Times of Southwest Louisiana

WWW.TIMESSW.COM • DECEMBER 11, 2008 / VOL. 13, NO. 25

• Your Property Taxes: A Mess to Reassess • Meaux’s: A Family Tradition • The Year in Review

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DECEMBER 11, 2008

GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . .

617 Drew St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-439-0995 Fax: 337-439-0418 PUBLISHERS Patrick Marcantel Scot Hebert

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december 11, 2008 Volume 13 • Number 25

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contents 5

NEWS . . . . . . . . . . .

MANAGING EDITOR Lauren de Albuquerque lauren.dealbuquerque@timessw.com

EDITOR Lisa Yates timesedit@timessw.com

CONTRIBUTORS Kay Andrews Sara Blackwell J. Shirlene Cooper Tony DiGiovanni Jim Doyle Matt Jones Bill Krull Terri Schlichenmeyer Chris Thompson, M.D. POLITICS John Maginnis Dan Juneau ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Andy Jacobson

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Yea eview in

The

E N T E R P R I S E B O U L E VA R D A Mess to Reassess . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

By Bill Krull

COLUMNS

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ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Patricia Prudhomme Shanda Sonnier

COVER STORY Poddy Champeaux, Person of the Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

GRAPHICS . . . . . . . .

ART/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Darrell Buck

F E AT U R E S Beauregard Education Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Home Grown Business: Meaux’s Western Wear . . . . . . . . . . . .14 The Year in Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 A Tribute to Tom Morris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Lionel Trains: A Lifetime of Happiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Christmas Traditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Holidays and Your Heart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

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 2008 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.

Who’s News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Business Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Inside Baton Rouge . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Guest Column: Bobby Jindal . . . . . .16 Perspectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Legal Eagle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 BizBytes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

E N T E R TA I N M E N T Times Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Book Beat: Green Christmas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Coffee Break Crossword Puzzle: Come on, get it right! . . . . . .41 The Shadow: Painted Bikes and Jingly Things . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Parting Shots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

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Visit us online at: www.timessw.com

On The Cover: Rosalie “Poddy” Leveque Champeaux. Photo by Andy Jacobson. Cover by Darrell Buck DECEMBER 11, 2008

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Calcasieu Police Jury Announces Storm Water Master Plan Project The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury (CPPJ) has announced the start of surveying in the Houston River Basin, the third basin of the Storm Water Master Plan project to address flooding issues in Calcasieu Parish.

URS Corporation, a global, engineering firm, with local offices in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge has been contracted to conduct field studies and engineering analysis to find the best possible solutions to local flooding problems.

The models will be utilized as useful planning tools well into the future to analyze the potential effects of development on drainage in the area.

The project will involve field surveys in the Little River, DeQuincy, and Houston River areas. Residents are asked to show their cooperation to field surveyors who will be gathering the critical field data to properly develop the study. The surveying portion of the project is expected to last from November 2008 through February 2009.

LSU AgCenter Publishes 2009 Calendar People in Louisiana love their gardens, and it shows in the new 2009 “Get It Growing” lawn and garden calendar from the LSU AgCenter. Inspiring photos of flowers, plants and lawns are just a few of the reasons Louisiana gardeners and calendar lovers alike have made this calendar a perennial favorite.

Thousands of copies of the previous four calendars have been sold, and officials say gardening enthusiasts won’t be disappointed in this year’s edition.

Filled with photos representing lawn and garden settings across the state, as well as helpful tips and how-to information, the calendar provides gardeners with opportunities to learn more about their craft and be inspired by the photos. It also includes advice from LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill, who is known across the region for his expertise.

The calendar sells for $11.95 and is available online at www.lsuagcenter.com/GetItGrowingCalendar, or by phone at (225) 578-4161. Proceeds help support horticultural research and education, as well as scholarships for horticulture students.

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DECEMBER 11, 2008

NEWS

ABOUT

SOUTHWEST

LOUISIANA

ENTERPRISEBOULEVARD A Mess to Reassess Homeowners have until Dec. 31 to challenge their property tax bills

By Lisa Yates omeowners have until Dec. 31 to challenge their tax bills, and many in Calcasieu Parish are doing just that.

Calcasieu Parish Tax Assessor Richard Cole said he has seen a slight increase in the number of property owners challenging their property tax assessments this year.

“This is a reassessment year, so a lot of people have been calling in,” he said, adding it was expected. “It’s normal. I haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary.”

He said in a reassessment year property tax amounts will likely be somewhat higher because property values are somewhat higher in most instances.

Despite what’s happening on the national level, Cole said new properties are coming on the tax rolls, increasing the value of property in the parish.

“With the LNG plants moving in, the expansion of gaming and new projects like Westinghouse, gasification, and people moving in from Cameron Parish, our real estate market is at an all-time high,” he said.

While painting a picture of a rosier local economy than the rest of the nation, Cole did acknowledge home values nationwide are plummeting.

“So far it hasn’t affected us,” he said. “We’ll be watching to see what happens.”

H

Property owners speak up Although it has been reported that Southwest Louisiana is not suffering from the economic downturn like the rest of the country, a visit with with local property owners turns up a different view.

Kerry Caballero, Director of Pharmacy at Extended Care of Southwest Louisiana in Lake

Charles, reported his property taxes were up approximately 30 percent from last year. Does he believe his property increased in value by 30 percent?

“No, because the housing market is stagnant,” he said. “In a down economy, citizens want to hold on to their money and not make large purchases.”

Caballero agreed that the steep home price declines that have been making headlines doesn’t reflect what’s happening here in Lake Charles.

“The rate of foreclosures is nowhere near that of the West Coast,” he said.

“Still, houses are staying on the market quite a long time in Lake Charles.”

He said several people he knows are having difficulty selling their homes for the asking price because of the amount of time it takes to make a sale.

“Ideally, there should be a direct correlation between the tax increase and the value of your home,” Caballero said. “But, taxes are increasing and property values are

Who’s News

More than 1,000 volunteers gathered together in Nashville, Tenn., recently for a Relay For Life Leadership Summit. Relay For Life of Lake Charles volunteers who participated in the summit this year were: Glenda Andrepont, Gretta Caillouet, Jean Ann East, Sandy Pousson, and Tanya Senegal. Along with other volunteers from Louisiana and five other states, they met for two days to discuss fund-raising ideas, participate in educational activities, and celebrate hope through Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society’s signature event. Now in its 25th year, Relay For Life has empowered more than 4,200 communities across the nation to fight back against cancer. Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event that mobilizes communities to celebrate survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), remember loved ones lost, commit to fight back through healthy lifestyle changes, and raise money for the fight against cancer. For more information about Relay For Life, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS23425 or visit www.cancer.org Gil Pinac, a former State Representative and Chairman of the House Commerce Committee, is in the race for Louisiana Public Service Commissioner.

A special election is set for April 4, 2009, to replace the Public Service Commission (PSC) member for District 4, Gil Pinac who left office to accept another job. The runoff date, if needed, will be May 2, 2009. Pinac noted that he has been dealing with utility companies, which are regulated by the PSC, since his days as a City Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem in Crowley, where he served for nine years (1986-1995) before being elected to the state legislature in 1995, where he served until January

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Continued on Page 6 DECEMBER 11, 2008

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Who’s News, Continued from Page 5

2008. Pinac, 51, seeks to replace Dale Sittig of Eunice, who resigned that post recently to accept a job with Louisiana’s Offshore Oil Port (LOOP). Sittig served from November 1995 until he left in October 2008. District 4 of the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) is comprised of all or part of 17 Louisiana parishes in the central and southwestern part of the state. It includes Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Catahoula (part), Evangeline, Grant, Jeff Davis, Lasalle, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, St. Landry, St. Martin (part), Vermilion, and Vernon parishes. Pinac may be reached at (337) 788-4772 or gilpinac@gmail.com.

Chester J. Jones, Jr., a Knight of St. Gregory the Great, was recently elected president of the Bishop Jude Speyrer Chapter of the Pontifical Knights and Dames of the Diocese of Lake Charles for a two-year term. Jones is a member of St. Henry Catholic Church in Lake Charles. Other officers elected were Gayle Marshall, a Knight of Pope St. Sylvester, vice president; Robert Chiasson, a Knight of St. Gregory the Great, secretary and John H. Roth, a Knight of St. Gregory the Great, treasurer. Marshall is a member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church in Lake Charles; Chiasson is a member of Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Welsh and Roth is a member of St. John Bosco in Westlake. The installation of officers will take place at the Dec. 12 Christmastide meeting of the group to be held at Pat’s of Henderson Restaurant in Lake Charles.

A Lake Charles Tradition Since 1962

1025 Ryan St. • 433-3637 www.navarras.com

2925 Ernest St., Lake Charles

(337) 439-7975 PAGE 6

DECEMBER 11, 2008

Lacie Savoie won the November spa package, Healing Heat, from Cameron State Bank.

The spa packages are part of Cameron State Bank’s Great Escape Spa Getaway. Savoie said getting the phone call indicating that she was the winner made her day.

“One thing after another went wrong that day, and then I got the phone call Lacie Savoie, left, accepts the basket full of spa gift saying I had won this spa certificates, a plush robe, candles and other treats package!” she said. from Leslie Harless, right, Vice President of Marketing “I can’t wait to enjoy the at Cameron State Bank. spa treatments.” Savoie’s spa package includes a Bayou Rock massage, organic facial and several other spa treatments at Spa du Lac, including an overnight stay at L’Auberge du Lac. The value of the spa package is over $1,000. Registration is underway for the Grand Prize, a seven-night trip for two to Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, Texas. The prize includes airfare, limousine service, gourmet meals and much more. The grand prize is valued at over $14,000. Registration slips are available at any Cameron State Bank location.

Ent. Blvd., Continued from Page 5

staying the same, or decreasing.”

Caballero said he plans to challenge his tax bill this year.

In an article on BusinessReport.com, J.R. Ball reported that homeowners from across the state are arguing that their homes, businesses and property are not worth as much as the government says.

He said, “The rumbling began a month or so in Livingston Parish – where the legally required four-year reassessment showed the value of a typical house increased by more than 25 percent – and has now made its way to St. Tammany Parish, where the screams are so loud that area state legislators are promising new laws to stem the tide against what Rep. Kevin Pearson calls ‘sticker shock.’”

State Rep. Pearson, R-Slidell, said some in his district have seen their homes increase in value by more than 150 percent in only four years.

Ball wrote, “I’ll speak only for myself here, but I’d be thrilled if the value of my home soared 150 percent over a four-year period. I guarantee you folks in places like Miami, Las Vegas and Los Angeles – where home values have plunged by something like 150 percent over the past 18 months – would be giddy with any increase in the value of their property.”

Taxation without representation He and others from across the state report there’s a type of bait-and-switch tax increase that has become commonplace throughout the state as the homestead exemption weakens in economic value.

“State law also allows the scores of taxing authorities – school, parks and library systems, council governments, and any number of fire departments, development districts and what not – to raise additional revenue by rolling the millage forward to a rate up to the original voter-approved millage,” Ball stated. “Almost every taxing authority, many of which are filled with decision-makers not elected by voters, goes this route, which is why property reassessments have become synonymous with higher property taxes.”

Normally, state law requires that proposed tax increases go before the voters in the next scheduled election, yet this “roll forward” loophole has allowed many local governmental bodies to avoid the intent of that constitutional provision, thereby increasing taxes without public approval and spending the money however the politicians chose.

Many have called for a change in state law that would require any attempts to roll forward millages to be approved by a public vote in the next

election.

State Rep. Jeff Arnold, D - New Orleans, attempted to pass such legislation earlier this year, but opposition from local governments blocked his bill.

Perhaps in the next session, homeowners scorched by rising property taxes will generate enough support to approve Arnold’s reform.

Immediate tax relief Meanwhile, there is hope. Local property owners may be eligible for tax relief.

Paul Hargrove, of West Monroe, said property owners who incurred wind damage and flooding from recent hurricanes can have their property reassessed and even request deferment of taxes.

Hargrove, a member of the Louisiana Tax Commission, recently discovered provisions in state law that allow property owners who suffered damage from a declared disaster the options of obtaining a reassessment and a deferment in paying taxes.

According to state law, assessors are required to reassess all “lands or property, including buildings, structures, or personal property that are destroyed, uninhabitable, or non-operational due to a disaster or emergency declared by the governor.”

Following hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the state lawmakers approved legislation that allows for property owners who incurred damaged or destroyed property from a disaster or emergency declared by the governor the option to “file and application for deferment of payment of taxes.”

The Louisiana Tax Commission can provide an affidavit for taxpayers to sign. The LTC provides the affidavit on its Web site at www.latax.state.la.us.

Property owners should contact the tax assessor if they own property that was damaged by a declared disaster.

Also, the tax assessor is the public official who should be contacted about deferring property tax payments.

According to state law, “the property owner wishing to defer payment of taxes shall make a sworn statement in triplicate no later than Dec. 31 of the year in which the damage or destruction occurred, or 30 days after the tax bill has been mailed, whichever is later.”

This applies to both residential and business property tax payers who had any damage related to the storm.

It is important property owners document the damage caused by a disaster to provide to the parish tax assessor, Hargrove said. Documentation can include photographs, damage and work estimates from contractors and insurance claim documentation.

Continued on Page 8 DECEMBER 11, 2008

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Ent. Blvd., Continued from Page 7

A red flag When the economy is faltering and spawning foreclosures, short sales and homeowners otherwise bailing out of homeownership, consider it a red flag and time to scrutinize the tax bill.

Over valued or over assessed property is perhaps the most common and successful grounds for challenging tax bills, according to officials.

Anyone who believes their property was not property assessed can discuss

2712 Hodges Street • (337) 439-7693

the matter with Cole. Sometimes values change because of errors, he said.

Property owners who think their assessment is incorrect should notify his office before Dec. 31, Cole said.

“With 120,000 parcels of property to reassess, it’s possible to make mistakes,” he said. “Most of the time the values are correct. But if it is wrong and there’s evidence to back it up, reductions can be made.”

For more information, visit the assessor’s office in the Magnolia Life Building on 1011 Lakeshore Drive.

TELL-TALE SIGNS YOUR PROPERTY TAX COULD WARRANT AN ADJUSTMENT: • Errors in the description of your property on the tax bill.

• Compatible homes in the area that have sold for less than your appraised value.

• Neighbors with lower assessments on similar houses. Keep in mind some homes retain the same assessed value for years and assessed values often don’t rise or fall in step with market values or home sale prices.

• Value reducers in your home or area, including drainage problems, easements, re-zoning, heavy traffic, nearby railroad tracks, freeways, industry or toxic waste.

