April 2016 Upper Lafayette newsletter by Upper Lafayette

Upper Lafayette On The Move www.upperlafayette.com April 2016 Volume 88

Upper Lafayette Focuses on the I-49 Connector

McDonaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s #1 Holds Grand Reopening Take a Staycation in the Bayou Vermilion District

Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority

Published by

Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation

Printed by

Lafayette Economic Development Authority

Board of Directors

Monty Warren, President Cherie Hebert, Vice President Todd Citron, Secretary/Treasurer David Welch, Past President Zachary Barker Adrian Baudoin Kevin Blanchard Chad Cole Brenda Foulcard Donna Landry Pastor Ken Lazard Kirk LaCour Herb Schilling Bryan Tabor Jerry Vascocu

Honorary Advisory Board Don Dupuis Dwight “Bo” Ramsay

Staff

Jan Swift, Executive Director Elsa Dimitriadis, Communications Director

Mailing Address

Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation is an association of proactive individuals and business leaders joined together to be a catalyst for change. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance and direct the positive, planned growth of Upper Lafayette, focusing on quality of life, while participating in the overall development of the Greater Lafayette Metropolitan Area. On the cover: 4th Annual Bayou Vermilion Festival & Boat Parade. Photography by Elsa Dimitriadis.

P.O. Box 53107 Lafayette, LA 70505

On the Web

www.upperlafayette.com

For membership information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Jan Swift at jan@upperlafayette.com.

Volume 88 • April 2016 • www.upperlafayette.com

A Letter from the Executive Director What a glorious time of year for our community! April always brings wonderful festivals that can be enjoyed by all. As I write this, the fourth annual Scott Boudin Festival is merrily underway and features outstanding musical entertainment, dozens of arts and crafts vendors, a Cajun/Zydeco Dance Contest, and, of course, Scott’s world renowned boudin! This fun festival will be followed up on April 20 – 24th by Festival International, our unique music festival attracting acclaimed performers from around the world, all at no charge for admission! Cycle Zydeco is also underway and attracted approximately 470 riders from near and far. Enjoying a daily short ride (40 miles) or a long ride (70 miles) throughout surrounding communities such as Breaux Bridge, Grand Coteau, Washington, Mamou, and Eunice, the bikers will end their festivities at the Scott Boudin Festival on April 3. Congratulations to Scott Schilling and TRAIL volunteers for all you have done to encourage others to explore Acadiana’s beautiful countryside while maintaining physical fitness! This is definitely the time to be outdoors and enjoy our many cultural attractions that we can sometimes take for granted. We hope to see you on April 7 at our eighth annual crawfish boil which will be held at Vermilionville and featuring the delicious crawfish and sides prepared by Seth Citron and Crawdaddy’s. Each year we select a venue that highlights the beauty of Upper Lafayette Parish and this site has got to be at the top of the list in terms of lush scenery and serenity. Living in Southwest Louisiana with its warm climate, friendly people, and delicious cuisine is definitely a gift we should all cherish.

www.upperlafayette.com • April 2016

Upper Lafayette To Host 8th Annual Crawfish Boil on April 7th

7th Annual Crawfish Boil, April 2015, Farm D’Allie Upper Lafayette’s annual Crawfish Boil will be held on Thursday, April 7, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Vermilionville, 300 Fisher Road in Lafayette, across from the airport. Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering will cater the crawfish and sides, and Sean Trcalek will provide our musical entertainment. We are grateful to IberiaBank for serving as our Presenting Sponsor, Beau Box Commercial Real Estate for serving as our Supporting Sponsor, and of course, Schilling Distributing Co. for generously supplying beverages for the event! You will not want to miss this opportunity to have fun and check out the beautiful scenery at lovely Vermilionville. Tickets may be purchased for $35.00 each (or $20.00 per child). We look forward to seeing you there! Register online, and please contact jan@upperlafayette.com with any questions.

