November 5, 20152 Vol. 7 • No. 14

November 5, 2015 3Vol. 7 • No. 14

November 5, 2015 • Volume 7 • Issue 14

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

Publisher/Executive EditorLauren Abate de Albuquerquelauren@thejambalayanews.com

ContributorsLisa AddisonGeorge ClineJulie Ann FayJason MachulskiMike McHughRoger MillerErica NelsonJustin MorrisBurn RourkTerri Schlichenmeyer David Yantis

SalesWilliam Daiglewilliam@thejambalayanews.com

GraphicsArt/Production DirectorBurn Rourk

BusinessOffi ce ManagerJeanie Rourk

Legal Disclaimer

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

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

COVER STORY22 CSE Federal Credit Union

REGULARS5 We Are SWLA!8 The Dang Yankee8 Adoption Corner9 Tips From Tip10 Huntin’ Tales12 This Functional Family

13 Stir Dat Pot16 Tales of the Bayou Pickers

FEATURES14 Blank Slate Catching Dreams

17 Financial Planning in Your 40s

18 Stretch Your Holiday Budget

20 Is Renters Insurance Necessary?

THE SPICE OF SWLA24 Flea Fest

26 Event Guide

28 Veteran’s Day Events

30 Acting Up!

31 Date Night @ The Movies

32 Book Bites: Jeanie the Three-Legged Dog

33 Bookworm Sez…

34 Nightlife Guide

36 Mistletoe and Moss

38 Justin Morris’s Lake Charles

41 Funbolaya

42 Society Spice

On Cover: CSE Federal Credit Union

32

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November 5, 20154 Vol. 7 • No. 14

Well, it’s here. My least fa-vorite time of year. When the clocks go back and it gets dark way too early. Day seems to last for just a few lousy hours, and then the darkness moves in, sapping my energy. All I want to do is sleep. I love the idea of hi-bernation. Bears know what to do. I’d love to pull the comforter over my head and wake up in February. Today, I read that the next post-5 p.m. sunset won’t happen again until January 22, 2016. Lovely. Meanwhile, it’s not even 8 p.m. but it feels like 10. This is simply unacceptable.

At least it’s still warm. There’s

no hope for my friends in Boston. Not only do they have to suffer in darkness like the rest of us, but they also have to freeze half to death while do-ing it. And defrost their cars in the morning. And shovel snow. My friend Kelly keeps asking me when I’m coming back to visit. “When it’s back up to 80 degrees,” I tell her. Okay, maybe 70. They already have the heat on up there and I’m hearing frightening words such as “hard frost.” Ain’t gonna happen.

November is a barren month. Back home, it’s brown and colorless. The flaming fall foli-

age is long gone, leaving bare branches shivering in the wind. It can snow, and often does. It was always my least favorite month when I was a kid. The only thing it had going for itself was all the leftover Hal-loween candy for us to enjoy. And Thanksgiving, of course. I would give anything for just one more Barnes Ave. Thanks-giving, with everyone happy and healthy around the table, enjoying Mom’s turkey with all the trimmings and mounds of Italian desserts.

Despite my aversion to the month, when I was 11, I wrote the following poem about November that portrayed it in a much different light. And it appears to have been written by someone who lives on a farm, not in a blue-collar neighbor-hood of Boston. Wild turkeys? Corn cribs? Bonfires? Seriously? I wouldn’t know a wild turkey from a pigeon, and I have no idea where I came across corn cribs. But I spent most of my young life within the pages of books. So this is what happens when you’re an only child with a vivid imagination. The three-deckers of East Boston and the pollution from Logan Airport fade away, and I am somewhere else. I always wanted to be somewhere else.

The Spell of NovemberFrost on the windowsBonfires at nightBold orange moonAnd wild ducks in flight.Corn in the corn cribWild turkey’s songBitter cold evening, And chilly breathless morn. A drop of dew, frozen on a dy-ing flower…The spell of November has me in its power.

A friend of my mother’s told her that my poem made her love November, a month she always detested. I suppose that when you’re a writer, you can find the poetic in anything.

So that’s what I plan to do during these dark times. I will find the poetic in the ever-in-creasing darkness and the sound of the rain on the roof, and wrap my comforter around me. And dream of spring.

Lauren Abate de Albuquerque

Enter the Darkness

November 5, 2015 5Vol. 7 • No. 14

McDonald’s of SWLA Donates to Harbour House ETC McDonald’s of SWLA recently donated $1,000 to Harbour

House ETC to help fund its efforts to provide shelter and support services to local children in crisis. The nonprofit organization is the latest recipient of McCafe® Coffee for a Cause, which collects coffee sales from McDonald’s locations in Calcasieu Parish and donates them to area nonprofit organizations. The program was launched in May by McDonald’s of SWLA.

SOWELA and Praxair, Inc. Celebrate First Graduates of Pipeline Program

SOWELA Technical Community College and Praxair, Inc. hosted a graduation celebration recently to honor the graduates of the College’s inaugural Skills Pipeline program. The $300,000 workforce development program helped foster an advanced public workforce through skilled welding scholarships. The Skills Pipe-line program was developed and funded by Praxair’s Global Giving Program to help meet the demand for skilled workers and is the most recent example of Praxair’s commitment to advancing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.

Louisiana Spirits Partners with Stoli Group USALouisiana Spirits, LLC and New York-based Stoli Group® USA,

LLC announced the start of a long-term partnership. As of January 1, 2016, the multi-year agreement will see Stoli Group USA become the exclusive national distributor of the award-winning Bayou Rum® and its family of America’s Rum®, and will enable the Bayou Rum brand to grow internationally in the future. Bayou Rum is the first spirits addition to the Stoli Group USA portfolio of premium brands.

Tonya Estes Joins the Leadership Team at LAMC

Tonya Estes has been named Director of Clinic Practice Man-agement for Lake Area Physician Services, at Lake Area Medical Center. Estes, a native

of Lake Charles and a graduate of McNeese State

University, brings over 20 years of experience in public and private healthcare leadership to Lake Area Physicians. She has served as a hospital admissions supervisor, a healthcare consultant for skilled health care facilities across Louisiana and Texas, launched a health-care technology company and was the administrator and executive director of an assisted living facility for ten years.

Family & Youth Honors Pinnacle of Light WinnersChild advocates in SWLA came together recently for the Pinna-

cle Light of Hope Breakfast and Awards Presentation at L’Auberge Casino Resort, sponsored by Pinnacle Entertainment Foundation and hosted by Family & Youth Counseling Agency, Inc. Ward 3 Marshal Joey Alcede, SWLA SANE Program at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, Rotary Club of Greater Lake Charles, and Kiwanis Club of South Lake Charles were honored with the Pin-nacle Light of Hope Awards during the ceremony.

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation Elects 2016 Board The CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation recently elected new

Board members and named the executive committee for the 2016 fiscal year. Leading the Foundation for the upcoming fiscal year is newly elected Chair, Brian Abshire. Joining him on the Execu-tive Committee are Eligha Guillory, Jr., Vice Chair; Sawsan Abu Shamat, Secretary; Eric Mire, Treasurer; and Members-at-Large: Myrna Conner; Keith Wimberly; and Don Lloyd, CEO CHRIS-TUS Southwestern Louisiana. Patricia Flavin, Principal at the Flavin Group, is a new member of the board. She has a background

ETC Board Chair Sharon Cutrera, McDonald’s of SWLA owner/operator Doug Gehrig and ETC Executive Director Amy Dunn

Tonya Estes

(L to R) Ward 3 Marshal Joey Alcede; Julio Galan, President & CEO/Family & Youth; Tammy Vincent, Rep for SWLA SANE Program at LCMH; Eric Mire, Rep for Kiwanis Club of South LC; and Hardtner

Klumpp, Rep for Rotary Club of Greater LC.

November 5, 20156 Vol. 7 • No. 14

in hospital philanthropy. For more information on the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation, please visit the website at www.stpatrick-foundation.com.

2015 Lynda M. Carlberg Award Recipient Announced

The Calcasieu Parish Public Li-brary announce that Julie Slaven, Information Services Department Head at the Sulphur Regional Library, is the recipient of the 2015 Lynda M. Carlberg Award of Merit. Slaven, who has been with the library system since 1994, was chosen by her colleagues in recog-nition of outstanding service and exemplary contributions to the Calcasieu Parish Public Library and its patrons.

LC/SWLA CVB Contributes $1 Million to Hurricane Museum

The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau announced a $1 million contribution over 4 years to the building campaign for the National Hurricane Museum & Sci-ence Center. The project was originally conceived as the Hurricane Audrey Museum in a partnership between the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road and the CVB. After the hurricanes of 2005 and 2008, including Katrina, Rita and Ike, the project became national in scope to interpret the interconnected story of weather, water and the wetlands as well as to serve as a forum to disseminate world-class scientific research.

Ribbon Cutting at Ward Six Fire StationParish officials cut the ribbon recently commemorating the com-

pletion of District One of Ward Six’s new fire station. The station features two large bays to accommodate two fire trucks, shower facilities for firefighters, an equipment room for supplies and a backup generator to prepare for emergencies when electrical lines are down. A tour of the station was given after the ribbon cutting and the station is currently open for service. The project engineers working on the project are Randy M. Good-loe, AIA, APAC Ar-chitect and Frey Con-struction & Dirt Serv-ice, LLC.

McNeese Sorority Donates to Make-A-Wish

Chi Omega Phi Zeta Chap-ter McNeese State University recently sponsored Wishing on the Bayou Bingo, which raised funds for the sorority’s National Philanthropy partner; the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This is the second year for the successful fundraiser, which raised $4,829 for Make-A-Wish, a volunteer organization that grants wishes to children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions. Pictured are members of the McNeese State University chapter of Chi Omega Phi Zeta sorority.

Julie Slaven

2015 Homecoming Court Named

Dalton Hinton, a mass communication senior from Moss Bluff, and Truclinh Truong, an accounting and management senior from Lake Charles, have been named as McNeese’s 2015 Homecoming King and Queen. The royal pair and court were presented dur-ing the McNeese vs. North-western State football game in Cowboy Stadium. Other court members are seniors Lee Butler, Joel Byrne, Grace Hernandez, and Caryn Meschwitz; juniors Stephen Carrier, Aaron My-ers, Rosemary Prejean and Elise Thibodeaux; sopho-mores Keifer Ackley and Abigail Schmitt and fresh-men Lauren Breaux and Bradley Bryant. Dalton Hinton and Truclinh TruongCVB board members Keith W. Henson and Evette Gradney; CVB board chairman Gary Cooper; Gray

Stream, NHMSC board chairman; and CVB board members Bernard Beaco and Samuel Wilkinson

November 5, 2015 7Vol. 7 • No. 14

Foundation for Fairplay Donates to High Schools Linemen on local high school football teams now have state-of-the-art

equipment to help prevent knee injuries on the playing field. The Foun-dation for Fairplay Fund spent $25,000 towards buying the NZONE Breg functional knee brace for local athletes. The knee braces will be used in conjunction with Lake Charles Memorial’s Sports Medicine program, which services all Calcasieu Parish schools. Each high school in Calcasieu Parish that has football as a sport received eight pair to be used by offensive linemen. The schools include: Barbe, Sam Houston, La Grange, Iowa, Dequincy, Vinton, Sulphur, Washington Marion, St Louis, Hamilton Christian and Lake Charles College Prep. F3 was established by The Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial to provide a more level playing field in the areas of preventable injury needs. To learn more about F3, visit www.lcmh.com/f3.

