June 2018
SWLA MUSIC SCENE HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS MEN’S HEALTH
first person with Chester Daigle
June 2018
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Rehabilitation Hospital
of Jennings
DIAgNOSeS THAT we TReAT
• Brain Injury
• Hip Fractures
• Strokes
• Osteoarthritis/DJD
• Amputations
• Neurological Disorders
• Burns
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Major Multiple Trauma
• Congenital Deformities
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Systemic Vasculidities
• Joint Replacements
Others who can benefit from inpatient rehabilitation are postoperative patients, accident victims and cancer patients. 24 Hour Nursing Care • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy • Nutritional Counseling and Monitoring Case Management Call for a free assessment today. One Hospital Drive, Ste. 101 • Jennings, LA 70546 • Phone: (337) 821-5353 • Fax: (337) 821-5355 or 5366 jenningsrehab@yahoo.com • www.jenningsrehab.com 2 www.thriveswla.com
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June 2018
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Contents In This Issue
tyle &Beauty S 6 DIY Sugar Scrubs 8 How to Find Your Style 10 Summer Wedding Attire
Wining &Dining
Regular Features 24 28 50 57 74 75
First Person Who’s News Happenings Business Buzz Solutions for Life! McNeese Corral
12 26
12 Tasterite Jamaican Restaurant 14 Creative Ways to Cook with Cauliflower 16 Edible Arrangements Places &Faces 18 – 25 Special Feature: 26 NOLA Running with the Bulls
Home &Family 30 – 37 Cover Story:
38 Water-Wise Landscape Designs 40 – 47 Special Section: HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS 48 Porter’s Pals: A Child Mentoring Program oney &Career M 52 Local Businesses Boost Patronage with Creative Events 54 McNeese Art Grad Studies Abroad 56 Keys to Having Success Without Sacrificing Happiness
Mind &Body 58 – 67 Special Feature: MEN’S HEALTH 68 Coughs: What Could You Be Missing? 70 New & Improved Pain Relief Formula 72 Hope Therapy Center
72 Managing Editor
DON’T JUST LIVE, THRIVE!
Thrive is designed for people focused on living a happy, healthy life, one that is balanced, full of energy and contentment. Thrive readers want to make the most of every day and to be successful in all areas of their lives – family, health, home and career. 4 www.thriveswla.com
Angie Kay Dilmore
Editors and Publishers Kristy Como Armand Christine Fisher Creative Director
Barbara VanGossen
Design and Layout
Mandy Gilmore
Business Manager Katie McDaniel Stevenson Advertising Sales katie@thriveswla.com 337.310.2099 Submissions edit@thriveswla.com
Submitted articles and photos are welcome. Thrive assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials and does not guarantee any submissions.
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Style & Beauty
DIY
Sugar Scrubs by Felicite Toney
Sugar can be used for more than just sweet drinks and desserts. It is a prime ingredient in many beauty products, specifically sugar scrubs. The primary function of a sugar scrub is to exfoliate skin, leaving skin smooth, glowing, and moisturized. Sugar is an effective exfoliator because of the small size of the sugar particles. This is also true of salt, but sugar is gentler than salt and can be used on sensitive areas, like the face and lips. Sugar scrubs are popular because they provide a natural way to fight signs of aging, remove dead skin cells, and moisturize skin. While sugar scrubs are efficient, they can come with a hefty price tag. Fortunately, there are easy, affordable ways to make sugar scrubs at home with ingredients you may already have in your kitchen. The main ingredients of sugar scrubs are generally a 2:1 ratio of sugar and oil. White or brown sugar can be used. One of the benefits of sugar is that it is a natural source of glycolic acid, which is used to fight signs of aging. For oils, consider trying coconut oil or olive oil. Coconut oil melts into your skin and provides antibacterial benefits in addition to its moisturizing effect. The
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antibacterial benefits are due to the antimicrobial properties found in coconut oil that fight against skin infections like acne and athlete’s foot. Olive oil is well known for its ability to moisturize severely dry skin, including eczema. Both oils are great for nourishing dry skin and leaving skin with a healthy glow. For sensitive skin, try lighter oil, like Argan or Vitamin E oil. Sugar scrubs can be made with or without added scents. If you want to use scents in your scrub, try adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Lavender is often used for relaxation while peppermint is used to energize. Avoid using citrus juice, like lemon or orange, straight from the source. Sugar scrubs are safe to use two or three times a week and should be stored in airtight containers. These scrubs can be good for long periods of time, as long as they are stored properly. Avoid bringing the container into the shower as the moisture could cause mold to form. Instead, scoop out only what you need and store the container in a dry place. Need inspiration? Try these sugar scrubs from DominoSugar.com to get started.
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Care That Makes You SMILE Lavender Sugar Scrub
• 2 cups Domino® Granulated Sugar • 1 cup light olive, canola or almond oil • 12 drops lavender essential oil Place sugar in a bowl, and with a spatula, incorporate oil until it becomes a thick paste. Add lavender essential oil, mixing well. Transfer mix into containers; secure lids. Contents will settle; mix before using.
Aloe Sugar Scrub
• 2 cups Domino® Granulated Sugar • 1/3 cup light olive, canola or almond oil • 1/3 cup aloe gel Place sugar in a bowl, and with a spatula, incorporate oil until it becomes a thick paste. Add aloe gel, mixing well. Transfer mix into containers; secure lids. Contents will settle; mix before using.
Your smile is your trademark; it lights up your face and expresses your joy and friendliness. Put your smile in safe, experienced hands:
the hands of the team at Lake Area Dentistry. We offer all aspects of General Dentistry including:
Family | Preventive | Restorative | Sedation Implant | Emergency | Minor Orthodontics Same Day Procedures
LAKE AREA DENTISTRY Ashley Moffett Azevedo, DDS Peter T. Bayles, DDS Nathan Bray, DDS Jeffery Hennigan, DDS LAKE CHARLES 700 W. McNeese St. (337) 478-8470
DEQUINCY 824 W. 4th St. (337) 786-6221
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Style
& Beauty
How to Find your Style and Cultivate your Perfect Wardrobe by Isabel Jones
What you wear can be a huge confidence booster when you get it right. The tricky thing is, there are so many options, trends come and go, and you change a lot, too. What you wear should make you feel good and be a source of comfort when you step into the world. It’s like your armor that only works when you feel like you’re workin’ it. So how do you find a style and cultivate a wardrobe that feels right in an industry that is always changing?
Stop Planning for a Lifetime When you think about what type of clothing you want to wear, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. It can feel like each piece you buy has to not only fit your style right now, but also mold with you through every stage of life. It’s as if cultivating a wardrobe equates to creating an identity. But remember -- trends change, clothes change, and you change. It will happen whether your wardrobe fits it or not. So when you contemplate your style, don’t think about what your style will say about you tomorrow or what style will fit you forever. Find pieces that feel good right now.
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Use Pinterest Pinterest is the ultimate window shopping tool. It’s a great help when you want to see what your wardrobe could look like without actually committing to anything. Here’s how: 1. Make a style board. 2. Scavenge all the different style boards Pinterest has to offer and pin everything that catches your eye. 3. Take note of any recurring patterns within your pins: colors, styles, pieces, etc. 4. Delete anything that isn’t cohesive with most of the board. 5. From what’s left, make a detailed list of garments you love and look for those pieces the next time you’re out shopping.
June 2018
Understand your Body Type When something doesn’t fit right, it can make you feel like your body is the problem when really the style may just not work for your body type. The beauty of fashion today is that every style and body type is considered when designing new pieces. Don’t fall into the negative body image trap. Look through body type guides and make sure you’re getting an accurate idea of what your body type really is. When in doubt, simply try garments on!
Look at What you Already Have Open the closet doors and dresser drawers and take out every single clothing item you own. Remove anything that’s outdated or has holes, rips, etc. Try on whatever is left. If it doesn’t feel amazing, set it aside or get rid of it. Holding onto things that bring you down can hold you back from having a wardrobe that really makes you feel good.
Let Go of the “InstagramWorthy” Mentality It’s easy to feel pressure with social media these days. It can make you feel like you need to buy something you don’t love just “for the gram.” That, and seeing other people share their perfect wardrobes all the time can make your own wardrobe feel lackluster in comparison. If you create a wardrobe you love based on pieces that work for you, you will feel confident regardless of what other people are buying. If you feel confident, Instagram will love you no matter what you’re wearing.
June 2018
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Style
& Beauty
Dos and Don’ts for Great-Looking
Summer Wedding Attire by Emily Alford
As the weather heats up and skies turn clear, save-the-dates and wedding invitations often start arriving in the mail en masse. And while sunny summer weddings are truly happy days devoted to the celebration of love, wearing the correct wedding attire can be tricky as temperatures shoot toward the triple digits. Here are a few dos and don’ts for choosing the perfect wedding outfit.
Do:
Check the invitation for hints on how to dress.
Usually, wedding invitations will give guests some clues as to how formal the event will be. “Black Tie” means men should wear tuxedos and women can choose formal, floor length gowns or dressy cocktail attire (think short and shimmery). “Black Tie Optional” or “Formal” indicates that men should wear suits and ties -- light colors for day weddings or dark suits for night. Dressy separates or formal cocktail dresses work best for women. An invitation marked “Dressy Casual” may seem like a contradiction of terms, but it generally means that men should wear ties and slacks, while women can wear more casual cocktail attire or church-appropriate skirts and tops. “Casual,” unfortunately, doesn’t mean flipflops and tee shirts. Casual wedding outfits generally mean summer dresses for women and slacks and button downs, sans ties, for men.
Don’t:
Ignore attire suggestions because you don’t like them.
If a wedding invitation is marked “Black Tie,” it means you’re going to have to rent a tux or invest in an evening gown if you
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want to attend. Simply trying to dress up inappropriate articles of clothing you already own probably isn’t going to cut it, and not only is it disrespectful to the bride and groom to ignore their dress guidelines, it’ll probably feel pretty uncomfortable to be the only one dressed up or down for an event.
Do:
Take the wedding venue into consideration.
If the wedding takes place on a beach, or even on a boat, you may want to trade heels for flats, no matter how much better your outfit looks with stilettos. Weddings are generally meant to be fun affairs, and wearing an outfit that’s going to make you feel too hot, too cold, or awkward on the dance floor is going to keep you from celebrating the happy couple.
Do:
Try to look neat and tidy.
Between buying the gift, traveling for the ceremony, and arranging rides to and from the wedding venue, celebrating loved ones’ nuptials can be pretty costly. However, dry cleaning is not the place to skimp in order to save money. Make sure all your clothes are
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clean and neatly pressed for the event, even if you have traveled across the country to attend the wedding.
Don’t:
Try to one-up the wedding party.
At this point, we should all know not to wear white to a wedding. This rule exists to let the bride shine on her special day, but the rule really extends to the entire wedding party. If the invite says “Black Tie Optional” and you show up in a top hat and tails or red-carpet ready couture, chances are, your outfit will steal attention away from the wedding party, whose look has been painstakingly coordinated by a couple who just wants their day--and their pictures--to be perfect.
Do:
Ask what to wear.
Occasionally, invitations leave off the dress code entirely, which can be incredibly stressful. If you can’t figure out what to wear based on the location and time of day, it’s perfectly acceptable to call up the couple or their close relatives and ask what would be most appropriate to wear. Better safe than sorry!
June 2018
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Wining & Dining
Tasterite Jamaican Restaurant Experience a Taste of Caribbean Culture by John O’Donnell
Like our food in Louisiana, the cuisine in Jamaica is made up of a melting pot of techniques, ingredients, and flavors. The island of Jamaica has a rich history that’s brought culinary influences from indigenous peoples, Spain, Ireland, Britain, Africa, and even India and China, with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients. In Lake Charles, that tasty history is on full display at Tasterite Jamaican Restaurant. Prior to opening their new eatery, Tasterite was located adjacent to a gas station on Opelousas Street just north of I-10. The quaint old location had only two tables and primarily served as a place to get great take-out food. Tasterite has also been known as a crowd favorite at festivals and other SWLA events. The food was phenomenal, the ingredients fresh, and business was good. But owners Heather Wade and her husband Chef Damien had bigger dreams. For the last six months, this couple and their children toiled and hustled to renovate a space located on Kirkman Street. They opened their new doors in April.
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The first thing you notice when you walk into the new Tasterite is that the décor drips with the same colorful Caribbean influences as their old location and you get the sense that you’re visiting some island paradise. True to their island roots, Heather and Damien impressively made much of the décor themselves from mostly recycled materials. “We handmade, refurbished, or recycled the tables and chairs. We got the kids involved in the whole process. We built the furniture as a family,” Heather said. The second thing you notice is the larger size. From their humble beginnings in North Lake Charles, they now have plenty of seating, a gift shop, bar, and a stage for live music. “We’re planning to do some Reggae nights on Saturdays, and we want to do Fish Fry Friday’s with live music,” Heather said. The gift shop will have jams, juices, sauces, and Jamaicanthemed clothing for purchase. The bar will feature a variety of tropical and tiki cocktails, perfect for the Louisiana heat, and they offer a large variety of
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photo by Andrew Dilmore
June 2018
tasty Caribbean beverages like Ginger Beer and deliciously fresh tropical fruit drinks. Like their original location, the heart of the new Tasterite is their food, and their food may be the only thing that hasn’t been changed. It’s still made with local ingredients whenever possible. Their curried goat, jerk chicken, and oxtail are still as good as the first time you tried it. Heather and Damien are proud of their Jamaican culture and heritage and that pride shows in their cooking through an unrivaled attention to detail and quality. They want you to feel, taste, and smell all the great things about Jamaica. At Tasterite, you really feel like you’re having a meal in an island paradise; and that’s no accident.
photo by Andrew Dilmore
Tasterite Jamaican Restaurant is located at 2204 Kirkman St., Lake Charles. For more information, call 337-419-1844 or find them on Facebook.
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Wining & Dining
Creative Ways to Cook With
Cauliflower by Keaghan P. Wier
We all know vegetables are good for us, but did you know that cauliflower is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, dietary fiber, and vitamin B6? And, it’s incredibly versatile! Take a look at these creative ways you can prepare and enjoy this powerhouse veggie.
Entrees
Cauliflower is popular in meatless meals, whether for vegetarian diets or simply as a money saver. Here are a few ways you can use cauliflower as a main course.
Cauliflower Fried “Rice”
After cleaning and chopping the cauliflower into quarters, either grate the pieces with a box grater or toss them into a food processer and blitz until small. Take the “rice” and press it between paper towels to absorb excess liquid. Sauté gently with peas, carrots, garlic, soy sauce, ginger, and a scrambled egg. Top with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Cauliflower Buffalo “Wings”
Another popular option is to turn florets of cauliflower into buffalo-style wings! Line baking sheets with parchment paper and preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix ½ cup of milk, ½ cup of flour, and your preferred spices (garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika are a good place to start.) Dip florets in the batter, shake
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off excess, and place on lined pan. Bake for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure they get crisp on both sides. Toss the wings with your favorite wing sauce and return them to the oven for about 10 minutes.