Sean Trcalek, April 2015

www.upperlafayette.com • April 2016

Carencro Celebrates Groundbreaking of Indoor Soccer Facility! A former ice arena along Interstate 49 is being transformed to become Carencro’s first indoor recreation center. On March 19, 2016, a ceremonial groundbreaking was celebrated by local Carencro dignitaries and officials as the much anticipated arena’s construction gets underway. The 17,000-square-foot ice rink is being converted to a turf field lined for soccer, lacrosse and football. An area once home to a Zamboni and the arena’s massive ice-refrigeration system is being refitted for batting and pitching practice. Situated along the southbound frontage road of I-49 between the Veterans Drive and Gloria Switch Road exits at 3607 NW Evangeline Thruway, the project is expected to be completed by October 2016. The project architect is Lynn Guidry, and Master Builders & Specialists is the contractor. The project is paid for with money from a one-third of a penny sales tax in Carencro that’s dedicated to parks and recreation. The addition of a first class indoor soccer facility will be a great asset to all of us here in Acadiana. Indoor soccer is a great way for young players to hone their skills and the best way for adults to enjoy playing for a lifetime. All of the best players at Louisiana colleges have backgrounds in the indoor game and benefitted from indoor play time. Upper Lafayette congratulates Carencro’s city leaders for their dedication in improving their wonderful community and having the foresight to build this much anticipated facility.

www.upperlafayette.com • April 2016

Left to Right: Dr. Shawn Wilson, Terry Huval, Bill Neef, Carlee Alm-Labar, Jan Swift, Monty Warren and Kenneth Boudreaux

March Meeting Focused on I-49 Lafayette Connector

The LITE Center was the setting for Upper Lafayette’s March meeting, where we focused on the issues posed by construction of the 5.5 mile stretch of the proposed I-49 Lafayette Connector. Our distinguished panel included Shawn Wilson, Secretary of DOTD; District 4 Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux; Terry Huval of LUS and the department’s engineering consultant, Bill Neef; and Carlee Alm-Labar, Director of LCG’s Department of Planning and Zoning. Our sponsors, Billeaud Companies and LEDA, made the event possible. This important transportation project has been in the works for decades and many legitimate concerns have been raised about the safety of building an interstate on ground that has hazardous waste and the potential impact the construction will have on purity of the water our community receives from the Chicot Aquifer, as well as the effect the Connector will have on the residents and businesses situated in the Evangeline Thruway corridor. Terry Huval assured the audience that water quality will not be negatively affected by construction of the Connector. Bill Neef, LUS’s engineer consultant, gave an outstanding and well researched overview on the Chicot Aquifer and the safeguards that will be instituted to assure compliance with state and federal environmental regulations. In fact, other communities which rely upon the Chicot Aquifer, such as Houston with its myriad of interstate systems, have all had to face the same issues as Lafayette. Improved construction techniques and decades of experience in building interstate systems works to our benefit to ensure the best possible engineering solutions will be utilized. Neef emphasized that during the construction phase of the project, close coordination with Louisiana’s DEQ and the federal EPA will assure that adequate protection is maintained for the Chicot Aquifer. Dr. Shawn Wilson explained the process DOTD is undertaking to obtain community feedback on the best possible design, and Carlee Alm-Labar presented an overview of the TIGER grant process where Lafayette Consolidated Government is working to protect the neighborhoods which are located in vicinity of the corridor. Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux

www.upperlafayette.com • April 2016

signified his support of the project and emphasized that the investment in North Lafayette will play an important

role in revitalizing a community long split by the Evangeline Thruway Corridor.

If you are interested in receiving a copy of Neefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PowerPoint presentation, please email jan@upperlafayette.com and a copy will be forwarded.

www.upperlafayette.com â&#x20AC;˘ April 2016

McDonald's #1 Holds Grand Reopening McDonald’s #1, located at 1430 NE Evangeline Thruway, is celebrated its grand reopening on Wednesday, March 9, and ribbon cutting on Friday, March 11. The location was the Krampe family’s first McDonald’s in Acadiana when it opened in 1972, and the reopening gave customers a glimpse of the next generation of the restaurant’s design and dining experience, and marks the first time it has been completely rebuilt from the ground up. The McDonald’s #1 is among the the most technologically advanced McDonald’s restaurants in the country, with USB charging stations for mobile devices at many tables and free customer Wi-Fi throughout the building. A 70 inch HDTV has been installed for news and sports. The restaurant has a completely redesigned exterior and fresh, bright interior with enganced lighting and it includes seating for up to 100 guests. From an operations standpoint, the beverage and dessert production area has been streamlined to speed up the preparation of the McCafe specialty coffees, smoothies, shakes and other treats. McDonald’s #1 has been more than a popular restaurant and meeting spot since its opening in 1972. McDonald’s of Acadiana has employed over 70,000 people since 1972 and has supported local charities, youth sports and community initiatives. McDonald’s #1 was founded by Ed Krampe, and the restuarant contines to support the community as part of its dedication to excellent service as the region has grown. The grand reopening of celebration was attended by many local dignitaries. Father Chester Arceneaux of St. John’s Cathedral blessed the new building, and the Drum & Bugle Corps from Northside High School provided the entertainment.

