7ILLIS +NIGHTON -EDICAL #ENTER
7ILLIS +NIGHTON 3OUTH THE #ENTER FOR 7OMEN S (EALTH
7+ "OSSIER (EALTH #ENTER
7+ 0IERREMONT (EALTH #ENTER
-ANY HOSPITALS OFFER SURGICAL SERVICES /NLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF HOSPITALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY GAIN NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR PATIENT CARE !MONG THEM IS 7ILLIS +NIGHTON 3URGERY IS SERIOUS "ECAUSE PEOPLE REACT DIFFERENTLY TO SURGERY EVEN A MINOR OUTPATIENT SURGERY CAN DEVELOP COMPLICATIONS 4HAT S WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE SURGERY AT A PLACE THAT OFFERS EXCEPTIONAL SURGICAL AND RECOVERY SERVICES AND A FULL RANGE OF CRITICAL CARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES IF THE NEED ARISES 7ILLIS +NIGHTON HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR QUALITY OF CARE THROUGHOUT ITS FACILITIES BY ORGANIZATIONS THAT REVIEW HOSPITAL DATA AND RANK THE HOSPITALS BASED ON PERFORMANCE &ROM THE 5 3 .EWS 7ORLD 2EPORT S "EST (OSPITALS TO 4HOMSON 4OP (OSPITALS TO RECOGNITION FROM THE #ENTERS FOR -EDICARE AND -EDICAID 3ERVICES FOR TREATMENT OF HEART FAILURE AND EVEN IN ONLINE RATINGS 7ILLIS +NIGHTON HAS DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENCE
7E HOPE YOU WON T NEED SURGERY BUT IF YOU DO CHOOSE 7ILLIS +NIGHTON "ECAUSE WHERE YOU ARE TREATED MATTERS
7+ /RTHOPEDIC 3PORTS -EDICINE #ENTER
7+ "OSSIER -EDICAL 0AVILION
 June 2008  THE BEST of TIMES
WWW WKHS COM
THE BEST of TIMES June 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
"AIRD 2OAD \ 3HREVEPORT ,!
 June 2008  THE BEST of TIMES
This issue was planned around the centerspread feature on “Universal Design,” the concept that all things – especially your home – should be designed in such a way as to make them usable and accessible to everybody, no matter the physical challenge or age. Such brilliant designs like OXO Good Grips fairly leap to mind, along with lever-style door handles instead of doorknobs. And that’s just for starters. Happily, we also decided to “run with the concept.” Good (and bad) designs lurk everywhere in our lives and we thought it was the right time to explore it in a variety of ways.
You know those little “color boxes” in the upper corners that we use to identify various articles and features in every issue? We’ve taken them over this month for a running featurette on great design. As you page through the issue you will notice how they come together to celebrate such things in brief installments. Very clever, if we must say so. We even took time to complain about BAD design in our lives. Admittedly, while we haven’t the space to mention all the designs that irritate us every day, there’s also never enough space to salute the great stuff, either. But we tried. (If you have personal favorites in good or bad designs, please let us know for a follow-up article.) Then make way for yet another of our reviews that will probably be framed and displayed in an entranceway, as our hungry crew visits Superior’s Steakhouse for a wildly delicious lunch. Speaking of wildly delicious, check out the tour of ethnic markets and go see what Adrian is up to in our kitchen. Enjoy the issue! We had a ball putting it together for you. - Tina Calligas, Editor THE BEST of TIMES June 2008
52 51 29 12 60 37 23 43 17 34 24 58 44 43 25 15 26 48 53 3
AARP Acadian On Call AGAPE Hospice Care All About Care Home Services Alzheimer’s Association ArkLaTex Home Health Ashley Medical Equipment and Supplies Azalea Estates Assisted Living Balentine Ambulance Barksdale Federal Credit Union Better Hearing Systems Bible Correspondence Course Black Post Farm Flea Market BluePrint Louisiana Brentwood Hospital - Senior Care Center for Hand Surgery Central Monument Centuries Memorial and Hillcrest Certified Limb and Brace Community Hospices of America
51 11 21 59 30 18 26 27 35 54 44 19 51 11 25 27 48 54 34 63 48 28 55 58 36 9 29 14 64 62 56 43
Cruises, Inc. Daniel C. Scarborough, IV, Attorney Dixie Tours Don Huguley – Financial Consultant Dr. Bryan Vekovius Dr. Bruce C. Henderson Dr. Gary Booker Family Care Services First Response Medical Supply & Equipment Fix My PC Golden Years Guide Gutter Helmet GWS Mortgage, LLC Healthy Choices, LLC Home Assistance Services Home Mortgage Protection Plan – Dana Pearson Imperial Wok IV Plus Pharmacy Jeb Design/Build Joe Gilsoul, Attorney Judy Holland, realtor Kingsley Place -Shreveport KWKH 1130 AM Larry and Ray’s Handyman Services LifePath Hospice Live Oak Northwest INCS, Inc. NurseCare of Shreveport Odyssey HealthCare Petrohawk Energy Corporation Pierremont Eye Institute Pilgrim’s Pride
June June2008 2008 THE THEBEST BESTof ofTIMES TIMES
28 37 59 21 53 30 54 29 11 19 17 13 22 54 30 16 4 15 49 44 25 20 24 37 23 2
Rejuvenation for Life – Stop Smoking ResCare Home Care Seniors Club Serio Investments ShoeBooty’s Restaurant Showcase Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Shreve Hearing Aid Service Simmons Exterior Cleaning Skin Technology – Jeany Postel Southwood Square Apartments Spring Lake Assisted Living Sterling Health Plans Stonewall Hospital Susan Mead T & W – EZ-Tilt-N-Tote TES Regional Healthcare Federal Credit Union The Bradford, LLC The Center for Families The Food Bank of NW Louisiana The User Friendly Phone Book The Waterford at Shreveport Town & Country Total Wellness Westside Mini Storage Westwood Mental Health Wilhite Solar Solutions Willis Knighton Health System
Jason Alderman, Lee Aronson, Lori Berry, Al Bolton, Suzy Cohen, Judge Jeff Cox, Mirabai Holland, Ted Kooser
IMPORTANT INFO:Medicare’s Home Health Care Benefit Dear Tina, You have never heard of me, yet I have been a great admirer of your publication for a long time. You and Gary deserve to be complimented for the great contribution you are making to aid “us” senior citizens. Thank you for the hard work you all must do to put the magazine together - not to mention the research that is evident on nearly every page! Please keep it --Yours very truly, up. Walter A. Sayers, Shreveport, LA Hi Tina, I just received a copy of the May issue of The Best of Times and I want to say “Thank You!” It’s such a great journal and loaded with fantastic stories and articles. I am very proud to be part of your publication and just wanted to let you know. You and Gary, and the rest of the crew are making lives better through your work, and again I am delighted to be part of it. -- Suzy Cohen, R.Ph., Gainesville, FL (author, “The 24-Hour Pharmacist”) To The Editor: I love your restaurant reviews, as they’re great fun and among the best being presented in the Shreveport area. I also appreciate the fact that you don’t run “unsigned” reviews. And nobody else prints pictures of the actual FOOD like The Best of Times does! Who would have imagined that a monthly magazine in Shreveport for “Those of Us 50+” (as you put it) would not only have great puzzles, but also good writing, vivid and imaginatively presented features, sly humor and expert editing? I, for one, am pleasantly astonished with every issue. You should become a weekly. -- Wm. Lynn Rawls, Texarkana, TX NOTE to Mr. Rawls: Weekly?! Oh no. TO ALL READERS: We’d love to hear from you! l Editor.Calligas@gmail.com or write to Box 19510, S’port, LA 71149
Sometimes, people with Medicare need medical care at home. You may have just been discharged from the hospital; or perhaps you’re dealing with a flare-up of a chronic ailment. Medicare covers care and treatment in your home if you meet specific criteria. Here’s how Medicare’s home health care benefit works: First, your doctor must certify that you are homebound, and that home care is medically necessary. Homebound means that it requires considerable and taxing effort for you to leave your home. Second, you must need skilled physical, speech or occupational therapy services, or skilled nursing on an intermittent (less than seven days a week) or part-time (less than eight hours a day) basis. Skilled nursing services are those services that can only be performed safely and effectively by a licensed nurse. Tube feedings, catheter changes, management and evaluation of a patient’s care plan are examples of skilled nursing. If you require only skilled nursing, you must either need it fewer than seven days a week (even as little as once every 60 to 90 days) or daily (seven days a week) for a short period of time (usually two to three weeks). Your care must be provided through a Medicare-certified home health agency (HHA). Medicare’s home health benefit pays in full for skilled nursing services. Medicare will cover the full cost of physical, speech and occupational therapy in your home to maintain your condition and prevent you from getting worse (you do not need to have the potential to improve to receive these services). The costs of a home health aide are covered in full only if you are also receiving skilled nursing services in your home. A home health aide provides personal care services, such as help with bathing, dressing, and using the toilet. If you require only personal care, you do not qualify for the Medicare home health care benefit. Medicare will also cover in full the
cost of medical social services (such as counseling) that help you with social and emotional concerns related to your illness; the medical supplies (wound dressings, for example) used by the Medicare-certified home health agency; and evaluations by a skilled nurse or therapist. The Medicare home health care benefit covers 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for some medical equipment, such as a wheelchair or walker. There are some home care services that are not covered by Medicare’s home health care benefit. These include 24hour care at home, homemaker or custodial care services (housekeeping services such as cooking, shopping, and doing laundry) or meals delivered to your home. Most prescription drugs are covered under Medicare’s drug benefit (Part D) and not by the home health care benefit. (Medicare’s hospice benefit, however, may pay for some of these items and services for people at the end of life.) If you are eligible for home health care benefits, a Medicare-certified home health agency will draw up a plan of care that describes the types of services that will be provided, how often you need those services, and for how long. A doctor must then approve the plan, which covers up to 60 days of care, and the doctor, in consultation with the HHA, must review and evaluate the plan at least every 60 days. At the end of the 60 days, the HHA can draw up a new plan of care as long as you continue to qualify for the Medicare home health benefit. To learn more about what is covered under Medicare’s home health care benefit, log on to Medicare Interactive Counselor at the Medicare Rights Center’s website at www.medicarerights.org/help. html. Medicare Interactive Counselor is a resource provided by the Medicare Rights Center, the largest independent source of health care information and assistance in the United States for people with Medicare. THE BEST of TIMES June 2008
The Supreme Court Allows Discrimination Against You
This just in l One in three retirees indicate that they are spending much more than expected on health care and prescription drugs, with almost half indicating they had not considered how health care costs would impact their retirement savings and lifestyle. Fifty-five percent did not properly factor in health care needs when planning for retiree expenses. The results were found in a Medco Health Solutions, Inc. survey of Americans age 65+. (“Retirees Blindsided by Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses,” Employee Benefit News, Nov. 29, 2007) “Our analysis paints a stark picture: l Nearly one out of four Americans under the age of 65 - 61.6 million people - is in a family that will spend more than 10 percent of its pre-tax income on health care costs in 2008. Shockingly, the vast majority of these people (82.4 percent) have health insurance. And 17.8 million non-elderly Americans - more than three-quarters of whom have health insurance - are in families that will spend more than 25 percent of their pre-tax income on health care costs in 2008” (“Too Great a Burden: America’s Families at Risk,” Families USA, December 20, 2007). American Disability Installations l (ADI) has opened a national business that helps the disabled and aging community find certified professionals in home remodeling, transportation and industry related products and services. ADI’s service is easy to use and free. To help those with special needs and the aging-in-place community, ADI provides information and sources for finding case managers, therapists and contractors for remodeling their home or condominium for safety, independence and accessibility. Their website, www.adisource.com , offers extensive information for finding private and public funding to pay for their home remodeling project.
June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
According to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) it is now legal to discriminate against senior citizens in this country. This happened in late March when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to review a lower court decision in the case AARP vs. EEOC, which ruled the EEOC can implement a new regulation allowing employers to reduce health care benefits when retirees become eligible for Medicare and do so without facing age discrimination charges. The ruling allows companies to cut back or simply eliminate benefits, including earned lifetime medical benefits for retirees once they turn 65 and are eligible for Medicare. Many retirees across this nation, who voluntarily accepted lower wages
during their working years in return for a commitment of supplemental employer medical benefits during their “golden” years, are beside themselves. According to Paul Miller, executive director of ProtectSeniors.Org, “The government has opened the door to allow companies across America to dump the health care benefits of retirees over 65 with no repercussions.” Miller’s group represents more than 45,000 corporate and municipal retirees from over 20 industries and companies affected. To find out more about ProtectSeniors. Org and its effort to stop the reduction and elimination of earned retiree health benefits call (800) 398-3044 or visit www.protectseniors.org. (Courtesy of ARAcontent)
Baby boomers are feeling a relatively greater impact of the economic downturn, and some of their reactions – like compromising their retirement savings and even cutting back on medications – have negative implications for the future. More than one out of four middle-aged and older workers (27%) say they postponed plans to retire due to the recent economic downturn. The results of the most comprehensive survey yet examining how boomers and their parents’ generation are managing the current economic downturn were recently released by AARP and the AARP Bulletin.
