The Best of Times December 2008

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 December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008 

Make Your Choice...

Retirement • Rehabilitative Services • Long-Term Nursing Care s 3TATE OF THE ART REHABILITATION lTNESS CENTER s NEW FULLY lNISHED GUEST QUARTERS s %LEGANT INTERIOR DESIGN WITH THE lNEST FURNISHINGS s 3ETTING A NEW STAND IN LUXURY EXEMPLARY SERVICE AND CARE

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 December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

The offending word was “holocaust.”

Not only was the use of that word a grievous mistake, especially in such an obviously joking context, it was also a mistake of the more regular kind.

The “final version” of the illustration is shown here. Through what can For “Adrian’s Thanksgiving Feast,” only be described as a horrendous error (Nov. 2008), an illustration was prepped in proofing and editing, our (admittedly intended to imagine a world in which small) staff overlooked replacing the inibirds had their own tabloid newspaper. tially-pasted-down preliminary version In attempting to describe how turkey of the illustration before the magazine went to press. journalists might react We are sorry to have failed to the loss of millions our readers in this way. Please of their kind around know that bigotry of any kind, Thanksgiving, a word even the unintended kind, was used in the headline has no place in The Best of of that imaginary newsTimes. We apologize for such paper that unfortunately insensitivity. conjured up memories of It will not happen again.  real concentration camps.

It’s December, so this must be the annual PHOTO ISSUE! Thank every one of you for your pictures! And, as usual, there’s a lot more

to see. Our bag of

goodies is as full as

Santa’s. Enjoy!

As noted on page 14, The Best of Times won another slew of awards recently. While it’s Gary and I who go to the conventions and accept those awards, I encourage you to examine all the names in our Staff Box to learn who’s responsible for winning them. Kudos2all!

THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008 

48 Acadian On Call 43 Aging and Disability Resource Center 21 Arcadian Community Care 45 ArkLaTex Home Health 10 Azalea Estates Assisted Living 19 Balentine Ambulance 19 Bible Correspondence Course 23 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana 38 BluePrint Louisiana 31 Brentwood Hospital - Senior Care

47 Carter Federal Credit Union 50 Centuries Memorial and Hillcrest 7 Certified Limb and Brace 37 Clear Digital Entertainment 11 Comfort Keepers 3 Community Hospices of America 19 Cruises, Inc. 34 Daniel C. Scarborough, IV, Attorney 41 Discover Limu 16 Dixie Tours 15 Dr. Bryan Vekovius 20 Dr. Gary Booker 7 Dr. David Persson 9 Family Care Services 49 Gutter Helmet 11 GWS Mortgage, LLC 47 Healthy Choices, LLC 23 Home Assistance Services

 December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

25 Home Health Medical Supply 37 Home Medical Supply 56 Humana 50 Imperial Wok 49 IV Plus Pharmacy 17 Joe Gilsoul, Attorney 50 Judy Holland, realtor 34 Kingsley Place - Shreveport 56 KVKI 96.5 42 Lil’ Rascals Pet Care 13 Live Oak Retirement Community 26 Louisiana Drug Card 15 Northwest INCS, Inc. 52 NurseCare of Shreveport 24 Odyssey HealthCare 37 Pierremont Eye Institute 11 Red River Coaches 31 ResCare Home Care 38 Robinson Film Center 15 Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino 19 Seniors Club 25 Serio Investments 44 ShoeBooty’s Restaurant 18 Shreveport Little Theatre 45 Shreveport Opera 16 Shreve Hearing Aid Service 9 Skin Technology - Jeany Mitchell 31 Snell’s Orthotics and Prosthetics 18 Spring Lake Assisted Living 20 St. Joseph Hospice 54 Sterling Health Plans 41 Suzie’s Custom Embroidery 44 Synergy Home Care 32 TES Regional Healthcare Federal Credit Union 11 Texas Roadhouse 4 The Bradford, LLC 12 The Center for Families 47 The User Friendly Phone Book 22 The Waterford at Shreveport 55 Total Care Medical Clinic 7 Town & Country Total Wellness 42 United Home Health Care of Shreveport 33 Vantage Health Plan, Inc. 2 Willis Knighton Health System

Jason Alderman, Lee Aronson, Lori Berry, Al Bolton, Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, Suzy Cohen, Judge Jeff Cox, Ted Kooser,

THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008 

Medicare stops paying hospitals for medical errors

This just in l About 13% of elderly Americans are mistreated, according to a University of Chicago study. The researchers found that 9% of adults reported verbal mistreatment, 3.5% reported financial mistreatment and 0.2% reported physical mistreatment. Physical impairment apparently plays a role in mistreatment. Of the people reporting verbal mistreatment, 26% identified their spouse or romantic partner as being responsible, 15% said their children mistreated them, while the remainder said that a friend, neighbor, co-worker or boss was responsible. Among people who reported financial mistreatment, 57% reported someone other than a spouse, parent or child, usually another relative, was taking advantage of them. (“Elder Mistreatment in the U.S.: Prevalence Estimates from a Nationally-Representative Study,” published in the Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences.) l The U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced recently that eligible veterans will see an increase in the mileage reimbursement they receive for travel to VA facilities for medical care from 28.5 cents per mile to 41.5 cents per mile for all eligible veterans. While increasing the payment, the current deductible amounts applied to certain mileage reimbursements will remain frozen at $7.77 for a one way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, and capped at a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month.

On January 9, 2009, these deductibles will decrease to $3 for a one way trip, $6 for a round trip, with a maximum of $16 per calendar month. Deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship. l The majority of both small (75%) and large (72%) employers responding to the 2008 National Study of Employers allow time off for employees to provide elder care without jeopardizing their jobs.  December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will no longer reimburse hospitals for ten categories of preventable medical errors that result in serious risk of injury to patients. CMS prohibits hospitals to charge people with Medicare for the additional costs associated with treating these conditions.

Hospitals will now assume the costs of procedures associated with “never events,” so called because they should never occur. While Medicare will save $21 million as a result of the new policy, the primary purpose of the rule is to improve quality of care for people with Medicare by creating greater incentives for doctors and hospitals to avoid preventable errors.

The expectation is that if these errors affect

hospitals’ overall budgets, doctors and hospitals will take more aggressive measures to prevent these errors.

The ten categories of “never events” Medicare no longer covers include remedial treatments related to foreign objects retained by patients after surgery; transfusion of incompatible blood; falls and traumas during a hospital stay; manifestations of poor glycemic controls; catheter-associated urinary tract infections; surgical site infection following a coronary artery bypass graft or orthopedic surgery; and deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism. (Medicare Rights Center)

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, recently released the agency’s new Strategic Plan. Using the motto, “Social Security Benefits America,” the plan identifies the challenges the agency faces and the steps needed over the next five years to meet those challenges.

Among the many challenges facing the agency are the unacceptable backlog of disability claims and the aging baby boomer population who will be filing retirement and disability claims at an everincreasing rate.

To address these and other challenges, the plan concentrates on four specific goals: • Eliminate the hearings backlog and prevent its recurrence.

• Improve the speed and quality of the disability process.

• Improve retiree and other core services.

• Preserve the public’s trust in Social Security’s programs.

To read the full text of Social Security’s Strategic Plan, go www.socialsecurity. gov/strategicplan.html.

Social Security commissioner releases new agency strategic plan

VA launches Medical Foster Home Program

The Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport is launching a Medical Foster Home Program (MFH). The Medical Foster Home (MFH) is a unique partnership of adult foster home and Home Based Primary Care (HBPC), serving those veterans that are in need of greater care. The veteran can choose to live in a home-like environment while they continue to receive their primary healthcare through the VA. In the past, many veterans living alone with no family support would have to be placed into a nursing home.

MFH offers a safe, favorable, and less costly alternative. MFH finds a caregiver in the community who is willing to take a veteran into their home and provide 24-hour supervision as well as needed personal assistance. The expectation is that this is a long-term commitment, where the veteran may live for the remainder of his or her life. The cost of the MFH is the responsibility of the veteran. If you are interested in becoming a caregiver or if you know of community members who might be interested in becoming a caregiver in the Shreveport/Bossier area, contact the MFH Coordinator, Vicki Rachal, at 318990-4756 or 1800-863-7441, ext. 4756.

