2 February 26, 2015
Vol. 6 • No. 23
February 26, 2015 • Volume 6 • Issue 23
715 Kirby St. Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-436-7800 Fax: 337-990-0262
On cover: Kathi Broussard Cogen, owner of Haven Home Furnishings
COVER STORY 20 A Little Bit of Haven: Haven Home Furnishings
www.thejambalayanews.com Publisher/Executive Editor Lauren Abate de Albuquerque lauren@thejambalayanews.com
Contributors Nicole Shuff Arabie George Cline Dan Ellender Julie Ann Faye Mike McHugh Roger Miller Justin Morris Brian Pitre Terri Schlichenmeyer Karla Tullos David Yantis Sales sales@thejambalayanews.com
REGULARS 6
We Are SWLA!
8
The Dang Yankee
8
Adoption Corner
9
Tips from Tip
12
Soul Matters
13
Stir Dat Pot
FEATURES 5
Remembering Max Trost
14
Small Business Section
THE SPICE OF SWLA
Business Office Manager Jeanie Taggart
24 Sulphur Mines Festival
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24 LC Symphony Presents Concert 2
26 Events Guide 27 Live @ The Lakefront 28 Family Fun Night at the Movies 29 Acting Up! 30 Hashtag Dat 32 Nightlife Guide
Vol. 6 • No. 23
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10 Huntin’ Tales
Graphics Art/Production Director Burn Rourk
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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36 Justin Morris’s Lake Charles 38 Bookworm Sez 39 Funbolaya
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40 Society Spice 42 Krewe de la Noblesse
February 26, 2015 3
A Note From Lauren
NyQuil Dreaming Mardi Gras did me in this year, as it does every year. Between seven balls and getting out the annual Mardi Gras issue, by the time Lundi Gras came around, I was getting sick. I helped pass out the issue at the Gala and headed home. I knew Fat Tuesday was going to happen without me. I rummaged around in the medicine cabinet and found two barely touched bottles of the Kroger version of NyQuil and DayQuil. Perfect! I was all set for a few days. I poured that gooey green syrup in the convenient shot glass and tossed it back, pretending I was on a Mardi Gras float and it wasn’t NyQuil. And I settled down for a long winter’s nap. The office was closed tomorrow and I could sleep in. I haven’t taken NyQuil in a long time, so I completely forgot about one of its fringe benefits: Hallucinogenic dreaming. Along with being totally knocked out and therefore, unaware that you are sick, you also get to enjoy offthe-wall, vivid dreams that stay with you all day, unlike the typical dreams that seem to recede into your subconscious as soon as you awaken.
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And most of the NyQuil-influenced dreams were lucid dreams, where I was very much aware that I was in another dimension, so I could occasionally stand back and observe what was going on, and even manipulate events that were occurring in the dream. How cool is that? In one dream, I’m flying through the night sky over a desert filled with cacti of all shapes and sizes, glowing green over the rocks and sand. I’m sitting on some kind of strange contraption that appears flimsy, and I ask if I’ll fall. A voice tells me I will be fine, so I hang on and enjoy the ride, even though I think whatever I’m in is going much too fast. Then I understand that we’re now headed to San Francisco, and suddenly the terrain changes and I’m soaring over the City By The Bay. I proceed to have dinner with a former employer who died several years ago. She tells me she’s engaged and proudly shows me the ring her boyfriend designed for her. I go to a family reunion where I don’t recognize anyone and one relative, wearing mime face makeup, refuses to hug me.
I jump on the back of a truck with a bunch of people and we zip down the highway, with all of us hanging on to a wobbly refrigerator in the truck bed. “Imagine if we fall off ?” I say. No one answers, because you don’t get hurt in dreams, so even if we fall, so what? And the daytime stuff, which is supposed to be nondrowsy, also lends itself to crazy dreams, as I discovered when I took some, thought I would get some work done, and ended up crashing. When I woke up, I was literally getting undressed so I could put my bathing suit on and join my cousins in the ocean. So what exactly is in NyQuil? Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant) and doxylamine succinate (antihistamine/hypnotic). I guess it’s that “hypnotic” ingredient that makes us all crazy. Just think of all the ingredients in the medicines of old—or even the soft drinks, like Coca Cola, which contained cocaine until 1929. From 1898 through to 1910, heroin was marketed as a cough suppressant by companies like Bayer — alongside the company’s
other new product, Aspirin. “Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup” contained 65 mg of morphine per fluid ounce and was given to teething babies. Decades from now, history buffs may look back at the medicine produced at this time and roll their eyes about doxylamine succinate being a main ingredient in our NyQuil when it’s now been banned in 90 countries. NyQuil certainly made my few days of sickness bearable. I’m better now, but I sure miss my fabulous dreams. The first night without the medicine, I dreamed I was studying for exams and two Deliverance-type guys barged into the house and started behaving badly. That never would have happened on NyQuil.
Lauren Abate de Albuquerque
Vol. 6 • No. 23
Vol. 6 • No. 23
pilots. “Max, in his typical stubborn manner, shut that idea down and said he and I would fly this together, but with the helicopter doors taken off. We’d first accomplish what we’d both been hired to do, and doing so alone, only then could we deliver our greatest product, as a team,” she remembers. “And then, after that’s done, he’d welcome James and I both to have a flight together for fun.” From that first meeting, Lindsey says she knew she could always trust him with her life when they flew together. They quickly built a business relationship in aerial documentation via photography, and flew anywhere from up to three times a week to twice a month for almost two years together. “In the air, high above Southwest Louisiana, time and time again, two very different people from two very different backgrounds would take off in a red and white helicopter at all times of the day, and soar in what felt like a glass bubble, and we would visit, work, vent, and strengthen a friendship,” Lindsey remembers. “Just the two of us above the city.” They talked about what it was like raising kids; Lindsey has two of her own. “He would sometimes find himself frustrated while explaining a new situation that the two of them were current-
ly experiencing and he’d often say, ‘There’s just not enough time to fit in all the things I want him to know and understand about life. Right when you think you’ve done enough, you realize there is so much more. And they grow up so stinkin’ fast!’” But Max didn’t need to worry. He raised a fine boy, a boy who came over and hugged us a few days ago at his father’s memorial service. A boy who looked at me, and said, simply, “I lost my best friend.” A boy who knows his father risked his life for him, and gave him the gift of a future in America. A boy who will carry his father’s name proudly for the rest of his life, and who will be cared for by the many people who love him. Fly high, Max. You’re free.
Photos: Lindsey Janies
By Lauren Abate de Albuquerque I first met Paul Maxwell “Max” Trost at a Chamber “Business After Hours” event, around the time I started The Jam. He had recently formed Max Air, his helicopter company, and was out drumming up business. We struck up a conversation and I discovered a unique guy who has led a life you only read about. Phil and I got to know him really well and heard all of his stories (and there were plenty). His life in Costa Rica, where he ran jungle tours. His years of crop-dusting. Flying all over Central America. Getting run out of Costa Rica after he lost everything, with bullets flying as his plane takes off. And discovering five years later that he has a son, living in the jungle in a tough situation. A little boy that he didn’t even know existed. And going back to the country that almost did him in, risking life and limb to get his boy and bring him home. Max fought for his child, fought for years through a bureaucracy as tangled as the jungle vines in Costa Rica. He used all of his connections, spent all of his money and never gave up. And finally, he got him. Seeing Max with Maxcito was a beautiful thing. I don’t think any father could have more love for his son. And what a young man he’s become. Maxcito, now 15, is handsome, polite, sweet and funny—and now taller than his Dad. He’s an old soul, wise beyond his years. Maxcito touches the lives of everyone he meets, including local photographer Lindsey Janies, who met Max two years ago. “If you have had the joy of meeting his son, you can see what a tremendous job he did,” she says. Lindsey met Max through business. “An existing client said I’d be flying for this particular photography assignment and a pilot would be out there waiting.” Lindsey came with her boyfriend, and it was her understanding that they would both be able to fly with Max together, as they’d done during previous photo flights with other
February 26, 2015 5
GO Group Announces New Director The Southwest Louisiana Task Force for Growth and Opportunity (GO Group) has hired Karen Lambert Clapp as director. In her new position, Clapp will lead the GO Group’s efforts to respond to the anticipated economic growth in Southwest Louisiana. Clapp has an extensive background in marketing and business, having served as director of marketing at West Calcasieu-Cameron Hospital in Sulphur for the past seven years. She obtained her undergraduate degree in marketing/management from McNeese, and she also holds an MBA from McNeese.
IBERIABANK Names Commercial Banking Group Manager
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at West Cal Events Center The official groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming West Calcasieu Events Center was held recently. The Events Center is an indoor multi-purpose event hosting facility which will complement the existing outdoor equestrian West Cal Arena.. The final cost for the facility was just over $10 million and has been open since last summer. For more information, visit www.westcalarena.com or call (337) 528-9378.
IBERIABANK is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Karen Drewett to commercial banking group manager for SWLA. Drewett has been with the company for four years and has 28 years of banking experience, including 15 years in commercial lending. A graduate of McNeese State University, Drewett is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. She is located at Karen Drewett 4440 Nelson Road in Lake Charles and can be reached at (337) 312-7036 or at Karen.Drewett@iberiabank.com.
Galan Elected to Ethics Standard Committee Julio Galan, president and CEO of Family & Youth Counseling Agency, has been elected to the National Ethics Standards Committee of the Standards for Excellence Institute of Maryland. Galan has been the president and CEO of Family & Youth since 1997, and the President and CEO of the Family Foundation since its inception in 2000. The National Ethics Standards Committee is charged with overseeing the national certification process of the Standards for Excellence Institute.
Turner Named WCCH Safety Award Recipient
Police Juror Elected to Statewide Offices Tony Guillory, Calcasieu Parish Police Juror for District 4, will serve as an at large member of the Executive Board of the Police Jury Association of Louisiana as well as Vice President of the Black Caucus of the Louisiana Police Jury Association. The Black Caucus Louisiana Police Jury Association’s goals are to provide members with innovative information and tools that can be applied in the real world to better serve their constituencies. Guillory is currently serving his second term representing Calcasieu residents of District 4.
Golden Nugget Lake Charles Names GM Landry’s, Inc. is pleased to announce Gerry Del Prete as its senior vice president and general manager of Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino Lake Charles. He will oversee the day-to-day operations and manage all aspects of the hotel, casino and guest experience. Del Prete, a tenured employee with over 20 years of experience in management, has relocated to Lake Charles from Houston. 6 February 26, 2015
West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital recently named Kenneth Turner, RN, medical telemetry unit, as the recipient of its safety award. The award, which honors employees for their promotion of safety and safety awareness in and around the hospital, is distributed to those employees that demonstrate extraordinary awareness and action in minimizing potential safety risks.
