The Best of Times April 2010

Seniors Strive for Gold

April 2010

PricelessPresort StandardU.S. Postage Paid

Shreveport, LA 71103Permit No. 6

“Celebrating Age and Maturity”

2 April 2010 TheBestOfTimesNews.com

Urgent NeedqMinorillnessorinjury(notlife-threatening

requiringemergencyroom)qPrimarydoctornotavailableqDon’thaveaprimarydoctor

ConvenienceqTwolocations–ShreveportandBossierCityqDaily,7a.m.to7p.m.qZipPassonlineregistrationqLabandX-rayon-siteqCommonlyprescribedmedicationson-site

ReputationqPartofWillis-KnightonHealthSystemqTop-notchdoctorsqCertifiedUrgentCare–UrgentCare

AssociationofAmerica

Caring for Adults and Children7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Daily

Shreveport1666 East Bert Kouns(In the clock building

just west of Youree Drive)

(318) 212-3520

Bossier2300 Hospital Drive

(In Medical Office Building II, west of

WK Bossier Health Center)

(318) 212-7520

Save Time – Register onlinewkquickcare.com

April 2010 3 The Best Of Times

1-888-FLY-BKG1BransonAirExpress.com

Shreveport to Branson as low as

$39*

*Advertised public charter fares are one-way, do not require a round trip purchase, and include Federal Excise Tax of 7.5%. Fares are capacity controlled and some advertised airfares not be available on all seats on all flights. Airfares do not include September 11th Security Fees of $2.50 per person per enplanement, Federal Flight Segment Taxes of $3.70 per person per flight segment, Passenger Facility Charges (PFC) of up to $4.50 per person each way. Advertised fares cost $11.25 more per person each way when booked by calling 1-888-FLY-BKG1 or through BransonAirExpress.com. Tickets purchased at the airport are not subject to this increase in price. Fares are subject to availability at the time of booking, and are subject to change. A $15.00 checked baggage fee will apply for the first checked bag and $25.00 for a second checked bag per person. Each checked bag weighing over 51 pounds will be assessed a fee of $40 in addition to the checked bag fee.

TAKE A TRIP TO BRANSON!


April ContentsBRIEFly

8 News & Info10 Eat Like Your Life Depends On It12 Medical News & Info

dEpaRtmEnts14 Is There a Doctor in the House? 5StepstoBetterHeartHealth

16 Special Report 6WaystoMakeRetirementaReality(ina

BadEconomy)

advIcE18 Marci’s Medicare Answers CataractSurgery,HospiceCare&Extra

HelpSpecialEnrollmentPeriod

20 Money Mattersby Jason Alderman EarnHigherInterest

22 Ask Dr. Marion by Marion Somers HiringHomeHealthAides,Caregiver AppsandWebsites

24 From the Bench by Judge Jeff Cox TeenCourtProgramHelpsAreaYouth

26 Ask Grand by Lillian Carson AmITooOldtoRaiseMyGrandchildren?

28 Laws of the Land by Lee Aronson OutrageousCarProblems

38 Dear Pharmacist by Suzy Cohen TryTheseNaturalMemoryBoosters

40 Moving Free with Mirabai by Mirabai Holland FightUpperArmFlab

FEatuRE31 Seniors Strive for Gold by Amanda Newton Agealonedoesnothavetomeanthata

competitivespiritandthethrillofthe gameshavetoendwhenapersonhits 50.SeniorOlympicsgivesathletesthe opportunitytogoforthegold.

36 2010 Northwest Louisiana District Senior Olympic Games

Schedule

columns42 The Bookworm by Terri

Schlichenmeyer “Over40&You’reHired!"

43 Weather Facts for Thought by Al Bolton

44 Profile in Pizzazz by Amanda Newton VolunteerBillyBarefieldNamedCASA

Champion

46 Travelizers by Andrea Gross MesaVerde,ColoradoandAcoma,New

Mexico

48 Restaurant Review by Lizzie Lyles AbbySinger’sBistro60 The Best of Times & RSVP Salute Betty Williams by Teresa Micheels

In EvERy IssuE50 What’s Cooking? PotatoesTakeCenterStage

54 Get Up & Go! Afullmonth'sworthofactivities

56 Our Famous Puzzle Pages Crossword,Suduko,WordSearch

58 Gold Pages ResourceDirectoryofbusinesses,services, andorganizationsfor“thoseofus50+”

61 Parting Shots Seeandbeseen

31

LoyalreadersknowthatIplaytennis.Winorlose,Ilovethegame...runningalloverthecourt,strategizingwithmypart-ner,gettinghot,sweatyandtired,and,especially,facingthechallengeofanotherteamthat'smuchyoungerorbetter.Win-ningmedalsisexciting,butthetruthisthatit'sfuntoplay,period.

Ourareaisoverflowingwithathletesofallages,wholikeme,playfortheloveofthegame.ThismonthAmandaNewtonintroducesustosomeoftheseathletesandtotheSeniorOlympicgamesthatgive"thoseofus50+"theopportunitytoplaythesportsweloveinacompetitiveandfunatmosphere.

Thisissueisburstingwithasmuchnewsandinformationasthesepagescanpossiblyhold.Everymonth,wehaveaccesstosomuchcontentthatwefeelisinformativeand/orentertaining,but,nomatterhowmanypagesweadd,thereisneverenoughroom.Oursolution-beginningthismonthwewillbeputtingitallonourwebsiteatTheBestOfTimesNews.com.Fordetailsmakesureyouseepage6.

Untilnextmonth,letthegamesbegin!!

~Tinadan usery, larry smith and mike cox


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A new concept in active, healthy living

Call today to schedule your private appointment

600 E. Flournoy Lucas Road Shreveport, Louisiana

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RadioHouRHosted byGaRy CalliGas

Previously aired programs are available at www.TheBestOfTimesNews.com

Do you have a question for one of our guests? Call 320-1130 during the broadcast or email [email protected] prior to the show.

Broadcasting every Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00

a.m. on AM 1130 KWKH, A Gap Broadcasting Radio Station in

Shreveport, LA.

Streaming live on the internet at www.KWKHonline.com

APRIL 3 “Lessons Learned from Older People,” Dr. Eric Z. Shapira, Clinical Gerontologist and Aging Specialist www.agingmentorservices.com APRIL 10 “The Art of Wine Making and Enjoying Fine Wines,” Panel of Winery Representatives, www.corkwinefestival.com APRIL 17 “Northwest Louisiana Senior Olympics,” Doyle Blasingame and Gerry Robichaux, www.nwlsog.org APRIL 24 “How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents,” Jacqueline Marcell, internationally known author, www.elderrage.com

MAY 1 “They’re Your Parents Too!” Francine Russo, noted journalist with Time Magazine, www.yourparentstoo.com

tHe best of times

April 2010 • Vol. 17, No. 4Founded in 1993 as Senior Scene NewsISSN Library of Congress #1551-4366

A monthly publication from TBT Multimedia, LLC

P.O. Box 19510Shreveport, LA 71149

(318) 636-5510TheBestOfTimesNews.com

PublisherGary L. Calligas

[email protected]

EditorTina Miaoulis Calligas

[email protected]

Writers Lizzie Lyles

Amanda Newton

Design & LayoutKatherine M. Branch

Jessica Rinaudo

Account ExecutivePhilip Maxfield

[email protected]

WebmasterJason P. Calligas

ContributorsJason Alderman, Lee Aronson, Al

Bolton, LA Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, Suzy Cohen, Judge

Jeff Cox, Andrea Gross, Mirabai Holland, Ted Kooser, Teresa

Micheels, Marion Somers, Terri Schlichenmeyer

Council of Advisors Terri Brock, Senator Sherry Smith-Cheek, Clara Farley, Dora Miller,

Raymon Owens, Mary Anne Rankin, and Mary Alice Rountree

THE FINE PRINT: All original content published in THE BEST OF TIMES copyright © 2010 by TBT Multimedia, LLC, all rights reserved. Replication, in whole or in part by any means is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed are the sole responsibility of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect those of the publication, TBT Mulitmedia, its publishers or staff. Always consult properly degreed and licensed professionals when dealing with all matters financial, medical, legal or emotional. We cannot accept liability for omissions or errors and cannot be responsible for the claims of advertisers.

www.TheBestofTimesNews.com

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• Download or view monthly issues of The Best of Times and our annual

senior resource directory, Silver Pages, for FREE!

• Listen to past radio programs.

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We’re Busting at the Seams! Read original content not published

in this issue.This month on TheBestOfTimesNews.com

“Home Weatherproofing Aid for Low-Income Families”

“New Drugs Approved for 2009”

“Do Shoes Really Matter When Beginning a Walking Program?”

“When Am I Legally Required to Give My Social Security Number?”

Medicare Savings Programs

Crossword and Suduko Puzzles


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Governor Jindal Honors louisiana’s longest married couple

GovernorBobbyJindalandFirstLadySupriyaJindalrecentlyheldareceptionattheGovernor’sMansiontohonorLouisiana’sLongestMarriedCouple–BennettandPearlRobinofDusonwhohavebeenmarriedsinceJuly2,1932.TheRobinswerepresentedwithanofficial certificate fromtheGovernor’sOfficehonoringthemfor77yearsofmarriage.TheRobinswillbeinductedintotheLouisianaFamilyForum’s(LFF)MarriageHallofFame.

TheLouisianaCommissiononMarriageandFamilyisworkingtoidentifythelongestmarriedcouplesineachparishacrossthestateandhonoringthemlocally.Entrantsmayapplybysendingtheir contact information, number of years married, weddinganniversaryandbriefdescriptionof their life togetherto [email protected].

Healthcare Fraud alertTheLouisianaAttorneyGen-

eralandtheUSDepartmentofHealthandHumanServiceswantthepublictobeawareofpossibleMedicarefraud.To reportsuspected Medi-carefraud,callat877-272-8720.

Arthritis Kits -ManyseniorsinLouisiana havebeensurprisedtodiscover a Medi-care Arthritis Kitontheirdoorstep.They d id notorder the equip-mentandinmanycases havenousefor the flimsy aceb a n d a g e - t y p eequipment found in the box.These kits are not endorsedby Medicare and they are anexample of Durable MedicalEquipment(DME)fraud.

False Front Providers - Anew type of Medicare fraudis appearing in Louisiana andit's easy to determine if yourMedicare card has been used

toperpetratethistypeoffraud.Read your Medicare Sum-

maryNoticeorExplanationof Benefits carefully. If

youseeanychargesbilledtoyoufroma physician inan unfamiliarcity, call theMedicareFraudnumber.Physi-cians identitiesare being sto-len and usedto open falsef ront o f f i ce s .These offices donot provide ac-tualmedicalcare;

theyexist for thesole purpose ofs t ea l ing money

fromMedicare.REMEMBER: Do not give

yourMedicarenumbertotele-phone solicitors, sales peopleandpeopleyouarenotfamiliarwith. Once given, Medicarecan be billed time and againwithyournumber for servicesyoudonotwantandhavenotauthorized.

social security unveils new online medicare applicationThe Social Security Administration has just launched a new

service that will allow more people to enroll online for theirMedicarebenefits.Thisnewonlineapplication,whichtakeslessthan10minutestocomplete,isforpeoplereachingtheMedicareeligibilityageof65whowanttodelayfilingforSocialSecurityretirementbenefits.CurrentlyaboutahalfmillionAmericansenrollinMedicareeachyearwithoutapplyingformonthlybenefits.

TheapplicationguidespeoplethroughabriefsetofquestionsthatwillhelpthemconsidereitherfilingforSocialSecurityANDMedicarebenefits,orfilingonlyforMedicare.Therearelinkstomoreinformationforpeoplewhohavequestions.

ToapplyonlineforMedicare,gotowww.socialsecurity.govandchooseRetirement/Medicareundertheheader,“ClickBelowToApplyFor.”Youwillbeaskedabrief seriesofquestions. Ifyouhave a question or need any additional information, there areconvenient “more info” links.Whenyou’redone, just click the“SignNow”buttontosubmittheapplication.Therearenopaperformstosign,andusuallynoadditionaldocumentsarerequired.Ifmoreinformationisneeded,SocialSecuritywillcontactyoubyphoneorletter.

OvertonBrooksVAMedicalCenter(VAMC)inShreveport,LouisianawasrecentlyawardedthreeGreenGlobesbytheGreenBuildingInitiative(GBI)forleadershipinenergy,environmentalefficiencyandtheireffortstoachievesustainableenergy.OvertonBrooksVAMCistheonlyhospitalaswellastheonlyfacilityinLouisianatoreceivethisdesignation.

Green Globe certification awarded to overton Brooks va medical center

Louisiana's “Cash for Ap-pliance”rebateprogrambeganonApril1andwillbeavailableuntil fundsrunout.Louisianaresidentswillhaveaccesstoupto$250inrebatesforENERGYSTAR(R)-qualifiedappliances.Eligible products include re-frigerators, freezers, washers,dishwashers, roomandcentral

cash for appliance Rebate programairconditioners,waterheaters,gas furnaces, andheatpumps.Rebatesarefirstcome,firstserveand will run until February2012,oruntilfundsrunout.

Residents of Louisiana arerequiredtoreservetheirrebatesonline or by phone and willreceiveamail-inrebateonceaprooforpurchaseissubmitted.Additionally, Louisiana resi-dentsmustprovideproof thataparticipatingretailerremovedtheoldunitanddisposedofitresponsibly.

Formoreinformationgotowww.dnr.louisiana.gov


By Bob Moos, SW regional public affairs officer,Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Hospice care isn’t about giving up. It’saboutmakingeverymomentmatter.Medi-carebeneficiarieswhochoosehospicereceivepalliativecareandsupportfortheirterminalillness.They’renolongerseekingacure,buttheydowanttoliveouttheirlastmonthsascomfortablyaspossibleandwithdignity.

Medicare’shospicebenefitbeganin1983andhashelpedmillionsofAmericansandtheirfamilies.

Toqualify,patientsmustbeeligibleforMedicare’sPartAhospital insurance, andthey must be certified by their physicianandhospicemedicaldirectorthattheyhaveaprognosisofsixmonthsorlesstolive,iftheirillnessrunsitsnormalcourse.TheyalsomustsignastatementelectingtheMedicarehospicebenefitandanotherstatementthatthey understand they’re forgoing curativetreatmentfortheirterminalcondition.

Whenconsideringandselectingahospiceprogram,askthesequestions:Isitcertifiedandlicensed?Whatkindoftrainingdoesthehospiceprovideitscaregivers?Howdoesthehospicestaffrespondtoafter-houremergen-cies?Whatmeasuresareinplacetoensurequalitycare?Howdoesthehospiceinvolvethefamilyinplanningthecare?

Hospice programs follow a teamapproach.

Thedoctorandthehospicemedicalstaffworkwiththebeneficiariesandtheirfami-liestoplanthecare.Mostpatientsremainathomeandreceiveregularvisitsfromthehospice’snurses,socialworkersandcounsel-ors.Ifsomeoneneedshospitalcare,though,thehospicemakesthearrangements.

Theprimarygoalistorelievethepainandmanagethesymptoms.Aslongasthecarecomes fromaMedicare-approvedhospiceprogram, Medicare covers such costs asthephysicianservices,nursingcare,drugs,medicalequipmentandsupplies,andphysi-calandoccupationaltherapy.

Though thehospicebenefit is partoforiginalMedicare,it’salsoavailabletoanyonewithaMedicareAdvantageplan.AndbothoriginalMedicareandMedicareAdvantagewillcontinuepay-

ing for the treatmentof other conditionsunrelatedtosomeone’sterminalillness.

Medicareunderstandsthatfamilymem-bers need a rest from caregiving. So,beneficiariescanrequesttostayuptofivedaysatatimeataMedicare-approvedhos-pice inpatient facility,hospital ornursinghome.Forthat,theypay5percentoftheMedicare-approvedamountforrespitecare.

Overall, Medicare beneficiaries payalmostnothingfortheirhospicecare.Theironlyexpensemaybecopaymentsof$5orless for drugs prescribed to manage theirsymptomsorrelievepain.

Patientscanreceivehospicecareaslongasthey’rerecertified.After90daysofcare,beneficiariesarere-evaluatedbythehospice’smedical director or other hospice doctortodetermineifthecareisstillappropriate.Anotherre-evaluationisdoneafteranother90daysandthenevery60days.

Patientswhosehealthimprovesorwhoseillnessesgointoremissionmaynotneedtoremaininahospiceprogram.Inthosecases,theyreturntotheirpreviousMedicarecover-age.Ifsomedaytheirconditionworsensandtheyagainrequirehospicecare,theycanberecertifiedandre-electthebenefit.

Beneficiarieswantingtolearnmoreabouthospiceprogramsintheirareashouldtalktotheirdoctororcalltheirstate’shospiceorganization or state health department.Their physician will also help determinewhetheraparticularhospiceprogramhasbeenapprovedbyMedicare.

EvenifapatientisenrolledinaMedicareAdvantage HMO plan, that person canstillchoosehospicecarefromanyavailableMedicare-approvedhospice.