Roasted Whole Cauliflower
Preheat your oven to 350*. Mix ¼ cup of softened butter with the spices of your choice. Cut the stem of the cauliflower so that it is flush with the base of the head and place it in a casserole dish, stem side down. Brush the butter and spices over the top and sides of the cauliflower. Cover with foil and roast until tender, about one hour – though time will vary based on the size of your cauliflower.
Substitutes
Another great option is to use cauliflower as a substitute for ingredients like potatoes, bread, and dairy.
Mashed Cauliflower
Lighten up your meal with this mashed potato substitute. Cut cauliflower into small florets and add to a boiling pot of salted water. Cook until very tender. Reserve ¼ cup of the cooking water, then drain and transfer to a blender or food processor. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and the water a little at a time until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
June 2018
Email or Text Notification when your RX is ready!
Cauliflower Crust
Preheat oven to 450* and grease a baking sheet. Combine 1 cup riced cauliflower, ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 egg, and spices. Place the “dough” on your baking pan and pat it into a 9” circle. Make sure you don’t pat it too thin. Bake for 15 minutes. Add your preferred pizza toppings and place under the broiler until ready. Enjoy!
ThriftyWay PHARMACY #2
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Cauliflower Alfredo
• Citywide Delivery Service • Drive-Thru Pick-Up Window • E-Mail and Call in RX Service
Sauté 6-8 cloves of minced garlic until soft and fragrant, but not browned. Set aside. Add 5-6 cups of cauliflower florets to a pot of boiling salted water and cook until fork tender. Transfer the florets to a blender. Add 1 cup of the cooking liquid or chicken broth, the sautéed garlic, ½ cup of milk, and salt and pepper to taste. Puree until smooth and creamy. Serve with pasta, or use as a white sauce for pizza! Whichever method you choose, we hope these recipes spark your creativity and help you find new and fun ways to enjoy your vegetables!
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THE HEARTBURN CENTER Whether you call it heartburn, acid reflux or GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease can spell misery for the 1 in 5 U.S. adults who suffer with it. Do You have the symptoms? I get a burning feeling in the middle of my chest.
YES
NO
I often have this feeling after a meal or at night.
YES
NO
This burning feeling gets worse when I lie down or bend over.
YES
NO
Over-the-counter medicines, such as acid reducers or antacids, help the burning go away.
YES
NO
I frequently regurgitate (burp up) my food.
YES
NO
There is a bitter or sour taste in the back of my throat.
YES
NO
I have a chronic cough and/or hoarseness.
YES
NO
For the latest diagnostic tools and treatments to eliminate GERD once and for all, call the specialists at The Heartburn Center at 337-475-4086.
If you answered YES to one or more of these statements, you may have GERD. *Medications are not the answer. They do not address the cause for GERD and were never designed for long-term use.
4200 Nelson Road | Lake Charles, LA 70605 | 337.474.6370 | ChristusLakeArea.org June 2018
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Wining & Dining
Edible Arrangements Say Love with Fruit! by Lauren Atterbery Cesar
When flowers can’t quite communicate what you’re trying to say, an edible arrangement might do the trick. Edible arrangements are a delicious reinvention of the traditional flower bouquet. Lake Street is now home to an Edible Arrangements franchise managed and owned by the Piper family, and they offer a multitude of tasty treats to tickle even the pickiest palette. Ronald Piper explains that he got the idea to bring an Edible Arrangement franchise to town one day when he was traveling. “I was watching a commercial for Edible Arrangements, and I noticed at the bottom of the screen it said ‘franchises available.’ The next day I woke up with it still on my mind.” He did some research, emailed the company, and decided it was time to present the idea to the Piper family. They prayed about it, and a year and a half later are thanking God for His faithfulness in helping them open their very own Edible Arrangements shop.
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The Piper family’s main goal in this endeavor is to spread love to every family and business in Lake Charles by way of fruit. However, if you’re thinking that sending a fruit arrangement to someone special is the only option you have when shopping at Edible Arrangements, you’ll be surprised to discover that they offer so much more. Not only do they create beautiful arrangements, they also offer delicious smoothies -- perfect to cool you off this time of year – and a multitude of chocolate covered fruit and fresh fruit salads. Edible Arrangements has special treats to fit any budget. Everyday treats that you can drop in and pick up any time range from $5 to $39. Their impressive arrangements can range anywhere from $25 to nearly $2,000! If you’re unsure of what to try, Ronald Piper says you can’t go wrong with their best sellers: the Delicious Daisy arrangement and chocolate covered bananas. Customers need not worry about the
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freshness of their products. Every piece of pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew, and dipped chocolate strawberry are all handmade to perfection daily. The Piper family has always dreamed of opening a family business in their hometown. When you walk in, you may see store manager Rolin Piper laughing and smiling with customers, or catch their Delivery Ambassador and co-manager Ryant Piper getting ready to deliver something special around town. You may also see matriarch Sheryl Piper assisting in the production area or jumping in to help with day-to-day responsibilities, along with patriarch Donald Piper welcoming you into their store and making you feel like one of the family. Whether you’re looking to send the perfect arrangement to someone special, or you just want to pop in and satisfy your sweet tooth, a trip to Lake Charles’ Edible Arrangements will not disappoint.
June 2018
Meet the Newest Member of our Physician Team,
Brian Kelley, DO, Neurosurgeon
Imperial Health proudly welcomes Dr. Brian Kelley, board certified neurosurgeon, to our medical staff. He joins the Center for Orthopaedics’ group of musculoskeletal specialists. Dr. Kelley has been in practice in Lake Charles for five years. He is originally from Kansas and earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Kansas in Genetics and Biochemistry and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Oklahoma State University. He completed an internship in General Surgery and residency in Neurosurgery at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Dr. Kelley is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. Beginning July 1, Dr. Kelley will be practicing in the Lake Charles office of Center for Orthopaedics, located at 1747 Imperial Blvd.
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This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration and is an Equal Opportunity Housing Lender. This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration and is an Equal Opportunity Housing Lender. This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration and is an Equal Opportunity Housing Lender.
June 2018
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Places & Faces
by Isabel Jones
While every city has a local music scene, few can claim one as diverse as Lake Charles. From Zydeco to Alternative and everything in between, our musicians and venues offer a little something for everyone. Southwest Louisiana culture is full of history, passion, and soul, which results in a fascinating mix of music opportunities.
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Live Music. Happy Hour. Sunday Brunch. NEW MENU
609 Ryan Street | (337) 491-8880 bluedogcafe.com Danahay With his dad on election night
June 2018
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Places & Faces
ROCK
The Flamethrowers as the area’s favorite party rock band. They’ve been covering hit songs since 2004. They’ve toured around the U.S. playing songs from 1950’s Rock n’ Roll to current popular jams. You can find them this summer on June 8, Downtown at Sundown, and July 21, Crying Eagle’s Birthday Bash. Keep up with Flamethrowers on Facebook (@flamethrowersband), Twitter (@FlamethrowersLC), and Instagram (@flamethrowersmusic).
COUNTRY
Charlie Wayne LeBoeuf was born and raised in Sulphur, LA, and is signed and managed by Red Barn Music. His talent has blossomed into soulful melodies and catchy tunes. Whether playing solo or with friends, you can see LeBoeuf’s energy is full of passion. Find LeBoeuf at some of his favorite venues: Walk-Ons, Coolers, and Rikenjaks, or on his Facebook page (@charliewayneleboeuf ).
ZYDECO
Rusty Metoyer comes from a long line of Creole musicians. At 14, he decided to carry on the tradition of playing Zydeco and started Rusty Metoyer and The Zydeco Krush his senior year of high school in 2010. Though Zydeco is the main influence, you can hear hints of funk, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, country, hip hop, and soul. When they’re not touring the around the country, you can find them playing festivals all around SWLA. Keep up with Metoyer on Facebook (@RustyMetoyerZydeco).
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June 2018
POP
LVVRS (pronounced lovers) is a pop/rock blend and one of the new up-andcoming local bands to watch. Created by River Gibson, Brenon Wilson, and Zac Lyons (a Lake Charles native) in 2018, you catch a glimpse of their style in their latest single, “Wild Heart.” The trio is forging a path for a new genre of rock disguised as pop with energy that will keep you moving through their debut EP coming this fall. You can find LVVRS on Spotify, Instagram (@ lvvrsband), Youtube (LVVRS Band) and on Rock 101.3.
FOLK
Amy Kerwin and Ashley Gatte are the masterminds behind The Pretty Cavaliers. They started working together in 2013 but didn’t officially start playing as a duo until 2017. With the silky smooth tone of their voices colliding to create a wall of melodies like no other, it’s no surprise that this Lake Charles band was discovered and chosen to be played on the TV show “Criminal Minds.” The Pretty Cavaliers have played at the Lake Charles venue The Listening Room and Live @ the Lakefront, and play private events around town. Keep up with them through Facebook (@ThePrettyCavaliers).
JAZZ
Street Side Jazz Band was formed by William Christian, Jake Spinella, Mason Feduccia, Steve Dufrene, and Kory Fontenot in 2011. With playful melodies and a smooth sound, they keep this classic style in full swing. SSJB plays the traditional jazz styles from swing and blues to funk and Latin. When they’re not playing private events, you can find them Friday nights and Sunday brunches at Luna Bar & Grill or at one of their upcoming shows: June 9, Crying Eagle Brewery; June 16, Isle of Capri Casino VIP event; June 21-23, Ember Bar and Grille at L’Auberge Casino Resort; and June 28, Blue Dog Cafe. Follow Street Side Jazz Band on Facebook (@streetsidejazzband).
LIVE MUSIC every Wednesday from 6p-9p featuring Micheal Krajicek and Kris Harper
restaurantcalla.com l 1400 Market Street, Lake Charles June 2018
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Places & Faces
Reasons to Support your Local Music Scene by Angie Kay Dilmore
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June 2018
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Potential new friends. Supporting local musicians provides a great opportunity for you to make new friends, both with other fans as well as band members. It’s economical. Tickets or cover charges for local bands cost way less than big-name national touring bands. Oftentimes, especially here in Southwest Louisiana, with our many festivals and community events, admission is free! Benefits local businesses. You’ve heard the expression, “Shop local.” Well, “Listen local” is the same concept! You support not only the musicians, but the venues, as well. Up-close and personal. You can buy tickets to see a headliner at a massive stadium or arena, but unless you score front-row seats, better take your binoculars. Supporting local musicians in small venues gives the added benefit of being able to be close to the stage and interact with the musicians; maybe chat with them during those short breaks.
5
Hometown pride. A band’s greatest fans are often in their own hometown. When a musical act achieves a degree of success, the community takes pride in the “home boys” (or girls) and longs to share in the glory.
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Makes a great date night. Experiencing art of any kind together can make for a fun interesting evening. But music lends itself to a unique interaction – dancing!
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Benefits the education system. A vibrant well-supported local music scene filters down into a community’s culture, and consequently, leaders and school policy-makers will make music and the arts a priority. Bragging rights. When your favorite house band hits the big time and wins a Grammy, you can say, I knew them when . . . You’ll tell your friends, “Yeah, I hung out with those guys at this little dive bar near campus.” And if you’ve kept in touch, you might score backstage passes next time they come to town!
Monday
Open Mic Night | 8-11pm
Tuesday
Trivia | 8-10pm
Wednesday
Ladies Night / Free Bingo and Karaoke
Cultural and musical diversity. Listening to local music enhances your cultural experiences. While you may not spend money on pricey tickets to see big-name acts in genres you don’t regularly listen to, you might readily attend a concert at the lakefront, especially if your friends are all going. And who knows, you may discover you like country music after all!
Thursday
Dollar Margaritas / Live Acoustic Music
Friday – Saturday
Regional Live Bands | 9-12midnight
Sunday Funday
Acoustic Pie | 3:30-6:30 Jay Ecker Jazz Quartet | 7-10pm 3716 Ryan Street • Lake Charles | 337.602.6635 • rikenjaks.com
Daily Specials | Late Night Food Menu June 2018
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Places & Faces Chester Daigle has been entertaining Southwest Louisiana audiences for half a century, starting as a young boy at his family’s church, Reeves CME Temple. Throughout the years, he was involved with numerous local bands, was active as a musician with the Louisiana pageant scene, and worked as an accompanist for OffBroadway theater productions. Daigle and his wife Pat wrote music for the Gospel Music Workshop of America New Music Department and served as worship leaders for several area churches. He’s played with some of the biggest names in the entertainment business, including Spyro Gyra, James Brown, Paul Anka, Stanley Turentine, and more. As much as Chester loves to play music, he also enjoys helping other performers succeed and mentoring young musicians. He and Pat founded the local nonprofit educational foundation ‘Jazz in the Arts’ in 2011. Since then, a couple hundred
youth have benefited from their scholarship program, workshops, summer camps, and internships. Family and fatherhood are also key components of Daigle’s life. He and Pat parent a blended family of four sons and a daughter. Leonard and DeMarcus work in local industries. Their daughter Jazzelynn works in the musical entertainment and consulting business. And their two youngest, Chester III and Jairus, are musicians. On a December morning in 2007, Daigle awoke and was unable to see. But blindness couldn’t stop him from doing what he loves – making music. He has also suffered kidney failure followed by a successful kidney transplant, and battled cancer and won. Currently, he says he is healthy and doing well. Thrive magazine sat down with Mr. Daigle recently, where he talked about fatherhood, adjusting to life after the loss of his sight, and his impressive career in the music industry.
by Angie Kay Dilmore
with
first person
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Chester Daigle, Lake Charles’ Piano Man
Thrive Magazine for Better Living
June 2018
What was your childhood like, growing up in Lake Charles? It was sort of normal, except for the fact that I started playing piano at the age of eight. I spent time outside, played ball like everyone else, but probably not as much because I was often in the house practicing. My father owned a janitorial and maintenance service, so me and my siblings (three sisters and a brother now deceased) all started working for him at a young age. He said, “I won’t give you an allowance, but I can give you a job.”
When did you first realize you wanted to be a musician? I’m not sure – music kind of molded into a career for me. From my very first piano lesson, I loved it. But at eight years old, you’re not thinking about a career. I was a science geek. In my bedroom, instead of posters of baseball and football players, I had astronomical charts, Apollo paraphernalia, and a microscope. After I started taking piano lessons, I played at church. At my high school senior awards ceremony, I won every music award the school had to offer. I remember they had to get a little wagon for me to cart home my trophies from the ceremony. When that happened, I realized there was
something to this. I attended Northeast Louisiana University (now University of Louisiana at Monroe) and graduated with a degree in Music Theory and Composition. I started getting requests to play music at events, and the career came out of that. Just about everything I’ve done has been a matter of opportunity. I’ve never auditioned for a job.
On December 28, 2007, you woke up and couldn’t see. What was that like? It was really scary. When I first woke up that morning, I opened my eyes, and it was dark. I sat on the side of the bed, tried to look around, but I couldn’t see anything. My first thought was, “Am I dead?” I called out to my wife and she answered, so I knew I was alive. Initially, the doctors were confused. I went to five different doctors. They eventually diagnosed the cause of my blindness as a stroke because they didn’t know what else to say. I didn’t leave my room for days because I didn’t know what to do. For most blind people not blind from birth, it comes on gradually and they have time to prepare. I didn’t have that. But it was like a reset button. I remember one day, a message came from God saying fear and faith can’t occupy the same space. After that, it was time to get up and
make some changes. It was a new day, time to start over.
