what now magazine | may 2014

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SEND US YOUR FLASHBACK

PICTURES FROM THIS MONTH

AND SEE YOUR PHOTOS IN

NEXT MONTH'S ISSUE!

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!

Whether you’re a student, teacher, parent, or grandparent, it’s safe to say that everyone is ready for the warm summer months to kick into gear. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be sure to highlight and feature key things

to do to keep you active and outdoors while the sun is shining and the days are long. We’ll also continue our focus on local events and happenings and things to do around Terrebonne, Lafourche, and the surrounding areas.

If you have an event or know of one coming up in the next couple ofmonths, you can submit it to us to have it listed in the publication.

Our website is currently getting a makeover, so please feelfree to email any pictures or events to [email protected].

If you’re looking for some good advice on how to better yourself or things to do when you are bored, check out our columns towards the end of this issue. We have wonderful columnists who are experts in their field and enjoy sharing valuable information with our readers.

Also, play the puzzle game “What Saying” in order to enter for a chance to wina $50 VISA gift card sponsored by Synergy Bank. See if you have what it takesto solve the puzzle!

We are looking forward to attending many events this month and hope to see you there. If the What Now red carpet happens to be out, stop by for a photo-op! It’s free!

For more information on last-minute changes with events and other fun videos, photos, etc., don’t forget to check out our Facebook page. We enjoy letting youknow what’s going on each day!

What now? Don’t forget your hat, sunglasses, and sunscreenas you prepare for summer break! See you at the beach!

OUR DESK TO YOURSA LETTER FROM OUR EDITOR: Ben Jones Jr.

Photo:Juliana PennisonFIND OUT

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PUBLISHERS/EDITORSBen Jones Jr

Cody J. Blanchard

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSMegan Ledet

Celeste RobertsBrittany Whatley

CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTS

DESIGNJustin Babin

MARKETING AMBASSADORKara Domangue

[email protected]

PHOTOGRAPHYMisty McElroy

Juliana PennisonBrian Waitz

MAY 2014

Copyright © 2014 by Fathom Media, LLC.All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part withoutpermission is strictly prohibited.

BUSINESS ADDRESSFathom Media, LLC1214 Canal BoulevardThibodaux, LA 70301

What Now Magazine cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material such as manuscripts or photographs, with or without the inclusion of a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed.

The opinions expressed in What Now Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Fathom Media, our employees or any of our advertisers.

Ginger GaubertChas Guidry

Todd KennedyNiki Landry

Jeffery Markel

Monique McMillanLaura SandersKate Theriot

Katherine Toups

ON THE COVER:Janet Shea & Lance E. Nichols

PHOTO: Misty McElroy

FROM OUR DESK

A look at your submitted photos from April.FLASHBACK9

School's Out For The SummerLETTER FROM THE EDITOR4

EXTRAS

How are the stars aligned for you this month?HOROSCOPES8

A look at upcoming events next month!FLASHFORWARD50

49 Solve the puzzles to win a $50 gift card!WHAT SAYING?

12 Take a look at our top picks from this month!STAYING IN

Summaries of some of this month's events.MAY HIGHLIGHTS16

24PHOTO:

Misty McElroy

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COLUMNS

Is Your Body 'Beach Ready?'HEALTH & WELLNESS 40

3513

Well-Lit HomeHOUSE TO HOME415 Daily Habits To keep You Busy-Keen42 UP IN YOUR BUSINESS

ONE TANK TRIPA Royal Day in New Orleans43SomersetTHE PAGE TURNER44The Wolf of Wall StreetLIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!44A New Way To Eat An Old FavoriteTHE DISH RAG45A Morning WalkBOTTOMS UP!46Homeowners InsuranceLAGNIAPPE47

FEATURES

The Bayou Playhouse putson Driving Miss Daisy.

WHAT YOU GETTIN'AT, MISS DAISY?24

The Stomp’n On The Bayou Music Festival takes place at the Evergreen Cajun Center.

STOMP'N ON DA BAYOU28

Thibodaux local shares herentrepreneurial experiences.

WHAT NOW?MEET SABINA MILLER.30

The One Small Step for Prader-Willi Syndrome 5K takes place at Mulberry Park.

ONE SMALL STEP13

A musical production set to thetunes of the College Inn days.

YESTERDAY ONCE MOREAT THE COLLEGE INN35

Courthouse Square in Houmahosts free, live entertainment.

DOWNTOWN LIVE AFTER 538

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Juliana Pennison

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HOROSCOPES ARIES MAR 21 – APR 20You should be trying to clear up legal contracts that have been pending. Don't count on getting any help from those you live with. Don't trust others with private information that could be used against you. Property investments will payoff. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

TAURUS APR 21 – MAY 21You can get phenomenal returns if you present your ideas to those who can back your interests. You should be making plans to spend some time with the ones you love. Don't let them blame you. You may find travel to be most rewarding. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

GEMINI MAY 22 – JUN 22You may be angry if someone tries to take credit for something you did. You need to put some trust in others. Try to stay calm and do the best you can. Throw yourself into your profession. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

CANCER JUN 23 – JUL 23This will be a good day for research and for sitting down with some good, informative reading material. You may be confused emotionally. Your emotional state could leave you vulnerable and confused. Invest wisely. Your personal life could have you tied up in knots. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

LEO JUL 24 – AUG 23You may not want to spend time around family or your home. Your ability to work with detail will bring recognition. Do something together and you'll be surprised how sweet a deal you can make. Try not to jump to conclusions. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

VIRGO AUG 24 – SEPT 23Be careful not to come on too strongly. Include the whole family or those you love. You will have to help family members sort out unfortunate difficulties. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

LIBRA SEPT 24 – OCT 23You will find that social activities will be enjoyable and will promote new connections. Involvement in fitness clubs will be conducive to engaging romantic connections. Finish those changes you've been talking about making to your residence. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

Source: Alwaysastrology.com

SCORPIO OCT 24 – NOV 22Make decisions about your professional objectives. Deal with the needs of children and get into groups that deal with self awareness. Don't gossip. Major job changes or opportunities to get ahead professionally are apparent. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 – DEC 22Secret intrigues could get you into trouble. People who try to persuade you to do things their way will annoy you. New relationships will surface through work related events. Put your efforts into moneymaking ventures. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

CAPRICORN DEC 23 – JAN 19They won't get away with it. You need activity. Travel could turn out to be more exciting than you imagined. Elders may need your help. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

AQUARIUS JAN 20 – FEB 19You need to keep busy doing things that you both enjoy. Sudden romantic infatuations could lead to a significant and prosperous connection. Your emotional partner will push the right buttons this month. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

PISCES FEB 20 – MAR 20You should sit down with someone you trust and work out a budget that will enable you to save a little extra. You can expect to experience delays or additional red tape if you deal with institutions. Don't get depressed, get busy. You can accomplish a lot if you're willing to put in a little extra time. Be careful not to come on too strongly. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

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FLASHBACKA look at your submitted photos from April.

Congratulations to South Louisiana Select White baseball team. USSSA Bayouland Baseball Tournament 13U Champions at the Houma Airbase.

Caroline and Camille Bower at the Italian Irish Parade in St. Bernard showing off some of the stuff they caught from the float.

The Art Works Committee had a great turnout after being featured in What Now Magazine!

The Leadership Lafourche class took a tour of Port Fourchon this month.

Friends gather on the red carpet at the BCCM’s Casino Night.

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Thibodaux Relay for Life participants sign a “Fight Back” banner Misty Leigh McElroy and daughter

Taylor at French Quarter Fest

Ribbon Cutting at Fusion Wellness Solutions in Thibodaux

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Todd Adams playing the Blue Dog piano.Andie & Jake Giardina at the BCCM’s Casino Night

Vintage Garden Cafe, LLC Ribbon Cutting in Houma

A Hooded Warbler busy foraging for insects during GrandIsle’s Migratory Bird Celebration. Taken by Natalie Waters.

Anne Gremillion and daughter, Allison Thompson, walked the What Now red carpet at Art Walks at NSU.

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SNACKTurkey Pickle Roll UpsIngredIents: 8 slices of turkey | 4 tbsp of whipped cream cheese | 2 whole dill pickles.

Cut pickle into quarters lengthwise.Spread one piece of lunchmeat withhalf of a ntablespoon of cream cheese. Add one piece of pickle and roll up.Cut in half and serve.

GAMEHollywood Game Night Party GameThe Hollywood Game Night Party Game transports all the fun and high jinx of the NBC series, hosted by Jane Lynch, right into

everyone's living room. The game includes five different card games, dual-purpose coasters, a timer, a dry erase score chart and a marker to keep score. Players will learn how well they know pop culture, who can "doo" a song the best, and which team can conquer the Celebrity Name Game Challenge.

MOVIEThe Monuments MenTo be released to Blu-ray and DVD on May 20, The Monuments Men features an unlikely World War II platoon (with a cast of

George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, and countless others) which is tasked to rescue art masterpieces fromNazi thieves and return them to their owners.

BOOKBeowulf: A Translation and Commentary by J. R. R. TolkienOn May 22, high school and college students should fear no longer. The epic poem, Beowulf, was translated back in 1926 by none other than legendary Lord of the Rings author, J. R. R. Tolkien, and is soon to be published this month. Even if you find his work to be borderline-comprehensive, I’m

sure it beats reading other translations throughout the years.

STAYING INTake a look at ourtop picks this month.

MUSICGhost Stories by ColdplayGhost Stories is the sixth studio album by British alternative rock band, Coldplay. To be released on May 16, two singles precede the album: Magic, released in March, and Midnight, released in April.

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Prader-Willi syndrome is a genetic disorder that is caused by a lack of genetic material in a region of chromosome 15. This disorder occurs in approximately one out of

every fifteen thousand births and affects both males and females of all races and ethnicities. Though there is no clear scientific connection yet to how, the symptoms of Prader-Willi syndrome are thought to be caused by the dysfunction of the hypothalamus---a small endocrine organ at the base of the brain that links the nervous system to the endocrine system through the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus controls many important bodily functions such as hunger, thirst, body temperature, sleep-wake balance, fluid balance, emotions, and fertility.

ONE SMALL STEPBrittany WhatleyThe One Small Step for Prader-Willi

Syndrome 5K will take place on Saturday, May 17 at Mulberry Park in Houma.

Photo: SubmittedMulberry Park hosts the One Small Step 5k.

THE TWO STAGES OF SYMPTOMSThe symptoms of Prader-Willi syndrome occur in two stages. In the first stage, infants appear to be “floppy” with very low muscle tone, have a weak cry and poor suck reflex, an inability to breastfeed, and a delayed development of Motor skills. The second stage of symptoms is characterized by an unregulated appetite and usually begins between two and eight years of age. In this stage, individuals are generally not able to control food intake and tend to have a lower metabolic rate, and when these issues are left untreated, the individuals may become morbidly

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obese. In addition, individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome typically exhibit mental challenges and learning disabilities. Other symptoms include small stature, small hands and feet, scoliosis, daytime sleepiness, high tolerance for pain, abnormalities in speech, infertility, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, skin picking, and difficulty controlling emotions.