November 5, 20158 Vol. 7 • No. 14

You know that you’re getting old when every time friends get together, the conversation is dominated by people talking about their aches and pains. At parties, there’s so much discus-sion about pain that you think you’d walked into a chiroprac-tors’ convention.

We never talked about our ailments when we were young-er. Even if somebody were in a body cast from trying to duplicate an Evel Knievel motorcycle stunt, he wouldn’t bring it up. It’s because we all knew back then that nobody wants to hear someone going on about how much his elbow or knee is killing him, any more than we’d want to hear the details of his dog’s latest house-training accident.

But as people get older, they seem to forget about this important fact. Perhaps it’s an early sign of Alzheimer’s. Or maybe it’s because our lives have become so boring that the

highlight of our day is reading a back issue of WebMD maga-zine in the doctor’s waiting room, and so there’s nothing else to talk about.

I get aches and pains just like everyone my age. I just don’t want to talk about them, even though they are providing me an ever-growing source of conver-sation fodder. Take my knee, for instance, at the risk of putting you to sleep. One day, during a medical exam, the doctor had me flex my knee. Hearing a faint creak, he declared, “That’s ar-thritis!” Never to that day had I experienced the slightest amount of joint pain, but once my doctor made that proclamation, it was if he willed the condition into existence. It made me wonder if he’d earned his medical degree at the Hogwarts School.

From that day on, my knee has felt like I am seriously behind in payments on a loan from a guy named Guido. The stairs to my second floor of-

fice, which I used to be able to hurdle like Superman leaping a skyscraper, now look like Mount Everest.

But the pain, I discovered, is not the worst thing about ar-thritis. Rather, it’s what it does to your mind. This realization hit me one time while I was at-tending a function and ran into a lady named Annie that I’d met once before. We exchanged greetings, and when she asked me how I was, I found myself suddenly blurting out about the arthritis in my knee and all the things that I’d love to do but my body is refusing to allow. “I want to play tennis,” I la-mented, “but all my body wants me to do is lay on the sofa with a bag of Cheetos and watch Gil-ligan’s Island reruns.”

I couldn’t believe I’d said it. Here I was talking to this woman I barely knew, and all of a sud-den I’m going on about the very subject that’s caused my wife to give me smelling salts whenever

it comes up in conversation. But Annie was very nice

about it. She even gave me a suggestion. “Why don’t you get a knee brace? It’s helped a lot of people I know who have that problem.” That’s the difference between me and people like Annie. I tell her about my pains, and she suggests a knee brace. People tell me about theirs, and I suggest a tongue brace.

So I got myself a knee brace, and it did help. The only prob-lem now when I play tennis is that my back starts flaring up. I suppose I’ll have to get a brace for it as well. Any more pains and I’m going to look like the Michelin man out there on the court.

Now the back pain; let me tell you that story… hey, are you awake out there?

Mike McHugh’s column has ap-peared in “Th e Jambalaya News” since 2009. You can read more from the Dang Yankee on his website, thedangyankee.com.

It Pains Me to Listen

Fallon (red and white) and Taylor (black and white) are believed to be Heeler/Lab mixes. They were found in a box with a sibling as puppies along an interstate in Houston. They were brought to a veterinarian in Lake Charles but only Fallon and Taylor survived. These girls had mange and ringworm and could not be held for a few weeks. As a result of the skin condition and inability to be handled by humans, both girls are shy, but they will bond very easily with their human family.

They are approximately 8 months old, spayed, up to date on shots, heart-worm negative and microchipped. They are ready for their own homes. They need someone who is warm and understanding, so they can come out of their shells.

If you are interested in meeting or adopting Fallon or Taylor, please email or call Patti at pjephillips@hotmail.com or (337) 540-2811. A vet reference and home visit are required. Hurry, the girls are waiting!

November 5, 2015 9Vol. 7 • No. 14

Cove LaneComplexities

The newly remodeled Cove Lane exit off I-210, with all of its varied complexities, has been both a huge blessing as well as a cause for some alarm. Those of us who use it regularly are familiar with its idiosyncrasies and handle it well enough. The real prob-lem exists with the casino patrons who are not the regu-lar users, resulting in some hair-raising moments.

The travel options of this complex traffic area are so varied that the uniniti-ated don’t understand what’s involved. The interstate exits from both directions end at a somewhat blind stop where the cross traffic has the right of way. A cautious easing forward to see what traffic is coming is definitely required. The southbound traffic from the casinos present an ad-ditional hazard to the west-bound interstate-exiting vehicles as the barriers north of the exit make those vehi-cles hard to see.

Of course, the roundabout is so new that when to stop and when to go has not be-come second nature to most of us yet. I recommend that you make a off-hour attempt for your first encounter with the Cove Lane traffic pattern and its operations to get a

feel of the flow before you get caught in a rush hour traffic encounter.

The Nelson Road interchange east of Cove Lane needs some serious reflection as well. The lack of an eastbound entrance to I-210 coming from the Target Shopping Center side has cost the life of one person; a truly sad occurrence that hit this publication’s staff. We hope there won’t be a similar accident in the future and that improve-ments can be made.

Rouge et BlancIssues

Another Rouge et Blanc has come and gone. The McNeese University environs make for a great location for this popular event that supports their Ban-ners Cultural Program. I know it was a success, but there were a few flaws that took the some of the bloom off the rose.

The ticket purchasing proc-ess has really become a difficult road to navigate; one wonders why the powers-that-be want to make donating to a fundraiser such a hassle. In essence, to be a gold ticket “Imbiber” (the pre-ferred classification of patron), one must purchase a minimum of $200 worth of wine (plus tax, an amount that has stead-ily risen over the years) at the event. That classification gives

you the chance to purchase two tickets at $100 each and get them before the general public.

As an Imbiber, you are enti-tled to a larger drinking vessel, but they ran out of them even though they well know the number of people that are sup-posed to receive these particu-lar glasses.

Also, their online wine-or-dering process crashed after

the event and ordering had to be extended for the frustrated patrons. The

online system also crashed the morning the tickets went

on sale in the summer. We certainly hope these bugs can be worked out. We all enjoy the Banners Series presentations and want them to be successful.

SupermarketRoundup

I visited with an old friend the other day. While reminisc-ing of days past and enjoy-ing some cooler weather, we spoke of a mutual fall weather favorite: good old split pea

soup. Nearly all of us have a hambone or some fat back just waiting to be used, so that was the inspiration for this issue’s shopping survey, taken on Friday, October 30. These are the posted prices on the shelf where the products were placed for sale. The stores we checked were: Albertsons-Country Club Road, Market Basket-Ryan Street, Kroger-12th Street and Walmart-Nelson Road.

Split green peas, dried, 16-ounce package: Albertsons $1.99, Market Basket $.99, Kroger $.99, Walmart $1.37. Swanson Chicken Broth, 32-ounce container: Albert-sons $2 (2/$4), Market Basket $2.79, Kroger $2.50 (2/$5), Walmart $1.98. Onions, yellow, bulk per pound: Albertsons $.99, Mar-ket Basket $.99, Kroger $.99, Walmart $.68. Celery, per bunch: Albertsons $1.59, Market Basket $1.29, Kroger $1.99, Walmart $1.58.

November 5, 201510 Vol. 7 • No. 14

This isn’t the Pilgrim, Puritan, or Great Western Migration but a Southern one. Hundreds of thousands of flounder participate every year. This is a must for every angler, this Great Flounder Migration. It begins with the first cool fronts of fall as the flounder leave the cooling inland waters for the warmer Gulf of Mexico. During the months of October, November and December the flounder each lay about 100,000 eggs in the Gulf.

Since I was fourteen, I’ve passed Grand Lake and

headed southwest to Hebert’s Landing on Big Lake. Launch-ing there, I could participate in the angling end of The Great Migration through Cal-casieu Lake, aka Big Lake. I’ll join the fun before the open-ing duck season in our Coast-al Zone on November 7.

This year, Cody Kay and Jeff Toerner made the journey before me. Leaving Hebert’s, they headed to the weirs on Grand Bayou. There, Jeff practiced the fine art of cast netting. I am so inept at this I’ve actually fallen overboard several times malpracticing

this art.With 12 artful casts, Jeff

had a five-gallon bucket full of live shrimp (approximately 35 pounds) and three dozen keeper crabs. Some of the shrimp were transferred to an aerated gallon bucket that helps keep the bait lively. The rest of the shrimp went on ice with the crabs. While on Grand Bayou, Cody and Jeff used their fresh bait to haul in redfish after redfish, only keeping three smaller keep-ers for filleting later. I find the smaller reds make better eating.

All set to be part of The Great Migration, Cody and Jeff left Grand Bayou, crossed Big Lake and moved into the ship channel above the Cameron Ferry. Placing a live shrimp on their hooks as bait, it was angling time. The sand flats on both sides of the channel are the place to fish. And there are several other factors that can aid at this point.

First, fish on a strong out-going tide as that is when the tide-assisted fish move to-ward the Gulf. Next, the wind needs to be down. Too much wind muddies and roughens the lake and the channel and disturbs water clarity. The angler needs to see where a flounder churns and muddies the water for its trail, usually next to the bank or sand flat. This is an advantage to those who fish here often, as they know where most of the sand flats are. It’s also useful to fish the channel where seagulls are striking the water hitting the shrimp.

Cody, wise man that he is, uses the same combo rod and reel that I use, the Garcia 5500. I’ve used similar ones since I was a tyke some 61 years ago. Maybe Garcia will at last take note and finally give me a freebie. And for you artificial bait purists, there’s

The Great Migration

Cody�Kay�with�Redfish

Photos by Chris Romero

November 5, 2015 11Vol. 7 • No. 14

the Berkeley Gulp Shrimp, Mullet or any other faux bait you favor that catches fish. Cody is more of a life shrimp purist. I use whatever catch-es fish. Maybe now Berkeley will give me some “gratis” lures.

Nevertheless, the pair ex-traordinaire, Cody and Jeff, fought wind, tide, and mud-died waters and still caught flounder. They also practiced the conservationist’s art of catch and release despite their poor timing. It was not the best of days or the worst. They kept four good-sized keeper flounders and tossed back several lesser ones.

Flounder are a cuisine de-light. Cody even blabbed his secret stuffed and fried floun-der recipes. This requires you to actually know how to fillet a flounder. And it’s another trick in itself to know how to debone and yet leave enough skin intact to actually stuff one. For both, you need your favorite fish seasoning. Cody uses Slap Your Mama on both recipes. For frying, he uses peanut oil and milk to dip the fillet in before mixing the milk with flour and corn

meal for batter. Then, fry the battered flounder to a golden brown. For the baked floun-der, you’ll need shrimp and crabmeat to stuff the floun-der cavity. Bake the fish for 20 minutes at 400 degrees or until the fish is flaky--no pun intended.

The high point of any trip has nothing to do with fish-ing. Being anchored on the water brings a silence that makes most moderns uncom-fortable for a while. Then comes an awareness of wind,

sun and lapping water. Despite the shrill call of seagulls we somehow just smile, content in a comforting epiph-any that exults the spirit. Later, as we pull the boat from the water, we re-enter the world of boat notes, jobs, people and all that they entail. We chat-ter to fill the silence and return to what we call normal. Yet for a short while we were free of our self-made bonds. It is the being there that makes all the difference. Catch-ing and dining are simply lagniappe.