FormoreaboutMedicare’shospiceben-efit,visittheMedicareWebsiteatmedicare.govorcallMedicare’s24-7customerservicelineat1-800-633-4227.AMedicarepubli-cation,titled“MedicareHospiceBenefits,”canalsobedownloadedfromtheWebsiteorrequestedbyphone.

medicare's Hospice Benefit comforts

patients and their Families

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Afteroneyear,a low-calorie, low-fatdietappearsmoreben-eficial todieters’mood than a low-carbohydrateplanwith thesamenumberofcalories,accordingtoareportintheArchives of Internal Medicine.

Obeseindividualswholoseweighttendtohaveanimprovedpsychologicalstate,includingabettermood,accordingtoback-groundinformationinthearticle.

Afteroneyear,theoverallaverageweightlosswasabout30.2poundswithnodifferencebetweenthetwogroups.Bothgroupsinitially(afterthefirsteightweeks)experiencedanimprovementinmood.However,mostmeasurementsofmoodrevealedalast-ingimprovementinonlythosefollowingthelow-fatdiet.Thisoutcomesuggeststhatsomeaspectsofthelow-carbohydratedietmayhavehaddetrimentaleffectsonmoodthat,overthetermofoneyear,negatedanypositiveeffectsofweightloss.

mood Improves on low-Fat, but not on low-carb, diet plan

Whichismorelikelytoleadtohighbloodpressure--colasorcoffee?Inanewstudyofwomen,acola-a-dayhabitwasassociatedwithabout15%higherriskofhyperten-sion,whileapatternofcoffeedrinkingappearedtohavelittleimpact.Infact,themorecolathewomendrankdaily,the higher their hypertension risk ap-peared to be, even if they drank dietcola.Andbecausethesameeffectwasnotseenwithcoffeedrinkers,theresearchersspeculate that it's not the caffeine thatmakes cola bad forbloodpressure,butsomethingelse--possiblythecornsyrupusedtosweetenit,orthecoloringusedtogiveitthatcaramellook.

Caffeinecantemporarilyincreasebloodpressureinpeoplewhoaresensitivetothestuff,soit'sbesttocutbackoncaffeineifyouhavehighbloodpressure,areatriskforit,oraregenerallysensi-tivetocaffeine'seffects.Formostothers,though,consumingupto250milligramsofcaffeineperdaymaybesafe.(RealAge.com)

skip colas to Help control your Blood pressure

a long life is Just a Bowl of cherriesResearchshowsthatpotentanthocyaninsandotherphyto-

chemicalsfoundintartcherrieshavesuperpowersthatmayhelpnixcellagingandcancer-causingoxidativedamage.Accordingtoresearch,thecompoundsstoppedcertaincancercellsfromgrowingandevenhelpedkillsomeoffinlabandanimalstudies.Anotheraddedbenefit-thesesamecompoundsmayprotectbraincellsfromneurodamagingoxidativestress-thekindseeninAlzheimer'sdisease.(RealAge.com)

Eatingchocolatemayloweryourriskofhavingastroke,accord-ingtoananalysisofavailableresearchthatwaspresentedattheAmericanAcademyofNeurology’s62ndAnnualMeeting.Anotherstudyfoundthateatingchocolatemaylowertheriskofdeathaftersufferingastroke.Theanalysisinvolvedreviewingthreestudiesonchocolateandstroke.

Chocolateisrichinantioxidantscalledflavonoids,whichmayhaveaprotectiveeffectagainststroke,butmoreresearchisneeded.

Thefirststudyfoundthat44,489peoplewhoateoneservingofchocolateperweekwere22%lesslikelytohaveastrokethanpeoplewhoatenochocolate.Thesecondstudyfoundthat1,169peoplewho ate 50 gramsof chocolate once aweekwere46%lesslikelytodiefollowingastrokethanpeoplewhodidnoteatchocolate.Theresearchersfoundonlyoneadditionalrelevantstudyintheirsearchofalltheavailableresearch.Thatstudyfoundnolinkbetweeneatingchocolateandriskofstrokeordeath.

can chocolate lower your Risk of Having a stroke?

Peoplewhodrinkmaywanttoknowthatcoffeewon’tsoberthemup,accordingtonewlaboratoryresearch.Instead,acupofcoffeemaymakeitharderforpeopletorealizethey’redrunk.Thosewhohaveconsumedonlyalcohol,whofeeltiredandintoxicated,maybemorelikelytoacknowledgethattheyaredrunk.Conversely,peoplewhohaveconsumedbothalcoholandcaffeinemayfeelawakeandcompetentenoughtohandlepotentiallyharmfulsitu-ations,suchasdrivingwhileintoxicatedorplacingthemselvesindangeroussocialsituations.

What’smore,popularcaffeinated“alcohol-energy”drinksdon’tneutralizealcoholintoxication,suggestthefindingsfromastudyreportedinthejournalBehavioral Neuroscience.

caffeine doesn’t Reverse the negative Impact of alcohol

Adifferenceinbrainactivitypatternsmayexplainwhysomepeopleareabletomaintainasignificantweightlosswhileothersregaintheweight.Theinvestigatorsreportthatwhenindividualswhohavekepttheweightoffforseveralyearswereshownpicturesoffood,theyweremorelikelytoengagetheareasofthebrainas-sociatedwithbehavioralcontrolandvisualattention,comparedtoobeseandnormalweightparticipants.

Findingsfromthisbrainimagingstudy,publishedbytheAmeri-can Journal of Clinical Nutrition,suggestthatsuccessfulweightlossmaintainersmaylearntoresponddifferentlytofoodcues.

Brain’s Response to seeing Food may be linked to weight loss maintenance


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Chronicfeelingsofloneli-ness take a toll on bloodpressure over time, causinga marked increase, accord-ing to a new study at theUniversityofChicago.

Thestudyshows,forthefirsttime,adirectrelationbetweenlonelinessandlargerincreasesinbloodpressurefouryearslater-alinkthatisindependentofageandotherfactorsthatcouldcausebloodpressuretorise, includingbody-massindex,smoking,alcoholuseanddemographic

differencessuchasraceandincome.Theresearchersalsolookedatthepossibilitythatdepressionandstressmightaccount

fortheincreasebutfoundthatthosefactorsdidnotfullyexplaintheincreaseinbloodpressureamonglonelypeople50yearsandolder.

“Lonelinessbehavedasthoughitisauniquehealth-riskfactorinitsownright,”wroteresearcherLouiseHawkleyinanarticlepublishedinthejournalPsychology and Aging.

Highbloodpressure,oftencalledasilentthreatasithasfewsymptoms,undermineshealthinmanyways.Itincreasestheriskforheartattackandstrokeandimpairskidneyfunction.

Likebloodpressure,lonelinessissometimesnoteasytodetect.Peoplewhohavemanyfriendsandasocialnetworkcanfeellonelyiftheyfindtheirrelationshipsunsatisfying.Conversely,peoplewholiverathersolitarylivesmaynotbelonelyiftheirfewrelationshipsaremeaningfulandrewarding.

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at nUrSeCare oF Shreveport

loCal area CitizenS oF all ageS are invited to attend a Free

1736 IrvIng PlaceShrevePort, la 71101

For InFormatIon & reServatIonS

call 318-221-1983

TOWN HALL MEETING

Feeling lonely adds to Rate of Blood pressure Increase

new test catches most pancreatic cancers Early

Researchers report they’ve developed atestthatdetectsearly-stagepancreaticcancerbymeasuringlevelsofaproteinthat’spres-entin90%ofcancerousandprecancerouslesions.AccordingtoresearchersfromtheGardenStateCancerCenterinNewJersey,development of the test is significant asmost patients with pancreatic cancer arediagnosed when the disease is advancedandmoredifficult tocure.Ifvalidated inlargerstudies,thetestwouldbeapromisingtoolfordetectingthisdiseaseinitsearlier,more treatable stages,before it spreads tootherorgans.

Inearlystudies,thetestdetectedstage1pancreaticcancer62%ofthetimeandstage2pancreatic86%ofthetime.Ninety-onepercentof the time, itdetectedcancer instages 3 and4.Overall, the test detected81%ofpancreaticcancers.Currently,only7%ofpancreaticcancersaredetectedbeforetheyhavespreadtootherpartsofthebody.

According to the study, the test rarelypicksupcasesofpancreatitis-inflammationof thepancreas -which isoftenconfusedwithpancreaticcancer.

the Benefits of surfing the web

A2009researchstudyof7,000retired adults over the age of 55,foundthatspendingtimeonlinede-creasesthelikelihoodofdepressionby20%,andthatsignificantsavingscouldberealizedas it isestimatedthat late-life depression affects asmanyassixmillionolderAmericans.

TheresearcherspointoutthattheresultshaveimportantimplicationsforbroadbandpolicyandprogramsthatincreaseInternetaccessamongthisagegroup.(Internet Use and Depression Among the Elderly)

steroid Injections may slow diabetes-Related Eye disease

ResearchersledbyspecialistsattheJohnsHopkinsWilmerEye Institute have found that injecting a corticosteroid,triamcinolone,directlyintotheeyemayslowtheprogres-sionofproliferativediabeticretinopathy,acomplicationofdiabetesthatfrequentlyleadstoblindness.

AuthorsofthestudypublishedinArchives of Ophthalmol-ogycaution,however,thatbecauseuseofsteroidsintheeyemayincreasetheriskofglaucomaandcataract,laserpho-tocoagulationremainsthetreatmentofchoiceuntilfurtherdevelopmentofdrugsthatmayreproducethegoodeffectsofsteroids,withoutthedamage.


Orthopedic surgeons are seeing a wave of exercise-related injuries among baby boomers - a phenomenon dubbed “boomeritis.” Baby boomers are fitter and more athletic longer into their lives, compared with their parents’ generation. They are running marathons, hit-ting the slopes, playing hockey, cycling the country, and more. While staying active promotes health, at age 50 and older the body is less forgiving. Injuries can occur when people push beyond the body’s capability. Typical problems include tendinitis, bursitis, stress fractures and tendon tears (such as rotator cuff injuries).

Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource offers these tips to help avoid boomeritis:

Doctor approval: A doctor can offer advice when a person is considering a new sport or activity. In general, it’s wise to start slowly and increase gradually.

Warm-ups: A warm-up prepares a body for activity by getting the blood flowing, raising muscle temperature and increasing the heart rate. Moderate activities, such as walking on a treadmill or cycling in a low gear, are good warm-ups. Cold muscles are more prone to injury.

Stretching: Past age 40, joints, tissues and muscles may not be as flexible as they once were. Stretching after exercise, when muscles are warm, can help prevent injury and may improve performance.

Cross-training: Alternating different types of activities works various muscle groups, which helps muscles adapt to new activities. A balanced fitness program should include cardio work, strength training and flexibility exercises, such as yoga, and exercises such as Pilates that target the core muscles.

Consistency: Compressing hours of heavy activity into the weekend sets the stage for injury. A better approach is aiming for 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise daily.

Listening to the body: Boomers may not be able to tolerate the same sports or participate as long or as intensely as they could when they were younger. Significant stiffness or strain indicates too much intensity.

Avoiding overdoing: A rest period or a rest day after an intense workout can help avoid injury. A good rule is to increase activity by no more than 10 percent each week, for example, adding one mile a week to reach a 10-mile-per-week walking regimen.Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. To subscribe, please call 800-876-8633, extension 9751, (toll-free) or visit www.bookstore.mayoclinic.com.

avoiding ‘Boomeritis’ - the achilles’ Heel of a Fit Generation

Bone-Building drug may cut cancer RiskDrugswithalonghistoryofeffectivebone-buildingandstrengtheninginosteoporosis

patientsmayalsosignificantlyreducebreastcancerrisk,accordingtoseveralnewstudies.Inonestudyof150,000post-menopausalwomenconductedbytheWomen’sHealth

Initiative(WHI),invasivebreastcancerwasreducedby32%intheparticipantstakingbisphosphonates.Participantsnottakingthedrugdidnotexperiencethesameresults.Asimilarlong-termIsraelistudyshoweda29%reductioninbreastcancerinagroupofpostmenopausalwomen.Additionaltestingisnecessarytoconfirmthesefindings.

Bisphosphonateshelpbonesabsorbcalciumthuspreventingthemfrombecomingtoobrittleandpronetofractureorbreakage,acommonoccurrenceinbreastcancerpatientsundergoingchemotherapy,whichtendstoleechcalciumfrombones.Thedrugsarecur-rentlybeingusedtotreatbreastcancerwhichhasspreadtoapatient’sbones,buttheyarenotwidelyusedbeyondthesestudiesforpurposesofpreventingthedisease.

Anotherbenefitisthatthesedrugspreventexcessivecalciumaccumulationinthebloodofbreastcancerpatients.Toomuchcalciuminthebloodmaycauseheartattacks.


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e hou

se? Heart disease - or cardiovascular

disease - seems like something that happens to other people. But the truth is, about one third of adult Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 80 million Americans - that’s one of every three adults - live with one or more types of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In addition to reducing quality of life and raising health care costs, heart disease kills more people than any other disease, including cancer. The CDC estimates that every 37 seconds, someone dies from heart disease. What can you do to reduce your risk of

heart disease? Following these five steps can help you take control of your heart health and put you on the path to a healthier life.

1. Know the Risk Factors.Knowledgeispower.Onceyouknow

whatbehaviorsandconditionscontributetotheproblem,youcantakeaction.nUnhealthy Diet.Foodshighin

saturatedfatsandcholesterolraisebloodpressurelevelsandpromoteatherosclero-sis.Toomuchsodiumcauseshighbloodpressurelevelsaswell.nPhysical Inactivity.Asedentarylife-

styleimpactsbloodpressure,theamountofgoodcholesterolandtriglyceridesinthebody,andweight.nTobacco Use.Tobaccosmoke

containsmorethan4800chemicals,manyofthemdamagingtotheheart.Cigarettesmokingpromotesatherosclerosis(nar-rowingofthearteries)andraisesthelevelsofbloodclottingfactors.Nicotineraises

bloodpressureandheartrates,andcarbonmonoxidereducestheamountofoxygenthebloodcancarry.Exposuretosecond-handsmokecansignificantlyincreasetheriskofheartdiseaseinnon-smokers.nHeredity.Geneticfactorsmayplay

someroleinhighbloodpressure,heartdiseaseandothervascularconditions.

2. Know Your Numbers. Highbloodpressureandhighcholes-

terolcandamageyourheartandbloodvessels.Butwithouttestingthem,youprobablywon’tknowwhetherornotyouhavetheseconditions.It’simportantthatyouknowwhatyourlevelsare,tokeeptrackofthemovertime,andtrackyournumbersandassistindeterminingyourpersonalbloodpressureandcholesterol

goals.nAdultsshouldhavetheirbloodpres-

surecheckedatleasteverytwoyears.Youmayneedmorefrequentchecksifyournumbersaren’toptimal,orifyouhaveotherriskfactorsforheartdisease.Op-timalbloodpressureislessthan120/80millimetersofmercury.nAdultsshouldhavetheircholesterol

measuredatleastonceeveryfiveyears.Youmayneedmorefrequenttestingifyournumbersaren’toptimalorifyouhaveotherriskfactorsforheartdisease.Theoptimalcholesterollevelsaredeter-minedbythenumberorriskfactorsandotherdiagnosis.

3. Stop Using Tobacco Products. Whenyouquitsmoking,yourrisk

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ofheartdiseaseisdramaticallyreducedwithinjustoneyear.Nomatterhowlongorhowmuchyou’vesmoked,youstartreapingrewardsassoonasyouquit.Talktoyourdoctorabouteffectivewaystostopsmoking.Inaddition,youcanfindonlinetoolsandinformationatnwww.smokefree.govnwww.lungusa.orgnwww.mayoclinic.com

4. Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet. ManydoctorsrecommendtheDASH

diet-DASHstandsforDietaryAp-proachestoStopHypertension.Thatmaynotsoundlikeatemptingmenudescription,buteatingtoprotectyourheartreallycanbedeliciousandsatisfy-ing.Reducingtheamountsofsaturatedandtransfatyoueatiskey.Sourcesofsaturatedfatincludebeef,butter,cheese,milk,andcoconutandpalmoils.Checkpackagelabelsfor“partiallyhydrogenated”toavoidtransfats.Heart-healthyeatingisn’tallaboutcuttingthingsout.TheDASHdietisrichinfruitsandvegetables(therecommendationis5servingsaday),wholegrainsandotherfoodsthatcanhelpprotectyourheart,helpyoucontrol

yourweight,andimproveoverallhealth.Learnmoreatwww.dashdiet.org.

5. Get Moving. Physicalactivitycanreduceyourrisk

offatalheartdisease.Ithelpsyoucon-trolweightandreducesyourchancesofdevelopingotherconditionsthatmayputastrainonyourheart,suchashighbloodpressure,highcholesterolanddiabetes.Italsoreducesstress,whichmaybeafactorinheartdisease.nGuidelinesrecommendexercising

vigorouslyatleast150minutesperweek.nKeepinmindthatgardening,house-

keeping,takingthestairsandwalkingthedogallcounttowardyourtotaltime.

