Nola Boomers February 2019

FEBRUARY 2019

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Spice of Life Chef Susan Spicer p. 6

Keeping your health in balance with

Tai Chi p. 31

Cruising Along p. 20

King of Carnival A day in the life of Rex p. 9

Be unique this Mardi Gras with handcrafted beads!

Beautiful jewelry made from recycled magazine paper by Ugandan women.

504-231-0119 info@atlasbeads.com atlasbeads.com instagram.com/atlasbeads

publisher ann herren ann@nolaboomers.com executive editor laura claverie laura@nolaboomers.com office manager jenny ziglin jenny@nolaboomers.com advertising sales catherine sewell catherine@nolaboomers.com edit interns erin cohn chapelle johnson designer cat landrum 2nd story creative copy editor emily berger ad production sara youngblood

FR OM L AU R A I love the beginning of a new year and new opportunities.

I’ve made my list of resolutions, which I do every year, and, fingers crossed, some will be kept. Yes, the road of my life is littered with good intentions.

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to cook. Chopping vegetables is my form of therapy in good times and bad. So I was especially pleased to write our cover feature about Chef Susan Spicer, a James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur. Chef Spicer took time out of her busy life—she owns three local restaurants and will open a fourth this year—to tell our readers how she does it all and what she plans for the future. What a gift she is to our community!

Another gift in our community is Dr. Stephen Hales, a recently retired, beloved pediatrician and civic leader who reigned as Rex in 2017. He shares his “Day in the Life of Rex” with us in this issue. It was a Mardi Gras we’ll all treasure, especially Dr. Hales’s young patients who lined St. Charles Avenue to cheer him on.

In this issue, we also inaugurate the “Our Aging Parents” feature, a task many Boomers assume. We want to hear from Boomers who are caring for an older generation. Please share your thoughts with us.

contributing photography twirl photography

Last, make some time this year to do some good. You are never too old or too busy to volunteer to make this community better and stronger. Consider volunteering at a local homeless shelter or hospital. If you like to garden, contact City Park, the Botanical Garden or Audubon Park. With your years of experience and wealth of wisdom, consider mentoring a young person at Covenant House. Or teach a child to read with the STAIR program, and change a kid’s life forever. This city has endless opportunities to give back. That’s what living fearlessly is all about.

info@nolaboomers.com or 504.866.0555

Think about it and get started.

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and/or contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the magazine or its advertisers.

Business office: 8131 Oak St., Ste. 100, New Orleans, La., 70118 504.866.0555 / 504.861.2229 fax A publication of

Fearlessly Yours, february 2019 volume 2, issue 1

Laura Claverie

february 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

For reprint information, contact ann@nolaboomers.com

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FEBRUARY 2019 CONTRIBUTORS

Valerie Andrews Valerie Andrews is a writer and communication strategist in the Greater New Orleans area. She has been published in the Journal for Minority Medical Students, the Nursing and Allied Health Journal, Ascension Parish magazine, and the Loyola Maroon, to name a few.

Lee Cutrone Lee has been a freelance writer for 26 years. She writes profiles of people, places, businesses and trends, as well as home and garden articles, fashion features, shopping guides, health and wellness pieces and more.

Deborah Burst Deborah is a local author, speaker and award-winning travel and lifestyle journalist/photographer. She is also co-founder of the Northshore Literary Society and a regular contributor to our publications.

Sarah Herndon is a local New Orleanian and freelance writer. She writes regularly for Nola Family magazine.

Keith Marshall Keith began his writing career in 1973 as The Times-Picayune’s representative in Europe and later served as the newspaper’s classical music writer. He has written travel, art and architecture, and feature articles for major newspapers and magazines.

CONTENTS A FEW WORDS

17

24

Freebies

Free and ‘almost free’ things to do!

Feeding the Mind

27

On The Go

FEATURES

The Learn Before Lunch program.

6

31

Tai Chi

Offering medication through movement.

3

Letter from Laura

| february 2019

Susan Spicer The Spice of Life.

9

Fit to be King

Dr. Stephen Hales as 2017 King of Carnival.

www.nolaboomers.com

26

12

Mardi Gras Marching Krewes

4

Taking a Gambel

Betsie Gambel’s after-50 entrepreneurship.

REGULAR TOPICS 20

Travel

How you can join the fun!

Cruises offer an easy way to relax while exploring.

15

Your Aging Parents

22

Health

The 5 essential documents your parents should have.

Staying healthy with Vitamin D.

Where, when, and what to do around town.

ON THE COVER Chef Susan Spicer enjoys a beautiful day outside her restaurant, Rosedale.

Photo by Twirl Photography.

CHERISHING

ADE OF CHILDHO DEC OD THE

for the 2019-2020 school year.

www.standrewsepiscopalschool.org 8012 Oak Street, New Orleans, LA 70118 St. Andrew’s Episcopal School does not discriminate against any person in admission, employment, or otherwise because of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or age in violation of existing state or federal law or regulations.

The

Spice of Life

By Laura Claverie

Chef Susan Spicer When asked what a typical day is like in the life of James Beard Award-winning Chef Susan Spicer, the answer is simple: there is no such thing. After all, the 66-year-old chef owns three popular New Orleans restaurants while also being a wife, a stepmother of two young adults, and the part-time caretaker of her 95-year-old stepfather, who lives on the Northshore. “It’s all about balance,” she says.

That “balance” would drive most mortals to distraction, but the chef seems to take it in stride. After four decades in the food industry, she admits she has pretty much seen and done it all.

“I didn’t get married until I was 51, and my husband came with two small children. It was such a blessing to have this instant family. I felt as if I’d won the lottery in families!” she says.

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| february 2019

Today, she rotates among her three well-known restaurants: Bayona, a chic, high-end restaurant in the French Quarter; Mondo, a casual wood-fired pizza eatery in Lakeview; and Rosedale, a hip venue near City Park. She and business partner Sandy Whann also co-own Wild Flour, a gourmet bread business.

When the new airport opens in 2019, she will open another Mondo in that setting.

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A self-described “control freak,” Spicer still works in one of the kitchens each day developing recipes and supervising the staff.

She takes great pride in working with younger aspiring chefs and can tell within a few weeks if one has the potential to make it in such a demanding, endlessly creative job.

“A good chef has to know more than how to cook,” she says.

“She has to see the big picture—how to keep a kitchen working smoothly, how to work with a quirky staff. I’d never discourage someone from going into the food industry—and I’ve been wrong about potential chefs a few times—but it’s hard to make it all work.”

Chef Spicer was discouraged by her father from going into the restaurant business after she dropped out of college. But she

was determined to become a chef and found ways to get the training she needed and to learn the business of operating a kitchen and restaurant as she went along. “I succeeded because I was a good employee. I worked hard, was curious and excited to learn new things. I went to work early and left late. That’s pretty much what it takes to succeed in any job,” she adds. “I also had mentors who believed in me.”

From 1982-86, Spicer worked with famed New Orleans Chef Daniel Bonnot and did a short stint with Chef Roland Durand at the Hotel Sofitel in Paris. Bayona, which she opened with business partner Regina Keever, was her first solo flight into the restaurant business. It opened in 1990 and serves a packed house daily.

Spicer’s early years were spent traveling the globe with her parents (Dad was in the Naval diplomatic corps) and six siblings.

Her favorite posting was in the Netherlands where she was introduced to the Dutch and Indonesian fare of the country, and her love affair with food began. Today, Spicer incorporates the cuisine and spices she learned to love as a child. Her menus often feature Pork Satay with peanut sauce and other favorite Indonesian delicacies. “In fact, I even use the same thick, sweet soy sauce, Ketjap Manis, that my mother used in the Netherlands in some of my dishes today,” she says.

In 1993, Chef Spicer won the coveted James Beard Award for Best Chef: South/Southwest. She was inducted into the James Beard Foundation for “Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America” in 2010. She has appeared on Bravo’s Top Chef and authored her own cookbook, Crescent City Cooking: Unforgettable Recipes from Susan Spicer, which was nominated for Best American Cookbook by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. In 2012 she was named to the Culinary Hall of Fame.

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e-newsletters Spicer was also the inspiration for one of the lead characters, Chef Janette Desautel, in the hit HBO series, “Treme,” a program about post-Katrina New Orleans, and she played herself in one installment of the hit CBS crime show, “NCIS: New Orleans.”