Shane,�Roger,��Jeanette�&�Glenn

Jeff�Toener�casting�his�net

Cody�Kay�with�Flounder

November 5, 201512 Vol. 7 • No. 14

“Th e loss of a friend is like that of a limb; time may heal the anguish of the wound, but the loss cannot be repaired.” – Rob-ert Southey

Kimberly Joy had been a friend of mine on Facebook for about three years and I can’t even remember how we fi rst became friends. Sometimes, that’s how it is. You’re just suddenly friends with someone because you share things in common. Or something in that person intrigued you, or something in you sparked their interest.

I would oft en tell Kimberly that her middle name of “Joy” really fi t her. She lived in Florida, was bubbly, had a quick wit, and tried to always look at the posi-tive side of things. She was a bit

feisty at times, enjoyed wearing hats and colorful clothing, loved to smile, and posted positive messages every day on social me-dia, sometimes adding the words, “Joy! Joy! Joy!”

But there were times that life weighed her down. She was a rescuer and caretaker of feral cats and she took her calling very seriously. It oft en meant putting herself last and going without sleep for days at a time.

I didn’t know that she also had some serious things going on in her life including family es-trangements, job worries, fi nan-cial concerns, and other issues. But she was always smiling, being her positive self, and sending out encouragement to others.

In a section of her Facebook

page where she could say some-thing that described her beliefs or attitudes about life, she had written: “Today counts – make the most of it! Joy! Joy! Th at’s my motto! Life is what it is so you better make the most of every opportunity and precious mo-ment. Th e past is over, so forget about missed opportunities and blunders and move onward. Besides, you just don’t know what challenging and amazing op-portunities are on the horizon! Th is time will not pass by again, so grab that memory while you can. Be gentle with strangers and those unlike yourself. Always be kind to your pets and all animals. You are their voice and advocate. Joy! Joy!”

About a month ago, she posted a comment on social media about her passion for rescuing feral cats: “Some folks don’t quite un-derstand the physical and mental energy it takes to care for a feral/scared and recently trapped cat. Th ey also don’t understand the extended care we must give the females so they have fully recov-ered and are safe to be released. But it must be done so more homeless babies are not born. No, it’s not easy. Yes, it’s hard to listen to them cry in the cage. But in the end, with love, they will know that we truly care and only wanted the best for them.”

Around that same time she posted a sweet message to a few of her online friends and tagged myself and fi ve or six other peo-ple including my friend and the editor of this publication, Lauren. “I am so grateful to have ‘met’ such amazing and kind spirits from far away that I may not have had the pleasure of meet-ing in the past. Th ank you all for sharing yourselves with me and traveling this journey called ‘Life & Friendship.’ You are all truly a blessing!”

And then, just a few weeks later, one of her friends posted a note on her Facebook page announcing that Kimberly was gone. Without going into specif-ics, it was indicated that her emo-tional pain became too much for her and she left this world. How tragic! And such a loss.

Kimberly was divorced, lived alone, and I almost wrote that she never had any children but in actuality she had a lot of them, because she had tons of fur ba-bies who loved her and counted on her every single day.

Let’s see. There were Sox, Ro-sie, Princess, Grace, and Bocelli. Those five sweet kitties had bud-dies called Presley, Buddy, and Sassy. And don’t forget Samson & Delilah. Oh, and her beloved Joshua. Mama, Angel, and Mid-night were along for the ride too. The list goes on and on. She loved them all and they loved her right back. Simply put, they were her life.

Kimberly Joy’s neighbors and friends have begun caring for all of her fur babies, even the feral outside cats that were too skittish at fi rst to go to anyone but Kim-berly. Th ey are coming around now and people are giving them plenty of loving care, too and they are doing it in Kimberly’s honor.

I really hate that none of us could help Kimberly Joy navigate through her deep emotional pain and I’m truly sorry that she didn’t know how many people loved and cared about her. She was a very bright light and I will miss her.

Lisa Addison wrote her first short story when she was 7 years old and hasn’t stopped writing since. She has two young children, enjoys trying new recipes, and loves going on adventures with her kids. She blogs at: http://swlamama.wordpress.com.

The Loss of Joy

November 5, 2015 13Vol. 7 • No. 14

Hey, everyone! How you doin’? It’s time to “Stir Dat Pot” again!

Fall is upon us and family and friends will be dropping by to visit, watch football, eat and inspect the cleanliness of your bathrooms. I can’t help you with your cleaning issues, but I can help with the eating part.

My sous chef Missy Clark has a go-to bome run, winning touchdown dish that is sure to please.

Stuffed pork roast makes a great dish since the leftovers will not go to waste, as they can easily become sandwiches that are most assuredly deeeel-lish.

What You’ll DoStart off with a Boston Butt or two. Rub them down

on your cutting board with your favorite seasoning and a little olive oil. Brown them all the way around in a large skillet, then return to a clean cutting board.

Fat side up, cut three to four slits in the roast, about one inch deep and fill with chopped onion, garlic and chopped and seeded jalapeno.

Place in a large Dutch oven on a bed of chopped onions, fat side up. Add about two to three inches of water, cover and bake for four to five hours at 350 de-grees. You will want to check on this every hour or two to insure that the water level holds. No one likes dry pork roast.

After the roast is fork tender, remove from the Dutch oven and place on a clean cutting board. Feel free to add a little roux to the drippings if you like a thicker gravy.

Serve with rice, corn bread and your favorite veggie. As for the leftovers, mix the gravy and pork together and serve on some crunchy French bread. Yum-O-Lish!

Enjoy this with family and friends and until next time, don’t forget to Stir Dat Pot!

Stuff ed Pork Roast

The McNeese State Univer-sity Admissions and Recruit-ing Office will sponsor its Fall Preview Day for prospective students and their families from noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.

Registration and welcome presentations begin in F.G. Bulber Auditorium. After-wards, campus tours will be offered and McNeese person-nel will be on hand to answer any questions about academic programs, admissions, finan-cial aid, scholarships, cam-pus life, student services and

housing. Students receive free ad-

mission into the McNeese vs. Sam Houston State University football game at 6 p.m. in Cowboy Stadium. Parents and guests can purchase tickets to the football game at the ticket office in the Doland Field House.

The McNeese Bookstore will also be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for students and parents to purchase their Mc-Neese gear.

For more information about this free event, contact

McNeese Fall Preview Day Nov. 7admissions and recruiting at (337) 475-5504 or go online to

www.mcneese.edu/admissions and click on Preview Day.

November 5, 201514 Vol. 7 • No. 14

By Erica NelsonBlank Slate is the recently established

mural club at Washington Marion High School. It meets every Tuesday and Wednesday for a few hours after school. The core group of members partici-pates in band and other after school clubs. Other students trickle in, some with free time, others who want to express their creativity. Re-cently, students have taken to gathering in the hall to watch the process unfold. I ask those seated to join in on making aesthetic or compositional decisions. The idea is to broaden their understanding of art and the artistic process. Not everyone is wired to be skilled with their hands, so my goal is to open their minds to the many facets of mural-making.

So often, students will firmly tell me that they are not artists. My response is always, “Can you write with a pencil?” Usually their answer is a laugh and a yes. A few minutes later, after careful instruction, the same students are work-ing diligently and painting as if it were a natural talent. What I have come to understand over the years is that often, our own perceptions of ourselves are limiting and cruel. There is comfort in denying ourselves the chance to learn new skills. Fear and misunderstanding

keep us in a cage. To me, art is the vial that Alice drinks so she can shrink small enough to escape through the keyhole. Once we get out, anything is possible.

In order to open their minds to the reality of their greatness, I give the stu-dents specific training and keep strict rules, expecting the best of everyone. I suppose I fancy myself as a plumper,

less graceful Mary Poppins. My teaching system is based on two concepts:

proper technique and warning them of poten-tial hazards. My tech-nique training came in the form of Fine Art school, or art boot

camp. The second is a vast collection of personal

mistakes, of which I am of-ten daily found culpable. What

I have found to be true in all of my years of teaching art is that we all crave discipline, and if students push through, they surprise themselves with their ac-complishments. This is precisely what has happened at Washington Marion.

For example, while we were work-ing on the wings in the mural, students began asking what would be painted behind the wings. Many of the students who were just observing and had no in-terest in painting became animated and vocal with their visions. I began asking questions about what they thought the wings represented to them personally.

Many said the wings were a visual repre-sentation of flying above their troubles, or rising above to gain greater perspec-tive. Some seniors saw the wings as their way to enter the world, flying free. I asked them what they were flying over, and almost all agreed Lake Charles.

The conversation then turned to “What is Lake Charles?” “What makes Lake Charles, Lake Charles?” The dis-cussion covered architecture, bridges, festivals, cultural icons, landscape, airplanes, food, music, and ultimately, the lake. Then sketching commenced. As a relative newcomer to the area, it amused me to see the students pushing themselves to decipher what and who Lake Charles is. I asked them if they re-alized that these murals will be around for future generations, and that in this moment, they were telling the story of this town. I’ll never forget the looks that came over their faces, and the quiet mo-ment that followed. Art is a way to look into the future, and tell stories from the past. Art is a legacy of hope, a journey through time, and a voice for those who step out in faith.

As the instructor of Blank Slate, I am humbled to watch the growing enthusi-asm the club generates. The discussion surrounding the murals is exploding, as is local interest. Each week, more stu-dents and staff are drawn to our club, asking questions and wondering if their classroom can be next. The teachers are being inspired and are beginning to en-

November 5, 2015 15Vol. 7 • No. 14

vision what could be painted in their classroom.

Ultimately, Washington Marion is beginning to look into the future and see what it COULD BE. I am humbled, because I think the greatest gift an artist has is the ability to look into the future and see the beauty that can be created. I believe each of us can create a more beautiful world, starting first with ourselves and then by choosing to love one another in joy and peace, and with grace. I see a bright and beauti-ful future for Washington Marion, and the best part is that it’s already here. Thank you to each and every one of you who have supported this mission.

We are overwhelmed with gratitude, and we want to encourage anyone who feels a tug on their heart to give Alexander Art Studio a call. There are many ways to get involved, including donations and trades. The Tree of Life Mural is changing lives, and the Tree of Life Mural is YOU, Lake Charles. You are changing your town for the better. Thank you!

How can you support? Simply go to CandiceAlexander.com, call (337) 433-2299, or visit Candice Alexander Art Studio at 900 Ryan St. in Lake Charles. Any and all support is appre-ciated. Participating in such a worthy cause is priceless.

Dreamcatcher“We are close to completing our

first mural, the Dreamcatcher. The colorful background represents the stimulating visual, noise, and chaos that life can be at times. The Dreamcatcher is fabled to catch harmful decisions and influences, so we can focus on what is good and righteous. The pair of Dream-catchers is designed to be seen from both directions, reminding viewers to take a moment of calm in order to make their best decisions--choic-es that will lead them to success and happiness.

November 5, 201516 Vol. 7 • No. 14

I am so proud to announce that the clock is saved and will remain a downtown fixture for future generations. Not only will it remain where it is, it is now a reminder that his-tory, no matter how big or how small, is an important part of our local culture.

It was down to the wire on the leap of faith I made on be-half of the community. Actually, it even went to the very last second. Talk about being nervous! But, the last donation came in and my emotions were like being on a roller coaster when it races downhill--like butterflies in my stomach.

This has to have been one the hardest things I’ve done in my life. I set my goals and reached out for help, and

the best part is that the community was behind

my vision. The impact I witnessed throughout the process of this grassroots movement was a heartfelt journey.

The Save the Clock Facebook page will remain up as a reminder of this endeavor. Feel free to share your memories of the clock and or any other pieces of history here. Shar-ing is preserving. Without your help, we would have lost a piece of our local history. Words can only say so much, but thank you, SWLA, for doing your part to save a historic landmark. If you know of any local historic items that need to be preserved, please send an email to me at bayoupick-ers@gmail.com. I would be more than happy to assist you in the search or placement of your unique item that may fill a gap in history. Thank you all again!

