Derenda Grubb

November 11th, all across Southwest Louisiana, school children and others joined to celebrate Veteran's Day. On this Veterans Day in Lake Charles, I witnessed tomorrow's citizens and walked away with a smile.

All too often we hear depressing stories of "Today's Youth" that make us think we want to pull the covers over our heads. Not today.

I witnessed one of the two musical celebrations of Veterans Day; "This is America 2008" Presented by the Soaring Eagles Chorus of Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School and led by Elayne Gabbert, Director.

The talent and accomplishments of these students are unbelievable. Then you realize they are only fourth and fifth grade students (age of the Chorus I enjoyed). I had to continually remind myself of the student's true age.

The other impressive part to the story is that someone is taking time to teach PATRIOTISM.

We actually stood and said the pledge of allegiance, sang patriotic songs and heard many toe tapping new songs that the young people enjoyed singing along with the older tunes that the audience expected to hear. The time went so very fast, I felt I had just arrived, when it was over.

I attended this program expecting to hear my Grand Daughter sing a solo. Her solo was wonderful and brought tears of emotion as I witnessed a pivotal moment. My Grand Daughter has a WONDERFUL voice that I had not heard previously. Grandmother became aware of the fact that her very first Grandchild is growing into a Wonderful young Lady.

It has been wonderful to see that the educational system in Southwest Louisiana considers Patriotism important and worth keeping alive. The Schools are taking time to bring attention to what our Military has accomplished in years gone by, but also continue on a daily basis to provide on our behalf. Without these sacrifices we would not have the freedoms that we have and the ability to demonstrate against our government if we are in disagreement or to view such wonderful programs as today's patriotic tribute.

As a Grand Mother, a former teacher, and as a proud citizen, "Thank You" to the public and private school systems across Calcasieu Parish and all of Southwest Louisiana.

Unique, "one of a kind", an expression of creativity is sometimes hard to find. Those who live in larger cities might be surprised to find treasures that the Lake Charles area offers.

Recently, I located a treasure and an expression of Southwest Louisiana culture and history.

When you visit Eighty-One located at 3708 Maplewood Drive, Sulphur, Louisiana, you temporarily travel back into yesteryear via vignettes scattered throughout the shop of stories written by Pierre on Cajun lifestyle and history.

Those familiar with the legend of Contraband Bayou and the basis of Contraband Days might think that the owner of Eighty-One, Pierre Fontentot, had discovered a significant portion of the famous pirate's "stash."

I went into this shop for the first time in search of 2 vanities. Specifically, I was in search of an antique into which I could drop a basin.

Creativity (just as the sign posted in front proclaims) abounds within the walls of Eighty-one. I did not find my antique, but together we found wonderful parts and designed my vanities that day.

I asked Pierre how he came to name his antique shop eighty-one as I felt sure there was an interesting story to be heard.

You will learn to appreciate the warm, friendly smile that slowly flows across Pierre's face as he tries to decide which tale he will share with me.

He finally gives me an anthology of tales and says he often switches as to which one he recites.

Sometimes in a jovial mood he will state that his establishment's name equals his IQ - NEVER believe that.

The most likely source is that in the early years of traveling to various antique shows he repeatedly drew the same number as to the location in the roster; "eighty-one". When it came time to name his shop, it just seemed logical, after all the years of success on the road with the number, to name his shop eighty-one.

You will see a sign posted on the front of the shop that states, CREATIVITY. This is an understatement.

And, Pierre was living "Green" long before it became fashionable.

He has a warehouse full of wonderful found objects, along with the antiques that he combines to make wonderful art objects that flow beautifully with any décor.

Pierre proves that almost any item can have a second life if you put your thinking cap on, thus, the source of my "one of a kind" vanities.

I am posting several photos of Eighty-One here knowing that my Texas friends will be highly interested in this spot on the map, and, since one of the major "perks" of my job helping those relocate to the Lake Charles area is to help them get to know all of Southwest Louisiana, I will soon post even more photos of Eighty-One on Derenda.com.

I have seen the equivalent of Pierre's art work in many boutiques in Houston, Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, etc. at a much greater cost. I am very pleased that Pierre is building the two vanities and they will be UNIQUE; not one of 10,000.

See photos of Contrband Days and other Lake Charles activities at Derenda.com.

Planning for Our Today and Our Children’s tomorrow.

Late 2007 I received an invitation on behalf of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury to participate in a task force compiled of a cross section of our community. Each member brought a different discipline, talent, and view point, but a common objective to effectively plan for the future development of Calcasieu Parish.

Our task was to take an in depth look at Calcasieu Parish as it fits into the Southwest Louisiana economic, physical, environmental, and social infrastructure. Study our Parish, identify the strengths and weaknesses while attempting to project where we think we will be in 20 years. Help formulate a blueprint to take us there successfully.

