Times of Southwest Louisiana

WWW.TIMESSW.COM • JANUARY 24, 2008 / VOL. 13, NO. 2

•Mardi Gras Mambos & Gumbos •Dance Band on the Titanic

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JANUARY 24, 2008

GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . .

617 Drew St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-439-0995 Fax: 337-439-0418 PUBLISHERS Patrick Marcantel Scot Hebert

januar y 24, 2008 Volume 13 • Number 2

contents

. . . . . . .

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

EDITOR Kathryn Bergstrom timesedit@timessw.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Joseph Frazier CONTRIBUTORS Luis Apellaniz, M.D. Kristy Armand Geoffrey Collins, M.D. Robert Dimmick Brian Gamborg, M.D. Amie J. Hebert Matt Jones A.J. O’Byrne, M.D. Patrick Marcantel

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POLITICS John Maginnis Dan Juneau ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Andy Jacobson

16 E N T E R P R I S E B O U L E VA R D Welcome to Du Lac – Such an Artsy Place! . . . . . . . . . . .5

. . . . . .

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

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

BUSINESS MANAGER Romona Richard

The Times of Southwest Louisiana is published every two weeks

by Patsco Publishing, 617 Drew Street, Lake Charles Louisiana 70601. Phone (337) 439-0995. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $25 per year.

Bulk mailing permit #9 paid at Lake Charles, La. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Times of Southwest Louisiana, 617 Drew Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601. FAX to (337) 439-0418. The Times of Southwest Louisiana cannot be held responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations, even if they are sent to us accompanied by a self-addressed envelope.

Copyright 2008 The Times of Southwest Louisiana all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

DISTRIBUTION: The Times of Southwest Louisiana is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. The Times of Southwest Louisiana may be distributed only by The Times of Southwest Louisiana authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of The Times of Southwest Louisiana, take more than one copy of each monthly issue from its racks.

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COLUMNS Business Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Biz Bytes: Let’s Try Capitalism Again . . . . . . . . . . .14 Inside Baton Rouge: Wide-Open Nomination Races . . . . . . . . . .15 COVER STORY Gift of Sight Artist Receives New Vision From Area Eye Doctors . . . . .21 FEATURES Home Grown: Oustalet Family Trains Generations for Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Mardi Gras Mambos & Gumbos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Hart Eye Center Awards Lasik Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 SWLA Festivals & Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 ENTERTAINMENT Times Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Coffee Break Cross Word: “I Curse You” – Keeping It Nice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 The Shadow: Dance Band on the Titanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Parting Shots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Visit us online at: www.timessw.com On the Cover: Mr. Zhang following his cataract surgery at LCMH. L-R Larry Graham, LCMH CEO, Zhang Huailin and Jamie Zhang Nichols (Zhang's daughter).

JANUARY 24, 2008

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Jr. League Launches “Unite to Uniform” on February 9

T

he 2007-2008 Provisional Class of the Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc. is sponsoring “Unite to Uniform Lake Area Children,” a uniform drive for children in Calcasieu Parish Saturday, February 9. Volunteers will be collecting uniforms at Wal-Mart in Sulphur, 525 N City Service Hwy, and Wal-Mart in Lake Charles, 3451 Nelson Road, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The community is encouraged to drop off their contributions at either convenient location.

Calcasieu Parish public school uniforms of all sizes and colors that are new or gently worn for both boys and girls, especially hard-to-find sizes for older children are being collected.

Uniform tops must be white, hunter green, or navy blue and bottoms must be uniform style khaki or navy blue.

No emblems, logos, decoration, or decorative trim is acceptable on Calcasieu Parish uniforms.

“Without the community’s help, this project will not be possible, we genuinely hope that the people of the Lake Area will help us help these chil-

dren,” said Ginger Webb, Project CoChair.

Donations are also being accepted and stored at Capital Cyclery until February 9, 2008, located at 722 E Prien Lake. All gently worn uniforms collected will be cleaned by Laundry World and both new and gently worn uniforms will be donated to those in need with the help of the Calcasieu Parish School Board.

Keri Forbess-McCorquodale, President of Junior League of Lake Charles, states, “The Junior League of Lake Charles continues to make an

impact in Southwest Louisiana through this very important project.

We all can remember how important it was to fit in as children, and attire is certainly something that is scrutinized.

The 2007-2008 Provisional Class has honed in on an area of need in our community and are doing what the Junior League of Lake Charles does best – Serving, Strengthening, and Sustaining.”

For more information, please visit www.jllc.net or contact the Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc. at 4364030.

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Jacquelyn Stevens, a teacher at Washington-Marion Magnet School in Lake Charles, was named the 2007 NFL Teacher Of The Year Wednesday, January 23, during a surprise assembly at the school. Eddie Kennison of the Kansas City Chiefs nominated Stevens, his former high school English teacher.

Kennison surprised Stevens during the school assembly, arriving unannounced to deliver the good news

about the NFL Teacher of the Year award. According to Kennison, “One of my favorite things to do now is go back and visit Mrs. Stevens. I like to visit with her classes so that they can understand the gift that’s been bestowed upon them in being a part of her class. I want each and every one of them to know that if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be in the NFL right now.”

Ms. Stevens received a $2,500 award and a $5,000 grant was presented to Washington-Marion Magnet High School from the NFL. Stevens will travel to the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii next month as a guest of the NFL. There, Kennison will officially present the award to his former teacher during a pre-game ceremony.

In his nomination essay, Kennison wrote, “There are many individuals that are responsible for my achievements, and Mrs. Stevens is at the top of this list. Her unquestioned gift as a teacher and ability to ignite a spark that quickly grew into a passion for learning helped me in the classroom, during my athletic endeavors and, most importantly, in my life! Simply put, she understood what it took to become successful and easily relayed that information.”

Stevens lives in Lake Charles, and has been a teacher for over 25 years.

Her focus on giving back to the community left a lasting impression with Kennison, who credits his philanthropic mindset to what he learned in Stevens’ classroom. The Eddie Kennison foundation supports a scholarship foundation that enables students from Lake Charles to reach their educational goals. “I want to make sure that these students are continuing to maximize their fullest potential” said Kennison. “I want to be sure that they are committed to reaching their own personal level of success, just like Mrs. Stevens taught me.”

NEWS

ABOUT

SOUTHWEST

LOUISIANA

ENTERPRISEBOULEVARD Welcome to Du Lac – Such an Artsy Place!

By Amie J. Herbert Photos by Patrick A. Marcantel

ave Evans is a very busy man. On a bright, chilly afternoon his phone, literally, never stops ringing, seeming to both interrupt and punctuate his thoughts. Evans’ popular restaurant and nightspot, Luna, celebrated its second year on Ryan Street Downtown in December (it was located on Prewit Street prior to Hurricane Rita) and the father-of-three steadily fields calls from his wife and local bands, orders supplies and arranges for event catering, all while waving to friends and neighbors who pass by Luna’s brick-faced patio. Yes, Dave Evans is a busy man, and he’s about to get even busier.

Teaming up with other downtown business owners, Evans is spearheading an effort to bring fun and excitement to Lake Charles, with the hopes of creating a true arts and entertainment sector for our city. Along with Evans, Sean and Lana Barto of Seven Ten Downtown Bar and Grill, Collin Sonnier of Rikenjak’s, Jack Wong of Chinese King Restaurant, Darren Doherty of Majestic Grocery and Eatery, and Juli Wilson of Social Denim and Social Denim’s Marketing Coordinator Lisa Leubner are planning monthly street parties which they are calling “Downtown Du Lac LIVE!,” offering everything from food, music and art to Corvette expos, children’s art activities, and high-end fashion shows.

Calling themselves the ‘Du Lac Merchants Group,’ Evans is quick to dispel any notion that only “downtown” business owners are welcome.

“Even though we are planning these events for down-

D

town, I want everybody to see what the real possibilities are, from social networking to businesses having their names attached to it, it’s too simple not to do it, “ says Evans, who hopes to see constant, steady growth within the Du Lac Merchants Group. “We want anyone who wants to be a part of it to join, they don’t have to feel like they’re on their own with it.”

“This is open to all, downtown and beyond. From business owners to individuals who want to invest in our community and culture,” says Evans.

“We invite all of the downtown merchants to join us as we will strive to create an environment for all ages to enjoy,” adds Sean Barto of the newly opened hot-spot Seven Ten Downtown Bar and Grill.

Creating this culture and benefiting the local economy is at the very heart of the Du Lac Merchants Group’s mission. They are passionate about all that Lake Charles has to offer and believe that downtown Lake Charles can provide the necessary stomping grounds to establish a one-ofa-kind cultural hot-spot, building upon the rich history of the area and the often-overlooked mystique the downtown architecture offers.

“Our goal is to enhance the culture of L.C. and share it with all of those who will pass thru the I-10 corridor,” says Barto.

“I want everyone to discover exactly what Lake Charles’ culture is. There’s a big question mark there.

There doesn’t seem to be one significant thing that we Continued on Page 6

Who’s News Keri Ellender, of Sulphur, joined Knight Media, Inc. as the new Marketing Director. She graduated from McNeese State University with a BA in Art specializing in Graphic Design and Photography.

For the past twelve years she has been employed as a professional in both graphic design and marketing positions for comKeri Ellender panies such as Hardy Outdoor Advertising, American Press and Cameron Communications.

Keri also worked with local publications and businesses as a freelance designer.

She will be handling the marketing and promotions, in conjunction with sales for the company.

Matthew Tabor, of Moss Bluff, joined Knight Media, Inc. as a graphic designer.

Matthew graduated from Emmanuel Christian Academy with a 3.6 GPA in 2004. He acquired his graphic design training through the Art Instruction School of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Matthew Tabor Matthew worked locally until hired as a new graphic designer for Knight Media, Inc. He will be creating customized web sites for the company in addition to a full spectrum of print work.

Rhonda Landreneau, of Sulphur, joined Knight Media, Inc. as a graphic designer. Rhonda is a Sulphur native and has over thirty years of experience in prepress design and press operations.

Rhonda began her career in the printing industry in 1975 when she joined the Navy. She was stationed in Hawaii until Continued on Page 7 JANUARY 24, 2008

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Dave Evans Ent. Blvd., Continued from Page 5

encompass. Lafayette has the whole Acadiana\Cajun thing, and New Orleans has the French Quarter and Mardi Gras thing. We’re on I10 too, we should have our thing,” says Evans.

“We are a neat melting pot, and there’s a lot to be said for the tremendous mix that we have here.”

Besides uncovering and celebrating the Lake Area’s unique culture, the Group hopes to play a role in shaping not only downtown, but the entire Lake Front. Through a community of businesses and individuals dedicated to creating a sense of focus for the Lake Area’s arts and entertainment, the Du Lac Merchants are aspiring to impact the local economy and utilize the area’s uncommon natural landscape.

“Nobody else’s downtown is a block off of I10, right next to a lake. We need to take advantage of this,” says Evans. Instead of relying on an outside organization to plan events in the Downtown area, these local business owners are taking their futures into their own hands.

“We all have a vested interest here, because this is where our businesses are,” says Evans.

Beyond that, creating this culture and planning these events are something like a birthright for Evans. “Our businesses are here, our bands, our kids are growing up here, and the schools I went to are here. Lake Charles is our touchstone. It’s

like the ‘Bob the Builder’ theme song (a popular children’s program,) ‘Can we fix it? Yes We Can!’” With so many young professionals and families, as has been lamented for years, leaving Lake Charles to head towards hipper cities like Austin, Texas, the time is right to capitalize on everything the Lake Front and historic downtown has the potential to offer. Recent studies have shown that people seeking to relocate are more influenced by the quality of life an area has to offer, and seeking their job opportunities once they have moved.

One of the goals of the Du Lac Merchants Group is to begin to establish and provide this quality of life for all Lake Area residents and visitors.

“We hope that the residents of Lake Charles can see that with the (bond) money being used for the Lake Front and downtown development and the direction that we as a group are going, it will not be long before downtown Lake Charles becomes a mecca for entertainment and culture,” says Barto.

“I don’t want my kids to leave,” says Evans, “We have a good, safe vibe here, a nice community, a family-friendly atmosphere. For our kids, why not be involved in making things happen so they stick around?”

The ultimate goal, Evans says, is to “make Lake Charles come alive, to create a fun and cre-

Sean Barto

ative sector in our City, a place that can come alive, a place that is cared for and isn’t overlooked, a place that can be the heart of the town.”

The next “Downtown Du Lac LIVE!” street festival is planned for Saturday, January 26 beginning at 12 noon with a car and bike expo, children’s activities including chalk paintings, an extended Farmer’s Market, and outdoor music, a street dance beginning around 4 p.m., and local bands of various genres starting at 8 p.m. inside the participating nightspots.

EXTRA! – Calling All Artists and Performers!

The Du Lac Merchants Group is calling for all artists and artisans, poets and publishers, musicians, models and general crafty people to participate in the upcoming “Downtown Du Lac LIVE!” street fest scheduled for January 26, in downtown Lake Charles.

Festivities begin around noon with car shows, art exhibits, vendors, and street musicians, and activities for children. At 4 p.m. there’s a Zydeco street dance, gorgeous models showing off the latest fashions, and at 8 p.m. live bands performing in the participating downtown nightspots.

All artists and vendors are invited to participate, free of charge! This is a great opportunity to get your work out to the masses, network within your community, and help build the growing Lake Charles cultural scene!

If you are interested, please contact: indieart2007@yahoo.com or drop a line at the Luna myspace page at www.myspace.com/lunabarandgrill.

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JANUARY 24, 2008

Who’s News, Continued from Page 5

1980, when she and her husband relocated and settled in Sulphur. Rhonda worked at various local print shops, as well as owning and operating her own shop for five years. Rhonda has an adept knowledge of all the mainstream graphics software in addition to the Imagesetter industry.

Trudy Tietje, owner of the Mr. Gatti’s Pizza franchise (Tietje Foods, Inc.) in Jennings, has been re-elected as the 2008 president for the Southwest Chapter of the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA). Tietje has served on the Southwest Chapter board of directors since Rhonda Landreneau 2003. 2008 Southwest Board Members include Bridgette Culpepper, Sulphur High School, Lake Charles; Arnell Currie, Welsh High School, Lake Charles; Chauncey Davis, Conco Food Service, Sulphur; Byron Hardy, Center Point Energy, Lake Charles; Joe Heacook, Jr., Cookey’s Caterers, Lake Charles; William E. Keeley, Jr., Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, Sulphur; Rob King, Pitt Grills-Southern Kitchens, Lake Charles; Shanna Landry, Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau, Lake Charles; Yvette M. LeBlanc, SW Louisiana War Veterans Home, Jennings; Jimmy Louivere, Cajun Tales Seafood Restaurant, Welsh; Brian Vanicor, Big Daddy’s Cajun Seafood & Steak, Iowa; Dennis Vanicor, Harbor Lights, Lake Charles; Mike Walker, Walker’s Cajun Dining Seafood & Steaks, Jennings. Created in 1946, the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) is one of the largest business organizations in the state, representing more than 7,500 restaurant operations and related businesses.

attended McNeese State University from 1969 to 1974 where he majored in French Education and minored in English Education. He is a past member of the Calcasieu Parish School Board where he served from 1982 to 2002.

Dennis Kelly has been hired as coordinator of adult learning and retention at McNeese State University. Kelly has more than 10 years experience in higher education as an instructor, placement and advising officer and in community relations. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS., and a master’s degree in psychology from McNeese. Previously, Kelly worked as placement and advising officer at Sowela Technical Community College.

He taught psychology as a visiting lecturer at McNeese for several years and taught speech and psychology at Sowela. Kelly will identify potential adult learners, assist in identification and referral of faculty and staff for professional development, coordinate workshops and assist in identification of accelerated courses for adult learners.

Dennis Kelly

Aleta Benoit, medical staff secretary at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital has completed the requirements necessary to receive the designation of Certified Provider Credentialing Specialist, awarded by the Certification Commission of the National Association of Medical Staff Services. As a medical staff secretary, Benoit ensures the credentials of all practitioners with WCCH are correct, have been verified, and remain up-to-date. She has been with WCCH for ten years.

Women & Children’s Hospital is please to announce that three of its employees have been honored with Employee of the Year, Clinical Manager of the Year, and Non-Clinical Manager of the Year for 2007. Laura Young, R.N.C., Donna Colter, R.N., and Stasha Bell have been recognized for outstanding customer service, dedication to patients and commitment to excellence.

Employee of the Year, Laura Young, joined the staff of Women & Children’s Hospital as a maternal child nurse in Laura Young 1985. Young has worked on the Labor & Delivery unit since 1988 and is certified in Fetal Monitoring and In-house Obstetrics. She is a graduate of the McNeese State University School of Nursing.

