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Vol. 7 • No. 13
October 15, 2015 • Volume 7 • Issue 13
715 Kirby St. Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-436-7800 Fax: 337-990-0262 www.thejambalayanews.com Publisher/Executive Editor Lauren Abate de Albuquerque lauren@thejambalayanews.com
Contributors Nicole Shuff Arabie George Cline Lauren Nunez Davis Dan Ellender Braylin Jenkins Jason Machulski Russell Pawlowski Mike McHugh Roger Miller Justin Morris Britney Blanchette Pitre Terri Schlichenmeyer Sales William Daigle william@thejambalayanews.com
Graphics Art/Production Director Burn Rourk Business Office Manager Jeanie Rourk
On Cover: Lake Charles Memorial Hospital
COVER STORY 22 Lake Charles Memorial Hospital: Potential Medical Hazards that Come with Manhood REGULARS 6 We Are SWLA! 8 The Dang Yankee 8 Adoption Corner 9 Tips From Tip 10 Huntin’ Tales 12 Tales of the Bayou Pickers 14 A Ruff Life
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15 The Pirate’s Platter 16 Soul Matters
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FEATURES 5 The Adventures of the Swamp Kids MEN’S HEALTH 18 Get the Facts on Cataracts 19 Byron Graham: His Family Remembers 20 Men’s Fitness Myths THE SPICE OF SWLA 24 Golden Nugget’s First Annual Beer Fest
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26 Event Guide 30 Halloween Event Guide 31 KC Productions Presents The Rocky Horror Show 32 Family Fun Night at the Movies
Legal Disclaimer The views expressed by The Jambalaya News columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Jambalaya News, its editors or staff. The Jambalaya News is solely owned, published by Jambalaya Media, LLC, 715 Kirby Street, Lake Charles Louisiana 70601. Phone (337) 436-7800. Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility of the standing of advertisers nor by the editorial contributions. The Jambalaya News cannot be held responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations, even if they are sent to us accompanied by a self-addressed envelope. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Copyright 2014 The Jambalaya News all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.
Vol. 7 • No. 13
33 Bookworm Sez… 34 Nightlife Guide 36 Lake City Beat 38 Justin Morris’s Lake Charles
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41 Funbolaya 42 Society Spice
October 15, 2015 3
It’s been a little over six months that Cooper James came to stay: a Chihuahua pulled from a kill shelter in Abbeville in the nick of time. He’d been in foster care for awhile; he has seizures and potential parents didn’t want the bother. But I didn’t care. I fell in love with that adorable face and spirit and couldn’t wait to bring him to his forever home. I didn’t know much about the breed. I heard they were feisty and barked a lot, although Coop’s foster mom Cyndi said he wasn’t a barker. I’d only had Scottish Terriers before Cooper, and they’re independent, keep to themselves and behave more like cats than cats. This was going to be interesting. So after six months, let me say
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Chihuahuas are Boogers
one thing: Chihuahuas are boogers. What do I mean by that? Well, Cooper is a character. He’s his own man. He’s full of love and kisses but he does what he wants to do. If he doesn’t want to come in, he’ll dig in his heels. You can tell him not to chase cats, but he will always chase cats, probably because he knows he’s not supposed to. Actually, he only chases the cats who don’t like him. There are plenty who just ignore him. But there are some that he knows he can get a rise out of, and he goes straight to them as I am telling him not to. He also eats cat food, even though he knows better. He’ll sneak towards the cat food, I’ll tell him “NO!”, and he’ll snatch a piece and run, with his eyes still on me. Booger.
I love taking him on walks. It’s the highlight of my day, me and Coop walking down the street. When he walks fast he runs on three legs (I call it “Skippy Legs”) and it’s so cute to see. But I never know how far we’ll get. We could be halfway around the block and all of sudden he’ll stop and turn around and head back the way we came. You can’t change his mind. Booger. A few months after he came, he decided that he wanted to stay at the JAM building overnight and simply refused to come home with me. He’d settle himself on the couch when it was time to leave and that was that. He wasn’t going to budge. That really was the height of Booger. This lasted a few weeks—then, he decided he would come home with me one night a week, but only on weekends. Gradually, he came home more often and now, he comes home every night. I have no idea what was going on in that little head, but it made sense to him. Cooper is fearless. He hears something that doesn’t sound right, and he will bark. It’s not mindless yapping. When he barks, there’s a good reason: someone’s at the door, kids are riding bikes too close to the building—or it’s a raccoon. Cooper hates raccoons. Every night he goes on a Mission To Get The Raccoons. He leaves no tree un-sniffed, no hedge unexplored. When he finds one he tears after it, chases it up a tree, and barks away.
I honestly think his vigilance is working, as they appear to be making themselves scarce. Good job, Cooper! Every day is a happy adventure with my boy. He loves going to bed (he covers himself with the comforter and burrows under the pillows), he loves waking up in the morning (I always get big kisses), loves his walks, loves his rides, loves visiting Lowe’s, where he gets treats every time. He’s not very comfortable at PetSmart, however. I think the scent of all the animals reminds him of the shelter, and he’s afraid we are going to leave him there. He sits in the cart and keeps his eyes on us at all times, and seems to breathe a sigh of relief when we walk out the door. Don’t worry, Coop. You’re not going anywhere. October is Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month, and I urge all of you who are considering getting a dog to PLEASE adopt instead of buying one from a breeder. You will save a life, and in many cases, the life you save may be your own. I can honestly tell you that Cooper saved mine.
Lauren Abate de Albuquerque
Vol. 7 • No. 13
By Lauren de Albuquerque October is the American Humane Association’s Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and what better way to celebrate it than by buying this wonderful book for your favorite child! Fourth in the Adventures of the Swamp Kids series by local author Leif Pedersen, the Kids’ latest adventure is to find themselves a puppy. But where? Pierre the gator knows—and takes the gang on a journey out of the bayou to an animal shelter. Once there, they meet an adorable Catahoula pup and decide that he is the one. They bring him home with much excitement and decide to name him “Cat.” I love this verse in the book, which perfectly illustrates what it means to adopt a shelter dog: “They took him with pleasure and off they all went, on their way to his very own home. He’d never be hungry with all these new friends, and he’d never feel lost or alone.”
Indeed. As always, there’s a “Lagniappe Lesson” and a fun project at the end of the book. Animal advocate Angela Hill gives kids tips on how to care for their pets, they learn about the origin of the Catahoula Leopard Cur and there are instructions for them to make their very own “Cat Puppy” puppet! The book is once again illustrated by Tim Banfell, and would make a wonderful holiday gift for young pet-lovers. And there’s even a space in the dedication section at the front of the book to write in your own pet’s name. “So, make sure you share all your love with your pets and take care of them right from the start. You’ll find that they’ll all be such faithful companions, and always be near to your heart.”
“The Adventures of the Swamp Kids: A Dog Named Cat” copyright © 2015 by Leif Pedersen Illustrations © 2015 by Tim Banfell Published by Ally-Gator BookBites Publishing House 1428 Watkins St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 www.ally-gatorbookbites.com Look for other Swamp Kids titles and merchandise at www.theswampkids.com. Vol. 7 • No. 13
October 15, 2015 5
McNeese Presents Prestigious Awards
CITGO Recognizes Safety During Annual Summit The CITGO Contractor Safety Association (CSA) held its 4th annual Contractor Safety Summit recently. During this year’s summit, more than 260 contractor foremen and supervisors took part in three separate interactive and video-based workshops focused on team building, communication and accountability. In addition, more than 60 CITGO Lake Charles Refinery contractors were recognized as CSA Safety Star winners for their proactive engagement with workplace safety. The CITGO CSA was formed in 1992, with the mission to focus on contractor safety performance improvements.
The McNeese State University Alumni Association presented its two most prestigious awards - the Jeff Miller Henry Doiron Harcourt Stebbins Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award and the Distinguished Service Award - during halftime ceremonies at the Cowboys vs. Southeastern Louisiana Lions football game on Oct. 10. Jeffrey A. “Jeff ” Miller, a 1986 graduate in agriculture and business, was named the 2015 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. And for the first time in its history, the McNeese Alumni Board of Directors has recognized two Distinguished Service Recipients this year - Henry Dudley Doiron, class of 1946, and Dr. Harcourt M. Stebbins, class of 1942. A reception for the recipients and their friends and families was held in the Stream Alumni Center.
CHRISTUS Announces Regional Director of HR Strategy CHRISTUS St. Patrick is proud to announce that Shelly Aguillard, Director of HR Strategy, has accepted the dual role of Regional Director of HR Strategy for both the Southwestern Louisiana and Southeast Texas regions. In her new role, Aguillard will be located at both CHRISTUS St. Patrick and CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth campuses. She has been with CHRISTUS St. Patrick for nearly three years and has more than 15 years of Human Resources experience in various industries.
Shelly Aguillard
Leadership Changes at Calcasieu Parish DA’s Office
L to R: Jerry Dunn, CITGO GM/Engineering & Technical Services; Bill Gray, CITGO GM Operations & Maintenance; Odie Espenship, Delta pilot and Summit Keynote Speaker; Tomeu Vadell, CITGO VP/GM and Ray Hill, CITGO Manager Health, Safety & Security.
Onxley Attends Educational Theatre Conference
Kerry A. Onxley 6 October 15, 2015
Kerry A. Onxley, director of theatre at Westlake High School attended the Educational Theatre Association’s 2015 National Conference in Tampa Oct. 1-3. Here, he participated in workshops and master classes taught by theatre experts from around the country. Onxley has been an active member of EdTA since 1987, serving in the leadership tier for over 15 years and as State Festival Director for the Louisiana Thespians Association for 12 years. He was inducted into EdTA’s National Hall of Fame in 2014 and helped form the Louisiana Theatre Festival, a collaborated effort among community theatres and universities to benefit students interested in theatre education.
The Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office promoted two felony attorneys recently. David Kimball will now serve as the Administrative First Assistant District Attorney, while Tara Hawkins is the new Chief Felony Prosecutor. Kimball has worked at the District Attorney’s Office for a combined 32 years. For over three years, he has served as the Chief Felony Prosecutor. In this new position, Kimball will handle administrative and personnel matters, while continuing to handle his own felony division. He is a 1980 law school graduate of Louisiana State University. Hawkins, a 1997 graduate of Tulane Law School, has been a felony prosecutor for the last six years. Prior to her joining the District Attorney’s staff, she spent several years practicing law. As Chief Felony Prosecutor, Hawkins will serve as the supervisor of all felony trials. Cynthia Killingsworth will remain as the First Assistant David Kimball Tara Hawkins District Attorney.
Local Chefs Bring a Taste of Louisiana to Austin Chef Lyle Broussard and Chef Brett Baldwin are two of nine Louisiana chefs who brought the state’s world-class cuisine to Vol. 7 • No. 13
several of Austin’s favorite restaurants recently. The SWLA Convention & Visitors Bureau, the LA Travel Promotion Association and the LA Office of Tourism have partnered with Texas Monthly to present the Louisiana-Lone Star Restaurant Night, an extraordinary culinary event that is brought chefs from both states together. Lyle Broussard of Jack Daniel’s® Bar & Grill at L’Auberge Casino Resort, is known for his Cajun and creole flavors and his passion for SWLA culture and cuisine. Brett Baldwin of Landry’s Seafood House at Golden Nugget, enjoys bringing his native-Louisiana roots to his cooking. For more information about the event, go to TexasMonthly.com/LouisianaLoneStarNight.
Lake Charles Coca-Cola Donates to Alliance Lake Charles Coca Cola Bottling’s recent $5,000 donation is part of its 5-year commitment to support the SWLA Alliance Foundation’s SWLA on the Move campaign. The current plan of work under the Campaign is to address the critical issues facing our region: workforce development, business recruitment, business retention and expansion, regional marketing, and building a single voice for a true regional partnership.
benefit of enhanced quality, service and cost-effective patient care. GSQN recently expanded to the Lafayette and Alexandria, Louisiana markets to add to the existing facilities in the New Orleans, Louisiana market.
WCCH Honors Two Employees West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital recently recognized its August and September Employees of the Month for 2015: Phyllis Duplechain, courier in the materials management department and Gwen Berzas, RN. Duplechain provides assistance Phyllis Duplechain Gwen Berzas, RN to many departments and also coordinates with outlying clinics and physician offices to deliver supplies and materials as well as transport laboratory services. As a registered nurse in the Ambulatory Preadmissions Treatment Center, Berzas provides direct patient care for many outpatient treatment services and also provides care to those visiting the department for cancer treatment services.
