The Best of Times March 2010 by Gary Calligas

Urgent Need Minor illness or injury (not life-threatening requiring emergency room) Primary doctor not available Don’t have a primary doctor

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March 2010

TheBestOfTimesNews.com

The Best Of Times

March 2010

March Ccntents

BRIEFly

feature

8 News & Info 10 Eat Like Your Life Depends On It 12 Medical News & Info

departments 14 Is There a Doctor in the House?

Sudden Cardiac Arrest vs Heart Attack

16 Special Report Medigap: When You Have the Right

to Buy

of services that make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for area seniors and their families.

38 Profile in Pizzazz by Amanda Newton “The Antiques” Provide Music and a Lot of Fun

40 Traveltizers by Andrea Gross

18 Marci’s Medicare Answers Colonoscopies, Skilled Nursing Facility

20 22 24 32

Money Matters by Jason Alderman Demystifying Credit Scores

“Elvis: My Best Man” by George Klein with Chuck Crisafulli

Laws of the Land by Lee Aronson Homeowners Insurance Warning

43 Weather Facts for Thought

From the Bench by Judge Jeff Cox Why Do I Have to Serve on a Jury?

45 American Life in Poetry by Ted Kooser

Dear Pharmacist by Suzy Cohen Eye-Loving Nutrients Can Save Your Sight

The Skinny on Your Hidden Fat

on the cover

“Marginalia” by Deborah Warren

44 46

What’s Cooking? Savor the Flavors of the Mediterranean

Get Up & Go! A full month’s calendar of places to go and things to do

48 Our Famous Puzzle Pages Crossword, Sudoku, and a special March Word Search Puzzle

50 Gold Pages Resource Directory of businesses, services,

Cover Design: Jessica Rinaudo

March 2010

by Al Bolton

In every issue

Attorney General Buddy Caldwell Avoid Medical Identity Theft

36 Moving Free with Mirabai by Mirabai Holland

Traveling the World Without a Passport

42 The Bookworm by Terri Schlichenmeyer

Payment, and Medicare Coverage

34 Consumer’s Corner by Louisiana

27 Councils on Aging Get to the HEART of the Matter by Amanda Newton The Councils on Aging offer a wide range

Columns

advice

Cover Photo: Teresa Micheels

CCOA staff member Deloris Bowers delivers a meal to Alice Myers.

and organizations for “those of us 50+”

52 The Best of Times & RSVP Salute

by Linda Mullican Volunteer of the Month Linda Smallwood

53 Parting Shots Fantastic photos of fabulous folks

As always, February has been a blur of activity. But I did slow down enough to marvel at the athletes participating in the Vancouver Olympic Games and to have a little fun in the snow here at home. But I’m definitely a southern girl who prefers warm weather, so I find myself daydreaming about fun, far off places. If you too suffer from wanderlust, make sure to see this month’s Traveltizers highlighting domestic places with an international flair or experience the flavors of the Mediterranean with one of our recipes. We’re especially proud this month to honor the Councils on Aging and their tireless efforts to improve the lives of older adults. You don’t want to miss Amanda Newton’s insightful centerspread feature of this remarkable agency. On a sad note, please join us in extending sympathy to the family of Maria Lorick who recently passed away following a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Long-time readers will remember Maria as the former editor of Senior Scene News (now The Best of Times). Have a wonderful month! ~Tina TheBestOfTimesNews.com

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March 2010

SHREVEPORT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Broadcasting every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on AM 1130 KWKH, A Gap Broadcasting Radio Station in Shreveport, Louisiana.

March 6 - “2010 U.S. Census” Gabriel Sanchez, Regional Director and Renee M. Clark, Media Specialist with the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau in Dallas. www.2010census.gov March 13 - “Literacy Volunteers Increase Proficiency” Sue Lee & Grace Bareikis. www.shreveportliteracy.org March 20 - “2010 Outstanding Healthcare Achievers” www.chen-nwla.com March 27 - “50 Ways to Feel Great Today” David B. Bielbel, internationally known author Streaming live on the Internet at www.KWKHonline.com Previously aired programs at www.TheBestOfTimesNews.com

presents

Do you have a question for one of our guests? Call 320-1130 during the broadcast or email Gary.Calligas@gmail.com prior to the show.

March 2010 l Vol. 17, No. 3 Founded in 1993 as Senior Scene News ISSN Library of Congress #1551-4366

The Best of Times

Friday, March 5, 2010 | 7:30 PM Riverview Theater Tickets online at shreveportsymphony.com or call 318-227-TUNE (8863) Tickets: $15-$40, $10 for students SPONSORED BY

A monthly publication from TBT Multimedia, LLC P.O. Box 19510 Shreveport, LA 71149 (318) 636-5510 www.TheBestOfTimesNews.com Publisher Gary L. Calligas Gary.Calligas@gmail.com Editor Tina Miaoulis Calligas Editor.Calligas@gmail.com Writer Amanda Newton Account Executive Philip Maxfield Philip.Maxfield@gmail.com Design & Layout Jessica Rinaudo Katherine M. Branch Webmaster Jason P. Calligas

March 2010

Contributors:

Jason Alderman, Lee Aronson, Al Bolton, LA Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, Suzy Cohen, Judge Jeff Cox, Andrea Gross, Mirabai Holland, Ted Kooser, Linda Mullican, and Terri Schlichenmeyer

Council of Advisors:

Terri Brock, Senator Sherry Smith-Cheek, Clara Farley, Dora Miller, Raymon Owens, Mary Anne Rankin, and Mary Alice Rountree THE FINE PRINT: All original content published in The Best of Times copyright © 2010 by TBT Multimedia, LLC, all rights reserved. Replication, in whole or in part by any means is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed are the sole responsibility of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect those of the publication, TBT Mulitmedia, its publishers or staff. Always consult properly degreed and licensed professionals when dealing with all matters financial, medical, legal or emotional. We cannot accept liability for omissions or errors and cannot be responsible for the claims of advertisers.

TheBestOfTimesNews.com

The Best Of Times

March 2010

News  Info

Medicare Information for Caregivers Now Available on NIHSeniorHealth

Tax Preparation Services Available Numerous free or low-cost tax-preparation services are available to seniors, military and low- and middle-income taxpayers, including: • IRS-sponsored programs - Search “Free Tax Preparation” at www.irs.gov or call 1-800-829-1040. • AARP Tax Aide Locator - The nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service is available to low- and middle-income taxpayers, particularly those over age 60. For more information visit www.aarp.org/money/taxaide or call toll-free 1-800-227-7669. • Intuit FundWare Project

- The website allows individuals to easily prepare and file state and federal tax returns for free for those whose Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $31,000 or less; or active duty military in 2009 with an AGI of $57,000 or less; or for those who qualify for the Earned Income Credit (EIC). EIC and AGI must be between $13,440 and $43,279. For additional information visit www.taxfreedom.com. • Military personnel and their families worldwide can get free assistance through a program overseen by the Armed Forces Tax Council. Check with your base for details.

Louisiana Department of Revenue Encourages Electronic Filing

The Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) encourages all taxpayers to file electronically their tax returns for the 2009 tax year. Louisiana File Online is the state’s single-source location for all individual and business tax filing requirements. Visit www. fileonline.revenue.louisiana.gov to take advantage of this fast, easyto-use, absolutely free public resource. Louisiana File Online allows taxpayers to file returns and pay taxes electronically.

If you’re caring for an older friend or family member, you’ve probably had questions about Medicare, the federal health insurance program for adults 65 and older and people under age 65 with disabilities. While you may know that Medicare helps pay for medical and prescription drug costs, you may want to become more familiar with the Medicare benefits and resources available to your friend or loved one. An easy-to-read overview, “Medicare Basics for Caregivers,” is currently available at

NIHSeniorHealth.gov, the Web site for older adults from the National Institutes of Health. This brief, yet comprehensive introduction to Medicare gives caregivers the basics and helps them find answers to their questions. Additionally, caregivers and others needing a general introduction to Medicare can visit www.nihseniorhealth.gov/medicare/toc.html to find out about medical and hospital benefits, enrollment, billing, prescription drug costs, home health care and much more.

Medicare Caps on Rehab Therapy Reimbursements Effective January 1 Patients and those who care for them should be aware of a change in Medicare’s caps limiting outpatient rehab services. These therapy caps went into effect on January 1, 2010 and apply to outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy and speechlanguage pathology services. A limit of $1,860 in reimbursement applies to all who receive outpatient therapy, with the exception of hospital outpatient departments. Thus, those who receive therapy services with a skilled nursing facility (Part B), a therapist’s or physician’s private practice, a home health agency (Part B), or a rehabilitation agency are subject to these caps. Once the limit of $1860 has been reached, beneficiaries who require additional services in a 12-month period are responsible for 100% of the cost. Patients who are currently receiving rehabilitation therapy should: • Determine whether hospital-based outpatient services are available in your area. These are not subject to the cap. • Keep track of all costs for physical or speech or occupational rehabilitation therapy services as those exceeding the cap may be reimbursable once Congress takes action.

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March 2010

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Bossier Council on Aging Receives New 2010 Toyota Truck February 11th was a special day for local senior citizens as Horseshoe Casino and Hotel hosted a Sweetheart Luncheon for the Bossier Council on Aging (BCOA). Approximately 300 seniors came out to the Horseshoe Riverdome to enjoy a hot, delicious meal served by over 70 Horseshoe and Louisiana Downs employees and to dance the morning away, but what they did not know was that the BCOA would be surprised with a brand new truck. Geno Iafrate, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Horseshoe Casino and Hotel and Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, surprised the BCOA with a brand new 2010 Toyota Tacoma truck on behalf of the Harrah’s Foundation and Meals on Wheels program. Mary Anne Rankin, Executive Director of the BCOA, accepted the keys with tears of joy as she explained that they were in need of a new truck to deliver hot meals to seniors. BCOA trucks are used for Meals on Wheels and travel about 500 miles per week delivering hot meals to senior citizens of Bossier Parish. Funds for the purchase of the truck were donated by the Harrah’s Foundation, and the national program of Meals on Wheels negotiated all aspects of the vehicle purchase. Currently, the Harrah’s Foundation donates over $500,000 per year to Meals on Wheels.

Willis-Knighton Makes Donation to Shreveport Fire Department Willis-Knighton Health System has announced a major donation to the Shreveport Fire Department to benefit the citizens of Shreveport. The health system will fund the purchase of seven Single Paramedic Rapid Intervention Non-Transport (SPRINT) vehicles for the Shreveport Fire Department as this program is implemented over the next few years. Three vehicles will be purchased immediately. According to Shreveport Fire Chief Brian Crawford, fire engines were designed to fight infrequent fires, not make emergency medical calls as they do daily. The new vehicles will allow firefighters to provide more expeditious emergency medical services because they have the entire medical capability and equipment of an ambulance. The implementation of the SPRINT initiative in other metropolitan areas has been shown to provide significant fiscal savings with better overall use of staffing when compared to dispatch of a fire engine to emergency medical calls. James K. Elrod, president and CEO of Willis-Knighton Health System, lauded Chief Crawford and the Fire Department for their decision to seek this more efficient method of responding to emergency calls. The Best Of Times

March 2010

eat like your life depends on it

Coffee Associated with Reduced Risk of Advanced Prostate Cancer

Pistachios May Reduce Lung Cancer Risk A diet that incorporates a daily dose of pistachios may help reduce the risk of lung and other cancers. According to researchers from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, pistachios are a good source of gamma-tocopherol. It is known that vitamin E provides a degree of protection against certain forms of cancer. Higher intakes of gamma-tocopherol, which is a form of vitamin E, may reduce the risk of lung cancer. Pistachios are also known to provide a heart-healthy benefit by producing a cholesterol-lowering effect and providing the antioxidants that are typically found in food products of plant origin.