TrytomaintainaBMI(bodymassindex)of25to30.

It’seasierthanyouthinktopreventandmanageheartdisease.Takingsmallstepscanmakeabigdifference.Startfollowingthesefivesteps,andtrackyourprogressusinganapplicationlikeMayoClinicHealthManageratwww.healthmanager.mayoclinic.com.It’sfreeandyoudon’thavetobeaMayoClinicpatienttouseit.(Courtesy of FAMILY FEATURES)

Online ToolsTo help people manage their health

better,MayoClinicandMicrosoftworkedtogethertodevelopMayoClinicHealthManager,www.healthmanager.mayoclinic.com,poweredbyMicrosoftHealthVault.

MayoClinicHealthManagerisafreeprivacy-and-security-enhanced onlineapplicationwhereyoucanorganizeyourhealthinformationandreceivepersonal-izedguidance.Featuresinclude:nTakeaheartdiseaseriskassessment.n Use the Prepare for Appointment

feature to customize and print relevantinformationonmedications,bloodpres-sureandcholesterolbeforeadoctor’svisit.n Get personalized heart health

guidance.Mayo Clinic Health Manager allows

youtocreatecustomtrackers forbloodpressure(youcandownloaddatadirectlyfromcompatibledeviceslikebloodpres-surecuffs),cholesterol,weight,exercise,andmore.

View the charts over time to see ifeverythingisincheck.Basedontheinfor-mationyouenter,you’llreceiveremindersforscreeningsyoumayneedandthelatestinformationonhearthealth.


By Bill Losey

1. Control your emo-tions -take a deep

breath.Duringthisvolatileperiodandeveryvolatileperiodthereisalwaysacycleofgreedandfear.Greedandfeararethetwothingsthatmovethemarket.Wehaveperiodswherethemar-ketsgetaheadofthemselvesandinvestorsbecometoo

optimistic–andotherperiodswhereinvestorsbegintopanic,throwthebabyoutwiththebathwater,andbecomeoverlypessimistic.Weareobviouslyinthethroes,orveryclosetothelatterscenario.Thisvolatileperiodwillpasslikealltheothershave.

2. Consider increasing your annual savings and re-

tirement contributions.Thisisoneareayouhavedirectcontrolover. It may require that youreduceyourcurrentspendingorearmarkyourraiseforsavings,butputtingmoreawaynowwillallowyoutobuymoresharesatcheaperprices(sincethemarketislower).Theyoungeryouareandtheearlieryoustartsaving,themoreyearsyourmoneycangrow tax deferred inside your401korIRA.Thistaxdeferredcompoundingcanmeanthou-sands or tens of thousands of

extra dollars for you to spendcome retirement time. Also,everydollaryouinvestinyour401k/403b plan today is onelessdollarincludedinyourin-comethisyearsoyoucanloweryourtaxbite.Employee’selec-tive contributions are limitedto $16,500 per year in 2009($22,500 for those people age50 and over). How much areyousaving?Canyousavemore?

3. Consider reallocating your 401k/403b to

higher yielding investments. Irealizethatthismaybecounter-intuitivetowhatyou’refeelinggiven the recent market slidebutperhapsyou should investmore aggressively. Over time,stockshavehistoricallyoutpacedbondsandinflation.Certainly,thegreaterthepotentialreturnonyourmoney, themore riskyou’ll be taking. However, ifyou have 10 years or moreuntilyourretirementdate(andhave at least20yearsormoreof life ahead), you may wellbe rewarded for taking thisadditional risk. Certainly, pastperformanceisnoguaranteeoffutureresultsandI’mnotsayingyou should get more aggres-sive;butyoushouldtakeafewminutes and reviewyour assetallocation. Most people haveno idea what they’re investedin,whattheycanexpecttoearn,

andhowmuchriskthey’retakingwiththeirportfolio.Thiscanallbequantified.Whatpercentagedoyouhold in stocks versusbonds?Ifyou’renotsure,talk with a professionalor trusted advisor andgetshis orher guidance.Recognizethateveryextra1% you can earn on yourmoneyovertimewillgoalongway to helping you enjoy theretirementyouenvisionsooner.

4. Consider retiring later. Don’t retire when what

youreallyneedisabreak.AlltoooftenIseepeopleintheirfiftiesand sixties who retire or takeanearlyincentiveofferbecausetheythinkthey’rereadytostopworking.Afterafewmonthsorafewyearsthefindthemselvesboredandrestlessandwantingtogobacktowork.Beforeyoudecide to fully retire, discussa phased retirement or flex-ible work schedule with youremployer. Explore all of youroptionsbeforeretiring.Gaininganextradayor twoaweekoffreetimemaybejustwhatthedoctor ordered. Realize thateveryyearyouearnanincomeisanotheryearyoudefermoneyinto your 401k/403b, loweryour tax bill and allow yoursavings to grow tax deferred.The longer you work the less

youwouldneedtoaccumulatetoaffordyourdesiredlifestyle.If you lovewhat youdo,whywould you ever completelyretire? If you don’t love whatyou’redoing,whyareyoustilldoing it? What’sholding youback(time,money,confidence,knowledge, connections)? Re-search indicates that there is adirect correlation between ourhappiness,ourhealth,andourfinancial wellness. When wasthelasttimeyouexaminedyoursituation?

5. Consider lowering your investment costs.Doyou

haveanyideawhatyou’repayingin dollars and cents for yourinvestmentsand/orinvestmentmanagement?Ifyou’relikemostpeople I see, you don’t have aclue.Recognizethateachinvest-menthas itsowninternalcost

spEc

Ial

REp

oR

t

6 ways to make Retirement a Reality (in a Bad Economy)


structure.Usuallythisinforma-tioniscontainedinsmallprintin the back of the prospectus,which most people never takethe timetoread.Additionally,thesefeesusuallygetskimmedoffthetopandyoudon’tevenrealize it. You get my point!Take some time and reviewyour investments. Quantifywhatyou’repaying.Determineifyou’regettinggoodvalueforwhatyou’repaying.Understandthateverydollaryouloweryourinvestmentcostsby is anotherdollarinyourpocket.Canyousayca-ching?

6. Consider reducing your retirement income needs.

Attheendoftheday(orworkweek), you can only controlwhat you can control. If youcanmakeastutelifestylechoices,control your spending, elimi-nateyourdebtsandliveonless,youmayfeelmoreincontrolofyourfuture.FYI-myhappiestprivate clients are those that

havedownsized,organizedandsimplifiedtheirlives.

Bill Losey, CFP®, CSA, America's Retirement Strategist®, is a highly sought-after advisor, retirement authority, thought-leader, au-thor and TV personality because he makes the complicated and mundane topics of investing and retirement fun! Bill has over 20 years experience in the financial services industry and is a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner, a Certified Senior Advisor and Certified Retirement Coach. He is the author of Retire in a Weekend! The Baby Boomer's Guide to Making Work Op-tional (a 2008 Finalist at The Indie Excellence Book Awards), Founder of National Retirement Planning Month, and he pub-lishes "Retirement Intelligence®", an award-winning weekly news-letter that reaches thousands of subscribers worldwide. For a complete bio, please visit, www.myretirementsuccess.com.


mar

cI’s

med

Icar

e an

swer

s

Q: Dear Marci, I just had cataract surgery.

Will Medicare cover it? --JackDearJack,Yes.AlthoughMedicarewillnotgener-

allypayforroutineeyecare,itwillpayforsomeeyecareservicesifyouhaveachroniceyecondition,suchascataracts.Medicarewillcover:

•Surgicalprocedurestohelprepairthefunction of the eye due to cataracts. Forexample, Medicare will cover surgery toremovethecataractandreplaceyoureye’slenswithasyntheticintraocularlens.

•Eyeglassesorcontacts,butonlyifyouhavehadcataractsurgery,duringwhichanintraocular lenswasplacedintoyoureye.Medicare will cover the dark glasses thatyou must wear immediately after surgerytoprotectyoureyes,andastandardpairof

untinted prescrip-tion eyeglasses orcontactsifyouneedthem after surgery.If it is medicallynecessary,Medicaremay pay for cus-tomized eyeglassesorcontactlenses.

•An eye exam to diagnose potentialvisionproblems. If you arehaving visionproblemsthatindicateaseriouseyecondi-tion,Medicarewillpayforanexamtoseewhatiswrong,evenifitturnsoutthereisnothingwrongwithyoursight.~Marci

Q: Dear Marci, When will Medicare pay for

hospice care? --WandaDearWanda,Medicarewillhelppayforyourhospice

careif:•YouhavePartA;•Thehospicemedicaldirector(andyour

doctor,ifyouhaveone)certifythatyouhaveaterminalillness(yourlifeexpectancyissixmonthsorless);

•YousignastatementelectingtohaveMedicarepayforpalliativecare,suchaspain

management,ratherthancaretotrytocureyourcondition;

•Your terminal condition is docu-mentedinyourmedicalrecord;and

•You receive care from a Medicare-certifiedhospiceagency.

Youdonotneed tobehomebound toqualify for the Medicare hospice benefit.Thebenefitisacomprehensivesetofservicesdelivered by a team of providers. Manyhospiceservicesareprovidedinthehome,butinpatientcareiscoveredunderspecificcircumstances.~Marci

Q: Dear Marci, I have Extra Help, and I was

told I can change drug plans at any time. Is that true? --Oliver

DearOliver,Yes.IfyoureceiveExtraHelp,thefederal

program that helps pay for the Medicaredrugbenefit,yougetaSpecialEnrollmentPeriod(SEP)thatallowsyoutojoin,dis-enrollfromorswitchMedicaredrugplansoncepermonth.TheSEPbeginsthemonththat you become eligible for Extra Help,Medicaidor aMedicareSavingsProgramand continues as long as you have ExtraHelp.

To switch plans, you should enroll inyournewplanwithoutdisenrolling fromyouroldplan.Itisbesttoenrollintoyournew plan by calling 800-MEDICARE,ratherthanthenewplan.Youwillbeau-tomaticallydisenrolledfromyourpreviousMedicareprivatedrugplanwhenyournewcoveragestarts.~Marci

Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicare-rights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. To speak with a counselor, call (800) 333-4114. To sub-scribe to “Dear Marci,” the Medicare Rights Center’s free educational e-newsletter, simply e-mail [email protected]. To learn more about the services that Medicare will cover and how to change plans, log on to Medicare Interactive Counselor at the Medicare Rights Center’s website at www.medicareinteractive.org.

cataract surgery, Hospice care & Extra Help special

Enrollment period


mo

nEy

ma

ttE

Rs by

Jason alderman

Peoplestashtheirmoneyinsafehavenssuch as savings accounts,Treasury BillsandCertificatesofDepositforavarietyofreasons.Itcouldbefearoflosingmoneyinthestockmarket,thesecurityofknowingtheirdepositsaregovernment-insuredor,withbankaccountsatleast,beingabletoquicklywithdrawfundswhenneedsarise.Inreturnforthatconvenienceandsecu-

rity,however,interestearnedusuallydoesn’tkeeppacewithinflation.

When the economywas cooking a fewyearsago,5percentinterestratesandhigheronlong-termCDswerenotuncommon.Butwhentherecessionhitandtheinflationratebegandropping,sodidinterestrates.Thesedays,traditionalsavingsaccountscommonlyearnjustafractionof1percentinterest,whilemanyCDsandT-Billsaren’tmuchbetter.

Sohowcanyouearnmoreinterestonin-suredsavingsthesedays?Wouldyoubelieveacheckingaccount?

Althoughcheckingaccountsusuallyearnlittleornointerest,inthepastfewyearsaproduct calledhigh-yield reward checkinghas gained in popularity. These accountsoftenpaymuchhigher interest rates thanregular checkingor savings accounts – orevenlong-termCDsinthecurrentmarket.

In addition to paying higher interest,financialinstitutionsofferingtheseaccountstypicallywill refundeachmonthacertain

Earn Higher Interest – with a checking account

amountintransactionfeeschargedbyotherbanksforusingtheirATMs.Forsmallerin-stitutions,thishelpsmakeupfornothavingtheirownextensiveATMnetwork.

However, high-yield checking accountsusually come with restrictions that mayinclude:

•Aminimumnumber(usually10-15)ofmonthlydebitcardpurchases.

•Directdeposit(likeapaycheck)and/orautomaticdebittransactions(e.g.,monthlygymmembershipdues).

•Issuingelectronicstatementsonly.

•There may be a cap on account bal-anceseligibleforthehighyield(commonly$25,000orless);overthatcap,therestmayearnamuchlowerrate.(Thereusuallyisnominimumaccountbalancerequired,asthereofteniswithregularsavingsaccounts.)

•Accounts may be limited to localcustomersonly,althoughmanyareavailablenationally.

Ifyoudon’tmeetallrequirementsduringaparticularmonth,theinterestratepaidfor

that month could drop substantially, buttypicallywillbouncesbackonceyouagainmeetallconditions.

Keepinmindafewotherfactorswhenconsideringahigh-yieldcheckingaccount:

•Interestratesarevariable,sowatchfornotificationofchanges.

•Compare any fees side by side withthosechargedonyourcurrentaccount.

•Vigilantlytrackyourbalancetoensureitcoversalldebitcardtransactions;otherwise,overdraft charges could erase any interestearnings.

•Make sure the bank is a member oftheFederalDepositInsuranceCorporationso thatup to$250,000perdepositor, perinstitution will be insured. Search “BankFind”atwww.fdic.gov.

•Similar coverage isprovided to creditunionsbytheNationalCreditUnionAdmin-istration.Search“FindaCreditUnion”underthe“DataandServices”tabatwww.ncua.gov.

Numerous websites track banks andcredit unions offeringhigh-yield accountsincluding www.highyieldcheckingdeals.com, www.checkingfinder.com and www.bankingmyway.com.

Youwon’tgetrichfromtheinterestearnedontheseaccounts,butinthiseconomyeveryextradollarhelps.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial educa-tion programs. Sign up for his free monthly e-Newsletter at www.practicalmoneyskills.com/newsletter.


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ask

dR

. ma

RIo

n

by marion somers,

phd

Q: My mother needs help but

she’s reluctant to let anyone come in. How do I hire the right person? Isabelle in Montana, 46Onceyoureachthedecision

tohiresomeoneelsetohelpwithyoureldercarechallenges,youneedtodeterminetheanswerstothefollowingquestions:

•Whoisgoingtopayforthehelp(you/yourelder/insurance)?

•Doesthehelpertakeinsur-anceasaformofpayment?Ifso,whatinsurance?

•Shouldyouhireatherapist,andifso,whattype(s)?

•Does your elder need anaideofcompaniontoliveinthehome24/7?

•Whopoursanddispensesyourelder’smedication?

Aides should be hired onlyto take care of your elder andperformtheagreeduponchoresdirectly related to that care.Don’t load them up with ex-traneous duties, even if yousee they’re highly competent,unlessofcoursetheaideagreestoit.Then,theyshouldbedulycompensated for additionaltasks.Also,andthisisveryim-portant,takethetimetomake

a match. Have the potentialhelper spend some time withyourelderbeforethey’rehired.

Hiringanaide really comesdown toamatterof timeandfinancial resources. If you andyour elder have the financialresources to free up some ofyourtime,Ihighlyrecommendhiring help. Even if it’s forjust10hoursaweek,you’llbeamazedatthedifferenceawell-organized,competentaidecanmakeinyourlifeandthelifeofyourelder.

Q: I’m a busy work ing mom whose own

mother is getting older - in fact, she just moved in with us. I use my iPhone all the time and have found a ton of apps that make my hectic life easier...what about some apps that can make it easier for me to care for my mom? – Cynthia, 45

Juggling your family andcareer is never easy - and car-ing for an aging parent, canmake things extra tough. Butin this modern age, there aredefinitely some technologicaltools that can help. Since youhave an iPhone, you alreadyknow that there are hundredsof thousands of downloadableapplications available - andnow, someof thosehavebeen

designedspecificallywiththecaregiverinmind.I'vebeendoingmyduediligenceontheseappstohelpthepeopleIworkwith,and-asyoumayalreadyknow-evencreatedafewmyself.HereareafewoftheonesIlikebest:

• Personal Caregiver: Make sure that medica-tionsaretakenattherighttime,bysendingalertsandreminders.Also,includesacomprehensivedatabaseofimportant drug informa-tion such as precautionsand interactions. (www.personalcaregiver.com)

• Care.com: Easilysearchforlocalcaregivers,includingjobpostingfunctionstohelpcaregiverslocateseniorandin-homehealthaides-aswellasnannies,babysitters,andmore.(www.care.com/press-release-iphone-app-p1186-q58700.html)

• Polka; AllOneMobile: Bothof theseapps store, trackandshareimportantmedicalinformation(likediet,prescriptions,fitnessregimensandbloodpressurelevels)withdoctorsorfamilymembers,whichcanbehelpfulforanycaregiverneedingtocoordinatecareforanolderlovedone.(www.polka.com)(www.allonemobile.com)

• Care Connector:CreatedbyJohnson&Johnson,thisaddsa community/support component to the information trackingprocess – connecting caregivers with others like them throughmessageboards,videostories,andmore.(www.strengthforcaring.com/util/about.html)

• Elder 411/Elder 911:Thesearemyapps,designedto"putaneldercareexpertinyourpocket"withquickaccesstocaregivinginsights,checklists,andsupport-foreverythingfromhowtodealwithfinancialandhousingconcerns,towhattodoinanemergencyorcrisissituation,andmore.(www.elder411.net)

Don'thaveaniPhone?Don'tworry.Theseappsarealsopartofalargertrendoftechnologythat'smakinglifeeasierforseniorsandtheircaregivers-likeApple’siPadwithitslarge-printreader,Verizon’sCoupephonewithbiggerkeysandquickemergencyac-cess,andmore.Thefactis,whenitcomestocaregiving,knowledge

ispower.Evenwhenyou’reonthego,itissoimportanttohavetherightinformationat your fingertips, so you're not withoutanswerswhenyouneedthem.Goodluck!

