ACADIANA March 2018 - Vol. 1 No. 2 Complimentary Copy
Business & Industry | Community Affairs | Events & Entertainment
COVER STORY
ENTERTAINMENT
Kaliste Saloom Road construction nears completion as new project is set to begin ZOSO
The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience March 17 at 9:30 pm
MORE ENTERTAINMENT on page 2
IN THIS ISSUE:
Commuters to see more delays as new project begins PAGE 3
• Events & Entertainment • Community Updates • LA-AG Joins SuitAffordable Care Act • UL Students Shine • People In Acadiana • STM Girls Soccer State Champs • Business On The Grow • Business & Industry Reports • Moncus Park To Begin Phase I
STATE NEWS Mail Slot
With no solution on the states fiscal cliff, what happens next? (LA Radio Network) So what happens now that the legislature was not able to come to any agreement on solving the fiscal cliff? Governor John Bel Edwards doubts legislators can pass a budget for next fiscal year in the regular session, so another special session is likely. “As a result, I’ve already asked Senate President John Alario and House Speaker Taylor Barras adjourn their regular session by mid-May, doing so would allow us to have a special session that would conclude by June 4th,” Edwards said.
But Republican House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry is optimist they can pass a budget in the regular session, because the state can do more to reduce its spending. “Remember, a shortfall is defined as money that agencies want, not what they need, so when we say we have a shortfall, we are not able to give the agencies all of
Fiscal Cliff Continued on page 3
Gov. John Bel Edwards
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PARISH NEWS
March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7
THURSDAY, MARCH 22
-ARTISTS TALK WITH LYNDA FRESE; PAUL AND LULU HILLIARD UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM, 6:00 PM -THE WURST OPEN-MIC NIGHT; THE WURST BIERGARTEN, 8:00 PM -DUELING PIANOS WITH LAUGHS & LIBATIONS; THE GROUSE ROOM, 8:00 PM
-BOB’S BURGERS TRIVIA NIGHT; THE WURST BIERGARTEN, 6:00 PM -SAVE ZE TA TAZ: 9TH ANNUAL ZONTA CLUB ART BRA - HOSTED BY ZONTA CLUB OF LAFAYETTE - MORE INFO AT: FACEBOOK.COM/ZONTALAFAYETTE
THURSDAY, MARCH 8
-TOUGHEST MONSTER TRUCK TOUR; CAJUNDOME, 7:30 PM -CLAY CORMIER & THE HIGHWAY BOYS; THE GROUSE ROOM, 9:30 PM
-WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE; UL LAFAYETTE STUDENT UNION, 7:30 AM -AN EVENING WITH JIM PHARIS AND ESTHER TYREE; THE PLATFORM AT DAT DOG, 8:00 PM -RIVERDANCE WITH BROADWAY IN LAFAYETTE; HEYMANN PERFORMING ARTS, 7:30 PM
FRIDAY, MARCH 9
-CRYPT EP RELEASE WITH THE ARBITRARY, JESSE SLAYTER, PAGODA MAMBO; THE PLATFORM AT DAT DOG, 8:00 PM -106THREE SESSIONS FEATURING ABSOFACTO; FEED N SEED, 7:00 PM
SATURDAY, MARCH 10
-FAMILY ADVENTURE DAY 2018; BENEFITING HEALING HOUSE - HEALING-HOUSE.ORG HOPEFEST 5K; RIVER RANCH TOWN SQUARE, REGISTRATION STARTS AT 7:15 AM RACE STARTS AT 8:00 AM -YOGA IN THE GALLERIA; PAUL AND LULU HILLIARD UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM, 11:00 AM -CAJUN COMIC RELIEF XXVI; THE HEYMANN PERFORMING ARTS, 5:00 PM -2ND SATURDAY ARTWALK; DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE, 6:00 PM -PERFORMANCES BY SCENIC WORLD, BRNDA, & POPPIES; THE PLATFORM AT DAT DOG, 9:00 PM -SCARAB - THE JOURNEY EXPERIENCE; THE GROUSE ROOM - PARC LAFAYETTE 9:30 PM
SUNDAY, MARCH 11
-SHADOWS-ON-THE-TECHE PLEIN AIR PAINTING COMPETITION; SHADOWS-ON-THETECHE, 9:00 AM MARCH 11-16 -PERFORMANCES BY MONIKA AND CALIFORNIA COUSINS, THE PLATFORM AT DAT DOG, 6:00 PM -STOP THE CLOCK COWBOY JAZZ; FEED N SEED, 6:00 PM
FRIDAY, MARCH 16
-3RD ANNUAL CELTIC BAYOU FESTIVAL; WAREHOUSE 535, ALL DAY -ACADIANA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS: MUSIC AND DANCE: FROM SHAKESPEARE TO VIRTUAL REALITY; THE HEYMANN PERFORMING ARTS, 7:00 PM -PERFORMANCES BY GENO DELAFOSE & FRENCH ROCKIN’ BOOGIE; FEED N SEED, 8:30 PM -AN EVENING WITH GERARD DELAFOSE & THE ZYDECO GATORS; THE PLATFORM AT DAT DOG, 9:00 PM -GRAMMY AWARD WINNING LOST BAYOU RAMBLERS; THE WURST BIERGARTEN, 9:00 PM
SATURDAY, MARCH 17
-3RD ANNUAL CELTIC BAYOU FESTIVAL; WAREHOUSE 535, ALL DAY -PERFORMANCES BY SHRUGS, SABRA GUZMÁN, KIA CAVALLARO, AND ADRON; THE PLATFORM AT DAT DOG, 8:00 PM -PERFORMANCES BY CEDRYL BALLOU AND THE BAYOU TRENDSETTERS; FEED N SEED, 9:00 PM -PERFORMANCE BY ZOSO, A LED ZEPPELIN TRIBUTE BAND; THE GROUSE ROOM, 9:30 PM -PATTY IN THE PARC; PARC INTERNATIONAL - DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE
MONDAY, MARCH 19
-UL LAFAYETTE FASHION SHOW; ACADIANA CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 6:00 PM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21
-ARTIST TALK WITH KEITH DUNCAN; PAUL AND LULU HILLIARD UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM, 6:00 PM
FRIDAY, MARCH 23
SATURDAY, MARCH 24
-LAFAYETTE CHILDREN’S CARNIVAL SUPERHEROES; WONDERLAND PERFORMING ARTS; LAFAYETTE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, 12:30 PM -TOUGHEST MONSTER TRUCK TOUR; CAJUNDOME, 7:30 PM -STONED VS. DRUNK VS. SOBER - A STAND-UP COMEDY SHOWCASE; THE WURST BIERGARTEN, 8:00 PM -LAFAYETTE BALLET THEATER PRESENTS SNOW WHITE; THE HEYMANN PERFORMING ARTS, 7:00 PM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28
-GUNS IN THE HANDS OF ARTISTS; PAUL AND LULU HILLIARD UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM, 6:00 PM
THURSDAY, MARCH 29
-RHYTHMS ON THE RIVER; RIVER RANCH - 5:30-8:30 - TAB BENOIT - FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP CONCERT
FRIDAY, MARCH 30
GOOD FRIDAY
SATURDAY, MARCH 31
-ATCHAFALAYA OPENS FOR AUTUMN WILD; THE GROUSE ROOM, 8:00 PM -THE GOOD DUDES; THE WURST BIERGARTEN, 9:00 PM
FRIDAY, MARCH 30
EASTER
THURSDAY, APRIL 5
-RHYTHMS ON THE RIVER; RIVER RANCH - 5:30-8:30 - SOULED OUT BAND
APRIL 4 - 8
-CYCLE ZYDECO - LOUISIANA’S CAJUN & CREOLE CYCLING FESTIVAL - A FOUR DAY CYCLE FESTIVAL RIDE FROM LAFAYETTE TO NEW IBERIA, BREAUX BRIDGE, AND SUNSET FOR A 170 MILE HERITAGE-RICH RIDE. CYCLEZYDECO.ORG
APRIL 6 - 8
-SCOTT BOUDIN FESTIVAL: SCOTT LA - LION CLUB ST. - SCOTTBOUDINFESTIVAL.COM
SATURDAY, APRIL 7
-ACADIANA PO-BOY FESTIVAL; PARC SAN SOUCI, ALL DAY EVENT -ACADIANA BIRD FAIR; LAFAYETTE EVENT CENTER, 10:00 AM -WALK FOR HOPE 2018 - AUTISM SOCIETY OF ACADIANA - 8:00 AM - NOON - BLACKHAM COLISEUM
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11
-STYX AND REO SPEEDWAGON WITH SPECIAL GUEST DON FELDER - CAJUNDOME 7:00 PM
THURSDAY, APRIL 12
-RHYTHMS ON THE RIVER; RIVER RANCH - 5:30-8:30 - LOUISIANA RED
SATURDAY, APRIL 14
-THE BIG EASEL ART FESTIVAL; 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM - RIVER RANCH TOWN SQUARE
THURSDAY, APRIL 19
-RHYTHMS ON THE RIVER; RIVER RANCH - 5:30-8:30 - WAYNE TOUPS & FREDDIE PATE
Celebrate Responsibly !
