The Jambalaya News - 08/18/16, Vol. 8, No. 10 by The Jambalaya News

August 18, 2016 • Volume 8 • Issue 10

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

COVER 18 Healthy Woman: 6 Year Anniversary!

On Cover: Healthy Woman Advisory Council photo compliments of Jason Carroll owner of Monsour’s Photography. on location, L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles. Healthy Woman Advisory Council Member not pictured: Carmen Million.

www.thejambalayanews.com Publisher/Executive Editor Lauren Abate

REGULARS 6 We are SWLA! 8

Dang Yankee

Tips from Tip

Contributors George Cline Sherrene Danks-Cook Patricia Landry Jason Machulski Mike McHugh Roger Miller Russell Pawlowski Justin Morris Terri Schlichenmeyer

Adoption Corner

Sales

14 Flooded Landscapes

lauren@thejambalayanews.com

10 Huntin’ Tales 12 Tales of the Bayou Pickers 13 Trippin’ in Costa Rica

FEATURES 4 McNeese Cowboys Picked Second in Polls

16 Healthy Mouth, Healthy You Graphics Art/Production Director Burn Rourk

Business Office Manager Jeanie Rourk

THE SPICE OF SWLA 20 Stars and Stripes in the Park, and Boudin Wars! 22 Event Guide

25 Bookworm Sez…

26 heART of SWLA: Raejean Clark-German and Art’s Desire 30 Styx Interview 30 Nightlife Guide 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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32 Justin Morris’s Lake Charles 37 Funbolaya 38 Society Spice

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Survival Today I called the randomly selected winner of the Find Phil contest to let her know she had won two tickets to the Styx concert coming to L’Auberge on Labor Day weekend. My heart sank when a recording indicated I had to dial one first. That meant it was someone east of here, someone who maybe no longer had a home. I almost didn’t make the call. This is crazy, I thought. Who’s thinking about concert tickets when you’re in the middle of devastation? After some thought, I decided to call and I reached the winner when I dialed cor-

Vol. 8 • No. 10

rectly. As I suspected, she was in trouble; there was a foot of water in her home and she was in the process of cleaning up. “But this is nothing,” she was quick to tell me. “I have a home, still. So many people I know lost everything. Everything.” Her husband is a volunteer fireman, and she said they had spent the past few nights sleeping at the firehouse because they could not stay in their home. Her attitude, like so many of the people from here, was positive and determined. She was making the best of a bad situation, as was

everyone around her, she said. She was thrilled with her tickets, and yes, absolutely, she was going to the concert and was thinking about who she and her husband would stay with that night in Lake Charles after the event. It turns out I even know some of her family. We had a good conversation. What I have come to learn, time and again, is that Mother Nature simply cannot knock the people of Louisiana down. They get up and they survive. But the most important thing is that they do it all together. They help their neighbors. At the first sign of trouble, people from all over the state are ready to lend their support in any way they can, from money to supplies to boats to housing. The devastating flood is bringing back Katrina and Rita memories to all of us down here, memories that had mercifully receded thanks to the uneventful hurricane seasons of recent years. “The hurricane without the wind,” is what people are calling this. A 100-year flood means a flood of a huge magnitude that has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year. “This a 500-year flood,” my contest

winner told me. “There hasn’t been anything like this in our lifetime.” Get on Facebook and the Internet and find out how you can help the victims. They need us. They would do the same for us. Proud to be from Louisiana! Editor’s Note to our Advertisers and Readers As we go to press, our printer in Baton Rouge is surrounded by flood waters and the owners cannot even get into their building to assess the damage. As a result, we had to find another printer during this emergency. We have no idea what our issue will actually look like when it comes out, but we are doing the very best we can under the circumstances. Thank you for your understanding!

Lauren Abate

August 18, 2016 3

McNeese To Defend SLC Title

Cowboys Picked Second in Preseason Polls Photo: sportsnola.com

By Sherrene Danks-Cook Football excitement filled the air as the 2016 season officially kicked off with the annual Southland Conference Media Day event at L’Auberge Resort in Lake Charles. The defending McNeese State Southland Conference Champions have been projected for a second place finish by both the league coach and the sports information directors’ 2016 preseason football polls that were released on July 26. McNeese finished a perfect 10-0 record in regular season en-route to its 14th conference championship . The Cowboys will return with 12 starters and 68 letterman for the 2016 season. On December 16, 2015, the Cowboys started their first year of the Lance Guidry Era. Guidry was named the 15th head coach in the school’s history but he’s not new to McNeese. In the early ‘90s, Guidry proudly wore the No. 15 jersey as an All-Southland Conference defensive back. When asked if he still has that jersey, he replied, “Yes, but I don’t look at it. It might make me 4 August 18, 2016

think about the hurt with some of those injuries.” Guidry brings 10 combined years to the coaching staff. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at McNeese in 1994, returned in 2000 as the university’s defensive coordinator and then in 2008 to coach defensive backs. On July 27, defensive guru Guidry made his Media Day debut with a pair of offensive players at his side: junior tight end No. 46 Zack Hetrick from Baton Rouge and junior wide receiver No. 1 Kent Shelby from New Orleans. Both were 2015 All-SLC 2nd Team picks and are 2016 preseason All-Conference Selections. “We had a 10-0 record, but we want more,” Shelby said. “I’m just ready to get it rolling.” And with that, he will. With Sam Houston State picked by both poll groups to win the league’s title and tagged as league favorite in preseason publications Sporting News and Texas Football, Lamar is polling in at 4th for the first time--the highest expectations since football was returned to Beaumont . Dr. Raymond Woodard, head coach

at Lamar, is a native of East Texas but grew up in Lake Charles. “I grew up a McNeese Cowboy,” he says. He attended FK White for eight years and lived around the corner from Cowboy Stadium. “This [Lamar] program has come a long way,” he says. “We didn’t have guys like we have now five or six years ago. I’m very proud of what we’ve done.” As is Coach Lance Guidry, who says Coach Viator continued the winning tradition of McNeese by putting them back on top. “It’s my job to continue this,” he says. And it hopefully won’t be too difficult, as Coach Guidry mentioned there are representatives from all of our last 11 conference championships on staff, playing ball or coaching. So, McNeese sports fans-- “Cowboy Up!” Follow all the action when McNeese meets Tarleton State in Cowboy Stadium on September 3 at 6 p.m. Follow the 2016 Cowboy ride via Facebook ( McNeese Sports) Instagram (McNeese Sports) and Twitter @McNeese Football. Vol. 8 • No. 10

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Memorial Urgent Care Opens on Nelson Road Lake Charles Memorial Urgent Care is now open for business in the new medical office building at 4325 Nelson Road. Whether patients are suffering from a cold or allergies, need a flu shot or a few minor stitches, they can receive fast and quality care for non-life threatening conditions. The facility offers shorter wait times and treatment at less of a cost than an emergency room. Patients can also receive quicker access to primary care, access to Memorial medical records and referrals to Memorial Medical Group specialists if needed. The urgent care is open Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. -7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Dr. Daryl Burkel Appointed President of Port Board

Holmes Joins Todd Clemons and Associates

La’Ketha Walker Holmes

Todd Clemons and Associates welcomes attorney La’Ketha Walker Holmes to the firm. A graduate of the University of the Pacific in California, Holmes earned her law degree from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge. She volunteers with the “You Raise Me Up” girls group administered by Judge Lilynn Cutrer, is a board member with the Calcasieu Parish Children and Youth Planning Board and she is a member of the Junior League of Lake Charles. Todd Clemons and Associates is located at 1740 Ryan Street in Lake Charles. For more information, call (337) 477-0000.

Community Foundation Presents First Gwen Higgins Scholarship Hayden Guidry of Lake Arthur has been awarded the first Gwen Higgins English Scholarship by the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana. Guidry is the son of Kenneth Guidry and Christie Hay, both of Lake Arthur. He is a graduate of Lake Arthur High School and plans to attend LSU in the fall, where he plans to study biological engineering and pursue a career in medicine.

Dr. Daryl Burckel

Lake Charles Receives Beautiﬁcation Award Lake Charles City Council President Rodney Geyen was presented the Lt. Governor’s Beautification Award for the City of Lake Charles at the Louisiana Municipal Association conference in Alexandria. The award was presented by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. This program encourages cleanliness and beautification in our communities throughout the year. To qualify, municipalities must meet the criteria of both Keep Louisiana Beautiful and the Louisiana Garden Club Federation’s Cleanest Cities Contest. The City of Lake Charles was qualified to receive the award because of its participation in the annual “Leaders Against Litter” program and the Cleanest City Contest this past year, in which the City received first place.

City Savings Bank Hires Chad Blankenbaker

Hayden Guidry received his scholarship at Lake Arthur’s graduation ceremony by Cindy Breedlove, a lifelong friend of the Higgins family.

CPSB Launches Family Leadership - Parenting Partners In an effort to strengthen relationships between schools, families, and the community, the Calcasieu Parish School Board recently held a two-day Training of Trainers Workshop. The participating schools formed a team consisting of school staff, community leaders, local church ministers, and family members. Participants were taught to recognize and honor families’ funds of knowledge, connect family engagement to student learning, and create inviting cultures at their schools. Calcasieu Parish schools involved included Brenda Hunter Head Start, Brentwood Elementary, J.D. Clifton Head Start, J.D. Clifton Elementary, Combre-Fondel Elementary, Fairview Elementary, J.J. Johnson Elementary, and Ralph Wilson Elementary. 6 August 18, 2016

Dr. Daryl Burckel, a professor of accounting at McNeese State University, was recently appointed president of the seven-member board of commissioners of the Lake Charles Harbor & Terminal District, which operates the Port of Lake Charles. In addition to Dr. Burckel’s appointment as president, former Westlake mayor Dudley Dixon has been selected as vice president, Mike Eason of Merrill Lynch has been appointed secretary/treasurer and Walter Sanchez of the Sanchez Law Firm has been selected as assistant secretary/treasurer.

City Savings Bank is pleased to announce that Chad Blankenbaker has joined its team as a loan officer at its main office in DeRidder. Blankenbaker was born and raised in Rosepine, La., and graduated from SOWELA Technical Community College in 2008 with an associate’s degree in commercial art. He worked with Parker Brand Creative for four years where he helped area businesses develop effective marketing strategies. For more information, visit www. CitySavingsBank.com.

Chad Blankenbaker

Chemical Waste Management Donates to BBBS/SWLA Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana received a donation for the annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraiser that was held on May 7 from Chemical Waste Management. In addition to a $1,500 donation by CWM, the company formed bowling teams that raised $1,866 in additional funds to directly support BBBS programs. All the funds donated are invested locally into programs run by BBBS-SWLA that impact children and families in the Southwest Louisiana community.

of Physicians. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (337) 480-7900 or go to www.lcmmg.com.