While it is too early for physicians to start advising their male patients to take up the habit of regular coffee drinking, data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference revealed a strong inverse association between coffee consumption and the risk of lethal and advanced prostate cancers. Coffee has effects on insulin and glucose metabolism as well as sex hormone levels, all of which play a role in prostate cancer. The study found that men who drank the most coffee had a 60% lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer than men who did not drink any coffee. Researchers are unsure which components are most important, as coffee contains many biologically active compounds like antioxidants and minerals.

Dietary Oils May Help Some Fight Fat For certain people, dietary oil supplements could help ward off unwanted fat, according to a new study. Obese older women with type 2 diabetes who added safflower oil or conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplements to their diet either decreased their body mass index or boosted their muscle mass, researchers found. The study appeared online in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Participants took eight dietary oil capsules a day, two at each meal and another two at night, for a total of eight grams of added oil per day. Participants didn’t change their diet or exercise patterns, although they kept diet and exercise diaries so the researchers could account for any change in energy output and calorie consumption. Both oils are considered “good” fats when consumed in proper amounts. The women who took the CLA had a significant decrease in their body mass index (BMI) - about half a point on average. Their total body fat declined by about 3.2%. The safflower oil did not affect total body fat, but did decrease the trunk, or belly fat tissue, by 2.6 to 4.2 pounds. It also boosted muscle mass by 1.4 to 3 pounds. The safflower oil also lowered fasting blood sugar levels by 11 to 19 points. Researchers stressed that the oil supplements could be added to other efforts to reduce weight and tighten diabetes control.

March 2010

Pomegranates May Prevent Growth of Some Breast Cancers Eating fruit, such as pomegranates, that contain anti-aromatase phytochemicals reduces the incidence of hormone-dependent breast cancer, according to results of a study published in Cancer Prevention Research. Pomegranate is enriched in a series of compounds known as ellagitannins that appear to be responsible for the anti-proliferative effect of the pomegranate. According to researchers phytochemicals suppress estrogen production that prevent the proliferation of breast cancer cells and the growth of estrogen-responsive tumors. Previous research has shown that pomegranate juice is high in antioxidant activity, which is generally attributed to the fruit’s high polyphenol content. Ellagic acid found in pomegranates inhibits aromatase, an enzyme that converts androgen to estrogen. Aromatase plays a key role in breast carcinogenesis; therefore, the growth of breast cancer is inhibited.

Mediterranean Diet May Lower Risk of Brain Damage A Mediterranean diet may help people avoid the small areas of brain damage that can lead to problems with thinking and memory, according to researchers from Columbia University Medical Center in New York. The study found that people who ate a Mediterranean-like diet were 36% less likely to have brain infarcts, or small areas of dead tissue linked to thinking problems than those who were least following the diet. Those moderately following the diet were 21% less likely to have brain damage than the lowest group. The Mediterranean diet includes high intake of vegetables, legumes, fruits, cereals, fish and monounsaturated fatty acids such as olive oil; low intake of saturated fatty acids, dairy products, meat and poultry; and mild to moderate amounts of alcohol. TheBestOfTimesNews.com

The Best Of Times

March 2010

medical news & Info

Sedentary Lifestyle Might Increase Risk of Death

Beyond Sunglasses and Baseball Caps

Inactive, sedentary, behavior might increase your risk of death from cardiovascular disease, according to an Australian study published in Circulation. The study involved gathering data on 8,800 healthy participants who were age 25 and older. Participants were divided into three categories, based on their television watching habits: 1) those who watched less than two hours a day; 2) those who watched two to four hours a day’ and 3) those who watched more than four hours a day. The study showed that for every hour of television watched, the risk of dying from any cause increases 11%. For every hour of television watched, the risk of dying of cardiovascular disease increased 18%. Those who watched television for more than four hours per day when compared to those who watched less than two hours per day, had an 80% increased risk of dying early from cardiovascular disease and a 46% increased risk of dying from any cause. The study also found that even if you are healthy and work out frequently, you are still at a greater risk of cardiovascular disease if you spend many hours a day sitting. Although the study focused on television watching, it is most likely applicable to most inactive behavior and other behaviors that revolve around sitting.

Painkiller Undermines Aspirin’s Anti-Clotting Action

Millions of Americans take Celebrex for arthritis or other pain. Many, if they are middle-aged or older, also take a low-dose aspirin daily to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Yet they may be getting little protection, because Celebrex keeps the aspirin from doing its job effectively, a new study suggests. In laboratory studies, University of Michigan researchers found that several coxibs, the drug class to which Celebrex belongs, interfere with aspirin’s ability to discourage blood clots, if the aspirin is taken in low doses. Researchers noted that the greatest risk is having people take Celebrex who are taking aspirin for cardiovascular problems that are known to be mitigated by aspirin, including patients with unstable angina or those at risk for a second heart attack. Previous studies of healthy subjects found no ill effect on blood clotting when Celebrex was combined with aspirin at higher doses, specifically a daily “regular” aspirin tablet (324 mg). So it may be that a higher aspirin dose, or spreading out the time between taking low-dose aspirin and Celebrex, will allow aspirin to be effective. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

March 2010

A new study reported in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science found that UV-blocking contact lenses can reduce or eliminate the effects of the sun’s harmful UV radiation. According to the article, overexposure to UV radiation can lead to harmful changes in the cornea, conjunctiva and lens, including cataracts, the most common cause of visual impairment around the globe. According to the researchers some estimates say that by the year 2050, there will be 167,000 to 830,000 more cases of cataracts. Researchers noted that wearing sunglasses or hats may not provide enough protection from the sun, and adding adequate UV protection to contact lenses may be a practical solution to the problems caused by too much exposure. Not all contact lenses offer UV protection, and, of those that do, not all provide similar absorption levels.

New Brain Scan Better Detects Earliest Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease in Healthy People A new type of brain scan, called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), appears to be better at detecting whether a person with memory loss might have brain changes of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study published in Neurology®. Researchers noted that as better medicines for Alzheimer’s disease become available, it will be important to identify people at high risk for the disease as early and accurately as possible so treatment can be most effective. Participants were given verbal tests and tests that measured visual perception of space between objects. Scientists compared the brain scans and found that changes in DTI imaging better explained declines in memory than did measuring hippocampus volume through a traditional MRI. Treating a common heart rhythm disorder by burning heart tissue with a catheter works dramatically better than drug treatments, according to a landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). One year after undergoing a treatLandmark ment called catheter ablation, 66% of patients Heart with an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) were free of any recurrent Treatment irregular heartbeats or symptoms, compared Study with only 16% of those treated with drugs. Published Results were so convincing the trial was halted early. A-Fib symptoms include heart palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, fainting and lightheadedness. In the ablation procedure, an electrophysiologist destroys areas of heart tissue that are responsible for the erratic electrical signals. Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents an important public health problem, with patients having an increased long-term risk of stroke, heart failure and all-cause death. TheBestOfTimesNews.com

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The Best Of Times

March 2010

Is there a doctor in the house?

Sudden Cardiac Arrest versus Heart Attack Knowing the difference can save lives

According to research from the Heart Rhythm Society, more than 70 percent of Americans believe sudden cardiac arrest, SCA, is a type of heart attack. It’s like comparing apples and oranges. The common misunderstanding between SCA and a heart attack can lead people to overlook important risk factors that contribute to SCA. So what is the difference? In basic terms, SCA is an electrical malfunction of the heart, while a heart attack is a blockage in the blood vessels interrupting the flow of blood to the heart – essentially an “electrical vs. plumbing” problem. Knowing the difference could help save thousands of lives each year. Unfortunately, not only is SCA misunderstood, it’s severely underestimated. SCA is a leading cause of death in the United States, taking more than 250,000 lives each year. Unknown by many, SCA claims more lives annually than breast cancer, lung cancer or AIDS. In an effort to raise awareness about SCA and promote better heart health, the Heart Rhythm Society, an organization representing specialized clinicians trained to treat heart rhythm

March 2010

disorders, has launched a multiyear campaign aimed at helping individuals identify risk factors, understand how to properly respond and how to effectively prevent and treat SCA. Chief among its priorities, the Heart Rhythm Society hopes to help people better understand SCA, and is working to eliminate the confusion between SCA and a

and responsive techniques that will ultimately save lives.” The Heart Rhythm Society offers the following tips and advice.

Who is at risk of SCA?

The following risk factors may indicate an increased risk of SCA: • Previous heart attack

How to respond to SCA

Time is critical. The Heart Rhythm Society advises the following swift actions in response to SCA: • Know the signs of SCA – victims will fall to the ground, become unresponsive and will not breathe normally, if at all • Call 911 • Administer CPR – handsonly CPR is proven to be just as effective • Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available

How to prevent SCA

heart attack. “Sudden cardiac arrest is a serious health issue. Unfortunately, the public knows little about SCA, such as whom it affects and what can be done to prevent it,” says Richard L. Page, MD, FHRS, president of the Heart Rhythm Society. “The Heart Rhythm Society would like to encourage all Americans to learn more about SCA by becoming aware of preventative

• Family history of sudden death, heart failure or heart attack • Abnormal heart rate or rhythm • Unusually rapid heart rate that comes and goes • Episodes of fainting • Low Ejection Fraction (less than 35 percent) – a measurement of how much blood is pumped by the ventricles with each heart beat

The Heart Rhythm Society offers the following advice to decrease the likelihood of SCA: • Live a healthy lifestyle • Know your family history • Know your risk of heart failure • Treat and monitor health conditions that can contribute to heart problems, including high blood pressure, cholesterol, and smoking • Seek professional guidance to control or stop an abnormal heart rhythm For more information please visit www.HRSonline.org. Courtesy Family Features. Photo Courtesy of Fotolia.

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The Best Of Times

March 2010

special report

by the Medicare Rights Center

If you have Original Medicare and do not have supplemental insurance from a former employer, you may be able to buy a supplemental coverage policy called a “Medigap.” Medigaps fill gaps in Original Medicare by covering deductibles, coinsurances and some additional benefits. It is important to know when you have the right to buy a Medigap policy. If you miss your window of opportunity, your costs may go up and you may not be able to buy a Medigap at all. If you are 65 or older, you have a right to buy a Medigap at certain times. When you have

March 2010

Medigap: When You Have the Right to Buy this right, known as “guaranteed-issue,” an insurance company cannot deny you insurance coverage or place conditions on a policy, must cover your pre-existing conditions, and cannot charge you more for a policy because of your health status. You have guaranteed-issue rights to buy a Medigap in all states: 1. For six months beginning the month you are both 65 or older and enroll in Part B (your Medigap “open enrollment period”); and 2. Within 63 days of when your coverage from a current or former employer is terminated through no fault of your own. People who join a Medicare private health plan (like an HMO, PPO or PFFS plan) may also have guaranteed-issue rights

if their plan terminates, if they leave the plan’s service area or if they want to return to a Medigap within 12 months. There are additional circumstances that may qualify you for guaranteedissue rights to Medigap, and some states have stronger protections, including for people with Medicare who are under 65. To learn more about Medigap policies in your state, call your State Department of Insurance or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). To learn more about Medigaps, and to view a list of questions to ask before purchasing a Medigap, log on to Medicare Interactive Counselor at www.medicarein-

teractive.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.

