Times of Southwest Louisiana by The Times of Southwest Louisiana

The Land of Lagniappe

September 17, 2009 Volume 14, Number 18 617 Drew St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: (337) 439-0995 Fax: (337) 439-0418

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PUBLISHER 6

Patrick Marcantel

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EDITOR Chaney Ferguson

Assistant Editor Jessica Ferguson

Assignments Nancy Correro Contributors Terri Schlichenmeyer Garrett Lumpkin D.B. Grady Katie Penny Matt Jones Lisa Miller Politics John Maginnis Dan Juneau outdoors photography Monsour’s Photography cover photograph Jessica Ferguson

one on one with al

Geeks & Gadgets: Mac’s new Snow Leopard operating system

337 Sports: An LSU Big Guy

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Sales Manager Andy Jacobson

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Account executive Brian Chriceol 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.

Biz Bytes: Summer’s over, Washington; Time for a Game Plan Legal Eagle: Hard Truths About Eviction

A D V E R T ISING

Columns Inside Baton Rouge: Ethic Laws Fine if You Understand ‘Em

Al Woods

Enterprise boulevard The Plight of Our Shrimpers Home grown Lanier Plumbing: A half century of family service

Cover story Streamlining Government: A Times Interview with State Treasurer John Kennedy Feature Experience the Great Outdoors: It’s Time to Do Some Hunting in Sportsman’s Paradise Entertainment Times Bandstand The Shadow: Out and About in Southwest Louisiana Movie Review: “Extract” Coffee Break Crossword: “King John”— Goodbye, Mr. Hughes. correction

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In the 2009 Gridiron Prep Preview, the action photography on pages 13 are 31 was wrongly attributed. All photography on these pages were by Photographs by Edward (www.edwardleger.com). Our apologies for this error.

Inside Baton Rouge - By John Maginnis

Biz Bytes - By Dan Juneau

As summer ends, time for a game plan

Clarity’s better than gold in assessing state ethics laws

n out-of-state government consultant testifying before the Streamlining Government Commission was asked what he thought of Louisiana’s new ethics laws being ranked best in the country. “It said you had the best rules,” the consultant deadpanned. “It didn’t say you always followed them.” Well put. Beyond bragging rights, it is hard to identify what Gov. Bobby Jindal’s signature initiative, the overhaul of state ethics laws, has achieved, other than clearing out Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse during legislative sessions by way of the $50 limit on what lobbyists can spend entertaining lawmakers. In many cases, the difficulty with obeying new ethics rules has been understanding them. For instance, current ethics cases involving two legislators and one sheriff stand to be decided not on their merits but on whether the Legislature intended for a change in the law to be retroactive or prospective, which could have been but wasn’t cleared up with one sentence. In the interest of fair play, the Legislature shortened the time period from two years to one for the Board of Ethics to bring charges after receiving a complaint. The near mass resignation of the old board and the appointment of a new one ate up several months before the new members could get around to old cases. They eventually brought the charges within the old two-year window but beyond the new one-year deadline. The accused officials argue that the new limit applies to them, while the Ethics Board holds that the old rules govern old cases. Depending on how state courts eventually rule, the first dozen or so cases under the new ethics regime could be thrown out because the Legislature and the governor’s lawyers screwed up the drafting of the laws. The new procedures have other problems, which make justice needlessly elusive. Ethics charges are no longer decided by the Board of Ethics but by panels of administrative law judges. It’s been claimed that because the head of the Division of Administrative Law is appointed by the governor that she can

be leaned on to protect Jindal’s friends. That’s a twisted stretch. The director, Ann Wise, first appointed by former Gov. Foster, is as ethical and independent a public servant as this state has. The administrative law judges who work for her are mostly career civil servants who hear thousands of cases each year involving employee-management disputes in state government. They are as fair and capable as the governor’s ethics board appointees in deciding cases. But that doesn’t mean they should be doing so. Legislators came up with using the ALJs in order to get away from having the ethics board act as prosecutor, judge and jury. But they should have thought that through more. Under the new law, the ethics board acts as kind of a grand jury in charging defendants, but once the ALJ renders a decision, the board is required to ratify the ruling, even if members don’t agree with it. Board chairman Frank Simoneaux intends to ask the Legislature to return decision-making to the board, but to have a separate department within the agency investigate and prosecute cases. That would clear up conflicts while restoring the board to its proper adjudicatory role instead of that of a ceremonial bystander. Also, should the governor and Legislature revisit ethics, they might as well change those three troublesome words, “clear and convincing,” that make the new process anything but. The words were inserted into legislation to set a new standard of proof, meant to fall somewhere between “preponderance of evidence” in civil cases and “beyond reasonable doubt” in criminal cases. Trouble is, no one is quite sure where that somewhere is. The standard-of-proof wording does not, as some critics claim, make ethics laws unenforceable, but neither does it make them clear. In most cases, the facts are not in dispute so much as is the interpretation of the law. So returning to “preponderance of evidence” would not change outcomes as much as it would reinstill some confidence in the system. The governor need not worry that clarifying ethics laws would tarnish the gold standard he professes for them. But it sure would help make our best-ranked rules easier to follow.

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he president and his allies in Congress did not have a very good August. Their fervent goal of ramming through health care “reform” legislation before the summer recess didn’t come to pass. Once Congress went home, many of them got an earful from their constituents. As those events unfolded, the Congressional leadership tried to focus anger away from their legislation and toward insurance companies. They attempted to re-label the total revamping of the health care delivery system that they were pushing into the context of “insurance reform.” That didn’t sell either. As the members of Congress reassemble, the landscape will be considerably different. All through the August recess, President Obama’s poll numbers were dropping—not just for his approval rating but for his job performance as well. As bad as the hits have been for the President, they have been even worse for Congress which now has favorability ratings approaching all-time lows. The generic Congressional ballot in polls has erased the huge lead Democrats once enjoyed over Republicans and, in some polls, the Republicans now lead in that indicator of the voters’ mood. Some on the Obama team ascribe this negative trend to “scare tactics” on the part of Obama administration adversaries. The problem with this game plan is the fact that opposition to some aspects of health care reform wasn’t the only factor in what was driving the public anger that members of Congress encountered back home. It went much deeper than that. In short order, taxpayers witnessed the rapid passage of an almost $800 billion stimulus package that few in Congress had read. To many, this huge exercise in deficit spending was much more about keeping the public sector (and public employee unions) going than it was about saving private sector jobs. That behemoth of deficit spending was quickly followed by the GM and Chrysler bailouts, which were peanuts compared to the TARP mega-bailout of financial institutions. Suddenly the nasty “tax” word started to enter the political discussion at the same time that the previous year’s deficit of $480 billion was rapidly moving toward the $1.8 trillion level for the current budget. All across America, voters of all political persuasions started getting anxious about the neverending levels of government growth and intrusion into the private sector and the massive federal debt that threatens the standard of living of current and future generations. That is the explosion that members of Congress encountered when they came home for the summer recess. It wasn’t simply about nuances of health care reform. The now scarred legislative landscape in Congress is a clear indication of the poor leadership that has been in place since last January. A “cap and trade” bill that was rammed through the House with barely enough votes to pass lies in the corner. The Senate has no desire to take it up quickly because there aren’t nearly enough votes there to pass it. The deficits soar, economic recovery lags, and the 2010 off-year elections don’t look promising for the party in power. Maybe it is time for a new game plan.

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E nterprise B oulevard Not so easy

Senator Morrish talks about area shrimper’ plight By Nancy Correro

hrimpers went on strike August 18 to protest low shrimp prices on the state Capitol steps. Governor Bobby Jindal sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission. The letter requests an investigation of possible violations of trade practices by foreign countries adversely affecting Louisiana’s shrimping industry. “There is a disconnect somewhere. When shrimpers are getting 65 cents a pound for jumbo shrimp or any size shrimp for that matter and they are selling for $8.99 in the store, something is wrong. I don’t know if a strike fixes that or not, but it brings attention to it,” said Senator Dan “Blade” Morrish. Louisiana leads the country in domestic production of shrimp, with fishers hauling in 57.8 million pounds last year, but that is less than 5 percent of the shrimp consumed in the United States. More than 90 percent of the shrimp consumed in the United States is from imports. “I’m a big believer in market driven prices. I’m also a believer in a level playing field and I don’t think there is one here. I think there are issues on a federal level that are allowing an unprecedented amount

Shrimping’s a huge industry, but there’s a catch — market prices and foreign trade practices are twin hurts.

of foreign shrimp—Chinese or Vietnamese or whatever—being allowed into this country and being sold as domestic shrimp and indeed they are not,” said Senator Morrish. On the 31st of August, Governor Jindal issued an Executive Order creating the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force. The mission is to address factors adversely affecting Louisiana’s

“I’m a believer in a level playing field and I don’t think there is one here.” – State Senator Dan Morrish

shrimping industry, and forming strategies for boosting the economic vitality of the Louisiana shrimp industry. Calculating the value

One of the items the task force will investigate is the shrimping industry’s cultural significance to the state of Louisiana, and its economic impact. “I mean right now it’s not good. These folks are losing their homes. I mean some banks are calling in some homes. That is pretty serious. At 65 cents you can’t pay for your fuel much less pay for anything else. This is a way of life. This is what these shrimpers have done all their life.

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It’s who they are. And that is what bothers me the most,” said Senator Morrish. The task force will also look at global markets. The global markets slowing down may be a contributor to the low prices. “Unfortunately, there is not anything that I can do or the state legislature can do individually that’s going to make the price go up. I think there are a lot of things federally that can be done and the Governor has sent some letters and has been in contact with the appropriate people in DC to begin that process,” said Senator Morrish. The Governor’s task force will look Continued on Page 7

Sthe o ubest t h iwn elake s t area L o enter u i s tai i anment n a ’s

H om e G rown B usiness es

Lanier Plumbing: Service for 50 years By Chaney Ferguson In 1959, Lynn Lanier started Lanier Plumbing. Back then it was a company based out of his house with his wife Laverne “Blondie” Lanier working as a secretary. Today, Lynn’s son, Rick, is the owner. “I am a second generation contractor. I started doing plumbing work when I was 10 years old, working with my father every summer,” said Rick. Rick has many memories from working all those summers with his dad, but one of the most vivid is the memory of his first paycheck. “My first paycheck was $15 a week. I remember walking up to the teller at the Calcasieu Marine Bank at Prien and Ryan. I could barely see over the top of the counter. I signed my check and asked the teller to give me 15 ones. I wanted to have a nice roll of money,” Rick laughs. In 1971, after graduating from LaGrange High School, Rick immediately went to work in the plumbing business. “Mom would take the calls and set up where we went for the day. Me and dad would leave in the morning and meet our guys at a local supply house and then order material and leave from there. We went our different ways depending on what we had to do. It is totally different

Rick Lanier takes a rare break to talk about the family business.

now.” Four years after graduation, Rick took over the family business. “I took over in about ‘75. My father was semi-retired and played out at the farm,” said Lanier. Lynn Lanier passed away in 1979. After his father’s passing, Rick purchased the property at 2201 Moss Street. The business moved from operating out of his parent’s farmhouse into the city. “It gave my mother a place to get up and go to work every day. She had

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the opportunity to meet and greet a lot of the customers she had spoken with on the phone, but she had never seen their face.” Rick said it was good for his mother to work in the office and meet those she only had a phone relationship with for all those years. “She worked here for probably 12-15 years and then retired. She traveled and had a good time afterwards.” The company has changed so much since the early days, but Rick still starts every day by sharing coffee

with his mom before heading to the office. Rick’s father focused on the construction end of the plumbing business. Rick said they mainly worked on new homes. Since Rick has taken over the business, the focus has been on the service aspect. “I really like the service business. There is a lot of gratification in taking care of people’s problems. When they call they are in a bind and they need help and this allows us to take care of their problems quickly and in the most cost effective way,” said Lanier. About 17 years ago, Lanier Plumbing did a 180-degree turn to focus mainly on service. The construction market in the 80s wasn’t bringing a lot of business. “We started pursuing the service end. We’ve bought three companies since then. The most recent purchase was Henning Plumbing and Piping. We bought them out a couple of years ago. Another one, 10-12 years ago, was Coastal Plumbing. The owner was leaving town so I picked up his assets and his customer base. That is basically what it is all about is broadening your customer base.” Continued on Page 27

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Imperial Calcasieu Surgical Center managers named Jane Alcock, RN, BSN, CNOR, has been appointed Director of Nursing and Pat Ashbaugh has been named Business Office Manager for Imperial Calcasieu Surgical Center, a newly opened, free-standing day surgery facility in Lake Charles. Alcock is originally from Lake Charles and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from McNeese State University. She has 38 years of experience in surgical nursing and has worked at several area hospitals in both staff and supervisory positions. For the past 20 years, she served as the Jane Alcock RN Manager of Perioperative Services at W.O. Moss Regional Medical Center in Lake Charles. Alcock is a Certified Nurse of the Operating Room and is certified in ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support). She is a member of AORN (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses) and was chosen to serve on several state task forces for policy development. Ashbaugh is originally from Lafayette and brings over 30 years of financial and business office experience to her new position with the Surgical Center. Her most recent position was as the Pat Ashbaugh Business Office Manager for New Iberia Surgery Center, where she worked for ten years. McNeese Basketball Kleon Penn and John Pichon, two of the standouts on McNeese State’s basketball team last year, are taking their talents overseas. Both will be leaving Monday to play for professional teams, Penn in Morrocco and Pichon in Finland. They will join a growing list of former Cowboys who are now playing overseas.That lists includes Demond Mallet who has become a standout in Spain, Ben Perkins in Germany, Ronald Dorsey in France, Damond Williams in Dubai, Fred Gentry in Africa and Jarvis Bradley in Norway.

into the health and safety concerns of foreign produced shrimp and they suggest that plans or policies should then be developed that will confront these issues. “The other issue is food safety. The rice industry which I’m very much involved in, we had a small genetic situation here a year ago and Europe refused to accept any of our rice. We had a major downturn in the exports of rice from Southwest Louisiana because of some genetically grown rice that got into ours mistakenly and Europe wouldn’t take our rice for about six months or longer. It caused a big glut in the rice market. Yet we are not doing the same thing to shrimp that are artificially harvested, you know pond grown shrimp that are coming into this country. There have been all kinds of issues with that. If you talk to the food safety group in DC and read some of their literature it will scare the heck out of you,” said Senator Morrish. The labeling of the shrimp can be deceptive.

cont.

