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From house dances to Grammys, zydeco is rooted in Louisiana

Lifestyles

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Lena Charles grew up in Opelousas hearing the rhythmic tunes of zydeco, a genre of music that became a big part of her life from a very young age. The unique mixture of rhythm and blues, soul, Cajun, and Creole music, born in the living rooms and back roads of St. Landry Parish, has been around for more than half a century. “This music is our culture for me, there is no way to separate them,” says Charles, now president of The Original Southwest Zydeco Festival. She’s seen her favorite artists go from small get-togethers to big stages and from Acadiana ...

How to create privacy on your property

Lifestyles

Metro An inviting backyard can serve as a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. After a long day at the office or an exhausting day spent transporting kids to and fro, it’s hard to resist the allure of a peaceful outdoor space in which to unwind. Privacy is a key component of any backyard oasis. But many suburban homeowners recognize they might need to tweak their landscapes if they hope to create a private oasis outside. Fencing or planting? Most homeowners looking to create more privacy on their property will have to choose between fencing and planting. ...

Quinoa patties with herbs and Gruyere make great burgers

Lifestyles

By CHRISTOPHER KIMBALL Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Building a good grain-based veggie burger is a challenge, not only for flavor, but also because they tend to fall apart. So instead we tried a seed — quinoa, to be specific — and were delighted with the results. The texture and size make it better-suited than rice or other “grains” for forming into patties, and pan-frying gives them a crisp crust that contrasts with the tender interior. For this recipe from our book “COOKish,” which limits recipes to just six ingredients without sacrificing flavor, we bind the ...

A easy heart-healthy family meal

Lifestyles

Family Features Making small changes to focus on your health, like following a healthy eating plan, can make a big difference in protecting your heart. Developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is a flexible and balanced eating plan that helps create a heart-healthy eating style for life. It requires no special foods, and instead provides daily and weekly nutritional goals to help lower two major risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure and high LDL (bad) cholesterol. As an added bonus, sharing ...

Cooking in healthy electrified commercial kitchens workshop

Lifestyles

STATE COLLEGE — A free “Cooking in Healthy Electrified Commercial Kitchens” Rebate Program induction cooking workshop will be held Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at RE Farm Café at Windswept, 1000 Fillmore Rd. in State College. Learn about DEP’s new Cooking in Healthy Electrified Commercial Kitchens (CHECK) rebate program for K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and nonprofits whose missions focus on healthcare or community services. Chef Chris Galarza of Forward Dining Solutions will provide in-person demonstrations of various induction cooking equipment ...

Brunch made easy and tasteful

Lifestyles

Family Features Gathering friends and family doesn’t need to be fancy. With its prime positioning between breakfast and lunch, brunch is a more casual and lighter alternative to the typical dinner party. When charged with hosting a mid-day gathering, a little pre-planning can go a long way toward ensuring your brunch get-together is as simple as it is scrumptious. Get creative with decor. When prepping your tablescape, think outside the box. Opt for unexpected serving dishes such as tartlet tins and vases, and transfer syrups and jams from their everyday containers to glass bowls ...