Capital One Sponsors Chennault International Airshow Capital One has recently committed to a $15,000 sponsorship for the upcoming Kia of Lake Charles Chennault International Airshow, which will take place Oct. 24-25 at Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles. Capital One’s sponsorship will be dedicated to Matt Younkin’s Beech 18 aerial performance, which is called the most unusual act in the airshow circuit today. Younkin performs stomach-dropping loops, rolls and flips in the Beech 18 aircraft, which was never designed for aerobatic flight. To purchase general admission or VIP tickets online or to learn about the 2015 event lineup, visit www.chennaultairshow.com.
L to R: George Swift, President/CEO of the Alliance, Ken Francis, Division Manager at Lake Charles Coca-Cola Bottling, and Blaine Royer, On Premise Manager at Lake Charles Coca-Cola Bottling.
CSE Announces New Business Development Liason CSE is pleased to announce its most recent addition to the Marketing Department, Lori Drumwright. As the new, Business Development Specialist, Drumwright brings an array of knowledge pertaining to developing and expanding meaningful business relationships and opportunities for Lake Charles and the SWLA area. Originally from Oklahoma, she transferred to Lake Charles in 2006 to complete her education at McNeese State University. She states that her main goal is to provide Lori Drumwright sustainable and meaningful relationships with local businesses as well as continue to establish stability and visibility within the community. For more information about CSE, contact Colleen Desselle at cdesselle@csefcu.org.
LCMH Joins Gulf South Quality Network Lake Charles Memorial Health System has joined the Gulf South Quality Network, the largest clinically integrated physician-governed network in Louisiana. Partnering with GSQN will strengthen each member hospital’s healthcare infrastructure and physician network. With the adoption of GSQN’s clinical initiatives, Lake Charles Memorial Health System will offer patients the Vol. 7 • No. 13
L to R: Hollie Saltzman of Capital One, Airshow President Randy Robb, Airshow Director Mary Jo Bayles and Fil Bordelon, Abbie Wilson and Paul Lungaro of Capital One.
LAMC Welcomes Dr. Blake LeBlanc, ENT Lake Area Medical Center welcomes Blake LeBlanc, M.D. an Otolaryngologist (ear, nose & throat specialist) to its medical staff. Dr. LeBlanc has joined the medical practice of Brad LeBert, M.D. and Bridget Loehn, M.D., at the ENT & Allergy Clinic located at 1920 W. Sale Road in Building F, Suites 3 & 4 in Lake Charles. Dr. LeBlanc earned his medical degree at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport where he finished first in his class. Specializing in medical conditions related to the ear, nose and Blake LeBlanc, MD throat, Dr. LeBlanc treats sinus and ear infections, tinnitus, tonsillitis, thyroid disorders, and hearing loss in both children and adults. For more information please call (337) 312-8564. October 15, 2015 7
A Sign for Sore Eyes I was at a dinner party talking to a new acquaintance, and the topic of birthdays came up. “Leo!” she exclaimed when I told her mine. “A fire sign!” Her comment befuddled me for a second. “No, sorry,” I corrected her. “My name’s not Leo Firesign. Perhaps you have me confused with someone else.” From that point on, she regarded me as she might someone who’d learned his table manners from watching The Three Stooges. Needless to say, I’m not much into astrology. Sure, I browse the horoscopes in the newspaper now and again, and in reading them, I can see why they appear on the same page as the comics. I say this because, according to the entries for my sign, my life ought to be a lot more exciting than it really is.
For instance, about every other day, my horoscope suggests that I’m going to have some sort of new romantic encounter. Maybe that’s why the divorce rate is so high, what with all these Leos stumbling into romantic encounters every time they get into a checkout line. It’s enough to make me want to burn that section of the newspaper before my wife sees it so she won’t get any wrong ideas. Which raises a good question—why is the Libra horoscope always blacked out with a Sharpie whenever she reads the paper first? And it’s not only that. In addition to needing a fire extinguisher filled with pepper spray to keep all the women off me, my horoscope also implies that I’d be rich enough to own the entire
congressional delegations of Louisiana and Texas. I‘d be Brad Pitt with a Warren Buffett bank balance. Six-figure job offers from every company in the Fortune 500 would be spilling out of my mailbox while I’m jet-setting from one to exotic hot spot to another. “Change in location,” my horoscope is always saying. It has me logging more frequent-flyer miles than the Secretary of State. By far, the biggest clue that my horoscope is nothing but a waste of ink is that it’s got me pegged all wrong personality-wise. Just the other day, it described me as someone with “strength, wherewithal, and courage.” Either they were buttering me up, or the nurse made a typo in the date field on my birth certificate. I checked the write-ups for the other
signs just to make sure. They all made reference to qualities that ran from intelligence to compassion to imagination, as if the Earth were populated by nothing but Einsteins, Mother Teresas, and Michelangelos. That’s not quite an accurate description of this planet, if the people who Jerry Springer has paraded across the screen these past 25 years are any indication. Perhaps the paper received the column over cosmic rays from an alien talking to his own world? If so, according to my horoscope, I’d done visited there and sent you all a postcard. Mike McHugh’s column has appeared in “The Jambalaya News” since 2009. You can read more from the Dang Yankee on his website, thedangyankee.com.
Meet Jimmy J, a handsome one-year-old boy! He weighs about 50 pounds and will be a great dog for a family with an active lifestyle. He would also be a good jogging buddy. He is great with other dogs and children and pays no mind to cats. Jimmy J is loving and affectionate and loves to be close to his humans. He is neutered, has all shots, and is heartworm negative. For more information, call or email: (337) 478-7294; lapaw@bellsouth. net. Home visit and vet check required prior to all adoptions. Hurry, Jimmy J is waiting! 8 October 15, 2015
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Or are we looking at pie in the sky, just whistling past the graveyard? Development that comes quickly can fade away just as quickly, leaving a mess behind.
Waste Some Time
Geaux Vote! Election season is upon us. Part of the responsibility of being a good citizen is to participate in the functions of government. That does not mean that everyone should run for office or seek employment in the public sector, but it means taking a more than casual interest in the happenings of our country, state and municipal bodies. The very minimum participation is being an informed voter and familiarizing yourself with the candidates and proposals on the ballot. I care not if you vote one way or the other, but you owe it to yourself and your neighbors to elect the most qualified people to govern us; those reflective of views close to your own. Remembering that government should be of laws and not of men is the framework in which our society best functions. Because modern life is so complex and so very perilous, we need the best leadership available. You owe it to yourself and future generations to do your part. Take some time and learn about the issues and those running for office. There are some ConVol. 7 • No. 13
stitutional Amendments on the ballot; the first two regard transportation. Check it out. Geaux vote!
Questionable Expansions I must mention the questionable expansions that are altering the composition of some of our neighborhoods in the quest for new housing developments. The opposition to the man camps has been fairly effective but it seems as if the rights of the current residents matter not in the sanctioning of large apartment complexes. A most glaring example is the Elliot Road property that was recently annexed into the city in order to rezone the area into a huge apartment development that will hamper traffic and impose inconveniences (St. John Elementary is just down the road from the location). Interesting that there is so much proposed apartment building going on so rapidly, yet this question begs to be answered: All of this proposed economically driven expansion was put forth when oil was over $100 a barrel. Now that it is $40 a barrel, how will it happen?
Take time to stop and smell the roses. The pace of the modern world has changed us in so many ways. We don’t spend the time with family and friends as we did in the past. A value judgment on my part, showing my age, but the young people of today just won’t experience the lazy time together that we older folks were so very fond of spending with our extended group for no reason at all. Heck, celebrating the only Tuesday we were having this week was impetus enough back in the day to gather and chew a little fat. Everything seems to be for the here and now. Nothing like “…sitting on the dock of the bay, wastin’ time,” as the old song goes. You might just want to think about that and go sit on the back porch and watch the clouds do their awesome thing.
Supermarket Roundup So, if we want to have some lazy time, quietly sitting and watching the world pass by us, we can snack on some fa-
vorite munchies. We obtained these prices on Friday, October 9, and they’re reflective of the posted price on the shelf where the product was placed for sale. The stores we checked were: AlbertsonsCountry Club Road, Market Basket-Nelson Road, KrogerMcNeese Street and Walmart-Nelson Road. Lays Classic Potato Chips, 10 ½ ounce bag: Albertsons $2.49, Market Basket $3.39, Kroger $2.99, Walmart $2.50 (2/$5). Cheetos Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks, 9 or 17 ½-ounce bag: Albertsons $3 (2/$6), Market Basket (17 ½-ounce bag $3.99) Kroger $2.49 (17 ½ ounce bag $3.50 2/$7), Walmart $2.50 (17 ½-ounce $3.98). Ritz Crackers, Original, 13.7-ounce box: Albertsons $2.99, Market Basket $2.79, Kroger $2.50 (2/$5), Walmart $2.50. Snickers Candy Bar, 1.86 ounce size: Albertsons $1, Market Basket (3.29-ounce size $1.99-could not find 1.86 ounce size), Kroger $.67 (3/$2), Walmart $.74. Country Time Lemonade, 12-pack, 12-ounce cans: Albertsons $4.99, Market Basket $4.39, (Kroger-could not find), Walmart $3.33.
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This tale begins months ago at Cooler’s Ice House in Lake Charles. Greg Blanchard, his podna Dwayne Barrilleaux and the band were playing a marvelous foot stompin’ gig. During the break, Greg ambled over and we began to plan this dove hunt. So my dances with Rue were Snoopy happy dances--one for her,
‘Tourte’ Music the other for the hunt. For the last few years, Greg has planted millet in several fields to assure a veritable plethora of migrating doves that make for fantastic hunts. I learned that he had even tried Rue’s favorite sunflowers to attract them. He has a truly glorious field that attracted gawkers and tourists, but no doves. Undaunted, he
BS Session on the porch 10 October 15, 2015
planted his millet fields in August. During a drought. Oops. So he planted again two weeks later. The drought lasted but the early September rains saved his crop. Barely. Bush hogged up, it was ready. All we needed were the ever elusive migrating doves. Things have changed from back in the day when
rice fields pulled and held birds. Southwest Louisiana mostly grows sugar cane now and that just attracts rats. I searched my ole hunting grounds down Helms Road after Gaspard’s Corner, to Sweet Lake, to the Lorraine Bridge, to south of Lacassine and Ardoin cove. I spotted three, count ‘em, three doves. Yet, my usual luck held as I was off to Greg’s Twenty Four Oaks Lodge the next day. Greg’s camp is south of Sulphur, north of Hackberry and on Choupique Bayou. It’s located on the old Brannon family homestead, in the still-standing original farm house built in 1876. Pulling in the place reminded me of an old song I paraphrase, “Oaks to the left of me, oaks to the right, stuck in the middle with oaks.” Oaks with honest-to-God abundant Spanish moss. The 24 oaks around the house Greg renovated with the help of his wife Arlene and Burl’s wife Janice Baty are just a copse compared to the surrounding area. To the east et al, oaks are damn near every where. Dove roost heaven. My buddy Frank Conrad, of fly fisherman fame in one Vol. 7 • No. 13
of my Tales, and I pulled in to Greg’s Acadian homestead version of a petite Tara. Soon our fellow hunters arrived; Brent Peveto, Ken Rue, Kevin Johnson, and most importantly the youthful Ben Baty, son of Greg’s in-law Burl Baty. An expansive and humorous BS session among porchrocking chair cohorts ensued as we awaited our other hunters and the hunt. Then the time to go afield. Riding in Greg’s four wheeler cart we were driven to our posts; Kevin and Frank along a massive oak festooned ridge, Ken and Brent along the Choupique Bayou millet field and Greg, young Ben with his single shot 4-10 shotgun and myself on the fence line south of Twenty Four Oaks. Slowly the fun began with muffled shots from the oak tree line and back to the Choupique Bayou millet field hunters. Our turn came and Greg dropped one. It was one of those fields where if you drop the dove, you best head right to it as the doves blend right in. Then two doves sped by me and with adroit speed I expertly swung on them, fired twice and only encouraged their exit from the field. Greg and young Ben got two more. Meanwhile a pair passed over the oak I was under but I miraculously
took down one of those. Greg and Ben managed to fold two more, I yet another. Meanwhile the guys in the Choupique millet field and the oak tree line were blasting away to our chagrin. By 5:30, the birds had quit and it was time to gather. Greg took off in his six wheeler to gather the hunters and after we picked up the Mojo-doves and decoys and the gang, it was over. Then the camaraderie started anew as we re-gathered, swapped tales of our expertise, near misses and of course, the horrendous miscues. Yet all promised to return to Greg’s Twenty Four Oaks haven from the 21st century world for a dove hunt in the realm of old. I, ever considerate soul that I am, took 15 doves home. Not that I had shot a limit; I hadn’t. I was, though, going to prepare a culinary delight of crockpot doves simmered in a Cajun blend of bell peppers, onions, and celery and a dark gravy with saffron rice, zesty black bean and corn mix, garlic bread and ending with a Key Lime Pie dessert. The best part is I’ve been invited back to Greg Blanchard’s Twenty Four Oaks for yet another day afield. It’s the price I pay for writing hunting and fishing tales.
