March 26, 20152 Vol. 6 • No. 25

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March 26, 2015 • Volume 6 • Issue 25

715 Kirby St.Lake Charles, LA 70601Phone: 337-436-7800Fax: 337-990-0262www.thejambalayanews.com

Publisher/Executive EditorLauren Abate de Albuquerquelauren@thejambalayanews.com

ContributorsNicole Shuff ArabieDan EllenderMike McHughRoger MillerJustin MorrisBrian PitreTerri Schlichenmeyer Jody TaylorTommie TownsleyKarla TullosDavid Yantis

Salessales@thejambalayanews.com

GraphicsArt/Production DirectorBurn Rourk

BusinessOffi ce ManagerJeanie Taggart

Legal Disclaimer

The views expressed by The Jambalaya News columnists are their own and do not necessarily refl ect the position of The Jambalaya News, its editors or staff.

The Jambalaya News is solely owned, published by Jambalaya Media, LLC, 715 Kirby Street, Lake Charles Louisiana 70601. Phone (337) 436-7800. Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility of the standing of advertisers nor by the editorial contributions. The Jambalaya News cannot be held responsible for the return of un-solicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations, even if they are sent to us accompanied by a self-addressed envelope. The views expressed do not necessarily refl ect those of the publisher.Copyright 2014 The Jambalaya News all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

COVER STORY21 The Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc.

REGULARS6 We Are SWLA!

8 The Dang Yankee

8 Adoption Corner

9 Tips From Tip

10 Huntin’ Tales

12 Soul Matters

13 Stir Dat Pot

FEATURES4 March on Selma Anniversary

14 Our Garden Grows

16 Sedation Dentistry

17 SWLA Hospital News

20 Whiskey Brunch at Jack Daniel’s!

THE SPICE OF SWLA24 Divas n’ Denim

26 Event Guide

28 Family Fun Night at the Movies

29 Bookworm Sez...

30 Book Bites

31 The Adventures of the Swamp Kids

33 Funbolaya

34 Hashtag Dat: The Inkling & Icarus Wing Productions

36 Nightlife Guide

38 Justin Morris’s Lake Charles

41 Live Album Series

42 Society Spice

14

On cover: The Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc.

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March 26, 2015 3Vol. 6 • No. 25

She called me “Lollipop” when I was a little girl. She always hummed, so if you were out shopping with her and got separated, you could fi nd her by simply listening for her hum. She never went out without her makeup on, and she made sure she went out every day. She loved to dance. She was my aunt Gloria, and she recently passed away at the age of 93.

My mother’s last remaining sibling, she was the fourth of the fi ve children born to Angelo and Laura Cataldo Abate. My mother was the youngest. Since they were only two years apart in age, they were very close. But as diff erent as night and day.

Gloria was married to Uncle Ricky and they had two children, my cousins Karen and Richard. Th ey celebrated their 66th wed-ding anniversary last August. Ricky is now 95 and he’s my last uncle.

Speaking of night and day, I considered Aunt Gloria the “fun aunt.” Jeanette was the other aunt who lived on Barnes Ave. and she’d never had a fun day in her life. And if she couldn’t have fun, then by golly, no one else was

going to have fun either if she had anything to say about it. And since Gloria was all about fun, you can imagine how well they got along. My mother was usually in the middle of those two, trying to smooth the waters.

I loved being with Gloria. In the summer, we’d all pile into her bright yellow Chevy Bel Air with the scratchy green uphol-stery loaded down with beach bags and Styrofoam surfb oards and picnic coolers and head for Nahant Beach to roast in the sun and splash in the waves. We’d come home burned to a crisp (no sunscreen back then) and have to smear on the Noxzema before we went to bed.

Gloria had quite a collection of novels by authors such as Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney and Daphne du Maurier, and I’d sneak into her living room every chance I’d get and read them. I was only 10 or so, and my mother was hor-rifi ed that I was reading “adult” books but by then, I’d outgrown children’s books. “Lauren, I don’t think your mother wants you to read those books…” Gloria would start to say, but she never stopped me.

I was always such a fast reader that by the time my mother found out what I was reading, I would have already fi nished it. Th e last time I saw Gloria in December, she reminded me of this. “I can still see you sitting on the couch reading my books. You were just a little bit of a thing! Itsy bitsy!” she laughed. “Your mother would be so upset!”

Gloria was game for anything in her younger days. She and Ricky drove cross-country several times and skied in New Hamp-shire and Vermont. A cosmetolo-gist by trade, she gave all of us ladies facials and tweezed our eyebrows.

But above all, Gloria loved to dance with Ricky. I believe they went dancing on their fi rst date and danced so well together that they knew this was “it.” Th ey actually met on a blind date. A buddy of Ricky’s fi xed them up. “I was sitting on the front porch, in a rocking chair,” Ricky remem-bers. “And this beautiful woman came up the stairs. And I stopped rocking.”

Almost every weekend they would go out dancing. Th eir favorite spot was the Andover Country Club. Th e club had a dance open to the general public

once a month, and there they would be, twirling across the dance fl oor. My parents and all of their friends would also be there, but they went more for the camaraderie than anything else. But Gloria and Ricky were there to dance.

But, nothing lasts forever. “Don’t get old,” Gloria would always tell me in the last years of her life. I know it really bothered both of them when they could no longer dance. “When I dance, I’m in another world,” Gloria used to say. “I don’t think about anything.”

Well, she is now in another world, free of the pain and infi r-mities of old age. She doesn’t have her dance partner with her yet, but I know the music is magnifi -cent and her spirit is soaring.

Dance, Gloria. I hope you dance.

A Note From Lauren

Lauren Abate de Albuquerque

I Hope You Dance

March 26, 20154 Vol. 6 • No. 25

By Brian PitreOn Sunday, March 7, 1965,

hundreds of protestors gath-ered at the foot of a foggy bridge prepared to walk the 54-mile highway from Selma to the Alabama state capital of Montgomery. Activists, students, journalists and an eclectic group of frightened citizens readied themselves to march for the right to exer-cise their constitutional right to vote.

Sadly, these brave in-dividuals were met by the angry faces of those who disagreed with them and the hard clubs of the police who set out to enforce the laws in place. Beaten but not broken, the protesters believed so strongly in their cause that they continued to march, de-spite the violence occurring around them. This “Bloody Sunday” sparked a string of protests and violence that lasted for almost two weeks until President Johnson, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the federal government inter-vened.

On March 7, 2015, on the 50th anniversary of that dark day in history, hundreds of people from all walks of life met near the base of the infa-mous Edmund Pettus Bridge

prepared to march in remem-brance of those brave souls. Whispers of the violence that had taken place so many years ago filled the air as cel-ebrators arrived from around the country. Those events have not been forgotten and many of those who survived are with us today, still telling their story as if it were only yesterday.

Selma’s fire department estimated the crowd reached 40,000, drawing huge sup-porters such as former Presi-dent George W. Bush and his wife Laura as well as Peggy Wallace Kennedy, the daugh-ter of the late George Wal-lace, the Alabama governor who once vowed “segregation forever.” An honorable list of guest speakers, including the President of the United States and The First Family, took the stage one after another, each with a story of how a torn city unified a troubled nation.

A number of those origi-nal police officers and “foot soldiers” joined forces and stood arm in arm with the first African American Presi-dent including Congress-man John Lewis, who helped organize the first march over the bridge in 1965, and en-dured a tragic beating on that

Elijah and his daughter Isabella

Elijah and his wife Nomica

March 26, 2015 5Vol. 6 • No. 25

“Bloody Sunday.”Quoting our constitution,

“We the People…in order to form a more perfect union, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. “These are not just words,” President Obama said. “They’re a living thing, a call to action, a roadmap for citizenship and an insist-ence in the capacity of free men and women to shape our own destiny.”

Lake Charles native Elijah Guillory made the journey to Selma for the memorial cel-ebration. Elijah’s bus arrived with over 100 others from Lake Charles who couldn’t wait to be a part of this his-torical event. Elijah’s friends, Eric and Mona Doshier, orig-inally made plans to make

the trip with their family and friends, and before they knew it, they had organized three busloads of people all eager to make history.

“What they did, bringing all those people together like that, was truly beautiful.” Guillory says. “It gave people an opportunity to feel the story, to walk on those streets and know what it was like.”

Led by the presidential motorcade, the marchers made their way towards the infamous bridge from the old Brown Chapel. Many were holding hands and cry-ing, while others remained stern-faced, contemplating their surroundings. Guil-lory marched forward, with his wife by his side and his daughter in his arms, look-

ing on at the diversity of the crowd. Young students, local residents, government offi-cials, and visitors of all ages filled the bridge’s streets from end to end.

“It was pretty amazing to see people from all different

backgrounds come together for a greater cause.” Guillory said, “No matter where they were from or why they went, they all seem to leave with the same message of peace to bring home to their com-munity.”

March 26, 20156 Vol. 6 • No. 25

New Executive Director or Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA

Ashli Waldrep is the new executive di-rector for the Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA. She has over nine years of expe-rience in marketing and PR and over three years of experience in fundraising. Waldrep currently serves as the Chair for Fusion Five, SWLA’s Young Professionals Organiza-tion, is a board member for the Chamber Southwest, is the Chair for the Quality of Life Recycling Task Force and is currently in the Leadership SWLA 2015 class. She holds a degree in Mass Communications from

McNeese State University and is a member of the McNeese Alumni Association.

Doucette Elected to League of Women Voters Board

The Louisiana League Of Women Voters Louisiana elected Alfred Doucette, Jr., of Lake Charles as direc-tor to its state board. Doucette at-tended the League of Women Voters of Louisiana state convention, March 13-15 at the Clarion Hotel Convention Center, Covington, Louisiana. The League has been working to make De-mocracy works for 95 years.

Local Executive Director Named Chair of the 2015 SW Heart Ball

Kay C. Barnett, CFRE, executive di-rector of development of the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital Foundation in Lake Charles, will serve as chair for the Ameri-can Heart Association’s 2015 Southwest Louisiana Heart Ball. The gala will be held on Saturday, May 30, at Chennault Interna-tional Airport and will begin at 6 p.m. The event will generate funds to support edu-cation, research and awareness to prevent heart disease in Southwest Louisiana. The

theme of the 2015 event is Saving Lives with Disco. Tickets for the event can be purchased at www.swla-heartball.ahaevents.org.

Kerry Andersen Elected to LTPA Board

Kerry Andersen, director of public relations for Pinnacle Entertainment at L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles was recently installed as a new member of the Louisiana Travel Promotion Associa-tion board of directors at the association’s annual meeting held at Cypress Bend Resort in Many. Officers on the executive committee and members of the board of directors are elected during the annual meeting.

SWLA Law Center Appoints New Board MembersMark Judson, executive director of the Southwest Louisiana

Law Center, has announced the appointment of three new board members who will serve three-year terms. Ann Knapp is a retired financial advisor who currently serves on the boards of the Sowela Foundation, the Public Affairs Research Council, and the Friends of Central School. Melissa St. Mary, an attorney with the Pitre Law Firm, is a Leadership Louisiana alumnus and currently serves on the boards of the SWLA Bar Association, Girl Scouts of Loui-siana - Pines to the Gulf, Historic Preservation Committee and Contraband Days, Inc. Jeanette DeWitt-Kyle is a personal injury and workers’ compensation lawyer at Stutes & Lavergne in Lake Charles. She is a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, SWLA Bar Association and Louisiana Association for Justice and is also a Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer.

Family & Youth Receives Donation Family & Youth Coun-

seling Agency received $5,000 from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisi-ana for sponsorship of its 17th Annual Connections Count Conference. During the conference, profession-als from the four corners of Louisiana and beyond come together to explore, expand, and share critical knowledge and expertise for the benefit of children, youth and families in our collective communities. For more information on Family & Youth, call (337) 436-9533.

Chennault Airshow Supports SOWELA and Calca-sieu Parish Schools with $5,000 Donation

Chennault International Airshow recently contributed $5,000 to SOWELA and the Calcasieu Parish School Board to support aviation programs in area schools. The contributions from the Airshow will aid in expanding the region’s engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, which will play a criti-cal role in the next generation of the area’s workforce. The Chen-

Ashli Waldrep

Alfred Doucette, Jr.

Kerry Andersen

Kay Barnett

(L to R) Velika Hurst, BC/BS of LA; Julio Galan, Family & Youth Counseling Agency; and Kathy Sonnier, BC/BS of LA

March 26, 2015 7Vol. 6 • No. 25

nault International Airshow will take place on Oct. 24-25, 2015, at Chennault International Airport.. For more information on the Airshow, visit www.chennaultairshow.com.

