Times of Southwest Louisiana - Contraband by The Times of Southwest Louisiana

www.timessw.com • April 16, 2009 • Vol.14 No.7

www.monsoursphotography.com Jeff Davis Serial Murders

Contraband Days Events Pull Out

Buccaneers Bowl for BBBS

Swashbucklers New League April 16, 2009

CANDLEBOX PERFORMING LIVE in the Delta Event Center • FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2009 DOORS OPEN AT 7PM, SHOW STARTS AT 8PM • FREE ADMISSION WITH B CONNECTED CARD MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO ATTEND Some events may contain profanity or other content of an adult nature. Subject to change or cancellation without notice.

April 16, 2009

C ontents

April 1 6, 2008 Volume 14, Number 7 617 Drew St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-439-0995 Fax: 337-439-0418

PUBLISHER Patrick Marcantel

N E WS EDITOR Nancy Correro

assistant Editor Jessica Ferguson

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assignments Chaney Ferguson Contributors Mike Allen Sara Blackwell Matt Jones Lisa Miller Terri Schlichenmeyer George Swift Politics John Maginnis Dan Juneau

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A D VE R T ISING 23

Sales Manager Andy Jacobson

G R A P H IC S 8 18 20

Art/Production Director Natalie Clark

34 The Times of Southwest Louisiana is published every two weeks by Patsco Publishing, 617 Drew Street, Lake Charles Louisiana 70601. Phone (337) 439-0995. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $30 per year. Bulk mailing permit #9 paid at Lake Charles, La. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Times of Southwest Louisiana, 617 Drew Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601. FAX to (337) 439-0418. The Times of Southwest Louisiana cannot be held responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations, even if they are sent to us accompanied by a self-addressed envelope. Copyright 2009 The Times of Southwest Louisiana all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited. DISTRIBUTION: The Times of Southwest Louisiana is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. The Times of Southwest Louisiana may be distributed only by The Times of Southwest Louisiana authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of The Times of Southwest Louisiana, take more than one copy of each monthly issue from its racks.

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enterprise boulevard Still No Solid Leads in the Jeff Davis Serial Murders columns Business Notes Who’s News Inside Baton Rouge: Jindal Follows the Money Biz Bytes Swift Report: Business, Business, Business 337 Sports: Brazilian Jin-Jitsu Legal Eagle cover story Contraband Days Festival/Jean Lafitte features Home Grown: Cajun Charlie’s What’s Up Doc? Art and Cultural Groups Concerned Over Budget Cuts for Louisiana Swashbucklers Training Camp: New League, Fresh Defense entertainment Night at the Movies Coffee Break Crossword Book Beat: The Long Fall The Shadow: Art Walk, Celtic Days DeRidder Dispatch Parting Shots

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business Priority Registration for McNeese State University Summer sessions will begin March 30 at 1 p.m. for graduate students, seniors and student-athletes. Junior priority registration begins at 1 p.m. March 31, while registration begins for all students at 1 p.m. April 1. Fall 2009 semester registration is currently underway through July 10. Fall classes begin Aug. 17. Prospective McNeese students who have not been accepted to the university must apply by July 2 to be eligible for regular fall registration. Students can go online to www. mcneese.edu and click on Banner Self-Service to begin the registration process. For more information contact the registrar’s office at (337) 475-5356 or 1-800-622-3352, ext. 5356. League of Women Voters of Louisiana breaks New Barriers History was made in Lafayette at League of Women Voters of Louisiana’s (LWVLA) biennial convention when the organization elected Lawrence J Narcisse III, President, the first man to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the state organization. Narcisse was the first man appointed to the LWVLA Board in 2003 after serving for two (2) terms as the first African-American male elected to the League of WoMen Voters of Baton Rouge. The League of Women Voters of Louisiana is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, all volunteer organization of men and women that works to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government and provides support to the local Leagues in Louisiana and is an integral part of the League of Women Voters of the United States. L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort Gives Pinnacle Excellence Awards L’Auberge Regional Vice President and General Manager Larry Lepinski and McNeese L’Auberge Pinnacle Awards State University President Dr. Robert Hebert presented the educators with checks totaling $30,000 during an awards ceremony held March 24 at the William Gray Stream Memorial Alumni Center in Lake Charles. The 2008 Pinnacle Excellence Award winners are Dr. Dustin Hebert and Dr. Brett Welch, College of Education (co-winners); Dr. Seung Hwan Kim, College of Business; Amy Bufford, College of Nursing; Dr. Jay Comeaux, College of Science; Dr. John Griffith, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology; and Dr. Derek Blakely, College of Liberal Arts. Each winner received a $5,000 check and a commemorative award statue. United Way of Southwest Louisiana Annual Awards Luncheon The organization which serves 55 health and human service agencies and more than 100,000 people in the five parish area surpassed $4.435 million or 98% of goal to date. The Corporate Pride award is presented to a outstanding corporation which has made a significant impact on the community through their United Way involvement. This year’s recipient was Cameron State Bank. The Harper Clark “Spirit United Way – Barbara Hudson Gonzales with Phil Earhart

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notes of Southwest Louisiana” Award was presented to Dale Mann, GATOR 99, by Chin Liang - last year’s recipient. Phil Earhart, 2004 Volunteer of the Year, presented the 2008 Volunteer of the Year to Barbara Hudson-Gonzales, Retired employee of McElroy, Quirk and Burch, APC. The 2008 United Way Agency Staff person of the Year award was presented by Dinah Landry, 2008 United Way Chair for Agency Executives, to Bill Williams, Employee of Family & Youth Counseling Agency. Recognition for outstanding support was given to the Employees of Citgo and Citgo Corporation for surpassing $848,000 and again setting a record for the single highest campaign in the United Way of SWLA history. The Jim Leigh Campaign Award was given to Ben Bourgeois, Curtis Williams and Todd Areno, ICMC Division CoChairs. Others receiving special recognition were Sheriff Tony Mancuso, 2009 Campaign Chair, and Dinah Landry, 2008 Chair of United Way Agency Executives. Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation Launches Healthcare Initiative Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation, in partnership with Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, to launch an innovative, new healthcare initiative dedicated to the healthcare and overall well-being of Louisiana’s cultural workers and their families. This initiative is a bold, innovative program and the first of its kind to target the health of all cultural workers. As the state works to improve the health of all Louisiana citizens, the mission of the program is to provide affordable, accessible, primary and preventative healthcare services to cultural workers across Louisiana. Cultural worker areas include music, film, design, literary, historic preservation, culinary arts, performing arts, visual arts and crafts. Louisiana Documentary Louisiana Story: The Reverse Angle Honored as Humanities Documentary Film of the Year by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities at their annual banquet on Saturday, March 21 at Houmas House. The documentary, which was named Best Historical Documentary by the 2008 New York Film and Video Festival, was directed, produced and edited by LPB’s Tika Laudun (Louisiana: A History). It was written and co-produced by C.E. Richard and narrated by Grammy-winner Michael Doucet. The original music for the documentary was composed and performed by Darol Anger. Gary Allen did the post production editing for the project which was photographed by Keith Crews and Rex Fortenberry. Clay Fourrier was Executive Producer for the project. The high-definition documentary looks at the Robert Flaherty’s 1948 movie Louisiana Story, a tale about the Louisiana Cajuns. Statewide Career Fair Being Held April 17, 2009 in Baton Rouge Hours: 10 am – 4 pm at the Baton Rouge River Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The event will feature over 50 state and regional employers offering opportunities for May college graduates and recent alumni. Additionally, many employers will offer internship opportunities for students who are preparing for their future careers. Employers such as Enterprise Rent-A-Car, GEICO, Northwestern Mutual, Sports4Kids, Registration information for employers as well as information for job seekers is available on the LACE website at www. laceweb.org. The event is open to the public and there is no fee to attend. The Charlestown Farmers’ Market Market Days: Open year round on Saturdays, 8:00am to 12:00pm. Stop by and have a cup of coffee with us! Farm Fresh Produce including Louisiana Farm Fresh Continued on Page 6

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E nterprise B oulevard

Still No Solid Leads in the Jeff Davis Serial Murders By Chaney Ferguson

In May of 2005 a young woman’s body was found dumped in a rural area in Jeff Davis Parish. More than three years later in November of 2008 a seventh body was found. Although only three are considered homicides, Jeff Davis Sheriff Ricky Edwards believes that even though they lack factual evidence all are somehow connected. “I started believing after the second death that behaviorally there is some connection somewhere. We are working forensically to bring that to light and that might be coming shortly,” Edwards said.

The Victims

All seven bodies were found floating in canals or dumped on rural roadways in the parish. Their ages ranged from 29-17 years old. The names of the women are: • Loretta Lynn Chaisson, 28, found May 20, 2005, in a canal. • Ernestine Daniels Patterson, 29, found on June 17, 2005, in a canal six miles away. • Kristen Gary Lopez, 21, found March 18, 2007, in a rural canal south of Welsh. Lopez was the seventh victim’s cousin. • Whitnei Charlene Dubois, 26, found May 12, 2007, on a rural road just south of Jennings. • Laconia Shontel “Muggy” Brown, 23, found May 12, 2008, on a rural road in Jennings. • Crystal Shay Benoit Zeno, 23, found decomposed Sept. 11, 2008, off LaCour Road in rural Jeff Davis Parish. • Brittney Ann Gary, 17, found decomposed Nov.15, 2008, half-mile south of La. 1126 on Keystone Road, about 3 miles from where the first remains were discovered in 2005.

Connection

According to Sheriff Edwards, the strongest connection in the deaths can be found in the relationship between the young women. They shared the same social circle, and were all in a “substance abuse lifestyle.” Every victim’s autopsy revealed cocaine in her system. Each of the bodies were found either

naked or missing certain items of clothing. Most, if not all, were not wearing shoes. “We don’t have any factual evidence other than behavioral things that shows they are probably connected,” Edwards said.

Obstacles for Law Enforcement

The law enforcement officers face a huge hurdle with the lack of evidence left at the dump sites. “I have the body locations but not the actual locations of where they were picked up, seduced, or the actual kill site. We only have one third of that case at this point,” Edwards said. A team is working daily on what the media calls the Jeff Davis Seven, he said. Officers are looking at each victim’s case individually and collectively. The FBI, state police, Calcasieu, Acadia Sheriff Departments, and the Attorney General’s office are all providing assistance. Recently, America’s Most Wanted, the crime television show aired on Fox Saturday nights, took an interest in the case. Information on the victims and the individual cases can be found on the America’s Most Wanted website www.amw.com. Edwards promises the public that he and his team will not stop until the person or persons responsible have been caught and brought to justice. “Myself and the deputies take this personal,” Edwards said. “These ladies did not deserve that treatment. But we have a lot of unknowns out there. We have to go out and try to develop this information.”

Obstacles for the Families

While law enforcement faces one battle, the victim’s families face another. “We have a hard time getting people to be compassionate because of the situation,” shares Brittany Jones.

“We want them to be labeled as women and not prostitutes or drug addicts.” Jones’ sister Whitnei Dubois was the fourth victim. Since Dubois’ death Jones has been a dedicated advocate for all the victims. “I constantly interview people on my own. That’s my way of helping.” In addition to asking her own questions, Jones is working with the other families to design t-shirts to promote awareness and help raise the reward money which is currently $35,000. Jones says that designing the shirts is a way for the families to stay involved. “It’s difficult for the families since they’re in the middle of everything. Whenever another body is found or someone turns up missing, the families live it all over again. We’re trying, but it’s hard.” “The last year of my sister’s life before she died was not who she was her entire life. That I believe is where we have had our biggest obstacle—for people to have the feelings for these girls they would have for anybody else,” Jones said.

We have a hard time getting people to be compassionate because of the situation,” shares Brittany Jones. “We want them to be labeled as women and not prostitutes or drug addicts.”

Communication

Before the task force was created, law enforcement was criticized for not keeping the families informed. “There was about a year and a half where we didn’t have any information if we didn’t contact them. Since the task force,

April 16, 2009

E n t e r p r i s e B lv d . C o n t i n u e d the particular detective assigned to my sister’s case has been working night and day on it,” Jones said. Sheriff Edwards implemented a new way to keep the families informed. “I have engaged a local pastor as a liaison and he has spoken with 4 of the 7 families so far. He will be the one to meet with them and bring their concerns to us.”

New Information

Before Gary’s body was found, two of the victim’s families hired a private investigator to help with the cases. Recently, on the jdpkiller.wordpress.com blog, which is operated by a third party, the investigator posted a promise of protection. According to Jones, the private investigator posted on-line that if anybody had any information and was willing to come forward, his agency would provide 24 hour protection until the person is caught.

The Sheriff and Jones agree that people are out there who know what happened to the seven victims, but something is keeping them from coming forward. The private investigator and Jones are hoping the offer of protection will be incentive for new information. The number of years and the number of bodies led to criticism of the law enforcement officers. “I understand that when there is an unknown, someone gets the blame and I am that someone,” said Sheriff Edwards, “I accept that responsibility because the case has not been solved.”

You Can Help

If you want to help raise awareness and money visit this blog at jdpkiller.wordpress.com for updates on the t-shirts for sale and other information. If you have any information about the victims call the Jeff Davis Sheriff’s department.

business

notes

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produce, farm eggs, jams, jellies, plants and trees, homemade bread and baked goods, stone ground cornmeal, hot sauce, craft items and much more. Located behind the Old City Hall on Bilbo Street. CITGO Petroleum Corporation Recognizes its Volunteer Organization for their community contributions in 2008 at an awards ceremony held at Treasures of Marilyn’s March 27. At the awards ceremony, several outstanding Team CITGO volunteers were recognized for their significant contributions in 2008. C.J. Spell (40 hours), Lenore Carroll (40 hours) and Cindy Sears (37 hours) received the Family and Friends Outstanding Volunteer Awards. David Sears (58 hours), Nandi DeSonnier (45 hours), and Pat Bergeaux (38 hours) received the CITGO Outstanding Employee Volunteer Awards. The McNeese Leisure Learning Program will offer several non-credit courses in April, which are designed for self-improvement and enjoyment. The following courses will be offered at McNeese and in Citgo Awards DeRidder April – May: Arts and Crafts, computer professional development, cooking, dance, education, health, languages, photography, sports, and recreation. For more information or to register, contact McNeese Leisure Learning at (337) 475-5616 or 1-800-622-3352, ext. 5616, or visit the Web site at www.mcneese.edu/conted. Beauregard Electric Cooperative, Inc. director elections announced Saturday during the annual meeting at co-op headquarters in DeRidder. Dale Peterson of Rosepine, District Two Incumbent Director, was elected without opposition. Incumbent director, Alan Dane Slaydon of Sugartown, was also re-elected without opposition to represent District Four for a third term. District Seven incumbent director, Doug Sonnier of Oberlin, was reelected to represent his district for another term. The three directors officially began serving a three-year term at Saturday’s annual meeting.

er g n u o Y r u Bring in O xperience oE Members t f Saving o The Magic ek Youth We 4 April 17-2

Main Office: Phone: 337.477.2000 • Sulphur Branch: Phone: 337.625.5747

April 16, 2009

Calcasieu Parish No-Tolerance Policy for Littering Littering will be punished with mandatory fines and multiple offenses will lead to court appearances. First-time litter offenders will be charged a non-negotiable fine of $40. The second offense carries a $100 fine and $150 in court costs. The costs continue to rise with additional offenses. Flicking a cigarette butt or throwing aluminum cans out of a car window can potentially cost $500. In cooperation with the Police Jury, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office is treating litter offenses seriously and will ticket offenders. Both the Police Jury and Sheriff’s Department encourage residents to join the fight against litter by calling 493-LITR (493-5487) to report offenders. Citizens can also visit dontbetrashy.org for more information on litter enforcement and prevention. Diabetes Support Diabetes Education, Tuesdays, April 7 and April 21, 10 AM. Don’t underestimate the importance of education and peer support when living with diabetes. For more information, call Diabetes Education at (337) 494-6425 Community Blood Drive Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, Mondays, April 13 and April 27, 2 PM– 6 PM. Approximately half of the nation’s blood supply is collected at blood drives.

