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Lawmakers look for streamlined COVID aid program

Wed, 09/16/2020 - 10:27am

Louisiana legislators asked Monday if a program meant to help small-business owners with COVID-19-related expenses could be streamlined.
Lawmakers created the Main Street Recovery Grant Program with $275 million allocated through the federal CARES Act. Business owners could apply for the $15,000 grants starting July 28.
About $40 million had been spent as of Friday, said Nancy Keaton with the state treasurer’s office, which is overseeing the program.
“Every day, additional dollars go out,” she said.
Legislators acknowledged the need to try to avoid waste and fraud as much as possible. But they said they expected the money to get into peoples’ hands faster.
“It is concerning to me that we put this kind of money aside for small businesses and so little has been used,” said Rep. Barbara Frieberg, a Baton Rouge Republican.
Legislators said applicants are finding the application form too lengthy and complicated. Some busi-ness owners have said the federal Paycheck Protection Program was simpler.
Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera said the application did not seem “difficult” to him. Eventually his office will audit the program, and it will need to line up with requirements laid out in the CARES Act. If not, the federal government may want to claw back some of the money.
Keaton said treasury officials will continue to evaluate the program and work with the auditor’s office on possible tweaks.
“It took a little while to stand up, but it looks like it’s starting to flow,” said Rep. Barry Ivey, R-Baton Rouge.

Morgan City police radio logs for Sept. 14-15

Wed, 09/16/2020 - 10:00am

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the police department at 985-380-4605.
Monday, Sept. 14
5:37 a.m. U.S. 90 East; Debris in road.
6:40 a.m. 1700 block of Maple Street; Animal.
7:45 a.m. 200 block of Terrebonne Street; Utilities.
9:11 a.m. 700 block of Everett Street; Assis-tance.
9:26 a.m. 1900 block of Victor II Boulevard; Arrest.
10:13 a.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Counterfeit bill.
10:42 a.m. 1900 block of Cedar Street; Assis-tance.
10:54 a.m. 2000 block of Allison Street; Dis-turbance.
11:44 a.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Accident.
Noon 900 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
12:41 p.m. Martin Lu-ther King Boulevard; Stalled vehicle.
1:09 p.m. Near Clarion Inn; Complaint.
1:16 p.m. 400 block of Sixth Street; Harass-ment.
1:20 p.m. 2000 block of Allison Street; Runaway juvenile.
1:36 p.m. Brownell Homes; Disturbance.
2:57 p.m. 200 block of Canary Street; Medical.
3:15 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless driver.
3:52 p.m. 700 block of Everett Street; Dis-charge of firearms.
4:19 p.m. 1200 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
4:24 p.m. 300 block of South Railroad Avenue; Harassment.
4:40 p.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Arrest.
5:45 p.m. Levee Road; Complaint.
6:47 p.m. 400 block of Julia Street; Assistance.
7:21 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Assistance.
8:09 p.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; Arrest.
8:37 p.m. 400 block of Fifth Street; Complaint.
9:10 p.m. 200 block of Wren Street; Criminal damage to property.
9:23 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Theft.
9:54 p.m. 3000 block of Allison Street; Com-plaint.
10:41 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Arrest.
10:41 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Assistance.
10:52 p.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Complaint.
10:59 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Disturbance.
11:32 p.m. 400 block of Fifth Street; Telephone harassment.
Tuesday, Sept. 15
1:02 a.m. Palm and Cedar streets; Com-plaint.
1:56 a.m. Front Street; Complaint.