Comprehensive Online State-by-State Guide for Family Caregivers Launched The National Center on Caregiving at Family Caregiver Alliance has launched the Family Care Navigator, a first-of-itskind comprehensive online guide intended to help families in all 50 states locate government, nonprofit, and private caregiver support programs. The easy-to-use Navigator lists programs for family caregivers as well as resources for older or disabled adults living at home or in a residential facility. It also includes information on government health and disability programs, legal resources, living arrangements, diseasespecific organizations, FAQs, a glossary and more. There is no charge to use the Navigator. According to Family Caregiver Alliance Executive Director Kathleen Kelly,
“For people providing care to an older or disabled family member or friend, navigating the long-term care system can be difficult and confusing. Programs vary from state to state and community to community; caregivers can spend hours on the phone trying to locate appropriate services. The Navigator is the newest feature on Family Caregiver Alliance’s award-winning website at www.caregiver.org. The site offers a wealth of caregiving advice, newsletters, fact sheets, research reports, policy updates and discussion groups, all at no charge.
.AJ=< G> D9OF E9AFL=F9F;=
@GMK= MHC==H 9F< =PH=FK=
KL9AJK :=AF? 9DGF= !CTIVE ADULTS AT ,IVE /AK HAVE AN INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLE WITH BENElTS THAT MAKE THE LIVING EASY #HOOSE THE CAREFREE LIFESTYLE IN ONE OF THE NEWLY REMODELED APARTMENTS AT ,IVE /AK AND GET THE FOLLOWING BENElTS u /NE 3TORY 'ARDEN !PARTMENTS 7ITH 0ARKING .EAR 9OUR $OOR
4HIS IS A TIME IN LIFE WHERE YOU SHOULD BE DOING THE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO NOT THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO
u $ELICIOUS 2ESTAURANT 3TYLE ,UNCH $AILY IN /UR "EAUTIFUL $INING 2OOM OR $ELIVERED TO 9OUR 2ESIDENCE u %XCEPTIONAL #ULTURAL %DUCATIONAL AND 3OCIAL %VENTS AND /PPORTUNITIES u -ULTIFAITH 7ORSHIP 3ERVICES u 4RANSPORTATION TO -EDICAL !PPOINTMENTS u !ND -UCH -ORE 4HESE AND MORE ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU WHEN YOU LIVE AT ,IVE /AK 7ITH OUR 7ILLIS +NIGHTON AFlLIATION WE ARE ENJOYING MORE AMENITIES AND RENOVATIONS THROUGHOUT 4HERE S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO BE PART OF THE ACTIVE ADULT LIFESTYLE AT ,IVE /AK 0LUS ,IVE /AK RESIDENTS RECEIVE PRIORITY STATUS FOR ALL NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
#ALL THE BEST of TIMES ï&#x192;¼ June 2008 ï&#x192;¾
MEDICAL NEWS & INFO
“STAT!” The Pilot Walker,
a revolutionary folding mobility aid designed to meet the needs of a variety of patients with mobility challenges. Price ( + or - ) $150
GREAT MOMENTS IN DESIGN
Few people know stroke symptoms Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the country, behind heart disease and cancer. Surprisingly a new CDC study finds that only 16% of those responding in a survey correctly recognized the five main stroke warning signs, knew to call 911, and could identify symptoms that are not indicative of stroke. Warning signs are: • sudden weakness or numbness of the arms, legs or face, especially on one side • sudden vision problems in one or both eyes • sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, or difficulty walking • sudden confusion or trouble speaking, slurred speech making up words or speaking gobbely-gook • sudden severe headache with no cause (If you have a history of headaches and you have one that’s typical for you, it’s probably not a stroke.) If you or someone you knows develops ANY of these symptoms, even if they have just one, call 911 immediately. Don’t put the person in a car and try to drive to an emergency room. Don’t call their physician to get advice over the phone. For the most common type of stroke, one caused by a blood clot in an artery in the brain, you have up to three hours from the onset of symptoms to give that person clot-busting drugs. If someone has a stroke in which they bleed or hemorrhage in the brain, they may require emergency surgery to have the best chance at survival and recovery. People should also be aware of “TIA,” or transient ischemic attack. Some people call it a mini-stroke. Basically, you develop the symptoms of a stroke, but they resolve themselves after a short period of time. That happens when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel, but then blood starts to flow again. A TIA should be taken seriously so, again, you need to call 911.
10 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
First case of West Nile virus found in Lousiana The Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) has announced the first West Nile virus case of 2008. The case was discovered during a routine screening of a blood donor from Livingston Parish. The donor was asymptomatic, which means the individual did not show signs of illness. West Nile virus is spread to humans through mosquito bites. If a person develops symptoms, the symptoms are flu-like. In extreme cases, the virus can lead to brain damage or death. DHH urges citizens to take precautions to prevent being bitten by
mosquitoes. These precautions are to: •Make sure your house is mosquito-proofed and has tightlyfitting windows and doors. • In your yard, you should empty any containers filled with water, as these are where mosquitoes breed. • Be sure to wear long pants and sleeves when you go outside, and wear mosquito repellent on exposed skin.
Therapeutic vaccine may offer hope to those with metastatic prostate cancer A new prostate cancer vaccine may give hope to men with metastatic prostate cancer by enabling their immune systems to fight the disease. Prostate cancer cells produce a protein known as prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The goal of immunotherapy for metastatic disease is to manipulate the body’s immune system to identify and destroy these cancer cells throughout the body. Enabling a patient’s immune system to produce anti-antigens and attack cancer cells can improve quality of life and extend survival. A recent Phase I clinical trial assessed
the performance of the Ad/PSA vaccine in men with measurable metastatic prostate cancer. Patients with D2 or D3 cancers were treated with one of three dose levels of the vaccine and were followed with physical and clinical chemistry exams. After receiving the vaccine, at least 40% of patients developed immune responses to PSA, with anti-PSA antibodies produced in 42% of patients and anti-PSA T-cell responses in 71%. 57% of patients survived longer than predicted, with doubling time increased in 48%. Longest survival was 71 months – nearly six years.
Urinary incontinence affects over 200 milion people worldwide, to varying degrees between “occasional accident” and “complete lack of control.” The AssureFlow concept device acts as a manually switchable on-off tap for the bladder, providing dignity and control to incontinence sufferers in an ingenious way. The AssureFlow is designed to act on behalf of the natural function of the bladder, both for those with weak bladders and for those who, through nerve damage or other conditions,
lack the normal level of control. The prototype consists of two parts; an internal valve that is implanted in the urethra of the patient, and a hand-held actuator that uses inductive heat to turn the valve on and off. The hand-held actuator is small and discreet, requiring two buttons to be pressed simultaneously before it activates the valve. It also contains a USB port and memory which can be used to store information about the patient’s voiding patterns. Although this is currently just a concept design, it’s a design that could make a very positive change in the lives of a large number of afflicted people.
Remote-control bladder device may soon bring relief to the incontinent
Less invasive procedure for lumbar spinal stenosis now available Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common spinal problem suffered mainly by people over 50 and is often associated with leg, buttock, groin and some times back pain. A new, less invasive procedure helps bring patients relief from symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) through the X-STOP® IPD® procedure. The 45-to-90 minute, reversible procedure can be performed under local anesthesia and involves implanting a titanium alloy device into the spine. Because standing upright provokes LSS symptoms, the implant is designed to limit painful extension of the lumbar spine and keep the canal open. In addition, the procedure has a low complication rate and is the first FDA approved device used in the United
States to treat symptoms of LSS. A good candidate for the procedure is typically someone aged 50 or older whose physical function is moderately impaired and who experiences relief from pain when bending forward. Potential patient benefits of the procedure include: • Minimally invasive surgical procedure • Does not require general anesthesia; can be done under a local anesthetic as an outpatient procedure • Typically no bone or soft tissue removal • The implant is removable and does not prevent a patient from undergoing surgery at a later time • Quick recovery time
Travel health tips
The key to successful travel is planning ahead. When traveling by air make sure to bring plenty of your regular medications, both prescribed and overthe-counter, in your carry-on luggage. However, controlled substances must be in their original pharmacy container and over-the-counter liquid medications must meet the TSA guidelines, which require that liquids be in three ounce or smaller containers and fit in one quart-size clear plastic bag. When traveling abroad remember to bring along pain relievers,
medicine for nausea and heart burn, bandages, and antibacterial ointment. Don’t forget to also bring your personal health information with you when traveling. Think of it as insurance – you hope you don’t need it, but if something goes wrong, it can be a real life-saver. Having medical information, such as all prescription and over-the-counter medications you are currently taking, chronic conditions and vaccine information, will help the physician treating you if you have a medical emergency. Store the information in your suitcase, on a USB drive or on a small card in your wallet, but make sure someone knows where the information is stored in case you are unconscious.
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 11
For an antioxidant boost, keep your watermelon at room temperature
To your good health
l Brown rice contains one of the best kept secrets of bone health: magnesium. Calcium is still key when it comes to keeping bones strong. But magnesium - something lots of older adults don’t get enough of - is another good bone builder. And brown rice is a great source. l Capers, used to add zing to fish, salads, and pasta, could do big things for your body. Extracts from capers, even in small amounts, did two surprising things in a recent study. First, they limited toxic and gene-mutating by-products of meat digestion, which can spell trouble for your heart. Second, the caper extracts improved the bioavailability of vitamin E which may help put a damper on certain cancer-causing processes. l Research shows that yogurt eaters are less likely to suffer from gum disease and tooth loss. It only took a couple of ounces of yogurt daily for people’s mouths to benefit. Researchers speculate that there’s something about the healthy bacteria in yogurt that helps protect teeth and gums. They may help balance out the bad bacteria in your mouth, just the way they do in your gut.
12 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
Ice-cold watermelon on a hot summer day really hits the spot. But you’ll be best served by keeping it on your countertop until cutting time. Whole watermelons stored at room temperature deliver more cell-protecting antioxidants (specifically lycopene and beta carotene) than refrigerated. One caution: once cut, watermelons must refrigerated. So try to enjoy your watermelons as soon as you slice and dice them. Then keep your leftovers cool.
Everyone go bananas
Eating four bananas a week can cut your kidney-cancer risk in half. That’s because they’re bursting with phenols that appear to thwart renal-cancer cells. Phenols, plant-based substances linked to all sorts of health benefits, from cancer prevention to heart health, aren’t the only benefits that bananas have to offer. You probably already know about the super potassium stores in the yellow-skinned fruit (450 milligrams in one banana). But they’re also a good source of B vitamins like B6 and folate, plus calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C. Signs of kidney cancer include blood in the urine, unintentional weight loss, back pain, and abdominal pain. If you have any of these symptoms, see your healthcare practitioner.
Fruit compound fights head and neck cancer
Lupeol, a compound in fruits like mangoes, grapes and strawberries, appears to be effective in killing and curbing the spread of cancer cells in the head and neck, a study in Hong Kong has found. An experiment with mice showed lupeol worked most effectively with chemotherapy drugs and had almost no side effects, scientists at the University of Hong Kong said in a report published in the journal Cancer Research.
Give peas a chance
Peas are full of folate, a mighty B vitamin known to lower blood levels of a stroke-promoting compound. Both natural folate and the synthetic kind (folic acid) found in supplements and fortified foods help lower homocysteine levels in the blood. That’s good, because researchers suspect that too much of the substance might encourage “bad” cholesterol to oxidize and contribute to arteryblocking blood clots.
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 13
14 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
Medical Nutrition Therapy, Home Modifications, and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Dear Marci, My husband was just diagnosed as diabetic, and his doctor prescribed medical nutrition therapy. Does Medicare cover this? --Polly Dear Polly, Medical nutritional therapy, which may include diet counseling, is designed to help you learn to eat right so you can better manage your illness. With a doctor’s referral, Medicare will cover 80 percent of the cost of medical nutritional therapy for people with diabetes after they pay their annual Part B deductible. Medicare will generally cover three hours of medical nutritional therapy for the first year and two hours every year thereafter, although it will cover more hours if your doctor says you need them. Medicare will only cover these services if you receive them from a registered dietitian or other qualified nutrition professional. ~Marci
durable medical equipment (DME) - equipment that is medically necessary, able to withstand repeated use, and is generally not useful to someone in the absence of illness or injury. DME includes items like wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and hospitals beds. ~Marci Dear Marci, I’m on Medicaid and am about to turn 65 in a few months. Will my drugs be covered by Medicaid or Medicare? --Meredith Dear Meredith, Once you have both Medicaid and Medicare, you must get your drugs covered by the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Part D). You will be automatically enrolled in a Medicare private drug plan if you do not choose one yourself. You will also automatically get “Extra Help,” federal assistance that pays for most of the costs of Medicare drug coverage. You do not need to apply for
this assistance. When you get the letter from Medicare telling you what plan you have been enrolled in, you should call 800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov to make sure your assigned plan covers the drugs you need and that the pharmacies you use regularly are part of that plan’s network. If not, ask the counselor to help you enroll in a different plan that meets your needs. People who have Medicaid are allowed to change Medicare private drug plans once a month. ~Marci Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. To subscribe to “Dear Marci,” MRC’s free educational e-newsletter, simply e-mail dearmarci@ medicarerights.org. To learn more, log on to Medicare Interactive Counselor at the Medicare Rights Center’s website at www. medicarerights.org/help.html.