Memorial partners with United Blood Services to provide for our patients. Coping with Cancer Pastoral Care, Tuesday, April 21, 12 PM. For those newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment or who have completed treatment. For more information, call Rev. David DeWitt at (337) 802-1933. Sisters Surviving Breast Cancer Medical Office Building II Conference Room, Tuesday, April 21, 6 PM. For those newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment or who have completed treatment. For more information, call (337) 433-5817. The Counseling Center Offers Help to Women with Depression Southwest Louisiana women experiencing depression during and after pregnancy can now benefit from a new program offered at The Counseling Center of Family of Youth. Depression doesn’t go away just because a woman is pregnant. The good news is that perinatal depression and depression following childbirth is a treatable condition. “It can affect any pregnant woman or mother, regardless of age, race, status or previous experiences,” said Bill Williams, director of The Counseling Center. Counselors will arrange confidential, no-charge, no-obligation visits to help pregnant women and mothers overcome depression. For more information about depression during and after pregnancy and how the professionals at The Counseling Center can help, contact Bill Williams, LPC, LMFT, at 337-436-9533 or Bill@fyca.org. Ribbon Cutting Held for Healthy Image, Thrive Magazine The offices of Healthy Image and Thrive magazine held a ribbon cutting on Thursday, April 2 at their new office located at 836 University Drive in Lake Charles. Healthy Image is a full-service marketing and advertising agency, specializing in media relations, copywriting, graphic design and event planning. The company was formed in 2002 and currently provides services for over 60 local, regional and national clients. Thrive is a monthly lifestyle magazine, focused on providing news and information about living a full, balanced and healthy life. It is distributed at no charge in 100 businesses and rack locations throughout Southwest Louisiana. It has been published for five years.

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Both companies are owned by Kristy Armand, Christine Fisher and Barbara VanGossen. The phone number for Healthy Image remains the same, 312-0972. The phone number for Thrive is now 310-2099. NAMI Walks for the Mind of America April 25 7th Annual Walkathon Saturday. For more information go to www.nami.org or call 337-433-0219

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S o u t h w e s t

L o u i s i a n a ’ s

H om e G rown B usiness es Cajun Charlie’s Seafood Restaurant and Gift Shop by Chaney Ferguson

lint and Linda Charlie, owners of Cajun Charlie’s, have a rich background in catering and restaurant management. Their experience began in the 60s in New Orleans. Linda was involved in catering and Clint worked at R&O’s restaurant when it was still

in the French Quarter. Since their beginning they’ve managed a place in Eunice, owned a Po-boy shop, started a catering hall for weddings, and owned a restaurant in Little Rock, Arkansas. “Every place we ever took on was closed or bankrupt and we made a success out of them,” said Clint Charlie, looking back on all their experiences. In 1988, they came home. “We took this place over after it had been closed. We leased it for a year and then bought it.” Recipes from Momma Cajun Charlie’s offers everything from Po-boys and salads, to seafood gumbo, and steaks, for those family members who aren’t seafood fans. “Most people come in for the seafood gumbo. When we’re really

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busy we may fix 150 gallons a week. Texas people love gumbo,” said Clint Charlie. Since the restaurant is conveniently located off I-10 the Charlies’ feed many hungry Texans and other famished travelers. Anyone who has ever eaten good Cajun food knows it’s hard to turn down. So instead of eliminating food you love from your diet Cajun Charlie’s now offers a tastier solution with their heart healthy meals. A few years ago customers began to ask for certain dishes to be grilled instead of fried, and those requests have led to a yummy compromise. This accommodation proves how much the Charlies’ value their customer’s needs and health concerns. “We tailor our menu to what customers want.” Clint Charlie isn’t the only one who mans the kitchen when things get busy. His son learned how to cook certain dishes from his father and is now the manager. When Linda Charlie isn’t in the office with the book work she can be found in the kitchen whipping up family recipes like her momma’s homemade cornbread dressing, broccoli and rice, and carrot soufflé. Once your belly is full and you’re thinking about the next meal, be sure to ask about the 5lb. box of their famous boudin to take home with you. You can

enjoy it all week. Additions and Souvenirs Boudin isn’t the only thing you can take home with you. Ten years after opening the restaurant, Linda Charlie added a gift shop. Many local souvenirs from LSU coffee mugs and Louisiana themed trinkets to cute stuffed animals testify to the Charlie’s Louisiana pride. They carry a vast array of t-shirts, postcards, and even Cajun Charlie’s brand seasonings, as well as popular Cajun cookbooks. This is a great place to look for those Cajun souvenirs you want to send to your out-of-state friends and family members. If you want a place to relax try the sport’s lounge they added six months ago. It used to be the banquet room, but now many can find solace and friendly conversation while enjoying a game of pool, good food, and drinks. It’s more than just a bar. The lounge offers a cozy atmosphere for those who want to just listen to the jukebox or rest in the overstuffed couch and chairs in front of the TV. Since the restaurant is right next door to the Hampton Inn, the lounge

is a prime spot for hotel guests. “People come in to the lounge and mull over the economy and just sit and talk,” said Mr. Charlie. Host an Event Cajun Charlie’s is a convenient place to have business meetings, family reunions, parties, and other fun activities. Since the family has catering experience they know exactly what your event needs. Your guests can take advantage of the plentiful buffet, order from the menu or have a special planned menu just for your event. The Mardi Gras room can seat up to 50 people, so start planning. Location and contact information: Cajun Charlie’s Seafood Restaurant and Gift Shop 202 Henning Drive Sulphur, LA 70663 (337) 527-9044 Open Mon.-Sat. 10a.m.-10p.m. Open Sun. 10a.m.-9p.m. Sport’s Lounge Open Tues.-Sat. 5p.m.-12a.m.

Who’s News Merchants & Farmers Bank Announces New Administrative Assistant Ken Hughes, President/CEO of Merchants & Farmers Bank recently announced Cheryl Belyeu as Administrative Assistant for the new Lake Charles location on the corner of Nelson Road and Sale Road. “Cheryl’s positive attitude and background in customer relations are an importatn asset as we continue to build our customer base in Lake Charles,” Hughes stated. “Plus, with the opening of our new building, Cheryl will be the contact person for community Cheryl Beyleu organizations who wish to use our conference room for special events.” Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Elected New President Mrs. Sandy Treme, Calcasieu Parish Police Juror, was elected as the 2009-2010 President of the Police Jury Association of Louisiana Saturday at the organization’s annual state conference. Ms. Treme was elected in 1992 and is serving her fourth term as a Police Juror. Aside from serving on the Louisiana Police Jury Executive Board, she is also a member of the NACo Entergy and Land Use Committee, and is liaison Ms. Treme to the SWLA. Mrs. Treme represents District 11, which includes all of Ward 5, Starks, DeQuincy and most of Ward 6 except a small portion in the southeast corner, also a portion in the northwest corner of Ward 4, and a portion of Ward 7 just north of Vinton. United Way of SWLA Announces Chairman for 2010 Larry DeRoussel, Lake Area Industry Alliance Executive Director, has been appointed Chairman of the 2010 United Way of Southwest Louisiana campaign announced Jim McGough, United Way/SWLA Board Chairman. “Larry has demonstrated his commitment and service to our community,” said McGough. “The 2010 United Way Campaign will benefit greatly with Larry DeRoussel at the helm.” Larry is a native of Lafayette, Larry DeRoussel Louisiana and graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana with a BS degree in Engineering. He is a seasoned United Way volunteer. Larry will be responsible for raising funds allocated to thirty-six local United Way agencies in the five parish area, touching the lives of 1 in 3 people in Southwest Louisiana, and nineteen community health charities. He will also select the chairs and vice chairs for sixteen divisions of the campaign. Larry is married to Gloria Boudreaux DeRoussel of Rayne, Louisiana. They have four children and nine grandchildren. Lake Charles Memorial Hospital welcomes new Senior Vice President of Philanthropy In his new role, Leif Pedersen is tasked with reestablishing The Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and fulfilling its mission to raise funds for capital needs, endowments, special programs and support of community efforts. Immediately prior to joining Memorial, Pedersen served as Vice President of Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital. He also served as Chief Development Officer for Methodist Health System in New Orleans. In his “past life” Pedersen traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad as the featured vocalist with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. In 1998 he was inducted into the Southeastern Louisiana University Music Hall of Fame and currently leads his own 14-piece orchestra, The 1944 Big Band. He and his wife Sheryl, a health educator for

Tulane University School of Public Health, are active followers of their 13-year-old son Dane’s travel baseball activities throughout the year. McNeese Annouces New Assistant Football Coach. J. D. Kappeler, a graduate of the University of South Dakota, has joined McNeese State as an assistant football coach. He will work with the defensive backfield. A native of Denver, CO, Kappeler spent the past two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, working with the defensive line, and prior to that he served as a student coach at South Dakota. As a collegiate J.D. Kappeler player, Kappeler played three years as a strong safety and cornerback for Colorado State (20012003), helping the team win the Mountain West Conference title in 2002 and compete in three bowl games – the New Orleans bowl in 2001, the Liberty Bowl in 2002 and the San Francisco Bowl in 2003. He completed his collegiate career at South Dakota, playing free safety on the 2004 squad that posted a 9-2 record and finished 19th in the final FCS polls. Kappeler is a graduate of Regis Jesuit High in Aurora, CO and was a member of the football team from 1997 to 2000, playing quarterback, free safety and cornerback. He led his team to the Continental League championship in 2000 and received an honorable mention as an all-state quarterback. He graduated from South Dakota with a degree in History (minor in English) and is in the process of receiving his masters of education in instructional technology. First Federal Bank Announces Promotion First Federal Bank of Louisiana has announced the promotion of Ryan Rodericks to Vice President, according to Charles V. Timpa, President and CEO. Rodericks is a graduate of Barbe High School and McNeese State University. A native of Bombay, India, he has been a Lake Charles resident since 1991. He joined First Federal in 2003 as a Credit Ryan Rodericks Analyst and currently serves as Business Banking Relationship Manager for the bank. He, his wife Nicole, and their son Evan reside in Lake Charles, and are members of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church. First Federal Bank Announces Public/ Media Relations Manager First Federal Bank of Louisiana announces the appointment of Erin-Beth Hanks as Public/Media Relations Manager according to Charles V. Timpa, President and CEO. Erin-Beth will be responsible for all public and media relations functions of the bank. A life-long resident of Lake Charles, ErinBeth earned her BA degree from McNeese State University. She served as President of the Student Erin-Beth Hanks Alumni Association, the Chi Omega Fraternity, and the Epsilon Alpha Epsilon Honor Sorority. She was also a recipient of the McNeese State University Research Award, and represented the university at the “National Conference on Ethics in America”. Christus St. Patrick Welcomes New Cardiovascular Surgeon Cardiovascular surgeon, Xavier Mousset, M.D. has joined the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Medical Group. Board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and the Canadian Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Mousset specializes in cardiovascular, thoracic and valve replacement surgery, as well as aortic dissection and surgical mini-maze. Dr. Mousset has been practicing medicine in Lake Charles since 2003.

April 16, 2009

Biz Bytes - By Dan Juneau

Inside Baton Rouge - By John Maginnis

Why We Need Local School Board Reform

ouisiana has about 700 local school board members across the state. Local school boards are charged with establishing policy that results in quality education for students and they are the stewards of hundreds of millions of tax dollars collected for schools. In January, the national education journal Education Week published its annual “Quality Counts” issue, wherein states are ranked according to the journal’s assessment of various educational quality indicators. Louisiana’s nationally recognized accountability program ranked high, coming in at number two in the nation. Also, as expected, our student achievement ranking was one of the lowest in the U.S., coming in at number 47. Soon, almost one-third (500) of Louisiana’s public schools will be considered academically failing. Quality public education is the key to economic development. There is a huge disconnect between state law and policy and implementation at the local level, where education reform really must occur to be effective. Implementation falls directly into the hands of local school boards. Though some boards operate efficiently and are studentfocused, many are bogged down in the micromanagement of their district’s day-to-day operations, leaving student achievement behind as a priority issue. Last year, Rep. Steve Carter approached LABI and other groups to discuss a local school board reform legislative package he was considering introducing during the next legislative session. This coalition began to work with Rep. Carter and the result is four bills that attempt to re-focus

school boards on the mission of improving student academic achievement. The bills would: • Take the profit out of local school board service – local school board members would be prohibited from being able to participate in local district health insurance plans (in 1996 they were prohibited from participating in retirement plans). Further, members may currently receive up to $800 per month in compensation. This bill would limit pay to $200 per month, plus expenses. • Institute Term Limits – local school board members would be subject to the same term limits as BESE, the State Legislature, and many other boards, three four-year terms. The goal of this legislation is to shake up the entrenched status quo that exists in some districts and encourage new citizens to get involved in education reform. • Define the roles of the board and the superintendent – this bill seeks to get members out of hiring, firing and transferring school employees and creates penalties for those who violate this law. The bill also would require a two-thirds majority of school board members to hire and fire a superintendent. • Tighten the Nepotism Law – tightens the law regarding the employment of superintendents’ immediate family members. This legislation will in no way affect board members who do not

There is a huge disconnect between state law and policy and implementation at the local level. 10

April 16, 2009

Jindal Follows the Money Across the U.S. One could say: if everybody buys you nobody owns you.

he governor has been catching flak for his frequent flying around the country to attend fundraising events in his honor. He justifies the trips as opportunities to tell out-of-state audiences the good news about Louisiana breaking from its corrupt past through the great new ethics laws he signed last year. And if someone in San Diego or Boston wants to express their admiration by writing a $5,000 check, then it’s a win-win, right? There’s a lot of money in being the future of the Republican Party. The great thing about being the future of anything is that supporters, at this point, are more interested in potential than in results. That suits Bobby Jindal fine. These days he is seen less as a front-line presidential contender in 2012 and more as a reliable messenger of party principles who is going to be around for awhile. What player wouldn’t want to put a modest bet down on someone like that? For his part, Jindal can’t resist the urge to follow the money, given his humble beginnings dialing for dollars. He started out in 2003 with nothing but a phone line and Mike Foster’s list of campaign contributors, and grew from there. In 2007, over 85 percent of all campaign contributions in the governor’s race went to him. Still he had to strive to match the deep pockets of two millionaire opponents. Having raised $3.5 million last year, at the going rate he could easily bank over $10 million by when his re-election campaign starts (that is, if his last campaign ever stopped). And, no, it’s not enough. Though he raised his money the old-fashioned way—he asked for it—he knows there could always be a well-heeled challenger who can write one

check to match him. It doesn’t seem to bother Jindal that many of his loyal local supporters are quite fed up with his constant national tour. But he will give fundraising a rest once the legislative session starts later this month, when the governor is barred from accepting or soliciting contributions until 30 days after lawmakers adjourn in late June. If he stays close to home through mid-summer, the carping will die down, in time for him to launch his fall financial offensive. Besides the time the governor spends away from the state, there is the question of what effect do contributions have on decisions he and his administration make, from jobs and appointments to contracts. Citizens would know already what contributors got for their money, had Gov. Jindal not vetoed a bill to reveal just that. Rep. Neil Abramson, D-New Orleans, managed to pass a bill last session to make elected officials report the names of contributors that they hired or they appointed to boards and commissions. Abramson said he communicated with the governor’s staff for months to resolve any problems with the bill. But Jindal vetoed it anyway, citing a drafting error, which the author didn’t see as a defect. If the governor does not have to disclose that information, an enterprising reporter did it for him, and us. Independent journalist Jeremy Alford’s research showed that about 200 of the Jindal’s contributors, who gave a combined $784,000 in 200708, were appointed by him to 76 boards and commissions. Eleven appointees to the Board of Commerce & Industry, which grants millions of dollars worth of industrial tax exemptions,

The Swift Report - By George Swift

Biz Bytes continued

try to influence hiring and firing. Currently, accountability exists at every level of public education except the school board level. Students are accountable every time they take a LEAP or GEE test. Teachers are being held to ever higher standards, from their university training to their performance in the classroom. Schools receive report cards and districts receive scores. These bills do not strip elected members from important governance functions, including setting standards and policy, and engaging in procurement. They have taxing authority and spend the local, state and federal tax dollars entrusted to them. These bills are not about blame but, rather, about trying to be the best we can be. It’s about being thorough at every level. Nothing in these bills stops “good” school boards from continuing their good work. It’s an important step to Louisiana’s economic development efforts and providing better educational opportunities for students.

I n s i d e B at o n R o u g e continued

contributed a combined $49,000. Four appointees to the University of Louisiana System board gave $63,000; Louisiana Recovery Authority members, $57,000; Superdome Commission members, $45,000; State Mineral Board members, $35,000. Viewed another way, those 200 donors made up less than 1 percent of Jindal’s 23,000 contributors, and the $784,000 they gave comprised only 5 percent of the $14.7 million he raised over two years. One could say: if everybody buys you nobody owns you. Jindal could have said that by signing Abramson’s bill, which he may again get the opportunity to do in the coming session. If the governor sees nothing wrong with the relationship between his contributors and his appointments, he has no good reason not to connect the dots on his own. Or someone else will.

