Thrive March 2017 Issue

MARCH 2017

ECONOMIC UPDATE Regional Growth Continues and Helps Small Businesses Thrive

Also inside:

ELECTION PREVIEW REAL ESTATE GUIDE March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

1

Rehabilitation Hospital

of Jennings

DIAgNOSeS THAT we TReAT

• Brain Injury

• Hip Fractures

• Strokes

• Osteoarthritis/DJD

• Amputations

• Neurological Disorders

• Burns

• Spinal Cord Injury

• Major Multiple Trauma

• Congenital Deformities

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Systemic Vasculidities

• Joint Replacements

Others who can benefit from inpatient rehabilitation are postoperative patients, accident victims and cancer patients.

24 Hour Nursing Care • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy • Nutritional Counseling and Monitoring Case Management Call for a free assessment today.

One Hospital Drive, Ste. 101 • Jennings, LA 70546 • Phone: (337) 821-5353 • Fax: (337) 821-5355 or 5366 jenningsrehab@yahoo.com • www.jenningsrehab.com 2 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

W I N E

D I V E

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

3

Contents

65

10 In This Issue

Regular Features

Wining & Dining

16 Who’s News 36 The New Family Tree 63 Business Buzz 68 Happenings 69 Solutions for Life 70 McNeese Corral

6 Bodega Wine Dive 8 MSU’S CAMPP Store 10 Under Pressure - The Resurgence of Pressure Cookers Places & Faces

42

12

Strike Up the Band with MusicMakers2U 14 Live at the Lakefront Lineup Announced

Mind & Body

18

Bonding Skin-to-Skin 20 Fitness at Your Fingertips

Home & Family 24 – 35 Special Section: REAL ESTATE GUIDE

Coming In April:

40 Living Large - the Trend of Tiny Houses Money & Career

42 – 59

We looked over the river and through the woods for deserving 30-Somethings!

COVER STORY & SPECIAL SECTION: Be the Best YOU

THESE MAGNIFICENT CAMPERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AND WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED IN OUR NEXT ISSUE!

ECONOMIC UPDATE

60 Election Preview

Don’t miss it!

Style & Beauty 64 4 Looks Fashion Forward Men are Trying this Spring 65 5 Tips for Going Platinum 66 Upscale Resale in SWLA

DON’T JUST LIVE, THRIVE!

Thrive is designed for people focused on living a happy, healthy life, one that is balanced, full of energy and contentment. Thrive readers want to make the most of every day and be successful in all areas of their lives – family, health, home and career.

4 www.thriveswla.com

Editors and Publishers

Kristy Como Armand Christine Fisher

Advertising Sales ads@thriveswla.com 337.310.2099

Creative Director

Barbara VanGossen

Submissions edit@thriveswla.com

Managing Editor

Angie Kay Dilmore

Business Manager

Katie McDaniel Stevenson

Assistant Designers

Shonda Manuel Kris Roy Mandy Gilmore

Submitted articles and photos are welcome. Thrive assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials and does not guarantee any submissions.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

CAN YOU SAY SESQUICENTENNIAL? Watch next month for Thrive’s special stand-alone commemorative Lake Charles’ 150th Anniversary issue!

Together with the City of Lake Charles and the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau, we’ll share stories of our region from times gone by and highlight events to help you fully experience this historical celebration. You won’t want to miss it!

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

5

Wining & Dining

Wine Dive

by Lauren Atterbery Cesar

“We are all mortal until the first kiss and the second glass of wine.” These words from Eduardo Galeano seem to reverberate like a fine mist creating a tangible atmosphere within the newest Lake Charles harbor for wine lovers. From the moment you step through the door of Bodega Wine Dive, the black-and-white-tiled walls and the Charlie Chaplin dance numbers floating across the television screen make you feel as if you have entered some magical world where Zelda Fitzgerald or Alice in Wonderland might suddenly appear and share a glass of Dom Perignon (which is sold by the glass) with you.

The inspiration, co-owner Lance Thomas says, stems from wine bars in Houston, Austin, and Dallas, with a bit of New Orleans French Garden

6 www.thriveswla.com

thrown in for good measure. They currently house 95 wines, but expect to offer near 200 by April; however it isn’t just their selection that makes this whimsical jewel of Lake Charles absolutely matchless.

David Foley, co-owner and certified sommelier, can take your palette on an unforgettable journey with his expertise. The staff at Bodega is undergoing sommelier training as well, so every staff member has a broad knowledge of wine, which makes Bodega Wine Dive the ideal spot for wine connoisseurs and novices alike.

With co-owner Robert Hardesty’s extensive management experience, you can expect to feel like the only customer in the room, whether you are seated alone at the bar enjoying selections

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

from the large charcuterie or cheese tray prepared by their in-house cheese monger, or in the special events room that can entertain up to 50 guests.

Lance, David, and Robert say Bodega Wine Dive lies somewhere between a fancy bar and a lowkey restaurant where you should feel comfortable in a three-piece suit, or jeans and a t-shirt. “We love the idea of serving a couple a fancy bottle of champagne followed by a 16-ounce wine in a can,” Lance says. “From our electro-swing curated music playlist, the on-staff sommelier, the wild and wacky wine pairings and tasting events, and the individual wine locker rental system, we are truly a unique social experience!” Become immortal, just for one night, with the perfect glass of wine to compliment your proclivities at Bodega Wine Dive.

March 2017

Fusion Cuisine

Lake Charles

Makes its Mark in

by Angie Kay Dilmore

Fusion cuisine is a style of cooking that combines elements of different culinary traditions into one innovative, creative, often daring dish. The variations of fusion food are basically limited only by a chef’s imagination. California cuisine is considered a fusion culture, taking inspiration particularly from Italy, France, Mexico, along with the culinary ideas of the European delicatessen, eastern Asia, and creating traditional dishes from these cultures with non-traditional ingredients - such as California pizza. Tex-Mex, possibly one of the first recognized fusion foods, combines Southwestern United States and Mexican cuisines. Asian fusion combines foods and flavors from various Asian countries.

The concept of fusion food is hardly a novel idea. It has existed for centuries. A classic example of very early fusion is Italian spaghetti, which would have never existed without Italy’s exposure to the Chinese noodle. In the United

Kingdom, fish and chips is considered an early fusion dish due to the marrying of ingredients stemming from Jewish, French, and Belgian cuisines. Taco Pizza has been a thing since the early 1970s. Modern fusion cuisine is often traced back to the 1980s, when chefs like Roy Yamaguchi and Wolfgang Puck began to intentionally combine flavors from different cultures.

America has always been a veritable melting pot. Countries with high degrees of ethnic diversity naturally tend to favor fusion cuisine.

Southwest Louisiana chefs are following the trend and offering their own creative menu mash-ups. Blue Dog Café serves a crawfish enchilada with maque choux and dirty dog rice. Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp features a boudin quesadilla. When Brett Stutes, along with his wife Amanda and brother Derek, recently opened Sloppy’s Downtown, after growing a dedicated following with their Sloppy Taco brand, they took

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

fusion cuisine in the Lake Area to a whole new level.

Stutes believes most all food is fusion food, in some way. For example, Cajun Creole combines elements of Spanish, African, South American, and Puerto Rican. When planning the menu for Sloppy’s Downtown, Stutes didn’t set out to be labeled a fusion restaurant. He says, “That’s just how I cook. And everyone wants something different.”

That culinary mindset was evident from the beginning, when the trio opened their Sloppy Taco food truck in 2015. “We took Asian and Japanese styles and flavors and put it on a tortilla,” says Stutes.

Sloppy’s Downtown provides an outlet for Stutes to take the fusion concept even further.

He appreciates the freedom this style of cooking allows. “We can do whatever we want. We’re not bound to any one type of food. Our Ramen has a whole bunch of flavors going on -- Japanese, Puerto Rican, Tex-Mex, and Creole all blended together.”

Stutes says the fact that fusion food is currently fashionable is a bonus for his business.

“It’s trendy right now. It sounds cool. When people come into Sloppy’s Downtown, they expect something different and hip – something they can’t get anywhere else.”

www.thriveswla.com

7

Wining & Dining

McNeese State University’s CAMPP Store Offers Local Consumers High Quality Meat Products story and photos by Angie Kay Dilmore

If you’ve driven along Highway 14 in Lake Charles, just north of E. McNeese St., you likely have seen a herd of cows idly grazing in a large pasture along the side of the road. What may surprise you is that the farm is owned by McNeese State University and the cows, as well as pigs and lambs, are all part of the education for the over 400 students in McNeese’s School of Agricultural Sciences program. This farm is the first step in the program’s Center for Advancement of Meat Production and Processing (CAMPP). From the McNeese Farm, the animals spend some time “beefing up” at Fuller Farm in Kinder, and from there they go to CAMPP’s meat processing and packaging facility in Lacassine for “harvesting.”

According to Dr. Chip LeMieux, the Lacassine facility is the only federally inspected red meat harvest facility in the state and offers several services to the community such as special orders, meat processing for private farmers, and community education through workshops, school field trips, and clinics for consumers and producers throughout the year. They are also available for tours for interested parties.

8 www.thriveswla.com

The greatest community perk of the CAMPP program is the meat market located in Room 121 of McNeese’s Gayle Hall on Ryan St. When the CAMPP Store first opened in 2012, it catered primarily to McNeese faculty. A couple years later, they opened it up to the public. They sell what they process and package at the Lacassine facility – beef, pork, and lamb. Typical cuts of meat available in the store include steaks, roasts, tenderloins, bacon, ground meats, and cubed meats for stews. Spencer Albert, a senior Ag Sciences major and CAMPP Store manager, especially recommends the steaks and ground meats, which are very lean.

Two things make CAMPP store products preferable to store bought meats, according to Albert. One, it is all locally grown and therefore extraordinarily fresh. The meats are fresh frozen and vacuum sealed to preserve taste and quality. Prices are competitive with local grocery stores. And two, there’s a sense of student pride associated with the products. Albert says once a customer tries CAMPP meats, they rarely go back to commercial meat products. “The quality of our meats is superb, bar none.”

Some area restaurant chefs have discovered CAMPP and their dining customers reap the benefits. Chef Lyle Broussard at L’Auberge’s Jack Daniel’s Bar and Grill recently got the tip from one of his local distributors. Broussard now often uses these products for his daily specials, such as Smoked Beef Ribs braised in Crying Eagle beer, Surf and Turf with New York Strip, Jack Daniel’s BBQ-Glazed Filet, and of course, Chef Lyle’s specialty, Smoked Brisket. Broussard says CAMPP meats have a “clean” taste. There are no hormones used in the process. The animals are grass fed initially, and fed grain without additives prior to harvest. Knowing the state of the art Lacassine facility is local gives Broussard confidence in their products. “You know where these cows come from. And if there are any concerns, you can go

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

directly to the source. It’s a 10-mile drive down the road. As Lake Charles grows, we should be proud to have a facility like this so close to home.”

The CAMPP program is operated by students, with guidance and supervision from McNeese faculty. “They strive to put out the best product possible,” says LeMieux. “The fact that we can put out such a good product on the market for the community is something we are really proud of.”

For more information call the CAMPP Store at 337-475-5690. To place a special order, call the Lacassine processing facility at 1-337-588-5008.

March 2017

Avoid the Splatter:

The Scientific Way to Get Ketchup Out of the Bottle We’ve all been there: You’re anticipating that first taste of the perfect burger or fry, but before you take that first bite, you go to put on the finishing touch -- ketchup. Then, you forget to shake the bottle, and watery goo drips onto your burger. Or, you shake the ketchup so vigorously that half the bottle splatters onto your sandwich. Ever worse, you shake and shake, and nothing comes out.

Luckily, Dr. Anthony Strickland, a senior lecturer at the University of Melbourne in Australia, took the frustrating phenomenon into his own hands—and into the science lab. Strickland, whose research primarily focuses on the flow and deformation of particulate suspensions, determined that ketchup (and other concentrated suspensions, such as mayonnaise and melted chocolate), does not obey Sir Isaac Newton’s Law of Viscosity. The Law states that a fluid flows at a speed proportional to the force it is applied. But in the case of ketchup, the viscosity (which can be thought of as the thickness of the ketchup) decreases the faster it flows. “Suspension rheology explains all the phenomena seen in tomato sauce bottles and provides the answers to the

perennial sauce question, which can be tackled in three main steps,” Dr. Strickland said in a statement.

The first step? Shake! With the lid on, shake vigorously enough so that the solid particles that may have settled at the bottom of the jar are reincorporated into the rest of the sauce. Next, with the lid screwed on tight, turn the bottle upside down and thrust downwards at high speeds. This should help move the ketchup into the neck of the bottle, which is particularly important if your bottle’s nearly empty.

Lastly, turn the bottle upright and remove the lid. It’s time to pour.

“You need to find the ‘sweet spot’ of force needed to move it towards your burger,” Strickland said. “Start by pointing the open end of the bottle toward your food at an angle of around 45 degrees with one hand around the bottle neck, and the other delivering gentle but firm taps on the bottom of the bottle.

Increase the force of the taps until you balance the force applied with the mechanical strength of the sauce in order to get it to flow.”

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

source: Real Simple

www.thriveswla.com

9

Wining & Dining

The Resurgence of Pressure Cookers

by Keaghan P. Wier

If you pay attention to current cooking trends or have glanced at Pinterest lately, you’ve probably seen them -- pressure cookers. These versatile cooking machines have made a huge comeback in recent years after falling out of favor for a few decades. What’s the attraction to something that had been considered just another vintage kitchen folly?

Pressure cookers first gained popularity after World War II as part of the efforts to create laborsaving devices for housewives. Pitched as convenient time-savers, pressure cookers were an appealing alternative to slaving over the stove for hours. But after a quick spike, a few realities brought them down: first, vintage pressure cookers had a tendency to explode. If not sealed or depressurized in a very precise manner, the buildup of steam could send the lid sky-high, and with it, the contents of the pot. Many people have memories of kitchens coated in spaghetti sauce or soup from such mishaps. Second, the invention of the microwave presented an even more efficient device that paired well with the advent of the frozen TV dinner.

Modern technology has made pressure cookers—both stovetop and electric—far safer.

They are now equipped with safety measures that prevent pressurization unless properly sealed and locks that prevent the machine from being opened until depressurized.

So why the resurgence in popularity? Like their predecessors, today’s pressure cookers are favored for their time-saving aspects. In comparison with similar devices, such as the slow cooker, pressure cookers require much less planning ahead. While most slow cookers require 5-8 hours of cooking time, pressure cookers can cook the same meal in 30 minutes or less. In addition, the number of people following a Paleo

10 www.thriveswla.com

or whole-foods diet has affected the popularity of pressure cookers, because they are great for cooking bone broths, whole grains, and legumes.

There was speculation that pressure-cooking might reduce the nutritional value of food, because it cooks at a slightly higher temperature.

In fact, the opposite is true—since the food cooks for a shorter time, nutrients are preserved that otherwise might cook out. At the same time, pressure-cooking lowers the levels of chemicals that make beans and grains hard to digest—it’s a win/win!

Pressure cookers are versatile, but it is important to know some basics about foods that cook well in them and those that don’t.

Pressure Cooker Dos:

• Tougher cuts of meat • Whole grains

A few other tips:

• Always add dairy ingredients right before serving, as they will curdle under the pressure if added earlier. The same goes for any fresh herbs—add them last to prevent loss of flavor.

• Pay attention to cooking instructions regarding the size of chopped ingredients to ensure even cooking.

• Read your pressure cooker’s instruction manual before use—wouldn’t want that chili to end up on the ceiling!

The internet is full of easy, quick, and nutritious meals and sides you can make in a pressure cooker. If you don’t already own one, do some research and consider adding this versatile tool to your kitchen today!

• Legumes • Soups and chili • Broths and stocks • Risotto (surprisingly!)

Pressure Cooker Don’ts:

• Foods that require precise temperature control

• More expensive cuts of meat where you may want the texture preserved

• Fish • If you want to cook vegetables in a pressure cooker, be aware they require a lot of supervision. They can go from done to mushy very quickly.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

User Reviews One of the most popular pressure cookers on the market today is the Instant Pot. Read these comments

by Thrive staffers who swear by this versatile appliance.

Katie McDaniel Stevenson It’s easy to use and it truly does it all!

I love that you can switch between functions. You can sear meat in the sauté function and then pressure cook or slow cook an entire meal. Changing up the functions allows you to create complex dishes in one pot. The best part; cleaning is a breeze!

Kris Roy I love that I can throw large packs of chicken, add some chicken broth, and any kind of vegetables . . . and just let that cook for around 30 minutes. Then I’ve got lunch/dinner for the next 3 to 4 days. I like the browning feature. I can brown my meat before it starts cooking with all the other ingredients. I can add a pound of ground beef, brown it up, and then add all my chili ingredients and let it sit for a while.

