JULY/AUGUST 2021
Dr. Reynold Verret STEWARDING XAVIER IN A NEW AGE p. 14
OUR HEALTH & WELLNESS ISSUE
STAYING FIT FOR LIFE p. 20
WOMEN & DEMENTIA
KNOW YOUR RISKS p. 12
WHAT MAKES A HEALTHY GUT p. 8
SLEEP
HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED? p. 19
Have you or your loved one been diagnosed with a BLOOD CANCER? Did you work on vessels including TUGBOATS, SHIPS, or JACKUP RIGS? YOU MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO BENZENE BY PRODUCTS SUCH AS GASOLINE, CRUDE OIL, DIESEL, ETC.
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MESOTHELIOMA
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HAVE YOU OR A LOVED ONE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH MESOTHELIOMA OR OTHER CANCERS CAUSED BY ASBESTOS EXPOSURE?
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Pleural mesothelioma (lungs) Peritoneal mesothelioma (abdomen) Testicular mesothelioma Pericardial mesothelioma (heart) Lung Cancer
YOU MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS IN THE WORKPLACE OR BY A LOVED ONE THAT BROUGHT ASBESTOS HOME ON HIS OR HER CLOTHING. SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OR WORKERS EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS DEVELOP MESOTHELIOMA AND OTHER CANCERS DUE TO CONTAMINATED WORK CLOTHES.
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Call 1-877-LABENZENE OR 504-832-9898 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION TODAY L. Eric Williams
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publisher/editor ANN BOWER HERREN
ann@nolaboomers.com executive editor LAURA CLAVERIE
claverip@gmail.com managing editor TREVOR WISDOM
trevor@nolaboomers.com office manager JENNY ZIGLIN
jenny@nolaboomers.com advertising sales KRISTEN RENFROW
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july/august 2021 volume 5, issue 3
As of this writing, we’ve just been through our first hurricane scare of the season. Blessedly, Tropical Storm Claudette blew through and caused little damage to New Orleans proper. One down, many more to go. Being prepared for hurricanes involves more than stocking up on food and water and gassing up the car. It involves an intense look at your home’s needs, including ways to protect your biggest investment. Is your home as hurricane proofed as humanly possible? Is your insurance up to date? Philip and I recently experienced sticker shock when we saw our homeowners’ insurance increase by a whopping 25 percent. Because of this, we investigated ways to lessen the cost. We found one little known way Louisiana citizens can save on homeowners’ insurance is to have a wind mitigation survey done on their homes. Whether your home is historic or newly built, it may qualify for state tax deductions or insurance premium discounts. The mitigation survey takes about an hour and the cost is reasonable. Read my article in this issue for more information. In these lazy days of summer, a visit to the local library may be just the thing to perk up your day. Christina Bryant, director of the City Archives and Special Collections at the New Orleans Public Library, gives our readers some wonderful tips on how to explore your family heritage, using the tools available at your local branch. Even if genealogy isn’t your thing, the library is a magnificent resource, not only for your favorite books, but also audio books. Too, your library is a great field trip for grandchildren and the best possible way to encourage them to be good readers. Last, even before the pandemic hit our world, loneliness was epidemic among the elderly. If you have an elderly relative, neighbor or friend, check on them and let them know they are not alone.
As always, stay safe and healthy -
Laura Claverie
july/august 2021 | www.nolaboomers.com
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.
FROM LAURA
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CONTENTS J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 2 1
ON THE COVER Dr. Reynold Verret photographed on campus. Photo courtesy of Xavier University of Louisiana.
A FEW WORDS 3 From Laura
5 From the Editor
19 Sleep
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FEATURES
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14 Dr. Reynold Verret
10 Loneliness & Isolation Tips for overcoming these
emotional challenges
12 Women, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease
Know your risks and how to improve your brain health
Stewarding Xavier in a New Age Why it’s so important for your health
20 Staying Active for Life
Building healthy habits
31 Wind Mitigation Surveys
How to save money on your homeowner’s policy
REGULAR TOPICS 7 Fitness
Cultivate balance for less chance of falling
8 Eating for Health
Gut health basics
24 From the Bookshelf
Digital genealogy and local history resources from the New Orleans Public Library
25 On the Go When, Where, and
What to Do
30 Freebies
Free & Cheap Things to See & Do
CONTRIBUTORS
KIMBERLY BLAKER is a freelance family and senior writer. She’s also founder and director of KB Creative Digital Services, an internet marketing agency, kbcreativedigital.com.
MICHAEL DANCISAK, PHD, is Director of the Tulane University Center for Anatomical and Movement Sciences.
DIMITRI PAPADOPOULOS is owner and instructor at New Orleans Shotokan Academy. He also is an assistant professor of Biology at Delgado Community College.
GEOFFREY RONIGER is the owner of Freret Street Yoga. He has been teaching full time for nearly two decades and is considered an expert in the field of adaptive yoga. He lives in New Orleans with his wife, three children, and faithful dog.
is the dietitian behind the operations, marketing, programming, and social media for Ochsner Eat Fit NOLA. Dietetics is her second career; she was previously an English teacher and is passionate about educating our community about food and nutrition.
The articles in this Health & Wellness issue speak to me personally on multiple levels. First, being a younger Boomer myself, I’m at the stage in my life where I need to pay much closer attention to my own health. Gone are the days when I could blithely diet and go to gym for two weeks and the pounds would melt away, and muscles would appear again! Too, while I was an avowed gym rat from my 20s through my 40s, I’m sorry to report that I’ve been lax about my gym attendance these past few years and especially since COVID restrictions have kept me hidden away in my home office. After editing the “Staying Active for Life” article, with its tips for developing a regular exercise routine, it occurred to me how silly it is for me not to be exercising again regularly. By not marking each day with a strengthening regimen, I’m only hurting myself. And then I was struck by the memory of how my dear mother’s health began to fail when she stopped her daily exercises in her 70s, with a fall leading to her passing. Along the same line, my mother could have benefited from balancing exercises, such as the ones recommended in Geoffrey Roniger’s “On Falling” piece. Geoffrey is a regular contributor and his column this month describes how to cultivate balance for less chance of falling and better fitness, something all of us can use. We also bring you this month an exploration of dementia and women’s health, with Dr. Demetrius Maraganore, Co-Director, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences. In this fascinating piece, you’ll learn your risks for brain disorders (including Alzheimer’s) and how to improve your brain health. Last, we should all be so dynamic as Dr. Reynold Verret, president of Xavier University of Louisiana, here in New Orleans. I hope you enjoy reading about his stewardship of the university, about to celebrate its centennial, with the same thrill that I felt learning about new learning initiatives and community partnerships. Xavier is truly a local and national academic gem.
Stay healthy and engaged in life -
Trevor Wisdom
july/august 2021 | www.nolaboomers.com
MARIA SYLVESTER TERRY, MS, RDN,
FR OM THE EDITOR
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On Falling How to cultivate balance for less chance of falling and better fitness.
As humans we are biologically programmed to avoid falling. We all know intuitively that if we were to fall frequently, we would eventually get hurt and cease to function well. Ironically though, it is our fear of falling that not only increases the likelihood of it happening, but also ensures the severity of a fall when it occurs.
What is falling? The problem is that in order to avoid falling, we stiffen our joints. The ankles, knees, and hips lock in an unconscious attempt to gain stability. But this locking up makes us less responsive and therefore less likely to recover our balance. Also, the stiffening of the joints in the lower body shifts our center of gravity to higher up in the upper body and amplifies the force of impact during a fall. Just picture a 200-foot Redwood tree toppling over compared to an 8-foot Christmas tree. Much harsher, right?
Prevention is the best cure So obviously the best cure for falling is prevention, and the simplest way to prevent falling is to cultivate better balance. This involves learning, or relearning, where the center of our body is.
