Alexandria News

As the Legislature struggles to make ends meet, one area that always comes up for conversation is the state-funded Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, better known as TOPS.

The city of Alexandria expects to save some money on printing and mailing its utility bills after the City Council passed an ordinance this past week. Level One LLC, a document management and electronic billing company, will take over production of the bills. The company will take the data provided by the city, generate an electronic bill and send that to the city's printing shop, where the bills will be printed. The city had been using a vendor for printing. Michael Marcotte, utilities director, estimated a 5- to 8-cent savings on each bill every month. The city produces about 28,000 commercial and residential bills per month, meaning the city could save about $1.7 million to $2.7 million over 12 months. Alexandria will retain its longtime independent auditor, the City Council has decided. The council, despite concerns expressed previously by District 1 Councilman Edward Larvadain III, voted unanimously Tuesday to extend the contract with Payne, Moore & Herrington of Alexandria. The firm has been the city's auditor since the 1980s. Larvadain had said at a previous meeting that 'might be' too long for one auditor to remain at the helm. On Tuesday, Larvadain voted with others to approve a one-year contract with Payne, Moore with the option to extend it to three years. Ernest Sasser, who has been the lead auditor on the city's annual review, has retired. Partner James Ballard told the council that he will assume primary responsibility for auditing the city's finances. District 5 Councilman Chuck Fowler praised the quality of the firm's work through the years. The Pineville Police Department will offer the third session of its Citizens Academy at the Tudor Community Center beginning March 6. The classes will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday for five consecutive weeks at the center at 344 Bragg St. Participants will meet Saturday, March 31, instead of Thursday, March 29, for firearms training at a local shooting range. That session will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. Topics that will be included at the academy include use of police force, firearm safety, traffic investigations and other aspects of law enforcement. Applications are available on the city's website, www.pineville.net, or by calling Capt. Darrin Luneau at (318) 487-6559. All applicants will be subject to a background check. The Pineville City Council will vote on an ordinance regulating vicious animals when it meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The 'vicious dog ordinance' was introduced last month. The council will introduce an ordinance for the re-zoning of a property at 100 Hillcrest Road to become commercial. The council's Legal Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. prior to the full council meeting, which will be held at Pineville City Hall, 910 Main St. Alexandria Mayor Jacques M. Roy told council members that he plans to speak to them about concerns related to drainage. The heavy rainfall that fell on Central Louisiana on Feb. 3 pushed the city's drainage arteries to full capacity, Roy said, and gave city officials the chance to see areas that need to be improved. Roy said he thinks city officials can invest $10 million to $30 million to make needed and serious infrastructure improvements. In addition, Roy said, he plans to ask the council to approve spending $400,000 to clean out the city's drainage canals. The project will be similar to the $1 million the city spent on 'Operation Cleanout' over a seven-month span in 2009 and 2010 that greatly improved the city's ability to drain water out of the city. Bret H. McCormick covers the cities of Alexandria and Pineville for The Town Talk and www.thetowntalk.com. Send tips for 'City Notebook' to him at bmccormick@thetowntalk.com or call (318) 487-6346. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tt_cityhall.

Mardi Gras 2012 is well under way in Central Louisiana, and big events are on deck in Alexandria. The following events are schedule next week by the Alexandria Mardi Gras Association and the city of Alexandria: FRIDAY: Feb. 17, 2012 (4:30 p.m.) College Cheerleaders & Classic Cars Parade Route: Downtown Alexandria - Murray - 5th - Jackson - 4th - 3rd to St. James St. Jimmy Williams (318) 446-4080 FRIDAY: Feb. 17, 2012 Taste of Mardi Gras Riverfront Convention Center in downtown Alexandria VIP seating at 6 pm General admission at 7 pm VIP tables of 8 $400 Tickets $25 advance and $30 at door Tickets can be purchased on web site, www.cclra.com Partnering with Children's Miracle Network, La. Education Foundation, and La. Prostart Education Program, Pineville High School. Contact Julie Salisbury SATURDAY: Feb. 18, 2012 (10:45 a.m.) AMGA 15th annual Children's Parade Route: Downtown Alexandria - Murray - 5th - Jackson - 4th - 3rd to St. James St. Contact: Jenna Bonner at (318) 443-1200 or (318) 542-9084 SATURDAY: Feb. 18, 2012 (2 - 4 p.m.) King Cake Party Location: Alexandria Zoo, 3016 Masonic Drive Admission: Regular zoo admission Celebrate Mardi Gras at the Alexandria Zoo after the Children’s Parade. Enjoy king cake, music, costumed characters and close encounters with zoo animals. The Alexandria Animal Shelter will be on hand with dogs available for adoption. Contact: (318) 441-6810 www.thealexandriazoo.com SUNDAY: Feb. 19, 2012 (2 p.m.) AMGA 19th annual Krewes Parade Parade Route: Texas Ave. - Masonic - Memorial - North Boulevard - Alexandria Mall SUNDAY FREE ZONE: Alcohol-and-tobacco-free area Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 11 a.m. – End of the paradde route at Alexandria Mall; parking lot of closed Circuit City. ---ONLINE: www.alexmardigras.com.