Colter, Women & Children’s Stasha Bell Hospital Director of Women’s and Children’s Health, was selected as the Clinical Manager of the Year. With a Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing and minor of Psychology from McNeese State University, Colter has been part of the Donna Colter Women & Children’s Hospital team since 1999. Bell has worked in HIM for 15 years and at Women & Children’s Hospital for 6 years. She has been a Registered Health Information Manager for 15 years. As Director of HIM and Privacy Officer at WCH, Bell is responsible for the security and integrity of the patient record and the privacy of patients protected health information.

Dennis Stutes has been named director of the department of university computing services at McNeese State University. Stutes, who earned his master’s degree in mathematics from McNeese, has more than 25 years experience in information technology, including nearly 20 years with Olin Corp., where he worked in technology and research. Stutes was most recently director of the Academic Computing Center at McNeese, where he oversaw more than 150 workstations and networks on campus, coordinated software and hardware purchases and installations and served as project manager for hardware and software deployment of packages running on both Dennis Stutes Windows server versions and Linux. He earned his associate’s degree in instrumentation technology and his bachelor’s degree in computer science from McNeese.

The Calcasieu Parish School Board elected James Pitre as the new president of the Board and Elray Victorian as vice president. Pitre is an eight year member of the board representing District 8.

He is the Assistant Professor and Director of Recreational Sports at McNeese State University and has been a Elray Victorian James Pitre teacher and coach since 1973. Pitre has a B.S. degree, Masters degree, and an Education Specialist degree. Victorian is the current District 14 representative. He works for Citgo Petroleum Corporation as a Security Supervisor and was a detective with the Lake Charles City Police Department. He

Paula Gaspard, SPHR, has been honored as the recipient of the ICHRMA Professional of the Year Award for 2007 by the Imperial Calcasieu Human Resource Management Association (ICHRMA). Gaspard is currently the Director of Human Resources with Aeroframe Services, where she finds herself going through the due diligence process of acquiring new companies. Prior to joining Aeroframe, she was VP of Human Resources and Training with Stines. Paula has spent the majority of her career working for Vista Chemical (currently SASOL) as a Training and Development Specialist. Her professional background includes teaching high school, working as a process operator and a laboratory analyst. Gaspard has served on ICHRMA’s board for numerous years; she will serve in the capacity of President for 2008. The ICHRMA holds its monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at Pat’s of Henderson. For more information, call 312-2716.

Leeann Neel has been appointed Financial Officer for United Way of Southwest Louisiana. Neel has been with the United Way of Southwest Louisiana since August 2007 as an accountant. As Financial Officer, Neel will direct the development and operation of the financial system, including budgeting, auditing, accounting, payroll, governmental reporting, financial reporting, and campaign processing. Other duties include office management and human resource management. Neel has a Bachelor of Accountancy from the Adkerson School of Accountancy at Mississippi State University; May 2006.

Neel is married to Robert Neel, Mechanical Engineer at PPG Industries.

JANUARY 24, 2008

Leeann Neel

PAGE 7

Color Specialist

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4401 Lake Street

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474-4606

Saturday, Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m.

Rosa Hart Theatre, LC Civic Center

Shirim Klezmer Orchestra with narration of “Pincus and the Pig” by Brenda Bachrack Friday, Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m.

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Ladysmith Black Mambazo Co-presented with the Black Heritage Festival Sunday, Feb. 17, 3 p.m.

Rosa Hart Theatre, LC Civic Center

The subdudes Co-presented with Louisiana Crossroads Friday, Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m.

Rosa Hart Theatre, LC Civic Center

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

BUSINESS In honor of Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 21, the City of Lake Charles Recreation Department, Impact Lake Charles AmeriCorps, 1800-Volunteer.org and Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center, along with three National AmeriCorps teams, members of Campfire USA, a group of teens from Immaculate Heart Catholic Church and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and other community volunteers teamed-up to clean and refurbish several area parks for safety and beautification. Parks involved included Drew Park, 416 S. Ryan St.; Grace and Medora Park, 2720 Medora St.; Mary Belle Williams Park, 1600 Knapp St.; Goosport Park, 1619 Cessford St.; and Huber Park, 2401 Fourth St. The groups spread limestone and bark, repaired slats, cleaned graffiti and removed trash and debris. Service activities began at 8 a.m. and completed around noon. Volunteers were presented with of certificates for their volunteer service and enjoyed lunch with Mayor Randy Roach.

notes tional environmental company, that no hazardous materials were present in the operating room suites. Surgical services were closed throughout the holidays while crews were cleaning and repairing the operating rooms that were dismantled during the inspection process. Those patients who were scheduled for surgery during that time were notified and were rescheduled or referred to a sister hospital for surgery. For any additional information, please call Chance W. Landry – Executive Staff Officer at 475-8100.

The Ebonite Culture Club of DeRidder presented its annual Ecumenical Commemorative Observance Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday, January 20, at the New Hope Christian Methodist Church, 810 Ollie Street. Dr. Victoria Dixon, Director of Human Relations/Equal Opportunity Programs for the United States Army Test and Evaluation Command in Alexandria, VA, was the keynote speaker. Dr. Dixon is the mother of two challenging, young adults, James and Tina; and the daughter of CSM (Ret) William and the late Doretha Norman of DeRidder, Louisiana.

Dr. Steve Springer and Lake Area Skin Care will host a Four-Part Skin Education Symposium over the course of 2008. Part 1 begins January 30th at 6:30 p.m. at the Lake Charles Country Club. What’s happening to your skin? What does it mean? Whether you face acne, skin laxity, sun damage, age spots, or concerns about skin cancer, come learn which medical products and procedures are right for you. Seating is limited. RSVP to 436-3840. Sponsored in part by OBAGI System and Eminence Organics. Free Skin Analysis with reservation.

Above: Cameron Communications Public Relations Coordinator, Jason LeBlanc delivered Vincent Settlement Star Student Award T-shirts to 3rd grade teacher, Paulette Szymansk and students Gavon Sandifer, Dalton Szymanski and Blythe Young. The T-Shirts were donated as part of Cameron Communications Partners In Education program with the school. T-shirts are given every month to students who exemplify excellence in class participation and attendance, homework completion and good behavior.

Below: Kean Miller Law Firm donated 7,300 dictionaries to Calcasieu third graders. At the January principals’ meeting, all elementary schools received dictionaries for their third grade students from the law firm of Kean, Miller, Hawthorne, D’Armond, McCowan & Jarman, LLP. The Dictionary Project partnership provides more than 7,300 dictionaries for these students in Calcasieu Parish Public Schools. Since the project’s inception, more than 45,000 students have received the dictionaries. Through the collaborative efforts of Kean Miller Law Firm and LRCE, dictionaries are purchased in association with The Dictionary Project Business Representatives (l to r) Gary 'Stitch' Guillory-Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Office, Tony Stelly-Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, Vickie Wicks-United Way Hurricane Fund, Wayne Savoy-Calcasieu Parish Schools, Susan Mestayer-Rebuilding Together, Ronnie Ferguson-Ferguson Roofing and Shady Patton-Entergy.

The Southwest Louisiana Volunteer Housing Center, an initiative of the United Way of Southwest Louisiana, recently was upgraded with a new roof and a new back up electrical generator switching station. Funding support for the new 15,500 square-foot roof was made possible through grants from the Calcasieu Parish School System, the Enterprise Foundation, Rebuilding Together and Ferguson Roofing. The electrical generator switch station was funded through grants from Entergy, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and the United Way Hurricane Fund.

W.O. Moss Regional Medical Center has restored all of its surgical services as of January 7. Surgical services were suspended due to a possible leak in the ventilation system. On December 11th, it was determined by DSI, an interna-

JANUARY 24, 2008

PAGE 9

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notes

Marlene and Tommy Joyce, owners of the Sulphur, Louisiana-based Tommy’s Printing & Promotional Items, LLC, today announced the expansion of their specialty products company with the acquisition of MH Designs, a professional web design and audio production company. Michael Hoffner began MH Designs in the fall of 2004. With more than 15 years experience in sales, marketing and management, Hoffner directed his expertise toward graphic design, web creation and web management with the development of MH Designs. With MH Designs as a wholly owned subsidiary, Tommy’s Printing & Promotional Items will now provide digital imaging; website design, hosting and maintenance; search engine optimization; professional voiceovers; CD/DVD production, replication and commercial production; and audio and Ebook production. Tommy’s will continue to offer all forms of printing and promotional products, through the company’s online mall, www.tommysprinting.com, as well as wedding stationary and personalized accessories through the Wedding Center located in Sulphur, and low cost color photocopies through Tommy’s Color Copy Center located at 1022 Link Road in Lake Charles. The company has sales associates in Natchitoches, Sulphur, Lake Charles, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Destin, Florida. For more information about Tommy’s Printing & Promotional Items, MH Designs, Wedding Center, or Tommy’s Color Copy Center, please contact Tommy Joyce at 337625-0690.

U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., (R-Southwest Louisiana), announced two internships for motivated students or recent graduates in his Washington, D.C. office. Two competitive internship positions are available in Boustany’s Washington office. Interns conduct a variety of tasks including legislative research, attending Congressional hearings, assisting with press relations and interacting with constituents. Schedules are flexible to accommodate students. Interested students and recent graduates should submit a cover letter and resume before February 15, 2008 to Jeff Dobrozsi at jeff.dobrozsi@mail.house.gov or fax to (202) 225-5724. Questions should be directed to the Washington D.C. office at (202) 225-2031.

Cameron State Bank’s Creole Banking Center will be opening soon at the corner of Highways 82 and 27. The bank recently signed a lease on the property and dirt work will begin in the very near future. The modular building structure has been ordered and is being built off-site. It will be transported to the site upon completion. The Banking Center will encompass approximately 1400 square feet and will offer full-service banking, including a drive-thru lane, a drive-up ATM and new state-of-the-art equipment.

H IHILMA LMA GREEN, Dh GREEN, M MD I NTERNAL M EDICINE PEDIATRICS Dr. Green specializes in healthcare for the entire family from pediatric to geriatric patients. A graduate of the University of Houston, she earned her medical degree and masters in medical sciences from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. She also completed her internship and a dual residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

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

CSB representatives, pictured left to right, at site of new Creole Banking Center: Jerry G. Jones, Sr., Chairman of the Board; Enos J. “Buster” Sturlese, Board of Director; Roy M. Raftery, Jr., President & CEO; and Greg Wicke, Vice President & Branch Manager.

Medicare patients welcome.

www.lcmh.com

PAGE 10

JANUARY 24, 2008

Dear TXTD: You could start with a reverse phone number search on one of the Web search engines, such as whitepages.com, to see if you recognize the owner of the phone number.

Otherwise Etiquetteer would think you Perfectly Proper in disregarding an anonymous invitation.

Dear Etiquetteer: What’s the best way for me to tip my hairdresser? Should I just hand her the tip or give it to her in a little envelope? Does it matter if she’s with another client or should I wait until I can get her alone?

Dear Cut and Colored: From the Better Late Than Never Department, Etiquetteer hopes that all of you all enjoyed your Christmas celebrations and have written and mailed those important Lovely Notes of Thanks to those people who took the trouble to give you gifts. If you haven’t put pen to paper yet, now is the time!

Dear Etiquetteer: I recently received an informal party invitation via text message on my cell phone. Unfortunately, the message was unsigned, and I did not recognize the origination phone number. What is the proper response in such a situation?

The best way to tip never calls attention to the act of tipping. So if you can discreetly slip your tip to her while shaking hands, preferably before you’ve left her to settle with the cashier, that’s best. Under the circumstances, Etiquetteer would say that the little envelope is a too fancy for everyday tipping at a salon. For your hairdresser, save the envelope for your holiday tip, which would be the equivalent or a regular cut.

Now of course this means arriving at the salon with enough small bills to tip without having to get change from the cashier. Does Etiquetteer remember

TimeL ess

to do this? Almost never! And by the time Etiquetteer has gotten enough change to tip, his barber usually has another client in the chair. When that happens, Etiquetteer usually slips his tip under something on the barber’s stand (like his schedule or a bottle of Clubman Talc or something), says “Thanks, [Insert Name of Barber Here],” and leaves. Etiquetteer enjoys the undivided attention of his barber too much to deprive others of that same attention.

Dear Etiquetteer: Someone in my office just received an invitation to a book launch that’s being held in Singapore. The invitation specifies "Smart Casual" as the dress code. What does this mean?

Dear Smarting: In the old days, for which Etiquetteer does pine on occasion, “Informal” would have been most Perfectly Proper. On the other hand, that distinction involved jackets and ties for the gentlemen. “Casual” was supposed to get around that, but then too many people started using “Casual” as an excuse for “sloppy.”

While not pretending to know much about dress codes in Singapore, Etiquetteer will put forward that “smart casual” is likely to mean that ties are not required and that everything one

wears be very pressed (even denim) or highly polished. No holes, patches, spots, please, and no scuffed shoes!

Dear Etiquetteer: I’m planning to get married later this year. Do I have to have a maid of honor? I’m afraid of offending any of my close friends by choosing one over the others.

Dear Bride to Be: You may be surprised to hear this, but you don’t have to have ANY attendants at all, not even bridesmaids. All you really need is a groom, an officiate, and a couple witnesses to make sure it’s legal.

Seriously, no maid or matron of honor is required for a wedding. When Etiquetteer’s parents got married at First Methodist Church all those years ago, Etiquetteer’s mother selected two close friends for her bridesmaids, and neither was singled out as maid of honor. And this in spite of the fact that Etiquetteer’s father had a best man and around eight ushers. Invite those close to you to attend you, and don’t worry about what to call them or whether you have equal numbers or not. It’s not nearly as important as knowing that you’ve picked the right spouse.

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PAGE 11

S O U T H W E S T

L O U I S I A N A ’ S

H O M E G R O W N

B U S I N E S S E S

Oustalet Family Trains Generations for Success

By Kathy Bergstrom here will always be an Oustalet,” says Ricky Oustalet. “If you like what you do, keep doing it. It keeps you young!” he says, explaining why five generation of Oustalets have been successful in the transportation industry, including himself and his brothers, Joel, Jimmy and Butch.

Emile Oustalet started it all in New Orleans in 1896 when he opened a wagon manufacturing plant. Emile was born in Natur Lourdes, France and was educated at the University of Paris as a master engineer and metallurgist. He came to America and put his education and work ethic into wagon manufacturing and sales.

Emile built a solid reputation not only for the craftsmanship of his wagons, but also for his service after the sale. Emile’s son, Maurice grew up in the business and learned from his father. When automobiles began replacing wagons, Maurice took his craftsmanship and service skills and opened an auto painting and repair shop in New Orleans in 1927. Maurice built the largest body shop in the south, with over 20 employees.

In 1922, A.J.M. “Bubba” Oustalet Jr. was born. “Yes, there really was a Bubba Oustalet!” says Ricky. “He was encouraged by his grandfather to stay in the business,” says Ricky. And young Bubba continued the family tradition, apprenticed under the experienced eye of his father and grandfather. Bubba also earned a degree in mechanical and aeronautic engineering from LSU. “He was supposed to take over grand-dad’s body shop,” Ricky continued, “but Dad started in sales in Baton Rouge with International Harvester. With his engineering background, he got into the fleet sales business where he could do the specs for fleets of trucks for business and industries. He moved from International Harvester to Ford truck sales in 1947 and was the general sales manager for Capitol City Ford through 1949. Then a Ford rep told him about an opening in Jennings.”

T

“

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Serving Southwest Louisiana with Quality, Selection and Price for over 50 years!

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Stop by or call 824-5555!

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w w w . b u b b a o u s t a l e t . c o m

The rest is local history. “Dad came over to Jennings and talked with Mr. Zigler who was a Ford dealer here. He and Fred Zigler became friends and Dad bought the Ford store here in 1952 and Lincoln-Mercury in 1955.”

Ricky reminisced, “Dad liked Southwest Louisiana. He liked the small-town atmosphere. He had family; he liked to hunt and fish, so in the mid‘50s he turned down an opportunity for a dealership in New Orleans. He bought a Ford store in Gulfport, Mississippi in 1959, and a separate Lincoln-Mercury store in Gulfport in 1978.” Now their brother, Butch, runs those two stores in Gulfport.

“In the ‘60s, Dad was the Chairman of the Ford Dealers Council and he traveled all over the United States and gave speeches with Lee Iacocca. In 1988, Oustalet purchased Donald Chevrolet in Jennings. “Now we are all-in-one!” Joked Ricky. “Good selection and all the used cars you could want!”

Bubba Oustalet had 10 children, seven boys and three girls, “So there will always be an Oustalet!” explained Joel. “And six or seven of us went to LSU. There were 65 of us for Thanksgiving! And now with kids of our own in college and two nephews already working at Bubba Oustalet, the tradition will continue.”

