The Times of Southwest Louisiana

W W W. TIM E S S W. COM • Aug ust 1 6 , 2 0 0 9 / V OL . 1 4 , NO . 15

Constitutional Crisis Representative Mike Danahay of Sulphur Discusses the Issues of the 1974 Louisiana Constitution

Interview with Ashes of Babylon

Times Exclusive: Switchfoot

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C ontents

August 6, 2009 Volume 14, Number 15 617 Drew St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-439-0995 Fax: 337-439-0418

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Enterprise boulevard Where Are They: Keeping Tabs On Sex Offenders

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Home growns Chez Caffe: A Cup of Coffee and Conversation

PUBLISHER Patrick Marcantel

N E WS EDITOR Nancy Correro

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Assistant Editor Jessica Ferguson

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Assignments Chaney Ferguson

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Contributors George Swift Garrett Lumpkin Cassondra Guilbeau Jen Breen D.B. Grady Katie Penny Matt Jones Lisa Miller Terri Schlichenmeyer

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Politics John Maginnis Dan Juneau

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A D VE R T ISING

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Sales Manager Andy Jacobson Account executive Katy Corbello Account executive Brian Chriceol

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G R A P H IC S

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Art/Production Director Natalie Clark

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The Times of Southwest Louisiana is published every two weeks by Patsco Publishing, 617 Drew Street, Lake Charles Louisiana 70601. Phone (337) 439-0995. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $30 per year. Bulk mailing permit #9 paid at Lake Charles, La. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Times of Southwest Louisiana, 617 Drew Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601. FAX to (337) 439-0418. The Times of Southwest Louisiana cannot be held responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations, even if they are sent to us accompanied by a self-addressed envelope.

Copyright 2009 The Times of Southwest Louisiana all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

DISTRIBUTION: The Times of Southwest Louisiana is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. The Times of Southwest Louisiana may be distributed only by The Times of Southwest Louisiana authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of The Times of Southwest Louisiana, take more than one copy of each monthly issue from its racks.

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August 6, 2009

Columns Inside Baton Rouge: Personal Spats Hold Back School Change Biz Bytes: Independents Are Taking a Second Look The Swift Report: Think Big! 337 Sports: Q and A With LSU Coaches Les Miles and Paul Mainieri Legal Eagle: Traffic Ticket Know How Geeks & Gadgets: You’re Not Paranoid—They’re Out to Get You! Cover story Another Look at the Constitution Features Violence Against Women Health: Banishing Summertime Blues Health: Avoid Summertime Health Problems Health: Shield Your Vision Entertainment Times Band Stand Movie Review: Harry Potter: Another Hairy Year for Harry Book Beat: Crooked: A History of Cheating in Sports Turn It Up: Ashes of Babylon Times Exclusive: Chatting It Up With Switchfoot’s Drummer Chad Butler The Shadow: Ad and Press Club of SWLA Presents: Gridiron ‘As Seen On TV’, Social Demin’s Champagne Brunch, Moonlight and Magnolias, Marshland Festival Coffee Break Crossword: “Yes We Can”—an international movement.

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business notes

New Local Coffee House: Stellar Beans Now Open Stellar Beans officially opened on Monday August 3. It is located at 319 Broad St. next to The Yoga Center. Stellar Beans will start off opening at 6:30am - 2pm. It will be a full service coffee bar serving Community Coffee as well as Higher Ground Coffee (organic / fair trade). It will also have breakfast (biscuits, scones, muffins, bagels, etc.) and lunch (deli style sandwiches, soups and salads). Go check it out!

ACTS Sets Auditions For Disney’s Beauty and The Beast ACTS Theatre Lake Charles has scheduled two sets of auditions for all roles in the musical production, Beauty and The Beast, the opening production for the theatre’s 2009-2010 season. The first round of auditions will be on Sunday, August 9 at 2PM and on Monday, August 10 at 6:00PM. Sign-in will be thirty minutes prior to each session. The second round for those who are being called back as well as anyone who might have missed the first auditions will be on Saturday, August 15 at 1:00 in the afternoon. All sessions will be held at the ACTS One Reid Street Theatre and they are open to anyone interested.

No prior experience is required, but certainly welcomed. Anyone interested in participating in a technical area should also attend one of the audition times to register and indicate the areas in which they might like to work.

Rehearsals are held on selected week day evenings from 6pm to 8:30 and selected weekends according to the printed schedule. Producers for the show are Michael Ieyoub and Rebecca Pack with Anita Fields- Gold serving as assistant-to-the-director. Additional information may be obtained by going to the ACTS Website at actstheatre.com, or by calling 436-5908, or 433-ACTS. Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel Celebrates 14 Years in Lake Charles Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel opened with the Crown Casino and a small pavilion in July 1995. Since then, additions to the property have included a second casino, the Grand Palais; two hotels, with the Inn at the Isle completing remodeling in May of this year; four restaurants; and a larger, tropical pavilion. Celebrating 14 years of entertainment is very exciting. We look forward to our opportunity to provide smiling friendly service to our guests for many years to come, said Jeff King, vice president and general manager.

Since opening, the casino has welcomed more than 37 million guests. Tax revenue generated from Isle of Capri includes over $581 million in state and local taxes; $582 million in payroll; and has made capital investments over $237 million in the past 14 years. An additional $2.2 million has been donated to local charities and organizations including United Way. 6th Annual Louisiana Honey Bee Festival Pageant For St. Jude This pageant benefits St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The pageant is set for Oct 11, 2009 at the Old South Jamboree Building in Walker La. Ages 0-6m, 7-12m, 13-23m, 2yrs, 3 yrs, 4-5 yrs, 6-7 yrs 8-9 yrs and it is 100% Natural and attire is Sunday Best. Ages 10-12, 13-15, 16-17, 18-23, Ms/ Mrs compete in Pageant and full hair and make-up allowed. Age Division 1823 compete in the Interview. Winner competes in Louisiana Associations of Fairs and Festival in February 2010 in Baton Rouge La. The pageant is open to all Louisiana Residents only. Last Years winners cannot compete again. If you already have a fair or festival title for any age you can’t compete. This gives someone else a chance to hold a title. There are Queen 1-3 alternates

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in each age division.

All winners receive a custom LHBF Crown, Monogrammed Banner, and Plaque. Ages 0-15 yrs entry fee is $50; 16 & Up is $75. Please visit www.lahoneybeefestival.com or Contact Pageant Director Vickey DiMattia 985-969-6403 for more information.

Memorial Hospital’s Home Health Receives Gold Quality Award Lake Charles Memorial Hospital’s Home Health department has received a Gold 2008 Louisiana Home Health Agency Quality Award presented

by Louisiana Health Care Review, Inc. (LHCR), the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Louisiana. The award was announced at the second Louisiana Health Care Quality Summit hosted by LHCR in Baton Rouge in May 2009. With this award, Memorial’s Home Health is one of eight home health agencies in the state to receive a Gold 2008 Louisiana Home Health Agency Quality Award. The awards were given for excellent performance and improvement in home health care. Staff members from Memorial’s Home Health have been working with quality improvement specialists from LHCR to use proven, evidence-based practices to improve patient care. For more information about Louisiana Home Health Quality Awards, please visit www. lhcr.org or contact Memorial’s Home Health at 337-494-6444.

Poker Run Scheduled to Benefit WCCH’s Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center Scheduled for Saturday, August 15, A Poker Run will be held to benefit West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital’s Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center. The event is organized by the Krewe de Karoline in memory of Carol Breaux. Registration and breakfast will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. and final check in point is at 5 p.m. The starting and finishing point is Bab’s Pub (formerly Karoline’s) on Maplewood Drive in Sulphur. Registration fee is $20 for riders and $15 for passengers. After the ride, a bar-b-que, and live auction will be held along with live music by the Mike Taylor band. Plates are $5. For more information, contact Karen Campbell, (337) 274-9155 or Roland LeJeune, (337) 842-0010.

Family & Youth Festival Career Paths at Family & Youth Festival 2009 is where teens can explore different career opportunities. Family & Youth Festival is Saturday, August 22, 2009, at the Lake Charles Civic Center from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., adults $3 and youth $2. Career Paths is hosted by The Leadership Center for Youth (TLC), a program of Family & Youth. Teens thinking about their future career choices can get a hands-on feel for certain careers. Instructors and students from Sowela Technical Community College will demonstrate computer technology, commercial art, culinary arts, process technology, and industrial and transportation technology. CITGO Petroleum will also be demonstrating chemistry and pipe fitting. Career Path participants can enter drawings for a 32-inch flat screen TV, Nintendo DSi, and an Apple iPod touch.

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S o u t h w e s t

L o u i s i a n a

E nterprise B oulevard

Where Are They: Keeping Tabs On Sex Offenders

By Chaney Ferguson Sheriff Tony Mancuso said Calcasieu Parish has if they are a pedophile,” said Mancuso. between 260-280 registered sex offenders.

There are different tiers to being a sex offender.

Over the past year, a single registry database called These tiers or levels of offense determine how often Offender Watch has allowed the state to streamline the offender has to check in with law enforcement. sex offender information, reducing the problem of The first tier requires check in every year for a tracking and registering sex offenders. felony of carnal knowledge. The second tier involves “The registry is something that we always used. molestation of a juvenile or anything involving We had to pay for it. Now the state requires that we minors. The second tier requires check in every six have that system and they actually fund it for us,” said months.

Detective Scott Miller with the Sheriff ’s Department’s The third tier is aggravated assault which means Sex Offender Compliance and Awareness Program the assailant used a weapon during the crime. The (CAP). assailant has to “We have been check in every doing that since three months and about ten years ago. register for life as We are ahead of the a sex offender. game in that area,” “When the said Mancuso. offender is Miller said the checking in they registry is still a give their phone work in progress, number, place but believes it will of employment, all work out once address, vehicles all the parishes get that they drive, in line with the any tattoos registry. that may have “We can look changed, hair at each others sex style, and offenders and if picture,” said Sheriff Mancuso seated and, standing, Detective Scott Miller. they move from Miller. one parish to our parish it automatically sends us an Miller and others in CAP conduct regular email stating that this guy is moving to our area and compliance checks in the parish. we need to go find him,” said Miller.

“We will pick an area and have every offender Governor Bobby Jindal said the registry is a critical checked within a three month period,” said Miller. step towards enforcing new laws instituted since he “If they are not in compliance then he files the took office. necessary charges with the District Attorney’s office.

“By having a program that allows various law If they are on parole we notify their probation enforcement agencies to share, streamline, and officer and try to get a warrant for their arrest for enforce the sex predator registration and monitoring either probation violation or just the violation of process, our law enforcement officials are better not notifying us that they had changed addresses or prepared to track down these predators and protect locations,” said Mancuso. our children,” said Governor Jindal.

Miller said a lot of the current problems are people There are two ways to deal with sex offenders. First, coming from other states. the investigation, how law enforcement pursues the “In January of 2008, we came in line with the Adam case and ultimately gets a conviction. The next stage is Walsh Act and Texas hasn’t come in line with that yet,” keeping track of them when they get out of jail. said Miller.

“The legislature has changed some of the laws. They The Adam Walsh Act calls for state conformity to look at a sex offender differently if they are a rapist or various aspects of sex offender registration, including

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Director of Human Resources Earns Professional Certification Director of Human Resources for Lake Charles Medical and Surgical Clinic, Jeff Garrett, Jeff Garrett recently earned certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). The certification, awarded by the HR Certification Institute, signifies that Garrett possesses the theoretical knowledge and practical experience in human resource management necessary to pass a rigorous examination demonstrating a mastery of the body of knowledge in the field. To become certified, an applicant must pass a comprehensive examination and demonstrate a strong background of professional human resource experience.

MidSouth Bank’s Thibodaux location Announces New Manager With a decade of retail management experience, Kristin LaFleur, having previously served as store manager for Kristin LaFleur American Eagle Outfitters for six years has joined MidSouth Bank. She also worked as a purchasing agent for a local procurement firm. LaFleur is a native of Schriever, La. New Director of Food & Beverage At Coushatta A new Director of Food & Beverage at Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder, Louisiana has been named. Brian Schack comes to Coushatta with over 15 years of experience in casino

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August 6, 2009

Brian Schack Continued on Page 6

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W ho’s News cont. food & beverage management, serving at Caesar’s in Indiana, Jack Binion’s Horseshoe and Sam’s Town in Tunica, Mississippi, and most recently as executive chef at French Lick Resort in Indiana. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. A Chicago native, Schack grew up in the Houston, Texas area and will use his broad range of culinary expertise to oversee the casino’s dining operations, servicing Coushatta’s culturally diverse clientele.

Front Row: Left to Right: Mason Warr, Alex Guillory, Cade Pousson, Tristan Neilson, Chance Clark, Kyron Bilbo, Kirkland Banks 2nd Row: Left to Right: Grant Tassin, Mark Johnston, Morgan Clayton, Ty Manuel, Charlie Elhers, Sam Brauchaus Top Row: Left to Right: Coaches: Steve Miller, Chad Pousson, Bo Clark Photo Credit: Angie (Warr) Miller South Lake Charles Little League 9&10 Division Champions On July 11, 2009 South Lake Charles Little League 9&10 year old “Blue” All-Star Team Won District Championship Tournament over Mid-City All-Star “Purple” team. Final Score was 9/3. SLC Blue went undefeated throughout the All-Star District Tournament winning 21/0 in the first game, 21/12 in the second game and 9/3 in the championship game. The team is lead by coaches Chad Pousson, Steve Miller and Bo Clark.

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Calcasieu Federation of Teachers Growth Award The Calcasieu Federation of Teachers was recognized for outstanding growth at a recent meeting of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. The award, for membership recruitment during the LFT’s spring membership drive, was presented at the Federation’s annual Union Leadership Institute, held on June 29 through July1 at the Holiday Inn South in Baton Rouge.

CSE Announces From left, LFT Senior Field Representative Mona New Business Icamena, LFT President Steve Monaghan and CFT Development President Jean Johnson.

Representative The marketing department has appointed Tova Oustalet as the Business Development Representative.

As of July 13, 2009, Tova Oustalet has obtained the position as Business Development Representative. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations and her experience in community relations, she will be able to benefit CSE’s development efforts and assist in effective communication. As a recent graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, she has studied and practiced in marketing strategies and brand development. CSE Federal Credit Union continues their commitment in providing exceptional service and better value on financial options. Any organization wanting to become a member can request an information packet by contacting Colleen Desselle 337-562-3130 or Tova Oustalet 337-562-3161. For more details about CSE Federal Credit Union log on to www.csefcu.org

MidSouth Bank Promotes Loan Review Officer A 13-year veteran of MidSouth Bank, Mike Leatherman, has been promoted to Vice President and Loan Review Officer/Special Assets Manager.

He previously served as a Loan Review Officer. In his new role, Leatherman is overseeing the bank’s Collections Department and is also in charge of calculating the bank’s allowance for loan and lease losses, performing individual loan reviews and analyzing the risk in the bank’s loan portfolio. A Mike Leatherman Virginia native, Leatherman has a bachelor of arts in economics from the University of Virginia and an MBA from UL Lafayette. He is a Certified Lender Business Banker and also completed the Loan Review Certificate program.

