The BesT Place To Work
. . . is The BesT Place for care We care for our nurses and they care for you. A survey of nurses by Nursing Professionals magazine rated Willis-Knighton as one of the “Top 100 Hospitals to Work For� this year. We are honored by this recognition because we know satisfied nurses and quality of care go hand-in-hand. When you choose healthcare, choose Willis-Knighton and some of the best nurses in the country.
www.wkhs.com
June 2009
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The Best Of Times
June 2009
27 FEATURE: Thank You
8 News & Info
34 Travel Series: Palm Springs
9 Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
36 Weather Facts for Thought
10 Medical News: “STAT!” 12 Eat Like Your Life
Depends On It
14 Is There a Doctor in the
from a Grateful Nation
House?
38 Adrian!Cooks 40 Senior PerQs:
6 Questions of 9 Stores
42 Restaurant Review:
Mare Coastal Cuisine
16 Marci’s Medicare Answers 44 Our Famous Puzzle Pages 18 Laws of the Land 20 Money (Really) Matters
46 Get Up & Go! 48 Answers from the Experts
22 Dear Pharmacist
49 Leftovers
24 Here Comes the Judge
50 Gold Pages
25 “Moving Free” with
53 Parting Shots
Mirabai
The Battle of Peleliu, took place on September 15, 1944 in the Pacific. Lundy Cavender was the Chief Radioman who directed the bombardment by the USS Louisville. He communicated with Brigadier General Gordon D. Gayle, Commanding Office of Fifth Marines, Second Battalion, frequently during this important and strategic military action, but the two had never met. This photo of Brigadier General Gordon D. Gayle (USMC retired) and WWII veteran Lundy E. Cavender, (US Navy) was taken when Mr. Cavender was visiting the WWII Memorial as part of the April 11th Louisiana HonorAir Flight. General Gayle made a special trip to meet Mr. Cavender at the WWII memorial in Washington. Note: Mr. Cavendar served from September 6, 1940 to October 5, 1994 and earned ten battle stars in the Asiatic-Pacific Area. He was credited as being the first senior radioman in establishing the US Navy’s First Teletype School.
June 2009
They stood there so patiently, so proudly as each airplane full of their future selves returned from Washington. Young men and women who understand their obligation, lined up in smart uniform, swords held high to form an archway of honor through which the rapidly-aging veterans of past military service passed. The sight was enough to move strangers in an airport to tears of patriotic gratitude. The Best of Times was pleased to take part in a recent round of Louisiana Honor Air flights and sent publisher Gary Calligas and our newest writer, Lizzie Lyles, to cover the event. While the day was drizzly and skies grey, the veterans were in a happy mood and excitement was high. READ ALL ABOUT ONE OF THESE TRIPS IN THE CENTERSPREAD, starting on Page 27. Adrian!Cooks invites us all to picnic. We think that’s a great idea! This whole issue is, as usual, packed full of informative things, fun things, and maybe even surprising things. Like, for example, the admission that The Best of Times often gathers more stuff than we can use. But now, rather than tossing much of it, Mike Jameson at least mentions some interesting tid-bits in a featurette we’re calling LEFTOVERS. Take a whiff over on page 49. It’s still good. --Tina Calligas, editor TheBestOfTimesNews.com
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June 2009
!CTIVE ADULTS AT ,IVE /AK HAVE AN INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLE WITH AMENITIES 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 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
June 2009
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 (EALTH #ENTER ACCESS #ALL
6ISIT WWW LIVEOAKLA COM
% &LOURNOY ,UCAS 2OAD l 3HREVEPORT
0HOTOGRAPH TAKEN ON ,IVE /AK S GROUNDS BY $ARRELL 2EBOUCHE TheBestOfTimesNews.com
The Best Of Times
June 2009
Low-income consumers in CenturyTel service areas may qualify for assistance
l
this just in:
The Changing Face of Medical Care after Age 65
Nationwide, there is a shortage of internists and they are increasingly becoming unwilling to accept Medicare. In a 2008 report from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, 29% of Medicare beneficiaries surveyed reported having problems finding a primary care physician or a specialist to provide care. This represents a 24% increase over the previous year’s survey. Physicians site the poor reimbursement rate and the paperwork as reasons for not accepting Medicare. (“More Doctors Are Opting Out of Medicare,” New York Times)
l
respite care services available
The Caddo Council on Aging recently announced that they still have available respite hours for full time caregivers. Services include respite care/sitter service (up to 96 hours per year), personal care, information & assistance, and counseling & support groups. The client is the caregiver and may qualify if they are an adult family member, or another individual, who provides uncompensated home and community care to an older individual who needs supportive services; or a senior who is the caregiver for another senior who needs supportive services; or a senior who is caring for a developmentally disabled child under the age of 19. For information call CCOA at 632-2090.
l
it’s better to be old
In this recession, it is better to be old or young, but being in your 30s or 40s seems to be the worst place to be. The Pew Research Center recently released a poll of Americans that found people over 65 were generally suffering less from the recession. Fewer of them reported being forced to cut back on household expenses or said they had trouble meeting rent or mortgages. The elderly benefit from a greater safety net than do other Americans. Many are collecting pensions, and Social Security and Medicare are available. Just 7% of those over 65 reported problems in obtaining or paying for health care, a third the proportion of younger adults.
June 2009
Low-income consumers in Louisiana may qualify for assistance programs that will reduce the cost of initial telephone installation and basic monthly service, according to a recent announcement from CenturyTel. The assistance programs are available to qualifying consumers in every U.S. state. Link-Up helps consumers pay the initial installation costs of getting telephone service. The amount of the discounts varies by state and reduces up to one-half of the initial hook-fee, up to $30, for qualified households. Lifeline provides certain discounts each month on phone bills for qualified subscribers. To find out more about the Lifeline and Link-Up programs, including qualifications for participation, log on to www.lifeline.gov. Individuals living in a CenturyTel service area should call 800-201-4099 or visit www.centurytel.com/lifeline to inquire about eligibility.
The Issue of “Notch Babies”
The “Social Security Amendments of 1977” altered the way Social Security benefits are computed. The changes were effective beginning with people who became eligible for Social Security in 1979. Many of those born in the period after 1916, the “notch babies,” are concerned that the changes in the rules have caused their benefits to be lower than those of retirees who were born before and after them. Two bills have been introduced so far in the 111th
Congress which address this issue. H.R. 238, the “Notch Baby Act,” introduced by Congresswoman JoAnn Emerson, will establish a schedule for “notch babies” to receive additional benefit increases for each year the individual became eligible for Social Security between 1979 and 1989. Congressman Ralph Hall with cosponsor Congressman John Fleming, introduced H.R. 1067, the “Notch Fairness Act of 2009”. This bill will allow “notch babies” to choose either lump sum payments over four years totaling $5,000 or payments calculated in an improved benefit computation formula.
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d
Community Hospices of America, a leading hospice provider in Shreveport recently announced it will change its name to Hospice Compassus to better reflect the all-encompassing hospice work performed throughout the community. Hospice Compassus remains committed to providing quality service, comprehensive end-of-life care and grief support to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
d
Humana Inc. is offering Louisiana charities the chance to apply for a onetime, $100,000 grant in the Louisiana Benefits charitable giving program, created by Humana and funded by The Humana Foundation. The grant application deadline for this year’s Louisiana Benefits is July 27, and the charitable program is open to Louisiana-based, 501(c)(3) organizations. Louisiana-based nonprofit groups are encouraged to visit www.louisianabenefits.org for applicant criteria and complete instructions.
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The Best of Times wins Louisiana Press Association Awards
The Best of Times recently received two awards from the Louisiana Press Association. Winners were announced in Baton Rouge at the association’s 129th annual convention, where competitors attended from across the state. The event highlights work done in 2008. The awards earned were: Third Place for Best Lifestyle Coverage in the Free Circulation and Special Interest Publication Competition, Division 9 for Amanda Newton’s “Profiles in Pizzazz”; Third Place - Best Overall Website in the Better Website Competition in Division B for our website, www.TheBestOfTimesNews.com. Overall, seventy-nine newspapers, weekly and specialty publications, and college or university newspapers submitted a total of 3,812 entries. The contest entries were judged by the Kansas Press Association based on their design, creativity, writing skills and reader effectiveness.
June 2009
New Treatment Discovered for Restless Legs Syndrome Improves Sleep
This Just In: severe asthma treatment may improve patient quality of life New
Chronic asthma sufferers may find new relief in a simple, minimally invasive outpatient procedure known as bronchial thermoplasty, which uses controlled radiofrequency-generated heat to treat the muscles of the airways, preventing them from constricting and narrowing. If the Alair System, the device used in the bronchial thermoplasty procedure is approved by the FDA, it would become the first nonpharmaceutical therapy to effectively treat severe asthma. Overall, 79% of the patients in a recent study who were treated with bronchial thermoplasty experienced a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in their quality-of-life measurements.
FU…NOT KUNG FU! CANE
There’s a new exercise trend among senior citizens who use canes to get around. It’s called “Cane Fu,” and it’s a combination of aerobic training and self-defense. Instructors teach participants how to perform self-defense moves like breaking a chokehold with a cane. The class also helps participants improve their balance and coordination.
Cream studied as way treat skin cancer toTopical
In a case study of a type of melanoma skin cancer typically found on chronically sun-exposed skin, Saint Louis University researchers found that imiquimod, a topical cream, produced good results for patients when used together with surgery to treat the cancer, potentially helping doctors cut less. Researchers hope that topical treatments like imiquimod may be used to lower the seriousness and the cost of treating the disease, as well as limit scars from surgery, and, most importantly, improve patient care.
Aerosolized nanoparticles show promise for delivery of antibiotics Aerosol delivery of antibiotics via nanoparticles is showing promise as a means to improve drug delivery and increase patient compliance, thus reducing the severity of individual illnesses, the spread of epidemics, and possibly even retarding antibiotic resistance.