Morgan City officers work domestic violence cases

Wed, 09/16/2020 - 9:57am

Staff Report

Morgan City police made five arrests on Monday alone on charges related to domestic violence.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported these arrests:
—Jeremy Eugene Davis, 39, Third Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:23 a.m. Monday on a charge of domestic abuse
Officers were called to an address on Allison Street for a domestic disturbance. They learned Davis had committed a battery on a household member. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Tyler Jermaine Sylvester, 21, Versa Street, Berwick, was arrested at 5:05 p.m. Monday on charges of domestic abuse battery-strangulation, aggravated battery, domestic abuse child-endangerment law and criminal damage to property under $1,000.
—Brandy Skinner, 24, Wren Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:05 p.m. Monday on charges of aggravated second-degree battery, felony domestic abuse battery and domestic abuse child endangerment law.
Officers were called a Wren Street address for a large domestic disturbance. They identified the several individuals involved. Sylvester and Skinner were among the individuals involved and were placed under arrest. Detectives with the Morgan City Police Department are still currently investigating the matter, and more arrests are expected.
—Everg Ramos, 54, Magnolia Street, Amelia, was arrested at 8:21 p.m. Monday on charges of signal lamps and signals devices and driver must be licensed, and on a warrant for two counts of domestic battery.
An officer on patrol conducted a traffic stop for a traffic violation in the area of La. 182. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was identified as Ramos. A warrant check revealed the Morgan City Police Department held two separate warrants for domestic battery. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Zadre Devon Johnson, 27, Egle Street, Morgan City, was arrested 11:20 p.m. Monday on a charge of battery of a dating partner.
Officers were called to an Egle Street address to investigate a domestic disturbance. They learned Johnson had committed a battery on his dating partner. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration
—Abel Diller Garza Jr., 30, Carmen Street, Patterson, was arrested at 10:08 a.m. Monday on charges of signal lamps and signal devices, driving with a suspended driver’s license, possession of marijuana (first offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia, and on a warrant for failure to appear.
A K-9 officer with the Morgan City Police Department conducted a traffic stop for a traffic violation in the area of Martin Luther King Boulevard. The driver was identified as Garza.
A computer check revealed his driver’s license was under suspension, and the16th District Court held an active warrant for his arrest. The officer detected the odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle and deployed his K-9 partner (K-9 Dally) around the exterior of the vehicle.
K-9 Dally gave an odor response to the presence of illegal narcotics in the vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle the officer discovered suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Sontee Randle, 27, Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:25 p.m. Monday on a charge of illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentalities.
Officers were called to the area of Everett Street and Fifth Street to investigate reports of gunshots being fired in the area. Responding officers were given a description of a vehicle leaving the area that was involved.
Officers located the vehicle in the area of Federal Avenue and Gen. MacArthur Street and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Randle. During the investigation, it was learned Randle was involved in a verbal dispute in the area of Everette Street and Fifth Street when he discharged a firearm toward the ground.
The firearm was located in his vehicle and he was placed under arrest. He was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Donna Marie Comeaux, 61, Ninth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5 p.m. Monday on a warrant for theft between $5,000 and $25,000.
Officers located Donna Marie Comeaux in the area of Railroad Avenue and placed her under arrest on an outstanding warrant held the St. Mary Sheriff’s Office. She was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported these arrests:
—Randy Jerome Clark, 33, 11th Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:07 p.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of illegal possession of stolen things. Clark was released on a $3,000 bond.
—Leo Vining, 47, La. 62, Morgan City, was arrested 1:07 p.m. Monday on a charge of duty of offender to notify law enforcement of change of address. No bail has been set.
—Jeremy Javon Guy, Katherine Street, Jeanerette, was arrested 11:52 p.m. Monday on charges of reckless operation (no accident), possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Guy was released on a summons to appear Dec. 11.
—Tyler Anthony Palmature, 23, Henry Street, Patterson, was arrested at 2:33 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the following charges: possession of alprazolam, operating a bicycle at night with improper lamps or reflectors, possession of clonazepam, operating an unregistered vehicle without proper number plate, driving under suspension, operating a vehicle with unlit license plate and possession of marijuana
No bail has been set.
—Garland Joseph Romero, 33, La. 182, Patterson, was arrested 8:34 p.m. Monday on charges of for violation of protective orders and domestic abuse child endangerment law. No bail has been set.

