The Best of Times May 2009

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May 2009

What do these artists have in common?

(This list was randomly selected from a longer list of over 1000 important names in music.)

Herb Albert, Buffalo Springfield, Johnny Cash, Judy Collins, Nat King Cole, Willie Nelson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, the Everly Brothers, Elvis Presley, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bobby Darin, Joni Mitchell, Phil Ochs, Buck Owens, Glen Campbell, George Jones, Dean Martin, Randy Newman, Sammy Davis, Jr., Frankie Lane, Burl Ives, Charlie Rich, Duane Eddy, Henry Mancini, Leon Russell, Hank Williams, Jr., John Denver, Ronnie Hawkins, Ry Cooder, and Ronnie Milsap.

Each and every one owes several nods of gratitude to the subject of our “Profile in Pizzazz” this month. He’s contributed his fascinating, self-taught guitar sounds to country and rock music since their early beginnings a decade after World War II ended.

When we sent Amanda Newton to interview James Burton, who proudly resides in Shreveport, we had no idea the musician would prove so fascinating that we’d expand the Profile to a full-fledged Centerspread feature! And now that his musical genius has turned to charity benefiting children in our community, it seems especially appropriate to spotlight his wildly prolific career and current efforts.

This issue is packed with lots of good stuff. We stumbled upon a conclave of Red Hat ladies and have the pix on pages 48 & 49 to prove it; we enjoyed a delightful lunch at Biscotti’s, even though the thought of going to such a spot made the men in the party a little twitchy; and we let Mike Jameson loose to muse on toast in the oddest way: disguised as pop history. (page 44) We hope you enjoy the ride!

May 2009

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May 2009

Legislative Proposal To Expand Care for Louisiana’s Veterans Announced

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kudos:

proclamation honors city’s oldest resident

March 31st, 2009 was proclaimed as Mrs. Mississippi Wynn Day by Mayor Cedric B. Glover. On that day residents and staff of Magnolia Manor Nursing Home, along with family members, helped Mrs. Winn celebrate her 112th birthday. Born in 1897 Mrs. Wynn is the oldest living resident in Shreveport, the second oldest living person in the state of Louisiana and the 28th oldest living person in the world.

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Account represen- tative honored

Steven Jiles, Sales Manager for Northern Louisiana for Humana congratulates Steve Kent (right) as the leading account representative for Northern Louisiana for Humana during 2008 at its annual account representative appreciation luncheon on April 3rd at Superior Steakhouse in Shreveport.

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Dr. Self appointed to advisory committee on hospice care

Michelle Self, M.D., of WK Pierremont Family Physicians in Shreveport, has been appointed by LA Governor Bobby Jindal to serve on the Advisory Committee on Hospice Care. Dr. Self is part of the Willis-Knighton Physician Network and has been in private practice for 10 years. She is board certified in family medicine as well as hospice and palliative care. “The committee’s mission is continuously trying to improve the quality of hospice care throughout the state of Louisiana and I look forward to the challenge of completing that mission,” said Self.

May 2009

Governor Bobby Jindal recently announced a legislative proposal that will expand the eligibility of Louisiana’s veterans to reside at the state’s five War Veterans Homes. The five War Veteran Homes are located in Jackson, Monroe, Bossier City, Jennings and Reserve.

The Governor said Louisiana’s five War Veterans Homes provide services to veterans disabled by age, disease, or otherwise – who by reason of such disability are incapable of earning a living. Further, he said they provide quality of care for eligible veterans in need of domiciliary, nursing home, hospital, and adult day health care.

Governor Jindal said that Louisiana law currently restricts residence at the homes to war-time veterans. In effect, this excludes nearly one-quarter of Louisiana’s veterans – those who did not serve during periods of conflict – from taking advantage of this service.

As a result of this legislation, nearly 80,000 peacetime veterans would become eligible for care at the state’s War Veteran Homes. Further, Governor Jindal said that expanding eligibility would allow the war homes to maintain full capacity, lower operational costs, and provide better services to our veterans.

Recovery Payments to Go to Social Security and SSI Beneficiaries in May

Vice President Joe Biden and Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced recently that the federal government will send out $250 economic recovery payments to people who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits beginning in early May 2009 and continuing throughout the month. No action is required to get the payment, which will be sent separately from the person’s regular monthly payment.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides for a one-time payment of $250 to adult Social Security beneficiaries, and to SSI recipients, except those receiving Medicaid in care facilities. To receive the payment the individual must be eligible for Social Security or SSI during the months of November 2008, December 2008 or January 2009.

The legislation also provides for a onetime payment to Veterans Affairs (VA) and Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) beneficiaries. The VA and RRB will be responsible for paying individuals under their respective programs. However, if someone receives Social Security and SSI, VA or RRB benefits, he or she will receive only one $250 payment. People getting Social Security or SSI should not contact the agency unless a payment is not received by June 4, 2009.

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The Truth About Estate Taxes

by Congressman John Fleming, representing Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District As time marches on, many seniors look ahead to retirement having worked hard for decades to provide for their families, fund their children’s education, and realize their dreams.

Through blessing, foresight, and hard work, some of you have been able to save money for retirement.

Many of you choose to live frugally during your retirement years in the hopes of leaving a small inheritance to your families to enable them to pursue their own dreams.

You may be concerned about the taxes your family will have to pay on the inheritance you leave for them. Estate taxes can be complicated and the rules have been changing often.

Let me take a moment to explain the current estate tax law and how the debate over these taxes is progressing in Congress.

After the 2001 Bush tax cuts, the value exempted from any estate tax has increased to its current level of $3 million. This means that estates will not owe taxes on the first $3 million of their assets. Amounts above $3 million are taxed at increasing rates that peak at 45%.

In 2010, the estate tax will be repealed completely for all estates for one year only.

Then, in 2011, the Bush tax cuts expire and estate tax policy reverts to 2001 levels.

In 2011, estates will be exempt from taxes on the first The Best Of Times

$1 million of their assets and will pay up to 55% on amounts above $1 million.

Some in Congress would like to see the estate tax permanently repealed.

Calling it the “death tax,” the taxes are viewed as an assault on individual property rights and a danger to the long-term survival of small family farms and businesses. In 2011, without any change to current law, over 75% of taxable estates will be subject to the estate tax. Not only does this threaten the viability of an inherited family business, but estate taxes discourage saving and investment. Furthermore, some economists have estimated that seniors spend as much money paying attorneys and accountants to help them avoid the estate tax as they do in paying the tax itself.

President Obama has proposed extending the estate tax at its current level. Under his plan, estates would not have to pay taxes on the first $3 million of their assets, and the tax rate would peak at 45%. In early April, the Senate voted in favor of raising this exemption to $7 million and cutting the tax rate to 35%. At the present time, it is uncertain whether either of these proposals will become law.

If you have questions about the taxes your family might have to pay on their inheritance, consult a financial planner, who will be able to assist you.

May 2009

arm fractures indicate greater risk of hip fractures in the elderly

This Just In: weight gain may increase the risk of heart problems  Small

According to a new study in the journal Circulation, being just seven pounds overweight can greatly increase the risk for heart problems, including heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. The study determined that for every seven pounds of excess body weight carried by a 5’ 10” man, the risk of heart failure rose on average by 11% over 20 years. The risk increased by 180% in men classed as obese according to their body mass index (BMI) and by 49% in men classed as overweight.

disease medication may trigger destructive behaviors  Parkinson’s A new study conducted at Mayo Clinic reports that one in six patients receiving therapeutic doses of dopamine agonist medications for Parkinson’s disease develops new-onset, potentially destructive behaviors, notably compulsive gambling or hypersexuality.



Drug restores muscle

A daily dose of an investigational medication has been found to restore muscle mass in the arms and legs of older adults and improve some of their biochemistry to levels found in healthy young adults, suggesting an anti-frailty drug has been found. The drug, called MK-677, was evaluated for its safety and effectiveness in a study that showed the drug restored 20% of muscle mass loss associated with normal aging. According to reseaqrchers, levels of growth hormone (GH) and of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF- I) in healthy seniors who took the drug increased to the levels found in healthy young adults. (Annals of Internal Medicine)

people have trouble appreciating the good life  Depressed

While depression is often linked to negative thoughts and emotions, a new study suggests the real problem may be a failure to appreciate positive experiences. The study appeared in the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry.

Elderly women with upper arm fractures are five times more likely than the general population to experience a broken hip in the 12 months following the arm fracture, according to a study published in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS).

Understanding that risk can be a key to preventing those fractures, the study notes.

Although this study examined fractures in an elderly female population, longer life spans in the United States and elsewhere make male patients vulnerable, as well.

The researchers recommend the following steps for patients experiencing a fall: • talk to an internist to help determine any potential underlying medical cause of the fall • consider the use of bone-strengthening drugs, called “biphosphenates” • talk to an occupational therapist about modifying the living area and using assistive devices to prevent falls.

Brown Fat could be key to weight loss

According to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, nearly every adult has a type of fat known as “brown fat” - a good fat that may actually help to burn calories - that was previously thought to be present only in infants. The findings found that brown fat tissue is metabolically active and the more of this fat you have, the thinner you tend to be. Researchers found that brown fat helps regulate body temperature by generating heat. Activating these cells in the body is believed to stimulate weight loss. Unlike white or yellow fats, which act as storage for excess calories and are found around the waist, brown fat seems to be concentrated around the neck.

Researchers touted the importance of the study, noting that the findings could pave the way for new treatments both for obesity and type 2 diabetes.

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May 2009

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Clot-Buster Boosts Survival, Decreases Disability for Deadly Subset of Stroke

New results from a multicenter study led by Johns Hopkins show that patients who got an experimental clot-busting treatment for a particularly lethal form of stroke were not only dramatically more likely to survive but also continued to shed lingering disabilities six months later. The findings are likely to build support for the use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in patients with intracranial hemorrhage, a treatment-resistant form of stroke marked by brain bleeding.

Early results showed that about 80% survived, compared to data from previous studies showing that about 80% of untreated ICH patients die. The researchers found that about 10% of patients had no lingering disability after six months.

Another 40% had only mild to moderate disability and were independently caring for themselves at home by 180 days.

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A new study has found that a high waist circumference is strongly associated with decreased lung function - independent of smoking history, sex, body mass index and other complicating factors.

Cochlear Implant Surgery is Safe For healthy Elderly

The National Institute on Aging estimates that 30% of Americans between ages 65 and 74 have hearing difficulty – and that number increases to 50% in people 85 and older. In about 10% of the elderly, the impairment is so severe that conventional hearing aids provide little benefit. The inability to communicate interferes greatly with daily living and can lead to cognitive impairment, personality changes, depression, reduced functional status and social isolation.

Researchers found that most patients over 70 years of age who received cochlear implants under general anesthesia tolerated the procedure and there was no long-term morbidity or mortality related to the surgery or anesthesia.

The researchers concluded that any pre-existing medical condition is a better predictor of intraoperative and postoperative complication than age alone.

Senior Care at Brentwood Hospital Levels of Care • Inpatient • Partial Hospitalization (Day Treatment) • Outpatient

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Warning Signs That May Indicate the Need for Treatment

• • • • • • • •

Depression, extreme sadness Confused thinking, difficulty concentrating Hallucinations; hearing voices Misuse of alcohol or medications Disorientation Numerous unexplained physical ailments Difficulties coping with daily living Excessive fears, anxieties or suspiciousness May 2009

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better than blueberries

Here’s to good nutrition:



keep your brain big

In a 5-year study, people in their 60s and beyond who were low, but not deficient, on B12 were three to six times more likely to have brain atrophy than did people on the higher end of the normal B12 range. To ensure getting enough, take a supplement or eat B12-rich foods - like eggs and tuna.



slim down with Vitamin C

Research shows that the body needs sufficient vitamin C to burn fat - and burning fat is key to keeping excess pounds away. People in a recent study who had low blood concentrations of vitamin C and walked on a treadmill for an hour burned 25% less fat than people with adequate C. But a dose of C brought fat-burning levels back up to par. The reason appears to be that Vitamin C is essential for creating carnitine, a substance that turns fat into fuel.



an apple a day may keep breast cancer away

Six studies published in the past year by a Cornell researcher add to growing evidence that an apple a day - as well as daily helpings of other fruits and vegetables - can help keep the breast-cancer doctor away.