Pregabalin, a drug widely used to treat seizures and anxiety, appears to be an effective treatment for restless legs syndrome (RLS) and helps people with the disorder get a better night’s sleep, according to a study presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 61st Annual Meeting. Researchers found nearly two-thirds of the people who took pregabalin had no RLS symptoms while taking the drug. Sleep also improved for those taking pregabalin. The drug was well tolerated
Despite the common perception that total hip replacements last about 10 years, researchers at Rush University Medical Center have found that 96% of cementless metal components assessed remained securely fixed in place 20 years post surgery. (Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery)
Star Trek-like System Offers Noninvasive Monitor for Patients The gap between science fiction and reality is closing faster than many people may think. A noninvasive, needle-free system that uses light to measure tissue oxygen and pH will soon be an alternative to the painful use of needles to draw blood and cumbersome equipment to determine metabolic rate. The futuristic system is dubbed the Venus prototype, and has the capability to measure blood and tissue chemistry, metabolic rate (oxygen consumption) and other parameters. Scientists with the National Space Biomedical Research Institute developed the technology.
Triglycerides Implicated in Diabetes Nerve Loss
A common blood test for triglycerides may allow doctors to predict which patients with diabetes are more likely to develop the serious, common complication of neuropathy, a condition in which nerves are damaged or lost with resulting numbness, tingling and pain, often in the hands, arms, legs and feet. A new study suggests that diabetes patients with neuropathy should control lipid counts as rigorously as they do glucose levels.
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June 2009
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Pesticide Exposure Found to Increase Risk of Parkinson’s Disease UCLA researchers have found that years of exposure to a combination of the fungicide maneb and the herbicide paraquat increased the risk of Parkinson’s by 75%. Crops like potatoes, dry beans and tomatoes have long been protected from bugs and weeds by these pesticides. Further, for people diagnosed with early on-set Parkinson’s, earlier exposure had increased their risk for the disease by as much as four- to six-fold. Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that often impairs motor skills, speech and other functions. It has been reported to occur at high rates among farmers and in rural populations.
Decline in HRT Use May Have Led to Fewer Heart Attacks in Women
Now that the popularity of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has declined from more than 30% in 2002 to less than 15% now, so too has the number of myocardial infarctions, or heart attacks, in menopausal women each year, a new study has found. There has been no such difference in the rate of strokes, however. (The journal Medical Care)
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June 2009
11
Here’s to good nutrition:
walnuts may help to prevent breast cancer
Walnut consumption may provide the body with essential omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols that reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to a study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting.
diet and exercise helps older cancer survivors reduce decline
A home-based diet and exercise program reduced the risk of disease and the rate of functional decline among older, overweight long-term survivors of colorectal, breast and prostate cancer, according to a study in JAMA.
cutting salt isn’t the only way to reduce blood pressure
Most people know that too much sodium from foods can increase blood pressure. A new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that people trying to lower their blood pressure should also boost their intake of potassium, which has the opposite effect to sodium. Researchers noted that potassium seems to be effective in lowering blood pressure and the combination of a higher intake of potassium and lower consumption of sodium seems to be more effective than either on its own in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. So go easy on salt and fill up on potassium-rich foods like bananas, apricots, lentils, spinach and sweet potatoes.
CERTAIN FOODS MAY THWART AGE-RELATED VISION LOSS
A new study suggests that older adults who eat diets rich in citrus fruits, leafy greens and fish oil, but low in “glycemic index,” may have a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration - the leading cause of vision loss among older U.S. adults. Researchers found that participants who tended to eat fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, or foods high in vitamin C,
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June 2009
vitamin E, zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin, had a relatively lower risk of AMD. Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in broccoli and leafy green vegetables, as well as egg yolks. The study also found that diets containing foods with a low glycemic index, also appeared protective against AMD. Not surprisingly, older adults who combined all three dietary patterns showed a decreased AMD risk as well.
Try the camera phone diet
Could your camera phone help you lose weight? When people in a recent study snapped a picture of everything they ate, they paid closer attention to how much they were eating, how diverse their food choices were, or how healthful the food was. That extra thought and attention actually helped them eat better. Think of it as a digital version of a food diary - but better - because it forces you to think about what you’re eating before you put it in your mouth. (RealAge.com)
l Meat cooked at high temperatures, to the point of burning and charring, may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting. Subjects who preferred very well done steak were almost 60% as likely to get pancreatic cancer as compared to those who ate meat less well done or did not eat meat at all. l The latest study on red meat and health, which included a half million people followed over 10 years, has linked eating relatively large amounts of red and processed meat to increased overall deaths, as well as deaths specifically related to cancer and heart disease. Those who ate the most red meat were 31 (men) to 36 (women) percent more likely to die than those who ate the least.
Pomegranate juice may slow the progression of post-treatment prostate cancer recurrence, according to new long-term research results presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association.
DASH diet prescribed to lower blood pressure also reduces women’s risk of heart failure
The DASH diet was initially developed to help patients lower their blood pressure, but the results of a large study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, demonstrates that women who followed the diet also significantly reduced their risk of developing heart failure. This diet features high intake of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and whole grains. Women with the high compliance with the DASH diet had a 37% lower risk of heart failure as compared to those with the lowest compliance, even after factors such as age, physical activity and smoking were taken into account. TheBestOfTimesNews.com
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June 2009
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Summer is here - the perfect time for skin cancer awareness
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. Another type of skin cancer, melanoma, is more dangerous but less common. Anyone can get skin cancer, but it is more common in people who: • spend a lot of time in the sun or have been sunburned • have light-colored skin, hair and eyes • have a family member with skin cancer • are over age 50. Actinic keratoses are con-
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June 2009
sidered the earliest stage in the development of skin cancer. They are small, scaly spots most commonly found on the face, ears, neck, lower arms, and back of the hands in fair-skinned individuals who have had significant sun exposure. Actinic keratoses can be treated. Some actinic keratoses may progress to advanced stages which require more extensive treatment. Proper use of sunscreens can help prevent actinic keratoses even after extensive sun damage has already occurred. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and appears frequently on the head, neck, and hands as a small, fleshy bump, nodule, or red patch. Other parts of the body may be affected as well. BCCs are frequently found in fair-skinned people and rarely occur in dark skin. They usually do not grow quickly. It can take many months or years for one to grow to a diameter of one-half inch. Untreated, the cancer often will begin to bleed, crust over, heal, and repeat the cycle, and can extend
below the skin to the bone and nerves, causing considerable local damage. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer; it is primarily found in fair-skinned people and rarely in dark-skinned individuals. Typically located on the rim of the ear, the face, lips, and mouth, this cancer may appear as a bump, or as a red, scaly patch. SCC can develop into large masses and become invasive. Unlike basal cell carcinoma, this form of cancer can spread to other parts of the body; therefore, it is important to get early treatment. When found early and treated properly, the cure rate for both basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas is over 95%. Malignant Melanoma is the most deadly of all skin cancers. Every year, an estimated 8,000 Americans will die from melanoma; it is projected that greater than 108,000 Americans will develop melanoma annually. Melanoma is usually curable when detected in its early stages. Melanoma appears in mixed shades of tan, brown, and black; although, it can also be red or white. Melanoma can metastasize (spread), making treatment essential. Melanoma may appear sud-
denly or begin in or near a mole, or another dark spot in the skin. It is important to know the location and appearance of the moles on the body to detect changes early. Any changing mole must be examined by a dermatologist. Early melanoma can be removed while still in the curable stage. Excessive sun exposure, especially sunburn, is the most important preventable cause of melanoma. Light-skinned individuals are at particular risk. Heredity also plays a part. Atypical moles, which may run in families, and a large number of moles, can serve as markers for people at increased risk for developing melanoma. Dark skin is not a guarantee against melanoma. People with skin of color can develop melanoma, especially on the palms, soles, under the nails, in the mouth, or on the genitalia.
The ABCDEs of Melanoma Consult a dermatologist immediately if any moles or pigmented spots exhibit: • A stands for ASYMMETRY; one half unlike the other half. • B stands for BORDER; irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border. • C stands for COLOR;
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varied from one area to another; shades of tan and brown, black; sometimes white, red or blue. • D stands for DIAMETER; while melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller.. • E stands for EVOLVING; a mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color. Warning signs of melanoma include: • Changes in the surface of a mole. • Scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or the appearance of a new bump. • Spread of pigment from the border of a mole into surrounding skin. • Change in sensation including itchiness, tenderness, or pain.