www.upperlafayette.com • April 2016

www.upperlafayette.com â&#x20AC;˘ April 2016

Save the Date:

May Meeting Focuses on Resiliancy The challenges of our current economic environment have greatly impacted many businesses and families in our community. While we don’t have the power to change this reality, we can harness our personal power of resiliency to adapt, survive and thrive. In this session, we will explore best practices to navigating these challenging times while cultivating a spirit of resiliency in ourselves and others. Please save May 18, 2016, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Acadian Companies for a presentation by Jill Meaux of Excelerant who will guide us through the top ways to navigate tough times. Sponsored by Advancial Federal Credit Union, this luncheon is one you won’t want to miss! Registration is online at www.upperlafayette.com/events. Contact jan@ upperlafayette.com with any questions.

Northside High Puts On Once Upon a Mattress

Musicals have become a way of life for Northside High School junior, Tyler Jolivette, who, two years ago, had little idea what a musical was. “I’m just a performer at heart,” said Jolivette. “I like the crowd reaction. I like the dressing up. I like getting into character and performing.

Jolivette is one of the returning actors who performed in Northside’s March 2016’s presentation of the musical comedy, “Once Upon a Mattress,” Last year, Northside performed “Guys and Dolls,” the first musical in the school’s history. Performing arts were not even afterthoughts at Northside, which is considered an at-risk school with a low graduation rate and high number of dropouts. But “Guys & Dolls” became a reality after music teacher Sarah Clavelle successfully applied for a $10,000 grant from the Junior League of Lafayette for 12 weeks of theater classes. Actors and staff from Christian Youth Theater, an after-school arts program, provided help.

parents that have no idea of what they’re doing or why this is such a big deal. They might have to convince work that this is a big deal. “If they’re providing a needed income for the household, that’s all part of the things they have to balance. They’re trying to figure out that the end result is worth all the hard work and frustration leading up to it. “Just becoming a character, stepping outside of themselves is hard. So many have come to me and said, ‘I’ve really changed. I’m talking to people I’ve never talked to before.’ They’re recognizing qualities in themselves that I could have told them until I was blue in the face. They finally saw it for themselves and it’s more rewarding than anything they can do this weekend.”

This year’s production is no longer a class, but an after-school program. Several cast changes were made after actors were sidelined by work and other after-school commitments. Clavelle said those who were able to stay have excelled beyond expectations. “It’s part of teaching teens that responsibility of showing up and being there,” said Clavelle, co-director of this year’s play. “They might have to balance

www.upperlafayette.com • April 2016

Renowned Louisiana Songwriter & Musician David Egan Dies Renowned Louisiana songwriter and musician David Egan has died. The Lafayette piano player, who had been diagnosed with lung cancer for a second time, was 61 years old. Mr. Egan was one of the state’s most well-respected songwriters, penning tracks that were performed by Etta James, Solomon Burke, Percy Sledge, Tab Benoit, Irma Thomas, Marcia Ball, Marc Broussard, Joe Cocker and others. Mr. Egan grew up in Shreveport, but he left Louisiana to attend college at the University of North Texas, where he studied jazz and composition. He later landed in Nashville, where he served as a tour guide while struggling to make ends meet as a songwriter.

next three days,” he told writer Walter Pierce. “Know that I’m here and that I feel the circle — whether I see you or not before I’m gone — the circle remains unbroken. We’re always together. My love is forever. I’ll always be.” In the same interview, Mr. Egan mentioned that he was still working on music as much as was possible in his advanced illness. Mr. Egan left about five tracks to Adcock with the hopes that his friend and fellow Lafayette musician would be able to finish them. Article courtesy of the The Daily Advertiser.