Joel points out that their family success brings with it the opportunity and responsibility to give back to their hometown. “Dad was president of the Chamber of Commerce and Ricky and Jimmy and I have all taken turns as president of the Chamber. We are all involved in the community. You have to give back to the community. It’s a give and take. You can’t just take the business and go home!”

Ricky explains that they sell and service in a 50-mile radius of Jennings.

“We have customers in DeRidder, Sulphur, Moss Bluff, Lake Charles, Lafayette. They come here for us and then they can experience downtown Jennings while they are here. Go shopping or visit the Zigler Museum.”

Ricky and Joel point with pride at the Zigler Museum and Ricky serves on the Zigler Foundation. “We loan art from our permanent collection out to Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Our collection is been borrowed from around the world. We have a great collection right here in Jennings.”

With roots deep in southwest Louisiana, a growing family and growing business that now employee over 100 people, Bubba Oustalet is a Jennings institution. “We’ve been around for 56 years!” says Ricky. And chances are they’ll be here, going strong, 56 years from now, continuing the family tradition.

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PAGE 13

WHAT’S

UP DOC?

Are poinsettia plants poisonous?

This is one of those urban myths that linger. At this time, there is no evidence that poinsettia plants are poisonous or unsafe to have in the house with pets or young children. If eaten, the leaves or stems may cause a mild stomachache, as would probably occur when any household plant is eaten.

Some people may be sensitive to the sap. In these cases, it may cause a mild, itchy rash. Washing the affected area with mild soap and water should be all that’s necessary. In some rare cases, a poinsettia plant may cause a more serious reaction, such as breathing difficulty or vomiting.

Of course, if this happens, seek medical treatment immediately. But, for everyday situations, there shouldn’t be a problem with decorating your home with live poinsettias.

Brian Gamborg, MD, family medicine physician My child is a picky eater.

Should I supplement her diet with a multivitamin?

There’s no conclusive evidence that children need multivitamins. Most will get the nutrition they need through diet. However, if your child refuses to eat all vegetables, for instance, or does not eat meat, a multivitamin may be a good idea. Many foods that children eat today, including popular cereals, are fortified with vitamins and minerals. While not generally necessary, a multivitamin every day is not a bad idea. Because many vitamins are fruit flavored or cartoon-inspired, teach your child that it is medicine, not candy.

An adult should always give the vitamin to the child; don’t allow the child to take it by themselves, and choose a multivitamin made specifically for children, not adults.

Luis Apellaniz, MD, pediatrician, Jennings American Legion Hospital I have cataracts. A friend told me I should wait until the cataract is ripe to take care of it. Is this true?

This is a very common myth about cataracts: that it has to be "ripe" before it's removed. This is not true. The best time to have a cataract removed is when it starts to interfere with the things you like to do. This condition does not progress as the same rate for everyone. If cataracts don’t affect your quality of life, you may feel that surgery is not needed.

You and your ophthalmologist should work together to make this decision based upon the impact cataracts are having on your vision.

A. J. O’Byrne, MD, ophthalmologist with The Eye Clinic

I jog regularly, but because of time constraints, I haven’t been stretching before and after jogging as much as I used to and I now have a pain in the back of my thigh. Could I have injured my hamstring muscle?

It’s likely. Stretching out may seem insignificant, but it actually protects your muscles from harm, and it keeps them strong. A hamstring injury is a stretching or tearing of the hamstring muscles, located at the back of your thigh. It can occur when muscle is torn due to injury or when it’s stretched too far. So, how does stretching protect, when stretching is actually a cause of injury? It depends on how you warm up the muscle. If you suddenly begin jogging, your muscles are “cold”, and sudden movement may stretch them beyond their capacity. By gently stretching the muscle, you strengthen it gradually to be able to stretch comfortably, and avoid injury.

Geoffrey Collins, MD, orthopaedic and sports medicine specialist with the Center for Orthopaedics PAGE 14

JANUARY 24, 2008

BIZ BYTES — by Dan Juneau

Let’s Try Capitalism Again am a committed and ardent capitalist. I believe in the market system and the risk and reward that goes with it.

I believe that those with good ideas and keen productivity should enjoy the reward of handsome profits as long as they gain them in an openly competitive system.

I am very troubled about the current state of our economic system. I think we are truly teetering on the brink of a serious recession. If it comes, it will come not because of the evils of capitalism but because of governmental and quasi-governmental forces that fly in the face of that system.

While one can certainly argue for putting regulatory parameters in place to try to “soft land” economic downturns before they turn into depressions like the one in 1929, the belief that central bankers, in cooperation with Wall Street, can save us from ourselves is a dangerous notion that may be about to explode in our faces.

Amity Schlaes argues in her book “The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression” that the reason why the Great Depression lasted as long as it did in America was, more than anything else, the uncertainty of the markets toward the actions taken by Presidents Hoover and Roosevelt.

Entrepreneurs and investors saw a playing field where the rules could change drastically with little notice (and often little logic). The end result was that they kept their money and their ingenuity on the sidelines until World War II production demands and the Supreme Court’s actions brought more definition back to the marketplace. Roosevelt’s central government approach, according to Schlaes, prolonged rather than shortened the Depression.

What has now evolved in the U.S. and other western economies is the notion that risk can be managed by the astute turning of economic levers.

Unfortunately, part of that process contains the notion that some enterprises are too important to fail. It happened with the subsidies granted to the railroads that couldn’t compete with lowcost air carriers, and with the savings and loan scandals of the 1980s when our tax dollars were used to bail out manipulators who should have gone to prison by the hundreds. It is now happening again with the hedge funds and sub-prime loan debacles. Once again, our tax dollars will likely be used—

I

directly or through huge deficit expenditures—to bail out consumers and “entrepreneurs” who cried to Mama Fed when the risks they took came back to bite them.

I am not an economic dinosaur who thinks, for example, that we ought to tighten monetary policy to the extent of going totally back to gold standard era policies. But I do think that we are about to get hammered economically, because we don’t let the negative pole of capitalism work to provide the most effective regulation of its positive pole.

I am a dyed-in-the wool capitalist and a strong defender of the economic system that brought prosperity, opportunity and economic vitality to our nation.

I am not an economic dinosaur who thinks, for example, that we ought to tighten monetary policy to the extent of going totally back to gold standard era policies.

But I am not so sure that what we have today is truly capitalism. Our obsession with “minimum risk,” centrally controlled economics (market forces manipulated—not merely regulated— by a strong federal regulatory presence) may well have put off an economic reckoning that will be much more severe than it should have been if the risk/reward aspect of our capitalistic system had been allowed to function properly.

Everyone should have the right to succeed and profit in this country. And everyone should face the possibility of failing and going broke. When we try to “nuance” that basic economic reality, we get what may now be coming our way.

INSIDE BATON ROUGE — by John Maginnis

Wide-Open Nomination Races Closing Fast fter the endless run-ups to the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, the wide-open nomination races in both parties seem to be closing fast, certainly faster than for Louisiana to have anything to do with either outcome.

Despite efforts to make presidential candidates at least visit a few airport tarmacs in Louisiana, once again voters here will experience both nomination races vicariously. Though the Legislature moved up the state’s presidential primaries to Feb. 9, both parties’ nominees are bound to be decided at least four days earlier, when 20 states vote on Super Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras.

If there is any contest left in either party by the big vote on Feb. 5, it will mark an improvement in the distorted nomination process as the closest thing yet to a national primary. If at least two candidates in both parties remain viable until Super Tuesday, then tens of millions of Americans from a multitude of states can cast the decisive ballots and determine November’s candidates. Yet Louisiana, land of many elections, won’t be in that number.

Even if Fat Tuesday didn’t crowd out Super Tuesday, it’s doubtful Louisiana would rate as much of a battleground. That’s because the results of the Democratic primary are pre-ordained and that of the Republican primary are practically irrelevant. Even before his campaign caught fire in Iowa, Sen. Barack Obama was a cinch to win the Louisiana Democratic primary, when his cross-over appeal with whites is combined with the 46 percent of registered Democrats who are AfricanAmerican.

Months ago, local supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton advised her campaign to not bother with Louisiana except for fundraising. Besides announcing his candidacy in New Orleans Ninth Ward, former Sen. John Edwards has had no campaign presence here.

At least the votes the Democratic candidates receive Feb. 9 will be reflected proportionately in the number of delegates pledged to them in the state’s delegation to the national convention in Denver. Not so for

A

Republicans. Regardless of the voter preferences in the GOP primary, most if not all of the state’s delegates will go to the Minneapolis convention uncommitted. That’s because state party leaders have deemed the Republican rank and file untrustworthy to make as weighty a decision as the nominee for president.

Instead, the state Republican party will hold caucuses at 11 sites around the state on Jan. 22 to elect delegates to a state convention, which in turn will elect delegates to the national convention. All delegates will be uncommitted unless one candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote in the Feb. 9 primary, in which case 20 of the state’s 47 delegates will be

few people can control the operation.”

State party chairman Roger Villere Jr. defends the caucus system as open “because everybody has a right to go.” He added, “It is for people who are politically active. The argument was we want people who are paying attention to decide who will be president, not just casual voters.”

Few have worked harder for his party than Mr. Villere, tough perhaps he has been working too hard and should give it a rest. Some lifelong Republicans who rarely miss an election might take offense at being considered casual or inattentive and at having their primary votes superseded

by a handful of caucusing party activists.

The long-shot possibility of a brokered convention would put uncommitted delegates like Villere and company in the catbird’s seat in Minneapolis, though they might find themselves in the doghouse back home. Imagine how ordinary Republicans might feel if, by some outside chance, the outcome of the Louisiana primary still matters by Feb. 9, but their votes don’t.

Even if Fat Tuesday didn’t crowd out Super Tuesday, it’s doubtful Louisiana would rate as much of a battleground. pledged to him on the first ballot.

So 49 percent of Republican voters could choose former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, but none of the state’s delegates would be obligated to vote for him at the convention. The indirect, convoluted process has discouraged some candidates, such as Huckabee, from even participating in Louisiana. Only Sen. John McCain and former Gov. Mitt Romney are recruiting supporters to run for delegate in the caucuses.

Not a few Republicans are unhappy with the caucus system trumping the choices of primary voters. “It takes away the rights of Republicans in Louisiana,” said outgoing Rep. Charlie Lancaster, R-Metairie, a longtime party builder. “It’s set up so a JANUARY 24, 2008

PAGE 15

Mardi Gras

Mambos and Gumbos

Celebrations Across Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras celebrations began 12th Night in Southwest Louisiana won’t be over until the last beads are tossed Tuesday evening. Participate in traditional Cajun country chicken run, taste prize-winning gumbos, watch fabulous parades (include one that goes to the dogs!) and dance, dance, dance for days! Jennings is even offering Mardi Gras weekend getaways for kids and adults! Here’s the schedule for Mardi Gras Southwest Louisiana. Watch for updates by checking the Visitor and Convention Bureau website at www.visitlakecharles.org, or www.swla-

mardigras.com, and www.jeffdavis.org for any changes or updates to area schedules or events.

Vinton, Jan 26 — Frills, feathers, gumbo and Mardi Gras magic will be in full swing during the Vinton’s Mardi Gras celebration on Saturday, Jan. 26, 8 a.m. – until! Nothing says “Mardi Gras” quite like an old fashioned Chicken Run, which will kick off at 8 a.m., at Vinton’s KC Hall, 1600 Horridge St. After the run, everyone will gear up for the Vinton Mardi Gras Parade at 2 p.m. starting at the middle school and ending at the KC Hall, followed by the Mardi Gras Gumbo Cook-off and live entertainment at 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information about the location for the cook-off and entertainment, call (337) 589-7453.

Krewe of Gold Years Ball, Jan 28 — Calcasieu Council on Aging presents the Krewe of the Golden Year’s 15th Annual Mardi Gras Ball on Monday, Jan. 28, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum. Registration begins at 8 a.m. All attendants are encouraged to wear a mask and dress for the occasion in your favorite Mardi Gras wear! After a continental breakfast, prepare for a presentation of kings and queens representing Southwest Louisiana’s nursing homes and senior living facilities beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Krewe of the Golden Years Court will be presented followed by the crowning of the 2008 king and queen.

There will be good music, gumbo and potato salad, live entertainment, and plenty of merriment for everyone to enjoy. This event is free to seniors. For more information, contact the Calcasieu Council on Aging at (337) 474-2583 or visit www.swlamardigras.com.

Jeff Davis Parish Children’s Tradtional Mardi Gras Tours, Jan 25 & 26 — Children Mardi Gras Tour (Ages 3 - 12). Bring your children or grandchildren to experience a kid-friendly Traditional Cajun Mardi Gras Run. Children will participate in the chasing of the chickens, dancing to Cajun music, and ride on a float tossing beads. Friday evening, January 25; check into the hotel…decorate hats & mask, pizza, king cake and learn about the chicken run. Saturday, January 26; 7:30 ~ Depart for Elton (Serve Breakfast on Bus), 8:30 – 9 ~ Board Float, 9 Noon ~ Chicken Run. Noon ~ Depart for Lake Arthur (Lunch on bus), 1:15 – 2 ~ Board Float, 2 – 3 ~ Parade, 3 – 4 ~ Chicken Chase in Park, 4 ~ Return to Hotel. Call for reservations: 800-264-5521 or email to: info@jeffdavis.org.

PAGE 16

JANUARY 24, 2008

Jeff Davis Parish Adult’s Traditional Mardi Gras Tours, Feb 1 & 2: Traditional Mardi Gras Tour for Adults. Come to Jeff Davis Parish to experience a Traditional Cajun Mardi Gras Run. You will participate in the chasing of the chickens, dancing to Cajun music, ride on a float tossing beads, and learn how to cook a Cajun gumbo. Friday, February 1, Check into Hotel; 6:30 pm~ Depart for Tupper Museum; 6:35 – 7 pm ~ Social; 7 - 8 ~ Cooking Class (Gumbo); 8 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. ~ Band, Dancing & decorating Hats & Mask; 9:45pm ~ Back to Hotel. Saturday, February 2, 6 am ~ Depart for Elton - (Serve Breakfast on Bus); 6:30 - Noon ~ Cajun Chicken Chase Run; Noon - 1:30 ~ Lunch; 1:30 – 2 ~ Back to hotel; 2 - 4 ~ Cajun Squeeze Box Shootout (Accordion playing contest); 4 - 4:30 ~ Leave Hotel & Board Float; 4:30 - 6:30 ~ Parade & Founders Park for entertainment; 6:30 ~ Return to Hotel. Come join the fun! Call for reservations: 800-264-5521 or email to: info@jeffdavis.org.

Merchants Parade, Feb 1 — Midtown – Downtown Lake Charles, Friday, February 1, 7 p.m. Local business leaders and social organizations take to the streets on festive floats from the Lake Charles Civic Center to Ryan Street, ending at Sallier Street. The Parade route will be from the Lake Charles Civic Center down Broad St. to Ryan, south on Ryan to Sale Rd.

Lighted Boat Parade, Feb 1 — At the Lake Charles Civic Center Seawall, Friday at 8:30 p.m. Spectators will be dazzled by the glowing boat parade on shimmering Lake Charles as “boating captains” and their “crews” shower attendees with Mardi Gras trinkets. We encourage you to shout: “Throw me Something Mister,” but be careful that you don’t go “overboard” with your enthusiasm.

Carlyss, Feb 2 — Chickens, horses, bulls and more! Mardi Gras is definitely not limited to big city glitz and glamour. Experience a traditional Mardi Gras celebration with the Carlyss Mardi Gras Trail Ride, including chicken runs and a trail ride parade on Saturday, Feb. 2. The trail ride starts and ends at the West Calcasieu Arena. Floats and horses are welcome to join in the festive cavalcade. Line-up begins at 6:30 a.m., with the parade rolling at 8 a.m. Admission for trail riders is $5, and the proceeds will go toward the Carlyss Fire Department. For more information, contact Tatus Hoffpauir, parade chairman, at (337) 912-9780 or Cyndie Seaford at (337) 528-3508 or (337) 309-0509.

Gumbo Cook-Off, Feb 2 – There will be hot competition as the public tastes from every pot of chicken and sausage or wild game gumbo in the annual Gumbo Cook-off of over 50 teams at noon on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Lake Charles Civic Center Exhibition Hall from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Amateur and professional teams will stir up hundreds of gallons of rich, spicy gumbo and serve it at the Cajun Extravaganza and Gumbo Cook-off, which is a Mardi Gras tradition among krewes, professionals and amateurs in Southwest Louisiana. The event is a must-be-there mix of award winning food, floor-stomping music, and the down-home spirit of Mardi Gras. Gumbo contestants begin cooking at 8 a.m., and judging is at noon with gumbo served immediately afterward until 2 p.m. In addition to scrumptious food, there will be festive, live music

by Kevin Naquin and Ossun Playboys. There are two categories: chicken and sausage, and wild game, and there are amateur and professional divisions, with an entry fee of $75. Admission is $5, and gumbo-lovers will be able to sample from all the different gumbo pots. First place wins $100 and a trophy, second place wins $75 and a plaque and third place wins a plaque. Be sure and get a raffle ticket for a $1 for a chance to win a gumbo pot with all the ‘fixins’. Entry forms for cook-off contestants are available on line or by contacting Millicent Jones at 337582-7389. For more information on other Mardi Gras events, visit www.swlamardigras.com or contact the Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau at (337) 436-9588.

