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Slidell Magazine I still see him through a child’s eyes and probably always will. He’s still 40 years old (ancient to a 5 year old) and I still call him “Daddy” when I speak, because that’s what I last called him.
Also, this year I passed a milestone, my 40th birthday. I’m older now than my father was when he died. It’s weird how such a little thing can cause such a dynamic paradigm shift. I’m still just a kid – I’m still kinda fumbling and bumbling through the maze of life. I have a whole lot more questions than I have answers and have yet to discover any of my hidden superhero prowess. Could it be possible that my daddy was the same? A mere mortal?
This edition of Slidell Magazine comes at a convergence of time and content – a whole bunch of stars aligned that caused me to write about my father in this month’s Editor’s Letter. The most obvious reason is that June 17 is Father’s Day and what better way to remember my daddy than to reveal his superhero powers to all of Slidell.
Editor’s Letter By Kendra Maness
Father! - to God himself we cannot give a holier name. ~William Wordsworth
My daddy was a superhero. My daddy could beat your daddy in arm wrestling. He could beat up King Kong. He also rivaled Albert Einstein in intelligence and Warren Buffett in riches. He could dance like Fred Astaire, was cooler than James Dean and leapt tall buildings in a single bound (on the weekends, when he was off of work from the world’s most important superhero-like job). When we are young, we think of our father as the strongest, tallest, fastest, bestest, most-able-to-do-just-aboutanything man on the planet. As we mature, so does our perspective. Dad the “hero” becomes Dad the coach, Dad the disciplinarian, Dad the dummy, Dad the car mechanic, Dad the financier, Dad the friend and real life human being and by the time we have our own adult children – Dad the superhero again. The perspective of my father never had a chance to mature because of his very early death when I was five years old.
The other prompt to write about my father was this month’s cover story,The American Heart Association. My father had undiagnosed heart disease for years before he died from a heart attack, just two months after he turned 40. He didn’t seek medical attention, although all of the classic symptoms were there, and he continued on the path that eventually killed him – smoking, being overweight, too much stress and unhealthy eating habits.
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The American Heart Association has worked hard over the past 88 years to save American lives through cutting-edge research, lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocating to protect public health. Heart disease is Americans’ number one killer. Let’s get educated and GET INVOLVED! Visit www.americanheart.org to find out how you can help save lives and be a superhero.
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ef o
Extraordinarily Facinating “Ordinary” Person of the Month by Nancy Richardson
Steve Abrams June 2012
EDITOR’S NOTE: Every one of us is fascinating in our own way. We all have a story, an experience, or a mission that makes us unique. Each month, Slidell Magazine will name an Extraordinarily Fascinating “Ordinary” (EFO) Person of the Month. We chose the title carefully - these individuals are anything but “ordinary”.
An EFO Person doesn’t hold public office or a board position. They don’t own a company and you won’t find them in the Society section. An EFO Person is your neighbor, family member or coworker that has the “it” factor - something about them simply fascinates you. We all know people like this and, often, these individuals don’t get the recognition they deserve.
O
ur Extraordinarily Fascinating Ordinary Person for May, 2012 is a teacher of special education in St. Tammany Parish, a minister at his church, a singer with gold records, and a choir director who also likes to cook for family gatherings. His music and talent have brought him around the world, and eventually back home to Slidell, as our neighbor. The list of extremely well known celebrities that he has worked with as a singer, including his long-time friend Whitney Houston, goes on and on, but you’ve probably never heard his name before. It’s time that Steve Abrams came out from behind the curtain of anonymity and into Slidell Magazine’s spotlight. Steve has been singing all of his life and he comes by it honestly, as both his dad and his grandfather had the gift of music in their lives. He says, “I was so little and quite nervous when I sang my first solo in church right here in Slidell at the age of 6. I just walked right up
Slidell Magazine will be highlighting a different person in our community each month and sharing their story with you.
Send us your submissions! Email me at Editor@SlidellMag.com and tell me about an “ordinary” person that you find “Extraordinarily Fascinating”.
When Steve was 13, his family relocated to the Detroit area where he continued his musical education in the exploding Detroit gospel scene. He sang with gospel singers like BeBe and CeCe Winans (Marvin Winans sang and preached the eulogy at Whitney Houston’s funeral), the Clark Sisters, Fred Hammond, and the Eastern Michigan University Gospel Choir – to name just a few.
Back stage with Whitney Houston early in her career on stage and started singing. Everyone thought it was wonderful and maybe that was because I was so little.” He recorded his first jingle for Walker Roemer Milk at age 8. His father, the late Reverend Dr. Harvey Leggett, was a preacher and gospel DJ for the Bill Garrett-owned local radio station WBGS. It was his dad who exposed Steve to concerts featuring Shirley Caesar, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, the Davis Sisters, exciting Southern quartets and many other gospel greats.
Steve moved to New York City in 1982 and quickly landed a tour with Jennifer Holiday in Your Arms Are Too Short To Box With God, and the same Broadway tour later with Patti Labelle, which lasted from 1983-85. His other Broadway and Off Broadway tours included Ain’t Mis-Behavin, Dreamgirls and Mama I Want to Sing. He soon became a New York City recording session singer and toured with famous artists like Freddie Jackson, Roberta Flack, Ashford and Simpson, Mary J. Blige, and the Pet Shop Boys from London, England. While living in New York City, Steve continued to pursue his musical career by signing with Val’s Artist
Management Team and recorded jingles for Kirin Beer, Burger King and his first national jingle for Downey Fabric Softener’s “Tropical Bloom” series. Just prior to 9/11, Steve remarried Debbie, his first wife who had been his high school sweetheart and mother of his daughter. They had been divorced for 25 years when they reunited. The couple made Los Angeles, California, their new home where Steve immediately began to sing in several theatrical productions with renowned artists such as Cassie Davis (Tyler Perry’s House of Pain), Dawnn Lewis (A Different World) and Marla Gibbs (The Jeffersons), Fred Thomas Jr., of “Wuz Up” fame, and Lynn Hamilton (“Donna” from Sanford & Son). In the music business, a gold record is awarded when a song or album sells over 500,000 copies. Steve won his for singing background on Freddie Jackson’s “Do Me Again”. He won his platinum album for singing background on Jodeci’s “Diary of a Mad Band” album when it sold over one million copies! In addition to these music awards, he has ministered to and taught children and youth in tough neighborhoods of New York and Los Angeles. Like many in the entertainment business, Steve found it necessary to have a regular job with benefits and steady income, so teaching was and continues to be the perfect fit. Not only is he good with kids who respond well to his likable and solid personality, but the school year schedule allows him to continue his musical endeavors. When an important “gig” comes up, Steve’s school principals have always worked with him to allow him the time off while holding his job for him. They value him that much! Steve has been preaching the Gospel since March 2001 and is a graduate of Bethany Christian Bible College in Los Angeles, California. He continues to share his gifts locally at Starlight Missionary Baptist Church on Second Street in Slidell where he serves as the Youth Director. Steve is also one of the Praise and Worship leaders at the Faith Bible Church in Covington. Recently he held a gospel concert to raise funds to restore the sanctuary of the Macedonia Baptist Church in Slidell which was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He has a special love for the 100 year old Macedonia church, as it was his family church.
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Hanging out with Denzel Washington Throughout his musical career Steve has worked with and become friends with many top celebrities. As his face was not well known, he enjoyed freedoms that his more famous friends did not. He feels that his star friends appreciate his company, not only for his affable personality and his positive outlook, but also for his stability… his “groundedness”. He tells the story of one celebrity friend who needed to get something from a store. Steve says, “We pulled up in front of the store in a stretch limo while I got out to go inside. People stopped and stared, wondering which star was shopping there. But no one recognized my face, so no paparazzi frenzy ensued.” Many of his friends miss their anonymity and in Steve they find a friend who isn’t star-struck. He’s someone with whom they can just be themselves. Steve definitely does not have a giant ego. He knows who he is and where he comes from. The values he’s learned from his personal family, as well as his church family, guide him through the pitfalls and temptations of notoriety. Steve was terribly shaken by the untimely death of his friend Whitney Houston, who seemed to have a very difficult time adjusting to fame and fortune.