You have a special bond with your children. Tell me about those relationships. There’s a lot of love! All of my children are different; our conversations are different. Some ask me for advice, some don’t. But I try to keep everything fair and on the same plane. They’re all grown now so it’s a matter of encouragement without infringement. Two Bible scriptures guide me as a father: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15) And, a house divided against itself cannot stand. (Matthew 12:25)
What does it mean to you to know you’ve instilled a love of music in some of your children, to play music with them, and watch them grow musically? We raised our children to follow their heart. Decide what you want to do and do it. So, the fact that they want to do music is fantastic. But I don’t hold anything back. When Chester III and Jairus decided they wanted to do music, I told them, “You’re going to love it because you love music, but you’re going to have to work hard. This is not a substitute for an 8-5 job – it’s actually harder.”
You can play most any type of music. What is your favorite genre? Jazz, by far. Classical music is based on musical interpretation. Jazz is the opposite. It’s improv and emotion. Jazz takes all the other genres and throws them into a big pot.
What’s next for Chester Daigle? I have stacks of songs I’ve written, but I’ve never done anything with them. I’ve never published anything as a solo artist, but rather enjoy helping other people on their projects. But I think I’m at a place where I’d like to start releasing some of my own work.
Is there anything else you’d like to add? Allow your calling to find you. Allow that desire to inspire and prepare you. Then allow the pursuit of your calling to become your life’s journey. For more information on Jazz in the Arts, go to jazzinthearts.com or call 337-794-5744.
Where can you hear Chester Daigle play these days? Cypress Grill at Gray Plantation for Sunday Brunch, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Rikenjaks Sunday evenings, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. La Truffe Sauvage, Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. Ember Bar and Grille, L’Auberge, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. His band City Heat performs for private engagements. “Weekends are a toss-up,” says Daigle. “We never know what’s coming.”
June 2018
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Places & Faces
San Fermin en Nueva Orleans Festival, July 12-15 New Orleans’ Quirky Version of Running with the Bulls story and photos by Angie Kay Dilmore
Most people are familiar with the annual Running of the Bulls event in Pamplona, Spain. This event, called the San Fermin Festival, honors and celebrates Spanish folklore and traditions, but is most famous for the Encierro, or Running of the Bulls. Images of runners racing down narrow European streets, hoping to protect their backsides, with large bulls in hot pursuit come to mind. New Orleans is home to a festival that coincides with this famous Spanish tradition, called San Fermin en Nueva Orleans, this year on Saturday, July 14. Naturally, this festival is as quirky as the city it takes place in. Instead of bovines, the “bulls” in the New Orleans’ event are young ladies from the New Orleans-based, 26 www.thriveswla.com
all-female roller derby team, the Big Easy Rollergirls, along with other roller derby ladies from across the country. These “RollerBulls” skate behind the runners, who are clad in traditional white with red sashes. As the RollerBulls catch up with the slowest runners along Convention Center Blvd., they whack the runners with soft foam-core or plastic whiffle ball bats. Only slightly less dangerous than real bulls! The first NOLA Running of the Bulls took place in the French Quarter in 2007 with only 200 fearless participants and 14 RollerBulls. Now some 18,000 runners and 400 RollerBulls run the route. Several companion events are available throughout the weekend:
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The New Orleans Hotel Collection hosts an annual Spanish Wine Dinner, Thursday, July 12, 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $99 per person and include a full menu with Spanish wines poured throughout the meal. Diners often dress in the traditional red and white garb. The event is held in the historic Orleans Ballroom of the Bourbon Orleans Hotel. For reservations (required) call 504-571 4672. A table for eight can be purchased for $700. El Txupinazo (pronounced choo-pinAHT-so) is the official kickoff party for San Fermin in Nueva Orleans. On Friday, July 13, revelers gather at the Seven Three Distillery the night before the Encierro to enjoy food, libations, and music.
June 2018
On Saturday, attend the post-race party, La Fiesta de Pantalones. On July 15, 11:00 a.m., planners offer festival-goers a Sunday brunch called El Pobré de Mi (Poor Me) at Barcadia. For more information on all the San Fermin Festival events, price ranges, guidelines, and other details, go to www.nolabulls.com. Proceeds from all the events – including the $15 race registration – go to various New Orleans charities. For accommodations, consider staying at one of the New Orleans Hotel Collection. As the exclusive and official hotel partners of the Festival de San Fermin in New Orleans, guests of the Festival receive special exclusive room rate discounts. Each of these hotels is located a few short blocks from the festivities. Go to neworleanshotelcollection. com/san-fermin for more information or to book your stay. June 2018
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Places & Faces
Movers and Shakers in Southwest Louisiana...
Who’s News? You tell us! Send press releases to edit@thriveswla.com with the subject line “Who’s News.”
CHRISTUS St. Patrick President and CEO Donald Lloyd Named Lander University Distinguished Alumni of the Year
CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer, Donald Lloyd II Donald Lloyd II was recently named Distinguished Alumni of the Year at the Annual Lander University Alumni Association 2018 Awards Luncheon and Alumni Weekend in Greenwood, South Carolina. A member of the Lander Class of 1983, Lloyd used his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and his Master’s in Business Administration from Francis Marion University, as the basis for a 30-year career with experience in health finance, human resource recruitment, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic growth. Today, Lloyd serves as president and chief executive officer for CHRISTUS St. Patrick Health System, provider of a host of medical services to the five-parish region of Southwest Louisiana. Lloyd is credited with linking the business strategy of CHRISTUS with its mission to “extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ” by offering pastoral, clinical and business opportunities to people of all faiths in the region. In addition to currently serving as a Lander Trustee, Lloyd and his family established the Clem P. Ham Endowed Scholarship for Lander healthcare management students.
West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Welcomes New Pulmonologist
West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital has announced the addition of Fadi Y. Malek, MD, pulmonologist, to its medical staff. Under Dr. Fadi Y. Malek his direction, the WCCH Pulmonology Clinic offers treatment options for asthma, bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, sleep apnea, and other pulmonary-related conditions. Dr. Malek is a graduate of the American University of Beirut. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, and Sleep Medicine. He brings over 20 years of 28 www.thriveswla.com
experience in pulmonology care. The WCCH Pulmonology Clinic is located at 920 First Avenue in Sulphur. Immediate appointments are available, call (337) 313-1621.
Barbe Elementary Teacher Selected to Explore the Ocean Aboard Famed Explorer Dr. Robert Ballard’s Exploration Vessel Nautilus Terri Perkins Miller from Barbe Elementary has been selected as a 2018 CITGO Nautilus Ambassador and will sail aboard Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus during its 2018 expedition. Miller will join the Corps of Exploration aboard E/V Nautilus in June as the ship launches a six-month scientific exploration mission in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. OET promotes science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) education around the world using the excitement of exploration and innovation to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. Ambassadors will spend eight days aboard E/V Nautilus during the first leg of OET’s 6-month expedition. Educators will stand watch alongside scientists and engineers, and interact with shore-based audiences via Nautilus Live, a web portal connecting expeditions in the field to future explorers on shore via telepresence technology at www.nautiluslive.org including live audio commentary and question-and-answer sessions. Terri Perkins Miller
Imperial Health Appoints Chief Financial Officer Bryan McCauley, CPA, MHA, has been named the Chief Financial Officer for Imperial Health, the largest multispecialty, physicianBryan McCauley, CPA, MHA owned medical group in Southwest Louisiana. Originally from Lake Charles, McCauley earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from McNeese State University and a Master of Health Administration from Thrive Magazine for Better Living
Tulane University in New Orleans. McCauley worked for a local CPA firm and oil company before entering the healthcare finance field in 1988. He has worked in a variety of management positions at hospitals and medical centers across the Gulf Coast Region. For the past 19 years, he has held senior level positions at large medical centers in the Southeast, most recently serving as the Chief Financial Officer for West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero, Louisiana.
Leonard Knapp, Jr. receives the Judge Albert Tate, Jr. American Inns of Court Professionalism Award The Judge Albert Tate, Jr., American Inns of Court chapter Leonard Knapp, Jr. has selected Leonard Knapp, Jr. as this year’s Professionalism Award recipient. Knapp has had a career steeped in a combination of law, business, and service to the community. After completing his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Tulane University, Knapp earned his Doctor of Juris Prudence from Louisiana State University. He served as a Law Clerk under Judge Edwin F. Hunter, Jr., an attorney with Cox, Cox, and Knapp, a professor of Environmental Law at McNeese State University, the District Attorney of Calcasieu Parish from 1979-1984, followed by private practice. He is well-known for his work with Habitat for Humanity, 1996 - 2018. His volunteer involvement includes Boy Scouts of America, Kiwanis, the Samaritan Counseling Center, and the Chamber Southwest Education and Environmental Affairs Committees.
Denise Rau, CFP, Attends Barron’s Top Independent Women Advisors Summit For a second time, Denise Rau, Certified Financial Planner ™ and president of Rau Financial Group in Denise Rau, CFP Lake Charles, was chosen to attend the annual Barron’s Top Independent Women Advisors Summit. Rau was one of approximately 150 June 2018
financial advisors selected to attend and participate in the exclusive conference to exchange ideas and best practices, with the goal of improving their business and serving the investing public with the highest quality practices. Barron’s is considered America’s premier financial magazine. The Barron’s Top Independent Women Advisors Summit provides highly detailed and thought-provoking perspectives from top advisors on managing investments, clients and practices. The conference brings together the best female advisors in the country to share information and ideas. This invitation-only event took place in Palm Beach, Florida, and featured a three-day curriculum, that included strategies for improving outcomes, ideas on growing your business, and
June 2018
discussion on the challenges facing the wealth management industry. Participants discussed how trends and shifts in the wealth advisory business create both unique challenges and opportunities for female practitioners. Barron’sranked women advisors, independent channel industry leaders and renowned advisor coaches conducted sessions that explored subjects ranging from human capital development, core business strategy and management, capital structures and innovation. Rau Financial Group offers an extensive range of financial services, including financial planning, investments, retirement planning, trust services, real estate investment and insurance products. For more information, call (337) 480-3835 or visit raufinancialgroup.com.
DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESS
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Home & Family
LIFE WITH
PETS
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Americans love their pets! Sixty-eight percent of U.S. households, or about 85 million families, own a pet, according to the 2017-2018 National Pet Owners’ Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association. Cats and dogs are the most popular, and there are around the same number of cats and dogs owned as pets – 95.6 million cats compared to 89.7 dogs. But dogs are slightly more expensive -- it costs approximately $1,641 per year to care for a dog; $1,125 for a cat. In this month’s cover story, we celebrate the animals we love. Read on to find tips on pet safety, adoption, grooming, training, and more.
June 2018
Choosing a Pet That’s Right for You 8 Tips to Consider Before Pet Adoption by Sylvia Ney
Veterinarians, animal organizations, and current owners agree that pet adoption is a serious undertaking which requires a little homework. If you’re considering adopting a pet, first take note of these important questions and considerations. What type of pet is best for you? A pet’s size, exercise requirements, friendliness, assertiveness, and compatibility should all figure into your decision. Unless you live alone, this is something everyone in your household should agree upon. How much will a pet cost? Food, toys, and vet visits all cost money. Consider finances when making your decision. Take time with your decision to adopt a pet. Depending on the animal’s age, once you adopt a pet, you will likely have the pet for many years. Visit the animal shelter, breeder, or vet clinic several times before making a final decision. Learn about various pets, breeds, and speak with an adoption counselor for guidance. What is the animal’s true behavior? A shelter is a stressful place for any animal. Cats, dogs, birds, and other creatures who might usually be quite social and docile
June 2018
may instead be frightened or overly passive or aggressive in this environment. Quite often, an animal’s true personality won’t shine through until he’s away from this environment. Inquire about trial field trips or consider temporary fostering with an animal before adopting. How much time are you willing to commit to a pet? Puppies and kittens require much more time for training and supervision than mature pets. Some dog breeds need to be more active than others. If you lack time or patience, choose an adult pet, or a tank or caged animal (fish, turtles, lizards, hamsters, birds, etc.) that requires less time and energy on your part. Do you want a purebred or mixed breed pet? If you want a dog, mixed breeds offer some advantages over purebreds. Combined traits of two or more breeds can offer the benefit of fewer genetic defects common in certain purebreds. If you prefer the purebred for show or breeding purposes, be aware this may result in more vet visits or health issues as they age. Purebreds, of course, also cost more to purchase. Thrive Magazine for Better Living
Make preparations before you bring your pet home. Once you have decided to adopt, schedule a vet visit before you bring your pet home. You want to be aware of any possible issues before everyone involved is settled. Also, before your pet’s homecoming, purchase anything you’ll need to care for the pet -- food, litter, a bed, a kennel, toys, cages, tanks, a collar and leash, and treats, for examples. Ensure your home is ready not only with supplies, but for safety, as well -- a fenced yard, uncluttered floors to prevent entanglement, and all poisonous materials out of reach. Give your pet plenty of time to acclimate. You are likely considering pet adoption for companionship. Allow the pet to form a relationship with you on his own time. Do not expect instant devotion. You are a stranger bringing them into a new environment. Some animals will feel overwhelmed and try to escape, hide, or bite. Allow the animal time to explore their new surroundings. For additional concerns, keep the phone number of a nearby 24-hour veterinarian or animal clinic handy.
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Home & Family | LIFE WITH PETS
Keep your Pet Safe this Summer Summer often means more fresh air and sunshine for both you and your pet. But outdoor activities this time of year pose unique dangers to your pet. Be aware of these threats and protect your fur babies throughout the season.
Heat stroke and dehydration. Be sure your pet has plenty of water, especially when outdoors. Watch for signs of overheating -- excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, weakness, stupor, or collapse. Symptoms can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, and an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees. Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. Elderly or overweight pets, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible, especially during the hottest hours of the day. Never leave animals alone in a parked vehicle. On a typical Louisiana summer day, the temperature in a car can climb to a lethal 120 degrees within 30 minutes! Feel free to trim longer hair on your dog, but never shave your dog. The layers of dogs’ coats protect them from overheating and sunburn.