• Depreciation factors, including the quality of materials, inefficient heating, structural cracks, deterioration, or chronic defects.

Homeowners can go online to real estate evaluation sites such as Zillow.com to determine how far property values have fallen in their communities. They can also cite comparable home sales for similar properties to make their cases when contesting their assessments.

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DECEMBER 11, 2008

BUSINESS

notes

The Calcasieu Parish McDonald’s restaurants recently contributed $10,000 to The Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, establishing an endowment dedicated to leadership activities at The Leadership Center for Youth of the Family and Youth Counseling Agency. The Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana is the philanthropic and endowment extension of the Family and Youth Counseling Agency. Family and Youth, a United Way Agency, was established in 1970 to serve the needs of children, youth and families in Southwest Louisiana. The Calcasieu Parish McDonald’s endowment is specifically dedicated to youth leadership activities at The Leadership Center for Youth. The Calcasieu Parish McDonald’s, owned by Doug Gehrig, are dedicated to serving and assisting the Southwest Louisiana community. For more information on the Calcasieu Parish McDonald’s endowment to The Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, contact, Jen Breen at (337) 478-7396 or jbreen@ocarroll.com.

Speakers at the launch of the Lake Charles Suddenlink Online Safety initiative include (from left) Suddenlink Lake Charles System Manager Kim LaPoint, Suddenlink Mid South Manager of Community and Government Relations Maryce Cunningham, Louisiana State Representative Mike Danahay, and Suddenlink Lake Charles Community Ambassador Tanya Senegal.

Above: Hurricane Ike impacted many employees of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. WCCH employees who suffered damages and loss were encouraged to apply for relief from a fund set up specifically to assist them at this time of need. The benefits from the employee fund are being awarded on a point system to those who have the greatest need and the least resources. The Medical Staff of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital recognized this area of need and donated $1000 to the Employee Relief Fund. Dr. Kevin Schlamp, the President of the Medical Staff for WCCH, presented the check to Bill Hankins, CEO, and Christi Kingsley, Human Resources Director. Anyone wishing to contribute to this fund may make their donations to the West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Foundation, 701 Cypress St., Sulphur, LA 70663, or contact Debby Nabours at 527-4144. Donations are tax deductible.

Federal, state and local officials recently joined with Suddenlink Communications to launch a new Suddenlink-initiated Internet safety program for the Lake Charles area. Suddenlink Online Safety (SOS), an initiative that offers workshops and training for parents, teachers and other caregivers on how to young people safe as they travel onto the worldwide web, was presented by Suddenlink Communications Mid South Region Public Affairs Manager Maryce Cunningham and Lake Charles area System Manager Kim LaPoint.

Workshops will cover topics such as the scope and nature of risks to young people when they are online and steps parents can take to help keep their children safe, plus a presentation of security and parental-control software offered free by Suddenlink to customers of its most popular Internet packages.

Suddenlink has dedicated a section of its Web site to provide information to customers nationwide. It can be viewed at www.suddenlink.com/netsafety.

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital was recently awarded with a national Medal of Honor for Organ Donation from the US Department of Health and Human Services. St. Patrick Hospital is one of only six hospitals in the state of Louisiana to be nationally recognized for outstanding accomplishments in 2008. Brenda Quesnel, Interim Chief Nurse Executive at St. Patrick Hospital says that through working collaboratively with Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) they are able to make a difference by honoring their patient’s last wishes and giving family members the opportunity to give the gift of life through organ donation. “Because of our dedicated associates and the generosity of our community, 18 lives were saved in a 12-month period. We are honored to be a part of this recognition,” Quesnel says. One organ donor has the potential to save up to nine lives, enhance over 50 lives and give sight to two people, says Debbie Lacassin Hospital Resource Coordinator for LOPA. The award was presented at a Medal of Honor ceremony at the National Learning Conference in Nashville, TN in October. To learn more about organ donation, visit www.lopa.org

Julio Galan, Executive Director, Family & Youth, Jonette Arms, Director of the New Age of Aging Initiative, Dr. Candis J. Carr, Associate Executive Director, Family & Youth, and Danielle Caraway, Director, Family & Youth.

At the Alliance for Children and Families National Conference in Baltimore, Jonette Arms, Director of the New Age of Aging Initiative presented a check for $3,000 to Julio Galan, Executive Director of Family & Youth.

Support from the Alliance for Children and Families—New Age of Aging will allow professionals to further discuss new and innovative services, and elevate the issues related to the new aging group; as well as look at unique aging services, program ideas, lessons learned, successes, challenges, and barriers related to the implementation of programs and services for older adults. For more information on the New Age of Aging project, contact Jonette Arms, project director, at jarms@alliance1.org or (800) 221-3726, ext. 6523. For more information about Family & Youth programs, call (337) 436-9533 or visit www.fyca.org.

DECEMBER 11, 2008

PAGE 9

R. Dale Bernauer, M.D.

4150 Nelson Rd., Bldg. D, Ste. 1 Lake Charles, La. 70605 PH: 337-474-6960 FAX: 337-474-6970

A non-surgical technique to fight against arthritis and sports injuries.

Do you need a joint replacement or suffer from arthritis or sports injuries?

We offer a non surgical solution. Regenerative Therapy is designed to regenerate joint cartilage and decrease arthritic changes and pain. This therapy uses a combination of injection therapy, laser therapy, exercises, bracing and other modalities. Parts of the program can be covered by insurance while parts are not. A commitment to the whole program is necessary for success.

BUSINESS

notes

Samaritan Counseling Center has opened a satellite office in DeRidder.

The office is located at First Methodist Church of DeRidder in the main sanctuary building at 406 Shirley Street. Both individual and marital counseling are available. Board certified counselor James Bailey provides experienced counseling services to address a variety of psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, disorders related to adjustment problems, and much more. Samaritan Counseling Center’s services are offered on a sliding fee scale and the organization is supported financially by an interfaith group of partner churches in the lake area. The Center is also a United Way agency.

Samaritan’s mission is to provide help and hope to mind, body and spirit through interfaith pastoral counseling. The main office is located at 833 Hodges Street in Lake Charles. Call (337) 433-4357 for more information or to schedule an appointment in DeRidder.

This is how it works: The physician introduces natural medicine into damaged, arthritic cells by means of a precise injection. This process is followed by infrared laser as well as several other modalities in order to accelerate the process. Depending on tissue damage, severity of the condition and the size of the joint that needs to be injected, people usually need a series of 1 to 6 treatments to improve. There is usually no downtime, and people can go back to their usual activities or work immediately. The treatments can help most musculoskeletal problems such as knee pain, shoulder pain, whiplash, tendonitis, sprain, strains, torn ligaments and cartilage damage.

For more information and to schedule your treatment call 337-474-6960.

Pictured from L to R: Lauren LeBlanc, Cindy Arabie, and Amy Donovan.

LSU Health System – Health Care Services Division - W. O. Moss Regional Medical Center, was one of 228 unique hospitals in the United States recognized by the American Heart Association’s Get With The GuidelinesSM (GWTG) program. Moss Regional’s Cindy Arabie, NP and Amy Donovan, RN along with the entire Congestive Heart Failure team, received the Gold Performance Award for Heart Failure care and treatment for Moss. To achieve gold level recognition, hospitals must reach an aggressive goal of treating patients for at least 24 months with 85 percent compliance to core standard levels of care as defined by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology’s secondary prevention guidelines.

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DECEMBER 11, 2008

Beauregard Education Link: New Program Keeps Students in the Community

By J. Shirlene Cooper With the signing of a dedication agreement at DeRidder City Hall recently, new avenues in schooling were opened as leaders in education from across Southwest Louisiana voiced approval for the Beauregard Education Link, a collaboration of area secondary-education institutions.

The “Link” offers classes from one central location - the First Street School - in the heart of DeRidder.

With its inception, going away to college is no longer the only means of furthering your education if you live and work in and around DeRidder.

Students will be able to stay in their community, closer to friends and family. And with a much-shortened commute, most won’t have to make a choice between work and studies, but will be able to do both.

Brewing for some time, the idea behind the Beauregard Education Link was reinforced when Upper Iowa University began offering classes in DeRidder in January of 2007. Those classes took place in the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Training Center.

However, a group of representatives from the City of DeRidder, the Beauregard Parish School Board and the Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce wanted to grow the local learning opportunities.

While Upper Iowa offered classes in general psychology, college algebra and economics, DeRidder Mayor Ron Roberts, School Board Superintendent Rita Mann, Chamber President Dick Myers and others wanted to offer a

larger selection of courses, more classes, and more classrooms. They also wanted to see other schools join in a committed partnership toward a common goal of creating work-ready individuals who would remain in the community after the last school bell had rang.

Over the next few months, those individuals and others from City Hall, along with Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Ron Hebert, chamber board members and Chamber Executive Vice President Avon Knowlton made a number of trips to Baton Rouge to speak with leaders from the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Meanwhile, in January of this year, Upper Iowa moved their classes to the building on First Street, which once served as the DeRidder High School.

At the dedication signing, Mayor Roberts expressed his belief that it is the responsibility of government to “create” opportunity. He pointed out that in a recent study, the state of Louisiana was ranked second highest in the nation for illiteracy. This was a challenge, he said, adding that across the nation, 95,000 jobs were waiting for trained workers. Of those jobs, 350 were “in this community,” he said.

Speaking about the number of young people who graduate high school only to move away for jobs and schooling, Roberts said it was his hope to “abolish the idea that in order to achieve in our society, we must go somewhere else.”

In an update on the status of the Link, the group was told that Sowela Technical Community College will begin teaching classes at the First Street School just after the first of the year. Plans also are in the works for McNeese State University to begin a series of leisure learning and other continuing education courses, and Louisiana Technical College -Lamar Salter has proposed to provide an entire nursing program, beginning as early as August 2009.

Project coordinator Matt Young, with the City of DeRidder, explained that by signing the agreement, each member of the Beauregard Education Link coalition would be agreeing to provide, whenever possible, leadership and resources through a collective effort in order to advance educational opportunities in the geographical area.

The group would be acknowledging the essential role of education, and would endeavor to prepare all interested students to be responsible citizens and to afford them the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to make the informed decisions that lead to meaningful and productive lives.

Upper Iowa University, Regional Director Wayne Converse; Michael

Kay, Campus Dean of Louisiana Technical College -Lamar Salter Campus; Dr. Robert Hebert, President of McNeese State University; Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance Regional Coordinator David Conner; and Vice Chancellor of Economic Development R. B. Smith; Mayor Roberts; Dick Myers; and Rita Mann, each signed the document.

Each also took time to verbally express their commitment to the project, its goals, and to the parish, which the Beauregard Education Link will serve. With the obstacle of travel out of the way, they said the next challenge would be to find ways to help students financially in their endeavors to stay in school.

On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, Myers said, “The best economic development we have is to keep what we have and grow it. The Chamber is committed to helping with the lubrication to make all the pieces slide around on the table and make things fit.” Converse, of UIU, agreed.

“Collaborating, as we are [doing] here today, is the wave of the future,” he concluded.

DECEMBER 11, 2008

PAGE 11

INSIDE BATON ROUGE — by John Maginnis

One Eleven

State Turnaround Going the Wrong Way

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s quickly as the seasons changed, Gov. Bobby Jindal finds himself in a strange new place. And it’s not Iowa.

His has been a breathtaking year, going from obscure congressman to national political celebrity and future hope of the Republican Party.

Yet, while riding in the veepstakes and making the national circuit of TV appearances and fundraisers, it’s helped him enormously that things were running so smoothly back at his day job. That was in large part due to the state’s overflowing revenue stream, pushed along by the recovery economy and rising oil prices.

Jindal took office with a $1 billion unspent surplus from the Blanco administration, which he and lawmakers promptly spent before rolling up a new surplus of $865 million for the fiscal year just ended. In the current budget, he asked the Legislature to increase state spending by $1 billion.

The only cutting he did was of taxes—some that he proposed, some that he took credit for. No wonder, as his national star rose, there were no complaints on the home front.

It was quite a year, but it is ending early. Even before Jindal can set a plan for spending last year’s surplus, he sees the bottom falling out for the year ahead, with a projected deficit of $1.3 billion and the possibility of running out of money before the current budget year ends June 30.

The flattening state economy, exacerbated by the sudden world economic downturn and the tailspin in oil prices, has caused a fiscal whiplash to state officials, who had grown accustomed to only looking up.

The $1.3 billion hole being bandied about might not be that bad, but it could also get worse. Usually, the November budget estimates are the scariest, because they are based on maintaining all services at current levels, adjusted upward for inflation, which rarely happens. By having agencies absorb those increases and making other adjustments, the situation almost always looks brighter by the time the governor submits his executive budget in March.

But the darker cloud on the horizon—for state budget planners, not you—is the freefall in the price of oil.

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It took four years for oil prices to reach historic levels, but only four months to give nearly all of that up, dipping below $50 in the past few weeks.

That projected budget with its $1.3 billion shortfall, bad as it looks, is based on oil selling for an average $72 per barrel for the fiscal year starting in July. The current budget is based on oil averaging $84 per barrel.

Every $1 drop in the average price of oil over one year decreases state revenue by $13 million.

At this rate, available revenues could fall faster than the administration can cut spending. The governor and legislators could soon be facing ugly choices they didn’t have to make last year: Whether to cut health care, higher education or transportation—if not all three.

Deteriorating state finances will complicate what’s supposed to be Gov. Jindal’s signature initiative, his proposal to revamp the ailing public health care system in order to improve dismal outcomes while controlling rampaging costs.

Yet, even if his final plan (so far he’s released a concept paper) controls costs in the long run, health care experts expect it will take more money to implement short-term. Four months ago, it looked as though excess revenues could help to span the gap, but that bridge has been washed out.

His health care concept has won praise in conservative circles, including the Wall Street Journal. But now the governor must present a solid plan, get it through a skeptical Legislature and implement it so as to, at the very least, do no harm to the million citizens on Medicaid and the other million who are uninsured. He must align his plan with what the Obama administration and Congress does. And he has to find a way to pay for it at a time when the revenue base is at its most volatile.

It gives cold comfort to Jindal that governors in other states are in similar dire straits. Few are watching the governor of Nebraska closely. Jindal’s the one who will be judged on his ability to deliver effective, non-partisan solutions to big problems, which is what he is telling national audiences that Republicans need to do.

Gallery Space Available Art Associates and the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana are pleased to announce that they are accepting applications to show in Art Associates Gallery, located inside Central School Arts and Humanities Center. Submissions should include a signed application and samples of the exhibition proposed.

