Thrive Magazine March 2015 Issue

JANUARY MARCH 2015

People have been trying to make their own luck for centuries.

But how much of being lucky is actual luck?

MINIMIZE YOUR STUFF, SO YOU CAN MAKE ROOM FOR THINGS THAT MATTER MOST

Find Your

SIGNATURE

S tyle

Insert Inside March 2015

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1

Rehabilitation Hospital

of Jennings

DIAgNOSeS THAT we TReAT

• Brain Injury

• Hip Fractures

• Strokes

• Osteoarthritis/DJD

• Amputations

• Neurological Disorders

• Burns

• Spinal Cord Injury

• Major Multiple Trauma

• Congenital Deformities

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Systemic Vasculidities

• Joint Replacements

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

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

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

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March 2015

Let Us Entertain You With our March line-up of artists and performances. *March 7

6pm

Guardians of the Galaxy Film

*March 20

7pm

Zuill Bailey, Premier Cellist with pianist Awadagin Pratt

March 10

7pm

Undergraduate Scholar and Research Symposium Student Performance Showcase

March 26

7:30pm

The Cliburn’s Sean Chen Pianist

Shearman Fine Arts Theatre

March 11

6pm

L’Attentat/The Attack French Film

7pm

Christian Howes in Southern Exposure Jazz

Stokes Auditorium

*March 12 *March 13 March 17

7:30pm 7pm

Shearman Fine Arts Theatre

March 18 Stokes Auditorium

6pm

Funny Bones, the Comedy of Charlie Chaplin with Comedian Dan Kamin Aquila Theater Co. Presents Wuthering Heights

Shearman Fine Arts Theatre

*March 27

7pm

Run Boy Run Bluegrass

*March 28

7:30pm

Warren Hood Band Multi-instrumentalist

March 30

6pm

Ernest & Celestine French Film

7pm

Poet Amy Fleury Reading

6pm

La Grande Illusion/Grand Illusion French Film

Stokes Auditorium

March 31 TBA

April 1 Stokes Auditorium

Le Dernier Des Injustes/The Last of the Unjust French Documentary

Tickets available online at www.banners.org or at the door.

March 2015 Call 337-475-5123 for details. Thrive Magazine for Better Living

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3 * Events held in Bulber Auditorium

Contents 11

38

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In This Issue

Regular Features

Wining & Dining

4 First Person with Erin Kelly 1 21 Cameron Connection 24 Who’s News 34 Business Buzz 42 The New Family Tree 44 By the Numbers 62 Happenings 64 Solutions for Life!

66 McNeese Corral

6 A Cut Above: Understanding Your Steak 8 Be Nice to Your Bartender 11 Italian Restaurant, LaVoglia, Coming to Oak Crossing laces & Faces P 12 Dining in NOLA 18 Michael Krajicek of Botsky’s Honored as Restaurateur of the Year 20 McNeese Professors Edit Breaking Bad Book

22 Cover Story:

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Money & Career 26 Whistle While You Work: Secrets to Workplace Happiness 32 Four Mistakes New Investors Make

Home & Family 36 The Artful Apology 38 Birds of a Feather

Style & Beauty 44 Finding Your Signature Style 48 Prepare Your Skin for Spring

Mind & Body 50 Cold or Flu? 52 Break the Junk Food Addiction 56 Multi-Tasking Muddles the Brain DON’T JUST LIVE, THRIVE!

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

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Editors and Publishers

Kristy Armand Christine Fisher

Creative Director/Layout

Barbara VanGossen

Assistant Editors

Erin Kelly Katie Harrington

Business Manager

Katie McDaniel

Assistant Designers

Keri Cannon Shonda Manuel Kris Roy Mandy Gilmore

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Advertising Sales Michelle Phelps ads@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.

March 2015

All our wonderful dogs are available for adoption through 4Paws Society.

Call 287-3552 for more information and to learn about other programs that are available.

s e jone

georg

merle h

aggard

RT! JUST COUNTRY BOYS AT HEA terrier These 2 twelve week old chi/ are mixes are as handsome as they dy. row and h roug

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These four week old adoption mixes will be ready for doesn’t te Cu . eks we few in just a two! begin to describe these

March 2015

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Wining & Dining

By Erin Kelly

Not every piece of meat is cut from the same cloth, particularly with steak. You’ve got

some that are great for grilling. Others that should simmer in a stew. And still others who belong on a clean white plate with a hefty price tag.

But for those less knowledgeable about the inner-workings of a good cut of beef, the cuts can get confusing. When you stand before the meat counter at the grocery store, how do you know which package to purchase? Reach for the wrong thing and your family might be gnawing on a tough bite of cube when they should be relishing the savory flavor of your mad meat-cooking skills.

Who better to straighten out these question marks than the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association? The organization creates long and daunting charts that detail every single cut of beef—mostly used by chefs or butchers—but they also provide a handy once-over on the top five most popular

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beef cuts among everyday shoppers.

Here it goes: #1. Chuck Pot Roast. This is what you need when you want to braise and slowcook a nice hunk of comfort food. Bon Appétit says this is the only type of meat you should use if you’re making beef stew. #2. Top Loin Steak. Top loin is lean, but it’s also a mean meat machine. This is where New York Strip comes from. The taste is dynamic. According to grilling expert Derrick Riches, top loin is one of the most versatile steaks. It is tender and flavorful and can be cooked just about any way you want—as long as you want hot and fast. It’s great on a grill or in a pan.

March 2015

#3. Top Round Steak. This is also a lean cut that works well in a stir fry or steak sandwich. You can grill it or broil it. According to the NCBA, it’s an economical choice that should be marinated before cooking. Cook it only to medium rare. #4. Top Sirloin Steak. The Cattlemen’s Association claims that top sirloin would be voted “most likely to succeed” in steak school. This cut can be “cubed for kabobs, stripped in stir-fry or grilled straight up as a steak.” And it’s lean, too. #5. T-Bone Steak. The T-bone is built for the grill, according to Riches. It’s got lots of fat, which helps keep it moist. This should be your choice for a backyard barbecue, and it doesn’t need a lot of seasoning.

Celebrate Good Taste

www.restaurantcalla.com www.restaurantcalla.com l 1400 Marketl Street, 1400 Market Lake Charles Street Lunch: Tu - Fri, 11am - 2pm l March 2015

Happy Hour: Tu - Fri, 4-6pm

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l Dinner: Tu - Sat, 5 - 10pm www.thriveswla.com

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Wining & Dining

Be nice

to your bartender.

Here’s how.

by Emily Alford

Common courtesy is very important in bars, where alcohol can sometimes make patrons forget their manners.

If you’ve ever had a truly fantastic local bartender, the kind that turned a bar you liked into a bar you loved, then you know how important great service can be. But showing appreciation for that great bartender can be tricky because, unlike at restaurants where tipping and behavior guidelines are pretty standard, best practices for bars can vary based on location.

For instance, should you tip a dollar per drink or twenty percent at the end of the night? According to The Itty Bitty Guide to Tipping, both are acceptable, but many opt to tip big on the first round to make sure the bartender stays attentive to refills. However, the dollar a drink rule can come off as pretty cheap when drinking top shelf cocktails that require a lot of effort to make, such as sazeracs or dirty martinis. It those cases, twenty percent is best, but bear in mind that bartenders always appreciate cash.

One way to stay in your bartender’s good graces is to be prepared when he our she comes to take your order, according to Matt Holland, a Lake Charles bartender with more than 10 years of experience. “Our least favorite drink to make is ‘Ummmm,’” says Holland. “If we approach and you are not ready to order, let us know so we can take other guest.”

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Guests should also order all their drinks at the same time. “Nothing will infuriate a bartender more than a patron who orders two jack and cokes and two beers, the bartender delivering them, and upon delivery being greeted with ‘Oh, and two lemon drop martinis,’” says Holland.

Common courtesy is very important in bars, where alcohol can sometimes make patrons forget their manners. Even if you’re dying of thirst, snapping at the bartender or yelling is never acceptable. “Try to respect the bartenders as people,” says Holland. “You might not know our names but we aren't named "Hey!" and we don't always respond well to knocking a spoon on a glass or snapping fingers to get our attention. A simple raise of the hand or a nod with eye contact is enough to get a bartender’s attention.”

But the best way to win over your bartender is to treat him or her with the same respect you’d treat your boss or a friend. “Sometimes a simple ‘Please’ or ‘Thank you’ and a smile can make the bar experience much better,” says Holland. “If a bartender sees that a customer appreciates the service, he or she will have no problem going that extra mile to make sure the customer enjoys his experience.”

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March 2015

Secrets to a

Snappy

Home Kitchen Most of us don’t have much time to cook, but we still want to put a nice dinner on the table. Here are some tips to create a snappy home kitchen.

• Take inventory of everything and toss what you don’t need.

Less clutter makes for easy cooking.

• How’re things under the sink? Haphazard? Organize that, too.

• Place items within reach. Which items do you use the most?

Place those items in easy-to-reach places.

• Place heavy items in lower cupboards.

• Organize your fridge. Perishables at the bottom and in the back.

Use the lower shelf for dairy products, because that’s typically where it’s coldest. Use your crisper drawer for the produce. Use the door for bottles and condiments.

• Stash appliances that you don’t need so you can have more counter space for those that you do.

• Organize the freezer, too. Don’t just shove things inside. Have a system, and use labels.

March 2015

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Wining & Dining

Italian Restaurant LaVoglia is Coming to Oak Crossing

LaVoglia, a new, upscale Italian restaurant, will be opening this summer in Oak Crossing. Owned by Alfredo Kulici, who owns and operates the popular New York Pizza & Pasta and French Quarter Bar & Grill restaurants in East Texas, LaVoglia will offer classic Italian cuisine, along with seafood, steak and Mediterranean dishes.

Kulici is originally from Albania and grew up in northern Italy.

The youngest of nine children, he says his home growing up was like a restaurant, with fresh, good food at the center of their family life. He trained classically as a French chef, and emigrated to the United States in 2003, after a vacation led him Dallas, where he donned the chef’s hat in a friend’s restaurant. He was an instant hit and decided to make his home in Texas, and now owns a string of restaurants there. Kulici is following the growth taking place in Southwest Louisiana and using this new location to open a different kind of restaurant, one that will return him to his childhood culinary roots of fine, handmade Italian pasta and fresh bread.”

“LaVoglia, which means ‘the dream,’ will give me and the four members of my family who will be joining me at the restaurant, the chance to prepare and serve the kind of food we love best,” says Kulici. “We are very excited about this new venture and can’t wait for Southwest Louisiana to taste our favorite family recipes, which have been handed down through generations. We love to cook and I think this will be very apparent to our customers.

LaVoglia will encompass 4000 square feet in Oak Crossing, the 20-acre business park development located on the corner of Nelson Road and Ham Reid Road in South Lake Charles. Kulici says the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

Additional information about LaVoglia will be available at www. oakcrossing.net and on the restaurant’s own website, www.lavoglia.net , which will be launched soon.

LaVoglia owner and chef, Alfredo Kulici 10 www.thriveswla.com

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March 2015

You could be out living your life instead of living with a chronic wound.

A wound that hasn’t healed after 30 days is one you shouldn’t ignore. It can keep you from enjoying life the way you used to. So don’t wait any longer to get the help you need. Lake Area Medical Center’s new Wound Care Center offers convenient, outpatient treatment with a specially trained staff and effective techniques, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, to help heal chronic wounds of any type. Same-day appointments are often available.

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 337-475-4001.

4150 Nelson Road, Bldg. I Lake Charles, LA LakeAreaMC.com

March 2015

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2/23/15 1:27 PM

Dining NOLA

Places & Faces

in

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The gastronomic allure of New Orleans is difficult to overstate. Here is a city which proudly serves the only indigenous cuisine in the United States, and which is constantly broadening its horizons, adding a wealth of culinary diversity to its world-renowned classic dishes.

It’s difficult to know where to start, but casually dipping into the city’s best dishes is a wise choice, especially for first time visitors. A perfect spot is Roux on Orleans, the restaurant of the Bourbon Orleans hotel, where you can get a taste of shrimp remoulade, seafood gumbo or catfish and grits in a laid-back, casual atmosphere.

It’s also well worth making reservations at one of the French Quarter dining institutions, where tradition and style complement menus that have been refined over decades of elegant service.

Antoine’s has stood since 1840, and to this day holds its place in the upper echelons of local dining, countless visitors having been charmed by their famous oysters Rockefeller. Another French-Creole titan of the Quarter is Marti’s, recently reopened after a full refurbishment and already reclaiming its beloved place in local eating lore.

Of course, pre and postmeal drinks are as essential a part of NOLA life as eating.

Wine buffs will love the sophisticated ambience of Patrick’s Bar Vin at the Hotel Mazarin, where the owner will happily walk you through his extensive list. For cocktails and a lively, modern atmosphere, Vive! Bar at Hotel le Marais is as stylish a spot as any. For those in the Thrive Magazine for Better Living

know, Patrick offers his “best kept secret” a glass of fine, usually French wine at just $5 per glass – any day of the week! It is worth the trip!

If you like a slice of history with your aperitif, then May Bailey’s Place at the Dauphine Orleans Hotel will transport you back to the colorful times of the 1900s, when the French Quarter was a den of iniquity. Hear the legends and watch out for the odd ghostly figure. The ghost and mystery tours regularly pass through, as this is one of the most authentic locales in the French Quarter.

Finally, for New Orleans locals, there’s also a way to have one last taste of the cuisine you love, before getting your trip or vacation off to a stress-free start. By staying at the Crowne Plaza New Orleans Airport Hotel, you can take advantage of one of the best values in the state: the hotel’s Park, Stay & Go offer, which gives you a night’s accommodation at the hotel, up to 14 free night’s parking and a free shuttle to the airport. You’ll be so relaxed that you’ll be able to fully enjoy the superb Cajun cuisine served up by Chef Ryan Ware at The Landing Restaurant. You can’t really ask for a better start to your ‘bon voyage’.

March 2015

March 2015

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Writer Erin Entrada Kelly, who grew up in Lake Charles, debuts with “Blackbird Fly” this month. The book is a Junior Library Guild Selection for 2015 and a “Kids’ Next Pick for Spring 2015” selection by the The Independent Booksellers Association.

The Southern Independent Booksellers Association considers it one of the “best books of the South,” making it a 2015 OkraPick.

first person with Brooks with Donald Erin Kelly Williams

by Brett Downer photo by Laurence Kesterson by Lauren Jameson photo by Erica Fisher

First Person is a monthly Q&A that features compelling people who excel in their chosen endeavors. Ideas for future Q&As? Email edit@thriveswla.com.

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March 2015

Erin Entrada Kelly, who grew up in Lake Charles, debuts her young adult novel “Blackbird Fly” this month. The book,

published by HarperCollins, will be featured at a Children’s Book World event in the Philadelphia area on March 27.