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Fleas and ticks are more prevalent in summer months, as are hookworms and heartworms. Check with your vet for pet-safe repellents and proper treatment. Water hazards. Surprisingly, not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and have them wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse dogs off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from fur and try to keep them from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals. When in or near ocean or rivers, beware of currents and riptides. Hot sidewalks and asphalt. Being close to the ground, your dog’s body can heat up quickly and sensitive paw pads can burn. Walk during the cooler times of day or on cooler surfaces like grass. Commonly used poisons. Rodenticides and lawn and garden insecticides and plant foods can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested, so keep them out of reach. Keep citronella candles, tiki torch products, and insect coils of out pets’ reach as well. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 if you suspect your animal has ingested a poisonous substance. Human food hazards. Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can
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cause intoxication, depression, and comas. Similarly, remember that snacks enjoyed by humans should not be treats for your pet; any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe digestive ailments. Ignore the temptation to share your food with your pet. Especially avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate, and products with the sweetener xylitol. Also keep your pet away from both hot or cold charcoal briquettes. Beware of certain plants that can be toxic to animals. For example, if ingested, azaleas can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and heart problems in dogs and cats. Lilies can cause kidney failure in cats. Fireworks. Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma, and even unused fireworks can contain hazardous materials. If your pet does get burned, apply pure aloe vera twice daily. Many pets are also fearful of loud noises and can become lost, scared, or disoriented, so protect your pets from the noise in a quiet, sheltered, escape-proof area of your home. Sun exposure. Did you know there are sun screens for pets? Yes, they need to be protected, too, in areas where there is little or no fur, such as bellies and around ears. Use products specifically formulated for pets.
June 2018
Good Dog!
Tips for successful dog training Britney Pitre, owner of Bon Chiens Dog Training, believes there is no such thing as a bad dog; only dogs and their owners who need positive training. She is one of only four certified professional dog trainers in Southwest Louisiana, and one of only 14 in the state. She offers private training within the comfort of her clients’ homes and private training in her Lake Charles facility as well as a wide variety of group training classes. Her motto is “Train Without Pain.” Pitre specializes in a blended approach which trains both the dog and the dog owner. “My job as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer is to ensure that pet parents (owners) understand dog development, how their brains work, how to interpret their body language correctly (for example, yawning often means that a dog is stressed -- not tired), and how to properly “discipline” a dog so that the dog and family can live a happy, healthy, and harmonious life with one another.”
needs are being met, simulate enriching situations for them. For example, nix dog food bowls and feed your pet in more enriching ways that simulate his foraging nature: scatter feeding, provide puzzle toys, and/or training sessions for food are all easy ways to offer your dog enrichment. With daily enrichment, a dog feels less stressed, bored, and anxious, which decreases destructive behaviors. Nothing in life is free. Ask your dog to display a cue (command) before receiving a reward. Before your dog gets food, a toy, goes outside/inside, has leash put on/taken off, lies on furniture, etc. ask the dog to sit, lie down, give eye contact, or other command before the dog can have the reward. Don’t hit your dog. Using physical punishment can work, but not without
by Angie Kay Dilmore
negative consequences. If you use methods or tools that inflict pain or fear into an animal, the chances of that animal becoming fearful, aggressive, or completely shut down is far higher than if you use methods that do not employ pain or fear. This does not mean you cannot use “punishment.” For example, if your dog is displaying undesirable behavior, turn away and ignore him or leave the room. You can change a dog’s behavior without dominating, shocking, pinching, hitting, biting (yes, some “trainers” advise biting dogs), striking, alpha rolling . . . you just need to equip yourself with the proper knowledge first. Pitre offers dog training in Southwest Louisiana, Central Louisiana., and Southeast, Tx. For more information, call 337-422-4703 or see the Bon Chiens website, bonschiens.com.
Here are Bon Chiens’ five rules for dog training success: Have realistic expectations. Your dog is not a human, and we are not magicians. Learning and development take time, patience, and understanding. There are no quick fixes in life that do not backfire, and it is no different in the world of dog training. Set your dog up for success. Encourage positive behavior by controlling the environment so that the dog cannot make a mistake. If your pet likes to bolt out the door when you open it, put him on a leash, behind a barrier, or in a crate before you open your door so that you do not allow the dog to make the mistake of running out the door. Then work to teach your dog dependable communication to ensure that behavior ceases. Provide daily enrichment. Dogs are social animals that would forage if in the wild. To ensure your dog’s
ALL SUMMER LONG
ON LIN E CA LL OR VIS IT US DA Y! TO EN RO LL TO 31 OF FER EN DS JUL Y
ENROLL IN ANY PUPPY IN-HOME PRIVATE TRAINING COURSE OR GROUP TRAINING CLASS AND ATTEND YOUR FIRST PUPPY PRE-K ON US!
BONS CHIENS DOG TRAINING | (337) 422-4703 | 2311 HODGES ST. LAKE CHARLES, LA 70601 | WWW.BONSCHIENS.COM
June 2018
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Home & Family | LIFE WITH PETS
Allie gets ready for a cat nap.
Hobo Hotel for Cats by Angie Kay Dilmore, photos by Andrew Dilmore
June is National Adopt a Cat Month and here in Lake Charles, a great place to do that is at Hobo Hotel for Cats. This non-profit organization houses approximately 70 cats and kittens, most who are awaiting forever homes.
Penelope relaxes on the “catio.�
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June 2018
Hobo Hotel started out in 1999 with just a few folks who loved cats and strived to give them a home in a Jetstream travel trailer. From these humble beginnings, the shelter is now located in a dedicated building at 650 E. School Street. Hobo Hotel is different from some other animal shelters in that they do not euthanize animals if the cats are not adopted or if the facility becomes too full. Consequently, this no-kill shelter often must turn cats away if they are at max capacity. “Our priorities are strays and abandoned cats,” says assistant director Debbie Watts. “We don’t take feral cats or pets.” Hobo Hotel has a team of dedicated foster parents who help with the overflow of cats and especially with very young kittens who need a great deal of care. Hobo Hotel also has satellite adoption centers at Petco and PetSmart in Lake Charles, and Petsense in Sulphur. Veterinarian Dr. Joe Stark has been an active supporter of Hobo Hotel from the program’s inception. He does the spaying and neutering, vaccinations, and other routine care to get the cats ready for adoption. “We couldn’t do what we do without him,” says director Diana Andersen. Watts says they process around 20-25 cat adoptions each month. The cost to adopt a cat from Hobo Hotel is $100, which includes a trip next door to Dr. Stark for spaying/ neutering, microchipping, vaccinations, disease testing, deworming and flea treatment.
Hobo Hotel could not serve the community as they do without the help of a passel of volunteers. These cat enthusiasts help with fundraising events, clean and maintain the cat kennels at the pet stores, and volunteer to foster cats. Some cat lovers can’t have a cat at home for various reasons, so they get their feline fix at Hobo Hotel by giving special attention to the cats who live there. “We have volunteers who drop in on their own schedule to give the cats TLC,” says Watts. “Some people stop in for 5-10 minutes on their lunch hour. They pet the cats, brush them, play with them; it helps keep the cats social, active, and stimulated.” Approximately 20 permanent residents live at the center. These are cats who have a low chance of being adopted, either due to disease, old age, or socialization issues. How else can community members help the Hobo Hotel? Andersen encourages the community to attend the organization’s many fundraisers throughout the year. They accept donations of cash, as well as needed supplies such as cleaning products, litter, and cat food. Interested persons can become a member of the organization – there are varying levels of membership, starting at $50 for an individual membership. People can also help by spaying and neutering their pets. “That’s the number one thing people can do to help,” says Andersen. “We’d love to be out of business, but it’s not going to happen.”
Junior enjoys climbing in the kitty gym.
FULL GROOMING MAINTENANCE GROOMING BATH FACE/FEET SANITARY
For more information, call their message service at 337-439-2428, see their website, www.hobohotelforcats.com, or find them on Facebook.
NAIL TRIMMING SPECIAL CARE PROGRAM
Our Mission
At Adore, our focus is not only beauty, but health and comfort. We seek to provide the highest quality care and the most beautiful styles for each individual pet. We specialize in revitalizing skin and coat so that each pet may lead a happier, more comfortable life. Through continued education, certification, and specialized training we have developed an unwavering desire to create a truly safe, relaxing, and healing grooming experience. A healthy pet is a beautiful pet.
337-474-1337 | 2712 Country Club Road | adorepetspa.pet June 2018
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Home & Family | LIFE WITH PETS
Homemade Dog Treats by Sylvia Ney
Making your own dog snacks can be a fun and rewarding experience. It might also be the safest way to control ingredients in your pet’s diet. Whether you’re looking to try something new, wanting to save money on treats, or hoping to alleviate your dog’s allergies, you may want to try one of these three easy recipes. BACON CHEESE BISCUITS
FROZEN APPLE TREATS
Ingredients 2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled – or store-bought bacon bits to save time. 1/2 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese 1/4 cup milk 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce 1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
You’ll need: Ice Cube Tray(s) Cutting Knife
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. 2. In a large bowl, add all ingredients and mix well. 3. Knead dough into ball and roll onto a floured surface 1/4 inch thick. Cut with a cookie cutter of your choice. 4. Place on your prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until cheese starts to bubble. 5. Cool and refrigerate. Makes 2 to 3 dozen biscuits
Directions: 1. Slice the apples to bite size or puree 2. Roll in yogurt 3. Add small amount of water to each section of ice cube tray (about 1/3 full). 4. Add small scoop of apple and yogurt mixture to each compartment before filling the remaining space with more water 5. Freeze for several hours before offering your pet this cool treat.
Ingredients: 2 apples 1 cup nonfat, plain yogurt water
PEANUT BUTTER TREATS Ingredients 2 cups of flour 1/2 cup peanut butter 2 eggs Directions 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. 2. In a large bowl, mix the ingredients together until combined. 3. Add water until it becomes wet enough to roll out as dough about ¼ inch thick. 4. Cut with the cookie cutter of your choice. 5. Place on your prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
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Your dog may enjoy these treats, however, do not rule out the possibility of particular food intolerances. Always watch your pet for reactions. These treats are intended for special occasions and as an addition to your dog’s regular diet. They should not replace regular dog food. Ask the advice of your veterinarian before feeding your dog any homemade creations.
Thrive Magazine for Better Living
June 2018
Pampering the Pooch
Trends in Dog Grooming by Angie Kay Dilmore
An estimated $6.11 billion was spent in the U.S. on pet services such as grooming in 2017. These days, pet owners expect more than a shave and a haircut when they take their pet to their local groomer. Groomers take extra measures to pamper their clients with modern day pet salon amenities. The next time you take your pet to the groomer, ask about these latest trends to pamper your pooch.
among dog owners who really want their dogs to stand out from the crowd. Your groomer can apply safe, dog-friendly nail polish to your dog’s nails after clipping and buffing them. Some groomers offer nail jewels or nail art for your dog.
Teddy bear cuts are currently all the rage at Adore Pet Spa, says Katie Lea, a groomer with 13 years experience. “People like it because it is cute and makes the dog look like a little stuffed animal.” Puppy cuts are popular, too. They also offer rhinestones and glitter accents.
Natural grooming products feature familiar ingredients that humans might find in their own self-care products – herbal shampoo, aromatherapy conditioner, probiotic supplements, and cleansing wipes. Ingredients in these new products include essential oils, botanicals, and other natural components. Adore Pet Spa uses an all natural flea shampoo and all their products are pesticide-free.
Geometrical grooming is most effective for dogs that have voluminous hair or fur that is wiry or frizzy. You can ask your dog groomer to cut and shape the hair on your dog’s head and around his face into a specific geometric shape. The most common shapes requested right now are cubes and spheres. Lea says poodles and bichons are good candidates for these cuts. “Every dog is different and not all dogs look good with every cut.”
Adore also offers a unique process called Thera-Clean for grooming. It’s a micro-bubble spa bath that cleans a pet thoroughly from the pore out. Only water is used in the system so it is very gentle to the skin. The process is especially good for treating mange, yeast and staph infections, hair loss, and dogs with strong odors. “We are the only spa in a 100-mile radius that offers this service,” says Lea.
Creative dye jobs and stenciling use non-toxic, dog-friendly hair dye and paint. You can choose to just dye one section of your dog’s hair or cover his entire body in a complex design of colors and shapes. You can even use dye and stencils to give your dog the appearance of a completely different animal, such as a tiger or cheetah. Most dog hair dye and paint is semi-permanent, and will wash out in five to six washes. Adore Pet Spa uses all-natural vegan-friendly Opawz hair dyes as well as chalk coloring, which washes out more quickly.
Mobile Pet Grooming is another growing trend. Like everyone, pet owners are busy. It’s a time saver to have the groomer come to the home. It is also convenient when the dog is anxious or afraid to travel, aggressive around other pets at grooming facilities, or has limited mobility.
If you really want to indulge your dog, ask your groomer about doggy nail art. “Pawdicures” have become an increasingly common grooming service
June 2018
Adore Pet Spa has plans to offer a pettaxi grooming service. They will pick the pet up at your home and take the pet to the spa for grooming. Lea says this is a safer option in case of an accident or medical emergency. Lucy Barberena Vega, office manager at Adore Pet Spa, says they care not only about making a pet beautiful, but also about keeping an animal comfortable and safe.
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Home & Family
Water-Wise Landscape Designs by Haley Armand Tarasiewicz
There are a number of great ways to enhance the beauty of your home with landscaping, but there are few projects that can bring the same kind of life and natural elegance to your landscape as a high-quality, professionally installed water feature. “Outdoor water features can add sophistication and function to any landscape, no matter the size or budget,” says Richie Everage, landscape design consultant. “From simple aesthetics to functional roles in your garden, water features can add a unique ambiance and create a calming retreat.” When it comes to landscaping water features, Everage says waterfalls and ponds tend to be the most popular. “These produce a cooling effect when temperatures sizzle during the summer. They also can do a great bit more than just help you improve the beauty of your property. The sounds of running water have been proven to have a calming effect and help to reduce stress levels – something most of us could use after a long day at work.”
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So, where do you begin? To help you pick the type of water feature for your yard, Everage offers some ideas to consider: Fountain. Often located near a deck or patio, an outdoor water fountain is a classic element dating back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. They come in various forms, from bubbling boulders to a spouting statue or multi-tiered. Fountains come equipped with electric-driven pumps to allow water to spray or circulate continually to keep it fresh and flowing. Bird Bath. A bird bath can be a simple or elaborate water feature that attracts birds, especially in the summer when they can gather, cool off, and drink water from it. A well-maintained and clean bird bath will attract a variety of bird species all year. You can choose from a variety of options such as plastic, glass, or stone to either add character to your garden or blend in with the natural surroundings.
June 2018
Pond. A garden pond is appealing in any outdoor setting and may comprise a complete water ecosystem, including pond fish and water plants. The most common garden ponds contain some goldfish or koi fish, a few water plants like lilies, and a water circulation system to keep the water flowing and oxygenated. Waterfall. The waterfall is perhaps the most beautiful and relaxing water feature. If you lack space or have maintenance concerns about installing a full pond, then a pond-less waterfall is your go-to option. It’s easy to maintain because it recirculates water without the presence of a pond to keep it clean. Add in some decorative rocks and you have a complete feature. Whether in small or large quantities, Everage says trickling water will make your yard look more spacious, attract beneficial birds and insects, and serve as a mindrelaxing addition that brings ambiance to your outdoor living space. “What better place to relax and enjoy the calming benefits of water than in your own yard? For more information on adding water features, call Landscape Management at 337-478-3836 or visit www.landscapemanagment.org.
2018 Keynote Speaker
Tamron Hall THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 LAKE CHARLES CIVIC CENTER
8:00am - 4:00pm Featuring Various DIY Workshops Vendor Registration for MarketPlace Now Open!
