Dr. Mona Lisa Saloy and Olivia Clare Friedman will learn and talk about their work at LSU Artistic Writing’s Delta Mouth Studying Sequence at 6 p.m. Friday.
The occasion will happen within the Grand Salon of the French Home at LSU and is free and open to the general public.
Each Saloy and Fried are acclaimed authors with deep roots in Louisiana. Saloy is the present poet laureate of Louisiana, and Friedman is a novelist and poet.
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“I feel the occasion can be of nice curiosity to LSU and the bigger Baton Rouge group,” says Professor Zack Godshall of LSU’s English Division. “Each Dr. Saloy and Ms. Friedman write poems and tales that discover and have a good time the fragility and resiliency in South Louisiana’s tradition and surroundings.
Saloy is an award-winning writer, folklorist, educator and scholar. A lot of her work celebrates New Orleans Black Creole tradition. Her first ebook of poetry, “Purple Beans and Ricely Yours,” gained the T.S. Eliot Prize and the PEN/Oakland Josephine Miles Award. Her second ebook, “Second Line House,” captures the solemn grief, ongoing battle and joyous processions of New Orleans after the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina. Saloy holds each a Ph.D. in literature and an MFA in artistic writing from LSU. She lives in her hometown, New Orleans, the place she is the Conrad N. Hilton Endowed Professor of English at Dillard College.
Friedman wrote the extremely praised novel “Right here Lies,” a visceral and portentous take a look at mourning, reminiscence and motherhood in a future Louisiana ravaged by local weather change. Friedman can be the writer of the ebook of brief tales, “Disasters within the First World,” and a ebook of poems, “The 26-Hour Day.” Raised in Baton Rouge, she teaches artistic writing on the College of Southern Mississippi, the place she holds the title of Nina Bell Suggs Endowed Professor.
This occasion is the second installment of the brand new Delta Mouth Studying Sequence, an extension of the student-run Delta Mouth Literary Competition, set for April 21-23. The collection’ first occasion was held in October and featured New Orleans writer E.M. Tran and Dr. James Nguyen H. Spencer, vice provost and dean of the LSU Graduate Faculty.
The occasion is co-sponsored by LSU’s Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors Faculty, Girls’s, Gender, and Sexuality Research program, and African and African American Research program.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill spent the day in Shreveport touring the North Louisiana Crime Lab.
The attorney general was there on Tuesday, April 23 to gain hands-on experience of the lab’s day-to-day operations. During one stop on her tour of the facility, Murrill even had a chance to fire a handgun.
In her campaign, she listed fighting crime as one of her top priorities. She says this stop in Shreveport was very important.
Murrill joined KSLA on Tuesday, Feb. 6 to discuss crime and the new congressional map.
Murrill plans to tour other facilities across the state and continue her efforts to help fight crime.
Featuring towns dating back to 1714, wetlands composing over 32% of the state, and the well-known Mardi Gras festival, Louisiana has it all: history, nature, and culture. To experience the state’s full array of experiences, however, visitors must venture out into the smaller, lesser-known towns awaiting visitors with incredible food, beautiful architecture, and breathtaking nature. So, explore the charm and hidden delights of Louisiana’s most inviting towns and discover why these spots are celebrated by visitors and locals alike.
Abita Springs
Abita Springs Pavilion Park in Louisiana. By GreaterPonce665, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Despite its small population of approximately 2,700 people, Abita Springs has been a hot tourist destination since the 19th century due to its wells containing pristine, healing waters. Today, visitors flock from around the country to enjoy its craft beer made with the same pure water. The Abita Brewing Company is one of the best in the country and is an excellent stop to learn about the town’s history as well as the brewery’s unique brewing process. Visitors will also find that Abita Springs has a special energy surrounding it, with an artsy, eclectic atmosphere and local music scene. The Abita Springs Opry always has a great calendar full of Louisiana Roots music that visitors should check out to enjoy local music!
The Tammany Trace Bike Trail allows visitors to see the surrounding natural areas and is a rails-to-trails path that connects five towns in the area. It is great for bikers, hikers, and runners alike! Speaking of bikers, Abita Springs is home to the annual Louisiana Bicycle Festival, which hosts both vintage and art bikes and features a bicycle cruise through the town.
Greenwood
Aerial view of the pavilion and buildings with shingle roofs at the welcome center and rest area in Greenwood, Louisiana.
Greenwood, known as the “Gateway to Louisiana” due to its proximity to the Texas border, is a charming town that will certainly welcome visitors to the state. The small town is filled with activities for all ages. The nearby Wonder Oasis Waterpark will provide a fun day out for families, while the Crooked Hollow Golf Club will enchant golf lovers with its scenic course surrounded by tall pines. The American Rose Center features 118 acres of impressive gardens, making it the largest rose center in the country. For travelers visiting on the weekend, make sure to check out the town’s Saturday morning farmers market, filled with local produce and artisan goods.
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Golden Meadow
Golden Meadow Middle School, formerly known as Golden Meadow High School. By Z28scrambler, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Golden Meadow has an exciting history, as it is home to a centuries-old Cajun community that did not become an official city until 1950. This coastal town does not disappoint with its tasty, fresh seafood and is a tranquil destination for wildlife enthusiasts and fishers alike. Fishers can rent a cabin along Catfish Lake and enjoy a calm day out on the waters. The nearby Pointe-Aux-Chenes Wildlife Refuge, abundant in wildlife, will take visitors’ breath away with its variety of fish, waterfowl, and alligators. The refuge also has areas to camp, fish, and boat. Fishers should also check out the Golden Meadow-Fourchon International Tarpon Rodeo, an annual fishing event that brings in fishers from all over to participate.