IS PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME TREATABLE?As of now, there is no cure for Prader-Willi syndrome, but the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research is constantly striving to advance research toward understanding and treating specific aspects of the syndrome and eventually discovering a cure. Despite the lack of a cure, the most severe symptoms of Prader-Willi syndrome are treatable. For example, because growth hormone deficiency is present in almost all children with the syndrome, the most common treatment is human growth hormone, or HGH, which has proven to be beneficial to treatment by increasing height, decreasing body fat, increasing muscle mass, improving weight distribution, increasing stamina, increasing bone mineral density, and has had positive effects on development and behavior. Other symptoms, like the inability to control food intake, excessive daytime sleepiness, and

behavioral issues are not as easily treated because there is no one medication or method of therapy that has proven effective in treating all patients.

THE FOUNDATION FOR PRADER-WILLI RESEARCHThe Foundation for Prader-Willi Research, or FPWR, is a non profit organization established in 2003 that is dedicated to advancing research to help individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome lead more healthy and fulfilling lives. The mission of FPWR, as stated on their website (fpwr.org), “is to eliminate the challenges of Prader-Willi syndrome through the advancement of research. High-quality research will lead to more effective treatments and an eventual cure for this disorder. By working together, we intend to free our loved ones from the burdens of PWS, allowing them to lead

full and independent lives.” FPWR operates by selecting research projects that are both scientifically meritorious and highly relevant for individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome. Today, the FWPR has committed more that three

million dollars to support research, has funded more than sixty research projects, and has awarded over seventy research grants since its establishment in 2003. The research projects funded by FPWR cover various areas of research including: genetics and

“BY WORKING TOGETHER, WE INTEND TO FREE OUR LOVED ONES FROM THE

BURDENS OF PWS, ALLOWING THEM TO LEAD FULL AND INDEPENDENT LIVES.”

– The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research Mission

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pathophysiology of PWS, development of mouse models of PWS, hunger, obesity, and reward circuits of the brain, development of new therapies for PWS, understanding sleep disturbances in PWS, and improving academic and learning skills for children with PWS. FPWR remains the only organization dedicated to Prader-Willi syndrome.

ONE SMALL STEP INTERNATIONALThe Foundation for Prader-Willi Research has initiated The International One Small Step Walkathon---the world’s most collaborative PWS fundraising initiative---as a way for everyone in the PWS community to come together to ultimately achieve their mission. Today, many countries host these events including: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The organizations that participate in the event include FPWR, FPWR Canada, FPWR UK, Prader-Willi Belgium, Prader-Willi France, and PWS New Zealand. The goal of One Small Step this year is to raise $1,500,000, and with over 10,000 walkers participating each year, the walkathon has already raised $137,400 of their goal, all of which will be used by the FPWR to support investigator initiated grants, PWS clinical trials, resource sharing grants, and the Global PWS Registry.

The endocrine system refers to the collection of glands of an

organism that secrete hormones directly into the circulatory

system to be carried toward a distant target organ.

Say What!?Say What!? TO RECEIVE MUCH, YOU MUST GIVE MUCHOne Small Step does not only benefit research for PWS, but it also gives back to those who participate. Fundraisers for One Small Step have the opportunity of winning prizes based on the amount of money they raise. Fundraisers who raise a minimum of $200 will automatically be entered to win an Apple iPad Mini. Fundraisers who raise a minimum of $1,000, along with parents and legal guardians of individuals with PWS are automatically entered to win a trip to the FPWR Research conference in 2014 for every $1,000 they raise. Any interested parties can sign up to be a fundraiser at onesmallstep.fpwr.org.

ONE SMALL STEP AT HOMEAs of now, Houma, Louisiana hosts the sixth most profitable One Small Step Walkathon in the world. This year, Houma will be hosting its third annual One Small Step Walkathon with the goal of raising $30,000 for the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research. So far, funds have already reached over $6,000 with more and more people donating each day. Donations to One Small Step of Houma can be made by visiting onesmallstep.fpwr.org/dw/walking/location/970.

WHAT NOW?The third annual One Small Step Walkathon in Houma, Louisiana will be held at Mulberry Park on Saturday, May 17. Registration begins at 7:30 AM with no registration fee, and the 5k Run will begin at 9:00 AM. For children ages 12 and under, a half-mile Fun Run will begin at 8:30 AM. After the run, there will be many fun and family friendly activities for everyone involved. Raffle prizes will be available from a variety of local businesses, and awards will be given to the overall First, Second, and Third place winners of the 5K Run, along with First and Second place of the 5K walkers in the following age groups: 14 and under; 15 through 19; 20 through 29; 30 through 39; 40 through 49; 50 through 59; 60 and over. Additionally, all finishers of the half-mile Fun Run will receive a prize. Everyone is invited to attend the event and help support research for this genetic disorder. All it takes is one small step.WN

SAT | MAY 17 | 9AMMULBERRY PARK | HOUMA

Photo: SubmittedRunners from last year’s One Small Step 5k.

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THIBODAUXFIREMEN’S FAIR

MAY HIGHLIGHTS

The Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) invites you to join in the fun at this year’s Thibodaux Firemen’s Fair. The TVFD was organized in 1874 although fire companies were formed prior to this. In 1843, the town of Thibodaux purchased fire-fighting equipment along with 150 feet of hose and a dozen leather buckets. This led to the creation of Thibodaux Fire Co. No. 1. In 1850, McAllister Fire Company No. 2, named after the first mayor of Thibodaux, was formed. This company received a new hand-operated pumper in 1853 at a cost of $1,200. In 1858, the two groups joined forces and became the first unified fire company to receive official recognition by the town council under the name of Thibodaux Fire Co. No. 1. This company continues to be an active fire company still today and is the oldest company of the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department.

“Being the Grand Marshal is probably the highest honor that an individual can receive from the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department,” says Michael Naquin. “However, as a member of the fire department, it is a special honor for me as I have also had the honor of having served this great department 15 years as Fire Chief (1997 -2011). While serving as Fire Chief, the idea of being a Grand Marshal was something I never gave much thought to. It really was not on my radar. When I was asked to be Grand Marshal, it was a complete surprise and totally unexpected. Knowing the honor and distinction that being a Grand Marshal brings along with my service to the department, being selected gives me a great sense of pride and satisfaction for being recognized by the members of the department for my service to the department and the community.”

MAY 1 | 2 | 3 | 4FIREMEN'S FAIRGROUNDSTHIBODAUX

Photo: SubmittedThibodaux Firemen’s Fair rides.

As for the Firemen’s Fair Parade, the theme this year is “National Monuments” and each company float will be based on a different national monument. “The Thibodaux Firemen’s Fair is the main fund raising event for the fire department,” says Naquin. “All proceeds are used to operate the department and purchase fire-fighting equipment. The revenue generated by the fair/auction is about half of the money needed to operate the department. The other funds needed to operate the department come from private grants and tax support.”

This year’s fair will have pay-one-price rides on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Thursday and Friday times are 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM. Saturday times are 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Pay-one-price cost is $20.00. Located at the Firemen’s Fairgrounds in Thibodaux, with no admission charge and free parking, the Thibodaux Firemen’s Fair is sure to be fun for the family!

TARC’S GARDEN AND MARKET FESTIVALSAT | MAY 3 | 8:30AM-3PM TARCHOUMA

Photo: SubmittedFlowers from last year’s festival.

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It’s that time of the year again! On Saturday, May 3 The Terrebonne ARC (TARC) Garden and Market Festival will be held on the grounds of TARC at No. 1 McCord Road in Houma from 8:30 AM till 3:00 PM.

Terrebonne ARC (TARC) (an agency that provides jobs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities) is partnering once again with the La-Terre Master Gardeners and LSU AgCenter. These agencies will be providing speakers, educational displays, and demonstrations for garden enthusiasts.

“We embrace this yearly opportunity and look forward to another great year,” states Erica Null, Marketing Director for TARC. “We have many unique plants each and every year that are sold by our vendors. In addition, Frank Ball is returning this year and adding two horn players to play with him; Jon Smith (Grammy Award winner saxophone player) and Jack Bunn (local renown trumpet player).”

“This event is perfect for the beginning gardeners as well as the expert gardeners,” says Null. “There will be expert speakers, vendors selling plants, supplies, lawn and garden merchandise, and food provided by TARC.”

Cost to attend the event is $3.00 for adults and free admission for children 12 and under. All proceeds from the event benefit the men and women of Terrebonne Arc.

For more information on this event you can contact Erica Null at TARC at 985.876.4465 or visit their website terrebonnearc.org/news/garden-and-market-festival. Hope to see you there!

CINCO DE MAYOMON | MAY 5 | ALL DAY NATIONAL HOLIDAY

What will you be doing on May 5? Eating some salsa and chips? Perhaps downing a margarita or five? Maybe we’ll find you with a sombrero on your head while surrounded by a mariachi band because it’s Cinco De Mayo!

Cinco De Mayo, translated into English as “The Fifth of May,” is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico. It is especially celebrated in U. S. cities, which have a significant Mexican population. It is not, as many people think, Mexico’s Independence Day, which is actually on September 16.

The celebration of Cinco De Mayo usually consists of Mexican cuisine, music, beverages, and dancing. Many outfits and costumes are also worn on the holiday, celebrating the Mexican culture with colorful dresses, shirts, and sombreros. Several U. S. cities even host parades and concerts during the week following up to Cinco De Mayo, making it a bigger holiday north of the U. S. – Mexican boarder, that it is to the south.

There are numerous ways to celebrate Cinco De Mayo. If you are more of a stay-at-home type person, why not whip up some margs and create a spicy Mexican dish for supper? The Internet offers great sources for food and drink recipes.

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Photo: SubmittedA view of Downtown Thibodaux

GIRLS ON THE RUN SPRING 5K SAT | MAY 10 | 8AM | RACE 9:30AMTHE NEIGHBORHOODS OF SUMMERFIELD& SUGAR MILL, | HOUMA

Since July of 2011, the Bayou Region’s Girls on the Run program has created more self-assured girls who are able to exercise physically as well as emotionally. Following Girls on the Run International, the curriculum lasts for 10 weeks after school for one hour and 15 minutes for girls in grades 3-5 and 6-8. Women who volunteer spend their time teaching the girls lessons about positive self-esteem, choosing friends wisely, expressing gratitude, and community service.

Council Director Laura Ramirez explains, “Some of the girls have no positive female role models in their lives, except for their teachers. Girls on the Run gives them strong, powerful, unique women to confide in and learn from. Our coaches often tell us that they learn from the girls, too! Coaching is such a powerful, uplifting experience–you leave every practice feeling good about yourself and knowing you have made others feel the same way!”