JEREMY ALFORD: Another load of amendments on Nov. 3 ballot

Wed, 09/16/2020 - 9:44am

The first changes to the current Louisiana Constitution were approved by voters in 1978, just four years following the ratification of the document. That’s when the floodgates were opened. Since then legislators have sent on average seven amendments to voters for consideration annually.
Seven just happens to be the number of amendments on the presidential ballot this year. So familiarity, if nothing else, will greet voters on Nov. 3.
With the addition of 197 amendments, our Constitution has more than doubled in size over the past 46 years. The sheer volume of Louisiana’s current charter is ironic at best, especially since it was drafted to replace what was the nation’s lengthiest — and some claimed worst — state constitution on the books from 1921 to 1974.
Today, that replacement document is now the fourth longest charter in the United States. With each passing year and each wave of voter support for amendments, Louisiana inches ever closer to being number one again.
A constitution, by its very nature, doesn’t need to take up a lot of space. A constitution should express the basic framework for fundamental law and, in certain respects, avoid specificity. Yet the amendments keep coming.
There are peaks and valleys for this debate in Louisiana. Just prior to the last statewide election cycle, chatter around the Capitol was heavy about the value of another constitutional convention. The possibility even then seemed unlikely, but the dialogue led to other conversations about article-specific overhauls and comprehensive rewrites by amendment.
Then, just as suddenly as constitutional law became a trending issue, there was nothing. Just political crickets chirping in the night.
Perhaps the fall ballot will reenergize the chatter. To be sure, an article-specific overhaul may be a good place to start a public conversation. Of the seven proposed amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot, all but one are related to Article VII, which deals exclusively with financing and money.
This fact won’t surprise constitutional law nerds. They’ve seen and heard this before. Of the 197 amendments approved by voters since 1978, more than half directly altered Article VII.
The sole exception on the November ballot will be the first amendment, which asks this question: “Do you support an amendment declaring that, to protect human life, a right to abortion and the funding of abortion shall not be found in the Louisiana Constitution?”
Should the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade case, the proposed amendment could ban abortion statewide by clearly stating Louisiana doesn’t recognize the practice as a right.
The other six amendments on the fall ballot all reference Article VII, including:
—No 2: Do you support an amendment to permit the presence or production of oil or gas to be included in the methodology used to determine the fair market value of an oil or gas well for the purpose of property assessment?
—No. 3: Do you support an amendment to allow for the use of the Budget Stabilization Fund, also known as the Rainy Day Fund, for state costs associated with a disaster declared by the federal government?
—No. 4: Do you support an amendment to limit the growth of the expenditure limit for the state general fund and dedicated funds and to remove the calculation of its growth factor from the Constitution?
—No. 5: Do you support an amendment to authorize local governments to enter into cooperative endeavor ad valorem tax exemption agreements with new or expanding manufacturing establishments for payments in lieu of taxes?
—No. 6: Do you support an amendment to increase the maximum amount of income a person may receive and still qualify for the special assessment level for residential property receiving the homestead exemption?
—No. 7: Do you support an amendment to create the Louisiana Unclaimed Property Permanent Trust Fund to preserve the money that remains unclaimed by its owner or owners?
Based on recent electoral patterns and the high success rate for such ballot propositions, it’s safe to say that Louisiana’s Constitution will pass the noteworthy threshold of having 200 or more amendments approved by voters.
That most of those amendments can be found in a single article should be a signal to policymakers.
Maybe the amendment process is simply too easy. According to the Public Affairs Research Council, “a Louisiana constitutional amendment bill typically clears both a House and a Senate committee in about the same period as a football halftime.” Voters, of course, will spend even less time with the amendments, and many will ignore them completely.
Still, all or most of the amendments will gain passage. So here’s to amendment No. 200. It’s just around the corner.
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Alford on Twitter at @LaPolitics.

Franklin police arrest made on molestation charges

Wed, 09/16/2020 - 8:59am

Franklin Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that on Aug. 30, at approximately 5:45 p.m. the Franklin Police Department received information regarding a complaint of child molestation.
During the course of the investigation, probable cause was developed and subsequently felony warrants were issued for Seth Dantin for charges of felony—sexual battery and felony—molestation of a juvenile.
The FPD along with the Morgan City Police Department were able to locate Dantin to be placed under arrest. Dantin is currently being held on a $200,000 bond.
Dantin was again arrested on Sept. 10 at 11:15 a.m. on warrants for three counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile and two counts of molestation of a juvenile, following further investigation prior to his previous arrest. Dantin was booked, processed, and transported to Berwick Police Department.

