

• Independent: Entrepreneurs have to make a lot of decisions on their own. If you find you can trust your instincts — and you’re not afraid of rejection every now and then — you could be on your way to being an entrepreneur.

• Persuasive: You may have the greatest idea in the world, but if you cannot persuade customers, employees and potential lenders or partners, you may find entrepreneurship to be challenging. If you enjoy public speaking, engage new people with ease and find you make compelling arguments grounded in facts, it’s likely you’re poised to make your idea succeed.

• Able to negotiate: As a small business owner, you will need to negotiate everything from leases to contract terms

to rates. Polished negotiation skills will help you save money and keep your business running smoothly.

• Creative: Are you able to think of new ideas? Can you imagine new ways to solve problems? Entrepreneurs must be able to think creatively. If you have insights on how to take advantage of new opportunities, entrepreneurship may be a good fit.

• Supported by others: Before you start a business, it’s important to have a strong support system in place. You’ll be forced to make many important decisions, especially in the first months of opening your business. If you do not have a support network of people to help you, consider finding a business mentor.

Source: SBA

Vol. 7 • No. 21

Pedersen Title Co.

Do you own a company that has been in operation in SWLA for at least three years, has 50 employees or less and is a member of the Chamber SWLA? Then you might be eligible for this year’s Small Business of the Year award!

Any individual who owns and operates, or who bears principal responsibility for operating, a small business may be nominated.

Partners who jointly own and operate a small business may be nominated as a team, so long as the number of individuals in the team nomination does not exceed four.

What are the evaluation/selection criteria for the Small Business Person of the Year award?

1. Staying power - a substantiated history as an established business, including: • Number of years in business; minimum three years.

• Sustained expansion, addition of territories, growth in square footage occupied.

2. Growth in number of employees - a benchmark to judge the impact of the business on the job market.

• Sustained over a minimum of three years.

3. Innovativeness of product/service offered - an illustration of the creativity and imagination of the nominee.

• Specific description of uniqueness of product or service.

• Explanation of how product or service fits a niche not being adequately addressed by the competition.

4. Contributions to community-oriented projects - evidence of the use of his/her personal time and resources, including: • Listing of specific contributions of money, time, or resources to charitable causes.

• Membership in councils, boards, and clubs providing support and services to the community.

The deadline to apply is March 24. Call 337) 433-3632 or go to allianceswla.org for more information.

Vol. 7 • No. 21

Tired of those long waits at the DMV? Pedersen Title Company has the answer!

“We’re thrilled to let the Lake Area know that we are now offering driver’s license renewals at our location,” says Tara Pedersen. She and her husband, Matt, were born in raised in Lake Charles and have been in business for seven years.

She is happy to report that the business is growing, and they are ready for the economic boom that is coming.

An authorized service provider of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety, Pedersen Title Company offers many vehicle title services to meet your needs.

“We go above and beyond to help our customers get what they need,” Tara says.

“We provide license plates, license plate stickers, disabled hang tags and registra-

tion certificates in house. We also issue ID cards and name and address changes on IDs. And we have four notaries onsite. We understand that time is valuable, so there are no numbers to pull or long lines to wait in!”

Tara says the company prides itself on professional and friendly service.

“There’s been no employee turnover in five years and this has made a big difference,” she explained. “They’re great people and I love coming to work every day. We always get such sweet comments from our customers. That means a lot to us.”

Pedersen Title Company is the only locally owned Public Tag Agency authorized by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety, Office of Motor Vehicles, in Lake Charles. Tara says, “We are very confident that our staff will take the best possible care of our customers.”

1700 East Prien Lake Road, Suite 3 Lake Charles, LA 70601 (Corner of E. Prien Lake Rd. & Texas St.) Phone (337) 478-5454 Fax (337) 478-4515 Open Monday through Friday 8-4:30 p.m.

February 25, 2016 15

T H E L O U I S I A N A S M A L L B U S I N E S S D E V E LO P M E N T C E N T E R AT M c N E E S E

Helping Local Businesses since 1984 If you are serious about starting your own business, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to figuring out what it will take for your business to grow and flourish. We spoke with Donna Little, the director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese—and we suggest that you do, as well! And guess what? It’s free!

JAM: How long has the LC Center been in operation, and how long have you been a part of it?

Donna Little: McNeese State University invested in a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in 1984. I was hired as assistant director in October of 2003 and was named director in Sep-

tember of 2006.

The Louisiana SBDC at McNeese State University is based in the SEED Center.

Susan Thibodeaux and I work directly with entrepreneurs to help them be successful. Success is measured by business starts, jobs created, capital invested in small businesses and sales increases. Funding is provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana Economic Development and McNeese State University.

We are very proud to play a part in fulfilling the mission of McNeese State University.

Two MBA students work with us as interns, giving them real-life knowledge of small business operations to supplement their coursework.

JAM: What services do

you offer? You work with both brand-new and existing businesses, correct?

DL: We help entrepreneurs to create and grow small businesses through individual counseling services, workshops, and business information resources to develop and diversify the Louisiana economy. For a new business, assistance can include developing a business plan, projecting income and expenses, and preparing a loan package. For an existing business, we may help an owner with marketing, understanding accounting and recordkeeping issues, planning for growth and really any other concern that arises in operating and growing a company.

Our help costs nothing

out-of-pocket to entrepreneurs. McNeese State University, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Louisiana Economic Development support the LSBDC at McNeese. Our services are “pre-paid” and available to business owners here in Southwest Louisiana. We encourage people to take advantage of our counseling to make their small businesses successful.

JAM: Has the center gotten busier through the years? Are there more startup businesses now than in the past?

DL: Demand for our services is strong and growing, with a bigger proportion of start-up businesses than we’ve seen in the past.

Many individuals see the huge industrial expansions and growth in population of Southwest Louisiana as an opportunity to start a business. Interesting facts -- in 2012-13, we met with just under 300 individual clients and in 2015-16 we are on track to counsel over 425 individuals. It is obvious that things are happening here in Southwest Louisiana.

Many potential entrepreneurs are taking advantage of our monthly free seminar on “Starting and Financing a Small Business.” In this workshop we discuss writing a business plan, what a banker will expect, what it really takes to run a small business and many other topics.

Getting a good orientation in starting a business is an excellent first step.

JAM: What are the most commonly asked ques-

16 February 25, 2016

Vol. 7 • No. 21

tions, and most common problems?

DL: A very common question is, “Where can I get funding to start or expand my business?” Usually, start-up money includes personal savings, funding from friends and family, using equity in a home to get cash, and a bank loan. Banks expect an owner to have 20 to 30 percent of the money needed to start the business, so a prospective entrepreneur needs to have strong personal savings or access to cash from a friendly source such as family.

Money to expand an existing business can come from sources such as a traditional commercial bank loan, a line of credit secured from a bank, borrowing against a company’s receivables, or even choosing to lease new equipment instead of buying it.

Two of the most common problems are issues with a business owner’s personal credit and unrealistic expectations of what a banker is likely to lend.

Especially in the early years of a company’s life, the banker looks at the credit score of the individual owner when deciding to offer a small business loan, so it’s crucial to protect personal credit. Good habits such as living below your means and paying bills on time will pay off. We encourage individuals to use www.annualcreditreport.com to review their credit report and make sure it’s correct and that it has no surprises.

