CULTURAL HISTORY
John Lowe has tackled the immense task of squeezing several aspects of Louisiana’s culture in one book. In Louisiana Culture from the Colonial Era to Katrina, the professor of English and comparative literature and director of the Program in Louisiana and Caribbean Studies at LSU has compiled fourteen essays about Louisiana’s culture, divided into five parts covering the state’s cultural origins, “the Creole controversy,” literature, mythology, and music. Marcia Gaudet, a UL professor and the Doris Meriweather Chair of English, contributes the essay “The Kingfish as Trickster Hero: Huey Long in Louisiana Culture.” Louisiana Culture from the Colonial Era to Katrina retails for $49.95 and is available locally at Barnes & Noble. — R. Reese Fuller

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’
Well, dreaming of fish tacos anyway. The best place to eat them is with your feet in the sand of the beach at Santa Monica. The second best place may well be the bright mango-yellow taco stand on the corner of Vermilion and Johnston streets, in Lafayette. The Taco Sisters — Molly and Katy Richard — have been dreaming of opening a restaurant for 24 years. When Katy moved back to Lafayette recently, they finally decided to make their dream come true. The sisters smoke fresh Gulf fish, as well as chicken, pork, brisket cooked in adobo sauce, and plan on adding shrimp and oysters to the menu. The smoked meat is served as a soft taco, over a salad or on a poboy, all dressed with a fresh combo of spring greens, chopped apples, celery, green onions, carrots and a wipe of their secret sister sauce. “It’s a California style,” says Molly, “with a signature gringo Cajun twist.” Tacos run about $5. Call 234-TACO to order ahead. — Mary Tutwiler

CHAIR, MAN
After a long day at work, kick off your shoes, take a break, kick back and watch Ragin’ Cajun athletics in a custom UL Lafayette red sphere chair that any Cajun supporter’s home shouldn’t be without. You can  find them at only two CVS locations — 6800 Johnston St. (993-9883), and 1920 Kaliste Saloom and Camelia Blvd, (984-1092).  Move fast before you miss out on one and your friends laugh at you for not being a fan. — Ryan Broussard