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The Abrams family has a long history in Slidell, going back several generations. Steve’s father was an early civil rights activist, enrolling Steve and his brother in the first group of children to integrate Florida Avenue School in Slidell. A member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first Black Greek fraternity, Steve shares this privilege with other outstanding Black leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and Andrew Young. He also boasts membership in the local graduate chapter, Pi Pi Lambda, which holds an annual golf tournament to raise funds for scholarships. Steve Abrams continues to be involved in as many singing venues as his school and church schedule allow. Returning to Los Angeles this past Easter where he played Judas in the musical The Cross, a singing role he has played many times before, Steve says, “I did a lot of research for this role. In fact, I used the research as the basis for a well-received sermon. My friends in California tell me that people are still talking about my performance.” The scene of him as Judas hanging himself is both macabre and inspiring! In 2005 while living in California, his wife Debbie, who worked with Attorney Johnnie Cochran (of O.J. Simpson trial fame) suggested that they move back to Slidell to be closer to both of their families.
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Steve with the “Queen of Soul”, Aretha Franklin Thinking that Debbie was a die-hard Californian, Steve was quite surprised that she would suggest this, but was eager to come back home as well. Selling their home quickly, they had plans drawn for a new home to be built on his mom’s seven acre farm in Slidell. But Mother Nature had other plans. Building costs rose so high after Hurricane Katrina that Steve and Debbie had to put their plans to build their dream home on hold temporarily. Still, the couple came back home and settled down into a routine of Steve teaching, preaching, singing, and family life. He teaches special education at Mandeville’s Lakeshore High School where his impact on youth is noted by both his peers and the families of the kids he teaches. He gets many letters of appreciation from his students’ parents praising his work. If you’d like to hear the “anonymous” Steve Abrams’ golden voice, he performs weekly at Ray Alfred’s LeCafé de bon Temps restaurant on Fremaux in Slidell for a Sunday Jazz Gospel Brunch which they call “JazzSpel”. When asked which comes first, teaching or music, Steve answers with a quote he learned from his poet friend Maya Angelou: “Children don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Says Steve, “While music has played a most important part in my life and given me exceptional opportunities to meet mega stars and to travel the world, I feel that making a difference in the lives of kids has the most long lasting effect.” It’s no wonder he’s Slidell Magazine’s Extraordinary Fascinating “Ordinary” Person for the month of May!
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Reunion(s)
T
his story is a bit nostalgic. If you are under thirty-five, you may wish to skip this story and turn the page over to Frank Davis or one of the other fine contributors in this magazine. However, if you have a few years on you, you might like to reminisce and hopefully this edition will hold special meaning for you.
and pray for those still fighting for our country’s freedoms. F i n a l l y, s o m e g o t o class reunions. I had the opportunity to host a mini class reunion a few weeks ago and, two weeks later, hosted a gathering of five college buddies. I hope you enjoy my reflections.
Of all God’s creations, mankind is the most social. We interact positively and negatively with our fellow man. As private as some of our personalities are, almost everyone wants to see, visit, or reunite with someone. You may go to a family reunion, where you visit with all your distant cousins and pretend to like the ones you really don’t like. In the end, it is worth the sacrifice just to reacquaint with the ones that you are fond of, and keep the family peace. Some people may go to a church reunion; some call it a church homecoming. At these gatherings, all
the members who have grown up and moved away, come back to share old memories and, of course, have dinner on the church grounds. Some of the world’s best fried chicken, deviled eggs and iced tea can be found at these reunions. After lunch, they may clean and decorate the graves in the church cemetery. I guess you could call this a protestant All Saints Day. Some people go to ship reunions where they visit with the shipmates they had in WWII or Korea. They know that the opportunity to do this diminishes every year. Some go to battalion or company reunions and celebrate their safe return from battle,
Part I Class Reunion #47 On an April afternoon, some forty persons gathered at a retreat on Black Creek in south central Mississippi. It was a diverse group, held together by one common thread. We had spent twelve of our early years together. We had played together, learned together, laughed together and I suppose at times, cried together. I don’t expect that we are a lot different from a number of classes that choose to convene and share old times, especially if you graduated from a small Southern high school. You see, Southerners hold some things dear that other locales
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just seem to ignore. We know we are connected by geography, tethered to the land. We love our little piece of the South and it is, and will always be, special to us. Our community, meaning the people, where we lived and grew up, is special to us also. We are bound by the stimuli of our family, neighbors, teachers, ministers, first loves and friends. We are bound together by a fast-fading oral tradition, the tradition of telling stories, and when we get together, we are good at it. We told stories then and we will tell them now. We tend to think that we had something special and I see no reason to rebut that. Most attendees made an effort to drive at least two hours; some came from as far away as California. They came bearing treats to share - desserts, dips, wine and other goodies. You understand, sharing food is also a part of this Southern culture. They came early and stayed late, seeming to want to relive one more memory before the day ended. Gone was the pretentiousness that existed in years past. I remember that the 10th class reunion could be described as showing off your spouse. The 20th could be described as hinting at the successes we had achieved and the 30th was a picture presentation of our grandchildren. Katrina interrupted the 40th and we felt shortchanged at not having much time together. This gathering was different. We were who we are, and at 65 years old, we felt comfortable in our own skin. Those that were only acquaintances in high school embraced as long lost friends and the conversation was relaxed and easy. We shared the joy of victory and the agony of defeat on the football field with an old tight end, quarterback and lineman. Were we really as tough as we remember ourselves? We shared the tears of lost romance through a class favorite and the homecoming queen, who remembered every person that almost all of us had dated. There were those that some had not seen since high school. There were those who we did not expect to see at all. There were some noticeable absences. Some could not come, they wanted to, but did not come for very real reasons. I suspect however, a few did not come because they choose to remember us as we were. In their mind, we are still 17 years old, wearing white socks, blue jeans and crew cuts or maybe a pony tail, with a ribbon. (Of course, in those days, that would have applied to females only.) That is the way they prefer to keep us. Keep us locked in time, 1965. Then there were a few that may not have had good memories, for whatever reason. Our community was real and there were some not so good things that happened to some people. We talked about some of that too.
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Lastly there are some that “keeping in touch” is just not important. This was discussed, and we all have had enough life experiences to understand this; something we may not have been able to do thirty years ago. Unfortunately, some were not there because they are no longer alive. We missed them. As the song says, they were “Done too soon.” For me, I could still see the youth on the faces of each and every one. In my mind’s eye, they were still young, still at Our School, the hamburger Drive-Inn or the Varsity Football Field. They were still laughing with each other and fearing the bald-headed principal and the old English teacher that looked at us over the top of her glasses. Late in the afternoon when the sun went down, the reality set in that, as young as we still are, a two hour drive late at night is not as exciting as it was before bucket seats and mandatory seat belts. We talked about that too; when your latest squeeze could be sitting RIGHT next to you. It was time to go home. We knew that as we said our goodbyes, there were some that we would never see again. We will not dwell on that, we will only recharge for another reunion, another year. Now, if only that old English teacher could edit this.
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Part II College Buddies The events in our lives happen in a sequence in time, but in their significance to ourselves they find their own order the continuous thread of revelation. – Eudora Welty The most pleasurable, and I suppose the most disastrous, events of our lives happen by chance. Often we have no more control over them than we have over the rising or setting of the sun. Such was an event in my life in 1965. Having never been to a fraternity party, been in a fraternity house or actually knowing what a fraternity was, I was fortunate to be asked to join an organization of significant merit at the University of Mississippi. It was 1965 and I was eighteen years old. In all honesty, I am sorry to say, I contributed little to the betterment of this organization, but it contributed significantly to my well-being. It contributed in the fact that it brought me in contact, and opened the door of friendship, to a number of guys who would remain lifelong friends. Without this fraternity, it would not have happened. Or at least not in this order. Thank you Sigma Nu.
ATTENTION VETERANS But college only last four years for most of us and, as Merle Haggard says, “What am I going to do with the rest of my life?” Those bonds of friendship I made did not dissolve with graduation; they have entered and retreated in my life in cycles - much as the tide on the Gulf. As years have passed, their importance rises higher with each entrance as if blown by a tropical hurricane. I suppose this is due to age, more time to reflect, a better understanding of what is important that is only learned through real life events, or maybe it is influenced a little by knowing that we have more years behind us than we have ahead of us. In other words, we are getting older. Such was an event that occurred this past weekend. Five guys, some bound by deep friendship, all by the common circumstances mentioned, gathered on Black Creek in south central Mississippi. I suppose each had his own reason for coming, or taking the time to be a part of this. We all thought we knew the format: eat, drink and tell tall tails of our youth and conquests. We did some of that, but not near as much as I had expected. After all, you can’t live in the past forever. What we found was that we no longer had to live in the past to enjoy the present. The seeds of friendship and new experiences were just as prevalent now as they were on the night we pledged.