McNeese SmartAsset Rankings McNeese State University ranks third among public and private schools in Louisiana for both the best average starting salary for its graduates and for the best college education value according to SmartAsset, a New York City financial technology company. In ranking the best average starting salaries in the state, LSU was No. 1 with $48, 900, followed by Louisiana Tech at $47,000, McNeese at $46,900, the University of New Orleans at $45,500 and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette at $44,800. In ranking the best college education values in Louisiana, SmartAsset again had LSU at No. 1 followed by Louisiana Tech, McNeese, UL at Lafayette and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. In the Best Value ranking, McNeese has the lowest tuition of the top 10 schools ranked at $5,701 a year, followed by Southeastern Louisiana University at $5,715.

American Press Foundation Establishes Scholarship The American Press Foundation has given $15,000 to the McNeese State University Foundation to establish the Lake Charles American Press Scholarship in Visual Arts. The scholarship was established with the proceeds of the McNeese Visual Arts Calendar that was produced by the American Press. The Shearman family - which owns the American Press - has also established the Shearman Research Grant Endowment and the Library Shearman Grant Endowment through the McNeese Foundation with gifts totaling over $500,000. L to R: Chuck Grant, senior district manager for Chemical Waste Management; Heather Hohensee, executive director for BBBS of SWLA and Floyd Mitchell, health and safety manager for Chemical Waste Management.

IBERIABANK Donates to Family & Youth IBERIABANK donated $5,000 in sponsorship of the 2016 Family & Youth Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation held at L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles. The event was held to highlight another successful year at Family & Youth and to share Family & Youth’s vision for the upcoming year. During the event Alyssa Norwood and Jalyn Thomas were honored as the 2015 Youth of the Year recipients and Dr. Edgar McCanless was honored as the 2015 Humanitarian of the Year.

Internist Leigh Daigle, MD, Joins Memorial Medical Group

Dr. Leigh Daigle Vol. 8 • No. 10

Memorial Medical Group welcomes Leigh Daigle, MD, a board certified internal medicine physician to its staff. She will see patients at the new Lake Charles Memorial medical office building located at 4345 Nelson Road. Dr. Daigle graduated from McNeese State University with a degree in biological science. She went on to achieve a Masters in Education from MSU and her medical degree from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. She is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and is also a member of the American College

L to R: William E. Rose, McNeese Foundation Board of Directors member; Thomas B. Shearman III, president of the American Press Foundation; and Lisa Reinauer, art professor in the McNeese Department of Visual Arts. McNEESE PHOTO

Calcasieu Libraries Announce New Library Director The Calcasieu Parish Public Library is pleased to announce that Marjorie Harrison has been named Library Director. Harrison comes to Calcasieu Parish from Salem, Oregon where she managed services to state government at the Oregon State Library and has also worked for almost 25 years in public, state, and special libraries in various capacities. Prior to her tenure at the Oregon State Library, she was the Library Director of the San Juan Island Library in Friday Harbor, WA. Harrison began her start as Calcasieu Library director on August 1. August 18, 2016 7

A Piece of the Pie

My wife, Susan, and I recently decided that it was time to go for a piece of that big old American pie and start our own business. That was my reasoning, at least. My wife’s intention, I think, was to find something that would get me off of the couch once in awhile. After doing exhaustive research into various business models, we decided to start a pet-sitting business. The research consisted mainly from reading a blog post from a guy who claimed he made enough money walking dogs to buy a professional football team. Okay, it was arena football, but still, it was enough to get me dreaming about buying my own jet to shuttle us back and forth to Key West on the weekends. Once we launched the business, I quickly discovered that the actual purpose of being in business is not so much to make money as it is to spend it. Imagine that. There’s lots of things you need to spend money

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on when you start a business. The bummer is that none of it’s fun stuff like beer or Jimmy Buffett tickets, which is what I’m used to spending my money on. Instead, it’s boring stuff like business cards, liability insurance, and licensing fees to every government entity down to and including the local PTA. Undaunted, we kicked things off with an ambitious (i.e., expensive) marketing campaign, wherein I briefly considered that maybe we should have opened a yard sign business instead. But no matter, I had what I saw as the killer marketing idea. We’d just give out a bunch of refrigerator magnets in the shape of paw prints with our phone number on it. Parents would glance at their kids’ finger paintings stuck there on the fridge, notice the cute little paw print magnet, and then, driven by the same inescapable force that makes them spend ten bucks for a hermetically sealed pig bone, suddenly feel compelled to call

and have us rush right over to pamper their Pomeranians. No such luck. Sure, we got calls, but it was all from people wanting us to spend even more money on advertising, thus putting another knife into the premise about business being a profit-making enterprise, except maybe for the bankruptcy lawyers. It turned out that, in order to get customers, I actually had to call people on the phone to follow up on leads. This is something that I’m woefully bad at, as evidenced by this recent conversation: “Hello, Mrs. Boudreaux! I heard from a mutual friend that you’re planning a trip. I wanted to see if you need someone to take care of your dog while you’re gone. My wife is professionally trained, and…” “I’m sorry, but I don’t have a dog.” “That’s okay,” I told her. “She watches cats, too. She’s really good with cats.” “I don’t have any cats, either.” “I see. Well, we watch all sorts of animals. We do caged pets such as birds, gerbils, tarantulas…” “Nope, no caged animals.” “Tropical fish?” “We don’t have an aquarium.” “Okay,” I said, fumbling for what to say next. “Surely you must have some kind of animals at your house. Ants, at least.” “You mean, like an ant farm?” “Well…” “You’re not talking about the ants in my yard ?”

“That’s kind of what I was thinking.” “Don’t they take care of themselves?” “Usually, yes, but you can never be too sure. I mean, what if there is a terrorist attack?” “Let me get this straight. You want to come over to my house while I’m gone so you can guard the ants in my yard from a potential terrorist attack?” “Yes,” I answered. “Along with any other possible threats.” “And how much do you intend to charge me for this service?” “Well, our basic fee is $20 per visit.” “So, that’s $20 a day?” “Actually, the fee is per animal.” “But there must be a jillion ants out there.” “That’s a fair estimate for here in Louisiana. We’ll figure the exact amount when we come for the initial consultation, which, I’d like to point out, is free.” “You intend to count the ants in my yard?” “We want to make sure that the billing is accurate. At Susan’s Pet Care, we strive to deal with our customers honestly, and… hello? Are you still there?” So, maybe I’ve got a bit to learn about canvassing for customers. And when I do, I’m confident that we’ll finally get that piece of the pie that owning a business is all about. As long as that pie doesn’t come at me as if it were launched by one of the Three Stooges. Vol. 8 • No. 10

toches for a little family vacation time. This town with a population of around 20,000 has charm, no matter what the season. Even the extreme heat of August does not diminish it. There are ironwork benches all around the downtown area for folks to sit and relax (much appreciated by those undergoing physical therapy on the leg). I find the people to be wonderful and caring, and they truly appreciate the visitors that come to enjoy the Micheladas Rule! many attractions the city has to offer. Some years ago, my Front Street alone has enough shops friends and I encounand restaurants to keep you occupied tered a refreshing summer for a couple of days even without any beer-based drink that I make Northwestern State University activifrequently. We had stopped in a ties, Hall of Fame Sports Museum or Houston restaurant by the name any of the historical sites. I plan anothOn the Mend of Captain Tom’s where they make er trip around the Christmas Festival The physical therapy continues with a Michelada, a popular spicy beer held in the Thanksgiving to New Year’s nothing really new to share on my beverage which we have all found time frame. If you are considering goright knee replacement recovery. I do very tasty. It starts with squeezing a ing to their festival, start making your three days a week at therapy and home half a lime into a chilled handled glass plans as soon as possible as lodging exercises the rest of the time. Gradual mug, followed by a generous squirt of gets taken up rapidly. progress is the norm; the slow grind of Sriracha. You then invert a long neck daily physical exercises and stretches Texting While Driving bottle of beer into the mug, slowly can be wearing on both the mind and removing the bottle in a jiggling fashA pet peeve of mine is waiting for body. But, the results will make it all ion as the beer mixes with the lime and people to move after sitting at a red worthwhile. I can feel the changes, light. A good bet would be that texting sauce. I prefer to use a lighter beer, slow but sure. is taking place rather than driving. The but that is a matter of personal taste. Some people add other ingredients and automatic sequencers that are supBack to School posed to move traffic efficiently never salt the rim, add another slice of lime I would be remiss if I didn’t make and so on, but I am fine with the basic seem to be set correctly. The left turn my annual mention of the start of preparation. Try this some evening as arrow lights never stay on long enough school and the reactivation of the you relax on the back porch; you may to move the traffic and the people that school zones. Hands-free zones for cell have a new favorite. sit there on their phones do not help. phone use, reduced speed limits and Yes, it is against the law, but we all increased awareness of our students Visit Natchitoches know how that works, NOT. Just menare a must. Just think of how devastatI took another short trip to Natchitioning it, my friends. ing it would be to you (not to mention the student) if there were an accident. Bad enough we had to lower speed limits around McNeese for adults to be safe in their inattention, let alone for the much younger ones caught up in the excitement of the moment. Do yourself and others a favor and exercise the care needed for our school zones.

This beautiful girl is about 14 months old and on the small side for a Lab mix, weighing about 30 pounds. Her coat is shiny black with brindle markings on her chin and hind legs, making her appearance quite unusual. Sweet Sue is looking for a home with a secure privacy fence as chain link fences are no challenge for her to climb. On the positive side, she is usually going over the fence to find the children living next door--she loves kids! Her only vice is being overly curious about cats, so she will require a no-cats home. For more information, call or email (337) 478-7294; lapaw@bellsouth. net; or visit her on Saturday afternoon at PetsMart. Vet reference and home check required prior to all adoptions. Vol. 8 • No. 10

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Photos by Chris Romero

Confessions of a Lifetime Guide I was recently laid up with two of my three normally in-remission-debilitating diseases. Four trips to the ER and one to my Doc did little for me. Then my illnesses miraculously went back into tolerable remission. While I was ill and feeling sorry for myself it struck me again how blessed I have been all of my life hunting and fishing. While many of you worked so very hard to pay for a hunting lease, I somehow never had to. Add to that the absurdity that I have been paid to hunt and fish all my life one way or another.