Once her fourth restaurant opens in the new airport, Spicer would like to slow down a bit. “I’d like to have more time to entertain—or just hang out with—my friends. I’d love to have a dinner party with just a few friends. I’d fix a big ribeye roast or leg of lamb and roasted potatoes. And I’d serve some good wine and whiskey. Food really is the universal language among friends, isn’t it?”

She’d also like to get involved in the community in an effort that is not food related. “I can see myself teaching reading to adults, or maybe I’d work with the libraries. I’ve always loved libraries and want them to thrive.”

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“I really wouldn’t change much about my life at 66.”

For now, she’ll continue running her restaurants and being a wife, stepmother and part-time caretaker of her stepfather.

“I really wouldn’t change much about my life at 66. The food industry has been good to me, and I have a world of loyal supporters,” she says. “My mother volunteered with Meals on Wheels until she was in her 80’s, and I can see myself doing the same sort of thing for literacy. It’s just a matter of making the time to do it all.”

to learn more 504.866.0555 info@nolaboomers.com

FIT TO BE

KING

A day in the life of Rex

by Sarah Herndon

DR. STEPHEN HALES AS 2017 KING OF CARNIVAL Many New Orleans parents likely know Dr. Stephen Hales, recently retired after 40 years in practice, as their kids’ pediatrician, and for many, as their own pediatrician when they were kids. But Dr. Hales has also filled the position as historian for the Rex organization. A member of the krewe for more than three decades, he was enamored by Mardi Gras history and its lasting impact on New Orleans, a city in which the Utah native is now rooted. “Mardi Gras is so much a part of the cultural heritage of the city, and I love history,” Hales says. He even published a book on Rex, a culmination of his years of research.

So when he walked into what he thought was a tax meeting, briefcase in hand, he found that there were no accountants anywhere. Instead, leaders of the Rex organization greeted him, and Dr. Hales stood stunned with the realization that he would be that year’s iconic King of Carnival. He was speechless. “Ask me something about Rex and I can talk about it. Ask me to be Rex and I was thunderstruck,” Hales says.

As with all of the past Rexes, Dr. Hales had to keep this a secret for many months with only those knowing who were involved in the preparation. The official announcement to the public would be made a few days before Fat Tuesday. “I am a very honest person, but I learned to be evasive,” Hales admits. He even waited a week before telling his wife Nancy, presenting her with an antique pin shaped like a crown at their dining room table in their Uptown condo. She quickly realized that it was going to be a busy Carnival season, Hales says.

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| february 2019

King of Carnival

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Reflecting back to nearly two years ago when he was hailed as Rex, Dr. Hales remembers that what struck him the most was all of the meticulous preparation that went into Mardi Gras day. There was a thick loose-leaf binder with a minute-by-minute organization of limousine transportation and makeup applications. “That day has a rhythm and a current and a flow that is traditional and historic, but it all comes together,” he says.

6:00 AM 8:30 AM 9:30 AM 10:00 AM Dr. Hales wakes and heads to the first event of the day, the Royal Run in Audubon Park.

The queen of Carnival, Anna Huger, meets him there, both dressed in casual athletic clothes.

They have the first toast of the day. Dr. Hales comments that “it’s one of the few places where a champagne bottle at 7:30 in the morning isn’t that unusual.” A cannon is fired, and the king and queen lead the crowd onto a jogging trail –but only briefly –as both have other places to be.

Dr. Hales is escorted by limousine to the Rex den– one of just a few days that it is “full of humanity.” All of the lieutenants are getting into their purple, green and gold velvet costumes while their horses stand waiting on the neutral ground outside. After a quick breakfast, they move into the king’s room where two chairs wait for Rex and the Captain (who is essentially the CEO of the Rex organization). Makeup is applied and beard, wig and crown are affixed. All during this time, there is constant flow of “wellwishers,” greeting and toasting Rex. There are also two young boys in the room getting their makeup done who will serve as pages to the king. “One of the few cities in the world where young men of that age are willing to get rouge and a little lipstick and spend three or four hours on a float,” Hales laughs. All six of Dr. Hales’s sons will ride together on one float, and they occasionally stick their heads into the room to make sure their dad is looking the royal part.

Rex and the leaders of the organization go out into the courtyard and raise the flag while the Marine Corps band plays. Monsignor Nalty offers a prayer and more toasts are exchanged with Rex from many of the past Rexes. Soon it is time to board the floats for the start of the parade.

Dr. Hales remembers it being a beautiful Mardi Gras day. Rex sits atop a historic float, one that has been in use for 60 years. “For the next four hours, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of quiet,” Hales recalls.

“It is a very joyful, noisy, celebratory time.”

There are many stops along the parade route for Rex to exchange toasts. Mayor Landrieu along with Archbishop Aymond and Tom and Gayle Benson are there to greet Rex at Gallier Hall. After that is a stop at the Intercontinental Hotel where the queen and her court are waiting, along with Dr. Hales’s wife Nancy. More toasts are exchanged. Dr. Hales explains that each time the champagne flute touches Rex’s lips, it can’t be used again and must be thrown off the side of the float.

MIDAFTERNOON The parade over, Dr. Hales and Nancy are escorted in separate limousines back to their home where they are hosting a pre-Ball reception for family and friends. These are a special few hours for Stephen, away from the boisterous Carnival crowds, where he is able to share more intimate moments with his grandchildren. At one point, while having his beard reapplied, his youngest granddaughter Cecile approached with nervous apprehension, not sure if this was still her beloved Papa.

february 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

“My memories from the parade route are of seeing so many familiar faces. New Orleans–we talk about it being a big city, but it is really a small town,” he says. Dr. Hales recognized faces of children and families all along the parade route, either from his pediatric practice of 40 years or those of friends and relatives.

One of his most memorable moments as Rex was when his daughters-in-law and 13 grandchildren (there are fifteen now) stopped the float so that they could get a picture with him. They proudly wore t-shirts that read “Hail Papa.”

9

6:00 PM 8:00 PM 9:40 PM 11:30 PM 2:30 AM Donned in full costume, ready for the ball, Dr. Hales leaves his house as Rex with Nancy by his side. A motorcade full of blaring sirens announces the arrival of the king and queen and their court at the Sheraton Hotel. After the photographic reception, Dr. Hales kisses Nancy goodbye knowing it will be the last time that they will be together until after the ball. On a suggestion by one of their daughters-in-law, Stephen and Nancy adopt Carol Burnett’s secretive earlobe tug to let each other know from across the ballroom that they were doing alright.

The Rex ball begins, and while there is not much dancing, there is a lot of choreography with entrances and processions, Hales says. In the weeks leading up to this day, Dr. Hales took lessons on how to properly use a scepter and painstakingly rehearsed each sequence of the night. The trumpets sound and Rex and the queen walk onto the ballroom floor, waving their scepters. After the procession, they both sit down on the dais and greet the many guests coming forward to pay their respects. Dr. Hales admits that this part of the night becomes a happy blur, yet it is still “all spectacle and sparkle and tradition.”

An invitation from Comus to Rex and his court is delivered by the Comus Captain.

Trumpets sound to announce his arrival at the Rex ball, and, accompanied by his Lieutenants, the Captain delivers a scroll with the invitation. Rex and the Queen of Carnival read the invitation, signal their acceptance, and lead a procession of the court across a red carpet from the Sheraton to the Marriott Hotel for the meeting of the Rex and Comus Courts, a ritual dating back to 1882. Founded in 1857, Comus is New Orleans’ oldest Mardi Gras krewe.

An exhausted but exhilarated Rex and the Captain leave the Comus Ball for a hotel suite to change into white tie and tails. It is at this point when Dr. Hales feels like he can finally exhale as the day of public performances was coming to an end. He heads to the Queen’s Supper with Nancy, and after a late night meal, they get back into the limousine one last time. There is no need for sirens this time, and Stephen recalls how quiet the city streets were in the early morning of Ash Wednesday.

Dr. Hales finally lays in bed, no longer Rex, and goes to sleep.

“The nice thing about being King of Carnival, the real truth here, is that this is all a fantasy. And the next day, you get up and take out the garbage and it’s back to the real world,” he says.