McNeese Athletics Announces Coaching Promotion/Addition The McNeese State athletic department has announced a coaching promotion for Jon Fagan in track and field and the addition of Lance Fremin to the football staff. Fagan, who ran for the Cowboys and served last season as a part time coach, has been elevated to full time status and will work with the Lance Fremin sprinters, jumpers, hurdlers and multi-event performers on the track team. Fremin, a four year starter for the Cowboys as a center, has joined the football staff as tight ends coach. Fagan is a 2007 graduate of McNeese and earned his masters degree in 2009. He’s a native of Milford, ME and was the Southland Conference heptathlon champion Jon Fagan in 2007.

FNB Announces New Assistant VP The Board of Directors of First National Bank in DeRidder is pleased to announce the promotion of William J. “Justin” Holt to Assistant Vice President. Holt has served as a mortgage specialist with First National Bank since June 2008, offering an extensive background in VA, FHA, Rural Housing and conventional loan products. Holt received his Bachelor of Science degree in Management from McNeese State University in 2005, after graduating from DeRidder High School. After serving as manager of Family First Mortgage Co. for over three years, Holt joined the experienced and reputable lending team at First National Bank in DeRidder. Holt resides in DeRidder and is the father of one daughter, Alleigh. Justin is located at the Main Office of First National Bank in downtown DeRidder at 131 Washington Street.

Graywood Sports Club Expands Professional Tennis Staff Originally from Westlake, Ryan Hess has joined the staff of the Sports Club at Graywood as a tennis instructor. Hess played on the Westlake High School tennis team for four years, where he was a regional champion and state semi-finalist multiple years. He was ranked fifth in the state for males 18 and under, singles. Hess then played for four years on the Ragin’ Cajun men’s tennis team at University of LouisianaLafayette. He was a member of the 2005 Sun Belt Conference runner up team, and was a member of the

August 6, 2009

Ryan Hess

W ho’s News cont.

2006 Sun Belt Conference championship team in 2006. He competed in the 2005 and 2006 NCAA Championships for team competition, and doubles competition in 2005. In addition to his four years of college-level playing experience, Hess has worked as a tennis instructor for six years.

Pr E s En T s Free expo

Thursday August 27, 2009 Lake Charles Civic Center 8am to 3pm

L’Auberge du Lac June Five Star Employees L’Auberge du Lac Names June Five Star Employees The June Five Star Employees were recently announced at L’Auberge du Lac Casino. Additionally, the property named its Leaders of the Quarter. The Five Stars are: Reanella Edwards, a Le Café food server; Recquell Hill, a porter; Denna Baronet, a security officer; Jack Groves, a massage therapist at Spa du Lac; and Catherine Hicks, a Le Beaucoup Buffet host/ server. Denna Baronet is also designated as the Employee of the Month and is now eligible to receive the coveted Employee of the Year award.

The Young at Heart Expo is an event focusing on healthcare, education, leisure and useful information for seniors and their caregivers. There will also be guest speakers, activities, entertainment and food presentations, all geared toward the everchanging lifestyles of people 50 and over. Contact KPLC at 337.437.7551 to reserve a booth.

L’Auberge du Lac Leaders of the Quarter The Leaders of the Quarter are Marietta Villamil, a revenue audit supervisor; Laramie Anderson, a table games floor supervisor; Ranjan Rehman, a senior operations analyst; and Brigitte Johnson, a slot shift manager.

Another Succes Story

“The Times reaches our target market, helps our business grow, and does it in style!”

– Sarah Ehlers Owner, Jon Margeaux August 6, 2009

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Sthe o ubest t h iwn elake s t area L o enter u i s tai i anment n a ’s

H om e G rown B usiness es A Cup of Coffee and Conversation

By Chaney Ferguson Lake Area residents may remember when Chez Caffe owners Ken Daugherty and Greg Thomas sold food and coffee in the local mall.

“In 1989, we bought a little deli in the west side of the mall and ran that for five or six years. It was kind of a hamburger and fries joint,” said Daugherty.

The two friends decided to become partners once they were out-of-work.

“When we were in need of a job this little deli in the mall became available.

We thought why don’t we just buy our own business,” said Daugherty.

In 1993, while Daugherty and Thomas spent some time in Dallas they were inspired to start selling coffee.

“We wondered why Lake Charles didn’t have any coffee shops like you see around the big metropolitan areas. So we started putting together a plan for coffees,” said Daugherty.

The partners started a little coffee kiosk in the mall in September of 1993.

They operated it through the Christmas season, and after proving its success they expanded into a larger area and called it A Place to Meet.

“We had lighter sandwiches and a healthier menu. It has just kind of developed and hung on all these years,” said Daugherty.

The deli closed in 1996 when the mall was beginning the expansion.

“It was just an opportune time to shut down and not go with the mall from that point,” said Daugherty.

Mall management changed and the mall wanted national companies and national names not the mom and pop type businesses.

“At the mall you are blessed with a captive audience. When we moved out of the mall customers followed us, but

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also it opened a lot of doors for new customers,” said Daugherty.

The transition was very easy for Daugherty and Thomas. Their sales even increased as a result of the move.

The mall offered time for the owners to hone their skills. They learned what kinds of coffee people preferred and also perfected their chicken salad.

“We average about forty pounds of chicken salad everyday. That is kind of our forte. If it is not coffee then it is chicken salad,” said Daugherty.

Each morning Daugherty, his wife Cyd, and Thomas arrive between 5:45 and 6:00 a.m. to prepare for breakfast and lunch.

“The first thing we do is stick in a ten pound bag of chicken to start boiling and while we’re doing that we are starting to brew coffee,” said Daugherty.

The Chez Caffe opens at 7 a.m. for breakfast.

“We make our own biscuits every morning. We have biscuit sandwiches, croissants, croissant sandwiches, eggs, and bacon,” said Daugherty.

They haven’t branched out into pancakes and waffles, but Daugherty says they are still thinking about it.

“Most people that come in for breakfast are on their way to work and they come in for something quick. Grab and go,” said Daugherty.

Daugherty sees the usual customers so often that he knows their vehicles.

When they pull up their food is already being made.

“Everybody likes to feel like they are important somewhere so when they come in here they know they are important, they are treated special, and they know their food is being prepared for them,” said Daugherty.

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The friendly atmosphere allows customers to enjoy companionship and conversation or quiet time.

Daugherty and Thomas have been friends for thirty years. As partners they divide the duties of the business.

Thomas maintains the back kitchen area and Daugherty is usually up in the front greeting customers “We each have our function and we still communicate a lot and say here is what is going on here. He usually handles things on his end and I do on mine. I think that has been a large part of our success to make this business last as long as it has,” said Daugherty.

Working in the front allows Daugherty to enjoy conversations and the relationships he builds with the customers.

“What I enjoy the most is the people and the camaraderie I get from the relationships,” said Daugherty.

Business is fun for Daugherty. He describes it as a personality.

“Along with a good product people are paying for the atmosphere or buying the personality as well,” said Daugherty.

It is a challenge everyday and fortunately after 20 years it is good to have many of the challenges whipped.

Daugherty says there is never a dull moment, and he can’t let himself get too comfortable and let things falter.

“I have to make sure my service is good and my food is good after all these years. Make sure it is made consistently no matter who makes it, and that is hard some times,” said Daugherty.

“It has been a ride. If I could do it again I would put recorders in here and cameras so I could see all the coffee conversations. We would have a humorous book that’s all I can say.”

For a cup of coffee and conversation stop by Chez Caffe at 127 W. College Street, Monday-Saturday from 7-3, or for more information call 337-474-2200.

From left to right: Ken Daugherty, Cyd Daugherty, and Greg Thomas.

FAMILY AND YOUTH Presents

FAMILY FESTIVAL 2009 UNITED WAY-12/99

Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum Saturday, August 22, 2009 • 9am to 4pm

Tickets can be Pre-purchased or purchased at the door

Above:

Winning Poster Design

ADULTS $3.00 – CHILDREN $2.00

by Karlye Crawford

For group tickets, phone 436-9533

Activities will include

An alcohol free event – NO ICE CHESTS

Hat Making • Petting Zoo Live Music • Children’s Factory Career Pathways • Meet Local Athletes and much much more

Come enjoy live music!

(FROM DISK)

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August 6, 2009

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Inside Baton Rouge - By John Maginnis

Biz Bytes - By Dan Juneau

Personal Spats Hold Back School Change

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hatever success Gov. Bobby Jindal may claim in the recent legislative session does not extend to his K-12 education agenda, which lawmakers trashed. Not only did the administration-backed package of bills to rein in the power of school boards fail to go anywhere, but passage of a controversial career diploma bill, which Pastorek opposed but the governor signed, could mark a big step backwards from the gains made in student accountability over the past decade.

So it’s not surprising that the session barely ended before the blame games began— with emphasis on games, as played on schoolyards.

Legislators complained that state school Superintendent Paul Pastorek was abrasive and talked down to them.

Pastorek said the teacher unions and school boards badmouthed him in order to defeat bills that threatened them.

The governor said one of his appointees, Tammie McDaniel, was stirring up trouble on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and he asked her to resign.

She said no, because the constitution said she didn’t have to.

McDaniel requested and was granted a meeting with the governor at the Mansion, but when she arrived, she found deputy chief of staff Steve Waguespack sitting in, which made her “uncomfortable.” The governor explained that’s how things are done in his office. She decided not to stay and drove back to Oak Ridge. The governor’s staff leaked word to columnists that she walked out on him and that she was rude. Was not, she said.

Thankfully, the bell rang: recess over.

Now can we have a reasonable conversation about what needs to be changed with schools and school boards and how to get that done? Personalities will always play a role in how public policy is formed, but too often they are the excuses rather than real reasons for failure.

Whether or not Pastorek treated legislators and school board members with the deference they think they deserve obscures the point that he’s right: that local school boards should stick to policy and let superintendents and principals run the schools, without the politicians’ advice and consent on which school bus drivers must be hired or cafeteria workers promoted.

If micromanagement was the biggest problem that needed correcting, it should have been the main focus, if not the entirety, of the education change agenda. Instead, that issue was sidetracked by debate over term limits and pay limits for school board members, which made it easier for school board and teacher lobbyists to mobilize opposition to the whole package of bills, all of which failed.

Pastorek points out that it took seven years for education advocates to pass a bill against micromanagement in the Texas legislature, and that, despite attempts, a school board term-limits bill never passed there. So why even try a term-limits bill here if the distraction makes it harder to pass a micromanagement bill? Let’s hope that lesson has sunk in.

As for the spat between Bobby and Tammie, the governor is now resigned to the fact that he appointed a loose cannon and now can’t get rid of her. He has three appointments to BESE and eight members are elected, so her independence poses a challenge for the administration, but hardly an insurmountable one. McDaniel, a former teacher and principal, denies that she is for the status quo and insists that she most often supports Pastorek’s policies in principle. She has the chance to prove it, especially now that Jindal has singled her out.

If personal differences can be set aside, BESE has work to do. An immediate challenge is to fashion a curriculum for the new career diploma track that doesn’t make hash of the hard-won improvements in student accountability and ending social promotions. While the career track could help in reducing the dropout rate, it will hurt if it also reduces the graduation rate for the academic track. The danger is that many marginal students, who would otherwise tough it out for a real diploma, will choose the path of least resistance, toward a dead end. The Legislature didn’t address those details; BESE must.

For their part, the governor and legislative leaders must play a stronger role on future legislation to change how public schools are governed and managed.

Otherwise, they will just be spectators when the education community gets into another schoolyard brawl.

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August 6, 2009

Independents Are Taking a Second Look

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residential campaigns are in some respects like a gruesome war. Large, well-financed armies of partisans slug it out in battles designed to rally their voters into action and to drive down the favorable impressions of the opposing candidate. But the growing trend in modern elections centers on securing the votes of independent voters not affiliated with either party. This block of voters has increased significantly in the last few decades. They tend to be more conservative than most Democrats on fiscal issues and more liberal than most Republicans on social issues. Recent Democratic successes in both congressional and presidential elections have revolved around securing a majority of these independent voters to back Democrats.

A recent public opinion survey by the Gallup organization contains a clear message that independent voters may be becoming concerned about their decision to place one-party rule in the hands of the Democrats.

The poll, conducted July 17-19, had some interesting findings. Some 59 percent of the respondents said that the Obama administration’s proposals called for too much federal spending. Not surprisingly, 90 percent of Republicans felt that way, compared to only 28 percent of Democrats. But a solid 66 percent of independents expressed strong concern about the high level of federal spending.

In a similar vein, 52 percent of the respondents felt that the Obama agenda was moving toward too great an expansion of the federal government. Again, 83 percent of Republicans held that view while only 17 percent of Democrats concurred. But 60 percent of independent voters expressed a concern that the federal government is growing too large, too fast.

Other recent polling data show that the president’s popularity is falling, support for his handling of key issues is diminished, and the generic ballot question of whether the voters would prefer a Democrat or Republican in Congress is moving more in the direction of the Republicans. Next year is an election year in which every House member and roughly a third of the Senate face elections. That being the case, this recent Gallup poll should be a wake-up call for the president and the congressional members of his party.

Americans have recently seen the enactment of a “stimulus” package totaling almost $800 billion. But they have seen few positive results from that huge amount of government spending. Voters have also seen the House pass a thousand-page energy/ climate change bill that will expand the government’s role in the economy and pit winners against losers in various states and industries. And now Congress is debating perhaps the largest and most expensive expansion of government ever in the form of health care legislation, including a public insurance option backed by the federal treasury.

Many Democrats in Congress are getting uncomfortable with the rush to enact huge new spending programs that will lead to an increase of direct government intervention in the economy. The Gallup poll indicates those Democrats have good reasons to feel that way. The president and the Democratic leaders in Congress are getting concerned that public opinion is shifting away from them on these crucial issues. They are trying to ram the health care legislation through before members of Congress go home for their August recess. But moderate Democrats are not moving lockstep behind President Obama and the Democratic leadership at this juncture. One of the major reasons why they are getting cold feet is the fact that they know they must have the votes of those fiscally conservative independent voters if they are going to retain the seats that many of them won from Republicans in the last few elections.

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8/3/09 3:41:22 PM

The Swift Report - By George Swift

President/CEO: SWLA Economic Development Alliance

Think Big!

T

here’s no doubt the regional approach to economic development is the successful way to go. To those doubters, check out what has happened in Tupelo, Houston, Hattiesburg, Mobile, Charlotte, and Louisville.

Our Southwest Louisiana region (the five parishes of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jeff Davis) will need to work with other regions in order to optimize our future.

North The SWLA Economic Development Alliance recently signed a community covenant with Fort Polk in Vernon Parish. We are pledging to support the efforts of this important military facility and its personnel as they work to expand to double their size. Since Vernon Parish and Fort Polk play such a key role in the economic dynamic of our region, we are happy we are now officially playing ball.

West Since Rita, Southeast Texas, and Southwest Louisiana have traveled together on several important missions to Washington, D.C. We have an excellent working relationship with the Chambers in Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange. The Alliance is working with the Greater Beauregard Chamber and the Jeff Davis Business Alliance to further strengthen our efforts with our friends in Southeast Texas. We can combine forces to recruit new workers to both areas rather than raiding each other’s labor pool.

East Some time ago, the officers of the Chamber SWLA met with the Lafayette Chamber leaders, and the roof didn’t collapse. With that major accomplishment, it is time for us to forge a working relationship with the Lafayette region to tackle some mutual issues.