• Re-learn your center of balance. Practice this in the standing position by placing a yoga block between your upper thighs. Squeeze the inner thighs against the block and you’ll feel the legs unite like two bolts being drilled into the opposite sides at the base of a Christmas tree. You’ll also find that your spine becomes more stable and vertical.
• Remember where your midline is.
• Have a good range of motion in the ankles, knees, and hips. This will make you more agile in general, and specifically, this will increase your adaptability in falling and recovering. Practice lying on your back and hugging your knees toward your chest. See if you can fold the knees and hips deeply, like you are creasing a piece of origami paper. Alternate legs. Once you stand back up, notice how your legs are springier underneath your torso. When you consider that true balance is falling and recovering, you’ll be less fearful of this dynamic process. Less fear means more confidence, and this will continue to build on itself!
Geoffrey Roniger is the owner of Freret Street Yoga. He has been teaching full time for nearly twenty years and is considered an expert in the field of adaptive yoga.
july/august 2021 | www.nolaboomers.com
The next step to cultivating balance is to practice maintaining it while shifting the weight onto only one leg. Try this with one hand near a wall or table so that you can catch yourself easily and get the feel of dynamic poise. When you’ve gotten more comfortable standing on only one foot at a time, then you can challenge yourself by lifting the non-weight bearing leg higher.
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E A T I N G F O R H E A LT H
Gut Health Basics
There’s more to gut health than kombucha. The hype around probiotics can be confusing! What really makes a healthy gut? When it comes to gut health, master these basics before popping supplements. Spoiler: “basics” doesn’t mean easy!
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Nutrition
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Is it true that “you are what you eat?” Well, you aren’t Oysters Rockefeller, but the food you eat comprises your gut bacteria! Support gut health by including diverse foods in your diet. Nutrient diversity provides your body with antioxidants and micronutrients to bolster immunity. Rather than repeating similar meals, incorporate colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and heart-healthy fats. Adequate caloric intake for your energy needs and hydration matter, too. While fad diets or cleanses promise weight loss, they can be detrimental to overall gut health. Those with plentiful bacteria strains in their gut are more likely to maintain and lose weight!
Sleep Sleep is interconnected with gut health. Inconsistent sleep contributes to stress in the body via increased cortisol, a
stress hormone. This can change your gut microbiome’s composition as well as increase symptoms of bloating or intestinal discomfort. How well-rested you feel may impact your nutrition. It’s normal to crave simple carbohydrates and caffeine when low on sleep; long-term, this can negatively impact your gut health.
Stress If you’ve ever noticed intestinal issues like bloating, cramping, heartburn, or loose stools crop up when you’re stressed, you’ve experienced the gut-brain connection! The opposite is also true: the composition of your microbiome can influence symptoms of anxiety and depression. Take inventory of your stress management skills. Stress is a part of all our lives. In some cases – like exercise – it’s actually good for us. When stress feels hard to manage, don’t hesitate to seek help from trusted loved ones or health professionals. Your gut will thank you!
Prebiotics & Probiotics Prebiotics, fiber that our bodies cannot digest, feed your “good bacteria.” When we eat foods with prebiotic fiber, we support the existing gut bacteria and their production of nutrients, like short-chain fatty acids. These fatty acids support our metabolic and colon health. Probiotics are live bacteria found in foods and supplements. Probiotic bacteria is shown to improve digestive function, enhance immunity, decrease inflammation, and reduce diarrhea from antibiotic treatment. Some may notice changes to skin health, mood, and weight. Including foods rich in pre- and probiotics will support your gut health. Consult the table below for foods to add to your grocery list. Prepare a yogurt bowl with flaxseeds, banana, and a sprinkle of cocoa for a gut health-promoting snack! Looking for a probiotic supplement? Since individual bacteria strains affect our health in different ways, it’s best to share your symptoms and health goals with your doctor or dietitian to get the best recommendation for you. Send them a message via your online health portal today!
Prebiotics
Probiotics
FOOD SOURCES
Fiber that “feeds” the good bacteria in your gut
Chicory root, garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, bananas, apples, oats, cocoa, flaxseeds, jicama, wheat bran
Strains of live bacteria that populate your gut microbiome
Yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, pickled vegetables, beverages such as Big Easy Bucha kombucha or Good Belly
Maria Sylvester Terry, MS, RDN, is the Ochsner Eat Fit NOLA dietitian; her mission is to promote visibility of nutritious items wherever food is served and break down nutrition myths for all audiences.
THEY'RE PADDLEBOARDING, NOT SHUFFLEBOARDING.
WHETHER TAKING CARE OF THEIR PARENTS, OR TAKING CARE OF THEMSELVES, BOOMERS ARE LIVING LIFE DIFFERENTLY.
REACH THEM BY ADVERTISING WITH US.
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ROLE + FUNCTION
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oneliness L & Isolation Can Impact Your Physical & Emotional Wellness
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TIPS TO OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES YOU MAY BE FEELING SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HIT
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Humans are inherently social animals who rely on interpersonal relationships for a variety of needs. When people experience healthy friendships, family dynamics, and even casual positive interactions with others, they feel a sense of belonging and satisfaction, which translates to better health. Unfortunately, when social connections and relationships don’t meet your individual needs, feelings of loneliness and isolation may occur with potentially devastating consequences. This is particularly true over the past year with COVID-19 restrictions limiting interpersonal interactions.
How are physical and mental health affected?
Feelings of loneliness and isolation can significantly impact our health, especially when these feelings occur for an extended time. Unsatisfactory social relationships or connections can lead to a host of problems for both body and mind.
Physical health can be impacted by loneliness in surprising ways. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in “Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Conditions,” loneliness can significantly impact our health. It increases the risk for premature death, strokes, heart disease, heart failure, and other cardiovascular issues at levels comparable to those who smoke, are obese, or physically inactive. Various studies have also shown correlations between loneliness or isolation and other complications, reports Amy Novotney in “The risks of social isolation.” These include poor sleep, decreased self-control, higher stress levels, and lower immunity, to name a few. Mental health struggles can also develop from feeling isolated or lonely. This is true not only for adults but children and adolescents. On June 3, 2020, researchers published their findings in “Rapid Systematic Review: The Impact of Social Isolation and Loneliness on the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents in the Context of COVID-19.” Maria Elizabeth Loades et al. found depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation and attempts are potential issues resulting from a lack of sufficient positive and healthy social relationships.
Who’s impacted?
While all people require some level of personal connection and interaction, specific demographic groups may have different needs or struggles related to loneliness and isolation. Anyone can experience isolation from others. Those who lack close family or friends, have moved to a new place or belong to any kind of outgroup are at risk of missing out on a desired level of social connection. Certain groups, according to the CDC, are particularly at increased risk of experiencing isolation and loneliness.
People with mental illness can have symptoms reappear or increase in severity if they don’t have access to a support network, including friends, family, or others to connect with. And those with disabilities may experience increased isolation or feelings of loneliness, as they may face barriers in communication, discrimination, stigma, or even physical impediments preventing easier engagement in social relationships.
