April VIP

volume 2 issue 4 | NovemBeR 2009 | theVIPmag.
com
VOLUME 6 ISSUE 6 | April 2013 | theVIPmag.com
complimentary
o f s o u t h e a s t t e x a s
Jewel
THE
GREEN
ISSUE
SE Texas Top 10
Green Spaces
Rachel Wilsons
Organic Farm in
LaBelle
Is an Electric Car
Right for You?
10 Great Plants for
Any Local Garden
Putting the Beau
Back in Beaumont
Should You Install
Solar Panels at
Home?
Birdwatching Tips
For the Novice
Green (as in the
color) Fashion
Leo Danna
and His Artisan
Salad Dressings
From
homeless
teenager to
superstar
singer,
songwriter,
actress
and, most
importantly,
mother
740 Hospital Drive, Suite 280
Beaumont, Texas 77701
409.835.9500
CALL US TODAY
prevityclinic.com
610 Strickland Drive, Suite 190
Orange, TX 77630
409.886.1111
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Advanced Laparoscopic
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Maria A. Palafox, M.D.
Fellowship Trained
Editorial
Editor
DAVID CONSTANTINE
dconstantine@thevipmag.com
Contributing Writers
CATHLEEN COLE
AmANDA COrbELL
mEg gArDNEr
LArENA HEAD
grACE mATHIS
jANE mCbrIDE
HOLLI pETErSEN
CHEryL rOSE
Editorial Assistant
LAurEN mCgEE
Photography
Contributing Photographers
SCOTT ESLINgEr
LACIE grANT
rEN SHEppArD
LEE E. STINSON
Graphic Designer
DAVID CONSTANTINE
Advertising
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409.880.0700
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on the cover
VIP contributing writer Cheryl Rose recently spoke with singer/song-
writer Jewel from her home in Stephenville, Texas. Talking with Jewel
was like visiting with a friend, Rose said. When we wrapped up, Jewel
was going to prepare her son Kases dinner. She said her dad always
told her never let a man know you can cook, but that she slipped up
somewhere along the way.
Photography by The Associated Press
c o n t e n t s
vip magazine
06 food&drink
06 Rachel Wilsons
organic farm
10 Leo Danna and his
artisan salad dressings
13 vip style
13 5 looks to make them
green with envy
20 vip home
20 10 great plants for SE
Texas gardens
22 Solar energy at home
25 vipersonality
25 Singer/songwriter Jewel
30 vip worthy
30 Beautify Beaumont
32 Why were tops in
birdwatching
35 vip spotlight
35 SE Texas events
41 vip viewing
41 Will SE Texans every
embrace electric cars?
44 vip adviser
44 Our Top 10 green
spaces
47 5 great dates this month
48 Calendar
49 Crossword puzzle
42 vip voices
50 Horticulture hangover
inside april
20
13
10
22
4 April 2013 | theVIPmag.com
THIS IS WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.
IF YOU RE EVER IN ICU
CHRISTUS Hospital - St. Elizabeth has the only Intensive Care Unit
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Board-Certied Pulmonologists, Nathaniel J. Alford, MD,
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TTTTHHHHIIIIS ISSS WHERRRE YOOOU WANNT TOOOOO BBEEEEE
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text by Margaret gardner
E
xcuse me, but that tomato youre
about to slice into your salad
where did it come from? Oh,
HEB. OK, fair enough. But what
about before that? You know,
where did it come from?
Most likely, you dont know. And that makes
Rachel Wilson kind of sad. As the operator of
Rachels Ranch House, a small, organic farm of
Highway 73 in LaBelle, the homegrown, bright-
and-crisp-as-a-December-morning Beaumont
girl is all about connecting with food. If you cant
grow it yourself, she thinks its a good idea to
buy it from the person who did whether its
her or one of the other local growers at the farm-
ers market in Beaumont on Saturday mornings.
Wilsons family has been involved in agri-
culture in Jeferson County for 190 years. So
despite dabbling in anthropology and archeol-
ogy in college, it was almost inevitable that she
would come back to her ahem roots. She
started her farm on her familys ranch after
being graduated from Texas State University
in December 2011. Her goal help reconnect
people with their food.
Theres nothing more intimate than provid-
ing people with food, growing it for them, she
said. Im not growing for a nameless face in the
Back
to Her
roots
Organic farmer and
Beaumont native
rachel Wilson has
a tomato with your
name and hers
on it.
l o c a l f a r m s
food dining
pHOtOgrapHy By LacIe grant
supermarket. If you like the tomato
you bought from me, I can tell you
exactly what I did on what days to
get it to taste that way. I can say,
Hey, do you want to come and see
the plant it came of of?
And unlike with mass-produced
fruits and vegetables that you
pick up on a supermarket shelf
and that most likely have traveled
thousands of miles to get to you, if
you dont like it, you actually have
some recourse.
If you dont like it, come throw
the tomato at my door, Wilson
said. Hopefully, I wont be stand-
ing in the door when you do it. No,
if someone doesnt like something
they buy from me, I can say, We
need to fgure out whats going on
and heres some more produce.
Last year, Wilson sold her goods
at the farmers market but focused
mainly on building the farms in-
frastructure and educating herself
on what likes to grow in Southeast
Texas subtropical environment.
This year, shes doing some more
building and also looking to branch
into poultry. She has an acre and a
half cultivated, and hopes ultimate-
ly to grow that to 15 to 20 acres.
As someone who is passionately
interested in the food/body/mind
connection and whose livelihood
is local, organic farming Wilson
talks easily about how we literally
are what we eat, and sadly about
how far removed from the source
of their food Americans have
become.
Thats why future plans for the
farm include classes and communi-
ty events designed to bring visitors
closer to their nutritional roots.
In the meantime, whats her
advice for people who want to start
to reconnect? Grow something.
Just grow something. Even a single
plant in a windowsill container can
help.
People think its hard, and
if youre working a farm, yeah, it
is hard, Wilson said. But you
dont have to grow food for the
masses. Put in a 10 x 10 raised bed
and grow some kale or collards or
whatever you like. Even if its just
some lettuce seeds thrown in a
pot. Its one of the most reward-
ing things you can do. That 5 or 10
minutes you take each day to water
that plant, care for it, look at it
thats 10 minutes youre taking for
yourself, and 10 minutes youre
investing in something healthy for
yourself.
More Than Just Food
Wilson bemoans the fact that
not only have Americans lost the
connection with the source of
their food, but they also have lost
connection with the true purpose
of food and how it makes them
feel. In a culture where Sunny D
is considered to be orange juice,
somethings not right.
The main reason for the discon-
nect, Wilson said, is convenience.
Its a lot easier to swing by the fast-
food drive-through window
If youre giving people an unhealthy,
pesticide-ridden product, then
youre going to create unhealthy,
pesticide-ridden people. Rachel Wilson
>>
theVIPmag.com | April 2013 7
on your way home from work than it is
to build a fresh and healthy meal from
scratch.
It used to be people grew food
in their yards, they grew things as a
community,s she said. For our cul-
ture to have moved so far away from
that in such a short time thats just
generational. Its taught behavior.
Luckily, what has been taught can
be untaught. Education about food and
nutrition taught as early as elementary
school can help society take a step
back and reconnect with its food. But
what about adults who are so en-
trenched in reliance on fast, conve-
nient and inevitably unhealthy foods?
Wilson suggests you start by read-
ing the label if you can. Because she
used to spend an hour and a half in the
supermarket reading labels, Wilson
has created a list of the companies/
products shes personally comfortable
buying. Quality food is available on
traditional supermarket shelves, she
said you just have to look for it.
Read labels. If youre OK with
everything on it, if you can read every-
thing on it, then thats good, she said.
Even if you dont change what you
buy and how you eat, at least know
whats in it. Once you start reading
labels, you cant feign ignorance.
Local First
Wilson suggests, of course, eating
organic as much as possible. But she
also suggests putting the emphasis on
local frst. Local produce has a much
smaller environmental footprint, she
said, and even if they use pesticides,
local farmers are more likely to do so
responsibly.
Support local businesses. Organic
is important, but my motto is go local
frst, then go organic. Dont snub a
local farmer because hes not organic,
she said. I would prefer to buy some-
thing from a local farmer that maybe
has been treated with chemicals
because I know where it comes from
and I know that farmer used them in
the proper way in the proper amounts
and wouldnt do anything to hurt his
customers.
Wilson said some customers feel
that because local farmers dont have
to pay to transport produce, their
prices should be cheaper than super-
market prices. But thats just not the
case. And theres a reason for that: You
get what you pay for.
You might have to pay a few extra
cents to go local, but thats because
big mega-farms do it in bulk and do
it faster and do it for a fraction of
the cost that I can. Does it take me
10 extra days to get a product out?
Maybe. I let the plant tell me when its
ready; I dont harvest green tomatoes,
let them sit in storage for months and
then pump them full of ethylene gas to
ripen them. Mega-farms, theyre ship-
ping things thousands of miles by the
container full; Im bringing it to you.
In my car. To your door.
Growing More Than Plants
T
he steady growth and interest in the Beaumont Farmers Market is
just a part, albeit a big one, of what Rachel Wilson calls a movement
in the Beaumont area one that is keeping the areas college
grads from straying too far from home.
Theres a culture building in Beaumont, she said. In years past,
people would leave to go to away to college and never come back. But
Lamar is creating a life, a young life, a heartbeat. People are staying here,
starting businesses, embracing the culture and thats beautiful.
A young, involved community means that arts and artists of all sorts
from chefs to crafters to growers and beyond are taking center stage,
especially in the Calder district, which has become something of a hub of
the creative resurgence in the Beaumont area.
You mention Beaumont, and people are like, Oh, Beaumont, Wilson
said, feigning a disparaging tone. And you have to say, No, no, no
its coming up. Were really, really slow but were coming up. People have
been waiting for this for a long time. Its defnitely happening, and its
defnitely something I want to be a part of.
VIP
Thursday, May 9, 2013 | Ford Park | Beaumont, Texas
22013 CHRISTUS
LiveWell Womens
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CCHHRISTUS LiveWell
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Love bra
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and author, Jewel and the sisters you never knew you had at the CHRISTUS LiveWell Womens Conference. This empowering
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and screenings, live cooking and tness demos, Market Square shopping, lunch and a song or two with our special celebrity
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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN.
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Presented by:
text by CATHLEEN COLE
photography by rEN sHEppArd
B
ack in 1989, Leo Danna
worked for his parents,
Sam and Helen, in their
downtown Beaumont
restaurant called the
Quality Caf. He did a bit of everything
from food preparation to manning
the cash register. But he had a natural
knack when it came to creative cook-
ing, knowing what favors blended
well together to make the perfect dish.