Liz Katchur It saves me so much time by cooking so much faster. I can also set it and go and don’t have to watch over it. From freezer to done in no time. The pressure cooker cooks fast, but food is still moist. Steam works great for veggies too. And my favorite thing is to boil eggs in it!! They are so easy to peel!

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

11

Places & Faces

STRIKE UP THE BAND!

MusicMakers2U Makes a Positive Difference in Students’ Lives

12 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

“Never look at the trombones; you’ll only encourage them,” joked Richard Strauss in the early 20th century. Trombones – those bold sliding pieces of brass that create a joyful sound, sending us to grab a handkerchief and dance down a New Orleans street in a second line celebration – that’s what Connor, a student at S.J. Welsh Middle School, knew he wanted. Always musically inclined, Connor connected with the trombone when he was given the opportunity to try several instruments at school. MusicMakers2U (MM2U) heard that he was interested and presented him with a refurbished trombone. He excelled and was chosen to participate in both Honor Band and Honor Jazz Band for the past two years.He also received Superior ratings twice in solos and ensembles competition, and is part of the award-winning middle school band at S.J. Welsh, which has received all Superiors at District Festival the past two years under the direction of Ms. Eva Brown and Mr. Reggie Rogers. MusicMakers has replaced his refurbished trombone with a brand new Yamaha.

According to Connor, “MusicMakers has meant a lot to me.

Getting the trombone led to other opportunities like learning how to play new instruments. I’m thankful for that.” His parents, Jennifer and Mark, state that “the MusicMakers experience has been rewarding. It has changed Connor’s life forever!”

MusicMakers2U, Inc. is an organization devoted to providing area middle, high school, and McNeese State Music Majors with access to musical instruments.

The 501-(c)-3 non-profit group collects used musical instruments, has them refurbished and cleaned, and with the help of school band directors and music teachers, pairs them with deserving students to help them realize their dreams. Since its inception in September 2013, the group has paired nearly 300 instruments with young musicians and schools in Southwest Louisiana.

For more information, please visit the MusicMakers2U Facebook page or www.musicmakers2u.org or call 337-244-9314. Don’t have a musical instrument? Monetary donations to cover the cost of refurbishing and cleaning the instruments are always appreciated. Tax deductible monetary donations may be mailed to MusicMakers2U, P.O. Box 7964, Lake Charles, LA 70606.

Help us keep the music playing in Southwest Louisiana by “dusting off and donating” your musical instrument.

CSE Federal Credit Union is asking you to PLAY it forward by donating those musical instruments that are collecting dust in closets! Give them new life in the hands of a deserving student. CSE Credit Union works with MM2U to serve as year-round instrument drop-off locations in Lake Charles, Sulphur and Moss Bluff. CSE is encouraging donations now and kicking off the drive from March 17 – 31. The sooner MM2U can receive the donated instruments, the more time they will have to get them cleaned and repaired prior to the beginning of the next school year. Instruments in any condition are accepted. Donors will be asked to complete a donation form when dropping off the instrument.

Additionally, when an instrument is given out by MM2U, the student and parents sign a contract agreeing to care for the instrument and if the instrument is no longer needed, to return it to the group for re-pairing to another student. CSE locations and hours can be found at csefcu.org or by calling 337.477.2000.

Family Owned, Customer Focused, Results Driven J&J Exterminating is Louisiana’s largest independently owned pest control service. Throughout the years of growth, the owners have remained true to the principles the company was founded upon: • Provide excellent customer service • Use the best products in the industry • Give back to the community

Our Services J&J Exterminating provides complete pest control service for homes and businesses.

• • • •

24-Hour Response Time Total Pest Control Services, Guaranteed Native and Formosan Termite Elimination Mosquito Treatment

• Wood Destroying Insect Reports • Free Termite Inspections • Free Estimates Satisfaction Guaranteed.

Locations: Alexandria • Baton Rouge • Crowley • DeRidder • Hammond • Lafayette • Lake Charles Mandeville • Monroe • Natchitoches • New Orleans • Shreveport

Tim Broussard

Robert John, Jr.

Robert John, Sr.

Robert Lewis John

LAKE CHARLES • 474-7377 | DERIDDER • 463-4574 | jjext.com 1717 W. PRIEN LAKE RD.

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

514 N. PINE ST.

www.thriveswla.com

13

Places & Faces

2017 Lineup Announced The electric lineup of live music performances for Live @ the Lakefront 2017 has been announced by the event’s presenting sponsors – the Arts Council of SWLA, the City of Lake Charles, and Deep South Productions. The annual live music series will celebrate its sixth season on three consecutive Fridays, March 17th, 24th, and 31st, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Lakefront Promenade’s Arcade Amphitheatre.

Live @ the Lakefront will also include an extensive local art market each Friday as well as delicious menu options from area food trucks.

The public is encouraged to bring chairs and a blanket to put down on the amphitheater’s communal green space. The Arts Council will benefit from all beverage sales. No outside ice chests are allowed.

Live @ the Lakefront is presented by the Arts Council of SWLA, the City of Lake Charles, Deep South Productions, and is sponsored by Fusion Five and Shiner Beer. Additional support is given by a grant from the JazzFest Foundation and from Southwest Beverage, Beverage Sales, Hampton Inn at Holly Hill, Digikast, McDonald’s of SWLA, Auto Alignment, Signs Now, KMI Printing, Delta Downs Assurance Financial, CocaCola, Parker Brand Creative, Redfish Rentals, Iberia Bank, First Federal Bank, JD Bank, Nissan of Lake Charles, KPLC, Lamar, and Edward Jones.

BOWL LIKE A STAR Big Brother Big Sisters-SWLA

BOWL FOR KIDS’ SAKE

Beer • Soft Drinks • Food • Bowling Saturday, March 25 • 9:30am - 4:30am Petro Bowl 14 www.thriveswla.com

March 17th. - Tank and the Bangas Hailing from New Orleans, funk band Tank and the Bangas brings an eclectic mix of genres such as rock, gospel, soul, and spoken word, drawing the audience in with their creative and distinctive sound. Tank and the Bangas won “Band of the Year” at the New Orleans Big Easy Awards and recently appeared on The Tonight Show with Norah Jones.

Opening for Tank and the Bangas is singer/ songwriter Brittany Pfantz and her band, plus melodic folk duo Elms District.

March 24th - The Lost Bayou Ramblers This progressive Cajun Band received a Grammy nomination in 2007 for the new category “Best Zydeco or Cajun Music.” The Lost Bayou Ramblers perform an electric mix of modern sounds and French rhythms with ancient Cajun melodies and lyrics, singing in Cajun French. This evening is supported

by Justin Martindale & the Backstabbers and the Chris Shearman Experience, and is sponsored

by SWLA’s premier young professionals’ organization, Fusion Five.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana invites all of Southwest Louisiana to Bowl for Kids’ Sake. The fundraiser has been the agency’s largest annual fundraiser for over 20 years.Participants are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite celebrity. After meeting their goal of $100,000 last year, BBBSSWLA has set an ambitious goal of $110,000 for 2017. “We are confident that the residents of Southwest Louisiana will help us rise to the challenge. We have seen that our community is full of the generosity and charitable nature that makes our area so special,” says Heather Hohensee, Executive Director.

Prizes awarded to the top 10 donators are donated by Golden Nugget.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Before their evening performance at Live @ the Lakefront, the Lost Bayou Ramblers will visit local French Immersion school, Gillis Elementary, to implement the educational element of our Louisiana Heritage by teaching a French Immersion lesson called “Language and Lyrics.”

March 31st - The Flamethrowers Made up of a group of 20-somethings from Louisiana, The Flamethrowers have sold out venues across the Gulf Coast since 2005. The popular party rock band performs high energy cover songs from across the decades, and they

have opened up for such acts as Candlebox and Sister Hazel. The band’s popularity has been steadily growing over the years, and their signature stage presence makes them a favorite act in the Lake Area. Swamp funk band Iceman Special and synth-pop band Wolfman Wonders will get the evening going.

Shiner beers returns to sponsor the closing night of this wildly popular concert series and will be raffling off a custom Shinerbranded Epiphone Les Paul guitar and amp at the concert!

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at each concert and the drawing will be held on the closing night of the series.

For more information and to enroll your bowling fundraising team, visit www.bbbs-swla.kintera.org/bfks2017 or call Sally McPherson at 478-5437, extension 114.

To become a volunteer Big or for more information, call 337-478-5437or visit www.bbbs-swla.net.

March 2017

PREPARE LIKE A PRO

for the Ultimate Outdoor Concert Experience

by Sylvia Ney

1MONEY

The concert may be free, but food, beverages, and souvenirs are not, so bring along cash as many vendors are not set up for credit/debit cards.

2 WEATHER

Temperature fluctuations in Southwest Louisiana are notorious as is the change from dry and clear, to cool and wet. Watch the weather reports and consider bringing towels and umbrellas with you.

3 What to PACK • Earplugs - If you, a friend, or family member are sensitive to loud sounds, bring ear plugs or head sets to counter annoying amplification.

• Seating – Consider seating arrangements and bring folding chairs or blankets.

• Food - Save money by bringing your own snacks and drinks.

(Coolers are often not allowed.

Check the rules.)

• Sun Wear – If the show begins during daylight on a sunny day, bring sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.

Seeing great artists in concert can be a fun exciting excursion. If you know what to expect, and you’re prepared, you can enjoy the experience even more.

• Children – Children may get bored easily and need distractions. Bring along small toys or electronic devices.

• Potty breaks - Add baby wipes, packs of tissue, hand sanitizer, and some toilet paper, in case the restrooms or porta-potties run out.

• Lost in the Crowd - Consider bringing a unique flag or other marker to re-find your spot in the crowd after visiting the restroom or concessions.

4 What to WEAR

conditions expected. Even if the weather calls for a comfortable temperature, anytime a large number of people gather together, the mercury tends to rise.

• Shoes - Leave the heels and opentoed shoes at home since you may be doing a lot of walking, standing, or even dancing. Not to mention many people get their feet stepped on at outdoor experiences.

• Warmth - You might dress cool, but bring a sweater or lightweight jacket for after the sun goes down.

• Cool Comfort - Be sure to dress comfortably and for the weather

Fairview Elementary and Second Harvest Food Bank Partner to Feed the Hungry

Big Brothers Big Sisters of SWLA: BBBS-SWLA, a non-profit organization, has been helping children in the SWLA community for over 30 years. Big Brothers Big Sisters believes that all children should be able to achieve success in life. Its mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. The Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs help children to achieve proven positive outcomes including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships.

One of every five children in Calcasieu Parish struggles with hunger. To address this problem, Second Harvest Food Bank recently opened a School Pantry at Fairview Elementary School on Gerstner Memorial Boulevard.

(Second Harvest also opened a food pantry at Oak Park Elementary last year.)

This program addresses child hunger by bringing food resources into the school setting to ensure children and their families in need have access to healthy foods.

“While many students may receive free breakfast and lunch at school, it is important that they also have access to healthy foods in the evenings, on weekends and over holidays when school is out of session,” said Second Harvest Food Bank President and CEO, Natalie Jayroe. “For every hungry student, there’s likely a hungry sibling or siblings and hungry parents or caregivers. The School Pantry helps us reach the whole family.”

With support from First Federal Bank

and help from local partners Magnolia LNG and Cameron LNG among others, Second Harvest Food Bank stocks the School Pantry with nutritious foods throughout the school year. Teachers learn when and how to refer students to the pantry and communicate pantry services to students and their families. “With adequate nutrition at home, students come to school better prepared to learn, grow and thrive,” said Fairview Elementary School Assistant Principal, Marlana Collins.

More than 58 percent of students who attend Fairview Elementary participate in the Federal Free and Reduced School Lunch Program.

Second Harvest hopes to provide food to as many as 50 households in need of assistance through the food pantry.

Karl Bruchhaus, Superintendent of the Calcasieu Parish School Board, says the board is proud to be a part of such partnerships. “We see the needs of these students that extend way beyond their education. These opportunities to partner with organizations such as

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Second Harvest are opportunities we cherish.”

Over the last 12 months, Second Harvest Food Bank has distributed 1.7 million meals to those in need in Calcasieu Parish. “Through food access, we strengthen children and families,” said Second Harvest Development Manager, Mary-Kay Rath. “This is the foundation for healthy families and strong communities.”

Second Harvest Food Bank leads the fight against hunger and building food security in South Louisiana by providing food access, advocacy, education, and disaster response. They provide food to more than 500 partners and programs across 23 parishes, from the Mississippi border to the Texas state line, and make up the largest charitable anti-hunger network in the state. Their goal is to make food security a reality for every household in South Louisiana.

To learn more about Second Harvest Food Bank, the School Pantry program, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.no-hunger.org. www.thriveswla.com

15

Movers and Shakers in Southwest News? You tell us! Send press releases to Louisiana... Who’s edit@thriveswla.com with the subject line

Places & Faces

“Who’s News.”

JD Bank Promotes Leonards JD Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Carly Leonards to the newly created position of Sr. Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer. She had served as Executive Vice Carly Leonards President-Chief Operating Officer since 2012, successfully leading many significant projects and teams as JD Bank has continued to expand its services across Acadiana and Southwest Louisiana.

As Sr. Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer, Leonards will be responsible for operating, directing and administering JD Bank’s retail network, commercial deposit and loan products, assets and fee-based services. She will also develop strategies, policies and procedures.

ICCS Announces Students of the Year

Jack Spann

Asha Austin

Jack Spann and Asha Austin have been named the 2016-2017 Immaculate Conception Cathedral School Students of the Year. The students were selected for the honor based on grade point average, school organization participation, community service, a special essay writing assignment and interview with a panel of judges.

Jack Spann, an 8th Grade honor roll student, is a member of the ICCS Beta Club, Student Council, Catholic Athletes for Christ and ICCS Football, Basketball and Track & Field teams. He also serves as an ICCS Ambassador. Jack is the son of Julee and David Spann.

Asha Austin, a 5th Grade honor roll student, is involved in the ICCS Engineering Club, Honor Chorus and Safety Patrol. Asha is the daughter of Nicole and Robbie Austin.

For more information about Immaculate Conception Cathedral School, visit www.iccschool.org.

16 www.thriveswla.com

Bob King and Mark Lavergne Appointed to CVB’s Board of Directors

Bob King

Mark Lavergne

Bob King, representing the Southwest Louisiana Restaurant Association, and Mark Lavergne, on behalf of Southwest Louisiana Festivals, were appointed to serve on the board of directors for the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB).

King is the president of Pitt Grill and manager of King Properties in Southwest Louisiana. He is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a Bachelor of Science degree. He has a love for the community and a passion to serve those in Southwest Louisiana to bring out the best of who we are as a culture and destination.

Lavergne recently retired from Citgo Oil Company after 35 years where he worked as a maintenance painter and also as a safety director during the last three years. He is a past board member and president of the Buccaneers of Lake Charles, the Krewe des Lunatiques, a charter board member of the Krewe des Pirates, and he was honored as the Grand Marshall of the Krewe of Krewes Parade in 2011. He is heavily involved with Mardi Gras and also serves as an advisory board member of the Contraband Days Louisiana Pirate Festival. He is a member of the Calcasieu Boat Club, the Pelican Coast Parrotheads and the Krewe des Amis. In 2016, he was honored as a Partner in Tourism by the CVB. For more information on Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana, visit www.visitlakecharles.org.

David Darbone Appointed to Port Board Of Commissioners David Darbone of Sowela Technical Community College has been appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards to the Board of Commissioners David Darbone of the Lake Charles Harbor & Terminal District, which operates the Port Thrive Magazine for Better Living

of Lake Charles. Darbone previously served on the board from 2005 to 2010 and was President from 2007 to 2008.

Since 2008, Darbone has been the Executive Director of Facilities Planning and Management at Sowela where he manages the overall management of campus facilities as well as Sowela’s budget for capital improvements and maintenance.

Selection of Charla Blake as Executive Director of Project Build A Future Rev. Henry Mancuso, President of Project Build A Future [PBAF], has announced the selection of Ms. Charla Blake as Executive Director of the Charla Blake local not-for-profit agency.

Over the past 15 years, PBAF has constructed 100 quality, affordable homes. Currently six additional homes are under construction and 20 more are in the planning stages.

A native of Cameron, Ms. Blake has earned architectural degrees at USL, the University of Texas at Arlington, and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Missouri. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects, Louisiana Partnership for the Arts, and the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society.

For more information about PBAF, call 337-4397191, visit www.projectbuildafuture.org.

