Times of Southwest Louisiana

WWW.TIMESSW.COM • FEBRUARY 21, 2008 / VOL. 13, NO. 4

febr uar y 21, 2008 Volume 13 • Number 4

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contents

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

EDITOR Kathryn Bergstrom timesedit@timessw.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Joseph Frazier CONTRIBUTORS Amie J. Herbert Matt Jones Patricia Prudhomme

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POLITICS John Maginnis E N T E R P R I S E B O U L E VA R D Beauregard School Board Plans Bond Issue . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 COLUMNS Inside Baton Rouge: Governor Dictates Ethics Agenda . . . . . . .3 Who’s News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Business Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 COVER STORY Prepared For Takeoff: An interview with LCRA Director Heath Allen . . . . . . . . . . 8

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Andy Jacobson

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ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Patricia Prudhomme LeShai Brown GRAPHICS . . . . . . . .

ART/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Darrell Buck BUSINESS . . . . . . . . .

BUSINESS MANAGER Romona Richard

FEATURES Beware of Bridezilla! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Are You Really Ready to Take the Plunge? . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Black Heritage Festival Schedule of Events . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Home Grown: One Stop Bought the Shop . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Be Aware of Women’s #1 Killer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Say ‘Yes’ to Antioxidants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 ENTERTAINMENT Coffee Break Cross Word: Take a Bow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Times Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 The Shadow: Fabulous Rings and Things . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Parting Shots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Visit us online at: www.timessw.com

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Cover Photo by Patrick Marcantel FEBRUARY 21, 2008

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.

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INSIDE BATON ROUGE — by John Maginnis

Governor Dictates Ethics Agenda idway through his press conference issuing the call for the special session on ethics that begins on Sunday, Gov. Bobby Jindal was asked what would constitute success. Of the 35 to 40 bills he will propose, would he claim victory if half pass? Two-thirds?

“I want to bat a thousand,” he said, not batting an eye. “I want to pass every one of them.” That’s what he promised in his 31-point ethics campaign platform. That’s what voters expect. If the Legislature resists, he said, repeating another campaign promise, he would call them back for one special session after another until they adopt his vision of comprehensive ethics reform-and before they get to spend any of the $1.2 billion surplus.

Later he was asked why he did he not include an item to require candidates who violate the ethics code to pay fines from personal funds instead of campaign accounts, which his own ethics advisory council recommended.

The question hit close to home, for he was recently fined $2,500 for a campaign ethics violation, which his press secretary says the campaign, not Jindal, will pay.

“I am not a dictator,” he responded without answering the question. “I can’t do everything I want to do.” Then he proceeded to read, item by item, prohibition by prohibition, exactly what he wants the Legislature to do. A Louisiana governor can be close to a dictator when it comes to calling a special session. Only bills that fit his call can be filed. Jindal’s is so tight as to include the precise wording for many of the three dozen or more bills that will form his package, thus giving the Legislature little if any wiggle room to amend them. Their choices are take it or leave it.

The governor proposes that elected officials, from statewide to legislative to locals, as well as candidates and even judges disclose their sources and amounts of income, within ranges.

Lawmakers and their families would be barred from entering into contracts with the state. Lobbyists would not be able to give legislators free tickets to games and concerts, or treat them to rounds of golf or meals costing more than $50.

Lobbyists also would have to file monthly reports on who is paying them how much, within ranges, to lobby for what, all fully searchable on-line. He also later amended the call to address

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the issue of who pays ethics fines.

He stressed that he developed the agenda with plenty of input and consensus from legislators, though lawmakers who attended recent luncheons at the Governor’s Mansion described their input as watching Jindal’s PowerPoint presentation. He might not fashion himself a dictator, but if there was ever a bunch ready to take dictation, it is the House of Rookies, where 59 of 105 representatives are starting their first terms.

Not spoiled by the perks and privileges enjoyed by veteran lawmakers, most of them see all good things coming from the governor and are loath to step out of line. The Senate, where many term-limited House members migrated, might have a different take on things, but they are wiser than to stand in the way of this train. They will pick their fights carefully.

“Their choices are take it or leave it.”

There will be opposition, on constitutional grounds, to including judges in the income disclosure rules, though, ultimately, legislators don’t have a lot of sympathy for judges and might be willing to have them share in the pain.

Legislators and local officials could balk at requiring income disclosure of their families or barring businesses owned by family members from getting state contracts.

This governor is not going to bat 1,000, but his success rate could be near to that of a very good free-throw shooter. There is no good reason for him not to succeed. Few voters will disagree with his view that holding public office is a privilege, notwithstanding its restrictions and inconveniences, and that fears that gold-standard ethics laws will discourage good people from running for office are bogus.

More divisive issues will follow, but this one has little public opposition.

Though he is staking his political capital on the success of this session, he enters it with what any dictator would envy, the support of the people.

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

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Samaritan Counseling Celebrates Birthday Bash February 29

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aith and spirituality play a profound role in recovery from mental illness, as the success of 12-step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and pastoral counseling organizations such as Samaritan Counseling of Imperial Calcasieu, Inc. show. Samaritan’s mission is to provide help and hope to mind, body and spirit, and the Center has been successfully doing this in Southwest Louisiana for 20 years.

Samaritan Counseling Center is celebrating their 20th Anniversary with a fundraising “birthday bash.”

This dinner event will take place at 7 p.m., Friday, February 29, at Reeves Uptown in Lake Charles. In addition to celebrating this important milestone, the winner of the first annual Good Samaritan Award will be announced at the dinner.

The Good Samaritan of the Year Award was created to recognize the efforts of an individual who has made significant contributions in the area of improving mental health in our community. This award is cosponsored by KPLC – TV and Thrive Magazine. Nominations for the award were accepted over the past two months and six finalists were chosen. These finalists are: Nola Mae Ross Adams, Keith Dickerson, Father Henry Mancuso, Clarice Raichel, Lisa Sober and Terressitta Victorian.

Samaritan first opened its doors in 1987, the result of efforts by local faith-based organizations and members of the medical community who saw a tremendous need for affordable mental health care services in the area.

Mental illness afflicts one in five families in the United States, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). It is, though, highly treatable with most people receiving effective treatment going on to enjoy satisfying and productive lives. Most often, this requires medicine in the form of anti-depressants and anti-psychotics and cognitivebehavioral therapy. However, the utter lack of hope is one of the disease’s most difficult symptoms to treat.

“A person caught in the despair and darkness of mental illness such as depression or schizophrenia have absolutely no hope whatsoever,” said Mickey Shannon, Executive Director of Samaritan Counseling. “The faithbased counseling we provide PAGE 4

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

restores that hope—it helps lift what William Styron called the ‘darkness beyond despair.’ It’s the first step to recovery.”

“The counseling I get at Samaritan makes all the difference in my life. It’s given me back my faith, my hope and my will to live,” said Kathy, a client at the agency, who, since starting counseling, has begun studying theology in hopes of becoming a minister.

“It’s very satisfying to see someone come through the door utterly lacking in hope and see them gradually blossom into a person of dignity and self-worth with a strong faith in a Higher Power,” said Jody Davidson, one of Samaritan’s counselors. “This faith helps restore them to a happy and productive life and this improves the quality of life for all of here in Southwest Louisiana.”

The Southwest Louisiana interfaith community representing several denominations and religions continue to support Samaritan Counseling, a United Way agency. This support enables Samaritan to provide counseling to people who might not otherwise be able to afford it. The agency charges sliding-scale fees based on the client’s income. It offers its services, however, to anyone in need regardless of income.

The Center in Lake Charles is part if the Samaritan Institute which includes 500 centers throughout the county. The Center’s services have expanded to meet the community’s needs over the past 20 years. Today, four licensed counselors provide a wide range of services, including such areas as family issues, addiction, depression, anxiety and several of the other faces of mental illness.

Proceeds from the anniversary fundraiser will be used to support existing programs and planned expansions.

Tickets are on sale now for the Anniversary Celebration, which will include dinner and music. Tickets are $50 each, with proceeds benefiting the programs of Samaritan Counseling Center. Tickets are available at University United Methodist Church, Christian World Ministries, Flavin Realty, and at their website, www.samaritanswla.org. For more information, call 433-4357.

Chamber Business Expo Set For March 4

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he Chamber SWLA is inviting all businesses within the Southwest Louisiana region to showcase their products and services at the Chamber SWLA Small Business EXPO at the Lake Charles Civic Center. The Expo will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 4.

Reservations for EXPO booths are being accepted through February 28.

Booths are $175 for members, $275 for non-members. To reserve a booth, contact Dianne Dronet at the Chamber SWLA offices at 337-433-3632, ext.

215, or e-mail: ddronet@allianceswla.org .

Area students currently enrolled in graduate studies at regional learning institutions may be eligible for a scholarship through the Chamber SWLA Small Business Expo Investing In Our Future Business Leaders – program. The EXPO’s goal is to provide assistance to local stu-

dents currently enrolled in post-high school studies. This year the program will distribute ten $1,000 scholarships to students who show promise of completing their studies and in good standing at their school.

Scholarships offered through the Small Business Expo are intended to provide financial support to business students attending a technical college, community college or university in the five-parish area of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jeff Davis.

The funds provide scholarships to students who are currently enrolled in college and pursuing studies in business.

Applications will be available through March 1st. The Scholarships will be awarded after the EXPO. For a scholarship application, contact Dianne Dronet at the Chamber SWLA offices at 337-433-3632, ext. 215 or email: ddronet@allianceswla.org.

MSU Urges Future Students to Apply for Aid Now

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ow is the time for students to renew or initiate their financial aid applications to attend McNeese State University in the fall, according to Office of Financial Aid Director Taina Savoit.

Savoit urges graduating high school seniors as well as potential non-traditional students to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA, this month. The FAFSA is a comprehensive document that determines a student’s eligibility for grants, loans, and other forms of aid.

Half of all undergraduates nationwide fail to apply for financial aid, according to a recent study by the American Council on Education. The study found that large proportions of low-income and full-time students did not complete a FAFSA and about half of the 1.7 million low- and moderateincome students who did not file were probably eligible for a Pell Grant.

“A lot of people don’t think they’re eligible for any aid, so they don’t bother applying, but most people are eligible for some type of assistance.

There are so many options out there – federal grants, state grants, TOPS, work-study,” Savoit said. “It’s worth completing the application.”

Savoit said the office typically handles numerous late applications that

come through in July or August, but stressed that it’s to the student’s advantage to apply on time. “If you file your FAFSA late, there’s always a chance that your financial aid won’t arrive before the semester starts, and you may have to pay out-of-pocket until you can be reimbursed,” Savoit said.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, students need their Social Security Number, driver’s license, income tax returns, bank statements and applicable investment records to complete the FAFSA. Other documents may be required, depending on the student’s needs. The FAFSA can be viewed and completed on the Internet.

The McNeese Office of Financial Aid will host a series of informational seminars throughout Southwest Louisiana during the month of February, which is Financial Aid Awareness Month.

For more information on the financial aid seminars or for additional assistance, call the McNeese Office of Financial Aid at (337) 475-5065, 1800-622-3352, ext. 5065, or visit www.mcneese.edu/finaid. FAFSA assistance can also be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

NEWS

ABOUT

SOUTHWEST

LOUISIANA

ENTERPRISEBOULEVARD Beauregard School Board Plans Capital Improvements Bond Issue

Who’s News

By Kathy Bergstrom

McNeese State University is pleased to announce the hiring of Kara Smith, Marianne White, and Donna Self. Ms. Smith, who has nearly 10 years of recruiting and admissions experience, is Director of Admissions.

Smith will be responsible for management of the daily admissions operations in the Kara Smith office of the registrar. She will also develop, implement and assess strategies, policies and procedures to ensure efficient processing of admissions applications and a studentfriendly admission process.

Marianne White is coordinator of planned giving and donor research in the department of development and public affairs at Marianne White McNeese State University. As coordinator of planned giving and donor research, White will identify, cultivate and solicit planned gifts for the McNeese Foundation, develop a master plan for the planned giving program, increase awareness of planned giving and provide donor support.

Donna Self has more than 25 years’ experience in secondary education as an accounting and Donna Self office systems instructor and is the new Director of Freshman Foundations and Students In

he Beauregard Parish School Board is planning for the growth of the parish school population, and recently approved a list of 46 capital improvement projects and technology upgrades.

Their proposal, passed by the board early in February, is a preliminary outline for an upcoming bond issue. However, no date has yet been set for the issue to go before voters.

The bond proposal lists projects and costs, recommended by the board’s 20-member Steering Committee in March, for a total of $38,583,173. Projects would total $34,665,924, with $2,079,955 for 6 percent architect fees, and another $1,837,294 added in for a five -percent contingency to cover any cost overruns. The proposal also includes dedicating $4 million for technology in the schools, parish-wide. At the March meeting, the Steering Committee voted to allow the BPSB Central Office staff to prioritize the list of projects for the board’s final approval.

Repeated calls to school board officials were not returned. However, a source at the school board, who requested anonymity, noted that no date was set for the bond issue but they hope that it could go before voters this year. The Board maintains that there is enough millage assessed to cover the proposed projects so that an increase in taxes will not be necessary. The source noted that the bond from 1996 has been paid down so that the Board can borrow need funds should the new bond issue pass.

The school board staff and steering committee are planning allocations for projects to the various schools around the parish. The source at the School Board office noted, however, that they have not yet taken the proposal to a bond attorney to prepare it for presentation to the state, which must approve the bond issue before an election date can be set in the parish. Currently, the board and staff are recommending allocating funds for the following projects and schools.

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• For Beauregard Alternative School: $92,000 for parking lot/covered walk and $15,000 for paved area for drill.

• DeRidder High School: $1,666,080 to add 14 classrooms/restrooms; $294,000 for exterior renovation (panels); $402,000 to renovate second-story classrooms; $140,000 to renovate auditorium seating; $540,000 for paint, floor, ceiling and lighting on second floor.

• DeRidder Junior High School: $285,600 for covering courtyards; $56,000 for exterior door replacement; and $35,000 for plate glass replacement in two corridors.

• East Beauregard Elementary School: $2,247,500 for eight classrooms with restrooms/administration area; $25,000 to protect main, open covered walks; $200,000 to renovate elementary wing; $60,000 for miscellaneous electrical/lighting updates in old wings; $25,000 for fenc-

ing; $25,000 for cafeteria improvements; and $230,000 for pick-up/drop-off at entry.

• East Beauregard High School: $4,494,000 for new gym/band hall; $200,000 to renovate processing center for the ag shop; $150,000 for underground campus drainage; and $140,000 for parking.