Unfortunately since spring 2020, dealing with loneliness and isolation is becoming a widespread experience. According to experts, people from all walks of life report feeling a lack of social connection or relationships, as they maintain distance to stay safe. Though it may seem impossible, isolation and loneliness do not have to become a permanent state. Even if you must be physically apart from others, there are many ways to stay connected and build new social relationships. Reach out to friends, family, former co-workers, or neighbors who you haven’t talked to in a while or have lost touch with. Send an email, a letter, a text, or even pick up the phone and give them a call. In situations like a pandemic, where physical distancing is necessary for a while, it’s crucial to find ways to connect with others. Try scheduling social time such as regular video calls to catch up and even share a meal, movie, game, or activity together from your own homes. Find ways to get together safely outdoors in small groups, appropriately spaced apart. Join groups where you can connect with others through shared interests. A book club, cooking class, community college course, club sports team, fitness class, or community theater are a few possibilities. During a pandemic, look for virtual opportunities. It’s easier to maintain relationships when you have things in common – plus interest-based groups provide opportunities to connect with others in a structured but lower-stress environment. Technology opens up so many opportunities to make social connections and build virtual relationships with real people. You can join social networks and find groups for people in similar life situations, with similar interests, or just looking to connect with others. Just be conscious of how you’re using social media. Seeing other people’s “highlight reels” can actually increase the feeling of being left out. Volunteer for a cause that’s dear to your heart. You can find others who share similar interests or values while gaining satisfaction from giving back to your community. Especially consider working with populations who are at risk for loneliness. This way, you can help others while helping yourself. If you’re experiencing significant mental or physical health problems related to loneliness or isolation, speak with your doctor or mental health care professional. They can support you and direct you to various resources. When feelings of isolation or loneliness become overwhelming, it’s hard to imagine how to change your circumstances. But with a little effort and perhaps some support, there are ways to create and maintain healthy social relationships and connect to others, regardless of our personal situation or the world around us.
Kimberly Blaker is a freelance lifestyle and mental health writer. She’s also founder and director of KB Creative Digital Services, an internet marketing agency, at kbcreativedigital.com.
july/august 2021 | www.nolaboomers.com
Among older adults, extended social isolation may even increase an individual’s risk for dementia or cognitive decline, according to a 2019 study, “Are loneliness and social isolation associated with cognitive decline?” by Elvira Lara et al. Also among seniors, experiences like divorce, becoming a widow or widower, children moving away, retirement, chronic illness, and moving to a retirement home or care facility can increase these feelings.
How to reduce isolation and loneliness
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Women, Dementia, & Alzheimer’s Disease
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Understanding your risks for brain disorders and how to improve your brain health.
Perhaps you grew up with an elderly aunt who everyone said was “dotty.” Or maybe you lost your grandmother to Alzheimer’s, or are currently dealing with your mother’s gradual slide into dementia. If so, it’s critical that you understand your own risks for Alzheimer’s disease and related brain disorders. “It’s not uncommon for us to recall a loved one with dementia,” notes Demetrius Maraganore, MD, FAAN, Co-Director of the Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Professor of Neurology. “And the billion dollar question is what we can do to prevent it.” Alzheimer’s costs $300 billion a year in the U.S. and the cost is rapidly rising. Dr. Maraganore’s Tulane clinical practice is in brain health and the evaluation and management of memory disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. His passion is helping patients achieve successful brain aging by preventing cognitive decline and dementia in at-risk persons.
Understanding your risks Data published by the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that at any age, women have twice the risk for developing the disease than men. The most startling fact is that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men will develop Alzheimer’s in their expected lifetime. And while not every study confirms these general differences, most show that women are more predisposed to the disease, even when taking life expectancies into account. These differences may be due in part to sex hormones, as estrogen and testosterone seem to protect the brain from age-related cell death. Comments Dr. Maraganore, “Men continue to produce sex hormones throughout their lives, but women stop producing them during menopause (usually occurring between ages 45 and 55), and lose estrogen’s protective effects. A higher risk is found in women who had their ovaries removed or who experienced menopause for age 45.”
Genetics
While scientists don’t yet have the ability to reengineer people’s genomes, one-third of Alzheimer’s cases are preventable (not due to genetic factors). For them – and even for those two-thirds who are predisposed to risk of the disease – by modifying health risk factors, the odds of developing the disease can be reduced, so that it doesn’t occur until later in life if at all. Among the risk factors for age-related cognitive decline that can be modified for better brain health are: Heart disease/ hypertension
Smoking
Stroke
Excessive alcohol consumption
Diabetes
Poor nutrition
High cholesterol
Head injuries
Obesity
Sleep deprivation
Depression
Physical inactivity
Dementia is a complex trait. There is no one risk factor that is a determining cause. And there are habits that can prevent dementia, including being physically active, getting adequate sleep, lifelong learning, eating nutritious foods (and adhering to the Mediterranean diet in particular), and more.
Good news Dr. Maraganore notes, “research has shown that healthy habits earlier in life can positively impact brain health later in life,” and that’s why he launched the Tulane Healthy Brain Aging Initiative, that teaches concerned individuals how to reduce the odds of developing cognitive decline and dementia (“prevention clinic”) at two locations. The office visits include several risk factors and cognitive health assessments. A team of specialists then works with each patient to implement a personalized medicine plan to modify risks and to improve brain health. Dr. Maraganore adds that, “there are methods to not only protect the brain from aging, but to also restore its function to youth; and through the combination of lifestyle, behavioral, and medical interventions, we can reduce the odds of dementia by more than 50%.” Patients can self refer to the Brain Health Program; a physician’s referral is not required. For more information, see www.TulaneNeuro.com. And see our www.nolaboomers. com website for the clinic’s Brain Health Quiz. Tulane Brain Health Program has two locations: Metairie at East Jefferson Hospital (504.503.7001) Covington at Lakeview Hospital (985.951.3222)
Another key factor? Aging. Most cases of dementia and Alzheimer’s aren’t seen until age 65 or older, and “early onset dementia” (younger than age 65) is less usual. After age 65, with each passing year, the incidence of new Alzheimer’s cases soars.
Trevor Wisdom is the managing editor of Nola Boomers.
july/august 2021 | www.nolaboomers.com
Every human being inherits one copy of every gene from their mother and one from their father. Variation in the Apolipoprotein (APOE) gene is the major genetic determinant of whether a person will develop Alzheimer’s dementia in their lifetime. One in four persons carry at least one copy of the APOE risk variant. APOE gene testing can classify individuals as being at low lifetime risk (less than 10%, no copies), moderate lifetime risk (25%, one copy), or high risk (50% risk, two copies).
Improving your brain health
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DR.
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REYNOLD VERRET
STEWARDING XAVIER IN A NEW AGE Dr. Reynold Verret laughingly describes himself as an academic vagabond, and yet his destiny leading Xavier University of Louisiana as the university’s sixth president and second lay leader seems to have been fated. His first New Orleans academic foray was on the Chemistry faculty at Tulane in the 1990s, with appointments in between including chair of the Department of Chemistry at Clark Atlanta University while also serving as adjunct professor of immunology at Morehouse School of Medicine, and as dean of Arts and Sciences at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, and provost at Savannah State University and at Wilkes University, among others.
Leadership for the greater good It was in his chief academic role at Savannah that he led the university’s initiatives to build enrollment, enhance the quality and diversity of academic programs, develop the faculty, promote interdisciplinary efforts especially between the humanities and sciences, and to create cooperative relationships with neighboring institutions, and with other partners at the K-12 and higher education levels.
At Xavier and throughout his career, Dr. Verret takes great pleasure and satisfaction in the education of students of all races and academic backgrounds at the undergraduate and graduate level. This particularly shows in his stewardship of Xavier as a local academic powerhouse that is nationally recognized as one of the top U.S. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Of his student body, Dr. Verret comments, “It’s been a great joy leading Xavier. What’s significant is not only what we do here (academically), but in setting an example
july/august 2021 | www.nolaboomers.com
His recent work at Xavier reflects these earlier Savannah initiatives. Since Dr. Verret was unanimously elected as Xavier’s president by its board of directors and beginning his tenure at Xavier in July 2015, there has been consistent growth of incoming freshmen, boosted enrollment, and increases in student retention. Too, as New Orleans is a laboratory for innovation in K-12 Public Education, Xavier has developed a strategic alliance with local public schools to serve as a pipeline for African American teachers, and has created a doctoral program in Educational Leadership.
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Dr. Verret assisting students in computer lab - photo by Xavier University of Louisiana
of what’s possible in American higher education for African American students. “Students come to us with a great range of (academic) preparation and when they leave, they have a higher level of education. The fact that we’re able to do that is showing that this is possible.” He also recognizes the vigor of a Catholic education and the importance of an interdisciplinary curriculum, born from his own early academic experience in Brooklyn, educated by the Jesuits. He laughs, “I was one of those science geek kids. But my passion for the humanities gave me a fundamental cross-disciplinary source of knowledge, and as a scientist, those were important to me.”