Kelly’s writing is well-known to local readers. She was a member of the American Press newsroom for a decade — joining the staff as a teenager — and later joined Thrive as a writer/editor. Now based in Philadelphia, she remains a Thrive contributor/editor.

Her first book is a Junior Library Guild selection.

School Library Journal said Kelly’s novel “will resonate with any student in middle school who has felt different and ostracized. The author has skillfully captured the various characters.”

Also, Kirkus Reviews said of the book: “Each character in Kelly’s debut novel … is portrayed with remarkable authenticity.

The awkwardness and intense feelings inherent to middle school are palpable.”

Kelly spoke to Thrive from her Philadelphia home.

Analyn “Apple” Yengko is a 12-year-old girl who is coming of age in “Blackbird Fly” — and she’s the reason Kidliterati has rated your book a “Middle Grade Must-Read” for 2015.

Who is she, and what can readers learn from her?

Apple is an outsider with big dreams. She wants to fit in, but she also wants to be herself—even though she’s not sure what that means. As far as what readers can learn from her … it’s my hope that they learn that they are not alone, they can (and should) dream big, and there are greater things to come.

Apple is a fictional character, but you’ve said she “feels very real to me” — and she is drawn from your own heritage.

Yes, Apple and I share a lot of similarities. She’s the only Filipino in her school, just like I was.

She’s teased for being different, just like I was.

And she’s a dreamer. Apple’s story is much different than mine in many ways, but it’s also very familiar.

You’ve written in many genres. Why was it this character, and this story, that led to your first book?

All writers have a story that they need to tell, even if they don’t realize it. It took me a while to find that story.

What were your favorite books when you were 12?

In the 1980s, there wasn’t much to choose from — so I just started to read grown-up novels.

If you had asked me what my favorite book was, I probably would have said “Cujo” or “Pet Sematary” by Stephen King.

Thankfully, “Harry Potter” changed the kidlit market considerably and now children have a wide range of well-written books to choose from, no matter how old they are. They don’t have to jump all the way from Judy Blume to Stephen King.

March 2015

When did you first dream of being a writer?

I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t thinking about writing.

When I was a little girl, my mother read to me at night (“The Cat in the Hat” was one of our favorites) and I would ask if I could read to her instead. She usually fell asleep to me reading, instead of the other way around. Around that time, I started writing my own stories. My father showed me how to staple the loose leaf pages together to make them look like “real books.” Once he even taped two pieces of cardboard together to make a hardcover.

I wrote all the time when I was a kid.

When my mother saw me writing, she’d say, “Write me a bestseller.” And I’d say, “I’m working on it!”

In addition to thinker/dreamer, you also were a Gatorette at LaGrange High School.

Ha! Yes. I was a Gatorette dancer for one year. That was enough for me. I hated school, so it was difficult to stay committed to any extracurricular clubs for too long.

‘“Blackbird Fly,” out this month, is the story of Apple Yengko, a 12-year-old Asian-American girl in Louisiana. It has earned a starred Kirkus review.

What other school memories and teachers in Lake Charles shaped you?

I loved Bebe Usie’s creative writing class, which I took my junior year at LaGrange. We crafted haikus and made masks. We wrote letters to our future selves. I’d never had a class before that was focused just on writing.

I also remember Career Day, when an American Press reporter named Kierstan Gordon came to speak to us. I’d always wanted to write for a living and I thought it would be cool to become a journalist. I loved newspaper movies — “All the President’s Men,”“The Paper,”“His Girl Friday”—and I figured I could become a big-time journalist like Woodward and Bernstein,

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join the White House Press Corps, or land a cushy job at the New York Times. Needless to say, that didn’t happen. But I did eventually get a job at the Press. My 10 years as a reporter were the most influential of my life. Well, so far.

You’re in the Philadelphia area now after spending much of your life and career in Southwest Louisiana. Describe life. The people. The food.

There is much to love about Southwest Louisiana—the food, the laid-back lifestyle, waving hello to passing strangers — but I love the northeast. It’s fast. There’s traffic. People may or may not say hello. But a few months ago I

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Places & Faces During your journalism career, you asked questions, listened for information and gathered facts. As a fiction writer, you can explore and express wherever your mind might go. It’s exclusively you. Or is it?

Well, yes and no. I can explore and express whatever I want, but it’s not exclusively me. I’m always aware that reading a book is an interactive experience between the writer and the reader. So I always keep the reader in mind. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Your next book, “Land of Forgotten Girls,” is already set for release next year. What are you working on now?

Soon I’ll be working on edits to “Forgotten Girls,” but right now I’m working on my third book, which will be released in 2017.

Kelly, in grade school, thinks up her next sentence.

What’s the most satisfying early feedback you’ve gotten about your book?

Last month I got my first-ever fan letter from a fifth-grader who read an early copy of the book. He ended it with: “I will be a fan of your books for as long as I live.” You can’t get any better than that.

What would you tell a 12-year-old girl in Lake Charles — or a young Gatorette, or a kid whose household and classroom cultures clash — who is struggling with the emerging complexities of life?

You are not alone. It may feel like it, but you’re not.

Trust me.

“Blackbird Fly,” juvenile fiction by Erin Entrada Kelly, illustrated by Betsy Peterschmidt, HarperCollins/ Greenwillow Books, 304 pages, $16.99. Drops at bookstores and online outlets beginning March 24.

stood across from Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and it was just a quick drive away. I can hop on a train and be in New York or Washington in an hour. There are people here of every ethnicity. If you want to see or do something different, all you have to do is go.

Everything is a trade-off, of course. Last month I had a king cake delivered because I was homesick for Mardi Gras. And there’s no boudin, Darrell’s shrimp poboys, or crawfish etouffee.

Philadelphia soft pretzels. With mustard, or without?

Spicy mustard, of course. Without mustard is just insane.

What’s your workspace? A cluttered table?

Hammock? Log cabin?

My workspace is a small, somewhat-cluttered desk under a big, bright window. No matter how cluttered the desk might get, I like to make room for flowers.

Kelly’s writing space is this desk at her suburban Philadelphia home. The creative clutter includes a Louisiana memento — a Rodrigue Blue Dog.

Kelly hand-wrote this story in fourth grade. It’s about Katie and Kathy, best friends in an orphanage. “I’ve kept most of what I’ve written since I was a kid,” she said. “It’s a lotta boxes.

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March 2015

History Makes Splash in New Book Local author shows history’s colors through vintage images from 1960-Present

Like most American cities, Lake Charles experienced changes in industry, population, education, and more after World War II. In Lake Charles, Arcadia Publishing’s newest addition to its Images of Modern America series, Jessica Hutchings examines the events, culture, and people that make Lake Charles what it is today.

“I hope that this book will leave readers with a feeling of pride and a positive image of our city and its residents. Although we share many characteristics with other American cities, although we have experienced similar events and trends as the rest of the country, the character of this city is truly unique,” Hutchings said.

In more than 150 vintage images, most of which are full color, Hutchings explores the highs and lows of a growing city, including

March 2015

monumental educational changes during the Civil Rights Movement, devastating hurricanes, and delightful festivals and restaurants. “Though Lake Charles experienced growing pains and turbulence along with the rest of the United States, the city has a unique history and culture that its citizens love to celebrate,” Hutchings writes.

This new book continues the celebration of Lake Charles begun in Images of America: Lake Charles (2012) by Janet Allured, Jessica Hutchings, and Debbie Johnson-Houston. “There are so many stories to be told, and I hope that future photographers and writers are willing and able to preserve these stories for posterity,” Hutchings said.

Oklahoma City native Jessica Hutchings moved

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to Lake Charles in 2005 after graduating from the University of Oklahoma with her Masters of Library and Information Studies. For 10 years, Jessica has worked for Frazar Memorial Library at McNeese State University where she is the Head of Reference. She is active in several local and state librarianship organizations including service as Treasurer for Libraries Southwest, an organization that serves library users in Southwest Louisiana.

The book is available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.com.

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Places & Faces

Michael Krajicek of Botsky’s Honored as Restaurateur of the Year

Michael Krajicek of Botsky’s Premium Hotdogs was recently honored as Restaurateur of the Year at the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association’s annual meeting in Many.

Krajicek received the award for his dedication to Botsky’s being an experience-driven restaurant with ties to the community, the arts, festivals and culture of Louisiana as a whole. As a musician, Krajicek has been an avid supporter of downtown concerts, art walks, and cultural events. Krajicek has even brought Louisiana’s hometown cooking into the mix with alligator dogs and crawfish étouffée toppings.

“Louey awards are presented to tourism professionals who go to great lengths to enhance the state’s $10.8 billion tourism industry that employs one out of every ten Louisiana citizens,” said Darienne Mobley, co-executive director, Louisiana Travel Promotion Association. “These are also the same industry members who have tourism’s best interest in mind and are those we can depend on to advocate on the industry’s behalf.”

“It is an absolute honor to represent the experience that Lake Charles has to offer. There are so many great things in store for downtown Lake Charles and I’m humbled to be a part of all the action,” said Krajicek.

For more information, visit Botsky’s at 104 W. Pujo St. or find them on Facebook at Facebook.com/Botskys.

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March 2015

LaserCenter AT T H E E Y E C L I N I C

From left to right: Linda Curtis-Sparks, Louisiana Travel Promotion Association Incoming President; Michael Krajicek, owner of Botsky’s Premium Hotdogs; and Marion Fox, Louisiana Travel Promotion Association Outgoing President.

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March 2015

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Places & Faces

McNeese Professors Edit Breaking Bad Book Vince Gilligan’s award-winning TV series “Breaking Bad” earned critical acclaim and 16 Emmy awards in the five years it aired on the AMC network.

Its portrayal of high school chemistry teacher Walter White’s descent into the underground world of crime has led it to become one of the most widely discussed television series in the last 15 years, even in academic circles.

Two McNeese State University faculty members, Dr. Jacob Blevins, professor of English, and Dr. Dafydd Wood, assistant professor of English and comparative literature, have joined the discussions and edited a book recently published about the series titled “The Methods of Breaking Bad: Essays on Narrative, Character and Ethics.”

The 220-page book - published by McFarland & Company - consists of a collection of scholarly articles edited by the pair that covers a wide range of themes seen throughout the series by various contributors.

Two other McNeese professors, Dr. Matthew Butkus, assistant professor of philosophy, and Dr. Ron Darbeau, department head of chemistry and physics, have also contributed works to the book.

The idea of the collaboration between Wood and Blevins began before the series ended in September 2013. It was inspired by the “aesthetic richness and design” and in-depth character development within the series, according to Wood.

“The show builds a dialogue with its viewers, among its viewers and with narrative history itself,” added Blevins. He said that this

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relationship between the narrative and audience creates a unique series that is significant from both a literary and artistic standpoint.

According to Blevins, Butkus’ essay revolves around the problems found in modern health care and ways those desperate enough might resolve them.

Darbeau, on the other hand, covers the ethics of science itself, said Blevins. “Darbeau’s essay discusses how societal implications affect how the viewers see both science and scientists.”

“My essay and most of my excitement around the show … relates to TV as the dominant popular aesthetic product of our day,” said Wood. “The great TV shows of the last 15 years though are something different. They are more like novels than the TV shows that came before them, or film or plays for that matter.”

Wood explained that the “oddly experimental and gripping” television series is essentially a 62-hour character arc.

“Because of the show’s in-depth form and intense character development, it provides scholars with many different perspectives and themes to choose from and write about in the book,” said Wood.

Although the book is mainly suited for an academic audience, it’s accessible to casual readers as well, according to Wood.

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March 2015

FIRE DISTRICT #10 IMPROVES THEIR GRADING FROM 6 TO 4

NEW E C I V SER

M/V ACADIA NOW IN SERVICE AT FERRY LANDING

According to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Cameron Ferry II is being removed from service to go to its regularly scheduled dry-dock and is expected to be in dry-dock for several months.

The M/V Acadia is on-site and began service in mid-February. While the Acadia is in service, vehicle combinations up to 50-feet in length will be allowed to board. Standard length tractor-trailer trucks and longer combinations will be required to detour.

The boat launch on the west side of the Calcasieu River, adjacent to the ferry landing, will be closed while the Acadia is in service due to safety concerns.

March 2015

Commissioner of Insurance, Jim Donelon says Cameron Parish homeowners in Fire District 10 (Johnson Bayou and Holly Beach areas) can expect significant rate reductions in their fire insurance premiums, effective March 9.

Donelon recognized fire fighters and local officials in Fire District 10 for the improvement of their fire protection grading from Class 6 to Class 4.

“I applaud the efforts of the community and officials that brought about this improved fire protection grading,” Donelon said. “The lower grading means homeowners in Fire District 7 will not only see lower premiums for fire insurance, but will also have the peace of mind that comes with knowing their homes and families are better protected from fire.”

Fire protection grading is promulgated by the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL) and approved by the Louisiana Insurance Commissioner. All fire districts are graded 1 to 10 by PIAL, with 10 representing no fire protection and 1 being best.

A variety of factors are considered in determining a district’s grading. The number of dispatchers on duty, the number of firefighters and fire trucks, and the availability of water al affect a district’s grading.

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21

Places & Faces

by Erin Kelly

People have tried to make their own luck for centuries. Rabbit’s feet, lucky charms, amulets—at one point or another, they’ve all been tucked into the pockets of the cautiously optimistic. Children pick four-leaf clovers, blow the stems off dandelions, and make wishes in the flickering light of their birthday cakes, hoping their wishes are granted through some mysterious outside intervention.

But how much of being lucky is actually luck?

Psychologist Richard Wiseman with the University of Hertfordshire, author of The Luck Factor, is a world-renowned expert on the topic. He’s spent years studying the lucky and unlucky among us and came to a logical conclusion on world superstitions: although they persist, they don’t work.

Having a lucky life isn’t about carrying rabbit’s feet or being bestowed some invisible gift from the gods. It’s about you.

“Lucky people generate their own good fortune,” Dr. Wiseman says. And they do it via four basic principles: “They are skilled at creating and noticing chance opportunities, make lucky decisions by listening to their intuition, create self-fulfilling prophesies via positive expectations, and adopt a resilient attitude that transforms bad luck into good.”

Wiseman tells the story of a successful jewelry store owner who was walking near the Plaza Hotel in New York when he heard someone reference “Mr. Buffet.” The man’s ears perked up. He wondered if

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they were speaking to Warren Buffet, grand investor extraordinaire and one of the wealthiest men in the world. As it turns out, they were. The store owner immediately walked over and introduced himself.

He explained that he owned a chain of successful jewelry stores and could use some business advice, which Mr. Buffet patiently offered. The meeting turned out to be life-changing—the next year, Mr. Buffet agreed to buy the man’s business.