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It started in 1964 when I was15 and hunting the family rice farm. I’d pick up one of my Dad’s friends and take them to my rice field blind south of Lacassine. on Bayou Chien. We’d stop at Pat’s in Welsh and have a sumptuous breakfast that my guest would pay for. Usually after a hunt, they’d give the kid either a box of shells or the shells they had left. One hunter even gave me a set of Faulk’s waterfowl calls. I even received a $5 tip from time to time, which was big money to a teenager back then. By 1970, I had moved on to college. I was immediately hired as a guide for one of the local premier commercial hunting and fishing services, the Sheraton Chateau Charles. Not only were their leases truly marvelous, but guides were paid $20 a hunt and the guests usually tipped at least $10 or more apiece. That was good money back then and the experience was priceless. Then, the father of a basketball player from McNeese wanted his son

to have a place to hunt, so he purchased a lease just north of and on the eastern edge of the Sabine National Reserve. My job was to take his son hunting when I wasn’t guiding. No tips here but nothing out of pocket, either. Next, one of my classmates from Dr. Monsour’s environmental science class wanted to hunt a rice field as he had only hunted the marsh. We went to my farm and had two great hunts. In return, he took me to his marsh just south of the Sabine National Reserve. He had four sections (2,560 acres) of prime marsh just for himself. We made one weekend hunt and then he transferred out of McNeese at midterm. Later that summer, much to my surprise, I got a letter from his dad giving me permission to hunt those four sections. Total cost here: zero dollars. That lasted seven years but what a seven years it was. I had prime places to hunt when I wasn’t guiding. I finally had to give that marsh lease up when someone else finally got the hunting rights. No matter, as local attorney E.C. Hunt hired me to guide the old Solly impoundment southeast of the Gray Estate’s famed Gooselake Hunting Lodge. I was right off the Hackberry Salt Ditch. Hunting there was a fresh water duck and goose haven. Not only did I bring people for Mr. Hunt, but I could also bring my own guests. Once more I had nothing out of pocket. Meanwhile, Judge John T. Hood, father of local Judge John S. Hood, had a lease just south of the Gray Estate’s caretaker’s house on the finger end of Hamilton Lake east of Johnson Bayou. All I had to do was guide. At one time, I had both leases and my farm to hunt. There may have not been many tips here but the price was right. Free. Vol. 8 • No. 10

Meanwhile in 1979, Dr. Alan Lacoste approached me to help with his new lease in Four Mile Square which is 6.2 miles west of Holly Beach. I had guided in there before for Sheraton Chateau Charles. He made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Once again, I was in duck and goose heaven with no cost to me. All I had to do was guide, which is a polite way of saying I got paid to hunt and fish. That so-called job lasted almost 20 years. After a brief illness, I had to retire to recoup my heath. Now, for once, I had no place to hunt. The family rice farm had switched to sugar cane in ‘88 and thus no waterfowl. I thought my luck had finally run out. Miraculously, it hadn’t. My old friend

Jim Bel offered me a chance to hunt his Hackberry Hilton Hunting Lodge. Here I was again with a truly marvelous place to hunt and fish. Even better, I moved up to the level of guest and not guide. I now had the honor of hunting the last and best of the ole school premier hunting lodges. I could even bring friends. In 2013, The Jambalaya News asked me to tell my hunting and fishing tales. This greatly expanded the number of places I was invited to. I was a guest afield again and even better, all I had to do was write about it. It’s important here to make some things perfectly clear. I am not a great shot. My duck calling is mediocre. My hunting dog

training skills are only fair. My fishing skills are limited. I may be an engaging story teller but I am not Mr. Guide Extraordinaire. So why me? What did I do to deserve such luck for 52 years? My reply always irritates the hell out of my sister: “God takes care of drunks and fools.” I have been both. My heath is returning now and my hunting dates at Jim’s are set. I have other invites too. My luck holds. Why? The explanation lies with an old Cajun friend from Four Mile Square, Rayme’ Boudreaux. From him I learned to just do a Gallic Cajun shrug, smile ever so broadly and say from the heart, “C’est la vie et Dieu”(That’s life and God).

black pepper. Some cooks include hot sauce and a bit of sugar for greater complexity. Maque choux is usually served as an accompaniment; however, it can also act as a base for a main meal and use focal ingredients such as bite-sized portions of chicken or crawfish. Shrimp is often added in the later stages of cooking as well which is what we did to make this light summer dish.

Ingredients

Maque Choux with Shrimp

2 slices bacon, chopped 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 medium shallot, finely chopped 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, finely chopped 1 jalapeno, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped 5 small okra, stemmed, thinly sliced 10 ounces frozen corn 4 scallions, white parts discarded, green parts thinly sliced Kosher salt and black pepper to taste 1 tablespoon of Cajun Red Head Seasoning or season all of your choice 8 ounces medium shrimp, peeled, tails left on 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

With the summer months here, we’re not ready for traditional gravy and gumbo. The pirate was looking for something lighter to incorporate the vegetables of the season. So, we tried a Louisiana favorite that we have added to our collection of must-have dishes. Maque choux is a traditional Southern Louisiana dish. It is thought to be an amalgam of Creole and American Indian cultural influence, and the name is likely to derive from the French interpretation of the Native American name. The ingredients are braised in a pot; certain regions of Louisiana add their own twist by omitting or adding ingredients. Historically, bacon grease was used for the braising stage, although various combinations of oil, butter, or cream may be substituted. The vegetables are then left to simmer until they reach a tender consistency, with chicken stock or water added as necessary. The dish is finished with salt and a combination of red and Vol. 8 • No. 10

Add bacon to heavy-bottomed 12-inch stainless steel skillet set over medium-high. Cook until crisp, stirring often with a wooden spoon, about seven minutes. Turn off heat. Remove bacon with slotted spoon, leaving as much fat in the skillet as possible. Set bacon aside. Add one tablespoon butter to skillet. Return heat to mediumhigh and add garlic, shallots, peppers, and jalapenos. Cook until shallots are lightly browned, about five minutes. Turn heat to high and add okra and corn. Cook, stirring often, until corn is lightly browned, about six minutes. Turn off heat, add butter and scallions, and stir well. Add seasoning, salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. Meanwhile, place top oven rack about eight inches from boiler. Preheat broiler to high. Toss shrimp with oil and pinch of salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer on an aluminum foiled-lined baking sheet. Place underneath broiler and cook for three to four minutes total. Flip halfway through with pair of tongs. Shrimp should be pink. Serve shrimp on top of maque choux. Garnish with bacon. Enjoy! August 18, 2016 11

A few issues back, I wrote about coin collecting. Although I mostly focus on US minted coins in my picking, I also like another type of coinage that was minted in the states during the Depression years called the sales tax token. Today, these tokens are now collectable and are also affordable if you’d like to start a collection. Here is a brief history of how they came to be. Merchants had to pay sales tax to the state on the total amount of sales made every day. You can imagine that if the sales tax rate is 3 percent and a child buys a 10-cent piece of candy, there is no way to collect the threetenths of one cent. If you rounded it down, that meant that the merchant could not collect anything for the tax. If you rounded it up, the state was gaining seven-tenths of a cent on every 10-cent sale. If the merchant sold a hundred pieces of candy, he was losing 30 cents a day in tax revenues to the state, so the token was born. This allowed the merchant to take 11 cents for the first piece of candy and give change back in mills. The next time you wanted to buy a 10cent candy, you could present the merchant with the 10 cents and a token and buy your candy. This allowed the merchant to collect the sales tax on each transaction. A mill is 1/1000th of a dollar or a tenth of a cent. As you can imagine, people did not like having to carry a second set of coins, and to further complicate matters, different states issued different tax tokens. One and five mills are the most common denominations, but other denominations include 1/5 cent, 1 1/2 mills, and “Tax on 10 cents or less.” 12 August 18, 2016

There are over 500 different sales tax tokens that can be collected from 13 commonly issued states. I included Ohio stamps because most of the collectors do, too. There is also anti-sales tax token memorabilia from many other states. Most tokens are inexpensive and fairly easy to come by. All in all, over a billion sales tax tokens are estimated to have been produced and most coin dealers have no idea what to charge for them. Many tax tokens are quite common, and can often be found in coin dealer “junk boxes” for as little as 10 cents. Others tokens are known to be much scarcer; however, they too sometimes show up in junk boxes from time to time. A few, such as the New Mexico 5 mill black fiber are truly rare, and worth up to $100. There are also much sought-after pattern tokens made by the manufacturers to win the contracts for minting from the states that issued them. There are state sponsored and issued tokens as well as “Provisional Issues” from specific towns and specific states, usually Illinois and Washington. These are much scarcer than the state issues, but prices are still fairly low, as there are a limited number of dedicated collectors. In addition to tokens, many towns printed sales tax “tickets” or scrip (sometimes spelled script) printed on paper or cardboard stock, usually on vibrant colors or security patterns. As you can imagine, the survivability of

70-year-old cardboard and paper is not very high. Best of all, there are only two grades for sales tax tokens: circulated and uncirculated. This allows almost anyone with a modest education in coin collecting and any budget to collect sales tax tokens without losing their wallet or their interest. State-issued sales tax tokens vary widely. Copper, brass, paper, cardboard, fiber, aluminum, zinc, plastic and even wood were used. Many were colored. The language ranged from Arizona’s practical: “To make change for correct sales tax,” to blunt in Louisiana: “Public Welfare Tax Token” and Oklahoma: “For Old Age Assistance.” Perhaps my favorite is Missouri’s second generation Milk-Cap token. “Helping to pay for old age pensions, support of public schools, care of poor, insane and tubercular patients in state hospitals and relief of needy unemployed in the state of Missouri.” There was a national sales tax proposed in 1921 that was taken to such a point that many millions of fiber tokens where printed. When the legislation was shelved they were all destroyed--or so it was thought. There have been rumors of four to six pieces in existence. These tax tokens are fun to trade and talk about. You can find them on eBay and also on a quick Google search. Happy Hunting!