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Collaborative by nature
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Dr. Verret is a firm believer in the strength of collaboration, the result of his journey as a scientist and building relationships across disciplines. His background as a biochemist forms his view as an academic leader. He notes, “Biochemistry is the cross section of the two disciplines (biology and chemistry). You have both feet in each area.” This has also given him the insight that most cutting-edge innovations in academics happen at the edges of where multiple disciplines meet, similar to the overlapping of a Venn diagram. Dr. Verret remarks about the similarity: “When you look at nano-technology and other sciences today. It’s not the core of any, but it’s really chemistry,
technology, and physics, and where they interact. A field like economics in my early education had to be quantitative and analytic. But now there’s a psychological component with the rational disciplines. In many fields now there is great excitement for innovation. Yet how we really can benefit is by asking how to learn from our neighbor.” Especially in the academic realm today, for Dr. Verret, the pendulum shift is in recognizing how much collaboration is necessary and mutually beneficial, and how much all academic disciplines have in common. Collaboration is at the forefront of Dr. Verret’s academic philosophy and is obvious in his Xavier leadership, and interdisciplinary new programs. “In my stewardship (here), my experience in interdisciplinary academics has led to a new neuroscience program, which is the bridge between the life and the behavioral sciences. One thing at Xavier, and a credit to my team, is how many of us (our students) have dual majors.”
Community Xavier’s community partnerships also reflect such collaboration, for example Xavier’s partnership with Ochsner Health Systems. Expanded from their symbiotic relationship with the College of Pharmacy since the 1980s, is the launch of the new Xavier Physician
Assistant program and the upcoming implementation of Genetic Counseling and Health Informatics programs. Dr. Verret gives credit to Ochsner for being so open in their partnership, noting, “we need each other’s initiatives; they make us better.” “Our partnerships are intentional in that we ask ourselves, what curricula can we have so that our students are trained where they’re needed? In this instance, African American physicians’ assistants only represent 5% of the field and so we wanted to open this avenue to our students. We are engaged and exploring other partnerships, both nationally and not just locally.”
Dr. Verret 2nd lining during his investiture as Xavier’s 6th president - photo by Xavier University of Louisiana
Other examples of expanding Xavier’s academic offerings and developing programs to meet industry needs include the addition of the pathology undergraduate and master’s programs and an eye toward adding genetic counseling and personalized medicine disciplines. “Clearly, we open those areas to students who have that inclination and keep an eye open not only in health fields.”
From strength to strength The university’s status has been burnished not only through these community partnerships but in national recognition. Chief among the university’s national plaudits is the very timely $420,000 grant (announced May 2021) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop mitigation strategies to reduce and prevent the disproportionate COVID-19 transmission among African Americans in the New Orleans metropolitan area. Xavier’s new age of recognition under Dr. Verret also extends to donorship. In 2020, the university received $20 million – the largest private gift in the school’s nearly 100-year history – from an anonymous donor. At the same time as this donation, MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, announced that the university was one of about 120 organizations to which she had donated nearly $1.7 billion of her fortune. As it moves toward its centennial anniversary in 2025, such gifts allow the school to secure its future by investing in endowments and expanding need-based scholarship. Of his current and future graduates, Dr. Reynold Verret is certain of their abilities to become leaders. “There is a need for the leadership that our young men and women can provide. They’re able to serve and work together as brothers and sisters.”
The only historically Black, Catholic university in the United States, Xavier is a private, liberal artsbased, co-educational institution currently offering more than 40 undergraduate majors and several graduate degree programs. Nearly half of its 3,384 (2020-2021) students are from Louisiana, but it draws students from nearly all fifty states and 16 foreign countries.
Its liberal arts-based programs, in the areas of art, business, education, psychology, and political science – as well as recent additions in bioinformatics, data science, neuroscience, crime and social justice, and jazz studies – offer students an unbeatable combination of traditional classroom study, hands-on research, service-learning opportunities, and life experiences.
Trevor Wisdom is the managing editor of Nola Boomers.
july/august 2021 | www.nolaboomers.com
Xavier is a nationally recognized leader in the STEM and the health sciences, producing more African American students who graduate from medical schools each year than any other university in the United States. Its College of Pharmacy is among the top producers of African American pharmacists.
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Professional Technique. Personal Touch. Dr. Rougelot completed his undergraduate education at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and received his Medical Doctorate from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. He completed his internal medicine internship at Ochsner Medical Center and his dermatology residency at Tulane University where he was appointed Chief Resident of Dermatologic Surgery and Cosmetics. After residency, Dr. Rougelot completed an ACGME accredited fellowship in Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology at Dermatology Associates of Birmingham with world-renowned Mohs surgeon Dr. Gary Monheit. Dr. Rougelot specializes in the treatment of high risk cutaneous malignancies using the minimally invasive Mohs micrographic surgical technique. This procedure has become the gold standard for the removal of complex cutaneous malignancies due to its high cure rate while still conserving the most amount of normal tissue as possible. After a tumor has been successfully removed, Dr. Rougelot has advanced training in reconstruction in order to repair the skin in the most aesthetically pleasing way possible. The procedure can be safely performed using local anesthetic in the outpatient setting at any of our locations in Metairie, Mandeville, or Biloxi.
R. Corey Rougelot, M.D.
Louisiana- Southshore
Louisiana- Northshore
Mississippi- Biloxi
1615 Metairie Rd., Suite 101 Metairie, LA 70005
2581 Florida St., Suite C Mandeville, LA 70448
1720-A Medical Park Dr., Suite 340B Biloxi, MS 39532
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www.theskinsurgerycentre.com
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504-644-4226
Sleep More than a good night’s rest, good sleep can translate to a longer, more healthful life.
We’ve all been there, suddenly awake at 2 am, unable to fall back to sleep, frustrated, mind racing through to-do lists and life’s great mysteries. On the flip side, we all recognize the amazing feeling upon waking after a good night’s sleep, well rested and ready to tackle the new day with vigor.
Health risks associated with poor sleep Just as importantly as what it can do for our health, is how a chronic lack of sleep can degrade our health. As found in numerous multi-year studies, sleep deprivation increases the risk for chronic health problems, including: OBESITY
• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Hormonal disruption
• Kidney disease
• Depression
DEMENTIA
Why we need it Sleep is important for a variety of reasons, chief among them, to make sense of the day’s activities, create memories and needed neural pathways, and erase the minutiae that’s no longer needed. Specifically, it’s the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, with its deep dream states, that resets your mind and contributes to overall brain and intellectual health, emotional wellbeing, and learning. And they don’t call sleep “beauty rest” for nothing; even your skin looks (and is) tired without a good night’s rest. According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, lack of sleep can lead to “decreased quality of life, risk for falls, psychological and physical difficulties, economic and social costs, risk for nursing home placement, and mortality.”
How much we need
This research ties in with that of the British Whitehall II study, which followed participants for 25 years, beginning when they were 50 years old. Most remarkably, these findings suggest an earlier possible correlation between lack of sleep and dementia, noting that “people who don’t get enough sleep in their 50s and 60s may be more likely to develop dementia when they are older.” However, one always needs to remember that each study conducted and reported is just another piece in the sleep puzzle, giving us a fuller picture of how to attain optimum health. If you find yourself having trouble falling or staying asleep, or feeling unrested, don’t fret, but consult your physician for evaluation. Lack of or poor sleep can result from varying factors – like long afternoon naps and sleep disruptions (like a demanding bladder) to stress. (See other relevant information in our article “Getting Zzzzzs With One Less Pill” on nolaboomers.com.) And while you’re at it, work on your sleep hygiene, starting with these basics: go to bed and wake at the same time daily, block as much noise and light as possible, replace an old or uncomfortable mattress and pillows, and don’t watch TV or use smart devices in bed. Trevor Wisdom is the managing editor of Nola Boomers, who is now going to bed early after researching this article.