• G.W. Carver Elementary School: $61,000 to renovate lighting and ceilings in 14 classrooms; $200,000 to renovate windows/construct four new sets; $375,000 to renovate restrooms; $40,000 for drainage; and $70,000 for parking lot with covered walkway to the street.

• K.R. Hanchey Elementary School: $975,920 for eight classrooms with restrooms; $15,000 to repair parking lot; $40,000 to construct access to play area; and $52,224 for a gym floor.

• Merryville High School: $3,145,100 for gym, weight room, restrooms, and concessions; and offices. $350,000 to convert locker to lab and add two classrooms; and $210,000 for parking lot.

• Pine Wood Elementary School: $120,000 to renovate restrooms; $100,000 to add a restroom; $70,000 for extended bus canopy; and $20,000 for drainage and sidewalks.

• Singer High School: $2,133,000 for gym, restrooms, dressing rooms, and storage; $85,000 for drainage; $140,000 for parking and paving; $185,000 for bus drive up and pick-up on north side of gym; $60,000 for walkway from high school to cafeteria; $110,000 for covered entry at high school and a sign; and $456,500 for four classrooms.

• South Beauregard Elementary School: $10,230,000 for kindergarten through third grade with a cafeteria and gym/auditorium.

• South Beauregard High School: $100,000 for underground campus drainage.

At the same board meeting, Feb 12, parents voiced their concern over the closing of Hyatt School. Last November, the Board voted to close Hyatt High School in Fields, and bus approximately 140 students to schools in Merryville and Singer. The closing of Hyatt is not related to the proposed bond issue, and takes effect with the end of the 2008 school year. Parents and students concerned about the closing of Hyatt have organized fund drives and set up a website, hoping to keep the historic community school open. That site is www.friendsofhyatt.org.

Continued on Page 6 FEBRUARY 21, 2008

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W h o ’s N e w s , C o n t i n u e d f ro m P a g e 5

Transition. The office of freshmen foundations and students in transition was designed to ease the transition of students from high school environments, nonacademic careers or other post-secondary institutions. As director, Self will facilitate the successful transition of those students and develop assessment criteria for the appropriate transition courses.

Whitney National Bank announced the retirement of Jeannette Willis. Ms. Willis has been Vice President and Manager of the Main Office Branch of The Whitney in Lake Charles since September, 1998. She began her banking career with the former First National Bank of Lake Charles in 1968. She has been active in numerous civic organizations throughout her career and has been a long-time member of the Board of Directors of Contraband Days.

Youth Leaders’ Conference in Washington, D.C. She was nominated by her teacherKaren Clifton.

Calcasieu Parish School System has named Hannah Streams from DeQuincy Elementary, Gabriela Zambrano from W. W. Lewis Middle School and Cameron Shull from Sulphur High as Students of the Year.

Calcasieu students have been selected for National OAKE Honor Choir and will perform in Denver, Colorado during Spring Break. Students from DeQuincy Elementary and Middle Schools are Jaylee Googe, Olin Browning, Jonathan Haley, Staci Maddox, Cary Marcontell, Baylee Royer, Victoria Vandergriff, and Joshua Windham. Representing DeQuincy High School are Scotti Vige’, Hallie Moses, Erin Windham, Rebecca Marcantel, Tracey Shoemake, Sean Bean, Michael Suchanek, Brandon Pitre, Jaydan Templet, and Nicholas Chachere. St. John Elementary School students are Abigail Hammond, Tiana Lazard, and Gary Lytle. T. S. Cooley Magnet School students Hailey Soileau, Brook Townsley, and John Trouth made the choir. A. M. Barbe High School participants in the National Honor Choir are Matthew Higginbotham, Victoria Otte, Anna Lynn Sober, and Hannah Sober.

Ronda Jacobs, Durlin Ancelet, Jean Johnson, Janice Brown, Steve Monaghan, Brenda Matt and Diane Roche

Representatives of the Calcasieu Federation of Teachers joined over 150 teacher and school employee leaders from around the state for the annual Louisiana Federation of Teachers Winter Conference in Baton Rouge on Saturday, January 26.

L’Auberge du Lac Five Star Employees

Kerry A. Onxley was inducted into the Arkansas Hall of Fame of the Arkansas Thespian Society. The ceremony took place in Fort Smith, Arkansas on January 19. Onxley is a Leadership Coach for the Educational Theatre Association and represents thespian societies in Arkansas, Alabama, West Virginia, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Onxley is the artistic director of The Children’s Theatre Company and theatre specialist for Calcasieu Parish School Board for 21 years.

Ginger Consigney, a native of Lake Charles, has recently Kerry A. Onxley been named director of Human Resources at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. Consigney has been in human resources since 1971, most recently serving as human resource manager with W. O. Moss Regional Medical Center. She will be responsible for directing all human resources functions for nearly 1,500 employees at the 391-bed acute care hospital, which includes a 324-bed facility on Oak Park Boulevard, 38-bed Hospital for Women, and 29-bed acute long-term care facility at Ginger Consigney Extended Care of Southwest Louisiana. Her duties will include maintaining and encouraging positive employee relations, resolving employee conflicts/concerns, compensation analysis, training, recruitment, relocation coordination, employee recognition programs, and internal customer service.

Scott Schonefeld, Calcasieu Parish School System Tech Support Coordinator, was spotlighted in the March/April 2008 edition of Learning and Leading with Technology magazine with a software review of Toon Boom Studio 4. The magazine is published by the International Society for Technology in Education. Donald Fontenot, Anita Granger, Deborah Guillory, Janice Guillot, Ginger Keenan, Veronica Martin, Mary McFatter, Barbara Morris and Diane Sweeney achieved national educational diagnostician certification. The rigorous test was designed to test knowledge and application of federal laws regarding special education (IDEA) and No Child Left Behind. Alexis Durio, Frasch Elementary, was selected to attend the National PAGE 6

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort presents its January Five Star Employees.: Rob Kibodeaux, a bell captain; Rochelle Pappion, a porter; Marquetta Poullard, a Le Café server; Jaime Gonzalez, an engineer; and Eddie Goodly, a security officer.

(Rob Kibodeaux is also designated as the Employee of the Month and is now eligible to receive the coveted Employee of the Year award.)

L’Auberge du Lac Managers and Supervisors for the quarter

L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort is proud to present its managers and supervisors for the quarter: The Manager of the Quarter is Paula Arabie, collections manager.

The Supervisors of the Quarter are: Lucinda Peltier, floral supervisor; Soni James, a slots supervisor; and Marc Clarke, a beverage supervisor.

Stephen Roll, a package car driver for UPS, was recently recognized by the company for completing 25 years without an accident. Roll works out of the facility located at 2404 Fruge, in Lake Charles. Mr. Roll presently provides service in the Ragley, Longville, Deridder and Singer area. Manager Jeff Ryder presented Stephen Roll with the 25-year safe driving award, recognizing his achievement. Roll and his wife, Frances, live in Sulphur. They have two children, Caitlin, 19 and Chelsea, 16.

MSU Offers ACT Test Tips

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wo McNeese instructors have general test-taking advice as well as English and math-specific tips for high school students who want to perform to their potential when they sit for the ACT. Minimum admission requirements at McNeese State University for high school students graduating from a stateapproved Louisiana high school include, among other standards, a minimum English or math ACT score of 18.

Dr. Bobbie Yellott, associate professor of math, and Dr. Scott Goins, professor of English, both emphasized the advantages of taking practice exams so students can familiarize themselves with the process. Yellott and Goins will offer ACT review courses through the McNeese department of continuing education’s Leisure Learning program.

“The best way to become comfortable with the test is to take the samples, which are available through ACT,” Goins said. “Students should set a timer so they will understand the timing and pace of the test when they actually take it.”

Goins said it’s also wise for students to eat a healthy breakfast before the exam and bring a sweater or jacket with them. “You don’t want to perform poorly

because all you can think about is cold or food,” he said.

According to ACT Inc., the American College Test is an achievement test, which measures what a student has learned in school, as opposed to the SAT, an aptitude test that measures reasoning and verbal abilities. For students, this distinction is important because it means that ACT will not penalize for incorrect answers. According to Yellott, many students don’t realize this.

“The SAT will take off for wrong answers, but incorrect answers on the ACT do not count against the student.

That’s why it’s important that students never leave any answer blank on the test,” she said. “Even if you don’t know the answer, it’s to your advantage to guess.”

Nervousness toward the math portion is common, Yellott said, but there are simple ways students can make themselves more comfortable. In addition to completing math sections from the sample ACT test, students need to learn how to use their calculator. According to ACT Inc., some calculators are permitted, but not required, for the math portion. The testing agency noted that all the problems can be solved without a calculator, and some models are prohibited. A list-

ing of prohibited calculators can be found on their Web site, www.actstudent.org.

Yellott said the test is not formulabased, so there’s no need for students to memorize all the math formulas they learned in high school. She also said students should understand that some math terms are phrased differently on the exam and may seem unfamiliar.

“That’s why it’s a good idea to take the practice exam – so you can see how ACT phrases some of their math questions,” Yellott said. “Another good tip is to look at the answers before you try to solve. The answers will usually tell you what kind of information they’re looking for.”

That advice can also be applied to the reading comprehension portion of the exam, according to Goins. He said some students find it helpful to scan the questions before they read the required excerpt. He also said students should not spend too much time on a single passage or question – instead, they should move forward and come back to the answer later. Yellott gave the same suggestion for the math portion.

“When it comes to effective test-taking, it’s usually an issue of addressing attitude, not material,” Yellott said. “The

more familiar you are with the process, the more comfortable you’ll be.”

The following ACT review courses are available through the department of continuing education at McNeese State University. Each individual course is $69. All three courses are available for $189.

ACT Grammar and Reading Review, 5-7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, March 4-6.

Led by English professor Dr. Scott Goins, the course is designed to improve your comfort level and address punctuation, grammar and usage, sentence structure, organization, style and rhetorical skills. Limited enrollment.

ACT Math Review, 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays, March 1, 8 and 15. Led by Dr. Bobbie Yellott, students will practice and review a variety of problems designed to help students recognize and answer questions quickly and accurately.

ACT Science Review, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 29 and April 5. Led by instructor Craig Moss, students will brush up on their reasoning techniques and practice science test-taking strategies.

For more information or to register, contact Leisure Learning coordinator May Gray at mgray@mcneese.edu or (337) 475-5130.

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FEBRUARY 21, 2008

PAGE 7

An Interview With LCRA Director Heath Allen

By Amie J. Herbert, Photo by Patrick Marcantel

Possessing a positive demeanor, optimistic outlook and a penchant for using cliché metaphor, Heath Allen is no wide-eyed amateur.

With over 11 years of experience working at the Lake Charles Regional Airport in a wide-range of capacities, the new airport director has a lot of work to do. And he knows exactly how to get it done.

Allen officially took over the reigns from former Airport Director Alan Kratzer on February 6, 2008, and was immediately immersed in the largest project in the LCRA’s history. After suffering extensive damage from Hurricane Rita that left entire hangars in shreds, initial assessments and studies found that repair and upgrades to the old building would cost as much as 12 - 14 million dollars. Allen says they took the opportunity to look at completely rebuilding the structure with an eye on the future.

It took a full year and numerous meetings with FEMA, the FAA and meetings in Washington, D.C. to convince the Federal Government and the FAA that is was a viable and practical option to rebuild from scratch. Groundbreaking on the new LCRA terminal took place exactly two years to the day of Rita making landfall.

“We’re well on our way and very excited,” says Allen, “We’re completely on schedule for our April 2009 opening.”

With the Administrative and Director’s offices currently operating out of a small, green building near the temporary terminal, Allen admits that it has been ‘kind of embarrassing’ to have been operating out of the old terminal.

“I like to use the ‘front door’ idea that a front door can make or break a house,” says Allen, “That’s the first thing someone sees, and if you’ve got an old, outdated (door) that’s going to be the impression of the rest of your home. These business travelers, the first impression they get of SWLA is our airport. We want to put our best foot forward.”

The plans for the new terminal building have a classic, Georgianesque design, a quality Allen says will make the building ‘timeless.’ Working with the Carter & Burgess, Inc team, a nationally recognized architectural and engineering firm, the building plans are being implemented with the capability for future expansion, which is exactly what Allen dreams of seeing.

“I’d love to see the same things everyone else dreams of for Southwest Louisiana,” Allen says. “Lake Charles booming, and (LCRA) with three or four different airlines. I’d like to see this be as good as it possibly can be.”

The new building, which is 15 thousand square feet larger than the previous terminal, will include two grand entrances, will have four gates, two loading bridges with room to expand to four loading bridges, the best in security, automation, and all the modern amenities and technologies expected of a large airport.

“In addition to the commercial air service, the airport itself is a great asset,” says Allen.

“We operate on 1800 acres, roughly the size of Louis Armstrong (airport) in New Orleans. We can grow with the community.”

At 28 million dollars, the rebuilding of the Airport’s new Terminal is surprisingly not the only challenge Allen is facing. The LCRA’s air service is based on the economy, and with Houston and PAGE 8

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

Lafayette’s proximity factoring in, Allen is looking to market the Airport as a valuable asset to the region.

Commercial air service is currently Allen’s number one priority, and he is hoping to ‘turn over every rock’ to expand upon what is currently offered.

“We are thinking outside of the box, focusing on keeping costs low,” explains Allen,” but Lake Charles is growing and I feel confident that we’ll have another airline (soon.)”

The LCRA is currently looking at Northwest Airlines, Delta, and have been talking with American Airlines. In the meantime, the Airport has been working with Continental, its current

carrier, at providing competitive rates as that found in Lafayette, while providing the amenities and service that travelers have come to expect, such as free parking, virtually nonexistent traffic delays, short lines and low walk-up airfare.

Allen would also like to further develop the services offered like that offered by ERA Helicopter, which operates a training base out of LCRA and brings in over 600 people each year to train, expand upon general aviation, provide T-hangars for private airplanes, and market the overall value of using a local airport.

At present, there are twenty differ-

ent tenants operating out of the Airport’s Industrial Park, offering everything from rental cars to private business buildings to recreational areas, and room to grow.

“I’d like to see us really utilize the land while maintaining the highest quality in commercial aviation, helicopter and general aviation,” says Allen. “We’re ready to hit the ground running, and we’re going to do that.

The sky’s the limit.”

For more information on the LCRA and to see the new terminal plans, please visit their upgraded website at www.flylakecharles.com.