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Beautiful Costa Rica

Who was it that said you can’t have it all, do it all and see it all? Rubbish, as my Brit friend Colin would say. I know of a place where you CAN have, do and see it all! No, not the Land of Oz. Costa Rica, that little tropical paradise nestled between Nicaragua and Panama down there in Central America. A mere hop, skip and two-step away from Southwest Louisiana. Just 3 1/2 hours as the egret flies

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south non-stop from Houston. It’s no wonder Costa Rica’s eco-tourism exploded in the early ‘90s. When word and images of this tiny country’s lush landscape and exceptional natural beauty were beamed out into the universe on the Internet, adventure-seekers and naturelovers from around the world flocked to its shores. And, I was one of them! Armed with only a few flimsy travel agency bro-

By Patricia Landry

chures, a map and marker, my boyfriend (who had absolutely no sense of direction) and I rented a car and headed out into the wild green yonder with no reservations, no smart phone, no GPS! Bordered by the crashing Pacific Ocean on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, Costa Rica has been blessed with misty mountainous terrain, dense tropical rainforests and jungles, magnificent waterfalls, towering “active” volcanoes, raging rivers, a stunning shoreline, idyllic crescent-shaped beaches and an abundance of exotic wildlife on land and in the sea. Costa Rica is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for the outdoor sports enthusiast, big-game sport fisherman, and bonafide naturalist. Not coincidently, Costa Rica means “Rich Coast” in Spanish and was named by none other than that famous explorer we all became acquainted with in grammar school, Christopher Columbus. Seems that it was Chris who discovered this little Garden of Eden on his last voyage to the Western Hemisphere in 1502. Costa Rica really does pretty much offer it all! Mountain/volcano trekking, white-water rafting, zip lining, horseback and ATV touring, snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, hiking, sport fishing or just sunning on a beautiful palmfringed beach and leisure nature walks through pristine rainforests and jungles with monkeys

trying to steal your camera. My three favorite areas are: • Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve located in central Costa Rica for its lush mountainous terrain shrouded in misty clouds, hanging bridges and colorful tropical birds. • Manuel Antonio National Park located mid-Pacific coast near the town of Quepos for its small, beautiful white sand crescent-shaped beach and flourishing green rainforest with abundant wildlife. Love those monkeys. • Arenal Volcano National Park located in north central Costa Rica for its fabulous view of the perfectly conical majestic Arenal Volcano and its abundance of natural hot springs for soaking. The best way to explore Costa Rica is by renting a car since the must-see highlights are up to three or four hours’ drive apart. This option is very doable but not for the faint of heart. The roads are not all that great and are poorly marked. Driving standards are erratic compared to the U.S. The country has a good public and private shuttle and transport system established and can get you where you need to go in relative good speed and comfort. I can’t wait to go back. Patricia Landry is a travel consultant at Travel Partners, Inc., 722 Pujo St., Lake Charles. Like them on Facebook and call them for all of your travel needs at (337) 602-6767. August 18, 2016 13

Flooded Landscapes Require Care

Root damage through drowning or root rot is the greatest danger to landscape plants caused by flooding. And even if a property didn’t have standing water, it likely has been saturated. And the longer the soil stays saturated, the more damage occurs. Plant roots get the oxygen they need from air spaces in the soil, said LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill. When these spaces are filled with water, roots are deprived of the oxygen and may drown. “Initially, the roots stop functioning properly,” Gill said. “When the bright sun comes out, it’s not unusual for plants to wilt because the roots quit absorbing water.” If flood waters remain for several days, shrubs and herbaceous plants may be extensively damaged or killed. “Carefully assess shrubs that may appear dead,” Gill said. Scrape the bark in several areas. Green tissue under the bark indicates the shrubs are still alive and may recover. Don’t be too hasty in removing landscape plants. Some plants that appear dead may begin to send out new growth a few weeks after the water recedes, Gill said. But shrubs that show no green tissue below the bark are likely dead. Flood waters carry silt and debris that may be deposited on lawns as well as low-growing plants, such 14 August 18, 2016

as shrubs, ground covers, annuals and perennials. It’s important to remove the debris as soon as possible, using a rake to remove most of the larger material and then a hose to wash off the remainder. Also remove all mulches to allow the soil to dry out more rapidly. Then replace them. Even if fruit and vegetable plants are still alive, do not consume any fruits, vegetables or herbs that were or could have been touched by flood waters, Gill said. Remove and discard any produce.

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FLOODING IMPACTS

BLOOD SUPPLY

Flood-related problems are resulting in blood drive cancellations and blood center closures in south Louisiana, which has generated increasing concern for the blood supply. Blood donations made in the days prior to the flooding have been vital in supporting patient needs thus far, but the supply is being quickly depleted. A loss of hundreds of anticipated blood donations has already taken place. Given the current conditions in south Louisiana, several hundred donations will be necessary to sustain the blood supply in the upcoming weeks. LifeShare Blood Centers is asking for more blood donors where road conditions are safe to help support patients in areas impacted by the flood. “Among so many other devastating effects, the flood has prohibited the ability to collect life-saving blood donations in the Baton Rouge area. Yet, patients continue to need blood daily. While we are looking to help those in distress, providing blood donations to ensure a stable blood supply is one meaningful way we can support our neighboring communities during this time,” says Geri Venable, executive director of Donor Operations for LifeShare Blood Centers. LifeShare Blood Centers’ Lake Charles location is at 214 Dr. Michael DeBakey drive and can be reached at (337) 436-4932. The location is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. For a full list of blood drives and donation centers, go to www.lifeshare.org.

Nominations Sought for Mayor’s Arts Awards The Arts Council of SWLA and the City of Lake Charles are currently accepting nominations from the public for persons to be honored at the 2016 Mayor’s Arts Awards ceremony which is scheduled for Friday, October 7th at 6 p.m. in the Benjamin W. Mount Auditorium at Central School. The Mayor’s Arts Awards honors those working in the arts by recognizing the contributions of Southwest Louisiana’s creative workers, patrons, and artists to the region’s culture. Mayor Randy Roach of Lake Charles presents the awards to each recipient. Categories include Artist of the Year, Citizen of the Arts, Citizen of the Humanities, Arts Educator of the Year, Arts Organization of the Year, and Patron of the Year. The Keystone Award is also given to an individual who works diligently behind the scenes, without whom programs and performances would not be possible. Those who wish to nominate an organization, individual, or group can download a nomination form at www.artscouncilswla.org. Nominations must be received by the Arts Council office no later than Monday, September 19, 2016. For more information, call the Arts Council at 439-2787. Vol. 8 • No. 10

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Healthy Mouth, Healthy You The last time you noticed your vehicle’s check engine light on, did you ignore it? The array of light-up icons on your car’s dashboard are important indicators to your vehicle’s health, and it helps you stay on top of maintenance before problems arise. In many ways, the same thing can be said of your mouth. Your body is a complex ecosystem that needs to stay in balance, which means you should always keep an eye on your body’s check engine light. “A good oral hygiene routine not only helps prevent bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay, it can also help keep the rest of your body healthier,” said Dr. Tim Robinson of Robinson Dental Group Family Dentistry. Your mouth can be the first line of defense against harmful bacteria and potential infections. It can also help identify early signs of systemic diseases, which are diseases that affect your whole body. In some cases, diseases, such as diabetes and AIDS, have been detected by

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dentists since the diseases can manifest as mouth lesions or other oral problems. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, over 90 percent of systemic disease produce oral symptoms from dry mouth to sores. “It may sound surprising, but your saliva is an important diagnostic tool, and it’s one of your body’s main defenses against infections or viruses,” said Dr. Robinson. “Saliva contains antibodies that attack viral pathogens and enzymes that harm bacteria. Healthy saliva typically means a healthy mouth.” But saliva can’t always do it alone. Over 500 types of bacteria live in your mouth, and while some are good for you, the bad types can flourish in your mouth if you have poor oral hygiene or an advanced case of gum disease. If your gums are inflamed, the bacteria from the inflammation doesn’t always stay in your mouth, and it have easy access to your bloodstream if you suffer from gingivitis or its more serious cousin, periodontal disease.

While gingivitis is the inflammation of gums because of excess plaque on teeth, those with periodontal disease experience swollen, bleeding gums, sores inside the mouth and gums pulling away from teeth, which creates pockets of bacteria. Your mouth can be a gateway for bacteria to enter your bloodstream and attach to plaques in your heart’s blood vessels or it can even travel through nerve channels in the jaw to gain access to the brain. Serious conditions such as heart disease and dementia can be kickstarted or exacerbated by prevalent bacteria in the mouth. “Just as you would take care of your body through diet and exercise, it’s important to also care for your mouth by brushing, flossing and regular dentist visits,” said Dr. Robinson. To schedule an appointment, call Robinson Dental Group Family Dentistry at 337-474-3636 in Lake Charles or 337-429-5057 in Moss Bluff or visit www.robinsondentalgroup.net.

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Healthy Woman 6th Anniversary Lake Area Medical Center presents the Healthy Woman 6th Anniversary Celebration as Etta May returns with her girlfriends in tow for the “Southern Fried Chicks: Cage Free Comedy Tour!” Grab your friends and register today to experience a one-of-a-kind comedy show and expo on September 15. The Chicks have busted out of the hen house for a night on the town with their new show, the “Cage-Free Comedy Tour.” Join us for a night of freerange comedy starring Etta May, Sonya White, Mia Jackson and Style Network’s Trish Suhr. Begin your night browsing through our health, wellness and retail expo and end it with a delicious dinner accompanied with side-splitting laughter. This is one girls’ night out you won’t want to miss! Get to know the Chicks like never before! The new Cage-Free Comedy Tour features new stories, music, audience participation, singing and dancing that the audience is sure to enjoy. Since the debut of their one-hour comedy special on CMT, this top-grossing all -female comedy tour has played to venues packed with people and laughter. Life and love in the USA has never been funnier as when these top headliners take the stage. Think Blue Collar Comedy Tour with better hair and bigger attitude! “Lake Area Medical Center is proud to offer the Healthy Woman program to women throughout Southwest Louisiana, and we’re equally excited to bring Etta May back to Lake Charles with the entire Southern Fried Chicks Comedy Tour,” said Lisa Guerrero, Lake Area Medical Center Marketing Director. “Our Anniversary Celebration has become known as a premiere ‘Girls’ Night Out’ event and this year will prove no different.” “Our Anniversary Cele18 August 18, 2016

bration will begin with a special Women’s Expo and Marketplace from 3 to 6 p.m. and will be open to the public. Participants can browse and shop through a variety of health, wellness and retail booths featuring Healthy Woman partners, physicians and local businesses, followed by an entertaining dinner program and comedic presentation beginning at 6 p.m.,” says Marketing Coordinator and Healthy Woman Advisor Krystle Blue. “The expo is a great opportunity for participants to get a sampling of various businesses throughout our region.” Individual assigned seating tickets for the dinner program and comedy show are $40, and guaranteed reserved tables of eight (8) for businesses and groups of friends are available for $300. Deadline to purchase tickets is Thursday, September 1st. To reserve tickets online or for more information, log on to www. lakeareamc.com/healthywoman. Those interested in having a booth at the expo may call Krystle Blue at (337) 475-4064 for more information.

