240. Jack Bedell, part 2

240. Part 2 of our interview with poet laureate Jack Bedell. Jack has written nine books of poetry, and teaches creative writing to Southeastern students. He is a native of the Houma-Thibodaux area and joined the Southeastern faculty in 1992. In addition to teaching, he is editor of “Louisiana Literature,” a literary journal published by Southeastern, and serves as director of Louisiana Literature Press.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 23, 1794. St. Louis Cathedral dedicated.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Wirthbru Beer was "created for New Orleans and the South" "Weigelstyle" (on the label) apparently refers to the Weigelwerk equipment used in the brewery which was, in fact, cutting edge in its day, allowing for quality control to produce a consistently good product. 
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Annual Greening of the Museum
   December 1st, 2017 - December 25th, 2017
   9:00 am - 4:00 pm
   Louisiana State Exhibit Museum
   3015 Greenwood Rd.,
   Shreveport, LA 71109
   318-632-2020
   Louisiana State Exhibit Museum
   Each year Louisiana State Exibit Museum invites third grade students from Caddo Parish schools to the museum for a day of holiday celebration. Students enjoy the traditional tree decorating contest in which classes from each school will decorate a tree in the years' theme with ornaments they have constructed in art class. After decorating their tree, students will enjoy a performance. The morning ends with the announcement of the holiday tree contest winners. The museum holiday tree and the students'trees will remain on display throughout the holiday season.
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Poet David Middleton reads "A Christmas Play."

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239. Jack Bedell, part 1

239. Part 1 of our interview with Jack Bedell, Louisiana's new Poet Laureate. Jack has written nine books of poetry, and teaches creative writing to Southeastern students. He is a native of the Houma-Thibodaux area and joined the Southeastern faculty in 1992. In addition to teaching, he is editor of “Louisiana Literature,” a literary journal published by Southeastern, and serves as director of Louisiana Literature Press.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 16, 1935. Huey P. Long Bridge at New Orleans dedicated.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Beloved writer, cook, broadcaster, and lover of  New Orleans,  Frank   Joseph Davis passed away on December 9, 2013. He served New Orleans television station WWL-TV and its radio affiliate WWL-AM, from 1974 until his health-related retirement in 2011. Davis authored several cookbooks and other reference guides to the cuisine of New Orleans and to South Louisiana seafood. His culinary legacy included "bronzing," a toned-down version of blackening. He invented the "Strictly N'Awlins" series of seasonings. Davis's culinary papers were donated to the Southern Food and Beverage (SoFab) Culinary Library and Institute subsequent to his death.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Joe Krown Trio plus Seither's Seafood Crawfish Boil
   Sunday, December 3
   10:00 PM
   Venue information:
   Maple Leaf Bar
   8316 Oak St.
   New Orleans, LA 70118
   504.866.9359
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce listens to the Big Dixie Swingers on Frenchman Street in New Orleans.

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238. Omar el Akkad, part 2

238. Part 2 of our interview with Omar el Akkad. American War is the first novel by Canadian-Egyptian journalist Omar El Akkad. It is set in a near-future United States of America ravaged by climate change in which a second Civil War has broken out over the use of fossil fuels. The story is told by Benjamin Chestnut about his aunt Sarat, and is told through narrative chapters interspersed with fictional primary documents collected by the narrator.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 9, 1872. PBS Pinchback became first (& so far only) black governor of Louisiana.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Frank Davis Dies. December 9, 2013.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Holiday Tour of Homes - Natchitoches Historic Foundation
   January 18th, 2017
   Throughout Natchitoches
   780 Front Street, Ste. 100,
   Natchitoches, LA 71457
   800-259-1714 | 800-259-1714
   Website | Email
   Throughout Natchitoches
   Beautiful homes, seasonal decorations, refreshments and music. Candlelight and day tours in the City of Lights.
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce listens to twins singing a duet on Decatur Street in front of St. Louis Cathedral.

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237. Omar el Akkad, part 1

237. Part 1 of our interview with Omar el Akkad. American War is the first novel by Canadian-Egyptian journalist Omar El Akkad. It is set in a near-future United States of America ravaged by climate change in which a second Civil War has broken out over the use of fossil fuels. The story is told by Benjamin Chestnut about his aunt Sarat, and is told through narrative chapters interspersed with fictional primary documents collected by the narrator.