President/CEO: SWLA Economic Development Alliance

Business, Business, Business

outhwest Louisiana was the target of business development at two recent events: The Business Expo (sponsored by the City of Lake Charles and Chamber SWLA) and the Gulf Coast Trade Alliance 2009 World trade Conference (hosted by the SWLA Alliance). This year’s EXPO started off with a luncheon keynoted by Todd Graves, founder and CEO of Raising Cane’s. Todd has a great story of his drive to open a chicken tenders restaurant near LSU. It seems like a small dream at first glance, but he talked about the odds he overcame and the lengths he went to in order to get seed money to establish a business he was passionate about. That dream now inspires passion in his employees and an “I can do it too” mentality in everyone he meets. Now, Raising Cane’s has nearly 100 locations and is spreading across the nation. Raising Cane’s now gives back to the communities where they are located and it is an impressive story and a model many other businesses can follow. His dog, Cane II, was also a huge

hit at the EXPO luncheon—which is evident in this picture of me, Cane, and the 2009 Chair of the Chamber SWLA Board Ken Broussard. A few weeks later, the SWLA Alliance hosted the Gulf Coast World Trade Conference at L’auberge du Lac Casino Resort. Visitors from four states and five countries convened to discuss international trade and exchange information and ideas. They were pleasantly surprised to find a quality resort here. Our visitors

were blown away by the facility and hospitality at L’auberge. Larry Lepinski, General Manager, and his staff understand customer service and friendliness. And the Louisiana Festival they put on for ours guests was memorable. Our chamber board member, Mike Heinen, of Jeff Davis Electric, surprised a lot of folks with his Cajun band, Lagniappe. Mike is quite an accordion player and I’m sure his “bookings” will increase now that the secret is out. In putting together the trade conference, our Regional Coordinator David Conner brought together a strong line-up of partners and mentors. But none better than Lafayette Consolidated Government President Joey Durel, the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, and Le Centre International of Lafayette who co-sponsored the event. When Mayor Durel spoke and welcomed folks to Lake Charles, it opened the door for the potential of collaboration between Lafayette and Lake Charles. We are all about bringing folks together at the Alliance and that includes working across state lines with our friends in Southeast Texas and to the East also. As Neal Wade, Executive Director of the Alabama Development Office suggested at the conference, the four states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana would do well to pool their international efforts and sell the gulf coast together. When former Governor Buddy Roemer addressed the group, he shared his view that the gulf coast region was the place for growth and expansion. He stood behind that view when he opened the most recent branch of his bank, Business First, in Lake Charles. At a gathering of site consultants in Dallas last month, LED Secretary Stephen Moret again

touted Southwest Louisiana as an important part of the state with our announced projects such as the Shaw project. This region is getting recognition for our economic development projects, but we can’t let up. We’ve just scratched the surface on our potential. A roadblock to development that we are addressing is workforce development. The number one reason given by companies for not locating in Louisiana is lack of a qualified workforce. About 55% of all new jobs will require 1-2 years of specialized education and training. Yet, only about 8% of our high school graduates go to community and technical colleges to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for these jobs. At least half of our Louisiana students should consider beginning college at a technical or community college. And there’s a new program, “Day One Guarantee” that guarantees graduates are ready to work in business or industry or they will be retrained for free. We urge parents, high school students, and those who are underemployed to check out the programs at SOWELA. To fill the jobs we have open now and in the future, and to keep our young people here, this training is necessary. So SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Andrea Miller, you can count on the Alliance to assist in any way we can. On a side note, we salute Lake Charles Regional Airport for securing American Eagle service from Lake Charles to Dallas starting June 11. Airport Director Heath Allen and the Airport Board, along with former director Alan Kratzer, worked for years to demonstrate to American that we have the market here to justify the service. If you want to keep American and Continental flights here, fly them. To those who have griped about lack of air service to Dallas locally, including me, let’s commit to use Lake Charles regional in their beautiful new terminal opening soon.

Think globally, act regionally and promote Southwest Louisiana. April 16, 2009

How Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is Making Southwest Louisiana a Safer Place The fastest growing sport in America is not football. It’s not baseball or auto racing. It’s mixed martial arts. For the past fifteen years mixed martial arts or MMA has steadily gained popularity. However, the sport has never received more attention than it does today. Interest in MMA has also increased here in Southwest Louisiana. Thousands of lake area men, women, and children train in mixed martial arts. Some of them fight competitively while others train strictly to stay in shape or to learn self defense tactics. There are some that train in mixed martial arts because everything that is learned in the classroom can be applied to their careers. Corey Manuel works as a deputy for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. Four years ago, while working the late night patrol, Corey found himself in a fight for his life. “I got in a foot pursuit with a suspect,” said Manuel. “I chased him for about a mile and he decided he wanted to fight me. Not fight to get away, he actually wanted to fight.” In the process of fighting he tried disarming me, so it was very eye opening. And when I left the scene that night I told myself I was going to do everything I could to protect myself.” That frightening experience led Corey to Lake Area Brazilian JiuJitsu in Lake Charles. The mixed martial arts training facility has become a second home for ten local law enforcement officers. Each of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputies, Louisiana State Troopers, and Lake Charles Police Officers who train at LABJJ went through physical training at the Police Academy. Through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, they have developed many additional skills and techniques that can help them on the job. “When you’re in the police academy they just give you basic tools,”

said Manuel. “It’s up to the individual police officer to expand what they know.” Louisiana State Trooper Andrew Leonards said, “I felt that there were a lot of situations where I might not know what to do. I feel more comfortable knowing that if something would happen, that I have a higher skill set than what I had coming out of the police academy.” Lake Area Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu owner Mike Ellender started seeing an influx of local law enforcement officers at his facility three years ago. “We do a lot of clinch work, a lot of takedowns, a lot of groundwork, and basically it’s showing someone how to control an opponent without having to hit or strike the opponent,” said Ellender. “We’re teaching these officers how to control whoever they are arresting and to defend themselves at the same time.” Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that focuses on ground fighting. It promotes the principle that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger opponent using leverage and proper technique. Once the smaller person has control, they can administer a joint lock or choke hold to end the fight. “With the things that Mike teaches us in here, I don’t feel there is any way ‘Joe blow’ on the street will have a chance with us,” said Louisiana State Trooper Justin Weeks. “If you don’t know Brazilian JiuJitsu and you go to the ground with someone who does, you don’t have a chance.” “We’re all very professional,” says Manuel. “We don’t like using what we know. But I think the word on the street is that everybody knows who we are and what we do know. To be honest we don’t get tested much now.” There is still a major misconception concerning mixed martial arts. Critics view mixed martial arts as a blood sport with a barbaric mentality. These law enforcement officers don’t train because it’s macho, or because they want to hurt someone, or because they are trying to prove something. They train five and six days each week for us. Although they come from different branches of law enforcement, all of the officers share the same objective—Protect Southwest Louisiana. “I think we’re depriving ourselves and community if we’re not the best at what we do,” said Manuel. “All of us give up times with our families to train and stay in good shape to go out on the streets and protect the public.” Lake Charles Police Officer Mitch Sawyer echoes that sentiment. “It’s our job to protect the community,” Sawyer said, “And in order to do that to the best of our ability we need to take our training to the highest level that we can.”

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April 16, 2009

By Sara Blackwell

How to file a Complaint with the Louisiana Department of Insurance We live in a world governed by insurance companies. From house and life insurance to car and health insurance, it is virtually impossible to live or work in the United States without owning some type of insurance policy. Those who do not have health or car insurance due to a lack of financial ability are generally the ones who most need the protection. The purpose of insurance is protection but it does not always turn out that way in all situations. There are times when a policy holder disagrees with the insurance company or feels mistreated in one way or another. Individual policy holders do have some rights and options when it appears that the insurance company acted incorrectly or negligently. Of course, a policy holder can contact an attorney to file a civil complaint in court, but that is too extreme for most disputes with insurance companies. Another, easier option, is filing a complaint with the Louisiana Department of Insurance. The Department of Insurance has the power to enforce Louisiana Insurance Laws or simply provide individuals with consumer insurance information. The Insurance Department can also investigate into policyholder complaints against insurance companies, agents, and adjusters. A complaint can be brought against the following types of insurance: life, health, disability, health, auto, worker’s compensation, annuity, Medicare Supplement, credit, fire/homeowner, business or other nonspecified types of insurance. Contrariwise, the Louisiana Insurance Department lacks the authority to offer legal advice, act as an attorney on a policy holder’s behalf, or interfere in pending litigation. The Department cannot decide disputes as to who is negligent or at fault, resolve a dispute between one person’s word against another or make factual determinations. With these limitations in mind, a complaint can be filed online or mailed to the Louisiana Department of Insurance. The complaint requires personal information such as name, address, and contact information. A claimant also has to provide detailed information about the insurance company or agent, including, but not limited to, the type of insurance coverage, policy number, date of alleged loss, and name of insurance company. The final section of the complaint form requires details of the bases for the grievance. A comprehensive description of the disputed issue must be provided together with an explanation as to what the policy holder considers a fair resolution of the problem. Along with the complaint form, several documents must be provided to the Department of Insurance. These documents include: letters written to the insurance company in reference to the alleged problem, letters received by the policy holder from the insurance company, any other letters or documentation in reference to the relative issue, and all policy information or handbook verbiage referencing the subject. Copies, not originals, of such documents should be sent along with a copy of the claimant’s insurance card, if one is available.

After a complaint is properly filed, the Department of Insurance will send an acknowledgement letter setting forth the file number and name of the examiner in charge of investigating the complaint. The Department will then send a copy of the complaint to the particular insurance company or appropriate agent/agency and request an explanation of their decision. The assigned examiner will consider and review the complaint along with the insurance company or agent’s response. The examiner may find it necessary to request further information or documents from the claimant or the insurance company/agent. After a result is determined, the examiner will mail the claimant a letter of explanation. If the Department of Insurance believes the law was violated, the Department will pursue administrative action against the insurance company to correct and punish the company. If the examiner finds no evidence of a violation of the insurance law, the investigation will be closed and no action will be taken against the insurance company/agent. Finally, if the insurance company does not provide sufficient information for the examiner to make a proper decision, the investigation will continue until further information can be secured. The investigation typically averages 60 days for completion; however, this varies depending on the intricacy of the surrounding issues. It is beneficial to know that there are things individual policy holders can do to protect himself/herself from the seemingly untouchable, big insurance companies. Begin protecting yourself before signing with an insurance company by visiting the Louisiana Department of Insurance Website. The Insurance Department does not have the authority to recommend a particular insurance company, agent or adjuster. Yet, anyone has the ability to check any insurance company’s complaint rate on the Department website. It is wise to evaluate a prospective insurance company against other Louisiana insurance companies prior to purchasing a policy with that particular company.

The provided information is fact-sensitive and jurisdiction-dependent. Consult an attorney before employing the above legal concepts. Sara Blackwell is an attorney, writer, and mother. She has worked as an attorney for the United State’s Department of Justice, a federal district judge, and the United States Attorney’s Office. Her Current legal interest is in immigration law, where she works part-time for an immigration firm. She is currently working on her second novel.

April 16, 2009

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April 16, 2009

Routine Mammogram Made the Difference Virgie Hughes, age 62, owes her life to a mammogram. It detected the beginnings of her breast cancer and also marked the beginning of Virgie’s mission to impress upon women the importance of getting regular mammograms. Getting a mammogram was part of Virgie’s routine every year. “I’ve always felt we should do what we can to keep our bodies healthy. I’m not a health nut—far from it, in fact—but I was able to get regular mammograms and saw it as part of my responsibility to take care of my health.” Early detection is one of the major keys in fighting cancer. “The earlier it’s detected, the better the outcome,” said Jason Ramm, MD, family medicine physician and medical staff member of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. “But, we can’t detect it without screenings and consistent doctor’s visits. Ms. Hughes has the right outlook: the patient has a responsibility for their own health to see their doctor, get screened and live a healthy lifestyle. In fact, lifestyle factors affect about 2/3 of all cancers detected. By exercising regularly, eating healthy and getting regular screenings, we could greatly reduce the number of cancers diagnosed. We actually have more control over cancer than most people realize.” Her annual mammogram in the fall of 2007 showed something unusual. The subsequent MRI showed the mass was deep inside her left breast tissue. Surgery was recommended. “During this time when I was grasping with the idea that I might have cancer, it helped to know that I’d had regular mammograms. I knew that if it turned out to be cancer, it wasn’t there the year before,” she said. “It

was detected early and that’s what made the difference for me.” She said this was one of the hardest periods in her life. “Throughout the uncertainty, the follow up testing and doctor’s visits, I had an underlying measure of peace,” she said. “I felt confident in the care I was receiving.” Surgery was scheduled for October 30. It was to be a lumpectomy, where the tumor and some surrounding tissue are removed. “But, I told my doctor that if, during the surgery, it would be better to remove the entire breast then go ahead. It’s better to lose a breast than lose my life,” she said. The lumpectomy was successful. The next challenge facing Virgie was 6 weeks of chemotherapy. “It was once a week and yes, I lost my hair; but other than that, I had no major side effects other than being very tired. Eating was more of a challenge, not because I was sick, but because everything had a metallic taste. Except,” she said with a smile, “ice cream and cream pies! Those tasted wonderful and I indulged often.” Virgie’s last day of chemo was also her 42nd wedding anniversary. “We celebrated the day in the doctor’s office,” she said, “but that was okay.” Radiation treatment was next. Wrapping up her treatment was a full body scan after radiation. “It showed no sign of cancer cells,” Virgie said. “That was the best news I’d heard in a long time.” Virgie says one of the most comforting things to her throughout the experience is that she’d had those regular mammograms for years. “When I would have the inevitable times of doubt, I would remind myself that I’d had those screenings;

Virgie Hughes with grandson, Jack

that this cancer was new, it hadn’t spread, and that gave me great odds for a complete recovery. I am so glad I made myself get those mammograms every year. It requires effort, but isn’t our health worth it? If you don’t have good health, you’re missing so much out of life. I know.” She also knows what it’s like to be on the other side of the diagnosis. The year before Virgie’s cancer was diagnosed, her husband, Ronald, had heart surgery. “That experience was harder than my cancer treatment,” she said. “It was difficult to watch him and not be able to do much to help. During my own treatment, I felt more in control.” That sense of control seems elusive to some people who mistakenly believe that people in Southwest Louisiana have a higher chance of getting cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, regardless of where they live. Cancer rates in Southwest Louisiana are the same as the national average. Virgie finds that she pays more attention to eating healthy foods and tries to exercise each day. Her motivation is her one-year-old grandson, Jack, and says she wants to be there for his milestones and to see him graduate. “Plus, I have a lot of living yet to do,” she said with a wink. “I’m not ready to

leave my husband, he still needs me!” She paused and said, “It’s been a difficult few years, but I know other women have gone through more radical surgery than I had to. My story isn’t as dramatic as other stories, but what matters to me is for women to hear the message repeated over and over: get a mammogram. It’s important; it’s our responsibility to do everything we can to protect our health. That includes regular doctor visits, following the recommended screenings, eating healthy, and getting exercise. It all works together and gives the best foundation possible for good health. It matters and I am living proof.” “Today’s advances in medicine and treatment of cancer give people more hope than ever before, but we have to begin fighting early,” said Dr. Ramm. The American Cancer Society recommends women get annual mammograms at the age of 40; reports show that over 182,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed annually. At this time, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital is one of the area sponsors of the Fight Cancer with Facts educational campaign. For more information, check with your doctor or visit www.cancer.org.