FRIDAY, APRIL 20
-TOAST OF THE TOWN GALA: BENEFIT HOSTED BY MADDIE’S FOOTPRINTS - 7:00 PM TO 11:00 PM LE PAVILION - PARC LAFAYETTE
SATURDAY. APRIL 21
-BUBBLES & BRUNCH: AN OUTDOOR BRUNCH EXPERIENCE - 10:00 AM TO 4:00 PM - TICKET INFO SOCIALENTERTAINMENT.NET
APRIL 25 - 29
-FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE LOUISIANE; DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE FESTIVALINTERNATIONAL.ORG
HAVE AN EVENT TO PROMOTE? POST IT FOR FREE ON WWW.MYPARISHNEWS.COM AND WWW.FACEACADIANA.COM
March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
Kaliste Saloom Road construction nears completion as new project is set to begin Commuters to see more delays as new project begins By Flint Zerangue, Sr.
If you are a frequent traveler of Kaliste Saloom Road between Pinhook and Ambassador Caffery Pkwy, there is no doubt you have become accustomed to constant delays. From business owners, patrons and commuters, the lane closures, lane shifts and the occasional flying traffic cone have affected everyone using this corridor. The good news is that the “Rehab” project is more than 90% completed with only a few punch list items and new stripping remaining before completion. According to a spokesman with the Lafayette Consolidated Government, provided there are no unexpected delays, the project should be completed by the end of April 2018.
Background of the Kaliste Saloom Road Rehab Project The project began in October 2017. Listed as a rehabilitation project to defer major-maintenance on the 30 plus-yearold concrete road. The construction included updating a series of road panels, repairing “minor issues” such as spoiling and cracks in the concrete.
These repairs are reported to delay the need for major maintenance on Kaliste Saloom for an additional 10-15 years. LCG originally budgeted the project at $639,000. According to our sources, the project ran roughly $19,000 over budget and LCG issued a “change order” for additional work, increasing the price by some $200,000. Cecil Perry Improvements of Lafayette is the contractor.
Commuters To See More Delays As New Project Begins With the Rehab project coming to a close, traffic issues on Kaliste Saloom should begin to ease. However, not entirely as construction will soon start on “Intersection Improvements” at the corners of Feu Follet Rd, E. Bayou Pkwy and Kaliste Salom near St. Pius Elementary School, where additional Left-turning lanes are to be added. This project is budgeted at $1,258,000.
Fiscal Cliff
Continued from Front page the money they want,” Henry said. The state is facing a billion dollar shortfall, but Louisiana will receive an additional 300-million dollars in state tax revenues, because of changes made as a result of the federal tax overhaul. Edwards says even with the extra revenue deep cuts will be needed and there will be more urgency to raise revenue in a special session that he
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PARISH NEWS
hopes will begin in May. “And actually see the choices they are going to have to make to try to fashion a budget in 694-million dollars less in state general funds than they have this year,” Edwards said.
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PARISH NEWS
Jady Regard shares his entrepreneurial quests By Jan Swift
Jady Regard embodies the spirit of Louisiana. Well-known throughout Acadiana for his chief day job as C.N.O., or Chief Nut Officer, of Cane River Pecan Company, Jady brings a sense of joie de vivre to everything he does. But don’t let this fun-loving persona mislead you; while Jady Regard’s humor can be disarming, his proven track record of success in a myriad of unrelated fields provides rich data to be mined by anyone dreaming of starting their own business. In a recent podcast episode of Discover Lafayette, Jady and I discussed life, work, family and his love of Lafayette. As we chronicled his various job adventures, he labeled himself “the perfect boomerang baby” referring to his many treks in and out of Louisiana before he settled down in Lafayette. Living close to downtown, Jady and his family enjoy the 6-minute bike ride to downtown and relish their time spent soaking up the cultural diversity offered by the ACA, festivals and other downtown attractions. To get a better snapshot of the creative energy Jady exudes, we started with his college days working for the LSU Basketball team when Shaquille O’Neal was a star. His love of sports led him to work for the Louisiana Ice Gators and eventually the Chicago Bears. Jady moved back to Louisiana to assume management duties of Cane River Pecan Company in 2002. The company’s roots go back to 1969 when his father and uncle acquired a pecan orchard along the Cane River in Natchitoches Parish. Today, Cane River is focused on B2B, and Jady’s creative marketing tactics have led to success in the niche market of corporate gifting. Plans are in the works to open a “pie bar” which will offer up fantastic desserts made with pecans (no other nuts allowed!). Many of you know Jady as the
March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
Helping our youth become interested in STEM subjects By Savannah Ludwig
Jady Regard and Jan Swift author of a line of successful children’s books, which started with “Born to Be a Tiger”, and led to five other books commemorating family love of great football traditions. Jady shared writing books has been one of the most rewarding things he’s done in life. Other interests in Jady’s life have led to him to follow his creative bent. As a child, his father would take him to Le Petit Soldier Shop in New Orleans, which was the second oldest toy store of its kind in the U. S. As an adult, he retained his fascination with toy soldiers; while working for the Bears, he was visiting an upscale toy store and wondered, “Does anyone makes toy replicas for college marching bands?” One thing led to another and if you’re a fan of miniature collectibles, you may want to check out Jady’s Little Band Man Company. Hand sculpted in Northern England, Jady commissions tiny marching band members representing teams such as Texas A & M, LSU, Texas, USC, Michigan, Harvard, West Point, and more. On family-owned property in Lena, Louisiana, Jady also serves as a lead guide on wild alligator hunts. Attracting visitors from around the U. S., people flock to his Bourbe Lake Hunting Club to experience a thrill-seeking hunt. Alligator hides can then be processed into beautiful gifts right here in Lafayette at the Hermes-owned RTL Tannery. Louisiana has great storytellers, and I can’t think of a better one than Jady Regard! As I listened to our interview again to prepare this article, I couldn’t help but feel immense pride in living right here, in what Jady described as “the most perfect sized town.” I hope you agree as you listen to his fascinating interview at discoverlafayette.net.