Thats why he decided one night after
closing time to mix up a batch of Italian
salad dressing. The Italian dressing
they had was just awful, Leo recalled.
I started throwing together stuf that I
thought would taste good.
Helen helped too, adding the spices
while her son mixed the rest of the
ingredients. I like cheese and garlic,
he noted, which is evident in Leos
Italian with its fusion of Parmesan and
Romano cheeses. The frst hand-crafted
batches were made in one-gallon buck-
ets, moving up to fve-gallon buckets as
the dressings popularity grew.
Not long after Leo created his Italian
salad dressing, his friend Rusty Coco,
then a co-owner of Beaumont-based
Jasons Deli, tasted the zingy concoc-
tion at the caf and loved it. Thats how
the dressing made its way onto Jasons
Deli salad bars, which now also include
Leos Caesar and balsamic vinaigrette
dressings.
Salad days
In 1995, Leo launched Salad Soul-
mates with his wife, Pam, to make Leos
Originals specialty dressings. And after
24 years of making his artisan dressings,
he continues to enjoy his salad days.
Today, selling his salad dressings
and sauces directly to restaurants is
still the main focus of the business.
But Salad Soulmates, which is located
next door to his familys caf, made a
bigger push into the retail sector when
Leo and Pams son Seth joined them
in 2007. Seth wanted to promote
the retail side of the business, Leo
explained. With a degree in market-
ing from Texas State University San
Marcus, Seth thought a retail expan-
sion made sense. Thats something I
pushed for, he said, adding that he ad-
mires he parents business acumen and
plans to stay with the family company.
Somebody defnitely needed to come
to eventually take over the reins.
Leos brother Sam came on board
last October to help with marketing.
Hes my corporate alter ego, Leo said
of his sibling who appears more busi-
nesslike compared to Leo in his laid-
back attire. His brother Jimmy recently
started helping with demonstrations
and sales at grocery stores. Pam is
head of micromanagement, Leo joked
about his business-manager wife.
The salad-dressing entrepreneur
comes from a big Italian family. To
honor them, Leos Originals bottled
dressings feature a wedding photo of
his parents and some of his aunts and
uncles on the labels. They are sold at
Jacks Pak-It, which was the frst retail
outlet for the product in 1990, Market
Basket, Basic Foods and, starting last
November, 169 H-E-B supermarkets in
Texas. Were going to hit it pretty hard
for a year and see what happens, Leo
said of his retail marketing.
Cleaner ingredients
For Leo, its important to keep un-
necessary items out of the mix. (Pam
says her talented husband is extremely
health-conscious and used to serve
their three boys broccoli sandwiches.)
The dressings have no preservatives,
trans fats, high-fructose corn syrup
or MSG and are gluten free. We use
cleaner ingredients, he noted. We try
to make them as healthful as possible
and still make them taste good. All of
the spices used for the dressings and
sauces come from Beaumont-based
Texas Cofee Co.
Four employees work in the food
preparation area mixing 40-gallon
batches of dressings and sauces for
Jasons Deli and Wings N More. They
are packaged in plastic, gallon-sized
bags and kept refrigerated in the walk-
in cooler until refrigerated trucks come
to pick them up. Currently, about 4,000
gallons a week are produced at the
Beaumont facility.
The bottled dressings, including
Italian, fat-free Italian, balsamic vinai-
grette, peanut tamari, honey mustard
and lemon caper, are prepared at Cre-
ative Foodworks in San Antonio using
a heat process to avoid preservatives.
The Dannas expect to produce about
48,000 bottles of dressing this year for
retail sale.
Family man
Besides making a bigger move into
the retail area, Leo is mulling diferent
ideas for new salad dressings, perhaps
something with olives or fgs. But hes
not looking for a bigger facility. Hes
planning to stay put next to the caf that
his mother and sister, Cheri Parigi, run
and where his father stops in to visit. I
really like having my mother, father and
sister next door at the caf, he said. I
get to see them every day.
Leo dannas artisan dressings
are his soulmates to salads
VIP
G
reens Peace
l e o d a n n a
food dining
Facial Plastic Surgery Of BEAUMONT
The look youve
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Beaumont, TX 77701
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Beaumonts
Newest Fashion
Boutique Carrying
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409-239-5561
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SALES RENTALS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
1-800-624-0071 www.swedesrealestate.com
REAL ESTATE
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g r e e n f a s h i o n
vip style
Green
Goddess
text and styling by Larena Head and Grace MatHis; photography by
scott esLinGer; modeled by Laura Mackan; shoot assistant Lauren
McGee; hair and makeup by Beauty witH Grace
T
here is more than one way to be green. To commemorate Earth Day, take the opportu-
nity to adorn yourself head to toe in this vibrant, fattering color. From mint to emerald,
Pantones color of the year be seen in green.
casual Prep
Rock Pantones color of the year in a playful emerald ensemble. The unexpected necklace is
green in hue and design. Handmade from silkworm cocoons, this unique creation and other
treasures can be found at Henley Market on The Strand in Galveston.
Two-tone cardigan, Ella + Scott, $36; Green skinny jean, Ella + Scott, $88; Pearl earrings, Monicas
Mark, $8; Silkworm cocoon necklace, Henley Market, $10; Floral scarf, Ella + Scott, $14; Mint fold-up
fat, LUXE Boutique, $60 (not shown); Assorted stretch bracelets, Monicas Mark, $8-$24 each
FLEUR DE CHIC
NOW OPEN AT OUR
NEW LOCATION IN GROVES
4300 LINCOLN AVE., SUITE 4
SHOP GROVES FIRST.
Styles Available from
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Also come check out
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Were across the
street from Baby Chic.
WHERE STYLE IS ALWAYS IN FULL BLOOM.
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Website coming soon.
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skinologie
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Call today! 409.833.0342 www.skinologie.com
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services performed by Julie Broussard, NP & Francis Mijares, NP
get ready for
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World traveler
T
he classic shirtdress is a seasonless
piece with versatile styling options.
Layer it with bold jewelry and eclectic
accessories for a gypsy-esque feel. Try
adding animal print and a utilitarian belt to
evoke the safari trend. For a preppy mood,
add a cardigan, boots and a square scarf
at the neck.
Shirtdress, Free People, S & M Family Out-
let,$64; Teardrop earrings, Monicas Mark,
$18; Layered gold necklace, Monicas
Mark, $38; Green stone necklace, Monicas
Mark, $28; Turquoise horn necklace, Ella
+ Scott, $24; Vintage charm bracelet,
Monicas Mark, $68; Embellished cognac
sandal, Stuart Weitzman, S & M Family
Outlet, $109 (not shown)
Seductress
T
he power of seduction is yours in the
new firty suit. Although it may not be
meant for the offce, this look remains
appropriate with classic hosiery and acces-
sories, fnished with pulled back hair.
Three-quarter sleeve jacket, Ella + Scott,
$48; Mint camisole, LUXE Boutique, $22;
Lace shorts, Ella + Scott, $39; Studded
clutch, LUXE Boutique, $49.99; Nude leather
pump, Charles David, S & M Family Outlet,
$43; Layered beaded necklace, Monicas
Mark, $32; Gold clip earrings, Monicas
Mark, $14
Retro
swank
S
tay mod in this statement-
making sheath. Flattering
panels and an eye-catching
pattern are appropriate for a variety
of ages and body types. Bold,
vintage-inspired jewelry comple-
ments the dress.
Paneled sheath dress, S & M Fam-
ily Outlet, $116; Vintage brooch,
Monicas Mark, $24; Rhinestone
drop earrings, Monicas Mark,
$18; Green cocktail ring, Monicas
Mark, $18
Green
Goddess
C
onnect with your inner
goddess with earthy tones
and elements. Feminine
power is expressed through
fowing hair and fabric combined
with regal adornments. Bring your
midsummer nights dream to life.
Strapless olive dress, Ella + Scott,
$42; Layered pearl necklace, Moni-
cas Mark, $32; Vintage green ring,
Monicas Mark, $28; Metallic leather
sandal, S & M Family Outlet, $40.
This unique shopping experience blends an
art sale with a garage sale, dinner and drinks.
A wide selection of original art and home
dcor will be for sale. In addition, we will also
be offering several high-quality items in a silent
auction. While shopping at AMSETs indoor,
air-conditioned gARTage Sale, guests will
enjoy a hearty shopping adventure, as drastic
markdowns evolve throughout the sale.
Proceeds will beneft AMSET exhibitions and
educational programs. Make reservations
online at www.amset.org or call (409) 832-3432.
gARTage Sale
gARTage Sale
Friday, May 17, 2013 7 10 PM
500 Main Street, Beaumont,TX 77701
(409) 832-3432 www.amset.org
Join the Art Museum of Southeast Texas for our
Not your typical fundraiser; combining a
traditional garage sale with an ARTISTIC twist!!!
BUT THATS NOT ALL... On Saturday, May 18
from 7:00 - 11:00 AM, all unsold items from
Friday nights gARTage Sale will be sold at
a discounted price. Admission is FREE!!!
7770 Gladys, Beaumont 409-860-3133
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We hate to get on your bad
side, but we hope you walk past
the Knockout roses and chose
something more, well, rose-like.
If easy care is a must, there are
plenty of Earth Kind choices,
which thrive with very little care.
We also love David Austin roses
and the new collection of Bilt-
more roses. For climbers, chose
Peggy Martin, named after the
New Orleans rosarian who lost
hundreds of plants to salt water
fooding during Hurricane Rita.
The nearly thornless, profusely-
blooming rose is the only one
that survived.
Crape Myrtle
While we are partial to the
towering version that turn
an ordinary driveway into a
spectacular showplace, todays
crepe myrtles comes in every
height, including dwarf varieties
that make a great backdrop in
beds.
g a r d e n i n g
vip home
A
t some point in
life, something
happens that
turns garden-
ers toward tilling the soil. We
carefully mark our calendars,
keeping cadence with the
seasons that allow us to begin,
tend, mend and start all over
again.
In colder climates, the
gardening season is short and
unforgiving. Here in Southeast
Texas, we are blessed with
almost year-round growing
abilities. Yes, the summer
months can be brutal, but
adequate shade and moisture
can help plants limp through
when needed, and absolutely
thrive when well-chosen.
And that, my friends, is the
key word: choice. Gardens are
a matter of preference, and we
choose what appeals to us.
In the South, we have an
immense array of plant choices,
as demonstrated in the more
than 700 pages of The South-
ern Living Gardening Book.