“I went to a meat market in Baton Rouge the other day and they also have a seafood market there too and there was jumbo gulf shrimp. It didn’t say Gulf of Mexico shrimp and it didn’t say Louisiana shrimp. It said gulf shrimp. I’d like to look into that and see if there is truth in labeling. Now, I’m not accusing that market of falsifying the advertising, but I’d like to know,” said Senator Morrish. Strength in numbers?

Locally, there could be ways to help the shrimping industry. “I think there are some things we can do locally — the Louisiana Seafood Promotional Board,” said Senator Morrish. “The oyster task force in this state has done a real good job of coming together—east and west—with real initiatives that have done very well for the oyster industry. The shrimp industry has not been as cohesive in being one voice. I think if anything is good in this it’s that they’ll come together with one voice.”

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McNeese Accomplishments Dr. Ray Neyland, professor of botany at McNeese, has had a paper titled “A Revision to the Vascular Flora of Calcasieu Parish, LA” recently published by the Botanical Research Institute of Texas journal. This paper documents the discovery of 22 new plant species from Calcasieu Parish. Dr. Rathnam Indurthy, professor of government at McNeese, has had an article titled “The Uncertainty of Pakistan’s Fledging Democracy: Explanations” accepted for publication in the Asian Profile journal. McNeese nutrition and family studies instructor Eljeana Quebedeaux and agricultural sciences graduate student Wannee Tangham attended Continued on Page 10

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business notes

Beginning Beekeeping Workshop After the last beekeeping workshop this spring, several attendees wanted to have a fall meeting.This fall event will occur on Saturday, September 26th, 8:30 am-noon at the training room of the DeRidder Police Department, next to the City Hall, in DeRidder. Captain Michael Constance, Phelps Correctional Center, will be discussing parasites and diseases, winter preparations and spring preparations. Another possible speaker will be a representative from the Louisiana Beekeepers Association to talk about starting a bee club in Southwest Louisiana. The cost of this workshop is $5 per persons and the proceeds will go the Beauregard 4-H Foundation. For more information, contact Keith Hawkins at 337-463-7006 or khawkins@agcenter.lsuedu. Go Green Expo Saturday, October 3 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The community will learn about cost-effective energy-saving tips and environmentally friendly products.

What Really Makes A Team Work Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana is hosting a workshop presented by Deb McCormick, founder of TEAMed Up, entitled “What Really Makes a Team Work” on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m.-noon at Family & Youth, 220 Louie St. in Lake Charles. Take a behind the scenes look at what habits and attitudes truly effective teams have in common. Teams that really work, in a sustained way, are trained to be self-directed and managed from within. Strong team skills free the leader to spend more time on strategic growth and less time managing the day-to-day dynamics of teamwork. As a consultant to executives and their teams, McCormick brings relevant and proven ideas in an interactive and engaging format. This workshop is $10 for Children & Families Action Network (CFAN) members and $25 for others. Please RSVP by e-mailing Ann Bruner at Ann@ fyca.org or by calling 337-436-9533. Registration is due by Sept. 22. LaCHIP Enrollment Blitz in Lake Charles Area On Wednesday, September 30 and Thursday October 1, teams of experienced Medicaid employees and community partners will descend on locations throughout the Lake Charles area parishes to assist families who wish to insure children through LaCHIP, the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program. Blitz team members will be stationed at key locations and travel the parish to distribute applications, help increase awareness and allow face-to-face interaction with families throughout the community to offer them the personal help they need to apply for LaCHIP. The event will be held at select locations in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, and Jefferson Davis parishes. LaCHIP, which covers children until age 19, is a Medicaid program that helps provide medical coverage children need to lead healthier lives. Part of the federal government’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), LaCHIP pays for physician visits, pharmacy costs, hospital stays and many other medical expenses in a network of providers. For general information on LaCHIP, call 1-877-2LaCHIP (1-877-252-2447) or visit online at www.lachip.org. Columnist, Fox commentator to speak locally The Republican Round Table Parish Executive Committee presents dinner with columnist and Fox News Channel commentator Michelle Malkin, author of “Culture Of Corruption” (a New York Times bestseller) Friday, October 23, at the Lake Charles Country Club. There is a 5:30-6:30 p.m. cocktail hour and 6:30 p.m. dinner. Tickets are $75. Limited sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available; call for details. Limited to 350 tickets (Fire Marshall). Tickets are Michelle Malkin ADVANCE purchase only, no tickets will be sold at the door.

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For tickets and sponsorships: Terry Backhaus, 337-437-9950 or backhausgroupllc@bellsouth.net. SWLA Receives Awards at Keep Louisiana Beautiful Conference Southwest Louisiana won a number of awards at the 6th Annual Keep Louisiana Beautiful Conference this past week in Shreveport. The Waste Reduction category recognizes efforts to minimize the impact of waste and promote responsible waste handling in communities. First place was awarded to CITGO for their E-Recycle project. The City of Lake Charles and Team Green of Southwest Louisiana teamed-up with CITGO to host E-Recycle Day. The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury received 3rd Place in the Litter Prevention category for their anti-litter campaign, “You Can’t Afford to be Trashy.” DeQuincy Elementary placed 2nd in this category for the school play they created last year which focused on litter prevention and which featured local elected officials. The Dianne Chandler Award is presented to an outstanding Louisiana citizen in memory of Dianne Chandler of Keep Bossier Beautiful. The award is for exceptional leadership in raising public awareness on litter prevention, solid waste reduction, and roadside and community beautification. The award honors individuals who go above and beyond to promote citizen participation in activities that preserve and enhance Louisiana’s natural resources and public lands. This year’s award was presented to Mrs. Chester Lee Moses from Lake Charles. Ms. Moses has been a long-standing member of Team Green of Southwest Louisiana, a City of Lake Charles commission.

Johnny and Kathy Hawkins (right and left) have established the Edgar “Mano” and Melba Stine athletic scholarship at McNeese State University in the name of Edgar “Mano” and Melba Stine (in the middle). The initial donation was for $10,000. Hawkins was a basketball letterman under Coach Ralph O. Ward in the late 1960s. Rehab One Opens in Lake Charles Rehab One, a new orthopaedic and sports physical therapy group, is now open in Lake Charles. Owned by physical therapists Scott Duplechin and Dwaine Miller, Rehab One offers comprehensive services for adolescent and adult musculoskeletal conditions, with a special emphasis on orthopaedic and sports rehabilitation and post-operative orthopaedic patients. Duplechin is originally from Lake Charles. He attended McNeese State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Louisiana State University Health Science Center in Shreveport. He is a licensed Physical Therapist and has 21 years experience in the physical therapy field. Miller is also a licensed physical therapist and he has 16 years of Continued on Page 9

business notes continued experience in the physical therapy field. He is originally from Iota, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from McNeese State University and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from LSU Medical Center School of Physical Therapy in New Orleans. Both Duplechin and Miller have completed a wide range of continuing education programs for orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, including the Pneu-FAST Fitness and Sports Training program for sports performance. Rehab One is located at 1747 Imperial Blvd. in Lake Charles. Call 721-7280 for more information. McNeese Career Fair Employers interested in recruiting McNeese State University graduates and/or students for full-time and part-time positions as well as for possible internships are invited to make plans to participate in the Fall 2009 Career Fair Sept. 21 sponsored by McNeese Career Services. This event is scheduled from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Parra Ballroom of the New Ranch (Student Union Annex). This year’s theme is “Invest in Your Future.” McNeese students of all majors and classifications as well as MSU alumni are invited to participate. Graduating seniors seeking to develop job leads as well as those students seeking internships and part-time employment are encouraged to bring their resumes. Employers interested in participating may submit the vendor fair form online at www.mcneese.edu/career <http://www.mcneese.edu/career> or contact the McNeese Career Services Center at (337) 475-5612 or at 1-800-622-3352, ext. 5612. American Cancer Society Hosts Inaugural Breast Cancer Walk The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5 mile, non-competitive walk will be held in Sulphur at Heritage Square on Saturday, October 3. This event unites the community to honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate women about the importance of early detection and prevention, and raise money to fund life-saving research and support programs. You can gather a team of your fellow parishioners, coworkers, family members, and friends, or walk as an individual. Volunteers are also needed. To register, become a volunteer or for more information, call 337-433-5817, ext. 2, visit makingstrides.acsevents.org/southwestlouisiana or email makingstridesswla@ cancer.org.

name, will offer outpatient imaging services that will include high definition MRI, 64-slice high resolution CT Scans, MR Angiography, CT Angiography, Ultrasound, Breast MRI and Routine X-Ray. “We appreciate the continued support of the residents of our area. Our intent is to grow as the community grows so that the need for quality healthcare in our area is not only met, but surpassed,” stated Hankins. West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital is announced that Phase I of the hospital’s five-phase master facility plan will reach completion in early 2010. This addition will house a new Admitting Department, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Radiology Department and Respiratory Therapy Services. The Diagnostic Center of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital is located at 250 South Beglis Parkway, Suite 2, in Sulphur. Office hours for the new center are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, please call the Diagnostic Center at (337) 310-8834. McNeese Leisure Learning Program The McNeese Leisure Learning Program will offer four ACT reviews for high school students. They are: ACT Math Review, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Saturdays, Sept. 26-Oct. 17, Room 111, Kirkman Hall, McNeese campus. Instructor is Dr. Roberta Yellott. ACT Grammar and Reading Review, 1-3 p.m., Saturdays, Oct. 3-17, Meeting Room C, McNeese Library. Instructor is Dr. Jacob Blevins. ACT Grammar and Reading Review, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Saturdays, Oct. 3-17, McNeese Room, Historic First Street School in DeRidder. Instructor is Dr. Jennifer Clement. Cost for one course is $69 or $189 for all three courses. For more information or to register, contact the McNeese Leisure Learning Office at 4755616 or 1-800-622-3352, ext. 5616.

Families Helping Families Golf Tournament “Fore for Families,” the Families Helping Families of SWLA’s 4th Annual Golf Tournament, will be October 19 at Gray Plantation Golf Course. Title Sponsor for the event is R&R Construction. Families Helping Families SWLA still has sponsor opportunities: Masters Sponsor - $1000, Eagle Sponsor - $500, Birdie Sponsor - $250 and Friends of FHF Hole Sponsor - $100. Each sponsorship has its own incentives including 2 man teams, program, sign and banner recognition. Proceeds will support the programs of FHF SWLA, which include the annual School Supply Drive for students with disabilities; the annual Christmas Party which gathers over 800 individuals with disabilities and their families together for fun, food and fellowship each December; Sibshops for siblings of individuals with disabilities; and the Next Chapter Book Club. A 12:30 p.m. Shotgun Start will begin the 2 man Scramble event. The entry fee is $200 per 2 man team. Sponsor forms and entry forms can be found at www.fhfswla.org or you may call 436-2570 or 1-800-894-6558. Sponsorship deadline is October 15. Team entry deadline is October 17 or the first 100 entries received.

The Greater Lake Charles Rotary Club donated $15,000 in proceeds from its annual dinner auction to McNeese for the Greater Lake Charles Rotary Scholarship Fund, established with the McNeese Foundation in 1992. This event has raised more than $400,000 for the endowed scholarship. From left, Richard Reid, vice president of development and public affairs and executive vice president of the McNeese Foundation, accepts the donation from Greater Lake Charles Rotary representatives Shayna Sonnier, auction chair, John Hoffpauir, president, and Glen Sharpe, past president.

