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JANUARY 2017 Vol 4 No 4<br />
2017<br />
<strong>The</strong> NEXT<br />
PHASE<br />
<strong>Southwest</strong> <strong>Louisiana</strong><br />
Upcoming Elections<br />
<strong>The</strong> Effects <strong>of</strong> a<br />
Thriving Economy<br />
Twelfth Night<br />
PHOTO BY VINH PHOTOGRAPHY
editor’s<br />
By Brenda Hill<br />
2017<br />
<strong>The</strong> NEXT<br />
PHASE<br />
Welcome to 2017 and <strong>The</strong><br />
Next Phase <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Voice</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> SWLA. Our sales team,<br />
editors and writers spent valuable<br />
time throughout the community and<br />
surrounding areas, this past fall season,<br />
to learn more about what our readers<br />
want to read, how they want to access it<br />
and what our advertisers have to <strong>of</strong>fer<br />
So this issue starts by presenting some<br />
<strong>of</strong> the preliminary candidates that<br />
desire to qualify for mayor, city council<br />
and chief <strong>of</strong> police in Lake Charles and<br />
other areas. Visit the pages <strong>of</strong> this issue<br />
to learn more about places and districts<br />
holding elections and special elections<br />
in your area. Stay tuned for updates<br />
about candidates and winners in<br />
upcoming issues <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> <strong>of</strong> SWLA<br />
leading into elections and the run<strong>of</strong>f.<br />
An overwhelming interest in the I-10<br />
Bridge from the December 2016 Issue,<br />
has prompted a monthly series that will<br />
explore and provide information about<br />
changing developments to the I-10 &<br />
I-210 bridges.<br />
As more people move into the area,<br />
and new businesses evolve, access to<br />
real solutions and real concerns are<br />
needed. We will seek answers to your<br />
questions in ‘Real Life Real People'.<br />
This flow <strong>of</strong> information will feature an<br />
individual's real life experiences which<br />
happens to all <strong>of</strong> us from all walks <strong>of</strong> life.<br />
Our hope is to bring about successful<br />
tips and strategies to your everyday<br />
struggles with everyday challenges.<br />
Send your questions to brenda@<br />
thevoice<strong>of</strong>southwestla.com.<br />
With a continued commitment to print<br />
positive journalism, talented authors,<br />
artists and illustrators, etc., have reached<br />
out to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> <strong>of</strong> SWLA for a venue to<br />
share their works. <strong>The</strong>refore, we invite<br />
all ages to submit poetry, short stories,<br />
artwork, photos, etc., to brenda@<br />
thevoice<strong>of</strong>southwestla.com. We want<br />
to introduce you to our community <strong>of</strong><br />
readers and viewers.<br />
2017-<strong>The</strong> Next Phase <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> <strong>of</strong> SWLA<br />
is an exciting time to for us to provide you<br />
with more facts, resources and links to<br />
help you make more informed decisions<br />
about the world you live in. We hope you<br />
take that leap with us.<br />
Happy New Year!<br />
2 January 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 4 • Number 4
January 2017<br />
LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS, STORIES & PEOPLE<br />
2 2017 - THE NEXT PHASE<br />
4 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA UPCOMING ELECTONS<br />
6 I-10 CALCASIEU RIVER BRIDGE A LONGTIME WORK IN<br />
PROGRESS<br />
8 ON CAMPUS OR OFF CAMPUS?<br />
10 THE EFFECTS OF A THRIVING ECONOMY ON THE REAL<br />
ESTATE MARKET<br />
12 2017 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. FESTIVAL SCHEDULE<br />
14 FATHER'S SON<br />
16 SWLA CENTER FOR HEALTH SERVICES ASSISTS WITH<br />
HEALTH INSURANCE ENROLLMENT<br />
17 NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS<br />
18 SWLA SPORTS<br />
20 FINANCIAL FITNESS<br />
21 CREATIVE FINANCING FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT<br />
24 REAL LIFE REAL PEOPLE<br />
26 TWELFTH NIGHT<br />
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Brenda Hill<br />
brenda@thevoice<strong>of</strong>southwestla.com<br />
GENERAL MANAGER | Tracy Clark<br />
tracy@thevoice<strong>of</strong>southwestla.com<br />
www.thevoice<strong>of</strong>southwestla.com<br />
MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS<br />
SHAWDASHIAN GROUP<br />
CONSULTANTS<br />
Gene R. Hill, Sr., Reginald Clark<br />
Published and distributed by<br />
TEAM PUBLICATIONS LLC.<br />
4310 Ryan St. Ste. 134<br />
Lake Charles, LA. 70605<br />
In the McNeese SEED Center<br />
(337) 474-2210<br />
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS<br />
Brenda Hill, Tori Hebert,<br />
Ronald J. Blanchard, Basha Celestaine<br />
ART DIRECTOR | Vinh Alexander<br />
tvswlart@gmail.com<br />
EVENTS COORDINATOR | Carl Hubert<br />
kopyman@suddenlink.net<br />
DISCLOSURE:<br />
All materials contained in the publication are copy-righted and may not be reproduced or<br />
reprinted in part or its entirety without the expressed written permission <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
SWLA. <strong>The</strong> views expressed in articles <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> <strong>of</strong> SWLA are not necessarily the views<br />
<strong>of</strong> the ownership or sponsors in this publication. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> <strong>of</strong> SWLA assumes no liability<br />
for errors or omissions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy <strong>of</strong> all content.<br />
Volume 4 • Number 4 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Jaunuary 2017 3
SWLA politics<br />
SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA<br />
By Brenda Hill<br />
T<br />
he 2017 election season will<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficially begin on January 13th,<br />
which is the final day for candidates<br />
to qualify.<br />
Lake Charles voters will have the chance<br />
to elect a new mayor. Current Mayor<br />
Randy Roach is not seeking re-election.<br />
Qualifying will take place January 11, 12<br />
and 13 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.<br />
Along with the Lake Charles mayor’s<br />
race, other elections that will take place<br />
around Calcasieu Parish are: Calcasieu<br />
Parish School Board (District 12 Special<br />
Election), Lake Charles city council while<br />
in the Town <strong>of</strong> Vinton, seats for the mayor,<br />
city council and chief <strong>of</strong> police will be up<br />
for grabs. Primary elections for Constable,<br />
Justice <strong>of</strong> the Peace Ward 2, Parish <strong>of</strong><br />
Cameron and Justice <strong>of</strong> the Peace, Justice<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Peace Ward 2, Parish <strong>of</strong> Cameron<br />
are also being held according to Susan<br />
Racca, Clerk <strong>of</strong> Court Cameron Parish.<br />
<strong>The</strong> primary election is Saturday, March<br />
25, 2017. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and<br />
close at 8 p.m.<br />
In order to qualify for the election,<br />
candidates must obtain pro<strong>of</strong> they are<br />
a registered voter from the Calcasieu<br />
Registrar <strong>of</strong> Voters. That information must<br />
then be shared with the Calcasieu Clerk<br />
<strong>of</strong> Court where a qualifying fee will be<br />
paid.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Lake Charles mayor’s race is<br />
garnering attention as eight residents<br />
have declared for the election to replace<br />
Mayor Randy Roach. Declared candidates<br />
are: Tony Guillory, Nick Hunter, Joe Banks,<br />
Chris Landry, Marshall Simien, Dana<br />
Carl Jackson, Wilford Carter and Eligah<br />
Guillory.<br />
Here is a list <strong>of</strong> the current City Council<br />
members who may or may not be<br />
seeking reelection.<br />
District A: Mary Morris<br />
District B: Luvertha August<br />
District C: Rodney Geyen<br />
District D: John Ieyoub<br />
District E: Stuart Weatherford<br />
District F: Dana Carl Jackson<br />
District G: Mark Eckard<br />
For more information about qualifying,<br />
contact the Calcasieu Parish Clerk <strong>of</strong><br />
Court at 337-437-3350 or Registrar <strong>of</strong><br />
Voter 337-721-4000 or www.geauxvote.<br />
com.<br />
Remember to pick up the latest issues <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> <strong>of</strong> SWLA for more election updates<br />
and visit www.thevoice<strong>of</strong>southwestla.<br />
com to learn about other areas.<br />
4 January 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 4 • Number 4
MARSHALL’S CITY COUNCIL ACCOMPLISHMENTS<br />
MARSHALL’S PERSONAL INFORMATION<br />
• Married for 25 years to Dr. Paula Mouton Simien<br />
• 3 children, Marshall III (21), August (17) & Grace Elizabeth (10)<br />
• LSU Law School, MSU (BA-Government), Washington High School<br />
• President – Simien Law Firm<br />
MARSHALL’S SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY<br />
• Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, District 2 - December 2014 thru January 2016<br />
• Lake Charles City Council, District A – 2005 thru 2013<br />
President – 2007 to 2008, Vice President – 2006 to 2007<br />
• Lake Charles Port Board – 2003 thru 2005<br />
• Community Foundation <strong>of</strong> SWLA Board Member, 2014 thru Present<br />
• St. Charles Retreat Center – Advisory Board<br />
• IberiaBank – Advisory Board<br />
• Lake Charles Kiwanis Club North<br />
• Knights <strong>of</strong> St. Peter Claver, Council 141 - Jr. Knights Commander<br />
• Immaculate Heart <strong>of</strong> Mary Holy Name Society<br />
• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.<br />
• Over $70 million in projects for District A<br />
• Enterprise Boulevard Parkway Extension, Phase I<br />