Shane, Roger, Jeanette & Glenn
Greg’s camp, the Twenty Four Oaks Lodge Vol. 7 • No. 13
October 15, 2015 11
SWLA locals turned out to show their support.
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A while back, I received a phone call about working an estate sale to be held at Keith’s Pawn Shop located in downtown Lake Charles on the corner of Ryan and Broad St. I rushed over to see what great items were there. Of course, I always knew about the clock that hung on the corner; I have seen and admired it for years. I was told that it was going to be offered under sealed bidding terms. I just could not believe that something of this historical significance was actually up for sale. Because of my line of work, I knew the value of this clock: monetary as well as historical. This weighed heavily on me. It had originally hung on the Gulf Bank Building in downtown Lake Charles from the late 1920s to the 1950s. When it was taken down, it ended up with the Waldmeier family and that is where it stayed. The family put it on their original pawn shop in the 1960s where Stellar Beans is located today. Shortly after, it was moved to its present location. For over 41 years, the clock has been a historic focal point of the downtown area. Four years ago, Keith Waldmeier passed away and his wife Laura took posses-
sion of the pawn shop. Her decision to liquidate and close down permanently has been a long and emotional process. The clock not only has been the centerpiece of Keith’s Pawn Shop but also a centerpiece of downtown Lake Charles. I continued to look around, but I could not get over the fact that there was a chance that SWLA might lose another historical icon. I sat at my computer that night looking up ways to preserve something like this and save it from being lost forever. Out of the blue I decided to open a GoFundMe account to gather money to buy the clock and donate it to the city or whoever could
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protect it. I also created a Facebook page called Save the Clock Lake Charles. The next day, I woke up with over 900 notifications on my phone. To my surprise, it wasn’t a mistake. Messages, likes and shares had flooded in. I felt then that the community would back this cause. After I saw the community support, I quickly hit the city in search of funding, going door to door and making phone call after phone call. It wasn’t easy. I went home and came up with a strategy. I sat at my computer reaching out to all that would help fund the clock: KPLC TV, Gator 99.5, John Bridges, all the news companies and radio stations around. Not only here but nationally. There were emails and texts flying all over that night into the early morning hours. John Bridges from KPLC TV contacted me, along with Erin from Gator 99.5 Long story short, it went on the air and radio waves all over Louisiana. My hopes were looking up as funds started to trickle in one by one. Eric Manuel of the Brimstone Historical Society in Sulphur ended up making flyers and lithographs along with some promotional graphics. I now had all I needed to hit the streets again. I pushed and pushed and little by little the money came in. I sought guidance from Adley Cormier from the Calcasieu Preservation Society and everyone from the Arts & Humanities Council. Along with marketing and collecting funds, I was also paired up with SWLArt in Lake Charles. They are an amazingly talented group of local artists whose love and passion for the arts, culture and history Vol. 7 • No. 13
of the Downtown area is a top priority. So together we hosted an event called Art Around the Clock where we gathered to raise funds. Local artist Danny Allain drew an amazing sketch of the building and clock that is up for auction. The traffic was good and the stories poured in along with funds. The event was amazing, but was hard to do with only a two-day notice. I reached out to famed local artist Eddie Mormon and
commissioned him to do a painting of the clock for me. He came bright and early and sketched, then called me the next morning to tell me that the painting was done. When I walked through the door, what I saw was so inspiring that it almost brought me to tears. Eddie and I had an amazing talk about his life and his beliefs as the day went on. He’s a truly wonderful artist and an inspiration to all. Local potter Rex Alexander also contributed by making some jars shaped in the image of the clock to help fund the cause. The last day of the estate sale, I handed them a sealed envelope that had my bid in it. I’m going to call it the “My Leap of Faith” offer. It was nerve-racking counting down the minutes until the deadline at 4 p.m. on October 10.
The day ended and later that night I received a phone call from Laura to personally let me know that I was the winning bidder. I was so happy on one hand, but I knew my job was not done. I was hoping to end this story on a great note, but I am in still in need of funding as I hit the roads again and burn the midnight oil collecting and spreading the word throughout Southwest Louisiana as my time ticks again to the date of the fund transfer on October 19. I’m now hoping that the Lake Charles and surrounding communities come together in their own Leap of Faith, so that this historical landmark can stay where it is so that the future generations can enjoy it. I will have my fingers crossed and I pray that the community bands together to support this local landmark. Together we can conquer all. History is worth preserving. Go to Jason’s FB page “Save the Clock Lake Charles” for more information.
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Recall
Every dog needs training, whether she is an “inside” or an “outside” dog. Cues (formally known as “commands”) such as “leave it,” “sit,” “down,” “on your bed,” etc. can work brilliantly to prevent unwanted behaviors such as eating medication or dangerous food that you accidentally drop, learning self-control, and impolitely asking for attention. Having a basic repertoire of cues is something that highly benefits both dogs and pet parents. The three MOST important cues that every dog should know are “come when called/ recall,” “leave it,” and “stay,” for these cues could actually save your dogs’ lives. “Come when called/recall” is, by far, the most important. The first thing to realize is that she is NOT here to please you. Dogs do what works for them, bottom line. They are not robots that are here for humans to program to obey our every wish and command. Dogs simply have two goals in life: to avoid pain and to seek pleasure. The sooner you have a good grasp on that factual concept, the easier it will be for you to work and communicate with your canine companion. Just like us humans, every dog is different. Even three dogs of the same breed and litter will have different likes and dislikes. For example, not ALL dogs like to play fetch, be hugged, be petted, etc. It is up to you to find out what your dog truly enjoys, and what she detests. All dogs detest pain, so never use fear or pain when teaching your dog any cue, trick, behavior, etc. So, on to teaching your dog a reliable come when called cue! First, start in a familiar and controlled environment, with little to no distractions, as it is far easier for an animal to learn a new behavior when there is no outside interference. We usually begin in the client’s home—usually a living room or den area. Do not start teaching when there is a lot of activity going on outside as well, for dogs’ ears are much more sensitive than ours, and they can easily get distracted by outside sounds. Next, choose a word to use for recall that you do not use very often. I prefer to use “here,” rather than “come” because we use 14 October 15, 2015
“come” entirely too often to use it as an important cue like recall. Many clients like to use a word in another language, or maybe just an unexpected word like, “Muskrat!” Yes, I have actually had a client use the cue “muskrat” for recall…and it worked brilliantly! The next step is pairing this cue with positive/good things. For instance, do NOT call your dog when it is time for a bath, to trim her nails, etc. This will only lead to avoidance behaviors due to you pairing the cue with negative experiences. The avoidance behaviors will likely lead to you becoming increasingly frustrated, thus creating fear within your dog, which would likely lead to anxiety and/or aggression. The NUMBER ONE RULE in teaching recall is as follows: Always reward your dog every time she comes to you when you call her. Remember, what you think is rewarding to your dog may not be. If she is across your yard consuming feces, you may think that this behavior is gross. However, Fido thinks she hit the jackpot and found the best treat ever! So, if you call her away from the feces and just give her a pat on the head (which most dogs do not enjoy) and tell her “good job,” she will likely be more hesitant to leave the feces alone and come to you the next time this occurs. So, be sure that your rewards are actually rewarding! Do not be afraid to use food! Remember that dogs do what works for them. If your boss stopped paying you, and only told you how good you were doing, how long would you stay at your job? It is no different for a dog. Most dogs are highly food-motivated. Many are toymotivated, too. One of my dogs loves car rides. Another loves having his back scratched. Both are highly food-driven. So, 70 percent of the time when I call them to me, they get a treat. Every now and then (about 5-15 percent of the time) they get a “jackpot”—hot dog wienies, string cheese, Easy Cheese, boiled chicken, seared liver, etc. Sometimes, I allow them to lick the residue off a plate when I am done eating. I always wait about 30 minutes or so after I’m finished eating when I do this (quick fact—your dog will not learn to beg if you are only administering human food at such a low rate, and if you are only giving it to them when you call them to you. Do not give
dogs human food WHILE you are eating). The remaining percentage of times when I call my dogs to me, they get a long back scratch, car ride, game of tug, belly rub, etc. Just make sure that your dog truly enjoys the reward! When you administer “jackpots” randomly and at a low rate, you are actually increasing the anticipation of the jackpot. You teach your dog that every time she comes to you she receives something good, but every now and then it is AMAZING! That anticipation creates a very reliable recall. Think of someone playing a slot machine. If every time he pressed the button, he won $1, he would not keep playing, for that would be far too monotonous. The reason people keep playing, and even get addicted, is because of the anticipation of the jackpot. So, start simple, in a familiar location, with no distractions. Practice randomly calling your dog to you, using your chosen cue. Be sure to be MOTIVATING, and not demanding. You wouldn’t want to go to someone yelling at you, would you? Reward every time. Then, gradually begin adding in small distractions. Before you know it, your dog will LOVE coming to you when called!
Troubleshooting • If your dog is messing up, this means you are moving too fast, and you’re not being consistent. Be sure to move at his pace. • The higher the distraction level (feces, other dogs, bikes, etc.) the better the payout. Using regular dog treats in a public park usually doesn’t work. When you work harder at your job, you expect compensation. It’s no different with your dog. • Do not chase your dog. The average dog runs 22 mph. You will just create a game of chase. • Manage your dog. Until your dog has a 100 percent reliable recall, do not allow him the opportunity to fail. • Remember that there is a leash law in ALL of Calcasieu Parish. Until next time, Happy Training! Britney Blanchette Pitre, CPDT-KA BONS CHIENS Dog Training, LLC. Facebook.com/BonsChiensDogTraining
(337) 422-4703 Vol. 7 • No. 13
Cajun Red Head Wild Game Oven Roasted Teal
Teal season is here and it’s time to enjoy the bounty of the hunt! The Pirate remains in his own backyard and brings you a delicious fall dish.
Ingredients 6 teal duck breasts, deboned/halved 6 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons flour 2 cups chicken broth 1⁄2 cup wine, sherry 2 cans button mushrooms 1⁄4 cup parsley, minced 4 tablespoons Cajun Red Head Wild Game or similar seasoning
Directions
Season teal breast halves with Cajun Red Head Wild Game Seasoning. Melt butter in a black iron pot and brown breast halves. Remove to baking dish. Add flour to butter in pot, stirring well. Brown a little or not, your taste. Slowly add chicken broth and sherry. Season to taste. Blend well and pour over teal. Add mushrooms and parsley. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour in a covered baking dish. Serve with wild rice. Enjoy!
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Questions & Answers What do you find when you seek answers to your questions? Are you truly finding the truth? Whose truth is it? Do you allow the light to shine in those dark places within your heart? When you allow the light to shine inside, the answers will sparkle and shine.
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You have to lift your head to see them once you allow the questions to rise up. I will admit that not all questions are easy. Many of us give up before we ever find the answers that we seek. Using our minds to search for the truth can be an exhausting
endeavor. If you truly are open to receive the answers which you seek, you will almost always benefit from the results. The wisdom from this search will almost always reach your heart. That is when some type of transformation happens. Think about an unexpected encounter you have with someone you just met. You find that you have something in common. Then, you might feel a connection that you just can’t really explain. You want to chat a bit more with this stranger that makes your curiosity stir around within you. The conversation begins to get deeper and that is when the questions and answers become a new language between each other. All of a sudden, you begin to understand each other through connection, patterns, variations, and choices. These certain people we meet seem to become like a mirror and reflect what is hidden inside of us. A language from the heart begins to reach the surface and shine deeply within one another. This person is almost like a key that opens that locked-up area within. Unanswered questions can leave us somewhere between doubt and faith. This stranger that must have been sent from God is standing in front of you revealing answers that eluded you for quite some time. Questions like “Why me?” “Why now?” Why am I still not happy?” and a dozen other “Whys” whose answers were not forthcoming. We pray and ask and even beg God for the answers, and I believe that God places these people in our lives to reach us where we are. He uses them as messengers. We are all so busy with life that most of us don’t make time each day to sit still and have a conversation with God. All we do is ask and want from Him, when all He wants is for us to sit down with Him so He can give us the answers that we seek.
