WWW.TIMESSW.COM • MAY 15, 2008 / VOL. 13, NO. 10
Judicial Race Making Election History
The Big Deal About Small Business
SPAR Summer Activities
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MAY 15, 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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ma y 15, 2008 Volume 13 • Number 10
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NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . EDITOR Kathryn Bergstrom timesedit@timessw.com
contents 30
The
“Original”
ASSISTANT EDITOR Joseph Frazier
Best Of SWLA
ReadersPoll
CONTRIBUTORS Kay Andrews Craig Crawford, DDS Robert Dimmick Joey Frazier Melvin Gehrig, OD Guidry Gilmore, MD Angie Manning-Istre Matt Jones Kenneth Verheeck, MD
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E N T E R P R I S E B O U L E VA R D The Big Deal About Small Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
POLITICS John Maginnis Dan Juneau ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Andy Jacobson
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ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Patricia Prudhomme Nathan Yates GRAPHICS . . . . . . . . ART/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Darrell Buck
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COLUMNS Times Presents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Business Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Inside Baton Rouge: From In the Spotlight to On the Spot . . . .14 Biz Bytes: How We Compare . . .14
COVER STORY Decision ’08 — The Times Original Best Of SWLA 2008 — Part 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . OFFICE MANAGER Tracey Smith
FEATURES What’s Up Doc? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Home Grown: Kennison Forest Products Supplies Lumber Nationwide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Do 30 Jumping Jacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 WCCH Reverses Shoulder Pain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Off Label Drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Put Babies Back to Sleep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
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: $25 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.
ENTERTAINMENT Etiquetteer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Coffee Break Cross Word: “Center Piece” . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Times Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 The Shadow: Merton-cum-Middlewick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Parting Shots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
DISTRIBUTION: The Times of Southwest Louisiana is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. The Times of Southwest Louisiana may be distributed only by The Times of Southwest Louisiana authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of The Times of Southwest Louisiana, take more than one copy of each monthly issue from its racks.
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LETTERS
TO
Dear Editor, …In the past year the racial dialogue of a nation has again taken main stage, it has moved from our houses to our parks and the recorders are on, the notebooks are open and ready to draw the picture of our generation for the future… In this time of Obama, Clinton, and McCain our values are being challenged, re-defined, and re-formulated to fit new struggles. Two different cultures are struggling to understand one another in the nation they share and we must see if we are fit to rise to the challenge or if we simply leave it to our children. …Our unity cannot stop in the workplace; it must reach our birthday parties, our weddings, our Christmas dinners, our double dates, our funerals. The disparity between our respective races are great as any sociologist will tell you and the challenges are no easier than 50 years ago. Progress has been made but de facto segregation is proof that there is still much work ahead… … We must put ourselves in uncomfortable positions and sacrifice personal gain for collective success. We must think of our children in the voting booth more and ourselves less. We must help the children that cannot help themselves, give voice to their needs, expression to their desires. It is not enough to stand in our corners and talk of how
THE
EDITOR
things must change, we must reach out to each other and somehow cross the bitterness of our Southern history so that our grandchildren can live in the shadow of unity, and they can unite to solve problems that face all humankind. None of us are innocent in this struggle, we are all guilty of slighting someone for an advantage in this life, but this moment in history presents an opportunity to come together and wipe away decades of distance between ourselves. I am a 28 year old white male … my hope is that one day the writer’s experience will not depend on the pigment of his skin but strictly on the path he chooses to walk. Euro-Americans must surrender some of their economic positions and African-Americans must turn away from their materialistic values and meet in a public place of compromise. We must cast our visions beyond tomorrow and out of the reach of political expediency. We must not fall victim to the paranoia of NOW, we must not be swept away by the moment but have a sense of yesterday and tomorrow about us.... The light of history is shining upon us this day, what will we do with the stage? Johnathon Doyle Istre Jennings (Edited for space)
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NEWS
ABOUT
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ENTERPRISEBOULEVARD The Big Deal About Small Business Development By Kathy Bergstrom n the next week, several programs and workshops around the area will address the needs of small businesses, entrepreneurs and the business of the arts. To understand the important of developing small businesses through the five parishes of Imperial Calcasieu, The Times recently visited with George Swift, President and CEO of Chamber/SWLA and Adrian Wallace, Business Retention Development Director at the Chamber/SWLA. Swift notes that, “Small business development has always been one of the major goals of the Chamber/SWLA. One of the benefits of Chamber membership,” he points out, “is networking and having access to Chamber functions. And since dues are based on business size, dues for small businesses are minimal.” Adrian Wallace recently returned from the national conference for business incubators in San Antonio. Wallace was impressed that the conference drew over 700 people from throughout the United States and the world. “There were people from 45 countries there including South Korea and South Africa….there was a free sharing of ideas about business incubators – what works and what doesn’t work…It was time well spent!” He notes that an incubator is an investment in a region. And that it has to have both community and financial support. “It’s not just a space for tenants,” Wallace said, “it’s nurturing and client intervention and networking support so that a business can ‘graduate’ out of an incubator in three or four years and become employers.” Wallace points out that the Chamber Alliance has been working with Sowela, McNeese Small Business Development and the police jury, among others, to develop a business incubator, currently housed in the Magnolia Building. “But we need to build a full-sized business incubator…and we are in the discussion stage…so that in the next few years we can have an incubator with start-up facilities and resources.” Swift and Wallace both hint of negotiations in progress with various entities for an ideal location and that an announcement will be made soon. Wallace notes that two training programs work with the partnership currently. One that will offer support to ‘microenterprises’, i.e., businesses that are startup or already in place but with fewer than five employees and less than $35,000 capital to start up and start running. There is also support for the home-bound sole proprietor or supplemental income enterprises. “We can provide training programs and entrepreneur programs that meet for a 50-hour course at Sowela. This is not a grant,” Wallace emphasized, “but an in-
I
depth training — a good hard look at what it takes to start your own business. We don’t want to kill the dream. But it is really what a person wants to do, what they want to invest. And an acceptable outcome of the training is ‘I’m not ready’. They realize they need to develop more skills before they take that step of becoming their own boss and starting their own business.” Wallace says, “We want you to be successful. We try to guide people and nurture them and their dream.” The tools are in place for anyone wanting to start or grow their own business. The Chamber also works with McNeese State University and SCORE (formerly known as the Service Corps of Retired Executives, but is now recognized as SCORE, “Counselors to America’s Small Business”). Locally, Paul Arnold is chair of SCORE with an office at the Chamber Alliance. Contact Adrian Wallace at the Chamber Alliance, Paul Arnold at SCORE, or the Small Business Development Center at MSU to start. And these upcoming programs may be just what a budding entrepreneur is looking for. On May 17, McNeese State University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is co-hosting a “Business of Art Summit” with the Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lake Charles Boston Academy of Learning, 1509 Enterprise Blvd. Call 337-439-2787. On May 20, the SBDC is holding a “Starting & Financing a Small Business” seminar from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Call 337-439-2787. All small businesses are encouraged to attend the Southwest “Matchmaker” on May 21 at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Participants will benefit from training, technical assistance, and matchmaking. Representatives from federal, state & local government agencies, as well as major prime contractors, will be on hand to meet with local small businesses interested in procuring large contracts. Pre-registration is required. Please e-mail LSBDC.MSU@lsbdc.org or call 337-4755529 to R.S.V.P. This event is made possible through the support of the following organizations: U.S. Small Business Administration, Port of Lake Charles, Louisiana Small Business Development Center at MSU, The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, Louisiana Department of Economic Development, African American Chamber of Commerce, City of Lake Charles, Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, and the National Urban League Gulf Coast Economic Empowerment Program.
Who’s News Governor Bobby Jindal recently announced appointments to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and the Board of Commissioners of Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso will serve as the board’s chair as a new appointee. Joining Sheriff Mancuso on the commission is Mark Oxley of Sulphur. Appointees to the Board of Commissioners of Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District include Mark Abraham, C. Wade Shaddock, and Kay Collins Barnett, all of Lake Charles. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission serves to develop and implement comprehensive strategies aimed at saving lives and preventing injuries on Louisiana highways. According to statute, the commission shall be composed of gubernatorial appointments which must include one member from each congressional district. The appointments are subject to senate confirmation. Angelica Floyd recently joined Special Touch Therapeutic Massage as a licensed Esthetician. She brings with her experience in facials and waxing. She has extensive training in skin analysis, facials treatment and hair removal. Floyd, formerly of Texas prides herself in educating clients on skincare and skincare products, and maintaining client satisfaction. Angelica Floyd Twenty-four students from McNeese State University have been inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma international honor society. Inducted were juniors Casey Pete Ange III, Tyler Jay Ellis, Elizabeth Kelly, Marianne Mondy and Strekker Pryor, all of Lake Charles; Joanna Klutarich of Sagamore Hills, Ohio; Jessica Richard of Sulphur; Summer Thorn of Houston; and Lonnie Mitchell Turpin Jr. of Vinton. Inducted seniors were Diana Castleberry, Continued on Page 6 MAY 15, 2008
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Who’s News, Continued from Page 5
Kathrin Crain, Marcos Gallardo, Charlotte Granger, Tiffany Manuel, Nathaniel Rice and Amanda Sills, all of Lake Charles; Angela Funderburk and Daniel Kramer, both of Sulphur; Amy Hammock and Chance Shoemake, both of DeQuincy; Kathryn LeBlanc of Mamou and Stephen Spence of Opelousas. Graduate students inducted were Yisianita Widjaja of Indonesia and Lei Zhao of Lake Charles. Induction into Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a business student can achieve in a program accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the international accrediting body for business programs worldwide.
The Facts About Cancer in Southwest Louisiana – from a local doctor
HOW YOU LIVE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHERE YOU LIVE WHEN IT COMES TO FIGHTING CANCER. THAT’S A FACT. Your chances of getting cancer are basically the same, regardless of where you live. Whether you are a lawyer in the northeast, a factory worker in the midwest, or a banker in Southwest Louisiana, your chances of getting cancer are about one in three*. But there is a difference here when it comes to cancer, and this is a fact you need to know: Cancer mortality rates are higher in Southwest Louisiana, meaning more people who get cancer here are losing the battle with the disease. Why? The main reason is not having regular health exams and recommended cancer screenings. This is a fact we can change. The earlier cancer is detected, the better the chances of survival. Routine health exams and recommended cancer screenings, along with living a healthier lifestyle, are the best tools for fighting cancer. *Source: American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org
Fight Cancer with Facts. Jason Ramm, MD, family physician
The Cypress Clinic " Lifestyle factors cause most cancers. So you can control your cancer risk by living a healthier life – don’t smoke, eat right, and get plenty of exercise and see your doctor regularly.”
A community partnership between:
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MAY 15, 2008
Pictured above, McNeese State University Student Government Association President Morgan Verrette, from left, accepts an award of recognition from University of Louisiana System President Sally Clausen and ULS Board Chair Elsie Burkhalter. Awards were recently presented to the eight SGA presidents in the ULS system. “These students represent the best and the brightest,” Clausen said. “Not only have they worked hard on their own campuses, they have also tackled tough statewide issues like the high costs of textbooks and campus safety. Their work will have a positive impact on all of Louisiana’s students.” The Sports Club at Graywood has hired Laura Domingue as the Fitness Director for their facility. She is a certified fitness instructor and personal trainer with over seven years of experience in the fitness field. Originally from Vinton, Domingue earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Promotion and a Master of Science in Exercise and Physiology from McNeese State University. Her experience includes group fitness, personal training,sports conditioning, yoga, pilates, strength training, weight loss and physical therapy. The new Sports Club at Graywood is scheduled to open in June and will feature a state-of-the-art fitness facility, soft surLaura Domingue face tennis courts, adult lap pool and children’s swim area. The Club has been designed to provide activities for the entire family in a unique, state-of-the-art facility that will be located on four acres in the master planned community of Graywood. Private membership is open to anyone, For more information about the Sports Club or membership details, visit http://www.graywoodllc.com . Emmett C. Sole, a partner with Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements & Shaddock, L.L.P. of Lake Charles, talked recently on sports law at the Fifth Annual Business Day Program on “The Business of Sports” at McNeese State University College of Business. Mr. Sole has been selected by his peers to be included in The Best Lawyers in America (in construction law and professional liability law) and in Louisiana Super Lawyers (in construction law). He is a past president of the Louisiana State Law Institute, an official advisory law revision commission, law reform and legal research agency of the State of Louisiana.
Emmett C. Sole
Captain Russell Haman, Troop D Commander, has retired after thirty years of service and joined the staff of District Attorney John DeRosier. Haman began his law enforcement career with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs Office in 1976. He left in 1978 to join the Louisiana State Police. Haman started in patrol at Troop K in Opelousas for one year and then transferred to Troop D. He has served as a patrol trooper, Public Information Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant/Executive Officer and has been the Troop Commander since 2004. He served with State Police SWAT for twenty five of those thirty years, leaving SWAT as the Platoon Commander for the western and northern half of Louisiana. Haman has joined the District Attorney’s Office as John DeRosier’s Chief Administrative Officer. His duties include directing and overseeing the activities of the various internal administrative functions of the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office.
Anthony Jordoin, Cheryl LaFleur, Ebony Robertson, Adrian Adams L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort recently announced its April Five Star Employees. Additionally, the property named its Manager and Supervisors of the Quarter. The Five Stars are: Sherry Rougeau, a massage therapist at Spa du Lac; Deborah Andrus, a table games dealer; Karen Hebert, a credit clerk; Stephanie Williams, a table games dealer; Sylvia Babineaux, a baker; and Jeanette January, main cashier. Stephanie Williams is also designated as the Employee of the Month and is now eligible to receive the coveted Employee of the Year award. The Manager of the Quarter is Anthony Jordoin, security shift manager. The Supervisors of the Quarter are Ebony Robertson, a Lattes supervisor; Adrian Adams, a slots supervisor; and Cheryl LaFleur, a cage shift supervisor. In recognition for their hard work, the employees receive a substantial cash prize, a personalized L’Auberge gift, VIP parking and gift certificates. The Employee of the Month also receives dinner for two. The employees received their awards on April 29 at a Recognition Luncheon with L’Auberge Vice President and General Manager Larry Lepinski and other senior staff members.