The United States has developed as a global leader, in large part, through the genius and hard work of its scientists, engineers, and innovators. In a world that’s becoming increasingly complex, where success is driven not only by what you know, but by what you can do with that knowledge. Now, more than ever, it is essential that our youth become equipped with the knowledge and skills to solve tough problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and make sense of information. These are the types of skills that students learn by studying science, technology, engineering, and math— subjects collectively known as STEM. In Lafayette Parish, we are fortunate to have STEM programs that specialize and teach a wide range of subjects that can significantly enhance a child’s ability to not only survive as an adult, but thrive. The Lafayette Parish School System’s Magnet Academy’s offers numerous opportunities of choice for our youth. Here is a list of only a few of the many programs now available. ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: J. Wallace James – Arts & Technology L. Leo Judice – Environmental Science
MIDDLE SCHOOL: David Thibodaux Middle – STEM Academy Carencro Middle – Biomedical Academy Judice Middle – Business Academy HIGH SCHOOLS: David Thibodaux High School – STEM Academy Northside High School – Broadcasting and Journalism Lafayette High School – Health Care Academy STEM programs are helping shape the future of our country. Set an early foundation and stress the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math with your child. Encourage them from a young age to participate in hands-on STEM activities. Those with an interest or aptitude in these subjects will continue to pursue these paths as they learn and grow. For more information visit: www.lafayettechoice.com
Source: U.S. Department of Education
March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
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PARISH NEWS
Lafayette Named as finalist in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ 2018 Mayors Challenge
35 Champion Cities Compete for the Title in Ideas Challenge
Bloomberg Philanthropies has announced Lafayette as one of the 35 Champion Cities finalists in its 2018 U.S. Mayors Challenge. Lafayette was among a competitive pool of more than 320 applicants and now advances in the nationwide challenge to compete alongside other Champion Cities including Austin, TX, Boston, MA, Charleston, SC, Denver, CO, Detroit, MI, Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL, Oklahoma City, OK, Philadelphia, PA, Phoenix, AZ, Pittsburgh, PA and Washington, D.C. In its fourth iteration, the Mayors Challenge calls upon cities to identify an urgent challenge in their community and then develop an innovative plan to tackle the issue. In the finalist round, Lafayette will participate in the six-month “Test,
Learn, and Adapt” phase of the competition. Each Champion City has access to Bloomberg Philanthropies grant funding of up to $100,000 as well as personalized support from innovation experts in this phase. A local team of subject-matter experts and stakeholders assembled by Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux will work to refine the idea, create and test a prototype, build support for the innovation, and ultimately submit a final application in August 2018. In October, four cities will receive $1 million awards and one will receive a grand prize of $5 million to bring their ideas to life. “We received hundreds of bold and creative ideas from cities around the country in response to the 2018 Mayors Challenge, and these 35 really stood out for their potential to improve people’s lives. The next six months are a great opportunity for the cities to test their ideas and make them even more innovative and effective,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and three-term Mayor of New York City. The 35 Champion Cities performed
the best against four key criteriavision, potential for impact, implementation plan, and potential to spread to other cities. A prestigious selection committee Co-Chaired by Former Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and Former Xerox Chairman & CEO Ursula Burns and comprising distinguished policy experts, artists, academics, business executives and social innovation leaders assessed the applications. With many local residents still recovering from historic flooding in August of 2016, LCG signed on early to the Mayors Challenge in hopes of addressing drainage issues. Then late last summer, local elected officials and stakeholders, scientists and hydrology experts, and LCG representatives completed a one-day workshop facilitated by a Bloomberg Philanthropies representative to strengthen the initial application. “Our application focused on a very specific, action-oriented and innovative idea to engage the community and work as partners to address storm water management and drainage. Our goal is to take what we’ve learned about
managing storm water and package it into a tool that can be used to address flooding in any community, not just Lafayette,” said Robideaux. The Mayors Challenge returns to the U.S. as the first investment in the American Cities Initiative, a $200 million suite of new and expanded programs that will empower cities to generate innovation and advance policies that move the nation forward. This year’s challenge builds on the success of previous Bloombergsponsored Challenges in the U.S. (2013), Europe (2014), and Latin America and the Caribbean (2016). In 2013, LCG participated in the Mayors Challenge and advanced as a finalist with a civic engagement-themed application. For more information, visit mayorschallenge.bloomberg.org and @BloombergCities on Twitter and Instagram. Source: Lafayette Consolidated Government, Bloomberg Philanthropies
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March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
STATE OF AFFAIRS... Lafayette Consolidated Government
LCG officials discuss safety in, around schools Lafayette officials in both city hall and the parish school system have resolved to increase safety measures in and around campuses in the area. The city-parish government voted 6-2 to implement traffic cameras and speed-detecting vehicles in school zones around schools in the city and possibly the parish. The resolution passed stated that city council members will explore options for contractors such as RedFlex or ATS. The council will also decide in which school zones to place the cameras. “I view it as a preventative measure,” said District 6 Councilman Bruce Conque. William Theriot, District 9, noted in the meeting no child has been struck by a vehicle in school zones in the records he could find; however, Conque said the resolution will curb distracted driving and increase accountability. “As a resource to encourage people to acknowledge the speed limits in school zones, this is a good tool,” Conque said City officials will also explore trying violators in city court - a provision not offered through speed monitoring services in the past. “The city court adds some teeth to the proposed program, Conque said. “This is something that did not exist before. There’s a definite consequence that you could indeed end up in city court for failure to pay the citation and that’s a good thing. In the past, there was absolutely no consequence other than
threats.” The Lafayette Parish School Board directed the superintendent to devise a plan to increase public safety in wake of incidents such as the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. Part of the suggested additions includes metal detectors at Acadiana, Carencro, Comeaux and Lafayette high school, which would total $75,000. The school board hopes to present a proposed budget revision to accommodate the increased measures at its March 7 meeting.
City of Youngsville
Youngsville police look to hire new personnel
As Youngsville continues to grow structurally and economically, its police department is looking to hire more officers to serve the growing populations. Youngsville Police Chief Rickey Boudreaux told KLFY he wants to hire four more people onto his force to patrol over 65 subdivisions within city limits, bringing the amount of patrol officers to eight. The hiring would bring the total of officers in the YPD to 26.
Youngsville/Scott
Youngsville, Scott receive funding through hazard grant for drainage Youngsville and Scott will see some $11.2 million in drainage projects following the Acadiana Planning Commission’s vote to fund improvements in nine regional areas. The APC voted in February to spend $25 million in federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding projects in St. Martin, Vermilion, Iberia and Evangeline parishes, and four projects in Lafayette Parish. The funds come from a 2017 decision by parish leaders to pool federal hazard mitigation grant money and addressing issues as a region rather than leaving the decision to each parish. Both the APC and local governments have to match the federal funds, as well as pay for the projects and get reimbursed with the money. “The August 2016 flood was a model of how water knows no boundaries. While each parish could have received their own share of HMGP flooding, the truth is that we can address flooding better together as a region than we can alone as individual parishes,” says APC Board Chairman Bill Fontenot. Youngsville projects include the creation of the Coulee LaSalle detention pond, a $2.3 million project that covers 22.5 acres. The pond is expected to alleviate flooding in Lafayette, St. Martin and Iberia parishes. The other project, the Bayou Parc Perdu/Bailey Grove regional detention ponds, will cost around $5 million and will ease flooding in parts of Lafayette, Vermilion and
Iberia parishes. In Scott, the Coulee Ile des Cannes regional detention facility will be funded at $1.5 million. The project entails constructing a detention pond that’s expected to relieve flooding in Scott as well as St. Landry, Vermilion and Acadia parishes. The coulee is the center of Scott’s other project: a $2.4 million improvement to a section of the coulee in progress since the ‘80s. Two Lafayette Parish projects - a $2.2 million Coulee Mine flood control project and a $1.5 million Isaac Verot Anselm Coulee regional detention facility project, are on standby in case any of the funded projects are unable to be completed.
City of Scott
Officials gearing up for Apollo Road Extension Scott officials are watching the Louisiana Legislature to determine its path forward on the Apollo Road Extension project. The proposed extension would connect Apollo Road’s end at Old Spanish Trail to Rue De Belier. The project has been rated as one of the most important projects in Lafayette Parish: the completed roadway would allow motorists easier access to Lafayette’s south side while avoiding Ambassador Caffery Parkway, as well as offering easier access to local businesses. “By doing this extension, we take
March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
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PARISH NEWS
several dog legs out of the state system. It improves the traffic and on the state highway, providing for traffic flow in Scott,” says Comprehensive Plan Facilitator Pat Logan. Logan said the city has been promised around $12 million in capital outlay funding for the project; however, the looming budget deficits may rule out funding in the 2018-2019 fiscal year. Logan said the city will pay for the first phase of construction through bonds. The money used, he said, will count towards a match with capital outlay. The city will propose two alternative bids: one a $5 million twolane stretch, and a four-lane, $8 million road. Total project costs are estimated at $22 million. The first phase of road construction will range from Old Spanish Trail Road to J B Road. Later project phase will extend to Rue De Belier as Scott officials negotiate its final right of way intersection near the south side of the project.
because of its proximity to the Interstate,” said Logan.
Part of the project includes a roundabout at the intersection of Dulles Drive and Rue De Belier to increase safety and traffic. Logan said the extension as a two-lane road would take 10,000 vehicles off Ambassador Caffery Parkway and more than double the amount with a four-lane roadway. With bidding scheduled for April or May and construction projected for summer, Logan said construction should last about a year. Construction of the West Regional Public Library is underway at the intersection of the planned Apollo Road Extension. The library, which Logan said should be finished by the end of the year, will line the extended roadway. The extension is part of several projects to improve Lafayette’s thoroughfares. Logan said the extensions will benefit Lafayette CityParish Government as it plans to extend Southcity Parkway from Robley Drive to Kaliste Saloom Road. “Linkage route continuity is a big factor in planning your roadways, so this is a link in that and it’s probably going to be a very important link
Located alongside city hall, one of the city’s newest structures is awaiting a patriotic paint job and structural reinforcements before giving stage to community events that bolster local agriculture. Construction of Patriots Pavilion, a wooden, covered area for public use, is ahead of schedule, according to Lynn Guidry, the architect responsible for the building’s design. The structure is fashioned after barns and agricultural buildings, complete with a wooden skeleton and metal roofing. City Manager Don Chauvin said the city hopes to have the project completed before its April 21 spring market. Guidry said the pavilion may be completed in mid to late March. The 1,680 square-foot pavilion, Guidry said, takes from old story design, a long-utilized technique that allows hot air to rise and escape and cooler air to flow. “It’s certainly not as comfortable as air conditioning, but in the hot summertime, it does provide some relief to the heat,” he said. Although the pavilion serves as a
City of Carencro
nod to law enforcement, Guidry, whose previous designs include Carencro City Hall, Carencro Community Center and Veterans Memorial, said the pavilion also acknowledges the city’s history. “We’ve used similar materials in all of them and used some similar colors,” he said. “This building, the Patriots Pavilion, is really a look back at the agricultural base of our community.” Patriots Pavilion is partially funded through grants from the Louisiana Government Assistance Program and Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission.