Dr. Phillip Conner Named Medical Director of Trina Health Lake Charles Trina Health of Lake Charles has appointed Phillip Conner, MD, as the Trina Health of Lake Charles Medical Director.

Dr. Conner has 15 years Dr. Phillip Conner of medical practice experience, and is board certified in both family medicine and sleep medicine.

Originally from Lake Charles, Dr. Conner received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, and earned his Medical Degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He completed a residency in family medicine at the Memorial/LSUHSC Family Medicine Residency Program in Lake Charles, and completed additional training in sleep medicine.

March 2017

Trina Health is located at 1714 Wolf Circle in Lake Charles. Call (337) 240-9511 for more information, or visit www.trinahealth.com.

Lake Charles Memorial 2017 Board of Trustees Lake Charles Memorial Health System announces the 2017 Board of Trustees. The board is a group of community leaders in finance, media, public policy and business Louis Todd Sr. who volunteer their time and talents to advocate and lead the health system.

Louis M. Todd, Sr., Chairman Thomas Shearman, Chairman-Elect/Vice Chairman & Secretary Denise Emerson Rau, Past Chairman Charles Whitson, Treasurer Larry M. Graham, President/Assistant Secretary Gerry Hebert, M.D., Medical Staff President Leroy Fredericks, M.D., Medical Staff Past President Mohammed Sarwar, M.D., Medical Staff President-Elect Judge Gene Thibodeaux Joe Miller, Jr. Richard Martinez, M.D. Alan LeBato, M.D. Mitchell Adrian Mark Abraham

Memorial Specialty Hospital Names CoMedical Directors

Dr. Peter Karam

Dr. A.F. Abu Shamat

Peter Karam, MD and A.F. Abu Shamat, MD will serve as co-medical directors for Memorial Specialty Hospital.

Dr. Karam is an internal medicine physician at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. Dr. Shamat is a nephrologist on staff at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital and Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. Both doctors are board certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine and have served our community for many years.

Eric Zartler Graduates from the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy The Louisiana Travel Promotion Association (LTPA) recently celebrated the graduation of Eric Zartler, sales director of the Lake Charles/ Eric Zartler Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau from the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy (LTLA) at the association’s 2017 Annual Membership Meeting in Natchitoches, La. The 22 members of the LTLA class spent all of 2016 developing their leadership skills while learning from seasoned professionals in the tourism industry. The goal of the program is to equip each class member with knowledge and skills that will enrich their tourism-related organizations, therefore strengthening the state-wide tourism industry.

Andrea Ferguson Named Vice President of Marketing Andrea Ferguson has been named Vice President of Marketing at Golden Nugget Lake Charles, according to Senior Vice President and General Manager, Gerry Andrea Ferguson Del Prete.

Andrea joined the Golden Nugget team in June 2015 as Director of Marketing and was promoted to Senior Director of Marketing in December of that year. She was awarded the Casino Marketer of the Year honor at the 2016 Landry’s GM Conference in recognition of her leadership and results.

In her new role, Andrea will continue to supervise brand marketing, Special Events and several other areas while increasing her oversight of marketing strategy, analysis and enterprise-wide initiatives.

at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital for 7 years with previous work experience in pharmaceutical sales.

Watkins Named West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Employee of the Month West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital recently named Diane Watkins as its Employee of the Month for January 2017. As a ward clerk in the Medical/ Diane Watkins Surgical Unit, Watkins provides assistance to patients, visitors, clinical staff and physicians each day and helps to prioritize daily work load to ensure a safe and efficient environment for all.

Watkins has been with the organization for over seven years.

City Councilman Mark Eckard Announces Candidacy for Reelection Mark Eckard has announced his candidacy for re-election for the Lake Charles City Council, District G seat.

Currently completing Mark Eckard his second term on the Council, Eckard, a Republican, was first elected in 2009, and served as City Council President from 2012-2013.

A financial advisor with Abate & Eckard Financial Advisors, Eckard graduated with honors from McNeese State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Follow Eckard’s campaign at facebook.com/ MarkEckardCityCouncil.

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Names Thompson Director West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital is pleased to announce that Brian Thompson, RN, has been promoted from the position of House Brian Thompson Supervisor to Patient Care Director. In his new role, Thompson will be responsible for directing daily operations of nursing departments and the staffing office.

Thompson, a resident of Sulphur, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from McNeese State University. He has been employed

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

17

Mind & Body

BONDING

Skin-to-Skin

by Christine Fisher

First impressions count. The first moments of meeting someone or experiencing something new sets the stage for everything else from that point.

Through skin-to-skin contact in the moments after delivery, newborns and new mothers can establish a bond that helps the baby cope and thrive in its life outside of the protective womb.

18 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

development, education of staff, patient education, and provision of discharge resources for breastfeeding mothers are key components of the program.

The Gift is an evidence-based designation program for Louisiana birthing facilities designed to increase breastfeeding rates and hospital success by improving the quality of maternity services and enhancing patient-centered care.

“Granted, there are situations where we cannot implement as much skinto-skin contact as we’d like,” explains Scott Bergstedt, MD, OB/GYN with OBG-1 of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. “If the stability of the mother or baby is in question, that is the top priority. Aside from that, we’ll do all we can to provide the opportunity for bonding and breastfeeding as soon after birth as possible.”

Providing the opportunity for skin-to-skin contact is one of the best ways for babies to adjust to life outside of the womb, and provides important shortterm and long-term benefits for both mother and baby. “We’re pleased to enhance this special time and know that it’s one of the best ways to encourage a healthy, loving start for these families,” says Dr. Bergstedt.

For more information about The Gift designation, visit www.thegiftla.org or www.wcch.com.

Meets Relief

Pain

Years ago, the moments after a birth were frantic. The baby was whisked away by a nurse to be weighed, bathed, measured, and prints were obtained of tiny fingers and toes. All of this happened while under a bright light and in a cold room, the opposite of the warm, dark and quiet atmosphere the baby was in only moments before. Once these tasks are completed, the baby was swaddled then given back to the mother. Contact was mostly limited to the hands or face of the baby.

After holding the baby for a while, it was taken to the nursery to be cared for by a staff of nurses while mom was taken to a room for rest and recuperation. The baby was brought to the mother’s room for visits, but essentially cared for by the nursing staff. It was thought this allowed both mother and baby to recover, but essentially, it suppressed the opportunity for bonding.

If the mother chose to breastfeed, it was attempted hours after birth, but the baby had either already been introduced to a bottle, or the natural instinct for breastfeeding that is so strong immediately after birth, was diminished.

Thankfully, things have changed. Science and human instinct have shown the first few hours after birth are precious and filled with opportunities for bonding between mother and baby.

“The time immediately after birth is special,” explains Christa O’Neal, RN, Maternal Child Educator with West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. “We have implemented techniques in our maternal child department to enhance and encourage bonding between mom, dad, and baby.”

One of these techniques is skin-to-skin contact as soon after delivery as possible. The baby is placed directly on the mother’s chest, skin touching.

Although it might seem insignificant, many physiological benefits occur thanks to this intuitive action, including stabilizing the newborn’s respiration and oxygen levels, beneficially increasing the baby’s glucose level, and warming the infant. In both the mother and baby, stress hormones are reduced, blood pressure is regulated, and bonding occurs.

The benefits of skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth is accepted and recommended by many leading health organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, World Health Organization, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

After a time of skin-to-skin contact allowing babies to peacefully adjust to life outside the womb, babies will naturally begin to initiate breastfeeding. “This is often a surprise to women who delivered years ago and tried to breastfeed hours later. When that first instinct wasn’t encouraged, breastfeeding could be challenging. By encouraging breastfeeding soon after birth, it complements the natural order of the birthing process,” explains O’Neal.

At WCCH, skin-to-skin contact begins immediately after birth. ID bands and footprints are taken with the infant on the mother’s chest, and weight is taken when the mother requests. “We take care of the other procedures later, once the baby has had time with the mother. Our goal is uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact for at least one hour or until the first breastfeeding is completed,” she says.

Special training was initiated and completed so that the team of caregivers in the Sallye J. Toniette, MD Women’s Center at WCCH follows the protocol of promoting bonding within the first hours after delivery.

“Every delivery is unique. We implement these techniques with all deliveries, for both natural and cesarean births. The benefits have been amazing. We’re seeing a strong bond between mothers and their babies, breastfeeding is much more successful, and both the mothers’ and baby’s health and vital signs improve overall. Sometimes we have to step back and let nature occur as intended,” O’Neal says. “We’re right there, available for any questions the mother or family may have. We encourage this initial bonding time because we know how valuable it is.”

The Louisiana Department of Health recently honored West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital with The Gift designation for these hospital practices that enhance the mother/baby experience and promote breastfeeding. Policy

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

If you’re tired of trying different pain creams, ointments and medications with no little success, find real relief for muscle and joint pain with Aculeve.

Developed locally by Dr. Craig Morton, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, Aculeve delivers cool, soothing, targeted pain relief and reduces swelling and inflammation.

Aculeve is made from proven, all-natural ingredients. Its high quality, proprietary blend is FDAregistered. Just apply to the skin and it will penetrate deeply to promote healing and recovery.

Order Aculeve online at www.aculeve.com. Also available at Center for Orthopaedics, 1747 Imperial Blvd, Lake Charles.

www.thriveswla.com

19

Mind & Body

by Lauren Atterbery Cesar

Fitness trackers have come a long way since those first pedometers that merely counted the steps you took while clipped to your waistband. Now many people use some sort of activity tracker, whether it be a Fitbit, Apple Watch, Garmin, or one of the countless fitnesstracking cell phone apps that exist. These apps are developed to help users achieve their fitness and health goals easier. With so many readily accessible apps available, it can be a challenge to determine which one is best for you. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular fitness apps available.

20 www.thriveswla.com

Charity Miles If fitness and philanthropy are important to you, Charity Miles may be the app for you. This free app tracks the number of miles you walk, run, or bike, and partners with big-name corporations who donate money on your behalf for each mile you complete to a charity of your choice. This app is completely legitimate and a great way to get in shape and feel good about it.

You will earn twenty-five cents per mile by walking or running, and ten cents for every mile you bike.

My Fitness Pal Tracking has never been easier than with My Fitness Pal. Its user-friendly interface keeps up with your exercise and calorie intake with over five-million foods in the database and a scanner feature to make tracking a snap. You can measure your intake against the calories you’ve burned in order to optimize your health benefits.

SWorkit If you need an app that helps you work out on the go without specific equipment, this app may fit your lifestyle perfectly. With this app, you’ll have access to workout routines that can be done from your home or office.

Videos accompany each exercise to ensure you’re doing the exercises correctly and safely. If you upgrade to the premium version, you can have ad-free access, unlimited exercises, and videos for people at all health and fitness levels, and the ability to message personal trainers with questions you might have.

Strava This is the ideal app for the serious athlete. If you’re training for a marathon, triathlon, or even an Ironman, this app tracks your data and puts you in competition against others who have traversed the same routes or completed the same distances based on GPS data. Although most phones are not waterproof, you can still log your swims manually, and see how you stack up against other athletes. If you’re good enough, your name might appear in the Leaderboard section, which means some serious bragging rights.

Pact It is said that money is a great motivator. This app is designed to make working out meaningful by impacting your wallet. It’s a gamble, but you are in control. You bet money on whether or not you will complete a workout at a pre-determined place. You’re allowed to log one workout per day by checking into the predetermined venue or syncing with your fitness tracker. If you complete the workout, you get paid. If not, you pay money into a communal pot that funds those who did complete their workout.

FIT Radio This music-streaming app allows you to listen to DJ-created music mixes that maintain a consistent beat. The free version lets you to choose one genre of music and a few mixes, but if you upgrade to the premium version you have access to over twenty-five genres and music stations, unlimited skips when the song just isn’t working for you, and the ability to save your favorite mixes for next time you’re pounding the pavement or doing sun salutations.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

by Angie Kay Dilmore

We’ve all heard the expression, “It is better to give than to receive.” Who doesn’t appreciate that warm fuzzy feeling when we give to those in need, be it our time, energy, or money? Generosity provides the giver a sense of purpose and increases one’s self-esteem. It improves relationships and promotes social connections. The act of giving not only helps others, but is in your best interest physically, as well! Recent studies show that generosity is good for our bodies as well as our minds.

Here’s a rundown of the physical health benefits of generosity.

DECREASES STRESS Studies show that generosity can decrease cortisol, a hormone that increases stress levels. Conversely, being stingy increases cortisol and thus stress levels.

DECREASES BLOOD PRESSURE A 2006 study in the International Journal of Psychophysiology found that participants who gave social support to people within their network had lower overall blood pressure and arterial pressure than those who didn’t. A 2013 study found older adults who volunteered at least four hours per week in the 12 months prior to the baseline blood pressure measurement were less likely to develop high blood pressure for four years.

WARDS OFF DEPRESSION Generosity and volunteerism boost self-esteem and protect people from social isolation, decreasing risk of depression.

IMPROVES SLEEP An online national survey of 4,500 American adults (the 2010 United Healthcare/Volunteer Match Do Good Live Well Study) found that people who volunteer have less trouble sleeping, less anxiety, less helplessness and hopelessness, better friendships and social networks, and a sense of control over chronic conditions.

MANAGES CHRONIC PAIN For persons who suffer from chronic pain and depression, volunteering (however you chose to do it) can be an important part of recovery. According to a study published in 2002 in Pain Management Nursing, nurses suffering from chronic pain experienced declines in their pain intensity and decreased levels of disability and depression when they served as peer volunteers for others also suffering from chronic pain.

MAINTAINS PHYSICAL FITNESS One study followed 128 people, age 60–86, who regularly volunteer their time. At 4-8 months of follow-up, physical activity, strength, and cognitive activity increased significantly, and walking speed decreased significantly less in participants compared to controls.

DECREASES RISK OF DEMENTIA A recent review of studies published in the November 2014 Psychological Bulletin found that, among seniors, volunteering is likely to reduce the risk of dementia. If generosity fosters social interaction, lowers blood pressure, and helps maintain physical fitness, it will naturally decrease the risk of dementia.

MAY INCREASE LIFE SPAN One study followed 423 elderly couples over five years and found that individuals who reported providing tangible forms of help to friends, relatives, and neighbors reduced their risk of dying by about one half, compared with individuals who reported providing no help to others.

While the majority of studies focus on generosity and the elderly, the benefits of giving are observed in younger people, too. A study of 10th-graders at a Vancouver high school found that students who spent an hour a week helping children in after-school programs over 10 weeks had lower levels of inflammation and cholesterol, plus a lower body-mass index.

Does generosity actually cause better health? Most research studying the health benefits of helping has been correlational. These studies cannot determine whether helping others actually causes improvements in physical health or just happens to be related to it.

DIABETES? Don't Suffer with Complications.

Prevent and reduce the effects of the disease with Artificial Pancreas Treatment at Trina Health.

Learn More from our Medical Staff at Free Public Information Nights:

March 9 and 30, 5:30 - 6:30 pm

WE’RE REDEFINING LIFE WITH DIABETES! Please call to register:

(337) of LAKE CHARLES

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

240-9511

1714 Wolf Circle, Lake Charles

www.thriveswla.com

21

Mind & Body

3D Mammography Screenings Now Available at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital is pleased to announce its recent installation of new technology to offer 3D mammography screenings. This new technology, Genius 3D Mammography from Hologic, Inc., utilizes advanced breast tomosynthesis technology and is now available at WCCH. A 3D mammogram screening with the Genius technology includes both 2D images and tomosynthesis scans. During the tomosynthesis-dimensions portion of the exam, an x-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over the breast, taking multiple images. A computer then converts the images into a stack of thin layers, allowing the radiologist to review the breast tissue one layer at a time. A 3D exam requires no additional compression and takes just a few seconds longer than a conventional 2D breast cancer screening exam. This system is the only clinically superior breast tomosynthesis system as approved by the FDA. “Annual mammogram screenings are extremely important for women over the age of 40. As a facility that is accredited by the American College of Radiology in mammography, we can perform routine mammogram screenings meeting high standards and superb image quality. 3D imaging gives our radiologists, surgeons and referring physicians access to the information they need to make an informed diagnosis,� said Jacob Richey, director of radiology at WCCH. To schedule a 3D mammogram, or to learn more, call (338) 527-4256 or visit www.wcch.com.

22 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

We’re

SEEING DOUBLE in Lake Charles!

The Eye Clinic is Expanding Vision Care with Two New Locations.

The Eye Clinic has been the largest provider of comprehensive family eye care in Southwest Louisiana for nearly 60 years. We are proud to announce the opening of two new offices in Lake Charles to meet the needs of our community’s growing population.

New Main Office

1767 Imperial Blvd., Lake Charles | (337) 478-3810 Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm Sat, 8am – noon Nelson Rd.