Art Associates Gallery is a community gallery with rotating monthly exhibits. The gallery is available space in which an artist may exhibit at no charge. Artists enter into an agreement to mount and remove their own shows. In return, the artists receive 100 percent of all sales resulting from the exhibit.

Interested artists should submit applications and samples of their work by Jan. 2, 2009. Applications can be picked up at the Arts and Humanities Council office at 809 Kirby Street, Suite 202 or by visiting their Web site at www.artsandhumanitiesswla.org. For more information, call (337) 439-2787.

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DECEMBER 11, 2008

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S O U T H W E S T

L O U I S I A N A ’ S

H O M E

G R O W N

B U S I N E S S E S

A Family Tradition: Meaux's Western Wear & Shoe Service

By Lisa Yates

F

or the Meaux Family, running a successful business is all about service so memorable that customers come back for generations.

The family owns Meaux’s Western Wear & Shoe Service, located at 3911 Common Street, in Lake Charles.

How it all began “Jimmy’s dad, Edward Meaux, started it in Iowa, in 1957, as a shoe repair shop,” Carol Meaux said. “We took it over in 1978. Back then it was on Kirkman Street and Prien.”

She said her father-in-law died suddenly of a heart attack, leaving the business to her husband.

“We had just opened a dental lab six months before,” Meaux said.

She said she and her husband closed the dental lab to run the family business.

“In 1991, we opened another location in Sulphur, but we kept the shoe repair business in Lake Charles,” she said. “We closed that store in 1993, and moved back here. It just got too hard driving back and forth for the shoe repair.”

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DECEMBER 11, 2008

During road construction, the store moved temporarily from its Common Street location to Ryan Street.

“When they widened Common Street, from McNeese to I-210, we moved the store to Ryan Street for three years,” Meaux said. “If we wouldn’t have done that, we couldn’t have survived.”

She said some area businesses had to close their doors as a result of the lengthy construction project.

“Construction went on for six years,” Meaux said. “I counted.”

The store today Today, Jim and Carol run the store on Common Street, along with their daughter Jana Meaux – a third-generation owner.

The service that makes Meaux’s stand out from other western wear stores is the attention to detail and making sure customers don’t just buy a hat or pair of boots right off the shelf, without being fitted correctly.

“I like to shape a hat to a person’s face and style,” Meaux said. “It’s like a haircut – it has to match you.”

Jim, Carol, Jana, Edward and Saydee Meaux of Meaux's Western Wear & Shoe Service

The store specializes in better western clothing and boots. Boot brands include Ariat, Twisted X, Cowtown, and Roper.

“Cowtown boots are Texas-made,” Meaux said.

She added, steel-toed work boots and work clothes can also be found at Meaux’s.

The store also carries top brands in men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, such as Roper shirts; Ariat shirts; Cinch jeans and shirts; Cruel Girl jeans and shirts; and, Scully leather jackets.

Western accessories include Tony Lama hats, Montana Silversmith jewelry, and a wide-ranging selection of belts.

Just as when it began, Meaux’s shop is well-equipped for all kinds of saddle, shoe and leather goods repair.

And, everyone there has real-world experience with horses and equine activities.

“Five years ago, we put in monogramming,” Meaux said. “We can monogram leather; and, we do silkscreening here. We’ve had to diversify some through the years to get us through the summers.”

She said during the hot summer months, jeans and boots don’t sell as well. With casual dressing as the norm these days, leather jackets and sports coats have become seasonal.

“Men used to wear sports coats out to dinner,” Meaux said, noting dressing for dinner isn’t typical anymore.

“People’s needs have changed over 30 years. The sizes of people have changed, too. People have gotten larger and bigger.”

To illustrate, she said that 30 years ago, “medium” was the average men’s shirt size – today, it’s an “extra-large.”

“In men’s boots, 8 1/2 was the average size,” Meaux said. “Now, 10, or 10 1/2 is the average.

Fashionable western wear While western wear is timeless and classic, styles within this genre change with fashion. For example, the 1980 Urban Cowboy look is out. A more contemporary western style has emerged.

“There’s a lot more bling, today,” Meaux said. “It used to be that western wear was six months behind the fashion industry, but now it’s neck and neck.”

What’s in?

For men, it’s the square-toed boot, according to Meaux. Just like fashion shoes, squared-toe is in, she said.

The tall-crowned cowboy hat is out, she said. The stylish cowboy hat, today, has a lower crown with a wider brim.

In jeans, Meaux said pick a pair with a bit of flare. The super-straight, skinny jean is out these days, she said.

Fashionable accessories include fun pony-printed flat wallets and rhinestone-studded everything!

“Lake Charles has kept a lot of its western flair,” Meaux said. “Cattle and the oil industry have always been prominent here.”

The economy hasn’t hurt business While most of Meaux’s customers are working-class people, refinery workers, farmers, construction workers and truck drivers, the recent economic downturn hasn’t hurt business.

“Business has been up every month this year,” Carol Meaux said. “Jimmy’s dad said when the economy is bad, business goes up. People fix their shoes, rather than buy new ones. Also, when the oil industry is up, people here make money; and, they have more money to spend on things like new boots. It’s a blue collar thing.”

Following Hurricane Rita, she noticed a similar trend in business.

“After the storm, Jimmy and Jana came back to check on the property,” Meaux said.

She said the family allowed tree cutters and electrical workers to park their trucks on the property as they worked for weeks to restore power to the community.

“It was a win-win situation,” Meaux said, noting the workers’ presence provided a measure of security. “They also bought merchandise.”

Even though the store had closed for two weeks and re-opened without electricity, it didn’t lose money.

“For two weeks we were closed, but in the following two weeks we made up for it with business from the tree cutters, who bought boots,” Meaux said. “We were very blessed.”

Lake Charles Junior College, because the organization wanted an exhibit area for livestock shows and rodeos. The college became John McNeese Junior college in 1940. Later, in 1950, it parted from the LSU system, becoming McNeese State College. Finally, in 1970, the school gained university status.

Continuing the family tradition The Meaux family plans to continue its tradition of supporting local rodeo competitions and 4-H clubs, but has no plans to expand the business right now.

Carol and Jim said their grandchildren – Jaden, 16, Saydee, 9, and

Edward, 7 – will have to decide if they want to take over the store one day. If they do, the children will become the fourth-generation to carry on this family tradition.

Nine-year-old Saydee said she wants to work with animals and ride horses, like her aunt Jana. Seven-year-old Edward says he’s interested in running the store one day.

“I want to,” he said.

For more information, call (337) 477- 7901, or visit Meaux’s Western Wear & Shoe Service, at 3911 Common Street, in Lake Charles.

Giving back to the community The family also believes in giving back to the community. Throughout the years, Carol estimated the family has given thousands of dollars worth of merchandise to high school rodeo competitions.

“I look at it as an investment in children,” she said. “This is our community. If we can give away a belt buckle, or give away a pair of chaps, it’s our responsibility to do that.”

Meaux said that participating in rodeos and in 4-H Club programs helps to build character in children and helps to foster good, healthy competition.

“Most people don’t remember it, but McNeese State University came about as a result of rodeo,” she said.

It’s true.

The Southwest Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association worked with the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and the federal government to establish DECEMBER 11, 2008

PAGE 15

Transparently and Responsibly Improving our Health and Health Care System

By Governor Bobby Jindal and Alan Levine (Secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals)

Louisiana’s physicians and other health care providers perform miracles every day for the citizens who use our state-administered and federally funded Medicaid system, a great comfort to the families of our most vulnerable citizens, and for all of us who rely on a healthy populace to keep our economy moving. However, if not for the good work of most physicians and providers, our Medicaid program would be considered a failure.

To illustrate the point: Only 40 percent of the women in our Medicaid program received breast cancer screenings last year, putting our performance in the lowest 10th percentile in the nation. Only 35 per-

cent of our adolescents in Medicaid received well-child checkups, putting our performance in the lowest 25th percentile. It’s no wonder that our death rates from breast cancer and our death rates among children are among the highest in the nation.

One patient in Louisiana’s Medicaid program visited emergency rooms and outpatient centers 30 times and received more than 60 unnecessary CAT scans, exposing him to levels of radiation exceeding 18,000 X-Rays. Another patient, a nine-year old boy, received 13 powerful mental health drugs—many of them harmful when taken with each other—when the boy clinically only needed two medications.

This poor performance is not cheap, either. In fact, this year, Louisiana Medicaid will consume nearly $7 billion—$1.6 billion more than two years ago and a 28 percent increase. In 2004, Medicaid consumed just 8 percent of our discretionary state fund, but by 2011, it is projected to devour more than 21 percent of our discretionary state fund – eclipsing important other priorities like education, law enforcement, roads and other critical state functions.

On top of all that, in the last month alone, the state’s Department of Health and Hospitals has found that people who defrauded Medicaid stole more than $13 million from

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PAGE 16

DECEMBER 11, 2008

you. Believe it or not, this is likely only a very small part of the total fraud in the system. Attorneys general across the nation estimate that systemic fraud saps as much as 10 percent of total Medicaid spending.

There is no way that we and other state leaders can ask you for hundreds of millions of dollars more of your hard-earned money next year so the system can continue to function this way.

That’s why we are proposing to change the Medicaid system. On Nov. 14, we announced a proposal designed to make it work better for the people it serves while also insisting on accountability in spending and results. Our proposal will transform Medicaid into an integrated health system for the poor that provides consumers with choice and a medical home, takes an aggressive stand against fraud and abuse, manages chronic disease and decreases emergency room visits, provides incentives for improved health behaviors, and expands the number of people who have health insurance from those languishing on the rolls of the uninsured.

Defending the status quo is not an option. While there are some who may believe Medicaid is just fine the way it is, most people would see our results and ask why we would keep spending hundreds of millions of dollars more each year for a system that consistently rates most poorly when compared to virtually every other state. We cannot afford to make excuses for having among the highest death rates, highest avoidable hospitalization rates, highest cost and poorest access.

The people of Louisiana deserve a more accountable system where those paying for it have the confidence we are spending their money effectively, while our fellow citizens who rely on Medicaid can be confident they will be able to access the care they need.

PERSPECTIVES — by Jim Doyle

Battlefields Made From Monuments reat restaurants start with great chefs, one of my favorites being Patrick Gwynn-Jones, owner of Pomegranates in London.

He has a way of keeping things in perspective. One holiday season, in with some friends one evening for a fairly early dinner before a play, the burly Welshman came to our table and one of my guests had the temerity to ask about his specials.

“Damned if I know, Old Boy,” the obviously tipsy Gwynn-Jones explained, “I’ve just finished lunch an hour ago. I was thinking about curried goat, but that doesn’t seem very Christmas-y, now does it?”

I still don’t have a Christmas tree, so I guess I’m not very Christmas-y either. The Immortal Tomato is doing fine, so I may reward him yet with a flocking and an honored spot by the fireplace.

This is nothing unique to me, even in Lake Charles, but the terrorist attacks in India struck a little close to the mark. Many years ago I went to Bombay (as Mumbai then was) on business. When I inquired of a friend who had been there about the hotel I had booked, he referred to it as “the second-nicest hotel in Bombay.” I stayed at the Oberoi Towers. I had preferred the Taj Mahal Hotel, but it was full. Both were the targets of attacks last week in which almost 200 people were killed.

My first view of the Oberoi was its Sikh bodyguard at the door, an imposing six-foot-plus guy with a full beard, turban, and sword. He looked fierce to my Western eyes; certainly he wasn’t; and certainly he was no match for a machine pistol. The hotel itself was okay. My best memory of it is the shopping center, which was attached. The ceilings were low to my Western sensibilities and things felt a little “close.” Didn’t see the shops mentioned in the accounts of the attack. It would have been a nightmare under any circumstances, of course, but imagining the crowd in that place and those narrow, low corridors gave me a shiver or two.

Strictly as a tourist, I did make my way to the Taj, which is next door to the Gate of India, the archway seen on television footage of the violence used

by Indian soldiers as a sniper post.

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The Taj was beautiful. Full cricket field out back, gin-and-tonic bar right out of a Merchant-Ivory production.

Now a battlefield.

My worry this season is that we will see more and more battlefields made from monuments. Like many others, my primary emotions when the World Trade Center was bombed, and the Towers fell, lay with those innocents who died in the smoke and rubble, or worse, broke high windows and jumped to avoid a fiery death. We could identify with them, in part because so many of us had been there.

I went to the WTC many times, for business and other reasons, but remember most the lunch I tried to have with Allen Gerson, a Manhattan lawyer friend, at Windows on the World. Allen is now a member of the New York City Council from Greenwich Village and bears responsibility for part of the reconstruction efforts at Ground Zero. At the time it was bombed, I had a case with a lawyer from New York who was standing in line to vote when he heard the plane go overhead and strike its target. His voting precinct was in one of the Towers. His apartment, child’s school, and law office were all within three blocks. All were closed for over a year after the attack.

I’ve been lucky to have traveled far and extensively, most of the time under a now-long-gone penumbra of protection I believed I had as an American citizen. We have gone from bulletproof to targets in the last 30 years for many reasons, some from us, some not. Clearly, the world has changed for everybody. But maybe more for Americans.

We don’t believe we should be hated. As a people, we are sure we always have the best of motives, the purest intentions, the most money to give and the loosest pockets for those in trouble, a light and a magnet for the world. That belief, it must be pointed out, is mostly generated here. As late as the end of 2006, only 20 percent of our citizens possessed a passport.

Today, a year after travel restrictions tightened sufficiently to require that document to travel even within the Western Hemisphere, only a third have one. In other words, we know what we think of ourselves, but by and large, little appreciation for how the rest of the world sees us.

I was watching a comedy special last night in which Ricky Gervais, an English actor, made a snide remark about the value of the dollar and asked his American audience how they liked being a third world country. Certainly we’re not there yet, and the advantage we have over the Europeans in our current financial straits is that American ingenuity, commercial innovation, ambition, and old-fashioned hard work will get us farther along than most of the government-based solutions advocated by others. We will never be anything other than a firstrate power in the world.

But that status paints a target on

our back as surely as it provided a bulletproof vest 30 years ago. I love my country, and I am proud of my countrymen, but I fear greatly for them. Let us pray, in this season of peace, for wisdom and courage for our new President to show our best face to the world and for trouble to our enemies.

And this column was about as Christmas-y as curried goat. Hope you got something out of it.

Kiss your family and draw them tightly to you over the season, eat lots of great food, and. . .I’ll see you guys on the flip.

Merry Christmas.