But it didn’t exactly work out just then, and he returned to Shreveport to join the north Louisiana band A-Train and eventually went out on tour with Jo-El Sonnier. By 1990, he’d settled in Lafayette as part of File, according to a 2006 story by music writer Keith Spera for The Times-Picayune. Mr. Egan spent the next years building his credentials as a songwriter, and he released his debut album, “Twenty Years of Trouble,” in 2003, after quitting File. He eventually helped form the swamp pop all-star group Lil Band O Gold alongside CC Adcock and Warren Storm, and he released another album, “You Don’t Know Your Mind,” in 2008. “David Egan is in the same league as Doc Pomus, Dan Penn, Allen Toussaint and Bobby Charles, among the crème de la crème of R&B songwriters,” said Scott Billington, the producer of Thomas’ 2006 release “After the Rain” in an interview for The Times-Picayune for which Mr. Egan had penned a trio of tracks. “Each of his songs has something special, a lyrical or harmonic turn that you can’t forget. And he’s always soulful and deep.” In the months before his death, Mr. Egan granted one last interview to Lafayette’s alt-weekly publication, The Independent, for which he formerly contributed columns. In the revealing interview, Mr. Egan spoke candidly about his final days on Earth. “What I want to do is not make a big secret out of it, you know? But for people to just accept it, know that it’s happening, and not feel like they have to rush over here in the

www.upperlafayette.com • April 2016

UL Hosts Seminar on Salary & Pay Negotiation at Women’s Conference

Left to Right: Kim Billeaudeau, Dean Gwen Fontenot, Jan Swift

We’ve all heard about the pay gap between women and men’s salaries and proposed legislation in Louisiana and others states to fix the problem. In fact, the issue is much more complicated than meets the eye at first glance. Lean In, a popular book written by Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, broached this topic and presented a startling fact: if you don’t start out negotiating for a proper starting salary early in your career, you can leave behind approximately $500,000 in earnings over the course of your work career. Studies show that men negotiate almost everything more than women, and especially pay and employment benefits. Overall, women fail to negotiate because they dread being viewed as pushy or acting in a way to lose the opportunity to be considered for the job they are seeking. In a recent article in Time Magazine by Amelia Showalter and Chris Wilson, this gap was studied. An analysis of 15 million Americans, surveyed by the Census Bureau from 2008 to 2012 and classified into 460 occupations and seven age ranges, confirmed the wide gap in salaries. It didn’t matter if the workers were surgeons or local delivery truck drivers; the gap was pervasive and consistent nationally. By the time a woman is between the ages of 51 and 64, she will take home about 38% less than a male counterpart

with the same education and experience. Jan Swift, Executive Director of Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation, spoke about this topic at a Women’s conference held on March 9, 2016, by UL-Lafayette at the Cajundome Convention Center. Co-panel members Danielle Dayries and Kimberly Billeaudeau joined in for a lively discussion about what women can do to negotiate the best starting salary and how to stay competitive in salary negotiations once employed. There are local resources available for anyone looking for professional guidance in salary negotiations and other assistance in job seeking. For UL students and graduates, Kimberly Billeaudeau and the UL Office of Career Services is a great place to start. This office may be contacted by phoning 337.482.1444 or email career@louisiana.edu. Danielle Dayries of DMD & Associates, Inc., a career consulting firm, may be contacted at (866) 296-8593 or danielle@dmdcareerconsulting.com.