West Cal-Cam Hospital’s New Outpatient Imaging Center West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital is pleased to announce its purchase of the assets of Physicians Imaging, an outpatient imaging center located in Sulphur, Louisiana. A grand opening celebration has been scheduled for Thursday, October 1st from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Diagnostic Center. According to Bill Hankins, CEO of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, “This purchase is one of several hospital initiatives to increase patient access to care and offer added convenience for those seeking outpatient imaging services.” The Diagnostic Center of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, the center’s new

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the Louisiana Food Processors Conference in Baton Rouge. Tangham presented her graduate research titled “Effect of Sodium Lactate and Sodium Acetate on Shelf-Life of Raw Chicken Breasts” and received third place in the poster competition hosted by the Louisiana Gulf Coast Institute of Food Technologists. Summer Figueroa, a McNeese management senior, was selected to attend a summer program hosted by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in the Department of Economics at Howard University in Washington, D.C., on career opportunities available in the area of economics. The National Science Foundation-sponsored program “Why Should I Be an Economist?” provided the students with opportunities to visit such areas as the Congressional Budget Office, Summer Figueroa the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers and an economic consulting firm to learn what economists do and how they go about solving key economic problems. Cameron State Bank Branch Management Appointments New management positions have been announced by Cameron State Bank. Sumer Jones is now Assistant Vice President/Branch Manager at the University Banking Center and Nick Fuselier is the Branch Supervisor at the main office on Nelson Road. Jones is originally from Ragley and attended McNeese State University where she received a Bachelor of Finance degree. She is currently working on a Master’s of Business Administration at McNeese. Jones has been with the bank for seven years. Fuselier is from Lake Charles and attended Sowela Technical Community College and McNeese State University. Sumer Jones He has been with Cameron State Bank for six years. Dr. Tyson Green Presents Research at Diabetic Conference Foot and ankle specialist Tyson Green, DPM, with Center for Orthopaedics, was a featured presenter at the recent American Diabetic Association’s Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans. Dr. Green took part in one of the most extensive research projects to date evaluating bone health in diabetics and their higher risk compared to the general population. The study focused on lower extremity fractures in the diabetic population, particularly how the risk for foot and ankle fracture is higher in this group. His study found that surgically repaired ankle fractures had worse outcomes and higher complications within the diabetic population than the non-diabetic population. Dr. Green has a special interest in diabetic foot care and is available to speak to area groups on this topic. Appointments can be scheduled with Dr. Green in the Center for Orthopaedics’ Sulphur or Lake Charles office by calling 721-7236. Carrier promoted at MidSouth Bank Michael Carrier has been promoted to Vice President for MidSouth Bank’s West Louisiana Region. Carrier is a Commercial Loan Officer at the bank’s Sulphur location, where he serves existing commercial clients and develops new business throughout western Louisiana. Carrier, who has two decades of banking experience, has been employed by MidSouth Bank for eight years. He has a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance. Active in the local community, Carrier is past president of both the Sulphur Rotary Club and West Calcasieu Association of Commerce and is a current board member of the Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau. Carrier is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He and his wife, Anette, live in Sulphur with their two sons.

September 17, 2009

c o n t i n u e d Como joins Merchants & Farmers Bank Ken A. Hughes, President/CEO of Merchants & Farmers Bank announces that Doug Como has been named Vice President/Commercial Lending at Merchants & Farmers’ Lake Charles location. Como, a Sulphur native, joins Merchants & Farmers with a background of 19 years serving local financial institutions in roles including treasury management, branch management, and commercial lending. “Doug has a tremendous amount of experience helping commercial customers with their cash management. Under his guidance they have been able to maximize their cash or minimize their interest expense, making him a valuable asset to a variety of businesses,” explained Hughes. Como, who holds a finance degree from McNeese, worked his way up through the ranks of local banks beginning as a paying and receiving teller. His additional areas of expertise including sales team training, management, and indirect auto financing. In operation since 1928, Merchants & Farmers is an independent community bank headquartered in Leesville, with seven full-service locations in five cities, including Lake Charles. As one of the first Louisiana banks to establish online banking, Merchants & Farmers offers a variety of products and services for business and consumer needs. KYKZ 96 Welcomes Familiar Voices for New KYKZ Morning Crew Cumulus Broadcasting has announced the formation of a new KYKZ Morning Crew, made of well-known radio personality Kevin Davis and Chad Austin, who returns to KYKZ after several years in the entertainment industry. The “KYKZ Morning Crew,” made of Kevin, Chad, and veteran weather man Rob Robin, airs weekdays from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. A Lake Charles native, Kevin Davis has been in radio for 25 years, with 20 of those years at Cumulus Broadcasting. In many of his years in radio, he entertained his listening audience with his humor on the number one-rated station in Lake Charles, KYKZ 96.1. Chad Austin, from Moss Bluff, started his radio career with Cumulus in 1998. Six years later he moved to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to take an entertainment position with Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, where he announced acts at the casino. He recently returned to Lake Charles and joined the KYKZ Morning Crew. “Kevin and Chad are great together. They have the upbeat style and humor that has made KYKZ number one in Lake Charles for 20 years. They’re exactly what you want to hear to get your day started,” said Eric Nielson, program director of KYKZ 96. For more information on KYKZ 96, please contact Eric Nielson at (337)4393300 or at eric.nielson@cumulus.com. Magical Family Adventures Announces New Disney Specialist Don’t be surprised if you see pixie dust twinkling around Cherie Trahan. Trahan, who owns Magical Family Adventures, an affiliate of Academy Travel, Inc., joins an elite group of travel industry professionals who have attained a special knowledge of the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, and Disney Cruise Line. As a graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge, Trahan has now become a Disney Specialist. “The College of Disney Knowledge was extremely beneficial to me,” said Trahan. “It was a fun and informative way to learn more about the Disney vacation portfolio. I also feel more confident about selling Disney destinations.” Anyone who plans to visit the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line, and Cherie Trahan Adventures by Disney vacations will benefit from Trahan’s added expertise. “The College of Disney Knowledge has taught me how to add more value to each Disney itinerary so that I can help make every client’s magical dreams come true,” said Trahan. Since 1993, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has been committed to educating travel industry professionals about Disney Destinations through the College of Disney Knowledge. For more information or to contact Cherie Trahan about a vacation, please visit www.magicalfamilyadventures.com.

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September 17, 2009

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Across from O.B.’s

Streamlining government State Treasurer John Kennedy explains the task By Chaney Ferguson State Treasurer John Kennedy stopped by The Times offices to answer questions and explain exactly what the state Streamlining Commission is all about. The Times: What is the Streamlining Commission? State Treasurer John Kennedy: Governor Jindal requested the Legislature create the 10 member Streamlining Commission to recommend ways to cut state government expenses. The governor and the legislature collaborated over the membership, a fairly representative group in the sense that there are some elected officials, some public appointed officials and some members of the private sector. Then we’ve broken it down into five subcommittees, and I chair one of them. How do you and your committee brainstorm ways to cut spending? That has to be difficult. We came out of the chute very quickly because, frankly, my colleagues and I have a lot of experience between us. I’ve been in and out of government for almost 20 years, and we each know what needs to be done. What needs to be done? The problem is pretty straight forward. The budget today is 29 billion dollars. We will not have that money to spend next year or the year after. We’re going to have somewhere in the neighborhood—over the next couple of years—of 26 or 27 billion. That’s the bad news. The good news is that that’s up from 19 billion in 2005, only four years ago. So, given the shortfall, and given the fact that our constitution requires a balanced budget, we can do one of two things: we can raise taxes or we can reorganize and downsize. I contend we do the latter. How do you suggest we reorganize and downsize? We’re number one in the South and number 9 in the country in the number of state employees per 10,000 people. My plan is to charge state government — every department in it — with the elimination of 5,000 jobs a year for three years. No one will be fired. No one will be laid off. We have a big turnover in state government. We have about 22% turnover. We just won’t fill the vacancies. You restructure. You reduce your layers of management; you extend your spans of control. In other words, we have one manager per three employees. The minimum would be one manager for 10 employees. Restructuring regional headquarters would save labor costs quickly—800 to 900 million dollars. You take 10-20% of those

John Kennedy is part of a state effort to reduce duplication in order to save state tax dollars.

savings and use that to increase the salaries of those people on the front lines who are asked to take on additional responsibilities. What do you see as the biggest challenge here? Getting the legislature to agree. They’re split pretty evenly. Half of them think the answer is to raise taxes. The other half believe as I do. Some think that revenues are the answer but my response to that is the state with the largest personal income tax in America is California. The state with the highest sales tax in America is California. The state with the largest budget deficit is California. You can not solve this on the revenue side; you’ve got to solve it on the spending side. Explain your plan for our universities. I do not believe—and some of my colleagues disagree—that we have too many universities. I believe that we have too many universities that all want to do the same thing. It’s the way we’ve structured the university system. We’re one state. We have three systems. We have a

September 17, 2009

Southern University System—all the schools there are in that system are governed by a Board of Supervisors. Then we have the LSU System and they have their Board of Supervisors, and then there’s the University of Louisiana System— McNeese is part of it— and they have their own Board of Supervisors. The statutes creating these Boards of Supervisors tell them to fight over turf, and then we have a Board of Regents which is suppose to coordinate everything. That’s a board governing a board. I have believed for many years that we should eliminate these three systems and their Board of Supervisors. We should put all the universities—and the universities are equal—on the same footing regulated by a single board. LSU is the flagship. We can only afford one but all our other universities are important and should have their own area of expertise, their own role, their own scope and their own mission. But that doesn’t mean every university can have a nursing school or an architectural school or an engineering school or a law or medical school. We can’t afford

Streamlining that and we don’t need it. Do you think the Legislature will go for this? I don’t know. It’ll be controversial. I do know this—you cannot have a 21st century higher education system without coordination, without your base being community colleges. And then you have four year schools with their role, their scope and their mission, and then you have your flagship. That’s the way Florida does it. North Carolina is another example. Your core is your community college. It’s cheaper to educate a kid in a community college. Before we had a community college system—and ours is new—kids were going to a four year school and spending their first year in remediation. Now they can go to a community college, get up to speed and move on. It will be the best thing to ever happen to our schools but I do understand that it will be controversial and there will be a lot of fear because all these schools want to be protected; they have their protectors and their mission is to grow; everybody wants more programs. We’re only 4.3 million people; we can’t afford to give every school a school for architecture and we don’t need it. What will happen to McNeese’s school of nursing? This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll lose it, but in North Louisiana for example, we have schools

government cont.

of nursing within 25 or 30 miles of each other. If we consolidate those through economy and scale, we’ll save money and serve the students better. But I’m not an education expert. A single board may decide that we need more nursing schools. The decision ought to be based on sound education policy not politics, and right now it’s based on the programs or allocated according to the most muscle and that’s not a rational way to allocate scarce resources. We can continue doing what we’re doing if people are willing to pay more personal income tax and more sales tax, but I don’t think they are and I don’t think they should. Share some of your other recommendations to the committee: We have a charity hospital system. We hired a firm called Alvarez & Marsal to go in and do a performance audit at the largest charity (hospital) in New Orleans. They did—and after three months came back with their report showing how to save $72 million there. One example is there was one nurse acting as a manager to three nurses so we had three nurses actually being nurses and one who was not providing nursing services but shuffling paper. I’ve also suggested that Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi join together in areas that will save us money. We buy a lot of gravel and asphalt. We buy a lot of food for prisoners.

If we bought them together we’d lower our unit costs. We all share borders. We have hundreds of bulldozers, airplanes, heavy equipment. If we share we don’t need as much or as many. It’s pooling our resources on common products or services. Wisconsin and Minnesota do it and it works. What’s the next step? The next step is convincing the whole commission into considering these things. We’ll start doing that in October. We have to have a report by December. I anticipate that we’ll spend a good portion of October and November discussing and there will probably be some healthy debate. Once we finish our work and everything is on the table, we’ll make a report to the governor and the legislature. Are there any drawbacks to this plan? Oh, sure, sure—there’s no perfect solution here. In a perfect world every penny people pay in taxes would be spent effectively. In a perfect world your legislature would say they’ve got X number of dollars to spend and have rational discussions of what their priorities ought to be. If education is a priority then that’s where they spend the money. If roads are the second priority then that’s where they spend the money. But life doesn’t work like that — and neither does state government.

No One Is Immune to Cancer. Including Me.

I’m probably like many of you. I never thought I’d get cancer. I guess I thought I was immune. But I wasn’t. The good news is that I found it early enough to get treatment. My doctor said if I had to have cancer, finding it early was best, because it greatly increases my chance for a complete recovery. Early detection is a key in cancer survival. See your doctor. I’m glad I did. The chances of getting cancer here are about the same as nationwide - approximately 1 in 3 will be diagnosed*. But, here in Southwest Louisiana, the survival rate is lower. One reason is because many people don’t see their doctor until the cancer is in later stages. Early detection gives more time to beat cancer. Take control of your cancer risk: get screened, get active and learn the facts. *American Cancer Society

Fight Cancer with Facts.

