January in Louisiana is ripe with fun

Feeling just a tad tinseled out and need a change of scenery? Pack-up the car and take offnit’s a good reason to get away and experience one of the many events that capture the spice of Louisiana. From Cameron Parish, down to New Orleans, up to Monroe, Baton Rouge, or Lafayette, there is sure to be something to do.

Fur and Wildlife

There is nothing better than the “great outdoors” to revive a holiday-shocked soul. Nowhere can you find the clearest deadeyes, quickest shuckers or the cleanest skinners than at the Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival, held in Cameron on Jan. 12 and Jan 13.

For the last 50 years, the celebration is dedicated to those occupations rarely given credit they deserve like the alligator, oyster, or duck hunting industries. This year however, the theme is a celebration of recovery.

For the residents of Cameron Parish, life has not been the same since September of 2005.

“There will be many differences this year, just because most of the parish was destroyed by Rita,” said John Leblanc, who has been focused on gluing the pieces back together to make sure the Fur and Wildlife Festival doesn’t miss another year.

The old Cameron Elementary School grounds will serve as the 2007 site, and will be opened to all the outdoor festivities including live music, Cajun cuisine, as well as trap shooting, oyster shucking and muskrat-nutria skinning.

For a complete schedule of events visit www.furfestival.com or call the Tourist Commission at 337-540-2050.

Big Easy Glass

Artist Tjariod Baronne is gearing up for the massive orders of glass beads, flutes and other glassware, float décor, and invitations and other printing needed for the Mardi Gras season.

Baronne is one of 25 permanent artists at the New Orleans GlassWorks and Printmaking Studio located in the heart of the Art District on Magazine Street.

The studio houses The New Orleans ArtWorks, which showcases the art of glass blowing and printing by offering free demonstrations to visitors throughout the day. Artists work in the back studio, known as the “hot shop,” during the week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., where art enthusiasts are free to meander through. A front-house gallery shows off artist’s work.

Visitors are welcome anytime but Baronne said to call to request information on any special classes or to schedule glass hand casting during a visit. The first few weeks of January will showcase printing such as invitations created for New Orleans Mardi Gras krewes. Creation of pins and glass décor depicting traditional themes, such as court jesters, masks, beading will be open for viewing until March.

“We are one of the few museums in New Orleans that is free and open to the public,” said Baronne, “and really this is a place where anybody can come to experience a part of the Carnival and Mardi Gras culture.”

Check out the GlassWorks Web site at www.neworleansglassworks.com or call (504) 529-7277.

A Step Back in Time

The American Immigration Law Foundation explains how and why immigration has shaped culture and life throughout a 200-year time period and will bring their traveling exhibit “America’s Heritage: A History of U.S. Immigration” to the Baton Rouge area in January.

The West Baton Rouge Museum in Port Allen will house the exhibit.

Lauren Davis, curator of the museum, explained photos, narratives and timelines will depict how immigration laws have fluctuated, influenced by global events, and how immigration continues to influence American life.

“To add to some hometown flavor to the exhibit, we will be telling the stories of Louisiana residents who were immigrants themselves or have close relatives who have moved to this area,” she said.

The exhibit begins Jan. 6, located at the West Baton Rouge Museum located in Port Allen. For museum hours and additional information on exhibits call the Tourist Commission at (225) 336-2422.