Full

Bridal store 3040 Ryan St. Lake Charles, LA Vickie Huber & Janet Piraro

337-433-9494

Monday thru Saturday 10am to 5:30pm

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

PAGE 9

S O U T H W E S T

L O U I S I A N A ’ S

H O M E G R O W N

B U S I N E S S E S

One Stop Bought The Shop

By Kathy Bergstrom n September of 2006, Yvonne LeJeune was shopping at Brousse’s A Child World looking for bargains. They were having a “going out of business” sale. She looked around the store and asked, “How much do you want for all of it?”

And that’s how Yvonne, her husband, CJ, daughters Christa Tremie and Charla Adams, and their niece, Ashley Plauche became the new owners of Brousse’s A Child’s World.

Brousse’s was started by R.T Brousse in 1948, when he began building and selling wooden toys out of his home. But even as his business was growing, his property was needed for the Interstate 10 construction. So in the early ’50s, he built a store on Enterprise Blvd. Charles Gassier managed “Brousse’s Toyland” for 25 years until Mike and Brenda Goldman purchased it in 1980 and it became “Brousse’s A Child’s World,” and is conveniently located on Ryan Street, offering toys, furniture and clothing for infants and children.

By 2006, the Goldman’s were ready to retire and prepared to close the local landmark forever. Until Mrs. LeJeune stopped in to shop. Now in its 60th year, Brousse’s continues to serve new generations of area families. More than a toy store, Brousse’s has baby furniture, nursery furniture, christening and communion dresses, tiny tuxedos, the tiniest shoes and socks, heirloom traditional toys and a complete line of school uniforms for all ages, year-round. And they offer creative gift-wrapping and a registry service for showers.

The five family members work well together, each bringing different skill, talents and strengths to the business. Yvonne knows how to shop for new inventory from a grandmother’s perspective. Christa, Charla and Ashley can give advice from the perspective of new moms, aunts or friends of the little ones. And they also give creative touches to the store.

Christa made the crystal-trimmed display racks that hold hundreds of onesies, frilly dresses, and tiny suits.

And CJ? “I’m the official toy tester,” he explained, tossing his favorite toy – a plush baseball that makes the sound of breaking glass

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Charla Adams, Christa Tremie, Ashley Plauche and CJ LeJeune of Brousse’s A Child’s World.

when it’s caught! He also loves the stuffed horse that neighs and makes galloping and trotting sounds. And the piggy banks in all colors, styles, shapes and sizes. And the puppets, puzzles and stuffed animals. And the little toy grand piano. You get the distinct impression that for CJ, going to work is playtime.

Brousse’s also has designer diaper bags from Kalencom and Petunia Picklebottom and swivel rockers, glider rockers and recliners in an assortment of fabrics. CJ shows off their beautiful baby furnishings from Munire Furniture, convertible cribs from Baby’s Dream Furniture, and retro Moses Baskets. “Moms are finding that the good old fashioned Moses Basket is more comfortable to carry and more comfortable for baby, too,” says CJ. He points out wall of tiny camo outfits for babies and toddlers. “We even have pink camo,” he said. “The moms like that better on their little girls.”

Camo bibs can be personalized or you can get one with “Daddy’s Little Deer” embroidered on it.

LSU purple and gold are important for infant Tigers and their families.

Brousse’s has Tiger onesies, bibs, blankets, banks, and even a tricycle. They have an LSU Jack-in-the-Box which CJ says, usually ends up on Daddy’s desk!

LSU alumni love the Jack-in-the-Box. Christa creates burp cloths that say, “I spit purple and gold,” and they can’t keep them in stock. The LSU onesies sport the slogan, “Future Tailgator!”

Brousse’s has an extensive line of beautifully made educational and traditional heirloom toys like puppets, doll houses, building blocks, wooden rocking chairs and stick horses. They carry Gund stuffed animals and Gund soft pillows. All their toys encourage activity, curiosity, imagination and learning.

“We carry Claire Bateman’s line of children’s books, too,” CJ points out.

They have delicate traditional smocked dresses, hand embroidered infant wear and beautiful christening gowns. And for the little gentlemen, the tiniest tuxes and Sunday suits you’ll ever see. Brousse’s carries clothes and accessories from such names as Trumpette, Bella Tunno, Will’beth, Feltman, Cach Cach, and Kissy. They offer tiny shoes and socks from “Two Feet Ahead.” CJ shows off two pairs of socks for preemies that are so tiny, they couldn’t even fit on his thumbs.

From the moment you enter the door you realize that Brousse’s indeed has it all. From receiving blankets to high school uniforms, your child is indeed, in their own world. The LeJeunes invite you to “Come in and experience all that Brousse’s A Child’s World has to offer.” But they caution, “like your kids, it’ll grow on you.” And you could find yourself in the toy section “testing” toys with CJ! Check out Brousse’s website at www.brousses.com.

Unique Gifts and Accessories

3204 Ryan • 433-6200 FEBRUARY 21, 2008

PAGE 11

Black Heritage Festival Honored as a “Top 20” Event The Southeast Tourism Society (STS) recently honored the Black Heritage Festival of Southwest Louisiana as a Top 20 Event for 2008. This festival highlights the achievements of African Americans in Southwest Louisiana through cultural and performing arts events. Festival activities include live music, visual arts exhibits, pageants, contests, cheer and dance competitions, performing arts, a marketplace and a Kids’ Zone including heritage displays, a moonwalk and more.

The Black Heritage Festival is February 29 – March 2, at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

Ms. Stella Miller, founder of the Black Heritage Festival, accepted the award from Katie Harrington during a news conference at the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Tuesday, February 12. On hand for the presentation were Mayor Randy Roach, Darleen Wesley, Adrian Wallace, James Mayo and other dignitaries.

The Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau is a member of STS, an organization that promotes travel to and within the southeastern part of the United States. The bureau nominates all area fairs, festivals and events quarterly. The STS Top 20 Events marketing program highlights the “best of the best” from submitted entries. Events are selected from each of the following STS member states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

The Top 20 Events publication is distributed to 125 American Automobile Association offices and to more than 300 newspapers, periodicals, radio stations and television stations. The combined circulation of organizations using the publication is well into the millions. The potential media coverage of these events has made the Top 20 Events list a coveted honor.

For more information, contact the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau at (337) 436-9588, or visit www.visitlakecharles.org.

Volunteer Opportunities at The Black Heritage Festival 2008 Be part of the Festival! Stella Miller invites the community to “Catch the volunteer spirit! Give us a call – we’ll put you to work!” she says. “The festival has a volunteer opportunity that is just right for you. Share your talents, interest and time as a volunteer for this annual event!” To volunteer, contact Stella Miller, POB 16365, Lake Charles, LA 70616, email her at bhflc@yahoo.com , or go the Black Heritage Festival website at www.bhflc.org

Black Heritage Festival Opens with Zydeco Block Party The 200 Black Heritage Festival kicks off with Zydeco Block Party at 5:30 Friday evening, February 29. The free Zydeco party will be at the merchant’s parking lot at the corner of Ryan and Broad Streets. Performers scheduled for the Festival include Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band, Chris Ardoin & NuStep and Curley Taylor.

Friday night sets the theme for the Main Stage Talent Show, Saturday, March 1, which will honor “Our Zydeco Heritage,” with tributes to Southwest Louisiana artists including Boo Zoo Chavis, Rockin’ Sidney, Alphonse “Bois Sec” Ardoin and Beau Jacques. Other highlights of the Festival which continues Saturday, are the 2nd annual Gospel Brunch, Kid Zone 08, talent show, seminars and workshops, market place and, of course, great food! Sunday, March 2, the Festival concludes with the premiere performance of “The Unacquainted,” a gospel play

by Pam Davis-Noland, at the Central School Theatre.

PAGE 12

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

Stella Miller accepted the Top 20 Award from Katie Harrington

Schedule of Events: Friday, February 29: Downtown Lake Charles.

Zydeco Block Party at 5:30 until…

Saturday, March 1: Lake Charles Civic Center Festival General Admission: Before 2 p.m. — $5 After 2 p.m. — $10 Kids 10 and under free 8:30 to 10 a.m. – Scholarship Seminar in the Contraband Room.

Sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Capital One, and ConocoPhillips, and McNeese State University Upward Bound Program, the workshop will be led by Sedgwick Hines, author of “The Scholarship Workbook.”

A successful future doesn’t come by chance! For further information please contact the Black Heritage Festival at 337-488-056.

9 a.m. – Market Place opens 10 a.m. to Noon – Gospel Brunch featuring Holy Boy (from Las Vegas) and Yvonne Marie. Food for the body and soul! What a way to start the Festival! Cathy Banks, Arthur Mae Brown, Debbie Thomas and Jan Williams will be honored for their work in their churches and communities. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit www.bhflc.org or call 488-0567.

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 – Symposium: “State of Black Affairs” in the Contraband Room. This lively session will be led by Eric Cormier and Eric Doshier.

The panel will discuss African-American concerns in the Lake Charles community.

11 a.m. – Healthy Baby Diaper Derby Contest. Second floor lobby.

Sponsored by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, this is the 21st year for the Healthy Baby Diaper Derby. Registration is at 10 a.m. Parents must bring immunization records for the Healthy Baby Contest.

Noon to 5 p.m. – Kids Zone 08 in the Exhibition Hall. It’s all about kids and art! Throughout the afternoon, youngsters will have opportunities to create a variety of make-and-take art projects and experience a wide variety of visual art, music, and dance presented by various local young artists. Prizes will be drawn

every hour. Festival admission includes Kids Zone 1 p.m. – First Annual BHF Cooking Demonstration with Chef Carolyn Shelton on the second floor lobby. Join Chef Shelton, author of “Angelina’s Zydeco Okra Cookbook,” for a lesson in food, family and history as she prepares Afro-Creole dishes. Free samples!

Cookbooks will be available for purchase.

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3 p.m. – Oratorical Contest in the Contraband Room. This annual contest provides area students the opportunity to enhance and display their oration skills. The contest fosters leadership qualities as well as the ability to think intelligently and speak clearly. Sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Zeta Psi Lambda Education Foundation, the contest is open to high school students. Contestants can register at their high schools prior to the contest.

700 E. Prien Lake Road • 337-478-3566 Between Common and Kirkman

Noon to 2 p.m. – Talent Showcase on the Main Stage Coliseum. Twelve Acts have signed up for the Talent Showcase… music, dance, poetry and more.

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5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. – Willis Prudhomme & the Zydeco Express 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. – Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. – Chris Ardoin & NuStep Sunday, March 2: Central School 5 p.m. – “The Unacquainted.” Tickets are $25.

Don’t miss the premiere performance of “The Unacquainted,” a gospel play by Lake Charles’ own Pam Davis-Noland. Pamela DavisNoland currently resides in Houston, Texas. A self-proclaimed free spirit, Pamela is a gifted black woman with a lot to say and many stories to tell. Davis-Noland is the author of the novel and play, “Coffee-Colored Dreams.”

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BUSINESS

notes

KZWA FM 104.9 is hosting the “Listen to Your Heart” Radiothon Friday, Feb. 22, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. to raise funding for the American Heart Association and the Southwest Louisiana community. As part of National Heart month, the Radiothon will promote awareness for heart disease, the No. 1 cause of death in the nation, as well as stroke, the No. 3 cause of death.

Volunteers will take call-in donations from business and community members.

Pledges can be made by cash, check or credit card. Prizes donated from local businesses in Southwest Louisiana will also be presented to on-air contributors throughout the day. Make a pledge Friday, Feb. 22, by calling 337-491-0966.

For more information, call the American Heart Association at 337-478-3637.

SoundOff Live, Southwest Louisiana only long format, local sports show, is moving it’s broadcast channel and air times beginning February 25 to SuddenLink Cable channel 60. The newly formatted sports show will broadcast from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. and at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. SoundOff Live will also change its name to SoundOff 60. SoundOff 60 is hosted by veteran sportscaster and Lagniappe columnist Rick Sarro, Lake Charles American Press sports editor and award winning columnist Scooter Hobbs and former LSU and NFL star Kevin Guidry. SoundOff Live is in its 12th season on the air which makes it the longest running local sports show of its kind in Louisiana.

Sarro, Hobbs and Guidry will take SoundOff 60 on location as they begin taping new shows beginning Monday, February 25th at 5 p.m. at various sports bars, clubs and eateries in Lake Charles and Sulphur. Fans will be able to debate local sports, ask questions and be a part of the weekly show on location or via the show’s new website at www.soundoff60.com. SoundOff 60 will make its on location debut February 25th at the new OutRiggers Billiards (formerly Strokers) on Ryan Street in Lake Charles.

Troy Stine has recently formed Stine Financial Group, where he is President/Investment Professional, located in the Holly Hill Plaza off W. Prien Lake Rd. Troy Stine has been doing investments and financial planning for over nine years with the past five years as Senior Investment Executive at First Federal Bank of Louisiana. At Stine Financial Group, his team will focus on helping small businesses and individuals with their investment and retirement needs. Troy Stine was born and raised in Southwest Louisiana. He graduated from McNeese State University in Economics and Government. He has served with United Way, Board of Family Youth Council, and Coastal Conservation Association, and other civic organizations.

Dynamic Dimensions is offering a free weight consultation with an exercise specialist for children ages six years old and up. The offer applies to members of Dynamic Dimensions as well as non-members. Robert Kingham, Director of Dynamic Dimensions explains, “We’ve talked with many parents who are concerned about their child’s weight. Because their child is still growing, it’s hard to know if a few extra pounds is just due to a growing phase, or if their child truly has a problem with weight. Figuring out Body Mass Index and the ideal weight range for children and adolescents can be difficult, so we’re taking the guesswork out and giving parents solid advice on how to provide help for their child.” The private weigh-in consultation is available at both Dynamic Dimensions in Sulphur and Moss Bluff. To schedule an appointment, call 5275459 in Sulphur or 855-7708 in Moss Bluff.

Through a donation made by Saint-Gobain and its subsidiary CertainTeed Corporation, the F.K. White Middle School of Calcasieu Parish has opened a technology-enriched Mathematics classroom with an innovative program called “Skills for Life” (SFL). Through the Skills for Life (SFL) donation, the school received 30 desktop computers, a network printer, headphones and appropriate software, training, and technical assistance. Skills for Life (SFL) features a multi-media, computerized approach to learning that youngsters find appealing and motivating. The program provides customized, individualized instruction to F.K. White Middle School students in grades 6, 7, and 8, focusing on improving their Math skills. Perhaps the greatest impact of Skills for Life (SFL) is that it enables students to increase self-confidence and encourages them to enjoy school.