TheBestOfTimesNews.com

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The Best Of Times

NurseCare of Shreveport (318) 221-1983 1736 Irving Place Shreveport, LA 71101 March 2010

marci’s medicare answers

Colonoscopies, Skilled Nursing Facility Payment, and Medicare Health Coverage

Dear Marci, Does Medicare cover colonoscopies? ~Dennis Dear Dennis, Yes. Medicare covers a colonoscopy once every two years (24 months) if you are at high risk for colorectal cancer (e.g., have a family history of the disease or have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer, or have had inflammatory bowel disease), or once every 10 years if you are not at high risk (but not within 48 months of a screening flexible sigmoidoscopy). There is no minimum age requirement for this screening. If you are 50 or older, Medicare also covers the following screenings: • Fecal occult blood test - once a year (every 12 months) • Flexible sigmoidoscopy - once every four years (48 months) • Barium enema - covered only if performed on its own and not in addition to the other tests Medicare will cover these services with no Part B deductible required. Medicare will cover 100 percent of the cost of the fecal occult blood test. (If you are in a Medicare private health plan—HMO or PPO—you may have a copay for this service. Call your plan to find out what you will have to pay.) For the other tests, Medicare will pay 80 percent of the cost. Medicare will cover 75

March 2010

percent of the cost of a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy if the procedure is done in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department. ~Marci

Dear Marci, When will Medicare pay for care I receive in a skilled nursing facility? -Yu Dear Yu, Medicare may help pay for skilled nursing facility (SNF) care if: • You need skilled nursing care seven days a week or skilled therapy services at least five days a week; • You were formally admitted as an inpatient to a hospital* for at least three consecutive days in the 30 days prior to admission in a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility; and • You are eligible for Medicare at the time you are discharged from the hospital. *Note: If you are admitted to the emergency room under observation or receive only emergency room services, this time spent in the hospital does not count toward meeting the three-day prior hospital requirement for SNF coverage. If you meet these criteria, Medicare will pay the full cost of the first 20 days and part of the cost of another 80 days of care in a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility each benefit period. A benefit period begins

the day you enter the SNF and ends when you no longer receive SNF care for 60 days in a row. ~Marci

Dear Marci, I’ve heard I can change my Medicare health coverage during the first few months of the year? Is that true? - Olive Dear Olive, Yes. You can switch your health coverage once during the Open Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 through March 31 every year. Your new coverage starts the first of the month after you make your selection. You cannot decide to add or drop Medicare drug coverage (Part D) during this time. For example, if you have a Medicare private health plan without drug coverage, you can only switch to a private plan without drug coverage or to Original Medicare alone (no stand-alone drug plan). If you already have a Medicare private health plan and want to switch into a new one, you should enroll in the new plan without disenrolling from your old plan. It is best to enroll in a new Medicare private health plan by calling 800-MEDICARE rather than by calling the new plan. You will be automatically disenrolled from your previous Medicare plan when your new coverage starts. Under certain circumstances, you may

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be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to change your drug coverage and/or health plan. For example, you qualify for an SEP if your Medicare private plan committed marketing fraud or abuse, or if you enroll in Extra Help, the federal program that helps people with Medicare pay for their prescription drugs. With Extra Help, you will also be able to change your Medicare drug plan once per month. If you get an SEP, your new coverage will start the first of the month after you sign up for or disenroll from a Medicare private health plan. ~Marci Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights. org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. To speak with a counselor, call (800) 333-4114. To subscribe to “Dear Marci,” the Medicare Rights Center’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

March 2010

money matters

Demystifying Credit Scores by Jason Alderman

Although not as unique as fingerprints or snowflakes, credit scores are highly individualized - and often mysterious. Many factors determine your score, which can change overnight depending on everything from last month’s credit card balances, to opening a new account, to applying for a car loan. To help demystify – and quantify – how credit scores are determined, FICO recently shared information on the impact certain negative actions can have. For those not as obsessive about credit scores as I am, FICO is the company whose proprietary software is

used by major credit bureaus to calculate the credit scores they sell to potential lenders as a tool for determining your creditworthiness. But as FICO’s Public Relations Director Craig Watts noted, the very uniqueness of each person’s individual situation makes it difficult to generalize. “Take two people with excellent FICO scores of 780,” he explained. “One might have a mortgage, several low-balance credit cards and a 20-year credit history; the other has a dozen open accounts, hefty student loan balances and a car loan, but no mortgage. Same score, very different circumstances.” What they probably have in common, said Watts, are a history of on-time payments, a low ratio of outstanding debt to available credit, and a cau-

tious attitude toward taking on more debt – that, and no major negative credit activity: “If you have late payments over 30 days, receive a tax lien, or file for bankruptcy, the toll on your credit score can be significant and long-lasting.” With the caveat that actual point losses can vary widely depending on your individual situation, FICO did share broad ranges for two hypothetical scenarios: One person has a 680 score and the other 780, and each has a mortgage, car and student loans and several credit cards. They differ over factors such as amount of credit limit used, late payment record and length of credit history. Overall: • Exceeding a credit card limit might lower scores by 10 to 45 points. • A single late payment exceeding 30 days – 60 to 110 points. • Entering a debt settlement agreement with a creditor – 45 to 105 points. • Losing property to foreclosure – 85 to 160 points. • Filing for bankruptcy has the most devastating impact – anywhere from 130 to 240 points in the scenarios given. Surprisingly, people with good-to-excellent credit scores often lose more points for negative incidents than do those with lower initial scores. Watts explains that’s because lower initial scores already reflect riskier behavior; not so for high-scoring people, so the appearance of negative credit activity on their otherwise spotless credit records may drop their credit scores farther. The main reason to be concerned about significant point drops is that falling into a lower credit category could hamper your ability to qualify for a loan or credit card or receive lower credit limits, as well as greatly increase interest rates you’re charged. To learn more about what you can do to protect – or repair – your credit scores, visit What’s My Score, a financial literacy program run by Visa (www.whatsmyscore. org.) The site also features a free FICO Score Estimator that can help you approximate your score. Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. Sign up for his free monthly e-Newsletter at www.practicalmoneyskills. com/newsletter.

March 2010

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March 2010

LAWS OF THE LAND

by Lee Aronson

Ed (not his real name), who lived in south Louisiana, bought a home. Like most of us, he could not afford to pay cash for the home so he took out a mortgage. When he took out the mortgage, he was told that as a condition of the loan he would also have to pay the property taxes on the home every year and that he would have to keep homeowner’s insurance on the home. The mortgage lender gave Ed two options: Ed could arrange to pay the taxes and homeowners insurance on his own and send proof of payment to the mortgage company every year or Ed could include

March 2010

Homeowner’s Insurance Warning the cost of taxes and homeowners insurance in his mortgage payment every month and the mortgage company would make sure that the taxes and insurance were paid in a timely manner. Ed decided that he would pay the taxes and the insurance on his own. But for some reason or another, Ed did not pay his homeowners insurance. And when Ed failed to send proof of insurance to his mortgage company, the mortgage company ripped Ed off big time. The first thing the mortgage company did was to go out and buy homeowners insurance for Ed. The type of policy they purchased was called a “forced placed insurance policy.” Forced place insurance policies are

much more expensive than regular homeowner’s insurance. And although the mortgage company paid the premium on this forced placed insurance, the premium amount was added to Ed’s monthly mortgage payment. In other words, Ed’s monthly mortgage payment went way up. But Ed thought that this forced placed insurance policy was going to be a real life saver for him. That’s because the house he had purchased was in Chalmette, a suburb of New Orleans. And as anyone from New Orleans can tell you, the combination of Chalmette and Hurricane Katrina can mean only one thing: major damage to your home. And Ed was no exception. Hurricane Katrina did thousands and thousands of dollars worth of damage to his home. So after the Hurricane, he contacted his mortgage company in order to find out about the forced placed insurance he had been paying the premiums on. Ed was shocked when his mortgage company told him that although he had been paying the premiums on the forced placed insurance, he was not covered under the policy. He was told that the insurance covered the mortgage company only. And although

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the insurance policy was going to pay the mortgage company close to $30,000, Ed wasn’t going to get any of that money. Both the forced place insurance company and the mortgage company told Ed that paying to fix his home was his problem. Ed would get nothing for the damage the storm did to his home, for the damage to any of his personal possessions and would be reimburse for none of his displacement expenses. So Ed sued. He sued both the mortgage company and the forced place insurance company. But what Ed didn’t know was that buried deep in the fine print of his mortgage was the following language: “If Borrower fails to maintain property insurance, Lender may obtain insurance coverage, at Lender’s option and Borrower’s expense. Lender is under no obligation to purchase any particular type or amount of coverage. Therefore, such coverage shall cover Lender,

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but might or might not protect Borrower, Borrower’s equity in the Property, or the contents of the Property…Borrower acknowledges that the cost of the insurance coverage so obtained might significantly exceed the cost of insurance that Borrower could have obtained.” This language means that everything the mortgage company and the forced place insurer did was totally legal. And get this: that language is fairly standard and is probably somewhere in your mortgage paperwork. Bottom line: forgetting to pay your homeowners insurance or forgetting to provide proof of insurance to your mortgage company can be a very costly mistake. Don’t let it happen to you. Lee Aronson is an attorney with Legal Services of North Louisiana. His practice areas include consumer law, housing law and health care law.

March 2010

from the bench

by Judge Jeff Cox

During the last few weeks, we have been having jury trials at our courthouse. Numerous people have been calling or writing letters trying to get out of jury duty. Each day the judges have to turn down numerous requests. As judges, we know that you have to work. We know that you have families to care for whether it is young children or elderly parents. We know that the economy is tough and that you must work. We understand the difficulties of life that face each family. We, as judges, also have families. We have children that

March 2010

Why Do I Have to Serve on a Jury? require us to be at home. We have basketball games and softball games. We have spouses that need our help. We do understand the difficulties of life faced by each person although we are not in your situation. But, as I have stated in previous articles, our United States Constitution guarantees persons who are charged with certain crimes the right to a jury of their peers. This means you. If you are not here, then the accused does not get a fair trial which will cause all types of problems for the courts in the future and ultimately costs you more as a taxpayer. Why do you have to serve as a juror? The United States Constitution requires it. What problems can be caused? If the

judges excuses persons from jury duty without valid excuses, the defense attorneys representing the criminal defendants may be able to challenge that the accused did not receive a fair trial due to the fact that a cross section of the parish was not represented. At the trial court level, we are seeing cases that are years old being brought back for new trials on things that happened years earlier. When new trials are granted on years old matters, the court system is heavily burdened. Not only must witnesses be relocated, if they are still alive, but evidence must be located if it is available. Numerous hours have to be spent retrying an old case which costs the taxpayers of the parish thousands of dollars. In order to avoid this situation, the judges are being more stringent in allowing a person to be excused from jury duty. If a person has a medical condition, we are requiring the doctor to write a note explaining the condition. Before a person will be excused from jury duty in the future, the person will have to document why they wish to be excused so that the excuse can be filed into the record of the court. Jeff Cox is the 26th Judicial Court Judge for Bossier/Webster Par., Div. C

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The Best Of Times

March 2010

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hen it comes to government agencies that really impact the lives of seniors, a person would be hard pressed to find one doing more than the Council on Aging. Residents of Shreveport and Bossier City are doubly blessed since they have two local councils to choose from: Caddo Council on Aging (CCOA) and Bossier Council on Aging (BCOA). The services the councils provide make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for area seniors and for their families. Councils on Aging were developed as a result of the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965. Under the auspices of the Administration on Aging, local councils were set up across the country. And perhaps now, more than ever, their services are desperately needed. According to information provided by CCOA, one in every six Americans, or 44 million people, are 60 years of age or older. Though many seniors are active and healthy, many are at risk of losing their independence. Anyone 60 years old or older is eligible to partake of the services offered by the Councils on Aging, with special consideration given to those with the greatest need. While many people might be familiar with one or two programs offered by CCOA and BCOA, the sheer number and reach of the many programs offered is eye-opening. Unfortunately, many of the programs donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see enough participants to even utilize all the monies budgeted for them. Hopefully, this article will remedy that and encourage all those who are eligible and in need to reach out to the local agencies and utilize them to the fullest. Through Information and Assistance, BCOA provides clients with current, and accurate, information about many services available to them in the community. Keeping seniors in the loop and up to date ensures that they fully utilize every benefit they are entitled to. CCOAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Information and Referral program also provides information to seniors and refers participants to the appropriate agencies. The Information and Referral specialist maintains a file on all agencies and programs that can benefit seniors and keeps track of what requests are heard most often, so CCOA can identify areas where there might be gaps in service. CCOA administers the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), which aids seniors in a nine parish area. The ADRC helps seniors by The Best Of Times