Mayor Roach and Lafayette Parish Mayor Joey Durel get along well and both support regionalism. Lafayette is pushing for the completion of I-49 and our area needs a new wider, safer I-10 bridge over the Calcasieu River in Lake Charles. While we have yet to get SWLA and Acadiana together on this, I believe we would be much more effective if we sought funding for both projects together. A powerful case can be made when you tie SWLA and Acadiana together and emphasize the energy we supply to the entire country. It’s an impressive story. If both regions spoke with a combined voice, we would be a strong force in Baton Rouge.

Statewide The airports and airparks in Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Alexandria have worked together on aviation issues and that effort has been expanded to include the other airports and industrial parks in the state. We have precedents for working outside narrow geographic lines. We have to check our egos at the door and realize that while we may compete with these areas at times, we all benefit by expanding our mental boundaries.

We also have been involved in the I-10/I-12 corridor initiative which was financed and hosted by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. One of the proposals was for the state to pay for a large marketing and branding campaign for the corridor. With the condition of state finances, that is not going to happen. The I-10/I-12 corridor initiative recently added New Orleans, so our efforts now encompass the entire southern half of the state.

GNO, Inc., the New Orleans area regional economic development group, and the Chamber SWLA worked together during the past legislative session to push incentives for increased energy production and to make Louisiana competitive with adjacent states on energy production. That’s a first—SWLA and New Orleans working together. It won’t be the last.

The future of our Southwest Region is dependent on how well we work with those areas around us. Planners have already identified ten megapolitan areas in the nation.

We are in the Gulf Coast Region which is basically from Brownsville to Pensacola.

A sub-set of that huge area, is the Texas Gulf Coast which includes 21 counties in Texas and two parishes in Louisiana; Calcasieu and Cameron. So whether we like it or not (and I do), we are a small part of a huge mega-region. Former Governor Buddy Roemer said in a recent appearance to Fusion Five members that the future is strong for the Gulf Coast. We are right where we need to be physically.

Our challenge is to get where we need to be “mentally.” If we do, we will exceed the expectations of even our most positive thinkers.

The Alliance is about building coalitions and we are ready.

Think globally, act regionally and talk up Southwest Louisiana.

12

August 6, 2009

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information that must be collected, duration of registration requirement for classifications of offenders, verification of registry information, access to and sharing of information, and penalties for failure to register as required.

“We are getting a lot of offenders coming from Texas. We aren’t being notified about it. A lot of them have absconded and come over here. We aren’t getting them until we get them on a traffic stop or something like that where we run their name and they come up as a sex offender from another state,” said Miller.

Mancuso said all states need to be on the same page.

“The Adam Walsh Act is trying to make sure that we don’t just do it in Louisiana, but we do it nationwide so we can have better tracking,” said Mancuso.

In the future, serious offenders may have to wear GPS tracking systems so law enforcement knows where they are at all times.

“That hasn’t evolved as fast as we would have liked it to,” said Mancuso.

The Sheriff ’s Department website www.cpso.com has a sex offender registry.

“You can enter your address and see what sex offenders live in your area,” said Miller.

The registry provides pictures and gives a reason for conviction.

“If there is a sex offender living on your street show the picture to your child. You don’t have to explain to them what he was convicted of, just tell them he is a bad person and to stay away form him,” said Miller.

“We will go out and speak to civic organizations if there is a concern. We will meet with them and explain how the program works,” said Mancuso.

Deputy Joanne Pape works in the CAP unit promoting awareness. Pape speaks to communities and does neighborhood watch.

Miller and Pape teach some classes around the state. Mancuso said other cities use Calcasieu Parish as a model for what is going right.

“We feel like we are doing right. We are trying,” said Mancuso.

WELCOME TO OUR

NEWEST PHYSICIAN Center for Orthopaedics introduces

Steven Hale, MD Orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr. Hale was born and raised in Lake Charles and received his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

He earned his Medical Degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed his Orthopaedic Residency in Memphis, Tennessee, at The Campbell Clinic, which is recognized as one the premier practicing and teaching orthopaedic centers in the world.

Dr. Hale specializes in joint replacement surgery, sports medicine, knee surgery, shoulder surgery, hip surgery, fracture care, children’s orthopaedic care and arthritis treatment. Dr. Hale will be seeing patients in the Lake Charles and Sulphur offices of Center for Orthopaedics. Call 721-7236 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

OUR PHYSICIAN STAFF: James Perry, MD John Noble, Jr., MD Geoffrey Collins, MD Craig Morton, MD Tyson Green, DPM Steven Hale, MD

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www.centerforortho.com

August 6, 2009

13

young guy. I think he’ll be much improved this fall.

I want to get your thoughts on the state of the SEC. With all of the big name coaches in the league, and these days it seems like any team in the conference can beat you. What do you think about the current state of your league?

I think it is as competitive a football conference as there is in America. I think it requires your teams to play at a very high level week in and week out. I think that’s good. I think it’s good for the fans and it’s good for us. I look forward to playing in big games and I think our team does.

Q and A With LSU Coaches Les Miles and Paul Mainieri Last month, the LSU Tiger Tour made its annual stop in Westlake at the Isle of Capri Casino. I had a chance to talk with LSU head baseball coach Paul Mainieri, and LSU head football coach Les Miles. Mainieri’s Tigers just won the college baseball national championship, and Miles’ Tigers are gearing up for another football season.

LSU Football Head Coach Les Miles

The defense really struggled last year and you made some changes in the off-season to correct that. You brought in John Chavis as the defensive coordinator, Brick Haley to coach the defensive linemen, and Ron Cooper to coach the secondary. How has that new group gelled through spring practice and over the summer?

I think our guys have an existing culture of dominant defense. John has great experience and has the same impression that that’s the way defense is played.

Our guys have really embraced him, enjoyed him and I think he’s made a great introduction to his defense this spring. When you bring in Brick Haley, who comes from the NFL, he brings great technique work to our guys. Our guys on the defensive line have enjoyed him. Ron Cooper has great experience with the secondary. I think the transition has been good and I look forward to how they will play.

Jordan Jefferson looks like he is the frontrunner for the starting quarterback job. He played well late last season, especially in your big bowl victory. What have you seen from Jefferson throughout the off-season as he heads into his sophomore season?

He’s bigger and stronger. He certainly has a lot more experience on the field.

He won’t go into a game that he hasn’t experienced in one way or another. He played on the road, and he played on the road in a bowl game and won. Really, this summer he has probably shown more leadership than what’s due for a

14

August 6, 2009

Your first three years in Baton Rouge were so successful. At least 11 wins in each season.

But last year was a bit of a tough year with the 8-5 record. How has the off-season been for you, coming off a sub par season?

I think our guys understand that we want to regain the position in the SEC that we’ve had. I think the guys are hungrier, there’s a little more wanting, more ambitious, I think it’s been good. The summer has been good and I think our guys are looking forward to playing.

LSU Baseball Head Coach Paul Mainieri

Congratulations on a fantastic season. What an incredible run in Omaha at the College World Series. What has life been like since winning the national championship of college baseball?

Thank you very much for the congratulatory message. It still hasn’t really sunk in, it’s kind of surreal. Your whole life you pray that you’ll have an opportunity to coach a team to a national championship, and then it happens and you’re not sure how to act or how to feel. I’ve received so many wonderful letters, phone calls, text messages and emails that I’ve just been spending my time trying to respond to everybody. It’s a great experience. It’s something I’m sure that in time will sink in.

After losing to Texas in game two of the championship series, what did you tell your team?

The message I gave to my players was very simple. I said look, if this was our very first meeting in August and I told you on that day that we were going to play one game for the national championship, winner take all, and we were going to have Anthony Ranaudo pitching for us, would any of you guys take that deal? And they all nodded their heads of course. And I said, well that’s our situation. So we’re not going to hang our heads about this loss tonight. We’re going to walk out of here with our chins up. We’re going to walk out confident, believing in ourselves and knowing that tomorrow night we’re going to come out here and whip Texas. I wanted them to get a good positive frame of mind right from that moment, and go to bed that night dreaming of winning the national championship the next night.

And my goodness, they went out there and did it!

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By Katie Penny

Traffic Ticket Know How Is it worth going to a court date for a traffic ticket?

Unfortunately, as with most legal questions, the answer must be a decidedly and teeth-grindingly ambiguous, “it depends.” The most important thing to do is call the district attorney’s office and find out if court appearance is mandatory for the offense for which you were ticketed—and these are not immediately obvious, so always call to find out. If it is mandatory, then, you have to go to court. If it is not mandatory, then read on.

A traffic citation proceeding is a criminal one, in which the district or city attorney proceeds against the citizen. In any criminal proceeding, the offender has 3 options: to plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest (no lo contendere—is only done rarely for traffic offenses.) Pleading “guilty” sounds very serious—and it generally is—but it is often, in small issues like speeding, not a bad choice, because of the costs and trouble inherent in pleading not guilty. By pleading guilty, you waive the right to have a criminal trial in which to defend yourself and present witnesses in your defense, you admit your guilt, and accept the penalty.

If court attendance is not mandatory, you have the option of paying the fine or attending the court date to argue against the ticket. In essence, paying your fine equals pleading guilty. Showing up to court should mean pleading not guilty. You are given a certain amount of time, usually from 30 days to several months—it will say on the ticket and vary from parish to parish—to pay your fine before your court date.

Unfortunately, many people do not understand what their options are when they are issued a ticket, and they often do show up at their court dates simply intending to pay their fine. If you pay the fine, you have pled guilty and it is over. If you show up at your court date when it is not mandatory, the DA will view that as you pleading not guilty and contesting the grounds of the ticket. If you do not intend to contest your ticket and attendance is not mandatory, there is no reason to come to court.

The best advice, when you do agree that you were actually violating a traffic law— let’s say you were speeding—is not to go to court. Call the DA’s office, find out the amount of your fine, and find out where you are to pay the fine, go to that place, and pay the fine. Always ask what form your payment may take, as many parishes or cities will not accept personal checks, but only cash or cashier’s checks.

If you know you were guilty, and the police officer who issued you the ticket clocked you speeding and will testify against you at trial, then there is no real reason to come to court. If you come to court and admit you were speeding, you will simply be directed to the bonds and fines department of the sheriff ’s office to pay your fine, which you could have done already without missing a day of work to go to traffic court.

If you do believe, on the other hand, that you were not really speeding and that the state could not prove you were, then by all means attend your court date. At that date, you should be prepared to go to trial: you must present evidence disputing the DA’s evidence of your guilt, i.e., your traffic citation issued by a police officer and that officer’s testimony.

Your court date is the time to bring witnesses and evidence to prove you were not speeding—or doing whatever your ticket was for. Your court date is not the time to show up and say you want to bring witnesses some time in the future. Go ahead and bring them with you. Simply showing up at court does not mean you will be judged not guilty, however; it just means that the DA will put on evidence that you were

16

August 6, 2009

guilty and you will put on evidence that you were innocent, and the judge will decide who is right. That is not to deter people from pleading not guilty—if they truly were not guilty.

However, it might be difficult to prove—without video of your speedometer not speeding—and if you really kind of know you were speeding, and are just mad about getting caught, just pay the fine.

Other things to remember: • Almost all of these things depend hugely on your particular parish. My best advice is to call the DA or sheriff ’s office to find out your options in your parish.

• If you forget about your ticket until the day of your court date, and your head pops off your pillow in panic, then, yes, attend your court date rather than failing to pay your fine on time. If you do not pay your fine or show up to court on a non-mandatory citation, your driver’s license might end up getting suspended. If you do not come to a mandatory court date, the judge will issue a bench warrant on you. Very unappealing.

• If you cannot afford to pay your ticket all at once, then try calling whatever department collects fines and speak to them ahead of time about possibly setting up a payment plan to pay your ticket in installments. Whoever collects fines in your parish might be willing to work with you if you are being proactive about taking care of a fine. If your parish’s fine collector will not set up payment plans, then you can still usually show up at your court date and ask for an extension of time in which to pay the fine.

• The best advice of all: drive safely and do not break traffic laws in the first place!

The provided information is fact-sensitive and jurisdiction-dependent. Consult an attorney before employing the above legal concepts.

Christopher J. Guillory attorney at law

• Free Consultations • Civil and Commercial Litigation • Construction Law Real Estate Disputes • Contract Disputes • Insurance Law Tenant/Landord Law • Consumer Protection • Personal Injury Employment Law • Business Formation • Successions/Wills

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By D.B. Grady

You’re not paranoid–They’re out to get you Preventing Spyware, Viruses On Your Computer

You probably have spyware on your computer. There’s a good chance you’ve got a virus or two. Your personal files are likely insecure, and your hard drive might be shared for the entire world to see. In real world terms, you’ve not only left your car unlocked, you’ve left the windows down, the doors open, the engine running, and a sign on the dashboard reading FREE CAR. If you are infected, you will probably need to visit a local computer repair shop. Malicious software is notoriously difficult to remove, and the wrong combination of deleted files can often result in a computer that doubles as a boat anchor, doorstop, or shooting range target. If your computer is in proper working order, however, there are a few practices you can implement that will keep you both protected and secure.

Windows Update (sometimes, in its more expansive mode, called Microsoft Update) is a utility built into Windows that keeps your computer up to

date. As bugs and security vulnerabilities are discovered, and new features are added, Microsoft releases patches and service packs free for download. Windows Update automates the installation process, checking the files of your operating system against a central repository at Microsoft, and applying the newest versions. This may be the most critical part of your computer housekeeping routine, as an out-of-date operating system is as secure as an ATM card with its password written on it. Windows Update can be found under the Start menu, in the Programs folder, or oftentimes in the system tray (bottom-right of the screen, next to the clock) as a yellow shield pleading with you to “click here to install updates.”

Every Windows-based computer needs antivirus software. Popular programs include McAfee Total Protection ($34.98/year), Norton Antivirus ($39.99/year), and Trend Micro Antivirus ($39.95/year). Free alternatives include AVG Free and Avast Home Edition. Upon installation, allow the antivirus to download and apply the most current virus definitions, and run a full system scan.

Once your computer is protected, like Windows Update, make it a priority to update your antivirus software regularly. (Note that virus protection software can often be acquired for free though public libraries, colleges, government agencies, and the military. Check their websites for more information.)

Spyware is often the easiest malicious software to install and the hardest to delete. It often appears in friendly, apparently helpful website popup ads warning that, “Antivirus 2009 has detected 32 threats on your computer! Would you like to remove them?” Clicking either yes or no results in the same thing: an infected

computer. Unless you are computer savvy, the safest course of action when faced with such prompts is to exit your web browser entirely.

Two of the most effective and anti-spyware utilities on the market are Spybot and Windows Defender. Both programs are free, and in both cases, the installation and maintenance procedures are similar to those of antivirus software.

Upon setup, allow the programs to update, and run a full system scan. Update the spyware definitions regularly.

While an updated operating system, strong virus-protection, and a spyware monitor are crucial to safe computing, they will not do the job on their own. It is up to you to adopt smart practices to keep your computer secure. This means never opening email attachments from people you don’t know. It means carefully reading the screen whenever an unexpected window is prompted. (Blindly clicking “Next” is a recipe for disaster.) It also means avoiding the more unsavory areas of the Internet—most notably file-sharing sites such as Kazaa and Limewire. In addition to the legal ramifications of downloading copyrighted music and software, every illicit file runs the risk of bringing with it malicious software.