Yet for this esteemed pediatrician and faithful historian, being Rex made an enduring connection for him to men that he had always greatly admired. “It adds to a legacy and a history that I really value,” Hales says. He is now a part of that tradition.

Candace & Mark Latter TUJAGUE’S & BAR FRANCES

Candace, Braden and Mark Latter in the backyard of the family’s Uptown home.

Candace and Mark Latter took different routes into the restaurant business in New Orleans. Yet their shared love of food, wine and hospitality brought them together, and helped them to breathe new life into the city’s second-oldest restaurant and to create a popular new spot on bustling Freret Street.

Candace moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University and helped to pay for college by working at the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, where she met Mark. Both later worked for the New Orleans Saints, then Mark rejoined Tujague’s as a manager. He became the restaurant’s owner in 2013, then opened Bar Frances, a wine- and food-centric modern bistro, in 2016.

Mark learned the business from his father, Steven, who bought the venerable Tujague’s Restaurant in the French Quarter when Mark was just 5 years old. Mark started as a dishwasher when he was 11, and later worked as a busboy, waiter and cook. After graduating from the University of Alabama, he returned to New Orleans and began work with the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, first as a waiter, then in management.

Before marrying Mark, Candace started a second career in the construction field, but she sought to find a better work-life balance after the birth of their son. She soon returned to the hospitality industry and realized her dream of owning her own business when she opened Bin 428 wine.spirits.gifts on Magazine Street. The shop closed this past summer following a landlord dispute, and Candace now works as vice president of business development and operations of the Latter Hospitality Group, which includes Tujague’s and Bar Frances.

LATTER HEALTHY CREOLE GUMBO SERVES 10-12 • • • • • •

Creole Seasoning, to taste 2 lbs. Gulf shrimp, peeled 1/2 lbs. claw crabmeat 1 pint Gulf oysters 1/2 cup parsley, chopped 1 lb. fresh okra, cut in 1-inch pieces • 1/2 cup green onions (white and green parts) • brown rice, cooked

Heat the shrimp stock in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. If the stock comes to a boil, reduce the heat to the lowest possible temperature while keeping it hot.

In a heavy skillet, heat the avocado oil until shimmering over medium-high heat. Add the coconut flour and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until a dark roux is achieved, about 10-15 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring constantly until the onions are softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the celery and green pepper, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add the strained shrimp stock to the roux and vegetables, then bring the mixture to a boil. Add the sausage, gumbo crabs, salt and pepper, and the creole seasoning to taste. When the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to a low simmer, and cook until the mixture is thickened and fragrant, about 1 hour.

Add the shrimp, crabmeat, oysters, parsley, okra and green onions.

Cook until the shrimp are pink and the edges of the oysters ruffle, about 5 minutes.

Serve the gumbo over brown rice.

recipe continued on p.30

february 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

• 4 quarts Shrimp Stock (see recipe below or use a storebought seafood version, such as Imagine Foods) • 1 cup avocado oil • 1 cup coconut flour • 1 large onion, finely chopped • 3 ribs celery, finely chopped • 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped • 3/4 lbs. green onion chicken sausage • 1 lb. gumbo crabs • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

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a s r G M i d a r a M

by Deborah Burst

Mardi Gras has seen many changes– besides the influx of female carnival krewes, marching krewes have become a favorite of locals. Each one has its own collective personality, some wacky, some sassy, and some dedicated to helping others. Marching krewes bring members closer to the crowd, and many enjoy interacting with their fans.

Thought about joining a krewe? Get the scoop as others thought the same, joined and love it. Let’s peek inside and meet some of the masked revelers.

Laissez Boys Taylor Galyean is one of five board members with the Laissez Boys, his sixth year in the seven year history of the group. It’s a jolly krewe that enjoys strolling the parade route in the comfort of their recliners. There’s really no hierarchy, no formal rolling of the recliners. The electric-powered chairs are styled by each member, jazzed up with lamps, an ice chest or whatever fits their style.

The Laissez Boys roll in two parades, Muses and Tucks, and they meet two to three times a year for social events outside of the parades.

Taylor Galyean of the Laissez Boys recliner krewe in the Tucks parade.

Photo taken by Alex Lanaux.

Like most krewes, it’s all about the people. Galyean recalls one sunny day during the Tucks parade. “The krewe stopped under a canopy of live oak trees on St Charles Avenue,” says Galyean. “Louis Prima is singing, we jump out of our chairs and take the hand of parade goers to dance.”

Baby Doll Ladies

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| february 2019

Manya Carter Louis is an educator, a native of New Orleans, and a member of the Baby Doll Ladies marching krewe. Her nickname, Baby Doll Lady Sweet-Tart, embodies what Louis says is her personality, “Sweet-nice and tart-straight with no chaser.”

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It’s fun, unique, and at times a bit grueling. “We must be healthy in body, mind, spirit and stamina,” says Louis, adding they do more than dance on Mardi Gras. “The New Orleans Society of Dance (Baby Doll Ladies) has produced cabarets and a documentary telling the history of BDL, along with performances in the children’s tent at Jazz Fest and local schools, with the purpose of exposing kids to New Orleans culture and dance.”

Each BDL wears custom face painting, reflective of her Baby Doll Lady nickname, which is usually assigned upon induction into the group. The members do all of the designs and face painting.

Besides the numerous hours of dance practice, workouts, costume fittings and dancing through the streets of New Orleans, Louis admits the best part is the sisterhood.

Manya Carter Louis, known as Baby Doll Lady Sweet-Tart, seen here marching in the New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies krewe.

arc s e h ing Krew Chewbacchus subkrewe Men in Black While some of us transform into a tutu butterfly princess, others seek comic book characters. The Chewbacchus krewe and its subkrewes meander across the Marigny on a mission to save the galaxy; one drunken nerd at a time.

Elden Spear, otherwise known as Agent El, and his son, Arlo, formed the Men in Black, a subkrewe of the mothership in 2013. Spear and Heather Ruoss are the capos (captains) and work together to make throws and parade drinks.

A bit intimated by the elaborate costumes of the other krewes, but eager to join the fun, Spear looked for something different. “We had a family wedding coming up, so we decided to get our suits and costumes at the same time,” says Spear.

“We told the overlords we would be last in the parade and flash our neuralyzers into the crowd and tell people that they didn’t see a parade, that it was only light from the planet Venus reflecting off of swamp gas.”

Elden Spear, otherwise known as Agent El-yes, and his son, Arlo, are part of the Chewbacchus subkrewe, Men in Black. Photo by Elden Spear.

Besides the outlandish costumes, the Chewbacchus krewe comes up with some catchy themes each year including one year where they became a religion. “That got some national and worldwide attention; there were press clippings from London, and we were mentioned in a newscast from Indonesia,” says Spear.

Mande Milkshakers from Mandeville

“Dancing and connecting with the kids is a ton of fun,” says Serpas, adding they rehearse twice a week. “We dance non-stop from the time we roll until we disband, and the crowds appreciate that.”

The krewe marches year-round, planning custom routines for each holiday parade along with special events such as the Pelican basketball games, festivals and conventions.

Following the group’s Four Pillars—fun, fitness, friendship and philanthropy–Serpas admits the Mande friendships will last a lifetime.

“We have a strong bond and support system,” says Serpas. “Joining the Mandes was like gaining a new extended family.”

Melissa Serpas with the Mandeville marching krewe, Mande Milkshakers.

Photograph by Jeff Thompson at Mandeville Photo.

february 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

Dressed in fluffy polka-dot skirts, pearls and aprons, the Mande Milkshakers harken back to an era of gathering at the soda shop sipping on milkshakes. The first women’s marching group in St. Tammany Parish, Tina Rhinehart formed the group in 2016 dedicated to raising funds for nonprofits. Melissa Serpas joined the sixty-one-member group in January 2017 and admits the crowd enthusiasm is off the charts.

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Ritmeaux (Rhythm) Krewe and Amazons Krewe The Ritmeaux Krewe, founded in 2016 by Bianca San Martin, is focused on promoting Hispanic/ Latino heritage through Latin dance and music. Bianca’s mother, Eva Hurst, joined the krewe, and at the age of 60, she is a chaperone, water girl, and an important member of the spirit squad.