“The Spring 5K is the culmination of the season. All of the girls from all of the schools come together to run the 5K together. For many of them, it will be their first 5K,” says Ms. Ramirez. “We stress that this is a non-competitive event designed to encourage every girl to reach the finish line at their own pace. The girls can run, walk, skip, or jump their way to the finish—we encourage them to just keep moving forward. Before and after the race, we will have activities that include a bib bedazzling station, happy

INAUGURAL QUEEN CITY ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL SAT | MAY 10 | 8AM-5PMDOWNTOWN THIBODAUX

On Saturday, May 10, Downtown Thibodaux will open its streets to the Inaugural Queen City Arts & Crafts Festival. The event is a spring arts and crafts festival that will take place each year in the downtown area. The festival will have food, entertainment, and numerous arts & crafts vendors, just in time for Mother’s Day gifts!

For those who enjoy a night out on the town, check out your local Mexican restaurant for some Cinco De Mayo fun!

Whether you want to relax at home or enjoy a night out, Cinco De Mayo can be celebrated in your own way. With plenty of options to choose from on a Monday night, it’s definitely worth enjoying May 5 and possibly taking off of work May 6 (if you know what I mean). As the old saying goes, “one tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor!”

“This will be the first spring arts & crafts festival in Downtown Thibodaux,” states Rhonda Dempster, Director of Thibodaux Main Street, Inc. “The Queen City Festival will bring people out to enjoy the day, do a little arts & crafts shopping, as well as see what downtown shops, boutiques, restaurants, anddrinking establishments have to offer.”

“With spring being such a great time to be outdoors and enjoy the warm weather, we are very excited about starting up this festival,” says Dempster. “It’s a great way for local artisans to show off their talents by selling their work in the streets of downtown. Great music, food, and fun will accompanythe experience of walking the historic streets.”

Photo: SubmittedA fresh margarita for Cinco De Mayo

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hair station, inspiration station, and more. We will also have a DJ dance party!”

Each girl who is participating needs a buddy runner, so volunteers are needed. “We are in need of runners to run with the girls at each girl's pace,” Laura says. “We also need help on the race course and at the event. Other ways to get involved with the organization are to become a volunteer coach, become a board member, or other one-time volunteer opportunities.”The Girls on the Run Spring 5K’s mission is to show its participants that “no matter your age, your size, your income level, or your athleticism–you can set goals for yourself and reach them. We all have our own unique and special talents, and that is what makes each one of us valuable!”

The event will take place on Saturday, May 10 with arrival starting at 8:00 AM and the race starting at 9:30 AM. For more information email Laura Ramirez at [email protected] or visit their site girlsontherunht.org.

Photo: SubmittedA group of girls from last year’s event.

THE BRAZIL 5K SAT | MAY 24 | 9AMCAMPUS OF FBC | HOUMA

Did you run a 5K yet this spring? If not, then make your way to Houma for The Brazil 5K. “The Brail 5K is a 5K run/walk with all proceeds going to the First Baptist Church (Houma) Youth Mission Trip to Brazil in July,” states Cory Bourg of Split Second, LLC who will be in charge of race timing and directing the event.

“The 5K is just one more way to help these kids earn money to make the trip to Brazil for missionary reasons.”

“One of the things I am looking forward to about the event is helping the First Baptist Youth raise money. We are all called to Go Therefore and Tell the World about Jesus Christ. I commend these young people for their faith and love to share the gospel,” says Bourg.

The event will be held on Saturday, May 24 starting at 9:00 AM on the campus of FBC in Houma (4863 Park Avenue, Houma, LA 70364). Cost to participate is between $25.00 and $35.00 depending on application timeline.

For more information regarding this event or organization, you can contact Brent Jones at [email protected] or 985.851.2520. Happy running!

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MAY 27 | TUE | 3PM FACE PAINTINGRaceland Public LibraryFree

MAY 28 | WED | 2PM NACHOS & MOVIE: JUDY MOODY AND THE NOT BUMMER SUMMERChoctaw Public Library Free

MAY 29 | THU | 4-6PMANIME FUN DAYThibodaux Public LibraryFree


MAY 30 | FRI | 2PM SUMMER KICKOFF CELEBRATIONBayou Blue Public LibraryFree

MAY 17-18 | SAT–SUNFIRST ANNUAL FISH ROUND UPMontegut Marina | Montegut$25 entry fee



MAY 30 | FRI | 5PM–12AM MAY 31 | SAT | 10–12AMSTOMP’N ON THE BAYOUMUSIC FESTIVALEvergreen Cajun Center | HoumaFree Admission

MAY 30 | FRI | 5:30–10PMDOWNTOWN LIVE AFTER 5 FEATURING BLUE EYED SOULCourt House Square | HoumaNo gate fee

MAY 30 | FRI | 7:30PMDRIVING MISS DAISYThe Bayou Playhouse, LockportTickets available

MAY 30 | FRI | 10PMRUSS CHERAMIEThe Foundry on The Bayou, ThibodauxNo Cover

MAY 31 | SAT | 7–11AMTHIBODAUX MAIN STREET FARMER’S MARKETJean Lafitte Park, ThibodauxNo gate fee




MAY 31 | SAT | 10PMJOHN DAIGLEThe Foundry on The Bayou, ThibodauxNo Cover

WEEK 4

DON'T FORGET TO SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS TO WHATNOWMAG.COM TO SEE IT LISTED HERE!

MAY 19 | MON | 10AM SENIOR STRIKERS WIIBOWLING FOR SENIORSLarose Public LibraryFree

MAY 19 | MON | 10:30AMCANVAS CREATIONSMIXED MEDIA CRAFTRaceland Public LibraryFree


MAY 20 | TUE | 5PMTEEN/TWEEN MIXED MEDIA PAINT WORKSHOPRaceland Public LibraryFree

MAY 20 | TUE | 4PMLA TABLE FRANCAISE CAJUN FRENCH MEETUP GROUPSouth Lafourche Public LibraryFree

MAY 21 | WED | 4:30PMPINTEREST DIY ELASTIC BRACELETSChoctaw Public LibraryFree

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MAY 22-24 | THU–SATHOUMA OILMAN’SFISHING INVITATIONALHarbor Light Marina | Cocodrie$25 entry fee


MAY 23 | FRI | 5-11PML.R.B.A. RABBIT SHOWEvergreen Cajun Center, HoumaOpen to the Public

MAY 23 | FRI | 10PMRUSS CHERAMIEThe Foundry on The Bayou, ThibodauxNo Cover



MAY 24 | SAT | 6AM-6PML.R.B.A. RABBIT SHOWEvergreen Cajun Center, HoumaOpen to the Public


MAY 24 | SAT | 2PMADULT SCRAPBOOKINGLockport Public LibraryFree





WEEK 5

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Driving Miss Daisy at the Bayou Playhouse. From left to right: John “Spud” McConnell, Lance E. Nichols, and Janet Shea.

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“What you gettin’ at, Miss Daisy?” asks Hoke in the Pulitzer Prize winning play written by Alfred Uhry.

“Driving Miss Daisy” is a play that everyone shouldsee. It tells the story of unlikely friendship while offering humor and wisdom that one can only get from watching a live production.

Perry Martin, director of the Bayou Playhouse, explains, “Winner of the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for Best Play, this classic Southern comedy and drama takes place in 1948, just before the Civil Rights movement began. “Driving Miss Daisy” is a warm-hearted, humorous and affecting study

of the unlikely relationship between an aging, crotchety white Southern lady (multi-award

winning actress, Janet Shea) and a proud, soft-spoken black man (HBO “Treme”

co-star Lance E. Nichols). Featuring John “Spud” McConnell as

Miss Daisy’s dedicated and long-suffering son.

An Obie &

Megan Ledet THE “DRIVING MISS DAISY” PRODUCTION OPENS ON MAY 9 AT THE BAYOU PLAYHOUSE IN LOCKPORT.

Outer Critic’s Circle Award winning long-running Off-Broadway success, “Driving Miss Daisy” was later adapted into an Academy Award-winning film.”

Between May 9 and June 1, the production will show every Friday and Saturday evening at 8:00 PM. There will be Sunday Matinees at 2:30 PM.

Photo: Misty Leigh McElroy

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REPRESENTING THE SOUTHThe Bayou Playhouse in Lockport was founded in 2008 by Artistic Director Perry Martin, Technical Supervisor David Guidry, and the original Managing Director Karissa Kary. Cindy Griffin now works as the Managing Director at the Bayou Playhouse. Perry Martin explains,

“The Bayou Playhouse is the home of the Halifax Theatre Company whose mission is to promote and showcase - through live performance - the South's most precious natural resources; its amazing and talented people, its art and culture and its colorful history. The Bayou Playhouse, built from pieces and parts of New Orleans theaters destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, sits over the waters of Bayou Lafourche located in the heart of South Louisiana's Cajun country. Our primary focus is on premiering new professional works about the South by Southern Playwrights and celebrating the Southern mystic with a strong focus on Louisiana culture.”

He continues, “Over 30,000 theatre patrons have enjoyed plays, concerts, comedy nights and a variety of entertainment events at the Bayou Playhouse over the 6 years it's been opened. The Bayou Playhouse is located at 101 Main Street, in the bayou town of Lockport, Louisiana. The Playhouse is located just 30 minutes from Houma and Thibodaux and just an hour’s drive from Downtown New Orleans. The Bayou Playhouse is the only professional theatre south of New Orleans.”

Perry has been with the Bayou Playhouse since its inception and has a passion for what he does. He says, "It has always been my dream to come back and help promote theatre and the Arts in my natural habitat. I love seeing our regular patrons enjoy our art each night. There's

a bigger joy in introducing new patrons to live theatre. The Bayou Playhouse is a non-profit Arts theatre so it doesn't put food on my table but it feeds my artistic soul.” On why he loves this production of

“Driving Miss Daisy”, Perry says, “First, the Off Broadway premiere of “Driving Miss Daisy” was at New York's prestigious John Houseman Theatre - the same theatre that I directed and produced my first Off Broadway play (“The Kingfish” starring John Spud McConnell ). Also, I get to work on one of my favorite Southern-themed Pulitzer Prize winning scripts with the dream team of professional stage, film and television actors on my favorite stage for my own people.”

WHO’S WHO?Those who know anything about the acting community in New Orleans will already be familiar with the all-star cast set to lead Driving Miss Daisy. The cast will be

led by Janet Shea, Lance E. Nichols, and John “Spud” McConnell.