WomensCommissionSWLA.com June 2018
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Home & Family | Hurricane Preparedness
PREPARE
NOW FOR POTENTIAL STORMS AHEAD
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June marks the start of hurricane season, a time of year when residents along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of the United States hold their breath, hoping the next five months pass without mention of evacuations, storm surges, and high winds in their area. Whether a hurricane threatens Southwest Louisiana in the coming months or not, it’s still best to be prepared. Read on for some ways to be prepared for this hurricanen season.
June 2018
DISASTER KIT In the event of any type of severe weather, the first step to being ready is to have a disaster supply kit stocked and on-hand year-round. Your disaster supply kit should include: Water (One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation) Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert. Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place. Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation. Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities. Manual can opener for food. Batteries Flash Lights Non-perishable food Your first aid supplies should include the following: Latex or other sterile gloves Sterile dressings to stop bleeding. Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes Antibiotic ointment Burn ointment Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant A thermometer Prescription medications you take every day (periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates) Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies Scissors and tweezers Petroleum jelly or other lubricant Non-prescription drugs: aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids, laxatives.
June 2018
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Home & Family | Hurricane Preparedness
STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE
BEFORE, DURING & AFTER A HURRICANE Before a storm is headed your way:
Prepare your home:
When you return home:
It’s important to develop a plan for your family before talk of evacuation and other storm-related preparations begin.
Whether you shelter in place or evacuate, your home will need some simple preparation to help protect it from hurricanes and their aftermath. Government and relief agencies all recommend the following:
Remember, your house may have serious damage. Only enter if safe to do so.
Cover all of your home’s windows with your supply of plywood or permanent hurricane shutters.
Check to see that the electric, gas, and water services are not damaged. Have licensed professionals check gas, water, and electrical lines and appliances for damage. If you find or suspect damaged gas or power lines, call Entergy at 1-800-ENTERGY (3683749) to report it.
Follow these steps to prepare your family for the 2018 hurricane season: Decide now where your family will go in the event of a mandatory evacuation order. Have a couple different options available, whether it’s a relative far out of town or a hotel. Review your insurance coverage and speak with your agent to make sure you have the coverage you need. Also, check into your flood insurance eligibility since homeowner’s policies typically don’t cover flood damage. Buy plywood or shutters for your windows at the beginning of hurricane season to avoid a last-minute scramble. You can pre-cut the plywood and store it off the ground in a shed, crawl space or attic until needed.
Trimming trees and shrubs away from your house helps make them more wind resistant and lessens the likelihood of them damaging your house. Keep gutters and drain pipes unclogged and clear of debris. Bring in outdoor furniture & anything else that is not tied down to prevent injury/damage from debris.
Use a flashlight to check for damage around your home. Never use candles, matches or other open flame.
Boil your water. Remember to use tap water for drinking and cooking only when local officials say it is safe to do so. Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
Have a plan for your recreational items. If you have a boat or other large equipment, decide where you will store them during a tropical storm or hurricane. Test emergency equipment such as generators and flashlights now. Check your kit. If you have a disaster kit from last year, check it to make sure it is fully stocked and nothing is expired.
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June 2018
Always
ON-CALL
for SWLA
Since 1993, Southwest Call Center’s mission and purpose has been to be on-call so their customers do not have to be. The company provides customer support, traditional answering service, dispatch, email, voicemail and even conference calling to businesses throughout Southwest Louisiana and the rest of the US.
KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS
During disaster events or weather-related emergencies, the call center is committed to providing “business as usual.” Even an evacuation doesn’t stop them. The Lake Charles-based call center has a remote agent staff and volunteer-based ride-out crew to keep the community covered with uninterrupted service.
337-310-2435
southwestcallcenter.com ccase@southwestcallcenter.com
Almost half of Americans expect to rely on their neighbors after a disaster. Do you know yours? Now would be a great time to introduce yourself to your neighbors and exchange phone numbers. When preparing for a storm: Get to know your neighbors before a storm or an emergency to help out in your community. Check in with neighbors to see how you can help each other out before and after a storm. Create a neighborhood Facebook group. If your neighborhood does not have a Facebook group, consider creating one. Not only does having a group create community on a dayto-day basis, it can prove helpful for gathering information before, during and after a storm. Share supplies. If you run to the store to grab a couple of last-minute items before a storm, check to see if your neighbor needs anything. Share tips with your community for staying safe before, during, & after a hurricane.
For more tips on how to prepare for hurricane season, visit www.ready.gov.
June 2018
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Home & Family | Hurricane Preparedness
HURRICANES BY THE NUMBERS
10.1 5.9 2.5 Average number of named storms each season
416
Number of fatalities during Hurricane Audrey in 1957
22 feet Highest reported storm surge during Hurricane Ike in 2008. Ike holds the record for highest surge recorded from a Category 2 storm.
203,000 Number of homes damaged by Hurricane Harvey in 2017
Average number of named storms that become hurricanes each year
Annual average number of hurricanes that become severe (Category 3 or greater)
2005 The most active hurricane season on record—15 of the 28 tropical storms formed became hurricanes.
KATRINA
81 billion 150 billion
1 million +
Total estimated cost of property damages The total estimated economic impact between Louisiana and Mississippi, earning it the title of most expensive hurricane in U.S. history. Number of people displaced across the Gulf Coast
RITA
180 mph 44 www.thriveswla.com
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Highest sustained winds, making it the strongest hurricane recorded in the Gulf of Mexico.
June 2018
ARE YOU FINANCIALLY PREPARED FOR A HURRICANE?
For a complete list of how to financially prepare for a disaster, go to www.ready.gov/financialpreparedness.
AN EASY WAY TO PREPARE FOR A HURRICANE
GOT A CAMERA? GOT A CAMERA? DO A HOME AN EASY WAY TO PREPARE FOR A HURRICANE
DO A HOME INVENTORY. GOT AINVENTORY. CAMERA? DO A HOME INVENTORY. AN EASY WAY TO PREPARE FOR A HURRICANE
Feeling better prepared is a snap.
Taking pictures or video of your valuables now Feeling better prepared is a snap. makes it easier to Taking pictures or video of your valuables now makes it easier to get reimbursed get reimbursed for Feeling better prepared is a snap. for them later if they’re damaged in a storm. For more easythem wayslater to prepare if they’re for Taking pictures or me video of your valuables now makes it easier to get reimbursed hurricane season, call first. damaged in a storm. for them later if they’re damaged in a storm. For more easy to prepare for For ways more easy hurricane season, call me first. ways to prepare for Pat Hight Insurance Agency hurricane season, 337-474-2020 Pat Hight Insurance Agencycall me first.
3405 Lake Street 337-474-2020 pathight@allstate.com 3405 Lake Street Feeling better prepared is a snap. www.allstateagencies.com/PatHight pathight@allstate.com Hight-Doland Insurance Agency Taking pictures or video of your valuables now makes it easier to get reimbursed www.allstateagencies.com/PatHight 337-474-2020 | 3405 Lake Street for them later if they’re damaged in a storm. For more easy ways to prepare for hurricane season, call me first.www.allstate.com/craigdoland | craigdoland@allstate.com
Pat Hight Insurance Agency 337-474-2020 3405 Lake Street pathight@allstate.com © 2018 Allstate Insurance Co., Northbrook, IL www.allstateagencies.com/PatHight
149568 149568
You’ve prepared your home, assembled your emergency kit, and made a plan in case of evacuation. But are you financially prepared for a hurricane? To truly be ready for a natural disaster, you need to also be financially prepared. If a hurricane strikes, your workplace, as well as your paycheck, may be disrupted temporarily or possibly long term. Have an emergency savings account to be prepared for the unexpected. Anticipate initial out-ofpocket expenses for lodging, food, gas, and other incidentals in case of evacuation. Have copies or take photos of all your important financial documents, including bank account numbers and insurance information, and take with you if you need to evacuate. Ensure you home-owners insurance, including flood, high winds, and hurricane damage insurance, is up-to-date. It takes 30 days for hurricane insurance to take effect after applying, so don’t wait until the hurricane is on the radar! Businesses can purchase business-interruption insurance policies.
© 2018 Allstate Insurance Co., Northbrook, IL
June 2018
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Home & Family | Hurricane Preparedness
HELP YOUR CHILDREN COPE & PREPARE
FOR AN APPROACHING HURRICANE When the computer models show a hurricane headed your direction, it’s natural to feel a sense of concern, at the very least. If you feel a degree of fear, your children likely do, also. Follow these tips from www.ready.gov to help ease their anxiety.
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June 2018
You are their biggest influence. When you can manage your own feelings, you can make disasters less traumatic for your kids. Encourage dialogue. Listen to your kids. Ask them about their feelings. Validate their concerns. Answer questions. Give just the amount of information you feel your child needs. Clarify misunderstandings about risk and danger. Be calm and reassuring. Discuss concrete plans for safety. Have children and teens contribute to the family’s recovery plan. Role play what each member of the family will do in an emergency situation. Hold a fire drill and ensure everyone knows the exit routes. Choose a spot outside where everyone will meet. What will you do in case of flooding? Determine the best spot in the house to hunker down in case of a tornado; i.e., small inside rooms or bathtubs covered with a mattress. Involve your children in the preparations. Let them help organize the emergency kit and pack clothes and other items they may want to take if evacuating. They can bring in loose items from the yard, such as furniture cushions, flower pots, and outdoor toys to prevent flying debris. Including your children in the readiness activities gives them a sense of purpose and empowerment and lessens fear.
For many kids, reactions to disasters are brief. But some children can be at risk for more enduring psychological distress. Three risk factors for this longer-lasting response are: • Direct exposure to the disaster such as being evacuated, observing injuries of others, or experiencing injury • Loss/grief relating to the death or serious injury of family or friends • On-going stress from secondary effects, such as temporary housing, loss of social networks, loss of personal property, or parent’s unemployment
AUTO-HOME-LIFE-HEALTH-BANK
Mind the TV. While it’s important to stay informed, news coverage of disasters can create confusion and anxiety in children. Repeated images may lead younger kids to believe the event is recurring. If your children do watch TV or use the Internet, be with them to talk and answer questions.
4344 Lake Street Lake Charles, LA
337.477.7354 For a quote visit www.shaynelaughlin.com
Find support. Whether you turn to friends, family, community organizations, or faith-based institutions, building support networks can help you cope, which will in turn help your children cope.
Shayne M Laughlin, Agent • www.shaynelaughlin.com June 2018
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Home & Family
Porter’s Pals: A Child Mentoring Program We Rock the Spectrum Lake Charles is excited to share their newest program that will begin this summer: Porter’s Pals. The idea started with local 10-year-old Porter Pourciau and the programmed blossomed into something more than they could have imagined. Porter reached out to We Rock the Spectrum Lake Charles wanting to help children in any way possible by being a peer mentor and friend to those who visit the gym. His main message is one of inclusion and understanding others that may learn differently or react differently in certain situations. His motto for Porter’s Pals is “building friendships through inclusive activities and mentoring” -- something the gym built its foundation on. This program will give children the opportunity to have a meaningful experience during their summer break, become a role model to those younger, and lead by example to same-age peers. Children participating in this program will be able to grow and see how patience, understanding, and acceptance can have a huge impact on everyone, The children they will be paired with will be able to learn from them, build confidence, and have an all-around amazing time.
Porter’s Pals will be built with volunteers ages 10-15 to pair up with children participating in their summer camps and social skills camps. They are looking for children who show the following: • ability to connect with others • patience and understanding • listening skills and direction following • model respectful behavior • desire to make a difference in our community The activities they will be assisting with during camps are as follows: • safe, gym play • pretend play • puzzles/games • sensory activities • arts and crafts • story time
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For their social skills camp in August, they will prepare children with special abilities for the 2018-2019 school year. Setting up their party room as a mock classroom, volunteers will model good school behavior and assist with activities such as classroom procedures, lunch procedures, and gym/ recess procedures to build on appropriate social skills. We Rock the Spectrum Lake Charles and Porter’s Pals need volunteers for the following camp dates: June 11–15, July 9 –13, and August 6 – 10. The hours are from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. **Training will be provided** This opportunity can also go towards apostolic hours needed by students in the community. If this is something your child is interested in or you know would benefit from, please contact the gym at 337-419-1986 or email them at info@werockthespectrumlakecharles.com.
June 2018
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Home & Family
HAPPENINGS MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Hosts Class for Delivery and Breastfeeding West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital will host a class on June 19 from 6-8pm on preparing for delivery and breastfeeding. The cost is $10 per participant and will be held in the North Conference Room at the Cypress Street entrance. Class space is limited and preregistration is required. A childbirth educator as well as a certified lactation counselor will lead the discussion and will be available for one-on-one questions. To register, call (337) 527-4361.
Signing in the South Signing in the South is an event that invites literary enthusiasts to spend an afternoon meeting with both out-of-state and local authors. The event will take place on June 9 from 2-6pm at Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel in Lakeside Ballroom, located at 100 Westlake Avenue in Westlake.
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Entry fees are $5 for general admission and $25 for VIP admission. VIP admission tickets include a scavenger hunt, additional entries into drawings, a keepsake bag, and a relaxed social hour to mingle with the authors. Hors D’Oeuvres and refreshments will also be available.
The Safe Sitter® program is a medically accurate program that teaches young adolescents how to handle emergencies when caring for younger children. Thousands of young adolescents across the country have been trained by Safe Sitter® to handle life-threatening emergencies.
To purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite. com. For additional information, contact Debbie Sonnier at debbiesonnier@hotmail.com.
During the course, students will get hands on practice in basic life-saving techniques so they are prepared to act in a crisis. Safe sitters also receive helpful tips to make them more confident caregivers. They learn safety precautions, how to understand children of different ages, and even the business of babysitting.
Safe Sitter® Babysitting Classes Scheduled at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital announces three summer offerings of the Safe Sitter® babysitting class for girls and boys age 11 to 13 will be held. Classes are scheduled for June 12 and July 17 at Dynamic Dimensions Fitness Center in Sulphur and also June 26 at Dynamic Dimensions Fitness Center in Moss Bluff. Interested students are encouraged to sign up early due to limited class sizes.
The cost to attend is $35. To register, call (337) 527-4361.
Junior Achievement in a Day Events Scheduled
for students entering grades 6 – 8, will help students learn about exploring potential careers, discovering ways to plan for and keep a job, and preparing their personal-brand maps to the future. The program, “JA It’s My Future”, includes practical information and interactive activities for students that are volunteerled, using digital resources. The first event will be 9am-2:30pm on June 19, at the Managan Center, 1221 Sampson Street, Westlake. The second event will be 9am2:30pm on July 19, in the SEED Center, 4310 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA. There is no cost for this event and lunch will be provided for all of the student participants. For more information, call (337) 5585656 or susan.percle@ja.org. Register at www.juniorachievement.org/ web/ja/swla.