Most business owners are convinced their ideas are absolutely sure to succeed, but they need to understand that bankers have to follow specific regulations regarding collateral requirements and other factors. Individual Vol. 7 • No. 21

banks may have a preference for specific industries or types of businesses. We can help an entrepreneur understand what the banker will expect so a loan request has a better chance of getting funded.

JAM: What advice do you have for a new business owner?

DL: A new business always takes more money than you think it will and sales are nearly always slower than projected. So, a business owner needs plenty of cash and credit available to keep the doors open until things take off. Also, patience and flexibility are essential for success. Your customers may not buy what you expect them to choose, or your competition may turn out to be different than you expected. Our definition of an entrepreneur is “a person who organizes, operates and assumes the risk for business ventures.” An entrepreneur must be ready to deal with risk and adapt to circumstances. Success means handling problems or even failure and rising to try again.

JAM: Anything else you’d like to add?

DL: Free, professional help is just a phone call away. A consultant with the LSBDC at McNeese is ready to discuss concerns about funding, marketing, recordkeeping and many other issues. From start-up through long-term growth, talking with an LSBDC consultant can be an important step in business success. Our services are “pre-paid” and available to business owners here in Southwest Louisiana.

Call (337) 475-5529 to take advantage of our help.

February 25, 2016 17

“Life is absolutely delicious” at Rosewater Grill and Tavern – a comfortable, inviting steak and seafood dining concept, delivered with Louisiana flair – now open at Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel.

“With Rosewater Grill & Tavern, we’ve sought to create a delicious and comfortable dining experience that will appeal to foodies and long-time Delta Downs customers alike,” said Steve Kuypers, Vice President and General Manager, Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel. “Rosewater Grill &Tavern is all about great service, a beautifully designed space, and, of course, bold flavors inspired by this great state.”

Entering the restaurant from Delta Downs’ prom-

18 February 25, 2016

enade, Rosewater patrons are greeted by a façade of whitewashed brick and dark timber cladding. Just inside the main entry is the tavern, boasting an impressive array of large flat-panel televisions – making it the perfect spot to watch the big game. Imagined as a modern interpretation of a traditional pub, the tavern features checkered wood flooring and upholstered walls adorned with nailhead trim. Hanging overhead are custom-designed bird cage chandeliers, juxtaposed against smartly tailored architectural detailing.

Behind the tavern room is the dining area, featuring a series of terraced dining spaces with a panoramic view of the Delta Downs racetrack. Circular ban-

quettes, each with their own swing-arm light fitting above, add a decidedly upscale appearance.

Playful violet dining chairs add warmth and a sense of casual elegance.

Begin your experience in the welcoming, casual tavern. Whet your appetite with a selection from Rosewater’s array of handcrafted cocktails, including the Backwoods Front Porch, a Half & Half of iced tea and homemade lemonade, served with a potent kick of Firefly Peach Moonshine; or the Sinless Sangria, a divine mix of Merlot, Christian Brothers brandy, limes, strawberries, pineapple juice and orange juice.

Hungry? Enjoy lighter, casual fare in the tavern, or bold, unique twists on traditional

steak and seafood dishes in the main restaurant.

Tavern selections include: Bronzed Chicken Wings, tossed in your choice of sauce and served with a side of pickled green tomatoes; Rosewater Crab Cake Sliders, finished with roasted red pepper cream sauce; or Street Tacos, a unique combination of grilled gulf shrimp, cilantro, red cabbage, lime, avocado, chives and chimichurri sauce.

Diners seeking a more traditional steakhouse dining experience will delight in the restaurant’s menu of bold flavors, each featuring unique twists on traditional dishes: Begin with one of Rosewater’s delicious starters: Jumbo crab cakes, served with Remoulade sauce; a

Vol. 7 • No. 21

traditional chicken and sausage gumbo, slow simmered with a dark roux; or seafood bisque, finished with brandied cream sauce, and served with a choice of lobster or crab.

For the main entrée, try Rosewater’s Louisianainspired twist on Fettuccini Alfredo, topped with shrimp and crab or blackened chicken.

Hungry for steak? Indulge your appetite with the 21-ounce bone-in ribeye. Or try the signature prime rib, slow-roasted to perfection and served with horseradish and au jus. Rosewater serves only premium 1855 Black Angus beef.

Rosewater Grill and Tavern is the first new concept to premiere in Boyd Gaming’s $45 million expansion and enhancement of Delta Downs. Over the coming year, Delta Downs will be

adding a 167-room hotel tower, redesigning its existing 200 hotel rooms, and introducing additional dining concepts.

“We appreciate the business of our long-time customers, and we hope they enjoy the enhanced entertainment experience we are creating at Delta Downs,” said Ted Bogich, Executive Vice President, Operations for Boyd Gaming. “Whether you’re a long-time customer or a first-time visitor, this expansion will provide a great new reason to experience Delta Downs’ unique brand of hospitality.”

Rosewater Grill is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 5 – 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 4-11 p.m. For more information, visit www.BoydGaming.com/ Amenities.

$1 Million Jackpot Hits at Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel A Jasper County, Texas man turned a first-time visit into a $1,086,953.72 jackpot at Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel, the premier racing and gaming entertainment venue in Southwest Louisiana, located less than five miles from the Texas state line.

Dustin B. hit the jackpot Saturday, February 20, at 12:40 a.m. on his very first trip to the Calcasieu Parish casino. His lifechanging score was won on a quarter slot machine, located 50 paces from the casino’s entrance.

Win or lose, the lucky player planned “only one more spin” before calling it a night. “I got hooked on this one game, but I’d decided to call it quits,” he said.

He’d had a long day, starting with work at 4:30 a.m. When he’d gotten an early reprieve, he’d planned to go fishing – until his fiancée suggested the casino instead. The outing had also included her cousin and mother, who were playing in various areas of the casino when Dustin scored.

“When I won, I just sat there and stared,” Dustin explained.

“The guy next to me kept looking at the machine and then at me. He finally said, ‘Do you know what you just won?’”

“A few seconds later there were people in Delta Downs’ shirts surrounding me, and I thought, ‘Holy … what did I do?!?’”

Dustin plans to pay off bills with his winnings, as well as “… make sure my kids and family have a comfortable life.” He also has no plans to quit work, despite the 4:30 a.m. clock-ins.

“We are thrilled that this million dollar jackpot was won right here at Delta Downs,” said Steve Kuypers, vice president and general manager. “Delta Downs has some of the best payouts in Louisiana, and this is another prime example of a huge win for one of our guests.

About Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel is the premier racing and gaming entertainment venue in Vinton, where “Derby Dreams Come Alive!” The property features a six furlongs oval track and hosts the annual $1 Million Delta Downs Jackpot race in addition to its exciting race season offerings.

For gaming fun, guests can enjoy a spacious casino floor with more than 1,600 of the most popular slot machines. The beautifully appointed hotel features 200 guest rooms. Additional amenities include chart-topping entertainment at the Delta Event Center and free local entertainers at the Gator Lounge.

Delta Downs is a Boyd Gaming property.