Stephanie Rougeau, Deborah Andrus, Karen Hebert, Sylvia Babineaux, Jeanette January, Sherry Rougeau
MAY 15, 2008
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A&HC Gold Key Quest 2008 Upcoming MSU Programs Supports the Business of Art Support Arts & Entrepreneurs What does your $100 investment in a Gold Key assure you? First of all, your Gold Key Quest Ticket provides you with a full one-year membership in the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana. You will receive newsletters, special invitations to gallery openings and receptions and news of cultural programming throughout the 5 Parishes of Imperial Calcasieu. The Council funds Cultural Economy Grants in a five-parish service area. This year, the proceeds will go to Jefferson Davis Parish’s proposed Energy Museum. (This grant is projected to be $50,000 per year, alternating from Calcasieu to Jeff Davis. Then, Beauregard, Allen and Cameron over the following 3 years). The Quest also will help fund an emergency arts relief grant (Known as “Bridging the Gap”) available to artists and arts organizations throughout the 5 parishes. This Grant is to cover unforeseen problems impacting the affected artists and groups. (Projected amount for 2008 is $25,000) Funds over those grant amounts will go toward the operations of the Council to allow for a greater ability to financially assist those agencies we support. From Banners to the Symphony, ABOB to Impromptu Players, from the 5 Parish Library Systems to Heritage Festivals throughout the area, the council wants to increase assistance to our constituents and eliminate the need to compete with them for funding. Your Gold Key Quest Purchase will help the Arts & Humanities Council do all of these things and more! What can you win at the Gold Key Quest? Prizes include a Cultural Passport Package: tickets to performances between July 2008 and June
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2009. Participating presenters include: ACTS, Banners, Lake Charles Civic Ballet, The Children’s Theatre, Lake Charles Little Theatre, Lake Charles Symphony and the Louisiana Choral Foundation. The winner also receives a limo ride to the Banners Opening Reception and a wine basket compliments of First Federal Bank of Louisiana! A gold and gemstone bracelet from DuFlo’s - valued at over $4,000. A Ducks Unlimited Gun of the Year 12-gauge magnum shotgun from Lynn Miller of Cajun Elite Shooting Club plus a 4 gun Duck Hunt at Moore Farm in Welsh. A 50” Flat Screen HDTV. A $1,000.00 VISA Gift Card from First Federal Bank of Louisiana. Dinner for six at Mazen’s. An original piece of pottery by Rex Alexander. A Family Fun Package at Camp Wi-Ta-Wentin, including a collapsible ice chest, games and outdoor supplies. A graphite sketch of the winner’s choice, from a photograph — matted and framed from local artist Peggy Borel. The Grand Gold Key Quest Prize will once again be the winner’s choice of a 2008 Ford F150 Pickup Truck or a 2008 Ford Mustang from Bolton Ford! You may purchase your Gold Key Quest tickets by visiting www.goldkeyquest.org. There is a link to our direct credit-card service on the website. You may prefer to use our multidebit feature that allows you to break your purchase into 2, 3 or 4 payments. Please call the office to take advantage of the Easy Quest billing option! (337) 439-2787.
The Business of Art The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University and the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana will present a day-long summit, “The Business of Art,” for entrepreneurs in cultural industries from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Lake Charles Boston Academy of Learning, 1509 Enterprise Blvd. “The Business of Art,” is the first of its kind in the state and is designed for entrepreneurs in cultural industries such as culinary arts, preservation construction, visual and performing arts, architecture and interior design, publishing, film and video, and wed-related design. The summit will allow entrepreneurs to share their experiences and attend two of four one-hour training sessions – “Creative Marketing on a Shoestring,” “Recordkeeping: Don’t Underestimate the Power of the Manila Folder,” “501(c)3: Pros and Cons of Becoming a Non-Profit” and “Grants: The 5 Ws of Funding.” The event includes a small lunch. “For years, the Arts Council has been promoting artists and arts organizations from the standpoint of creativity and grant funding,” said Irene Vandever, executive director of the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana. “Likewise, the Small Business Development Center has been working with clients to better their chances at financial success. For the first time, with the emerging impetus of the cultural economy, we can combine the creativity of the arts with access to consulting on sound business practices,” Todd Mouton, director of the Louisiana Crossroads Concert Series, will serve as master of ceremonies and will give an overview on the importance of the cultural economy in Louisiana, followed by success stories from cultural entrepreneurs.
Deb King with the LSBDC at McNeese said the “showcase is on Southwest Louisiana” to pioneer business and cultural partnerships to enhance the state economy. “Quality of life will be a huge factor in Louisiana’s ability to attract and retain quality workers in a creative world, and our culture is what our quality of life is about,” King said. “The more that cultural entrepreneurs know about how to run their businesses, the more economically successful they will be. As goes the cultural economy, so goes Louisiana.” In addition to the Louisiana Small Busines Development Center at McNeese, co-sponsors include the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation, the Louisiana Crossroads Concert Series and the McNeese Banners Series. For more information on the “Business of Art” or to register, call 337-439-2787. Matchmakers At Work! The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University and the Small Business Administration will host the third annual “Matchmaker” event for small business owners from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the Lake Charles Civic Center. The event is free and includes lunch. Matchmaker gives small business owners the opportunity to network with corporate and government organizations such as Lockheed Martin, Textron Systems and Picerne Military Housing of Fort Polk. Attendees should bring plenty of business cards. The event is free and open to the public, but preregistration is required. For more information or to register, call 337-475-5529, email lsbdc.msu@lsbdc.org, or visit the LSBDC at McNeese in the Burton Business Center.
BUSINESS The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University and the Small Business Administration will host the third annual “Matchmaker” event for small business owners from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the Lake Charles Civic Center. The event is free and includes lunch. Matchmaker gives small business owners the opportunity to network with corporate and government organizations such as Lockheed Martin, Textron Systems and Picerne Military Housing of Fort Polk. Attendees should bring plenty of business cards. The event is free and open to the public, but preregistration is required. For more information or to register, call 337475-5529, email lsbdc.msu@lsbdc.org, or visit the LSBDC at McNeese in the Burton Business Center. Business First Bank is pleased to announce that Philip C. Earhart and Karen G. Drewett have joined the bank in Lake Charles. Earhart has been appointed Regional President for Southwest Louisiana while Drewett will be the Senior Lender. Business First Bank has established a temporary office at 805 Bayou Pines West (Suite B) in Lake Charles to continue its expansion of the business banking market into Southwest Louisiana. The bank will open a banking center in downtown Lake Charles at the corner of Ryan and Broad Streets with construction beginning in June for a tentative opening in early fall, 2008. “We are pleased to expand our banking center network into Southwest Louisiana with Phil Earhart and Karen Drewett as our local leaders. Their years of experience in the local market will be invaluable to our continued growth,” said Buddy Roemer, Business First Chairman. “Southwest Louisiana is important to us, because of its continuing growth, and ties to other markets in South Louisiana and Texas.” Earhart is an experienced commercial banker with over 30 years of banking experience. Most recently, he was regional president for Whitney Bank in Lake Charles. Earhart holds an M.B.A. from the University of New Orleans with his undergraduate degree from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. He is currently Vice Chairman for Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, and with the Council for a Better Louisiana. Active in many organizations, he has been past chair of United Way Board of Directors and Campaign Chair, Family and Youth Counseling Foundation, Junior Achievement and was named Volunteer of the Year by the United Way in 2004. Drewett was formerly a Business Banking Relationship Manager with Chase in Lake Charles and has over 20 years in banking. Previously she was a commercial banker at Bank One. Drewett is a Cum Laude graduate of McNeese State University and a Certified Public Accountant. In the community, Drewett has been involved with United Way, Serra International, and as past president of the Southwest Louisiana Women’s Commission. Business First is the banking subsidiary of Business First Bancorp. Business First has banking centers in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Mandeville, Lafayette and soon in Lake Charles. At December, 2007, Business First had assets of $392 million.
Thrive Magazine Celebrates 5th Anniversary with a New Format. Thrive, a health and lifestyle magazine, has unveiled a new format to coincide with their fifth anniversary. The magazine began as a 12-page quarterly publication in 2003 and has grown to a monthly magazine with 52 pages in the new May issue. The publishers unveiled a new, slick magazine-style format this month, with bound, glossy pages and full color throughout. Thrive partners Kristy Armand, Christine Fisher and Barbara VanGossen say the new and improved look reflects the positive, energetic tone of the magazine, and was needed to keep pace with the growth of the publication. Thrive’s goal is to provide information to help people live healthier, happier, well-balanced lives. Articles cover a wide range of topics, including health, fitness, finance, relationships, career, home, leisure activities, area business announcements and much more. The magazine is published the first Tuesday of each month and is distributed throughout Southwest Louisiana in physician offices, hospitals, restaurants, banks, fitness centers, and other high traffic locations. In addition, issues are provided to several area companies for direct distribution to their employees. For more information about Thrive, email thrive@ehealthyimage.com or call 312-0972.
notes Leevac Shipyards, LLC, of Jennings, Louisiana, has been awarded a $66,068 grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration. The grant will be used for software to expand the firm’s engineering capability. The grants are part of the new Assistance to Small Shipyards program, which was authorized by Congress in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, and funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008. The purpose of the grants is to make capital and infrastructure improvements that facilitate the efficiency, cost-effectiveness and quality of domestic ship construction, conversion or repair for commercial and federal government use in maritime communities. The grants cover a maximum of 75 percent of the estimated cost of improvements. The recipients, all small businesses, are responsible for the remainder of the cost. The Maritime Administration is the agency in the Department of Transportation dealing with waterborne transportation. Its mission is to improve and strengthen the U.S. marine transportation system, including infrastructure, industry and labor, to meet the economic and security needs of the United States.
Pictured above, Sulphur Mayor Ron LeLeux (center) with Owner Janet Domingue, Dalton Domingue, Sulphur City Council members Dru Ellender and Chris Duncan, and Chamber Ambassadors. — The Wish List joined the Chamber SWLA recently and held their grand opening/ribbon cutting on April 25 at their store located at 503 North Huntington Street in Sulphur. The Wish List is a unique gift shop carrying a wide variety of home decor items, fresh flowers, jewelry, clothing and LSU items. You can reach The Wish List at (337) 287-4142.
Pictured above, John Cardonne with the City of Lake Charles (2nd from left), Wilbert Lewis (Foreman Reynaud Board President), Ward 3 Representative Solomon Cannon, and other members of the board and staff of the center.— On April 29, the Foreman Reynaud Community Center celebrated its renovated center with a ribbon cutting and open house. The Foreman Reynaud Community Center is a recreational and educational organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for persons of all ages with an emphasis on the economically disadvantaged through programs that address education, health, recreation and social needs. Drop by their facility at 215 Albert Street in North Lake Charles or call them at (337) 436-2509 for information about their programs and services. MAY 15, 2008
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BUSINESS
notes
Students at DeQuincy Middle School were visited by representatives from the Police Jury who gave an assembly on Civics and the importance of local government. Earlier this month, the National County Government Association observed its annual awareness week, with the main focus placed on our country’s youth. Bryan Beam, Assistant Administrator for the Parish began the program, speaking to the entire student body that comprised of about 320 children. Beam gave a brief overview of the Police Jury and explained the importance of knowing all the services the Jury provides to the community. Other departments of the Police Jury whose purpose directly involves children also spoke to the students. They were: Animal Services, Mosquito Control, Office of Juvenile Justice, Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, and the Anti-Litter and Storm water programs. At the conclusion of the assembly, Sandy Treme, Police Juror for District 11, which includes DeQuincy, presented a state flag to Principal Billy Kellogg in recognition of the assembly. Treme hoped that the students gained a better understanding of how local government works. “Did you learn something? That’s why we’re here to talk to you.” said Treme. “Maybe one day you might want to grow up and serve your community in some way too.”
Impact Lake Charles AmeriCorps is actively recruiting 40 new members. Applicants must be at least 17 years of age. Individuals with disabilities and baby boomers are encouraged to apply. Members may serve 300, 450, 675 or 900 community service hours tutoring or assisting with disaster recovery at non-profit entities. A variety of opportunities are available. AmeriCorps members will earn up to $200 twice a month and receive an education scholarship up to $2,362.50. Apply now at Lake Charles City Hall, 5th floor. The deadline to apply is July 15, 2008. For more information and an application, call Barbara or Linda at 491-8735.
Women & Children’s Hospital has been awarded an accreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the American Association of Blood Banks, based on the results of a recent on-site inspection. Dr. Gault Townsend, WCH Laboratory Medical Director, Carla Webb Clark, WCH Laboratory Director, and Tammy Six, WCH Director of Cardiopulmonary Services, were advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the “excellence of the services being provided.” Women & Children’s Hospital Clinical Laboratory is one of the more than 6,000 CAP-accredited laboratories nationwide. During the accreditation process, inspectors examined the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. This stringent inspection program is designed to specifically ensure the high-test standard of care for the laboratory’s patients.
Two Sulphur-area residents – Brent Clement and Matt Vincent – have been appointed to the West Calcasieu Port five-person board of directors. The appointments were effective April 8, 2008. Clement, 48, was appointed by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jurors representing Ward Four, and replaces J.C. Cormier. A resident of Ward Four for 40 years, Clement is the business development manager of KJ Services of Sulphur. Clement served eight years on the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. He served as the CPPJ Vice President in 2003 and as its President in 2004. Currently, Brent serves as the Calcasieu Parish 4-H Livestock Sales Chairman and has previously served on the advisory board and as treasurer of the Southwest Louisiana Partnership for Economic Development. Vincent, 51, was appointed by Calcasieu Parish Police Jurors representing Ward Four who selected him from a list of three candidates nominated by the West Calcasieu Association of Business. Vincent replaces Kenny Nabours. A life-long resident of Sulphur, Vincent has been vice president of Century Group Inc. in Sulphur for the past 26 years. Matt is the past president and board member of the Louisiana High School Rodeo Association, and currently serves as the vice president of Sulphur Parks & Recreation Board of Commissioners. He is a member of the Sulphur Athletic Association.
Pictured above, Tico Soto, director of sales for the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with Louisiana state Senator Willie Mount, presents a check for $10,000 to Oscar Jordan, co-director of the Port of Lake Charles Softball Tournament. Sports Warchest funds will be used for official fees, security, game equipment, advertising, field rental and awards. The Sports Warchest Grant is intended to enhance and encourage tournaments in Calcasieu Parish. The tournament is scheduled for June 13-15 at the O.D. Johnson Fields and the Lake Charles Multi-sports Complex.
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MAY 15, 2008
Delta Tech has received a four year grant of accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Delta Tech has been accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools since 1976. The accreditation is a status granted to an institution that meets or exceeds the stated criteria of educational quality. The purposes of accreditation are to assess and enhance the educational quality of an institution, to assure consistency in institutional operations, to promote institutional improvement, and to provide for public accountability.
Pictured above, Tonya Burch of Sulphur won a pair of diamond earrings from Cameron State Bank. The earrings were the April giveaway during Cameron State Bank’s Dazzling Diamond Giveaway going on now through June. The necklace was presented to Burth by Leslie Harless, Vice President of Marketing at Cameron State Bank. The giveaway continues with a new diamond jewelry piece being given each month. Registration slips are available at every Cameron State Bank. The grand finale to be given in June is a $14,000 diamond ring.
