labeerfest

Beer.  Now that I have your attention..(sorry for the old joke). Saturday May 19th at the Civic Center the Louisiana Beer Fest returns to the Lake Charles Civic Center.

Beer has been a favorite beverage here in the Lake Area forever, but in the past couple of years imports and craft beers have enjoyed a huge surge in popularity. When you attend the Louisiana Beer Fest, you’ll get an opportunity to sample some of these great beers. Many people at our last Beer Fest discovered that they now have a new favorite beer.

What can you expect?

Well, first of all don’t expect to find people walking around with giant glasses of beer and German music playing in the background. Also, you won’t find any of the ..how shall I put this?  Uh, “common” beers. I won’t name any names but, generally speaking, you won’t find anything that is sold in bottles called “ponies”. You won’t find anything that comes in 18 packs or is advertized in the Super Bowl. Nothing against any of those products but you can find them everywhere!

What you will find are real beer lover’s beers. Great beers from all corners of the globe. Every color and taste will be represented. But that doesn’t mean that there will be no domestic beer! To the contrary, the Beer Fest will feature Abita Beer. Abita is brewed in Abita Springs, Louisiana. Beer Fest isn’t featuring Abita just because it’s brewed in Louisiana ! Abita has become a very respected beer all over the country and I assure you that you will find an Abita product you will love. If you’ve never tasted Abita Turbo Dog or Purple Haze, you are in for a treat. Abita has other brews that, while lesser known, are amazing.

abitabeer/louisiana beerfest

The Louisiana Beer Fest is a Louisiana owned and operated company whose purpose is to promote beer and beer culture throughout the state. We have a passion for beer. Having traveled and sampled great beer all over the country and world, we have dedicated ourselves to bringing great beer to our home.

That is not to say we don’t have great beer here already. There are a growing numbers of Louisiana breweries, all doing their best to produce great products. A trip to our festival will allow you to sample, and probably meet, the people who are behind all of that great brewing. In addition to our great local breweries, you will get a chance to sample beers from all around the world.

Lambics from Belgium, bitters from England, hefe-weizens from Germany, and so many more. If you are an experienced beer drinker, then this is what you have been waiting for. If you are new to the world of craft beers, then this is your chance to sample a great variety of beers and get some education on the subject.

Here is a link to the website…you can buy tickets and get a preview of some of the other beers that will be featured!   BEERFEST

Absolutely no one under 21 will be admitted to the Louisiana Beer Fest under any circumstances!

townsquaremedia

It all came down to two last night on American Idol. 9,000,000 people voted and their vote was that Joshua Ledet would be eliminated. So now, it’s down to Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez.
Thank you, America for voting Joshua Ledet off the show. I’m glad he got bumped….

Joshua Ledet is without a doubt a phenom. He’s only 20 and yet he has all the polish and style of a seasoned veteran.  While he is very soft-spoken and somewhat shy offstage, when he walks out to perform there is a different walk, a different demeanor and a confidence that belies his off-stage persona. On top of all that, there’s that voice.

Actually it’s more than just a great voice that sets Ledet apart. It’s the ability to use that voice to nail the essence of the songs. At the age of 20, very few people have the sensitivity to translate lyrics into feelings. There are a plethora of singers out there with outstanding voices (insert Jessica Sanchez here) but they lack the ability to connect to the emotion of the song.

So, why am I glad that Joshua was eliminated?

First of all, look at the careers of the past A.I. winners. More to the point, look at the lack of careers of past winners. Out of 11 seasons, only two or three winners have had any kind of career at all. On the other hand, “also rans” have had some pretty stellar careers. Then, there is the matter of what actually happens when these kids win the title of American Idol.

American Idol winners are pretty much locked in to being an American Idol product for five years. That’s five years of being an employee of American Idol. You record what they tell you to record. You are locked into a pretty much grueling tour schedule and they get a portion of your income. Sound like stardom to you?

If I understand the particulars correctly, in two years Joshua will be a free agent. Free to be courted by record labels that will super promote him. He will also have, if he has a good agent, the freedom to record a true Joshua Ledet album.  Exactly what that will consist of remains to be seen.