More than a Mardi Gras walking krewe, Ritmeaux is a support group, practicing recovery through bonding, along with exercise and social activities. Hurst knows this first as she’s also a cancer survivor. “Being involved has given me that extra push that I needed to continue fighting the good fight,” says Hurst, adding it’s both healthy and fun. “It kept me active, socially engaged and most of all, I was able to spend quality time with my daughter.”

One of her fondest moments of the parade is watching the crowd’s reaction when they hear the Latin music and see the dancers. “I love when the parade stops and the dancers pull dance partners from the crowd, children, adults and grandparents,” says Hurst, adding she is originally from Honduras. “I have been in New Orleans since 1964, and it is really refreshing to see my culture represented in the parades.” Hurst was looking for a cancer support group, and she found the Amazons krewe created by Dianne Honoré. Seen here in the photo, both have battled cancer, and both are dedicated to winning and helping others.

The Amazons were founded in 2012 after Honoré was diagnosed with breast cancer. In her battle, she found so many courageous, giving people that she decided to bring them all together to help others.

Fearless, the Amazons see themselves as a service group and then as a marching troupe; a symbol of hope. They take it to the streets during Carnival dressed in custom-designed breastplates with shields and swords. They march in the Joan of Arc and Femme Fatale parades, and in February 2018 became the first group founded by and in support of cancer patients to host their own Lundi Gras parade through the streets of New Orleans.

(L to R) Eva Hurst and Dianne Honoré with the Ritmeaux Krewe.

Join the Fun Of course this is only a smidgen of the fun and fantasy that make Mardi Gras so special. Why not join the fun, put on your dancing shoes, shimmy to the front and get down with the dancing krewes. Or better yet, check out the krewe tryouts– most are listed on their websites.

Fun & Playful

Arts & Crafts Parties

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| february 2019

IN YOUR HOME!

14

make unique wool vases & bowls, mosaics, pillows & more!

P Not just a painting party r

Girls Night Out • Birthday Parties Family Gatherings • Staff Team Building or any special event!

artalacartebella.com 802.324.2648

@artalacartebella

OUR AGING PARENTS

THE BIG CHECKLIST LEGAL DOCUMENTS your parents shouldn’t be without.

Taking care of your aging parents is a situation we all may have recognized as a likelihood, but unfortunately only about half of Americans actually have what they need to do so. In order to care for your parents from a legal perspective, there are some documents they must have in place. These documents cover their care from help with managing their money, their illness or incapacitation, to how to handle their estate once they pass.

Of course, this article does not constitute legal advice, so please consult with a qualified attorney in the state where your parents reside.

5 THE

MOST ESSENTIAL

DOCUMENTS SHOULD YOUR

PARENTS HAVE

1. Medical Directive

A power of attorney for healthcare allows you to make healthcare decisions for your loved one. By appointing someone in advance with the power to make healthcare decisions for your loved one, fast and effective decisions can be made in the event of illness or incapacity.

february 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

Also known as an Advanced Directive. This document establishes the level and extent of care your loved one wants to receive when they become ill or incapacitated. Your Medical Directive will state whether you want artificial support for breathing and eating, such as a ventilator and feeding tube. The Medical Directive ensures the wishes of the elder are respected at the end of life and provides clarity and guidance to family members.

2. Power of Attorney for Healthcare

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3. Power of Attorney for Finances A power of attorney for finances allows you to manage your loved one’s financial affairs, pay bills, sell property, contract for services, rent property, pick a living arrangement, and so on.

FOUR TYPES OF POWER OF ATTORNEY: I. LIMITED. A limited power of attorney gives someone else the power to act in your stead for a very limited purpose. For example, a limited power of attorney could give someone the right to sign a deed to property for you on a day when you are out of town.

It usually ends at a time specified in the document.

II. GENERAL. A general power of attorney is comprehensive and gives your attorney-in-fact all the powers and rights that you have yourself. For example, a general power of attorney may give your attorney-in-fact the right to sign documents for you, pay your bills, and conduct financial transactions on your behalf.

You could use a general power of attorney if you were not incapacitated, but still needed someone to help you with financial matters. A general power of attorney ends on your death or incapacitation unless you rescind it before then.

4. Revocable Living Trust

IV. SPRINGING. Like a durable power of attorney, a springing power of attorney can allow your attorney-in-fact to act for you if you become incapacitated, but it does not become effective until you are incapacitated.

If you are using a springing power of attorney, it is very important that the standard for determining incapacity and triggering the power of attorney be clearly laid out in the document itself.

5. Will A will is a legal document that lets your loved one tell the world who should receive which of his or her assets after death. It is not just for the elderly. Everyone, especially those with dependent children, should have a will because it allows them to name guardians for any dependent children.

Without a will, the courts decide what happens to the assets and who is responsible for the kids.

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| february 2019

A revocable living trust is one of the single most important documents for older adults — or anyone with assets — to have in their estate plan. It functions as a will, allows their estate to avoid probate, makes a potential guardianship process unnecessary, and gives them control of their assets for as long as they’d like or are able to manage them. They don’t need to be rich or have vast assets — a life insurance policy, checking account, house, or any asset of value merits establishing a revocable living trust.

III. DURABLE. A durable power of attorney can be general or limited in scope, but it remains in effect after you become incapacitated. Without a durable power of attorney, if you become incapacitated, no one can represent you unless a court appoints a conservator or guardian. A durable power of attorney will remain in effect until your death unless you rescind it while you are not incapacitated.

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FINAL NOTES: If no one in your family can fill the role of POA, a geriatric care manager can help. You can find one at aginglifecare.org.

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Association provides many of these forms free at caringinfo.org.

Adding a HIPPA release gives you access to your parents’ health records and is a good idea to get with the POA for healthcare.

TAKING A

GAMBEL

by Ann Herren

Betsie Gambel created a new career when most people are counting the days to retirement.

We visited Betsie at the Gambel Communications offices, where her PR firm – which specializes in communication strategy, media, special events, social media and marketing/branding – is headquartered in Old Metairie. We wanted to explore the idea of new careers after age 50, volunteerism and community, and hear her unique approach to it all.

From a young age, Betsie wanted to be a teacher, and even during her time at Sweet Briar College, where she became enamored with politics and served as senior class president, she never wavered. Upon graduation, she followed what she calls ‘a traditional path’ and returned to New Orleans to teach. As an English teacher at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, she enjoyed her role in helping to empower young girls. But after (an overall) fifteen years of teaching, she felt it was finally time for a change. So, with every intention of resigning, Betsie went to the Head of School’s office only to have the new headmistress, Sister Shirley Miller, convince her to take on a newly created position: Director of PR. “It really was quite visionary of her,” Betsie recalls. “We all worked together to position the school to attract the best and the brightest students. With the oil bust of the 80s, New Orleans schools were suffering. This was an entirely new approach, using PR as a communication tool to tell the story of the school, just like we do now. The stories were there, but they weren’t being told.”

After several years as Director of PR at Sacred Heart, Betsie moved to the same position at Logan Marketing– “We did amazing things.” Six years later, she left Logan to work with Jennifer Magee who Betsie says supported and nurtured the empowerment of women “and created an incredible team of women who are still close friends.”

february 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

If you don’t know Betsie Gambel, it’s time you do. This native New Orleanian has always had a desire to help – being active in the community, either through teaching, volunteerism, or work, has been her calling.

START AT THE BEGINNING

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“

“

“As I get older – and all my friends are retiring – I think, ‘I love what I do, I can’t imagine retiring– every day is a gift.’”

ON A L ATE CAREER CHANGE Betsie felt she knew when it was time to launch her own business. “For me, the cancer [she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the time of Hurricane Katrina and has been in remission since 2006] was the pivotal point when I thought, if I don’t do it now, I’ll never do it.”

Yet Betsie saw herself changing her career when her friends were finishing theirs, or were far into existing careers. “You’re going to realize when it’s time to retire, but it doesn’t have to be the end,” she says. “Once you retire, there are so many things you could do. What is it that you love doing that you’ve never tried? It could be finding your passion, or something you’ve never done. You know when it’s time.”