• I-10 Turnarounds at Enterprise Blvd and Kirkman St.<br />
• Downtown Lakefront Promenade<br />
• Downtown Lake Charles Public Transit Center and new City buses<br />
• Lake Charles Civic Center upgrades<br />
• New Lake Charles City Court<br />
• Riverside Park, Phases I & II<br />
• New Millennium Park and Children’s Playground<br />
• Council on Aging’s Whispering Hope Senior Apartment Complex<br />
• LC Housing Authority’s Bayou Bluff Subdivision<br />
• Goosport Recreation Center Water Park<br />
• Martin Luther King Recreation Center playground & concession stand<br />
• Lake Charles North Redevelopment Authority adjudicated property initiative<br />
• Helped facilitate construction <strong>of</strong> New VA Clinic for Lake Charles area veterans<br />
• Helped facilitate construction <strong>of</strong> Carboline Co. new distribution warehouse<br />
• Helped SWLA Center for Health Services expand services to underinsured<br />
• Helped Abraham’s Tent construct new facility<br />
MARSHALL’S PORT BOARD ACCOMPLISHMENTS<br />
• Addressed & corrected operational deficiencies after dissolution <strong>of</strong> prior Board<br />
• Oversaw construction <strong>of</strong> L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort on Port property<br />
• Negotiated LNG facilities locating to SWLA as cornerstone for economic boom<br />
Lake Charles STRONG!<br />
“Managing Our Town - Building Our City!”<br />
Volume 4 • Number 4 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Jaunuary 2017 5
SWLA news<br />
I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge a<br />
Longtime Work In Progress<br />
By Brenda Hill<br />
Since 1994, state<br />
environmental and<br />
transportation <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
have been studying ways<br />
to replace the Interstate 10<br />
Calcasieu River Bridge.<br />
Many residents, business<br />
owners and government<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials have met over<br />
22 years attempting to<br />
determine the most efficient<br />
and cost effective way to<br />
replace the bridge – which<br />
was opened in 1952 --that<br />
services approximately<br />
70,000 motorists per day<br />
which totals 23 million per<br />
year.<br />
What many in the public fail<br />
to understand is that one <strong>of</strong><br />
the primary hindrances <strong>of</strong> a<br />
new bridge is the cleanup<br />
<strong>of</strong> an undisclosed amount<br />
<strong>of</strong> ethylene dichloride (EDC)<br />
which leaked into the waters<br />
under the bridge in 1994.<br />
According to the Centers<br />
for Disease Control, EDC “is<br />
one <strong>of</strong> the highest volume<br />
chemicals used in the United<br />
States.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> chemical is an important<br />
ingredient in the creation <strong>of</strong><br />
plastic and vinyl products.<br />
EDC leaked from an above<br />
ground pipeline that was<br />
owned then by Conoco<br />
refinery. Since that time<br />
Phillips 66 (which merged<br />
with Conoco in 2002) has<br />
been working with the<br />
United States Environmental<br />
Protection Agency (EPA) and<br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong> Department <strong>of</strong><br />
Environmental Quality (LDEQ)<br />
to “address the impact <strong>of</strong><br />
the release,” according to a<br />
company fact sheet entitled<br />
“Clooney Loop Remediation<br />
and the Interstate 10 Bridge<br />
over the Calcasieu River.”<br />
“Phillips 66 operates a<br />
comprehensive groundwater<br />
recovery and treatment<br />
system and regularly collects<br />
samples from monitoring<br />
wells in accordance with<br />
plans approved by LDEQ. This<br />
system has been in operation<br />
since shortly after the<br />
incident and has been highly<br />
successful at recovering<br />
product and cleaning up the<br />
area,” according to the fact<br />
sheet.<br />
<strong>The</strong> company states that<br />
concentration levels north<br />
<strong>of</strong> the I-10 Bridge are “well<br />
below the LDEQ approved<br />
cleanup standards and no<br />
remediation is necessary in<br />
this area. In fact, most <strong>of</strong> the<br />
samples taken from the area<br />
since November 2011 show<br />
that the groundwater even<br />
meets EPA standards for<br />
drinking water.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> company finished<br />
monitoring and assessment<br />
<strong>of</strong> EDC impact in the Clooney<br />
Loop Marine Docks along<br />
with the area north <strong>of</strong> that<br />
location. As a result, Phillips<br />
66 started remediation in<br />
those areas.<br />
“Phillips 66 will continue its<br />
monitoring and recovery<br />
efforts in any affected area<br />
under the guidance <strong>of</strong><br />
LDEQ. In addition, Phillips<br />
66 will continue to evaluate<br />
the feasibility <strong>of</strong> various<br />
remediation methods<br />
to enhance the ongoing<br />
groundwater recovery and<br />
treatment efforts under the<br />
direction <strong>of</strong> LDEQ,” the fact<br />
sheet states.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Louisiana</strong> Department<br />
<strong>of</strong> Transportation is the<br />
government agency that will<br />
oversee the construction<br />
<strong>of</strong> a new bridge. Two<br />
construction projects<br />
are under consideration:<br />
replacement <strong>of</strong> I-10 Bridge<br />
6 January 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 4 • Number 4
PHOTO BY VINH PHOTOGRAPHY<br />
and construction <strong>of</strong> Sampson<br />
Street Interchange into<br />
Westlake. Here are the steps<br />
that need to occur in order<br />
for the project to move<br />
forward. No time table has<br />
been selected as to when the<br />
steps will be completed:<br />
1. Completion <strong>of</strong><br />
Environmental Impact<br />
Study for bridge<br />
construction.<br />
2. Public hearings on the<br />
new Environmental<br />
Impact Study.<br />
3. Federal Highway<br />
Administration will decide<br />
on the appropriate design<br />
alternative for the bridge<br />
and interchange projects<br />
at the conclusion <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Environmental Impact<br />
Study.<br />
4. Bridge design approval<br />
from Federal Highway<br />
Administration.<br />
5. What follows is a timeline<br />
<strong>of</strong> events, provided by<br />
Phillips 66, about the<br />
EDC contamination and<br />
remediation process.<br />
• 1994: EDC leaked from an<br />
above-ground pipeline,<br />
recovery <strong>of</strong> EDC and<br />
remediation <strong>of</strong> area<br />
followed soon after.<br />
• 1995: Design and<br />
construction <strong>of</strong> a<br />
temporary groundwater<br />
recovery and treatment<br />
system.<br />
• 1996: Groundwater<br />
monitoring at Clooney<br />
Loop conducted under<br />
LDEQ Compliance Order<br />
No. WE-C-96-0011; this<br />
effort continues today on<br />
a semi-annual basis, which<br />
includes reporting semiannually<br />
to LDEQ.<br />
• 1999: Startup <strong>of</strong> current<br />
groundwater treatment<br />
plant that annually treats<br />
millions <strong>of</strong> gallons <strong>of</strong><br />
recovered groundwater<br />
and recycles recovered<br />
EDC.<br />
• 2007: Completed<br />
groundwater and soil<br />
sampling related to<br />
potential future DOTD<br />
construction for the<br />
Sampson Street and I-10<br />
expansion north <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Clooney Loop marine<br />
docks.<br />
• 2009: Completed<br />
investigation beneath<br />
marsh north <strong>of</strong> I-10.<br />
• 2010: Installed additional<br />
recovery wells south and<br />
north <strong>of</strong> Isles <strong>of</strong> Capri<br />
Boulevard.<br />
• 2011: Began quarterly<br />
monitoring <strong>of</strong> wells in<br />
north Clooney Loop near<br />
bridge construction area.<br />
• 2012: Submitted Risk<br />
Evaluation Corrective<br />
Action Program (RECAP)<br />
reports to LDEQ seeking<br />
approval <strong>of</strong> cleanup<br />
standards.<br />
• 2013: LDEQ approved<br />
RECAP cleanup standards.<br />
• 2016: Evaluating the<br />
feasibility <strong>of</strong> biological,<br />
chemical, physical and<br />
thermal remediation<br />
methods to enhance<br />
ongoing site remediation.<br />
Phillips 66 has been testing<br />
various remediation<br />
methods to enhance site<br />
cleanup since 2008.<br />
Editor’s Note: This is the first<br />
in a series <strong>of</strong> stories that will<br />
focus on the Interstate 10<br />
Bridge replacement project.<br />
Volume 4 • Number 4 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Jaunuary 2017 7
SWLA education<br />
On campus<br />
or Off campus?<br />
By Tori Hebert<br />
<strong>The</strong> Class <strong>of</strong> 2017 graduates<br />
probably feel like a new year hasn’t<br />
quite begun. It’s easy to base a<br />
“new year” on when a school calendar<br />
year begins. As seniors continue their<br />
studies in the last few months before<br />
graduation, they will begin looking at<br />
various details revolving around their<br />
first year <strong>of</strong> college. One pressing issue<br />
will be where they will call home. Living<br />
on or <strong>of</strong>f campus is a hard decision to<br />
make and the ultimate factor for many<br />
students ultimately relies on affordability.<br />
Affordable housing is an absolute must<br />
have now more than ever because <strong>of</strong><br />
legislative action to cut TOPS allowances.<br />
TOPS, Taylor Opportunity Program<br />
for Students, is a program <strong>of</strong> state<br />
scholarships for <strong>Louisiana</strong> residents<br />
who attend college within that state.<br />
Students receive TOPS based on their<br />
GPA throughout high school and must<br />
maintain a certain GPA each semester <strong>of</strong><br />
college to continue receiving financial<br />
aid. <strong>The</strong> TOPS program pays for a students<br />