Kenneth Turner
BBB Elects 2015 Board of Directors and Officers The Better Business Bureau Serving SWLA, Inc. recently held its annual election of directors and officers for the 2015 term. Blake McCaskill of MidSouth Bank was elected chairman of the board of directors. The officers are Blake McCaskill, MidSouth Bank, chairman; Roland Terrell, Terrell & Associates, vice-chairman; Lee Bruney, Star Concrete Pumpers, treasurer and Julie Miller, JD Bank, secretary. The new directors are: John Berryhill, Signs Now; David Busby, LA Radio Communications; Becky Janot, Vision Source; Kim LaPoint, Suddenlink CommunicaVol. 6 • No. 23
tions and Tammy Truax, Magnolia LNG. The incumbents are: Pat Dow, Southern Record Storage; Keith Dubrock, McKenzie Pest Control; Nick Langley, Langley, Williams & Company, LLC; Travis Manceaux, PERC Development; Roland Terrell, Terrell & Associates.
WCCH Foundation Board Elects 2015 Officers
Terry Backhaus
LAGG Inc. Donates to Autism Services of SWLA Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana received a $4,200 donation from LA Associated General Contractors’ as a result of their annual clay shoot competition last fall at the Lake Charles Gun Club. Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana is a non-profit organization that provides housing and support to adult individuals with autism.
The West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Foundation Board recently elected new officers to serve a one-year term. Terry Backhaus will serve as the new president and Rickey Watson will serve as vice-president. Suzanne Peveto-Nelson was elected to serve as secretary and George Clyde is the new treasurer. Clyde has served on the Foundation Board since 1999, Backhaus and Peveto-Nelson have served since 2007, and Watson has served since 2011.
(L to R) David Landrenau (manager for LACG, Inc.), Geri Christ Landry (board president for Autism Services of SWLA); Blake Hines area chairman of LACG, Inc.)
Rickey Watson
Suzanne Peveto-Nelson
George Clyde
Fusion 5 Donates to Alliance Foundation Fusion 5, Southwest Louisiana’s premier young professionals’ organization, recently donated $1,000 to the Alliance Foundation’s “On the Move” Campaign which addresses the critical issues facing our region. As part of the funding for the SWLA Economic Development Alliance, SWLA on the Move promotes economic development in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis parishes.
(L to R) Ashli Waldrep, 2015 Fusion Five Chair; George Swift, President/CEO of Chamber SWLA and Alliance; and Celia Case, 2015 Chair, Chamber SWLA and Alliance Foundation. Vol. 6 • No. 23
February 26, 2015 7
Yankee in Tights Having been on a number of royal Mardi Gras courts, I’ve amassed quite a collection of costumes. Judging from the number of ostriches that must have sacrificed their feathers to them, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not a result of nature that those birds don’t fly. I’ve been everything from a Greek god to a monster to a King of Middle Earth on court. I’ve worn feathers and sequins and fabrics that would make a shag carpet feel like tissue paper. But none of those costumes prepared me for what I was about to experience as the Duke of Dominoes for the Krewe de la Famille’s “Games People Play” theme. “And here are your tights,” Anne Monlezun said when my wife and I came to pick up our finished costumes. She proceeded to hand me a package that was about the size of a
pack of gum. “Hmmm,” I said, pinching it between two fingers. “Somehow I missed the part about how the Duke of Dominoes comes shrink wrapped.” With my thighs, I weighed the odds for a serious costume malfunction. They weren’t even close to being in my favor. “You’ll be fine,” Anne said with confidence. “We’ve put tights around bigger legs than yours over the years in this krewe.” “Is your husband wearing tights with his costume?” I asked. “Of course not. Doc has the part of Mr. Monopoly, so he’ll be wearing a tux.” “Well, there’s the difference,” I told her. “When Doc goes to the men’s room on the night of the ball, at least he’ll have a zipper. Me, I’m going to need a box cutter.” When I moved to Louisi-
ana, not once did I envision a time where I might have to shimmy my legs into a pair of tights. I considered it as one of the state’s major advantages. Tights were for ballet dancers, speed skaters, and Spiderman, none of whom you see around much in this part of the country. “That’s it,” I said to my wife. “I’m backing out.” “Don’t be ridiculous.” “No, I’m putting my foot down.” “What gives you the say?” she asked. “Because you wear the tights in the family?” She did have a point. And so the Duke of Dominoes, tights and all, assumed his place on the royal court of the Krewe de la Famille. The applause roared as I was introduced during the presentation, with most of it coming from the ladies in the crowd. That’s when it struck me that there just might
Leo is a 1-year-old Rat Terrier Mix who weighs 19 pounds. Adopted from the New Iberia shelter, his owner had to move to an apartment and Leo was bounced to another family. That family was not committed to Leo and he found himself out on the street. He loves kids and other dogs and is energetic and very sweet. Leo is a little timid at first, but warms up 8 February 26, 2015
be a place for tights in men’s fashion. My legs couldn’t have received as much attention had I wrapped them in bacon and strutted up to pack of ravenous Dobermans. I believe that if the good ole boys only knew of the power that tights hold over members of the opposite sex, they might actually outsell camouflage. Bass Pro Shops would dedicate an entire section. They’d have a big sign with the Duck Commander dudes flaunting camo tights and shouting, “Forget the ducks. Attract yourself some real birds!” Even Si’s legs would look hot. As for me, I’ve become sold on tights. Just think; I’ll be able to carry an entire wardrobe in my pocket. Imagine how much that would save me on airline baggage fees. Can’t get enough of the Dang Yankee? Read more at thedangyankee.com.
quickly. He is learning to experience life in a safe and secure home with his foster mom. He is crate-trained and working on house-training. He is up to date on shots, neutered and heartworm negative. If you are interested in meeting Leo and/or giving him a forever home, then please call (337)478-7294 or email lapaw@ bellsouth.net. A home visit and vet reference is required. Vol. 6 • No. 23
New Eatery in South Lake Charles South Lake Charles has been suffering from a lack of restaurants in the general area. Yes, there are some fast food places and a few others, but on the whole, most restaurants have located themselves primarily along the Prien Lake Road corridor. But a new place has opened in the south end of town that is worthy of note. It’s not a fancy upscale eatery but will certainly make a name for itself. Jean’s Creole Cooking and BBQ, located on Elliott Road just south of Country Club Road is only open on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. for now. The hours and days of operation will increase as the reputation and demand expands, which most certainly will with the quality and tastiness I experienced. This establishment is new and shiny, clean as a whistle, different and fun. There is an inside dining room, a screened-in deck area with countertop seating and the smiles on the faces of both diners and staff let you know you are in the right spot. They offered two plates on the Saturday we were there: a chicken dinner and a rib and sausage dinner. Both dishes included dirty rice, baked pork and beans, potato salad and a Vol. 6 • No. 23
canned cold drink, with some of the best BBQ sauce I have ever put in my mouth. The rib meat gently came off the bone, the sausage was perfect and the whole meal was wonderful. There are fish dinners on Fridays for the Lenten season, which I am certain will please. You will be glad to see them in this area of Lake Charles. Welcome, Jean! City Council Rejects Hotel Plans For a pleasant and important change, the Lake Charles City Council upheld the rejection of the development of a fourstory hotel across the street from Prien Lake Elementary School. I expected the City Council to vote in its favor as has been the case in most instances when various developments have been opposed by area residents. Having an 85-unit hotel on Nelson Road, with the nearly impossibly screwed up traffic on that road anyway, would have been a nightmare for drivers. It doesn’t matter what reasoning was used for the defeat; there were many valid points brought forth by the adversaries of the hotel that resulted in a positive outcome. There are many residents off Nelson Road who have enough burden navigating to and from their destinations without the added congestion of hotel traffic. The elementary school congestion, combined with the new Dairy Queen traffic and the Walmart/casino/I-210 interchange fiasco would be a shining example of how not to do things with the addition of that hotel. Development is a good thing when it is in keeping with the needs of the effected residents. There does have to be big-picture thinking, but it takes good brush strokes to make it the best.
Crawfish Prices: Feeling the Pinch As predicted, the crawfish prices have held higher than many of us would like. There have been some specials for $3/pound boiled but they are few and far between. Prices are coming down very slowly; the sellers are most reluctant to reduce the levels that they have established in the past. Pricing in the $4 to $5 range appears to be the norm for mid-February. We can look for better consumer pricing in the coming weeks as the gas prices are reasonably low and crawfish production will increase. Supermarket Roundup Now that Mardi Gras has past and we are into the Lenten season, many of us favor seafood on Friday. In this issue, we check out pricing for a catfish fry. The prices reported here were obtained on Thurs-
day, February 19 and reflect the posted price on the shelf where the product was placed for sale. The stores we checked were: Albertsons-Ryan Street, Market Basket-Lake Street, Kroger-McNeese Street. Catfish fillets, per pound: Albertsons $5.99, Market Basket $4.79, Kroger $5.99, Walmart $6.49 (2-pound box). Louisiana Fish Fry, 10-ounce package: Albertsons $1.69, Market Basket $1.45, Kroger $1.00, Walmart $1.38. Kraft Tartar Sauce, 12-ounce bottle: Albertsons $2.49, Market Basket $2.19, Kroger $2, Walmart $1.92. LouAna Peanut Oil, 1-gallon bottle: Albertsons $15.29, Market Basket $13.59, Kroger $15.49, Walmart $11.68.
February 26, 2015 9
Treating PWSD (Post Waterfowl Season Depression) The marvelously hectic September-through-January waterfowl season ends with a bang and a whimper. Sure, there’s still the special snow goose season, where nearly everything that’s normally illegal becomes legal. Even with no plug, no bag limit and the use of electronic devices, a depressing reality settles in. What is left is awakening at 4 am. Gone is the good-natured bantering prior to a hunt or the bragging rites after. A sunrise becomes just that, something that occurs before you go to work to rat hole the ever increasing dollars it takes to pay for what is a-takes-forever year away. You’ve gone through your gear and stored it away yet
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again. Hip boots and waders are not informal wear between seasons. The decoys are bagged and stacked. Your boat and GatorTail motor is trailered, covered, and parked. Shotguns are given a thorough cleaning and placed back in your gun rack. Each day when you leave for work, everything seems to be just a reminder of where you’re not. Every post season, I used to suffer from waterfowl-less depression. I was restless, irritable, and discontented. Mardi Gras season came with its raucous crowds, bead-tossing revelers atop floats, and rowdy Krewe parties, yet they brought no joy. I missed being afield on a brisk morning, a Lab’s expectant whine and the crisp snap shut of my over and under shotgun. There were no more sailing in pintails, teal surprises, or plaintive mallard hen calls. Missing was the almost-laughter of cackling speckle belly geese, the snow goose’s elegant flight and the majesty of a Canadian goose. Mornings came with just my shower’s hiss, the hum of my electric toothbrush, and the tedium of my daily shave.