READERS KNOW
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Beauregard Parish Judicial Race Making
Election History By Angie Manning-Istre, Photo By The Times of SWLA
BEAUREGARD PARISH, La.— Residents in Beauregard Parish are finding themselves with a choice for electing two judges, one in Division A and another in Division B, for the first time in the history of the 36th Judicial District Court (JDC). The race has the propensity to cause quite a bit of confusion as it is different than any other judges’ race that has ever taken place in the parish. With Judge Stuart S. Kay, Jr. retiring this year, Martha O’Neal and Lloyd Keith Milam are vying for the judgeship of Division A. Although incumbent H.I. “Buddy” Stewart, Jr. has been in office since 1996, he is being challenged by C. Kerry Anderson for Division B. City courts no longer exist in Beauregard Parish after the creation of Division B in 1996, so any case that goes to court will either be heard before the judge of Division A or Division B, based on random allotment—not geography. So, why is it that 2008 is the first time for elections to be held in both PAGE 12
MAY 15, 2008
Division A and Division B? One reason is that looking back through the years, there has never been a contested race for Division A. Judge L.H. Coltharp was the first judge of the 36th Judicial District Court, which was formed in 1978, and he ran unopposed in that district for two terms. Judge Stuart S. Kay, Jr. succeeded Judge Coltharp and has been unopposed for three six year terms. Usual terms last six years, but there can be special cases or new judgeships formed, which sometimes leads to an odd number of years served. Judge Kay, Jr. is retiring this year after 18 years of service as a district judge and seven years as a city judge for a total of 25 years on the bench. When asked if there was anything in particular that Judge Kay, Jr. learned while serving as judge for so many years, he answered that he had become more aware of the prevalence of child abuse and neglect. “The most enlightening experience that I have had over my career as both a city and district judge is to truly
understand the extent and impact of child abuse and neglect even in a rural parish such as this. There is not much public awareness of this type of issue because the cases are handled in a confidential manner. However, DeRidder responds beautifully to the problems facing juveniles, and over the past 25 years, it has been terrific to work with the other elected officials and law enforcement personnel in this area,” said Judge Kay, Jr. Judge Kay, Jr. has not had much time to think about plans after retiring from his current office. “My plate will be full until Dec. 31, but after that time, I will most likely travel, take care of family matters and possibly be involved in filling in as a judge whenever there is a temporary vacancy and a need for service, as appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court,” said Judge Kay, Jr. In 1996, Division B was added, and the current Judge H.I. “Buddy” Stewart, Jr. was opposed while running for his first term by two other candidates, but he was unopposed for his
second term, and he is currently running for reelection. So, the last contested race was 12 years ago in Division B. “This is the first time for there to be two contested races going on simultaneously in Division A and Division B, and everyone in the parish will have an opportunity to vote for judges in both divisions,” said Judge Stewart, Jr. Digging deeper into the pages of history, the various divisions of districts and additions of judgeships has become more complicated with the growing population of Southwest Louisiana, which has naturally created heavier caseloads for judges. Originally, Beauregard was part of the larger 14th JDC of Imperial Calcasieu before the 30th JDC consisting of Vernon and Beauregard was formed in the 1950s. Judge James C. Terrell was the first judge of the 30th JDC, and in 1972, Judge Stuart S. Kay, Sr. was elected as the second judge. Subsequently, Judge L.H. Coltharp was elected in 1976 as the third judge of the 30th JDC. Judge Kay, Jr. reflects on the inspi-
ration that his father had on his life and career: “My father was a tremendous inspiration for me and a great influence on my life. He was a dedicated man who spent much of his life in a rural practice before being elected as judge. He was also involved in state legal circles, having chaired a committee which drafted one of the articles of the state’s constitution at its last reenactment. In addition, he served as a district attorney and a state legislator,” said Judge Kay, Jr. Many people to this day think that Judge Coltharp succeeded Judge Kay. Sr., but what happened according to Judge Coltharp, is that Judge Kay, Sr. died in 1976 on Labor Day of that year. With his passing during his term, in 1976, Judge Coltharp took the oath of office sooner than originally expected, and there was another election held for the second judgeship position which was filled by Judge Ted Broyles. Two years later after Judge Coltharp took to the bench, in 1978, the 36th JDC was formed, consisting solely of Beauregard Parish with Judge Coltharp serving until1990. With so many judges serving lengthy periods of time on the bench, one question that might come to mind is the motivational factor behind holding a position that could be considered stressful by many people. “After a number of years, it is a natural progression for a lawyer with experience in the courtroom to want to use that knowledge and expertise to serve the community in a different capacity. There is hardly anything in terms of human relations that is more important because it is a job that deals with people’s lives and pocketbooks,” said Judge Coltharp. Residents of Beauregard Parish are encouraged to participate in this historic election to be held Saturday, Oct. 4. The six year terms for the elected judges will officially commence after they take their oath of office on January 1, 2009.
8056 Eastex Freeway Beaumont, TX 77708 409-898-1535 1-800-945-1119
MAY 15, 2008
PAGE 13
BIZ BYTES — by Dan Juneau
INSIDE BATON ROUGE — by John Maginnis
From In The Spotlight To On The Spot rom chatting up Jay Leno on the Tonight Show to addressing the National Press Club, Gov. Bobby Jindal served Louisiana well from a distance this past month. For a state accustomed to cringing at past chief executives’ national exposure, Jindal’s star turn puts an exclamation point on the statement that politics is changing down the bayou. Good for him and us. Now, for his next appearance, he might consider taking the elevator down to the first floor of the State Capitol, where the Legislature is verging on making hash of his carefully scripted session agenda. Even his faithful supporters are nervous that somewhere between Hollywood and Washington their leader began to lose his grip on this legislative session and the conservative movement he brought with him to the Capitol. Not that he can’t regain control, but a delicate situation is turning very dicey. While the governor’s attention was elsewhere, a large tax-cut bill that was not supposed to see the light of day slipped its chains, grew monstrously larger and now threatens to devour his first budget. The Jindal administration opposed but apparently took lightly a bill by Sen. Buddy Shaw, R-Shreveport, to reverse the income tax increase of the Stelly plan of 2002. Shaw’s onepage bill would reduce from six percent to four percent the tax rate on incomes between $25,000 and $50,000, amounting to a $500 break for individuals and a $302 million hit to the state treasury. Certainly, candidate Jindal heard constant complaints about the hated “Stelly tax” throughout his campaign, as did the dozens of new lawmakers elected with him. Yet when the out-ofcontrol state spending he railed against came under his control, he grew reluctant to diminish the revenue stream needed to fund what he termed his “strategic investments” in education, public safety and mental health. Reducing business taxes made his agenda but reversing the Stelly tax was ignored. When mild-mannered Sen. Shaw (at 74, the Legislature’s oldest member) presented his bill in committee, an administration staffer was sent to perfunctorily oppose it. But he was rebuffed by senators who approved the measure. That was a big missed tackle. Once the bill was on the Senate floor, the governor’s allies tried but failed to
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get the votes to shunt it to another committee. Their next best strategy was to get behind an amendment by Sen. Nick Gautreaux, D-Abbeville, to phase out the entire income tax, at a cost of $4 billion. Gautreaux may have been sincere, but the motive of most voting with him was to make the bill impossible for the House to pass. The next day, callers to conservative talk radio shows blistered the Senate leadership for the ruse as well as the governor, whom they saw as behind it. Also, it is doubtful that the parliamentary trick will work, for it will be simple enough for the more conservative House to strip Gautreaux’s amendment and to pass Shaw’s bill in its original form.
A DELICATE SITUATION IS TURNING VERY DICEY. This is putting Jindal and his legislative leadership in the untenable position of having to work with Democrats to thwart or scale back the major cause championed by his fellow Republicans. Worse yet, he has missed the opportunity to claim credit for what could be the biggest tax break in decades. While not publicly opposing Shaw’s bill, the governor said he would welcome tax cuts that are accompanied by spending reductions. Over the next two weeks, the young House will get a reality check on the difficulty of agreeing on what is wasteful spending as opposed to strategic investments. Yet, most predict that the days of the Stelly tax are numbered. At this point, the best that Jindal can hope for is to phase in the $302 million tax cut over four years, by which time he’ll make us think it was all his idea. He can surely out-talk Buddy Shaw. But he’s a long way from that happy point. Had he seen all this coming before he boarded the plane, he could have got in front of the tax-cut parade instead of having to scramble to catch up to it.
How We Compare he National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), in conjunction with the Association of Washington Business, publishes an annual “Competitiveness Redbook” that uses a compilation of key economic indicators to measure how states’ business climates stack up. The “Redbook” is an offshoot of a major study NAM conducted in 2003 that showed how the structural costs imposed by governments on manufacturers threaten their ability to compete. There is good news and bad news for Louisiana in the study. When it comes to manufacturing, it is obvious that Louisiana should move heaven and earth to attract and maintain manufacturing jobs. Our state ranks second in the nation in wages on an hourly basis ($20.64) and value added per worker hour ($323.44). Louisiana leads the nation in investment per employee in manufacturing ($31,125). Manufacturing is obviously providing a sound base of high wages and strong investment in the overall economy in Louisiana. Incentives to increase it should be targeted, and impediments that impact it should be removed. Two of the major drawbacks to competitiveness in Louisiana appear to be in the areas of taxation and utility costs. In the category of business taxes as a share of all state and local taxes, Louisiana ranks sixth highest, with a total of 60.6 percent of all of the taxes paid for by business, compared to a national average of 44.9 percent. Conversely, Louisiana ranks 31st in total state and local taxes per capita ($3,173). Louisiana’s reputation for keeping individual taxes low by keeping business taxes high continues. One of the major taxation imbalances continues to be in the property tax. The “Redbook” compares property taxes in the largest city of each state, first being worst and 50th being best. For residences, Louisiana ranks 41st in effective tax rates on property (0.92 percent). For commercial property, Louisiana ranks 19th with an effective tax rate of 2.42 percent. Industrial property ranks 6th with an effective tax rate of 2.48 percent. Electricity costs also hinder business competitiveness in Louisiana. Louisiana’s index of electricity costs is 114.5, with 100 being the national average for a ranking of 16th highest.
T
Some steps have already been taken that should ultimately help Louisiana’s competitiveness ranking. The state sales tax on manufacturing machinery and equipment will be fully phased out by July 1, 2009. Louisiana’s franchise tax on corporate debt is also being phased out and should be totally removed within the next three years. Likewise, the current state sales tax of 3.3 percent on business utilities will be totally removed by July 1, 2009. Those taxes are not collected by most other states. Removing them will give Louisiana more of a level playing field but not a competitive advantage over other states.
“LOUISIANA LEADS THE NATION IN INVESTMENT PER EMPLOYEE IN MANUFACTURING” The manufacturing base of Louisiana is centered in industries such as petroleum refining, chemicals and petrochemicals, forest products, seafood processing, and durable goods. Each job that we create in these and other areas of manufacturing has a significant positive multiplier effect in our state’s economy. Each of these jobs that we lose has a corresponding negative impact. The advantages Louisiana has, compared to other states, center upon a fair wage structure and generally low land and rental costs. The “Competitiveness Redbook” gives a decent road map of what Louisiana needs to do to be more successful in expanding and maintaining manufacturing jobs. A major part of that equation is to compete more effectively in the areas of utility costs and taxation, particularly in the inequities that exist in property taxation in our state.
ChipIn for Good Health Enjoy a day on the green guilt-free. This round of golf couldn’t be for a better cause – quality healthcare for your community. By participating in the West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament, you can support funding for future services and equipment right here at home to benefit your family and friends.
Saturday, June 21
WEST CALCASIEU CAMERON HOSPITAL FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT Frasch Golf Course 4-person scramble Shotgun start at 8:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Entry fee for team is $320.00 Tee box sponsorship is $100 per hole
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PAGE 15
WHAT’S
Thank you,
UP DOC?
Southwest Louisiana, for voting Glad Tidings Preschool as
Best Daycare! As always, excellence is our goal. Congratulations to our wonderful staff who have worked very hard to attain this honor.
Is it safe for someone with high blood pressure who is taking blood pressure medication to drink coffee? This is a topic that is the subject of ongoing debate and continuing research. It is a fact that caffeine temporarily increases blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate. In general, however, drinking moderate amounts (one or two cups per day) of filtered coffee, is widely regarded as safe because the body has adjusted to the effects of caffeine. However, it’s important to discuss your specific condition, medication and possible effects of caffeine with your physician. Some cardiologists recommend no caffeine for their high blood pressure patients just to be safe. Guidry Gilmore, MD, Cardiologist with Lake Charles Medical and Surgical Clinic
May God richly bless you all!
I’m 55 and frequently wake up in the night having to urinate. Should I be concerned? This is a common consequence of getting older. One likely culprit is something called BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia.) This condition is very common, affecting half of all men between ages 50 and 60. As you get older, the prostate, a walnut-sized gland around your urethra, can grow larger. Eventually, it can put pressure on the urethra, giving you an intense urge to urinate. Many men just live with the nighttime annoyance, but if the symptoms are really bothering you, BPH can be treated with medication or surgery. Kenneth Verheeck, MD, Urologist with the Urology Center of SWLA
GLAD TIDINGS PRESCHOOL 3400 Texas St., Lake Charles
478-9241
How does age affect orthodontic treatments? The mechanical process used to move teeth is about the same at any age. So the benefits of orthodontic treatments are available to both children and adults who wish to improve their appearance and bite. The main differences between treatments in adults and children is that certain corrections in adults may require more than braces alone and the treatments may take longer because adult bones are no longer growing. Craig Crawford, DDS, Orthodontist, Crawford Orthodontics I have problems seeing my computer screen, and my reading glasses don’t help. Is there a different type of glasses for improving vision just for seeing a computer screen? This is a common problem and there are computer eye glasses that will solve it for most people. In many cases, standard reading glasses or overthe-counter readers are not accurate enough to provide clear vision of a computer screen. An eye exam will help us evaluate your computer vision problem. We’ll work with you to determine your correct computer working distance and then prescribe prescription computer glasses that will allow you to work comfortably and productively. We can even customize these eyeglasses for those who wear bifocals. Ninety percent of the time, multifocal lenses will be the best choice, as they are designed specifically for working at a computer. They allow you to see clearly at your correct computer screen distance, at paperwork on your desk, and can give you some distance vision beyond the computer. Melvin Gehrig, OD, Optometrist with The Eye Clinic
2600 Highway 14 Lake Charles 337-478-6565 PAGE 16
MAY 15, 2008
3406 Ryan Street Lake Charles 337-477-9850
1500 Ruth Street Sulphur 337-527-6355
Dear Etiquetteer:
I've been troubled by this for some time and hope you can assist. When visiting other people's homes and washing my hands in the restroom I'm frequently confused to know which towel I'm intended to use to dry my hands. Those fancy ones with the decorative lace seem to be just that, merely decorative. The big bath towel drying over the shower rod definitely isn't the right one. There might be a small towel rolled in a little basket. Is that for me? Or is it the moderatesized one on a little hanger?
Sometimes there can be as many as four different towels about and I end up using the one that I think will least reveal my damp presence. Is there some rule of thumb for guest hand towels to assist me? Also, when staying the night as a guest in a friend's home, how does one handle making up the bed the next morning? The hostess likely is going to strip the bed after I leave to wash the sheets so is the polite thing to remove the bedding and to leave in some sort of neat pile? Or should I make up the bed again so it looks presentable, if only for the hostess to pull it apart again, comforted (both host and I) that I'd made some sort of effort? I suspect you'll suggest I merely ask my host what would be most convenient but that invariably only gets the response that I should do nothing but that feels just too rude. What's your suggestion?