Broccoli sprouts may prevent stomach cancer

Three-day-old broccoli sprouts, a widely available human food, suppressed Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections, according to a report in Cancer Prevention Research. H. pylori infections are one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide and are a major cause of stomach cancer.



flax in diet means fewer tumors

New research from S. Dakota State University gives evidence that including flax in the diet may help prevent colorectal tumors. Results indicated that mice on diets supplemented with flaxseed meal and flaxseed oil had, on average, 45% fewer tumors in the small intestine and the colon compared to the control group.

Flaxseed contains a high percentage of alpha-linolenic acid, omega-3 fatty acid, and lignans, chemical compounds that act as antioxidants.

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May 2009

Tart cherries may keep osteoarthritis pain away

More than half of the patients with osteoarthritis enrolled in a pilot study at the Baylor Research Institute experienced a significant improvement in pain and function after taking cherry pills for eight weeks.

Made from Montmorency tart cherries, this preparation is made up of ground whole cherries and given as a soft gelatin capsule. Baylor Research Institute together with the Arthritis Care & Research Institute is currently enrolling patients in a second study, which will test cherry pills versus placebo in an eight week double blind study. For more info about this study, call 1-800-4BAYLOR.

When it comes to antioxidants, stone fruits, specifically, certain varieties of plums and peaches, may be giving blueberries a run for their money. A recent study showed that red-fleshed plums and redfleshed peaches generally contained equal-to-blueberry levels of phenolics and anthocyanins, two major disease-fighting antioxidants. (Yellow and white peaches and nectarines, on the other hand, did not quite match up.)

More good news - Antioxidants in certain peach and plum varieties also inhibited a certain type of breast cancer cell in the lab, and certain varieties of plums, peaches, and nectarines reduced LDL (bad cholesterol) oxidation, too.

Even more good news Stone fruits tend to be much less expensive than antioxidant-packed blueberries.

Good news indeed in these tough economic times.

Two steps towards “Lung”evity

Step one for preventing lung cancer: Say no to tobacco.

Step two: Have a tablespoon of vitamin-E-rich peanut butter.

Although many studies have suggested that taking high-dose vitamin E supplements may cause lung cancer, a new study revealed a possible lung benefit from dietary E - the kind you get from peanut butter, nuts, and seeds. In the study, people who had the highest intake of vitamin E from foods had a 55% lower risk of lung cancer compared with the people who got the least amount of vitamin E in their diets. Dietary alpha-tocopherol, the type of E found in peanut butter and oil-based salad dressings, was particularly protective. (Real Age) TheBestOfTimesNews.com

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May 2009

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By Judge Jeff Cox, 26th Judicial District Court Judge for Bossier/Webster Parishes, Division C Know the rules about what type of vehicles are allowed. Know what types of tires are allowed and not allowed in the parks. Many tickets are written each day for persons driving on trails where they are not allowed to drive.

Second, know the rules about obtaining permits to be in the area. Bodcau Wildlife Management Area, located in Bossier Parish, has sign in boards to obtain a permit. Each person must sign in and obtain a permit to use the area. The permit ask what activity that you are doing, whether camping, fishing, riding, or hunting, and how long you will be in the park. If you do not have this permit, you can be written a

Traveling to Wildlife Management Areas and National Parks For those of you who read this article, you may think this is a crazy topic to discuss. But recently, I have been confronted with a number of issues regarding wildlife management areas and our national parks.

With summer approaching, I thought I may discuss some of the rules that apply to these areas.

First, know the rules before you enter the parks regarding vehicles. Make sure where you can drive vehicles and take off-road type vehicles.

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May 2009

ticket which requires a trip to court.

Third, know that you must have a permit to camp in the wildlife management areas and parks. Know where the campgrounds are located and what kinds of camp you can have in that area. Do not take motor homes into areas where only tent camping is allowed. If you violate these rules, then the rangers can write you a ticket.

Fourth, do not pick any flowers or disturb any nature area, unless you are allowed to do so by park rules. Picking flowers or disturbing areas can result in hefty fines and court costs. In addition, you can be asked to leave the park and may be banished from further visits.

Finally, know all the rules of the parks you visit. Before going to visit or stay in any park, ask for a rules manual. When checking in, ask the Ranger of any rules you will need to pay particular attention to while you stay in the park. By knowing the rules, you will have a good stay and will not have to visit the court to pay tickets and fines when you leave.

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Remembering Barney Cannon

The month of May has some interesting numbers on its record.

Our hottest May temperature of record was 102° on the 31st in 1998.

Our coldest May temperature was 41° on the 1st in 1902. The wettest May of record was 14.47 inches in 1884. Last May the hottest temperature was 95° on the 22nd and the 23rd. The lowest temperature was 45° on the 1st. Total rainfall was only .73 inches. Normal rainfall is 5.25 inches.

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quick care introduces zippasstm

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generic drug prices decline

WK Quick Care has begun utilizing ZipPASS™, an online registration program that allows patients to reserve their spot in line prior to arriving at the urgent care center. To register online patients should visit www.wkquickcare.com and click the link titled “Save Time – Register Online” in the upper left side of the page.

That link allows them to choose between the two Quick Care locations , see the next available registration time and easily register. Patients are expected to arrive at the clinic 10 minutes prior to the chosen registration time. Quick Care continues to accept walk-in patients. Quick Care is staffed by board certified physicians and is accredited by the Urgent Care Association of America. They are located on E. Bert Kouns in Shreveport and Hospital Dr. in Bossier.

A new study by AARP’s Public Policy Institute, found that manufacturer prices for widely-used brand-name prescription drugs jumped by nearly 9% in 2008, but the manufacturer prices of widely used generic drugs continued to decrease in 2008, falling by an average of 10.6%.

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Barney Cannon, familiar morning voice on KWKH radio, longtime program director of KWKH, and live remote broadcast producer for The Best of Times Radio Hour since 2002, died at the age of 53 on Saturday, April 18.

Barney began his radio career in 1972 as a part time announcer in Clarksville, Texas and New Boston, Texas (his hometown). After working in Texarkana for KCMC he was offered his first programming job with WCDS in Glasgow, Kentucky. After stints in Wichita Falls and Oklahoma City it was time to get back to the ArkLaTex. This time Jefferson, Texas was to be home and Barney came to KWKH in January of 1985.

Barney always said “This is my last stop in radio. I’ve seen a lot of the country, but this is the station I grew up on and I’ve been fortunate to work with great people over the years. Hall of Fame Disc Jockeys like Frank Page, Larry Scott, Mike Oatman, and Mike Lynch.

I’ve met and worked with some famous people in the music industry and for the most part, that is the great thing about country artist, they are just everyday folks like you and me. I’ve seen the Louisiana Hayride still receive national attention and have had the opportunity to announce from the stage of Municipal Auditorium for special Hayride reunions.

That stage is still alive with past performers. If you don’t believe me, just walk on those hard boards....Hank, Elvis, Jim Reeves, and all the others walk with you.

It is awesome.”

The one thing that Barney truly believed in is the statement he closed his show with each time - “May God be with you and you be with God. And you’re never fully dressed unless you’re wearing a big ol’ smile.”

Barney will be truly missed by family, friends, radio listeners, his co-workers at GAP Broadcasting in Shreveport, and the staff and loyal fans of The Best of Times Radio Hour.

May 2009

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May is Fibromyalgia Education and Awareness Month

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic disorder that causes muscle pain, fatigue and multiple tender points.

Tender points are specific places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs where slight pressure causes pain.

Although fibromyalgia is often considered an ar-

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May 2009

thritis-related condition, it is not true form of arthritis because it does not cause inflammation or damage to the joints, muscles, or other tissues.

People with fibromyalgia may also have other symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, stiffness in the morning, headaches, painful menstrual periods, irritable bowel syndrome, tingling or numbness in hands and feet, restless leg syndrome, temperature sensitivity, and problems with thinking and memory (called “fibro fog�).

The causes of fibromyalgia are unknown. Fibromyalgia

has been linked to stressful or traumatic events, such as car accidents, repetitive injuries, illness, and certain diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Fibromyalgia can also occur on its own. Some scientists think that a genetics might be involved as fibromyalgia tends to run in families. The genes could make a person react strongly to things that other people would not find painful.

Current thinking centers around a theory called central sensitization. This theory states that people with fibromyalgia have a lower threshold for pain because of increased sensitivity in the brain to pain signals.

Scientists estimate that fibromyalgia affects 5 million Americans 18 or older. Between 80 and 90% of those with fibromyalgia are women. However, men and children also can have the disorder. Most people are diagnosed during middle age.

Women who have a family member with fibromyalgia may be more likely to have fibromyalgia themselves.

A doctor familiar with fibromyalgia can make a diagnosis based on two criteria established by the American College of Rheumatology: a history of widespread pain lasting more than 3 months and the presence of tender points. Pain is considered to be widespread when it affects all four quadrants of the body; that is, there must be pain in both the right and left sides as well as above and below the waist to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

ACR also has designated 18 sites on the body as possible tender points. For a fibromyalgia diagnosis, a person must have 11 or more tender points. One of these predesignated sites is considered a true tender point only if the person feels pain upon the application of 4 kilograms of pressure to the site. People who have fibromyalgia certainly may feel pain at other sites, too, but those 18 standard possible sites on the body are the criteria used for classification.

Fibromyalgia can be hard to treat. It’s important to find a doctor who is familiar with the disorder and its treatment. Many family physicians, general internists, or rheumatologists can treat fibromyalgia.

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Fibromyalgia treatment often requires a team approach. The team may include your doctor, a physical therapist, and possibly other health care providers. A pain or rheumatology clinic can be a good place to get treatment.

In June 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lyrica (pregabalin) as the first drug to treat fibromyalgia.

Doctors also treat fibromyalgia with medicines approved for other purposes.

Pain medicines and antidepressants are often used in treatment.

Some people with fibromyalgia also report varying degrees of success with complementary and alternative therapies, including massage, movement therapies (such as Pilates), chiropractic treatments, acupuncture, and various herbs and dietary supplements for different fibromyalgia symptoms.

Although fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, it is not a progressive disease.

It is never fatal, and it won’t cause damage to joints, muscles, or internal organs. In many people, the condition does improve over time.

There are many things that those with fibromyalgia can do to feel better, including: • Taking medicines as prescribed.

• Getting enough sleep • Exercising. Research has repeatedly shown that regular exercise is one of the most effective treatments for fibromyalgia.

• Eat healthy foods.

• Making work changes if necessary, such as cutting down on the number of hours worked, switching to a less demanding job, or making changes to the workstation.

• Keep activity at an even level and schedule time to relax each day. (NIH) W e

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17

Medicare Rights Center www.medicareinteractive.org

Medicare Part D Appeals

If you get your drug coverage from a Medicare private drug plan (Part D), there may be times when the drug that you need is not easily accessible through your plan. This may be because the drug may not be on your plan’s formulary (the list of prescription drugs that your plan will pay for either in part or in full); or it may be on your plan’s formulary but with restrictions, such as prior authorization (you must get your plan’s approval before it will pay for the drug) or step therapy (your doctor must show that you tried a less expensive medication before your plan will cover a more expensive one). In some cases you may have difficulty getting the dosage or amount

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May 2009

of a medication your doctor has prescribed if the drug is subject to quantity/dosage limits.

In these and a few other cases, you will have to make an appeal to your drug plan to cover the drugs that you need.

To file an appeal with your drug plan, follow these steps: Step 1: Request an exception to the plan’s formulary.

To ask for an exception, get a written supporting statement from your doctor certifying that the drug prescribed is medically necessary and that no other covered drug will work for you. Call your plan or look at your plan’s web site or Evidence of Coverage booklet to find out where to fax or mail your request and your doctor’s supporting letter and whether you need to submit

any other forms. Send a copy of your doctor’s letter and any medical records that support your request, such as medical histories or lab reports, to your plan. The plan must decide within 72 hours of receiving your request (24 hours if it is an expedited appeal).

Step 2: If your plan denies your request for an exception, appeal!

Before you can begin the appeals process, you must have already asked for an exception and been officially denied in writing. A “no” at the pharmacy is not an official denial. If your exception request is denied, your plan should send you a written denial titled “Notice of Denial of Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage.” The notice should clearly explain why the plan is denying coverage for your prescription. You have 60 days from the date on the “Notice of Denial” to submit your appeal. By appealing, you are asking for a redetermination from the plan.

• Send the same materials from Step 1 to your plan’s Appeals Department. Your doctor’s letter should address the reason given for the denial - this may require updating the original letter. For example,

s/he should confirm that other medications on your plan’s formulary have not worked for you or why you require the prescribed dosage of the drug.