November 5, 2015 17Vol. 7 • No. 14

Reaching your 40s can give you a sudden perspective on life. Your youth is definitively behind you, but you still feel young. Financial planning is suddenly more urgent, as the long-term responsibilities you face become obvious: You will get older and eventually stop working. So what do you do to make this transition easier—and rewarding?

Emergency FundThe first step in any financial

planning is to establish an emer-gency fund. Rule of thumb is to have approximately three to six months of your normal income in an account that’s safe and liquid. It should contain sav-ings for planned expenses. For instance, if you know you need to replace your a/c unit in a few years, you should be setting aside money for that in your savings account.

Pay Down DebtIf you have credit card debt,

student loan debt or medical bills, your next priority should be to reduce and eventually eliminate that debt so that your income can be channeled into saving and investing for the future. It’s important to work on paying that debt down as quickly as possible. And check the interest rates on your credit cards and student loans to see if you can find lower rates. Get your credit cards under con-trol by canceling all but one, and don’t carry that one unless you are traveling or otherwise expect to need it.

Do you Have Enough Insurance?

Chances are you carry the right kinds of insurance, but do you carry enough? It’s impor-tant for people in their 40s to do an insurance-needs analysis. Often, people in this age group need a lot of life insurance. It’s hard for a lot of people to have saved enough to take care of their family without life insur-

ance if someone passes away. If you have small children at home and a non-working spouse, think about term life insurance. It’s still cheap in your 40s and reduces the risk of leaving your family to struggle in your ab-sence. Review your homeowner and auto policies, and consider adding umbrella insurance.

Forty-somethings should also check on their disabil-ity insurance to be sure they have coverage and to estimate whether they need additional insurance. Most companies provide only up to 60 percent of your income if you are disa-bled.

Invest and SaveYou will probably live longer

than you expect. Most finan-cial planners tell their clients to assume a maximum number quite a bit higher than 90. To solve the problem of outliving your money, investing in a bal-anced retirement portfolio and

rebalance that portfolio along the way.

In your 40s, you should at least be saving as much in your 401(k) as your employer matches. Even if you weren’t making any profit on that in-vestment, your money doubles just because of the employer match. Since every employer has a different retirement plan, you should find out how much you can contribute, and maxi-mize your contributions up to that limit.

In addition to saving for retirement at work, you should also make the maximum allowa-ble contributions to a tradition-al individual retirement account or a Roth IRA, depending on your income.

The amount you can con-tribute to a Roth or a tradi-tional IRA went up to $5,500 in 2013 for people in their 40s. The difference between them is that with a Roth IRA, you pay taxes now on your contri-

butions, but you avoid a poten-tially higher tax later.

Traditional IRA contribu-tions are not limited by income, but Roth IRAs are only avail-able to married couples with an adjusted gross income of up to $183,000 and single filers with an adjusted gross income up to $116,000 in 2015.

College FundsIf you’re in your 40s and

have children, you may have already started saving for their college tuition, depending on their age. The best advice from financial advisers is to start saving as early as possible after your kids are born, even if you can save only a small amount. Hopefully, you can increase the amount you save for college as your income rises. And make sure you look into the 529 Plan It’s an education savings plan operated by the state designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs.

Financial Planning in your 40s

November 5, 201518 Vol. 7 • No. 14

Do you plan and save for the holidays? Or do you end up spending more than you should because you’re just winging it? Here are some tips to help you get a handle on your holiday spending without breaking the bank.

Create a spending plan

Start with a realistic idea of how much you can spend on all of your holiday purchases. List everything you usually buy, from gifts to food to en-tertainment, and add up the costs. Remember, if you don’t budget and set a specific dol-lar limit, your spending can get out of control.

Know your limitsMake a list of your gift

recipients and decide how much you want to spend on each person. If you can’t spend as much on gifts this year, decide who is a priority and let the others know well in advance that you won’t be getting them gifts. A lot of people are tightening their belts when it comes to holi-day spending, and they may actually be relieved that they

don’t have to buy you a present.

Track your spending

It’s great that you’ve made a spending plan. But if you don’t keep track of all of your purchases and make sure you’re staying within your budget, you’ve wasted your time. So make sure you write down everything you spend over the holi-days.

Shop with a list

Know what you want to buy, and go to the stores with a list. You can zip through the stores faster and are more apt to avoid impulse buying. And make sure you STOP when you have finished shopping!

Shop earlyDon’t wait until the last

minute. The best window for holiday shopping is between Oct. 1 and Dec. 1. Give your-self time to compare prices and find the best deals. Re-

member, last-minute shop-pers usually don’t save money because they’ve run out of time and patience and will grab anything.

Be an informed consumerComparison-shopping

stretches your holiday funds further. Take some extra time to find the best deal before heading off to the stores by checking catalogs, advertise-ments and the Internet. And think twice before you buy. Make sure the gift is appro-priate for the recipient and within your price range. If not, don’t buy it.

Use cashLeave your credit cards at

home. Using cash will force you to budget, and make overspending more obvious.

We all have a tendency to spend more when pay-

ing with a credit card instead of cash.

Use credit wisely

If you must use credit, shop with no more than two credit cards -- preferably low-interest

rate credit cards, NOT the expen-

sive department store cards. The more cards you use, the harder it is to

track spending. Use one with a zero bal-

ance for purchases you will pay off in full. Use the other, low-interest rate credit card for

purchases you plan to pay off over the next few

months.

Beware of sales pitches

Don’t shop under the influ-ence of holiday hype. Retail-ers work hard to entice you to buy, buy and buy. If you’re not careful, you’ll spend more than you planned. Don’t fall for credit card offers to “skip a payment.” You’ll just pay more in interest next month. Watch out for the “buy now and pay later” offers that en-courage you to spend money you don’t have. And, bypass applying for the department store credit card to get a one-time discount.

Tips for Stretching Your

Holiday Budget

November 5, 2015 19Vol. 7 • No. 14

November 5, 201520 Vol. 7 • No. 14

CSE Federal Credit Un-ion (CSE FCU), the larg-est co-operative financial institution in Southwest Louisiana, has named Mat-thew Koch as Chief Finan-cial Officer. Matt comes to CSE from ANECA FCU in Shreveport where he served as Director of Account-ing. He brings with him a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Louisiana Tech and a Masters of Busi-ness Administration from LSU-Shreveport. Matt will join the senior management team and will oversee all aspects of the Accounting and Finance Departments, as well as the ALM and Invest-ment functions of the credit union. The position opened

with the retirement of CFO

Joyce Davis after 15 years of dedicated service to CSE.

“We are excited and happy to have Matt join the CSE team,” said Clark Yelverton,

CSE President/CEO. “I am confident that Matt will make excellent contributions to continuing the financial management success CSE has enjoyed. We look for-ward to working with him.”

CSE Federal Credit Union is the 7th largest credit un-ion in the state of Louisiana with assets over $288 million and a membership of over 29,000 throughout South-west Louisiana. If you would like more information about CSE, please contact Colleen Desselle, Director of Market-ing & Business Development, at (337) 562-3130 or email cdesselle@csefcu.org. CSE is federally insured by NCUA. Membership and Eligibility required.

CSE Federal Credit Union Announces New Chief Financial Offi cer

Is Renters Insurance

Necessary?While the majority of

homeowners buy insurance for their homes and posses-sions, more than half of all renters fail to buy the insur-ance. Some tenants are under the mistaken impression that their landlord’s policy will cover their losses.

When a fire destroys your home or apartment, the loss can be devastating. Insur-ance can take some of the sting out of that loss by reimbursing you for the cost of replacing at least some of your possessions.

Renter’s insurance gener-ally covers property damage or loss caused by theft, fire, vandalism or storms. Losses due to weather-related floods often are not covered. In ad-dition, most policies include liability coverage, which protects a tenant if someone gets hurt when visiting the home or apartment.

The cost of renter’s insur-ance is usually low because unlike homeowner’s insur-ance, it covers only personal property and liability, not the structure.

Two types of renter’s in-surance coverage are avail-able:

Actual cash value insur-ance pays to replace items up to the policy’s limits, minus a deduction for depreciation.

Replacement cost insur-ance pays the actual cost of replacing your possessions, regardless of depreciation, up to the limits on the policy.

As with any insurance product, the Better Business Bureau advises consumers to get estimates from sev-eral companies before buy-ing a policy. To get a list of Accredited Insurance Agencies, go to www.lake-charles.bbb.org.

November 5, 2015 21Vol. 7 • No. 14

November 5, 201522 Vol. 7 • No. 14

Thomas Jefferson once stated, “Every generation needs a new revolution.” Nothing could be closer to the truth. But how can one statement be so simple, yet so loaded at the same time? As the times change, so do the everyday needs of society. The only way to survive the constant evolution is to keep up with it.

CSE Federal Credit Union knows exactly how to evolve with change. What started out with 11 initial members grew to 78 members within the first year. We eventually became the leading credit union in the Lake Area, pro-viding services to over 500 busi-nesses and 29,000 members. CSE knows it takes more than luck to be successful. It takes dedication, the kind of dedication that can be found within our day-to-day operations behind a friendly smile. CSE lives our vocation daily, which is “People Helping People.”

REVOLUTIONHe taught you how to ham-

mer your first nail, he can fix just about anything from boo-boos to bicycles, and he knows everything without having to ask Google. Grandpa is truly one of a kind. With the infinite knowledge only life can teach, he survived many hardships and worked hard sav-ing his pennies for someday. Most importantly, he taught you how and where to save your pennies--at the credit union, of course! Grandpa has many loyal qualities and his credit union was at the top of the list. In fact, when he entered the credit union, he was probably greeted on a first-name basis.

Grandpa spoke highly of his credit union because he knew that unlike other financial institu-tions, credit unions keep your best interests in mind, with lower rates and higher dividends. That’s right. “People Helping People.” Always.

November 5, 2015 23Vol. 7 • No. 14

Speaking of Grandpa, I am sure you heard how he had to walk a mile to school barefoot in the snow. Not only did he have to go to school, he also had to help out with the family busi-ness and wake up at 4 a.m. to milk the cow. How in the world could Grandpa accomplish so much in 24 hours? The times were different, that’s how. Back in the days of old, that’s just how things were done.

Today, things have changed. A typical family has two working parents; a few children involved in 2-3 extra-curricular activities each, a commute to work and 2-3 weekly trips to the grocery store. Even though it’s not the “barefoot-in-the-snow story,” sometimes you wish it were. With all the hustle and bustle of your daily life, when are you going to find time to stop by the credit union for the new auto loan or line of credit to help purchase a new stove?

Here at CSE, we realize today’s struggles are different and we are here to help as much as possible. We offer

CSE Online Account Access, CSE Bill Pay, Account to Account Transfers and CSEasy Mobile app with Deposit. We also have Web Signatures that will al-low you to sign for your new account or loan via computer or mobile device. We are not just your grandfather’s credit union anymore; we are yours.

STRENGTHFor over 70 years, CSE Federal Credit

Union has truly been living the original mission established by our founders, which is “experiencing the joy of help-ing members achieve their financial goals.” By utilizing the operational excellence derived by our forefathers, CSE Federal Credit Union has succeed-ed to sustain decades of change and stays strong by adapting to the needs of our members and keeping up to date with technology.

No matter how membership is ob-tained--whether passed on from father to son, mother to daughter or business to employee--joining CSE Federal Credit

Union means you are part of our family.