April 16, 2009

Watch out for Workplace Eye Injuries

Despite existing safety legislation and educational programs, each working day in the United States, more than 2,000 employees sustain jobrelated eye injuries, making workplace injury a leading cause of ocular trauma, visual loss, and blindness. Of these, 10 percent to 20 percent will be disabling because of temporary or permanent vision loss. “Most work-related eye injuries could be prevented,” says Chad East, OD, optometrist with The Eye Clinic. “Ninety percent of these injuries occur because of a worker not wearing appropriate eye protection.” The bureau of Labor Statistics reported that three out of every five workers who suffered eye injuries were not wearing eye protection. Others were harmed when they wore the wrong kind of eye protection for the job. The financial cost of these injuries is enormous—more than $300 million per year in lost production time, medical

April 16, 2009

expense, and workers’ compensation. In addition to the 60 percent of workers not wearing eye protection at the time of their accidents, about 40 percent of injured workers were wearing eyeglasses without side shields. Almost 70 percent of work-related eye accidents are caused by flying or falling objects—most of them smaller than a pinhead. Also, contact with chemicals caused about 20 percent of injuries. “Tight-fitting goggles offer the most complete protection and should definitely be worn for protection against liquid chemical hazards,” stresses Dr. East. Other accidents were caused by objects swinging from a fixed or attached position, such as tree limbs, ropes, and chains or tools. As more people use computers in the workplace, complaints of eye fatigue, difficulty focusing and discomfort have also become common. Dr. East says dry eyes caused by not blinking while looking at a computer screen is another common complaint. “We’ve moved into the computer age, but many offices

have not. Lighting, furniture and desk set-ups that worked fine before computers were a fixture on every office, add to fatigue and discomfort when working with computers,” explains Dr. East. “Computer screens don’t damage vision, but you might still experience eye strain from looking at one for hours every day. There are some things you can do to minimize the strain on your eyes. Try rearranging your computer workstation, taking more frequent rest breaks or getting proper glasses or contact lenses, if needed.” While computer eyestrain may be uncomfortable, construction, automotive repair, and manufacturing work can be physically hazardous to your eyes. Potential eye hazards can be found in nearly every industry, but the risk is much higher in certain occupations. National statistics shows that more than 40 percent of workplace eye injuries involved craft workers such as mechanics, carpenters, and plumbers. More than one-third of injured workers were assemblers, sanders, and grinding machine operators. Laborers suffered about 20 percent of the eye injuries. Most

injuries occur where safety eyewear is not mandated and is left up to the individual. “The good news is that workplace eye injuries can be prevented,” says Dr. East. “OSHA standards require that employers provide, and workers wear, eye protection for certain jobs. And remember, to be effective, eyewear must be the appropriate type and properly fitted.” Even though the vast majority of employers furnish eye protection at no cost to employees, research shows that about 40 percent of workers receive no information on where and what types of eye protection should be used. “Employees should not be hesitant about asking their employer for eye protection and training,” says Dr. East. “After all, your future vision may depend on it.”

You Have What it Takes to Join the “Top 50”? Who will make the 2009 list of The Imperial Calcasieu Top 50 Privately Held Businesses? The Times of Southwest Louisiana and Jeff Davis Bank are now seeking those prestigious businesses that will be featured in our 2008 Top 50 Issue, published July 9. Go to The Times website at www.timessw.com and click on “Top 50”. Submit your nomination form online today! Or print out the form and fax it to us at 337-439-0418.

Please Note: Your submissions must be in no later than Friday June 19, 2009 to be eligible.

2008 Imperial Calcasieu Top 50 Privately Held Businesses: 1. Central Crude 2. Superior Supply & Steel 3. Navarre Chevrolet 4. Stine Lumber Co. 5. Pumpelly Oil 6. Martin Automotive Group 7. Solar Supply Corp. 8. Mark Dodge 9. Cameron Communications 10. Bubba Oustalet 11. Port Aggregates, Inc. 12. R&R Construction 13. Aeroframe Services, LLC 14. All Star Pontiac GMC 15. LeeVac Industries, LLC 16. Alfred Palma, Inc. 17. Thermoplastic Services 18. Bessette Development 19. Brask, Inc. IEE 20. Gulf Island Shrimp 21. Lee Dee Wholesale 22. ReCon Mgt. Services 23. Gray Nissan Ford Mercury 24. Health Systems 2000 25. Kennison Forest Production 26. Lake Charles Auto Auction

27. Levingston Engineers 28. McDonald’s of Lake Charles 29. Century Group 30. LA Ash, Inc. 31. Miller Livestock Markets, Inc. 32. OilQuip Inc. 33. O’Neal’s Feeders Supply 34. The Rush Companies 35. Calcasieu Mechanical Contractors 36. Freshko Foodservice, Inc. 37. Honda of Lake Charles 38. Oasis Food, Inc. 39. Sabine Pools & Spas 40. Southland Coins & Collectibles 41. Cycles & More 42. Dubois Sheet Metal Works, Inc. 43. Eagle Electric Machinery 44. J & J Exterminating Co., Inc. 45. Johnson Funeral Homes 46. Lloyd Lauw Collision Repair 47. Northfork Enterprises 48. S & M Family Outlet 49. Tulco II, LLC 50. Lake Charles Music

April 16, 2009

WHAT’S F i n a nc ial Focus Five Reasons to Be Bullish about Financial Markets by Mike Allen

uring a long downturn in the financial markets, it’s hard for some people to be cheerful about their prospects for investment success. And that’s not surprising, because a daily diet of bad news can take its toll on investors’ outlooks. Yet if you look beyond the headlines, you can actually find some reasons to believe that brighter days lie ahead. Here are five of these potential causes for optimism: 1. Recovery may be near. The financial markets obviously are connected to the overall U.S. economy, so it makes sense to keep an eye on how the economy is doing. As you know, we’ve been in the grip of a long and painful recession — but that may change fairly soon. In fact, the recession is likely to end in the second half of 2009, according to a majority of the economists surveyed by the influential National Association for Business Economics. And since the stock market has historically anticipated an economic recovery by about six months — and begun responding favorably — now may not be the time to abandon your long-term investment strategy. Of course, past performance is not a guarantee of future results. 2. Market rallies can happen quickly. No one can predict the exact moment a sustained market rally will begin — but history has shown that rallies can start quickly and take off sharply. Consider this: In the first year of a recovery, investors have recouped an average of 82 percent of what they lost in the entire prior bear market, according to Standard & Poor’s. And since 1932, the S&P 500 has gained an average of 46 percent in the year after stocks have hit bottom. Keep in mind, though, that we have experienced a larger-than-usual drop in the market, so you shouldn’t necessarily expect a rally to produce these results. Still, if

April 16, 2009

you are out of the market when it does rally, you are likely to miss some of the strongest returns. 3. Low prices may mean good opportunities. By almost any traditional measure of value, investments are now very attractively priced. And when prices are low, returns over the long term tend to be higher. Keep looking for quality investments — like other investments, they’ve been hurt by the downturn, but if their fundamentals are still sound, they could offer the greatest potential for long-term rewards. 4. The Treasury and Fed are working overtime to support the U.S. financial system. While the problems of resuscitating our financial system are enormous, and the solutions are not clear-cut, the Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve are working hard to support the credit markets, boost liquidity, lower mortgage rates and take other steps that can ultimately benefit the economy and the investment markets. 5. Low inflation can help boost “real” returns. Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, is currently close to zero. As an investor, you have reason to welcome a low inflation rate, because when inflation is high, it can erode the “real” returns of your investments. Consequently, you may be rewarded by investing in vehicles that, for the moment, are producing only modest returns. Keep the above factors in mind when you make investment decisions. Remember, if you’re going to help achieve your long-term goals, you will likely need to keep investing in even the gloomiest of markets — and, as we’ve discussed, there might be more than a few rays of light ready to pierce the clouds.

UP DOC? How Does Cancer Spread to Other Parts of the Body?

The cells within malignant tumors have the ability to invade neighboring tissues and organs, thus spreading the disease. It is also possible for cancerous cells to break free from the tumor and enter the blood stream, spreading the disease to other organs. This process of spreading is called metastasis. When cancer has metastasized and has affected other areas of the body, the disease is still referred to the organ of origination. For instance, if cervical cancer spreads to the lungs, it is still called cervical cancer, not lung cancer. Although most cancers develop this way, diseases like leukemia do not. They affect the blood and the organs that form blood and then invade nearby tissues. All cancers are different, and require different treatment. What may be effective for prostate cancer, probably will not be for bladder cancer. Diagnosing cancer will vary as well, depending on the organ affected. Henry Goolsby, III, MD, Oncologist with Lake Charles Medical and Surgical Clinic

My doctor has recommended cataract surgery. How long does the artificial lens last? Will it have to be replaced at some point? Also, will my vision deteriorate over time or stay the same?

In cataract surgery, the ophthalmologist removes the clouded lens from your eye and replaces it with a clear, artificial lens. This lens is very durable and should last for the rest of your life. If a traditional lens implant is used, you may require glasses for reading or working at near distances after surgery. However, new options in premium lens plants can correct existing nearsightedness and farsightedness, allowing many people to see clearly without glasses of any kind after surgery. Your vision after cataract surgery generally doesn’t deteriorate over time. However, sometimes the lens capsule that holds the implant becomes cloudy. In such cases, the cloudy capsule can easily be treated with a laser to make it clear again. A.J. O’Byrne, Ophthalmologist with The Eye Clinic

What is frozen shoulder?

The term ‘frozen shoulder’ simply refers to the stiffness, pain or limited range of motion in the shoulder that may follow an injury. The tissues around the joint stiffen, scar tissue forms and the shoulder movements become difficult and painful. It usually happens when people stop using their shoulder after an injury or because of a chronic condition such as arthritis. It occurs more often in women than men, and in people ages 40 – 70. Treatment usually consists of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and applying heat to the shoulder, followed by gentle stretching. Ice and medications may also be used to reduce pain and swelling and physical therapy can help increase movement. Craig Morton, MD, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist with Center for Orthopedics

How long am I contagious after a viral infection?

With most viral infections you are infectious for several days before you begin to feel unwell and several days after you are aware you are sick. Here are some common infectious periods: • Chickenpox: about 2 days before and 5 days after your rash appears • Common cold: about 1 day before and 1-3 days after your symptoms appear • Flu: about 1 day before and 5 days after your symptoms appear Keep in mind that every virus is different and you should check with your doctor before assuming you are no longer contagious. Jose Gonzales, MD, family physician with Family Practice Center of Sulphur

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April 16, 2009

Art and Cultural Groups Concerned Over Budget Cuts for Louisiana By Jessica Ferguson

Patrons of the arts, and many cultural and arts groups descended on Baton Rouge with the force of a hurricane to hear what their legislators had to say about budget cuts affecting the Decentralized Arts Funding program. The DAF grants fund local groups such as Children’s Theatre, ACTS Theatre as well as various small organizations that rely solely on volunteers to function. DAF grants make summer library programs across the area possible. Irene Vandever, Executive Director of Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA rallied her troops as early as 5:00 a.m. on April 2nd to meet up with supporters from Shreveport, Monroe, Lafayette, New Orleans, and Houma. According to Vandever, “for every dollar granted to cultural and educational programming agencies in the state and in Southwest Louisiana, Louisiana earns $6 in taxes.” Vandever is firm in her beliefs that taking away the arts will directly affect life as we know it in our state. According to Neil Connelly, Director of the MFA program at McNeese University, many things are still up in the air until the budget is finalized, but McNeese will definitely be affected. “The one aspect that I’m most sure will be impacted will be the visiting writer series. Between the school’s funding cuts and the anticipated loss in revenue from our Foundation accounts, we could have to significantly reduce the number of poets and fiction writers we invite to campus each year.” Connelly says that everything is speculative right now and that the months ahead will bring more certainty. Representative Michael Danahay said that he has personally benefited and supported the arts. “The arts are very important not only to Southwest Louisiana but to the entire state of Louisiana,” said Danahay. “They exhibit the richness of our great state. There is no questioning the positive financial impact the arts have on Louisiana.”

April 16, 2009

Louisiana is known for its cultural diversity, and one can’t help but wonder why—in a state such as Louisiana where the cultural economy is the second-largest contributor to employment, the arts are always the first to be placed on the chopping block. How does the budgetary process work? How carefully does the committee examine and determine what to cut? A flyer distributed by Louisiana Partnership for the Arts lists the following claims:  A $10 billion industry supporting 144,000 jobs – in jeopardy  Louisiana’s finest export article and second largest economic engine – damaged  If cut by 83%, the DAF program, a national model – crippled  If cut by 31%, the Statewide Arts Grants program, a national model-threatened  $1 in state support leveraging $6 in earned revenue to state coffers - lost

Danahay said that with the state facing the greatest financial crisis in its history, any and all state agencies will feel the impact of the pending budget reductions. “Unfortunately, those programs funded by the state will in turn be faced with having to do with less,” says Danahay. “It is my hope as we move through this budgetary process that many of the proposed funding reductions will be reinstated.” The state of Louisiana has taken the national lead in cultural economic development, because few states can compete with our natural wealth of cultural resources. Severe budget cuts will have a crippling effect—to the very quality of the youngest child’s life. If there were no community activities such as festivals, concerts, no summer programs for the children, life in Louisiana might be pretty drab. That’s why much is being said about the choices Louisiana leaders are making when it comes to our cultural economy and the arts.

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April 16, 2009

52 Annual Contraband Days Festival nd

Tuesday April, 28 thru Sunday May, 10

April 16, 2009

Jean Lafitte, Captain of all Pirates As the Contraband Days Festival is fast approaching, Jean Lafitte and his band of pirates are planning their takeover of the city of Lake Charles. Representing the symbolic figure of Jean Lafitte for 2009 is Lloyd Lauw. This year’s Jean Lafitte was chosen for his commitment to community and for his sharing of the local heritage of Southwest Louisiana. He is devoted to the improvement of the quality of life. Lauw, a native of Natchitoches, Louisiana has lived in the Lake Charles area since 1978. Lloyd is married to JoNell Spears Lauw, they have three children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Lloyd, a Past President of The Buccaneers of Lake Charles since 1982 still remains active in the club. Lauw is the owner of Lloyd Lauw’s Collision repair since 2001. He believes in giving back to the community by volunteering his time in many civic organizations. He currently serves as President of West Calcasieu Association of Commerce, Past President of the Greater Lake Charles Rotary Club, Member of Ward 8 District II Fire Department, Advisory Board of Sowela, member of the Boat Club, Board Member of Chamber Southwest, and an Executive Board Member and Past President in 2001, 2006 and 2007 of Contraband Days, Inc. Lloyd’s hobbies include wood working, golf, fishing, community volunteerism, and spending time with the grandchildren. Jean Lafitte 2009 Lloyd Lauw invites everyone to come out and have a good time at this year’s Contraband Day’s Festival. Jean Lafitte used the local lakes and waterways as a safe harbor and a place to repair and re-fit his ships. Rumor has it that he buried treasure on Contraband Bayou and the surrounding area. But the truth is he invested in the local people and business leaving a treasure behind that he could use when he came back on future voyages. The history of early Lake Charles is mixed with legends of Jean Lafitte and continued on p26

April 16, 2009

Contraband Days Festival 2009 Schedule of Events

Tuesday, April 28 8:00 AM • L.M.E.A. Contraband Days State Band Festival • Spring Watercolor Show—Frazier Memorial Library—MSU Campus Wednesday, April 29 8:00 AM • L.M.E.A. Contraband Days State Band Festival • Spring Watercolor Show—Frazier • Memorial Library—MSU Campus Thursday, April 30 8:00 AM • L.M.E.A. Contraband Days State Band Festival • Spring Watercolor Show—Frazier • Memorial Library—MSU Campus 4:00 PM • Todd Armstrong Carnival Opens • Galley Alley Food Booths • Galley Alley Dining Area sponsored by Lloyd Lauw Collision Center • Pirate Marketplace opens 7:00 PM • Percy Sledge in Concert - Malibu Stage Friday, May 1 8:00 AM • L.M.E.A. Contraband Days State Band Festival • Spring Watercolor Show—Frazier Memorial Library—MSU Campus 9:00 AM • ACTS Theatre Presents “Hansel & Gretel in the Enchanted Forest — Acts One Reid St. Theatre 11:00 AM • ACTS Theatre Presents “Hansel & Gretel in the Enchanted Forest” — Acts One Reid St. Theatre 4:00 PM • McDonalds Presents Laser Tag at the LCCC Grounds 5:00 PM • Galley Alley Food Booths • Galley Alley Dining Area sponsored by Lloyd Lauw Collision Center • Pirate Marketplace opens 6:00 PM • Todd Armstrong Carnival opens • Lake Charles Militia Cannon Firing to Protect the City—Seawall