Dear Handy:
You’ve hit upon one of Etiquetteer’s pet peeves about guest towels, which is that Daintiness Doesn’t Do. Many ladies are fond of old-fashioned guest towels, made of plain cotton or linen, heavily wrought with dainty embroidery, and sometimes ornamented with lace trim or cutwork. Beautiful exhibitions of the
needlewoman’s art, to be sure, but not so helpful for wet hands. Many a time has Etiquetteer heard the resulting cry “Oh, but they’re so pretty I don’t want to get them dirty.” One then ends up rubbing one’s hands on one’s trousers and praying the watermarks fade soon. Every bathroom should include hand towels made of Turkish toweling easy reach of someone standing at the sink. They shouldn’t be ornamented with anything more than the hostess’s monogram, if that. From your descriptions, the “small towel rolled in a little basket” and the “moderate-sized one on a little hanger” sound like the Perfectly Proper ones. Clever hosts and hostesses have figured out how to make their guests more comfortable with towel selection: wrinkle one of the towels before guests arrive so they’ll know which towels to use. In a house without servants – which is to say, in the kind of house to which Etiquetteer is invited – Etiquetteer tends to make the bed so that it doesn’t look messy, but not perfectly enough that the host or hostess thinks they can forego changing the sheets. Usually this means not tucking the pillowcases into the bedspread or smoothing down the bedspread. In a house without servants, one does not want to give the impression that one is
waiting for room service to handle these details.
Dear Etiquetteer:
I have a blue seersucker suit, but am confused as to what shoes to wear with it. I have a pair of slip-on light brown loafers with tassel. Will this work, or am I just plain tacky?
Dear Shod:
It depends on when you’re wearing it. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, white bucks are most Perfectly Proper with a seersucker suit. There aren’t that many men who still trouble with white bucks, unfortunately. And Haspel, the venerable maker of seersucker suiting, neatly sidesteps the issue by not photographing any of their seersuckered models full-length in their catalog. Once upon a time, as recently as forty years ago, loafers were considered casual shoes and lace-ups or wingtips were the only shoes you could wear with a suit. Nowadays, with everyone wearing athletic shoes and Crocs with casual clothes, loafers or slip-ons are seen more often with suits. But Etiquetteer thinks the tassels might be just the least bit too flippant, so plain loafers might look more professional.
• Fountains • Garden Accessories • Wind Chimes • Bird Feeders • Tula Hats Super Selection of Plants & Trees Gift Certificates Available
“Thank You SWLA for Voting Us Your Favorite Nursery for 11 years!”
4226 Lake St. • 477-6080 Open 7 Days a Week MAY 15, 2008
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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
Kennison Forest Products Supplies Lumber Nationwide By Kathy Bergstrom e worked into it,” J.R. “Dick” Kennison explained. “We now operate three reloads on the east coast and two on the west coast.” From an unassuming building on East Thomas Street in Sulphur, Kennison Forest Products last year grossed over $18 million in revenue. A perennial on The Times list of Top 50 Privately Owned Businesses, Kennison Forest Products was formed in 1980 by Dick Kennison and a partner as Kenfor Division Elder Forest Products. In 1997, Dick took over as Chairman/CEO of Kennison Forest Products, owned by Dick, his wife Fran and sons, Joe II and Jared. Dick now has 39 years in the lumber business. With only seven employees, they have grown Kennison into an international exporter with more than 1,500 accounts. Their sales territory covers the entire United States, Canada and Hawaii. They have distributors in Orlando, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; Chicago, Illinois; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; with a branch office in Riverside, California. “Columbus and Chicago account for $300,000 per year for us,” says Dick.
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Kennison explains that they import product from New Zealand because American manufacturers are not producing at this time. Their primary products are industrial lumber and plywood, specializing in scaffold plank, sold to scaffold erectors, masons and commercial builders. “The lumber market goes up and down,” says Kennison. “This year we will move more product than in ’07…but lumber prices are at a 10-to-15 year low, because of overproduction, the housing market slump and the mortgage mess. But I think we are close to being at the bottom.” Kennison and Fran moved to Sulphur from Port Barre in 1977. “This is home, now. I love the people. It’s a great place to raise a family. I wouldn’t want to be anyplace else right now.” Kennison serves as chairman and CEO, Fran is secretary treasurer, Joe II is president and COO, and Jared is vice president and general manager. Joe and Jared are both graduates of McNeese State University.
Thank you Southwest Louisiana for voting us
Best Dentist 700 W. McNeese Street, Lake Charles
(337) 478-8470 email: drnbraydds@xspedius.net PAGE 18
MAY 15, 2008
J.R. “Dick” Kennison
“I believe in giving back to the community and trying to leave things better than I found them,” says Dick. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the Chamber SWLA. He has served as a Sulphur City Council member for over six years; member and president of Rotary and the West Calcasieu Association of Commerce (president 2003); the Maplewood-Hollywood Lions Club, KC Council #8322; Care Help of Sulphur (Board of Directors 2006-07); Industrial Development Board of the City of Sulphur for 11 years; IRB Board member at LC Memorial Hospital (2005-06); and the West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Finance Committee. He also served as Chairman of the Mac Burns Memorial; named the West Calcasieu Association of Commerce “Citizen of the Year 2002”; City of Sulphur Volunteer of the Year, 2005; the YMBC Presidents Award (1980). “My favorite saying is ‘What goes around comes around,” says Dick. “I attribute what success I have attained,” he modestly explained, “to a forgiving Lord, supportive family (four children and ten grandchildren), hard work and a great bank – Cameron State Bank.” “People come here to Southwest Louisiana for the Joie de Vive and food as much as anything else. Sowela and MSU are two of the best kept secrets in the area,” says Kennison. “I’m really happy I’m here and lived to see the changes in the area the last five years. In working with the Chamber and representing the area during trips to Washington, D. C. I’ve noticed that when we tell people we represent five parishes and people working together you get their attention. We are not asking for help for just one town or one parish, but all five parishes. We get a lot of accolades for working together. And we are working with Southeast Texas and Lafayette, to see how things are done for workforce development. Because again,” Kennison says, “if anything is good for the whole region, we will all benefit.”
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SPAR Summer Activities Schedule As of press time for the Parent’s Resource Guide, SPAR’s schedule was not set. We present it now...
SPAR 933 West Parish Road, Sulphur, LA 70663 www.sulphurparks.com • phone: 337-721-3040 • fax: 337-721-3041 Summer Swim Lessons: Session I – Session III will be held at Center Circle Pool. Session IV will be held at SPAR Recreation and Aquatic Center. Registration began Tuesday, May 13. Sessions run Monday through Thursday for two weeks, for 8 classes. Morning and evening times will be offered. SPAR uses the guidelines and instructors authorized by the American Red Cross. Ages 6 to 35 months require a parent/guardian to be in the class/pool with infant throughout duration of class. ARC Levels 1-5 will be offered as well. Program Fee: $40 per session per child, Ages: 6 months – 12 years Times: 9:30-11 AM and 5-6:30PM Session I: June 2- June 12 Session II: June 16- June 26 Session III: June 30 – July 10 Session IV: July 28 – August 7 *** at the SPAR Recreation & Aquatic Center. Guard Start: Lifeguarding Tomorrow: Session I: June 16 – June 26 @ Center Circle Pool Session II: July 28 – August 7 @ SPAR Recreation & Aquatic Center Program Fee: $40 per session per child, Ages: 11-14 years Time: PM TBA American Red Cross GuardStart: Lifeguarding Tomorrow is designed to prepare 11- to 14-year olds to take Red Cross Lifeguarding certification programs and for future work as lifeguards. The GuardStart program helps participants build a foundation of knowledge, attitudes and skills that they will need to be responsible lifeguards. Lessons are grouped into five main areas: prevention, fitness, response, leadership and professionalism. SPAR Youth Fitness Classes: June 2 – August 8, 2006 Program Fee: daily admission $3/In-District $4/Out of District Ages: 8-14 years Maximum enrollment: 12 per session. Parents MUST remain within SPAR Recreation & Aquatic Center. Skills covered: Fitness Basics (a how to and lecture series for children). Introductory activities to safely begin an exercise program for children. Youth Sport Training is not intended to be a “learn-to-play”, but a training tool for each sport. FREE Swimming: Sulphur Parks and Recreation will offer “free swimming” at each of our pools; Center Circle, and Recreation & Aquatic Center. June 1- August 13: Times/Days vary per pool. Please call Administrative office at 721.3040 for specific dates and times. Ages: All — Parents MUST remain with child throughout event. Appropriate swim clothing is required. Program is not set-up to accommodate large groups/ day cares. SPAR SWIM & SPORT Summer Camps 2008: Monday – Thursday 8:30 AM-12:30 PM Program Fee: $40 per session/per child, Ages: 7-13 years Session I: June TBA Session II: July TBA Information has not been confirmed, yet. Call for more information SPAR Waterpark: “ So much fun, so close.” Opening Weekend is May 17 SPAR Waterpark’s 4th Birthday party will be on Sunday, May 26! Open Weekends beginning May 17 Open Daily beginning Thursday, May 29 Hours of Operation: Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri/Sat: 10 AM – 7 PM PAGE 20
MAY 15, 2008
Wednesday: 10 AM – 5 PM Sunday 1 PM – 7 PM New! Adult Swim. Adults only on Wednesday nights, June18 and July 30 from 6-8 PM. July 18 will be Aquathon Club Wars. We invite all Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, or other non-profit organizations to challenge other clubs to compete at SPAR Waterpark. Gate Fee: $3.50 In-District residents (Ward 4/Sulphur residents). $5 Out-of District residents. As gas prices increase, our gate fee remains the same. With so much fun so close, why travel this weekend. Spend your next weekend at SPAR Waterpark! 2008 Season Passes and 30 Visit Punch Cards are on sale now. Group Reservations, and SPAR Waterpark Party reservation are accepted Monday – Friday 85 pm.
HENNING CULTURAL CENTER
Pool Season: Saturday, May 31, 2008 – Sunday, August, 10, 2008 Admission:$1.50 per day per person $1.00 per day per person with current SPAR Recreation & Aquatic Membership (Valid Membership ID Card Required) $1.00 per day per child with Day Cares $37.50 (30 Visit Punch Card) $100 (100 Visit Punch Card) Swim Lessons: Monday thru Thursday mornings, 9:30 to 11 and evenings 5 to 6:30. Recreational Swim: Monday thru Saturday, times vary. Call for Schedule. Family Swims: Monday, Wednesday & Friday evenings, 5:45 to 6:45. Sulphur Seals: Monday & Wednesday evenings 6:45 to 8; Tuesday & Thursday, 6:30 to 7:45. Free Public Swim: Tuesday thru Friday afternoons, 3:30 to 4:30 & Saturday 10 to 12 p.m.
900 South Huntington, Sulphur, LA 70663 Contact: Thomas Trahan 337-527-0357 • http://www.brimstonemuseum.org/henning.asp
Pool Parties: Saturdays: 6 to 8 PM — $75 ( up to 50 people). Reservations must be made 2 weeks in advance. Call SPAR Administrative office for more information.
2nd Saturdays in Sulphur June 14 — July 12 — August 9 Program Fee: FREE Ages: 6-14 years Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM This year’s theme is Frontier History, and will include crafts, an exciting trip back in time, and other surprises! This FREE event is filled with activities are planned to entertain and educate.
Swim Lessons: Session I: June 2- June 12 Sesion II: June 16- June 26 Session III: June 30 – July 10 Session IV: July 28 – August 7 *** at the SPAR Recreation & Aquatic Center.
Upcoming Exhibits: June 5th – July 9th Artisan’s Gallery exhibit In June, more than 10 of the most prominent artists in Lake Charles get together to display their newest work in our annual Artisan’s Gallery exhibit. These ladies and gentlemen have honed their craft, and invite you to come view their work!
Golf Course: 337-527-2515 • Driving Range: 337-527-2517
CENTER CIRCLE POOL 80 Center Circle Drive, Sulphur, Louisiana 70663 Phone (seasonal): (337) 625- 9791
FRASCH PARK GOLF COURSE Frasch Park Junior Golf Clinic: 9 AM -11AM Session I: June 3-5 Session II: July 1-3 Session III: August 5-7 Ages: 8-17 Program Fee: $75 – camp t-shirt provided, drinks, prizes. Pre-registration is strongly recommended to reserve your space. It is strongly recommended to bring own clubs, but loaner clubs will be available. Skills covered: Golf rules and etiquette, basic fundamentals, full swing, and short game.
MAY 15, 2008
PAGE 21
The
“Original”
Best Of SWLA
ReadersPoll 2 0 0 8
Part 1
O
ur annual reader’s polling for the Best of Southwest Louisiana is official, and Decision ’08 honors some old favorites, some new favorites and offers up some surprises. Decision ’08 will be revealed in two publications. In this issue we will report the winners in the categories of Shopping & Services, Sports & Recreation, and Local Media. Our May 31 issue will reveal the winners in Culture & Arts, Nightlife, and SWLA Food.
By Kathy Bergstrom PAGE 22
MAY 15, 2008
BEST SHO & SER PPING VICE S
Best Bank: Cameron State Bank. The annual heated competition between local banks kept Cameron State Bank in the top spot with our voting readers. Chase Bank placed second this year with Jeff Davis Bank taking third. Best Credit Union: CSE Federal Credit Union. CSE Credit Union took first place again this year with Calcasieu Parish Employees Federal Credit Union taking second place and Calcasieu Federal Employees Credit Union and Firestone Federal Credit Union tying for third place.
Best Financial/Investment Planning Consultant: Pepe Vasquez, Mallard Investments, CSB. Vasquez wins again! Edward Jones placed second and AG Edwards & Sons took third place. Best Auto Dealer (New): Billy Navarre. Once again, Billy Navarre ran away with first place for Best Auto Dealer (New). Lake Charles Toyota took
second place and Bubba Oustalet in Jennings took third; a repeat of Decision ’07! Best Auto Dealer (Used): Billy Navarre. Billy Navarre was voted Best Auto Dealer (Used) again this year. Lake Charles Toyota moved up to
second place and Auto Plex came in a close third in Decision ’08. Best Auto Service: Billy Navarre. Navarre again swept our Decision ’08 with our Best Of voters! D & R Automotive Repair took second place this year and Ken Conner’s Service Tire & Auto took third. Best Tire Center: Pumpelly’s Tire Center. It was a hard fight again this year, but Pumpelly’s came out first in Decision ’08, with Ken Conner’s Service Tire & Auto finishing a strong second. Sam’s Club placed third.
Best Roofing Company: Ferguson Roofing. Decision ’08 voters once again gave Ferguson Roofing top honors, with Poole Roofing placing second. Coming in third this is is Arabie Roofing. Best Rental Store: Groves Rent Way. Groves Rent Way took top honors again this year, with Grand Rental Station coming in a close second. Third place went to Tadlock Rental.