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We still enjoyed each other’s company, but not because of whom we had been but because of who we are now. I am not sure this would have happened fifteen years ago. As Sunday came, we sat, reminiscing. Not as much about 1965, but about last night. We made plans for the future - the future meaning next year, not thirty five years from now. As we left, I think each one of us felt sadness, considering a future event may not occur. What if this is the last time? We would not have that, we will not dwell on that, and we will just plan and ready ourselves for the next time when we can add this year’s happenings to the tales we tell.
Until Next Year John Case June 2012
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Making ₵ents
of your money by Mike Rich
Armed and Dangerous will do anything to get it. But, all of that pales in comparison to its most important use. What is this weapon?
You are armed and dangerous. You might not believe it, but you are. You possess a weapon of immense power. Kingdoms have been toppled by it, lives have been changed by it, and many people
It’s your money. Whether it’s a little or a lot, most everyone has some and it’s a formidable weapon. With it, you can change your family’s life for the better, or you can
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waste it and just muddle through. If you use your weapon correctly, you can rid yourself of the bane of many Americans: financial mediocrity. That’s the good news. The better news is that it’s not all that hard to learn how to use your money’s firepower. And the best news is that you can start today. Here’s how: 1. Don’t focus on the short-term. When it comes to building assets for financial security, the short-term is pretty much meaningless. Wealthy people have known this “secret” for generations. Unless you’re a stock day-trader (bad idea), ignore the daily gyrations of the financial markets and focus on the long-term. For example, in your IRA, 401(k), or other investment plan, try to increase your rate of savings bit by bit, rather than chase rate of return. Also, keep some of your powder dry: be sure to have some cash on hand for emergencies, even if it’s only a few hundred bucks in your dresser drawer. 2. Set goals. Marksmen aim at targets, and so should you. If you don’t know what your financial target is, you can pretty much bet you won’t hit it. You’ve heard about the Army’s Smart weapons? Your goals need to be SMART, too: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. For example, if paying off short-term debt is your goal (Specific), decide on the monthly amount you’ll devote to your cause (Measureable), make it the first check you write (Achievable), start with the small
accounts (Realistic), and set a target date (Time-bound). SMART goals can work for almost any financial dream you have. 3. Establish a source of guaranteed income for the future. If you don’t have a pension, you can build one, and an annuity might be just the ticket. It’ll be your personal pension plan for retirement. It provides guaranteed income1 and can be used to supplement your Social Security benefit. Ignore the relentless naysayers on this subject: in your arsenal of financial weapons, this one can be powerful. 4. Don’t fall for financial myths. These are everywhere, and people who have everything but your financial welfare in mind will use these falsehoods to defuse your money’s firepower. One of our favorites is “You don’t need life insurance after you retire.” You know what? The myth vendors are right: you might not need life insurance after you retire. However, what these folks never tell you is that the presence of life insurance might actually let you significantly increase your cash flow in retirement by giving you a “permission slip” to spend some of your assets more freely. What a great idea! In that case, do you think you might want life insurance as part of your financial plan? 5. Hire an advisor. Professional athletes – including competitive sharpshooters – have coaches. A good financial coach is like the instructor at a shooting range, adjusting your stance or steadying your aim. The time and money you spend with your advisor will be more than made up in peace of mind, knowing that you have an expert, a personal Chief Financial Officer, to help you sort through the ever-increasing amount of financial information that bombards us every day. Yep, your money is powerful, and like any weapon, you have to handle it carefully. At Pontchartrain Investment Management, we can help you do that. So, get ready, aim, and fire yourself and your family to financial peace of mind. Call us today for a complimentary appointment.
Pontchartrain Investment Management 2242 Carey Street Slidell, LA 70458 985-605-5064
985-646-1728 158 S. Militar y Rd.
(corner of Gause & Military)
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Frankly It makes no different what you call it red sauce, Italian gravy, tomato sauce for spaghetti and meatballs…the lexicon goes on, depending on who your MawMaw and PawPaw were and what part of the Old Country their ancestors came from. So for the past 43 years, I just happen to have been married to a full-blooded, thoroughbred, unmistakably identifiable Sicilian woman whose genes and chromosomes took shape way-backwhen somewhere between Palermo, Vicari and Caccamo (they tell me that’s somewhere in downtown Sicily)! And one of the first things I learned after reciting my nuptials 43 years ago is you don’t mess with or challenge any of that. In other words, you “forget about it!” Of course, the second thing I learned after saying “I do” was that my Sicilian bride always called her red Italian tomato gravy “Sugo,” which in Italian (as far back as she can remember
“Sugo”
anyway) means gravy or sauce, specifically the tomato kind. So for the duration of my entire married life, I have always eaten Spaghetti and Meatballs on Sunday with her homemade Sugo, just like Momma made it! The third and final thing I learned from my wife via her family is that no Sugo that you’ll ever pour from a jar or a bottle or a can, regardless of the Italian name it’s given, will ever be as good as the stuff you make from scratch (regardless of your nationality). So in this edition I’m gonna share with you the absolute most-best Sugo/gravy/sauce that will ever pass your lips in your lifetime. And you’ll be surprised just how easy it is to make! Mangia!
Grant P. Gravois Agent LUTCF, CLF
1322 Corporate Square Dr.
985•643•4276 www.grantgravois.com
By Frank Davis
Franco’s Authentic Sicilian Sugo (Italian Red Tomato Gravy) 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped 6 cloves fresh garlic, minced 2 small cans tomato paste 6 tomato-paste cans filled with vegetable or chicken stock 2 teaspoons dried sweet basil (3 tablespoons, if fresh) 2 large dried bay leaves 2 teaspoons Frank Davis Sicilian Seasoning or Italian seasoning Sea salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste In a heavy 5-quart Dutch oven, heat the olive oil to medium high. Then drop in the chopped onions and the garlic and - stirring constantly - lightly sauté them together until they just soften (it is not necessary to brown the onions and you don’t want the garlic to burn). About three to five minutes should do it. When the onions and garlic are ready, add the tomato paste to the pot and rapidly whip it into the mix. Remember that, contrary to what you may have been told, you don’t have to fry the tomato paste for eternity to make good red gravy.
Check Out Frank’s:
Actually, if you fry the paste for much longer than 5 minutes you will increase the acidity of the tomatoes and the gravy will be strong, harsh, and bitter. You want it to come out light and sweet, so just cook it a few minutes or so until the paste, onions, garlic, and olive oil are mixed well.
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At this point, add the vegetable stock (or chicken stock, if you’re not cooking for a true vegetarian) to the tomato paste and stir again until the mixture becomes silky smooth. Keep in mind that the secret to making real Italian gravy the right consistency is to use three cans of stock for every one can of tomato paste. When the sauce is thoroughly mixed, add the basil, the Sicilian Seasoning, and the bay leaves and season the gravy with salt and pepper to your taste. Now you’re ready to transform it into whatever entrée you’re preparing - Italian sausage, skinned chicken, meatballs, pork chops, boiled eggs, peeled eggplants, or whatever you got a hankering for!
Spices and More!
Online Ordering!
www.FrankDavis.com BUON APPETITO!
Mama Mia - dat’s Italian! Dat’s REAL Italian!
Chef’s Note: Oh, just for the record…you NEVER add sugar to authentic Italian gravy. Prepare it properly and it will be light and naturally sweet. You can make this recipe in quantity because it stashes and keeps well in the bottom of the refrigerator for at least 3 weeks.
Instant Care FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER “Serving Slidell Since 1984” N O A P P O I N T M E N T N E C E S S A RY
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U R G E N T C A R E - FA M I LY P R A C T I C E Miguel A. Culasso, M.D., F.A.C.E.P.