A community partnership between:

Randy Veillon, winning the battle against cancer

September 17, 2009

By Katie Penny

Eviction:

No mystery: some details are right there in your lease

’m getting evicted! What is happening? Eviction takes place when a person who is leasing something (usually a house or residence of some kind) ceases to retain the right to lease that something from the person leasing it to them. In other words, you can get evicted when your lease is broken. Know terms, terminology

A lease is a contract, just like most contracts, that has a party on either side: a lessee (the one paying for the use of the thing) and a lessor (the one accepting payment for the use of the thing). Unlike a sale, which exchanges ownership of an object, a lease exchanges simply the possession of the object. The lessee pays for the right to possess the object, and the lessor accepts payment in exchange for giving up possession of the object. To make this easier, I will refer to the lessee as the occupant and the lessor as the landlord, and assume we’re discussing an apartment. Leases do not necessarily have to be for specific amounts of time. Both the occupant and the landlord have certain obligations under the lease. For example, the landlord must maintain the apartment in a condition suitable for the purpose for which the apartment was leased (usually, for living in), among other things. The occupant, for example, has a duty to pay rent, to be prudent in his use of the apartment, and to return the apartment in the same condition, except for normal wear and tear.

However, the lease can be terminated for various reasons. The term of the lease may simply have run—if it was merely for a year, then the passage of a year will mark the termination of the lease. If the occupant has failed to pay rent, the lease may be terminated because the occupant has violated the lease contract. The lease contract may contain any number of reasons for which the lease may be terminated, so if you want to know how you can violate the terms of your lease, simply read it and see what was included when you signed it. When a lease is terminated

Once the lease has been terminated for any of those reasons, the landlord may deliver written notice to the occupant that he must vacate the premises within 5 days of delivery of the notice. If the landlord cannot locate the occupant, this notice can be attached to the door. At that point, the occupant has 5 days to vacate the premises and “deliver” it back to the landlord (let the landlord take control of the apartment). If the occupant does not vacate the premises within 5 days of the notice of eviction from the landlord, then the landlord can file suit for eviction in court, and serve a “rule to show cause” on the occupant. That means the landlord is demanding that the occupant come to a court hearing and “show cause” why the occupant should not be evicted. The court hearing can be as soon as 3 days after the landlord serves the

September 17, 2009

Rule to Show Cause on the occupant. At that hearing, the occupant, if he believes he is being wrongfully evicted, should present evidence to the court showing that he did pay his rent, or show any opposition to the reasons that the landlord is attempting to have the occupant evicted. If the occupant either does not show up at the hearing, or the court decides the landlord is right about the eviction reasons, then the landlord will get a “judgment of eviction.” Eviction timetable

If the landlord gets a judgment of eviction, the occupant has 24 hours to vacate the apartment. If the occupant still does not vacate within 24 hours after the judgment, then the court can issue a warrant which orders the sheriff to “deliver possession of the premises.” The sheriff will move all of the property out of the apartment, and he can break any locked windows or doors in order to do it. It is possible for the occupant to appeal the court’s Judgment of

Eviction, but even appealing the decision will not keep the sheriff from executing the warrant and moving the occupant’s possessions out unless bond is posted. The worst thing of all is that you can waive the right to five days’ notice in the lease itself, and the landlord can simply file the Rule to Show Cause with the court without giving you any notice of eviction beforehand. This all seems really mean. However, remember that all of the things that the landlord is able to do, and all of the rights that the landlord has over you as his tenant, were given to him when you yourself signed the lease and entered into this contract. Best tip: Read carefully

I understand that most of us have very little power of negotiation with standard lease contracts, but if you actually read your lease and figure out what will lead to the landlord being able to evict you, it may help you avoid pitfalls and understand how to avoid getting into such an uncomfortable situation in the first place.

Another Success Story

“The Times reaches our target market, helps our business grow, and does it in style!” – Sarah Ehlers Owner, Jon Margeaux

Snow Leopard : Mac’s new operating system

By D.B. Grady

arlier this month, Apple released Snow Leopard, the newest version of its Macintosh Operating System. For those who actually got dates in high school, an operating system is the software middleman between the computer and user. If you’ve got a PC, you’re probably running Microsoft Windows XP, or, if you did something particularly nasty in a past life, Windows Vista? If that is the case, Snow Leopard might feel foreign to you. Maybe it’s the speed. Maybe it’s the lack of viruses and spyware. Maybe it’s the absence of blue screens and access boxes asking if you’re really, really sure you want to do something. On Snow Leopard, you don’t click the “Start” button to stop your computer. Purchasing Snow Leopard is easy. Walk into an electronics store, and pick up the box labeled “Snow Leopard.” This may seem like a refreshing glass of water to a computer user in Windows hell, where there are no less than eight versions of Vista, to include Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, Vista Business, Vista Enterprise, and Vista Ultimate. Which one is best for you? I suggest a Magic 8-Ball, and $320 dollars, which is the going rate for Ultimate. Snow Leopard runs $29. Just for the record, things will improve with the upcoming Microsoft Windows 7. They’ve streamlined things, and will bless the serfs with a choice of six arbitrarily defined versions. (Do you need Branch Cache? BitLocker? These questions will determine which version you need. Best of luck! I expect to get a year’s worth of columns out of that alone.) Most of Snow Leopard’s improvements are under the hood. Upon installation, users will notice more space available on their computers. (I gained an astonishing 14 gigabytes, which amounts to around 3500 songs, or 10,000 pictures.) This is because Apple scrapped years of legacy code that had bogged the system down. The upshot is a faster, tighter, more optimized operating environment, at the expense of older, PowerPC-based systems, which are no longer supported. By focusing on contemporary computers, Snow Leopard is able to fully leverage its 64-bit architecture. This is a significant step in personal computing, enhancing performance and allowing for considerably more system memory. In

automotive terms, it’s like going from a 4-cylinder engine to a Warp Drive. The MacOS Finder has been rewritten from the ground up. (Finder is the Mac equivalent of Windows Explorer – the file manager, not the web browser.) In addition to a newfound snappiness, files can now be read and videos previewed on the spot without loading external programs such as QuickTime. QuickTime itself is vastly improved. Long the hallmark of quality digital media, it’s been given a contemporary, minimalist interface for video playback, and now natively supports highresolution video recording and compression. (This had previously been available only with a pricey add-on.) The result is video immediately available for playback on iPhones and iPods, and transferrable directly to YouTube and other such sites. Other enhancements, to include a redesigned Exposé and scrollable Stacks (windowing services both), as well as integrated support for Microsoft Exchange make the $29 investment a bargain at twice the price. (Or ten times the price, by Microsoft standards.) There is a downside. While “big name” programs survive the transition intact, some standalone

software will require upgrades to work in the Snow Leopard environment. Safari, Apple’s own web browser, runs faster than ever, but the superior Firefox seems to have taken a performance hit. Also, printer support is weak at best. Be sure to consult with the compatibility chart on Apple’s web site before upgrading. The bottom line, however, is the bottom line. Thirty bucks for a shiny new operating system is a phenomenal deal, especially coming from Apple, a company not known for basement pricing. Also available is a $59 “Family Pack,” which can be installed on up to five computers. Unless you are running mission critical applications for the space program, there’s no reason not to take the leap. Snow Leopard is a fine addition to the Apple software lineup, and a worthy upgrade for any Intel-based Mac or MacBook. Snow Leopard: http://apple.com/snowleopard

Have a technology question or advice for other users? Email me at tech@timessw.com.

September 17, 2009

camp? Woods: I think it’s been good. As a defensive line and as a defense, we’ve been practicing really well together. And to be honest with you, I have to keep it going at a high level. I have Charles Alexander and Drake Nevis that’s playing on the side of me and behind me so I have to keep it up. The competition level is so high that if one of us has an off day and another one of us has a good day the depth chart could change. I’ve been playing extremely well, but the competition level is extremely high.

one on one: LSU’s al woods Elton native Al Woods is a senior defensive tackle for the LSU Tigers. Woods was considered the top recruit of the 2006 LSU signing class as he was rated amongst the top defensive tackle prospects in the country by every major recruiting publication. During his first three seasons at LSU, Woods only started three of the 28 games he played in. However, this season Woods is expected to make a major contribution as one of the Tigers two starting defensive tackles. In the Tigers’ season-opening victory at Washington, Woods matched a career high with four solo tackles. Lumpkin: When I talked to you last spring you told me that you were in the best shape of your life. Is that still the case here in late August? Woods: Yeah, I weighed 310 pounds then, now I’m down to 304. It’s been nothing but good for me. We have been playing good up front (on the defensive line) collectively as a defense. This has been a real good August camp and I’ve been having a lot of fun. I just thank my coaches and teammates for making it a good experience for me for my last time. Lumpkin: Can you believe that you’re a senior now? It seems like it was just last year that I was interviewing you on signing day in Elton. Woods: I know! Time has flown by, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Lumpkin: During August camp, have you taken most of your repetitions with the first team defense? Woods: Yes. Lumpkin: How would you rate your performance during August

Lumpkin: John Chavis was hired as your defensive coordinator in January. Working with Chavis over the last eight months, are you and your defensive teammates extremely comfortable with him and his defensive philosophy? Woods: Oh yeah! We all love coach Chavis because the way he comes to work with his enthusiasm, it’s contagious. You may come to practice one day when you’re hurting, kind of feeling sorry for yourself, and you don’t feel like practicing. But you see Chavis with his energy and you’re like, ok, well I’m ready to go to work. Lumpkin: If you could be any dinosaur that ever existed, what dinosaur would you be? Woods: (Laughs) Oh, man! I would have to say a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Lumpkin: Why a Tyrannosaurus Rex? Woods: Because I’m a meat eater (laughs)! I love to eat meat and T-Rexes love to eat meat. It’s a good combination there (laughs). Lumpkin: Has a reporter ever asked you that question? Woods: (Laughs) Uh, no. Al Woods

Lumpkin: Well, now you have been asked that question. And I have to say, I thought you were more of a Triceratops. Woods: (Laughs) Lumpkin: All right, back to football questions. Last year the LSU defense struggled (allowed 24 points per game). It wasn’t a typical year for the LSU defense. Would you agree? Woods: Yes, I would agree. Lumpkin: How much emphasis has there been on improving this defense for 2009? Woods: To be honest with you, it’s like the whole team thing. We all took that role, saying as a team we have to get better. Not just the defense or the offensive line or the running backs. Collectively as a team we are trying to get better. We want to get back to where we were a couple of years ago when we were a dominant defense.

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September 17, 2009

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O utdoors

Ah, (Sportsman’s) Paradise As the weather cools, hunting interest heats up

Outdoors photography by Victor Monsour / Monsour’s Photography

outhwest Louisiana, it’s time

to go hunting — and teal hunting at the Lacassine and Sabine National Wildlife Refuges are among the places of choice for hunters as they gear up. The Louisiana teal season runs through September 27. Both Sabine and Lacassine National Wildlife Refuges will be open to teal hunting throughout the season on designated days. Sabine NWR is open for hunting Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Hunters can enter the refuge and launch at 4 am. Shooting hours end at noon each day. Boats may enter the refuge hunt areas from West Cove Recreation Area or through Burton Canal via Black Bayou; Vastar Road remains closed due to a bridge outage. Lacassine NWR is open for hunting Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Hunters may enter the refuge at 4 a.m. Shooting hours end at noon each day. Hunters may hunt the portion of the refuge south of the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway and between the Mermentau River and the east bank of the Lacassine Bayou (excluding the Duck Pond area and Unit B). There is a federal order prohibiting waterfowl hunting on that portion of Lacassine Bayou that flows through the refuge. Youths 17 and under must have proof of successful completion of a Hunter Safety Course. All youths attending the hunt must be under the supervision of an adult age 21 or over. Each adult may supervise no more than two youths. Hunters are encouraged to familiarize themselves with hunting areas prior to hunting and before

the fall refuge closure on Oct. 15. Hunt unit conditions and access may change each year depending upon weather, growth and expansion of vegetation, and tidal flow. Only portable blinds are allowed on the refuge. All boats, blinds, and decoys must be removed immediately following each day’s hunt.

September 17, 2009

All refuge hunters are required to possess a refuge-hunting permit. The Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex Hunting Regulations 2009-2010 brochure will serve as the required permit when it has been signed, dated and in your possession. Download the brochure from the Refuge Complex website at www.fws.gov/swlarefugecomplex

under the Hunting Regulations link. Each hunting party is required to fill out a Waterfowl Harvest Data Form after each hunt and drop it in one of the designated drop boxes. Also, every party, whether successful or not, needs to complete the Data Form. For more information about teal hunting, call 337-598-2216.

