225BatonRouge.com

Rebuilding the city from within

"Measure twice; cut once,” was the motto as a group recently remodeled homes in neighborhoods scattered around the city. As part of the 4-year-old Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge, the 100% volunteer effort relies on corporate and business donations and personnel. Jeff Gould, co-captain of the J.P. Morgan Chase team, says the group includes some skilled pros. Like himself, many on his team complete construction jobs outside of their usual banking routines. Other volunteers like those who helped the Chase team work on Harriet Washington’s Southdowns home recently did so with pride, knowing they contributed to improving the homes (and lives) of low-income, elderly and disabled residents.

“The typical homeowners we would serve have worked their entire lives without pension or retirement,” says Randall Jones, president of the RTBR. “If they get a roof leak, it’s a couple thousand dollars to fix. There is no way they can afford that.”

Anyone with extensive construction experience interested in becoming a sponsor or serving as a team leader, and all others who want to donate, can leave a message with the organization at 358-7200. Check out a photo gallery of their work at 225batonrouge.com.

—Amanda Johnson

Coffee: A religious experience?

Starbucks coffee shops may be approaching critical mass worldwide, but it took some convincing for the Seattle-based corporation to offer its brand of specialty drinks at Fellowship Church in Zachary. Maybe it helped that the pastor of the two-and-a-half year-old church goes by the nickname Starr, and his brother is called Buck. Pastor Starr Hornsby, 33, (pictured) compares his church’s Starbucks coffee shop to the one vendors found at Barnes & Noble, but under the agreement, he can’t advertise Starbucks outside of the church. Fellowship gives away more coffee than it sells to its 500-plus members, Hornsby says, and the menu lists no prices except for a suggested $3 donation. “It’s just a little service for our congregation, and it’s been a big hit,” Hornsby says. “It’s also good for people who maybe haven’t been to church much in their life. They might see we have a Starbucks, make that little connection and relax.”

—Jeff Roedel

Lighting up litter

About 10 trashcans are left sitting in George Strain’s garage. This receptacle outside of the Capitol Grocery on Spanish Town Road is just one of 70 Strain has already delivered to downtown businesses and others who want to help stop pervasive littering from cigarette

butts. These specialized, elongated receptacles are part of a pilot program of the Downtown Merchants Association and Keep America Beautiful. The focus is on cigarettes because, though small, they can take more than seven years to break down. “They don’t blow around like paper litter, and there is no incentive for people to pick them up like aluminum cans that can be cashed in,” says Strain, a LSU neuroscience professor. “Plus they’re harder to pick up. They do get

washed into watersheds though, and accumulate in ugly masses that are unattractive and toxic to wildlife.” To request a receptacle for your business, visit kbrb.org.

—J.R.

The Tiger flip-flop

Just in time for summer, Massey’s Professional Outfitters has unleashed a new Tiger Flip-Flop to be sold exclusively in Baton Rouge. The Towne Center outdoor sporting goods store teamed up with Chaco Footwear to design and produce the purple and gold flip-flop, available at Massey’s and online at theflipflopper.com. The Tiger Flip-Flop is $49.99, and is available in men’s and women’s sizes.

—MEGHAN CORNAY

Electioneering

Nicholls State recently held an “ABCs of Politics” seminar in Baton Rouge. The goal, says democracy maven Jean Armstrong, was to offer entry-level insight to those new to politics, and to raise the bar for ethical campaigning. More than 100 officials, campaign staffers and potential candidates attended. Read what they had to say at 225batonrouge.com. Here’s one:

David Dart, 28

“I’m new to politics, so I’m just looking for a base to start,” said Dart, who is running for Clerk of Court in East Feliciana because current Clerk Debbie Hudnall is term-limited. “I think organizing the campaign is going to be the most difficult thing. I spent seven years in the insurance industry. I’m definitely leaving the door open for higher office in the future.”

—J.R.