Healthy Woman Program Women juggle many roles and responsibilities throughout their lifetime: mother, daughter, caregiver, household manager, career professional, team mom, volunteer and friend. Many give easily of their time, support and attention to those they love most, but find it challenging to give back to themselves. The Healthy Woman program at Lake Area Medical Center was designed by women, for women. The mission: to empower the women of Southwest Louisiana with the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed healthcare decisions for themselves and members of their family, and help maintain a healthy mind, body and spirit. Healthy Woman offers ongoing bimonthly seminars on topics ranging from self-defense to weight management, nutrition, fitness, heart health and even trendy fashion tips. Members are also encouraged to take advantage of inspiring Healthy Woman sponsored events—such as the upcoming Anniversary Celebration on September 15—that

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will bring women of all ages and walks of life together to celebrate friendships, laughter and good health. “Healthy Woman has grown close to 5,000 members since we launched the program in 2010,” says Bryan S. Bateman, Chief Executive Officer at Lake Area Medical Center. “This level of engagement exhibits a clear need for a female-focused health education resource in the community. Lake Area Medical Center is proud to be the one to offer this unique program to the women of Southwest Louisiana.” A Healthy Woman membership is free, and the benefits are priceless. Members receive personal invitations to upcoming events and classes, a monthly e-newsletter subscription, special discounts and offers provided by Healthy Woman partners, and much more! To become a Healthy Woman member, register online at www.lakeareamc.com/healthywoman or call (337) 475-4064.

Healthy Woman Advisory Council A Healthy Woman Advisory Council comprised of area business women and community volunteers is responsible for organizing and promoting the program throughout the year. The council is led by Healthy Woman Advisor and Marketing Coordinator, Krystle Blue and Marketing Director, Lisa Guerrero. Healthy Woman Advisory Council members include: Jody Barrilleaux, Hixson Funeral Home Krystle Blue, Lake Area Medical Center Lisa Bono, Century 21 Mike D. Bono & Co. Christa Comeaux, Lakeside Bank Beth Dawdy, Treasures of Marilyn’s Becky Dent, Lake Area Medical Center Kristin DiVito, L’Auberge Casino Resort Lisa Guerrero, Lake Area Medical Center Debbie Holt, Century 21 Mike D. Bono & Co. Kerri Krob, Lake City Printing / FastSigns Deborah LaStrapes, Calcasieu Refining Nicole Leger, The Pathology Laboratory Candice Menard, Who Dat Property Management & Notary Services, LLC Angel Mefford, JD Bank Christi Miller, Heart of Hospice Carmen Million, Better Business Bureau Kay Morgan, Lake Area Medical Center Patricia Philmon, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Jimmie Richard, RTS Consulting LLC Linley Richert, The Pediatric Center Vol. 8 • No. 10

Healthy Woman Partners The program is supported by an array of local businesses serving as official Healthy Woman partners, including: L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles, AdSource Outdoor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management- Patricia Philmon, The Jambalaya News, Monsour’s Photography, Nissan of Lake Charles, The Pediatric Center, Acadiana Profile Magazine, Treasures of Marilyn’s, JD Bank, Richard Law Firm, The Pathology Laboratory, VIVID McCann Wellness & Aesthetics, American Press, Lakeside Bank, Healthy Size Clinic, Hixson Funeral Home, Lake City Printing, FastSigns, Absolutely Custom Apparel, iBERIABANK, Lagniappe Magazine, Painting with a Twist, Sleep Disorder Clinic of Louisiana, Thermal Imaging of SWLA, Gold Canyon- Kathy Poteet and West M Apartments. For more information on how to become a Healthy Woman partner, call Krystle Blue, Healthy Woman Coordinator, at (337) 4754064.

Lake Area Medical Center Offers Care for the Entire Family Over the past decade, Lake Area Medical Center has increased the variety of medical specialties and healthcare services offered at the 4200 Nelson Road campus in Lake Charles. A sampling of current services includes: • Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Center • Cardiology Services • Cardiopulmonary Services • Diagnostic Imaging • 24-Hour Emergency Services • Adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU) • Labor & Delivery Services • Laboratory Services • Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) • Outpatient & Inpatient Medical and Surgical Services • Robotic-Assisted Surgery • Pediatrics • Rehabilitation Services • Wound Care For more information about Lake Area Medical Center, or to find a physician, log on to www.lakeareamc.com or call (337) 4746370. Additional services and affiliations provided by Lake Area Medical Center include: Lake Area Physician Services including the clinics located at 4150 Nelson Rd., Bldg. G, Grand Lake Medical Clinic and the Urology Center of Southwest Louisiana. For more information or to request an appointment, visit www. lakeareaphysicians.com. August 18, 2016 19

Eric Manuel

Stars and Stripes in the Park Classic Car Show and Boudin Wars Return to Sulphur Stars and Stripes in the Park Classic Car Show and Boudin Wars are two upcoming, familyfriendly events happening during one fun-filled September weekend in Sulphur, Louisiana. Held Saturday, Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Heritage Square in Sulphur, the Stars and Stripes in the Park Classic Car Show features hundreds of classic cars, hot rods, trucks and motorcycles. Entry for show vehicles and spectators is free. Door prizes will be awarded, with food booths, music, and entertainment for the children. There will be an awards presentation following the show,

featuring Stars and Stripes Pageant winners. Culinary traditions run deep in Louisiana, and boudin is one of the unique food items that can be found in the state. It’s a blend of pork, rice, onions and parsley served in a sausage casing. The 5th annual Boudin Wars will take place inside the Henning Cultural Center located at 923 South Ruth Street in Sulphur from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Local restaurants and stores will be allowing visitors to sample their boudin recipes, and visitors will get to taste the “Best Boudin in Southwest Louisiana.” Tickets are $10 and can be

purchased at the Henning Cultural C enter or at w w w.brimstonemuseum.org. E ach ticket allows the bearer to get a small sample f rom each boudin vendor. B oudin Wars is an event previously recognized by the S outheastern Tourism S ociety (STS) as an “STS Top 20 Event,” and is sponsored by the L ake Charles/S outhwest Louisiana C onvention and Visitor’s Bureau. For more information, contact the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau at (337) 436-9588, visit www.visitlakecharles.org/eventsfestivals/events.

BBB Warns: Give Wisely in Wake of Flooding Disaster In the wake of severe storms and flooding in our area, Better Business Bureau Serving Southwest Louisiana offers the following tips to help people decide where to direct donations to assist storm victims and their families: • Be cautious about giving online, especially in response to spam messages and emails that claim to link to a relief organization. If you are seeking to give to a charity organization involved in relief efforts, go directly to the charity’s website. • Be careful when relying on third-party recommendations such as bloggers or other websites, as they might not have fully researched the listed relief organizations. The public can go to BBB Wise Giving Alliance to research charities and relief organizations to verify that they are accredited by the BBB. • Be wary of claims that 100 percent of donations will assist relief victims. Despite what an organization might claim, charities have fund raising and administrative costs. Even a credit card donation will involve, at a 20 August 18, 2016

minimum, a processing fee. • Find out if the charity has an on-the-ground presence in the impacted areas. See if the charity’s website clearly describes what they can do to address immediate needs. Watch out for charities that don’t already have staff in the affected areas as they may not be able to provide assistance quickly. • Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups. If so, you may want to consider “avoiding the middleman” and giving directly to charities that have a presence in the region. • In-kind drives for food and clothing, while well intentioned, may not necessarily be the quickest way to help those in need unless the organization has the staff and infrastructure to be able to properly distribute such aid. Ask the charity about their transportation and distribution plans, and find out what is their greatest need. • When in doubt, check it out by contacting your BBB at (337) 478-6253. Vol. 8 • No. 10

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Cowboy Kickoff Dinner and Showcase August 18

Iowa Arts & Crafts Festival August 27

McNeese State University will host the second annual Cowboy Kickoff Dinner and Showcase fundraiser for the McNeese Band travel fund Thurs., Aug. 18, in Burton Coliseum. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a barbecue dinner. The showcase begins at 7 p.m. with performances by the Pride of McNeese Marching Band, Cowgirl Kickers and cheerleaders along with guest performances by the Sulphur High School Band of Pride and Twisters Dance Team. Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under and are available for purchase Aug. 1-11 at the McNeese Athletics Ticket Office, the McNeese Band Hall Office and the Sulphur High Band Office.

The Annual Iowa Arts and Crafts Festival will be held on Sat., Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Iowa Multi Purpose Center located at 207 U.S. Hwy. 90 W in Iowa. Free and open to the public, includes live entertainment by local musicians, arts and crafts demonstrations by local artisans, pony rides, Shriner Clown “Hobo Bill & friends” and more! Free refreshments provided by Coca-Cola and Capital One Bank. (337) 721-7101.

Jurassic Quest August 19-21 Jurassic Quest is coming to the Lake Charles Civic Center—the largest, most realistic dinosaur event on the continent. Enjoy life-size, animatronic dinosaurs and an exhibit that walks you through the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods, fossil digs, dinosaur rides, dinosaur cinema, science station, dinosaur bounce houses, and more! For times and ticket information, call (951) 818-5390.

Arts & Crabs Festival August 20 SWLA’s only Arts and Crab festival brings regional cuisine, culture, and art to the forefront at the Burton Complex on Aug. 20 starting at 5 p.m. For a $35 ticket, festivalgoers take part in an extensive crab and beer tasting which features area restaurants each offering a crab dish representative of their cuisine’s styles. Dishes are then paired with Louisiana craft brews. Live music, local art displays, and interactive cultural activities will also accompany the event. (337) 439-2787.

Movies in the Square August 20 FREE to the public! Start times are estimated--movie will begin at sundown. Disney/Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur is showing August 20. In a world where dinosaurs and humans live side-by-side, an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend. Heritage Square, Sulphur. (337) 313-1302. 22 August 18, 2016

Imagination Celebration August 27 The Children’s Museum’s Imagination Celebration will be held Sat., Aug. 27 at the Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum. The evening will feature fabulous food from 20+ area restaurants, auctions, music and dancing. Dress up as your favorite movie character or come ready for the movie premiere as they celebrate Cinema Magic! Go to swlakids.org for more information!

Boozoo’s Labor Day Festival September 5 Our rich musical heritage continues to live on with Boozoo’s Labor Day Festival on Sept. 5 at KC Hall, 503 US-90, Iowa. Come out and celebrate the festival’s 32nd year in grand style and enjoy the sounds of local Zydeco favorites. No ice chests or outside drinks permitted. Doors open at 10 a.m. and music starts at 11 a.m. Admission: $15 at the door, 12 and under free. There will be a blackpot cook-off beginning at 7 a.m. with judging at 10 am. Entry fee is $50 per team, 2 person teams. Team members get in event free. (337) 853-2350.