People who are mirrors have an expanded view into the windows of our hearts. When we are lost He will pursue us by l using others that are aware of our needs and the emptiness within. They are participants to answered prayer, which in turn helps build a sense of the reality of God and restores our sense of faith. We have forgotten the value of God’s wisdom. We’ve forgotten that God has given people special gifts of perception and insight for helping those of us with deep hurt that has hardened our hearts. We must not ignore the people he puts in our path and the places He reaches us. The word of God heals and guides us toward a better relationship with Him. He calls us to go beyond the normal, beyond even good. We are to choose the greatness in our life that brings purity. Wouldn’t words marked by grace, wisdom, and courage sound good inside of your heart? We must always choose to grow in our lives and commit to excellent choices. Why would we settle for anything less than that? Life of purpose brings Glory to God, the reason for our redemption. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) His love will lift you above all that is not His truth and love and make what is wrong right. I am dedicating this article to all of those messengers that God has placed along my path that have become part of my journey through this beautiful gift of life that He has given to me. My prayer for all of you is that when you encounter one of these God-sent messengers along your path, that you will stop long enough to listen to them and receive the message. To book a Soul Matters Session with Nicole Shuff Arabie, call (337) 540-6573. You can also go to her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DeclutteringYourSoul Vol. 7 • No. 13
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Cataracts. Just reading that word probably invokes the common misconception that cataracts are only suffered by those in their 70s or 80s. You’re probably also thinking that you have plenty of time before you need to worry about cataracts, but it may surprise you that local ophthalmologist Dr. William B. Hart of Hart Eye Center has performed cataract surgery on much younger patients. Cataracts can also be caused by excessive exposure to sun,
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eye injuries, glaucoma, and other reasons. Many of us will develop cataracts, which occur when your eyes’ lenses become cloudy. Normally, the lens is transparent and allows light to pass unhindered to the retina, but if the lens becomes clouded, your vision may appear dim or blurred. “Simply put, cataracts can form at any age,” said Dr. Hart. “Eyeglasses or contacts won’t slow the progression of cataracts, so there’s no reason
to put off seeing your eye doctor about changes in your vision.” According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 20.5 million Americans aged 40 years and older have the condition. Cataracts are also the leading cause of blindness worldwide, but the condition is also one of the easiest to fix if caught early enough. It may be time to see your ophthalmologist if you notice the following:
• Blurred, cloudy or even double vision. You may also notice “ghost images” or the sensation of a film covering your eye. • Dim vision. Even when you’re reading or working close-up, it may seem like any light level is too dim. Strong light may also appear overpowering. • After changing your eye prescription, your vision doesn’t appear to improve. • Colors seem more and more faded as time goes on. Corrective surgery can be a safe, efficient and easy way to improve your sight, and it’s one of the most common procedures in the nation. “The procedure replaces the affected lens with a clear plastic intraocular lens and can restore your eyesight in days,” Dr. Hart said. Cataract removal is an outpatient procedure, usually with little or no discomfort to the patient. If you think you may be developing cataracts or if you’d like to find out more about the condition, Hart Eye Center hosts free cataract screenings twice a month. Housed inside Hart Eye Center is Lakeside Optical, which offers personalized service and a wide selection of glasses, sunglasses and accessories to help make your vision the best it can be. To find out more, contact Hart Eye Center at (337) 439-4014 or visit www.HartEyeCenter.com. Vol. 7 • No. 13
Byron Graham lived a life of joy, faith, fun, laughter, hard work, as well as a great love for family and friends. He has managed to impact the lives of hundreds in the Lake Charles community and since 2007 he has raised $32,867. On June 7, 2015, my dad, Byron Graham lost his battle against cardiovascular disease. At the age of 45, he had triple bypass surgery; later came five stents and then in 2012 came his second open-heart procedure for replacement of an aortic valve. In 2014 he had lung surgery, and 2015 was open heart surgery number three for replacement of the bicuspid valve. Regretfully, Byron never woke from this last procedure. When Byron’s sister died in 2007, Byron made a decision that awareness and his own personal experiences were things he could actively communicate with passion, and that reaching out to those he knew was a great place to start. So, for Byron, his “Survivor Red Hat Walk” began with the American Heart Walk as he brought his family and friends along to support awareness, to emphasize exercise, promote the need for monies in research, and to triumphantly cheer
for all who were there as donors, participants, organizers and contributors. He organized work teams, family teams, and local businesses and from the time he began his first walk in 2007, he was either the “Top Fundraiser” or one of the top. Byron was so proud each year to get his Red Hat in that early November weekend of the SWLA Heart Walk, because for him, it signified that “once again, I have made it one more year.” Annually, he gratefully celebrated the personal victories of one more year with family, another wedding attended, another grandchild born, more weekends spent on the river, and another year with his work friends doing what he loved to do. Byron knew that with each year of fundraising, the American Heart Association was able to provide heart-healthy awareness for more people and needed research opportunities for a chance at a longer life for all with cardiac disease. So let us continue to follow in Byron’s footsteps and commemorate his legacy while celebrating all the accomplishments we have made by walking on November 7 and helping fundraise for the SWLA community. Let us walk with “a pep to our step” and with our hope and our optimism that WE can make a difference in the decrease of numbers of those affected by cardiac disease and death. Everyone has a reason to live a healthier, longer life. The SWLA Heart Walk will be held Nov. 7 at Prien Lake Park. For more info, contact Tee Negatu swlaheartwalk@heart.org ~ (337) 612-6180.
The Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s premiere event that brings communities together to raise funds and celebrate progress in the fight against this country’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers, heart diseases and stroke. This inspirational day is filled with energy, excitement and hope! Designed to promote physical activity and heart-healthy living, the Heart Walk creates an environment that’s fun and rewarding for the entire family. This year, more than one million walkers will participate in nearly 350 events. Your participation will help us raise even more in our fight to save lives. Walk with friends, family, co-workers and other members of the community you meet along the way. Vol. 7 • No. 13
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One article says this and new research says that. Your totally bulked-up neighbor recommends doing one thing, but you overheard your co-worker bragging about his success with just the opposite approach. How’s a guy supposed to sort through all the information to find a fitness plan that works for him? “It can be overwhelming, even for those of us in the industry,” says Coby Miller, exercise specialist with Dynamic Dimensions of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. “Knowing which pieces of information are accurate becomes quite a challenge. This is why there are countless fitness myths that are widely accepted as fact. And let’s face it, it’s tough enough to remember all the valid health advice we’re bombarded with on a daily basis without wasting any brainpower on misinformation.” Miller addresses some of the most commonly held male fitness myths and provides the facts you need to achieve your goals in these areas.
Size equals strength. Strength and size do not have a direct correlation. Power training (one measurement of strength) encompasses training that may not add any size, yet you can still see a great deal of strength improvements. Many well-recognized martial arts
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experts, including Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, are very small, but incredibly strong. Some people desire to bulk up as much as possible. These two training methods have distinct principles that can differ significantly, but they will both result in increased strength.
Muscle turns into fat. Muscle and fat are two different types of body tissue. Just as fat can’t transform into muscle, muscle won’t transform into fat. Building muscle and losing body fat are two completely different processes. An increase in muscle due to training will increase metabolism, which will in turn reduce body fat. A reduction in muscle due to inactivity will result in a reduced metabolism increasing body fat.
Morning workouts are most effective. The American Council on Exercise actually recommends working out between 4-6 p.m. when your body temperature is highest, making your workouts more productive. But, keep in mind, this is far from an ironclad rule. Fitness goals are achieved with consistency and intensity. Many people find that working out before work doesn’t allow for one’s busy day to get in the way of their workout. Others find working out after work to be a great stress reliever. The best time for you
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to work out is the time that helps you be the most consistent.
More hours in the gym leads to better results. Overtraining can actually halt muscle growth. Instead of your body rebuilding its muscle tissues, it will continue to break it down, meaning you’ll start to lose muscle. The goal is to train smarter, not harder or longer. Give your best effort during your workout and push your muscles. Then give them the rest they need to grow bigger and stronger. Make sure to do cardio training. If your workouts are taking a lot longer than an hour, you are not training effectively. Remember you’re not paid by the hour in the gym. Your payment comes in the form of results.
Avoid all carbohydrates. Not all carbs are bad carbs. Carbohydrates are the body’s first source of energy, especially for an active individual. Completely neglecting carbs will leave you tired, sluggish and hinder your performance. It’s important to be conscious of both the types of carbohydrates you consume and when you eat them, rather than ignoring them altogether. Complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, vegetables, legumes and certain fruits are the best choices, with breakfast and after a work-out being the best time to consume them. Also, focus on limiting simple carbohydrates whether they be cane sugar, high fructose corn syrup, honey, beet sugar, etc.
Extra protein builds more muscle. Protein does have important roles in bodybuilding and maintaining muscles, but if you consume more than your body needs, excess amounts can be stored as fat. To determine how much protein you need for your specific weight, just multiply your weight in pounds by 0.36. If you choose to supplement your diet with protein drinks, it is usually more important to consider the timing rather than the amount. A post workout supplement can help start the recovery/rebuilding process sooner.
You can crunch your way to six-packs. You may develop unbelievably strong abs, but you won’t be doing anything to reduce the layer that is covering those muscles. Having a visible six-pack is almost entirely a function of body reduction. In order to see the specific group of abdominal muscles often referred to as the “six pack,” you have to first lower your overall body fat percentage. A better way to do this is by making better dietary choices and doing high-intensity interval training. These are only a few of the common myths about male fitness. “Unfortunately, far too many people believe them and do more harm than good when it comes to their fitness level,” says Miller. “This is not to say that what you see in the media or the advice you get from others can’t ever be trusted. We’re just saying to check out the credibility of the source, do your own research and get the advice of a qualified fitness professional before putting it into practice. Always put your own health and safety first.” For more information about men’s fitness or developing a personal training plan designed specifically for you, call Dynamic Dimensions in Sulphur at (337) 527-5459, or in Moss Bluff at (337) 855-7708. Vol. 7 • No. 13
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By Lauren Nunez Davis Most of us have probably seen those hilarious memes on the Internet – the ones that depict photos of men performing incredibly dangerous, death-defying feats and are often accompanied by the caption, “This is why women live longer than men.” Moving a couch from a third story window to the ground below with nothing but a ladder and some good old-fashioned elbow grease, using a pair of flip flops to float a power strip in a swimming pool, and diving off of a balcony onto an air mattress are just some of the many stunts performed by the gentlemen in those photos. Those are extreme, and yes, maybe even staged or photoshopped, but men really do tend to do more hazardous things according to research. As it happens, men actually are much more likely than women to be involved in accidents that require medical intervention, and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), accidents and unintentional injuries were among the top three leading causes of death for men in 2013, coming in just behind heart disease and cancer. (Women’s top three causes of death were heart disease, cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease). Perhaps no one understands sudden injuries quite as well as an emergency room
Image courtesy of reddit.com
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physician, and Dr. Jon Gray, Director of Emergency Medicine at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, has certainly seen his fair share. “We do tend to treat a lot more men than women for accidental injuries,” Dr. Gray said. “I would say that’s because most injuries happen while doing activities that men typically do more than women. For example, we see a lot of injuries that result from construction work, offshore work, farming and hunting. We’ve seen some very bad near-amputations of arms and legs from people using auger machines, and we’ve seen some accidental gun shot wounds from people cleaning hunting guns.” There have been some improvements recently, however. “Fortunately, with better safety initiatives, we don’t see near the construction and off-shore injuries that we used to see,” he added. If you are of the male species and are reading this article, you may be thinking, “Okay, we get it. If we stop doing reckless things, we’re less likely to end up injured or worse. Thank you, Captain Obvious.” But there is another problem that exists when it comes to men’s health, and that is one of avoidance. We’re not talking about text message aversion or not making eye contact with tenacious sales people. Nuisances though they may be, those aren’t likely to have too much of an effect on your long-term health, unlike what can happen if you avoid doctor visits and checkups. “Nearly every medical condition – particularly things like high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, diabetes and cancer – is much
more likely to be treatable, even preventable or curable, if detected early,” said Dr. Jason Langhofer, an internal medicine physician with Memorial Medical Group. “Sometimes these conditions go undetected or untreated until the symptoms become too severe to ignore, which can often lead to a trip to the ER. Regular visits with a primary care physician make the likelihood of catching these issues before they become life-threatening much, much greater. This can improve not only quantity, but also quality of life for the patient.” Many factors play a role in the development of the other top two killers – cancer and heart disease- as well as most other chronic conditions. These diseases can be hereditary, but Southwest Louisiana is an area where they abound. The reasons for that often come down to lifestyle. “Most of the time, lifestyle choices can really make a huge difference,” Dr. Langhofer said. “We are all dealt a different hand when it comes to our genetic makeup. The best way to combat a family or personal history of cancer or heart disease is through the choices we make on a daily basis. Getting plenty of exercise, eating a healthy diet, not drinking excessively and not smoking or being exposed to smoke can drastically improve anyone’s health and decrease the likelihood of developing a chronic medical condition. Sometimes making those types of healthy lifestyle changes alone is enough to get a person off of blood pressure medication, or even cure type two diabetes.”