Dear Marci, I fell and broke my arm two months ago, and my son says I should install safety rails in my bathroom. Will Medicare pay for it? --Otto Dear Otto, No, Medicare will never cover home modifications (such as the installation of grab bars near the toilet or tub) or assistive devices (such as large-button telephones or flashing doorbell signals for the hard-ofhearing). Medicare will, however, cover
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 15
Pill Swallowing 101 and Use Caution When Stopping Meds
I have difficulty swallowing pills. Is there a trick to get one down, especially the time released ones which have to be swallowed whole. Please help me and others with this Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. problem. H.H., Ft. Lauderdale, Florida I can empathize with you - I’ve counted out many horse pills in the pharmacy. Getting medicine into your pets is far easier because they’ll swallow anything as long as you wrap it in bologna! I’d actually like to speak with someone at Big Pharma
16 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
regarding my invention of Viagra Cheese Sticks and Amoxicillin Matzah Balls. Since they are clearly behind the times, consider these strategies to help you swallow: • With capsules, tip your head down with your chin toward your chest because capsules tend to float. With tablets, tilt your head backwards to get the pill(s) as far back in your throat as possible. • Drink some water or juice before swallowing, this wets your mouth so the pills don’t stick. Soda or sparkling water works well because the fizz is distracting. • If gagging is the problem, try to ease your anxiety with deep breathing or an affirmation like “I can swallow these pills with ease.” Eating helps because food is huge compared to pills so it’s a good primer. As a young 20-something, I had trouble swallowing tiny pills, but today I’m able to gulp 6-8 vitamins at once, so I
know the problem can be conquered. • Spray ‘n Swallow is a product that contains 100 percent natural oils and flavors which coat your pills and make them glide down easily. (www.spraynswallow. com) • If your medication is crushable, then mix it with pudding, yogurt or applesauce. Ask your local pharmacist to see if your medicine is crushable and whether or not it can be mixed with dairy foods. Never crush Oxycontin, or any medication that ends in initials such as XR, CD, ER, TR or TD. • Ask your pharmacist about substitutions. For example, the anti-diabetic medication called “metformin” is quite large, but it’s available as a flavored liquid called “Riomet.” By the way, metformin often causes weight loss, not weight gain as stated previously. • Here’s a secret from behind the counter, virtually any medicine can be
made into a flavored liquid, cream or patch by a compounding pharmacist. Just ask your doctor to phone the compounding pharmacy and they will design your perfect formula. I had a staph infection and was in the hospital. Upon release, I was prescribed an antibiotic and then another. My pharmacist warned me not to stop taking the drug, but it made me terribly sick, so I quit taking it. Tell me honestly, what happens when antibiotics are stopped early and please don’t place fear in people if we don’t want to take artificial drugs. – W.R., Silver Springs, FL Your medication made you “terribly sick,” and I’m sure most of you reading this have shared the experience, but there’s a right way and a wrong way to stopping pills. Because medications have individual ‘personalities,’ you’ll need to call both your doctor and pharmacist to ask if you should wean off slowly or just suddenly stop the drug in question. This does matter and it makes the difference between feeling well, or having a seizure! With antibiotics, stopping abruptly isn’t dangerous, but it could bring on a new infection. In your case, a staph infection could morph into a life-threatening version called MRSA (pronounced “mersa.”) and that’s why your pharmacist advised you to take the complete course of the drug. I don’t advocate pill-popping, in fact, I find the big commercial push for medications rather annoying. I prefer natural methods for healing, and the sensible use of medications at very low doses when needed. So even though I don’t mean to “place fear” in people, I inevitably will because stopping some drugs in a hurry is just plain dangerous.
Here is a partial list of meds that should NEVER be stopped abruptly: • Pain pills: Vicodin or Lortab (hydrocodone), Oxycontin, Ultram (tramadol) and Duragesic (fentanyl) all have to be weaned very slowly. Stopping suddenly can cause DTs (Delirium tremens), a serious withdrawal reaction. Never cut patches or break tablets in half because this could be lethal with some pain meds, especially long acting formulas. Call your doctor for specific instructions. • Sleeping pills: Ambien (zolpidem), Sonata, Lunesta and Restoril (temazepam) and Klonopin (clonazepam). Most sleepers are physically addictive, so they must be taken nightly. Rozerem (ramelteon) is the exception to this rule and is not addictive. Neither are over-the-counter Sominex and Nytol. • Anti-Seizure Drugs: These meds are also used for nerve pain and include Neurontin (gabapentin), Dilantin (phenytoin), Lamictal, Tegretol (carbamazepine) and Lyrica. • Steroids: Used for allergies, pain and arthritis including methylprednisolone and prednisolone • Antidepressants: Zoloft (sertraline),
Paxil (paroxetine), Wellbutrin, Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro, Effexor • Blood Pressure Meds: Hundreds of meds in this class, and they should all be slowly weaned. Stopping suddenly could dangerously spike your blood pressure. • DHD Drugs: Drugs for attention deficit such as Ritalin (methylphenidate), Concerta, Adderall, etc. The following meds MAY be stopped abruptly if necessary: • Bone builders like Fosamax, Actonel, etc. • Arthritis drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen, Celebrex or Mobic (meloxicam) • Cholesterol drugs in the statin class (Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor, lovastatin) • Sex pills like Cialis, Viagra and Levitra • Aspirin used to thin the blood This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist.” For more information, visit www.DearPharmacist.com. © 2008 Suzy Cohen, RPh. Distributed by Dear Pharmacist, Inc.
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 17
Be Shrewd When Passing Along Assets If you’re among the 45 percent of Americans who’ve already written a will, you may think you’ve done everything necessary to ensure a smooth transition of your Jason assets to your heirs. Alderman Not necessarily. Some people draft their will but never amend it, even after important life – changing events. Others lose out on favorable tax advantages available when they transfer assets to beneficiaries while still alive. Here are a few tips for more effectively settling your affairs: First, calculate your net worth. Draw
18 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
up a list of all personal property (house, car, jewelry, furniture, etc.) and other financial assets and accounts such as IRAs, 401(k) and pension benefits, bank accounts, investments and stocks. This can be a helpful exercise when deciding how to allocate your assets. More importantly, periodically reviewing your list might reveal whether you’ve been spending your savings too rapidly, thereby providing an opportunity to re–jigger your budget and curb harmful spending habits. For help creating a workable budget, check out the tools on Visa Inc.’s free personal financial management site, Practical Money Skills for Life (www. practicalmoneyskills.com/budgeting). Update legal paperwork periodically. This includes updating your will and all beneficiary designation forms for insurance, retirement plans and other financial accounts whenever your life situation changes – for example, after marriage,
divorce, birth of child, or death of spouse or beneficiary. What could go wrong? Suppose you divorced and remarried: If you never changed beneficiaries, your life insurance benefit could go to your former spouse; or if you forgot to add new children as co–beneficiaries, they could inadvertently be left out of your estate. Consult a financial professional about your particular situation. If you don’t know one, www. plannersearch.org is a good place to start your search. Reap tax savings. There are several ways you can lower your taxes while sharing your assets with others. For example, if you itemize income tax deductions, any contributions made to IRS–qualified, tax–exempt organizations are deductible. So if you were planning to leave cash, stock or property to a charity anyway, you might be able to significantly reduce your tax bite while you’re still around to enjoy
making a donation. See IRS Publication 526 at www.irs.gov for details. If you were planning to leave money to others after you die and can afford to now, you’re allowed up to $12,000 a year in gifts per individual before having to pay a gift tax. Note that gifts to pay for tuition or medical expenses and gifts to your spouse, charities and political organizations generally are not taxable. Go to Publication 950 at www.irs.gov for more details. Finance college. If you plan to help pay for education for your kids, grandchildren or others, there are several tax–advantaged ways to start putting aside money now. For example, when you contribute to a 529 Qualified State Tuition Plan or Coverdell Education Savings Account, interest earned on the accounts is tax–exempt when used for tuition, books and other qualified expenses.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website provides information on 529 plans (www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/intro529.htm) and the IRS’s site explains Coverdell accounts (www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc310.html). Another website, www.savingforcollege.com, discusses these and other education financing methods. Organ donation. Nearly 100,000 Americans are on organ-donation waiting lists. To be a donor, you must arrange it before you die. For details, go to www.organdonor.gov Don’t leave important decisions about how your assets will be distributed up to chance; and if you can afford to start sharing now, take advantage of available tax benefits. Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. Sign up for his free monthly e-Newsletter at www.practicalmoneyskills.com/newsletter.
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 19
Remarriage and the Family Home
A fellow named Wally (not his real name) came into my office and told me that his father had died a few months ago. Wally explained that his Mom, June, had Lee died a long time Aronson ago and years after her death, his Dad, Ward, “took up” with another woman. The other woman, Ms. Haskle, (again, the names I am using in this article have been changed) had moved in with Ward and although they had not gotten married, they had lived together
20 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
for many years until Ward’s death. Apparently, during this time Ward had changed his will so that Ms. Haskle could continue to live in the home until her death and then and only then would Wally and his brother inherit full ownership of the home. Anyway, Ward had died a few months ago, Ms. Haskle was currently living in the home and just a few days ago Ms. Haskle had called Wally to say that the roof needed to be replaced. Wally wanted to know who would have to pay to replace the roof. In Louisiana, there are special legal terms for what Ward had done in his will. He had left “usufruct” of the home to Ms. Haskle for the rest of her life. This means that Ms. Haskle could live in the home for the rest of her life but she could not sell the house. While Ms. Haskle was alive, Wally and his brothers would be “naked owners” (What can I say? Louisiana law has some weird terms.) of the home. This means that they can’t interfere with Ms. Haskle’s use
of the home, but once she dies, the brothers become full owners of the home and can do whatever they want with it. But who’s responsible for the homeownership expenses while Ms. Haskle is alive? According to Louisiana law, Ms. Haskle, the “usufructory,” is responsible for ordinary maintenance and repairs and keeping the property in good order. However, Wally and his brother, the “naked owners,” are responsible for any extraordinary repairs. Would you consider replacement of the roof to be an ordinary repair or an extraordinary repair? Louisiana law defines extraordinary repairs as “those for the reconstruction of the whole or a substantial part of the property.” Before this was explained to Wally, he thought that replacing a roof on a home would be an extraordinary repair. But after he learned that he would be responsible for extraordinary repairs, he quickly changed his mind and decided
that he thought that replacing a roof wasn’t all that uncommon and was just an ordinary type of repair. What do you think? In Wally’s case, it turned out not to matter whether replacing the roof was an ordinary or extraordinary repair. It turned out that the roof on the house had been in bad shape for a long time and needed to be replaced long before Ward had died. Louisiana law says that “the usufructuary is not bound to make repairs needed at the time of the creating of the usufruct. These repairs, and the attending expenses, are charged to the naked owner.” In other words, because the usufruct was created when Ward died and because the roof need replacing at the time when Ward died, the “naked owners,” Wally and his brother, would be responsible. Wally then asked who was responsible for paying the property taxes on the home. Louisiana law makes Ms.
Haskle, the “usufructary,” responsible for the property taxes, other “annual charges” and other “necessary expenses” while she continues to live in the home. And here’s something else that Louisiana law says about situations like Wally’s and Ms. Haskle’s. I find it to be kind of odd that we have laws like this, but this is still the law on the books in Louisiana: if treasure is found on the property or in the home, it will belong to Wally and his brother. But if Ms. Haskle is the one who finds the treasure, then she is entitled to keep one half of it as a finder’s fee. How often do you think something like that comes up? Lee Aronson is an attorney with Legal Services of North Louisiana. His practice areas include consumer protection law, housing law and health care law.