Mercredi Carencro’s Patriots Pavilion Show lineup announced one flag away from completion Parish residents’ Wednesdays are
about to get a little more lively with the release of The Mercredi Show’s spring lineup. The concert series, free to all, takes place in Carencro’s Pelican Park Wednesdays from April until mid-May. The set, which is normally infused with local Cajun and zydeco as well as country acts, includes veteran Mercredi performers and fresh faces alike. Shows take place at 6 p.m. in Pelican Park. The Mercredi Show is a joint venture between the Carencro Parks and Recreation Department and local businesses. The lineup includes: April 4: Richard Lebouef and Two Step April 11: Don Rich Band April 18: Clay Cormier and the Highway Boys April 25: Kevin Naquin and Ossun Playboys May 2: Gregg Martinez and the Delta Kings May 9: Ryan Foret and Foret Tradition May 16: High Performance
City of Broussard
Planning moves forward for Billeaud Elementary Bids are being prepared for Billeaud Elementary School in Broussard. The proposed 91,000 square-foot, two-story school is slotted for the corner of Marteau Road and Fairfield Drive and sits near a future neighborhood development being designed by Billeaud Companies. The designs allow space for a reading nook, as well as separate play areas for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students and students in first through fifth grade. The school is also designed to where younger students have will have class on the first floor. The building expected to be completed by the end of May 2019, and classes are projected to start in during the 2019-2020 school year.
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PARISH NEWS
March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
ATTENTION High School Students and Educators!
LAUNCH
CREATIVE IN
AR T
AND
YOUR
FLIGHT
WRITING
FACE MAGAZINE’S 7TH ANNUAL SCHOLASTICS HIGH SCHOOL ARTS & WRITING COMPETITION ~ WILL SOON BE ACCEPTING ENTRIES! ~ THE COMPETITION IS OPEN TO ALL AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ATTENDING PUBLIC, PRIVATE, CHARTER OR HOME SCHOOLS IN PARISHES OF LAFAYETTE, IBERIA, ST. MARTIN, ST. LANDRY, AND VERMILION.
Competitors will be competing for prizes, college scholarships, and a chance to have their entry published in FACE Magazine.
For a complete list of rules and category descriptions visit www.FaceAcadiana.com and click the FACE Scholastics link.
FREE TO ENTER. The competition Includes multiple categories in Writing (Poetry, Essay, Non-Fiction) and Art (Painting, Photography, Drawing).
Hope to see your work soon!
March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
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PARISH NEWS
STATE NEWS
Louisiana Joins States in suit to block Affordable Care Act BATON ROUGE, LA – Continuing his fight against federal overreach, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry today joined a 20-state effort in urging a federal district court in Texas to hold the Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual mandate as unconstitutional and to enjoin the law. “Today is another step in ensuring the unconstitutional actions made by the past Administration are not forced onto the American people,” said General Landry, who voted dozens of times as a Member of Congress against the ACA. “I will continue working with my fellow Attorneys General to fight back against unlawful mandates.” The legal complaint filed by 18 Attorneys General and two Governors explains that the ACA forces unconstitutional and irrational rules onto citizens and states. Congress recently repealed the tax brought about through the Supreme Court decision in NFIB v. Sebelius. However, though the tax was repealed, the mandate was left
in place. Since the Supreme Court has previously decided that Congress has no authority to impose such a mandate on Americans, the ACA is unconstitutional. The Landry coalition, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel, also included leaders from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia. Source: LA Atty General Office
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New Report ranks Louisiana 50th best How did the Pelican State fare in each category? state in the U.S.
Well, just in case you weren’t paying attention in elementary school, being ranked 50 out of 50 means you’re dead last. According to the 2018 Best States rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, Louisiana holds a solid lead at being last. The report shows how each state ranks in eight categories using 24 subcategories and 77 different metrics. The categories include Healthcare, Education, Economy, Opportunity, Infrastructure, Crime & Corrections, Fiscal Stability, and Quality of Life. According to the report, in calculating the rankings, each of the eight categories was assigned weightings based on the average of two years of data from an annual national survey that asked more than 30,000 people to prioritize each subject in their state. For the overall ranking, U.S. News created a weighted average of the eight category rankings and multiplied each by the weight for each category, and then ranked the outcome. The report was not all bad for
Louisiana’s ranking by category:
States ranking 1st include:
Healthcare
47th
Hawaii
1st
1st-Electricity Pricing
Education
49th
Massachusetts
1st
1st–Well Visits for Medicaid Users Under 20
Economy
44th
Colorado
1st
Opportunity
50th
New Hampshire
1st
Infrastructure
44th
Iowa
1st
Crime & Corrections
48th
Maine
1st
Fiscal Stability
48th
Utah
1st
Quality of Life
42nd
North Dakota
1st
Overall rankings: Louisiana
50th
Iowa
1st
Louisiana-we were able to find a few subcategory rankings that set us apart from the competition:
Whether in first place or 50th, Louisiana-particularly, Acadiana-holds a special place in our hearts. Within our region, we hold scores of festivals, a wealth of diversity, and even the happiest city in the U.S.: Lafayette. If you want to see change in Sportsman’s Paradise, get involved-but enjoy the zydeco and crawfish while you’re at it, cher.
Send your company news, press releases, and new hires to News@MyParishNews.com
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PARISH NEWS
March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
PEOPLE IN ACADIANA
Kevin Carter joins Standard Title, LLC as an Associate Real Estate Attorney and Licensed Louisiana Title Insurance Agent. Kevin will focus on Standard’s continued commitment to providing real estate agents, lenders and clients exceptional service throughout the real estate closing process. Kevin’s commercial real estate experience as counsel for Drillogic, Inc. and his immense enthusiasm will undoubtedly
lead him to the top of this industry. Kevin was born and raised in South Louisiana and graduated from Louisiana State University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science and from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2014. He is a member of the Lafayette Bar Association and Louisiana State Bar Association. Since 2001, homebuyers and sellers, real estate professionals, mortgage lenders, developers and builders have trusted Standard Title to close their real estate transactions and mortgage refinances. Standard Title has offices in Lafayette and Lake Charles. www.standard-title.com
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Former Lafayette Prosecutor to serve as LADOJ Criminal Director
Pat Magee has been announced as the new lead of the Criminal Division of the Louisiana Department of Justice (LADOJ). Magee will be replacing Brandon Fremin, the new United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, starting next week. Magee received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana before receiving his law degree from Southern University Law
Center. He served in the Louisiana Army National Guard where he was in Military Intelligence. Starting off as a student worker and moving his way up in ranks, Pat Magee served the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for over a decade. His work through the Attorney’s Office was aimed at lowering the rates of crime in high poverty areas. In the Drug Court Program he tried countless murders, rapes, armed robberies and felony drug crimes before moving in to private practice. Attorney General Jeff Landry said, “Pat Magee has vast experience ensuring the law is faithfully executed – protecting our civil liberties while keeping our communities safe. I trust Pat will use this knowledge and his passion to serve Louisiana in a manner that honors our office’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, defending the Constitution, and protecting our State’s people.”
UL Lafayette professor receives grant, ranked top of field
Photo: Dr. Sheng Chen (Credit: University of Louisiana at Lafayette / Logo courtesy of the National Science Foundation)
A University of Louisiana at Lafayette faculty member has received one of the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious awards. The NSF’s Faculty Early Career Development Program recognizes researchers, such as UL Lafayette’s Dr.