Best Mini-Storage: Neighborhood Mini-Storage. A necessity for most households, the ubiquitous mini-storage units are getting quite competitive. This year Neighborhood Mini-Storage moved up to first place with voters. U-Lock-It is second with our Decision ’08 voters, and Assured Mini-Storage kept its spot in third.
Best Motorcycle Shop: Harley Davidson of Lake Charles. Harley supporters put their favorite in first place. Honda of Lake Charles was a strong second place finish and Yamaha took third for Decision ’08. Best Local Hardware Store: Gayle’s Hardware. For those hard-tofind thingamabobs and whatchamacallits, Gayle’s Hardware on Ryan Street was voted “Best Of” again this year. Trahan’s Hardware on Common Street took second place again this year. New to the list is our third place winner, Browne-Stewart Billy Navarre Company.
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BEST SHOPPING & SERVICES Continued
Best Pool Company: Sabine Pools & Spas. Our voters again honored Sabine Pools as the best pool and spa supplier and contractor. Pro Pools & Spas took second place and Affordable Pools placed third. Best Sporting Goods/Outdoor Store: Academy. The runaway favorite for Decision ’08 is Academy with Lake Charles Tackle taking second and Athlete’s Corner placing third.
J&J Pest Control L-R: Robert Soileau, Region 3 Mgr. and Sean Pierson, Service Mgr.
Best Liquor Store: Lake Street Liquor. Moving up to first place with our readers is Lake Street Liquor. Hokus Pokus was a strong second choice with voters, and Homsi’s placed third.
Best Pest Control: J & J Pest Control. Darn those pesky critters! For home protection, our readers again selected J & J Pest Control for first place. Cal-Cam Termite & Pest moved up to second place with a close third going to McKenzie Pest Control.
PAGE 24
MAY 15, 2008
Best Realtor/Realty Company: Flavin Realty. Decision ’08 voters gave top honors to the folks at Flavin Realty. ERA Moffett took second place and Tom Jones made the list at third place.
moving back into second place. Third was New Drug Company. Best Lawyer: Jamie Bice. Bice took the top spot from Michelle Bradley who placed second in Decision ‘08. Randy Fuerst took third. Best Physician: Dr. Carl Nabours. Dr. Nabours garnered first place among our readers with Dr. Susan Ieyoub placing second in the voting. Dr. Richard Landry came in third.
Best Place to Have a Baby: Women & Children’s Hospital. Once again, Women & Children’s Hospital was voted the best place to have a baby. Lake Charles Memorial Hospital took second place and Christus St. Patrick placed third and West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital earned an honorable mention with our voting readers. Best Pharmacy/Drug Store: Walgreen’s. The ubiquitous Walgreen’s again took first place among our readers with hometown Gordon’s Drugs
Bice, Palermo & Veron, L.L.C. Jamie B. Bice
BEST SHOPPING & SERVICES Continued Snooper’s Paradise took second place this year, with Nana’s Cupboard coming in third. Antique lovers gave honorable mentions to Old Feed Store Antiques, Janine’s, and Focal Point Antiques. Best Bargain/Thrift Store: Tuesday Morning. For the third year, Tuesday Morning won first place among bargain-hunters. S&M on Ryan Street stepped up to second place with our voters. The Goodwill Store on Highway 14 took third. And honorable mentions must go to The French Quartrer Flea Market, Bazaar Treasures and the Salvation Army Store.
Dr. Joe Stark Best Dentist: Dr. Nathan Bray. Dr. Bray won first place with Dr. Dennis Donald again taking second place this year. Dr. Edward Hebert placed third. Best Veterinarian: Dr. Joe Stark. A favorite of our readers and their companion animals, Dr. Stark won this category for the third consecutive year. Dr. Michael Woodward came in second with Dr. Jay Carter placing third with our voters. Best Veterinarian Clinic: University Animal Clinic. University was again voted best clinic and Downtown Animal Hospital placed second with our readers. Lake Area Animal Hospital garnered third place with pet-lovers. Best Pet Groomer: Petsmart Grooming. Voted most popular among our readers was Petsmart, with Planet Pets in second place. Farr Veterinary Hospital came in third. But voting was surprising strong and very close. Honorable mentions go to Downtown Animal Hospital, Michelle Horak — The Pet Groomer, Leslie’s Pro Groom, Groomingdale’s, and Gill Animal Hospital. Best Travel Agency: Globetrek Travel. If you need a vacation destination, our voters recommend Globetrek Travel. Partners in Travel took second again this year, followed by Network II placing third. Best Antique Store: French Quarter Flea Market. The French Quarter Flea Market is the favorite place for treasure hunters.
Best SWLA Gift Shop: Expressions. Whether you’re shopping for Mardi Gras, Christmas or birthdays, our voters overwhelmingly recommend Expressions on Ryan for great gifts. Spain’s Gifts & Baskets came in second with their unique gift items. Bella Cose took third place. Tying for honorable mention are SWLA favorites Louisiana Market, Once in a Blue Moon, My Favorite Things and Navarra’s. Best Toy Store: Toys R Us. When shopping for the kids (or the kid in you), Toys R Us is the favorite place for our readers, with Emily’s placing second and Target coming in third. Best Daycare/Childcare/ Pre-School: Glad Tidings came in first with our Decision ’08 voters. St. Luke-Simpson Preschool was a very close second. University United Methodist Day School placed third. Our Lady Queen of Heaven Early Childhood Center, Kindercare and St. John’s Little Lambs took honorable mentions. Best Children’s Clothing: The Children’s Place. Fashion forward for youngsters, The Children’s Place is the choice for parents and kids. Old Navy took second place and voters selected Dillard’s for third. Very honorable mentions are Brousse’s A Child’s World and Bayou Baby.
www.navarras.com
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Best Women’s Clothing: Dillard’s. The best place to shop for women’s clothing is Dillard’s according to our voters, with Talbot’s in second place. Third place went to the new downtown venue, Social Denim.
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PAGE 25
BEST SHOPPING & SERVICES Continued
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Best Men’s Clothing: Dillard’s. Also the best place to shop for men’s clothing, Dillard’s took first place again in Decision ’08. Second place went to Gaidry’s and the new Studs of L’Auberge placed third.
Best Adult Store: Love Works. Our voting readers favored Love Works for their favorite “Adult Store”, with Love Shack a very close second. Mood Setters placed third.
Best Bride & Groom Formal Wear: Black Tie Formal Wear. Black Tie Formal Wear took the #1 spot this year, with Mr. Tux placing second in this hot contest. Treasured Moments came in third with Al’s Formal Wear, Squire’s, Mam’selle, Joy’s Rag Doll and Rhinestone Runway with strong votes for honorable mention.
Best Barber/Beauty Salon: One Hair Place. One Hair Place debuts on our list at number one. Scarborough’s came in a close second and Delores’ House of Style debuted at number three. Garnering enough votes for honorable mentions are Strandz Hair Studio, Lefeouf & Company and Blondie’s Hair Salon.
Best Wedding Registry: Navarra’s. Times voters selected Navarra’s as their preferred wedding registry for Decision ’08. Bella Cose & le Grenouille came in a close second. The Paper Place was third. The Perfect Gift and Sally’s Designs & Gifts garnered enough votes for honorable mention.
Best Tanning Salon: Australian Super Tan. By far the favorite for the bronzed set, Australian Super Tan took first with Perfect Tanz taking second and Darqest Tan at third place. Tan Daddy’s and Exotic Tans take honorable mentions.
Best Jewelry Store: M.B. Rich. This year, M.B. Rich took first place with our voting readers, and Navarra’s placed second. Diamond Durrell’s took third. Honorable mentions go to Nederland Jewelers and Bijoux Jewelry. Best Caterer: Reeve’s Uptown Catering. Reeve’s delicious food and service garnered enough votes for first place again this year. Runner-up in the close balloting was the venerable favorite, Treasure’s of Marilyn, and the Cajun Café taking third place. Terra Cotta’s and Casa Manana get honorable mention from our voters. Best Day Spa: Spa du Lac. For total pampering, Spa du Lac is the first choice with our voting readers. Scarborough’s is a close second and Aussie Day Spa & Tanning placed third. Best Massage & Day Spa: Spa du Lac. Spa du Lac was also voted best massage and day spa, but Scarborough’s Salon & Day Spa garnered a very close second place win. Special Touch took third place. Honorable mentions go to Tranquility Therapeutic Massage, Aussie Day Spa, Salon Elegance & Day Spa and Mass-AHHH-ge by Ledral & Associates.
PAGE 26
MAY 15, 2008
Paradise Florist Chris Allen Best Florist: Paradise Florist. Moving up to the #1 spot for Decision ’08, Paradise Florist is the favorite of our voting readers. A Daisy a Day is in second place, and Season’s Flowers took third. Wendi’s Flower Cart and Jesse’s House of Flowers tied for honorable mention. Best Greenhouse, Nursery or Garden Supply: Greengate. Greengate was voted number one by all our gardening readers and our second and third place winners are also reprising their standings from the last two years. Prien Pines took second and Dever’s Nursery in Sulphur placed third.
BEST SHOPPING & SERVICES Continued
Best Seafood Shop: JT’s Seafood. Decision ’08 was a repeat of last year’s race. The favorite source of much-loved seafood in SWLA is once again, JT’s Seafood in first. Steamboat Bill’s garnered second place and Richard’s in Sulphur took third again. Best Grocery Store: Albertson’s. The local big three took the top honors with our readers. Albertson’s placed first, with Market Basket moving up to second place and Kroger’s in third. But strong locals support gave honorable mentions to homegrown grocers Cormie’s, Brown’s and Misse’s.
AAA Drive-In Cleaners Best Dry Cleaner: AAA Drive-In Cleaners. The perennial favorite of our readers, AAA was again voted Best Dry Cleaners. Second place went to Runte Lake Cleaners and Black Tie Cleaners took third place.
Best Meat Market: Sam’s Club. Sam’s Club took first place this year. Albertson’s placed second and Peto’s was a close third. Misse’s Grocery in Sulphur was close behind for an honorable mention for Decision ’08.
Best Furniture Store: Ashley Furniture Homestore. Ashley was voted Best Furniture store by our readers for the second year, Foret Furniture took second place, with Home Furniture a close third. Howell Furniture Galleries and Butler Furniture took honorable mentions.
Best Electronics Store: Best Buy. Our reader’s selected Best Buy for those all-important electronics and gave second place to Circuit City, third place to Radio Shack. Best Book Store: Books-A-Million. Variety and a cuppa Joe Muggs gave Books-A-Million first place in a landslide. Chirstian Book Store was as a very distant second, and Walden Books took ballots for a third place. Best CD, DVD Store: Best Buy. Best Buy earned another first place, with Wal-Mart placing second and Circuit City coming in third. Best Big Box Store: Sam’s Club. Sam’s has it all, so our readers voted the Club their favorite in Decision ’08. Target came in a close second, and Lowe’s placed third.
Best Office Supply Store: Office Depot. Again this year, Office Depot is the one-stop shop for the majority of our readers. Lake Charles Office Supply came in second and United Office Supply took third place.
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PAGE 27
& S T R PO ON S T S BE REATI REC
Best Fishing Guide: Capt. Ron’s Charter. Local anglers gave Capt. Ron the edge for first place this year. Cap’n Sammie Hebert’s Marina took a close second place finish. Diamond “W” Ranch took third place.
2120 Broad Street • Lake Charles, LA • 337-436-0022
Best Hunting Camp: Jim Bel’s Hackberry Hilton. Hunters gave first place to Jim Bel’s Hackberry Hilton, with Big Lake Guide Service taking second. Hackberry Rod & Gun was awarded third. Garnering enough votes for honorable mentions are Black Lake Lodge, Grosse Savant, and Diamond W. Ranch. Best Marina: Bowtie Marina. The perennial favorite, Bowtie Marina took top honors in Decision ’08. Second place is Parkside Marina Resort and Bridge Point Yacht Center placed third. Nalmar Landing earned an honorable mention from voters. Best Place to Play Golf: Contraband Bayou at L’Auberge. Contraband Bayou moved up to first place this year. Graywood placed a strong second with the renovated Lake Charles Country Club taking third place this year. Koasati Pines at Coushatta and Mallard Cove garnered enough votes for honorable mentions.
Best Local News Reporter: John Bridges. Sulphur’s favorite son is also SWLA’s most popular broadcast reporter. This year, Marty Briggs placed second, and Cynthia Arceneaux took third place. Best Local Meteorologist: Curtis Atkinson. KPLC’s Curtis Atkinson won again this year — in a landslide. Second place went to Rob Robin with Wade Hampton taking third. PAGE 28
MAY 15, 2008
Best Place to Work Out: GiGi’s. Whether Downtown or Nelson Road, GiGi’s is still the favorite of the fit set. Dynamic Dimensions was a close second and LA Fitness Centers moved up to third place. Trinity Baptist Church Fitness Center and Curves took honorable mentions.
Best Soccer Field: Sulphur. Although voting was light in this category, soccer fans voted Sulphur’s field number one. McMurray Park in Sulphur came in second and Barbe High soccer field placed third. Best Softball/Baseball Diamond: Sulphur Parks. The excellent sports facilities in Sulphur placed first with our readers again this year. Barbe High stayed in second place and MSU retained it’s third place with voters. Best Local Sports Team: Swashbucklers. Scaramouch! The Swashbucklers even topped the McNeese Cowboys (second). Barbe Baseball and the Sulphur Tors tied for third as our readers’ favorite teams. Best Outdoor Sporting Event: McNeese Football. The favorite and ONLY Outdoor Sporting event worth voting for is Cowboy football according to our readers. Best Local Athlete: Shawn Piper with the Swashbucklers. Readers chose Shawn Piper as their favorite local athlete. Bryan Smith and Aaron Viney came in second and third. Best Local Coach: Matt Viator. Sports fans voted MSU’s Matt Viator as the best local coach. Second place went to Max Caldarera and Jimmy Shaver took third.
LOCA MEDI L A
LOCAL MEDIA Continued Best Local Sports Reporter: Scooter Hobbs. Scooter Hobbs with the American Press took top honors with our voters. KPLC’s sports reporter Garret Lumpkin came in second, with Gary Laney garnering enough votes to place third.
Thank You SWLA
for voting us Best Mini Storage!
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Best Local Music Radio DJ: Dale Mann. He’s back in the morning and our voting readers returned Dale to the top spot. Chad Evans came in second and Justin Case made third. Best Local Talk Radio Personality: Dale Mann. Decision ’08 also put Dale in the top spot for best local talk radio personality, with Mike Brignac taking second and Gary Shannon in third place. Best Local Radio Station: KBIU 101.3. And oh, the irony! Their format and personalities recently changed to “Jack” radio. Second place went to KYKZ and 92.9 The Lake took third place. Best Local Morning Show: Kidd Kradick in the Morning. The Kidd won the top spot with KPLC Sunrise taking second. There was no third place. Our voting readers are tuned to Kidd or Sunrise! Best Local TV Personality: John Bridges. SWLA trusts John Bridges and overwhelmingly voted him into first place again this year. Cynthia Arceneaux took second place, with Marty Briggs taking third.
