No one can say my readers aren’t clever. Weird, maybe. But certainly clever… For instance, one of them says that after reading The Advocate’s story on increased interest in home security, he went to the hardware store and a cowbell caught his eye: “Recently our carport has been visited by persons who rifled through … Continue reading →

As unseen as Gov. Bobby Jindal has been around the State Capitol during the month of May, his name has been run up the flagpole quite a bit as the possible running mate for likely Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Haley Barbour, the former governor of Mississippi, praised Jindal on Tuesday during an appearance on … Continue reading →

This week, the Louisiana Public Service Commission takes up the weighty matter of telephone books. Will customers be allowed to opt for hearing that familiar “thump” in the driveway? At our house, we’ll be opting to continue receiving the phone book, the one with the telephone numbers. If my wife had the lone vote, … Continue reading →

My first al fresco dining experience came on a boat. It wasn’t a yacht. No one uncorked a vintage wine. The piece de resistance wasn’t filet minion, lobster or anything covered in a buttery sauce. The food did include a jell-like covering, but I wiped it off with a cracker to get … Continue reading →

I’m not sure how many high school seniors are getting writing pens for graduation presents this commencement season, but I suspect that few of them will. Even when I got a writing pen or two for my own high school graduation 30 years ago, the custom was already starting to seem a little quaint. We were becoming … Continue reading →

Saturday was the start of National Safe Boating Week: “Wear it” is the catch-phrase, words that the National Safe Boating Council is pushing around the country this week. For us in Louisiana, that’s missing the point. Being in a boat is a year-round proposition here. Our climes here mean fishing, … Continue reading →

The school year is ending and summer fun beckons. What a perfect time for casual entertaining with barbecues, picnics and garden parties. Need a reason to host a get-together? Take your theme from Memorial Day on May 28, Flag Day on June 14, the first day of summer on June 20, … Continue reading →

U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry, R-New Iberia, successfully had legislation amended into the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act bill that would give all Americans suspected of terrorism and arrested on U.S. soil initial access to the nation’s court system. The Republican-controlled U.S. House first rejected a more thorough libertarian-and-Democratic-pushed amendment on … Continue reading →

Wow! What a week. Several of the city's most-anticipated spring events and one that's sure to make that list were packed into two days of non-stop fun. ‘Dancing with Big Buddy' "You've left Inspector Clouseau speechless!" proclaimed judge Sid "Go-Go" Gautreaux of the fox trot by Star Dancer Kristie Genzer, Ochsner vice president of operations, and her professional partner, Brandon Wisner from … Continue reading →

Many in London gathered May 2 in St. Paul’s Cathedral with Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, to mark the 350th anniversary of the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England. The book dates to 1549, when a document drafted by Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury, was put in place and use of … Continue reading →

Only 25 years after Louisiana became a state, some folks started what is believed to be the first organized church in Livingston Parish. This weekend, the historic Hebron Baptist Church, 24063 La. 16 in Denham Springs, is holding its 175th year anniversary festivities with fun, fellowship, food, a concert and special service. “Everybody’s really going all … Continue reading →

The Home Energy Efficient Team is based in Cambridge, Mass. Its mission is to organize free energy-upgrade work parties to teach volunteers how to lower energy consumption and carbon emissions. The Home Energy Efficient Team, or HEET, models its work parties on the “barn raisings” commonly held in the 18th and 19th centuries. Local residents … Continue reading →