Headquartered in Las Vegas, Boyd Gaming is a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and New Jersey.

Vol. 7 • No. 21

February 25, 2016 19

LAKE CHARLES SYMPHONY PRESENTS

Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana April 16 On April 16, we’re in for a treat. The Lake Charles Symphony presents Carl Orff ’s Carmina Burana at 7:30 p.m. in the Rosa Hart Theater. There will be a special performance by the Louisiana Choral Foundation. The story of Carmina Burana is an interesting one.

There is a little town about 100 km south of Munich called Benediktbeuren. This town has a monastery dating back to medieval times. In 1803, the monastery’s library was being renovated, and a wonderful discovery was made: a manuscript, dating back to the 13th century containing over 250 previously unknown songs and verses, rich in variety and inventiveness, in both Latin and German. The monastery’s librarian collected and published them as the Carmina Burana, meaning Songs of Beuren.

Carl Orff was a German composer (born in 1885) who lived all of his life in Munich. He was convinced that everybody had within them an innate musical ability and that this ability needs to be nurtured from childhood. He developed a music teaching method, children’s musical instruments and an entire new concept of music performance.

His idea was of the Total Theatre, combining music, words, visual design, movement and dance to overwhelm the senses. When he was given a copy of the Carmina Burana, he knew he

terminer of one’s fate. This piece alone is so familiar to the general public, having been used in many movies and commercials, that they may not even know that it comes from a much larger work of classical music.

The bulk of Carmina Burana is 23 pieces in three sections: 1. Primo vere --- In Springtime Here we have poems about pastoral simplicity, man’s encounter with nature and how the seasons bring on love.

had found the perfect vehicle to bring his concept to life. In 1937, Carl Orff ’s Carmina Burana was born. He described his composition as “secular songs for soloists and choruses, accompanied by instruments and magic images”. A simple concert rendition of Carmina Burana misses half the fun.

Of the 250 poems in the manuscript, Orff selected just 24 to set to music.

But what a spectrum in this selection!

They describe everything from religious devotion to lust and gluttony.

Orff ’s Carmina Burana opens with the stunning and famous O Fortuna.

Its text is a medieval resigned acceptance of the Wheel of Fortune as the de-

2. In Taberna --- In the Tavern Part II deals with wine. The rowdy atmosphere breaks out with drinking songs and hymns to gambling and debauchery.

3. Cour d’amours --- The Court of Love The final section describes the passions of men and women with the theme that natural sexual feelings should be expressed freely.

Orff concludes Carmina Burana with O Fortuna, the Wheel comes full circle, the cycle complete. All of man’s petty feelings and endeavors are in the fickle hands of Fate.

Don’t miss this amazing production!

To purchases tickets, go to www.lcsymphony.com.

We have found another way to spell “Love.” It is “Orson!” This little guy is 5 pounds of pure joy. He was found wandering alone on the streets of a large city. Add to that, his right back leg was deformed from birth. This little guy has had his share of troubles. He joined us in rescue and, at the vet’s recommendation, the leg was amputated. The good news is this little trooper is doing well. He does not seem to care that he was abandoned and has no idea that he has a disability. If you are the special person for this special boy, call or email: (337) 478-7294; lapaw@bellsouth.net. Vet check and home visit required prior to all adoptions.

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Vol. 7 • No. 21

Little Theater Presents Tobacco Road February 26-28, March 4-6 In a ramshackle farm in Georgia during the Great Depression, the Lester family has become squatters on their own land. With no money, fuel or seed, their future on the farm seems hopeless. Don’t miss Little Theater’s presentation of Tobacco Road. Performances will be held Feb. 26-28 and March 4-6 at 813 Enterprise Blvd.

Adults: $15; Seniors (65+) $10; Students $10. (337) 433-7988.

Gumbowl February 26 The McNeese State University Department of Visual Arts is sponsoring a gumbo fundraiser from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Fri., Feb. 26, in the Shearman Fine Arts Annex Atrium. Participants can choose from either chicken and sausage gumbo or seafood gumbo and also receive a handmade ceramic bowl created by ceramics students and faculty members. The proceeds will be used to help McNeese students attend the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Conference in Kansas City. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from the Visual Arts Department in Room 112-A of the Shearman Fine Arts Annex. For more information, call 475-5060.

Monster X Tour February 26-27 This event sold out early last year, so get your tickets now!

Lake Charles Civic Center gates open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7:30. Advance discount tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000, all Ticketmaster Outlets, or at the Lake Charles Civic Center Ticket Office.

Writers’ and Illustrators’ Conference February 27 Featured writers and illustrators from across the country will speak at the Writers’ and Illustrators’ Conference at the SEED Center Feb. 27 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., such as award-winning French poet and Louisiana native Kirby Jambon, paranormal and sci-fi author S.M. Schmitz, and Trudy Mullendore, an expert in the book-printing industry. Registration is $40 for members, $45 for non-members, and $50 at the door. Register online at eventzilla. net/user/SWLACBWIG2016. Door prizes will be awarded!

The Addams Family February 27-28 The Addams Family launches The Children’s Theatre Company’s 2016 season. Directed by Kerry A. Onxley, this family musical will be performed on Sat., Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Feb 29 at 3 p.m. held at the Central School of the Arts & Humanities Center (809 Kirby Street) located in downtown Lake Charles.

Seating is limited to 400 guests. The weird and wonderful family comes to devilishly delightful life onstage! (337) 433-7323, mail@childrenstheatre.cc

Brewers Dinner March 4 Gearing up for the Louisiana Winter Beer Fest, L’Auberge Casino Resort will once again host a Brewers Dinner on Fri., March 4, which will feature Louisiana beer selections paired with unique menu items 22 February 25, 2016

prepared by award-winning Chef Lyle Broussard of Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill. The dinner is an opportunity to dine with brewers and beer industry professionals in an intimate setting. Tickets are limited and are available at www.lawinterbeerfest.com for $100 per seat.

‘Frank Lloyd Wright’s Samara’ and ‘Furniture with a Soul’ March 4-May 28 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center will host an opening reception for two new exhibitions on Fri., March 4 from 5:30-8 p.m.

All ages are welcome, admission is free, and refreshments will be served. Both exhibitions will be on display through May 28, 2016.

Sandra Walkin, woodworker and furniture designer, will be present for a meet and greet. Historic City Hall is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. www.cityoflakecharles. com. For more info, see page 26.

Black Heritage Festival March 4-6 If you’re hungry for mouthwatering food, terrific music and great family fun, this is the festival for you. Entertainers will perform gospel, Zydeco, blues, spoken word and more on the Kids and Main Stages at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Food booths will serve Louisiana Creole and traditional African-American foods, including gumbo, jambalaya and barbecue. The vendor marketplace will offer an array of art, books, jewelry, African artifacts, clothing, collectibles and more. Enjoy a Kids’ Zone, games, Zydeco Aerobics and Baby Expo/Healthy Baby Contest! For more information, visit www.bhflc.org.

SWLA Music Studios Open House March 4 Check out what SWLA Music Studios and the Lake Charles Young Band Nation are all about. Take a tour of the facility starting at 5 p.m. on March 4 at 2126 Hodges St. Lake Charles and hear performances from all of the YBN Bands. Door prizes, sign up incentives, and The Sloppy Taco Truck will be there as well.

