Opening your first business is a daunting task. Opening a restaurant as your first business is an overwhelmingly daunting task!  And imagine trying to do it with no restaurant experience, no funding and no idea of what you are getting into!  And then imagine trying to do while still working full-time at your “real” job!  That is what Michele Ezell did.

The task of building a business plan, securing funding, designing, constructing, re-designing, licensing, menu developing, staffing, training, re-training…and all of that before one guest is ever greeted!   Michele had to learn “on the fly”, as they say in the kitchen, and there was no time to pause and reconsider:  The goal was to bring an ancient Asian food concept to the deep south… and they weren’t even going to cook it!

Sounds easy, right? Fast forward ahead both 20 years and 3 restaurants later, Michele has learned, and continues to learn that nothing worth doing is easily done.   

The concept was sushi, but upbeat sushi with a Southern accent.  Just imagine, oysters, alligator or crawfish in a sushi roll… Well Tsunami did imagine it and made it a reality!  Michele and her partners knew that an authentic old-style sushi bar wasn’t going to attract the following that they wanted so they had to change the product.  And that meant to change the space, change the music, change the menu, change the scene.  

Tsunami’s locations along I-10 in Lafayette, Baton Rouge and New Orleans share the same menu, the same loyal guests and the same neighborhood environment.  All three locations reside in downtown districts intentionally, where they anchor the creative center and are close to dynamic businesses and civic leaders.  They are designed to reveal the natural elements of each space by exposing brick, cement, bamboo and an abundance of natural light.  The private spaces have been host to gatherings for birthdays, reunions, holiday parties and even several weddings!  

Since Tsunami’s menu ranges from authentic Japanese-style sashimi to sushi rolls incorporating local Cajun flavors like sautéed crawfish it attracts a spectrum of diners.  The entrée selection gives a nod to both Asian and South Louisiana culture with a slow grilled miso marinated sea bass and a citrus-soy marinated NY Strip and wasabi mashers.  Diners are invited to take a front-row seat to the show in front of the open kitchen and watch as the talented chefs prepare their meal with local ingredients and fresh Gulf seafood.

And what is a good S. LA restaurant without a cool cocktail?  Tsunami doesn’t disappoint those with the bar in mind by offering a full range of award winning choices.  Their “Haiku” is a play on the traditional margarita with tequila and hibiscus, the Asian spin on an old-fashioned is a Kyushiki with ginger liqueur, whiskey and carmicheals honey.  But the most popular would be their dreamy Chocolate Martini with the artistic privilege given to the bartender to garnish.  

Tsunami continues to evolve and incorporate new flavors and styles to foster the creativity of the chefs and rise to market trends. The dishes and drinks have changed over the past 20 years but the same solid service and quality remains.  Nothing is more rewarding that to have a customer that started their sushi addiction as a child return from the big-city and demand that Tsunami is part of their “coming home” experience.

In Her Footsteps: Honoring the Legacy of My Mother
by Chris Dier

Some of my earliest memories of life in St. Bernard Parish is of grocery shopping with my family. As we were “makin’ groceries,” my mother was often stopped by former students excited to see her. They so casually offered powerful testaments to her influence as a teacher, such as, “you changed my life,” or “I went to college because you believed in me.” They recalled dressing up in togas to reenact famous debates of Ancient Rome or going on meaningful field trips. These occurrences were so common that they were normalized for me; I thought it took every family hours to shop because of these interactions. It later occurred to me that this may be atypical for the average person, but it was just a day in the life of a career teacher. 

My mother, Lynne Dier, just started her forty-third year as an educator in St. Bernard Parish. She first convinced me to enter the profession when I was in college. She invited me to watch her teach at Chalmette High School in Room 215, and I saw my mother inspiring young adults in real time. I saw her passion and the positive reactions of her students. I saw her put students first in every choice she made and the material impact of her devotion. I left Room 215 knowing that this was my calling. 