Annual Medicare Part D re-enrollment period has begun From November 15 through December 31, all people with Medicare can make any change to their health or drug coverage. During this time you can change to another Medicare private health plan or to Original Medicare, and add, drop or change Medicare drug coverage (Part D).

New coverage starts January 1.

Part D is outpatient prescription drug coverage for anyone with Medicare. Enrollment is optional; whether you should take Part D depends on your current coverage and costs. You are generally limited in when you can change your coverage. The Annual Coordinated Election Period is the time of year when everyone with Medicare can make any change they like.

Part D coverage is available only through private companies. If you want this coverage, you have to choose and enroll in a private prescription drug plan.

You must pick a plan that works with your Medicare health coverage. People who have Original Medicare can enroll in a “stand-alone” plan, which offers only

drug coverage. Most people who get their Medicare benefits through a Medicare private health plan - such as an HMO or PPO - must get their drug coverage as part of the health plan’s benefit package (there are a few exceptions).

Premiums, annual deductibles, copayments, covered drugs (formulary) and participating pharmacies vary from plan to plan. And most plans change their costs and benefits every year, so even if you are happy with the plan you had this year, it is important to review your options to make sure you will be in a plan that best meets your needs in 2009.

You can compare stand-alone prescription drug plans by going to the Medicare website, www.medicare.gov, and clicking on “Medicare Prescription Drug Plans - 2009 Plan Data.” Enter the medicines you take and pharmacies you use, and this plan finder tool will estimate your monthly out-of-pocket costs in different plans.

You can also call 800-MEDICARE to get information about the plans. (MRC)

THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008 

‘Tis the season to be stressed out

Medical Briefs

l In a study of 16,638 older adults, people who were married, active in volunteer groups, and in regular contact with friends, family, and neighbors had slower declines in memory than their less social counterparts. In fact, mental declines in the most socially active types were about half of those in the least social group. l The more active people are on a daily basis, the lower their odds of dying from cancer, according to a large study of Japanese men and women. And it’s true regardless of what people do - whether it’s runs on the treadmill or strength workouts or leisurely rounds of golf and long walks with the dog. Any type of physical activity will do. l Sleeping less than seven and a half hours per day may be associated with future risk of heart disease, according to a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. In addition, a combination of little sleep and overnight elevated blood pressure appears to be associated with an increased risk of the disease.

10  December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

It is not normal to feel down at the holidays, but many people do. Often, family gatherings, which should bring joy, cause stress and this year could be worse because of the country’s poor financial shape.

That’s the warning from the head of the Department of Psychiatry at Temple University’s School of Medicine. The holidays can do a number on a person for a number of reasons, and right at the top of the list of culprits are dollars and daylight, or better put, lack of them.

Researchers say the best way to deal with all the stress is to identify it. If money is an issue, sit down and work out a strategy before the holidays. Be realistic going into situations to reduce the stress level. And look for early signs of stress, like irritability, inability to relax or sleep, loss of appetite or feeling overwhelmed.

Such signs could also signal the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Less daylight makes some people with normal mental health for most of the year start to feel depressed or lethargic because of the loss of light. Couple that with a loss of income and people might not be able to afford treatment for SAD, which could include light therapy. That creates more stress, as people feeling blue start to worry about how to pay for gifts. Since any stress can trigger an episode, speak with your doctor so you enjoy the holidays instead of wishing they were over. (Newswise)

Let the sunshine in

The temperature might not be the only thing plummeting this winter. Many people also will experience a decrease in their vitamin D levels, which can play a role in heart disease, according to a new review article in Circulation.

Vitamin D deficiency results in part from reduced exposure to sunlight, which is common during cold weather months when days are shorter and more time is spent indoors. Chronic vitamin

D deficiency may be a culprit in heart disease, high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome. The article cited a number of studies that linked vitamin D deficiency to heart disease. These studies found rates of severe disease or death may be 30 to 50% higher among sun-deprived individuals with heart disease.

Researchers concluded that diet alone is not sufficient to manage vitamin D levels.

Treatment options to correct this level, such as vitamin D2 or D3, may decrease the risk of severe disease or death from cardiovascular disorders. The preferred range in the body is 30 - 60 ng/mL of 25(OH) vitamin D. (Newswise)

Acupuncture reduces side effects of breast cancer treatment

Acupuncture is as effective and longer-lasting in managing the common debilitating side effects of hot flashes, night sweats, and excessive sweating (vasomotor symptoms) associated with breast cancer treatment and has no treatment side effects compared to conventional drug therapy, according to a first-of-itskind study presented at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 50th Annual Meeting in Boston. Findings also show there were additional benefits to acupuncture treatment for breast cancer patients, such as an increased sense of well being, more energy, and in some cases, a higher sex drive, that were not experienced in those patients who underwent drug treatment for their hot flashes. ( Newswise)

Internet use good for the brain

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A new study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and reported in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry shows that searching the Internet triggers key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning.

Internet browsing may help stimulate and even improve brain function which may help middleaged and older adults keep their memories sharp. Additionally the scientists discovered that searching the world wide web exercised the mind far more than reading and was similar to completing crosswords and puzzles. It was so stimulating that the authors of the study believe it could actually help people maintain healthier brains into their old age.

In the aging brain, atrophy and reduced cell activity can take a toll on cognitive function. Activities that keep the brain engaged can preserve brain health and thinking ability.

THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008  11

Pomegranates are the new superfood

Here’s to your good health l Carrots might be the most familiar eye-friendly vegetable, but kale, collard and mustard greens, spinach and other green leafy veggies are just as important for the eyes because they contain lutein.

Some studies have shown that lutein can reverse symptoms of macular degeneration. To prevent dry eyes, stock up on omega-3 fatty acids from fish and flax. l Contrary to a common recommendation to avoid eating popcorn, nuts and corn to prevent diverticular complications, a large prospective study of men indicates that the consumption of these foods does not increase the risk of diverticulosis or diverticular complications, according to a study in the August issue of JAMA. l Olive oil, the unsaturated fat that’s great for your heart, is making headlines again. But this time it’s for helping your stomach. Research suggests that polyphenols in olive oil may inhibit the bacterium, Helicobacter (H.) pylori, that causes most stomach ulcers, even antibiotic-resistant strains.

To protect the polyphenols in olive oil, store in a dark bottle away from sunlight, and don’t overheat.

12  December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

The pomegranate, a leathery fruit packed with delicious seeds, has been used medicinally since ancient times. Researchers recently took a closer look, reviewing over 90 pomegranaterelated studies. They found that pomegranates have antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antiinflammatory, and even antimicrobial properties. Pomegranates may help fight: • Cancer: In lab studies, pomegranate extract triggered the death of both prostate and breast cancer cells.

• Blood pressure: Pomegranate juice dropped systolic numbers in hypertensive patients.

• Blood sugar: Pomegranate improved blood sugar levels in animal studies.

• Atherosclerosis: Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants that can keep bad LDL cholesterol from oxidizing. This degradation of LDL seems to be an initial step in the development of atherosclerosis.

• Clotting: Pomegranate juice, like aspirin, can help keep blood platelets from clumping together to form unwanted clots.

A word of caution: Pomegranate juice appears to interfere with certain medications much as grapefruit juice does. So when grapefruit juice is risky, pomegranate juice might be as well.

Turn up the heat on tomatoes

Turning up the heat on the red tomato during processing has the potential to give the garden staple added disease-fighting power, Ohio State University research suggests. Scientists have found that lycopene molecules in tomatoes that are combined with fat and subjected to intense heat during processing are restructured in a way that appears to ease their transport into the bloodstream and tissue. The tomato is the primary food source of lycopene, a naturally occurring pigment linked to the prevention of cancer and other chronic diseases. (Newswise)

Sweet remedy for coughs

If a nagging cough is keeping you awake, and cough syrup doesn’t help, honey might. It’s been a favored home remedy for sore throats for decades, and now new research shows it really can silence nighttime hacking.