So far I have found no advertised anti-PWSD aid from our pharmaceutical giants. Not a single go to the ER for a relief-lasts-more-than fourhours miracle pill. Yet I have found something that works for me: the Camo Man Cave. If by chance you wander by my abode, you will be greeted at the entrance by a nesting mallard hen decoy amongst my faux marsh plants. There is a moss-covered wreath with a miniature decoy hanging on my door above the DU sticker. To the side of my door are three welcoming, seemingly carved in stone Labrador puppies. Once inside and on the north wall is a painting of me hunting Johnson Bayou with my Irish Setter Rhett, a gift from Joe Gray Taylor, Jr. in 1979. Beyond it is a large print
of mallards alighting in the marsh. Next is Larry Toschik’s “Snows in the Autumn Fall,” reminiscent of my family rice farm in Ardoin’s Cove. The west wall has a 18 by 14 picture of me and my Golden Retriever Prez, given to me by famed local photographer Victor Monsour. Beyond that is another treasured picture, bordered on either side by two silver-headed sailfish bills. It’s a 1980 black and white of Mike Bono, Judge John “Mucho Hombre” Hood and me, taken in Mazatlan, Mexico. My decoy collection is spread throughout every room. Prominently displayed are my duck calls, the most treasured of which is a Faulk’s Black Band Guide Call with the words, “To my friend Roger, Dud Faulk” etched in its barrel. Beneath
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them is a hand-tooled leather duck stringer, a recent gift from Donnie Rogers. Scattered about the rooms are various hunting and fishing pictures taken from my 60 years afield. One special treasure is a wood duck print, a gift from noted local wildlife artist Elton Louivere. Back in the day, men had their dens and women their sewing rooms. Even today, a Wildlife Man Cave can exist only if one has an understanding spouse, significant other or are reclusively single. My benefactress is Melony Rue LeMay,
Vol. 6 • No. 23
who acquired some of the art for me, provided the Audubon prints in my hallway, miniature decoys, duck wreaths and the nesting ducks at my doorway and in my bathroom. Rue even sewed the camo seat covers for my dining room chairs. In this way, I can spend the off-season surrounded by memories that touch my heart. The epiphany I experience afield is lived anew daily and I am a PWSD sufferer no more. (Materials and memories not found in any local store or even at Cabala’s.)
February 26, 2015 11
Love Is Never Over, It’s Just Transformed “There comes a moment in every life when the Universe presents you with an opportunity to rise to your potential. An open door that only requires the heart to walk through, seize it and hang on. The choice is never simple. It’s never easy. It’s not supposed to be. But those who travel this path have always looked back and realized that the test was always about the heart. ...The rest is just practice.”– Jaime Buckley, Prelude to a Hero If you could only see that love is never over. I LOVE YOU! How do those three words make you feel? Have you ever taken the time to look inside of your heart? I will tell you it isn’t an easy task to face all of those walls that you have hidden there. When you knock that first wall down, remember to hold on tightly. You will ask, “Why do I need to feel all of this?” The answer: It’s for you
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to move forward and grow. The worst place you can find yourself is being stuck. You just tore your heart open. OUCH! All of this pain from the scars that remind you that the past is real. What you want to do is sew it back shut so you can move forward in your life. Why do you care so much? Why do you allow those people inside those walls? It feels like you drove your car into a solid brick wall. CRASH! BOOM! Every time this happens, we get scared that it’s something bad. I will share a few things that I have learned from my own journey and from working with others on their journeys. Don’t waste your precious time on things that don’t matter. Learn to let go of certain fears----fear of death, fear of punishment, fear of loving another, fear of living your life. When you die, the beliefs that you had while living
on earth begin falling away from you. You begin growing up. Beliefs we that we have been taught don’t really matter when we die. Some are helpful, but the others just kept us spinning around trying to follow all the rules that other people told us to follow. I have thrown away the ones that no longer serve my best interest. For some reason unknown to me, God decided that I was strong enough to handle my life looking through rosecolored glasses designed by Him. He pushed down that feeling I always had of not being good enough. I am no longer allowed to lose sight of this miracle that is my life. Losing who I once was is the most interesting part of my life. It has prepared me for what is to come. It is teaching me that we can never judge anyone’s life. We are forced to stand alone in hardship. You learn to see through your own eyes, not through the lens of others. Part of your purpose here on earth is to make your life as interesting as you can. Take chances. Go after your dreams. Tattoo your heart on the outside of your body and wear it proudly. Our life has endless possibilities. Maybe you can actually make your life greater and more magnificent than you could have ever thought possible. Say the things you need to say so you can change and become a new person. Tell those people you hurt that you are sorry and that you will always carry them in your heart. Learn to break away from everyone and everything and move onto higher places. You will reach your creative spark when you reach deep within. You will pass through that broken place you traveled and discover the beauty and strength of your soul, like a pearl and its beauty. Remember, the pearl is created when sand gets inside of the oyster and irritates it. I have poured out my heart and laid it right there in front of all of you, but first, I had to get over all of you to get to me. You learn not to worry about all of that sand. Each and every grain of sand is living proof of
my life. In a book called Scattered Pearls, the mother tells her daughter that whatever troubles life brought her should be considered as sand in an oyster and that she should make them into beautiful pearls. Pearls of wisdom. Sometimes, death is actually a fresh new start. Whatever so-called mistakes you’ve made don’t matter, because there is always another chance. And don’t worry. Those things we call mistakes are okay. They are just part of your journey. When you let things go, they begin to die. Again, that’s okay. All the socalled drama changes you. Most people are scared of change, it’s actually the sweetest part of your life if you really taste it. You will taste freedom with that sweetness if you’re brave enough. Color your canvas with all the colors in your color box. Stop losing so much time. Become a helping loving soul. Surround yourself with people that feel alive. They also have gifts of new knowledge and wisdom. Our souls love the experiences and don’t fear sadness and suffering. All of it makes you who you are. I will be love. I will be beautiful. I will follow my fire within. No more easy ways out are allowed. I will continue to help others discover their own fire within. I will live a life full of light and love and bliss. I will live like today is my last day. I will continue to mend broken hearts. I will do whatever it takes to love with all that I am. I will make each day count. I will continue to be there to help others see their mirror to reflect their lives better. To open their hearts and love again. To hold them in God’s love, to help them feel better in difficult times. All of my life, all of this, is God’s doing. “But for the grace of God.” I experienced the grace of God when it hit me on the head. That trauma was actually a blessing in my life. I am forever grateful that I was shown the grace in my life. Thank you, God for giving me a second chance to love. With All My Love, Nicole Vol. 6 • No. 23
Triple Delight for Lent Hello again, everybody! How y’all doing? Well Fat Tuesday is in the rearview mirror and that means it’s the Lenten season again. In Southwest Louisiana, that also means seafood. Today we’re going to visit one of my “1, 2, 3” dishes. I refer to them as such because in stage 1, the dish is either vegan or vegetarian. In stage 2, by adding shrimp, crab, scallops or all three (yum!) you have a great seafood dish. Then in stage 3, you can add chicken or beef and serve it up to those poor souls who happen to live in “The Land of Plentiful Seafood” and are allergic. For this reason, I suggest that after preparing this dish, divide it into three portions and that way, you can please everyone. Did I mention this is a great “Wow, I have a lot of people coming over for dinner. What should I feed them type of dish?” Well, I should have.
What You’ll Need 2- 28 oz. jars of quartered artichokes, drained 2 roasted red bell peppers, seeded and chopped 1/2 cup capers 1 cup Kalamata olives, rough chopped 1- 6 oz. can tomato paste 2- 8 oz. cans tomato paste 1 tablespoon chopped garlic 1 tablespoon chopped shallots 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper Olive oil
What You’ll Do
In a large saucepan, sauté’ the garlic and shallots in olive oil for about one minute. Add the artichokes, peppers, capers and olives. Cook for about five more minutes and then add the tomato paste, sauce and black pepper. Let this cook for an additional 5 -10 minutes, then lower the heat to almost nothing and make a big pot of pasta. Notice I have chosen not to add any salt to this dish. You can if you wish, but please taste it first, after it has been completely cooked. I feel you will get enough salt from the olives and capers. You can serve this over pasta topped with some fresh grated parmesan cheese and a good red wine...... or sweet tea. But whatever you do, have a good time and don’t forget to Stir Dat Pot! Vol. 6 • No. 23
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SBA is Here to Help The Small Business Administration (SBA) is committed to helping small businesses, which are the backbone of the nation’s economy, thrive. Working closely with a wide range of lending partners across the country, SBA has developed a number of financial programs that address the various needs of small businesses. Before seeking financial assistance, ask yourself the following questions to evaluate your business’s financing needs: • Do you need more capital or can you manage existing cash flow more effectively? • How do you define your need? Do you need money to expand or as a cushion against risk? • How urgent is your need? You can obtain the best terms when you anticipate your needs rather than looking for money under pressure. • How great are your risks? All
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businesses carry risks, and the degree of risk will affect cost and available financing alternatives. • In what state of development is your business? Needs are most critical during transitional stages. • For what purposes will the capital be used? Any lender will require that capital be requested for very specific needs. • What is the state of your industry? Depressed, stable, or growth conditions require different approaches to money needs and sources. Businesses that prosper while others are in decline will often receive better funding terms. • Is your business seasonal or cyclical? Seasonal needs for financing generally are short term. Loans advanced for cyclical industries, such as construction, are designed to support a business through depressed periods.
• How strong is your management team? Management is an important element assessed by lenders. • How does your need for financing mesh with your business plan? If you don’t have a business plan, make writing one your first priority. All capital sources will want to see your business plan for the start-up and growth of your business.
Banks and other lending institutions offer a number of SBA guaranteed loan programs: (7(a) Loans, CDC/504 Loan, Microloan) to assist small businesses. While the SBA itself does not make loans, it does guarantee loans made to small businesses by private and other institutions, encouraging these loans to qualify more applicants for loan approval.
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By Lauren Abate de Albuquerque If you’ve been to a wedding or special event in the last six years, there’s a good chance you’ve enjoyed the delicious margaritas from Mr. Margarita, owned by Shawn Doucet and his wife Karen. Their refreshing concoctions are a real crowd-pleaser. So, how did they get into the margarita business? Doucet was in the bottled water industry for over 15 years. But things started to change. “The stock market was tanking and I was watching my 401k lose money,” he remembers. He knew he had to make some changes in his life. “The idea of a margarita franchise stemmed from our love of margaritas,” he continues. “We were searching the Internet to purchase a marga-
rita machine for ourselves to have at home. We stumbled across the franchise and realized the potential. We tossed around the idea of buying the franchise for a couple years before we decided to jump into our own business and made our decision to give it chance.” With money from Sean’s 401K account, they purchased the Mr. Margarita franchise for the Lake Charles area. “We decided to invest in ourselves,” he says. It’s been six years now and they continue to grow every year. Last April, they expanded their service territory to include SETX Beaumont and the surrounding areas. “Our love for our customers and the care and time that we give them has given us very loyal following and
Louisiana Small Business Development Center Assists Small Business in SWLA The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University has helped businesses in Southwest Louisiana for over 24 years. As part of a non-profit national network, the LSBDC provides entrepreneurs with high quality one-on-one counseling, management training, and information vital to business owners who want to grow and prosper in Southwest Louisiana. They can help you write a business plan, develop financial projections, or understand the dozens of issues involved in starting a small business. Their services are free and confidential. Call them at (337) 475-5529 to schedule a free appointment. Also check out the link to their Training Events at www.mcneese.edu/sbdcfor more information on upcoming seminars. The Center is a one-stop center for assistance in business plan development, market analysis, sources of capital, technology transfer, inventor assistance, and other business related issues. The McNeese Center serves a five parish area: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jeff Davis. Counseling services and training events are offered throughout the year in each of these areas. Statistics show that small businesses account for approximately 97.6 percent of all business ventures in Louisiana. Whether you are an established business person or a budding entrepreneur, the LSBDC at McNeese State University can help with your business needs. 16 February 26, 2015
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much easier than having a snow cone machine, which would have to be manned by someone who would have to make each snow cone.” Mr. Margarita is available for any size or type of event, from an intimate home party to a large company function. “We can help you with any event, big or small.” Doucet says they have done business with some wonderful people. And they repeat customers,” Doucet says. “We are the only margarita delivery service that will deliver, set up, clean up and pick up the machines. We take great pride in making sure that every customer has a pleasant and successful experience.” Mr. Margarita only uses commercial-grade machines. “We currently carry single barrel and double barrel machines,” Doucet explains.