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 21
22 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
Retirement and its Potential Impact on a Marriage
Along with not working, retirement brings significant life changes Most couples look forward to the time and opportunities retirement can bring. And they should. It allows couples quality time together and a chance to do things that you’ve both looked forward to. But sometimes retirement can also add stress to a marriage. It’s important to realize retirement means more than just not working. It always brings very significant changes in one’s life. One change is the loss of identity that often accompanies leaving a job. Most of us, whether male or female, define ourselves with that job title that we use in response to the “what do you do” question. But when no longer being that “vice president” or “department manager,” it’s common to experience a sense of diminished self-worth because you are no longer “doing” something of value. Depression can result, especially for someone who has been dedicated to a job and developed few interests or friends outside the workplace. Such depression, and the health problems it may bring, can certainly add stress to a marriage. Money can also be a source of retirement marital stress. Retirement incomes seldom match pre-retirement pay checks, yet expenses may be even higher. Medical bills might increase, or travel and other retirement activities may cost more than planned for. Even the extra time together that retire-
ment brings can sometimes be a source of stress. For many wives, retirement can mean “twice as much husband and half as much money.” A newly-retired spouse may interrupt the established daily routine of his or her spouse, expecting to be the center of attention now that work no longer calls. Or that extra time together may bring forward marriage problems that were ignored when the demands of a job kept a couple apart for significant parts of the day. Does retirement always bring stress and trouble to a marriage? Of course not. Most couples handle retirement extremely well and enjoy their golden years together. But don’t ignore the warning signs of
problems that retirement might bring. Retirement-related marriage problems won’t magically disappear. If retirement is placing a strain on a marriage, see it as a challenge, and seek help if the problems are serious. There are counseling professionals who specialize in retirement issues as well as relationship issues. What they have to offer can help make possible a relationship in which marriage partners are not just retired, but happy and satisfied. “The Counseling Corner” is provided as a public service by the American Counseling Association, the nation’s largest organization of counseling professionals. Learn more at www.counseling.org.
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 23
Keep Your Minerals Safe: Considerations for Leases At the present time, oil and gas is becoming a valuable commodity. Oil companies are trying to lease as many properties as they can in exploration of oil with huge lease Judge fees. In addition to Jeff Cox the leasing bonus, landowners are being given more of the royalty interests. As demand for oil and gas grows, more landowners will be approached about leasing their properties. The following is some considerations that each landowner ought to think about including in any lease. First, the landowner should try to protect standing timber, ditches, drainage,
crops, roads, gates, and fences. When an oil company comes on the land to explore for oil, they are not worried about what is on the surface. The oil company needs to be responsible to restore the land to as near a condition they found it in when they started their operations. In the lease, the landowner might consider placing in language that provides a licensed forester or appraiser will determine any damages to the property. In addition, the oil company should be responsible for maintaining any roads and making repairs to any roads on the leased property. Second, a landowner should consider having language in the lease that states that the oil company will be responsible for any oil or chemical spills on the property due to their operations. Landowners do not want to be left holding the bill for a cleanup if a spill occurs. Further, the landowner should consider putting in the lease that the oil company is responsible
for the cleanup of any slush or salt water pits used during their operations. Third, the landowner should consider that if the leasee drills to a certain depth, that other sands below that depth are excluded. The landowner also ought to consider that if lands outside a unit are not being used, that those lands can be excluded from the unit. This will keep the lessee from tying up other lands that can be re-leased or that can be explored for oil and gas deposits. In addition, the landowner needs to remember that water is becoming a valuable resource. The landowner should consider including in the lease that any water that is needed for drilling operations can be used. However, any water that is found cannot be marketed and sold by the lessee on the open market as drinking water. Finally, the landowner needs to consider making a reservation of other types of minerals such as sand, clay, gravel, coal, and lignite. If these are found on the land, they can be sold separately from the oil and gas lease. Some of these minerals can bring as much money as oil and gas. As such, a separate lease would be needed to cover mining of these materials. As always, it is a good idea to consult an attorney before entering any contract. The items mentioned above are just considerations. An attorney can guide you and hopefully keep your land and minerals safe for generations to come. Jeff Cox is the 26th Judicial District Court Judge for Bossier/Webster Par., Div. C.
24 ď&#x192;ž June 2008 ď&#x192;ź THE BEST of TIMES
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Wanted an Affordable Retirement Lifestyle... Where I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be bothered with responsibilities of home maintenance. I wanted a spacious apartment where I could relax in solitude. I wanted a community where I could invite my family to join me for meals and outings.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I found everything I wanted at The Waterford. My family even celebrated my birthday in the private dining room. Best of all, my pet is welcome here.â&#x20AC;? Call today for more information
TIR
UN
T
ITY
BES
RE
EMENT COM
M
2222 E. Bert Kouns (Industrial Loop) Shreveport, LA 71105
318-524-3300
t 'BNJMZ BUNPTQIFSF t $MPTF UP NFEJDBM PGmDFT BOE IPTQJUBMT t 5ISFF UPQ OPUDI NFBMT QFS EBZ t 8FFLMZ IPVTFLFFQJOH t .POUI UP .POUI Rental Community t &NFSHFODZ $BMM 4ZTUFN t $PNQMJNFOUBSZ transportation t 4BGF GSJFOEMZ environment t "SPVOE UIF DMPDL TUBGmOH t %ZOBNJD SFDSFBUJPO XJUI PQQPSUVOJUJFT UP UBLF EBZ USJQT UP FYDJUJOH EFTUJOBUJPOT MVODI PVUJOHT BOE NVDI NPSF
A Capital Senior LivingÂŽ Community | www.capitalsenior.com
THE BEST of TIMES ď&#x192;ź June 2008 ď&#x192;ž 25
Disabilities Affect Everyone in the Family by Lori Berry, LMFT “The ‘Golden Years’ seem more ‘rusty’ than ‘golden,’ really,” a senior friend once said to me. As we age, we experience changes in life which may involve disability. Individuals and families are affected emotionally, socially, physically, financially, and spiritually when a major change such as a disability occurs. Our quality of life, however, is determined less by our circumstances surrounding the disability and more by our response
26 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
to the circumstances. How can we best respond to circumstances of disabilities in the family? The following are a few suggestions: • Acknowledge that a major change has occurred and that it affects our emotions. Some feel overwhelmed or angry when the roles of parent and child are switched as the child begins providing care for the disabled parent. Some feel depressed by the loss of independence as a disabled person or as a caregiver. Some with disabilities worry that they are a burden on their loved ones. Other family members grieve when they lose their loved one to dementia. Whatever the emotion we feel
at that moment, it is best to accept the emotion for what it is. There is no right or wrong way to feel in these circumstances, but we must find ways to express these emotions and deal with them in a healthy manner. • Families should remain involved in the lives of their senior loved ones as well as the life of the main caregiver. When friends hear of someone who has become disabled they are often unsure of what to say and do, so they simply do nothing and seem to disappear. Additionally, if the disability causes a person to move from his/her home, the new residence may be located farther away from familiar social circles. The family may become the social support during this time. When numerous family members participate, the task becomes manageable; however, if one person must be the only social support, the emotional health of both is at risk. Some family members find themselves devoting all of their time and energy to caring for their loved one while neglecting themselves. Soon, they find that their own friendships have faded away for lack of nurturing. • Family members should join together to accomplish the tasks of physical care. The process of running errands, lugging bulky walkers or wheelchairs in and out of vehicles, and pushing the wheelchair across parking lots to doctor appointments is exhausting in addition to the strain of providing direct care such as transferring, lifting, bathing, and dressing. In addition, those providing physical assistance should
use proper techniques and keep themselves in good physical health to prevent injury. • Sound financial planning is one of the best preventative measures to reduce stress during an already challenging time. For those with disabilities, finances frequently play a large part in their quality of life. Can they pay for the medical services and medications that they need? What do they do about long-term, inpatient medical care? Finances are definitely one of the top concerns for people with disabilities. In turn, their families find themselves attempting to sort through financial records so that they can assist in bill paying. Utilizing resources such as the local Council on Aging, estate planners, and attorneys specializing in elder law are a few of the resources available. • Families are strengthened when they come together for spiritual support. A life-changing event such as a disability can lead to a crisis of faith. Some may question, “Why me, God?” People who were once active in their church or synagogue may find themselves unable to perform the duties that once gave them purpose. The family may be unable to take the disabled loved one to their church or synagogue.
The disabled person may be the spiritual leader of the family, and the family may be unsure if they should continue relying on the person as their leader. Families can support their disabled loved one by maintaining their own spiritual health and by encouraging their loved one to maintain his/her spiritual life through prayer, devotionals, and scripture reading and by being a spiritual encouragement to others. • Being aware of how disabilities affect families is vital to adapting well to the changing circumstances of disabilities. Families can also contact services such as social workers and other mental health professionals for additional support so that those “Golden Years” may be a little less “rusty.” Lori Berry, LMFT is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at The Center for Families, a non-profit counseling agency providing counseling on a sliding fee scale. 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, Louisiana, and a Certification in Gerontology from Bossier Parish Community College.
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 27
FITNESS Whenever the weather gets warmer, the idea of putting on summer clothes generates a ton of panicky emails asking about quick weight loss. Here are a couple of faMirabai miliar ones. Holland Q: I need to lose 20 pounds. I am doing aerobics three times a week and watching my calories but I am losing so slowly, I was wondering if there is any other type of exercise that could help me lose weight faster? I am really getting frustrated and I am almost ready to just give up. A: Try adding 2-3 days of weight training to the mix.
28 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
Warm Weather Generates Weight Loss Panic Studies show the winning formula is a combination of aerobic and weight training exercise. Moderate aerobic exercise burns calories while you are doing it and for a short time afterwards. Weight training burns calories too but it also increases your lean muscle mass. So as you add more muscle, you’ll burn more calories all day long. Research from Tufts University found that after 12 weeks of weight training, total calorie burning increased by about 15 percent which for an average adult, could amount to an extra 240 to 400 calories a day. Q: I’m carrying about 10 extra pounds around my middle. I’ve got 12 weeks to get into my dress for my daughter’s wedding. I would hate to have to go out and buy a bigger size. Is there anything I can do to get rid of this belly by then? A: As we get older, particularly after menopause, women tend to carry extra weight around the middle. This change in body shape puts you at higher risk for heart disease and cancer. So, it’s even more crucial to do something about it Fortunately, it’s not as difficult as you think. If you lose a pound a week, you’ll still have 2 weeks to spare, just in case you get a little hungry. So, here’s a formula for losing the
weight and toning up at the same time. One pound = 3500 calories. So to lose one pound a week eliminate 500 calories each day (500 X 7 days = 3500 calories) Eat 300 calories less, and do one half hour to one hour of aerobic exercise, like brisk walking, to burn the other 200. You might want to write down everything you eat for the next 3 days or so to help you figure out what you can do without. Or, simply cut your portions in half. As for aerobic exercise, you don’t have to do the whole workout at once. Three 10-minute walks are just as effective as one half hour walk. You should also do some abdominal exercises about 20 a day to help tone up that belly as you lose weight. And, exercise actually picks up your metabolic rate so you burn more calories even after you’ve finished exercising. Now, just try not to trip on your way up the aisle. Mirabai can be reached at www.movingfree.com. Mirabai Holland M.F.A. is one of the leading authorities in the Health & Fitness industry, and public health activist who specializing in preventive and rehabilitative exercise for women. Her Moving Free™ approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn’t feel like work. Go to /www. easyexercisevideos.com/
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 29
30 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
Life is not always fair.
As we age we aren’t able to bend as
easily, can’t see as well as we used to and our balance is a little shaky. These issues aren’t always tied to age, though. Maybe an accident has left a loved one impaired or a grandchild is born with physical disabilities. Or, a mother of triplets is constantly questioning the fact she has only two hands (many mothers with just one active toddler have wished for additional hands, too.) Regardless of how a physical limitation comes about, there is a new design movement that is slowly catching on across the country that makes life easier for everyone: universal design. Universal design makes sense for several reasons, one of which is the fact that one in four adults in the United States are 50 years or older and those in the 85 and older age group are the fastest-growing segment of the population. Another reason is that using principles of universal design makes sense for everyone.