And many doctors recommend a bit of

honey for adult patients, too. Try it with tea and lemon for extra throat lubrication.

An added bonus is that honey is a great source of antioxidants.

Scientists have only just begun to tap into honey’s medical uses. Early research shows it may have a strong antibacterial edge and might fight sinus infections.

(Caution: Never give honey to a child who’s not yet a year old, because there’s a risk of botulism.)

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0HOTOGRAPH TAKEN ON ,IVE /AK S GROUNDS BY $ARRELL 2EBOUCHE THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008  13

The North American Mature Publishers Association (NAMPA) annual convention was held in St. Louis, Missouri, this year. Not exactly the Bahamas of last year’s event, but St. Louis is a beautiful city on the Mississippi River and there is much to see and do.

One of the most anticipated events of the convention is the announcement of the independently-judged winners in the various categories measuring publication excellence, the primary reason the non-profit organization exists.

The first time we tentatively offered up our little magazine for such professional judging, we were delighted to take home eight awards. Last year, in the Bahamas, we happily scooped up 13 first- and second-place wins.

“Best of Show” We are pleased and proud to announce that this year “Best Review Column“ NAMPA saw fit to hon(To Mike Jameson for or The Best of Times the restaurant reviews) with 15 awards, “Best Briefs and Shorts” the most of (STAT! Medical News and Info) any maga“Best Special Section” zine or

First Place:

newspaper in our division.

Gary and I firmly believe that such competitions improve the publications involved, encouraging publishers, editors, writers, designers and everyone who serves the community through the print media to step up their game. Senior publications don’t have to be bland and boring.

Our goal isn’t to win awards, but to improve; to work at getting better and better in our approach to the information you want and need to see. In a very real sense, we haven’t won anything, but you, dear reader, certainly have. This year alone you won at least 15 times. --Tina Calligas 14  December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

(April 2008 Caregiver’s Guide) “Best How-To Feature“ (April 2008 Caregiver’s Tips)  “Best Briefs & Shorts Design” (”Eat Like Your Life Depends On It”) “Best Banner ” (Our “logo,” designed by Mike Jameson) “Best Single Ad Design“ (Category: Black and White) “Best Use of Color (overall)” A JUDGE’S COMMENT: “This magazine (The Best of Times)

Second Place: “General Excellence” “Feature Writing” Amanda Newton for “Genealogy: A How to Guide” “How-To Feature” Mike Jameson, March 2008 “The Best of Times Tips”

combines passionate watchdog reporting with a healthy array of expert columnists, all in the name of looking out for its audience.

It’s a serious read that the civic-minded are certain to appreciate.”

“Senior Issues” Lee Aronson and his column on the law.

“Overall Design” “Front Cover” December 2007 

THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008  15

financial

Cut your holiday gift costs

In good times, people tend to spend more generously; during rough periods, they scale back Jason Alderman

One interesting way to gauge someone’s comfort level with the state of the economy is to ask how much they plan to spend on holiday gifts. In good times, people tend to spend more generously; during rough periods, they scale back. Those trends were borne out in a recent consumer survey conducted by Visa Inc., which found that shoppers plan to spend an average of $934 on gifts this holiday season, down about 11% from last year’s $1,051 average. That jibes with bleak industry forecasts for the upcoming shopping season.

If you’re among those looking for ways to manage your holiday spending while still finding meaningful gifts for your loved ones, read on: First, consider your overall finances.

Before spending a dime on gifts, step back and calculate how much you can afford as a portion of your overall budget. Consider

questions such as: • Are your savings sufficient to cover expenses for a few months if you or your spouse should get laid off or have unexpected medical expenses?

• Would you be able to pay off all gifts within a couple of months?

• Are you already struggling to pay your monthly bills?

• Would you need to suspend retirement savings contributions in order to buy gifts?

If you answered “no” to either of the first two questions or “yes” to the others, this probably isn’t a good year for extravagant spending.

Make a list. Once you decide how much you can comfortably afford to spend on gifts overall, list all the people you need to shop for, including a few gift alternatives – and their costs – for each person. Remember, if you overspend on one present you’ll need to make up for it somewhere else to balance out.

Comparison shop. Retailers are likely to offer deep discounts to lure wary shoppers, so check newspaper ads and store websites frequently for sales and coupons. Comparison shopping websites like www.shopping.com, www.shopping. yahoo.com and www.pricegrabber.com are also good resources – plus, they may provide good gift ideas for hard-to-shopfor individuals.

Online coupons. When shopping online, look for the “coupon code” box at checkout. Numerous shopping websites post coupon codes (as well as printable hard-copy coupons) for hundreds of online and in-store retailers. By quickly searching a few such sites (including www.mybargainbuddy.com, www.dealcoupon.com, www.currentcodes.com and www.couponhut.com), you might find significant discounts on items you’re about to buy.

Cash in frequent flyer miles. One good way to use up your airline miles before they expire is to redeem them for cash or merchandise. Check out your airline’s miles program website for details – you might just find an appropriate gift for someone on your list.

Credit card rewards. Similarly, if you’re amassing reward points through your credit card, check out its online merchandise catalog or consider cashing out the points for cash or gift certificates.

And finally, have heart-to-heart discussions with family and friends.

They’re probably just as concerned about overspending. In fact, maybe this is a good year to exchange charitable contributions in each others’ behalf to show how thankful you are for what you’ve got.

If you need help creating a holiday budget, visit Visa’s free personal financial management site, Practical Money Skills for Life, (www.practicalmoneyskills. com/holiday) where you’ll find easy-tofollow budgeting, holiday entertaining and travel planning tips as well as interactive calculators to track your spending.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. Sign up for his free monthly e-Newsletter at www.practicalmoneyskills.com/newsletter.

16  December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008  17

LEGAL

Shreveport Says “No” to Bears and Orangutans Lee Aronson

Late night talk show host Stephen Colbert believes that the #1 threat facing American today is bears. (He’s not very bright: his other big threat to America is water vapor.) Well, Mr. Colbert, you would get along just fine in Shreveport.

You see, the city of Shreveport has a law that says no bears. Can’t keep them as pets, can’t sell them and can’t display or exhibit them. And it’s not just bears.

Shreveport also says “no” to orangutans,

18  December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

cheetahs and African buffalo.

Why do I mention this? Because I recently learned that according to Consumer Reports, barking dogs and other loud noises are the number one complaint people have with their neighbors. So I decided to see what Shreveport had to say about dogs. And that’s when I ran across the “no bears” law.

But I’m not so sure I agree with Consumer Reports. I think one of the biggest causes for disputes amongst neighbors are trees. Louisiana law says that “A

landowner has the right to demand that the branches or roots of a neighbor’s trees, bushes, or plants that exceed over or into his property be trimmed at the expense of the neighbor.” However, “a landowner does not have this right if the roots or branches do not interfere with the enjoyment of his property.”

One case I read about involved two neighbors who I will call Fred and Ricky (not their real names.) The tree was on Fred’s lawn but its branches extended over Ricky’s roof. Rickey wanted Fred to pay to have the tree trimmed but Fred (who was cheap) refused and Rickey ended up suing. Rickey explained to the Judge that “every time the wind blows, the tree deposits leaves and branches on [my] roof, requiring [me] to get roofers out on a number of occasions to clean out the gutters, sweep debris off the roof and repair broken shingles.” The Judge found this to be a clear case of the tree branches interfering with Ricky’s “enjoyment of his property” and ordered Fred to pay to have the tree trimmed.

But back to dogs: the most dogs a person can keep outdoors in the city of Shreveport? Four. For indoor dogs, there is no limit. But if any of those dogs “bark excessively,” then the owner must immediately “correct same and prevent reoccurrence.”