In tribute to the arrival of
one of the fairest months of
the year, we offer our top 10
choices for Southeast Texas
gardeners. Its an exceed-
ingly abbreviated list based on
suitability for our climate, hardi-
ness, reasonable ease of care
and beauty and just because,
to us, they say Southern.
great
plants
for SE
Texas
Geraniums
Gardeners who prefer pots on
the porch or patio would be
hard pressed to fnd a better
blooming plant than geraniums.
Large containers of classic red
geraniums are stunning next
to white wicker furniture or
hanging on a porch. Geraniums
top the list for Jefferson County
Master Gardener Cecil Hight-
ower, chairman of the groups
test garden at Jack Brooks
Regional Airport in Nederland. A
sunny bed flled with cherry red
geraniums makes Cecil think
of the great gardens of Europe.
Those who prefer a cool color
palette will fnd plenty of pale
choices, from white to pink and
peach.
10
text by JanE MCBRidE
Verbena
This garden staple is a peren-
nial (sometimes grown as an
annual) that is great in hang-
ing baskets or as a ground
cover that spreads well and
helps choke out weeds. The
vibrant color choices are stun-
ning when planted in large
masses or as a border of two
compatible hues. Verbenas
need good drainage and are
drought-tolerant.
Gardenia
Full disclosure: unless you
chose the classic common
variety known as Cape Jasmine,
gardenias are not an easy care
plant. They can be fnicky, espe-
cially in the wrong spot, and are
prone to whitefies and aphids,
but oh my, what graceful fow-
ers with a glorious fragrance.
Camellias
Like gardenias, but much less
fnicky, camellias are a Southern
staple. Their beautiful blooms
are a welcome sight during
a time when many plants are
dormant.
Wave
Petunias
These prolifc bloomers are
among nurseryman Greg
Bostwicks favorite fowers.
Planting them in early spring
will offer color well into summer,
though they will show stress
in the hottest months before
bouncing back in the fall. For
the best showing, plant them
in early fall for color all the way
into the next summer. Greg is
particularly excited about Super-
tunias propagated by cuttings,
which tend to be more vigorous
than from seed and offer a
varied color palette and double
blooms. They have done well in
Texas test gardens.
Plumbago
Although hybridizers are
increasing the range of the
gardens color palette - true
blue blooms are hard to fnd.
We love plumbago both for
prolifc masses of blue fowers
and ability to fll a space with
attention-grabbing vigor. The
blossoms attract bees and
butterfies. Try Imperial Blue,
which blooms from spring until
frst freeze. In fact, its hard a
fnd a time when plumbago isnt
showing off. They can form a
tall wall of color that defnes a
space.
Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into
the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace. Mary Sartin
photography courtesy of MCT and ProvEn WinnErS
Azaleas
The acid-loving plants cant
take boiling heat, so give them
dappled shade. Mulching is a
must to protect the shallow root
system. Once you get them
in the right spot leave them
alone; they dont like having
their roots disturbed.
Hydrangeas
Its hard to imagine a South-
ern garden without hydran-
geas. Choose from the large
mopheads that produce huge
blooms that make spectacular
long-lived cut fowers, lacecaps
that offer a more refned, deli-
cate beauty, or dwarf varieties.
Hydrangeas will let you know
if you dont choose location
wisely. They must have shade
during the hottest hours of the
day and do particularly well in
dappled light. Mulch well. Be
sure to read up on your variety
before pruning; some bloom on
old wood while others bloom
on new growth. In general, our
acidic soils produce pink blooms
while alkaline soil amendments
offer blue blooms.
s o l a r e n e r g y
vip home
for Solar Energy
Lack of incentives in SE Texas and high initial investment
makes alternative energy source slow to catch on
Cloudy Days
text by ChEryL roSE
W
ith an average of 212 sunny days a year, Southeast
Texas seems like the perfect place to harness the
suns rays as a clean alternative energy source. Go-
ing solar? Not so much.
Frugality and being green
Randy and Elaine Anders of Vidor were the last area homeown-
ers to secure a solar investment rebate from Entergy Texas before
the program closed in 2011. I got it because I wanted to stabilize
our utility rates, Randy Anders said. I have real concern that the
instability may not be today, but it is going to happen in the future.
The price I pay for sunshine is always going to be the same.
Anders had researched solar panels and attended a green
seminar in Fredricksburg. Im not interested in getting of
the grid, but I do want to save as much as possible on my util-
ity bills without altering my lifestyle, he said. The installa-
tion of solar panels on the garage of their home cost $22,000.
But after $10,000 in rebate credits, they only paid $12,000.
Even though they had been deliberately saving towards add-
ing solar panels, Anders admits it wouldnt have been possible
for them fnancially without the Entergy Texas program.
The price of sunshine
Unlike neighboring Louisiana, the State of Texas has not
ofered homeowners any fnancial incentive to invest in solar.
Until 2016, the federal government is ofering a rebate of 30
percent of the cost with no upper limit. However, as a rebate,
the homeowner must shoulder the full initial cost until after
fling taxes. And solar installation isnt cheap.
However, its a better deal now as prices have dropped
substantially in the past few years. Stephen Howard, an
attorney in Orange, estimates that a solar array similar in
size to the one he put in three years
ago costs one-third less to install today.
Howard also took advantage of both
Entergy Texas and federal government
rebates, paying $23,000 personally of a
total cost close to $55,000.
Ryan White, co-founder and opera-
tions manager of Arbor Energy Solu-
tions in Orange, calculates that the
reduced price for solar panels nearly
makes up for the loss of Entergy Texas
rebate program. He attributes the price
drop to competition from Chinese
manufacturers, improved technology
and more consumer demand if not
here, in other areas of the country such
as Louisiana, California, New Jersey and
Oregon.
Entergy Texas ended the solar
program at the end of 2011 because it
wasnt cost efective for the company,
explained Mike Snyder, the energy
efciency program administrator for
Entergy Texas. At this time, there is no
plan to reinstate the program.
Reduced utility bills
Approaching 60 years old, Anders
also had to consider his break-even
point with the investment which he es-
timates to be eight to 10 years from now.
Meanwhile, the Anderses have reduced
their energy bill by roughly 40 percent,
saving close to $1,200 a year.
Howard has a signifcantly larger
system and is therefore able to gener-
ate more power. He saves more on his
electricity bill than Anders, but has a
longer payof for his larger investment,
estimating close to 16 years. Many
months of the year, the power bill is for
the minimum hookup, and about once a
year, we get a check back from Entergy,
he said. We are very glad we invested
the money in this system. We have had
no regrets. Its performing well within
the parameters and it has extremely
long life expectancy.
Howard noted that one advantage
right now is that Texas is not assessing
a solar array as part of the value of the
house for property tax purposes.
Howards interest in solar power be-
gan when helping his son with a school
science project involving a tiny solar
cell. Intrigued, Howard began assidu-
ously researching the technology. We
looked at whether it could be afordable
and pay itself back, and whether it was
a justifable economic decision, he said.
It is our contribution to sustainable
energy. We wanted to do our part to help
the environment. Its impossible to put a
fnancial fgure on that feeling.
photography courtesy of MCT and BeauMonT enTerprise
>>
Commercial incentives
Though residential interest
has dried up considerably without
the rebate incentive, White said
commercial installations still have
several compelling incentives and
advantages. For example, Arbor
Energy Solutions has worked with
multiple schools, including Lamar
Institute of Technology, Beau-
mont Independent School District
and Little Cypress-Mauriceville
Consolidated Independent School
District to secure grants for solar
installations.
Taking sustainability seriously
Though solar is becoming more
afordable, the initial invest-
ment costs are daunting to most
consumers. White predicts that
without additional government
incentives, solar is going to remain
a slow aspect of renewable energy
in Texas.
A lot of people look at it as
trying to take away from oil, but
you cant go all solar, he ex-
plained. You can reduce the load
on the petroleum-based indus-
tries. Its clean, its efective, and
it lasts a long time. Even on cloudy
days, it produces power.
To make the leap to solar,
Howard believes homeowners
have to be attuned to the idea that
they can make a contribution to
the welfare of the planet. Its
a statement of belief, he said.
They have to believe in sustain-
ability. If they dont, they wont be
interested.
Anders predicts that eventually
the price for green choices will
come down and fuel realities will
kick in with a wider public. How-
ard agrees. We have to embrace
renewable energy, he said. The
time is coming. We are living in a
food of natural gas, so if you are
interested only in the bottom line,
then gas is cheap now. Eventually,
that too will pass. We are going
to have to make rational energy
decisions for the whole country, for
national security and for the sake
of the environment.
Attorney Stephen
Howard has
invested around
$23,000 person-
ally of the total
cost of $55,000
to install solar
panels on top of
his Orange home.
VIP
Jewel
j e w e l
vipersonality
Singer/songwriter balances musical career
and family life with both feet on the ground
B
y her reckoning, she should have been just another negative statistic. Supporting
herself at 15 years old, homeless at 18 years old, Jewel was defnitely an at-risk
youth. Instead, her musical talent has earned her four Grammy nominations so
far and sold more than 27 million albums. The charismatic and soulful singer has
performed at the White House, the Super Bowl, Austin City Limits and Saturday
Night Live. Shell soon be able to add Beaumonts Ford Park to the list when she visits as the
keynote speaker for the 2013 Christus LiveWell Womens Conference next month.
text by CHERYL ROSE
>>
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t he ni ght si de of se t exas
t hecat 5. com
Cat5 is available to check out every Thursaday
in the Beaumont Enterprise and it is distributed to
the top locations in the Golden Triangle.
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Thursday
Work Ethic
Like most success stories, there was an
element of luck. During her year of living
homeless, Jewel ended up in San Diego, Calif.,
playing songs to a loyal following at a cofee
shop. Connections with a local radio station
and other musicians led to record labels vying
to sign her.
It was Jewels perseverance that got her to
that moment and through a 19-year career in
an ever-changing and often cutthroat industry.
When I got discovered, I didnt think I was
the most talented person, but I thought I could
outwork everyone, she said. The work ethic
I learned from my dad was very valuable. I
never felt entitled. Those two attitudes can get
you far in any business. I should have been a
statistic. Without hard work, focus and the fans
inviting me into their hearts, my life would
have been very diferent.
Self-Suffcient
Jewels debut album, Pieces of You, which
featured hits You Were Meant for Me and
Foolish Games, was released in 1995. She
wrote the original version of Who Will Save
Your Soul, another song on the album, during
a cross-country odyssey where she sang on
street corners to earn the bus fare to her next
stop.
Her time busking in bus stations and living
homeless are enough to curl any mothers toes,
but her mother left the family when Jewel was
8 years old. Growing up in Homer, Alaska,
Jewel lived with her father and two brothers.