• If you have to pay for your drug out of pocket since your plan denied your exception request, be sure to submit receipts and request reimbursement from your plan in your appeal.

The plan must respond no later than seven calendar days from the date it received the request (72 hours if an expedited appeal). If you receive a denial, move on to Step 3.

Step 3: Get an independent review from the Independent Review Entity (IRE).

If your plan denies coverage again, get an independent review from the IRE, Maximus Federal Services, the private contractor that handles Medicare prescription drug appeals.

Appealing to Maximus is no more difficult or complicated than appealing to your plan.

Appeal within 60 days of the date on the second “Notice of Denial” from your Medicare private drug plan. Send all your documents - including any receipts for out-of-pocket expenses for the denied prescription - to the Independent Review Entity. Include your

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10-digit Medicare number, date of birth and contact information on the appeal.

• If your plan raised new reasons for denying coverage for your prescription in its second denial notice, your doctor may want to update the letter of medical necessity to address those new reasons. Maximus must return a decision within seven days for standard appeals and 72 hours for expedited appeals.

• If your doctor submits this appeal on your behalf, you will need to appoint your doctor as your representative by signing an “Appointment of Representative” form (www.cms.hhs.gov/CMSForms/downloads/cms1696.pdf). Have your physician submit the form along with the letter of medical necessity. A signed “Appointment of Representative” form allows your doctor to represent you throughout the appeals process. A signed form also allows your doctor to represent you in any other Medicare prescription drug appeals over the course of the calendar year.

Other Steps: If you disagree with Maximus’s decision, you can request an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing within 60 days of Maximus’s decision if the annual cost of the drug meets the mini-

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mum amount that Medicare sets each year ($120 in 2009). Multiple appeals can be consolidated to meet this amount, and you can project the cost of the drug to include all refills you will need for the calendar year. Maximus has 90 days to respond to your appeal.

If you disagree with the ALJ’s decision, you can appeal within 60 days of the date on the ALJ decision to the Medicare Appeals Council (MAC). The MAC can also review the ALJ decision on its own initiative.

MAC decisions are due within 90 days.

If you disagree with the MAC’s decision or if the MAC denied your request for appeal, and the annual cost of the drug meets the minimum amount ($1,220 in 2009), you can request review by a federal court.

For help with your appeal, call the Medicare Rights Center’s appeals hotline at 888-466-9050.

To learn more, go to Medicare Interactive Counselor at www.medicareinteractive. org. Medicare Interactive Counselor is a resource provided by the Medicare Rights Center, the largest independent source of health care information and assistance in the United States for people with Medicare.

May 2009

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By The Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org)

Heart Disease Screening, Medicare Summary Notice, and Mental Health Coverage

Dear Marci, Does Medicare cover screenings for heart disease? --Luther Dear Luther, Yes. Medicare covers blood tests every five years to screen for cholesterol, for lipid and triglyceride levels, and for other signs of cardiovascular disease (or indications that you are at high risk for it). Medicare will pay 100% of its approved amount for these tests, even before you have met the Part B deductible.

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May 2009

The American Heart Association estimates that over 80 million Americans have one or more forms of heart disease, including high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and stroke. Heart disease and stroke are the first and third leading causes of death in the US. Heart screening can save your life and improve your quality of life by treating the condition before it results in more severe health problems. ~Marci

care services you received, the claim is detailed in a MSN. The MSN is a summary of claims for health care services Medicare processed for you during the previous three months. MSNs are mailed four times a year and contain information about submitted charges, the amount that Medicare paid, and the amount you are responsible for.

The most important fields on your MSN explain: • The total amount your doctor or other provider may bill you.

The “You May Be Billed” field indicates the total amount that the provider is allowed to bill you (balance billing). It deducts the amount you already paid.

• Non-covered charges, if any. The “Non-Covered Charges” field shows the portion of charges for services that are denied or excluded (never covered) by Medicare. A $0.00 in this field means that there were no denied or excluded services. If you disagree with a non-covered charge you can appeal. The MSN will have instructions for how to appeal.

Try to save your MSNs for about seven years. You might need them in the future to prove that payment was made if a provider sends you a bill or that services were received if you claimed a medical deduction on your taxes. If you have lost your MSN or you need a duplicate copy, call 800-MEDICARE. ~ Marci

Dear Marci, I received something in the mail called a Medicare Summary Notice. Is this a bill? --Sam Dear Sam, No. The Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) is not a bill. When Original Medicare processes a claim for health

Dear Marci, I have Original Medicare. Over the last year I have been feeling more and more depressed, so I started seeing a psychiatrist a few weeks ago. I just received my Medicare Summary Notice and I’m confused. For the first visit, Medicare paid the normal 80% of the cost, but after that, it looks like Medicare paid only 50%. Doesn’t Medicare pay 80% for all doctor visits?

--Lindsay Dear Lindsay, Medicare covers outpatient mental health services differ-

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ently than it covers other types of doctor services. Medicare will pay 80% for your initial outpatient mental health visit so that your doctor can determine your diagnosis.

However, Medicare will pay only 50% of its approved amount for future visits.

The same payment rate applies to other mental health providers that you see as an outpatient, such as psychologists and social workers.

There are a few other outpatient mental health services that are covered at 80% by Medicare. These include brief office visits used to monitor or change your prescription and psychological testing to establish a diagnosis. ~Marci Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center, the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare.

To speak with a counselor, call (800) 333-4114. To subscribe to “Dear Marci,” MRC’s free educational e-newsletter, simply e-mail dearmarci@medicarerights. org. To learn more about the services that Medicare will cover and how to change plans, log on to Medicare Interactive Counselor at the Medicare Rights Center’s website at www.medicareinteractive.org.

The Best Of Times

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May 2009

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“The Counseling Corner”

by the American Counseling Association Making Doctor Visits Less Stressful and More Productive Today’s ever-busier health care systems can often seem rushed and impersonal. Doctors may care as much about their patients as ever, but they may not have much time to spend counseling and reassuring each patient.

The result is that a visit to the doctor can be a stressful and frustrating experience. We’re worried about our illness or symptoms, intimidated by that white coat, confused by the medical jargon and perhaps feeling slightly rushed.

The answer is to take steps that can help minimize the stress of a doctor visit while also helping insure that you’re getting the most from that visit.

A starting point is to be what counseling professionals call “appropriately assertive.”

That simply means speaking clearly and directly while also being aware of both your and the other person’s needs. You want to establish a climate of mutual respect that acknowledges the doctor’s busy schedule as well as your needs to have your questions answered.

Start by writing a list of your health questions, leaving

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May 2009

space for the answers. Tell your doctor you have questions and ask if he’d like to answer them before or after the exam.

If you find your doctor is using medical jargon or technical terms, politely ask him or her to restate what’s being said in simpler terms. Doctors don’t mean to confuse, but sometimes what are common terms to them are confusing to their patients. Don’t just passively listen, pretending to understand.

If a doctor visit makes you too nervous to really hear what’s being said, consider bringing a friend or family member along as a second set of ears. Or, with the doctor’s permission, recording answers with a small tape recorder or

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MP3 player will allow you to be sure not to miss anything.

Your goal is to get the information you need. Assertive communication means being politely proactive.

• Ask follow-up questions if something is unclear.

• If the doctor advises waiting to see what develops, ask for specifics on time and what type of developments to look for.

• At the end, summarize what you you’ve heard about your diagnosis and possible treatments. Give the doctor a chance to correct anything you may have misinterpreted.

Having open communications between doctor and patient makes it easier for patients to voice their fears, anxieties and needs. When doctors and patients work as partners, communicating effectively with each other, the result is the best care for the patient.

“The Counseling Corner” is provided as a public service by the American Counseling Association, the nation’s largest organization of counseling professionals. Learn more about the counseling profession at the ACA web site, www.counseling.org.

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An Equal Opportunity Employer The Best Of Times

May 2009

23

By Lee ARonson, an attorney

with Legal Services of North Louisiana name, but the facts of her case are real) was The Case given a drug for her miof the graine. But the drug has Amputated a side effect: nausea.

So Marcia was given Arm an anti-nausea drug as well.

The anti-nausea drug Marcia had a migraine. can be administered in 3 difSo she went to her doctor. ferent ways: intramuscular And she ended up losing injection, intravenous drip, or her arm.

by IV push. The drug label, Here’s what happened: which was approved by the Marcia (I’ve changed her FDA, said that administering

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May 2009

the drug by IV push can result in gangrene requiring amputation.

And that’s exactly what happened to Marcia. First they had to amputate her hand. Then they had to amputate her forearm.

Marcia ended up suing the drug Congress did not inmanufacturer. tend FDA oversight She argued that the warning on to be the exclusive means of the label about ensuring drug safety gangrene and and effectiveness. amputation was not sufficient and there should have been a stronger warning on the drug’s label, especially since the drug manufacturer was aware that 20 other patients had lost limbs after the drug was administered by IV push. Marcia would have preferred the label say something like, “It’s OK to give this drug by intramuscular injection or intravenous drip but do not administer this drug by IV push.”

The drug company argued that Marcia shouldn’t be allowed to sue them at all.

They pointed out that the FDA had approved their drug’s warning label and if the FDA approves, then that should automatically be good enough.

The Jury disagreed with the drug company and awarded Marcia, a musician, over $6 million dollars. The drug company appealed and the case went before the United States Supreme Court.

One of the Judges who was involved in the case’s appeal wrote that “no drug is without risks. The FDA balances the risks of a drug against its benefits to maximize the availability of beneficial treatments.

A jury does not engage in a measured and multifaceted policy analysis. Rather, a jury views the safety of the drug through the lens of a single patient who has already been catastrophically injured.” In other words, this Judge felt that the FDA, as opposed to 12 people called up for jury duty, is better at deciding what a drug label should say.

But the U.S. Supreme Court disagreed with this Judge. The Supreme Court held that “Congress did not intend FDA oversight to be the exclusive means of ensuring drug safety and effectiveness.” The Court pointed out that “the FDA has long maintained that State law offers an additional, and important, layer of consumer protec-

‘‘

’’

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tion that complements FDA regulation.”

Therefore a state can pass a law that says drug manufacturers are liable to patient if a patient is injured by a drug with an insufficient warning label. And just because the FDA has approved a drug’s warning label does not automatically mean that the warning label is A-OK. Several arguments were made as to why Congress did not pass a law that said once a drug label has been approved by the FDA then the drug manufacturer cannot be sued for an insufficient warning.

First, the FDA doesn’t have the staff necessary to monitor drug safety changes once a drug’s warning label has been approved. The Court pointed out that the “FDA has limited resources to monitor the 11,000 drugs on the market.”

Second, not everyone at the FDA agrees that the warning labels that they approve are 100% accurate. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, two FDA officials, John Jinks, “the top official in the drug approval section” and Jane Axelrad, the associate director of the FDA’s division for drug evaluation and research, have said that “it is wrong to assume that FDA-approved drug labels

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are completely reliable, or that they are based on full disclosure of safety risks by drug makers.”

And third, Congress is not sure that the FDA is making its decisions about drug approval with complete information.

For example, Congress has requested an investigation into whether the manufacturer of Paxil “deliberately misrepresented data on suicide risk…when it applied for the drug’s approval to the” FDA. And before a drug called Ketek was approved by the FDA, the agency asked that an additional safety study be done. While the drug company was doing this study, a routine inspection uncovered that one of the doctors conducting the study was completely making up facts about patient enrollment. The doctor was arrested and is currently in jail. But when the study was presented to the FDA, no mention was made of the study’s problems. The FDA approved the drug and within 2 years, “23 cases of acute severe liver injury and 12 cases of acute liver failure, 4 of them fatal, had been linked to Keteck.”

Lee Aronson’s practice areas include consumer protection law, housing law and health care law.

May 2009

25

By Jason Alderman, director of Visa’s financial education programs

things will improve significantly any time soon, so Money-Saving i t ’ s t i m e t o Tips for Seniors tighten the belt.

Here are a few areas where retirees – and retirement wanThanks to the rocky econo- nabes – can stretch their dollars my, most people’s retirement and reducing spending: savings have taken a beating Pay down debt. List your in the past year. In fact, many outstanding credit card and folks have been forced to loan balances by interest rate postpone retirement because and pay off those with the highof their shrinking nest eggs. est rates first, thereby lowering And, those who’ve already the amount of interest you pay retired no doubt have noticed overall. And always make at that their money doesn’t go least the minimum payment as far because of increases on each account – on time – to in housing, food, utilities, prevent credit score damage prescription drugs and virtu- that could increase your interally everything else. est rates.

