Lafayette Anti-Duke Activist Dies in Santa Fe

The Lafayette, LA woman that helped expose David Duke by infiltrating his organization passed away in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Saturday. Elizabeth Ann "Beth" Rickey, who was the niece of Branche Rickey, the MLB executive that broke the color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson, was found dead in her hotel room after battling homelessness and several health issues. 20 years ago, when David Duke won the State Representative seat Rickey became upset that her party would support such a man. Even then his involvement in the KKK was well known, but Duke presented it as a foolish childhood whim that he was done with, so Rickey infiltrated his organization and exposed that he was still involved in many hate groups. She recorded anti-semetic conversations, ramblings and speeches to neo-nazi groups and then leaked those recordings to the media. She is credited with finishing off his political career for good. Tom Sharpe with The Santa Fe New Mexican has the whole interesting story here.

Stoked!

Well, at least one half of the old Jake and Bake combo had a good day today. Even though Jake Delhomme didn't have his best game, his old partner Brandon Stokely had a great day. Denver Bronco WR Stokely was able to grab a tip and run it in for an 87 yard touchdown....and that made these announcers really excited. Check out the game winning play:

New Business Activity in Acadiana

While waiting for our gyro sandwiches from Zeus to be prepared, we struck up a conversation with one of the employees. His uniform shirt had all the logos of restaurants that the Balbeisi Bros. own - Zeus, Agave, and now Trynd, which I was unfamiliar with. Well come to find out, Trynd is a new cafe and wine bar that they are going to open downtown Lafayette later this year so keep your eyes open for that.

In other new business news, William Johnson with the Opelousas Daily World reports that a new TSC Tractor Supply Company is opening another location right at I49 and Hwy 190. This will make it's 16th Louisiana location.

Sam Rey @ The Blue Moon Tonight

OK, UL is at home again, taking on Kansas St; and there's an escapee from Angola in the Tunica Hills (didn't he like the golf course?); but I can't post about all that now. Sam Rey has a gig opening for The Sons of Voodoo at the Blue Moon Saloon, and I need my rest. Plus I got a new hat...so yeah.... got the hat, need a nap, then play the gig. Sam Rey tonight, Saints tomorrow, all is right in my world.

Fueling Foods

By Yvette Quantz

As many of you know I am in the process of training for my first full marathon. I am scheduled to run the Twin Cities Marathon on October 4, 2009—just 4 days before my thirtieth birthday! The sixteen week training program I have been following has been an incredible journey, not only physically challenging but also challenging my mind and spirit. This month I wanted to share with you some basic fueling principles for endurance training.

If you have ever dreamed of running or walking a half or full marathon I encourage you to do it. Set a date, tell your family and friends, and begin training. I know there are two events coming up - the White Rock Half Marathon in December and the New Orleans Full and Half Marathon and February - go for it!

What you eat before, during, and after your program can be the key to your success. There are four essential principles to follow when training for an endurance event.

• Being hydrated
• Proper fuel intake
• Following the correct training program
• Rest days

Staying Hydrated
Staying hydrated is essential for optimal performance. Hydration does not happen during your run, it happens before. Fluid consumption during your run is referred to as “re-hydrating”; if you start out already dehydrated you could be setting yourself up for major complications. The best way to monitor hydration status is to monitor the color of your urine. Your urine should be pale yellow. If urine is dark then this is a sign you are dehydrated. A general rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces, then on exercise days make sure to take in 6 – 8 oz fluid every 15 minutes. When exercising in the heat of the summer it is important to also hydrate with a beverage that contains electrolytes – sodium and potassium.

Fueling Foods
Pre-Run Fueling Basics:
For optimal performance during training and race day proper fuel is essential. Foods rich in carbohydrates such as whole grains, oats, beans, sweet potatoes, fresh fruits and vegetables should make up about fifty percent of your energy needs. Since your muscles will only store carbohydrates (and not protein) as glycogen, it is important to fuel up on quality carbohydrates to ensure adequate glycogen stores for your event.

Pre-Exercise Fuel Sources:
Oatmeal with low fat milk, walnuts and fresh fruit, 100% whole grain bread with peanut butter and a little honey , 100% whole grain bagel with almond butter and banana, Whole wheat pasta with chicken breast, vegetables and tomato sauce

Fueling During Your Run:
A general rule of thumb is if you are running less than 45 minutes to 1 hour you do not need to re-fuel while running. If running last more than 1 hour it is essential to re-fuel every 30 – 40 minutes. During your run your body will respond better with simple carbohydrates compared to complex carbohydrates because they are easier to digest

Fuel for the Run:
Bananas, Peanut butter and honey sandwich, Power Bars, Sports Drinks, Gu’s and other quick energy nutrition supplements

Fuel for Recovery:
Immediately after a run there is a 30 minute window of opportunity your body has to up regulate and utilize nutrients to build and repair muscle tissue. Consume quick digesting carbohydrates and a quality protein for adequate recovery. The more time that elapses after a run without re-fueling, the more your glycogen replenishment and protein repair is compromised.