The family followed in the footsteps of their
pioneer ancestors, living of the land and with-
out indoor plumbing.
I grew up on my familys homestead, she
described. I was raised in a saddle barn that
we converted into living quarters. We lived of
the land, made our own butter and milked our
own cows. We had a big garden and canned our
own foods.
Nowadays, she lives on a ranch in Ste-
phenville, 160 miles from Ft. Worth, with
her husband of fve years, Ty Murray, a world
champion bull rider and rancher. Here is a
photography by associated press
lot more luxurious, she said, comparing accommoda-
tions with her youth. Ty likes to joke that he gave me
indoor plumbing and he can take it away. Ive always
loved working outdoors.
Jewel hopes to pass some of that respect for the
land and self-sufciency on to her 20-month-old son,
Kase. I hope that he can understand the connection
with the earth and what we eat. That its better to eat
simpler, the way God made food to come out of the
ground. Being a steward of the land is a great philoso-
phy that ranchers have. I hope he learns the values
of working hard and enjoying work, so it can not be a
chore as much as it is fun.
Versatile
Kase will be coming with Jewel as she tours the
country supporting her new Greatest Hits album.
Its really fun, she said. We explore the local attrac-
tions during the day and then he goes to sleep at 7 p.m.
and I go out to sing.
Jewel has been singing her whole life, learning from
her father, Atz Kilcher (Jewels family name is Kilcher,
and yes, Jewel is her real name). My dad raised us and
he had a big infuence, she said. He was a musician
and I started singing when I was very young.
In her music career, Jewel has dabbled in various
genres of folk, rock, pop and country. Initially known
for acoustic guitar style, her 2003 hit Intuition, for
example, has a pop/electronica sound. Then her 2010
song Satisfed received a Grammy nomination for
Best Country Vocal Performance (Female). Through-
out, she has resisted being labeled.
Christus
LiveWell
Womens
Conference
W
ith the goal of
improving the overall
health of the com-
munity, Christus Hospitals
offer their sixth-annual
conference dedicated to
helping women fnd wellness
in all areas of their lives,
from fnances to parenting
to health. Open to the public,
the full day conference
includes a selection of 24
workshops and a luncheon
with keynote speaker Jewel.
The general morning session
will feature Dr. Brent Bost
of Southeast Texas OB/GYN
Associates and Bob Phillips,
The Texas Country Reporter,
will lead one of the workshop
sessions. Registration is un-
derway. Register by April 23
for an early-bird discounted
rate of $50. For registration
after April 24 through May 3,
the cost is $75. Registration
ends May 3.
When: Thursday, May 9,
2013, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Ford Park
5115 Interstate 10 South
Beaumont, TX 77705
How to register: Online at
www.christuslivewell.org or
call (409) 899-7700
Sample workshops
STUFF-ed: The Basics of
Decluttering and Downsizing
Yoga for Busy People
Are You Being Stalked By a
Silent Killer?
Dancing with the Stars at
Any Age Even with Diabetes
Go Organics! Gardening
Made Simple
Your Best Self
Free Health Screenings
Total Cholesterol
Glucose Screening & Diabe-
tes Education
Posture Screening
Blood Pressure Check
Spine & Orthopedic Back
Pain & Spine Assessment
Body Mass Index & Daily
Calorie Needs >>
text by CATHLEEN COLE
A
s most residents know,
Beaumont is French for
beautiful mount. Although
the city is as fat as a tortilla
with no mountains in sight,
members of Beautify Beaumont believe the
beautiful part is on target, even if there is
still room for improvement.
Maree Calcote, a hard-working commu-
nity volunteer and advocate for a more beau-
tiful and conservation-minded city, helped
start the non-proft volunteer organization
back in the 1980s. Beautify Beaumonts
eight directors, with experience gained from
their membership in the Clean Community
Commission and Keep Beaumont Beautiful,
devoted themselves to raising funds for the
special landscaping projects, education and
community-awareness programs that they
needed to fulfll their mission.
But Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Calcotes
death in 2006 struck a major blow to the
organization. Beautify Beaumont lay dormant
until the fall of 2007 when it bloomed again
with new directors. Today the board includes
Laurie Leister as chairman, Linda Bullard as
treasurer and Ninette Teel as secretary. Louis
Hofer, Becki Stedman and Kathryn Walker
are board members. Christopher Boone of the
City of Beaumont, Bruce Walker of the Sierra
Club of Beaumont and Carolyn Howard of
Beaumont Main Street are the organizations
advisors.
The groups mission is to provide a clean
and aesthetically beautiful city and promote a
conservation-minded community. Its impor-
tant, Leister believes, because of economic
development. People will want to live here
if you have pride in your community, she
said. Its been proven to help with economic
development to have a pretty and clean city.
The organization works with the City of
Beaumont in a public/private partnership
often by creating green spaces that the
city maintains. Members also work with the
city on Beautify Beaumonts tree give-away
projects. Its not just landscaping, Leister
said, adding that buildings must be clean,
attractive and well maintained.
The group completed several landscape
projects over the years including the Maree
Calcote Greenway on Phelan Boulevard at
Kennedy Drive. The greenway showcases
drought-tolerant Earth-Kind roses includ-
ing the Peggy Martin Survivor Rose, a type of
climbing rose that survived the onslaught of
Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. A grant
from the Peggy Martin Survivor Rose Fund
helped pay for the second rose bed in 2010.
Other projects that Beautify Beaumont part-
nered with the city on include the Weller-
Hines Plaza, a landscaped area across from
the federal courthouse at Willow Street and
Orleans Street, and the Lynn Milam-Noah
Tevis Plaza at Main Street and Pine Street.
The city has done a wonderful job of beauti-
fying Beaumont, Leister said. Its made our
Beaumonts Pretty Places
According to Laurie Leister, these places offer a
green getaway:
Beaumont Botanical Gardens at Tyrrell Park
Gulf Terrace Hike and Bike Trail
McFaddin-Ward House gardens
Riverfront Park on the Neches River
Beaumonts Eyesores
According to Laurie Leister, these places need
to be cleaned up and landscaped:
I-10 from Neches River to the Eastex Freeway
The intersection of I-10 and Eleventh Street
The intersection of I-10 and College Street
The intersection of I-10 and Walden Road
Beautify Beaumont aims to keep the city clean and pretty
b e a u m o n t
vip worthy
BEAUMONT
Putting the beau in
Its like looking in your closet
some days I like to wear jeans, some
days I like sweats, some days, dresses,
she said. Sometimes a sentiment needs
diferent tools. My new song, Two
Hearts Breaking, is more of a pop/rock
song, but I still write country songs and
folk songs. Thats sort of how I am.
One of her successful independent
eforts has been an album titled Lulla-
by, that she wrote when she was trying
to get pregnant. Some of the songs go
back further, to when she was trying to
soothe her younger self to sleep. I had
a hard time sleeping because of anxiety
and my situation, she said. The
response to the album has really been
overwhelming. The reason I wrote it is
why people are listening to it so many
adults tell me they are listening to help
them rest. Its been really sweet.
Wise
In addition to her musical career,
Jewel is a published author. She has
written poetry, an autobiography and
a childrens book. Shes acted on stage,
appeared in various television shows
and played the role of June Carter Cash
last year in a Lifetime movie.
However, motherhood is infuenc-
ing her choices of projects these days.
Being a mother is the best thing I ever
did, she said. What an honor, what
a self-growth exercise, asking yourself
to be as immaculate as you can, having
good motives and actions mirroring
intentions.
Shes conscious of the potential
pitfalls of allowing work to steal away
from personal life. If life is a garden
and you only focus on the roses, your
daisies wont look so good, she said.
I try to keep my garden a manageable
size. Family is number one. I quit tour-
ing Europe and Australia, I quit making
movies. I put the energy and time into
my family and love life. Someday will I
say, Yea! Thirty million records sold,
or will I know I loved well, and tried to
be the best person? I get to make music
for a living and its such a gift, but it
isnt all that there is.
Fun
Jewel will bring her guitar along
with her to Beaumont, using music
to illustrate and entertain during her
keynote address. I think my music
comes of as kind of serious, but I have
a wicked sense of humor, she said. I
love wit and sarcasm. The things that ft
on a CD are sort of one-sided. Seeing
someone in person with all the prisms,
all the angles, surprises people. I usu-
ally get asked very serious questions. I
give serious thought to the things that
are serious, but thats not my general
approach to everything. I just enjoy
what I do. I feel really blessed. VIP
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TO FETCH THE PAPER?
Call: 409-880-0773
or go to
www.beaumontenterprise.com
to sign up today!
Celebrate the Earth at one of
the Greenest Places in Texas!
FromApril 1620, 2013, participate in daily activities,
including outpost tours and educational classes. Tour
the gardens and visit the state-of-the-art heronry.
On Saturday, April 20, 2013, visit eco-friendly booths,
see a live animal showand meet Maxine the Barred
Owl. Also, plan on participating in the annual
Butterfy Release at 11:00 a.m.
For details, visit www.shangrilagardens.org.
2111 W. Park Avenue
in Orange, Texas
Call 409.670.9113 or visit
shangrilagardens.org
Earth Week
2013
April 16
through 20
Programs of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher
Stark Foundation. 2013 All Rights Reserved.
Three Beautify Beaumont projects:
job a whole lot easier.
Beautify Beaumont spearheaded some city ordinances including
a landscape ordinance requiring irrigation systems on new com-
mercial construction of more than 3,000 square feet and specifying
planting requirements. (Translation: no trash trees such as hack-
berry, cottonwood and Chinese tallow.) Members also contributed
to the citys sign ordinance that put some restrictions on billboards.
One of our priorities at the city is quality of life, both the
enhancement and support of it, Boone, community development
director for the City of Beaumont, said. Whether its through new
hiking trails like Gulf Terrace, bike lanes and street trees on Calder,
the citys frst dog park, enhanced litter pickup programs or beau-
tifcation projects, the city recognizes that it is critical to always be
making Beaumont a great place to live, work and play.
Boone believes this is important for attracting new residents
and retaining current residents. A few years ago, according to
Boone, the city invested a signifcant amount of money in beau-
tifcation with enhancements along the Delaware extension and
Fannett Road and plantings at key, gateway intersections. These
enhancements helped to further the great work that such groups as
Beautify Beaumont and the Magnolia Garden Club have done and
continue to do to improve Beaumonts appearance and appeal, he
said. After all, a citys appearance is a refection of its health and
values. Whether its trying to make a frst impression on a visitor or
making an impression on our citizens on a daily basis, these contin-
ued good works to enhance our appearance refects the good values
of our great city.
