What’s Up – Jonesing for the Tigers Earning her Stripes Pastel shades Beer me that watermelon What would improve Baton Rouge? You ain’t no Picasso

It wasn’t necessarily a job too many top-level coaches wanted, considering the Tigers have had three losing seasons in the last five years and they play in—at best—a half-empty arena, but leading the LSU basketball program has always been the dream job for new head coach Johnny Jones. And it is a gig so many others wanted him to have.

A groundswell of support, from Duke legend Mike Krzyzewski to his three LSU predecessors, follows Jones to the Tiger bench.

Trent Johnson said from his new post at TCU that the DeRidder native was the only man for the job, and John Brady, who didn’t even retain Jones as an assistant when he took over the LSU job in 1997, called Jones the best fit. Of course, Jones’ former coach and boss, Dale Brown, lobbied long and hard for a guy he thinks of as a son.

“He will succeed,” Brown says emphatically. “I am so happy for Johnny.”—Lee Feinswog

Virtuoso pianist, singer-songwriter and former Baton Rougean Brooke Waggoner has become the keyboardist of choice for former White Stripes leader and Grammy winner Jack White. Now living in Nashville, where White runs his Third Man Records label and recording studio, Waggoner was recruited last year by the blues-loving artist to play piano and organ on seven songs for his acclaimed solo debut Blunderbuss—including popular singles “Sixteen Saltines” and “A Love Interruption.”

Now on tour with the rock star guitarist, Waggoner has played for mobs of fans in Austin, Los Angeles and London, and for celebrities like Gary Oldman, Rod Stewart and Axl Rose.

The 27-year-old says she and White are “compadres from another time.” They first met through mutual friends. “Nashville’s a small town,” she says.

Waggoner’s new solo album is slated for a September release. For updates on her music or to follow her adventures with White’s touring band, visit brookewaggoner.com.—Jeff Roedel

The bug eye look is out this summer. It’s time to put aside those oversized black sunglasses and try on more vibrant ones instead. Pastel rims and punchy colors can be an instant spirit-lifter, and they scream summer fun. A thin-rimmed shade adds a dash of color and flair, while bolder frames can really make a statement. Stock up on a few and hit the beach in style. Large displays of colorful shades can be found at multiple boutiques in Baton Rouge as well as at the NYS Collection cart and Solstice, both located in the Mall of Louisiana.—Marcela Aubrey

Baton Rouge’s Tin Roof Brewery has rolled out its first seasonal beer, called Watermelon Wheat, on draft at area bars through the end of September. Tin Roof worked with the LSU AgCenter to source local melons, designing the new offering to spell relief from the summer heat.

“We want the nose to give a refreshing, cooling sense of watermelon, followed by a nice, crisp, easy-drinking taste,” says Tin Roof co-owner William McGehee. “We’re trying to focus on our local market, and what’s better than Louisiana watermelons in the summertime—in a beer?” Plus … no seeds to worry about.—J.R.

Our May issue offered 11 ways to improve the city, and now you can watch Baton Rougeans tell us their own ideas in a new 225 video. To hear from Brew Ha-Ha! owner Gabby Loubiere (pictured), Covalent Logic co-owner Stafford Kendall and more, visit youtube.com/225magazine.

David Bowie covered him. John Cale and Joan Jett, too. Songs like “Roadrunner” and “Pablo Picasso” bubbled up from basements and college radio stations long before Boston native Jonathan Richman broke into the mainstream as a film composer and one of two “Greek chorus” actors commenting on the wacky goings-on in the Ben Stiller hit comedy There’s Something About Mary.

Once labeled the “godfather of punk,” Richman performs live in Baton Rouge at the Spanish Moon on June 20.

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