Find out who won Decision ’08 in the hotly contested categories of Culture & Arts, Nightlife, SWLA Food and more, in our May 29 issue.
MAY 15, 2008
PAGE 29
HealthCARE
Do 30 Jumping Jacks and
Call Me in the Morning While we probably won’t hear that exact prescription, new research underscores the connection between regular exercise and a positive outlook on life. People who exercise regularly start feeling depressed and fatigued after just one week of forced inactivity, according to the study. Forty men and women who normally exercised at least three times a week for at least 30 minutes were evaluated. Half were told to stop exercising for two weeks, while the other half continued as usual. Researchers with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Maryland evaluated participants after one week, and again after two weeks. The first evaluation revealed fatigue and symptoms of depression in the non-exercisers. After two weeks, they added irritability, sadness and self-criticalness to their findings within the non-exercising group. The participants who were the most fit, evidenced by their VO2max, which represents the body’s ability to use oxygen efficiently, showed the sharpest decline in mood. Researchers did not notice a significant drop in fitness among the non-exercising group. Tressie Bares, Exercise Specialist with Dynamic Dimensions explained that regular exercise can help sustain a positive mood by quieting the body. “Even though exercise is all about movement, energy and motion, after the exercise routine is completed, the body balances itself by calming down nerves, producing ‘feel good’ endorphins, and pumping blood throughout the body more efficiently,” Bares said. “Exercise helps the body release toxins and excess energy. If you don’t exercise regularly, your body stays revved up, causing non-exercisers to feel fatigue. The body is designed to be balanced. If you don’t have a constructive outlet for energy, there’s no release; which makes the body shift into an unbalanced state.”
PAGE 30
MAY 15, 2008
Thirty minutes a day of exercise at least three to five times a week is recommended to improve physical and mental functioning. Exercise increases body temperature, which has a calming effect on the body. It also releases muscle tension, helps improve sleeping habits and reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol. These changes can help improve one’s mood and outlook. “While exercise isn’t intended to replace medical treatment of depression or anxiety, most physicians include it in a treatment plan for better mental and physical health,” said Bares. A few of the mental benefits of exercise include: Confidence. Diligently exercising gives a sense of accomplishment, as you check off one more thing on your to-do list. The physical benefits of exercise, such as reduced weight and better health, help you feel better about your appearance and self-worth. Interactions. Whether you exercise in a health club or in your neigh-
borhood, you’ll likely meet up with people during your routine. Exercise creates opportunities to interact with others, even if it is a simple wave or brief conversation. Take advantage of the social aspects of exercise, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your steady pace. Change in Focus. Dwelling on symptoms of depression or constantly thinking of your short-comings isn’t healthy. Exercise helps distract your mind. Healthy Coping. Doing something beneficial to lift your mood is a positive coping strategy. Abusing alcohol, drugs or food is not. By focusing on the positive, you’ll likely have a more optimistic outlook. The researchers involved with the study cautioned regular exercisers that skipping a few sessions would not necessarily cause a mood change, especially if they chose to do some-
thing else positive instead; rather, that ongoing neglect of exercising does show a decline in mood stability. “Once you get up and get moving, exercise really does make people feel better,” said Bares. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be a strenuous routine. In fact, it’s better to stick with a moderate routine and continue it, instead of abandoning exercise all together because it’s too difficult or too time consuming.” Consistency is important for better health – and a better mood.
HealthCARE
Thank You SWLA for voting us
BEST ROOFING COMPANY
WCCH Shoulder Procedure
Reverses Pain The shoulder bears a lot of responsibility when it comes to movement and range of motion. Whether it’s used in lifting a child into your arms, pulling weeds out of the garden or reaching up to get something off of a high shelf, shoulders are put to work many times throughout an average day, even more than most of us realize. When pain interferes with normal activities, it’s good to know there are options available. The rotator cuff is essentially a cushion that prevents cartilage from rubbing on bone while at the same time providing an attachment for four muscles that are necessary for raising the arm. Basically, the rotator cuff kept things moving easily and intact. When that becomes damaged, it causes pain and loss of mobility. People with severe shoulder arthritis combined with damage to the rotator cuff are generally not good candidates for total shoulder replacements because the socket of the implant is prone to loosening. Thankfully, a relatively new procedure is available: the reverse shoulder replacement. The absence of a rotator cuff causes a traditional shoulder surgery implant to move abnormally, resulting in unsatisfactory results for the patient. “The shoulder is the most mobile of all the joints, so it’s imperative to regain as much mobility as possible,” said Geoff Collins, MD, orthopaedic surgeon with the Center for Orthopaedics and member of the medical staff of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. “Many of my patients have found relief and increased mobility after they’ve had a reverse shoulder replacement.” This procedure has been used for over ten years in Europe, and was approved by the United States’ Federal Drug Administration in 2004. The studies show positive results from the data collected to this point. Dr. Collins explained that he has ten years of experience in shoulder surgery, and is specifically trained in reverse shoulder replacement. “Some people mistakenly think that they have to travel to Houston to get relief from shoulder pain. With traditional shoulder replacement and this relatively new reverse shoulder option, I’ve seen great results in my patients’ mobility and quality of life. When they realize they don’t have to go through the hassle of
traveling in order to feel better, it makes it that much easier on them,” he said. To understand the reverse shoulder replacement procedure, a brief description of the traditional method will help. Dr. Collins said the conventional way uses a metal ball on the top of the arm bone, and a plastic socket on the shoulder blade; thus the ball-and-socket joints are replaced. The reverse shoulder replacement uses a ball-and-socket joint as well, but the ball is placed on the shoulder blade and the socket is placed on top of the arm bone; opposite of the normal anatomy which explains why it is known as “reverse” shoulder replacement. By reversing the socket and metal ball, the center of rotation is changed. This shifts the strength needed to move the arm away from the damaged rotator cuff muscles and is instead shifted to the healthier deltoid muscle, solving the problem of what to do with the problematic rotator cuff. “Before reverse shoulder replacement, we could relieve pain but normal motion was not restored to satisfactory levels. With a reverse procedure, we’re able to relieve pain and restore motion,” said Dr. Collins. “Patients report a big improvement and are able to return to normal activities and enjoy life again.” Patients who are candidates for this procedure are usually over age 60 and have both a damaged rotator cuff and arthritis in the shoulder. They usually report severe pain and limited function in their shoulder. “Because there wasn’t much we could do for these individuals, it makes having this newer option even better. They can finally get some relief, and get it close to home,” said Dr. Collins.
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MAY 15, 2008
PAGE 31
HealthCARE
Off-Label Drugs Are Often
Right On Target Did you know many prescriptions are used for treatments other than what’s recommended? While that may raise eyebrows on the validity of their use, these are legal prescriptions written by established, competent physicians and they are often vital for treatment of many disorders. The practice of writing prescriptions for uses other than the original intent of the manufacturer is known as off-label use. “It is not uncommon for physicians to prescribe medications for a purpose not listed on the product’s label,” explained Brian Gamborg, MD, family practice physician. When done under a doctor’s care, off-label use of prescription drugs is legal and may be vital for optimal care in many disorders. The Food and Drug Administration
allows off-label use for prescription drugs it has already approved for marketing. The FDA approval process is extremely comprehensive for any new prescription drug. “It often takes years for a drug to be approved,” said Damian France, R.Ph. and Director of Pharmacy with West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. “Pharmaceutical companies spend millions of dollars in clinical trials and research. When a company brings a new drug to the market, the firm spends more money for the promotion and marketing of the drug,” explained France. “It may not be practical for the manufacturer to study more than a single use of a drug.” But, after the drug is on the market, it is not uncommon for research to continue. Over time, doctors and scientists may find that the drug is useful for more con-
ditions than originally discovered. Many physicians use published evidence from clinical trials and/or peer-reviewed medical journals to determine a drug’s effectiveness and alternative usefulness. In 2001, an estimated 150 million prescriptions, about 21%, for 160 common drugs were written for off-label use, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. This data is from the IMS Health National Disease and Therapeutic Index. The findings showed that off-label use was most common among heart drugs, except those used to treat high cholesterol and blood pressure; and it was least common among drugs used to control blood sugar and pain relieving medications. “This off-label prescribing is commonly done with older medications, usually
generics, that have found new uses but not had the formal applications and studies required by the FDA for the new use,” said France. In some medical fields, such as oncology, many patients benefit from taking medications that are not specifically approved by the FDA for their illness. According to a story in the US News and World Report, an estimated 60 percent of cancer physicians administer drugs for off-label uses. “If we only went with FDA-approved uses, science would progress much more slowly,” said Nancy Nielsen, speaker of the American Medical Association’s board of delegates. A 1997 survey by the American Enterprise Institute and the American Cancer Society of 200 oncology physicians found that 60% of them were pre-
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MAY 15, 2008
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scribing at least one off-label medication to their patients. “In the United States, the FDA permits physicians to prescribe medications for a condition that the medication was not originally intended to treat,” explained Dr. Gamborg. “It is the physician’s responsibility to be well-informed about a drug before prescribing it for offlabel use, including knowing of potential side effects and possible drug interactions.” Dr. Gamborg recommends that patients ask their physician about the medications being prescribed. If it is an off-label drug, check on the following: • What evidence is there to support
the off-label use of the drug to treat your particular condition? • How will the off-label drug be more effective? • What are the risks and benefits? He said it is imperative that patients follow the instructions given for a medication, such as how often to take it, with or without food, and take the medication for the duration indicated. “Off-label medications aren’t a second-class category of drugs. With the amount of research and information available to physicians, using a drug for a different purpose can enhance a patient’s overall health and provide them with a treatment that might not be available otherwise.”
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PAGE 33
HealthCARE
Put Babies
Back to Sleep Most parents spend months getting the nursery ready for their new baby; ensuring that every detail is just right. Understanding how a baby should sleep safely is also one of those details that shouldn’t be overlooked. “Parents, especially those with newborns, should go over basic safety guidelines and make sure they are implementing them,” said Christa O’Neal, RN, Maternal Child Educator with West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. “One of the easiest ways to lower the risk of SIDS is to put the baby to sleep on his or her back, even for naps.” A few years ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics implemented a “Back to Sleep” campaign to encourage parents to put their baby to sleep on their backs, not on their stomachs. Since that time, the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, has decreased by 50 percent. SIDS is a sudden, unexplained death that occurs in babies under the age of one. “We’re making strides in reducing SIDSrelated deaths by reminding parents to put newborns on their backs to sleep. We don’t know what causes SIDS, but the decrease in deaths since the Back to Sleep campaign began is an indication that breathing obstructions from bedding and toys are
a contributing factor,” said O’Neal. Most health experts warn to not have the baby sleep in the same bed as the parents, because it puts the baby at high risk for suffocation. “Newborns can’t turn their head or roll over if they aren’t able to breathe. Adults’ beds are soft, and filled with layers of sheets and comforters and pillows. All of these could potentially harm the baby,” said O’Neal. “Even though parents may be trying to make the baby comfortable by surrounding him or her with these soft things, it may do more harm than good.” O’Neal recommends that parents keep all pillows, quilts, stuffed toys and other soft items away from baby’s sleeping area. A firm mattress should be used in a safety-approved crib. Blankets should be no higher than the baby’s chest and they should be tucked in around the bottom of the crib mattress. Research shows that there are common findings in SIDS deaths, such as babies who sleep on their stomachs, having the baby sleep on a surface that is too soft or filled with soft things that could suffocate the baby, being in a home where smoking occurs, or sleeping with an adult or sibling. It doesn’t take much to stop the airflow for a newborn. O’Neal says that until they are old enough to roll over and move
We invite you to participate in the 2008 Celtic Golf Classic at Graywood Golf Course. Our tournament is a best ball format that will begin with a shotgun start at 8am. All proceeds will benefit the mission of the Celtic Nations Heritage Festival of LA. Tournament Entry Includes: • Golf cart greens fee • Complimentary use of driving range/putting green • Lunch • Gift Bag • Awards ceremony 7:30am
Registration begins, breakfast & Piping of the greens 8:00am Shotgun Start 12:30pm Lunch & Awards Ceremony
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celticclassic@celticnations.org PAGE 34
MAY 15, 2008
their heads, babies aren’t strong enough to fight if their airway becomes blocked. “SIDS deaths are very sad and frustrating,” she said. “Parents may do everything right, and it still may occur. It’s similar to wearing a seatbelt in a car. Wearing one doesn’t guarantee total safety, but it does put the odds of survival in your favor.” Consider these SIDS statistics: • Most SIDS deaths happen in babies who are less than six months old. • SIDS is the leading cause of death in babies after one month to one year of age. • Babies placed to sleep on their stomachs are much more likely to die of SIDS than babies who are placed to sleep on their backs. • Soft bedding is indicated to be a factor in many SIDS deaths. • African American babies are two times more likely to die of SIDS than Caucasian babies. • America Indian babies are almost three times more likely to die of SIDS than Caucasian babies. One of the most common worries parents have of placing a baby on their backs to sleep is the risk of choking. Health experts say that babies are at higher risk of SIDS than they are of choking when sleeping on their backs. Doctors have found no increase in choking or other problems in back-sleeping babies. “When the baby is awake, that’s the time for them to be on their tummies, when someone is watching. Lying on their tummy helps strengthen their neck and shoulder muscles,” said O’Neal. Most breastfeeding mothers bring the baby into their bed for a night-time feeding, and they may fall asleep along with the baby. O’Neal says this is risky because of the soft bedding, as well as the potential to roll over onto the baby. If the baby’s airway is even partially blocked, it could cause harm. “The safest thing is to return the baby to his or her crib after feeding, whether it’s nursing or bottlefeeding,” she advised. It’s important to let other family members and caregivers know of your preference for the baby to sleep on its back. Every sleep time counts. So, for the least risk, remind them to place the baby on his or her back on a firm mattress. For more information on safe sleeping habits for babies, call WCCH’s Maternal Child Department at 527-4361.
MAY 15, 2008
PAGE 35
Cameron State Bank’s Dazzling Diamond Giveaway is growing more beautiful each month! This stunning diamond pendant necklace is almost ready to be picked and presented to one fortunate winner in May. Add your name to our garden of entries by stopping by any location of Cameron State Bank. By entering, you’ll also be eligible for our grand prize drawing in June for this breathtaking $14,000 diamond ring.
It’s the freshest giveaway in town!