N

Country Club Rd. Imperial Blvd.

Just off Nelson Rd., our new office includes a spacious lobby for a comfortable wait and expanded capacity to SEE you. Our new office also features a dedicated Aesthetic Center with separate waiting area, and increased parking with a covered patient drop-off.

East Lake Charles Satellite Office

2800 1st Ave., Suite A, Lake Charles | (337) 310-0767 Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm 1st Avenue Oak Park Blvd.

N

Now open, this full-service satellite office provides convenient access to eye care on the east side of Lake Charles. Most of The Eye Clinic doctors will have regularly scheduled hours at this location, just as they do in the group’s other satellite offices in Sulphur, DeRidder, Moss Bluff and Jennings.

TheEyeClinic.net March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

23

Home & Family

Moving to a new home is major life event that stirs both excitement and anxiety. According to a U.S. Census calculation, the average American makes approximately 11 moves in a lifetime. Relocation of any kind, whether across town or across the country, ranks as the third most stressful life experience, behind death of a loved one and divorce. Packing, painting, paperwork . . . so many details to attend to! Our goal with this issue’s special Real Estate section is to help ease the transition to your new home with articles on mortgages and home financing, curb appeal and worthwhile updates, and a checklist for sellers.

24 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

Home Financing on the Front End

by Lauren Atterbery Cesar

If you’re in the market for a new home, you may feel lost when it comes to home financing. This is likely the biggest investment you will ever make, and big investments can cause big headaches if you don’t take the proper strides before starting the process. However, you can limit your frustrations by following these steps to determine your best home financing options.

FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD. You don’t want to bite off more than you can chew, especially when it comes to a mortgage. There are simple ways to determine what mortgage you could carry that fits your budget.

Using online tools like the Bank Rate Calculator or Mortgage Calculator can help you have a clearer picture of what price range of homes you can afford.

These online tools will ask you a series of questions about your current bills and payments, as well as your monthly income. After the questioning process, you will be given an amount that you can likely afford. Be sure to look at the monthly note that amount generates and adjust your budget accordingly to make sure you can carry the note.

CHECK YOUR CREDIT SCORE. Your credit score will play a big role in if you are approved for a loan and what your interest rate will be. If your score falls below a 680, a mortgage lender can deny your request for a conventional loan. If that happens, you can attempt to apply for an FHA loan, but you will still need to find a lender to approve the mortgage.

FIND THE BEST FIT. Not all loans are created equally. You will need to choose between a fixed or adjustable rate mortgage loan. A fixed rate will never change over the life of your mortgage, but an adjustable rate can change from year to year. A conventional loan is one that is not insured by the government in any way and offers more flexibility in how you pay it back, but requires a larger down payment. An FHA loan requires a smaller down payment, but you have less options in terms of paying it back. If you or a family member has served in the military, you may consider a VA loan, which requires no down payment at all.

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

GET PRE-APPROVED. Once you have an idea of what you can afford, what kind of loan you need, and whether or not you will be able to apply for a conventional loan, take information like three months’ worth of pay stubs, last year’s W-2’s, a list of your assets, and any loans you currently have to your local bank or mortgage lending company and apply for a mortgage loan. Once you do this, the lender will give you a pre-approval letter that will let you make an offer on your dream home with confidence.

If you do not yet meet the qualifications to get a mortgage loan, it can be easy to be discouraged. However, by diligently working to improve your credit score and making a budget plan in order to save for a down payment, you can make a way to make your mortgage loan dreams come true.

www.thriveswla.com

25

Home & Family | REAL ESTATE GUIDE

Every corner of the personal finance world seems to hammer home the same point: Debt is the wealth killer.

Debt is the single greatest threat to your retirement planning, college savings, and financial independence.

Except, as it turns out, there is one kind of debt that defies all of these rules: mortgages.

The money you owe on real property can, in fact, be a boon to your financial independence in many ways. Let’s talk about a few reasons why mortgages are different from other kinds of debt: Having a mortgage can improve your credit score. Mortgages are seen as “good debt” by creditors.

Because it’s secured by the value of your house, lenders see your ability to maintain mortgage payments as a sign of responsible credit use and as a sign of financial stability. Since 2009, credit scoring agencies have added points for consumers who are able to manage different kinds of debt. Having a mortgage that is comfortably within your budget and one that you pay on time each month makes you look like a better, more responsible user of credit.

encourage homeownership, and is, therefore, willing to offer you a tax break for the financing costs of your mortgage. This tax treatment makes mortgages potentially even less expensive. Consult a tax advisor regarding deductibility of interest.

It’s proof against volatility. If you’ve got a fixed-rate mortgage, you can make plans around the amount you pay each month. If inflation accelerates, your payment (principle and interest) stays the same. If interest rates skyrocket, you’re protected from that, too. If interest rates drop, you can usually refinance to save money. Whatever happens, your mortgage is locked in to protect you from uncertain economic times.

It is possibly the lowest type of interest rate loan you’ll ever get.

Mortgage loans are among the safest types of loans that lending institutions can issue. If there’s a problem during the life of the loan, the real property is a guarantee that the loaned money can be recovered.

As a result, mortgage rates generally track the “prime” rate – the interest rate the Federal Reserve charges institutions to borrow money from them.

It’s a safe emergency fund. While you want to keep some money in a savings account to protect you from minor emergencies, you can use the equity in your home to protect you from major events. If you can get more than a 4% return on your investment, you’ll make money by keeping a home equity line of credit as an emergency fund and pursuing returns with your savings.

If you’re interested in purchasing a new home or refinancing an existing one, CSE Federal Credit Union can help. Call today to speak to one of our representatives and see if you qualify for a home loan with a great low rate. Our knowledgeable service personnel can answer any questions you might have about how to get the most financial power out of your dream home. Call CSE at 337.477.2000 or visit csefcu.org and get details about our home loan options!

It gets preferential tax treatment.

The interest you pay on your mortgage is generally tax-deductible, which puts it in a class of debt by itself. The government wants to

This article has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax or financial advice.

26 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

Spring is here, and it’s time to begin planning for your beautiful yard.

We can help. We’ll create a plan, help you choose the plants from our huge retail yard, lay out your beds and guide you as you create the yard of your dreams.

We plan. You plant.

Landscaping made simple.

LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

5005 Cobra Road in Lake Charles (337) 478-3836 M-F: 7am – 4pm Sat: 8am – 2pm (Spring only)

landscapemanagement.org

Spring it On!

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

27

Home & Family | REAL ESTATE GUIDE

By Madelaine Brauner Landry

Enhancing curb appeal is the most recommended way to make your home’s first impression the best lasting impression in the eyes of prospective buyers. When they pull into the driveway for a showing, if they don’t like what they see, they may not get out of the car. While it can’t be measured like square footage or quantified like market value, a wise seller knows curb appeal yields big dividends.

• Trim and prune overgrown trees and shrubbery, and keep your grass neatly cut.

Google the term “curb appeal” and articles chock-full of action words such as replace, repair, restore, upgrade, landscape, clean, and decorate will pop up on your screen. Even before you put the For Sale sign up, there are many ways you can take initiative and prepare your home for a quick sale.

At first glance, these may appear to be overwhelming tasks. Where should you start? Realtors recommend you begin by imagining you are seeing your home for the first time through the eyes of a potential buyer. Next, devise a plan of action and develop a budget. Then make your plan a reality.

• Decorate with colorful and easily maintained landscaping.

• Paint your front door, trim, and shutters.

• Upgrade your mailbox and house numbers.

• Replace exterior lighting and add flower boxes or potted plants in your entry way.

• Add new porch furniture and solar lighting.

• Repair crumbling railings, broken gutters, and damaged trim.

• Replace missing brick pavers.

• Clean the walkways, decks, and drive.

• Repair the roof.

• Restore a rundown fence.

Transforming your home from unkempt, unfriendly, and uninviting takes effort and thought.

Money spent on curb appeal yields a greater profit at the Act of Sale.

28 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

Home Updates that Pay Off

by Lauren Atterbery Cesar

When contemplating home updates, dozens of projects may come to mind, especially if you’re considering resale. Many people adhere to the modern adage that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes, while others think it’s all about curb appeal. Where should you begin to get the best financial return when updating your home? Follow these guidelines to help you get started.

Fix Any Structural Issues. No matter how beautiful your kitchen, buyers will walk away from your house without a second thought if there are structural issues that have not been addressed. Your first priority should be to ensure there are no cracks in your foundation or leaks in your roof. Is your attic insulated? Does your plumbing need updating? Spend your money on fixing these basics to make your home a safe place and give potential buyers peace of mind that they are getting a sturdy home.

Change Outdated Fixtures and Hardware. Thinking about doorknobs, light fixtures, and drawer pulls may not be at the top of your list when it comes to renovations, but if a buyer walks into your home and is accosted by outdated brass fixtures, they’ll begin thinking about the growing list of things they will need to change if they were to move in. Changing the home’s fixtures to a more updated look can completely transform a room, and is a budget-friendly way to entice buyers who are interested in your home.

Create and Define Spaces. People look for open floor plans, so if you have the ability to knock down a non-load bearing wall to create an opening between the kitchen and living areas, buyers will respond. Creating flow is great, but once you do, it is important to define the spaces you’ve created by placing furniture in strategic places to help a buyer visualize what the home should look like.

Spiff up Your Kitchen and Bathroom. Taylor Gagneaux, Realtor with Latter & Blum/ Moffett Realty, says, “For homeowners looking to update their home, it is always important to consider the value of these updates. Kitchen and baths are two features that are crucial to prospective buyers because they are two of the most expensive upgrades.” Kitchen and bath renovations are recommended across the board by real estate experts. Your renovations may start with replacing kitchen countertops with popular choices like granite, marble, or Corian, but could be as simple as repainting cabinets, replacing cabinet knobs, cleaning the grout around tile, and refreshing the caulk. And you may see a greater pay off if you stick to neutral palettes.

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

29

Home & Family | REAL ESTATE GUIDE

by Christine Fisher

Buying a home under construction can be thrilling.

The knowledge that no one has lived in it yet, everything top to bottom is brand new, the ability to customize paint colors and flooring, and let’s not forget that “new house” smell —these are compelling reasons to buy new construction.

Another bonus is that you’re in touch with the person who built it. They can let you know all about the home, from the type of flooring chosen and the way to care for it, to the source of plumbing and lighting fixtures, in case you need to match them years later. From the roof to the foundation, they were involved in every step.

With the high volume of new construction happening in Southwest Louisiana, many home buyers are finding great homes while still in the building stage. Utilizing the skill of a qualified realtor can ensure the end result is good for the buyer. “Your realtor can advise you on making the offer so that it is appealing to the builder,” said Jade Miles, Realtor with Century 21 Bessette Realty. “Also, if the home is bought in the early stages of building 30 www.thriveswla.com

and the homeowner has input on the paint colors and flooring, for example, the realtor can offer suggestions to help in resale value later on.”

One of the surprising things for homeowners to face is that, for the most part, a builder looking to sell a home in a developing neighborhood is not likely to drop the price. “A builder who is building several homes within the neighborhood knows that if he drops it for one, future buyers in the area will expect similar discounts,” explained Miles. Instead, the realtor can negotiate with the builder on other options, such as having the builder pay closing costs or perform upgrades at no additional charge.

“This is a less obvious way to sweeten the deal,” she said.

Construction is almost synonymous with delays.

Even though the builder projects the home to be finished by a certain date, it most likely won’t be ready. Weather, permits, changes to the house plans, and delays from vendors all affect the home’s progress; many of these things are outside of the builder’s control. Because of this, it’s best to get Thrive Magazine for Better Living

everything in writing.

“If you’re considering purchasing a home that is not yet complete, it’s important to spell out the agreed upon finishes in the home, such as granite countertops or real wood floors. It’s also a good idea to include the deadlines for when decisions need to be made on the house, so that everyone knows the timeline,” said Miles.

It’s also smart to address what will happen if construction is not completed on time. If the builder agrees to a bigger percentage of the closing cost if construction is delayed, it’s more of an incentive for him to stay within the agreed upon timeframe.

“Verbal agreements are not binding; therefore, it’s best to get everything in writing and signed by all parties,” Miles explained.

Using a realtor to negotiate a new construction purchase will keep your best interest as their priority so that you end up with a fair deal.

March 2017

SATURDAY MARCH 18TH 9am - 5pm

and

SUNDAY

MARCH 19TH 10am - 4pm

For more information, please contact (337) 478-7893 or email: director@hbaswla.org

AN EVENT

BY THE

hbaswla.org

Sponsors:

Sponsors:

. o r g featuring b a s winl aSWLA The only HomehShow 100+ home building and improvement companies all under one roof!

MORTGAGE RATES ARE ON THE RISE.

Email or Text Notification when your RX is ready!

ThriftyWay PHARMACY #2

Friendly service from your home town pharmacy.

• Citywide Delivery Service • Drive-Thru Pick-Up Window • E-Mail and Call in RX Service

APPLY FOR YOUR MORTGAGE LOAN TODAY!

Federally Insured

by NCUA

Sulphur • Lake Charles • Westlake | www.access.coop

601 S. Pine Street • DeRidder, LA 70634 • (337) 463-7442 www.thriftyway.com • thriftyway2@thriftyway.com

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

31

Home & Family | REAL ESTATE GUIDE

by Lauren Atterbery Cesar

Getting ready to move into your new apartment can be an exciting prospect, but it can also be a little daunting if you don’t know how to prepare for the process. Even if you have rented before, it’s always good to be reminded of the steps to take before you take the apartment plunge, as well as things to avoid so you aren’t overwhelmed during the initial rental process.

Are there upfront costs? Every renter knows they will have to provide a monthly rental fee to their landlords or rental companies, but most rentals also require an upfront security deposit. This deposit protects the owner in case you temporarily become Ozzy Osbourne and trash the place before skipping out on your rent. If you take care of the property and follow your rental agreement, you will get your deposit back whenever you move out.

Keep in mind other monthly fees. If you have a pet, you may have to pay an upfront pet deposit or a monthly pet fee, depending on your rental agreement. With all of the fees associated with renting, it can be easy to overlook renter’s insurance. Some landlords require it, but it is always a good thing to consider even if it is not required because it can save you from major financial headaches later on should the unexpected happen.

32 www.thriveswla.com

Check online reviews. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words, and other times it can be deceiving.

Before diving in to renting a certain apartment, see it in person and check out the apartment reviews online. You can go to popular websites like apartmentguide.com and see reviews from local people about services, amenities, and how tough or easy maintenance issues were to deal with in the apartment you’re interested in. This helpful website also lets you know what apartments are available in the complex and what prices you can expect to pay.

Bring your paperwork to speed up the process.

Renting, like most other endeavors, requires paperwork. Before you meet with the landlord or person who processes rental applications, bring the following items with you: • A completed rental application.

• Written references from previous landlords, employers, and colleagues.

• A current copy of your credit report. (Use Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion to get this information.)

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

What changes can you make? Once you’re happily ensconced in your new apartment, the idea to start making major changes to personalize your new pad can be tempting. Check with your landlord or rental company to see if you are permitted to do updates like paint the interior of the apartment, hang shelves or pictures, or even plant a small garden. These are all things that can make your new space feel homey, but may not be worth risking your security deposit over. If not permitted to paint, add colorful curtains or area rugs to give your apartment your personal style.

Taking these steps prior to renting will save you time and headaches, and hopefully keep the process of apartment hunting exciting rather than overwhelming.

March 2017

We’re the Perfect Fit for Southwest Louisiana’s

Bessette Realty, Inc.

Real Estate Needs

Tara Demarie 474-2185

Tobie Hodgkins 474-2185

Ashley Demarie 474-2185

Karen Barker 274-3321

Tammy Ardoin 884-5214

Eric Blanchard 794-1783

Kimberly Blanchard 802-3633

Deborah Anderson 515-4464

Peggie Dando 515-2583

Karen Davis 302-7177

Joy Dumesnil 794-9380

Analee Gregory Dupuie 274-9996

Derek Felice 515-4979

Judy Fontenot 540-1776

Kim Granger 526-5787

Sharel Hebert 515-8189

Shellie Hoffpauir 513-6627

Lydia Holland 794-7848

John Koetter 802-2678

Sharon Leger 802-0305

Suzanne McCoy 842-6411

Jade Miles 660-8545

Linda Moffett 794-0512

Jackie Myers 540-2503

John Morgan Portie 496-6450

Grace Robideaux 496-1611

Rebecca Slone 540-3915

Jennifer Sproles 348-9927

Larry Turner 540-1916

century21-bessette.com

3025 Lake Street, Lake Charles | 474-2185 March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Each office independently owned and operated. www.thriveswla.com

33

Home & Family | REAL ESTATE GUIDE

Home Sellers’ CHECKLIST The mere thought of preparing to sell a home can be overwhelming, even to seasoned real estate experts. Follow these steps to make the process more manageable.