And “nuisance by an animal” is not just limited to excessive barking: so is “damaging, soiling, defiling, urinating or defecating upon” the property of

another. (Although we’re talking about animals here, human engagement in such behavior is also not encouraged.) And no “chasing motor vehicles or bicycles” or “disturbing or turning over garbage or trash containers” or “causing unsanitary conditions or odors on or about the premises of [the animal’s] owner by urination or defecation.”

That’s why there is a specific law that requires “yards in which animals are confined or maintained shall be cleaned regularly so that they are kept free from offensive odors which would disturb any person residing within a reasonable distance…and the animals themselves shall be restrained in such a fashion that noise emanating therefrom shall not be disturbing to such persons.”

And there is another law that says “if any part of a public street or the private property of a person other than the owner of the animal shall be soiled by the excreta of that animal…the owner shall…promptly remove such excreta and dispose of it in a sanitary manner.”

But dog barking is not the only noise that bothers neighbors. So Shreveport also has a general noise ordinance: “The creating of any unreasonable loud or disturbing noise or any unnecessary noise within the limits of the city is hereby prohibited.”

And if that’s not enough, Shreveport also has a more specific ordinance that addresses hooting: “Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing on the public streets, particularly between the hours of midnight and 7:00 a.m., or at any time or place so as to annoy or disturb the quite, comfort or repose of any person in any hospital, dwelling, hotel or any other type of residence, or of any person in the vicinity, is…prohibited.” Then there’s the “noisy vehicle” ordinance, the “noisy vehicle horn” ordinance, and the “noisy audio equipment/sound system” ordinance.

In other words, we like it quiet in Shreveport. And no bears.

Lee Aronson is an attorney with Legal Services of North Louisiana. His practice areas include consumer protection law, housing law and health care law.

“Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!” -- Amanda Bradley THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008  19

Consumers

A.G. James D. “Buddy” Caldwell

As the holiday season draws near, you may notice an increase in requests for charitable donations. While the holiday season is a time for family, friends, and traditions, it can also be a time when con-artists are looking to benefit from your generosity.

If you are solicited to make a charitable donation, it pays to be a smart consumer and investigate the request before you write that check. The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office offers these suggestions from the Federal Trade Commission to help you make the most of your charitable donations: • Donate to charities you recognize and have a long history in your community.

• Be wary of charities with names that are similar to the name of well-known charitable organizations. Many fake chari-

20  December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

To Donate or Not to Donate: Consumer Tips for Charitable Giving ties will use a name that is very similar to legitimate charitable organizations in an effort to get your donation.

• Give directly to the charity. Did you know that many charitable organizations use professional fundraisers to help get donations? When you receive a phone call asking for a donation on behalf of a charity, the person making the phone call may not work for the charity but rather for a fundraising company. The fundraising company is allowed to keep a portion of what they collect for the charity, thus reducing the amount of money the charity receives. When you receive a phone call requesting a charitable donation, ask if the caller is a professional fundraiser. If they are, ask how much of your donation they will keep and how much will go to the charity.

• Never give out personal informa-

tion such as credit card or bank account numbers over the phone. If you provide this type of information you may open the door to identity theft.

• Check out the charity before you donate. Charitable organizations are required to register with the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. You can also contact your local Better Business Bureau.

• Don’t give or send cash. For security and tax record purposes, contribute by check. Write the official name of the charity on your check.

• Ask for identification and written information when approached in person for a donation. The written information should include a physical address for the charity, information about the charity, and how your donation will be used. If you have questions, contact the charity to verify they are soliciting contributions.

• Don’t be pressured into making a donation. Legitimate organizations will be happy to answer questions and provide you with information you need to make an informed donation.

For more information on charitable organizations, please contact the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office at 1-800351-4889 or visit our website at www. agbuddycaldwell.com. You can also contact the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov or the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org.

Buddy Caldwell is the Attorney General for the state of Louisana.

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THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008  21

From the Bench

Judge Jeff Cox

In just the last few months, I have seen several cases involving the above referenced subject. The title of this article sounds like common sense to most of you reading this article. To others of you reading this article, you may think, “What’s the big deal or Why do I need to keep prescription medications in the prescription bottle?� Others of you reading this article may not know the laws regarding this subject. This article will attempt to give you the law in this area and explain why you need to keep your medications in the bottle in which they were prescribed.

In recent years, the courts have faced a rash of drug problems. Laws have been passed regarding prescription medications and these laws have been strictly enforced regarding these prescription medications.

Prescription Medications Need to be Kept in their Original Bottles Prescription medications are considered to be narcotics as defined by the criminal code dealing with drugs. Possession of prescription medications, without a valid prescription, is a felony. Any person found guilty of possession of narcotics is subject to spending up to five years at hard labor in a penal institution with additional fines and court costs being imposed.

Persons who are prescribed medications are to be in control of their medicines and are not allowed to let any person have access to them. In some instances, persons prescribed medications will give some of their medications to other family members

who are suffering from symptoms that the medications can help alleviate. If the family member is found to possess the medication without a prescription, that person can be charged with possession of narcotics. The person who gave the medication can be charged with distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. Distribution of controlled dangerous substances is considered to be a felony punishable with up to thirty years at hard labor in a penal institution and fines and costs being imposed depending on the type of medication that is found on the person who was not prescribed the prescription.

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In some cases in the courtroom, people will have a prescription for the medicine they are taking. However, they will carry the medicine in their purse or will put the medicine in a pill container divided out by the days. Some have even put their prescribed medication in with non-prescription medicine such as aspirin or Tylenol. If the person is stopped, for example for a traffic stop, and the prescribed medication is discovered, the person can be arrested for possession of a controlled dangerous substance without a valid prescription. This can easily be avoided by carrying the prescribed medication in the medicine bottle which came from the pharmacy.

Usually, the case will be dismissed against the person once the person has shown their prescription. However, when the controlled dangerous substance is found, the

police can arrest the person and take them to jail, the person arrested will have to post bail, will be fingerprinted and photographed, and will have to face the embarrassment of coming to court to show their prescription. By just simply carrying the prescription bottle with the prescribed medicine in it, the person can avoid the costs and embarrassment associated with a charge of possession of controlled dangerous substances.

In addition, do not share your medication with other persons. If the person given the medication tells where they got the medication from, the person giving the medication can be charged with distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.

Jeff Cox is the 26th Judicial District Court Judge for Bossier/Webster Parishes, Division C.

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ADVICE

Lori Berry Holidays are traditionally filled with family, friends, presents, joy, and the smells of wonderful food. When a loved one passes away, however, a huge hole is left in what should be a time of celebration.

Your family may be left wondering how to get through the holidays without your loved one with whom you have shared the holidays for so many years.

It is normal for the loss of a loved one to hurt more during the holidays and other special occasions because the grief seems to intensify, and the absence of the loved one changes the traditions you shared.

The first holidays may be very difficult, or you may feel numb and that you are just getting through. Often, the second is difficult because the strong feelings of sadness can be overwhelming as they are often less expected. By the time the second

24  December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

Getting Through the Holidays After the Loss of a Loved One year of holidays comes around, reality has set in and memories start returning. You may feel disappointed in yourself because you do not feel the joy and happiness that those around you are experiencing. You may feel like avoiding the holidays altogether. This is a normal response; however, it is impossible to avoid the impact of the holidays. A few suggestions may help you make it through.

• Keep your calendar as simple as possible.

• Allow for plenty of rest and avoid overeating and drinking.

Experiencing grief while feeling pressured to get in the holiday spirit may leave you feeling physically and emotionally exhausted.

• Do not hesitate to communicate to your family when you need help. Rely on your faith, family, and friends.

• Have each family member talk about his/her desires for the holidays. Look at past experiences and do only those things that bring you joy. By negotiating and compromising, everyone can get a little of what he/she need.

• Examine your expectations for the holidays. It is unrealistic to expect the holidays to continue to be filled with celebration and joy as they always have been.

• Try to approach the holidays knowing that they will be very different. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate the holidays after a loved one has passed away. Know that the way you choose to celebrate the holidays may be different than the way you have done it in the past, and it may be different than the way you do it in the future. Do what is right for you. Some choose to scale

down the first year and then resume the traditions the following year or establish new traditions.