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Outdoors

Lottery decides youth hunts The Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex has four Lottery Drawn Waterfowl Hunt opportunities on Cameron Prairie and Lacassine refuges. The application period runs through Oct. 15. All applications must be mailed or delivered to the Complex Headquarters at Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. The Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Youth Lottery Waterfowl Hunt is open to hunters 10–17 years of age. The youth hunts are scheduled on Saturdays and selected school holidays within the western zone Louisiana waterfowlhunting season. The Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge Youth Lottery Waterfowl Hunt is open to hunters 10–17 years of age. The youth hunts, with four blinds, are scheduled on Saturdays within the second split of the western zone Louisiana waterfowlhunting season.

The adult hunter will be allowed to harvest a limit of waterfowl in compliance with state law. Youth hunters must harvest their own limit. For both the Cameron Prairie and Lacassine Youth Hunts, youth hunter applicants and their youth guest must be 10-17 years of age by Oct. 15. One adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters. To apply, send a 3 x 5 index card to: SW LA National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters, Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, 1428 Highway 27, Bell City, LA 70630, by 4 p.m. Oct. 15 with the following information: 1) Name of hunt applying for. 2) Applicant name. 3) Applicant age by Oct. 15. 4) Applicant address. 5) Applicant phone number. 6) Preferred hunt date and two alternate dates. For more information, call 337598-2216.

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Outdoors

Hit the target with the right eyewear If you’re tired of hunting for eyewear that offers you the visibility and protection you need, set your sights on Optics Unlimited at The Eye Clinic. They offer sports eyewear that a specialized selection of frames and lenses developed just for hunters. Nichole Haynie, optician with Optics Unlimited, says any person involved in hunting or shooting sports should wear protective eyewear. “Protective eyewear is important to hunters for several reasons,” she explains. “Having the right eyewear can sharpen your vision, provide safety in the field, protect your eyes from damaging UV radiation and enhance your overall performance. Of course, the quality of your frames and lenses will determine your overall benefit from sports glasses.” Features to look for in hunting

glasses include frame designs that are tailored to your facial features and to accommodate your specific firearm and shooting style, spring hinges, bridges that can be adjusted for any shot, comfortable nose pads, wrapstyle features for secure fit around the ears and lightweight materials

like plastics or titanium. Haynie says protective eyewear should be worn at all times while hunting, and polycarbonate is the lens material of choice. Lenses should include built-in UVA and UVB protection. The lens color used in hunting

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glasses has become a science of its own. Haynie explains that the lens color you need is determined by several factors, including the terrain, game and lighting conditions. “Many hunters are most comfortable in lenses that are yellow or orange. These hues block haze, and with the addition of an anti-reflective coating, allow 99% of the light through the lens. A yellow contrast enhancing lens will absorb blue light which if present on overcast days. This will help make objects against a colored background appear brighter, helping you better distinguish an animal in the field,” explains Haynie. Other popular lens colors and recommendations are: Red – excellent for hunting in green background. Purple or violet – shooting sports like clay targets. Orange – excellent for clay-target shooting. Bronze – good for bright, glaring days with open backgrounds. Green – good all-purpose lens; best in bright sunny conditions . Haynie recommends purchasing shooting eyewear that features interchangeable lenses. Also, most sports frames can be fitted with prescription lenses as well and tinted with the colors you specify. For more information, call Optics Unlimited at 478-3810.

Outdoors

PHOTOS: VICTOR MONSOUR / MONSOUR’S PHOTOGRAPHY

September 17, 2009

Outdoors

Take this to heart: Don’t over-exert while hunting Doctors are warning hunters to be sure their hearts are in “hunting shape” this season. Spotting prey within range can send a hunter’s heart rate sky high. If the heart isn’t in good shape, it could trigger serious problems. Heart attacks are the greatest risk for hunters, in fact, three times the risk compared to a stray bullet or an accidental fall. “This time of the year, hunters

are making plans for the next few months. Hunting is a longheld tradition, especially in this area, so it’s important to be sure a hunter’s health is strong enough to handle the physical and emotional demands,” said Ken Thomas, MD, family medicine physician with The Cypress Clinic. “Hiking in the woods, climbing into tree stands, and the excitement of the hunt can

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be taxing. Hunters can experience cardiac demands that are similar to a treadmill stress test. Sometimes the activity level and stress on the heart proves to be too much.” Those with a history of heart disease should be especially mindful of the exertion spent during hunting. Anyone who has had a heart attack, an episode of heart-related chest pain, or has had a stent or bypass surgery should check with their doctor before hunting. “A prehunting physical is a good idea,” said Dr. Thomas. “The checkup should include blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol level, as well as discussion of upcoming activities to be sure their body is up for the challenge and excitement.” Heartdisease patients are usually told to keep a nitroglycerin tablet handy, and a hunting trip is no exception. “Any prescribed medication should be included in the bag, and taken on schedule.” A study from a hospital in

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Michigan had 25 male hunters wear heart monitors during a day of hunting, and the results showed that typical hunting activities can change heart rhythm and rate in a way that could be dangerous for those at high risk for heart disease. Hunters know that they may sit for hours waiting, then there’s the sudden adrenaline rush and activity once they spot their prey. It can be too much for some hearts. One of the cardinal rules of hunting is to never go alone and always have a cell phone. Knowing CPR can help save the life of a fellow hunter, should something happen. Dr. Thomas said if a fellow hunter looks pale, sweaty, or says they are having trouble keeping up, get help right away. “Even if the symptoms seem to go away after a few minutes, get help. It could be a warning sign that something more serious is about to happen,” he said.

Charles Cox 337-480-1300 3405 Lake St Lake Charles

*Source: abcnews.com/GoodMorningAmerica, January 7, 2009. Life insurance offered by Allstate Life Insurance Company: Northbrook, IL, and Lincoln Benefit Life Company: Lincoln, NE. In New York, Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York, Hauppauge, NY. © 2009 Allstate Insurance Company

September 17, 2009

Thursday, September 17 Joe Simon Louisiana Cajun @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Clarece Denias & Scott Rambler @ Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 7 pm Twangster’s Union @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri, 9 pm Jam Session @ The Western Bar, 7 pm End Transmission & Daylight Broadcast @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 pm Friday, September 18 Ron Thibodeaux @ Speckled Trout, Hackberry, 8 pm Zero Echo @ Delta Downs Gator Lounge, 8 pm Nolan Cormier & Cajun Hee Haw @ Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 7 pm Bayou Cats @ Yesterdays, 7 pm Southern Spice @ Bab’s Pub, 7 pm Travis Matte and the Kingpins @ GG’s Club, Alexandria, 9:30 pm Wilson Miller & Still Kickin’@ Linda’s Lounge, 8:30 pm Mike Taylor Band @ Engine 89-DeQuincy, 8 pm Mike Richard & Step-n-Out @ Scottie Tee Judi’s Konstruxion Zone,

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September 17, 2009

9:30 pm Tom Brandow @ Outriggers Tavern, 5 pm Briant Lloyd Smith & Hot Gritz, Fridays @ Blue Duck, 9 pm Nothingmore @ Scout Bar, Beaumont, 8 pm Keith McCoy @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri, 9 pm Gladys Knight @ Paragon Casino, 12 pm Nothing More, Colorcast Veteran & Pandemic @ Toucan’s Bar & Grill, 9:30 pm ISIS @ Mikko Live, Coushatta Casino, 9 pm Howard Noel Cajun Boogie @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Forever Falls, Last November and Villan For The Moment @ AJ’s Bar & Grill, 10 pm Blues Tonic @ Sylvia’s Bistro, 9 pm Saturday, September 19 Butt Roxx @ AJ’s Bar & Grill, 10 pm Zero Echo @ Delta Downs Gator Lounge, 8 pm Static @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri, 9 pm Crooks Carnival @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 pm Nolan Cormier & Cajun Hee Haw @ Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 11 am Gervais Matte & Branch Playboys @ Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 7 pm Steve Adams @ Agave Mexican Grill & Cantina, Lafayette Mike Taylor @ Bobby B’s, Vinton, midnight Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie @ Yesterdays, 7 pm Red & White Party @ Toucans Bar & Grill, 9:30 pm Pork Chop Express @ Blue Duck, 9 pm ISIS @ Mikko Live, Coushatta Casino, 9 pm Al Roger Louisiana Pride @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Salsa Dance Night - Jay and Maria Cotto @ Sylvia’s Bistro, 9 pm Sunday, September 20 Clarece Denias & Scott Rambler @ Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 11 am

Blues Tonic

Gervais Matte & Branch Playboys @ Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 7 pm Jimmy/Wilson Band, Sundays @ Shorty’s Ice House, Moss Bluff, 5 pm Idol Minds @ Fred’s Lounge, 6 pm Lacassine Playboys @ Wayne & Layne’s Deli, 4 pm Foret Tradition @ Yesterdays, 7 pm monday, September 21 Singer/Songwriter Open Mic Night @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 pm Les Freres Michot @ Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 7 pm TUESday, September 22 Homer LeJeune @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Phillipe & Friends @ Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 7 pm Wednesday, September 23 Jimmy Wilson Band @ Cuz’s Lounge, Sulphur, 6 pm Clarece Denias & Scott Rambler @ Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 7 pm Alvin Touchet @ The Blue Duck, 7:30 pm Scotty Doland @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 pm 33 Miles, John Waller Pocket Full of Rocks @ Burton Colliseum, 6 pm Foret Tradition w/ Jon Smith @ Yesterdays, 7 pm Scotty Pousson Pointe aux Loups Playboys @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Jerry Dee & Shakie @ Granger’s Seafood Restaurant & Lounge, 8 pm THURsday, September 24 Bayou Katz @ Mikko Live, Coushatta Casino, 9 pm Felton LeJeune Cajun Cowboys @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Jam Session @ The Western Bar, 7 pm Blues Tonic @ Luna Bar & Grill, 8 pm Clarece Denias & Scott Rambler @ Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette,

7 pm Ridin’ High @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri, 9 pm Sugarglyder, Destination Sanity and 2nd Party Program @ AJ’s Bar & Grill, 10 pm T-Broussard @ Delta Downs Gator Lounge, 8 pm FRIday, September 25 Happy Papi Band @ Sylvia’s Bistro, 9 pm Research Turtles w/ The Amazing Nuns @ Toucans Bar & Grill, 9:30 pm T-Broussard @ Delta Downs Gator Lounge, 8 pm Gervais Matte & Branch Playboys @ Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 7 pm Blues Tonic @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 8 pm Tom Brandow @ Outriggers Tavern, 5 pm Ron Thibodeaux @ Speckled Trout, Hackberry, 8 pm Wilson Miller & Still Kickin’@ Linda’s Lounge, 8:30 pm broadBAND@ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri, 9 pm Mike Taylor Band @ Engine 89-DeQuincy, 8 pm Mike Richard & Step-n-Out @ Scottie Tee Judi’s Konstruxion Zone, 9:30 pm Tom Brandow @ Outriggers Tavern, 5 pm Briant Lloyd Smith & Hot Gritz, Fridays @ Blue Duck, 9 pm Handsome Harry Band, Colorcast Veteran & Barisal Guns @ Luna Bar & Grill, 8 pm Bayou Katz @ Mikko Live, Coushatta Casino, 9 pm Jamie Berzas Cajun Tradition Band @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Martina McBride @ L’Auberge Du Lac Casino, Event Center, 8 pm Travis Matte & Kingpins @ Yesterdays, 7 pm Von Dukes, Flamim Hell Cats and The Good Ole Boys @ AJ’s Bar & Grill, 10 pm Continued on Page 27

Don’t see your band or venue mentioned? Send schedules to editor@timessw.com September 17, 2009

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September 17, 2009

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bandstand SATURday, September 26 Du Lac Live @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 pm Martina McBride @ L’Auberge Du Lac Casino, Event Center, 8 pm T-Broussard @ Delta Downs Gator Lounge, 8 pm Kadilacs @ Yesterdays, 7 pm Live Oak Decline @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 pm Pork Chop Express @ Blue Duck, 9pm Bayou Katz @ Mikko Live, Coushatta Casino, 9 pm Briggs Brown Bayou Cajuns @ D.I.’s, Basile, 5 pm Magnolia Sons @ Toucans Bar & Grill, 9:30 pm Mike Taylor @ Bobby B’s, Vinton, midnight Five Star Fiasco Mission vs. Madness, and Noyola @ AJ’s Bar & Grill 10 pm broadBAND @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri, 9 pm Gervais Matte & Branch Playboys @ Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 11am & 7 pm Ray Johnson @ Agave Mexican Grill & Cantina, Lafayette Moss Back @ Sylvia’s Bistro, 9 pm Sunday, September 27 Jimmy/Wilson Band, Sundays @ Shorty’s Ice House, Moss Bluff, 5 pm Lacassine Playboys @ Wayne & Layne’s Deli, 4 pm Clarece Denias & Scott Rambler @ Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 11 am Blues Tonic @ Mary’s Lounge, 5 pm Gervais Matte & Branch Playboys @ Prejean’s Restaurant,