tuition, and with either the Performance<br />
Award or Honors Award stipend, students<br />
receive extra funds to help them cover<br />
various university fees.<br />
<strong>The</strong> state legislature has been chipping<br />
away at the budget for higher education<br />
for many years. In turn, tuition prices<br />
continue to rise across campuses. In<br />
the early part <strong>of</strong> 2016, students faced a<br />
devastating blow when the legislature,<br />
in order to meet a budget decision, once<br />
again cut high education and left the<br />
TOPS program without the $249 million it<br />
needs to be fully funded.<br />
<strong>The</strong> chart below shows what tuition at<br />
McNeese and SOWELA will be for the<br />
Spring 2017 semester, and also what<br />
TOPS is able to give. <strong>The</strong> table also<br />
includes stipend payment reductions for<br />
the spring based on what was paid in the<br />
fall. In the Spring semester, TOPS will be<br />
less than 50% funded.<br />
McNeese<br />
Spring Tuition<br />
$3,677.23<br />
TOPS Award<br />
$1,075.79<br />
TOPS<br />
Performance<br />
Stipend<br />
Fall<br />
$186.12<br />
Spring<br />
$83.60<br />
SOWELA<br />
Spring Tuition<br />
$1,667.50<br />
TOPS Award<br />
$671.76<br />
TOPS Honors<br />
Stipend<br />
Fall<br />
$372.24<br />
Spring<br />
$167.20<br />
Without the full tuition payment and<br />
stipend allowance <strong>of</strong> TOPS, students will<br />
and parents alike will want to save many<br />
anywhere they can. Living on campus<br />
usually includes rent, all utilities, provides<br />
a laundry facility, fully furnished rooms,<br />
and sometimes a kitchen. <strong>The</strong>se are great<br />
features when students are looking in<br />
to housing options for their new college<br />
adventure. However, the prices for on<br />
campus housing can <strong>of</strong>ten make students<br />
and parents gasp. Here are a few pros and<br />
cons to consider about living on campus.<br />
Why live on campus…<br />
1. Convenience<br />
On campus living means never having<br />
to drive to school. You don’t have to<br />
keep track <strong>of</strong> the traffic report or learn<br />
alternate routes for those hectic days<br />
on the road. You may even get to sleep<br />
in later than you would if you were a<br />
computer student. Being on campus<br />
all the time also makes it easier to be a<br />
part <strong>of</strong> campus events. You won’t have<br />
the debate with yourself if you really<br />
want to go all the way back to school<br />
once you have been home for a few<br />
hours. Everything you need is right on<br />
campus with you, and you have countless<br />
opportunities to take a break form<br />
studying to enjoy fun nights with friends.<br />
2. 24/7 Assistance<br />
Whether you got locked out <strong>of</strong> your room<br />
or the elevator is broken, Maintenance is<br />
always on call. Plus, Residence Assistants<br />
are always available to help you in an<br />
emergency, or to simply give you advice.<br />
Unlike <strong>of</strong>f campus apartments, someone<br />
is always available to help you when<br />
8 January 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 4 • Number 4
things go wrong. When you live on<br />
campus you grow a support system <strong>of</strong><br />
people who want you to succeed. Being<br />
around others like you who are striving to<br />
do their best will challenge you to better<br />
yourself everyday.<br />
Pictures are "outside view <strong>of</strong> "<strong>The</strong> Suites" and floor plans.<br />
Why live <strong>of</strong>f campus…<br />
1. <strong>The</strong> requirement <strong>of</strong> a meal plan.<br />
Having a meal plan can be great for those<br />
students who do not want to cook all<br />
the time and would rather not store food<br />
in their room. However, this can also be<br />
a set back because meals plans are an<br />
extra several hundred dollars that will be<br />
paid in addition to deposits for housing.<br />
Many colleges require residents to have<br />
a meal plan, even if it does not get used.<br />
Different meal plan options are available<br />
to students, but if a student would rather<br />
cook is the extra payment a beneficial<br />
purchase? Remember, a kitchen is NOT<br />
always included in your dorm. Take some<br />
time to examine what kind <strong>of</strong> grocery<br />
budget you could set for yourself. Would<br />
you be able to purchase groceries to last<br />
a week or two, or does a meal plan option<br />
with already cooked meals a better fit for<br />
you?<br />
L-R, King Hall, Watkins Hall and Ziglar Hall (<strong>The</strong> Suites) are the most popular <strong>of</strong> the housing options<br />
on McNeese State University.<br />
2. Cost<br />
<strong>The</strong> prices listed on various on campus<br />
floor plans are monthly rent. This price<br />
is sometimes not divided between<br />
roommates. For example, if a floor plan<br />
price says that it is $560 per month, it is<br />
possible that every occupant <strong>of</strong> the floor<br />
plan pays $560 per month. Even if the<br />
floor plan includes 2-4 individual rooms,<br />
the price can still be $560 per person.<br />
Off campus living prices can be a shock,<br />
but the difference is that the monthly<br />
cost would be divided between the<br />
occupants. For example, if rent is $1,000<br />
per month, each occupant would be<br />
responsible for a portion <strong>of</strong> $333.33.<br />
McNeese houses both McNeese and<br />
SOWELA students. Time will tell how the on<br />
campus resident population will change<br />
with the new TOPS allowances. To find out<br />
more about the TOPS program and to see<br />
what TOPS tuition payments will be for<br />
your school, visit http://www.osfa.state.<br />
la.us.<br />
Collette Floor Plan<br />
Garden Style Floor Plan<br />
Visit http://www.mcneesereslife.com<br />
to view other floor plans, photos, and information.<br />
Visit https://www.mcneese.edu/future-students/tuition_fees_and_expenses<br />
for more information about McNeese tuition and<br />
Visit https://www.sowela.edu/np-calc<br />
for Sowela tuition. (this is net price calculator that students plug in their<br />
information to see an estimated cost <strong>of</strong> their education)<br />
Visit http://www.osfa.state.la.us<br />
For information on Federal Funding<br />
Visit http://www.osfa.state.la.us/MainSitePDFs/TOPS_Payment_Amounts.pdf.<br />
Students can check their specific education site to see what the TOPS allowance is<br />
for the Spring 2017 semester.<br />
Volume 4 • Number 4 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Jaunuary 2017 9
SWLA real estate<br />
<strong>The</strong> Effects <strong>of</strong> a<br />
THRIVING ECONOMY<br />
on the Real Estate Market<br />
As I reflect on 2016 in terms <strong>of</strong> my<br />
expectations <strong>of</strong> the effects <strong>of</strong><br />
the economic boom in<br />
Calcasieu and Cameron parishes<br />
resulting from Sasol's expansion, the<br />
LNG plants, and other construction<br />
projects and my actual production as a<br />
realtor, I am keenly aware <strong>of</strong> how a high<br />
demand for housing and low supply<br />
affect the real estate market. <strong>The</strong> fact<br />
that the <strong>Southwest</strong> <strong>Louisiana</strong> Board <strong>of</strong><br />
Realtors has double the number <strong>of</strong><br />
realtors as were licensed when I began<br />
my real estate career over 13 years go<br />
indicates that a number <strong>of</strong> people<br />
changed their careers in hopes <strong>of</strong><br />
financially benefiting from our thriving<br />
economy; however, when the market<br />
averaged somewhere around 850<br />
active residential listings in December<br />
and there are at least 700 licensed<br />
realtors, that means I have fewer than<br />
1.3 houses to sell. Staggering, isn't it?<br />
Obviously, we have low inventory <strong>of</strong><br />
houses to sell particularly for first-time<br />
buyers from $180k and below. Most<br />
<strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>fers I wrote for clients in 2016<br />
resulted in a bidding war over multiple<br />
<strong>of</strong>fers; consequently, those houses sold<br />
for over list price. I had several clients<br />
who went through 3-5 <strong>of</strong>fers before<br />
they were able to go under contract.<br />
Sounds like bad news, but it affords<br />
an opportunity to educate buyers on<br />
the type <strong>of</strong> market we have. If they<br />
understand that we have very few<br />
houses to sell and that they <strong>of</strong>ten go for<br />
list price or above, then buyers know<br />
what to expect. <strong>The</strong>y know, also, to<br />
inform their realtors immediately when<br />
a new listing becomes available for<br />
viewing. It is not unusual for a house to<br />
go under contract within 48 hours after<br />
going on the market.<br />
Buyers who are qualified to buy over<br />
$180k have a good selection <strong>of</strong> new<br />
construction to consider; however,<br />
many are patio homes on small lots.<br />
When purchasing new houses, buyers<br />
can <strong>of</strong>ten make their choices <strong>of</strong> colors,<br />
floors etc. as though they were building<br />
a custom home.<br />
Naturally sellers like this kind <strong>of</strong> market<br />
because their houses are selling for<br />
top dollar and go quickly; but when<br />
they change hats and become buyers,<br />
Analee Gregory Dupuie,<br />
Realtor®, MRP<br />
CENTURY 21<br />
Bessette Realty, Inc.<br />
3025 Lake Street<br />
Lake Charles, LA 70601<br />
analee.gregory@century21.com<br />
www.AnaleeSellsHomes.com<br />
337-274-9996 cell<br />
best way to reach me<br />
337-474-2185 <strong>of</strong>fice<br />
Licensed by the <strong>Louisiana</strong> Real Estate Commission.<br />
Each <strong>of</strong>fice independently owned and operated.<br />