Janet Shea will lead the cast as Daisy Werthan. She has already appeared in acclaimed productions of “Driving Miss Daisy”. She has been directed by Perry Martin in “The Beauty Queen of Leenane”, for which she earned one of her five Big Easy Awards, “The Playboy of the Western World”, “All My Sons”, “Steel Magnolias”,

“Okra”, and the world premiere of “Miz Caraway and The Kingfish”, which co-starred Spud McConnell. She has received the Big Easy and Storer Boone Lifetime Achievement Awards for her six decades on stage, during which she has appeared in over 160 productions - including “Dorothy And Alan”, “A Streetcar Named Desire”, and

“The Glass Menagerie” to name a few. She has directed 40 more - including “Amadeus”,

“The Importance of Being Earnest”, “The Diary of Anne Frank”, and “A Christmas Carol”. She recently retired after teaching at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts

Morgan Freeman played Hoke Colburn in the 1989 movie,Driving Miss Daisy. It won 4 Academy Awards includingBest Picture!

Say What!?Say What!?

Driving Miss Daisy at the Bayou Playhouse. From left to right: Lance E. Nichols, Janet Shea, and John “Spud” McConnell.

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for twenty-one years. She is now a dialect coach in the film and television industry. She has worked in film with Paul Newman, James Franco, Elijah Wood, Nicolas Cage, Kathy Bates, Jessica Lange, Michael Curtiz, Elvis Presley, and Morgus the Magnificent.

Lance E. Nichols will lead alongside Janet as Hoke Coleburn. Lance moved to Los Angeles in 1978 to pursue his passion and do what he loves. He landed his first acting job on a game show called “The Dating Game”. After this, Lance began getting roles on more popular television shows and movies. He is best known for his role on the HBO show, “Treme”. Lance has had roles in films like “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”,

“The Campaign”, “Beautiful Creatures”, and “The Mechanic”. He also had guest roles on many television shows like “American Horror Story”, “Charmed”, “Desperate Housewives”, “Everybody Loves Raymond”,

and “House of Cards”. He and his wife Zardis founded Lanzardis Productions. The company specializes in acting and dialogue coaching in New Orleans.

John “Spud” McConnell jokes, “Lance Nichols has a huge resume as does Janet Shea. And both of theirs together doesn’t hold a candle to mine.”

Spud will act as Boolie Werthan in “Driving Miss Daisy”. He has enjoyed an acting career that spans three decades. He is perhaps best known for portraying three iconic Louisiana figures under the direction of longtime friend and college roommate, Perry Martin. These roles are Huey P. Long ("The Kingfish"), Ignatius J. Reilly

("A Confederacy of Dunces"), and Earl K. Long ("Earl Long in Purgatory"). There are those who consider Spud himself to be a Louisiana icon for his work on talk radio ("The Spud Show" WWL/WWWL) and the

community service he has provided before, during and after major events like Hurricane Katrina, the BP Oil Spill etc. John has appeared in over 100 stage, film

and television productions.

LEADING LADYThis is not Janet Shea’s first time acting as Daisy in “Driving Miss Daisy”. Both Janet and Lance have experience with the production. Because of this, Janet has a great understanding of Miss Daisy and an appreciation for the play.

“IT IS ALWAYS FUN FOR ACTORS TO MATCH WITS ON STAGE. SO IT WILL BE FOR LANCE,

SPUD, AND I.” – Janet Shea

Driving Miss Daisy at the Bayou Playhouse. From left to right: Lance E. Nichols, Janet Shea, and John “Spud” McConnell.Photo: Misty Leigh McElroy

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She explains, “Daisy’s seemingly well-ordered life is altered when she has an accident that demolishes her car and property. The last thing she wants is losing her independence. The fact that she must now depend on a chauffeur means that she will have to interact with another person every day. The exchanges between Daisy and Hoke are feisty and spirited. It is always fun for two actors to match wits on stage. So it will be for Lance, Spud, and I. Daisy’s resistance to her son and her criticism of his wife, Florine, are special laugh getters. The name Florine says it all. But there are tender moments as well.”

She continues, “Their story spans twenty years together and emotions are all over the place. It is a very fast paced twenty years at that. I don’t think that any scene goes beyond five minutes. At the end of the play, what we then realize we have seen is a love story. And building to that final moment is the best part.”

“I think “Driving Miss Daisy” is a love story, not in the romantic sense, but rather two completely different personalities learning to cope with each other, respect each other, and ultimately, to cherish each other. Daisy and Hoke give us that complete journey through moments, both humorous and touching”, she concludes.

She also explains, “When I did Daisy last year, after the show, people in the audience would say “you remind me of my mother” or “you remind me of my grandmother or “you remind me of my stubborn aunt so-and-so”. There is probably a Daisy in everyone’s life, so it is easy to laugh at her stubborn sense of independence, her staunch, outdated opinions, her righteousness, and her tight purse strings. These parts of her make her moments of tenderness even more touching. She is complex and interesting. Audiences will love her relationship with Hoke.”

On working with Spud and Lance, Janet says, “I am so honored to be working with these two gifted men. I look forward to the fun.”

WHAT NOW?Perry Martin encourages locals to come out and enjoy the performance. He says, “It is so rare for local theatre patrons to have an opportunity to see a Pulitzer Prize winning Southern Classic play in an intimate local theatre starring three of Louisiana’s most talented actors. These three actors have over 200 film and television appearances and over 300 stage productions combined. These tickets with these actors would cost $100 or more off Broadway. The Bayou Playhouse tickets are less than 25% of that price and much closer.”

Spud argues, “If you saw the movie, you know what the story is about, so you need to see better actors in it.”

The production begins showing on May 9. From May 9 to June 1, the production will show every Friday and Saturday night at 8:00 and on Sundays at 2:30 PM. Tickets cost $23 online or $25 at the door. You can visit bayouplayhouse.com or call 1 (888) 99BAYOU (22968) ext. 1 for more information. The Bayou Playhouse can be found at 101 Main Street, Lockport, Louisiana 70374.

Spud also gives excellent directions. He says, “Perry’s place where he does his little plays are by the locks where the bayou turns right- or left depending on which way you’re coming.” Come out and enjoy a wonderful performance of “Driving Miss Daisy”. WN

Lance E. Nichols as Hoke Colburn

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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS, GO TO WHATNOWMAG.COM

Photo: Misty Leigh McElroy

Janet Shea as Daisy Werthan John “Spud” McConnell as Boolie Werthan

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The Stomp’n on da Bayou Music Festival, hosted by the Evergreen Associates, offers a variety of music and fun for everyone to enjoy. There will be live bands, food, and

games for all ages. As far as the music goes, there is something for everyone. The festival will host live bands featuring swamp pop, rock and roll, country music, and other genres. The president of Evergreen Associates, Charolette Sanders, says,

“All the musicians are from South Louisiana. All the bands play a variety of music, where you can dance or just sit and listen.”

Along with food, drinks, and cold beer, they will also have Brooke’s Sno-World on site. There are also many games and activities for people of all ages to enjoy. Charolette explains, “We will have a bazaar with fun games for the children and adults like balloon darts, duck pond, ring toss, blinko, and lollipop pull. We will have snowballs and we are trying to get a petting zoo.”

STOMP’N ONDA BAYOU

Megan LedetThe Stomp’n On Da Bayou MusicFestival takes place May 30 throughJune 1 at the Evergreen Cajun Center in Houma.

Photo: SubmittedLouisiana Lions Camp signage.

STOMP’N FOR A CAUSEThe Festival is a place for southerners to enjoy good food and music and also a chance to give back to the community. The proceeds from the festival are donated to many different organizations, but the majority of the money raised at the festival will be donated to Cystic Fibrosis, the Louisiana Lion’s Crippled Children Camp, and LA Lion’s Eye Foundation. Charolette explains, “We have various community projects. Louisiana Cripple Children Camp in Leeville, La is a camp for handicap children to

do things for one week during the summer and be themselves. We have an eye clinic for those in need. We provide eye

exams and glasses. The doctor is an LSU doctor from New Orleans. We also provide food for those in need, uniforms and school supplies for the schools, pressure washers and weed eaters for the inmate program, bullet proof vests for the deputies, and supplies

“OUR MEMBERS DONATE A LOT OF LONG HOURS TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE AND IT PUTS A SMILE ON THEIR FACES.” – Charolette Sanders

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Photo: SubmittedEvergreen Cajun Center in Houma.

Swamp pop is a musical genre indigenous to the Acadiana region of south Louisiana

and an adjoining section of southeast Texas. Created in the 1950s and early 1960s,

it combines New Orleans-style rhythm and blues, country and western, and traditional French

Louisiana musical influences.


LINEUP

TET DURFri | May 30 | 5PM8:30PM

JUNIOR LA CROSSEFri | May 30 | 9PM–12AM

TET DURSat | May 31 | 10AM–1PM

TRIPLE PLAYSat | May 31 | 1:30PM-4:30PM

RO SHAM BOSat | May 31 | 5PM-8:30PM

SHEAUX DOWNSat | May 31 | 9PM–12AM

TET DURSun | June 1 | 10AM–1PM

ROCKIN' OLDIESSun | Jun 1 | 3PM–6PM

to the fire departments. We support a free candy give-away for Easter and Halloween. We also take three nursing home patients on a luncheon at Dynasty Buffet every three months. We donate money to Relay for Life, TARC, and different school activities and sports. We collect clothing for victims of floods, fires, hurricanes, and tornados in different states. We also donate 175 gift certificates from Rouses for food during Christmas.”

Information on the Louisiana Lion’s Camp can be found at lionscamp.org. The site says, “The Louisiana Lions Camp is a non-profit residential summer camp, owned and operated by the Louisiana Lions League for Crippled Children, Inc. Louisiana Lions Camp is free for boys and girls of Louisiana with mental and physical challenges, diabetes, and pulmonary disorders.”

The site continues, “It is the dream of children with physical and mental disabilities to run and play and be treated as normal children. Part of this dream became a reality in 1957 when the Louisiana Lions League for Crippled Children, Inc. was chartered. Construction began and a camp for 8 – 15 year

old children with physical disabilities opened in 1961. Shortly afterwards, youth with mental disabilities were included within the programming and in 1989 insulin dependent youth with diabetes and children with pulmonary disorders were included in the camping program.”

Charolette explains, “People should visit the website or visit the Lions Club Cripple Children Camp to see why we work so hard to raise money for people less fortunate. Our members donate a lot of long hours to raise money for the less fortunate and it puts a smile on their faces. To bring a family in need groceries, or a child that never had a bike, a bike or a pair of new shoes. When the people of our parish and surrounding parishes come and support our fundraiser, we know in our hearts we were successful and look forward to seeing many more smiles. I also feel that you never know when you are going to be in need and I hope that there is an organization like the Lions Club and Evergreen Associates there if I am ever in need.”