Sheng Chen, who are in the early stages of their academic careers. The program’s CAREER Award acknowledges a faculty member’s potential as a researcher and a teacher. Chen is an assistant professor in the University’s School of Computing and Informatics. He joined the faculty in August 2015 after earning a doctorate in programming languages at Oregon State University in Corvallis. A five-year, $506,000 grant accompanied the recognition. Chen will use the money to enhance his research of type systems. Type systems are parts of a programming language that identify errors. But the error messages users receive are often imprecise and unhelpful in finding a solution, Chen said. “Productivity and correctness of the program are so important. My goal is to try to add certain features that make
program languages more useful or to try to detect more problems before you run your program,” shared Chen. There are everyday examples of type systems outside the realm of programming, according to Chen. “Look at that outlet,” he said, pointing to his office wall. “We don’t worry about its appearance. The only thing we worry about is that it satisfies certain requirements – can we plug something into it and power a device?” “Like a type system, the size and shape of the receptacle and its openings stop a user from ‘doing wrong things,’” Chen explained. “For example, I cannot put my USB into that outlet.” Type systems and their detective skills, explained Chen, can also head off disasters with hefty price tags. NASA’s failed Mars orbiter provides a cautionary tale. The space agency lost the $125
million spacecraft in 1999 when NASA’s engineers used the metric system while a contractor’s engineers used English units. The misalignment blocked communication between the orbiter and crews on earth, and the craft was never seen or heard from again. Chen said his research would have enabled NASA to better detect-and possibly fix-the problem beforehand. “When we talk about values, they all have measures. Some are centimeters. Others are meters. When we talk about
Professor Continued on page 20
March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
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PARISH NEWS
UL Lafayette students shine at 2018 SEJC convention More than 200 students representing 28 colleges and universities in the Southeast recently participated in the 32nd Annual Southeast Journalism Conference (SEJC) convention hosted by Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. The students won 12 awards, seven of which were in the Best in The South category and five from on-site competitions. Representing UL Lafayette was a group of students on the staff of The Vermilion, UL’s weekly student newspaper. Kailey Broussard, a senior journalism major and managing editor for The Vermilion placed second in the College Journalist of the Year category and received a $500 cash prize. She also placed first as a feature writer in the Best of the South category and second in the on-site competition for news writing. The Vermilion staff won third place overall for their public service
journalism in the Best of The South. Broussard spent weeks covering and investigating hazing-related deaths and problems that were occurring on Louisiana campuses. George Clarke, a junior English major won first place overall for his arts and entertainment writing. Leah Cavalier, senior journalism major and editor in chief of The Vermilion, placed third in copy editing during her on-site competition. Junior journalism major Julissa Lopez placed second in the feature writing on-site; Brianne Hendricks, a junior journalism major, placed third in current events; and LaShayla Lumpkins, junior architecture major, placed third in news feature photography. Camille Barnett, a 2017 graduate in sociology, placed fourth in magazine writing; Jared Wise, a 2017 graduate in broadcasting, tied fourth in best TV news feature reporter; and Katelynn Sprague, a junior broadcasting major, placed fifth in best TV hard news
reporter. The SEJC is composed of college journalism programs in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.
Kailey Broussard, Leah Cavalier and George Clarke show off their awards after the 2018 SEJC Award Banquet
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PARISH NEWS
March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
FEATURES
STRAIGHT UP:
Ask a Communication Coach
By Wendy Hornung
Dear Wendy, Is it better to work with people who think the way I do? Thanks, Bob (software developer) NO! Working with people who think the way you do is limiting. Believe it or not, this is a very common question. It’s definitely easier to work with someone who thinks the way you do because most likely you will agree with each other! You will tend to reinforce each others ideas, which is comforting and can reinforce each other’s confidence. Unfortunately, when you only surround yourself with people who see things the same way you do, you
miss out on the opportunity that comes from differences. These differences lead to innovation and new solutions to problems. It’s stimulating! Think about this in terms of dating or close relationships. I have met quite a few people who told me they would want to clone themself because it would be so much easier and more enjoyable to have a relationship. I think deep down they know, and you know, and I know that is not true. It would be really boring. Even if you are a person that likes consistency and predictability in the way things play out, whether it is in work or relationships, that would still be dull. You would miss out on the discovery or what is possible. And these differences develop in how we do things along with all our experiences. You
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need to be able to interact with people and learn why they see things the way they do, and what experiences have influenced their conclusions. So be open to differences, there is magic in them!
Dear Wendy, I am a very positive person but I manage 35 people. When we have meetings, I don’t want people to bring up anything negative. So I ask people to come talk to me alone and that way they don’t bring the group down. Is that wrong? Thanks for the help. Janice (Non-profit) Well Janice, it’s not wrong, it’s actually really admirable that you don’t want to bring the team’s morale down by talking about something negative in a group setting. But what if the person is having a problem that everyone else is also facing? Then it would benefit the group if everyone worked together to find a solution. Or maybe someone on the team already has a solution and then the challenge is used to build morale by sharing expertise and supporting each other. I respect your concern and admire your awareness for not wanting to bring morale down with problems. This shows you are sensitive to what happens in meetings and its impact on company culture. The truth is people’s attitudes about meetings often reflect the company culture. Most people don’t hate meetings because people need to work out problems; they hate meetings because of how meetings are organized. If you have a meeting and you bring up a problem that relates to one specific
person, and maybe it is even a personal problem, and you make the whole group listen to it. and everyone in the group knows who you are talking to and it is not them, that is what creates negativity. It makes people feel you are wasting their time and it reflects a culture and a leader who is not actually facilitating solutions. Remember most of the negativity that comes out of meetings, is because the meetings (which are processes) are not well run. You need to have clear guidelines that come from the culture, values, and mission of the company. I hope that helps Janice! If you have a question you would like answered here, or on my YOU TUBE channel “Wendy Hornung” email me at Wendy@wendyhornung.com.
Wendy Hornung is a business consultant offering training courses focusing on strengths and their impact on Team Building, Problem Solving, Managing Stress, and Leading Others. Wendy’s passion is helping others discover their greatest potential to create and manifest personal, professional, and business goals. Her tool box includes Gallup Certified Strengths Coach®, Educator, Equestrian Coach, Competitor, Writer, Filmmaker, Astrologer and more. For more info call Wendy at 337-278-1274. www.wendyhornung.com wendy@wendyhornung.com
Acadiana Strong
March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
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PARISH NEWS
St. Thomas More girls soccer team wins State Championship
By: Caitlin Marshall
After ten years of clawing their way back to the top, St. Thomas More High School’s Lady Cougar soccer team has finally re-claimed the title of State Champions in the LHSSA Division II State Final on February 22 against the Central Lafourche Lady Trojans in a 1-0 win. STM athletics over the past decade has claimed several state titles and even more state playoff appearances. But, for the Lady Cougar soccer team, it’s been a 10 year dry streak since their last state title despite being district champs five times since and state runner-up in 2014 and 2017. Finally, after a long fought season, going 18-6-3 and undefeated in district play, the Lady Cougars clinched their 5th state championship. “It’s so exciting for these girls, all of their hard work paid off,” shared Assistant Coach Nicole Dincau. Dincau is an STM alumni and former varsity soccer player. “We got so close to winning when I was here, so it made the win all the better.” Coach Daniel Underwood has been with the team for the past three seasons and is elated with the girls’ win. “We’ve been getting closer and closer over the past four years,” she stated, “four years ago we lost in the finals against Ben Franklin, then we lost out in the semi’s the next two years. And last year we lost in the finals against Lakeshore. So this win is so special for these seniors who have fought for it year after year.” Something else that makes this win all the more sweet was the fact that the game winning goal came from a header. The team, according to Underwood, has always been a bit hesitant when using their heads to score in the game, but when they do, they make it count. “Two of our biggest goals of the season were off of headers. We had one
against Ben Franklin in the quarterfinals and, obviously, the one in the final,” said Underwood. Fueled by last year’s overtime loss against Lakeshore, the Cougars started off their final game strong, striking and scoring in the 15th minute of the game. Mattie Marks, a senior, is to credit for the only goal of the game. After a beautifully placed cross shot from Peyton St. Pierre, Marks acted on reflex and headed the ball into the net, out of reach from the goalie. Thanks to her game winning header and her continued hard work throughout the final, Marks was awarded Most Outstanding Player of the game. The first half of the game saw a lot of defensive work played by the Lady Cougars, only allowing three shots on goal compared to their seven. Defense was key for this Lady Cougars soccer team this season and Underwood said he always tells the girls “defense wins championships” and obviously, he was right. Despite starting the game off with an early goal, the Lady Cougars were unable to connect with the net again, but thanks to a stellar performance by starting sophomore goalkeeper, Paityn Gautreaux, the Lady Trojans were kept off the boards, unable to answer the Cougars’ goal. Paityn worked hard the second half of the game as the opposing offense had seven shots on goal, matching the Cougar’s first half performance. Within the last five minutes of the game, she killed a close, on-target free kick. This season was special and bittersweet for many. Colleen Vidos has started for STM the past three seasons. Unfortunately, towards the end of her senior season, she tore her ACL and was unable to play the tail end of the season.