Louisiana Winter Beer Festival March 5 The 2016 Louisiana Winter Beer Festival will be held on Sat. March 5 from 1-5 p.m. at the Historic Calcasieu Marine National Bank Building (844 Ryan St.) in Downtown Lake Charles. This will be the second year for the Craft Beer festival, benefiting the Lake Charles Symphony. Regular admission tickets are $50 per person.

VIP tickets are $100 per person and are limited. Tickets can be purchased at www.lawinterbeerfest.com.

Full Throttle Wrestling Benefit March 5 The Full Throttle Wrestlers are back! On March 5, see them at The Water’s Edge Gathering at 2760 Power Centre Pkwy., Lake Charles. Doors open at 5 p.m., event begins at 6. Tickets are $10 and $5. Benefits Water’s Edge.

National Pancake Day @ IHOP March 8 Come see the Habibi Shriners (and possibly a clown or two) at the Lake Charles IHOP, where you will receive a FREE short stack of panVol. 7 • No. 21

March 1 Rhea Lana’s Premiere Consignment Event

March 7-9 District V Band Festival

March 2 Willie Nelson Live at the Rosa Hart Theatre

March 11 Banners presents David Sears

March 2 Stephen Fite Children’s Concert March 4-6 Black Heritage Festival

March 11 Live at the Lakefront

March 5 Calcasieu Parish School Board 5K Walk

March 12 American Society of Civil Engineers Regional Conference

March 11 Lake Area Ballet Theatre Spring Gala

March 12 Barbe High School Prom

cakes for making a small donation to Shriners Hospitals for Children!

What a delicious way to help kids while having fun! All day: 7 a.m.10 a.m. www.facebook.com/events/542559759251538.

Empty Bowl Fundraiser March 10

March 12 Bayou Rescue Silent Action

March 19 The Lost Hollows Monster March against Bullying

March 16 Active Shooter Workshop

March 20 Race du Lac

March 18 Live at the Lakefront March 19-20 Lake Charles Civic Ballet Assemble’

March 24 113th Law Enforcement Graduation

March 19 Unforgettable Stars Cotillion

March 27 United Methodist Church Easter Sunrise Service

March 25 Live at the Lakefront

sale March 18 (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.), March 19 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) and March 20 (noon-3 p.m.) in the EDS gym, 715 Kirkman Street, Lake Charles. Over 20,000 books, new and used, as well as audio books, CDs, and DVDs will be for sale. Most books sell for 50 cents - $3.00. Books signed by authors, first editions, coffee table books, and out-of-print books are specially priced.

Don’t forget the $5 bag sale on Sunday! www.facebook.com/ goodshepherdusedbooksale/

“Soup, Soap, and Salvation” is the theme of the Salvation Army’s Empty Bowl fundraiser at L’Auberge Casino and Resort on Thursday, March 10. Guests will be entertained by Grammynominated musician Mickey Smith, Jr. while dining on delicious soups prepared by Lake Charles’ premier chefs. Salad and dessert LC Civic Ballet’s Assemblé 2016 March 19-20 are also included. Each guest will be given a unique ceramic bowl The Lake Charles Civic Ballet’s Assemblé 2016 will wow designed by area artisans. Tickets are $100 per guest and may be audiences with collaborative performances all in one show. obtained by calling (337) 433-4155.

Lake Charles author Eloise Huber’s book, “The Goose with the Golden Legs” is brought to life on stage; performing artist Tony James shares his talents in “Amen,” an original Sulphur Mines Festival March 11-12 work incorporating ballet and tap dance with classic hymns Sulphur’s annual festival that celebrates its heritage includes carnival rides, food and craft booths, live entertainment, a beauty and there’s a performance of the one-act comical ballet Gaité Parsienne. William G. Rose with PASTICHE quartet pageant and more! It will be held at the Henning Cultural Center at 923 South Ruth Street in Sulphur March 11-12. For more event presents a live accompaniment of original composition, “The Season,” and there will be contemporary pieces staged information, visit www.brimstonemuseum.org.

by Golden Wright. Performances will be held at the Rosa Hart Theatre, 900 Lakeshore Drive. Tickets are available by LABT Spring Gala Showcase March 11 contacting the Civic Center Box Office/Ticketmaster at (337) Tickets are now available for the Lake Area Ballet Theatre’s an- 491-1432 or www.ticketmaster.com. nual Spring Gala ballet showcase, which will celebrate the talents of over 100 local dancers and two guest artists. The performance Palm Sunday Tour of Homes March 20 will be held on Fri., March 11 at 7 p.m. at the Rosa Hart Theatre Eight neighborhood gems will be on tour at the 41st annual in Lake Charles. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at Palm Sunday Tour of Homes March 20 from 1-5 p.m. Resiwww.lakeareaballettheatre.com. For more info, see page 25. dences include the Davis House at 902 Kirby St, the Lancaster House at 903 Kirby, the Bill Terry/Reid Tyler House at 917 KirIowa Rabbit Festival March 18-19 by, the Lacy House at 1010 Reid, the Durio House at 832 Iris, Celebrating the economic and culinary impact rabbits have in and the Mulvey House (QuinnOaks) at 736 Pujo Street. In addiSouthwest Louisiana, the annual Iowa Rabbit Festival is a onetion, the Walker Bonsai Garden at 716 Kirby and the Christian of-a-kind event, from the rabbit gumbo to crowning the new Miss Science Reading Rooms at 701 Kirby will open their doors. The Bunny. The family-friendly event has some of the best music in tour is walkable with all properties within one block of Central the area from the Iowa High School Marching band to local Cajun School, which will serve as tour headquarters and site of the favorites. All proceeds support the community of Iowa and other “Mardi Gras Tearoom.” The Tearoom will operate during Tour youth organizations, schools and not-for-profit groups. It will be hours and offer refreshments and an opportunity to view the held at the Burton Complex March 18-19. For more information, Mardi Gras Museum. Proceeds from the Tearoom will benefit visit www.iowarabbitfestival.org. the Museum. Tickets are $10 and will be available at Gordon’s Drugs Lake Charles, at the Arts and Humanities Council Office Good Shepherd Book Sale March 18-20 at Central School and at the Brimstone Museum in Sulphur.

The Church of the Good Shepherd will hold its annual book Online tickets are available at calcasieupreservation.org.

Vol. 7 • No. 21

February 25, 2016 23

The electric lineup of live music performances for Live @ the Lakefront 2016 has been announced by the event’s presenting sponsors – the Arts Council of SWLA, City of Lake Charles, and Deep South Productions. The annual free live music series will celebrate its fifth season during three consecutive Fridays on March 11, 18, and 25 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Lakefront Promenade’s Arcade Amphitheatre.

Royal Teeth will kick off the 2016 season with the headlining performance on March 11. With members hailing from Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans, Royal Teeth are based all over Louisiana, but their bouncy dance pop anthems transcend all borders. The band earned feature performances on Season 13 of American Idol and Last Call with Carson Daly, and Royal Teeth has brought the party to Jazz Fest, Bonnaroo, Voodoo Fest, and SXSW, before signing with Elektra Records in 2015.