Before you list: Consider a real-estate lawyer: Real-estate lawyers can help whether you hire an agent or not. They can refer you to reputable agents, provide required disclosure forms for your state, answer questions throughout the process and ensure you receive payment.

Decide whether to hire an agent: The long-standing justification for paying an agent’s typical 6% commission is that the agent more than makes up for it with a higher sale price.

Select an agent: Selling a house is likely to be one of the largest financial transactions of your life. Find a real-estate agent whose experience and commitment you trust. Ask friends and neighbors for referrals then interview several. Some things to ask include: • What’s your marketing strategy? Does you list online, in newspapers, magazines?

Some agents only list in the MLS. • Will you represent me exclusively in the transaction, or the buyer, as well?

• What are your commissions and fees?

• What’s your impression of my home?

• Can you provide the names and contact information for previous clients?

34 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

Gather your paperwork: Once you select an agent, he is going to

ask you for a lot of information.

Gather these documents: • • • • • •

Prior year’s tax bill, utility bills, water and sewer bills; Declarations, covenants or deed restrictions on the property; Assessments, surveys and plats; Sales and repairs of major appliances and building components; Inspections for pests or environmental hazards; Lists of items to be included in or excluded from the sale.

An agent will also run through the disclosures you need to make on the property, basically any problems that could potentially make the home less valuable.

Get an appraisal: You can hire an independent certified appraiser or

get a few real-estate agents to prepare comparative market analyses. CMAs will detail similar houses sold in your area over the past three months and will prompt the agent’s suggested price per square foot for your home.

Price it right: The biggest mistake sellers make is overpricing their

homes. Overpricing leads to price reductions and increased time on the market, both of which look bad.

Consider a home inspection: As a seller, it is not your

responsibility to conduct a home inspection. But for about $300, you can uncover potential problems and fix them before listing your home.

Prepare your home: Clean, de-clutter and de-personalize, make

repairs, update, paint, focus on curb appeal, and consider hiring a home stager.

WHILE YOUR HOME IS ON THE MARKET Keep your home show ready: If you’re serious about selling, your home has to be a sales showroom first and a living area second.

Be able to clear out:

Have a place to go, as well as somewhere for kids and pets. You don’t want to be home when prospective buyers walk through. It can make buyers feel uncomfortable, restrain them from asking questions, and even potentially be a turn-off.

Stay in touch with your agent: Ask your agent where and how your home is being listed and for updates on buyer interest. Establish a system early on for when and how your agent will provide updates.

With a little bit of effort, your home should sell quicker and for the best possible price.

Flavin Realty Inc. has been a family owned and local real estate firm since 1976. Throughout the years, our company has maintained a strong commitment to professional service and industry expertise.

The principles that Bill Flavin founded the company on, integrity and excellent professional service, are still practiced today with sons Dan and Tim Flavin along with 40 agents and staff that are Flavin Realty.

What has made Flavin Realty Inc. the market leader in real estate sales in Southwest Louisiana for decades is our sustained effort to build trusting relationships with our clients. Ensuring our clients succeed in their real estate needs is our number one goal. The Flavin Realty staff reflects the diversity of the people who live in Southwest Louisiana.

This has been a key factor in the success of our agency. We know how important it is to select a Realtor whose judgment you trust, and with whom you feel comfortable. Flavin Realty excels in Residential Sales, Relocation, Retail/Commercial, Industrial, and Property Management.

Thanks Southwest Louisiana for all of the years of loyalty. We look forward to many more!

3221 Ryan Street, Suite A, Lake Charles (337) 478-8530 l www.flavinrealty.com

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Your Local Realtor For Over 40 Years. www.thriveswla.com

35

Home & Family

S-H-E-L-D-O-N wants a forever F-A-M-I-L-Y Each day, an abused or neglected child is removed from an unsafe home and placed in Louisiana’s foster care system. They remain in the system until their home environment is safe—but for many that never happens. Of the 4,000 children currently cycling in state foster care, about 350 are ready to be adopted today. More than 60 of them are in Southwest Louisiana, right here in our community.

Sheldon is a five-year-old boy who has spent almost half his life in foster care. He is hoping a forever family is waiting for him today.

Sheldon is a wide-eyed ball of energy who has lots of love to give. He is a bright boy with quite the knowledge of his letters, something he proudly showed off while speaking with Britney.

“My name is Sheldon, S-H-E-L-D-O-N,” he said. “I have two special vowels in my name: an E and O.” Adoption worker Katrina Evans, with the Department of Children and Family Services, says he has a spunky personality.

“Sheldon is friendly, he is fun, he is very talkative. He loves to play,” said Evans.

Sheldon is ready to be adopted today, as long as he can bring along his favorite stuffed animal: Daniel Tiger. He said, “He always cuddles with me when I take a nap.”

A two parent home would be best for Sheldon, a young boy Evans says needs a father. “Someone who can teach him things that a boy his age needs to learn,” said Evans, “and he enjoys playing with other kids, as well.”

A family where Sheldon can be accepted, loved, and thrive without the weight of more time in a temporary home.

For more information call 491-2470 to make an inquiry about Sheldon or sign up for orientation. The next orientation will be held Monday, March 13 at 6pm at the Lake Charles DCFS Office, 1919 Kirkman Street.

36 www.thriveswla.com

KPLC reporter Britney Glaser, in partnership with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), highlights one child each month who is legally ready to be adopted. Thrive is supporting The New Family Tree by featuring each month’s story.

QUICK FACTS ON ADOPTING A FOSTER CHILD

• Minimum age is 21.

• Single people can adopt.

• Many of the children in state custody are considered “special needs,” which is defined as the following: older child, race/ ethnic background, sibling group, medical conditions, and/or physical/mental/emotional handicaps.

• Children in foster care are there as a result of abuse, neglect or abandonment.

• The certification process typically takes 90 days to complete.

Once matched with a child, the process to legally adopt a child takes about one year.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

Your Kid. Your Choice.

Make the right one.

Your young athlete is one-of-a-kind. And you should know, you’re their biggest fan, behind them all the way. So when they have a sports injury, don’t stay on the sidelines. Take an active role in getting them back in the game and choose the region’s most experienced orthopaedic and sports medicine team: Center for Orthopaedics.

www.centerforortho.com Lake Charles • Sulphur • DeRidder

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Team Physicians: McNEESE ATHLETICS & 14 AREA HIGH SCHOOLS

www.thriveswla.com

37

Home & Family

music | performance | film | lecture

Broaden your mind, learn something new, and experience unique events with Banners at McNeese.

Acrobats of Cirque-tacular is a heartstopping, mind-boggling display of artistry and athleticism.

38 www.thriveswla.com

THE WRECKING CREW Tues. April 4 | 6pm CInemark Movie Theater

FREE STATE OF JONES Sat. April 22 | 3pm Cinemark Movie Theater

ACROBATS OF CIRQUE-TACULAR Fri. April 7 | 7pm Burton Coliseum

EXTREME KILLING: UNDERSTANDING SERIAL AND MASS MURDER Tues. April 25 | 7pm Tritico Theatre: McNeese

MYSTIC IRAN: THE UNSEEN WORLD Thurs. April 13 | 6pm Holbrook Student Union

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

TIEMPO LIBRE Thurs. April 27 | 7pm Rosa Hart Theatre Lake Charles Civic Center

Tickets on Sale Now!

March 2017

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

39

Home & Family

Living Large

with Less – the Trend of Tiny Houses

by Keaghan P. Wier

Close your eyes for a moment. Picture your dream home. What does it look like? Brick? A twocar garage? Swimming pool? Most people would probably answer “yes” to at least one of those questions. But for some, their dream home is very different -- 300-900 square feet, no garage, with efficiency appliances and skylights.

These are Tiny House dwellers, people who have given up a traditional home in favor of something smaller, simpler, and often, more mobile.

Tiny Houses have become popular in the United States, especially within two population groups: Baby Boomers looking to retire and downsize, and

40 www.thriveswla.com

Millennials who don’t want the financial burden of a mortgage.

So what draws people to choose this lifestyle?

Many tiny-home-owners say one primary appeal is that of minimalism. In today’s culture of materialism, people turn to minimalism to eliminate clutter, stress, and the desire for “more.”

Another attractive aspect of Tiny Houses is the lower cost of living. When building or purchasing, maintaining, and living in a Tiny House, the resultant bills are a fraction of a traditional home’s: lower property taxes and utility bills, and no mortgage!

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Many cite the “greenness” of Tiny Houses.

Most are constructed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly: the small size makes options like solar panels, gray water reuse, and composting toilets viable options, whereas they might be too costly to install in a larger home.

Finally, some people appreciate the “not being tied down” facet of Tiny Houses. They are often constructed to sit on a flatbed trailer. As long as you have a friend’s yard or a campground to stop in, you can hit the road and bring your home along.

As great as this may sound, it is important for anyone who is interested in switching to a Tiny

March 2017

House to be aware of some of the potential pitfalls.

First, a Tiny House requires minimalism, due to very limited storage space. Second, in several states, Tiny Houses are legally in a gray area. Check zoning laws before building or moving a Tiny House. Third, the market for Tiny Houses is, fittingly, small. If you plan to grow your family, be aware there aren’t nearly as many buyers for TinyBlvd.

Houses as thereCFO) are 1747 Imperial (inside for traditional ones.

(337) 419-1960 Tiny Houses can be found throughout Louisiana.

Art Cormier, in Lafayette, built his 117-square-foot Tiny House using reclaimed cypress. He detailed the process of building and living in his home on his blog, tinysiphouse.blogspot.com. Check it out to see pictures and details of how he made it work.

After Hurricane Katrina, there were briefly a series of prefabricated homes sold through Lowes called Katrina Cottages. The homes ranged from 544 to 1800 square feet, and while they were largely considered a flop, they did raise attention of the possibility of using Tiny Houses instead of emergency housing like FEMA trailers.

Here in SWLA, the Heartstone Foundation works to build Tiny Houses as an option for the homeless, to shelter them from the changeable Louisiana climate.

Tiny Houses are a fascinating and exciting trend.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can build or purchase your own Tiny House, there are numerous websites on the subject, for example, www.tinyhousetalk.com.

The Ear Pull.

It’s a classic move, and one that could be a sign of a cold, allergies, sinus problems or even an infection.

Specialized treatment for little ears, noses and throats.

If you notice your child pulling or rubbing their ears, that’s your signal to take them to an experienced ENT specialist.

Dr. Bridget Loehn, ENT & Allergy Specialist with Imperial Health, offers advanced diagnostic and treatment options for a wide range of pediatric ear, nose and throat problems, along with comprehensive allergy testing and treatment.

Call Dr. Bridget Loehn

ENT & Allergy Specialist

1747 Imperial Blvd., Lake Charles (inside CFO) • (337) 419-1960

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

41

Money & Career | E CO N O MI C S E CT I O N For more than five years, Southwest Louisiana has witnessed economic growth unparalleled in its history, and well ahead of the rest of the nation . Known as the “economic boom,” this growth is expected to continue through 2017 and beyond, as more and more projects break ground, bringing with them thousands of jobs for skilled labor and white-collar professionals.

From large corporations and small business owners to the community at large – everyone benefits.

SMALL BUSIN ESSES BEN EFI T from Industrial Boom

by Frank DiCesare

One of the biggest winners in this industrial boom will be the region’s small business owners. George Swift, president and CEO, Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, said the region’s estimated $115 billion in new projects will be a boon to small businesses throughout Southwest Louisiana, as the Lake Area’s population is expected to grow considerably in the years ahead.

“There’s going to be a need for more restaurants, general retail businesses of all kinds and medical offices,” Swift said. “As the population grows, the opportunity is there.

We hope a lot of our existing businesses expand and take advantage of that growth in population.”

Swift said the five-parish region has about $45 billion in construction projects already in progress. Another $70 billion in projects remain in the pipeline, awaiting approval from federal, state, and local agencies.

Those investments are expected to bring between 40,000 and 50,000 new residents to the five-parish region over the next decade.

42 www.thriveswla.com

Swift said that spike in population will foster many opportunities for small businesses to grow their product and service-based businesses.

“The per capita income should begin to rise,” he added. “So there’s a lot of opportunity for businesses of all sizes, but especially small businesses, to do well.”

Kristy Como Armand, owner/partner of Healthy Image Marketing in Lake Charles, said their agency has had to increase staff and services to meet the marketing demands brought on by the boom. Her company, now in its fifteenth year, works with over 100 clients throughout the region and state.

“We have seen increased business from existing clients who are expanding as the result of economic growth in our market, as well as from new clients just entering our region,” she said. “There is no doubt that the growth taking place is impacting businesses of all sizes, including our clients and us.”

As economic growth continues throughout Southwest Louisiana, competition

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

among small businesses is to be expected.

Armand, however, does not see competition as a negative force.

“Some people may see competition as a negative aspect of growth, but I think it keeps you sharp and forces you to become even better at what you do,” she added. “There’s nothing worse than complacency.”

Michael Harmison, president and CEO of Lakeside Bank in Lake Charles, said the region’s economic boom has helped his bank grow to $180 million in deposits since its opening in 2010.

“That’s a pretty good run in that period of time,” he added. “When you look at a brand spanking new bank that became profitable in its 25th month of operation, that’s a staggering number. Those kinds of things don’t happen under normal circumstances.”

Harmison, a resident of Southwest Louisiana since 1965, said the region has always thrived because of construction jobs.

And when construction jobs are aplenty in the community, he added, other local

March 2017

businesses “do exceedingly well.”

“That’s exactly what’s happening in the community,” he said. “We’re not going to get the Sasol account. What we’re going to get is the employee who works at Sasol. We’re going to get the merchant who does supplies, goods and materials, for Sasol. So the ripple effect is what’s going to help the local people in this community.”

Swift said not all small businesses will be successful during the boom; there will be winners and losers. Those business owners who identify a new market or one that is on the rise and present themselves well “will do fine.” He added that those who are serious about starting a new business in Southwest Louisiana should contact the SEED Center in Lake Charles and learn about its small business incubator program, where small businesses can get their companies off the ground.

Currently, the incubator is home to 18 startup businesses and has room for about 30 more.

“Our biggest success story has been Waitr,” Swift said. “They have about 140 people working in Lake Charles. They have been very successful, and have branched out into other

communities in Texas and Louisiana. They will continue to be based here in Lake Charles, even though they will be growing out of the incubator.”

And while small businesses are expected to do well during the boom, permanent jobs in the region’s oil and gas industries, especially in engineering and operations, will also need to be filled. Swift projected that about 20,000 permanent jobs in Southwest Louisiana will come online in the years ahead.

“Perhaps with the new Trump administration, we expect that conditions will be more favorable for the oil and gas industry and in energy production,” Swift said.

“The permanent jobs are starting now, but they will increase in great numbers two to three years from now after the plants are built.

Overall, we think these projects are moving ahead. Some have slowed down; some have not gotten the permitting as of yet. Industries that we’ve talked to and all of the ones that are on our radar, we have not identified any reason they won’t move forward.”

Swift said local industry has about 12,000 construction workers on site as of this month.

He added that another 3,000 to 4,000 are expected to be hired in 2017.

For Harmison, spreading construction jobs out over longer periods will allow the community to improve its infrastructure to absorb these workers properly. “Then we can make plans for that permanent employee increase,” he said. “Those employees are going to have consumer needs and credit needs.”

Armand said she hopes business and local government leaders direct the region’s growth “in a positive way.”

“As someone who grew up in SWLA, it’s almost surreal to see the growth and expansion taking place,” she added. “It’s what everyone always wished for and said we needed. Now it’s here and it’s up to us to make the most of the opportunity we’ve been given; not just for our success today, but to provide a foundation for our children and grandchildren to benefit from decades from now.”

Now Enrolling Two Years Through 8th Grade

• • • • •

Academic Excellence Safe, Nurturing Environment Competitive Athletics Global Citizenship Outstanding Technology Program

• • • • •

Vibrant Fine Arts Program Successful, Confident Graduates Individual Attention Spiritual Growth Leadership

EDS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, or gender in admission of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs and athletic and other school administered programs.

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

803 North Division Street Lake Charles, LA 70601 337-433-5246 www.episcopaldayschool.org Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School provides academic excellence to a diverse student body in a Christian environment. www.thriveswla.com

43

Money & Career

44 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

45

Money & Career

46 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

47

Money & Career | E C ONOM I C S E C TI ON

C H E N N A U LT I N T E R N A T I O N A L A I R P O R T Soars into 2017

Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles is establishing a reputation as “America’s premier industrial airport”—due in part to the impressive infrastructure that has been built around its two-mile-long runway. The runway— inherited from the Air Force and built to handle heavy bombers—can accommodate any aircraft flying today, and that fact has attracted tenants such as Northrop Grumman and AAR Aircraft Services, which perform maintenance and other services on large aircraft.