So, what exactly is universal design? According to a definition provided by the Center for Universal Design at the
College of Design at North Carolina State University, universal design is “the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” Universal design takes lifestyle changes into consideration and allows all individuals the opportunity to live in a home that supports their changing needs. While some people might not be familiar with universal design, they might have heard of aging in place. The two ideas are similar, but not exactly the same. Certainly, either can be very helpful to someone whose home is not conducive to their needs as they age. “What universal design tries to do is look at it as a more holistic or complete view of human factors,” said Sean Vance, acting director of the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University. “Aging in place looks at a very specific market trend. What happens with aging in place is that you have a specific market that may have issues or physical requirements that they are working towards. I look at aging in place as one notch up between accessibility and universal design. Universal design would be the ultimate in that you are not
looking at just how maybe say an older audience would use something, but how a complete audience - small children, people with disabilities, older people and people with no physical ailments at all.” Vance said his work at the center promotes an understanding of the complete human spectrum. It is a way of “gaining independence instead of interdependence in your daily activities.” Universal design features provide both a higher level of comfort and increased safety. All members of a household benefit from changes that adhere to universal design
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 31
features. The features might include: u no-step entries into the home and all rooms; u one-story living, with all the needed rooms located on one, barrier free floor; u doors that are 32-36 inches wide to let wheelchairs pass through; u hallways that are 36-42 inches wide; u and extra floor space so that no one is cramped and those in wheelchairs can
32 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
move freely. Some universal design features are easier to implement than others. A few simple things to do would include: u installing a
make a deposit of more than 10% or $1,000, whichever is less,” she added. George “Geep” Moore, Jr. is the current president of the Louisiana Home Builders Association and owner of Moore-Built Construction and Restoration in Elm Grove. He was the first person in the state of Louisiana to earn the Certified Aging in Place Specialist (C.A.P.S.) certification from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). For a couple of years he was the only one, he said, although there are more now. “It (the certification) means I can provide to my clients some expertise on living in
non-slip surface in tubs and showers, in addition to grab bars. u Good lighting is very important for those with poor vision and can be achieved easily with additional light fixtures and higher watt bulbs. u Opening the curtains to let in natural light is a good idea, too. u Replacing traditional door knobs and light switches with lever door handles and rocker light switches benefits people with poor hand strength. They also come in handy when you have your hands full. If you desire more than a few simple changes in order to make your home work better for you, then it might be time to call in a professional. Just be sure to do your research. Dixey Robertson, executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Northwest Louisiana had some advice for those who want to age in their home, but need to remodel it to suit their needs. “Make sure your contractor is properly licensed and insured,” she said. “You can call the licensing board or search their database at www.lsbc.louisiana.gov. Your contractor should be able to show you proof of insurance. Any objections to this request should raise a red flag.” “Get at least three written bids or estimates. Get a written contract and read and understand it before signing. Do not pay in cash or prepay for any work that has not been done. Do not
their home for a lifetime and how to get specialized equipment in their home. We design the house with their needs in mind… we call it ‘home for lifetime.’ As your needs change, whatever the reason, we can come in and help meet your needs.” Accessibility factor is probably the most important factor that he designs for, said Moore. Then, he tries to make it as aesthetically pleasing as possible. That, he said, is the biggest challenge. But, he added, there are ways to do it to make it look non-modified. “It is not 100 percent feasible every time because there are restrictions to how far you can go to hide the fact,” he said. “Generally, the first modifications you make in a physically challenged home are that we widen doors, take out bathtubs and put in walk in showers, and put in a highboy commode (like those found in handicap restrooms). This toilet is taller than a standard toilet by about 3 to3 1/2 inches. It is easier to sit down on and get up from.” Moore said he believes that the need for builders and remodelers certified in aging in place and familiar with universal design will absolutely grow in coming years. With
baby boomers approaching retirement and starting to face physical challenges, he thinks this field will only grow to meet those needs. “As they (baby boomers) become older, familiar surroundings are always the best thing,” Moore said. “People do better, usually, at home. The problem with home is it has to be accessible, not only for them, but their caretaker. The caregiver has to have enough room to be able to come in and work. We design homes for both of those.” Although Moore has had his C.A.P.S. certification since 2004, he added that he
challenge is working with an existing space.” “That is why a lot of people need help on the remodeling design,” he said, “because they know what they want but not how to get there. They won’t know all the tricks of universal design (and we) go by guidelines.” As to whether or not modifications have to look institutional, Breithaupt said they definitely do not. He mentioned a particular bathroom remodel he did for a couple who needed to accommodate the husband’s wheelchair.
was doing that type of work long before then. He also said that there are many people in the area who might lack the formal certification, but have “a lot of expertise on that subject because they have done that.” Jeb Breithaupt, president of JEB Design/Build in Shreveport, has done several remodeling projects that used universal
“That (bathroom) we did really looks homey and inviting,” he said. “I would like to have that bathroom. It is a challenge but you kind of work around it. I think you have to be a little creative to get over that hurdle. That’s not too hard.” If someone wants to age in their home, but is concerned about the permanence of certain modifications as they relate to resale value, they might be relieved to find out there are two ways to approach making a space adhere to universal design principles: accessible features and adaptable features. Accessible features include wide doors, sufficient clear floor space for wheelchairs, lower countertops, knee spaces under sinks and counters and an absence of steps or stairs. Most accessible features are permanently fixed in place. Adaptable features can be added or removed with a minimum of cost and don’t involve structural changes. They include grab bars, cabinets that easily fill in open knees space under counters, and countertops and closet rods installed on adjustable supports. Both accessible and adaptable features can prove beneficial whether you are staying in your home or plan to sell someday. As universal design becomes more widely understood people will be thrilled to find a home with universal design features already in place.
design tenets in the design. “(The biggest challenge) usually is the space involved in terms of floor space,” Breithaupt said. “You have just got to, obviously, have enough. If you’re working with a small bathroom, you have got to have enough space, not necessarily just for wheelchair maneuvering, but…if you are getting in and out of a tub, you don’t want it to be so crowded it is impractical. That is probably the biggest
GREAT IDEA SIDEBAR: The Universal Toilet is a flexible toilet design usable by both individuals with disabilities and the general population that removes the social stigma of handicapped facilities. For users with disabilities, even a dedicated handicapped toilet requires maneuvering, especially when in a wheelchair. With the Universal Toilet users don’t need to turn or twist but can simply slide forward off the wheelchair directly onto the toilet. There is even a chest board to lean against for added stability and comfort. Handles on the chest board can also be of use when standing or transferring between the wheelchair. For other users, the chest board becomes a backboard to lean against. It’s also very space efficient, requiring only a quarter of the space of existing handicapped toilets. And since the toilet’s sleek, curving forms are like nothing seen before, users with disabilities need no longer feel self-conscious. THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 33
“It (universal design) is still catching on everywhere,” Vance said. “My job is to make that disappear. My job is to make sure people understand what the environments are that we live in and that we work in and teach them how they can make that a better environment for people’s everyday lives.” Vance said lack of knowledge about universal design is not something that one community has a problem with and nobody else does. There are still problems in the United States addressing accessibility needs and large areas that are not completely covered by accessibility codes. “There is always work to be done,” he said. “We have not reached the plateau where we can say we at least provide for 50 percent of the people’s needs that we have in the U.S. What does that mean for the northwestern portion of Louisiana? It
34 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
means that they are not alone. The problems there are here in North Carolina, they are in New York, and Europe; the most remote places in the world and the most populated.” What makes universal design so difficult to understand and teach is that what you are asking is not for people to have a book that gives guidance and tells them what to do. But, rather, to be aware of the things they should be sensitive to be designing to, Vance said. “There are a lot of people out there promoting certain portions of universal design and I think that is absolutely wonderful,” he said. “But then there is the holistic message. If someone were able to ball all that together that would be a more clear understanding.”
The Principles of Universal Design
PRINCIPLE ONE: Equitable Use. The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
PRINCIPLE TWO: Flexibility in Use. The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. PRINCIPLE THREE: Simple and Intuitive Use. Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level. PRINCIPLE FOUR: Perceptible Information. The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities. PRINCIPLE FIVE: Tolerance for Error. The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. PRINCIPLE SIX: Low Physical Effort. The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue. PRINCIPLE SEVEN: Size and Space for Approach and Use. Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility. Principles of Universal Design copyright MCMXCVII NC State University, The Center for Universal Design
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 35
36 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
A member of the ResCare family of companies
Call us today at: 318.678.1890 Shreveport, Louisiana Branch
Helping you live life on your own terms ResCare HomeCare, the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest non-franchised home care provider, is proud to offer flexible, affordable, dependable services including:
Experience the Difference!
t 1FSTPOBM $BSF 4VQQPSU t )PNFNBLJOH t $PNQBOJPO 4FSWJDFT t /PO TLJMMFE 1SJWBUF %VUZ $BSF Call for a free consultation!
"DDFQUJOH 1SJWBUF 1BZ *OTVSBODF] -POH 5FSN $BSF *OTVSBODF 7FUFSBOT #FOFmUT ] 8PSLFST $PNQFOTBUJPO
820 Jordan Street, Suite 390 | Shreveport, LA 71101
www.ResCareHomeCare.com
THE BEST of TIMES ď&#x192;ź June 2008 ď&#x192;ž 37
Article by Mike Jameson, with notes and observations by Tina Calligas, joined by columnist Adrian Kimberly and Chili-Cook off winner José Luis Navarro, Jr.
Ah, the tasty benefits
of living in an “emerging” spot on the map that is beginning to take itself seriously on the world stage. Our paralyzing parochialism is passing; relieved like a bad dream by awakening to new ideas, new neighbors, and new aromas, tastes and flavors. No stranger to low-profile immigrants in the past, the Shreveport/Bossier metroplex is now welcoming an increasingly clamorous flow from such “strange and exotic” places as the far reaches of the Middle East, Japan, Korea, India, and New Jersey*. And they’re bringing their delicious foods with them!
We set out one fine Saturday afternoon to explore an “unknown” world in our own backyard:
Ethnic grocery stores.
(In a nod to “full disclosure,” it must be admitted that none of us at The Best of Times are real strangers to such little markets. We often shop in these great stores in our endless quest for new and interesting things and for real bargains.)
We have a suspicion that there might be a few among our readers who may have to be prompted to try, say, Banana Blossoms in Brine. It’s to those timid souls who think they’d rather have yet another greasy fried chicken wing in lieu of even trying lentils, naan and chutney that we dedicate this article.
38 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
The first stop was at Mona’s Café & International Grocery, 6030 Live Avenue. It didn’t take long for the darklyhandsome “stock boy” to notice our big note pad and flashing camera. He introduced himself as the owner and, without further ado, proffered raw almonds for an immediate taste test. They were literally green, encased in a rough-ish skin that is usually removed in processing. They were fresh and tasty in a primal and satisfying way. I thought about these long after we had taken them all. That bit of welcome was followed by his offer of Turkish coffee. Warm hospitality glowed from his smiling face. We were ushered onto a tiny patio, almost as private as a pied-à-terre. A waiter (who mentioned he had recently moved “back home to Louisiana”) brought not only the coffee, but Middle-Eastern pastries, too! We had Nammura, made with semolina, almonds, rose water, yogurt and honey, and Burma, a brilliant combo of shredded wheat, pistachio and honey. Not only was the coffee deliciously authentic, served in small round carafes, dark as night and strong as a Turk, the pastries simply could not have been better. Perhaps better is the fact that no check arrived. (BTW: It may have been the owner’s gift, but we still tipped the
waiter.) All of this took place within our first 30 minutes on the job. Sweet! Mona’s is, as the name says, a café and a grocery store. You enter the restaurant and either be seated for a knockout of a meal, or you go straight ahead to the tidy, well-stocked store in the back. What a selection he’s managed to find space for! Not only the expected wide varieties of olive oils from many lands, but such “finds” as grape-seed and, gasp, ginger oils. It becomes almost staggering. He’s got your pickled turnips and pickled wild cucumber, too. There’s stuffed eggplant in oil, pomegranate molasses, ghee, lentils, bulghar, loukoumia, medjool dates, and Bulgarian and French feta cheese. And so
much more! Much of his stock is Halal, which is another word for the perhaps more familiar “Kosher,” and provides that animals are killed humanely and prepared according to traditions. Halal also governs the preparation of other foodstuffs, and is an important designation to billions of people all over the world.
Asiana Market, 900 Shreveport Barksdale Highway, seems to be hiding in plain sight. Once you notice the entrance you’re welcomed into a rather stark but nicely-stocked grocery on the right side. There’s an unfortunately unused restaurant space on your left as you enter. A proprietor told us the Korean restaurant is closed but the kitchen is
sometimes used for catering. A catering job occupying a cook sure smelled good when we were there. A smattering of empty tables demanded customers. Not even a taste of kimchi was to be had. But a selection of “housewifely” aprons was. On the shelves of the market the whole Asian world beckoned. There was seasoned seaweed, frozen salted clams and Spanish mackerel. Frozen seafood dumplings and Green Tea Ice Cream begged for a tasting. Kewpie-brand mayonnaise lined a shelf, the dolls on the labels reminding me of The Rockettes. This brief review cannot even come close to mentioning all they offer.
of all descriptions (and much more), this store features a grand shelf of what are lovingly called MREs by college kids and all of us looking for a very tasty jolt of real Indian food for under two bucks a serving. Sealed in special foil bags (inside of colorful boxes) are a wide variety of traditional dishes that are ready to eat in two minutes. Did I mention they’re delicious and vegetarian? They are! With some warm naan (flat Indian bread) and maybe some mango chutney, you’ve got some seriously good “home cookin’” in Sathyamangalam or Shreveport. Asian Groceries, 1701 Old Minden Road, in the Heart of Bossier Shopping Center. The sign says “Asian,” and it surely is, but methinks the owner’s heart is in India. This is the place
for those of us considering vegetarianism. In addition to countless spices, incense, pitted dates, chick-pea flours, and lentils
Bao Chau Asian American Supermarket, 3310 Youree Drive – near E. King’s Highway. (Next door to Dahn’s Garden, a Vietnamese Restaurant) If one wishes to live in a civilized place, this market is required. Shreveport should feel blessed. FRESH is the word, with unpretentious arrangements of tripe, ginger, sausages, Asian eggplants, bok choy and Thai basil. Have a hankerin’ for a little gutted octopus? It’s here. Among the favorites spotted on this trip: shrimp and sesame seed Spring Roll wrappers. Vegetarians will be delighted to find fried mock shrimp (braised yam cake). And, of course, Bao Chau has an unmatchable tea selection. Our advice? Get in your car and drive immediately to one of these fine places. Try something new. It keeps us young!