CAA seeks relief supplies for Cameron Parish

Wed, 09/16/2020 - 8:56am

Much of South Louisiana is still trying to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Laura three weeks ago.
A large portion of Lake Charles and other areas remain without electricity and water. Other parishes, many in north Louisiana, are also still recovering power outages, downed trees and flooding.
St. Mary Parish was spared the brunt of the storm. St. Mary Community Action Agency and several local churches have brought tons of food and supplies to Lake Charles and surrounding areas to assist families and individuals. St. Mary CAA, in partnership with local churches, continues its fundraising efforts for hurricane victims in Calcasieu, Cameron and Allen Parishes, which are all a part of our service area.
Community Action Agencies in those areas will be our points of contact and are collecting:
—Water cleaning supplies, including Clorox, Lysol, gloves, mops
—Toiletries, including toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, lip balm, etc.
—Nonperishable food items
—Gift cards and monetary donations,
Items may be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at our Central Office, 1407 Barrow St., Franklin, or the Morgan City Neighborhood Service Center – AARP Building, 4410 Chennault St., Morgan City.
Items will be collected through the end of the month.
CAA is coordinating with local churches for collection and transportation of all items received.
If you have any questions regarding “Hurricane Laura Relief Effort” contact St. Mary Community Action Agency’s CEO, Almetra, J. Franklin at 337-828-5703.

Driven for Change

Wed, 09/16/2020 - 8:52am

By SHERISE HENRY

With a Nov. 3 election looming, ministers, public servants, and concerned voters are making a grass-roots effort to inform the public of the importance of their right to vote.
Area ministers Allen Randle of Lighthouse Missionary Baptist Church, Benny Druilhet of Triune Church of God In Christ and Donald Lanceslin, Superintendent of the Ambassador District Church of God in Christ teamed up with area voters to become foot soldiers in an effort to rally the public to vote.
“The purpose of today’s drive is to first of all get people registered and to remind them of their constitutional right to vote,” Druilhet said.
Even ministers who took part in Friday’s march said they themselves had become empowered by the event. “This drive is so important because it has pulled me to another level of support,” Randle said. “I just believe adequate support would be a blessing or a gift.”
Among the participants were 16th Judicial Court Judge Lori Landry and Alfreda Edwards, who was recently elected to serve on the Democratic State Central Committee Legislative District 50, Seat 8.
The group of approximately 20 people went out with posters in hand near stop signs encouraging voter registration. “Scripture tells us in Proverbs 39 Verse 2, ‘When the righteous rule the people rejoice so we want to have a reason to rejoice’,” Druilhet said.
“People want a change, young people feel hopeless. We want them to understand we will work with you,” Landry said.
Voters in attendance were proud to be a part of the effort. “The time is now, don’t put off registering to vote, do it now,” Carolyn Grogan said.
The group didn’t stop in Franklin. There were drives in St. Martinville and New Iberia this Labor Day weekend as well.

