Baton Rouge is a cultural, artistic and social dead zone stranded somewhere between Lafayette and New Orleans.Or at least that’s what I used to think.After a semester working as an entertainment writer here at The Daily Reveille, I’m starting to change my mind.Maybe Baton Rouge doesn’t suck quite as much as I thought.During the last semester, I’ve met so many energetic, creative and hardworking people doing everything in their power to ensure that Baton Rouge gets better, not worse.Of the nearly half million people who live in Baton Rouge, a few have really etched a spot in my mind. So for my last column, I want to show them some love.OUTDOORSIf there’s one thing Baton Rouge does have, it’s plenty of warm weather and open space.Adam Sitar, electrical engineering junior, took advantage of the rivers and ponds we take for granted and transformed them into an action sports arena. He started the first collegiate skim board outside the state of Florida.For a group of mechanical engineering students, the skies are more inviting. The LSU Flugtag team is building a flying contraption based on a hang glider design to compete nationally in Red Bull’s Flugtag Challenge this summer.Tiger Racing prefers the asphalt. The group of mechanical engineering seniors built a Formula One car from scratch to take to compete in Detroit against other collegiate cars. The Tiger Racing Team spent the past year working on the car, and has high expectations for the competition May 13-16.In addition, Baton Rouge hosted the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the state, five Mardi Gras parades, an international beer festival, a successful Earth Day celebration, Live After Five and Groovin’ on the Grounds.FASHIONYoung designers such as textiles and apparel merchandising senior Erin Williams, are doing their best to prove that residents of Baton Rouge do care about fashion. Williams will graduate in May and take her talents and experience working in New York with her to represent the city in the national fashion scene.Hemline, a student organization for fashion designers, will be hosting the LSU En Vogue Fashion Show at the Purple Monkey on Saturday May 9 to showcase the work of University fashion designers.Michael Shoemaker, the owner of the Purple Monkey, has done his part as well. He makes and sells silk-screen T-shirts and opens his gallery space to emerging artists and designers.One such designer, Courtney Howells,  enjoyed success with her Dope. fashion line. Since graduating from LSU, Howells has taken the urban wear scene by storm, and her original designs can be spotted all over town.Storyville, the little T-shirt shop on the North Gate, has enjoyed great success over the years hosting designs from Baton Rouge’s own and showcasing them in an annual fashion show. The shop has expanded to Austin and New Orleans.MUSICA few Baton Rouge music venues have really picked up the slack this year and booked some great talent.During the past semester, I’ve seen great shows from The North Mississippi Allstars, Perpetual Groove and JJ Grey and Mofro at the Varsity Theatre. I’ll remember them for the rest of my life.Chelsea’s hosted a plethora of great music, from the funky brass sounds of Rebirth Brass Band to the soulful sounds of The Legendary JCs. Chelsea’s always seems to book interesting bands, and the great food and drinks make for the perfect atmosphere, although the future of Chelsea’s as a live music venue is now uncertain.Local musicians David Borne and Daniel Patterson are doing their best to give singers and songwriters a chance, as they host open-mic nights around town. Because of their efforts, acoustic singers have a place to play nearly every night of the week.ARTBaton Rouge has never been known as an artistic center, but some recent LSU graduates and emerging artists are doing their best to change that.LSU recently showcased a group of young digital artists at its Third Annual Digital Media    Festival, featuring everything from animation to motocross movies.Events like the Jewish Film Festival, The Red Stick Animation Festival, art shows and LSU Theatre and Baton Rouge Little Theater performances give residents something to do and provide the first steps for a striving art community.The Arts Council of Baton Rouge and the LSU art community have united many young artists and when Gov. Jindal proposed slashing 83 percent of the budget for programs that aid small arts programs across the state, the Baton Rouge art community stuck together and stood strong.They held a “Jazz Funeral for Louisiana Arts and Culture” in front of the State Capitol and have continued to stay united to fight for the arts community in Baton Rouge.Hopefully, these crusaders will continue to fight to make Baton Rouge a great place to live. But their hard work will only pay off if we, the consumers and audiences, support them.So support local Baton Rouge businesses, artists and musicians!Because, if not, Baton Rouge might start to suck again.—-Contact Jack LeBlanc at [email protected]