Over the last 40 years, Dr. Marion (Marion Somers, Ph.D.) has worked with thousands of seniors and their caregivers as a geriatric care manager and elder care expert. It is now her goal to help caregivers everywhere through her book (“Elder Care Made Easier"), iPhone apps (www.elder911.net), web site, columns, public service announcements, and more. For more information, visit www.DrMarion.com.

Hiring Home Health aides, caregiver apps and websites


otherfirsttimeoffensesnotofaseriousnatureappearincourtbeforetheirpeers.Ajudge,usuallyalocalattorneywhovolunteerstheirtime,presidesoverthehearing.Thelocalattorneyshavebeencon-tinuouslyvolunteeringwiththisprogramasJudgesovertheyears.

When a teenager gets into trouble on a non-serious offensecoveredbytheTeenCourtProgram,theteenagerwillappearintheTeenCourtsetting.Beforetheteenagerappears,heorshemustadmittheirguiltandmusthavenootheroffenses.Teenagersactas theprosecutors toquestion the teenagerwhocommitted theoffenseandrecommendasentencetothejury,whoiscomposedofteenagerswhohadprioroffensesbeforetheteencourtandarerequiredtoserveonthejuryaspartoftheirteencourtsentence.AnotherteenagerwillrepresentthepersonwhoisappearingbeforetheTeenCourtandwillrecommendanalternativesentence.Afterboththeprosecutoranddefensehavequestionedtheteenagerap-pearingbeforethecourt,eachwillmakeaclosingargument.Thejurythenwillretireandconsiderwhatsentencetoimpose.

Thejuryimposesfromonetofourjurytermsuponateenager,communityservicehours,andmayrequireangermanagementclassesordriverimprovementcourses.TheJudgewhopresidesmaydeviateupordownonthesentence,butveryrarelydisturbsthejury’sdecision.

Teenagers who appear before theTeenCourtcanonlydosoonetime.TheTeenCourt helps to save valuable time in ourJuvenileCourtsystemandkeepstheteen-agerwhoparticipates and completes theirsentence fromhavinganytypeof juvenilerecord.Inaddition,teenagersgettopartici-pate inacourt-typeproceedingthathelpsthem to learn about our judicial system.Mostteenagerswhohaveparticipatedhaveenjoyedtheexperienceoncetheirsentenceiscompleted.However,allteenagersthatpar-ticipatelearntorespectthelaw.Fortunately,outoftheteenagerswhoparticipateintheTeenCourtProgram,over90%ofthemarenotseenbackintheJuvenileCourtortheAdultCourtsystem.

Asyoucansee,TeenCourtisawonder-fulprogramthathelpsourteenagers.Itisawonderfulalternativetoateenagerhavingto appear in the Juvenile Court and itsuse inour communitygivesus a valuablealternativetodealwithnon-seriouscrimesinvolving our children.Teen Court canalwaysusevolunteers.Ifyouwouldliketovolunteertohelpwiththisprogram,pleasecalltheDistrictAttorney’sOfficeandaskfortheTeenCourtnumber.

Jeff Cox is the 26th Judicial Court Judge for Bossier/Webster Parishes, Division C

FRo

m t

HE

BEn

cH by

Judge Jeff cox

In the last fewmonths, Ihaveseennewsaboutdiffer-entprogramswhichhelpourteens. One program on thenewsinrecentdaysdiscussedthesuccessoftheDrugCourtProgram. This program hasbeenverysuccessfulinhelp-

ingjuvenileoffendersandtheirfamilies overcome addiction.Another program is the teencourtprogram.

Since 2002, I have had theopportunitytobeinvolvedasavolunteerJudgewithawonder-fulprogramthathelpsteensinourcommunity.Thisprogramis sponsored by the Bossier/WebsterDistrictAttorney’sOf-ficeinour26thJudicialDistrictCourtregionandisheadedbyPatFaulkinberryinBossierandElizabeth Hollingsworth inMinden. This program is theTeenCourtProgram.

Teen Court is a programwhere teenagers who get infights at school, get speedingtickets,disturbthepeace,orany

teen court program Helps area youth


Q: My son and his wife have just informed

my husband and me that they have desig-nated my daughter-in-law’s sister and her husband as guardians for my grand-children should, heaven forbid, my son and his wife

die or become incapacitated. Our grandchildren are 4, 7 and 8; I am 57, and my husband is 59. I won’t even be 70 when they’re teenagers. On the one hand, everyone is saying, “Oh, 60 is the new 40,” and on the other, a crowded young family is chosen to be the guardians. (The in-law couple has four children of their own, and I’m sure they will always love their children first, unlike us - we will always love our grandchildren first.) I’m angry and hurt, but, of course, I can’t say anything because the whole premise of the argument is based on horrific circumstances. Are we too old? We’re 20 years younger than Michael Jack-son’s mother, who, by the way, didn’t even have any toys in her house. --Young Enough To Do It Again

Youcansaysomethingaboutthistoyoursonanddaughter-in-law-youshouldtalkthisoverasapracticalmatter.Planningfor a potential catastrophe isprudent; it is not the same aswishing for it tohappen.Andyourchildrendeservetoknowhow much you’d love to raiseyourgrandchildrenshouldtheneedarise.

Certainly,agemaybeafactorin your son and daughter-in-law’sdecision.To someyoungpeople, 57 and 59 may seemtoooldtokeepupwithyoungchildren.(Yes,MichaelJackson’s79-year-oldmother,KatherineJackson, has been awardedcustody of his three childrenas stipulated inhiswill.How-ever,andmorerelevanttoyourpoint,ithasbeenreportedthathis older sister, 59-year-oldMaureen Reilette “Rebbie”Jackson,will raise them.Theirgrandmotherwillhavethelegalrighttomakedecisionsonthechildren’sbehalf.)

There are many possiblereasons thatmayhave enteredinto your son and daughter-in-law’s decision. Ask yourselfsomequestions,andbebrutallyhonestwithyouranswers.

•Howwouldyouassessyourrelationshipwithyourchildren?

•Haveyoubeencriti-caloftheirparenting?

•Doyousharesimi-larvalues?

•Doyouthinkyourson harbors any resent-ment about the way hewasraised?

•Do you and yourdaughter-in-lawandherfamilydifferculturallyorreligiously?

Perhaps your children don’t want to burden you with theresponsibility.Ortheymayhaveconcernsaboutyourpresentorfuturehealth.Letthemknowyouarefitanduptothetask.OnegrandmotherIknowunderwentathoroughphysicalattheparents’requesttoproveshewasabletotakecareoftheirbaby.

However,iftheparentsholdtotheiroriginaldecision,requestthey create an addendum to their legal document stating thatyoubeallowedweeklyvisits,overnightsandvacationswith thegrandchildren. I cannot stress the importance of having thesevisitationrights ina legallybindingdocument[www.findforms.com/single_form.php/form/9394].Therearetoomanysadstoriesofgrandparentswhohavebeenshutoutoftheirgrandchildren’slivesafteradeath,divorceorremarriageoccursinthelivesoftheparents.OnesuchcasewasheardbeforetheU.S.SupremeCourt,and sadly, the grandparents lost their plea for visitation rights.Withyourrequestlegallyinplace,you’llallhavetheassurancethatyour relationship with the grandchildren will remain unbrokenandyourgrandchildrenwillcontinuetoenjoytheloveandfamilycontinuityyouprovide.

Lillian Carson, D.S.W., is a nationally recognized grandparenting expert and the author of "The Essential Grandparent: A Guide to Making a Difference" [www.essentialgrandparent.com]. This “Ask GRAND” column appeared originally in the September 2009 issue of GRAND, the online magazine for grandparents. For information or to subscribe, go to www.grandmagazine.com.

ask

GR

an

d

am I too old to Raise my Grandchildren?

The family politics of legal guardianship

by lillian carson


law

s o

F tH

E la

nd by

lee aronson

I recently readacaseoutofNewOrleansthatisolderthan I am. It involved afellow named Earnest, whoneeded someworkdoneonhiscar.Sohetookhiscartoa mechanic and explainedthat he wanted his motor

repaired,thebodypaintedandasmallventglassinstalled.ThemechanicgaveEarnestawrittenestimate,statingthattheworkwouldcostabout$200andEar-nestpaida$50downpayment.

Amonthorsolater,Earnestwentback to themechanic toseeifhiscarwasready.Earnestsaw that his car was “disas-sembled” but the mechanicpromisedthattherepairswould

be “completed shortly.” SoEarnest paid another $50 tothe mechanic, for a total of$100withtheremaining$100tobepaiduponcompletionofthejob.

But 48 months passed andEarnest’scarwasstillnotready!Earnestclaimedthathehadhehadgonetothemechanic’sshopatleast50timestocheckonthestatus of his car during these48 months and had seen theheadlights,tiresandpartsofthechassishadbeenremovedfromhiscar.Earnestthoughtthisoddashehadnotgivenpermissionfor these parts to be removedand he didn’t think that theyneededtoberemovedinorderforthemechanictodotheworkhe was paying for. So Earnesteventuallysuedthemechanic.

The mechaniccame to courtand said that thereason why thejob had taken solong was becausehehadtoreplacethe motor in thecar twicebecausethe block of theoriginalreplacementenginewascrackedbyfreezingweather.Themechanicstatedinadditiontoreplacingthemotortwice,hehadalsorepaintedthecarandinstalledtheglass.ThemechanicsaidthatthecarhadbeenreadytopickupalongtimeagobuthewouldnotreleasethecarbecauseEarnesthadneverpaidtheremaining$100due.

InLouisiana,thereisaspeciallawthatgovernssituationssuchasthis.Thelawsaysthat“anypersonoperatingagarageorotherplacewhereautomobilesarerepaired”mayretainpossessionofacustomer’scaruntilthebillispaid.SoinEarnest’scase,iftheme-chanic’stestimonywastrue,ifthemechanichadreallycompletedtherepairsonthecarandEarneststillowed$100forthejob,thenthemechaniccouldkeepEarnest’scaruntilhepaidinfull.

Butitturnedoutthatthemechanicwasnottellingthetruth. The mechanic didn’tevenhaveEarnest’scarany-more:ithadbeenimpoundedandtowedawaybythepolice.Andpicturestakenbythepo-liceshowedthatthecarhadnotbeenpaintedorrepaired.Thepicturesshowedthat“thefrontpartofthebodyoftheautomobilewasmissing,thatthefrontwheelsweremissing,andthatthevehicle,inshort,was nothing more than aderelict.”

So the Judge ordered themechanic to reimburse the$100 Earnest had alreadypaidandtopayEarnestthefullvalueofthecar.

Two other things worthmentioning:first,justbecauseamechanicwhooperates“agarage or other place whereautomobiles are repaired”mayrequirepaymentinfullpriortoreleasingacustomer’scar,hedoesnothaveto.Ifa

outrageous car problems


mechanicwantstoreturnacartoitsowneraftertherepairsaremadeandacceptpay-mentonaninstallmentbasis,heiscertainlyfreetodoso.Butifyoumakesuchadealwithyourmechanic,makesureyougetitinadvanceandinwriting.

Andsecondly,supposethatthemechanichadrepairedEarnest’scarinatimelyandworkman likemanner.ButwhenEarnestshowed up to get his car, the mechanicclaimed something like, “I know I gavean original estimate of $200 but the jobturnedouttobemuchmorecomplicatedandthereforethefinalbillcameto$500.”WouldEarnesthavetopay$500togethiscar back? Only if the mechanic “securedauthorizationtoexceedtheamountoftheestimate.” So if Earnest never authorizedtheextra$300,thenhewouldonlyneedtopaytheamountoftheoriginalestimate,i.e.$200,togethiscarback.ButevenifEarnestpaid the $200 and got his car back, it’sprobable,dependingonthecircumstances,thathewouldstillowetheextra$300tothemechanic.Lee Aronson is an attorney with Legal Services of North Louisiana. His practice areas include consumer protection law, housing law and health care law.


Seniors Strive for Gold

hen young, lots of people like to compete in a variety of sports. They have lots of opportunities to try to out run, jump or play others their age.

Just because someone gets a little older doesn’t mean that they don’t still enjoy competing or developing the relationships that come with it. That is where the Senior Olympics come in.

Thanks to the Senior Olympics and the National Senior games, age alone does not have to mean that a competitive spirit and the thrill of the games have to end when a person hits 50.

The Senior Olympics, at least on a national level, is a fairly young event, as far as these things go.

In 1985 in St. Louis, Mo., a group of seven men and women formed the original leadership for what was initially known as the National Senior Olympics Organization (NSOO). That fall they hosted a meeting of individuals who were currently conducting games for seniors in 33 states. That group planned the first National Senior Olympic Games, held in 1987 in St. Louis. These first games hosted 2,500 competitors. More than 100,000 spectators viewed the first Games’ ceremonies, which featured Bob Hope at the St. Louis Riverfront Arch.

The second national Games also took place in St. Louis in 1989 and hosted 3,500 seniors, and received national media coverage by the “New York Times”, ESPN and Good Morning America.

The United States Olympic Committee objected to the use of the term “Olympic” in the organizations corporate name and an agreement was reached in 1990, with the organization changing its name to the U.S. National Senior Games Organization, which today conducts business as the National Senior Games Association (NSGA). Its national games are now known as the National Senior Games. Through a grandfather clause, states that were using the name “Senior Olympics” at the time of the agreement were allowed to continue doing so.

The National Senior Games Association moved its corporate office to Baton Rouge in 1998 and is a not-for-profit organization. Its stated goal is that it is

by Amanda Newton


dedicated to motivate active adults to lead a healthy lifestyle through the senior games movement.

The NSGA Summer Games has seen tremendous growth in a short amount of time. From that first year with 2,500 competitors the games have grown to more than 12,000 at last year’s games in San Francisco. For the next summer games in Houston in 2011, it is estimated that 15,000 people will compete.

Qualifying for the national games requires placing at state level. States hold their games on even numbered years, with national games held on odd numbered years.

Getting to state requires qualifying on a district level. In Louisiana, there are 10 districts. Fortunately for local residents, it is very convenient to participate in the Northwest Louisiana District Senior Olympics. This local organization makes sure competitors have an outlet to compete in an atmosphere is that flat out fun.

Gerry Robichaux has been involved with the Northwest Louisiana District Senior Olympics since it began. He was working with the YMCA when the state organization decided to have

separate district qualifiers for state competition. So the YMCA stepped right in to get that set up. There are 10 districts in Louisiana and the northwest district is made up of seven parishes. Through the local Councils on Aging, the early organizers got input from people who had competed at the state level. After two years of competitions, local organizers were approached by the Bossier Council on Aging to see if they would like to host the yearly games under their umbrella. From those early first years, the competition has grown and there are now about 500 competitors each year. “We are always striving to add new competitors and events and to polish up what we offer,” said Robichaux. “We want to make even better what we have.”

He said the Senior Olympics gives anyone age 50 and older, with vim and vinegar in their system, the chance to compete on two levels. There is the physical, active realm of competition, but also the more cerebral side of competition. The events range from track and field competitions to chess. So it really does fit a broad range of people, both regarding physical ability and also personality.

“Something for everyone,” Robichaux said. “That is our claim to fame and we trumpet that.”

There has been a recent surge in the popularity of the bowling competition. The number of participants has increased in doubles, singles and mixed doubles. Bean bag baseball is also very popular with competitors.

“There is no running involved but teams are just really exuberant and, ironically, the biggest cheers often come from a teams’ competition. But that is a sign of old-school sportsmanship.”

When asked about the benefits of participating in Senior Olympics, Robichaux recounted what a friend said. “He told me that he uses his

participation as a kind of yardstick to see how the aging process has affected him. He can see how age has affected his ability to compete and also how well he is combating the aging process by staying active.”

Robichaux also said that one of the local Senior Olympics most successful competitors, James Patty, told him that competing is a way for him to connect with his younger self. “He is a very successful sprinter and has won at the

national level. He competed in track and baseball when he was young and this is a way for him to relive his youth.”