Treatment of Skin Cancer If a skin biopsy reveals cancer, the dermatologist has an array of medical and surgical procedures as treatment, depending upon the type of cancer, its location, and the needs of the individual. Prevention Develop a regular routine to inspect your skin for changes. If a growth, mole, sore, or skin discoloration appears suddenly, or begins to change, see a dermatologist. It is wise to have an annual skin examination by a dermatologist, especially for adults with significant past sun exposure or a family history of skin cancer. Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers. To have fun in the sun and decrease your risk of skin cancer: • Generously apply a water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to all exposed skin. Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating. • Wear protective clothThe Best Of Times
ing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, where possible. • Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. • Use caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, increasing the chance of sunburn. • Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you’ve been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it. • Check your birthday suit on your birthday. If you notice anything changing, growing or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early. Have your doctor check any suspicious skin markings and any changes in the way your skin looks. Early detection is the surest way to a cure. Treatment is more likely to work well when cancer is found early. If not treated, some types of skin cancer cells can spread to other tissues and organs. (American Academy of Dermatology)
June 2009
15
By The Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org)
Payment for Ambulance Services, Drugs for Erectile Dysfunction, Hospice
Dear Marci, Does Medicare pay for ambulance services? --Gena Dear Gena, If it is an emergency Medicare will generally cover ambulance services, as long as: • An ambulance is the only safe way to transport
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June 2009
you (medically necessary); and • You are transported to and from certain locations. An emergency is when your health is in serious danger and every second counts to prevent your health from getting worse. If the trip is scheduled as a way to transport you from one location to another when your
health is not in immediate danger, it is not considered an emergency. If it is not an emergency, Medicare coverage of ambulance services is very limited. Medicare will generally only cover non-emergency ambulance transport if it is the only safe way to transport you. Transport by all other means, including ambulettes, must be unsafe given your condition. For example, Medicare may cover non-emergency ambulance services if you need vital medical services during your trip that are only available in an ambulance, such as administration of medications or monitoring of vital functions. If covered, Medicare will pay
for 80% of its approved amount for the ambulance service. You or your supplemental insurance policy will be responsible for the remaining 20%. All ambulance providers must accept Medicare assignment, meaning they must accept the Medicareapproved amount as payment in full. ~Marci Dear Marci, Does the Medicare drug benefit (Part D) cover drugs for erectile dysfunction? --Noah Dear Noah, No. There are drugs excluded from Medicare Part D coverage by law. These include drugs for: erectile dysfunction, anorexia, weight loss or weight
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gain (except to treat physical wasting caused by AIDS, cancer or other diseases), fertility, cosmetic purposes or hair growth and relief of the symptoms of colds (like a cough and stuffy nose). Prescription vitamins and minerals (except prenatal vitamins and fluoride preparations), non-prescription drugs (over-the-counter drugs) and certain anti-anxiety drugs (barbiturates and benzodiazepines) are also excluded from Medicare coverage. ~Marci Dear Marci, One of the Medicare-certified hospice agencies in town is not willing to take my mother as a patient, even though she has Medicare. Is this allowed? --Callie Dear Callie, Medicare-certified hospice agencies are not required to take your mother as a patient simply because she qualifies for Medicare-covered
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hospice care. Agencies may select which patients they take, provided that they don’t violate discrimination laws. Whether your mother is in Original Medicare or a Medicare private health plan, you should call other agencies. If she is terminally ill and her doctor certifies that she has fewer than six months to live, another agency may take her as a hospice patient. ~Marci Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center, the nation’s largest independent source of info and assistance for people with Medicare. To speak with a counselor, call (800) 333-4114. To subscribe to “Dear Marci,” MRC’s free e-newsletter, e-mail dearmarci@medicarerights. org. To learn more about services that Medicare will cover, log on to Medicare Interactive Counselor at the Medicare Rights Center’s website at www.medicareinteractive.org.
June 2009
17
By Lee ARonson, an attorney
with Legal Services of North Louisiana done and the results being completely satisfactory to The Case the buyers. The offer was of the accepted so Ricky and Scented Lucy hired a home inspector to inspect the home. Home The inspection revealed some problems and the seller agreed to pay to Ricky and Lucy decided have these problems repaired. they wanted to buy a house. The repairs were made and They saw a house they liked Lucy and Ricky went to and made an offer to buy it. closing where they signed a The offer was contingent whole bunch of documents and upon a home inspection being handed over a check for the
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June 2009
purchase price of $180,000. It turned out that one of those documents they signed stated that Ricky and Lucy were buying the house as-is. The couple moved into the house, and as so often happens in their lives, things started to go wrong. The house stank. Within only days after buying the home, Lucy thought the smell was coming from the attic, so she climbed up there and saw a rat coming into the attic trough a loose soffit. She also heard scratching sounds. She climbed down and went outside with Rickey where they personally witnessed “several rats hop onto the roof and enter the attic through the eves.” They bought some rat traps and put them in the attic and quickly caught 10 rats. But because the attic continued to stink, Lucy and Ricky decided it would be best to remove the insulation. When they did so, they found “approximately 20 dead rats and carcasses in various stages of decomposition,” lots and lots of “rodent feces” and “urine stains” and “several brands of rat poison of different ages.” Meanwhile, in an effort to fix up other parts of the house, Lucy started to remove the baseboards inside the home and the garage. To her horror, rat feces began pouring out of the walls. At that point Lucy and Ricky had enough and sued the former owners of the home. The former owners said that they didn’t know anything about a rat problem. And they pointed out that Lucy and Ricky had signed a document at closing stating that they were buying the house as-is. If you were the Judge, what would you do? In this case, which is based on a real case out of Belle Chase, the Judge pointed out that an as-is clause in a sales contract will not be valid if the seller knew of should have known that the property had a hidden defect and failed to tell the buyers. So TheBestOfTimesNews.com
the issue in this case became whether the sellers knew or should have known about the rats in their home. And the Judge went on to hold that the sellers knew about the rat problem. He came to this conclusion because “multiple packets of rat poison of varying ages and brands were found” hidden in the attic insulation. The Judge took this to mean that the home sellers had made numerous attempts over the years they lived in the house to get rid of the rats. And the Judge also found it very suspicious that when Lucy and Ricky first toured the home, candles were burning. Lucy and Rickey had arranged to see the house a second time and had specifically asked that “no artificial fragrances be used.” But when they got to the house, candles were burning once again. As a result, the Judge ordered the sellers to pay Lucy and Ricky the cost of repairing and remediating the property as well as pay Lucy and Ricky’s attorney’s fees, all judicial interest and court costs.
Sat, June 6 vs Corpus Christi 7:00 PM Sat, July 4 vs Amarillo 5:00 PM Sat, July 25 vs Arkansas 7:00 PM
Tickets start as low as $7! Wall-to-wall fun for the entire family!
!=?G 6EPD 5AJCA=J?A
CenturyTel Center • Bossier City, LA For tickets or more information
318-746-8755
Lee Aronson’s practice areas include consumer protection law, housing law and health care law.
The Best Of Times
June 2009
19
By Jason Alderman, director of Visa’s financial education programs
Keep these considerations in mind: Reverse You may qualify Mortgages for a reverse mortCan Help gage at age 62 if you’ve paid off your Seniors home and it’s your primary residence. More and more seniors un- The loan amount is determined able to keep up with escalating by a formula based on your living expenses have begun home’s appraised value, your exploring reverse mortgages, age, current interest rates, where they draw equity from mortgage insurance and aptheir paid-off homes and plicable fees. Generally, the continue living there with no older you are and the more monthly payments. valuable your home, the greater Although reverse mort- the available loan. gages make sense for some Unlike regular home equity people - especially those loans/lines of credit, where you on fixed incomes who want make monthly payments to to remain in their homes as repay the money you’ve borlong as possible - they have rowed, with reverse mortgages complex rules and hefty up- you don’t need to repay until front costs, so look carefully you move out permanently, sell before you leap. the property or die. You or your
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June 2009
heirs must then repay the borrowed amount or sell the house. Any leftover money goes to you or your estate. Other key differences from regular home equity loans/lines of credit: Reverse mortgages have no minimum income requirements; the repayment amount never exceeds the home’s sale value, so you’re never liable for more than you originally borrowed as with a traditional mortgage when the home’s value decreases.
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You can take the money as a lump sum, a line of credit, fixed monthly payments or any combination. And because it’s a loan, it’s not considered taxable income so Social Security and Medicare benefits usually aren’t impacted. Observe these cautions, however: • Reverse mortgage fees are quite high (up to 5 percent of the loan’s value), so also consider other alternatives such as a home equity loan or line of credit, downsizing homes or selling your home and renting. • Reverse mortgages are a better deal over a longer period of time, so if you plan to move in a few years they’re probably not your best solution. • Because you continue to own the home, you’re responsible for any homeowner’s fees, property taxes, insurance and repairs. Failure to meet those obligations could ultimately result in loan cancellation or even foreclosure. • The longer you carry a reverse mortgage, the more it will decrease your home equity, so the inheritance you leave behind will be smaller. However, weigh that and living in your own home against the expense and possible inconvenience of moving into assisted living.
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Be sure to consult a financial professional before applying for a reverse mortgage; if you don’t know one, www. plannersearch.org is a good place to start your search. Note that federally insured reverse mortgages require you to meet with an approved independent counselor before applying for one. AARP provides a comprehensive overview of reverse mortgages, including a free online seminar and a loan calculator (www.aarp.org/money/revmort). Also, visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s site and enter “reverse mortgage” in the search box (www.hud.gov). Another good information source for issues retirees often face is Visa’s free personal financial management site, Practical Money Skills for Life (www. practicalmoneyskills.com/elder). Reverse mortgages aren’t for everyone, but if staying in your home as long as possible is a goal, this kind of loan could be a good choice. Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To participate in a free, online Financial Literacy and Education Summit, go to www.practicalmoneyskills.com/summit2008.
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BY Suzy Cohen, R.Ph.,
author of “The 24-hour Pharmacist” defenses against those free radicals Natural Ways which cause “oxidative” damage. Guess To Reduce what neutralizes it? Cancer Risk The “anti” oxidant, of course, such as vitamins A, C, E, D, selenium and ubiquinol. Dear Pharmacist, Free radicals trigger the reI am very afraid of getting cancer because it runs in my lease of bad chemicals in your family. The stress makes me body such as IGF-1, IL6, C-revigilant about eating right, active protein, homocysteine, I’m a vegan and I take and TNF-a. These chemicals medicinal mushrooms and increase pain, inflammation vitamin C every day. Am I and the growth of cancer. Foods on the right track? --V.D., that increase inflammatory chemicals include processed Salt Lake City, Utah Yes, and your fear is un- meats (like hot dogs), red meat derstandable. An estimated and eggs which are high in 1.5 million people heard the arachidonic acid, dairy protein word “cancer” as a diagnosis (casein) and wheat protein in 2008. With cancer, you (gluten). Recently, a study in have to be mindful of the the Annals of Internal Medi“free radicals” in your body. cine concluded that meat and You want as few as possible. dairy increase levels of IGF-1 Free radicals are molecules by 15 percent, and IGF-1 fuels that damage innocent cells. prostate cancer. If you cut down on foods They are normally neutralized in a healthy body. But if that trigger immune reactions you smoke, expose yourself and eat more organic fruits and to pesticides, sun damage, vegetables you can improve pollution, maintain a poor immune function. There are diet, or eat artificial sweeten- also natural supplements and ers and preservatives, you foods that increase vitality, severely reduce your body’s energy and immune function.