HERITAGECSE was here when our commu-

nity’s grandparents got their first jobs, bought their first homes, and began living their American dream. CSE is here for you now as you work to make your life more comfortable and happy. CSE is members past. CSE is mem-bers today. And we are leveraging our strong heritage for the benefit of the members of tomorrow.

“We never forget that we would not have a credit union were it not for the 29,000 member-owners of CSE Federal Credit Union. Our promise is to al-ways provide the best quality financial services to satisfy the needs of a grow-ing and versatile membership. We re-commit ourselves to that promise every time we experience the joy of helping members achieve their financial goals. We thank the membership for giving us that opportunity.” – Clark J. Yelverton, President/CEO

November 5, 201524 Vol. 7 • No. 14

It is one of the most unique festivals of its kind. Sporting a distinctly kitschy retro motif and a massive fan base, the Flea Fest has become something of a Lake Area phenomenon. If Facebook “likes” can be considered an indication of popularity and success, the festival is likely in a league of its own. At last check, Flea Fest’s Facebook page enjoys nearly 15,000 likes – more than dou-ble that of many of the much older and arguably more well-known of the area’s premier events.

Billed as “a bargain hunter’s dream.” the flea market festival features nearly four covered acres of anything and everything. The semi-annual event has grown dramatically since its 2013 inau-gural show to become one of the pre-eminent stops on the often tight-knit

vendor circuit, with vendors specializ-ing in a myriad of unique merchandise from as far away as Kentucky, Arizona, and Colorado. The upcoming fall show is expected to be the biggest yet, featur-ing over 300 vendors and a virtual drove of frenzied shoppers.

Boasting vendors of all types, Flea Fest’s offerings include antiques, retro & vintage, handcrafted items, toys, col-lectibles, clothes, art work, comic books, furniture, gifts, jewelry and other flea market style goods. In addition to the variety of merchandise vendors, Flea Fest will also include a virtual grab bag of wares from locals holding their garage sales at the festival. There’s even a pet-ting zoo, face painting, and pony rides to entertain the kiddies. Topping off the shopping, browsers can enjoy a smorgas-

bord of unique festival food eats offered from vendors in the Flea Fest Diner.

“It’s like going on a giant treasure hunt!” says organizer Lisa Sonnier. “You never know what goodies could be hiding out. Flea Fest is just a fun and unique shopping experience that won’t break the bank!”

Flea Fest is set for 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on November 14-15 in the Burton Complex Event Barn, located on the South side of Burton Coliseum. Adult tickets are $5 with the exception of Saturday from 8-9 a.m. (The “Early Bird Hour) with $10 adult tickets. Kids 12 and under are admitted free at all times. Tickets are available at the gate. The venue is entirely covered so the event will go on, rain or shine! More details can be found at www.FleaFest.com.

It’s Time for Flea Fest Nov. 14-15!

November 5, 201526 Vol. 7 • No. 14

SWLA American Heart Association WalkNovember 7

The American Heart Association 2015 SWLA Heart Walk is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Nov. 7 at Prien Lake Park, where more than 3,000 participants are expected to take steps for a healthier heart and a healthier region. The annual event, sponsored by CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital, raises funds to fi ght heart disease and stroke. The 2015 SWLA Heart Walk has a special area for children, so bring the entire family. The Kids Zone features tons of fun activities, including a brand new obstacle course component. (337) 377-5840) or visit www.swlaheartwalk.org.

Chords for a Cure November 7Chords for a Cure is a musical benefi t supporting Darlene Iguess Hebert, who was

recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It will be held on Sat., Nov. 7 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Iowa KC Hall located at 503 Hwy 90 in Iowa. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door. Proceeds will help defray medical related expenses. Enjoy live music by Nashville entertainers Second Hand Soul and Chalee Tennison and local entertainers The Dog Hill Stompers, Greg Blanchard, and Phillip Glynn. There will be food and drinks for purchase, as well as live and silent auctions. (337) 794-2826.

Walnut Grove 5k and Color RunNovember 7

Walnut Grove will host the 3rd annual Walnut Grove 5K and Nutty Fun Color Run on Sat., Nov. 7, with proceeds benefi ting Bishop Nolan Episcopal Day School’s Eagle Fund. Registration will continue through race day, with walk-up registration available for an additional $5 fee. Awards for the 5K will be given in various age groups rang-ing from under 14 to 61 and over. The color run is open for children ages 2 and up.

There will be other fun activities for children, including a rock wall, slide and maze, along with music, and food provided by the Sloppy Taco and Pops and Rockets. www.walnutgrovetnd.com.

International Family Day in the ParkNovember 7

Enjoy a community unity event that includes education, interaction, communica-tion, entertainment and fun for the entire family. Music, Kids Zone and more. Begins at 9 p.m. at Lock Park, Ryan and 7th St., Lake Charles. internationalfamilydayinthe park@ymail.com

Verandah Wine & Food PairingNovember 10

Sponsored by McNeese’s Leisure Learning, don’t miss this wonderful wine and food pairing dinner at The Verandah at Graywood on Tues., Nov. 10. Will Fontenot will select and pair the wines with Chef Michael Bruney’s special menu. Cost is $79 per person. Call (337) 475-5616 to reserve your place at the table!

Tasting on the Terrace November 12Sample more than 50 wines and beers while enjoying delicious food on the terrace

from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at L’Auberge Casino Resort! Tickets are $75 for this annual event and are available at the L’Auberge Business Center. Proceeds benefi t the Children’s Advocacy Center, a division of Family & Youth. For more information, go to www.fyca.org. Limited hotel rooms are available that night for a discounted rate of $99 by calling (866) 580-7444, discount code SATSR.

Bayou Writers Group ConferenceNovember 14

The Bayou Writers Group will host the 12th annual “A Bridge to Publication” writ-ers’ conference on Nov. 14 at University United Methodist Church, 3501 Patrick St. Lake Charles. Authors and literary agents will give various presentations to help new and experienced writers improve their craft. www.bayouwritersgroup.com.

Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian NutcrackerNovember 14

Bring the whole family for the sweetest Christmas celebration of the season! Experience the exquisite artistry of world-class Russian dancers, playful puppets and the unmatched splendor of hand crafted sets and costumes. Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker is the holiday tradition that brings the Christmas spirit to life! Will be held Nov. 14 at the Rosa Hart Theatre, LC Civic Center. Get your seats now for Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece at www.nutcracker.com.

Flea Fest November 14-15This semi-annual bargain and vintage-lovers festival has grown to be one of the

largest events in the state! Vendors and shoppers alike have fallen in love with this fun and unique fl ea market and shopping festival, which takes place over an unprec-edented two days--and on four covered acres. Rain or shine, gates are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. and Sun. at the Burton Complex Event Barn, located on the south side of the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles. www.FleaFest.com, (337) 502-8584.

Tween Stars Live! November 15Tween Stars Live will bring the best and brightest young stars from television to

fans across the country with a series of highly interactive family variety shows featur-ing 90-minutes of surprise-fi lled family fun, plus the opportunity for fans to interact with their favorite TV stars. The nationwide tour recently kicked off featuring Calum Worthy (“Dez,” Austin & Ally), Spencer Boldman (“Adam,” Lab Rats), Peyton List (“Emma,” Jesse and Bunk’d), Corey Fogelmanis (“Farkle,” Girl Meets World), Trinitee Stokes (“Judy,” KC Undercover) and Brec Bassinger (“Bella,” Bella & The Bulldogs). See them at the Lake Charles Civic Center on Nov. 15. Tickets start at just $18 and

November 5, 2015 27Vol. 7 • No. 14

are available for purchase at www.tweenstarslive.com.

Autism Rocks November 15Autism Services of SWLA will sponsor “Autism Rocks-Again” at L’Auberge Casino

Resort on Sun., Nov. 15. Featured artists will be Bag of Donuts and Willie, Waylon, Elvis and the Boys, featuring local musicians Greg Blanchard of Sulphur and John Ieyoub of Lake Charles, national award-winning Elvis impersonator. Doors open at 6 p.m. for general admission stadium seating. The evening includes a cash bar, live auction, concert and dancing. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased at www.AutismRocks.Eventbrite.com, at the ASSL offi ce, 3006 Common Street, (337) 436-5001, or at Project Fit, 3814 Ryan St.

The Elephant Man November 19The Westlake High Theatre Department announces its 2015-2016 opening season

with The Elephant Man. Directed by Kerry A. Onxley, the play is based on the tragic real life of Joseph Merrick, who lived with a horrifying skin and bone disease. One school performance is scheduled for Thurs., Nov. 19 at 10 a.m. at Westlake High

School’s state-of-the-art theatre located at 1000 Garden Drive in Westlake. Evening performance is 7 p.m. For ticket info, email kerry.onxley@cpsb.org.

Mistletoe and Moss November 19-21Jump-start your Christmas spirit at the Junior League of Lake Charles’ annual

Mistletoe & Moss Holiday Market, which will be held Thurs-Sat., Nov. 19-21 at the Lake Charles Civic Center. This year, more than 85 vendors from all over the United States will set up shop, and 40 of these are new to Mistletoe & Moss. Booths will feature items for everyone. Organizers are expecting about 12,000 shoppers at this year’s market! For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Junior League at (337) 436-4025 or visit www.jllc.net.

St. Paul Lutheran Church Craft FairNovember 20-21

The Christmas Fair and Bake Sale will be held Fri., Nov. 20 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and on Sat. Nov. 21 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1601 East Prien Lake Road, Lake Charles. There will be handcrafted and collectible gifts, Christmas

November 3Real Church Seminar presented by BGW Services

November 54th Annual Business Summit and Showcase Calcasieu Parish Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy 112th Graduation

November 7Lake Charles Boston Alumni Reunion

November 9, 10The Jerusalem Call

November 10City of Lake Charles Open Enrollment Session

November 12 Families Helping Families Education Empowerment Conference & Resource Fair

November 13Shae Williams 2nd Annual Celebration of Life Cancer Awareness Showcase

Annual Fireman’s Ball

November 14Moscow Ballet presents The Great Russian Nutcracker

Masonic Black and White Ball

November 15Tween Stars Live, an interactive experience with Disney and Nickelodeon actors

November 19-21Mistletoe and Moss Holiday Market

November 21Lake Area Ballet presents CoppeliaNOVEMBER

Wednesday, November 11: Veterans Day Poppy FlowersCelebrate Veterans Day by painting pretty red poppy fl ow-

ers. Class begins at 1 p.m. and is limited to 20 children, ages 5 and up.

Saturday, November 14:

Sasol’s Second Saturday Science ShowSasol continues its 5S Project with “Rheology: The

Thick and Thin of It All” at 11:30 a.m. Presenter Roberta Rabaioli will explain how materials have different fl ow properties and can behave in an unexpected way. Dem-onstrations will involve silly putty, ketchup, honey and

cornstarch solutions.

Saturday, November 21: Fall Leaf PaintingCreate a fun and colorful leaf design using watercolors

and crayons. Classes begin at 11 a.m. and noon and are limited to 20 children, ages 4 and up.

Monday, November 23: Thanksgiving Placemats

Weave colorful foam to make a festive placemat for your Thanksgiving table. Classes begin at 11 a.m. and noon

and are limited to 20 children, ages 4 and up.

Monday, November 23: “Jeanie the Three-Legged Dog”At 11:30 a.m., Lydia Crochet and her rescue dog Jeanie will read their book Jeanie the Three-Legged Dog: I Don’t Need Four Feet! Lydia and Jeanie are a part of

the Dr. Dogs Pet Therapy team. They visit local schools, libraries, nursing homes and the Children’s Museum.