ON NE TWORKING “Networking is another parallel in my life,” says Betsie. From student council in high school to chairing fundraisers, she has always made a point to meet new people and learn about them. “I’ve always been very careful to get involved with not just one group. I have friends from all walks of life, so wherever I go in the city, I’ll find somebody who I know, or who I’m connected to. As is often said, our city is a gumbo.”

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| february 2019

ON VOLUNTEERING

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Often, career changes require a new set of skills, and moving from a teaching career to one in public relations is no different. “I actually learned my craft through volunteerism,” says Betsie. “A lot of young people don’t realize you gain so much knowledge by volunteering. It’s a special opportunity- you can make mistakes, learn.”

Through her volunteer work, Betsie served as the Junior League of New Orleans’ president, and on countless boards. She explains how she approaches choosing what volunteer work to do: “Pick something out of your comfort zone. It’s a good opportunity to find something completely new to you, something that you don’t know. That’s what I did – and look where it lead.” Betsie makes sure her team sees how this works. “It’s important for our corporate culture, that they need to get involved in some sort of community work.”

ON BEING BRAVE Explaining what is the most difficult part of having her own business, the biggest struggle (where her bravery is), Betsie admits, “Up until maybe three years ago, I had to touch every client we had. I was afraid that if I weren’t on top of every single client and every single step– that everything would fall apart. But I’ve learned to let go,” she laughs. “There are meetings now that I don’t even know about. The team is so much more effective because I trusted their ability to make decisions.” Being aware through weekly meetings and conversations, without micromanaging, often allows for greater creativity and a culture of empowerment for those around you.

ON CARING FOR YOURSELF “One thing I learned when I had cancer – asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness,” says Betsie. She also cites her approach to work, “I’m able now to carve out the aspects of the business that I want to be involved with and I’m best at. All my friends are retiring, and, honestly, I just can’t imagine it. Every day is such a gift, and so much fun.”

Betsie readily cites her parents as models to her healthy lifestyle and attitude. “My mom and dad are still alive at 90 and both enjoying life. My dad is a champion tennis player and always stressed the importance of exercise, and to put the best into everything– he’d often repeat the adage, ‘If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.’”

ON WHAT ’S NEXT “2019 is our 10th anniversary! While our core is PR, more and more clients come to us for other marketing-related services like branding, websites, collateral materials and advertising.

We want to strengthen awareness that we are more than PR.” But as her parents taught her, it’s not all work, and Betsie is looking forward to relaxing with friends in Pass Christian– “It’s my respite. I go there every chance I get. No tv!” –as well as being a grandmother to out-of-state grandchildren.

“Being a remote grandmother is different– I have come to realize that my time with them will never be the same as if I lived in the same city. I try to make our visits memorable– like their visits for Mardi Gras or teaching them to water-ski or feeding seagulls Cheetos–things they will remember doing with ‘Bets’.” She laughs.

february 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

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WHERE IN THE

World

by Keith Marshall

Cruises offer Boomers an easy way to relax while exploring.

Huck Finn or Count Dracula? Captain Bligh or Bloody Mary? Decisions, decisions, decisions.

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| february 2019

With a plethora of cruising options, including new departures from New Orleans, it’s easy to relive fantasies from our youths or to venture down new paths. But how to navigate the sea of ships and destinations to find the perfect adventure for your tastes and budget?

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RELAX: NOLA BOOMERS IS HERE TO HELP. We’re older, still mobile, but in search of comfort as well as adventure. Talk to inveterate cruisers, and they’ll mention a key attraction of cruising: You only have to unpack once on a trip that might take you to ancient towns, bustling cities, deserts and a safari, all in ten days.

But with companies mailing thousands of colorful, enticing brochures to potential customers each day, the overflowing cornucopia of cruises can make choosing a destination more confusing than selecting a Medicare supplement plan.

A good first stop is Cruisecritic.com, the seafaring bible for both first timers and pros. Here you’ll find the latest news on ships and itineraries, reviews by both website staff and cruisers, and an extensive archive of past articles. Perhaps most helpful are questions and answers from readers on what to see and do, and if tours, restaurants, or events have lived up to expectations.

Armed with both information and questions, your next step is to find a travel agent, someone to entrust with your practical and wistful requests. A good agent will be able to guide your selection of cruise line, destinations and cabin type. They will know about last-minute specials, when to take a ship’s shore excursions or to hire an independent guide, and if the ship offers amenities such as a laundromat. They may also have access to special perks, such as cabin upgrades not available for public booking.

Holly Barrett, Travel Advisor at St. Armand’s Travel (Holly@ StArmandsTravel.com), adds, “We can save you money, provide extra amenities and special opportunities. And our relationships with the cruise lines make you a VIP. “Many boomers have only a week or ten days to travel; cruising is the most efficient and comfortable way to see several destinations–without the inconvenience of flights, trains and unpacking/packing multiple times.”

For riverboat cruises, she recommends the well-known Vantage ships and the all-inclusive Uniworld sailings. For ocean cruises, a new trend is smaller ships that explore less accessible ports, which, she says, are hidden jewels.

“In French Polynesia and Tahiti, the Paul Gauguin cruises explore the best of the South Seas with an emphasis on global conservation” — and possibly a view of the landmark minimountain on Mo’orea that some think of as Bali Ha’i.

Several small upscale lines offer what might be called “PhD excursions.” Azamara’s Destination Immersion Experience Trips concentrate on specific areas such as Croatia or Greek islands, and Uniworld offers less-structured river cruises that Chris Gray Faust, managing editor at Cruise Critic, described to The Washington Post as “the choose-your-own-adventure type.”

Culinary and wine-themed cruises featuring internationally known chefs such as Oceania’s Jacques Pepin, and Regent’s fantastic wines, attract gourmands and oenophiles looking to splurge with their Social Security checks. Other luxury lines like Silversea and Seabourn, Barrett says, receive high marks in client reviews.

Currently, Carnival sails year-round from New Orleans, and Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) and Royal Caribbean offer midwinter Caribbean escapes from the city. Disney will begin regular cruises from New Orleans in 2020, and Viking is rumored to offer a Mississippi River cruise in the near future.

Last year, The Good-Ship-Bob-and-Jan-Carr sailed into Christwood retirement community on the Northshore, where their elegantly appointment apartment is reminiscent of a penthouse suite on a luxury liner, and the balcony reminds them of a veranda on a riverboat.

Now veterans of ten cruises, Bob, 91, and Jan, 88, have visited Count Dracula’s castle twice on shore excursions, evoking memories of Sid Noel’s Morgus the Magnificent character on WDSU; sampled pastries and ethnic cuisines in villages along the

But, they caution, don’t be foolishly adventurous. A friend suggested they broaden their horizons by booking a trip from Kiev to Odessa on a riverboat involved in a bitter dispute between Russian and Ukrainian owners.

“There were three separate dining rooms for different ethnic groups, and long, boring announcements were made in three languages. The whole atmosphere was unappealing; the cabin small and unattractive; and the tiny bathroom had a sink, commode and a shower head on the ceiling between them. Water rained down on everything,” Bob recalled.

For New Orleanians, it’s easy to explore your inner Huck Finn or Becky Thatcher on one-to-three-week Mississippi River cruises between the Crescent City and Memphis. Generally more expensive than European river cruises, home-to-cruise convenience is an incentive on these voyages into our nation’s history.

My wife, Millie, and l have traveled most of the globe by water, and our current favorite line is Oceania. But we’ve also sailed with Celebrity from Rome to Dubai —with an intriguing passage through the Suez Canal and dimming of lights to evade Somali Pirates, a visit to Petra, and a magical evening visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi that opened in 2017. Other favorites: A weeklong getaway in a splurge suite on NCL; Antarctica; Alaska; Easter Island and the Galapagos; and a voyage from Copenhagen that featured circumnavigation of Iceland, the southern coast of Greenland, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

We weren’t able to explore the legacy of Captain Bligh and the Bounty mutiny on Pitcairn Island because waves were too high for the ship’s small tenders to land that day. But we bought a carved wooden platter from the mayor, a descendant of pirate hero Fletcher Christian, who motored out to our ship with others from the sparsely populated island. And we made a riverboat pilgrimage from Amsterdam to Antwerp at the height of tulip season and wandered mesmerized through Keukenhof Gardens.

When in port, Barrett maintains, it’s all about you and your dream vacation.