Robichaux said the local organization prides itself that it has a regular open competition and also offers a retirement community team competition. That gives those living in retirement communities the opportunity to compete in bean bag baseball and washer pitch. Last year they had a competitor who was 100 years old.

Doyle Blasingame has been working with the Northwest Louisiana District Senior Olympics almost since the beginning.

With a 15 year history, the event as grown considerably, said Blasingame. Although growth as slowed in the past few years, organizers still expect bigger and better things in the future.

“We have a pretty steady number now of about 500 contestants each year,” he said. “We grew pretty well, but there is still a lot of potential for more growth.”

If you consider that each of the 500 or so yearly competitors can and do participate in multiple events, then the competition field grows. If you were to count each event participant separately, then there would be about 3,000 people competing.

Blasingame said the biggest benefit for people who compete in the Senior

“This local organization makes sure competitors have an outlet to compete in an atmosphere that is flat out fun.”


Olympics is that it keeps them active.

Of course for some people, just because they age doesn’t mean they lose their desire to win.

“The competitiveness doesn’t go away. The competitive spirit is still strong in a lot of our participants,” Blasingame said.

Those participants range in age from 50 to 100. They come from all walks of life and many backgrounds. While some might be long-time athletes, others are finding the joy in athletics later in life. They compete for different reasons: some to see if they still have what it takes to win and others to meet new people and strike up new friendships.

Howard Robertson, 89, is one of the oldest participants in the local Senior Olympics. He competes in bowling and has been bowling since he was 20 years old. It is something he does to fill the time, he said.

A pretty good bowler, even when not considering his age, he did bowl that elusive perfect game of 300 about 10 years ago. And he bowls twice a week with the same group of bowlers.

“(Competing) in the Senior Olympics is just enjoyable and the people are nice,” he said. “This coming year might be my last year to bowl in the Senior Olympics. I am just getting too old. I don’t know though, I might compete in other events after that.”

Some people take part in a lot of “other events.” The nice thing abut the Senior Olympics is that participation is not limited to one or two events. If you think you might enjoy it or be good at it, you can go for it.

Frances Hutton, 85, loves to compete in the local Senior Olympics. She loves it so much she has a hard time not competing in just about every event.

“The biggest event for me is bowling. I still bowl twice a

week in a league,” Hutton said. “I compete in shuffleboard and used to do table tennis, but had to stop that. I compete in bocce ball and washer pitch, too.”

She has been participating in the local games since they began. In those early days she used to compete at the state competition as well.

Hutton said she has always been into sports, but had to wait until she was older to actually pursue that particular passion.

“When I was in high school, they didn’t let girls participate in those things. The only thing the girls could do was tumbling,” she said.

“Staying active is good for you and I don’t like to just sit around,” Hutton said. “It has kept me going.”

Hutton is quick to spread the word about how much fun it is to participate in the Senior Olympics.

“I don’t think I have any friends who don’t now compete in them,” she said with a laugh.

Asked about any specific memories from her years of competing, she told of actually finding love at the games.

“I was at the state games and had lost my first husband and had said I would never marry again. Well, I met a man who had lost his wife and we ended up marrying. I lost him in 2007.”

Hutton said participants in the Senior Olympics are sure to make a lot of friends, even if they don’t come home with medals. And really, isn’t a friend better than a medal?

Sam Merritt is a newcomer to the local Senior Olympic Games. Merritt, 62, competed for the first time last year. Tennis, his sport of choice, is something he has enjoyed for a while and he was talked into competing. He found he really enjoyed it.

“I had a good time,” he said. “I enjoy the athletic part of playing


and I do like to win. But, I like to play more than I like to win.”He said that just like with any athletic competition, there

are those competing in the Senior Olympics who are very competitive and are out there to win.

“But for the most part, everybody is just out there to have a fun time”

He pointed out that there are so many different events for people to choose from, regardless of their age or athletic ability, and he is looking forward to many more years of competing.

Dan Ursery, 61, has competed and placed at both the local and state level of the Senior Olympics. He has competed in the track and field events since he was 50 years old.

“I like the competition and I like the camaraderie,” he said. Ursery, quite the athlete, competes in the 500 meter,

100meter, 200 meter, the long jump, triple jump and the high jump. As if that wasn’t enough, he also competes in the shot put and discus. Training for his Senior Olympic performances motivates him to stay in great shape.

“I don’t like doing cardio (exercise) just for the sake of doing cardio. If I am training for a purpose, then that is better,”

He works out 5 days a week at the gym and if the weather cooperates, he runs outdoors two or three days a week.

Last year at state, he had two first place finishes, two second place finishes and three third place finishes.

“I was pleased with my finishes,” he said. “I always want to do my best at state and I am highly competitive.”

He has only decided to make the trip to national Senior Olympic competition once, when it was held at LSU in 2001. However, the 2011 games will be held in Houston and he said he just might have to make the trip there.

As Ursery ages, he changes age brackets in competition. Sometimes he might be the youngest male in the field and others he has been the oldest. That doesn’t really matter, he said.

“I have been beaten by people older than me and I have beaten people younger than me.”

So age really doesn’t matter and that is always nice to know. Tommy Poljak, 70, has been playing tennis longer than

some Senior Olympic competitors have been alive. He started playing when he was about 10 years old in his native country of Bosnia. All those years of playing translate into an amazing level of skill and talent.

Poljak even led a team in the Davis Cup, the premier international team event in men’s tennis. It is the biggest annual international team competition in sports.

In Bosnia, Poljak was a sixteen time national champion. However, tennis was not his profession there, it was his hobby. After attaining his education, he was an engineer and tennis was something he did because he enjoyed it so much. After moving to the United States, tennis became his career.

Although he didn’t speak English when he moved here, he was easily able to pass the tests required to become a top level tennis professional. He has taught hundreds of students and his days are filled with tennis.

“What was once my hobby is now my job, so it is not my hobby (anymore),” he said. But being a person who likes to


compete, Poljak finds that the Senior Olympics gives him that outlet.

He wasn’t satisfied with his performance at the last National Senior Games and he plans on a better performance next time.

“Next year the games will be in Houston and I will be better prepared,” he said.

As a man who has competed since the age of 10, both nationally and internationally, stopping now is not an option and the Senior Olympics give him the perfect opportunity to hone his competitive edge.

“I think I will play for many, many years,” he said. And that is really the great thing about the Senior Olympics.

It doesn’t matter how old a person gets, age is never going to knock them out of competition. If their physical ability changes, they can just choose a different sport to compete in. Even if they find themselves living in a retirement home, the competition will come to them and they can still put their competitive spirit, or their desire to have fun, to good use.

A little information on competing in the Northwest Louisiana District Senior Olympics:

ELIGIBILITY: This is an OPEN competition. Out-of-district and out-of-state entries are welcomed and encouraged. Anyone who will be 50 years of age as of December 31, 2009, is eligible. District competitors are those from Caddo, Bossier, Bienville, Claiborne, Webster, Desoto and Red River parishes.

FEES: Entry fee is $15.00 for any three sports or games. Northwest Louisiana Senior Athletes Association members are allowed unlimited sports or games. Track and field, bowling, tennis and table tennis are considered one event, regardless of the number of activities you choose within them. Bowling requires a $7.00 facility fee each in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. Miniature golf ($4.00) and golf ($30.00) also require additional fees to basic entry.

STATE GAMES: For information about the state games to be held September through November in Baton Rouge, go to www.lsog.net or write the LOUISIANA SENIOR OLYMPIC GAMES, P.O. Bo x 14748, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4748. The telephone number is 1-225-925-1748 or 1-800-799-8309.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Go to the Northwest Louisiana District website at www.nwlsog.org.

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2010 Northwest Louisiana District Senior Olympics

April 9 - May 22

Retirement Communities Competition

April 9 BEAN BAG BASEBALL Southern Hills gymnasium, 1002 Bert Kouns, Shreveport, 9 a.m.

April 16 WASHER PITCH, Southern Hills gymnasium, 1002 Burt Kouns , Shreveport, 9 a.m. Open Division

April 23 GOLF, Presented by LANDERS Dodge Chrysler Jeep (Course TBA), 8:30 a.m.

April 24 BEAN BAG BASEBALL , Knights of Columbus Hall, 5400 E. Texas, Bossier City, 9 a.m.

April 25 BIKING TIME TRIALS (Ellerbe Road at Frierson Road), 2 p.m.

April 30 BOCCE BALL, Betty Virginia Park, 3901 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport), 9 a.m.

May 1 PICKLE BALL, Noel Methodist Church gym, 520 Herndon, Shreveport, Report by 8 a.m.

May 3 8-BALL POOL, Randal T. Moore Center, 3101 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport), 9 a.m.

May 5 SENIOR HEALTH FAIR/OPENING CEREMONIES (Bossier Civic Center), 9 a.m. Includes Competition In Dance Team 9:30; Accuracy Throws 11 a.m., Darts 10 a.m., Arts and Crafts competition and Bean Bag Baseball finals competition for Retirement Communities at 10 a.m. and 50-Plus at 1 p.m.

May 6 MARKSMANSHIP in .22 rifles and pistols, Shooters USA, 357 Magnum Drive, Bossier), 1 p.m.

May 6 MINIATURE GOLF, Party Central, 4401 Viking Drive, Bossier 6:30 p.m.

May 7 CHESS, Randle T. Moore Center, 3101 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport, 8:30 a.m.


May 7 BOWLING MIXED DOUBLE, All Star Lanes, 9130 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, 1 p.m. (Must Choose your own partner and list name)

May 7 TABLE TENNIS, Parkview Baptist Church, 2307 Samford Avenue, Shreveport, 5:30 p.m.

May 8 HORSESHOES, Knights of Columbus Hall, 5400 East Texas Avenue, Bossier City, 8 a.m.

May 10 WASHER PITCH, Bellaire Complex. 4330 Panther Drive, Bossier City, 8 a.m.

May 10 SHUFFLEBOARD SINGLES, Bellaire Complex. 4330 Panther Drive, Bossier City, 8 a.m.

May 10 SHUFFLEBOARD DOUBLES, Bellaire Complex. 4330 Panther Drive, Bossier City, 1 p.m.

May 10 BASKETBALL FREE THROWS, Bellaire Baptist Recreation Bldg. 4330 Panther Drive, Bossier City, 10-11:30 a.m.

May 15 REDNECK GOLF, Knights of Columbus, 5400 East Texas Avenue, Bosssier City, 10 a.m.

May 12 BOWLING DOUBLES, All Star Lanes, 9130 Mansfield Rd., Shreveport, 1 p.m. (Must choose your partner and list name)

May 13-16 TENNIS, N. Bossier Tennis Center. 4440 Benton Road, Bossier, Match times to be announced.

May 13 TABLE GAMES (Skipbo, Pinochle, Dominos, Phase 10) Bossier Council on Aging 9 a.m. (Choose and list partner for Skipbo and Pinochle)

May 14 RECREATIONAL WALK, One Mile and 3-Mile, Bossier Brownlee Park, 9 a.m.

May 14 BOWLING SINGLES, All Star Lanes, 9130 Mansfield Road., Shreveport, 1 p.m.

May 15 DINNER AND DANCE, Bossier Council on Aging, 6 p.m. ($5 for participant; $8 for guest)

May 22 TRACK AND FIELD, Airline High School Track, Viking Drive, Bossier. 8:30 a.m.


by suzy

cohen, Rph

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Q: Dear Pharmacist, My father was just

diagnosed with Alzheimer’s although mom has complained for years that he was forgetful. This became crystal clear to our family when we sat down

to Christmas dinner and he couldn’t remember what holi-day it was. The doctor wants to prescribe Aricept for dad, but we are all fans of yours and hope you can recommend something natural to try before the medication. -- H.C. Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Youhavelotsofchoices.Withyourdoctor’sapproval,youcan

try a couple of these, or lookfor a multi-tasking productthat combines many of theingredientsbelow.

Huperzine A: It’s numberoneonmylistbecauseresearchproves it has a beneficial ef-fectonmemoryandcognitivefunction.The herb -popularin Chinese medicine- worksby boosting levels of the neu-rotransmitter“acetylcholine,”amemory chemical that is defi-cientinpeoplewithAlzheimer’s.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine: It cre-ates acetylcholine, a primarymemorymolecule.

DHA: This is a type of es-sentialfattyacidthatimproveslearningandmemory.It’ssuperimportantforbrainfunction.

CoQ10:This antioxidantanditsactiveformcalled“ubi-

quinol”offermaidservicetoyourbraincells.ResearchsuggeststhecleansingactionofCoQ10slowsdowndementiaandmemoryloss.

Pregnenolone:This improves nerve firing, protects braincellsandenhancesaprocesscalled“myelination”whichprotectsnervefibers.It’smadeinyourbrainfromfromcholesterolandifyoutakedrugstolowercholesterol,you r memor yfunction plum-mets right alongwiththosetriglyc-erides! Does thisexplain a lot forthoseofyouwhofeellikeyou’relos-ing your mind?Simplyput,statinscouldmakeyouassharpasamarble!Askyourdoctorifyoucansupplementwithpregnenolonewhiletakingyourmedicine,ortodiscontinueyourmedication.

Lithium orotate (5-10 mg daily):Anaturalover-the-countersupplementthatmayreducefeelingsofanger/agitationandpromotecheerfulness.Youmayassociatelithiumdrugswithpeoplewhohavebipolardisorder,however lithium is essential for everyone.This

are you Forgetful? try these natural memory Boosters

did you know? Generic medications

offer a low-cost alternative to pricey

brand name drugs and work just as well.


mineralhelpstoreverseearlyAlzheimer’s,improve spatial memory, Meniere’s syn-dromeandmigraine/clusterheadaches.

Bacopa monniera:Thisisasmartpill,which Ayurvedic physicians have knownabout for eons. In the United States, itis grabbing hold of the interests of eventraditionaldocsbecausesomegoodstudiesprove that it can improvememory recall,alertnessandcognitivefunction.

Vinpocetine: The periwinkle extractincreasesbloodflowfeedingyourbraincellsmoreoxygenandglucose.Thatmakesnerveimpulsesfirebetter.Ifyourconditionisduetopoorbloodflow,thenvinpocetinemayberightforyou.

Phosphatidylserine or PS: This fattysubstance makes up cell membranes anddeclineswithage.Iteasilyslipsintobraincells and helps preserve and/or enhancememory.Thestudiesaren’t jaw-dropping,butPSisessentialinmymind.

This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist.” For more information, visit www.DearPhar-macist.com. © 2010 Suzy Cohen, RPh. Distributed by Dear Pharmacist, Inc.

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by mirabai Holland,

mFa

Q: I’m starting to feel that flabby arm

anxiety again. With Spring around the corner I don’t want to face my sleeveless blouses with these 54 old arms a year flabbier than they were last

year. Is there anything short of surgery for me to do?

Sedentary women in gen-eral and women atacertainageinpar-ticularly are facedwith this problemevery Spring. Anditdoesgetworst,asyougetolder.

In fact we canlose up to 40% ofourmuscle cellsby

Fight upper arm Flabmy inbox is trying to tell me something. i’ve gotten

several versions of this question in the past week alone.

thetimewehit70.Thisiscalledsarcopenia. Weight resistanceexercisecanreversethisprocessandcanhelpyou regain somemuscleyouhavelost.

Herearetwoeasysite-specificexercisesthattargetthoseprob-lem areas in your upper arm.BicepCurlfortheFrontArm:

Grabasetuphandweightsand standerectwithyour feetabout shoulder width apart.Weights down at your sides,

pa lms fo r ward .Remaining erect,bending only atyour elbows bringthe we ight s uptowards you untilthey reach yourshoulders.

Slowly return tostarting position.

Repeat8-15reps.Pickaweightthatwilljustbarelyallow

youtocompletethefinalrepingoodform.Triceps Extension for the Back of the

Arm:Youwillprobablyneedalighterweight

forthisexercisebecausethosemusclesareoftenweaker.

Standerect,weightsatyoursides,palmsin towardsyour thighs.Remainingerect step forwardwithonefootandslightlybendtheknee.Keepingarmsstraight,bringbotharmsbehindyoujustatorabovewaistheight.Youshouldfeelthecontractiononthebackofyourarms.Gentlylowerdowntostartingposition.Repeat8-15reps.

Do these exercises every other day.You should expect somesoreness.It’scommonwhenyouarebuildingmuscle.Doingtheexerciseseveryotherdaygivesyourmusclesachancetorecoverandgrow.Youshouldseeresultsinabout3-4weeks.Mirabai Holland M.F.A. is one of the leading authorities in the Health & Fitness industry, and public health activist who specializing in preventive and rehabilitative exercise for people. Her Moving Free® approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn't feel like work. www.easyexercisevideos.com. © 2010.


East texas Eye doctor Helps legally Blind to see againdiplomate in low vision care trains dr. larry chism to help those with macular degeneration to keep reading and driving.By Elena LombardiFreelance Writer

Carole Buckels wearing bioptic telescope driving glasses.

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

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

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

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

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

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

of degeneration. The macula is one small part of the entire retina, but it is the most sensitive and gives us sharp images.