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Victory
One Heartbeat at a Time
By Nancy Richardson
The American Heart Association was founded in 1924 by a group of physicians to raise awareness of two growing epidemics – heart disease and stroke. It is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to building healthier lives. Since that time, American diets and the decrease in laborious employment have increased the number of stroke and heart disease victims in the US exponentially. The American Heart Association’s goal is to help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases through cuttingedge research, lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocating to protect public health. The American Heart Association states: “Our mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. That single purpose drives all we do. The need for our work is beyond question.” May was National Stroke Month so let’s get back to the basics on what a stroke is, prevention and what to do if you notice signs of a stroke. The statistics are alarming: About 795,000 Americans will have a new or recurrent stroke this year, and more than 137,000 of them will die. Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death among Americans. Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability. But, do you really know what a stroke is? Almost half of Americans can’t even name one stroke warning sign. Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. 20
On April 21, hundreds of supporters participated in the AHA Northshore Heart Walk in Fontainebleau State Park When that happens, part of the brain can’t get the blood (and oxygen) it needs. Brain tissue then starts to die. When part of the brain dies from lack of blood flow, the part of the body it controls is affected. Strokes can cause paralysis, affect language and vision, and cause other problems. There are two types of stroke. Clots that block an artery cause ischemic strokes. This is most common type of stroke, accounting for about 87%. The other kind of stroke is caused by ruptured blood vessels. This is called a hemorrhagic or bleeding stroke. With this kind of stroke, blood spills into the brain tissue. The good news is that stroke is largely preventable. The first step in prevention is to understand your risk factors and modify your personal choices and lifestyle to be more heart healthy. A risk factor is a behavior or characteristic that increases your chance of stroke. There are factors you can’t control such as your increasing age, gender, heredity and race or the history of a prior stroke.
Unhealthy stress levels, excessive alcohol and illegal drug use may also affect stroke risk. Because there are risk factors you can’t control, it is even more important to focus on the ones you can. Controllable risk factors include high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, high cholesterol, lack of physical activity, obesity and diabetes. When it comes to a stroke, every second counts. The signs or symptoms of a stroke appear suddenly. Knowing these warning signs may help save a life: • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Not every person has all the signs or symptoms of a stroke. If you recognize the warning signs of a stroke, act quickly. Stroke is a medical emergency. Every second counts! Respond by calling 9-1-1 immediately if you or someone close to you is having warning signs of stroke. Then check the time. When did the first symptom start? You’ll be asked this important question later. In the past, doctors couldn’t do much to help stroke victims. That’s not true today. Now, stroke doesn’t have to lead to disability or death. The key is to recognize a stroke and get to the hospital immediately. The clot-dissolving drug tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) can reduce longterm disability if it’s given within 4.5 hours after an ischemic stroke starts. Unfortunately, tPA isn’t used as often as it could be because many people don’t seek care quickly. Don’t make that mistake. If you or someone near you has the warning signs of a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately. Take control of your heart health in order to lead a stronger, longer and healthier life. For more information on stroke visit the American Heart Association at PowerToEndStroke.org. While suffering a stroke is serious and life-altering, there can be quality of life following a stroke. Take Harold Ellis for instance. He suffered a stroke that affected his left side. Here’s his uplifting story of courage and perseverance: HAROLD ELLIS - STROKE VICTIM All his life, Harold Ellis tried to lead a healthy lifestyle. He was always active, was not diabetic, had no hypertension (although both run in his family), but he had smoked cigarettes since age 18. So when he suffered a stroke at age 66, it came without warning. It happened one afternoon while he was home alone. His left leg had been feeling weak for a while but he did not think much of it. When he realized that afternoon that something was seriously wrong, he called his wife, who is a nurse. Fortunately, she was able to get to him within an hour. She took him to Slidell Memorial Hospital, about a 45 minute drive from their home in lower St. Bernard Parish. That was about 2 hours after the stroke hit. Remember, time is critical for a stroke victim. Life changed dramatically for Harold from then on. Almost immediately, rehabilitative therapy began. It was really hard work but he was extremely motivated to get better. “I wanted to be able to see my grandkids graduate so I pushed myself harder than anyone else could.” Harold says it’s all about attitude. He tells a story about a friend of his who was also the victim of a stroke. “He would get frustrated with the rehab program and get mad at the therapists.” Harold’s attitude is different. He told his therapists, “Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it!”
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Harold’s family is all too familiar with strokes. His mother died from a stroke at age 80. And, unbelievably, his daughter suffered a stroke at the young age of 32. (She’s mostly recovered but still faces challenges.) With such a family history, Harold knows that another stroke could happen but he doesn’t spend his time worrying. He enjoys his days more than ever now because of his post-stroke perspective. His best birthday was his 67th, the one after the stroke, because of the greater appreciation for life that he has now. When asked what he would tell new stroke patients, he says, “WORK!” It’s hard work and progress is very slow but, to overcome the challenges after a stroke, a patient has to take an active role in their comeback. He challenges himself every day and never gives up his fight for recovery. Harold estimates that he’s 75% recovered now and continues to work towards his goal of 90% recovery. He has made significant lifestyle changes, including his diet. He’s eliminated his old favorite beer and hasn’t smoked a single cigarette since the stroke – and doesn’t miss them a bit! By knowing the warning signs of a stroke, taking quick action, and working hard towards his goal, Harold’s future is filled with promise. “God must be on my side!” he beams.
Harold will have victory – one heartbeat at a time.
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How is the AHA working for a healthier America? Publishing a standard for providing basic and advanced life support, including standards for proper performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The AHA offers the most widely accepted certification for basic life support. Leading the fight for clean indoor air in public places, like bowling alleys, restaurants, pubs, workplaces, etc. Advocating to ensure food labels include appropriate nutritional information to promote healthy choices. Working with school dieticians to lower the amount of calories consumed by our children at school. Advocating to place automated external defibrillators in public places, including airports, golf courses and malls. Helping hospitals implement a process to improve cardiac and stroke patient outcomes. Advancing surgical techniques, developing the artificial valve, pacemakers and cardiac stents. As a volunteer-driven organization, the American Heart Association would not be able to accomplish its goals, fulfill its mission and make a difference in the health of our community without people like you. There are many volunteer opportunities across the Greater Southeast Affiliate which serves Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Puerto Rico. Your expertise, your ideas, and your enthusiasm are needed to implement the many programs and events the AHA has available. Join the AHA in fighting America’s number one and number four killers - heart disease and stroke. Consider lending your talents and time to one or more of the following opportunities: Survivor Speakers Power to End Stroke Ambassadors Workshop Facilitators – nurses, nutrition, fitness Physician Speakers Heart Walk Team Captains Start Walking Club Coordinators Health Fair Volunteers Office support with special events Advocacy “You Are the Cure” School Assembly Visitors Wear Red Day Coordinators In-Kind donations Add your voice to the millions of You’re the Cure advocates across the nation who are fighting for heart health and healthy legislation.
To learn more or join the AHA in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org
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www.AdvanceTitleLLC.com 23
Round Town
‘
By Gay DiGiovanni
“You did WHAT?” I said wide-eyed. “I signed us up for a benefit golf tournament,” my husband informed me. I was almost speechless. “But, but….I’m terrible!” “It doesn’t matter if you can’t hit your ball very well, you just pick it up and move it to where I hit it (or someone else), who did hit it well. That’s called playing a scramble”. That’s how it came to pass, almost nine years ago, that I played my very first game of golf. How freeing that feeling was. It didn’t really matter if I duffed it, or sliced it, or whatever. I could play and have fun with a bunch of other people, AND do good for the world. It really was fun, and I have been hooked (or is it sliced?) ever since. My latest excursion was at the Rotary Golf Tournament on May 4th. As in most benefit golf tournaments, you pay a bit more, and you get lots of lagniappe. In addition to your game and a cart, most offer a catered meal, lunch or dinner, (sometimes both), and snacks, beverages, and a “diddie” bag of goodies.