“Know that you don’t have to walk in lock step with your guide. If you want to wander, just make sure you know where the ship is and how to return to it, and let the guide know you’re going off.

“And don’t assume you have to do all the excursions–treat the ship like you own it.”

february 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

The Carrs, who from 1962 to 1973 co-hosted such shows as Midday and Second Cup on WDSU, began traveling in earnest after several careers that followed. At International House, Bob led trade missions around the world, but could only relax, after retirement, when he and Jan took their first riverboat cruise, from Budapest to Constanza, Romania, in 1985. They chose this more leisurely mode of cruising over ocean liners because, as Bob said, “there’s beautiful scenery all the time, and you don’t get seasick.”

waterways; and visited the villa in Yalta where Stalin secured hegemony over Eastern Europe after World War II.

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D Vitamin STAYING

HEALTHY WITH

By Valerie J. Andrews

We’re all looking for the fountain of youth. Many seniors seek it in the form of supplements. In fact, about 68 percent of folks 65 and older take supplements; 29 percent take four or more. That’s a lot of money to find that fountain in capsule form. Can a vitamin supplement regimen really stave off pain and serious diseases, especially those tied to aging, like heart disease and stroke?

Vitamin D is an important nutrient for good health for seniors. It helps the body absorb calcium, which supports strong bones and muscle function. Some studies show it may support the immune function and help protect against cancer.

The past year saw a number of research-based findings on the subject of vitamin D. The bottom line? People with vitamin D deficiencies don’t have to spend a lot of money on supplements to fix the problem. The good news is diet and sunlight are effective ways to get this key nutrient. You can find vitamin D2 in foods, vitamin D3 in sunlight.

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| february 2019

Some experts believe vitamin D3 is the more important of the two, especially for seniors. Without a sufficient amount of vitamin D3, bones can become softer, a condition called osteomalacia. People who suffer from digestive problems like celiac disease, liver problems, or Crohn’s disease are often found to have low levels of vitamin D3.

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Sunlight helps the body create vitamin D3. Older citizens tend not to get as much sun as they need for sufficient vitamin D3 absorption. Reduced mobility often limits opportunities to get out into the sunshine, and people fear exposure to the sun will cause skin cancer. But most authorities reiterate what we’ve known since our teens: normal exposure is good; burning is bad. So you don’t need sunscreen for a daily walk in the neighborhood to get some free vitamin D3.

Eating healthy is particularly important for seniors and helps lessen the need for expensive vitamin supplements. Tuna, mackerel and salmon provide vitamin D2. Orange juice, cereals, egg yolks, and dairy products – including soy milk and cheese – also contain vitamin D. Whitney Hardy, M.D., a family practitioner at Ochsner Health Center – Lapalco, says, “Many vitamins and nutrients can be found in a balanced diet.” She and the NIH National Institute on Aging agree: it’s better to get your vitamins from food than from supplements.

Whitney Hardy, M.D.

“Instead of taking fish oil, you can increase the amount of fish in your diet to two to three servings weekly and cook with olive oils as a healthy source of Omega-3 fatty acids,” Dr. Hardy says. Walnuts are also a good source of Omega-3s.

Dr. Hardy notes that you can get reliable information on healthy eating online from AARP (www.aarp.org) and the National Institute on Aging (www.nia.nih.gov). AARP teamed with Tufts University to create MyPlate for Older Adults, an easy-to-understand graphic showing what a reasonable diet looks like for seniors, using food to get the vitamins needed for healthy living.

“Everyone does not need vitamins and supplements, [although] they may be helpful for people who are not getting enough nutrients in their diet,” according to Dr. Hardy. Some seniors have depressed appetites and don’t get the nutrients they need because of it. A daily multivitamin would be helpful in that case.

As more refined studies update the medical profession’s position on supplement use, some supplements once thought to be useful in disease prevention have been shown to be not only ineffective but dangerous. Some supplements are healthy in small doses; others have been found to have no medical efficacy at all. Yet others are contraindicated for certain medications. If you take vitamins or supplements, it’s important to keep your physician informed.

“This should always be discussed with your doctor, as we can help determine possible side effects and avoid medication interactions before they occur,” Dr. Hardy says. She notes that patients on Coumadin, or medications for anxiety or depression, should be especially careful as supplements can interact with these medications. She also recommends buying vitamins from a reliable source, such as a pharmacy or major chain. “Online ordering can be misleading, and you may not always be getting what you think you are.”

SUGGESTED DAILY VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS What you need

How much

(in you r 50s)

CALCIUM

OMEGA-3S

2.4

2.4 Micrograms

600

600

800

International Units

International Units

International Units

1000-1200 1000

1000

Miligrams

Miligrams

20-30

1-10

Clams, Beef Liver, Trout, Cheeseburger, Sirloin Tuna, Mackerel, Beef Liver, Cheese, Egg Yolks

Flaxseed Oil, Salmon, Walnuts, Edamame

Grams Whey Protein Powder

Billion CFUs (Colony Forming Units) a few days a week

What to eat

Cheese, Yogurt, Milk, Figs

Miligrams

PROTEIN

PROBIOTICS

How much

(in you r 70s)

Micrograms

VITAMIN B12

VITAMIN D

How much

(in you r 60s)

Beef, Chicken, Beans, Almonds

Yogurt, Kefir, Kimchi, Dark Chocolate

february 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

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s e i b e e r F APPENING H S P E E K T A UFF TH AND COOL ST

Museums and Exhibits

Tuesday Museum Highlights Tour New Orleans Museum of Art. NOMA docents guide visitors on hour-long tours of either the permanent collection or special exhibitions. Tours are free with NOMA admission. Meet in the Great Hall to join in! Every Tuesday-Saturday from 1-2 pm.

Free Wednesdays New Orleans Botanical Garden. Free admission for Louisiana residents, courtesy of the Helis Foundation. 10 am-5 pm.

Free Wednesdays New Orleans Museum of Art. Free admission for Louisiana residents, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. 10 am-6 pm.

Free Thursdays Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Free admission for Louisiana residents, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. 10 am-5 pm.

Movies in the Courtyard Flamingo A-Go-Go, 869 Magazine St. Enjoy double-feature movie nights while you dine in Flamingo A-Go-Go’s beautiful courtyard. Visit their Facebook page to find out what is playing tonight. Movies beginning at 7 and 9 pm. Continues every Wednesday through October 2019.

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| february 2019

Ogden After Hours Ogden Museum of Southern Art. The weekly entertainment series is held every Thursday night. For more information, call 504.539.9650. 6-8 pm.

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Free Sundays Contemporary Arts Center. Free admission to all Louisiana residents, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. 11 am-5 pm.

Museum Partner Pass New Orleans Public Library. The Library has partnered with the Southern Food & Beverage Museum, The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, and Longue Vue House & Gardens to provide free admission for library cardholders who check out a Museum Partner Pass. Every library location has a pass for each of the participating museums. For more information, visit nolalibrary.org.

Learning and Resources

Trivia Night Flamingo A-Go-Go, 869 Magazine St. Join for Trivia Night every Tuesday at 7:30 pm hosted by Challenge Entertainment Louisiana. Grab the flock and your knowledge of useless facts for a chance to win Flamingo A-Go-Go gift cards. 7:30-9:30 pm.

Continues through August 2019.

E-Resources Happy Hour Smith Library (Wed., 10-11 am) and Latter Library (Sun., 1-2 pm).

Learn about the many electronic resources, including e-books and audiobooks, available through the library. Bring your laptop, smartphone, tablet, or e-reader with you, along with a valid library card.

Ranger Talk French Quarter Visitor Center. Join a ranger Tuesdays through Saturdays in the visitor center courtyard to discover New Orleans’ history and culture. No talk on federal holidays or on Mardi Gras when the visitor center is closed. 9:30 am.

Wetlands Walk Barataria Preserve. Every Wednesday through Sunday, join a ranger for a guided walk on a boardwalk trail through a wild Louisiana swamp and marsh. Stop by the visitor center or call 504-689-3690 ext. 10 after 9:30 am to find out which trail the day’s walk will explore. No walk on federal holidays when the visitor center is closed. 10 am.