any "extra money" they received from<br />
the sale <strong>of</strong> their homes may have to<br />
go towards the purchase <strong>of</strong> their new<br />
homes.<br />
<strong>The</strong> good news is that we have a<br />
thriving economy and the opportunity<br />
to have the American dream <strong>of</strong> home<br />
ownership. For anyone considering<br />
buying or selling, my advice is "Don't sit<br />
on the idea!" Prayerfully consider if this<br />
is the timing and trust God to direct you<br />
in your decisions. Recent news is that<br />
mortgage rates are going up!<br />
10<br />
January 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 4 • Number 4
This coupon entitles you to10% <strong>of</strong>f<br />
your Total purchase.(Must present coupon)<br />
LOVE YOUR BODY<br />
FROM THE INSIDE OUT<br />
Become a VIP Member &<br />
“Give the Gift <strong>of</strong> a Healthier Choice”<br />
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1540 N. MLK Hwy, Suite B. Lake Charles, LA. 70601 (337)437-4237<br />
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LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS, STORIES & PEOPLE<br />
Volume 4 • Number 4 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Jaunuary 2017 11
2017 Martin Luther King Jr.<br />
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE<br />
KZWA 104.9, <strong>The</strong> Vibe Foundation and the M.L.K. Coalition announces plans for the Martin Luther<br />
King, Jr. Festival held January 13-16, 2017. <strong>The</strong> theme this year is, <strong>The</strong> Dream: “Our Lives Begin<br />
to End the Day We Become Silent About Things That Matter.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> M.L.K., Jr. Festival honors the courageous effort and sacrifices <strong>of</strong><br />
Martin Luther King, Jr., and celebrates its 33rd Anniversary Year.<br />
It was chosen as a top 20 event by the Southeast Tourism Society for the first quarter <strong>of</strong> 2016.<br />
This award is a coveted honor among 12 member states.<br />
MLK 2016 Breakfast Attendees Judge Ron Ware - MLK Parade Grand Marshall 2016<br />
All Four high school choirs Barbe, LAGrange, Washington Marion and Sulphur.<br />
Everyone is invited to take part in this fun filled event. Don’t miss the Family Fun Day celebration<br />
where you can enjoy live, local and national entertainers with the best in Zydeco, R&B, Jazz, Blues and<br />
Southern Soul music. <strong>The</strong> big Celebrity Gumbo/Sauce Piquant Cook-Off contest as well as the exhibition<br />
by hundreds <strong>of</strong> local vendors featuring arts, crafts, Creole and Cajun food from all over <strong>Louisiana</strong> which<br />
promises to be a treat for all ages.<br />
12<br />
January 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 4 • Number 4
Friday January 13th<br />
Morning-Kick-Off Annual Memorial Breakfast 7:30 a.m.<br />
GLAD TIDINGS CHURCH 3400 TEXAS STREET LAKE<br />
CHARLES, LA.<br />
Guest Speaker- <strong>The</strong> honorable Judge Ron Ware <strong>of</strong> the 14th<br />
Judicial District Court.<br />
Local high school choirs performing include: Barbe, Lagrange,<br />
Washington Marion and Sulphur led by each school's choir<br />
director, and accompanied by Mr. Don McZeal and Ms. Belinda<br />
Williams.<br />
MLK Unsung Hero Award 9:00 a.m.<br />
First place winners from each division <strong>of</strong> the essay contest will<br />
read their winning essay. Open to the public and televised live<br />
on KPLC TV.<br />
Saturday January 14th<br />
MLK Community Clean-Up Day 8:00 a.m.<br />
MLK 2017<br />
PARADE ROUTE<br />
Leave MLK Center on Simmons Street - to Moeling (Right<br />
on Moeling) - to Prater (Right on Prater) - to Fitzenriter<br />
Road -(Right on Fitzenriter Road) - back to Simmons<br />
(Right on Simmons) to MLK Center.<br />
Fitzenriter Road<br />
Pear St<br />
Martin Luther<br />
King Jr. Center<br />
Will be held at the MLK Center. Featuring the Boy Scouts <strong>of</strong><br />
America and Washington Marion ROTC<br />
Sunday January 15th<br />
Gospel Extravaganza 6:00 p.m.<br />
Featuring performers from throughout <strong>Louisiana</strong>.<br />
Throne <strong>of</strong> Grace Fellowship, 2401 6th Street Lake Charles, LA<br />
Free Admission<br />
Monday January 16th<br />
Annual Parade 8:30 a.m.<br />
Prater Street<br />
Rena St<br />
Harless St<br />
<strong>The</strong>riot St<br />
Hagan St<br />
Knapp St<br />
Junior St<br />
Booker St<br />
Adam St<br />
Harless St<br />
N Simmons Street<br />
Line up at the Martin Luther King Center<br />
Parade Roll Out 11:00 a.m.<br />
Family Day Celebration (Zydeco, R&B, Blues, and Southern Soul<br />
Music)<br />
Medora St<br />
Wooding St<br />
Celebrity Gumbo/Sauce Piquant Cook-Off Contest<br />
Local Vendor Exhibition (Arts, Crafts, Creole, and Cajun Foods)<br />
Pear St<br />
T - Shirts can be purchased at KZWA and Unlimited<br />
Fashions. Pick up entry forms and pay fees at the<br />
business <strong>of</strong>fice located at 305 Enterprise Blvd., Lake<br />
Charles, La. 70601. Those wearing the commemorative<br />
M.L.K. T - shirts will get free admission and are invited to<br />
march in the M.L.K. parade.<br />
For more information and details send an email to<br />
mail@kzwafm.com or contact:<br />
Jacques Brown<br />
337-491-9955 or<br />
fax 337-433-8097<br />
mail@kzwafm.com<br />
KZWA LIVE 104.9<br />
305 Enterprise Blvd<br />
Lake Charles, LA 70601<br />
Kathenne St<br />
N Cherry St<br />
Moeling Street<br />
Channel St<br />
Poplar St<br />
Volume 4 • Number 4 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Jaunuary 2017 13
Reflective Light<br />
Father’s Son<br />
By Ronald J. Blanchard<br />
Ryan Zachery and his son Parker Zachery embrance each other in love.<br />
Beyond hope and<br />
imagination, there<br />
is a reality that is<br />
imprinted within each and<br />
every boy that strives to<br />
become a man. Something<br />
special and specific to his<br />
conceptual design initiates<br />
the beginnings <strong>of</strong> a human<br />
male specie that has purpose<br />
that erases the theory <strong>of</strong><br />
happenstance. Through<br />
spiritual orchestration and<br />
predestination, his physical<br />
anatomy and physiology<br />
follow the amazingly<br />
scripted, yet unwritten<br />
language that prefigures his<br />
eternal make-up through<br />
a divine blue print—an<br />
internal communication that<br />
scientists refer to as “DNA”.<br />
However, there is a necessity<br />
to nurture beyond nature<br />
that invisible, intangible<br />
entity that animates and<br />
creates a male, adult human<br />
being.<br />
What may appear to be a<br />
challenging complexity <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
solutions within simplicity.<br />
What one plants is what one<br />
grows. Surely, it would be<br />
ridiculous to look for corn<br />
within an okra field. A man<br />
has an essential obligation<br />
and responsibility to his<br />
infant baby boy to be the<br />
initial positive male role<br />
model. A man who considers<br />
himself to be a “father”<br />
demonstrates through<br />
unconditional love and<br />
compassion an immeasurable<br />
level <strong>of</strong> involvement that<br />
<strong>of</strong>fers developmentally<br />
specific provisions to all his<br />
children. He understands<br />
that significant amounts <strong>of</strong><br />
father–child involvement<br />
will help increase a child's<br />
social stability, educational<br />
achievement, and their<br />
potential to become adults<br />
that will contribute to<br />
society. Effective bonding<br />
with his male child creates<br />
an individual that is more<br />
cognitively and physically<br />
competent than his fatherless<br />
peers. Through his young<br />
eyes and ears, he gains<br />
insight that shapes his<br />
thoughts and impressions<br />
that define “father”. Within<br />
his infant mind, he begins to<br />
store memories <strong>of</strong> a man that<br />
will be important when he is<br />
able to emulate his first super<br />
hero—his father!<br />
A male child learns to crawl,<br />
walk, and eventually stand,<br />
following the paternal<br />
guidance <strong>of</strong> the most<br />
significant man in his life. His<br />
eventful evolution is part <strong>of</strong> a<br />
positive process that creates<br />
caring and respect within<br />
his character. Over time, he<br />
begins to understand those<br />
things that are pleasing to his<br />
father, as well as those factors<br />
that tend to disappoint.<br />
Unafraid to try, knowing<br />
that there is one that will be<br />
there to catch him if he falls,<br />
he develops a confidence<br />
that prepares him for the<br />
world. His coach, teacher,<br />
and mentor is always within<br />
his grasp. Communication<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten does not require words<br />
as subtle gestures convey<br />
messages that they clearly<br />
understand. Endless efforts<br />
to shape and mold within<br />
imperfection creates a<br />
joyous work for a father who<br />
welcomes the challenges <strong>of</strong><br />
parenthood.<br />
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a<br />
child in the way he should go,<br />
And when he is old he will<br />
not depart from it.” As a father<br />
raises his newborn son to the<br />
heavens, he makes an eternal<br />
commitment to the universe.<br />
His effectual contribution<br />
to humankind transforms a<br />
boy into a man. A man with<br />
unlimited possibilities and<br />
endless dreams enters the<br />
world filled with inspirations<br />
and pride. This man has a<br />
name. He’s his Father’s son!<br />
14<br />
January 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 4 • Number 4
SUCCESSFUL<br />
SELF Inc.<br />
It has been reported that 2.2 million individuals are<br />
behind bars and 900,000 <strong>of</strong> the 2.2 million are African<br />
Americans, and a significant growing proportion <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Hispanic population is added to this disproportionate racial<br />