Nunsense II: The Second Coming September 9-25 Following the spectacular performances of Nunsense Amen last year, Lake Charles Little Theatre’s Nunsense II: The Second Coming takes place six weeks after the sisters have staged their first benefit. From the riotous bingo game run by Sister Amnesia to the rousing finale, this show will have you rolling in the aisles! Performances recur weekly on Sunday, Friday and Saturday Sept. 9-25. www.thelclt.com. Vol. 8 • No. 10

Boudin Wars September 10

weekend event for the whole family. For more info on entering a vehicle or vendor spot or for sponsor information, call (337) 263-0655.

Local restaurants and stores will be allowing visitors to sample their boudin recipes! Tickets are VERY limited, Calca-Chew Food Festival and must be purchased in advance at the Henning Cultural Center or online at www.brimstonemuseum.org. Each ticket September 25 The Calca-Chew Food Festival at St. Margaret’s Family allows the bearer to get a small sample from each boudin Life Center in Lake Charles is an alcohol-free event cenvendor. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. @Henning Cultural Center, 923 tered around our French heritage. Enjoy boudin, etouffee, South Ruth Street. Admission: $10. (337) 527-0357. jambalaya, and fried fish while bidding in the live and silent auctions, which have over 100 item. Kids have their own Stars and Stripes in the Park area. For more information, call the church office at (337) 439-4585. September 10 The event will feature hundreds of classic cars, hot rods, trucks, and motorcycles at Heritage Square in Sulphur from Gallery Promenade 9 a.m-4 p.m. Entry for show vehicles and spectators is September 30 FREE. Door prizes will be awarded, with food booths, muGallery Promenade, the Arts Council of SWLA’s annual art sic, and kids’ entertainment. There will be an awards pres- space showcase, returns Fri., Sept. 30, from 5-9 p.m., with entation following the show, featuring Stars and Stripes over a dozen galleries, studios, and art spaces opening Beauty Pageant winners. The classic cars and hot rods will their doors for an evening celebrating the venues across be cruising on Ruth Street after the show. (337) 527-4500. the Lake Area. For a participating venues and artists list, visit www. artsandhumanitiesswla.org. Artists and events still being added daily, so check the Promenade event page Bon Ton Festival on Facebook for updates and samples.

September 16-18

The St. Theresa Bon Ton Festival is a local tradition that is known for a family-friendly weekend filled with lots of great food, music, rides and many other events! Enjoy live and silent auctions, bingo, a sweet shop with their famous pies, and a large garage sale. The newly renovated large covered pavilion has plenty of room for dancing, relaxing, eating and visiting - rain or shine! Will be held Sept. 16-18 at St. Theresa Catholic Church. 4822 Carlyss Drive, Carlyss. (337) 583-4800.

Dream on the Green Golf Scramble September 23 The Phillips 66 Dream on the Green Golf Scramble will be held Fri., Sept. 23 at the National Golf Club of Louisiana in Westlake to benefit Junior Achievement SWLA. Two flights with tee times of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. For more information, call (337) 527-6168.

Midnight Fantasies Car Show September 24-25 Enjoy a weekend full of hundreds of show, antique and classics vehicles inside the Civic Center Coliseum. Saturday is a full day show with all pre-85, Corvettes, Camaros, Mustang, Chargers, Challengers from any year! This is a Vol. 8 • No. 10

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Vol. 8 â&#x20AC;¢ No. 10

125 Wacky Roadside Attractions

Are we there yet? If somebody asks that one more time, Dad says he’s going to stop the car and it won’t be good. But seriously, if you have to sit for much longer next to your brother (who’s kicking your leg), you’re going to have a meltdown. Instead, why not read 125 Wacky Roadside Attractions by National Geographic Kids, and give Dad something worth actually stopping for. So you’re family’s decided to take a last-minute vacation, or maybe an afterschool-starts weekend getaway. Sounds fun, but where will you go? If you’re not sure yet, this book really has some great ideas. If your family is into giant animals, take a trip to the “World’s Biggest Beagle” in Idaho, an elephant-shaped building in New Jersey, a cement whale in Oklahoma, a tire-rim turtle in North Dakota, a giant fish in Wisconsin, a huge blue ox in Minnesota, or a giant ape holding up a Volkswagen in Vermont. Vol. 8 • No. 10

Love dinos? Get to Arizona, where you can see authentic dinosaur tracks that were made almost 200 million years ago. On your way home, stop in California, where you’ll see humungous cement dinosaurs in the desert (hint: don’t forget souvenirs, available in the belly of an Apatosaurus). If shopping is your thing, find your next deal at the “Lost and Found Extravaganza” in Alabama, the place where many airports send their unclaimed baggage. Or, just for fun, visit a fake-Prada store in a fake building in Texas. Look for wildly-painted Canadian moose all over the world. Swim with real pigs in the Bahamas. Enter an outhouse race in Alaska. Get your picture taken next to a 28-foot-tall Bigfoot in Washington (he’s manmade, so don’t worry). Drop your ABC gum on a wall in Seattle, see “quirky coffins” in Texas, or a fossilized wood forest in Arizona. And if your family is head-

ing out of the country for your vacay, well, then, grab this book! It includes places to visit in Germany, Poland, France, England, and more. Using pages and pages of color pictures, trivia, and quick-to-read descriptions, the staff of National Geographic Kids presents hundreds of places around the world for young readers to visit and experience. Parks, museums, and monuments are here, but most of this book is about quirky, fun, goofy side-trips on your way to a destination, or places that are great impulse-stops. Websites to these locales might’ve been a good inclu-

sion, but then again – isn’t an online search half the fun? For kids who are too old to watch DVD ‘toons and too young to drive, this book might be the right solution to boredom on your next getaway. Give them 125 Wacky Roadside Attractions on your way out the door, and they won’t want to stop reading. “125 Wacky Roadside Attractions” by National Geographic Kids ©2016, National Geographic $12.99 / $14.99 Canada 112 pages August 18, 2016 25

Arts’ Desire Raejean Clark-German By Jason Machulski Arts’ Desire is a unique art studio located at 1322 Ryan St. in downtown Lake Charles run by Raejean Clark-German. The JAM caught up with this talented artist to find out more about her studio and her vision. JAM: Tell us a little about yourself. RCG: Art has always fascinated me. My dad took me to my first art lesson in 1960 when I was four. I was captivated by just walking into that room filled with color, the exotic smell of paint, and limitless possibilities for self-expression. I was lucky to grow up surrounded by imaginative adults. I watched my mom and her friends incorporate discarded architectural elements into our homes as décor WAY before it was being done on today’s scale. As an adult I worked as a draftsman. When I had children I became a stay-at-home mom, so I was THAT mom, the one always volunteering to organize art projects at school. As we were transferred to different cities, I made sure we got out in the community to explore local art. I believe that children’s self esteem is affected by seeing local art celebrated. When I moved to Lake Charles after marrying Norman German, one of the art forms I explored was Gyotaku, or fish-printing. Although Gyotaku is rooted in ancient Japan, my focus is on fish caught in OUR river. My work can be seen at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital as part of the permanent “Art For The Soul” exhibit. Louisiana Life magazine featured my work in 2009. JAM: What led you to open Arts’ Desire? RCG: When I moved to Lake Charles, I was looking for a

26 August 18, 2016

creative outlet. There are several art groups that offer lessons by the talented artists here. They’re all awesome but I wanted to do something a bit different. I’m not a “joiner” and didn’t want to commit to a series of lessons or group meetings. I tend to gravitate towards the quirkier end of the art spectrum. I created a studio where anyone can come in and try their hand at an activity like silk-scarf painting or pottery, without committing to a block of lessons. As much as I love creating, there is no better feeling than helping another person discover their creativity. Arts’ Desire is a place where YOU become the artist. Anyone who has been in the studio knows I have ONE RULE and I’m very strict about it. That rule is … take a deep breath, and relax. It’s not a race, not a competition. It’s you being creative and having fun. JAM: What does Arts’ Desire have to offer? RCG: Arts’ Desire is for all ages. We have ceramic items to paint, ranging from piggy banks, princesses, mermaids and motorcycles to decorative items. At Christmastime, we help print baby hands and feet on ornaments or platters that will become family heirlooms. I have a platter with four generations of handprints representing my mom, me, my daughter, and my granddaughter. One of my favorite activities is silk-scarf painting. We start with a white silk scarf, then drip and drizzle beautiful silk dyes on it. I heat-set the scarf so it can be worn home. For those interested in clay, we have wheel-thrown pottery classes taught by Julie Dallas, as well as hand-built pottery sessions. Silver-clay jewelry is fun to make. The material consists of microscopic particles of pure silver and a water-soluble, nontoxic, organic binder which burns off during firing. Roll out the silver-clay, texture and shape it, then fire it to create earrings or a pendant that you can wear home. You can also paint a canvas. We have pre-drawn images to choose from or we’ll custom sketch something for you. Or, try your hand at upcycled art using our assortment of “Junque.” One of our most unusual activities is Fish Printing, or Gyotaku. I tell people that I’ve “Cajun-ized” the original Japanese art form by printing the fish on rustic boards, rather than the traditional rice paper. We take redfish, striped bass, and other fish caught by my pathological fisherman husband and paint the fish, then print its image on the board. It makes an awesome piece of art. Vol. 8 • No. 10

In cooler weather, we host outdoor Raku firings. Guests can participate in the primal process of taking Raku pots from the glazing process all the way to placing horsehair or feathers on the red-hot pots when they come out of the outdoor kiln. Get your friends together and schedule an “Art Night” or “Date Night.” Come make pottery or engage in any of our other activities as an alternative to the usual. And any of our activities can be turned into a party. We host bridal parties, corporate events, family gettogethers, and birthday parties for all ages. We are available for field trips and fund raisers as well. Additionally, Arts’ Desire’s retail area has a selection of artisan-created items for sale. JAM: What are your longterm goals? RCG: I hope my studio continues to be a place where people of all ages can explore their creativity for years to come. I am always looking for projects that I would enjoy and I’ll add those to our list of activities. And, I think it’s important to highlight our local resources. From the storm-drain covers embossed with “City of Lake Charles,” the I-10 bridge pistols, the beautiful driftwood, to the fish we use in print-making…my goal is to open your eyes to our visually interesting area. Let’s celebrate the ordinary to see how extra-ordinary our home is. I am grateful to my civic-minded landlords, who have enabled me to start the studio and continue to run it at such an awesome location. If people

Vol. 8 • No. 10

could see the look on the face of even one child when they say to me, “I did that? I love it!” when I hold up their creation, then they’d know why I do this. And they’d know how important art is in building a strong, confident, self-assured community. JAM: How can we learn more about Arts’ Desire? RCG: Our website has information and photos. The Facebook page is a great way to check in to see what we’re doing, as well as to request information. I don’t keep “regular” hours because sometimes I’m at the studio late in the evening to facilitate a private party so I’ll open later the next day. Drop-ins are welcome, but it’s best to make an appointment. Our phone number is (337) 564-5338. Message me through our Facebook page or email me at rjc@ artsdesireLC.com.