WHAT NOW?The Stomp’n on da Bayou Music festival begins on Friday, May 30 at 5:00 PM and ends at 12:30 AM. On Saturday, May 31, the festival begins at 10:00 AM and ends at 12:30 AM. On the final day of the festival, Sunday, June 1, the doors open at 10:00 AM and close at 6:30 PM. The festival takes place at the Evergreen Cajun Center at 4694 West Main Street in Houma, Louisiana. Charolette says “the music, food, and people” are her favorite part of the festival and she looks forward to seeing friends and making new ones this year. Come out and have a good time while supporting those in need! WN

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Sabina Miller of Thibodaux.Photo: Juliana Pennison

WHAT NOW?Brittany WhatleyMeet Sabina Miller

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by the sheer grace of God. I just cannot imagine any other way to answer the question. I had individual pralines in the Rouses stores and I actually prayed to ask for a better way to keep up with the demand. I literally woke up one morning with the mason jars on my mind, and then I went into test-kitchen mode. I am FDA Certified and was informed that I would need to have the product tested. Consequently, I had my Pralines In A Jar tested by a food scientist at LSU. I immediately applied for a patent, and the rest is history.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO DEVELOP THIS PRODUCT? DID ANYONE HELP YOU DEVELOP IT?The process of developing Pralines In A Jar, from concept to real product, was approximately one year. I developed this product completely on my own with a lot of guidance from above. I’ve often heard the phrase, “What God has for you, is for you,” and I feel that I am a personified testimonial of that statement.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?My time is filled with my passion for: crochet---I have a line of really cool and chic hats called The Polar Vortex Hats; painting; beaded art; manufacturing my product, Pralines In A Jar; flower gardening; and inspiring others.

WHERE WEREYOU BORN?I was born at Oak Alley in St. James Parish. My mother is from the neighboring plantation, St. Joseph. My father worked at Oak Alley for Mr. Paul Ory, and my mother, was a graduate of Katie Wickhams School of Beauty in New Orleans. What schools have you attended?South Vacherie Elementary, St. James High School, Northwestern State University, Nicholls State University, University of Phoenix, and Lafourche Parish Police Academy. All great schools!

WHAT DEGREE(S) DID YOU PURSUE AT NICHOLLS?I earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies. At the University of Phoenix I earned a Master’s Degree in Marketing and Public Administration.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES FROM YOUR TIME AT NICHOLLS?My favorite memories are managing the Testing Center and Interacting with the foreign students and learning about the various cultural beliefs.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO MOVE TO THIBODAUX PERMANENTLY?I married into a Sicilian family, had children, and life just sort of took its course here.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THIBODAUX/LAFOURCHE PARISH?I love and appreciate that the community comes together for a good cause. I also love Mardi Gras and other festivals that seems to bring all of us together.

WHAT ATTRACTIONS WOULD YOU SUGGEST TO VISITORS OF THIBODAUX OR LAFOURCHE PARISH?The Jean Lafitte Park, Perry Martin’s Bayou Playhouse in Lockport, Grand Isle, and La Petite City Bakery---the only licensed praliniere in Lafourche!

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA FOR PRALINES-IN-A-JAR?The idea for Pralines In A Jar was granted

Thibodaux local Sabina Miller talks about her entrepreneurial experiences and her motivation to create her product, Pralines-In-A-Jar. She also mentions her bringing up, advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, and her experience with

auditioning for ABC’s hit television show, Shark Tank.

La Petite City Bakery in Thibodaux.Photo: Juliana Pennison

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WHAT MAKES PRALINES-IN-A-JAR UNIQUE?Pralines In A Jar is unique in that it is not just another food product that is conducive to just candy. It is a process that takes a traditional southern treat to an entirely different level. For example, a great benefit is that it saves time for mom (or any parent) who loves to make this treat when the family gets together. Because of Pralines In A Jar, the cook can now spend more time with the family and less time in the kitchen. Some of the awesome uses are as follows: cake topper; cake filler; bread pudding topper; yam topper; ice cream topper; and pralined pretzels for a sweet/salty snack. Pralines In A Jar also serves as a basis for other types of candy including creamy peanut butter fudge and marshmallow/divinity fudge.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE KEY INGREDIENTS TO STARTING A BUSINESS?Starting a business takes a lot of confidence. The things that you don’t know will come to you as you seek them, so you can always depend on that knowledge to come, especially through experience. However, the single one thing that you had better already know is that you are in it for the long run. Running a business is like running a marathon; it has no finish line. Each day brings its own challenge, and tempering the growth of my business has been my greatest challenge. I have large corporate associates waiting on me, but I will not adhere to their demands until I am secure with a partner (which I am seeking at this time) that understands my vision.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAMEOF THIS PRODUCT?The product seemed to name it self;it was very easy.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO HAVE CREATED YOUR OWN PRODUCT? DID YOU KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE SO SUCCESSFUL?

Having created this product is an immensely humbling experience. Success, in my opinion, is such a personal term; I feel that I will consider

myself successful when I can actually contribute something to my community that will aid in its growth and inspiration of our youth. I feel very strongly about inspiring people---not with the car I drive, but with what I have done with my life to make the world just a little bit better.

IS IT HARD TO STARTA BUSINESS IN ASMALL TOWN?For me, it was very easy to start the

business of making individual pralines, which evolved from my initially trying to help a friend to my actually going through the process of what I was trying to help her accomplish. On the other hand, it is not so easy to convince folks that they should give up a traditional process that is time-consuming, expensive, and, oftentimes, an unsuccessful attempt at making pralines in exchange for a newly

invented process of making pralines in five minutes that are always creamy and perfect. My vision is inclusive of exporting my

product---a vision stems from extensive research that indicates the demand for products like mine in countries like Japan.

WHAT WAS YOUR AUDITION EXPERIENCE LIKE?My audition for Shark Tank was surreal. It was held at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. I was there very early despite the very

Shark Tank is an American reality TV series that features a panel of potential investors, called "sharks", that considers offers from aspiring entrepreneurs seeking investments for their business or product.


“THE IDEA FOR PRALINES IN A JAR WAS GRANTED BY

THE SHEER GRACE OF GOD.” – Sabina Miller

Sweet Sabina’s Pralines In A Jar.

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bad weather. There were five hundred bracelets given that morning, and I was fortunate enough to get one of them, especially considering the fact that there were at least fifteen hundred people that showed up. At some point, when your number was called, you would enter a large room and were given sixty seconds to tout your spiel. I enjoyed every moment of the process, but even now, it seems like a kind of out-of-body experience. Finally, we were told that we had up until August 2014 to get a follow-up call of acceptance. In the interim of waiting for that call, I am seeking a local partner.

HOW HAS THE EXPERIENCE HELPED YOUR PRODUCT TO GROW?The fact that I auditioned is a great selling point/tool that I have added to my asset box when marketing my business.

HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO GETYOUR PRODUCT “OUT THERE”?I have always been my own marketing agent. Rouses Enterprises is a loyal and awesome company to do business with, and their help with launching my product has been awesome. Cannata’s and Go Bear’s Texaco have also helped.

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TOAUDITION FOR SHARK TANK? My growth spurt has been amazing, but it also demands that I get a partner on board before I go into overload. Shark Tank may be the vehicle to bring that partner and me together.

Undoubtedly, I would love to have a local partner, but, at this point, a Shark by any other name is still a Shark, right?

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THE EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT YOU?I feel that the Shark Tank audition has humbled me even more. As a result of this audition and my level of education and experiences, I feel so compelled to share my story with young people. I also feel that it is quite risky to present information to our youth to make them feel that they are safe without a formal education; some folks get lucky without a college degree, but eventually they always have to hire someone with a college degree to bring them to the next level.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS?Search within yourself and discover what you are most passionate about and then do the research. Can you make a living by pursuing that passion? If you can, then pursue it quickly. In addition to that, always have a plan B and C. Finally, I advise adamantly that you wholeheartedly seek a formal college degree.

WHERE CAN CUSTOMERS BUYYOUR PRALINES-IN-A-JAR?In the baking section at Rouses Supermarkets, in display boxes at Cannata’s, and in the baker’s rack at Go Bears Texaco. Look for the fleur de lis on the jar. WN

Photo: Juliana Pennison

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1

SUMMER CAMPS 2014

A Season of Renewal

Knowledge Is Power

April 2014

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The newest member of the Fathom Media family, going home with elementary school students in

Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes

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YESTERDAY ONCE MORE AT THE COLLEGE INN

Celeste RobertsLorna Farrar and Bernadette Dugas of theSouth Louisiana Casting and Production Co. are bringing back more music from the College Inn.

Photo: SubmittedThe College Inn back in the day.

Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes have a rich history of seafood, architecture, art—and music. In the 1950s and 1960s, Thibodaux was home to the beloved College Inn, a

popular dance hall where teenagers and college students alike would gather on the weekends and dance the night away. Lester Fremin, his wife, and Chippy Lirette owned the College Inn. Folks from surrounding cities and even other states would journey to the College Inn to enjoy music performed by local talents as well as famous musicians such as Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Dr. John, and Deacon John.

If you miss the sounds from the “good ol’ days” or simply adore classic rock n’ roll, you’re in for a treat: Lorna Farrar and Bernadette Dugas of the South Louisiana Casting and Production Co. are bringing back more music from the College Inn, titled “Yesterday Once More at the College Inn.” This new show will include new

songs, a few new and exciting vocalists as well as some of your favorites, and a bit of a surprise!

Lorna and Bernadette both share a long history for acting and performing. Lorna worked with casting for Beasts of the Southern Wild; acted in films such as Voyager, A Gathering of Old Men, and Home Front; and acted on stage in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Steel Magnolias, and Tony & Tina’s Wedding. Bernadette and her son, Dustin Dugas Schuetter, own Aria Relic Cinema, a film production company in Thibodaux, and Studio Bluenoir, a film production studio in Los Angeles. They have written, produced, and distributed two feature films, Samuel Bleak and Dedd Brothers. She has worked in Hollywood in the film industry in post-production, and she hosted a live talk show for WJTV-12, a CBS affiliate in Jackson, MS, in earlier years. Bernadette and Dustin continue to work in the film industry in Los Angeles.

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A PLACE FOR FRIENDS AND SWEETHEARTS The College Inn provided not only entertainment for young people but romance as well. Charles Duet, Jr. of Schriever met his wife, Ellen, at the dance hall in 1958. He asked her to dance with him; today they have two children, five grandchildren, and onegreat-grandson.

“I used to go with my older sister and her friends from eight o’clock until midnight on Wednesdays and Fridays,” Mrs. Duet

says. “It was everybody’s favorite place. It was where everybody met; people from everywhere would go there. I loved to dance; we used to jitterbug a lot.” Once she and Charles began dating, they changed their plans. “We’d go on Saturday nights. That’s when people with dates went.”

One of her favorite traditions was waiting until midnight on Fridays for the delicious roast beef sandwiches. “Catholics

couldn’t eat meat on any Friday during the year,” she explains. “So we’d wait until after the dances ended to order roast beef sandwiches.”

The bands and the music provided lively entertainment that has remained a favorite memory. “We loved the Rhythm Kings,”

Mrs. Duet recalls. “They played rock n’ roll, but I guess most people consider that music swamp pop now. I remember dancing to ‘In the Still of the Night,’ ‘Bony Maronie,’ and

‘Blueberry Hill.’” The only problem the College Inn had? “The worst part was that so many people would smoke. It was like a haze. When we’d leave, our hair

“ANYONE WILL ENJOY THIS SHOW. ELDERLY, YOUNG, MUSICALLY-

INCLINED…ANYONE!” – Eugene Triggs, Jr.