It’s a dangerous web out there. If it seems like “they” are out to get you, it’s because they are. Thankfully, safe computing doesn’t require an advanced degree. All it takes is a little discipline and a couple of free programs.

Software referenced in this article: McAfee Total Protection: http://www.mcafee.com ($34.98/year) Norton Antivirus: http://www.symantec.com/norton ($39.99/year) Trend Micro Antivirus: http://us.trendmicro.com/us/home/home-user ($39.95/year) AVG Free: http://free.avg.com (Free for personal use) Avast Home Edition: http://www.avast.com (Free for personal use) Spybot: http://www.safer-networking.org (Free) Windows Defender: http://www.microsoft.com/defender (Free)

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17

Another Look at the Constitution

By Chaney Ferguson

Dramatic cuts in higher education and healthcare have caught the attention of many around the state.

Budget cuts mounting to 119 million in higher education and 240 million in healthcare have some people looking for other solutions.

One possibility requires taking another look at the constitution to determine what areas need to have dedicated funding.

Representative Mike Danahay is part of a group calling for a resolution to create a commission to review the possibility for another constitutional convention.

“The resolution called for the setup of a commission to actually look and see if it is feasible. There was an outline including who was going to be appointed to the commission and their duties in determining if there should be a convention or not,” said Danahay.

A group of freshmen representatives in the House of Representatives sat down and looked at some aspects of how politicians do business in Louisiana.

This included how the budgetary process takes place and how funds are acquired in the process.

“What prompted that was when we started looking at dedicated funding.

We have dedicated about 60% of our general revenue funding in the state of Louisiana. It leaves us very little leeway when it comes to allocations of money or lack of deficit monies that we have to deal with sometimes,” said Danahay.

The group faced the year knowing the state was going to have a 1.3 billion dollar deficit. Unfortunately, the two areas that are not dedicated are higher education and healthcare.

Several years ago there was a bill that was passed that allowed the governor in the development of his executive budget to be able to cut up to 5% in other areas with the exception of the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) which was only 1%. The Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) formula adopted by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and approved by the Legislature determines the cost of a minimum foundation program of education in public elementary and secondary schools and helps to allocate the funds equitably to parish and city school systems.

“That helped somewhat whenever [the governor] goes to create his budget he can make some cuts in other areas, but it is still the biggest cuts that come from higher education and healthcare which, in my opinion, are places that we should not be cutting,” said Danahay.

The current constitution is from 1974. It has been amended many times since then.

“That is the way we normally approach things is piecemeal. When we want to change something or add something to the constitution we will run a constitutional ballot with an amendment which people vote on,” said Danahay.

Those who oppose the idea of a constitutional convention suggest making changes by constitutional ballot.

“The way the dedications were spread out through the constitution you would have to have an individual ballot for each and every change so it would be multiple amendments on the ballot. It would not be global. It would be piecemeal,” said Danahay.

Proponents believe the only way to achieve the desired solution is through having the convention itself.

“The critics will also say that it opens everything up, everything goes back on the board and there are some things in the constitution that shouldn’t be changed and we agree to that,” said Danahay.

A constitutional convention allows everything to be laid out on the table and reexamined. This option makes some people nervous about what could possibly be changed.

“There are some good things that are in the constitution and that we should never touch. The one I hear all the time is term limits, and I agree term limits

18

August 6, 2009

should not be touched, but it does go back on the table,” said Danahay.

Another roadblock to a convention involves constituency needs.

“Sometimes when you start talking about dedicated funding those various interests [of the constituents] don’t want that to come up because the whole idea of putting them in the constitutional dedication is so the elected officials could not touch those funds,” said Danahay.

Cuts to the two areas have happened in the past, but it hasn’t been as dramatic as what is taking place now. The cuts always occurred to higher education and healthcare because they were the ones that were undedicated.

“They were able to absorb that in the past, but we had to go back this year and make some severe cuts,” said Danahay The idea is not to protect higher education and healthcare but to have the ability to look at the funds and rearrange the funds to make it more equitable.

“Healthcare is a little different in the fact that right now we enjoy a 3 to 1 match.

For every dollar the state spends the federal government or Medicaid gives 3 dollars on direct healthcare cost,” said Danahay.

When the state spends that dollar and gets much more it is advantageous to the state.

“When the state starts cutting services that are essential to the public you know people are in great physical need, and it is a difficult decision from a lawmaker’s standpoint. The citizens are expecting us to step forward and find solutions,” said Danahay.

“We are not part of the status quo and we aren’t going to be. I think that is the viewpoint from our group anyway.”

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Violence Against Women

By Bill Krull

Afraid for her life but determined to get her son, Angela Romero walked into a Jennings hotel room. Seconds later, her ex-boyfriend, José, grabbed her and slashed her throat.

José fled the state with their young son. Left for dead, Ms. Romero survived, thanks to the medical staff at Jennings American Legion Hospital.

The Honduran immigrant had left her ex-boyfriend months before because of his constant violence and sexual abuse.

He took their son and then told Romero to meet him in Jennings if she wanted him back. That’s when he cut her throat and ran.

Frantic with fear for her four-yearold son, she and friends tried to get an “Amber Alert” out, but they were told “this happens all the time with Hispanics.” An intense effort by social service and law enforcement agencies, local faith-based organizations and district attorneys across the nation, tracked down José and the boy in Mississippi.

Brought to justice 18 months later in Jennings, a 10-man, two-woman jury, all Caucasian, found José not guilty, despite the testimony of three witnesses. After the trial, however, authorities deported him to Honduras where he was wanted for two murders.

Romero’s story is all too common in the United States.

Domestic violence is a terrible truth in America. Legal and illegal Immigrants are particularly vulnerable because they’re strangers in a strange land.

They fear “la migra” that is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, law enforcement, deportation, prison and retribution.

They’re prey to human traffickers, unscrupulous employers, extortionist and “coyotes”—the people who smuggle illegals across borders for exorbitant fees. Immigrants fear losing their children. They live quiet lives of desperation in the shadows simply because of their dreams of a better life for them and their children. Many are raped; others are “pimped out.” Still others are verbally, emotionally and physically battered.

Especially frustrating for Shannon Cox, is that immigrant victims of violence do have legal protection under the 2000 and 2005 reauthorizations of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) passed by Congress in 1994.

Most victims, however, are afraid to seek help.

As co-founder of Immigration Law Services and the People’s Advocate of Southwest Louisiana, she hears daily the many horror stories of abuse and violence against immigrants.

Ironically, Romero is now legal, largely because of nearly being murdered. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) granted her a U Visa, enabling her to seek permanent status after four years.

When Congress reauthorized Violence Against Women (VAWA), in 2000 and again in 2005, it created the Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women (OVM). In addition, President Barack Obama recently named Lynn Rosenthal as the new White House Advisor on Violence Against Women To help them fight violence, domestic abuse and human slavery. The reauthorizations provided incentives for

battered immigrants to cooperate with the Department of Justice and other law enforcement agencies.

Despite this, the victims living in the shadows remain hesitant to come forward for help, which immensely frustrates Cox. Instead, the single mom spends her passion and energy protecting the rights of this humble class of people.

“They’re scared of Immigration, of being turned-in to Border Patrol and being deported. They [victims] will come here to the People’s Advocate out of desperation before they’ll go to the police,” Cox said. “They’re afraid to even go to a doctor or hospital because they believe the Border Patrol will show up and deport them to even worse conditions than they are already in.

That’s their thinking.”

An advocate, Cox is BIA Certified to practice immigration law. She works closely with the area district attorneys, sheriffs’ offices and police departments.

Although there’s some antipathy towards immigrants in the area, that’s not the case with local law enforcement and district attorneys. They go all out to help the immigrant victims, Cox said.

Where to go for help Immigration Law Services & People’s Advocate Lake Charles, LA 607 Ryan Street 337-436-3474 Email: immigrationlawservices@yahoo.com Pastor José Perez Assembly of God Christian Church (337) 274-7538 Beauregard Community Concerns, Inc., June N. Jenkins Women’s Shelter Telephone: (337) 462-1452 DeRidder, LA 70634 Courtney D. Montgomery, Executive Director Local Crisis Line: (337) 462-6504 Email: 4choices@bellsouth.net Calcasieu Women’s Shelter, Inc. Telephone: (337) 436-4552 Lake Charles, LA Ann Polak, Executive Director

A 55-year-old man repeatedly raped a 13-year-old girl. She and her family were terrified of going to the police, but in desperation turned to Cox. She enlisted the help of the Calcasieu Women’s Shelter, and Pastor José Perez of the Assembly of God Christian Church.

He’s a local clergyman who ministers to the immigrant population. They brought the child to the People’s Advocate. Now, the family is in the process of getting a U Visa. The man was arrested in Florida and is being extradited to Lake Charles.

“But there are so many cases that never get reported. It’s so frustrating.

They’re afraid of being deported but they also have a lot of shame because they’re victims—they often blame themselves,” Cox said. “The culture is such that they don’t talk about things like this because of the shame and that makes it difficult to help. It’s so important that these victims know and understand that they have rights and protection under the law, thanks to VAWA and because of the dedication of law enforcement and the district attorneys.”

Local Crisis Line: (337) 436-4552 Email: cws@cwshelter.org Parishes Served: Allen, Calcasieu, Cameron Website: www.cwshelter.org Communities Against Domestic Abuse (CADA) Telephone: (337) 616-8419 Jennings, LA Shelia Babineaux, Executive Director Local Crisis Line: (337) 616-9971 Email: jdcada@bellsouth.net Parish Served: Jefferson Davis Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Telephone: (225) 752-1296 Baton Rouge, LA Email: shelia@lcadv.org programmatic State Domestic Violence Hotline: (888)411-1333 sharon@lcadv.org katherine@lcadv.org aarin@lcadv.org donna@lcadv.org Website: www.lcadv.org

August 6, 2009

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Although seasonal affective disorder is typically thought of in the winter, a syndrome that is closely related to it affects people during the long summer days.

Known as reversal seasonal affective disorder, it affects thousands of people who experience depression-like symptoms through the hotter months. Most of the people who deal with this syndrome live in a hot climate, have other depressive disorders and are likely to be female and have experienced seasonal affective disorder during the winter months. Specific symptoms of summer depression often include loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, weight loss and anxiety.

One of the causes for summertime depression is a disruption in schedules.

For people who are prone to depressive symptoms, maintaining a reliable routine helps to control mood swings.

During summer, children are home from school with little to keep them busy, college kids who were living in dorms may be home, also, with all of their laundry, boxes and appetites. At work, employees may take up the slack for vacationing co-workers. If you’re lucky enough to get away for a few days, coming back to the pile up of work isn’t a picnic. These things can upset a delicate balance of routine.

Body issue is another issue. As the temperature rises, the layers of clothes fall away causing feelings of selfconsciousness about body shape, weight and overall image. It can be awkward for some individuals if the days of fitting into the yellow polka-dot bikini are a vague memory.

Rising temperatures can also be the final straw. Weeks of weather in the upper-90s can take its toll becoming truly oppressive. “To avoid the heat, some people may hide out at home on the weekends. In some cases, this isolation can cause a downward spiral in mood,” said Dale Archer, MD, psychiatrist and founder of The Institute for Neuropsychiatry.

Wrapping up the list of common summertime depression triggers is financial stress. “Recession news is everywhere, people are having a difficult time right now; this causes tremendous anxiety. It can increase tension at home if one spouse wants to go on vacation, but the other spouse doesn’t want to spend the money. There are hundreds of scenarios like this that are playing out in homes across the country,” Dr. Archer said.

Dealing with summertime depression

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involves assessing the symptoms. Is this just a bad mood that tends to correct itself in a day or two? “If the symptoms linger for two weeks or more and it affects your quality of life and ability to handle tasks, it’s time to seek professional help,” he said. “Never take the signs of depression lightly. If treated early, you might avoid a long-term bout with depression.” He suggested these techniques to take control of summertime mood disorders: Avoid unnecessary pressure. If you dread hosting the family Labor Day gettogether, then don’t. Someone else may enjoy hosting duties, or it just may not happen; either way, you’re relieved of the burden and avoid the hassle of yet another commitment. If other family members want to get together, they’ll organize it.

Scaling back on things that cause stress is a major step toward reclaiming your happiness.

Exercise daily. If the heat makes your normal exercise routine difficult, investigate other ways to get in a regular workout. Can you join a gym just during the hottest months? Is there an indoor track you can use? Maybe it’s time to dust off the Continued on Page 21

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SUMMER healthcare

Continued from Page 20 stationary bike or treadmill that’s been acting like an extra clothes rack for the past few months! “Whatever you need to do, getting regular exercise is worth it,” Dr. Archer emphasized. “It’s a natural mood booster, it relieves stress, results in a stronger heart and helps maintain weight. It’s one of the keys to good mental and physical health.”

You: a priority. If taking care of other people’s needs is causing yours to take a back seat, Dr. Archer says it’s time to add your needs to the calendar— ink ink. “Everyone has needs and the right to have those needs met. Ensure that your needs are in the mix with everything else going on,” he said. “That doesn’t mean you have to be a priority all the time, but for your own mental health, you need to focus on yourself from time to time.”

Dial down your expectations. Recognize that the Hollywood-hype about summer could be feeding the depression.

Understanding the symptoms of reversal seasonal disorder can bring relief. “This syndrome has responded well to antidepressant medications in most people,” said Dr. Archer, “by altering levels of neurotransmitters; serotonin is one that is familiar to many people. Anyone who thinks they may have some type of seasonal disorder should seek professional help starting with their own family doctor, a therapist or psychiatrist.”

For more information, call The Institute of Neuropsychiatry at (337) 477-7091.

In Southwest Louisiana, summertime time temperatures linger long past the back-to-school season. It’s important to not let your guard down when it comes to common summertime health problems. Some of these are nothing more than a nuisance, but others can develop into potentially life-threatening situations.

Often, the reason simple irritants worsen is because people don’t deal with them until much later. “If you’re on a hike, and contact poison ivy, for example, you may not have an extra shirt to change into, or moist wipes to use on your skin,” explained Ken Thomas, MD, with Cypress Clinic in Sulphur. “Or, you may forget to pack the potato salad in an ice chest to keep it cold after the bar-b-que is over.”

Pre-planning is a large part of avoiding common health worries in the summer.

Whether you’re prone to swimmer’s ear, or start burning after 15 minutes in the sun, heading off potential problems before they occur is always good advice.

The low-down on dehydration Dehydration is a summertime woe to watch out for. “It happens frequently during high temperatures when people sweat and they don’t replace electrolytes,” explained Christopher Achee, MD, family medicine physician with Jeff Davis Family Medicine in Jennings. “If the body does not have enough electrolytes and fluids, it can’t continue normal bodily functions and, in extreme cases, the kidneys can begin to shut down.” Common causes of dehydration include serious bouts of diarrhea or vomiting, or excessive sweating. Older adults and young children are especially prone to it. Dr. Achee says symptoms usually include weakness, dizziness, and fatigue. Mild to moderate dehydration can be treated by drinking more fluids, especially those known to replace lost electrolytes; these are usually referred to as sports drinks.

Severe dehydration requires immediate medical attention. “If you are in the heat for any length of time, and begin sweating profusely, be sure to drink at least one liter of a sports drink every hour, especially if you are exercising or working in the sun,” said Dr. Achee.