You can buy your way to a better game by purchasing “mulligans”. Those are the takeover shots when you just know you can make that putt, or when everyone on your team hit the tee shot into the woods. There are raffle tickets for sale and door prizes. And, for the hot shots with low handicaps, there are prizes for winning. Once, my team won a $50 gift certificate for having the worst score. How cool is that? I have played lots of sports of various sorts and love the team aspect. I feel something special when I come through for my team, or when someone else hits me home after I got on base. And, I really love the game of golf. I dream of the perfect shot every time I stand above the ball. Playing golf using the “best ball” as in a scramble, gives golf that team sport spirit. When I hit a great shot, the rest of my foursome can relax a bit and just play. When the terrible player in me shows up, I feel confident that a team mate will help me out with a great shot of their own. And, when the rules say “par is your friend”, we all pick up the ball and play the next hole when our score is par, even if we are still in the fairway. It really is a win-win deal. It seems that in the Spring and Fall, there are benefit golf tournaments all ‘round town. So, just imagine a cool morning, a nice little breeze, dew on the grass and the birds are serenading. Then you step up to the tee box and you see a wonderful vista - fresh mowed grass, a peaceful pond. Add some egrets by the water and turtles on a log. Take a deep breath. Yes, this is what I love about the sport. Sometimes it feels more like meditation. Let’s add up the benefits: Charities, schools, and churches have held these tournaments to raise awareness and make money for their cause. They are a great way to lower your blood pressure if you don’t take yourself too seriously. And when you add in friends, fun, food and prizes, that’s a lot in the plus column. So, chose a charity, grab a buddy and play!
See ya ‘Round Town!
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This Month In History
June 17, 1885
1938 Superman hit newsstands in the summer of 1938 in Action Comics #1. Cover price in 1938 = 10¢ Value today = $350,000 The Man of Steel has held up pretty well, you could say!
1934
June 10, 1752
The Statute of Liberty arrives in New York City. The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. Total weight of the Statue of Liberty is 225 tons (or 450,000 pounds)! At the feet of the Statue lie broken shackles of oppression and tyranny.
Benjamin Franklin flies a kite in a lightening storm and discovers electricity.
Disney’s Donald Duck makes his debut. Donald first appeared in “The Wise Hen” on June 9. This makes Donald over 75 years old!
780 BC China records the first-ever documented solar eclipse.
June 4, 1987 After winning 122 straight races, hurdler Edwin Moses’ loses, ending the longest winning streak in track history.
1982 The movie E.T. is released. The film was shot on a budget of $10.5 million. By the end of its theatrical run it had grossed $359 million in the US and $619 million worldwide.
June 7, 1775 The United Colonies make a name change and become The United States. On the 15th of the same month George Washington is appointed the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Army.
1964 The Rolling Stones begin their first US tour. Since then, Billboard Magazine ranked the Rolling Stones number ten on “The Billboard Hot 100 Top All-Time Artists”. They also ranked as the second most successful group on the chart.
Music notes
by Dane Kennedy
As I pondered the possible topics for penning the first Music Notes article, my cerebral flow of possibilities was overcome by my emotional attachment to this theme. ‘’Music … Pulses to the Soul’’! There is an amazing emotional attachment that is influenced by music. For example, a mother sings to her unborn child and continues to invoke soothing melodic phrases on into their childhood. A mood is often enriched for romantic overtones with expressive lyrical content or a heavy beat that influences a “get ya groove on” attitude. The director of a movie interjects a composition to intensify the reaction of an audience during a scene. What would the movie Rocky have been without “The Eye of the Tiger?” Think about it … Music has an emotional attachment to people, places and things in our lives more than we may realize.
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When I was a young boy, I loved music! I spent countless hours playing the A or B side of my newest 45 record purchased from our latest Saturday trip to TG & Y.
For those of you not from the ancient past, TG &Y was my Walmart and a 45 record was my version of a two song CD. I would beg my parents to stay up later at night to watch the musical variety shows such as the Midnight Special. Music was like a siren song, drawing me into an endless journey. One of my favorite family outings was going to the Hayloft Jamboree. The setting was an old barn that served as a live music venue. The grown ups would socialize and dance it up while all of the kids would interact with others that you may only see on Saturday nights at the Hayloft. I would sit on a set of steps leading to the upper level of the barn, the loft. Singers, guitars, drums, fiddles, banjos … The activity was sheer magic! As the musicians poured out their souls to generate the sounds, it created an immediate effect on the people. Young
Slidell Music and old, male or female, there was a common vibe throughout the Hayloft. I was greatly affected by my exposure to music at an early age. I grew to appreciate music, those that make it and the influence it has on people. As the decades have passed, I am drawn to memories of people, places and things by hearing certain songs. The old familiar place, a childhood friend or sweetheart, a family member, a memorable vacation … As the music plays, it often places you in that moment again. For the veteran, the Stars Spangled Banner draws from a well of emotion with memories of unspeakable adventures with their fallen comrades. On the other hand, the superstar high school quarterback relishes in the memories of the “good ole’ days” of touchdowns, sock hops and cheerleaders. The associations are varied in their emotional attachments. Identical music can create a somber moment or a mischievous grin. The emotional attachment brought on by music does not always match the content or energy of the song. For instance, a sad song may remind you of a person that was dear to you. However, you were reminded of how much that person influenced you in a positive manner, a comical event you shared or the respected person of character that the individual became. That sad song created a positive memory. The reactions or emotional attachment to music can be subtle or intense. The attachment may be present, past or future. It seems there is a song for every situation influenced by exposure to various experiences in life and they speak into our present and past. I think music is the greatest mood altering influence ever created. Some of you will argue that other influences are greater. Throughout history music has been used to set a tone. It has been used to calm the savage beast. Tribes and cultures offer it up to their Gods. It is used in celebrations and in mourning. It has been used as a weapon of warfare and a learning tool. Music serves as a powerful medium for emotional transference and is universal in it’s affect on different types of people and cultures. As an experiment, I would like to place two individuals that are at odds with one another, in a confined space while playing their favorite song. The results may see them marching or dancing to the beat of the same drum. Music is powerful. It is my hope that the music you hear imparts fond memories and great inspiration into your life.
‘’MUSIC … PULSES TO THE SOUL ‘’
Where & When
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Karaoke with Missi of Witness ........ Fox’s Pizza Den
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DvDJ Madd Plaid ............................ Olde Towne Tavern Karaoke .......................................... O’Aces Top Cats ......................................... Speckled T’s
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Red Line ......................................... O’Aces Blue Eyed Soul Revue.................... Silver Slipper DvDJ Knuckles ............................... Olde Towne Tavern The Crowe Brothers ....................... Fox’s Pizza Den Flashbacks ..................................... Speckled T’s After the Fact .................................. O’Aces Alpha Tribe ..................................... Tooloulas Blue Eyed Soul Revue.................... Silver Slipper VideoDJ Cliff Melerine .................... Olde Towne Tavern Band of Brothers............................. Speckled T’s
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Karaoke with Missi of Witness ....... Fox’s Pizza Den
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Karaoke ......................................... O’Aces DvDJ Madd Plaid ........................... Olde Towne Tavern 3 Sigma ......................................... Speckled T’s
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South Souls ......................................O’Aces Jason Baglio’s Elvis Experience .......Silver Slipper VideoDJ Cliff Melerine ......................Olde Towne Tavern Group Therapy .................................Speckled T’s The Crowe Brothers .........................Fox’s Pizza Den
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Night Train ....................................... O’Aces Crescent City Celtic Band.................Shenanigans Backflow .......................................... Tooloulas Jason Baglio’s Elvis Experience ...... Silver Slipper VideoDJ Cliff Melerine ..................... Olde Towne Tavern Meanies ........................................... Speckled T’s
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Karaoke with Missi of Witness ....... Fox’s Pizza Den
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Karaoke ........................................... O’Aces DvDJ Madd Plaid ............................. Olde Towne Tavern 004 Band ......................................... Speckled T’s The Soul Acoustic ............................ Fox’s Pizza Den
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Burgers & Fries.............................. O’Aces Junior & Sumtin’ Sneaky ............... Silver Slipper VideoDJ MIG ................................. Olde Towne Tavern Witness .......................................... Speckled T’s The Crowe Brothers ...................... Fox’s Pizza Den Group Therapy .............................. O’Aces Papa P ........................................... Tooloulas Junior & Sumtin’ Sneaky ............... Silver Slipper DvDJ Knuckles .............................. Olde Towne Tavern Chicken on the Bone ..................... Speckled T’s
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Karaoke with Missi of Witness ....... Fox’s Pizza Den
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Karaoke ......................................... O’Aces DvDJ Madd Plaid ........................... Olde Towne Tavern Soul Acoustic ................................. Speckled T’s
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Witness .......................................... O’Aces Harvey Jesus & Fire ...................... Silver Slipper DvDJ Knuckles .............................. Olde Towne Tavern Autumn Rise-N .............................. Speckled T’s The Crowe Brothers ...................... Fox’s Pizza Den
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The Meanies .................................... O’Aces Harvey Jesus & Fire ........................ Silver Slipper VideoDJ Cliff Melerine ..................... Olde Towne Tavern Hit & Run ......................................... Speckled T’s
Rotary District Governor Pastor Don Bryan
By Kendra Maness
S
Slidell will be well represented on an international stage when First Pentecostal Church Pastor Don Bryan assumes his role as Rotary District Governor this month. Rotary is one of the largest and oldest service organizations in the world, with 1.2 million members in over 200 countries worldwide. These 34,000 Rotary clubs are divided into zones then districts, with each district having approximately 55 clubs. Don will govern District 6840 and its 2400 Rotarians.