Lafayette, 7 pm Idol Minds @ Fred’s Lounge, 6 pm Journey with Night Ranger @ The Ford Pavilion, Beaumont, 8 pm Warren Storm, Willie Tee & Cypress @ Yesterdays, 7 pm MONday, September 28 Singer/Songwriter Open Mic Night @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 pm Les Freres Michot @ Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 7 pm TUESday, September 29 Al Roger Louisiana Pride @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Phillipe & Friends @ Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 7 pm wednesday, September 30 Jimmy Wilson Band @ Cuz’s Lounge, Sulphur, 6 pm Clarece Denias & Scott Rambler @ Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 7 pm Jerry Dee & Shakie @ Granger’s Seafood Restaurant & Lounge, 8 pm Alvin Touchet @ The Blue Duck 7:30 pm Scotty Doland @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 pm Howard Noel Cajun Boogie @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie @ Yesterdays, 7 pm THURsday, october 1 Briggs Brown Bayou Cajuns @ D.I.’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 5 pm Blues Tonic @ Luna Bar & Grill, 8 pm Jam Session @ The Western Bar, 7 pm

Homegrown Businesses Service is the mainstay for Lanier Plumbing, but they still do some construction. “The last company I bought was doing 50% service and 50% new construction right after Hurricane Rita. So we got back in the market on the new construction side, but it is all commercial construction. We do very little residential; what we do is mainly remodel or additions.” Lanier said the company prides themselves on service. It is the company’s main passion. “We are a 24-hour emergency service,” he said. “One thing we strive to do is make our customers feel more comfortable dealing with us. We don’t use an answering service in our company. When you call Lanier Plumbing, no matter what time or what day, you talk to an employee, either the office manager or the dispatcher.” The system is set up so previous customers will more than likely speak with someone who they already have a relationship with. “This is so they know who you are and they help you work through that emergency,” said Lanier. “We do have one man on emergency call and one man on backup just in case the phone goes crazy.” Lanier said the company does its best to stay on top of cutting edge technology in order to make things easier for the customer. “We have a website that you can visit where you can actually schedule an appointment online and it comes to us by email,” said Lanier. Plumbing problems are always an inconvenience, but Lanier Plumbing offers alternatives that will hopefully alleviate some of the client’s stress. “We have camera systems that go in and find broken sewer lines. Either outside the building or under slabs. We can locate exactly where the problem is, and either break concrete to make the repair if necessary and it’s a small

September 17, 2009

cont.

repair. We can tunnel underneath houses or commercial buildings and do the repairs so we never put you out of business,” said Lanier. “The only way you will know we were there is the big pile of dirt sitting outside for a few days,” jokes Lanier. In the past year the company purchased a pipe bursting system that allows workers to change sewer lines. “It actually allows us to install a new sewer line through the old sewer lines. We can build sewer lines from the house to the street’s city sewer without digging up your yard. Or if it is in a parking lot situation we can have an entrance hole where we dig and it cuts down on the removal of concrete and landscaped yard.” Lanier said they can make pools up to 110 feet long without disturbing anything but the entry and exit points, which are roughly a 3 by 5 feet hole in the ground. This equipment allows them to minimize the damage to the landscaping or concrete. The camera systems and pipe bursting sets the company apart. All employees are licensed master plumbers that are tested through the state. Lanier has served on state and city plumbing boards for over a dozen years. “I kept involved because the only way you can take care of your industry is to be involved in the political side of it.” Lanier Plumbing has all the qualifications, but what sets this company apart is Rick Lanier’s love for his job. “This is the only job I have ever had. I really enjoy it. It is challenging but you surround yourself with good people and it turns a job into fun. That is basically how I operate.” For more information, or for help with a plumbing emergency, call (337) 436-3502 or visit their website at www. lanierplumbinginc.com.

Drexler relaxes between holes.

Nothing but green? Clyde Drexler plays golf locally.

NBA great ‘Clyde the Glide’ hits the links in LC Former Houston Rocket Clyde “The Glide” Drexler stopped in Lake Charles earlier this month to golf with other former and current members of the Houston Rockets. Drexler is a current television analyst for the Rockets and said, “The NBA has never been better than it is

today.” Drexler was born in New Orleans and currently lives in Houston. He was a 10-time NBA All-Star and is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. The NBA named him one of basketball’s 50 greatest players ever.

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September 17, 2009

the best i n lake area enter tai nment

Multi-Award Winning Artists Kool & The Gang Oct. 10 World renowned R&B group Kool & The Gang has been keeping everyone dancing for decades. On Saturday, October 10, Kool & The Gang will be bringing their classic party hits to the Delta Event Center for a one-night-only performance, starting at 8 p.m. In 1964, Khalis Bayyan (AKA Ronald Bell) and his brother, Robert “Kool” Bell, joined Jersey City neighborhood friends Robert “Spike” Mickens, Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, Ricky Westfield, George Brown, and Charles Smith to create a unique musical blend of jazz, soul and funk. Tickets for Kool & The Gang start at $40 and are available online at deltadowns.com or ticketmaster.com, at The Delta Downs Gift Shop, or to charge by phone call 1-800-745-3000. Dessert Extravaganza September 19 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Local restaurants, bakeries and pastry chefs will allow the community to sample their mouthwatering creations.They’ll also teach guests about the latest trends in wedding cakes, cupcakes, birthday cakes, ice cream and more. The Immaculate Conception Cathedral Chorale Sept. 26 The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Lake Charles. The concert program will include Samuel Barber’s “Agnus Dei” and “O Vos Omnes” by Pablo Casals, as well as a number of spirituals including “Elijah Rock” by Moses Hogan and “True Light” arranged by Keith Hampton. Also included in the program will be “The Lord is My Shepherd” by Howard Goodall, which was the theme from the popular BBC television series “The Vicar of Dibley.” Soloists for the concert are Colette Bulber Tanner, Damian France, Phillip Soileau, Allen Van Metre, Deanna Kolde and Michelle Taylor. The choir is under the direction of Robert Marcantel and accompanied by Charlotte Hine. The concert is free of charge and open to the public. Tri-Parish Youth-a-Thon Opportunity “Stepping up to the Challenge, Let Your Voices be Heard” DeRidder Youth in grades 7-22 and their families are invited to take part in the Tri-Parish Youth-a-Thon on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 2-6 p.m. at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall. The event, sponsored by the Louisiana Workforce Commission and Youth Advisory Committee of Local Workforce Investment Area 50, will bring together youth from the Vernon, Beauregard and Allen parish region for games, food, music and prizes. Participants will learn how they can make a difference in their community and schools by getting involved in positive activities. Youth also will have a chance to meet with others their age from across the region to share ideas. “Our state’s youth and their viewpoints are important to their communities, and we want to encourage them to take part in this event not only to have fun, but also to find out how their involvement can make a difference in their area,” said LWC Deputy Director of Emerging Workforce Johnny Riley. The day will feature several special guests and chances for participants to win gift certificates and other door prizes. An “End of the Summer” ceremony will take place for all youth who participated in the WIA Summer Youth Employment Programs. Certificates and gift cards will be given to the WIA participants. These participants must be present to receive the gift card. Questions concerning this event can be directed to 337-639-2175 in Allen Parish, 337-462-5838 in Beauregard Parish or 337-238-4179 in Vernon Parish.

September 17, 2009

Picks

McNeese Assistant Professor of Art Teresa Johnson’s archival pigment print is “Archetype Classification: Cynosur Three.” McNeese Annual Faculty Exhibition Sept. 25 The McNeese State University Annual Faculty Exhibition is currently underway through Friday, Sept. 25, in McNeese’s Abercrombie Gallery. The exhibit is sponsored by the McNeese Department of Visual Arts. There will be a closing reception from 6–8 p.m. Sept. 25 in the Abercrombie Gallery honoring faculty artists. The reception is free to the public and coincides with the citywide Annual Gallery Promenade 2009 that Friday. The exhibition features 45 recent works by McNeese visual arts faculty members Robbie Austin, Cynthia Howes-Baskin, Ken Baskin, Martin Bee, Meghan Fleming, Teresa Johnson, Heather Ryan Kelley, Lisa Reinauer, Lynn Reynolds, Larry Schuh, Lewis Temple and Gerry Wubben. The works presented will include ceramics, drawings, graphic design, illustration, intaglio, lithography, mixed media, monoprints, paintings and photography. The Abercrombie Gallery, located in Room 125 of the Shearman Fine Arts Center, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information about the exhibit, call the visual arts department at (337) 4755060. Individuals requesting an accommodation to attend this exhibit or reception under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the McNeese visual arts department at least three business days in advance. Delta Downs Announces September Lounge Entertainment Zero Echo The music they play will take you back to the 80’s when you heard songs like “Just like Heaven,” “Jenny 867-5309” and “Tainted Love,” just to name a few cool tunes. So when you feel like going “back to the future” come out and see Zero Echo.

The Coushatta Tribe’s annual Powwow Celebration, now in its 15th year, is a vibrant display of colorful traditional attire and Native American culture.

September 17, 8 p.m.-midnight September 18, 8:30 p.m. – 1 am September 19, 8:30 p.m. – 1 am T-Broussard Accordionist, singer, and songwriter are among several of Bryant Keith “T” Broussard’s musical talents. He also plays drums, scrub board, and bass guitar. Although Zydeco music is Bryant’s primary performance style, he also plays traditional Creole music. September 24, 8 p.m.-midnight September 25, 8:30 p.m. – 1 am September 26, 8:30 p.m. – 1 am All shows in the Gator Lounge at Delta Downs are free and open to the public. The Gator Lounge opens Thursdays - Saturdays at 4 p.m. You must be 21 or older to attend the shows. More information is available on the Web at www.deltadowns.com. SAGE Program Monday afternoons The McNeese Senior Academic Group Encounter, or SAGE, program will offer its fall lecture series from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Mondays in Gayle Auditorium, located on the first floor of Gayle Hall, with the theme of “Evolution of a City: Lake Charles from Past to Present.” SAGE programs are open to adults age 50 and over and the cost is $39 for all five lectures. The lecture series schedule is as follows: Sept. 28—“Growth of Education,” Annette Ballard Oct. 12—“Historical Development of Local Health Care,” Dr. John Noble Jr. Oct. 26—“Growth of Business and Industry,” Adley Cormier Nov. 9—“The Influence of Religion and the Arts,” Father Henry Mancuso, the Rev. Henry Bowden and Bill Kushner Participants will enjoy an added treat after each lecture with a tasting from the Junior League of Lake Charles’ “Marshes to Mansion Cookbook.” For more information or to register, call the McNeese Office of Continuing Education at 475-5615 or 475-5127.

Coushatta Tribe to Host Annual Coushatta Powwow Oct. 2-4 Hundreds of Native American dancers and singers are expected to gather at the 15th Annual Coushatta Powwow Celebration October 2-4 in Kinder, Louisiana. One of the largest gatherings in the South, the powwow will feature competition dancing and Native American arts & crafts exhibits in the spectacular three-day festivities. Traditionally, the term “powwow” is defined as “a gathering of nations.” Coushatta’s powwow brings together representatives of tribes across the US and Canada. The powwow will begin with Gourd Dancing on October 2 at 5 pm followed by the Grand Entry at 7 pm. During the grand entry, Native American dancers dressed in full traditional regalia will parade around the dance arena in a brilliant spectacle of color and sound. Competitions and specialty dances will be seen throughout the three-day event. Schedule Of Events Gourd Dancing Friday, October 2, at 5 p.m. Saturday, October 3, at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, October 4, at 11 a.m. Grand Entry Friday, October 2, at 7 p.m. Saturday, October 3, at noon and 7 p.m. Sunday, October 4, at 1 p.m. The powwow also includes exhibitions of the talents of Native American tribes. The famous “Indian frybread” and “Indian tacos” as well as other foods will be sold. Talented Native American artists and craftsmen will showcase their wares in the Powwow Market: turquoise and silver jewelry, hand-made beaded items, hand-woven long leaf pine needle baskets, and more. The public is invited to attend this family-friendly alcohol-free event. For more information, visit www.coushattapowwow.com Coushatta Casino Resort is located in Kinder, Louisiana on Highway 165 (I-10 exit 44), featuring over 2,800 slots and more than 70 table games. Phone 800-584-7263 for more information or visit the website at coushattacasinoresort.com.

September 17, 2009

WHAT’S

UP DOC?