PAGE 14

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

Above: Cameron Communications Public Relations Coordinator, Trina Johnson recently presented a check for $300 to Grand Lake Hornets Coach Ancil Delaney and student athletes Amber Taylor and Kayla Savoie.

Work began on the stripping of grass from the football field at McNeese State’s Cowboy Stadium in preparation for the artificial turfing of the surface, and will take two or three days to take up all of the grass, which will then be planted on the newly formed intramural fields on campus. A breaking of the ground ceremony for the new field was held on Monday, February 18. Local businessman Robert Noland supplied the funds to have the artificial turf installed. McNeese interim athletic director Tommy McClelland said that a certain amount of the turf that is being taken up will be set aside for fans who wish to purchase a square for a souvenir. Fans can contact the athletic department for more information.

Local youth can “Choose to Lose” with a free weight loss program sponsored by West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, The Pediatric Center and the Sulphur Group. The program is created specifically for young people ages six through 12. The next class of Choose to Lose begins Tuesday, March 4 and will combine the knowledge of area health experts on nutrition, fitness and pediatric medicine to will motivate kids and teach them the benefits of being more active and choosing healthier foods. In addition, free, private weight consultations for children ages six and older are available at both locations of Dynamic Dimensions in Sulphur and Moss Bluff. These consultations will help parents learn if their child is overweight, due to the confusion that can occur from each child’s individual growth patterns. For more information, or to register for Choose to Lose, call WCCH at 527-4282.

The Cameo Club of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently presented library books to the South Cameron Elementary and High School in Grand Chenier as a special literacy promotion project. $800 was designated for this presentation of American History books, selected by the library staff. The object of the Cameo Club of the LSDAR is “to promote understanding and fellowship between generations and to encourage the passage of genealogical information, family histories and patriotism to subsequent generations.”

The Calcasieu Teachers & Employees Credit Union has demonstrated the epitome of safety and soundness by earning and sustaining Bauer Financial’s Five Star Superior rating for 64 consecutive quarters. The prestigious Sustained Superiority Status is earned by fewer than 10% of the nation’s credit unions. To achieve this honor, the credit union has exhibited the best in such areas as capital adequacy, asset quality and stability, and has done so every quarter for over 16 years!

JNL Data Solutions has recently expanded their services to include hardware sales as an official Dell reseller. This includes Dell notebooks, desktops, servers, monitors, printers plus computer electronics and accessories for all business computing needs. JNL Data Solutions offers secure, off-site storage for all types of electronic media, as well as comprehensive IT consulting and services, including regulatory compliance, system design, project management and more. For more information about available services or Dell equipment needs, call JNL at (337) 905-SAFE (7233) or email info@jnldatasolutions.com.

2008

Bridal

When you ask your readers for “Bridezilla” experiences, you get some interesting stories but a lot of postscripts, “Don’t use my name!” So here are examples of Bridezillas, Mother of the Bride-Zillas and other tales that remind us all to remember our manners.

It does little good to plan for “The Perfect Day” if it’s ruined by that horrid monster in expensive satin and tulle.

having a melt down by noon because the table linens were “wrinkled!” Our banquet manager explained that they put the linens on the tables early so that the wrinkles fall out by the reception, but we still had to bring a steamer into the event room to shut her up! She finally left an hour prior to the start of her wedding – still make-up free and hair not done!

From a hotelier: Oh yes – one does come to mind. This little “darling” bride actually called the hotel while I was on maternity leave and flipped out when she was told her I was having my baby, despite the fact she had been informed of this a month prior to my due date. Then she called continually from the day I returned from maternity leave complaining about the hotel room block, the room setup, the menus, etc.

When her wedding day actually arrived, she showed up to personally decorate the reception room at 8 a.m. She was

From a wedding guest: I’m not sure if this is a Bridezilla story or a Cheap-Zilla story, but here goes. I was a guest at a wedding and at the reception in a tiny room in the basement of the church there was only one table set for the reception! Bridezilla always wanted a “fancy” wedding reception dinner but couldn’t afford to feed all her guests — so she didn’t. Only the bride, groom and immediate family sat down to eat a wedding dinner and the rest of us were expected to just stand around and watch, without being offered so much

as a hors d’oeurvre or glass of bubbly!

Were we supposed to applaud their every bite? That was very strange.

members. If only people could mind their own business and remember that they are guests.

From a minister: How about a tale of the Visiting Minister’s Wife-Zilla? I once had a wedding with a couple from out of town and also from another tradition. When we got to the rehearsal the wife of the visiting clergyman kept saying “Don’t you do this here? Don’t you do that?” It had to do with music and bell ringing, etc. Well, the day of the wedding this woman just got up from the pew and started “doing her thing” on the piano! Forget about the music that the organist had planned to play, forget about the customary order of things! She was going to fix it and make sure it was correct! As the clergyman in charge, I was in awe of her audacity! What a rude woman. We smiled and let her go, but I have tightened up my control of weddings at the expense of being hospitable to non-

From a former restaurant worker: I have met some of the worst, evil Bridezillas you can imagine, but one in particular stands out. The Royal Mother of the Bridezilla. Let’s call her “Miz McSmith.” At her daughter’s reception, the staff was informed that all food and beverages were to be cleared and service stopped at 10 p.m. Miz McSmith was very adamant about that. Not a problem until she gets a few under belt and commands the staff, at 10:15, to bring it back the food and drink, that her guests were not through! Fine. We brought out food and drink and at the end of the night, the additional “after 10” food and beverage added almost $7 thousand to the bill! She signed the ticket, slurring and complaining and staggered on home. We thought the show was over, but the next day she FEBRUARY 21, 2008

PAGE 15

calls the manager (who was present when she ordered the items back out) and informs him that SHE did not order such, SHE was not paying for such, and SHE was in touch with the owner and SHE was telling him how we were ripping her off. Well, the owner called, explained that he believed us, not her, but to go ahead and not charge her the added amount! This in turn trickled down to the waitstaff, who was getting 15% of the total bill as gratuity. So she had messed with the paychecks of over 15 of the most vengeful, spiteful, evil people in town and justice needed to be done! On her next visit, sporting a very expensive white dress (after Labor Day!), attending a hoity-toity bridal shower for a friend’s daughter, she was describing to everyone who would listen, what WE TRIED TO DO TO HER AT “HER” WEDDING! Then she made a small misstep: she ordered our sassy, mean-as-a-sack-of-snakes-hostess to “Bring me a glass of red wine!” I am sure you can guess the rest....hostess delivers wine, mysteriously “slips” on the carpet and Miz McSmith takes a vino bath all over her gorgeous white dress! Of course she did send us the dry cleaning bill, as well she should, but the stain would not come out. He-he! Ah revenge; a dessert served like no other at the old City Club of Lake Charles!

the big year for egalitarian marriages, so check out our gallery of power couples for inspiration.

After these tales of wedding wars, we consulted the expert on Bridezilla – the website www.Bridezilla.com and took their test to see if we could reach the apogee of “zilla-ness.” Our quiz results came back with this warning: “Everybody duck! Not only are you a Bridezilla, you don’t care who knows it.

You better take a moment to calm those selfish urges or you might be standing up there by yourself on your big day.”

Bridezilla.com is a great website to search for really good ideas for planning a wedding and avoiding becoming a Bridezilla, and it also offers up pages and pages of trends, snarky comments, great resources and some fun quizzes.

And Bridezilla.com loves the lists, so here we present:

7) Cupcake wedding cakes. The little dainty confections have had their day, but now its time to move over in favor of moist, decadent yummy cake once again. Tiramisu, tortes, cheesecake, and green tea cake are just a few yummy options to take your cake into 2008.

Bridezilla.com’s Top Ten Wedding Trends to Toss in 2008 1) Pink and Brown. This once omnipotent it-scheme has been so prevalent over the past few year’s bridesmaid dresses, invitations and reception settings, that it now feels juvenile and dated. Bridezilla says: spare the espresso lest you want guests snickering over your “so 2007” wedding.

2) Marrying Down. This was one big trend of 2007, and we are way over it! From Pamela Anderson and Rick Solomon to Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder-Civil, potentially lovely ladies are getting dragged down by scruffy male mates. Bridezilla predicts 2008 is PAGE 16

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

3) The steeple-esque solitaire. In 2008, we see the era of the Paris Hilton paperweight diamond coming to an end, as flatter, chunkier rings comes into play. Bridal jewelry that could double as brass knuckles in a pinch? Yes please!

4) The veil. We have to say, Bridezilla can’t really condone the whole burqa effect, even when it is made from something shimmery and shiny. A little bridal hat adds the same panache, and is so much more fresh and funky.

5) Food stations. In 2008, munchies are for your stoned eighteen-year-old brother, not the most elegant day of your life. This year sees the return of long, low-lit sit-down dinners, with multiple courses and time for more than just cocktail conversation.

6) The raunchy bachelorette party.

This is one trend Bridezilla is happy to wave goodbye to! Body shots, mechanical bulls, and big sugary drinks are so spring break! We’d much rather indulge in a hot new trend, like a design-yourown handbag party or other crafty fun.

8) The Tux. As the age of the metrosexual continues, Bridezilla is happy to see grooms stepping out of the penguin suit in favor of preppie pinstripes, beachy Hawaiian flowers, or metro metallic ties. Keep it up guys!

9) Sweetheart necklines. While a sweet splice of cleavage used to be the order of the day, the neckline favored by Jessica Simpson is being ousted in favor of sheer illusion necklines. These sexy see-through panels are alluring, exotic and unbelievably modern.

10) White Wedding Dresses. In fact, the big showstopper for this season is...drumroll please! The black wedding dress. All the rage on the Paris catwalk, Bridezilla predicts it’s only a matter of time before this red-hot (or should we say black-hot) trend makes it across the pond. The reasoning is simple: black offers the same chic, goes-with-everything elegance of white, with twice the body-flattering and half the spill-risk.

We say, brilliant! Bridezilla Bonus Tip: Pair with heavy white accessories to minimize fashion whiplash.

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Celebrities make short work of marriage

By Lisa Heyamoto, The Sacramento Bee

Marriage, they say, is hard. So hard, in fact, that the average length of marriage in the United States, according to one figure from the National Center for Health Statistics, is about 7 1/2 years. In Hollywood, it’s more like 7 1/2 hours. No, really.

The shortest celebrity marriage on record didn’t even break that facetious mark: Rudolph “The Great Latin Lover” Valentino was wed to starlet

Jean Acker for just six hours in 1919.

The marriage apparently hit the skids after she locked him out of their honeymoon suite.

The close-second award goes to Zsa Zsa Gabor and Felipe de Alba, who were married for a single day in 1982. Then, in 1997, Robin Givens and her tennis instructor, Svetozar Marinkovic, tied the nine-time bride by topping out at 24 hours as well.

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Here’s a look at some of the celebs who so quickly said “I don’t.” Real short-timers: • Britney Spears and childhood pal Jason Alexander in 2004: Two days.

• Dennis Hopper and Michelle Phillips in 1970: Eight days.

• Producer Robert Evans and Catherine Oxenberg in 1998: 10 days.

Repeat offenders: • Givens, who married Mike Tyson for one year in 1990.

• Drew Barrymore, who wed bartender Jeremy Thomas for less than a month in 1994 and then comedian Tom Green for five months in 2001.

• Jennifer Lopez, who was married to waiter Ojani Noa for 13 month in 1997 and then to backup dancer Cris Judd for eight months starting in 2001.

• Lisa Marie Presley, who was married to Michael Jackson for 20 months starting in 1994 and then to Nicolas Cage for four months in 2002.

• Shannen Doherty, who got hitched to Ashley Hamilton, son of the perennially tan George Hamilton, for six months starting in 1993 and then to Rick “Yes, that’s me in the Paris Hilton sex tape” Salomon for nine months in 2002.

• Travis Barker, the former Blink-182 drummer who was wed to longtime girlfriend Melissa Kennedy for 11 months starting in 2001, and then split from Shanna “Yes, that was me punching Paris Hilton in the jaw” Moakler after less than two years of marriage.

We-almost-made-it-to-that- paper-anniversary couples: • Jim Carrey and Lauren Holly: 10 months in 1996.

• Axl Rose and Erin “The Subject of ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ “ Everly: Nine months in 1990.

• Helen Hunt and Hank Azaria: Less than a year starting in 1999.

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.shns.com.)

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PAGE 17

Are you REALLY Ready to Take the Plunge?

The flowers are ordered, the church is reserved, the dress is ready, the band is booked and the honeymoon plans are finalized. You and your spouse-to-be may feel like you’ve handled all the details for starting your future life together, but you may have overlooked one of the most important ingredients for a successful marriage.

The months — and sometimes years — leading up to your big day are filled with so many plans for the wedding itself that it’s easy to overlook the most important aspect of the entire event: your relationship. The saying “marry in haste, repent at leisure!” obviously originated from bitter experience. You’ve made the decision to get married, but is your relationship ready for the challenge of a lifetime commitment?

Chauntelle LeJeune, MA, LMFT, LPC, Therapist with Solutions EAP, says many couples who have had a great dating relationship have a difficult time making the transition to a married relationship. “Couples need to realize

that after the excitement of the wedding is over, the real work of being married begins. Even couples who live together before getting married don’t always know each other as well as they think they do once they begin their married life. It’s important to consider whether or not you and your partner are truly compatible and comfortable with each other, and address some big issues before the wedding.” She says the following aspects of married life are big problem areas, and if not addressed before the wedding, can lead to future marital discord:

responsible for certain things, while women take care of others? Is it important to you that no responsibility is assigned to a particular gender? You need to know these things now, not later.

New Family: When you get married, you don’t just get a spouse; you get a new branch on the family tree.

How did each of you grow up? What were your respective childhoods like?

How were your parents towards each other? What do you want to pass on to your own children, and what do you want to make certain does not get passed on?

Communication: Talk! About anything – and everything. This is the time in your relationship that you should be spending long hours discussing anything and everything. If there is no talking, then reconsider the marriage.

Conflict: Every relationship has conflict. What’s important is how you resolve it. Not everyone handles conflict in the same way. How do each of you feel about conflict and arguing?

Do you agree on the limits or lines that are never to be crossed (hopefully things like physical violence, name calling, threatening divorce). Do you both agree on the things that are worthy of an argument? Make a commitment now to always resolve conflict and learn to do so appropriately.

Roles: What do you expect from each other in your new roles as husband/wife? Do you feel men are

Children: This is a very important discussion. Are you in agreement about having or not having children? You

don’t have to permanently commit to a particular number of children, but do you both want large families? This is not a subject that should be shelved until after you marry.