Clockwise from top right: Weller-Hines Plaza, a landscaped area across from the
federal courthouse at Willow Street and Orleans Street; the Lynn Milam-Noah Tevis
Plaza at Main Street and Pine Street; and Maree Calcote Greenway on Phelan
Boulevard at Kennedy Drive.
VIP
photography by Lee e. StinSon
3737 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, TX
409-839-8473
www.ellishomeandgarden.com
Spring has arrived
at Ellis Home &
Garden. Complete
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One-of-a-kind, custom window coverings
7396 College St.
Beaumont, TX 77707
409.866.4055
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b i r d i n g
vip worthy
Migration
Madness
text by CHERYL ROSE
E
very spring, millions of birds
that wintered in the tropical
forests of Central and South
America are driven home by
the instinct to breed. To reach
their nesting grounds, they must fy 600
miles over the Gulf of Mexico, an 18-hour
trip in good weather. Exhausted, these
small and bright travelers land along the
Texas coast to rest before pushing on to
other points north. Birdwatching devotees
come from all over the world to experience
this amazing diversity of species that fies
through Southeast Texas twice a year.
Birding is a joyful pursuit in
SE Texas for residents and
visitors, especially during
peak migration seasons
Get curious
An owl encounter led Beaumont resi-
dent Margo Holst to her enthusiasm for
birding. After a tangle with a mama owl
in her backyard, Holst was taken under
the wing of the late, well-known local
birding expert Betsy Cornelius. She
taught a lot of people, Holst remem-
bered. Shed just grab hold of you and
almost make you love it. After I saw my
frst Hooded Warbler, I just completely
fell in love with birding.
Holsts favorite bird is a Black-
throated Blue Warbler. On her lifelist
of Texas birds shes seen, she has 52
warblers. Michael Hoke, the recently
retired director of Shangri La Botanical
Gardens and Nature Center as well as
a degreed ornithologist, calls warblers
the butterfies of the bird world. Their
twice-annual passage through Southeast
Texas is a key attraction to birders. We
live within 60 miles of the best bird-
ing place High Island, he said. All
you need is a bird book, binoculars and
mosquito spray. Having a knowledge-
able person with you is very helpful, too
someone who can tell the diference
between a Canada Warbler and a Wil-
sons Warbler.
Between late March and early May,
300 or more bird species arrive in our
area, Hoke said. Though High Island is
a unique location, there are many other
pockets of protection that attract the
migrants, including local backyards that
ofer a source of water and food.
Michael Hoke
Seize the moment
Steve Mayes, one of the founding
members of the Golden Triangle Audubon
Society and the current feld trip leader,
spends many of his weekends birdwatch-
ing. Though the Nederland resident has
traveled to Australia and Central and
South America on birding expeditions,
the vast majority of his birdwatching is
done right here. We are very lucky to
have one of the best locations in the coun-
try for birdwatching, he said. We have
had many rarities over the years show
up, including some that have been seen
nowhere else in the country.
Mayes has checked somewhere be-
tween 1,200 and 1,300 birds of his lifel-
ist. (For perspective, in 2012, British bird-
er Tom Gullick became the frst person in
the world to ofcially see 9,000 species
of birds.) Mayes would like to travel to
Alaska and hed like to see a Snowy Owl.
There was one in Dallas, but I wasnt
able to get there, he said. People who
live to chase birds will drop everything to
drive across the state or country. Im not
quite that obsessed.
Holst once chased a Snowy Owl up to
Oklahoma and has also taken a six-hour
road trip to see one bird and come back.
You have to seize the moment, she said.
I remember one time Betsy called and
said, We have to go to Lake Charles right
now to see a Northern Wheatear. I said,
Well, Betsy, Im working, I just cant do
it. Now I say, Man, if I had just gone to
see that bird with Betsy
Holst contains her birdwatching pri-
marily to Texas, with 522 birds checked
of her lifelist. One bird shed like to spot
is a Smiths Longspur, which can some-
times be found in East Texas. She doesnt
go out as often as she used to, but
Birding Field Trips
and Meetings
The Golden Triangle Audubon Society
goldentriangleaudubon.org
Meetings and feld trips are open to everyone,
members or not, at all levels of experience.
Meetings are the third Thursday of every
month (except for June, July and December)
at the Tyrrell Park Garden Center beginning
at 7 p.m. Field trips are usually to local bird-
ing hotspots like Sabine Pass, Tyrrell Park,
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge and Bolivar
Flats. The April 20th outing will be a meet-up
at Sabine Woods beginning at 7:30 a.m. The
society maintains the Sabine Woods Sanctuary,
a 32-acre bird sanctuary owned by the Texas
Ornithological Society, which is one of the top
spring migrant spots in the country.
Other bird walks and feld trips are
sponsored locally by: Big Thicket National
Preserve (nps.gov/bith/index.htm), Golden Tri-
angle Group Sierra Club (texas.sierraclub.org/
triangle/index.htm) and Shangri La Botanical
Gardens and Nature Center (shangrilagardens.
org).
photography by Ren SheppaRd >>
she still enjoys occasional birding
outings. Sabine Woods is one of my
favorites, she said. With the lan-
tana everywhere and the honeysuckle
and all kinds of trumpet vines its
just beautiful.
Get in the feld
Birdwatchers are nature lovers,
Hoke said, and are usually happy to
share their knowledge with others.
Though some birders will go long
distances and hike to isolated loca-
tions to fnd a special bird, anyone
with general interest can enjoy
birds from the comfort of their own
backyard. He recommends ofering
multiple types of feeders and foods
to attract diferent species, but most
importantly, provide a water source
for the birds to drink and bathe.
For the more curious and adven-
turous, he recommends going out
on guided bird walks and feld trips
ofered by local clubs such as Golden
Triangle Audubon Society or by the
rangers of the major parks. Shangri
La has a bird blind from mid-March
where you can have the comfort of a
fan blowing on you and see up to 15
species up close with their babies,
he said. There are two species in
Orange that people come a long way
to see: the Fish Crow and The Swal-
lowtail Kite.
Holst recommends investing in
good birding binoculars, because it
changed her whole birding experi-
ence when Cornelius gifted her a
pair. Also, a pair of boots comes in
handy.
Mayes said its not uncommon
for birders to get out in the mud in
their excitement while pursuing a
bird. They dont think about where
they are going, he said, remember-
ing a trip to Ecuador where their van
became stuck in the mud teetering
alongside a 1000-foot drop. Its
always an adventure whenever you
go out.
Red-headed Woodpecker
When anyone thinks of a woodpecker, the
red-headed seems to be the best. They are
omnivorous, catching insects, storing nuts
and eating berries and seeds.
Tropical Mockingbird
A relative of our Northern Mockingbird, it
usually lives closer to the equator in Central
and South America. In 2012, one turned up
at Sabine Woods and bird watchers from
across the country came to see it.
Northern Parula Warbler
One of the few warblers which nests in this
region, the Parula Warbler is sometimes called
a Tree-Top Tweeter because of its habit of
sitting at the top of a pine tree and singing.
Burrowing Owl
A tiny owl that roosts in underground bur-
rows, Burrowing Owls may be in our area
more often than they are spotted because
they like quiet ranch and grasslands. One
was spotted in February locally.
Roseate Spoonbill
Many people misidentify this species as a
Flamingo. Prior to the cessation of the use of
DDT, this species was on the way to extinc-
tion. Today it has come back.
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
This tiny bird with a long tail, also a native
of Central and South America, appeared at
Sabine Pass in 2008 and caused a sensa-
tion among birders. It was only the sixth time
it has been reported in the area since 1991.
Indigo Bunting
A small, colorful, seed-eating bird found
in this region almost all year long. Nothing
highlights the beginning of spring more than
a fight of Indigo Buntings.
Pacifc Loon
A Pacifc Loon was spotted on Pleasure
Island in Port Arthur during February this
year. This waterbird breeds in northern
climes such as Alaska and Canada and
spends the winters at sea.
Brown Pelican
Brown Pelicans were also on the verge of
extinction due to DDT, but are now more
numerous than ever.
Double-toothed Kite
Another Central American bird, this small
raptor appeared at High Island in 2011, the
frst recorded visit to the U.S. by this species.
Birders come to Southeast
Texas to see:
On very rare occasions
they may see:
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text by AmAndA Corbell
photography by SCott eSlinger
L
ets face it: Southeast Texans
love their trucks and SUVs.
On the rare occasion we see
an electric vehicle sharing
our highways, we still stare
and think about things like the Jetsons.
But the electric vehicle, and even more so
the hybrid vehicle movement is sweeping
the rest of our nation.
So why havent Southeast Texans began
to embrace this green, gas-saving move-
ment? After all, Beaumont now has two
electric car charging stations, one at Lamar
Institute of Technology and the other re-
cently installed at Lamar University by En-
tergy Texas. The charging stations are only
available to those who happen to either
attend or work at the campuses, however,
and its been reported that it could be up
to fve years before the general public can
use the power stations.
Hybrid vs. Electric
More hybrids have hit the roads in the
past several years, and can still be confus-
ing to the naked eye as to whether its
strictly a gas-guzzling vehicle or a slightly
less gas-guzzling vehicle. According to
Dean Granger, of Granger Chevrolet, most
hybrid cars will use the electric motor
they possess around town and change
to an internal combustion engine on the
highway or when a high amount of power
is needed. He said most drivers never even
realize the car has performed this switch-
over of power.
This technology works fairly well, but
the fuel savings is not huge, said Granger.
Maybe fve to eight miles per gallon sav-
ings compared to the same model that is
not a hybrid.
Unlike a hybrid car, an electric car
is powered strictly by an electric motor.
Up until the launch of electric vehicles
just a few years ago, all motor vehicles
were powered by an internal combustion
engine. This technology was used in the
very frst car invented by Mercedes Benz
in 1876 and used in all cars up to the most
recent years.
The comparison is actually simple,
said Granger. An internal combustion
engine requires gasoline for power and
an electric motor requires electricity for
power. It gets complicated on when trying
to power something mobile like a car with-
out an extension cord. A battery source
for power must be used to have mobile
electric power.
Getting charged
Electric vehicle owners must charge
their vehicle, or refuel, just like flling
up at a gas station, except that it takes
around four hours for a car to receive
a full charge at a charging station or
around 10 hours when charging it at home.
Charging your vehicle in your garage is
as simple as plugging it into the wall, and
chargers that dont require all 10 hours
can be purchased separately at Best Buy,
and then can be installed by a professional.
However, the cost of installing this per-
sonal home charging station can run you
around $3,000.
Once the vehicle is charged, you can
drive it just like a regular car, up to 100
miles based on how you drive, weather
e l e c t r i c c a r s
vip viewing
Plug it in
... if you can fnd one, that is
Will Southeast texans ever embrace the electric car?