Even optimistic economic Medical expenses. If your observers don’t anticipate Medicare or other health in-

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May 2009

surance doesn’t cover a specific medical expense, ask the doctor’s office about discounts for paying in cash.

Also, explore using generic drugs and see if your plan offers discounts for ordering several months’ worth of routine medications at once by mail.

Insurance. To lower monthly premiums, consider raising deductable amounts on your auto and homeowner or renter’s insurance. Also, rates typically decrease when you reach age 50 or 55, especially if you take a defensive driving course, so be sure to ask.

Government programs. Many government-sponsored benefits, grants and financial aid programs exist to help low-income families, seniors and others pay their bills, including: • LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Pro-

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gram, which provides grants to help pay utility bills. To see if you qualify, go to www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap.

• Also, check with your water, garbage collection, telephone and television cable companies to see if they offer discounts for seniors, low-income families or the disabled. Rules vary, but you’ll likely be asked to provide proof of age, income or disability status in order to qualify.

• SNAP, the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps), helps millions of lower-income Americans buy nutritious food each month. Visit www.fns.usda. gov/snap for qualification requirements.

• Medicaid. Many uninsured people who aren’t yet eligible for Medicare can obtain medical coverage through state-administered Medicaid programs.

To learn more, visit www.cms.hhs. gov/MedicaidGenInfo.

• Rental assistance for low-income families is available from several U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development programs as well as other state and local agencies (see www.hud. gov/renting/index.cfm for details).

• Go to www.usa.gov/Citizen/Top-

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ics/Benefits.shtml for a comprehensive overview of additional aid programs.

Senior discounts. Before purchasing anything, ask if they offer senior discounts.

Always ask at the beginning of the transaction – waiting until you settle the bill may be too late. One precaution, however: Senior rates at airlines, hotels, car rental agencies and other travel-related businesses are not always the cheapest available, so check their websites or ask a phone representative for the lowest available rate before requesting the senior rate.

Check your affiliations. Organizations like AARP, AAA and credit card issuers often offer member discounts on various items and attractions. Check their websites or mailers regularly for new offers.

Ensuring a worry-free retirement requires a lot of planning, both before and after you leave the workplace. Visa’s free personal financial management site, Practical Money Skills for Life (www. practicalmoneyskills.com/retirement) contains many tools that can help.

Sign up for Jason Alderman’s free monthly e-Newsletter at www.practicalmoneyskills. com/newsletter.

May 2009

27

BY Suzy Cohen, R.Ph.,

author of “The 24-hour Pharmacist” pressure in the eye damages the optic Medications nerve and leads to blindness. About for Glaucoma 4 millions Americans have “open angle” glaucoma and the troublesome thing is that you might not know until Dear Pharmacist, you’ve lost 40 percent of your I’ve been taking glauco- vision! This is why regular ma eye drops for 6 years. My eye exams are so important. vision is still getting worse I personally don’t mind eye and I fear going blind. Can exams because they’re affordyou tell me about my medi- able and blessedly painless, cation options so I can ask as they involve no needles, my doctor which is best for gloves or probing fingers. Plus me? --G.F. Dallas, Texas ophthalmologists can discover For the most part glaucoma and treat all sorts of eye condiis an affliction of older adults. tions and help maintain your Glaucoma is a condition eyesight. where fluid in the eye does There are many causes of not drain properly, causing glaucoma. Some experts think excess pressure within the that tiny clots and debris clog eye. Simply put, chronic high the mesh network in your eye

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May 2009

and block drainage of eye fluid.

This reminds me of my kitchen sink clogging up, with murky water rising until I hit the disposal button. Prescribed eye drops work by slowing down the rising level of fluid (keeping the sink unclogged and preventing the murky water from building up). This means lower eye pressure and less damage to the optic nerve.

Two older drugs were popular in the 90’s, timolol and betaxolol. These are inexpensive and they suppress the production of eye fluid. Side effects include slowed heart rate, fatigue and lightheadedness. Newer meds that reduce eye fluid include Iopidine, Trusopt, Azopt and Alphagan P. Depending on which one you take, these drops might cause stinging, enlarged pupils, itchy red eyes, tearing or dizziness. People might mistake you for being hungover because of the bloodshot effect. Another

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odd side effect is a bitter metallic taste in your mouth, especially with Trusopt and Azopt.

Many people love the convenience of using drops once daily. This is why Xalatan, Lumigan and Travatan are so popular. These drugs relax muscles in your eyes so the fluid can naturally drain taking off the pressure. It’s fascinating that these medications can darken your eye color over time and just like mascara, they can lengthen and thicken your eyelashes. For real. The makers of Lumigan capitalized on this side effect and now sell a prescription eyelash boosting drug called Latisse. Visit www.latisse.com if you don’t believe me.

Cosopt is a convenient combination eye drop that marries Trusopt with Timolol.

Other convenient dual-acting drops include Combigan and DuoTrav. For more information on glaucoma research and conventional treatments visit www. glaucoma.org.

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.

The Best Of Times

May 2009

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TheBestOfTimesNews.com

The “Third Son” Years: When James Burton was invited to play in Ricky Nelson’s band, Ricky met him at the airport and told him that he was expected at the Nelson’s home for dinner. After the meal Ozzie and Harriet invited James to stay at their home.

He accepted and lived with them for two years.

Upstaging Elvis: At a concert a young lady came up to the stage. “A scarf or a kiss?” Elvis asked.

She said no to both.

“What do you want?” he drawled.

“James Burton,” the girl answered.

Elvis started to laugh, and then walked her over to the guitarist, who gave her a kiss.

(Elvis then gave her a kiss and a scarf.)

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He would not use that term to describe himself, but the evidence is decisive and his accomplishments are staggering.

The Shreveport native is an inductee in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Fender Hall of Fame and the Musician’s Hall of Fame. His discography would fill the pages of this magazine and the list of artists he has played with would require a special edition.

A nearly two hour interview with Burton (which considering his busy schedule was very generous) was really only long

enough to skim the surface of his career.

It all began in Dubberly, where Burton was born August 21, 1939. He grew up in Shreveport and from the beginning music was something that made a connection with Burton.

“Mother said that since the day I was born, music did something to me,” Burton said. “I got very excited and happy when I heard music. She said I would pick up anything I could find in the house and act like I was playing guitar. I always loved the guitar. It was something magic to my ear. Every time I would hear the guitar, I could see the guitar and see the strings moving. I could hear the actual notes and where it was going.”

Burton’s parents bought him his first guitar when he was 13.

His second guitar came from J May 2009

31

school music competitions and said the $100 first prize awards were pretty good money back then.

However, Burton said he wasn’t playing for the money, but for the love of playing.

Burton’s time performing on the “Louisiana Hayride” was an important start to his career. Though he was already responsible for writing the guitar lick for the hit song “Suzy Q,” his time on stage gave him a different kind of exposure.

“I think being able to present my music and being seen every Saturday night and people hearing me on the

and S Music store in Shreveport and was a ‘53 Fender Telecaster, a guitar which would be the start of Burton’s long time association with Fender.

When Burton was 14, he turned professional. In one year, without the benefit of lessons, Burton hit the music scene. His talent was God-given, he said.

“God just blessed me with that beautiful gift.

It is all a blessing from God because he was my teacher. Even to this day, I am not a fast reader to sit down and play other people’s music, but they (people who hired him in the beginning) didn’t want me for that (but) because I love to create music,” he said.

At 14 years of age, Burton was playing in a blues band with Dale Hawkins. Burton had written “a little instrumental” and was playing it with Hawkins one day. They played the melody, the guitar lick Burton had written, and Hawkins said he wanted to write lyrics to it. Hawkins wrote those lyrics and Burton’s “little instrumental” became “Suzy Q.” “From that day on it was wild,” said Burton.

He began playing on the “Louisiana Hayride” behindwell known singers, among them, George Jones, Jim Reeves and Johnny Mathis. He also won a few

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radio was very important. I had no idea where it was going to take me. All I knew was every day I picked up my guitar and played, it was the happiest day of my life.”

When he first began playing the guitar, Burton’s main influences were Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, and Les Paul. He also always admired Ernest Tubb’s guitar player, Billy Bird.

Burton started out playing country music, but soon realized that rhythm and blues was very strong in his “musical mind.”

“I created sort of a country and rhythm and blues flavor playing guitar,” he recalled. “When I would play country I would put a little blues feeling into it. It just kept growing into all these different styles.”

Burton was a part of the early days of rock and roll.

He said people will often ask him if he knew he was making history.

“How do you know you are making history,” he asked? “You can’t get sidetracked. You have to focus on who you are, why you are playing, and that you love it. That is what it is all about. If you love something, good things come. Your music comes from the heart and the soul. You have to have the musical thing before the business thing. The love of what you are doing has to come first.”

Burton never performed on the “Louisiana Hayride” on the same nights as Elvis Presley because the producers thought their sounds were too similar. So, when Elvis would come to Shreveport, Burton and his band would be sent out on tour. Years later, Burton would go on to have a long time collaboration with Elvis.

Burton moved out to Hollywood when he was only 15 or 16, he said. His parents supported him and his music 100 percent, but his mother was still, understandably, a little hesitant about him going out there.

“She knew it was a good break for me, but she didn’t want me leaving home at that age,” he said.

In 1956 Burton met Ricky Nelson. He and Nelson were the same age when they met at the Imperial Records studio in Hollywood. Burton was rehearsing a song there called “Red Hot” and Nelson came in TheBestOfTimesNews.com

to listen. He invited Burton to come to his studio, where Burton met Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, Ricky’s parents, and the rest of the family. Ricky hired Burton to work with him and that collaboration lasted until about 1964.

In 1956 everyone in the United States was familiar with the Nelson family due to the popularity of their TV show, “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.”

The show featured the Nelson family, including sons Ricky and David. It wasn’t long before Burton was part of that family, too.

“Ricky Nelson’s family invited me to come and live with them,” Burton said. “I was the third son: David, Ricky and James.

It was wonderful. We were cutting records, doing the TV show and doing tours. We were busy. It was like we kind of grew up together in those years.

Ozzie and Harriet were wonderful. The whole family is just wonderful people.”

In 1964 Burton was contacted by Johnny Cash about working on a music variety show

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for television. Burton jumped at the chance and was soon appearing on “Shindig!” which aired on ABC from September 16, 1964 to January 8, 1966.

“The producer wanted me to be on the show every week so we put a band together, the Shindogs.

That show became #1 for that whole year.” On the show Burton played behind many of the top singers of the time.

After the show ended, Burton stayed busy. He said he recorded with every artist you could think of, day and night, for 7 days a week. It was an incredibly busy time for Burton, but he had fun.

“I love all these wonderful artists. They are very

special people,” he said.

He worked like that until 1969, when he got the call from Elvis that he wanted Burton to come and work with him.

The first call from Elvis actually came in 1968, but Burton was unavailable as he was working with Frank Sinatra at the time. (He also played with Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.) Elvis told Burton he used to watch “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” just to see Burton play. Being such a fan of Burton’s, Elvis called back in 1969 to ask Burton to put a band together for his upcoming Las Vegas engagement. Although Burton’s studio career was going very well, he agreed to work with Elvis and continued to work with him until Elvis’ death in 1977.

Roy Orbison, someone Burton admired and recorded with, paid Burton one of the greatest compliments he ever received. He came up to Burton one night and said, “James, you are my favorite guitar player in the whole world,” recalled Burton. As a measure of how much that must have meant, one night Burton was talking to Elvis, one of the greatest singers/entertainers ever, and Burton asked him who he would pick as one of his favorite singers.

“He said Roy Orbison,” Burton said.

Burton said one of his favorite songs to perform on stage was “Trilogy,” which he performed with Elvis.

“It was a show stopper and people would be just crying, happy and excited. It is an incredible May 2009

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CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

song. Elvis was such an incredible entertainer and singer. It was a show stopper - standing ovation. It was such a great performance,” he said.

After Elvis’ death, Burton went on to work for 20 years with John Denver. During their early shows, Jay Leno toured with them and would come out and do 20 minutes of his comedy routine before the musical

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performance. So, Burton knew Leno long before he became a late night icon.

In 2001 Burton received the call that he was being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He said he was much honored. A list of possible presenters was read to Burton, and when they got to one name he knew exactly who he wanted to do the presentation: his good friend, Keith Richards. Yes, that Keith

Richards, of The Rolling Stones.

Burton knows and has worked with The Rolling Stones and speaks highly of the band, and especially Richards.

Burton enjoys sitting in the studio playing on new records and still loves creating new licks.