Battle of New Orleans Ranger Talk Chalmette Battlefield. Daily at 10:45 am and 2:45 pm. The visitor center is open and talks are given on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. On all other federal holidays and on Mardi Gras, the visitor center is closed and no talks are given.

Boomers aren't just hanging around waiting for something to do.

Fitness Fun Senior Walking Cut-Off Rec Center. A program designed to offer seniors an easy, pleasant, social walking experience to improve their quality of life by encouraging active and healthy lifestyles.

Weekdays from 10 am-noon.

Restorative Candlelight Yoga Esplanade City Park, 3443 Esplanade Ave. A gentle moving class to help tune in to the mind and spirit, while providing the body support in deep restorative poses. Reserve your spot at jaibhaktiyogafoundation.org/schedule.html. $8/person.

6-7:15 pm. Continues every Monday through April 2019.

Tuesday “It’s All About the Music” Bike Ride Congo Square in Armstrong Park. If music, casual cycling and cool people are your thing, then meet this group every Tuesday at 6 pm.

Nola Happy’s Running Club Manning’s. Happy’s is your weekly, fun and relaxed social run through downtown, the French Quarter, the CBD, or the Riverfront. Route specifics are announced on the Happy’s Facebook page! Every Wednesday, 7:15-8 am.

Free Zumba Classes Milne Rec Center. Free classes provided by the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. Instructor Diobelkis is bringing the Latin flava & heat to the dance floor...NOLA style.

Kids are welcome. 6-7 pm. Continues every Wednesday.

Tribe Yard Yoga The Tchoup Yard, 305 Third St. Enjoy 55-minutes of all-levels, pumped up yoga and create a fun-loving community of yogis.

The all-levels yoga flow will begin at 6:30 pm. Rental mats are available for $3. Class is $5/person. 6:30-7:30 pm. Every Wednesday.

Open Canoeing & Open Fishing Joe W. Brown Rec Center. Enjoy free canoeing and fishing in the lagoon. All equipment is provided and no knowledge is necessary; just bring yourself and be ready to have fun!

Fishing instruction is offered to those who are new to fishing.

Every Saturday, 10 am-noon.

So advertise with us, and catch up to them.

504.866.0555 info@nolaboomers.com

FEEDING THE MIND

By Sarah Herndon

THE LEARNING BEFORE LUNCH PROGRAM At 70, Barbara “Bee” Fitzgerald wasn’t ready to throw in the towel and sit at home inactive all day while the city buzzed around her. Having been retired for almost four years, Bee was looking for ways to stay engaged in the community. It was while eating dinner with friends, Ian and Marilyn Saunders, in their Garden District neighborhood that Bee learned of a program benefitting individuals such as herself. Ian was in the beginning stages of launching Learning Before Lunch, a continued learning opportunity for retirees where monthly talks were offered on a variety of different perspectives and disciplines. The Saunders participated in a similar program in Charlotte, NC, but when they moved to New Orleans in 2015, they could find nothing comparable.

Learning Before Lunch has been up and running now for a year and a half and is led entirely by volunteers with the University of New Orleans donating their monthly meeting space. Each session is held from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on the second Thursday of every month. Coffee is served at 9:30 a.m. for anyone wishing to socialize beforehand. “We tried to maintain the discipline of a one-hour lecture because good, bad or indifferent, you know it will be over in ‘x’ amount of minutes,” Ian says.

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| february 2019

Another intention behind the program, Ian says, is having friends meet and then go to lunch together once the talk is finished. Bee always looks forward to these lectures, finding most subjects to be interesting and tries to attend each month. “It’s something that keeps my mind stimulated,” she says.

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Past talks have included a synopsis on the future of healthcare, Ellis Marsalis speaking on his life as a musician, and most recently a representative from the FBI broached the subject of cybersecurity. “They learn something about a subject about which they never even thought about–sometimes they find it interesting and sometimes they realize why they never bothered thinking about it,” Ian says. One of Bee’s favorite sessions so far has been one covering New Orleans’s cemeteries. The talk sparked a childhood memory of when she was 10 and her family had a house guest. Her mother sent them on a city tour, and as they passed Lafayette cemetery, the guide remarked how they bury people above ground. While the whole bus gasped in disbelief, Bee says that it was something that she had never given much thought to, having grown up in New Orleans.

Participation varies monthly from 40 to 80 people, and most of the attendees tend to be in the above-65 age bracket. However, membership to Learning Before Lunch is open to anyone who pays the nominal dues. Guests can also attend a single lecture with the suggestion of a $5 donation. Of course, Ian is always looking for volunteers to help him maintain the program as well.

“Nothing runs itself. There is a lot of work behind the scenes,” he says.

While some topics and dates are still being firmed up for 2019, Ian says that there is no shortage of ideas for upcoming lectures. The history of Bayou St. John, the new Nola airport and the WWII Museum are just a glimpse at the subjects that will be on the calendar.

Bee plans to continue to participate in the program in the new year. “One of the ways to stay young is to keep learning–once you stop learning and being curious, you start becoming old, and I don’t want to become old. I want to keep learning about new things,” she says.

On FEBRUARY 1 FRI

o G ThINeNOLA 2 SAT

Julia Street Art Walk

Julia St., 300 to 600 blocks. Warehouse District galleries open their doors to the public for free, self-guided tours of the Arts District. 6 pm.

New Orleans Jazz Pop Harp Festival

East Bank Regional Library. Information to come. Will be located in the Jefferson and Napoleon rooms. 9 am-4 pm.

Continues Feb. 2.

Gospel Brunch at House of Blues

225 Decatur St., New Orleans. Local talent will perform both traditional and contemporary Gospel songs. Before and during the show, treat yourself to an all-you-can-eat buffet. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the House of

4 MON

Film Screening: “Casanova’s Big Night” BB’s Stage Door Canteen, 945 Magazine St. This plucky spoof of historical adventure films stars Bob Hope and Joan Fontaine, as Hope impersonates famed lover Giacomo Casanova to woo Francesca Bruni, played

by Fontaine. FREE. 6-8 pm.

february 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

3 SUN

Blues Music Forward Foundation serving underprivileged youth. $47.50/person.

10 am.

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5 TUE

The Book of Mormon

Saenger Theatre. This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Ticket prices vary. 7:30 pm. Continues through Feb 10. Showtimes vary.

9 SAT

St. Claude Second Saturday St. Claude Arts District, St. Claude Ave. Embrace your artsy side this Saturday at the St. Claude Art District’s Second Saturdays. Explore funky gallery openings around St. Claude Ave. 6 pm.

10 SUN

6 WED

NORD Seniors’ Soiree 8801 Chef Menteur Hwy. This event showcases seniors in the Greater New Orleans Area with a luncheon ball in dedication. The theme of this ball is the Roaring 20s. Individuals in attendance can expect a delicious hot meal service catered by Sassafras, with lively music and entertainment from the 1920s. To register, visit seniorball2019.eventbrite. com. FREE. 11 am-2 pm.

13 WEDS

Pet Fest

Lafreniere Park. Admission is free to this mega pet event that will feature an Adopt-A-Thon with more than 40 shelter and rescue groups offering hundreds of adoptable pets. Attendees will also find a Pet Health Watch area, costume contest presented by Pet Krewe, raffle, Pet Marketplace, delicious local cuisine and live entertainment. 10 am-4 pm.

11 MON

7 THURS

Free Wine Tasting

Faubourg Wines, 2805 St. Claude Ave. A wine bar and shop with an extensive list of wines from around the world. Grab a glass and fill it up! 6 pm.

14 THURS

Visions of Vienna & Salzburg with Music by Mozart and Strauss

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, 2533 Columbus St., Suite 202. Missy Mazzoli’s Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres) takes us through loops, twists, and turns in preparation for our tour of Austria.

Ticket prices starting at $20. Lpomusic. com. 7:30 pm. Continues Jan. 15.

15 FRI

New Orleans Magazine’s Tops of the Town

www.nolaboomers.com

| february 2019

Republic NOLA, 828 S. Peters St. Enjoy live entertainment by Anais St. John and The Boogie Men, indulge in culinary creations from more than 20 fabulous local chefs and eateries and sip wine, beer and cocktails. $50/ person (until 2/6/19), $60/person (day of event). To purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.com/e/tops-of-the-town-2019tickets-52370241803. 7-10 pm.