Chennault is an expanding industrial community. Its landscape is dominated by

48 www.thriveswla.com

several massive hangars, such as those occupied

by Northrop Grumman and AAR. The airport has 1.5 million square feet of hangar, office, and warehouse space where tenant companies and their nearly 1,500 workers conduct their business. The FAA-staffed control tower overlooks the entire Chennault complex, which has its own fire department, rental hangars, and FBO (fixed-base operator) Million Air, which serves as a fueling station for aircraft and welcome center for pilots and crews. Acres of concrete pads on airport property are leased to construction companies as staging sites for equipment and materials. The Chennault complex also includes some 550 acres of open land available for development. (This land includes some sites that are certified development-ready by Louisiana Economic Development—an attractive rating for developers).

Executive Director Randy Robb and his staff constantly seek new development opportunities for Chennault, such as an

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

air cargo center, a National Guard training facility and new aircraft-maintenance tenants.

Chennault’s role as an economic development generator is clearly seen in its $300 million annual economic impact. Chennault’s other role is, of course, an airport. The 10,700-foot runway sees an average of 65 takeoffs and landings each day—about 2,000 a month. This includes large and small private airplanes as well as all types of military aircraft. Chennault is a popular and convenient landing point for casino patrons arriving in shuttles and private planes, as well as for military pilots flying cross-country. “America’s premier industrial airport” will be on public display when Chennault hosts the Chennault International Airshow April 28–30. The airshow crowds will see not only the exciting aerobatic performances in the sky but also the thriving industrial airport that is so important to the region’s economy.

March 2017

LContinues A K E C HUpdates A R L EtoS Better R E G IServe O N AtheL SWLA A I R P OCommunity RT The Lake Charles Regional Airport has been in operation since 1962 and currently sits on approximately 2,000 acres in south Lake Charles, making it among the larger airports in Louisiana in terms of land mass. The Airport currently provides commercial air service to Southwest Louisiana with United Airlines providing service to their Houston hub and American Airlines providing service to their Dallas – Fort Worth hub.

A new modern passenger terminal opened in 2009 and is designed to meet the needs of the traveling public well into the future. The Airport, in conjunction with their Fixed Base Operator (FBO), Freeman Jet Center, recently completed a $600,000 renovation of their FBO terminal which now provides first class facilities for corporate and private aircraft visiting the Airport.

Each year, the Airport undertakes between two and four million dollars in capital improvements.

These projects are designed to maintain and modernize the facilities while increasing both safety and efficiency. For example, the Airport is

currently replacing its entire airfield system and upgrading all light fixtures to LED technology. This will create a more reliable and efficient lighting system, and is only one of several projects going on at this time.

The Airport currently leases to 32 tenants that represent a diverse range of business classifications, both aeronautical and nonaeronautical related. The Airport’s largest tenant is Era Helicopters, which is the longest serving helicopter transport operator in the industry with 150 helicopters operating in support of offshore oil and gas transport, air medical services, search and rescue operations (SAR), firefighting, flightseeing, and disaster relief efforts. Era is one of the largest helicopter transport providers in the world.

The Airport operates with a lean budget which allows us to offer very attractive lease rates to existing and prospective tenants. Over 70% of the Airport’s annual operating budget is generated by business activities that take place on Airport property. Much of the Airport’s property is zoned

for commercial and light industrial uses and is served by public utilities. The Parish will complete a project in the near future that will bring public waste water disposal to the Airport. This project will be very beneficial for the development of nearly 300 acres of prime Airport property.

Calcasieu Parish is fortunate to have a system of airports that offer very robust resources to both aviation and non-aviation companies. A recent economic impact study completed on behalf of the State of Louisiana by CDM Smith placed the economic impact of Lake Charles Regional Airport at nearly a quarter of a billion dollars annually.

When combined with Chennault, the two airports in Lake Charles provide over $600 million in annual economic impact and represent over 4,600 jobs.

This places our system (LCH and CWF) as the third largest system in the state in terms of jobs and economic output. Only New Orleans and Lafayette rank higher.

Find a New Home Your Finances for

For over 15 years, Denise Rau, CFP®, and the staff of Rau Financial Group have been fully invested in helping clients pursue their financial dreams.

Whether its getting started with investing, saving for college, defending your family from financial uncertainty, preparing for retirement, arranging your estate, supporting an aging parent,

or all of these, we’ll listen to your goals and dreams first. Then we’ll develop a sound strategy and customized financial plan to help you pursue them.

There’s no time like the present to plan for your future.

Give us a call today.

Denise Rau

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

(337) 480-3835 Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through GWM Advisors, dba Rau Financial Group, a registered investment advisor. GWM Advisors and Rau Financial Group are separate entities from LPL Financial.

1634 RYAN ST., LAKE CHARLES | www.raufinancialgroup.com March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

49

Money & Career | E C ONOM I C S E C TI ON

THERE’S A NEW STATION IN TOWN – CBS Lake Charles, Channel 17 Lake Charles Television, LLC recently announced that Lake Charles is now home to the first CBS Television Network affiliate in the market. Broadcasting began on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. Viewers can watch “CBS Lake Charles” over the air on Channel 17, broadcasting in full 1080i High Definition, and soon to be available on DISH, DirecTV and cable provider Suddenlink. Previously, the fastgrowing community of Lake Charles has been served by the outside markets of Lafayette and Beaumont.

“Lake Charles is a fantastic community with a great deal of civic pride and wonderful

50 www.thriveswla.com

people. We are thrilled to be a part of this local community, and we are very proud of the fact that CBS feels the same,” said Mike Reed, of Lake Charles Television, LLC. “It is our desire and intent the station has a strong local focus, providing local news and unique local content, so we have tapped local broadcasting executive, Rusty Kirkland, to head the efforts for us as CBS Lake Charles’s General Manager.”

Kirkland has over 30 plus years in broadcast management. Most of his broadcasting career was spent in Palm Springs and Santa Barbara, California before returning to his home state Louisiana seven years ago. Kirkland grew up in

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

New Orleans, attending John Curtis Christian High School and Southeastern University. “I’m very pleased to be working with Lake Charles Television and to be heading up the first CBS affiliate in the market,” said Kirkland. “With hit programming from America’s number one network, including ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ ’60 Minutes’, ‘NFL on CBS’, and ‘NCIS,’ and with so many great things going on in the Lake Charles community, it is a very exciting opportunity. We are very proud to be a here and look forward to serving the viewers for years to come.”

The station is headquartered at 129 West Prien Lake Road.

March 2017

4310 Ryan Street Lake Charles, LA 70605 (337) 433-3632

By the Numbers

1,500 Total number of current members

1913 The year the Lake Charles Chamber was founded

PROJECT STATISTICS

165

Number of parishes the Chamber serves

Number of new members in the past year

Number of ribbon cutting and ground breaking ceremonies held in 2016

86 Sponsored Content

Amount of money projects will bring into the economy

$1,736,718,364

270 18, Expected number of full-time, permanent jobs that will be created

twenty one Number of projects currently underway

40

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Current number of announced projects in SWLA

www.thriveswla.com

51

Money & Career | E C ONOM I C S E C TI ON

BEAUREGARD PARISH HAS Mega Plans F O R T H E F U T U R E

by Kristy Armand

When your new job is directing the economic development of a parish, it helps to have the state’s newly certified industrial mega site located just down the road from your office. For Avon Knowlton, the first Executive Director of Economic Development for Beauregard Parish, it gives her just one more big selling point for the place she’s always called home.

Efforts to get the Beauregard Parish land certified were sparked by industrial development announcements throughout the region, according to Knowlton, and after more than eight years of work, which she was heavily involved in, it was announced in December that the Beauregard Airport Industrial Park was granted certification from Louisiana Economic Development (LED) as a certified site. It is the second largest megasite in the state. The property has 1,187 acres available for economic development. According to LED, a certified site “is a development-ready industrial site that has completed a rigorous review process

by LED and URS, an independent, third-party engineering firm. Specific details, such as zoning restrictions, title work, environmental studies, soil analysis and surveys, are assessed for compliance and authenticity. Knowlton says certified sites are more competitive, have greater potential to market, and are granted priority in site proposals on the state level.

For Knowlton, her new position is the culmination of a career path that allows her to return to her roots, working to promote the region she loves – and calls home. The position represents a collaboration between the city, Police Jury and Chamber of Commerce. Knowlton started in February, but had been preparing for the position throughout her career. Knowlton has a newspaper background and for the past 15 years, has worked in the Chamber of Commerce and economic 52 www.thriveswla.com

development fields, helping to grow the Southwest Louisiana region. She previously led the Beauregard Parish Chamber of Commerce and has been involved in the effort to retain Fort Polk troop numbers in her role with the Alliance and as a founding partner of Fort Polk Progress. Most recently, she served as Executive Vice President of the SWLA Economic Development Alliance.

Knowlton received her Institute of Organizational Management Certification (IOM) from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a certificate of completion in Advanced Studies from Oklahoma University’s Center for Chamber of Commerce Excellence. She received her Certified Chamber Executive Certification (CCE) from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in 2012, making her one of two active CCE in Louisiana. She is on the Board of Regents for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute of Organizational Management at Villanova University.

DeRidder Mayor Ron Roberts said the parish has needed an economic development leader, and with the growth taking place in Beauregard Parish, the timing was right, and Knowlton was the most qualified in the state to make this happen. “We are

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

especially pleased that the city, the Police Jury and the local Chamber have worked together to make this possible.”

Knowlton knows the challenges that come with the job and is already hard at work on her goals. “We need more manufacturing plants here; business that provide great quality jobs and contribute to quality of life in our area. Workforce development is going to be a big focus. The megasite will be a huge factor for that, and the First Street School will be expanding the offerings for continuing education and workforce training.

Moving forward, 10, 15 and even 20 years from now, there are going to be some great jobs here for our children.”

Knowlton says she is already fielding inquiries into the megasite property. “We are going to heavily market the area and be as proactive as we can. This is a very exciting tie for our city and for our parish.”

March 2017

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

53

Money & Career | E C ONOM I C S E C TI ON An extraordinary evening of Art, Jazz, Wine & Good food paired to delight and intrigue the intellect and the pallet!

GOLD SPONSOR

ALLIANCE FOR POSITIVE GROWTH FORMED TO IMPROVE GOVERNMENT-BUSINESS PROCESSES FOR GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

by Kristy Armand

FEATURED ARTISTS:

Troy Guilibeaux - Guilibeaux Artworks Adrian Fulton - Adrian Fulton Fine Arts Gallery Gallery by the Lake LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Jazz Saxophonist - Marcus Davis LIVE AND SILENT AUCTION

SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017

Historic Downtown Charleston Hotel 6:00pm - 9:00pm

For More Information

DONATION $50

CALL 337.312.2014

THIS

FLIGHT

TOOK OFF IN

LAKE CHARLES. Non-stop flights to Houston and Dallas.

One-stop flights to virtually anywhere that thrills you.

Let’s go!

FLYLAKECHARLES.COM 54 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

In full operation for two months, the Alliance for Positive Growth (APG) is gaining members from all sectors of the Southwest Louisiana business community at a rapid pace, growing from a founding group of eight members to over 50 since its launch meeting in mid-January.

The grassroots organization of realtors, developers, contractors, business professionals, community leaders and other interested parties will work with municipalities in Southwest Louisiana to “overcome longstanding obstacles to development and create ordinances in favor of and supporting of growth,” said founding member Matt Redd, an associate broker at NAI Latter & Blum.

He says landowners and contractors frequently encounter city or parish ordinances that conflict with development projects, causing delays and increasing costs. “Our goal is to address concerns of property owners and developers and craft favorable policies through collaboration between all professionals involved in local development. We’re here to unite – not fight – to make good things happen in our region.”

The group raised about $60,000 to support its launch from founding members, opened an office in the SEED Center, and hired a director, Jeannie Weise. Weise, a McNeese State University graduate with a sales and marketing background, will attend municipal meetings across the five-parish region and provide updates to board members. APG will then use its planned $200,000 annual budget to March 2017

THERE’S SAFETY IN OUR NUMBERS $180 $170 Assets

$160

Deposits

$140

Gross Loans

Millions

$120 $100 $80 $60 $40 $20 $0 2010

2012

provide education and information about the benefits of positive growth, as well as specific projects. The group will also employ attorneys and engineers to analyze municipal proposals and advocate for solutions that positively affect local development.

To sustain the group’s budget, members make five-year pledges at four different levels, which range from 500 to $5,000/annually.

All are welcome as members, including large corporations and individual entrepreneurs.

“Positive growth benefits us all – not just those of us involved in real estate and development,” added Redd.

While an initial board was chosen to guide the alliance through its launch, a new board will be elected in this year to represent APG’s full membership.

“The response we received at the launch meeting and since then confirms that our effort is needed and that our timing is right,” said Tim Flavin, another founding member. “Southwest Louisiana is poised for unprecedented growth, but we all need to work together to ensure that this growth is good for community and can be sustained for the long-term.”

For more information, visit apgrowth.org or call Weise at 337-602-6789.

2014

2016

Record growth continues for Lakeside Bank and our customers, reflecting strong financial stability. Lakeside’s performance since our 2010 opening demonstrates the soundness of our management practices and the continued expansion of the Southwest Louisiana economy. We’re proud to be part of the unprecedented growth in our region, and sincerely appreciate the trust our customers have placed in us. We are excited about the future and renew our commitment to keep growing strong.

We invite you to Join the Migration to Lakeside.

The way banking should be.

Ask us about our high interest rates for deposits and IRAs, and our FREE checking.

4735 Nelson Rd. 474-3766 • 2132 Oak Park Blvd. 502-4314 2203 Sampson St.,Westlake 437-3861

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

LAKESIDEBANKING.COM www.thriveswla.com

55

Money & Career | E C ONOM I C S E C TI ON

CAMERON PARISH -

Leading the Nation’s Industrial Growth

by Kristy Armand

When it comes to economic expansion, there’s one corner in the state of Louisiana that is defying the financial turmoil facing the rest of the country. This region is in the early stages of what is predicted to be the most prosperous era in Southwest Louisiana’s industrial history — and Cameron Parish is leading the way.

The gateway to Cameron Parish’s tremendous growth, and even bigger potential, is its Gulf access. Formerly divided into east and west ports, the port system in Cameron Parish was consolidated last year into the Cameron Parish Port, Harbor and Terminal District to improve efficiency and marketing potential for the parish. According Clair Hebert Marceaux, PCED, Port Director and Director of Economic Development for Cameron Parish, the port consolidation has already led to increased inquiries from new businesses. “Having one port gives us parish-wide authority over multiple waterways and access points. It’s good for business and it’s good for our parish.”

The parish has $65 billion in announced industrial development projects. $35 billion have begun construction and $30 billion are in the permitting phases.

Cameron is quickly becoming a global go-to for the high demand growing world commodity — liquefied natural gas. These LNG facilities bring with them the need for support services and projects in a wide variety of business sectors, further contributing to the growth of the local economy.

The announcement last month by Port Cameron, LLC, for a proposed $1.5 billion port to be built on 500 acres of property along the Calcasieu Ship Channel, with an additional 750 acres available for future expansion provides another huge boost to the Cameron Parish economy. Marceaux says this deep-water staging facility will serve the offshore energy needs in the Gulf of Mexico for decades to come.

She says the next 10 years will bring unprecedented growth to Cameron Parish, including: • Construction projects on a scale never seen before • Increased product capacity • Thousands upon thousands of new jobs – many of them high-paying, permanent positions • Greater consumer spending and quality-of-life opportunities “Industrial expansion will drive a surge of unprecedented growth in the region, with an estimated $100 billion in projects expected to be completed over the next five to ten years,” Marceaux adds. “With access to five ports and the rich waters of the Gulf, Cameron Parish is expected to not only flourish in the years ahead, but to firmly establish the region as the clean energy capital of the world.”

The growth is real and the potential is even bigger. “There has never been a better time for businesses to make the move to the Gulf Coast of Cameron Parish,” says Marceaux, “but the real win comes when every Cameron Parish resident who wants to engage in this coming development has that opportunity.” photo by Porche Aerial Imagery 56 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

PROMOTING SAFETY IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA FOR OVER

60 Years The Safety Council of Southwest Louisiana is a vital part of our community, providing safety training and services for industrial and contractor businesses, and offering a wide variety of educational programs for the community.

