1. RULERS, RASCALS AND REFORMERS Every student of Louisiana history should have this book in her library. Louisiana Governors: Rulers, Rascals and Reformers catalogues our colorful anointed, appointed and elected officials in order, from Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d’Iberville, who found the mouth of the Mississippi River and claimed the Louisiana territories for France, to our current governor, the first descendent of Indian heritage ever elected to high office in America, Bobby Jindal. There’s a wealth of information, scandal and dramatic conflict, true to Louisiana’s tumultuous history, with a strong appreciation for the quirky nature and unforgettable personalities of the men and woman who have governed the Bayou State. First published by the University Press of Mississippi in hardback in 2008, the book is now out in paperback, $25, from Amazon.com. — Mary Tutwiler
2. UNCORKED Take New Orleans’ rogue politicians, her historic architecture, her love of living well, her creative cuisine and her kick-ass football team. Blend with care. Paste on an irreverent label. Wait for the right occasion and samurai off their corks with a saber. The pour is a trio of artisanally-crafted wines — Loula’s Revenge, Double Shotgun and Crooked Mayor, all from New Orleans label Vending Machine Winery. Owner Neil Gernon, 37, has been in his cups since he was 23, working his way through the wine business in its various incarnations. Last year he and his wife, Monica, decided to take the plunge, working with wine maker Christopher Vandendriessche from White Rock Vineyards to create a handful of wines made to pair with Crescent City cuisine. “Crooked Mayor” is 100 percent cab, and “Loula’s Revenge” is pressed from chardonnay, both high profile grapes. But “Double Shotgun” packs a 50/50 cab franc/petit verdot blend, quite unusual, with herbal and green pepper notes that beg to be decanted and served with wild things, say a ragout of goat spiced with pimenton (smoked spanish paprika). All three wines, $25-$45, can be found on the wine shelves at Village Café; call 981-8085 for more info. — MT
3. OFF THE CUFF Women have tons of ways to accessorize. Purses, clutches, earring, bracelets, necklaces, hairpins, headbands…well, you get the point. A man doesn’t quite get the same choices, especially jewelry wise; unless of course, he is Chriss Angel, who wears so much metal around his neck and wrists he should think twice before going outside in a lighting storm. More classically fashion-forward men figured out a long time ago that a cool set of cuff links could be just what they needed to set them apart from the sea of black jackets and white button downs, and a fun way to put their own style into an outfit. If you are looking for a unique pair to slap on your French cuffed shirts, Daniel Dolce cuff links just arrived at Moseley and Hollard in River Ranch. Made in Italy, they are crafted from fine materials like vintage and semiprecious stones, handmade glass, and sterling silver — and look fantastic with elegant or dressy casual ensembles. Call 993-3077 for more info. — Maria Capritto Lambert
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.
1. RULERS, RASCALS AND REFORMERS
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