SWLArt Group is a collaboration of a variety of local groups & artists, to support the development and improvement of their quality of life & business as well as strengthen the over cultural growth of the community. For more information about SWLArt Group, artists, or events visit their official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/swlart. Also be sure to follow them on Instagram and Twitter @swlart.

August 18, 2016 27

We Wanna Rock Til We Drop...

With Ricky Phillips of Styx By Justin Morris With a musical history that reaches back over 50 years, the band we have come to know and love as Styx officially hit the scene 44 years ago and continues to play their hearts out today, holding the road down for some 200 days year and still bringing a trademark Styx sound to their live performances that stands toe to toe with the recordings that have netted the act 16 top 40 hits, eight top ten hits and five multi-platinum awards. Having seen this firsthand a few months ago at the Cajun Dome, I was excited to find out that not only were they coming to L’Auberge Casino Resort for Labor Day weekend, but that Styx bass guitarist Ricky Phillips was willing to take a few minutes and chat with the good ol’ Jambalaya News about the Styx of yesterday and today…

seen any of the acts live before, my biggest takeaway from the night and what I told people afterwards, was that a Styx fan really needs to see that show if they had not. It really stood out. RP: That’s great to hear. I think a lot of that goes to James Young and Tommy Shaw really protecting Styx through the years and keeping a lid on anything that started to sidetrack the band. They really wanted to make sure the band was always on point and to be careful about who was allowed to be in this rarefied air, this club of being a member of Styx. I had to go through it, too. We pay great attention to details on the recordings, so when people come to hear the band they hear what they know as Styx—it’s not some “this is what we do now.” It’s a continuation. I had to study everything that Chucky (original bassist Chuck Panazzo) ever did.

JM: How far back do you go with Justin Morris: You’ve a long these guys and what led up to you musical career behind you that even predates your time in Styx, having spent time with The Babies and Bad English (1989’s “When I See You Smile”) , so how long have you been with the guys now and what’s it been like for you coming into a band with such a history? Ricky Phillips: I will have finished my 13th year in September and it’s just flown by, but you know, we’re the family we see the most. This is a group of incredible musicians who get it and who have done it and have tested every boundary that you can. So many people say to us “Man, it looks like you’re having so much fun up there.” You know, its not an act. You can really see that we dig what we do and we like putting the time in we and like the hard work it takes to get to where we’ve gotten at this point.

coming onboard? RP: I met the guys in the ‘70s and Tommy and I have been friends ever since and always wanted to work together. Todd Zuckerman, their drummer for the last 20 something-odd years, he and I met doing sessions when I was in LA and he’s always just blown me away. So, when the call came asking if I wanted to get back out on the road again, I wanted to make sure that they were in this for the long haul. Tommy said one thing that did it for me. He said “We wanna rock till we drop. Are you in?” And once I heard that, I jumped on and we’ve been going strong since and some of the people in this organization are some of the best friends I’ll ever have. JM: So, with as diverse as your musical background is, did you have any influence or experiences with Louisiana music or any other sounds from our part of the country? RP: Oh yeah, man. You know, Zydeco is something that every musician eventually discovers and Todd’s one of the few drummers that I’ve played with that can really do it. He can lay down a Cajun feel that’s pretty special (laughs) and not all drummers can do that. That’s one of those wools that you

JM: I can vouch for that. I saw you guys with Tesla and Def Leppard a few months back and, having never 28 August 18, 2016

Vol. 8 • No. 10

Styx, back in the day have to be dyed in at a pretty young age which is why I’m so thankful that I came from a musical family. I was introduced to so many styles of music and didn’t even know it at the time but some of that stuff really just has to be a part of you and you can’t mimic it. Zydeco really is a special thing and, though I couldn’t do it nearly as well as Todd, I was influenced by it early on in my life and it became a part of me as well. Now I hear it and I just smile. I remember the first time RP: You’re gonna see and hear the Todd and I jammed Zydeco together Styx you know and remember. You’ll and I was like “Oh my God!” It was hear vocalists that care about you just amazing. hearing those songs as you remember JM: So what do fans have in store them, in the original keys, with the original arrangements and making coming up for them this Labor Day sure that nothing is left to the imagiWeekend? nation and I think that’s what people

Vol. 8 • No. 10

like about the band. We do that but we also have a chance to show who we are as musicians and we change it up to where you can see the personality of each guy because the catalog is so vast. As far as the hits and everything that makes them what they are from the vocals to the arrangements to the guitar solos, they’re all there and people will be satisfied with what they see and hear. After my recent “Styxperience” in the Laffy, I can tell you that the man is speaking the truth. A big thanks to Ricky Phillips for the time and to L’Auberge Casino Resort for bringing this killer act to the Lake City! The show is set for Saturday, September 3 at L’Auberge and I hope to see you all there!

August 18, 2016 29

Thursday, Aug. 18 Amanda Walker 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Steve Breaux & Friends 7 p.m. Blue Dog Cafe 609 Ryan St., LC

Renn Loren & The Honky Tonk Surfriders 7 p.m. @ Rikenjaks 3716 Ryan St., LC Backyard Boys 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, Aug. 19

LA Yard Dogs

Amanda Walker 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Vince Gill 8:30 p.m. @ The Grand Event Center Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Tickets are on sale now at www. ticketmaster.com and/or by phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 7453000. Tickets can also be purchased on performance day beginning at 2 p.m. at the Golden Nugget Box Ofﬁce. BB & Company 9 p.m. @ The Gator Lounge Delta Downs Racetrack Casino 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton 30 August 18, 2016

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

Saturday, Aug. 20 Amanda Walker 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Robert Richard 7 p.m. @ Blue Dog Cafe 609 Ryan St., LC

Kellie Pickler 8 p.m. @ The Grand Event Center Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Tickets are on sale now at www. ticketmaster.com and/or by phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745Vol. 8 • No. 10

3000. Tickets can also be purchased on performance day beginning at 2 p.m. at the Golden Nugget Box Ofﬁce. John Cessac 8 p.m. @ Lucky Longhorn Casino 2374 HWY 109 S, Vinton BB & Company 9 p.m. @ The Gator Lounge Delta Downs Racetrack Casino 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton Safira 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder GoGo Dolls 9 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Rapture 9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

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

Sunday, Aug. 21 Michael Krajicek 10:30 a.m. @ Blue Dog Cafe 609 Ryan Street, LC Vol. 8 • No. 10

Chester & Jarius Daigle JD’s Whiskey Brunch @ 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Charlie Wayne 7 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Nightclub L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 2 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Chris Miller & The Bayou Roots 6:30 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

Thursday, Aug. 25 Lucky Hour Buy One, Get One Drinks 8-11 p.m. @ Texas Longhorn Club 2374 HWY 109 S, Vinton

Bryan Trahan 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Josh Taylor 8 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Nightclub L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Hunter Foreman

Orphan Annie

Big J & Zydeco Dog Pound 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Stacy Bearden

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

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

Dead or Alive 9 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Blue Martini

Monday, Aug. 22

Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

7 p.m. @ Blue Dog Cafe 609 Ryan St., LC

Throwback Thursday & Lucky Hour Buy One, Get One 8-11 p.m. @ Texas Longhorn Club

Tuesday, Aug. 23 Kay Miller 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Trivial Tuesdays Live Team Trivia 7:30 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St. DJ Verrett/Karaoke 8 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Nightclub L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC Angel Garcia 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Wednesday, Aug. 24 Chester Daigle 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC August 18, 2016 31

2374 HWY 109 S, Vinton

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

Swagger 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 2 a.m. @ Blue Martini

Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Friday, Aug. 26

DJ Crush 10 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Nightclub L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

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

Terry Fator: (laughs) At Last... The path to success, fame and fortune in the entertainment industry is paved with great and many different things for a great and many different people. Some by famous parents, some by association, some by hard work and determination and others by pure luck have found their way to their respective spotlight. Some, however, defy convention both in what they do and in how they get there. One such individual is a performer from the Dallas area who not only found his way to that spotlight but had to win the hearts of an American television audience in order to do so. That man is Terry Fator, who, with his singing puppets in tow, shocked everyone from Piers, Sharon and the Hoff on down and walked away as the season 2 America’s Got Talent winner. Having had the chance to chat with him for a few minutes recently I found myself very taken with this man’s enthusiasm, positivity and values within the creative process that spoke to me very personally, leading me to share this with the JMLC readers here today. THAT, and we got to talk about Lake Charles, Sha! Friends In Low Places... JM: So to get started, I wanna go way back. Back before Vegas, before the million dollars, before the show, even… I want to go back to Lake Charles. 32 August 18, 2016

JM: This place is not unfamiliar to you, is it? TF: No it’s certainly not (laughs). I’ve been there many, many times! I did school performances for a very long time and I was a guest at a lot of schools there. I also did Contraband Days with my band Texas the Band several times over the years and we always had a ball! And, you know, I’m from Dallas so its always been a place I was familiar with but it was always a great place to be, as well. I’ve got a lot of friends from home coming down to see me and I’ll even get to have lunch with some, so that’s gonna be great. And we’re doing two shows, which I don’t do very often because it can be so taxing on my voice, but we’ll have two shows so everyone can come out and just have a great time. JM: Well, welcome back, brother! I do have to ask you

Bryan Trahan

something. Having studied vocal music, I try to think about all the technical aspects of how to sing and what all makes a singer sound good. How on earth do you not only capture humor and characterizations flawlessly but… how the hell do you sing like that?? TF: Honestly, I have no idea. You know its very odd that I can actually do what it is I do. It’s a very strange thing and I don’t understand it any more than you do(laughs). My voice doctor tells me that what I do is physically impossible. He can’t figure it out because I break all the rules of singing because your mouth is supposed to be open! I’m just very grateful for the gifts I was given and I try to use it to do good in the world and make the world a better place. I hope I can. I’m trying my hardest, anyway (laughs). JM: So going into America’s Got Talent, how did you feel about walking in to that as a ventriloquist? Even the judges were visibly and audibly crushed at the sight of a puppet, but they were even more dynamically blown away when the first notes of “At Last” rang through the theater. It literally brought them to their feet. Did you think that you were going to win them and the viewers over like that? TF: Oh, I never thought I’d win it, I mean that just wasn’t gonna happen. Winning wasn’t even in my thought process. Truthfully, I thought I was gonna get on there, be on a few episodes and raise my prices in schools. That was my goal. I’d never thought I’d win it and become a headliner in Vegas and a multiVol. 8 • No. 10