“The biggest mistake people make is thinking that marriage will somehow transform their spouse, magically making those traits that bother them disappear. Well, it doesn’t. Getting married does not change someone’s personality.

What you see now is usually what you get in a spouse,” says LeJeune. “And while having differences – even big ones – doesn’t mean your marriage is doomed, you do need to be open and honest, and work out compromises about differences before marriage, rather than after.”

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Wedding Gift Registries: Couples' Most Common Questions

The bakery agreed to make your almond-flavored multi-tiered cake. You found a bridesmaid’s dress in just the right shade of robin’s-egg blue. Finally, the wedding plans are falling into place.

What about your wedding gift registry?

Today, the options for wedding gift registries are endless. To help cut through the clutter, Demetra Bernard of Springmaid home fashions answers these common questions about wedding gift registries.

Q: Where should brides and grooms look for registries?

A: Virtually every retail outlet offers a registry, making it easy to find everything you need, from pillows to power saws. There is no rule that says all of your registered items need to come from one place. For example, you can choose Egyptian cotton sheets from Wal-Mart, tools from Lowe’s and a retro telephone from Pottery Barn.

Q: Is it better to register in the store or online?

A: How you register is a personal preference. The benefit to registering in the store is the “touch factor.” You can feel the softness of a towel or see if the ecru-colored blender matches your other appliances. On the other hand, registering online means that you don’t have to adjust your schedule around store hours.

Online registries also are easier for giftgivers, especially far-flung family and friends who might not live near the store. Most brick-and-mortar stores now have their registries accessible both in the store and online so you can decide which method works best for you.

Q: What do most people forget to put on their registries?

A: One of the most forgotten items are blankets. For some, it’s a utilitarian item that’s easy to overlook. For others, it’s just too confusing to decide on a fabric. Choosing between cotton, ther-

mal, flannel, acrylic, down-filled, knit, woven or herringbone can make your head spin. But although it may take a few minutes to get educated on the best blanket for you, having one on your bed or in your linen closet is a must, especially when your new spouse turns down the thermostat!

Q: Should couples register for the “really good stuff”?

A: The tradition of wedding giftgiving started as a way for family and friends to help newlyweds - who were moving out of their parents’ homes and into an empty house - set up their new home. Today’s brides and grooms are marrying later in life and likely have lived on their own (at college or in an apartment) and have already accumulated some of the basics. So a registry can be the couple’s chance to indulge in the really good stuff.

They shouldn’t feel guilty, as the good stuff isn’t all that expensive anymore. Springmaid, for example, offers high-quality linens - 300-thread count and 100 percent cotton - for about $50.

As people continue to seek out luxury offerings for their own homes, it’s likely they will be willing to spend a little bit more to assure their families and friends get a taste of luxury, too.

— Courtesy of NewsUSA

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Tying the Financial Knot

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Mortgage payments, credit scores and debt calculation may not be the most romantic topics for pre-marital pillow talk, but financial experts agree that it’s essential conversation for the foundation of a strong marriage. And conversely, disagreements over money are a leading cause of divorce in the United States, with many expert sources naming it the number one reason couples do not stay together.

“This is why your financial compatibility is an issue that should be addressed well in advance of the wedding date,” says Gail Brame, Vice President with Cameron State Bank. “When couples talk about marriage, they typically only consider the emotional aspects of it, but the truth is, when you decide to make that commitment, there are some very practical financial concerns that should be addressed.”

You certainly don’t have to be wealthy to have a conversation about financial logistics in your upcoming marriage, stresses Brame. “Whether you’re a pauper or a prince, there are still several topics to tackle.” Couples need to openly and honestly discuss the most obvious questions: “How much money do you make?” for example, to the less-obvious, such as “What is your credit score?” or “How much debt do you have?” It’s also important to seriously consider your partner’s spending habits, according to Brame.

“Before couples get married, they usually have an idea of how their partner spends money. In a dating relationship, it may not seem like

such a big deal. It’s easy to blow it off as carefree spending or pennypinching,” she says. “But when you get married, spending habits become a serous issue. If one person saves like a miser and the other person spends like a millionaire, that can create some significant problems in a marriage. Recognizing these potential land mines of financial incompatibility ahead of time can provide a more stable environment for the marriage to grow. These aren’t the types of issues that are going to go away if they aren’t resolved.”

Too often, couples jump into marriage and when it comes to finances, they choose to “wing it,” determining their disposable income on a pay-asyou-go basis. This can definitely create friction, especially in the first few months of marital bliss, which often is more stressful than blissful, says Brame. “It’s best to make decisions before the dotted line has been signed on the marriage certificate. These decisions, such as whether or not to have joint or separate checking accounts, how much to save or who will be responsible for paying which bills, can always be revisited and arrangement modified later. However, if no decisions have been made initially, it can make for unexpected – and unnecessary – confrontations in the already stress-filled first months of marriage.”

“Obviously there are couples who, practically speaking, do very well financially in a marriage. Typically, those are the couples that understand each others’ spending habits, saving habits, financial philosophies, earn-

ings and debts,” says Brame.

“When you don’t have that understanding, it’s easy to be caught offguard when financial bombshells hit. And when it comes to the pocketbook, people are generally touchy. Even couples who think they’re invincible are vulnerable to resentment when the finances are in the red, especially if the couple has opposing philosophies about spending and saving.”

And Brame says there are more selfish reasons to be worried about a partner’s financial situation; “Once you join together in matrimony, your financial records are often combined as well. One spouses’s immaculate credit score can sometimes be threatened by the other’s poor one.”

“Discussing your individual financial situation is very personal, so some couples choose not to go there,” says Brame. “But a marriage is built on intimacy, trust and honesty. What better way to express that than to trust your future husband or wife with your most personal financial information? Doing so before – rather than after vows are said – may mean the difference between years of wedded bliss and a quick trip to divorce court.”

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PAGE 21

HealthCARE

Be Aware Of

Women’s #1 Killer

February is American Heart Month. Women will again “Go Red for Women” by wearing something red or special pin to raise awareness of heart disease, women’s # 1 killer.

The American Heart Association’s campaign is a call to action for women to take charge of their heart health.

Locally, the AHA “Go Red for Women” Luncheon is Thursday, February 28 at 11:30 at Treasure’s of Marilyn. For information, call the AHA at (337) 439-4050.

“The campaign’s aim is to empower women to take charge of their heart health, make it a top priority and live a stronger, longer life,” says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Cardiovascular diseases claim more women’s lives than the next seven causes of death combined. “That’s about 500,000 lives a year,” Reames says. A special red dress pin available from the association can be worn to show support for women affected by heart disease and stroke.

PAGE 22

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

American Heart Association data reveal that: – Heart disease and stroke are the no. 1 and no. 3 killers of American women over age 25.

– Heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases kill more than 500,000 women each year, about one death a minute.

– 1 in 29 women dies of breast cancer. About 1 in 2.4 women dies of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.

– 1 in 5 women has some form of cardiovascular disease.

– 63 percent of women who die suddenly of heart disease have no previous symptoms.

– Black and Hispanic women have higher risk factors than white women of comparable socioeconomic status.

The campaign has three basic health messages: 1. Know your risk factors for heart disease and stroke, which include obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, physical inactivity, smoking and high blood pressure.

2. Reduce your risk.

– Maintain a desirable weight. Keep body mass index (BMI) below 25 and waistline less than 35 inches.

– Exercise for 30 minutes on most days of the week.

– Don’t smoke; if you do, stop.

– Eat a balanced diet (fruits, vegetables, cereal and grain products, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, legumes, nuts, fish, poultry and lean meat).

– Maintain a total cholesterol level under 200 and an HDL level of 50 or higher.

– Control your blood pressure. Try to keep it below 120/80.

– Schedule regular visits with your doctor.

3. Know the warning signs of heart attack. Call 911 immediately if any occur. Warnings include: – Discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

– Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body: one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

– Shortness of breath: often comes along with chest discomfort, but it can occur before the discomfort.

– Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Get a Grip on

Labor Pains

All pregnant women wonder how they will react to labor pains. Pain tolerance is varied from individual to individual, and there is no way to predict how a woman will respond during childbirth. Some report feeling pressure, but no pain; others can barely cope with the intense pain.

“It’s impossible to tell a woman exactly what to expect when she goes through labor,” said Bonnie Leger, certified nurse midwife with OBG-1. “Just as every child is unique, every labor and delivery is unique. But, I can guide her, and tell her what will probably happen, and techniques she can use to cope with the labor pain.

As a certified nurse midwife, Leger approaches birth in a natural way, emphasizing that it is a natural body process. “The term ‘midwife’ may conjure up primitive methods of childbirth; but that’s not how I do things,” she explained. “I deliver in hospitals; I see the benefits of medication and have no problem when my patient chooses to have pain medication, and I work in conjunction with the physician team of OBG-1.”

Leger sees women throughout their pregnancy and is a coach during labor and delivery. She is a strong advocate of educating women on the birthing process.

“During the labor, I’m with her to coach her through the process; explaining what is happening, why it’s happening and how to get through it,” she said. “When you don’t know why something is happening, it can make it

very mysterious and painful on its own. When you allow your body to do its job, childbirth happens naturally, for the most part.”

Positions during labor can affect progress. Studies have shown that lying flat on the back during labor is one of the most uncomfortable, and unproductive positions possible. In other countries, where labor and deliveries are viewed as a natural part of life, rather than a medical procedure, women usually labor while walking, squatting, sitting; and often a variety of all these positions.

When lying on the back for long periods of time, the weight of the uterus compresses the descending arteries that are providing blood and oxygen to the lower part of the body. This interference with circulation reduces blood pressure, compromising blood flow to the baby and causing the baby’s heart rate to drop. By staying upright, the baby’s circulation and heart rate tend to stay strong.

A Latin American study compared reclining labor positions to vertical ones and showed that labors for women who stayed upright were 36% shorter for first-time mothers and 25% shorter for mothers who had previously given birth. A British study compared mothers who walked during labor to those who stayed in

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PAGE 23

continued on page 23

bed and found that walking not only shortened labor but also reduced pain and the need for medication.

“Allowing gravity to help bring the baby down the birth canal is one of the ways we can get out of the way and let nature do its thing,” said Leger. “Many women feel more control over their labor process when they are allowed to walk around. This also changes their mental approach to labor. Instead of being relegated to bed for the duration, they can be more active in finding positions that ease the discomfort.” Most women who choose a more natural approach to labor change their positions seven or eight times throughout the time they are in labor.

Now, there may be medical reasons to stay in bed some, if not all of the time during labor. “If a woman is bleeding, if there are signs of distress in the baby, or other complications, it is in the mother’s best interest to labor in bed and monitored continuously,” said Leger. “My purpose is not to inhibit whatever medical techniques will benefit the mother and baby. I am all for a natural approach to childbirth, but I will be the first to recommend continuous monitoring whenever it is needed.”

But, Leger says there are still ways to vary the position during labor even while in bed. “You can lay with your upper torso elevated, to allow gravity to

PAGE 24

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

continue to pull the baby down. Or you can put a pillow or rolled-up blanket under one hip to tilt the uterus,” she explained.

Medications are often at the top of a woman’s wish list as she prepares for labor. As a midwife, Leger’s approach to medications may surprise many expectant mothers. “Some midwives shun medications and will not condone them.

I allow my patients to choose their own course of action. If they ask for pain medication, I will usually work with them to see if they can change position or redirect their thought process to go on without them; but if they let me know they need medication, I respect their wishes and administer the appropriate medication, and continue to coach them as much as they would like.”

As Leger sees her patients throughout their pregnancy, she advises them to play an active role in their labor process.

“It’s all about bringing the baby into the world with as little intervention as possible, to give him or her a good start on a healthy life, and to promote the mother’s well-being and health. In the end, seeing the baby born is the ultimate goal, and how we get there pales in comparison.”

For more information about the midwifery services available through OBG1, call 312-1000 to schedule a consultation.

Beauty Sleep Lets You

Pamper Your Complexion If you think burning the midnight oil on a big project, or tossing and turning most of the night are taking a toll on your appearance, you could be right in more ways than you think. The wide range of nighttime skin treatments being marketed today emphasize this point: the best time to pamper your skin is while you are sleeping. Last year consumers spent nearly $60 million on nighttime moisturizers alone.

Medical Aesthetician Leann Widcamp, with the Aesthetic Center of Southwest Louisiana says there has been a lot growth in nighttime skin products because of numerous research reports that demonstrate the advantages of treating skin over night.

“For example, many anti-aging ingredients stay active longer when they’re not exposed to sunlight.

Retinoids, which speed cell turnover, can break down chemically with light exposure and become ineffective,” explains Widcamp. Other “antiagers”—such as topical vitamins, including C and E—don’t hold up well in sunlight or air. She says while these ingredients are found in many day and night products, you probably get more antioxidant bang for your buck when you apply them before you go to sleep.

Widcamp says nighttime also gives you an long block of time – eight hours if you are getting the recommended amount of sleep – to hydrate skin with formulations that don’t mix well with make-up or that might give you a sheen you’d rather not show in the light of day.

These superhydrators not only attract moisture to the skin but also prevent it from evaporating from the skin’s surface. “There’s also some evidence that skin may be more receptive to active ingredients when you’re sleeping,

because the products don’t have to compete with the sun, pollution, or makeup to do the job they were intended to do.”

Researchers are also learning that skin works harder to rejuvenate itself during the night. “Skin cell regeneration takes place at a slightly faster rate at night than during the day, and sleep hours are a potent time for your body to repair itself, and this includes your skin,” adds Widcamp.

She offers these additional tips for adding more beauty to your sleep:

• Sleep flat on your back: Smashing your face into a pillow creates fold lines that eventually become permanent if they’re repeated every night. Spending time on your back also helps counter the effects of gravity that accumulate during the day.

• Stay hydrated: Keeping skin moist from the inside out is a simple, relatively inexpensive, and quite effective moisturizer. Drink six to eight glasses of plain water throughout the day. To help avoid moisture loss from the skin while sleeping, you can also turn on a humidifier.

• Use a moisturizer after bathing: Seal in the moisture that the topmost layer of your skin has absorbed with a hydrating body lotion or cream. Because you’re going to bed, you can try a body cream that’s richer than you would feel comfortable wearing during the day.

Widcamp there are also specific products made for stimulate nighttime skin repair and rejuvenation. For more information, call the Aesthetic Center at 310-1070.

Think Outside the

School Lunch Box

Open up any kids’ lunch box in America and chances are it’ll have a sandwich, chips and juice. Every day.