Tuesday, November 24: Dream Catchers

Dream catchers are one of the most fascinating traditions of Native Americans. It is believed to have the power to

catch all of a person’s dreams, trapping the bad ones, and

letting only the good dreams pass through. We will make one using yarn, beads, feathers and a paper plate. Classes begin at 11 a.m. and noon and are limited to 20 children,

ages 4 and up.

Wednesday, November 25: Ceramic LeafPaint a ceramic leaf ornament. Classes begin at 11 a.m. and noon and are limited to 20 children, ages 4 and up.

There is a $1 fee for non-members.

November 26-27: The museum will be closed

for Thanksgiving!

Saturday, November 28: Kids ChoiceThis is a workshop to use extra projects that were leftovers

from previous workshops and weekly projects. Projects will be on a fi rst come, fi rst serve and will be available

from 10:30 a.m.-noon. Limit one project per child.

The Children’s Museum is located at 327 Broad Street downtown Lake Charles. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is $7.50 for children and adults. Call 337-433-9420 or visit www.swlakids.org

November 5, 201528 Vol. 7 • No. 14

items, baked goods and so much more! Buy a raffl e for a fabulous quilt! For more information, email dkmumm@yahoo.com.

Survivor of Suicide Loss November 21Join with a community of suicide loss survivors to fi nd comfort and healing at

Treasures of Marilyn’s, 3510 5th Ave., Lake Charles from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 21. Presentations, round table discussions and more. Lunch will be provided. Please register at survivorday.org or call 529-3784.

Full Throttle Wrestling November 21On Sat., Nov. 21, hard-hitting action returns when Full Throttle Wrestling invades

the Habibi Shrine Temple, 2928 Pack Rd, Lake Charles. Doors open at 6 p.m.; fi rst bell at 7 p.m. Admission: $10 adults, $5 kids; free for kids under 6. Beer, soft drinks and concessions. Bring the family and enjoy!

Bayou Classic Christian FellowshipNovember 21-22

The 10th Annual Bayou Classic Christian Fellowship of Southwest Louisiana will be

held Nov. 21-22 at Zion Tabernacle Baptist Church, 910 North Shattuck St. Parade is Sat. at 11 a.m. starting at the east side of the MLK Jr. Community Center and ending at the ZTBC campus, followed by a career/college fair with Grambling State Univer-sity, McNeese and other universities. There will be military recruiters, organizations and businesses, along with vendor booths, a performing arts stage, a kids’ zone, tae kwon do demonstrations, health fair, free Bibles and more. On Sunday, there will be Sunday school classes at 9:30 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. worship service. (337) 513-2924 or (337) 436-3224.

Sulphur Veterans Day ParadeNovember 7

The City of Sulphur’s Veterans Day parade is slated for Sat., Nov. 7, rolling at 10 a.m. from W.W. Lewis Middle School on Cypress Street and ending at the Sulphur Parks and Recreation Aquatic Center on Parish Road. Veterans will be transported back to their vehicles if needed. Family members are welcome and should meet their veteran at the SPAR Aquatic Center.

Vietnam War-era veterans will serve as the parade marshals. Classic cars, antique vehicles, convertibles and other vehicles will be provided for parade marshals on a first-come, first-served basis. Veterans from any other war are also welcome to participate but will have to provide their own vehicle and line up with the floats. These veterans do not have to pre-register and are asked to arrive between 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. to line up on Maplewood Drive.

Lake Charles Veterans Day EventsNovember 8

On Sat., Nov. 7 at 10 a.m., the City of Lake Charles Mayor’s Armed Forces Commission will host the City’s annual Veterans Day observ-ance activities beginning with the Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, Lakeshore Drive.

The guest speaker for this year’s ceremony will be Brigadier Gener-al Timothy P. McGuire, Commanding General, JRTC and Fort Polk, LA. Erica Bivens, KPLC anchor/reporter, will be the Master of Ceremonies, and this year’s event will pay recognition to all Southwest Louisiana veterans

Immediately following the ceremony, the public is invited to enjoy gumbo prepared by numerous SWLA veterans’ organizations. Also at Veterans Memorial Park, the City of Lake Charles Department of Recreation and Parks will provide a Kid’s Fun Zone that will include family-oriented games, face painting, balloons, fun jumps and much more.

The Avenue of FlagsNovember 11

See patriotic spirit in all of its glory at the Orange Grove/Graceland Cemetery on Broad St. in Lake Charles. Casket flags line the drive through the cemetery in honor of fallen soldiers, donated just for this day. The flags will be on display from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Veteran’s Day. In addition to the memorial flags, the Avenue of Flags also fea-tures a history circle where replicas of eight previous United States flags are flown. (337) 437-7810.

Veteran’s Day Activities

November 5, 2015 29Vol. 7 • No. 14

November 5, 201530 Vol. 7 • No. 14

The lights were dark. Film buffs and filmmakers were huddled in chairs deep within the recesses of Central School. They were listening to Minnesota filmmaker Christopher R. Mihm talk about how he made 10 films in 10 years. That’s when they heard it. The scuffle of eight hairy legs the size of two, no make that three, um, I mean four barns!

The giant spider was ravenous, yet strangely cute like a Jim Henson Muppet. Luckily for the filmgoers, the enormous arachnid stayed onscreen and no one became spider bait. The movie The Gi-ant Spider was one of Mihm’s creations designed to look like it was a movie made in the ‘50s. Or as he likes to say “New, old, good, bad movies.” There’s an art to making a good “bad” movie that’s charming and fun to watch and Mihm let local festivalgoers in on his secrets during his seminar.

And while we’re on the subject of giant spiders, B-movies from the ‘50s and things like time travel, let’s take a time hop back to October 9, the day before the giant spider came. Before I even walked into the festi-val’s kick-off party I met none other than Marshall Teague in the parking lot. He was just chillin’ with a couple of locals, chatting about all the good food he’d eaten here in Southwest Louisiana. Mr. Teague played the role of “Jimmy” in Roadhouse with Patrick Swayze. Since then, he’s been in movies like The Rock and TV shows like Walker Texas Ranger, Star Trek Voyager and more. And he holds the industry record with 106 deaths on screen!

The wonderful thing about local film

festivals is that you really can get to know people better than you could at some giant event in a huge city. I bumped into Mr. Teague again the day the “spider” came and he shared his experiences with timber wolves. Did you know they’re quite likely to greet you by placing your entire head in their mouth? It’s best not to panic and use your “little girl” voice to assure them you’re friendly. Gulp. Interesting.

Even more interesting was his acting seminar where he talked about those 103 onscreen deaths--and walking around in a prosthetic alien suit so heavy you never have to visit the facilities because you just sweat every drop of water you have in you. It had boots that drained the water on the fl oor and someone followed him on set with a mop! Th ese aren’t the stories you hear when people are talking about the glamour of Hollywood.

Speaking of glamour, in addition to seminars, 75 films were shown and there were prizes for the most impressive ones of the day. You might want to commit these to memory. This year, they may only be seen at film festivals. In another year or two, if they win enough prizes, they might be at a theatre near you. The prize for Best Fea-ture Film went to Calamity, a movie about a family who visits their father who has dementia but suspects something is amiss with his caretaker.

Times Like Dying took home best short film. It’s a post-Civil War story about bank robbers and what a person will do when what is right and what is necessary is not always the same thing.

I knew the mama who raised the film-

maker that took home “Best Home Grown” film, Atchafalaya. This film follows a game warden as he investigates a mysterious call deep in the Louisiana swamp just as the early winds of a hurricane rush in.

Best Documentary and Best of Show went to No Greater Love. It’s a story about soldiers struggling with depression and PTSD and the faith that keeps them going during “the last battle every soldier has to fi ght.”

A short film I was involved in called Dirty Rice won second place in the 48 Hour Film Sprint category. It’s quite exciting to get an award handed to you by Marshall Teague, that’s for sure. Mayor Randy Roach awarded Mr. Teague a key to the city so I hope he’ll drop by to visit once again!

If you missed these films and you don’t want to wait until next year to see mov-ies not available at Walmart or Red Box you’re in luck. Remember the “good, bad, new, old” movies guy? By the time you read this, a sneak preview from the imagina-tion of Christopher R. Mihm will be up at www.sainteuphoria.com. Get ready for Weresquito, Nazi Hunter in 2016. Hor-rific Nazi experiments have left a surviving WWII soldier with a terrifying condition: at the sight of fresh blood, he transforms into a man-sized, blood-sucking killer insect! EEK! All I can say is if Weresquito buzzes around next year’s festival, the residents of Southwest Louisiana will be ready for him. If there’s one thing we know around here, it’s mosquitoes!

Until next time, save me some popcorn! P.S. No arachnids were harmed in the

writing of this article.

Giant Spider Devours Filmmakers at Local Film Festival

November 5, 2015 31Vol. 7 • No. 14

Our Brand is Crisis is a political sat-ire starring Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton. Bullock plays “Calamity” Jane Bodine, a retired political consult-ant dragged back into the thick of it, while Thornton plays Pat Candy, the rival political consultant who drove her into retirement.

“Calamity” Jane is happy and calm aft er spending some time away from the politi-cal arena, but is pulled back in when she’s hired to help a deeply unpopular candidate, former president and cur-rent Senator Castillo, to win the election for President of Bolivia. It’s an uphill battle that she doesn’t think they can win… until she fi nds an angle. Instead of changing the candidate by making him look humble and sensitive, she spins the direction of the cam-paign to fi t his strengths. In other words, she manufactures a sense of crisis and presents Castillo as a resilient fi ghter with the best chance of dealing with it.

Based on a documentary of the same name, George Clooney produced this politi-cal comedy which is very loosely based on a true story about a 2002 Bolivian presiden-tial election campaign headed by a fiction-

alized version of James Carville’s Washing-ton DC-based political consulting firm.

Here’s something of local interest; prin-cipal photography on the film took place in New Orleans, and additional filming took

place in the Bonnet Carré Spillway in Norco, located in St. Charles Parish!

What can I say? Every-body loves Sandra Bul-lock. But don’t expect her usual perky rom-com persona. She starts off playing Jane as worn-out, bitter and jaded, and we only start to see the Sandra we know start to shine through when she gets some fire in her belly. She delivers a solid performance.

Billy Bob Th ornton has mastered the ability to be creepy and likable at the

same time, and his role in this fi lm is no ex-ception. His portrayal of Pat Candy, which is clearly inspired by real-life political con-sultant James Carville, should be a real thrill for Billy Bob fans. Pat Candy is the political consultant for the opposing candidate. He’s slick, smart, and he plays dirty. And every time Jane has faced-off with Candy in the political arena, his candidate has beaten her

candidate every time. It’s very obvious that she doesn’t actually believe in Castillo as a Presidential candidate. Th e desire to fi nally beat Candy is her biggest motivation to win this election.

I’ll be honest. Our Brand is Crisis isn’t for everyone. While I enjoyed it, I must say that you must have some interest in how the political machine ticks to really get into this movie. The previews try to sell this as a Bullock/Thornton snarkfest, and while there are definitely some comedic moments and a fair share of “funny ha-ha” lines, it really is more a play-by-play of a Bolivian presidential election headlined by Bullock.

It was interesting to see an election out-side of the United States, effectively remov-ing the polarizing liberal vs. conservative viewpoint. This story seems to evolve more from a cynical “all politicians are cut from the same cloth” perspective. One of my favorite quotes in the movie was “If voting changed anything, they’d make it illegal.”