• If it seems right and comfortable, leave a space at the table. If the empty chair is too much and your meal is traditionally a sit-down dinner, consider serving buffet style.

• It is not unusual to have the sense of feeling the presence of the deceased as if he/she is somehow nearby, if not physically, then emotionally or spiritually.

These are usually comforting and confirming experiences.

• It may help to do your holiday shopping early. Consider asking family or friends to shop for you or consider catalog shopping. Consider gift cards.

• Anticipation of the holidays can often be more difficult than the holidays themselves. Likewise, the time following the holidays can be just as difficult.

Make plans for January so that you have something to look forward to after the holidays.

Families may look for ways to remember their loved one during the holidays.

There is no one activity or ritual that fits all families. Rather, each family should

establish rituals based on their own needs and preferences. Here are a few suggestions that may be helpful: • Light a special candle in memory of your loved one.

• Hang a special ornament or decoration in memory of your loved one.

• Look at photo albums that contain pictures of your loved one or make a scrapbook. Look through them alone or with loved ones and share memories.

• Visit the gravesite.

• Make a wreath decorated with pictures of your loved one.

• Plan a distraction - a weekend getaway, something out of the ordinary.

• To ease the pain of not buying a gift for your loved one, make a donation to your favorite charity or your loved one’s favorite charity in his or her name..

• Buy a gift in memory of your loved one and give it to someone who might not otherwise receive a gift.

• Make a quilt that includes scraps of your loved one’s favorite clothes.

• Keep a journal/diary.

While getting through the holidays after the death of a loved one may be difficult, new traditions and memories can

be created to help the holidays become an enjoyable time of year once again.

Note: If you experience persistent feelings of sadness, fatigue, loss of interest in eating, change in sleeping patterns, consider seeing a mental health professional.

Lori Berry, LMFT is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at The Center for Families. She worked with senior citizens and their families for nine years. She holds a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, and a Certification in Gerontology from BPCC

THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008  25

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THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008  33

Pharmacy

Medical Myths Unveiled Many common beliefs about what is good and bad for you are untrue Suzy Cohen

Q: I want to take vitamin E to protect my heart and the pharmacist said any brand is fine, that all of them are the same. I know how picky you are about supplements. Do you agree? – D.P., Nashville, Tennessee A: No, if you are going to spend money on supplements, why not take the best?

I recommend the natural form, “d-alpha tocopherol,” over the synthetic form, “dLalpha tocopherol.” I’d be even happier if you bought a brand that contained “mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols.”

There is so much medical misinformation that I’m devoting the rest of my column space to dispel other medical myths.

• During a radio interview, I overheard the host tell his listeners that the flu shot completely protects you. He

said, “Get it and you no longer have to worry about catching the flu.” That’s not true. You can absolutely still get the flu - depending on the strain - so it’s better to strengthen your immune system and think preventatively.

• On a recent flight, I overheard an airline attendant tell a passenger to take his medicine with regular coffee. She told him, “It’s okay to take your pills with coffee because there’s not enough caffeine in there.” False! If combined with anxiety drugs or heartburn medication, coffee negates the effect of your medication. And if caffeinated drinks are taken with breathing meds, thyroid pills or attention-deficit drugs, you will stress your heart.

• A reader clipped a column by another syndicated health columnist and mailed it to me. He was perpetuating the myth that too much stomach acid is the cause for heartburn, and that acid-reducing meds were appropriate treatment. Let me tell

you, the acid-blocking business is a gold mine. But some people who experience heartburn have too little digestive acid, not too much! That’s why apple cider vinegar can help. It’s acidic and when your esophageal sphincter - a pH sensitive valve - senses the acid, it slams shut to protect your esophagus from the acid reflux. Too little acid and it flops open periodically. Hello reflux.

• The other day I was in a health food store and overheard the clerk tell a woman that she could take as much hawthorn herb as she’d like explaining, “Your body takes what it needs and gets rid of the rest.” Wrong! I love hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) for blood pressure, cholesterol and heart health, but the clerk’s statement is false. Hawthorn works best in lower dosages, taken continuously for its cumulative effect.

• At a grocery store, I overheard the cashier tell a person that cough and cold medications were all basically the same and that “none of these products can affect your heart.” That’s insane. Pseudoephedrine (found in hundreds of cold remedies) is known to speed the heart, cause hyperactivity, insomnia and heart palpitations.

This information is not intended to treat, cure, or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. is the author of The 24hour Pharmacist.” For more information visit www.DearPharmacist.com. ©2008 Suzy Cohn, R. Ph. Distributed by Dear Pharmacist, Inc.

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Jack Frost Nipping at your Nose

Boots

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Holidays

Cold

Icicle

Earmuffs

Icy

Fireplace

Jacket

Flake

Mittens

Flurry

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Freezing

Slippery

Frigid

Snow

Frost

Windy

Gloves

Winter

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ACROSS 1 Waggable appendage 5 Leggy legs 9 James and Tommie 14 Red beginning?

19 Arm bone 20 Race in “The Time Machine” 21 Hold tight 22 More achy 23 Start of Arthur Baer quote 26 Reverie 27 Police officer, at times 28 McEwan or McKellen 29 With savvy 31 Yet 32 Collides intentionally 34 Tummy muscles 36 Victory signs 37 Greenish blue 39 Musical practice piece 41 Army NCO 42 Recipe abbr.

45 No. cruncher 47 Part 2 of quote 52 Scott of the PGA 54 Possible to accomplish 55 602 in letters 56 __-Ude, Russia 57 Home port in the War of 1812 58 Sicilian resort 59 Money managers of a sort 61 Enters quietly 63 Islamic prayer leader 65 Writer LeShan 66 Kernel’s coat 67 Part 3 of quote 71 Most-wanted group 75 Dryly humorous 77 Scottish Gaelic 78 “Exodus” co- star 80 Unblemished 85 Kemo __ 86 Rile up 87 Croat or Serb

88 Mountain passes 89 Teton Sioux tribe 91 __ Blanc (highest Alp) 92 Part 4 of quote 96 Peg with a concave top 97 Fix firmly 98 Ocean off Mass.

99 Former deejay Casey 100 Pageant band 102 __ avis 104 D.C. legislator 105 Train to box 108 Some Highlanders 111 Accelerate!

114 Young ladies’ org.

116 Part of D.C. 118 Get into one’s head 119 End of quote 122 Illinois city near St. Louis 123 Emissary 124 Abound 125 Continental currency 126 Feudal lord 127 Pennies 128 Icelandic literary work 129 Fewer DOWN 1 Big brass 2 Tip off 3 Technical details 4 Since last time 5 Decent chap 6 Infamous Hiss 7 Actress Shearer 8 Informal family member 9 Taj Mahal site 10 Lobbed missile 11 Have a bite 12 Those, south of the border 13 Sutherland movie 14 Will, by all expectations (3 wds.)

15 North of Mexico 16 Improvisational

LEGAL-EASY

By Alan P. Olschwang, Huntington Beach, CA; Edited by Wayne Robert Williams

(Solution on page 50) performance 17 Genuine 18 Service branch 24 Muslim religion 25 Flower part 30 Viewer’s magazine 33 Type of toast 35 Old, ugly woman 38 Life-drawing subjects 40 A. Godfrey’s instrument 41 Area meas.

43 Fly high 44 Plays on words 45 Storage box 46 __-cochere (sheltered

entrance) 48 Like dunce caps 49 Barbera’s partner in cartoons 50 Hosp. area 51 Country characteristic 53 Hot period 59 Dam’s creation 60 Mild yellow cheese 62 __ de Triomphe 63 Nagy of Hungary 64 Graduate degs.