The Police Jury knew issues in the infrastructure of our Parish exist that require serious funds to correct. How do you go about correcting these issues in a way that is logical, while planning to meet tomorrow’s needs as well as covering today’s issues. How do we accomplish a pleasing, consistent design with a purpose? How do we maintain green belts while constructing the strong infrastructure needed to provide for the anticipated growth in housing, schools, industry, and commerce?

We started by engaging the professional services of a firm that has made a career of assisting many cities and communities with this massive task. Planning Works of Kansas City and Melbourne City, Florida has been instrumental in guiding us through this daunting task. They knew the correct questions to ask and had the experience to direct us in finding answers that fit our community’s wishes.

Through several lengthy work sessions followed by open community break out sessions, the Task Force has accomplished a monumental task. We have completed a 65 page document that outlines what we believe to be the wishes of the majority of those who participated in the process.

Citizens participated either through attendance to the break out sessions or by logging in on the website and taking the survey and/or reading the draft form and posting their opinions. We greatly appreciated all participants that took their time to voice their opinion. With their help, we were able to pin point the most important issues and then place these issues in suggested order of priorities to prepare our area for what we anticipate to be the greatest economic and physical growth period we have ever experienced.

Life will be very exciting in Calcasieu in the next 20 years. It has been my privilege to view into the future and glimpse what we can be with the fore thought and planning to take us in the right direction. I have been allowed to assist with the planning for our children and grandchildren, a true task of love.

Soon the final unveiling will take place. This has been postponed by two hurricanes that have hit our area in the last month. Gustav was a near miss and Ike which has been far more devastating, has taken much of the Police Jury’s time for the present.

Given a few weeks to get Calcasieu Parish back on its feet, they will again look to the future and move forward. Keep your eyes on the future for our area. We are going to be moving forward fast. There are GREAT things to come. Learn more at the official website.

Déjà vu (pronunciation;French)"already seen"; is the experience of feeling sure that one has witnessed or experienced a new situation previously (an individual feels as though an event has already happened or has happened in the near past). This is the definition provided by Dictionary.com. This is exactly my emotions as I take a moment to write this post today. I am calling my clients in Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana with vacant properties to remind them to prepare for what could be a rough few days and trying to prepare to vacate the area if needed. We are told that most residents will be more cautious and not wait as long to leave this time. This is wonderful news.

Two years ago, when we returned after Rita, I created a page on my website that has become a little dusty, thank goodness. This page, however, has a lot of information and especially links that will assist you in a time when you need to prepare for an emergency of any nature. Please visit the site and take from it any helpful information that will make life more comfortable and safe for you and your family.

I would also like to point out that there is a link to Southwest Louisiana Contra Flow Maps. The maps will hopefully, should they be needed, prevent confusion as to traffic flow at a time when the stress level will be at maximum.

Please forgive the brevity of this post. I am trying to complete my many task so I can concentrate on preparing for the safety of my family and personal home as well. I did want to bring my http://Awareness.derenda.com out of the shadows in hopes that is would be of service to someone.

Rita and Katrina taught Louisiana residents many lessons. Our State will not be caught unprepared. We will work through this, if it comes our way, and move forward with the enthusiasm of before. I am so very proud of the people of Southwest Louisiana, the progress we are making, and the future I see for our communities. Storms are detours not barricades. Stay safe and see you when the rainbow is visible.

Governor Bobby Jindal had to love his trip to Lake Charles on Tuesday! He was here to help officially announce that a $100 million manufacturing plant will soon be built in Lake Charles.

The facility, to be located on Port property off Big Lake Road not far from Trunkline LNG, will be the first nuclear-module manufacturing facility in the United States! A few bullet points:

• The project is a joint venture between Westinghouse and The Shaw Group, a fortune 500 construction firm based in Baton Rouge, LA
• The plant will create 1400 jobs in Lake Charles
• The combined Shaw and Westinghouse venture will generate 2,900 new jobs throughout the state
• The purpose of the plant is to to assemble building modules
• No radioactive material will be involved locally
• After assembly, the buildings will be shipped to their intended destination
• One-third of the new nuclear power plants will be built at the Shaw-Westinghouse facility in Lake Charles

Deep-water access, transportation, and availability of a skilled work force were a few of the reasons Lake Charles was selected. Of course, the state's competitive incentive package played a major role in what is expected to generate $43 million in tax revenue alone in the coming decade.

From the Chamber Southwest to the State Department of Economic development, congratulations and thanks to all involved.

Links of interest:

New Release on Shaw Group website

Bayou Buzz coverage

Times-Picayune Article

Employment opportunities