Phase 3: Gov. Edwards activates new guidelines; local officials comment

Wed, 09/16/2020 - 8:50am

By ROGER EMILE STOUFF and CASEY COLLIER

As the state moves into Phase 3 of the COVID-19 pandemic, local officials weighed in on the possible impacts of the measures.
St. Mary Parish President David Hanagriff said, “The governor went to 75% in different (restaurant) categories, which is fine, and I’m okay with that. Most of the areas we have right now with the six-foot distancing they probably won’t even be able to reach the 75%.”
Hanagriff said he disagrees with the governor on bars. “I don’t believe our percentages have been calculated correctly from day one,” he said. “Right now we’re between 10 and 12%, and that’s not accurate. I personally am going to look at calculating my own numbers based upon true numbers. If we’re at 5% or less, then I am going to do an executive order allowing bars to open again under the 25% capacity.”
The parish president said he is at issue with the way cases are tabulated. “Nursing homes and jails,” he said. “Which is what they’re doing. People in nursing homes aren’t going to bars and neither are people in jails. So how are you going to calculate our numbers and keep all our businesses down and closed based on those numbers? I think it’s horrible, so I’m going to calculate my own numbers and go with that.”
His suspicion about the numbers revolve around such figures as an explained -2%.
St. Mary Parish OEP and Homeland Security Director David Naquin somewhat echoed Hanagriff’s comment.
“According to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, that’s who gives out the numbers, we have been in single digits since Aug. 12,” he said. “But we haven’t been below five. We’ve been in the six, eight, seven, nine in positivity rate…I don’t see how they got that number.”
Naquin said the positivity rate, according to LDHH, as “the number of positives divided by the number of positive and negative tests of the specimen collection. So if, like last Thursday, we had 67 tests run, with seven positives. That put us right at 10 percent. But 60 of the 67 were in the nursing home. (LDHH) said, ‘That’s in your parish.’ Yes, but them people aren’t out at McDonald’s, Walmart, grocery stores, that’s congregate setting. You should not count those. I don’t see how those people could affect anybody.”
With the opening of Phase 3, Gov. John Bel Edwards controls the statistics. “So why even put in your proclamation that some parishes can opt out?” Naquin said. “No you can’t, because you control the numbers, and the numbers don’t reflect what’s going on in St. Mary Parish.”
While there are still cases in St. Mary, he said, but “I can’t tell you the percent because you’re counting people that aren’t in the community…they’re about to test everybody in the jail again. That’ll be another 200 tests. I think this Phase 3 is fake. It should have been 2.5 or something.”
The new mandate for restaurants is also problematic, Naquin said. “Once you socially distance your tables, you can go to 100%, but you can only get X-number in there. So you’re not going to increase how many people you can have as long as your tables are distanced.”
Recent reports of 1,100 new cases in the state and 500 of them date back to July 1. “Why even report that? What does that do? Okay, we have to report it, then you tell me out of that 500 how many are in St. Mary Parish? He said, ‘We can’t determine that.’ Yeah, you can, I’ll get some sixth graders up there to write you a program to get all of this done.”
Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard remarked, “We are going to follow whatever the governor has mandated. Thank God we have moved into Phase 3. We can get back to a little more normalcy.
“I would ask everyone to continue to be safe and take the necessary precautions to keep yourself and your family safe, and we will go from there.”
Abel “Phil” Prejean, mayor of Baldwin, reported that he did not believe that moving from Phase 2 to Phase 3 would affect Baldwin very much as there is only one restaurant in the town, and they don’t serve alcohol.
However, he did say that the Baldwin Community Center will remain closed to the general public, and that due to COVID-19, he didn’t foresee it being able to be used as an evacuation center this year, should a major storm affect the area.

Bridal expo, open houses, craft show are scheduled

Wed, 09/16/2020 - 8:26am

Bridal expo and open house set Oct. 4

Arlington Historic Home & Gardens is holding a Bridal Expo & Open House from 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 4.
The gates at 11532 La. 182 in Franklin will be open for visitors to walk the grounds, view the home and talk with vendors.
There is no charge for this event, and it is open to the public.
For more information email arlingtonhomeevents@gmail.com.

Craftin’ Cajuns Indoor Craft Show and Marketplace moved to Oct. 10

HOUMA — The Houma Terrebonne Civic Center announced that the Craftin’ Cajuns Craft Show and Marketplace presented that was set for Oct. 24 has been rescheduled to Oct. 10.
The change of date is required because local officials have designated the Houma Terrebonne Civic Center an early voting location in order to accommodate the state COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.
The Craftin’ Cajuns Craft Show will be open to shoppers from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. with free admission and free parking for the public.
For the safety of shoppers, vendors and staff, all persons entering the building will be required to pass a temperature screening. Additionally, anyone entering the event is required to wear a face covering at all times inside the building according to the Governor’s mandate. Those experiencing any COVID-19 symptom are asked not to enter this event.
If the maximum allowable building occupancy is reached, those wishing to enter will be able to wait outside until individuals exit the building.
VENDOR INFORMATION
Vendors currently registered will be transferred to the new date. Show management is contacting registered vendors to update registration details and confirm participation. Vendors wishing a refund can do so by written request to info@houmaciviccenter.com.
Vendors who are not registered and interested in participating can complete an application at Houmaciviccenter.com/craftshow. Applications will be placed on a waitlist and these vendors will be contacted to fill any open spaces.
Additional information will be published at Houmaciviccenter.com/craftshow and at Facebook.com/craftincajuns.