Was this “luck”? To a degree, yes. It was completely by chance that the two men were in the same place, after all. But the shop owner made his own luck by being attentive and seizing an opportunity.

In studying a sample group of professional women, a psychologist with St. Mary’s College in Maryland found that chance encounters played a large role in shaping their careers. But it wasn’t just the chance encounter that did it. The women took advantage of happenstance—and those women tended to have higher degrees of competence, selfconfidence, and the ability to take risks.

People who generally consider themselves “lucky”

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are usually the types of people who take advantage of opportunities, rather than allowing them to slip by, according to Wiseman. In the same situation, an unlucky person may have walked past Mr. Buffet and never had the conversation in the first place. “(Lucky people) are skilled at creating and noticing chance opportunities,” Dr. Wiseman says.

He conducted an experiment where he asked a group of people to take a newspaper and count how many photographs were inside. On the second page was a message in noticeable type that said “Stop counting, tell the experimenter you have seen this and win $250.” The unlucky group breezed past the message and continued counting photographs.

The “lucky” group noticed the message and asked for their $250.

Dr. Wiseman’s research revealed that unlucky people tend to be more tense and anxious, which disrupts their ability to notice and seize opportunities, whereas those who consider themselves “lucky” tend to be less neurotic and less tense. Lucky people also tend to be more open in

March 2015

general, which allows them to be on the lookout for the next chance encounter.

“But a lucky life is not just about creating and noticing chance opportunities. Another important principle revolved around the way in which lucky and unlucky people dealt with the ill fortune in their lives,” Dr. Wiseman says.

He presented the following scenario to his sample group: You’re at the bank waiting to be served when a bank robber suddenly bursts in and fires a shot that hits you in the arm. Are you lucky or unlucky?

According to Dr. Wiseman, the “unlucky” responders said it was just their luck that they would be in a bank at the same time it’s getting robbed, only to get shot.

The other responders had quite a different attitude. They thought themselves lucky that they only got shot in the arm and not the leg.

One respondent even said they could sell their story to the papers and get a little fortune or fame.

“The differences … were striking,” says Dr. Wiseman.

DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF AN UNLUCKY PERSON? IF SO, TAKE THESE STEPS TO MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK. Recognize and seize opportunities.

Don’t let “good luck” pass you by.

Practice cautious optimism—expect the best, prepare for the worst. Have positive expectations for the future.

Get happy. Researchers at the University of Toronto found that people in good moods take in more information, while those in bad moods don’t see as much around them.

Don’t assume bad things are going to happen.

Change how you view “bad luck.” There’s probably some good in there, if you look for it.

Practice resiliency. Don’t let bad luck get you down.

Don’t fall into a routine. Be open to new people and experiences.

March 2015

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23

Places & Faces

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

Turner Named WCCH Safety Award Recipient West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) named Kenneth Turner, RN, medical telemetry unit, as the recipient of its safety award. The award, which honors employees for Kenneth Turner their promotion of safety and safety awareness in and around the hospital, is distributed to those employees that demonstrate extraordinary awareness and action in minimizing potential safety risks.

IBERIABANK Names Commercial Banking Group Manager IBERIABANK, the 127-year-old subsidiary of IBERIABANK Corporation, has announced the recent promotion of Karen Drewett to Commercial Banking Group Manager Karen Turner for Southwest Louisiana.

Drewett has been with the company for four years.

She has 28 years of banking experience, including 15 years in commercial lending. Drewett is located at 4440 Nelson Road in Lake Charles and can be reached by phone at (337) 312-7036.

Mardi Gras Shoebox Float Contest People’s Choice Winners

Angie Manning and Karen Ashworth.

The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau held a community-wide Mardi Gras Shoebox Float Contest. Those entering ranged from school groups, clubs and organizations, professional divisions and residents of all ages.

For the Youth Division, Westwood Elementary 24 www.thriveswla.com

School Beta Club won by popular vote, represented

by Karen Ashworth. Monica Garcille placed first in the Adult Division for the People’s Choice Award.

Winners received $50 and a plaque. For more information on upcoming events, visit the bureau’s website at www.visitlakecharles.org.

GO Group Announces New Director The Southwest Louisiana Task Force for Growth and Opportunity (GO Group) announced today the hiring of Karen Lambert Clapp as director. Clapp will lead the GO Group’s efforts to respond to the Karen Clapp anticipated economic growth in Southwest Louisiana.

Clapp has an extensive background in marketing and business, having served as Director of Marketing at West Calcasieu-Cameron Hospital in Sulphur for the past seven years.

Institute for Neuropsychiatry Welcomes Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Catherine Udofia, APRN, FPMHNP-BC, has joined the Institute for Neuropsychiatry and is currently accepting new patients. Originally Karen Turner from Tyler, Texas, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Tyler, and received her Master of Science in Nursing – Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She has over six years of healthcare experience, three of which are in the mental health field. She most recently served as Charge Nurse on a Psychiatric Inpatient Unit at Lafayette Behavioral Health Unit. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Institute for Neuropsychiatry at (337) 477-7091.

Family & Youth President and CEO Elected as Member of National Ethics Standards Committee Julio Galan, President and CEO of Family & Youth Counseling Agency (Family & Youth) has been elected to the National Ethics Standards Committee of the Standards for Excellence Institute of Maryland.

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Galan has been the President and CEO of Family & Youth since 1997, and the President and CEO of the Family Foundation since its inception in 2000.

Family & Youth is certified by the Standards for Excellence Institute.

IBERIABANK Names McNeese Street Branch Manager IBERIABANK, the 127-year-old subsidiary of IBERIABANK Corporation, has announced the recent naming of Kimberly Saucier as Branch Manager for the Kimberly Saucier McNeese Street location in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Saucier most recently served as a Financial Service Associate and Retail Annuity Specialist at Whitney Bank in Lake Charles.

She has 14 years of banking experience. For more information, call (337) 312-7167.

IBERIABANK Names Moss Bluff Branch Manager IBERIABANK, the 127-year-old subsidiary of IBERIABANK Corporation, has announced the recent naming of Wayne Dixon as Branch Manager for the Moss Bluff location in Wayne Dixon Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Dixon graduated from McNeese State University with a degree in Business Administration. For more information, call (337) 312-7704.

Solutions Counseling & EAP Welcomes New Therapist The staff at Solutions Counseling & EAP in Lake Charles welcomes therapist Dene’ Culton, MA. Culton, a Moss Bluff native, graduated from McNeese State University Dené Culton with a Masters of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in counseling. She is trained in Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and has a special interest in counseling adolescents to help them overcome personal, social and behavioral problems. To schedule an appointment, call (337) 310-2822, or visit the website, www.solutions-eap.org.

March 2015

Philmon Appointed to Vice-President Merrill Lynch announced that Patricia Philmon has been appointed to VicePresident with the firm. Philmon, a resident of Lake Charles, joined Merrill Lynch in 2008. She received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from McNeese State University and has also earned her Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor Certification.

LeBeau Earns Interventional Cardiology Board Certification Dr. Jake LeBeau, Cardiologist with Cardiovascular Specialists, an affiliate of Imperial Health, has been awarded Board Certification in Interventional Cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Board certification is a voluntary step in an intensive educational experience that recognizes that a physician’s knowledge, skills and experience integral to the delivery of high standards in patient care in their Dr. Jake LeBeau chosen field. This is Dr. LeBeau’s fifth board certification.

He has previously been awarded board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, nuclear cardiology and comprehensive echocardiography.

He is also a registered peripheral vascular interpreter. For more information, call (337) 312-8281.

Dynamic Dimensions Fitness Center in Moss Bluff Names Manager Dynamic Dimensions of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital has announced the recent promotion of Justin Kingsley to manager of the center’s Moss Bluff location.

Kingsley will be responsible for managing the daily operations of the center where he will assist in the development of exercise programs and oversee staff members, ensuring the maintenance and cleanliness of the fitness equipment and facility. Prior to being Justin Kingsley named manager, Kingsley served as an exercise tech at the Sulphur location of Dynamic Dimensions.

Local Salon Owner Participates 2015 Serious Business ® Event Wendy White-McCown, owner and master stylist at Signatures Salon in Lake Charles, was a featured panelist at the 2015 Serious Business national conference held in New Orleans last month for over 2000 beauty industry professionals. White-McCown participated in a panel discussion with leading salon owners on best salon business practices. The focus of White-McCown’s comments came from her E-book, 3 Day Work Week, which she wrote and published last year for industry professionals.

For more information about Signatures Salon, call 337-478-4433 or visit www.signaturessalon.biz.

Granger Earns Ruby Masters Award Century 21 Bessette Realty, Inc has announced that Century 21 Real Estate LLC recently recognized Kim Granger, sales affiliate with the office, as a top-producer nationwide when it honored her with the coveted Century 21 Ruby Masters Award.

Kim Granger

March 2015

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25

Money & Career JUST WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK: Secrets to Workplace Happiness

by Kristy Armand

“Work hard and success will follow.”

It’s advice we’ve heard our entire lives, from parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, friends and supervisors. Did you ever stop to contemplate the omission of the word “happiness” from this formula for success? Probably not, but like most people, you may have assumed being successful and being happy were essentially one in the same thing – if you achieved the former, the latter would follow. So you worked hard and waited for the dual rewards of success and happiness to arrive. While you waited, you looked around and began to notice that there were people working around you who were already a lot happier than you. They really seemed to enjoy their jobs. When you took an even closer look, you realized these same people were actually already outpacing you in the success department too. What do they know that you are missing?

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“They know that the secret ingredient for success is happiness,” says Keri ForbessMcCorquodale, MS, CEAP, LPC-S, LMFT, president of Solutions Counseling & EAP. “It’s not the other way around, as many believe. You can’t work your way to happy if you are miserable every day, all day long. Talent and hard work can only take you so far. The people who are the most successful in their careers for the long term are those who are happy doing what they do – they derive joy from their job so they work harder, which leads to greater success.”

A growing body of research in neuroscience backs this up, with repeated studies finding that our brains are more engaged, creative, productive, and resilient when in a positive state.

Now for the bad news: a new Gallop poll finds that most American workers don’t feel this way about their jobs. Gallop reports

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employee disengagement in the U.S. as high as 70%. Forbess-McCorquodale says that means “only 30% of employees are emotionally and intellectually committed to their organizations.

The bigger majority are just there, putting in time to get a paycheck.” All this unhappiness comes with a high price tag to businesses, costing more than $550 billion a year in lost productivity.

Fotunately, Forbess-McCorquodale says there are steps employers and employees can take to make their work lives more fulfilling.

Jim Donovan, consultant, and author of Happy @Work conducted research with dozens of companies and thousands of people to identify the top habits of happy workers. “Interestingly, these habits are not complicated, and often just require a change in mindset and minor adjustments to daily routines. You’ll be surprised at the big difference some small changes can make to your workplace happiness.”

March 2015

FIVE

OF THE TOP HABITS OF HAPPY WORKERS:

ONE

Change the Word “Problem” to “Challenge” Problems tend to be things we try to avoid, while challenges are things we mobilize to fix. Making this minor change in vocabulary can have a big impact on how you deal with a situation. A challenge can be interpreted as an opportunity to showcase your talents or learn a new skill.

TWO

Start the Day with the Big Questions Ask yourself a series of empowering questions, such as “What am I looking forward to today?”, “What am I grateful for today?” first thing in the morning can help you start the day with purpose and get your brain into a positive state before you even begin your workday.

FOUR

Arrive at Work Early Nothing can damper a mood faster than getting a late start to the day. Leaving home even 20 minutes earlier can give you a less stressful, head start on a productive day.

FIVE

Avoid Energy Zappers & Whiners You know who they are: those people who go on forever about their personal problems, the latest office gossip or political hot buttons.

These individuals appear obsessed with finding something wrong in every situation. When possible, attempt to surround yourself with happy, positive people; those who exhibit the kind of attitude you want to have.

“There’s no doubt that happy people are better workers. Those who are engaged with their jobs and colleagues work harder — and smarter,” Forbess-McCorquodale says. “And people who are happier with their work are happier in their home lives as well. Developing habits to enhance your happiness can help you be more successful and joyful even when you don’t love your job, but they will work even better when you are doing work you inherently enjoy. Confucius probably said it best: ‘Find a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.’”

THREE

Mix up your Daily Routine Many of us get stuck in the daily rut: driving the same route to work, eating the same breakfast, starting the day by checking email or chatting in the break room. Changing up our routine stimulates the brain, enhancing creativity and happiness. By changing your everyday patterns and habits, you create new neural connections in your brain. This explains why extraordinary thinkers such as Steve Jobs and Steven Spielberg were known to take long walks to stimulate breakthrough ideas.

March 2015

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27

Money & Career

by Felicite Toney

How to Survive A Quarter-life Crisis Growing up is hard.

Becoming a successful adult is even harder. At this time last year I was stuck in a panic attack as the calendar came closer and closer to my twenty-fifth birthday. I was entering a quarter-life crisis.

I had a bachelor’s degree but couldn’t find a decent career with my English major. I was tired of jobs that didn’t give me fulfillment. Everyone would ask, “Why don’t you just teach or tutor?” It wasn’t like I didn’t consider those options. To do those, I’d need to be a certified teacher, or at least be on my way to becoming certified. My bachelor’s degree that my parents were so proud of wasn’t enough. Where were all the jobs I was promised as a child?

Had I done something wrong?

Hence the panic.

According to Dr. Oliver Robinson of the University of Greenwich in London, a quarter-life crisis usually begins around age 25 but can take place anywhere between 25 and 35. For me, it started a year after I graduated from college while I was working my dead-end job at a car rental agency. My crisis peaked a month before my 25th birthday.

Signs of an enduring quarter-life crisis include nostalgia, depression, anxiety, feeling stuck in a job or relationship, and disappointment in day-today life.

What’s the remedy? Well, that’s the problem. There is no “miracle cure” that can fix this. What has to be done is self-improvement, change, and growth.

Here’s what I did: I made a few dozen lists to organize my thoughts.

Since my crisis revolved around my career (or lack of) I focused on what I could do and what I wanted to do. I figured out how to make the things on my “want to do” list move to my “can do” list. I had to do some serious soul searching. I mapped out where I was, plotted where I wanted to be, and had to find a way to get there.

Did I need to go back to school? You betcha. Could I afford it? Nope.

So I spent a while contemplating my next move. During that time I became internationally certified to teach English as a foreign language; I did a bit of unpaid freelance writing; I wrote a lot for the sake of my sanity; I quit my job and found work through a national program that assists students with homework and life skills. It took time, but I eventually arrived here, writing this article. I had survived.