Krewe of Omega Parade, Feb 2— Downtown Lake Charles at 2 p.m. The Krewe of Omega parade will be from the Lake Charles Civic Center down Broad St. to Enterprise, north on Enterprise, east on Mill St. and back to the Civic Center.

Krewe of Barkus, Feb 2 — Parade at 3 p.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

A parade of costumed pets and their owners makes for a whimsical, carnival atmosphere. The title of “Mystical Dog” is given to the most strikingly costumed participant. One of the most highly attended parades during the Mardi Gras season, the day-time parade attracts pet-lovers and families. Entry fee is $10 per dog.

Organized by Cumulus Broadcasting.

Zydeco Dance, Feb 2 — from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center, with live music by Leon Chavis and the Zydeco Flames. The Zydeco Dance is sponsored by Bell South.

Krewe of Cosmos Presentation, Feb 2 — Sulphur High School Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. The Krewe of Cosmos presents their royal court in style with skits, songs and more. You will not want to miss this glittering show.

Krewe of Illusions Extravaganza, Feb 2 — Lake Charles Civic Center, Rosa Hart Theatre. Saturday at 7 p.m. Orchestra seats, $30 ; balcony seats, $15; general admission $12. Formal Ball to follow.

Children’s Day, Feb 3 – Sunday, February 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Children’s Day combines Mardi Gras fun with culture and learning. This free event is open to all children in Southwest Louisiana ages 3 to 11, at the Lake Charles Civic Center Exhibition Hall. Children’s Day activities coordinate with other public Mardi Gras events such as Taste de la Louisiane and the Children’s Parade. Activities include a petting zoo, making Mardi Gras arts and crafts, learning about the traditions and history of the carnival season, and more. Groups such as the Children’s Museum and the Calcasieu Parish Libraries present cultural and historic experiences. Each year, children have the opportunity to be photographed in a costume display sponsored by the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu and take home free souvenirs from vendors and sponsors.

Children’s Parade, Feb 3 — A purple, green and gold parade for the young and the young at heart through downtown Lake Charles, beginning at the Lake Charles Civic Center at 2:30 p.m. The parade route will be from the Lake Charles Civic Center down Broad St. to Ryan, south on Ryan to Sale Rd. Taste de la Louisiane, Feb 3 — Lake Charles Civic Center, Contraband Room, Sunday, February 3, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. We won’t stop until the last gumbo pot goes dry! Heaping helpings and pots and pots of all-you-can-eat traditional Louisiana cuisine will be at your fingertips during this event. Yummy! Admission $5.

Royal Gala, Feb 4 — The Cinderella night of Mardi Gras manifests on Mardi Gras eve, Monday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. with a lavish promenade of more than 43 krewes’ royalty in extravagant, glittering costumes before thousands of residents and visitors to the Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum. Kings and queens, royal dukes and duchesses, captains, courtesans, and jesters in museum quality costumes will be in full display, complete with music and dancing for everyone at the second largest Mardi Gras in Louisiana. Advance tickets to the Royal Gala are $4 and available at the following locations: Gordon’s Drug Store, Party Time Store, Medearis’ Costumes, Joseph’s Electric, My Favorite Things, Southern Celebrations, Synergy Salon, and the Lake Charles Civic Center Box Office, Uniformly Fit, New Look Furniture, Rhinestone Runway, Paradise Florist, the Sulphur Holiday Inn, Hamilton House, the Moss Bluff Market Basket, and Moss Bluff Flower Shop. Tickets are $5 at the door. Children age 5 and under are admitted free.

Krewe of Charlie Sioux Block Party, Feb 5 — Sioux City, Iowa, Lake Charles’ sister city will hold the Krewe de Charlie Sioux Block Party on the corner of Broad and Ryan Street beginning at 10 a.m. There will be food, drinks and music and children’s activities. Downtown Lake Charles, Corner of Broad and Ryan, Tuesday, February 5, 10 a.m.

Red Hat Parade, Feb 5 — The Red Hat Ladies’ Societies in the five parish area will bring Mardi Gras spirit to life in their parade through midtown Lake Charles, Tuesday, February 5, 11 a.m. The society is comprised mainly of women over 50, who will be wearing red hats. Other age groups are included and will be wearing hats of pink and lavender. The Parade route will be from the Lake Charles Civic Center down Broad St. to Ryan, south on Ryan to Sale Rd. Krewe of Krewes Parade, Feb 5 — The coupe de gras of Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday peaks with the glittering Krewe of Krewes’ Parade that winds for four miles through Lake Charles—hundreds of krewe floats, costumes, beads and excitement for the whole family. The Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. The route will be from the Lake Charles Civic Center down Broad St. to Ryan, south on Ryan to Sale Rd. Mardi Gras Museum —- Enjoy Mardi Gras all year round at the Mardi Gras Museum, located in Central School Arts and Humanities Center, 809 Kirby Street in Lake Charles. In preserving the history of Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana, a six-room museum has been set up as a tribute, with the largest costume display in the South. The rooms display the history of the festival, the Captains’ Den, costume design, the history of King cakes and the marvel of 12th Night each year.

The museum also features ballroom costumes, a Mardi Gras parade display, including a parade float that everyone can climb aboard!

JANUARY 24, 2008

PAGE 17

Mardi Gras Southwest Louisiana Takes Top 20 Honors The Southeast Tourism Society (STS) recently honored Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana as a Top 20 Event for 2008. From glittering parades and royal costumes to mambo, Zydeco and gumbo, the festivities have something for everyone, January 3-February 5.

Events began with 12th Night celebration Jan. 3; the Cajun Extravaganza/Gumbo Cook-off, Children’s Day and topping off the season is the Royal Gala on Monday, Feb. 4, and the Krewe of Krewes Parade on Tuesday, Feb. 5. Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana was awarded this prestigious honor in 2002, 2003, 2005 2006 and 2007 in addition to being named a Top 100 Event in North America by the American Bus Association in 2003 and 2004. The Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau is a member of STS, an organization that promotes travel to and

within the southeastern part of the United States. The bureau nominates all area fairs, festivals and events quarterly. The STS Top 20 Events marketing program highlights the “best of the best” from submitted entries. Events are selected from each of the following STS member states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The Top 20 Events publication is distributed to 125 American Automobile Association offices and to more than 300 newspapers, periodicals, radio stations and television stations. The combined circulation of organizations using the publication is well into the millions. The potential media coverage of these events has made the Top 20 Events list a coveted honor.

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JANUARY 24, 2008

Keep Louisiana Beautiful, the state’s non-profit organization dedicated to litter reduction, urges paradegoers to reduce waste this Mardi Gras season by following these simple tips: • Always bring a garbage bag and collect personally generated litter during parades. Place your filled trash bags in trash barrels along parade routes or carry home for collection.

• Purchase drinks in aluminum or plastic containers so they can be recycled after use. This is also a much safer alternative to glass containers.

• Since cigarettes are the most littered item in Louisiana, it is important you use containers such as empty film canisters for butts and properly dispose in a waste bin.

• Be proactive and collect extra trash around you that other revelers leave behind. When left behind, this garbage ends up clogging storm drains and eventually travels into canals and bayous.

• Teach your children that it is not okay to throw trash on the ground during Mardi Gras.

• Join local clean-up efforts following Carnival. Affiliates in your area can be found by visiting www.keeplouisianabeautiful.org.

• Remember, if caught littering at any time, fines range up to $1,000 per offense.

“In some parts of our state, the success of Mardi Gras was measured by the amount of trash generated,” said KLB Executive Director Leigh Harris.

“Times have changed. When it comes to reducing litter and trash, we encourage parade-goers to be proactive and set a positive example during this festive time of year.”

Keep Louisiana Beautiful is a volunteer based service organization dedicated to a healthy and litter free Louisiana. Through a network of statewide affiliates, KLB promotes its mission to educate Louisianans on the ecological and economic effects of littering. For more information, visit www.keeplouisianabeautiful.org.

People Get It.

Preserve Your Mardi Gras Finery With TLC

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of donning your favorite formal gown and twirling around in front of a mirror. That’s true whether you’re a forty-something woman attending a formal gala or a teenager preparing for her prom. And in Louisiana, Mardi Gras provides an extra opportunity for wearing glamorous gowns and party attire.

“It’s important to remember that these types of dresses demand special respect,” says Robert Guilott, owner of AAA Drive-In Cleaners. “After all, there’s a reason why velvet, chiffon, organza and taffeta aren’t ‘everyday” fabrics!’” He offers these recommendations for caring for these delicate fabrics.

Taffeta. Whether you have a formal gown, a dressy blouse, a crisp two-piece suit, or the latest style in capri slacks, taffeta must have “body” and should never be limp or tired looking. Your drycleaner should add extra sizing to give taffeta the proper drape when it is being finished.

Also, the cleaner should pay extra attention cleaner to seams and double-thick areas. If these areas are not “steamed out” during pressing, there will be deep impressions and pock marks on the surface of the fabric. Creases and hard wrinkles that occur from wear, especially at the waist, can usually be improved in pressing. When you

perspire, the acid turns alkaline and can cause a color change after the fabric dries. If you perspire, take your dress to the drycleaners the next day and ask them to spot with steam in these areas.

Velvet. The biggest problem with velvet is that it is very water sensitive. It is manufactured in rayon, silk, acetate and cotton velvet, the last being the least water-sensitive (but also the lowest grade). Consider moisture of any kind — rain, perspiration, drink spills — to be an enemy. Moisture can “crush” the pile fabric, and more often than not, the nap cannot be lifted evenly and restored to the same sheen.

Sometimes a drycleaner can lift the velvet pile by steaming and brushing; silk velvet is the most responsive. It is imperative that you do not try to save it yourself. It is almost inevitable that a child will spill food and drink over a large enough

JANUARY 24, 2008

PAGE 19

area that only hand washing can help. Only cotton velvet can be washed without changing the direction of the pile. Approach velvet philosophically and recognize its limitations. Accept the crushed areas as character, and try not to be too selfconscious about them.

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Chiffon. Silk chiffon is the most common type, followed by poly-chiffon and fine rayon crepe. It projects a soft, ethereal look. Spills and food stains are reasonably manageable, but silk chiffon snags and tears easily. Because the fabric flows, it tends to catch on edges, handbag hardware, and often, high heels. If the hem is torn, and depending on the location and size of the tear, it is often best to consider shortening the hem to hide it rather than repairing it. Snags can cause individual threads to “stand up” and they cannot be easily disguised. A single snag can “run” the material for inches, and there is no easy remedy. Because chiffon is routinely cut on the bias, simple repairs and redesigns are a challenge. As with any silk, chiffon tends to become distorted more easily when wet. Do not wipe stains with a towel or napkin when chiffon is wet. The yarns can separate, and there is no remedy for yarn slippage.

Organza. This is a very brittle fabric with a sheen as perfect as glass. Because the fiber has no stretch or give, it is imperative that it fit properly. If it’s too tight, the seams may pull and separate. Never rub the material or attempt stain removal yourself. The surface sheen can change with the slightest abrasion, and yarn separation is always possible. If you’re wearing a gown that restricts movement, it’s easy to break the fibers if you stretch or bend. This causes yarn separation, which is most evident under the arms, at the waist, and along the hip area. When organza becomes “bent” or creased, often a white line appears where the crease is. Ironing the fabric will not remove such a white line. Try to think of these “breaks” as character traits.

“Remember, special occasion dresses can be a great investment if you take care of them,” stresses Guilott. “Treat your formal gowns and party dresses with the delicate care they deserve, and they’ll look as fabulous every time you get the chance to wear—or share – them.”

Bronwen B. Darbonne, C.L.T.

PAGE 20

Catherine Vincent, C.L.T.

JANUARY 24, 2008

Stephen R. Cannon, M.D.

Micki Richard

Sarah D. Thibodeaux, L.E.

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A family reunion: Hong Wei, Zhang Huailin, Jamie Nichols with baby William, and Brian Nichols.

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Gift of Sight

Artist Receives New Vision From Area Eye Doctors

By Kristy Armand

Life, for Zhang Huailin, is art and in turn, art is life. His eyes are the window to the world and the beauty he finds wherever he looks. Thanks to two ophthalmologists at The Eye Clinic, Dr. Mark Crawford, who removed the cataracts from Mr. Zhang’s eyes and Dr. A.J. O’Byrne, who treated his glaucoma, the 60-year-old Chinese artist will continue to translate his vision of beauty onto canvas for the world to enjoy.

In Lake Charles with his wife, Yang Hong Wei, to see their eight-month-old grandson for the first time and experience the holiday season in the United States, Mr. Zhang went to see Dr. Crawford about the cataracts that had troubled him for several years. He had gone from doctor to doctor in his hometown of Jining in Shandong Province on

the east coast of China. He could find only one doctor in China who specialized in the kind of surgery required for his cataracts. This Beijing doctor, he said, warned of the possibility of blindness or even worse vision following the surgery. In one waiting room he heard a woman describing the high risk of infection, causing him to fret even more.

Mr. Zhang treasured his eyesight too much to risk losing it. “Better blurred and faded beauty than not to see it at all” sums up his feelings about the situation. Dr. Crawford, however, told him he could remove the cataracts with very little risk. First, though, he had to refer Mr. Zhang to Dr. O’Byrne to treat his previously undiagnosed glaucoma. All the doctors he saw, even the Beijing specialist, missed the disease that would

have led inevitably to blindness if left untreated.

“We call glaucoma ‘the silent sight thief.’ Worldwide, it is the third leading cause of blindness,” said Dr. O’Byrne.

“Glaucoma is actually a group of diseases of the optic nerve and relatively simple to treat. But, you have to catch it early and treat it because it will lead to blindness. With Mr. Zhang, we opted to do a selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) to surgically reduce the excess pressure in his eyes by draining the excess fluid.”

A cataract is an opacity that develops in the eye’s lens that, over time, affects the clarity of vision as well as color perception, according to Dr. Crawford. Treatment is simple and nearly 100 percent successful with minimal

risk. The surgeon removes the affected lens through a microscopic incision and replaces it with a new lens implant that restores clear vision. Often, Dr. Crawford says, patients find their postsurgery eyesight the best it’s ever been.

“Again, just like glaucoma, cataracts are highly treatable with outstanding results but, you have to catch it and take care of it or it will, in most cases, get progressively worse,” Dr. Crawford said. “It is the number one cause of blindness in the world but it doesn’t have to be. At The Eye Clinic, we treat glaucoma and cataracts on an out-patient basis using the latest advances and technology. Before his cataract surgery, Mr. Zhang was wearing very thick glasses due to severe nearsightedness. We were able to not only JANUARY 24, 2008

PAGE 21

Artist Zhang Huailin and Dr. Mark Crawford after his cataract surgery.

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The Eye Clinic Introduces New LASIK Technology

remove his cataract, we were also able to correct his nearsightedness with the replacement lens.”

Mr. Zhang’s cataract procedure was performed at Memorial Hospital’s Outpatient Eye Surgery Center, a center devoted exclusively to eye care that is located nearly 12,000 miles from China.

While most of the procedures at the center are cataract removals with intraocular lens implants, eye surgeons also implant ExPress glaucoma shunts, perform corneal transplants, remove benign growths and suspicious lesions over and under the eye, and perform cosmetic surgery, such as endoscopic brow lifts.

Pioneering breakthroughs and cutting edge technology are wonderful, Mr. Zhang agrees, but he was far more impressed with the two doctors and the Eye Clinic and hospital staff. They fairly glowed with an air of confident competence that gave Mr. Zhang the assurance he needed to agree to the treatment.

“In China, the way the health treatment system is, the individual is of little importance. There’s no time—the population is so big. The doctors don’t have time to care about their patients,” Mr. Zhang said. “When I walked into the Eye Clinic, I heard people laughing.

That was so remarkable. The people there are so friendly. The doctors at the Eye Clinic are so confident and competent that I knew I was in the right place.

They even took the time to talk to me and explain things. They are wonderful.

And then the people at Memorial Hospital—what an incredible facility.

It’s so modern with all the technology and Mr. Graham (Larry Graham, Memorial’s Chief Executive Officer) was so confident and reassuring. He went out of his way to make me feel welcome here. I knew I was in the right place and that my precious eyes would be fine.”