68 Japanese collectible 69 Hayes or Newton

70 Indian drum 72 2005 Jessica Alba film 73 Cast net 74 Tasty dessert 76 Mexican peninsula 79 Is inclined 80 Mother of Horus 81 Miss: Fr. 82 Abuses 83 Droop 84 Clerical vestment 85 Losing streak 89 Distressed exclamations 90 Attacks 93 French river

94 Sudden digression 95 Prepare to advance on a fly 101 __ L. Jackson 103 Sort of strings?

104 Period in a process 106 Blemished 107 Lassoed 109 Truth twisters 110 Turkish gulf 111 Body toss 112 TV part?

113 Apple offering 115 Poses 117 __ Linda, CA 120 Author Follett 121 Shoshone

THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008  39

Travel Feature by Tina Calligas I’m not sure what we expected, but Branson, Missouri was a truly pleasant surprise.

Nestled in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, we knew that it is widely known as the “live music capital of the world,” but my husband Gary and I quickly learned it is that and so much more.

thrill rides, live musical performances, production shows and a delectable array of food.

Adding to the fun, we were lucky enough to visit while the park was celebrating “An Old Time Christmas,” complete with a 5 story special-effect Christmas tree, the Christmas Holiday Light Parade, a delightful production of A Dickens Christmas Carol, and,

Our schedule only allowed for three shows, so deciding which one we wanted to see was our biggest problem.

We chose wisely. We were thoroughly entertained by the seemingly ageless and ever energetic Paul Revere and the Raiders at the Dick Clark Theatre, the glitz and glamour of the musically talented Shoji Tabuchi, and the side-splitting

chandeliers and, according to my husband, there is a full-size mahogany billiard table in the men’s room. And Yakov is an accomplished painter. His original works can be seen throughout his theatre.

I was thrilled that we were in my SUV as Branson proved to be a shopper’s paradise.

The area is home to three outlet malls with more than

The truth is that Branson didn’t begin with country and western music, but with a cave.

In 1894, Marvel Cave was purchased by William Henry Lynch just outside of the city. This geographic wonder became a popular destination throughout the first half of the century so that by 1960, Silver Dollar City was a reality. This pioneer village theme park, which sits over and around the cave, is a delightful step back into another era. The park includes over 60 shops which feature master glassblowers, basket weavers, potters, blacksmiths, knife smiths and many other craftsmen who fascinate crowds of people with their talents. For the young and young at heart there are

after dark, the glow of over 4 million dazzling lights.

On our way back to the hotel we drove through the Festival of Lights, a Branson tradition that features more than 5 million lights along Branson Hill Parkway. This drive-through includes a variety of traditional and contemporary holiday scenes.

But the purpose of our visit was to see a few shows and this is where Branson shines.

I was amazed to find that the area is home to over 50 theatres with more than 100 world-class live performances daily. The musical variety seemed limitless and included pop, rock and roll, Broadway, country, western, jazz, gospel, bluegrass, and more.

humor of comedian Yakov Smirnoff. These are truly seasoned performers who know how to entertain an audience.

As Yakov says, “Only In America can a Russian and a Japanese own a theater in the middle of the Ozarks!”

For those who want to be “up close and personal” with the stars, we were thrilled that they all welcomed the opportunity to linger after the show and sign autographs and pose for pictures in the lobby.

Try to get to the theatres early as they are showplaces in and of themselves. For example, the Shoji Tabuchi Theatre is reminiscent of the grand theatres of an earlier era.

The lady’s powder room contains stained and jeweled glass

200 stores. You also want to make time to walk the bricked streets of quaint downtown Branson, where you will find a truly unique combination of quaint shops. My favorites were Dick’s Oldtime 5 & 10, the House of 1000 Clocks, and Patricia’s Victorian House.

And you don’t want to miss all of the flea markets and antique shops that line the main street.

The downtown waterfront area features Branson’s Landing which offers exciting shopping, a multitude of restaurants, a marina, and a spectacular $7.5 million water attraction that merges water and fire choreographed to light and music.

It’s also home to the Hilton

40  December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

Promenade at Branson Landing. Our beautifully appointed room featured a mini fridge, microwave, 32 inch flat panel television and a spectacular view of Lake Taneycomo.

For a truly memorable meal after an afternoon of shopping, visit downtown Branson’s newest restaurant, Bleu Olive Mediterranean Grille & Bar. The Saganaki Cheese “Flambé” was soaked in Sambuca and sparked tableside on a cast iron skillet. And for a twist on an old favorite, try their signature Chicken “Cordon Bleu Olive,” a generous chicken breast stuffed with Genoa salami, spinach and feta, served with garlic mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables and a port wine reduction. Delicious!

I am truly amazed that, until our visit, I had never heard of the vast number of museums along the Branson strip. Within a couple of mile radius you can explore the mysteries of the illfated ocean liner at the Titanic Museum, wonder at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, step back in time at ’57 Heaven’s collection of flawless 1957 automobiles and memorabilia, honor those who served at the Veteran’s Memorial Museum, and enjoy a photo opportunity with

your favorite president at the American President’s Museum.

I must add that I was impressed with all of the people we met in Branson. They were the most genuinely friendly and helpful people I have ever met. I found this to be true of the service people, at the shows, in the shops and at all of the other attractions we visited.

We truly enjoyed seeing the brilliant foliage colors and the view on our drive up to Branson, but for those who hate to drive, the Branson community is looking forward to the first flight landing at their new Branson Regional Airport in the Spring of 2009.

This trip was a quick twoday getaway before going on to St. Louis for the annual NAMPA convention, which wasn’t enough time to truly experience all that Branson has to offer. We’re already planning our next trip back.

Branson may not be for everyone, but if you are looking for terrific family-oriented entertainment, fabulous shopping, reasonable prices, and delicious food, you can’t go wrong.

THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008  41

Meteorology

Weather Facts for Thought What are the chances northwest Louisiana will have a white Christmas?

Al Bolton

The winter season will begin Sunday, December 21st.

Would you like to see a white Christmas? National Weather Service records reveal that snow flurries were observed by the Shreveport National Weather Service office at Regional Airport during the late evening on December 25, 2001. Light as it was, it was the only snowfall in Shreveport on Christmas day since weather records were begun in September, 1871.

Shreveport’s greatest amount of snowfall was 11 inches recorded on December 21 through December 22, 1929. Our earliest snowfall of record was four tenths of an inch on November 22, 1937. The latest snowfall of record was just a trace, not enough to measure, on April 15, 1933.

What was the weather like on Christmas day last year? There was no rain or

42  December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

snow. The high temperature was 58°.

The low temperature was 26°. Last December, the warmest temperature was 81° on the 8th. The coldest temperature was 24° on Christmas Eve. It was a very wet month.

Rainfall measured 4.58 inches. Normal December rainfall is 4.55 inches. Our warmest December temperature of record was 84° on the 3rd in 2005 and again on Christmas Eve, 1955. The coldest of record was 5° on the 23rd in 1989.

During the winter months, sleet and freezing rain are indeed a possibility.

There is a difference. Sleet is a raindrop that freezes when falling through a layer

of cold air that is below freezing and, as you have seen, bounces when striking a hard surface. Freezing rain is rain that freezes when striking the ground or other objects that are below freezing forming a treacherous coating of ice on bridges, overpasses and roadways. Tree limbs can be weighted down with an accumulation of ice which can fall on power lines causing power outages in homes and buildings.

Al Bolton, a member of the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association, began reporting with KSLATV in February, 1954 and for The Best of Times in February 2002.

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44  December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

I really like this poem by Dick Allen, partially for the way he so easily draws us in, with his easygoing, conversational style, but also for noticing what he has noticed, the overlooked accompanist there on the stage, in the shadow of the singer.

The Accompanist I’ve always worried about you - the man or woman at the piano bench, night after night receiving only such applause as the singer allows: a warm hand please, for my accompanist. At concerts, as I watch your fingers on the keys, and how swiftly, how excellently you turn sheet music pages, track the singer’s notes, cover the singer’s flaws, I worry about whole lifetimes, most lifetimes lived in the shadows of reflected fame; but then the singer’s voice dies and there are just your last piano notes, not resentful at all, carrying us to the end, into those heartfelt cheers that spring up in little patches from a thrilled audience like sudden wildflowers bobbing in a rain of steady clapping. And I’m on my feet, also, clapping and cheering for the singer, yes, but, I think, partially likewise for you half-turned toward us, balanced on your black bench, modest, utterly well-rehearsed, still playing the part you’ve made yours.