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And while we may deny it (or push our own boundaries, reading or streaming movies until the wee hours), research suggests that adults – including seniors – need at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night to be well rested and to perform at their best. However, according to a Harvard University report, “one in five Americans sleeps less than six hours a night – a trend that can have serious personal health consequences.”
Perhaps most troubling, recent studies, including at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital, have found that risk of dementia was double among participants who reported getting less than five hours of sleep, compared to those who reported seven to eight hours of sleep, per night.
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Staying Active for Life Building healthy exercise habits provides a sense of wellbeing and mental stimulation.
Now that the pandemic tide has shifted, it’s time to think about creating – or restoring – healthy habits. COVID-19 forced many of us to stay home and in isolation. During this time, it was very easy to be less active, both physically and mentally. What’s more, having fewer physical activities and mentally stimulating interactions can lead to overeating.
BUILDING HEALTHY HABITS Even if our food intake remains the same, decreased activity due to isolation can result in unhealthy weight gain and less stimulating activities, including watching television and scrolling the web. So, whether your isolation is due to a pandemic or extreme summer weather, remaining active does so much more for our health than simply burning calories. Building healthy habits, like a daily (or several times weekly) exercise routine provides stimulating mental activity. And this is especially true if you track your health behaviors.
ACTIVITY LOG Before putting on your workout clothes, create an activity log. The easiest way to create a log is by using your computer’s spreadsheet software, with columns for dates and the five activities, like this example. (If you don’t have software, simply make a grid, using a ruler, on a plain sheet of paper.) Note the date and check off the activity when completed. Bed Core & Breathing
Doorway Shoulder
Wall Balance Leg Strength
Chair Core & Breathing
Cane Shoulder Mobility
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Date & Time
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What is great about an activity log is that it will tell you the effort you make each week toward keeping yourself healthy. Keeping track also will give you bragging rights for what you’ve done, perhaps encouraging others to join you. We hear it all the time, “Oh, I could never do that,” but you are living proof to others that you can and have.
FIRST STEPS Before you can start popping your shirt buttons in pride, you need to take the first steps. These five activities will literally help you start each morning. Break up the activities or do them sequentially. The best part about setting a routine is that you are in charge: decide when, where, and how often. And remember, more is not always better – listen to your body. Check with your health care provider before starting if you have concerns. To get started, review the steps below and explore the movements. Find the ideal, safe place in your home, yard or community space. There is no hurry; start slow and
gradually find the limits of your ability. For the first week or two, don’t push yourself; do less than you feel you can to avoid joint and muscle soreness. Over time, increase the repetitions or how vigorous you do the activities. No need to rush things, this is your time for you. Once you have done the activities for a couple of weeks and you are feeling no pain (or only minimal discomfort), consider increasing the intensity and frequency to even several times per day. Have fun and see if you can share the activities with a significant other, a neighbor or with that person who always says hello when they pass by.
WARM UP IN BED From the supine position on your back with a hand resting on your abdomen:
• Breathe through your nose for a count of 5-10 seconds and out through your mouth for the same amount of time. Place your hands on your abdomen to feel it moving during each breath. Let go of thoughts about the day and just be present, feeling the rise and fall of your chest. Repeat 5 times.
• Using the same count, add movement to your breathing. Take a deep breath, and while exhaling bring your arms up and (if it doesn’t hurt your back), bend your knees and bring them up toward your chest. This should look like an infant in the fetal position, only you will be laying on your back. Hold the fetal position for a few seconds then start inhaling as you go back to a comfortable lying down position with your hand on your abdomen. Repeat 5-10 times according to your comfort and ability.
SHOULDER STRENGTH & FLEXIBILITY IN THE DOORWAY • Place your hands on the frame of the doorway, one hand on each side slightly higher than your shoulder height. For individuals with arthritic shoulders, you may have to start out a little lower to make the activity comfortable. Keeping your hands in place, take a 1-foot step back from the doorway.
• On a slight incline, lean forward until your upper body is even with your hands, and then put some weight on the frame to do standing push-ups. You do not have to lean forward much; place enough of your weight to create resistance. Repeat 5-10 times.
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From a standing position, place yourself in front of a doorway, with the door open. Make sure there are no slippery rugs that can move under your feet. Installed carpet is okay if the carpet material does not cause your feet to slip from under you.
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Follow your doorway push-up repetitions with breathing and stretching exercises: • Lean your body a little further into the doorframe and exhale while stretching your shoulders. As you inhale, return to a more upright position. This stretch should feel good first thing in the morning and after doing some house chores. If you feel discomfort in your chest or shoulders, move your feet a little closer to the doorway, and try another repetition. Repeat 5 times.
• After doing this exercise for several weeks, try it with your hands a little higher or lower than your starting shoulder height / hand position on the doorway.
• You can also amend this by reaching above your head height, or even above the doorway if you can reach that high.
• No matter your hand position, always remain in control of your footing; make sure you are balanced and not leaning too far into the doorway.
SUPPORTING LEG STRENGTH & BALANCE AGAINST THE WALL
Version 1: • Stand next to a wall, with your left shoulder against the wall and your right shoulder away. Place your left hand on the wall for balance. Focus your eyes on a stationary object in front of you, holding this focus the entire time.
• Place your feet close together, aligned under your hips, with your back as straight as possible while remaining comfortably upright. Pay attention to your posture. Make sure that your shoulders are back and down while pulling your chin back and lifting your head up toward the ceiling.
• With your feet close together, move your right foot to the side and stand so that your feet are shoulder-width apart. Bring your feet back together, aligned under your hips. Repeat 10 times.
• Change sides, with your right shoulder against the wall. Move your left foot away from the wall, stand shoulder-width apart, and then bring your feet together again. Repeat 10 times.
Version 2: • Stand with your left shoulder touching the wall, but this time,
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move your right foot behind your body, with your feet spaced shoulder-width apart, as though in a natural walking position.
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• Hold the position, check your balance, and then bring your right foot forward in an arc, passing the left foot, moving it forward in front of your body, as though you are in a natural walking stance (with your right foot now in front of your body). Bring your foot close to your left as you move it forward to maintain your balance.
• Pause for a second to check your balance, and then complete the repetition by following the same arc path backward, so that the right foot ends up back where it started, next to the left. Repeat 5-10 times
• Change sides, with your right shoulder against the wall. Keep your right foot stationary while the left foot moves. Repeat 5-10 times.
STRENGTH & FLEXIBILITY WHILE SITTING Sit in a chair that allows you to have both feet comfortably planted on the ground. Keep your back as straight as possible, with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle; you should feel little or no pressure on the back of your thighs. Place your feet about 1-foot apart.
• Begin with gentle, deep breathing (as in 1st exercise), maintaining a good relaxed posture. Breathe using your abdomen, inhaling 5 seconds through your nose and exhaling for 5 seconds through your mouth. Repeat 5 times.
• Place your hands, one over the other, on your right thigh, close to the knee, to create resistance.
• Against this resistance, try to lift your right knee upwards toward the ceiling, while keeping your back as straight as possible. Exhale as you bring your knee up, and inhale as you slowly bring your knee back down.
• As you bring your knee up, your foot should also leave the ground. Make sure you are doing this slowly, while focusing on your breathing. Pay attention to bringing your leg back down slowly in a controlled way, coordinated with your breath. Repeat 5 times.
• Change sides, with hands on your left thigh, and repeat 5 times.