6:30 PM • Buccaneers begin Landing on the Seawall 6:45 PM • Jean Lafitte Lands and puts Mayor on Trial— Seawall 6:50 PM • Buccaneers Square off with Ground Patrol and Captures the Mayor—Seawall 7:00 PM • Jean Lafitte & Buccaneers Force Mayor to “Walk the Plank”—Seawall • Band TBA 9:00 PM • KZWA—Contraband Days Presents “SOS” in concert - Malibu Stage Saturday, May 2 6:00 AM • KPLC-TV presents “Tour Lafitte 2009” • Registration and packet pick up—LCCC Grounds 7:30 AM • KPLC-TV presents “Tour Lafitte 2009” • Ride Starts—LCCC Grounds 8:00 AM • Contraband Days Tennis Tournament — Lake Charles Racquet Club • Contraband Days Volleyball Tournament — McNeese State University 10:00 AM • O’Reilly’s Auto Parts 12th Annual Contraband Classic & Antique Car Show—LCCC Grounds • The Compassionate Friends of SWLA Contraband Days 26th Annual Arm wrestling Championship— Weigh in 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM — LCCC Grounds • Galley Alley Food Booths open • Galley Alley Dining Area sponsored by Lloyd Lauw Collision Center • Pirate Marketplace 11:00 AM • ACTS Theatre Presents “Hansel & Gretel in the Enchanted Forest” — Acts One Reid St. Theatre Noon • McDonalds Presents “Laser Tag”—LCCC Grounds • Todd Armstrong Carnival opens—LCCC Grounds 1:00 PM • The Compassionate Friends of SWLA Contraband Days 26th Annual Arm wrestling Competition Begins LCCC Grounds • ACTS Theatre Presents “Hansel & Gretel in the Enchanted Forest” — Acts One Reid St. Theatre • Southwest Underground Metal Fest — LCCC Exhibition Hall

2:00 PM • Lake Charles Sail & Power Squadron presents 3rd Annual “Concert on the Water — “Kelly McGuire” — Aboard L’Attitude 3:00 PM • Jean Lafitte & Buccaneers Pirate Parade 5:00 PM • Rock101, KYKZ, and 96 Budweiser presents “Show Us Your Tan” contest — LCCC Grounds • Contraband Days presents “Jerry Diaz & Hanna’s Reef” Parrothead Concert — Malibu Stage 7:00 PM • Contraband Days presents “John Reno & The HalfFast Creekers” Parrothead Concert — Malibu Stage 9:00 PM • Contraband Days presents “Jim Morris & Big Bamboo Band” Parrothead Concert — Malibu Stage Sunday, May 3 8:00 AM • Contraband Days Tennis Tournament — Lake Charles Racquet Club 9:00 AM • Primetime Cheer & Dance Contraband Days Cancer Fundraise — LCCC Coliseum 11:00 AM • Galley Alley Food Booths • Galley Alley Dining Area sponsored by Lloyd Lauw Collision Center • Pirate Marketplace Noon • Todd Armstrong Carnival opens — LCCC Grounds • McDonalds Presents “Laser Tag” — LCCC Grounds 1:00 PM • KYKZ 96 Egg Drop & Dash— LCCC Grounds 3:00 PM • Jean Lafitte & Buccaneers Pirate Parade • Contraband Days Presents “Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys” — Malibu Stage 5:00 PM • Contraband Days Presents “Wayne Toups & ZyDeCajun” — Malibu Stage Monday, May 4 8:00 AM • Spring Watercolor Show—Frazier Memorial Library—MSU Campus 6:00 PM • Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides Open—LCCC Grounds

Tuesday, May 5 8:00 AM • Spring Watercolor Show—Frazier Memorial Library—MSU Campus 6:00 PM • Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides Open—LCCC Grounds Wednesday, May 6 8:00AM • Spring Watercolor Show—Frazier Memorial Library—MSU Campus 6:00 PM • Carnival Rides Open—LCCC Grounds Thursday, May 7 8:00 AM • Spring Watercolor Show — Frazier Memorial Library — MSU Campus Noon • Profit N Loss Assn National Prayer Day Luncheon featuring “Ken Mansfield — The Beatles & The Bible” — LCCC Coliseum 4:00PM • Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides opens — LCCC Grounds • McDonalds Presents “LASER TAG” — LCCC Grounds • Galley Alley Food Booths — LCCC Grounds • Galley Alley Dining Ares sponsored by Lloyd Lauw Collision Center • Pirate Marketplace • “Great American Duck Race” — LCCC Grounds 7:00 PM • “Glad Tidings” Billy Navarre Chevrolet, McDonalds Presents “Leaving 99” in concert — LCCC Coliseum 8:00 PM • “Glad Tidings” Billy Navarre Chevrolet, McDonalds Presents “The Afters” in concert — LCCC Coliseum Friday, May 8 8:00 AM • Spring Watercolor Show — Frazier Memorial Library — MSU Campus 4:00 PM • Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides opens— LCCC Grounds • McDonalds Presents LASER TAG LCCC Grounds • Galley Alley Food Booth LCCC Grounds • Galley Alley Dining Area sponsored by Lloyd Lauw Collision Center • Pirate Marketplace • “Great American Duck Race” — LCCC Grounds 6:00 PM • Jean Lafitte & Buccaneers Pirate Parade 7:30 PM • Contraband Days Presents “Whiskey South” — Malibu Stage

9:00 PM • Contraband Days Presents “Wade Bowen” — Malibu Stage Saturday, May 9 6:00 AM • Cajun Pirate Barbeque Cook-off check in — LCCC Grounds 8:00 AM • Sailboat Regatta Registration — Lake Charles Yacht Club • 33rd Annual Lake Area Runners 5-Miler Race Begins — Capital One Tower 9:00 AM • Cajun Pirate Barbeque Cook-off Chef Cook meeting — LCCC Grounds 10:00 AM • Cajun Days Presents “Howard Noel Jr & Cajun Boogie” — LCCC Exhibition Hall 10:30 AM • Sailboat Regatta Begins—Lake Charles Yacht Club 11:00 AM • Cajun Pirate Barbeque Cook-off Seafood Judging — LCCC Grounds Noon • McDonalds Presents “Laser Tag” — LCCC Grounds • Cajun Pirate Barbeque Cook-off Chicken Judging — LCCC Grounds • Children’s Pirate Costume Contest — LCCC Exhibition Hall • “Great American Duck Races” — LCCC Grounds • Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides — LCCC Grounds • Galley Alley Food Booths — LCCC Grounds • Galley Alley Dining Area sponsored by Lloyd Lauw Collision Center • Pirate Marketplace 1:00 PM • Cajun Pirate Barbeque Cook-off Rib Judging — LCCC Grounds 2:00 PM • Cajun Pirate Barbeque Cook-off Wild Game Judging — LCCC Grounds • “Show Me Your Dinghy” Boat Contest 3:00 PM • Cajun Pirate Barbeque Cook-off Boston Butt Judging — LCCC Grounds • Jean Lafitte & Buccaneers Pirate Parade 4:00 PM • Lake Charles Power Squadron presents “I Showed My Dinghy” a Contraband Days Boat Parade (14’ and under)

• Cajun Days Presents “Mack Manuel & the Lake Charles Ramblers” — LCCC Exhibition Hall

4:30 PM • Lake Charles Power Squadron presents “Celtic Currachs” Irish Boats 5:00 PM • Contraband Presents “Bad Habits” — Malibu Stage • Cajun Pirate Barbeque Cook-off Judging Results — LCCC Grounds • Lake Charles Power Squadron presents “Contraband Days Boat Parade” 6:00 PM • Jean Lafitte & Buccaneers Pirate Parade 6:35 PM • Contraband Days Presents “Johnnie Allan” in concert — Malibu Rum Stage 7:30 PM • HOT 97.9 Dance-Off — LCCC Grounds 8:05 PM • Contraband Days Presents “Louisiana Express” with Chris Flowers and John Ieyoub — Elvis in concert — Malibu Rum Stage 9:00 PM • Jean Lafitte & Buccaneers Pirate Parade 10:00 PM • “Spectacular Fireworks Show” Sunday, May 10 Noon • McDonalds Presents “LASER TAG” — LCCC Grounds • Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides — LCCC Grounds • “Great American Duck Race” — LCCC Grounds • Galley Alley Food Booths — LCCC Grounds • Galley Alley Dining Area sponsored by Lloyd Lauw Collision Center • Pirate Marketplace 3:00 PM • Jean Lafitte & Buccaneers Pirate Parade — LCCC Grounds 3:30 PM • Jean Lafitte & Buccaneers Board Boats and depart— LCCC Grounds

For the Daily carnival ride specials call 1-888-535-2144 Service provided by Southwest Call Center All Events take place at the Lake Charles Civic Center (LCCC) Grounds unless noted

continued from p23 his passion for helping French refugees and the local inhabitants of the swamps. Each year as we celebrate Contraband Days the goal is to promote the local business and bring tourists to Lake Charles. The Buccaneers were formed to give the festival a theme of real life experience and a face to make the legends breathe. The members willingly take time out of their lives to play pirate. The expenses incurred from the costumes and trinkets are a fair trade for the smiles and laughter of the crowds. The two weeks of Contraband Days is but a small portion of what the Buccaneers give the community all year long. Nothing is ever asked in exchange for what is given to the community except a request to come to Contraband Days and enjoy. Contraband Days has something for everyone. For some it is the traditional corn dog, funnel cake, turkey leg, or just a chicken on a stick. But whatever it is, Galley Alley can fill the craving only festival food can reach. The music is the best deal in town, for a $5.00 gate admission that includes every type of popular music in several different venues. Dancing is hard to resist when your toe starts tapping and the blood begins to race. Sunset on the lake with the boats flying flags and the colors reflected on the water is something directly from the pages of a great writer. There is something about spending time around boats and good friends that puts the world at ease. There is never a moment you do not hear laughing from the carnival and the many rides. Children can be caught up for hours amid the bright colors and thrilling spins, turns, and plunges that make grown-ups turn green. But for others it is the leisurely walk among the booths of jewelry, clothes, and trinkets that will relax and remind them that summer is just around the corner. Young and old will feel a bit of happiness just seeing Pirates, Queens, Boats, and the Captain himself, Jean Lafitte.

April 16, 2009

Tennis, anyone? Fun, Friends and Fitness for adult beginners Six Saturdays, 1:00-3:00pm, beginning May 9. One-time fee of $30 includes lessons, exercise and play at different local tennis facilities. Contact: Raegan Ferrington 532-2336 elzbthraeg@aol.com Sponsored by the Lake Area Community Tennis Association

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April 16, 2009

Dave Evans’ Earthfest 09 Sure to be Green, Rockin,’ and Runnin’ By Nancy Cor rero Dave Evan’s Earthfest 09 Sure to be Green, Rockin,’ and Runnin’ By Nancy Correro Nearly 20 million Americans participated in the first Earth Day celebration on April 22, 1970. In the decades since, Earth Day has spread across the globe with thousands of events in more than 180 countries. In this corner of the world, Dave Evans, owner of the Luna Bar and Grill in downtown Lake Charles, will be hosting Earthfest 09. “This years Earthfest is going to be enormous. We’ve got the 5k marathon that is going to start here and end here,” said Evans. There will be approximately 300 people running in the 5k. Runners will enjoy a reception afterward with a pasta dinner, beer, and finishing T-shirts. Ryan Street in front of Luna’s will be closed off from Broad to Division Street. The whole street is filled with green influenced events and all of the live music

happens on Luna’s stage. “It’s basically a big party that I host,” said Evans. “It’s a celebration for everyone who comes, the Earth, and all of this is educational.” Evans is trying to get everyone that makes a difference with the “green thing” to be a participant and not just the people who bring their paper to be recycled, but the companies that are going green and trying to make a difference. “This isn’t about making money, that’s what I do everyday, this is awareness, this is a celebration, another reason for us to enjoy our wonderful downtown and embrace it.” Other attractions you will see at Earthfest 09 are Sam Houston State Park’s booth, different flea market vendors, and massage therapists. There will be a skateboard demonstration from Ripper’s Skate Park. Billy Navarre is a sponsor and they’ll have hybrids parked for people to see. At last years Earthfest there were a bunch of acoustic acts,

“This isn’t about making money, that’s what I do everyday, this is awareness, this is a celebration, another reason for us to enjoy our wonderful downtown and embrace it.” - Dave Evans

April 16, 2009

some duos, and it was extremely limited because the noise ordinance hadn’t been changed, said Evans. He fought for the cities noise ordinance to be altered downtown. Evans bought his place with the intention of having live bands play on his outdoor stage. “The noise ordinance can’t be the same here as the rest of the city if they’re going to call it an ‘entertainment district’.” Lake Charles is a stopping ground off I-10 with New Orleans, Houston, and Austin not far, it’s the perfect place for bands to stop in and play. Evans has many bands call him to play Luna. The Lee Boys played on Conan O’Brien about three months after they played Luna. This year Evans has teamed up with Calcasieu Parish as a supporting sponsor with their “Don’t be Trashy” campaign. His fiscal agent is The Arts and Humanities Council. “Irene Vandever and Jackie Dowden helped me and they’re wonderful, wonderful people. They don’t get recognized for all they do.” Dave Evans has been in Lake Charles his entire life, “born and raised.” He was 13 when his parents opened Dave’s Oyster House, which is where Dave got his feet wet in the restaurant business. His Father passed away in 1997 and Dave said his dad was the glue that made the restaurant work. “He was the mediator between all of us that ran everything.” Evans lived in Austin, TX and California for a while, but like a lot of us, he realized that his

hometown was a special place and there was no where else like it in the world. Now, with Luna, Evans is the “glue” that holds everything together and makes his restaurant work, which is evident when he is seen greeting people table after table. “I want to accentuate the positive side of Lake Charles,” he said “we’ve got I-10 that passes over a Lake that our downtown sits on, nobody else has that.” Evans is also trying to make the city aware of local music and art. Everybody knows what New Orleans has and Lafayette has and Acadiana has and Evans thinks Lake Charles has all of that, but the culture is a little bit different here. “I guess my main focus is to fill that question mark and to make people understand that Chuck can be good too. “I’ve got three kids that I don’t want to see go anywhere,” he said, “I want them to appreciate this place how I have learned to appreciate it.” Earthfest 09 begins at 8:00 a.m. Friday April, 17. At 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m., the bands Oak Decline, Fresh Nectar, Jabarvy, and Riverside Railway take the stage. On Saturday April, 18 at 2:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. the bands Jabarvy, Funkotron, 6 Pack Deep, Fondue Monks, Little Brother Project, and Frogs Gone Fishin go on. The 5k begins at 4:00p.m., April 18 with registration from 3:00-3:45. For more information go to www. lunabarandgrill.com or call 337-494-5862.

Not your Typical Pirates By Nancy Correro Bowling for the Kids

The organization Big Brothers Big Sisters of South West Louisiana had their annual fundraiser Bowl for Kids’ Sake in March. The Buccaneers were there to help with the fundraising at Petro Bowl. “The Buccaneers raid the bowling alley every year they come out and they throw beads—this year they had two teams—it’s a party atmosphere and we try to make it as fun for the bowlers as possible,” said Daryl Boyd, Marketing director for BBBS of SWLA. This year the Buccaneers raised approximately a thousand dollars. “What we try to do is make it fun for everybody instead of us just going and bowling we roam the area and try to mingle and make everybody smile and have a good time,” said Troy Kiser, one of the Buccaneers. Kiser has been with the Buccaneers for“5 or 6 years” and has been participating in Bowl for Kids’ Sake every year. This year the DJ put on a line dance song and the Buccaneers “took over about 5 or 6 bowling lanes and everybody stopped bowling and we just danced for a while,” said Kiser, “everybody had a good time.”

“So far we have raised about $154, 600 dollars with the Bowl for Kids’ Sake and there is still money coming in,” said Daryl Boyd, we still have a couple of sponsors still out and I’m hoping that we will raise about $157,000 when it’s all done.” The money is funneled into all of the BBBS of SWLA’s. It’s also used, which most people don’t know, to insure every “match” that they have. A match is a Big Brother with a little Brother and a Big Sister with a Little Sister. “Any time that they are together they are covered under our policy which is where a lot of the money will go to,” said Boyd. Also money will go to activities—they try to do at least one activity a month for the matches and for the kids that are on the waiting list so they don’t feel like they’re forgotten.

About those Pirates

The Buccaneers have been bringing good cheer to the Lake Charles community for almost 50 years. Contraband Days was started in 1958 by some Lake Charles business owners that thought it would be good to attract some economic development into the area. And, of course, it had a pirate theme based on the Jean Lafitte legend. A couple of years later in 1960 those same people started an organization, social group with a pirate theme and called themselves the Buccaneers of Lake Charles. “It’s fluctuated from year to year but we have about 120 members made up of business owners, regular people, attorneys, judges, all kinds of people—so it’s a

nice social organization,” said Kiser. For Contraband days they’re always there serving as good will ambassadors. The organization does many things for the community. When groups come into town holding conferences the tourism bureau will contact them and ask them to do what the buccaneers call a “raid”. Recently, Citgo was having an event at L’Auberge with Citgo people from all over the United States and the world that came in for the conference, said Kiser, and we raided it took over the meeting for a little bit, and take the president of the company hostage—it’s a lot of fun. You never know where the Buccaneers will show up. They’re the “mascots” for the Swashbucklers football team. They cheer and shoot black powder pistols when the Swashbucklers score.