McNeese Receives Donation for ScholarshipsMcNeese State University President Dr. Philip Williams ac-

cepted a $120,000 donation to create two scholarships for students studying in the areas of chemical engineering and environmental science. The funds were part of a legal settlement signed in De-cember by then 14th Judicial District Judge D. Kent Savoie. The funds will be endowed through the McNeese Foundation and will be matched with $80,000 from a special Louisiana Board of Regents fund designated for creating scholarships for students that are the first generation in their family to attend college.

Spell Named Marketing and Communications Manager with West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital is pleased to announce that Kali Spell has been promoted from the position of mar-keting representative to marketing and communications manager. In this position, she will oversee hospital marketing and public relations activities, advertising, and outreach initiatives. Spell, a graduate of McNeese State University, is currently pur-suing a Master’s of Business Administration degree and has been with the organization for two years.

LC BNI Chapter HonoredThe Lake Charles Founders BNI Chapter was just named the spotlight chapter for the states of Louisiana and Mississippi. The chapter has had amazing growth in members, closed business revenue, visitors, referrals and one to ones. The chapter is led by President Amber Mize, Vice President Michelle Miller, and Sec-retary/Treasurer Sara Ford.

Junior League Donates to Local Public CharitiesThe Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc. is teaming up with the

Calcasieu Parish Public Library to add American Girl dolls to the library collection. The Junior League purchased 20 dolls, which have been donated to the library to promote literacy and writing. Children who check out the dolls will also learn about the signifi-cant role of women during different periods in history. A kick-off celebration was held at Central Library on March 24. The dolls are now available for check out at every library branch. For more information on the American Girl Literacy Project, visit the library webpage at www.calcasieulibrary.org or call 721-7147 for details.Kali Spell

March 26, 20158 Vol. 6 • No. 25

Fast food is a lot like por-nography. Both are booming businesses, yet no one admits to being a regular customer. Well, I’m just going to come out and say it; I like fast food. I’d tell you that I mostly go for the salads, but you wouldn’t believe me any more than if I told you I read Playboy for its provocative articles.

When my wife and I go out for fast food, I like to get the combo meal. I don’t go so far as to “super size” it, although for the sake of my marriage I probably should.

The scene that plays out whenever we go to a burger joint is as predictable as when Charlie Brown tries to kick the football with Lucy holding. “I just want a sandwich,” my wife always says.

“Are you sure you don’t want fries with that?” I’ve asked the question more times than every cashier on McDonalds’

payroll.“No, just the sandwich,” she

confirms.“Now look,” I protest. “Every

single time we come here, you say that you don’t want French fries. Then when our order comes, you always end up eat-ing half of mine.”

Next comes a plausible explanation as to why this time is different, and I should believe her when she promises not to mooch any of my fries. “This week when I weighed in at Weight Watchers, I gained three-tenths of a pound,” she might say. “It’s embarrassing getting up on the scale in front of everybody and having them tell you that you gained. That’s why I’m just getting a junior hamburger, no cheese.”

“Oh, all right,” I concede. I proceed to order a medium combo, which has just the right amount of fries for me. (37, to be exact.) Apparently,

I didn’t learn a thing from all those years of exposure to the wisdom contained in newspaper comics. When our tray comes and we sit down, surprise! My 37 fries suddenly take on more appeal to my wife than losing three-tenths of a pound.

I don’t know whether wom-en like my wife simply like to exercise their unalienable right to change their minds, or if they’re just doing these things to humiliate the men in their lives. If it’s the latter, they needn’t bother. We men don’t need any help in that depart-ment.

We’ve got self-humiliation down pat, and it’s no wonder. Many of us spend whole Satur-days on the golf course honing the art to perfection. Others do it on Friday nights at the karaoke bar. I like to get my practice at the bowling alley, where I once got a strike on

lane three when my team was on lane eleven.

Maybe one day we’ll walk into a burger joint and I’ll go ahead and super-size the order, regardless of what my wife says. But I’m not so sure. I still hold out hope for that one time when she lets me have all my fries. After all, one time even Lucy didn’t pick up the football.

But on that occasion, Char-lie Brown missed, kicking Lucy’s hand instead. So maybe that’s why so many women see fit to change their minds. They’ve got to defend them-selves somehow against all this oafishness that we guys think of as masculinity.

Mike McHugh’s column has appeared in the Jambalaya News for over five years. If you can’t get enough of The Dang Yankee, you can read more on Mike’s website, the-dangyankee.com.

Hold the French Fries, Yankee Brown

Roxie is a 2 1/2 year old Terrier mix (the vet believes that she is mixed with Australian Shepherd) and is 25 pounds. She is very loving and playful and is good with cats, kids and other dogs. Roxie is house-trained, crate-trained, current on shots, and spayed. If you are inter-ested in adopting Roxie and giving her a forever home of her own, then

please contact LaPaw at (337) 478-7294 or email lapaw@bellsouth.net. You may also call her foster mom, Rachel, at (337) 349-3979. A vet check and home visit are required. Hurry, Roxie is waiting!

March 26, 2015 9Vol. 6 • No. 25

Gulf WarsAs you read this col-

umn, I have been having a great time in the woods of Mississippi with al-most 4,000 fellow medi-eval re-creators. Almost always in March for the last 23 years, members of the Society for Crea-tive Anachronism hold a week-long event enti-tled “Gulf Wars.” There are maidens fair, nobles, knighted sirs, combatants in armor, armies of war-riors, and classes in just about every endeavor you can imagine about life in the Middle Ages. There are weavers, armorers, cooks, formal dances, drum circles, belly danc-ers, falconry, artisans and merchants of many wares. There are more activities in which you can take part, including the hold-ing of royal courts with all the pomp and circum-stance you could desire. I have been going for over 10 years and only regret the very few I missed.

It is amazing to see armies of 500-plus fight-ing an opposing army of the same size. Swords (broad and two-handed), bow and arrow, ballistas, trebuchets, glaves, war hammers and just about

every weapon of those days are represented. All are dressed in “garb”--no one would

dream of calling them costumes.

Polite be-havior is

mandatory and honor

and chivalry are the standard

of the day. All are addressed as either “M’lord” or “M’lady,” or of higher title if one has been earned,

such as Your Excellency, Your Highness, Your Maj-esty, etc.

The SCA has divided the “Known World” into differ-ent Kingdoms. Louisiana and Mississippi are part of the Kingdom of Gleann Ahbann, Texas is part of the Kingdom of Ansteorra, Florida is part of Trimeris, Georgia and Alabama are part of Meridies. Each Kingdom has a king and queen, along with a crowned prince and princess to re-place the monarch every six months.

This event is billed as a “War with no Enemies,” meaning that it is all in fun, done according to strict safety standards and rules and all based upon all the traditions of honor and chivalry. Combat victory is determined by the com-batants in both individual tournament and mass melee mode. Victory is declared by the loser of any bout; there is no judge to evaluate who wins and who loses as the loser declares himself dead by acknowledging “Good” and falling to the ground as struck by a legally killing blow.

There are Marshals to look out for the safety of the combatants and the observ-

ing populace, but they do not rule on the outcome of any bout. The combatants are card-holding “Author-ized Fighters,” having un-dergone training in safety, rules and their weaponry and passing an authoriza-tion fight in the presence of an Authorization Mar-shal and a SCA-elevated knight. They must have already fought an author-ized fighter and be able to answer relevant questions, and prove their knowledge of the proper way to engage in armored combat.

The vast majority of the Gulf Wars attendees camp on site; there are literally hundreds of period pavil-ions with glorious banners flying in the breeze, mun-dane tents camouflaged as best as possible and a very few permanent structures

for various purposes. The normal exchange heard by all is “Have a good war.”

Crawfish Prices Still High

We are still hoping for our mudbugs to level out to a more agreeable price. As long as there is enough demand at higher prices, the price of crawfish has no emphasis to go any lower. Remember that your will-ingness to pay keeps the price above where it could be for any product or serv-ice. Just remember the old story of the merchant ask-ing the customer “Do you know why the price is so high?” to which the answer is “Because you’re willing to pay it.”

No price survey this is-sue but we’ll get on it for you next time.

March 26, 201510 Vol. 6 • No. 25

I started hunting and fish-ing the Hackberry area when I was in college at Joe Dugas’ lease just north of the Sab-ine National Wildlife Refuge. After that, I had four sections in the then-Shell Oil prop-erty just south of the Sabine Reserve and Hackberry. After that, I was on the west side of the Hackberry Salt Ditch in a fresh water impoundment for noted Lake Charles attor-ney E.C. Hunt. While I was at Lacoste Lodge (1980- 1998), I got to hunt and fish with Terry Shaughnessy of You Should Have Been Here Yesterday TV fame and the Hackberry Rod & Gun Club. From then on, I was the guest of Jim Bel’s Hackber-ry Hilton Hunting & Fishing Lodge.

It was when I was at La-

coste Lodge that I first met the Hackberry KGB (Kirk, Guy and Bobby Stansel), Terry Shaughnessy‘s stepsons. This year, Kirk had put an email hit out on me to attend Hackber-ry’s Ducks Unlimited banquet on March 12. What’s $50 to a retired teacher and noted The Jambalaya News columnist? That’s exactly what my editor Lauren Abate de Albuquerque teasingly informed me when I asked the paper to pay for it. Undaunted, my girlfriend/pho-tographer Melony Rue LeMay (Rue) and I decided we just had to go. Just how big a deal could a town of 1,261 people put on? If it was anything like the hunting and fishing, it would be a treat.

When Rue and I arrived at the metropolis of Hackberry’s

Community Center, some idiot had forgotten his wallet. Lanette Stansel, Kirk’s wife, listened politely to my “I swear I have a $50 check for DU in the wallet I forgot” tale of woe while her truly large German Shepherd lay at her feet under the greeter’s table. She laughed and said, “No problem,” then informed me that her aptly named canine “Moose” was actually a Belgian Malinois,

Sure that she knew I was a complete idiot, I entered the spacious center. On tables lining two walls were outdoor life paintings, duck carvings, BB guns, shotguns and rifles of every sort. There were DU paraphernalia ranging from BBQ pits to a crystal DU carafe with four glasses, ice chests, hats, and just about

every damn thing else dealing with the outdoors. I wanted to buy everything, especially the 20 gauge over and under shotgun.

But first, there was FOOD. Standing behind the pepper-corn prime rib, marvelously seasoned fresh green beans, cheesy and cream cheesed potatoes and fresh green salad was my “podna” Coach Byron Gibbs. We had taught together at LaGrange High School and later, he became a teacher/coach at Hackberry High School. If that was not surprise enough, I also had the honor of visiting with two old hunting pals, Beau Barbe and Sammy Monticello.

Rue and I finally made it to the Hackberry Rod & Gun Club’s table with our cuisine.

Fowl Fete Extraordinaire

Auction items Roger and Byron Gibbs

March 26, 2015 11Vol. 6 • No. 25

As we delightedly dug, in the fun began. It was auction time. The items donated by DU, corporate sponsors, individu-als and artists were to be sold to raise money for DU conser-vation projects by auctioneer Kenny Kyle.

Playing Vanna White and displaying the varied items for the evening was our host Kirk Stansel. The first big winner was Alter Berlin, whose lucky ticket got him the pick of the prizes. Naturally, he chose MY over and under. I lost $20 on that raffle. Later, Rue won so I got a box of shells and a DU calendar, thus breaking even

on raffle investments.Then came the piece de

resistance, the drawing for a DU weapon of your choice. Rue wanted the pistol. Some other greedy soul won. All we got was the vanilla wafer and pudding dessert, which, while excellent, was not Rue’s pistol!

Then I spotted two of my former Jim Bel guides, Tate Little and Mike Chalene at Jim Bel’s Hunting Lodge’s table with Beau and Sammy. I jumped up and rambled over, wildly

signaling to Rue to come take pictures. This was going on while Kenny and Kirk were auctioning off the DU Gun of the Year, a Browning A5 silver-etched 12-gauge automatic. Rue looked frantic. Seems she wanted this coonass talking

with his hands to chill, as I had just bid a $1,000 on the shot-gun. Chilled but thrilled that the bidding went on, I got my visit in, hands at my side.

The over 150 people there made raising about $30,000 for DU’s conservation projects possible. Especially generous were Cameron LNG, Cheniere Energy, Sabine Bank and Jim Bel‘s Hunting Lodge. I got to be part of it, visit with old friends and make new ones. It was a bon fete extraordinaire that added yet another joy to the fishing and hunting delights I’d had for 45 years around Hack-berry. I’ll be back.

(L to R) Tate Little, Mike Chelene, Sammy Monticello and Beau Barbe

(L to R) Kirk Stansel, Guy Stansel, Roger, and Bobby Stansel.