Ganey Arsement 7 p.m. @ Blue Dog Cafe 609 Ryan St., LC Double Play DJ 8 p.m. @ Texas Longhorn Club 2374 HWY 109 S, Vinton

Christopher Cross 8:30 p.m. @ The Grand Event Center Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Tickets are on sale now at www. ticketmaster.com and/or by phone

millionaire. Honest to God, that was so far beyond even my wildest fantasies. I guess sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. I really am just an ordinary person. God just gave me some extraordinary gifts and I’m incredibly grateful for that. JM: Well, you’ve had a great run in Vegas so far. How does your Vegas show and your touring show differ? TF: I’ve been in Vegas now for eight years and we just signed for another five, so it’s working very well. My Vegas show is where I debut the new puppets. My road show changes to keep it fresh, so my fans can keep coming to see my shows over the years and always see new material. It’s a commitment that I’ve made to myself and my fans because I don’t want to get bored either. With the road show, not only are you REALLY, REALLY going to enjoy yourselves, but you are also going to leave

through Ticketmaster at (800) 7453000. Tickets can also be purchased on performance day beginning at 2 p.m. at the Golden Nugget Box Ofﬁce. Velcro Pygmies 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live

inspired. You’re gonna leave feeling on top of the world and you’re gonna leave wanting to pick up your favorite guitar or get back to the piano or start writing again. You’re gonna leave feeling great and that’s what my show is about. I’m a very positive person and I don’t go to the negative. I want to make people feel happy and my show focuses on that. JM: Well I, for one, can’t wait to see the show live at Golden Nugget Casino on Sunday, September 4. Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us today! TF: Absolutely! I’m so looking forward to getting back in that neck of the woods and seeing my friends and family again. I hope that everyone comes out to support the show. My promise to you that you’re gonna have fun and see some stuff that you’re never gonna get to see anywhere else! You’re gonna leave on top of the world!

Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Boomerang 9 p.m. @ The Gator Lounge Delta Downs Racetrack Casino 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

What a Wonderful World... Having watched his AGT run and plenty of content since, I have long been amazed as this guy’s talent and his stage persona. His positivity and his enthusiasm for his craft spoke to me personally and his passion for wanting to drive creativity and bring positivity and happiness to people is something that I think would behoove all artists to take for their own. In a day where the news is often less than good, putting our respective creative passions out their in a spirit of goodwill is something that can only serve us well. I want to thank Terry for the fact that, despite his fairy tale story, he still remembers who he is, where he is from and the values that made him who he was long before the great spotlight found its way to him. Keep the light shining, brother! The world is a funnier and happier place with you in it. Many thanks!

Something is Happening Here... Labor Day Weekend is on the horizon and there are plenty of great things to get out and to see and do before it’s gone!

Saturday, September 3: An Evening With STYX at L’Auberge Casino Resort Forty-four years of STYX comes to the L’Auberge Event Center with a show that I can promise you will take you straight back to the days when their hits were burning up the charts! Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. Having seem them recently, I can tell ya GO SEE THIS SHOW!!!

Sunday, September 4: Terry Fator – Golden Nugget Lake Charles The annual whirlwind that is the Mad Hot Ballroom Gala is spinning its way into the L’Auberge Ballroom on Saturday August 6 starting at 6 p.m. See local movers and shakers cutting a rug in a showdown that is sure to please! The best thing is that all the proceeds go toward The Whistle Stops Dancing Classroom program. Tons of fun and a great cause to boot? I’d better SEE YOU AT THAT SHOW!

Monday, September 5: Boozoo’s Labor Day Fest: Knights of Columbus Hall, 503 E. Hwy 90, Iowa The annual Chavis Family tradition returns to the Lake Charles Civic Center for another year of Zydeco, dancing and great SWLA food. Musical guests include Chris Ardoin, Keith Frank, Geno Delafosse, the Chavis Family’s Dog Hill Stompers and more! Doors open at 10 a.m.,, music kicks off at 11, and the party goes all day and evening long. If you ready to Zydeco, GO SEE THIS SHOW!!!

Crying... Only cause its time to go for yet another issue. A HUGE thanks to Terry Fator and the good folk at the Golden Nugget for helping put us together. I am really looking forward to the show! Until our next issue in THREE weeks time... I’LL SEE YOU AT THE SHOW!!! Vol. 8 • No. 10

August 18, 2016 33

Party @ Joe’s

Saturday, Aug. 27

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

Bryan Trahan 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

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

Lisa Trahan & L’Esprit Cadien

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

The Yams 10 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Nightclub L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

7 p.m. @ Blue Dog Cafe 609 Ryan St., LC

Tanya Tucker 8 p.m. @ The Grand Event Center Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Tickets are on sale now at www. ticketmaster.com and/or by phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased on performance day beginning at 2 p.m. at the Golden

Nugget Box Ofﬁce.

Purple Reign

Prince Tribute Show FREE ADMISSION 8 p.m. @ Delta Downs Racetrack Casino, 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton Velcro Pygmies 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Boomerang 9 p.m. @ The Gator Lounge Delta Downs Racetrack Casino 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton Swagger 9 p.m.– 1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Party @ Joe’s 9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Chester & Jarius Daigle JD’s Whiskey Brunch @ 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Angel Garcia 5-9 p.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Michael Krajicek 7 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Nightclub L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 2 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Monday, Aug. 29 Bryan Trahan 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC DJ Jose Mata 8 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Tuesday, Aug. 30 DJ CaGe 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Nightclub L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Chip Radford 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Sunday, Aug. 28

Mickey Smith

Renn Loren 10:30 a.m. @ Blue Dog Cafe 609 Ryan Street, LC

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

Trivial Tuesdays

Street Side Jazz Band Live Team Trivia 11 a.m. @ Luna Bar and Grill 710 Ryan St., LC 34 August 18, 2016

7:30 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St. Vol. 8 • No. 10

DJ Verrett 8 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Nightclub L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC DJ Jose Mata 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

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

Wednesday, Aug. 31 Chester Daigle 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Chris Miller & The Bayou Roots 6:30 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC Mike and Amber 7 p.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Vol. 8 • No. 10

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

Thursday, Sept. 1 Kevin Lambert and Michael Kracijek 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Johnnie Allen 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder The Fuse 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC ENCORE 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort

2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 2 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Paws hte Cat 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Nightclub L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Friday, Sept. 2 Kevin Lambert and Michael Kracijek 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

The Commodores 8:30 p.m. @ The Grand Event Center Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Tickets are on sale now at www. ticketmaster.com and/or by phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 7453000. Tickets can also be purchased on performance day beginning at 2 p.m. at the Golden Nugget Box Ofﬁce.

T-Broussard & The Zydeco Steppers 9 p.m. @ The Gator Lounge Delta Downs Racetrack Casino 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton ENCORE 9 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC The Fuse 9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC No Idea 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Rusty Metoyer 10 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Nightclub L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

August 18, 2016 35

Saturday, Sept. 3 Kevin Lambert and Michael Kracijek

Terry Fator

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

8 p.m. @ The Grand Event Center Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

(Ventriloquist)

Tickets are on sale now at www. ticketmaster.com and/or by phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased on performance day beginning at 2 p.m. at the Golden Nugget Box Ofﬁce.

T-Broussard & The Zydeco Steppers 9 p.m. @ The Gator Lounge Delta Downs Racetrack Casino 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

No Idea 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

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

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

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

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

Sunday, Sept. 4

Chester & Jarius Daigle JD’s Whiskey Brunch @ 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

36 August 18, 2016

Vol. 8 • No. 10

Vol. 8 â&#x20AC;¢ No. 10

August 18, 2016 37

LAKE CHARLES HAPPY HOUR ROTARY CHARTERING “Service Before self” in the Lake City has a young new face with the chartering of the latest Rotary chapter in the region. Interested in seeing what they are all about? Make your way to Luna Live on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. for a “Happy Hour” look into all the great things that Rotary does for the Lake Area!

Jordan and Alexis Sanders

Michelle and Ethan Miller with Francis Nezianya

Vikki Alston, Lydia Fruge and Raina Whaley

Jessica Byerly and Chapter President Sean O’Hara

Madison Claudel, Corbin Churchman, Ryan and Jordan Smith with Amy and Richard Churchman

Christopher Martin, John Chavanne, and Mia and Craig Nichols

MAD HOT BALLROOM GALA

Chris and Shonda Manuel

Lori and Ron Richard 38 August 18, 2016

Gordon Williams and Summer Saunderson

Pam and Hannah Goodwin and Kyndel Guillory

The movers and shakers of SWLA were movin’ and shakin’ for a good cause with the return of the annual Mad Hot Ballroom Gala at L’Auberge. This night of “rug-cutting” featured local teams of dancers vying for the prize. All proceeds went towards The Whistle Stop’s wonderful children’s support programs. Hats off to you all!

Adrienne Picou, Joby Richard, Chaudler LeBoeuf and Brad Tate Vol. 8 • No. 10

RON WHITE AT GOLDEN NUGGET It was a night for whiskey-soaked witticisms as the one and only Ron White took the Golden Nugget stage this past weekend. The Blue Collar Comedy Tour alum deﬁed the rainy weather and drew fans from near and far to pack the house and leave them all rolling in the aisles all night long. It was a funny night from front to back!

Alex Reymundo and Melissa Pawlik

Megan and Dick Matthews and Kim and Stephen Short

Renee Placette and Theresa and Ricky Kleypas

Blake and Catherine Thevenot

Mindy White and Rhonda Coleman

SUNDAY FUNNIES AT LUNA LIVE Sunday Funnies is a new stand-up comedy night taking place at Luna Live every Sunday night starting at 8:30 p.m. featuring a bevy of local comics joined by a few travelling funny folk for a killer new way to pass a Sunday evening here in Da’ Chuck.! Check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sundayfunnieslc to see what it’s all about!

James Smithers, Chloee Newman and Justin Morris

Trooper Scott and Keez The Comic Vol. 8 • No. 10

Nicole Palmer and Shawn Pipps

Kate Cotton and Britney Pitre

Taylor Lee, Brian Pitre and Kyle LeCompte August 18, 2016 39