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MAY 15, 2008
"Center Piece" — no theme, but a wide-open middle.
by Matt Jones • ©2008 Jonesin' Crosswords Brought to you by Melanie Perry, Agent State Farm Insurance
Last Issue’s Answers
Across 1 That girl 4 Like the most fragile of cookies 14 One who obeys The Force 15 Treat pool water, maybe 16 "Evil" Bush grouping 17 Type of worker theorized to have built the Death Star, according to a "Clerks" bit 18 Airport terminal area 19 It's usually taken by high school jrs. 20 Meg's mom, on "Family Guy" 21 Disgusted grunts 22 Mark on an attendance record 25 1970s synthesizer brand 26 Be civilly disobedient 30 ___ Shinrikyo (Japanese group that carried out a 1995 sarin attack in Tokyo) 31 Perform a family task 35 Answer that's up in the air 37 One who comes from a separate egg 39 Tribe of the southwestern U.S. 40 MTV2 comedian Milonakis 41 "___ Mine" (George Harrison song) 42 Legumes with a "black-eyed" variety 46 A long, long time
47 "...___ saw Elba" (part of a famous palindrome) 48 Superpower that left the map in the 1990s 52 Get all mushy 53 With a feeling of isolation 56 Gas or elec., e.g. 57 Stays unresolved 58 Trig function 59 Jobs for openers 60 Summer in la cite Down 1 Pattern of six horizontal lines found in the I Ching 2 Role that earned Marion Cotillard a Best Actress Oscar 3 Gets high 4 48-across, in 48-across 5 Sorority letters 6 Bone next to the humerus 7 "Raging Bull" boxer Jake La ___ 8 "Damn, it's cold!" 9 "Weetzie Bat" author Francesca ___ Block 10 Like schedule-changing weather 11 Shirley who was painted gold in "Goldfinger" 12 Impassive
13 Short and sweet, as speeches go 14 Luxury car manufacturer bought by India's Tata Motors in 2008 23 Like Leroy Brown, in a Jim Croce song 24 "___ you jest!" 26 Mail-in offer 27 Lipton product, as marketed in some European countries 28 Meat Puppets song covered by Nirvana on "MTV Unplugged" 29 Pageant headgear 32 Cloying to the max 33 "Coal Miner's Daughter" subject 34 Phrase said after smacking one's forehead 36 Series accompanying a museum display 38 Company that owns Coffee-Mate 42 TMZ subject 43 University of Maine town 44 George who was greeted with "Norm!" 45 "Poison" shrub 46 Entertain 49 ___ precedent 50 Victoria's Secret purchase 51 Breads for Reubens 54 Part of RSVP 55 Song that follows "Sunday Bloody Sunday" on the album "U218 Singles"
Thank
GAP Broadcasting would like to
Southwest Louisiana For Voting the
GATOR BREAKFAST BUNCH Best Local Music Radio DJ and
DALE MANN
Best Local Talk Radio Personality
MAY 15, 2008
PAGE 37
t i m e s
picks the best in lake area entertainment
GET YOUR SPIN ON AT GIGI’S, MAY 17 — Gigi’s Fitness Centers is hosting a “Spin-A-Thon” on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to noon, at their 4429 Nelson Road location, to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network of Southwest Louisiana. Participants will bike to live music by the local up and coming band, Eight Year Break. Great prizes will be awarded to the top fund raisers, including a one-year free membership to Gigi’s Fitness Center. For more information, or to reserve a bike, call (337) 474-6601. Hurry, space is limited. Call today!
THE BUSINESS OF ART AT LC-B, MAY 17 — The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University and the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana will present a day-long summit for entrepreneurs in cultural industries from 9 am-4:30 pm Saturday, May 17, at the Lake Charles Boston Academy of Learning, 1509 Enterprise Blvd. For more information on the “Business of Art” or to register, call 337-439-2787. “The Business of Art” is the first of its kind in the state and is designed for entrepreneurs in culinary arts, preservation construction, visual and performing arts, architecture and interior design, publishing, film and video, and web-related design. The summit will allow entrepreneurs to share their experiences and attend two of four one-hour training sessions – “Creative Marketing on a Shoestring,” “Recordkeeping: Don’t Underestimate the Power of the Manila Folder,” “501(c)3: Pros and Cons of Becoming a Non-Profit” and “Grants: The 5 Ws of Funding.” The event includes a small lunch. Co-sponsors include the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation, the Louisiana Crossroads Concert Series and the McNeese Banners Series. DOWNTOWN AT SUNDOWN KICKS OFF WITH CHUBBY, MAY 16 — As the sun goes down, things really heat up in Downtown Lake Charles. After pulling your final Friday shift, get your boogie shoes ready for the swampadelic sounds of Chubby Carrier and Bayou Swamp Band. Chubby Carrier is the third generation of zydeco artists in one of the great musical families of Louisiana. Located at the Downtown Merchants’ parking lot at the corner of Ryan and Broad streets, the concert series features a variety of music from zydeco and Cajun to classic rock and swamp pop. Local artists will exhibit their talents in table top galleries and booths along side entertainment for kids. Bands perform from 6-9 p.m.
on four consecutive Fridays: May 16, May 23, May 30, and June 6. The concerts are made possible through corporate sponsorships and a partnership between the City and the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana. This week’s concert is sponsored by Entergy. ZIGLER TO EXHIBIT LOCAL TALENT, MAY 17 – JULY 6 — The Zigler Art Museum presents Home Is Where the Art Is, an exhibition of Jefferson Davis Parish artists. The exhibit runs from May 17 to July 6. Artists showcased include Tammy Broussard, Troy Broussard, Ronnie Collins, Katrina Johnson, Maxine Krielow, Lanette LeJeune, Pat Love, Zula Lyon, and Billy Precht. Works range from paintings and photography to porcelains and stained glass. An opening reception honoring the artists will be held May 17, from 7 to 9 p.m.; the public is invited to attend. The Zigler Art Museum, 411 Clara Street, Jennings, Louisiana, is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for students. RHINESTONE COWBOYS ON DISPLAY THRU JULY 19 — The City of Lake Charles is proud to present Nashville Portraits: Photographs by Jim McGuire, Organized by the Morris Museum of Art, Augusta, Georgia, at Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center, 1001 Ryan St., now through Saturday, July 19. This exhibition of sixty black and white photographs was selected from thousands of portraits shot over a period of more than thirty years by one of country music’s most celebrated photographers, Jim McGuire. The exhibition reflects a continuing project that commenced in 1974 with a portrait of musician John Hartford, and it documents many of the leading figures in the world of country music, from such icons as Bill Monroe, Minnie Pearl, and Lester Flatt to contemporary stars like Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith, and Marty Stuart. Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted. For more information, call 491-9147 or visit www.cityoflakecharles.com. GREG GINN AT LUNA CAFÉ, MAY 24 — Punk icon Greg Ginn has been working a more roots-based sound with “Jambang’s” distorted guitars and combination of electronica/rock ambiance, and with the “Corrugators” blend of groovin’ country, jazz, and blues instrumental tracks. Ginn will be on tour with these two groups in the summer and will be performing 10:30 p.m., Saturday, May 24 at Luna Café, 719 Ryan Street, Lake Charles.
LOOK WHAT THE CAT DRAGGED IN! THURSDAY, MAY 29 — Animal Angels, Inc. is sponsoring a FUNdraiser to benefit Neuter-N-Spay SWLA on Thursday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. “Look What The Cat Dragged In” promises to lift the heart of all animal lovers with silent and live auctions, a doggone-good dinner buffet, kittylicious desserts, a cash bar, and entertainment by Skipper M. Drost and the Six Dollars a Day Band. The event will be held in the Buccaneer Room of the Lake Charles Civic Center. Tickets are $35 and may be reserved by calling 436-7800. Seating is limited.
Troy Broussard – Decoy
Ronnie Collins – Rose PAGE 38
MAY 15, 2008
FISHING GUIDE PERMITS SIGN-UP NOW! The Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Refuge Complex) is now taking permit applications for the new annual fishing guide permits for the East Cove Unit of Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. This permit gives qualified fishing guides or “Permittees” and their pre-identified guiding employees’ permission to take paying clients on fishing excursions into the 14,927 acre East Cove Unit when the area is open to public fishing. To apply for a permit, fishing guides must call the Refuge Complex permit branch at 337-598-2216 to set up an appointment. Only qualified fishing guides may apply for the Refuge fishing guide permit. Proof of qualifications will be required to apply for the permit. Additionally, each applicant will need to provide documentation of boat registration numbers for each vessel that they would like to have permitted. Permits are good for one fishing season and must be renewed annually, in January. For additional information about any of the SW LA National Wildlife Refuges call 337-598-2216 or go to www.fws.gov/swlarefugecomplex.
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JOIN THE OUTRIDERS VISIT TO POMPEII, JUNE 10 — Openings are available on a chartered bus to see the “Pompeii: Tales from an Eruption” exhibit June 10 at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts that is being sponsored by “The Outriders,” the McNeese Retiree Association. Cost is $109 per person and includes a ticket, lunch at the museum’s Café Express, snacks and beverages during travel and information on the Pompeii events. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. Departure is at 8 a.m. from the parking lot behind the University Police Department on Ryan Street. Expected return time is about 8 p.m. For more information, contact Jennifer Griffith in the McNeese Office of Planned Giving at (337) 562-4191. For more information about the exhibit, visit the Houston Museum of Fine Arts Web site at http://www.mfah.org. BRIMSTONE HERITAGE FESTIVAL GREAT JAMBALAYA COOK-OFF, MAY 24 — T-Boy, get out the Magnalites! Find your best Jambalaya recipe and brush up on your cooking skills because The Brimstone Historical Society is pleased to announce a new event this year’s upcoming Heritage Days Festival: The Great Jambalaya Cook-Off , May 24, from 10 a.m. to noon, on the Henning Cultural Center grounds, where participants will be able to set up their cooking station. All cooking must be performed on-site, and participants must provide their own ingredients and cooking equipment. The entry fee is $25 per team. Tables can be rented for $5 per table, or the participant can bring their own. The competition, will offer 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places prizes, and is open to businesses, individuals, and non-profit organizations who think they have the best jambalaya in Southwest Louisiana. Proceeds from this event will help to support the Brimstone Historical Society. For more information, call the Brimstone Historical Society at 527-0357.
PROJECT 7TH GRADE “NOTMYKID” AT MAPLEWOOD, MAY 20 — Maplewood School is hosting Project 7th Grade, a national initiative of the notMYkid organization that educates parents, schools and children on substance abuse prevention. Project 7th Grade serves as a family-oriented prevention resource that helps parents develop plans to communicate and maintain an early, ongoing dialogue with their children about the perils of substance abuse. This presentation will be Tuesday, May 20, at 6 p.m., at the school 4401 Maplewood Dr Sulphur. All area parents are invited to attend this program but please note it is not open to students. Parents will learn about drug issues, trends, terminology, see photos of paraphernalia and be given tips on talking to their kids about drugs. Each family that attends is also given a First Check drug test kit to take home with them, that tests for seven illicit and five prescription drugs. Often just having the kit in the home is enough of a deterrent for middle school students. Kids are the most susceptible to peer pressure and drug experimentation during the transition years, from grades 59. The average age a child tries drugs for the first time is 13 years old. notMYkid was founded in 2000 and is dedicated to helping parents, teens, educators and communities with adolescent behavioral health issues. Project 7th Grade and notMYkid educated over 100,000 people in 2007. For additional information, contact Rachel Gordon at (602) 652-0163 or rachel@notMYkid.org.
MAY 15, 2008
PAGE 39
T
Merton-cum-Middlewick
he fun had already begun when The Shadow and friend, Jessie Kelly arrived at The Harlequin Restaurant for the 2008 Whistle Stop Wine Tour. We were graciously greeted at the entrance and directed to a table for two by the fireplace that proved to be, in our opinion, the best seat in the house. Close by, Dr. Barbara Belew aptly coaxed into our midst the mystical, magical sounds of the harp creating a backdrop of placid ambiance as the guests began to arrive. Huddled around Al Simon’s Cajun MicroWave were Kirk Moore and Henry Liles sampling some hot-off-the-microwave treats. The White Girls, Leah, Cookie and Kelly White Allain were intrigued by the silent auction items as were Debbie Reed and Mike Terranova. Edwin Hunter along with Jude Hilliard and Claude Devall were all set with auction paddles, but I am not sure if they were able to hang with the stiff competition and take home a prize. I also spied Powell Smith, Jeanne Williams, George and Evelyn Paret, and Rick Richard. The always elegant Matilda Stream was escorted by her grandson, Gray Stream. Agnes Gandy and daughter Kim Melton were readily available to answer any questions regarding the fabulous auction items available. There was an array of elegant, unique and fashionable items that included original works by Patsi Prince, Nancy Melton and Rick Norman (to name a few), designer sunglasses fit for a queen, whimsical decorative pieces, autographed work of noted authors and more; and this was just a small listing of the silent auction items. The live auction was an animal of a different color, sporting offerings such as a private jet flight to New Orleans for dinner including the finest wines and cuisine, a big game fishing trip, private dinners prepared by the finest chefs, romantic sail-away evening, autographed sports memorabilia, and “Butterscotch” the smart pony. There were too many items to list. It was a location thing; you just had to be there. All the stops were pulled and no holds were barred when the bidding started. The competition was fast and furious and together with the silent auction made for a hugely successful event. Say, Edwin, Jude and Claude were you successful bidders?
Jim and Beth LaFargue, Elton and Pat Louviere, Jessica Carlson, Jill Breaux and Poddy Champeaux cheered on the artists at the Battle of the Red Berets.
Nancy Czejkowski coached John El(vis) Greco Ieyoub at the Red Berets competition.
Calcasieu Cameron Retired Teachers Association 2008-09 officers, Edith "Edie" Keys, President; Lena Roach, Vice President; and Linda Finley, Treasurer. Nancy Hurlbut, Secretary is not shown.
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MAY 15, 2008
Welcome to the Wild Beast Feast! Roxie Boxie, Melody Jackson, Kathy Scoggins and Debbie Reed greeted partygoers to the Brick House.
Leslie and Britney Streeter visited with Susan and Rob Price at Wild Beast Feast.
Yes, dinner was served. Make no mistake about it, The Harlequin’s sterling reputation remains in tack. A four course meal served with a variety of the finest wines for each course. The main course of Tenderloin Medallions with Sautéed Lump Crab Meat was served with Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005. That should give you an idea of the lavish fare enjoyed by the guests and if that isn’t enough the fourth course (dessert) was Mrs. Hunter’s Baked Fudge Topped with Crème Anglaise and Strawberry.
My compliments to Nic Hunter and Sharon Boniol for their hard work and I congratulate them on the success of the event. Thanks to all The Harlequin staff for your excellent service and especially to Devin who took such good care of The Shadow and Jessie. The Calcasieu Cameron Retired Teachers meet each month for a luncheon at the Pioneer Club. Lena Roach invited the Shadow to their May meeting and I was delighted to accept. Sixtyseven members attended. I sat with Doris and Bennett Lewis. Dr. Lewis is a retired MSU math instructor.
Jammin’ to the music while they dished up Breakfast on the Bayou: Dave Morgan, Greg Percle, John Needham, and Carl Fastabend.