“Rotary changes every office, every year - from the international president on down,” Don says. “Every club has a new president, a new governor. It’s an amazing phenomenon how they do that and still have such structure. This year’s Rotary International president is from Japan [last year’s president was from India] so it is truly an international organization.” Don knows his biggest challenge this year will be time. “There’s never enough of it!” he laughs. “I don’t want to fall
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into maintenance mode. I’ve got some things I’d like to see happen and I only have a year.” One of Don’s goals follows his theme this year of “Be a Rotarian”. He hopes to encourage every member of his district and beyond to truly fulfill the mission of Rotary, Service Above Self. Rotarians live by a code of ethics – the Four Way Test – a vow taken each day by millions of Rotarians across the globe. Each Rotary meeting begins with this test, a moral compass by which Rotarians run their businesses, serve their communities, and live their lives: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? Don’s dedication to service has guided him through his Rotary service since joining the Slidell Rotary Club in 1997. “I had never heard of Rotary. I was trying to get involved in the community in a lot of ways and Rotary was a vehicle that lets me give back in a way that fits my personal philosophy in life. They are good people. It’s not a religious organization but it has similar philosophies.” His schedule will be a busy one for the next year. Rotary DG’s are required to visit each of their approximately 55 clubs within their year of service. They are expected to give speeches and/or presentations at each
one of these. Don has faith that he is up for the challenge, drawing from his 30 years of service and experience as pastor at Untied Pentecostal Church on Robert Boulevard in Slidell. “I preach 3 full sermons a week, every week. It’s a challenge to do it because they’re all different. The sermons have to be meaningful, anointed, helpful and witty. You can’t do it off the cuff.” An avid reader and studier of the Bible, Don quotes and explains scriptures by book and chapter with great ease. He uses those Biblical principals not only in his sermons, but in his life. “I memorize it [the Bible]”, he says. “I think the greatest joy, the greatest blessing, is to serve. I’m not just saying that – it’s for real. I’m just trying to make a difference for people. I’ve always believed that you either give more in life than you take…or take more than you give. It’s one of those two. And I believe it’s better to be a giver than it is to be a receiver. But that’s a paradox. Because as you serve God, He’s giving to you. To all of us.” Don stays active at a dizzying pace. In addition to his fulltime ministerial duties, he also serves as a presbyter of the New Orleans section of the United Pentecostal Church International. “I represent the different churches and help them with resources. We have meetings and youth rallies, and I represent the district on the state board. I serve as a full steward of the district.” Adding to his service commitment, Don has also been the editor of Challenger magazine, a monthly publication in accordance with the Pentecostal religion, for the past 10 years. He also serves on the Curriculum Committee for UPC International, writing adult teacher books annually which are used by United Pentecostal churches worldwide. He serves as a board member or committee member with a number of organizations, including Keep Slidell Beautiful (he serves as chairman), Spirit of Freedom (an alcohol and drug ministry) and the Chanticleer Homeowner’s Association. He was previously appointed by Governor Foster to serve on the Governor’s Commission on Family and Marriage and served on the state Textbook Review Committee for three years (Don laughs, “Debbie [his wife of 40 years] would just roll her eyes when the delivery truck would come to the door with mountains of books stacked up this high,” he says, holding his hand above his head.)
“People ask me how I do it,” he laughs. “God just wires people differently. God gives me energy.” The next few months will see Don visiting most of his 55 district clubs (between July and October …WHEW!). In addition, there are district and international conferences, seminars, ceremonies and public appearances. Because of the break-neck pace while serving, most Rotary DGs will take an extended leave from their jobs (remember, Rotary is comprised of mostly business professionals). Don will have an associate pastor helping him throughout the year. (To see a typical calendar week for Don’s next year, see inset)
Governor
Don knows his faith will guide him through his journeys in the next year. “You give and you try to help and it all comes back to you,” he says. “That’s why I became a pastor and that’s why I’m in Rotary. I’d like to leave the woodpile a little higher.”
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PARVO: IT‛S NOT A CITY IN UTAH
We vaccinate our dogs yearly against a host of diseases. Rabies vaccines are required by law in all 50 states, because Rabies Virus is a public health issue, and domestic animals are a buffer between the human population and the wild animals (primarily bats, skunks, foxes and raccoons) that most often are diagnosed with Rabies. Other diseases on the vaccine list, such as Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Bordatella, and Parainfluenza, are serious conditions that regularly affect unvaccinated dogs. For my money though, Canine Parvovirus (NOT “Provo” Virus, as some folks call it) may be the biggest threat of them all, combining ease of transmission, severity of disease, potential to kill, and wide-spread presence in the environment.
Jeff Perret, DVM
www.VeterinaryMedicalCenterSlidell.com
Today, vaccines given on the correct schedule are very effective at stimulating immunity and preventing disease. Unvaccinated puppies, or those with poor immune systems, however, are at huge risk for contracting Parvovirus. The virus is everywhere, and it survives in the environment for long periods of time. Puppies don’t need to come in direct contact with an infected animal to become infected themselves. Parvo can be carried and spread on people’s hands, pets’ food bowls, shoes, other surfaces, almost anywhere. Unless an environment is specifically Custom apparel programs disinfected against Name brand designers it, you can assume Team apparel there’s Parvo there. Over 10,000 promotional products Keeping a puppy indoors, or away Attractive showroom from dog parks or In-house design & production services kennels or grooming Quick turnaround parlors in an attempt No minimum order required to shield it from the virus is futile, and will not protect against Parvovirus! The key Month of June is proper vaccination.
It’s quite a long and complicated story, but Canine Parvovirus as we know it today is a mutant form of a Feline virus, and it essentially didn’t exist before the mid 1970’s. When the mutation occurred, no dogs had any immunity to the new strain, and the resulting epidemic was disastrous.
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Despite what you may have heard, Parvo cannot be diagnosed just by looking at, or smelling (yuck!), the feces. Watery, dark reddish diarrhea is the hallmark of the disease, along with depression, vomiting and loss of appetite;
however, other diseases can cause similar symptoms. If a puppy with a questionable vaccination history starts showing these signs, it’s a pretty good bet that Parvo is the reason, until proven otherwise. A specific test should be run, usually with a fecal sample, to be certain of the diagnosis. Parvo puppies are often infected with intestinal parasites as well, which only makes matters worse. Parvovirus attacks the healthy lining of the intestines, causing ulceration, bleeding, fluid loss, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, secondary bacterial infections, and eventually, death. Almost all cases of Parvo require hospitalization, IV fluid and antibiotic therapy, and medication to control vomiting and fluid and electrolyte losses. As in the case of most viral infections, we don’t have good drugs to kill the virus itself; we mostly hope to control the symptoms as best we can, and keep the patient alive, while the virus runs its course and the puppy’s immune system mounts an antibody response. Many factors affect a given patient’s response to therapy, including early diagnosis and the dog’s immune status. With proper care and early intervention, we can achieve full recovery in 80% or more of Parvo cases. Without adequate treatment, almost all will die. After a treatment (hopefully successful), the question of disinfecting the patient’s environment is crucial. If no steps are taken to disinfect, indoor areas should be considered contaminated for at least a month. Outdoor areas are contaminated for 6 – 8 months or more. A 30:1 bleach and water solution, with 10 minutes contact time, completely kills Parvovirus, but bleach isn’t an option for all surfaces, such as grass or carpet. Steam cleaning is also fairly effective. Again, it’s practically impossible to remove all virus from an environment. The goal is to reduce the number of virus particles to a relatively safe level. There’s so much more to say about Parvovirus, but this information covers most of the important points. I hope I’ve gotten two major take-home messages across. First, proper vaccination by a veterinarian is the key to prevention. Second, in the event of infection, swift and aggressive treatment offers the best chance for survival. Consult your veterinarian for more information.