March 2010

providing crises intervention; assistance with applications for the Prescription Assistance Program; offers Medicare counseling; streamlines and simplifies the eligibility process for a number of programs; and ensures that clients understand all their options concerning long term care. A very popular service provided by both the CCOA and the BCOA is the Congregate Meals. CCOA serves a daily lunch at 13 different senior centers and BCOA serves at two locations. This provides seniors with not only a hot, nutritious meal, but also the opportunity to socialize. Faye Wilson, 100, has been using the services and programs at BCOA since 1997. On a recent morning, she was at the council enjoying breakfast. She shared how on her 100th birthday last year, BCOA hosted her party. “They told me they were going to show me what a birthday blast was, and I guess they did,” she said. Carol Coleman, 69, has been enjoying the BCOA services for several years. She loves coming to socialize and enjoys the congregate meals, but couldn’t do so without another of the services BCOA provides. “I couldn’t come up here if it wasn’t

March 2010

for the transportation,” Coleman said. In the event a person is able to leave the house, but lacks transportation to come to the senior center, both councils offer Transportation Services. This service can get seniors up to the centers and home again, and can also take them to doctor appointments and to the grocery store. It is yet another way the agencies help seniors maintain their independence. James Holbcroft, 86, has been using the BCOA transportation service for about five months. He lives with his daughter and sold his car, so the transportation service allows him to come up to the council without having to rely on his family for a ride. “They provide good service, you just need to be ready when they come and sometimes be a little patient,” he said. One of the most popular services provided by the agencies is the Meals on Wheels Program. A hot, nutritious meal is delivered to a person’s home. Five meals are delivered per week, ensuring that homebound seniors are eating well. The service also helps fight the isolation so many homebound seniors deal with. Lou Anne Casey, 76, has been receiving Meals on Wheels meals from the CCOA since 2001, when she was hospitalized with foot problems and her doctor suggested the program to her. Her two children live out of town and she is homebound. Her daughter-inlaw comes over from Texas a few times and month and gets her stocked up on frozen meals, but the Meals on Wheels program is what she relies on for her hot meals. There are of course other

benefits to the program. “The people delivering the food are the only people I see during the day,” Casey pointed out. “All the different delivery people I have had over the years have been nice.” In fact, Casey said the volunteer who is currently bringing her meals made her “an out of this world” peach cobbler for Christmas. Another great service provided for homebound seniors, particularly those like Casey who have limited interaction with others, is the Telephone Reassurance Program. Regular calls are made to homebound seniors to ensure their security and wellbeing. The Homemaker Program provides in-home services for seniors who are frail and homebound due to illness or disability. Visits are generally made to the senior’s home every two weeks. A variety of light housekeeping services are offered. Without this type of service, many seniors would ultimately find themselves in nursing homes. Seniors who benefit from the homemaker program often also benefit from the Personal Care Program. After a care plan is developed, a care attendant visits the client’s home once a week to aid with bathing and other hygiene issues. While it is difficult to imagine only receiving a bath once a week, without this service, many seniors would have no option but to go into TheBestOfTimesNews.com

institutional care. For those families who are caring for a senior, the never ending responsibility can be quite overwhelming. The local Councils on Aging offer services for caregivers. The Caregiver Program includes options for both respite care and sitter services. Respite care gives the caregiver a chance to leave the home for a specified amount of time to attend to other duties or to just relax. The sitter service brings a professional into the home on occasion to observe, converse and provide food for the client. Both services improve not just the life of the caregiver, but also the quality of life of the senior, as it is very difficult for an emotionally and physically drained caregiver to offer the best care possible. A very important program The Best Of Times

administered by CCOA is the Ombudsman Program. This program is designed to ensure that the rights of residents in Louisiana nursing homes and assisted living facilities are respected. The job of the ombudsman is to investigate and resolve complaints made by seniors residing in long-term care facilities. This type of oversight helps hold facilities to a high standard of care. In 2008, the Ombudsman investigated 142 complaints. For seniors seeking a nonintimidating way to get in shape, the councils offer Wellness Programs. These classes are tailored to the health concerns and abilities of seniors. The exercises performed during the classes will improve bone density and balance. BCOA offers water aerobics during the summer, a fun and non-weight bearing way to exercise. Countless studies have shown that staying active is the key to staying healthy and independent. Loretta Deville, 71, has been attending the fitness classes at the BCOA for about a year, after a friend filled her in on the program. “It gets me up and gets me moving,” she said. “My doctor said this would be good for me and it gives me a little more energy.” “I like it because it keeps my bones in shape,” added class participant Karen Christian, 73, who has been enjoying the fitness program since 2000. The Recreation Programs offered at the agencies are a terrific way for seniors to socialize and stay mentally active in a safe environment. Many

seniors gather daily at a number of locations to sew, play pool, and enjoy a card game or a game of bingo. While they are partaking in whatever pursuit meets their fancy, they are also socializing with others. BCOA offers a very popular Thursday night dance with a live band. The dances have been offered for over 20 years and always draw a large crowd. Fletcher Christian, 63, Karen’s husband, enjoys the recreation program at BCOA and often plays dominos and cards while his wife exercises. He said they are regulars at the Thursday dances. “There are four or five bands that rotate playing at the dances and they are pretty good,” he said. A regular at BCOA for about 10 years, Stephen Sipes, 85, comes up to the council for the congregate meals and to play bingo. He said the bingo prizes are usually practical things that seniors can really use, such as toothpaste or boxes of cereal. “It is just a bunch of old people up here,

March 2010

but we all get along well,” Sipes said with a laugh. Ten years ago, Marie Diggs, 73, heard about the CCOA recreation program and loves the opportunity it affords for her to socialize in a safe environment. She drives three other women up to the council and goes everyday as long as the weather is good. “It is good for people to get out of their house and go up there and mingle,” she said. “Going up there will make your day.” Diggs also competes on the bean bag baseball team at the council and her team recently took the gold medal in competition. “I will pat myself on the back about

March 2010

that. Everybody else on our team is 75 and older and we won the gold.” CCOA executive director, Mary Alice Rountree, is very excited about the newly expanded recreation program. The expansion is the result of CCOA teaming up with Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation (SPAR). SPAR is in charge of all the activities and CCOA brings in the food. “Additionally, the Robinson Film Center has been offering free films and we alternate bringing different sites down to once-a-month classic films,” Rountree said. “The seniors love it and that has been a whole new area of activity for them. You can offer a lot more when it is a collaboration of groups. I just love collaboration. Each one of us can bring one component and add it all together. That expands the services.” For seniors looking for a way to give back to the community, the councils have two great options: the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and the Foster Grandparent Program. The RSVP is a national volunteer program

created under the OAA to encourage persons 55 and older to provide volunteer service. There are a wide variety of options available for RSVP volunteers, so a person can tailor their volunteer time to their interests. The Foster Grandparent Program offers persons 60 years and older, who meet federal income eligibility requirements and serve 20 hours per week, a small tax-free stipend. Foster grandparents give back to the community by volunteering at schools, hospitals, day care centers, and shelter homes. For when times are tough, the councils offer Utility Assistance. They determine a senior’s need for utility assistance and, when funding is available, financial assistance is provided. Legal Assistance is another program that can really make a big difference in situations where seniors might feel they are being taken advantage of or their rights are being infringed upon. The legal advice and representation are available for matters including government program benefits, tenant

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rights, and consumer problems. When seniors have a need for assistive devices, such as wheelchairs or walkers, the Material Aid Program can loan such devices out. Providing these many needed services to thousands of area seniors a day requires quite a bit of money. While city, state, and federal monies do make up a portion of the councils’ budgets, there are shortfalls, especially when budgets get cut. Mary Anne Rankin, executive director of BCOA, said the council is not currently planning any new programs because they are waiting to see what kind of budget cuts are made by the state “Right now we are sort of on hold and maintaining until we know where to go. But we always make sure new information gets to our seniors. With the census coming up, we are going to be educating our seniors to make sure they fill out those forms,” said Rankin. Thanks to an experimental grant, CCOA was able to recently roll out the Community Living Program, said

Rountree. The grant targets seniors in a certain income bracket who are frail and could be qualified to go to a nursing home, but instead attempts to keep them at home. “(CCOA) has a budgeted amount for each of the 100 program participants and we can do some home modifications, get them meals, and do some personal care,” Rountree said. “It is just a six month grant, but we are hoping that it proves to the government that it is more cost effective to keep our seniors at home.” Many of the above services have a suggested donation amount assigned to them. This is not a fee, but rather a modest request of money from those who are able. Seniors should never let the suggested donation amount deter them from seeking out these programs and services. The people who work for the councils do so to improve the lives of area seniors. They are happy and willing to find a way to help area seniors. No one gets rich working for the councils; they do this work because

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they enjoy making a positive impact on the lives of seniors. With the growing number of seniors in this country, and the many issues and problems they face on a daily basis, it is reassuring to know that the Councils on Aging are working every day to lend a hand and to keep seniors as active and independent as possible. 

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Dear Pharmacist

by Suzy Cohen, RPh

Dear Pharmacist, My vision is getting blurry and I have to squint to read. My ophthalmologist says it’s part of the aging process. I don’t want to waste my money, but I’m scared to go blind. What vitamins will enhance my eyesight? --A.L. Lodi, California The best sight-savers are actually pigments, as in ‘dyes’ that impart color to fruits and vegetables. Like bilberry, which is a pigment that makes berries blue. If you eat 5 or more servings of colorful organic fruits and veggies, your vision should improve after a few

Eye-Loving Nutrients Can Save Your Sight months. Adding high-quality supplements will accelerate that outcome and further reduce the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, eye floaters, retinopathy and optic neuritis. Before you buy any vitamins, peek in your medicine cabinet; some drugs can make your vision fuzzy. Among them, digoxin, HCTZ, Dyazide, Lyrica, cold remedies and allergy pills. Now, here are the best eye-loving nutrients: Bilberry: Protects the retina and improves night vision; reduces cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Bilberry is related to blueberries and it contains “anthocyanosides” which sweep away free radicals. Eat the berries or take bilberry extract, about 80 mg

twice daily. If combined with grape seed or lutein, even better! Zeaxanthin & Lutein: These yelloworange pigments are called “carotenoids” and they impart color to leafy green vegetables, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, papaya and corn. Carotenoids can quench free radicals and lower your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Good formulas will blend these sister nutrients -about 20 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin. Beta carotene: Helpful if you see a ‘haze’ or glare in your vision. It makes pumpkins and carrots that familiar orange and protects the human retina. Drug muggers of beta carotene include antacids, reflux medicine, Questran, mineral oil or the diet pill Alli (and Xenical). Definitely supplement if you take those medications. Choose good brands, okay? Synthetic beta carotene is harmful, whereas natural beta carotene “from D. Salina” or “from an algae source” protects vision. Dosage varies from 12 - 25,000 IU taken once daily. Hyaluronic acid or HA: This compound makes the jelly-like liquid that fills up most of your eye. HA can help maintain moisture in the skin and eye so it’s great for people who buy a lot of wetting formulas like GenTeal or Refresh. Those are excellent fixes, but their benefit is fleeting. When HA supplements are combined with essential fatty acids (like omega 3 fish oils), you create even more lubrication (and a fantastic defense against Sjogren’s Syndrome). Dosage of HA: 100 - 200 mg daily and fish oil: 500 - 1,000 mg once or twice daily. Ginkgo biloba: Protects the optic nerve and the retina. Particularly helpful for diabetics and people with multiple sclerosis. Dosage: 60 mg once or twice daily. Careful - it enhances the effect of blood-thinners. This information is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24Hour Pharmacist.” Visit www. DearPharmacist.com. © 2010 Suzy Cohen, RPh. Distributed by Dear Pharmacist, Inc.

March 2010

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Bossier Council on Aging Bearkat Site (741-8302), 706 Bearkat Dr., Bossier City. 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM; Plain Dealing Site (326-5722), 101 E. Oak St., Plain Dealing, 9:00 AM - 1:00 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. One week 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 sitter services 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, Monday - Friday. $1.50 per meal is suggested. Home Delivered Meals - Meals provided 5 days per week for elderly homebound in Bossier Parish, $1.50/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.