His most recent honor came on February 8th of this year when he won a Grammy award for the instrumental Brad Paisley song “Cluster Pluck,” which also featured guitarists Vince Gill, John Jorgenson, Albert Lee, Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert and Steve Wariner. Burton was in Europe when the song was being recorded and was the last person to lay down their track, although his part is the first in the song. When he asked why he was first on the song, even

though they had to wait on his part, he was told it was because he was Brad Paisley’s main influence. He said he was honored to hear that.

Burton and his wife, Louise, moved back to Shreveport in 1989. They also have homes in California and Nashville. His wife wanted to spend time with her parents and it also gave Burton a chance to be close to his mother, who is 94.

Burton gets very excited when he talks about the foundation he started in 2005. He had always wanted to have a concert show of his own, and got the idea to invite a bunch of friends to Shreveport to perform. Thus, The James Burton International Guitar Festival and The James Burton Foundation were born.

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The money raised from the festival, and donations from artists and the public, go to buy guitars and lesson programs for children so they can be a part of music, regardless of income.

“My show is about James and friends,” Burton said. “All these wonderful people who come are my friends. I am so honored to have them. They come and they donate their time to come and help the kids. They donate guitars for the kids. Nobody makes a dime from the show. It is all donated time. Everyone volunteers.

We have many volunteers.”

Burton said he woke up one day and thought ‘I want to do my own show’ and he called his friends up and asked if they

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would be interested in helping.

“Everyone said absolutely,” he said. “Brad Paisley, bless his heart, he said he was there.

Brad played a show on a Friday night in Indiana, got on his bus after the show and played the show that Saturday night, and he left right after the show to go to Nashville to get on a plane to go to Los Angeles Sunday morning.

And Steve Wariner, I was thanking him for coming and he said, ‘Man are you kidding, I would have hitchhiked to get here.’ It is a wonderful feeling.”

Burton had decided it was time to give back and putting guitars in the hands of kids seemed the ideal way to do that.

“They took music out of the

schools and I wanted to get music back in the schools. It doesn’t matter - rich, poor or whatever; it is the same program wherever. The advantage goes to all of them. If they want to do the music thing, the opportunity is there. To be able to present these guitars for teachers to be able to teach a music program is truly a blessing from God that we are able to do this.”

The foundation has presented guitars at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital here in Shreveport, and the Rutherford House here as well. They have recently donated guitars to the local Veterans hospital, so that the veterans can check out guitars to enjoy.

In the local school districts, The James Burton Foundation has donated over 3,500 guitars - a staggering number.

“I enjoy being able to go and present the guitars because I think it is important for them to see who is behind it,” Burton said. “We want to let them know that we are there for them. We are there to continue this and make this work.”

Burton and his wife, along with the foundation, hope to soon put a recording studio in at the foundation offices so the kids can see what recording is like. It will be a professional set up, and they hope the kids can record more than once so they

May 2009

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can hear their progress.

Burton stays busy and likes it that way. He might be in Los Angeles one week, Shreveport the next, and Europe the week after that. He does like to spend a relaxing Sunday, when he can, attending his local church and spending time with his family.

He also really likes to drive, even though his work mainly requires

air travel. He really enjoys getting in the car and driving to his home in Nashville and w o u l d l o v e to drive out to California, something he used to do a lot in his early career - and in a Cadillac convertible, the perfect car for it. “My first Cadillac was a ’54 El Dorado with a Continental kit. The one after that was a ’59 Caddy convertible. I was too cool. I used to put the top down and I would drive from Shreveport to California. After working for a few weeks, I would put the top down and drive back home. I loved it,� he said almost wistfully.

When you ask Burton what he is most proud of, it is not being inducted into a hall of fame or an award. His answer is much closer to his heart. “I am most proud of my beautiful family: my wife, Lou-

ise; son, Jeff; and daughter, Melanie.� His son frequently plays with Burton and his two grandchil- dren play the guitar as well. They perform on stage with him each year at the festival.

Burton has no intention of slowing down and seems to still take immense pleasure from creating and from spreading his love of music to others through the foundation’s work. “I have been blessed. Praise the Lord, I am still doing it and I expect to do it until he says enough is enough, which is going to be a long time. My mother is 94 and I figure if I get past the 100 year mark, I will still be doing it. I just want to continue to be able to give something back to the kids. They will continue my legacy and music. I want to give them the best of what I can give them.â€? ď‚Ż

PHOTO CREDITS - Cover: Photo of James Burton at the 20th International Guitar Festival,Used by permission of www.JamesBurton.net.; Page 4: Photo of James Burton by permission of the James Burton Foundation.; Page 4: Photo of James Burton record album courtesy of ElvisRocksOn.net.; Page 31: The Nelson Family by permission of Getty Images.; Page 31: Photo of statue of James Burton, courtesy of the Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport, LA.; Page 31: Photo of James Burton with Elvis, by permission of www.

JamesBurton.net.; Page 32: B&W photo of very young James Burton courtesy of www.biwa.ne.jp; Page 32: James Burton with Ricky Nelson courtesy of www.

RickNelson.com; Page 32: Shindig! logo courtesy of ABC Television.; Page 32: The James Burton Fender guitar courtesy of Fender.; Page 33: Two photos of James Burton used by permission of www.JamesBurton.net.; Page 33: Photo of Small Stone Phase Shifter courtesy of www.rocknrollvintage.com.; Page 33: Photo of Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra by permission of Getty Images.; Page 34: Photos of Roy Orbison and John Denver courtesy of Getty Images.; Page 34: Photo of Keith Richards made available by www.taringa. net, a fan site.; Page 34: Photo of Brad Paisley by John C. Whitehead/The Patriot News.; Page 34: Photo of Steve Wariner courtesy of MisterGuitar.com.; Page 34: Photo of Shreveport’s Hospital for Children courtesy of wpcontent.answers. com/wikipedia.; Page 34: Photo of program from a fan website.; Page 36: 1954 Cadillac El Dorado with Continental Kit from Thornbury Classics Co., UK. Used by permission.

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The Best Of Times

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TRAVEL ARTICLE by

Alexis Constantine

Though it is not the biggest island in the Hawaiian chain, Oahu has been called “the heart of Hawaii” because the lush 597 square mile location is known to encompass the culture and activities of all other Hawaiian Islands. Oahu is a tourists’ paradise with a vast array of destination locales and beautifully pure beaches.

Begin your trip at the top by hiking the 760 feet of Diamond Head State Monument. Known by ancient Hawaiians as Le’ahi or “brow of the tuna,” Diamond Head crater was formed about 300,000 years ago during a single explosive eruption. Then, in the early 1900’s it was used as a strategic military lookout.

Now, a hike to the summit is not only a rigorous workout, but also a peak into Hawaiian history. The steep trail winds through staircases and a lighted 225 foot tunnel before reaching the 1911 Fire Control Station. At the top hikers can also visit military bunkers and a lighthouse while taking in the vista. Admission is $1 for walk-ins and $5 for cars. Though park gates are open from 6 a.m.

– 6 p.m., the most arguably breathtaking time to make 38

May 2009

the trek, which usually takes hikers an hour or two to complete, is at sunrise when orange and red hues fill the panoramic views of Waikiki and Oahu’s south shore.

There is a reason why most tourists decide to stay just below Diamond Head in the neighborhood of Waikiki. The area is built for entertainment and relaxation. Surfboards and surf lessons can be found directly on Waikiki beach along with places to rent lawn chairs, snorkeling gear and even sun umbrellas.

An expansive selection of restaurants is also available. Don’t miss the flavorful “Bo Diddley Squidly” calamari at Lulu’s Surf Club or mouth watering “Coconut Prawns” at Cheeseburger in Paradise. Other well-known restaurants such as P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse reside alongside places with local flair like Duke’s Canoe Club and Duke’s Barefoot Bar, which places guests directly on the sands of Waikiki Beach.

Shopping in this liveliest area of Oahu has the variety to suit any personality. Get comfortable in the attire of surf shops like Billabong and Element or visit one of the luxury boutiques such as Yves Saint Laurent or Chanel to search for an extra special souvenir. For those who enjoy one convenient location, Oahu is home to the America’s largest outdoor mall, the Ala Moana Center. It is anchored by department stores including Macy’s and Neiman Marcus, and filled with apparel, accessory and home stores.

The North Shore, however, is quite the opposite of Waikiki. Many visitors to the North Shore simply enjoy the quiet lull of breaking waves as sand slips through their fingertips. Seven miles of uninterrupted beach makes this area a relaxation destination. North Shore waves can swell to up to 30 feet or more during the winter months and many tourists enjoy watching experienced surfers ride the waves in some of the world’s premiere surfing contests.

But if snorkeling is what you are after, then visit the nature preserve in Hanauma Bay on the east side of Oahu. Visitors must park above the bay and then take a short walk down a grassy hill to reach the beach. Each guest is required to view a short video about the importance of respecting marine life before snorkel gear can be rented to view the round, yet sharply edged Porcupine Fish, brightly contrasting Butterfly Fish, large Sea Turtles and the other countless animals that reside among the winding coral reef.

After a few days in the sun it is not uncommon to need a day off the beach to let skin recover from burning rays. Throw on a hat and sunglasses and visit one of Oahu’s most visited tourist attractions, The Polynesian Cultural Center. Spanning across 42 acres near the North Shore, visiting the center is like going to a cultural Disneyland. Representations of Aotearoa, Fiji, Hawaii, Marquesas, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga lie around the park’s winding lagoon. Within each cultural representation there are TheBestOfTimesNews.com

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N rev Sout EW h No epor east wO tO PE ffice N!

Sh

“ARMCHAIR TRAVELER” CONCLUSION (from page 38) interactive presentations to help teach visitors about each locale.

Learn to Hula in Hawaii and the secret of how to climb a coconut tree in Samoa. Embark on a larger than life coral reef adventure in the IMAX Theater before taking part in an authentic Hawaiian Luau. Traditional food like poke, a marinated raw fish, and Kalua pua’a, roasted pork prepared underground, is featured on the all-you-can-eat buffet. The night is topped off with the Horizons night show that includes over 100 performers and exciting acts such as Samoan Fire Dancing.

Another can’t-miss destination in Oahu is the USS Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor.

When guests enter the Pearl Harbor memorial gate artifacts and a video can be viewed. From there visitors can take a small boat out to the shinning white USS Arizona Memorial which was built directly over, but not touching, the sunken battleship. It is the resting place of over 1,000 soldiers killed in the December 7, 1941 attack. Keep respectfully quiet as you walk between the hanging flags of the entryway and into the assembly room. Visitors can lean out one of the 21 windows, built to symbolically represent a 21-gun salute, to see the oil continually seeping out of the cracks of the battleship. In the back room of the memorial is a shrine with an extensive and heart-wrenching list of each soldier honored through the USS Arizona Memorial.

Nearby is the Battleship Missouri Memorial where people can actually climb aboard and discover the cramped quarters below deck. This memorial gives people insight on what it might be like for soldiers to be aboard one of the government’s many ships.

With a variety of activities, Oahu has something for everyone.

Legendary surfer, Olympic swimmer and Hawaiian icon, Duke Kahanamoku, said it best in 1915, “We believe there is not another place in the world equal of Waikiki – that little cove lying in the shelter of Diamond Head. For surf shooting purposes, and thousands of travelers who call at our picturesque island every year endorse that opinion.” As you stand out on the beach with the warm surf tickling your toes you will most likely find that you can do nothing but smile and agree. 

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.

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BY mirabai holland, M.f.a.,

a leading authority in health and fitness program.

In working Does Low Bone with my clients, I often hear the Mass Mean “what’s Osteoporosis? question the difference between osteoporosis and low Nearly 30 years ago when bone mass? (osteopenia) And I was in school, I wrote an what can I do about it?

Well to answer these quesexercise physiology paper on tions, I have to start at the exercise and osteoporosis.

At that time there wasn’t beginning.

Osteoporosis is a disease, much research available.

But even then, the studies I which, over time, causes bones found on tennis players, as- to become thinner, more potronauts, and bed rest pointed rous and less able to support in the direction that weight- the body. Bones can become bearing exercise could help so thin that they break during maintain the bone density normal, every day activity. you have and even promote Osteoporosis is a major health bone growth. I was intrigued. threat. 44 Million are at risk, I’ve followed the research nearly 80% are women. .Postmenopausal women over the years and even created an osteoporosis exercise are particularly at risk because

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they stop producing estrogen, a major protector of bone mass.