BBBS of SWLA Fundraising and Volunteering

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana offers a large number of services to the community. A variety of mentoring opportunities are provided for the volunteers such as, various group activities, summer camps, after-school programs and computer classes for seniors. There are offices in DeRidder and Jennings as well. Visit www. bbbs-swla.net to find out more information on how you can volunteer or participate in fundraising events. If you want to participate in next years Bowl for Kids’ Sake you can. It is for anyone who wishes to help. “The bowlers are the general public, the industries and companies in the area like Conoco Philips, PPG, banks, and we have individual teams where families and friends will get together—it’s really open to anyone in the community,” said Daryl Boyd. The next Bowl for Kids’ Sake will be held next February 27, 2010 at Petro Bowl.

April 16, 2009

Local Election Wrap-Up By Jessica Ferguson

On Saturday, April 4th, only 29 percent of Lake Charles’ registered voters showed up at the polls to vote in the highly contested mayoral race. “And that was just the city of Lake Charles, the parish-wide numbers were even lower,” said H. Lynn Jones, Clerk of Court. Jones says it was actually better than expected. “We’ve become a busy society. We used to go to work, church, then home to spend time with family. There weren’t a lot of distractions out there. “Jones is passionate about the importance of voting. “A lot of people gave their lives for us to have the privilege,” he said. Mayor Randy Roach, who won another four year term against challenger Billy Pharr said, “It’s always a little bit disappointing when you don’t have a big voter turnout, but realistically, it’s what they predicted state-wide.” Roach says he’s grateful for another term and had the opportunity to reconnect with people during his campaign. “Any time you campaign and have a chance to go door to door and talk with people, you get a renewed sense of what people are concerned about, and what your long term infrastructure needs are, and yes we go into a campaign with an agenda, but the process reminds us of the needs of the citizens,” Roach said. Mark Eckard who ran for the District G City Council seat faced a run-

off against John Fontenot until Fontenot called KPLC on April 7th to concede and give the win to Eckard. The race for City Council, District G, proves that every vote counts. Eckard needed only one more vote to claim the council seat without a run-off. Another run off is the District 4 Public Service Commission. Former U.S. Representative Clyde Holloway and State Senator Joe McPherson will find their names on the ballots again. “I don’t understand why people didn’t turn out to vote in this race,” Lynn Jones said. “It’s important. This is the office that regulates our utilities in southwest and central Louisiana.” More election results from around the area: Lake Charles City Council • Council Member, District A - Marshall Simien • Council Member, District B - Luvertha August •

Councill Member, District C - Rodney Geyen

• •

Council Member, District F- Dana Carl Jackson Council Member, District G – Mark Eckard Chief of Police – Town of Vinton Ricky Fox Council Members for Town of Vinton • Council Member “B.B.” Loyd • Council Member Kevin Merchant • Council Member Bliss Bujard • Council Member Harold Douga • Council Member Paul Patin Jennings Results • Jennings Mayor - Terry Duhon • City Council District B Johnny Armentor • City Council District C - Trey Myers • City Council District D Anthony P. LeBlanc • City Council District E – Stevie VanHook DeRidder Results District 4 Council - DeRidder: Elizabeth S. Granger The parish-wide renewal of a 5.98 mill, 10 year property tax to fund law enforcement district operations passed.

April 16, 2009

“A Man Named Pearl” Tells the Heartfelt Story of Pearl Fryar The Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana, in conjunction with the Lake Area Film Group, presents “A Man Named Pearl” with Producer/Director Scott Galloway as part of the Southern Arts Federation’s Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers at Historic Central School Theatre on Thursday, April 16th. Following

a screening of his documentary, “A Man Named Pearl,” Galloway will engage the audience in a discussion about the film and his work as a filmmaker. A reception with the filmmaker immediately follows the screening. This event is free to the public and will be the final screening provided under the previous two-year agreement between Southern Arts Federation and the Council. “A Man Named Pearl” tells the inspiring story of self-taught topiary artist Pearl Fryar, whose unlikely journey to national prominence began with a bigoted remark. In 1976, Pearl took

a job in a canning factory in Bishopville, South Carolina. He and his family looked at a home in an all-white neighborhood. One homeowner voiced the collective concern: “Blacks can’t keep up their yards.” Pearl was stung by the racial stereotype, but rather than become embittered, he was motivated. He bought a home in a “black” neighborhood and began fashioning a garden with the modest goal of becoming the first AfricanAmerican to win Bishopville’s “Yard of the Month” award. Pearl rescued throw-away plants from the local nursery, restored them to health and began cutting unusual and

“I offer my deep and sincere thanks to everyone for their support and vote in the recent election, particularly the gracious way in which you encouraged my wife Nancy and I during the campaign…for that we will be forever grateful. Special thanks go to my many friends and supporters who worked with us … their hard work and support throughout the campaign has been wonderful and is greatly appreciated. I also want to thank Mr. Billy Pharr and his supporters; it’s obvious we all share a common desire to make this city a better place in which to live. I am committed to doing everything I can to honor the trust and confidence you have placed in me and understand fully the responsibility of continuing the work of rebuilding and improving our City. Finally…I look forward to working with our new City Council and assure you, I will continue to make you and your families proud to call Lake Charles, Louisiana home.”

Randy Roach, Mayor Paid for by the Committee to Re-elect Randy Roach Mary Beth Connor, Chairman

abstract shapes into the plants. Thirty years later he has created a magical three-acre wonderland that annually draws thousands of visitors from around the world. Now 67, Pearl’s topiary garden generates much-needed tourism for Lee County, the poorest county in the state of South Carolina. But the impact that Pearl and his garden have on his community transcends economics. As Pearl’s minister says of the garden, “It’s the one place in South Carolina that people can go, both black and white, and feel love.” Told in a candid and often humorous way, the film opens both hearts and minds by offering an important message that speaks to respect for both self and others. “A Man Named Pearl” won the Crystal Heart and Audience Choice awards at the Heartland Film Festival, was a Critics Choice award winner at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and an Audience Choice award winner at the Salem Film Festival. Director Scott Galloway has produced or executive produced more than 650 television programs for networks including ABC, A&E, Court TV, ESPN, Food Network, HGTV, History Channel and the Travel Channel. He has won an Emmy and more than twenty Telly awards. In 1999, Galloway co-founded Tentmakers Entertainment, a television and film production company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tentmakers went on to produce more than 500 television programs for six different networks. In 2007, Galloway formed Susie Films to specialize in high-end documentary film production. He recently directed and produced a second feature-length documentary, “Children of All Ages.” Galloway is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and lives with his wife and three children in Davidson, North Carolina. Southern Arts Federation is supported by funding and programming partnerships with the National Endowment for the Arts and the state arts agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. For more information on the Southern Arts Federation and its programs visit www.southarts.org For more information about this, or other Council programming, please call (337) 439-2787 or visit our website at www.artsandhumanitiesswla.org

April 16, 2009

Twilight (2008) rrrr (Grade B) Directed by Catherine Hardwicke Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Nikki Reed, Billy Burke, Sarah Clarke, Peter Facinelli, Cam Gigandet, Elizabeth Reaser, Justin Chon, Anna Kendrick, Jackson Rathbone Summit Entertainment—Rated PG-13— Horror—122 min “Twilight Series” author Stephenie Meyer and film director Catherine Hardwicke, understand the nature of youthful longing. Set against the rain-drenched forests of Forks, Washington, Bella’s steamy emotions merge with the area’s omnipresent mist. Having recently arrived to live with her father, Bella (Stewart) declines a request to be interviewed for the high school paper with, “No Thanks, I’m more the suffer-in-silence type.” She joins a group of smart kids, but holds herself apart until Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) strides into frame. Soon, he and Bella are all furtive glances and sighs. After saving Bella’s life using his super-strength, Edward avoids her questions. She brushes his hand—it’s ice cold! Finally, Bella figures out he’s a (gulp!) vampire. He runs and leaps with the speed and power of a big cat. She is entranced. While Edward and his family subsist on animal blood, a trio of gypsy vampires seek to make Bella their next victim. Hardwicke’s camera circles and circles her star-crossed lovers to convey their intense longing. Young girls swoon for this self-sacrificing hero while identifying with the love-struck, but independent-minded heroine. Expect much sighing and many sequels. Bolt, DVD and Blu-Ray (2008) rrr (Grade B) Directed by Byron Howard Chris Williams Voices of John Travolta, Malcolm McDowell, Kari Wahlgren, Susie Essman, Chloe Grace Moretz, Miley Cyrus, Sean Donnellan, Mark Walton Buena Vista—Rated PG—Comedy—96 min John Travolta voices Bolt, a celebrity dog from a hit TV show starring Bolt as a superhero. After he’s accidentally shipped to the East coast, Bolt is surprised to find his superpowers no longer function. Believing his owner, Penny (Cyrus), is being held captive in Hollywood, Bolt relies on his natural canine abilities, and help from his

April 16, 2009

newfound buddies, to get back home where he plans to save Penny. Bolt’s tour guide, a cynical cat (Essman), and a hamster (Walton)—encased in a clear plastic ball—cheer Bolt on. The animation boasts a crisp, detailed picture, but it’s the likeable characters and observant story that will appeal to viewers. 2-Disc DVD features: Deleted Scenes, Super Rhino short, Featurettes: A New Breed Of Director - A Filmmaker’s Journey, The Voices of Bolt, Creating The World of Bolt, Miley Cyrus and John Travolta Sing “I Thought I Lost You” In Studio, DisneyFile Digital Copy, (unspecified) English 3-Disc Blu-Ray features same plus: A DVD of the film, Games: Bolt’s BeAwesome Mission Game, Disney BD-Live, English 5.1 DTS-HD Audio or 5.1 Spanish language tracks. Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic, DVD, Blu-Ray (2009) rr (Grade C) Created by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons Warner—Not Rated—Animated—360 min Those interested in the “Watchmen’s” origins need look no further than this animated version of the graphic novel by author Alan Moore, and illustrator Dave Gibbons. Convoluted and more than 5-hours in length, the pair has constructed an alternate America set in 1985. Costumed crime-fighters have been outlawed and the story’s only superhero is a scientist turned into an indifferent, immortal blue entity following a laboratory accident. With nuclear war looming, masked adventurer Rorschach seeks to solve the murder of his fellow crime-fighter, The Comedian. The story gives a gratifying beat-down to the era’s ubiquitous smiley-face buttons, but overall is misanthropic, gratuitously violent and tedious. 2-Disc DVD features: featurette: Sneak Peak at DC Universe’s Animated Wonder Woman DVD, DD 5.1 English language track, widescreen. Milk, DVD and Blu-Ray (2008) rrrr (Grade A-) Directed by Gus Van Sant Starring Josh Brolin, Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, James Franco, Diego Luna, Alison Pill, Victor Garber, James Franco Universal—Rated R—Drama—129 min This biopic of San Francisco board supervisor, Harvey Milk, is a thoroughly absorbing study of

complex politics, grassroots movements, and the battle necessary to achieve gay rights. Depicting events leading to Milk’s 1977 murder, the film paints an intimate portrait of Milk’s commitment to serve the public as an openly gay man. Sean Penn’s moving performance is deserving of his “Best Actor” nod, while Josh Brolin is devastatingly good as former Supervisor, Dan White. The story wouldn’t be complete without right-on performances by James Franco and Diego Luna as Milk’s younger lovers. DVD features: deleted scenes, Featurettes: Remembering Harvey, Hollywood Comes to San Francisco, Marching for Equality, DD 5.1 SS English or French language tracks, Spanish subtitles, widescreen. Blu-Ray features same except: BD-Live: Download Center: deleted scenes, My Scenes Sharing, English DTSHD Master Audio 5.1 language track. Rachel Getting Married, DVD and Blu-Ray (2008) rrr (Grade B) Directed by Jonathan Demme Starring Debra Winger, Anne Hathaway, Bill Irwin, Anna Deavere Smith, Mather Zickel, Tunde Adebimpe, Rosemarie DeWitt, Anisa George, Debra Winger Sony—Rated R—Drama—113 min This solid film was written by Jenny Lumet, daughter of director Sidney Lumet and granddaughter of Lena Horne. When the family gathers to celebrate Rachel’s (DeWitt) impending wedding, the multiracial group smacks of Ms. Lumet’s own experience. But the author throws us a ringer in the person of Kym (Hathaway)—the bride’s recovering addict sister. Lashing out in anger, guilt and shame is part of Kym’s pathology, but the family makes room for her behavior. Filmed largely with a handheld camera and using only the music played for the festivities, this film’s redeeming qualities are many—a deal sealed by Hathaway’s Oscar-nominated performance. DVD features: Commentary with actor Rosemarie DeWitt, producer Neda Armian, screenwriter Jenny Lumet and editor Tim Squyres, deleted scenes, Cast and Crew Q&A, featurettes: The Wedding Band, Behind the Scenes, DD 5.1 English or French language tracks, widescreen. Blu-Ray features same plus: BD-Live.

as a pedophile, while Scott’s character is tasked with playing big brother to a “Dungeons and Dragons” freak (Mintz-Plasse). Jane Lynch shows up as tough-talking den mother, contributing to a cast hitting all the right notes. Written by director David Wain and actor Paul Rudd, this frequently mean-spirited offering balances Rudd’s world-weary sharpie against Scott’s dot-to-dot ding-a-ling. Dual-sided DVD features: Both Rated and Unrated versions of the film, director commentary with Co-writer David Wain, deleted scenes and Alternate Takes, Bloopers, featurettes: On the Set of Role Models, In-Character & Off Script, Creating a Role Playing World (interactive), DD 5.1 SS English, French or Spanish language tracks, widescreen. Blu-Ray features same except: U-Control Picture in Picture On Unrated Version, BD-Live, English DTSHD Master Audio 5.1 or French or Spanish DTS 5.1 SS language tracks. Cadillac Records, DVD and Blu-Ray (2008) rrr (Grade B) Directed by Darnell Martin Starring Jeffrey Wright, Adrien Brody, Mos Def, Beyonce Knowles, Cedric the Entertainer, Gabrielle Union, Columbus Short, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Eamonn Walker Sony—Rated R—Drama—108 min Adrien Brody plays Leonard Chess, the founder of a 1950s record label featuring African American blues singers. Notable for outstanding musical performances, “Cadillac Records” refers to the cars Chess purchases for his most valuable musicians. Songs by Muddy Waters (Wright), Chuck Berry (Def) and Etta James (Knowles) inform the soundtrack, though the script remains ambiguous about whether Chess paid his musicians fairly. His biopic breathlessly touches on important musical influences, but lives in the blues that birthed rock-’n’-roll. DVD features: director commentary, Deleted Scenes, Cadillac Records by Design, Making Of featurette, DD 5.1 English language track, French subtitles, widescreen. Blu-Ray features same plus: BD-Live: The Chess Record Player – An Interactive Music Playlist, DD SS Stereo English or Dolby True HD 5.1 English, or French language tracks.

Role Models, DVD and Blu-Ray (2008) rrr (Grade B) Directed by David Wain Starring Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Elizabeth Banks, Jane Lynch, Bobb’e J. Thompson Universal—Rated R—Comedy—102 min

Hannah Montana: Keeping it Real (2007) rr (Grade C-) Created by Richard Correll, Barry O’Brien, Michael Poryes Starring Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus, Emily Osment, Jason Earles Buena Vista—Not Rated—Comedy—113 min

After wrecking school property while driving a company-owned truck, two energy drink salesmen (Rudd and Scott) are ordered to do community service as mentors to maladjusted teens. Rudd’s character is assigned to help a foulmouthed brat (Thompson) whose singular goal is framing him

If you have a daughter aged 6 to 12, there isn’t much about Hannah Montana you don’t already know. Miley Cyrus, aka Hannah Montana, has become a teeny-bopper sensation. Miley brings it when she sings it, but it’s unlikely she’d be a major star without the Disney TV series.