Lindsey Reaux has been team-captain for the past two years and has proven herself to be a vocal leader and like Vidos, also suffered an injury this season causing her to miss three very big games. Unlike Vidos, Reaux was cleared to play the rest of the season. “We kind of dedicated this win and this season to Colleen,” Reaux admitted. “We wanted to do this for her.” In the last few minutes of the game, Underwood decided to put Colleen in the game to finish out her soccer career the right way; by leaving everything she had on the field. She stepped up and cleared a ball from a corner before driving it down field, narrowly missing a goal. Three seniors on the team, as mentioned above, have signed to continue playing soccer during their collegiate careers once graduating from STM. Mattie Marks signed with Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. During her time as a Lady Cougar, Mattie was honored as District Offensive MVP, was 1st team all-state and academic-all-state. Lindsey Reaux signed with Southeastern out of Hammond. Lindsey, who was a two year team captain, also has a few titles under her belt; Alldistrict defensive MVP, 1st team allstate and was an all-star selection. Another senior, Caroline Morton, has been 1st team all-district and has signed with Nicholls State out of Thibodaux where she plans to continue her soccer career. Seniors were not the only shining stars of the season, in fact, two juniors have already committed to their schools of choice. Julia Spielmann and Maddie Moreau have committed to St. Edwards and Louisiana State University, respectively. Maddie has been district MVP and 1st team all-state. Senior Emily LeJeune and junior Claire Werther also stood out during the season and were, each on their own, honored as Advertiser Player of the week. Way to go Lady Cougars! Keep making Lafayette proud and good luck with all of your future endeavors!
The STM Varsity Girls Soccer ended the 2017-2018 season with an overall record of 18-6-3, 4-0 in District play, ranked 10 in the State (LA) and 48th Nationally.
Photos submitted by Elizabeth Champion, Martha Manuel LeJeune and multiple team parents.
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PARISH NEWS
March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
BUSINESSES ON THE GROW
Shi Shi Boutique has a new location By Samantha Ronkartz
Contemporary meets classic chic at Shi Shi Boutique with clothing to fit almost any need. After a change in ownership, this boutique, once located in a standalone building in River Ranch, is now located inside the Acadiana Mall between Pandora Jewelers and Express. The move, according to owner Shara Green, was something that needed to happen. “The old location was visible, but unless it was your intended destination, it often was overlooked by shoppers. Now,
it is in the center of the mall and easily accessible for customers,” said Green. Shi Shi Boutique was purchased by Shara Green in March of 2017. Shara is an Acadiana native, registered dietitian and has always had a passion for fashion. To learn more, visit their new Acadiana Mall location or www.shishilafayette.com
New Church’s Chicken restaurant coming to Lafayette
By Erin Trahan
Construction is now underway on a new Church’s Chicken™ fast-food restaurant at the corner of Ambassador Caffery Pkwy and West Congress, next to the Jambalaya Shoppe and Albertsons Food Store. According to a spokesman for the general contract (C. M. Miciotto & Sons, Inc.), the new location is a stand-alone facility and has the same ownership as the Church’s Chicken on Evangeline Thruway. Construction is expected to be completed in approximately four months.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Church’s Chicken is an American chain of fast food restaurants specializing southern-style fried chicken, seafood, and delicious biscuits.
El Pollo Loco Lafayette set for Grand Opening El Pollo Loco is a growing restaurant concept that specializes in Mexicaninspired entrees made with its signature fire-grilled citrusmarinated chicken. El Pollo Loco opened its first location in Los Angeles in 1980, and today has over 440 company owned and franchised restaurants located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Utah and now Lafayette, Louisiana. Visit their Grand Opening Extravaganza! Saturday, March 24th 11AM - 2PM. Giveaways, Face-Painting, Ballon Art, and MUCH MORE! 3808 Johnston St. Lafayette, LA 337-456-3425
March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
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PARISH NEWS
Kalaco Solutions moves to Chris’ Poboys breaking new location on Farrel Road ground on new building Kalaco Solutions LLC, a web services and Internet marketing firm, has transitioned from a home-based business to a new office space in Lafayette. Their new location is at 334 E. Farrel Road, Suite E in Farrel Square near Women’s & Children’s Hospital. “Moving to an office allows us to better serve our clients,” said Karen Lagrange Cox, owner of Kalaco Solutions. “We are focused on serving businesses in Lafayette and the surrounding area, so the new location gives our clients more convenient access to Kalaco Solutions and all the services we provide.” Kalaco Solutions is dedicated to helping local businesses get found online, build brand awareness, interact with their customers and attract new customers. Kalaco offers website design, Internet marketing tools, local search marketing, and pay-per-click (PPC) services at reasonable rates. For more information about Kalaco Solutions LLC or the Internet marketing services they provide, call (337) 366-0479 or visit kalacosolutions.com.
Jewelie’s Boutique in Lafayette has a new owner
Jewelie’s Boutique in Lafayette has a new owner-Stacey Hebert. According to a recent post by the company, Stacey was born and raised in Broussard, Louisiana where she comes from a family of small LOCAL business owners. Shopping local and supporting local businesses in Acadiana has always been close to her heart. Stacey has always loved shopping at Jewelie’s Boutique so it was an easy decision for her to say YES to being the new owner. She realized right away that
she was in luck with no need for change!! The same great employees that served her when she was a customer would be staying on board to continue to serve customers of Jewelie’s Boutique! Stacey Hebert will continue to carry the same brands and offer the same great discounts that you have loved over the years. The location of Jewelie’s Boutique will also remain the same, 407 Rena Drive in Lafayette.
Send your company news, press releases, and new hires to News@MyParishNews.com
By Samantha Ronkartz
Chris’ Poboys, a Lafayette favorite for more than 35 years, has broken ground on a new building that will replace their existing Ambassador Caffery-Robley Drive location inside the Complete Stop. Owner, Jamie Stelly explains, “…we had the opportunity to build a larger, more modern facility that would provide more seating and better accommodations for our customers, so we did it.” The new building is located right across the street from the current location on Robley Drive and at approx. 2800 sq. ft., will more than double the size of the existing location. In addition to more seating, customers can enjoy a call-ahead
pick-up window and a small outdoor seating area. The new restaurant is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2018. Chris’ (as the locals call it), is locally owned, and operates three locations in Lafayette that include West Pinhook, Moss Street and Ambassador CafferyRobley Drive. Chris’ Poboys specializes in New Orleans style poboys, muffulettas, and gumbo. For a taste as natural as New Orleans, visit one of their three locations. www.chrispoboys.com
Sushi Masa coming to Lafayette
By Erin Trahan
A new “All You Can Eat” sushi restaurant is coming to Lafayette. Sushi Masa, with other locations in Baton Rouge and Pensacola, will soon occupy the former Copeland ’s building at 3920 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy. The facility is currently undergoing renovations in preparation for the grand opening which is expected to happen later this year in possibly May or June. Sushi Masa is known for providing an outstanding dining experience through its delicious Japanese-fusion cuisine and
commitment to excellent service. With food always fresh and made-to-order, Sushi Masa offers a unique dining option known as the “All You Can Eat,” as well as the traditional a la carte option. According to the company website, Sushi Masa hopes to become a cornerstone in the Lafayette community, as they have at their other locations. www.facebook.com/SushiMasaBRLA
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PARISH NEWS
March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Local Businessman appointed to SBA’s regulatory fairness board
Hunt Forest products announces $115 Million Mill in Central Louisiana
Three small business owners from Louisiana, Maine and Alaska respectively have been appointed to serve on the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Regional Regulatory Fairness Boards by SBA Administrator Linda McMahon. The Regional Regulatory Fairness Board is in all 10 of SBA’s regions and represent the voice of small businesses on regulatory fairness. Each board is comprised of five small business owners and serves as a resource and point of contact for small business owners who believe they have experienced unfair regulatory enforcement and compliance actions. The board members advise the National Ombudsman and Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Enforcement Fairness, Nathan J. Miller, on matters of concern to small businesses related to federal regulatory enforcement actions, and report instances of unfair, excessive enforcement actions taken by federal regulators. Representing Region VI which includes Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas is local businessman Arthur J. Price.