As we age some bone loss is inevitable. Women age 65 or men age 70 should get a bone mineral density test. If you have a family history of osteoporosis or other risk factors you may need a BMD much earlier.

The test is completely painless, non-invasive and takes only a few minutes.

It compares your bone mineral density to that of an average healthy young person. Your results are called your T score. The difference between your score and the average young person’s T-score is called a standard deviation. (SD) Here is how to interpret your T score: • Between +1 and –1: normal bone density.

• Between -1 and -2.5: low bone density (osteopenia).

• T-score of -2.5 or lower: osteoporosis.

Until recently it was thought that if you had low bone mass (osteopenia) you were well on your way to getting osteoporosis.

But it’s now known even at this stage bone loss can be slowed down, stopped and even reversed. You and your doctor will have a number of options depending upon your particular condition.

Many MDs like to start with a calcium and vitamin D rich diet coupled with weight bearing exercise. For many of us, that’s all we need. Others will require medication and there are many bone-building medications available.

Remember it’s never too early to start taking care of your bones. The more bone density you have as a young person the less likely to end up with osteoporosis later in life.

This May marks the 25th anniversary of the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) the nation’s leading non-profit organization solely dedicated to bone health. For more information visit www. nof.com.

Mirabai Holland M.F.A. is a public health activist who specializes in preventive and rehabilitative exercise for people. Her Moving Free® approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn’t feel like work. www. easyexercisevideos.com. © 2009 TheBestOfTimesNews.com

Paid Advertisement

East Texas Eye Doctor Helps Legally Blind to See Again Diplomate in Low Vision Care trains Dr. Larry Chism to help those with macular degeneration to keep reading and driving.

By Elena Lombardi Freelance Writer

Donald Paquette, 72, a former assessor from Anaheim, California thought that his driving days were over. “I could not read the street signs soon enough and I couldn’t pass the vision test at the DMV office.”

Gonzalo Garcia, 74, Albuquerque, New Mexico, wanted to be able to read and write more easily. He wanted to see the nails and screws when he tried to use them in home repairs. He wanted see his grandchildren singing in the church choir. But he thought those days were over when he was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration.

California Optometrist, Dr. Richard J. Shuldiner and East Texas optometrist, Dr. Larry Chism, are using miniaturized binoculars or telescopes to help people who have lost vision from macular degeneration or other eye conditions.

“Some of my patients consider us the last stop for people who have vision loss,” said Dr. Chism, a low vision optometrist who has just completed training with Dr. Shuldiner in California.

“Amazing!” says Donald. “I can read the street signs twice as far as I did before and even see the television better!” Dr. Shuldiner also provided special prismatic reading glasses to make the newspaper a little easier to read.

Macular Degeneration is the most common eye disease amongst the senior population. As many as 25% of those over 65 have some degree The Best Of Times

Carole Buckels wearing bioptic telescope driving glasses. of degeneration. The macula is one small part of the entire retina, but it is the most sensitive and gives us sharp images.

When it degenerates, Macular Degeneration leaves a blind spot right in the center of vision making it impossible to recognize faces, read a book, or pass the drivers vision test.

The experts do not know what causes macular degeneration. But major factors include UV light from the sun, smoking, aging, and improper nutrition.

Vitamins can help. The results of two studies, AREDS and LAST demonstrated a lowered risk of progression by about 25% when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamins.

A new, proprietary supplement based on the scientific studies is available from these doctors.

Nine out of ten people who have macular degeneration have the dry type. There is no medical treatment except for vitamins. The wet type involves leaky blood vessels that can sometimes be sealed with hot or cold laser. Unfortunately it’s a temporary fix. Newer treatments, such as Macugen injections try to prevent leakage.

“Our job is to figure out everything and anything possible to keep a person functioning,” says Dr. Chism.

“Whether it’s driving, reading, watch-

ing television, seeing faces, playing bridge…we work with whatever is on the persons “wish list”.

Even if it’s driving. Louisiana and Texas allow the use of telescopic glasses for safer driving.

Carole Buckles, 71 of Arcadia, California came on the advise of a friend. “I wanted to be able to keep driving and do the fun things in life.”

One of those fun things is baseball.

“I love going to baseball games and now I can see those close plays again,” she says.

Bioptic Telescopic glasses were prescribed to read signs and see traffic lights farther away. As Carole puts it, “These telescope glasses not only allows me to read signs from a farther distance, but makes driving much easier. I’ve also used them to watch television so I don’t have to sit so close. Definitely worth the $1975 cost. I don’t know why I waited two years to do this; I should have come sooner.”

“Telescopic glasses usually cost over $2000”, says Dr. Shuldiner, “especially if we build them with an automatic sunglass”.

Not all low vision devices are that expensive. Reading glasses start at $500 and hand magnifiers under $100. Every case is different because people have different levels of vision and different desires.

Dr. Chism also provides special prismatic reading glasses to make the newspaper a little easier to read.

Dr. Larry Chism speaks to every patient on the telephone before scheduling the one hour low vision evaluation appointment.

Call Dr. Chism, toll free, at 1-888-243-2020 for a FREE telephone interview.

May 2009

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Okay, I’ll admit it upfront: men sometimes feel uncomfortable in places known as a restaurant in which the “Ladies Who Do Lunch” have their luncheons. There’s something about a perceived prissiness, of sandwiches shaped like fingers and filled with cream cheese and watercress, of doilies and paper lace under the teacups.

Biscotti’s has that vibe in spades. But while “that vibe” may be fed by easy access to the many splendors offered by the Lewis Gifts mothership, it doesn’t spill over (too much) into the food and presentation.

I imagine it would be embarrassing for such a straight-forwardly high quality gift shop to spawn a mediocre restaurant, so they wisely avoided that possibility by birthing a growingly popular lunch spot where the

food is so good even men are finally discovering it. The Saturday “noon-ish” we were there, I counted at least ten among the hordes of ladies.

(Speaking of the ladies, publisher and radio show host Gary Calligas was recognized by a large table full of fans, but they never guessed we were on a “working” lunch.)

Not only was I among the men in attendance, I even chanced ordering from the very title of the book Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche. (“That’s SO 1982,” says my editor.) It was on special that day and I ordered the Quiche Lorraine ($8.95) without flinching. Further, it was delicious. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Jeretta whisked tall lemoned waters to our table immediately, took beverage orders and answered our questions about the menu and the specials with smiling aplomb.

At her suggestion, we tried the Fried Green Tomatoes ($6) as an appetizer. Four thick slices coated with a flour and cornmeal and fried. That sounds so simple.

The trick is to find any as good as these

crunchy emerald gems.

Served with a spicy Creole sauce, these rate 5 stars; a great way to start what

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May 2009

turned out to be a near flawless lunch.

My bacony quiche came with a nice serving of fresh fruit (my choice over a green salad). I doused it in tangysweet poppy seed dressing and slipped into nirvana.

A tablemate’s Hot Pastrami Sandwich (also a special, $6.95) came with Sun Chips.

This sandwich is a generous, tender-moist mound of high quality meat thinly-sliced on fresh rye bread. It gives gracious nods to the Stage Door Deli in New York that inspires this more restrained but still classic version.

The popular radio host among us ordered the Soup of the Day, a creamy Shrimp Bisque. The shrimp were wonderfully tender and worked their magic within the smooth texture of the soup. Loved. It. He also had a Spinach Salad (6.95 + $3 for adding grilled chicken to it). This was a big hit, with all the classic ingredients in place, including sliced egg. On a whim, perhaps inspired by the surroundings, he ordered a first for him: Raspberry Vinaigrette instead of his favorite mayo-based stuff.

Astonishingly, he pronounced it a new favorite! (Men!) The editor was brought an appetizer of Bar-b-que Shrimp and Smoked Gouda Grits ($8) 100% organic. This simply sensational dish can be summed up in a thousand words by the photo to the left.

Tina dares you not to try it. (“More for me,” she laughed.)

Biscotti’s also fancies itself a bit of a bakery, with all manner of beautiful cakes, cookies and such on display; we tried two different pies ($3.50 ea.).

The Buttermilk seemed too bland to bother with and the Key Lime pie was texturally thick, very sweet and lacked a refreshing tang. But I’m going back for more. Oh, the cakes!

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Apparently taking their cue from the “mad as a March hare” that Alice follows down the rabbit hole in Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland,” more than 200 Red Hat Ladies (and at least one husband) gathered on March

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TheBestOfTimesNews.com

28th for “March Red Hat Madness.”

They met in Minden (or, as aficionados call it, “Historic Minden”), gathering from all over North Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas. The Red Hatters got together for

The Best Of Times

a day of fun, fellowship and some fierce line dancing at the behest of event sponsor, The Northwest Louisiana Queen’s Council. Next time you get a chance, girls, grab a red hat and join the fun. It’s downright liberating!

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Armed Forces Day Barbecues Birds Blooming Bouquet Bugs Cinco de Mayo Crawfish

Emerald Fifth month Flowers Gardening Graduation Growth Honor Kentucky Derby

May Day Memorial Day Mint Juleps Mother’s Day Picnics Spring Taurus Warm

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 55)

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TheBestOfTimesNews.com

Across 1 Offering at the fast-foodery El Pollo Loco 7 Intimidate 12 Add one’s two cents 19 Long Island university 21 Like some trucks going uphill 22 1982 Toto hit 23 Star who’s out?

24 Winner’s prize in a programming competition?

26 Fish caught in pots 27 Fatty acid salt 28 Rorschach “image” 29 Frijoles prep area?

33 “I didn’t know that!”

34 Former Radiohead label 35 Circle dance 36 Soprano Maria 39 Start of an idea 41 Writing surface available only occasionally?

49 Midas’s undoing 51 Confuse 52 Charlie Brown’s cry 53 Come to terms 54 Peak that reeks?

57 Newton fruit 58 Hold back 60 Penn, e.g.: Abbr.

61 “Here’s hoping ...”

63 One of the Simpsons 66 Sluggishness 69 Japanese chess 71 Chargers’ org.

73 Sign of desperation 77 Syngman of Korea 78 Crew cut after a sloppy wrestling match?

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83 10th century emperor dubbed “the Great” 84 Poet’s feet 86 One working on the sheep 87 Ideal for dieters 88 Milk of Magnesia bottle cap?

93 Prepare to be shot 94 Escargots 95 Tight-fitting 97 “The Simpsons” disco guy 98 Many ATM deposits 99 Proof of evil purchases?

106 Counterfeit 108 Smooth routine 109 Nastase of tennis 110 Shirt needing a chemical rinse?

113 Fundraising events 117 “No damage done” 118 Farm song refrain 119 Latvia neighbor 120 Paging devices 121 Alan and Diane 122 Elements on the road

PUT A LID ON IT!

By Dan Naddor; Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

sponsor 15 Convertible for a Canadian hockey player?

16 Opposite of exo17 When some ties are broken, Down briefly 1 “Humph!”

18 40 winks 2 Food std.

20 Safeguard 3 Some Caltech 25 Gym unit grads 29 Lazarus, for one 4 Truman veep 30 Become visible Barkley 31 They put on 5 Acceptance __ shows 6 Area defined by 32 GRF’s veep an el 33 Shoot the 7 Fairway chunk breeze 8 Doddering 36 Crime boss 9 Gastric woe 37 Places in the 10 Absent from heart 11 “Scotty, __ 38 Saturated beam up” 40 “Say hello 12 Call (out) to your average 13 Jan. 1st, e.g. asphalt 14 Columbus contractor”?

(Solution on page 55)

42 Post-ER destination 43 Magic, on scoreboards 44 Specks 45 Last Supper question 46 House shower 47 “For shame!”

48 Acidity nos.

50 Freedom from govt. control 54 Hi-__ 55 Clandestine maritime org.

56 Worst 59 “__ sure you know ...”

62 Climber’s spike 64 Champs- ƒlysŽes sights 65 Company with a spokesduck 67 “Evil Woman” gp.

68 Eschew the doorbell

69 Persian potentates 70 Surround 72 Gideon Fell’s creator 74 Fire sale phrase 75 Such that one might 76 Rubbernecking cause 77 Fabric flaw 79 Stamp-selling org.

80 The N.L. doesn’t use them 81 Trip souvenir 82 Credit-reporting company now called Experian 85 ‘50s political slogan 89 Parisian pronoun 90 Airport safety org.

91 Kind of kick

92 Avoid perishing?

96 Discuss 99 __ Tour 100 Synthetic fiber 101 Finnish mobile phone giant 102 Fussed over, with “on” 103 Egg-shaped 104 Some auction sales 105 It’s a gas 106 Big bash 107 Cathedral recess 110 Bro, for one 111 Aries or Taurus 112 Pennington et al.