Health Screenings The types of health screenings men should have (and when and how often those screenings should take place) depend on a number of factors such as age, family history, and any other risk factors. You should talk to your doctor to develop a health-screening schedule that is best for you. The general recommendations from the American Cancer Society, American Vol. 7 • No. 13
Diabetes Association, American Heart Association and American Stroke Association are as follows:
Men Age 20 – 44
Men Age 45 - 49 Body Mass Index (BMI): Should be calculated at each routine healthcare visit. Blood Pressure: Should be checked at each routine healthcare visit (minimum every two years for patients with BP less than 120/80). Cholesterol (Blood Lipid Profile) – Every five years (or as directed by your physician) Diabetes: Beginning at age 45, have a blood test for diabetes every three years Prostate Cancer Screening: AfricanAmerican men and all men with family history should talk to their doctors about the benefits of prostate cancer screenings beginning at age 45.
Men Age 50+ Body Mass Index (BMI): Should be calculated at each routine healthcare visit. Blood Pressure: Should be checked at each routine healthcare visit (minimum every two years for patients with BP Less than 120/80). Cholesterol (Blood Lipid Profile): Every five years (or as directed by your physician) Diabetes: Have a blood test for diabetes every three years Colorectal Cancer Screening: Beginning screenings at age 50 if there are no risk factors. Talk to your doctor about which tests are best for you and how frequently they should be done. Prostate Cancer Screening: Talk with your doctor about whether or not prostate cancer screening is right for you.
Common Cancers in Men Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers that occur in men. According to the American Cancer Society, approxiVol. 7 • No. 13
Take Care of Yourselves, Guys! And just a head’s up for men who may be on the fence about popping the question to that special someone: being married may actually improve your health. According to the CDC, “Among men aged 18–64, those who were married were more likely than cohabiting and unmarried men to have had a health care visit in the past 12 months.” Some call it “nagging,” but that “encouragement” from their spouses to have doctor visits and screenings is what keeps many men from
Image courtesy of collegehumor.com
Body Mass Index (BMI): Should be calculated at each routine healthcare visit. Blood Pressure: Should be checked at each routine healthcare visit (minimum every two years for patients with BP less than 120/80). Cholesterol (Blood Lipid Profile): Every five years (or as directed by your physician)
mately one out of every seven men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. African-American men are at higher risk, as are men over the age of 65 and those with one or more close relatives who have had prostate cancer, so those men especially should talk to their doctors about whether or not prostate cancer screenings are right for them. Colorectal cancer is another that many men are diagnosed with. Things like smoking, excessive drinking and a diet with lots of fatty foods over a long period of time can contribute to this problem. “Most colorectal cancers don’t occur until age 50 and older,” said Dr. Sarpreet Basra, a gastroenterologist with Memorial Medical Group. “It’s a very dangerous type of cancer because there can often be no symptoms until it becomes a very advanced stage. That’s why it’s important for men age 50 and older to have colorectal cancer screenings such as colonoscopies done regularly. Depending on the patient’s family history and other risk factors, a colonoscopy should be done at least every 10 years, and more often for those with any personal or family history.” Family history is significant. “If there is a family history of colorectal cancer, we take the age that the relative was at the time of diagnosis, and we like to start doing regular colonoscopies 10 years before that age,” Dr. Basra explained. “So, if a relative of yours was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 50, then we would like for you to have your first colonoscopy at age 40. This makes us much more likely to find any problems very early, when they’re easily treatable.”
succumbing to chronic diseases. Lake Charles Memorial Health System understands that the health care world can be confusing, even intimidating. Questions of insurance and referrals may dance around in your head before you decide to just give up on going to the doctor, such as “I’ll go another time.” “I feel fine right now.” “I don’t want to hear any more bad news.” “I don’t want to have to choose a doctor.” That rationale is understandable, but it really doesn’t have to be so difficult. Most insurance plans cover annual wellness visits with primary care physicians, and if you choose a Memorial physician, you’ll find all the major medical services you need in one, convenient health organization. So “keep calm” and call (800) 494-LCMH to find a Memorial physician who’s right for you and make an appointment. You can also check out our doctors, their specialties and their credentials online by visiting the Memorial Medical Group website at lcmmg. com or Lake Charles Memorial Health System at lcmh.com/physicians. For men, life can be full of hazards--some we could all see coming a mile away like those guys in the Internet memes, and some that may be just as dangerous but far less obvious. So take care of yourselves, fellas. And please, be careful out there. October 15, 2015 23
GOLDEN NUGGET LAKE CHARLES ANNOUNCES
FIRST ANNUAL BEER FEST OCTOBER 23-24 By Lauren Abate de Albuquerque A celebration of American craft beers will be featured at the inaugural Beer Fest to be held at the Golden Nugget Lake Charles on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24. And what a festival it will be! Scott Tarwater is the corporate director of Wine & Special Events for Golden Nugget and was excited to talk about the coming event. When I spoke with him, he was at the Nugget’s sixth annual Beer Fest in Las Vegas. “This is our first Beer Festival at the Lake Charles location and it’s going to be great!” he enthused. He says that the Beer Fests held annually on the various properties are incredibly popular among the Nugget guests. “The Beer Fest at our property in Atlantic City hit an
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all-time attendance record this year,” Tarwater said. “Kemah broke attendance records as well.” What does he attribute to the events’ success? “We overdeliver,” he replied quickly. “Our events are a lot different than your typical beer fest. We have actual reps from the breweries doing the pouring, who can talk about the various beers. They aren’t just smiling faces. They’re educated and passionate about what they do.” Tarwater secures the beer far in advance and goes straight to the breweries, NOT the distrib-
utors. “Breweries produce just so many seasonal beers, and if you wait too long, you’re out of luck,” he explained. “That’s why we have such a variety here.” On Friday evening, October 23, the H2O Pool + Bar will be transformed into an authentic Beer Garden from 9-11 p.m. You can mingle with the lovely Beer Maidens while tasting the finest seasonal American craft beers and enjoy traditional Oktoberfest food such as bratwurst with German mustard
and handmade pretzels. Live entertainment will be provided by The Slags Band. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Guests will receive 20 sample tickets which can be exchanged for food and beer samples. Additional sample tickets may be purchased at the event. The Grand Tasting experience will be held on Saturday, October 24 from 7 – 9 p.m. in the Grand Event Center. “At this event, one price covers all,” Tarwater said. “Once you’re in, you can sample all the beers without having to purchase more tickets.” He promises that the food pairings will be memorable. “The chefs are excited to be doing something different,” he said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to really get creative.” You can meet the brew masters to learn more about their ingredients and recipes. Approximately 40 breweries will be represented with over 100 American craft beers available to sample. Ticket price includes beer tasting, seasonal hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment by Rat Ranch Band from Houston. Tickets are $39 in advance and $49 at the door. St. Nicholas Center for Children will be selling raffle tickets for an exciting package featuring “99 Bottles of Beer.” Raffle tickets will available for purchase for $5 each at the Beer Fest events. All proceeds will benefit The St. Nicholas Center for Children. For more information on the raffle, contact The St. Nicholas Center for Children at (337) 491-0800. Beer Fest event tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.com and/or by phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the Golden Nugget Box Office beginning at 2 p.m. both days or at the door. Must be 21 or older to attend. For more information, visit www.goldennuggetlc.com. Vol. 7 • No. 13
LA Choral Foundation’s Masterworks October 16, 18
Ragley Heritage and Timber Festival October 17
Louisiana Choral Foundation’s Masterworks Chorale begins its 39th season, “A Musical Bouquet under the direction of Dr. Darryl Jones. The fall concert, “English Roses and American Beauties” will be performed Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church of Lake Charles and will include selections commemorating the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, as well as, selections celebrating some of the finest examples from “The Great American Songbook.” Tickets are $15. http://lachoral.org.
Don’t miss the 17th annual Ragley Heritage and Timber Festival on Sat., Oct. 17 at the Historical Square Pavilion, 6715 Hwy 12 in Ragley beginning at 10 a.m. There will be live entertainment, quilters, spinners, corn-grinding, woodmaking, antique cars and tractors, and lots of kids activities and good food! The cost is $5 per car. (337) 725-3324.
G2X Energy Fish-O-Rama October 17
Live music returns to ACTS One Reid Street Theatre on Oct. 17 with Guys and Dolls. The musical revolves around the unlikely romance between a pure-at-heart missionary and a slick Broadway gambler. The show runs for three weekends starting on Oct. 17, Oct 23-24 and 30-31 at 7:30 p.m. . There is one Sunday matinee on November 1 at 3 pm. Tickets are available at www.actstheatre.com, by calling 433-ACTS or at the door.
Spool up your lines, dust off that tackle box and register today for the 3rd Annual G2X Energy Fish-O-Rama Family Fishing Tournament on Oct. 17. Proceeds will benefit the many divisions of Family & Youth. For more info and/ or to register, visit www.fyca.org (under the events tab).
ACTS Theatre Presents Guys and Dolls October 17, 23-24, 30-31, & Nov. 1
Golden Nugget Beer Fest October 23-24 On Oct. 23, kick off your weekend as H2O Pool + Bar is converted into an authentic Beer Garden. Sip your way through the finest American craft beers and enjoy live entertainment (9-11 p.m.) Food and beverage sample ticket sales will be available in advance (Ticketmaster) and at the door on event night. On Oct. 24, enjoy an authentic Grand Tasting experience. Meet the brew masters and sample over 100 American craft beers including limitedproduction seasonal beers paired with traditional Oktoberfest fodder. Offer includes beer tastings, seasonal hors d’oeuvres, and live entertainment (7-9 p.m.) . Ticket sales will be available in advance (Ticketmaster) and at the door. 21+. www.goldennugget.com.
ArtsFest October 24 ArtsFest engages area children in a free arts festival hosted annually by the Arts Council of SWLA and the City of Lake Charles. It encourages creative expression through hands-on art projects. Local businesses and civic groups will host booths with art projects at the Lake Charles Civic Center from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Activities will include live music, food, hands-on pottery lessons, educational exhibits, tug of wars, caricature drawings and interactive demonstrations on stage. www.artsandhumanitiesswla.org.
Culture Fest October 24 This international celebration of cultures will showcase the arts, music, dance, fashion, food and storytelling of all of the different countries represent-
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ed in Southwest Louisiana. Held at the Civic Center from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., there will be cultural display booths from around the world and a variety of entertainment. This free family fest will also have several events for children. www.culturefestlousiana.com
Chennault International Airshow October 24, 25 Tickets are now on sale for heart-pounding thrills at the Chennault International Airshow .The Chennault International Airshow will offer countless stomach-dropping air stunts and gravity-defying routines, aircraft exhibits, and family-friendly activities in the Kid Zone. General admission tickets are good for one full day of aviation fun. Presale online tickets are $19 for adults ages 13 and older. Tickets sold at the gate will be $22. Children ages 12 and under can enter free when accompanied by an adult. www.chennaultairshow. com.
On The Town Hotel California October 24 The Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital invites you to the Grand Ballroom at L’Auberge Casino Resort for this year’s “On the Town Hotel California” celebration from 7 p.m. to midnight on Sat., Oct. 24. It will feature open bar, complimentary wine and a sit-down dinner. Wear cocktail attire and put on your dancing shoes for entertainment by Hotel California – a salute to the Eagles--as well as Leif Pedersen’s 1944 Big Band featuring Kathy DeRouen and City Heat. Tickets are $100 per person. All tax-deductible proceeds benefit The Foundation at LCMH. Advanced tickets can be purchased online at www.lcmh.com/on-the-town.
Run with the Nuns October 31 CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation is revving up for the fifth annual Run with the Nuns Charity Ride and Cook-Off on Sat., Oct. 31 at the Lake Charles Civic Center at 9 a.m. The pre-registration deadline is Fri., Oct. 16. Registration is $30 for each driver and $20 for the first passenger and includes an event T-shirt for registration by deadline, lunch, medal and door prize ticket. The ride will depart the Civic Center at 9 a.m. and begin a 96-mile journey through SWLA. There will also be a rice and gravy cook-off during the event. www. stpatrickfoundation.org, (337) 430-5353.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s October 31 Registration for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s begins at 9 a.m. on Sat., Oct. 31. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and the walk starts at 10:30 at the Lake Charles Civic Center Amphitheater. Walk for a great cause! dhayes@alz.org.