There is a negative side to all this pleasantness. Not everything will go according to plan. This is adulthood, after all. Even though I managed to figure out my next step and am currently enrolled in my second semester of graduate school, I went on a few job interviews that broke my heart because they chose someone else. I realized I couldn’t afford the school I wanted to go to for the ideal career I wanted, so I settled on my second choice of school and career. I’ve learned to always have a back up plan.

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According to Dr. Oliver Robinson there are four phases of a quarterlife crisis:

Phase 1 Feeling “locked in” to a job or relationship, or both.

Phase 2 A growing sense that change is possible.

Phase 3 A period of rebuilding a new life.

Phase 4 The cementing of fresh commitments that reflect new interests, aspirations and values.

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March 2015

Our Numbers Show onGROWing Success GROSS LOANS $80,000,000 72,000,000 60,000,000

25,000,000

4Q2011

Am I happy? Yes. Am I still working on getting to my final career destination? Yes. I just turned 26 and I’m still heading toward something better.

If you thought life crises were limited to midlife, think again. Research shows that the “quarter-life crisis” is a viable life stage for some twenty- and thirtysomethings. Here are some findings: • In a sample study conducted by the University of Greenwich and Birkbeck College, 86 percent of twentysomethings said they felt pressure to succeed in relationships, finances and jobs before they reached age 30.

• Two in five were worried most about money. Thirty-two percent felt pressure to marry and have children before the age of 30.

• The Depression Alliance estimates that a third of twentysomethings feel depressed.

• According to Dr. Jeffrey Arnett, professor of psychology at Clark University, the current group of “emerging adults” has grown up as the most affluent generation in American history; they have high expectations of themselves, and of life. This can cause high levels of anxiety.

• Half of all students graduate with an average college debt of $12,000, according to the American Council of Education.

4Q2012

4Q2013

4Q2014

DEPOSITS $115,000,000 100,000,000 90,000,000

50,000,000

4Q2011

4Q2012

4Q2013

4Q2014

ASSETS $140,000,000 122,000,000 100,000,000

60,000,000

4Q2011

4Q2012

4Q2013

4Q2014

Our annual numbers are in and they continue to add up to ongoing financial strength and stability for Lakeside customers.

Our performance since our 2010 opening demonstrates the soundness of our management practices and the continued expansion of the Southwest Louisiana economy.

We’re proud to be part of the unprecedented growth in our region.

We sincerely appreciate the trust our customers have placed in us, and assure you that we are positioned for even stronger growth in the future.

We invite you to Join the Migration to Lakeside.

The way banking should be.

4735 Nelson Rd. 474-3766 • 2132 Oak Park Blvd. 502-4314 2203 Sampson St.,Westlake 437-3861 LakesideBanking.com Ask us about our high interest rates for deposits and IRAs, and our FREE checking.

March 2015

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29

Money & Career

Funding a Rainy Day Fund

by Kristy Armand

Most people have experienced a financial emergency of some kind. “Financial emergency” means different things to different people. For some, it’s car repairs or medical expenses. For others, it’s the loss of a job which makes covering everyday expenses a crisis. There are some people who might even consider an opportunity for an overseas vacation or the purchase of new furniture to be worthy of raiding the rainy-day fund.

However you define it, the most important thing, says Ryan Hess, officer and assistant Westlake branch manager with Lakeside Bank, is that you have an emergency fund to fall back on when you need it. “Ideally, you should have at least six months of regular monthly expenses put away in a cash account completely separate from the one you use daily. When deciding how much money you need to save, ask yourself: ‘If I lost my job today, how much money would I need to survive until I found another one?’”

According to Hess, people often consider credit cards to be a source of emergency funds; however, this is probably not the best approach. “I understand that some people have no other choice than setting side a credit card or two for emergencies, but credit cards should not be viewed as the best source to cover a money crisis. Credit cards are limiting literally. You only have as much money as your credit limit allows,” Hess says. “Credit cards

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also typically have a high interest rate, so you want to be careful about using them when you know you won’t be able to pay off the balance anytime soon.”

When a financial crisis arises, many people choose to tap their home equity or a 401(k) accounts to access the needed funds.

According to Hess, although these are common methods of establishing a line of credit, such a move comes at a cost, usually in fees and penalties -- not to mention the risk. “This is fine if you have considered the risk and are using the money for a specific purpose that will pay for itself, like a home improvement project, but it’s not the best source for unexpected expenses.”

He says the best way to establish a “rainy day,” or emergency fund, is to funnel money directly from your traditional checking account into a savings account or money market fund.

“Pay into this account just as you would any other recurring bill – don’t make it an option,” he advises. Once you’ve put six months’ worth of expenses into the account, you can adjust what you are setting aside, but Hess advises continuing to contribute any extra funds you can afford. Consider adding raises, bonuses, expense reimbursements, rebates, tax refunds and any other “windfall” money to this savings account.

“Don’t fall victim to the belief that you

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have to make a lot of money to save money,” stresses Hess. “If you make saving a priority and not an option, everyone can find a little to save every month. It may not always be easy, but you’ll thank yourself for having this money ready the next time your car breaks down or there’s a cutback on hours at work.”

For more information on saving or other personal finance issues, call the Lakeside Bank nearest you or visit www.lakesidebanking.com.

March 2015

Writing your

way to success: Helpful Tips for Entrepreneurs

As we move deeper into a digital age driven by online content, there has never been more of an opportunity for entrepreneurs to communicate their vision, but to do this effectively it’s key to develop strong writing skills. Don’t be intimidated by the written word—where there is passion, there’s a story.

LOOKING FOR A SMART BUSINESS PARTNER?

Call Jim! 337.477.2000

Here are some helpful tips to help you break through writer’s block.

1. Ditch the “buzz” and generic words. Say what you mean with real words. Vague buzzwords, like innovative, breakthrough, revolutionary, impactful and cutting-edge have lost their meaning from overuse and are just noise.

Jim Swift Member Business Lending Officer

2. Don’t become a mad word-scientist. Stray from words that are unusually merged together by adding –ize, -ism or istic While this kind of writing may feel exciting or fun, it can quickly become confusing or distracting for your audience. Remember their time is limited.

3 Stay present and relevant by using an active voice.

4. Be bold! Use action words and expressive language to fuel your story.

5. Drop phrases like “I think” or “it might.” It makes you appear less confident.

6. Resist the urge to garnish your text with adverbs and clichés. Treat them like buzzwords, use in limited quantity and only when they will add flavor to your story. Avoid the temptation to over season.

7. Trim it down and keep things as simple. SAT vocabulary words will not make you look smarter; in fact they will only absorb space from useful content.

8. Don’t be stickler. It’s okay to break grammar rules sometimes with a one word sentences or beginning a statement with words like “And.”

March 2015

Contact a CSE Member Business Lender for more details. Membership and Eligibility Required.

Federally Insured

by NCUA.

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31

Money & Career

Four Mistakes New Investors Make

I

nvesting can be an intimidating business, especially if you’re testing the waters for the first time. It’s certainly a smart move—the sooner, the better—but many of the most successful investors took time to feel comfortable in their stock-market shoes.

“Investing is simultaneously simple and complicated,” said Certified Financial Planner Eva Abate, LPL financial advisor with Rau Financial Group. “This can lead to mistakes on both ends.

There are some beginners who think they can master the market like the a well-seasoned Wall Street broker, and there are others who are so wrapped up in the complexities of investing that they don’t make the most of their opportunity.”

According to Abate, new investors often make the same missteps. Here are a few of them: 1) Waiting too long. One misconception of investing is that you need a lot of money to do it.

That’s simply not true, Abate said. You can invest even the smallest

by Erin Kelly

amount—a few hundred dollars—to get the ball rolling. “It’s important to invest when you’re young, because you’re able to take more risks, and more risks can potentially lead to greater profit. However, the more risk, the greater chance for loss,” Abate said. “Unfortunately, many young people decide to wait until they have ‘enough money,’ yet it’s unclear what that means. You will have new expenses again and again. College, house, car. If you wait until you have enough, you may never truly get there. Start young and start small.” And although it’s more beneficial to start when you’re younger, that doesn’t mean you can’t invest when you’re older, Abate notes. It just means you won’t be able to make the riskier investments that have the potential to provide better returns.

2) Having unrealistic expectations. If you want to invest so you can “get rich quick,” then you don’t have a realistic view of how the market works, Abate said. “Investing takes time and patience,” Abate said. “ If someone promises that you’ll get rich on a certain

investment in a short amount of time, approach that investment with caution. No one ever truly knows if an investment will hit or miss.”

3) Focusing only on the money. Focus on investments that mean something to you, not just the ones that you think will make the most money. “Obviously the return on investment is an important deciding factor. But it isn’t the only factor,” Abate said. “I encourage clients to consider investments in which they are personally invested, as well as financially invested. You’re more likely to understand what’s happening with your investments if you’re already following companies you care about.”

4) Obsessively checking the market. “I’ve seen many new investors who follow the market to an almost compulsive degree,” Abate said. “That’ll drive someone crazy fast.” Understand that the market is fluid, constantly fluctuating, and takes time. To become a successful investor, you need a longterm plan. Hourly changes in the market shouldn’t change that. Instead, pay attention to patterns over time. That’s where your financial planner comes in.

For more information about getting started with investing, call Abate at Rau Financial Group at (337) 480-3835.

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March 2015

E-RECYCLE DAY

RECYCLE YOUR ELECTRONICS Saturday, March 28, 2015 • 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Stine Parking Lot, Sulphur Each year, thousands of computers, monitors, TVs, cell phones and other electronics are discarded. Such “e-waste” contains recyclable materials and can be hazardous if disposed with regular garbage.

Electronic Items Accepted: Computers, Monitors, Computer Peripherals, Printers, Fax Machines, Keyboards, Photocopiers, TVs, VCRs, Stereos, Home & Office Phones, Mobile Phones, Consumer Electronics.

Mercury Items Accepted: Thermostats and Thermometers containing metallic or liquid mercury, Lamps (fluorescent, high-intensity discharge, neon, mercury vapor, high pressure sodium and metal halide).

Items Not Accepted: Smoke Detectors, Fire Alarms, Dehumidifiers, Large Appliances (i.e.: Refrigerators, etc.), Medical Equipment, Units with Sludge or Liquids.

Residential items only please.

© 2015 CITGO Petroleum Corporation

For details, call the City of Sulphur at (337) 527-4500.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

March 2015

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33

Money & Career All you need to know to stay in the know!

Dylan D’Antoni

Madelyn Reed

First Federal Insurance Services, LLC Honored

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Named Consumer Choice For Sixth Consecutive Year

First Federal Insurance Services, LLC, a subsidiary of First Federal Bank of Louisiana, was honored at a luncheon hosted by Community Financial Insurance Center, LLC. Of the forty-three Member Banks of Community Financial, First Federal Insurance Services, LLC, was one of only eleven Member Bank agencies to qualify for the 2014 production bonus. The production bonus program at Community Financial rewards its members for contributing to targeted areas of most importance to the agency. First Federal Insurance Services, LLC, met these targeted areas, while also placing in the top tier among all CF Member Bank agencies in the area of new business production.

For the sixth consecutive year, CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital has been named the region’s Most Preferred Hospital for overall quality and image by the National Research Corporation (NRC), in its Healthcare Market Guide Ticker® study. In addition, CHRISTUS St. Patrick was recognized as having the best doctors and the best nurses.

DownTown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival Art Contest

Riley Townsley

Memorial Hospital Honors Prien Lake Elementary Artists Lake Charles Memorial Hospital honored students who participated in the Young at Art Program in November. The program, which spotlights artwork from a different local elementary school each month, was designed to make a positive impact on hospital patients, employees, and the young artists themselves. November’s display featured artwork by students from Prien Lake Elementary. A panel of Memorial volunteers recognized second grader Dylan D’Antoni, third grader Madelyn Reed and fourth grader Riley Townsley with a gift card.

The Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival, along with Cultural Partner Associated Louisiana Artists Gallery by the Lake, are looking for a few good artists to help celebrate this grand occasion by entering original art work to be possibly chosen as the official 2015 Festival Poster. All entries must be original and conceived by the artist. Entries will be accepted March 3rd to March 6th between 12 and 5pm at the Gallery by the Lake, 106 West Pryce Street, Lake Charles. For more information and an applications, visit www.downtowncrawfest.com or the Gallery by the Lake at 106 West Pryce Street.

WCCH Foundation Board Honors Fontenot’s Service

Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Events App Now Available The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has developed a free app for IOS and Android smartphones that allows you to easily access the calendar of events so you’ll know what is happening in Southwest Louisiana no matter where you are. To download the free app, search “Lake Charles Events” in your app store. For more information on the Lake Charles Events app, please contact the CVB at (337) 436-9588 or visit www. visitlakecharles.org/eventsapp.

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Ira Fontenot, left, with Terry Backhaus, right

Members of the West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) Foundation Board presented Ira Fontenot, immediate past president of the WCCH Foundation Board, with a plaque honoring him for his service as president. Prior to serving in that capacity from 2012-2014, he served as president from October 2001-February 2003. Succeeding Fontenot as president is Terry Backhaus, who has served on the Foundation Board since 2007.

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CHRISTUS Health Louisiana to Manage Savoy Medical Center CHRISTUS Health Louisiana in conjunction with Savoy Medical Center announced today the execution of a collaborative management agreement for the hospital in Mamou, LA. Through the agreement, CHRISTUS Health Louisiana will assume oversight for the management of the hospital and approximately 100 Savoy Medical Center employees.

Clerk of Court Office to offer Birth/Death Certificate Services Locally Birth and death certificates are now available at the West Calcasieu Annex Clerk of Court office.

The announcement was made today by Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court Lynn Jones.The Sulphur Annex is located at 500A North Huntington Street in Sulphur La, familiar to many as Old City Hall. For more information about what you will need to obtain a birth or death certificate, you can go to the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court website at www.calclerkofcourt. com or call the Sulphur Annex at (337) 313-1140.

Police Juror Elected to Statewide Offices Tony Guillory, Calcasieu Parish Police Juror for District 4, will serve as an at large member of the Executive Board of the Police Jury Association of Louisiana as well as Vice President of the Black Caucus of the Louisiana Police Jury Association. The Black Caucus Louisiana Police Jury Association’s goals are to provide members with innovative information and tools that can be applied in the real world to better serve their constituencies.

Golden Nugget Lake Charles Announces Senior VP and GM Landry’s, Inc. has announced Gerry Del Prete as its senior vice president and general manager of Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino Lake Charles.

In this position, he will oversee the day-to-day operations and manage all aspects of the hotel, casino and guest experience. Del Prete, a tenured employee with over 20 years of experience in management, has relocated to Lake Charles from March 2015

Houston, home of the company’s headquarters, where he most recently held the position of vice president of gaming for nine years. During this time, he supervised the gaming jurisdictions for all Golden Nugget properties in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Biloxi and Laughlin.

