Seasonal

Everyone knows that the last two hurricane seasons have been pretty bad. But just how bad were they? Experts say that actually we had just gotten used to an unnaturally low level of hurricane activity, with relatively few major hurricanes hitting the East Coast over the last 30 years.

For a kid, there may be nothing more depressing than the first advertisements for back-to-school sales, which remind them that their summer vacation won’t last forever. The only thing more depressing for parents may be the cost of sending their little ones back to a new classroom.

Actually, there are several. These smartphone apps can be very useful in preparing for, and surviving a hurricane, or other natural disaster. StopDisaster includes preparedness checklists for hurricanes, earthquakes,  and other disasters. ($1.99)

Last week, a mom in Tacoma, WA. went public after her fair-skinned young daughters came home from an all-day field trip badly sunburned because teachers weren’t allowed to provide them with sunscreen. Now the policies that led to the incident are being re-examined.

There's a new website to help you buy American. It's called US Groove. They've researched, a variety of all-American products.  You can read unbiased reviews on products from appliances, to sunglasses and audio equipment.

The Creole String Beans take the stage at Parc Sans Souci for Downtown Alive this Friday, May 18th. Concessions open at 5:30. The music starts at 6:00. Downtown Alive is produced by Downtown Lafayette Unlimited. All ages are welcome. Admission is free...

Sunday May 6th is National Beverage Day, what's your favorite?  As the temperature rises in Acadiana, whether it's water that quenches your thirst or something a bit stronger, tis the time to stay hydrated.

How to make Popsicles at home?  The other night I was out trying to hunt down a banana Popsicle.  I finally found a bag of artificially flavored banana Popsicles at Walmart.  I only wanted one or two but ended up having to buying this gigantic bag because they were the only banana flavored Popsicles I could find at that hour of the evening...

When we were kids, mom and dad would load us up into the van every summer and we would head to Rutherford Beach.  For a whole week!!  We had a pop-up camper, and (with 8 kids in the family), some of us would sleep in the camper, some would sleep in the van...

Was I worried it wouldn't be a success?  Yup!  Reason being:  bad tires.  My bicycle has been sitting in the barn for 5 years now, with NO maintenance.  I used compressed air to spray off the dust and cobwebs, then aired up the tires, adjusted the seat, and hit the road.

The weekend is almost here!  Downtown Alive is a great way to get it started. Nik-L-Beer takes the stage in Parc International at 6pm. Concessions will be available @ 5:30.  The weather's going to be great!

These images of Hurricane Hilda hitting south Louisiana in 1964 are reminders of the devestation a hurricane can leave behind as Louisiana heads into what experts believe could be a fairly active hurrican season.

This whole 'Bountygate' Saga is one for the ages. The announcement of Assistance head coach Joe Vitt being named interim head coach, until his suspension takes effect, comes on the heels of recent speculation the evidence against the Saints may have been manufactured.

One of the most requested songs on the Halloween edition of the Polyester Power Hour and on Friday the 13th is 'Marie Laveau' by Bobby Bare.  It is a great song about a woman who lived down in the swamps of Louisiana named Marie Laveau.  Over the years she has been labeled a witch and thought to have practiced voodoo.

The deadline to pay for your taxes is just a couple of weeks away and if that’s a surprise to you, perhaps you should stop reading now and start looking in the phone book for an accountant who owns a calendar (or at least gives you a free one when you pay him).

Happy Easter! I hope you're spending this Holy day with people you love. The bad thing about Sunday is that tomorrow is MONDAY.... If you're anything like me, you sort of "live from Weekend To Weekend".   Here's some inspiration...  The annual Cajun Hot Sauce Festival is back in New Iberia from April 12-15th...

.....and Vice-Versa.  Palm Sunday is a day when many of us pause to reflect, myself included.  When I was in Junior High School, Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice composed a "Rock Opera"  called "Jesus Christ Superstar".

Yall have a safe St. Patricks Day! We hope to see you at Patty in the Parc!

Last night I spent time with some very good friends, some very good food, and a relatively quiet evening.  No crowds, no headache this morning... it was a nice, quiet evening, until I got home.  I pulled into the driveway at a few seconds before midnight, so I was able to capture the 'finale' of the neighbor's fireworks display...

Republic Beverage and Townsquare Media have teamed up to bring you some great holiday drink recipes for the parties you'll be hosting this year. Here's a video demonstration of how to make a Perfect Manhattan (and I'll demonstrate how to SAMPLE a Perfect Manhattan!!).