Photo: Submitted

The Imperials: Perry Blanchard, Gerald Clause, Billy Arcement, Larry Arcement, Marcel Clause, & Freddy St. Germain.

Photo: SubmittedBobby Loveless & The Night Owls Errol Trosclair performing.

James “Sugar Boy” Crawford & The Cane Cutters

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From the earliest years of the twentieth century until the early 1960s, the dance hall

was the popular forerunner of the discothèque or nightclub.


and clothes would smell like smoke.”

Overall, though, the popular dance hall was a treasured place. “I remember paintings on the walls of shrimp boats and local items. They would glow in the dark. I also remember how safe the College Inn was. There were police officers there, and I especially remember Mr. Cliff, the manager. He would throw out anyone who looked like they were about to fight or who was dancing indecently.”

Unfortunately, times have changed. “Now they don’t have places where people can go to dance,” Mrs. Duet laments. “It’s so different now.

WALKING DOWN MEMORY LANELorna and Bernadette first showcased the music played at the College Inn in November of 2012 with “A Night at the College Inn: Where Good Friends Meet!” at the Ellendale Country Club in Houma. The performances were so well-received that the duo has decided to bring back memories once more with their second dinner and show.

The cast includes Angela Jones-Landry (musical director); J’Leigh Chauvin; De’Aundre Woods; Errol Bourgeois; E. T. Trosclair; Eugene Triggs, Jr.; Jonquel Every; Patrell Sanderford; and 11-year-old Rance Scott, Jr. Blue-Eyed Soul Revue will provide the big-band sound to accompany the singers.

Eugene Triggs, Jr. thrives on performing; he has sung and danced for church and has been on stage eight times. “I like getting in front of people, making people happy. I like to see them dance and smile,” he says.

“I was in one of [Bernadette and Lorna’s] previous shows that was something like the College Inn show. It was a lot of fun; I got to let my younger side show. Whenever you see people’s expressions, it’s great to see their eyes light up. I was in the Motown show, and there was a lady who started singing and screaming for a Temptations’ song. It makes you think that you’re a superstar!” He also thinks that “anyone will enjoy this show. Elderly, young, musically-inclined…anyone!”

Singer J’Leigh Chauvin of Larose has been performing since she was nine years old.

“I’ve been in school plays, variety shows, church…I actually tried out for American Idol. I made it to Hollywood each time I tried out. I have also tried out for The Voice. I am in an acoustic band called Contagious with my boyfriend, another band called Almost Famous, and an original project called 60-Mile Radius.” College Inn is J’Leigh’s first performance with Bernadette and Lorna. “They have been after me to try out, and then I finally did,” she says. “I love the music we’re performing. I’m going to love every minute of it.”

Bass-singer Jonquel Every first performed with Bernadette and Lorna last year in the Motown production. “I sing for my church, too,” he explains. “Eugene is my cousin, and he recruited me for these shows. The first time I performed [last year],

I had butterflies. I wasn’t used to being in front of people like that. I’ll probably get butterflies again, but this is something fun to do.” Jonquel loves watching the audience enjoy themselves. “People dance and smile, even when you don’t expect it. I know a few of the songs we’re performing, and they are really catchy.” He also encourages anyone who may think they would not like “oldies” to give classic songs a chance. “You never know what you like until you listen to it.”

The youngest star of the show is Rance Scott, Jr. Don’t let his small size and young age deceive you—he has a powerful set of pipes! “I have been signing since I was three years old. I’ve been to Sunday’s Best, America’s Got Talent, and church performances. I was in Motown last year. I love the message I give to people when I sing. I feel like I am doing something good with my time.” Rance plans on continuing to share his talents as he grows.

“We have a lot of good singers who are in this show, so anyone who likes music should come to see it!”

WHAT NOW?All meals and performances are at the Courtyard Marriot in Houma (142 Library Boulevard). Dinner starts at 7:00 PM on May 15, 16, and 17; the show begins at 8:00 PM. On Sunday, May 18, lunch is at 1:00 PM with the show following at 2:00 PM. Audiences can expect to enjoy great food and approximately 34 classic treasured hits, including “I Feel Good,” “Hey! Baby,”

“Good Golly Miss Molly,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Unchained Melody,” “What’d I Say,”

“Proud Mary,” and “Something’ s Got a Hold on Me.”

Tickets are $70.00 each. To reserve yours, call Bernadette Dugas at 985-227-7574. You can visit Bernadette and Lorna’s Website at lornaandbernadette.com to view past shows’ pictures and learn more about performances. WN

Photo: Submitted

Photo: Submitted

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If Coachella, Jazz Fest, or any upcoming music festivals are too far away for you, head to Downtown Houma’s Courthouse Square on Friday, May 30, at 5:30 PM for music and dancing at Live After 5.

DOWNTOWNLIVE AFTER 5

Celeste Roberts

LET’S GET TOGETHERStarted in June 2002, Downtown Houma’s Live After 5 event has been a popular, family-friendly outdoor concert event that brings the community together. According to its Facebook page, “the event was designed to encourage citizens to explore the cultural, entertainment, and recreational opportunities available within the downtown Houma area.”

Anne Picou of the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government’s Downtown Development Corporation is one of the founding members, and she is impressed and thankful for the tremendous growth this series has seen.

“During the first two years, we used the parking lot on the corner of Main Street and Church Street by Smoky Row,” she explains. “But we outgrew the space. The courthouse has steps

Photo: SubmittedCourthouse Square in Houma.

“WE LIVE IN SOUTH LOUISIANA; WE ARE ALL

ABOUT THE FAMILY.” –Anne Picou

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designed like a stage, so the courthouse square has become the new venue.”While some outdoor concerts may entail some questionable recreations, parents and families with young children don’t have to worry about their kids experiencing a local Woodstock. “All ages are welcome!” Anne says. “We keep it family-oriented, and we love to see the families come out and enjoy themselves. Kids running around, roller blading, and skateboarding. We live in South Louisiana; we are all about the family.”

Another perk of Live After 5 is the ticket price: free! Ms. Picou obtained a not-for-profit status for the Downtown Business Association of Houma, LTD; she explains that attendees pay “only for the food and beverages [they] choose to consume. The money raised from the sales during the year goes towards paying for the bands and expenses incurred during the year for Downtown Live After 5. We put back into downtown Houma by means of banners, helping to sponsor smaller events throughout the year like Art After Dark, Rudolph’s Route, and the farmer’s market. All of our money stays downtown to make downtown a place to live, work, and dine.”

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDSHouma’s Downtown Live After 5 concert series has become more than simply an excuse for families to leave their houses and enjoy the warm Louisiana evenings; these outdoor music fests have brought businesses and locals together on an intimate level.

Ms. Picou’s favorite part is “meeting the people. Making friends. Seeing their families grow up before my eyes. Sharing stories.” This year’s concerts will be bittersweet for her. “I work the beer booth,” she says. “My brother [Ray] passed away last year in May. Ray volunteered with me each month for the last twelve years up to the day he passed away. Ray and I would always tell friends each month, ‘The last Friday we have a date together.’ We would get caught up on family, what the kids were doing, and planned for get-togethers with our parents as a family. I miss him very much, but I know his spirit is there with me. Now his wife volunteers to help keep his spirit alive.”

The locals who volunteer make these Friday night concerts a huge success. “I have awesome sponsors and the kindest

TIPS FOR OUTDOOR

CONCERTSIF THE SUN IS OUT, BRING

SUNGLASSES AND SUNSCREEN.

A HAT IS A NICE TOUCH, TOO.

WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES AND CLOTHING; YOU’LL BE

ON YOUR FEET!

LESS IS MORE. CARRY YOUR NECESSARY BELONGINGS INA SMALL CROSS BODY BAG.

CASH IS ALWAYS A PLUS!

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.

CARRY SOME BUG-SPRAY. MOSQUITOES SEEM

TO LIKE MUSIC, TOO!

HAVE MEET-UP POINTS IN CASE YOU AND YOUR GROUP

GET LOST. STAY SAFE!

IF THERE IS A CHANCE OF RAIN OR A DRIZZLING,BRING AN UMBRELLA

AND A PONCHO.

HAVE A DESIGNATEDDRIVER IN CASE YOU’D LIKE

TO ENJOY ADULT BEVERAGES.

BRING A BLANKET TO SITON IF THERE IS GRASS.

PLUG IN EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS INTO

YOUR CELL PHONE.

Pioneer Courthouse in Portland, Oregon is one of the

country’s oldest functional Federal courthouses.

Say What!?Say What!?volunteers,” Ms. Picou says with a smile. “Debbie Martin is a parish employee that gives so much of her time after hours and a true friend. I have a retired couple, Mr. and Mrs. Porche, that come rain or shine to volunteer. I have Ms. Narie that helps cook and sell during Downtown Live. This lady can cook! Without the volunteers, I could not put on Downtown Live. The sponsors help financially, and we need them to pay for the logistics. Without the dedication of my loving, caring volunteers, I would not be able do it by myself.”

Attendees can expect to enjoy ice-cold beer, wine, soft drinks, water, hot dogs, hamburgers, green-onion sausage, and snowballs. Please make sure to bring cash!

MUSIC TO MY EARSOn Friday, May 30, Blue-Eyed Soul is the featured band, and they will begin playing at 7:00 PM, followed by the opening act at 5:30 PM.

“They know how to entertain an audience,” Ms. Picou says. “We get a large diverse group of citizens the night they play each year. The music hits range from Elton John to REO Speed Wagon, oldies to today’s hits. Everyone is dancing the night they perform!”

Blue-Eyed Soul is but one band that will be featured during the 2014 Live After 5 season: Bandit performed in April, Sheaux Down will perform June 27, the Good Feelin’ Band will perform July 25, Southern Cross will perform August 29, Voodoo Bayou will perform September 19, and Vintage will perform October 24. Louisiana native Chubby Carrier has graced the crowds with his fantastic zydeco sound, and Josh Garrett has performed Louisiana blues and New Orleans funk to an enthralled audience. Sponsors include Buquet Distributing, Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, Houma Police Department, Houma Downtown Development Corporation, and the Downtown Business Association.

If you have any questions, contact Anne Picou at 985-873-6408 or at [email protected]. You can follow Live After 5’s Facebook Page (Downtown Live After 5) for updates and changes due to inclement weather. WN

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Health and WellnessIS YOUR BODY ‘BEACH READY’?

It is about that time of year…bathing suit season! Is your body ready to hit the pool or beach? Read the tips below to help you achieve that fit beach body!

DRINK LOTS OF WATERand stay away from drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

EAT LOTS OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGGIESalong with fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, and beans. Getting the right nutrients in your diet will decrease sugar and salt cravings!