Lee Bruney, Star Concrete Pumpers; Tommy Coyne, Port Aggregates; Wayne Fender, Fender Homes; Danny Lanza, Joseph’s Electric; Buddy Pesson, Pesson Plumbing; Kevin Richard, Mike Baker Brick; Ken Robbins, Robbins Contracting; and Mark Schram, Builders Sav-Mor.

HBA of SWLA Announces 2015 Officers and Board of Directors

WCCH Earns Continued ACR Accreditation In Mammography

The Home Builders Association of Southwest Louisiana has announced newly elected 2015 Board of Directors. The following board members have been appointed to serve as officers for 2015 are President: Chad Deshotel of Manuel Builders; Vice President: Chad Sarver of Legends Development; Secretary-Treasurer: Randy Tupper of Tupper Homes; Associate Vice-President: Ann Barilleaux of CenterPoint Energy; and Past President: Harvey Bessette of Bessette Development.

The 2015 directors are as follows: Jody Guidry, JG Development & Construction; Don Veronie of Heritage Builders, Curtis Williams, QuienCade Builders; Mike Bertrand, Louisiana Mortgage; Brittany Chandler, Entergy; Ricky Hanks, First Federal Insurance Services; Buddy Kohnke, Coburn’s Supply; and Ben Stine, McElveen Insurance. Alternate directors are Andy Dressler, The Firm of Louisiana Property & Casualty; and Mona Hastings, JD Bank. Ex-officio directors are

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital was awarded continued accreditation in mammography as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR).The Radiology Department’s Medical Director, Bruce Bordlee, MD, radiologist with Access Radiology, was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of services being provided.

Project Fit Moves to New Location Project Fit has moved to 3814 Ryan Street in Lake Charles.

Project Fit was founded in 2006 by Allie Ieyoub Davis. “We are very excited about our new location.

This location is a larger facility that will allow us to expand our membership, personal training and fitness class offerings. Ryan Street is a more centralized location for our current clients and hopefully will bring new clients. We strive to create an un-intimidating atmosphere where individuals

feel like a family member rather than a number,” she says.

Project Fit is a complete personal training studio that offers private and semi-private personal training, small group training, group classes, boot camps and memberships.

The GET FIT group classes range from total body, low-impact/low-intensity, military-style, cycling, and Yoga and Pilates. GET FIT group classes go throughout the day beginning at 5:15am on the weekdays and in the morning on Saturdays starting at 8:00am. Davis adds, “We have something to offer everyone at any fitness level. Our group classes are led by our top-quality Personal Trainers who have the experience and knowledge of designing workout routines suitable for all fitness levels.

These classes offer an affordable way to merge group fitness with personal training in a lively and motivating atmosphere.”

For more information about Project Fit call, 337274-7988, or visit www.projectfit.net.

We Have the Keys to

Real Estate Success

Bessette Realty, Inc. century21-bessette.com

Whether you are buying or selling property, there are questions around every corner. CENTURY 21 Bessette Realty, Inc., and our staff of experienced agents have the answers. We’ve won numerous awards for superior service, sales excellence and community involvement.

That’s what we’ve built our reputation on for over 20 years.

3025 Lake Street, Lake Charles | 474-2185 March 2015

Each office independently owned and operated.

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35

Home & Family

THE ARTFUL APOLOGY

by Jen Breen

Apologies—we all want a good one when we’ve been wronged, but making them authentic and meaningful is another story.

We’ve all been in situations that require an apology; it’s so common that you may be in one right now. However, crafting and presenting a sincere apology can be a challenge, especially if you tend to swing on the stubborn side as a member of the anti-I’m sorry team or have the bad habit of overdoing it or over-apologizing.

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, the best formula for making a genuine and impactful apology is to make it as less of an unpleasant experience possible for all parties involved.

Meaning: don’t grovel, demean yourself, give mixed messages or repeatedly apologize. In fact, the researchers advise performing some exercises in self-affirmation before taking on an apology.

Building yourself up isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind when you’re in the doghouse, but when you take actions to maintain a positive self-image by seeing yourself as a person of integrity and morality, then it becomes clearer and easier to admit how you’ve mistreated someone 36 www.thriveswla.com

else. This is the part that usually threatens our selfimage, which is why it makes it so hard to apologize in the first place. However, if we are truly able to admit the wrongdoing to ourselves first and know that we are still a good person, then we will be able to make a sincere apology, without being defensive or playing the blame game. It also allows time to reflect on the importance of the role that the person plays in your life, whether they’re a family member, partner, co-worker or friend.

When apologizing, it’s easy to fall into old habits, especially if the responsibility for the origin of the difficult situation is shared by both parties, which is often the case. For example, when you say “I’m sorry, but…” It’s serves more as an opening to a case of the blame game and can potentially cause another argument. The same can be said for excuses. Also, if you over apologize, the flavor of the apology gets lost in the shuffle—just like over-seasoning.

Here is a list of do’s and don’ts from the Journal of Experimental Psychology and Psychology Today that will help you avoid an apology disaster.

Don’t: • Do not try to justify your behavior. This removes the focus from the apology and the other person’s feeling to your needs.

• Never say: “I’m sorry, but…” This immediately Thrive Magazine for Better Living

cancels out the apology • Don’t try to shift the blame to the victim • Avoid excuses • Do not make light of the situation, such by saying it was a joke. This makes it appear that you are blowing off or delegitimizing the victim’s feelings.

Do: • Use the words: “I’m sorry.”

• Take responsibility by acknowledging your actions.

• Replay the situation without blaming the other person and in a way that shows that you recognize what you did wrong.

• Explain how you will fix the situation.

• Promise and follow through with making an honest attempt to “be better next time.”

It’s easy to get tangled up in an apology, especially in situations with potentially emotional or professional consequences, but if you take these steps and stay clear headed your apology will come across in a meaningful way. However, apologies sometimes come down to timing. If the victim isn’t ready for your apology, then respect this need. The key to an artful apology is in respecting both the victim and yourself.

March 2015

LAKE CHARLES DERIDDER 474-7377 463-4574 1717 Prien Lake Rd. 514 N. Pine St.

jjext.com March 2015

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37

Birds of a Feather

Home & Family

Southwest Louisiana is home to more than 400 different species of birds and is considered one of the top 10 destinations for birding/birdwatching in North America. All year long it’s a treat to watch a seemingly endless array of raptors, waterfowl, wading birds and shorebirds, all residing a lush, natural environment.

Located along the Central and Mississippi Flyways, residents and visitors alike are treated to a great migratory show twice a year. Each fall, as northern birds make their journey south for the winter, Southwest Louisiana becomes a rest point before crossing the Gulf of Mexico. In the spring, as the birds head back north, they stop over once again before continuing on their journey. With spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to venture outside or down the Creole Nature Trail AllAmerican Road to take in the beautiful flocks of birds.

Keep your eyes open for birds like the ones featured in this special photo spread. Next, plan your own birding adventure this spring. It’s a great way to get out and enjoy the great outdoors with family and friends.

The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau, along with the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, have many free resources for those wishing to learn more about the bird species found in Southwest Louisiana. Check them out at www.visitlakecharles.org and www.creolenaturetrail.com.

CEDAR WAXWING A treat to find in your binocular viewfield, the Cedar Waxwing is a silky, shiny collection of brown, gray, and lemon-yellow, accented with a subdued crest, rakish black mask, and brilliant-red wax droplets on the wing feathers. In fall these birds gather by the hundreds to eat berries, filling the air with their high, thin, whistles. In summer you’re as likely to find them flitting about over rivers in pursuit of flying insects, where they show off dazzling aeronautics for a forest bird.

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Mississippi Kite A graceful, long-winged raptor, the Mississippi Kite is found in scattered localities across the southern and central United States.

March 2015

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH This handsome little finch, the state bird of New Jersey, Iowa, and Washington, is welcome and common at feeders, where it takes primarily sunflower and nyjer. Goldfinches often flock with Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls. Spring males are brilliant yellow and shiny black with a bit of white. Females and all winter birds are more dull but identifiable by their conical bill; pointed, notched tail; wingbars; and lack of streaking. During molts they look bizarrely patchy.

Painted or Indigo Bunting Consider yourself fortunate if you get to gaze at either of these beautiful birds. The Painted variety is a fusion of blue, green, yellow, and red, male Painted Buntings seem to have flown straight out of a child’s coloring book. The all-blue male Indigo Bunting sings with cheerful gusto and looks like a scrap of sky with wings.

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK Bursting with black, white, and rose-red, male rose-breasted Grosbeaks are like an exclamation mark at your bird feeder or in your binoculars.

Females and immatures are streaked brown and white with a bold face pattern and enormous bill. Look for these birds in forest edges and woodlands. Listen, too, for their distinctive voices.

They sound like American Robins, but listen for an extra sweetness, as if the bird had operatic training; they also make a sharp chink like the squeak of a sneaker.

MAR13 MAR20 MAR27 GAL HOLIDAY FEUFOLLET & THE HONKY TONK REVUE

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[HONKY TONK]

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YOUNG BAND NATION

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6pm - 10pm Arcade Amphitheater Sponsored by:

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March 2015

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39

Home & Family

The Best Feeders to Bring the Birds For many, birds are a welcome addition to a garden landscape or backyard. At times, they seem to be everywhere—in the trees around your house, fluttering on the sill outside your window—but what if you want to encourage them to make a more permanent perch?

According to the LSU Ag Center, putting out bird feeders is a popular way of attracting birds into any landscape. But it’s not as simple as sitting a box on a stick outside and waiting for the migration to arrive.

You have to be strategic and focused.

Here are some tips: Many people want to attract hummingbirds. To do this, choose a red bird feeder. Hummingbirds have a powerful draw to the color red, the Ag Center notes, so most hummingbird feeders will include bright-red parts. This color is most easily seen to fast-moving, darting hummingbirds, and the sugary syrup typically coupled with these feeders gives them the nectar they need.

According to the Ag Center, “a good, simple formula” of nectar for your hummingbird feeder can be made at home.

Dissolve one part cane sugar in four parts boiling water. Allow the sugar syrup to cool before adding it to the feeders. “Several commercial nectars or mixes are marketed, but none provides better nourishment than a simple homemade sugar syrup,” the Ag Center said.

When you’re setting up your bird feeders, keep predators in mind. Stray or domestic cats, for example. All bird feeders should be high enough that they won’t fall victim to hungry or curious cats.

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Place feeders within view of flowers that typically attract birds. This is especially true for hummingbirds.

What kind of seeds do you need? Well, that depends.

What are your bird-feeding goals? How much money do you have to spend? If you go cheap, you take a risk. According to the Ag Center, many of the inexpensive commercial mixes are unattractive to most birds. Instead, you need to find out which seeds they prefer most. That could depend on the kinds of birds you want. The Ag Center suggests thistle seeds, hulled sunflower seeds and finely cracked corn, all of which are good at attracting specific species. “Overall, small, black oil-type sunflower seeds and white proso millet give the most for your bird-feeding dollar,” the Ag Center says.

Roofing Of All Types Since 1956 LA LIC #24001

2 Locations to Serve You LAKE CHARLES 921 Manual Road 337.477.6765

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SULPHUR/CARLYSS 109 HWY 108 337.558.7491 March 2015

1 million-plus number of birds who could reach Louisiana’s coast in April

Birds 88%

number of bird-watchers aged 55 or older

125-150

number of species observed during the Great Louisiana BirdFest

37.3%

43.3% most interested in neo-tropical migrants

40%

number of bird-watchers aged 55 or older

number of bird-watchers with a college degree

38.8%

most interested in rare or endangered birds

46.9%

number of Louisiana bird-watchers who are most interested in song-birds

54%

number of bird-watchers in the US who are female

Sources: Great Louisiana BirdFest and Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries March 2015

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41

Home & Family

Make the Most of a Small Yard

You may not have acres of garden outside your back door, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have an oasis.

Small yards can be just as comforting and appealing, if you know a few tricks.

Here’s a few quick tips from Better Homes and Gardens:

Add a change in elevation. You can create the appearance of space by adding steps or small platforms.

This creates a visual separation.

t

t

Use small furniture. Obviously you can’t fit large furniture, so this seems obvious. But don’t just select furniture that fits. Consider the build and body of your selections. Pick narrow benches or tables with thin frames. You don’t just want it to fit physically; you want it to fit aesthetically, too. t

t Keep it simple. This goes for plants and color.

Choose low-maintenance plants for your little nest, and stick to a simple color palette. If you have too many colors shoved into one space, it looks chaotic and messy. Instead, choose a few of your favorite colors and decorate based on those.

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March 2015

Use lights.

Small, cozy spaces are the perfect place to create some ambiance— and lights are an ideal way to do that. Consider what kind of atmosphere you’d like to have and decide if you want task lighting or ambient lighting that casts the mood of rest and relaxation.

March 2015

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43

Style & Beauty

Find Your Signature

S tyle

by Christine Fisher Photos by Shonda Manuel

Spring fashions are debuting. Designers’ ideas come to life on the runway models, showing us what’s hot, what’s not, and which trend we should follow next.

Instead of jumping on the latest fashion bandwagon, what if we chose to follow our own style? What if we cultivated our own signature look?

Style icons like Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and Princess Kate Middleton personify the power of a signature style. Audrey Hepburn brings to mind ankle pants, ballet flats, and the iconic little black dress from her role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis epitomized grace in tailored suits, pillbox hats and silk scarves. Kate Middleton chooses ladylike, elegant pieces along with a fun, casual style; even though she’s a princess, she’s a young wife and mother and her style reflects it.

Figuring out what works for you can help you streamline your closet, give you outfits you love to wear, and help you put the best “you” forward. You probably have a handful of go-to pieces in your closet that you repeatedly reach for; these are your signature pieces. Building on those colors, the fit you like, or patterns that give you confidence will create a wardrobe that you love, instead of random pieces that don’t go together or that don’t compliment you.

You’ve probably seen ladies who have figured out their signature style. They capture attention at a restaurant, on vacation, or anywhere. They pull themselves together in a way that seems effortless.

Wouldn’t you love to pull them aside and ask them how they do it? What are their secrets? What do they know that helped them pull it all together?

That’s what we’ve done with a few Southwest Louisiana ladies. While there were plenty we could talk to, we spoke with three local ladies on how they create their signature style.

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March 2015

Kayla Rigney Known for her cowboy boots and poncho’s, Kayla Rigney’s style is a touch of bohemian mixed with vintage, and wrapped up with a fun twist of something unexpected. As the executive director of the Calcasieu Community Clinic, Kayla needs to be comfortable and professional but she likes infusing her style into what she chooses to wear.

“I don’t box myself in to a certain look,” Kayla said. “A lot of it is trial and error. If you feel dowdy wearing something, keep trying. You’ll know when you hit your own look; you’ll feel like standing up straight and you’ll look forward to seeing people. You’ll feel comfortable and happy in what you’re wearing.”