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love giving back. “My wife and I are local residents and enjoy helping out our community when called upon. We have helped out with several fundraisers and benefits in our area.” Be the talk of your next event! For more information, like them on Facebook, go to www.mrmargaritalakecharles.com, www.mrmargaritabeaumont.com or call (337) 304-4652.
“We offer mix sales as well and we have several tasty flavors. When you’re not sure what flavor would work best for your event, we can offer suggestions to fit your needs.” Doucet points out that they can cater to kidfriendly events as well. “Since we do not provide alcohol, the mix makes a delicious slush. It’s great for Slushy Parties and
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Oak Crossing Announces Lease Agreement with Italian Restaurant LaVoglia LaVoglia, a new, upscale Italian restaurant, will be opening this summer in Oak Crossing. Owned by Alfredo Kulici, who owns and operates the popular New York Pizza & Pasta and French Quarter Bar & Grill restaurants in East Texas, LaVoglia will offer classic Italian cuisine, along with seafood, steak and Mediterranean dishes. Kulici is originally from Albania and grew up in northern Italy. The youngest of nine children, he says his home growing up was like a restaurant, with fresh, good food at the center of their family life. He trained classically as a French chef, and emigrated to the United States in 2003, after a vacation led him to Dallas, where he donned the chef ’s hat in a friend’s restaurant. He
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was an instant hit and decided to make his home in Texas, and now owns a string of restaurants there. Kulici is following the growth taking place in Southwest Louisiana and using this new location to open a different kind of restaurant, one that will return him to his childhood culinary roots of fine, handmade Italian pasta and fresh bread. “LaVoglia, which means ‘the dream,’ will give me and the four members of my family who will be joining me at the restaurant, the chance to prepare
and serve the kind of food we love best,” says Kulici. “We are very excited about this new venture and can’t wait for Southwest Louisiana to taste our favorite family recipes, which have been handed down through generations. We love to cook and I think this will be very apparent to our customers.” LaVoglia will encompass 4000 square feet in Oak Crossing, the 20acre business park development located on the corner of Nelson Road and Ham Reid Road in South Lake Charles. Kulici says the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Additional information about LaVoglia will be available at www. oakcrossing.net and on the restaurant’s own website, www.lavoglia.net, which will be launched soon.
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Walking into the warm, welcoming space that is Haven Home Furnishings is like walking into home. Scented with fragrant candles and filled with an eclectic mix of new and vintage furniture, gifts and women’s accessories, it’s the kind of place you don’t want to leave. In other words, it’s well-named. The charming owner is Kathi Broussard Cogen, a native of Sulphur and a 25-plus year veteran of the retail industry. The Lake Area is fortunate to have her back after her exciting career took her to the far-flung reaches of the world. Kathi fixes me a cup of tea, elegantly served on a vintage tray, and tells me about her journey. After obtaining a bachelor of business administration degree from Texas A&M University, she started her retail career as a buyer with Joskes Texas. From there, she was recruited by Bloomingdales New York as their infant buyer. She traveled the world developing private label merchandise for the Bloomies’ label and created their first layette list. Eventually, she became a buyer for Toys ‘R’ Us, where she remained for five years. By this time, Kathi was married and she decided it was time to give up her career to raise her family. But everything changed for her after 9/11, when her best friend was killed. “We decided to move out of the city. I had to get away,” she says. They ended up in Montauk in the Hamptons, at the very tip of Long Island. With her children now in school, Kathi decided to get back in the game. This time, she went into business for herself. Her business was Haven, a 2,400 square foot home store. She shopped all over the world for vintage, one-of-a-kind home furnishings, women’s clothing and accessories. She developed a private label line in India, licensed a fine jewelry boutique within the store (she sold Howard Stern his wife’s engagement ring!) and had an interior design business for residential as well as commercial establishments. She was active in the community and received good press. The business was seasonal. “No one was there in the winter,” she said. “We would close on Dec. 23 and basically regroup and plan for the coming season.” Unfortunately, a fire destroyed the store in 2008. “It was an electrical fire and it burned to the ground,” Kathi says. With her children grown, Kathi decided to leave Montauk, where the cost of living was skyrocket20 February 26, 2015
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ing, and moved to Austin, where she joined the Saks management team. But she ultimately felt the pull of home, and returned to her roots in Southwest Louisiana with an ultimate goal in mind. She opened Haven Home Furnishing in Lake Charles in April 2014. Like its predecessor, the store features both vintage and new furniture, gifts and women’s accessories and is a truly delightful place to visit. It’s easy to see why Haven is such a success. Clients are greeted warmly as they enter the store, and offered coffee or tea. While I was there, Kathi sold three pretty ponchos. A woman purchased one for as a gift, left the store, and returned five minutes later. “I think I want for myself !” she laughed. At Mistletoe and Moss last November, Haven sold 150 ponchos that weekend alone! They will also be at Lafayette’s Tinsel & Treasure in September. And when poncho time ends, you can find sandals, sunglasses, hats, scarves, purses, flowing one-size-fits-all tops and of course, lots of unique jewelry, along with home furnishings and other treasures. “After awhile, the store takes on a life of its own,” Kathi says. “Its look just evolves.” She enjoys supporting small businesses, so she carries lines such as Passport Candles out of Lafayette and Susan Shaw jewelry out of San Antonio. If you want to feather your own nest, or are looking for a special gift, it’s the place to go for unique items, big and small. Speaking of gifts, Haven does complimentary gift-wrapping, which is an added bonus and gift certificates are available—and very popular! Kathi loves her location in the Palms Plaza on Ryan St., which boasts other new, small businesses. And she’s found
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a solid manager in Jamie Lee, who started with Haven as an intern and now, does everything from teaching paint classes to running the website. They work well together. The chalk paint classes are a big part of Haven. The store sells a line of chalk paint called Van Gogh from Canada and teaches classes on how to use the product to refurbish furniture (see sidebar). The company’s owner is Kathy Van Gogh, who is a direct descendant of the famous artist. “Corporate came down and taught us a how to paint,” Kathi says. “It was so much fun. Now we paint most of our furniture.” If you don’t want to paint it yourself, let Haven do it for you. The Haven team offers painting services for that vintage treasure that needs a little TLC. Haven is a rep for Younger Furniture. A hip line made in the USA, it can be custom ordered to fit into any décor style and offers over 200 styles and 300 fabrics. Many styles can be shipped in five business days. Kathi also offers interior design services. “One of the components I focus on is to hold onto any items that have meaning. We can repurpose it for them,” Kathi says. The
day we spoke, she had just come in from a consultation with a client. “More and more, this is how I start my day!” she smiles. This busy entrepreneur also believes in giving back and is very much involved in her community. For example, Haven partnered with the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation this past holiday season. A Tree of Hope was displayed in the store, with gift certificates in varying denominations from $10 $50 hanging on the tree. Customers could purchase a donation card and Haven matched that contribution. The total was used to purchase a special Christmas gift for each patient: a Susan LaVine-designed Bird Guide Set. The sets were wrapped by Haven and delivered to patients in the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Cancer Center on Christmas Eve. The funds remaining after purchasing the gifts were donated to the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation to be used to purchase equipment for the cancer center at the hospital. Giving back, working hard and immersing herself in her growing business keep Kathi Broussard Cogen a happy woman. And it’s reflected in Haven Home Furnishings. Visit soon!
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Haven Home Furnishings Hours: 10-6 Mon.-Sat. Palm Plaza, 2801 Ryan St., Ste. 400, Lake Charles (337) 433-2001 • www.haven-home-furnishings.com Like them on Facebook! ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
two examples of refurbished furniture 22 February 26, 2015
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van gogh furniture paintology Paint Your Own Piece Class Bring your own small piece to paint (small enough for you to carry alone) or buy one from Haven and let them guide you in creating that masterpiece. Class is $30 an hour with a minimum of two hours. Supplies are not included. Class is limited to 4. A deposit of $60 is required to hold your place.
Basic 101 Class Learn the basics of Chalk Painting furniture. Class is $99 and supplies are included. Class is limited to 8. A deposit of $49.50 is required to hold your place.
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Basic 101 Class
March 7
9-12
Advanced Class
March 14
9-12
Paint Your Own Piece
March 28
1-4
Basic 101 Class
April 11
9-12
Paint Your Own Piece
April 25
1-4
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LAKE CHARLES SYMPHONY PRESENTS
Concert 2 of the Classical Concert Series for 2014-2015 Season The Lake Charles Symphony continues celebration of its 57th Season with its next concert on Sunday, March 1 at 3 p.m. in the Rosa Hart Theatre. Featured in Bernhard Crusell’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2 is Lake Charles’s own Jan Fillmore Scott on the clarinet. Scott has performed as a recitalist, clinician, and soloist throughout the United States. She is currently principal clarinet with the Lake Charles Symphony and the Rapides Symphony Orchestra in Alexandria, and has performed with the Louisville Orchestra, Louisville Ballet, Indiana Chamber Orchestra, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Midland-Odessa Symphony, Acadiana Symphony and the Symphony of Southeast Texas. Scott is a founding member of the internationally acclaimed Pastiche Chamber Ensemble. This whimsical quartet is actively involved in expanding their repertoire with new commissions. Jan holds degrees from the University of North Texas and the University of Louisville. Since 1990, Scott has been a professor of clarinet/double reeds, woodwind techniques, and music education at McNeese State University. She currently serves as Assistant Department Chair in the Department of Performing Arts and in 2011 was named a Pinnacle Award Winner. The concert will open with George Enesco’s Romanian Rhapsody No. 1, followed by 24 February 26, 2015
Bernhard Crusell’s featuring Scott in his Clarinet Concerto No. 2 and will conclude with Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite (1919). At the conclusion of the concert, symphony-goers are invited to Luna Bar & Grill, 719 Ryan St., for an after-party or dinner where they can present their tickets for a drink special.