Junior Achievement of SWLA and Sasol will hold two free JA in a Day Events for middle school students this summer. The event,
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June 2018
Nutritional Therapies is Topic of Upcoming Breast Cancer Support Group
Police Jury Announces Summer Food Service Program’s 2018 Kickoff
West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital will host its Pink Crusade breast cancer support group on June 14 at 6pm in the hospital’s board room. Guest speaker is Dr. Eric Snow, DC, he will speak about nutritional therapies as they relate to stress, chronic fatigue, and emotional stress. The group is open to the public and light refreshments will be served.
The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury’s Human Services Department’s Summer Food Service Program will kick off June 4 at several Calcasieu Parish locations.
For more information, call (337) 528-7320.
Shots for Tots June Dates Announced West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital will offer Shots for Tots on several dates in June.
• DeQuincy Recreation Center, 507 Oak St. DeQuincy • First Baptist Church, 401 S. Huntington St., Sulphur • W.T. Henning Elementary School, 774 Henning Drive, Sulphur • Iowa High School, 401 W. Miller Ave., Iowa
Lunch will be served on daily basis from 11am-1pm, Monday through Friday, until July 27. Sites will be closed on July 4.
• Managan Recreation Center, 1221 Sampson St. Westlake
All children ages 18 and under will receive meals at no charge. No registration is required. Program acceptance and participation requirements are the same for all children - regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. Meals will be provided on a first-come, firstserved basis at the following sites:
• Westwood Elementary School, 1900 Sampson St., Westlake • Vinton Middle School, 900 Horridge St., Vinton • Vinton Recreation Center (Ward 7 Recreation), 1615 Horridge St., Vinton. All food must be eaten on site – no food can be taken out of the facility. For more information, call 721-4030 or visit www.cppj.net/services/human-services.
On June 14, the clinic will be held at Dynamic Dimensions East in Moss Bluff from 4-7pm. Walk-ins are welcome, sign-in ends at 6:30 p.m. On June 16, the clinic will be held in Sulphur at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital near the Cypress Street entrance from 8:30am12noon. Walk-ins are welcome, sign-in ends at 11:30am. On June 27, the clinic will be held at the Westlake Diagnostic Center from 2-4pm by appointment only, call (337) 433-1395 to schedule. Shots for Tots offers immunizations for children six weeks of age through 18 years of age who are uninsured, underinsured, or have Medicaid, or are American Indian/Alaskan native. The cost is $10 per person.
Fun with Diabetes is Topic at Upcoming Support Group West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital will host its diabetes support group on June 12 at 11:30am at the hospital’s cafeteria conference room. Guest speaker is Kathy Lyons, RN, she will discuss having fun with diabetes. There is no charge to attend and the group is open to the public. For details, call (337) 527-4282.
RELAX
and leave the details to us From corporate meetings to workshops, fundraisers, celebrations and everything in between, we can plan the perfect event for your business or organization. Whether you’re looking for that certain WOW! factor or an informational presentation, we’ll handle every detail in a way that promotes your image while accomplishing your goals.
Corporate events | Fundraisers Seminars | Group Meetings Trade Shows | Much More!
4845 Ihles Road, Lake Charles (337) 312-0972 | ehealthyimage.com TOP 100 SMALL BUSINESS BY THE U.S. CHAMBER • LED SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR SWLA CHAMBER ALLIANCE SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR • WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS OF THE WEEK BY THE U.S. CONGRESS
June 2018
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Money & Career
Keeping it Fresh Local Businesses Boost Patronage with Creative Events by Stefanie Powers
There’s a lot of competition in the business world. No matter how good your product is, you must continually come up with new ideas and marketing techniques to keep your product in the public eye, retain your clientele, and encourage new customers. Not an easy task. In Southwest Louisiana, new establishments are popping up right and left. The trick is to stay open. We spoke to a few local businesses to find out what they’re doing to stay on top.
Pops and Rockets The Pops and Rockets storefront on Pujo Street is approximately a year old. But in addition to the brick-and-mortar location, Pops and Rockets can be found at various events and festivals throughout the state. “We partner with local businesses,” owner Nick Villaume explains. “For example, we make our product using local ingredients, such as coffee from Acadiana Coffee Roasters. That typically creates more advertising for us because the local businesses
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want to let their customers know about the products.” Pops and Rockets occasionally does events at their store. “We host an ‘80s trivia night about once per quarter that brings in a fair amount of business,” Villaume says. “And our landlord, Empire of the Seed, recently hosted a film premiere for a high school media arts program here.” Villaume says they use a loyalty program that allows them to collect customer information at the register. “We then create incentives for them to return to our shop,” he says. “For example, we sent out a ‘Free Ice Cream Cones for Moms’ message for Mother’s Day this year.”
Rikenjaks Brewing Company Now that Rikenjaks is happily settled into their location on Ryan St., they are planning a major overhaul, says owner Jay Ecker. “We’re starting construction any day now on a brand-new kitchen, private dining room, covered patio, and an on-site brewery. Hopefully, it will all wrap up by fall.”
Ecker says that in addition to the entertainment and food, customers come in for the drink specials: Happy Hour, Ladies Night, Pint Night, Dollar Margarita Night. There’s also karaoke, bingo, and Open Mic Nights. “Food specials will usually be off-menu creations or specials on crawfish,” Ecker says.
Charleston Bistro Jake Stutes says he tries to get a feel for what people want and puts a spin on it, such as the buy one, get one free “Mardi-Ritas” that were popular during the Mardi Gras season. Then we did the Saint Patrick’s day Pub Crawl and had a few specials featuring Yellowfin Vodka, made by a friend from Sulphur who started his own distillery,” Stutes says. “That was a great turn-out. Wine Nights are also fun. We do discounted wines during those events.” On Cinco de Mayo, free margaritas were offered with the purchase of an entree. “People went kinda crazy, but it was a good time,” Stutes said.
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June 2018
Crying Eagle Brewery Krickett Racca is the marketing director and tap room manager at Crying Eagle Brewery. “Our main goal is to provide SWLA with new experiences!” she says. Their Food Trucks Invade events have been incredibly successful. “This is a monthly event that we put on with Amanda from Sloppy Taco. We book a band and invite several food trucks to ‘invade’ Crying Eagle. This event is free.” Another fun monthly event is Bottoms Up Yoga. Yes, you guessed it – it’s yoga with beer! “It’s just $10 to participate,” Racca says. “Your entry includes an hour of yoga plus a beer to enjoy while you stretch it out!” Over 2,000 people attended Crying Eagle’s first birthday party last year. “We are hoping for another amazing turnout for our second birthday on July 21 again!” she says. The Brewery’s Oktoberfest is also wildly popular and is held on the last Saturday of September. “We brew
several different German styles of beer and play German/beer inspired games,” Racca says. “It’s a blast!” As of last January, food is now served at The Bistro at Crying Eagle. “We serve artisan pizzas, appetizers and sandwiches,” Racca says. “And we recently expanded our hours to include lunch on Fridays and Saturdays.”
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337.439.3138 • Fax 337.439.3395 1400 Ryan Street • Lake Charles, LA 70601 dwightlaw.com • info@dwightlaw.com
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Money & Career
McNeese Art Grad Studies Abroad by Ashlee Lhamon
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When McNeese State University graduate Lindsey Johnson moved to Florence, Italy two years ago to work on a Master of Fine Arts from the Studio Arts College International (SACI), she knew that her days would be spent working long hours to prepare herself as an artist. As her journey comes to a close this semester, Johnson said it was worth it. Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts degree with concentrations in ceramics, painting and drawing from McNeese in 2014. “Art is a multifaceted discipline and requires problem solving, all forms of writing, marketing, public relations, technology, science, history and so much more,” she said. “I cannot think of any class I took at McNeese that did not prepare me in some way, shape, or form as an artist.” She took a year off and then decided to apply to MFA programs to continue her education. Her decision to pursue a graduate degree
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in Florence at SACI was inspired by a student trip led by McNeese assistant professor of art Bridget McDaniel. “To say I fell in love at first sight would be an understatement,” Johnson says. “So, after a long talk with McNeese art professors Lisa Reinauer and Heather Kelley, I decided to apply to SACI.” SACI was founded in 1975 by Fulbright scholar Jules Maidoff and is the oldest and most prestigious accredited American art school in Florence. Johnson’s acceptance came as no surprise to Kelley. “Lindsey Johnson is an artist who does not flinch at a challenge,” she says. “As an undergraduate student here at McNeese, she took on three concentrations of study and excelled in each of them. She is a remarkable young artist.” Johnson reflects that studying abroad wasn’t always easy -- she
June 2018
fought homesickness and struggled with a language and culture that was completely foreign to her own. “However, living in another country forces you to grow and adapt,” she says. But despite the challenges, she says her experiences in Italy have been some of the richest she’s ever had, both as an artist and a student. “I have never accumulated this much work in such a short period of time – over 50 paintings.” While attending SACI, Johnson realized that there is more to Florence and Italian life than what meets the eye. “I’ve been here for two years and I am still learning something new every day . . . living in another country gives you a new perspective.” When asked if she would recommend studying abroad, she immediately says, “Yes! Is it easy? No, it’s not easy, but it is the most rewarding experience you could ever have. It teaches you how to connect with people who do not share the same background or views. I encourage anyone who is looking for a different perspective to study abroad.”
Left: My Sister Is My Spirit Animal Oil on linen by Lindsey Johnson Opposite Page: McNeese State University graduate Lindsey Johnson works on a drawing project in her studio as part of her Master of Fine Arts studies at the Studio Arts College International in Florence, Italy. Photo by Cocoa Laney
IndustryInsider Q: A:
Straight Answers to Your Questions on Industry and the Environment With all of the industry located near the various waterways we have in our area, what effect are they having on our water?
Industries clean the water before it reaches the environment.
Sometimes advisories are issued for drinking and swimming, but they are related to biological waste hazards from homes and businesses, not industrial processes. Water treatment procedures at area industries utilize advanced biological technology to eliminate unwanted materials so water can be reused. This biologically engineered process results in clean water which is lab tested to verify compliance with regulations. These labs are certified by the Department of Environmental Quality. Water is tested routinely before it is discharged from the plant. Industry reuses much of that water. In the event that the water is contaminated with oil, the oil is physically separated from the water and both are reprocessed by the industry. We aim to recycle, reuse, reduce, and treat as much as possible. It’s good for the environment and good for business. All of us play a role in maintaining good water quality, and that includes local industry.
Debbie Andrus
environmental specialist with local industry
Visit www.laia.com to learn more and submit your question about local industry and the environment. June 2018
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Money & Career
Keys to Achieving Success Without Sacrificing Happinesss One bit of conventional wisdom has it that to achieve success people must take a nose-togrindstone, burn-the-midnight-oil approach. Personal happiness is an afterthought – if it’s a thought at all. But that’s the wrong way to look at things, says Scott MacDonald, a seasoned CEO and author of Saving Investa: How An Ex-Factory Worker Helped Save One of Australia’s Iconic Companies. “Hard work absolutely is important, but I’ve met plenty of people who worked hard and never made much money or achieved satisfactory career objectives,” he says. “Working hard is just one part of the equation for success. You also need to be organized, plan, work smart, and choose to focus your effort where there’s reward.” From his decades of experience, MacDonald says he learned numerous lessons that helped him achieve both career success and personal happiness. Here are five of those lessons:
Don’t expect anyone to give you anything. In grade school and junior high, MacDonald earned money by doing yard work for neighbors, handling a paper route, and washing dishes at his junior high school. As a teenager, he
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bagged groceries, stocked shelves in a pharmacy, and worked in a fiberglass factory. “If you want something, work for it,” MacDonald says. “You will appreciate it more and not be indebted to anyone.”
You make your own luck. Former University of Texas football coach Darrell Royal was fond of saying, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” MacDonald agrees. “Nothing in my life that I can think of has been the result of luck.”
Losers have the best excuses. Winners find ways to succeed despite the many roadblocks and unexpected difficulties they encounter. People who are unsuccessful reach for excuses. “Whenever things go wrong, and things always go wrong at some point, look in the mirror for answers,” MacDonald says. “Successful people focus on what they can do to respond to setbacks and don’t waste time playing a blame game or feeling sorry for themselves.”
Players score points, but teams win games.
stars need to be supportive of the team concept, or those individuals should be moved on. MacDonald once fired a top chief financial officer who was good at his job, but didn’t see the necessity of working with colleagues and was dismissive of others’ ideas. “The entire company performed better after he was gone,” MacDonald says.
Life is too short to deal with “jerks.” No matter how important the project, if someone can’t deal with you professionally and ethically, just pass on the deal and move on. “There will be other deals,” MacDonald says. “I may have lost an occasional deal, but overall my companies enjoyed good success and reputation, which led to other and better opportunities.” Ultimately, people can moan about how unfair the world is, he says, but all that griping won’t get them anywhere. “There’s no doubt the competitive work environment places huge pressures on your time and energy,” MacDonald says. “But the quicker you understand that you’re responsible for your own destiny, the happier you’re going to be.”
To be successful, any organization must have a culture of teamwork. Individual
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June 2018
Where you go to stay in the know! Smart Curve 3D Mammography Technology Is Now Available at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital has announced the addition of its Smart Curve 3D technology for mammography screenings. The Smart Curve is a revolutionary mammography technology that is designed to provide a more comfortable mammogram screening without compromising image quality for an exceptional patient experience. The curved, unique design mirrors the shape of a woman’s breast to reduce pinching and apply uniform compression.
Coldwell Banker Ingle Safari Realty Expands Coldwell Banker Ingle Safari Realty, serving Southwest Louisiana has announced its acquisition of Coldwell Banker Gallerie and Coldwell Banker Elite expanding their territory from the Gulf of Mexico north to Leesville. Coldwell Banker Ingle Safari Realty is owned and operated by Steven C. Floyd and Robbie Ingle.
To schedule a Smart Curve 3D mammogram screening, call (337) 527-4256. Office Hinge Now Open Office Hinge is a brand-new business in Lake Charles, and a new concept to Southwest Louisiana. It is located at 319 W. Prien Lake Road across from the Prien Lake Mall. Office Hinge provides the facility and resources of a traditional office with an affordable and all-Inclusive membership that is customized to your needs. They offer daily, weekly, and monthly rates, as well as certain office services a la carte, like meeting rooms and conference rooms. Plans can be simple, giving you a space that offers a place to go and work with Wi-Fi in a contemporary setting with office needs available upon request. Plans can also be elite and include a dedicated semi-private desk with mailing addresses, meeting rooms, hard phone line, host, and more. For a tour of the facility, stop by Monday through Friday.
2.00% APY * 2-year CD
LakesideBanking.com | (337) 474-3766
June 2018
The former Ingle Safari Realty, LLC office, located at 765 Bayou Pines East in Lake Charles, will now be the Coldwell Banker Ingle Safari Realty office. Coldwell Banker Ingle Safari Realty now has 88 independent sales associates serving Southwest Louisiana and 588 property listings. Ingle Safari Realty, LLC has served the SWLA for 7 years under Steve and Robbie’s ownership and the new company ownership will remain the same.