Kayla was drawn to cowboy boots for the comfort, and realized they went with her maxi skirts and jeans, and added a little flair. She finds a lot of clothes on eBay that suit her love for nostalgic things. “I used to just wear clothes without thinking much about them and then I realized it doesn’t have to be boring. You can have fun with it,” she said. “I’m 52; I’ve found that being fiftysomething is liberating. I don’t worry as much about what people will think or say. I’m just myself.

My style isn’t for everyone, but I have fun with fashion.”

She makes a lot of her own jewelry, getting ideas on Pinterest. “I like having outfits and accessories that I don’t see on everyone else,” she said. “You can add a lot of personality with accessories, and totally transform something by adding something unique.”

“When people see me, I want to make them happy,” said Kayla. “If I can leave someone with a smile, then my job is done.”

Say

Bye Bye To Dry

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

We offer: • Cosmetic Injections • Chemical Peels • Microdermabrasion • Targeted Skin Care Treatments

• Dermapen Treatment • PCA Home Care Products • Jane Iredale Mineral Make-up • Facial Cosmetic Surgery

Don’t hibernate, luxuriate!

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

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

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March 2015

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45

Style & Beauty

Nomica Guillory

HER STYLE: Bohemian, vintage, eclectic STYLE ICONS: Twiggy, Audrey Hepburn, Jane Birkin STYLE ADVICE: “Have fun and enjoy what you wear.”

Style is about painting a portrait of who you are and conveying that to others, according to Nomica Guillory, director of Unitech Training Academy. “For me, there is nothing better than being a woman with options to be bold, feminine, or direct; I love the way clothes can give you those options. How you dress delivers a message without a single word,” she said.

Nomica, 39, was a fashion model for eight years in Houston. During that time, she developed her core sense of style and today, translates it into everyday ensembles. “I couldn’t afford those beautiful couture designer pieces, but I’ve learned to recognize when a particular piece jumps out at me. My mother always told me, ‘If it doesn’t jump off the rack, leave it behind.’ If I love it at the store, I’ll get it. My approach to shopping is quite simple: frugal first, fashionable and always fun.”

Instead of always pairing certain pieces together, she mixes items in her closet to create new looks. “If I don’t wear something within a year, I’ll donate it. I don’t believe in buying just to buy. I don’t shop often, however, I do take advantage of the opportunity when I have it. If I find I’m missing a piece to create a nice outfit, I’ll seek that piece until I find it,” she said.

HER STYLE: Soft and conservative STYLE ICONS: Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey STYLE ADVICE: “Be authentic and convey that through your appearance.”

Nomica feels that women can get a sense of their own style by listening to their intuition.

“Slow down and get a sense for if you really love something before you buy it. Let your intuition guide you. Instead of impersonating a star, be your own star,” she said. “Imitating styles is okay but it’s even better when you can come up with your own.”

For her personal style, Nomica enjoys wearing dresses often, since they embody femininity. She prefers to shop locally with jaunts to Houston occasionally. “I rarely shop online. I like to try something on and see how it fits before buying it,” she said.

HER STYLE: Classic and bold STYLE ICONS: Scarlett O’Hara, Jackie Kennedy Onassis STYLE ADVICE: “Dress for yourself, not to please someone else.”

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In 2006, she had the opportunity to compete in the Mrs. Louisiana pageant. It was the first pageant she’d ever been in, and although she didn’t seek out the opportunity, she embraced the challenge. As she was trying to find the dress to wear, she decided to wear one of her own.

“It probably cost much less than many of the other contestants, but I felt confident in it,” she explained. She ended up winning Mrs. Louisiana and went on to place third runner-up in Mrs. America later that year. She came away from that experience with more confirmation that being confident is key. “When you walk out of the door, you should always feel great. Continue experimenting with colors, styles and patterns until you find what you love. Be conscious of your presentation at all times.”

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March 2015

Stephanie Ryder With her classic, bold and dramatic flair, Stephanie Ryder enjoys expressing her mood through her outfits. A salesperson with KPLC, Stephanie likes timeless things.

She shops at boutiques to find unique pieces, never online. “I have to feel it, I have to try it on. Boutiques have pieces that I won’t see 20 other people wearing,” she explained.

Stephanie has learned to dress for herself, not others. “Years ago, I had a presentation to give and I bought an outfit with that in mind,” she said. “The meeting went well but I felt uncomfortable the whole time. My outfit wasn’t me. I learned a lesson that day, and that’s to dress for me. I feel best and most comfortable that way.”

Like many others, she’s had challenges throughout life. She faced a cancer diagnosis several years ago and is now cancer-free. “At 58, I try to have grace and style everyday, because everyday matters,” Stephanie said.

Earlier in her career, she bought one or two quality pieces each season, and over time, built a classic wardrobe.

Later on, she added fun, trendy pieces and today, she merges it all together. “I’ve had a raincoat for almost 20 years and I’ve worn it to the opera in New York and I’ve thrown it over blue jeans,” she said.

One of Stephanie’s unique fashion twists is to buy elegant pajamas and wear them to cocktail events, or for travel.

She might wear her Oriental silk pajama set, or a leopard print set. When she’s finished accessorizing, you wouldn’t know she’s wearing pajamas; it looks like an elegant cocktail outfit. “Other people probably wonder why I’m wearing pajamas, but I don’t care. I’ve given myself permission to be me. I decided to stop waiting for someone to tell me it’s okay,” Stephanie said. “Dressing well is an expression of who I am and I want it to be right every day.”

Visit the blog on thriveswla.com to learn more about developing your signature style.

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March 2015

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47

Style & Beauty

Prepare your Skin for

Spring

by Kristy Armand

You’re probably more than ready to pack up your sweaters, boots and jackets and pull out your shorts, sandals and swimwear. But keep in mind that just as you adjust your wardrobe from winter to spring, skin habits also have to be altered to help you face the new season with healthy, beautiful skin.

“Winter is hard on your skin and the transition to spring is a great time to not only do damage control, but to put some good

habits in place before summer, another season that takes a toll on the skin,” says aesthetic consultant Tana Garcia with the Aesthetic Center in The Eye Clinic.

She says winter’s lower humidity, in conjunction with heated indoor air and less fresh air can leave your skin looking dull, dry, rough, and even wrinkled and older.

“Circulation and perspiration decrease for most people in the winter, which keeps

the skin’s natural process of shedding its outer layer from turning over as quickly as it does in warm weather. This results in a loss of suppleness, making the skin drier and rougher.”

Fortunately, Garcia says there are several easy ways to get repair winter’s damage to your skin. She offers the following recommendations to head into warmer weather with your best face forward:

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March 2015

SPRING CLEAN. Look at the products you use on a regular basis and get rid of any if they not been replaced since before the winter season began. The shelf life on skin care products and make-up is not infinite, and you will achieve better results with fresh products.

LIGHTEN UP. Switch to a lighter moisturizer on your face. You’ll be perspiring more as the temperature rises and heavy moisturizers tend to clog your pores.

PROTECT. The sun activates the skin’s aging process, and overexposure to the sun can bring chronic damage, which in turn may lead to skin cancer. Avoiding the sun and using a good sunscreen daily with SPF 30 or higher can prevent problems before they occur. Look for moisturizes and foundations that have built-in SPF protection.

HYDRATE. Drink six to eight glasses of water every day to hydrate your skin from the inside out.

CLEANSE. Acne conditions may worsen due to increased sweating from warmer temperatures.

When coming inside from working or playing, clean off the dirt and sweat with a mild cleanser.

TREAT. With the new season comes an increase in allergic reaction to seasonal allergens.

Allergies can affect your skin as well as your respiratory system. If this is true for you, work with your doctor to keep your allergies under control, and after spending time outside, take a shower when possible to wash away the allergens that

March 2015

might irritate your skin.

SAFELY TAN. Avoid tanning salons that strip your skin of essential moisture and damage it with harmful rays. Instead, use a self-tanner. There are many safe gels and bronzers on the market that give a healthy glow without damaging skin.

Garcia says facial treatments such as chemical peels or DermaSweep microdermabrasion are great ways to freshen up your skin for spring.

Specific skin care products that firm, brighten and moisturize are also recommended as remedies for seasonal skin problems. “Spring is a beautiful

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season, and you deserve to feel beautiful too.”

For more information about spring skin care, call the Aesthetic Center at (337) 310-1070 or visit www.facehealth.net.

www.thriveswla.com

49

Mind & Body

Cold or Flu?

Last month of flu season

The cold and flu often occur around the same time of year and both have similar, unpleasant symptoms. While it can be hard to differentiate between the two, it’s important to distinguish the cause of your symptoms to determine the best course of treatment.

Flu season typically ends in March, so even though the peak season has passed, you’re not out of the woods yet.

THE COMMON COLD

The most common symptoms of a cold are within the respiratory system and include a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, cough, or chest discomfort.

Treatment for these symptoms is available through over-the-counter medication designed to target the various symptoms. For example:

• Antihistamines can help control a running nose, sneezing and

watery eyes.

• Decongestants relieve nasal and sinus congestion.

• Acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines

reduce pain, fever and inflammation.

• Expectorants loosen mucus from the

respiratory tract, alleviating chest

congestion and discomfort.

The best way to treat a cold is to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, use over-thecounter medication and monitor for symptoms that last longer than five to seven days. If symptoms persist, your cold may have developed into an advanced respiratory illness in the form of an ear infection, 50 www.thriveswla.com

sinus infection or bronchitis. If this occurs, you should seek treatment from your doctor.

“Distinguishing between a cold and the flu can be difficult because many of the symptoms overlap,” said Kyle James, M.D., an Emergency Medicine physician at Lake Area Medical Center. “A fever is one of the most common differentiators, although not everyone with flu will have a fever. Getting to your doctor for testing within a few days of experiencing symptoms can help, as there are medications that can minimize the symptoms of flu when action is taken quickly.”

THE FLU

While both a cold and the flu generally attack the respiratory system producing many or all of the same symptoms, flu can affect the entire body.

Additional symptoms associated with flu include a fever between 100 F and 104 F, headache, body aches, fatigue, exhaustion and nausea.

To confirm a diagnosis of flu, your doctor will swab your nose or throat to test for the virus. Test results are usually available within 30 minutes. For the most accurate results, the test should be performed within four to five days of onset of symptoms. The tests are fairly accurate, and can give a positive diagnosis about 50-70 percent of the time. If the test indicates you don’t have the flu, it’s even more accurate, at a 90-95 percent rate.

With a mild case, flu can be treated with rest, fluids and over-the-counter medication targeting the symptoms. If your case of flu is more severe, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications. Anti-nausea medications help with stomach discomfort and vomiting while acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines reduce pain, fever and inflammation.

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March 2015

Antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu® or Relenza, shorten the duration of the flu and lessen the serious complications; however, antiviral medications work best when begun within 48 hours of getting sick. These medications are particularly important for children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses who are particularly vulnerable to catching and experiencing complications from the flu.

As with a cold, if symptoms persist longer than three to five days, or become increasingly severe, see your doctor. The flu can develop into bronchitis or pneumonia, particularly in patients who are older or have compromised immune systems, and may require more intense medical treatment or even hospitalization.

“Flu can be particularly dangerous for infants, pregnant women, older persons or anyone with chronic medical conditions, so they need to be evaluated quickly to be considered for antiviral medication,” said Dr. James. “Preventive measures such as getting a flu shot for everyone in the household, washing your hands and staying home when you are ill will help to reduce the spread of flu.”

The best way to avoid contracting the flu is to get an annual flu shot. Unfortunately, there is no immunization against the cold, but washing your hands frequently, not touching your face with your hands, and avoiding contact with people who have a cold can be a strong defense.

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March 2015

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51

Mind & Body

Reprogram your brain and restock your pantry.

We all know that eating junk food gives us extra pounds and higher cholesterol numbers—among other things—but research shows that too much junk also tricks our brains. It makes us want more bad and crave less good.

Obesity and overweight rates have doubled since 1980, according to the World Health Organization, and high-calorie, high-fat foods with excess sugar and salt are considered one of the movement’s biggest culprits. Meanwhile, research from the University of New South Wales Australia found that junk food and illicit drugs have something in common: they both trigger reward mechanisms in the brain. A steady diet of junk also creates an aversion to other types of food, so your body not only wants more junk, but wants less of everything else.

“I hear people say that they love junk food because healthy food ‘doesn’t taste good,’” says registered dietitian Jacqueline B. Richard, MS, RD, LDN, Assistant Director of Patient Services at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital. “In many cases, that’s because the person’s diet is focused on fatty, sugary foods, and that’s what the body responds to. On the other side of the coin, I hear people with healthy diets say that junk food doesn’t taste good, because it’s greasy or too salty, and so on,” she adds. “Sometimes it’s less about the actual taste of the food and more about what you’ve been feeding your body. If you start feeding your body good, healthy meals, that’s what your body will crave. It just takes time to rewire the brain.”

Richard offers these tips for reducing your junk food

consumption:

Know how much junk you eat. You may eat more junk food than you realize. Keep a food journal to track your habits. That way you know what to change, if anything.

Start now. According to Richard, it takes about six weeks of good nutrition to thwart your dependency on junk. Get rid of processed foods and focus on grains, vegetables, lean meat and fruits. “Perhaps most importantly, avoid the drive-through and ditch the soda,” Richard says.

Start small. Okay, let’s be honest: You’re not going to change your entire diet overnight. It took years of junk-food binging to develop your desire to reach for the chips or ice cream.

Start in moderation. Eliminate one thing at a time. Try giving up soda first, or have a goal to avoid fast food. “You have to start somewhere. The important thing is to start,” Richard says.

Know your options. One reason why fast food is so popular is because it’s fast and cheap. You may think you don’t have time to eat healthy, but not so fast. “There are very quick recipes for healthy eating that can be found in any cookbook or online.

There are also healthy snacks you can buy to stock your pantry,” Richard says. “Find recipes with few ingredients that can be made in a quick amount of time, and replace your fatty snacks with healthy ones.”

For more information about healthy eating, visit www.christusstpatrick.org.

NOW OPEN IN JENNINGS! For your convenience, our Patient Blood Draw Station is open to the public! Located inside Dr. Brian Wilder’s office, this Draw Station will allow you to have your Imperial Health lab work done closer to home.

Laboratory

52 www.thriveswla.com

1322 Elton Road, Suite H • Jennings, LA 70546

Mon – Thur: 8am – Noon • 1pm – 4pm

imperialhealth.com • (337) 246-7200

Fri: 8am – Noon • 1pm – 3pm

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March 2015

ENT Associates of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) proudly announces the addition of Keith DeSonier, MD, FACS, otolaryngologist, as medical director of ENT Associates of WCCH. Under Dr. DeSonier’s direction, the clinic will offer treatment options for common and complex conditions of the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck. A graduate of Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Dr. DeSonier is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology/ Head and Neck Surgery and is retired from the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He brings over 30 years of experience in Otolaryngology.