Louisiana State University at Alexandria is hosting a number of activities in February to celebrate Black History Month. Movie Mondays are set for Feb. 13 and Feb. 27, both at 7 p.m., in the Brumfield Caffey Annex. They are sponsored by the Student Government and are open to the public at no charge. The Feb. 13 movie is 'Cabin in the Sky,' while the Feb. 27 movie is 'Imitation of Life.' LSUA will host New Orleans poet Chuck Perkins at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Black Box Theatre on campus. Perkins' presentation is sponsored by the LSUA Multicultural and International Affairs Committee and the Arna Bontemps Museum. This event is free and is open to the public. More information can be found at http://voices.e-poets.net/PerkinsC/ Chris Stacey from the LSUA history faculty will present a lecture on area plantations at the Arna Bontemps Museum in downtown Alexandria at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 as part of the Cavanaugh Lecture Series. It is free and open to the public.

Louisiana State University at Alexandria will host the Region IV Science and Engineering Fair on Feb. 25 in the Fitness Center on campus. Early setup will be held on Feb. 24 from 5:30 until 7 p.m. Projects are submitted in a variety of categories including animal science, behavior and social sciences, biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, environmental science and physics. Public viewing of projects will be from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. Feb. 25 with the awards ceremony following at 2:30 p.m. in the Coughlin Hall Auditorium. The Region IV Science Fair is affiliated with the Louisiana Science and Engineering Fair (LSU-Baton Rouge) and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Winners from the regional fair progress on to state and international competition. For information, contact director Sandra Purifoy at spurifoy@lsua.edu or visit http://sciencefair.lsua.edu.