Moose

March 26, 201512 Vol. 6 • No. 25

children are doing to others. Stop making excuses for your children. Open your eyes and see what is really going on. Make sure they know that there are consequences for their actions—and follow

through. If your child is a bully and you aren’t aware of it, then you are not paying enough atten-tion to your child.

Helping Your Child When you give birth to a

child, you know that she is a holy gift. Words can’t describe how perfect this child is as you hold her in your arms. You will spend years helping God perfect this already perfect child.

And then our children, whom we have loved and protected, return home broken and their beautiful hearts that used to be filled with innocence are being torn apart. We need to uncover the shame that they are wear-ing. When their lives have been shaken by unspeakable harm or sorrow, we can help them pray that their broken pieces will be made into something beautiful, and that their doubt will eventu-ally be gone.

As parents, we need to teach our children what love is all about and help them see the beauty inside of their own hearts. Teach them that they are never really alone and that God’s love is always with them.

To lose a child is the worst thing a parent can live through, and losing a child by suicide is both traumatic and bru-tal. The Robinsons’ beautiful

child, whom they nurtured, encouraged, and supported, was crushed by the deep scars bully-ing made—despite professional help and in spite of all of the ad-vocacy they did for her at school and at home.

Alexis’s family wants young people to know that it is okay

to ask for help. No child should ever have to live

with the fear and em-barrassment of stigma. “I hope hope that no other parents will have

to live with the pain of loss that we live with every day,” Carly says. The family knows that

they did the very best they could for their child. Their wish

is to help other young people and their families.

Alexis was an organ donor and her family recently learned that her eyes were implanted. Someone local received the gift of sight. Alexis lives on.

“When she was sad about be-ing different or hurt, I would tell her that she was loved,” Carly re-members. “Every inch of her. She would laugh and ask why. And I would tell her the same thing every time: ‘You are a gift. You saved me. You are my sunshine.’”

Go Fund Me Account Established

Amanda Fontenot was a good friend of Carly Robin-son. “I was in shock and denial when I found out about Alexis. I thought to myself ‘There’s no way!’ This doesn’t happen to people I know!’ Well, unfortu-nately, it does happen.”

Amanda says that Alexis was full of life. “She would entertain herself or everyone in the room,” she recalls. “ She was sweet, lov-ing, smart beyond her years, well spoken and respectful. At times she was sassy and independ-ent, yet she always had a child-like innocence about her. Carly was a great mother who tried to keep her away from the horrible things teenagers are exposed to

A young girl named Alexis Kaitlyn Robinson recently took her own life due to bullying. She was only 13. I never met this beautiful girl, but I felt her in my heart.

Carly Robinson Haftmann (Alexis’s mother) shared lovely memories with me about her daughter. “Alexis was a kind-hearted, thoughtful, generous person,” Carly says. “She was a gentle soul and always respect-ful. Her laugh was infectious. She was a jokester.”

Alexis’s family did everything they could to help her with her bullying situation. Carly, who happens to be a child/adolescent counselor, made sure that Alexis received counseling last year when the bullying became very bad.

Carly would tell her to put on her armour before she went out into the world. “The armour was made of her family’s love and support,” she says. “I would tell her to put on the armour with no sword. And Alexis would ask ‘Why not the sword?’ And I would tell her to focus on the shield and the armour first.”

Alexis was taking Tae Kwon Do where she was learning to protect herself. She was involved in a youth group and wanted to attend the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts. “She couldn’t wait to be surrounded by like-minded people,” Carly

says.“Just a few weeks ago, she sat

on my lap one day at dinner, and said, ‘Maybe we all feel lonely sometimes’ and I rocked her,” Carly remembers. “She needed it. She often still held my hand.”

Some children are bul-lied relentlessly, and can reach a point of utter hopelessness, feeling that they have no way out of the pain heaped on them by their bullies. In spite of the Robinsons’ best efforts, their daughter took her life.

There are multiple charac-ters in this tragedy: the bully, the bullied and the bystanders. There can be no bullying with-out bullies. But they cannot pull off their cruel deeds without the help of bystanders, who either look away, encourage them or even join in and become bul-lies themselves. They might also be afraid to step in for fear of becoming the next target.

Those who stand by and do nothing have many excuses. “The bully is my friend.” “It’s not my problem!” “She’s not my friend.” “He’s a loser.” “He deserved to be bullied--he asked for it.” “It will toughen him up.” “I don’t want to be a snitch.”

Parents of bullies need to be very much aware of what their

Mending Hearts With Each StitchHow Alexis Robinson touched my heart

March 26, 2015 13Vol. 6 • No. 25

Hello, everyone!Lent is still going strong,

so I think we’ll stick with a seafood recipe for this issue. In Southwest Louisiana, we always have fresh seafood available and this dish is sure to please. It can be either an appetizer or a main course.

Th is is so easy to prepare you’ll wonder why you’re not making it more oft en. I have made this dish many times, either as an appetizer or to

bring when invited to dinner instead of a bottle of wine. If you are going to serve this as a main course, just make a nice rice pilaf and a side vegetable and you will have a fantastic dinner sure to amaze your friends and family. And by the way, if you don’t want to use shrimp or you happen to be allergic to seafood like my girlfriend Staci, you can use chicken tenders and follow the same recipe. It will be great.

What You’ll NeedOne pound of 21-25 shrimp (peeled and deveined with the tail still on)One egg2 12-ounce cans of beer1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder1 cup A.P. flour2 cups flaked coconut

For the Marmalade Sauce1/3 cup of prepared horseradish2/3 cups of marmalade

What You’ll DoCombine the egg, ½ cup

of fl our, baking powder and 8 ounces of the beer in a bowl and mix well. In two separate bowls, place

Coconut Shrimp with Horseradish Marmalade

the rest of the fl our and the coconut. Holding the shrimp by the tail, dredge in the fl our. Shake off any excess. Dip into beer mixture, let it drip off the excess then roll in the coconut.

Place on a wax paper liner baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

While the shrimp is in the refrigerator, pour the remain-ing 4 ounces of beer and the additional 12 ounces into a 16-ounce glass and enjoy! Aft er 30 minutes, place shrimp in 350-degree vegetable oil and fry until golden brown. Do this in small batches to avoid crowding the shrimp. Trans-fer to a paper towel covered plate to run off any extra oil and serve with Horseradish Marmalade, which you make by combining 1/3 cup of pre-pared horseradish to 2/3 cups of marmalade. Mix well and enjoy!

And…don’t forget to Stir Dat Pot!!

these days. She was not allowed to be on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter. Her cell phone and computer were moni-tored closely.”

Amanda was aware that Alexis was being bullied. “When she started to show signs of depres-sion, Carly immediately sought counseling for her daughter,” she recalls.

When she was fi nally able to talk to Carly aft er Alexis’s death, Amanda said that Carly told her, “I need this all to mean something and change things somehow.”

“When I woke up the next morning, I felt that God had put it in my heart to do something,” Amanda recalls. “I had seen a ‘go fund me’ fundraiser for funeral expenses for a friend of mine and her unborn child on my Facebook newsfeed. I decided to do some research on the safety of the site and I created a ‘go fund me’ account for Alexis Robin-son. The site requires that you set a goal. I thought I was being a little ambitious by setting it at $10,000, but went for it anyway. I am amazed and humbled by the generosity of people in our community and even those out-side of our state. I am extremely honored and proud that we have raised over $12,000 now.”

Amanda says she is meeting with Sara Judson from the Com-munity Foundation of SWLA this week. “With their help, we are hoping to establish a non-profit organization in Alexis’s honor that will help bring kind-ness and acceptance in to our schools and communities,” she says. “We are currently building a board of members who will be tasked with creating a mission statement and a statement of purpose so that we can proceed in establishing ourselves as a nonprofit organization. I have received numerous emails and Facebook messages from people donating their services. I can-not thank everyone enough. Our goal is to reach just one child. If we can help someone feel that their life is meaningful and precious, then we have accom-plished our goal.”

Donations can still be made to http://www.gofundme.com/alexisrobinson.

March 26, 201514 Vol. 6 • No. 25

Have you ever looked out on an empty section of your yard and thought about all the times you’ve said to yourself “I want to plant something there,” but didn’t know how? Have you ever been in a garden center and questioned what grows best in winter versus summer, and will any of it grow in your yard?

Not knowing what to plant, when to plant or how to plant has been one of the leading factors in the de-cline of locally sourced fruits and vegetables in recent years. The knowledge we once possessed as agricultural creatures was an intricate part of every community for centuries. Today, many of us are unsure of where the majority of our food is harvested and from what. Luckily, in the past decade, there has been a wave of green-minded organizations sprouting up all across the country. Focusing on sustainability and reeducat-ing communities on the importance of local produc-tion and trade, many of these organizations have grown into thriving companies who now help with funding smaller organizations that are focused on continuing to grow the movement.

We in the Lake Area have been blessed with a group who works tirelessly to replant the sustainable nature we once had back into our community.

Our Garden Grows is an innovative gardening company that spe-cializes in designing and implementing edible, organic gardens for homeowners, businesses, and municipali-ties that are not only sustainable but decorative as well. Creatively designing every new project from the ground up, the team dedicates itself to helping its cli-ents grow just as much, if not more than the gardens it plants.

Meeting with each client and blueprinting a one-of-a-kind garden that suits their individual or family needs, the crew guides each customer across a new border of horticultural expertise. Derek Hasha main-tains a continuous education regimen to stay up to date

By Brian Pitre

March 26, 2015 15Vol. 6 • No. 25

on a variety of insecticides, fertilizers and planting methods to ensure he is always prepared to answer the tough questions.

But planting your own mini-farm is not just about the who, what, when, and where to plant. Whether you are just try-ing your hand at the art, plotting your own backyard produce stand, or looking for a healthy hobby, you will need to build a garden that caters to your individual goals. “The ability to watch clients hold and taste what they’ve worked so hard to achieve is priceless,” says Beau Guidry, one of the founders of Our Garden Grows.

In addition to their private work, the team also works with schools, non-profits, charities, and civic organizations to create community-run and educational gardens. These gardens help grow food for the hungry and homeless of our area as well as educate children and adults about the importance of sustain-able agriculture, and make places beautiful. The services these guys offer are growing every day, and so are the gardens they leave behind. So next time you look out into your yard and wonder about that empty plot, remember Our Garden Grows.

Our Garden Grows, LLC700 Dolby St, Lake Charles, La 70605Like them on Facebook!

March 26, 201516 Vol. 6 • No. 25

Many people find the idea of visiting the dentist terrifying at best. In fact, dental phobias are one of the most common types of phobias, affecting millions throughout the United States. According to national stud-ies, nearly 20 percent of Americans avoid the dentist due to fear and anxiety.

Many sufferers of this type of fear can experience a number of unpleasant symptoms associated with dental exams and proce-dures. Some of the most common experiences include difficulty sleeping the night before a dental appointment and panic attacks before or during the visit. Some may experience feel-ings of nausea, trouble breathing, rapid heart rate and excessive sweating.

The anxiety caused by a trip to the dentist is enough to cause some to avoid any future visits. Even when faced with warning signs of painful gums or sensitive teeth, there are many who still choose to not seek treatment. Mak-ing matters worse, avoiding regular cleanings can lead to bad dental and gum health, likely compromising your overall wellness. Poor den-tal health has been linked to heart problems, respiratory illness, low blood sugar imbalances and severe systemic infections.

Innovative equipment and techniques have made visiting the dentist a more comfortable experience. Dr. Tim Robinson of Robinson

Dental Group and his team understand that many people fear going to the dentist. Dr. Robinson has been practicing dental sedation for over 12 years, one of the very first in the Lake Charles area to adopt the technique.

“Having your dental work completed can be a safe and positive experience. Sedation can help calm the patient and reduce anxiety and fears,” notes Dr. Robinson. “Sedation den-tistry allows us to create a more comfortable experience for each patient with individual-ized procedures to help him or her relax.”

A number of benefits are associated with the procedure. Some cosmetic and surgical procedures can be lengthy and to avoid rest-lessness during treatment, sedation is a viable option. If a patient chooses sedation dentistry for a longer procedure, they are usually more at ease and are able to more peacefully rest throughout the extent of the treatment. Seda-tion can reduce the number of appointments necessary because more work can be com-pleted during each visit.

“Sedation dentistry is based on the in-dividual’s needs. In some cases, a mild an-algesic, such as nitrous oxide, will remove the edge that many people feel when they sit down in the dentist’s chair. In other cases, se-vere anxiety can be more completely alleviat-ed through a pill or IV sedation that promotes

relaxation,” assures Dr. Robinson.A sedation dentist will be able to deter-

mine if there are any risks to using sedation methods through a thorough evaluation of medical history. Knowing any current medications that the patient may be taking or known allergies is important. Aside from those two factors the risks of using sedation medications are minimal.