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These include rosemary, broccoli, olives, ground flaxseed, probiotics, cat’s claw, curcumin, omega 3 fatty acids, ginger, N-acetylcysteine, spirulina and finally, clinically tested brands of modified citrus pectin (MCP). Anecdotal evidence suggests some ingredients in Essiac supplements can strengthen the immune system too. I’ve also grown fond of “organic germanium” because this dietary supplement is a strong immune booster that sweeps away free radicals and floods your cells with oxygen. That’s important because cancer growth is interrupted by oxygen. A number of clinical trials support the role of organic germanium (Ge-132) for cancer prevention because it increases T-cells, B-lymphocytes and natural killer cells -think “sheriff” kind of killer cell. Germanium may help with depression, fatigue and heavy metal poisoning. Always talk with your oncologist about introducing new supplements. At home, I make “anti-everything tea.” I heat 2 cups of water with some sprigs of fresh parsley, dandelion, cilantro, rosemary, cinnamon spice and a teaspoonful of fresh grated ginger; add half a teaspoonful of matcha or dried blueberry loose leaf tea. Steep for 3 minutes and sweeten with stevia or agave syrup. Did You Know? Grapeseed oil is an excellent alternative to olive oil, especially in salads, or when cooking at high temperatures. This information is not intended to treat, cure, or diagnose your condition. For more information visit www.DearPharmacist. com. ©2008 Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. Distributed by Dear Pharmacist, Inc.
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The Best Of Times
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By Judge Jeff Cox, 26th Judicial District Court Judge for Bossier/Webster Parishes, Division C vehicle. The catch is Worsening that they always need more information. Economy They need to know the vehicle identificaLeads to New Scam tion number and the serial number. They may also ask for your Each year, new scams credit card information so come out. As the economy they can charge the warranty worsens, people, especially to your credit criminals, are looking to take card. If you advantage of people. I have give them the discussed many scams in this numbers off article directed toward the the back of the elderly in the past. This scam card, which is targets all ages of people. what they ask One new scam has come for, they can out this year. The new scam make whatevinvolves your motor vehicle er purchases warranty. Someone calls they want on your home and tells you that that card. your motor vehicle warranty The best is about to expire. They know thing you can do if you are the make and model of your called by these people is tell
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them you are not interested. If you are interested in buying a car warranty, you can research and find your own warranty either through the dealership or other warranty dealers. At least by doing the research on your own, you know that the warranty company is legitimate and not using your credit card information to make other purchases. Always investigate a person trying to sell you something on the phone, especially if they ask for your credit card information. You can call the Better Business Bureau in your area to start your investigation to see if any complaints have been filed against the company. On another note, Swine Flu has recently been detected in our area. Although, according to memos put out by our government, the cases do not seem to be severe, take precautions to keep from getting and spreading the disease. If you get the disease, stay away from others. To avoid getting the disease, wash your hands frequently. If you sneeze, please do as your mother taught you and cover your nose to prevent the spread of germs. If you think you are getting ill, you can contact your health care provider for medication such as Tamiflu. There is no vaccine available for this strain yet. Seek medical treatment if you symptoms worsen.
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By mirabai holland, M.F.A., www.MovingFree.com important element in building and maintaining bone mass. Vitamin D: • Preliminary scienThe Sports tific evidence points to Vitamin D as a sports Vitamin? performance aid. A 2009 study with adolescent girls at the Vitamin D is an important University of Manchester, Vitamin. It’s the sunshine England found that the girls vitamin you absorb through with higher levels of vitamin D your skin when you’re had better muscle performance and speed than those with outdoors. • It helps stabilize our lower Vitamin D levels. It’s also thought that exermood. That’s why people in northern climates with less cise may increase your body’s sunlight get SAD, Seasonal ability to absorb Vitamin D. Anecdotal evidence shows Depressive Syndrome, those sports performance appears to winter blues. • It works with other improve in the summer when chemicals in your body to people are exercising in the sun help keep your immune sys- and Vitamin D levels would be highest. tem healthy. • Vitamin D helps your There are 2 types of Vitamin body absorb calcium, and D. Vitamin D2 – the kind
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that’s found in fortified food and supplements and Vitamin D3 the kind you absorb from sunlight. Conventional wisdom was that Vitamin D3 was more effective, particularly when it came to your bones, than D2. But recent research at Boston University School of Medicine showed that effectiveness is about the same for both types. Because of our lifestyles, most people don’t get enough Vitamin D from sunlight. Even those who are outdoors a lot use sunscreen to prevent skin cancer and therefore don’t absorb enough Vitamin D. So, most of us need to eat Vitamin D rich foods like eggs (particularly yolks), liver,
mackerel, tuna and salmon or fortified foods, like milk, or orange juice, and cereal, or take Vitamin D supplements to get the daily recommended adult dose of 400 – 800 international units (IU) per day. Adults over 50 should get 800 – 1000 IU daily. These are just general recommendations. Actual requirements vary from person to person. Check with your doctor. Mirabai Holland M.F.A. is a public health activist specializing in preventive and rehabilitative exercise. Her Moving Free® approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn’t feel like work.
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This was not American history from a textbook.
This was living history made on April 11 as 111 World War II veterans gathered for the first of four Louisiana HonorAir flights departing from Shreveport. A staggering Airbus 320 provided by US Airways carried these honorable veterans on a non-stop flight to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial and other sites. It was the first time for the HonorAir veterans to see their memorial that commemorates the 14 million Americans who served in the conflict that changed America and the world. The veterans enjoyed an historical excursion of Washington D.C. and an unforgettable day of honor and remembrance thanks to the Louisiana HonorAir organization, whose mission is to celebrate Louisiana’s WWII heroes and provide them the opportunity to visit their memorial. However, this all-expense-paid tour was only a small way to thank the veterans for a service that can never be repaid. The atrium of the Shreveport Regional Airport buzzed with excitement at 5:30 a.m. as the Louisiana HonorAir veterans and other HonorAir travelers – veterans’ guardians, local media, paramedics and HonorAir coordinators – prepared for the day’s journey. I came prepared carrying my tape recorder and camera and wearing a red, white and blue blouse. We visited the World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Marine Corps War Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery. Throughout the day the veterans shared stories, photographs and a strong camaraderie with each other as brothers of America’s Greatest Generation and as humble heroes of war. Most were just young boys of 18 to 20 years old when they enlisted in the armed forces, fought in the battles, flew the planes, fired the shots, suffered the wounds and lost fellow brothers in World War II. They fought and America prevailed. Their sacrifice ensured the democratic and modern-day America that we live in today. The Best Of Times
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Fanfare and Remembrance
“I hadn’t shed a tear for any occasion in 20 years, unless I hit my thumb or something,” veteran Charles W. Tebow recalled when he entered Reagan National Airport. “When I stepped through that door and the band was playing and all that I thought, my heavens what is happening here because I just took [it all] for granted.” This was Tebow’s emotional response
After more than 60 years, the veterans returned to their memories of war with a mix of emotions - tears, pride, humility, closure. For some it was difficult to open up about their experiences. But hearing first-hand from a WWII veteran how they enlisted, how they trained, where they were stationed, the lessons they have to share and other historical tid-bits was an extraordinary experience. “The best night was when Japan surrendered,” E.H. Scroggins remembered as he waited with his fellow veterans to board the plane heading from Shreveport to Washington, D.C. Scroggins, from Bastrop, recalled icy waters on the USS Charleston. “I was in the Aleutian Islands. I was on a crow’s nest and I had five layers of clothes on. I had to break the ice off my nose [to breath].” Scroggins finished school in May of 1942, but by February 1943 the war “wasn’t looking any better.” With his friends going in by the dozen, Scroggins voluntarily signed up for the Navy at age 19 and served from 1943 to 1946. Like many of the HonorAir veterans on board, he enjoyed most seeing the World War II Memorial. Ralph A. Hair, 89, served from March 1942 to October 1945 in three invasions and in campaigns in North Africa (Tunisia and Morocco), Southern France, at the Battle of the Ardennes and in Sicily, Italy where he was wounded. He was in Innsbruck, Austria at the war’s end, then England and finally returned home after serving a lengthy tour. Allen Clements, from Slidell, served under General George S. Patton during WWII. “Allen has a photographic memory,” his wife Gloria Clements told me. “General Patten talked really loud so [Allen] could hear him, so if anything happened… Allen could report it to Eisenhower.” Among the veterans were others who served just as honorably. There were Purple Heart recipients; survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941; one marine; a recipient of the French Legion of Honor, Colonel Steven dePyssler; and fans of The Best of Times (most notably James L. Bush).
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to the hundreds of citizens who greeted the veterans when they arrived at Reagan National Airport. The Washington Symphonic Brass band played fanfares and military medleys as airport personnel and Washington D.C. residents cheered for the veterans, shook their hands and waved American flags. Signs of thanks were displayed and hand-drawn thank you cards made by local schoolchildren were given to the veterans. Although the veterans received a warm welcome at the airport, they did not receive a warm welcome from the weather. But the wind and rain did not damper their spirits during the day. They arrived at the World War II Memorial covered in ponchos and huddled beneath umbrellas. Two guests, Senators Bob Dole (a WWII veteran himself) and Elizabeth Dole, greeted the veterans at the memorial and took pictures with them under a canopy TheBestOfTimesNews.com
of umbrellas. Both waited at the memorial an hour before the veterans’ arrival, just a small example of how dedicated these two Americans are in supporting the Honor Flight Network, whose goal it is to provide a safe and free trip for every American WWII veteran to visit their memorial in Washington, D.C. The veterans toured their memorial situated between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial along the National
to represent more than 400,000 Americans who lost their lives during WWII; and engravings of quotes from Harry S. Truman, General George C. Marshall, Dwight D. Eisenhower and infamous dates like June 6, 1944. Being at the memorial jogged the veterans’ memories and sparked new conversations. George A. Love, from Ruston, told me why he voluntarily joined the armed forces. He served in the Air Force from November 1942 to November 1945. “When I was 18, I had the intention of going into the Navy,” he said. “The city administration building was a four story building. Navy was on the third floor, Air Force was on the second floor. I was walking up the stairs. When I came to the second floor, there was this big, nice looking Air Force guy, you know, wide, broad shoulders and a narrow hip and best
veterans were escorted to the tomb by guards of the 3rd United States Infantry who keep watch over the tomb 24 hours a day every day of the year. All was silent except for the clicking of the guard’s shiny black boots as each marched with precision in his perfectly crisp uniform. In solemn respect the veterans presented a wreath of red, white and blue flowers with a Louisiana HonorAir sash and saluted the fallen, unknown soldiers. It was a poignant scene of old and young as the young guards stood side-by-side with the World War II veterans united in duty to and respect for their country despite their different generations. I noticed ties between the generations in even the smallest details. Each HonorAir traveler wore either a red, white or blue cap during the day as group identification and a means of organization.