DECEMBER 11, 2008

PAGE 17

By Sara Blackwell

THE HOLIDAY PARTY Things to Consider

Hosting a Christmas event is exciting and stressful. There are so many details to decide such as the food, decorations, number of guests, etc. But added to that crucial list are the legal considerations of a host. One imperative legal notion that all holiday hosts must consider is the possible liability for negligent actions. A negligent homeowner, when hosting a party, may be liable to his or her guests if they are injured or if property is damaged. Because of this, the holiday party-thrower needs to understand what is legally considered negligent behavior.

When a homeowner hosts a party, he or she can be found liable for the damage to an individual, or their property, for actions that are negligent. Louisiana employs a duty-risk analysis to determine negligence. This means that to show negligence in a person’s actions, the injured person, or the individual with damaged property, must show that the homeowner owed a duty to care for the individual or the individual’s property during the holiday festivities.

Second, it must be proven that such duty was breached. Third, the failure to

uphold the duty to care for the individual, or the property, had to actually cause the specific damage or injury alleged. Fourth, such damages must have been a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the homeowner’s failure to uphold the duty of care. Finally, there must be damages suffered.

Typically, a person’s duty to others and their property is to act with reasonable care in a way to avoid injury or damage. It is an issue of discretion for a judge or jury to determine if an action is within the realm of reasonable care in a way to avoid injury or damage. It is not acting with reasonable care for a homeowner to refuse to clean a spilled drink that was left on the slippery tile floor for a long period of time while hosting a crowded event.

On the other hand, it may not be unreasonable for the spilled liquid to remain on the floor for a short amount of time if the hosting homeowner was unaware of its presence. The length of time the spill remains on the floor may alter the action from reasonable care to unreasonable care for purposes of determining the negligence of the actions of the homeowner.

If a homeowner does not act with reasonable care in a way to avoid injury or damage, then his or her duty was breached. Assuming there is an actual injury to a guest or damage to an individual’s property, the homeowner holds no liability if the damages were not a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the homeowner’s breach of duty to act with reasonable care.

It is a reasonably foreseeable consequence that a guest would slip and fall in a spill that remains on the floor for hours. However, it may not be reasonably foreseeable for a guest to step in the liquid, walk to another guest, take off his shoe and slap that guest in the face with his shoe, causing an allergic reaction on the slapped guest’s face. The injury to the face is technically caused by the spilled liquid, but that injury would probably not be seen as a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the homeowner’s failure to keep his duty of care of drying the floor.

A homeowner should not avoid hosting a party simply based on possible liability. However, we all should be aware of the Louisiana laws of negligence and act with due care for others. Otherwise, decorate and enjoy the holidays.

Sara Blackwell is an attorney, writer and mother. She has worked as an attorney for the United State’s Department of Justice, a federal district judge and the United States Attorney’s Office. Her current legal interest is in immigration law, where she works part-time for an immigration firm. She is currently working on her second novel.

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24 Hour Good Neighbor Service® PAGE 18

DECEMBER 11, 2008

Photo by Andy Jacobson

By Lisa Yates For her numerous contributions to Southwest Louisiana – including starting the Children’s Miracle Network at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital in 1987 - Rosalie Marie “Poddy” Leveque Champeaux is this year’s “Times Person of the Year.”

Although this year’s “Person of the Year” was a well-kept secret, word leaked out to a couple of Champeaux’s friends and colleagues, who wanted to express their appreciation to her.

Pam Alston, who has known Champeaux for more than 40 years, expressed respect and admiration for her friend.

“She’s always there for the CMN kids,” she said. “She’s very giving of herself.”

Alston is also the mother of Rick Alston – Children’s Miracle Network Kid, 1996.

When her son was diagnosed with a brain tumor, he had brain surgery to remove the right side of his brain. In addition, he required multiple radiation treatments to his brain and spine.

“I believe he was the first radiated child at St. Pat’s,” Alston said.

“On the last day of his radiation treatments, Poddy and a representative from the national CMN surprised us at the hospital with balloons and a cookie cake. They were there at 5 a.m. - these procedures are scheduled early in the morning at the hospital. My son appreciated the visit so much. It was wonderful!”

Bernard Leger, Hospital Administrator of CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital, extended his appreciation on behalf of all CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital associates for Champeaux’s years of dedication and hard work.

DECEMBER 11, 2008

PAGE 19

‘Poddy Dee’ and that just stuck.

Everyone just started calling me Poddy.”

When her husband Joe called to ask her out on a first date, her mother answered. He was surprised to hear her mother calling “Poddy” to the phone. Joe asked her to explain the name.

“I told him and he’s called me Poddy ever since,” she said.

Family life Champeaux said her husband always supported her in her my d as o! e v r e career, and in everything in o t s ” e ey sh e — al “Mick her life. n o y our p m da “I married my best friend,” she said. e fro fun with m h f t i o She is married to Joe Champeaux, a w t o l as ck w e had a o local architect. They are the proud pard d W Sha years. ents of three daughters and “sons” raig 1 C 2 d rien man for Renee and her husband Frank Wood of honors and is involved in more than 40 ear f ir My d ary cha Lake Charles, Cherise and her husband community organizations. r hono Chris Sale of Baton Rouge, and She is a former nurse, CHRISTUS Annette and her husband Blake Cotton, St. Patrick Hospital Director of the “Poddy Champeaux has made a also of Baton Rouge.

Senior Membership Program VIP 50+ tremendous impact on children’s health Champeaux described her six and Director of the Children’s Miracle in our community,” he said. “She is a grandchildren as “beautiful, intelligent, Network for Southwest Louisiana. strong voice and advocate for pediatric From a pioneer family, Champeaux is a full of personality and talented.” They care and preventive education. CHRISare: Ashley and Frankie Wood, André native and lifelong resident of Lake TUS St. Patrick Hospital was honored and Simone (Simi) Sale, Peggy to have been chosen 21 years ago as the Charles, whose philanthropy work has “Marie” and Camille Cotton. made her an icon in the community.

Children’s Miracle Network hospital “Work was always very, very for this region. Today we remain dediimportant to me, but my husband and Just Poddy cated to continuing and expanding the family are my world,” Champeaux But most people just call her efforts she began as our CMN director. said.

“Poddy.”

Under her guidance, CMN was able to Faith is also very Just how did she get that nickname? not only support hospital-based health important in her “One of my great aunts was also care, but also fund children’s health inilife. tiatives in Southwest Louisiana through named Rosalie,” Champeaux said.

“When I was very young, my parother non-profit organizations.” ents said I pronounced a For anyone out there who may not ‘P’ before my words. be familiar with Champeaux, her lifeSo when I went to time of community service projects is say her name, it too detailed to list individually. came out Champeaux, who recently turned 70, has been a board member of 20 nonprofit organizations, has received more than 30 community

Phillip Vincent, 1998 CMN National Champion — a role model of Christianity for all of us.

PAGE 20

DECEMBER 11, 2008

“I have a deep relationship with God,” Champeaux said. “I thank him all of the time. I have a beautiful life filled with family, friends and many opportunities. Hopefully, I’ve made a difference in their lives, too.”

She said her parents taught her to place God first in her life.

“I believe learning takes place, first, on the parents’ knees when a child is born. They are your first teachers. In my family, God always came first, and he still does,” Champeaux said.

She and her husband are members of Our Lady Queen of Heaven, Immaculate Conception Cathedral Church and St. Martin DePorres Church.

“My great aunt Julia Leveque was the first graduate of Catholic school in Lake Charles - St. Charles Academy,” Champeaux said. “She later became a nun.”

Champeaux graduated from St. Charles Academy, which is now St. Louis High School. There she received the coveted “Spirit Award.”

She graduated first in her class from Hotel Dieu School of Nursing and Loyola University in New Orleans, where she was named an outstanding graduate.

Nursing Champeaux’s older sister inspired her into choosing nursing as a profession.

“I grew up with a wonderful mother, daddy and sister,” she said. “My sister was beautiful, compassionate and caring. She always wanted to be a nurse. I watched her graduate nursing school; and, I would go and visit her. I’ve always admired her and loved her – not just as a sister, but as a dear, dear friend.”

Very first CMN Miracle Kids, David Schwan and Crystal Spikes — young in these pictures, but grown up, accomplished adults today.

Taylor Olivier, such a precious blessing to all of us, and Laney Warner, a true miracle.

When it came time for her to choose a profession, Champeaux didn’t think she would make a great nurse, like her sister. She loved to act and sing.

“I wanted to be in theatre – in Hollywood, or on Broadway,” she said.

Since age 3, she has been performing on stage.

When she was young, she started to make a list of things she always wanted to do. There were three things on it: Sing for the Pope in Rome; sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir; and, sing at Carnegie Hall.

“Dreams do come true,” Champeaux said.

As a member of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Chorale Club, she participated in a Pilgrimage to Rome during the fall of 1998, where she sang for the Pope!

In 2004, she sang with the Morman Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City, as an invited guest. The performance was recorded on a CD, which is in Utah.

Champeaux doesn’t have it, but said she would love to get a copy.

“This December, I’ll be going with Paul Groves to Carnegie Hall,” she said.

She laughingly said she will slip her foot on stage and sing a few notes!

Something similar to that happened, when she visited the Sydney Opera House.

“I was on tour with a group of friends,” she said. “We were on stage and the guide asked if anyone in the group liked to sing.”

Champeaux’s friends pointed to her, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sing on the stage of the Sydney Opera House presented itself. She sang!

Even though she never pursued theatre as a career, she managed to fulfill her life’s ambitions – and, more.

“Part of my life’s journey was to have parents, who had to wisdom to point me in the right direction,” Champeaux said.

When she told her father she want-

ed to go into acting, he said “no.”

“My daddy had a medical background – he was a dentist, who graduated from Loyola in New Orleans,” Champeaux said. “So, I asked him what were my choices. He said I could become a teacher, go into home economics, or become a nurse. Since my sister was a nurse, and a role model, I picked nurse.”

Women didn’t have a lot of choices like today, she said. If she had the opportunity, she would have become a doctor – like her father, she said.

Children’s Miracle Network “Starting the Children’s Miracle Network at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital in 1987, was one of the greatest, rewarding, significant and memorable experiences of my life,” Champeaux said. “This was made possible because of the beautiful friendships I made throughout the years with the hospital associates, sponsors, donors, volunteers, the community, the kids and their families.”

She said her philosophy has always been that children are precious gifts and caring for their health and well-being are not just a responsibility, but a privilege.

How did it all begin?

Champeaux retired from her work as a registered nurse to be a stay-athome mom. However, she continued serving the community as a successful fundraiser, board member and volunteer.

During a casual lunch, Craig Shaddock, the director of nursing at the hospital, asked her to come back to work.

She accepted. Soon after returning to work, Champeaux was asked to work in philanthropy, continuing her successful fundraising efforts for the hospital. She did, bringing in top entertainers like Crystal Gayle and Bill Cosby to perform at local fundraising functions.

“One day we got a call from a man

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with the Children’s Miracle Network telling us that St. Patrick’s hospital has been chosen to be the home of CMN,” she said. “It became one of only 170 hospitals in a nationwide network.”

Champeaux said it was a win-win for the the community. Her salary as director, and overhead costs, were paid

by the hospital enabling funds to go straight to health care for children. She said every dollar raised stays in the community helping children in Southwest Louisiana.

Over the years, many children in Southwest Louisiana benefited as a result of Champeaux’s fundraising

leadership. But, she credited the generosity of people in the area for the success of CMN. “We live in an area rich in tradition,” she said. “Our love of life. Our love of family and the ability to give our time and hearts completely to others is unmatched by any other culture.

To say that we have a generous community, is an understatement. When there is a need, you can count on the people of this community to come through every time.”

She said Robin D’Augeaux with KPLC TV was instrumental in joining with CHRISTUS St. Patrick’s Hospital

My family, the loves of my life — front row left to right: Frank, Renee and Ashly Wood; Simone Sale, Marie Cotton, André Champeaux Sale, Annette Cotton, and Frankie Wood. Back row: Chris and Cherise Sale; Joe and Poddy, holding Camilla Cotton, and Blake Cotton.

PAGE 22

DECEMBER 11, 2008

as a partner to do the telethon.

“Mari Wilson is now the program director for KPLC/CMT,” Champeaux said. “Another huge supporter is GAP Radio. They do our annual radiothon.”

Retirement Champeaux retired on June 30, 2008.

“My last order of business was to purchase AEDs to go into the schools,” she said. “It started as an initiative with Calcasieu Parish Superintendent of Schools Wayne Savoy after a basketball player in Westlake passed out on the court at school. Luckily, someone across the street had an AED.” An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias in patients, and is able to treat them through defibrillation – the application of electrical therapy, which stops arrhythmia allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.

AEDs are designed to be simple to use for the layman, and the use of AEDs is taught in many first aid classes.

Now every public and private school in the parish will have this lifesaving device, as a result of the partnership with CMN and the Calcasieu Parish School Board.

“St. Pat is providing the training, so school officials will know how to use them properly,” Champeaux said.

“Now everyone can rest a little easier.”

She is confident her successor, Kay Morgan, will manage this and future projects successfully.

“I’ve had my eye on her for a couple of years,” Champeaux said. “I know she’ll take the ball and run with it. Shes giving, loving and dedicated.

She’ll continue with the work of helping children throughout the years to come.”

Champeaux said her work is like her child. She watched it grow, but now it’s grown and she is turning it over to someone else. However, she vowed to stay involved.

“It’s hard to retire,” she said. “I miss the kids and their families. It’s just been an honor to work with them. I miss the staff at the hospital, the administrators and associates. They all got behind CMT. They were the nucleus behind it, making it succeed.”

Champeaux defined what it takes to succeed as a fundraiser, and in general.

She said four qualities are necessary: passion, motivation, energy and a positive attitude.

“Attitude is everything,” she said.

“Sometimes we forget we can build a healthy attitude by getting involved in something greater than ourselves.”

She learned this lesson from her grandmother, who taught her to rise

above circumstances and choose a positive attitude each and every day.

“She never knew a bad day,” Champeaux said. “Her positive attitude was so strong, I wanted to be just like her. She left a legacy for all of us that became her motto – live, love, laugh.”

It’s the ones who say “I will” – not “I wish” – who will get the most out of life, she said.

“The ‘I will’ is the most important thing,” Champeaux said.

She carried this positive attitude, even after being diagnosed with cancer.

“In 2000, I was diagnosed with colon cancer,” she said. “I thank God for putting me in that situation.

Priorities in life become very real.

Things that we worry and fret about, aren’t even on the list after that – not even the top 20.”

As a nurse, Champeaux knew the diagnosis was serious. She could have only one more day, or many years.

