Volume 8
July 2009
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE…. Northside High Environmental Sciences Academy
Upcoming Events Meeting Schedule 2009 July 15 7:30 a.m. Acadian Hills Country Club Speakers: Pete Yuan & Terry Huval September 16 November 12—Special Guest Chief Justice Kitty Kimball Locations to be announced.
Northside High is home to a new Environmental Career Option course (“School of Choice”) which is overseen by Chad Broussard, a truly dynamic leader in our local education community. ULEDF members Todd Citron, Herbert Schilling, Terry Rogers, and Director Jan Swift, have had the opportunity to spend time with Chad, both in personal tours as well as an organizational meeting of an Advisory Board held on May 27, 2009. The Academy gives students experience in four core areas: environmental law, environmental engineering, environmental management and ecology. All students must complete a four year research project based upon their experiences at the Academy. Chad Broussard, Northside High Environmental students are also encouraged to focus on the finer arts of public speaking, being challenged to ask, “Who are we?” By learning to prepare and present multi-media presentations, the students develop confidence and the appropriate demeanor which will serve them well in their social and work lives. Chad focuses on offering a place where the kids can be “themselves” and get excited about learning. Teachers are encouraged to build meaningful educational experiences by maintaining personal contact with their students. Students are tracked over the course of the program in elements such as social etiquette, classroom etiquette, community service/philanthropy, responsibility, school pride and academics.
ULEDF is so proud of Northside High and this new School of Choice option in Lafayette Parish. Any one interested in more details may reach Chad at chbroussard@lpssonline.com.
PETE YUAN, IBERIABANK, FEATURED SPEAKER AT JULY MEETING UPPER LAFAYETTE BOUNDARIES
The Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation is holding its next general membership meeting Wednesday, July 15, 7:30 a.m., at Acadian Hills Country Club. Pete Yuan, president of the Lafayette market for IberiaBank and ULEDF member, is our featured speaker who will discuss the local banking market in Lafayette. Pete will also introduce us to the Acadiana Regional Alliance (ARA), in which he has served as a driving force on behalf of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. The ARA promotes the interests of our region by identifying issues and developing initiatives to address needs in which we have in common. The alliance hopes to leverage our collective voices by presenting a common front on behalf of the eight parish area. Anyone wanting more information is encouraged to visit http:// acadianaregionalalliance.com. Pete Yuan joined IBERIABANK in August 2005. He began his banking career in 1987 in Dallas and has worked in Energy Banking, Strategic Planning, and Commercial Lending, and serving as Market Manager and DiviPete Yuan, IberiaBank sion Manager. Upon his move to Lafayette, Pete quickly became involved in the Lafayette community serving as Board Member with the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana (PASA), the Acadiana Outreach Center, the United Way of Acadiana (currently serving as the 2009 Campaign Chair), and the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce (currently serving as Chairman of the Regionalism Committee). Pete has served as Fundraising Chair for the Bishop’s Charity Gala, and is a member of the Downtown Rotary Club and Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation. Also joining us will be Terry Huval, Director of LUS, who will provide the latest update on the fiber to the premise initiative. Besides serving effectively in his role as director of LUS, Terry is a talented musician who is a member of the Cajun Jambalaya Band. ULEDF will always be grateful to Terry and his band for allowing us to use their song, “Hey Rock!” as the theme song of our television show playing on Acadiana Open Channel. A light breakfast will be provided by Acadian Hills at the meeting. Anyone interested in attending on July 15 should email jan@upperlafayette.com or call (337)572-9877 Ext. 108.
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE…. EAT LAFAYETTE CAMPAIGN PROVIDES A GREAT EXCUSE TO DINE OUT! “Upper Lafayette, On the Move!” has a new show on Acadiana Open Channel highlighting the 2009 Eat Lafayette campaign running from June 22 through August 15, 2009. Initiated by a conversation between Charlie Goodson, owner of Charley G's Seafood Grill, and Gerald Breaux, Executive Director of the Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission (and proud member and supporter of ULEDF!), the Eat Lafayette campaign is now in its fifth year. Approximately 44 restaurants signed up to participate in this highly successful campaign, which was unveiled at the Petroleum Club in a joint event with the Lafayette Chamber’s Business After Hours on June 18. "Eat Lafayette promotes locally-owned restaurants," said Breaux. "Lafayette's variety of food and restaurant choices continues to expand, everything from seafood, Italian, BBQ, Cajun, fine dining, Japanese, Greek, southwest fusion and traditional Mexican." Breaux estimates that Lafayette has approximately 96 to 100 locally owned restaurants, a phenomenal number compared to most cities throughout the U.S. The campaign works to increase the awareness about the fine restaurants that are locally owned in Lafayette. According to Elaine Alderman of Riverside Inn, each dollar spent at a local restaurant turns over 10 times in our local economy. Think about it: each restaurant probably employs not only a chef, wait staff and a cleaning crew, but also an accountant, attorney, places ads in local media, etc. From the selection of fine cuisine showcased at the kick-off event for Eat Lafayette, it’s time to dig in and enjoy our local eateries! The Eat Lafayette web site is a year-round resource. The web site at http://www.eatlafayette.com has a complete listing of participants and a map for each locale. ULEDF congratulates all restaurants who are a part of this great event, including our own Upper Lafayette restaurants such as Chris’s Poboy’s on Moss, Fezzo's Seafood, Steakhouse and Oyster Bar, and Prejean’s. Also, thanks to ULEDF member Atmos Energy for supporting this wonderful cause. 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. Anyone desiring more information about our foundation is encouraged to call Jan Swift at (337)572-9877 Ext. 108 or email jan@upperlafayette.com. Also, please visit www.upperlafayette.com for a membership application and brochure. Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc.
Gulf States Real Estate Services
John W. Milton, Attorney at Law
Acadiana C. A. R. E. S. Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc. Acadiana Rubber & Gasket Allstates Building Systems Aries Marine Corporation ASH/Badger Oil Company Associated Travel Group Atmos Energy Bizzuka Castille Properties CENAC, Inc./Acadian Hills Country Club Joey Durel Hallmark Jewelers Horace Guidry
Home Furniture Hub City Ford Iberia Bank Kidney Consultants of La. Lafayette Convention & Visitors Bureau LeBlanc's Auto Wholesale/Richard LeBlanc Michelle Leder LLLand, LLC The Lolley Group Lowry's Printing and Copying Dr. Don and Mrs. Barbara McConnell McDonald's of Acadiana Flo Meadows
MidSouth Bank Poche Prouet & Associates Republic Beverage Company Ron J. Gaubert Realtors Schilling Distributing Co., Inc. Ken Simeral SLEMCO Stevens RV Center Stirling Properties Terry J. Rogers, Ltd. Sandy Thibodeaux Monty Warren Whitney National Bank
Volume 8
Page 2