Mr. Zhang’s expressive face glowed with emotion and his long artist’s fingers danced as he described his emotions upon hearing that his treasured eyesight would be salvaged. “My eyes are the most important thing I have.

With them, I can see the beautiful art and the beautiful world,” Mr. Zhang said, with his daughter, Jamie Zhang Hui Huailin Nichols, translating. “I can continue to paint and that is so important to me. It purifies my soul. It’s not something I do for materialistic gain but because I must see beautiful things and create beauty.”

Everything has beauty, Mr. Zhang believes. He feels blessed to be able to see it because only a few have such vision. As the Chinese philosopher Confucius wrote: “Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.”

“Thanks to Dr. Crawford and Dr. O’Byrne and the people at the Eye Clinic and Memorial Hospital, beauty will still be part of my life. It’s the air I breathe,” Mr. Zhang said. “I won’t be like (French Impressionist) Claude Monet who nearly lost his sight to cataracts. That would be worse than dying.”

Mr. Zhang following his cataract surgery at LCMH. L-R Larry Graham, LCMH CEO, Zhang Huailin and Jamie Zhang Nichols (Zhang's daughter).

PAGE 22

JANUARY 24, 2008

The Eye Clinic’s Laser Center has a new laser system, the VISX Star S4 CustomVue with Iris Registration. The Eye Clinic is the exclusive provider of this custom LASIK technology in Southwest Louisiana.

Board certified physicians at The Eye Clinic were the first to perform laser vision correction nearly 11 years ago in this region, and earlier this month, Drs. William Iglinsky, Jon Yokubaitis and A.J. O’Byrne became the first in Southwest Louisiana to perform LASIK using this latest advance in technology.

Dr. Iglinsky says the new laser system sets a new standard in accuracy and precision. “We have had excellent results with LASIK over the past decade, but this system takes LASIK to an entirely new level, enabling us to provide patients with a unique correction precisely customized for just their eyes. It really a major breakthrough in the degree of improved vision we are able to give patients.”

The Advanced CustomVue procedure is based on Wavefront technology — originally developed for high-powered telescopes to reduce distortions when viewing distant objects in space.

“Glasses and contact lenses are limited in their ability to correct unique imperfections in each individual’s vision,” says Dr. Yokubaitis. “Thousands of individuals are wearing glasses and contacts with exactly the same prescriptions. These are standardized numbers.

However, much like a fingerprint, each eye has its own unique wave pattern.

With Wavefront technology, we are able to objectively measure the unique characteristics of each individual’s vision and develop a treatment plan tailored just for that person’s eyes. It eliminates much of the subjective component of the refractive process – the ‘which is better, one or two?’ question we use during exams. Measurements with our new system are 25 times more precise than standard methods.”

Another unique feature of Advanced CustomVue is Iris Registration technology. Dr. O’Byrne explains that Iris Registration technology is a revolutionary method of aligning the treatment to the cornea and providing the most precise laser alignment accuracy to date.

“The technology replaces previous manual methods of attaining precise align-

ment, and unlike manual methods, Iris Registration automatically aligns the laser to the eye. This allows us to center the treatment more accurately, so that a patient’s breathing or other normal movements won’t affect the treatment. As a result, we can provide potentially better outcomes for our patients.

In fact, Advanced CustomVue is so accurate, it is the first LASIK procedure approved by NASA for pilots and astronauts.”

Results of clinical studies show that up to 98 percent of participants who received CustomVue achieved 20/20 or better vision without glasses or contact lenses. Furthermore, night vision is improved with CustomVue LASIK compared to standard LASIK. The first patients to be treated at The Eye Clinic’s Laser Center with the new system are reporting great results. Alvin Lewis, a systems analyst at PPG, says he was very impressed with the entire procedure, as well as the staff. “I had LASIK just a week ago and my distance vision is great, and because I also had problems seeing up close, I had one eye corrected for near vision as well. I was surprised by how quick and painless the treatment was. I’d recommend it to anyone.”

Mack Dellafosse, a local insurance adjuster with State Farm, says he had been putting off having LASIK for 10 years. “Now that I’ve had it, and experienced how simple the process was, I wish I had had it done years ago. There was nothing to be afraid of. I was very surprised by the efficiency and painlessness of the treatment. I went home, took a nap, and when I woke up, I could see everything.”

The Advanced CustomVue LASIK procedure is FDA approved to potentially treat nearly everyone who is eligible for laser vision correction, including people with farsightedness, all forms of astigmatism, and nearsightedness up to 11 diopters of correction. For more information about Advanced CustomVue at the Laser Center, call 1877-95-FOCUS. Sponsored by

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Get Framed!

If you wear glasses, then you have probably struggled with choosing eyewear that improves your vision and looks good on you. The good news, according to retail optical specialists with Optics Unlimited at The Eye Clinic, is that choices in eyewear have never been more fashionable.

“Eyewear today is considered a fashion accessory, and the wide assortment of frame styles ensures there is something in eyewear design for everyone,” says Melanie Zimmerman, manager of Optics Unlimited in Lake Charles.

Zimmerman adds that it can be overwhelming when trying to pick the best style from the multitude of choices available. “Our opticians have completed special training in eyewear styling to help us eliminate the guesswork. The four key concepts, prescrip-

tion, color, facial balance and lifestyle, are something we take into consideration when helping someone select eyewear.”

Optics Unlimited also offers an additional customer service feature, the iPoint Kiosk system. “When shopping for eyewear, it can be difficult to clearly see your options because you don’t have the correct prescription in the frames you are trying on. Trying on different styles is literally a blur because your image is out of focus, especially if you’ve just completed your eye exam and your eyes are still dilated,” explains Zimmerman. “The iPoint system eliminates this problem by allowing you to see yourself in different eyewear and lens styles perfectly focused on the computer screen.

With iPoint, customers can select a number of frames they like. Then,

instead of squinting in front of a mirror to see how they look, the iPoint system takes a high-resolution digital image of the patient wearing each frame style.

The patient then puts their prescription eyewear back on and is able to get a clear view of themselves in each of the frame styles on a large computer screen.

Once a frame is chosen, the optician uses iPoint to demonstrate the many lens options that are available. The iPoint software is very flexible and can demonstrate a complete variety of lens features, including different types of bifocal lines, tints, transition and antireflective coatings. All of these features are virtually modeled

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West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital’s Home Health Services is made up of trusted professionals and members of your community. In fact, we consistently score among the highest in the area. Our home health services are backed by the extensive resources of our full-service hospital. We provide: • Physical Therapy • Home Health Aide Services • Speech Therapy • Medical Supplies • Occupational Therapy • Medical Social Services • Skilled Nursing We work with your physician on a plan of care that is tailored to your needs. Our service area includes Sulphur, Carlyss, Vinton, Westlake, Lake Charles, DeQuincy, Starks, Hackberry, and Cameron. In fact, we cover a 50-mile radius from WCCH. Call us today, and we’ll be right over.

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PAGE 23

PAP SMEAR We know.

On your list of things to do, this falls somewhere between completing your tax forms, getting a root canal, and hand-scrubbing the floors.

But, a pap smear, as part of a woman’s routine pelvic exam, is much too important to postpone. It's a vital diagnostic tool that can save your life.

Half of women diagnosed with cervical cancer are between the ages of 35 and 55 - a busy time in any woman’s life. But taking the time for your annual exam now can mean you'll be around to file your taxes, suffer through dental work and scrub the floor for many years to come.

Make your annual exam appointment today. It's one less thing on your to do list, and one more thing you can do for your health.

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right in the lenses and frames on the customer’s image on the computer screen.

“We are able to give our customers not only the basis for making the best decision for their eyes, but also an accurate image of how they will look in their new glasses,” says Zimmerman. “This means fewer patients will be disappointed in their glasses when they pick them up because they have already seen exactly what they are getting.”

For those patients who need time to consider their options or who want a second opinion from a trusted family member or friend, images can be emailed directly from the iPoint system. With the wide variety of frame styles and lens options available today, Zimmerman says there is no reason for anyone to wear glasses that don’t help them see well and look great!

Here are some additional recommendations for choosing eyewear from Optics Unlimited and the Vision Council of America:

Eyewear DO’s and DON’T’s Do...have your glasses cleaned and professionally adjusted so they don’t fall down your nose.

Do...wear colored frames — color will turn your eyewear into a fashion accessory.

Do...remember that eyewear has style; outdated glasses are as unflattering as an old outfit.

Do...ask for an anti-reflective coating for your lenses. This will let others see your eyes while helping you see better.

Do...select known products and brand names. All eyewear is not the same. Just as poor quality window glass and mirrors distort a view, so too does poor quality lenses.

Do...ask your eyewear consultant about polishing lens edges. Edge polishing minimizes lens thickness, and keeps you from looking “nerdy.”

Do...select eyewear with the assistance of a vision care professional who can help you find attractive and comfortable eyewear to fill your vision needs.

Don’t...be afraid to wear glasses if you have a heavy prescription. A trained eye care professional can recommend high-index lenses that can accommodate your prescription in a lighter, thinner lens.

Don’t...buy glasses that are so large they hide your eyes plus half your face.

Don’t...wear an old-fashioned bifocal with a line. You will look out of style and out of date. Ask your eye care professional about no-line progressive lenses.

Don’t...hide your eyes. Make sure the center of your lens is untinted to let your eyes shine through. Consider cosmetically tinting the upper and lower portions of the lens to match your eye color and skin tone.

Don’t... go outside in the daytime without sunglasses with 100 percent ultraviolet (UV) protection. Cataracts have been linked to UV radiation, and squint wrinkles will age you before your time.

Don’t...be afraid to own more than one pair. Eyewear is the accessory that is noticed the most — the one that frames your eyes.

Don’t...wear broken or “homemended” glasses. Buy a spare pair “just in case.”

Optics Unlimited offers quality eyewear for the entire family. Unlimited has locations adjacent to The Eye Clinic in Lake Charles, Sulphur, DeRidder and Jennings. For more information, call the location nearest you or 1-800-826-5223.

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New Technology Offers Multiple Choices for Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is the most frequently performed surgery today, and according to A. J. O’Byrne, ophthalmologist with The Eye Clinic. This is a trend that is only going to increase as Baby Boomers age. Baby Boomers will be the largest generation of Americans to fall between the ages of 40 and 65, making it likely that they will simultaneously face two distinct vision challenges: presbyopia (failing near vision that happens to everyone sometime after age 40) and clouding of vision due to cataracts (by age 60, most people have some degree of cataract formation).

Dr. O’Byrne explains that a cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye. “This lens, located behind the iris, works just like the lens of a camera, by focusing light images on the retina, which sends the images to the brain. Eye injury, certain diseases or even some medications can cause the clouding, but in over 90% of cases, it is caused by aging. A cataract cannot be treated with medication or a laser. The only way to treat a cataract is to remove the old, clouded lens and replace it with a new lens implant.”

Intraocular lenses, or IOLs, are the artificial lenses that replace the eye’s natural lens that is removed during cataract surgery. IOLs have been around since the mid-1960s, though the first FDA approval for one occurred in 1981.

Before that, Dr. O’Byrne says if you had cataracts removed, you had to wear very thick glasses or special contact lenses in order to see after the surgery.

Since the first lens implant was approved, Dr. O’Byrne says that tremendous advances have been made in IOL technology. “In the past, the IOLs we implanted during cataract surgery were able to restore vision only in limited distance ranges, which meant most patients still had to use glasses or other corrective lenses following surgery to see for clear near vision. Now, new advances just in lens technology allow us to restore clear near and distance vision, as well as very good intermediate vision. It’s a big advance in IOL technology and we’re very excited to offer this new product to our patients.”

Eye surgeons at The Eye Clinic are using two new multifocal IOLs. Dr. O’Byrne says both options are working very well for his patients. The AcrySof ReStor lens uses apodized diffractive technology, a design that responds to how wide or small the eye’s pupil might be, to

provide near, intermediate, and distance vision. Clinical studies used to support the March 2005 FDA approval showed that 80 percent of people who received the lens didn’t use glasses for any activities after their cataract surgery; 84 percent who received the lens in both eyes had distance vision of 20/25 or better, with near vision of 20/32 or better.

The ReZoom lens distributes light over five optical zones to provide near, intermediate, and distance vision. Its manufacturer, Advanced Medical Optics, brought the first multifocal IOL to the U.S. market in the late 1990s. The ReZoom is its second-generation multifocal and was FDA-approved in March 2005. In a study of 215 patients, 93 percent of ReZoom recipients reported never or only occasionally needing glasses.

Dr. O’Byrne stresses that it’s important to realize that not everyone is a candidate for multifocal IOLS, and there is

also no way to guarantee that every patient will be able to see well without eyeglasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery. Some of the factors that can decrease satisfaction with these IOLs include pre-existing astigmatism, incorrect positioning of the IOLs in the eye, and nighttime halos that some patients

have experienced. For more information about cataract surgery and IOL options, call The Eye Clinic at (337) 478-3810 or 1-800-826-5223.

JANUARY 24, 2008

PAGE 25

Hart Eye Center Awards LASIK Surgery The holiday season is usually the time for giving, gathering with family and friends and enjoying good food.

This Christmas, someone in the Lake Charles area received an unexpected blessing: a gift of sight.

Inspired by a national campaign, “Giving Eyes,” William B. Hart, M.D., of Hart Eye Center, promoted a contest for someone in Southwest Louisiana to receive free LASIK eye surgery. Participants were asked to submit a letter explaining why they were in need of this free procedure. Over 80 inspiring stories were submitted. Some were personally written by the contestants, and others were submitted on behalf of the individuals in need.

Thirty-six-year-old Melissa Adams of Moss Bluff received a phone call just a few days before Christmas. She was notified that her heartfelt story won her the free LASIK vision correction. “I didn’t have much hope of winning the contest,” said Adams, “so when they called me, I was in total shock!”

Melissa’s vision causes many problems in her life. As a paralegal, her eyes are often dried out from reading a

PAGE 26

JANUARY 24, 2008

computer screen every day. She also has difficulty focusing when driving at night. And, her nearsightedness prohibits her from reading without glasses or contacts, even if the writing is an inch from her eyes.

With 11- and 13-year-old sons that suffer from high-functioning autism, Melissa has spent many years putting herself, as well as her vision, last on the list of family needs. Unfortunately, her children’s vision is troubled as well. And, due to their medical conditions, they are constantly breaking or losing their glasses. With no vision insurance, it is difficult to fund proper eye care for their entire family, so this contest was the perfect opportunity to fulfill this mother’s needs.

“When the boys have nightmares in the middle of the night, my main concern is getting to them as quick as I can. I hate having to scrounge for my glasses, just to see to get down the hall,” explained Melissa. “I was so thankful that hear that I won this procedure, because this will truly make my family’s lifestyle easier.”

Though Hart Eye Center chose Melissa as the recipient of LASIK sur-

gery, many other personal stories were submitted. There were touching stories from firefighters who had tremendously poor vision. A young girl wrote a story on behalf of her brother who needed help seeing. “It was a difficult process to narrow down so many individuals in need,” said Elaine Dyer of Hart Eye Center. “The stories were so moving that we wanted to help everyone in some way.”

Hart Eye Center was motivated to keep giving, so they are reaching out to

the other participants, as well. Whether it is a free pair of glasses or an eye exam, many of the participants will receive assistance with their vision.

Hart Eye Center will be making this an annual contest, and look forward to giving a “Gift of Sight” to many patients in the future. Hart Eye Center specializes in LASIK, cataract removal and glaucoma, as well as total eye care for all ages. For more information, call 439-4014 or visit www.harteyecenter.com.

Eye surgeon William B. Hart, M.D, explains the LASIK procedure to patient Melissa Adams. Adams was the winner of the Hart Eye Center contest, “A Gift of Sight.”

EYE

CARE

& Healthcare

The Knee Replacement Women Need We all know men and women are different, and in most cases the differences are quite obvious. But you may have never stopped to think how these differences impact the joints and how joint problems are treated. The knees are a primary area in which this difference is significant. More than 450,000 knee replacements are performed in the United States each year, and two-thirds of these knee replacement patients are women.

Orthopaedic surgeon Geoffrey Collins, MD, with Center for Orthopaedics, says the number of knee replacement surgeries performed continues to increase each year for several reasons. “The reason for the replacements remains the same — wear and tear arthritis — but today people are living longer and more active lives. This is leading to an increased demand for treatment that can help people continue doing all the things they want to do. There is also an increased acceptance of knee replacement surgery. Most people know someone who has had it done.”

EYE

Women are certainly more active later in their lives than they were 20 years ago, but Dr. Collins says women are more reluctant to have knee replacement, even though they actually suffer from more knee pain than men do.