Is there any difference between bottled water and tap water? I keep hearing that drinking bottled water over tap water is healthier. In general, there are no health benefits from drinking bottled water over tap water. Both must meet certain criteria that ensure safety. Many people just prefer bottled water because the bottle is easy to carry along. If you are more sensitive to color, odor and taste in tap water, drinking bottled water is just as good of an alternative. — Marne’ Devillier, MD, Family Medicine Physician with Maplewood Family Medical Clinic I often feel rushed at my doctor’s office. I trust that he’s a qualified doctor, and I don’t want to change doctors, but is there a way I can get more out of the visits and not leave feeling confused? Medical information is complex, just like engineering, accounting or carpentry, but the difference is, we participate in the solution. Choices we make every day with nutrition, medications and exercise affect our health. Clear communication is vital for a good doctor-patient relationship. I suggest writing down your questions or concerns before your visit and bring a notebook with you. Take notes about the instructions and repeat them back to the doctor to make sure you understood correctly. Ask questions about medications such as when you should see an improvement, what you can do to prevent the condition, and so on. Patients who don’t understand their doctor’s orders are at greater risk for infections, medication errors and repeated hospitalizations. — Todd Peavy, MD, Family Medicine Physician, with Lake Charles Medical and Surgical Clinic I suffer from depression and was wondering if there is a link between caffeine and depression. I drink a lot of coffee. Caffeine is considered a mild stimulant, and there is no evidence that it causes depression. However, some people are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others. In such individuals, caffeine may worsen existing depression. How or why this occurs isn’t exactly clear, and is being studied. One possibility is that although caffeine initially gives you a “lift,” it may later have the opposite effect as the stimulation it delivers wears off. Another is that caffeine can cause difficulties with sleep, which can worsen depression. Caffeine also appears to have some effect on blood sugar, especially in people with diabetes. Fluctuations in blood sugar can be associated with mood changes. If you have depression, you may consider limiting or avoiding caffeine to see if it helps improve your depressive symptoms. Because caffeine can be habit-forming, an abrupt decrease in consumption can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, irritability and nervousness. To lessen these withdrawal effects, gradually reduce the amount of caffeine you consume. — D. Dale Archer , MD, Psychiatrist with the Institute for Neuropsychiatry What is the treatment for deteriorating disk of the neck? It depends, and it’s important to understand that all discs will degenerate in all individuals over time. Surgery is usually not needed unless there is nerve or spinal cord damage. Often the degeneration can be slowed down with simple injections and physical therapy, with surgery used as a last resort. — Craig Morton, MD, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist, Center for Orthopaedics

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New Drug & Alcohol Collection Center Contractors Drug Free Alliance *Quick electronic sign up with an easy, userfriendly process

*Places qualified workers on the job site faster with immediate access to worker status and avoids redundant screens *Saves money with all inclusive reduced pricing-no hidden fees *Provides a third party database management group

1201 Ryan Street

*On site random testing at facilities

Grand Opening

*Managed rehabilitation program

The Safety Council of SWLA is proud to announce the opening of our Drug & Alcohol Collection Center. The new center provides service to the Contractors Drug Free Alliance. Our collection center is a state of the art location.

*Independent Medical Review Officer

Drug Free Alliance

The Contractors Drug Free Alliance is committed to a drug free workplace for all of Southwest Louisiana construction workers. The Alliance provides a database that captures drug and alcohol screening results & makes the compliant/non-compliant status available to all Alliance Members. If you are interested in improving your drug program please visit our website at www.safetycouncilswla.org to sign up.

*Certified Technicians-DOT *Partnering with LexisNexis & Business Health Partners

*Similar services are available for all local businesses for pre-employment and a random program

For more information on the new drug and alcohol program contact: Mason Lindsay Manager of Customer Service mlindsay@safetycouncilswla.org (337) 436-8809

1201 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601

September 17, 2009

McNeese fundraiser will benefit women’s tennis team By Terri Shlichenmeyer Have you ever seen The Perfect Dog? Of course you have. It might be a Lab or a Lhasa; maybe miniature but mighty, or huge and huggable. The Perfect Dog understands conversation, has a wicked sense of humor, never does anything wrong, can flawlessly perform several different tricks on command, and might even have a streak of heroism in its furry body. The Perfect Dog is highly intelligent. And – no matter what anybody else claims – The Perfect Dog is your dog. Or, if there’s room for debate, Dean Koontz says it was his pooch. In the new book A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog, you’ll read about her. When you learn about Dean Koontz’s life as a youngster, it’s no wonder where his sense of the edgy came from: Koontz was the child of a “skirt-chasing”, alcoholic gambler and a gentle woman who tried to hold the family together. There was barely enough money to afford four walls then, let alone a fourfooted mouth to feed. Which is to say that Dean Koontz never had a dog as a child. Koontz and his wife, Gerda, both loved dogs and worked tirelessly on behalf of Canine Companions for Independence (www.cci.org), but they thought

fitting a dog into their lives would be difficult. They always said they’d have a dog someday – when the timing was right and life slowed down. Over dinner one night, they realized that life was never going to slow down. They then asked to adopt a “released” CCI dog. And Trixie, retired due to a fixable injury, came to “Koontzland”. She was 60-some pounds of golden fur and doggy smiles. Her face had a wide range of expressions and she had the ability not only to convey what she was thinking but to know what others were thinking, too. Flawlessly trained to assist someone who was wheelchair-bound, she never forgot her training and could be trusted completely in most any situation. She was welcomed into restaurants, offices, stores, and homes… and firmly into the Koontz’s hearts. Koontz was not expecting the “force for positive change” that he got in Trixie. He didn’t expect to fall in love so hard. And he didn’t expect to lose her so soon. Readers of author Dean Koontz’s books expect to feel a little jumpy when reading his novels, but that won’t happen here. Instead, sit awhile with “A Big Little Life” and you’ll only jump up for tissues. In this, his first non-fiction book, Koontz gives fans a peek at his personal life: his hardscrabble childhood, past jobs and his dream of writing, courting his wife, and becoming a multi-million-selling author. In between his life story is the tale of a dog that was widely loved, a good judge of character, and downright goofy, and a doglover who became unexpectedly smitten with a pup with personality-plus. Don’t expect the usual Dean Koontz fare in this book. Do expect an unusually great story. For dog lovers of all ages, “A Big Little Life” is just perfect.

A tennis tournament to benefit the McNeese State University women’s tennis team will be Friday-Sunday, Sept. 25-27, at the Sports Club at Graywood. The Textbook Rentals Tournament will be open for men and women’s doubles, with two matches of play guaranteed. Registrants will also receive entry to the Autumn Wine Tasting on Saturday night, which will feature chef-prepared hors’douevres, silent auction items, valet parking and live entertainment. “This is a great way for the Sports Club at Graywood and the community to support the McNeese Cowgirls,” said Sports Club Director Ronnie Walters. “The support of the community is particularly vital as budget cuts have affected programs across the country. The entry fee is $50 and the registration deadline is Monday, Sept. 21. Sponsors include Textbook Rentals, Fox 29, and The CW in Lake Charles. For more information, call the Sports Club at 4771114.

“A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog” By Dean Koontz c.2009, Hyperion 271 pages, $24.99 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.

September 17, 2009

Young at Heart Expo: A life-affirming event The Shadow always enjoys going to expos at the Lake Charles Civic Center. I know I’m going to get to talk with a lot of people and see many old friends. The Young at Heart Expo proved me right. The moment I walked through the doors I spotted Scott Waldrop from KPLC. Scott is the president of the Lake Area Film Group. He’s one hilarious guy! I also saw my old church friend Gloria Simon so I snapped her picture before she could duck. The Young at Heart Expo was a life-affirming event, promoting and celebrating good health. There were approximately 100 booths on the first floor — all handing out information that explained their services. Wendy’s, an official breakfast sponsor, passed out more than 200 breakfasts to those who fasted for their glucose and cholesterol tests. The Shadow walked around looking for interesting faces. When I saw my old pal Harvey Honsinger, I knew I’d found one. Harvey has written something like eight western

Dawn Eccles, manager of Piccadilly.

Bill and Gwen Greenan.

novels and is active in the Bayou Writers Group. He’s known for his storytelling skills while his lovely wife, Judy, is known for her great cooking. Harvey is always telling me what Judy has cooked up for him. I’m wondering why he doesn’t write a cookbook! The Shadow was tickled silly to run into three other writer friends: Joyce Kebodeaux, with her cute little great-grandson Nathaniel Luke; Gwen Greenan with husband Bill; and special friend Mary Savoie. Dawn Eccles passed out information on Piccadilly, so the Shadow asked her for a smile. Two gents — Adam Boling and Lionel Richard — were waiting patiently while their wives browsed and asked questions. Typical husbands, huh? Lucas and Norma James were happy to chat with the Shadow and pose for a picture. The Young at Heart Expo only lasted one day but I heard several people say they wished it lasted longer. The latest information about preventive healthcare and treatments flowed freely, and everyone is interested in topics such as cardiology, joint replacement and sleep disorders, just to name a few. There was just too much to take in with the fantastic seminars on the third floor and great music on the first floor. Mr. Bill’s Seafood was the official lunch sponsor and gave away 2,000 jambalaya lunches. Yum, yum! Nancy Roach gave a seminar called Grandparenting 101 and GiGi Kaufman’s seminar was “Exercise: The Fountain of Youth.” A couple of other interesting seminars were “Alzheimer’s: Brain Health by Danielle Bacque from the Alzheimer’s Association” and “How to Avoid Scams, Cons and Identity Theft” by Bobby Robinson of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff ’s Office. If you missed the Young At Heart Expo, make a mental note to watch for it next year. This is an expo that shouldn’t be missed.

Brandilyn Solieau and Syrine Joubert having breakfast Lucas and Norma James.

September 17, 2009

Judy and Harvey Honsinger.

Mary Savoie checks out exhibits.

Cookie and Kenny Boullion.

“Louisiana Women: Their Lives and Times”

Janet Allured and Sallye LeBleu.

Carol Ann Gayle.

The Shadow was clicking around the Calcasieu Parish library website the other day and noticed Janet Allured was scheduled to speak at the Central Library. I don’t know Janet but I remembered that she taught my daughter a history class at McNeese, and without a doubt, she was the best history teacher my daughter ever had. Let me say right now, teachers don’t know how much parents appreciate and value good teachers. So, when I saw that Janet Allured would be discussing a book she’d pulled together and edited, I marked my calendar. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not a history buff but I wanted to hear what she had to say about Louisiana Women. I wasn’t disappointed. As soon as I got there, I met the author, Janet Allured, with her friend Sallye LeBleu. Others trailing in were Vi and Patti Threatt, Carol Anne Gayle from the Old Historic Courthouse, Marie Parrish and Czennia-Baerbel, an English Lit grad student at McNeese. Before long, the room was packed and anxious to hear what Janet had to say about Louisiana Women. She began by asking a question—as most teachers do: Why do we need a book about Louisiana women? Well, that’s simple. There aren’t many—if any. Think about it. History is riddled with the exploits of men—military, political, you name it and it’s out there, but no Louisiana women, and believe me, Louisiana women have their own exploits. According to Janet, Louisiana women didn’t lead public lives. Those who made history were disorderly women. The lecture was lively and fun, and I encourage everyone to purchase a copy of “Louisiana Women: Their Lives and Times.” It wasn’t easy pulling this masterpiece together because documentation on great women in our state just isn’t there. They didn’t always leave records for us. I commend Janet Allured, associate professor of history and director of the Women’s Studies Program at McNeese, and Judith F. Gentry, professor of history at the University of Louisiana of Lafayette. They did a great job with this book. The Shadow is hoping there will be a Book 2. I’m sure you can find the book at your local bookstore or order it from Amazon.com. Do it now before you forget!

Czennia-Baerbel.

Vi and Patti Threatt.

Gary Keers, Pam LeDoux, Allan Hauser, Kashia Askew, Meredith Harris, Kelly Keers, Annabel Keers, Rep. Mike Danahay and Jarod Keers.

Dooley Dawgs Drive Dedication

Marie Parrish.

My cell jingled the other day and when I answered I heard Thomas Trahan, director of Henning Cultural Center in Sulphur say, “Hey, there’s a driveway dedication at Vincent Settlement Elementary School on Friday. Can you ‘shadow’ it?” I hem-hawed around and didn’t commit, but as the week wore on, I couldn’t get the little country school and its special driveway dedication out of my mind. So on Friday morning,

Allan Hauser with Kashia Askew, VSE assistant principal.

September 17, 2009

Kelly and Gary Keers with Mike Danahay and Annabel.

Heather Kelley and Ashley Wilson.

Nancy Pullig with daugher-in-law Susan Pullig.

Marj Gustine, Reva Chesson and Dot Atkins.

Ginny Karg with artist Albino Hinojosa.