Soak up the sun—safely Frolicking in the sun isn’t as benign as movies make it seem. Sunburn is a very real problem when skin is exposed to sunlight for an extended time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ultraviolet light consists of UVA, UVB and UVC rays. The UVA rays cause tanning and wrinkling, while UVB rays cause sunburn, aging, wrinkling and skin cancer. Cloudy days do not offer protection. Most UV rays pass right through clouds.

The amount of time skin can be exposed to the sun before burning occurs varies from person to person. “It largely depends on the amount of melanin in their skin,” said Dr. Achee. “Melanin is a natural protective shield from sun damage. People with fair skin have a small amount of melanin, while those with olive skin and African Americans have more.” But, melanin can only do so much to protect skin. To keep skin truly safe, using a sunscreen is advised. Choose one with a sun protective factor, or SPF, of 30 - 45; even higher is better for people who burn easily. Long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat are also beneficial.

Dry up swimmer’s ear Swimmer’s ear can turn an afternoon in the pool into a painful, throbbing experience a few hours later. “Normally, water flows in and out of the ear with no problem. But when exposed to water for an extended length of time, water can get trapped in the ear canal, making the skin soggy, and diluting the bacteria that normally prevents infections,” explained Dr. Thomas.

It’s common for only one ear to show symptoms, which include a feeling of fullness in the ear, swelling in the lymph nodes, decreased ability to hear, and severe pain in the ear area. Treatment usually involves seeing a doctor for eardrops containing antibiotics. Lifestyle changes, such as limited swimming, or using earplugs, may be advised.

While most of these irritants remain just that, and rarely develop into serious health concerns, they can be quite annoying and definitely put a damper on summertime fun. Stay alert, keep in mind the suggested remedies and don’t put off a trip to the doctor if symptoms worsen.

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SUMMER healthcare

Shield Your Vision

By Jen Breen

Sunglasses are much more than a fashion statement

Living in Southwest Louisiana forces you to take extra, year-round precautions to protect yourself from the sun. We are all aware of the harm that ultraviolet (UV) radiation can inflict upon our skin and most of us take special care in choosing the perfect sunscreen to fit our likes and needs. But, not everyone realizes that UV radiation from both natural sunlight and artificial light can severely damage eyesight.

William B. Hart, MD, an ophthalmologist at Hart Eye Center, says, “Sunglasses are much more than a fashion statement—proper protective eyewear will shield the eyes from UV radiation that can burn the front surface of the eye, much like sunburn, or in the case of long-term damage, speed up the development and intensify the severity of cataracts and macular degeneration.”

So, what is the best way to protect your vision from the sun?

“The best protection against sun damage is to learn the facts about the effects of UV radiation and effectively shield your eyes from the sun,” says, Keith Menard, OD, an optometrist at Hart Eye Center. “Individuals are responsible for maintaining their own health. Knowing the risks and utilizing protection are the easiest ways to prevent permanent eye disease.”

What is UV radiation?

Though it is contained in the sun’s rays, we cannot “see” UV radiation—it is an invisible attacker. There are three types of UV radiation: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC rays are shorter reaching and not normally considered dangerous because they are usually absorbed by the ozone layer. However, the long-reaching rays, UVA and UVB, can cause significant short-term and long-term damage. “Damaging effects of UV radiation are not limited to natural sun exposure. UV rays can also be given off by artificial sources, such as welding machines, tanning beds and lasers,” says Dr. Hart.

What are the short-term effects of UV radiation?

If a person is exposed to an excessive amount of UV radiation over a short period of time, it is very likely that they will experience photokeratitis. “Photokeratitis, often referred to as ‘sunburn of the eye’ is an inflammation of the cornea, and like a sunburn it may be painful and uncomfortable, creating symptoms such as red eye, a ‘gritty’ feeling, extreme sensitivity to light and excessive tear production. Fortunately, these symptoms are usually temporary and rarely cause permanent damage to the eyes,” says Dr. Menard.

What are the long-term effects of UV radiation?

The long-term effects of UV radiation can be very serious. According to the American Optometric Association, long-term exposure to UV radiation can increase the chance of developing a cataract and/or macular degeneration and inflict irreversible damage to the retina. Dr. Hart says, “Repeated sun exposure can create cumulative damage that can contribute to chronic eye disease and increase the risk of developing skin cancer around the eyelids. Long-term exposure is also a risk factor for peterygium, a growth that invades the corner of the eye, and pinguecula, a lesion that forms on the surface tissue of the white area of the eye.”

How can I protect my vision?

Scientists have yet to establish “how much UV radiation will cause how much damage.” The American Optometric Association recommends wearing quality, protective sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat when engaging in outdoor activities, such as outside work, sports, taking a walk, running errands—generally any activity involving sun exposure.

What is considered “quality, protective sunglasses?” Dr. Hart and Dr. Menard advise that sunglasses should: • block out 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB radiation.

• screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light.

• have lenses that are perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection.

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•

have gray lenses, which will reduce light intensity without altering the color of objects and provide the most natural color vision. (Other colors may be better for certain activities and conditions.)

Dr. Hart and Dr. Menard also recommend the following reminders and tips for UV eye protection: • If you spend extended periods in the sun, wraparound frames can provide extra protection • Remember the importance of protective eyewear for children and teenagers. They typically spend more time in the sun.

• If you wear contacts with UV protection, you will still need to wear sunglasses. UV rays can affect eye tissue that is not covered by contacts.

It is important to protect your vision from the sun throughout the year. While the sun’s rays are strongest in the summer, UV radiation can be damaging in any season.

“It’s never too late to begin protecting your eyes from the sun, but the sooner you take protective action, the more you lessen the risk of permanent vision damage.

Plus, the right pair of sunglasses will make you feel more comfortable by effectively blocking bright light from your eyes,” Dr. Hart says.

For more information on how to protect your eyesight, visit www.harteyecenter. com or call Hart Eye Center at 439-4014. If you have questions about protective eyewear, contact Lakeside Optical at 433-3231.

New Drug & Alcohol Collection Center Contractors Drug Free Alliance *Quick electronic sign up with an easy, userfriendly process

*Places qualified workers on the job site faster with immediate access to worker status and avoids redundant screens *Saves money with all inclusive reduced pricing-no hidden fees *Provides a third party database management group

1201 Ryan Street

*On site random testing at facilities

Grand Opening

*Managed rehabilitation program

The Safety Council of SWLA is proud to announce the opening of our Drug & Alcohol Collection Center. The new center provides service to the Contractors Drug Free Alliance. Our collection center is a state of the art location.

*Independent Medical Review Officer

Drug Free Alliance

The Contractors Drug Free Alliance is committed to a drug free workplace for all of Southwest Louisiana construction workers. The Alliance provides a database that captures drug and alcohol screening results & makes the compliant/non-compliant status available to all Alliance Members. If you are interested in improving your drug program please visit our website at www.safetycouncilswla.org to sign up.

*Certified Technicians-DOT *Partnering with LexisNexis & Business Health Partners

*Similar services are available for all local businesses for pre-employment and a random program

For more information on the new drug and alcohol program contact: Mason Lindsay Manager of Customer Service mlindsay@safetycouncilswla.org (337) 436-8809

1201 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601

COMING AUGUST 28TH

The Times of SWLA is continuing its commitment to the people of our region to bring you the very best coverage of events possible.

“Gridiron Prep Preview” is a comprehensive, in-depth look at the 2009 high-school football season. 25 area teams will be highlighted in this “must-have” publication, one that families will cherish for a lifetime. Rival schools from Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, Beauregard, Allen and Vernon parishes will be included!

See the entire 2009 schedule of games, player and coaching stats, team photos and much more!

The Times of Southwest Louisiana’s “Gridiron Prep Preview” will bring the excitement of the upcoming high school football season directly to parents, families, friends and businesses that follow and support our local athletes and favorite schools!

Final Ad Deadline: August 18th To Reserve Your Advertising Space Call Andy, Katy or Brian at 337-439-0995 or email: andy.jacobson@timessw.com, katy.corbello@timessw.com, or brian.chriceol@timessw.com August 6, 2009

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Thursday August 6 Mike Zitto @ Coushatta Resort, Kinder, 8 pm Jamie Berzas Cajun Tradition Band @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Jam Session @ The Western Bar, 7 pm Otenki @ AJ’s Bar & Grill 10 pm Dwight Yoakam @ Paragon Casino, Marksville, 8 pm The Contenders @ Big Daddy E’s, Paragon Casino, Marksville, 9 pm Mojeaux @ Party by the Pool, L’auberge, 7 pm Tim Norris @ Syliva’s Bistro, 7 pm Brad Brinkley & Comfort Zone @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri, 9 pm The In and Outlaws w/The Von Dukes @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 pm Friday August 7 Butt Roxx @ AJ’s Bar & Grill 10 pm Avery Michael’s & Exit 209 w/Charlie Rivers @ GG’s Club, Alexandria The Contenders @ Big Daddy E’s, Paragon Casino, Marksville, 9 pm Ron Thibodeaux @ Speckled Trout, Hackberry 8 pm

Sunrise Kills

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August 6, 2009

Scotty Pousson Pointe aux Loups Playboys @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Mike Taylor Band @ Engine 89-DeQuincy, 8 pm Mike Richard & Step-n-Out @ Scottie Tee Judi’s Konstruxion Zone, 9:30 pm Tom Brandow @ Outriggers Tavern, 5 pm Briant Lloyd Smith & Hot Gritz, Fridays @ Blue Duck, 9 pm Magnolia Sons, The Last Chaleron @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 pm Blues Tonic @ OB’s, 8 pm Blake Shelton @ Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 8 pm Nancy Silva Project, Maven @ Scout Bar, Beaumont, 8 pm Kris Harper & DND @ Toucans Bar & Grill, 9:30 pm City Heat @ Syliva’s Bistro, 9 pm Leon Chavis & The Zydeco Flames @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri, 9 pm Saturday August 8 Choke, Broken By The Burden and Slow The Knife @ AJ’s Bar & Grill 10 pm Andy Smith Band @ GG’s Club, Alexandria, 9:30 pm The Hotel Cazin Band @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Pork Chop Express @ Blue Duck, 9pm Plump @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 pm Cousin Phelpy, Souls on Monday, Leaf, The Evertronic @ Scout Bar, Beaumont, 8 pm Pam Tillis @ Isle of Capri Casino, 7 pm Mothers Anthem, 2nd Party Program, The Silent Planet @ Toucans Bar & Grill, 9:30 pm The Contenders @ Big Daddy E’s, Paragon Casino, Marksville, 9 pm Salsa Dance - Jay & Maria Cotto @ Syliva’s Bistro, 8 pm Charles Mann & LA Pride @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri, 9 pm Sunday August 9 Jimmy/Wilson Band, Sundays @ Shorty’s Ice House, Moss Bluff, 5 pm

Lacassine Playboys @ Wayne & Layne’s Deli, Sulphur, 4 pm Tuesday August 11 Briggs Brown Bayou Cajuns @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Neal Smith @ Syliva’s Bistro, 7 pm Wednesday August 12 Travis Benoit Allons Dance @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Jimmy Wilson Band @ Cuz’s Lounge, Sulphur, 6 pm Alvin Touchet @ The Blue Duck 7:30 pm Mike Zito @ Syliva’s Bistro, 8:30 pm Thursday August 13 Blue October, Ours, and Switchfoot @ L’Auberge Casino, Event Center, 8:30 pm Lesa Cormier Sundown Playboys @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Nu Corp @ Big Daddy E’s, Paragon Casino, Marksville, 9 pm Blue October, Switchfoot, Ours @ Party by the Pool, L’auberge, 7 pm Tim Norris @ Syliva’s Bistro, 7 pm Laurel & The Edge @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri, 9 pm Friday August 14 Al Roger Louisiana Pride @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Ron Thibodeaux @ Speckled Trout, Hackberry, 8 pm Wilson Miller & Still Kickin’@ Linda’s Lounge, 8:30 pm Mike Richard & Step-n-Out @ Scottie Tee Judi’s Konstruxion Zone, 9:30 pm Tom Brandow @ Outriggers Tavern, 5 pm Briant Lloyd Smith & Hot Gritz, Fridays @ Blue Duck, 9 pm Last November, In Liquid @ AJ’s Bar & Grill 10 pm Research Turtles CD Release Party w/ The Gills @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 pm Crooks Carnival @ Toucans Bar & Grill, 9:30 pm Nu Corp @ Big Daddy E’s, Paragon Casino, Marksville, 9 pm Tyler Read, Common Grey, Last Place You Look, @ Scout Bar, Beaumont, 8 pm Avery Michaels & Exit 209 @ GG’s Club, Alexandria, 9:30 pm Southbound @ Syliva’s Bistro, 9 pm LA Express @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri, 9 pm Saturday August 15 Greg Martinez & Rolling Thunder @ GG’s Club, Alexandria, 9:30 pm Joe Simon Louisiana Cajun @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Pork Chop Express @ Blue Duck, 9pm Live Oak Decline @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 pm Crooks Carnival @ AJ’s Bar & Grill 10 pm Devil and the Details and more @ Toucans Bar & Grill, 9:30 pm Nu Corp @ Big Daddy E’s, Paragon Casino, Marksville, 9 pm Pratice, Skrump, Image 6, Blood Red Summer, 2 Shots Fired @ Scout Bar, Beaumont, 8 pm

Paper Plains

Jimmy Pardon @ Syliva’s Bistro, 9 pm LA Express @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri, 9 pm Freddie Pates @ Lake Charles Civic Center, Rosa Heart Theatre, 7 pm The Brew @ Be Here Now Festival, Starks, 6 pm Sunday August 16 Jimmy/Wilson Band, Sundays @ Shorty’s Ice House, Moss Bluff, 5 pm Lacassine Playboys @ Wayne & Layne’s Deli, Sulphur, 4 pm Tuesday August 18 Felton LeJeune Cajun Cowboys @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Neal Smith @ Syliva’s Bistro, 7 pm Magnolia Sons @ AJ’s Bar & Grill 10 pm Wednesday August 19 Scotty Pousson Pointe aux Loups Playboys @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Jimmy Wilson Band @ Cuz’s Lounge, Sulphur, 6 pm Alvin Touchet @ The Blue Duck 7:30 pm Neal Smith @ Syliva’s Bistro, 7 pm Thursday August 20 Homer LeJeune @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Neal Smith-Acoustic Rock @ Syliva’s Bistro, 7 pm T-Broussard & The Zydeco Steppers @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri, 9 pm Friday August 21 Jerry Jeff Walker @ L’Auberge Casino, Event Center, 8:30 pm Wayne Toups @ GG’s Club, Alexanria, 9:30 pm Howard Noel Cajun Boogie @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Ron Thibodeaux @ Speckled Trout, Hackberry 8 pm Wilson Miller & Still Kickin’@ Linda’s Lounge, 8:30 pm Mike Taylor Band @ Engine 89 - DeQuincy,Continued 8 pm on Page 27

Don’t see your band or venue mentioned? Send schedules to editor@timessw.com August 6, 2009

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According to film critic Todd McCarthy of Variety Magazine, Director David Yates also appears to have matured into the series, producing a film that is less eager to please, and less hamstrung by Rowling’s source material, than previous chapters. The director’s $250 million dollar budget yields seamless special effects and omnipresent cameras that seem to fly over cities and through the hallowed halls of a grayer Medieval Hogwarts. Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes have compiled critics’ ratings, the mean score being well into the 80s out of a perfect 100. This may not be your older brother’s Harry Potter, but this Harry is an apt metaphor for these tumultuous times.