114 Denouement 115 Estuary 116 Airline to Stockholm May 2009

53

places2go, people2see, things2do Theatre floatilla

Krewe of Elders

Senior Olympics

18th Annual Cross Lake Floatilla - Saturday, May 30. Cross Lake @ the American Legion, 5317 South Lakeshore Drive. FREE. Enjoy the festivities from the air conditioned American Legion or float in a boat on beautiful Cross Lake Theme “ By Land or By Sea, I’ve got the Music in Me”. Sponsored by the American Legion, SPAR, and others. Crawfish, burgers. Charity POKER RUN 1-3pm (Poker hands for sale Fri May 29th 6pm & Sat 9-noon) Live Music by the Bluebirds 3-7pm. Decorated Boat Parade by the Krewe of Atlas 4pm. New this year - Land Lubbers Hat Contest. Win prizes! Cash! Winners announced 5pm.

Prefloatilla party on Friday, May 29th.

Catfish plate $10, drinks, fun, live music in the bar 7-11. 6pm *Register for poker run and decorated boat parade. For more information call 635-8186.

Party - The Krewe of Elders is having a party on Sunday, May 17 from 1 to 6 p.m., at the American Legion Hall, 5315 South Lakeshore Drive. Bobby Langston Trio, cash bar, door prizes and 50/50 raffle. $7 per person. Info. 635-4901, 752-9175, 518-8092.

May 1 - Bocce Ball (Princess Park, Shreveport), 9 a.m.

May 2 - Pickleball (Noel Methodist Church gym), 8 a.m.

May 6 - Senior Health Fair and Opening Ceremonies (Bossier Civic Center).

9 a.m. Also includes competition in Dance Team 9:30; Accuracy Throws 11 a.m., Darts 10 a.m., Basketball Free Throws 11 a.m., Arts and Crafts competition and finals in Bean Bag Baseball competition for retirement communities.

May 7 - Marksmanship in .22 rifles and pistols (Shooters USA in Bossier) 9 a.m.

May 7 - Miniature Golf (Party Central Bossier) 6:30 p.m.

May 8 - Chess, Randle T. Moore Center 8:30 a.m.

May 8 - Bowling Mixed Doubles, All Star Lanes, 1 p.m.

May 8 - Table Tennis, Parkview Baptist Church 5:30 p.m.

May 9 - Horseshoes, Bossier Knights of Columbus 8 a.m.

May 9 - Redneck Golf, Bossier Knights of Columbus 10 a.m.

May 11 - Washer Pitch, Bossier Civic Center 8 a.m.

May 11 - Shuffleboard Singles, Bossier Civic Center 8 a.m.

May 11 - Shuffleboard Doubles, Bossier Civic Center 1 p.m.

May 13 - Bowling Doubles, All Star Lanes, 1 p.m.

May 14 - Table Games (Skipbo, Pinochle, Dominos, Phase 11) Bossier Council on Aging 9 a.m.

May 15 - Recreational Walk, Southern Hills Park 9 a.m.

May 15 - Bowling Singles, All Star Lanes 1 p.m.

May 16 - Track and Field, Bossier High School Track 8:30 a.m.

May 16 - Celebration of Athletes, Bossier Council on Aging 6 p.m.

theatre Steel Magnolias - May 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 at 8 p.m. May 3, 10, 17 at 2 p.m. A co-production of Shreveport Little Theatre & East Bank Theatre, 630 Barksdale Blvd, Bossier City. Set in a Louisiana beauty parlor where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done, Truvy, M’Lynn, Shelby, Clairee, Annelle and Ouiser draw on their underlying strength - and love - which gives the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad. Box office open 12-4 pm M-F. (318) 424-4439. $13 - $15.

Memory Walk 2009 Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk - Saturday, May 9 - 8:00 a.m.

Louisiana Boardwalk, Bossier City.

Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. Every Memory Walk participant is asked to raise money for the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s Association staff are ready to support you every step of the way with tips, tools and advice. Call 318-861-8613 or email us at louisianainfo@alz.org

AIR SHOW Barksdale Air Force Base 2009 Air Show - Saturday, May 9 through Sunday, May 10. Defenders of Liberty Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10. Gates open 9:00 a.m. Show Time: 10 am. Free parking and admission. Sportran Shuttle Service May 9 - First Baptist Bossier, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.. May 10 - Bossier Civic Center, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Feature Performers: U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Chilean Air Force Halcones, Greg Poe, Shockwave Jet Truck, E Team Skydivers, and Vintage Warbirds. Sunday Mother’s Day Concert by Aaron Tippin, and more! FREE

support groups Amputee Support Group - May 7 (first Thursday of each month) at 6:30 p.m.

Certified Limb & Brace, 3227 Portland Ave. (corner of I-20 and Greenwood Rd.), Shreveport. Information and fellowship.

FREE. For more info call 636-9145

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Have you made prearrangements for your family, or do you still have that to do?

Leaving these decisions to your children on the worst day of their lives is a terrible emotional burden.

Call Today To Receive a FREE Family Planning Portfolio

Centuries Memorial 8801 Mansfield Shreveport, LA 71108 (318) 686-4334

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Hill Crest Memorial 601 Hwy. 80 East Haughton, LA 71037 (318) 949-9415

May 2009

55

“You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers” Ophthalmology

Nursing Home Care

My father has glaucoma and is blind in one eye. When should I be checked, even though I see fine?

A family history of glaucoma is a very strong risk factor for the disease. Other risk factors include advancing age, African-American race, and nearsightedness. If you have a first or second degree relative with glaucoma, you should be evaluated as soon as possible. Glaucoma is a painless progressive disease which, left untreated, causes irreversible blindness. If you have a family member with glaucoma or have other risk factors, schedule a screening at 212-3937.

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

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

Chris Shelby, MD

Pierremont Eye Institute 7843 Youree Dr.; Shreveport, LA 71105 318-212-3937; www.ShelbyEye.com See our ad on page 45.

Vicki Ott, Administrator

NurseCare Nursing and Rehab Center 1736 Irving Place; Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 221-1983 See our ad on page 13.

Orthopaedics

Neurosurgery

Is Osteoarthritis (OA) hereditary?

OA does have a genetic predisposition. Common forms of OA of the hands has a familial component. Obesity is a modifiable risk factor for bilateral (both) knee OA and weight loss will reduce the risk of OA in the knee. Obesity, surprisingly, does not show an increased risk of hip OA, but does show increased risk of hand OA. Whether adipose tissue releases OA-causing growth factors or hormones is not known at present, but what is known is that weight loss does have an identifiable improvement in OA of the knee.

My daughter has epilepsy. Are there new treatments?

Epilepsy affects 1 out of 100. While many have seizures controlled by medications, one-third don’t. For those who still have seizures, they can’t drive, be employed in unsupervised positions, or enjoy independence (because a seizure can occur at any time). For these people, two more common procedures are options. With careful screening and a multi-disciplinary team, we have cured about 8 patients recently using temporal lobectomy, some of who have had seizures for over 30 years... none of these have any permanent problems otherwise. Another option is vagus nerve stimulation, which reduces seizures by about 30 - 60% but rarely cures them. This involves putting a pacemaker-like device around a nerve in the neck.

John J. Ferrell, M.D.

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

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Dr. Ravish Patwardhan The Comprehensive Neurosurgery Network 8001 Youree Dr., Ste 970; Shreveport, LA 71115 (318) 797-5543; www.neurosurgery.ws

TheBestOfTimesNews.com

Bossier Council on Aging Bearkat Site (741-8302), 706 Bearkat Dr., Bossier City 8 AM - 4:30 PM; Plain Dealing Site (3265722), 101 E. Oak St., Plain Dealing, 9 AM - 1 PM Info & referrals - 741-8302 Transportation - Vans available to seniors 60+ who have no means of transportation for medical appointments, grocery store, drug store and other necessary stops. Wheelchair accessible. 3 day notice required. $3 round trip suggested. Also through referrals from Medicaid.

Outreach - Home visits are made to help qualify seniors for services.

Homemaker - Trained employees provide light housekeeping for seniors having difficulty maintaining their homes. $3/visit suggested.

Caregiver - Support services are provided for family caregivers including in-home respite care for the caregiver, education for the family, and material aid and personal care for the patient.

Legal Services - Education on elder legal issues. Counseling for individuals is accessible monthly with a local lawyer or by referrals.

Congregate (Site) Meals - Hot, nutritious meals served at 11:30 AM

at the sites, Mon - Fri . $1.25 per meal is suggested.

Home Delivered Meals - Meals provided 5 days per week for elderly homebound in Bossier Parish, $1.25/ meal suggested.

Personal Medical Response System - With a referral from BCOA, an auto dial unit is available for installation on your phone. Necklace, wristband, or pocket clip styles provided. Press the button for immediate help. $20 fee per month.

Senior Centers - Recreation, crafts, educational seminars, and health information. Also: day trips,

extended trips, exercise/dance classes, bingo, cards, dominoes, health screenings, exercise equipment room, Senior Games and Thursday night dances with a live band.

Medication Management - Seminars, brown bag services provided by pharmacists and programs provided by health care providers. Drug plan assistance available.

Medicaid Applications - Application center and assistance filling out the forms. By appointment only.

(AARP) Money Management - Financial assistance to seniors: bill paying, balancing checkbooks, etc.

Caddo Council on Aging 4015 Greenwood Road, (318) 632-2090. www.caddocouncilonaging.org Email-ccoa@caddocoa.org Info & Referral - 632-2090 Outreach/Individual Needs Assessment- Explanation of services and to enroll the elderly in service programs Home Delivered Meals - 5 meals/ wk delivered to homebound seniors.

Suggested donation $1.25/day.

Homemaker Services - Personal care and household tasks provided for homebound persons unable to perform tasks without assistance. $5/month donation requested.

Personal Care - Personal care provided to homebound person. $5/month donation requested.

Family Caregiver - Sitter and respite provided for full time caregiver of a senior. Donation requested.

Telephone Reassurance - Volunteers make phone calls to seniors to offer comfort and support.

Medical Alert - 632-2090 -Emergency response system that protects

seniors in case of accident or falls in the home. $20/month fee SenioRX Program - 632-5900 or 1-800-793-1198 - Assists seniors applying for pharmaceutical aid.

Nursing Home Ombudsman - Professional visits to nursing home to investigate and resolve issues made by the elderly resident or the resident’s family.

RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) 632-2113 - Provides volunteer opportunities for persons 55 years of age or older.

Foster Grandparents (FGP) - 632-2199 - Seniors serve as mentor, tutor and caregivers to youth with social needs. FGPs that meet special requirements may serve. 20hrs/wk and receive a stipend.

Legal Services - Referrals for individual counseling.

Emergency Blinking Light Flashing light installed in your porch light by the Caddo Sheriff Dept. to help guide emergency medical personnel. No charge.

SOS Program - Sheriff’s Operational Safeguard. Helps identify and reunite lost, memory-impaired persons with families. Participants are given a bracelet engraved with the name and phone number of the Sheriff’s Office and an ID number.

Confidential Call 681.0875 to register. No charge.

Senior Centers and Meal Sites - 632-2080 - Area sites that offer fun activities, recreation, wellness, exercise, safety programs, sewing, crafts, bingo, and just plain old fun.

Lunch served at all sites for a $1.25 donation. Transportation is provided to sites, call 632-2080 to sign up for a meal or transport to the sites.

• Myrtle B. Pickering Senior Center - 4017 Greenwood Rd, Shreveport. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-3:30pm.

• Blanchard Cross Roads Church - 356 Warriner, Blanchard. Open Mon-Wed-Fri 9:00am-12noon.

• Broadmoor Methodist Church - 3715 Youree Drive, Shreveport.

Open 9:30 - 12:30.

• Canaan Towers Apartments - 500 North Dale, Shreveport. Open Mon-Wed-Fri 9:30am-12:30pm.

• Cooper Road Community Center - 1422 MLK Blvd, Shreveport.

Open Mon-Friday 9:30am-12:30pm • Greenwood Library - Hwy 80, Downtown Greenwood. Open MonFri 9:30 am - 12:30pm • Mooringsport Community Center-Lattimer Street, Mooringsport across from the school.