SWLA Heart Association Walk November 7 The American Heart Association 2015 SWLA Heart Walk is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Nov. 7 at Prien Lake Park, where more than 3,000 participants are expected to take steps for a healthier heart and a healthier region. The annual event, sponsored by CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital, raises funds
2015 LOUISIANA THEATRE FESTIVAL
The Louisiana Theatre Festival will be held on Sat., Nov. 7, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Central School of the Arts & Humanities Center (809 Kirby Street) in Lake Charles. The LTF is a one-day festival that provides young people with acting and technical theatre training, performance opportunities and college audition skills. LTF is dedicated to lifelong learning in theatre offering challenging, innovative, high-quality classes to students of every cultural heritage, ability and level of interest. Students in grades 6-12 from all over the state are invited to attend. No experience is necessary. Workshop topics include acting, Shakespeare, improvisations, characterizations, character voices, singing, voice dialects, musical theatre, stage combat, playwriting, auditioning, acting for the camera, stage makeup, costuming and lighting. Professional theatre artists, organizations and college professors from around the state will be teaching at the festival. “We are so excited to be able to open the doors of theatre for the tenth time to so many young people,” says LTF Festival Chairperson Kerry A. Onxley. Registration is $30 per student and includes lunch. For registration information, call (337) 3772571 or go to www.LTF.cc. to fight heart disease and stroke. The 2015 SWLA Heart Walk has a special area for children, so bring the entire family. The Kids Zone features tons of fun activities, including a brand new obstacle course component. (337) 3775840) or visit www.swlaheartwalk.org.
Avenue of Flags November 11 See patriotic spirit in all of its glory at the Orange Grove/Graceland Cemetery on Broad St. in Lake Charles. Casket flags line the drive through the cemetery in honor of fallen soldiers, donated just for this day. The flags will be on display from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Veteran’s Day. In addition to the memorial flags, the Avenue of Flags also features a history circle where replicas of eight previous United States flags are flown.
Tasting on the Terrace November 12 Sample more than 50 wines and beers while enjoying delicious food on the terrace from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at L’Auberge Casino Resort! Tickets are $75 for this annual event and are available at the L’Auberge Business Center. Proceeds benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center, a division of Family & Youth. For more information, go to www.fyca.org. Limited hotel rooms are available that night for a discounted rate of $99 by calling (866) 580-7444, discount code SATSR.
Clean Out the Freezer Day! Abraham’s Tent Benefit Oct.18 The Southwest Louisiana Sportsmen for the Hungry organization, in affiliation with Hunters for the Hungry, will host their annual food collection drive on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 1-4 p.m. in the Gordon’s Drug Store parking lot, located at 2716 Lake Street in Lake Charles. Area residents are asked to clean out Vol. 7 • No. 13
their freezers and pantries and donate items to Abraham’s Tent. Needed food items include: wrapped and labeled frozen meat and fish (wild and domestic), canned and boxed foods, rice, cooking oil, seasonings, vegetables and paper goods. A convenient drive-thru drop off service will be offered. Everyone is invited to participate.
All collected food will be directly donated to Abraham’s Tent, a local non-profit organization dedicated to providing food for the poor and hungry in our community every day of the year. For more information, contact event organizers Sally Foret at (337) 433-7090 or George Paret at (337) 477-6773. October 15, 2015 27
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker November 14 Bring the whole family for the sweetest Christmas celebration of the season! Experience the exquisite artistry of world-class Russian dancers, playful puppets and the unmatched splendor of hand crafted sets and costumes. Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker is the holiday tradition that brings the Christmas spirit to life! Will be held Nov. 14 at the Rosa Hart Theatre, LC Civic Center. Get your seats now for Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece at www. nutcracker.com.
Flea Fest November 14-15 This semi-annual bargain and vintage-lovers festival has grown to be one of the largest events in the state! Vendors and shoppers alike have fallen in love with this fun and unique flea market and shopping festival, which takes place over an unprecedented two days--and on four covered acres. Rain or shine, gates are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. and Sun. at the Burton Complex Event Barn, located on the south side of the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles. www.FleaFest.com, (337) 502-8584.
Autism Rocks November 15 Autism Services of SWLA will sponsor “Autism Rocks-Again” at L’Auberge Casino Resort on Sun., Nov. 15. Featured artists will be Bag of Donuts and Willie, Waylon, Elvis and the Boys, featuring local musicians Greg Blanchard of Sulphur and John Ieyoub of Lake Charles, national award-winning Elvis impersonator. Doors open at 6 p.m. for general admission stadium seating.
The evening includes a cash bar, live auction, concert and dancing. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased at www.AutismRocks.Eventbrite.com, at the ASSL office, 3006 Common Street, (337) 436-5001, or at Project Fit, 3814 Ryan St.
Westlake High Theatre Department Presents The Elephant Man November 19 The Westlake High Theatre Department announces its 2015-2016 opening season with The Elephant Man. Directed by Kerry A. Onxley, the play is based on the tragic real life of Joseph Merrick, who lived with a horrifying skin and bone disease. One school performance is scheduled for Thurs., Nov. 19 at 10 a.m. at Westlake High School’s state-of-the-art theatre located at 1000 Garden Drive in Westlake. Evening performance is 7 p.m. For ticket info, email kerry.onxley@cpsb.org.
Mistletoe and Moss November 19-21 Jumpstart your Christmas spirit at the Junior League of Lake Charles’ annual Mistletoe & Moss Holiday Market, which will be held Thurs-Sat., Nov. 19-21 at the Lake Charles Civic Center. This year, more than 85 vendors from all over the United States will set up shop at the event, and 40 of these are new to Mistletoe & Moss. Booths will feature items for everyone. Organizers are expecting about 12,000 shoppers at this year’s market! For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Junior League at (337) 436-4025 or visit www.jllc.net.
Saturday, October 24: Playdough Create something spooky with Playdough from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the ArtSpace.
Monday, October 26: Witches Create a scary or funny witch using paint and a fork. Classes begin at 11 a.m. and noon and are limited to 20 children, ages 3 and up.
Monday, October 26 Story Time with the Three Witches Join Marj Gustine, Lena Roach and Joan Vallee-Rettke as the three witches: Bibbidy, Bobbidy and Boo at 11:30 a.m. for the reading of eerie tales such as You’re Such a Scaredy Mouse, The Mystery of the Vanishing Ghost and Meoooowwww! And get a treat from the “witch’s foggy cauldron.”
Saturday, October 31: Halloween Make a jack-o-lantern. Classes begin at 11 a.m. and noon and are limited to 20 children, ages 3 and up. The museum will CLOSE at 4:15 p.m. to allow our staff time for trick-or-treating! Have a happy and safe Halloween! The Children’s Museum is located at 327 Broad Street downtown Lake Charles. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is $7.75 for children and adults. Call 433-9420 or visit www.swlakids.org 28 October 15, 2015
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HALLOWEEN & HARVEST EVENT GUIDE Family Fun Day Trunk or Treat October 18
Enjoy Family Fun Day on Oct.18 from 3-6:30 p.m.! Come in your Halloween best for Trunk-or-Treat and enjoy the Pumpkin Patch! Moss Bluff United Methodist Church, 735 Sam Houston Jones Pkwy., Lake Charles.
Holy Trinity Episcopal Pumpkin Patch Through October 31 The Pumpkin Patch at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Sulphur will be open until October 31 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays, and noon-6 p.m. Sundays. Bring your children to Pumpkin Patch Story Time. There are two classes on ten different days. Call Frances Wynn at 527-5179 to schedule a visit. Picnics can be held in the Pavilion if arrangements are made beforehand. Purchase delicious pumpkin bread made by church members; proceeds from the sale of pumpkins, gourds, and pumpkin bread fund Holy Trinity’s outreach projects. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Pumpkin Patch,1700 Maplewood Drive in Sulphur. Contact Cyndi Khoury at 527-8787 or the church office at 625-4288.
The Lost Hollows Through October 31 Whether you want to spend an evening enjoying the fun of the Spooky Timbers trail with your little ones, or prefer to brave the sights, sounds and frights of the Deadly Pines trail, this is a must for all Halloween fans! A shuttle from Spirit Halloween, 3413 Derek Drive, Lake Charles, will transport you to your chilling adventure deep in the woods. All children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult and everyone must wear closed-toed shoes. Dates: Oct. 16-17, 23-24, 29-31. Go to www. thelosthollows.com for ticket information and details.
USS Orleck Presents “Carnival of Screams” Through October 31 This year, the USS ORLECK Naval Museum marks its 5th year of Haunted Ship excitement with an all new, all different theme! Whether you are a long-time Haunted Ship lover, or a first timer looking to try some high quality Halloween entertainment, 30 October 15, 2015
visit the Carnival of Screams Friday and Saturday Nights in the month of October. Gates open at 6 P.M.; Hatches open at 7 P.M. The USS ORLECK Naval Museum, 604 N. Enterprise Blvd. Lake Charles. For more information call (337) 214-7447, or email info@orleck.org.
The Rocky Horror Show October 29-31 KC Productions SWLA present The Rocky Horror Show Oct. 2931 at the Benjamin Mount Theatre at Central School, downtown Lake Charles. Directed by Keith Chamberlain, The Rocky Horror Show is a humorous tribute to the old science fiction and horror B movies and tells the story of a newly engaged couple who get caught in a storm and come to the home of a mad transvestite scientist. Special midnight showing on Oct. 31! Order your tickets now at www. kcproductionsswla.org.
The City’s Halloween Harvest Fest October 31 The City of Lake Charles Recreation and Parks Department’s Harvest Festival will be held on Sat., Oct. 31, at the Lake Charles Civic Center, 900 Lakeshore Drive, from 3-5:30 p.m. This free community event will feature a variety of games, train rides, face painting, balloons and fun. A costume contest is planned, and prizes will be awarded. Concessions will be onsite. The City recommends that trick-or-treat activities end at 8 p.m. that evening. Parents are encouraged to have their children home by 8:30 p.m. unless they are attending a supervised function sponsored by other parents or civic organizations.
L’Auberge Casino Resort $10,000 Halloween Costume Contest October 31 JD’s Halloween party is back! Whether you’re here for the screaming good time at the party with The Molly Ringwalds or to win the costume contest, you’re welcome! Doors open at 8 p.m. with a $20 cover charge. Registration for the costume contest is from 8 – 10 p.m. and winners will be announced at 10:30 pm. Top prize wins $5,000! Doors open at 8 p.m., $20 cover charge Entertainment by The Molly Ringwalds and DJ Crush. Stay for the after-party with entertainment by DJ Crush until 2 a.m.! www.llakecharles.com.
Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center’s Scarecrow Festival Through Nov. 7 Celebrate the changing season by visiting the largest Scarecrow Festival in Texas, with a variety of hand-crafted scarecrows displayed throughout the Gardens. Created by community organizations, businesses, schools, and families, scarecrow designs range from funny, to clever, to wacky and weird! Participate in this friendly competition where visitors are asked to vote for their favorite scarecrow. Winners will be awarded a special prize on the final day of the festival, Nov. 7. Included with general admission. Members free. shangrilagardens.org 2111 W Park Ave, Orange, TX 77630, (409) 670-9113. Vol. 7 • No. 13
By Lauren Abate de Albuquerque JAM: This play is a huge favorite for a lot of us! Have you done it before? KC: I agree 100 percent that it really is a huge favorite for so many people. Wild, wacky, sexy, provocative--and not to mention the wonderful music . It’s one of those productions that just makes you happy ! This is my first time being involved in a production of Rocky Horror. When I started my production company I knew this would be in the top five. Directing the production is an added bonus. I have the opportunity to share my vision. I hope to make it a staple production every Halloween. JAM: How old were you when you saw it for the first time? What did you think? KC: I first saw Rocky Horror when I was 13 here in Lake Charles at the Lyric Theatre. I was back the next day to see it again, The music was intoxicating. I think the biggest impact had to be Tim Curry. He was and is just amazing. I was also possessed by Magenta. What a fantastic portrayal and interpretation of the role.
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JAM: When did you decide bring it to LC? KC: As I mentioned earlier, I knew I wanted to make KC Production’s Rocky Horror for everyone to look forward to every year. The final decision was made this summer while directing another production at McNeese. I knew it had to happen. JAM: How long has it been in production? KC: We began the entire process in late August with auditions and began rehearsals August 31. We rehearse three nights a week. JAM: What can the audience look forward to in this production? KC: Other than the audience getting to see one of their favorite productions, they are going to be able to see the live stage version. The characters have been tweaked a bit from what you would normally expect. The actors are absolutely amazing with vocals and acting that will be an evening of theatre to remember and will make the audience want more. The set design, costumes and
special effects are really a step above the norm. And the band is absolutely filled with topnotch stellar musicians.
ple to thank, but I would have to say I thank the incredibly talented cast first and foremost. They are really going to deliver a spectacular performance.