American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation (www.poetryfoundation.org), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of NebraskaLincoln. Poem copyright © 2007 by Dick Allen, whose most recent book of poetry is “Present Vanishing,” Sarabande Books, 2008. Poem reprinted from “North Dakota Quarterly,”Vol. 74, no. 3, Summer 2007, by permission of Dick Allen. Introduction copyright © 2008 by The Poetry Foundation.

The introduction’s author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006. We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.

THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008  45

Not many people begin pursuing their life-long career at the age of 11; but Robert Darrow did.

Darrow, 50, the artistic director of Shreveport Little Theatre (SLT), was just 10 or 11 years old, and had just moved back to Shreveport with his family, when a neighbor invited his mother to go to Marjorie Lyons summer production of “Mame.” Darrow went along and found his passion.

“The lights went down and came up and the orchestra started playing and I was hooked,” he said.

He stopped at the box office and told the director that if he ever had a role for a little boy to please call him. He left his name and number and about a year later he did get a call. He was 12 when he acted his first role as Christopher Robbins in “Winnie the Pooh” at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse.

Darrow attended Byrd High School, where he was student body president, and earned his theater, speech and education degrees from Centenary College, all the while continuing to act in a number of local productions.

“I am certified to teach but just never have and I think that is because my parents were both teachers,” Darrow said. “I knew how hard it was.”

46  December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

He fell in love with New York City during a trip he took with a Centenary group while he was still in high school. He spent his college summers working in the city while going on auditions. He would eventually move up there and back about four times, before coming home to stay in the late 80s.

“I am very family oriented,” he said, “very close to my parents and that always drew me back home like a magnet.”

In 1985, Darrow was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, although it wasn’t even known by that name at the time.

“I didn’t know anything about it at the time,” Darrow recalled. “When I was diagnosed, it wasn’t even called HIV, it was HTLV 3. There was no internet, so I just looked everywhere I could to find out information. Back in those days, we educated our doctors. There were no medicines at the time and people were dying pretty quickly and it was a very frightening time.”

When Darrow made his last move back to Shreveport, he discovered that there were no support services for people with the disease. He and other activists formed AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power, or ACT UP, a group that began demanding change back in 1989. In 1990, Darrow helped create the Philadelphia Center, which serves as a local HIV/AIDS support center and educational resource.

He continues to serve as the center’s executive director emeritus.

Today, Darrow said he is doing well quite amazing considering he was given six months to live when he was first diagnosed back in 1985. However, he adds that it has been “very painful losing a lot of loved ones and dear friends - some of that is a survivor’s guilt issue.”

Darrow said his experience living with the disease has taught him to appreciate each day - that it is a gift from God, and “how lucky we are to have our health. It is one of those things you don’t appreciate until you lose it.”

Darrow gravitates towards lighter fare in his theater work because there is enough seriousness in the world already, he said.

He also believes that laughter is the best

medicine.

“I absolutely believe it is,” he said. “I think it does something chemically in the body that’s healing. If you can come to the theater…and the lights go down and troubles dissolve away and you become a part of the story… and I love telling stories that make people laugh.”

If his disease has taught him to appreciate each day, his work in the theater has taught him discipline. It takes a lot of discipline to come to the theater for five or six weeks every night when rehearsing a play. There is no pay for actors and Darrow is one of only two paid theater employees.

It is a labor of love.

“There is so much work that goes into each and every production: the memorization of lines, finding costume and props, scavenging and borrowing and trying not to steal. Most shows, if a back-stage worker doesn’t show up, it really falls apart. So our production is only as strong as its weakest link, literally.”

The building that houses Shreveport Little Theatre is currently undergoing a renovation and expansion. SLT’s 87th season has a theme of “With a Little Help From Our Friends,” because they are performing in a number of different venues as the work is finished on their home theater.

Darrow is also busy memorizing lines for what he considers to be his dream role.

In December he will appear in the Marjorie Lyons production of “Rabbit Hole,” a Pulitzer Prize winning new play about a couple who lose their child in an accident.

Darrow will play the father.

“It is just beautifully written (and) that is what I am going to sink my teeth into.

I am memorizing more lines than I ever have. It has been very hard for me all my life to memorize lines, but for some reason I am getting these. I think it is because it is so well written.”

Darrow also hopes to continue to grow the new summer academy for youth SLT recently began. This past summer there were 40 students enrolled, with 13 of them attending on income-based scholarships.

“I would really like to have our academy

and our theater reflective of our community,” he said. “Theater can provide such leadership skills and discipline and extremely important things in a person’s life that can benefit them. Hopefully we will keep a few students enrolled in high school and keep them from dropping out because of their participation in theater and what they learn here.”

Darrow has been an asset to the local theater scene for years, and now, through his work with youth, a new generation will share in his love for the theater. T NOTE: On November 18, after this interview was conducted, a fire destroyed the SLT. The regular season will continue as planned, but the building was a total loss. Donations to the SLT’s “The Phoenix Project x 2” can be sent to Shreveport Little Theatre, P.O. Box 4853, Shreveport, LA 71134.

To learn more about Shreveport Little Theatre’s 87th season or to order tickets, visit the website at www.shreveportlittletheatre.org, or call the box office at (318) 424-4439. Their December production will be “Rabbit Hole,” performed at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, on the Centenary College Campus.

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CALENDAR

Get Up and Go! Silver Screenings

White Christmas - The Robinson Film Center will host its December “Silver Screenings,” featuring “White Christmas” on Tuesday, December 16th at 10:30 am with the classic 1954 film “White Christmas,” staring Bing Crosby.

The $14 price per person includes film and lunch at Abbey Singer’s Bistro. $5.75 for the movie only. Robinson Film Center is located at 617 Texas in downtown Shreveport. To reserve tickets, please call (318) 459-4124. Seating is limited and reservations are required.

Driver Education

Holiday

AARP Driver Safety Program - An 8 hour classroom refresher course for drivers age 50+ which may qualify participants for an automobile insurance premium reduction or discount. Where two days are listed, participants must attend both days.

Call to preregister. Fee: $10.

• December 8 th & 9 th - 8:30am to 12:30pm. Haynes Avenue Baptist Church, 610 Haynes Avenue, Shreveport. Contact Nancy Williams (318) 865-2307; Instructor: Malcolm Parker.

2008 Holiday Affair on the Red Presented by Sci-Port, 820 Clyde Fant Parkway on the downtown Shreveport Riverfront. Saturday, December 13, from 7 p.m. to midnight. A full festive grown-up fete’ with all the trimmings. With a holiday attire dress code, the party includes a lavish buffet by Louisiana Food Service and cash bar by Thrifty Liquor, music by INTUITION jazz band, Karaoke Karols, holiday photos, cartoon caricatures, and full run of Sci-Port’s galleries and Space Center. Tickets are $30 per person in advance and $35 at the door. RSVP deadline for advance tickets is December 10. For information and reservations, contact Marion Smith at (318) 424-8667.

Theatre

Rabbit Hole - Presented by the Shreveport Little Theatre. December 5th, 6th, 12th, and 13th at 8 pm and December 7th and 14th at 2 pm. Performances will take place at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, Centenary College campus. The 2007 Pulitzer Prize winning play tells the story of Becca and Howie Corbett who have everything a family could want, until a life-shattering accident turns their world upside down.

Box Office: 424-4439 (Mon-Fri, noon - 4pm,). Tickets: Adults $15, Seniors/Military $13, Student (w/ valid ID.) $10

The Glorious Sounds of Christmas - Noel Masterworks Concert Series featuring The Chancel Choir and Chamber Orchestra. December 14, 5:00 p.m., Noel United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 520 Herndon, Corner of Highland and Herndon. Followed by a Taste of Christmas in Fellowship Hall. www.noelumc.org (318) 221-5207.