All in all, being on American Idol was a great thing for Joshua Ledet. Exactly how else does a super talented young man from Westlake, Louisiana get discovered and promoted on a top rated TV show? Having said that, for the reasons above and a hundred more, being eliminated was the best thing that could have happened.

When we had Joshua in our studios recently he said that he wanted to “touch the world” with his music. I think he will.

All our best to Joshua Ledet. We will all be able to say when know him when.

Take Me There!

flickr/sportsphotographybybradyllc.

We all know that there have never been accidents caused while talking on a cell phone…right? So, the Louisiana Senate has decided that, while it is dangerous and there have been fatalities caused by people with their high priority calls ( “and so, like Chad told Tiffany, that  he, you know..like…liked her she was like, “OMG he drives a crummy car”) that we should all go ahead and gab on the phone instead of less important things like..Oh, I don’t know…Not running red lights and stop signs..and kids crossing the street!

Let me just step down off this soapbox so you can read the story…

A proposal to ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving has failed to win support in the Louisiana Senate.

The Senate Transportation Committee voted 2-1 Thursday against the House-backed proposal.

New Orleans Rep. Austin Badon, a Democrat, says he proposed the bill as a safety measure. Drivers could use a hands-free device to talk on the phone behind the wheel.

Critics say cell phones aren’t any more dangerous than things like drinking coffee while driving, eating while driving or reading the newspaper while driving. Livingston Sen. Dale Erdey, a Republican, says hands-free devices aren’t any safer than holding the phone to the ear. ( oh, you drive with your ears?)

Louisiana currently has a ban on texting while driving.

I know no one in Lake Charles would ever dream of talking on the phone instead of paying attention to where they are going..Except,  of course, the moron in the grey Buick who sat through the light at Broad and Ryan yesterday because she had to tell marge about this “one time at band camp”

Yeah, Okay..I do it to. Hey, but I restrict my calls to emergencies only. Like when I just had to call my friend Bob to find out if he and Betty were going to dinner tomorrow night…well, you won’t believe what she said to him….

Casablance records

She rocketed to fame on the crest of the million selling (and somewhat controversial) hit “Love to Love You Baby” released in the Winter of 1975. The song, with it’s very suggestive lyrics and delivery was he first million seller. It was two years before she returned to the charts, but when she made her “comeback” , there was no stopping her..

People had begun to write her off as a “one hit wonder” ..she proved them wrong in September of 1977 with another smoker called “I Feel Love” it went to #6 on the charts and sold another million. From then until her last Top 40 hit in 1989 (This Time I Know It’s For Real”)..she racked up 20 Top 40 records..9 of them million sellers and three Platinum Hits with “Hot Stuff”, “Bad Girls” and a duet with Barbra Streisand called “Enough is Enough”

Her song “She Works Hard For The Money”, while not a million seller, took her to #3 on the charts and became an anthem for the women’s movement.

She later expressed embarrassment about her 70′s ultra sexy image saying she didn’t feel right about the image she had portrayed.

Summer had been living in Englewood, Fla., with her husband Bruce Sudano and had been working on a new album at the time of her death.

Known as the “Queen of Disco,” Summer was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines in Boston, Mass., in 1948, as one of seven children. She was raised on Gospel music

SSummer also appeared in the 1978 film, “Thank God It’s Friday,” which took home the best original song Oscar for “Last Dance.”

Summer’s last album, “Crayons,” came out in 2008. She also performed on “American Idol” that year with its top female contestants. In 2010, Summer appeared on “America’s Got Talent.”

Summer married Brooklyn Dreams vocalist Sudano in 1980. She is survived by her husband, three daughters and four grandchildren.

Getty Images

Take Me There!

flickr/bigdaddykc

No, they’re not changing the name to the Joshua Ledet Concert Hall, but given the outpouring of support that you man received there last week, it could be conceivable!  Actually, the name will still include the name of the arena’s benefactor, W.T. Burton..But more than a name change is in store…

According to the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, the new name for the arena will be the Burton Complex.

A few of the overhauls are already in place, including new features inside the complex like vinyl banners and televisions near the concession stands. Some of the other renovations will include restroom renovations, lighting system upgrades and a new roof.

Parish Administrator Bryan Beam says the changes are long overdue.