www.upperlafayette.com • April 2016

Stay Tuned For our Newest Episodes of Upper Lafayette On the Move! In April 2016, Upper Lafayette On the Move will feature Dr. Gwen Fontenot, Interim Dean of the B. I. Moody III College of Business Administration, and Maggie Trahan Simar, President of Junior League of Lafayette and a Hearing Officer for the 16th Judicial Family Court. Dr. Gwen Fontenot has served as interim dean of the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration since January 2015. Prior to being appointed as interim dean, Fontenot was head of the University’s Marketing and Hospitality Department and served as college internship director from August 2006 until May 2013. She is director of the UL Study Abroad program, a post that she has held since August 2014. She has taught in the UL Italy Study Abroad program seven years and served as site director of the Italy program three years. As interim dean, Fontenot led the college’s successful efforts to maintain accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business extending accreditation for both the accounting and business degree programs through 2020. She is also leading the effort to hire national scholars to fill six endowed chairs in various business disciplines. In the past 15 months, Fontenot has helped raise over $350,000 for scholarships, technological equipment, and operations for the business college and led in the development of a new technology and infrastructure fund, created a new annual Faculty Advising Award, and guided faculty and students in efforts to be more engaged with one another and with the community at large. Maggie Simar is a 1998 graduate of LSU Law School. Since 2003, she has been a Hearing Officer for the 16th Judicial District’s Family Court docket. In that capacity, Maggie hears and makes recommendations on all family filings, including custody, child support, domestic violence, spousal support, community property issues. Maggie joined the Junior League in 2000, and after serving in a myriad of leadership positions was elected President in 2015. Junior League enjoys a wonderful legacy in Lafayette and their work since 1957 has resulted in the development of numerous organizations including the Family Tree, Acadiana Center for the Arts and Healing House. In addition, they partner regularly with other organizations to help create greater impact in Lafayette Parish through our Community Enrichment and Collaborative Opportunity Grant programs to provide significant funding and volunteer support to other nonprofits. Over $6.5 million has been granted to various causes through the hard work of League members.. A part of every JLL volunteer’s tenure is the training that they receive. Members are trained on finances, community impact, servant leadership and other vital skills for creating leaders and skilled volunteers. We pride ourselves on what we do best—training our members! Membership is open to all women, of all ages, regardless of race, religion or national origin, who possess an interest in voluntarism, a commitment to community service and a desire to develop their own leadership potential. For more information on membership, call 337.988.2739 or email jll@juniorleagueoflafayette.com. Upper Lafayette On the Move! is presented on AOC 2(COX 16/LUS 4) on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at 8:30 pm. Episodes are also available online at www.upperlafayette.com/videos.

www.upperlafayette.com • April 2016

Gem of the Month: Broaddus Burgers Broaddus Burgers is tucked away inside of an old Sonic Drive-In building on Moss Street near the Northgate Mall, but it has quickly gained a cult like following from locals who frequent it. And from the get go, you’ll realize that this isn’t your typical burger joint. The restaurant’s menu is filled with surprises such as Ahi tuna steak and handmade fried cheese. The property was owned by owner Shawn Broaddus’ great grandmother, and after Sonic closed, he decided to turn the old restaurant into something new. He chose to focus on burgers because of the drive-in design and limited kitchen space. “We’re not doing it to be trendy,” Broaddus says. “It’s something that we genuinely just like to cook, and it’s not so much pushing the realm of burgers to the next thing or getting all the cool kids to eat burgers. We’re just trying to cook some good food, and we’re glad everyone enjoys it.” Broaddus calls himself a businessman by nature who picked up cooking while working his way toward becoming an Eagle Scout. “It all had to do with the Boy Scouts,” he says. “The first time my patrol was put on camp out and we had to fend for ourselves, I realized that the food I was cooking was not nearly as good as what I was used to eating from my mother and my grandparents. So I had to learn how to cook myself because if not, I was going to be eating canned Spaghetti O’s for the rest of my life, and that just wasn’t going to cut it.” And just what is Broaddus’ secret to a great burger? “The secret comes down to the seasoning and the way you cook it. Burgers don’t need to be touched more than just a couple times on the grill. I definitely say always use a char grill because any burger touched by a flame is going to be much better,” Broaddus says. And with a highly customizable menu, Broaddus Burgers allows customers to create just about any kind of burger imaginable – from a Surf ‘N’ Turf made up of a beef patty and Ahi tuna steak to a Fried Cheese Burger made of a beef patty topped with house-made mozzarella sticks and marinara sauce. The toppings are too numerous to list, but some of the more interesting options include sun-dried tomatoes, fried eggplant wheels and grilled pineapple. The menu also includes side items of fries, Canebreak-battered onion rings, fried cheese and jalapeno poppers. Milkshakes, protein shakes and sundaes complete the Broaddus experience. Taste for yourself: 1940 Moss St., Lafayette; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information: www.BroaddusBurgers. com or like them on Facebook! Information courtesy of Megan Wyatt, The Advertiser

www.upperlafayette.com • April 2016

Lafayette Connector – Acadiana’s Path Forward

by Steven P. Hebert, President and CEO, Billeaud Companies The time for Why is over, How and When are the Questions for today.