USING A CANE FOR MOBILITY Here, you will need a walking cane or other sturdy stick (like a ski pole) that fits comfortably in your hand. This exercise is best done outside or in a space where there is plenty of room for the cane to swing. The description for this exercise will assume that you are using the traditional walking cane with a crook, shaft, and single tip. If you cannot go outside or you have something other than a traditional cane or walking stick, then you can use a short substitute stick or even a wooden spoon to complete this exercise. A blunt weighted object (up to 2 pounds) can also be used for this activity but make sure it has a safety strap or a grip that allows for secure handling. Before you begin, make sure that you have plenty of room and can swing the cane in front of you without hitting anyone or anything. For this exercise, it helps to imagine the cane (or other object) as a large paint brush, with the tip as the bristles.
• With your feet shoulder-width apart, center yourself by holding the cane handle in your right hand. Hold the cane upright by its handle, just to the side of your right foot, with the tip on the ground. (If you are using a short stick or weighted object simply hold it by your side.)
• Using your shoulder, swing the cane so that its bottom tip draws a figure-8 (like the symbol for infinity ∞) in the space in front of you.
• The goal of this exercise is to increase shoulder strength and mobility. Make the cane’s path as possible, so that the ∞ being drawn in the air is as large as possible. Repeat 5 times. Repeat 5 times. After completing these activities, do a quick self-check for any unusual pains, feeling of light-headedness, or loss of stability or balance. After exercising, most people feel a sense of wellbeing and accomplishment. You have done something for yourself and it is okay to thank yourself. Make sure you drink plenty of water after exercise and don’t forget to make that entry in your exercise log.
Dimitri Papadopoulos is owner and instructor at New Orleans Shotokan Academy. He also is an assistant professor of Biology at Delgado Community College.
Michael Dancisak, PhD, is Director of the Tulane University Center for Anatomical and Movement Sciences.
july/august 2021 | www.nolaboomers.com
• Switch sides and hold the cane in your left hand. Repeat the movements in the same way.
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FROM OUR BOOKSHELF
Explore the Past with Digital Genealogy and Local History Resources The New Orleans Public Library provides access to a wide range of online resources from your home computer. Summer is a time to explore, learn new things, and spend time with family. However, in New Orleans, we must always consider the heat, rain, and bugs before planning a fun day. If braving the humidity and mosquitos one day is not in the plans, and you would rather enjoy the air conditioning, you do not have to give up exploring, learning new things, and spending time with family. A great way to connect with people and discover exciting stories is to delve into genealogy and local history research. The New Orleans Public Library (NOPL) provides a wide range of online digital resources to enjoy any time at home (with a library card) or in person at any of our 15 locations. You can identify your grandfather’s profession, locate your great aunt’s house, or discover the stores your grandmother would have shopped at through our genealogy and local history resources.
• HeritageQuest provides access to genealogy-related books, the U.S. Census,
line. o can be found on Archival photos als
Freedman’s Bank Records, war pension records, and much more. Researchers can access scans of original documents and other resources from around the world. With the NOPL’s access to the Fold 3 database, you can research stories, photos, records, and personal documents of those who served in the military. HeritageQuest and Fold 3 are available at home with a Library card or at all Library locations.
• Fire Insurance Maps Online provides access to full color digital versions of Sanborn Maps. These maps present an overhead view that outline the properties and structures on them in New Orleans during various points in time. Researchers can see where a house may have been located and what the neighborhood surrounding it looked like. Fire Insurance Maps Online is available at home with a library card or at all NOPL branches.
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• New Orleans Newspapers offers access to over one hundred eighty years of New
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Orleans newspapers. This includes full text searchable scans of each page of a paper from 1837 to 1989. Issues from 1990 to the present are available in either a scanned version or a text version. You also can search for specific terms or browse by date.
• Newspapers.com provides full text searchable versions of many newspapers popular in New Orleans and other areas of the Southeast United States. Here you will find papers that ran for a short time or represent smaller localities. New Orleans Newspapers and Newspapers.com are available from home with a library card and at all branches. These are just a few of the many genealogy and local history-related resources provided by the NOPL. Our staff is available to help you explore the library’s genealogy and local history resources and find adventure in the process of exploring the past. If you need a guide or just have some questions, please call the City Archives & Special Collections at 504-596-2610, or email archivist@nolalibrary.org. In addition to answering questions, we can provide further resources, walk you through the digital content or set up an appointment, as needed.
“Daily Fashion Hint,” a regular feature of the Daily Pic ayune, 1907.
Christina Bryant, MLIS, CA, is the director of the City Archives and Special Collections at the New Orleans Public Library.
ON THE GO
JULY 1 THURS
Hey Y’all Art Talk Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Enjoy a deep dive exploring the richness and diversity of Southern art and artists. Registration required. ogdenmuseum. org. Noon–12:30 pm.
3 SAT Creole Tomato Festival French Market. The 35th annual Creole Tomato Festival will feature virtual and in-person activities at the market. frenchmarket.org/creoletomatofest. 11 am–4 pm.
The Victory Belles BB’s Stage Door Canteen, 945 Magazine St. Enjoy the sounds of this delightful vocal trio as they perform the music of the 1940s. Continues July 4. 2 pm. nationalww2museum.org. $15/person.
Uncle Sam Jam
4 SUN Happy Independence Day!
Mandeville Lakefront. Entertainment begins at 6 pm with The Boogie Men. Also includes a military tribute, kids tent, food trucks, and fireworks over the lake at dusk. Picnics begin at 10:00 am. No charcoal grills or glass bottles. 6 pm.
6 TUES
8 THURS Book Club Meet-the-Author NOMA. Meet Estelle: A Novel author, Linda Stewart Henley. Then, join on July 22 to discuss the book. For more information, contact curator of education, Tracy Kennan, at tkennan@ noma.org or 504.658.4113. Free.
9 FRI
Drink & Learn New Orleans Sazerac House, 101 Magazine St. Explore the unique past of ice and learn about the journey of ice through the new world up to the debut of blenders behind the bar. sazerachouse.com. 4–5 pm. $30/person.
7 WED Lunchbox Lecture: Weird War II Join Rusty Nix, of the former Virginia WWI and WWII Commemoration Commission, as he dives into the weirder and wilder side of the war you THOUGHT you knew and discusses some of the most incredible and bizarre stories of World War II. Registration required. nationalww2museum.org. 11 am–noon. Free.
Twilight at Longue Vue Longue Vue House & Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road. KatieCat & Cain provide the entertainment overlooking Spanish Court. longuevue.com. 5–7 pm. $10/person, free for Garden Pass holders and members.
Big Wig Ball ARTmazing Selfie Gallery, 309 Decatur St. The Cabaret Soirée theme is loosely based on Moulin Rouge in support of the April 2022 La Bohème production. Theme-inspired wigs and costumes or cocktail attire. neworleansopera.org. 7 pm. $40/person.
“Freedom” BB’s Stage Door Canteen. 945 Magazine St. Freedom tells the story of a Holocaust survivor and an Irish immigrant who meet hours before their American naturalization ceremony. nationalww2museum. org. Weekends through July 18. Fri. and Sat., 7 pm. Sundays, 2 pm. $37/ members, $40/non-members.
10 SAT FitNOLA FitFest & Expo Stallings St. Claude Rec. Center, 4300 St. Claude St. Talk to fitness celebrities, discover and sample health and wellness products and services, fitness classes, cooking demos, and more. nordc.org. 7–9 am.
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Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie. Music by The Guess Who, Creole String Beans, The Topcats, and more, and a big fireworks display. unclesamjamjefferson.com. 3–10:30 pm.
Light Up the Lake
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Pelican Greenhouse Plant Sales
History & Genealogy
New Orleans Botanical Garden. With hundreds of varieties of plants, there’s something everyone will love. neworleanscitypark.com. 8 am–1 pm. Continues each Saturday in July.
New Orleans Public Library. Gaynell Brady will highlight the history of Holt Cemetery, discuss research methods, and debunk many of the myths associated with this burial ground. Registration required. nolalibrary.org. 11 am–12:30 pm. Free.
Super Saturday Join New Orleans City Park for a morning of volunteering to keep the Park looking as good as it does. To sign up and get details on that day’s meetup location, contact Tyler Havens at thavens@nocp.org. 9 am–noon.