JAM: Any challenges? JAM: Any final thoughts? KC: As with any production, there are always challenges. That’s part of the thrill of live theatre. If there were no challenges, what’s the point ? You learn, grow and excel when you’re challenged. I could be very specific but I think anyone involved in theatre can relate. JAM: What are “Audience Participation Packets?” KC: We are still in the process of deciding what to include in the audience participation packets. Shout backs are always a huge part of Rocky Horror with the dialogue. It all depends on the theatre and what we are allowed to include in the packets. Items in the packet are simply objects that are a representation of the dialogue. It can be very tricky. That will be announced soon. JAM: Whom would you like to thank? KC: There are so many peo-
KC: I’m very excited and overwhelmed by the response from people I run into who ask about the production. It’s so great when I’m wearing a Tshirt with a line from the show printed on it and a stranger passes and compliments the shirt or makes a comment like, “We love Rocky Horror!” Then, when I tell them it’s going to be on stage soon, the excitement and joy on their faces is a feeling that is so special. I would like to invite everyone to join us for a fun wild ride and sing and dance along with us! Halloween 2015, dancing the Time Warp and enjoying some of the Lake Area’s finest talented artists. It’s going to be four amazing performances, so get your tickets now! “The Rocky Horror Show,” Oct. 29-31, 7:30 p.m. and midnight Oct. 31, Central School Arts & Humanities Center, Benjamin Mount Theatre. General Admission $20. For tickets, call (337) 302-2259 or go to kcproductionsswla.org.
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The Martian (20th Century Fox, 2015) The Martian starts out like fall over. Only Mark isn’t dead. But most Mars movies. That is, he might as well be, because it begins on the red planet, the next Mars mission, Ares Mars. Everything is red. And 4, is years away, Ares 3 was as usual, humans are trying only supposed to last 30 days. to get out of an approaching What follows, in the shadow sand storm. Mark Watney of Robinson Crusoe, is one (Matt Damon) is the Ares 3 Botanist. I get the impression man’s attempt to beat overthat with Mars being a lifeless whelming odds of survival. Mark battles challenge after planet, he doesn’t have much challenge, most of them the to do on this trip. kind that you and I would But all of that’s about to think impossible. Not so for change. Watney. The approaching storm NASA collaborated closely quickly forces our six easygowith the producers of the ing astronauts to get serious. movie on The Martian, beThey have to leave Mars because the wind is going to top- cause their scientists saw it as free PR for the space program. ple over their transport ship. Those impossible things that During their escape, Mark is take place on film are actually injured and lost in the storm. Presumed dead, Mark gets left quite possible in most cases behind as the crew regretfully according to NASA, just diffileaves as their ship is about to cult. Remarkably, what results
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is an incredibly geeky but smart movie that has enough action and subplots to move things along nicely. Some of it reminded me of Apollo 13, but here, not everyone on Earth is exactly on Mark’s side. Still thinking him dead, some folks at NASA want to move on as quickly as possible. Then, there is the crew of Ares 3 on their way back to earth, a yearlong journey. How will they react to Mark’s survival after leaving him for dead? There’s no time travel in The Martian, no supernatural God of Mars, just pure human effort and science. Matt Damon brings along a strong supporting cast, with Jessica Chastain as his superior officer, Captain Lewis. Michael Pena as one of the crew is funny just because of his downto-earth approach to life. And Jeff Daniels, as head of NASA, is the ultimate politician, willing to do anything as long as it continues his space program. There are a few nods to other space movies, including Gravity and 2001: A Space
Odyssey, but mostly the film follows Andy Weir’s novel. Speaking of which, the novel is itself a technological marvel, in that The Martian was self-published by Weir a chapter at a time on his website. When it was completed, he sold it on Amazon for 99 cents a copy, and word of mouth quickly made it a bestseller. After selling 35,000 copies of the eBook in three months, print publishers finally started to wake up. Like the book, there’s a bit of adult language in the movie. Mark Watney is a strong headed, determined guy. His expletives, handled for a PG13 audience, remind us of our own frustrations and struggles when things don’t work out. The movie runs a little too long in my opinion, but none of the scenes of the Mars landscape include throwaway stuff. When Mark talks to his crewmates, explaining what it’s like living for months alone, he says “I go outside in my suit every day and just sit there, looking at the red hills and sky, just because I can. “ The Martian is rated PG-13 for a smidgen of language and a scene of self-surgery. Enjoy!
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Bog Bodies Uncovered
Solving Europe’s Ancient Mystery Your favorite TV detective can solve anything. Give her a dead body, and she’ll find the killer. Show him a faint trail, and the thief will be collared in no time. No clue, no fingerprint, no smoking gun or too-good-to-be-true McGuffin escapes notice. Even so, no crime is perfect and, in Bog Bodies Uncovered by Miranda Aldhouse-Green, these corpses are 2,000 years old. Nearly two centuries ago, Danish peat cutters made a terrible discovery: they found a middle-aged woman’s body, gruesomely skewered beneath the water of a bog by her elbows and knees. Authorities quickly surmised that the woman was once a queen -proof that a long-ago legend was true -- and they reburied her with highest honors. Alas, she wasn’t a queen, nor was she the first body discovered in the bogs of northern Europe. She wouldn’t be the last, either; Aldhouse-Green believes that around a hundred such corpses, complete or partial, have been discovered over the centuries, although there may be more. To understand the how they Vol. 7 • No. 13
got there, one must know how they remain. Bogs, as Aldhouse-Green explains, are bodies of water that lack oxygen which, with bog acid and Sphagnum (a kind of vegetation), helps ensure that once-living material doesn’t decay when immersed. Thus, the “bog bodies” are preserved, almost leather-like, sometimes for thousands of years; many of the bodies Aldhouse-Green cites came from the Iron Age and medieval times. The preservation could include facial features, internal organs, and contents of stomachs. Such “burials,” however, weren’t the norm; indeed, one only need read a description of some of the bodies to know that they were far from business-as-usual: most had perished from extreme violence, hangings, beheadings, or beatings. Many were naked when they went into the bog, which Aldhouse-Green says could indicate an attempt at humiliation. Based on the fact that many of the victims were trussed, shorn, and had been fed cheap food prior to their deaths, it’s possible that they were captives or that their
deaths were the result of execution. Some may have been killed because of a disability or handicap. And some, she says, may have been sacrificed… Here’s my best advice: Bog Bodies Uncovered is definitely not something you’ll want to leave on the bedside table. While science is at the forefront of this fascinating book, there’s also no denying that author Miranda Aldhouse-Green sets the tone for creepiness here, with vivid descriptions of violence, torture, and murder with the possibility that ancient folks enjoyed viewing the bodies for awhile after they were killed. Her hypotheses, piled atop of what’s already been proven about the bog bodies and the mind-racing what-ifs
that this kind of book naturally induces, leave a reader feeling unsettled and squirmy – more so because this is one mystery that may never be solved. While this, admittedly, isn’t a subject everybody wants to know about, I found this book to be riveting. For whodunit fans, historians, science lovers, or anyone who wonders what to read next, Bog Bodies Uncovered pretty much solves that question. “Bog Bodies Uncovered: Solving Europe’s Ancient Mystery” by Miranda Aldhouse-Green ©2015, Thames & Hudson $29.95/$35.95 Canada 224 pages October 15, 2015 33
Thursday, Oct. 15 Happy Hour 4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC
BOZ SCAGGS 8:30 p.m. @ Golden Nugget Lake Charles
Rusty Yates 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Johnnie Allan 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Safira 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 The Fuse 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Karaoke Night 9 p.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC
Friday, Oct. 16 Rusty Yates 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Kenzie Newman 7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC 34 October 15, 2015
2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC www.ticketmaster.com Safira 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 Isis 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder
Inner Gee 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 719 Ryan St. LC DJ Crush 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC
Thursday, Oct. 17 Rusty Yates 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC RKW Trio 6 p.m. @ Luna Live 719 Ryan St. LC LA Bayou Band 7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC
LORETTA LYNN 8:30 p.m. @ Golden Nugget Lake Charles
Mr. DJ 9 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC Dance Night 9 p.m.- 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC
Kevin Lambert 9 p.m. @ Luna Live 719 Ryan St. LC Reese Sullivan 9 p.m. @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd.
2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC www.ticketmaster.com Luke Cooper 9 p.m. @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd. Special Event Night 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC Safira 9 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Vol. 7 • No. 13
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 Isis 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder
DJ Crush 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC
Sunday, Oct. 18 Chester and Jarius Daigle
DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 2 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
@ Jack Daniels’ Whiskey Brunch L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC
Kodiax
Street Side Jazz Band
10 p.m. @ Luna Live 719 Ryan St. LC
11 a.m. @ Luna Bar and Grill 710 Ryan St., LC
Vol. 7 • No. 13
Reed Planchard 4 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC
Monday, Oct. 19 Bryan Trahan 5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Open Mic Night 9-midnight @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC
Tuesday, Oct. 20 Chip Radford 5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Guys Night @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC
Clint Faulk 6:00 @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, LC
Matt & Katie 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
October 15, 2015 35
Two for Tuesday on Everything! 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC
Wednesday, Oct. 21 Chester Daigle 5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
John Guidroz 6 p.m. @ Luna Live 719 Ryan St. LC
Chinatown 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
Jim Pharis 8 p.m. @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd. Talent Night 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC
Hayden & Conner’s Monster Mash
Chris Miller & Bayou Roots 6:30 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC
10 p.m. @ Luna Live 719 Ryan St. LC
Thursday, Oct. 22 Happy Hour
By Braylin Jenkins
A Time for Change The Lake City is undergoing change and it is most definitely for the better. Time and again, the choir has chanted that our area needs a mentality change, and it appears that the mindset of the core groups are doing jus that. And it may be all that is needed to begin the transformation into a support-driven city. If you look at the enthusiasm expressed lately, both in person and through social media, it’s evident that there is a newfound, openly 36 October 15, 2015
4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC Mark Henry 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Big Jimmy & Reckless 7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC Alfred Doucet Band 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Chinatown 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
shared passion here, and it was only a matter of time. Allow me to say thank you to all of the individuals who have been hard at work for decades holding down the fort to keep the proper momentum from fizzling out completely. I thoroughly enjoy it when new events pop up because that means there are added options when deciding what to do. Ashley JohnsonMontegut encourages the public to check out her “EXPRESSIONS” event held every Friday at The Foundation House (720 Enterprise Boulevard), which opens the door for singers, poets and comedians in an open mic format. Admission is $10. The event begins at 8 p.m. and doesn’t stop until everyone has expressed themselves. One of the biggest events of the year is the Chennault International Airshow on October 24-25. It was here a few years ago and is back by poplar demand. From the Thunderbirds to the U.S. Army Golden Knight’s Parachute Team, Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, the Shockwave Jet Truck and much more, you won’t
After Party 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 Karaoke Night 9 p.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC
Friday, Oct. 23 Mark Henry 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
want to miss it. For more details, visit www.chennaultairshow.com. It’s time for Harvest and Halloween fun! Of course the USS Orleck is holding their Haunted Ship with a few new surprises in store. This year’s theme, Carnival of Screams is sure to impress. You can call (337) 214-7447 or visit www.orleck.org/ carnival-of-screams for details. The Orleck will also host Haunted Laser Tag on October 22-23. This will be a special fundraiser for the Orleck and our friends with The Heartstone Foundation SWLA. for more on The Heartstone Foundation SWLA go to www.heartstoneswla.org. For details and to purchase tickets contact Kasey at (405) 996-0498. The USS Orleck has become one of the top tourist destinations for Southwest Louisiana and not only preserves history and serves the community as an educational resource, but is also a venue for fun and events. The City of Lake Charles is also hosting its Harvest Festival on October 31 at the Civic Center from 3-5:30 p.m. This event is free to the Vol. 7 • No. 13
Jen Kober 8 p.m. @ Luna Live 719 Ryan St. LC
After Party 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
Tricky Dickies 9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
community and children can expect games, face art, trains and all kinds of fun. There will also be a tiny tots area set up in the exhibition hall along with a costume contest. The on-stage production of The Rocky Horror Show presented by KC Productions SWLA Inc. will be performed at the Central School Arts & Humanities Center’s Benjamin Mount Theatre. There will be three showings on October 29, 30 and 31. For more information, call (337) 302-2259 or visit www. kcproductionsswla.org. I would like to take a moment to shout out the SWLArtists Group that recently formed. Some of the most enthusiastic, talented local artists have done what many have been praying for. SWLArtists is a group that not only Vol. 7 • No. 13
Safira 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Karaoke 9 p.m. @ Coolers 3622 1/2 Ryan St. LC Dance Night 9 p.m. – 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC
Acoustic Pie 9 p.m. @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd. Brad Brinkleu 9:30 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC
meets and holds discussions, but it’s active and involved. They don’t wait for others to direct them; they instead see what is needed and formulate the plans so they can come to fruition. There are many other groups who have been active and growing and I applaud them as well. Keep up the great work. On a final note, a number of new restaurants have opened that are taking the culinary experience in Southwest Louisiana to even greater heights, if you can imagine. We are seeing a rapid change for the better here and a joyful part of the experience is taking the ride and witnessing it all happen. So check them out and as always, make it a great one, Southwest Louisiana!