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Kendra Scott Sips and Sweets with The Inner Pup

5757 Magazine St., New Orleans. Enjoy sips and sweets while you shop for Valentine’s Day gifts and jewelry! TIP, a nonprofit for animal welfare, will receive 20% of all sales. Head to the store or call 504.613.4227 for more information. 5-7 pm.

8 FRI

Dreamgirls

Jefferson Parish Performing Arts Center.

DREAMGIRLS follows the story of a black, all-girl singing trio from Chicago called “The Dreams” and the behind-the-scenes reality of the entertainment industry.

Tickets $20-$60/person. Continues each weekend in February; Fri. and Sat. at 7:30 pm and Sun. at 2 pm.

12 TUE

Wizard of Oz

The Saenger Theatre. This production of The Wizard of Oz is a spectacular celebration of that classic 1939 MGM film. It’s a new, refreshed and lavish rendition of the beloved classic. Ticket prices vary. For more information, visit saengernola.com. 7:30 pm. Continues Feb. 13.

The 22nd New Orleans French Film Festival

Prytania Theatre. The best of contemporary French-language cinema is coming to town for the 22nd year in a row. All films will be screened with English subtitles. Full lineup announced Jan. 21. Ticket prices vary. 10 am-til.

Continues through Feb. 21.

Alabama: 50th Anniversary Tour

Smoothie King Center. Award-winning country artist Alabama is coming to New Orleans during their 50th Anniversary Tour to play all of their greatest hits.

Ticketmaster.com. 7 pm.

16 SAT

Get Yah Praise On

Audubon Zoo, 6500 Magazine St. In celebration of Black History Month, Audubon Nature Institute is proud to host the 10th Annual Get Yah Praise On at Audubon Zoo. The event is a handclapping, foot-stomping good time for the entire family and features a great gospel music showcase with a soulstirring lineup of local and regional gospel performers. This event is included with Zoo admission and complimentary for Audubon members. 11 am-4 pm.

original raucous, art-inspired spirit alive by starting Krewe du Vieux Carré. Parade route available on mardigrasneworleans.com. 6:30 pm.

19 TUE

Fleetwood Mac

Smoothie King Center. Legendary, GRAMMY-award winning band Fleetwood Mac announced their North American tour traveling through 50+ cities. Ticketmaster.com. 8 pm.

17 SUN

Dancing with the Stars Live!: A Night to Remember

Saenger Theatre. Featuring fan favorite professional and troupe dancers in a brand-new production showcasing every type of dance style as seen on Dancing with the Stars, ranging from ballroom and jazz to modern and hip-hop. Ticket prices vary. 8 pm.

22 FRI

Krewe du Vieux

Corner of Decatur St. and Marigny St. When the Krewe of Clones decided to become more respectable, Craig “Spoons” Johnson and Don Marshall decided to keep the parade’s

Valentine’s Love Jam

Smoothie King Center. Featuring the R&B stylings of Tyrese Gibson, Monica, Avant, and 112. Ticket prices vary. 7 pm.

Kiss: End Of The Road World Tour

Smoothie King Center. After an epic and storied 45-year career that launched an era of rock n roll legends, KISS announced that they will launch their final tour ever in 2019, appropriately named END OF THE ROAD. Ticketmaster.com. 7:30 pm.

february 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

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23 SAT

25 MON

Mardi Gras 5K

Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie.

The Mardi Gras 5K and Kids’ Half Mile is a family-friendly run/walk starting under the Causeway overpass, running out toward Bonnabel and back. The race finish will coincide with Jefferson Parish’s annual FREE Family Gras festival, celebrating its 12th Anniversary in 2019. Registration fees vary. Runnotc. org. 8 am-12:30 pm.

Philadelphia 76ers vs New Orleans Pelicans

Smoothie King Center. New Orleans Pelicans take on the Philadelphia 76ers.

Ticket prices vary. 7 pm.

28 THURS

Krewe of Muses

Krewe of Nyx

N. Rampart at St. Ann. Man’s best friend is the center of this parade through the streets of the French Quarter, with their humans simply as their escorts.

Registration information and parade route available at barkus.org. 2 pm.

The Fillmore New Orleans, 6 Canal St. Enjoy the music of Willie Nelson and his guitar, Trigger, plus members of his family. Ticket prices vary. 7 pm.

27 WED

24 SUN

Krewe of Barkus

Willie Nelson & Family

Intersection of Magazine St. and Jefferson Ave. Founded in 2012, the Mystic Krewe of Nyx is one of the city’s largest all-women Mardi Gras krewes.

It prides itself on embracing women of diverse backgrounds because “Friends come and go, but a sister is forever!” Parade route available on mardigrasneworleans.com. 7 pm.

Intersection of Magazine St. and Jefferson Ave. Named after the legendary daughter of Zeus, this parade has become one of Mardi Gras’ favorites thanks to its humorous and biting parade themes. Parade route available on mardigrasneworleans.com. 6:30 pm.

NEEDTOBREATHE: Acoustic Live Tour

Saenger Theatre. Enjoy the music of NEEDTOBREATHE, a GRAMMY-nominated rock band hailing from South Carolina.

Ticket prices vary. 7 pm.

continued from p.11

www.nolaboomers.com

| february 2019

SHRIMP STOCK

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• • • • • •

Heads and shells from 2 lbs. fresh Gulf shrimp 1 large onion, halved 2 ribs celery, coarsely chopped 2 bay leaves 10 black peppercorns, crushed 1 gallon filtered, cold water

the arnish . helps g own kitchen , 5 r, e t t t a p L U n ’s e Brad family in the gumbo

Directions Place all of the ingredients in a large pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, skimming any foam as necessary. Continue to boil until reduced by onefourth, about 15-20 minutes. Strain the stock and discard the solids. Chill the stock.

Tujague’s Restaurant, 823 Decatur St., New Orleans, 504.525.8676, tujaguesrestaurant.com.

Bar Frances, 4525 Freret St., New Orleans, 504.371.5043, barfrances.com.

Movement Medication Through

By Tim Meyer

Tai chi is an ancient form of martial arts, but researchers say its low-impact movements can help today’s aging population improve brain function.

It looks like an elegant choreographed dance—slow and gentle—designed for the more delicate bodies of older people. But a recent meta-analysis, which pulls data from several different studies, says that exercises like tai chi isn’t just a Sunday morning meditation ritual for retirees.

Published in December 2018 by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, “Effects of Mind-Body Exercises on Cognitive Function in Older Adults” concludes that exercises like tai chi can promote the overall performance of aging brains.

“Tai chi offers a lot to older participants,” agrees Brianna Carr, program coordinator at the Shaolin Institute in Gentilly. “It offers a better awareness of the functions of the body through meditation and muscle strengthening.”

This is exactly why about 75 percent of the Institute’s Thursday tai chi classes are made up of people 50 and older. Carr says that a lot of these participants joined the class to not only strengthen their muscles, but to also learn how to meditate—a key component of tai chi.

It was from these kinds of programs that the researchers collected the data. They analyzed results from 32 randomized controlled cases with a total of 3,624 participants aged between 50 and 85 years old.

Eighteen studies looked at cognitive functions in healthy adults, and 14 focused on those with mild cognitive impairment, such as early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

The researchers collected the results of the individual studies and evaluated the overall effectiveness of the activities on the two groups. They concluded that a moderate amount (about 60-120 minutes a week) of mind-body exercises—those that combine mental concentration, breathing control, and body movement—can significantly improve working memory, verbal fluency, and learning.

Researchers noted that good executive function can help older adults make appropriate decisions, focus on important details, store information in working memory, and shift tasks, all of which are cornerstones of cognitive flexibility.

“In our opinion, moderate mind-body exercise is associated with the improvement of global cognition, and could be recommended for older adults with or without cognitive impairment for better health,” says Chunzhi Tang, a researcher at the University of Chinese Medicine in Guangzhou, China, and a contributor to the analysis.

february 2019 | www.nolaboomers.com

The analysis also looked at ballroom dancing, yoga, and other mind-body exercises, but resolved that only the tai chi and dancing subgroups had positive effects on cognitive flexibility, suggesting that these activities were better factors in evaluating those subjects with improved cognitive performance.

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