Tour de Farce by Joan K. Phriles
Raised in Slidell, Joseph P. Larkin is a comedian living in Los Angeles who currently resides in the back of a converted storefront that doubles as an underground comedy space and art gallery. In the three years since Larkin first cut his teeth at open mics in New Orleans, he has released a CD (“The Very Special World of Joseph Larkin”), helped run two underground comedy venues in Los Angeles (Dangerfield’s 2 and Dangerfield’s 3, the latter being the storefront where he currently makes his home), produced countless shows at notorious dive bars (the legendary Big Fish in Glendale, CA, for instance) and performed hundreds of times in a variety of arenas, many not suitable for comedy, from bowling alleys to exalted comedy clubs like The Improv in Hollywood. Prior to embarking on a career talking into a microphone in front of drunks, Larkin published a book of comic strips and weird little drawings called “The Arcade of Cruelty” (this book and Larkin’s aforementioned stand-up CD can be purchased at his shows and on his website, found at www.also-ran.com). Larkin will be performing in his hometown for the very first time at the Cutting Edge Theater on Friday, June 22. Slidell Magazine took this auspicious occasion to interview him about his achievements (and challenges) while punching the clock at the comedy factory for the past three years. 32
Q: How did you get started? And why
stand-up comedy? Did you lose a bet?
A: Years ago, I dated a woman who
dreamed about being a stand-up comedienne but was too afraid to go through with it. So I decided I would try stand-up once to prove to her and myself that I could do something she didn’t have the guts to do. So I went to an open mic in New Orleans one night in 2009. And I bombed. Bad. Real bad. So I kept at it to spite all the comedians and audience members who didn’t take to my act that first time I did it. So, essentially, I do comedy out of spite. Oh, and because I love to make people laugh! (But mostly out of spite.)
Q: How do you deal with hecklers? A: I try to destabilize them in order
to shut them down; I’ll agree with their heckle and make fun of myself or humiliate them until they zip their lips. When all else fails, I can always threaten to hit them with the microphone stand! Works like a charm.
Q: What’s the best part about being a
comedian? The worst part? A: The best part is being able to express yourself freely for three to thirty minutes at a clip. The worst part is everything else, especially the poverty. The lifestyle of a comedian is downright pathetic. Very little money and even less acclaim, at least for the first ten years. But it’s one of the
truest forms of art, one that allows the performer to speak in an unfiltered way, so it beats digging ditches if you ask me. And you did ask me! You are interviewing me!
Q: That I am. What are some of the
strangest places you’ve performed at? A: I’ve done comedy in parks through megaphones, on the front steps of the Victorian house I used to live in, on the boardwalk at Venice Beach, in some guy’s backyard, etc. Venues not exactly made for comedy oftentimes are a lot more fun than actual comedy venues. Some of the worst sets I’ve ever done were at places like The Comedy Store, oddly enough.
Q: You’ll be performing at Cutting
Edge Theater on June 22 but you won’t be performing alone—with whom will you be performing?
A: I will have one or two other LA-
based comedians in tow, one may come as a surprise guest and the other is a veteran of the trade named Steve Schneider. Schneider and I will likely be doing thirty minutes a piece, regardless of whether or not the third comic can make it down, so people will be getting a full show. Schneider’s outrageous, fearless and raunchy. He’s got a great education and has worked numerous impressive jobs over the years but does comedy now because
he’s too much of a smart aleck to keep a regular 9-5. He’s had over thirty jobs—he’s thrown away careers others would kill for in pursuit of his comedic muse. He looks quite decent and normal but his material is anything but. He hates political correctness and flouts it every chance he gets. He told me to say all of this. There is possibly a spark of humanity buried deep inside of him; we certainly hope so. We hope this show will be a huge success so we can keep coming back and doing shows in Slidell on a semi-regular basis. This performance is kind of an experiment and if it is a success, we can do more shows in the future and the quality of the shows will get even better because we will be able to pay bigger comedians to fly down and perform with us. I run with a lot of great comedians in Los Angeles, many who are better and more accomplished than I am, and I look forward to the possibility of showing them around my hometown and introducing them to all of you. I should tell you that both Schneider and I have dark senses of humor and our material is often quite vulgar. This is not to say that we try to offend audiences but we always prefer that crowds come into our shows with an open mind and a willingness to be challenged a bit, albeit in a fun way. Our comedy is not for the faint of heart, it is gallows humor.
Q: What’s the first thing you’ll do when you get into town?
A: Play with my cat. Seriously. I am going to play with my cat.
Q: Are you doing any other shows in the area? A: Yes! Schneider and I will be doing two shows in
New Orleans that weekend with some local comics. On Saturday, June 23rd, we will take part in Fail Fest 3, a free show at the 12 Bar. I have been a part of the previous two Fail Fests and can attest to the quality of this little comedy festival. We will also be doing a show with a bunch of cool New Orleans comics at La Nuit on Sunday, June 24th. The cover at the door will be dirt cheap, something like $3-$5. More details about all of these shows can be found online, so Google at will, people! Larkin fans unite!
Comedy Show
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who’s actually been-there and done-that. A first round pick of the Florida Marlins in 2005, Jacob Marceaux is a good friend of mine and provides first-hand experience of baseball as a unique and captivating sport. If there is anyone I trust about baseball, it would be him.
Slidell Magazine and Slidell Athletic Club are proud to introduce “Jockularity”, our new sports opinion feature. Louisianians are passionate about their sports and we‛re not shy about our opinions. So, every month, we‛ll bring you the outspoken insights of sports enthusiast and aficionado, Corey Hogue. We‛d love to hear your opinions too! Send us your feedback: Jockularity@SlidellMag.com
B
Baseball is America’s most traditional
sport. From its humble beginnings to the product we see today and with the greats like Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron, baseball has such a rich history. All of this greatness... and it’s still so boring! I can never make it through an inning watching it on TV, much less an entire game. And now with instant replay? Ugh. I used to have a roommate, a self-proclaimed baseball “fanatic,” who would watch part of the game, take a nap, and finish watching the last inning. Even the “fanatics” can’t hang the whole game!
And yet, there are so many people that love baseball. At least they claim to. I don’t understand, there doesn’t seem to be anything exciting about it. No victory dances after a score, no hard hits (on purpose), and there is no pre-game baseball chant. Nobody I know goes tailgating for baseball games or devotes whole days to watch a game with family and friends. This all leads to my burning question about baseball….Why are we so fascinated with such a slow-paced sport? Why do we spend so much time watching a sport with no climax, no excitement? I decided to ask someone
$
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I first asked Jacob what prompted him to pursue baseball initially. His response was interesting. “I grew up playing football, basketball and baseball. I played all three in high school and won state championships in all three. But my passion was always baseball and it was what I was best at. It was in my blood from early on!” This only made me think of more questions. Where does this passion come from? How do you pass up such intense sports like football and basketball for a hum-drum sport like baseball? Is it the fans? How does he get excited for games? To clarify, I asked Jacob to describe the feelings that the fans spark in him, if they “fueled” his drive on the field, or if they were more of an accessory. “The fans are everything! There is nothing like playing in front of thousands of fans, either screaming for you or against you. It was always important for me to connect with the fans - especially the kids, because we are all role models - BOTTOM LINE!” This is understandable as fans are a great
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inspiration for any player in a sport. Fans bring in the revenue, make the game more interesting, and can influence any game in any sport. Maybe fans are the best part of being a baseball player.
to try to attract more people, but the things like bingo, the dizzy spinning bat race, and the other antics are simple and added some fun variety. What’s even better was that it didn’t feel forced.