The side effects are minimal and can actu-ally be beneficial to the patient. One example is the amnesic effect. Patients often report they remember very little or even nothing of the dental appointment. Further, there may be less post-operative soreness due to being sedated or relaxed. Finally, patients often experience a dry mouth when taking these medications.

The staff at Robinson Dental Group views their patients as partners in their care, rather than passive recipients. Dr. Robinson and his associate doctors possess a unique ability to empathize with patients while providing ex-cellent care. Dr. Robinson’s team can provide a beautiful new smile, usually in as few as one or two visits utilizing sedation dentistry. To schedule an appointment, contact Robin-son Dental Group in Lake Charles at (337) 474-3636 or in Moss Bluff at (337) 429-5057 or visit their website at www.robinsondental-group.net.

Sedation Dentistry Helping You Relax in the Dentist’s ChairSedation Dentistry

March 26, 2015 17Vol. 6 • No. 25

The “Eat Healthy Southwest Louisiana” program is part of the Dare to be Healthy Challenge Grant, made possible by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foun-dation. Eat Healthy is working with local eateries to designate healthier menu options and create healthier dining environments. They are pleased to welcome our newest Eat Healthy partner, West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, located at 701 Cypress Street in Sulphur.

Local chefs, restaurant owners and dieti-tians were integral in the development of the initiative. The program offers a simple process to bring healthier options to the forefront.

“We are excited to partner with Eat Healthy SWLA, says Fran Landry, RD, LDN, West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, Director Nutrition Services. “Offering identifiable healthy entrees, sides and salad bar options in our cafe makes it easy for our employ-ees and community members to choose nutritious, yet delicious meals, without the guesswork.”

The goal of the Eat Healthy program is to encourage healthy eating and an active lifestyle to support the fight against obes-ity. “We know that the average American eats out at least four times per week and

spends almost half of their food dollars doing so,” says Janice Ackley, Dare to be Healthy program co-ordinator. “By mak-ing healthier options readily available, we hope to make these choices simple for diners and improve the health of our community.”

Eat Healthy Dieti-tian Assistant Allison Callahan has worked with West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital to bring them on board with the program.

“Our commitment is to support local restaurants with the necessary resources to analyze recipes, identify meals that fit our guidelines, and collaborate with chefs and owners to formulate new and healthy options for diners. It’s encouraging to see the willingness of WCCH, as well as our other partnering restaurants, to support our team’s mission,” she states.

To be considered for Eat Healthy desig-nation, the main entrée must have less than

600 calories and less than 800 mg of sodium. Appetizer, soup, salad or dessert menu items must have less than 300 calories and less than 400 mg of sodium.

Eat Healthy partners receive many benefits. In addition to a one-on-one consultation over-seen by a registered dietitian, they have access to various materials developed by the pro-gram including an Eat Healthy sign, window cling, table tents, kids’ activity sheets, “Pack Half ” campaign and stickers, wait staff training, buttons, buffet and salad bar displays, and various

recognitions and acknowledgements in the media.

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital joins current Eat Healthy Partners Delta Downs, Gatti’s Pizza, Luna Bar and Grill, Lake Charles Country Club, Stellar Beans, Pitt Grill, Hey Man! Chicken Fingers, Leonard’s Food Quarters, Pops and Rockets, and Lake Area Medical Center. More local restaurants will be coming on board soon.

For more information on Eat Healthy SWLA or a list of participating restaurants, visit www.healthierSWLA.com.

WCCH Partners with Eat Healthy Southwest Louisiana

March 26, 201518 Vol. 6 • No. 25

Several major construction projects which broke ground in early 2014 at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital are set to be completed this fall.

An expanded and renovated emergency department, a new state-of-the-art intensive care unit and a full-service medical office building are all set to be completed by the end of 2015.

These three main projects are all part of a more than $40 million investment in upgrades to the Memorial Health System, along with planned renovations and ex-pansions to the rehabilitation and surgery areas.

“We have certainly made great improve-ments to enhance the quality and array of services we provide to the community,” says Larry Graham, president and CEO of the Memorial Health System. “Most recently, we completed the rehabilitation unit, the reading room, are currently constructing a medical office building on Nelson Road and are expanding and upgrading our emer-gency room.”

From the services standpoint, Memorial has implemented a mobile nurse-to-patient

phones system on inpatient nursing units, added an urgent care and specialty clinics to the W.O. Moss Memorial Health Clinic ad recruited additional doctors for the Me-morial Medical Group.

A new Intensive Care Unit is under con-struction, with renovations to follow to the current ICU.

New technology additions this year include a system that identifies patient information via a hand scan. PatientSecure® is a new and more secure way to register at any participating Me-morial Health System facility. The system utilizes the latest in biometric technology that will streamline patient registration and provide accu-rate identification of patients.

A new discharge system is also in place, which provides a video with discharge instructions and sends

text reminders, emails, tasks, and care mes-sages to patients for better compliance with their care plan.

“Healthcare is evolving and so must we. In just a few short years, we have reinvented our hospital into a thriving health care system, the best in Southwest Louisiana,” Graham says. “It’s a positive time for all of our hospitals, clinics and physician offices. We are proud of our past success, but even more committed to the future of Memorial, a future that we are building to serve you.”

LC Memorial HospitalConstruction Projects Set to Be Completed

in the Fall Future Nelson Road Offi ce Building

The CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital Podiatric Medicine and Surgical Resi-dency Program has been granted approval by the Council on Podiatric Medi-cal Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association, after passing its rigorous on-site visit at the end of last year. The first resident will enter the program in July, with an additional resident being added each year.

Medical students looking to expand into the field of podiatric surgery will have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and training from foot and ankle surgeons at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital and Center for Orthopaed-ics, an affiliate of Imperial Health.

The residency is a three-year, surgically oriented program that will focus on foot and ankle surgery and comprehensive podiatric medicine. With one doctor accepted each year; after three years, there will continually be three residents in the program.

Doctors entering the program will have already earned their DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine). The residency program will give these doctors more intense training in CHRISTUS St. Patrick’s operating rooms as well as at Im-perial Calcasieu Surgical Center and West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. These residents will also gain extensive direct patient-care experience in the areas of wound care, diabetic care, and podiatric research.

Residents will receive podiatric and orthopedic experience, including clini-cal and practice management in the hospital and office settings. Residents will also rotate in various specialties at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital including emergency medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics and radi-ology, receiving training from 14 participating doctors and specialties.

In addition, these residents will complete rotations through LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, which will give them advanced surgical and en-hanced research experience in their field.

Because the residency is partnered with Center for Orthopaedics, the

region’s largest musculoskeletal group, the residents will not only have the op-portunity to work closely with experienced orthopaedic surgeons and special-ists, they will also work within the group’s Sports Medicine Program, which provides services to McNeese State University and 14 area high schools. This adds a training aspect to the program that many podiatric residents don’t ac-cess to.

Donald Lloyd II, CEO of CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital, says CHRISTUS is proud to be launching the new residency program, particularly at a time when the population in our region is expanding rapidly. “It makes perfect sense to us to not only recruit new doctors, but to train them right here to meet the high standards of patient care we’ve established for our hospital. Our medical staff is excited to be a part of the program and we are all looking forward to welcoming the residents to our medical community.”

“We didn’t want to offer a one-dimensional training program that just repeated what these doctors had already learned in medical school,” says Dr. Tyson Green, Residency Program Director. “CHRISTUS wanted to go way beyond that. With the help and support of the participating doctors, including my partners here at CFO, we’ve created a program that will be second to none in the country.”

Dr. Green says that the doctors training here will have incredible access to a diverse range of real practice settings, working with experienced physicians from a wide range of subspecialties. “Our involvement with McNeese on the sports medicine front provides additional training opportunities that are not available with most podiatric medicine residency programs,” he said. “We’ll be carefully screening applicants to ensure that we bring the most qualified doc-tors here to Southwest Louisiana.”

Applications are now being accepted from potential residents and inter-views have begun. Additional information about the program is available by contacting Dr. Green at the Center for Orthopaedics, (337) 721-7236.

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Announces Podiatric Medicine and Surgical Residency Program

March 26, 2015 19Vol. 6 • No. 25

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana has recognized Lake Area Medical Center as one of the first healthcare facilities in the nation to receive a Blue Distinction® Center+ designation in the area of bariatric surgery by the Blue Distinction® Centers for Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction® Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver quality specialty care based on objective measures, which were developed with input from the medical community, for patient safety and better health outcomes.

To receive a Blue Distinction Center+ for Bariatric Surgery designation, a healthcare facility must demonstrate success in meet-ing patient safety as well as bariatric-specific quality measures, including complications and readmissions, for gastric stapling and/or gastric banding procedures. A healthcare facility must also have earned national ac-creditations at both the facility level and the bariatric care-specific level, as well as dem-onstrate better cost efficiency relative to its peers.

Quality is key: only those facilities that first meet Blue Distinction’s nationally-estab-lished, objective quality measures will be con-sidered for designation as a Blue Distinction Center+. Lake Area Medical Center is proud to be recognized by Blue Cross and Blue

Shield of Louisiana for meeting the rigorous selection criteria for bariatric surgery set by the Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program.

“We are honored to be recognized for our long standing tradition of providing the community with high quality, weight loss surgery options,” says Bryan S. Bateman, CEO of Lake Area Medical Center. “This service line, in particular, allows us the privilege to work with patients every step of the way as they embark on a new and improved healthy lifestyle. With our highly experienced team of bariatric nurses, and the medical oversight of Dr. Keith Chung, board certified general surgeon and an independent member of the medical staff at Lake Area Medical Center, it quickly becomes a very gratifying experience to be involved in these successful outcomes.”

According to Bateman, the Blue Distinc-tion Center + is an important designation for Lake Area Medical Center, and sets us apart as a hospital that is highly committed to qual-ity, cost efficiency and patient safety.

Bariatric surgeries are among the most common elective surgeries in the U.S., which provides a significant opportunity to improve quality and efficiency within the healthcare system. It is estimated that 72 million Ameri-cans are obese and 24 million suffer from

morbid obesity, according to the U.S. Cent-ers for Disease Control and Prevention. The estimated annual healthcare costs of obesity-related illnesses are $190.2 billion, or nearly 21 percent of annual medical spending in the U.S., according to the Journal of Health Economics.

“More and more, research is showing us that healthcare facilities that provide the highest quality care not only have better health outcomes for their patients, but often keep costs under control, too,” said Dr. David Carmouche, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Executive Vice President for Ex-ternal Operations and Chief Medical Officer. “We are proud to recognize the Blue Distinc-tion Centers+ in Louisiana that are demon-strating high quality and cost efficiency in providing bariatric surgery.”

Research shows that facilities designated as Blue Distinction Centers+ demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients compared with their peers. On average, Blue Distinction Centers+ are also 20 percent or more cost efficient than non-BDC+ desig-nated healthcare facilities.

For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, please visit www.bcbs.com/bluedis-tinction.

Lake Area Medical Center Recognized for Quality, Cost-Effective Bariatric Surgery

March 26, 201520 Vol. 6 • No. 25

By Lauren Abate de AlbuquerqueIf you know me well, then you know

about my passion for Bloody Marys. I adore them, and I adore them filled with all kinds of good stuff. There’s nothing worse than getting a Bloody Mary with just a straw and some ice. Really?? Load that baby up! I want salt and pickles and olives and spicy green beans and whatever else you can throw in there.

Well, there’s one place in town that will never disappoint in that depart-ment. Jack Daniel’s at L’Auberge Lake Charles is now serving Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. out on the patio, and their Bloody Mary bar is just the ticket.

You can get a traditional Bloody Mary for just $6 with your choice of either Absolut, Absolut Pep-par or Absolut Cilantro and your choice of rim seasoning: salt, celery salt, Cajun Redhead or JD’s signa-ture spice blend. It comes with celery, spicy green beans and lemon and lime. For a $1 more, you can choose two of the fol-lowing: dill pickles, stuffed olives, pickled okra, grilled baby peppers, cilantro or Frog Balls—which are pickled Brussels sprouts

and simply delicious. But wait, there’s more! For an additional

$2, you can “make it a meal” as it says on the menu, and add spicy boiled shrimp or the best thick-sliced applewood bacon I’ve ever had. OR you can really have fun and get a Benny’s Beef Straw, which is exactly

what it sounds like—a stick of beef sausage hollowed out so you can sip your spicy drink AND have a bit of sausage as well. Look at the photo. Perfection!

But there’s a lot more to the brunch

than Bloody Marys. I was with a large group

and we all had something different so we could try eve-

rything. The crawfish cakes were drizzled with remoulade

and sweet bell pepper relish. I’m not a relish fan, but their

version was excellent and en-hanced the remoulade. The bread,

Brie and bacon dish came out on a hot skillet so you can imagine how that melted Brie tasted, especially with fire-roast-ed apples mixed in with the chopped bacon.