TABLES ON SALE NOW! TABLE PURCHASE OPPORTUNITIES Table of 8: $800.00 | Table of 10: $1,000.00
To purchase your table, call 337-602-6788 or email awards@apgrowth.org
Growing SWLA Strong Awards Banquet Thursday, August 2, 2018
Doors open at 6pm, Event begins at 7pm
Guest Speaker:
337-602-6788 | APGrowth.org
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Gov. John Bel Edwards
3.00% APY* 3-year CD
The way banking should be.
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57
Mind & Body
june is
MEN’S HEALTH month
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June 2018
It’s a fact that men tend to die at a younger age than women. (The current life expectancy for men is 76 compared to 81 for females.) Studies show a mix of factors contribute to men’s earlier demise – men tend to take more risks, are less socially connected, and have more dangerous jobs than women. But there’s another simple and avoidable reason: Men don’t visit doctors as often as women. Men are half as likely as women to go to a doctor over a two-year period, according to a 2014 survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But guys, your health is important! In this special section, you’ll find relevant stories on heart health and back pain remedies, as well as tips on taking care of your skin and nails. After you’re done reading, schedule a checkup with your doctor.
Take a Closer Look at our
New Specialist
Dr. Perkins is originally from DeRidder, Louisiana. He earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences from McNeese State University and his M.D. from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in New Orleans. Dr. Perkins completed an Internal Medicine Internship at the University of Oklahoma and a Residency in Ophthalmology at the Dean McGee Eye Institute, both in Oklahoma City. He also completed a Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship at the Retina and Vitreous of Texas in Houston. Retina specialists diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal tears or detachment among others. They also treat patients who have experienced severe eye trauma or infections, and consult on cases where there are hereditary diseases of the eye.
Jonathan Perkins, M.D. Ophthalmologist & Retina Specialist
OPENING AUGUST 2018
TheEyeClinic.net (337) 310-0767 | 2800 1st Avenue Ste. C., Lake Charles
June 2018
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& Body | Men’s Health
Men and Heart Disease by Andrea Mongler
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women alike, killing hundreds of thousands of people in the United States each year. In Calcasieu Parish and across Louisiana, rates of heart disease death are particularly high.
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June 2018
Though “heart disease” is an umbrella term encompassing several different diseases and conditions, it is often used to refer specifically to coronary artery disease, or CAD, the most common type. CAD occurs when the arteries that carry blood to the heart become narrow and hard because of a buildup of cholesterol and other material, called plaque. The result is that too little blood and oxygen get to the heart, which can lead to a variety of problems, including a heart attack. Men are more likely than women to have heart attacks, and they also tend to have them at younger ages. So, what can men do to prevent heart disease or to avoid heart attacks and other problems if they already have it? Though some risk factors — such as genetics and older age — can’t be controlled, many others can, according to Jake LeBeau, MD, FACC, cardiologist with Cardiovascular Specialists of Southwest Louisiana, an affiliate of Imperial Health. He says one of the most important lifestyle changes a man can make is to eat a heart-healthy diet. This means limiting your intake of saturated and trans fats, added sugars, salt, and alcohol. Instead of fatty red meats, choose lean meats, poultry and fish. Opt for whole grains instead of white bread, rice and pasta, and choose low-fat or fat-free
dairy products. Other heart-healthy choices include beans, lentils, a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, and vegetable oils — think canola, olive, sesame, sunflower and soybean oils — rather than animal fats like butter. “Food is an important part of the culture in Southwest Louisiana and adopting a heart-healthy diet can be challenging,” says Dr. LeBeau. “It’s okay to enjoy unhealthy local favorites from time to time, but it’s best to stick with nutritious, healthy options as often as possible.” Men who eat a heart-healthy diet should find it easier to maintain a healthy weight, another key to lowering risk for CAD or a heart attack. Along the same lines, regular physical activity can help reduce your risk by lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol, increasing “good” HDL cholesterol, and lowering high blood pressure. If possible, aim for at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity exercise each week. “For people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, meeting the recommended exercise guidelines can seem daunting,” says Dr. LeBeau. “But there’s nothing wrong with starting small — maybe a 10-minute walk a few days per week — and slowly increasing your activity levels. Any exercise is better than none.”
Other primary risk factors include stress and smoking, so it’s a good idea to find ways to manage the stress in your life and to give up the habit if you’re a smoker, Dr. LeBeau adds. Finally, keep in mind that, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of the men who die suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms. So if you’re not experiencing symptoms, it’s no excuse not to take good care of your heart — you could very well be doing damage you’re unaware of. On the other hand, certain symptoms could indicate a heart attack. The most common is discomfort or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. Other heart attack warning signs include discomfort in the arms, back, jaw or neck; shortness of breath; and lightheadedness or nausea. “If you think you’re having a heart attack, don’t hesitate: call 911. The sooner you receive medical help, the better off you’ll be,” says Dr. LeBeau. For more information or to schedule a comprehensive heart health evaluation, call Cardiovascular Specialists at (337) 436-3813 or visit www.csswla.com.
How DoesYour Heart Score? 77.78%
582.35% 64.66%
Find out, with a coronary calcium test at Imperial Health Imaging Center. One in three adults has some form of cardiovascular disease, and heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. We use advanced, non-invasive CT technology and low-dose radiation to take an in-depth look at your heart and blood vessels to determine your level of calcium buildup. This calcium score can help your doctor determine if you are at risk, or have, coronary artery disease, even if you are not displaying symptoms. The test is painless and takes just minutes, and could give you an early start on beating heart disease. Call Imperial Health Imaging Center at 312-8761 to take advantage of this special offer.
Perfec t for DaGift d
Consider coronary calcium testing to assess your heart health if you have any of these risk factors: • family history of heart disease • high cholesterol • high blood pressure • smoke • overweight • diabetes • inactive lifestyle • high stress
$75 Cardiac Calcium Score Test
through 6/30/18 - cash price only
(337) 312-8761 1747 Imperial Blvd. Lake Charles www.imperialhealth.com June 2018
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Mind
& Body | Men’s Health
The Lowdown on Low Back Pain by Andrea Mongler
If you suffer from lower back pain, you’re not alone. Most men — and women — will experience back pain at one time or another. In fact, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about four out of five adults will have low back pain at some point during their lifetimes and more than one in four report having experienced low back pain in the past three months.
Causes vary — maybe you were in a car accident or you forgot to “lift with your legs” when moving that new couch into your house. Medical conditions such as arthritis and scoliosis can also result in back pain, as can degenerative changes in the spine that are a normal part of the aging process. If your job requires you to sit at a desk all day, that could be a cause of your back problems, as well. “Bad posture and sitting in a chair incorrectly can put a lot of stress on the neck and back,” says Joseph Kulaga, D.C., a chiropractor at Lake Charles Chiropractic and Functional Medicine. “This is an issue for many of my patients.” Though accidents happen and you certainly can’t keep yourself from aging, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends steps you can take to prevent lower back pain, or at least lessen its impact: • Exercise. Engage in lowimpact aerobic activities, like walking or swimming, along with exercises specifically aimed at keeping your back
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and abdominal muscles strong and flexible. • Use proper lifting technique. Use your legs, not your back, when lifting heavy items. Rather than bending over, keep your back straight and bend your knees. • Maintain a healthy weight. Exercise and proper nutrition should help with this. • Avoid smoking, as it can cause your spine to age prematurely. • Use proper posture. Keep your shoulders back and don’t slouch. Switch sitting positions often, and get up to walk around frequently. If possible, use a chair with good lumbar support (if needed, a pillow or rolled-up towel placed behind the small of your back can provide lumbar support). If you’ll be sitting for a long time, elevate your feet on a low stool or a stack of books. Regardless of whether you’re making an effort to prevent low back pain, what should you do if you’re experiencing it?
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Dr. Kulaga says it’s important to have it checked out by a health care provider. “Even if you think your back pain is benign or trivial, we want to be able to rule out that something more serious is not going on,” he says. “If we can’t treat it, we will send you to the proper health care provider, but regardless, back pain is a lot easier to treat earlier on, before it becomes chronic.” In addition to chiropractic adjustment, which involves using the hands or a device to apply a controlled, rapid force to a joint, Dr. Kulaga’s office offers a variety of treatment options for back pain. These include medical massage, electrotherapy, spinal decompression, therapeutic exercises, hydrotherapy, and ultrasound. Depending on the type and severity of your back pain, you might also find relief from acupuncture, steroid injections, or even surgery. Talk with your doctor to determine which option or options make the most sense for you.
June 2018
chiropractic noun | chi•ro •prac •tic
Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline that emphasizes the power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. In addition, doctors of chiropractic recognize the value and responsibility of working in cooperation with other healthcare practitioners when in the best interest of the patient.
Being a chiropractor is one of the best jobs in the world. I get to see people’s quality of life improve daily. And that makes what I do so rewarding.
- Joseph Kulaga D.C.
June 2018
lakecharleschiro.com | (337) 240-6619 5656 Nelson Road Thrive| Suite D2 | Lake Charles Magazine for Better Living
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Putting the “Man” in Manicure by Emily Alford
The manicure has a serious image problem, bringing to mind thoughts of long, bright red talons and hours spent in a nail salon, a place where no “real” man would dare show his face. However, in reality, the word “manicure” simply means taking care of hands and nails, and for hard workers of all genders, painful cuticles, callouses, and cracked nails can be ugly crosses to bear. So guys, if you’re tired of aching hands or simply want your nails to look nice, don’t be weirded out by the idea of a manicure. Here’s exactly what to expect.
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June 2018
Cut to the cuticle Manicures generally begin by soaking hands in a dish of warm water to soften the cuticles, or that ridge of hard skin around the nails. Cuticles protect our nail beds, but they can also become ragged and ripped, which causes redness and pain around the nail. After the cuticles are nice and soft, the nail tech will either softly push them back or gently trim them. Warning: hands should never bleed during a manicure, and if your tech is drawing blood, politely ask them to stop what they’re doing. After clipping, cuticles are oiled to keep them soft and smooth.
Short and sweet Many of us are guilty of using teeth as clippers when nails get too long, but not only is nail biting a nasty habit, it also leaves nails a jagged mess, prone to infections and pain. If you’re looking to kick the habit, going for a manicure and having a professional clip your nails and then file them to an even, comfortable length might help you fight the urge to gnaw. Let your nail tech know how long or short you want your nails.
Polish it off Nail polish need not be neon, and if you get a clear coat, no one has to know you’re even wearing it. A clear topcoat of nail polish protects nails from damage, and the bitter taste can also help you fight the urge to bite.
Bonus Massage One surprising thing men may not know about getting their nails done is that a trip to the nail spa generally comes with a hand massage. Nail techs are trained to squeeze knots out of hardworking hands, so if you work outside, or if you have sore wrists and palms from typing, getting a manicure can also relieve some of the stress in tired hands. A few years back, rapper Snoop Dogg made headlines after declaring himself a manicure enthusiast, but these days, it’s not so rare to see men striving to take better care of their bodies -- including their hands. If you’d like a professional manicure, don’t be shy! Your local nail tech is happy to have you. And should you choose to tip, 15% is a great place to start. June 2018
Light it upIT’S GLOW TIME!
Nothing brings warmth to landscaping quite like custom lighting and no one does it better than we do. From a simply lit pathway to a brilliant yard overhaul, our lighting specialists can make your yard glow. The possibilites are endless! Landscaping made simple for your home.
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LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
5005 Cobra Road in Lake Charles (337) 478-3836 M-F: 7am – 4pm Sat: 8am – 2pm (Seasonal Hours)
landscapemanagement.org
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& Body | Men’s Health
A Man’s Guide to Great Looking Skin by Emily Alford
It seems like women start getting skincare lessons from birth, and by the time they reach their late teens, most seem to have their skincare routines pretty much mapped out. Unfortunately, a lot of guys don’t get much more education than a bottle of shaving cream and a bar of soap, and if they’ve got skin concerns beyond that, they’re expected to just suck it up. But it’s perfectly normal to want skin to look healthy and clear, so if you’ve been wondering what’s in all those tubes and bottles that women use to get great-looking skin, here’s a guide for skincare newcomers.
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June 2018
Know your skin type Not all skin is created equal, and identifying your skin type will help you choose products. Sensitive skin stings or burns after applying some skincare products and easily breaks into a rash. Dry skin is flaky, feels tight, or appears rough. Oily skin generally has larger pores and gets shiny as the day wears on, usually on the nose, chin, and forehead. Combination skin can mean having any (or even all of these problems), and normal skin is clear and matte with small pores.
Pick products accordingly Make sure you’re picking products for your skin type. For instance, many of those “manly” face products with names like “Cool Alpine Breeze,” are chock full of artificial fragrances that can do a number on sensitive skin. You’re better off choosing unscented, gentle face products, like those made by CeraVe that are formulated to fit your skin type.
Wash your face on a set schedule It doesn’t really matter if you wash your face in the morning or at night, as long as you wash it once a day and again following heavy outdoor activity or exercise. After you wash, rub in a small amount of a lightweight moisturizer and add more if skin feels dry throughout the day.
Make sure your shave suits your skin There’s such a thing as too close when it comes to shaving. If you find that your skin is often red and irritated long after you put your razor away, it could be an indication that your multi-blade razor is irritating (and even damaging) your skin. Switch to a new, sharp single or double-blade razor and don’t pull skin taut when you’re shaving.
Don’t forget to cover up Sun damage causes dark spots and wrinkles, which can make skin look dull and unhealthy, and skin cancer affects millions of Americans every year. To look youthful and keep skin healthy, wear at least a SPF 30 every day, all year round. Many moisturizers readily available at the drug store include sunscreen, which might make it easier to remember. Skin is the largest organ in the body. Taking care of your skin is really no different than anything else you do to keep yourself healthy, from drinking plenty of water to hitting the gym a couple of times a week. Adding a few minutes to your daily routine for healthy skin will help you feel and look your best.