>>
But do you actually save?
Obviously, the one thing all
customers can note is a dramatic
change in their gas bill. The typi-
cal electricity bill to charge the car
for 1,000 miles would be roughly
around $35, which might get a
small car one full tank of gas, but
nowhere close to 1,000 miles.
When you compare, you see
an Electric Focus runs around
$40,000, plus the charging sta-
tion, said Carter. You can buy
a very nicely equipped gas Focus
at 41 miles per gallon on the high-
way, for $20,000. So you can only
imagine how much gas you can
buy that that kind of savings.
So is it us or is it the technol-
ogy that is keeping Southeast
Texas from embracing the electric
vehicle phenomenon?
John Draths of Twin City
Motors, which sells the Nissan
Leaf, says he would not categorize
people in Southeast Texas as being
less progressive relative to elec-
tric vehicle technology. The fact
that there are more people buying
vehicles with electric technology
in Houston, Dallas, and Austin is
due in part to the relative number
of customers in those markets
versus the number of customers in
Southeast Texas. He says another
contributing factor is the 80 to
100 mile storage capacity of pres-
ent day battery technology and the
distances we, as Southeast Texas,
travel.
The future
As battery technology evolves
and storage capacity improves,
particularly with the uncertainty
of gas prices, said Draths, more
and more people will see the
advantages of driving vehicles
powered by one-hundred-percent
electricity.
Carter believes most people who
drive electric vehicles do it for two
reasons. First, there is a coolness
factor, and an Im helping save
the environment factor. But we
all have to admit it comes down to
one thing, and thats saving money
at the gas pump. He says while you
do get better fuel mileage in one of
the electric vehicles, you have to
consider what kind of driving you
do (long commutes, trips, etc.), and
does the cost of the vehicle cancel
out the fuel savings?
I dont want to sound nega-
tive and I would recommend one
of these vehicles for someone
who does a lot of stop and start
city driving and someone who is
a mindful driver with at least a
little technical savvy, said Carter.
These cars have a ton of technical
abilities and can seem overwhelm-
ing at frst, but with a little practice
and some good coaching, which we
provide here at Philpott, just about
anyone can learn how to drive one
and beneft from it. VIP
conditions, AC usage and other
factors. You can also monitor the
power you have available while
driving the car or purchase an app
(yes, theres an app for that!) for
your smart phone while away from
your vehicle. You can even link it to
your Facebook account and have it
automatically post how much fuel
you saved each time you drive it.
You need to be mindful of how
much driving you plan to do each
day when you leave from your
house and make sure it has a full
charge, said Adam Carter, Philpott
Fords Internet Sales associate.
The car also monitors the loca-
tions of nearby charging stations
and will tell you the most fuel ef-
fcient route to get to each one.
The biggest perk, according
to the few area customers, is how
quiet the vehicle is, since there are
no moving parts in the engines.
Electric and hybrid cars are so
quiet, in fact, that some states have
considered passing a law making it
mandatory for car manufacturers to
make the car produce some kind of
noise on the outside of the vehicle
when it is below 15 miles per hours,
since people cant hear them in
parking lots.
Ford has also developed new
technology much like the Bose
noise cancelling earphones that
pretty much drowns out all outside
noise in the vehicle while you
drive, said Carter. The Ford
Electric Focus accelerates quickly,
smoothly and quietly, and since it
has a single speed transmission,
youll never feel or hear the gears
shift.
But do you actually save?
Obviously, the one thing all
customers can note is a dramatic
change in their gas bill. The typi-
cal electricity bill to charge the car
for 1,000 miles would be roughly
around $35, which might get a
small car one full tank of gas, but
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gles
Cat5 is available to check out every Thursaday
in the Beaumont Enterprise and it is distributed
to the top locations in the
Golden Triangle.
thecat5.com
The best spot to fnd out what is going on with the
latest trends in dining, night life, music, art, events,
and fashion in the Southeast Texas and Southwest
Louisiana areas.
Thursday
p a r k s
vip adviser
Southeast Texas
Shangri La
Botanical Gardens
and Nature Center
Orange, shangrilagardens.org
An oasis of 252 acres in Orange,
this breathtaking nature center is a
phenomenal experience right here at
home. Tourists come from all over the
world to visit the amazing gardens
created and supported by the Nelda
C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation.
Themed botanical gardens, such as
the Hanging Garden, the Color Garden
and the Texture Garden, showcase
more than 300 plant species.
Education, art and nature are married
seamlessly for a fantastic experience.
Check out the stunning Pond of the
Blue Moon garden and sit quietly in
the bird blind to see nesting fowl on
the bayou.
Roy E. Larsen
Sandyland
Sanctuary
Silsbee
Part of the Big Thicket region, this
5,600 acre preserve is managed by
the Nature Conservancy of Texas.
Its a great place for the hiker who
wants to be where the only sounds
are tree frogs, birds and crunching
leaves underfoot. The trails, about six
miles in all, include hikes through a
dense canopy of tall trees, shadowed
fern-lined ponds, bamboo thickets
and cypress swamps. View butterfies,
birds, wildfowers and spider webs in
the forests. The sandy soil also creates
some arid habitats, with yuccas grow-
ing beside pines. Bring your backpack
and your camera.
Texas Travel
Information Center
Orange, www.txdot.gov
Right off I-10 before reaching the
Louisiana border, this travel center has
a surprise a boardwalk that extends
approximately 650 feet over a swamp,
offering a close encounter with nature
right beside a major highway. This
scenic walk, accessible through the
lobby of the center, provides views of
the cypress forest and wetlands of the
Blue Elbow Swamp. Interpretive exhib-
its describe the wildlife and vegetation.
Though you can walk it in a quick 10
to 15 minutes, if you are patient and
watchful, you will see some of the
swamps wildlife inhabitants, including
alligators. Snap your picture with their
big, bronzed snapping turtle statue.
The Big Thicket
National Preserve
Kountze, nps.gov/bith/index.htm
The Big Thicket represents a con-
vergence of ecosystems that make
it a very special place. An area of
rich biodiversity, the preserve holds
more than 100,000 acres over seven
counties, protecting nine land areas
and six water corridors. Dominated
by Longleaf Pine, the forest has more
than 100 species of trees and shrubs,
a thousand species of fowering plants
and ferns, including 20 varieties of
orchids and four types of carnivorous
plants such as the pitcher plant.
With 40 miles of trails, there is a
path to nature for all hiking abilities.
Scheduled ranger and volunteer-led
programs are available.
Beaumont
Botanical Gardens
at Tyrrell Park
Beaumont, beaumontbotanical
gardens.org
At 500 acres, Tyrrell Park is the City
of Beaumonts largest. The park
borders 900 acres of wetlands and
bayou, a wildlife refuge for a variety of
aquatic animals and more than 350
species of birds. A jewel within the
park is the 23.5 acres of botanical
gardens that include themed gardens,
strolling paths and benches to enjoy
the blooms. Inside the Warren Loose
Conservatory, there is a waterfall and
lush tropical species. The outdoor
gardens include a native plant center,
a Japanese garden, a modern rose
garden and a 9/11 memorial garden.
green spaces
text by ChERyL RoSE photography by ThE BEaumoNT ENTERPRISE
S
pring is a beautiful time to experience the natural and protected places of Southeast
Texas. There is something for everyone, from the families with children in strollers to
the long-distance hiker. Here are 10 of our favorite nature retreats:
TOP10
Texas Chenier
Plain National
Wildlife Refuge
Complex
Anahuac
Approximately 16 miles from Anahuac
National Wildlife Refuge, a new build-
ing houses both the refuges head-
quarters and beautiful visitor center.
The center offers an educational and
up-close view of nature with a little
less adventure and a lot less primitive
conditions than the actual refuge. A
1,300-foot elevated boardwalk winds
through the forest and cypress swamp
to the edge of Lake Anahuac. Inside,
enjoy a flm about the fora, fauna
and ecosystem of the marshes while
seated in a real airboat.
Anahuac National
Wildlife Refuge
Bolivar Peninsula
fws.gov/refuge/Anahuac/
This 34,000-acre haven for wildlife is
a primal place of meandering bayous
and marshes. The coastal marshes
and prairies provide a home for an
abundance of wildlife, from migratory
birds to alligators, bobcats to the
Yellow Rail, a secretive marsh bird.
Self-guided and ranger-led tours are
available to visitors. The Shoveler Pond
Auto-Tour Loop is a 2.5 mile board-
walk that provides scenic views and
wildlife spotting opportunities. Hunting,
fshing and boating are allowed during
the appropriate seasons.
Buu Mon Buddhist
Temple and Lotus
Gardens
Port Arthur, buumon.org
A delightful surprise in Port Arthur,
the Buu Mon Buddhist Temple is par-
ticularly known for cultivating tropical
lotuses and water lilies in its gardens.
The water elements are surrounded by
various types of bamboo, banana and
citrus trees. The gardens have 30 va-
rieties of lotus fowers, 20 varieties of
hardy and tropical water lilies and 30
types of bamboo. The temple hosts a
Lotus Garden and Bamboo Festival in
June, when the lilies are in bloom. At
the festival, the temple offers garden
tours and sells plants.
High Island Bird
Sanctuary
High Island, birdinghighisland.com
One of the premier spots in the world
to observe bird migration, High Island
is on a tall salt dome on Bolivar Pen-
insula. The Houston Audubon Society
has four bird sanctuaries at High
Island: Boy Scout Woods, Smith Oaks,
the Rookery and Eubanks Woods.
Every spring, millions of birds fy over
the Gulf of Mexico in their migration
from the tropics to the forests. These
sanctuaries offer water, food and shel-
ter for the exhausted travelers. Birders
will easily spot a huge variety of
species in the peak spring season, and
if there are weather conditions that
bring a storm during the migration, the
numbers can climb exponentially as
wind-tossed migrants fnd shelter at
High Island.
J.J. Mayes Wildlife
Trace on the Trinity
River
Chambers County, chamberswild.com
A great place to get lonely, the four-
mile roundtrip walk along the west
bank of the Trinity River near the
Wallisville Lake Project is a place of
water and sky. The fat calmness of
the coastal marsh is a restful vista,
seemingly far away from civilization
but not far from busy I-10. Share
the solitude with water birds and
dragonfies. Paved walks, boardwalks
and elevated observation areas allow
for scenic views.
Honorable Mentions
McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge
58,861-acre refuge that includes the
largest remaining freshwater marsh on
the Texas Coast. Five miles of interior
roads provide excellent wildlife viewing
opportunities, as well as access to
various boat ramps, fshing piers, and
observation platforms.
