Latest news with #Cajun
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Bar and restaurant with play area opens near Glasgow
The Wee White Playhouse is located at 37 Main Street in Houston in Renfrewshire in the former home of the long-established Main Street Bar and Grill. The new family restaurant and bar boasts a slick interior with a kids' zone with shop fronts for imaginative play, ride on cars and tables. In a social media post, those behind the venture said: "Did someone say 50s cocktail bar vibes with a play area for the little ones? "Madness! Come down and see us for some amazing food, great drinks and the best entertainment for all ages." The Wee White Playhouse is open from 10am to 6pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and 10am to late, depending on footfall, on Fridays and Saturdays. Its breakfast menu is served from 10am to 11.30am and features hot-filled rolls. Also on offer are light bites such as a Cajun or Parma ham sandwiches on focaccia or bagel with fries. Bigger bites include fish finger sandwiches, homemade lasagne, "girl dinner" (chicken Caesar salad, fries and diet coke), Cajun chicken loaded fries, a charcuterie and cheese platter, and pizzas. The new eatery kicked things off with a bang with a grand opening on Sunday (May 25). A spokesperson for the venue added: "As the dust settles we'd just like to thank you all so much for your love and support. "We are absolutely blown away by the amount of people that came over to see our new venue."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Surgeon Jim Bonnet remembered for impact on medicine and the community
May 28—Described as "brilliant," "compassionate," and "generous," Dr. Jim Bonnet was a shining light in the Flathead Valley. From bringing vascular surgery to the valley to opening the hospital's first dedicated breast center to serving on the founding board of the Glacier Symphony, Bonnett's reach ranged and helped to grow Flathead County's medical capacity and cultural opportunities. Bonnet died May 6 of cancer in Kalispell, leaving behind a legacy that will be etched into the Flathead Valley. He was 78. His light will never dim, said longtime friend Gayle Vidal. "He was more than a blessing, he was such a credit, such a force in the community without really letting people know about it. He just did it quietly because it was the right thing to do," Vidal said. Now 77 years old, Vidal reflected on the first time she met Jim Bonnet. Gary Robbins, a surgeon and friend of Vidal's, invited her and her husband to a house party on Flathead Lake in their early 20s. Bonnet was Robbin's new surgical partner. The way Vidal explains it, Bonnet immediately drew people in. The first time she saw him, he was standing in a doorway, wearing an emerald green robe. The first thing he said, Vidal laughed, was "bless you, my friends." A man from Louisiana, with Cajun roots and a Catholic background, Vidal said it just made perfect sense. "I looked at my [husband] and said, we have got to get to know this guy better, and we did," she laughed. From that point on until the day he died, the Vidals and Bonnet talked nearly every day. When Vidal got sick in 2020 and was bound to a wheelchair, she remembers hearing a surprise knock at the door, after they had moved out of Kalispell. "Who was it but Jim Bonnet," she said. Bonnet stayed for three days, assisting with daily tasks and helping with medicine. If it reveals anything, Vidal said, it was that Bonnet was an incredible man. An incredible friend. "I don't know another person like him, a person with that sort of capacity, medical expertise and devotion. The work he did overseas, the work he did here. He truly was amazing," Vidal said. Born in 1946 in Lafayette, Louisiana, Bonnet's interest in medicine began at an early age. He graduated from the Tulane School of Medicine in 1971 before completing a five-year residency at the University of Southern California. He then went on to complete a fellowship in peripheral vascular surgery in Australia before joining various medical missions in need of a surgeon, traveling to Nepal, India, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Bonnet connected with Dr. Gary Robbins while living in California, and, upon his return from overseas, the pair started what turned out to be a 30-year partnership in general and vascular surgery in Kalispell. "I feel privileged and fortunate to have known him in my life," said Michael Barth, president of the Logan Health Foundation. In 2002, Bonnet opened an office dedicated to solely breast-related health care after watching his sister Carol's struggle in negotiating her state's medical system for the treatment of breast cancer. In 2009, the endeavor turned into the Bass Breast Center, a coordinated care center on the Logan Health campus. "We have a breast center at Logan Health because he was a leader," Barth reflected. Just last year, Bonnet honored his sister's legacy further with a donation to the Logan Health Foundation to start Carol's Fund, an endowment providing essential resources and assistance for breast cancer patients. For Judy Cowan, one of Bonnet's