“I decided each day is going to be for God and dedicated to doing what he wants me to do,” she said. “He’s carried me through.”

Like a song Often times a person will find there’s a song that best describes them.

Champeaux shared some lyrics to a song she described as deeply meaningful and relevant to her life. They are as follows:

I believe there are angels among us sent to us from Heaven above.

They come to us in our darkest moments to teach us how to live to show us how to give to guide us from the light above.

She said, “The words to this song perfectly describes to me the awesome angels I have met and loved throughout my lifetime – my family, friends, and all of the courageous children and their families. The dedicated doctors and nurses, my wonderful CMN staff, associates and volunteers, who have been an integral part of God’s journey for me these past 25 years at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital.”

DECEMBER 11, 2008

PAGE 23

PAGE 24

DECEMBER 11, 2008

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By Bill Krull

Louisiana and SWLA: The Way it Was in 2008.

Louisiana people moved their Vision for a New Louisiana closer to reality when they inaugurated Bobby Jindal as the state’s governor on January 14, 2008. Citizens voted to hammer another nail in the coffin of old school politics and the good ol’ boy paradigm way of doing business, electing by a clear majority in the November election the first ever Indian-American governor.

Getting the people’s message, the state Legislature jumped on board, passing ethics legislation that grabbed national attention and other legislation that eliminated the Stelly Tax, improved the state’s business environment while they revamped the Workforce Commission, and passed critical coastal restoration measures.

In response, the nation’s top three ratings agencies, Fitch, Moody’s and Standard & Poor, raised the Louisiana bond ratings in recognition of the state’s progress. The three rating upgrades, like higher credit scores, typically mean better borrowing terms that can save the state millions of dollars.

“We got three turns at the plate, three chances to show the financial world that Louisiana is making wise fiscal decisions and is very much open for business, and we came away with three solid hits,” Jindal said. “These three ratings upgrades are great news, but we know we still have a lot of work to do to continue to improve our ratings and to foster more business investment and greater job creation so our kids don’t have to leave home to pursue their dreams.”

Just to make things interesting, the Ledge took close aim and shot itself square in the foot, winging Jindal in the shoulder with the same bullet by voting itself a massive pay raise. Jindal, who earlier promised not to veto a pay raise, reneged and vetoed it after being deafened by a 200-decibil cry of outrage from a very ticked-off public.

Voters also kept veterans Senator Mary Landrieu and Congressman Charles Boustany in office while John DeRosier retained his job as Calcasieu Parish District Attorney.

Building for the future Although swamped in September by a hurricane with a storm surge bigger and more destructive than the infamous Audrey, Southwest Louisiana took a leading role

in the state’s Vision through initiatives such as the $90 million bond project approved by Lake Charles voters the previous year and efforts by such groups as Vision Calcasieu, the local Blueprint Louisiana delegation and the Southwest Louisiana Alliance for Economic Development.

While the planting of a dozen palm trees at the Lake Charles Civic Center drew some criticism—too much money for trees and things aren’t moving fast enough, some said—they symbolized the commitment of the people to achieving the vision of a New Louisiana.

“Although the trees by themselves won’t create jobs or bring in investors, they symbolize the very high quality of our commitment to build a bright future for all of Southwest Louisiana,” said Lori Marinovich, head of the downtown and lakefront development initiatives.

“We’re not undergoing a short-term renovation project, we’re truly building for the future to make the quality of life here the standard for the nation for generations to come.”

The cultural life of a region is vital to its quality

of life, and groups such as the Du Lac Merchants Group and Poor Pony as well as McNeese Banners, the Louisiana Choral Foundation, Downtown at Sundown and Louisiana Crossroads at Central School contributed by hosting or sponsoring a wide range of events. The Southwest Louisiana community made these outstanding events possible by working together throughout the five-parish area.

Education Education is vital to the Vision of a New Louisiana in terms of reducing poverty, providing a high quality work-

Governor Bobby Jindal DECEMBER 11, 2008

PAGE 25

Glenn Pumpelly force to match business and industry needs and attracting and retaining people. The area leads the state in the effort. Calcasieu’s dropout rate decreased from 3.2 percent in 2007 to 2.1 percent in 2008 while 2007-08 school performance scores show Calcasieu Parish high schools meeting and exceeding many of the goals set for 2014.

“That defies every dropout statistic across the nation,” said Pat Deaville, director of curriculum and instruction for high schools in the parish. “They say it can’t be done, but we’re doing that right now. Also, the number of high school students graduating with extra credentials rose from 41.3 percent in 2007 to 50.7 percent in 2008.”

Calcasieu, the largest of the top 10 districts, was in seventh place with an 80.4 percent graduation rate. Cameron had the highest at 88.7 percent; Beauregard was second, 87.3 percent; Allen third, 84.5 percent; and Jeff Davis ninth, 79.4 percent.

New jobs The Lake Charles Port Authority was chosen for the $115 million Westinghouse nuclear reactor component plant to be built by the Shaw Group. The venture will bring an estimated 1,500 high-paying jobs in welding, process technology and design, and will create 2,000 more throughout the community. That project is in addition to the $1.6 billion cogeneration project currently underway at the port.

Northrop Grumman and Aeroframe are expanding at Chennault International Airport, thanks to a $1.5 million economic development grant from the state. The expansion will help retain about 500 existing jobs and add about 130 new ones. The Pinnacle Entertainment Group began construction on its proposed $350 million PAGE 26

DECEMBER 11, 2008

Sugarcane Bay resort to go along with its thriving L’Auberge du Lac. Alliance’s capital campaign In September, the Alliance launched its first capital campaign to raise $2.65 million with an eventual expected return on investment (ROI) of $270 million year. Before the launch, though, the Alliance did exhaustive research to found out what the community needed and wanted. They held focus groups and town-hall meetings to get a crosssection of community viewpoints—not just the big guys but also the average citizen—the Joe Sixpacks on Main Street. They pored over reams of spreadsheets and talked to leaders in other parts of the nation whose regions lead the nation in economic development.

“It was a massive effort—not just the work of just a few people with a narrow range of interests,” said Glenn Pumpelly, one of the campaign’s cochairs. “We got the people’s ideas because this really isn’t about raising money or even economic development.

It’s about people—making their lives better. It’s about people having good, secure jobs, good schools for their children, a quality of life that keeps our best and brightest at home and attracts the best to Southwest Louisiana because this is where the opportunity is.

It’s about people, for people and it’s going to work because the people are going to make it work.”

Hurricanes Redux Louisiana hosted two unwelcome guests, Gustav, with Ike hard on its heels—two hurricanes that fortunately didn’t take the human toll their 2005 predecessors took—but caused record damage. Six consecutive named storms — Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike — struck the U.S. mainland,

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something that had not been seen in recorded history. The cost of the two storms is still being calculated but will probably exceed $100 billion.

Still, the response in the state and Southwest Louisiana before, during and after the hurricanes, illustrated the progress Louisianans have made towards achieving their vision. The evacuation at the Civic Center during both hurricanes was incredible, with city, parish, state and volunteers from non-profits working around the clock for days on end.

“I’ve never been more proud of the people of our state, particularly here in Southwest Louisiana,” Jindal said. “I wish the national media could’ve been here to see how well we recovered after the storms. I want to thank the local Southwest Louisiana leadership; they’ve worked together, they’ve spoken as one voice, which makes it easier at the state level. We’ve got the mayors, the sheriffs, the police juries all working together; it makes it very, very easy for the state to work with the local community when we all speak with one voice. When people ask if Louisiana was prepared for Gustav, Ike or any future storm, the answer is ‘Yes,’ and the reason is our people. They’re strong; they’re resilient. We’ve proved we’re up to any challenge.”

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A Tribute to Tom Morris

By Lauren de Albuquerque In July, the United Way and the people of Southwest Louisiana mourned the loss of Tom Morris, the longtime president and CEO of the United Way of SWLA. Morris dedicated his life to helping people and worked tirelessly to insure programs were in place to meet the needs of the community. During his years with the United Way, he built the organization into a multimillion-dollar benefactor to local service agencies.

Morris died suddenly at the age of 74 while vacationing in New Hampshire.

Considered “a true leader and community visionary” by peers and colleagues, Morris, who was born and raised in Lynn, Massachusetts, headed the non-profit group since 1989.

Under his leadership, United Way of SWLA disbursed grant awards totaling more than $750,000 to more than 30 non-profit organizations as part of recovery programs and services. Most recently, he wrapped up the 2008 campaign, which brought in a record $4,605,000, which was $230,000 more than the group’s campaign goal, and

$256,636 more than the 2007 campaign raised a year earlier.

“He was their rock,” said Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso, referring to Morris’ staff at United Way. “His leadership, his friendship and kindness made them want to follow him. I saw that and anyone who interacted with him saw that. He accomplished so much in his career. He was committed; and, he truly loved his work. Obviously, he will be deeply missed.”

Tom also served as Chairman of the Louisiana Association of United Ways Finance Committee, raising state and nationwide awareness of Louisiana 2-1-1, an easy to remember telephone number that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community for every day needs and in times of crisis.

Along with his loyal staff, Morris assisted in disaster recovery efforts in Southwest Louisiana following Hurricane Rita in 2005.

By working with MTV, Morris inspired many young volunteers to

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DECEMBER 11, 2008

help hurricane recovery by coordinating the first “Alternative Spring Break” in 2007; Some 600 volunteers contributed more than 27,000 hours of service by the end of March 2007, working on nearly 40 rebuild and reconstruction housing projects.

While Southwest Louisiana benefited, “Alternative Spring Break” also served as an inspiration for young people to help change their own communities through service. Three encores were held this past 2008 spring season in Detroit, Biloxi and Lake Charles.

Morris always had a smile on his face, and a kind word for everyone. A life-long animal lover, he and his wife, Denise, supported all the animal rescue groups in the area. They attended Animal Angels’ Neuter N Spay benefit this past May—and ended up taking a couple of special needs cats into their home.

“Every day of his life he worked towards bettering our community,” said Jim McGough, chairman of the board for the United Way of SWLA, and long-time friend. “He was a great leader and he will be missed.”

From the Collapsing Economy to a Historic Presidential Election, It’s Been Quite a Year

By Bill Krull

Against the gloomy backdrop of a tanking global economy, Americans elected Barack Obama as the first African-American president in the nation’s history. If, as presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin has observed, the times produce the leader, then the incoming president inherits a world filled with opportunity to become one the greatest leaders ever.

Obama’s election ignited pride in the hearts of nearly all Americans regardless of political affiliation. In a world that seemed to grow more dangerous by the moment and the 24-hour news cycle dominated by ever-increasing stories of pending financial collapse, war, mass fatalities and famine, Americans and the world took heart that this nation can and will produce unsurpassed hope and opportunity for the foreseeable future.

There’s plenty of opportunity for Obama to become a scapegoat instead of a hero. On Dec. 1, the National Bureau of Economic Research, an organization in charge of such things, declared the U.S. economy in recession. It has been there for a year. Their foundations shaken by the collapse of the real estate market when homeowners began defaulting on sub-prime mortgages, financial giants such as Bear-Stearns and Lehman Brothers disintegrated into bankruptcy.

Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, for nearly a century the pillars of American manufacturing prowess and might, tottered on the brink of collapse with their CEOs jetting to Washington D.C. to beg an unsympathetic Congress for $25 billion in bailout loans. This extraordinary spectacle of auto executives getting whipped up on by members of Congress was preceded in September by the passage of the historic $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in an attempt to staunch the bleeding of the world financial industry. The phrase “too big to fail” entered the world’s vocabulary.

Highlights & Lowlifes The official 2008 president campaign that really started

in 2007 began Jan. 3 when Obama and Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee won the Iowa caucuses.

Hillary Clinton and John McCain surged back in the New Hampshire primary. By Super Tuesday in February, McCain rose once again from the death assigned to him by national pundits to become the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination. The rest of the field quickly dropped out, leaving McCain as the presumptive nominee watching Obama and Clinton smack each other around.

To bolster an economy slammed by the double demons of the credit crunch and soaring energy prices, President George W. Bush proposed a $145 billion stimulus package. Congress passed it by an overwhelming majority. In his final State of the Union address, Bush acknowledged “economic uncertainty” while praising improving conditions in Iraq after nearly five years of struggle. In June, the U.S. military announced that American fatalities in Iraq the month before dropped to 19, the lowest level since the war began in 2003. In the “other” war, the Taliban staged a deadly resurgence in Afghanistan.

A light at the end of the Iraq war tunnel appeared in August when the U.S. said it will withdraw combat troops from Iraqi cities by June 2009, followed by the removal of all combat troops by the end of 2011 as long as Iraq is stable and secure. The draft deal is part of a security pact that governs U.S. involvement in Iraq. The Iraqi National Assembly is currently debating the agreement.

On a brighter note, LSU won its second national championship of the millennium in football. The Tigers, as they did all season, came from behind to beat the top ranked Ohio State Buckeyes 38-24. With the victory, the Tigers became the first two-time National Champion in the 10 year history of the BCS, adding onto their 2003 title. A review of the 2008 season is better left until next year.

The New York Giants ended the New England Patriots perfect streak of wins with a 17-14 win in Super Bowl LXII (42). One of the game’s heroes, Plaxico Burress, literally and figuratively shot himself in the foot in a New York club in the final month of the regular 2008 season.

Obama and Clinton kept whacking on each other until the final primary in June in a bitter fight that saw

DECEMBER 11, 2008

PAGE 29

Obama rolling gutter balls in a bowling alley and Clinton downing shots and beer in a Pennsylvania saloon. While Obama talked about people clinging to their guns, Clinton stuck to hers until the last gasp.

That saloon experience will serve her well in her new role as secretary of state in the inevitable showdown with Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev.

She should be able to match the Russian duo shot for vodka shot as the former Soviet Union seeks to re-establish itself as a world power. Medvedev, a former aide to, Putin won the Russian presidential election hands down in March.

Russia set the stage by invading former satellite Georgia and making friends with U.S.-baiter and hater Hugo Chávez of Venezuela. Another old UShater, Fidel Castro, signaled the end of an era when he stepped down after ruling Cuba for nearly half a century.

Maybe that will finally open the door to importing Cuban cigars to the U.S. Elliot Spitzer showed once again the deadly effects of hubris. The former attorney general of New York, who prosecuted a prostitution ring in Staten Island and was a crusader against corporate crime, had to resign as the state’s governor after the New York Times disclosed his patronage of a $4,000 an hour prostitute.

Democratic candidate John Edwards of $400 haircut fame admitted to cheating on his wife while she was undergoing cancer treatment. He reportedly paid his girlfriend, Rielle Hunter, a videographer who worked on his campaign, more than $100,000 for services rendered—video services, that is.