Opening for Royal Teeth will be two Lake Area rock groups: Watchers, who recently recorded a new track in California with Chris Hesse of Hoobastank, and rockabilly outlaws The Von Dukes. This evening’s concert is sponsored by Fusion 5, SWLA’s premiere young professional’s organization.

The Lake Area’s own Chris Miller and Bayou Roots coheadline on March 18 with The Dog Hill Stompers. Unpredictably fresh while entrenched in tradition, The Bayou Roots, led by Chris Miller on vocals, accordion, fiddle, keys, and harmonica, perform Cajun 24 February 25, 2016

music mixed with elements of Creole, Zydeco, blues, rock and roll, swamp-pop, and country.

As grandsons and other close relatives of Boozoo Chavis, The Dog Hill Stompers have Zydeco in their blood, taking their band name from a popular song and home base of the King of Zydeco himself. With three unique accordion players, The Dog Hill Stompers are keeping Louisiana traditions alive and well.

Designated as McDonald’s of SWLA Family Night, the March 18 concert kicks off with opener Julian Q the Library Dude in a special performance of fun children’s sing-along songs with special guests Drum, Flow & Fire. Painting With a Twist will host an interactive mural to inspire the whole family.

Closing out the season on March 25 will be The Flamethrowers! The Lake Area’s favorite party band have sold out venues across the Gulf Coast since 2005 with their high energy cover songs from across the decades.

Also performing will be Sweet Crude, hailing from New Orleans. This seven-piece indie pop band makes their first appearance for Live at the Lakefront, bringing a fresh, fun sound that embraces Louisiana’s French-speaking traditions while playfully stretching its boundaries into the realms of indie and Afro-pop. Thomas & Theresa, a lively acoustic roots duo from right here in SWLA, will open the evening.

The closing night of the series is sponsored by Shiner Beers, who’ll give away a custom Shiner-branded Epiphone Les Paul guitar and amp at the concert!

Vol. 7 • No. 21

On Friday, March 11, Lake Charles will have the opportunity to see the expertise, quality and creativity of the Lake Area Ballet Theatre (LABT) at its Spring Gala at 7 p.m. at the Rosa Hart Theatre.

LABT may only be a year old, but its roots reach back to 1963 when the Lake Charles Ballet Society was just beginning its role as a professional presenting ballet company. LABT is led

by Colleen Cannon Benoit, who spent much of her career studying and teaching under the direction of the late Ida Winter Clarke. The Clarke family is renown for its leadership in the arts, and Benoit has carried this passion with new energy.

“Our mission at LABT is to stage full-scale ballet productions, provide new and innovative works and develop the next generation of local dancers,” said Benoit. “Our area is rich with cultural bounty, and we want to continue making Southwest Louisiana a powerhouse for the arts and for dance.”

The Spring Gala will present an exciting and colorful repertoire of vignette ballet performances

Vol. 7 • No. 21

from popular productions, including Les Sylphides, Pachelbel’s Canon in D, Grand Pas de Deux of Confection, Fiddle Tunes, Grand Tarantelle and Hypnagogia.

“We also are bringing in Shea Johnson and Michele Gifford, who are incredibly talented guest artists.

They will work closely with our dancers to give them an invaluable experience of working with a professional dancer,” said Benoit.

Johnson performs extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, and most recently he performed in the Theatre, Opera and Orchestre in Halle, Germany. From 2009 to 2013 he worked with Ballet Arizona where he performed in numerous lead roles.

Gifford is from Dallas, Texas, and she spent a fruitful career at the New York City Ballet for 12 years before joining the Texas Ballet Theatre in 2000. During her 20-year career, Gifford has performed the lead in productions such as Coppélia, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, among others.

Tickets are $25 and can

be purchased online at www.lakeareaballettheatre. com or at the Lake Charles Civic Center box office.

LABT is supported by grants from the City of Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, Lake Charles/ SWLA Convention & Visi-

tors Bureau and the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Arts Council of SWLA.

February 25, 2016 25

at H I S T O R I C

C I T Y

H A L L

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Samara and Furniture with Soul

Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural able to middle class families. For John and Center will host an opening reception for Kay Christian, this meant creating a basic two new exhibitions on Friday, March 4 home that they could complete and furnish from 5:30-8 p.m. All ages are welcome, to Wright’s specifications over time as their admission is free, and refreshments will be finances allowed. Samara is still a work in served. Both exhibitions will be on display progress today. through May 28, 2016.

The exhibition traces how Frank Lloyd Dr. John E. and Catherine Wright and the Christians (“Kay”) Christian, a Purdue worked together to design University professor and his the house, and illuminates wife, had followed and admired how both sides comproFrank Lloyd Wright’s work and mised to bring the project they were sure they wanted to completion. (Yes, Frank him to design their dream Lloyd Wright did comprohome. But with a limited budgmise.) Historic floorplans, et, was their project too small client correspondence, and for such a renowned figure? home movies show how It took some convincing, but the construction procfollowing a series of memoraess moved forward even ble meetings between 1950 and though Frank Lloyd Wright 1952 and after a flurry of cornever visited the site in respondence, Wright accepted Indiana. Banner-scale the commission. He suggested graphics, original furnishthat one of his Usonian designs ings, and historic textile would fit the Christians’ needs. and scrapbook samples Frank Lloyd Wright’s Samara: show how the Christians A Mid-Century Dream Home balanced custom-designed is the story of how a young Wright pieces with comChair by Sandra Walkin couple from Indiana and a mercially licensed models world-famous architect worked together to in the 1950s, then completed many of the build what was, for the Christian family, architect’s additional custom elements over truly their dream home. It is also the story the next thirty years. The exhibit also looks of how the family continued to honor the at how the home and its furnishings exemarchitect’s vision long after his death. plified Wright’s philosophies about the reTold through the juxtaposition of origilationship between architecture and nature, nal objects and furniture, architectural frag- ranging from the extensive use of windows ments, rare archival materials, historic pho- and terraces to the origins of design motifs tographs, and video footage, Frank Lloyd such as the “samara” concept.

Wright’s Samara explores the creation of a Frank Lloyd Wright’s Samara was made Wright house through the eyes a client who possible by support from the National spent more than fifty years fulfilling the Endowment for the Arts American Masterarchitect’s Usonian vision. First conceived pieces initiative.

by Wright in the 1920s, the Usonian house Sandra Walkin, woodworker and furni(an abbreviation for “United States of North ture designer, will be present for a meet & America”) was meant to be a modest-sized, greet during this evening’s opening recepenvironmentally sensitive dwelling affordtion. Walkin combines wood and metal to create one-of-a-kind pieces for Furniture with Soul. Walkin lives in Lake Charles and attended McNeese State University.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from University of Louisiana at Monroe. Her education in European Plasters, Metallic Plasters, and Furniture Finishing led to her interest in furniture building.

Her craft is concentrated on usTable by Sandra Walkin ing natural edged slabs of wood, 26 February 25, 2016

methods of wood joinery, metal inlay, gilding and metal patination. Every piece has a story to tell. Walkin says, “There is no greater artist than nature. I only enhance what she (Mother Nature) has already done. My love for what I do is reflected in my work. Hence, that is why I say I build furniture with soul.”

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.

