Thrive May 2016 Issue

MARCH MAY 2016

Louisiana’s Signature Cuisine

YOU LAW

and the

Special Section May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

thrive

swla.c

om

Insert Inside www.thriveswla.com

1

Rehabilitation Hospital

of Jennings

DIAgNOSeS THAT we TReAT

• Brain Injury

• Hip Fractures

• Strokes

• Osteoarthritis/DJD

• Amputations

• Neurological Disorders

• Burns

• Spinal Cord Injury

• Major Multiple Trauma

• Congenital Deformities

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Systemic Vasculidities

• Joint Replacements

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

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

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

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

HONORED

AS ONE OF AMERICA’S BEST HOSPITALS FOR

PATIENT SAFETY 701 Cypress Street, Sulphur

wcch.com

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

3

Contents 10

48

32 In This Issue

Regular Features

Wining & Dining

12 First Person with Joe Miller Sr. 22 Who’s News 46 Business Buzz 64 Happenings 66 Solutions for Life 67 McNeese Corral

6 Everything Crawfish 9 Wines for Warmer Weather 10 Bold Flavors, Fresh Ingredients Places & Faces

16

Beaux Arts & Banking 20 Golden Scholar

24 – 31

Special Section:

6

YOU LAW and the

photo by www.visitlakecharles.org cover photo by www.lindseyjanies.com

Home & Family 32 Back Yard Oasis 36 7 Places Mosquitos Might Be Hiding in Your Yard 39 5 Simple Tips for Birthday Bash Success Money & Career 40 How to Master the Art of Complaining

Dilmore Joins Thrive as Editor Angie Kay Dilmore has been named editor of Thrive. Dilmore, previously a free-lance writer, is a graduate of Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia. She earned a master’s degree in health services management from the University of Pittsburgh. Dilmore is a member of the Bayou Writers Group and the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She will continue as a contributing blog writer with Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Each month, Thrive focuses on providing news and information about living a full, balanced and healthy life. As the only full-color magazine in Southwest Louisiana, Thrive is distributed through area racks and businesses at no charge. Thrive is owned by Kristy Armand, Barbara VanGossen and Christine Fisher.

For information, call 312-2099 or visit www.thriveswla.com.

44 3 Quick and Creative Ways to Network

S tyle & Beauty 48 At the Blow Dry Bar, It’s All Style 52 How to Choose the Right Perfume 54 A New Way to Keep Your Chin Up

Mind & Body 56 8 Steps to Get Your Summer Mojo

58 When It Comes to Heart Attacks, Men and Women Aren’t Equals 60 How Food Affects Your Hormones DON’T JUST LIVE, THRIVE!

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

4 www.thriveswla.com

Editors and Publishers

Kristy Armand Christine Fisher

Advertising Sales ads@thriveswla.com 337.310.2099

Creative Director

Barbara VanGossen

Submissions edit@thriveswla.com

Managing Editor

Erin Kelly

Business Manager

Katie McDaniel Stevenson

Assistant Designers

Shonda Manuel Kris Roy Mandy Gilmore

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

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

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.

DOGGIES! All of these precious pups are looking for loving homes.

Butterbean

He’s just adorable! This 6-week-old male, small mixed breed, is ready to come home to someone with a loving heart.

Bisquit

Shy, but sweet.

1-year-old male Maltese takes a bit to warm. A patient partner would make the best owner for this wonderful fella.

Foxie with moxie!

This 2-year-old female Chihuahua mix is 5 pounds of fun. Super sweet, too.

Dolly

Just 2 more weeks and they will be ready!

Wire-haired Chihuahua puppies make adorable, sweet pets.

Mom weighs about 5 pounds.

May 2016

Dr. Laurie Baynard

Dr. Joseph Kulaga

We created our clinic with our patients in mind. From a convenient location, a spa-like atmosphere, and extended hours, our focus is you.

5656 Nelson Road, Suite D2 Lake Charles, Louisiana 70605 (337) 240-6619 | www.lakecharleschiro.com Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

5

Wining & Dining

Creatures in a hole are Louisiana’s signature cuisine

by Brett Downer

The first person to ever eat a mudbug surely was a brave soul — and a centuries-long trend-settter. The unknown Boudreaux or Thibodeaux who sized up a crawfish as a potential meal — and spelled it with a “w,” not a “y”— now has a extended family of descendants who have pinched dat tail, sucked dat head and celebrated crawfish as a seasonal, signature delicacy for generations.

We farm them in our rice fields, buy them live by the sacks, boil them in our backyards and eat trays of them elbow-to-elbow with the ones we love.

Crawfish are an essential element of Gulf Coast life — particularly in Louisiana, where you get them fresh and buy them from people you know.

photo by www.lindseyjanies.com 6 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

WHO’S YOUR FAMILY An astacologist — that’s a person who studies crawfish; mais, we all done learned a new word — will tell you the creature in question is a freshwater crustacean, a decapod that is part of the Cambaridae, Astacoidea of Parastacoidea families. (We’ve never heard of any of them; they must live over

by Ville Platte.)

Three-quarters of the crawfish produced in Louisiana are Procambarus clarkii, or red swamp crawfish. The rest are Procambarus zonangulus, or white river crawfish. There are more than 330 species of mudbugs in the Southeast, all in the Cambaridae family.

Cousins live all over the world — from the 10-pound Tasmanian giant of Australia’s western freshwaters to an aggressive species in China that devours the rice crop. Crawfish are also found in the Pacific Northwest, the Continental Divide and in Arizona reservoirs.

SAY IT LIKE DAT “Crawfish” is the distinctly Louisiana name for mudbugs. It’s a Cajun variant of “crayfish,” which itself is a corruption of “escravisse” of Old French. In modernday Paris, though, they pronounce it “écravisse.” In America’s Northeast, they call them “crawdads.” In Southwest Louisiana, we say it the right way.