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

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

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

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

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

“Our job is to figure out everything and anything possible to keep a per-son functioning,” says Dr. Chism. “Whether it’s driving, reading, watching television, seeing faces,

playing bridge…we work with whatever is on the persons “wish list”.

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

Carole Buckles, 71 of Arcadia, California came on the advise of a friend. “I wanted to be able to keep driving and do the fun things in life.” One of those fun things is baseball. “I love going to baseball games and now I can see those close plays again,” she says.

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

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

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

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

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

call dr. chism, toll free,

at 1-888-243-2020 for a FREE telephone interview.


tHE

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by terri

schlichenmeyer

Yourteenagerremindsyouofiteveryday.

Not overtly, mind you. Nothing’smentionedstraight-out,buttheeyerollsand heavy sighs say it loud and clear:hands-down, she thinks you’re old andoutoftouch.

And you can handle that from ateenager.Youkindofexpectit.Butbecauseyou’re out of work, your self-confidencebeginstowonderifshe’sright…

Soisittrue?Areyou“tooold”tolandajobinthiseconomy?

No,saysauthorRobinRyanandinhernewbook“Over40&You’reHired!”you’lllearn that your age may be one of yourhandiestadvantages.

Nodoubtaboutit,theruleshavechangedsinceyoulastjob-hunted.Butthen,sodidyou,saysRyan.You’renokidanymore,andthat’sgood:theskills,maturity,andcontacts

“over 40 & you’re Hired!” by Robin Ryan

©2009PenguinBooksl $15.00l 234pages

you’vegatheredovertheyearsareexactlywhatsomeemployerslookfor.

Butfirst,youneedtore-makeyourselfintotheNumberOneBestCandidateforthejob,startingwithtechnology.Intoday’sworkworld,youabsolutelymustgetup-to-speedwithcomputersandelectronicdevices.Takeclasses,askyourkidsorgrandkids,askthepeopleatthecellphonestore.Today’sworkplacedoesnotoperatewithouttechnology,andneithershouldyou.

Next,getoutyourcardfileandstartcallingthosecontactsyouspentyearscultivating.ThroughwhatRyancallsthe“hiddenjobmarket”,somebodyonyourlistmayknowsomebodyelsewhohasapositiontofill,andyoucanbetthey’dratherfillitthemselvesthangothelongroutethroughHR.Nevergoanywhereortalktoanyonewithoutlookingforajob.

Thinkaboutyourstrengthsandweaknessesandhavereadya“60-SecondSell.”Thatis,beabletotellsomeonewhoyouare,whatyou’veaccomplished,andwhereyouwanttobe,allwithinoneminute.Tobolsterthis,you’llwanttohaveastellarresumeandacoverletterthatWOWsyourprospectivenewboss.

Askforwhatyouwantandbespecific.Updateyourlookandwardrobeandboostyourattitude.Ifyougetalotofrejectionletters,ask(nicely)whatyoucouldhavedonediffer-ently.Sendthank-younotes.Andremember–noperknegotiationsuntilthejobisoffered.

Usinginterviewswithrealdecisionmakers,aswellasinformationfromherowncareerworkshops,authorRobinRyangivesmaturejob-seekersplentyofdo-able,step-by-stepadviceonlandingtherightjob,maybeatabettersalary.

Ryan’sconfidenceandcan-doattitudeis contagious and though most of theinformation here is level-headed, basicstuff,herupdateshelpmakesenseofwhatmaybeveryunfamiliarterrainforeventhehighest-leveljobhunter.

Ifyou’vebeenlaidoff,fired,oryouhateyourcurrentjob;ifyou’rere-enteringtheworkforce after temporary retirementorraising a family; or if you’re looking forworkforthefirsttime,thisbookisjustthekindofliterarypep-talkthatmaturejob-seekersneed.“Over40&You’reHired!”isabooktoputyourhandsdownon.


al Bolton’s weather Facts

for thought

Thetornadoseasonhasbegun.TornadoescanoccuratanytimeoftheyearbuttheyoccurmorefrequentlyduringthemonthsofApril,MayandJune.Tornadoescanoccuratanyhour,butthemostfavoredtimeisbetween3:00p.m.and7:00p.m.duringmaximum daytime heating.Tornadoesusually move from the southwest to thenortheast.

Whenatornadowatchisissued,itmeansthatweatherconditionsarefavorableforoneormoretornadoesdevelopinginorclosetothewatcharea.Theoutlineofthewatchareaisshownontelevisionweatherbroadcasts.A tornadowarningmeans thata tornadohas actuallybeen sightedor indicatedonradar.Thewarningwillgivethelocationofthetornadoanditsdirectionofmovement.

Here are some tornado safety rules. Inhomes,abasementusuallyaffordsthebestprotection. If there is no basement, takeshelterinaninteriorclosetorbathroomonthefirstfloor.Surveysoftornadodamagetohomeshaveshownthatfirstfloorbathroomsand closets are often left standing. Stayaway from windows. Do not open doorsorwindows.Abandonmobilehomeseveniftheyaretieddown.Inbuildings,gotoaninteriorhallwayonthelowestfloorortoadesignatedshelterarea.Ifinopencountry,move away from a sighted tornado at arightangletoitspath.Ifthereisnotimetoescape,lieflatinthenearestdepressionsuchasaditchorravineusingyourarmsandhandstoprotectyourhead.

April has proven to be an interestingweather month. Our hottest April tem-peratureof recordwas96°on the29th in1887.Coldestofrecordwas31°onthe4thand5thin1987,31°onthe11thin1989,and31°aslateasApril15,1920.WettestAprilofrecordwas11.19inchesin1957.OurlatestsnowfallofrecordoccurredonApril15,1933,butitwasjustatrace...notenoughtomeasure.LastAprilourwarmesttemperaturewas89°onthe22nd.Coldesttemperature was 34° on the 7th. Rainfallmeasured 3.97 inches. Our normal Aprilrainfallis4.42inches.


by Amanda NewtonBilly Barefield is not one

totoothisownhorn.Thank-fully,someoneelsewashappytosinghispraises.

Last year,Volunteers forYouthJusticenamedhimoneof their CASA Champions.In a very short amount oftime, Barefield showed thatanyonecanmakearealdif-ferenceinthelivesofothers

iftheyarewillingtoputinthetime.

Barefield,81,hasonlybeenaCASAvolunteersinceMarchof 2009. CASA, (Court Ap-pointed Special Advocates)recruitsvolunteerstowatchoverand advocate for abused andneglected children and makesure they don’t get lost in thelegalandsocialservicesystem,or stuck in an inappropriategroup or foster home. CASAvolunteers receive a good dealof training and are appointedtoacasebyajudge.

Barefield,aBossierresident,first learned of the programwhen his daughter told himshethoughtitwouldbeagoodfitforhim.Shehadservedasafoster parent and had gone towork for the Office of Com-munityServices(OCS).

“ShethoughtIwouldenjoyitandshewasright,Idoenjoyit,”hesaid.

Whenaskedabouttheawardhe received, he had a quickcomebackthatwastruetoform.

“I don’t do any more thanthe rest of the volunteers do,”hesaid.

Barefieldonlytakesonteen-age boys and he was assignedtwo when he began the pro-gram. One of those boys wasininstitutionalcareinRuston.Barefieldmadethedriveeveryweek to see him. Asked if hewas still making that drive,Barefieldwashappytosaythathedoesnot.

“Idid fromMarchof2009untilaboutOctober.ButIgotthatboyreleased tohis familyinHouston.Itookhimtohisfamily last Friday,” he said.(That)wasthebest(feeling)intheworld.It’swhatIwaswork-ingfor.”

Gettingthatboybacktohisfamilyactuallyrequiredfindingthefamilyfirst.OCShadbeentrying for years, but with somanycasespercaseworker,theysimplydidn’thaveenoughtimetodedicatetothetask.Barefieldhoweverhadtimeandanumberofcontactsheusedtohelphim.HisworkpaidoffandresultedinhisbestmomentasaCASAvolunteer.

“When I found the familyandcalledthemonthephone,withtheboywithme,and let

himtalktohismotherand two brothers whohehadn’ttalkedtosincehe was seven (was thebest moment).Thenthe next best momentwaswhen the judge, aweek ago, let him golive with his family,”Barefieldsaid.

CASA volunteers are askedto devote five to 20 hours amonthtotheirkids.Barefield,unsurprisingly, goes the extramile.Heputin35to50hoursamonthwithoneboyand30hoursamonthwiththeother.But he doesn’t want that tosoundlikebragging;hejusthasthetime,hesaid.

He is currently working tohelp one of his boys find outwhohisbirthfatheristhroughDNA testing. He said CASAvolunteers just do whatever isnecessary.

He visits the boys as oftenas they would like, checkingto make sure that their needsaremet.

Iftheyareinfosterhomes,hecheckstomakesurethereisfoodinthepantryandthattheyhaveagoodbedtosleepin.Heisal-lowedtogotoschoolwiththeboysandsitinontheirclasses.

Therealchallengeisinearn-ingthetrustofboyswhohaveoftenbeenneglectedorabused

bythepeoplewhoaresupposedto love them. Barefield letsthe boys take the lead in therelationship.

“ItalktomykidslikeIamadaddyoragranddaddy,”hesaid.“Idon’tpush themon certainquestions. I let them leadme.The main thing, I think, inhavingagoodrelationshipwiththem, and I sound like I ambragging,isthatIamprobablytheonlyconstantintheirlife.”

The 17-year-old boy thatBarefieldrecentlyreunitedwithhis family had been in thesystemsincehewas10.WhenBarefield asked how often hewouldliketoseehim,theboyaskedifhecouldcomeonceaweek.

“IwasinRustoneveryFridayat3:30p.m.,hecoulddependonit.Ijusttrytobetherewhentheywantme.Iftheywantmemorethanonceaweek,Iwillbetheremorethanonceaweek.”

WhenBarefieldsayshetalksto the boys like he was their

volunteer Billy Barefield named casa champion

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daddy or granddaddy, he hastheyearsofexperiencetobackthat up. He has been marriedto his wife, Frances, for 57yearsandtheyhavethreechil-dren,10grandchildrenandtwogreat-grandchildren.

Through the years he hasdevelopedaphilosophythatheusestodaywithhisCASAboys.Headmitsitmightsoundalittlebackwardstosomepeople,butitworksforhim.

“Until proven that they areright,theyarewrong,”hesaid.“ThatisjustthewayIhavelivedand how I tried to look aftermykids.”

CASA volunteers advocateonly for the children.Theydon’tconcernthemselvesaboutthe parents, siblings, aunts oruncles,onlywithwhatistrulyinthebestinterestofthechild.Theadvocatesreportdirectlytothecourtandthecourtgivesagooddealofweighttowhattheadvocateshavetosay.

Itisabigresponsibility,but

one Barefield said is helpedby the fact that he has greatsupervisors. They have backedhimonjustaboutanythinghehaswantedtodo,eveniftheyweren’tsureitwouldwork,hesaid.

ClearlyBarefield’s volunteerworkhasmadeadifference tothat17-year-oldboy,butitalsochangedhim,headmitted.

“I am too emotional now,”hesaid.“(Theboys)haveneverhadanythingandjustanythingtheyget…Iamashamedtosayit,butIhavecriedoverthisfirstkid.Hewassullenandwouldn’ttalk,andwasagainsttheworld,andIguessIcansayrightlysobecause everything that hap-penedtohimwasnothisfault.”

“Itriedtobearolemodel;Idon’t know how good of one,butItriedtobe.”

The world would probablybeamuchbetterplaceifmorepeoplelikeBillyBarefieldwereservingasrolemodelsfortoday’syouth.

At Snell’s Orthotics and Prosthetics, we often hear praises from patients and members of the medical com-munity alike. But rarely are those praises sung so beautifully as when Eddie Mae Montgomery bestows accolades upon us. You see, music is an important part of Eddie Mae’s life, and for more than forty years she has ministered to others through her music at St. Mary Baptist Church in Shreveport. Together she and her husband direct the church’s choirs. “I wouldn’t want to go to anybody else,” says Montgomery. “They take the time necessary to understand their patients’ needs, and work hard to exceed expectations. I always recommend Snell’s to anyone who has needs similar to mine.” When you have a special orthotic or prosthetic need, it pays to work with a team that has the experience and long-term commitment that we do. We believe that while biomechanics, technology, and math-ematical precision play a large part in the services we provide, the true heart of our work is based on humanity rather than science. Which is precisely why compliments from those we serve are always music to our ears.

Singing Praises

ORTHOTICS • PROSTHETICS

1833 Line Avenue • Shreveport • (318) 424-4167 • Toll-Free 1-800-219-52738730 Youree Drive, Building A • Shreveport • (318) 795-0953

211 Hall Street • Monroe • (318) 388-3126 • Toll-Free 1-800-685-22681404 Jackson Street • Alexandria • (318) 443-6391 • Toll-Free 1-800-289-3260

www.SnellsOandP.com

Serving Shreveport (2 locations), Bossier City, Monroe, Alexandria, Ruston, Minden, Natchitoches, Coushatta, and Mansfield.

Returning independence to our patients since 1911

9133 Baird Road, Shreveport, LA 71118318-688-9525 | summerfieldestates.net

©2010 HARveSt mAnAgement SuB, LLc 0331

Fun, stress-free and all-inclusive. The way retirement living should be.

Summerfield EstatesI n d e p e n d e n t R e t i r e m e n t L i v i n g

Discover how simple and enjoyable Independent Retirement Living can be when you leave life’s daily details to us. tour today and learn about our current move-in specials! Welcome to Holiday. Welcome home.


tRa

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ERs Story by Andrea Gross

Photos by Irv GreenItakeadeepbreath,reachfortheside

rails,andscrambleupaten-rungladder.Therebeforemeisasmallcity,tuckedintoa shelf on a canyon wall, protectedby a huge overhang. Some of thebuildingsarecircular,liketalltowers.Others are rectangular, with sharp,crispangles;allaremadeofsandstonebricksandhavesmall,openwindows.

I’m in the Cliff Palace at MesaVerdeNationalPark,aUnitedNationsWorld Heritage site in the southwestcornerofColorado.Here,

usingonlyrocksandsticksastools,anancientpeoplecreatednotonlyacity,buta society.They farmed,prayed,madepotteryandwovesandalsforapproximately800years,fromroughly500to1300AD.

TodayMesaVerdehasmorethan4,000archeological sites, including 600 cliffdwellings. Four of these are open to thegeneralpublic.SpruceTreeHouse,whichisonlya½-mileround-tripwalkfromthe

Archeological Museum, can bevisited without a guide, but theotherdwellingscanonlybe seenduringscheduledtours,presum-ably because accessing them ismore difficult.To see BalconyHouse, for example, visitorsmustclimba32-footladderandcrawlthrougha12-foottunnel.AtriptoLongHouserequires

a12-milerideinaranger-drivenvanandahikethatisn’tlongbutisdefinitelybreathtaking-inbothsensesoftheword.

Nooneknowsexactlywhytheancientfolks left thedwellings they’d socarefullyconstructed.ButforthePueblopeopleof

NewMexicoandArizona,wheretheywentis no mystery at all. Modern-day Pueblopeopleclaimthecliffdwellersastheirances-tors,andthustheyhavebecomeknownasthe“AncestralPuebloans.”

Thecliffdwellersusedtobereferredto as “Anasazi,” but the park rangerinformsmethatthiswordisnowpoliti-callyincorrect.Why?Because“Anasazi”isaNavajoword.Whenthedeserteddwellingswerediscoveredinthe1880s,Navajoswere theonlyNatives in thearea. “It was not our ancestors wholivedhere.ItwastheAnasazi,the‘olderancients,’”theyexplained,meaningthat

thecaveshadbeeninhabited

byoldpeoplefromothertribes.Unfortunately, the Navajo word for

“ancient”alsomeans“enemy,”andtoday’sPueblopeopleareunderstandablyreluctant

visiting pueblos - past and presentmesa verde, Colorado and acoma, new mexico


tohavetheirancestorsdescribedbyaNavajoword,especiallyonethatoftenmeansenemy.

Thus, said the ranger, “wenowcallthecliffdwellers ‘An-cestralPuebloans,’whichmoreaccurately explains who theywere.” Point well taken, al-thoughpersonally,Icouldhavefound an even better word.“Genius”istheonethatcomesimmediatelytomind.

Formoreinformation:www.nps.gov/meve/

Modern-day PuebloansIam-almostliterally-blown

awaywhenIvisitAcoma,NewMexico. Although the officialname, Acoma, means “a placeprepared,” the residents call itSky City for obvious reasons:it’s perched on a windy mesa370feetabovethesurroundingdesert.

TheoralhistoryoftheAcomapeoplesaysthattheirancestorswandered through the South-west in search of a place that

“hadbeenpreparedforthem.”DidtheirwanderingstakethemtoMesaVerde?Weretheyjoinedthere by puebloans who werealready planning to evacuatetheircliffdwellings?Thetimingiscertainlyright,andthearchi-tecture indicates that,whetherthe Acoma ancestors actuallylived inMesaVerdeormerelyvisited it, they were certainlyinfluenced by the style of itsdwellings.