Caddo Council on Aging Info & Referral - (318) 632-2090; 1-800-256-3003. 4015 Greenwood Rd, Shreveport 71109. Email: ccoa@caddocoa.org www.caddocouncilonaging.org 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 -Emer-

gency 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 person-

nel. 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. • C o o p e r Ro a d C o m m u nity 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 Sp r i n g h i l l Se n i o r C e n t e r (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. The Best Of Times

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. March 2010

consumer’s corner

Avoid Medical Identity Theft by Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell

There is a new twist to identity theft medical identity theft. Medical identity theft can affect your finances and your health. Medical identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it to commit health care fraud. Your personal information may include your name, Social Security number, or your Medicare Identification number. Medical Identity thieves may use your identity to receive medical treatment, prescription drugs, or even scam your in-

March 2010

surance company by making a fraudulent claim. Repairing damage to your good name and credit record can be difficult enough, but medical identity theft can have other serious consequences. If a scammer gets treatment in your name, that person’s health problems could become a part of your medical records. In addition, it could affect your ability to get medical care and insurance benefits, and could even affect decisions made by doctors treating you in the future. The scam artist’s unpaid medical debts also could end up on your credit report making you responsible for disputing those fraudulent charges. It is extremely important to catch medical

identity theft early on. • First, read every “Explanation and Benefits” statement you get from your health insurer. Follow up on any item that you do not recognize.

• At least once a year, ask

the health insurers you’ve been involved with for a list of the benefits they paid in your name.

• Finally, make it a regular practice to check your credit reports. You are entitled to a free report from each of the three nationwide companies every 12 months. You can order your free credit report from www. Annualcreditreport.com. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, you may be a victim of medical identity theft if: • you get a bill for medical services you didn’t receive; • a debt collector contacts you about medical debt you don’t owe; • you order a copy of your credit report and see medical collection notices you don’t recognize; • you try to make a legitimate insurance claim and your health plan says you’ve reached your limit on benefits; or • you are denied insurance because your medical records show a condition you don’t have. If you think that you may be a victim of medical identity theft, ask your health care provider or hospital for your medical records. You have a right to get copies of your current medical files from each health care provider, though you may have to pay for them. You also have a right to have inaccurate or incomplete information removed. If you are a victim of medical identity theft, file a police report with your local law enforcement agency. Also send the police report to your insurance company, medical providers and all three credit bureaus. For more information about medical identity theft, please contact the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office at 800-351-4889 or www.agbuddycaldwell.com. You should also visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website at www.ftc.gov. TheBestOfTimesNews.com

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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. March 2010

moving free with mirabai

by Mirabai Holland, MFA A too-thick waistline, especially paired with high levels of a particular fat in the blood called triglycerides can greatly increase your risk of developing coronary artery disease. Triglycerides are both produced by the body and ingested through the food you eat. High triglyceride levels can increase your risk for heart disease and are more common among inactive people with larger waistlines. Normal triglyceride levels are below 150 mg/dL. The risk of developing coronary artery disease doubles when triglyceride levels are above 200 mg/dL. Triglycerides are called the

March 2010

The Skinny On Your Hidden Fat hidden fat because they are too often overshadowed by the highly publicized LDL bad cholesterol. However triglycerides are above 200 mg/dL and “good” (HDL) cholesterol is below 40 mg/dL, a person is at four times the risk. The good news is that a study at Duke University Medical Center has produced some surprising and encouraging results. Moderate aerobic exercise like walking a half hour at least five days a week can significantly reduce the triglyceride levels in the blood as well as boost your HDL (good cholesterol). Burning 200 calories or so on that half hour walk doesn’t hurt either. The study also showed that

more intense exercise did help with belly fat but produced only half the triglyceride lowering results. So my recommendation is: consult your doctor, find your triglycerides level and get clearance to exercise. If it is elevated and belly fat is not an issue do moderate aerobic exercise like brisk walking or cardio dance. If you also have extra belly fat, consider adding strength training exercise every other day to help your body burn more fat. Don’t over do it. Ease-in. Start with a few minutes a day of something fun. Pleasure is the key to sustainability. Couple this with a low fat diet and moderate alcohol consumption and you’ve got a recipe for better quality of life and maybe even a longer one. Mirabai Holland M.F.A. is one of the leading authorities in the Health & Fitness industry, and public health activist who specializing in preventive and rehabilitative exercise for 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. © 2010

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hospice

Ophthalmology

Nursing Home Care

Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility of hospice, or should I raise it first? The most frequent comment hospice agencies hear from their patient’s and families is “I wish I would have known about ‘it’ sooner.” In 2008, 35.4% of those served by hospice died or were discharged in seven days or less - a timeframe way too short to realize the full benefits of hospice care. Ideally, discussions about adding the benefits of hospice services to an individual’s care regimen should begin when it appears that a cure may not be possible for a lifelimiting illness and within the context an individual’s goals for treatment. It would not only be appropriate, but also prudent to initiate the conversation with your physician about hospice services.

I am 70 years old and am very nearsighted. I noticed that area doctors have been promoting LASIK to correct nearsightedness. Am I a candidate at my age and does Medicare cover any part of the costs? LASIK is usually not a first option for people over age 65 because of cataracts. There is a new Multifocal Lens available now called ReStor that allows people with cataracts to see like they did at 25! 80% of people who have the Restor lens implanted are completely free from glasses. Medicare does cover some of the cost of the new lens. To find out if you are a ReStor candidate, call our office at 212-3937 for a screening exam.

In considering a nursing home for future placement of a family member, I am told that I should review the home’s most recent state survey. Where can I obtain one? Survey results are posted online at www.medicare.gov/NHCompare. You may search the site by city, zip code, or the name of the particular homes. It will give you a comparison of each home to the state and national averages of issues cited. If you do not have Internet access, you may ask the nursing home staff to see the survey since homes are required to display a copy of their most recent survey in a public area.

Rick Bauer

LifePath Hospice Care Service 8720 Quimper Place, Ste 100 Shreveport, LA 71105 318-222-5711; 1-866-257-5711 www.lifepathhospicecare.com See our ad on page 15.

Chris Shelby, MD

Pierremont Eye Institute 7843 Youree Dr. Shreveport, LA 1105 318-212-3937; www.ShelbyEye.com See our ad on page 23.

Vicki Ott

NurseCare Nursing and Rehab Center 1736 Irving Place Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 221-1983 See our ad on page 17.

reverse mortgages

Orthopaedics

Neurosurgery

What are the benefits of a Reverse Mortgage? Some of the benefits of a reverse mortgage include: retain ownership of & title to your home receive tax-free funds to use however you choose receive payments instead of making them receive a lump sum, monthly installments, line of credit, or combination loan proceeds are not considered income and do not affect Social Security benefits proceeds may be used to fund long-term care needs or long term care insurance a reverse mortgage may be used to enhance your financial strategy for retirement For a “FREE” Reverse Mortgage Guide, call toll free 1-866-910-8192.

What are the symptoms and treatment of torn cartilage? Meniscus tears are the most common surgical condition involving the knee. Medial meniscus (inside) tears are 3 - 4 times more common than lateral tears (outside). The meniscus support 50% of the body weight with the knee extended and 90% with the knee flexed 90°. Because the meniscus supports body weight every attempt should be made to repair or maintain as much meniscus tissue as possible. Popping, giving way, locking, tenderness at the joint line, stiffness, and swelling are some of the signs/symptoms of cartilage tears. Arthroscopic surgery is generally done on an outpatient basis and recovery is from a few days to a weeks.

My daughter has epilepsy. Are there new treatments? Epilepsy affects 1 out of 100. While many have seizures controlled by medications, onethird 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 multidisciplinary 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.

• • • • • • •

Bill Burt, Reverse Mortgage Consultant Wells Fargo Home Mortgage 8835 Line Avenue, Ste 100 Shreveport, LA 71106 (318) 682-5568 www.reverseguy.com The Best Of Times

John J. Ferrell, M.D. Mid South Orthopaedics 7925 Youree Drive; Suite 210 Shreveport, LA 71105 (318) 424-3400

Dr. Ravish Patwardhan The Comprehensive Neurosurgery Network 8001 Youree Dr., Ste 970 Shreveport, LA 71115 (318) 797-5543 www.neurosurgery.ws March 2010

Profile in Pizzazz

“The Antiques” Provide Great Music & a Lot of Fun by Amanda Newton On a recent Saturday morning, the weather outside might have been less than cheerful, with a cold wind blowing and a gray sky dropping rain, but the atmosphere in the lobby of the Overton Brooks VA Hospital couldn’t have been better. The cheer indoors was due to the lively music provided by a volunteer group of musicians known as “The Antiques.” Each and every Saturday they can be found in that lobby, performing a two-hour set of country western and gospel music. It is the only location where you can hear the group play. The group is made up of seven guitar players: Doug Kolb, Ken Bowen, Martha Lawrence, Frank Jobe, Joe Leach, Jim Kobs and Warren Grafton. And from 10 a.m. to noon they give people a reason to slow down, stop and listen, and walk on with a smile on their faces. Warren Grafton, 72, is a retired surgical pathologist. He first joined up with the group about 12 years ago when he found them playing at an antiques store in Bossier City, hence the name. When the antique shop closed, the group needed a new venue for their weekly jam session. They called up the VA and asked if they could perform there. The VA administration was happy to oblige and the rest, as they say, is history. Grafton is quick to point out that there is no group leader. Everyone contributes

March 2010

equally to the week’s performance. “We are a loose kind of group,” he said. “Whoever shows up plays and we just go around the group and people pick the songs they want to sing.” Grafton has been singing his entire life, but didn’t take up the guitar until he was 60. He frequently performs for churches, nursing homes and senior citizen lunches. He said the churches often want to pay him, but he

always just asks that they make a donation to his favorite non-profit initiative, Reach Out and Read, instead. Grafton has a huge notebook filled with songs that he brings each week. While some people might not like the thought of lugging a guitar and heavy notebook around, Grafton wouldn’t miss it. “This is the most fun that I have all week. I look forward to Saturday mornings.” Martha Lawrence, 67, is the lone female in the group but seems to mesh quite well

with all the men. When asked to gather for a picture, it is little wonder that all the men gathered around her, as she is the prettiest one (with the prettiest guitar, too). She plays in a variety of jam sessions but really loves her Saturday mornings playing with the group. “I have missed very few Saturdays up at the VA. I love to play. We don’t take it real serious; it is just a very relaxed thing,” she said. Lawrence has always been able to carry a tune and loves to spend her free time at home singing and playing the guitar. She recently impressed her two grown daughters by taking on a new musical challenge. “They are both impressed that I am now learning how to play the violin. Joe Leach used to build violins and he is teaching me how to play. It is much more difficult than the guitar,” she said with a laugh. Lawrence and her husband volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and working on a house might sometimes prohibit her from playing with the group, but that doesn’t happen often if she can help it. “Playing music is just what I do and I would much rather be up here playing than doing just about anything else.” When band member Jim Kobs, 83, retired from running his own business in 1983, it enabled him to get back to playing the guitar, something he hadn’t done since leaving the military in 1954. It was in the military that

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he first got a taste of playing professionally. In 1952, while in a military band, he spent $280, “a lot of money back then,” to buy the best guitar available at the time, a Gibson. Kobs does miss out on Saturdays playing with “The Antiques” in the summer, when he and his wife travel up north in their RV to Wisconsin. While out of town, Kobs still finds many opportunities to play the guitar and entertain people. “I play dance music regularly at a resort in Danbury, Wis., and also manage to attend quite a few music festivals on our trips north. The great thing about music festivals is that there are lots of jam sessions going on and you can just go from group to group until you find one that plays the kind of music you like to play.” Kobs is originally from Minnesota and when asked how he managed to end up way down south in Louisiana, he had a great explanation for his migration. “I got on a troop transport train (after joining the military) up north in January and came down south to a base in Texas. I got there and you could still kick up dust with your foot; the ground wasn’t frozen solid. Then I met a real pretty southern girl and then her mother cooked me southern fried chicken. That was three strikes against Minnesota.” Douglas Kolb, 58, has been playing the guitar since he was 16 years old. His father taught him how and it is a skill that he has always appreciated having. He still remembers paying $35 for his first guitar, purchased from the Western Auto, and it didn’t even have a brand name on it. Kolb, an employee at Northwest State University, has been playing with “The Antiques” almost since the group first formed. He likes the group and likes the talent within the group, he said. “They all seem like good folks and they W e

A r e

C o m f o rt

keep good rhythm, and that is very important,” he said of the group. “It is true that the more you play with other people, the more you learn. Playing with others helps your rhythm improve.” Kolb said he always keeps a guitar sitting out on his couch at home and picks it up whenever something new pops into his head. As far as his musical taste goes, he is pretty open. “I like playing country and gospel, but I will play a little bit of anything that is good music.” On the recent morning when the weather

outside was much less than perfect, a nurse stopped Kolb in the hall of the hospital and said how glad she was that the group had come to play that day, despite the elements. Judging from how much fun the group has together, it is hard to imagine there is much that would keep them away. “Seeing people enjoy the music just makes all the difference,” Kolb said. If you find yourself in the vicinity of the VA Hospital on a Saturday morning, stop by and listen. You will be treated to great music and the joy of seeing people with a lot of talent give back by sharing it.