composition. (Ryan S. King, Marc Mauer, and Malcolm C.<br />
Young, Incarceration and Crime: A Complex Relationship,<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sentencing Project, 2005)<br />
Our nation has encountered a rapid rise in the number <strong>of</strong><br />
people in prisons and jails over the last decade. <strong>The</strong> Bureau<br />
<strong>of</strong> Justice Statistics documents 1-in-6 people had been<br />
behind bars as <strong>of</strong> 2001, and if this current trend continues,<br />
1-in-3 black males born today can expect to be incarcerated<br />
during their lifetime. (Thomas P. Bonczar Prevalence <strong>of</strong><br />
Experiment in the U.S. Population 1974-2001, Bureau <strong>of</strong><br />
Justice Statistics, 2003, p.8.)<br />
Although women imprisonment is lower than men,<br />
black women are more likely than white women to find<br />
themselves behind bars.<br />
(<strong>The</strong> Sentencing Project, Women in the Criminal Justice<br />
System, May, 2007.)<br />
Successful Self Inc., is a non-pr<strong>of</strong>it 501(C)(3) organization<br />
with programs that serves this at-risk, incarcerated and<br />
former prisoner population.<br />
“Project Bear the Burden” is one program designed for<br />
service with a 36-Week 8-Step Eco Map Curriculum known<br />
as STRNGTH (Successful Tools for Residents in Non-<br />
Governmental Transitional Housing) Phase I & Phase II.<br />
STRNGTH Phase I & II has clinically based “Persons” in the<br />
Environment to provide licensed pr<strong>of</strong>essional counseling<br />
with expertise in addictions, anger and depression<br />
management, life skills coaching and the skilled practice <strong>of</strong><br />
meditation known as ‘Mindfulness.’ This voluntary program<br />
welcomes all individuals from all backgrounds and <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
each an individualized plan to meet their specific needs.<br />
Please direct all inquiries or make tax deductible donations<br />
to Successful Self Inc 501(C)(3) by contacting:<br />
Gene R. Hill, Sr.<br />
Successful Self Inc.<br />
Founder/Prison Minister/Mentor Program Coordinator<br />
gene.hilsr@gmail.com<br />
337.377.5731<br />
Joseph H. Hadnot, Ph.D<br />
Doctor <strong>of</strong> Philosophy in Religious Education<br />
Author: Motivational Speaker:Mindfulness<br />
Most recent book: Living the Amazing Life<br />
afrikaneden@yahoo.com<br />
337.375.2155<br />
Patrick Steward, M.Ed.<br />
Specialization Family & Community Service<br />
Board Certified Master Addictions Counselor III<br />
Anger & Depression Management Specialist<br />
Certified Behavior Management Specialist<br />
New Beginnings Outreach Community Center (Successful Self Inc Affiliate)<br />
ps0289048@gmail.com<br />
337.794.5351<br />
Volume 4 • Number 4 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Jaunuary 2017 15
SWLA health & wellness<br />
SWLA Center for Health<br />
Services assists with Health<br />
Insurance Enrollment<br />
<strong>The</strong> rising costs <strong>of</strong> healthcare have<br />
some businesses struggling to<br />
decide whether or not they can<br />
afford to provide health insurance for<br />
their employees while some employees<br />
may find that they are not able to<br />
afford the premiums <strong>of</strong> their employer<br />
sponsored plan.<br />
SWLA Center for Health Services<br />
is available to assist businesses by<br />
bringing our Certified Application<br />
Counselors to you. Our Counselors<br />
can help with completing health<br />
insurance applications for Medicaid or<br />
the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. “Obama<br />
Care”, free <strong>of</strong> charge. Depending on your<br />
number <strong>of</strong> employees, our Counselors<br />
can be available on Friday afternoons or<br />
Saturdays to provide information and<br />
application assistance at your business<br />
location. For more information about our<br />
“Mobile” Insurance Application Assistance<br />
at your business, please contact Mrs.<br />
Inca Allen, Outreach and Enrollment<br />
Supervisor, at 337-769-6535 or reach her<br />
by email at iallen@swlahealth.org.<br />
Our Counselors are also available at each<br />
<strong>of</strong> our sites daily Monday – Friday by<br />
appointment or walk-in to help people<br />
complete Medicaid and Affordable Care<br />
Act applications. Visit http://swlahealth.<br />
org to find our location nearest you.<br />
Why is this assistance important now?<br />
In July 2016, Governor John Bel Edwards<br />
enacted Medicaid expansion in <strong>Louisiana</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> income limits for Medicaid have now<br />
been adjusted for working families. This<br />
is great news for individuals who may not<br />
have previously qualified for Medicaid<br />
because <strong>of</strong> their income.<br />
Also, the open enrollment period for the<br />
Affordable Care Act is ongoing through<br />
the end <strong>of</strong> January 2017. Although<br />
it is true that there are discussions in<br />
Washington to repeal the Affordable<br />
Care Act, there has not been a time<br />
table set for when the repeal will go<br />
into effect once it occurs. Currently,<br />
over 20 million Americans receive their<br />
health insurance through the Affordable<br />
Care Act; subsequently, the incoming<br />
Administration has indicated that any<br />
future changes will be preceded by<br />
a transition period to ensure that all<br />
Americans still have access to coverage.<br />
<strong>The</strong>refore, SWLA Center for Health<br />
Services encourages individuals who still<br />
want or are in need <strong>of</strong> health insurance<br />
to apply before the January 31, 2017<br />
deadline.<br />
Below are tables to help you determine if you or your employees may qualify for Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act.<br />
Individuals making less than the income amounts shown below are encouraged to apply.<br />
Medicaid Eligibility<br />
138% <strong>of</strong> the Federal Poverty Level for 2016<br />
Household Size Weekly Bi-Weekly Monthly Yearly<br />
1 $ 316 $ 631 $ 1,367 $ 16,395<br />
2 $ 426 $ 851 $ 1,843 $ 21,108<br />
3 $ 536 $ 1,071 $ 2,319 $ 27,821<br />
4 $ 645 $ 1,290 $ 2,795 $ 33,534<br />
5 $ 755 $ 1,510 $ 3,271 $ 39,248<br />
6 $ 865 $ 1,730 $ 3,747 $ 44,961<br />
Affordable Care Act Eligibility<br />
Household Size Yearly<br />
1 $ 47,520<br />
2 $ 64,080<br />
3 $ 80,640<br />
4 $ 97,200<br />
5 $ 113,760<br />
6 $ 130,320<br />
16<br />
January 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 4 • Number 4
New Years Resolutions<br />
Basha's List <strong>of</strong> 7 Guilt-free<br />
New Years Goals<br />
By Basha Celestaine<br />
Soooo let's talk about New Year's<br />
resolutions. You know, those<br />
promises or goals you make for<br />
yourself for the upcoming year, but<br />
never actually keep? <strong>The</strong> most common<br />
resolutions that I've heard usually mostly<br />
do with weight because we equate<br />
that with beauty and happiness. Some<br />
people go small, like promising to lose<br />
five pounds by April. Others go big, like<br />
promising to lose five pounds a month<br />
until the following year. Some people<br />
shoot for day to day goals like trying to<br />
work out every single day or cut out junk<br />
food entirely. Some just strive to be better<br />
people, but can't find the time or good<br />
ways to do it. I say this year let's shoot for<br />
more attainable goals, because It's going<br />
to be a hard one, and we don't need to<br />
make it harder on ourselves. So, here's my<br />
list <strong>of</strong> guilt free goals:<br />
1. Hold a baby sometime this year.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y are cute and cuddly warm balls<br />
<strong>of</strong> fat, that just makes you happy<br />
because everything is so new and<br />
interesting to them. This is good<br />
because it helps you appreciate the<br />
small things you're already use to, so<br />
much more. If you are wary <strong>of</strong> babies<br />
for some reason do it anyway, it's<br />
a small way to push yourself. And<br />
don't worry most don't bite. P.S, make<br />
sure you ask first...the parent...not<br />
the baby, they likely won't be able<br />
to answer. (If for some reason, you<br />
can't find a baby, puppies, kittens<br />
and most other baby animals are also<br />
acceptable.)<br />
2. Go for a walk.<br />
Walks are a great form <strong>of</strong> exercise and<br />
exploring what's around you. <strong>The</strong>y are<br />
also a good time for self-reflection.<br />
Who knows maybe you'll like it so<br />
much that you'll go on another and<br />
another, until you go on a walk once<br />
a week. Walks once a week can turn<br />
into walks three times a week, and<br />
one <strong>of</strong> those walks could easily turn<br />
into a run. If not, that's okay.<br />
3. Treat someone.<br />
This is just a simple way to put a<br />
smile on the face <strong>of</strong> someone you<br />
care about. It doesn't have to be a big<br />
thing, buy someone's froyo, take a<br />
friend to the movies, take your mom<br />
to lunch. Putting a smile on someone<br />
else's face can put a smile on yours.<br />
4. Donate.<br />
Anything works, money, an article <strong>of</strong><br />
clothing, a little bit <strong>of</strong> your time. We<br />
may all be complaining about 2016,<br />
but many have had it way worse.<br />
If you don't have a favorite charity<br />
find one. 2017 will be the year for<br />
needy causes. If you can spare some<br />
change, do so. We're getting deeper<br />
into winter here and many are going<br />
cold and hungry, so you can donate<br />
food and warmer clothing. Go run (or<br />
walk, not judging) a 5K in the fight<br />
against cancer. Give a college student<br />
$5 bucks. Just do something, find<br />
some way to give back a little. Bonus:<br />
