JOCKEY TELLS ALL
In his self-published autobiography, Freedom’s Rein, Shane Sellers recounts his life’s story as a jockey racing horses in the sport of kings. Written with Tricia Psarreas, Sellers writes of winning more than 45,000 races, earning in excess of $122 million purses and riding in 14 back-to-back Kentucky Derbies. A native of Erath, Sellers has also been a vocal critic of jockey weight limits as well as their rights for better insurance policies and the right to garner endorsements. Sellers will sign copies of Freedom’s Rein at Barnes & Noble in Lafayette on Aug. 30 from 1-3 p.m. The book retails for $24.95 and can be ordered online at www.freedomsrein.com. — R. Reese Fuller
TIE-DIE REFINED
“It’s ombré everywhere,” says Hemline sales associate Stephen Barker, pointing out the light-to-dark color-bleeding technique used on long cotton dresses, tops and scarves that are arriving for early fall at the River Ranch store. You’ll also see this wash of shades and shadows on purses and shoes, and from top design houses to locally available brands like kensie (whose acrylic/wool blend sweater that fades from dark grey to cream, $98, is pictured with a red ombré cashmere and silk scarf, $55, both from Hemline). Anything ombré, the beautiful French word for shaded, is a must have this season. Call Hemline at 406-1119. — Leslie Turk
THE BYGONE CLUBS
Walter Jr.’s latest CD calls on old friends to help pay tribute to his father and “all the bygone clubs,” like the Mermentau River Club and Hamilton’s Club. With 11 original compositions, The River Club finds Junior on fertile musical ground, picking his Louisiana blues on his Fender Telecaster, backed by Dave Ranson on bass and Michael Burch on drums, with slide guitarist Sonny Landreth sitting in on the finale “He Holds The Lightning.” Photos from Philip Gould adorn the CD’s packaging, designed and illustrated by graphic artist Megan Barra. The River Club retails for $15 and can be purchased locally at F. Camalo and Barnes & Noble in Lafayette. For more information, visit www.walterjr.com. — R. Reese Fuller
There will soon be a whole lot of shakin’ going on at Benny’s Sportshack Supplement Depot, a new concept by Opelousas native Benny Nele. Located at 2002 Johnston St., the supplement shop, smoothie bar and café, featuring hot off the press paninis and wraps, plans to open in late May.
Philip deMahy Sr., a once respected New Iberia ad exec, was sentenced May 2 to spend the next two years (he faced up to 100 years) in a state penitentiary after state and federal investigators found dozens of images depicting children engaged in lewd sexual acts on his personal computer.
This year’s Cool Town issue is all about people who are not native to South Louisiana but made a conscious decision to be here, to be among us, to participate in our culture and contribute to it.
A shelved ordinance transferring $200,000 from a northside drainage project to a south Lafayette development may not break any laws, but it stinks to high heaven.
An effort to restore a shuttered dancehall and document other vacant or razed honky-tonks could serve as a model for saving an endangered species of entertainment.
Lafayette’s gene pool has been host to a long line of eccentric characters who have blurred the lines between crazy, genius, disturbed and curiously entertaining.
JOCKEY TELLS ALL
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