Any live sporting event has another important factor – atmosphere. I asked him to describe the atmosphere of a pro baseball game in one word and why that word. He said, “INTENSE! When the lights turn on, the switch gets flipped and it’s game time. There are so many games in baseball that it is crucial to keep focused, yet relaxed, because of the amount of games.” Intense? It seems completely opposite to me. The players are athletic and I don’t think any of them are lazy. But there is so much standing around and doing nothing. If they aren’t batting, pitching, or running, they are like bumps on a log. And how many sports do you have to remain “relaxed”?
The more I sat and enjoyed myself, the more I realized just how similar baseball is to what we love in Louisiana. Being a “grill master” myself, I couldn’t help but relate the baseball game to a good southern family bar-b-que. The food and fun, all the while the main attraction is going on in the background.
I respect Jacob’s insight. No one I know has as much experience with baseball as he does. His answers piqued my interest and made me ask more questions in my head; I HAD to know what the big deal was. The only way to know what the excitement was all about was to go and actually experience a live game. I decided that I would do my readers a selfless service and go to a Zephyr’s game, both because I’m just that thoughtful, and to give everyone my educated insights. You know, just for you guys... Once I arrived at the game, climbed the ramp and passed the entrance, the view expanded in front of me. A beautiful, trim, green plain filled my vision. Then I heard the sounds and was overwhelmed by the smells. Vendors yelling at the crowds, the smell of popcorn, barbecue, and jambalaya, the conversations about everything from football and baseball to Jazz Fest and food (pretty much just a list of all that makes New Orleans great). To add a side note, it should be a requirement to go to a game with family and friends, because the environment pregame was the friendliest, most relaxed atmosphere I’ve experienced in a long time. I think being a part of that all alone would be dull.
As the game wound down and the 7th inning stretch came on, I realized for the first time that the Zephyrs hadn’t even scored. Not once. Usually when the Saints, the Tigers, or even the Hornets take too long to score, I get aggravated and annoyed. I yell about how I could do better, either screaming to get me a helmet or give me a headset. I wasn’t apathetic about the score, I was at peace with it. I wish that we had won, but anytime the ball was hit, it was exciting. I left the ballpark feeling that we should appreciate the attitude the experience gives us. We all rush through life and most of our interests help to encourage that pace, but baseball reminds us to relax and enjoy what’s happening around us. Football and basketball are high energy, intense sports that get your blood boiling and get you screaming at the television screen, the refs, or the coaches. But baseball means drinking a beer, eating some hot dogs, and shooting the breeze instead of yelling your lungs out and acting ridiculous. I’ve thought for years that football is America’s new sport. But while football is (arguably) more popular, baseball is truly America’s sport because it helps us to appreciate what we really have and enjoy in life. Especially in Louisiana - we appreciate friends, family, and a good time. Nothing perpetuates this attitude more than the pace of a baseball game. Whether or not you actually like the sport, you will appreciate the attitude it brings to your life. Go to a game, enjoy the fun time. And be careful if a foul ball comes your way. It might be the scariest part of an otherwise relaxing game.
ENROLLMENT FEE
After the game started, that atmosphere never changed. I have been to a few football and basketball games over the years, and once those games start, it’s like all of the pre-game suspense explodes with the announcer’s booming voice. This felt more like a river, the game just flowed. I expected more pep and over-the-top stuff
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Corey Hogue June 2012 Jockularity@SlidellMag.com
Food Spy o f
S l i d e l l
The Food Spy of Slidell
How I Rate ‘Em .......................Oops!Try Again! ...............................Not Bad .............................Cool! .....Way Good Stuff
...Slap Your Mama! Anyway, this reminds me of a quaint little restaurant in Olde Towne I visited recently:
This spy has just received a new mission, if I choose to accept it! And since food is a passion of mine, I could not decline. “Seek out and critique one restaurant, and tell it like it is,” my editor suggested. The challenge here is we also need keep to “positive”. Like the magazine says, “Keep It Fresh, Keep It Positive”. So, with my mission and my passion, I set out to spy… Do you know the Aladdin song? “Prince Ali! Fabulous he! Ali Ababwa” I love that song! Consider holding hands with your best friend and skip down the street singing this, you’ll laugh out loud!
Ali Baba Café & Deli 1960 First Street, Slidell So I tried to sneak in and check the place out, but sneaking was tough…unfortunately. There were very few people there at lunch during my visit. We were greeted by the owner, a very friendly, middle-eastern gentleman. He answered our few questions with great ease and sincerity. I thought ‘what a cool place’…Individual service by the owner and wonderful food! Their menu was as authentic as I could expect, simple, and full of Middle Eastern and Greek specialties.
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I tried one of the wraps, hummus, pita bread and Lebanese Rose Water Iced Tea. All excellent. Serving appetizers on plastic isn’t too cool though. The portions are small, but very adequate. After all, we don’t REALLY need to over-eat like most of America. And for those of you that are into the Vegetarian diet, they are Vegan friendly. They also offer delivery and outdoor dining in historic Olde Towne. I enjoyed this comfortable, quiet little place with a good friend. I think you will too. So for me, they rate:
Ali Baba Café & Deli Give them a look and see what YOU think! Lagniappe: I BET only a few of you know of an awesome gem of Slidell. Close your eyes and put yourself in a neat hole in the wall in the French Quarter. Now, open them. You will still feel the same, but you’ll be in little Slidell at Brewgiers Organic Coffee Shop on Tiger Drive, in front of Slidell High. Tell Melissa the Spy sent you and, and you will not want to leave!
Reader input: YOU can take part in this article if you’d like! Send us YOUR discoveries, YOUR questions, YOUR memories!
Until next time, remember - You Are What You Eat!
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The Food Spy of Slidell FoodSpyOfSlidell@SlidellMag.com
Let’s talk about BUGS baby! By: Carol Ruiz – Blue Star Pest Control Well folks June is here. Happy Father’s Day to all dad’s out there. I hope we can show the men in our lives just how important they are to us, and in south Louisiana we have more creative, delicious, sporty and loving ways to do just that. Most of us have survived the very early Formosan termite swarms in our area. Whew! That was a brutal experience, right? But remember - although you may not see the nightly swarms or arrive home in late evenings to witness them crawling about the house, those little wood destroyers eat year round. Don’t let your guard down. If this year has reminded us about anything, it’s that Formosan termites have been in our parish in large numbers growing yearly. You can and should seek them out, and do everything possible not to attract them to your home. Many of you have mentioned to me about how helpful our website is, thank you! We work hard at getting you the right information. I invite my readers to visit: BlueStarBugs.com and browse through the wealth of information. Click
on the yellow banner on the front page for Swarming Formosan Termite Facts. You will also find our latest T.V. commercial and an informative 8 minute video on our industry as well as tips on how to hire a pest control operator. If you have children, check out our kids pages for learning games, coloring pages, and fun ways to learn pest ecology. Look up some amazing pests from around the world and test yourself by taking our pest threat and prevention quiz. You can even send a buggy e-post card! With summer here and school being out, we may be tempted to allow the kids a little bit more freedom on the family computer. Make sure you follow this simple rule. “Good things in – Good things out”. Plan ahead by jotting down some websites pre-approved for their computer time like the kids pages on our site. TEACHERS, there is even a section for you! It has lesson plans and classroom resources to guide your students in the world of entomology!
There is always that one kid who keeps bringing bugs in from the playground. Well, next year, be ready to inspire your class! We’ve got pest guides, student games, tips for report writing and even science fair information all with helpful downloads for grades K-8. Another website is our retail site: PestSolutionsStore.com . This site has the same great information for kids and parents along with a way to purchase the same professional pest control products that we use at Blue Star Pest Control. With all this information at our fingertips, we are ready for a great Louisiana Summer!
Happy Father’s Day to the dads in our lives!
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Mag Slidell ition rd 23 Ed
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too fast?” mean I drive “What do you airboat an ng offeri Mike Fradella Silver Slipper ride home from
Double Troub le! Kendra Hamri ck puts the Ch cutting scisso amber ribbon rs to good us e on Kendra Maness
Business Wom en‛s Network Scholarship Awards Night at Christophe r‛s on Carey. Congratulation s to our recipi ents!
wer! Kendra, print flower po n ia ai aw H ! at the Wow d L.J.Caruso Sam Caruso an vo Rendez us SMH Rooftop Rotary Distr ict Governor, Pastor Don Bryan, runs on stage to do hi s best B.B. King imit ation