I Googled the whereabouts of VSE and off I drove. And I drove. And I drove. Yes, that sweet little country school is a good distance away, but what I learned made the trip worthwhile. Great scores, dedicated teachers, a wonderful, gung-ho, parental support group and . . . did I say great scores? Back in the spring of this year, VSE hosted its first ever auction and dinner fundraiser. There were all kinds of wonderful things to bid on. Representative Mike Danahay bid on a brisket and I think he won. Gary, Kelly, Jarod and Annabel Keers purchased the right to name the Vincent Settlement Elementary School (VSE) Driveway. The Keers named the driveway “Dooley’s Dawgs Drive” to honor the Louisiana Tech University 2009 Independence Bowl Champions, and to honor the University’s student athletes and their drive for academic excellence. Kelly graduated from LaTech and is awfully proud of the fact that her alma mater has the top athlete graduation rate of all Louisiana universities. The name Dooley’s Dawgs Drive also fit well because in 2008, VSE was 1 of 147 schools in the United States recognized by President Bush as “A National School of Excellence” and continues to score well above the state and national averages on standardized tests. It wouldn’t surprise me if Vincent Settlement Elementary School is one of Southwest Louisiana’s best kept secrets. Representative Mike Danahay opened the driveway, and helped Annabel Keers cut the ribbon while Louisiana Tech alum Allan Hauser looked on. The Shadow visited with Principal Pam LeDoux and Assistant Principal Kashia Askew and Meredith Harris, a LaTech Regal Blue. VSE will hold another fundraiser in the spring of 2010. The funds raised purchase a variety of new technology and educational

Robert Cooper of the McNeese English Department with Carrie Chrisco of the Mass Communication Department.

equipment for the school.

The Anatomy of a Painting: Albino Hinojosa The Shadow covered a really interesting lecture at the Historic City Hall. The artist, Albino Hinojosa, spoke for an hour, illustrating how he worked and, like most writers, I applied everything he said to my writing. It is amazing, the similarities between artists and writers — and yes, I know writers are artists. Hinojosa was born in Atlanta, Texas, in 1943, not far from my hometown. That means we have a lot in common—the way we say things, the way we think. Probably even the way we hear things. When I listened to him speak, I heard East Texas. Hinojosa was raised by his Cherokee mother and Mexican-American father. He didn’t buy his first paintbrush until he was a senior in high school, but he had already been pursuing his interest in art for years, working with an ordinary knife and the pieces of wood he found for himself. He carved intricate wooden guns and toys, not realizing he was actually sculpting. He was offered an art scholarship to Texarkana College.

September 17, 2009

Tristyn Pippin and Lakyn Chesson.

That scholarship made possible everything that followed. Hinojosa, American Realist, lectured on “The Anatomy of a Painting.” His “Still Life with Sesanqua Camelia” hangs in “The New Reality” exhibition and is compared to Charles Caryl Coleman’s “Quince Blossoms,” 1879. Hinojosa has exhibited in 16 one man shows and has paintings in permanent collections at numerous art centers across the country. Albino Hinojosa was inspiring, and encouraging to the many students, art lovers and amateur artists sitting in his audience. To me it seemed he shared more than his techniques. The more he talked, the more he shared his heart. He said, “an artist is always trying to do that master painting, the one that will make him famous, or at least pave the way.” Albino Hinojosa was an inspiration to me. He advised all artists to incorporate passion into what they do. It was evident that he does. Hinojosa’s works have received national awards and recognitions and are included in many private and public collections. He is devoted to the advancement of the Realism movement in America and paints out of his studio at his home in Ruston.

Movie Reviews GAMER (2009) r (Grade D)

Ben Affleck sees the world through a smoky haze in “Extract.”

hankering for Greener GRASS Extract rrr (Grade B)

By Lisa Miller

Directed by Mike Judge Starring Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Ben Affleck, Mila Kunis, Beth Grant, J.K. Simmons, Clifton Collins Jr., David Koechner, Gene Simmons Miramax-Rated R-Comedy-91 min What if your carefully constructed empire proved to be your prison? This question is central to writer-director Mike Judge’s new comedy -- and it’s a doozie. Everyman Joel Reynolds (Jason Bateman) thought he was living his dream. He invented a formula for a fine flavor extract and produces it in a factory owned by the company he built. When we meet Joel -- about 15 years into his entrepreneurial adventure -- he’s realized his marriage to Suzie (Kristen Wiig) is on the brink of becoming a sexless, brother-sister-like relationship. The couple’s upscale mansionette -- located in one of a those nouveau riche neighborhoods that popped up during the ‘90’s -- has become a trap due to Joel’s neighbor Nathan (David Koechner), ambushing Joel at every opportunity to hold long-winded discussions or to foist unwanted invitations onto Joel and his wife. Joel blames his domestic unhappiness on long hours spent at work where he frequently finds his employees mired in resentment, racism, stupidity and greed. Low factory worker morale ought to be the concern of Joel’s plant manager Brian (the ubiquitous, hilarious J. K. Simmons), but instead, Brian’s superiority complex prevents him from learning the worker’s names let alone familiarizing himself with their complaints. Joel’s professional problems might be solved by selling his factory to General Mills -- provided he can pass that corporation’s sniff test -- but Joel’s company acquires a bad smell soon after the arrival of temp worker Cindy (Mila Kunis). A flirty young grifter possessing a criminal history and a half dozen IDs, Cindy steals coworkers’ wallets. Her grand scheme is to persuade redneck floor manager Step (Clifton Collins Jr.) to sue Joel for an injury resulting from a bizarre on-the-job-accident. Unaware of Cindy’s real motives, Joel’s lustful obsession with the pretty employee grows day by day. Joel’s adviser on personal problems is his bartender Dean (Ben Affleck), a pot head who sees the world through a smoky haze. Affleck, perhaps the funniest character in this stellar cast, gets just the right inflection of cross-eyed justifications into his character’s many schemes. His most intriguing idea calls for Joel to hire an incredibly dense young stud muffin to clean Joel’s swimming pool and service Joel’s wife so that Joel can pursue a guilt-free affair with Cindy. While few of the film’s characters are completely without redeeming qualities, all are desirous of the forbidden. Judge reasons that it’s in our nature to want what we’re not entitled to without reaping the consequences of our actions. However, he rightly observes that every now and then we regret our actions, become willing to change and do our best to make amends. Rather than create a misanthropic comedy, Judge gives us a 4-step program to extract ourselves from the addictive effects of bad behavior. Step one is easy enough: See “Extract.”

Directed by Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor Starring Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Ludacris Lionsgate-Rated R-Sci-Fi-95 min Following a lackluster Los Angeles test screening, “Gamer” has been kept under wraps. This ambitious story casts Butler as Kable, a living, breathing person controlled by a nanochip in his brain and forced to fight combatants -- gladiator style -- in the video game “Slayer.” Kable desperately wants the freedom he was promised as reward for winning 30 games so he can rescue his wife trapped in yet another video game, “Society.” Kable’s wife is controlled by a creepy, obese gamer forcing her to explore the seamy underbelly of a dangerous city. Chaotic action relies on many a jump-cuts while the storyline struggles to move the action past bloody confrontations. Michael C. Hall, of “Dexter” fame, appears in a brief role as the game’s cruel inventor, but since he and his adversary, Kable barely meet, the “Gamer” hasn’t got much “game.”

ALL ABOUT STEVE r (Grade D)

Directed by Phil Traill Starring Sandra Bullock, Bradley Cooper, Thomas Haden Church, Ken Jeong Fox 2000-Rated PG-13-Comedy Sandra Bullock goes blonde and eccentric for the role of Mary Horowitz, a crossword puzzle constructor. Following a brief blind date with handsome news cameraman Steve (Cooper), Mary becomes obsessed with him. She follows Steve cross country, disrupting his assignments. The film is saved by Church playing self-serving news reporter Hartman Hughes (Church), a blowhard encouraging Mary to follow her heart whatever the cost. Neither Steve nor Hartman could predict that Mary’s oddball ways would garner her a collection of fans prompting Steve to take another look at Mary. Wouldn’t it be cool if we could push a button to vote for who should get the girl? Why not Church?

THE FINAL DEStINATION rr 1/2 (Grade B-)

Directed by David R. Ellis Starring Nick Zano, Krista Allen, Andrew Fiscella, Bobby Campo, Shantel VanSanten, Haley Webb New Line-Rated R-Horror-81 min What promises to be a fun-filled day at the races is anything but after Nick’s (Campo) premonition that a bizarre racing accident will kill him, his friends, and those around them. Having persuaded his girlfriend (VanSanten) and their companions (Webb and Zano)

September 17, 2009

along with others, to leave the stands, the escapees are horrified to see Nick’s prediction come true moments later. None is prepared for death to stalk them in the order they were scheduled to die, nor for the increasingly gruesome methods by which they will be killed. Can any of these kids cheat death again? If so, they’ll need to understand the grim reaper’s convoluted rules. The fourth “Final Destination” film marks the series’s first 3D outing, a format that promises to intensify the visceral experience.

halloween ii rr1/2 (Grade B-)

Directed by Rob Zombie Starring Scout Taylor-Compton, Tyler Mane, Malcolm McDowell, Margaret Kidder, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Richard Brake, Sheri Moon Zombie Dimension-Rated R-101 min Now that Rob Zombie has established the murderous Michael Meyers as the product of an abusive home, the director plans to explore the psychological effect on Michael’s sister Laurie (TaylorCompton), but not until Michael has escaped the mental institution and is determined to kill her. Zombie moves the action to Georgia where he hopes to “open up” the movie by using rural locations as the setting for the numerous grisly killings and employing longer shots to frame Michael’s pursuit of Laurie. The return of Dr. Loomis (McDowell) as Michael’s psychiatrist should be a plus. Zombie, who initially had no plans to direct a sequel, couldn’t resist this opportunity though he claims to be striking out in a new direction. One thing’s certain, “Halloween II,” will be much darker than its competition, “The Final Destination” 3D.

taking woodstock rr1/2 (Grade B-)

Directed by Ang Lee Starring Demetri Martin, Paul Dano, Emile Hirsch, Imelda Staunton, Henry Goodman, Live Schreiber and Eugene Levy Focus-Rated R-Comedy-110 min Woodstock might never have happened if not for the efforts of Elliot Tiber (Demetri Martin), a gay, Jewish interior designer, son of local motel owners. Based on the book by Tiber and Tom Monte, director Ang Lee mines the comedy arising from Tiber’s efforts to locate the concert in the pastures of a local dairy farmer (Levy). As the event comes together, Tiber’s family motel hits the jackpot, and Tiber meets a free-spirited transvestite (Schreiber) who helps the youth find his way out of the closet. Trivia note: Schreiber also starred in the often overlooked Woodstock-centric movie, 1999’s “A Walk On The Moon.”

Last Issue’s Answers

Tent rentals for all events. Lowest prices around. Call (337) 274-3632 http://ReadyRentalsLLC.com

Across 1 ___-Os (imitation salad topper brand) 4 Ozone layer pollutant 7 ___ Cup (tennis event) 12 Florence’s river 13 Vert. counterpart, on old TVs 14 Like noses on some wines 15 Word in Portuguese place names that means “fig tree” 17 University prep schools, in France 18 She played the created object of desire in “Weird Science” 20 The “one man” in the tagline, “One man’s struggle to take it easy” 23 Wade opponent 24 Hallow follower 25 Zealous 27 Say “I do” 28 28 Split fruit 29 With 34-across, movie with the line “What’s happenin’, hot stuff?” 34 See 29-across 35 Elite squads 36 Crooked 37 Really smart people 38 He’s quoted in “The Little Red Book” 39 “...man ___ mouse?” 42 Redhead featured in three of

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John Hughes’ films 46 Film named after a hit Psychedelic Furs song 48 “The Vampire Chronicles” character de Romanus 51 1996 comedy with Sinbad as a Secret Service agent 52 Liquor in an Italian restaurant 53 New U.S. citizen’s course 54 Camera part 55 Like many San Francisco streets 56 Dash lengths 57 Anal ending, in Britain? Down 1 Short-lived 2 Certain fisherman 3 Prefix meaning “clown,” especially used for fear of clowns 4 Potful at cook-offs 5 Predicted 6 Used a pot for catching, perhaps 7 Get stains out, in a way 8 New Zealand’s most populous city 9 Go toe to toe 10 Samson follower? 11 Part of OS: abbr. 12 “I’m not at the computer” initialism 14 Ice chunk

16 Charlotte Bronte heroine Jane 19 “Reverend” of 1980s rap 21 Equal, in French 22 Philosopher Descartes 26 Dorm leaders, for short 27 “The Darjeeling Limited” director Anderson 28 “Transformers” director Michael 29 Get droopy 30 Checkout lane unit 31 Prefix meaning “stranger” 32 Place for a prank involving a potato 33 Particle physicist whose findings were first accepted by Einstein 34 Buddies-first mentality 36 36 It may be charged by airport shuttle services if you’re late from a flight 38 He played B.A. 39 Has the rights to 40 With full attention 41 Look-___ (impostors) 43 “___ jumpy rhythm makes you feel so fine” (Johnny Cash line) 44 Bathroom door word 45 Battleship call near the middle edge of the grid 47 Singer lang et al. 48 Booker T’s backers 49 Song or dance, e.g. 50 Singer Corinne Bailey ___

September 17, 2009