Day after day. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But, adding a little zing makes everyone happy, and can be a great way to introduce kids to new flavors, if they’re presented in a fun way.

“Lunch gives kids the chance to refuel and keep them going until the end of school. It’s important to make sure that if they bring a lunch, it’s filled with enough variety and nutrition to get them through the rest of their day,” said Holly Compton, dietitian with Jennings American Legion Hospital. “Kids are very active, whether they’re on the playground in elementary school, or hurrying to get to their next class in middle or high school. With many of them involved in after-school sports activities, they may not eat until much later in the evening.” This makes the mid-day meal even more important.

Some schools offer a variety in the cafeteria, but often, part of the choices are full of fat, sodium and calories.

When faced with the choice, most kids will choose French fries over a fruit cup. Over time, eating foods full of fat will add up to extra pounds and poor health. If bad eating habits continue, childhood obesity could become a reality.

“Children who are overweight are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart problems,” said Compton. “In addition to the physical problems, being overweight can negatively affect a child’s social and psychological development.” In relation, a small lunch box pales in comparison, but experts say it’s an important key in keeping a handle on kids’ nutrition.

Packing a lunch gives parents a little more control over their child’s diet, but it must be kid-approved, or else it’ll end up getting traded or thrown in the trash.

So, what can you do to make your kids’ lunch box exciting and nutritious?

Compton suggests getting their input on what foods they’d like. “Sure, you’ll get plenty of requests for cake, cookies and ice cream, but you’ll probably also hear about grapes, apples and cheese,” she said. “If you make an effort to go with their suggestions, when they’re appropriate, they’ll be more likely to look forward to their lunches, and also be more inclined to try new things. Work together, not against each other.”

Sandwich Switch-Ups • Cut bread into fun shapes.

• Use a tortilla to wrap up lean meats

and cheese.

• Fill a mini-pita pocket with tuna or chicken salad.

Take a Dip • Pack a small amount of salad dressing to use as a dip for baby carrots, broccoli or celery sticks.

• Yogurt makes a great dip, especially for fruits.

• Put the yogurt in a separate container with a lid, and add a few graham crackers as sprinkles.

WE HAVE A H E A RT WA R M I N G ANNOUNCEMENT

Some Like it Hot • Use a thermos and pack a hearty soup on cold days.

• Last night’s chili makes a great lunch box meal with a few crackers or cheese to sprinkle on top.

Accessorize • Pair up a traditional turkey sandwich with a serving of applesauce instead of chips.

• Peanut butter and jelly goes great with chocolate milk.

• It’s okay to add a few cookies or other treats from time to time.

Hardware Essentials • Make sure lids are easy to remove for little hands.

• Keep cold food at the right temperature with a small ice pack.

• Inspect plastic containers from time to time, and throw out when they get discolored or show excessive signs of wear.

• Wipe out the lunch box every day • Include a fun sticker for smaller kids, and for older kids tuck in a funny joke or encouraging note.

“Some kids like having the same lunch for a while; others get bored if they have the same thing twice in a week. Adjust your lunch routine to match your child’s personality, but keep in mind variety is a foundation for getting a wide-range of nutrients,” reminded Compton. “Encourage your child to try new flavors. You may have to introduce it to them several times before they develop a taste for it. As they grow older, they’ll be more likely to eat new things.”

By packing a little fun into the daily lunch box, it’ll give kids a fun break during their day while giving them the fuel they need to keep going.

We’re Now Treating Hearts, in the Heart of Our Community Because your heart health is important to us, we are pleased to offer cardiology services here at Jennings American Legion Hospital in cooperation with Lake Charles Medical & Surgical Clinic.

Cardiologists Richard Gilmore, MD, Carl Fastabend, MD and Brian Di Stante, MD are now seeing patients on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in Suite 205 of our Medical Office Building, located at 1636 Elton Road. Appointments can be made by calling 824-6658.

Progress continues on our state-of-the-art Cath Lab, which is expected to be completed this summer. In the meantime, it does our hearts good to know we’re now able to provide cardiology services right here at home.

Jennings

Hospital

1634 Elton Rd., Jennings, LA (337) 616-7000 • www.jalh.com FEBRUARY 21, 2008

PAGE 25

HealthCARE

Too Tired to Explain How Tired You Are? Being tired constantly may be an indication of something worse than just lack of sleep. A recent campaign by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has brought to light the seriousness of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), a disease that can significantly reduce a person’s daily activities to nearly zero and drain all mental, social, and physical stamina.

The disease, which entered medical terminology less than thirty years ago, still has no pinpointed causes. Symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, tender lymph nodes, and sore throat are often akin to other, similar diseases, so diagnosis is not always easy or exact. That is why the CDC, beginning in 2006, launched a nationwide campaign to inform both patients and healthcare professionals about the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of CFS. “As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC has been researching CFS for years and we’ve really learned a lot…” said Dr. Julie Gerberding, the director of the CDC. “As we continue to learn more and more about this illness we want clinicians as well as people who suffer from CFS to know about current treatments which rely on a combination of strategies to deal with the most problematic symptoms.”

It may be difficult, however, for many people to understand exactly why the CDC is focusing so

TimeL ess

much attention on the disease. Many may argue that diseases such as CFS are not deadly, so they do not need to be researched further. Others may argue that people who have the disease are doing something wrong to make themselves tired.

However, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has found that CFS’ impact extends further than just individual suffering. It estimates that the United States loses at least $9.1 billion in wages every year due to CFS. The DHHS also says that CFS, depending on its severity, can cause the patient to suffer just as much as someone with multiple sclerosis or chronic arthritis. Patients with CFS can suffer so much that they cannot continue their regular activities.

The hallmark symptoms of CFS are overwhelming fatigue and weakness that make it extremely difficult to perform routine and daily tasks. Things like getting out of bed, dressing and even eating require much effort. The fatigue does not improve with bed rest.

“The symptoms of CFS are varied, making it difficult to immediately diagnose,” explained Ken Thomas, MD, family practice physician. “One person may have an overwhelming sense of fatigue, and another may have the fatigue, but also ongoing muscle aches in addition to headaches.”

Doctors do not immediately assume that some-

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one with fatigue has CFS. In order to be diagnosed with CFS, a patient must have had chronic fatigue for six consecutive months, in addition to displaying four or more of the following symptoms simultaneously: trouble with memory and concentration, sore throat, muscle pain, joint pain without swelling, swollen lymph nodes, tiredness after any type of exertion, headaches, and restless sleep.

While this is the general framework for diagnosis, the CDC says that 80 percent of Americans who have CFS remain undiagnosed. “There is no single diagnostic test to diagnose CFS, and there is no identifiable cause of the illness,” said Dr. Thomas. “At times, we all get tired and run down. But with CFS, the symptoms usually develop suddenly, and they may remain steady or be intermittent.”

In order to achieve the right diagnosis, a doctor who suspects that a patient has CFS will run various physical and mental tests. The patient’s medical history will be analyzed and the doctor will order laboratory tests that will rule out other possible causes, such as mononucleosis or lupus, of the patient’s symptoms.

CFS may affect both men and women, but studies indicate that women are more likely to develop CFS. In addition, it seems that age is a factor in the development of CFS—adults are more likely to develop it than children are, and adolescents are more likely to develop it

than children are. The disease has developed in all types of ethnicities and does not tend to develop more in any one ethnicity. There is no evidence that CFS is contagious.

“Although CFS is not an easy disorder to identify and treat, research is ongoing to help us learn more about the signs and symptoms so that we can help provide relief to the people who suffer from it. CFS is currently being studied by the CDC and the National Institutes of Health, so hopefully additional information will come out soon,” Dr. Thomas added.

Because symptoms are various and change with time, no treatment or prescription for CFS is currently available.

However, patients with CFS are taught to manage their activity level and adjust it to a comfortable level. Doctors encourage patients to take part in support groups and counseling to help them adjust to the difficulties they may face in losing independence, skepticism about the disease, and the possible effect the disease may have on personal relationships.

As with anything that is unknown, a diagnosis of CFS may be difficult to fathom or understand. It is important for both the doctor and the patient to act on solid information in the diagnosis process.

Assumptions should not be made until the right diagnosis has been made, and a treatment path can then begin.

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PAGE 27

HealthCARE

‘YES’to Antioxidants

Say

Despite its negative-sounding name, antioxidants are a good thing. They offer profound health benefits and are naturally available in a wide-variety of foods.

From warding off heart disease to slowing degeneration of the brain, antioxidants are among the most valuable components of cellular renewal in the body.

At the risk of conjuring up reminders of high school chemistry class, understanding the process of neutralizing free radicals helps explain how antioxidants can be so beneficial.

Antioxidants work by neutralizing highly reactive, destructive compounds called free radicals. These unstable compounds search for unpaired electrons to gain stability. Generally, free radicals attack the nearest stable molecule, stealing its electron. When the attacked molecule loses its electron, it becomes a free radical itself, beginning a chain reaction, and ultimately causing harm to the cell.

Free radicals occur naturally during metabolism. Sometimes, the body’s immune system cells purposefully create them to neutralize viruses and bacteria.

However, environmental problems such PAGE 28

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

as UV-radiation, pollutants and alcohol can overpower the body’s ability to neutralize free radicals, allowing them to cause damage to cells. The damage done by free radicals accumulates with age.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating one of their own electrons, ending the electron-stealing reaction.

The key to this whole process is that the antioxidant nutrients themselves don’t become free radicals by donating an electron because they are stable in either form.

“Consuming more antioxidants helps provide the body with tools to neutralize free radicals,” said Leslie Petross, Registered Dietitian with West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital.

Several experts in the field of nutrition say that high antioxidant levels in foods and beverages don’t always translate into high antioxidant levels in the body. The potential health benefits depend largely on how antioxidants are absorbed and utilized by the body. That process is still unclear.

Surprisingly, coffee is Americans’ most popular source of antioxidants.

Because of the concentration of antioxi-

dants found in coffee and the high consumption rate, coffee contributes more to antioxidant intake than any other food. Nutritionists are quick to point out that these results should not condone drinking coffee in excess in order to increase intake of antioxidants. “The fact that coffee is our most popular form of antioxidant intake shows how much the American diet lacks in fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants,” explained Petross.

Excess amounts of coffee are blamed for gastric problems, including ulcers and chronic heartburn, as well as caffeine-related concerns such as contributing to insomnia, anxiety disorders, elevation of stress hormones and non-cancerous breast lumps. Most nutritionists agree that small amounts of coffee are fine, but drinking more than two cups a day could lead to health problems.

“Understanding the potential harm that high-doses of coffee may cause, it’s best to obtain antioxidants from other sources,” said Petross. “It’s estimated that there are more than 4,000 compounds in foods that act as antioxidants.

The most studied include vitamins C and

E, and the mineral selenium.”

Vitamin C cannot be stored by the body, so an ongoing supply is needed to keep the body functioning properly.

Since it’s found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, this is a great source of antioxidants. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries raw cabbage and potatoes.

Researchers studying vitamin C’s affect on free radicals say there is strong evidence that the vitamin is especially effective in fighting free radicals caused by pollution and cigarette smoke.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, with a long list of health benefits, including delaying aging, healing sunburn, and protecting against cardiovascular disease by decreasing artery-clogging plaque formation. Sources include wheat germ, seeds, whole grains, nuts, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil and fish-liver oil.

Selenium is a mineral thought to help fight cell damage by oxygen-derived compounds. Research suggests it may help protect against cancer. Large doses of selenium in supplement form can be

toxic, so nutritionists advise obtaining selenium naturally through foods. Good food sources include fish, red meat, grains, eggs, chicken and garlic.

Vegetables can also be a good source if grown in selenium-rich soils.

Even though antioxidants have proven to be a boost in cell-renewal, experts warn that mega-doses of antioxidant-rich supplements are not a good idea. “Too much may be toxic to your system,” said Petross, “because the longterm effects of large doses of vitamins and minerals have not been thoroughly studied. Researchers are looking at other chemicals and substances found in natural sources of antioxidants to see if they may also be responsible for the beneficial side effects. For now, the best way to get a good supply of antioxidant nutrients is through a balanced diet consisting of five to eight servings of fruits and vegetables each day.”

In fact, the American Heart Association does not recommend using antioxidant vitamin supplements until more research is conducted. They recommend obtaining antioxidant benefits through foods low in saturated fats, cholesterol and trans fat.

Natural sources of antioxidants appear to be the best way to stop the free radicals in their tracks. Including these in your every day diet will give your body a boost and put you well on your way to living a healthy lifestyle.

WCCH Offering

Cholesterol Screening and Free Seminar

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital is offering two ways to learn more about cholesterol, one of the risk factors for heart disease. Both events will occur on Thursday, February 28 at Dynamic Dimensions in Sulphur. A cholesterol screening will be held from 7:30 a.m. until 9 a.m. The lipid profile includes total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglyceride levels. The cost is $7 for members of Dynamic Dimensions and $12 for non-members. A 10 hour fast is required. Results will be available from 5 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. with cardiology nurses on hand for brief consultations.

A free community seminar featuring Dr. Chris Thompson, cardiologist, will be offered that same evening beginning at 6:00 p.m. Dr. Thompson will discuss the latest information about cholesterollowering medications. The public is invited to attend. Refreshments will be served during both events, but space is limited. Call 527-5459 to register for the cholesterol screening and/or the seminar.

The Care You Need, Right Where You Need It Sometimes, everything you're looking for is closer than you think. When you need quality healthcare, experienced physicians and an excellent reputation for service, you’ll find it right here at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. And, when you want the comfort and assurance that a trusted friend can give, you won’t have to look far to find a familiar face.

We provide a complete range of services, including: • Labor, Delivery and Recovery Suites • Surgical Services, including Orthopedics, Urological and General • Imaging Services, including MRI and CT • Home Health Care • Physical Medicine • Cardiology • Emergency Medical Services • Laboratory Services In addition to getting you back on your feet after an accident or illness,

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PAGE 29

"Take a Bow" — four known for it.

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

Last Issue’s Answers

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FEBRUARY 21, 2008

Across 1 Explorer, for example 4 "Wake up and give me some food!"

8 Test for jrs.

12 Action star Jackie 14 Have a cow?

15 Country's McEntire 16 "Horrors!"

17 She was the Little Mermaid 18 It's right in your atlas 19 Former "Crossfire" host known for wearing a bow tie 22 "___ Take a Bow" (Smiths song) 23 "Let's keep moving ahead!"