“With a facility this big, you have maintain it and you have to reinvest in it,” said Beam. ”Every 20 years or so is when you should ideally sort of upgrade or do renovations to keep up. We’re a little behind the curve on that because money is always a challenge.”

Officials say construction of the remaining upgrades may start as early as next week.

city of lakecharles

Lake Charles has the honor of being voted the state’s “Cleanest City”..The annual competition is sponsored by the Louisiana Garden Club Federation. Lake Charles Mayor, Randy Roach was very pleased about the award..

From the official press release:

About the award, Mayor, Randy Roach said, “This was a very close competition and truly a community-wide effort.  On behalf of the City, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the many organizations, including school and youth organizations, involved in helping the City to receive this honor.  This award was made possible, in large part, by the efforts of many volunteers, service organizations and property owners.  That makes it all the more special for the community.”

A great number of city organizations, schools and individuals were all part of the effort to win the award.

Said City Council Vice President Mark Eckard:

“Thanks to everyone who helped our city win this award.   We could not have done this without the efforts of many volunteers.”

Said District E Councilman Stuart Weatherford:

“It is a great honor to be named a state winner in the Cleanest City Contest.  I want to thank the Lake Charles Garden Club and the Diggers & Weeders Garden Club of Lake

Charles for their continued efforts in beautifying our City.  I was especially privileged to be able to work with our youth in picking up litter with Boy Scout Troop 1 and the S J

Welsh Student Council.  Our future is bright with these groups and many others volunteering their time to help keep our City clean and making our community a great place to live, work and play.”

Said Ellie Lemoine, chairman of the Cleanest City Contest for the Lake Charles Garden Club:

“Great news for Lake Charles and its citizens in winning this competition.  Mayor Roach has encouraged beautification of our city through the efforts of Russ Adams and the entire beautification team.  We should all be proud of the improvements to downtown.  However, keeping our city clean and tidy needs to be a commitment by all citizens.  This is a good beginning…let us continue to work hard towards that end.”

Said Nan Himel, publicity chairman, Lake Charles Garden Club:

“I was impressed and encouraged by the support the community gave to this contest and that the community thinks the beautification and cleanliness of the City is well worth the time and effort spent.”

Take Me There!

nale

Back in 1962, President John F. Kennedy  proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls, as National Police Week.  It is a time, of course, to remember all those who have fallen in the line of duty while protecting us and our rights.

It can be a thankless job filled with long hours and life threatening situations.  The men and women of Law Enforcement should be saluted for their hard work.

It only takes a second to thank these people when you see them on the street. If you were out there every day, you would want to be appreciated too.

We’re very proud to acknowledge the men and women of Law Enforcement here in the Lake Area!

americanpress

The Hallelujah Chorus will ring out in the Lake Area this Christmas! Yeah, That’s a long way off, but doesn’t it feel cooler just thinking about it?

If you can sing, the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus wants you to do more than think about it.  You can get information about joining this Lake Area tradition with the phone numbers provided below!

We were without this Yuletide favorite last year and it was sorely missed. This year, they promise to be back in full glory!

Come and join in the seasonal tradition of the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus on December 2, 2012 at 3 p.m.

“Oh, Thou That Tellest Good Tidings” the Messiah performance will continue for our area “And The Glory…the Glory of the Lord.”

Due to circumstances, “Like Sheep…Gone Astray,” the performance could not be produced last year. But, “Their Sound Has Gone Out” and it will continue this year.

For more information about participating in the chorus or by helping the tradition continue by pledging donations, please call:

Patricia C. Bulber 477-0662, Barbara Belew 477-4545 or Poddy Champeaux 439-1188

You can also visit our FACEBOOK page for more information.

Share your favorite MESSIAH CHORUS story with us on our FACEBOOK GROUP page.

To view the history of the Messiah Performance [CLICK HERE].

To view the event poster [CLICK HERE].

Jerry Bunkers, Flickr

Are you addicted to checking your work email? Well, knock it off. A new study says it’s bad for your health.

Researchers at the University of California-Irvine conducted a study and found that people in constant contact with their email accounts tended to have steady “high alert” heart rates, while those who weren’t had more natural, variable heart rates.