Our city’s leaders began working long ago on a vision for Lafayette, a bold ambitious project that will boost economic development, improve how we move around our community and make us all safer while we do it. This effort started over 30 years ago, in the midst of the last serious downturn in the oil field. After numerous starts and stop, exhaustive research into alternative routes, a lawsuit, an environmental impact study and thousands of meetings later, here we are, finally at the doorstep of realizing this goal, or are we? The I-49 Lafayette Connector and the completion of I-49 South provide a chance of changing our community and Acadiana as a whole, and I happen to believe, for the better. In addition to the wonderful economic benefits and traffic solutions, I believe it is the answer to the revitalization of historic downtown neighborhoods and the solution for much of the blight that exists along and around the Evangeline Throughway. The I-49 Lafayette Connector is a future 5.5-mile segment of limited-access highway that will extend I-49 from I-10 to the Lafayette Regional Airport. It is a critical transportation link for Lafayette and the entire state. The I-49 Lafayette Connector is a key component of I-49 South, whose parts and pieces are in place, mostly, from Lafayette to the Westbank Expressway in New Orleans. This last section of I-49 is the last link in the Interstate that stretches from Texarkana to New Orleans. The Lafayette Connector is the most challenging piece of the puzzle because it traverses an existing, developed, urban landscape, not to mention the enormous price tag. Completing the 5.5-mile stretch that is the I-49 Lafayette Connector is expected to cost about $900 million and the entire I-49 South project tops out at about $3 billion. So that’s about a third of the total cost for all of I-49 South will be spent right here in Lafayette. If we unable to get this project moving forward, there is little hope for completion of the remainder of the Interstate headed south. I can, but won’t go on about the traffic, safety and economic benefit of the Connector for Lafayette and Acadiana. I can, but won’t mention the recent survey of Lafayette Parish voters that showed overwhelming support for the completion of

www.upperlafayette.com • April 2016

Interstate 49 South through Lafayette. My point is that the Connector can be the solution to urban neighborhood redevelopment in Lafayette and step in the right direction to addressing the congestion and blight along the Evangeline Thruway. The federal government has approved this project and is at least saying for now, although funding sources have not completely been identified, that it is going to spend about a billion dollars right here in Lafayette and upset existing urban surroundings. I have been around long enough to know that when our government does that sort of thing, they attempt to mitigate the damage and make it all better with plenty of money. It is my belief that as the Connector moves closer to a construction date there will be federal legislative assistance offered. This assistance will come in the form of tax incentives, grants and low interest loans to assist in the redevelopment of the area in and around the Connector, over and above the billion or so spent on the road itself. This will inject needed incentive for new development and investment in and around the Connector. This will not only benefit the existing Evangeline Thruway corridor but also, downtown and the adjacent historic neighborhoods. While my assumptions here are just that, assumptions, what is the alternative? What if nothing happens with the Connector and I-49 South is either, not built or delayed another decade or so? Where will redevelopment funds come from then? What will Evangeline Thruway look like in 10 years from now without the Connector? Does anyone think the blight and neglect in the area, mostly due to the uncertainty of the Connector, will improve from another delay? So here is where we stand, the federal government is about to plunk down a billion dollars in our community and they are actually asking us for our opinion on how, where, and what we think it should look like. To be fair, there has been a great deal of local effort into getting us this opportunity for input. We should seize this opportunity and it appears our community is doing just that. Participation in the 18-month long, Functional Plan for the Connector utilizing a Context Sensitive Solutions approach has been phenomenal and mostly productive. We need to keep it up, make improvements and suggestions where we can, participate positively toward a favorable outcome for our community with the goal of completing the Connector. Now is not the time to look this gift horse in the mouth, if we are to drive the Connector in our lifetime, we all need to be asking When not Why.