studies have shown that giving back<br />
can increase your own happiness.<br />
5. Give someone a hug.<br />
Sometimes people just need a hug.<br />
Again, ask first. But with the way this<br />
new year is starting <strong>of</strong>f, I'm guessing<br />
a lot <strong>of</strong> people could use a good<br />
squeeze or two.<br />
6. Eat something healthy that you enjoy.<br />
Much like with the walking this could<br />
lead into more health-conscious<br />
decisions. But no pressure.<br />
7. “Treat Yo Self”<br />
Tom and Donna from Parks and<br />
Recreation made this a yearly<br />
tradition for a reason. It's good to<br />
take time for yourself and make<br />
you feel good. It's okay to splurge<br />
sometimes and buy the shoes, go<br />
on that spa day, eat that cupcake, or<br />
drink that ridiculous foo-foo c<strong>of</strong>fee,<br />
that you know is basically a milkshake<br />
and won't help you in any way whatso-ever.<br />
“Treat Yo Self 2017!”<br />
Over the course <strong>of</strong> the year we must deal<br />
with a lot <strong>of</strong> deadlines and time limits on<br />
things. When we give them to ourselves<br />
they can sometimes be very helpful<br />
and motivating, but they can also add<br />
unnecessary stress. I don't know about<br />
you, but I have had enough <strong>of</strong> stress.<br />
So, let's make the upcoming year a feel<br />
good one. It will not be easy, but the best<br />
part <strong>of</strong> these guilt free goals is they can<br />
be done just once anytime during 2017.<br />
And hey, if you feel like doing more, then<br />
more power to ya!<br />
Volume 4 • Number 4 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Jaunuary 2017 17
SWLA sports<br />
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL<br />
Let’s Get Ready<br />
for Play<strong>of</strong>fs! By Tori Hebert<br />
Put your tailgating items away<br />
and dig out your basketball gear<br />
because the play<strong>of</strong>fs will be<br />
here before you know it. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Louisiana</strong><br />
State Boys Basketball Championship is<br />
hosted right here in Lake Charles at our<br />
very own Burton Coliseum. This year’s<br />
tournament will be quite different<br />
than it has been in the past. <strong>The</strong> LHSAA<br />
voted to separate the public and private<br />
schools’ championships. In previous<br />
years, all teams played together, but<br />
this year public and private schools will<br />
play against each other respectively.<br />
This split comes just a few years after<br />
the LHSSA separated the football<br />
play<strong>of</strong>fs, and the split has now been<br />
extended to basketball, baseball, and<br />
s<strong>of</strong>tball. At the June 2016 LHSSA<br />
meeting, Northshore High School<br />
principle Frank Jabbia was quoted as<br />
saying, “I understand (private schools)<br />
have to recruit; it’s their business…<br />
If they need people, they ought to<br />
be recruiting the highly talented and<br />
educated kids. <strong>The</strong>y’re not coming for<br />
those kids; they’re coming for the<br />
kids who are going to sell tickets<br />
on Friday nights and Saturdays, and<br />
that’s our problem. <strong>The</strong>y’re handpicking<br />
who they want. On our side <strong>of</strong> the<br />
district, we have just a handful <strong>of</strong><br />
very gifted athletes, and when you<br />
lose a few <strong>of</strong> those, it puts a damper<br />
on everything else we do. That’s the<br />
difficult part. We just want to play on<br />
a level playing field.” Northshore High<br />
School is a part <strong>of</strong> St. Tammany Parish.<br />
Many private schools have the ability<br />
to recruit the top athletes to play for<br />
their teams. Public schools can only<br />
accept students within their enrollment<br />
zone, but private schools have open<br />
enrollment. Both private and public<br />
schools have voiced concerns over<br />
logistics and how this split will affect<br />
the game, but as <strong>of</strong> now, the basketball<br />
play<strong>of</strong>fs will be separated.<br />
It is uncertain what will happen next,<br />
but private schools and some public<br />
schools have discussed forming<br />
their own “athletic<br />
cooperative”. New Orleans<br />
affiliate WGNO reported<br />
a proposed <strong>Louisiana</strong> High School<br />
Sports Cooperative email had been<br />
sent out to schools across the state, but<br />
there has been no progress or formal<br />
introduction at this time. To read more<br />
about the split and any alternatives,<br />
visit wgno.com or nola.com. Be sure to<br />
add these sites to your resource list for<br />
all things related to high school basket<br />
ball across the state!<br />
Girls State Championship will be<br />
February 27-March 24 at University<br />
Center in Hammond and Boys State<br />
Championship will be March 6-11 at<br />
Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles.<br />
Check the chart below to see what<br />
district and class your home town<br />
team belongs to. <strong>The</strong>se divisions are<br />
based on the total number <strong>of</strong> students<br />
enrolled in grades 9-12 at each school.<br />
This chart accounts for both boys and<br />
girls basketball teams.<br />
wgno.com<br />
http://wgno.com/2016/03/16/alternativeto-lhsaa-la-high-school-sports-cooperativeseeks-60-schools/<br />
this article discusses the possible<br />
alternative to the LHSAA. It's a sensitive<br />
subject right now, and nothing has yet<br />
been set into action.<br />
nola.com<br />
http://highschoolsports.nola.com/news/<br />
article/2805862792038434058/lhsaaprincipals-vote-to-keep-extended-splitprivate-schools-to-mull-future/<br />
this article is a recap <strong>of</strong> the June<br />
meeting <strong>of</strong> the LHSAA and state<br />
high school principles.<br />
3-4A<br />
Washington-Marion<br />
DeRidder<br />
Crowley<br />
Rayne<br />
3-5A<br />
Barbe<br />
Sam Houston<br />
Sulphur<br />
4-1A<br />
Grand Lake<br />
South Cameron<br />
Elton<br />
East Beauregard<br />
Hamilton Christian<br />
4-2A<br />
Lake Arthur<br />
Welsh<br />
DeQuincy<br />
Vinton<br />
Merryville<br />
4-3A<br />
Iowa<br />
Westlake<br />
South Beauregard<br />
Iota<br />
Jennings<br />
St. Louis<br />
4-4A<br />
LaGrange<br />
5-3A<br />
Church Point<br />
6-3A<br />
Notre Dame<br />
6-C<br />
Hackberry<br />
Johnson Bayou<br />
Singer<br />
Northside Christian<br />
7-B<br />
Hathaway<br />
Lacassine<br />
Midland<br />
18<br />
January 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 4 • Number 4
Volume 4 • Number 4 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Jaunuary 2017 19
SWLA business<br />
FinancialFitness<br />
Your Credit Score and You<br />
For many Americans, a credit score<br />
is a 3-digit number that conjures<br />
worry and uncertainty. It seems<br />
like a mysterious number that can<br />
make or break your financial future, and<br />
many aren’t sure what affects the score,<br />
much less where to go for help.<br />
<strong>Southwest</strong> <strong>Louisiana</strong> Credit Union<br />
<strong>of</strong>fers one-on-one financial advice that<br />
can help keep you and your family<br />
financially fit. Your credit score can be<br />
your biggest asset or your worst enemy,<br />
so it’s important to ask for help from<br />
the pr<strong>of</strong>essionals who can put you on<br />
the right track toward a healthy, happy<br />
financial state <strong>of</strong> being.<br />
Your score is generated from a<br />
computer-based model that compiles<br />
the information from your credit report,<br />
and your score depends on how well<br />
you manage your credit and debts.<br />
Many factors contribute to your credit<br />
score’s vitality, and it’s important to be<br />
aware <strong>of</strong> ways to keep your credit score<br />
up.<br />
Prioritize your bills.<br />
“You may be surprised how many<br />
people don’t pay their bills on time,”<br />
said Ronaldo Hardy, CEO <strong>of</strong> <strong>Southwest</strong><br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong> Credit Union. “This is one <strong>of</strong><br />
the best ways to improve your credit<br />
score, and neglecting your due dates is<br />
also the easiest way to dent your score.”<br />
Even if you’re trying to make ends meet<br />
and feel like you’re living paycheck to<br />
paycheck, always prioritize your bills.<br />
It’s better to make a few sacrifices now<br />
and pay your bills on time than to miss<br />
a few payments and have a lower score<br />
that affects future purchases, such as a<br />
home or car.<br />
Monitor your credit card balances.<br />
Your credit card utilization rate is<br />
perhaps one <strong>of</strong> the most important<br />
factors in determining your credit score.<br />
This rate is your total credit card debt<br />
divided by your total credit limit.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> smaller the percentage, the better<br />
it looks for your credit, and a large<br />
percentage can give lenders a red flag<br />
since it may appear that you depend<br />
too much on credit,” said Hardy. “<strong>The</strong><br />
ideal credit card utilization rate is about<br />
30%.”<br />
Keep good credit part <strong>of</strong> your life.<br />
It may sound counterintuitive, but<br />
keeping old good debt on your credit<br />
report can be a good thing. If you have<br />
debt that you paid <strong>of</strong>f on time and<br />
managed very well—such as an auto<br />
loan or a mortgage—it can show that<br />
you have a history <strong>of</strong> being fiscally<br />
responsible.<br />
Play it safe.<br />
“While being a risk taker can pay <strong>of</strong>f in<br />
other aspects <strong>of</strong> your life, it’s better to<br />
be a bit conservative with your credit,”<br />
said Hardy.<br />
Significant and sudden changes in your<br />
routine—such as a sharp increase in<br />
activity or an unexpected decline in<br />
payment amounts—can damage your<br />