longtime surgical nurses, his medical expertise and awareness was one of a kind. "He was an excellent doctor and a great surgeon," Cowan said. "What stands out most to me was his ability to take wonderful care of his patients. He had great hands; he was as talented as the first day he operated with me to the day he retired." While expanding Kalispell's medical capabilities, Bonnet was also a generous patron of the arts. He served on the board of what is now the Glacier Art Museum and served on the founding board of the Glacier Symphony. Many remember him for his love of music. Bonnet retired from surgery in 2007. After 14 years of remission from a previous cancer diagnosis in 2009, cancer was found in his throat and was treated aggressively without success. He was preceded in death by his sister, Carol, and his parents. He is survived by his partner of many years, Patrice LaTourelle. "We all have an opportunity to be more like Dr. Jim Bonnett, to follow his example, to follow his lead, to find opportunities to quietly give back and make our community stronger in however we see fit," Barth said. "We all have an opportunity to do our part to make this world a better place like he did." On Thursday, May 29 there will be "A Gathering of Friends to Pay Tribute to Jim Bonnet, the Man, Medicine and His Music" at 3 p.m. in Room 139 in the Arts & Technology Building at Flathead Valley Community College. Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Chicken or beef: tasty recipes to try for International Burger Day
The history of the first burger has always been shrouded in mystery. Whether you sink your teeth into an offering from a favoured franchise or lie awake some nights pondering the ingredients of Sponge Bob's Krabby Patty, the love for meat on a bun is appreciated the world over. Coinciding with burger month in the US, International Burger Day is set aside to celebrate every bite. Taking part this year is Sibiya Casino, with its specials for some of SA's most beloved hot spots for a good burger: Beira Alta Restaurant - A Portuguese burger with a house-made beef patty topped with chouriço slices for R155. Nando's - A tender chicken burger prepared with Nando's' unique peri-peri recipe served with a single side of your choice for R92. Steers - Big Bacon King Steer Burger with chips for R129.90. Spur - From Sibaya Spur, the original Spur burger – your choice of beef, soya or chicken - served with a side of your choice (single 160g) for R114.90. The burger combo is your choice of a beef, soya or chicken patty topped with cheese, and a 350ml Coke, for R164.90. The Rib burger – succulent pork rib patties grilled with Spur Basting topped with cheese served with a side of your choice – for R 129.80. The famous Cheddamelt burger - your choice of a beef, soya or chicken patty topped with melted cheese and creamy mushroom or pepper sauce, with a side of your choice - for R142.90. Don't have a chance to catch the special this week? Here's a recipe from Sibaya Casino's Salon Privé chef Prudence Ntombela that's sure to bust the cravings. Cajun chicken burger Ingredients: 1 burger bun 20g soft butter 30g oil, plus extra for frying 250g chicken breast 25g Cajun spice 40g mayonnaise 2g paprika 30g fresh tomato 15g red onion 30g fresh lettuce 200g potatoes Seasoning Method: Cut the chicken breast horizontally to open into a butterfly. Add Cajun spice, oil and seasoning and set aside for 10 minutes in the fridge. Cut the burger bun and butter on both sides. Place on a pan until golden brown. Set aside. Grill the chicken breast over a medium-high heat for 4 minutes on each side until fully cooked through. Slice the onion and tomato into rings and set aside. Mix the mayonnaise and paprika together, then spread the mixture on both sides of the bun. To assemble the burger, layer the lettuce, tomato and red onion on the bottom half of the bun. Place the chicken on top, drizzle with additional paprika mayo and finish with the top half of the bun. In a medium-sized pot, heat the oil and fry the potatoes in your preferred cut for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Season with salt, pepper and Cajun spice, then serve on a plate alongside the burger. BBQ lamb burger Ingredients: 150g lamb mince 30g oil 1 burger bun 20g soft butter 40g mayonnaise 2g paprika 30g fresh tomato 15g red onion 30g fresh lettuce 200g potatoes 40g BBQ sauce Seasoning Method: Roll the mince into a ball and flatten. Heat the oil in a frying pan. Cook patties on each side for 4 minutes. Set aside. Cut the burger bun and butter on both sides and toast in the pan. Slice the onion and tomato into rings and set aside. Mix the mayonnaise and paprika together, then spread the mixture on both sides of the bun. To assemble the burger, layer the lettuce, tomato and red onion on the bottom half of the bun. Place the lamb patty on top, drizzle with BBQ sauce, and finish with the top half of the bun. In a medium-sized pot, heat the oil and fry the potatoes in your preferred cut for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Season with salt, pepper and Cajun spice, then serve on a plate alongside the burger.