Shadows-on-the-Teche to reopen with Community Day

NEW IBERIA — The Shadows-on-the-Teche is reopening and is kicking things off with its annual Shadows Community Day.
Join the staff on Sept. 26 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. for grounds only, self-guided tours of the Shadows gardens and a family-friendly scavenger hunt with the chance to win prize packages, including children’s toys, art prints of the Shadows, and the Shadows-on-the-Teche Cookbook featuring recipes for all types of foods.
Admission for Shadows Community Day is free, but donations are appreciated.
Visitors are encouraged to practice social distancing and to wear masks when social distancing is not possible. Entrance to the event will be through the Shadows front gate on E. Main Street.
Shadows Staff will be wearing masks and monitoring the number of people in the gardens in order to follow state mandated crowd sizes. Restroom facilities have been thoroughly sanitized and will be available for use. The house will not be open for tours.
About the Shadows-on-the-Teche:
The Shadows-on-the-Teche, National Trust for Historic Preservation site, opened to the public in 1961 with the mission to preserve the buildings, landscape, collections, and historical integrity of the site; to research and interpret through education programs a 19th century southern Louisiana plantation economy and community and their evolution; and to encourage an appreciation of and interest in historic preservation. The Shadows and the National Trust are not-for-profit organizations that are responsible for their own operating budgets. The Shadows does not receive funding from state, parish, or city government. The site supports itself through admissions, special programs and events, and donations to the Friends of the Shadows. For more information, visit ShadowsOnTheTeche.org.

Early lesson in social graces helps overcome initial shyness

Wed, 09/16/2020 - 8:24am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: When I was a young adult, I had difficulty speaking with strangers. I recall, some years later, attending a party in honor of someone I truly admired. Most of the people there didn’t know each other.
Someone had the bright idea for each of us to tell how we knew the honoree. We went around the circle describing our connection to the person. This not only kept the spotlight on the honoree, but it was a great icebreaker. I found myself interested in several of the folks there, and it gave me fodder to follow up with questions for them when we began to mingle.
I learned a valuable lesson that night. Curiosity is wonderful, and as you have pointed out, people like to talk about themselves. Now when I’m in a room full of strangers, I find it easier to smile and ask, “How do you know Susie?” or, “What brings you to this event?” I am no longer shy about attending gatherings where I won’t know anyone. I actually like meeting new folks.
Abby, thank you for your column and for offering your booklet that teaches people how to be more comfortable in social situations. I’m sure more than a few of your readers need it.
MIXING AND MINGLING IN NAPA, CALIF.

DEAR M AND M: You’re welcome. No one is born knowing how to be social. Social adeptness is a skill like any other. People don’t have to be brilliant or a laugh riot. Part of being social — something you picked up on at that party — is the importance of showing an interest in other people. A smile is an excellent icebreaker, and part of being charming is being a good listener.
Of course, you should cultivate your own interests so you will have something to add to a conversation. My booklet “How To Be Popular” contains many useful tips for polishing social skills for people of all ages — how to approach others, what to say and what not to say. It can be ordered by sending your name and address, plus a check or money order for $8, to: Dear Abby Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.
Good conversationalists prioritize what others have to say rather than feel pressured to fill the air with the sound of their own voices. And remember: Most people can focus on only one thing at a time. So forget about yourself and concentrate on the OTHER person. If you try it, you’ll find that it works like a charm.

DEAR ABBY: Why does my boyfriend always expect me to help him with his home repairs when I don’t live there and don’t plan to for a long while? I live in my own house, and I don’t ask him to come help me fix a downed fence. How should I handle this situation?
FIXIN’ TO ARGUE IN TEXAS

DEAR FIXIN’: Do not “argue.” If you prefer not to help your boyfriend with his home repairs, tell him you have other plans. (And if you don’t have any but don’t want to be conscripted, MAKE some.)