On the back of each cap was monogrammed “MG 20-20, for a debt that can never be repaid.” The caps
dressed. I thought, I’ll go into the Air Force. It’ll make me look just like him.” Many more stories were shared, but all could not be caught on tape. As the veterans explored the grand memorial, I watched their smiles and their tears. How significant it was to see their memorial and share this special day with them. Mall. They gathered around the Louisiana pillar for photos and took in the history and symbolism of their memorial: the 56 pillars representing each U.S. state and territory; the Atlantic and Pacific arches; the large pool of fountains at the center of the monument; a wall marking “the price of freedom” displaying 4,000 gold stars The Best Of Times
Solemn Respect
At Arlington National Cemetery, veterans William Gately (Army), Rollin Cochran (Army), James Butler (Air Corps) and William Brashear (Navy) placed a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns in an honorable ceremony. The four June 2009
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N rev Sout EW h No epor east wO tO PE ffice N!
Sh
were generously donated by the Mark Graham Foundation in honor of Mark Graham, known as MG 20-20. Mark Graham died in 2007 at the age of 22 while serving in Iraq. The caps served as a reminder of the fatality of war and fragility of life that all soldiers have faced in our country’s history. It proved that the American armed forces who uphold principles of duty, honor, character and courage can stand the test of time. “This country will never fall because of the lack of service from the armed forces,” said veteran paratrooper Albert Austin. “The only way this country will ever fall is from the inside.” Austin enlisted in the military in 1941 and was recruited as a paratrooper in 1942. He spent 11 months serving in Korea and continued in the service making it his career until he retired in 1966.
An Honorable Homecoming Shreveport Regional Airport rolled out the red carpet for the
Reaping What You Sow Some see an empty field of dirt. Robbie Brown sees bushels of homegrown tomatoes, foot-long zucchinis and some of the sweetest peas your teeth have ever had the pleasure of meeting. When he’s not driving his tractor or guiding his tiller through the garden, you’ll find him living life to the fullest in some other way. “I do anything I want to do with the legs I get from Snell’s,” Brown says confidently. “I don’t back up for nothing.” It is that same type of commitment that Snell’s licensed practitioners and technicians make to our patients every day. Our staff members take the time to attentively listen to the patient to determine what his or her needs truly are. Then, after careful consultation with the patient’s physician, we begin the design and fabrication process. Once the prosthesis or orthosis has been fitted, we work tirelessly with the patient to make sure that it functions correctly. Our investment in new technology and in specialized training for our staff allows us to deliver prosthetic and orthotic devices of the highest quality. Because, as Mr. Brown will attest to…what you invest in today will yield abundant returns tomorrow.
veterans’ return home. On the red carpet they were greeted by Congressman John Fleming and Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover who presented each veteran with an American flag that had flown over the Capital Building. They walked under an arch of steel held
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by Barksdale Air Force honor guards before being escorted down the escalator by active military men and women. Thousands of Shreveport residents filled the airport and cheered as each veteran descended the escalator after a very long, but memorable day. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who became overwhelmed with emotion or wiped a tear from my eye each time the crowd cheered for a veteran or as the military medleys played. A sea of red, white and blue, waving flags, balloons and signs thanking and welcoming the heroes was a moving scene that incited patriotism in us all. As a young American college student, it was refreshing to spend the day with these heroic men and forget the current debates about what our country should and shouldn’t
do. I only wished my tape recorder and I could have spent more time with the veterans. But times of economic, national and international woes may always exist in America.
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Also knowing that we will face rough times, Scroggins encourages all Americans to uphold the flag of the United States of America. “As long as we do that, we’ll be alright.” Austin says that the best thing to do is “be patriotic.” Recognizing that generations of Americans are different, he recommends having respect for the country and its founders, obeying the laws and understanding the Constitution.
Forever Grateful
When asked how their day went, the veterans responded with a variety of adjectives: great, wonderful, magnificent, perfect! They’re faces lit up with vigor and a smile even after the long day of travel. It was an extraordinary opportunity for the
Shreveport and Washington, D.C. communities to celebrate and thank the veterans for their service to our country during the fatal time between 1941 and 1945. For the veterans and HonorAir travelers it was an emotional adventure that transcended the pages of history and instilled in us a new-found sense of patriotism and gratitude. Louisiana HonorAir has a huge task ahead of them: to give every Louisiana veteran the opportunity to see the World War II Memorial while they are still able to travel. With this first flight, the organization has set the bar high for a fun and much-deserved trip that the Veterans will cherish. It is an honorable mission that will continue to be fulfilled through generous donations, more flights to Washington, D.C. and more historic days. Editor’s Note: Other trips from Shreveport were scheduled for April 25, May 9, and May 16. Additional trips will be scheduled until every WWII veteran has had the chance to go. For more information visit www.LouisianaHonorAir.com
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We go looking for treasure in the desert; find it. Shreveport’s spring weather sprung a leak and Gary and I were beginning to feel all pruny from the moisture in the air. Where, we wondered, is it dryer, with a little entertainment and shopping to distract and tennis and golf are seriously appreciated. And where could we find interesting people and a diverse community, which always make travel so fascinating? Those musings led us to Palm Springs, California. Where else?! Once a playground of Hollywood’s movers & shakers, it now finds itself an upscale playground for retired show-biz types and snowbirds who love to loll in the sun, play a little golf or tennis, eat a good meal, and have a nice retirement in this palmshaded oasis. And I haven’t even mentioned the slightly odd and vastly entertaining entertainment yet. There are seven little cities that make up the “Coachella Valley,” in which Palm Springs is one. The others are Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, and Indio. They’re all crammed together along a 25-mile stretch of Highway 111. One must pay very close attention to know where one ends and another begins. A bonus: They’re all beautiful. This same valley is the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente (seriously, “hot water”) tribe of Cahuilla Indians. They knew the area as “La palma de la mano de Dios” (the palm of God’s hand). Their ancient healing mineral waters are the “springs” in Palm Springs. They’re still there, hot as ever, working their magic. The Spa Resort Casino in the heart of downtown heavily promotes these mineral springs as part of their travel packages. Palm Springs sprung out of the building of the Southern Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s. The oasis began as a train stop, making it handy a little later for those Hollywood types who were seeking time out of the spotlights. Now downtown Palm Springs is a “quaint” shopping destination, with
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art galleries, antique stores and many restaurants. A real novelty is the life-size painted-steel likenesses of beloved movie stars in various locations around town. A personal fave, Lucille Ball sits on a bench outside of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 100 North Palm Canyon Drive. You can follow Palm Springs’ own “Walk of Stars” throughout downtown. If you’re down there, stop in at the Kaiser Grille, 205 S. Canyon Drive. And ask for a patio table where the view and people-watching are great. Friends recommended one of the most popular of Palm Springs events. Every Thursday evening, Palm Canyon Drive is closed to traffic and blooms into a stroller’s paradise involving artists, entertainers, jewelry makers, fruit and veggie vendors, and, well, just everything. It’s called “Village-Fest” and it celebrates “Everything Fun!” as the posters say. It’s one of Southern California’s most popular and longest-running events. While you’re in the general area, it should be mentioned that over in nearby Palm Desert is the weekly “College of the Desert Street Fair” on their campus. It’s open every weekend with vendors selling a huge variety of tasteful (and tasty!) goods, it shouldn’t be missed. The most fun that could be squeezed into one evening is the show at the historic Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs. Once the site of many Jack Benny radio broadcasts and its share of important Hollywood premieres and red carpets, it’s now the proud home of The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies. This is where it got a little
odd, in addition to rollicking fun. As the name “Follies” implies, there were dancing girls by the handful involved. And every single one of them are over 55. No kidding! In the troupe is 85-yearold Dorothy Kloos, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest working showgirl. And (Continued on page 36)
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continued from page 34
these shows are no high school musical, either! Professionally run, beautiful production values, and high humor! The night we were there the featured guest headliner was singer John Davidson. The production also showcased the talents of ventriloquist Sammy King (with Francisco) and Irina Markova and her Russian Poodles. For art lovers, the Palm Springs Art Museum features exhibits on contemporary, Native-American, Western and pre-Columbian art. It also has a beautiful sculpture garden and the Annenburg Theater inside offers ballet, opera and classical music performances. If the hysteria of recessionary scares hasn’t affected you, head down to the shops in the famous El Paseo Shopping District (their Rodeo Drive), with their très upscale shops. You can even ride from one to another aboard the frequent “Courtesy Carts” passing by. Golf, tennis, swimming, horseback riding and hiking in the very nearby desert and mountains are the reasons many give for visiting this spectacular place. Major celebrities and pros (and you could) play on over 200 golf courses, among the ghosts of past presidents and the Rat Pack. At the LaQuinta Resort, rated among the Top 20 tennis resorts by Tennis magazine, we watched Andy Roddick on Center Court playing a practice match in preparation for the BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament in Indian Wells that week. You know how Gary and I appreciate a good meal and our most memorable was at Castelli’s on Highway 111 in Palm Desert. The current Zagat’s says it one of America’s top Italian restaurants. It is. Everything about the meal was perfect, including the romantic piano player and the delightful waiter. One of the wonders we missed on this trip is a ride on the scarifying Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The cars rotate 360º as you ascend from desert floor to mountain forest at 8,516 feet! YIKES! But I’ve got to try it. Back in the day, Palm Springs was home to Hollywood hobnobbers. Now it’s a get-away haven in a desert oasis where everybody can find what they’re looking for.