Open Tue-Wed-Thurs 9:30am to 12:30pm • Morning Star Baptist Church - 5340 Jewella, Sport Open Mon-Fri 9:30am-12:30pm • New Hill CME Church - 8725 Spring-ridge Texas Line Rd, Keithville Tue & Thurs 10am-1:00pm • Oil City Community Center - Savage Street, Oil City Open MonWed-Fri 9am to noon • Vivian Community Center - in the City Park 522 E. Tennessee Open Mon-Fri 9am-12noon

Webster Council on Aging Minden Senior Center (3713056 or 1-800-256-2853), 316 McIntyre St., Minden, LA 71055; 8 am to 4 pm Cotton Valley Senior Center (832-4225), Railroad Ave., Cotton Valley; 8:30 am to 12:30 pm Springhill Senior Center (539-2510), 301 West Church St., Springhill; 8 am to 4 pm Transportation – transporting older persons to and from community facilities and resources. Assisted transportation also provided and must be scheduled weekly in advance.

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Congregate Meals – nutritionally balanced meals for persons 60+ and spouses provided at senior centers, served 5 days a week.

Home-Delivered Meals – Noon meal delivered to eligible homebound elderly (illness, disability or while caring for spouse who is), 5 days a week.

Homemaker services – Provided to those clients meeting specific requirements.

Recreation – Art, crafts, hobbies, games, and trips.

Wellness – designed to support/

improve the senior’s mental/physical well-being through exercise, physical fitness, and health screening.

Family Care-Giver Support – support services that provide a temporary break in the tasks of caregiving. For family caregivers who are providing care for an older individual who is determined to be functionally impaired because of inability to perform instrumental functions of daily living without substantial supervision and assistance. This service is provided to persons caring for a homebound relative 60+, for a

relative 60+ caring for a homebound child or grandchild.

Information and Assistance – Provides the individual with current information on opportunities and services within the community.

Legal Assistance – providing legal advice, counseling, and representation by an attorney. Lectures are scheduled on a quarterly basis.

Medicaid enrollment center – take initial Medicaid applications Medical Alert – linking clients with in-home emergency response system.

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Educational Courses

Ambulance Services Balentine Ambulance Service (318) 222-5358 More info on page 17.

Care Providers Comfort Keepers (318) 934-0090 More info on page 17.

Artificial Limbs and Braces

Family Care Services (318) 671-1799 More info on page 28.

Certified Limb and Brace (318) 636-9145 More info on page 59.

Home Assistance Services (318) 682-8182 More info on page 47.

Snell’s Orthotics and Prosthetics (318) 424-4167 More info on page 41.

Northwest INCS, Inc. (318) 636-0390 More info on page 39.

Associations and Organizations BluePrint Louisiana (866) 483-3920 More info on page 59.

Bossier Council on Aging (318) 741-8302 More info on page 57.

Caddo Council on Aging (318) 632-2090 More info on page 57.

Webster Council on Aging (318) 371-3056 More info on page 57.

Shreveport Little Theater (318) 424-4439 More info on page 54.

The Best of Times (318) 525-0656 More info on page 7.

The Robinson Film Center (318) 424-9090 More info on page 45.

ResCare Home Care (318) 678-1890 More info on page 36.

Seniors Club Personal Care Services (318) 635-0010 More info on page 21.

Cemeteries/Funeral Homes Centuries Memorial (318) 686-4334 More info on page 55.

Hill Crest Memorial (318) 949-9415 More info on page 55.

Counseling Services The Center for Families (318) 222-0759 More info on page 48.

Credit Unions and Banks TES Regional Healthcare Federal Credit Union (318) 681-4335 More info on page 25.

Bible Correspondence Course (318) 797-6333 More info on page 29.

Emergency Response Systems Acadian OnCall 1-800-259-1234 More info on page 42.

Financial Services / Legal Services Daniel Scarborough, Attorney at Law (318) 673-9807 More info on page 23.

Genworth Financial T. Wayne DesLattes (318) 560-0299 More info on page 27.

Serio Investments Phillip Serio (318) 221-0889 More info on page 14.

The Singleton Law Firm (318) 631-5200 More info on page 9.

The Law Practice of Joseph Gilsoul (318) 222-2100 More info on page 49.

Flowers Flowers Forever, LLC (318) 925-2323 More info one page 15.

Hearing Care Services Shreve Hearing Aid Service (318) 797-7733 More info on page 29.

Home Maintenance and Repair Services C & C Electric (318) 424-4406 More info on page 39.

Larry & Ray Handyman (318) 469-2814 More info on page 25.

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May 2009

Gutter Helmet of North Louisiana (800) 284-9777 More info on page 60.

Lex Plant Farm (318) 797-6035 More info on page 19.

Simmons Cleaning Services (318) 636-3765 More info on page 50.

Stanley Steemer Carpet Cleaner (318)631-6655 More info on page 24.

Home Health Care (Medicare Certified) American Nursing Services (318) 425-2641 More info on page 23.

Ark-La-Tex Home Health, Inc (318) 747-6180 More info on page 35.

Synergy Home Care (318) 550-0285 More info on page 52.

Hospice Care Community Hospices of America (318) 524-1046 More info on page 22.

Odyssey Healthcare (318) 868-8788 More info on page 47.

St. Joseph Hospice (318) 222-8723 More info on page 60.

Willis Knighton Hospice of Louisiana (318) 212-4697 More info on page 18.

Hospitals Brentwood Hospital (318) 678-7500 More info on page 11.

Insurance AFLAC (318) 681-9564 More info on page 16.

Humana (800) 301-8998 More info on page 64.

Sterling Health Plans (866) 217-3666 More info on page 62.

Medical / Beauty Spas Fixx Medical Spa (318) 798-0635 More info on page 17.

Skin Technology (318) 347-3567 More info on page 15.

Moving and Storage Central – Herrin Storage and Transfer (318) 221-5135 More info on page 19.

Medical Supplies and Equipment

Home Health Medical Supply (318) 631-1466 More info on page 16.

Medtronics – XSTOP Spacer (866) 580-5242 More info on page 3.

Physician Services

Home Infusion Services

Cardiovascular Consultants, LLP Dr. Phillip Rozeman (318) 631-6400 More info on page 30.

IV Plus (318) 683-5139 More info on page 8.

Dr. Bryan Vekovius (318) 675-3733 More info on page 36.

TheBestOfTimesNews.com

Dr. David Persson (318) 798-4455 More info on page 50.

Velocity Care (318) 798-3763 More info on page 21.

Dr. Gary Booker (318) 227-9600 More info on page 56.

Vision Source Dr. Larry Chism (888) 243-2020 More info on page 43.

Highland Clinic (318) 798-4500 More info on page 29.

Mid South Orthopaedics (318) 424-3400 More info on page 56.

Dr. Laura Anissian (318) 798-4618 More info on page 11.

Pierremont Eye Institute Dr. Chris Shelby (318) 212-3937 More info on page 45.

Total Care Medical Clinic Dr. Howard Lippton (318) 424-6363 More info on page 63.

The Best Of Times

WK Urgent Care Center – Bossier (318) 212-7520 More info on page 2.

Restaurants Imperial Wok Chinese Restaurant (318) 687-6668 More info on page 55.

ShoeBooty’s Restaurant (318) 550-0444 More info on page 39.

Senior Living Options

WK Urgent Care Center - Shreveport (318) 212-3520 More info on page 2.

Azalea Estates Assisted Living (318) 797-2408 More info on page 20.

Radio Stations

Colonial Oaks Guest Care Center (318) 742-5420 More info on page 5.

KWKH AM 1130 Radio Station (318) 688-1130 More info on page 37.

Real Estate Agents Century 21 – Judy Holland (318) 349-6983 More info on page 55.

Kingsley Place of Shreveport (318) 524-2100 More info on page 10.

Live Oak Retirement Center (318) 212-2000 More info on page 6.

NurseCare of Shreveport (318) 221-1983 More info on page 13.

The Waterford at Shreveport (318) 524-3300 More info on page 51.

Pilgrim Manor Guest Care Center (318) 742-1623 More info on page 5.

Travel Services

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.

Cruises, Inc (318) 746-3745 More info on page3.

Red River Coaches (318) 221-5797 More info on page 54.

Telephone Book User-Friendly Phone Book (318) 865-1280 More info on page 26.

Weight Loss Counselors and Centers Jenny Craig Center (318) 798-2608 More info on page 27.

The Center for Medical Weight Loss (318) 629-8746 More info on page 34.

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1 - Mary Temple of Glen Retirement Center with therapy dogs, Skipper and Conner.

2 - Fair Park High School 1930s Alumni group of the 1930s monthly meeting at Picadilly Cafeteria. Attendees included (a) (l to r) Harry King, Coles Thomas, Edgar Bland, and Albert Berry; (b) Mary Bland and June LeVasseur.

3 - Kevin McCotter of Chesapeake Energy presents the keys to a new truck to Maureen Kidd of Glen –Zadeck Canines Comrades to help transport therapy dogs.

4 - (L to R) Ann Boddie, Nita Gilbert, Nick Nicholas, and Teresa Howard playing rook at Southern Hills Recreation Center.

5 - Pat Booras welcomes guest speaker Dr. Harold Christensen of Centenary and his wife, Betsy to the 8th anniversary of Second Tuesday monthly business event held at Superior Steakhouse.

6 - Sr. Olympic Bean Bag Baseball games at Southern Hills Recreation Center. (a) Johnny Cubley congratulates his mother Arnice Cubley following the competition; (b) Pat Goeders, Terry Halle, and May Roys.

7 - The Family Health and Safety Fair at Mall St. Vincent on April 4th. (a) Allie Wright and Casey McBeath of Balentine Ambulance, one of the 80 exhibitors; (b) attendeeds Bill and Marilyn Hearrow; (c) Ken Wimer with ALFAC, Mary Moore with LSUHSC, and host Gary Calligas on stage during the live radio broadcast of The Best of Times Radio Hour.

8 - (L to R) John Marrs, John Goodwin, Willis Dear, and Dude Middlebrooks at the Men’s Prayer Breakfast at Christ United Methodist Church in Shreveport.

9 - (L to R) Standing: Leonard Greens, Ray Ramsey; Sitting: Bobbie Thomas, Jennifer Doolittle, and Kyle Baird at Humana’s Account Representative Appreciation and Awards Luncheon on April 3rd at Superior Steakhouse.

10 - The Fun Club monthly meeting at Magnum Methodist Church. (a) Lucille and Jim McCoy with Doris and Jim Harper. (b) Bobbie Loper, Doris Turner and Faye Raney.

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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The Best Of Times

May 2009

61

“

My clients here at Sterling really enjoy the fact that

”

we are local.

Sterling Agent, Sylvia O’Leary

Our Health Plan Clients Seem to Like Us. A lot.

For years, Sterling Health Plans has helped people just like you get the most out of Medicare and their health care. And we’d like to add you to the family.

We are very proud of the fact that our clients like how we do business.

We hope we can provide the same caring service for you.

Call toll-free 1-866-217-3666 from 7 am to 10 pm Central time.

Hearing impaired persons may call our TTY line toll-free 1-888-858-8567.

2620 Centenary Blvd, Suite 207, Shreveport, LA 71104 www.sterlingplans.com

Underwritten by Sterling Life Insurance Company

Available through your Sterling Agent: Health, Life, Prescription Drug, Long Term Care and Critical Condition or Cancer Plans.

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May 2009

TheBestOfTimesNews.com

See a REAL doctor right now 7 A.M. to Midnight ~ 7 Days a Week VACCINES 1.

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Flu Shot TB Skin Test Pneumovax Adacel (Tdap) Tetanus Hepatitis B MMR Menactra (Meningitis) Gardasil (HPV) Zostavix (Shingles)

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$ 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)

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I-20 Kings Hwy.

Line Ave.

No visit charge for patients for only Labs/Vaccines

May 2009

63

Attention People with Medicare:

Are you turning 65?

Are you retired and losing your retiree health coverage?

Have you just moved into the area?

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, call Humana today.

Humana has been serving people just like you with Medicare for over 20 years, and currently provides coverage to more than 3.5 million people with Medicare across the country.

Do you qualify for any other Special Election Period Enrollment?

We offer a variety of plans to suit your needs - Medicare Advantage health plans and Medicare prescription drug plans.

And our licensed representatives still make house calls!

So call us today for a personal consultation in the convenience of your home:

1-800-301-8998 s TTY: 1-877-833-4486 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday - Friday

Medicare approved HMO, PPO, PDP and PFFS plans available to anyone entitled to Part A or enrolled in Part B of Medicare through age or disability (for MA plans, individuals must have both Part A and Part B). Enrollment period restrictions apply, call Humana for details.

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