Eighth Annual Unity Tree Lighting Ceremony - The Multicultural Center of the South on Friday, December 5th at 6:30 pm. Children from many of the 26 cultures living in our area, dressed in native attire of their origin, decorate the tree with ornaments representative of their countries. This year the center will spotlight the country of the Philippines. The festive program will feature music, song and dance of the country, and guests will get to sample some of the cuisine. Admission is free. Guests are asked to bring a toy to be donated to the Shreveport Fire Department “Operation Santa Claus”.

Support Groups Amputee Support Group - Thursday, December 4 (1st Thursday of each month).

6:30 p.m. Certified Limb and Brace, 3227 Portland Ave., Shreveport. Guest lecturers, questions answered. For more info call 636-9145 Bereavement Support Group - Every Thursday, 5:30 p.m. Willis-Knighton MEdical Center, Hospice Family Room, 3300 Albert L. Bicknell Dr., Suite 3.

48  December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

Holiday Krewe of Elders Christmas Party - December 20 at the American Legion Hall, 5315 South Lakeshore Dr., Shreveport from 1 until 6 p.m. Door prizes, raffle.

Buffet provided by Krewe members.

Music provided by Susie Loar. Open to the public. Free for members, $10.00 for non-members. Contact Jay Prudhomme at 635-4901 or Wanda Smith at 752-9175.

SPAR’s City Wide Holiday Dance - Presented by Shreveport Parks and Recreation. Wednesday, December 17, 5:30pm - 8:00 pm at Riverview Hall, 600 Clyde Fant Parkway. Music provided by DJ Drew. Food and refreshments will be served. Free admission. For additional infomation call Germaine Williams, SPAR Superintendent at 318.673.7873.

Holiday Open House - Presented by Barnwell Garden & Art Center. Tuesday, December 9, Tuesday, December 16, Friday, December 19, and Tuesday, December 23. 5:00 - 8:00pm. Enjoy the magic of the Holiday Season. The Barnwell Center will be decorated especially for you and we’ll serve you something warm with a special holiday cookie, too!

Exhibit: “White on White,” A winter season juried exhibition of the many hues and shades of White.

Christmas in Roseland - Celebrating 25 “De-Light-Full” Years. Gardens of the American Rose Center located just off I-20, Exit #5 in Shreveport. Open nightly through December 24. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays - Thursdays and Sundays last car admitted at 8:30 p.m. and park closes at 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays last car admitted at 9:30 p.m. Nightly entertainment, Roseland Express, visits with Santa, model train village, lighted displays. $5 per person or $15 per carload, whichever is less. For more info, 318-938-8051.

Natchitoches Christmas Festival - Sat., Dec. 6. Daylong celebration with entertainment, arts, crafts and food vendors, parade, fireworks, laser show and the lighting of 300,000+ Christmas bulbs and 100+ riverbank sets. Admission to Front St. & Downtown Riverbank - $7 per person; $5 children 6-12; under age 6 free.

THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008  49

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ISSUE PHOTO CREDITS: All images from Dreamstime. Color boxes on pages 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 34, 42, 48: Christmas Decoration © Kryczka; Page 10: Holiday Stress. Seniors Humour © Donnarae; Page 6: Abstract seasonal and holiday background © Pajche; Cover: Christmas Paper © Danielboom; Page 14: Red Carpet Awards © Lumaxart2d; Page 5 & 36: Elegance Girl © Valuavital.

50  December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

Nursing Home Care

After a person is admitted to a nursing home, how long will they stay there and will they ever return to their home?

Length of stay varies and is generally dependent on 3 things: 1) the potential for improvement to the point that the individual is able to resume caring for themselves and meet their own vital needs (this is frequently the case after health management and rehab), 2) the ability of the family to provide the care themselves in a home environment, and 3) the comfort level of the physician that the person’s needs can be met outside a medical setting.

Vicki Ott NurseCare Nursing and Rehab Center 1736 Irving Place Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 221-1983 See our ad on page 52.

Neurosurgery

Who are candidates for balloon kyphoplasty to relieve back problems?

The best candidates for balloon kyphoplasty are those who have new (within a few days or a couple of weeks) fracture.

Fractures are most common in older patients with osteoporosis and the typical symptom is severe, immediate onset back pain.

Kyphoplasty has to be one of the most satisfying procedures - there is practically immediate relief in most cases, and people go home with only 2 tiny needle incisions. We treat other back-related problems which affect pain down the legs of ‘fatiguing” down the legs, and not every patient needs surgery - just an honest assessment.

Dr. Ravish Patwardhan

The Comprehensive Neurosurgery Network 8001 Youree Drive, Ste 970 Shreveport, LA 71115 (318) 797-5543 www.neurosurgery.ws; www.theins.net

Opthalmology I am a 50-year-old female who has worn contacts and glasses for my nearsighted condition for years. Will the new eye procedures eliminate my need for contacts or glasses?

After age 40, most people become presbyopic, meaning you lose your near vision. There are many options for people who want to reduce their dependence on glasses or contacts.

Some people are great candidates for LASIK, while others would benefit more from the ReStor Multifocal Lens Implant.

In order to know exactly which procedure is best for you, you should be examined. Call 212-3937 today to learn about all of the options available to you.

Chris Shelby, MD Pierremont Eye Institute 7843 Youree Dr. Shreveport, LA 1105 318-212-3937; www.ShelbyEye.com See our ad on page 37.

Orthopaedics

My grandchild complains of shoulder, neck and back pain when in school. Could this be due to his heavy backpack?

Yes. Backpacks are designed to distribute weight to larger muscle groups that can handle the load. Backpacks should have 2 padded wide shoulder straps, a padded back, and a waist strap (for heavier loads). Also backpacks should light and not add to the load. Rolling backpacks are an alternative, although stairs are a problem. Your grandchild should use both shoulder straps, tighten straps so the pack is 2 inches above the waist and closest to the body, not pack more than 20% of the child’s body weight in the backpack, and pack only what he needs. Pack heavier items close to the back and unpack unnecessary items in the locker.

John J. Ferrell, M.D.

Mid South Orthopaedics 7925 Youree Drive; Suite 210 Shreveport, LA 71105 (318) 424-3400

THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008  51

52  December 2008  THE BEST of TIMES

1 - Les Boutiques de Noel preview party was held on November 19th at the Bossier Civic Center. Partygoers included (a) Sylvia and Roy Beard; (b) (l to r) Dr. Diane Sino, Debbie Sheets, and Ken Mayer.

2 - Humana Senior Day at the Louisiana State Fair in Shreveport was held on October 30th. Attendees included (a) (l to r) Jimmie Ruth, Jay Lafitte and Joe Zmek; (b) Ollie Mosley (left) and Kay Smith; (c) Essie D. Perkins, Lindell Anderson, and Gloria Flanagan.

3 - The men’s team from Shreveport, representing the USTA Southern section, captured the national title at the USTA League 4.5 Senior National Championships held in Tucson, Arizona. Team members include (left-right) Richard Verzaal (Captain), Drew Meyers, Eddie Copete, Jimmy Livesay, Philip Campbell, Gus Orellana, Jorge Jiminez, and Walter Paz. 4 - The Louisiana Treasures Exhibit opening was held on November 20th at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport (a) (l to r) Robin Blanchard Latch and E. C. Latch with curator Nita Cole (center). The exhibit consists of memorabilia donated for exhibit by area citizens, including the Latch family who are descendants of former Louisiana Governor Newton C. Blanchard. (b) J. S. and Norma Hardy.

5 - (l to r) Clint Snell, Paula Click Fenter, and Jena Ryker at the Snell’s Orthotics and Prosthetics educational open house was held on November 18th to present the world’s first microprocessor prosthetic device – C-leg.

6 - (l to r) Steven Jiles, Humana Sales Manager for North Louisiana and Michael B. McCallister, President and CEO of Humana, Inc. with Hedy Hebert at the Disney Institute - Keys to Excellence program held at the Shreveport Convention Center on October 28th.

Mr. McCallister, a former Shreveport native, spoke on “Healthcare is broken…but it can be fixed”.

THE BEST of TIMES  December 2008  53

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