To schedule an appointment, please call (337) 439-2040.

Keith DeSonier, MD, FACS 1327 Stelly Lane, Suite 3 , Sulphur

wcch.com

March 2015

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53

Mind & Body

Breakthrough in Total Knee Replacement Allows Patients to Keep ACL Dr. Geoffrey Collins First in Southwest Louisiana to Use Biomet’s ACL-Preserving Design Two Lake Charles patients are walking around with new knees that are stabilized with their own anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs). This may not sound like big news, but ask anyone who has had a knee replacement and they’ll tell you that natural movement and function are among their top concerns. The new Vanguard XP total knee system from Biomet offers real improvement in both of these areas, according to Dr. Geoffrey Collins, the orthopaedic surgeon who performed surgery on these patients.

“The anterior cruciate Ligament, most commonly known as the ACL, is crucial to knee movement and stability,” explains Dr. Collins, who is with Center for Orthopaedics, an affiliate of Imperial Health. “Most people recognize the term ‘ACL’ from discussions about sports injuries. When professional athletes damage their ACL, they get it repaired to restore their knee’s stability so they can get back in the game. I have spent my entire career perfecting ACL reconstruction. However, most knee replacements, typically the procedure of last resort for patients with knee pain resulting from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or traumatic arthritis, require the

removal of the ACL, even when it’s still healthy. These knee implants rely on their design for knee stability and have provided excellent results for many patients. But the new Vanguard XP knee gives us a new option that offers improved results for some patients.”

Because the ACL is removed during a traditional total knee replacement, some patients feel their implant doesn’t feel or move like a normal knee. They also feel a mechanical “clunk” with motion. The Vanguard XP knee replacement is designed for the satisfaction of a partial knee replacement with the durability of a total knee replacement. “The design of this new system actually allows for the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and the ACL to be preserved while incorporating geometry to accommodate and to create a more anatomic and natural feeling knee replacement,” says Dr. Collins.

“Retaining the ACL is key because it maintains the softtissue envelope that controls movement or the natural feel of the knee.”

During the knee replacement procedure, Dr. Collins uses the latest computer-guided technology, which provides for a custom fit and better patient outcome.

“With this ligament-sparing XP knee procedure, most patients can return home in two – to - three days.”

As with any medical procedure, Dr. Collins says the Vanguard XP may not be appropriate for every patient. “One critical requirement would be having a healthy ACL. But if you are a candidate, it’s nice to know you now have a knee replacement that may allow you to keep your healthy ligaments and retain a more natural, stable knee movement after your surgery.”

For more information or details about knee pain and knee replacement surgery options, call Dr. Collins at Center for Orthopaedics at (337) 721-7236.

Advantages of Vanguard XP Knee Replacement

Prien Lake Mall

• Retains ACL and PCL • Utilizes patient’s own anatomy, making for a more natural-feeling knee after recovery • Smaller incision • Quicker recovery Learn more about the new knee replacement from Dr. Collins at a seminar on March 19. Register online at www.centerforortho.com or call (337)721-2903.

54 www.thriveswla.com

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March 2015

OFF THE LEASH! LLC Custom In-Home Dog Training

337-370-3677

offtheleashllc.com

OffTheLeashDogTraining@yahoo.com Margaret Hebert ABCDT Certified Dog Trainer

A Word about Training Your Puppy or Dog

Annual Free to Breathe Run/Walk Set for March 28 The seventh annual Free to Breathe 5K run/walk, hosted by the Southwest Louisiana Lung Cancer Group Partnership, will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Lake Charles Civic Center. The 5K run and one-mile walk will travel through Lake Charles’ historic garden district.

The event provides an opportunity for lung cancer advocates, survivors and the community to raise awareness and support in the movement to defeat lung cancer. All proceeds raised fund the Ben Mount Louisiana Hope Grant, which has funded seven lung cancer research projects since its inception. Ben Mount was a wellknown local attorney and community leader who founded Free to Breathe in Southwest Louisiana. He lost his battle to lung cancer in 2011.

Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of women and men in the U.S., taking more lives than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined, yet federal research funding for lung cancer lags behind many other common cancers and diseases. The National Cancer Institute recently reported that it spent only $1,638 per lung cancer death, compared to

March 2015

$13,519 per breast cancer death and $11,298 per prostate cancer death.

About 85 percent of the 224,000 people diagnosed with lung cancer each year in the U.S. will die within five years of their diagnose, and nearly 160,000 lives are lost annually.

Up to 15 percent of lung cancer patients are non-smokers. According to a study by the American Cancer Society, the incidence of lung cancer among lifelong non-smokers was about equal to that of brain and other nervous system cancers.

This year’s Free to Breathe event is being held in memory of the late Claire Howard Barker, daughter of McNeese State University nursing instructor Cindy Howard. Claire died at age 30 from lung cancer, just a few weeks after her diagnosis.

Corporate and group teams are now being formed. Online registration fee for the 5K run/walk is $25; and event day registration is $30.

1. A new way of thinking – What is the total opposite of giving someone a reward? It’s not punishing them. The answer is: Do not reward them. Yes, it is that simple.

2. The best way to train – The best way to train your puppy or dog is through the proper use of positive reinforcement. This means avoiding punishment. The goal of training is to “learn” a desired behavior.

3. What is positive reinforcement? – Positive reinforcement is anything that increases the likelihood that a behavior will be repeated. This means the dog has a positive association with the behavior being learned, which increases the occurrences of the desired behavior.

4. How does a dog “learn” – Dogs learn by establishing the relationship between a behavior and consequences. When there is a positive relationship between behavior and consequences, the more your dog performs the behavior, the more of the positive consequence the dog receives. If there is a negative relationship between the behavior and outcome, then the more of the behavior the dog does, the less of the positive consequence it receives. When we increase a behavior by giving something positive, this is known as positive reinforcement.

5. What are positive reinforces? – This will vary from dog to dog and can vary with the time of day. It also varies between individuals working with the dog. For some dogs, petting is a great reward; other dogs may like a play session, a fun toy, a walk, or a food reward. The key is to try various things with your dog to see which reward the dog likes best. In short, the dog chooses the reinforcer. Petting and affection can be an excellent reward when the dog is in the mood for these interactions, but can be a punishment or source of fear or anxiety if the dog is not in the mood, or if the affection is being given by a person from whom the dog does not want attention from.

6. Force Free Dog Trainers – If you are in need of a trainer for your puppy or dog, even rescued dogs (old dogs can and do learn new behaviors) please contact a force free trainer. The use of shock collars, e-collars, choke collars, spraying water in their face, etc., are all old school practices. Force free training has its foundation in science and evidence – based practice.

For more information or for sponsorship opportunities, visit www.freetobreathe.org or email Jean Kamla at jmkamla@gmail.com.

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55

Mind & Body

Multitasking

Muddles the Brain

by Erin Kelly

In today’s busy world, multitasking is viewed as an asset, not as a weakness. Job descriptions ask for multitaskers, and job seekers are quick to describe themselves as such. But the ability to juggle several tasks at once may not be the most valuable trait to have, according to recent studies. In fact, multitasking could be clogging up and slowing down your brain.

Researchers at the University of London ran cognitive tests on multitaskers and found that they experienced similar IQ declines as marijuana users or insomniacs. The University of Sussex ran MRI scans on people who spent time using multiple devices—such as those who texted or used their phones while also watching television—and found that high multitaskers had less brain density in regions of the brain responsible for empathy, cognition and emotional control.

“When you’re able to focus on a single task, you’re able to complete that one task successfully and effectively. When multitaskers focus on three tasks at once, they’re able to complete those tasks less successfully and less effectively. Unfortunately, their ability to complete those three tasks in the shortest amount of time is often seen as a desirable strength rather than something that could erode at their cognitive function,” said Julio R. Galan, President & CEO of Family & Youth Counseling Agency.

People who multitasked during meetings were also found to have less social self-awareness.

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“We’ve become so beholden to so many people, tasks and objects that at times we fail to comprehend the bigger picture. When someone starts responding to texts or emails during a meeting, it sends a very clear message to the people running the meeting. It says, ‘This isn’t the most important thing to me right now,’” Galan said. “In truth, most things can wait.”

According to a research article in Neuron, the human brain is designed to take on one task at a time.

When it’s forced to jump from one task to another, the brain becomes significantly less efficient. Although multitasking is seen as a cornerstone of productivity, it actually makes people less productive, the study noted.

Researchers found that multitaskers took up to 30 percent longer and made twice as many errors as those who were able to complete tasks in sequence, rather than simultaneously.

“Our brain does a great job at telling us how to complete one task. It’s not so great at telling us how to complete two tasks at once,” Galan said. “Multitasking can also lead to sensory or information overload, which only bogs things down even more and has negative effects on our overall ability to concentrate. The more you multitask, the more trouble you’ll have concentration.”

Harvard researchers also discovered that multitasking hinders creativity and innovation. Creative thinking decreases considerably when work days are broken up by too many meetings or activities, Harvard Business School found.

If you’re accustomed to having five plates spinning

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March 2015

at once, try a different approach. Next time you tackle your to-do list, focus on one thing at a time. Don’t allow yourself to get pulled away. Don’t check email until you’ve finished your task. Send calls to voicemail. Once the job is complete, cross it off the list and move onto the next item. Set aside blocks of time to focus on specific duties.

“You may think you’re getting a lot more done by finished six things at once, but you’ll be surprised how much you get done when you finish one thing after another,” Galan says.

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WE CAN FIND OUT, AND HELP YOU CHANGE YOUR DESTINY. Innovative cardiac CT technology enables us to accurately predict your risk of future cardiac events years before the first problem appears, and well before heart disease can be detected by conventional screening tests.

This gives you an early start on a preventive program and peace of mind if no heart disease is present.

Get a clear picture of your heart health. Call us to today to schedule a comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation with Dr. Michael Turner.

Error Percentages for Switching versus Not Switching Activities Studies: Multitasking Muddles the Brain MICHAEL TURNER, MD, FACC, FSCCT Board certified: cardiology and cardiac CT, Preventive Cardiology Specialist

(337) 436-3813 csswla.com • LAKE CHARLES • SULPHUR • DERIDDER • JENNINGS • KINDER • LAFAYETTE March 2015

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57

Mind & Body

Attention Ladies: Make Sleep a Priority

by Katie Harrington

T

hey say a mother’s work is never done and when you look at the never-ending to-do list awaiting most women as soon as they open their eyes each morning, it’s easy to see how this can be true. The demands of holding down a job, raising children and managing a family require women to be on top of their game all the time. Juggling so many tasks, you’d think women would drift peacefully off to sleep at the end of the day, but the reality is that of the 10 to 15 percent of adults suffering from insomnia, the majority of them are women.

“Occasional periods of high stress can bring on the occasional sleepless night, but fluctuating hormones are most likely to blame for more

frequent occurrences,” says Michelle Zimmerman, a nurse practitioner with the Sleep Disorder Center of Louisiana. “The fluctuation of sex hormones during a woman’s menstrual cycle cause some sort of sleep disturbance for about 70 percent of women each month.”

On average, a woman with a normal menstrual cycle will have trouble sleeping more than two nights per month. Zimmerman says that the hormonal impact on sleep depends mainly on what part of her cycle she is in.

“From about the middle of the cycle to the end, hormone and temperature levels increase, which can decrease the amount of restful sleep,” Zimmerman says. “Declining progesterone and

estrogen levels just prior to the start of the period can disrupt sleep as well. Cramps and bloating can also cause a loss of much-needed sleep.”

Women who suffer from severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a condition called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), may have difficulty falling asleep or may wake up early and unable to fall back asleep.

Zimmerman says another condition that can impact sleep for women is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). “Women with PCOS produce too much of the male sexual hormones which can lead to sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when snoring is accompanied by pauses or gasps in breathing.”

Sleep plays a critical role in the body’s healing

SAVE THE DATE

Take Steps to Fight Lung Cancer Saturday, March 28th Annual Free to Breathe 5K Run 1 Mile Walk For more information, visit freetobreathe.com • 58 www.thriveswla.com

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March 2015

process so it is important to not only get enough sleep every night, but also quality rest in order to wake up feeling recharged.

Zimmerman says there are some simple things that can be done at home to improve sleep quality, including the following:

• Regular exercise: A good workout at least three hours before bedtime can decrease a woman’s PMS symptoms while increasing the amount of deep sleep she is able to achieve.

• Light Therapy: Strategically using light can help manage the body’s internal

clock. Experts recommend avoiding bright light in the evening, getting exposure

to sunlight in the morning instead.

• Monitor Caffeine/Alcohol Intake: Limit caffeine, especially after lunch, and avoid drinking alcohol before bedtime. Contrary to popular belief, alcohol consumption is not a helpful sleep aid and can actually lead to waking up in the middle of the night.

• Bedtime Rituals: Go to bed and wake up at the same time daily to reset the body clock. Also, create a routine that helps wipe away the day’s stresses. A warm bath, listening to calming music or journaling can help clear the mind.

Zimmerman said that if trying some of these techniques doesn’t result in a good night’s sleep, then you should discuss your concerns with your family doctor or a board certified sleep specialist.

For more information or to schedule an appointment at the Sleep Disorder Center of Louisiana, call (337) 310-REST or visit www.sleepdisordercenterofla.com.

GAME CHANGER FOR BAD KNEES If knee pain has you out of step with an active lifestyle, there are new groundbreaking options that can restore pain-free movement.

Join Dr. Geoffrey Collins, orthopaedic specialist with Center for Orthopaedics, at a free seminar to learn about knee arthritis and the latest non-surgical and surgical treatment advances. Hear about the recently released XP Knee Replacement, the only total knee replacement system that allows you to keep your ACL.

Knee Pain Seminar

Thursday, March 19, 5:30pm

Center for Orthopaedics • 1747 Imperial Blvd., Lake Charles Seating is limited and pre-registration is requested. Refreshments will be served.

Call 721-2903 or register online at www.centerforortho.com March 2015

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Geoffrey Collins, MD

Orthopaedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist www.thriveswla.com

59

Mind & Body

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital Announces Podiatric Medicine and Surgical Residency Program in Partnership with Imperial Health The CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital Podiatric Medicine and Surgical Residency Program has been granted approval by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association, after passing its rigorous onsite visit at the end of last year. The first resident will enter the program in July, with an additional resident being added each year.

Medical students looking to expand into the field of podiatric surgery will have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and training from foot and ankle surgeons at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital and Center for Orthopaedics (CFO), an affiliate of Imperial Health.