Chad Bailey is a self-proclaimed Army brat. His life has taken him many places, but he recently settled in an old family home in Alexandria after taking a position as the new executive director of the Arna Bontemps African American Museum in Alexandria. Until now, that position has come with a paycheck. Bailey took on the endeavor as a volunteer. He has a paying gig as an arts and entertainment consultant, and he's contracted with a company in Atlanta. Prior to accepting the position at the museum, he worked in New Orleans at the Jazz and Heritage Foundation. The former executive director, Gwendolyn Y. Elmore, founded Arna Bontemps African American Museum in 1988. She retired last year, but remains executive director emeritus. Bailey took over the reins this year. Dr. Haywood B. Joiner Jr., president of the board of the Arna Bontemps African American Museum, said it is Bailey's energy that makes him the appropriate predecessor for Elmore. 'I feel that we have made a great choice in selecting Chad Bailey as the museum's executive director,' he said. 'Chad continues the work of his predecessor -- and brings many new and exciting ideas to the table that will insure a bright future for not only the museum, but downtown Alexandria. We are excited about the long-range possibilities ahead of us. Our board of directors, as well as our advisory council are all energized and willing to support Chad as he seeks to move the Arna Bontemps Museum into the forefront of cultural activities, not only here in Alexandria, but Central Louisiana as a whole.' Bailey is a graduate of Dillard University in New Orleans, as well as a graduate of the Brayn Bell Metropolitan Leadership Forum in New Orleans. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in art. He recently discussed with The Town Talk how he came to be the executive director and his future plans for the museum. The Town Talk: Much of your career seems to be focused on Louisiana's culture and heritage, and preservation thereof. How did you come to be passionate about Louisiana and its history? Chad Bailey: 'Louisiana has such a rich history and unique culture, I can't help but express or speak of it without thinking of my family first. The two are almost synonymous. When I think about my first discoveries of our unique culture, I can recall my earliest memories of hearing stories of my elders speaking of days past, how they spoke, their actions, the food they ate, how they grew up, what communities they came from and how everyone came together as a unified body; related or not. At this moment, I just want to do as much as I can to preserve those stories, ensure our history is told and honor their legacies.' TT: How did you get the job at the Arna Bontemps African American Museum? Were you aware of the museum prior to your desire to work for the non-profit organization? Bailey: 'At the time, I was simply just visiting the museum while looking for a great lunch spot downtown. It wasn't until that visit and a series of intense questions about the institution that I was asked to meet with past executive director, Gwendolyn Y. Elmore. At best, that summer I had an opportunity to meet with the board and Ms. Elmore on how I could assist the museum. Even then, I don't believe either of us had considered placing me there. 'I was constantly traveling since my initial move from New Orleans and had plans on returning abroad later that year to visit with friends and family in Europe. Although I had known little about the museum, I was familiar with Bontemps' writings. My initial intent was to offer my time and talents as a consultant to the foundation but later found out that the museum was near closing. 'I quickly became aware it was a museum in crisis losing its remaining staff in addition to the announcement of Ms. Elmore's previously considered retirement and that I would soon be asked to be her successor. Honestly, I'll admit I had my reservations about accepting the position and possibly securing the future of the museum but became immensely intrigued by the challenges ahead. To this day, funding has been a challenge but with a reinvigorated board and newly installed advisory council, I'm sure we can further the mission of the foundation while obtaining community-wide support.' TT: Why do you believe you are a good fit for the museum and the downtown area as a whole? Bailey: 'I find confidence with God, the support of my mother and family in knowing that my education, current studies and experiences have a great deal of value and will directly benefit the museum, as well as add to the overall continued progression of the foundation's commitment to continually provide enriching and culturally-diverse programs in the arts and humanities. 'I couldn't imagine a better fit, having a well-developed background in the arts and entertainment industry, coupled with experience in the non-profit sector. Our list of programs and events thus far, in addition to the upcoming Jazz on the River, will continually increase further activity in an area of our city that needs revitalization and well-deserves our attention. It would not only be disheartening to view downtown Alexandria without the Arna Bontemps African American Museum but also disenchanting in the continued development of a vast landscape that carries such a rich history.' TT: What are your short-term goals for the Arna Bontemps African American Museum? Bailey: 'Sustainability. In order for the museum to survive, we must gain further community support. Without it, we are deemed insignificant and paralyzed with the crippling decision to cease to exist. In the midst of it all, I remain positive each day, every event, activity, to reconnect, regain and restore not only the history, legacy and commitment of Arna Wendell Bontemps, the founding and charter members but also activity in the downtown area. I hope to engage as many residents and avid supporters alike with every step.' TT: What is your long-term vision? Bailey: 'Our long-term plans, which will be spelled out in our upcoming Capital Campaign will include additional programs and meet the specific needs of our community.' TT: The museum is a designated destination on the Louisianan African American Heritage Trail. Do you plan to create more visibility for the trail through the museum? Bailey: 'Since Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne has taken office, we are now taking a closer approach ensuring we are meeting the needs of the AAHT initiative as the state plans to expand the program. Our plan is to continually support this initiative and assist in any further developments where we can actively promote others on the trail by displaying all available materials, creating a stronger web presence and ensuring that we are hosting multiple events throughout the year.' TT: What events are coming up at the museum? Will there be changes to any existing events? Bailey: 'We really have a great lineup of exhibitions coming up and other planned activities. The 'Black Indians of New Orleans: Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians' exhibit will be up until Feb. 29. Every Thursday this month during the day we are showing 'The Voyage of La Amistad: A Quest for Freedom,' on loan from the Amistad Research Center. We will also host Monday Night Movies out at LSUA in honor of Black History Month, in conjunction with LSUA's International and Multicultural Affairs Committee. We've already shown 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner,' starring Sidney Poitier and Katherine Hepburn. Tomorrow, we'll be showing 'Cabin in the Sky' at 7 p.m. in the Brumfield Caffey Annex. 'The museum will begin hosting art classes starting on Feb. 21 in figure drawing and painting. Persons interested should contact the museum for a listing of all fees and schedule of classes. Enrollment is limited. Local students interested in performing with the Bontempian Big Band are also encouraged to contact the museum. On March 3 at 6 p.m. we have Larrie King, a visual artist and professor of art at Northwestern State University, display his latest works in an exhibition titled 'Birtrude in the Woods.' 'In addition to the many upcoming lectures and film screenings we have Jazz on the River, which will expand to two days, Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22, featuring local talent and featured artists from within the state.'