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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 most active months for development. September is usually the most active month. An average of about ten tropical storms develop each season, of which about half of those intensify to becomes hurricanes. Tropical storm winds range from 39 mph to 74 mph. If winds increase to 75 mph, the storm is then classified a hurricane. At the center of a hurricane is an area known as the “eye” of the storm. The diameter can range from seven to twenty miles. There is little or no wind within the eye and visibility is good from the ocean level to the top. If a hurricane threatens to reach gulf coastal areas, you will hear these advisories. A “hurricane watch” means that hurricane conditions are possible in a designated area, usually within 36 hours. A “hurricane warning” means that hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours. Hurricane watch areas and hurricane warning areas are shown on television weather broadcasts. Are you thinking about what our June weather will be like? Last June there were twenty-five 90° days. The hottest temperature was 94° on the 7th and 8th. The coolest temperature was 66° on the 23rd. Rainfall measured 3.85 inches. Our normal June rainfall is 5.05 inches. As for our June records, the hottest June temperature was 104°. It was recorded three times - on June 22, 1875, June 25, 1875, and on June 20, 1936. The coolest temperature of record was 52° on June 8, 1977. The wettest of record was 17.11 inches in 1989. This footnote: The summer season will begin on June 21st. Last summer our hottest temperature was 105° on August 2nd. 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.
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BY Amanda Newton Grocery shopping is a necessary part of life. We all have to eat. However, there is no reason why you can’t save money at the grocery store. There are several ways to do this. Below is a list of area grocery stores and information on the money saving practices they offer customers. We have also included a list of places where you can find coupons, both print and on-line. And yes, coupons really do save you money. We finish with a few tips on how you can keep a little more money in your pocket at the grocery store and still eat well.
Baked Goods Bargains
The Mrs. Baird’s Baking Outlet and the Sunbeam Discount Bakery, both located on Mansfield Road in Shreveport, offer a senior discount day. On Tuesdays, customers 50 and older get a buy one/get one free deal on loaves of bread at Mrs. Baird’s. Also on Tuesday, the Sunbeam store gives a free loaf of bread with purchase.
Don’t shy away from generic or store brand products. These are often made by the same companies as the name brand products; they just package them differently and spend less on
Coupons really do save money The best place to find coupons is the Sunday paper. If you only buy one paper a week, that is the one to buy. If you don’t receive or buy the paper, then ask your friends and family if they use the coupons from their papers. If not, they might be happy to pass them on to you. If you have access to a computer and printer, then you will be happy to know that you can print manufacturer’s coupons off the internet. Some stores accept these, and some don’t, so check
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our list to verify store acceptance. Since many people aren’t used to seeing internet coupons, you might have a checker tell you they can’t accept your coupon. If so, and you know the store’s policy states it does accept them, then just politely ask to speak with the manger. If you shop at Kroger, you can load coupons off the internet onto their Kroger loyalty card. Visit one of the following sites to do this: • www.shortcuts.com • www.pgesaver.com • www.cellfire.com (this site loads coupons onto your cell phone)
For general grocery coupons to be used at stores that accept internet coupons visit: • www.coupons.com • www.valpak.com • www.smartsource.com • www.afullcup.com (This is a forum/coupon site with free registry. Once you register you can search for specific coupons.) • www.target.com (Each week the website has a new selection of coupons that can be used at Target stores. These are often tied into the weekly grocery specials, meaning there are some great deals.) TheBestOfTimesNews.com
marketing. At least try a store brand product and it you don’t like it you can go back to your name brand favorite.
Check the meat cases for marked down specials that are getting close to their sell by date. As long as you cook the meat that day or put it in the freezer as soon as you get home, you can get some premium meat at great prices.
A few more tips:
Don’t toss those weekly grocery ads you get in the mail or in the newspaper. If you look at the ads, and check your coupon stash, then you can use your coupons for things that are already on sale, saving you even more. The front page of those ads is filled with what are known as loss leaders. These items are often priced at an incredibly low price in the hopes you will visit the store and make additional purchases. At the grocery store look up and look down to find the best deals. Manufacturers pay extra to have their products shelved at eye level. By looking high and low, you can likely find a better deal. Now get out there and save!
The Best Of Times
June 2009
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On Line Avenue-of-manyrestaurants, the Italians have replaced the Greeks. The building once occupied by the mighty, fine and popular Athenian Nights now houses the restrained, tasteful and yet playful Mare (“sea” in Italian). You can’t miss its inspired logo, a little yellow fish… or is that a lemon? Is it both of them masquerading as the letter “a”? It’s all three, of course. It reminds, in one little dab of bright yellow, the glories of fresh fish, fresh lemon and of what they like to call “coastal cuisine.” It’s simply brilliant. As were, we happily discovered, the food and service, too. Owner Nino Giacalone and a crew of smart, talented people gutted the old place, removing the inevitable mural of the Parthenon, and installed a handsome visual calm and
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sophistication rarely seen in these parts. Even having spent many a happy time here when it was Athenian Nights, we hardly recognized the place. Greeted warmly, we were whisked to our table and introduced to James, our server for the evening. He promptly supplied our cocktail order and fresh, warm bread in a basket. I was liking this place already, especially when we discovered the playful wit of the silverware. Fish handled. Absurdly cute and completely charming.
take pictures of them! The staff Technical Advisor ordered the Caciucco ($25, photo A), which is a traditional Ligurian fisherman’s stew. Served on a heaped platter, it brimmed with shrimp, calamari, clams, fish, mussels and scallops. When asked to comment for this review, José, seemingly elbow-deep in seafood, said he was too busy feasting to waste time talking, but he kept stage-whispering “excellent, excellent” as he sampled each aquatic creature. Always one to swim against the tide, as it were, I ordered Osso Buco ($25, photo B) at this seafood-focused restaurant. Yes, veal shank slowly cooked with carrots, Portobello mushrooms, onions, celery and
The radio host and publisher asked for the Fillet of Sole Pistachio ($22, photo D). Crusted in crushed nuts and sautéed in lemon butter, the usually bland fish is served on a bed of wilted spinach. Gary, who can be a bit of a picky eater, loved it, telling Tina to make sure she quoted him as saying it was “Extraordinary!” in her notes. All our entrées, except the Fisherman’s Stew were served with fresh green beans and roasted potatoes, which were thoughtfully complimentary with everything. And they were simply delicious. I love it when the chef pays due attention to the veggies, too. After such perfection, we hardly needed dessert. But we finally decided to taste at least
The four of us ordered two appetizers to sample. The Smoked Salmon Tartare ($8) in a dill and citrus vinaigrette was breathtakingly fresh, its bright flavor inducing audible moans of pleasure around the table. The other appetizer, Moule au Vin Blanc ($8), featuring the merest touch of marinara, was a triumph of perfection. The mussels were tender and inviting, the white wine sauce delicate yet garlicky and kicked up with a sprinkling of pepper flakes. These appetizers were so irresistible we gobbled them up before remembering to
tomatoes in a demi-glace / port wine sauce. It’s so rare to find this classic dish on any menu that I couldn’t resist. After all, the owner’s ancestors invented this recipe. I was not disappointed. The presentation was beautiful and even included a marrow spoon. I didn’t need the steak knife proffered, as the meat fell effortless from the bone. What a completely delicious thing this is. Your favorite editor ordered the pan-sautéed Chilean Sea Bass, topped with lump crabmeat, capers, tomato and shallots in lemon butter sauce ($27, photo C). The fish literally melted in her mouth, delicately flaky, the seasonings balancing the buttery bass. It is, she announced, the best sea bass she’s ever eaten. “By far.”
one for purposes of review only. (HA!) We chose Lemon Cheesecake with Blueberry Sauce. (Photo E) Deliciously tart (actually more of a lesssweet-than-expected), it was transcendent, a lovely, lively way to end a flawless dining experience. Even in this economy, and especially in this economy, The Best of Times recommends this lovely restaurant as a “MUST!” destination dining experience. Four Forks! (Out of 4).
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SUDOKU - 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 47)
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TheBestOfTimesNews.com
Across
1 The Tide 5 Fundamental 10 Fly to fear 16 __-Rhin: Strasbourg’s department 19 Algerian seaport 20 “Ooh, send me!” 21 Blowhard’s output 22 Peak over- looking Knossos 23 Munchkin femmes fatales? 26 Boxer’s warning 27 Baker Street transports 28 “The Virginian” author Wister 29 Closed the gap on 31 HBO alternative 33 Slip into 34 Off! ingredient 35 Dish sometimes served with wasabi 36 Workplace braggart? 41 Last Hebrew letter 42 No longer an item 43 Pulitzer poet Marianne 44 Crosby and Como 48 Prong 49 Rewards for playing well 50 Repeatedly 52 Little bit 53 Des Moines hrs. 55 Inferior pomade? 58 __ anglais: English horn 59 Cocktails with triple sec 63 Frequent morning surprise 64 Slithering 66 At the theater, perhaps 67 Diamond surface 69 20-20 observation? 71 Gold digger 72 Country singer Haggard 74 Busch partner The Best Of Times
75 “Yadda yadda yadda”: Abbr. 76 Like sturdy chairs? 80 Grasshopper’s antithesis, in a fable 81 Reformer Jacob 83 Drones, e.g. 84 Result of an egg-toss miss 86 Dots on la carte 90 Clementi work 92 “Nature’s soft nurse,” to Shakespeare 93 Conductor’s aid 94 __-pitch softball 95 Standing ovation? 99 Little Dipper star 102 Charles II’s royal architect 103 Golden age, e.g. 104 H.S. dropout’s goal 105 ‘40s-’50s Marshall Islands trials 106 Pricey 107 Domed hall 110 VW predecessors? 111 Queen Henrietta’s personal account of Cromwell’s treachery? 116 Peewee 117 Hoity-toity 118 Milk a scene 119 Row in a bowl 120 Lenten symbol 121 Be a big brother to 122 Rib shots 123 On the main
Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Curtain call response D-backs, on scoreboards 1978 Village People hit “My Way” songwriter Competes to buy Ghostwriters’ noms de plume, say Like a big loser?