Discovery Series This season, the Discovery Series “goes public.” It will still offer informative and lively pre-concert discussions and musical programs. The public is invited to attend the next installment Thursday, February 26 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Luna Live, 710 Ryan Street, Lake Charles. Jan Scott will be on hand to play excerpts from the Clarinet Concerto and will be accompanied by local musician and educator, Jay Ecker. Maestro Rattay will speak about the remaining program. Luna Live will offer a menu of appetizers and entrees. This concert is sponsored by Christus St. Patrick Hospital, L’Auberge Casino Resort, Lake Charles, Luna Bar & Grill and a grant from the City of Lake Charles as administered by the Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana. Tickets are $25 for the general public or $20 for those with student or military identification. For more information, go to www.lcsymphony. com or call (3370 433-1611.
The Sulphur Mines Festival March 13-14
Head to the West Calcasieu Arena & Events Center March 13-14 for the annual Sulphur Mines Festival, where the city celebrates Sulphur’s heritage! Enjoy carnival rides, food and craft booths, live entertainment, a beauty pageant, lectures, and more! The event will be held Fri. from noon-10 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Band Schedule Friday, March 13 4:30 – 6 p.m. - Cajun Playboys 6:30 - 8 p.m. - sinners Saturday, March 14 2:30 - 4 p.m. –Pookie Marceaux Band 4:30 - 6 p.m. - Zydecane 6:30 - 8 p.m. - Wayne Dylan
Spring Style Show Saturday This year marks the first year of the Spring Style Show! The event will take place in the Cypress Room of the West Cal Events Center at 11 a.m. on March 14. Participating boutiques include: Nancy’s Childrens’ Wear, Jer Ree’s and A Little Bit Sassy.
Carnival Information Friday: 4 - 10 p.m. Saturday: Noon - 10 p.m. Tickets are $1 each. All rides take between 2 - 4 tickets. Armbands are available for $25 and allow for unlimited rides, all day, and are good for one day of the festival.
Festival Arts & Crafts Arts and crafts shops will fill the main Exhibition Hall at the West Cal Events Center from noon - 9 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. on Saturday. Admission to the crafts space is $5.
Lecture Series Saturday, March 14 (Times to be announced) Adley Cormier: Myths & Legends of SWLA Calvin Sharpe: A Brief History of Sulphur Bill Sutton: Herman Frasch: The Sulphur King Thom Trahan: The Sulphur Mines, Lost Landmarks of Sulphur Jason Machulski: Pickin’ SWLA Danielle Miller & Jim Bradshaw: The Hanging of Albert Edwin Batson Mary Ann Redd: A Brief History of Maplewood Larry Wise: TBD Linda Gill: TBD Vol. 6 • No. 23
Fifty Shades of Men Feb. 26 Ladies, brighten up your winter with “Fifty Shades of Men” at the Chateau du Calcasieu Event Center Thurs., Feb. 26! Presented by 3Topia, doors open at 8 p.m., show starts at 10 p.m. Advance tickets $15, $20 at the door, an additional $5 for the After Show. Bottle service and VIP tables available. The Chateau is located at 932 Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles. Advance tickets can be purchases at 3Topia or the Chateau. (337) 319-3641.
Disney’s Mulan Feb. 27-28, March 1 Disney’s MULAN launches the Children’s Theatre Company’s 2014-2015 season. Presented by Kerry A. Onxley CTC Artistic Director; Abigail Guillory, CTC Associate Director and Joseph Boyette, Vocal Director, Mulan debuts on Fri., Feb. 27 at the Benjamin Mount Auditorium at the Central School of the Arts & Humanities Center (809 Kirby Street), Lake Charles. Will run Feb. 27-28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sun., March 1 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for students. www.childrenstheatre.cc
LC Symphony Concert 2 March 1 The Lake Charles Symphony continues celebration of its 57th Season with its next concert on Sun., March 1 at 3 p.m. in the Rosa Hart Theatre. Featured in Bernhard Crusell’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2 is Lake Charles’s own Jan Scott on the clarinet. Tickets are $25 for the general public or $20 for those with student or military identification. (337) 433-1611.
Banners Present Lincoln March 2 Lincoln will be screened at McNeese State University Dept. of Performing Arts at 6 p.m. This film chronicles the President’s time in office between 1861 and 1865 as he dealt with personal demons and politics during the Civil War Free and open to the public. (337) 475-5123.
Girls Marsh Madness! March 3-7
at L’Auberge Casino Resort from 6-9 p.m. on Tues., March 10. Enjoy an array of delicious soups provided by 12 premier chefs in the area along with salad and dessert. Each guest will receive a handmade one-of-a-kind ceramic bowl designed by local artisans as a gift and enjoy entertainment by Chris Flowers and the Louisiana Express. For information on the different sponsorship levels or to purchase individual tickets, call (337) 433-4155.
Boys Marsh Madness! March 10 -14 The Louisiana High School Athletic Association State Farm Top 28 Boys Basketball State Championships will be held at the Burton Coliseum Complex March 10-14. The Boys Top 28 SemiFinals will be held March 10-12 followed by the Finals March 13-14. Tickets may also be purchased through Ticketmaster. The matchups and game times of the Boys Top 28 will be formally announced at the news conference. (337) 436-9588.
Christian Howes in Southern Exposure March 12 Inspired by his discovery of jazz in his late teens, jazz violinist Christian Howes brings a brilliant twist to live music and inspires crowds with his interpretation of the traditions of many cultures. Bulber Auditorium at McNeese State University March 12 at 7 p.m. Admission: $20 adults, $5 children. Free to McNeese and Sowela students with ID . (337) 475-5123.
Dan Kamin’s Comedy of Charlie Chaplin March 13 Dan Kamin will take audiences on a magical adventure through the world of Charlie Chaplin. He will deconstruct Chaplin’s comedy with film clips, live performance, audience participation and the screening of a newly restored version of The Pawnshop, Chaplin’s short 1916 masterpiece. Bulber Auditorium, McNeese State University March 13 at 7:30 p.m. Admission: $20 adults, $5 children, Free to McNeese and Sowela students with ID. (337) 475-5123.
The Louisiana High School Athletic Association State Farm Top 28 Basketball State Championships will be held at the Burton Coliseum Complex March 3-14. These two weeks of high school basketball will be known as Marsh Madness! The Girls Top 28 Semi-Finals will be held March 3-5 followed by the Finals March 6-7. The matchups and game times of the Girls Top 28 will be formally announced at the news conference. (337) 436-9588.
Head to the West Calcasieu Arena & Events Center March 13-14 for the Sulphur Mines Festival, where the city celebrates Sulphur’s heritage! Enjoy carnival rides, food and craft booths, entertainment, a beauty pageant, cook-off and more! Fri. Noon-10 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.- 10 p.m. www.brimstonemuseum.org.
The Boys Next Door March 6-8, 13-15
Black Heritage Festival March 13-15
Tickets are now on sale for ACTS Theatre’s upcoming production of The Boys Next Door. A comedy written by Tom Griffin, the show will be directed by Carol Anne Gayle and is the story of four mentally handicapped men living in a communal residence. Opens March 6 at 7:30 p.m. Other performances are March 7 at 7:30 p.m., March 8 at 3 p.m., March 13-14 at 7:30 p.m. and March 14 at 3 p.m. www.actstheatre.com.
Black Heritage Festival will be held at the Lake Charles Civic Center March 13-15. Enjoy live entertainment, food booths, the vendor marketplace, Kids Zone, games, Zydeco aerobics, and Baby Expo/Healthy Baby Contest! Tickets are $5 before 2 p.m. and $10 after 2. www.bhflc.org.
Empty Bowl Fundraiser March 10 The Salvation Army will hold its seventh “Empty Bowl” dinner 26 February 26, 2015
Sulphur Mines Festival March 13-14
Death By Chocolate March 14 The Sulphur Mines Community Theater presents Death by Chocolate, a Murder Mystery Dinner at the West Calcasieu Arena & Events Center in Sulphur starting at 6:30 p.m. on March 14. Vol. 6 • No. 23
Admission is $50 per person and includes dinner and show. (337) 215-1301.
Civic Center Box Office/Ticketmaster at (337) 491-1432 or www. ticketmaster.com.
Beats & Eats March 20
SWLA Garden Conference & Expo March 27-28
Volunteers of America will hold its Beats & Eats fundraiser on Friday, March 20 from 6-9 p.m. at Treasures of Marilyn’s in Lake Charles. The casual event features a dinner buffet and entertainment by Tommy Shreve & Friends. Products and services donated by area businesses will be auctioned. Additionally, there will be a raffle for a Gift Card Bundle valued at $525. Raffle tickets are being sold in advance for $5, and you do not have to be present to win. Event tickets are $40 per person or $300 for a reserved table of 10 before March 6. (337) 497-0034.
Whether you have a green thumb or are just green with envy by your neighbor’s garden, the SWLA Garden Conference & EXPO’s got you covered. With gardening experts on hand, exhibitors and vendors selling plants, garden products and accessories, the EXPO has everything you need to start or maintain your garden. It will be held at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles on March 27-28 from 9 a.m.-5p.m. Admission is $3 per person, and kids 12 and under get in free. www.gardenfest.org.
Tour of Homes March 29
ASSEMBLÉ 2015 March 21-22 The Lake Charles Civic Ballet presents Assemblé 2015 featuring collaborative works with other local arts organizations and individuals. There will be a broad variety of dance and art performed at this year’s event, so there will truly be something for everyone! Performance dates at the Rosa Hart Theatre in Lake Charles are March 21 at 7 p.m. and March 22 at 3 pm. Ticket prices start at $30 and are on sale now by contacting The
The 40th Annual Palm Sunday Tour of Homes will feature homes throughout historic Lake Charles with gracious homeowners sharing their gardens and interiors on Palm Sunday, March 29, from 1-5 p.m. Homes will display a variety of distinctive exterior design styles, lush sub-tropical gardens, and exquisite interiors. For more information on tours, prices and schedules, visit www.calcasieupreservation.org or call (337) 433-2385.
Live @ the Lakefront 2015
The electric lineup of live music performances for Live @ the Lakefront 2015 has been announced by the event’s presenting sponsors – the Arts Council of SWLA, City of Lake Charles, and Deep South Productions. The annual live music series will celebrate its fourth season on three consecutive Fridays on March 13, 20, and 27 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Lakefront Promenade’s Arcade Amphitheatre. Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue will kick off the 2015 season as the headlining performance on March 13. Hailing from New Orleans, Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue revives dancehall culture with their spirited original Americana/country compositions mixed fluidly with powerful tributes to honky tonk icons such as Hank Williams and Connie Smith. Opening will be local country band, The Yams, which recently released Sincerely, The Yams, in 2014. The evening is sponsored by Fusion Five, SWLA’s premiere young professionals organization. Acadiana-born Cajun band Feufollet will headline the concert on March 20. Often dubbed the future of Cajun music, Feufollet sits at the center of the genre’s neo-traditionalist movement. The band’s most recent album, En CouVol. 6 • No. 23
leurs, married Acadiana’s traditional Cajun music with progressive melodies, was nominated for a GRAMMY award in 2011. Feufollet’s highly anticipated next album, Two Universes, is set to be released in March. Local Americana band, sinners, will open for Feufollet, and the evening is sponsored by McDonald’s of SWLA. Closing out the season will be returning favorite The Flamethrowers on March 27. Made up of a group of 20-somethings from Louisiana, The Flamethrowers have sold out venues across the Gulf Coast since 2005. The popular party rock band performs high energy cover songs from across the decades. The band’s popularity has been steadily growing over the years, and their signature stage presence makes them a favorite act in the Lake Area. Young Band Nation, a
creative collective of student musicians, will open the evening, which is sponsored by Empire of the Seed. Live @ the Lakefront will also include an extensive local art market each Friday as well as food trucks and food booths from several locally-owned restaurants. The public is encouraged to bring chairs and a blanket to put down on the amphitheater’s communal green space. The Arts Council will benefit from all beverage sales. No outside ice chests are allowed. For more details, call the Arts Council at 337-439-2787.