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March 2010

Traveltizers

Traveling the World Without a Passport The street is lined with quaint little houses, and a gracefully Gothic Catholic Church dominates the town square. “Bonjour,” says a woman, as she strolls by, a fresh baguette in her mesh bag. I smile, feeling as if I’m in a small French village. Instead I’m in southern Texas, indulging in one of my current, recession-induced passions. I’m exploring the world without leaving the United States. To date I’ve “visited” more than 20 countries on four continents, all without once using my passport. Below, four of the best:

Story by Andrea Gross Photos by Irv Green Texas’ French Hamlet Castroville, Texas, 25 miles west of San Antonio, was settled in the mid-1840s by folks from the French provinces of Alsace and Lorraine. Like their homeland, this area of Texas boasts fertile farmland tucked between a river and the mountains. The weather, however, is different - a fact of which the newcomers were unaware. They built houses topped with steep, snow-shed-

ding roofs like those in Alsace, not realizing how unnecessary this would be in southern Texas. The Visitors Center distributes a free booklet that details the history of many of these homes, as well as that of the church, schoolhouse, store, saloon and hotel. No visit to France, whether in Europe or Texas, would be complete without great food. Castroville boasts two French restaurants extraordinaire - La Normandie, which specializes in traditional French cuisine, and The Alsatian, which features “German food with a French flair.” Contact the Castroville Chamber of Commerce at

(800) 778-6775 or www.castroville.com. Florida’s Greek Gulf Sure, Disney World has theme parks that showcase far-off lands, but Disney’s worlds are make-believe. Tarpon Springs, 100 miles west of Orlando, is the real deal - a genuine Greek community settled by Greek islanders, who came to Florida in the early 1900s to dive for sponges. Today boats take visitors out on the water for sponge-diving demonstrations, while the town’s main street, Dodecanese Boulevard, has shops

A Spe cial Invitation

for readers of this publication in partnership with Mary Furlong

The Seventh Annual What’s Next Boomer Business Summit What’s Next provides an excellent marketing venue for those wishing to reach influential people and companies serving the needs of baby boomers and seniors. The 2010 program will showcase the cutting edge tools, business models, and go-to-market strategies that boomer-centric organizations need to achieve success in today’s marketplace. Join the prestigious organizations proudly sponsoring and exhibiting at the 2010 What’s Next Boomer Business Summit: Microsoft ® Caring.com i.e. – Innovating Engagement firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond ®

Southwest Airlines Verizon Posit Science Myine Electronics

ReadHowYouWant Wellcore AARP SeniorCareMarketer.com

Sign-up for the Boomer Business Summit, March 19 Mary Furlong, Producer What’s Next Boomer Business Summit (415) 902-8671 or furlong@aol.com For more information about the What’s Next Boomer Business Summit, visit www.boomersummit.com. March 19, 2010, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Chicago, IL.

March 2010

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filled with sponges of all shapes and sizes. Other stores feature Mediterranean imports, while restaurants offer to-die-for souvlaki (skewed meat and vegetables) and spanakopita (a pastry with spinach and feta). At night there’s belly dancing. But the town’s Hellenic character is strongest in the nearby neighborhoods, where the markets are filled with Kalamata olives and sesame candy, old folks tell stories laced with Greek words, and small shrines are tucked away in hidden courtyards. Contact the Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce at (727)-937-6109 or www. tarponspringschamber.com. Massachusetts’ Portuguese Pocket The yeasty aroma of bolos levedos [Portuguese muffins] fills the air in New Be d f o rd a n d Fa l l River, Massachusetts, while restaurants serve hearty portions of bacalhau assado [salted codfish] and escalopes a angolana [Angolan scallops]. In the sum-

The Best Of Times

mer, street fairs feature lively Portuguese dancing. The Portuguese first came to New England in the early 1800s, sea-savvy workers on Yankee whaling ships. Time-travel back to those days at the New Bedford Whaling Museum to view the skeleton of a giant blue whale and climb into the fo’c’sle [living quarters] of a whaling ship. Then, for a glimpse of today’s Europe, meander through neighborhoods filled with small Mediterranean gardens replete with fig trees and grape arbors. The historic area of Fall River has a Lisbon-feel with cobblestoned sidewalks, globe-shaped streetlights and, best of all, performers who sing fado [Portuguese songs of love and loss]. Contact the Southeastern Massachusetts Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 288-6263 or www. bristol-county.org. Kentucky’s Australian Outback Aussie animals and Aussie customs prevail in the unlikely “outback” of southcentral Kentucky, where

Judy and Bill Austin have created Kentucky Down U n d e r, a n attraction that appeals as much to adults as to children. Covering 600-acres, the park hops with hopping with kangaroos, some of which are amenable to being petted. There are also visitor-friendly emus (which look suspiciously like Sesame Street’s Big Bird) as well as sheep and the border collies needed to herd them during regularly-scheduled demonstrations. But KDU is much more than a zoo with an Australian theme; it’s also a place to learn about Aboriginal culture. Visitors can listen to Aboriginal stories, participate in traditional dances, sling a boomerang or play a didgeridoo (a large bamboo or wooden trumpet). All in all, a visit to KDU is quite a ripper, as the Aussies would say. Contact KDU at (800) 762-2869 or www. kdu.com. Admission.

March 2010

the bookworm

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

The organ starts to play and you’re nervous. You shouldn’t be, though. You’re in love and this quickly-assembled Las Vegas wedding proves it. You’ve got the minister who barely knows you and you’re standing in a chapel you’ve never seen before. If that’s not love, what is? You’ve even got Elvis holding the wedding ring. No, not someone who looks like Elvis. The real Elvis, and he paid for the wedding, just as he paid for your nose. His generosity didn’t surprise you, though. It’s something a guy gets used to, as you’ll see in the new book “Elvis: My Best Man” by George Klein with Chuck Crisafulli. When George Klein was young, he was fascinated with music and the radio DJs that played it. Moreover, he was fascinated by an emerging “fad” called rock and roll. Klein knew he wanted to be part of that,

March 2010

$25.00

and it set the course of his life. Though he’d gone to school with Elvis Presley, it was through radio that he got to know Presley well. And when Klein lost that coveted radio job, Elvis spontaneously stepped in and hired him as a “traveling companion”. Elvis’ mother didn’t want her son in an airplane, so Elvis and Klein traveled by car and train to concerts (the rest of the entourage often caught flights). Because they shared rooms as well as time, the two became close. Klein supported the singer, counseled him, and brought girls to hotel parties held with chaste kisses and no alcohol. But the support went both ways. Whenever Klein felt the pull of radio, Elvis always urged him to return to that career, but with an open-door invitation: Klein could return to the fold any time. And he did. Who could give up the life of a King? Elvis Presley, says Klein, was the kind of guy who gave people cars and posed for nervous fans’ cameras. He was a gentlemanly ladies’ man who respected his date’s privacy. But Elvis was easily angered, quickly jealous,

307 pages, includes index and his mood could go dark in a blink. He was a star and demanded treatment as such but Klein stuck by him, as friends do. Then, in a quirk-offate, circle-of-life way, Klein learned from a radio DJ that his friend was dead. I find it amazing that, thirty-plus years after Presley’s death, people are still writing books about him. In the case of “Elvis: My Best Man”, I’m glad. Not just another myfriend-Elvis memoir, this book is really only half dedicated to Presley. In addition to anecdotes and little-known insider tidbits about Elvis, authors George Klein and Chuck Crisafulli also tell the story of rock & roll and the birth of a kind of radio we can’t imagine living without. What makes this story wonderful is that it’s lively, gently-told, and not one bit pandering. If “Long Live the King” is your mantra and you can’t help falling in love with books about him, you’ll definitely want this one. Missing this “Elvis: My Best Man” might make you all shook up. The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 12,000 books.

TheBestOfTimesNews.com

Al Bolton’s Weather Facts for Thought The snow cover was most interesting to see on Friday, February 12th. The Shreveport Weather Office measured 5.4 inches. Shreveport’s heaviest snowfall of record was 11 inches, measured on the 21st and 22nd of December, 1929. Our latest snowfall of record was on April 12, 1933, but it was just a trace...not enough to measure. Have you ever been curious about the shape of a raindrop? High speed photographs taken when raindrops were near the ground show them to be flattened on the bottom with a mushroom shape top. It encounters the resistance of the air which flattens the bottom of the drop and causes it to bulge at the top. A raindrop is generally less than 2/100 of an inch in diameter, but they can only get so large. If it’s larger than ¼ of an inch, it will break up into smaller drops when meeting air resistance. What do you think we can expect during the month of March? As for March records, our hottest March temperature was 92° on the 31st in 1974. Coldest March temperature was 15° recorded on March 3, 1943. Our wettest March of record was 12 inches in 1945. Last March, our warmest temperature was 83° on the 10th. Coldest temperature was 29° on the 1st. Rainfall measure 6.48 inches. Normal March rainfall is 4.15 inches. I know you’ve noticed that the days are getting a little longer. On March 1st, sunrise is at 6:43. Sunset is at 6:13. On March 31st, sunrise is at 6:05. Sunset is at 6:34. This footnote: The Spring season will begin on March 20th. Al Bolton, a member of the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Assn, began reporting with KSLA-TV in Feb. 1954 and for The Best of Times in Feb. 2002. The Best Of Times

This is your

Louisiana.

Come discover the magic of your Louisiana. The food, the music, the art, the festivals, the state parks, the history...they’re not just for visitors. Go to LouisianaTravel.com to learn more about “Your Louisiana” today.

Louisiana Main Street Communities Louisiana Main Street is a community-driven revitalization program designed to promote the historic and economic redevelopment of traditional commercial districts in Louisiana. “Main Street” improves downtown economic management in fun places to visit for tourists and residents alike. There are nearly three dozen Main Street communities statewide. * Eunice sits in the heart of what’s called southwest Louisiana’s “Cajun Prairie.” Among offerings are the Jean Lafitte Prairie Cajun Cultural Center museum and the historic Liberty Theater’s weekly “Rendezvous des Cajun” music show. * Pontchatoula, on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, boasts a quaint downtown antiques and arts district. The town each spring also hosts the Louisiana Strawberry Festival, of the state’s biggest food and music celebrations. * Natchitoches, established in 1714, is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. Visitors to the central Louisiana city find shopping and entertainment downtown and historic Creole plantations on the town’s outskirts.

For information on Louisiana Main Street communities and the Main Street program, visit www.crt.state.la.us/hp and www.louisianatravel.com.

March 2010

what’s cooking?