GET ENOUGH SLEEP!If you are getting less than seven hours (preferably eight!), your body is not restoring itself. Getting the required amount of sleep will speed up your metabolism!

DON’T SKIP BREAKFAST!This is the most important meal of the day and iswhat kicks up your metabolism in the morning.

EAT HEALTHY FATS!These types of fats actually help keep your fat levels lower, so don’t be afraid to eat all natural peanut butter, coconut orolive oil, or avocados. Make sure it’s in moderation!

Katherine Toups

CUTTING CARBS COMPLETELY IS NOT THE ANSWER!Our body needs them for energy! If you are trying to lose weight, try cutting carbs after 3:00 PM. Focus on eating them at breakfast and lunch, but make sure they are the healthy kind such as quinoa, whole grain pastas, or breads, fruits, or brown rice.

MONITOR YOUR STRESS LEVELS!Stress increases a hormone called Cortisol. Cortisol causes the body to store fat, doing yoga helps this hormone from increasing!

DO HIGH INTENSITY TRAINING A FEW TIMES A WEEK.Burpees, jump squats, and sprints are just a few example exercises. Walking a lap or two around the track won’t cutit if you want that beach body!

JOIN EXERCISE CLASSES OR FIND A WORKOUT BUDDY.This will help you stay motivated when you want to skip a workout!

Please contact me at [email protected] for information on our new yoga, kids fitzone, and core classes. WN

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WELL-LIT HOMEHouse to Home

hidden source. It is the foundation of lighting and should emit a level of brightness that is comfortable without creating glare. Task lighting is used to enhance the performance of the day to day activities that take place in your space. Depending on the need, these can be freestanding lamps, wall, or ceiling mounted. Task lights provide directional visibility without harsh shadows or glares. Accent lighting is directional lighting used to highlight a particular feature, art, or object. Recessed or track lighting is often used to achieve accent lighting. Natural lighting is an important component of a room’s lighting scheme, and needs to be considered in the planning stages of your home. Specific attention should be paid to the placement and orientation of windows, and how this will affect the lighting of your interior spaces. A well-balanced layering of each lighting type will enhance a room’s colors, finishes, and furniture creating a more cohesive design.

In addition to its functional importance, lighting can add interest and impact to the aesthetic quality of your space. The style of lighting chosen can help set the tone for the entire room. Use lighting to incorporate new or interesting materials that complement your other finishes and furniture. It’s also a great place to experiment or take risks. A large sculptural chandelier adds drama to an otherwise simple design. In addition to the style of fixture, special attention should be paid to the proportions of the light. When selecting your fixture, ensure the size and scale are appropriate for your room. Large kitchen islands with tiny pendants are a common mistake in many homes.

Whether a new home or renovation, special attention should be paid to your interior lighting. You will not regret the time and energy put forth to insure your rooms work for the way you live. Also, it will leave you with a space that feels welcoming and comfortable. Lighting can be the key needed to elevate your room in comfort and style.

Niki Landry is an intern interior designer at Weimer Gros Flores, Architecture and Interior Design in Thibodaux, Louisiana. For more information or samples of her work please visit www.nikilandry.com.WN

Niki Landry

As a designer, one of my favorite design elements to research and select is lighting. A great lighting scheme has the power to take a room to the next level. Often

overlooked by homeowners, lighting can have a huge impact on the overall function and tone of a space. Overwhelmed by the endless choices that go into building a house, many people simply select builder’s grade lighting or choose one design to use throughout their entire home. These owners are missing a valuable chance to add interest and impact while creating a space where they and guests feel comfortable.

Evaluating the needs and function of each room is an important step in weighing the benefits of lighting type, fixture, placement, and design. Selecting the correct lighting layout can go a long way to create an integrated and functional space. A basic furniture layout can aid in deciphering the lighting needs of each space. An office will have very different needs from a kitchen, and one small overhead light would not suffice in either. Don’t limit yourself to the ceiling. Wall or furniture mounted, under cabinet, and freestanding lighting should all be incorporated and layered to create a well-lit interesting design.

Educating yourself on the basic lighting types can help you begin to develop a lighting plan for your space. Ambient light generates overall illumination and is diffused throughout a space. It provides the general lighting in a room and seems to have a

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Do you ever wonder how the rock star at work does it? How super mom finds time to balance work, day care, and weekly visits to the local Chamber of Commerce

(as a Board member)? How Gene from the office is so well-liked, from his colleagues to clients, AND surpasses his sales goals? The answer lies in the daily habits of yourmost motivated people.

MOTIVATIONThe desire to do things. And to do them well. It’s what we all need in business – to put in the extra hours, to earn the bonus or commission, to be granted the promotion…to be happy while in pursuit of all these things. How do super mom and Gene stay motivated and peachy-keen (or busy-keen)while doing this?

In talking with the most motivated people, from corporate conscious, business-savvy execs to young professionals working their way to the top, I’ve compiled five dailyhabits to stay busy-keen.

MAKE A CONSCIOUS CHOICE TO ENJOY THE DAY.When you awake each day, you have a choice to make it a great day by taking an active approach to enjoy the day life has given you, even if it’s filled with deadlines, meetings, and twelve hours of pure craziness. It starts with you.

TAKE TIME TO REALLY TAKE IN WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND YOU. Tunnel vision? Yep – we’ve all had it. What happens when you go through a tunnel? It’s barely lit, the radio goes out, and life around you ceases for a while. You can’t possibly be motivated if you go through your day in a tunnel. So, take notice of life around you: the secretary who made your calendar (though busy) to accommodate five meetings, the boss who depends on you to hit company goals, and the client you provided solutions for. Take in the impact and live in the moments you are creating.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING TOWARDS?Some people call this a goal, mission, or solution. Instead, look at the journey to get to this point. The checklist leads to the goal, the vision leads to the mission, and the strategy leads to the solution. Therefore, you should have a checklist, driven by a vision and led by a strategy. In my corporate days, I referred to goals as true values – those things that would make the sales team pick up the phone to dial one more prospect or encourage you to put in the extra hour at the office. These true values were managed by keeping a poster near your workspace with a vision of what your life would be like by achieving the extra dial and staying the extra hour to work ahead, and simply having this meant you had a strategy.

Up In Your Business5 DAILY HABITS TO STAY BUSY-KEEN Laura Valenti

TAKE CARE OF YOU.While it’s important to work hard each day, it’s also important to take the time to incubate, relax, and rejuvenate so thatyou feel illuminated afterwards. For some, this can happenin a day, but for most people a few days of true incubationis needed. Where is your relaxation place? (I’m not referring to the exploratory trip around Europe – I’m referring to a truly relaxing break.)

BE THE PERSON YOU WANT TO BE.Most of those who stay motivated do so because they want to be. They have the sheer desire to stay active and be a conduit for success. Life doesn’t happen around you; you “happen” in life.

You’ll notice that the start and end, and even a few choices in-between, pertain to you. That’s the common denominator: you. You have to choose to be successful; it’s that easy. As Rhonda Byrne, author of The Secret, suggests, you can control your thoughts, and therefore actions. Give it a whirl.

Laura Valenti is an opinionated marketing professor and Jill-of-all-trades. She finds time to write about and teach workshops on personal selling and marketing skills though her nonprofit organization, SHE-Selling: Selling Her Everyday. For more information, go to www.SHE-Selling.com. WN

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One Tank TripA ROYAL DAY IN NEW ORLEANS

Wow, it is hard to believe that May is already here—where did the last four months go?

Well, the “winter that wouldn’t go away” has finally gone, and spring is in full swing. This month’s one-tank trip brings us back to NOLA—this time to Jackson Square and Royal Street.

We began our day with lunch at Tableau, Dickie Brennan’s newest restaurant at La Petit Theatre. “A grand staircase spans three stories of the restaurant, connecting private dining rooms, balcony dining with a view of Jackson Square and courtyard seating, for an authentic New Orleans dining experience.” The cuisine showcases regional ingredients and offers classic French Creole dishes, and brunch dishes are also available every day at lunch and dinner. What really appealed to me is that the restaurant offers demi-portions on many of its menu items. If you want to just grab a cocktail and a light snack, then sit at the bar, and order

Ginger Gaubert

appetizers from the bar menu. Before you head down Royal Street, you might want to stroll through Jackson Square and see the artists and listen to the music.

Bungalows, located at 719 Royal, was the first shop we ventured into. I guess I would have to say that it is a shop geared toward women because it has clothes and jewelry, but it also has some neat barware and other gifts. If you are looking for Pandora jewelry, Bungalows is a Pandora distributer. Right down the street at 717 Royal is De Marcy, a neat shop with clothing, hats, jewelry, etc., at modest prices and carries Latin’s Hands products— a fun place to browse.

At 533 Royal, you will find The Historic New Orleans Collection Museum and Research Center, housing The Shop at the Collection, which specializes in gifts celebrating New Orleans and the Gulf region—stationery, books, prints, jewelry, and more. I wish that we could

have stayed there longer—next time! On the same block is Razzle Dazzle at 524 Royal. This was definitely my favorite place that we shopped. “Razzle Dazzle is a fun, inviting store that features unique furnishings, specialty gifts, exclusive jewelry, and extraordinary products sure to tantalize most any taste. French Quarter shopping at its finest.” Razzle Dazzle houses over 2500 gift items to choose from—don’t skip this one.

Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to Bevolo Lighting at 318 Royal, but the next trip down Royal, we will be sure to visit this place. The history of Bevolo is inspiring, and their craftsmanship is one of a kind.

Of course, there are many other wonderful shops on Royal Street, but these are the ones that we had time to visit for our day trip to NOLA and Royal Street. Royal Street, like Magazine Street, is a mecca for shopping. Put this on your

“bucket list!” One-tank trip, y’all! WN

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Wimportant questions, while films such as Wolf do nothing more than bash us over the head with flesh, drugs, and language with no apparent purpose, and then Wolf gets lauded with Oscars. Why? Because it is Scorcese. But this isn’t the Scorcese we all know and love. It’s a Scorcese in love with himself.

If you want to see a ringing indictment of Wall Street culture in the 90s, turn on the first twenty minutes of this film. Then turn it off while you still think Scorcese might have something to say about that culture. He doesn’t, and you’ll respect him more if you don’t find that out. WN

The Page Turner

Lights! Camera! Action!

SOMERSET

The epic family saga Somerset by Leila Meacham is a cross between John Jakes’ North and South

and Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind. It is Ms. Meacham’s second novel and a prequel to her successful first writing venture Roses. Somerset begins in the antebellum South on a plantation in South Carolina where Silas Tolliver is deprived of his inheritance because he is the second son and therefore has no claim to the family plantation. Wanting to be a landowner, Silas and his best friend Jeremy Warwick head to the new territory known as Texas. Texas, at this time, is fighting with Mexico for independence and with the Indians who want the land back for themselves.