1. This week in Louisiana history. November 2, 1981. Britney Spears born in Kentwood, Louisiana.
2. This week in New Orleans history. December 2, 1981,  the Rolling Stones checked into Royal Orleans hotel. Mick Jagger's paramour, Jerry Hall, was by his side. He was 38 years old.  After they dined at Broussard's, along with the band's financial adviser Prince Rupert Loewenstein, they strolled the French Quarter. A local writer who interviewed Jagger was quite taken by his diamond-studded right incisor.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival
   December 2nd, 2017
   Earl G. Williamson Park
   11425 LA Hwy. 1,
   Oil City, LA 71061
   318-631-0182
   Website
   Earl G. Williamson Park
   Fireworks festival on Caddo Lake with local entertainment, concessions, clowns, family fun and Santa, who gives a gift to every child. Booths open at 3:30 p.m. Fireworks at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce listens to the Big Dixie Swingers on Frenchman Street in New Orleans.

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236. Matt Karp. "This Vast Southern Empire."

236. This week, we interview Matt Karp about his book, This Vast Southern Empire. For pro slavery leaders like John C. Calhoun and Jefferson Davis, the nineteenth-century world was torn between two hostile forces: a rising movement against bondage, and an Atlantic plantation system that was larger and more productive than ever before. In this great struggle, southern statesmen saw the United States as slavery’s most powerful champion. Overcoming traditional qualms about a strong central government, slaveholding leaders harnessed the power of the state to defend slavery abroad.

1. This week in Louisiana history. November 26, 1729. Natchez Indians killed 300 Frenchmen at Ft. Rosalie.
2. This week in New Orleans history. November 25, 1985 - Saints head coach O.A. (Bum) Phillips resigned as his son, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, was named interim head coach, the 9th head coach in Saints' history
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Sounds of the Season with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra
   November 26th, 2017
   3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
   St Peters Church
   108 St Peter St.,
   New Iberia, LA 70560
   337-364-1603
   Website
   St Peters Church
   Free Christmas concert by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra presented by Iberia Cultural Resources Association, featuring familiar Christmas songs as well as classical sections.
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Sarah Rose Marie, singer at Loosen the Bible Belt in Shreveport, November 6, 2017.

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235. Johnette Downing, part 2

235. Part 2 of our interview with Johnette Downing. Johnette is a New Orleans multi-award winning musician, singer and author presenting Louisiana Roots concerts and author visits for children, as well as keynotes and workshops for educators globally. Dedicated to celebrating childhood, nurturing cultural exchanges and fostering literacy through her music and books, Johnette has performed in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, Central America, North America and the Caribbean. Johnette’s presentations speak to a child’s interests in an engaging, interactive, thought-provoking, educational, entertaining and culturally respectful way; earning her a reputation for being the “Musical Ambassador to Children” and the “Pied Piper of Louisiana Music Traditions.”

1. This week in Louisiana history. November 20, 1829. U.S. Army established western boundary defense post on Lake Charles.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Isaac W. Patton became the 39th mayor of New Orleans on November 18, 1878.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Minden’s Old World Christmas Lights Spectacular
   November 18th, 2017 - January 5th, 2018
   5:00 pm - 12:00 pm
   Holiday Trail of Lights
   520 Broadway,
   Minden, LA 71055
   318-377-4240 | 800-264-6336
   Website | Email
   Holiday Trail of Lights
   The City of Minden kicks off this regional holiday event in historic downtown Minden on November 19 with fireworks at dusk. The switch will be flipped to illuminate thousands of Christmas lights throughout the city beginning the Old World Christmas Lights Spectacular. Over 100 life-size nutcrackers will be on display. Shop and restaurants open nightly. Historic homes decorated for tours.
4. Postcard from Louisiana. Bruce shops at a table in Jackson Square run by a woman named Kitty and a cat named Gannicus.

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Kitty and Gannicus

234. Johnette Downing, part 1

234. Part 1 of our interview with Johnette Downing. Johnette is a New Orleans multi-award winning musician, singer and author presenting Louisiana Roots concerts and author visits for children, as well as keynotes and workshops for educators globally. Dedicated to celebrating childhood, nurturing cultural exchanges and fostering literacy through her music and books, Johnette has performed in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, Central America, North America and the Caribbean. Johnette’s presentations speak to a child’s interests in an engaging, interactive, thought-provoking, educational, entertaining and culturally respectful way; earning her a reputation for being the “Musical Ambassador to Children” and the “Pied Piper of Louisiana Music Traditions.”

“Today is Monday.
Today is Monday.
Monday red beans
All you lucky children
Come and eat it up!”

1. This week in Louisiana history. November 12, 1977. Ernest Nathan Morial was elected the first black mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Actor Nicholas Cage's property, the LaLaurie house ("Most Haunted House in America") named for former owner Delphine LaLaurie who mistreated her slaves, was foreclosed and sold at auction on November 12, 2009.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Southern Soul Food Showdown
   November 11th, 2017
   Mon Ami
   7304 Hwy 90 E,
   Jeanerette, LA 70544
   337-365-8185
   Website
   Finger licking Southern Soul Food cook-off. Family-oriented food festival, fais-do-do, arts and crafts, refreshments and more. Held annually on the second Saturday in November.

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