What’s more, after five days of not constantly reading and responding to messages, the latter group reported they had more time to complete work tasks and felt more in control of their work overall.

The bottom line? People who check their work email regularly exhibit higher states of stress and are less focused than people who do their jobs while being cut off from email entirely.

Lead researcher Gloria Mark, a UC-Irvine informatics professor, said that while it’s impossible for people in some professions to ignore their email, everyone else would be well-advised to take a break now and then.

“I could see people taking a day off of email if they could afford it … It would be good for their health,” she said. “We are heading towards a 24/7 connectivity [and] I think we have gone a little too far.”

[Ottawa Citizen]

WCAV19

It’s rare to see five generations of a family get together, so when six generations can hang out it has to be documented. That’s exactly what happened when Mollie Wood turned 111-years-old at the end of April.

Mollie Wood raised three children with her husband in West Virginia, and now she has lived long enough to meet her 7-week-old great, great, great granddaughter Braylin Marie Higgins generations later. Six generations of mothers and daughters gathered with Wood to celebrate her 111th birthday and the longevity of the women in their family.

According to her family, Wood stayed sharp until she turned 109. And she’s not the only woman with staying power. Her daughter Louise Minter, who is 88, still cleans houses, more than thirty years after retiring from her full-time job. Her 70-year-old granddaughter, Bette Goodson, teaches yoga and Pilates classes three nights a week.

When asked to explain the longevity of the women in her family, Wood’s great granddaughter, 39-year-old Marlo Shifflett, said, “We’re ornery. I think that’s a lot of it. We’re too ornery to stop!”

Little Braylin Marie will have quite a story to tell when she gets older and can show off the pictures of her family. Not many children can say they’ve met their great, great, great grandmother.

Source: TheFW.com

Jeremy Miles, Flickr

The Social Security Administration has come out with its annual list of the most popular baby names, and for the 13th straight year Jacob was the number one name for a boy. This is part of a broader trend toward names from the Old Testament (or possibly ‘Twilight‘), with Noah snagging the fifth spot and Elijah and Joshua at 13 and 14.

But the number two boy name in America seems to draw its inspiration from a completely different kind of source. Mason, which jumped 10 spots to snag number two, started its rise up the ranks when reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian gave birth to Mason Kardashian in December of 2009.

For girls, Sophia ended Isabella’s two-year reign at the top (again with the ‘Twilight’ thing), bumping it to number two. Emma, Oliva and Ava rounded out the top five.

The biggest riser among girl names was Briella, which jumped from the 394th spot to 497. Briella Calafiore stars in the reality show ‘Jerseylicious‘ and is likely responsible for the name’s sudden popularity.

There are, however, limits on pop culture’s influence on naming. We’ve listed the top 20 names for boys and girls below, and you will notice there is no Kim or Khloe or Kourtney. (Or Lamar or Kris or Kanye or Scott, for that matter.)

GIRLS
1. Sophia
2. Isabella
3. Emma
4. Olivia
5. Ava
6. Emily
7. Abigail
8. Madison
9. Mia
10. Chloe
11. Elizabeth
12. Ella
13. Addison
14. Natalie
15. Lily
16. Grace
17. Samantha
18. Avery
19. Sofia
20. Aubrey

BOYS
1. Jacob
2. Mason
3. William
4. Jayden
5. Noah
6. Michael
7. Ethan
8. Alexander
9. Aiden
10. Daniel
11. Anthony
12. Matthew
13. Elijah
14. Joshua
15. Liam
16. Andrew
17. James
18. David
19. Benjamin
20. Logan

Source: TheFW.com

Take Me There!

As soon as Ryan Seacrest said, “Joshua Ledet will be up next singing a song by James Brown, the title just popped into my head.  I was right about the song … but I underestimated how incredible that performance would be!

Here’s the thing — Joshua didn’t just SING my favorite song by James Brown, he took possession of it.  He became it!

I had to ask Joshua about that during our interview Saturday morning.