The gimmick is that regular girl Miley Stewart is secretly rock star Hannah Montana. Though Miley frets endlessly about boys and clothes, she rarely rehearses before taking the stage as Hannah. Miley’s career is managed by her dad, a cool dude underplayed by Miley’s real-life dad, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. Miley’s apple cart is frequently upset by Jackson, her screwball younger brother played by Jason Earles, the actor’s inept comedy is painful to watch. Talented Emily Osment plays a Miley’s sidekick and best friend, though she could easily carry a show of her own. As chirpy as it is brightly colored, “Hannah Montana” isn’t aimed at adults. However, the show asks young audiences to buy a blonde wig as sufficient disguise for Hannah. Additionally, there’s no acknowledgement that creating a top flight stage show is time-consuming and hard work. Despite Miley Cyrus’s advantages, she’s worked diligently to achieve her success, but “Hannah Montana” wants kids to believe she just rolls out of bed and it’s there for her. DVD features: Featurette: Miley’s Makeover: Hannah Gets a New Look, DD Stereo English, French or Spanish language tracks, full-screen.

Marley and Me, DVD or Blu-Ray (2008) rrr (Grade B-) Directed by David Frankel Starring Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson, Alan Arkin, Kathleen Turner, Eric Dane Fox—Rated PG—Comedy—110 min This comedy draws on the life of columnist John Grogan. When young John (Wilson) and his wife (Aniston) settle into their first home, they choose a puppy from a litter of adorable yellow Labrador Retrievers. The pup, named Marley, turns their home into a destruction zone before growing into a humping, pooping, leash-breaking machine. Needless to say, John, his wife, and their children still love Marley like a member of the family. Considering that Christmas puppies are popular gifts, “Marley’s” release may be a window on what’s to come for puppy owners -- perhaps at your house. DVD features: director and cast commentary, deleted scenes, Featurettes: Finding Marley, Breaking the Golden Rule, On Set with Marley: Dog of All Trades, Animal Adoption, When Not to Pee, Purina Dog Chow Marley & Me Video Contest Finalists, Purina Dog Chow Video Hall of Fame, Behind the Scenes: How Many Takes, Interactive Marley-Cam, Gag Reel, Forced Trailers, Digital Copy, Subtitles English, Spanish DD 5.1 English, DD SS French or Spanish language tracks, widescreen. 2-Disc Blu-Ray features same plus: Dog Training 101 featuring Bonus View Video, Interactive: Dog Training Trivia Track game, Marley-Cam, Digital Copy, separate disc with the film on DVD, DTS HD Master Audio English or DD 5.1 French, Portuguese or Spanish language tracks, Cantonese, Mandarin or Korean subtitles. Slumdog Millionaire, DVD or BluRay (2008) rrrr (Grade A-) Directed by Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan Starring Anil Kapoor, Dev Patel, Irrfan Khan, Madhur Mittal, Freida Pinto Fox—Rated R—Drama—120 min Set against the backdrop of India’s overwhelming poverty, this drama delves into the efforts of teenager Jamal (Patel) to secure his turn on India’s version of “Who Wants to be A Millionaire?” Though being selected as an on-air

contestant is a stunning accomplishment, Jamal’s climb toward the 25 million dollar rupee prize is really an expression of his love for Latika (Pinto), a fan of the show. Director Danny Boyle cuts back and forth between Jamal’s game show experience and Jamal’s previous attempts as a telemarketer to cash in on the country’s newfound opportunities. Frenzied camera work and a plot stuck in high gear are small concessions to seeing American culture reflected in Indian primetime. Winner of 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. DVD features: Commentary with Director Danny Boyle and Actor Dev Patel or with Producer Christian Colson and writer Simon Beaufoy, 12 deleted scenes, Slumdog Cutdown featurette, Slumdog Dreams with Danny Boyle & Making-of featurette, Forced Trailers, DD 5.1 English or DD SS French language tracks, Spanish Subtitles, widescreen. 2-disc Blu-Ray features same plus: From script to screen: Toilet Scene, Indian Short Film: Manjha Bombay Liquid Dance, Trailer Farm, BD Bootstrap, Digital Copy, DTS SS 5.1 English or DD 5.1 French language tracks. Quantum of Solace, DVD or Blu-Ray (2008) rrr (Grade B) Directed by Marc Forster Starring Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Jesper Christensen, Joaquin Cosio, Gemma Arterton Sony—Rated PG-13—Action—107 min Daniel Craig’s 007 undertakes a mission to punish a greedy international businessman (Amalric). Olga Kurylenko appears as a local beauty attracting Bond’s attention, and Dench returns as M, 007’s prickly boss. Big car chases inform even bigger set pieces that exploit the splendor of the Italian Alps and the vistas of Bolivia’s plains. Coherent storytelling takes a back seat to explosive action and anti-American sentiment—but it’s all in good fun, right? DVD features: “Another Way to Die” music video, trailers, DD 5.1, DTS SS 5.1 English or DD 5.1 French or Spanish language tracks, widescreen. Blu-Ray features same plus: Featurettes: Bond on Location, Start of Shooting, On Location, Olga Kurylenko and the Boat Chase, Director Marc Forster, The Music, Crew Files, trailers, DTS HD Master Audio English, DD 5.1 French, Spanish, or DTS 5.1 Portuguese language tracks, widescreen. Stephen Hawking & The Theory of Everything (2007) rrrr (Grade A-) Starring Stephen Hawking, John Schwarz, Lisa Randall, Michio Kaku Acorn Media—Not Rated—Documentary—90 min How do black holes, string theory, super symmetry, extra dimensions, and the mysterious M force combine to produce the theory of everything? Renowned physicist, Stephen Hawking, believes we stand on the precipice of formulating a unified theory explaining the forces that control the universe. Stricken with Lou Gehrig’s disease, Hawking can no longer speak nor move, save for his eyes, the only means he can use to type three words per minute. Incorporating his prerecorded lectures, delivered via a computer-generated voice, Hawking, aided by other scientists, CGI depictions and film footage, explains what we know in laymen’s terms. The result is a mind-expanding view of the big picture. DVD features: DD 2.0 English language tracks, letterbox widescreen.

Lilo and Stitch: Big Wave Edition (2002) rrr (Grade B-) Directed by Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois Starring Tia Carrere, Ving Rhames Buena Vista—Rated PG—Animated Family—85 min Believing she is adopting a dog, little orphaned Lilo brings home Stitch, a blue, alien experiment displaying destructive impulses. Chased by his extraterrestrial creator, Stitch inadvertently endangers Lilo and her sisters before proving to be a welcome addition to her family. 2-Disc DVD features: deleted scenes, Music Video: “Your ‘Ohana” featuring The Hawaiian Chorus, “ICan’t Help Falling in Love with You” A-Teens music video, Featurette: Follow Stitch through the Disney Years, DisneyPedia: Explore The Hawaiian Islands, Interactive: Island Adventure Games, Behind-The-Scenes Look At Making The Film, DD 5.1 SS English, French or Spanish language tracks, widescreen. A Woman Called Golda (1982) rrrr (Grade A-) Directed by Alan Gibson Starring Ingrid Bergman, Ned Beatty, Jack Thompson, Robert Loggia, Leonard Nimoy, Judy Davis, Bruce Boa, Anne Jackson, Anthony Bate Paramount—Docu-Drama—199 min Israel’s fourth prime minister was a remarkable woman born in Russia and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The best TV mini-series ever made when it aired in 1982, “A Woman Called Golda” starred Ingrid Bergman in her final role. Bergman diligently researched her subject, wearing a prosthetic nose and a gray bun as Golda. Meir’s practicality,

acerbic wit, socialist politics, and military acumen surface in accordance with events. A determined but thoughtful politician, Meir raised $50 million dollars to arm her nation-state at its inception. Though the production takes minor dramatic license, the forces shaping Meir are carefully detailed and persuasively depicted. Leonard Nimoy appears as Meir’s husband, Ned Beatty as Senator John Durward, Franklin Cover is cast as Hubert Humphrey and Robert Loggia steps into the role of Anwar Sadat. More relevant than ever, “A Woman Called Golda” won three Emmys in 1982, and it remains a tale for the ages. DVD features: Original promo spot, Mono DD English language tracks, and full-screen. The Odd Couple: Centennial Collection (1968) rrrr (Grade A-) Directed by Gene Saks Starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau Paramount—Rated PG—Comedy—105 min This classic film stars Lemmon as finicky Felix Unger, a curmudgeonly neat freak compelled to take in his newly divorced friend, a slovenly sportswriter (Matthau). Polar opposite lifestyles aggravate and enrich their lives while propelling the pair to new levels of hysteria. Now digitally remastered in HD, try this antidote to the rainy day blues. 2-disc DVD features: Commentary with Charlie Matthau and Chris Lemmon, featurettes: In the Beginning…, Inside The Odd Couple, Memories from the Set, Matthau & Lemmon, The Odd Couple: A Classic, Theatrical Trailer, Production gallery, Movie gallery, DD 5.1 English or DD SS French or DD Mono Spanish language tracks, widescreen.

Treasure Fest is a bargain hunters dream! Sponsored by the City of DeRidder and Beauregard Tourist Commission, Treasure Fest is a one-spot, yard sale lot held under the tall pines, along the one-mile walking trail in DeRidder’s West Park.

Trash or treasure? Decide at Treasure Fest on May 2, 2009, 7am-until!

Beauregard Tourist Commission: 1-800-738-5534 April 16, 2009

By Nancy Correro The Swashbucklers, Lake Charles indoor football team, begins this season in a new league. It’s also a year of rebuilding and readjusting their defense. They were in the Intense Football League for three years and the IFL decided to merge with the United Indoor Football Association. They wanted to develop a national footprint and the Swashbucklers’ were “finished with the national footprint,” Thom Hager, the President of the Swashbucklers, said. “We didn’t want to fly to Anchorage or Fairbanks or Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We did not want to take a long bus ride to El Paso, Texas or St. Louis, Missouri. We wanted to play local teams or more of a regional team.” Being motivated by a desire to stay closer to home and not have to travel as far, they formed the Southern Indoor Football League and this year there will be 16 teams in the league. “We have 15 applications for expansion for 2010. But regardless, it’s still going to be a bus league. That way instead of leasing one bus for our players, we can lease one bus for our players and another bus for our fans,” Hager said. This change won’t hurt the pockets of fans. They’re looking to

April 16, 2009

reduce the ticket price a little and, even though the economy is strong in SWLA, every dollar counts. “We’re all about giving back. It’s a risky proposition to start a new league, there is no question, but it’s fiscally responsible, we believe our focus is affordable family entertainment and this league meets that criterion,” Hager said. Another way they’re helping this community is by using local players, “we’ve been able to do that primarily with the great program at McNeese State,” Hager said. Three former McNeese State Cowboys were signed for another year—Center Lance Fremin, defensive back Jonathan Walker, and defensive lineman John Paul Jones. “There’s been a huge pick up in Lance—he’s originally from Mississippi, we’re excited about him because he’s still active. He’s actually being looked at by the NFL as being drafted this upcoming spring,” Richard Dow, Swashbucklers General Manager, said. “John Paul Jones, who was the league MVP last season, played at McNeese and has been with us now going on his 4th season and there’s Jonathan Walker that may play both offense and defense for us this year,” he said. According to Dow their biggest

obstacle is going to be the defense because they lost a lot of their players. Their center for the Swashbucklers for the last three years Dwight Hudler, who is an assistant coach over at Westlake High School, “is finished playing.” Shawn Piper, who was probably the most popular player on the team, took a job in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s been a fan favorite for years. “Warren St. Junious, who played with the Land Sharks when it was the Lake Charles Land Sharks, put in 8 or 9 years and his knees have forced him to retire so he moved to Houston. Travis Moses out of Lafayette who was a predominate player the last couple of years, a linebacker, is gone. “So, we’ve got a lot of key holes we’ve got to try and fill this year and quite a few McNeese students are actually filling those,” Dow said. Opening night is April 25 with a new start time of 6:30. There are 6 home games and each will have a theme. Some of the festivities slated for the games will be the

Don Shetler Ford Tailgate Party, moonwalk for the kids, and Tony Chachere’s in the concession. There will be skydivers there for opening night, a wedding at halftime—first ever—and they’ll be giving away a 2010 Camero. May 16 will be mascot night and the May 23 game will be a Salute to the Freedom Fighters. “If you’ve never been to a game before, this is the one to go see because every branch of the armed forces will be there on the field in procession to their armed force song medley,” Hager said. In a prophetic moment, Hager stated his philosophy for his team’s success, “though there is risk involved, God is going to allow us those risks. He never lets us go through something alone and we know that. So when God takes us to the end of the cliff he expects us to jump in faith because. He’s either going to catch us or he’s going to teach us to fly—and that is why the Southern Football League has God’s favor and we will be successful.”

Last Issue’s Answers

Across 1 It’s made before blowing 5 Esteem 10 Pirate’s mugful 14 Jai ___ (ball game) 15 “Hello, ___ Be Going!” (Phil Collins album) 16 Charlie Chaplin’s wife O’Neill 17 With 52-across, song for long road trips, after the digital conversion? 20 Get rid of, after the digital conversion? 21 Satan’s equivalent, in Islam 22 He interviewed Obama 23 Waters, in Oaxaca 24 Labor relations class? 27 Airplane speed numbers 29 Auction site that owns Skype 30 With 35-across, Nick Lachey’s former boy band, after the digital conversion? 34 ___ Diego Chicken 35 See 30-across 37 Prefix meaning “height” 38 Do a basic surfing move, after the digital conversion? 40 Actress de Matteo of “Sons of Anarchy” 41 2008 documentary about the national debt 42 Full of spunk 44 Department that creates products, for short

46 Titmouse, e.g. 47 “Grey’s Anatomy” actress Katherine 48 Cat food brand, after the digital conversion? 52 See 17-across 55 Fashion house that released the perfume J’adore 56 Name of fine violin makers 57 Spot in the water 58 “___ McGee” (2006 animated series about a detective with no head, torso or arms) 59 Mascot of Kellogg’s Honey Smacks 60 Financial aid criterion Down 1 Letter presets used in place of arrows in keyboard-based computer games 2 Tennis Hall-of-Famer Nastase 3 ___-Coburg and Gotha (royal house of Europe) 4 Get the CD started, say 5 Brand that “gets the red out” 6 Acid in proteins 7 Sumptuousness 8 Type of computer port 9 D.D.E.’s command in WWII 10 Started in on lovemaking 11 Rockn___ (2008 U.K. movie) 12 “___ the loneliest number...” 13 Tenacious D bandmate Kyle 19 Twilight segment

18 California’s Santa ___ Valley 19 Hose 23 Twinge 24 Grateful Dead bass guitarist Phil 25 Four-line rhyme scheme 26 Singer-songwriter Aimee 27 Charla’s taller racing partner, on “The Amazing Race: All-Stars” 28 “A Death in the Family” writer James 30 They give people big heads 31 Respiratory disease in 2002 news 32 Rapper who appeared in “Johnny Mnemonic” 33 Look deeper inside? 35 Draw idly 36 Exiting Israeli prime minister Olmert 39 How some Christmas cookies taste 40 Question from an unsure competitor 42 “The Broken American Male: And How to ___” (2008 book) 43 Perry Mason creator ___ Stanley Gardner 44 Reconfigures a mortgage loan, slangily 45 Sony robotic pets 46 Word that partners with “danke” 47 “Today” cohost Kotb 48 Get caught on 49 Florist’s holder 50 Dakota Fanning’s younger sister 51 It goes downhill pretty quickly 53 Like, totally bitchin’ 54 “___ To Fu” (part of the 2008 Damon Albarn project “Monkey: Journey to the West”)

April 16, 2009

The Golden Dragon Acrobats Perform at Civic Center April 19 The Golden Dragon Acrobats, a 25-member company of athletes, actors and artists from the PeopleÂšs Republic of China, will perform at 8p.m. Sunday, April 19, in the Rosa Hart Theatre of the Lake Charles Civic Center. The troupe is the only Chinese acrobatic company touring year-round in the United States. The performance will be jointly presented by the McNeese Banners Cultural Series and the city of Lake Charles. Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for students and free to McNeese students with ID. They are available in advance at the Lake Charles Civic Center box office (491-1432) or online at www.banners.org. The troupe was formerly scheduled to perform in Lake Charles Sept. 5, but disruptions caused by Hurricane Gustav forced a cancellation. All tickets purchased for the earlier performance will be honored at the April 19 performance. People with those tickets will sit in the seats specified on their tickets. Banners Series members will sit in a reserved section. In addition to the Sunday performance, the troupe will present a free program for K-12 students on Monday at 10:30 a.m. The school performance is made possible by donations from Dr. and Mrs. Ordinario Jr., West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, CleanFuelUSA, Empire of the Seed, and the American Press. The troupe has prepared a study guide for students and teachers, which is available on its Web site, www.goldendragonacrobats.com. The Golden Dragon Acrobats represent the best of a timehonored tradition that began more than 25 centuries ago. It is the premiere Chinese acrobatic touring company of today and has toured continuously since 1978. The group has performed in all 50 states and in more than 65 countries. The show combines award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and contemporary music and theatrical. In November 2005, the Golden Dragon Acrobats made its Broadway debut to a sold out audience. Its Broadway run over the next six weeks led to universal critical acclaim from the New York press. The run was highlighted by the Golden Dragons receiving two prestigious New York Drama Desk nominations, Danny Chang for Unique Theatrical Experience and Angela Chang for Best Choreography. The routines that the Golden Dragon Acrobats perform became wildly popular in China about 2,500 years ago when acrobatics began to evolve from the working lives of its people. Instruments of labor, such as tridents and wicker rings, and articles of daily use such as tables,

April 16, 2009

chairs, jars, plates, and bowls began to be used as performance props. This unorganized form of entertainment and leisure eventually evolved into a form of performance that became recognizable to the Chinese people. Since these early times, acrobatics has evolved into many forms of performances including dance, opera, martial arts and sports. Lately, especially during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Chinese acrobatics has served a role in the cultural exchange between China and Western nations. According to the troupeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creator Chang, the citizens of China continue to present their acrobatic art for the world today in order to portray the hard working nature of the Chinese people and set forth an example of the rich traditions of Chinese culture.