26 Pioneering sex researcher who frequently wore bow ties 30 Univ.

33 Teacher's ominous note in red pen 34 Begonia bit 35 It was "The American Tribal Love Rock Musical" 37 Working joe 39 Title given to Madonna and Aretha Franklin 40 Extra 42 Jewelry house Van ___ & Arpels 44 Former closing pitcher Robb 45 Movie/TV character who always wears a red bow tie

48 Phrase meaning "and others" 49 Black Sea port 53 German architect with a penchant for bow ties 57 "___ idiot!"

59 Patsy's "Absolutely Fabulous" friend 60 Summer pests 61 Incubus lead singer Brandon 62 Challenge 63 Draw 64 Disaster zone 65 Thick bowlful 66 Used a beanbag, maybe Down 1 Aberdeen residents 2 "That's right" 3 Actor Courtney B. ___ 4 J. Lo's husband 5 ___ Aboumrad (contestant on Season 2 of "Top Chef") 6 Walkie-talkie word 7 Agreement after a bit of arm-twisting 8 Like used cars 9 He played Samwise in "The Lord of the Rings" 10 Stomach muscles

11 Ink work 13 Wireless company named after a Finnish town 14 Wine pourers 20 Letter-shaped building wings 21 Sound at the barbershop 24 Plunder 25 Blanchett role (sort of) in a 2007 movie 27 Throw up 28 Novelist Zola 29 Postpone 30 Dodecagon, e.g.

31 Space ___ (ditz) 32 Retreats 36 Actress Gena of "A Woman Under the Influence"" 38 Artery near the longest bone in humans 41 Fantasy author Gaiman 43 Portuguese folk music that features guitar 46 They may be picky 47 Country with a non-rectangular flag 50 ___ headache 51 Hindu discourse, like a famous one on sex and love 52 Advantage 54 Do some video production 55 Paris's ___ Gauche 56 Chew on rawhide 57 PC company?

58 "The Simpsons" character whose last name is Szyslak

t i m e s

picks the best in lake area entertainment

“PEG” HITS THE BOARDS AT LCLT, FEBRUARY 23 — The Lake Charles Little Theatre presents the heartwarming comedy “Peg O’ My Heart”, the third production of its 81st season. The ensemble features new and veteran talent alike, including Christian White (Jerry), Waverlyn Bayard (Mrs. Chichester), Jordan Ashworth (Ethel), Brett Chase (Alaric), Randy Partin (Peg’s Estate Attorney), Greg Cooper (Mr. Brent), Edwin Sherwood (Jarvis), Jean Goodwin (Mrs. Bennett), and Caroline Downer (Peg). “Peg O’ My Heart” is directed by Jo Ann Rigney, who recently performed in the lead role of Carrie Watts in “The Trip to Bountiful”. She is assisted by Jay Rypma, who made his stage debut in “A Trip to Bountiful”. “Peg O’ My Heart” is appropriate for all ages, and will run for ten performances beginning Saturday, February 23, followed by a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, February 24. Additional performances will run weekends February 28March 2 and March 6-9. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m.

Sunday. Regular ticket prices are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students. All Thursday tickets are $8. Sunday, February 24 is a “Super Saver Sunday” performance and all tickets are $5. LCLT members receive discounts, as do groups of at least 10 with advance notice. For specific show dates and times or to make a reservation, call the theatre at 433-7988 or visit the theatre’s website at www.thelclt.com.

and the I-10 Bridge, industrial views and scenes of destruction from Hurricane Audrey and the Flood of 1953. Rybiski was a member of the Professional Photographers of America and the Lake Charles Camera Club and a past president of the Professional Photographers of Louisiana. He was also the owner of Rybiski’s Cleaners and Dyers.

ARRGHHH! IT’S FUN! BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS “BOWL FOR KIDS SAKE,” MARCH 1 — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana prepare for the 25th annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake, March 1 at Petro Bowl. The theme this year is “Pirates on the Bayou.” and promises fun for everyone! All are encouraged to dress in a pirate theme and help raise some “booty” for great organization! The Buccaneers of Lake Charles and the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court Office are among the many groups organizing pirate teams to join the fun. Prizes are awarded for Best Costume(team), Best Company T-shirt and Most Creative Jolly Roger Flag. Parking is available at Cowboys nightclub on Common Street with shuttle service provided by PPG Friends. For more information, please call Big Brothers/Big Sisters at 478KIDS(5437).

25th Annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake Sponsors: Front row L to R: Carole Blair, ALCOA; Tiffany Wasson, First Federal; Angel Mefford, Cameron State Bank.

Back row L to R: Randy Burleigh, Sasol; John Bridges, KPLC; and Nathan Folse, PPG.

ACTS THEATRE PRESENTING “DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS” THRU MARCH 2 — “The Dark at the Top Of the Stairs” is a Pulitzer Prize winning script by William Inge. The ACTS production features many new faces as well as several seasoned actors, including Lindsay Quebedeaux, Josh Cloud, Ada Sherman, Amanda Navarra, Seth LeBert, Robin Butaud, Ian Trahan, Will Lormand, and Blaine Simon. ACTS director Marc Pettaway staged the play with Betsy Doucet as assistant-to-the-director. The producers are Dave Grimm and Melinda Hutton. Tickets may be purchased at the ACTS One Reid Street Theatre. Performances are Friday, February 22; Saturday, February 23, and Sunday, February 24; Saturday, March 1; and Sunday, March 2. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday performance matinees are at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at the Lake Charles Civic Center box office, Lakeshore Medic Pharmacy, Moss Bluff Flowers and Gifts, online at www.actstheatre.com, or by calling 433-ACTS. Adult tickets are $17.50 and tickets for students to age 17 are $12.

CLEARER VIEW OF HISTORY. “WORKS FROM THE A.J. RYBISKI JR. PHOTOGRAPHIC ARCHIVE,” THROUGH MARCH 31 — The exhibit, “Works from the A.J. Rybiski Jr. Photographic Archive,” will be on public display at the Historic Old City Hall Arts and Cultural Center through March 31. The 63 black and white photographs represent a portion of the collection of A.J. Rybiski’s works that were donated to the McNeese State University Archives and Special Collections Department.

A life-long resident of Lake Charles, Rybiski had been a professional photographer in Lake Charles since the early 1950s.The Rybiski collection was donated by Rybiski’s family, son and daughter-in-law Chuck and Kathie, and grandchildren, Michael and Lorie. The collection contains negatives and prints of photographs taken by Rybiski over a 35-year period, beginning in the late 1940s to early 1950s. The exhibit includes photographs taken primarily in the 1950s to 1960s and features aerial views of Lake Charles, downtown street scenes, lake views, photos from the construction of the Lake Charles Civic Center

Flood of 1953

by A.J. Rybiski Jr.

A.J. Rybiski Jr.

ction e Constru I-10 BridAg.J. Rybiski Jr. by

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

PAGE 31

WANNA “SEE HOW THEY RUN”? LCLT AUDITIONS MARCH 3 & 4 — Lake Charles Little Theatre, the longest running show in town, announces auditions for its next production, the hilarious British farce, “See How They Run”

by Philip King. Set in the idyllic village of Merton-cum-Middlewick, the inhabitants are preparing themselves for the imminent threat of Nazi invasion. Resident nosyparker and spinster Miss Skillon becomes convinced that her beloved vicar’s actress wife is having an affair and attempts to expose her. Add an escaped German prisoner of war, a handsome actor, the visiting Bishop of Lax, a rotund locum priest and some meddling neighbors and you have all the ingredients for a classic British farce with hilarious consequences. Auditions are March 3rd and 4th at the Lake Charles Little Theatre, located at 813 Enterprise Boulevard at 7:00 pm each evening. The show is set to run May 3rd through the 18th.

Director Barbara Downer is seeking five (5) men and three (3) women of various ages. Previous experience not require, just a great sense of fun! For more information, please visit www.thelclt.com or call 433-7988. Perusal copies of the script are available upon request.

“FEM-MAKERS” V-DAY 2008! FILM FESTIVAL, MARCH 3 - MARCH 5 — Lake Charles Festival presents the V-Day Film Festival that will be happening in Lake Charles March 3-5 at 7 p.m. each night at the LaGrange High School Auditorium. Highlighting films made by women about the struggles and victories around the world to stop violence against women and girls, the line up includes moving, inspirational and educational films. Tickets are $10 for each night or you can purchase a special ticket package for all three nights for $25. The Special Student Package for local junior high, high school and college students for all three nights is $15 with student ID’s. Proceeds from the V-Day Film Festival benefit the Calcasieu Women’s Shelter and Rape Crisis Outreach. Tickets are also available for ‘The Vagina Monologues’ and ‘A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer’ for $10 per person or you can purchase one ticket for each production for $15. Performances are Thursday, March 6 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 9 at 4 p.m. Tickets are available at V-Day Lake Charles at vdayticketsales@live.com.

V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. Proceeds from V-Day events will benefit The Calcasieu Women’s Shelter and Rape Crisis Outreach.

COWBOY CASH ROUNDUP AT DENIM & DIAMONDS, MARCH 6 — The first Denim & Diamonds Dinner Auction to raise funds for student athletic scholarships at McNeese State University will be held at 6 p.m., March 6, in the West Exhibition Hall of the Lake Charles Civic Center. This event, sponsored by the McNeese Athletic Foundation, will include silent and live auctions as well as dinner. Participants are encouraged to wear their best Western or McNeese attire. Tickets are $50 a person or $400 for a table of eight. Guest speakers for this event are former Cowboy greats, running back Buford Jordan and quarterback Kerry Joseph. For more information, contact Pam McGough, McNeese coordinator of athletic development, at 475-5279.

GUMBO AND YA YA ART AT MCNEESE, MARCH 7 — The McNeese State University department of visual arts will present its annual Gumbowl sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, March 7, at the Abercrombie Gallery in the Shearman Fine Arts building. For $10, you receive a gumbo lunch and can select a ceramic bowl handcrafted by a McNeese student or faculty member. Proceeds from the event will be used to assist students with a trip to the 40th Annual National Council on Education in the Ceramic Arts Conference in Pittsburgh, Penn. There is a limit of 500 tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the art office in Abercrombie Gallery. For more information, call (337) 475-5060.

HOLY BOOK BLAST BATMAN! PRIEN LAKE MALL, MARCH 15 — Kids will celebrate the joy of reading, receive goody bags, a new Kidgits Club book and have the chance to ‘stand up and be counted’! Celebrity readers, activities and giveaways bring to life children’s stories during Prien Lake Mall’s 2008 Kidgits Club Book Blast! from 1-2:30 p.m., Saturday, March 15. Book Blast! is free and open to all children. Kids attending will receive a giveaway and activity sheet from the PBS Kids show “Franny’s Feet”, and the opportunity to win great prizes. Kidgits members will receive a free “Come Out and Play With the Kidgits!” book. For more information contact Kristy Smith, Director of Mall Marketing at (337) 477-7487. A schedule of celebrity book readings also is available at www.simon.com.

PAGE 32

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

Michael McDonald

100TH ANNIVERSARY GALA FOR CHRISTUS ST. PATRICK HOSPITAL, MARCH 15 — To celebrate their 100th anniversary, an exquisite black tie gala is planned for Saturday, March 15, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the L’Auberge du lac Event Center Grand Ballroom. Entertainment will be provided by five-time Grammy Award winner singer/songwriter, Michael McDonald, former member of the Doobie Brothers, who wrote and sang lead in many of the band’s successful hits including: “Takin’ It to the Streets,” “What a Fool Believes,” and “Minute by Minute.” Individual Patron tickets are $150 each and include a gourmet meal and cocktails. Tables of ten can be purchased at different price levels. A silent art auction featuring select works of art from local and state-wide artists will take place during the Gala event. Proceeds from this event will benefit the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation. Seats are filling up fast! Call the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation (337) 430-5353 to make a reservation.

TEMPLE SINAI ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY CORNED BEEF BOX LUNCH, MARCH 17 — The Temple Sinai Annual Corned Beef fundraiser has become a highly anticipated event every St. Patrick’s Day in the Lake Area. This year’s Corned Beef Sandwich Box Lunch Sale is Monday, March 17. Tickets are on sale now, and the cost of each lunch is $6. Lunches and money must be received by March 7.

Delivery is available for orders of 10 or more. Orders may be phoned in to 4392866, faxed to 439-3031 or emailed to templesinaicornedbeef@yahoo.com. The Temple’s lunch will include a traditional New York deli-style corned beef sandwich on rye bread, chips, dill pickle and dessert. Proceeds from the fundraiser are used to maintain Temple Sinai, one of the oldest religious meeting houses in the state.

The Temple celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2004 and is listed on the United States Department of the Interior’s National Register of Historic Places. The fundraiser is held each year on or close to St. Patrick’s Day to commemorate the shared Jewish and Irish history of corned beef. Most people don’t realize that corned beef is not a traditional Irish food. The dish was borrowed from JewishAmericans by Irish-American immigrants to use as a substitute for the more expensive and traditional Irish bacon.

BIRDY. BOGEY. PAR. THE K OF C FOUR-MAN SCRAMBLE, MARCH 14 IN JENNINGS — The Knights of Columbus Council 2012 announces its 2008 4-Man Scramble Golf Tournament, March 14, at the Jennings Golf and Country Club beginning at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start. All proceeds go to benefit the Our Lady Immaculate Improvement Fund. The registration fee is $100 per man. For more information, to register, or to sponsor, please contact Shannon Savoy at 337-258-9405.

LIFE SKILLS: LIVING SINGLE, MARCH 14 & 15 — Trinity Baptist Church will be hosting its Second Annual Single Adult Conference on March 14-15. The conference is entitled, “True Life: Living Single in the Power of the Cross.” Topics addressed at the conference include things particularly relevant to single adults like dating, divorce, friendship, and living single. Conference registration includes conference materials, door prizes, goodie bags, three meals, snacks, recreation and fellowship, three small group discussion sessions (nine topics to choose from), a contemporary worship band, and a keynote speaker. Cost is $35. Please call Trinity Baptist Church to register at 480-1555.

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Dr. Robert Hebert, Jean and Buddy Bolton and Mary Richardson celebrated the opening of Banners 2008.

Thomas and Trudy Hutton enjoyed Nagata Shachu.

Fabulous Rings And Things

A

stellar crowd filled the Lake Charles Country Club Friday evening, February 8, for the annual opening reception for McNeese Banners Series 2008 honoring sponsors, members and volunteers.