Acoma pueblo is the oldestcontinuously inhabited com-munity in North America,although today most of thepeoplehavehomesonthedesertfloor and merely live in theirancestralhomesduringspecialcelebrations.

Aculturalcenterandmuse-umprovidevisitorswithinsightintotribaltraditions.Ticketsforatourofthepuebloareavailableattheculturalcenter.

For information and tourreservations:www.skycity.com/(www.andreagross.com)


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Reviewed by Lizzie LylesLocatedintheartsyandhipRobinson

Film Center, Abby Singer’s Bistro is the placetododinnerandamovie,orjustdin-ner,indowntownShreveport.Andmuch

like the ever-changing film industry, thebistro’smenuisalwayschangingandoffersfunkierfarelikeGoatCheeseRavioliSalad,ChickenandWafflesandCrab-StuffedAvo-cadowithpimentoaioliandapplesmokedlardon(porkfat).ClassicslikeCaesarsaladwith parmesan crisps, an 8 ounce Royaleburgerandapetitfiletarealsofeatured.The

Best of Timesreadersshouldrememberthatthe Robinson Film Center hosts monthlySilverScreeningswithlunchatAbbySinger’sBistro.

The Best of Timesrestaurantreviewteam– Gary,Tina and I – tried out the livelybistrofordinner.Thefilmthemeandcinemaexperience are incorporated all throughoutthe bistro. Movie posters are displayed onwallsandflat-screenTVsplaytrailersofthelatest movies.Tables, chairs and salt andpepper shakers resemble cameras andfilm.“CinemaQuick” options can be orderedfromthemenutoensuredinersmakeittotheirmovieontime.CocktailshavenameslikeTheThreeStooges,The‘RitaHayworth,BreakfastatTerri’sandMarilynMonroe.Andthebistro’snameisafilmtermusedtosignalthesecondtolastshotofthefilmingday,atermnamedafterlongtimefilmandtelevisionproducerAbbySinger.

Thebistrohasaloftorstudiofeelwithits

highceilings,barebrickwallsanduseofglassandmetalinitsdécor.Asmallgroup of young female musiciansperformedwhilewe atedinner, livemusicbeinganotherfeatureofAbbySinger’s;althoughwefoundthemusictobetooloud.Withitstightseating,

IcouldseehowthebistrocouldbecomeverycrowdedandnoisyduringHappyHouroronweekendeveningswithlivemusicandmanypeoplegatheredaroundthesmallbararea.

Kelly, our young server, took our drinkordersandansweredourquestionsaboutthemenu.TheeditorandIkickedoffourdinnerwith cocktails.Tina had a CosmopolitanandItriedTheWeatherGirlmartini($10),a zingymixofpassion fruit, bloodorangeFrenchvodkaandrum.

Wechoseagoodnight todine, anightwhenthechefwasonhistoes.Weordered

fourseafooddishes(shrimp,scallops,grouperand clam chowder), which, according toTina,isawaytotestthechefsinceseafoodis amoredelicatemeat that requiresmoreattentiontocookingdetail.

Westartedwithtwoappetizers:PortabellaMushroomBruschetta($8)spreadwithfreshcreamy goat cheese and piled high withsundriedtomatoes,artichokesandkalamataolives;andShrimpRemoulade($14),whichisnormallyanentree.ItwasservedhotandqualifiesasthebestshrimpremouladeIhaveevertasted:fourhugeandsucculentsautéedshrimpservedoverthickslicesofcrispyfriedgreentomatoesdrenchedinspicyremoulade

sauceandLouisianahotsaucebeurreblanc.Ourentreeswereequallyimpressiveand

delicious. Gary ordered Pork Medallions($15)inanapplebrandyandthymejuswithroastedfingerlingpotatoes,broccoliandcau-liflowersauté.Heassuredusthattheporkwascookedwellandthatthedishwithitsheapingportions of potatoes and veggies tasted asgoodasitsounded.GaryalsoorderedacupofClamChowderSoup ($4),whichKellyaccidentallyforgot.Sheapologized,broughtthecupofsoupwithGary’sentreeandofferedthesoupfreeofcharge.Itwasalittlelate,butGaryenjoyeditanywayandsaid,“Youcantellit’shomemade.”

Tina ordered the Chef ’s Fish Special,Grouper served over orzo with cherrytomatoes, haricots verts and bourguignonwine sauce. She deemed it “delicious andperfectlycooked.”Shelikeditsomuchthat

sheatethewholething.IsavoredmySearedScallops($17)servedwithbutternutsquashrisotto,shiitakemushrooms,tartcherriesandsagebeurreblanc.Thescallopswereplump,meatyandcaramelized,whichbroughtouttheirsweetness.I foundtherisottotobeabitthickandbland,butthemushroomsandcherriesgaveitaboldearthyflavor.

Wehadlittle-to-nocomplaintsaboutourappetizers, entrees and dessert, a rich andcreamyVanilla Bean Crème Brûlée dustedwithpowdersugar.Eachdishwasfantasticinitsuniqueflavors,saucesandinterestingpairings (fried green tomatoes and shrimpremoulade, cherries with mushrooms andrisotto).Afterconsideringatmosphere,ser-vice,priceandfood,The Best of Times highlyrecommendsAbbySinger’sBistroandgivesit4.5 forks out of 5.Abby Singer’s Bistro (at the Robinson Film

Center), 617 Texas Street, Shreveport. 459-4122. www.robinsonfilmcenter.org

Abby Singer’s Bistro Scores 4.5 Forks


Downtown

Shreveport

part- time GaraGe anD parkinG Lot

attenDant neeDeD

to apply Call 510-881-4981 or email

[email protected]

• Must be dependable, trustworthy and honest

• Perform opening and closing of garage Monday through Friday, 6:30am - 7am for opening and 6:30pm - 7pm for closing.

• Perform general maintenance and clean-up

• Help in collecting delinquent parking fees

•Renting vacant parking spaces to new tenants

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Crab-Stuffed Roasted Chicken BreastPrep: 5 min.; Cook Time: 1 hour

Servings: 88 boneless chicken breasts1 10 to 12-ounce bottle Italian salad dressing1 4-ounce pouch Four Cheese Mashed Potatoes½ pound crab meat6 ounces shredded Parmesan cheeseSalt and pepper2 Tbs. fresh basil, chopped fine

Preheat oven to 350°F.Place chicken breasts in 9 x

13-inch glass baking dish.Pour dressing over chicken

and bake for 25 to 30 min utes. Remove from oven and cool.

Cut a slit in middle of chicken breast with sharp knife. Do not cut all the way through.

Cut a little pocket on either side of slit, again, making sure not to cut all the way through.

Prepare potatoes according to package directions. Mix in crab. Salt and pepper to taste.

Distribute potato mixture evenly among chicken pockets. Sprinkle with cheese.

Place in a non-greased baking dish. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until cheese has completely melted. Remove from oven and garnish with basil. Serve immediately.

There are so many ways to prepare potatoes that it’s no surprise spuds remain a family favorite. People most often think of potatoes as the ultimate side dish; however, it’s time to move potatoes to the center of the plate! Prepared mashed potatoes can help add a

little extra flavor, crunch or creaminess to a variety of recipes.Visit www.idahoan.com for more unique recipes and meal ideas.

Roasted Garlic HalibutPrep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Servings: 4

2 pounds halibut Canola oil1 4-ounce package Roasted Garlic Salt and pepper Mashed Potatoes, dry 1 lemon

Cut halibut filet into 4 pieces. Lightly salt and pepper.Empty contents of mashed potatoes package on large plate. Coat

filets liberally, gently pushing potatoes into filets. In large sauté pan, preheat a generous amount of canola oil, on medium heat.

When oil is hot, gently place the halibut in pan, being careful not to splash. Sauté fish until golden brown (approximately 2 to 4 min-utes). Turn filets and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover pan and let sauté until done (until flaky, or approximately 8 to 12 minutes). Remove from heat. Add lemon juice to taste and serve.

Idahoan PizzaPrep Time: 15 min.; Cook Time: 30 min.; Servings: 2 medium pizzas2 ounces warm water1 tablespoon active, dry yeast1 4-ounce package of dry Roasted Garlic Flavored Mashed Potatoes2¼ cups all purpose flour6 ounces cool water1 ounce olive oil

1 tablespoon honey1 6-ounce package of shredded mozzarella cheese1 to 1½ cups tomato sauceToppings: diced ham, pepper- oni, sausage, hamburger, pineapple chunks, green pepper, onion, extra cheese

Stir the yeast into the warm water until dissolved. Add mashed potatoes flakes and flour. Stir in cool water, olive oil and honey. Knead by hand for approxi mately 5 minutes, or until dough is elastic and smooth.

Place dough in a mixing bowl sprayed with non-stick spray. Set in a warm area, covered with a towel, and let rise for 1 hour.

Punch down dough and divide into two halves. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out until it is very thin. The shape of the

pizza doesn’t matter - round or square. Preheat oven to 400°F.Place dough on baking sheet or pizza

sheet. Top with desired amount of pizza sauce, spreading evenly.Evenly distribute the cheese and your favorite toppings.

Bake for 17 to 21 minutes, or until crust edges become light brown.

When pizza is done, take out of oven and let rest for 3 minutes. Slice and serve.

Savory Potato WrapsPrep: 5 min.; Cook Time: 5 min.

Servings: 4 wraps1 cup prepared Original Mashed Potatoes4 (9-inch) red pepper or flour tortillas½ pound cooked turkey breast or ham, thinly sliced (approximately 8 slices), or diced into small chunks1 cup shredded lettuce1 cup diced red bell pepper or tomato

Prepare potatoes as package directs for 2 servings. Cool potatoes to room temperature.

Warm tortillas individually in microwave for 8 to 10 seconds.

Spread each tortilla with ¼ cup mashed potatoes. Top with 2 slices of turkey or ham, ¼ cup shredded lettuce and red pepper or tomato. Roll up and place seam-side down.

FAMILY FEATURES

Potatoes Take Center Stage


Chris Shelby, MDPierremont Eye Institute7843 Youree Dr.Shreveport, LA 1105318-212-3937; www.ShelbyEye.comSee our ad on page 47.

nuRsInG HomE caRE

Vicki OttNurseCare Nursing and Rehab Center1736 Irving PlaceShreveport, LA 71101(318) 221-1983See our ad on page 62.

John J. Ferrell, M.D.Mid South Orthopaedics7925 Youree Drive; Suite 210Shreveport, LA 71105(318) 424-3400

opHtHalmoloGy

nEuRosuRGERyoRtHopaEdIcs

Dr. Ravish PatwardhanThe Comprehensive Neurosurgery Network8001 Youree Dr., Ste 970Shreveport, LA 71115(318) 797-5543www.neurosurgery.ws

HospIcE

Bill Burt,ReverseMortgage ConsultantWells Fargo Home Mortgage8835LineAvenue,Ste100Shreveport,LA71106(318)682-5568www.reverseguy.com

REvERsE moRtGaGEs

Rick BauerLifePath Hospice Care Service8720 Quimper Place, Ste 100Shreveport, LA 71105318-222-5711; 1-866-257-5711www.lifepathhospicecare.comSee our ad on page 19.

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

Lengthofstayvariesandisgenerallydependenton3things:

1)thepotentialforimprovementtothepointthattheindividualisabletoresumecaringforthemselvesandmeettheirownvitalneeds(thisisfrequentlythecaseafterhealthmanagementandrehab),

2)theabilityofthefamilytoprovidethecare themselves inahomeenviron-ment,and

3)thecomfortlevelofthephysicianthattheperson’sneedscanbemetoutsideamedicalsetting.

Who are candidates for balloon kyphoplasty to relieve back problems?

Thebestcandidatesforballoonkypho-plastyarethosewhohavenew(withinafewdaysoracoupleofweeks)fracture.Fractures are most common in olderpatientswithosteoporosisandthetypi-calsymptomissevere,immediateonsetbackpain.Kyphoplastyhastobeoneofthemostsatisfyingprocedures-thereispracticallyimmediatereliefinmostcases,and people go home with only 2 tinyneedle incisions.We treat other back-relatedproblemswhichaffectpaindownthelegsof‘fatiguing”downthelegs,andnoteverypatientneedssurgery-justanhonestassessment.

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

Afamilyhistoryofglaucomaisaverystrongriskfactorforthedisease.Otherriskfactorsincludeadvancingage,Afri-can-Americanrace,andnearsightedness.Ifyouhaveafirstorseconddegreerelativewithglaucoma,youshouldbeevaluatedassoonaspossible.Glaucomaisapainlessprogressivediseasewhich,leftuntreated,causesirreversibleblindness.Ifyouhaveafamilymemberwithglaucomaorhaveotherriskfactors,scheduleascreeningat212-3937.

My shoulder hurts. Should I play through the pain?

Over12millionpeoplevisitadoctor’soffice for a shoulder problem annually.Athletesareparticularlypronetoshoulderinjuries due to repetitive, cumulativestress/injuries. Injuries occur duringsports, as well as every day home andworkactivities.Mostshoulderproblemsinvolve muscles, tendons, and/or liga-mentsandcanbetreatedeffectivelywithexercises,medications,physical therapy,etc. Steady pain, limitation of motion,difficulties with work activities of dailyliving or difficulty with sleep shouldalertyoutoseekanorthopedicsurgeonforhelpindiagnosingandtreatingyourshoulderpain.

Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility of hospice, or should I raise it first?

The most frequent comment hospiceagencies hear from their patient’s andfamilies is “I wish I would have knownabout‘it’sooner.”In2008,35.4%ofthoseservedbyhospicediedorweredischargedinsevendaysorless-atimeframewaytooshorttorealizethefullbenefitsofhospicecare.Ideally,discussionsaboutaddingthebenefitsofhospiceservicestoanindividual’scareregimenshouldbeginwhenitappearsthatacuremaynotbepossibleforalife-limitingillnessandwithinthecontextanindividual’s goals for treatment. It wouldnotonlybeappropriate,butalsoprudenttoinitiatetheconversationwithyourphysi-cianabouthospiceservices.

What are the benefits of a Reverse Mortgage?

Someofthebenefitsofareversemortgageinclude:

•retainownershipof&titletoyourhome•receive tax-free funds to use however

youchoose•receive payments instead of making

them•receive a lump sum, monthly install-

ments,lineofcredit,orcombination•loanproceedsarenotconsideredincome

anddonotaffectSocialSecuritybenefits•proceedsmaybeusedtofundlong-term

careneedsorlongtermcareinsurance•a reverse mortgage may be used to

enhanceyourfinancialstrategyforretirementFora“FREE”ReverseMortgageGuide,

calltollfree1-866-910-8192.


support Group

arts market

tour

Fundraiser

theatre

science

movies

krewe of Elders

The Krewe of Elders Party - Sunday,April 11 from 1:30 until 5:30 at theAmerican Legion Hall located at 5315South Lakeshore Drive. Bobby Langstonwith Shree and Gold Rush Band. $7.00perpersonatdoor.Foodavailableforpur-chase.Cashbar,doorprizes,50/50raffle.Opentopublic.Info635-4901,752-9175,518-8092.

First Saturday Tour Series - NortonArtGallery, 4747 Creswell Ave., Shreveport.First Saturday of every month at 2:00 -3:00p.m.Alltoursmeetinthelobby.Noreservationisrequired,thoughgroupsof10ormoreareaskedtocallahead.Thistour,likealltoursandadmissiontotheNorton,isFREEofcharge.

•April3-SpringWalkingTour.Guidedtouroutsideforatip-toethroughthetulips.Wearwalkingshoes-thereare40acresofmanicuredgardens,includingazaleabeds,bronzestatues,andwatergardenstoexplore.IncaseofraintherewillbeanindoorRainy-Daytour,exploringspring-themedartworkthroughoutthemuseum.

Fourth Friday Astronomy-Friday,April23,2010@4:00pmPresentedbySci-Port:Louisiana'sScienceCenter,820ClydeFantParkway,Shreveport.EveryFourthFridayoftheMonth.Dedicatedtoexploringthecosmos.Learnaboutthelatestspacemis-sions, recent discoveries and other newsfromspace!FREEwithAdmission.

Food Bank of NW Louisiana Launches Empry Bowl Fundraiser-TheBossierCityKick-offwilltakeplaceonFriday,March26from5:00–7:30p.m.intheoldChico’slocation at the Louisiana Boardwalk inBossierCity.TheShreveportKick-offwilltakeplaceonSaturday,April17thatSouthHighlandSchool from11:30–2:30.Fora$5donation,guestsofallagescanhandpaintceramicbowlswhichwillbeusedbypatronsof theEmptyBowlseventset forJune10thatElDoradoCasino.Ticketsfortheeventwillalsobeavailableforpurchase.

"Don't Dress for Dinner" -Presentedby the Shreveport Little Theatre. Play byMarcCamoletti(authorofBoeing,Boeing),adaptedbyRobinHawdon.April30,May1,7,8,2010at8p.m.May2,9,2010at2p.m.StagedatWoman'sDepartmentClub,802MargaretPl., Shreveport. For ticketscall318)424-4439.