In August, exhausted from his campaign battles with Clinton, Obama accepted the Democratic presidential nomination, the first African-American ever nominated by a major political party. Meanwhile, McCain’s campaign PAGE 30

DECEMBER 11, 2008

strategists put on their snowshoes and found a maverick moose skinner from Wasilla as his running mate. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin went on the attack, winking and droppin’ her G’s and tellin’ Joe it ain’t so. Tina Fey of 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live fame followed immediately. Whether or not the experience paved the way for Palin’s future political career remains to be seen, but it certainly worked wonders for Fey. Joe the Plumber also got his 15 minutes of fame, maybe earning enough to pay his $2,000 tax lien and to pay for his plumber’s license. Now, a group of young Republicans have started a campaign to draft Joe for Congress. The campaign tag: “Plunge the crap out of Washington.” Good luck with that, Joe. Talk about making campaign promises you can’t keep.

Especially when the substance in question is being generated faster than it can be disposed of.

Speaking of which, Hurricane Gustav, bearing down on Louisiana, was a party pooper, causing Republicans to dramatically scale back their convention in Minneapolis, mindful of the political effects of Hurricane Katrina. Gustav pretty much spared New Orleans but demolished much of Southeast and Central Louisiana. It took weeks to restore power in some parts of the state.

Nature as an irresistible force in 2008 dominated much of the world, national, state and local stage.

Earthquakes, floods, typhoon and cyclones struck China, the Philippines, Myanmar and India, killing tens of thousands of people while tornados repeatedly ravaged the US Midwest and South, killing hundreds.

A total of 16 named storms formed during the 2008 hurricane season, including eight hurricanes, five of which were major hurricanes at Category 3 strength or higher. Overall,

the season is tied as the fourth most active in terms of named storms (16) and major hurricanes (five), and is tied as the fifth most active in terms of hurricanes (eight) since 1944. For the first time on record, six consecutive tropical cyclones (Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike) made landfall on the U.S. mainland.

The 2008 Olympic Games opened in Beijing with 14,000 performers and 91,000 spectators in the National Stadium. Dancing, music, and fireworks entertained 840 million television viewers worldwide. U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps won his 11th career gold medal, becoming the first athlete

in Olympic history to do so. Phelps won his eight gold medals, breaking the record set by Mark Spitz in the 1972 Games. Phelps also set the record for the most gold in a single Olympics.

The Writers Guild of America ended its strike, but most people haven’t noticed yet. No Country for Old Men won Best Picture, but not many people noticed that either, as the 80th Annual Academy Awards had its lowest television ratings ever. The latest Batman movie, The Dark Knight, starring the late Heath Ledger, was the topgrossing film of the year. We also got to see the return of Rocky and Indiana Jones. The literary world found its

answer to the retired Harry Potter with Stephanie Meyer’s romantic vampire books, which dominated bestseller lists throughout the year.

As of this writing, the year still has nearly a month to go and certainly more history remains to be made. The terrorist siege of Mumbai, killing nearly 200, reminded us that it’s a dangerous world. Yet, with the end of presidential campaign between two gentlemen clearly uncomfortable with the Lee Atwater/Karl Rove politics urged upon them by their respective strategists, we’re entering the New Year with hope.

check us out online: www.timessw.com

DECEMBER 11, 2008

PAGE 31

Delta Downs Kicks Off

Trees of Hope In an effort to make the holiday season a bit brighter for local charities, Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel has launched the inaugural “Trees of Hope” charity fundraiser, a competition that will award $10,000 to three local charitable organizations.

Eighteen companies, charities and non-profit organizations will be competing in this year’s event. Each has been given a 12-foot tree by Delta Downs, and invited to decorate the trees for a public display in Delta Downs’ promenade.

From Dec. 2-14, members of the public are invited to visit the Delta Downs promenade and vote for their favorite tree. The top three vote-getters will win cash prizes for their chosen charities at a ceremony on Fri., Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.

“As a prominent local business, we believe it is important for us to find

PAGE 32

DECEMBER 11, 2008

ways to give back to the community we call home,” said Jack Bernsmeier, senior vice president and general manager of Delta Downs. “We think this contest is a great way to spread holiday cheer and support good causes.

The organizations participating in the competition have done an outstanding job in decorating the trees, and we hope the community will help us select three deserving winners.”

The organizations participating in the event (with sponsored charities in parentheses, where applicable) are: Calcasieu Women’s Shelter; West CalCam Hospital (Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center); FOX 29 (Salvation Army); Delta Sigma Theta SororityLake Charles Alumnae Chapter (Lake Charles Alumni Foundation); Humans Involved in Victory Over AIDS; Volunteers of America; Clear Channel Radio-Beaumont (Humane Society of

Beaumont); Calvary Apostolic Church (Starks Community Pavilion); Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana (ArtsFest 2009-ArtsFest Goes Global); Racetrack Chaplaincy Ministry of America; Knights of Peter Claver (Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of Southwest Louisiana); The Times of Southwest Louisiana (KPLC’s Community Christmas, in conjunction with the American Red Cross); American Legion Post 208 and Auxiliary (Southwest Louisiana War Veterans Home – Jennings); Young Men’s Business Club (Special Olympics of Southwest Louisiana); Habitat for Humanity Calcasieu Area; Ethel Precht Hope Breast Cancer Foundation; Volunteer Center of Southwest Louisiana; and Doerle Food Service for Solomon House – New Iberia.

Times of SWLA’s Tree of Hope

Tony DiGiovanni

Lionel Trains:

items: track, cars, water tower, more than one would imagine. “For Sale: $150” the sign on top said. As I’m sorting things out to see better, the shop owner says, “Make me an offer.” I did, and for $100 (I wrote him a check) everything was piled in the back of my van.

The next day, back in the big city, I went to a train and hobby shop, picked up a book on Lionel, and two more train sets. When I arrived home, I cleared out the dining room, laid a sheet over the large table and set up my trains. Even the ones in the attic.

Weekly trips to the train store became almost daily. Then it was every train show or yard sale or estate sale looking for more trains. This went on until we moved here and bought MaryAnn’s Cafe in March of 1997.

Now we can enter the Internet, which makes shopping and searching at home fun. There’s a whole new market for buyers and sellers. Sites like eBay, Yahoo, Google—more than you could ask for. Makes the TV home shopping network look like small potatoes.

When I bought the Café, I displayed a train set on a shelf. Customers bugged me no end to purchase it. If you want to sell something, put a NOT FOR SALE sign on it. So I sold it and immediately placed another set up there. Yep, it sold too.

Now I have an 8-foot, 5-shelf display back there, and all year long, especially around Christmas, I have repeat customers and new ones too, asking questions and buying my sets.

Folks bring me their childhood sets to fix or sell. Widows bring in their husbands’ collections. Ex-wives are the best—they just want to get rid of the junk. Some need me to repair an item; others need a new transformer, extra tracks or an accessory.

I have had all types of folks buy and sell and bring in their trains for repair: Lawyers, doctors, newspaper people, construction workers etc. Tony Mancuso, Tom Shearman, Bob Waldmeier, Henry Lyle, Ed Bauman.

Elizabeth Dondis and her brother Nathan, to name a few.

I thought folks would buy the trains for their children. Not so. Mostly, they try to replace childhood sets, which have long since disappeared. “My brother took my set,” or “Mom gave it to the neighbor’s kids,” seem to be the most common complaints.

Women like to buy trains as gifts for their husbands, sons, or nephews.

Men like to buy them for themselves. We guys are greedy. Guess it goes back to the caveman. We eat, and apparently play, first.

A Lifetime of Happiness

By Tony DiGiovanni; Photo by Phil de Albuquerque I was 10 days shy of 6 years old when I woke up on Christmas morning, 1955, to see, among all the toys and presents under the tree, my first Lionel train set. It included a heavy metal smoking locomotive with coal tender and Baby Ruth boxcar; two dump cars (one for coal and one for logs), and a bright red caboose.

Dad paid $15 for my trains from the local fire station, which was raising money for Toys for Tots or a similar group of the day. Someone had donated it to the station and Pop picked it up for me. The set was from the 1948-49 era, and used or not, it was MINE! It was new to me and it wasn’t until later that I found out the history of the set.

We set that train up every year around the Christmas tree. My friends and I would all run from house to house to play with all of our train sets.

They were all more or less the same.

Some were nicer than others; some had more cars and different accessories.

One kid had a milk car that would unload milk cans. Another friend had a cattle car, which would load cows on one end and unload them at the other.

Both cars used the same type of platform. My cars would unload three

wood logs, or simulated coal.

This went on for five or six years, until the one year that the train did not work. Pop took the transformer to an electric shop and was told that it was OK, so the trains were stored until next year. Well, they stayed in the attic until we moved, and then were shuffled around in the basement from house to house for years. Finally, sometime in the 70s, Mom and Pop brought them to me.

I set them up for Christmas under my tree, and while they made my little tree look great, they didn’t work. I was living in Atlanta then, and the big city had a lot to offer, like train and hobby stores. I bounced around looking for a dealer or repairman, and finally, someone gave me the number of a person who fixed Lionel trains, I called him and went over to his house. Turned out he was 16, and trains were his hobby. A couple of days later, a few dollars were exchanged and the problem was erased.

My trains worked again and all was well.

Jump ahead to 1980. I’m in north Georgia near the North Carolina border at an antiques store. There, on the floor, is a wooden box with all types of train DECEMBER 11, 2008

PAGE 33

Christmas Traditions Around the World It’s here! The holiday season is in full swing. In the midst of planning our parties and rushing off to get the latest “must-have” gift, let’s take a look at how Christians around the world celebrate the season.

China The small number of Christians in China call Christmas Sheng Dan Jieh, which means Holy Birth Festival. They decorate their homes with evergreens, posters, and bright paper chains. Families put up a Christmas tree, called a “Tree of Light,” and decorate it with beautiful lanterns, flowers, and red paper chains that symbolize happiness. They cut out red pagodas to paste on the windows, and light their houses with paper lanterns.

Denmark Santa is known as Julemanden. As in America, he arrives in a sleigh pulled by reindeer with a sack full of gifts.

Santa’s elves are Juul Nisse, and children believe that they live in the attics of their homes. Instead of cookies and glasses of milk, they leave rice pudding and saucers of milk out for them.

England Father Christmas wears long red robes and has sprigs of holly in his hair. Children throw their Christmas lists into the fireplace and Father Christmas reads the smoke. England is where the tradition of hanging stockings by the chimney began. Legend has it that Father Christmas accidentally dropped some gold coins on his way down the chimney, which got caught in a drying stocking. Another tradition is Boxing Day, celebrated the first weekday after Christmas. Small wrapped boxes of food and sweets, small gifts, and/or coins, are given to anyone who comes calling that day.

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DECEMBER 11, 2008

Ethiopia Ethiopian Christmas is known as Ganna, and is celebrated on Jan. 7. Celebrations take place both in ancient churches carved from solid volcanic rock and modern churches designed in three concentric circles. Men and boys are made to sit separately from girls and women and the choir sings from the outside circle. Candles are given to people as they enter the church. They light the candles, then walk three times around the church and stand throughout the Mass, which may take as long as three hours. Traditional Christmas dish includes injera, a sourdough pancake-like bread, which serves as both plate and fork along with doro wat, a spicy chicken stew served in ornamented baskets.

Giving gifts is not a big deal in Ethiopia, and children usually receive clothes as presents.

France Santa is known as Pere Noel. He is accompanied by Pre Fouettard, who keeps track of who has been good or bad. In some parts of France, Pere Noel brings small gifts on Dec. 6, and comes back to deliver more on Christmas Day. The children place their shoes by the fireplace in hopes that le Pere Noel will leave gifts in them. They also have a midnight dinner on Dec. 24 called Le Reveillon, which includes a cake called La Buche de Noel. The children open their gifts on Christmas, but adults have to wait until New Year’s.

Germany St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on Dec. 6 in Germany.

The night before, children place their newly cleaned shoes in front of the door in the hope that St. Nicholas might fill them with nuts, fruits, chocolate, and sweets. If the children have behaved well, their wishes will be fulfilled. Children who have caused mischief will receive only a switch, which symbolizes punishment for their bad deeds. The tannenbaum (Christmas tree) is usually put up and decorated on Christmas Eve, though some families opt to erect their tree during the Advent season. Traditionally, the Germans used fir trees, but nowadays, the spruce is widely used. Many Germans put real lit candles instead of electric lights on the tree, and add pieces of candy to their decorations. The tannenbaum is taken down on New Year’s Day or on Jan. 6, Three King’s Day, at which time the children can ransack the tree for the sweets and treats that decorated it.

Ireland The Gaelic greeting for “Merry Christmas” is Nollaig Shona Duit, which is pronounced “null-ig hun-a dit.” The placing of a lighted candle in the window of the home on Christmas Eve is still practiced today. It has a number of purposes, but it is primarily a symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph as they looked for shelter. Santa Claus, known in Ireland simply as Santy or Daidí na Nollag in Gaelic, brings presents to children, which are opened on Christmas morning, while adults exchange gifts as well. The traditional Christmas dinner consists of turkey or goose and ham with a selection of vegetables and a variety of potatoes, as potatoes still act as a staple food in Ireland.

Dessert is a tempting selection of Christmas pudding, cake, and mince pies with equally rich sauces such as brandy butter. Christmas in Ireland ends with the celebration of Little Christmas on Jan. 6.

Italy The main exchange of Christmas gifts in Italy takes place on the Feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 6. The night before, Italian children hang up their stockings in anticipation of gifts. The bringer of gifts is a female character known as Befana - an authentic witch, with broom and all. According to Italian legend, Befana lived on the route the Three Magi took when they set out to visit the Infant Jesus, and she turned them away when they asked for food and shelter. Later, she had a change of heart, but by then the Wise Men were gone. So, to this day, she visits every house where there are children and leaves gifts just in case one of them happens to be the Christ Child. At this time of year, Italians partake of delectable Christmas treats, including panettone (cake filled with candied fruit), torrone (nougat) and panforte (gingerbread) made with hazelnuts, honey and almonds. All Christmas sweets, as a rule, contain nuts and almonds. According to peasant folklore, eating nuts favors the fertility of the earth and aids in the increase of flocks and family.

Mexico Mexico’s Christmas traditions are based on Mexico’s form of Roman Catholicism and popular culture traditions called Posadas. Over nine days, groups

of townspeople go from door to door in a fashion reminiscent of when Joseph and Mary looked for shelter when they arrived at Bethlehem. They are periodically called inside homes to participate in the breaking of a gift-filled piñata. In many parts of Mexico, children receive their gifts on Jan. 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, when, according to tradition, the Wise Men bring gifts not only to baby Jesus, but also to children who have placed written requests in their shoes.