I don’t care for French toast. But every-one was dying over it, so I had to give in.

The toast was smothered in Jack Daniels, Creole mustard, cane syrup, caramelized onions, candied pecans and bacon. The mustard and onions balanced the sweetness perfectly. It was amazing; although it was so rich that one forkful was enough for me.

Grilled cheese and tomato soup spell comfort food and the grilled cheese trio (cheddar, pimento and brie with bacon and tomatoes) with cream of tomato soup was enough for two people and was beyond comforting. Their version of eggs benedict includes Andouille and crawfish with a spicy crawfish hollandaise. The eggs were perfectly poached. There is nothing like a good poached egg.

There’s something for everyone on Jack Daniel’s brunch menu, but you can also have their regular menu offerings as well. And an added bonus is music—we were fortunate to be able to listed to the sublime stylings of Jarius and Chester Daigle as we enjoyed our meal. Be assured that there will be always be some kind of entertainment on the patio this season. And you’ll prob-ably see me there a lot—if you can find me behind my Bloody Mary-with-Everything. Cheers!

Jack Daniel’s Whiskey BrunchL’Auberge Lake Charles Casino ResortSundays 11 a.m.-3 p.m.337.395.7104

March 26, 2015 21Vol. 6 • No. 25

On November 11, 1933, 11 young vision-aries gathered at the first meeting of the then-called Junior Welfare League. Eighty-plus years later, the legacy of leadership and passion for filling specific needs in the community continues with a membership of nearly 600 female volunteers in the Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc. (JLLC).

The JLLC has a legacy of serving, strengthening and sustaining the community through their funding and volunteer serv-ices. During the last five years alone, these women have performed over 120,000 hours of community service and have funded over $600,000 in community programs and vol-unteer training.

The Junior League is donating time, volunteer support and funding to imple-ment The Leader in Me program at Ma-plewood Elementary. They also partner with Oak Park and Dolby Elementary as volunteers and provide parent train-ings and fitness/health programs at these schools to further strengthen families in this community. They collaborate with other organizations, such as Family & Youth, for deeper impact. The League envisions a more healthy, confident and educated community and is focus-ing their efforts and funding in the next few years on healthy families, literacy and workforce/leadership development.

Additionally, the JLLC provides grants to local educators and scholarships for volunteer-mind-ed females. The funds raised through donations and events (such as the Leaguers & Links Golf Tournament and Mis-tletoe & Moss) are used for these types of community

programming, grants and scholarships.

The Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc.

is an organization of women committed

to promoting voluntarism,

developing the po-

tential of

women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

Community Focus AreasThe three community focus areas are:• Literacy• Healthy Families• Leadership Development

LITERACY - ‘Leap Into Literacy’American Girl Doll Adventures

The JLLC has purchased 20 American Girl dolls and accompanying stories from the his-torical series. We have partnered with the Cal-casieu Parish Public Library Central Branch, where children may check them out and write in a journal to document their adventures with the dolls. The JLLC hosted the American Girl Doll Kick-Off Tea Party on March 24 from 4-6 pm at the Central Library, and the children had a blast!

Hungry Caterpillar ProjectCommittee members will host two events

to benefit our local Head Start program. The events will be centered on the beloved tale, The Hungry Caterpillar. We will assist with a variety of fun reading comprehension activi-ties.

Read for the Record RecapJumpstart’s Read for the Record is a na-

tional campaign that provides the opportunity for millions to celebrate literacy and promote high-quality early education for all children in America. Participants read the same book on the same day to as many children as pos-sible. On October 21, 2014, JLLC volunteers visited approximately 20 schools and attended the Literacy Day event hosted by the Literacy Council of SWLA. In all, volunteers read to nearly 1,500 children, and provided a copy of Bunny Cakes to each school’s library and the Literacy Council. Thank you to all of our Provisionals, Actives and Sustainers who took time to become a volunteer reader for the day. It was a huge success!

HEALTHY FAMILIESLight It Up Blue for Autism Awareness

The Healthy Families Committee (HFC) is excited for their upcoming event highlighting Autism Awareness. The vision of the HFC is

to bring to light and to celebrate the spe-cial needs children, their families and

Leap Into Literacy

Read for the Record

March 26, 201522 Vol. 6 • No. 25

all of the incredible local organizations provid-ing services to these individuals.

According to Autism Speaks:• Autism is a developmental disorder that impacts a person’s ability to communicate and socialize. Individuals with autism often have repetitive behaviors and debilitating medical issues.• Autism now affects 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys and the figures are steadily growing.• Autism is the fastest growing serious devel-opmental disability in the U.S.• Autism can cost a family $60,000/year.• Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to get autism.• Currently, there is no medical detection or cure for autism.

Our community has several service or-ganizations that provide direct or indirect care to children and adults with autism. These organizations include the St. Ni-cholas Center for Children (which was founded by a Junior League member),

McNeese Autism Program, Autism Services SWLA and Autism Society SWLA.

April 2 is World Autism Day. People all over the world “Light It Up Blue” to show their support for the millions of individuals and families around the world affected by autism. The HFC has been working to bring this Autism Speaks event to Lake Charles. We are pursuing several local businesses and neighborhoods, landmarks and government buildings. The Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc. will be providing all the blue bulbs and yard signs. Call Junior League Headquarters at (337) 436-4025 if you’re interested in getting a blue light bulb or yard sign for your home or business.

Loving Our Community: Joy Drive 2014The Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc. organ-

izes a Joy Drive every year during the holiday season. This year, the League’s Joy Drive benefit-ted two organizations - ETC Harbour House and the Transitional Living Program (TLP).

ETC Harbour House (a former League pro-gram) is a 16-bed licensed residential facility for children ages 13-17. The program serves runaway and homeless youth, abused and neglected chil-

Promoting Volunteerism

Leadership Development:Leader in Me Parent Trainings

FIT KIDS:at Oak Park Elementary

g

March 26, 2015 23Vol. 6 • No. 25

Many people are unaware that

the Junior League was a catalyst for

the creation of many well-known

programs, agencies and fundraisers,

including the following:

Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA

Arts Fest

Calcasieu Community Clinic

The Children’s Museum

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

Done in a Day(now Impact Support)

Family & Youth Counseling Agency

First Steps

Harbour House

Healthy Choices (FIT KIDS)

HELPing Hands at Moss Regional

Heritage Awareness/Heritage Hike

Heritage Gallery

Imperial Calcasieu Museum

Junior Leagues’ Kids in the Kitchen

Kids’ Choice Puppets

Lake Charles Symphony

Leaguers & Links Golf Tournament

Lego Motion (Autism Awareness)

Liberty Belles

Life Lessons 101

(now Leadership Development)

Literacy Council of SWLA

Marshes to Mansions Cookbook

*Mistletoe and Moss Holiday Market

Nearly New Shop

Pet Therapy

Pirate’s Pantry Cookbook

Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana (PCAL)

Rebuilding Together (formerly Christmas in April)

Speech & Hearing Center

Substance Abuse Resource Center

Teen Leadership Council (TLC)

That’s My Bag (now Fostering Families)

Volunteer Center of SWLA

dren, foster youth, status offenders and youth in need of a safe place. Harbour House also provides brief respite for children of families in crisis to ensure safety and reduce stress. They provide group and indi-vidual counseling, and is an official home bound school that also offers credit recovery, educa-tional and recreational activities, aftercare, and linkage to resources. TLP is scattered site with supervised apart-ment housing for youth ages 16-21 who are homeless/aging out of foster care or the State Juvenile Justice System.

We are happy to report that we “syner-gized” and provided EVERY ITEM ON THE WISHLISTS! This Joy Drive focused on the older children and teens that are typically forgotten about during the holidays.

FIT KIDSLeague members facilitated another

successful FIT KIDS program at Oak Park Elementary. The fifth grade class learned healthy eating habits, how to read food labels, fitness techniques and about “sharp-ening their saws” to be the best they can be. Healthy habits make healthy minds. We are proud of our most recent FIT KIDS gradu-ates!

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENTBranch Out & Grow— The Leader in Me ProgramImproving the Community One Leader at a Time

The Leadership Development Commit-tee has been helping cultivate leaders at our local schools and providing valuable training opportunities to our members. In October, they hosted two Leader in Me

parent trainings to reinforce the charac-ter- building, goal-setting strategies the children are learning at school. In Novem-ber, they “synergized” with the rest of the League to host our fundraiser, Mistletoe & Moss. The money raised enables the JLLC to provide meaningful programming, such as the Leader in Me, to our community. On December 3, 2014, they collaborated with another organization to co-host the Kids Can Engagement Breakfast at L’Auberge. We look forward to our continued work with students and parents at Dolby, Maplewood and Oak Park Elementary.

Young Entrepreneur Event— December 11, 2014

The JLLC hosted the Young Entrepreneur Event with Dolby’s SPARK (gifted and tal-ented) students at the Civic Center. This in-novative event was the culmination of weeks of hard work for these kids. They “began with the end in mind” to develop their own products and a business plan. After signing “Loan Agreements” for funding from their parents, the students sold the products to the general public and gave 10 percent to the charities they studied in social studies class. Dolby is a Leader in Me school, so the 7

Habits of Highly Effec-tive People were incor-porated into all aspects of this event.

The JLLC Head-quarters is located at 1019 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, LA 70601. To become a volunteer member, learn more about the year-round community impact, or to support our programs through donations and sponsor-ships, please visit www.jllc.net or call (337) 436-4025.

y

j

Mistletoe & Moss

Improving Our Community

March 26, 201524 Vol. 6 • No. 25

By Lauren de AlbuquerqueMark your calendars for

Thursday, April 16. Divas n’ Denim, the spring fundraiser for the Foundation of Lake Charles Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Care Fund, will be held at the Calcasieu Marine Build-ing in downtown Lake Charles.

An evening of spring and summer fashions courtesy of Dillard’s will

feature Levi’s ® jackets, hand designed by Louisiana artists that will be auc-tioned at the event.

Leif Pedersen, the senior vice president of the Foundation, is the man behind the idea.

“About 15 years ago, I was at the na-tional conference for Healthcare Philan-thropy Executives and attended a session where a California hospital exec spoke about a successful event he had just held where he recruited artists such as Peter Max and Leroy Neiman to hand-paint shirts that were modeled by known models in L.A.,” he recalls. “I forgot

about the concept until I was work-ing with some of our Art for the Souls

artists last fall and it dawned on me that we have outstanding artists in our com-munity and other parts of Louisiana who might do the same; and God knows this community wears denim!”

Pedersen worked out an arrange-ment with Levi Strauss & Co. to get jackets in all sizes and colors partially donated and started lining up artists to paint them with the understand-ing that all of the proceeds would go to the Cancer Fund. “Only one art-ists said no, and that was only because she had a major show coming up,” Pedersen says. “We ended up with 23 artists painting and decorating 25 jackets. The reason there are 25, two more than the number of artists, is I asked Tony Bernard (Lafayette area) who has a license to do LSU art and Susan Hebert, who has the same for McNeese. Each did a college-themed jacket in addition to the one they are doing for the event.”

The Foundation’s Cancer Fund was established to assist in the care and comfort of Memorial’s patients. “We have purchased a number of needs they had, such as warming units for blankets used while undergoing chemo treatments, dozens of new re-

cliners for the Cancer Bays, televisions for the Bays and rooms, etc. We have a large number of patients who go through treatment at two of our campuses and we try to help in any way we can. The larger items needed to become part of our capital process.”

Since this is the first time doing Divas n’ Denim, Pedersen’s goal is to create awareness about the program while having a good time in the process.

“Dillard’s has graciously added a dimen-sion to our event by providing a full fashion show of their new spring and summer lines,” he says. “Additionally, we have Benefactor sponsors who have enabled us to open the doors with 90 percent of the costs underwrit-ten. The ticket revenue and the proceeds from the silent auction of the jackets all go to our cause. Believe me, that’s a very warm feeling.”

The Foundation is know for its outstand-ing fundraisers, thanks to Pedersen and his staff and board.

“We try very hard to present high qual-ity events for all constituents of the Founda-tion while at the same time giving back to the community we serve,” he says. With each event tied to a separate program under the Foundation’s umbrella, Pedersen says he is fortunate to have a CEO and a board that un-derstands that philosophy and embraces what he tries to achieve.

“The more we can be involved with various sectors of the community, the more we can spread our message that we are the community hospital and anything we are lucky enough to realize from our hospital and Foundation operations stays in the Lake Charles area,” Pedersen says. “And, if you can provide the programs in a setting where there is something for everyone, as we try to do with the half dozen events we present each year, that’s all the better.”

