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A Braille-iant idea

What began as a unique Christmas gift for her blind niece has blossomed into a thriving cottage business for stay-at-home mom Julie Rimes, and now she’s getting a lot of attention from local boutiques and fashion Web sites for her Braille jewelry and T-shirt designs.

Rimes launched brailleiant.com in 2006 to showcase some Braille-inspired jewelry pieces for her 10-year-old niece, Sophie Trist. Her early creations were “nothing more than a few bedazzled designs.”

She was open to constructive criticism, including from her niece, who explained that Rimes’ initial dots were too big to read. Rimes experimented with different materials and varied the sizes of dots. The result: a collection of necklaces, bracelets, T-shirts and tank tops that had both sighted and visually impaired fans clamoring.

“I think what she’s doing is awesome,” Trist says. “Where else do you see Braille jewelry?”

The Association for Blind Citizens featured Rimes’ work on a national radio program. Orders poured in from Florida to Oregon. Rimes donates 10% of her proceeds to the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired in Baton Rouge. Her Braille designs can be found at Learning Express and shopintuition.com.

Trist is earning some national attention, too. She’s an avid scuba diver, snow skier and rock climber who for three years has competed in the National Braille Challenge Competition in Los Angeles, taking second place two years ago. “I think it makes people aware that blindness is an ability not a disability,” she says. brailleiant.com —SARAH YOUNG

War of words

It can’t be a dig at Bush foreign policy because too many republicans say it. Congressional candidate Woody Jenkins says it. Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain says it. Fact is, a lot of people think our nation’s capital and the great northwestern state are both called “warshington.” But why?

According to Merriam-Webster, we have the midland states—yes, Kansas, we’re looking at you—to thank for this goofy pronunciation.

Curiously, the intrusive “r” is also common

in certain sections of the D.C. region itself.

McCain’s Navy admiral father was a native Iowan, so that explains him, but what about Woody?

“It’s just a bad habit,” says Jenkins, who hails from Baton Rouge. “I know better. I’ve also been corrected about authoring bills instead of ‘arthuring’ them.” —JEFF ROEDEL

So others might live

The sudden death of Glen Oaks star point guard Shannon Veal (pictured), who collapsed on the basketball court in February and died of complications from an enlarged heart, has given birth to some generous and noble initiatives. Just 10 days after Veal’s death, former LSU player and Minnesota Lynx guard Seimone Augustus launched a scholarship in Veal’s name. Now the Our Lady of the Lake Foundation and some community groups are raising money to place automated external defibrillators at all local high schools.

John Paul Funes, head of OLOL Children’s Hospital and foundation president, says the AEDs—which cost about $4,500 each—will be placed first in school gymnasiums, then in other parts of campuses. Faculty will be trained to use them in emergencies. “Shannon’s death really brought this to the forefront,” Funes says. “That shouldn’t happen again. We need these AEDs ASAP.” ololrmc.com —J.R

New TV shows—yippee!

No more awkward rerun-talk at the office water cooler.

America’s favorite TV series returns this month with fresh episodes now that the writers’ strike has ended.

Here’s the very tentative rundown:

30 Rock. Five new episodes on NBC beginning April 10.

C.S.I. Six new episodes on CBS beginning April 3.

ER. Six new episodes on NBC beginning April 10.

Grey’s Anatomy. Five new episodes on ABC beginning April 24.

House. Four new episodes on FOX beginning April 28.

Law & Order: SVU. Five new episodes on NBC beginning April 15.

Lost. Five new episodes on FOX beginning April 24.

The Office. Six new episodes on NBC beginning April 10. —J.R

Now that’s an expensive suit

East Baton Rouge Parish now charges more to file a lawsuit than any other parish in the state, and nearly twice what neighboring parishes charge.

To fund construction of the new courthouse on North Boulevard, the 19th Judicial District Court charges an extra $200 building fund to file a lawsuit—that’s in addition to the existing fee of $270. The 12-story, 335,000-square-foot building will cost $90 million.

—REBECCA BREEDEN

How our lawsuit filing fees stack up

East Baton Rouge - $470

Orleans - $308.50

Livingston - $250

West Baton Rouge - $250

West Feliciana - $250

Caddo - $250

East Feliciana - $225

Ascension - $225

Lafayette - $200

Iberville - $200

Winners: K.K. Babin

Sharp shooter

Playing in front of thousands of fans at Southeastern Louisiana’s University Center, guard K.K. Babin of St. Michael the Archangel nailed a jump shot with six seconds left in the state championship game.

This 10th-grader’s clutch shot cemented a 51-49 upset over heavily favored 4A powerhouse Ellender Memorial for the Warriors’ win.

St. Michael finished 36-4 on the season. It was the team’s first appearance in the Top 28 Tournament.

Cultivating kids

As the state steps in to improve public schools, a grassroots movement is changing lives one child at a time. “Effects come in the form of hope, smiles, kindness, perseverance, stability and self esteem,” Kids Hope USA Director Annette Lamond says.

The program is simple: A volunteer reading partner mentors an at-risk student each week.

Real estate developer Donnie Jarreau sees volunteering in the program not as a charity, but as a relationship. For three years Jarreau has been meeting weekly with 10-year-old Rodney, a student at Wildwood Elementary. After Rodney’s father was killed in a car accident, faculty recommended him for a Kids Hope reading partner. Other students, Lamond says, simply need a little extra academic help.

“It’s evolved to where now I spend more time listening to him and finding out what’s going on in his life,” says Jarreau, who visits Wildwood on Tuesday or Thursday mornings to check Rodney’s homework and shoot some hoops.