Christmas in July Arts & Crafts Show Coquille Park and Recreation, 13505 Highway 1085, Covington. This two-day event will feature 100 artists and crafters selling unique items. steinhauerproductions.com. Continues July 11. 9 am–5 pm. $5/ person.
Death by Chocolate... Not Breast Cancer Schoen Mansion, 3827 Canal St. Chocolate, Champagne, and live music, in support of Krewe De Pink, dedicated to raising awareness of and support for Tulane Cancer Center’s Breast Cancer Research Fund. The event honors the 2021 Six Sweet Survivors, including our publisher, Ann Herren. 5:30-8:30 pm. $45/person. www. krewedepink.org
11 SUN CAC Studio Sundays Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St. Experience an open rehearsal or visit one of the CAC’s artist’s studios to get a glimpse inside the artistic practice and view works-in-process. Free, but registration is required. cacno.org. 11 am–2 pm.
14 WED COOLinary New Orleans Join restaurants for this annual culinary extravaganza of 2-course lunches for $25 or less, and 3-course dinners and brunches for $45 or less. Find participating restaurants at neworleans.com/coolinary. Continues through Sept. 5.
JOIN THE FUN! SIGN-UP TO RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER
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Now Open! We Repair, Rent & Sell: Wheelchairs Mobility Scooters Power Chairs
Michele & Jeff Varon, Owners Mobility City of Greater New Orleans 3501 Severn Ave., Ste. 3B/C Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 380-9031 www.mobilitycity.com
Rollators & Walkers Lift Out Recliners Hospital Beds
Need Repair? We Come to You!
YOUR FAMILY'S GUIDE TO EVERYTHING NEW ORLEANS! Find your copy today!
nolafamily.com
The Southern Jewish Experience Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses. Join Kenneth Hoffman, executive director of the newly opened Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, as he relates this important cultural aspect of New Orleans and Southern history. hgghh. org/events. 6–7 pm. Free.
15 THURS Open Archery Joe W. Brown Park, 5601 Read Blvd. A certified instructor will be on-hand, providing thorough safety instruction and tips about techniques and form. Open all ages. Registration required. nordc.org/outdoors. Open year-round, every Thursday. 4–7 pm.
16 FRI Tiffany Windows Tours Newcomb Art Museum. Enjoy a guided tour exploring the Tiffany Windows on the Tulane Uptown campus. Limited to 10 people, RSVP at tfriel@tulane.edu. Noon– 1 pm.
17 SAT Tai Chi
Curator Tour Newcomb Art Museum. Explore Laura Anderson Barbata: Transcommunality with a guided tour by the exhibition’s curator Laura Blereau. Registration required, tfriel@tulane.edu. Continues on July 24. Noon–1 pm.
Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road. Beginners class to learn seed saving, storing, and cutting reproduction, and more. Go home with collected seeds, four starter plants, and a powerful new skill set. Tools included. longuevue.com. $25/ member, $30/non-member.
Open Canoeing & Fishing Joe W. Brown Park, 5601 Read Blvd. Tour the lagoons by canoe and learn the basics of bait rigging, knot tying, and fish identification with an instructor. Registration required. nordc.org/outdoors. 10 am–2 pm. Continues every Saturday through Nov. 6.
21 WED Twilight at Longue Vue Longue Vue House & Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road. Michael White will provide the entertainment overlooking Spanish Court. longuevue. com. 5–7 pm. $10/person, free for Garden Pass holders & members.
Wine and Design New Orleans Public Library. Learn how to paint sample animal portraits in a fun, relaxing environment. Art kits are available to all participants. Registration required. nolalibrary.org. 6–8 pm. Free.
24 SAT Big Band Summer Swing The National WWII Museum. The Victory Swing Orchestra celebrates the great big bands of the WWII era, with music to dance the night away at BB’s Stage Door Canteen. stagedoorcanteen.org, or 504.528.1944, ext. 402. 7 pm. $37/members, $40/nonmembers.
25 SUN CAC Studio Sundays Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St. Experience an open rehearsal or visit one of the CAC’s artist’s studios to get a glimpse inside the artistic practice and view works-in-process. Free, registration is required. cacno. org. 11 am–2 pm.
26 MON Adult Summer Camp Ogden Museum of Southern Art. An in-person, five-day program to deepen artistic skills and explore new areas of expression. ogdenmuseum.org. Continues through July 30. 10 am–1 pm. $250/members, $300/non-members.
30 FRI Crescent City Coin Show Crescent City Christian School Gym, 4828 Utica St., Metairie. This show features buying, selling, and appraisals of U.S. and foreign coins, Mardi Gras doubloons, and gold & silver bullion. Door prizes. crescentcitycoinclub.org. 11 am–6 pm. Continues on July 31, 9 am–5 pm.
31 SAT Sensory Friendly Mornings The National World War II Museum. For individuals of all ages with special needs and their families to enjoy early access to the Museum, with modifications to make the experience more sensory friendly. nationalww2museum.org 8 am–5 pm. $18/visitor.
Satchmo SummerFest New Orleans Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade Ave. Celebrating the life, music, and legacy of Louis “Satchmo’’ Armstrong, with seminars by wellknown music scholars and music of all varieties. satchmosummerfest.org. Continues Aug. 1, 1–5 pm.
july/august 2021 | www.nolaboomers.com
Latter Library, 5120 St. Charles Ave. Learn the basics of this meditative martial art in an outdoor space. Registration required. nolalibrary.org. 10–11 am.
Native Plant Propagation
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AUGUST 5 THURS
Pelican Greenhouse Plant Sales
Open Archery
Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Enjoy a deep dive exploring the richness and diversity of Southern art and artists. Registration required. ogdenmuseum. org. Noon–12:30 pm.
New Orleans Botanical Garden. With hundreds of varieties of plants, there’s something everyone will love. neworleanscitypark.com. Continues each Saturday in August. 8 am–1 pm.
Joe W. Brown Archery Range, A certified instructor will be on-hand, providing thorough safety instruction and tips about techniques and form. Open to ages 8+. Registration required. nordc.org/outdoors. Open year-round, every Thursday. 4–7 pm.
Newcomb Pottery Tours Newcomb Art Museum. Enjoy a guided tour highlighting the permanent collection of Newcomb Pottery and the history of the Newcomb Enterprise. Limited to 10 people, RSVP at spolisar@tulane.edu. Noon– 1 pm.
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Tiki Culture: From the South Pacific to Pontchartrain Beach
www.nolaboomers.com
12 THURS
Hey Y’all Art Talk
6 FRI
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7 SAT
BB’s Stage Door Canteen, 945 Magazine St. Join for a discussion on Tiki drinking culture from its early beginnings after Prohibition to its explosion as a global phenomenon after World War II. nationalww2museum.org. $47/ member, $50/non-member. 6–7:30 pm.
Super Saturday Join New Orleans City Park for a morning of volunteering to keep the Park looking as good as it does. To sign up and get details on that day’s meetup location, contact Tyler Havens at thavens@nocp.org. 9 am–noon.
Covington Art Market Lee Lane, Downtown Covington. The event features a variety of work from local and regional artists, including jewelry, photography, paintings, woodworking, fiber art, pottery, and more. 10 am–2 pm.
Open Canoeing & Fishing Joe W. Brown Park, 5601 Read Blvd. Tour the lagoons by canoe and learn the basics of bait rigging, knot tying, and fish identification with an instructor. Registration required. nordc.org/ outdoors. 10 am–2 pm. Continues every Saturday through Nov. 6.
19 THURS Blend Your Own Rum New Orleans Sazerac House, 101 Magazine St. Learn the art of the blend while crafting your perfect rum with House Distiller David Bock. sazerachouse.com. $50/person. 5–6:30 pm.