“This is changing today, now that we are able to offer a knee replacement designed specifically for women. Male and female knees are not the same, so it’s easy to understand that the same knee implant that works well in a man won’t provide the same results for a woman. The Journey knee replacement was developed to provide women with a knee replacement ideally suited for their anatomy.”

Dr. Collins explains that size is naturally one big difference between the knees of men and women. Women’s knees are slimmer and the bone in the front of a woman’s knee is typically less prominent. “Traditional knee implants, which were designed for use in men, might cause women’s joints to feel too bulky, causing pain and decreased function. A gender-specific knee implant is

thinner in the front than a traditional component, so it more appropriately fits the natural female anatomy.”

Women’s knees are also narrower from side to side and have a more trapezoid shape than a man’s knees. “A traditional implant that fits a woman’s knee from front to back often will be too wide from side to side, which might cause pain. A gender-specific component is proportionally contoured to the entire bone to provide a more precise fit,” says Dr. Collins.

In addition, he says that male and female knees have different angles of tracking. The angle between the hip and the knee affects how the kneecap tracks over the thigh bone when the knee is in motion. Women tend to have a different angle than men because of their knees’ specific shape and contour. “In the past, implants were designed based on an average between the size of women’s and men’s knees. A gender-specific knee replacement duplicates the different tracking angle and allows the joint to function more like a woman’s natural knee.”

Although knee replacement technology has improved greatly since its introduction 35 years ago, it has only been in the past year that gender-specific implants became widely available. Dr. Collins says the key to knee replacement success has always been dependent on the fit of the implant. “In the past, we had to shape the patient’s bone to fit the implants. This could be challenging, particularly with female patients. Now, the implants are designed to allow for fewer intraoperative adjustments and improved implant fit. Recent advances in computer navigation and instrumentation also give us more precise control on positioning and alignment. Less invasive procedures require shorter hospital stay and lead to a faster recover time with fewer complications. Basically, there’s never been a better time for a woman to have knee replacement surgery.”

For more information about genderspecific knee replacement, call the Center for Orthopaedics in Lake Charles at 721-7CFO or in Sulphur at 626-2529.

CARE

& Healthcare

Should You See a Doctor for a

Cold or Flu? Sneezing, coughing, chills and aches... It’s the time of year when these symptoms become all too common. Many facts on colds and influenza (flu) are published each winter, but most people still don’t know the difference between the two.

“It’s easy to be confused,” says Errol Wilder, MD, family physicians with Lake Charles Medical and Surgical Clinic. “Although colds and the flu are similar in many ways, flu can lead to more serious, life-threatening problems, like pneumonia. A stuffy nose, sore throat and sneezing are often signs of a cold, whereas fatigue, fever, headache and major body aches and pain often indicate flu. Coughs can occur with either, but a bad one is usually caused by flu.”

Another important clue is how you are able to function. Dr. Wilder says most people can function fairly normally with a cold, but continuing with normal, daily activities is difficult with the flu.

He adds that although you feel miserable and desperately want a quick cure, it is not

normally necessary to see your doctor about colds and flu unless there is a particular reason to do so. “Remember that antibiotics can do nothing to help, as they only kill bacteria, and colds and flu are both caused by viruses.

When you have either one of these, you have to brace yourself for a few days of misery.”

In most cases, Dr. Wilder says your best option is to treat the symptoms of the virus. He advises getting plenty of bed rest, drinking warm liquids, and taking aspirin or an aspirin substitute to relieve headache and muscle aches.

“In addition, take a mild cough medicine and hot steam or over-the-counter decongestants to relieve congestion. Be sure to use an aspirin substitute for children under the age of sixteen. If you aren’t sure which over-the-counter medications to take for your symptoms, check with your doctor.”

The good news is most people recover from a cold in a few days and from the flu in seven to 10 days. Dr. Wilder says is your symptoms get worse, instead of better, call your doctor. He also advises calling your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms in conjunction with your cold or flu: continued on page 28 JANUARY 24, 2008

PAGE 27

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Difficultly breathing or chest pain — Aside from the stuffy nose and some general muscle aches, a cold or the flu should not make you short of breath or cause pain in your chest.

These could be symptoms of a more serious problem such as heart disease, asthma, pneumonia, or others. Contact your doctor or go to the emergency room.

Persistent Fever — This can be a sign of a secondary infection in your body that should be treated.

Vomiting or Inability to Keep Fluids Down — Your body needs fluids to stay hydrated. If you can’t keep down fluids, you may need to go to the hospital to receive fluids intravenously.

Painful Swallowing — This is not normal. Although minor discomfort when you swallow can come from a sore throat, severe pain can be a sign of an infection or injury that needs to be treated by a doctor.

Persistent Coughing — A cough that won’t go away is usually just postnasal drip that may be treated with antihistamines. However, it could also be related to asthma or GERD, both of which can be treated by your doctor. In recent years, doctors have found an increase in a former childhood infection called pertussis (whooping cough).

So if you have an unexplained cough for more than 2 to 3 weeks, your doctor may want to try an antibiotic to treat this type of infection.

Persistent Congestion and Headaches — Colds and allergies that cause congestion and blockage of the sinus passages can lead to a sinus infection. If you have symptoms don’t go away with usual medication, you may need to be treated with antibiotics.

If you feel you need to see a doctor for symptoms accompanying cold or flu, call Dr. Wilder at 433-1212.

PAGE 28

JANUARY 24, 2008

Southwest Louisiana

Festivals & Fun From Mardi Gras revelry through Christmas parades, Southwest Louisiana offers a year of fun. Traditional Mardi Gras festivities in Vinton, Iowa and Jennings include chicken runs and gumbo suppers. The Black Heritage Festival and McNeese Banners Series highlight spring in Calcasieu Parish. Contraband Days, Red, White, Blue and You, Cajun Food and Music Festival and Celtic Nations Festival liven up Lake Charles. The Coushatta Pow Wow in Allen Parish is a ‘don’t miss’ event. In Beauregard Parish, catch the Hickory Creek Civil War battle reenactment, Merryville Heritage Days, Watermelon Festival, and Cherokee Nations Pow Wow. Jeff Davis Parish hosts a Mardi Gras Cajun Squeeze Box Shootout and annual Stearman Fly In. And each December, Sulphur welcomes the Christmas season with real snow! Visit the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau website at www.visitlakecharles.org throughout the year for updates and details.

ALLEN PARISH FEBRUARY • Allen Parish Mardi Gras. Colorful costumes, horses and good Cajun music. Traditional and contemporary parades Festivities begin the first weekend prior to Ash Wednesday and build to the grand finale on Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras Day. APRIL • April 28 — Trottingbred Racing.

Metro Soileau Downs, Soileau, LA.

MAY • May 4 - 6 Spring Festival. Scared Heart Catholic Church, Oakdale, LA. • May 12 & 26 — Trottingbred Racing. Metro Soileau Downs, Soileau, LA.

JULY • July 7 & 21 — Trottingbred Racing. Metro Soileau Downs, Soileau, LA. AUGUST • Aug 4 & 18 — Trottingbred Racing. Metro Soileau Downs, Soileau, LA. SEPTEMBER • Sept 1, 15 & 29 — Trottingbred

Racing. Metro Soileau Downs, Soileau, LA. • Sept 1 — St. Joan Of Arc Bazaar, Oberlin, LA. • TBA - Allen Parish Fair, Oberlin, LA. • Sept 29 - 30 — Old Time Plow Days, Mittie, LA. OCTOBER • Oct 5 - 6 — Coushatta Pow Wow, Kinder, LA. • Oct 13 & 27 — Trottingbred Racing. Metro Soileau Downs, Soileau, LA. • TBA — King’s Farm Fall Festival & Auction, Kinder, LA. NOVEMBER • TBA — Heart of Louisiana Trail of Lights, Oberlin, Oakdale, Elizabeth, Kinder, Reeves • TBA — Christmas Light Celebration, Kinder, LA. • Nov — 24 Grant Christmas Tree Farm Festival, Grant, LA. DECEMBER • TBA — Christmas In The Park, Reeves, LA. • TBA — 3rd United Pentecostal Christmas Bazaar, Oakdale, LA. • Dec 1 - 31 — King’s Farm UPC Festival of Lights, Kinder, LA. • Dec 1 — Grant Christmas Tree Farm Events, Grant, LA. JANUARY 24, 2008

PAGE 29

• Dec 1 — Lights In The Country, Elizabeth, LA. • Dec 1 — Christmas In The Country Trail Ride & Parade, Elizabeth, LA. • Dec 1 — Kinder’s Christmas In The Park, Kinder, LA. • Dec 8 — Christmas on Main Street, Sounds of the Season, Fireworks Display. Oakdale, LA. • Dec 8 — Grant Christmas Tree Farm Festival, Grant, LA. • TBA — Hayride Under the Lights

For Allen Parish updates throughout the year, go to www.allenparish.com

BEAUREGARD PARISH

EVERY MONTH • Pinehill Trade Days- Large indoor/outdoor market. A variety of old, new, collectibles and antique items.

Pinehill Trade Days are held the last weekend before the first Monday of every month at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds.

FEBRUARY • Feb 2 — Mardi Gras Parade • Feb 25 thru 27 — Battle of Hickory Creek. Civil War Re-enactment of battles and skirmishes between the Union and Confederate forces that opened the door to the 1864 Red River Campaign. The Battle of Hickory Creek takes place the last full weekend of February.

MARCH • March 28 – 30 — Merryville Living Heritage Festival. This two-day festival is the area’s only free communitywide cultural event. The festival features theater, folk life, music, dance and fine art, which demonstrates the unique cultural heritage of Louisiana’s “No Man’s Land area.

APRIL • April 4 – 6 — Louisiana Doll Festival. If you love dolls, the place to be on April 4-6, is in DeRidder, home of the Lois Loftin Doll Museum. The collection of over 3,000 dolls, donated to the Beauregard Tourist Commission in 1996, is located in the Beauregard Museum.

The festival will include Doll Appraisers, Doll Show, as well as live entertainment and activities for the kids. The Louisiana Doll Festival will be held at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds in DeRidder.

• April 4-6 — DeRidder Lions Club-11th Annual Pro Rodeo.

Beauregard Parish Covered Arena Hwy 190 West.

• TBA — The Four Winds Pow Wow-The Annual Pow-Wow of the Four Winds Tribe, Louisiana Cherokee Confederacy, will take place in April and PAGE 30

JANUARY 24, 2008

October at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds.

MAY • May 3 — Treasure Fest. A bargain hunters dream! Sponsored by the City of DeRidder and Beauregard Tourist Commission, Treasure Fest is a one-spot, yard sale held under the tall pines, along the one-mile walking trail in DeRidder’s West Park. Trash or treasure? You decide at Treasure Fest.

JUNE • Juneteenth Celebration-This year will mark the 143rd anniversary of the end of slavery. Each year, community organizations come together to commemorate the celebration with events throughout the month of June.

• June 27 – 29 — Beauregard Parish Watermelon Festival -Home of the Sugartown Watermelon, Beauregard Parish will celebrate the taste of the season with the parish’s second Annual Watermelon Festival at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds for watermelon games and events, as well as live music and entertainment. Taste some of the sweetest watermelons in Louisiana.

SEPTEMBER • Sept 20 — Beauregard Museum Hispanic Day. Downtown DeRidder.

OCTOBER • Beauregard Parish Fair-The 80th Beauregard Parish Fair will take place the first week in October at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds. One of the oldest agricultural fairs in the state, the fair includes a carnival, exhibits, food and live bands.

• Oct 18 — Ragley Heritage and Timber Festival. Presentations on pioneers of the area, history of the formation of the town and founding families.

Includes arts and crafts, food booths and live music by gospel and bluegrass bands.

• Oct 25 & 26 — The Four Winds Pow Wow. Louisiana Cherokee Confederacy at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds. A unique opportunity to experience the culture of Louisiana’s American Indians.

NOVEMBER • Nov 10 & 11 — DeRidder Gem and Mineral Show. The DeRidder Gem and Mineral Show offers some of the best-hidden treasures in Louisiana.

Minerals, gemstones, jewelry, Indian artifacts and florescent minerals will be displayed and available for purchase, including the elusive Louisiana opal.

• Nov 29 — Christmas in the Park. Each year West Park is turned into a Winter Wonderland with thousands of Christmas lights, snow village, Santa’s Workshop and nativity scene. Visitors can enjoy a train ride, cup of hot choco-

late, popcorn, and hotdogs, while waiting to see Santa Claus. Christmas in the Park is sponsored by the Beauregard Women’s Organizations.

DECEMBER • Dec 6 — Miracle on Washington Christmas Festival. Enjoy a dazzling Christmas Celebration with a downtown Christmas Festival, parades, the Kansas City Southern Holiday Express Train, unique shopping and much more.

For Beauregard Parish updates throughout the year, go to www.beauparish.org.

CALCASIEU PARISH JANUARY • Jan thru Feb 5 – Mardi Gras SWLA. From 12th Night to the last parade, highlights and schedules for Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana can be found at www.swlamardigras.com.

• Jan 26 – Feb 2 — 69th Annual Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo & Western Heritage Days. Burton Coliseum, Lake Charles.

“The greatest show on dirt,” the 69th Annual Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo, presented by Smith, Harper and Morgan Rodeo Co., Inc. Rodeo performances are scheduled Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

FEBRUARY • Feb 1 – 5 — Mardi Gras SWLA. From 12th Night to the last parade, highlights and schedules for Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana can be found at www.swlamardigras.com.

• February 15 – 24 — Kossa Indian Dancers. Kossa Plaza, 121 E. Napoleon St, Sulphur. A colorful pageant of Native American Dances The dancers perform in their own theatre, which resembles a pueblo, housing many prints and artifacts crafted by Native Americans.

• Feb 29 - March 2 — Black Heritage Festival. Lake Charles Civic Center/Downtown Lake Charles. Festival activities include live local, regional and national entertainment, gospel brunch, market place, visual arts exhibits, and empowering seminars. The State of Black Affairs hosted by Eric Cormier.

Cooking demonstrations by Carole Shelton.Kids Zone, pageants and exposure for small businesses and corporations. Zydeco will be the featured with a tribute to Zydeco legends Beau Jocque, BooZoo Chavis, Rockin’ Sidney and Alphonse “Bois Sec” Ardoin. Bands are: Willis Prudhomme and the Zydeco Express, Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band, Zydeco Joe and the Laissez Le Bon Temps Roulez Band, Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, Chris Ardoin and NuStep. Gospel play, “The

Unacquainted” by Pam Nolan will end the festival Sunday, at Central School.

• Feb 9 thru May 2 — McNeese Banners Series. Annual four-month festival of cultural events and entertainment.

MARCH • March 29 & 30, Southwest Louisiana Garden Festival. Sat. 9 a.m.

- 6 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Burton Coliseum, McNeese State University, Lake Charles. The 9th Annual festival.

Plant health clinic to help diagnose plant problems by LSU AgCenter employees and master gardeners and two days of garden seminars.

APRIL • April 4 - April 6 — Westlake Family Fun and Food Festival. St. John Bosco Church. Friday 5 - 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Games, food booths and activities. Bingo, a live auction and entertainment.

• April 5 — Senior Games Archery Competition. SPAR Carlyss Park.

Calcasieu Council on Aging.

• April 5 & 6 — United States Lawnmower Racing & Old Time Trade Days. Kershaws Cajun Village, Lake Charles. Barbecue cook-off and Antique Festival.

• April 29 - May 11 — Contraband Days. Lake Charles Civic Center. It’s Southwest Louisiana’s biggest and longest festival. It’s also an extravaganza of lights, color, sound and people of every kind- from buccaneers to bikers to funnel cake makers. Come relax and enjoy while you watch the lighted boat parade on the lake. Other events include biker rallies, car show, helicopter rides, amusement rides, live bands, children’s shows and fireworks displays.

MAY • May 3 — Laddie and Lassie Futurities. Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, Vinton. The Louisiana Laddie and Lassie stakes have a rich tradition at Delta Downs. Each race features 2-year-olds bred in the state of Louisiana.

• May 3 & May 4 — United States Lawnmower Racing & Old Time Trade Days. Kershaw’s Cajun Village, Lake Charles. Sausage Cook-off.

• May 16 - June 6 —Downtown at Sundown. Downtown Lake Charles.

Each show will feature a variety of music with different bands.

JUNE • June 2 - June 30 — Catch - A – Concert. Lake Charles Community Band, 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays. Lake Charles Civic Center- Arcade Pavilion.

Free outdoor concert in the park. Band performs a variety of music- Sousa marches, traditional and folk music, Broadway, movies, and TV show tunes.

JULY • July 4 — Red, White, Blue, and You. Lake Charles Civic Center Seawall.

Celebrate everything that’s great about being an American! Apple pie, parades, patriotism and especially fireworks! On the lake front, downtown Lake Charles.