• Safety and Health Training • Drug and Alcohol Program for Workers (DOT Certified Collectors) • Contractor Safety Programs • Industry Site Orientation Programs • OSHA Compliance Training • Defensive Driving, Substance Abuse Studies, Community Service Program, several other Court Mandated Training Programs, and a New Driver Program • Classroom, Computer-based and Web-based Training

Butch Ferdinandsen

CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CRPS, CRPC Investment Advisor Representative Ferdinandsen Financial Group is a marketing name. Securities and Investment Advisory services offered throughout Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SPIC.

1201 Ryan Street • Lake Charles 3621 E. Napoleon Street • Sulphur (337) 436-3354 | safetycouncilswla.org

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

57

Money & Career | E C ONOM I C S E C TI ON

6

Job Search Tips That Are So Basic People Forget Them

The irony of job search advice: There’s so much available that you don’t have to spend more than four seconds Googling about it before you land on some nugget of wisdom or another. Yet, at the same time, there’s so much available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here are some timeless, simple tips that will help you fine-tune your strategy:

Here We Grow!

Join Us. Join our initiative and be part of a united, grassroots effort to actively support sustained, progressive growth and development in our community.

Our Mission The Alliance for Positive Growth is an organization of professionals in the fields of real estate, development, construction and all other interested parties working together to protect property rights and promote strong, beneficial growth in Southwest Louisiana.

Our Goals • To be a positive voice for good growth in Southwest Louisiana.

• To assist growth professionals involved in development in our region.

• To provide fact-based information to the media and public about the economic benefit of positive growth.

• To educate and advocate about the need for housing and commercial growth in our region.

• To monitor and review municipal actions in order to work with area municipalities to complement public/private relationships.

• To support civic initiatives that enhance quality of life.

• To endorse and support projects that align with our pro-quality growth platform.

Visit our website to learn more about membership opportunities.

APGrowth.org phone: (337) 602.6788 • fax: (337) 602.6789 58 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Make Yourself a “Smack-in-the-Forehead” Obvious Fit. Study the job description and any available information you have on the position. Are you mirroring the words and phrases in the job description? Are you showcasing your strengths in the areas that seem to be of paramount importance to this role? Line it up.

Don’t Limit Yourself to Online Applications. Don’t stop once you apply online for that position. Start finding and then endearing yourself to people working at that company of interest. Schedule informational interviews with would-be peers.

Approach an internal recruiter and ask a few questions. Get on the radar of the very people who might influence you getting an interview.

Your Resume (and LinkedIn Profile) Is Not Set in Stone. Don’t be afraid to modify wording, switch around key terms, and swap bullet points in and out. Your resume is not a tattoo, nor is your LinkedIn profile. Treat them as living, breathing documents throughout your job search (and career).

Accept That You Will Never Bore Anyone Into Hiring You. Memorable, likable candidates are almost always the ones who go the distance.

If You’re Not on LinkedIn, You Very Nearly Don’t Exist. Considering that more than 90% of recruiters use LinkedIn as their primary search tool, this is not an understatement.

Thank You Matters. Consider crafting, original, genuine thank you notes (one for each interviewer) the moment you get back to a computer, following the interview. The speed with which you send the notes, and the quality, will make an impact.

March 2017

Though we don’t know the proper calibration of a welding torch used to roast wieners, business owners across Louisiana have trusted us for more than 25 years. Working with companies in virtually every industry, LCI provides expert guidance, exceptional service, and custom programs to help keep them growing.

::

lciwc.com

::

985-612-1230

Put us to work for you.

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

59

Money & Career

ELECTION PREVIEW Mayor Randy Roach, after 16 successful years at the helm of the City of Lake Charles, is about to pass the leadership baton. This election, specifically the mayoral election, is pivotal in order for our region to continue the positive growth and direction exemplified by Mayor Roach. Key to electing the most qualified candidate is

Joe Banks

Eligha Guillory

Nic Hunter 60 www.thriveswla.com

voter turnout. And we want you, as the voters, to be wellinformed so you can make a knowledgeable decision. Our Election Preview summarizes each candidate’s’ platform and qualifications. Every candidate in the running was asked to submit their information for inclusion.

Thank you for the opportunity to connect with voters through your diverse publication. My campaign slogan is “uniting our city for change”. The first step is to empower people. I want voters to have a stronger voice in their city. Our current Mayor laid the foundation and it’s my intention to carry it further. People should be educated on opportunities for businesses to thrive and take ownership in the city’s progression.

As Mayor, I am the “Mediator” that the city and parish needs to help push current Master Plans for drainage into action. While we continue work on short term plans like closing ditches and use of more natural

vegetation. I want to unite our communities with their local law enforcement, reminding both sides to treat each other as neighbors. I believe in collaboration at all levels. Especially on projects that will revitalize our lakefront, provide steady controlled increase to tourism, get a handle on affordable housing for renters and homeowners, promote healthy lifestyles citywide, and allow us to care for our veterans and other disadvantaged groups with higher quality care.

I’m here to work with citizens like I’ve done as a pastor/ business owner for over 15 years. Thank you.

As the next mayor of Lake Charles, Eligha Guillory, Jr., aims to revitalize how local government engages and supports the community as a whole. As the most recent Assistant City Administrator, he is the only mayoral candidate who has worked in city government.

He has served in not-for-profit organizations and is knowledgeable about building relationships to create a greater community. Eligha’s plan focuses on our shoreline, transportation, economy, arts and culture, and municipal infrastructure.

Eligha plans to engage the local workforce and small businesses, and he is dedicated to working with socially and economically disadvantaged, womenled and veteran-owned businesses that can greatly contribute to the region’s growing economy.

Eligha will focus efforts on enhancing the Interstate 10 corridor from the Calcasieu River Bridge to Highway 14 by leading infrastructure projects to revitalize vacant properties in the corridor and developing the lakefront with a multi-use, multi-generational complex that boosts community engagement and economic activity.

His administration will address the city’s infrastructure by using innovative strategies to address challenges with the city’s drainage, wastewater, roadways and housing. Additionally, he will expand the public transportation system to ensure that it better serves the lives of all residents across Lake Charles. To learn more, visit www.ElighaGuillory.com.

Nic Hunter began working at his grandparents’ restaurant, Harlequin Steaks & Seafood, when he was 12 years old and he has been serving the people of Lake Charles ever since. A lifelong resident and small business owner of the Lake Charles area, Nic is deeply invested in helping the local community flourish. After graduating from McNeese State University, Nic started applying his work ethic towards local philanthropies and community entrepreneurialism, specifically those focused on children in need, active military support, and veterans. In 2011, Nic was elected to the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury to serve the people of District Five

and is currently serving his second term. As mayor, Nic believes the city’s budget must prioritize fiscal responsibility so that Lake Charles can invest in itself and its future. Instead of continuing to raise existing tax rates, Nic will focus on increasing the tax base by attracting more businesses and sales to Lake Charles.

By prioritizing the budget, the city will be able to tackle major infrastructure issues like city drainage and flood protection, roads, lakefront development and crime prevention, and public safety. Nic Hunter is ready to lead Lake Charles into tomorrow.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

Dana Carl Jackson

Chris Landry

Marshall Simien

Water, Sewage, Drainage, and Roads. We must rehabilitate aging infrastructure, and begin the expansion process. In June, I sponsored an ordinance which authorizes the creation of twenty year masterplans for drainage and roadway infrastructure and to update the water distribution and waste water masterplans. We have asked to begin this process NOT with new taxes, but by using the taxes currently being collected by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury from within the city limits, none of which are being dedicated solely to the City of Lake Charles.

I am a life-long resident of the City of Lake Charles, graduated from LaGrange High School, and attended

If we are to be successful in our efforts to maintain our growth, we must match tasks with competent qualified people… and most importantly we must match projects with available monies. We simply can’t pay as we go.

First and foremost, the City of Lake Charles and the Police Jury must work together to convert shared needs into practical solutions. We must consider innovative and long lasting approaches to eliminate duplication of services and multiple expenditures of monies for the same end result.

I’m the only candidate with a formal platform of issues, facts and figures, not wishes, promises or excuses . . . here are some of the areas covered: • Drainage • Transportation/Infrastructure • Lakefront/Downtown Development

I am a Lake Charles native, married for the past 25 years, and father to three wonderful children. I earned a degree in government from McNeese and a law degree from LSU. I have been a practicing attorney for 25 years.

My experience in public service includes appointment

by Louisiana’s governor to the Lake Charles Port Board when the previous board was dissolved for mismanagement. During my tenure, we not only built L’Auberge Casino, but also a robust gaming industry.

Additionally, we brought LNG industry to our area, a centerpiece for our current economic boom. I served eight years on the Lake Charles City Council in the

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

McNeese State University. A state-licensed contractor by trade, I also sold real estate and insurance, and am currently a small business owner. I am a member of Trinity Baptist Church.

Public Service experience: Lake Charles Board of Zoning and Adjustments, Calcasieu Parish Policy Jury, La. Police Jury Assoc., Lake Charles City Council where I served twice as both Vice President and President of the Council. Currently in my third term.

I have the experience and leadership to get the job done and the vision to move Lake Charles forward as a full-time mayor. See danacarljackson.com for more info.

• • • • • •

Annexation Quality of Life Redevelopment of North Lake Charles Financial Police & Fire Creation of Community Gardens

I invite everyone to visit my website www. chrislandryformayor.com to view my complete platform.

I believe my 17 years of service on the Calcasieu Police Jury has given me a realistic insight of how many services between the City and Parish can be coordinated and how duplication of expenditures can be eliminated. We’re at a crossroads . . . to continue our progress will necessitate new solutions to old problems.

aftermath of Hurricane Rita, as well as the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. My vision is to crank up the social, economic, and cultural engine that is the City of Lake Charles by developing our underutilized Lakefront and I-10 corridor. This will bring long overdue economic development to a forgotten economic engine and, more important, triple the City’s current operating revenue. This will pay for much needed infrastructure improvements to transportation, sewer, drainage, as well as finance programs to engage our youth and enhance our quality of life. We can then truly be, Lake Charles STRONG!

www.thriveswla.com

61

Money & Career

REE F CONCERT

Let us tell your story. advertising public relations graphic design media relations social media copywriting

photography strategic planning video production website development event planning corporate communication

(337) 312-0972

836 University Dr., Lake Charles ehealthyimage.com

U. S. Chamber Top 100 Small Business • SWLA Chamber Small Business of the Year LA Department of Economic Development • Regional Small Business of the Year 62 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

All you need to know to stay in the know!

Lake Area Medical Center Congratulates 9 Physicians Recognized as 2016 Top Doctors Lake Area Medical Center is proud to acknowledge the nine (9) members and independent members of their medical staff who were recognized in the Acadiana Profile magazine by their peers as “Top Doctors” for 2016.

The “Top Doctors” list is generated by Castle Connelly Medical Ltd., a healthcare research and information company founded in 1991 who gather professional peer ratings nationwide.

In the specialty of Family Medicine: Arthur Primeaux, M.D. In the specialty of Gastroenterology: Paul Nichols, M.D. In the specialty of Obstetrics: / Gynecology: Bradley Forsyth, M.D. & James Groves, M.D. In the specialty of Ophthalmology: Donald Falgoust, M.D. In the specialty of Orthopaedic Surgery: Alan Hinton, M.D. In the specialty of Plastic Surgery: E. Clyde Smoot III, M.D. In the specialty of Urology: James Jancuska, M.D. & Farjaad Siddiq, M.D.

The complete 2016 “Top Doctors” listing for the state of Louisiana, along with the survey methodology can be seen at www.acadianaprofile.com

SOWELA Practical Nursing Students Earn 100% Pass Rate on NCLEX-PN Exam Practical Nursing students at SOWELA’s Morgan Smith Instructional Site in Jennings earned a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN exam. In comparison, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the national average pass rate for the NCLEX-PN exam is 83.73%. Passing this test is a requirement for individuals to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

SOWELA Practical Nursing students complete a rigorous two-year program that prepares them to take the NCLEX-PN exam. Program content was developed utilizing the Administrative Rules for the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners.

It consists of both classroom instruction and supervised clinical activities in accredited hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care agencies offered at both the main campus in Lake Charles and the Morgan Smith Site in Jennings.

The Bourbon Orleans of the New Orleans Hotel Collection Named Winner in The Knot Best of Weddings 2017 Mark Wilson, General Manager of the Bourbon Orleans Hotel in New Orleans has announced that the hotel has been selected as a 2017 ¬¬winner in The Knot Best of Weddings, an award representing the highest-rated wedding professionals as reviewed by real couples, their families and wedding guests on The Knot, the leading wedding brand and marketplace. `In 2017, only 2% of the 300,000 local wedding professionals listed on TheKnot.com have received this distinguished accolade. In its eleventh annual year, The Knot continues its longstanding tradition of supporting local wedding vendors with The Knot Best of Weddings 2017, an annual by- and for-couples guide to the top wedding professionals across the country.

For more information about The Knot Best of Weddings and a complete list of winners, visit www. theknot.com/vendors/best-of-weddings.

Lake Charles Civic Ballet presents…

Join Alice, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts for this unforgettable theatre experience!

ASSEMBLÉ | 2017 ROSA HART THEATRE Gala Performance: March 18 – 7pm Matinee Performance: March 19 – 3pm Tickets start at $20 and are available at the Civic Center Box Office at 337.491.1432 or ticketmaster.com.

Lady Holly Hathaway-Kaough, Artistic Director of Lake Charles Civic Ballet, in collaboration with Composer/Conductor William Rose, his fourteen-piece live orchestra and the St. Louis High School Choir under the direction of Pam LeBlanc, presents an enchanting ballet that will delight and captivate audiences of all ages with the tantalizing tale of Alice and her adventures in Wonderland.

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

63

Style & Beauty

4

LOOKS

Fashion Forward Men are Trying This Spring

THINK 90s

CAMO COMEBACK

If you’ve seen girls running around in chokers and flannel, you’ve probably noticed that for the past year, women’s fashion has centered on a time when Nirvana played on pop radio rather than classic rock stations. This spring, the 1990s are back for men as well, starting with athletic logos. Those old Fila, Champion, Reebok, and even Umbro branded sweats and tees are back in a major way. Think classic logos with simple, primary colored backgrounds. Like the Nevermind album, some things are classics for a reason.

This year, it’s safe to bring your hunting gear out of the woods, sort of. High-end brands like Givenchy and Valentino sent camouflageprint windbreakers down their spring 2017 runways, and more affordable brands like ASOS (which has a killer new men’s plus-size line) are selling great looking camo-print tees and jackets right now. Of course, vintage and army surplus stores are also excellent sources for oversized camouflage shirt jackets, which give off an effortlessly cool vibe in still-chilly months before summer.

64 www.thriveswla.com

When it comes to trying new clothing trends, all too often, women get to have all the fun. But this spring, men are probably going to want to get in on the hottest looks showcased on runways in New York and Paris. This year saw the resurgence of some old favorites, and unlike years past, comfort seemed to take center stage. Who says caring about clothes can’t be manly? There’s nothing better than a man who takes care of himself and feels great, inside and out!

WIDE(ER) LEGGED PANTS The Mad Men effect is finally wearing off, and men’s pants are loosening up a little. If the “skinny” trend has been annoying you this past decade or so, you’re in for a treat. Brands like J. Crew are selling trousers with a much more relaxed fit and bigger legs this spring, so pants will fit lower in the waist and have a bit more room to breathe.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

SUNNY SIDE UP MSU and LSU fans, rejoice!

This year, you should be able to find plenty of gold, as yellow was the hottest color on the runway at Hermes and Gucci. In years past, salmon or pink has been the “daring” color for the most fashion forward men to try, but this year, it’s all about looking at the bright side. Mix it up with a yellow Polo shirt or even a bright yellow windbreaker over a grey or white tee, just avoid pairing it with black, lest you look like a bumble bee or a Mizzou fan.

March 2017

Five Tips

For Going Platinum Without Destroying Your Hair

1

It’s been a white winter, full of celebrities dying their hair platinum blonde, and the trend shows signs of powering ahead through spring. White blonde is a great look that works on a lot of different skin tones. It also lends a classic-Hollywood, Marilyn Monroe touch of femininity to any hairstyle, whether it’s long waves or a chopped pixie. But going platinum blonde takes a lot of effort and patience. Here’s what to know before taking the plunge.

Despite all this hard work, an orange tinge could creep in between appointments. There are a few products, like purple shampoo and conditioner (found in both salons and drug stores), that many blondes swear by for battling brassiness. And unless you’re into the dark roots look (very stylish at the moment), expect to touch up the color every four weeks or so.

If you’re exhausted after reading this, platinum blonde is not for you!