In 2010, I applied to teach a significant disabilities class at Trist Middle School. The principal, Denise Pritchard, gave me an opportunity despite my lack of experience as a recent college graduate. I was ready to change the world, but teaching was harder than I could have possibly envisioned. However, I could call on my mother for advice at every junction. She knew the solutions to complex issues that I did not encounter in my graduate courses. She became my mentor.

In 2015, she retired and asked if I would take over her classroom. (Seriously, how do you turn that down?) I applied, and I now teach in Room 215 at Chalmette High, where I first observed her. As we all expected, however, she did not remain retired for long and reentered the classroom at the elementary level. 

This story is important to me on a personal level because without her influence and mentorship I would not have been awarded the 2020 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year. I would not have had the opportunity to give back to the community of St. Bernard Parish that gave me so much as a student and teacher in their public schools. Most importantly, I would not have taught over a thousand students and impacted them, hopefully in a similar manner Mrs. Dier still impacts her students. 

My personal journey is merely one example for a universal truth about educators. Behind every person there is that teacher who made their mark and altered their trajectory for the better. It’s important to remember to give back to the educators and mentors who shaped us. Henry Adams, an American historian, stated: “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” Adams, a famous author descended from two presidents, was inspired by the powerful effect of his ancestors and professors at Harvard. Equally as powerful are the vast and lasting effects of good teachers. As the son of an educator, I, too, know the powerful effect firsthand. 

Tears rolled down her cheeks after I was announced the Louisiana State Teacher of the Year. In my acceptance speech, I knew I had to give her the recognition she deserves. She modestly accepted. Now, when former students stop me in a grocery store aisle, I think of the times when it happened during my childhood, and just smile.

Think back to that special educator who impacted you, and give them a nice “thank you.” 

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/2020LATOY/

Twitter: @chrisdier

Carley Fuller

Executive Director
Girls on the Run South Louisiana

Carley Fuller is the executive director of Girls on the Run South Louisiana (GOTR SOLA), a nonprofit organization that inspires girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind through a research-based curricula which includes dynamic discussions, activities and running games.

Fuller has actively volunteered and fundraised for Girls on the Run since she was 15 years old. Her mother, Hydie Wahlborg was the local council’s founder and executive director. Fuller experienced the impact of the GOTR core values at home, as a volunteer GOTR Coach, and in her internship and then full-time position with the organization. This unique perspective provided her with both personal and nonprofit management experience with the youth development program. She assumed the director role in 2019 with the motivation to empower girls and women to know and activate their limitless potential.

Girls on the Run brings together groups of 8-15 girls for a 10-week program that encourages personal development, team building and connection to the community. Starting in September each team will meet two times a week for 75-90 minutes after school and participate in research-based lessons that use dynamic discussions and fun running games to teach life skills. The season will culminate in a 5K event that brings together family, friends and community members to celebrate the girls’ growth throughout the season.

“Girls on the Run means a lot to me because it helps me discover new ways to deal with everyday problems like bullying, gossiping, and mean words that can hurt you.” ~Girls on the Run participant

\”This program has given her so much. New friends that she would not have interacted with at school, as well as compassion, empathy and teamwork. We love everything about it.\” ~Parent

Registration for the 10-week GOTR program is currently open to girls in 3^rd-8^th grade across Louisiana. Financial assistance is available.

For program registration, volunteer opportunities or how to start a program site, please visit your local GOTR council website:

GOTR South Louisiana (Greater Baton Rouge, Acadiana, Hammond, Northshore and surrounding parishes): girlsontherunsola.org / programcoordinator@girlsontherungbr.org / 225.636.0800

GOTR New Orleans: gotrnola.org / info@gotrnola.org / 504.272.7786

GOTR Bayou Region (Terrebonne/Lafourche): gotrbayouregion.org / andrea.naquin@girlsontherun.org / 985.647.5472

GOTR Central Louisiana (Alexandria): ywcaalex.org/gotr / morgan.wampler@girlsontherun.org

GOTR Shreveport (Caddo/Bossier): gotrshreveport.org / monica.lawrence@girlsontherun.org / 318.425.9336