State-of-the-art lumber mill will create 110 direct jobs and result in over 300 new indirect jobs
Arthur Price is the President of Badger Oil Corporation in Lafayette, and an active board member of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Business First Bank, a community banking institution based in Baton Rouge. Price serves as a director and treasurer of the Lafayette General Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Lafayette General Health, a regional, community-owned health system. He is also a director of the Badger Excellence in Education Foundation; whose mission is to assist and improve public and private educational efforts in Louisiana. Source: U.S. Small Business Administration
Albertsons to buy Rite Aid
Albertsons announced it plans to acquire Rite Aid in a cash and stock deal. Combined, the two companies will have a value of around $24 billion including debt and operate around 4,900 locations and 4,350 pharmacy counters around 38 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and serve more than 40 million customers per week. The new company’s revenue is estimated around $83 billion. The new combined companies’ name will be determined as the transaction nears an end, and the company will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
The new combined company will be headed by current Rite Aid Chairman and CEO John Standley, who will become CEO; Albertsons Chairman and CEO Bob Miller will serve as chairman. Approved by both companies’ board of directors, the deal is expected to close by the second half of the year, depending on approval from Rite Aid shareholders. Source: Shopping Center News, CNN
Gov. John Bel Edwards and Hunt Forest Products co-owner James D. Hunt have announced the company will build a state-of-the-art $115 million lumber mill in Urania, a LaSalle Parish community in the heart of Louisiana’s $11 billion forest products industry. The sawmill project will create 110 new direct jobs with an average annual salary of more than $46,000, plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project also will result in another 307 new indirect jobs, for a total of over 400 new jobs in Central Louisiana. Construction of the mill will begin in April, with operations slated to start in early 2019. Based in Ruston, Louisiana, Hunt Forest Products will prioritize buying timber locally. The Urania sawmill will require up to 850,000 tons of wood per year, with plans to produce approximately 200 million board feet of lumber annually. Hunt already operates a LaSalle Parish lumber mill in nearby Olla, along with a Grant Parish plywood plant in Pollock. Statewide, Hunt Forest Products employs 350 before the addition of the new Urania sawmill. The new $115 million lumber mill also will be a Foreign Direct Investment, or FDI, project. Operating under the name LaSalle Lumber Company LLC, the sawmill is a joint venture between Hunt Forest Products and Tolko Industries Ltd., a 60-year-old, familyowned Canadian forestry company that produces a wide range of forest products for customers around the world. Based in Vernon, British Columbia, Tolko will own a 50 percent share in the mill, which will be managed and operated by Hunt on a day-to-day basis. LED began formal discussions with Hunt Forest Products about the potential project in June 2017. To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered a competitive incentive package that includes the comprehensive workforce solutions of LED FastStart®, ranked as the No. 1 state workforce training program in the nation. Hunt Forest Products also will receive a
performance-based, forgivable loan of $1 million under the Economic Development Award Program, with those proceeds offsetting the costs to construct a rail spur for the mill. In addition, the company is expected to utilize the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption and Quality Jobs programs. The project also will generate 150 construction jobs. Upon the sawmill’s scheduled beginning of operations in early 2019, Hunt Forest Products initially will employ 60 people and ramp up to 110 employees at full capacity in succeeding years. Urania Mayor Terri Corley said Hunt Forest Products is working with community officials to coordinate services for the new mill, and to identify and address potential infrastructure issues. Source: Louisiana Economic Development, Hunt Forest Products, Tolko Industries
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March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
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PARISH NEWS
IberiaBank Corp. Metro Aviation of receives approval to Shreveport announces acquire Gibraltar Private major helicopter order Bank & Trust Co. Specializing in helicopter completion services, Metro Aviation to order 25 Airbus EC145e models
Photo: Airbus Helicopter File Photo
IBERIABANK Corporation, in connection with its previously announced pending acquisition with Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust Co., is reporting the receipt and approval of all necessary regulatory requirements and Gibraltar shareholder approvals. As of December 31, 2017, Gibraltar had total assets equal to $1.6 billion, total loans of $1.5 billion, and total deposits of $1.1 billion. Daryl G. Byrd, President and CEO of IberiaBank Corp., commented, “We are very pleased to have received all necessary approvals from our bank regulators for the pending Gibraltar transaction. The overwhelming support of this transaction by Gibraltar shareholders is a terrific expression of confidence in both organizations. We look forward to closing the merger transaction and consolidating branch and operating systems before the end of the first quarter.” In October of 2017, the Company announced the signing of a definitive
agreement to acquire by merger Gibraltar, based in Coral Gables, Florida. The application for merger was approved by the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions, the Federal Reserve Board and the Gibraltar shareholders in February 2018. Upon expiration of the required waiting period, the Company anticipates closing the Gibraltar acquisition in March of this year. Based in Lafayette, IBERIABANK Corp. is a regional financial holding company with offices in Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, offering commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, mortgage and title insurance services. The Company’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “IBKC”. Source: PR Newswire
(SHREVEPORT, LA) Metro Aviation has announced plans to purchase, customize and place in-service 25 Airbus EC145e helicopters, a move that secures Metro Aviation’s status as one of the nation’s largest providers of air medical transport helicopters and related aerial services. In 2015, Metro became the first Airbus customer for the EC145e helicopter, a lighter-weight and lower-cost version of the EC145 aircraft. Louisiana Economic Development has supported Metro Aviation through the State of Louisiana’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program, which provides temporary property tax relief on new capital investment by expanding Louisiana manufacturers. In recent years, the LED program supported the investment of more than $10 million for expanded facilities and helicopter simulator equipment at Metro Aviation’s flight training center. “Over more than three decades, Metro Aviation has grown to become an increasingly important economic driver in Northwest Louisiana and for our entire state,” LED Secretary Don Pierson said. “Metro Aviation converted a dormant manufacturing site in Shreveport into a state-of-theart aerospace facility, and we recognize this major Airbus purchase agreement as further evidence of Metro Aviation’s commitment to excellence for its customers, for its employees and for our state’s growing aerospace industry.” With nearly 900 employees nationwide, Metro Aviation employs 150
people at its Shreveport headquarters, which also serves as an FAA-certified airframe modification, maintenance, inspection and repair facility. The company offers avionics; machining; engine overhaul and repair; painting; maintenance; and completion services at the 160,000-square-foot facility that includes a major helicopter flight training center. For the 25 Airbus helicopters, Metro Aviation has identified significant market growth for the EC145e after having placed a number of them into service already. “The versatility and price-point made it an attractive addition to a large number of rotary wing fleets, and we have put seven in service since committing to our first purchase in 2015,” said Metro Aviation President Mike Stanberry. “The EC145e model has proven to be a workhorse across various mission profiles, and we are excited about putting these new aircraft into service within our family of customers.” “This order is the result of the years our company has invested in building and nurturing a great business relationship with the leadership of Metro Aviation, and providing them with world-class aircraft and customer support,” said President Christopher Emerson of Airbus Helicopters Inc. “We look forward to working closely with Metro as they expand their business.” Source: Metro Aviation, LA Economic Development
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CGI surpasses employment target at Lafayette Technology Center
LAFAYETTE, LA. — CGI announced they have surpassed their full employment target at the Lafayette IT Center of Excellence by surpassing the goal established when the company announced its selection of Lafayette in April 2014. Now, with more than 400 employees, CGI has an annual payroll exceeding $22 million at the Lafayette center. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project is resulting in 405 indirect jobs, for a total of more than 800 jobs in Acadiana. In Lafayette, CGI is solving complex business and IT challenges for clients seeking services from a technology partner that shares a common time zone, language and understanding of client
business operations. In May 2016, Gov. Edwards and CGI Federal President Tim Hurlebaus dedicated the $13.1 million, 50,000-square-foot information technology center, which serves as an anchor for the research park. “Not only is CGI a major economic driver in Acadiana, it has become a vital community partner to Lafayette and the entire state,” Governor Edwards. “We extend our gratitude and congratulations to CGI for reaching this hiring milestone, which is proof that their investment and commitment to Lafayette is paying significant dividends. CGI is not prone to resting on its laurels, so as we celebrate today’s accomplishment, we also look forward to prospects for future growth.