Dr. Robert Hebert, Mary Richardson, and Banners volunteers welcomed guests. Spotted in the crowd were Mayor Randy Roach, Renee LeLeux, Toni Yoder, Ruth and John Askew, Taylor and Charlene Kaough, Jean and Buddy Bolton, John and Roz Wells, Mandi Mitchell, Suzanne and Charles Vincent, Nancy Tower, Reba and Lydia Powers, Anne Drake, Shawn Trahan, Dana Keel, Megan Monsour, Joey and Dianna Alcede, Don Dixon, Denise Fasske, Kay Andrews, Patricia Prudhomme, Carol and Charlie St. Dizier, and Ann Kratzer. The Japanese Taiko and music group, Nagata Shachu gave us a sample of their marvelous talent which opened the Banners Series the follow night.

Esther Pennegen visited with Mayors LeLeux and Roach at Gems & Stems.

PAGE 34

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

The Saucier family at Nagata Shachu: Addie, Gabby, Kelley and Luke.

Banners volunteers Baerbel Czennia and Carol Cox helped at Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Curtis and Carson McBroom waited at Central School for the start of CTC’s “Cinderella.”

Several food tables offered a wonderful supper of roast beef with potatoes, grilled beef tenderloins, grilled crawfish in a cream sauce, meat pies, sweet potatoes with fixings, grilled vegetables and cheeses. Wine tasting was courtesy of Hokus Pokus and Republic National Distributing Company. The GTOs played great music for the event, sponsored by the American Press, Entergy, AT&T. The following night, Nagata Shachu, the Japanese Taiko and Music Group opened Banners 2008 at the Rosa Hart Theatre. Based in Toronto,

Canada, Nagata Shachu performs traditional and contemporary pieces on the taiko (Japanese drum). Taiko is linked with dance, and playing the taiko takes the endurance and grace of dancers. We were enchanted with their performance which also included flute, chanting and at one point, the players wore ferocious traditional masks.

Mary Richardson and volunteers including Anne Drake, Aminah, Kailey and Maya Trahan welcomed the crowd to the theatre. Nagata Shachu was a family night out and Rosa Hart was packed with all ages. I

Princesses Grace Trahan and Julie Gillett attended “Cinderella” with moms and grandmother, Ione Trahan and Tammy and Lori Guillet.

spotted the Louviere family, Chris, Tressa, Iain and Taryn. Luke, Kelly, Addie and Gabby Saucier were also at the concert. The O’Dowd family was there; Tim, Maggie, Maria, Thomas, and Rebecca Grosset. And the Shadow also spied Thomas and Trudy Hutton and Debra and Irven Guillory.

The crowd loved the enthusiastic performances. The women drummers were, in the words of one of their admirers in the audience, “Totally fierce!” It was a fantastic and dramatic concert to open Banners 2008. If you missed them, check out their website at www.nagatashachu.com and you can

PHASE I SOON TO BE COMPLETED. RESERVE YOUR LOT TODAY!

Providence is located at the south end of Pecan Acres Drive off of Country Club Road.

Office: (337) 474-9891 • Fax: (337) 474-9876 300 E. McNeese St. Suite 1-A, Lake Charles, LA 70605 www.ProvidenceofLakeCharles.com FEBRUARY 21, 2008

PAGE 35

The Faul family at Ladysmith Black Mambazo; Maria, Beau, Emma and T-Beau.

order their amazing CDs at www.kiyoshinagata.com.

Friday evening, February 15, the second annual Gems & Stems, “a sparkling event”, was held at Treasures of Marilyn’s. This dazzling night has become a much-anticipated fundraiser for the Calcasieu Women’s Shelter and Rape Crisis Outreach. Dazzling Diamond sponsor was Cameron State Bank, who seamlessly tied Gems & Stems into their current diamond giveaway. Emerald sponsors were Billy Caldwell & LA Cabinet Doors, First Federal Bank of Louisiana and Treasures of Marilyn’s. Special thanks for all their hard work and promotion should be given to Sign’s Now and Healthy Image. The event was sold out and Treasures was packed!

Now, in case you missed Gems & Stems, here’s the fabulous fun; purchased drinks (alcohol or not) are served in stemware and to each stem there is a lovely little bag containing a

gem. Gems vary in value and it is so much fun to select a glass and discover your treasure! Gem donors were Rickey Partin, Bodin Jewelers, Benchworks, Robert Grady, Jewels by Mitchell and Nederland Jewelers.

We were greeted by Women’s Shelter board, staff and volunteers, including Ann Polak, Sallye LeBleu, Marsha Montgomery, Betty Ross, Wanda Cooper, Barbara Cahee, and Aminah Trahan. Al and Patricia Prebula visited with Russ Bordelon, Leslie Harless and Kristy Armand as they “shopped” the fabulous silent auction items. Mayor Randy Roach visited with Mayor Ron LeLeux and Esther Pennegen and Nancy Roach.

Mayna Rougeau and her daughter Letha Reed looked fabulous in their gorgeous cocktail gowns.

Over at the United Way table, Lynn and Marie Hohensee visited with Tom and Denise Morris. At the Cameron State Bank table, Amy Nyberg,

Banners volunteers Rod Lauderdale, Lynette Babineaux visit with Stan Morris before the Ladysmith Black Mambazo concert.

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FEBRUARY 21, 2008

Banners volunteers Debbie King, Anne Drake and Lydia Blue handed out programs at the Ladysmith Black Mambazo concert.

Garland and Marie Prejean, Annetta Sharp, Tina Watson, Leslie Harless, Mary Williams, and Miss Dazzling Diamond, Morgan Muray had a great time.

I was a guest at Aminah Trahan’s table along with Jeffery and Angela Jouett, Karen Kleinman, and Kristy Armand. We had a lively evening of conversation and laughs. And the meal was wonderful! Marilyn’s efficient staff served a spring salad with raspberry vinaigrette, baked tilapia with a yummy seafood topping, garlic mashed potatoes, fresh broccoli and homemade wheat rolls. Dessert was a light and wonderful strawberry layered cake. We sipped from our stems – a terrific “Bedazzled” punch, wine or beverage of choice, and then opened the little velvet pouches to see what sparkling gem was inside.

At our table, we scored a blue sapphire, an opal topaz, and a smoky

topaz! Nearby, one lucky lady discovered a large gorgeous ruby with her stem. Another confessed, “I got a sequin” although she was heartened when we pointed out that the smaller jewels may actually be more valuable!

We were all making plans to visit the jewelers who so generously donated gems to have our treasures fashioned into fabulous rings and things!

While we dined, we were entertained by the music of Kerizma, a marvelous band. (Did someone say they were from Baton Rouge?) They could literally do any kind of music, seamlessly moving from rhythm and blues to country and western to Zydeco to rock and roll and Motown. Wow! The Shadow hopes to hear them again at area events. Great band!

Our Master of Ceremonies, Stitch Guillory, kept the lively program moving along and Russ Bordelon conducted the live auction which included

Carol St. Dizer, Mary Richardson and Randy Fuerst confer as the crowd arrives for Ladysmith Black Mambazo concert.

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital welcomes H I LMA GREEN, GHADA SAQER, M D FAMILY PRACTICE

Patrick Franklin, Jr, Chelsea Rochester, Shelia Franklin and volunteer Jeanne Sievert at Banners.

more fabulous jewels modeled by board members. The evening truly put the fun in fundraiser and excitement was high that, once the money is counted, this year easily surpassed last year’s $24,000. Now, make sure you get a ticket for next year’s Gems & Stems to support the Calcasieu Women’s Shelter and Rape Crisis Outreach while having a heck of a lot of fun – and you can go home with a sparkly!

That weekend, the Children’s Theatre Company opened their latest production, Disney’s Cinderella at Central School. Children could dine in Cinderella’s castle with the cast before the production. Samuel Owens and Brandi Roessler from Westlake High School were in costumes as servers for Cinderella’s dinner. Samuel also worked sound and spotlights for the production. The Shadow met Curtis and Carson McBroom who were waiting for the theatre to open on Saturday night. Curtis’ daughter plays Anastasia in the play. Kena Thibodeaux was dressed as a Cinderella princess. She was at the play with her mom and dad, Gabrielle and Felix Thibodeaux and her grandmother, Sandra Mouton.

Grace Trahan and Julie Gillett were also in their royal best dresses accompanied by Ione Trahan, and Tammy

and Lori Guillett.

Melanie Fuselier and Kerry Onxley visited with Taylor Simon, a former CTC star who was visiting from New York, and another CTC alum and current actor at Westlake High, Rachel Silliman. A long line waited to enter the theatre and the box office stayed busy for this popular and fun production.

The next afternoon Banners presented the jewel of the 2008 series – Ladysmith Black Mambazo. This incredible concert is a partnership of Banners and The Black Heritage Festival. Rosa Hart Theatre was packed, Sunday afternoon, February 18 to hear the nine amazing a capella singers from South Africa.

Forty-seven years ago, Joseph Shabalala assembled Ladysmith Black Mambaza. The name came from Shabalala’s hometown of Ladysmith.

Black referred to oxen, the strongest of all farm animals, and Mambazo is the Zulu word for axe – a symbol of the group’s ability to chop down any singing rival! They have taken their intricate rhythms and harmonies worldwide on a mission of peace, unity, and love.

Shabalala’s group uses a traditional music called isicathamiya, developed

Dr. Saqer specializes in the total healthcare of the entire family. A graduate of Stavropol State University and the Stavropol Medical Institute in Russia, she completed her internship at Al-Bashir Hospital in Amman, Jordan before moving to the United States.

She also completed her residency at the Louisiana State University Health Services Center Family Medicine Residency at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital in 2006. Dr. Saqer is fluent in Arabic, Russian and English.

Offices: 2000 Opelousas Street in Lake Charles To schedule an appointment, call (337) 439-9983.

www.lcmh.com

Petite Miss Black Heritage 2008, Destiny Dougas visited with Banners volunteer Donna Little at the Ladysmith Black Mambazo concert.

Building, Remodeling

Over 145 booths exhibiting the Newest Products and Services Available for Your Home. $5 per adult Children under 10 FREE with Adult

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

PAGE 37

Banners volunteers Maya, Aminah and Kailey Trahan met members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo after the concert.

by the mine workers of South Africa.

Even if you don’t know what the sound is called, if you’ve heard Paul Simon’s Graceland album, you will immediately recognize this award-winning group.

The Banners volunteers came out in force for the expected crowd. “The three docs” welcomed guests and sold tickets; Dr. Robert Cooper, Dr. Ray Miles, and Dr. Carrie Chrisco.

Baerbel Czennia, Carol Cox, Rod Lauderdale and Lynette Babineaux took tickets and visited with Stan Morris who was enjoying our warm weather on a visit from his new home in the frozen Midwest.

Maria and Beau Faul were at the concert with their children, Emma and T-Beau. Debbie King, Anne Drake, Jeanne Sievert, Rick Condit, Bobby Dower, and Carol and Charlie St. Dizier, and Lydia Blue handed out programs to the incoming crowds.

I spotted Tina and Alex Lee, Patrick Franklin, Jr., Shelia Franklin and Chelsea Rochester. Toni Dugas chatted with volunteer Donna Little who posed for a photo with Petite Miss Black Heritage Festival, Destiny Dugas. I also spied Mayor and Nancy Roach, Carolyn Woosley, Millicent Jones, Marci Miller, Leslie Berman, Carla and Faye Chrisco, Tesa Pace,

Brenda Bachrack, Effie Wright, and Dermont and Joan Wong. Kimberly Donaldson was there with her children, Kyndal and Kevin. I chatted with May Gray and David Soileau.

The 2008 Black Heritage Festival royalty was there, dressed in their sashes and with gorgeous crowns. At one point in the concert, Ladysmith Black Mambazo invited them up on stage to learn some of their traditional dance steps…which proved to be a bit difficult for the young ladies since they were wearing skirts, heels and tall tiaras and crowns! I was able to snap a photo of Tiny Miss Black Heritage, Dymond Gallien and Deb Miss Black Heritage, Theresa Barrett.

Four of Joseph Shabalala’s sons perform in Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

The nine singers and dancers sang of the suffering through the long years of apartheid, the long, long road to freedom in 1993, and the election of Nelson Mandela. They sang of joyful courtship, songs of preparing for war or sports competition, and of nature. They invited us to sing along and we had great fun. And they sang, “Beautiful Rain” and “Homeless” which we recognized from the Graceland album.

“Homeless” now takes on new meaning; with the lyrics, “Strong wind,

Tina and Alex Lee enjoyed the Ladysmith Black Mambazo concert.

PAGE 38

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

Tiny Miss Black Heritage, Dymond Gallien and Deb Miss Black Heritage, Theresa Barrett at the Ladysmith Black Mambazo concert.

strongest, many dead tonight, could be you…” and the listener couldn’t help but think of our own twin tragedies of Katrina and Rita.

For a song about proving you are a man and ready to court a young lady, each of the members of the group had a chance to show off their dance style, and then they invited audience members, including the Black Heritage Festival royalty, up on stage to dance.

Jason Dugas and Wesley Cline were also singled out and they bravely went on stage and followed the very intricate and physically demanding moves, much to the delight of the audience.

Christina Vadell, Peyton Boozer and Claudia Carrizales also joined in and held their own during the dance moves.

We loved it! Those five young people very well represented Southwest Louisiana on stage!

When the concert ended, we wouldn’t take goodbye and cheered until they returned for an encore. They sang a song to inspire the South African soccer team, which they explained, will host the games in 2010 and they told us, “Be Afraid! We will win!” It was a beautiful song. After their encore, Mayor Roach presented a certificate of citizenship and the key to the city to Joseph Shabalala. “I heard nine singers up here,” he told Shabalala, “but hundreds of voices. Your music is a legacy of love.”

Members of the group stayed to greet their many fans and a line formed in the lobby to have the performers autograph CDs and DVDs. It was an inspiring and enlightening afternoon with nine of the world’s greatest musicians.

Westlake theatre students Samuel Owens and Brandi Roessler helped at the CTC dinner with Cinderella.

201 W. College St. Ste. C,(Next to Gaidry’s) (337) 562-8191

Below: Christopher Fontenot, Collin Carlin, Steven Belshe, Kael Brown, Tyler Kitfield, and Christopher Phelps, Cub Scouts of Sulphur Pack 84, recently visited KPLC and learned about Meteorology with Curtis Atkinson.

Below: Best Buds. Logan Buck (left) celebrating his 6th Birthday with his good friend Logan Clark (right).

Above: Wes Bonura (on his 9th birthday) met Gov. Bobby Jindal at Trinity Baptist Church.

Above: Brydon Jacobson greeted the nation from the Today Show in New York City.

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.

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.

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

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