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Jupiter Ascending (Warner Bros, Village Road Show Pictures, 2015) to Jupiter to the edges of the Jupiter Ascending is the Universe. The problem is that latest movie from the Wathe main character, Jupiter, chowskis, who brought you is little more than a passive The Matrix and Cloud Atvictim who finds herself a las. Yeah, those guys. Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) is a young pawn in a galactic family feud. I kept wanting for her woman who suddenly finds to come up with a clever idea herself at the center of an that would suddenly save the intergalactic conflict that world as we know it. But that threatens our entire planet. Yeah, it’s one of those movies. would be unrealistic. Alas, Jupiter, who spends But as space operas go, you most of her life cleaning could do a lot worse than Jupiter Ascending. The movie toilets in Chicago with her Russian mother, isn’t cut is visually lush, and transiout for anything but waiting tions seamlessly from Earth
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for someone like Channing Tatum to sweep her off her feet, taking her away from the life she hates. So along comes Channing Tatum. Ah, Channing, I hardly knew ya. With your white hair, beard, your pointy ears and especially your ultra-cool shoes, no wonder you captured Jupiter’s heart. I hope you like shoes, because Caine Wise (Channing Tatum) has a pair of shoes that steals every single scene. Most of the time, he skates on them through midair like he’s on a pair of levitating roller blades. Personally, I think Caine could rule the galaxy, just by running a shoe franchise. Instead, it seems to belong to three siblings, grown children of the dead Queen Abrasax who seem to hate each other. But the two brothers and their sister must want Jupiter Jones more than shoes, because they spend half the movie (make that all of the movie) trying to get her on their side. For some reason Jupiter doesn’t quite trust them. Maybe because they’re
just creepy. OK, to be fair, almost everyone in this movie gives us the creeps. Maybe it’s the weird makeup (see Cloud Atlas). You know how British actors sometimes portray their characters as having bad teeth, watery stares, limpid sneers and red noses from too much ale? Yeah that kind of makeup. Anyway, in a predictable turn of events, Jupiter realizes she can’t trust these weirdos. Because that’s what this movie is all about. It’s about trust, especially not trusting decadent weirdos. Should Jupiter trust this killing soldier who seems to be loyal, and is actually Channing Tatum, or the Abrasax clan who all give us the creeps? The rest of Jupiter Ascending rolls along like the first half, except now Jupiter knows who to trust. Except she wonders if Channing Tatum loves her, or just wants his old army job back. I think there are about two five-minute segments where Jupiter isn’t being saved by Channing amidst amazing special effects and breathtaking scenes of major destruction. Yeah, Space Opera. At least we have a happy ending, in that after two hours the movie is actually over. How it all gets resolved I’m not sure, but that’s the kind of movie it is. Jupiter Ascending will keep you on the edge of your seat until you realize your backside hurts, after which you’ll lean back and wait for another action scene which comes along maybe every 30 seconds. Rated PG-13 for relentless scenes of action and a paucity of sense. Enjoy! Vol. 6 • No. 23
ing, biographies and war movies will find a lot to love in this movie. It’s based on NAVY Seal Chris Kyle’s autobiography. Kyle had more documented kills than any other U.S. sniper to date and was killed tragically by an acquaintance he was trying to help. This film is for you if you enjoy adrenalinepumping war movies. Bring a hankie (or two or three).
Oscar Roundup 2015 So love them or hate them, Oscar Best Picture nominees usually offer something a little different than your average film. Whether you watched the awards show or missed all the hoopla, most of these will be available to rent soon. A few may even leave an impression for years to come. The Theory of Everything: Actor Eddie Redmayne so completely transforms into world-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking I almost forgot what Redmayne looked like in real life. Director James Marsh exalts this movie even closer to the stars with images reflecting the bending of time. When Marsh inserts a close up of a coffee cup, you see the Milky Way and on into infinity. The Theory of Everything is for you if you love true love stories, the triumph of the human spirit and a bittersweet ending. Selma: Okay, so there’s a big hoopla about this one concerning the female director, Ava Duvernay, not being Vol. 6 • No. 23
nominated with her film. But it took Hollywood 75 years before a female, Sofia Coppola, was nominated. And the first female to win an Oscar EVER was Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker in 2010. That said, Selma is the movie for you if you like a straightforward look at Martin Luther King’s life that doesn’t shy away from showing the good, the bad and the ugly sides of humanity. Whiplash: “That was intense.” Those were the first words out of my mouth when the credits rolled. The story is a clash between a music professor and his protégée’. It leaves you uncertain from one moment to the next who will emerge triumphant. And yes, there has to be a winner. You are either the best or you are mediocre; there is no inbetween. Whiplash is your movie if you like stories about the struggle to go for your dreams against incredible odds. American Sniper: Fans of Clint Eastwood’s direct-
you like a romp through a uniquely Nordic hotel populated by even quirkier characters. (Not for kids!)
Boyhood: There are multiple ways to approach this film’s accomplishments. On one hand, I read they shot for two weeks every 12 years. Two weeks is long enough to shoot an entire indie movie if you want to. The fact they edited 12 The Imitation Game: Not times the amount of footage only did Alan Turing invent needed for one movie and whittled it down into three what would later be called a “computer,” but he also saved hours is pretty amazing. On the other hand, the plot is millions of lives by shortsimply ordinary life as a kid ening the war against the grows up. This movie’s for Nazis by an estimated two you if you enjoy peeking to four years. Wait? Who is over the fence during your Alan Turing, you ask? Well, neighbors’ cookouts. Almost Alan Turing had a secret. plotless, it’s more of an expeIn addition to cracking the rience than a story. Nazi’s ENIGMA code, he was also gay during a time Birdman: Director Alewhen Britain still criminaljandro Gonzalez Inarritu ized homosexuals. Oddly, I created a movie designed to ran across an urban legend look as if there is no editing that claims the Apple logo for two hours. One mis-step was a nod to Alan Turing— who committed suicide after from either the camera crew eating a cyanide-laced apple. or the actors and the whole thing has to be shot from That’s not in the film, but I the beginning. Did you get thought it was an interesting tidbit just the same. This all that technical shtick? It movie is for you if you enjoy doesn’t matter. This film is an intense, darkly funny discovering lost history and movie about a washed up shedding a tear or two. Hollywood actor trying to The Grand Budapest Ho- make it in New York theatre. Birdman’s for you if you tel: Director Wes Anderson chose to shoot this movie in like movies filtered through one person’s skewed look at three different aspect ratios the world and dark, clever depending on what year a scene takes place in. Anyway humor. I hope this article helps in the ‘30s (most of the film) you find something fun screenshots “appear” taller and a little different to ban than they are wide. The that ho hum “What should shots and storytelling comI watch tonight” feeling. If bine to create impossibly you would like to read my short people against impossibly tall buildings, hallways special Oscar series of all of these films, I’d be delighted that go on forever, bunk beds that separate the visual if you’d visit my blog at www.lightscameramotivastory into a top and bottion.com. Until next time, tom, etc. I could go on and save me some popcorn! on. This movie is for you if February 26, 2015 29
Toga Party! Typically, when we hear the word “traditional” used to describe food, we imagine the foods we grew up around, historically passed down through our families. Crawfish, boudin and cracklins are just a few of the items that come to mind when discussing traditional foods of the Lake Area. Up until the eight years ago, dishes like kafta, ma’amoul, and shawarma were all Greek to us. Jammal Chloun, however, has created a new “tradition.” With his family by his side and a menu on his mind, Jammal Chloun arrived in Lake Charles in 2006, bringing the traditions of his home in Sidon, Lebanon to ours.
Taking his time, Jammal enrolled his children in school and carefully scouted the best locations and opportunities to lay out his dream. After a few years of rooting himself in the city and testing the waters, it was time to get serious. Jammal opened Toga Grill in 2009 with a mission to introduce the tastes of his home to the hearts and happy bellies of our city. His ambition to put smiles on the faces of his customers and create memories by maintaining his focus on making the customer feel at home opened the floodgates to people wanting to try their food. Earning new business by the day,
Jammal quickly realized he was going to need a few more hands to build Toga into a monument of success. By enlisting the help of his sons Sammie and Hadi, they quickly picked up the slack and even made time to experiment with some new menu items. With Sammie is behind the grill and Hadi helping with orders, Jammal could fully set out on his mission. Course by course, the team proceeded to broaden the pallet of our city serving dishes that date back to the Phoenicians. Influenced by Turkish, French, Arabic and Egyptian cuisines, their menu is equally as diverse as it is harmonious. Showcasing a wealth of delectable side items that pair perfectly with every entrée and beverage, the only problem is trying not to order them all at once. One of the legends born out of the embers of Toga’s grill is their signature lamb chops. Dusted in old world seasonings, flame-kissed to perfection and served as the centerpiece between beds of cabbage salad, seasoned crispy potaJam Good Satsuma Cinnamon Orange Apples on Cake
Lambchops 30 February 26, 2015
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toes, and mujaddara (a mixture of rice and lentils sautéed together much like our “dirty rice”), these little chops are nothing short of divine. Sammie’s time in the kitchen and dedication to culinary innovation sparked a new wave of dishes that brought a whole new clientele. Exploring different techniques and mastering his grill skills, he began inventing new mouth-watering specials that helped their restaurant become THE place for Greek and Lebanese Cuisine. In its first three years of business, Toga earned several local awards and was featured in a number of local publications. No one leaves Toga unhappy; Jammal ensures every customer leaves with a smile and a memory of something tasty. But the real secret to their success is their hard work and dedication to the affordability, quality, and taste of their food. Good food doesn’t have to be expensive or unhealthy. Boasting an array of unique salads jampacked with fresh mixed greens and veggies, as well as a plethora of seafood, lamb, and chicken entrees, you are guaranteed to find something on the menu
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that fits your diet plan. But make no mistake, they DO have a fryer! From kibbeh to falafel to cauliflower and okra, Toga has some of the best fried food items in the city. Awarded for their kibbeh at Rouge et Blanc last year, they have earned their place among the local fry gods. Using everything from taste to atmosphere to tradition, TOGA has truly etched its name into the nostalgic walls of our city’s culinary history. Don’t just try it because we want you to; try it because you owe it to yourself, and get a piece of cake for me. As always eat, sleep, drink, and Support Local!