Vol. 7 • No. 21

The Opposite of Everyone You’ve always marched to the beat of a different drummer.

When your friends wanted to do one thing, you were the lone voice of dissent.

You rocked your own fashion, hair color, and makeup, never kowtowing to the crowd or following anyone else. But as in the new book The Opposite of Everyone by Joshilyn Jackson, you were never really alone.

Every month, Paula Vauss sent money to one of a series of P.O. boxes. Every month, the check was cashed, so she knew her mother was alive, although Paula hadn’t seen Kai in years.

That wasn’t on purpose; Kai never stayed in one place for long, and she told Paula more than once that she didn’t need visitors. So when the last check was returned, uncashed, Paula figured it was just another of her unconventional mother’s quirks.

For the first ten years of Paula’s life, it had mostly been just the two of them.

They’d moved a lot then, to Vol. 7 • No. 21

a series of houses, often with a series of boyfriends, none of whom lasted more than a year. What was constant, though, were Kai’s bedtime stories of Kali the goddess, Ganesh, and Hanuman. They were heroes to Paula then.

She remembered every tale, word-for-word.

But when the adolescent Paula did something that still hurt to think about and Kai went to jail, everything changed between them. Kai wasn’t like her old self, and she never looked at Paula again. Paula wanted a normal life, which she realized she wouldn’t get from her mother. She escaped from Kai’s house as soon as she could.

Now she was everything her mother wasn’t, complete with a law degree, a great job, a fancy condo, and an alcoholic private-eye ex-loverslash-coworker.

And then she saw the note.

Though Kai had written on the back of the check that she had cancer and her time was short, the story, she said, wasn’t done. It ended with

Paula, she wrote, which made no sense - except that Paula knew her mother, and Kai held a few more surprises…

One of them, in a way, was this book.

I initially thought that The Opposite of Everyone was a mystery. It had all the elements: a hard-driven, sasstalking lawyer; a hard-drinking PI; and a hard-living past for one of the characters who had secrets.

Ah, but no, author Joshilyn Jackson didn’t make a whodunit here. We know exactly who dun it, why, and how it resonated throughout the years, which is the roundabout basis for a multi-level of story-threads and character flaws. On that note, Jackson’s heroine isn’t always heroic, but she’s smart enough to

be reflective and self-aware without navel-gazing, a propensity which directly allows Jackson to give this book a shimmering ending that’s as perfect as its middle.

Your book group has been looking for a book exactly like this: something that’s realistic and spunky with a light dab of nasty and a plotstrand that’ll keep you tied fast to the story. For that, The Opposite of Everyone can’t be beat.

“The Opposite of Everyone”

By Joshilyn Jackson ©2016, William Morrow $26.99 / $33.50 Canada 295 pages February 25, 2016 27

Thursday, Feb. 25 Rusty Yates 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 2 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Greg Martinez & the Delta Kings 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Karaoke Night Karoake starts @ 11 p.m.

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

The SLAGS 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Hank & the Cupcakes 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC

The New Waves 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Friday, Feb. 26 Rusty Yates 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Clint and Zac 7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

Larry Tillery 9:30 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

LA Bayou Band 8 p.m. @ 171 Junction Roadhouse 2600 Moeling St. Ste. R, LC

Dark Side of the Lake

Melissa Etheridge in Concert

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

8 p.m. in the Grand Event Center Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Tickets on sale now @ Ticketmaster.com

Joe Harmon 9 p.m. @ The Gator Lounge Delta Downs Racetrack Casino 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

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The New Waves 9 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Party@Joes 9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC

Saturday, Feb. 27 Rusty Yates 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Louisiana Bad Habit 7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC Special Event Night 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC Joe Harmon 9 p.m. @ The Gator Lounge Delta Downs Racetrack Casino 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton The New Waves 9 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Safira 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Dance Night

Party@Joe’s 9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Drink specials starting @midnight 9 p.m.- 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC

Vol. 7 • No. 21

Safira 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Jazz Night with Mickey Smith 6:30 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC

Kris Harper 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

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

SIN Night Two for Tuesday on shots and beer 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC

Black Heart Saints

Sunday, Feb. 28 Chester & Jarius Daigle

JD’s Whiskey Brunch @ 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.

L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC David Joel 3:30 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

Wednesday, March 2 Chester Daigle 5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Chris Miller & Bayou Roots 6:30 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

Killawatts Acoustic 8 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Nightclub L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC The FUSE 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Superstar Wednesdays Drag Show starts at 11:30 p.m.

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

Thursday, March 3 Bryan Trahan 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC The FUSE 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Rush

Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC GoGo Dolls 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 2 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Johnnie Allan 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Friday, March 4 Bryan Trahan 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar

Rapture 7-11 p.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Server Industry Night Sunday Funday Karaoke Night 9 p.m. @ 171 Junction Roadhouse 2600 Moeling St. LC DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 2 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Monday, Feb. 29 Kevin Lambert 5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Open Mic Night 9-midnight @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC

Tuesday, March 1 Kenneth Espree 5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Vol. 7 • No. 21

February 25, 2016 29

L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Kenzie Newman 7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

Jewel in Concert 8:30 p.m. in the Grand Event Center Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Tickets on sale now @ Ticketmaster.com

BB & Company 9 p.m. @ The Gator Lounge Delta Downs Racetrack Casino 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

And Here’s to You...

This time last year, I was a bit distracted in my goals to cover all things musically significant to whatever extent I am able, as 100 percent of my GRAMMY attention was on my good buddy Jo-El Sonnier who nabbed his first ever Golden Gramophone for his album “The Legacy.”

This year, I want to take a little time and dig into the GRAMMYs as a whole and try to sum up some pros and cons of this year’s awards or at least let you know what I liked and didn’t like, for what any of that’s worth. This is by no means comprehensive, but it will represent a good cross-section of things that piqued my interests, one way or the other.

Alabama Shakes: Best Alternative Music Album: “Sound and Color,” Best Rock Performance and Best 30 February 25, 2016

The FUSE 9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Dance Night Drink specials starting @midnight 9 p.m.- 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC

GoGo Dolls 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Wayne Dylan Band

DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Kadillacs 9:30 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Triggerproof 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Rock Song: “Don’t Wanna Fight” As long as I’ve been a fan of these guys it would probably be impossible to start anywhere else. Brittany Howard’s participation in the GRAMMY tribute to The Band’s Levon Helm last year was quite a testament to the attention that the Shakes were already getting for their debut album “Boys and Girls”. This year, the band had four nominations awaiting them including the three they took home and one for Album of the Year that they lost to Taylor Swift’s “1989.” They were also able to bring the full band to the GRAMMY stage this year with a soul funky delivery of their big winner “Don’t Wanna Fight.”

I was thrilled to not only see them up on the big stage but also get some proper GRAMMY love. Both of their LPs are masterfully done and well worth digging in on. Some big props to those Athens, Alabama rockers who have really arrived now.

I hope they never stop.

9 p.m. @ 171 Junction Roadhouse 2600 Moeling St. Ste. R, LC

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

Jackson Browne and The Eagles Tribute to Glen Frey A touching and all-too appropriate way to say farewell to a vital part of one of the most recognizable and loved bands in rock and roll history.