credit score.<br />
Even if some credit card habits don’t<br />
directly affect your credit score, your<br />
card issuer may become concerned<br />
by certain activities that may point to<br />
financial stress, such as frequent cash<br />
advances.<br />
Erase small, multiple balances.<br />
Another factor that determines your<br />
credit score is how many <strong>of</strong> your credit<br />
cards have balances.<br />
“Instead <strong>of</strong> charging $20 here and $30<br />
there, use one card that has a good<br />
interest rate and focus on paying <strong>of</strong>f<br />
small balances on your other cards that<br />
have higher interest rates,” said Hardy.<br />
“Every little thing helps direct you<br />
toward a healthier financial future.”<br />
<strong>Southwest</strong> <strong>Louisiana</strong> Credit Union is a<br />
$95-million, not-for-pr<strong>of</strong>it, memberbased<br />
credit union with four locations<br />
in Lake Charles, Sulphur and Westlake.<br />
To find out more, visit www.swlacu.com<br />
or call 337-477-9190.<br />
20<br />
January 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 4 • Number 4
SWLA business<br />
Creative Financing<br />
for HOME IMPROVEMENT<br />
By Tori Hebert<br />
W<br />
hen Henry Mancuso started<br />
Project Build a Future (PBAF)<br />
in 2001 he never thought it<br />
would still be a prosperous non-pr<strong>of</strong>it<br />
organization 15 years later. Henry says,<br />
“When I first started this, I thought we<br />
would build a few houses and then<br />
we could pat ourselves on the back<br />
for a job well done”. When <strong>The</strong> <strong>Voice</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> SWLA first published about PBAF<br />
in August 2014, VOL.2, NUM.1, the<br />
organization had built almost two<br />
dozen homes and had no foreclosures.<br />
<strong>The</strong> non-pr<strong>of</strong>it has now built well over<br />
100 homes and still has seen zero<br />
foreclosures. PBAF has brought a new<br />
and creative way <strong>of</strong> financing not only<br />
to their homes, but also to the three<br />
community charter schools.<br />
To begin the process <strong>of</strong> the Lease-to-<br />
Purchase Program with PBAF, every<br />
family is required to go through a<br />
process <strong>of</strong> education to help them build<br />
financially stable practices. One <strong>of</strong> the<br />
first steps in moving toward having<br />
their first home, is for each family to<br />
meet with Home Buyer Counselor.<br />
This counselor works with the family<br />
to set a working monthly budget, and<br />
the counselor also helps the family<br />
understand their credit score and assist<br />
them in creating a Credit Repair Action<br />
Plan. This action plan helps families on<br />
their journey to repairing their credit<br />
score in order to financially help them<br />
in the long run.<br />
Once families have been able to make<br />
improvements to their credit score<br />
and they are close to being mortgage<br />
ready, families are then eligible to be a<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the Lease-to-Purchase Program.<br />
During this time, families continue to<br />
save money for their home with the<br />
help <strong>of</strong> Asset Builders. Asset Builders<br />
is a program that assist families in the<br />
down payment they can deposit at the<br />
bank towards purchasing their home.<br />
For every $1 the family saves, Asset<br />
Builders gives $4 to the family towards<br />
Henry Mancuso at his Court <strong>of</strong> Appeals <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />
their savings. This money helps each<br />
family get closer to their goal <strong>of</strong> owning<br />
a home, and also helps their monthly<br />
payments stay low.<br />
During the Lease-to-Purchase Program,<br />
families are given more education<br />
opportunities. This time they are<br />
taught about home maintenance<br />
and repair. “This is a great way to help<br />
families understand what it takes to be<br />
a homeowner. Whenever something<br />
breaks or goes wrong, you don’t have<br />
the option to call the land lord. You are<br />
the land lord!” says Mr. Mancuso.<br />
Through the entire home buying<br />
Volume 4 • Number 4 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Jaunuary 2017 21
process, these families are never left<br />
on their own. Every step <strong>of</strong> the way<br />
they have regular meetings with their<br />
Home Buyer Counselors, are continually<br />
attending home buyer education<br />
classes, and when the time comes to<br />
make a trip to the bank to make a down<br />
payment, PBAF goes with them. Henry<br />
said, “You would think that after the<br />
families have purchased their homes<br />
that we would go our separate ways.<br />
However, we have quite a few families<br />
that stay in touch with us and we hear<br />
from them <strong>of</strong>ten. Some families have<br />
even discussed possibly creating our<br />
own Homeowners Association. It is<br />
amazing to see the difference owning<br />
a home can make in a person and in a<br />
neighborhood.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> homes that PBAF develops are<br />
done with local contractors, and many<br />
<strong>of</strong> them have been in partnership<br />
with Habitat for Humanity. <strong>The</strong>y are<br />
single family homes that have open<br />
floor plans, three bedrooms, and two<br />
bathrooms. <strong>The</strong> non pr<strong>of</strong>it organization<br />
has a goal <strong>of</strong> building 6 homes a year,<br />
and at the time <strong>of</strong> print they had 4<br />
homes under construction on the 700<br />
block <strong>of</strong> VE Washington Street in Lake<br />
Charles.<br />
Henry believes that there are two key<br />
components <strong>of</strong> a successful life. One<br />
<strong>of</strong> them being the opportunity to<br />
own a home, something he and the<br />
entire PBAF team have been making<br />
a possibility for 15 years. <strong>The</strong> second<br />
component is the opportunity to<br />
have a quality education. Henry is<br />
the President <strong>of</strong> the Board for PBAF,<br />
and he is also the part-time Executive<br />
Secretary for the Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees <strong>of</strong><br />
the community’s three charter schools.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are two kindergarden-8 th grade<br />
charter schools and one high school<br />
charter school. When room was needed<br />
for high schoolers, the charter school<br />
turned to Lakeside Bank for financing.<br />
<strong>The</strong> bank provided 80% <strong>of</strong> the required<br />
funding, but the charter school still<br />
needed $220,000. At the time, PBAF<br />
was able to step in with the additional<br />
funding. Henry explains, “PBAF<br />
had sold many homes in the Fields<br />
Subdivision on 6 th Avenue and had<br />
excess cash reserves. PBAF had a need<br />
to invest these funds and to receive<br />
the highest yield possible because any<br />
funds earned through investment <strong>of</strong><br />
temporary reserves would help keep<br />
the cost <strong>of</strong> future housing lower and<br />
earned income is able to be put back<br />
into housing.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> $220,000 was loaned by PBAF with<br />
the same 4.75% interest rate that the<br />
bank charged. <strong>The</strong> PBAF loan was 5<br />
years and today PBAF receives monthly<br />
cash income as the charter school pays<br />
interest and principle on the loan. Mr.<br />
Mancuso’s final remarks on the creative<br />
financing discussion were, “<strong>The</strong> Key:<br />
two not for pr<strong>of</strong>its worked together to<br />
benefit each one. <strong>The</strong> charter school<br />
received the necessary funds to buy a<br />
facility for its high school students, and<br />
PBAF is receiving a great return on its<br />
investment.”<br />
For 15 years PBAF has been a huge<br />
part <strong>of</strong> ensuring affordable housing<br />
to Lake Charles residences. Because <strong>of</strong><br />
their dedication to the families in their<br />
programs, they have been able to take<br />
a step in a new direction <strong>of</strong> being a<br />
partner in education. Home ownership<br />
and quality education being done in a<br />
creative and beneficial way. <strong>The</strong> keys<br />
to success being restored to those who<br />
thought they were long gone.<br />
For more information on Project Build a<br />
Future, visit projectbuildafuture.org, or<br />
call 337-439-7191.<br />
For information about the community<br />
charter schools, visit charterschoolsusa.<br />
com.<br />
Project Build a Future homes being built on V.E. Washington & LA Ave.<br />
22<br />
January 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 4 • Number 4
DEBT CONSOLIDATION LOANS<br />
AS LOW AS<br />
5.99%<br />
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE<br />
UP TO<br />
$20,000<br />
RESTRICTIONS APPLY. AMOUNT APPROVED<br />
DEPENDENT ON DIFFERENT VARIABLES.<br />
SWLACU.COM • 337-477-9190<br />
LAKE CHARLES • SULPHUR • WESTLAKE<br />
Volume 4 • Number 4 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Jaunuary 2017 23
Real People Real Lives<br />
Gary<br />
Gobert<br />
Q&A<br />
by Basha Celestaine<br />
Located at 5700 B J Cement Road in Lake Charles, LA, is Lake City Trucking. A self made business owned by Gary Gobert, a<br />
humble, hardworking, and busy man. It's been servicing companies since 1988, working with the oil, petro-chemical, steel,<br />
timber and construction industries. <strong>The</strong>ir mission “is to provide safe, efficient, and reliable transportation services to meet the<br />
specific needs <strong>of</strong> [their] customers.” Here is what Mr. Gobert had to say about starting his own business.<br />
QHow did you start Lake City<br />
Trucking?<br />
AGobert: “I had a dream and a<br />