In its opening weekend, Our Brand is Crisis was projected to make $5 to 7 million from 2,202 theaters. Unfortunately it only ended up grossing $3.3 million, finishing eighth at the box office and making it the lowest opening of Bullock’s career, beating 1996’s Two if By Sea’s meager haul of $4.7 million.

Our Brand is Crisis is rated R, for lan-guage and sexual references.

Our Brand is Crisis (Warner Bros., 2015)

November 5, 201532 Vol. 7 • No. 14

WithTommie Townsley

Jeanie is a three-legged therapy dog in Lake Charles and the star of her own children’s book, Jeanie the 3-Leg-ged Dog; I Don’t Need Four Feet. It’s a heart-warming tale for dog lovers of all ages, reminding readers that anything is possible and it’s okay (and even cool!) to be different. Jeanie shares a power-ful message of courage and acceptance, choosing to focus on the things she CAN do instead of her limitations.

“I may be different. But I am com-plete.

I can do most things like dogs with four feet!”

Jeanie is an adopted rescue. She was found in a rural area outside of Lake Charles in the fall of 2007 when she was approximately five or six months old. She had a deformed and crippled front leg that made it difficult for her to walk. She was brought to a local vet’s office where they removed the leg, spayed her and listed her for adoption with a local animal rescue organization.

Jeanie is a self-proclaimed “Pomay-orkapoopillon,” a mix of Pomeranian, Yorkie, Poodle and Papillion. She proudly represents the month of April in the 2015 Petco Foundation’s cal-endar sold nationwide, and was also featured in the Norbert children’s book series. Jeanie added “super hero” to her resume’ last year when she was featured in several popular magazines and blogs for saving her family’s elderly cockatiel from a hawk attack.

When she’s not spreading smiles on social media or saving small animals from birds of prey, Jeanie enjoys hang-ing out with her colleagues on the Dr. Dog’s Pet Therapy team. She visits

hospitals and nursing homes, where she brings joy and hope to those who need it most, especially fellow amputees. She’s involved in a reading program, where she listens as children read their favorite books to her at the local library. Jeanie also works with the Children’s Advocacy Center, where she comforts abused chil-dren while they are questioned by foren-sic investigators. This is her favorite job, as she knows exactly why she’s there and who needs comforting.

Once homeless, crippled and aban-

doned, Jeanie is now an advocate for other rescues with special needs, who are usually the last to be adopted. A portion of the proceeds from her chil-dren’s book will be donated to local rescue operations in Louisiana.

Come meet Jeanie! There will be a book signing at Christian Book Center, 329 W Prien Lake Rd., on Sat., Nov. 7 from 2-4 p.m. Facebook.com/Jean-ieIlene, jeanie3legs.com.

Jeanie the 3-Legged Dog; I Don’t Need Four Feet

There will be a book signing at Christian Book Center

329 W. Prien Lake Rd.Saturday, November 7

from 2 to 4 p.m.

For more info, visit www.jeanie3legs.com

or Facebook.com/JeanieIlene

Come meet Jeanie!

November 5, 2015 33Vol. 7 • No. 14

Just kidding.You’ve said that before, a

dozen times. Maybe you’ve even heard it today from someone who’s joking with you, poking you, teasing you with something that’s so out-rageous you can’t wrap your head around it. But here: you’re no fool, so maybe it’s time to look at the new book, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Eye-Popping Oddities, where there’s really no kidding allowed.

The world is a very weird place, and it gets weirder all the time. Case in point: the things you’ll find inside Eye-Popping Oddities - like, for instance, the strange objects people collect. Someone in Ohio collects bed-pans. There are a lot of people who collect ink on their bodies. A man in California collected keys, a girl in Pennsylvania loves nail polish, a woman in New York collects fashion-doll parts to create jewelry. And you’ll be amazed at what can be made from collections of bones…

Everybody loves animals, right? Then how about the

four-eyed mouse spotted in Florida? Or a dog that’s learned to be a horse-trainer, or a bird that saved his owner’s life by squawking. Read about the Illinois cow that’s taller than a basketball player, the bat-cave in Texas (no, not Batman’s cave), and find out what you’re really wearing when you don silk clothing.

Did you ever have an idea that seemed like a good one at the time? Bet you’ve never thought about standing in the middle of a fireworks display, lighting a fire on your tongue, tattooing your eyeballs, or putting poisonous spiders in your mouth. Yep, somebody’s thought of those things and you’ll see them in this book.

Here, you’ll read about a 3,200-year-old tree, a boy with a tail, and a secret swim-ming pool in the middle of the desert, accessible only by “treasure hunt.” Find out about the comedian who played a trick on everybody in Holly-wood and see which star was the first to have 100 million Facebook fans. Learn about

funky fashion, a lost-leg-turned-lamp, ancient medical devices, things that make you say “eeeuuuuwww,” and the sad stories of the “pinhead” sisters and Julia Pastrana.

And if that don’t make your eyeballs pop, then maybe this will: many of the things I men-tioned above are accompanied by full-color pictures.

But really, that shouldn’t come as a surprise: Ripley’s books today are the same qual-ity entertainment they were when you were a kid; in fact, this book reaches back many decades to include old side-show photographs, biographies, and words about Robert Ripley, the organization’s founder. You can trust, therefore, that what

you’ll find here is squirmy, icky, cool, weird, and fascinat-ing, but respectful.

I’m not sure that I’d give this book to a small child, but kids ages 12 and up could prob-ably handle what’s inside and adults can enjoy it, guilt-free. It’s got variety enough to appeal to every interest, so look for it and have fun, because Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Eye-Popping Oddities isn’t just for the kid-does, you know.

“Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Eye-Popping Oddities”©2015, Ripley Publishing $28.95/$34.95 Canada 265 pages

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Eye-Popping Oddities

November 5, 201534 Vol. 7 • No. 14

Thursday, Nov. 5Bryan Trahan5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

David Joel7 p.m. @ Mikko LiveCoushatta Casino Resort777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Electric Circus9 p.m. – 1 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

DJ Jose Mata9 p.m.- 2 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

ISIS8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ RushGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

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

Friday, Nov. 6Bryan Trahan5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Ryan Bunch6 p.m. @ Luna Live719 Ryan St. LC

Kenzie Newman7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

Fabulous Miss Wendy/US Postals9 p.m. @ The Center Stage3426 Ryan St. LC

Electric Circus9 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

DJ Jose Mata9 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

The Flamethrowers9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ RushGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

No Idea9 p.m. @ Mikko LiveCoushatta Casino Resort777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

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

Casey Courville9 p.m. @ Cigar Club1700 E. Prien Lake Rd.

Red Republiq9:30 @ Jack After Dark NightclubL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

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

Saturday, Nov. 7Bryan Trahan5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Drivin Dixie7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

Trace Adkins8 p.m. @ Grand Event CenterGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LCTickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets can also be pur-chased performance day beginning at 2 p.m. at the Golden Nugget Box Offi ce

Logan Soileau9 p.m. @ Cigar Club1700 E. Prien Lake Rd.

Ten Ton Hammer/Enslaved in Fear/Aurum9 p.m. @ The Center Stage3426 Ryan St. LC

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

Electric Circus9 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

November 5, 2015 35Vol. 7 • No. 14

DJ Jose Mata9 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

The Flamethrowers9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ RushGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

No Idea9 p.m. @ Mikko LiveCoushatta Casino Resort777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Boxing DeiDei10 p.m. @ Luna Live719 Ryan St. LC

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

Sunday, Nov. 8Street Side Jazz Band11 a.m. @ Luna Bar and Grill710 Ryan St., LC

David Joel4 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

DJ Jose Mata9 p.m.- 2 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Monday, Nov. 9Stacy Bearden5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Open Mic Night9-midnight @ Luna Live710 Ryan St., LC

Tuesday, Nov. 10Mark Henry5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Clint Faulk6:30 @ Loggerheads3748 Hwy 305, LC

John Guidroz8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ RushGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

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

Wednesday, Nov. 11Chester Daigle5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Chris Miller & Bayou Roots6:30 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

November 5, 201536 Vol. 7 • No. 14

Shellbonne Acoustic8 p.m. @ Jack After Dark NightclubL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

The Fuse8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ RushGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Kory Fontenot8 p.m. @ Cigar Club1700 E. Prien Lake Rd.

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

Thursday, Nov. 12Happy Hour

4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz3436 Ryan St., LC

John Guidroz & Kevin Lambert5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Gregg Martinez& Delta Kings7 p.m. @ Mikko LiveCoushatta Casino Resort777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

The Fuse8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ RushGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Swagger9 p.m. – 1 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

DJ Jose Mata9 p.m.- 2 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

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

Friday, Nov. 13John Guidroz & Kevin Lambert5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Ryan Bunch6 p.m. @ Luna Live719 Ryan St. LC

Mike Fulmer7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

Generis/Juxtapose9 p.m. @ The Center Stage3426 Ryan St. LC

Swagger9 p.m. – 1 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

DJ Jose Mata9 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

The Junior League of Lake Charles will hold its 23rd annual Mistletoe and Moss Holiday Market, November 19–21. This year’s market will feature more than 80 merchants from around the country. Merchants at Mis-tletoe and Moss will showcase apparel, gifts, and accessories for women, men, and children; along with specialty foods; and seasonal as well as year-round decorative items and home fur-nishings.

Preview Party GalaThe event will start with a

Preview Party Gala, which will feature fantastic cuisine from the Lake Area’s finest restaurants and caterers and live entertain-ment. The Gala will take place Thursday, Nov. 19, from 7-10 p.m. Cocktail attire is preferred and you must be 21 or older to attend. Patrons can continue their holiday shopping Friday morning, Nov. 20, starting at 9 a.m. Throughout the day, there will be holiday entertainment

from local school choirs and bands.

White Gloves & PearlsOn Friday evening, there will

be another special event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This is a casual event that includes live enter-tainment, hors d’oeuvres pro-vided by Luna Bar and Grill, as well as a complimentary cocktail per guest. During this evening HGTV reality personality and local owner/designer at Thomas Guy Interiors, Lance Thomas, will share his insider tips, tricks, and trends for this holiday season. Lance’s aesthetic eye for design will be sure to take your holiday decor to a whole new designer level. Navarra’s Jewelry will also be showcasing a hand-selected piece of jewelry to be given away to one lucky winner. Guests are encouraged but not required to wear white gloves and pearls!

Cookies with SantaYour children will enjoy

meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus during this family event on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.! Admis-sion includes writing a letter to Santa, enjoying a holiday treat, story time with Mrs. Claus and a photo opportunity with Santa Claus. Please bring your camera for a picture with Santa!

Preferred ShoppingTickets to this event are $25

per person and include brunch and mimosas while you shop on Friday, Nov. 20 from 9-11 a.m. This is the only special event that offers a 10 percent discount from merchants and a preferred shopping bag only given to those attending this spectacular event!

Event Round UpHere is a round up of the

various events taking place at this year’s Mistletoe and Moss Holiday Market:

• Preview Party Gala: Thurs-day, Nov. 19, 7 -10 p.m., at $60 per person

• White Gloves & Pearls: Friday, Nov. 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at $25 per person

• Cookies with Santa: Sat-urday, Nov. 21, 9:30 a.m.,11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m., $10 per person. Children 1 year and under get in free

• Preferred Shopping: Friday, Nov. 20, 9-11 a.m., $25 per per-son, 10 percent discount

• Shopping with the Choirs on Friday, Nov 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. General admission rates. Patrons and shoppers are invited to get in the holiday spirit to the sounds of local school bands and choirs, which will perform throughout the day.