www.upperlafayette.com â&#x20AC;˘ April 2016

Take a Staycation in the Bayou Vermilion District Looking for a getaway right here at home? Looking to meet someone? Have a special someone and trying for the perfect date? Maybe you need an activity to do with the kids... Since 1984, the Lafayette Parish Bayou Vermilion District (BVD) has worked to beautify, conserve and manage sites along the Vermilion focusing on both the environment and the unique culture of Lafayette. The BVD manages boat, canoe and kayak launches in addition to public parks along the river in an effort to promote recreation along the Vermilion, and in 1990, opened the Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park as a way to preserve and represent the Acadian, Creole and Native American cultures from the time period 1765-1890. Since then, the historic village has become one of Lafayette’s premiere tourist attractions welcoming more than 50,000 visitors each year from around the world. Vermilionville sits on a beautiful tree-covered 23-acre site on the banks of the Bayou Vermilion in the heart of Lafayette, providing a place for history, music, food, cultural exchange, historic architecture and much more. Hungry? Every Tuesday through Sunday, La Cuisine de Maman is open for lunch, serving authentic Cajun and Creole dishes in a beautiful setting. Eager to learn more about historic crafts? Les Mains Guidées (The Guided Hands) is a monthly series of day-long workshops that allow you to learn everything from woodcarving to beading to herbology. Want to enjoy music or dance? Every Saturday, Vermilionville hosts a weekly Cajun Jam led by some of the area’s finest musicians. The free jam is held in the Performance Center and is open to all skill levels-beginner to professional. Free admission is for jam only and does not include entry to the park. Interested in touring the Living History village? Open six days a week, regular cost of admission is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, $6 for students ages 5-18 and free for children under age 5. A variety of group rates and other discounts are offered. Love the water? Experience the tidal river known as the Bayou Vermilion while riding on a traditionally built bateau, constructed by a fourth generation master boat builder. Or, go on a canoe or kayak paddle trip organized regularly

for all skill levels! There are countless ways to enjoy the BVD, and it continues to be one of the best kept secrets of our area. Upcoming events include: April 17th: Earth Day 2016, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Earth Day is a celebration to commemorate the individuals and organizations actively engaged in promoting wise stewardship practices. Bring the kids and enjoy a paddle in Vermilionville’s Petit Bayou as well as the various craft and activity stations, visit our cooking school for cheese-making demonstrations, enjoy music in the Performance Center by Bonsoir, Catin and Corey Ledet & His Zydeco Band, grab a bite to eat and relax with a free yoga class. You can also cleanse your closet by bringing unwanted clothing items to donate or trade in our “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” clothing swap (all clothing items remaining at the end of the day will be donated to a charity). On your way home, take a free tree with you and begin your own stewardship legacy for the future. For an additional cost, boat tours of the Bayou Vermilion will also be available. Admission is FREE. May 15th: 5th annual Bayou Vermilion Festival & Boat Parade, 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. The community is invited to let the good times flow at a celebration of and on the Bayou Vermilion that aims to increase awareness of the river as a viable source of recreation for Lafayette Parish as well as awareness of the BVD’s efforts along the Vermilion. Start the morning off at the Bayou Vermilion Festival. Activities include free face painting for adults and children alike, a bubbles station, live music , film showings and more. This year’s Bayou Vermilion Festival will include the 2nd annual “Reduce, Reuse, Re-Paddle Craft” Race at 11:00 a.m. in the Retention Pond in front of the Bayou Vermilion District’s offices. To compete in the race, click here to view the rules and regulations for building your own human-powered (no motors) paddle craft out of recyclable materials. At 2 p.m. the parade will depart from Vermilionville and end at the Camellia Bridge Launch with a celebration complete with live music as well as food and drinks. The public is invited to participate. Paddlers can register the day of the event at Vermilionville, or online by clicking here. For more information about all that the BVD has to offer, please visit their website or call (337) 233-4077.

www.upperlafayette.com • April 2016

Thank you for your generosity.. Platinum Members ($2400)

Acadian Companies Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc. Aries Marine Corporation ASH/Badger Oil Company Couret Farms Cox Communications Delta Media Home Furniture Hub City Ford IBERIABANK Lafayette General Medical Center McDonald’s of Acadiana MidSouth Bank Our Lady of Lourdes Republic National Distributing Company Schilling Distributing Company Stone Energy Whitney National Bank

Gold Members ($1200)

Acadiana Rubber & Gasket Atmos Energy Beau Box Commercial Real Estate Dupré Logistics, LLC Fenstermaker & Associates Gulf Coast Bank Home Bank Omni Energy Services The Southwest Group Van Eaton & Romero

Silver Members ($600)

Ace Plumbing, Inc. BBR Creative Cajun Harley Davidson Coburn’s Supply Company Edward Jones/Bob Crist Entergy Gauthiers’ RV Center Master Builders & Specialists, Inc. Oakbourne Country Club Prejean Creative Rader Solutions

Silver Members