More than 200 people have registered for the Cenla Work Ready Network 2012 Workforce Summit to be held Thursday in Alexandria. The Orchard Foundation is hosting the free event from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Sai Convention Center in Alexandria. 'I was optimistic we could get over 150,' said Marjorie Taylor, executive director of The Orchard Foundation. 'So I'm pleasantly surprised.' The meeting is designed to raise awareness of the National Career Readiness Certificate, a credential that denotes potential employees have certain skills that will enable them to succeed in the workplace. It's part of The Orchard Foundation's Cenla Work Ready Network, which the foundation has been using in local high schools for more than a year. Taylor said the foundation hopes to create more 'employer champions' of the NCRC -- employers who understand the value of the certificate and promote it. '(Summit attendees) will hear from employers nationwide who are using this with tremendous results,' Taylor said. Also making presentations at the summit are officials from school districts and community colleges discussing how they have partnered with industry to meet employment needs in their communities. In conjunction with the summit, The Orchard Foundation is launching phase two of the Cenla Work Ready Network, aimed at providing unemployed or underemployed adults work-ready certificates. 'We have great representation from our high schools, both teachers and administrators,' Taylor said of summit sign-ups. 'We have some of our larger employers from throughout the region. We have superintendents and school board members. That was the target audience.' For information or to register for the summit, visit www.theorchardfoundation.org. There is no deadline to register, but registering ahead of time is encouraged. The Orchard Foundation is a nonprofit education fund established by The Rapides Foundation.

NEW ORLEANS - The Louisiana Lottery Corp. says a ticket bought in Rhode Island won the $325 million multi-state Powerball jackpot, but nobody won the top prizes in Louisiana's Lotto or Easy 5 games.

Soul Food Feast: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Israelite Baptist Church, 1841 Thomas H. Delpit Drive, sponsored by the Deaconess Ministry.

Feb. 11, 1977 Mayor elected: Appointed Urania Mayor Damon Bradford is the only candidate who has qualified for mayor in the upcoming town election. Key Club sweetheart: Susan McGraw, an Alexandria Senior High senior, has been named 1977 Central Louisiana Key Club Sweetheart. Feb. 11, 1952 Sports of the Year: Col. Henry E. Walden and Morris J. Weiss received Sport of the Year awards at the annual banquet of the Menard Memorial Athletic Association. Feb. 11, 1902 Wagon shows doing well: Clark Bros. wagon shows, an Alexandria organization, took the road recently and is playing to very fair business in Rapides and Calcasieu parishes. Pumps ordered: The city engineer says that the pumps for the sewer well have been ordered. We sincerely trust they will be in place before the river rises too high.

Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy has nominated attorney and entrepreneur Tommy Antoon to a seat on the England Authority. Roy made his recommendation to the Alexandria City Council on Tuesday, but no action was taken because Antoon was out of town and had requested the vote be delayed until he could speak with council members and members of the England Economic and Industrial Development Board. 'This is a critical position,' Roy said of one of the city's three appointments to the 10-member board. Antoon is a longtime Alexandria attorney and the owner of Antoon Enterprises, a family-owned company that specializes in the restaurant and construction business. Antoon owns four Popeyes Fried Chicken franchises, as well as two Outlaws Bar-B-Q restaurants and Taco Bueno. In addition, the company owns Bayou Rapides Corp., which handles both residential and commercial building and remodeling. The mayor has referred to the England Authority as a 'gem' and 'jewel' of economic development in Louisiana and said an appointment to the board is 'one of the top appointed positions in the city.' Therefore, he said, candidates for appointment must have 'impeccable credentials.' They must be 'judicious' in their individual financial affairs and possess strong ethics. Antoon fits the criteria, Roy said. Not only has Antoon Enterprises created 260 jobs in Central Louisiana, but Antoon also has been a strong community advocate and public servant, the mayor said. Antoon is the former chairman of the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, a public financing authority created in 1974 that carries a mission 'to further education, healthcare, economic development, and job creation in Louisiana in order to make Louisiana a better place to work, live, and raise our families,' according to the authority's website. Antoon, whom Roy described as a 'truly community-minded person,' is eligible to serve on the England Authority and has no ethical or legal issues that would prevent him from doing so, the mayor said. Antoon plans to meet individually with council members soon, and he is expected to appear before the council at its Feb. 21 meeting for a confirmation hearing.