Saint Francisville
Creole cottage-style historic home, built in 1796, in St. Francisville, Louisiana. Editorial credit: Nina Alizada / Shutterstock.com
In the rolling hills, about a half hour north of Baton Rouge lays the charming town of Saint Francisville. Travelers will feel immersed in the town’s southern charm, home to many historical sites and unique shops. The West Feliciana Historical Society Museum will make visitors feel inspired by the town’s history. The Royal Inn is also located in St. Francisville’s old town and is a truly luxurious bed and breakfast, even including a butler for its guests. For hikers, the Clark Creek Natural Area is a must-visit. Affectionately known as the “Little Grand Canyon” by locals, Clark Creek features seven beautiful waterfalls and trails for hikers of all levels.
Jeanerette
Jeanerette, Louisiana – St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church. By Dieter Karner, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Jeanerette certainly lives up to its nickname as the “Sugar City”, featuring a sweet atmosphere filled with music, food, and historic architecture. History lovers will appreciate the town’s sugarcane history and can visit the Jeanerette Bicentennial Park and Museum to learn about the sugarcane industry and its effect on the town over the past 200 years. Cooper Street Coffee is a great place to make a pitstop, where customers can appreciate the cafe’s cozy brick walls and live music sessions. Plan your trip to Jeanerette during Mardi Gras to experience the town’s colorful parades and participate in traditional balls.
Natchitoches
Light trails at the Minor Basilica in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
Founded in 1714, Natchitoches provides visitors with an immersive historical and cultural experience as the oldest city in Louisiana. Visitors can stroll down the 33-block historic district, lined with beautiful architecture and various businesses, including candy shops, boutiques, art galleries, and more. The American Cemetery is another magnificent historical stop, featuring graves dating back to colonial times. Cane River Padel and Peddle Sports provides an afternoon full of water adventures, with canoe, kayak, and pedal boat rentals. To end an eventful day, travelers can visit Maglieux’s Riverfront Restaurant for gorgeous views of the river and fantastic, traditional Cajun food and seafood.
Breaux Bridge
The public library building in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, USA. Editorial credit: Victoria Ditkovsky / Shutterstock.com
Known as the Crawfish Capital of the World, Breaux Bridge is another must-visit town for seafood lovers. The town’s cuisine, history, and cajun zydeco music give it a warm, inviting environment that visitors from all over the country will love! The town’s center features cozy boutiques and antique shops. Travelers who venture to the outskirts of the town will find beautiful natural areas such as Lake Martin, home to an abundance of wildlife as well as moss-draped cypress trees. Breaux Bridge is also filled with cozy, quaint inns and bed and breakfasts. Check out Bayou Teche Bed and Breakfast, a restored hotel from the 19th century with an excellent location near various seafood restaurants. But make sure to save your appetite for the town’s annual Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival if you will be in town!
Minden
Aerial view of Minden, Louisiana.
Minden is a charming town filled with history, culture, and nature. Its downtown area features a memorable red-bricked main street and a historic district dotted with beautiful Victorian-era homes. A short trip out of town will lead to the Germantown Colony and Museum, a preserved settlement in the wilderness that immerses visitors in life during the German-based Utopian Movement. Also on the outskirts lies Lake Bistineau State Park, a natural oasis filled with the state’s Tupelo and Cypress trees as well as an impressive variety of fish species. The state park includes five hiking trails, campsites, and cabins to immerse naturegoers in the outdoors. Travelers with a flexible calendar should visit the Webster Parish Fair, which features a parade through the downtown area, as well as rides and games for the family.
Discover Louisiana’s Hidden Gems
Although these eight towns may not be the most well-known in Louisiana, visitors who make the trek out to them will not be disappointed due to their rich blend of history, culture, and natural wonders. From the healing waters and tasty beer of Abita Springs to the vibrant charm and nature of Breaux Bridge, each town offers something unique to its visitors. So, consider adding these destinations to your itinerary and immerse yourself in the warmth and hospitality that define Louisiana’s small-town charm.
Backing a plan to fortify and increase resilience of the Entergy Louisiana power grid infrastructure, the Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC) recently approved phase one of the company’s latest grid resilience plan.
As a result, Entergy Louisiana intends to launch 2,100 projects to reinforce critical transmission and distribution structures. All told, they should affect approximately 69,000 structures along the way, based on a data-driven approach for replacing existing utility poles.
“Our resilience plan is a proactive approach that will help bring more of our electric infrastructure up to higher standards, keep pace with Mother Nature and protect what matters most—customers, homes and businesses within the communities we serve,” Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO, said. “Although we have been building resilience into our power grid for years, we must accelerate those efforts now in light of the reality that storms are becoming more frequent and severe.”
The company noted that its plan should lead to approximately $1.2 billion in avoided future storm restoration costs, improvements for the everyday reliability of electric service and customer savings through shortened post-storm outages. To achieve this, it will replace thousands of utility poles with ones more capable of withstanding high wind and other extreme weather events.
The plan’s first phase should take around five years and cost approximately $1.9 billion. For the average residential customer, though, this will initially take the form of about 57 cents added to monthly bills. Over time, this will increase to approximately $7 per month, but once the five year period is over, bills will begin to decrease gradually once more. Quarterly monitoring will be offered for transparency throughout the process.
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To help cut into the extra costs, Entergy Louisiana added that it will seek to court federal grants to apply to the cost of the plan.