Divas n’ Denim Thursday, April 16The Historic Calcasieu Marine Bank Building844 Ryan St. Lake Charles5-7:30 p.m.Champagne, wine and hot & cold appetizers provided by Reeves Uptown CateringMusic provided by the John Mahoney TrioAttire: Dressy casualIndividual tickets: $75, table sponsors: $600, patrons: $1,000, benefactors: $2,500 Tickets can be purchased at www.lcmh.com

March 26, 201526 Vol. 6 • No. 25

Power Up in Faith March 26CHRISTUS will host the annual Power Up in Faith dinner on

Thurs., March 26 at 6:30 p.m. at Reeves Uptown Catering. The event will feature LaDonna Gatlin, inspirational speaker and sister of the Gatlin Brothers. Tickets are $50 each and may be purchased online at www.stpatrickfoundation.org or at CHRISTUS Hospice and Palliative Care at 4444 Lake St., Lake Charles. For more information, call (337) 395-5600 or (337) 499-3239.

Families Helping Families Clay Shoot March 27

Families Helping Families of SWLA announces their inaugu-ral “Pull for Families Helping Families” Clay Shoot hosted by

Team Mary Elizabeth. It will be held on Fri., March 27 at the Lake Charles Gun Club located at 6601 Ward Line Road in Lake Charles. Event times are 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. There will be food and drinks for all registrants and golf carts, Gators and 4-wheelers are welcome. Funds will be dedicated to providing coaching and support for parents of newly diagnosed children with any type of disability. Register at www.fhfswla.org.

SWLA Garden Conference & Expo March 27-28

With gardening experts on hand, exhibitors and vendors sell-ing plants, and garden products and accessories, the EXPO has everything you need to start or maintain your garden. It will be held at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles on March 27-28 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $3 per person, and kids 12 and under get in free. www.gardenfest.org.

Free to Breathe Run/Walk March 28The sixth annual Free to Breathe 5K run/walk, hosted by the

SWLA Lung Cancer Group Partnership, will begin at 8 a.m. Sat., March 28, at the Lake Charles Civic Center. The 5K run and one-mile walk will travel through Lake Charles’ historic garden dis-trict. Registration cost for the 5K run/walk is $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the event. www.freetobreathe.org, jmkamla@gmail.com.

Vietnam Vets Honor Day March 28The City of Lake Charles Mayor’s Armed Forces Commission

will host a “Vietnam Veterans Honor Day” event on Sat. March 28 at 10 a.m., at Veterans Memorial Park. Immediately following the program, there will be a “Family Day Picnic” adjacent to the park with fun activities for children, including kite flying. (337) 491-1201.

Glad Tidings Church Easter Egg Hunt March 28

Join Glad Tidings for train rides, puppets, inflatable jumps, balloons, and food on March 28 from 10 a.m. – noon. Candy and prizes for all children through age 11. Egg hunt schedule: 0-2 years @ 10:15 a.m., 3-4 years @10:35 a.m., 5-7 years @ 10:55 a.m., 8-11 years @ 11:15 a.m. Bring your own basket! 3400 Texas Street, Lake Charles. (337) 477-7774.

Wild Beast Feast March 28The Wild Beast Feast, the annual fundraiser for the Lake

Charles Symphony, will be held at the Historic Cash and Carry Building in Lake Charles on Sat., March 28 with doors opening at 5 p.m. Enjoy 3 Hour Tour featuring Al Touchet, Jay Ecker and Bob Landry and take part in the silent and live auctions. Individ-ual tickets are $50 (14 years and up); $25 (7-13 years); and free for those 6 years and under. Reserved tables available. www.lcsymphony.com, (337) 433-1611.

March 26, 2015 27Vol. 6 • No. 25

Tour of Homes March 29The 40th Annual Palm Sunday Tour of Homes will feature homes

throughout historic Lake Charles with gracious homeowners sharing their gardens and interiors on Palm Sunday, March 29, from 1-5 p.m. Homes will display a variety of distinctive exterior design styles, lush sub-tropical gardens, and exquisite interiors. For more information on tours, prices and schedules, visit www.calcasieupreservation.org or call (337) 433-2385.

Louisiana Railroad Days Festival April 9-11

Head to the DeQuincy Railroad Museum for the LA Railroad Days Festival! There will be carnival rides for all ages, a children’s stage, 5K run, Gospel Night, live entertainment, Hobo Bean cook-off, food booth, parade, pageant and more! Free parking and admission, alcohol-free. Thurs. 5-11 p.m., Fri. 3-11 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-midnight. www.larail-roaddaysfestival.com.

Downtown Crawfish Festival April 10-11

Celebrate in downtown Lake Charles at one of the spiciest events in Southwest Louisiana! With crawfish season in full swing, get hun-gry for over 10,000 pounds of hot, boiled crawfish. Other featured events include live music, a queen’s pageant, parade, and the Mitchell Brother’s Carnival at one of the largest indoor and outdoor festivals held at the Lake Charles Civic Center, 900 Lakeshore Dr. www.down-towncrawfest.com.

Tim Tebow April 10Tim Tebow will host a “Night of Inspiration” on Fri., Apr. 10, at 6:30

p.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Sponsored by MaciFest, funds raised will benefit autism organizations in SWLA and McNeese athletics. Tebow will speak in a question-and-answer format. For ticket info, Contact Nikki Fontenot at (337) 802-7932 or mac-ifest15@gmail.com, or visit the Mac-iFest Facebook page at www.facebook.com/macifest.

‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ April 11

On April 11, men from all walks of life will walk one mile inside Prien Lake Mall in women’s high-heeled shoes to protest rape and sexual assault. The march is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. with registration ($30 per person) and check-in starting at 8 a.m. at the mall, located at 496 W. Prien Lake Rd. Women and children are also welcome to register. tvincent@lcmh.com, (337) 302-7679.

Lake Charles Symphony Concert April 11

The LC Symphony’s Concert 3 will be held at the Rosa Hart Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on April 11. Performance includes

Afternoon of a Faun, Claude Debussy; Cello Concerto No. 2 in D, Joseph Haydn featuring Lachecar Kostov; and Cello Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. wwwlcsymphony.com.

Lake Charles Symphony Children’s Concert April 12

The LC Symphony’s Children’s Concert will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 12 the Rosa Hart Theatre. Performance includes Once Upon a Time 5 Fairytales for Orchestra, Bernard Rogers and Cello Concerto No. 2 in D, First Movement, Joseph Haydn with Lache-zar Kostov, Cello. Francis G. Bulber Youth Symphony along with other Calcasieu Parish students plays along with the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra.

Jazz in the Courtyard April 17Jazz in the Courtyard is an open-air concert and dinner event fea-

turing the Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra, along with the Jazz in the Arts Student Combo and the Westlake High School Jazz Band. It will be held Fri., April 17 at the Calcasieu Marine Bank Building. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $400 for VIP tables of 8. Doors open and dinner starts at 6 p.m., concert begins at 7 p.m. www.jayecker@hotmail.com, (337) 853-8800 jazzinthearts.webconnex.com/jazzinthe-courtyard.

Westlake Family Fun & Food Festival April 17-19

Established in 1992 after 25 years of being the St. John Bosco Church Bazaar, the Westlake Family Fun & Food Festival started as a small town festival bringing the community together for good times with family and friends. Held at St. John Bosco church, there will be activities for the whole family. Enjoy the games, train rides, moon walks, great food and more! (337) 439-6585.

March 26, 201528 Vol. 6 • No. 25

Disney continues to create these beautiful movies, fairy tales about princes and maid-ens and evil stepmothers. Cinderella, their live action instant classic, is no slouch when it comes to workman-ship.

Cinderella, or Ella, which is her real name, is born into a happy, happy household. Her mother and father dote on her and love her, liv-ing as they do in a country mansion

with plenty of money and servants. But when Ella is still a child, her mother takes sick and dies, and all the happi-ness is gone.

Eventually her father remarries. His new wife and her daughters come to the

country. Moving in, they take control of the

household, immedi-ately taking a dis-

like to Ella. Soon her father dies while away on business, leaving Ella

with her stepmoth-er and

stepsisters, who imme-

diately exile her to the attic, fire the

servants,

and put the chores on you know who.

What will Ella do? Will her mother’s advice to be kind and have courage work here? Ella wants to honor her parents by honoring their house and home, but her life becomes unbearable. Enter the prince.

I’ve gone to a lot of trou-ble to tell you a story you already know to say this: The first half of Cinderella is extremely bittersweet. For a young girl to have so much misfortune 30 minutes into a children’s movie does not make for a typical children’s movie. I know Disney has its dark moments, but Cin-derella isn’t even lightened by so much as a song. The sisters are slightly amusing in their idiot rudeness, but what really drags the movie down is the wonderfully evil Cate Blanchett as the stepmother. The moments where she de-grades and insults Cinderella are truly cringeworthy.

Of course, we were in the theater with about 50 little girls and the ones near me got very bored and went for the concession stand very early. They missed a wonder-ful scene where Cinderella meets her prince in the woods, and came back about the time the fairy godmother made her fantastic appear-ance.

And so it goes, a movie that careens between these wonderful scenes of Disney Magic™ and scenes of obscene stepmotherly treatment of Cinderella. The audience was

on the edge of its seat

when the transformation of the pumpkin took place, and the prince’s ball will go down in history as the most clas-sic piece of princess fantasy ever filmed. To be dancing in front of all these people with the prince that only has eyes for her! The whole sequence, from pumpkin to coach and back to pumpkin, was worth the price of admission.

But then the magic wears off and Cinderella is back at home as her stepmother plots more evil. Yeah, you’d like to scratch her eyes out, anything to get her out of this movie.

Do you get it yet? You sim-ply have to go see this new classic, but tragically, it’s not a movie for the little girls it pulls in with the promotion. It doesn’t matter. Disney’s audience will get the Blu-ray for Christmas and grow up internalizing the abuse Cinderella receives and her fortunate rescue by the prince and Helena-Bonham-Carter, who’s actually the fairy god-mother, for God’s sake.

I’m personally appalled at the way Disney splits its fans in two, with the utter fantasy of a rich prince on one side and the eventual whoredom of Miley Cyrus on the other. Where does that leave a young girl? In front of the screen, searching for her happy ending, of course.

So there you have it, an exquisitely crafted fantasy melded with scenes of abuse and venom. Disney wins the princess wars once more. I can’t wait to see it again.

Cinderella is rated PG for abuse and ridicule. Enjoy!

Cinderella(Disney, 2015)

March 26, 2015 29Vol. 6 • No. 25

The Declaration of Independence says those are things you get just for living here. But did you ever notice that the third one takes some work? You have to pursue happiness, but how can you chase something so ethereal?

Dave Barry has some ideas for you. And in his new book Live Right and Find Happiness (Although Beer is Much Faster), you’ll catch them.

Contrary to popular belief, money can buy happiness. The truth, says Barry, is that you “need a really large quantity of it.” And if you don’t have money, “you’re going to have to face the harsh truth: You need more beer.”

And yet, sometimes Barry wonders if he’s really happy, in the way he was when he was “young and carefree and basically an idiot.” He envies his daughter for the fun she has, just like he envies his Great-est Generation parents for the fun they made years ago. David Beckham, though: Barry envies him because he’s “consid-ered to be the hottest man on Earth by essentially every woman on Earth…”

Including Barry’s wife, who’s a soccer writer for a major newspaper Not that he’s bitter about it…

Maybe happiness comes with a driver’s license. Barry’s daughter is awfully ex-cited about that, even though “there isn’t anybody that the Florida Department of

Motor Vehicles doesn’t think can drive a car.” If it were left up to Barry, at any rate, Sophie would drive a 1961 Plymouth Valiant station wagon for a while.

But seriously (if that’s possible here), our par-ents had much more fun than we’re having, maybe because “They were just not as into worrying as we are today.” In Brazil, they know what happiness is: whether their soccer team wins or not (preferably not “not”). Russians are peo-ple just like us – they love their families, they want nice things, they hate referees – and they certainly seem happy. On the other hand, happiness is not found on TV or through the American Dream, and it’s definitely not found in DIY stores.

Maybe happiness is found with family, past and present, near and far. “If not, there’s always beer.”

Take a hike around any bookstore, and you’ll see that the Self-Help section is pretty good-sized. It can be difficult to know which book will make the most impact on your life, so why not make it easy for yourself ? Just grab Live Right and Find Happiness (Although Beer is Much Faster) and call it even.

I’m kidding; this book will be found in the humor section.

Still, the point is that author Dave Barry will make you happy laughing at his rants and hilarious (but spot-on) observations about, well, just about everything from high school nerdiness to Vladimir Putin. Nothing’s safe from his gentle pokes – and that includes your heart, at the end of this book.