Savor the Flavors of the Mediterranean

editerranean cuisine, featuring abundant fruits and vegetables, and richly flavored with herbs and spices, is hailed by chefs, nutritionists and health-minded Americans as the “gold standard” of healthy eating. Here are a few easy tips to help spice up meals the Mediterranean way: Make great tasting roasted chicken. Before roasting, brush chicken with olive oil. Sprinkle all over with 2 teaspoons crushed rosemary leaves, ½ teaspoon thyme leaves, sea salt and ground black pepper. Make a Greek vinaigrette dressing by stirring ½ teaspoon oregano leaves and 1 to 2 tablespoons reduced-fat feta cheese into ½ cup bottled vinaigrette dressing. Serve bread with Mediterranean spiced olive oil. Mix ¼ cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper and sea salt to taste in small shallow dish. Find more simple, flavorful ideas at www.spicesforhealth.com. (Family Features)

• • •

Mediterranean-Spiced Artichoke Bake Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes. Makes 8 (2 Tbs. servings) 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder 1 teaspoon Oregano Leaves ½ teaspoon Rosemary Leaves, crushed ½ teaspoon Thyme Leaves, crushed 1 package (8 ounces) frozen artichoke hearts, thawed, coarsely chopped 3 ounces Neufchâtel cheese, 1/3 less fat than cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup reduced fat mayonnaise 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons sliced green onion (optional) 2 tablespoons chopped tomato (optional) 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix garlic powder, oregano, rosemary and thyme in small bowl. Set aside. 2. Place artichoke hearts in food processor; cover. Process until finely chopped. Add cream cheese, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese and herb mixture; cover. Process until well mixed. Spread mixture evenly in 9-inch pie plate. 3. Bake 15 minutes or until mixture is heated through and edges are golden brown. Sprinkle with green onion and tomato, if desired. Serve with pita wedges or assorted crackers, as desired.

March 2010

Mediterranean-Style Stuffed Peppers Prep: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 1¼ hours Makes 8 servings 2 teaspoons Rosemary Leaves, finely crushed 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon 1 teaspoon Oregano Leaves ½ teaspoon sea salt 1 pound lean ground beef 1 can (14 ounces) no salt tomato sauce 1/3 cup golden raisins ¼ cup toasted slivered almonds 1 cup cooked brown rice 1 egg, beaten 4 medium green bell peppers, halved lengthwise, stem and seeds removed ½ cup crumbled reduced fat feta cheese 1. Mix rosemary, cinnamon, oregano and sea salt in small bowl. Set aside. Cook ground beef in large skillet on medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes or until no longer pink, stirring occasionally to break up meat. Drain fat. Add spice mixture; cook and stir 1 minute. 2. Stir in tomato sauce, raisins and almonds. Bring to boil. Remove from heat. Add rice and egg; mix well. Arrange bell pepper halves, cutside up, in 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Spoon beef mixture evenly into bell pepper halves. Pour 1/4 cup water into dish. Cover with foil. 3. Bake in preheated 375°F oven 45 minutes or until bell peppers are tender. Sprinkle filling with feta cheese. Bake, uncovered, 12 to 15 minutes longer or until cheese is lightly browned.

Italian-Style Soup With Turkey Sausage Prep: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes Makes 8 (1-cup) servings 1 tablespoon olive oil 8 ounces sweet or hot Italian-style turkey sausage, cut into ½ inch thick slices ½ cup chopped onion 1 can (32 ounces) reduced sodium chicken broth 1 can (15½ ounces) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) no salt added diced tomatoes, undrained 1 teaspoon Oregano Leaves 1 teaspoon Rosemary Leaves, finely crushed 1 teaspoon Thyme Leaves 1 package (6 ounces) baby spinach leaves ½ cup uncooked small pasta, such as mini bowties or elbows 1. Heat oil in large saucepan on medium heat. Add sausage; cook and stir 3 minutes. Add onion; cook and stir 3 minutes longer or until onion is tender and sausage is browned. 2. Pour chicken broth, beans and tomatoes into saucepan. Stir in oregano, rosemary and thyme. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 10 minutes. 3. Stir in spinach and pasta. Return to boil on medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 minutes or until pasta is tender.

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American Life in Poetry BY TED KOOSER U.S. POET LAUREATE, 2004-2006 As we all know, getting older isn’t hard to do. Time continues on. In this poem, Deborah Warren of Massachusetts asks us to think about the life lived between our past and present selves, as indicated in the marginal comments of an old book. There’s something beautiful about books allowing us to talk to who we once were, and this poem captures this beauty.

Marginalia Finding an old book on a basement shelf -gray, spine bent -- and reading it again, I met my former, unfamiliar, self, some of her notes and scrawls so alien that, though I tried, I couldn’t get (behind this gloss or that) back to the time she wrote to guess what experiences she had in mind, the living context of some scribbled note; or see the girl beneath the purple ink who chose this phrase or that to underline, the mood, the boy, that lay behind her thinking -but they were thoughts I recognized as mine; and though there were words I couldn’t even read, blobs and cross-outs; and though not a jot remained of her old existence -- I agreed with the young annotator’s every thought: A clever girl. So what would she see fit to comment on -- and what would she have to say about the years that she and I have written since -- before we put the book away? American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation (www. poetryfoundation.org), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Poem copyright (c)2008 by Deborah Warren, whose most recent book of poems is “Dream with Flowers and Bowl of Fruit,” University of Evansville Press, 2008. Poem reprinted from the “Hudson Review,” Vol. LXI, no. 3, Autumn 2008, and reprinted by permission of the author and publisher. Introduction copyright (c)2009 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction’s author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006. We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. The Best Of Times

March 2010

Driving Class

Health Fair

Seminar

AARP Driver Safety Program - An 8 hour classroom refresher course for drivers age 50+ which may qualify participants for an automobile insurance premium reduction or discount. Where 2 days are listed, participants must attend both days. Participants must preregister. $14 for non-AARP members; $12 for AARP members (AARP card required at registration). • March 4 - 8:30 a.m. 4 Hour Class. Summer Grove Baptist Church, 8924 Jewella Ave., Shreveport. Contact: Murray Hodge 318-686-1470; Instructor: Ray Branton. • March 11- 12:00 Noon. Four Hour Class. Bossier Council on Aging, 706 Bearkat Dr., Bossier City. Contact: Kathy Thomas – 318-741-8302; Instructor: Ray Branton. • March 29 - 8:30 a.m. Four Hour Class. Broadmoor Baptist Church, 4110 Youree Drive, Shreveport. Contact: Sue – 868-6552, ext. 143; Instructor: Malcolm G. Parker.

Health and Wellness Fair – Screening for vision, hearing, blood pressure, cholesterol, bone density and many others! Saturday March 6 from 10 am - 3 pm. LSUHSC-S School of Allied Health Professions – 1450 Claiborne Avenue, Shreveport. Open to the public of all ages – “mini” hospital activities for children; free giveaways and snacks. Free of charge! Please bring a canned good to be donated to the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana. A map and directions can be found online at www.medcom.lsuhscshreveport. edu/cfide/alliedhealth

Veterans Benefits Seminar - Wednesday, March 31st at 10:30 am at Horizon Bay at 2540 Beene Blvd in Bossier City. Free admission, but seats are limited. Call (318) 747-2114 to reserve your free seat at this informational seminar to learn about veterans’ benefits for you or your loved one.

Symphony Cirque de la Symphonie - Shreveport Symphony. Friday, March 5. 7:30 PM. Riverview Theater, 500 Clyde Fant Parkway, Shreveport. Music and motion united as never before! An international array of breathtaking aerial fliers, acrobats, jugglers, and dancers strike a RESOUNDing chord with your inner child. Music by Dvorak, Bizet, John Williams, and many others. This production is winning raves from sold-out audiences across the country. $40 - $15. Call 318-227-TUNE (8863).

March 2010

Opera La Boheme - March 13, 2010. Riverview Theatre, 600 Clyde Fant Parkway, Shreveport. 7:30 p.m. According to Opera America, it is the second most frequently performed opera in the United States, just behind Madama Butterfly. The story is set in Paris in the period around 1830. It essentially focuses on the love between the seamstress called Mimì and the poet Rodolfo. They almost immediately fall in love with each other, but Rodolfo later wants to leave Mimì because of her flirtatious behavior. However, Mimì also happens to be mortally ill, and Rodolfo also feels guilt, since their life together likely had worsened her health even further. They reunite for a brief moment at the end before Mimì dies. $10 - $85. (318) 227-9503. Shreveport Opera Xpress (SOX) - Barnes & Noble - March 19, 7:00 p.m. FREE.

Benefits Monopoly for Meals - Saturday, March 27. 6:00 p.m. Benefitting Caddo Council on Aging Meals on Wheels program. Sponsored by Chesapeake Energy at the El Dorado Casino and Hotel. Guests will be wined and dined, followed by speed Monopoly for prizes. Table (for 6) Sponsorship $500. Individual Tickets $60 each. Dress is business casual, or cocktail-lite, your choice! For additional information or to secure a table or individual tickets, call 318.632.2090 or go online to www.caddocoa.org to purchase tickets on-line. March for Meals - March 24th @ 12 noon. The March will begin on Texas Street in front of the courthouse, marching to the entertainment district under the Red River Bridge. Bring your contribution and walking shoes to the courthouse on Texas Street..so no senior goes hungry in Caddo Parish! If you can’t find your walking shoes on March 24th, mail your donation to 4015 Greenwood Road, Shreveport, LA 71109. Your donation will be 100% tax deductible. Also on Thursday March 25th at Raising Canes, 15% of the proceeds of all sales from 3 pm - 7 pm will be donated to the Meals on Wheels Program.

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Theatre “The Dixie Swim Club” - Presented by Shreveport Little Theatre and staged at Women’s Department Club, 802 Margaret Pl., Shreveport. March 5, 6, 12, 13 at 8 p.m. March 7 and 14 at 2 p.m. Five Southern women, whose friendships began many years ago on their college swim team, set aside a long weekend every August to recharge those relationships. It’s a hilarious and touching comedy about friendships that last forever. Call 424-4439 for tickets.

Silver Screenings “Vertigo” - Tuesday, March 16th at 10:30 am. at the Robinson Film Center, located at 617 Texas in downtown Shreveport. Monthly senior citizen matinee and lunch. Additional activites include a mini-health fair, as well as numerous door prize drawings. The $14 price per person includes the feature film and lunch at Abbey Singer’s Bistro. To reserve tickets for this Silver Screenings event, please call (318) 459-4122. Seating is limited and reservations are required.