As CGI continues to grow, they have my assurance that the State of Louisiana and all of our economic development partners will provide them with the resources they need to thrive.” “While I am extremely excited about the growth of CGI’s workforce in Lafayette, I am most appreciative of how engaged, active and committed CGI team members are at making Lafayette a great place to live, work and play,” Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux said. “Our partnership with the Lafayette community has exceeded all expectations,” Hurlebaus said. “We are proud to call Lafayette a shining example of CGI’s onshore delivery model, which generates meaningful jobs across the U.S. while enabling us to provide government and commercial clients with high-quality digital transformation solutions at reduced costs.” To support CGI’s hiring efforts, the State of Louisiana awarded the company the comprehensive, customized services of LED FastStart® – the nation’s No. 1 workforce development program for the past eight years. A strategic partnership including Louisiana Economic Development, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, or LEDA, was formed to attract and recruit CGI to Lafayette. The university provided support by leasing land for the center, and LEDA provided support for temporary office location costs and project relocation costs as the company established operations while the IT Center of Excellence was being built. “The dynamic collaboration between UL Lafayette and CGI has focused on creating internships, capstone projects and employment opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Joseph Savoie, president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. “We’re producing high-quality undergraduate and graduate students from across multiple disciplines who are able to find jobs right here at home, thanks to CGI and other innovative companies in our region.” “When CGI announced the decision
to open a facility in Lafayette in 2014, we knew it was the nascence of a new and vibrant industry in Acadiana,” said LEDA President and CEO Gregg Gothreaux. “What we didn’t know was the transformative impact those 400 jobs would have on the region as the energy sector entered a downturn. These 400 jobs have provided quality employment opportunities for graduates with local upward mobility. These jobs have provided opportunities for former residents to return home. These jobs have provided opportunities to attract new workforce and residents to Acadiana from across the country and the world. We look forward to CGI’s continued growth in Lafayette and to working with the company and our community partners to make Lafayette a premier high-tech hub in the southeastern U.S.”
ABOUT CGI Founded in 1976, CGI is the fifth-largest independent, end-to-end IT and business consulting services firm in the world. With approximately 72,500 professionals worldwide, CGI offers comprehensive endto-end IT and business consulting services, systems integration, and IT and business process outsourcing services. These services are complemented by CGI’s intellectual property solutions that help clients accelerate value creation and leverage digitalization. With annual revenue of $10.8 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). For more information, visit CGI.com. Sources: Press Release-Louisiana Economic Development, CGI.com
CGI now employs more than 400 IT professionals at its UL Lafayette Research Park site.
March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
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PARISH NEWS
Eight South Louisiana Winn-Dixie stores to become Super 1 Food stores
Brookshire Grocery Co. (parent company of Super1 Foods), has announced it will acquire eight WinnDixie stores in South Louisiana. The announcement was made late last month that an agreement had been reached with Southeastern Grocers of Jacksonville, FL, to purchase the Winn-Dixie stores in New Roads, Breaux Bridge, Franklin, New Iberia, Abbeville, Crowley, Rayne and Eunice. “We’re excited about this agreement and the opportunity it provides us to further grow and expand in this region,” said Brad Brookshire, chairman and CEO of Brookshire Grocery Co., “These stores are a strong fit for our Super 1 Foods banner and we look forward to
welcoming new customers and employees in Acadiana.” Brookshire has operated Super 1 Foods stores in the Acadiana area since 1995. Both companies are currently working to ensure the transition will be as smooth as possible. A company press release stated that employees in these stores would have the opportunity to interview at their current store locations for ongoing positions. The eight stores will undergo a brief transition after the acquisition is complete, with the goal of re-opening within days under the Super 1 Foods banner.
March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
Professor
Continued from page 10 temperature, we have Fahrenheit and Celsius. “In programming, we don’t have that kind of support. But such errors can be well detected with my work. I can add a unit of measure to the program.” The NSF is an independent federal agency. It provides funds for nearly a quarter of all federally supported research American colleges and universities conduct. It first presented the CAREER Award in 1995. Source: James Savage, UL Lafayette Communications Specialist
MARCH 2018 - VOL. 1 NO. 2 ONLINE: www.MyParishNews.com @MyParishNews www.facebook.com/ParishNews EDITORS DESK: Editor@MyParishNews.com NEWS DESK: News@MyParishNews.com ADVERTISING AND MARKETING: 337-456-5536 Office Info@MyParishNews.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & RESEARCHERS: Caitlin Marshall, Kailey Broussard, Samantha Ronkartz, Erin Trahan, Jan Swift, Wendy Hornung, Savannah Ludwig CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Samantha Ronkartz, Erin Trahan, Elizabeth Champion, Martha Manuel LeJeune, Face Media Group Staff LAYOUT & DESIGN: Greg Knight – W Knight Advertising & Design Face Media Group PUBLISHER: Flint Zerangue, Sr. Info@FaceAcadiana.com
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March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
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March 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2
PARKS & RECREATION
Moncus Park to begin Phase 1 construction
the architects and engineers, to bring this project to life. We are excited and looking forward to breaking ground.” While access will be limited, all efforts will be made for the weekly Lafayette Farmers & Artisans Market to continue as scheduled on Saturday mornings. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for March 27 at 5:30 pm under the Live Oak Grove along Johnston Street. All are encouraged to attend! Parking will be limited, additional parking is available in the South College Center parking lot. Information about the ceremony and updates on construction will be posted on both the park’s website and Facebook page. For more information visit moncuspark.org. Source: Lafayette Central Park, INC.
Lafayette Central Park, Inc., (LCP) and Lafayette Consolidated Government are finalizing the pre-lease conditions required to enact the lease for Moncus Park, in order to begin construction. Trahan Construction has been contracted to build Phase 1, and has obtained a building permit after park plans were approved last month. Construction will begin as soon as possible, with limited access to the park while work is underway. According to EB Brooks,(Executive Director of Moncus Park), the following is being constructed as part of Phase 1; an entry driveway from Johnston street, a new two-way bridge over the coulee, a
A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for March 27 at 5:30 pm.
fenced in dog park, treeline promenade, wetland pond, and new parking among other amenities. Phase 1 is expected to take about a year. The back end of the park will remain closed until construction is complete. The front of the park where the weekly market takes place, will remain open. Subsequently, tree houses, a market pavillion, and a mini golf course is to follow. Phase 1 development will be focused within the front 60 acres of the new 100acre park property. Pre-construction mobilization can be seen currently on the park property and the orange tree protection fencing has been put in place in order to guard the natural beauties. Water quality protection fencing has also been put in place in order to reduce any run offs which might go into the coulee that runs through the park during construction. “We are excited to be partnering with Trahan Construction to build Phase 1 of Moncus Park. They have a lot of park construction experience, and recently
completed both of the new parks in Youngsville and Broussard. Even though we won’t have sports fields like those parks, we are positive that they’ll bring their professionalism and expertise to our project as well,” says Lenny Lemoine, the Chairman of LCP. Troy Trahan, President of Trahan Construction, based in Lake Arthur, LA, says, “We consider it an honor to be selected to work with the Moncus Park Board of Directors and staff, as well as
Photo Source: Lafayette Central Park, INC., FACE Media Group
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LA Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries to host fishing programs in Acadiana This spring, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will bring two of its most popular aquatic outreach programs to Youngsville – the Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program (Aquatic VIP) and the Get Out and Fish! Community Fishing Program. The Aquatic VIP Program encourages angling enthusiasts to pass the art of fishing on to the next generation. A free Aquatic VIP workshop will be held on March 14 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the East Regional Library in Youngsville for interested volunteers. At this hands-on workshop led by LDWF biologists, attendees will receive the training necessary to become a volunteer instructor. Workshop topics and activities include knot tying, casting skills, basic fishing techniques, fish identification, fisheries management and more. A binder full of activity guides, lesson plans and educational materials will be provided to all volunteers who attend the workshop. Loaner equipment is available to those volunteers who successfully complete the 8-hour workshop and pass a background check. Get out and Fish! is a program that enhances and creates fishing destinations in urban areas. The department has partnered with East
Photo Source: Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, LDWF
Regional Library to bring this program to the pond at Southside Regional Park at Fabacher Field in Youngsville. The pond will be stocked with adultsized channel catfish in the spring and rainbow trout in the winter, with the intention of establishing a put-and-take fishery in the area. A kickoff event will be held on
Saturday, April 7 from 6:30 a.m. to noon and will include a fishing competition, fishing activities and demonstrations, raffles and lunch provided by the Kiwanis Club. Pre-registration is available online at www.wlf.la.gov/ get-out-and-fish-event, or Day-of registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. and end at 10 a.m. The first 100 children to register will receive a free goodie bag. Participants 16 and older must have a valid recreational fishing license. For more information on the Get Out and Fish! Community Fishing Program and the other sites regularly stocked by LDWF through this effort contact Megan MacMenamin at mmacmenamin@wlf.la.gov. For information on Aquatic VIP workshops or to view a list of upcoming Aquatic VIP workshops contact Alayna McGarry at amcgarry@wlf.la.gov. LDWF Get Out & Fish! and Aquatic Volunteer Instructor programs are hosted in conjunction with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation. The LWFF was formed to
provide a means for individuals and corporations to become partners with the Department and Commission in the challenge of conserving Louisiana’s wildlife and fisheries resources. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit www.wlf.la.gov.
Acadiana Strong
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