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 39
40 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
Black & Decker coffee maker, a.k.a.: The Trick-Drizzle pot. It’s at least interesting looking and keeps coffee hot for a really long time. But ... The carafe must be completely inverted to be emptied. The fill tank lid doesn’t fold back nearly enough, so the water drizzling begins at the start of the service cycle. Leave the carafe lid off while brewing and you’ve got a real mess. The LED is only barely visible. Power outages lock the ‘computer’ controls until you figure it out and do a hard reset with your power cord. Sheesh! I defy anyone to actually make coffee with this junk. It drizzles all over no matter what you do. Does anyone ever actually test prototypes anymore?
Electrical-cord rug. Sort of like the living room version of varicose veins, this (ugly) rug displays “hidden” cords prominently. It has patterns cut out of it so you to pass your cords & cables through. Philips SpeechMike
classic with barcode reader, which retails for over $1000. While a choice piece of equipment for doctors, all too frequently a tiny, easily dislodged piece of plastic inside disables the bar code reader, rendering it useless. Verdict: Very bad design.
International Delight Nonfat Coffee Creamer is pretty tasty when you’re in the mood for flavored coffee (or to mask the bitterness of cheap or over-roasted beans). The product used to come in a traditional “gable carton” with a plastic screw cap – nothing fancy, but very functional and neat. In 2003 the manufacturer, Morningstar/Dean Foods, changed the packaging, and the result was not such a delight. The sleek bowling-pin-shaped package has a serious flaw: it dribbles. A lot. And the cream accumulates around the spout lip, so that when you snap it open sticky white droplets spatter everywhere. Without eternal vigilance at carefully wiping the spout with each use, sticky white rings accumulate on the refrigerator shelf. (Wiped up after the picture.) Why would marketers and designers inflict such a sloppy bottle on us? What’s the rationale here? The packaging industry seemed to like the new design, and Morningstar even received the 2004 DuPont Packaging Award. THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 41
42 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
Louisiana ranked least healthy state in the United States* *United Health Foundation
=dl adc\ Yd lZ aZi
]ZVai] XVgZ hj[[Zg4
It’s time to give our uninsured patients first-class access to health care. Blueprint Louisiana, with input from people like you, has developed a plan that improves access to local care and strengthens doctor training. And we need your help. Spend five minutes at www.blueprintlouisiana.org to learn how you can make a difference in improving not only health care, but ethics, education and roads, too. Together, we will make it happen. lll#WajZeg^ciadj^h^VcV#dg\ Paid for by Blueprint Louisiana
>i¼h i^bZ id XgZViZ i]Z hiViZ lZ YZhZgkZ#
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 43
'3&&
46..&3
JUIFZ
4N 4 CZ 3 - * ("3%&/ $)&; .0 4FF "E 1BHF
"%7*$&
-4 0''&3
&44*0/"
0' 05)&3 13
BHF #PTTJFS 1 H *OD 1BHF OJO FT JO /PSUI /FX )PNVMFT GPS 4 " ' & 1MBOF SONFOU 3 F *ODPNF (JGU 1BHF 1BHF OD 6 4 (PWF -JG SJF QF &Y #BUIJOH " #FUUFS
5& 3&"- &45"
New Homes In North Bossier: From a 3/2 in Legacy to a millon dollar mansion in River BluďŹ&#x20AC; we review nineteen subdivisions. Life Income Gift: One way to leave a legacy while receiving income. A Better Bathing Experience: New options available in the bath room.
For Advertising Information Call 318-868-7494
44 ď&#x192;ž June 2008 ď&#x192;ź THE BEST of TIMES
Nursing Home Care
Social Security
In considering a nursing home for future placement of a family member, I am told that I should review the home’s most recent state survey. Where can I obtain one? Survey results are posted online at www.medicare.gov/ NHCompare. You may search the site by city, zip code, or the name of the particular homes. It will give you a comparison of each home to the state and national averages of issues cited. If you do not have Internet access, you may ask the nursing home staff to see the survey since homes are required to display a copy of their most recent survey in a public area. Vicki Ott
My 88-year-old father is terminally ill and is not expected to live much more than another year or so. Will my 86-year-old mother have to apply for widow’s benefits after his death, or is that an automatic process? When your father passes away, your mother should notify Social Security. She can do so by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-3250778). If your mother is receiving spouse’s benefits based on your father’s work record, and if they were living at the same address, we should be able to switch her to widow’s benefits automatically, and also pay the one-time death benefit. Otherwise, she may have to complete a few forms before receiving benefits. Learn more by visiting our website at www.socialsecurity.gov, or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Neurosurgery
Hospice
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
I already have private sitters 24 hours a day/7 days a week to care for my husband. When hospice starts services, do I need to keep these sitters or will hospice provide them? You will need to keep the sitters. The Hospice service will provide a certified nursing aide, a nurse, a social worker, and a chaplain to come to your home as needed.
NurseCare Nursing and Rehab Center 1736 Irving Place; Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 221-1983 Please see our ad on page 14.
The Comprehensive Neurosurgery Network 8001 Youree Drive, Suite 970 Shreveport, LA 71115; (318) 797-5543 www.neurosurgery.ws; www.theins.net
Opthalmology I am 70 years old and am very nearsighted. I noticed that area doctors have been promoting LASIK to correct nearsightedness. Am I a candidate at my age and does Medicare cover any part of the costs? LASIK is usually not a first option for people over age 65 because of cataracts. There is a new Multifocal Lens available now called ReStor that allows people with cataracts to see like they did at 25! 80% of people who have the Restor lens implanted are completely free from glasses. Medicare does cover some of the cost of the new lens. To find out if you are a ReStor candidate, call our office at 212-3937 for a screening exam.
Christopher Shelby, MD
Pierremont Eye Institute 7843 Youree Dr., Shreveport, LA 1105 318-212-3937; www.ShelbyEye.com Please see our ad on page 56.
Dora Miller, Public Affairs Specialist Social Security Administration 318-676-3173; fax 318-676-3141 dora.miller@ssa.gov
Agape HospiceCare
318-861-2150 Toll Free - 866-405-2100 Please see our ad on page 29.
Orthopaedics (Bone and Joint) I have a rotator cuff tear. Do I need surgery? It depends. Rotator cuff tears are a common source of shoulder pain, which increases in incidence with advancing age. A person can have a rotator cuff tear without experiencing pain. (The incidence varies from a reported 5% to 40%.) 40% of tears will enlarge, and of these, 80% will be symptomatic. 20% of patients remain symptom free for a 5 year period. There is no evidence that delaying surgery to attempt a non-operative treatment protocol adversely affects results. If you have significant weakness and/or a large tear, surgery may be advisable sooner. MRI’s are valuable tests to determine tear anatomy and degree. John J. Ferrell, M.D. Mid South Orthopaedics 7925 Youree Drive, Suite 210 Shreveport, LA 71105 (318) 424-3400
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 45
Designing Words
Accessibility
Lifetime
Adaptable
Mobility
Aesthetics
Modifications
Aging
Needs
Benefit
Physical
Challenge
Product
Comfort
Remodel
Disabilities
Safety
Environment
Specialized
Holistic
Trend
Independence
Universal
Lifestyle
Usable
Sudoku
Happy Father’s Day
Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column, and 3 x 3 box includes all digits 1 through 9. (Solution on page 48) 46 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
Fathers of 1900 didn’t have it nearly as good as fathers of today; but they did have a few advantages: In 1900, if a father put a roof over his family’s head, he was a success. Today, it takes a roof, deck, pool, and 4-car garage. And that’s just the vacation home. In 1900, fathers passed on clothing to their sons. Today, kids wouldn’t touch Dad’s clothes if they were sliding naked down an icicle. In 1900, fathers could count on children to join the family business. Today, fathers pray their kids will soon come home from college long enough to teach them how to work the computer and set the VCR. In 1900, if a father had breakfast in bed, it was eggs and bacon and ham and potatoes. Today, it’s Special K, soy milk, dry toast and a lecture on cholesterol. In 1900, a Father’s Day gift would be a hand tool. Today, he’ll get a digital organizer. In 1900, when fathers entered the room, children often rose to attention. Today, kids glance up and grunt, “Dad, you’re invading my space.” In 1900, fathers threatened their daughters suiters with shotguns if the girl came home late. Today, fathers break the ice by saying, “So...how long have you had that earring?”
ACROSS 1 Jonathan Swift or Mark Twain, for example 9 Spherical 14 Break out 20 Opera like musical composition 21 __ Adams (actress/ wife of Steve McQueen) 22 Ogler 23 Gridiron group 25 More spine tingling 26 Years, to Yves 27 Splits 28 Type of Alec 30 Brings up 31 Got up 32 Old sub 34 Stat start 36 Procras- tinators 40 Past tolerance 45 Radio host Don 46 Eye part 48 Melodies 49 Deli bread 50 Play by Shakespeare 54 Graded positions 56 Naked 57 Quarterback Manning 58 Unwanted plant growth 59 Music from the West Indies 60 Kind of rock or rain 61 Tree with five- lobed leaves 63 Very big cut of beef 64 Eye sores 65 Duel 70 Words of wisdom 73 Population center 74 Column in a wall 78 Like Silver’s rider 79 Opens an envelope, furtively
82 Yiddish thief 83 One of the Parisians 84 Bone: pref. 85 Soda shop drinks 86 Leaves in the direction of 88 Across, in verse 89 Similar to 90 Heap 91 Accusatory words from Caesar 92 Best type of voting 96 Kennedy insider Ted 100 Verse writer 101 Joining 103 Flex 104 Word on an invoice 107 Chinese province 109 Attention- getting sounds 111 Exclamation of discovery 114 Writer Jong and others 116 18th-century British statesman 119 Adventurous rogue 120 Sharp 121 Skyrocketing 122 Burns with hot liquid 123 British political party 124 Iron wielders DOWN 1 Parlor piece 2 Elvis __ Presley 3 New Mexico city 4 Addams Family cousin 5 Whiskey cocktail 6 Aggressive poker table comment 7 Cloud lining 8 Lacquered metalware 9 Individual
TRIPLE LETTERS
By Robert H. Wolfe, North Woodmere, NY; Edited by Wayne Robert Williams
(Solution on page 48) 10 Causes 11 Whopper’s rival 12 Solution extracted using a solvent 13 Bucks and does 14 Compass pt. 15 Sound systems 16 Letter- directing words 17 Coloratura’s piece 18 Look searchingly 19 Goofs 24 Baton Rouge sch. 29 Horse-drawn vehicle 31 Hasty 33 Plural of
bonus 35 Trigger, for one 36 More dreadful 37 Writer Zola 38 Clear 39 Playground rides 41 Zest 42 Dick of the funnies 43 High nest: var. 44 Requirements 47 Berlin ice 51 On the alert 52 Collection biz 53 Shannon and Crandall 54 Towel off again 55 Old 56 Tubbings 59 Mob melees 62 MacDonald’s sleuth Travis 63 Does the crawl
64 Faculty 66 Get lost! 67 Forceful flows 68 Sports column? 69 Intestinal prefix 70 Standoffish 71 Doctor, often 72 Cavern, in poetry 75 Clumps of hair 76 Modern mail 77 TV oldie 79 Grin 80 Make off with, biblically 81 GE part 82 Hair treatment 86 Chinese leader? 87 Ward (off) 89 Dance wear 90 Indicate 93 Of a major saga
94 Mississippi city 95 Where to find three men? 97 Compliant one 98 Way off 99 Follows 102 Slangy negative 104 Cong. people 105 Actor Stoltz 106 Isinglass 108 Iridescent gem 110 Rope fiber 111 Shrek, for one 112 Will name 113 Tolkien baddies 115 Signal for help 117 Part of Y.T. 118 Dissenting votes
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 47
Have you made prearrangements for your family, or do you still have that to do? Leaving these decisions to your children on the worst day of their lives is a terrible emotional burden.
Call Today To Receive a FREE Family Planning Portfolio
Hill Crest Memorial 601 Hwy. 80 East Haughton, LA 71037 (318) 949-9415
ADVICE
Centuries Memorial 8801 Mansfield Shreveport, LA 71108 (318) 686-4334
48 ď&#x192;ž June 2008 ď&#x192;ź THE BEST of TIMES
Puzzle Solutions {from pages 46 - 47}
Weather Facts for Thought
The hurricane season has begun. Each year the season begins on June 1st and continues for six months through November. August, September, and October are the Al Bolton most active months for tropical storms to develop. September is usually the most active. This season is
expected to be a very active season with fifteen tropical storms developing. Eight of those are expected to increase in strength to become hurricanes with winds of 75 mph or higher. Four of those are expected to increase in strength to become major hurricanes with winds of 130 mph and higher. Here are some numbers that can serve as a guide as to what June weather could be like. The average daily normal high temperature is 90°. The average daily normal low temperature is 69°. Normal June rainfall is five inches. Last June the hottest temperature was 95° on the 10th, 11th, 13th, and 19th. The coolest temperature was 66° on the 5th. Total rainfall was six inches. As for June records, our hottest June temperature was 104° on the 20th in 1936 and again on the 22nd and 25th in 1875. Coolest of record was 52° on
the 8th in 1977. The wettest June of record was 17 inches in 1989. Have you ever been curious about the size of a raindrop? The diameter can range from around 1/100 of an inch to 1/4 of an inch. They can only get so large. A raindrop larger than 1/4 of an inch in diameter will break up into several smaller drops when it encounters the resistance of the air as it falls. This footnote: The summer season will begin on June 21st. Last summer, our coolest temperature was 61° on September 17th and 18th. The hottest temperature last summer was 104° on August 14th. Al Bolton, a member of the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association, began reporting with KSLA-TV in February, 1954 and for The Best of Times in February 2002.