Art Affaire in the Garden - Saturday,April17from10:00a.m.-3:00p.m.Pre-sentedbyBarnwellGarden&ArtCenter,601 Clyde Fant Parkway, Shreveport. Animpressiveshowcaseofhandmadeartsandcraftswillbeonsale.Atreasure- troveofhandcrafted works in glass, jewelry, fiberarts,mixedmedia,visualart,photography,and souvenirs. Art Affaire in the GardenwillalsoofferavarietyofLouisianagrownplantsforthehomeandgarden.Formoreinformation,call(318)673-7703.

Fibromyalgia Support Group-12noonto1pmatSteen-HallAuditoriumlocatedat 2611 Greenwood Road in Shreveport.Formore information,please callBrendaAndersat318-377-3313

•Tuesday, April 20.Topic of groupdiscussionwillbe“Shareandreceiveinfor-mation: Medications and Doctors" fromotherpeoplewhohaveFibromyalgia.

•Tuesday,May18.Topicofdiscussionwill be “Massage Therapy for Fibromyal-gia”byFaithPease,RN,LMT,NCTMB,ACMTwithTheHandsofPeaceMassageTherapy.

"Gentlemen Prefer Blonds" - SilverScreeningspresentationatRobinsonFilmCenter, 617Texas Street in downtownShreveport. April 20. 10:30 p.m. Senioradmission:$5.75forthemovieonly;$14formovieandlunch.Forreservationscall459-4122.

Movies & Moonbeams Films -Present-edbySPARandtheRobinsonFilmCenteronthefirstandthirdFridayofeachmonth.Bringablanketorlawnchair.Familyenter-tainmentevent.Formoreinformationcall(318) 673-7892 or visit www.myspar.orgorwww.moviesandmoonbeams.org.FREE.

•"CloudywithaChanceofMeatballs"-FridayApril9at8:00p.m.atRiverviewPArk,601ClydeFantPArkwayindown-townShreveport.

•"RookieoftheYear"-Friday,April16at8:00p.m.atFairgroundsField.


Exhibitdriving classAARP Driver Safety Program - A

classroom refresher course for drivers age50+whichmayqualifyparticipantsforanautomobile insurancepremiumreductionordiscount.Participantsmustpreregister.$14 for non-AARP members; $12 forAARP members (AARP card required atregistration).

•April 17 - 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.Central Assembly of God Church 700Highway80,Haughton.Contact:Tammy318-949-0010;Instructor:JamesSmith

•April22-8:30a.m.-12:30p.m.FirstBaptistChurch, 201Attaway,Blanchard.Contact:RichardGates–318-929-4640;Instructor:RayBranton.

•April24-8:30a.m. 'til12:30p.m.Northpoint Community Church, 4204AirlineDrive,BossierCity.Contact:Lisa318-671-7100;Instructor:JamesSmith.

•April27-8:30a.m.–12:30p.m.FirstUnitedMethodistChurch,HeadofTexasSt.,Shreveport.Contact:CarlRhoads–318-424-7771;Instructor:RayBranton.

•May3-8:30a.m.-12:30p.m.AirlineDriveChurchofChrist,2125AirlineDr.BossierCity.Contact:Churchoffice–318-746-2645;Instructor:JamesSmith.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD

beignet powder on your pants?

When you’re a tourist in your own state, the whole state

benefits. In fact, tourism generates more than $850

million in state taxes annually. And when you invite your

friends and family to visit you in Louisiana, the impact is

even greater. For ideas on what to do this weekend, visit

our website.LouisianaTravel.com

© 2010 The Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Each office independently owned and operated. © 2009 CK Franchising, Inc.

W e A r e C o m f o r t K e e p e r s®

W W W . C o m f o r t K e e p e r s . C o m

In-Home Care tHat’s

Call Us Today!318-934-0090

•Companionship•Cooking,Light Housekeeping,Laundry

•IncidentalTransportation•MedicationReminders•PersonalCareServices

"Alex Dzigurski (1911-1995): Poet of the Land and Sea"-April27-August1,2010.NortonArtGallery,4747CreswellAvenue,Shreveport.SpecialExhibition.Aselectionof18worksfromtheartist'sestatewhichdemonstratehismasterlytechniquein painting scenic America from coast tocoast.The New YorkTimes said, "Fewmarinepaintershavebeenabletotellthestoryof the sea sobeautifully."Formoreinformation, see www.rwnaf.org or call(318)865-4201.

STORMSCOME UP

FAST!THE TIME FOR PROTECTION IS NOW.

It is Never TooLate to Mitigate.LEARN ABOUT MITIGATION.

REINFORCEINSURESHUTTERELEVATE

RISETo learn more about how you can protect your family and property, visit getagameplan.org and click on Mitigation Plan.

toMITIGATEGovernor’s Office of

Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness


pu

zz

lE p

aG

Es

By Pamela Amick Klawitter; Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

(Solutiononpage59)

Across1 Pamplona parlor5 1912 Nobelist Root10 New Balance rival15 Ancient symbols of Egyptian royalty19 2005 A.L. MVP, familiarly20 They get carried away21 Vietnam's capital22 First name in "Popeye"?23 Chancellor Angela Merkel leads it26 Clue

27 Historical records28 Oft-named period29 __-a-brac30 Cathedral feature31 Rise32 Bologna location36 Top cards38 Radio CD players39 "Mad Men" airer40 Tubs with jets44 "Shall we?" response46 Internet commerce49 Truman's Missouri

birthplace54 1989 Fred Savage

comedy57 Tussaud, for one58 Firenze's land59 Luau fare60 Friend of Rover62 Neural impulse

conductor63 1983 self-titled debut

album65 Pigged out (on)68 Ristorante dessert70 Houdini et al.73 Do covers77 Con __: spiritedly78 Furniture movers83 Salinger character

who said "I prefer stories about squalor"

84 Ply a scythe86 School name

follower in many addresses

88 Eye maliciously89 Car shoppers' options91 Proving ground NW

of Vegas95 Olive Garden

specialty

96 Had an effect on97 Bigfoot cousin98 Come across as99 Genealogically

based men's gp.101 "Norma __"103 Rave partner105 50:1 bet, e.g.112 A different one is

hidden in each of this puzzle's seven longest answers

117 Ditzy waitress on "Alice"

118 Trompe l'__119 Winter coat120 Sault-Marie filler121 Dhow sailor122 Striped reef dweller126 Diana's escort127 Lingerie shade128 "__ a Grecian Urn"129 Heavy reading?130 Crossed (out)131 "Consequently ..."132 Jane of "Father

Knows Best"133 NY Giants lineman

Chris

Down1 Epics2 Ain't like it oughta

be?3 Doone of Devon4 Hyper?5 Coastal raptors6 Something to shake or

break, so to speak7 NYSE launch8 Ramshackle home9 PIN relative10 Philip of "Kung Fu"11 Carnival dance12 Like helium13 Like dunce caps14 "The Big Bang

Theory," e.g.15 Lewis lion16 Used a broom17 Veggies in a porridge18 Passover feast24 "Flash of Genius"

actor25 Certain aircraft

engine32 Regard33 Prohibit, legally34 Right on a mapa

35 Golden State sch.37 Spot removers40 Unlikely41 Gyro bread42 The slightest bit43 Manche department

capital45 Poke around47 Corgi comment48 Last Supper query50 Sistine Chapel

ceiling figure51 Modest skirt52 Cookie guy Wally53 Eye care brand55 Sheets and such56 Hit back?57 Sermon subject61 Record64 French play part66 Kernel holder67 Did a dishwashing

chore

69 Plus71 Yoga position72 USA __73 Troubleshooting

menu74 Cruising, maybe75 "__ shocked as you

are!"76 Musical symbol79 Alec D'Urberville's

slayer80 Northern terminus of

I-7981 Matter of interest?82 Apple projection85 Candy originally

from Austria87 Unborn, after "in"90 Effortlessness92 Offscreen friend in

"Ernest" films93 Slowly, to Liszt94 Coup d'__

96 Citizens100 Lab slide critter102 Third-party account104 Nonstick cookware

brand105 Dodge106 Copy107 Diamond deal108 Beyond gung-ho109 Oily compound110 Designer Cassini et

al.111 Intoxicating, as

wine113 Breaks in relations114 Strike caller115 Shout upon arrival116 Little laugh120 E-mailed123 Vintage auto124 Museum funder:

Abbr.125 Figured out

From the produce department


SUDOKU - Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column, and 3 x 3 box includes all digits 1 through 9.

(Solutiononpage59)

Accuracy ThrowsBasketball

Bean Bag BaseballBiking

Bocce BallBowling

Chess

Dance TeamDartsFieldGolf

HorseshoesMarksmanship

Pickle Ball

Ping PongPool

ShuffleboardTennisTrack

Washer Pitch

SCRABBLE ® TOURNAMENT

Saturday, April 10, 2010 CENTENARY COLLEGE

Kilpatrick Auditorium in the Smith Building(Corner of Kings Hwy. & Woodlawn)

Two person teams will compete in “Beginner” or “Experienced” levels

Prizes for First and Second Place in each Level will be awarded! $200 for 1st place team $100 for 2nd place team

Entry Fee: $25 Adults in advance • $18 Students in advance

($5 extra day of the tournament – Limited to 144 players)

For player application forms; sponsor application forms, or additional information, please contact

Literacy Volunteers at Centenary College: Telephone – (318) 869-2411 Email [email protected]

Website: www.shreveportliteracy.org

SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark of Hasbro in the US and Canada.

58 April 2010 TheBestOfTimesNews.comTheBestOfTimesNews.com

ambulance services

Balentine Ambulance service

(318) 222-5358

artificial limbs and Braces

snell’s Orthotics and Prosthetics

(318) 424-4167

associations and organizations

BluePrint Louisiana(866) 483-3920

Bossier Council on Aging(318) 741-8302

Caddo Council on Aging(318) 632-2090

shreveport Little Theatre(318) 424-4439

The Robinson Film Center (318) 424-9090

webster Council on Aging(318) 371-3056

care providers

Comfort Keepers(318) 934-0090

elder Kare(318) 469-1711

elite Health solutions(318) 213-5483

entrum Care, Inc.(318) 949-1828

Family Care services (318) 671-1799

Interim Healthstyles(318) 741-3776

Northwest LA INCs, LLC (318) 636-0390

ResCare Home Care (318) 678-1890

seniors Club Personal Care services

(318) 635-0010

cemeteries/Funeral Homes

Centuries Memorial(318) 686-4334

Hill Crest Memorial(318) 949-9415

counseling services

The Center for Families (318) 222-0759

Educational courses

Bible Correspondence Course

(318) 797-6333

Emergency Response systems

Acadian OnCall(800) 259-1234

Employment opportunities

Us Census Bureau(866) 861-2010

AA Investments(510) 456-5901

Financial & Estate planning/legal

services

serio Investments Phillip serio

(318) 221-0889

The Law Practice of Joseph Gilsoul (318) 222-2100

cemetery upkeep and Flowers

Flowers Forever, LLC(318) 925-2323

Lex Plant Farm – Cemetery services

(318) 797-6035

Hearing care services

Better Hearing systems(318) 747-9191

shreve Hearing Aid service

(318) 797-7733

Home products and services

Doug weatherton Handyman services

(318) 868-9993

Gutter Helmet of North Louisiana(800) 284-9777

Lex Plant Farm and Garden Center(318) 797-6035

simmon’s exterior Cleaning

(318) 636-6035

stanley steamer Carpet Cleaner(318) 631-6655

Home Health care (medicare certified)

Ark-La-Tex Home Health, Inc

(318) 747-6180

Medistar Home Health(318)742-4026

synergy Home Care (318) 550-0285

Hospice care providers

Hospice Compassus(318) 524-1046

LifePath Hospice(318) 222-5711

st. Joseph Hospice (318) 222-8723

willis Knighton Hospice of Louisiana

(318) 212-4697

Home Infusion services

IV Plus(318) 683-5139

Hospitals

Brentwood Hospital (318) 678-7500

Minden Medical Center(318) 377-2321

willis Knighton Medical Center – North

shreveport(318) 212-4000

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

willis Knighton Medical Center – south

shreveport(318) 212-5000

wilis Knighton Medical Center – Pierremont

(318) 212-3000

Insurance

Blue Cross and Blue shield of Louisiana

(800) 495-2583

medical supplies and Equipment

Fastserv Medical(318) 741-9586

Home Health Medical supply

(318) 631-1466

Medtronics – XsTOP spacer

(866) 580-5242

pet sitting services

L’ll Rascals Pet setting(318) 573-6672

Your Pet’s Nanny(318) 868-9993

physician services

Dr. Gary Booker (318) 227-9600

Mid south Orthopaedics (318) 424-3400

Pierremont eye InstituteDr. Chris shelby (318) 212-3937

Vision – sourceDr. Larry Chism(888) 243-2020

Radio stations

KwKH AM 1130 Radio station

(318) 688-1130

Real Estate agents

Century 21 – Judy Holland(318) 349-6983

Restaurants and catering

Cupcake Gallery and Coffee shop

(318) 752-2253

Imperial wok Chinese Restaurant

(318) 687-6668

senior living options

Azalea estates Assisted Living (318) 797-2408

Horizon Bay Assisted Living(318) 747-2114

Kingsley Place of shreveport

(318) 524-2100

NurseCare of shreveport (318) 221-1983

southwood Gardens(318) 682-4022

southwood square(318) 671-1888

summerfield estates(318) 688-9525

The waterford at shreveport

(318) 524-3300

spas/skin care

Jeany Mitchell’s skin Technology

(318) 347-3567

travel services

Cruises, Inc(318) 746-3745

Fly Branson Airline services(888)359-2541

telephone Book

User-Friendly Phone Book(318) 865-1280


Hill Crest Memorial 601 Hwy. 80 East

Haughton, LA 71037(318) 949-9415

Centuries Memorial8801 Mansfield

Shreveport, LA 71108(318) 686-4334

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

Leaving these decisions to your children on the worst day of their lives is a

terrible emotional burden.

Call Today To Receive a FREE Family Planning Portfolio


The Best of Times &Caddo/bossier rSvP

Salutevolunteer of the month

betty williamsby Teresa Micheels

HappinessseemstofollowCaddo/BossierRSVPvolunteer,BettyWilliams no matterwhereorwhenyouseeher.FindingMs.Bettyto test thishappinesstheory will take youonatourofmanyofthenonprofitsandserviceorganizationinourcommunity.Overtheyears,Bettyhasvolunteeredfor27differentorganizationsintheCaddoandBossierarea.Nonprofitslike;TheStrand,LAStateMuseumandtheJamesBurtonInternationalGuitarFestival,justtonameafew.

Givingsomuchofhervaluabletimetoour community has not gone unnoticed.Ms.WilliamshasbeenawardedtheSilverand Gold Presidential Service Awards. In2009,Bettywaspresentedwiththe2009GreaterShreveportChamberofCommerceDiplomatSpiritAward.

Thoughawardsarenice,thatisnotwhatmotivatesBetty.

Withatouchofarthritis,andafewotherissuesthatmightseemtoslowabodydown,Ms.Bettyrefusestogivein.“Volunteeringis the reasonthat Iamable togetoutofbedeverymorningwithhopeandpeaceofmindthatIcanmakeadifferenceinmylifeandthecommunities,”shewilltellyouifasked.Alwaysanadvocateforvolunteering,youneedonlybearoundherafewminutesbeforeshedrawsyouintoaconversationonthesubject.

VolunteeringhasbecomeawayoflifeforBettyWilliams in theyears followingherretirementfromLucentTechnology.Tolookatherlifeyouwouldseeahappyinspiredpersonwhomakesadifferencenomatterwheresheisstanding.Tolookalittledeeperyouwillfindthetrueheartofavolunteerthatknows,it’snotjustwhatyougive,it’swhatcomesbacktoyou.

If you are interested in volunteeringpleasecalloremailtheCaddo/BossierRSVPofficeat(318)[email protected].

Doug WeathertonLicensed Contractor •Dependable •ExcellentReferences•Maintenance •RepairWork

Call 318-464-6777

Our medical staffing business provides clients the

companionship and assistance to live independently no

matter where they call home.

Caregiver services are provided from just a few hours a day

to 24 hour care, any day of the week, including

weekends and holidays.

“A Resource You Can Trust”

6425 Youree Drive, Suite 585 Shreveport, LA 71105

318-213-5483www.elitehealthsolution.com


For people with Alzheimer’sthere’s no time to lose.

Alzheimer’s Clinical TrialIf you are age 50 or older and have a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer’s disease, you may be eligible to participate in this study. Throughout the 12 week study, participants will receive the investigational drug, study related physical exams and laboratory services at no charge. All participants will be monitored by a

medical team, including a physician, nurse and study coordinator.

For more information call:J. Gary Booker, MD or Keith B. Kessel, MD

at318.227.9600

jgarybookermd.com

The Best of Times April 2010

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Transcript of The Best of Times April 2010