The Ugly Truth (2009) rr 1/2 (Grade B-) Directed by Robert Luketic Starring Gerard Butler, Katherine Heigl, Cheryl Hines, Bonnie Somerville, Bree Turner, Vicki Lewis Columbia Pictures—Rated R—Comedy—101 min When Abby (Heigl), a Sacramento morning show producer is forced to work with Mike (Butler), the station’s popular, but offensive late-night, love-coach, emotional daggers fly. Then Mike presents Abby with a challenge. If she follows Mike’s advice to the tee, and still can’t win the heart of her handsome doctor neighbor, Mike pledges to quit TV for good. Abby eagerly accepts, then is shocked to find Mike’s advice has merit. The pairing of Butler and Heigl manages to ignite a few romantic sparks though ramping up the laughs could have taken this one beyond merely competent. Lacking competition, “The Ugly Truth” should turn a pretty buck from the dating set and girls’ night out.

G-Force (2009)

r 1/2 (Grade C-) Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince (2009) rr (Grade C)

Directed by David Yates Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Michael Gambon, Tom Felton, Jim Broadbent, Alan Rickman, David Bradley, Robbie Coltrane, Helena Bonham Carter, Warwick Davis, Maggie Smith Warner—Rated PG—Fantasy—153 min It is well-known that JK Rowling wrote seven books in her Harry Potter series, but Warner Brothers, surely loathing to see the most profitable film series in history come to an end, plans to release a total of eight films. While agents are busily hounding Rowling for more HP, many readers have found this chapter, with sales topping $65 million and clocking in at an astounding 652 pages, to be the most engrossing of the series. It’s worth noting that nine million copies of the book were sold in its first 24 hours of release, a record shattered only by its sequel, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”

To achieve a running time of two-and-a-half hours, director David Yates has pared Rowling’s characters and subplots. The story, set during the 1996-97 term at Hogwarts School for Wizards, finds Harry and friends, Ron and Hermione, noticeably matured and searching for teen love while Voldemort’s death eaters attack the fragile muggle world. The film, shot in 2007, sees Daniel Radcliffe’s Harry lingering at 5’ 6”, best pals Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) tower over him. All three exhibit the angular facial features suggesting impending adulthood. Hermione eyes Ron as he dates Lavender Brown. Further complicating the threesome’s love-matches, Harry develops a powerful crush on Ron’s little sister Ginny.

During the school year Harry, who has failed to purchase a potions text book, receives an old text from his instructor, Professor Slughorn played by Jim Broadbent. Harry’s book contains instructions scribbled in its margins, and it isn’t long before Harry discovers that following the notations yields better results than those on the printed lines of his book, ominously inscribed as previously owned by the “Half-Blood Prince.” Through the memories of Professor Slughorn, once a student with Voldemort, Harry learns that the dark wizard committed six murders, splintering his soul into six fragments embedded in objects, while leaving a seventh piece in Voldemort’s body. As long as any of the fragmentcontaining objects exist, Voldemort cannot be extinguished.

As noted by film critic David Edelstein, the tone of this PG-Rated installment is pure English horror. Where past Harry Potters received PG-13-Ratings, the MPAA board appears to have loosened its grip. Parents may wish to view the trailer, available online at “YouTube,” “The Internet Movie Database,” “Rotten Tomatoes” and “MovieWeb,” to name just a few sites, before purchasing tickets for their younger children.

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Directed by Hoyt Yeatman Starring Will Arnett, Penelope Cruz, Zach Galifianakis, Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Tracy Morgan Disney—Rated PG—Family, Animated Disney teams with producer Jerry Bruckheimer for this film centered on a team of biologically engineered, brainiac guinea pigs trained in espionage. Tapped by the US government to stop a diabolical billionaire from taking over the world, the rodents are outfitted with tiny high-tech gear. Team members include squad leader Darwin (Rockwell), weapons expert Blaster (Morgan), and sexy martial arts master Juarez (Cruz)—”sexy” as per Disney’s literature! The team’s reconnaissance expert is a housefly, and for the dirtiest jobs they’ve recruited Speckles (Cage), a star-nosed mole. Presented in 3-D, this one’s likely to benefit the pet store industry as g-pigs get wish-listed by 5 to 8 year olds everywhere.

Orphan (2009)

r 1/2 (Grade C-)

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra Starring Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard, Isabelle Fuhrman, CCH Pounder, Jimmy Bennett Warner—Rated R—Horror—123 min John & Kate Plus Orphan? No, it isn’t the latest reality TV show, but rather it’s the latest demonic-kid horror with unfortunately, no-named leads. Devastated after losing her unborn child, Kate (Farmiga) wants something good to come out of their loss. She and husband John (Sarsgaard) visit an orphanage where they are drawn to precocious 9-year-old Esther (Fuhrman). But, after bringing Esther home, things go terribly wrong for the family and friends. Kate soon discovers Esther isn’t the sweet child she appears to be. The film is precisely what you’d expect: one more variation on “The Bad Seed.”

Imagine That (2009)

r 1/2 (Grade C-)

Directed by Karey Kirkpatrick Starring Eddie Murphy, Yara Shahidi, Thomas Haden Church, Nicole Ari Parker, Ronny Cox, Martin Sheen Paramount—Rated PG—Comedy—min It isn’t hard to imagine Murphy suiting up for another dumb comedy, but this time he isn’t the cutest kid on the block. That distinction belongs to Yara Shahidi, playing Olivia, the precocious 7-year-old daughter of Evan (Murphy), a busy exec prone to ignore his adorable child. Just when Evan feels the pressure to produce at the office, he discovers that Olivia’s stories—emanating from her imaginary world—reveal business secrets he can use to his advantage. Quicker than you can say Etch-A-Sketch, Murphy’s pumping the little doll for tidbits to revive his sagging career. Oh Eddie, if only it were that easy.

Continued from Page 25

By Terri Shlichenmeyer You probably heard your father say it when you were a babe in arms. Your coach told you these things the moment you flubbed a catch. Together, they’re Sportsmanship 101: “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”

Also: “Cheaters never win and winners never cheat.”

So how does a sports fan account for Shoeless Joe, Tonya Harding, Marian Jones, Rose, Bonds, Canseco, McGwire, Sosa, A-Rod, BALCO, Skategate, unethical officials, and angry parents at children’s games?

You can’t, that’s how. But in the new book Crooked: A History of Cheating in Sports by Fran Zimniuch, you’ll learn that cheating in sports is nothing new, unfortunately.

Innocently or not, we’ve all seized opportunity to make life better for ourselves at the sake of others. Fran Zimniuch says that cheating in sports is opportunity plus willful dishonesty and ignoring rules to gain unfair advantage. But, since it’s human nature to fudge a little, where do we draw the line?

Surely the line was first crossed during the socalled Black Sox scandal that’s still debated almost a century after it happened. Then again, maybe not: Zimniuch writes of cheating in baseball several decades before the Sox scandal in 1919.

College basketball was “nearly destroyed” by a points-shaving scandal in 1951. Thirty players from City College of New York and six other schools were charged with accepting money to fix games. It may seem insignificant now and there have been many NCAA scandals since then, but the events of 1951 hurt the reputation of several players and cast doubt on the legacy of a talented coach.

Can ball or equipment altering be considered as cheating? Are lip reading and secret videotaping talents or tricks? Can a fight—something fans often expect—be a sneaky way to give your team an advantage? Are officials and umpires trustworthy? Is it unethical for a player to get a “needle in the butt” or should the use of drugs—a nasty little sports secret for well over 200 years—be allowed as a boost-up in the game?

Any way you look at it, says Zimniuch, it all depends on one thing: point of view. If your team is taking advantage of opportunity, it’s all good. If it’s the opposing team, they are most definitely cheating.

Crooked: A History of Cheating in Sports is a nice little surprise of a book. Using psychology, history, sociology, and a fan’s love of the game, author Fran Zimnuich takes a hard look at duplicity in sports, both pro and amateur. His manner is folksy and fanfriendly as he examines dozens of unsavory scandals.

Interestingly enough, he’s also careful to remind readers that the vast majority of athletes “do not cheat, do not use steroids, and do not cross that invisible line…”

I liked that balance, and I liked this book.

If you’ve been shaking your head about the plethora of sports scandals in the news lately, then grab this perspective-giving book. Crooked: A History of Cheating in Sports is a good bet.

Crooked: A History of Cheating in Sports

By Fran Zimnuich c.2009, Taylor Trade $16.95 193 pages Terri Shlichenmeyer has been reading since she was 3 years old and never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 11,000 books.

Mike Taylor Band @ Engine 89 - DeQuincy, 8 pm Mike Richard & Step-n-Out @ Scottie Tee Judi’s Konstruxion Zone, 9:30 pm Tom Brandow @ Outriggers Tavern, 5 pm Briant Lloyd Smith & Hot Gritz, Fridays @ Blue Duck, 9 pm 6 Pack Deep @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 pm Sugarhouse - Funk and Blues @ Sylvia’s Bistro, 9 pm Targeting Aorta, Godspeed The Jackle @ AJ’s Bar & Grill 10 pm Losers Reunion, The 94’s @ Toucans Bar & Grill, 9:30 pm Pat Benatar @ Paragon Casino, Marksville, 12 pm Raging Apathy, Research Turtles (cd release party!) @ Scout Bar, Beaumont, 8 pm Ridin’ High @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri, 9 pm Saturday August 22 Jerry Jeff Walker @ L’Auberge Casino, Event Center, 8:30 pm Briggs Brown Bayou Cajuns @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Cajun Nation @ GG’s Club, Alexandria, 9:30 pm Pork Chop Express @ Blue Duck, 9pm Blues Tonic and the Von Dukes @ Toucan’s Bar & Grill, 9 pm MynameisJohnMichael, Givers @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 pm Magdalene, Straightfork @ Scout Bar, Beaumont, 8 pm Cheater Pipe, 2nd Party Program, Dead End Lake @ AJ’s Bar & Grill 10 pm Salsa Dance - Jay & Maria Cotto @ Syliva’s Bistro, 9 pm Craig Mouton & Slingshot @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri, 9 pm Sunday August 23 Jimmy/Wilson Band, Sundays @ Shorty’s Ice House, Moss Bluff, 5 pm Lacassine Playboys @ Wayne & Layne’s Deli, Sulphur, 4 pm

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Turn it Up

: n o l aby

B f Time o g i s B she of r The

A

e Fo d e Stat d Big as Hea e x h e T T And

W

By Cassondra Guilbeau

hen you first lay eyes on Ashes of Babylon, if you do a double take, well you’re not the first and you won’t be the last. For seven white guys playing reggae music with such authenticity, the shocked reaction is a compliment.

The undeniable leader of AOB is Corey Saucier, 24, who is responsible for uniting the group’s unique sound.

The Sulphur native relocated to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands just after his junior year in high school when his father was transferred there.

Of course, it was pretty much a culture shock for the teenager, who was a musician, but was not a fan of reggae music at the time. He soon found that he would have little choice in the matter.

“It’s pretty much all you listen to, it’s all they have on the radio there,” Saucier

said. He remembers the first reggae song he heard on the radio—a dancehall song with lots of sirens and sound effects. “I thought I would hate it, but I ended up loving it.”

While he was in St. Croix, he met schoolmate Jeremy Crenshaw and his brother Jacob who were from Zachary, La. The three started playing music together and continued playing when they moved to Georgia after high school.

Then came the twist of fate. On Easter of 2006, Saucier’s parent’s house burned down. It was after that incident that Saucier decided he needed to make a change. After living away from Southwest Louisiana for about five years, he returned, and quickly looked up some old friends.

He hooked up with his cousin Beau Guidry, 28, and their friends and fellow musicians Sam Chapman, 22; Max Sprigg, 22; Eric Daigle, 28; and Dan Robertson, 28. Jacob Crenshaw, 28, also joined the group.

Saucier was ready to start playing and recording right away, and even had songs written before the group came together.

But, his fellow musicians, all from Sulphur except Crenshaw, had limited exposure to reggae,

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and would need to develop the same appreciation for it that Saucier had.

“That music was too slow for me to listen to at the time,” Chapman , whose musical background includes Sulphur High School band and the McNeese Jazz Ensemble, was playing punk and ska music at the time.

The band’s early recordings helped to sway opinions. “I really didn’t like reggae music, but when I heard what he (Saucier) recorded, it made me like it,” Chapman said. “Corey plays some people’s songs better than they do.”

Under Saucier’s direction, AOB developed a genuine sound that is very unique in this area. Just two days after coming together as a band, they played their first live show. And their live performances became the foundation for their success. They traveled around the state, building a fan base. Many of their fans were being introduced to reggae for the first time.

“Most people, when they think of reggae, they think of Bob Marley, like reggae and Bob Marley are interchangeable,” Saucier said. “But there is so much other stuff out there.

It’s good stuff, thought-provoking stuff.”

Ashes of Babylon are proud that they

have opened up south Louisiana to a different genre of music. They sought to expand their audience with the recording of “Revolutionary Roots,” their first album.

They recorded a CD themselves in bass player Daigle’s bedroom. But the result sounds far from homemade. They created a professional-quality piece that captured the band’s live show vibe.

And they are proud to say their sales just went international. “Someone from Canada bought our CD on iTunes,” Saucier laughed.

To say that their fans are important to them would be putting it mildly.

Chapman and Saucier recount negative experiences they have had when meeting musicians they admired.

Regardless of the level of success they achieve, they are determined to never let their fans have that experience.

“I would rather somebody think our music isn’t great than think I am not a good person,” Saucier said.

That sort of reputation is a priority for AOB. In addition to recording their album themselves, they book their own shows and handle their own business.

So, they are very aware of the impression they are leaving. And, anything short of

professional is unacceptable.

“We played Chelsey’s in Baton Rouge and the management complimented us on our professionalism,” Saucier said.

They also put the same care and attention into their live shows. The goal is simple…they want the audience to have a good time. “We like to get a big crowd and get people dancing,” Saucier said. “That’s where the gratification is.” Chapman added that it is a disappointment when an artist doesn’t care about the live show.

Being a musician is about more than creating a sound in a studio. When you are playing live, there are no special effects to hide behind. These serious musicians are determined that what you hear on their CD is what you hear when they play live. They see a successful future including being on the road more, playing live music. They also have an appreciation for the “grassroots fans.”

“I don’t care if people are burning our CDs,” Saucier said.

While Saucier introduced the concept of creating a reggae band in Southwest Louisiana to the group, the sound that they have developed is a collaborative effort. Everyone comes together in the writing process under the band’s

songwriting motto, “create and elaborate.” They have written together as a group and written independently and brought their concepts back to the group to perfect. “Everyone is open,” Chapman said.

Everyone is open to doing what is best for the band as well. So, when Robertson’s wife got into graduate school at Texas State, Ashes of Babylon had a band meeting. They decided they all believed in the future of the band and should all move to San Marcos, Texas, to continue the dream. And, that is what they are doing this summer. The move also includes girlfriends and fiancés, which demonstrates just how strong the fabric of this band is.

Even though they are going to take their time getting settled in and meeting people before they record their next

album, they have plenty of material written. And you can hear their new songs when you catch a live AOB show.

They plan to travel back to Southwest Louisiana every few months to play.

But they will be focusing their shows in Texas, gaining exposure in bigger markets.