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 49
Like any self-respecting “Chicago style” steakhouse, the Superior’s decidedly
and happily found ourselves being served by Roger, a profoundly knowledgeable and thoroughly engaging fellow. How good a waiter is he? He knows exactly when to become invisible. You can’t get more professional than that. The ever-patient Roger waited out our cross-table visiting and then promptly brought warm bread with whipped butter and the drinks ordered, all of it in what seemed like a blink of an eye. Uncanny! This isn’t an experience for those on a tight budget, with appetizers and soups running from $4.95 for a cup to $11.95 for fried calamari. Salads range from $5.75 for the Wedge Salad to $13.95 for a tenderloin steak salad. Sandwiches go from $8.95 for a
dry as a monologue by Garrison Keillor. Don’t get me wrong, it was, also like Garrison’s Lake Woebegone stories, tasty and flavorful, but the loaf lacked the juicy ooze to which I’m accustomed. And I wished for more of the tangy tomato glaze. The potatoes were whipped silk, but the real stars were, surprisingly, the carrots. The very definition of al denté, they were plainly, keenly delicious. A big hit at our table was the Tenderloin Steak Sandwich ($13.95). It’s hefty proportions included the exquisitely tender marinated beef, onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms in a fresh (house-made?) po’boy bun. Then they melted Swiss cheese on top, which is considered a sin in the
masculine interior is all dark woods, impressive art, crisp linens, and plenty of silenced plasma TVs tuned to ESPN. The wine list is impressive, an attentive bartender fairly leaps to mix a “dirty martini” with Ketel One, and everything is very much “just so.” And sometimes that includes witty. Even at lunch Superior’s takes the opportunity to double-drape the tables; two crisp, white linen tablecloths each. The surface of the table becomes soft and luxurious. Add lunchtime’s black linen napkins and it’s quite sublime. As for witty, what other joint switches to white napkins at dinner, only to deftly switch a napkin back to black if the guest is wearing black? As I’m sure you’ve heard, black is the new black. Their gesture is subtly, unexpectedly, hip. Strolling into Superior’s Steakhouse guarantees not only a superior meal (yes, if you found a tired pun there, I meant it), but a social occasion, too. We waved at, nodded to and went over to greet friends on the way to and from our table. And then acquaintances and even fans dropped by our table on their way in and out. I had no idea we’re so popular! We made reservations for a Friday lunch
very good (and very popular) hamburger or a chicken burger, to $13.95 for a tenderloin sandwich. Entrées come in at $9.99 for the meatloaf to an eyebrow-raising $27.95 for a filet. Yes, at lunch. Today’s soup du jour was Potato with Andouille. My cup held a warm broth (not cream-based) filled with tender cubed potatoes and brimming with wildly flavorful sausage. I finished every drop and then considered ordering a second cup AS lunch. But entrées called. I love the simple pleasures of meatloaf, so that’s what I ordered. Made with ground tenderloin and rib eye, it was a cute, individual loaf placed on a modest bed of mashed potatoes and flanked by bright carrots. I was surprised to find it almost as
steak sandwich territory of Philadelphia, where a less “elitist” cheese --like Whiz-is administered. Cajun mayonnaise on the side proved wonderfully up to its name. The sandwich came with a side and “Shoestring Fries” was selected. Light beyond measure, consuming them is akin to how it feels to eat cotton candy: no substance at all. Superior’s may call them “Shoestring,” but they’re actually potato threads, which are far more fashionably svelte than Shoestring style. Also sampled was Trout Almondine ($12.95). Pan seared and topped with toasted nuts, it was moist yet crunchy and all delicious. The fish came with a side (he chose rice) and a salad. The rice was, of course, perfect and the salad featured BIG house-made croutons
Review exclusive to THE BEST OF TIMES Newsmagazine by Mike Jameson, with voluminous notes and exterior photo (above) by Tina Calligas. Additional discernments offered by José Navarro, and Adrian Kimberly. Surreptitious food photos by Gary Calligas.
50 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
and everything a good salad should have, including a stunningly fresh and perfectly balanced house-made salad dressing. Tart and slightly sweet, it should be sold by the bottle. An editor we all know again ordered a salad and this time, surprise, surprise, a GREEK salad! It was everything she expects and loves in such salads: a mixture of spring greens, olives, onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, artichokes, and Feta cheese. She said the refreshing Lemon/ Oregano Vinaigrette was a high point in a plate full of perfection. Now I come to the confessional part of this review. Just because we occasionally eat at such fancy-dancy places (purely because work demands it; somebody has to do these reviews!) doesn’t mean we’re not always on the lookout for bargains. It turns out that Superior’s Steakhouse is home to an astonishing such bargain. Really! Generous-size desserts are only $1.00 at lunchtime. My fingers did not stumble on the keyboard. This is worth writing home about! Choose warm Southern Comfort Bread Pudding made with Krispy Kreme Donuts, with Southern Comfort Sauce and a scoop of house-made vanilla bean ice cream. Or perhaps a Creme Bruleé with Fresh Berries. Or Superior’s “Pecan Island,” a round pecan pie served warm with melty vanilla ice cream. Maybe you’d like a wedge of real New York Cheese Cake with Raspberry Sauce? Who can decide when it comes to choosing such things, so we had them all! A better four bucks has never been spent. Finally, a favorite indulgence is to accept “complimentary” valet parking at every opportunity. Superior’s has it! (Be as classy as this bôite and tip the guy.) Superior’s Steakhouse is among the best Shreveport has to offer, a long-time favorite, and a study in fine dining. (How’s that for a quotable quote?) But don’t think I’m not still mulling the meaning of the possessive apostrophe in the name. Does the place really belong to somebody named Superior? And if not, why the apostrophe? Lynne Truss and I want to know. 855 Pierremont (at Line Ave.), Suite 120 Lunch : Monday - Friday 11:00-2:30 pm Dinner: Monday - Thursday, 5:30 pm-10:00 pm Dinner: Friday-Saturday, 5:30 pm-11:00 pm Phone: (318) 219-7692 THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 51
Johanna and Frank Thaxton are at an age where many people would expect them to kick up their feet and take it easy. At 81 and 85, respectively, no one would fault them if they slowed down and took things easy. But that would pretty much go against their nature. They are involved and enthusiastic about helping others. “Not that we do that much,” said Johanna. “Frank does a lot more than I do. I wish more people would (volunteer).” The Thaxtons volunteer each week delivering for Meals on Wheels at the Highland Center, which is run by Volun-
52 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
teers of America (VOA). They found out about the need for volunteers from their church bulletin. They worship at First Methodist Church and were surprised that more people weren’t volunteering. Johanna said she thinks that is often the case with programs that depend on volunteers. “You don’t realize how important it is,” she said. This is not the Thaxtons first stint as volunteers. Through the auxiliary, Johanna has done volunteer work for the Military Order of the Purple Heart and Disabled American Veterans. Frank is a Purple Heart recipient who works two days a week volunteering for the Disabled American Veterans. The group holds a number of fundraisers to raise money to help veterans. It was through his military service that Frank met Johanna. A native of Woodworth, La., Frank was in Europe during the Battle of the Bulge. He was stationed at the American Embassy in Holland after the war and that is where he met Johanna. “I was born in the Netherlands, or Holland, as they refer to it,” said Johanna. “(People often) confuse that to Holland, Mich.,” she said. Johanna said moving to the United States was “quite” a big change. The couple has a son, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They made sure they exposed each of the grandchildren to the joys of volunteering. “We tried to include our grandchildren wherever we could and let them participate in those types of things,” said Frank. “We felt like it was important for them
to know what kind of condition other young people were in and the fact that they contributed to helping them,” said Johanna. “It was great and I wanted the grandchildren to do that with me. As they got older, I finally had all four of them doing that. They remember it now and talk about it all the time,” said Frank. Volunteering was never something the couple spent a lot of time consciously deciding to do - they just did it. Whatever was needed, whether it was school or the church or organizations or wherever, they did it, Johanna said. “You try to make yourself available where you can help,” Frank said. “It is absolutely important to us to volunteer,” Johanna said. “It is just the best feeling that you can have. With the Meals on Wheels, we see these people just once a week. Some of them like to talk, some of them don’t. Several of them will bless you just the minute that they see you. It makes you feel good. They look forward to you coming. It is just such a small thing. It is an hour of your time and it means a lot to those people to have a warm meal once a day. It does us more good, maybe, than it does them.” Johanna said she tries to get other people to volunteer by telling them how many different places there are that could use their time and efforts. No matter how small the effort, it all truly makes a difference, Frank said.
Their work with Meals on Wheels requires just one day a week of their time, although they have made it clear that they are happy to fill in whenever they are needed. They have the same route each week and develop a familiarity with the people they deliver to. They deliver 11 hot meals to people who otherwise might not get a hot meal and might not get interaction with others. Meals on Wheels is just one of the programs under the auspices of Volunteers of America, an organization that is highly esteemed by Frank. “I am pretty proud of this organization,” he said. “It is amazing. The VOA is one of the greatest things I have ever been exposed to. We were at the VOA dinner this year and saw how many people volunteer for all kinds of things I had never even heard of. There were a lot of people and they were all volunteers. We can
always use more.” “I can’t say enough good about this organization. I am kind of prejudiced about the VOA. I think they do a lot of good work.” The Thaxtons plan to continue to keep on volunteering with Meals on Wheels, and said “you couldn’t take it away from us.” The Thaxtons were interviewed for this story in a conference room of the Highland Center. During the interview, and employee of the VOA stuck her head in the door and said of the Thaxtons, “these are our favorite people.” Well, it is certainly not hard to believe that.
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 53
54 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 55
56 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
Bossier Council on Aging Bearkat Site (741-8302), 706 Bearkat Drive, Bossier City 8 AM - 4:30 PM Plain Dealing Site (326-5722), 101 E. Oak Street, Plain Dealing, 9 AM - 1 PM Transportation - Vans available to seniors 60+ who have no means of transportation for medical appointments, grocery store, drug store and other necessary stops. Wheelchair accessible. 3 day notice required. $3 round trip suggested. Also provide medical transportation through referrals from Medicaid. Outreach - Home visits are made to help qualify seniors for services. Homemaker - Trained employees will come to your home to provide light housekeeping for those seniors having difficulty maintaining their homes. $3/visit suggested. Information & referrals - Call us if a senior needs assistance in any way. 741-8302
Caregiver - Support services are provided for family caregivers including in-home respite care for the caregiver, education for the family, and material aid and personal care for the patient. Legal Services - Education on elder legal issues provided at the sites. Counseling for individuals is accessible monthly with a local lawyer or by referrals. Congregate (Site) Meals - Hot, nutritious meals served at 11:30 AM at the sites, Mon - Fri . $1.25 per meal is suggested. Home Delivered Meals - Meals provided 5 days per week for elderly homebound in Bossier Parish, $1.25/meal suggested. Personal Medical Response System With a referral from BCOA, an auto dial unit is available for installation on your phone. Necklace, wristband, or pocket clip styles provided. Just press the button for immediate help. $20 fee per month.
Senior Centers - Fun and fellowship for the active senior! Enjoy recreation, crafts, educational seminars, and health information. Also provided: day trips, extended trips, exercise and dance classes, bingo, cards, dominoes, health screenings, exercise equipment room, Senior Games and Thursday night dances with a live band. Medication Management - Seminars, brown bag services provided by pharmacists and programs provided by health care providers so seniors know about their prescriptions and the proper way to take them. Drug plan assistance available. Medicaid Applications - We are an application center and provide assistance to seniors in filling out the forms. By appointment only. (AARP) Money Management - BCOA provides financial assistance to seniors: bill paying, balancing checkbooks, etc.