Filling in on vocals for the recently departed Frey was none other than Jackson Browne, who had co-written the song with Frey back in the Troubadour Scene/Laurel Canyon halcyon days of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. It was a straightforward and honest farewell from a band of brothers hoping that Glen keeps on “Takin’ It Easy” in the great big beyond and it was a very welcome addition to the evening’s performances.

Little Big Town’s Performance of “Girl Crush” You’ve got to hand it to this Alabama quartet, on a night surprisingly trim on the Country Music front, they certainly brought a performance that will be hard to forget. Accompanied by a light or-

Saturday, March 5 Bryan Trahan 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Larry Tillery & The Vagabond Dreamers 7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC Ed Theriot and Flashback 8 p.m. @ 171 Junction Roadhouse 2600 Moeling St. LC Special Event Night 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC

chestra, the usual plugged-in sound was swapped for a stripped-down acoustic interpretation that, frankly, sounded fantastic with the lush and inspired orchestration. Those vocal harmonies certainly didn’t hurt either. A very nice performance all around.

Andra Day and Ellie Goulding Duet In one of the few duets of the evening, these rising starlets teamed up for a well-played mashup of their songs “Rise Up” and “Love Me Like You Do.” The dynamic was nice— not only getting to hear Goulding in a less dancy atmosphere, but it was also a pleasant introduction to Day, whom I hadn’t had the chance to hear up to that point. A very creative merger of voices, songs and styles that I’m glad I didn’t miss.

Hollywood Vultures’ Tribute to Lemmy Kilmister Metal has only ever really gotten so much play in the land o’ GRAMMYs over the years, so I was a bit surprised to find a tribute to the late Vol. 7 • No. 21

BB & Company 9 p.m. @ The Gator Lounge Delta Downs Racetrack Casino 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

Triggerproof 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

GoGo Dolls 9 p.m.– 1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Lane Mack

DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC The FUSE 9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Motörhead Madman, Lemmy Kilmister. Taking the stage to do the honors were the West Coast supergroup Hollywood Vampires featuring Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, Johnny Depp (That was for you, Lauren), and the one and only Alice Cooper, in a lineup originally formed to honor the music of the ‘70s rockers that died too young. The group gave a killer, full-on rock-and-roll show of a performance featuring the iconic Motörhead hit, “Ace of Spades.”

On a related side note, a metal band that did pick up a GRAMMY this year was a Swedish group by the name of Ghost.

This thematically evolving, make up and costume driven show is something that has even gotten my attention enough to consider seeing their upcoming April 27 show at The Varsity in Baton Rouge, and I’m really not a big metal fan in the slightest. This is something a bit different and I’m glad to hear they got some GRAMMY love as well.

Lady Gaga’s Tribute to David Bowie My love for Bowie could throw a bit of bias into this mix but I suppose that could go either way. As it were, Lady Gaga’s tribute to the Thin White Duke was no less fabulous and memorable than Bowie himself. Starting with a brilliant digital facial Vol. 7 • No. 21

Chester & Jarius Daigle

JD’s Whiskey Brunch @ 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.

L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC DJ Crush 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Nightclub L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Mike Fulmer 4 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

Server Industry Night

Sunday, March 6

Sunday Funday Karaoke Night 9 p.m. @ 171 Junction Roadhouse 2600 Moeling St. LC

Street Side Jazz Band 11 a.m. @ Luna Bar and Grill 710 Ryan St., LC

DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 2a.m. @ Blue Martini

overlay that eventually showed Gaga with the infamous “Aladdin Sane” orange lightning bolt painting itself across her face as she sang the haunting lyrics to “Space Oddity,” the performance segued through hit after beloved hit while Gaga, joined by longtime Bowie collaborator and producer Nile Rodgers, brought every ounce of that man that she could to that stage and it was nothing less than remarkable. I do not think that any other artist in the industry could have brought such authenticity and genuine reverence to that tribute than she did. Initially a doubter, I have more and more found myself impressed by the creative force that is Gaga. This iced that cake in a very profound way. I will ever be curious to know what she is up to next.

And while those are not all the things of note from this year’s awards, it’s at least a few things for you to kick around and it may be something that you haven’t quite checked out yet. Hopefully there are a few surprises awaiting you and if you happen to find any that you find particularly interesting, drop me an email to JMLC@ justinmorrisentertainment.com and I’ll check ‘em out. Could be someone that you find yourself reading about right here on the pages of the Jam in the days to come. Ya just never know...

Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Monday, March 7 Stacy Bearden 5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC DJ Jose Mata 8 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Drink Specials 9 p.m.- 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC

Something is Happening Here...

Sunday, Feb. 28: Bernie Man: A Benefit for Bernie Sanders Warehouse 535, Lafayette 2-8 p.m.

Though it may not be 2016 GRAMMY related, there are a number of nominees, winners and other collaborating Louisiana musicians getting together for big show that brings the stories of nationwide headlines right to down to main street. On Sunday, February 28, Lafayette’s Warehouse 535 will be the site of Bernie Man, an afternoon music fest that will be featuring musicians such as GRAMMY winners Chubby Carrier and Steve Riley, members of GRAMMY-nominated Feufollet, rising altrockers Givers (with special guests) as well as Terrance Simien, Cedric Watson, The Cavemen and over half a dozen other Louisiana acts. The event will also feature a panel discussion for those interested in participating as well as a silent auction curated by Galerie Touchet. Admission to the family-friendly event is only $10, so whether you are “Feeling The Bern” or if you just want an afternoon of outstanding Louisiana music, GO SEE THIS SHOW!

She’s Mighty, Mighty...

Thanks for tuning in for yet another week of my inane little ramblings.

I hate that I didn’t get to get more into the GRAMMY stuff. There’s quite a bit I’d like to still get into but time and space are rare creatures these days. Oh well!

I did get an opportunity to snag some GRAMMY video of the broadcast during the Lionel Richie tribute and send a fresh dose of “Brick House” to our beloved owner and editor Lauren, which could have been one of my favorite moments of the night. Judging by the colorful and creative words she had in response to said video, it is probably safe to say that it was indeed NOT her favorite moment of the evening. Probably at home enjoying a restful evening while some maniac hippie ink-slinger insists on sending her video of her very own musical kryptonite. It was so worth it though, I assure you. (Editor’s note: Justin Morris is skating on very thin ice here at The JAM.) Maybe one day soon we talk more about that and the day I got to work with The Commodores themselves. That’s a good one. I think you’ll dig it. Until; then, I’ll see you at the show!

February 25, 2016 31

Tuesday, March 8 Chip Radford 5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Jazz Night with Clint Faulk 6:30 p.m. @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, LC DJ Jose Mata 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Angel Garcia 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Wednesday, March 9 Chester Daigle 5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Chris Miller & Bayou Roots 6:30 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC Big Daddy 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Superstar Wednesdays Drag Show starts at 11:30 p.m.

9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC Kevin Lambert 9:30 @ Jack After Dark Nightclub L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

David Joel 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Big Daddy 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Electric Circus 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Flamethrowers

DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 2 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Troy Laz Band 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Karaoke Night Karoake starts @ 11 p.m.