Margaret Ewing, retired from Barbe High, Linda Finley, Cornie Moon and Brad Goins rounded out our table of lively folks. Mr. Moon pointed out that the group’s membership has grown to 463. After we visited the fabulous buffet (love the carrot cake!) we said grace, the pledge of allegiance and then the “Famous Trio” of the CCRT treated us to America the Beautiful and God Bless America. The Trio is Dot Hanna, Millie Hobbs and Daniel Ieyoub. Guest speaker Bryan Beam with the Calcasieu Police Jury presented an
informative update on “Vision Calcasieu”, the newly opened Prien Lake Park and the status of the “C-Gov” channel on area cable that makes government meetings and functions open to the public. After his speech, Cornie Moon and Gabe Barkate were honored for their years of service to the association and then new officers were installed. They are Edie Keys, President; Lena Roach, Vice President; Nancy Hurlbert, Secretary; and Linda Findley, Treasurer. The annual artistic Battle of the Red Berets was fought May 1 for the
MAY 15, 2008
PAGE 41
Brandy Comeaux confesses her love of the show to husband Clint, who is one of the mistaken vicars in “See How They Run”.
The Howrey Family is ready for music and food at the Wild Beast Feast: Brett, Abigail, Emma, Chloe and Kristen Howrey.
Children’s Miracle Network at Louviere’s Fine Art and Bridgepointe Custom Framing in Moss Bluff. I spotted Peter “PicassO”’Carroll when I arrived. He was composing a portrait and confessed that the whole process was “Scary! It’s one thing to show off your lack of artist talent,” he quipped, “But to do it in front of people!” But he conceded that the fear (and humiliation) was worth it for the Children’s Miracle Network! Nearby, Laura “Lichtenstein” Leach with support from her daughterin-law, Jenny, granddaughter Laura and other family members, worked on a gold and purple LSU Tiger design that was sure to be a crowd pleaser. Nic “Homer” Hunter, sporting an artistic moustache with his red beret and smock, was working on a southwest Louisiana themed design. Hector San “Van Gogh” Miguel, took artistic advice from his mother, Patsy, in
designing his “Superman Reporter” composition. Bob “Chagall” Chandler, with support from Kendall Chandler, was working on his masterpiece. I asked if he had ever taken art lessons. “Does it look like I’ve painted before?” he laughed. Allen “Toulouse” Tumey was getting assistance from the artist Elton Louviere himself. John El(vis) Greco Ieyoub received coaching from artist Nancy Czejkowski as he recreated his own version of the famous “Blue Dog.” Tom Henning received excellent coaching from Cookie Phillips for his ambitious first attempt ever at painting. His son wanted a painting of speckled trout and Cookie showed Tom how to layout a grid to get his proportions and composition transferred to the canvas. Good job! The battling berets were cheered on by family and friends and kept fed by the happy volunteers from CMN which
Suzanne Germany and Adelaide Cole discuss the merits of the LCLT's production, “See How They Run”.
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MAY 15, 2008
included Jim and Becky LaFargue, Elton and Pat Louviere, Jessica Carlson, Jill Breaux and Poddy Champeaux. The winning artist is determined each year by votes cast for one dollar (vote early, vote often), and that make the real winner the Children’s Miracle Network, of course! That evening, the fun continued over at the Brick House when the Lake Charles Symphony hosted their popular Wild Beast Feast. The parking lot was full of cars and the delicious aromas from the Wild Beast chefs, grilling out back. We were welcomed into the Brick House by Roxie Boxie, Melody Jackson, Kathy Scoggins and Debbie Reed. After donning my bright green WBF wristband of honor, I immediately scouted out the tables of beasts for eating. Kevin and Stephanie Richardson served up “Jammin’ Jambalaya” and Rib Tips from Trail Blazin’ BBQ & Grill. Mary Jo Canik and Briant Smith (from the Blue Duck Cafre) served up Verde Venison Chili, Hobeaux Gumbeaux and Spicy Caribou Bites. Jammin’ to the music of City Heat while they dished up Breakfast on the Bayou, Dave Morgan, Greg Percle, John Needham, and Carl Fastabend were
having their own party within a party! At the O’Charley’s buffet table, you could get generous samples of VooDoo Peanut Soup with Shrimp and Jambalaya Pasta. Other delicacies begging to be gobbled up were spicy grilled wild hog, Cozy Cassoulet, Chicken and Sausage Sauce Piquant, boiled crawfish, Wild Duck wrapped in Bacon (yum!), Wild Duck Gumbo, Cluck & Squeal Jambalaya, and Bar-B-Que Brisket and rice. For dessert there were Symphony Sweets which included Coffee Kissed Baked Bananas, and samples of recipes from the Junior League cookbook, Marshes to Mansions (which was also on sale!) I spotted Leslie and Britney Streeter visiting with Susan and Rob Price. Anne Marie, William and Craig Hebert mugged for the Shadow’s camera with Cecile Cutrer. Nearby, Kay Andrews, Heather Fazzio and Theresa Needham, Pam McGough, Brian and Patricia Prudhomme and Jolyn Slate were having fun comparing taste tests of all the goodies. Dale Mann and Todd Stone filled their plates with Wild Beasts – this is manly food, after all! Buccaneers were
Savannah, Heather, Jason and Gabe Adams at the production of Jamees and the Giant Peach.
Will, Finn, Cassie and Shreve Gage enjoying James and the Giant Peach.
even lured from Contraband Days fun for the food and music of the feast. Lauren and Phil de’Albuquerque were dressed in their pirate finery to enjoy Beast Feast. I chatted with Bob and Marilyn Dunn enjoying the Wild Beast Feast. The Howrey Family, Brett, Abigail, Emma, Chloe and Kristen, arrived ready for music and good food. At a nearby table, beauties Hannah Leger and Anna Liggio tackled platters of crawfish. While we stuffed ourselves with great Louisiana food, we were entertained by the amazing talents of City Heat playing and singing everything from jazz to rock and roll, golden oldies and R & B — a perfect combination for Wild Beast Feast! As usual, the Lake Charles Little Theatre has pulled of another remarkable season. They should, they have been doing it for over 80 years and on the night of May 3, they proved what they have learned through the decadesgive an audience a cast with a great sense of comedic timing, four doors, and a drunk church lady, mix well, and
voila! A hit! That was the recipe for the opening of the final show of their season, Philip King’s “See How They Run”! Set in a small vicarage at “Merton-cum-Middlewick” in England near the end of WWII, Director Barbara Downers cast had the audience literally rolling in the aisles! Not to give too much away, let me just say that appearing as the vicar, Clint Comeaux, James Johnson, Louis Barrilleaux, Paul Land, and Brett Downer led the strong cast with outrageous antics and lots of mistaken identities! Laura Heller, as the chanteuse, and Kirsten Bush as to the saucy maid, Ida, kept the audience in stitches and the story moving! BUT the true scene stealer was Ellie Marquez, as the teetotaling snoop of a church lady, Miss Skillon. This woman deserves a Tony for her inebriated performance! Not to be outdone by the cast of outrageous hams, Greg Stratton makes a timely entrance near the end, sorting out the “are’s from the are-nots” in typical English fashion. On hand for the opening night I spied Jay Rypma, Chad Reeves, Hector SanMiguel, Billy Fee, Charles
Leslie Harless, Debbie Alexander and Mary Williams prepared for the women’s workshop at CSB.
Open to all SWLA teachers who want to: • gain new resources to help prepare their students for the work of work, • get continuing education units, • engage in hands-on activities, tours and shadowing, • enjoy a week of education and interaction with other teachers and area industry employees.
The company provides breakfast and lunch each day, resource materials, all necessary supplies and $25/day stipends
MAY 15, 2008
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Dorene Gothreaux and Keri Forbess-McCorquodale were presenters at the workshop at Cameron State Bank.
Mullins, Paul and Estelle Thibodeaux, Bob Muterbaugh, Jimmie Moriarty, Suzanne Germany, David LeBleu, Heather Kelly, Len and Oili Barchak, and Charles Mullins. Of course, no opening night at Little Theatre is ever complete without the appearance of their most honest and lovable patron in the front row, Adelaide Cole, who put her stamp of approval on this four-door farce. Following the sell out evening, the cast treated the audience to a wonderful reception in the lobby of the New Stable Playhouse. Spotted enjoying a “spot of tea and crumpets” with friends were Jose and Stephanie Marrerro, Dr. and Mrs. Louis Barrilleaux, along with their gifted family, Billie Morris, Joseph Frazier, Thomas Cole, Brandy Comeaux, Conrad and Cheryl Fuselier, Ron and Roni Kemmerly, Heather Fazzio, James Carter, Dave “Smootches” Brown, and Cathy Chapman. On a closing note, let me just add that while there, and working my sources, I was thrilled to learn they have set their next season, and it promises to be one of the strongest and best in many years. Next year’s shows include: “A Raisin in the Sun,” “Room Service,” “The Foreigner”, and the musical
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”. Now if that is not enough to make your entertainment taste buds water….! The Children’s Theatre Company presented the classic, “James & the Giant Peach” the weekend of May 2. The popular story attracted fans of all ages, including Savannah, Heather, Jason and Gabe Adams. The Shadow also spotted Andrew Wingate and Keith Matte, and Will, Finn, Cassie and Shreve Gage. Maya Johnson and Elizabeth Campbell, Michelle Horak and Jennfier Allbritton, and Jessica Gatte, Elizabeth Datherage and Emily Wingate all shared in the fun. Thursday, May 8, Cameron State Bank invited us to, “Get it Together, Girl!” This workshop and social at the CSB main office on Nelson Road attracted a standing room only crowd. I met Christine Fisher, Mona Richard, Aminah Trahan and Sabrina Schwabb at the sign-in area. We all received goody bags of information and sparkles and trinkets! What fun. Mary Dixon, Samia Heard and Judy Chiasson chatted as we waited in line. Leslie Harless and Mary Williams worked behind the scenes to prepare for the workshop, while workshop mavens Debbie Alexander Dorene
Carol Anne “Minnie Pearl” Gayle, Connie Shaw, Jessie Kelly, Kay Andrews and Carol Cox welcomed folks to “Nashville Portraits.”
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MAY 15, 2008
The White Girls party at the Whistle Stop fundraiser; Leah, Cookie, and Kelly White Allain.
Gothreaux and Keri ForbessMcCorquodale readied their presentations for “Get it Together, Gir!” Debbie Alexander, with the Worth Collection, shared secrets for creating a great wardrobe in spite of your budget or your size. Dorene Gothreaux inspired the group with her presentation, “It’s Time to Profit from Feminine Intuition!” and literally make your financial dreams a reality. Keri Forbess-McCorquodale, Solutions EAP, presented “Give Yourself Credit, Girl!” as you juggle the many roles that our lives demand. The “Nashville Portraits” exhibit by photographer Jim McGuire premiered at 1911 City Hall Gallery Thursday evening, May 8. The sixty black and white photos celebrate 30 years of country music’s most influential talents. The first portrait McGuire made was of the amazing John Hartford (one of the Shadow’s favorite musicians ever!) in 1972. There is a striking 1976 portrait of the legend, Chet Atkins and a 1974 print of Dolly Parton. All the portraits are rather straightforward, very honest and relate the love the musicians have for their music and their instruments. Bill Monroe caresses his music in a 1989 print. Lyle
Lovett and The Boys is a stark image from 2005. There is Carol King in 1978, Waylon Jennings in1985, Bela Fleck from 1999, John Prine from 1984, and Johnny Cash with Dr. Billy Graham in 1978. On hand for the opening reception, and having great fun with the country music theme, were Carol Anne “Minnie Pearl” Gayle, Steven “George Clinton” Boshier, Kay Andrews, Marilyn Cox, Mayor Randy Roach and Nancy Roach, Jessie Kelly, Connie Shaw and Carol Cox. I also spied John Cardonne and Lenn and Oili Barchack. Downhome country vittles – baked beans, biscuits, potato salad — were served on a table with red and blue bandanas. And guests could have their photo taken with the stars. I watched as photographer Hillary Gayle posed Rhonda Babin with Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton (life-size cardboard cutouts) as a souvenir of the evening. The exhibit will be on display through July 19, so you have plenty of time to go spot your favorite stars.
In an effort to assure the very best in viewing, we are asking for public input in selecting and scheduling a series of upcoming “Classic Movie” events. Please take a few minutes to share your opinions. We appreciate your interest and will post the results in June. If you have questions about the proposed screenings, feel free to call the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA at: 337-439-2787. I would like to see movies that feature my favorite actor: • Cary Grant
For me, it's more about "style". I would like to see the following genre:
• Humphrey Bogart
• Comedy
• Audey Murphy
• Drama
• John Wayne
• Foreign Films
• Paul Newman
• Western
• Clark Gable
• Romance
Other __________________________ I would like to see movies that feature my favorite actress: • Audrey Hepburn
• Mystery • Musical • Horror • Family/Children Other __________________________
• Lauren Bacall • Grace Kelly • Katherine Hepburn • Bette Davis • Loretta Young
During the months of August, September, and October, my preference is: • A single movie on a weeknight
Other __________________________
• A single movie on a weekend
I would like to see movies by my favorite director:
• A series of movies on a weekend
Agnes Gandy and Kim Melton enjoying the Whistle Stop wine tour.
• Billy Wilder
Other __________________________
• Frank Capra • John Ford • William Wyler • Afred Hitchcock
Presented by
• John Huston Other __________________________
Please send back your ballot by: Fax: 337-439-8009 Mail: Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA, P.O. Box 1437, Lake Charles, LA 70601 MAY 15, 2008
PAGE 45
Summer Art Camp
Starts 1st week of June – 1st week of August Every Monday starts a New Camp
Morning Camp
We introduce “Parting Shots” – photos submitted by our readers to close each issue of The Times. To submit your photo, please follow these simple steps.
10am–12pm • Ages 5 and up $100 a week plus tax Projects – 10” Vase or Lamp, Ice Cream Dish, 12x12 Tile with Cork Board Center and Beaded Handle and More
Afternoon Camp 1:30pm–3:30pm • Ages 8 and up $130 a week plus tax Projects – Flower Pot Fountain or Birdfeeder, Ice Cream Dish, Chalkboard with Beaded Handle and More
ICE CREAM PARTY ON FRIDAY! Limited Seating! Call today to reserve your seat or reserve a week!
Call Dina Cuccio • 479-1434 • 3415 Louisiana Ave.
1) Email 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. 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.
Below: James and Emma Burk getting their first glimpse of new baby Olivia (not pictured). They are looking through the glass at the Women's & Children's nursery.
Below: Kadynce "Bug" is the daughter of Shawn Dowden and Eian is the son of Christina Dowden. Both are Grandchildren of Danny & Jackie Dowden of Lake Charles and Great-Grands of Sam and Doris Dowden of Ragley.
Above: Dennis Margeaux and Derryl Gaspard getting ready to tee it up in the "Women's Shelter" annual golf tournament at Contraband Bayou at L'Auberge.
Above: Ann Polack and Women's Shelter Staff taking "mulligan" donations at Women's Shelter Golf Tournament
Parting Sh o ts
1) Email 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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MAY 15, 2008
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.
3204 Ryan St.
337-433-6200 Unique Gifts and Accessories
MAY 15, 2008
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