If a group of history-minded Alexandrians is successful, this central Louisiana city will have a memorial to the Holocaust by the end of 2012 in its downtown area.

A Rapides Parish jury Friday awarded more than $2.8 million in compensatory damages to the 13-year-old son of a woman who was killed along with her two daughters in 2008 when a drug-addled man mowed them over on Bolton Avenue in what police described as a horrific scene. The civil jury also determined that Justin Paul Brouillette of Lafayette owed Nicholas Isaac $100,000 in punitive damages. Brouillette killed Alexandria residents Joan Isaac, 31, and her daughters Brittany Isaac, 15, and Nyeshia Dumars, 13, on Oct. 24, 2008. An investigation showed Brouillette was driving 91 mph on the shoulder of Bolton Avenue, where he struck the trio and killed them instantly. Tests showed that Brouillette was on Hydrocodone and marijuana. Brouillette now is serving a jail term after pleading guilty in 2010 to three counts of vehicular homicide. Victor Rachal filed a lawsuit in December 2008 against Brouillette and State Farm, which insured Brouillette. Rachal sued on behalf of his and Joan Isaac's son, Nicholas Isaac, who was 10 when his mother was killed. The two-man, 10-woman jury announced the verdict Friday in 9th District Judge Harry Randow's courtroom. The jury awarded compensatory damages of $2,818,817 and punitive damages of $100,000. Nine of the 12 jurors were required to agree on the damages. A jury poll showed all 12 agreed. 'It's a just compensatory damage award,' said Wilbert Saucier, who with his daughter, Lauren Saucier, sued Brouillette and State Farm for Nicholas Isaac and his father. 'The punitive damages award sends a message to anyone who thinks he can drive intoxicated. The civil system will not condone that.' The trial featured three days of testimony, and the jury deliberated less than 80 minutes before arriving at a verdict. Witnesses included Alexandria Police officers, who testified that the scene where the Isaac and her daughters were killed was the worst they'd ever seen, Saucier said. In May 2010, Brouillette was sentenced to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty. Judge Thomas Yeager, who was subpoenaed to testify at the civil trial but was not called, knocked off five years and gave Brouillette credit for time already served. Brouillette is scheduled for release from jail on Sept. 11, 2013, Lauren Saucier said.

Alexandria city leaders insist they're not backing down from the city's expanded smoking ordinance that went into effect at the beginning of the year. However, they might have to relax one area to comply with already existing federal and state laws. The Alexandria City Council this week passed a resolution authorizing City Attorney Chuck Johnson to request an opinion from Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell to see how the city's anti-smoking ordinance fits in with the state's nursing home residents' 'bill of rights.' Louisiana Revised Statute 40:2010.8 outlines the bill of rights, which reads in subsection A-19 that a resident has 'the right to use tobacco at his own expense under the home's safety rules and under applicable laws and rules of the state, unless the facility's written policies preclude smoking in patient rooms.' Johnson said he was not aware of the bill of rights for nursing home residents, which was first passed by the state Legislature in 1985, when the council passed the anti-smoking ordinance last year. However, he received a complaint letter from the Baton Rouge-based Louisiana Nursing Home Association that said nursing homes should be exempt from the anti-smoking ordinance because the residents have the right to use tobacco in their rooms. 'Federal and state governments recognize that residents of nursing facilities have the right to smoke if reasonable precautions are taken to protect non-smokers and if the facility did not have a pre-admission 'no smoking' policy,' Joseph A. Donchess, executive director of the Louisiana Nursing Home Association, wrote in a letter that was addressed to Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy. Donchess requested that a waiver from the anti-smoking ordinance be granted to nursing homes, and threatened that legal action could be taken if residents were 'denied the right to smoke.' The waiver request applies only to residents, Donchess said in the letter. 'The laws and regulations cited hereinabove apply to residents of nursing facilities and have no application to employees and visitors, and we recognize that the ordinance is fully enforceable against persons who are not residents of the facilities,' Donchess wrote. Any state statute would pre-empt the city's ordinance, Johnson said, and he wants to find out from the attorney general if the City Council needs to make an amendment to the ordinance. 'If we have to exempt these folks, I think we just have to do it,' Johnson said.