• July 5 — Firecracker Futurity & Derby Night. Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel.

The road to the All-American goes through Vinton, Louisiana. Delta Downs hosts the Grade II Firecracker Futurity and the Grade II Firecracker Derby.

SEPTEMBER • Sept 4 - Sept 6 — Gallery Promenade. Visit art galleries in Lake Charles, Sulphur and Moss Bluff.

• Sept 28 — Calca-Chew Food Festival. St. Margaret Family Center, Lake Charles. The music is really French, as is the food. For those who have never tasted boudin or jambalaya or have never experienced the “two-step,” will find this festival a delight.

OCTOBER • Oct TBA — Celtic Nations Heritage Festival of Louisiana. On the lake front in Lake Charles.

• Oct 31— Trunk or Treat. First Baptist Church, Lake Charles. A fun, safe environment for all ages with candy, games, pictures, hotdogs, Jolly Jump and more.

NOVEMBER • Nov TBA — Mistletoe and Moss Holiday Market. Presented each year by the Junior League of Lake Charles.

Civic Center.

DECEMBER • Dec 5 — Sulphur’s Holiday House. Henning Cultural Center, Sulphur.

Glittering jewelry, mouth-watering treats, ornaments, home decorations, trendy fashions and more will be on hand to usher in the month of December.

• Dec 6 - Dec 31 — Southwest Louisiana Christmas Lighting Festival. Christmas Parades, Lights, and all the festivities that make December such a great time of year. Below are the dates of each city’s parade.

CAMERON PARISH

JANUARY • Jan 26 — 10th Annual Hackberry Duck Off. Hackberry Community Center; Golf Tourney at Bayou Oaks. This annual event raises money for Hackberry school athletics, clubs, classrooms, and community projects. The main event is the golf tournament and duck cooking contest. Other events include: Skeet shoot, bingo and kids games, cake and silent auction, live auction, food, music and fun!

AUGUST • Aug 1 & 2 — Marshland Festival.

Lake Charles Civic Center. Offering live entertainment, food, games, arts and crafts and more, this fundraiser for the community of Hackberry helps their youth to be able to participate in sporting events and youth organizations at local, state and national levels.

OCTOBER • Oct 2 — Annual Alligator Harvest. Jim Bel’s Hackberry Hilton Hunting Club. 7 a.m. You’ll see first hand the benefits that total marsh management offers the animals, aquatics and birds of different species. See blacknecked stilts, mottled ducks, black-bellied and fulvous tree ducks, cow birds, herons, teal, cranes, roseate spoonbills and deer.

JEFF DAVIS PARISH JANUARY • Jan 25 & 26 — Children’s Mardi Gras Tour. Children participate in the chicken run and ride on a Mardi Gras Float in Jennings, Elton, Lake Arthur.

• Jan 26 — Lake Arthur Mardi Gras Run & Parade FEBRUARY • Feb 1 & 2 — Adult Mardi Gras Tour. Participate in authentic rural Cajun Mardi Gras in Jennings and Elton.

• Feb 2— Cajun Squeeze Box Shootout. Strand Theatre. Third Annual World Cajun accordion championship during Jennings Mardi Gras.

• Feb 9 — Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park .7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

MARCH • March 8 — Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park.

7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• March 10 - June 13 — Evangeline, the Birthplace of Louisiana Oil. W.H. Tupper Museum.

An original exhibit of early oil days in Evangeline, Louisiana.

JUNE • June 7 & 8 — CHIPS Youth Theatre annual production.

• June 14 — Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park at 7 a.m.

JULY • July 3 — Stars & Stripes Celebration & Fireworks. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. Gates open at 4 p.m. Water fun for the kids & food & live entertainment for all.

• July 12 — Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park at 7 a.m.

AUGUST • August 9 — Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park at 7 a.m.

SEPTEMBER • Sept 13 — Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park .

7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

OCTOBER • Oct 1 – 4 — Jeff Davis Parish Fair. Fairgrounds, Hwy. 26 South.

• Oct 3 & 4 — End of Season Stearman Fly-In. Jennings Airport grounds.

• Oct 11 — Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Oct 25 — Jennings Alive. Historic downtown Main Street. An open air market for tons of fun, shopping and great food for the entire family.

• Oct 31 —Main Street Trick or Treat. Downtown Main Street is closed off for local children up to 12 years old to safely trick or treat. Area businesses and local residents are invited to come to Main Street to hand out goodies to the little ghosts & goblins. Each year a

NOVEMBER • Nov 8 — Saturday Flea Market.

Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Nov 21 through Dec 31— W.H. Tupper Museum Christmas Exhibit.

311 N. Main Street. Step back in time.

See trees decorated with 1940’s Christmas ornaments from the Tupper family store. Also, see toys that were given as gifts to the children of that era.

The Old Magnolia Room is converted to a Winter Wonderland with snow villages, dolls, bears, trains, trees and more.

DECEMBER • Dec 6 — Christmas Parade & Festival. 5: 30 p.m. Main Street & Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. See Santa & Mrs. Clause arrive in Jennings on a City fire truck. Immediately following the parade, join the merriment at the Louisiana Oil & Gas Park for a huge bonfire, Christmas caroling, food and a gigantic fireworks display.

• Dec 6 — 11th Annual Christmas Festival Gumbo Cook-Off. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. 4:30 p.m. Judging for cash prizes & trophies. Sample some of the best chicken & sausage gumbo made in the area. Then join the Christmas Festival. No admission fee.

• Dec 13 — Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Dec 13 — Sounds of Christmas.

Strand Theatre. 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

The annual community Christmas musical features live performances of traditional Christmas selections by local talent and special guests.

• Body Wraps • Message Therapy

APRIL • April 6 — The Thelma Richard Drama Showcase. Strand Theatre.

• April 12 — Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park.

7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

MAY • May 10 — Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• May 27 - June 1 — U.S. Open Clay Shoot Championship. Cajun Elite Shooting Club.

costume contest takes place in Founders Park.

• Manicures & Pedicures • Mardi Gras Updos • 10% off Services over $20

Salon & Day Spa “A Full Service Day Spa” 4626 Nelson Road, Lake Charles

• 30 Minute Massage $30 • 1 Hour Massage $55

Call 337-562-2040 for more information or to schedule a appointment.

JANUARY 24, 2008

PAGE 31

"I Curse You" — but I'm keeping it nice.

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

Last Issue’s Answers

Across 1 One voice 5 Math course, for short 9 Way to serve coffee 13 ___ 1 Imports 14 ___ Sophia (Istanbul landmark) 16 Feng ___ 17 "This bug spray's doing me no good...___!"

19 Helgenberger of "CSI" and "China Beach" 20 Soil type 21 Pink can drink 23 Word before a maiden name 24 "No ___ didn't!"

26 "The Clintons' old cat just scratched me again...___!"

30 Govt. watchdog arm 32 "X-Men" villain with leaping ability 33 Pay for others 34 Bausch & Lomb brand 35 Disreputable newspaper 36 ___ gow (gambling game) 37 "I just burned all the meat for the picnic...___!"

43 Possible tic-tac-toe line 44 "Can ___ least get ready first?"

45 Skater Kulik 46 In any way 49 Colleges, in German slang

PAGE 32

JANUARY 24, 2008

12 Take a breather from eating 15 "Nobody creates ___.

It just happens." -- Jim Henson 18 Grunge band whose final album was 1995's "Infrared Riding Hood" 22 Rigel, for example 50 Make out 24 Peon 51 "I can't believe I just got 25 Command to a dog three strikes...___!"

27 Light red or brown, 54 Not neg. in horse colors 55 ___ Tin Tin 28 Like some doubts 56 Nile biter 29 Starting point 57 Actor Wyle 31 Dome-shaped structure 59 "In the same place," in footnotes 36 Anesthetizes 61 "I hate that screaming 'So You Think You Can Dance' judge...___!" 38 Music in some "Weird Al" Yankovic medleys 66 Showed up 39 "Scott ___ Is 45...and Single" 67 Suckle 40 ___ in the room 68 When the time comes that 41 Part of a Caribbean island 69 Law professor Dershowitz 42 Fifth Avenue store 70 Suffix after party or theater 46 South ___ 71 RBI or RISP 47 Like "Survivor" councils 48 1996 Tool album that went Down triple platinum 1 Cop call 49 Disconnect 2 Word in many kid rappers' names 52 Publishing ID 3 David Duchovny's wife 53 It may come with a choking 4 About hazard warning 5 Movie with the line 58 John of "Good Times" "There is no spoon" 60 Study 6 "Gnarly!"

62 Gold, to Guillermo 7 "Can ___ now?"

63 Three letters in ingredient lists 8 Like smart kids that denote "sugar" 9 End of a belief?

64 ___ Building (former name of 10 Monopoly card an NYC skyscraper) 11 "I've got it!"

65 Up to this point

t i m e s

picks the best in lake area entertainment

CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK RADIOTHON JAN. 23-25 — Tune in to the 5th Annual Children’s Miracle Network of Southwest Radiothon on LA 92.9, Gator 99.5 and JAMZ 107.5 to hear stories of hope and courage; including the heartfelt testimonies of local CMN Miracle Kids such as Kaitlyn Hathaway, Lanie Warner and Rick Alston. The 2008 Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon is sponsored locally by Cameron State Bank and GAP broadcasting, and nationally by Kiwanis and Key Club and Foresters. For more information, call (337) 491-7750.

“ME & MY SHADOW” AT THE ZIGLER ART MUSEUM JAN. 26 — Ziglar Art Museum in Jennings is featuring the recent works of Vergie Banks and son Cortrillis Banks in a exhibition entitled “Me & My Shadow”. The exhibit is scheduled in conjunction with ZAM’s Black History Celebration. The ZAM also features the world’s largest collection of African-American artist William Tolliver’s work. The exhibition is scheduled to debut with a reception on Saturday, January 26, from 6 to 8 p.m.; the public is encouraged to attend. Vergie Banks is a renowned Lafayette-born artist who is inspired by the vibrant lifestyle of southern Louisiana and through her artwork helps others to enjoy the Creole culture. Her works often promote the region for tourism both at home and abroad, including the 2003 Louisiana Travel Summit poster. Vergie, who has a fine arts degree in sculpture, says that her most popular artworks portray a little Creole girl with pigtails and a tricycle. Vergie’s 14 year old son Cortrillis Banks has been painting under her guidance for ten years.

His interests are diverse and is currently collaborating with his mother on a Louisiana culture series. William Tolliver lived and worked in Lafayette from 1981 until his passing in 2000. He is known for his ability to manipulate color, shape, texture, line, and light to evoke feeling, mood, and even time of day or season. Tolliver introduced qualities to his work not found in classically trained artists. The Zigler Art Museum is located at 411 Clara, Jennings, Louisiana. ZAM is open Tuesday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

ks ses" By Virgie Ban u o H w Ro ith W "Little Red

MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY THEATRE BAYOU PLAYERS AUDITIONS FOR “CAROLINE, OR CHANGE,” – JAN. 25 — Auditions for Tony Kushner’s award-winning musical, will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, in Room 206 of the Shearman Fine Arts Center at McNeese. Performances, under the direction of Lewis Whitlock III, will be April 23-27. “Caroline, or Change” is set in 1963 Lake Charles and revolves around the relationship between Caroline, an African American maid, and her Jewish employers, the Gellmans and their young son Noah. The story is told against the backdrop of the civil rights movement and the Kennedy assassination. “Caroline” received several Tony nominations. Kushner, a native of Lake Charles, wrote the book and lyrics. African American roles include Caroline Thibodeaux, 39, alto; Emmie Thibodeaux, 16, alto; Jackie Thibodeaux, 8, alto; Joe Thibodeaux, 10, alto; Dotty Moffett, 30s, low alto; Washing Machine, female, alto; Moon, female, soprano; Radio 1, female, soprano; Radio 2, female, soprano; Radio 3, female, alto; Dryer, male, tenor; and the Bus, male, tenor. Roles for the Gellman family include Stuart, 30s, baritone; Rose, 30s, alto; Noah, 8, alto; Grandma, alto; Grandpa, bass; and Mr. Stopnik, Rose’s father, tenor. A two-minute song should be prepared for the audition which are open to McNeese students, faculty, staff and area residents. Call backs are Saturday, Jan. 26. For more information, call (337) 475-5021.

OASIS DUO CONCERT AT MSU, JAN. 29 — The McNeese State University department of performing arts will present the Oasis Duo in a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, in Ralph Squires Recital Hall. The Oasis Duo consists of Seattle flutist Jenna Calixto and pianist Dr. Karen Ganz, assistant professor and accompanist at McNeese. Calixto will perform as part of the department’s guest artist series. The program includes “Arioso” from the Sonatina for flute and piano, by Keith Gates. The Gates piece will be performed as part of the department’s season-long dedication to the late McNeese composer.

Calixto is a founding member of the Albuquerque-based Oasis Ensemble, past member of the Bosque Chamber Music Society of Albuquerque and has performed on the distinguished and selected Music In Corrales Chamber Music Series. She is a member of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, the Sammamish Symphony Orchestra and the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Ganz is an active recitalist and vocal coach and was awarded the Individual Artist Fellowship by the Montana Arts Council while teaching at the University of Montana. She holds master’s degrees in both piano/accompanying and English literature and a doctorate in collaborative piano from the New England Conservatory. She has previously worked as vocal coach and staff pianist at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute at the Boston University School of Fine Arts. At McNeese, she was recently awarded the Henry Alexander Endowed Professorship of Music.

FREDDIE PATE JAMBOREE, THE STRAND THEATRE, JENNINGS, JAN. 26 — The longest running live country music show in Acadiana and a great night of family entertainment starting at 7 p.m. Bring the whole gang! For tickets or information call 337-779-2343 or go to www.freddiepate.com.

The Oasis Duo

JANUARY 24, 2008

PAGE 33

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM; LET’S GET READY TO RODEO! SATURDAY, JAN. 26 — Come in and learn how to calf rope! Join the Montgomery family at 11 a.m. as they demonstrate roping techniques.

FIRST STEPS, BABY YOGA - WEDNESDAY, JAN. 30 — Lose that baby weight the yoga way! Yogic relaxation has a rejuvenation effect and helps improve health. Join instructors from the Yoga Center as they teach breathing and exercise techniques. Class is from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Registration is required and class is limited to 15. Please visit www.swlakids.org for more information on ArtSpace Activities, Artist of the Month, and new programs for 2008! Call 337-433-9420 for more information on the Museum’s First Steps program for new mothers and our Third Thursday’s program.

HISTORIC CITY HALL ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER EXHIBIT, SUDAN: THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE, THROUGH FEB. 29 — Award-winning Photographer Michael Freeman spent over two years compiling extraordinary images of the rich, ethnic, cultural and geographical diversity of Africa’s largest country. In addition to being a principal photographer for the Smithsonian Magazine for the last twenty years, Mr. Freeman has 80 photography books to his credit. The book’s text is by Timothy Carney, the last accredited U.S. Ambassador to Sudan, and Victoria Butler, a freelance writer and producer with 25 years experience working for major news organizations, including Time Magazine and NBC News.

BANKERS’ FORUM FREE SEMINAR FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, JAN. 29 — Walker’s Cajun Dining, in Jennings, just off I-10. Registration begins at 2:30 p.m.

Seminar 3p.m. to 6 p.m. Includes free dinner. Please pre-register by phoning (337) 475-5529 or email LSBDC.MSU@lsbdc.org. What are bankers looking for when they consider your request for a business loan? What kind of cash and collateral requirements and interest rates can you expect? How does your personal credit affect the banker’s decision regarding your business loan package? Find out during this free seminar presented by the Imperial Calcasieu Resource Conservation & Development and Louisiana Small Business Development Center, McNeese State University.

HISTORIC CITY HALL ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER EXHIBIT A. J. RYBISKI, JR. PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION, FEB. 8 TO MAR. 29 — On loan from the Archives and Special Collections Department of McNeese State University, this exhibit will be displayed on the first floor from, February 8th- March 29th. A life-long resident of Lake Charles, Mr. Rybiski died in April of 1994. He was the former owner of Rybiski’s Cleaners and Dyers and a professional photographer since the early 1950’s. The collection contains negatives and prints of photographs taken over a 35-year period beginning in the late 1940’s. Most of the photographs are of the Lake Charles area and include numerous subjects, such as schools, churches, businesses, aerial views and individuals. The Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center is open Tuesday – Friday, 10 – 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 – 2 p.m.

For more information please call 491-9147.