Recovery Foods:
Smoothie made with skim milk, blueberries, and flax seed oil, Chocolate Milk, Low fat cottage cheese with fresh fruit, granola, and honey, turkey sandwich with fresh squeezed juice


Yvette Quantz is a well respected Lifestyle and Sports Nutritionist based in Lafayette, Louisiana. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association, Louisiana Dietetic Association, Sports Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutritionist, Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Nutrition and Complimentary Care, and a Certified Eating Coach. You can visit her website at: http://www.foodtherapyonline.com/

Louisiana Proud

Now, I'm not one to make distinctions like which is worse: Beauty Pageant Queen or Playboy Playmate. In fact, the very question assumes there's something wrong with being either, but let's forget all that and get to the story. According to this report on WWL.com, former Miss Louisiana Teen USA, Lindsey Evans, is the Playboy Playmate for October, which hit news stands today.
If you recall, Evans was stripped of her Miss Teen Louisiana crown last year after she was arrested for skipping out on a restaurant tab. Seems, she left her purse on the table in the establishment, and said purse had a small amount of marijuana in it, as well as Evans' ID. From the article:

Shortly after her arrest, Evans contacted representatives of Playboy and was in Chicago for a test shoot a few days later. Evans said her parents support her decision to bare all for the magazine 100 percent.

Perhaps she'll enter the Senate race with David and Stormy.

Boozoo Dats Who

Bob Dylan said dignity can't be photographed, but maybe he never saw a picture of Boozoo Chavis. This is my favorite recordings of Boozoo and his band. It's rough, and live, and he turns the beat around as only Boozoo can, but he has more soul than you could find in all the "nuveau zydeco" cats combined. Check out the hair raising guitar work from Guitar Thomas. They don't make 'em like this anymore.

This Is Where We Part

Nothing against PJ's Coffee, but I'm a Community man. Always have been. Ever since my Dad started bringing me a cup to get me out of bed in the morning, I've been a Community Coffee drinker. So imagine the dilemma I faced when the other constant in my life, the New Orleans Saints, announced a partnership with PJ's. It's OK. They can see other people. I'll still root for them; still bleed Black and Gold, but I'll be drinking Community while I do it. It's about healthy boundaries. Surprised you didn't know that. Read the PJ's press release here. It was edited by Debra Tone. And check out the new PJ's cups on the Super Dome. That's actually pretty cool.

Yet Another Pretender To The Throne

Ol'Max never had to deal with this when he was a pup, but now that he's older (older than any other dog in the world) he has to contend other mutts nipping at his heels. While it's not yet been made official, Max, of New Iberia, at 26 years is the world's oldest dog. As we noted earlier this month, the reigning official oldest dog Chanel has passed on to wherever doggies go when they die. This presumable left the doggy-door open for Max to assume the crown. But now comes a British rival, Otto looking to lay claim to the title. I'm sure he's a nice dog, but Otto is a mere 20 years of age. Max would already have been in the first grade (had he gone to school) when Otto was born. Someone needs to tell the Guinness folks to pick up the pace of their research. Time is literally of the essence. Read more here in the Dailymail.co.UK

Photo by Caters News Agency

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

A ProPublica/USA Today story published earlier this week singles out Louisiana as one of 23 states not utilizing tens of millions of dollars that is available through the stimulus plan for helping the poor, even though Louisiana has the second highest poverty rate in the nation with one out of every five residents living in poverty. According to the story by Mike Hasten in today's Shreveport Times, the Department of Social Services says that the state can't afford to put up the matching funds required and are concentrating on cutting existing programs, not starting new ones. More here.

Photo by: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum: photo by Lewis W. Hine.

Star and Micey Tonight at Bisbano's

Star & Micey, "Soulful, Folk, Pop" from Memphis will be at Bisbano's tonight. Check out their website at starandmicey.com

The Good and Bad of Louisiana's Movie Biz

It's been pretty cool to be able to say that Diane Lane, Kevin Spacey and Christopher Walken have all been in the Bayou State recently filming movies, and Jack Egan with Variety magazine reports that the huge tax incentives are what's bringing the industry to our state. They note that while we give up 30% in incentives, Louisiana is the 3rd most used shooting location, next to New York and California. And, the industry has help create 6,230 full- and part-time jobs statewide, with employment in the sector has been growing at a sizzling compound annual rate of 22% from 2001 to 2007. In 2007, $429 million in direct production spending translated into $763 million poured into the state economy.

However, as Variety also notes in this seperate article also by Jack Egan, two unrelated incidences of bribary and scandal have put a black eye on the program. The most famous of the scandals included a couple of New Orleans Saints players. You can check out the full story here.