The buzzword for today is “networking.” Networking is easy; you’ve probably been doing it all your life and barely realized it. You tell friends about a good hairdresser, a decent mechanic, a trustworthy housecleaner. They, in turn, give you names of a good accountant, a decent tutor, a trustworthy babysitter. You make connections. You put people in touch with others. That “six degrees of separation” stuff is no lie. It’s not what you know, but who you know that makes life turn. But in the new novel “The Long Fall” by Walter Mosely, who you knew could get you killed. When a man wants to turn a new leaf and “go from crooked to only slightly bent”, he tries to

stay away from things that get him into trouble. But private eye Leonid (Father was a Communist) McGill (grandpa’s slave name) couldn’t seem to shake the bad that followed him. It was supposed to just be a job, nothing cloak-anddagger. Straight-laced Ambrose Thurman, a man McGill only knew through phone calls, needed the real names of four boys who served time as juveniles more than a decade ago. Thurman’s anonymous client wanted the names, nothing else. Knowing a cop who owed him, McGill got the info. But something wasn’t right. After he handed the names over, he regretted finding those boysnow-men. He regretted it for good

reason. First one, then another of those boys was beaten to death and Thurman was found dead in a bathtub. When a behemoth broke into McGill’s office sanctuary and tried to knock the life out of him, the cops arrested the giant man but they wanted to pin everything— including the murders—on McGill. It didn’t make sense. McGill didn’t know the giant man, and he had only met Thurman once. Maybe Tony the Suit, a small-time gangster who was pressing McGill to find a former nemesis, was angry that McGill wasn’t moving fast enough. Perhaps the most powerful man in New York City was behind the attempted assault. And as if trying to save your own life isn’t enough, McGill knew that his son, Twill, was about to do something dumb. McGill had to save his boy from a long fall, too. Fans of Easy Rawlins, author Walter Mosley’s most beloved, and possibly-killed-off character, can rest Easy: you will absolutely love Leonid McGill. I seriously can’t think of a better successor to Rawlins’ literary legacy than this new, very fine PI. However… “The Long Fall” starts out with a slam-bang. Its darktoned noir-ness lets you know you’re in for something special.

Unfortunately, the story gets off-track toward the end and was, I thought, rather implausible. Suffice it to say that there are some very odd, unbelievable characters that belong more in an old Bette Davis movie than in a modernsetting mystery. Excited Mosley fans will want to read “The Long Fall”, if for no other reason than to meet McGill. If you’ve never read Mosley’s stuff, though, this isn’t the best novel to start with. Find something Easy instead.

Terri Shlichenmeyer has been reading since she was 3 years old, and never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 11,000 books.

April 16, 2009

t h e best in lake area enter t ain m e n t

Picks

L’Auberge du Lac Casino’s ‘Party by the Pool’ Concert Series May 7 – June 25

This series begins with dynamic and energetic multi-platinum rockers Everclear featuring homegrown Lake Charles rock group Magnolia Sons as the opening act. Everclear’s cannon of original material is marked by multi-million sales, critical praise, a Grammy nomination and awards including the 1998 Billboard Modern Rock Artist of the Year honor. This series will also include Seven Mary Three, June 4, and The Molly Ringwalds—80’s tribute band—June 18. Ladies get free admission to Party by the Pool. Gentlemen pay just $5; the cover charge is waived for ‘mychoice’ members. Must be 21 to enter. Please note that the event location is subject to change and/or cancellation due to inclement weather.

Louisiana Sci-Fi Expo Underway June 13-14

Calling all Sci-Fi fans, Con. Du Lac—The Louisiana Sci-Fi Expo will be held at Enos Derbone Recreational Complex in Lake Charles, June 13-14, 2009. The expo will combine science fiction, science fact (NASA and the National Weather Service), paranormal research, medieval arts crafts and combat demonstrations. There will also be mini-renaissance fair, acting workshops and more. Richard Hatch from Battlestar Galactica, who has been a part of both the original show in 1978 and the recent series on the Sci-Fi, will be a featured guest at this year’s expo. Panels on Star Trek and Star wars will be featured. Attendees of all ages are asked to dress up in their favorite Sci-Fi costumes for an intergalactic costume contest to be held on Saturday evening. Tickets are on sale now through June 5th and are $25. Admission at the door will be $30 and children 10 and younger will get in for free. On Saturday, June 13, Lifeshare Blood Center will be on hand for a limited time and all donors will receive $5 off their admission. For more information on Con. Du Lac, contact Justin Toney at 337-513-8927 or visit www.condulac.net.

Acadiana Film Festival April 16th – 19th

The Acadiana film festival explores the intersection between entertainment and technology. For the third year, the Acadiana film festival will concentrate on the future of motion pictures and music production. The festival will take place primarily in downtown Lafayette with a variety of film screenings, panel discussions, workshops, demonstrations, music concerts, nightly gatherings, and parties. For more information please visit www.acadianafilm.org.

Louisiana State Arboretum Irises Wetland Tour, Children’s Hour – April 18

Join the site naturalist at the Louisiana State Arboretum in Ville Platte on Saturday, April18, from 2:00-3:00 p.m., to learn more about Louisiana Irises. The site naturalist will take visitors on a guided walk to view and discuss the Louisiana Irises growing in the wetland area of the arboretum. Children are invited to learn about birds on Saturday, April 18, from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Louisiana

April 16, 2009

State Arboretum in Ville Platte. This program will introduce children to bird watching. They will learn about binocular use, how to use a field guide and take a short walk to look for birds in the Arboretum. Children will also have a chance to make a bird related craft to take home with them. The Arboretum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. The site is located eight miles north of Ville Platte on La. 3042, only one and a half miles north of the main entrance of Chicot State Park or two miles south of La. 106. For more information, call 1-888-677-6100 toll free or 363-6289 in the Ville Platte area.

L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort’s Nevie Beach Club Now Open

Nevie Beach Club is now open for the season with poolside patio dining. Their chefs have completely revamped the menu making it a bit ‘lighter’ and infused with more local / regional seafood (soft shell crab sandwich, oysters, red snapper po-boy, seafood tacos etc.). Nevie is open 7 days at 11:00 a.m.

Calcasieu Parish’s Movies under the Stars is back April 18- May 9

The movies will be at Prien Lake Park beginning with the April 18th showing of ET. Food and other refreshments will be available at the park. All you need to bring is your family, a few chairs or a blanket to enjoy their full slate of family friendly fare. Other movies slated are Airplane!— on April 25th, and Finding Nemo—on May 9th. All movies begin at 7 p.m.

McNeese Banners Series Presents the St. Petersburg String Quartet April 18

One of the world’s leading string quartets, the St. Petersburg String Quartet from Russia, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18, in the Central School Theatre as part of the McNeese Banners Cultural Series. There will be a pre-concert talk with the artists on the second floor reception area from 6:30-7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for students and free to McNeese students with ID. For more information call the Banners Series office at (337) 475-5123 or visit www. banners.org.

St. Petersburg String Quartet, top to bottom: Leonid Shukayev, cello; Alla Krolevich, second violin; Boris Vayner, viola; and Alla Aranovskaya, first violin.

ACTS Theatre Presents Hansel and Gretel in the Enchanted Forest May 1 and 2

The show is scheduled for day-time performances on stage at ACTS One Reid Street Theatre on Friday, May 1 at 9:00 and 11:00 in the morning. Other performances will be on Friday May 1 at 7:00 PM in the evening and Saturday, May 2, at 11:00am and l:00 PM. Tickets for all performances are $8.50 per person.

The Westlake High School Theatre Department presents Disney’s Aladdin April 23 This performance is presented by Kerry A. Onxley, Director of Theatre, Mr. Lee Crick; Principal, Mr. Carl McGee, and Mr. Jon Powers, Assistant Principals. All of the favorite characters are here in this stage adaptation of the Disney hit, including Aladdin, Jasmine, and of course, the Genie. Filled with magic, mayhem, and flying carpet rides, audiences’ spirits will soar with excitement. Most of all, the tuneful, Academy award-winning score with songs including “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me” will certainly make

this musical a favorite for many years to come! This storybook performance will be at the Westlake High School’s state-of-theart theatre located at 1000 Garden Drive, on Thursday, April 23 at 7:00PM for the public. School performances are at 10:00AM. Tickets are $8.00 per person. A peddler (played by Rachel Hogan) refuses to trade For ticket information, for a lamp from Genie (played by Samuel Owens). call Onxley at 337.436.6866; Ext. 10 or kerry.onxley@cpsb.org.

Memories of World War II, Photographs from the archives of The Associated Press April 24

Scheduled to open Friday April 24 and run through Saturday, June 13, 2008. An opening reception will be held from 6-9pm at the 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center at 1001 Ryan Street. The public is invited to provide photographs of WWII veterans to be included on the Wall. Photos can be brought directly to the 1911 Historic City Hall Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, or sent to 1001 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601, or emailed to ArtsAndCulture@cityoflc.us. Please write the veteran’s given name, hometown, branch of service, rank, location stationed, dates of service and honors or awards on the back of the photo. Printed photos should not exceed size 8 X 10; the deadline will be Monday, April 20. If the photo needs to be returned, be sure to include an address where the picture can be sent after the Memories of WW II exhibit has ended.

The Rapides Symphony Orchestra Presents the Music of Led Zeppelin April 26

The Rapides Symphony Orchestra will take its popular “Pops” concert series to Avoyelles Parish when it performs “The Music of Led Zeppelin: A Rock Symphony” at the Paragon Convention Center Mari Showroom in Marksville at 4 p.m., Sunday, April 26. Reserved tables for 10 are $300 (snack trays are available at an additional charge). General admission tickets (bleacher seating) are $15 and may be purchased through Ticketmaster outlets and at the Cypress Knees Gift Shop at the Paragon Casino Resort. Tables may be reserved by contacting the Rapides Symphony Orchestra office at (318) 442-9709. For more information about this event, please visit www.rapidessymphony.org.

Acrylic Workshop May 16

Associated Louisiana Artists will sponsor a one day acrylic workshop at the new Creative Arts Center, 106 West Lawrence Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601, on Saturday May 16th from 8 to 5 pm. Alexandria artist and former Lake Charles minister Henry Blount will conduct the workshop using tar paper (roofing material) as his “canvas” and instruct attendees in the method of mosaic style painting, a unique method which has brought him many awards throughout Louisiana. April 30 is the deadline to enroll in this limited class. Cost is $50 and $5 for lunch. Supply list is at Gallery by the Lake. Please make checks payable to ALA, and mail to the above address in care of Nancy Czejkowski, workshop coordinator. Questions? Call Nancy at 855-9202, or Gallery by the Lake at 436-1008.

Calcasieu Parish School System Art Show On display now through April 25

Calcasieu Parish Art Show “Between the Lines” is on display at Gibson-Barham Gallery of the Imperial Calcasieu Museum, 204 W. Sallier. The show features works by students in grades K-12. Museum hours are 10 am-5pm. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is $5 for adults $2 for children under 12 and seniors. Group tours are available. For more information, call 439-3739.

AMSET Lecture Hall to feature Local Artist Bernice Thrall Switzer Through May 31 The Art Museum of Southeast Texas (AMSET) presents a collection of art by local artist Bernice Thrall Switzer (1897-1990) on display in the Quinn Lecture Hall through May 31. Eleven watercolors dating from circa 1915, a self-portrait of Switzer and three Newcomb Pottery pieces that date from the early 20th century are on loan from the artist’s daughter, Beaumont-resident Sue Mann, for the exhibit. Bernice Thrall was raised in Lake Charles, La. She studied art at Newcomb College in New Orleans during World War I (1914-1918) and is considered to be the first woman commercial illustrator in that city. AMSET is located 500 Main Street, Beaumont TX. AMSET Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm, Saturday: 10am-5pm, Sunday: Noon-5pm. Closed Major Holidays. Cafe Hours: Mon-Fri 11 am-2 pm. Admission: Free. For more information call: 409-832-3432.

Mary Mary in Concert April 18

With Yvonne Marie, Lavern Singleton, Raynika Alexis and No Chains, No Boundaries, 8 p.m April 18, Rosa Hart Theater. Tickets $25 at Civic Center Box Office, Naate’s Music, Ticketmaster. Info: Donald Thomas, 309-4720.

Spring Watercolor Show April 3 – May 21

The featured artist in this year’s Spring Watercolor Show—Nancy Melton and Friends— is Betty Tilleux Breaux. The Show will open with a Reception on Friday evening April 3 from 6:30 – 8:00 at the Frazar Library at McNeese State University. Dates of the Show are April 3 – May 21, 2009. Betty will display approximately 40 paintings showcasing her many strengths as an artist, in particular – her unusual attention to contrast. Tilleux was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, but grew up in Shreveport. At Northwestern State College in Natchitoches she majored in art and sociology. Following graduation, she moved to Lake Charles. Individuals interested in studying watercolor painting can sign up for classes through McNeese Leisure Learning or contact Nancy Melton at nmelton@suddenlink.net. Nancy can also be contacted through her website: nancymelton.photoreflect.com. New painters are welcome!

22nd Annual McNeese National Works on Paper Exhibition March 6 – April 23

The McNeese National works on Paper Exhibition is part of the Banners Series. Joy Glidden, director of Louisiana Artworks in New Orleans, is the juror for this year’s exhibition. It will be held in the Abercrombie Gallery which is in Shearman Fine Arts building room 125. Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 – 4:00

ACTS Theatre’s La Cage Aux Folles April 18-24

Black Tie Opening Gala begins at 5:45 p.m. April 18, with food before show, disco on stage after, $60. Other show dates are: 3 p.m. April 19 and 26, 7:30 p.m. April 23-24, and 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. April 25, tickets $30, acts.theatre. com or call 337-436-5908.

April 16, 2009

Imperial Calcasieu Museum’s Boogaloo 2009 Bathtub Gin & Jazz Baby April 18

Begins at 8 p.m. midnight April 18 at the old Calcasieu Marine Bank. Tickets $40 for museum members, $50 for non-members at ICM, Gordon’s Drugs, Vallier’s at Home.

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Children’s Miracle Network Duck Race returns April 18

Thousands of yellow rubber ducks are available for adoption for the Children’s Miracle Network Duck Race set for Saturday, April 18, at Prien Lake Park. The event, presented by Cameron State Bank, will kick off at 10 a.m. with a chicken gumbo cook-off and activities for children. About 5,000 ducks will be released into the water at 1 p.m. One “lucky duck” could win a million dollars. Duck adoptions are $5 each. Visit www.duck race. com/lakecharles or stop by any Cameron State Bank location. Proceeds benefit CMN. For more information, call Duck Central at 491-7750.

Children’s Theatre Company’s The Velveteen Rabbit May 1-3 7:30 p.m. May1-2, 3 p.m. May 3, Central School Arts and Humanities Theater, 809 Kirby St. Tickets $15 adults, $12 students. Info: 433-7323; www. childrenstheatre.cc.