“I’ve learned so much from doing it. You know, we’re all busy, but you find the time. That’s the bottom line.” kidshopeusa.org —JEFF ROEDEL

B.R.’s big-time tennis

Tomorrow’s tennis superstars are coming to town the last two weeks of this month for the Pro Tennis Classic.

Many of last year’s competitors “probably won’t be here this year simply because they are not good enough,” tournament director Kay Wilson says.

One of the Association of Tennis Professionals’ Challenger tournaments, it’s a “springboard to fame for the future stars of professional tennis,” Wilson says. “Nearly every player on the ATP circuit has fought his way to the top of the game through the Challengers.”

This year’s lineup depends on competition outcomes. “Many of our players will be in the top 100 of the world. The players you see at this event will most likely be on TV or at the U.S. Open next year,” Wilson says. “It’s exciting. You won’t get this sort of competition anywhere else but the U.S. Open.” brprotennisclassic.com —MARY GELPI

Ugly Award: Vacant lot at Sherwood Forest and Old Hammond Highway

This vacant lot, stagnant for years, belongs to the Department of Transportation and Development.

The state purchased the lot in 2005 as part of the widening of Old Hammond. The lot, once home to a used car lot and owned by Muriel Land Corp., became DOTD property through expropriation when DOTD took ownership out of necessity to widen the highway.

DOTD officials didn’t need the remainder of the lot after all. They lost track of the land and forgot the state owned it, which is why it remained vacant and unkempt, devolving into free parking for 18-wheelers and old cars.

But look for new activity in that spot. DOTD’s real estate administrator says a physical therapy company recently purchased the lot. —MARY HELEN CRUMPLER

Eat, drink and be artsy

Bringing fine art to the people by breaking out of the traditional gallery setting is at the heart of a floating art show started by businessman and self-taught painter Louis DeAngelo Sr., father of the well-known restaurateur.

The elder DeAngelo hosted the first Taste of the Arts show Feb. 7 at Louis DeAngelo’s Casual Italian Dining on Coursey Boulevard. The evening featured paintings by DeAngelo, Billie Bourgeois, Dennis Hargroder and Tony Mose, as well as works by ceramist Denise Greenwood and jewelry designer Danielle Holshuh.

“We really had a great turnout, with close to 300 people,” DeAngelo says. “It was very different from the typical gallery atmosphere. People were eating, drinking, looking at art. It was very comfortable, no pressure, and I think that’s why it worked so well.”

DeAngelo plans another show in the coming months at DeAngelo’s Jefferson Highway location. —SARAH YOUNG

Experience the green life

Tree huggers unite for the 19th annual Louisiana Earth Day celebration April 20 in Baton Rouge. This planet-loving party proves Kermit the Frog wrong—it’s easy being green after all. Learn how you can be a friend to Mother Earth by checking out the wetlands tent, recycling fair, earth market, international pavilion, natural health and healing, Louisiana and Native American culture, earth-friendly habitat and the many agricultural exhibits and petting zoo.

“This has become one of the largest festivals in the country focused on our state’s love of the natural beauty of Louisiana and our need to preserve and conserve for future generations,” Mayor Kip Holden says.

The all-species parade kicks off the festival, rolling at noon down North Boulevard winding through downtown to the new festival location near Galvez Plaza and the Old State Capitol. earthdaybr.org —SARAH YOUNG

Obey the grape

Swirl, sip and mingle with fellow wine enthusiasts at the Southern Breeze Wine and Culinary Festival. The second-annual event returns to Baton Rouge this month bringing gourmet food and distinctive wines together in a casual, entertaining setting.

The weekend of events includes winemaker dinners, wine seminars and the grand wine tasting, which offers guests the chance to sip wine and mingle outdoors.

The event’s companion is the Southeast Regional Culinary Symposium, focusing on culinary tourism. It caters to restaurant owners, event planners, marketers and retail stores. Several speakers are scheduled, including Chef John Folse and Erik Wolf, president and CEO of the International Culinary Tourism Association. coastalwinetour.com, visitbatonrouge.com—MARY HELEN CRUMPLER

Earth Stage (fountain area adjacent to the River Center)

Baton Rouge Blues Band (TBA), 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Iguanas, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Marva Wright & the BMWs, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Wayne Toups & Zydecajun, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Louisiana Stage (Galvez Plaza)

Lost Bayou Ramblers, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m

Savior Faire, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie,

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Baton Rouge Stage (Lafayette Street across from the Shaw Center)

Walter “Wolfman” Washington

(Sunday in the Park), noon to 3 p.m.

The Michael Foster Project, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Children’s Stage (Old State Capitol grounds)

Papillion, all day

Sarah Dupree (right) dazzles Istrouma guidance counselor Catrina Minnifield with a pair of dresses donated by Caroline Ross.

One dress at a time

There are no glass slippers, but there are plenty of pretty dresses. The Cinderella Project, a new nonprofit that dresses students for prom, chose to help Istrouma High this year.

“The cost of their prom is $60. Many girls have told us they wouldn’t be going if it wasn’t for us,” says Shelton Jones, who started the Cinderella Project with Sarah Dupree.

The two rallied local businesses to support the initiative, and the high-end store ChattaBox recently donated $10,000 worth of dresses. “The owner just started pulling them of the racks!” Jones exclaims.

They hope to dress 250 girls for prom in May and reach more schools next year. cinderellaproject.org —MARY GELPI