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

Dance Night Drink specials starting @midnight 9 p.m.- 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC

Friday, March 11

LA Yard Dogs 9:30 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Amanda Walker 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Reed Planchard 7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

Night Ranger in Concert 8:30 p.m. in the Grand Event Center Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Tickets on sale now @ Ticketmaster.com

Joe Purvis & Talon 9 p.m. @ 171 Junction Roadhouse 2600 Moeling St. Ste. R, LC

Thursday, March 10 Amanda Walker 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC 32 February 25, 2016

Electric Circus 9 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

City Heat 9 p.m. @ The Gator Lounge Delta Downs Racetrack Casino 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Royal Teeth 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC DJ CaGe 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Nightclub L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Saturday, March 12 Amanda Walker 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC LA Bayou Band 7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Tickets on sale now @ Ticketmaster.com

Special Event Night 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC

Joe Purvis & Talon 9 p.m. @ 171 Junction Roadhouse 2600 Moeling St. Ste. R, LC City Heat 9 p.m. @ The Gator Lounge Delta Downs Racetrack Casino 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton Electric Circus 9 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Flamethrowers 9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Troy Laz Band 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder DJ CaGe 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Nightclub L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Sunday, March 13 Street Side Jazz Band 11 a.m. @ Luna Bar and Grill 710 Ryan St., LC

Chester & Jarius Daigle

JD’s Whiskey Brunch

Little River Band 8 p.m. in the Grand Event Center

@ 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.

L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Vol. 7 • No. 21

I usually write about a certain time in history or even about a certain item that has influenced history in some way, but this time I’m going to go a little outside the box. I’m going to take a town that’s close by and tear it apart.

Just imagine if you were to take New Orleans and strip away a couple of layers. Let’s start: Take away the live arts, street performers and outdoor markets. By now, you’re probably wondering where this is going. Let’s take a few more things away. Let’s get rid of retail, entertainment and the festivals. By this point, we have completely changed the cultural status of a town. I could go further and maybe tear down some landmarks, but this is sad enough.

With all of this gone, would New Orleans be a place anyone would want to visit? I would have to say NO. So what happens when these things are not in a city like New Orleans? In my opinion, the town will just wither and die. The most important part of a city’s growth comes from its historic culture, the arts and festivals and the diversity of what it has to offer. New Orleans pulls in people from all over the country to take part in its events. Not only do they support local; they are also open to new possibilities that will define them further as their history keeps writing. Obviously they are open to change and are not stuck in what has been.

This town has defiantly identified itself.

Now that all that has been said, let’s take Lake Charles and just imagine for a moment that all the arts and culture that are in New Orleans was placed in downtown Lake Charles.

Kind of hard to imagine that much historic

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and cultural identity here, but that is what I see coming to the Lake Area. A large influx of culture and identity is making its mark on Lake Charles at this very moment. The arts and music scene is rising, along with festival and other events. It’s happening right under your noses and growing in ways that would make most cities envious.

Everything takes baby steps, from cultural growth to downtown revitalization. And there are a couple of things that have to be in effect at all times for an area to grow.

Artistic and cultural inventories allow an area to begin to understand the historic, cultural, economic, and social context of a community — an essential foundation for developing and building a sense of place. A creative community vision can continuously evolve and embrace new ideas while balancing the inherent conflicting nature of past, present, and future community values and culture. Such a vision must reinforce and embrace the changing climate, culture, and character of a place.

Preserving and enhancing the local identity, uniqueness, and arts and culture assets of a community require that local decision-making, planning processes, policies, and regulations reflect and support community character.

Arts and cultural programming play an important role in providing education regarding the historical and cultural context of a community and in providing opportunities for participation in community life through festivals, events and performances, interactive classes and

workshops, and a variety of other activities.

As you see, I use the word “community” a lot. Community plays a vital role and is the key for growth in any city. There’s so much talent in the Lake Area that is just now coming to light. It’s a great feeling, but support is still lacking in some areas, possibly due to fear of change—which always holds back progress.

What exactly is our cultural identity? We’re still writing the story, but how can we open ourselves to new possibilities? The area is growing and changing. We now have the opportunities to get out of the same-old same-old mind set and open ourselves up to change.

We do not want to be caught years down the road asking ourselves what could have been.

Let’s get out there and make a change. I’m one person but a community working together to make a change equals results. And what a blast into the unwritten history would that be. No matter what we do, history is constantly writing itself, so why not make it a great one? Let’s embark on a new journey together and make a difference.

February 25, 2016 33

Mark Herbert, Carl Louviere and Eric Doshier Kerri Krob and Debbie Holt

Tonja and Rick Fontenot and Pam Doucet

Keith Speaks and Krista Pousson

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: WEST M APARTMENTS The good folks at The Chamber Southwest rolled out the red carpet for business leaders at the luxury West M Apartments for their monthly Business After Hours event. This month’s social was filled with networking, camaraderie, food and drink. A big thanks to the Chamber for once again hosting such an exquisite event!

Mike Payne and Joyce Smith

Nate Morrow, Jessica Core and Betty Hebert

Macie Monceaux, Charlie Graham, Carla and Tim Bridges with Katelyn Monceaux THE COLOR VIBE 5K RUN

Kathy, Kaylee and Chris Heath

Stephanie Vizena, Sarah Schnebelt and Frances McBee 34 February 25, 2016

Ryan Mellard and Andrew Walsh

Jackie Estabrooks, Melissa Scott and Gretchen Monk

It was a colorful morning in Downtown Lake Charles as folks turned out to get ears-deep in paint and run the Lake City for a good cause!

The Color Vibe 5k Run lit up a beautiful Saturday and featured hundreds of runners who had a great time while raising money for the American Cancer Society. Oh--and paint. LOTS OF PAINT! Congrats to everyone who participated!

Diane Harrington, LeAnn and Abi Mezzacapo, Jessica and Jada Bellard with Tara Whetstine Vol. 7 • No. 21

Ariel Shawa, Michael Guidry and Aaron Shawa Callie Brevelle, Madison Jagneaux and Tara Sims

Jonah and Benjamin LeBlanc

MSU BASEBALL VS. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS A gloomy Sunday afternoon didn’t keep the boys of summer from coming out to play! MSU baseball welcomed the Southern Illinois Salukis to Cowboy Diamond and despite a slow start, the Pokes started picking up momentum about halfway in. Cowboys ended the series with an 8 to 4 win. Go Pokes!

Taylor Overstreet and Laikyn Cooper

Brittany Pousson and Chance Curlee

Bub Duhon, Chris Powell, Gerald Kober, Chad Eldridge and A.T. Theriot

Laura Lee Gayfield, and Leslie, Erich and Paige Mansell SWLA HOME, GARDEN AND LIFESTYLE SHOW

Jeremy Lemon and Danielle Frank

Chris and Ross Krielow

The SWLA Home Builders Association saw record numbers turn out for this year’s edition of their Home Show. Vendors filled the Coliseum and Exhibition Hall and everyone from large-scale developers to first-time home builders saw what the Lake Area had to offer to help make their home-building dreams come true!

Trent Manuel, Hannah Townsend and Colt Clemons

Vol. 7 • No. 21

Morami, Chad, Aliana and Alisia Engler

Daphne, Lane, Arden and McKenna Latlow

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