Netherlands Dutch children eagerly await the arrival of Sinterklaas on St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 6. Sinterklaas is a kindly bishop who wears red robes and a tall, pointed mitre on his head. Sinterklaas travels by ship from Spain to Amsterdam’s harbor every winter. He brings his white horse and a huge sack full of gifts.

Families celebrate St. Nicholas Eve at home with lots of good food, hot chocolate, and a letterbanket (a “letter cake”) made in the shape of the first letter of the family’s last name.

Spain The children of Spain leave their shoes on their windowsills filled with straw, carrots, and barley for the horses of the Wise Men, who they believe reenact their journey to Bethlehem every year. One of the Wise Men, Balthazar, leaves the children gifts. Christmas Eve is called Nochebuena, and families gather together to rejoice and share a meal around the nativity scene.

Sweden The Swedish people call Santa Tomte, and see him as a gnome who comes out from under the floor of the house or barn carrying his sack of gifts for them. He rides in a sleigh drawn by a goat. On Saint Lucia’s Day (Dec. 13), in the first light of dawn, the oldest daughter of the house dresses in a white robe and places a ring of candles in her hair. It is then her job to wake the rest of the family and serve them coffee, buns, and cookies. God Jul!

We would like to Thank all of our Customers for their business in 2008.

337-310-2435 629 Martin Luther King Hwy www.southwestcallcenter.com DECEMBER 11, 2008

PAGE 35

Spice up Your Holidays with

Fabulous Jewelry

As temperatures drop, jewelry trends heat up. This transition comes just in time for the holidays, says Lake Charles-area lia sophia advisor, Sheila Gilley.

“Jewelry is essential to every woman’s wardrobe, especially this time of year when calendars are booked with festive celebrations,” said

Gilley. If you’re struggling to find the right accessories to complement your special outfits this holiday – you’re in luck. Gilley provides advice on spicing up your style this season.

“We challenge Lake-area women to experiment with their holiday wardrobe. Try mixing a new jewelry trend with classic clothing and jewelry styles that you already own to update your look,” said Gilley. “The great thing about jewelry is that there is no limit to what you can do with it. Get into the holiday spirit by choosing great styles to match the clothing in your closet.”

Here are some helpful tips for this holiday season: • Complement and Contrast. Wear contrasting colors that complement each other instead of insisting that clothing and jewelry match exactly. For example, try pair-

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DECEMBER 11, 2008

ing a purple necklace with a black dress for a sophisticated pop of color.

• Bold and Bejeweled. Chunky beaded or linked necklaces, cocktail rings with large center stones, and wide stretch bracelets will make you the center of attention at any holiday gathering. You can wear one bold style for a “less is more” look, or, if you’re feeling daring, pile the pieces on.

• Take a Chance. Jewelry is a great way to try out new trends that you might not wear in clothing because it is too much of a departure for you.

Maybe you love the color green, but would never buy a dress that color.

Toss on a few green accessories with a neutral colored outfit, and you are following the green trend your way.

• Holiday Radiance. Glow in crystals, pearls, cz’s, and metallic beads this winter. For more subtle office party

glamour, mix one sparkling piece of jewelry with simpler styles, or go all out with a matching cz or crystal necklace, bracelet and earrings for a more formal soiree.

• More Metal. Sparkle isn’t for everyone, but even women who prefer less glitz can add interest to their wardrobes with the modern trend of metal jewelry. Whether gold, silver, or hematite, jewels without beads and crystals are gaining in popularity due to their versatility. Dressing up your look with metal jewelry is as easy as throwing on an extra necklace or a stack of bracelets.

For more information on the holiday trends, or lia sophia, please contact Sheila Gilley at (337) 488-3478 or view the lia sophia fall catalog at www.liasophia.com/sgilley.

t i m e s

picks the best in lake area entertainment

THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY DEC. 10-13 — The Lake Charles Civic Ballet tells a beautiful story through the wonder of classical dance and music, stirring in us the true meaning of Christmas. Be a part of the journey as Mary and Joseph travel on their donkey. Bethlehem comes to life when you witness the host of heavenly angels and the dance of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Come and see The Little Drummer Boy play his drum for the newborn King. School performances at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 12 noon. Gala Performance: Sat., Dec. 13, 6 p.m. Reservations and information: (337) 477-LADY(5239) or www.ladydanceschool.com. For tickets call: (337) 474-0311.

LOUISIANA CHORAL FOUNDATION CONCERTS DEC. 12 AND 14 — Fill your heart with holiday spirit as you experience the Christmas presentations of Louisiana Choral Foundation’s Masterworks Chorale under the direction of Dr. Darryl Jones and accompanied by Abbie Fletcher on piano. “America Sing!” will be offered in both Lake Charles and Sulphur. The Lake Charles performance will be on Fri., Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Cathedral. The Sulphur venue will be at Immaculate Conception Church on Maplewood Drive on Sun., Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. The Chorale will perform a varied program including a collection of sacred music from Colonial America, seasonal favorites from mid-20th century America and arrangements, which draw upon the African-American Spiritual tradition. The Bayou Bell Choir, a community hand bell ensemble and Les Petites Voix, a select children’s choir, will join the Chorale on several selections in celebration of the holiday season. Tickets are $15 for adults and $3 for students with an ID, and are available at Swicegood’s Music, from Chorale members, and at the door. For more information, call 4919348.

DECEMBER EVENTS AT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM — Sat., Dec. 13: The Magic of Light Join Sasol employees at 11 a.m. for Sasol’s Second Saturday Science Show. They will demonstrate some of the interesting properties of light. See how white light is really comprised of different wavelengths (colors) and how light interacts with different substances to create colored sunsets, rainbows and optical illusions. Also, learn the difference between normal light and lasers.

Wed., Dec. 17: Wright Brothers Day Come in and make paper airplanes in the ArtSpace. Send your creations for a test flight and see how long they can fly through the air!

Sat., Dec. 20: Food Drive for Abraham’s Tent Help support our local food pantry. Receive a $1 off admission by bringing non-perishable food items.

5th Annual Christmas Celebration: Dec. 22nd – 30th Mon., Dec. 22: Star of David Ornament Celebrate Hanukkah by creating a Star of David ornament using magic color scratch art.

Tues., Dec. 23: ArtSpace Workshop Christmas is almost here and we are writing letters to Santa Claus!

Workshops are free of charge for museum members. Non-members will be charged $1 per child. Each class is limited to 15 children. Classes begin at 11 p.m. and 1 p.m.

Wed., Dec. 24 and Thurs., Dec. 25: CLOSED on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Fri., Dec. 26: Kwanzaa!

Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday where people celebrate their African heritage. This holiday is based on traditional “first fruits,” or harvest. Enjoy fruit salad with mango and papaya in the ArtSpace at 11 a.m.

Sat., Dec. 27: Jingle Bell Day Show your Christmas spirit by wearing RED and GREEN to the museum and receive $1 off admission.

Mon., Dec. 29: ArtSpace Workshop Christmas has come and gone, but winter is still here. Join us in the ArtSpace as we create photo frames out of polar bears! Workshops are free of charge for museum members. Non-members will be charged $1 per child. Each class is limited to 15 children. Classes begin at 11 p.m. and 1 p.m.

Tues., Dec. 30: Hot Chocolate Day Get out of the cold and warm up at the Children’s Museum. Hot chocolate will be served from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Wed., Dec. 31: CLOSED for New Year’s Eve The museum is located at 327 Broad Street downtown Lake Charles.

Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is $6.50 for children and adults. Memberships and parties are available.

Contact the Children’s Museum at (337) 433-9420 or visit www.swlakids.org.

NEW YEAR’S PARTY AT GRAND MARAIS COURTYARD, JENNINGS DEC. 31 — Grand Marais Courtyard is having a New Year’s Eve party! Come celebrate with us and ring in the new year with champagne at midnight and breakfast at 1a.m. Breakfast includes eggs and bacon, toast, bread pudding and a breakfast casserole with juice and coffee. Cash bar. Music will be provided by Music Unlimited. The party starts at 9 p.m. Advance tickets are $25; $30 at the door.

For more information, call (337) 616-8843.

DECEMBER 11, 2008

PAGE 37

Book Beat

By Terri Shlichenmeyer

Dreaming of a Green Christmas Picture this: It’s December 30, and there are four garbage bags at your curb, all filled with what were once rolls and rolls of colorful, decorated paper.

Several cardboard boxes sit next to the bags.

Peek inside them, and you see tattered cellophane, plastic wrappers, and crumbly foam packaging.

Leaning against everything, shedding its needles, hiding an errant ornament and wisps of wrinkled tinsel, is a sad-looking pine.

Wasteful? You bet. According to authors Jennifer Basye Sander and Peter Sander (with Anne Basye), our trash output rises by 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. In their new book, Green Christmas, they’ll give you ideas you can use to cut the waste and have an eco-friendly holiday season.

Authors Jennifer Basye Sander and Peter Sander live in California, where they’re raising

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DECEMBER 11, 2008

their children green. Anne Basye doesn’t own a car or a microwave. So, be prepared.

Cut back at Christmas? Bah, humbug, right?

Not so, say the authors. Even if you back off buying, wrapping, and decorating just a little bit, it adds up. Change doesn’t mean loss of traditions; it means new traditions for your family.

Take, for instance, the feast. Leftovers are great – if they’re eaten. The authors say that “if every American threw away just one uneaten tablespoon of mashed potatoes [each year], that would add 16 million pounds of waste to our landfills.” Their advice: Buy locally grown produce, don’t over-prepare food, and donate extra to the local food pantry or shelter.

You may think an artificial Christmas tree is “greener,” but the authors prove that’s not true.

Instead, consider a live tree you can plant in your yard when it gets warmer, or skip a tree altogether

The Times of SWLA is distributed throughout our region and via the world wide web. Call Andy, Patricia or Shanda at 337-439-0995 and let them show you how to grow your business today.

1115 N Martin Luther King Hwy Lake Charles, LA 70601 337-497-1110 and decorate with leftover branches from a tree lot. If your family insists on a “real” tree, recycle it after the holidays. And if you’re tired of the same old ornaments, consider an ornament swap with like-minded friends.

So, how do you tame the “gimmes” and go green with gifts?

Be creative, the authors say. Give the gift of time. Make presents, or give gift certificates to a local resale store (where there are all sorts of gently-used treasures).

Donate something meaningful in the recipient’s name. Be clever with your wrapping, or give something that doesn’t have to be wrapped at all.

Reading Green Christmas is a little like eating holiday fruitcake: Some parts are delicious and in good taste. Other parts will make you wrinkle your nose.

Yes, the authors have some obviously valid, valuable ideas, but they also contradict themselves.

Shop at locally owned stores, they say. Later, they trumpet online shopping. Some of the ideas are downright odd, such as taking the kids on a fun-filled, magical Christmas trip to the town dump so they can see how much stuff is wasted. While there’s an abundance of ideas on greening Christmas, there are few tips for getting the family on board, an omission that may make implementing the hints difficult at best.

All in all, Green Christmas opens our eyes to our wastefulness and will make us think—which is what the authors intended.

8056 Eastex Freeway Beaumont, TX 77708 409-898-1535 1-800-945-1119

Green Christmas by Jennifer Basye Sander and Peter Sander, with Anne Basye Copyright 2008, Adams Media $7.95 / $8.75 Canada 192 pages, includes index

DECEMBER 11, 2008

PAGE 39

BIZ BYTES — by Dan Juneau

Jabberwocky

“

A

nd, as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tugley wood, And burbled as it came!”

I couldn’t help but think of those words from Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass as I listened to Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson’s recent press conference. Paulson, the 700 billion-dollar man, was indicating yet another change in direction for the Bush administration’s financial bailout plan. The stock market didn’t seem overly impressed with Paulson’s change of course, as evidenced by a further 400-point plunge in the Dow Jones average.

A recent article in Forbes magazine estimates the total fiscal stimulus put forth so far by both the Federal Reserve Board and the Treasury Department to be approximately $5 trillion. Before this avalanche of “stimulus” began, the federal debt was $10 trillion. Our federal government is potentially putting us half as much again in debt (though Fed Chairman Bernanke and Secretary Paulson would argue that taxpayers will be getting some of the $5 trillion back— they just have no clue how much or when).

The whiffling through the tugley wood isn’t confined to the Fed and the Bush administration. Congress and the Obama team will soon be burbling as well. They have their own list of bailout targets.

The automobile industry is in dire straits and is asking for help. The state of California has already requested billions in loans to put off the tough fiscal decisions needed to rein in its $15 billion deficit. New York, New Jersey, and Michigan—to name a few—are other states tottering on the edge of bankruptcy. Many major cities will likely join the bandwagon. The line of supplicants forming at the doors of the White House and the Capitol will be long, indeed.

Before we wade further into the swamp, we might want to remember that our mission was to drain it. The original bailout was designed to thaw the freeze in lending necessary for the economy to function. The concept was for the Treasury Department to PAGE 40

DECEMBER 11, 2008

buy the bad real estate loan portfolios, which were creating uncertainty in the markets. Treasury has now decided that approach is too difficult to implement and is using the bailout money to purchase preferred stock in banks—with no requirement for increased lending or for private equity to match the federal dollars.

Lending billions of dollars to struggling state and local governments would be a slippery slope. The states in the worst shape are the ones with high tax rates and excessive spending habits. Their politics are often unduly influenced by their public employee unions. These special interest groups are quick to push through tax increases and are adept at stopping any attempts to cut spending.

OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS POTENTIALLY PUTTING US HALF AS MUCH AGAIN IN DEBT ...

Sending huge amounts of federal tax dollars to states that refuse to live within their means will not be popular with taxpayers in states with sound fiscal practices. The fiscally challenged states are generally the ones that gave President-Elect Obama and the Democrats in Congress their margins of victory. That being the case, they won’t be bashful about asking for favors.

Taxpayers should pray that the bailout explosion does not cause more harm than good and gets refocused to practices that will shore up the economy, not grow government. At the outset, the goal of federal intervention was to address the collapse of the housing market and restore the availability of credit for businesses and consumers. It is time to drop the jabberwocky, focus on the original goals, and minimize the impact on deficits, inflation, and the future standard of living of our children and grandchildren.

Health

CARE

Holidays and Your Heart Moderation is the Key

In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the health of your heart may be the last thing on your mind, but experts advise moderation for maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle throughout this busy, exciting time of year. Research has shown a significant increase in the incidence of heart and stroke during the timeframe from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.