GEMS & STEMS, FEB. 15 — The Calcasieu Women’s Shelter and Rape Crisis Outreach will host the Second Annual “Gems and Stems” fundraiser at Treasures of Marilyn’s, 6:30 p.m., Friday, February 15. What a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. This “dazzling” party was a sell-out last year. Dining, dancing, and bidding on fabulous silent auction items (jewelry, household, relaxation packages, weekend getaways, etc.), are just part of the fun. Every drink purchased comes with a gem. Tickets are $50 per person; $400 per table. Emerald and Ruby sponsorships are also available. Contact Ann Polak or Leslie Huval at CWS (436-4552). Gems and Stems provides much-needed funding for the Shelter and RCO. These programs serve many families, children and individuals in our community. For more information, visit the website at: http://www.cwshelter.org/gemsstems.html KOOL & THE GANG AT L’AUBERGE FRIDAY, FEB. 22 AND SATURDAY, FEB. 23 — Kool & The Gang, one of the most inspired and influential funk units during the ‘70s, and one of the most popular R & B groups of the ‘80s will be at L’Auberge Event Center. Show time is 8:30 p.m.; doors open at 7:30 p.m. Floor seating is $39.95; Stadium seating is $29.95. Tickets available online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 488-5252.

LEANN RIMES IN CONCERT AT COUSHATTA CASINO RESORT PAVILION, FEB. 8 — Coushatta Casino Resort is proud to host Country music megastar and Grammy award winner LeAnn Rimes on Friday, February 8 at 8 p.m. in The Pavilion. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the Coushatta Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, and online at Ticketmaster.com. Rimes’ “Nothin’ Better To Do” goes Top Ten this week with another 3-spot jump to No. 9. This officially becomes her biggest Club hit to date, surpassing the No. 10 Peak of “Tic Toc.” And “Can’t Fight The Moonlight” hit No. 1 on the Dance Singles Sales Chart as well. Rimes has written children books, acted in film and on television and has become a musical icon both in the United States and Europe. Coushatta Casino Resort is located in Kinder, LA on Highway 165 (I-10 exit 44), featuring over 2800 slots and more than 70 table games. Phone 800-584-7263 for more information or visit the website at coushattacasinoresort.com PERFORMERS NEEDED FOR KIDS ZONE TALENT SHOWCASE, MAR. 1 — The Black Heritage Festival is accepting entries for the Kids Zone Stage that will be held during 21st Annual Black Heritage Festival, March 1st at the Lake Charles Civic Center. This event is an exciting opportunity to showcase your talent to a diverse audience. If you recite poetry, sing, or dance, then this is the place for you.

Individuals, schools and church groups are welcomed from Lake Charles and neighboring communities. Performers interested in participating are encouraged to contact Malinda Stevens at ms7061@aol.com or 337.436.1206 for an entry form. The Black Heritage Festival is scheduled for February 29 – March 2. Sponsors are still needed for this and other Black Heritage Festival events. For more information on sponsorship, contact Stella Miller at 337-488-0567.

BOOTHS SPACES AVAILABLE FOR THE BLACK HERITAGE FESTIVAL, FEB. 29 – MAR. 2 — Applications are now being accepted for vendors at the 21st annual Black Heritage Festival of Louisiana, which is set for Saturday, March 1st at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Booths are available on a first -come first -served basis. Food vendors should call for availability and cost. All other booths are $150. This family indoor festival features food, fun and continuous entertainment for the entire family.

In addition, to the main stage there will be a stage just for kids. For more information, call 337-488-0567 or visit www.bhflc.org.

PAGE 34

JANUARY 24, 2008

LeAnn Rimes

Westlake Rotary presents a check to the Westlake Chief of Police.

L to R: Anne Drake, Kathy Williams, Chief Cryer and Lincoln Trail.

T

Elmo Sartin and David Buxton greeted guests at the CSB Dazzling Diamond Premier.

The Dance Band on the Titanic

he Shadow never turns down an invitation to lunch with the Westlake Rotarians. Their January 10 luncheon meeting was at Kitt’s Kitchen at Isle of Capri. I love to lunch with this group because there is always a lot of kidding, inside jokes and friendly jabs at each other. Sergeant at Arms, Lester Goss keeps everyone in line, assigning “fines” for even minor indiscretions (a running joke at their meetings, I’m told).

Enjoying the meeting and camaraderie were Anne Drake and her guest Irene Vandever (Arts & Humanities Council), Sandy Domingue (Isle of Capri), Kathleen Ganise, Wendy Hatcher, Dr. Ken Eastman (Eastman Chiropractic), Austin Arabie, and Mike Hayes (Sasol). Wilridge Doucet, former Mayor of Westlake, told the group that he will be going to the Republican caucus and hopes to go to the national convention this summer.

Special guest was the Westlake Chief of Police, Jeremy Cryer, who accepted a Rotary gift of $3,000 for bullet-proof vests for the department. Rotary

Christa Charlet, Becky Monceaux and Amy Nyberg chatted at CSB Dazzling Diamonds.

Tia Seely, Aminah Trahan and Leslie Harless enjoying the Dazzling Diamond Premier.

Dianna and Joey Alcede visited with Tom Morris at Dazzling Diamonds.

JANUARY 24, 2008

PAGE 35

Paul Arnold, Gail Brame and Loyd Rion visited during Dazzling Diamonds.

President Kathy Williams (United Way), with Lincoln Trail (C&C Transmission) and Anne Drake (ConocoPhillips) presented the check to Chief Cryer and Assistant Chief of Police, Briggs Becton before the meeting started and they posed for photos. The reporter for the new Westlake weekly newspaper was also covering the event. Then we all headed for the buffet table which, Isle style, is always full of goodies, from crawfish fettuccini to cappuccino cheesecake!

Chief Cryer expressed the department’s gratitude for the gift from the

Rotarians. “I thank you all and I appreciate how much this helps a small department like ours,” he said. Cryer and Becton are life-long residents of Westlake and explained how the department is growing to meet the needs of citizens in Westlake and Moss Lake.

Police cars are now equipped with video cameras. Plans are in the works for modernizing and expanding the firearms range, not only for officer training, but future firearms use and safety instructions for public groups. They also hope to have classes on self-defense and firearms specifically for women.

Angela Mefford, Gloria Sullivan, Terry Berry, Jody Boone and Lisa Dupuie enjoyed the Dazzling Diamonds premiere.

They noted that the department, although small, needs more part-time and reserve officers to fill in for full time officers. Cryer noted, “It’s a stressful job and officers need time off and vacations. So we need more reserves that have the training and can come in and relieve our officers.”

Cryer and Becton noted that the city sees the same crime trends that other metropolitan departments experience, “Just less of it, because of the size of our city.” After the meeting adjourned and luncheon ended, friends gathered to visit before heading back to work.

The following Thursday, the Shadow returned to the Westlake Rotary since they invited The Times Editor to be guest speaker at that meeting!

The evening of January 10, Cameron State Bank held a glittering premier party for their Dazzling Diamond Giveaway event. From January to June, they will be giving away diamond jewelry each month!

Needless to say, the CSB Main Office on Nelson Road was jumping with party-goers anxious to see the fabulous jewels. Mr. Roy Rafferty greeted guests with “Miss Dazzling Diamond”,

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Anne Drake with our hostess at the last first class supper aboard the Titanic, Leslie Berman.

Roy Rafferty and “Miss Dazzling Diamond,” Morgan Murray, at the CSB Dazzling Diamond premiere event.

Morgan Murray, who modeled the $14,000, 1 1/2 carat diamond ring from Navarra’s that will be given away in June.

January through May, white and canary diamond jewelry — rings, bracelets, earrings – will be given away each month. Christa Charlet, Becky Monceaux and Amy Nyberg showed the display of sparkling baubles to guests at the balcony room where the party continued on the upper level. Kristy Armand visited with Dana and David Buxton and Elmo Sartin of CSB bank. The bankers, I must tell you, all seemed delighted with the event. I mean, paper money is good but it just doesn’t sparkle. And tonight, the bank dazzled. From the décor by Paradise Florist to the door prizes, everything glittered. Even the music was gem-themed. I heard “This Diamond Ring” in the elevator!

We enjoyed hors d’oeurvres from Reeves Catering including chicken and sausage jambalaya, cilantro chicken salad, chilled artichoke dip and a delightful chilled shrimp remoulade pasta salad. Tia Seely, Aminah Trahan and Leslie Harless chatted as they enjoyed the punch and wine.

Tom Morris visited with Dianna and Joey Alcede. I was thrilled to see an old friend, Yvonne LeMay of Alamo Salon. She sent a big hug and hello to my Mama. Yvonne was my mother’s hairdresser before my parents relocated because of Rita. Mama and Yvonne always enjoyed talking politics during her appointments. Together, they could have solved the nation’s problems – if only the politicians would have just listened to them!

I also met a delightful trio of new friends; Sylvia Pastrano, Enrique Palma and Jonathon Jones. They are

Frank Pruitt chatted “aboard the Titanic” with Linda and Daniel Castoriano.

new to Lake Charles, having made southwest Louisiana their home town since Katrina forced them to relocate from New Orleans. So we miss former residents but we’ve gained new ones…But I digress…Other friends enjoying the premier party were Angela Mefford, Lynn Hohenesee, Paul Arnold, Gail Brame, Loyd Rion Gloria Sullivan, Terry Berry, Jody Boone and Lisa Dupuie.

At the end of the event, Leslie Harless drew numbers for door prizes which — surprise! — were jewelthemed including Estee Lauder Dazzling Gold and Dazzling Silver perfumes, Liz Taylor’s White Diamonds perfume, and oversized “diamond” paperweights. You can go by any Cameron State Bank branch office to enter the drawing for their Dazzling Diamond Giveaway. I made sure I filled out an entry before I said my goodbyes to this fabulous evening of fun.

And speaking of fabulous evenings of fun, I was delighted to accept an invitation to be the guest of Ms. Anne Drake for a First Class Dinner on the Titanic, Saturday, January 12. (Minus the après dinner icy adventures of the tragedy, of course!) The evening’s

theme gave those of us with a twisted sense a chance to work on our, shall we say, “gallows humor.” But how could we not indulge in a bit of Titanic double entendres when recreating the roles of guests at the last first class supper, complete with formal wear and authentic menu from that fateful evening April 10, 1912. What?

Too soon?

First of all, I must give a shout out to my favorite store for bargain hunting – S & M Outlet. I found the perfect dress for a Titanic evening with a 1912 flare. The price was so low on the delicious navy silk number I should have had, as my Mama would say, a mask and a gun. What a steal!

Second shout out to Ms. Drake for her invitation to be her guest on the fateful ship. And most important, kudos to our hostesses, Leslie Berman and Carolyn Woosley who held THREE fundraiser Titanic suppers at the beautiful Woosley home in January. That is a Titanic feat in itself!

This was the third and final evening of Titanic suppers they orchestrated and hosted to raise funds for several local organizations. I missed the Third Class supper on New Year’s Eve since I was just returning

Daniel Castoriano, Lucie Jacques, Tesa Pace and Linda Castoriano enjoyed after-dinner brandy on the Titanic.

JANUARY 24, 2008

PAGE 37

from a holiday family reunion in Florida. The Third Class supper was well attended by over 50 who dined on a very delightful beef stew — the authentic meal served that evening in 1912. The evening benefited Whistle Stop, the Women’s Shelter and the Southwest Louisiana AIDS Council.

Staff and volunteers from the three organizations took on the roles of servers for the evening.

The Second Class Dinner the following weekend raised funds for Temple Sinai Sisterhood. Servers and staff included Chef David Kimball, Reve Greenberg, Judy Rosenblatt, George Seymour, Beth Zilbert, Brenda Bachrak, Judy Hannan, historian Diane McCarthy and the hostesses Carolyn Woosley and Leslie Berman. Michael and Boreanna Buckles performed violin and piano duets during the second class dinner.

The First Class Dinner benefited Camp Fire and Camp We-Ta-Wentin.

Camp Fire board members, volunteers and the executive director were ship staff and servers aboard the Titanic.

They were Chef and Sommelier David Kimball, Beth Zilbert, Judy Hannan, Wayne Bebee, Jeff Meaux, Brenda Bachrack, Ranelda Benoit (CFO of Moss Regional), Mary Begnaud, Chance Landry, Vicki Anders, Patsy Levine and Shirley Simien. Leslie

Berman directed the event and Diane McCarthy was historian. Our hostess, Carolyn Woosley greeted us in character a fabulous 1912 jacket, setting the tone for cruise on the White Star Line.

Guests at the “last supper” were Carolyn, Leslie, Diane reprising their roles and Brenda Bachrack, Joe and Mary Richardson, Tesa Pace, Lucie Jacques, Bobby Boudreaux, Betty Huber, Bea Perales, Frances Harless, Richard Reid, Staci Sherman, Raelee Baggett, Beth Zilbert, Donna and Rick Richard, Daniel and Linda Castoriano, Anne Drake and Ginger and Frank Pruitt.

And the Shadow, of course.

Like a great costume party, guests immediately went into character, cracking wise about who was life-boat worthy and needing ice for drinks…ha, ha! Bobby Boudreaux and Betty Huber made a grand entrance in bright orange life jackets stenciled with “Titanic”. They were definitely dressed for the event and taking no chances.

Daniel Castoriano noted that he had already “scoped out” the life boats and claimed a spot in one. We all enjoyed champagne poured by David Kimball and fantastic hors d’oeurvres of shrimp and caviar. The Woosley home with its beautifully decorated rooms, sparkling chandeliers and

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JANUARY 24, 2008

Joe and Mary Richardson enjoyed after-dinner coffee on the Titanic with Brenda Bachrack.

grand piano, played by Marlene Mullenix, truly seemed transformed into first class accommodations aboard the fated jewel of the White Star Line.

We found our seats and at each elegant place setting was a passenger card detailing our identity for the evening. Ms. Drake had insisted that I wear a tiara, an object I did not own and so I spent part of the morning searching the city for one. Well, I was glad I found one (on the cheap!), for I was Lucy Noel Martha DyerEdwards, Countess of Rothes.

Definitely tiara-worthy!

I was aboard the Titanic, traveling from Kensington, England to Florida to meet my husband who wanted me to see the land he was purchasing for a citrus orchard. Having married in April of 1900, I was looking forward to celebrating our 12th anniversary while we were in the States.

Well, of course the Countess lived.

My traveling companions, my cousin Gladys Cherry and my maid Roberta Maioni and I all were assigned lifeboat number 8. And I lived to be 77. Last supper, indeed. But the Countess digresses….

The menu was authentic and delightful, prepared by Chef David Kimball. We enjoyed consommé Olga with a lovely sherry, followed by a chilled salmon Mousseline served with Pinot Grigio. A fruit sorbet cleansed the palate before the main course of Cornish hen with rice, cinnamon carrots and minted peas, accompanied by a Cotes du Rhone or Chardonnay. We enjoyed lively conversation as Ms. Mullenix played popular tunes from

the era. During dinner, Ms. McCarthy visited our table and gave us historical details about our alter-egos for the evening and their fate that night (i.e. who lived and who went down with the ship!) This, of course, inspired more of our dark humor, but then after all that wine, even an iceberg seemed whimsical! We did learn that three dogs aboard escaped with their owners, but some prize pedigree chickens in cargo did not. Titanic trivia.

We completed our meal with a light dessert of Macedoine de Fruits and chocolate truffles with a lovely Reisling. Then we retired to the smoking room for cheese, biscuits, fruit, and cigars, accompanied by coffee, port or cognac — and wonderful conversation. One by one, the guests took their “life boats” home and a few of us, enjoying the evening too much for it to end, stayed and traded delightful stories. Tesa Pace (who the Shadow knew as Tesa Pousson from Sr. Stephanie’s class in Our Lady’s School), Mary and Joe Richardson, Leslie and Carolyn and the Shadow lingered, savoring the evening. What a series of wonderful fundraisers!

Thank you to Ms. Berman and Ms. Woosley and Chef Kimball for a creating three evenings of fantasy – where everyone not only lived – but funds were raised for local deserving organizations. Kudos all around!

Below: Army Specialist John Tate Hamilton, daughter Lailani, wife Michelle, and daughter Elysse, Pat and John Hamilton--standing on top of Flat Top Mountain outside of Anchorage, AK. Tate is stationed at Ft. Richardson, AK.

Below: Jake Jakubek, Lukas Jakubek and Harold Williams going on Lukas' first fishing trip.

Above: Celebrating her "Epiphany" birthday with her are: Anita Tritico, Jo Ann Hanks, Ethel Macdonald (the birthday girl), Joseph Frazier, and Barbara Downer.

The Gang - Hail, hail the gang's all here, almost, as some of Anne Drake's pampered pooches gather on the couch for a group shot. Left to right: Portia, Benji, Missy and Belle. Not pictured due to inability to jump on the couch: Corky and Toby.

Parting Sh o ts

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3) Subjects in photo must be identified by name. Children should also be identified by parent or guardian. Unidentified or anonymous photos will not be considered for publication.

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