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Rhythms on the River is set to rock downtown Morgan City for the 11th year this spring.

At Tuesday’s city council meeting, the council approved Cafe JoJo’s to once again host Rhythms on the River this spring in downtown Morgan City. The event, which is free to the public, will be held on Fridays starting April 26 through June 21. Bands will play from 6:30-9:30 p.m., and Front Street, from Everett to Freret streets, will be blocked from 4:30-10:30 p.m.

Though there are nine Fridays in that span, Cafe JoJo’s only plans to hold Rhythms on the River on six of those Fridays, and the three extended dates are there in case of rain outs, Cafe JoJo’s owner Brian Blanchard said.

Blanchard asked the council to consider eventually placing some temporary fencing around the area during Rhythms on the River, so organizers can control whom and what come in and out of the area. Many people bring in outside drinks. Cafe JoJo’s, which pays for the bands, gets less business during the event because of that, Blanchard said.

Organizers don’t plan to ever charge attendees to enter Rhythms on the River. They just want to have a better control on what people bring and the traffic around the event, he said.

The council also presented Blanchard with the city’s positive image award Tuesday for his contributions to helping revitalizing Front Street. Blanchard, a Morgan City native, brought Rhythms on the River to the city’s riverfront in 2009.

He has also founded multiple businesses along Front Street including Cafe JoJo’s in 2003, NicoBella event center in 2012 and Bay City Bistro in 2016.

Also at the meeting, the council approved an ordinance authorizing the city to issue and sell $2 million in revenue anticipation notes for 2019. This measure allows the city to borrow money from M C Bank & Trust through a line of credit at a 5.5 percent interest rate. The city borrowed about $600,000 through the line of credit in 2018 and paid that back, said attorney Jason Akers of Foley & Judell law firm.

Mayor Frank “Boo” Grizzaffi expects the city to borrow minimal funds in 2019. City officials plan to set aside some funds in a surplus account, so that the city won’t need the line of credit in 2020, the mayor said.

City leaders started using the line of credit three years ago, because city government was moving funds from multiple city accounts to pay for various items. The single line of credit through M C Bank simplified the accounting process, Grizzaffi said.

In other business, the council

—Approved a change order increasing the cost of the city’s mausoleum project by $2,300 and substantial completion of the project.

—Approved a wharf project closeout resolution.

—Tabled action on a bid tabulation for roadway repairs and improvements.

—Authorized the public works department to buy a commercial mower from Premier Lawn Equipment at a cost of $9,799.

—Authorized the purchase of seven iPads to be used by the mayor, five council members and chief administrative officer at a total cost of $2,100 in addition to one laptop computer.

—Authorized the mayor to sign a cooperative endeavor agreement with the town of Berwick to transfer an Orphan Train dress, pantaloons and bronze high-top button shoes from the Morgan City Archives to the Berwick Heritage Museum.

—Approved the inaugural Out of the Darkness suicide prevention walk to be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 19 at Lawrence Park.

—Approved American Legion Post 242 to hold a can shake from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 23 to raise money for scholarships. The can shake will be in the area on La. 182 in Morgan City under the U.S. 90 overpass.

—Approved Songs on the Bayou and Green Community Foundation to hold their Fais Do Do from 5-11 p.m. March 27 at Lake End Park.

Patterson High School will look to knock off one of Louisiana’s basketball powerhouses Tuesday when it travel to face Peabody in a 6:30 p.m. contest Tuesday in Class 3A regional round action.
Patterson (17-10), Class 3A’s 15 seed, topped No. 18 South Beauregard 56-51 in first-round action, while No. 2 seed Peabody (29-4) defeated No. 31 Iowa 110-37 in other first-round action.
Patterson and Peabody met earlier this season in St. Martinville’s tournament with the Warhorses beating Patterson 64-52.
“The first time we played them we were just overwhelmed in the first half,” Patterson Coach Ryan Taylor said. “ A lot of that had to do with not knowing what to expect. You hear the words ‘they are going to trap you,’ but until you feel it, you just don't understand it. We had too many turnovers in that first half, and they feast off of that. It would be hard to find another team who transitions to offense off of a steal better than these guys.
“The second half we handled the traps better and gave our teammates better passing angles,” Taylor added. “And in doing that, we were able to get some good looks and knocked them down.”
This time around, Taylor said his squad can’t fall behind big.
“We have to protect the basketball,” he said. “They are coming with several different variations of traps. Along with protecting the ball, we will have to rebound better than we did last time. They had close to 20 offensive rebounds the last time. We cannot let that happen this time. Will it be tough? Absolutely. But it's why you play. We have an opportunity in the playoffs to play one of the most storied programs in the state. It’s not supposed to be easy.”
While Peabody is led by a 6-foot, 5-inch guard who leads the team in scoring and rebound, Taylor said nearly all of the team’s players can handle the basketball and hit three-pointers. They also have size.
“So it’s not like you can just take the point guard out the game and make someone else dribble,” Taylor said. “It’s one of the reasons why they are so tough to match up with. Not to mention the athleticism and quickness. They are fast and aggressive. They do a great job of rotating on defense. Their anticipation of the next pass is very good, so they never give you a break.”

May 26 marks the beginning of the 62nd year of the Louisiana Lions Camp, 55 of those years in Leesville. There is no cost to the parents for the campers' stay.
On July 9, 1961, the first camping session opened the camp located six miles north of Leesville on 170 acres of piney woodlands. To date, more than 25,127 children have attended camp.
More than 4,000 Lions throughout Louisiana are actively working to see that youth with diabetes, pulmonary disorders, and mental and physical challenges are able to experience a life-impacting week.
The camp will operate a one-week session for youth with pulmonary disorders ages 5-15. (These applications will be assigned by the LPDCI, Lions Camp Pelican.) Two one-week sessions for mentally challenged children ages 8-19 and two one-week sessions for the orthopedically challenged, and hearing/visually impaired children ages 7-19.
Two one-week sessions for youth with diabetes ages 6-14 (all Diabetes Camp applications will be assigned by the American Diabetes Association) and a one-week session for youth with hematology/oncology cancer and sickle cell disorders ages 6-14. (These applications will by assigned by Camp Challenge).
Children will have a full range of activities including swimming, arts and crafts, archery, gun safety, all sports and nature lore.
The Louisiana Lions League for Crippled Children Inc. operates and manages the Louisiana Lions Camp which is financed by voluntary contributions by Lions Clubs and non-Lion organizations and individuals.
Anyone, whether a Lion or not, may make financial contributions toward the operation of this camp. A life membership costs $100 and can be purchased by contacting local Lions Clubs or the Executive Director of the Louisiana Lions League Raymond Cecil III at 337-239-6567.
Campers attending summer sessions must be sponsored by a Lions Club, Lioness/Auxiliary, or Leo Club. This ensures that the camp is truly a statewide project that serves every section of Louisiana.
Anyone in the Tri-City area interested in the camp should contact Morgan City Lions Club’s Dianne Baill-argeon at 985-399-6068.