“Austin is the live music capital,” Chapman said. “There will be professional people there like bookers and promoters we wouldn’t be exposed to if we weren’t there.”

Ashes of Babylon realizes the future is wide open and their potential is unlimited. That is why they find the move, with an opportunity to play bigger shows in bigger venues is so exciting. Until now, their biggest performance was a New Orleans Hornets pregame show. But now, they

August 6, 2009

already have their eye on a specific prize.

“We applied to South by Southwest (music festival in Austin) and didn’t get it,” Saucier said. “We applied this year and we were put on stand-by. Next year, they need to just put us in the damn show already.”

To get your own taste of Ashes of Babylon, check them out at www. myspace.com/theashesofbabylon.

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By Nancy Correro

Chatting It Up With Switchfoot’s Drummer Chad Butler San Diego based band Switchfoot will be coming to L’Auberge Du Lac Casino to perform on August 13 at Party By The Pool, 7 pm.

Chad Butler, the drummer and one of the founding members of Switchfoot, called me from Seattle to talk about their tour, the band’s new album Hello Hurricane, and charities they are involved in.

“We are so excited to be playing the new songs. We’re trying them out. These shows are a chance for us to get out of the studio. This tour is actually before the record, the record comes out in the fall,” said Butler.

Switchfoot is Jon Foreman, lead vocals and guitar, Tim Foreman, bass, Jerome Fontamillas, keyboards, guitar and vocals, Drew Shirley, guitar, and Chad Butler, Drums. If you aren’t familiar with their sound, think alternative, jam-band pop, with some funky, grungy mixed in.

The band has a strong presence online and they’re using the podcasts on YouTube to get some of their new music out to fans. If you search Switchfoot’s website you’ll discover the podcast link to YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/ user/switchfootpodcast.

“You know this has been the biggest break between albums we’ve ever had so from the bands perspective we’re just itching to get this new stuff out there. We’ve been doing little sneak peaks on our website and YouTube page,” said Chad.

When asked whether or not he had a favorite song from the new record Butler was quick to respond.

“Yeah, there’s a song called “Mess Of Me” that is actually going to be the first single and it’s a song that really took a long time to record. We recorded maybe ten

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different versions of the song and different arrangements. It felt like a labor of love because it’s something we all believed in and it was a song that meant a lot to us on a heart level so it was worth all the blood, sweat, and tears we put into it. And we’ve been playing it live every night on the tour this summer and it’s gone over really well.”

The band has taken a couple of years to be creative and work on Hello Hurricane.

The guys built their own studio in their home town of San Diego. To say they were productive is an understatement. According to Butler, the band recorded eighty songs. Yes, you read that correctly. I had to ask twice to be sure I understood him.

Butler laughed as he explained their unbelievable productivity.

“You know as an independent band we had all the time in the world and all the freedom and then all of a sudden the horror becomes how do you define yourself?

You’ve got all these different songs and different styles and different musical experimentations. It becomes a big mess, and that was the hard part you know?”

Switchfoot realized it was a challenge to then go through all of those songs, and yet it was an excellent opportunity to have plenty of time and plenty of material to create their record.

“About halfway through recording the record, we looked at each other and said what have we done? It was really fun and the dream was realized and hit this

creative stride but then how do you make a statement and how do you define who you are and that’s when it came down to what are the songs saying and which ones mean the most to us?”

Jon Foreman, his bassist brother Tim, and drummer Chad Butler were surfing fanatics when they formed the group in 1996.

“Yeah, well I guess growing up in San Diego surfing is sort of second nature,” said Butler.

“Switchfoot” is a surfing term. It’s basically the switching of the feet on the surf board.

Since the band is so enthusiastic about surfing and giving their talent and time to causes, they have combined the two in the Bro-Am Surf Contest and Concert. The fifth-annual Switchfoot BroAm surf contest and concert, which was held at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas on Saturday, June 27, 2009, was created to give back to the San Diego community while also benefiting a local children’s charity. This year’s event benefited San Diego’s StandUp For Kids.

“The whole Bro Am event benefits homeless kids in our hometown, San Diego, and it’s an incredible organization called “StandUp for kids” and it’s now actually nationwide but it was started in San Diego so it’s something that’s close to our hearts and our home. The surf contest and benefit concert on the beach is all to raise awareness for that organization and we’ve been doing it for five years and it’s our favorite day of the year,” said Chad.

The band also finds time for several other organizations and charities like: Habitat For Humanity, To Write Love On Her Arms, and helping out their idols U2 with AIDS-in-Africa.

“We try to make a difference in local communities—something bigger than just rock n roll. We are really inspired by the people that come to our shows because they have really educated us on what they’re doing. And people who are getting involved in their own backyards and building a house for Habitat for Humanity and To Write Love On Her Arms—helping kids that are dealing with depression, and suicide and things of that nature—I think those are real causes that don’t get enough support so we are definitely trying to spread the word.”

Since forming in 1996, Switchfoot has been rewarded and recognized for their Christian faith through their music.

The band has headlined religious-music festivals, and scored a 2001 Grammy nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album of the Year, plus several Gospel Music Awards (GMA Dove awards) and ASCAP Awards.

Chad Butler is quick to say that they have never labeled themselves as a Christian band. He was very adamant to tell me that while they are Christians, they are so by choice and that their music is a separate entity.

“We’ve always just called ourselves “rock band” and we are Christian by faith and not by genre. I am a believer and as a believer your faith is going to be reflected in your art, and it is exciting when you look out at our audience and see all different kinds of people with all different ethnicities, and religious backgrounds and I think we make music for thinking people and I appreciate the support of anyone who has an open mind and connects with the music.”

Switchfoot has certainly moved beyond the label and boxing in that one might experience if you called yourself strictly a Christian band. It’s not too often that Christian groups are able to have solid crossover success with their material. Except for bands like Jars of Clay, P.O.D., and Creed, the labeling can sometimes box an artist into a particular

category.

Not so with Switchfoot. They have had the good fortune to be on some successful Soundtracks. The Spiderman 2 CD, Import version only, contains their song “Meant To Live”. Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian boasts their song “This is Home”. ‘Four of their songs are on A Walk to Remember, the ‘02 Mandy Moore film.

“Well, it’s definitely an honor when someone from films or the visual art forms find a meaning or a placement for your music. To see your song in someone else’s art it’s an honor you know to have a director call and say hey I really like this song and I think it would fit well with what I’m trying to do in a movie—you know that’s a huge honor,” said Butler.

Recently, the band covered Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love” and if you haven’t seen it, you should go online and check it out.

It seems there is no putting this band into any kind of box when you watch the Beyonce cover. Chad Butler laughed at the mention of the Beyonce cover. The band had fun covering the song.

“You know it’s funny, we pick our own songs very seriously, but we don’t take ourselves very seriously and I think if you watch enough of our podcast clips on YouTube you’ll figure that out very quickly. We’ve been covering that song this summer too.”

On the cusp of the release of their

new album, Butler is introspective about their music and the up coming record Hello Hurricane.

“We are the same guys with the same goal of making the music we believe in. We’ve been doing this for over ten years now and that’s really what keeps us going. Really, what defines this new album is picking songs that we felt like had a hope. Because you turn on the TV this day and age and hope is hard to come by.”

On August 13 at L’Auberge’s Party

By The Pool, Switchfoot will be playing the old favorites and their new, hopeful songs from the up-and-coming record Hello Hurricane, to be released in October.

“For me growing up, I looked to art and music when times were tough and I think there is a theme on this record of facing the storm head-on,” said Chad Butler.

Everyone around Lake Charles and the surrounding area certainly knows what it’s like to look into the eye of a hurricane. Switchfoot’s Hello Hurricane will be a welcoming storm.

August 6, 2009

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For more information on Switchfoot you should check out these online locations: http://switchfoot.com/ http://twitter.com/switchfoot http://www.myspace.com/switchfoot http://www.facebook.com/switchfoot

the best i n lake area enter tai nment

The Zigler Art Museum will present “Camps Variations on a Theme” August 8 - September 26 Featuring paintings by Dutch Kepler and mixed media sculptures by Diane Pecnik, The Zigler Art Museum will present “Camps Variations on a Theme.” An artist reception for the exhibit opening will be held Saturday, August 8, 2009, from 6-8 PM at the Zigler Art Museum, 411 Clara Street in Jennings, LA. The featured artists, Dutch Kepler and Diane Pecnik, are from the Acadiana area, but their works are represented in collections both nationally and internationally. The public is invited to meet these two outstanding artists at the Zigler Art Museum’s artists reception Saturday, August 8 from 6-8 PM.

Roastin’ with Rosie Bar-B-Que Festival September 11 & 12 The 2nd annual “Roastin’ With Rosie Bar-B-Que Festival” of Jeff Davis Parish is coming in September.

Over the space of two days - Friday and Saturday, Sept. 11 & 12 - the festival will be taking over the new Grand Marais Courtyard in uptown Jennings, allowing serious grillers and amateur cookers the chance to compete for cash and prizes. The festival is officially sanctioned by the International Barbecue Cooker’s Association (ICBA), which judges nationwide contests and provides certified, impartial, out-of-town judges to help determine the festival’s best grillers. For more information on the “Roastin’ with Rosie Bar-B-Que Festival” or to sponsor or volunteer for the event, call (337) 821-5534.

Schedule of Events Thursday, August 20 6-9 p.m. - Wine Tasting (Zigler Museum) Sunday, September 6 Bar-B-Que Festival Beauty Pageant, Strand Theatre, Downtown Jennings Friday, September 11 4 p.m. - Festival Gates Open!

6 p.m. - Muzic Unlimited 7:30 p.m. - Barry Badon 9 p.m. - Pine Leaf Boys 10:30 p.m. - Jamie Bergeron Saturday, September 20 7:30 a.m. - 5K Rice Run (Founders’ Park, Downtown Jennings) 10 a.m. - Festival Gates Open!

10 a.m.-6 p.m. - Kid’s World 11 a.m. - Parish Cheerleader and Dance Line Competition

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Picks

12 p.m. - Barbecue Competitions begin 4:30 p.m. - Barbecue Competition Awards Ceremony 4 p.m. - Bayou Katz 6 p.m. - Travis Matte 8:30 p.m. - Static 10:30 p.m. - Wayne Toups Two Comedies to Kick-off McNeese’s 70th Anniversary Celebration August 7 - 9 “Laundry and Bourbon” and “Lone Star,” uproarious comedies, will kickoff McNeese Theatre’s 70th Anniversary Celebration.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, August 7 and 8 with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday, August 9 at Lake Charles Little Theatre, 813 Enterprise Boulevard. The production is an Alpha Psi Omega National Honor Society Benefit and APO Alumnae Reunion event, cosponsored by Lake Charles Little Theatre. James McClure’s companion one- acts, “Laundry and Bourbon” and “Lone Star” are set in Maynard, Texas, a dead-end town on the edge of a desert in the summer around 1974, when the nation was still trying to recover from the Viet Nam War. The women and men are hanging out gossiping, confiding, and reminiscing. For everyone, it is in the center of bright memories of being young and eager for the joys of life that no one expected to lead to dead-end consequences.

But despite all, the high good humor of the play never lapses, and it ends as breezily and happily as it began. If you

ever longed for small-town life in the early 70’s in Texas or if you haven’t, this evening of one-act plays has humor for bumpkins and city slickers alike.

Tickets are $15 with open seating. The Box Office opens for reservations July 27. For reservations call 475-5043. This production is for mature audiences.

Historic City Hall Announces We Are The Ship Exhibition June 26 – August 15 The City of Lake Charles is proud to present We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball, Original Paintings by Kadir Nelson at the 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center at 1001 Ryan Street. The exhibition is scheduled to open at Friday, June 26 and run through Saturday, August 15, 2009. An opening reception will be held from 6 – 9 p.m. with an overview by Journalist, Zeke Rideaux. All ages are invited at no charge; old fashion ballpark refreshments will be served. The City of Lake Charles is dedicated to supporting and promoting public interest in arts and history for the benefit of all Lake Area residents and visitors. Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted. For more information, please call 491-9147 or visit www. cityoflakecharles.com.

The New Reality: The Frontier of Realism in the 21st Century August 14 - October 17 Opening Reception: 1911 Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center, August 14th 6:00pm - 9:00pm Lecture with Realist painter Albino Hinojosa: August 28 6:30pm - 8:00pm The New Reality: The Frontier of Realism in the 21st Century is the first show of this century to not only look at the state of Realism painting around the world, but to also compare those artworks with their historical predecessors.

Fifty-six artists from the International Guild of Realism display artworks in a variety of media; from oil and acrylic, to egg tempura and colored pencil.

Each artist was asked to identify one historical painting to compare and contrast their work with the pioneers of the Realist movement. Artists sited included Ingres, Durer, Vermeer, and Da Vinci. In some cases the contrast between the old and the new is startling; in other cases, one can almost see the contemporary artist adapting the Old Master’s techniques for modern visuals. The New Reality: The Frontier of Realism in the 21st Century will open with a reception on August 14th from 6pm to 9pm and run through October 17, 2009. Special Events include an Artist Lecture featuring Realist painter Albino Hinojosa on August 28th at 6:30pm. Hinojosa is a member of the International Guild of Realism and a participant in this exhibit, as well as a former faculty member at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston.

Elvis Tribute Artist Nathan Belt At Grand Opera House of South

and Alexandria October 28 - 30 Belt will be returning to the Grand Opera House of the South on October 29th and then we will be in Alexandria on either the 28th or the 30th of October (contact the venue for more information). On July 25th, Belt won first place at the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest in Myrtle Beach, SC. This win qualified him for the World finals Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition in Memphis, TN on August 11 & 12. Nathan is considered by his peers to be one of the top Elvis tribute artist’s in the Country. Performing with Nathan will be the Legendary band “XPG”. The Grand Opera House performance will be 7:00 pm. The contact number is 337-785-0440. The Coughlin Saunders Theater of Performing Arts at Alexandria contact number is 318767-2600 for more information.

Sesame Street At the Civic Center September 4 – 6 Great family fun comes to town in September.

Sesame Street Live’s “When Elmo Grows Up” has Elmo and his Sesame Street friends thinking about growing up, it’s a musical show-and-tell! Bert dreams of becoming a forest ranger, Telly longs to be a cowboy and their newest friend, Abby Cadabby, wants to be a Fairy Godmother just like her mommy. Elmo thinks about becoming a ‘weather monster,’ but has a hard time predicting his own forecast—he wants to be anything and everything all at once! “When Elmo Grows Up” includes lessons on perseverance, teamwork and the power of imagination. Children learn that if they believe in themselves and are willing to try, the possibilities are endless. Performances are: Sept. 4, 7 p.m. (Opening Night Discount); Sept.

5, 10:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. Sept. 6, 1 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. Performance is at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Tickets: $12 & $16. Opening Night, all seats (excluding Premium/Gold Circle) are $12.

For more information, call 337-491-1432. To charge tickets by phone, please call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com.

