There’s nothing that Louisianans excel at more than eating our way to altruism. The Cajundome hosts this year’s Hearts of Hope Culinary Classic and Wine Expo...

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

A 7-year-old campaign to get Lafayette residents out of their homes and into locally owned restaurants is expanding its reach. And our waistlines. By Anna Purdy

In 2004, Charlie Goodson of Charley G’s was talking to a few other restaurateurs about how to drum up more business in the often slacking summer months. Summer is historically tough for the service industry — if it’s a “college town” the seasonal exodus siphons patrons and cash, and in most any town peop
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Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Months away from the fall contest, a campaign in north Lafayette is already getting ugly. By Walter Pierce

If politics really is a contact sport, it’s boxing. And three and a half months out from the October election, the gloves are already coming off in District 44.

A couple of weeks ago Vincent Pierre, a 47-year-old Lafayette businessman, announced his intention to seek the seat held by first-term Rep. Rickey Hardy, a former school board member. Before Hardy won the s

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Two large live oaks in the heart of Lafayette are gone.  Consolation: We get a new drive-thru daiquiri shop! By Walter Pierce

For a few days last week patrons at the Community Coffee House skirting North College Drive near Johnston Street — at least those foolhardy enough to endure the atmospheric stew and sit on the patio — got a double dose of aroma therapy: the calming scent of freshly brewed coffee and the rich, woody redolence of saw dust from two large live

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

C’EST BON
Here’s a novel idea recently embraced by New Orleans Inspector General Ed Quatrevaux: post the monthly credit card statements of a government office online for public inspection.

PAS BON
We’ve long been under the mistaken impression that tenure protected an educator from termination and, at its core, was designed to shield employees from being ground up in the gears of political patronage and payback.

COUILLON
At the other end of the light spectrum from t

Marcus Descant brings urban farming to Lafayette. By Nancy DeVille

It’s early Monday morning and Marcus Descant is standing proudly over his griddle. I’m sitting in the corner, secretly salivating in anticipation. Marcus is scrambling several eggs procured from his heirloom hens, right in his own backyard from which I could likely throw a rock and hit the downtown public library. He sets down my plate, and I marvel at their vibrant yellow hue; I’m instantly transported back 15 years to my

PERFECTLY SHELLED
The old saying that as one door closes another one opens is fitting for Tamara Miles. The closing of Jefferson Street Market — where she was a vendor and employee for about eight years — was the impetus for Eclectic Design, her Oil Center store located in the spot formerly occupied by Atelier on Coolidge Street.

The Independent Weekly’s calendar features community events, performances, workshops, classes and other events.

Covington-based artist Marcia Holmes came to Breaux Bridge’s Rue du Pont Galerie to celebrate her award from the International Association of Pastel Societies. Holmes was bestowed with the Master Circle Award for her painting, “Shady Day Water Lilies.” A native of Laurel, Miss., the Southern belle oozed charm and grace as she showed off her stunning 24-karat gold-dipped medallion to awestruck gallery patrons. A few lucky collectors even managed to score some of Holmes’ gorgeous paintings