Retired principal DELCAMBRE Services for long-time teacher and principla Pershing Cashen, Sr.

An event to raise money to help former offenders find employment is set for March 17 in Alexandria at Renegade Harley-Davidson, 2030 North Mall Drive. 'Faces of Freedom ... The Re-Entry Journey' will feature a Freedom Ride motorcycle ride, antique automobiles, live music and food and craft vendors. The Freedom Ride will depart Renegade at 9 a.m., with a $20 donation sought to help those in the re-entry program. Live music, including JoJo Reed performing zydeco, is set for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will be hosted by Re-Entry Solutions, a nonprofit counseling firm that works with the Louisiana Department of Corrections and private employers. Louisiana Public Safety and Corrections Secretary James Le Blanc is among those scheduled to attend. For information, call (318) 443-0189.

ALEXANDRIA, La. - Foul play is not suspected in the death of a man whose body was pulled Thursday from the Red River.

YoGA Practice yoga studio will hold an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 1205 Texas Ave. in Alexandria. The public is invited to see the studio and visit with instructor Joan Manuel. Visitors can also take part in 15-minute mini-sessions: 10:30 a.m., yoga breathing and centering; 11:30 a.m., mountain pose and balancing; 12:30 p.m., sun salutations; and 1:30 p.m., studio blessing. For information, call (318) 473-YOGA.

A man was arrested Wednesday after he hit a man with a chain on Overton Street, Alexandria police said. Karado Johnson was charged with aggravated battery, and Dominic Johnson was arrested on a warrant for contempt of court. Officials did not provide their ages or which cities in which they reside. Police were dispatched to the 2300 block of Overton Street in reference to a disturbance around 9:31 a.m. According to a news release, Karado Johnson got upset with his nephew and swung a chain at him. He missed, but did hit his brother, officials said. Another brother pulled out a knife to stop Karado Johnson from hurting anybody else, authorities said. The victim had a bruise on his arm and refused medical treatment.

The Arts Council of Central Louisiana will present 'NY Export: Opus Jazz' today as part of the ongoing Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers. Executive producer Ellen Bar will be present at the screening, and following the conclusion of the film, she will be on hand to field any audience questions. 'NY Export: Opus Jazz' is a scripted adaptation of a 1958 'ballet in sneakers' by Jerome Robbins, a companion piece to his legendary 'West Side Story,' which tells an abstract tale of disaffected urban youth. Bar enlisted filmmakers Henry Joost ('Catfish') and Jody Lee Lipes ('Brock Enright: Good Times Will Never Be The Same') to shoot on location all over New York City on anamorphic 35mm. The film returns the original choreography to the streets that inspired it and stars an ensemble cast of dancers from the New York City Ballet. Following the film, there will be a documentary in which dance luminaries speak to the history of the piece, while stylized screen tests of the cast of young New York City Ballet dancers provide insight into what makes the ballet contemporary. A trailer for 'NY Export: Opus Jazz' is available on the Arts Council of Central Louisiana website at www.louisiana-arts.org, along with information and trailers for each of the films featured in the Southern Circuit Tour. Tickets for the film are $5. This is the fourth of the six films that comprise the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers line-up for the Arts Council 2011-2012 Performing Arts Series. The 2011-2012 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers is a program of the non-profit regional arts organization, South Arts. The screenings of the Tour #1 films are funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Arts Council gratefully acknowledges Capital One Bank as the producing partner of the Film Series.