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Ad and Press Club of SWLA Presents: Gridiron ‘As Seen On TV’ People have been talking about Gridiron for a month or longer, and the Shadow didn’t have a clue what it was all about until the big night came. July 25th marked the 37th annual Gridiron show, directed by Brett Downer and staged by the infamous Ad and Press Club of SWLA. The Shadow learned it’s sort of like a huge talent show, but all the participants poke fun at Louisiana celebs and politicians and especially our local talent. The Shadow was in awe of all the familiar faces, while Shadow daughter kept saying, “Be cool, Mom.” I met Papaw Jack Hebert and saw Sheriff Tony Mancuso in the distance. Columnist Jim Beam was across the room and I heard daughter gasp, “There’s Jim Doyle! Or is it?” My head was spinning trying to take it all in. What fun to meet people we only see on TV or in the newspapers . . . or the funny papers. The music was great—theme songs from various sitcoms made me want to dance and sing, but I didn’t have time to get silly. I had to snap pics. The first people to come through the doors were church friends Wayne and Bonnie Poynter. They’re the parents of Dr. Jason Poynter who has Cypress Veterinary Hospital in Sulphur. And speaking of Sulphur, Mayor Ron LeLeux posed for a picture with friends Linwood and Kay Burkhalter. I spotted KPLC’s Kellie Hutchinson and she graciously posed with her mom, Becky Hutchinson. In fact, the entire family was there. Kellie looked movie-star beautiful in her little red dress. The Shadow met and snapped pictures of many interesting people: I saw District Attorney John DeRosier pass by. I wasn’t quick enough to get a picture so I honed in on Wade and Missy Shaddock, Vic and Cinnamon Salvador, George and Pat Swift and Jeff and Carlena Lundy. Shadow daughter and Pam McGough chatted like old friends while I met up with Julie Chavez and Amy Houser. I don’t know how many people were in attendance but I’d say this year’s Gridiron was a huge success. For those who don’t know, it’s actually a fundraiser with proceeds going to scholarships and to support programs at McNeese University and Sowela Technical Community College. It was entirely written and performed by members of the Ad and Press Club, Southwest Louisiana’s oldest organization for communication professionals. The Shadow thinks Gridiron is a people-watcher’s dream. Shireen Santhanasamy and Susan Acheson were taking lots of pictures themselves, but stopped to pose for me.

Others coming through were Garret and Barbara Lawrence, Mike Dever and Cheryl Shafer and Randy

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Partin and Daphne Oliver. Shadow daughter spotted a former theology/year book teacher, Trish Trejo from St. Louis Catholic High School and they enjoyed visiting, but the Shadow honed in on her very favorite KPLC celebrity, sports reporter Tom Annino. He couldn’t get away from me. Kellie Hutchinson came to his rescue and the Shadow felt like she was on the Seinfeld episode where Jerry gave Elaine the ‘save me sign.” Kellie came through for Tom. The Gridiron was hilarious and fun, with wonderful people giving their time and talents for a great cause. If you missed it this year, make a note to be part of it in 2010. The Shadow will be there. In fact, the Shadow can’t wait!

August 6, 2009

Tom Annino and Jessica Conrad

Missy and Wade Shaddock

Linwood and Kay Burkhalter and Mayor Ron LeLeux

Jack Heber, Debbie Dartez and Johnny Suydam

Marilyn Kudla

Kellie Hutchinson with her mom Becky Hutchinson

Juli Wilson and Violy Briscoe

Social Demin’s Champagne Brunch

Elizabeth and Alex Augustine and Heather Priola

Anne Drake and Morgan Wilson

Leonardo Giovannelli and Kara Coyne

The Shadow is a denim kind of girl—or woman, so it gave me great pleasure to visit Social Denim during their last Champagne Brunch on Saturday, July 25th. Social Denim is located downtown at 709 Ryan Street and owned by Juli Wilson. Their Champagne brunches during June and July have been loads of fun and Juli has enjoyed seeing old friends and making new ones. The sleek boutique is a great place to hang out—Friendly people and a friendly atmosphere. Since the Shadow is always early, I sort of kicked back and visited with Kara Coyne and Juli. I got to watch the caterer—Whisk & Ladle—set up the goodies. Marilyn Kudla drifted in after working out at GiGi’s. I had to do some fancy talking to get her picture. She finally got distracted inspecting a cute sundress and smiled at the camera. The Shadow also met Violy Briscoe.

Violy does alterations for Social Denim but if you need a very talented seamstress, pop in the store and pick up her card. Elizabeth and Alex Augustine and Heather Priola paused their shopping long enough for the Shadow to snap a pic. Poor little Alex kept saying he didn’t feel good, but I think he realized he was in a girly store and might be there for hours. When I asked for a picture, he turned on the charm! Anne Drake and granddaughter Morgan Wilson spend many Saturdays shopping together. Social Denim was just one of their stops. Leonardo Giovannelli came over from Ocean Springs, Mississippi to see his friend Kara. Leonardo is serving in the Navy. Being the only guy (other than young Alex) in the boutique, Leonardo appeared to enjoy watching the gals. The Shadow has one message for this serviceman: Be Safe. Though the Champagne Brunches have ended, Juli has many more special things planned for her customers. In the fall, she’ll be introducing Social Dress. Juli, a Lake Charles native, left the city for about ten years. We’re sure glad she’s back. Check out Social Denim. The Shadow thinks it’s a fun, unique boutique.

Theresa Kilburn and Kimmie Saucier

Marie Zimmermann is taking pictures.

Moonlight and Magnolias

Beverly McCormick, Kathi Jones & Davina Zimmermann

Artist Eddie Mormon with his painting “Graywood Plantation”

On July 30th, the Shadow had the privilege of attending the 21st anniversary of Moonlight and Magnolias, the annual fundraiser celebrating The Volunteer Center of Southwest Louisiana. It’s always fun to attend events at Graywood Plantation, but this particular evening was super-special because we celebrated some terrific people. The Volunteer Center coordinates volunteers for the five parish area—that’s quite a feat. The Shadow met Beverly McCormick, Executive Director and many of the board members.

John Bostick and his wife Arlene, President Davina Zimmermann and her daughter Marie. In fact, Marie Zimmermann was snapping pictures as fast as I was.

Lots of people came through eyeing the goodies to bid on and listening to the wonderful music. The Shadow could listen to pianist-vocalist Kay Miller 24/7.

Check her out at www.pianogirlmiller.com However, the highlight of the evening for me was meeting artist Eddie Mormon. Eddie was inspired at the age of 5. His artistic career began as he smoothed out the earth as

John Lennox, Alexis Guillory and Lacy and Caleb Waldmeir

his canvas, and with strong wooden sticks as the knives and stiff twigs as brushes, he etched the visions he so clearly saw in his mind into the dirt. Now all these years later, Eddie Mormon has definitely perfected his craft. I was told that every year, Eddie donates a beautiful work of art for this fundraiser. Go to www.eddiemormon. com to see some of his paintings, but take it from me, his website only hints at how wonderful his paintings are. The Shadow browsed around for a good forty-five minutes—listening and learning. I didn’t know that during Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the 211 Call Center provided support to thousands of persons. In case you don’t know what the 211 Call Center is or does, here’s the scoop: 211 is the FCC designated direct dial number for access to human service info and referral

August 6, 2009

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services. It covers Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Rapides and Vernon parishes with three digit dial service to approximately 2,000 human service agencies. In a nutshell, one call gives you access to resources across your community. No more wrong numbers and no more wasted time trying to find the right resources. The Shadow thinks that alone is good reason to celebrate The Volunteer Center! They also have other worthwhile programs: ServicePoint which is a Homeless Management Information System and HandsOn, a program to connect volunteers with opportunities to serve. The Volunteer Center of Southwest Louisiana is something to cherish and be proud of, but back to the fundraising celebration: I met old friends Caleb and Lacy Waldmeir. They’re actually friends of Shadow Daughter but I’ve always thought they were pretty special. I ran into that super nice guy, Andy Jacobson who is the Sales Manager of The Times of SWLA and met up with friend, Betsy Doucet. The Shadow met a lot of special, giving people who made this signature fundraising event for The Volunteer Center a wonderful success.

the Marshland Festival. Some of them were dancing while others sat around long tables and celebrated friendship and good food. Travis and Christi LaBove posed for the camera while trying to get their bearings.

The packed-out civic center was a little overwhelming for some of us, but not Chastity Fontenot and Debbie Myers. This mother-daughter team was ready for laughter and fun. Destiny Simon and Madison Shove worked behind the counters and appeared to enjoy their people watching, while Chelsey Query and Jordan Miller stood discussing what to do next.

The Marshland Festival has now come and gone, but I’m sure discussion is already happening for the 2010 festivities. If you want to be part of it, go to www. marshlandfestival.com and see what it’s all about— more than a good time—it’s a very good cause.

Chastity Fontenot with her mom, Debbie Myers

Marshland Festival The Marshland Festival was hoppin’ when the Shadow and Shadow husband made an appearance on August 1st. It was the second day of the event, and if I didn’t know better, I’d think it was a roundthe-clock celebration. The civic center was packed with people enjoying music, arts and crafts, games, a business expo—you name it, and I think it was happening! The festival came about twenty years ago when concerned Hackberry citizens came together with ideas for supporting and funding school, church and community organizations. Marshland Festival is a non-profit association. When the Shadow entered the doors, she was struck by déjà vu’ because she used to be quite a country-western dancer in her younger days. This was her kind of hangout and would have been the “young Shadow’s” cup of … er… tea. As we milled about, taking it all in, it was evident that good food and good music was the name of the game. The Shadow approached Cindy Vines, Cheryl Murdock and Dana Slaydon and snapped a picture. They were having a great time. Southwest Louisiana is known for its colorful people. I think they were all right there at

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August 6, 2009

Cindy Vines, Cheryl Murdock and Dana Slaydon are passin’ a good time.

Madison Shove and Destiny Simon work behind the counter.

Travis and Christi LaBove posing for the camera.

Chelsey Query and Jordan Miller at Marshland Festival

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What’s the difference between a migraine and a tension headache?

A migraine is a severe, throbbing headache that is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, dizziness or chills. The pain is usually located at the side of the forehead. A tension headache is a dull headache, with a feeling of pressure over the head, neck and scalp. It is usually not as severe as a migraine. Other symptoms rarely accompany a tension headache.

Jason Ramm, MD, family medicine physician, Cypress Medical Clinic I have dense breasts and a friend told me this means mammography would be useless for me. Is this true?

Dense breasts can make traditional mammograms more difficult to interpret, but this doesn’t mean this life-saving screening is useless for detecting cancer or other breast abnormalities in women with dense breasts. Dense breasts contain more glands and ligaments, and less fat. Mammogram technology does not “see through” this dense tissue as well as less dense tissue. As a result, dense breast tissue appears as a solid white area on a mammogram film. Tumors also are dense and appear as solid white areas on the film. This can make it difficult to detect a tumor because it looks a lot like the dense tissue around it. Young women are more likely to have dense breasts than older women. After menopause, breast tissue tends to lose density and contain more fat. If you have dense breasts and your doctor detects a breast lump, he or she may recommend further evaluation of the lump — even if a mammogram is interpreted as normal. Additional tests may include ultrasound, MRI, or a biopsy of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope.

Barbara Tomek, MD, Radiologist with Lake Charles Medical and Surgical Clinic I had moderate to light bleeding during my entire first three months of pregnancy. Should I be concerned about this affecting my baby’s health and am I more at risk for a premature delivery?

Bleeding during the first trimester is a common experience and most pregnancies that don’t miscarry run a normal course. Unfortunately, anyone who has had some bleeding in the first trimester is at slightly increased risk for complications, meaning premature birth, poor fetal growth, and other problems. However, there isn’t any associated increase in birth defects or chromosome problems. Overall, anyone who had first trimester bleeding has an excellent chance of having a normal pregnancy, birth, and baby.

G. Vincent Bailey, MD, ob/gyn specialist, Jennings American Legion Hospital My 8-year-old son gets nosebleeds fairly often, even when he hasn’t bumped or hit his nose. What causes this and should I be worried?

Nosebleeds are especially common in children between the ages of four and ten. If not the result of an injury, they are usually caused by colds, allergies or overuse of nasal spray. In most cases, bloody noses are no cause for panic.

They can usually be stopped fairly easily. Have the child clear their nose by blowing out all mucus and blood. The head should be held slightly forward, not backward, so that any additional blood loss will be noticed and not swallowed.

Firmly pinch the anterior two-thirds of the nose (the entire soft part of the nose; pressure on the bridge of nose or upper lip does not help) for 10 minutes (by the clock), then release. If the nose is still bleeding, repeat these steps once more. Rarely does bleeding continue, but if it does, consult your pediatrician.

Albert Richert, Sr., MD, pediatrician with the Pediatric Center of Southwest Louisiana

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“Yes We Can”—an international movement.

by Matt Jones ©2009 Jonesin’ Crosswords Brought to you by Melanie Perry, Agent State Farm Insurance

Last Issue’s Answers

Another Succes Story

1 6 10 13 14 15 17 19 20 21 23 24 25 27 29 30

“The Times of

Southwest Louisiana has been instrumental in establishing the first two years of my business.”

— Stacey Vezinot, Owner, Stacey’s Armoire 38

34 35 36 37 39 42 43 44 49 50 51

Across Stockpile Zwei times zwei times zwei Ques. response West Coast capital Mrs., in Munich “The Valley Isle” Level draining device, to a Spanish yes-man?

Bar code on a book Movie response to “Quick, let’s hide!”

Dec. holiday U.N. secretary-general Hammarskjold ___-mo instant replay Fuel additive brand June birthstone Greek letter T Selassie’s NYC restaurant, to a Japanese yes-man?

Nav. rank Reaching like a puppy President after HST Hotel room list item Contents of jewel cases John Lennon’s son Riled, with “up” Went out with the chivalrous type, to a Russian yes-man?

First name in Notre Dame football coaches Hayao Miyazaki genre Damascus’s place: abbr.

August 6, 2009

52 Washing machine dye brand 53 Last letter, in Leeds 54 Tag info 58 Reasoning behind a crime 60 Send out 62 U.S. uncle’s “Friday the 13th” character, to a German yes-man?

64 Went kaput 65 Concert load 66 Carb-loading dish 67 Craigslist postings 68 Pull-down list 69 Dream on?

Down 1 Gave some help 2 The rest of the U.S., to Hawaiians (with “the”) 3 Place to pick up some brews 4 Spanish golfer Ballesteros 5 Russian org. and enemy in Bond novels 6 CIO’s labor mate 7 Core 8 “Mad Men” star Jon 9 Heavy marching band instrument 10 “___ not making myself clear?”

11 Index with a composite 12 Legacy maker 16 Fireplace spot

18 Org. that requested the Pet Shop Boys change their name to the Rescue Shelter Boys 22 Like cacti 26 Feed music through, as with Muzak 28 Rowing machine unit 31 Hawaiian porch 32 “Dallas” family 33 Op. ___ (footnote abbr.)

37 “Funeral Blues” poet W.H. ___ 38 Civil rights leader, in street names 39 “Singin’ in the Rain” actress Cyd 40 Word that comes from another word 41 Outline seen in local weather reports 42 1980s “truly outrageous” cartoon 44 In a fog 45 Condition meaning “lack of blood” 46 Spruced (up) 47 Song sung on Sunday 48 Their support is requested on some bumper stickers 55 Get in ___ 56 1974 Lucille Ball musical 57 Chris Berman network 59 Company that introduced non-stick cookware 61 Scores that may cause showboating afterward: abbr.

63 NW school that’s home to the Beavers

The Land of Lagniappe

August 6, 2009 LDL_4366_JJWalker_SWLA_AD.indd 1

39 7/31/09 5:16:57 PM