Caddo Council on Aging 4015 Greenwood Road, (318) 632-2090. Website-www.caddocouncilonaging.org Email-ccoa@caddocoa.org Info & Referral - 632-2090 Outreach/Individual Needs Assessment632-2090 - Visits are made to the home to explain services available and to enroll the elderly in our various service programs Home Delivered Meals - 632-2090 - Each week 5 meals can be delivered to homebound seniors. Suggested donation $1.25/day. Homemaker Services - 632-2090 - Personal care and household tasks provided for homebound persons unable to perform these tasks without assistance. $5/month donation requested. Personal Care - 632-2090 - Personal care provided to homebound person by trained staff once a week. $5/month donation requested. Family Caregiver - 632-2090 - Sitter and respite provided for full time caregiver of a senior. Donation requested. Telephone Reassurance - 632-2090 - Volunteers make regular phone calls to seniors to offer comfort and support. Medical Alert - 632-2090 -Emergency response system that protects sen iors in case of accident or falls in the home. $20/month fee SenioRX Program - 632-5900 or 1800-793-1198-Assists seniors applying for pharmaceutical aid programs. Nursing Home Ombudsman - 632-2090-
Professional weekly visits to nursing home to investigate and resolve issues made by the elderly resident or the resident’s family. Covering 7 parishes in NWLA. RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) 632-2113 - Provides volunteer opportunities in the community and nutrition sites for persons 55 years of age or older. Foster Grandparents (FGP) - 632-2199Seniors serve as mentor, tutor and caregivers to youth with social needs. FGPs that meet special requirements may serve 20hrs/wk and receive a stipend. Legal Services - 632-2090- Referrals for individual counseling. Emergency Blinking Light - Flashing light installed in your porch light by the Caddo Sheriff Dept. to help guide emergency medical personnel to the house during lifethreatening emergencies. No charge. SOS Program - Sheriff’s Operational Safeguard. Helps identify and reunite lost, memory-impaired persons with families. Participants are given a bracelet engraved with the name and phone number of the Sheriff’s Office and an ID number that corresponds to personal information. Confidential Call 681.0875 to register. No charge. Senior Centers and Meal Sites - 6322080-Area sites located in Caddo Parish that offer fun activities, recreation, wellness, exercise, safety programs, sewing, crafts, bingo, and just plain old fun. Lunch served at all sites for a $1.25 donation. Transportation is provided to sites, call 632-2080 to sign up
for a meal or transport to the sites. • Myrtle B. Pickering Senior Center4017 Greenwood Rd, Shreveport. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-3:30pm. • Blanchard Cross Roads Church - 356 Warriner, Blanchard. Open Mon-Wed-Fri 9:00am-12noon. • Broadmoor Methodist Church - 3715 Youree Drive, Shreveport. Open 9:30 12:30. • Canaan Towers Apartments - 500 North Dale, Shreveport. Open Mon-Wed-Fri 9:30am-12:30pm. • Cooper Road Community Center - 1422 MLK Blvd, Shreveport. Open MonFriday 9:30am-12:30pm • Greenwood Library - Hwy 80, Downtown Greenwood. Open Mon-Fri 9:30 am - 12:30pm • Mooringsport Community CenterLattimer Street, Mooringsport across from the school. Open Tue-Wed-Thurs 9:30am to 12:30pm • Morning Star Baptist Church 5340 Jewella, Sport Open Mon-Fri 9:30am-12:30pm • New Hill CME Church - 8725 Springridge Texas Line Rd, Keithville Tue & Thurs 10am-1:00pm • Oil City Community Center - Savage Street, Oil City Open Mon-Wed-Fri 9am to noon • Vivian Community Center - in the City Park 522 E. Tennessee Open Mon-Fri 9am-12noon THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 57
Flotilla 17th Annual Cross Lake Flotilla Pre-Party - Friday, June 13. 6-9 p.m. American Legion-Post 14, 5317 S. Lakeshore Dr., Shreveport. All-you- can-eat catfish for $10, live band, drinks, poker run and decorated boat contest registration. 318-635-8186. 17 Annual Cross Lake Flotilla - Sat., June 14. 1 - 7 p.m. Cross Lake surrounding the American Legion-Post 14, 5317 S. Lakeshore Dr., Shreveport. Charity Poker Run @ 1 p.m. The Krewe of Atlas decorated boat parade begins at 3 p.m., theme “Around the World in 80 Days”. Enjoy free live music along with crawfish, burgers, and drinks for sale. Bring a lawn chair, something to float on, or ride up in a boat Free. 318-635-8186. th
Fitness
Support Groups
Parkinson’s 5K Power Walk/Run - Saturday, June 28. C. Bickham Dickson Park in Shreveport, Louisiana (off the corner of 70th and East Bert Kouns). Sponsored by the Parkinson’s Disease Resource at LSU Health Sciences Center to raise awareness and provide public education concerning the disease. Course is certified by SportSpectrum Race Management. Register at 7607 Youree Drive, or online at www.sportspectrumusa.com, or the morning of the event. Early registration (by June 21st) is $14; registration the day of the race is $20; and students may register for $10.
Bereavement Support Group - Every Thursday, 5:30 p.m. Willis Knighton Medical Center, Hospice Family Room, 3300 Albert L. Bicknell Drive Suite 3.
With the Grandkids Chimpanzee Discovery Days - Saturday, June 14. Chimp Haven, Eddie D. Jones Nature Park, 13600 Chimpanzee Pl., Keithville. It will be open from 9 a.m. until noon the second Saturday of the following months: March through June and Sept. through Nov. Discovery days will include special themes, family fun, educational opportunities and information on chimps. Free and open to the public. Donations welcome. Ct. 318-925-9525. www.chimphaven.org
Tour
“TNT” - Thursday Night Trolley Tours - Thursday, June 19. 5:00 p.m .8:00 p.m. Tours run approximately every 20 minutes. Artspace at the West Edge, 710 Texas St., Shreveport. An “explosion” of culture! Come and discover the Downtown Arts District. Enjoy a narrated tour, live music, and art. Third Thursday of each month. Free. For more information please call 318-673-6500/6535. www. shrevearts.org
Caregiver’s Support Group - June 9, 12 noon in the ARK, Noel UMC, 520 Herndon St., Shreveport. Guest speakers: Mary Alice Rountree and Irene Jackson on CCOA programs updates. Light lunch available for $3. Reservations requested by June 6. Call 221-5207 or email skamm@ noelumc.org. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group - Held at 6:45pm the last Monday of each month. Grace Community Church, 9400 Ellerbe Road, Shreveport. Everyone is welcome. Please call Pete Bollinger for more information. at 318-865-2070.
Driver Education 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. • June 5 & 6 - 1pm - 5pm. Shriner Hospital for Children, 3100 Samford Ave., Shreveport. Contact: Fred Krieg (318) 226-4262; Instructor: Robert G. Davis • June 12 & 13 - 8:30am - 12:30pm. Kingston Road Baptist Church, 8900 Kingston Rd., Shreveport. Contact: Catherine West (318) 687-9885; Instructor: Malcolm Parker • June 24 & 25 - 8:30am - 12:30pm. Caddo Council on Aging MBP Senior Center, 4017 Greenwood Rd., Shreveport. Contact: Rhonda or Judy (318) 632-2080. Instructor: Clare Maisel.
Festival
Let the Good Times Roll Festival - Friday, June 20 - Sunday, June 22. 5 p.m.- 12 a.m.; Sat., 12 pm.-12 a.m.; Sun., 2 - 10 p.m. Festival Plaza, 101 Crockett St., Shreveport. Presented by Rho Omega & Friends, Inc. Music, art and food of African-American culture are highlighted. The largest African-American music and arts festival in N. Louisiana. $5, children free. 318-470-3890. www.rhoomega.com
58 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
Tennis
“FUN, FRIENDS & FITNESS” - Tennis instruction & play for beginner adults of all ages. The Summer session will start on June 7 at Querbes Tennis Center. 10am - 12pm on Saturdays for six weeks. The program is for total beginner adults that have never played tennis to those who have had some lessons and others who haven’t played in years and would like to get back in the game. Participants will receive some great instruction from different area tennis pros. Each Saturday the instruction rotates to different tennis clubs in town to show you what is available. The instructors ensure that participants feel comfortable to play and learn more about tennis. There is a one-time fee of $35/player for the 6-week session. ($30/player if you sign up & pay in advance of the starting date.) Free T-shirts, hitting for prizes, “Cardio Tennis” and going to different tennis facilities makes this program FUN for all. Tennis Rackets are available for use. Participants should wear tennis shoes and may want to bring a towel, sunscreen and a hat. Maps to the clubs will be provided. For more info, please call Cal Schexnider at 865-1244 or e-mail calschexnider@ comcast.net.
Adult Art Classes
Outdoor Movies
Beginning Oil Painting Class - Friends of the Barnwell will offer a six-week adult oil painting course on Fridays from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, July 11- August 15 at the Barnwell Garden & Art Center, 601 Clyde Fant Parkway. Bruce Bordelon, a retired art teacher, will instruct the class. The focus of the class will be on teaching how to draw on canvas, how to use realistic light and shadow, and how to apply proportion and perspective to create compositions while learning to choose the right center of interest. Cost is $90 plus the cost of supplies. Space is limited. For registration or more information, call (318) 673-7703.
Movies & Moonbeams Outdoor Cinema - Digital picture and sound on a 40’ tall inflatable screen. Take chairs, blankets, etc. Movies & Moonbeams is a program of The Robinson Film Center along with Shreveport and Bossier City. For more information, please contact the Robinson Film Center at info@robinsonfilmcenter.org or (318) 424-9090. www. moviesandmoonbeams.org. FREE. • “Secondhand Lions” - Friday, June 6. 6:30 p.m. Riverview Park, 601 Clyde Fant Pkwy., Shreveport. Starring Robert Duvall. • “Shark Tale” - Friday, June 20. 6:30 p.m. Southern Hills Community Center, 1002 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport. Animated film starring Will Smith, Robert DeNiro and Renée Zellweger. • “The Land Before Time” - Saturday, June 21. 6:30 p.m. Hooter Park, 1519 Hooter Park Dr., Bossier City. Animated film starring Gabriel Damon and Pat Hingle. • “Apollo 13” - Friday July 3 at 6:30 p.m. Riverview Park, 601 Clyde Fant Pkwy., Shreveport. Starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon and Bill Paxton
Beginning and Intermediate Drawing Classes - Friends of the Barnwell is offering beginning and intermediate drawing classes under the direction of Don Alexander, is a retired professor of fine art at Louisiana State University in Shreveport and former professor of fine art at Northwestern State University. Both courses will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Barnwell Garden & Art Center, 601 Clyde Fant Parkway. Participants will explore various drawing media as they learn how to draw complex shapes, how to use realistic light and shadow, and how to apply proportion and perspective to create compositions. Beginning Drawing will start on Tuesday, June 17 and will run for 10 consecutive weeks through August 19. Participants in the Intermediate Drawing class will work with more detailed concepts of light, shadow and reflected light. Classes will be held on Thursday evenings, June 19 - August 21. Cost is $120 plus supplies. Space is limited. For registration or more information, call (318) 673-7703.
Concerts Hot Jazz on the Red - FREE outdoor summer concerts. Every Thursday, through June 26. 6 - 8 p.m. Barnwell Garden & Art Center, 60 Clyde Fant Parkway, Shreveport. Bring your lawn chairs or enjoy the preset tables. Cash bar available. 318-673-7703. www.barnwellcenter.com • Total Choice - June 5 • The Sidemen - June 12 • Them Jazz Catz - June 19 • Luke Jazz Quintet - June 26 THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 59
Parting Shots
1 - Mike Miaoulis (center) recently visited Dianne and Johnny Brock at their east Texas ranch. The trio met on The Best of Times cruise to Alaska last September. 2 - (l to r) Jane Lorant, Arlene Yorga, and Maria Skamangas enjoyed the Pascha Agape Picnic at St. George Greek Orthodox Church on April 27th. 3 - The Shreveport Association of Ladies Tennis (SALT) held their spring luncheon at Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club on May 8. Enjoying the luncheon are (a) Jan Glasgow, Sue Watts and Abby Averett; (b) seated - Pat LaBorde, Jean Baldwin, Pat Faulkinberry; standing - Mary Lou Kizzia, Van Johnston, and Hannah Speer. 4 - LSUHSC Foundation held their What’s Up Doc? Dinner and Silent Auction on April 21. Enjoying the evening are: (a) Joe Averett, Abby Averett, Robert Grand, Chloe Thornton, Debbie Grand and Bob Thornton; (b) Dr. & Mrs. Bill Berzman. 5 - The Family Health, Safety and Caregivers Resource Fair was held on April 26th at Mall St. Vincent. (a) Gilbert and Mary Cantu; (b) Local AARP chapter members; (c) Norman and Val Tawwatters. 6 - (a) The wedding of Vicki Ott and Bill Gardner was hosted at NurseCare of Shreveport on May 2nd by the residents and staff in honor of Vicki, their beloved administrator. (b) Marcus Van Ameringen, Helen Helton, and Vicki Gardner at the wedding reception. 7 - The Senior Health and Fitness Fair was held on May 7th in conjunction with the NWLA Senior Olympics. (a) First place honors in the General Bean Bag finals went to The Krewe of Elders’ team (b) Wit Coleman tries to win a prize from Lorrie Nunley at Azalea Estates “Potty Toss Game”; (c) The Live Oak team won first place honors in the Senior Residence Bean Bag finals; (d) Larry Carter visits with Vivian Locking with Synergy Home Care. Celebrating a special occasion or out for an evening with friends? Share your photos with us. Email to Editor.Calligas@gmail.com or mail to Parting Shots, c/o The Best of Times, P.O. Box 19510, Shreveport, LA 71149
60 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 61
62 June 2008 THE BEST of TIMES
THE BEST of TIMES June 2008 63