Visual Arts Purse and the Person: A Century of Women’s Purses - Through Sunday, April 18. Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm; Saturday - Sunday, Noon - 4pm. Presented by Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, 3015 Greenwood Road, Shreveport. FREE! 318-632-2020. Fantasies and Fairy-Tales: Maxfield Parrish and the Art of the Print - Through Sunday, April 11. Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 5 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 1 pm to 5 pm. Presented by R. W. Norton Art Gallery, 4747 Creswell Avenue, Shreveport. FREE! 318-865-4201. First Saturday Tour Series - Norton Art Gallery, 4747 Creswell Ave., Shreveport. First Saturday of every month at 2:00 3:00 p.m. All tours meet in the lobby. No reservation is required, though groups of 10 or more are asked to call ahead. This tour, like all tours and admission to the Norton, is free of charge. • Saturday, March 6 - 2:00 p.m. Great Artists Who Just Happen to Be Women. Explore works by the fairer sex including Mary Cassatt, Rosa Bonheur, Angelica Kauffman, Katherine Augusta Carl, and others. The Best Of Times

It Runs in theFamily

by Ray Cooney NOVEMBER 6 - 15, 2009 Fri - Sat 8pm I Sun 2pm

Based on the comic strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schultz DECEMBER 3 - 13, 2009

by Bernard Slade JANUARY 8 - 17, 2010 Fri - Sat 8pm I Sun 2pm

For more information or to purchase tickets, call our Box Office at

424-4439

MORE SHOWS... MORE FUN 2009-2010 Music & Lyrics by Roger Miller Book by William Hauptman FEBRUARY 11 - 21, 2010

by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope & Jamie Wooten MARCH 5 - 14, 2010 Fri - Sat 8pm I Sun 2pm

by Marc Camoletti adapted by Robin Hawdon APRIL 30 - MAY 9, 2010 Fri - Sat 8pm I Sun 2pm

SLT Lagniappe SERIES

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Based on the Novel by Charles Dickens DECEMBER 17 - JANUARY 2, 2010

March 2010

puzzle pages

Across 1 Kept afloat 7 Big sizes 13 Things drawn across windows 19 Like books for long distance road trips 20 Bob Hope Airport city 21 Savor 22 Martial artist’s autobio- graphy? 24 Combo wager 25 “Attention!” 26 1973 Stones ballad 27 Columnist Bombeck 29 Short timetable? 30 Theater level 32 Foofaraw 33 Formal orders 36 “College GameDay” football analyst Corso 37 Protest against fiery roadsters? 40 Neruda works 42 ATF employee 45 Like dried soil 46 Emotional work 47 Try to keep, as a title 49 Madden coached them in the ‘70s 51 Pirate riches 53 When Hamlet feigns insanity 56 Not marked up 57 Really cool security device? 60 Mortar trough 61 “Classic” drinks 62 “The queen of sciences”: Gauss 63 Thought- revealing drama techniques 64 Genre of the band Fall Out Boy 65 Charlemagne’s reign: Abbr. 66 Come out with

March 2010

67 Check for authenticity 68 Sibs, uncs, etc. 69 Boxing writer Fleischer 70 Piercing cry 73 Storage facility 75 Curing solution 77 Vow after reading vows 78 Price tag in the meat department? 80 Entrepreneur’s goal 81 LL Cool J label 83 Actor Feldman or Haim 84 Jewish pancake 85 Alarm setting for one with a paper route, maybe 88 Strew seed 89 Globule 90 That ship 91 __ brulée: custard dessert 93 Communication from perverts? 97 Over there, back when 98 Gear on the slopes 100 Google had one in Aug. 2004 101 W. Coast enforcer 104 Letter sign-off 106 Organic compound 107 “__ the Boys”: Katy Perry album 109 Didn’t hold, as dyes 111 It’ll put you under 113 Competition for greased-up pooches? 117 Energizes 118 Sky lights 119 “Knocked Up” director Judd 120 Does an usher’s job 121 Football bettor’s concern 122 Buds at sea

Gross income

By Peter Wentz; Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

(Solution on page 51)

Down 1 Inclusive choice 2 Doff a bowler 3 Castmate of Gasteyer, Ferrell et al. 4 Gas bag 5 Dermal opening 6 Prefix with -gon 7 Son 8 Impulse 9 W.’s degree 10 Blackball 11 Batting next 12 Got around 13 Night vision? 14 Latin king 15 “Unfortunately ...” 16 Preserved a liquor bottle? 17 High regard 18 Hipster’s accessory 20 It may be circled on a calendar 23 Special gifts 28 Remote control? 31 Break

33 Got a B-minus, say 34 Summer refresher 35 Traces 38 Tavern flier 39 Hound 41 Niagara Falls prov. 42 Spider, e.g. 43 Drink named for a football team 44 Aggressive policy to increase box office sales? 48 Phase 50 John or Jane 51 Series of jokes 52 Football stat. 54 Emulate Don Juan 55 Gas mileage calculating aid 57 Can’t tell which __ up 58 Onions partner 59 Had too much 62 Old school add-

on? 66 Humiliate 70 They may be close 71 And so forth: Abbr. 72 Convention booths 73 Misrepresents 74 “I’m talking to you!” 75 Like some gowns 76 Director Howard 79 Swindler 80 Seating __ 82 Bowie at the Alamo 84 Parent’s reminder 86 J __ Juliet 87 Brunch drinks 89 Humans and ostriches, e.g. 91 Many a sci-fi villain 92 Former “At the Movies” co-host 94 Bring to the

majors 95 “Nothing Compares 2 U” singer O’Connor 96 Experimental runner 99 Stays fresh 102 Fundraising dinner unit 103 Plastic duck, e.g. 105 Subdue by shocking 107 Fried Cajun veggie 108 Flat beer’s lack 110 Mountain __: sodas 112 King whose tomb was found in 1922 114 Bargain bin abbr. 115 “Take This Job and Shove It” songwriter David Allan __ 116 College résumé fig. TheBestOfTimesNews.com

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 51)

Senior Care at Brentwood Hospital Levels of Care • Inpatient

Basketball Beer Clover Emerald Flowers Green Holiday The Best Of Times

Ides Ireland Irish Lamb Lent Lion Luck

March Madness Pisces Pot of Gold Saint Patrick Shamrocks Spring Windy

• Partial Hospitalization (Day Treatment) • Outpatient

Call us, we can help!

Brentwood Senior Care Unit (318) 678-7500

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 March 2010

Flowers Flowers Forever, LLC (318) 925-2323 Ambulance Services Balentine Ambulance Service (318) 222-5358 Artificial Limbs and Braces Snell’s Orthotics and Prosthetics (318) 424-4167

Home Assistance Services (318) 682-8182 Interim HealthStyles (318) 741-3776 Northwest LA INCS, LLC (318) 636-0390

Hearing Care Services Better Hearing Systems (318) 747-9191 Shreve Hearing Aid Service (318) 797-7733

Insurance

ResCare Home Care (318) 678-1890

Aging & Disability Resource Center (318) 632-5900 1-800-793-1198

Seniors Club Personal Care Services (318) 635-0010

Stanley Steamer Carpet Cleaner (318) 631-6655

Cemeteries/Funeral Homes

Home Health Care (Medicare Certified)

Centuries Memorial (318) 686-4334

Ark-La-Tex Home Health, Inc (318) 747-6180

Caddo Council on Aging (318) 632-2090 Shreveport Little Theatre (318) 424-4439 Shreveport Opera (318) 227-9503 Shreveport Symphony (318) 222-7496 The Robinson Film Center (318) 424-9090 The Best of Times (318) 636-5510 Webster Council on Aging (318) 371-3056 Care Providers Comfort Keepers (318) 934-0090 Elite Health Solutions (318) 213-5483 Entrum Care, Inc. (318) 949-1828 (866) 949-1828

March 2010

Hill Crest Memorial (318) 949-9415 Counseling Services The Center for Families (318) 222-0759 Educational Courses Bible Correspondence Course (318) 797-6333 Emergency Response Systems Acadian OnCall 1-800-259-1234 Financial & Estate Planning/Legal Services Serio Investments Phillip Serio (318) 221-0889 The Law Practice of Joseph Gilsoul (318) 222-2100

Willis Knighton Medical Center – South Shreveport (318) 212-5000 Wilis Knighton Medical Center – Pierremont (318) 212-3000

Associations and Organizations

Bossier Council on Aging (318) 741-8302

Willis Knighton Medical Center – Bossier (318) 212-7000

Home and Business Products and Services Gutter Helmet of North Louisiana (800) 284-9777

BluePrint Louisiana (866) 483-3920

Family Care Services (318) 671-1799

Willis Knighton Medical Center – North Shreveport (318) 212-4000

Medistar Home Health (318)742-4026 Synergy Home Care (318) 550-0285 Hospice Care Providers Circle of Life Hospice (318) 869-4012 Hospice Compassus (318) 524-1046 LifePath Hospice (318) 222-5711

Humana (866) 836-7908 Medical Supplies and Equipment FastServ Medical (318) 741-9586 Home Health Medical Supply (318) 631-1466 Medtronics – XSTOP Spacer (866) 580-5242 Physician Services Dr. Gary Booker (318) 227-9600 Dr. Jeff Overdyke (318) 212-5850 Mid South Orthopaedics (318) 424-3400

St. Joseph Hospice (318) 222-8723

Pierremont Eye Institute Dr. Chris Shelby (318) 212-3937

Willis Knighton Hospice of Louisiana (318) 212-4697

Vision – Source Dr. Larry Chism (888) 243-2020

Home Infusion Services

Radio Stations

IV Plus (318) 683-5139

KWKH AM 1130 Radio Station (318) 688-1130

Hospitals Brentwood Hospital (318) 678-7500

Real Estate Agents Century 21 Judy Holland (318) 349-6983 Restaurants Cupcake Gallery and Coffee Shop (318) 752-2253 Imperial Wok Chinese Restaurant (318) 687-6668 Senior Living Options Azalea Estates Assisted Living (318) 797-2408 Horizon Bay Assisted Living (318) 747-2114 Kingsley Place of Shreveport (318) 524-2100 Leslie Lakes Retirement Center (318) 263-9581 NurseCare of Shreveport (318) 221-1983 Princeton Place Rehabilitation Center (318) 255-4400 Southwood Gardens (318) 682-4022 Southwood Square (318) 671-1888 The Waterford at Shreveport (318) 524-3300 Spas/Skin Care Jeany Mitchell’s Skin Technology (318) 347-3567 Travel Services Cruises, Inc (318) 746-3745 Telephone Book User-Friendly Phone Book (318) 865-1280 TheBestOfTimesNews.com

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

The Best Of Times

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

March 2010

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Resource You Can Trustâ&#x20AC;? 6425 Youree Drive, Suite 585 Shreveport, LA 71105 318-213-5483

www.elitehealthsolution.com

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The Best of Times & Caddo/Bossier RSVP Salute Volunteer of the Month Linda Smallwood by Linda Mullcan You can come by the Caddo/Bossier RSVPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office on Greenwood Road any day and you will see the smiling face of Linda Smallwood. She is always willing to help with any project, big or small that comes along. She has been an RSVP volunteer since 2001 and has earned the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Volunteer Service Lifetime Award in 2008. This award is given to volunteers that have volunteered at least 4,000 hours. Since 2008 she has volunteered over 1,000 hours at over 45 of RSVPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more than 70 stations such as LA State Exhibit Museum and Shreveportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Municipal Auditorium. She has served for 6 years on the Caddo/Bossier RSVP Advisory Council where she has generously given not only her time but has been instrumental in getting donations for the annual Caddo/ Bossier Recognition Party. She is a great advocate of the Caddo/Bossier RSVP program and will tell anyone that becoming a volunteer has saved her life in the fact that after retiring she found herself staying home in her apartment in Greenwood, Louisiana and being not only bored but becoming depressed. When she heard there was a nutrition site for seniors in Greenwood she started going and became an RSVP volunteer helping in the site. She decided she wanted to branch out and do more volunteer work and came to the Caddo/Bossier RSVP office and has been there ever since. She loves volunteering and helping others and will volunteer anywhere asked.

If you are interested in volunteering please call or e-mail the Caddo/Bossier RSVP office at (318) 632-2113 or e-mail lmulliccoa@ yahoo.com.

March 2010

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March 2010

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March 2010

Is your Medicare health plan right for you? If not, there is still time to switch to Humana. But mark your calendar! You only have until March 31 to change your plan for 2010.* Humana offers a variety of Medicare Advantage health plans. Our licensed sales representatives are happy to meet with you and help you find a plan that best fits your needs and budget. Join us to find out why Humana is right for you. Shreveport Clarion Hotel 1419 E. 70th St. March 8 & 22 at 10 a.m.

Minden Cissieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Exacta Inn 1404 Sibley Rd. March 8 & 22 at 1 p.m.

Shreveport Piccadilly Cafeteria 1133 St. Vincent Ave. March 12 at 11 a.m.

Shreveport Johnnyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catfish & Seafood 5130 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop March 11 & 25 at 2 p.m.

Shreveport Shreve Memorial Library 2111 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop March 22 at 11 a.m.

For more information, reservations or for accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings call:

1-800-301-8715 (TTY: 1-877-833-4486) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week

HMO, PPO and PFFS plans with a Medicare contract. A sales person will be present with information and applications. *Some exceptions may apply. This is an advertisement. M0006_GHA07BDHH

02/10