The residency is a three-year, surgically oriented program that will focus on foot and ankle surgery and comprehensive podiatric medicine. One doctor will be accepted each year. After three years, there will continually be three residents in the program.

Doctors entering the program will have already earned their DPM, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. The residency program will give these doctors more intense training in CHRISTUS St. Patrick’s operating rooms as well as at Imperial Calcasieu Surgical Center and West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital.

These residents will also gain extensive direct patient-care experience in the areas of wound care, diabetic care, and podiatric research. Residents will receive podiatric and orthopedic experience,

including clinical and practice management in the hospital and office settings. Residents will also rotate in various specialties at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital including emergency medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics and radiology, receiving training from 14 participating doctors and specialties. In addition, these residents will complete rotations through LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, which will give them advanced surgical and enhanced research experience in their field.

Because the residency is partnered with Center for Orthopaedics, the region’s largest musculoskeletal group, the residents will not only have the opportunity to work closely with experienced orthopaedic surgeons and specialists, they will also work within the group’s Sports Medicine Program, which provides services to McNeese State University and 14 area high schools.

This adds a training aspect to the program that many podiatric residents don’t access to.

Donald Lloyd II, CEO of CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital, says CHRISTUS is proud to be launching the new residency program, particularly at a time when the population in our region is expanding rapidly. “It makes perfect sense to us to not only recruit new doctors, but to train them right here to meet the high standards of patient care we’ve

established for our hospital. Our medical staff is excited to be a part of the program and we are all looking forward to welcoming the residents to our medical community.”

“We didn’t want to offer a one-dimensional training program that just repeated what these doctors had already learned in medical school,” says Dr. Tyson Green, Residency Program Director.

“CHRISTUS wanted to go way beyond that. With the help and support of the participating doctors, including my partners here at CFO, we’ve created a program that will be second to none in the country.

Doctors training here will have incredible access to a diverse range of real practice settings, working with experienced physicians from a wide range of subspecialties. Our involvement with McNeese on the sports medicine front provides additional training opportunities that are not available with most podiatric medicine residency programs. We’ll be carefully screening applicants to ensure that we bring the most qualified doctors here to Southwest Louisiana.”

Interviews for 2015 placement have concluded and the match process is underway. Additional information about the program is available by contacting Dr. Green at the Center for Orthopaedics, (337) 721-7236.

“We didn’t want to offer a one-dimensional training program that just repeated what these doctors had already learned in medical school.”

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~Dr. Tyson Green

March 2015

Dr. Tyson Green, Residency Program Director Dr. Tyson Green with Center for Orthopaedics will serve as the Director of the Residency Program. He is a Team Physician for McNeese State University and also serves as the Medical Director of the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Wound Center. Dr. Green specializes in the treatment of foot and ankle injuries and conditions. He is originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, and joined Center for Orthopaedics in 2009. Dr. Green received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University, and earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He completed a three-year residency in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at Scott & White Memorial Hospital – University of Texas A&M Health Science Center in Temple, Texas. Dr. Green is board certified in foot and ankle surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. He serves on the board of the Louisiana Podiatric Medicine Association, and is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Quick Lift® Procedures Dr. Jay Appurao, MD. FACS, typically performs facelift surgery under deep sedation and local tumescent anesthesia. He will make incisions inside the hairline at the temple, in front of the ear, then around the earlobe and behind the ear, ending at the hairline. Excess skin is removed and sagging muscles and connective tissues are tightened. In some cases, fatty deposits are removed from beneath the chin and neck. Incisions are closed by small absorbable sutures.

The pain is usually only moderate and patients hardly ever complain of severe pain.

The pain usually subsides an 2-4 days.

Dr. Jay Appurao is specially trained in the most recent modifications of this procedure called QUICK LIFT®, pioneered by Dr. Dominic Brandy and nationally recognized as one of the most effective forms of this surgery, with least complications and excellent results! Dr. Jay is the only surgeon who has the FRANCHISE to do this procedure in Louisiana. Feel free to browse http://www.quickliftmd. com/physician/Lafayette-Louisiana-facelift.

QuickLift : This is the most common procedure done by Dr. Jay at La Belle.

This sceintifically known as “Modified Subcutaneous Musculo Aponeurotic System”(SMAS) Lift” • Less invasive form of face lift surgery compared to the traditional face lift

Chin Implants

• Very short recovery time • Very little pain • No bandages or drains • Walk in-walk out procedure • Takes about 2 hrs • Done entirely under local anesthesia and sedation • No sutures to be removed • Significantly less complications • Results last many years • Often combined with other facial cosmetic procedures, such as neck lift, Forehead or Brow lift and Cheek or

337.456.6532 | labellecosmetic.com

4906 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy , Building M, Suite 1 • Lafayette, La March 2015

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Mark Your Calendar!

Lake Area Medical Center to Host Girls’ Night Out

Banners Announces 23rd Season Lineup

Lake Area Medical Center, located at 4200 Nelson Road in Lake Charles, will host Girls’ Night Out on Friday, March 6, from 4:30-8:30 p.m. in the Ben Mount Board Room, located near the Day Surgery/ Childbirth entrance of the hospital. Cost is $20 per person and pre-registration and parental consent is required to attend. Seating is limited. Dinner and door prizes will be offered. For more information, or to register, please call (337) 475-4075.

Tickets on Sale for the Boys Next Door Tickets are now on sale for ACTS Theatre’s upcoming production of The Boys Next Door, a comedy written by Tom Griffin and directed by Carol Anne Gayle. The show opens March 6 at 7:30pm. Other performances and times are as follows: March 7 at 7:30 pm, March 8 at 3:00pm, March 13 at 7:30 pm, March 14 at 7:30pm and March 15 at 3:00pm. Tickets may be purchased online at actstheatre.com or by calling 433-ACTS.

The 23rd season of Banners at McNeese State University begins at the end of February and this year’s entertainment includes everything from flying circus performers and the Tournees Film Festival to Grammy Award-winning artists Grupo Fantasma and Take 6.

2015 Banners Calendar of Events “Lincoln” Dr. Michael Smith “2 Automnes 3 Hivers (2 Autumns, 3 Winters)” Student Performance Showcase “L’Attentat (The Attack)” Christian Howes Funny Bones: The Comedy of Charlie Chaplin “Wuthering Heights” “Les Dernier des Injustes (The Last of the Unjust)” Zuill Bailey Sean Chen

March 2 March 3 March 4 March 10 March 11 March 12 March 13 March 17 March 18 March 20 March 26

Run Boy Run March 27 Warren Hood Band March 28 “Ernest & Celestine” March 30 Amy Fleury March 31 “La Grande Illusion (The Grand Illusion)” April 1 28th Annual Works on Paper Exhibition April 2 Take 6 April 11 “Weapons of the Spirit” April 15 Yom HoShaoah April 16 Pierre Sauvage Presentation April 17 Sephira April 18 “Driving Blind” April 21 12th Annual McLeod Lecture Series April 23 Robert Olen Butler April 24 Bria Skonberg Quartet April 28 “Fed Up” April 29 Tommie Townsley April 30 For more information about the season’s events and on levels of membership or individual ticket prices, check out the Banners website at www.banners.org or call the Banners office at (337) 475-5123.

A Night of Inspiration

TIM TEBOW and Friends Friday, April 10 • 6:30 p.m. • Lake Charles Civic Center

& Friday, April 10 at 3:00 p.m. • Cowboy Stadium • Ages 11 and up

TICKETS for both events at eventbrite.com 62 www.thriveswla.com

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.com/macifest March 2015

Lake Charles Pictorial History Book Author Participates in Book Signings Jessica Hutchings, author of the newest pictorial book, Lake Charles, will be participating in a book signing on March 7 from 10:30am-1:30pm at Stellar Beans in Lake Charles.

Salvation Army’s “Empty Bowl” Fundraiser The Salvation Army will hold its seventh “Empty Bowl” dinner at L’Auberge Casino Resort from 6-9pm on March 10. Guests will enjoy a meal, which will include an array of delicious soups provided by twelve premier chefs in the area along with salad and dessert. Each guest will also receive a handmade oneof-a-kind ceramic bowl designed by local artisans as a gift for helping those in need. For more information, call (337) 433-4155.

Seminar to Help Patrons Get Started in Genealogy The Southwest Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Library will present a “Branching Out in Genealogy” mini-seminar in the meeting room of the Carnegie Memorial Library Building from 10am-3pm on March 14 at 411 Pujo Street in Lake Charles. The program is free and open to the public, but registration is required by visiting www.calcasieulibrary.org or by calling (337) 721-7110.

Tim Tebow to Host “Night of Inspiration” in Lake Charles on Apr. 10 Former football star turned ESPN college football analyst Tim Tebow will host a “Night of Inspiration” in Lake Charles on April 10 at 6:30 pm in the James E. Sudduth Coliseum at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

MaciFest, a family event named after eleven-yearold Maci Fontenot, daughter of Ryan and Nikki Fontenot, sponsors the “Night of Inspiration”. For more information or to purchase tickets for either event, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Join us for the 3rd Annual Dragon Boat Race!

April 25th ∙ 9:00 a.m.

LAKE CHARLES CIVIC CENTER SEAWALL CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation invites you and your family to come out with lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the race!

Beats & Eats Featuring Tommy Shreve & Friends Scheduled Volunteers of America will hold its Beats & Eats fundraiser on March 20th from 6-9:00pm at Treasures of Marilyn’s in Lake Charles. The casual event will feature a dinner buffet and dancing to music by Tommy Shreve & Friends. Tickets are $40 per person or $300 for a reserved table of 10 before March 6.

To purchase tickets, raffle tickets or sponsorships; call Volunteers of America at (337) 497-0034.

PRESENTING SPONSORS:

EVENT SPONSORS:

PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK March 2015

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Live @ the Lakefront 2015 Lineup Announced The electric lineup of live music performances for Live @ the Lakefront 2015 has been announced by the event’s presenting sponsors – the Arts Council of SWLA, City of Lake Charles, and Deep South Productions. The annual live music series will

celebrate its fourth season on three consecutive Fridays on March 13, 20, and 27 from 6-10:00pm at the Lakefront Promenade’s Arcade Amphitheatre.

Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue will kick off the 2015 season as the headlining performance on March 13.

Acadiana-born Cajun band, Feufollet, will

!

Solutions for Life

headline the concert on March 20.

Closing out the season will be returning favorite The Flamethrowers on March 27.

from Solutions Counseling & EAP

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

I Hate to Keep Repeating Myself...

Do you ever want to bang your head against the wall because you’re tired of saying the same thing to the same people over and over again? I do. It drives me crazy when something undesirable happens that I know I have addressed before. Like “please push the chair back under the table when you get up.” Or, “your shoes do not belong in the living room. They are either on your feet or in your closet.” (Can you tell I live with a teenage boy?)

I recently came across the reason I have to keep repeating myself. I was reading a business website about having to re-coach employees on the same issues. I have always believed if you have to keep having the same coaching conversations with employees, either the employee doesn’t understand what you want or doesn’t want to do what you want. If there is a lack of understanding, then training is needed. If there is a lack of desire, then that employee needs to leave. (Not to mention the third option of adapting to the employee’s underperformance, thus teaching everyone you will accept mediocrity. Bet you don’t know any employers who do that, do you?)

Well, this article gave me some

64 www.thriveswla.com

additional information to consider.

According to the article, people generally remember: • 10% of what we read (memos, books) • 20% of what we hear (instructions) • 30% of what we see (looking at pictures) • 50% of what we hear and see (watching a movie, looking at an exhibit, watching a demonstration) • 70% of what we say (participating in a discussion, giving a talk) • 90% of what we both say and do (simulating the real thing, doing the real thing) This is such great information!

Remember being in school and loving the teachers that used more than just lectures (a 20% retention rate) to convey information? I bet you still remember some of the hands-on things you had to do. As much as I didn’t love it, dissecting that frog (a 90% activity) is still embedded in my memory much more than watching a video of the same thing would ever be (a 50% retention rate).

Ugh, I can smell the formaldehyde now!

Some people can assimilate information with the lower level activities. All you have to do is tell them what they need to

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

do, or give them written instructions. For others, though, you have to do more for them to “get it.” Part of the challenge of being an effective parent, supervisor or coach is figuring out what is needed to get the message across to all those in your care, not just the easy ones.

I have always found it to be more helpful to have discussions (70%) rather than send out memos (10%). Or get an employee to read a new policy, give me her interpretation of it and how it personally affects her. Or have my son teach me how to do the school work he is struggling with.

With my clients and employees, I really do try to look at myself first when I am feeling frustrated because of lack of change. What can I do different to get this person to make the shift he needs to make? How can I approach the situation to ensure better success? Obviously, it is time to apply this to chairs and shoes as well.

So, the next time I see that chair or those shoes out of place, guess who is going to get up – right then – and complete the 90% activity of putting the item where it goes?

March 2015

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March 2015

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McNeese Offers Flavors of the World Meals The McNeese State University Meal Club will offer eight meals on Thursdays this spring prepared by students in the nutrition and food science program within the Harold and Pearl Dripps Department of Agricultural Sciences.

These meals – “Flavors of the World”- will be served from 5-7 pm in the Gayle Annex Food Services Lab behind Gayle Hall. Students from the Department of Performing Arts will provide entertainment and gourmet oil and vinegar tastings will be offered during the final two meals.

The dates and menus include: February 26 – Indian: Ginger chicken March 5 – Lebanese: Marinated roast March 12 – Syrian: Kafta kabab March 19 – Vietnamese: Stir-fried pork March 26 –American: Crawfish etouffee April 2 –Mexican: Chicken fajitas April 16 – Caribbean: Lemon flounder April 23 – Italian: Ricotta lasagna Tickets are $12 per person and must be purchased in advance. Seating is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. For tickets or more information, contact Eljeana Quebedeaux at equebedeaux@mcneese.edu or call (337) 475-5690.

66 www.thriveswla.com

Entergy Donation to Banners at

McNeese

Banners at McNeese State University is annually supported by donations from area corporate sponsors. Entergy has donated $10,000 for the spring 2015 Banners program.

Greg Guilbeau, left, Entergy senior regional manager, presents the donation to Patricia Prudhomme, Banners director.

Notary Exam Prep Scenario Course Offered A notary exam prep scenario course will be offered by the Louisiana State University Shreveport Continuing Education Department from 10am-noon Saturdays, March 21-May 23 in Room 327 in Farrar Hall on the McNeese State University campus.

Classes will not be offered April 4 and April 25.

Cost is $219 and $199 for early registration by March 15. The 2015 textbook, “Fundamentals of Louisiana Notarial Law and Practice,” is an additional $90 and can be obtained at www.sos.la.gov. For more information contact McNeese Electronic Learning at (337) 475-5075.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

March 2015

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