However, it’s a fun shade that many say gives a major confidence boost, so if you’re still on board, go for it!

Don’t Try This at Home Drug store aisles are packed with boxes of at-home bleaching kits that look like cheap and easy alternatives to pricy salon treatments. Don’t fall for it! While home coloring looks good with some darker shades, lightening up usually takes multiple processes by a professional. Ask any hairdresser and they’ll tell your horror stories of clients coming in with patchy orange hair and burned ends from trying to go blonde in their own bathrooms.

2

Expect to Splurge Getting the perfect shade of icy blonde can cost three or four hundred dollars. If you’re thinking of making the change, call around and ask for pricing on a “double process,” which means the stylist will lighten the hair with

bleach and then apply a toner to reach the right shade of blonde.

Cheaper isn’t always better; the more experienced the colorist, the closer you’ll get to the blonde of your dreams.

3

Be Patient Going platinum blonde doesn’t happen over a lunch break. Expect to spend all day at the salon. A good stylist will test a patch of hair to see how quickly your hair naturally lightens, and it may take a few rounds of bleaching and toning to lift your hair to the desired color. If you’ve previously dyed your hair, don’t lie! It can affect the color process and some dyed colors (like red) are harder to lift than others.

4

Easy Does It To avoid damaging your hair, your stylist will probably use

Olaplex, which heals broken hair during the bleaching process.

While Olaplex will keep hair healthy during the chemical process, it also dilutes the color formula, which adds time to your appointment. But again, the key to a perfectly platinum head of hair is patience.

5

Don’t Overwash

If you normally wash your hair every day, going blonde will be a shock. The chemical process dries hair out, so even if the roots are a little greasy, the ends never really seem dirty. To keep hair from getting too brittle, invest in a good salon-quality shampoo and conditioner and wash only the roots about twice a week, then leave conditioner on the ends for as long as possible in the shower.

Use dry shampoo for root touch ups on the days in between.

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

65

Style & Beauty

in SWLA

Style Encore

Southwest Louisiana has no shortage of amazing shopping, so it’s no wonder our numerous resale shops have style to spare. With so many local options for thrifty finds and savvy savings, you may not know where to begin. Check out these upscale resale options for your next fabulous fashion find.

“It doesn’t feel like resale,” is the immediate thought that comes to mind when walking through the doors of Style Encore on Eddy Street. The clothing and accessories are meticulously organized and displayed, and the clean, bright atmosphere is a welcome change from fighting the crowds over full-priced items at larger retail chains. Style Encore focuses on buying and selling women’s gently-used casual and business clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories.

Say

Bye Bye To Dry

Dry, cold winter air and indoor heat can take a toll on your skin, leading to chapping, flaking, and redness. The Aesthetic Center can help you refresh and revive dry winter skin with nourishing, rejuvenating facial treatments.

We offer: • • • •

Chemical Peels Microdermabrasion Cosmetic Injections Dermapen

• • • •

Targeted Skin Care Treatments PCA Home Care Products Jane Iredale Mineral Make-up Facial Cosmetic Surgery

Don’t hibernate, luxuriate!

Call 310-1070 for more information or to schedule your appointment.

Treatments are provided under the medical direction of facial cosmetic specialist, Mark Crawford, MD.

facehealth.net •

310-1070 • 1767 Imperial Blvd.

66 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

Plato’s Closet

Located on Ryan Street, Plato’s closet is a trendy consignment shop geared towards teens and young adults. They purchase name-brand, gently-used clothing and accessories you could find for full price in the mall, and will pay the seller on the spot for items in good condition. What can you expect to find at Plato’s Closet?

They sell on-trend clothing, accessories, outerwear, footwear, and athletic apparel for young men and women. The friendly staff at Plato’s closet are happy to help you find exactly what you’re looking for and gladly offer suggestions.

Once Upon a Child

This gem of West Prien Lake Road will help you make every penny count for your children by offering stellar deals on name brand items that range from clothing, costumes, and dancewear to toys, baby gear, and children’s furniture. This store takes it one step further by inspecting each item that comes into their store to ensure it meets mandatory and voluntary safety standards before they sell it. If there is a recall, the recalled items are pulled from the shelves immediately. You can shop with peace of mind that you are saving money and buying safe products for your family.

Moss Bluff New toYou Resale & Consignment Not only does Moss Bluff New to You offer great, gently used items, they make it easy to shop because you can do it online! They specialize in clothing, accessories, handbags, and home décor, and their prices are always negotiable. For the busier people who live life on-the-go, their website, www.mossbluffnewtoyou. com, is dedicated to online shopping.

For the thriftiest of customers, they offer a $3 or less section. Those who would like to see their merchandise in person can make an appointment through their website by sending an email. To stay up to date with the latest from this store, follow links on their website to check out their Facebook page and their blog.

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

67

Mark Your Calendar!

Live @ the Lakefront 2017 Lineup Announced

Inaugural 2017 Billy Navarre ChevroletCadillac Mardi Gras Museum Golf Classic

The electric lineup of live music performances for Live @ the Lakefront 2017 has been announced by the event’s presenting sponsors – the Arts Council of SWLA, the City of Lake Charles, and Deep South Productions. The annual live music series will celebrate its sixth season on three consecutive Fridays, March 17, 24, and 31, from 6-10pm at the Lakefront Promenade’s Arcade Amphitheatre.

Tank and the Bangas will kick off the 2017 season with the headlining performance on March 17th. Opening for Tank and the Bangas is singer/ songwriter Brittany Pfantz and her band, plus melodic folk duo Elms District.

The Lost Bayou Ramblers will return to Live @ the Lakefront on March 24th. This evening is supported by Justin Martindale & the Backstabbers and the Chris Shearman Experience, and is sponsored by SWLA’s premier young professionals’ organization, Fusion Five.

Closing out the season will be returning favorite The Flamethrowers on March 31. Shiner beers returns to sponsor the closing night of this wildly popular concert series and will be raffling off a custom Shiner-branded Epiphone Les Paul guitar and amp at the concert!

Live @ the Lakefront will also include an extensive local art market each Friday as well as menu options from area food trucks.

The public is encouraged to bring chairs and a blanket to put down on the amphitheater’s communal green space. The Arts Council will benefit from all beverage sales. No outside ice chests are allowed.

The Inaugural 2017 Billy Navarre Chevrolet-Cadillac Mardi Gras Museum Golf Classic will be held March 10, at Gray Plantation Golf Club in Lake Charles.

The Classic will benefit the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu which houses one of the largest collections of Mardi Gras costumes and memorabilia ever assembled. Funds raised will go toward the operation and upcoming renovation and updating of the Mardi Gras Museum.

Golf Classic sponsorships and Tee Box signs are available now. More information on entering a team can be found on the Billy Navarre MGM Golf Classic Facebook page or by calling (337) 430-0043.

Walnut Grove Hosts Celebration of Art The Walnut Grove Institute and the Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana hosted a gallery opening for their latest Art Exhibit in February. The exhibit is housed in the Walnut Grove Post Office, located at 2025 W. Walnut St, Suite 1B, in Lake Charles.

This exhibit features the works of thirteen local artists, Amanda Gentry, Chris Huff, Courtney Prudhomme, Daneisha Davis, Danielle Babineaux, Danny Allain, Heather Arsement, Kelli Sargent, Lyd Walls, Marisa Getz, Morgan Allain, and Shawn Ardabili. The exhibit is a collaboration between members of the local art collective, SWLArts.

SWLArt is a community collaboration with a wide variety of local artists, including visual arts, theatre, dance, music, craft, creative writing, carnival arts and film.

Select pieces are available for purchase, and the exhibit will remain on display through May 26, 2017.

68 www.thriveswla.com

Speaker to Discuss Factors of Staging Breast Cancer On March 9, West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital will hold its monthly Pink Crusade Breast Cancer Support Group meeting. The meeting will be held at 6pm in the WCCH Board Room, near the Cypress Street entrance of the hospital. Stephanie Richard, MD, pathologist, will discuss the different factors of staging breast cancer.

There is no charge to attend these monthly meetings. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call (337) 528-7320.

6th Annual ReALLIEty Challenge Once again, Nissan of Lake Charles and 171 Chrysler Dodge Jeep are showcasing their support for health and wellness within our community by sponsoring the Lake Area’s 6th Annual Realliety Challenge obstacle course/mud run.

The event will be held April 8 at Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles. Participants ages 13 and up will be faced with approximately 3.5 miles of obstacles created to parallel military training conditions which include running, crawling, climbing, jumping and balancing. Representatives from the U.S. National Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps will be on-site to cheer you on.

Proceeds benefit The Mission Continues, a nonprofit dedicated to helping our servicemen and women find employment upon their return to civilian life.

For additional information or to register, contact Allie Ieyoub Davis at reallietychallenge@gmail.com or visit the website www.reallietychallenge.com.

proceeds from this years event will go toward the Plauche’ quintuplets (education fund).

The show is open to all vehicles, motorcycles and trucks. Pre-registration will end March 6 at $25 per vehicle and $30 the day of the show. The event is free to the public. For more information, visit www. facebook.com/Carsfor Christ.

Save the Date – Boogaloo 2017 Scheduled Boogaloo 2017 Goes Blue, remembering and honoring our friend George Rodrigue has been scheduled for April 29 at Cash & Carry on Enterprise and Broad in Lake Charles.

This year promises to be another lively Boogaloo, dancing to the music by the Flamethrowers, fabulous food from local chefs and restaurants, and other surprises!

Boogaloo raises the annual operating funds for the Museum to continue adding value to the community through programs which encourage participation in both visual arts as well as preservation of our unique cultural heritage. For more information, call (337) 439-3797.

New “Groovin’ at the Grove” Concert Series Spring Line-up Groovin’ at the Grove, Lake Charles’ new, outdoor live music series presents their 2017 spring lineup. The concerts will be held at Walnut Grove, a traditional neighborhood development in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Musicians will perform on Walnut Grove’s Great Lawn, overlooking the beautiful Contraband Bayou. Residents and visitors are invited to dance as well as enjoy food and beverages offered by local food trucks and vendors. The music series is family-friendly, free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to put down on The Great Lawn’s green space. No ice chests please. The live performances will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The schedule of dates and performers is: March 2, Jamie Bergeron & The Kickin’ Cajuns April 6, Louisiana Red May 4, Nik-L Beer Groovin’ at the Grove is presented by NAI Latter & Blum and Latter & Blum Moffett Realty.

For more information, visitwww.facebook.com/ groovinatthegrove or call (337) 656-9602.

Cars for Christ 2017 Date Announced Helping others is the reason for the fourth annual St. Luke-Simpson United Methodist Church car show “Cars for Christ” on March 11 from 9am-3pm at 1500 Country Club Road in Lake Charles. The Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

!

Solutions for Life

from Solutions Counseling & EAP

by Keri Forbess-McCorquodale, MS, LPC, LMFT, CEAP

Pain is Good Catchy title, huh? Admit it – you pretty much had to read the article, didn’t you?! Pain is good – and not in a sadistic way (for all of you who had already gone down that road!).

I recently read a story about a boy who did not feel physical pain. The story was told by the father. What struck me about the story was how necessary pain is in our lives. The father told of the reaction of others when they found out about his son’s condition. “How great! You know that your son will never have to hurt.”

The father then went on to tell of the numerous instances he and his wife had to deal with the consequences – the serious burns when their son grabbed the cookie sheet out of the oven because the cookies smelled so good, the trips to the emergency room after he had stepped on things while running around barefoot, etc. A life without pain is a life of guaranteed accidents, it would seem.

Pain is our warning sign that something is not right. Physical pain tells us to take our hand away from the fire. It also tells us to use a pot holder next time.

Emotional pain is similar. It tells us when a situation is not healthy for us, and that we need to make a change of some sort.

Here are some of my thoughts about pain: Feel the Pain. Unlike the boy mentioned above, most of us are able to feel pain.

However, I regularly work with people who were never allowed to feel pain – physically or emotionally. Their parents spent enormous amounts of time and energy keeping this child out of harm’s way.

Here is how it typically goes: As a young student, the child fails a test, or gets in trouble at school. In these cases, it is the teacher’s fault that the child is doing poorly or is in trouble. It can’t be that the child didn’t study enough. It can’t be that the child didn’t obey the school rules.

Then, the child doesn’t make the sports team, or doesn’t get to start. Again, these parents jump to the rescue – yelling at the coach, and calling the sporting association.

Now, the child is getting older. He begins to dabble with drugs. He gets caught and taken to jail. Enablers unite! We must get him out of jail ASAP, and then we’ll meet with the district attorney to see if we can get the charges dropped. And then we’ll call the treatment providers and tell them what a good boy he is – he’s just a little off track. And on, and on, and on – ad nauseam (well, I know I’m nauseated, at least.).

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Parents, get out of the way! Pain and suffering is good – if you’re miserable, you will remember and you won’t want to do it (whatever “it” is) again. Children must be allowed to suffer the natural consequences of their decisions. Quit swooping in on your white horse!

Listen to The Pain. The pain is talking to you, my friend. Pay attention.

Many people tolerate pain for so long, they learn to ignore it. It becomes a normal part of their lives. “It’s just a little emotional discomfort,” they tell themselves. In other words, they settle.

There are times in life you have to live with the pain: watching someone you care about die (the question becomes, do you love her more than you want to avoid the pain). There are also times in life you do not have to live in pain – certain relationships, careers, etc.

Take Action. Feeling and listening to the pain isn’t enough. You must do something to alleviate the pain. I’ve said many times – when you’re in a painful/unhealthy situation, you always have three choices: 1. Stay and be miserable.

2. Stay and get happy.

3. Leave.

Please look strongly at #2 and #3. #1 isn’t good for anybody. This is the area where therapy really shines!

Begin to appreciate pain. Pain is good.

www.thriveswla.com

69

McNeese MFA Graduate Wins National Poetry Award

Levine Prize final judge Peter Everwine, himself an award-winning poet and Fresno State professor emeritus, wrote of Rinehart’s entry, “Her poems [. . .] remind us that the great power of poetry, in the words of a truly gifted storyteller, can transmute events and lives into the wondrous and terrifying.”

Civil Engineering Students Awarded Scholarships Two McNeese State University civil engineering students have been awarded $1,000 scholarships by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development—Trent Hargrave, of Lake Arthur, and Matthew Mixon, of Moss Bluff.

The awards are made possible by a scholarship program funded by the Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials in conjunction with the DOTD and the Louisiana Transportation Research Center. SASHTO scholarships are given each year to juniors and seniors in civil engineering in Louisiana universities with a professed interest in the transportation field.

McNeese Forensic Chemistry Students Participated in Student Enrichment Program Two McNeese forensic chemistry students, Kelsey Broussard and Sabrina Bonilla, were selected to participate in a recent Young Forensic Toxicologist Student Enrichment Program at the Society of Forensic Toxicologists meeting in Dallas, Texas. The program promotes education, networking and interaction among forensic toxicology practitioners and students. McNeese was the first university in the state to offer a concentration in forensics chemistry.

McNeese State University’s Master of Fine Arts program has another winner - Rachel Rinehart, a 2014 MFA graduate, has won the national 2016 Philip Levine Prize for Poetry book contest sponsored by the Creative Writing Program at California State University, Fresno.

As the contest winner, Rinehart was awarded McNeese American Chemical Society $2,000 and the publication of her first book, “The Receives Award Church in the Plains,” by the contest’s co-sponsor, The McNeese student chapter of the American Anhinga Press. Her book was chosen from 815 Chemical Society has received a Commendable submissions.

Award for activities conducted during the 2015 Originally from Chuckery, Ohio, Rinehart is 2016 academic year. currently a visiting assistant professor at Marshall Over 400 ACS student chapters submitted University, where she teaches English composition and poetry. This prize is named in honor of late poet reports and the McNeese chapter was one of 93 17-382-0121 Federal Mortgage 1 2/1/17 12:12 selected PM commendable chapter recipients by and professorFirst emeritus Philip Levine, Campaign_Thrive_8x2.375PRs.pdf a founder of the ACS Committee on Education.

The McNeese Fresno State’s poetry writing program, a Pulitzer chapter advisers were Paula McDonald and Dr. Prize winner in poetry and the 2011 poet laureate 17-382-0121 1 2/1/17 11:41 AM Omar Christian. of the United States. First Federal Mortgage Campaign_Thrive_8x2.375PRs.pdf

70 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017

March 201717 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

71

The reasons I get a 3D mammogram are clear.

Early detection is a powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer. West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital now offers the latest 3D mammography technology. Thanks to this technology, skilled physicians and WCCH’s breast health navigation team, I know they’re looking out for me while I’m looking out for my family.

701 Cypress Street, Sulphur

wcch.com 72 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2017