Martin Scorcese, why hath thou abandoned us? That’s right, The Wolf of Wall Street—the newest

release from the great American director who has made some of the most insightful and challenging films in U.S. cinema—is a complete and utter failure. A tangled mess. A dud.

What is shocking is not that he’s missed his mark. He’s done that before. Most great directors have. And while Scorcese has produced some of the greatest films to ever appear on screen, classics such as Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, and The Departed, and innovative documentaries such as No Direction Home, he has also been famous for occasionally making films that are too self-indulgent, too all over the place, just plain too much. Think of The Aviator or The Gangs of New York. But that was always ok. When you aim high and take risks sometimes you miss. Lovers of cinema should gladly take the bad with the good. Robert Altman may have made us sit through A Wedding and Dr. T., but he also gave us McCabe & Mrs. Miller, M*A*S*H, A Prairie Home Companion, and Gosford Park. The problem with The Wolf of Wall Street is that after three hours of watching, it still isn’t clear what

Laura Sanders

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET Dr. Todd Kennedy

The books span three generations and explore western expansion, slavery, abolition, the Civil War, love, marriage, tragedy, and triumph. It tells the story of the Tollivers, Warwicks, and DuMonts as they first move to Texas and begin to build their respective empires and establish the town of Howbutker, Texas.

If you are a fan of historical drama and family sagas – Somerset is a great addition to the genre. Leila Meacham intricately weaves tales that bring to life the trials that pioneer families in the antebellum south endured as they had to change with the times and fight for their beliefs. WN

(if anything?) Scorcese is even aiming for.

Wolf has good pedigree. Besides Scorcese behind the camera, it has Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill in front of it. The basic plot structure was supposed to draw on Goodfellas while indicting and exposing Wall Street’s excess and our love affair with it. What could possibly go wrong with that? Everything apparently.

Sure, the film wants to critique corporate culture while also drawing our awareness to the fact we are complicit in it—that we, as a society, inwardly crave the very things we outwardly disavow and judge. In that notion, it wants to be like Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette or The Bling Ring. The problem is that Scorcese lacks all of Ms. Coppola’s art of subtlety. He wants us to both be repulsed by and attracted to the excess, the consumption, and the lifestyle. Instead, he falls victim to his own excess and we get three hours of nothing but that, excess. There is no “there” there.

It’s a true cinematic crime that films such as The Dreamers are censored for depicting real bodies and realistic physical acts in order to pose interesting and

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The Dish RagA NEW WAY TO EAT AN OLD FAVORITE

Samurai Dragon has hosted many a local's first sushi experience. My initial exposure to the cuisine elsewhere was a terrible one, mostly due to the poor introduction

my friends made. When I later came around to sushi, it was at Samurai Dragon. Over the past few years, though, the increasing number of respectable and more conveniently located Japanese restaurants in the area kept me away from Samurai. The quality just isn't there for me to pass up Osaka or Ichiban if I'm in Houma. And now that there's good sushi in Thibodaux and South Lafourche (Geaux Fish and Jinsan respectively), there are many options around the area for great Japanese cuisine.

Samurai Express on St. Charles revolves around the conveyor belt sushi concept I had long seen on TV shows about Japan but never imagined taking part in here in South Louisiana. Basically, sushi chefs place rolls on color-coded plates and circulate them across the dining room via a conveyor belt for customers to pick up at their convenience.

My concern with this concept locally was that of freshness. Can our area supply enough customers to keep the conveyor belt's rolls from floating around for too long before it's not really worth it to dine there? After an initial visit just a couple weeks into the restaurant, it's hard to say. Samurai Express was busy early

Chas Guidryon the Thursday afternoon while I was there, but we'll have to wait and see if that remains after the buzz dies down in the next couple months. I can say it was an enjoyable experience, though.

There are a few tables off to the side, but most seating is in the form of booths on either side of the C-shaped conveyor belt or bar seating in front of the sushi chefs. The conveyor belt itself has a sleek, modern look that I wasn't expecting coming in. Plates of rolls (four per plate) slowly worked their way toward me, covered in containers similar in appearance to what you get blank CDs in. On the side of the containers you can see the name of the roll and its ingredients. The color of the plate indicates the price, three or four bucks for the more basic offerings and up to six for special rolls and the occasional traditional sushi. There are $2 plates on the wall display reminding customers of the prices, but the only one I saw at that price was a lonely cupcake floating around looking for someone with a sweet tooth.

With the current variety, I'd like to go back, this time with another couple. With four rolls per plate, I can see Samurai Express being a fun and unique way for groups of friends to enjoy sushi. Each plate you grab would have a single bite for each of you, allowing you to try the full variety without filling up or emptying your wallets so quickly. Samurai Express is definitely worth a visit if you're into sushi.

For more information about the best food in Terrebonne and Lafourche, check out my blog Nomsola at nomsola.com and follow me of Facebook and Instagram by searching “Nomsola.” WN

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When I was a child growing up in Florida there was a vine-covered fence my sister and I walked along on our way to school in the morning. Every spring

a profusion of little cream and yellow trumpet shaped flowers would erupt from the vines and fill the air with their wonderful smell. My sister and I would pick the flowers and pull the stamen through the bottom of the blossom producing one glistening sweet drop of nectar. We thought it was free candy. To this day the scent of honeysuckle takes me back to those spring mornings decades past.

When I first saw that there was a brand of honeysuckle-flavored vodka on the market I thought there was no way it could really recapture the delicate aroma and flavor of honeysuckle. Then I saw a recipe from a respected restaurant in New Orleans that was using it and thought maybe I should try it. I attempted to order it from several of our liquor sales people that service us at Flanagan’s. No dice. None of them had even heard of the brand let alone the flavor. I found out I could order it through the Internet but I was hesitant to stock something for our bar that I couldn’t order through regular channels. About six months later I was checking out at Rouses and there it was sitting right on the counter! By this time it was December and there was no way I was going to introduce a flower flavored cocktail into the menu in winter. So I forgot about it. Then a few days ago I was going over a new spring cocktail menu trying to come up with a couple new drinks and I remembered the Cathead Honeysuckle vodka. Now is definitely the right time to try it. I went out and got a bottle and began experimenting. I always taste a new liquor straight up to get a sense of what will go with it. I found it to be a very smooth vodka with no real scent to it but the flavor took me straight back to those morning walks. It is a wonder by itself. I did some research to find out what other bars were doing with it but almost everything I found seemed like it would drown out that amazing delicate flavor that needed to be at the forefront of the cocktail. So with a bit of trial and error I settled upon a version of a mojito that I think brings together several flavors that really say spring to me. I hope you try this recipe at home and love it as much as I do. Or if you’re not into experimenting at home, come by Flanagan’s and let me make one for you. MORNING WALK1 ½ oz. Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka ½ oz. simple syrup1 wedge of orange3-4 fresh basil leaves3 slices of cucumberSoda water

Muddle basil leaves and cucumber together in a mixing cup. Add Honeysuckle vodka, juice from a wedge of orange,simple syrup and ice shake well. Fill a tall glass with iceand about 3 oz. of soda water. Strain your shaken mixtureinto the glass and stir gently. Garnish with a sprig of basiland orange peel. Enjoy! WN

Bottoms UpA MORNING WALK Jeffery Markel

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HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE

Insurance. Do your eyes glaze over just reading the word? It may not be the most thrilling subject, but it's essential

for new homebuyers to understand the nuts and bolts of their homeowners insurance. Virtually all mortgage lenders require insurance coverage to protect their investment. If the house you live in is destroyed, the real owners - and in most cases, that's the bank - would suffer a huge monetary loss.

You don't even have to "own" your home to need homeowners insurance; many landlords require their tenants to have coverage. But whether it's required or not, it's smart to have this kind of protection anyway.

The elements of a standard homeowners' insurance policy provide that the insurer will cover costs related to, damage to the interior or exterior of your house, loss or damage to your personal belongings,

LagniappeMonique McMillan

personal liability for damage or injuries caused by you or your family, and hotel or house rental while your home is being rebuilt or repaired.

The average homeowners insurance premiums vary widely and depend on multiple factors. Price will be determined by how much coverage you buy, a decision you can only make after evaluating the value of your house, completing a household inventory, and deciding how much liability protection you want.

Other variables that need to be considered include your zip code. If you live in a high-crime area, for example, insurance premiums will be higher. Companies also take into account the size of your house, how close it is to a fire hydrant, the condition of your plumbing, heating, and electrical systems, how many claims were filed against the home

you're seeking to insure, and even details like your credit score that reflect on how responsible a consumer, and therefore,a homeowner you are.

Price is important, but it is not the only or even the most important factor. When it comes to insurance, you want to make sure you are going with a provider that is legitimate and creditworthy. Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure the company is licensed and check its financial strength, and consider asking relatives, friends, and coworkers for referrals.

As with all insurance policies, they are under-appreciated until they are needed, and then they quickly become a godsend. Getting yourself set up with a comprehensive homeowners policy can go a long way toward making your home truly a place of comfort and security. WN

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ADVERTISERS INDEX: MayADVANCED EYE INSTITUTE 3

BRIAN WAITZ PHOTOGRAPHY 42

CRAIG LANDRY, ATTORNEY AT LAW 8

ELEARNING 41

EMILE’S FURNITURE & APPLIANCES 12

FELGER’S FOOT WEAR 21

JONES DERMATOLOGY 14

JONES INSURANCE SERVICES 47

LAFOURCHE PARISH PUBLIC LIBRARY 45

LAHAYE ORTHODONTICS 10

NEXT LEVEL BASEBALL 19

OFF THE HOOK 51

PEONY PHOTOGRAPHY 5

PURPLE PENGUIN ART COMPANY 11

QUEENY’S BOUTIQUE 48

REECO RENTAL & SUPPLY 41

SHAVER-ROBICHAUX INSURANCE SERVICES 45

SOUTHLAND DODGE 17

SOUTHLAND MALL 52

SPAHR’S SEAFOOD 2

SYNERGY BANK 49

THE DANSEREAU HOUSE 43

THE FOUNDRY ON THE BAYOU 46

THE OLD ESTATE 48

THE PRENTICE FIRM 46

THIBODAUX GLASS 48

TRAPP CADILLAC CHEVROLET 5

WALTERS, MEYER, TROSCLAIR & ASSOCIATES 43

WOODY FALGOUST, A LAW CORPORATION 18

ADVERTISER PAGE ADVERTISER PAGE

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WHAT SAYING?®WIN A$50 GIFT CARD

WHAT NOW? Figure out the puzzles on this page and e-mail your answers to [email protected]. A winner will be randomly selected MAY 16th and will receive a $50 Visa® Gift Card.

APRIL WINNER:Adam Doucet

courtesy of

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MARCH ANSWERS: pair of pants, man on the moon, square root,Black Sea, growing economy, two in one, just between you and me, hit the road, up to date

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what now magazine | may 2014

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