vision. To fulfil that vision, for 3<br />
years, I started in the industry with a<br />
Kansas based company. This allowed<br />
me to purchase my first truck. After<br />
the 3 years, I leased on with Melton<br />
Truck Lines in Shreveport, driving<br />
cross country for them for another 6<br />
years which allowed me to purchase<br />
my second truck. After literally living<br />
in a truck for approximately 9 years I<br />
returned to Lake Charles in 1988 and<br />
started Lake City Trucking with 2 trucks<br />
and 2 drivers. One <strong>of</strong> those drivers<br />
was me. I worked many long days and<br />
nights to make Lake City Trucking the<br />
company it is today. But that journey is<br />
one that I wouldn't trade for anything.<br />
<strong>The</strong> journey taught me and refined me<br />
into the person I am today.”<br />
QHow did you get your first truck?<br />
AGobert: “I was able to purchase my<br />
first truck from a company that I was<br />
working for. I purchased that truck with<br />
a dollar down, and a lot <strong>of</strong> hard work.<br />
Times have changed a lot since then,<br />
but some things have not changed. It<br />
still takes hard work, perseverance and<br />
faith in God to endure.”<br />
QWhat were the obstacles you faced<br />
starting Lake City Trucking?<br />
AGobert: “Just like any other business,<br />
I struggled with getting business<br />
in the beginning. Finding customers<br />
and getting them to take a chance on<br />
a new business was probably the most<br />
challenging. You must get your foot in<br />
the door, and once you are in, you must<br />
perform. I knew I would have to overdeliver<br />
and that is what I did, and I still do.”<br />
QWhy do you think it's important to give<br />
back and support your community?<br />
AGobert: “Supporting your community<br />
is the right thing to do. I'm a firm<br />
believer in not forgetting where you came<br />
from. I believe in the principle <strong>of</strong> "sowing<br />
and reaping". I learned early on, that to<br />
receive you must give. If you live by that<br />
principle and exercise your faith, things<br />
will work out for you.”<br />
QWhy is it important to support small<br />
and minority owned businesses?<br />
AGobert: “First and foremost, I do<br />
not like to label businesses. I<br />
consider Lake City Trucking a business<br />
just like any other business. I prefer<br />
to compete for business based on my<br />
ability to perform and the track record<br />
<strong>of</strong> my company.”<br />
QWhat made you want to start your<br />
own trucking company?<br />
AGobert: “My father owned a trucking<br />
company and I had relatives in the<br />
trucking industry as well. Just growing up<br />
I knew one day I would be in business for<br />
myself, and the trucking industry was a<br />
natural fit for me. I enjoyed driving and<br />
being on the road. It allowed me to set my<br />
own hours and schedule. If I wanted to<br />
work twenty hours a day, I could.”<br />
QWhat was your best and worst<br />
business decision?<br />
AGobert: “<strong>The</strong> best decision I ever made<br />
was "not giving up when things got<br />
tough.” As for my worst decision, it was<br />
not being a better risk taker. I remember<br />
years ago, thinking to purchase 10 brand<br />
new trucks at once. It was one <strong>of</strong> my best<br />
decisions ever. As it turned out, that was<br />
also part <strong>of</strong> my worst decisions because I<br />
should have purchased 20.”<br />
QWho was your best business counselor<br />
and what advice was given?<br />
AGobert: “My best business advice came<br />
from my father. I started my business<br />
buying used trucks and the advice he gave<br />
me was, "If you can buy new, buy new.” That's<br />
when I decided to purchase 10 brand new<br />
trucks and I've been buying new ever since.”<br />
24<br />
January 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 4 • Number 4
CALCASIEU PARISH GETTING<br />
BACK 2 BIZ<br />
#CPBack2Biz #CPStrong #CPChamber<br />
SULPHUR<br />
West Cal-Cam Hospital<br />
Tarver Ford<br />
Joe's Pizza & Pasta<br />
Stines<br />
Pitt Grill<br />
Quaker Steak & Lube<br />
SPAR<br />
Goodwill<br />
Hollier's<br />
Dairy Barn<br />
LAKE CHARLES<br />
Reeves Uptown<br />
Special Touch Massage<br />
Pujo St. Cafe<br />
Kmart<br />
Pick up your<br />
copy <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
SWLA while<br />
you’re out and about.<br />
CC's C<strong>of</strong>fee House<br />
Chase (Downtown)<br />
Steamboat Bill's<br />
Civic Center<br />
Carnegie Library<br />
Luna Bar & Grill<br />
MOSS BLUFF<br />
Peto's<br />
All Action Automotive<br />
Market Basket<br />
Southern Spice<br />
VINTON<br />
Post Office<br />
Market Basket<br />
Love's Truck Stop<br />
Calcasieu Parish And Surrounding Areas<br />
Do you have a child with special needs?<br />
Day Care for Medically<br />
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Our Staff Includes:<br />
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We Provide Transportation<br />
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Call us Today To See if Your Child<br />
Volume 4 • Number 4 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Jaunuary 2017 25
SWLA entertainment<br />
Twelfth Night<br />
It’s Not Just Another Tuesday<br />
By Tori Hebert<br />
C<br />
hristmas time has ended and<br />
for <strong>Louisiana</strong> residents that<br />
can only mean one thing, it’s<br />
Carnival season! Carnival <strong>of</strong>ficially<br />
begins on January 6 or what is called<br />
Twelfth Night. This time <strong>of</strong> celebration<br />
dates back to the Middle Ages where<br />
lavish gifts were exchanged until the<br />
festivities evolved into the festive<br />
time <strong>of</strong> King Cake eating and dancing<br />
that we know today.<br />
Twelfth Night, or as calendars say,<br />
“Epiphany”, marks the visit <strong>of</strong> the Magi<br />
to the manger on the night Christ was<br />
born. In early years, this celebration<br />
was considered an extension <strong>of</strong><br />
Christmas; however, it became a<br />
time <strong>of</strong> lavish balls and parties.<br />
<strong>Southwest</strong> <strong>Louisiana</strong> is no stranger<br />
to royal celebrations full <strong>of</strong> exquisite<br />
dresses and costumes. <strong>The</strong> Twelfth<br />
Night celebration, held every year at<br />
the Civic Center, is one <strong>of</strong> the largest<br />
Mardi Gras events each season. Like<br />
our neighbors in New Orleans, Twelfth<br />
Night is a time to eat King Cake and<br />
get excited about the 7 weeks <strong>of</strong><br />
parades. However, our celebration<br />
allows the community to be a part <strong>of</strong><br />
a royal celebration that traditionally is<br />
kept private for krewe members only.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Twelfth Night celebration at the<br />
Civic Center allows the community to<br />
see the royalty <strong>of</strong> over 60 krewes. <strong>The</strong><br />
night is full <strong>of</strong> dancing, music, oohs<br />
and aahs as the Kings and Queens<br />
<strong>of</strong> the previous years Carnival make<br />
their final march. This event<br />
marks the end <strong>of</strong> their reign<br />
and welcomes the new Carnival<br />
season. In New Orleans, Twelfth<br />
Night is commemorated with two<br />
krewe parades while the Twelfth<br />
Night Revelers enjoy dinner at a local<br />
restaurant. <strong>The</strong> community usually<br />
only get a glimpse <strong>of</strong> the krewe<br />
royalty in their full costumes when<br />
their floats roll pass during parades.<br />
“Super Krewes” like Endymion and<br />
Bacchus hold balls that are open to<br />
the public after their parades are<br />
over. Krewe balls in Lake Charles are<br />
invitation only, just as they are in New<br />
Orleans, but we have made Mardi<br />
Gras so much more than just weeks <strong>of</strong><br />
catching beads.<br />
From the King Cake Taste Off to the<br />
Mardi Gras Madness 5k <strong>Southwest</strong><br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong> has made Mardi Gras a time<br />
for families and friends to gather with<br />
the community for a day <strong>of</strong> fun. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
is always something going on during<br />
Carnival season, and every event has<br />
the community in mind. Instead <strong>of</strong><br />
all day cooks outs, we have cooking<br />
competitions, dog contests, a special<br />
day for our children, and a party that<br />
never ever stops. Our celebration <strong>of</strong><br />
Mardi Gras is just another way that<br />
sets our community apart from every<br />
other part <strong>of</strong> our beloved state.<br />
No matter where you spend Carnival<br />
this year, Laissez Les Bon Temps<br />
Rouler!<br />
For a complete<br />
list <strong>of</strong> <strong>Southwest</strong><br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong> Mardi Gras events,<br />
check out visitlakecharles.org. If<br />
you would like to learn more about<br />
Twelfth Night and all things Mardi<br />
Gras, take a look at Christmas in New<br />
Orleans and Mardi Gras in Calcasieu<br />
Parish: A Pictorial History, available at<br />
Calcasieu Parish Public Library.<br />
"Mask are typically worn at Twelfth<br />
Night celebrations, and they are<br />
a staple decoration <strong>of</strong> Mardi Gras.<br />
Masks have been used for hundreds<br />
<strong>of</strong> years and were originally a way<br />
for Carnival celebrators to escape<br />
society and class restraints."<br />
26<br />
January 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 4 • Number 4
IT’S<br />
GEAUX<br />
TIME.<br />
IT’S HERE, Y’ALL.<br />
ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. @2016 YUENGLING & SON, PA 17901<br />
Volume 4 • Number 4 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Jaunuary 2017 27
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