That’s typical, vintage, perfect Barry and fans are going to love it. If that’s you, then Live Right and Find Happiness (Al-though Beer is Much Faster) is a book to pursue.

Live Right and Find Happiness (Al-though Beer is Much Faster) by Dave Barry©2015, Putnam$26.95 / $31.00 Canada225 pagess

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

March 26, 201530 Vol. 6 • No. 25

Language lovers unite and prepare to be charmed by this silly swine tale! Created for wordy birds of every age, shape and size, Jerica Guillory has brought storytellers a goldmine full of idioms and oppo-sites along with deliciously delectable words that make for read-out-loud awe-

someness! You will fall head over

heels for the Siamese sisters, Francine and Tal-lulah, as they unknow-ingly tangle themselves into a China Berry tree while arguing about who’s the TALLEST (a topic of utmost importance in the giraffe world) and deem

themselves permanently unavailable to assist their neighbor, Piggles, in his efforts to help a newly hatched chick named Rose get back up to her nest.

A Pig Tale, written by Jerica Guillory and illus-trated by Vivian Brous-sard, both of Eunice, is an adorable story about a pig who can fly… but ONLY when he giggles. He comes across a situation that is no laughing matter. Will he be able to rise to the occa-sion? Contact the author herself to purchase your very own copy and find out! Books are $18 and professional audio record-ings are available on CD for only $5 and are a great companion to the book. Every Easter basket should have a pig in it! jerica-namerica@hotmail.com, (337) 580-4100, Facebook: Piggles: A Pig Tale

Jerica is a member of Southwest Louisiana’s Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Guild in Lake Charles. Her book was published through Tommie Townsley of Ally-Gator BookBites. Meet-ings are usually held on the second Saturday of the month. If you would like to attend the next meeting, email tommietownsley61@gmail.com for details.

Jerica Guillory’sA Pig Tale

With Tommie Townsley

Jerica GuilloryVivian Broussard

March 26, 2015 31Vol. 6 • No. 25

By Lauren Abate de AlbuquerqueThe Swamp Kids are at it again. Their latest adven-

ture, third in a series, finds them reminiscing about the fun day they recently had at New Orleans’ Audubon Zoo. This book is different from the previous ones in that the Kids recall their day by looking through a pho-to album. Illustrator Tim Banfell’s artwork is juxtaposed over color photos by award-winning news anchor John Snell. The result is a happy blend of reality and whimsy.

The whole gang is back: Pierre and Mon Cher and Plauche’ and LaFleur and Tutu and as always, the words are music to the ears:

“We watched the orangutans almost an hour,they’re such a big hit at the Zoo.But while we were watching I couldn’t help wonderingwho is the one watching who?”As in all The Swamp Kids books, Zoo contains a tra-

ditional “Lagniappe Lesson” at the end of the story, this time penned by Audubon Zoo President and CEO, Ron Forman, who encourages children to explore the world around them by visiting the various attractions that make up the Audubon Nature Institute in the NOLA area. There’s also a fun connect the dots game on the next page so your kids can create a proud lion.

Author Leif Pedersen clearly loves what he does. “We create these books because we love igniting children’s passion for reading while simultaneously offering them wholesome and important values and morals.”

I visited the Audubon Zoo several years ago and loved it. This book brought my visit right back to me, espe-cially when I saw the photos of the orangutans, whom I absolutely adored. Kids will definitely want to go once they read this book, so get ready for “Please, Mom, can we go?”

From Ally-Gator Book Bites Publishing House, The Adventures of the Swamp Kids is a series of children’s books written by Leif N. Pedersen and illustrated by Tim Banfell in Slidell, Louisiana. For more informa-tion and to order these wonderful books, go to www.theswampkids.com.

Th e Adventures of the Swamp KidsA Zoo Ta-Do!

Leif Pedersen

March 26, 201532 Vol. 6 • No. 25

March 26, 2015 33Vol. 6 • No. 25

March 26, 201534 Vol. 6 • No. 25

Ever since man first rubbed his hands against his stone cave walls, we as a people have had a need to express who we are through art. For over 40,000 years, divinely talented human beings across the world have dedicated their lives to depict-ing humanity and nature through various mediums. Over time, those known as artists began to captivate the hearts and minds of those around them.

The identity of the artist has always been regarded as one of the most important facts about a work of art. From early Egypt to Greece, to Rome and beyond, artists’ names have been pre-served throughout history. Their recognition and status stood out in cultures, eventually bringing value to the works they pro-duced. Some have become such renowned works of art that they are immortalized in museums across the globe for every genera-tion to witness. But these works of art are of a time long gone. Their age and origin alone bring them more value than nearly anything that could be created today.

Making a living as an artist has never been an easy task. As the old saying goes, artists must die to become famous. But one power couple in Lake Charles is working hard to defy those odds.

Danny and Morgan Allain grew up in the Lake Area and have been distributing a wealth of creativity throughout the community for over 10 years. The two first met on the McNeese campus and it was not long before their indi-vidual talents became a collaborative masterpiece. Shortly after finishing college the couple married and began dedi-cating their time to their crafts.

Danny and his friend Paul Soileau founded Icarus Wing Productions in 2012, becoming one of the Lake Area’s first comic book publishing companies. Icarus’s first full series, “Dead Reckoning”, debuted in their first year of operations.

Written and illustrated by Allain, the comic’s success at local and

out of state comic-con festivals have brought the team some real notoriety.

After launching four issues of the zombie western sensa-tion, the team switched gears

to unleash their newest work “The Joy Kill Club.” Bringing in a new writer, Joshua McCready, the company now boasts two

unique series on the shelves of

local news stands and comic shops. Despite the comic success, Danny

is constantly working on new and more challenging pieces, taking on all sorts of commissions from detailed watercolors of your home to seawall-sized murals. Still, no matter how high Danny and Icarus may fly, Morgan is never far behind, if not soaring higher.

Starting her company The Inkling just after college, Morgan transformed her vivid brushwork into a lucrative business. Shrinking her artistry into everything from buttons and brooches, to fridge magnets and an assortment of jewelry, she created a new way of displaying her talents to much wider and more diverse market. Her use of detailed color vari-ation, and unique subject matter gives The Inkling a nostalgic pop look with a real punk edge.

With the help of her husband, Morgan has brought her sig-nature style to a number of local events and shows. The success of these local events has really open doors for Morgan’s business over the last two years. Showcasing a variety of prints and pieces

The�Inkling�&�Icarus�Wing�Productions

Pendant by Morgan#TheInkling

ABOVE: Danny’s comic book, The Joy Kill Club

RIGHT: Danny working under the thumb of his

art director, Jubilee#IcarusWingProductions

Pendant by Morgan#TheInkling

March 26, 2015 35Vol. 6 • No. 25

at Live @ the Lake Front this month, The Inkling is on pace to have their best year yet.

Although Mor-gan and Danny each have their own stand-out success, when they combine their efforts, the result is nothing short of remark-able. The couple recently teamed up to design a full wall mural at the new Abraham’s Tent facility.

The Allains are very humble and un-affected by their popularity, remaining focused on their family and faith. Commit-ted to their roles as parents and spouses, the two maintain a steady-flow business without having to jeopardize either. Like the giants of the past whose shoulders they stand on today, they live, breathe, and eat on their talent. Their work is their way of life and they depend on consumers like you and me to keep that creativity alive.

So the next time you’re confused about what to get for whom when gift shopping, remember your local artists are always appreciative of your support.

As always Eat, Sleep, Drink, and Sup-port Local!

#IcarusWingProductions#TheInkling#LocalsSupportingLocals#SupportLocalLC

LEFT: Morgan and Danny at the Spring Art Walk, Downtown Lake Charles

March 26, 201536 Vol. 6 • No. 25

Thursday, Mar. 26Happy Hour4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz3436 Ryan St., LC

Sera Buras6 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

LeRoy Thomas & the ZydecoRoadrunners7 p.m. @ Mikko LiveCoushatta Casino Resort777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Karaoke Night9 p.m. @ Crystal’s112 W. Broad St., LC Ladies Night – DJ Crush11 p.m. @ Jack After DarkL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Friday, Mar. 27Live @ the Lakefront The Flamethrowers6-10 p.m. @ Arcade AmphitheaterLakefront Promenade, LC

Sera Buras7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Street SideJazz Band7 p.m. @ Luna Bar and Grill710 Ryan St., LC

River Katz7 p.m. @ Loggerheads3748 Hwy 305, LC

Josephine8 p.m. @ Jack After DarkL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Troy Lazarus9 p.m. @ Mikko LiveCoushatta Casino Resort777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Sean Ardoin-N-Zydecool9 p.m. @ Gator LoungeDelta Downs 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

Mr. DJ9 p.m. @ Bourbonz3436 Ryan St., LC

RKW Acoustic Show9 p.m.- midnight @ Cigar Club1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC

Dance Night9 p.m.- 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s112 W. Broad St., LC

Hazy Ray10 p.m. @ Luna Live710 Ryan St., LC

DJ Crush11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Saturday, Mar. 28Sera Buras7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Kenzie Newman7:30 p.m. @ Loggerheads3748 Hwy 305, LC

Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin’ Cajuns9 p.m. @ Coushatta Casino Resort777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Sean Ardoin-N-Zydecool9 p.m. @ Gator LoungeDelta Downs 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

Mr. DJ9 p.m. @ Bourbonz3436 Ryan St., LC

Brigitte London9-midnight @ Cigar Club1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC

Tryouts for the McNeese State University Cowgirl Kickers Dance Team are Saturday, April 18, in the aerobics room on the second fl oor of the McNeese Recreational Center. Students can check in at 8:30 a.m. for the daylong event. An audition workshop will also be held from 6-9 p.m. Friday, April 17, in the aerobics room. Th is workshop is not mandatory.

McNeese Cowgirl Kickers perform at football games, pep rallies and basketball games

with the Pride of McNeese Marching Band and make other civic appearances in the area. Scholarships are available for those students selected for the squad. High school students must have a 2.0 grade point average as well as meet the requirements for admission to McNeese to be eligible to audi-tion.

Th ere is a $30 audition fee. For more information or to register, call Emily DeRouen, director, at (337) 475-5604.

Cowgirl Kicker Tryouts April 18

March 26, 2015 37Vol. 6 • No. 25

Special Event Night9 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s112 W. Broad St., LC

Katelyn Johnson Band11 p.m. @ Coushatta Casino Resort777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

DJ Crush11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Sunday, Mar. 29Glenn Zeringue & Caleb Fontenot

Jack Daniels’Whiskey Brunch@11 a.m. – 3 p.m.L’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Street Side Jazz Band11 a.m. @ Luna Bar and Grill710 Ryan St., LC

Ellis Vanicor and the Lacassine Playboys3-7 p.m. @ Wayne & Layne’s Deli3906 Hwy 27 S, Sulphur

Monday, Mar. 30Wholesome Karaoke NightHosted by Lynch & Cornbread10 p.m. @ MyPlace American Pub630 W. Prien Lake Rd. Ste G, LC

Tuesday, Mar. 31Guys Night @ Bourbonz3436 Ryan St., LC

Jazz Night with Mickey Smith6:30 @ Loggerheads3748 Hwy 305, LC

Two for Tuesday on Everything!9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s112 Broad St., LC

Wednesday, Apr. 1Chris Miller & the Bayou Roots6:30 @ Loggerheads3748 Hwy 305, LC

Corey Lebert8 – 11 p.m. @ Cigar Club1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC

Talent Night9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s112 Broad St., LC

Framing the Red10 p.m. @ Luna Live710 Ryan St., LC

Thursday, Apr. 2Happy Hour4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz3436 Ryan St., LC

John Guidroz & Kevin Lambert6 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Joe Harmon & the Harmonics7 p.m. @ Mikko LiveCoushatta Casino Resort777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

March 26, 201538 Vol. 6 • No. 25

Whenever You’re Near Me, I Hear A Symphony...

Back in the days of The Supremes and, this, their sixth number one hit, orches-tral music still had a considerably more prominent place in popular culture than it does today. In 1965, you still had the great Leonard Bernstein with his “Young Peo-ple’s Concerts” in the midst of a six-year run on prime-time television. And this was already a decade after the end of the era of Toscanini and the famed NBC Orchestra, and two and a half decades after Disney’s 1940 classic Fantasia, mind you. But, alas, the years since have only moved us further away from that classical music foundation that first started making its way into homes via Marconi’s famed little device nearly 100 years ago.

Orchestral music seems to have gotten a bad rap among the younger generations and is often viewed not only as inaccessible to the masses, but also as elitist and snobbish to those not more exposed to such music or, simply put, just plain boring.