J.D. Murphree Wildlife Refuge
Highly diverse coastal wetland com-
munity. Public access to much of the
area is restricted to boats.
Village Creek State Park
Activities include camping, picnicking,
swimming, hiking, fshing, nature study
and bird watching.
Sea Rim State Park
Still being rebuilt after hurricanes
destroyed it. The park includes 5 miles
of open beach.
VIP
Look for our
special Get
Up & Go!
An in depth look at the best local, regional,
and statewide travel destinations in Texas and
Louisiana!
This May, be a part of our special super-
sized VIP magazine,VIP ADVENTURES 2013.
The issue will be divided into 6 chapters:
Southeast Texas, Galveston and Bolivar,
Houston, Louisiana,The Lakes region, and
Texas Hill Country.
Each chapter will include travel stories and
listings including options for dining, shopping,
eating, lodging, attractions, transportation and
entertainment. Example stories will focus on
itineraries for the perfect day in each location,
not-to-miss and off-the-beaten path
establishments and where to fnd the best
deals on shopping and going out.
This Travel issue will have a long shelf-life
and DOUBLE the distribution of the usual
VIP 20,000!
PUBLICATION DATE: MAY 1
ST
For more information,
or to reserve your space,
call 409-838-2836 or email plinares@hearstnp.com
VIP ADVENTURES 2013
VIP
OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS
great dates in april
ANight of Music and
Laughter to Remember
April 14
Alzheimers awareness event
featuring comedians Jeff Foxworthy,
Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall and
singer Kayla Conn, 7:30 p.m. Ford
Park, Beaumont. Tickets $29.50 and
$59.50 at the Ford Park Box Offce
and all Ticketmaster outlets including
H-E-B, Beaumont, the Beaumont Civic
Center, online at www.ticketmaster.
com or call (800) 745-3000.
Champagne
and Ribs
April 18
7 p.m., Cowboy Harley
Davidson, Beaumont. Honorees
are Judge Jeff Branick, Greg
Gentry and J. Coffey Pieternelle,
MD. Tickets $100 per person. A
Gift of Life event. (409) 833-
3663 or giftofifebmt.org.
Neches River Festival
April 16-27
For over six decades, Spring has been
welcomed by Beaumonts Neches
River Festival, which celebrates two
of our most precious resources our
youth and our river.
April 16: Kings Arrival Party,
Beaumont Country Club, 5:30 p.m.
April 18: Citizen of the Year
Presentation, MCM Elegante, 10 a.m.
April 19: Kings Dinner & Knights
Assembly, Mary & John Gray Library,
Lamar, 6:30 p.m.
April 20: The 65th Annual Neches
River Festival Parade, 10 a.m., Calder
Avenue and MLK Parkway and ending
at Riverfront Park, 805 Main St.
April 27: Julie Rogers Theater,
Beaumont. Coronation tickets $20 per
person at the Beaumont Civic Center
Box Offce or call (409) 838-3435.
Coronation Ball will be immediately
after at the Beaumont Civic Center.
Reservations required. Patron $100,
grand patron $150. (409) 835-2443.
http://nechesriverfestival.com
Event Submissions
Do you have an event you would like to promote? Do it with VIP for FREE! Please send us detailsdates, times, location, contact phone, web address
and a brief descriptionto dconstantine@thevipmag.com. Information should arrive at least 60 days in advance of the event.
LobsterFest 2013
April 19
Presented by Greater Beaumont
Chamber of Commerce, featuring
a steak and lobster dinner and
entertainment by Katie Whitney
and the Draw, 6 p.m., Event Centre,
Beaumont. Tickets $75 per person, or
table of 10 $1,000. (409) 838-6581 or
www.bmtcoc.org.
Christus Health
Foundation SE
Texas Gala
April 20
Don Henley of the Eagles is the
headliner, Beaumont Civic Center,
Beaumont. The black tie beneft
begins with cocktails at 7 p.m.,
gourmet meal at 8 p.m. and
Henleys performance at 9:30
p.m. The event will include a
tribute to the Mamie McFaddin
Ward Heritage Foundation
and its trustees. Tickets $375
per person. Tables for eight
start at $3000. Seating is
limited. (409) 899-7555.
For more information
about the foundation or to
reserve a table, go to www.
christushealthfoundationsetx.
org.
{ April }
APRIL 1
Lunch at the Lake
11 a.m.-2 p.m., Event Centre,
Beaumont. There will be music and
lunch available from mobile food
vendors every Monday.
APRIL 3-27
Neches River Festival Art Exhibit
Beaumont Art League, Beaumont.
Opening reception 2-4 p.m. April
21. Free. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Wednesday-Saturday. (409) 833-4179
or www.beaumontartleague.org.
APRIL 4
First Thursdays on Calder Avenue
5-9 p.m., along Calder Avenue,
Beaumont. Monthly event features
food, live music and sidewalk vendors
(409) 833-9919.
Shorkey Center Dinner and Casino
Extravaganza
Social 6:30 p.m., dinner and awards
at 7 p.m. Rockin A Caf, Beaumont.
Honorees are the Cashan Grotto and
Jessie H. Lowell. Tickets $60. (409)
838-6568 or www.shorkey.org.
APRIL 5
Fish Fry
4:30-7 p.m., Knights of Columbus
Hall, Beaumont. Fried catfsh fllets,
french fries, cole slaw and tea for $8.
Dine in or take out. (409) 866-9390.
Dale Watson
Doors open 6 p.m., Honky Tonk
Texas, Silsbee. Tickets $10. (409) 386-
1995 or www.honkytonktexas.us.
Josh Turner
Doors open 7 p.m., Nutty Jerrys,
Winnie. Tickets $35, $45, $60. (877)
643-7508 or www.nuttyjerrys.com.
Matthew Neil Gehring: Brilliant
Corners
Reception at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dishman
Art Museum at Lamar University.
Show runs through April 30. Hours:
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Free.
(409) 880-8959 or www.lamar.edu/
dishman.
APRIL 5-6
Rabbit Hole
Presented by the Beaumont
Community Players, 7:30 p.m., Betty
Greenberg Center for the Performing
Arts, Beaumont. Tickets $10, $16 and
$18. Reservations: (409) 833-4664 or
www.beaumontcommunityplayers.
com.
APRIL 5-7
Larrys Old Time Trade Days
8 a.m.-5 p.m., Winnie. (409) 296-
3300 or larrysoldtimetradedays.com.
APRIL 6
Dogwood Festival Queens Weekend
9 a.m., Woodville. Arts and crafts
fair, antique auto display, motorcycle
exhibition, queens parade, 2 p.m.
(800) 323-0389, (409) 283-2632 or
tylercountydogwoodfestival.org.
Womans Civic Club Art & Music Fair
9 a.m., Jasper County Courthouse,
Jasper. Music, food, art and
handcrafted items. (409) 698-7456.
Symphony of Southeast Texas
Concert
7:30 p.m., Julie Rogers Theatre,
Beaumont. Tickets $15-$36. (409)
892-2257 or go to www.sost.org.
Hip Hop Heavyweights
Scarface, Fat Joe and others, 7:30
p.m., Beaumont Civic Center,
Beaumont. Reserved seats $20, $30
and $44. Tickets available through
Ticketmaster.
Dave Beck Comedy Concert
8 and 10 p.m., the Gig, Beaumont.
Admission $10. (409) 833-4002.
TASIMJAE (The Art Studio, Inc.
Members Jurored Exhibition)
Reception 7 p.m., The Art Studio,
Inc., Beaumont. Runs through April
30. Free. Hours: 2-5 p.m. Tuesday-
Saturday. (409) 838-5393 or www.
artstudio.org.
Oaks Historic District Preservation
Bash
7 p.m., 2550 Long St., Beaumont.
Tickets $45 per person. (409) 835-
0795. www.oakshistoricdistrict.org.
APRIL 9
Student Brass Ensemble
7:30 p.m., Rothwell Recital Hall at
Lamar University, Beaumont. Free.
(409) 880-8144 or lamar.edu/music
Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain
Tonight
7:30 p.m., Lutcher Theater for the
Performing Arts, Orange. Tickets
$40-$65. (409) 886-5535 or www.
lutcher.org.
APRIL 11-12
Spring Dance Concert
7:30 p.m., University Theatre at
Lamar University. Tickets $15,
seniors, students and Lamar faculty/
staf $10, Lamar wstudents $7.
(409) 880-2250 or www.lamar.edu/
dishman/theatredance.
APRIL 11-13
Rabbit Hole
See previous listing.
APRIL 12
Morrissey in Concert
Kristeen Young is special guest, 8
p.m., Jeferson Theatre, Beaumont.
Tickets for the original Dec. 1 and the
Feb. 16 dates will be honored at the
new concert date. Tickets available
through Ticketmaster outlets and
online at www.ticketmaster.com or
call (800) 745-3000.
APRIL 12-13
Kitchen Witches
Presented by the Silsbee Little
Theater, Silsbee Little Theater,
Silsbee. Social hour 6:30 p.m.; dinner
7 p.m.; show 8 p.m. Reservations:
(409) 385-5562.
APRIL 13
Walk and Play for Life 2013
Adventure Kingdom, Lumberton.
Benefts Hope Womens Resource
Clinic, Beaumont. (409) 898-4005.
Travis Tritt
Shooter Jennings and the Triple
Crown also perform. Doors open 6:30
p.m., Nutty Jerrys, Winnie. Tickets
$25, $30, $40, $50. (877) 643-7508 or
www.nuttyjerrys.com.
Wayne Toups
7 p.m., the Event Center at Delta
Downs Racetrack & Casino, Vinton,
La. Free with B Connected card. (800)
589-7441 or (337) 474-4900.
Texas Country Music Show
7:30 p.m., Palace Theater, Kirbyville.
Adults $7, children 7-12 $3, free for
children younger than 6. (409) 423-
3319.
Spindletop Roller Girls
Ford Exhibit Hall, Beaumont. Advance
tickets $15 and $10, children 2-12 $10
and $5 at Ticketmaster outlets. www.
spindletoprollregirls.com
APRIL 15
LobsterFest 2013 Golf Tournament
Presented by Greater Beaumont
Chamber of Commerce, 7:30 a.m.,
Bayou Din Golf Club, Beaumont.
(409) 838-6581 or www.bmtcoc.org.
APRIL 16
Lamar Civic Orchestra
7:30 p.m., Lamar State College Port
Arthur Performing Arts Center, Port
Arthur. Free. (409) 880-8144 or
lamar.edu/music
APRIL 18-20
Kitchen Witches
APRIL 18-21
Village Creek Festival
5-10 p.m. April 18; 5-11 p.m. April 19;
10 a.m.-11 p.m. April 20; noon-6 p.m.