Roxy Roca 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 719 Ryan St. LC DJ Crush 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC
Saturday, Oct. 24 Mark Henry 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Drivin’ Dixie 7 p.m. @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 3059 (Old Town Road) LC Special Event Night 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC
Jodi James & Clay Parker 9 p.m. @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd. After Party 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 Tricky Dickies 9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Safira 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder October 15, 2015 37
DJ Crush 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC
Sunday, Oct. 25 Chester and Jarius Daigle
Street Side Jazz Band
Monday, Oct. 26 Stacey Bearden
L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
11 a.m. @ Luna Bar and Grill 710 Ryan St., LC
5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Guys Night @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC
Mike Fulmer 7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
@ Jack Daniels’ Whiskey Brunch L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC
DJ Jose Mata 10 p.m.- 2a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
Jazz Night with Clint Faulk 6:30 p.m. @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, LC
Open Mic Night 9-midnight @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC
Tuesday, Oct. 27 Mark Henry 5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar
Angel Garcia 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
Try a Little Tenderness, Or Lean on Me...
Like A Bridge Over Troubled Water, Or Let it Be... What do you get when you put a half a dozen or so GRAMMY-winning Louisiana artists in a room together? Well, hopefully, a little bit of healing. In the little town of Maurice sits a hidden gem of the entertainment world that has overlooked the Vermillion River since 1989 and has been sought out by the likes of B.B. King, Dr. John, Arcade Fire, and even Scarlett Johansson. It’s called Dockside Studios and this time, the one seeking out this 12-acre recording and creative haven was Southwest Louisiana’s own Jo-El Sonnier and, eventually a great many of his friends, who joined together for something bigger than awards, bigger than record deals and, maybe, bigger than the music business itself.
Roll Call: Joseph Roy “Chubby” Carrier (2010 - Zydeco Junkie - GRAMMY Winner) Michael Doucet (w/BeauSoleil - 1997 and 2008 GRAMMY Winner) Stanley Durel Jr. A.K.A. “Buckwheat Zydeco” - (4-time GRAMMY Nominee and Emmy Award Winner) 38 October 15, 2015
Clyde Veron “Sonny” Landreth (2003 - The Road We’re On - GRAMMY Nominee) Steven “Steve” Riley (w/ Mamou Playboys - 2 GRAMMY nods. w/ The Band Courtbouillion - 2013 GRAMMY Winner) Roddie Romero (2008 - The La Louisianne Sessions -GRAMMY Nominee) Wayne Toups (2013 - The Band Courtbouillon – GRAMMY Winner) Jo-El Savoy of Red Stick Ramblers and Savoy Family Band fame And, of course Jo-El Sonnier, who with his 2015 GRAMMY win for “The Legacy,” rounds this out to as much of a who’s who of Louisiana music as you’re likely to find anywhere and for a long time to come. And what could be such a draw to rally such talent at one recording studio in little bitty ol’ Maurice? A big record deal? Some hot shot L.A. producer? No, no, no... It was nothing like that. All it was, was a song. One little song that brought all these musicians face to face. One little song and a whole bunch of heart for those who may someday find themselves in need.
Jo-El wrote “The Healing Song” not long after the events of 9-11. It is a song that he says represents how he felt in those days of tragedy. He says that it was that very same set of lyrics that came back to him recently in wake of the violence that left two South Louisiana lawmen and two Lafayette women with us no longer. Since that time, such violence has continued to fill the national headlines and Jo-El tells me that he feels that “these lyrics mean as much to what’s going on now as it did back then. The world is hurting and we all need some healing. We need a healing song... and that’s what we’re here to make.” Well, that’s exactly what they did. Through
Vol. 7 • No. 13
Dancing 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC
Wednesday, Oct. 28 Chip Radford 5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Clint Miller & Bayou Roots 7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC Karaoke with DJ Cornbread 7 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC
Brian Moore 8 p.m. @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd.
John Guidroz 6 p.m. @ Luna Live 719 Ryan St. LC
numerous sessions over the last few months, these walking Louisiana musical legacies all went down and worked on their parts and little by little, this song became a reality. As it was nearing completion, the State Office of Culture and Tourism got wind of the project and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne made his way down to Dockside to meet with Jo-El and Friends to offer the services of his office to help bring the charitable project to fruition. The State arranged for a film crew to come and record the sessions that will not only be used to help promote Louisiana Tourism and Louisiana music, but after receiving a letter of support from The Recording Academy, which is the parent organization of the GRAMMY Awards, the song and subsequent video will now be featured at GRAMMY-related events during the 2016 awards week in Los Angeles. Here, members of the recording industry and media will get to hear and see this message of healing and unity straight from the heart and soul of South Louisiana. But the story doesn’t quite stop there... Amazing Grace, Oh Happy Day Might Take us to a Better Place...
On Wednesday, October 14, the Lt. Governor’s Office held a press conference at the Community Foundation of Acadiana in Lafayette announcing not only the release of the song but a partnership with the foundation to arrange for all of the proceeds of the song to serve as a fund designed to be a Vol. 7 • No. 13
Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Karaoke with Avid Sounds 9 p.m. @ Coolers 3622 1/2 Ryan St. LC Talent Night 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC
3436 Ryan St., LC Katie Whitney & Chip Radford 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Joe Harmon & the Harmonics 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder
Thursday, Oct. 29 Safira 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Rush
readily available means for Acadiana’s people to respond to their community’s needs. Joined by Sonnier, Carrier, Landreth, Doucet, Jo-El Savoy and other key figures in the development of the project, Dardenne commended this effort that has taken a song with a message of healing and has turned it into a means for people to receive help and assistance in the times where such a “healing” is needed. The conference included a viewing of the video, a reading of the endorsement letter from The Recording Academy and words from the musicians themselves
Happy Hour 4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz including Sonnier, who stressed the importance of preserving our culture and taking care of one another as a community while offering his thanks to all the participating musicians for their help in making “The Healing Song” a reality. All Gods children, Sing Along to a Healin’ Song...
“The Healing Song” is sure to be coming to local radios soon, but please do support this cause and this fund established in partnership with the Community Foundation of Acadiana that will help people here in South Loui-
Safira 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Rush
siana in the days to come. Thank these great artists that gave their time and hearts to bring a little “healin” by supporting this cause they all rallied behind and download this to your Android and Apple devices and throw a little goodwill to the world while sharing in some music that is emotionally tied to this area, to Acadiana and to all of what is our fine state of Louisiana. It’s this type of heart and this type of creativity that remind me how lucky we are to be from this place and underscores why I am proud to call Southwest Louisiana my home.
There’s Something Happening Here... Far be it from me to neglect all the other groovy happenings here in the ol’ Chucksville, I have just been very excited about this release for sometime now. Here are a handful of other GO DO THE THINGS worthy events of note coming up in the next couple of weeks: Saturday, October 17: 10th Annual Rouge et Blanc Wine Festival - MSU CampusWhile this is admittedly not an “entertainment” event, it is a fundraiser for McNeese’s beloved Banners Series which is one of our biggest cultural events year after year. The fact that it is a fun afternoon full of epic food and wine certainly helps. IF (and that is a mighty IF) you can procure tickets do so as soon as you can. If not, take note: This will happen again next year. Be a shame to miss it again... Saturday, October 24: ArtsFest and Culture Fest - Lake Charles Civic Center Sounds like they coordinated on this one. The Lake Charles Civic Center will be hosting two great events this day and both are something to take note of ! The first is the ArtsFest sponsored by the Arts Council of SWLA and the City of Lake Charles to give kids a hands-on experience in creative arts. This event will offer activities in live music, pottery, drawings demonstrations and more! For more information, visit www.artsandhumanitiesswla.org. After you finish there, slip on over and check out the Culture Fest running from 2-4 p.m. This event, hosted by the local group Common Ground, celebrates the diversity of international culture via art, entertainment, history, food, music and dance. This free event will feature events for the little ones as well as plenty of cultural variety for mom and dad. For more information. visit www.culturefestlouisiana.com And that is all for me for this edition of the JMLC. I do love hearing from you guys so keep the emails coming to JMLC@justinmorrisentertainment.com. Download “The Healing Song” and keep your eyes open for a live lineup of that. I mean, it has to happen, doesn’t it? I guess we’ll just have to see... Until next time, I’ll see YOU at the show! October 15, 2015 39
Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
Kevin Lambert 6 p.m. @ Luna Live 719 Ryan St. LC
Encore 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
Larry Peterson 7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC
DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 2 a.m. @ Blue Martini 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
Karaoke Night 9 p.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC
DJ Jose Mata 9 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
Friday, Oct. 30 Katie Whitney & Chip Radford 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Safira 9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin’ Cajuns 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Mr. DJ 9 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC Dance Night 9 p.m.- 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC LA Yard Dogs 9:30 @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC DJ Crush 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC
Saturday, Oct. 31 Katie Whitney & Chip Radford 5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Halloween Party Music by Flashback
7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar 3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC Special Event Night 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC 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 Safira 9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ Rush Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin’ Cajuns 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder
Halloween Party DJ, Karaoke, Drink Specials 9:30 p.m. @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd. Ukelady’s Man 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 719 Ryan St. LC DJ Crush 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC 40 October 15, 2015
Vol. 7 • No. 13
Vol. 7 • No. 13
October 15, 2015 41
SHRINE CIRCUS Kids young and old turned out for some exotic fun when the Shrine Circus rolled into Lake Charles. The Civic Center Coliseum became an interactive playground where kids romped with clowns, got their faces painted and mounted up for pony and elephant rides followed by all the wonders of the Big Top! The good Shriners also make sure that kids everywhere get smiles on their faces through their charitable work, so that gives you all the more reason to not miss the Shrine Circus next time it rolls through town!
Daryn, Grace, Justin and Cam Harper
Christopher, Christy, Jessie and Colton Butts
William, Cecilia, Miranda and Liam Mallett
Lawton, Londyn and Stesha Royer
Shifter and Bleux - Paul Theriot and Kyle Holland
GREAT ACADIAN AWAKENING The Lake City was honored by being chosen as the starting point for The Great Acadian Awakening Opening Ceremonies and Music Festival, which will span across Southern Louisiana to mark the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the Acadians to this place we all now call home. The event featured food and artisans, and the locals gathered to delight in all things Cajun, including a musical lineup that included 2015 GRAMMY winner Jo-El Sonnier. It was a memorable day that I hope carried that same magic all across South Louisiana. Bon Journee!
Denise Fasske, with Pamela and LeRoy East
Jason, Danielle and Harper Jane Richard 42 October 15, 2015
Vickie and Dominica Daley
Colten Miller, Tara Johnson, Angie Manning and Olivier Grosset
Ray Trahan, Jo-El Sonnier and Tom Wicker Vol. 7 • No. 13
DINNER AT MI CASA A night of exquisite food and libations, a stunning waterfront view, live music from a GRAMMY-nominated artist AND it’s all for a great cause? That it is, and it is Dinner at Mi CASA, a fundraiser event for the local children’s advocate organization, C.A.S.A. This particular affair was hosted by Sam and Denise Hebert and featured their lovely home awash with seared scallops, root beer cured pork belly, brisket and braised ribs along with a slew of elegant appetizers and decadent desserts.. The dining opulence and elegance was matched only by the stunning sunset that lit the lovely evening. Cheers!
Andy and Tammy Fontenot
Bobby Kershaw with Toni and Nelson Mire
Lauren de Albuquerque with Mike “The Dang Yankee” and Susan McHugh
David and Megan LaFargue
Gene and Penny Duffy with Sam Hebert
CRYING EAGLE GROUNDBREAKING An impressive crowd turned out to see first dirt turned on a new brewery that is on its way to Lake Charles! A development at 1165 E. McNeese will soon be Crying Eagle Brewery that will feature a 15,000 square-foot production facility including a two-story tap room, a tasting room, bar, indoor and outdoor stages, private rooms and an outdoor beer garden. This will not just be a part of the local economy, but an important part of the local nightlife and social scene! Dust your growlers off and get ready for a new flavor of Lake Charles!
Prissy and Tom Gayle, Liz Koh and Erika Ferrando
Mayor Randy Roach, Police Juror Kevin Guidry, Alton Lewis, Sen. Ronnie Johns, Larry Avery, Eric Avery, Bill Mungai, George Swift and Ben Tommasi Vol. 7 • No. 13
Mike Racca and Mark Abraham
Amy L’Host and Justin Edwards
Alex Chaumont and Jennifer Avery October 15, 2015 43