Amazingly enough, there’s far less a dis-connect than most young critics would im-

agine. That people have come to see it that way neither negates the fact that much of the greatest musical artistry in history lies within this music. In addition, the musical foundations and inspirations of a profound amount of the music that we love today trace their roots to those very pieces and to those who established what music funda-mentally is and the instruments and sounds they created for their orchestras to play.

Another fascinating element of orchestral music is found in the inherent challenges that it faces being a purely sonic experi-ence. Unlike opera (which faces most, if not all of the same stigmas referenced above), there is no dialogue to drive a narrative, there are no sets and costumes to give one reference to the storyline, nor are there dancers playing out their descriptive pan-tomime. It is purely instrumental and that leaves the entire storyline and the imagery, emotion, drama and development intended by the composer at the mercy of a con-ductor and his orchestra, who paint their picture using nothing but the instruments or batons that they hold in their hand. It’s a powerful concept once you get your head around it and a staggering one once you embrace, feel and understand it for your-self. I strongly encourage you to get out there and do just that.

Karaoke Night9 p.m. @ Crystal’s112 W. Broad St., LC

Ladies Night – DJ Sno11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Friday, Apr. 3John Guidroz & Kevin Lambert7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Street Side Jazz Band7 p.m. @ Luna Bar and Grill710 Ryan St., LC

Mike Fulmer7:30 p.m. @ Loggerheads3748 Hwy 305, Lake Charles

Billy Lord/Dirt Road8 p.m. @ The Center Stage3426 Ryan Street, LC

Live Music

8 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Joe Harmon & the Harmonics9 p.m. @ Gator LoungeDelta Downs 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

LA Roxx9 p.m. @ Mikko LiveCoushatta Casino Resort777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

March 26, 2015 39Vol. 6 • No. 25

Something’s Happening Here...There are actually a few things happen-

ing here and I encourage everyone to get out and enjoy some classical music courtesy of the Lake Charles Symphony in the com-ing weeks. Oh yeah... and there’s MEAT.

March 28 - The Lake Charles Symphony’s Wild Beast Feast – Historic Cash and Carry

Th is famed event returns with all the mouth-watering goodness that any South Louisiana carnivore should get excited about. Th is event will feature teams of chefs grilling, charring, brazing and broiling every sort of game, fowl, fi sh, and every other grazing entree-to-be in every sort of succulent style under the sun. Not only that, you can also participate in the silent and live auctions, enjoy some great drinks with your feast and listen to live music to round out the night. It’s the tastiest way to support the arts around! Don’t miss it!

Individual tickets are $50 for adults, and $25 for children ages 7 -13. Children 6 and under are free. Reserved tables are available starting at $500. Tickets are available at the door, by phone at (337) 433-1611 or online at www.lcsymphony.com/events/wild-beast-feast.

April 11 – The LCS In Concert – Rosa Hart Theater – Lake Charles Civic Center

Join the Lake Charles Symphony for a presentation of works from 3 of the great-est composers in classical music; Afternoon of a Faun by Claude Debussy, Cello Con-

certo No. 2 in D by Joseph Haydn (featuring famed Bulgarian cellist Lachezar Kostov) and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F minor. Tickets are $20 for mili-tary and students and $25 for adults and are available at www.lcsymphony.com.

April 12 – The LCS Children’s Concert – Rosa Hart Theater – Lake Charles Civic Center

The Lake Charles Symphony will be joined by the Francis G. Bulber Youth Or-chestra and other area student musicians for a special Sunday afternoon of music featur-ing Bernard Rogers’ Once Upon a Time:5 Fairytales for Orchestra and once again featuring cellist Lachezar Kostov in the First Movement of Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 2 in D. Please bring your children and come support the talented young people who have the great opportunity to play in this very special performance. Have some more chicken, have some more

pie, it doesn’t matter if it’s boiled or fried,

just eat it...

And by “it” I mean Beasts! GO EAT THEM and support the Symphony at the same time. It’s a no-lose situation, right? Then you can make like Diana Ross and GO HEAR a Symphony. I hope you can dig it as much as I do.

Drop me a line at JMLC@justinmor-risentertainment.com if you have questions, critiques, suggestions, “want-to-see’s” or what have you’s for the ol’ column. I love hearing the feedback! Keep it coming!

Until next time, take it easy out there, gang. I’ll see you at the show!

Karaoke 9 p.m. @ Coolers3622 1/2 Ryan St. LC

Patrick Townsend/Pale Wooden Door9 p.m.- Midnight @ Cigar Club1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC

Dance Night9 p.m. – 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s112 W. Broad St., LC

DJ Sno11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Saturday, Apr. 4John Guidroz & Kevin Lambert7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Mark Chestnutt7 p.m. @ Delta Event CenterDelta Downs 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

JC Melancon7:30 p.m. @ Loggerheads3748 Hwy 305, LC

Dustin Ray8 p.m. @ The Center Stage3426 Ryan Street, LC

March 26, 201540 Vol. 6 • No. 25

Special Event Night9 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s112 W. Broad St., LC

Joe Harmon & the Harmonics9 p.m. @ Gator LoungeDelta Downs 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

Casey Courville9 p.m.- Midnight @ Cigar Club1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC

Lake Charles Album SeriesRed Hot Chili Peppers CalifornicationChad Townsend, Taylor Lee, Mason

Feduccia, John Guidroz, Logan Fontenot and Ryan Bourque9:30 p.m. @ Luna Live710 Ryan St., LC

LA Roxx9 p.m. @ Mikko LiveCoushatta Casino Resort777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

DJ Sno11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Sunday, Apr. 5Live Music

Jack Daniels’Whiskey Brunch@11 a.m. – 3 p.m.L’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Street Side Jazz Band11 a.m. @ Luna Bar and Grill 710 Ryan St., LC

Ellis Vanicor and the Lacassine Playboys3-7 p.m. @ Wayne & Layne’s Deli3906 Hwy 27 S, Sulphur

Monday, Apr. 6Wholesome Karaoke NightHosted by Lynch & Cornbread10 p.m. @ MyPlace American Pub630 W. Prien Lake Rd. Ste G, LC

Tuesday, Apr. 7Guys Night @ Bourbonz3436 Ryan St., LC

Mickey Smith6:30 p.m. @ Loggerheads3748 Hwy 305, LC

Dancing9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s112 Broad St., LC

Wednesday, Apr. 8Karaoke with DJ Cornbread7 p.m. @ Bourbonz3436 Ryan St., LC

Chris Miller & Bayou Roots6:30 p.m. @ Loggerheads3748 Hwy 305, LC

Take in the Distance/She’s an AnimalBloodgeon/Aurum8 p.m. @ The Center Stage3426 Ryan Street, LC

William Christian8-11 p.m. @ Cigar Club1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC

Karaokewith Avid Sounds9 p.m. @ Coolers3622 1/2 Ryan St. LC

Talent Night9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s112 Broad St., LC

Thursday, Apr. 9Happy Hour4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz3436 Ryan St., LC

Julie Williams6 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Backyard Boys7 p.m. @ Mikko LiveCoushatta Casino Resort777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Karaoke Night9 p.m. @ Crystal’s112 W. Broad St., LC

Ladies Night – DJ Crush11 p.m. @ Jack After DarkL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

March 26, 2015 41Vol. 6 • No. 25

On Saturday April 4, the Lake Charles Live Album Series brings to the stage its fourth installment, a tribute to the incredible and amazing Red Hot Chili Peppers, specifically their seventh studio effort, Californication. Released in 1999, RHCP’s best-selling record featured the hits “Other-side,” “Californication,” and the GRAMMY award-winning “Scar Tissue.”

The Lake Area musicians bringing this album to life are John Guidroz (lead vocals), Tay-lor Lee (bass), Chad Townsend (drums), and guitarists Logan Fontenot, Mason Feduccia, and Ryan Bourque.

The Live Album Series is Fon-tenot’s brainchild. I spoke with the guitarist/manager for Loui-siana’s mightiest party band, the Flamethrowers, over fried pickles at Luna for a little backstory on this project that was conceived during a super long road trip to Key West with his regular gig.

“The original idea was to play albums that I liked with people that I haven’t had a chance to play with,” Fontenot said. “And it’s a one-time thing so if you miss it, you miss it.”

He shopped the idea around and received only positive feed-back so Fontenot got to work. He first turned attention to Tom Petty’s third release Damn the Torpedoes, followed by one of the best-selling albums of all time, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. “That’s the one to beat,” Fon-tenot said. On a rainy Wednesday night, the set drew an unprec-edented 400 people.

He attributes the immediate impact of the Live Album Series to “a mixture of good albums, hard work from the bands I’ve put together, a little bit of cool factor, and a lot of luck.”

LAS features a revolving door of Lake Area musicians hand-picked by Fontenot for the best fit. “I pick people based on the vibe they have and if it meshes well with the album,” he said. “Paul [Gonsoulin] did a great job singing for Tom Petty. His voice and personality was dead-on.” Fontenot also credited the three singers in the Fleetwood Mac set (John Guidroz, Jackie Stark, and Bekah Bourque) for embodying the distinct personalities of each original member.

These albums connect with people and Fontenot feels a lot of pressure to get the songs right, down to the tiniest details. The process of studying the working parts that make up a classic re-cording has some unexpected side effects too. “I’m meticulous with breaking it down, and you can’t get around learning throughout the whole process,” Fontenot said. “With every album, I feel like I’m growing as a musician.”

LAS isn’t just about the music, though. Fontenot commissions a local visual artist for each event to design the promotional poster. For the RHCP show, he tapped comic artist Danny Allain. “On stage, the Chili Peppers are basi-cally cartoon people, caricatures of the crazy rock star,” he said, so it seemed natural to choose an art style that reflects that same vibe.

Catch the fourth installment of the Lake Charles Live Album Se-ries on Saturday, April 4 at Luna Live, 9:30pm. Bayou Rum will be serving up Californication-themed signature drinks, and local artist Danny Allain will be selling art pieces, including the original drawing of the concert poster, autographed by each band member. For more information, click to www.facebook.com/lake-charleslivealbumseries.

March 26, 201542 Vol. 6 • No. 25

Dominique and Joseph Darbonne Kim Anderson and Vickie Oblanc

Rick, Jennifer and Rosie Meaux with Melissa Nunez Ursula and Daniel Ieyoub

Cory Leger, Barbara Chesson, Marilyn Dawdy, Angel Meff ord and Gail Brame

EMPTY BOWL FUNDRAISERTwelve of the area’s fi nest restaurants served up their most tantalizing soups, bisques, red beans and gumbo

at the Empty Bowl Fundraiser at L’Auberge to benefi t the Salvation Army. Each guest received a bowl handcrafted

by a local artist to take home. Door prizes and live entertainment made the evening complete. Thank you,

Salvation Army, for helping our community!

Zoya and Zarish ZiaRodonia Bellard, Rhonda Curlee,

Kristal Miller and Courtney Dupris

Tyler Gary, Tucker Hazelton and Skylynn Bennett A’mya Rideaux and Jo Ann Kirby

Jody, Grant, Jake and Trace Hurst

IOWA RABBIT FESTIVALLawrence Toups, Jr. Memorial Park in Iowa was the

setting for the 29th annual Rabbit Festival! Lots of fun things to see and do, including the rabbit cook-off ,

food and craft booths, the carnival, live music and the queen’s pageant. Rain or shine, everyone

passed a good time!

March 26, 2015 43Vol. 6 • No. 25

Amber Caillouet, Trisha Bruns and Corrin Aguillard

Courtney, Clarke and Daina HowardMelli Montie, Summer Reed

and Brynlee Boudreaux

Helen Trahan and Katrina Lejeune Christian Deshotel and Koti and Suzette Quirk

FLEA FESTBurton Coliseum Event Barn Complex housed hundreds of vendors who set up shop for one

fantastic weekend of wheeling and dealing their best treasures! The rain on the first day didn’t

keep anyone away from the Flea Fest as crowds poured in, hot on the trail of jewelry, furniture, accessories, clothing, art and sooo much more!

Next Fest is in the fall—we can’t wait!

Rochela Fendley, Pat Meyers, Monica Martin, Sylvia Ardoin and Doodle East Kate, Hillary and Angela Reeves

Kennedy Anderson, Cate O’Byrne, Katie Joseph and Chloe Ramcourt

Maddie Henning, Jordan Book, Emma Cooper and Gracelyn Benoit

LCCB’S ASSEMBLÉ 2015The Lake Charles Civic Ballet presented

Assemblé 2015 at the Rosa Hart Theatre in collaboration with Southwest Louisiana’s arts community. Another outstanding contribution to the enduring legacy of Lady Leah Lafargue.

What talent in the Lake Area! Bravo!

Natalie and Ashland Theriot