Solving sleep problems from shift work. Shift work can magnify sleep disorders because of the interruptions to the natural sleep cycle. Our sleep specialists can help you feel well rested both on and off the job. Call us today for sleep solutions that work. Sleep Specialists Phillip Conner, MD Michelle Zimmerman, NP
June 2018
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4820 Lake St., Lake Charles (337) 310-REST sleepdisordercenterofla.com
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Mind
& Body
Coughs: What Could You Be Missing? by Christine Fisher
As annoying as it can be, coughing is a valuable weapon in the body’s selfdefense arsenal. Coughing keeps airways clear by quickly expelling intruders from the lower respiratory system, primarily the throat and upper lungs. If dust, fluid, viruses, bacteria, or other substances irritate or block any part of this region, the cough reflex takes immediate action. “A cough may be triggered by a tickle of dust or water that goes down the wrong way,” explains Fadi Malek, MD, pulmonologist with West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital’s Pulmonology Clinic. “When this happens, the muscles of your throat and chest contract and expel the blockage or irritant in a rush of air and mucus at speeds approaching 600 miles per hour. This reflex originates in a special cough center in the brain. Nerve endings that line the body’s airways react to obstructions by sending signals to the cough center, which fires back an order to the muscles to cough up the offensive substance.” Coughs are almost always symptoms of a larger problem. Those occurring in conjunction with a nasal drainage or fever point to a respiratory tract infection or more serious condition. Coughs can also result from an asthma attack, chronic rhinitis (inflammation of the nose) and even as a side effect of medications (especially those for blood pressure). There are two basic types of coughs: productive and nonproductive. Productive coughs bring up mucus, often generated by a bacterial or viral infection. “Lining your bronchial tubes are mucous glands and small hairs called cilia,” Dr. Malek explains. “Normally, the glands secrete a little mucus to help catch debris when you’re breathing, and the cilia help brush it all out. But when stimulated by infection, the glands become inflamed and produce extra mucus that is expelled with a productive cough.” A nonproductive cough is usually caused by an irritated throat and expels little if any mucus. Also referred to as a “dry cough,” this type of cough is usually chronic
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and can be caused by asthma, smoking, allergies, or congestive heart failure. It’s always best to ask your doctor about specific cough medications for your condition, but in general, an expectorant cough medicine is used to help thin mucus so it can be cleared more easily from your lungs. You’ll probably want to suppress a dry cough, on the other hand, especially if you’re uncomfortable or having trouble sleeping. Unless your cough is caused by asthma -treatable with an inhaler -- you’ll likely need an antitussive cough medication. Those with codeine are generally most effective, but codeine can be addictive and cause side effects such as constipation and drowsiness. Talk to your doctor to find out what medication is right for you and beware of buying overthe-counter cough medications that are labeled “expectorant” and “suppressant.” The active ingredients would counteract each other and provide you with no relief of any symptom. Whether you take a cough medicine or not, drink plenty of fluids, especially hot ones, to help loosen mucus and keep the airways moist. And because a cough expels germs, always cover your mouth with a
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disposable tissue. It’s important to remember that treating the cough doesn’t treat the problem behind it. If your cough persists for more than a week, is accompanied by fever or other symptoms, or produces blood, see your doctor immediately. For more information about coughs or any pulmonary issue, call the West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Pulmonology Clinic at 337-313-1621.
June 2018
Breathe Easier Pulmonary Services Now Available
We’re pleased to welcome Fadi Y. Malek, MD, pulmonologist to the medical staff of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. Under the direction of Dr. Malek, the WCCH Pulmonology Clinic offers treatment options for: •
Asthma
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Bronchiectasis
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis
•
Pneumonia
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Pulmonary Fibrosis
•
Sleep Apnea
Dr. Malek is a graduate of the American University of Beirut. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, and Sleep Medicine and brings over 20 years of experience in pulmonology care. Immediate appointments are available, please call (337) 313-1621.
Fadi Y. Malek, MD pulmonologist
920 First Avenue, Sulphur
wcch.com
June 2018
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Mind
& Body
Dr. Craig Morton Announces New and Improved Pain Relief Formula:
Aculeve is now AcuPlus by Kristy Como Armand
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June 2018
Just over a year ago. Dr. Craig Morton, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist with Center for Orthopaedics, introduced a pain relief cream called Aculeve, and now he is rolling out a new and improved formula called AcuPlus. Dr. Morton developed the original product after years of treating patients for joint and muscle pain related to disabilities, chronic conditions, and sports related injuries. “I saw a need for an alternative to what I was able to offer for pain relief,” he says. “I was treating patients with medications or injections, and while these options provided a great solution for some patients, medications can frequently have side effects, especially with long-term use. Some can affect the kidneys, the liver, the stomach, or possibly cause other unwanted results – all things I have to consider. While many patients were also able to find relief from pain relief gels or creams, this often required a combination of different products and the results were typically short-term.” He decided to take matters into his own hands – literally – by developing a safe, all-natural product for pain relief, and
June 2018
the original Aculeve intense cooling and soothing therapy for joint and muscle pain was launched. “The response was incredible, starting locally with our own patients, area coaches and athletes, and then nationally once we made the product available online,” says Dr. Morton. Based on feedback from customers, Dr. Morton went back to the lab and made improvements to the original formula and is relaunching the product as AcuPlus to reflect the innovative changes. “We spent years researching the original ingredients and benefits and studying what my patients said helped them the most,” says Dr. Morton. “I wanted to use natural ingredients such as arnica, menthol, vitamin B6, aloe, vitamin E, and others that are clinically-proven. We worked with chemists and an FDA/EPAcertified lab and were able to develop the right combination to deliver the benefits we wanted, all in one product. These have not changed with AcuPlus, but we’ve added five new pain-relieving ingredients and modified our proprietary base for deeper and longer lasting results.”
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The new, all-natural ingredients are boswellia serrata which provides antiinflammatory benefits, glucosamine for anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties, willow bark extract for pain relief, magnesium sulfate for pain relief and muscle cramping, and licorice root extract which is a natural muscle relaxer, topical anti-inflammatory and natural remedy for joint pain. AcuPlus comes in a cream form that is applied directly to the skin to promote healing and recovery. Dr. Morton says it reduces swelling and inflammation caused by arthritis, hip pain, knee pain, back pain, neck pain, tendonitis, muscle pain, and fibromyalgia. Dr. Morton says he is thrilled with the response he is getting from the new formula. “Pain relief is lasting several hours,” he says. “And because it’s all natural, AcuPlus can be applied three to four times a day.” AcuPlus is registered with the Food and Drug Administration, and is available for purchase online at www.acuplus.com, through Amazon, and at the Lake Charles office of Center for Orthopaedics, located at 1747 Imperial Blvd.
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Mind
& Body
HOPE THERAPY From Occupational to Fully Operational by Taylor Trahan Henry
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June 2018
While you may identify your occupation with what you do for a living, your life is actually made up of many occupations. Playing outside with your children, painting a picture, baking your favorite dish, typing on a keyboard – the meaningful, everyday activities that fill your days. “Chances are that you do these things without even a second thought. That is, until you have trouble doing them,” says Sonya Brooks, owner of Hope Therapy Center in Lake Charles. If you have a medical condition, your health status changes, or if you are recovering from an accident or injury, your valued occupations may become more difficult. For example, during recovery from a joint replacement you may need to adapt the way you dress, bathe, or prepare meals. That’s where occupational therapy comes into play. Occupational therapy focuses on supporting independence and safety, improving quality of life, enhancing function, and sustaining leisure activities. It’s all about allowing you, the patient, to live life to the fullest despite any medical conditions. Unlike physical therapy, which focuses on the actual movements of the human body, occupational therapy focuses on treatment of the whole person in order to fully engage in life. For example, you recently broke
June 2018
your wrist and can no longer participate in your weekly tennis game with friends. While recovering, you could meet with an occupational therapist to address the underlying deficits hindering your ability to engage in your preferred leisure activities. If you’re thinking that occupational therapy is only for adults, think again. Even though kids do not have occupations, a child’s main job is playing and learning. “An occupational therapist can evaluate kids’ skills for playing, school performance, and daily activities and compare them with what is developmentally appropriate for that age group,” says Brooks. Whether adult or pediatric, occupational therapists can employ a variety of methods in their treatment plan for a patient – all with the same end goal, to improve quality of life. Some methods you might not expect, like baking cookies in the kitchen which can help improve motor skills such as reaching and grabbing. If you or a family member has experienced an accident, injury, or illness that has set back daily activities, occupational therapy could play a vital role in your recovery. To learn more about Hope Therapy Center visit www.hopetherapycenter.net or call 337-478-5880.
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!
Solutions for Life
from Solutions Counseling & EAP by Keri Forbess-McCorquodale, MS, LPC, LMFT, CEAP
Kids and College – Go For It! Here is the sequel to last month’s article “And Away They Go” where I gave parents some advice about children getting ready to go to college. This article is for those people preparing for the next step in life – “post high school education.” Whether this means college, a technical institute, or some other type of license, it’s important to understand the journey upon which you are about to embark. Know this – your parents or guardians are torn. They realize you are very close to adulthood, but most of them still think of themselves as your protector. They struggle with the knowledge that you must begin moving into your own separate life and wanting to hold you in their way of life with you just a little longer. Throw them a bone – let them “take care of you” every now and then so they feel needed. Cut them some slack – it’s extremely difficult to go from trying to keep your child out of harmful situations to waving goodbye to them as they head off into the big, bad world (also known as college). Here are some of my thoughts about your next step of life:
1. High School is not enough. I know
you’ve heard this for many of your years. It’s true. You’ve got to go further in your education than high school. Times have changed, and no longer can you get a great paying job with decent hours and good benefits on just a high school education. If you’ve always hated school, stop. Hating it is not doing you any good, it’s just prolonging the agony. I regularly say to my schoolage clients who are not doing well in school, “if you hate it so much, why don’t you do well and get it
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over with as opposed to failing and having to repeat the class.” (I’m a very mean therapist – the kids I work with regularly have to pay for summer school if they failed a class out of laziness.) So, you need to reach a place of acceptance. You must go beyond high school. It’s good to start researching career and educational opportunities around the 10th grade. Even if you’re past that point, it’s not too late – start today. There are many good books and websites that can help you with your career decision. Also, most colleges have a counseling center where you can have some career testing done.
2. College is the best study of life.
College is the place you can get out of the box you’ve lived in your whole life and see that there really is a great big world out there. I encourage you to challenge yourself. Learn about people from different cultures, question the family messages you may have received about people different from you, join organizations that have interests similar to yours. Going away to college was the best thing I have ever done. I met other people who wanted to be therapists too. I was challenged to think of things in a different way. Now, I’m not suggesting that you completely do away with all the values and lessons you have been taught. I’m just encouraging you to question things, and make your own decisions.
3. Have fun, but be smart. You’re
going to see lots of stupid people. People who cut classes just because the professor doesn’t take roll. People who don’t do the assignments
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because no one is regularly checking in with them to make sure they are working on them. People who don’t manage their time well and are not organized. People who party too much. Don’t be one of those people.
4. It’s time to be a big girl/boy and
be responsible for yourself. You need to be where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to be doing just because it’s the right thing to do. No one should have to check on you, and no one is going to check on you. You are expected to keep yourself in check. By the time you enter college, you are old enough to have that figured out.
5. Don’t be too serious. Make sure
your life is balanced – school, study, work, and fun. Enjoy this time in your life. Many people are either partying too hard and flunk out of college (or get on the sixyear degree plan), or they take so many classes they graduate two semesters early. Again, balance is the key. Trust me, there will be plenty of time to be grown up. Bills, mortgages, spouses/partners, and children are all on their way. Everyone I’ve talked to wishes they had fully utilized the college experience as it was intended – a transitional time into adulthood. Always wondered what it would be like to work at Disneyworld for the summer, or backpack in Europe, or build a Habitat for Humanity house? Now’s your chance.
So, my not-so-little kiddos, walk into this fabulous part of your life with your eyes wide open. Be ready to learn, be ready to do some self-examination, and be ready to make some memories.
June 2018
The Late Billy Navarre Receives Posthumous Honorary Doctorate at McNeese Spring Commencement McNeese State University conferred a posthumous honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree on Billy Navarre, a prominent Lake Charles business owner, philanthropist, outstanding civic leader, community volunteer and a supporter of McNeese, during the 150th commencement ceremony in May. “This is the highest honor that the university can bestow upon an individual,” said Dr. Daryl Burckel, McNeese president. “Billy Navarre is deserving of this honor and for his considerable support of McNeese. Mr. Navarre greatly valued educational attainment and lifelong learning and he was an exceptionally generous individual who strived to improve our community.” A native of Welsh, Navarre came from humble beginnings with a strong desire to succeed. He graduated from Welsh High School and attended McNeese State University, but he would leave to take a job in finance. After several years, Mr. Navarre began his automotive career as a sales manager at a small dealership in Louisiana, and in 1982, he purchased a struggling Chevrolet dealership in Sulphur, where he started with only 12 employees. Within 18 months, his dealership was the No. 1 volume selling automobile dealer in all of Southwest Louisiana. In 1989, he opened up his second Chevrolet dealership in Lake Charles, which would also be a top spot for automotive sales, and then over the next 30 years, Navarre would acquire the Hyundai, Honda, Cadillac and Equus franchises, build a new state-of-the-art dealership in Sulphur and add new quick lube and carwash facilities in Lake Charles and in Sulphur. Upon Navarre’s death in 2016, Billy Navarre Chevrolet, Cadillac, Honda, Hyundai and Equus
June 2018
was the second largest locally owned business in Southwest Louisiana with more than 300 employees. In addition to his success as a business owner, Navarre made serving his community one of his top priorities. Navarre was an ardent supporter of McNeese athletics and the Cowgirl Kickers and is a member of the McNeese Athletics Hall of Honor. He was one of the founders of the Golden Saddle Club that supports the McNeese rodeo team. He also established a McNeese academic endowed scholarship for first-generation students from Southwest Louisiana and was instrumental in establishing the McNeese Rotaract Club to develop young adults into community leaders through Rotary International. He also was a generous donor to Calcasieu public and private schools and SOWELA Technical Community College, where he served on its foundation board. For more than 30 years, Mr. Navarre devoted his time to helping develop youth through sports, and he served as a volunteer baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and softball coach. Navarre served as an outstanding leader in civic and professional organizations through his service on a multitude of boards and organizations. His leadership in the community also received recognition. He received the Citizen of the Year Award by both the West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce and the Southwest Louisiana Chamber - Economic Development Alliance, Friend of Education Awards for Calcasieu Parish and for Louisiana, Louisiana Association of Educators Award, the National Association of Educators President’s Award, the Marine Corps’ Citizen of the Year; Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Blue Cross/Blue Shield Angel Award, Literacy Hero Award; Rotary Distinguished Service Award; Jaycees Outstanding Young Businessman of the Year for Calcasieu Parish and for Louisiana, Delta Sigma Theta Outstanding Public Service Award; United Way Silver Award; Honda President’s Award; GM Mark of Excellence Award; Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Highest Standard of Ethics and the Family Foundation
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Outstanding Community Philanthropist. He is survived by his widow, Carrie, and five sons – Ryan, Jareth, Barrett, Grant and Bryce and daughter, Kaitlyn. McNeese ABA graduate program one of only 20 nationally accredited McNeese State University’s psychology graduate program in applied behavior analysis is the only one in Louisiana accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International and one of only 20 accredited programs in the nation, according to Dr. Cameron Melville, coordinator of the psychology graduate program at McNeese. This program is considered a verified course sequence that offers both academic training and supervised work experience necessary for graduates to apply for national certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Students complete 24 credit hours of core psychology classes and 31 credit hours of ABA concentration classes and internships for a total of 55 credit hours. Currently, there are 66 ABA students enrolled in the program. The ABA program is offered both on campus and online and over 90 percent of the students receive internships and paid graduate assistantships under the supervision of eight analysts to gain the hands-on experience needed to sit for national certification. The autism program currently sees over 50 clients - ages 2 to 18 - and depending on the level of therapy needed, he says an intern may spend 10 to 40 hours per week with a client on campus or at the client’s home or school. Online students are able to complete their internship hours at an approved off-campus site. The first online ABA program students will graduate in December 2018. For more information about the ABA program at McNeese, visit mcneese.edu/psychology/ applied_behavior_analysis.
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June 2018