Lebanese Fajita
Toga 4439 Lake (337)
Grill Nelson Road Charles 477-4142
#TogaGrill #LocalsSupportingLocals #SupportLocal
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Thursday, Feb. 26 Happy Hour 4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC
LA Express Band 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort
Live Music
RKW Acoustic Show 9 p.m.- midnight @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC
777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder
6 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC David Joel 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live
Larry Tillery
In Liquid
9 p.m. @ Gator Lounge
10 p.m. @ Luna Live
Delta Downs
710 Ryan St., LC
2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton
Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Karaoke Night
Mr. DJ
Dance Night
9 p.m. @ Bourbonz
9 p.m.- 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s
3436 Ryan St., LC
112 W. Broad St., LC
9 p.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC DJ Trey 9 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC Ladies Night-- DJ Crush 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC
Friday, Feb. 27 Live Music 7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Clayton Rougeau 7 p.m. @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, LC Josephine 8 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort
MG Shoebox Float Contest People’s Choice Winners The Lake Charles/ Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau recently held a community-wide Mardi Gras Shoebox Float Contest. Those entering included school groups, clubs and organizations, professional divisions and residents of all ages. Karen Ashworth (right), representing Westwood Visitors to the WelElementary School Beta Club, receives the come Center had the People’s Choice Award for the Youth Division, presented by Angie Manning communications opportunity to vote on director of the Lake Charles/SWLA CVB. their favorite in the Youth and Adult Divisions during the month of February and vote, represented by Karen throughout Mardi Gras week- Ashworth. Monica Garcille end for the People’s Choice placed first in the Adult Diviawards. With 25 entries in sion for the People’s Choice the contest this year, the buAward. Winners received reau received more than 282 $50 and a plaque. For more votes. information on upcoming For the Youth Division, events, visit the bureau’s webWestwood Elementary School site at www.visitlakecharles. Beta Club won by popular org or call 337-436-9588.
777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC 32 February 26, 2015
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DJ Crush
Larry Tillery
11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark
9 p.m. @ Gator Lounge
L’Auberge Casino Resort
Delta Downs
777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC
2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton
Black Heart Saints 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC DJ Crush 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark
Saturday, Feb. 28
Mr. DJ
Live Music
9 p.m. @ Bourbonz
7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar
3436 Ryan St., LC
777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC The Dirt Band 7:30 p.m. @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, LC
Brian Racca, Jr. 9-midnight @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC
L’Auberge Casino Resort
Jazz Night 6:30 @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, LC
Two for Tuesday on Everything! 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC
777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC
Sunday, March 1 March 4 Ellis Vanicor and the Wednesday, Miller & Bayou Roots Lacassine Playboys Chris 6:30 @ Loggerheads 3-7 p.m. @ Wayne & Layne’s Deli 3906 Hwy 27 S, Sulphur
3748 Hwy 305, LC
Troy Lazarus
Special Event Night
Tueday, March 3
Skipper Drost
9 p.m. @ Coushatta Casino Resort
9 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s
Guys Night @ Bourbonz
8 – 11 p.m. @ Cigar Club
777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder
112 W. Broad St., LC
3436 Ryan St., LC
1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC
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February 26, 2015 33
Talent Night 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC
Thursday, March 5 Happy Hour 4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC Backyard Boys
Karaoke with Avid Sounds
Dax Riggs/ Tracy McGinnis
9 p.m. @ Coolers
10 p.m. @ Luna Live
3622 1/2 Ryan St. LC
710 Ryan St., LC
Isis
DJ Sno
9 p.m. @ Mikko Live
11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark
Coushatta Casino Resort
L’Auberge Casino Resort
777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder
777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC
Coushatta Casino Resort
Luke Cooper & the Alibis
777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder
9 p.m.- midnight @ Cigar Club
7 p.m. @ Mikko Live
1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC
Saturday, March 7 Live Music 7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Karaoke Night 9 p.m. @ Crystal’s
Dance Night
City Heat
112 W. Broad St., LC
9 p.m. – 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s
7 p.m. @ Loggerheads
112 W. Broad St., LC
3748 Hwy 305, LC
Ladies Night -- DJ Sno 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC
Friday, March 6 Live Music 7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
John Guidroz 7 p.m. @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, Lake Charles Bluesiana Red 8 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC LA Express 9 p.m. @ Gator Lounge Delta Downs 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton 34 February 26, 2015
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Encore 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder
LA Express 9 p.m. @ Gator Lounge Delta Downs 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton
Even Flow: Tribute to Pearl Jam 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC
Special Event Night 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC
Logan Soileau 9 p.m.- midnight @ Cigar Club
DJ Sno
1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC
11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC
Sunday, March 8 Ellis Vanicor and the Lacassine Playboys 3-7 p.m. @ Wayne & Layne’s Deli 3906 Hwy 27 S, Sulphur
Monday, March 9 Open Mic Night 9 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC
Tuesday, March 10 Guys Night @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC
Jazz Night 6:30 p.m. @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, LC
Dancing 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC
Wednesday, March 11 Karoake with DJ Cornbread 7 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC Vol. 6 • No. 23
February 26, 2015 35
Chris Miller & Bayou Roots
Talent Night
L’Auberge Casino Resort
6:30 p.m. @ Loggerheads
9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s
777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
3748 Hwy 305, LC
112 Broad St., LC Bernie Alan
Ryan Bunch
Thursday, March 12
7 p.m. @ Mikko Live
8-11 p.m. @ Cigar Club
Happy Hour
Coushatta Casino Resort
1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC
4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz
777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder
3436 Ryan St., LC Karaoke Night
Karaoke with Avid Sounds 9 p.m. @ Coolers
Live Music
9 p.m @ Crystal’s
3622 1/2 Ryan St. LC
6 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar
112 W. Broad St., LC
I HEAR THE MUSIC OF THE WORLD A-TURNIN’ “Music is the universal language of mankind” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow A safe thing to say about music is that you will be hard pressed to travel to any corner of the world and find yourself absent of it. Whether it be courtesy of a tambourine, a hand-hammered steel drum, an over-turned bucket or an electric guitar, humanity has always found a way to create music, or sing or play the songs they know-not only unique and characteristic to their respective regions but in many cases, vital and defining elements of their native cultures. The sounds may vary, the instruments may be unusual and the language often one that may be unknown to the listener, but despite its differences, the ideas of rhythm and tonality and harmony find ways of traversing that gap and, to an open listener, can sometimes be as inspiring, moving and compelling as one in a more familiar tongue and texture. I remember an experience many years ago that has always compelled me in this regard. In my younger days of musical training I was studying private voice with 36 February 26, 2015
the hopes and intentions of becoming a professional opera singer (a genre I remain passionate about, to this day). My coach, a native Louisianan turned international operatic soprano, Charlotte Ellesaesser, took me to Dallas to audition for Madeline Sanders, her coach from her New York days. With us came our dear friend Betty. Now, Betty had her own desires of singing and writing music but opera wasn’t exactly on the punch list for her. She didn’t know the languages or characters or story lines, but she appreciated all music whether or not she could keep up with all of our operatic banter. While in Dallas, Charlotte took a lesson from her old coach while Betty and I got to sit in and listen. The chosen piece for the day was V’issi D’Arte from Puccini’s Tosca, easily one of the most glorious arias ever composed. It tells of the conflict where Tosca has to choose between giving herself to the evil Baron and betraying her lover or letting the Baron execute him instead. In mid-performance I looked over at Betty and, with no frame of reference other than the music itself and Charlotte’s beautiful interpretation, she had tears streaming down her face and the only words she could muster was “It’s so sad. It’s just so sad...” You see? It didn’t take a knowledge of opera, the ability to understand Italian or Vol. 6 • No. 23
Consider the Source 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC
Dance Night 9 p.m. – 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC
Ladies Night -- DJ Crush
Saturday, March 14
11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark
Hydrogen Child
L’Auberge Casino Resort
10 p.m. @ Luna Live
777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC
710 Ryan St., LC
Friday, March 13
Saturday, March 21 Whoopi Goldberg
Live Music 7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
8:30 p.m. @ L’Auberge Event Center L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC
even the slightest bit of background story for her to pick up the exact emotion that both the composer and performer were trying to convey. It was something innate, something that I feel is in our makeup and what gives people of all creeds, countries or backgrounds the desire to make music or do whatever creative or artistic thing that they are compelled to do. It’s the same reasons that we as listeners enjoy the music that we do and why it’s important that we foster and support any opportunity to keep artists and fans active and engaged, thus fostering an enduring and creative artistic community.
SO LIFT IT UP LIKE A BANNER, HOLD IT UP HIGH OVER ME... The early ‘90s saw the inception of a new performance series at McNeese State University that has truly become a staple of cultural and performing arts in the region. Now in it’s 23rd year, Banner’s Series spans over two months and will feature over 20 performances of music, lecture, literature, cinema, performance art and dance starting with its opening Season Preview Party on Friday, Feb. 27 in the Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Event Center, to which you are all invited. You can preview the entire upcoming Banners performance schedule (which runs through April 30, for the record) and get to enjoy the music of New Orleans’s own “Todd Day Wait’s Pigpen” live on stage. Admission is FREE. GO SEE THEM! Series performances include readings from Pulitzer Prize winning poet Robert Olen Butler, GRAMMY winning Latin sensation Group Fantasia, SEPHIRA (a family-friendly aerial circus), The 28th Annual McNeese National Works on Paper Exhibition, 8-time GRAMMY winning acapella group Take 6 and so very much more. GO SEE as many as you can possibly squeeze in. You never know what unknown moment may break through and bring you to tears in a language you don’t know in a way you never expected. Such is art. Go indulge yourself in some. For more information, visit www.banners.org Until next time, see you at the show! Vol. 6 • No. 23
February 26, 2015 37
Party Like a President The campaigning has started already. It sure seems like the last election ended yesterday, but here we go again. So: Democrat? Or Republican? Does policy influence your politics, or do you consider personal matters in the voting booth? Read Party Like a President: True Tales of Inebriation, Lechery, and Mischief from the Oval Office by Brian Abrams, illustrated by John Mathias, and you might drink to both. Like every good citizen, you had a hand in putting somebody in the White House a few years back. Or maybe you didn’t; either way, you expect a sense of steady decorum and respectability from POTUS. But that’s not always what you get. Take our first President: contrary to what pop culture wants you to believe, George Washington wasn’t just some stuffy old guy with bad dentures. Yes, he was tucked snugly in bed by 9 p.m., but there was a reason: in addition to being an accomplished white lightning distiller, ol’ George could reportedly put away the vino. Other presidents were no slouches in that department, either. Thomas Jefferson had a wine budget of somewhere around $300,000 in today’s dollars. James Madison was famous for lively parties, mostly thanks to his wife, Dolley. Andrew Jackson kept his staff properly, um… hydrated. Herbert Hoover enjoyed cocktails throughout Prohibition. But a bit of imbibing isn’t all that’s happened in the White House. The widowed John Tyler unabashedly wooed a woman young enough to be his daughter, as did 38 February 26, 2015
Grover Cleveland (who also took responsibility for an illegitimate child). Woodrow Wilson was a philanderer, and Warren Harding liked to nickname his body parts. John Quincy Adams played billiards (gasp!). Ulysses Grant loved his smokes, while Chester Arthur loved to eat… and eat… and eat. Teddy Roosevelt’s drug of choice was caffeine; he was said to drink more than a gallon of coffee every day. JFK was notorious for his many vices, and FDR loved nothing more than a good toga?? But not everybody living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue was wild: Andrew Johnson rarely drank. James Polk was too busy working to indulge in anything. And William Henry Harrison wasn’t in office long enough to do anything improper. Presidents are people, too, so it shouldn’t surprise you that the Oval Office has been the Oh!-val Office a time or two in history. Party Like a President makes it all fun to read about. But scandal isn’t only what you’ll find in this book. Because this is, after all, a collection of historical anecdotes, author Brian Abrams also informs his readers while he entertains them with tales of Washington wickedness and Executive excess. Abrams
debunks myths, offers up tasty sidebars, and serves up laughs – then he includes authentic drink recipes so we can guzzle with the GOP and dance with the Dems, too. This book obviously isn’t for stuffed shirts who can’t take politics with a sense of playfulness. It’s irreverent, hilarious, and the illustrations by John Mathias make it easy to read - so find this book before the next election. Party Like a President will make it easy to plan your next party.