20 FRI Tiffany Window Tours Newcomb Art Museum. Enjoy a guided tour exploring the Tiffany Windows on the Tulane Uptown campus. Limited to 10 people, RSVP at tfriel@tulane.edu. Noon– 1 pm.
21 SAT National Senior Citizens Day Celebrate National Senior Citizens Day today by spending time with elderly loved ones, visiting a nursing home, starting a family history project with the grandkids, or volunteering for community projects that benefit the elderly!
22 SUN CAC Studio Sundays Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St. Experience an open rehearsal or visit one of the CAC’s artist’s studios to get a glimpse inside the artistic practice and view works-in-process. This week featuring Jarrell Hamilton/ De La SoL Dance Theater Co. Free, but registration is required. cacno.org. 11 am–2 pm.
23 MON New Orleans Saints Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in this preseason game. mbsuperdome. com. 7 pm.
28 SAT Sensory Friendly Mornings The National World War II Museum. For individuals of all ages with special needs and their families to enjoy early access to the Museum, with modifications to make the experience more sensory friendly. ticketing. nationalww2museum.org 8 am–5 pm. $18/visitor.
Big Band Summer Swing The National WWII Museum. The Victory Swing Orchestra celebrates the great big bands of the WWII era, with music to dance the night away at BB’s Stage Door Canteen. stagedoorcanteen.org, or 504.528.1944, ext. 402. 7 pm. $37/members, $40/nonmembers.
New Orleans Saints Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints will take on the Arizona Cardinals. mbsuperdome.com. 7 pm.
july/august 2021 | www.nolaboomers.com
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s e i b e Fre
Museums and Exhibits Sundays
CAC 900 Camp St. Each Sunday, Louisiana residents receive free admission to the Contemporary Arts Center, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. cacno.org. 11 am–5 pm. Longue Vue House and Gardens 7 Bamboo Road. On the 1st Sunday of every month, free admission for Louisiana families. Bring a picnic, explore the children’s Discovery Garden, and stroll the gardens. Reservations required. longuevue.com. 1–5 pm.
Wednesdays Audubon Zoo 6500 Magazine St. On the 3rd Wednesday of each month, Orleans Parish residents with ID proof of residency get free admission with up to four guests to Audubon Zoo. audubonnatureinstitute. org. 10 am–5 pm. Free Admission to NOMA One Collins Diboll Circle, City Park. Each Wednesday, Louisiana residents receive free admission to the New Orleans Museum of Art, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. noma.org. 10 am–5 pm. Botanical Garden 5 Victory Ave. Each Wednesday, Louisiana residents receive free admission to the New Orleans Botanical Garden, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. neworleanscitypark.com/botanical-garden. 10 am–8 pm.
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| july/august 2021
Thursdays
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Audubon Aquarium of the Americas 1 Canal St. On the 1st Thursday of each month, Orleans Parish residents with ID proof of residency get free admission with up to four guests to Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. audubonnatureinstitute.org. 10 am–5 pm. Free Admission to Ogden Museum 925 Camp St. Each Thursday, Louisiana residents receive free admission to the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. ogdenmuseum.org. 10 am–5 pm.
Saturdays Gretna Farmers Market 739 Third St., Gretna. Open each Saturday, enjoy fresh local produce and crafts, rain or shine, under the covered Gretna Market Building. gretnala.com/visitors/farmers-market. 8:30 am–12:30 pm.
Virtual Music & Learning
NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART Thurs. July 22 & Fri., Aug. 27 Book Club (In-Person) This group meets monthly to discuss fiction and nonfiction books related to art in NOMA’s collection and exhibitions. Contact NOMA’s Curator of Education, Tracy Kennan, at tkennan@noma.org or 504.658.4113. July 22, Estelle: A Novel by Linda Stewart Henley; Aug. 27, There There by Tommy Orange. Noon.
CONCERTS FROM THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ MUSEUM Wednesdays & Thursdays Jazz Foundation of America Presents (Virtual) Enjoy live jazz performances. Tune in every Wednesday & Thursday. facebook.com/nolajazzmuseum/live. 2–3 pm.
Fridays Virtual Concert: Piano Hour Join for these virtual concerts featuring a different artist each week. facebook.com/nolajazzmuseum/live. Fridays, 3–4 pm.
NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC LIBRARY Saturdays What If? – Speculative Fiction Short Story Club (Virtual) Discuss two stories in the genres of fantasy, science fiction, horror, alternate history, and/or weird fiction. Registration required. nolalibrary.org. July 3 and Aug. 7, 11:30 am–1 pm. Virtual Creative Writing Workshop Writers will create, share, and critique original works while learning to develop their own voice and style. Registration required. nolalibrary.org. July 24, Aug. 14, and Aug. 28, 1–3 pm.
SAT July 10 & 24 Yarn Arts Craft Circle (Virtual) Share skills and techniques to learn from and with one another while working on your own yarn and thread arts projects. Registration required, nolalibrary.org. Free. 3:30–4:30 pm.
Wind Mitigation Surveys THESE INSPECTIONS CAN POTENTIALLY SAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON YOUR HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE POLICY. Like most south Louisiana homeowners, my husband and I experienced sticker shock when we received our recent homeowner’s insurance bill. We’ve been with the agent for decades and in our home since 2008. Thanks to 2020’s active hurricane season, our homeowner’s insurance jumped a whopping 25 percent. Among our insurance provider’s options to offset the increase was to have a wind mitigation survey done on our home. If the house’s design, construction, and materials met certain criteria, we could receive credits on our homeowners’ insurance for a reduced rate.
State program
Inspection points Surveyors look into every nook and cranny of a home’s construction, starting with the roof. A hip roof (where all sides slope to the walls) is best. A gabled roof (where walls that rise to a triangle) with specially approved bracing also qualifies. The roof’s shingles may also get a discount if they are Class F, G and H. Standard grade shingles do not get a discount. Older homes with roofs made of individual boards that are secured with nails qualify. Newer homes with plywood roofs secured with staples, do not. If you are replacing a roof now, ask your roofer to install a secondary water barrier on your roof. It’s worth the extra cost if you are looking for an additional discount. If a home is in a fully-developed neighborhood, as most New Orleans area homes are, that is also beneficial.
Shutters and some windows may also warrant a discount, but they must meet certain criteria for large object debris impact. And key: every opening in your house must have approved shutters or windows to qualify. “I drive around town and look at homes and know that there are many out there that would qualify,” comments Hatchett. “It’s a good program with a potential to save the consumer a lot of money over the life of the policy. It’s definitely worth a look.”
What to know “Homeowners must be proactive in pursuing a survey,” says Hatchett. “Insurance rates will only be going up as so many companies are pulling out of Louisiana.” He remarks the insurance companies that are the best in accepting these wind mitigation discounts include Chubb, Pure, USAA, and AIG. In the end, our survey cost us $300 and took about 90 minutes. Our 1890’s home met many of the criteria and knocked off a bit more than $2,000 annually from our policy. Needless to say, we are very pleased. For more information, see the Louisiana Department of Insurance’s website: ldi.la.gov.
Laura Claverie is a longtime New Orleans journalist and executive editor of Nola Boomers.
july/august 2021 | www.nolaboomers.com
This Louisiana Department of Insurance program makes homeowners eligible for a state tax deduction or insurance premium discount for voluntarily strengthening their homes against storms and hurricanes. To determine eligibility, the home must be surveyed by a certified wind mitigation surveyor. (Newer homes built after 2007 must be in compliance with the Louisiana state uniform construction code to withstand severe weather.)
“The Louisiana Wind Mitigation Survey Program has been around for more than a decade,” says Bill Hatchett, ACI, who is one of only six certified wind mitigation surveyors in Louisiana. “The biggest problem is that so few people, including the smaller insurance companies, know about the program. Whether your home is new or on the historic registry, it could have the necessary features that would make it qualify for these discounts.”
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Our seniors are so extraordinary,
they have their own ER! touro.com/emergency