Double plays
By Edward Sessa; Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
(Solution on page 47)
8 Ticket sellers: Abbr. 9 Film studio site 10 Home shopping network? 11 Site of a 1976 anti-apartheid uprising 12 School since 1440 13 Angus’s topper 14 Tuscan hill town 15 Che, really 16 Jazz lovers on the Mississippi? 17 Relevant, in law 18 Tony-winning Manhattan restaurateur 24 Finish by 25 Lerner’s partner 30 “Can you give me __?” 31 Satchmo’s singing style 32 Southwestern pottery maker
34 Back: Pref. 35 Arrive en masse 37 Go ahead of 38 Former frosh 39 Georgetown player 40 One-__: uninterrupted play 45 Switch positions 46 Raw recruit 47 Lighter on one’s feet 49 “L’__, c’est moi”: Louis XIV 50 Eye blatantly 51 Pledging site 54 Accessory for an old-time flying ace 56 Track contestant 57 City on the Ruhr 59 Suzanne of “Step By Step” 60 Ab __: from the beginning
61 Detective usin’ taps? 62 Money-saving carpeting choices 65 Big name in beachwear 67 Actress Soleil Moon __ 68 Yodeler’s range 70 At __: nevertheless 73 Zhou of China 74 Wouldn’t hurt __ 77 Bordeaux buddy 78 “Hold Me” Grammy winner 79 Cartel acronym 82 Casa areas 85 Desire 87 Four-time Olympic diving gold medalist 88 Gaelic tongue 89 Tourney ranking 91 Largest of the
British Virgin Islands 92 HŠgar’s dog 93 Subject for Eric Partridge 96 Suit fabrics 97 Landfall for Noah 98 Lops and tops 99 Elbows, maybe 100 Four Holy Roman emperors 101 __ Malvinas: the Falklands 106 Half of MXIV 107 San __, Italy 108 “All right, already!” 109 Base material? 112 Security guard requests, briefly 113 In the know 114 Mark to improve 115 Gershwin of Broadway June 2009
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places2go, people2see, things2do Theatre rodeo
Krewe of Elders
exhibits
Springhill Rodeo –June 11, 12 & 13. Rodeo is held in the very unique Rodeo Arena on Machen Drive. Lots of different events starting at 7PM. On June 11 the Springhill Rodeo Parade lines up beside the Chamber of Commerce building 400 North Giles Street, traveling down Main Street to the mall area. Parade rolls at 5PM. Contact: Billy Nickerson 318- 994-3236; 318-464-9399.
Party and Fish Fry - The Krewe of Elders is having a party and fish fry with all the trimmings on Sunday, June 28 from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., at the American Legion Hall located at 5315 South Lakeshore Drive. Dean and Dexter Band. $15.00 per person. Cash bar, raffle and door prizes. Info. 635-4901, 752-9175 or 518-8092.
Zama Blanchard Dexter: Retrospective & New Works by local Shreveport artist Zama Blanchard Dexter. Through June 28. Monday through Friday 9am to 4pm; Saturday and Sunday, Noon to 4pm Includes new paintings, as well as an assemblage of past works from various private and museum collections. Mrs. Dexter’s work focuses on painting natural scenes in vivid colors and represents her experiences and her travels around the world. Based on a scene from Morocco, the signature work and inspiration for the exhibit, Boats on a Red Sea, is currently on display at the Shreveport Regional airport. LA State Exhiibit Museum, located at 3015 Greenwood Road, between Hearne and Jewella Streets. Admission is free and tours are available by appointment. The building is wheelchair accessible.
empty bowls “Empty Bowls” Dinner - Ballroom of Eldorado Casino Resort in Shreveport on Thursday, June 4th from 6 – 9 p.m. Patrons will have their bowls filled with a modest soup dinner featuring a choice of soup, along with dessert and beverage. Silent Auction. This year, the Food Bank is honoring one of its founding members, John Carpenter, who in his 90’s, continues to oversee food deliveries at a pantry located at Noel Memorial United Methodist Church in Shreveport. A raffle and other surprises are also planned for the evening. Advance tickets may be purchased at the Food Bank, 2307 Texas Avenue for $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Tickets may also be purchased at Balian Communications on Youree Drive at Bayou Walk or on Line Avenue in the Uptown center or at the Cellar located on Benton Road in Bossier City. For tickets or more information, call the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana at 675-2400 x111.
with the grandkids Chimpanzee Discovery Day - Saturday, June 20. Presented by Chimp Haven. Located in the Eddie D. Jones Nature Park in Keithville, the sanctuary will be open from 9 a.m. until noon. Guests will have the opportunity to observe the chimpanzees in their natural forests with views of the two five- acre habitats from across the barrier moat. A nature trail and activity booths welcome visitors to enjoy nature and learn about the chimpanzees. There will be interactive educational opportunities for the entire family. FREE. 318-925-5630
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driver safety 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 2 days are listed, participants must attend both days. Participants must preregister. $14 for non-AARP members; $12 for AARP members. • June 9 - 10 - 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. Bossier Council on Aging, 706 Bearkat Dr., Bossier City. Host: Bossier Council on Aging. Contact 318-741-8302; Instructor: L. Ray Ranton.
movie Silver Screenings - Rebel Without a Cause starring James Dean. Tuesday June 23 at 10:30 a.m. Robinson Film Center, 617 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport. Movie & Lunch $14; Movie Only $5.75. RSVP required: 318-459-4122
tnt express “All Aboard!’ the TNT Express - a FREE Trolley tour which rolls through Downtown Shreveport every third Thursday of the month, taking visitors to downtown art, cultural and science attractions including museums, galleries and historical sites. Professional guide, Jan Pettiet, rides along offering interesting tidbits about Shreveport’s multicultural history. Trolley tours run approximately every 20 minutes from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Every TNT Thursday is designed a little differently so guests can enjoy something special each month. For more information including this month’s destinations, contact the Shreveport Regional Arts Council at (318) 673-6500 or artspace at (318) 673-6535.
A New Revolution: The Art of Cuba - Through Saturday, June 27. Tuesday - Friday, 10 am - 6 pm; Saturday, 12 noon - 6 pm. Presented by Shreveport Regional Arts Council. This exhibition represents a small selection of Cuban born artists who came to international prominence during the 1990’s and helped shape the art scene in Havana as well as influence the up and coming generation of artists by bringing back new technology, more information and a broader global view of their country and the rest of the world. FREE.
book festival Author! Author! Book Festival - Presented by Friends of the Municipal. Saturday, June 13. The event is open to the public from 9:00 am until 7:00 pm at the Municipal Auditorium on Elvis Presley Blvd in downtown Shreveport. International & regional authors present their latest releases! Come enjoy book signings, discussions, workshops, and kids activities. Authors Speaking and Book Signings: 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Children’s Activities – Story Telling – Crafts – Face painting: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The event is free with a ticket printed from website www.authorauthorshreveport.com or $2 at the door. TheBestOfTimesNews.com
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I have heard of a new lens implant for cataract surgery that will eliminate glasses. Does Medicare pay for it? This is an exciting time to have cataracts. There is a new Multifocal Lens Implant called Restor that allows a wide range of vision without glasses. 80% of patients who have received the lens never have to use glasses, ever! Medicare and/or insurance covers part of the lens and surgery, the rest will have to be paid out of pocket. If you think you have cataracts and would like to learn more about the Restor Lens, call us at 212-3937.
Will Medicare cover my father’s care in a nursing home? While Medicare does not pay room & board fees for one actually “living” in a nursing home, there are portions of nursing home care that are covered. Medicare covers 100 days of skilled nursing care when the doctor feels that either nursing or rehabilitation services for Medicare Part A insured persons are needed following a recent hospitalization of 3 or more days. Additionally, Medicare Parts B & D may pay for your father’s medications and physical, speech or occupational therapies ordered by a physician while he is in a nursing home. Depending upon the financial situation, nursing home room & board is generally paid by the individual, Medicaid, or Long Term Care Insurance.
Chris Shelby, MD
Pierremont Eye Institute 7843 Youree Dr. Shreveport, LA 1105 318-212-3937; www.ShelbyEye.com See our ad on page 41.
Neurosurgery
What are the symptoms and treatment of torn cartilage? Meniscus tears are the most common surgical condition involving the knee. Medial meniscus (inside) tears are 3 - 4 times more common than lateral tears (outside). The meniscus support 50% of the body weight with the knee extended and 90% with the knee flexed 90°. Because the meniscus supports body weight every attempt should be made to repair or maintain as much meniscus tissue as possible. Popping, giving way, locking, tenderness at the joint line, stiffness, and swelling are some of the signs/symptoms of cartilage tears. Arthroscopic surgery is generally done on an outpatient basis and recovery is from a few days to a weeks.
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.
Mid South Orthopaedics 7925 Youree Drive; Suite 210 Shreveport, LA 71105 (318) 424-3400 June 2009
NurseCare Nursing and Rehab Center 1736 Irving Place Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 221-1983 See our ad on page 13.
Orthopaedics
John J. Ferrell, M.D.
48
Vicki Ott
Dr. Ravish Patwardhan The Comprehensive Neurosurgery Network 8001 Youree Dr., Ste 970 Shreveport, LA 71115 (318) 797-5543 www.neurosurgery.ws TheBestOfTimesNews.com
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June 2009
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Ambulance Services Balentine Ambulance Service (318) 222-5358 More info on page 10. Artificial Limbs and Braces Snell’s Orthotics and Prosthetics (318) 424-4167 More info on page 30. Associations and Organizations BluePrint Louisiana (866) 483-3920 More info on page 51. Bossier Council on Aging (318) 741-8302
Northwest INCS, Inc. (318) 636-0390 More info on page 43. ResCare Home Care (318) 678-1890 More info on page 35. Seniors Club Personal Care Services (318) 635-0010 More info on page 11. Cemeteries/Funeral Homes Centuries Memorial (318) 686-4334 More info on page 47. Hill Crest Memorial (318) 949-9415 More info on page 47. Counseling Services
Caddo Council on Aging (318) 632-2090
The Center for Families (318) 222-0759 More info on page 14.