“Party Like a President: True Tales of Inebriation, Lechery, and Mischief from the Oval Office” by Brian Abrams, illustrated by John Mathias ©2015, Workman $14.95 / $18.95 Canada 272 pages Vol. 6 • No. 23
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CHILDREN’S PARADE It looked like rain but the weather held out for the crowds of happy kids who lined the streets with their families for the Children’s Parade. They caught beads, cups, candy, Frisbees and more, and enjoyed the music and floats! Loads of fun fun fun for everyone!
Kynadee Touchet and Mona Hilkerio
Megan Romero, Nicki Neas and Maggye Miller
Hunter Joseph, Abbie Pearce and Marllie Conner
Alexis Reeves and Emma Sage Coyle
Andrew Guillory, Benjamin Demarquien, Tylin McArthur and Madeleine Guillory
KREWE OF KREWE’S PARADE “Throw me something, Mister!” The parade everyone was waiting for finally rolled! Chilly weather did not deter the crowds who took to the streets decked out in their Mardi Gras best to go for all the beads and trinkets they could carry! The Krewe of Krewes parade did not disappoint with almost 60 krewes participating! It just keeps getting better! See you next year!
Ryan and Courtnie King with Bill Willis
Joe and Alice Manning Bowers 40 February 26, 2015
Della Rose and Keith DeSonier
Joan and Tim Bloomfield with Angel and Thomas Mefford
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MARDI GRAS MADNESS 5K The Lake Area Runners held their newest race the Saturday before Mardi Fras and what a race it was! Runners of all ages took to the pavement from Gill Street to Sale Road while supporters cheered them on to the finish line for some Mardi Gras madness with food, beverages and Zydeco!
Chris and Kelley Egler with Joe Stark
Andrea Beaugh and Crystal Gayle Mathews
Jayne and Jackson Bernabe
Gage, Sandy, Cole and Jett Hayes
Hannah Herman with Janette, Chris, Chuck and Jordan Cochran
MARDI GRAS CHILDREN’S DAY FESTIVAL Every year, the Lake Charles Civic Center opens their doors for Children’s Day the Sunday before Mardi Gras! This free public event helps kids learn about our culture through music, food, performing arts, technology and science, and more. Thumbs up from the kiddos!
Lila Harris, Kara Nelson and Henry Harris
Miya and Jeremiah Guillory with Kaden, Kylen, Kamia and Tyren Ceasar Vol. 6 • No. 23
Vicky Trahan and Lisa Dartez
Maddy Grayce and Ava Mudd
Allyssa and Allyssa Rigmaiden February 26, 2015 41
Krewe de la Noblesse held its 30th Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday, January 24 at the Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum. In keeping with this year’s theme, The Golden Age of Television, the Coliseum entrance was decorated to represent TV shows and commercials of the past. The Court entrance was a large ‘60s-style TV; other areas depicted Westerns, sci-fi, drama and comedy series. Krewe member Kristine Lyons wrote the script for the presentation, and the director was Krewe member John Richards. Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Mr. Dale Mann. The presentation began with the posting of colors by the LaGrange Navy Junior ROTC and the singing of the National Anthem. The Board for 2014-2015 was introduced: Mrs. Valerie Norwood, President, escorted by her husband Kenneth Norwood; Mr. Anthony Vincent, First Vice President, escorted by his wife Mary Vincent; Mrs. Leah Brame, Second Vice President, escorted by her husband Tommy Brame; Mrs. Brenda Cimini, Secretary, escorted by her husband Joe Cimini; Ms. Christine Fontenot, Treasurer, escorted by her fiancé, Keith Fontenot; and Mrs. Polly Richards, Krewe Representative, escorted by her husband John Richards. The Royal Court for the 29th
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Ball, “Noblesse de la Louisiane” was introduced. Queen Ashley Noblesse the XXIX was Miss Danee’ Caraway, and the Court was comprised of Duke and Duchess of Food and Cuisine – Keith Fontenot and Christine Fontenot; Duke and Duchess of Music – Darrel and Kristine Lyons; Duke and Duchess of Louisiana Festivals – Tommy and Leah Brame; and Duke and Duchess of Louisiana Politics – Doug and Paulette Talley. The 2015 Debutantes were presented to members and guests. Miss Inez Elise Ange, the daughter of Sam and Evette Ange, was escorted by her father and was sponsored by her aunt, Krewe Member Danee’ Caraway. Elise is a 2014 graduate of St. Louis High School where she was a member of the Saint’s varsity softball, varsity soccer team and Students for Life. She is a member of St. Louis Catholic Church where she was an altar server. Elise is currently attending McNeese State University majoring in nursing and is a member of the McNeese Newman Club, the Phi Zeta Chapter of Chi Omega Sorority and the Diocese of Lake Charles Retreat Team. Her hobbies include traveling, snow skiing, playing sports, photography and being with her family and friends. Miss Claire Mackenzie Like is the daughter of Krewe Members Darrel and Kristine Lyons and was escorted by her brother, Alexander Like. She is a 2014 graduate of Westlake High School where she was class salutatorian. She was a member of the Westlake High School band, softball team, and participated in the Quiz Bowl and
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the National Federation Music Clubs. Claire is a freshman at Louisiana State University majoring in civil engineering and was recently named to the LSU Chancellor’s list for the fall semester. At LSU she is a member of Volunteer LSU, LSU Book Club, and an active member of the Chapel on Campus Organization. She enjoys sewing, playing the piano and reading. Miss Whitney Elise Simon is the daughter of Krewe members John and Carla Simon and was escorted by her father. Whitney is a 2014 graduate of Port Neches-Groves High School. In her spare time, she volunteers at the Hospitality House and the Humane Society and participates in the Annual Breast Cancer Walk-a-Thon in Beaumont. She was awarded a scholarship to Lamar-Port Arthur and is currently a freshman majoring in nursing. She plans on becoming a neonatal nurse upon graduation. Whitney enjoys reading, watching movies, and being with friends and family. The presentation continued with the arrival of Captain Leo Reddoch, III, who served as the host through the Golden Age of Television. Captain Leo and his wife Heather are residents of Lake Charles and are the owners of Reddoch Land Surveying, Gulf Coast Unishippers, Western Shipping Group of New Mexico, and Ship It All of Beaumont, Texas. They are the parents of three sons – Jason, Grant, and Alec. Leo is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University and enjoys sailing, hunting, fishing and golf. Next, the members and guests met the Royal Court for 2015. Representing the Golden Age of Westerns were Duke Tom Logston and Duchess Joanne Logston. Duke Tom, a native of Wheeling, West Virginia, is the son of Irene Logston and the late George Logston. He attended West Liberty University and is currently managing shipping for Axiall Lake Charles’ North and South facilities. Tom pursues his love of water while trying to perfect his skills in underwater photography. Duchess Joanne Logston, a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, is the daughter of John and Kathleen Fry. She is a graduate of West Virginia University and employed as production manager at the Lake Charles South Axiall plant. She is currently chair of the Community Investment Team and a board member for the United Way of Southwest Louisiana. She is an active runner and has completed several half marathons. The couple reside in Lake Charles and enjoy traveling, scuba diving, fishing, camping and entertaining friends and family. Representing the Golden Age of Science Fiction were Duke Rex Randal Royer and Duchess Dina Royer. Duke Rex is a graduate of Northwestern State University and is a Healthcare Information Systems Consultant Vol. 6 • No. 23
for Beacon Partners. He is a veteran of the US Army, serving in Operation Just Cause and Desert Storm. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, reading and doing projects around the house. Duchess Dina, a graduate of Lacassine High School and LSU Eunice, is employed by Taylor Health Supply as a respiratory therapist and sleep specialist. The parents of three children – Wesley, Landon and Kyrie--they are members of the Krewe déjà Vu De Monde and The Buccaneers of Lake Charles. They love to travel, have been to over 29 countries and recently returned from a trip to Thailand. Representing the Golden Age of Drama were Duke James Scott Stevens and Duchess Angela Fruge’ Stevens. Duke Scott, a graduate of Barbe High School, is a veteran of both the Navy and Naval Reserve. He was an air crewman in Desert Shield and Desert Storm and is an inspector with ERA Helicopters. Duchess Angela is a graduate of Sulphur High School and SOWELA Technical Institute. She is employed at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and is a member of the Immaculate Conception Choral. She enjoys baking and cooking as well as watching New Orleans Saints football. Residents of Lake Charles, the Duke and Duchess are members of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. They are parents to one child, the late Mallory K. Stevens. The audience was asked to stand for the arrival of King Gabriel Noblesse XXX, Mr. James Dominic Serra and Queen Ashley Noblesse XXX, Mrs. Deborah Hacker Serra. The King, a graduate of the University of Missouri, is Vice President and General Manager of KPLC-TV. He has served as president of the Literacy Council, president of the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters, president of the Children’s Museum, member of the Chamber Southwest, United Way, McNeese Foundation, Christus St. Patrick board, and Louisiana School for Math Sciences and Arts Foundation. In his spare time, the King enjoys bike-riding, traveling and reading. The Queen, also a graduate of the University of Missouri, is a member of University Presbyterian Church, the P.E.O., D.A.R., the Junior League of Lake Charles, the Liberty Belles, Planter League Garden Club, and is the former chair of Keep Louisiana Beautiful. Queen Deborah has participated in Living Waters for the World mission trips installing clean water systems in Cuba. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, English horseback riding and reading. The King and Queen, residents of Lake Charles, are the parents of one daughter, Jennifer Serra Guidry, and one granddaughter, Samantha. Following the traditional promenade and the toast by the Royal Court, members and guests enjoyed the remainder of the evening dancing to the music of Jet Seven. February 26, 2015 43