[button href="http://107jamz.com/where-does-joshua-ledets-family-fit-into-american-idol-and-are-there-any-other-singers-video" title="Also watch:  Josh talks about his family's support" align="center"]

boomerang

The ever-popular Downtown at Sundown makes it’s return this Friday evening at 6 and doing the honors on-stage will be Boomerang ! These guys are a blast to watch and they’ll have you singing along with every song they play! Here’s everything you need to know:

The City of Lake Charles announces the kick off the 2012 Downtown at Sundown series with the sounds of Boomerang. The event will take place in the street within the 600 block of Ryan between Division and Mill Streets from 6-9pm. The former site of the event will be open and available for parking cars. Downtown at Sundown features a variety of music from local and regional bands as well as food and beverage booths, table top galleries, and activities for kids. We want everyone to come downtown to patronize the businesses and see the ongoing “Streetscape” project.

Boomerang has been rockin’ the region since 2006, and it’s been one wild ride. Like a good pot of gumbo, Boomerang mixes it all up. Start off with a big serving of funk, toss in some classic rock, sprinkle it with country, serve it with a little dab of top 40 and you get an enjoyable party experience that can cater to anyone’s tastes. They don’t just serve in a bland ‘ole gumbo bowl, they decorate it with bell bottoms, afros, glittered shirts and gold fish inlaid clodhoppers. Band members are Billy Cormier, lead guitar; J. P. Booth, drums; Victor Montgomery, lead vocals and rhythm guitar; Greg Richardson, keyboards; and Rod Lavergne, bass. For more info about Boomerang go to http://www.theboomerangexperience.com

Beverage sales will be facilitated by B.A.A.K. of Southwest Louisiana (Benefiting Area At-risk Kids) and will benefit the Harbour House. Harbour House ETC provides intervention and prevention services which address the issues affecting youth and families who are in at risk situations.

It is through the philanthropic support of The American Press, CITGO, Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel and Entergy that this popular, family-friendly event is sustained. The music line-up will be: May 18, Boomerang; May 25, Chris Ardoin and NuStep; June 1, Soul Vacation; June  8, City Heat.

If inclement weather prevails, the concerts will be held inside the Lake CharlesCivicCenter. Concert goers are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, however, no outside beverages or pets are allowed on site. For more information, call the City of Lake Charles Arts and Culture Department at 337-491-9159 or visit on Facebook or www.CityOfLakeCharles.com

Take Me There!

Joshua Ledet and his family. (Scott Lewis)

After an incredible day of interviews, parades, catching up with family and just generally being hounded by “American Idol’s” camera crews on Saturday, Joshua Ledet made his stunning entrance into Burton Coliseum for his homecoming concert.  Neither his entrance  nor singing disappointed.  It was a fitting end to an amazing day.

The doors opened at 4 p.m., and the crowd was treated to opening performances by Josh’s Zydeco-slinging cousins — first Brandon Ledet and then Terrance Simien.  And while the crowd was having a good time, they started getting restless at about 7 p.m.  It wasn’t that they weren’t enjoying Simien, but by that time they wanted some Josh.

Simien kept getting the crowd to chant, “JOSH, JOSH, JOSH,” which led the crowd to believe that the headliner was indeed about to hit the stage.  But apparently, Josh (or the “Idol” crew) wasn’t ready, and so Simien would have to launch into another song.  By the third time this had happened, the crowd began to boo.

“When he gets here, he’ll get up on stage,” said Simien, trying to win over the crowd.

But it wasn’t much longer before Josh entered.  And when he did, it was all worth it.  The producers had rigged up a Mardi Gras float for Josh and his family to ride, and so the drove into Burton like Fat Tuesday royalty.

Joshua Ledet and La. Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne (Scott Lewis)

Once he stepped down off the float (more delays there, too), he rocked the house with five songs from his ‘Idol’ playlist, starting with “When a Man Loves a Woman,” and winding down to his rendition of James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.”

He was also welcomed by Louisiana’s Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne and named as an official ambassador for the State of Louisiana.

It was an incredible experience for the Lake Area, and it cemented in everyone’s minds just why Joshua Ledet will be the next American Idol.

Check out Josh’s majestic entrance and his performance of The Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody.”

[button href="http://gator995.com/how-much-control-does-josh-ledet-have-over-his-song-choice-on-american-idol/" title="WATCH:  See excerpts from our live 30 minute interview with Josh" align="center"]