The Robinson Film Center (318) 424-9090 More info on page 37.
Credit Unions and Banks
The Best of Times (318) 636-5510 More info on page 7. Webster Council on Aging (318) 371-3056 Care Providers Comfort Keepers (318) 934-0090 More info on page 48. Family Care Services (318) 671-1799 More info on page 9. Home Assistance Services (318) 682-8182 More info on page 39. 50
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TES Regional Healthcare Federal Credit Union (318) 681-4335 More info on page 17. Educational Courses Bible Correspondence Course (318) 797-6333 More info on page 11. Emergency Response Systems Acadian OnCall 1-800-259-1234 More info on page 23.
Financial Services/ Legal Services
Home Health Care (Medicare Certified)
Genworth Financial T. Wayne DesLattes (318) 560-0299 More info on page 21.
American Nursing Services (318) 425-2641 More info on page 43.
Serio Investments Phillip Serio (318) 221-0889 More info on page 19.
Ark-La-Tex Home Health, Inc (318) 747-6180 More info on page 32.
The Singleton Law Firm (318) 631-5200 More info on page 31.
Synergy Home Care (318) 550-0285 More info on page 44.
The Law Practice of Joseph Gilsoul (318) 222-2100 More info on page 26.
Hospice Care Providers
Flowers
Hospice Compassus (318) 524-1046 More info on page 15.
Flowers Forever, LLC (318) 925-2323 More info one page 48.
Odyssey Healthcare (318) 868-8788 More info on page 39.
Hearing Care Services
St. Joseph Hospice (318) 222-8723 More info on page 11.
Shreve Hearing Aid (318) 797-7733 More info on page 41. Home Maintenance and Repair Services C & C Electric (318) 424-4406 More info on page 25. Gutter Helmet of North Louisiana (800) 284-9777 More info on page 52. Lex Plant Farm (318) 797-6035 More info on page 20. Miller Tree Service (318) 747-1568 More info on page 37. Simmons Cleaning Services (318) 636-3765 More info on page 36. Stanley Steamer Carpet Cleaner (318) 631-6655 More info on page 18.
Willis Knighton Medical Center – South Shreveport (318) 212-5000 More info on page 2. Wilis Knighton Medical Center – Pierremont (318) 212-3000 More info on page 2. Insurance Humana (800) 301-8998 More info on page 56. Sterling Health Plans (866) 217-3666 More info on page 54. Moving and Storage Central – Herrin Storage and Transfer (318) 221-5135 More info on page 23. Medical Supplies and Equipment
Willis Knighton Hospice of Louisiana (318) 212-4697 More info on page 8.
Home Health Medical Supply (318) 631-1466 More info on page 15.
Home Infusion Services
Medtronics – XSTOP Spacer (866) 580-5242 More info on page 3.
IV Plus (318) 683-5139 More info on page 52. Hospitals Brentwood Hospital (318) 678-7500 More info on page 44. Willis Knighton Medical Center – North Shreveport (318) 212-4000 More info on page 2. Willis Knighton Medical Center – Bossier (318) 212-7000 More info on page 2.
Physician Services Cardiovascular Consultants, LLP Dr. Phillip Rozeman (318) 631-6400 More info on page 33. Dr. Britain P. Auer (318) 798-4623 More info on page 17. Dr. Bryan Vekovius (318) 675-3733 More info on page 35. Dr. David Persson (318) 798-4455 More info on page 39.
TheBestOfTimesNews.com
Dr. Gary Booker (318) 227-9600 More info on page 49.
Radio Stations KWKH AM 1130 Radio Station (318) 688-1130
Senior Living Options
Highland Clinic (318) 798-4500 More info on page 23.
Real Estate Agents
Azalea Estates Assisted Living (318) 797-2408 More info on page 22.
Mid South Orthopaedics (318) 424-3400 More info on page 48.
Century 21 Judy Holland (318) 349-6983 More info on page 47.
Colonial Oaks Guest Care Center (318) 742-5420 More info on page 5.
Dr. Laura Anissian (318) 798-4618 More info on page 43.
Restaurants
Kingsley Place of Shreveport (318) 524-2100 More info on page 11.
Pierremont Eye Institute Dr. Chris Shelby (318) 212-3937 More info on page 41. Total Care Medical Clinic Dr. Howard Lippton (318) 424-6363 More info on page 55.
The Best Of Times
Cupcake Gallery and Coffee Shop (318) 752-2253 More info on page 36. Imperial Wok Chinese Restaurant (318) 687-6668 More info on page 47. ShoeBooty’s Restaurant, Bakery, & Catering (318) 550-0444 More info on page 32.
Live Oak Retirement Center (318) 212-2000 More info on page 6. NurseCare of Shreveport (318) 221-1983 More info on page 13. Pilgrim Manor Guest Care Center (318) 742-1623 More info on page 5.
Shreveport Manor Guest Care Center (318) 222-9482 More info on page 5. Spring Lake Guest Care Center (318) 868-4126 More info on page 5. The Bradford Guest Care Center (318) 688-1010 More info on page 5. The Guest House Guest Care Center (318) 686-0515 More info on page 5. The Waterford at Shreveport (318) 524-3300 More info on page 24. Spas Jeany Mitchell’s Skin Technology (318) 347-3567 More info on page 9.
Travel Services Cruises, Inc (318) 746-3745 More info on page 19. Red River Coaches (318) 221-5797 More info on page 41. Telephone Book User-Friendly Phone Book (318) 865-1280 More info on page 35. Weight Loss Centers Jenny Craig Center (318) 798-2608 More info on page 21. The Center for Medical Weight Loss (318) 629-8746 More info on page 16.
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1 - Justinian Captain XV Tim Fischer held a Wrap Up Party on May 16. (a) Queen XV Susan Cox and King XV Jim Bolin; (b) Consort Sheila Fischer and Capt. XV Tim Fischer. 2 - What’s Up Doc? was held at DiamondJacks Casino & Resort on May 4. The event, a fundraiser for the LSUHSC Foundation, brings together faculty with members of the community to discuss health concerns and cutting-edge research and an evening of cocktails, food, and fun. (a) (seated l to r) Chloe and Bob Thornton, Dr. Francesco and Antonia Turturro, (standing) Robert Grand, Abby and Joe Averett, and Debbie Grand; (b) Russell Wayt, Leslie Jones, and Gard Wayt; (c) Ann and Kris Boyd with Clint Snell. 3 - The Senior Olympics Opening Ceremonies and Senior Health Fair were held at Bossier Civic Center on May 6th. Enjoying the festivities are (a) Kathleen Cooper; (b) Chuck Lancaster (left) and Bill Snow; (c) Krewe of Elders Dance Group; (d) the Live Oak Rookies, winners of Bean Bag Baseball Finals for Residential Facilities. 4 - Meg Goorley (left) celebrated her 50th birthday in style with a party held in her honor and hosted by her husband, Richard, and their 4 children on May 21st. Congratulating her are friends Judy Brainis and Lynn Homza. Lynn (right) celebrated her 50th earlier in the week. 5 - The 4 th annual CORK festival, benefitting the Red River Revel, was held on April 4th at Festival Plaza. Enjoying an afternoon of wine, food, and friends are (a) Ted & Claudia Lyles and Mr. & Mrs. Robert Glass; (b) Jimmy & Angela Mijalis. 6 - (left to right) Erica Thomas, Cathleen Johnson, Margaret Thomas, & Candance Marshall at the Education Scholarship Event benefiting students in Bossier and Shreveport attending Southern University. 7 - “A Streetcar Named Desire” was the the Silver Screenings movie on May 19th. Enjoying lunch after the movie are gal pals (a) Cheryl Nelson, Pam DeBusk, Mona Newton, and Lyn Davis Lichti; (b) Carolyn Moore, Jane Wehlander, and Nell Reeves.
Share your photos with us. Email to Editor.Calligas@gmail.com or mail to P.O. Box 19510, Shreveport, LA 71149.
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$ 20 15 40 40 50 60 90 105 175 190
LABORATORY TESTS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.
$ 5 TSH (Low Thyroid) 8 CBC 8 Chemistry (Liver & Kidney) 8 Lipic Cholesterol 15 Urinalysis 15 HIV Screen 15 HgbA1c (Diabetes) 15 PSA (Prostate) 20 Rubella Titer 20 2 hr. GTT (Diabetes) 20 Ferritin/Iron/TIBC 25 Varicella Titer H. Pylori (Stomach Ulcer Test) 30 (Hep. A, B, C) 50
$ 40 per visit
during regular hours 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
$ 70 per visit after regular hours 7:00 p.m. to Midnight
Total Care Medical clinic 2328 Line Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana 71104 SPORTS PHYSICALS only $25
(318) 424-MDMD (6363)
The Best Of Times
I-20 Kings Hwy.
Line Ave.
No visit charge for patients for only Labs/Vaccines
June 2009
55
SECURING YOUR TOMORROW TODAY
In a world of constant change, one of your biggest concerns is providing a secure future for yourself and your family. HUMANA MarketPOINT can help, with a variety of insurance products: ▲ Memorial Fund Insurance ▲ Cash Cancer Insurance ▲ Jr. Estate Builder Life Insurance ▲ Individual and temporary health insurance ▲ Long term care insurance ▲ A variety of Medicare health plans ▲ Prescription drug plans ▲ Dental ▲ Vision
Take steps now to protect your lifestyle and your family’s future. Your decision to act today could make a big difference in securing your tomorrow! For more information or to arrange a personal consultation:
1-800-336-6719
8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday - Friday
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5/09