• The event’s general mar-ketplace will be open Friday, Nov. 20 from 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 21 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission will be $10 per person; children younger than 8 attend free.

For more information, con-tact the Junior League of Lake Charles office at 436-4025 or jllc.net.

Mistletoe and Moss Holiday Market—23rd Year!

November 5, 2015 37Vol. 7 • No. 14

The Fuse9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ RushGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

LA Rox9 p.m. @ Mikko LiveCoushatta Casino Resort777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

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

Luke Cooper9 p.m. @ Cigar Club1700 E. Prien Lake Rd.

Yard Dogs9:30 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Thomas and Theresa(MAS Event)10 p.m. @ Luna Live719 Ryan St. LC

DJ CaGe11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark NightclubL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Saturday, Nov. 14John Guidroz & Kevin Lambert5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Clayton Rougeau & Wild West Band7 p.m. @ Loggerheads3748 Hwy 3059 (Old Town Road) LC

The Oak Ridge Boys 8 p.m. @ Grand Event CenterGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LCTickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets can also be pur-chased performance day beginning at 2 p.m. at the Golden Nugget Box Offi ce

Michael McDonald8:30 p.m. @ Event CenterL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LCTickets start at $70 and may be purchased at the L’Auberge Busi-ness Center, ticketmaster.com orby calling (800) 745-3000.

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

Brian Racca, Jr. 9 p.m. @ Cigar Club1700 E. Prien Lake Rd.

Swagger9 p.m.– 1 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Lost Chapters/Escape Artist/AEP Township9 p.m. @ The Center Stage3426 Ryan St. LC

DJ Jose Mata9 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

The Fuse9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ RushGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

November 5, 201538 Vol. 7 • No. 14

LA Rox9 p.m. @ Mikko LiveCoushatta Casino Resort777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

West Without10 p.m. @ Luna Live719 Ryan St. LC

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

Sunday, Nov. 15Street Side Jazz Band11 a.m. @ Luna Bar and Grill710 Ryan St., LC

Kory Fontenot3:30 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

DJ Jose Mata10 p.m.- 2a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Monday, Nov. 16Bryan Trahan5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Open Mic Night9-midnight @ Luna Live710 Ryan St., LC

Tuesday, Nov. 17Chip Radford5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar

L’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Jazz Night with Clint Faulk6:30 p.m. @ Loggerheads3748 Hwy 305, LC

Angel Garcia8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ RushGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

So Hard to Händel...Back in the early ‘40s, a well-estab-

lished London songwriter was ap-proached by a wealthy friend with an idea for a musical collaboration. Our songwriter, whom we’ll call George, liked the idea and began shaping up the music that would eventually sup-port his friend Charles’ concept. In just over three weeks, the piece was ready to be released unto the world. However, neither of them had no way of knowing what legacy this particular piece of mu-sic would eventually carry and how well known and oft performed it would one day be. This was, after all, quite some time ago.

To clarify: By “the early ‘40s,” I ac-tually mean the early 1740s (1741, if anyone is counting) and by George I actually mean Georg, as in the German born composer Georg Friedrich Hän-del, who’s legendary oratorio “Messiah”

began just this way. From its first per-formance in Dublin in February of 1742 to the grand annual holiday season per-formances seen round the world every year, this particular composition has remained one of the most recognizable, most performed and most re-vered compositions in music history. Oddly enough though, this particular style of piece wasn’t exactly ol’ Georgie’s wheel-house, per se. He actually would have been much more comfortable in the world of Italian opera, at least at that point in his career.

Having moved to London’s fair city in 1712, Händel dab-

bled in in compositions of all types but saw the most success in opera, leading numerous performing companies over the years and even buying stock and ownership of the theaters that would debut his works. While he did see a

great success for some time, op-era’s popularity began to wane in London as the expenses of such elaborate productions only continued to rise. By the begin-ning of the 1740s, he’d hung up his proverbial opera spurs and reverted to sacred music, which was much more cost effective for the professional composer and producer of the time.

It was around this time that longtime Händel

benefactor and friend Charles Jennens (a

devout Anglican) ap-proached Händel with the idea of a new ora-torio to encapsulate all that the Messiah

himself represented

November 5, 2015 39Vol. 7 • No. 14

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

Wednesday, Nov. 18Chester Daigle5:20 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Clint Miller & Bayou Roots6:30 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

Joe Ecker8 p.m. @ Cigar Club1700 E. Prien Lake Rd.

AM PUSH8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ RushGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Streetside Jazz Trio8 p.m. @ Jack After Dark NightclubL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

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

Thursday, Nov. 19Amanda Walker5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Charles Mann7 p.m. @ Mikko LiveCoushatta Casino Resort777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

AM PUSH8 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ RushGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

After Party9 p.m. – 1 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

DJ Jose Mata9 p.m.- 2 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

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

Friday, Nov. 20Amanda Walker5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Reed Planchard7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

So Suede Variety Show9 p.m. @ The Center Stage3426 Ryan St. LC

After Party9 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

DJ Jose Mata9 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

The Tricky Dickies9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ RushGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

to humanity, from birth to ascension and beyond. Jen-nens crafted the wordbook himself in such a way that even musicologists have cited that Jennens contribu-tion on its own “amounts to little short of a work of genius.” Just 24 days after delivery, Händel had crafted the music that made Mes-siah a reality.

Now.... We fast forward 200 years (give or take a

few) to our beloved home of Lake Charles circa 1940, where a young New Orleans native by the name of Fran-cis Bulber brought Händel’s and Jennen’s work to the (then) John McNeese Com-munity College, to start a tradition that has carried on for now a remarkable 75 years. The Lake Charles Messiah Chorus has kicked off the holiday season each year since and it has made

the first Sunday in Decem-ber an annually anticipated day for many local music lovers across the region.

So whether it’s your first or your fiftieth time to take in this timeless work, be sure to get out and mark 75 years of Messiah with the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus this December 6 in MSU’s Francis G Bulber Auditorium. I’m sure old Georgie will appreciate it.

Something is Happening Here... Indeed Messiah is happening, but there other great musical goings on that make the upcoming

holiday season special that I though I would share with you as well. You’ve got plenty of notice, so GO SEE THESE THINGS!!!!

Dec. 10, 11 and 12: Barbe High School “Feast Without Forks Madrigal Dinner” Greater St Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church (Formerly First Presbyterian)

A newer tradition from the well-known and loved Barbe High Choir is the Madrigal Dinner holiday show. It will feature roughly 100 students dressed in medieval period costume with tableside singing, dramatic performances, and traditional olde world songs including the Wassail and Boar’s Head ceremony and a candlelight carol service in the sanctuary to end the night. Tickets are expected to be on sale by the week after Thanksgiving and always go quickly! Contact Barbe High School for more information.

Sunday, Dec. 13 and Thursday, Dec. 17: Louisiana Choral Foundation “Baby’s Breath” Christmas Concerts

Followers of Chorale will be happy to know that they have two opportunities to see this year’s Christmas concert; on Dec. 13 at Sulphur’s Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and on Dec. 17 at Lake Charles’ Immaculate Conception Cathedral. For more information on the Choral Foundation or its concerts, visit www.lachoral.org.

Händel Me with Care...Seriously, though. I don’t want to hear anyone going on about me jumping the gun on the holidays.

I’ve only got two chances a month to get out the good word to all you good folk out there. Besides, if anyone has any good Thanksgiving music to share, I’m happy to check it out. Maybe.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, SWLA. I’ll see YOU at the show!

November 5, 201540 Vol. 7 • No. 14

Neal Smith9 p.m. @ Cigar Club1700 E. Prien Lake Rd.

Isis9 p.m. @ Mikko LiveCoushatta Casino Resort777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

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

Killawatts9:30 @ Jack After Dark NightclubL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

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

Mantra LoveMidnight @ Luna Live719 Ryan St. LC

Saturday, Nov. 21Amanda Walker5:30 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine BarL’Auberge Casino Resort777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Lady of the Lake Moonlight River CruisePerformance by 3-Hour Tour5:30-8:30 board at Loggerhead’s Bar3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

LA Bayou Band7 p.m. @ Loggerhead’s Bar3748 Hwy. 3059 (Old Town Rd.) LC

Special Event Night9 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s

112 W. Broad St., LC

RKW Acoustic Show9 p.m. @ Cigar Club1700 E. Prien Lake Rd.

After Party9 p.m.- 1 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

DJ Jose Mata9 p.m.- 3 a.m. @ Blue MartiniGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

The Tricky Dickies9 p.m.- 2:30 a.m. @ RushGolden Nugget Casino Resort2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC

Ice Man Special10 p.m. @ Luna Live719 Ryan St. LC

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

November 5, 2015 41Vol. 7 • No. 14

November 5, 201542 Vol. 7 • No. 14

Bethany Blackson and Ezra Pettis Jr.Roman Griffith, Claude Comeaux

and Kathleen Romero

Jennifer Berken, Brian Bradford and Trevor Kyle Nic and Becky Hunter

YOUNG LAWYERS SOCIAL AT CIGAR CLUB

The SWLA Bar Association Young Lawyers Division convened for the second installment of their biannual

social, soaking up the classy atmosphere of Lake Charles’ Cigar Club for a night of food, drinks and

networking. The night even drew out some local and regional judges and even a Calcasieu Police Juror

was seen mixing it up. I’m sure the scene will be just as impressive when they do it again this spring!

Adam McDermot with Kristen and Bradley Wright

Lauren Devillier, Grace Stulb and Macy Dulany

Lauren de Albuquerque and Kerry Anderson

Becky Ainsworth and Catherine Mack Thevenot

Adrianne Hunt, Kempa Pierce and Laurie Hunt

ROUGE ET BLANCThe area’s premiere wine event took over the McNeese

Quad as the 10th annual Rouge et Blanc drew the masses out for superb food, live music and the most bountiful assemblage of wines you’ll likely see ‘round these parts. Mark your calendars for next year’s event NOW! This tannic triumph is guaranteed to sell out all

too quickly again next year. Cheers!

Donata Haley, Shari Trahan, Robin Cassedy and Paige Cobbs

November 5, 2015 43Vol. 7 • No. 14

Keith Desonier with grandchildren Issac and Evangeline

Kathy and Doug Scoggins Tim and Maria O’Dowd

Kelsey and John O’Donnell and Kelly Miseles Venisha and Ahbri Grant

DESONIER ELECTION RESULTS PARTY Voters across the state made their way to the

polls on October 24. The 36th District House was left open by the term limited Chuck Kleckley. Up

for the spot were Mark Abraham and Dr. Keith Desonier, who hosted his election results party at the Marriott SpringHil. Though a 55%/45%

split gave the seat to Abraham, the crew still had reason to toast a well-run campaign, a close finish

and hopes to give it a go again next time!

Diana Barrios and Sebastian Velasco with Haley and Liam McMillian Justin Morris and Jessica Owens

Alisha Manuel with Conny and Paul Montminy

Chris Jones, Jenni Dees, Alisa Burklow, Stephanie Henning, Ada O’Quain and Christy Jones - St. Nicholas Center

GOLDEN NUGGET BEER FESTThe inaugural Golden Nugget Beer Fest was a two-

day aff air that converted the pool area into a bonafi de beer garden and opened up their event center to a sea

of suds and many of the brewmasters of those very craft brews. With live entertainment, outstanding food and a veritable smorgasbord of top-notch beers, this promises to be THE event that all the local hopheads

will be looking forward to year after year!

Stephanie Vizena and Chelsea Hyatt