Wall Street Journal
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
‘BLUE: The Life and Art of George Rodrigue' Review: A Louisianian Painter on PBS
During an interview for 'BLUE: The Life and Art of George Rodrigue,' the artist's son Jacques says that if you had called his grandmother a 'Cajun,' she might have slapped your face. But the 'derogatory term' that would have ticked off grandma was something his father—best known for his 'Blue Dog' paintings (see the Absolut vodka ads)—made into a brand. And a cause. Rodrigue, who died in 2013, was a repository of influences both ethnic and artistic, much like current-day Cajuns themselves. Descended from the French-speaking Canadians exiled by the British after the invasion of Nova Scotia in 1755, the people who would eventually be called 'Cajun' found refuge in southern Louisiana and created a culture that food and music—and some say Rodrigue himself—channeled into mainstream America during the late 20th century.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Landry misses obvious link between lax ethics laws and low Louisiana standards
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (John Ballance/The Advocate, Pool) It's in our nature as Louisiana residents to be easy-going, whether you're a native Cajun like me or someone who's been drawn to relocate here because of our lifestyle. That's why we're always ready for a good time, we prioritize family, friends and fun, and try not to fret about the things we can't control. But it's also a coping mechanism – and probably not a healthy one. How else can you explain our contentment with constantly being on the lower end for quality-of-life ratings for health care, education and poverty? This might be what Gov. Jeff Landry was talking about – although in a rather awkward way – in his disappointed reaction to the resounding failure of all four amendments he supported in the March 29 election. 'We realize how hard positive change can be to implement in a state that is conditioned for failure,' Landry said on election night. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX What the governor doesn't realize is the part he plays in 'conditioning' residents to accept low standards, and why the substantial changes he wants to make to state ethics laws only reinforces the negative perception of Louisiana, both from within and outside the state. Keep in mind that ethics laws in Louisiana are weak as they currently exist, with minimal consequences for offenders. While some provisions can and should be updated to keep up with the times, the governor has instead set on a path to undermine what little credibility the system has. Landry's ethics law retooling has rightfully caught the attention of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, the state's pre-eminent good government organization. The nonpartisan group's leadership made clear where they stand on the legislative package in a recent commentary. 'That's the wrong message to send in a state riddled with Louisiana's long and sordid political history, particularly when polls show public trust in government is at historic lows,' PAR President Steven Procopio and Research Director Melinda Deslatte wrote. The updates Landry supports include House Bill 674, a complex proposal with dozens of changes in how ethics investigations are conducted. They would give elected officials and government employees questionable leverage to discourage state ethics investigations. Authored by Rep. Beau Beaullieu, R-New Iberia, the measure would require the ethics administration to turn over witness statements and other documents obtained early in the investigative process to the subject, even if the ethics board decides not to pursue charges. Beaullieu has said lawmakers from both parties have complained about the ethics board, arguing it needs to be more transparent. That was evident last year when one of his Democratic colleagues in the Louisiana House, Rep. Steven Jackson of Shreveport, gained decisive approval for two ethics law changes. One reduced how often elected officials have to file their personal financial disclosure forms with the state, and the second dramatically cut the fines lobbyists have to pay if they file paperwork late. Jackson's actions followed years of angry exchanges between himself and ethics administration staff over more than $10,000 in fines he was assessed for failure to file campaign finance and personal disclosure reports. Do you see a pattern here? Instead of public officials choosing to change the behavior that put them in the crosshairs of ethics investigators, they've pushed to change the laws meant to discourage such conduct. The trend is poised to continue this year. State Ethics Administrator David Bordelon described the new investigative process under Beaullieu's measure as 'skewed' in favor of a public servant accused of wrongdoing. 'It presents some sort of questionable standards,' he told ethics board members at a meeting last month. The origin story of Beaullieu's legislation speeds past 'questionable' and steers directly toward dubious. It was written with the help of Stephen Gelé, an attorney who has represented the governor in front of the ethics board. When he was attorney general, Landry failed to disclose he took free flights on a donor's private plane for a conference in Hawaii in 2021. Though House Bill 674 wouldn't affect the outcome of charges that have been pending against Landry for two years and counting, it would hinder comparable investigations in the future. More proposed ethics law changes, all with Landry's blessing, would further discourage accountability for elected officials and government workers. House Bill 160 from Rep. Kellee Dickerson, R-Denham Springs, would end the public's ability to confidentially or anonymously report illegal activity. The ethics board has warned lawmakers it would have a 'chilling effect' on people coming forward to report wrongdoing by public employees and leaders. Another Beaullieu proposal, House Bill 674, would end a prohibition in state law on government employees and elected officials from receiving gifts under most circumstances. Between 'seasonal or holiday food' and regular gifts, the largesse could reach up to $400 in value annually. When you think of the potential to grease the skids of bureaucracy with a $100 gift card here or $100 worth of festive fare there, you should get an idea of why Beaullieu's bill might be cause for concern. If not, you don't have to look very far back to find out why – at both the state and local level. There's been minimal resistance to Landry's offensive against state ethics law, which started last year when he got lawmakers to approve giving him more direct control of the ethics board's makeup. And while this year's legislation appears to pack a significant punch, it might just be the first in a years-long assault on the minimal virtues left in Louisiana government. Don't say you weren't warned. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