April 21, Lumberton Middle School,
Lumberton. (409) 755-0554 or (866)
244-8442.
APRIL 19
Sally Chandler: The Lost World and
David Everett: The Tie That Binds
Opening reception 6-8 p.m., Art
Museum of Southeast Texas, 500
Main St. Beaumont. Runs through
June 30. Free. (409) 832-3432 or
www.amset.org.
APRIL 19-20
Magnolia Festival
Magnolia Park, Kirbyville. Carnival,
food and craft booths, talent show and
entertainment. (409) 423-6500.
Lamar Opera Theatre
7:30 p.m., Rothwell Recital Hall at
Lamar University, Beaumont. (409)
880-8144 or lamar.edu/music
APRIL 19-21
Mauriceville Crawfsh Festival
5-11 p.m. April 19; 10 a.m.-midnight
April 20; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. April 21,
Mauriceville Crawfsh Festival
Grounds, Orange. Music, food
and craft booths, carnival rides,
barbecue cook of and more.
Parade at 9 a.m. April 20. (409)
745-1357 or (409) 745-1202. www.
mauricevillecrawfshfestival.com
Heaven Can Wait
Presented by the Port Arthur Little
Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Reservations: (409)
727-7258 or www.palt.org.
APRIL 20
Groves Affair of the Arts
10 a.m.-6 p.m., Celebration Park,
Groves. Local painters, sculptors,
quilters, jewelry makers and artists
show their wares. Free. (409) 962-
9300 or (409) 962-3631.
March for Babies
10 a.m., John Gray Center, across
from Vincent Beck Stadium at Lamar
University, Beaumont.
Harbor Hospice Butterfy Release
11 a.m.-2 p.m., Beaumont Botanical
Gardens in Tyrrell Park, Beaumont.
Memorialize loved ones by sponsoring
a butterfy in their honor for $10.
The event includes music, childrens
ACROSS
1 Finding Neverland star, Johnny
____
3 One of the Jonas brothers
8 Kilmer of The Saint
9 Voice of Puss in Boots, frst name
10 Meddle
12 Robinson Crusoe author, last
name
14 Jekyll and ____
15 Defeated
18 Whats left of me album singer,
___ Lachey
19 Old time King of Hollywood, Clark
____
22 He rapped with Booba, ___ Parker .
23 Weight measurement, abbr.
25 Star Wars Jedi, frst name
26 Business degree
27 Housewife ____ Van de Kamp
30 Overtime, for short
31 Very very long time
32 Tour de France leader wears a
____ jersey
DOWN
1 UK Soccer star who played for
Galaxy, ____ Beckham
2 Famous John Travolta movie (2
words)
4 Hes Just Not That ___ You movie
5 Jazzman, ____ G
6 Chris Bermans nickname
7 30 Rock lady, Selma ____
11 Comedian, Chris ____
13 ___ Wallach of The Magnifcent
Seven
16 Pride
17 And There will be Blood star,
_____ Day Lewis
18 All My Children actress, Kathleen
____
20 Through
21 Bend in the arm
22 Blue Moon country singer, ___
Keith
24 What a hitter needs
28 Email subject line intro
29 __ Capitan
Find answers on page 4
c r o s s w o r d
vip magazine
activities, food and more. Butterfy
release at 1 p.m. Admission is free.
(409) 981-1888, (409) 840-5640
orwww.harborfoundation.com.
APRIL 20-21
Milady Garden Club Garden Show
2-4 p.m. April 20; 1-5 pm. April
21, Garden Center at Tyrrell Park,
Beaumont. A Neches River Festival
Event. (409) 842-3135.
APRIL 22
Industrial Carillon Concert
7:30 p.m., Mobil Oil Federal Credit
Union, Beaumont. Free. (409) 880-
8144 or lamar.edu/music
APRIL 23
Justice is Served Breakfast
7-9 a.m., Elijahs Cafe, Jasper. Local
judges, attorneys, law enforcement,
school ofcials and business leaders
serve as celebrity wait-staf and
compete for the most tips. Tickets
$10; purchase 10 tickets for $100
and get a free table ad; other
sponsorship levels available. Benefts
Advocates for Children, Inc. A
CASA Program. (888) 640-3426 or
(409) 880-5876.
Justice is Served
CASA of Southeast Texas, Inc.,
honors Jimmy Simmons, 6 p.m.,
MCM Elegante Hotel, Beaumont. For
tickets, call (409) 832-2272 or go to
www.casasetx.org
APRIL 25
Go Red for Women
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Beaumont Country
Club, Beaumont. Honorees are Neri
Sotolongo and her daughter, Gigi
Mazzola. Tickets $50. Presented by
the American Heart Association.
(409) 550-1753.
Lamar University Cardinal Singers
and Cardinal Dancers
7:30 p.m., Julie Rogers Theatre,
Beaumont. Part of the Lamarissimo!
concert series. Adults $18, students
$12. (409) 880-8144 or www.lamar.
edu/music/
Artwork by Robert Brickhouse
Cafe Arts at the Art Museum of
Southeast Texas, Beaumont. Free.
Runs through July 14. (409) 832-
3432 or www.amset.org.
APRIL 25-27
Kitchen Witches
APRIL 25-28
An American Sampler: An Evening
of Classic One-Act Plays
7:30 p.m. April 25-27, and 2 p.m.
April 28, Studio Theatre at Lamar
University, Beaumont. General
admission $15, seniors, students
and LU faculty/staf $10, Lamar
University students $7. Reservations:
(409) 880-2250. www.lamar.edu/
theatre.
APRIL 26
McFaddin-Ward House Community
Picnic
5-7 p.m., McFaddin-Ward House,
Beaumont. Pack a picnic and a
blanket and enjoy an evening of
music and fun. Free. (409) 832-1906
or www.mcfaddin-ward.org.
Woodville Relay For Life
6 p.m.-midnight, Woodville High
School Football Field, Woodville.
(409) 835-2139 or (800) 227-2345 or
www.cancer.org
Stars of the Arc Celebrity Style
Show and Dinner
6:30-9 p.m., Holiday Inn & Suits,
Beaumont. Tickets $75; children 10
and younger $25. Sponsorship levels
available. Proceeds beneft the Arc of
Greater Beaumont. (409) 838-9012
or arcofbmt@arcofbmt.org
APRIL 26-27
South and Mid Jefferson County
Relay For Life
6:30 p.m. April 26 through 6:30
a.m. April 27, Nederland Bulldog
Stadium, Nederland. (409) 835-2139
or (800) 227-2345 or www.cancer.org
Hardin County Relay For Life
6:30 p.m. April 26 through 6:30
a.m. April 27, Silsbee High School
Stadium, Silsbee. (409) 835-2139 or
(800) 227-2345 or www.cancer.org
APRIL 26-28
Heaven Can Wait
APRIL 27
Gulf Coast Gala 2013
Tony Orlando will headline the
event, April 27, Carl A. Parker
Multipurpose Center, Port Arthur.
A beneft for Museum of the Gulf
Coast, Port Arthur. Reservations:
(409) 984-6101.
APRIL 30
Lamar Civic Orchestra
7:30 p.m., Setzer Student Center
Ballroom at Lamar University,
Beaumont. Free. (409) 880-8144 or
lamar.edu/music
text by Holli Petersen
I
get sick each and every spring.
Except my afiction is the near-
antithesis of those slumped over in
a Benadryl-induced haze, battling
the hellacious allergens this area
breeds in abundance. Instead
of the nearest drugstore, youll
likely fnd me in the nursery of local home
improvement stores with my nose stuck six
inches down a vibrant bud.
Its an afiction.
The minute I notice bright, green life
bursting from the ground, I am ofcially
intoxicated. Side efects include sugary-
sweet optimism, unexplained giddiness and
dangerous, costly ideas.
With such earthy inebriations, I con-
vince myself that I must grow something of
my own something other than the weedy
grass that seems to fourish under my lack
of care.
And so it is that, most every year, I plant
a garden.
My sweet husband, having a frst row
view to my illness, very cooperatively
checks of an exhaustive Honey-Do list.
He weeds, digs holes, loads and unloads
splitting bags of soil and sundry other
garden-related tasks.
We typically settle on container garden-
ing, seeing as we dont have a great space to
grow a garden otherwise. Each year, I stock
up on containers of all sizes and materi-
als. We research and purchase the fnest
of fertilizers. And, then comes my favorite
part we buy plants!
Oh, the excitement of selecting things
to grow! And, Ive attempted to cultivate
pretty much all of them fruits, veg-
etables, fowers, bushes, fowering trees.
In a nursery, every plant sings to me, just
begging me to take it home.
Unfortunately, Im not terribly domestic.
Some years, weve had moderate
success. This success is determined by
how long the plant survived before it was
scorched to oblivion or ravaged by these
weird spidery-looking bugs that are imper-
vious to organic plant sprays.
Other years, we havent been able to
grow anything but weeds.
And, usually, by the end of it all, Im so
disgusted by the whole gardening process
that I chunk my pots by the side of the road
and swear to never do it again.
Yet, no matter how disappointing the
outcomes, there is something about garden-
ing that draws me in each year.
I think I am just enamored with the pos-
sibility of it all that the most insignif-
cant of sprigs could bring forth a stunning
fower. Perhaps that little curl of a cucum-
bers vine will awaken into a fresh, summer
salad for my family.
I love how surprising a garden can be.
One day you give a pitiful little plant its last
rites, only to fnd it in the morning gushing
with growth. Or, one day your prized gar-
denia tree may wilt away into nothing more
than a brown stick jutting from the soil.
I appreciate the way a garden lures me
outdoors, even when the heat and humidity
threatens to trap me beneath the comfort-
ing hum of a ceiling fan. I love the way
it stretches me, inspiring me to research
topics I might never be interested in or have
fascinating discussions with people I might
never have known.
Gardens make me more conscious. I am
more aware of the weather and how the
smallest of Mother
Natures nuances
can alter the world
around me. I am more
aware of what I put in
the earth, how I treat my environment and
how my environment afects me in return.
Gardening is a great parenting tool.
It teaches your children hard work and
patience. Ive found that when I have a gar-
den, my children are better eaters, whether
were eating something weve grown at
home or not. Im proud that my kids know
where food comes from and dont just as-
sume its all manufactured and packaged in
some faraway plant.
Yes, gardening is defnitely a disease.
But, its one Ill happily submit to each year.
So long as there is peace to be had in a
garden, then gardening will have a piece of
my heart.
g u e s t c o l u m n
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