Although it is beneficial to focus on moderation all year long, cardiologists place added emphasis on it as a way of helping patients with heart problems cope with the unique demands of the holiday season.

“When it comes to diet, moderation is always an important guideline, even more so during the holiday season,” explained Chris Thompson, M.D., board certified cardiologist on the medical staff of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital.

“During the holidays, probably more so than any other time, people are tempted to eat things that are not a part of a heart-healthy diet,” he said. As you attend parties and plan your own holiday gatherings, you are faced with appetizing hors d’oeuvres, decadent desserts, and alcoholic beverages. It can be very difficult to think about your heart health in these situations, but by keeping it in mind, you will be less likely to overindulge.”

According to Dr. Thompson, increased stress during the holidays is another common problem that can affect your heart health. The exhausting demands of the holidays often decrease your ability to manage stress. Buying the perfect gifts, planning parties and coping with difficult and/or numerous relatives and commitments are just a few of the things that leave people feeling ‘stressed out’. Again, remember to practice moderation.”

Trying these stress-busters can help: • Don’t try to cram all of your shopping into one weekend. Do a little at a time.

• When planning a party, choose menu items that are

not difficult to prepare. In addition, don’t go overboard on the number of different items you serve.

• Don’t try to be a “superperson.”

Learn how to say “no.” You must be able to balance your needs with the demands of others.

• Keep in mind that the focus of the holiday season is remembering those you love. Giving of your time is often the best thing you can do.

Dr. Thompson also emphasizes that regardless of the season, exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

“Most people do not get enough exercise, especially during the holidays,” he said. “It’s important to remember, however, that you don’t have to exercise every day to reap the benefits. And, during the holidays, exercise takes on added importance because it can help counteract the increased stress and added calories from holiday menus that can negatively impact your heart health.”

By planning ahead and following some of these simple guidelines, you can stay on the right track for your health during the holidays, and be well prepared to start the New Year with renewed focus on living a heart-healthy life.

"Come on, Get It Right!" — driving grammar purists crazy since, well, forever.

by Matt Jones • ©2008 Jonesin' Crosswords Brought to you by Melanie Perry, Agent State Farm Insurance

Last Issue’s Answers

Across 1 Letters seen after forward slashes 4 Hand-rolled dish 9 "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" boat, typically 14 "You're in trou-uh-ble!"

15 Smart and Bond, for instance 16 Classic "Star Trek" crew member 17 Production company behind NPR's "The World" 18 Powerful demon, in Arabic mythology 19 Hat on a chess piece 20 Sex ed subj.

22 Willed gift 24 What the Martian zoo display was down to?

29 Lumber mill cutters 30 ___ acids (main components of proteins) 31 Geologicial time period 32 Funk 35 Mormon church, for short 36 Where culinary newsletters are sent?

39 Lived and breathed 40 "A Death in the Family" author James 41 "___ and the Kings of Spain" (1995 Tears for Fears album) 44 When some evening news is broadcast

46 Separate by cutting off 48 What I hope the gas pills will help stop?

51 Picnic table condiment 52 Chicago-based superstation 53 Recruiter's goal, maybe 57 Blazing 59 Old-school hardcore rappers, for short 61 Parking attendant 62 Passover dinner 63 Portugal's cont.

64 Caffe additive 65 Orange and lemon, e.g.

66 Day getaway, perhaps Down 1 Doo-___ (a cappella music genre) 2 Devotion 3 Masher's target?

4 Agency that issues numeric ID's 5 Circulation that doesn't sink with gravity 6 It's very alluring 7 Katherine who withdrew from the 2008 Emmy competition 8 "___ Away" (1994 hit for Alice in Chains) 9 "That looks delicious!"

10 Yellowfin, alternately 11 Percentage

12 Otto I's domain: abbr.

13 Feathers partner 21 Simpsons character in a leisure suit 23 Singer/guitarist born Maria Rosario Pilar Martinez Molina Baeza 24 Green Day drummer ___ Cool 25 Barack Obama Chief of Staff Emanuel 26 Get one's first dairy farm experience, perhaps 27 Billy Joel song that starts "In every heart there is a room" 28 Roulette spaces: abbr.

33 Easter egg decorating kit stuff 34 Like beachfront property 37 "Criss Angel: Mindfreak" network 38 "___ it seems..."

39 Route 42 Depleting 43 Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Dawson 45 List of mistakes 47 Niacin's alternate vitamin name 49 As ___ resort 50 More abundant 53 Home Shopping Network competitor 54 Egypt and Syr., from 1958 to 1961 55 Bullring cheer 56 President pro ___ 58 Hosp. areas with restricted access 60 Mrs., in Managua

DECEMBER 11, 2008

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5

1

Painted Bikes and Jingly Things

A

ccording to Marc Pettaway, ACTS Theatre’s executive director, musical productions are difficult to cast, but the talent of the performers for Annie Warbucks was obvious. Pettaway expressed his delight with the high attendance for every performance. This particular show included an extra Saturday matinee performance, which was well received and filled the house. The Shadow caught a glimpse of Diane McCarthy, Julie Fay, Jessie Kelly, Rebecca Pack, Eric Cormier, Barbara and Paul Leming and Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Barkate enjoying the production.

From a sharecroppers’ cabin in rural Tennessee to the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, the show carried the audience along the journey with song and laughter. The cast included veteran actors such as Anita Fields-Gold and Dave Grimm along with newcomers Judy Ashe, Brian Harrell and Teresa Labbit—who made it all look so easy. Even “Sandy” gave a doggone good performance. Sure seemed like fun for the children, and a bunch of them there were. Quite a show to pull off—and nicely done it was.

The brainchild of local awardwinning artist Marc “Dago” Lefevre and his wife Shonda of West Bank Bros Cycle Shop, Art on Wheels is roaring towards becoming the

2

3

4

PHOTOS SHOWN: 1–Hailee Adams and Kim and Brittany Dyer wait for the doors to open at ACTS Theatre production of Annie Warbucks.

2–With a bouquet in hand, grandparents Gary and Darlene Evers eagerly await the performance of Annie Warbucks and the debut of their granddaughter, Julianne Evers, as Pepper.

3–J.T. and Barbara Milford chat with Marc Pettaway, ACTS Theatre Executive Director, before the curtain goes up on the first act of Annie Warbucks.

4–Artist Rex Alexander, wife Toni and Marc “Dago” Lefevre shown with some of Rex’s pottery at the Art on Wheels Motorcycle Exhibit.

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DECEMBER 11, 2008

6

7

8

5–Krystal Sutherland and Shane Carras show off their ‘toys’ at the Art on Wheels Motorcycle Exhibit.

6–Checking out one of the vehicles on display at the Art on Wheels exhibit are Marcus Duhon, Jacob and Valarie Boudoin, Ed Diehl and Lolo Boudoin.

7–Artists in their own right are Ean and Dusty Briley of Briley’s Paint & Bike Work and Rossie Garcille with an example of their work at the Art on Wheels exhibit.

8–Gary and Pam Smith with their wares at the Art on Wheels Ultimate Motorcycle Exhibit.

9

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PHOTOS SHOWN: 9–The girls and the bike are Kristi Widcamp, Shyla Gordon, Amber Bihm and Shonda Lefevre, seen with John Leverkuhn, Jr.’s 2007 Harley Night Rod Special.

10–A.J. Hebert, portrait artist, with Jeremy, Rhonda and Breanna Lefevre at the Art on Wheels Ultimate Motorcycle Exhibit and Show.

11–Barbara Colley and Jessica Ferguson with one of Barbara’s books at the Bayou Writers’ Group Conference.

12–Dr. Nancy Shepherd, David Brown and Tore Carlberg at the Bayou Writers’ Group Conference.

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Ultimate Motorcycle Exhibit and Show in Louisiana. Chrome and sunshine alone create magnificent light and beauty, but it was magnified when paired with the talent, creativity and skill of this local motorcycle artist. Art on Wheels is a family event, with proceeds going to support Lake Charles Community Christmas.

Man and his love of machines were never more evident than on this sunny Saturday with rows of shiny bikes and cars surrounded by their many admirers. But the fascination with machines is not regulated to men, alone as the Shadow noted several entries from the ladies. Tammy Smith’s 1929 Model A Ford had a beautiful aquarium scene, and Sharon Broussard brought Thunder Mountain, a 2008 Spitfire. John Leverkuhn, Jr.’s 2007 Harley Night Rod Special’s paint theme came from “Ghost Rider in the Sky” a song made popular by Johnny Cash. Mike Demarie brought his gator bike, a 2004 Harley Deuce, Albert Broussard was there with his 1923 T Bucket Ford, and Chad Blanchard showed his 2008 Harley Street Bob. Marc and Shonda brought another dimension of art to our community, and we look forward to enjoying more of the same next year.

DECEMBER 11, 2008

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PHOTOS SHOWN: 13–Debbie Gail Smith from Port Neches, TX and Keaghan P. Kane, conference scholarship winner this year at the Writer’s Conference.

14–Bayou Writers’ Group Conference committee members Winona Cross, Beverly Martin, Conference Coordinator, Angie Dilmore and Jessica Ferguson.

15–Jackie Hacker and Jeff Beam checking in to see Terrance Simien at the Louisiana Crossroads live broadcast from Central School Arts and Humanities Center.

Writing and publishing, even for the novice, can become a reality when organizations such as the Bayou Writers’ Group provide workshops that guide you toward your goal.

Founded seven years ago by author Pamela Thibodeaux and Randy Dupre’, the Bayou Writers’ Group educates, encourages and inspires.

The annual Writers’ Group Conference is an opportunity for writers and writer wannabees to interact with professional writers and gain insight into the process of writing and publishing.

With offerings such as “Keys to Selling Your First Book,” “Writing for and Selling to Magazines” and PAGE 44

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“Promoting You-Before You Sell,” you’re sure to gain information, tools and encouragement to further any literary aspirations you have. The opportunity to meet and converse with well-known writers Barbara Colley, Jessica Ferguson, Randy Denmon and Paula Murphey was an added bonus to an already beneficial conference. David LaBounty, editor of The First Line, a literary magazine, was available for one-on-one discussions with conference attendees.

LaBounty uses The First Line to help writers break through the block that often happens with that first line and/or first page. The group has a contest each year in area high schools,

PHOTOS SHOWN: 16–Step right up and get your tickets to the Louisiana Crossroads live broadcast from Denise Fasske and Darleen Wesley.

17–Looking for something special are Michelle Morceaux, Khristen Sonnier and Heather Widcamp at the Junior League’s Mistletoe and Moss Market.

18–Getting in the “Christmas spirit” at Mistletoe and Moss are Cathy Hodges and Leslie Gurley.

with the first prize being membership in the Writers’ Group and the opportunity to attend the Writers’ Group Conference for free. This year’s winner was Keaghan P. Kane.

Conference attendees came from as far as Baton Rouge, Jasper, Lafayette and Beaumont. The group looks forward to next year, and encourages interested persons to join the monthly meetings on the first Saturday of each month, from 10 a.m. – 12 noon at the Carnegie Library in downtown Lake Charles.

On Nov. 12, Central School Arts and Humanities Center welcomed the Louisiana Crossroads team for another award-winning live performance.

Todd Mouton and Vicki Chrisman arrived with all the necessary equip-

ment and manpower required for a performance by Grammy award winner Terrance Simien and his band, with guest vocalist and songwriter Susan Cowsill. The auditorium was filled with seasoned fans and new converts who expressed their pleasure with applause, whistles and cheers.

No one was disappointed as Terrance wowed the audience with a mix of toe-tapping music while tossing Mardi Gras beads to the cheering crowd (with his toes, no less!).

Terrance and Susan teamed up for some old and new songs, creating a memorable performance.

There were jingle bells but no shotgun shells at the 16th Annual Junior League Mistletoe and Moss Holiday Market on No. 15. It was all

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PHOTOS SHOWN: 19–Kimberly Lartigue, Florence Fontenot and Bridgett Roberson were fascinated with the “My Spoon” left-handed spoons at Mistletoe and Moss.

20–The Johnsons, Liz, Rachel and Shannon having fun at the Junior League’s Mistletoe and Moss Market.

21–Sidney and Pierre Fontenot welcome Mistletoe and Moss visitors to the makeshift storefront for Sulphur-based eighty-one, a store of uncommon objects for creative decorating.

fun and games for market goers as once again, the Junior League brought a broad variety of activities, creative crafts, gift items, foodstuffs and more to the Lake Charles Civic Center.

Tasting stations throughout the market offered samples of jellies, dip mixes and sweets. The Junior League prepared delicious snacks and treats from recipes found in the new Marshes to Mansions cookbook that, incidentally, would make an excellent Christmas gift for someone special. Raffle tickets were available for a variety of prizes.

Junior Leaguers were in every nook and cranny, making sure all attending had a jingly pre-holiday experience.

The Shadow and friend Jessie did a pretty fair job of canvassing the

booths and found such offerings as Americana décor at the Eighty-One booth; kids’ personalized music CDs at Sing My Name; and accessories, clothing, bags, and jewelry from vendors such as Fountains & More, Noreen’s, Inc., and Diamondhead Pearl Company. Santa and his elves created a magical setting that would instill the Christmas spirit into the staunchest humbug, as children had breakfast or cookies with Santa and Friends and listened to stories read by local author, Tommie Townsley. ‘Tis the season…be merry!!! Merry Christmas to one and all.

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Below: Heather and Jeremy Bordelon, and JoeAnna Gaspard Massey and Gabbie Massey watching the 3D movie Journey to the Center of the Earth at the home of their grandparents, Jimmy and JoeAnna Gary.

Below: Austin Wright is the perfect Jolly Old St. Nick. He is the son of Jamie and Craig Wright of Ft. Polk.

Above: Sisters, Mya (left) and Jazlyn Odom, from Pitkin, La. visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at this year's "Christmas in the Park" event, in DeRidder, the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Above: Mia and Lexi LaBove pose on Veteran's Day for a quick picture with their great-grandfather, Felton Meche, all of Sulphur.

Parting Sh o ts

1) E-mail your snap shots to myphoto@timessw.com. Must include a contact name and phone number.

2) Photos should be attached as a file and not imbedded in copy or photoshopped into a format. Original size, please, do not compress the file. No mailed or fax photographs can be used.

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3) Subjects in photo must be identified by name. Children should also be identified by parent or guardian. Unidentified or anonymous photos will not be considered for publication.

4) The Times reserves the right to decline publishing photos of questionable taste or subject matter, or for space limitations.

DECEMBER 11, 2008

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