The board promotes in-state seafood of all kinds and pushes for clear labeling. “Play it safe and stick with Louisiana crawfish,” it advises. How can you tell? Flip the bag and look for the labeling. “Country of Origin Labels are now required for seafood sold in the U.S.,” according to the board. “The seafood’s country of origin and method of production — wild-caught or farm-raised — must be labeled at the point of sale.”

GOOD GROCERIES Crawfish are classified by size: • #1 are the big pawpaws. They equal to 15 or fewer crawfish per pound.

• #2 crawfish translate to 16–20 crawfish per pound.

• #3 bugs are the smallest — 21 or more crawfish per pound.

Plan to feed people at your boil by weight. “Figure on roughly four pounds of live crawfish per person,” says the Louisiana Seafood Board. “Ten pounds of whole crawfish yields 1.5 pounds of tail meat.” The board also notes: “Three to four pounds of crawfish with shell serves one adult.” Well, some adults.

POINT OF PRIDE

As water-bottom scavengers, crawfish can and do eat just about anything — plants and animals, both live and dead. Worms, bugs and larvae are a treat.

So are the eggs of fish, frogs and toads. Crawfish are omnivores in the truest textbook sense — they’ve even been known to eat their own exoskeleton after shedding it.

Besides being good eating, mudbugs are effective marketers for Southwest Louisiana’s food, festivals and music. “Crawfish is easily recognizable as one of Louisiana’s most popular menu items, and it’s so much fun to introduce visitors and travel media to the art of eating crawfish,” said Angie Manning, communications director for the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“By far, our most popular video on our YouTube channel is ‘How to Eat a Crawfish,’ having been viewed over 1.2 million times,” she said. “Lucky for us, crawfish is vibrant to photograph or video —and as much as we can during crawfish season, we use images of crawfish to entice people to visit.”

The CVB gets people to come for the crawfish, then stay for “the springtime blossoms along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, as well as the other cultural activities or casino gaming complexes while they are in town,” Manning said. “Crawfish is a staple during our Mardi Gras travel media press trip … and the cameras come out to capture the magic,” she said. “Crawfish add just the right amount of spice to the spring.”

CRAWFISH FARMING

CRAWFISH PIE

HOLD MY BEER Crawfish defend their territory by bowing up their back to show dominance.

If an intruder wants to pick a fight, a crawfish will follow him with his eyes — which are mounted on stalks — and flail out at him with pincers snapping.

Crawfish almost always arch up or raise pincers and arches if there’s movement or danger. If it’s not worth a fight, a crawfish may decide to curl its tail under and shoot backward in the water. Expectant females don’t want to be messed with, either. They curl their tail under to to protect the fragile bulge of eggs that cling underneath her.

COOK SOME RICE

Louisiana produces 95 percent of the crawfish harvested in the United States.

The state “has 1,265 crawfish farms covering more than 182,000 acres,” according to the Louisiana Summary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, published by the LSU AgCenter.

The typical crawfish farmer has about 660 acres of land, one-third of which is used for crawfish production. “Crawfish are raised using six production systems, and some producers use more than one,” according to the LSU AgCenter. Nearly half of the producers raise crawfish as a single crop. Onefourth double-crop crawfish with rice. Others plant forage or rotate crawfish, rice and soybeans. Farmers flood crawfish ponds to an average depth of 7.4 inches, replacing all or part of the pond water once a season to keep up the dissolved-oxygen level.

The average producer places 15 traps per acre. Then they come in with boats to harvest the crawfish. The 110 million pounds of crawfish harvested each year have an annual economic impact of $120 million. Fully 70 percent of the catch is eaten right here in Louisiana. The rest is sold to lucky people elsewhere.

Crawfish aren’t just for boiling, of course. The tail meat’s a treat for beaucoup dishes that define native cuisine — etouffee, gumbo, bisque, on and on.

Recipes are found in standbys like Pirate’s Pantry and Marshes to Mansions, the Junior League cookbooks that are fixtures in Lake Charles households.

Some other takes and tastes from around the state can be found on page 8.

INVASIVE SPECIES For all the mudbugs harvested at home, crawfish meat from afar still makes it to the local market. China is among the top exporters. “Take note of where your crawfish are coming from,” the Louisiana Seafood Board warns. “Some imported crawfish have high levels of antibiotic residues and other substances that are banned from use in the United States.”

Photo by monsoursphotography.net May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

7

Wining & Dining Mini Crawfish Pies

Hoffman Media | Cooking/Prep Time: 1 hour 1 (14-oz) …………………………………… package refrigerated pie crusts 1/2 (16 oz.) …………… package thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/8-inch pieces 2 cups ……………………………………………… shredded cheddar cheese 3 Tbsp. ……………………………………………………… chopped chives 3 Tbsp. ……………………………………………………… all-purpose flour 1 tsp. ……………………………………………………………………… salt 1/2 tsp. ………………………………………………… ground black pepper 1/2 cup …………………………………………………………………… milk 2 …………………………………………………………………… large eggs 1/2 (16 oz.) ……………………… package Louisiana crawfish tails, chopped Preheat oven to 375. Unroll pie crusts on a lightly floured work surface.

Cut 24 (3 1/2-inch) circles from crusts, and press into 24 mini muffin cups.

Prick sides and bottom of crusts with a fork. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until bacon is cooked and crisp, 22 to 24 minutes. In a medium bowl, add bacon, cheese, chives, flour, salt, pepper, milk, and eggs. Whisk to combine. Gently stir in crawfish to combine. Divide mixture evenly among crusts. Bake on bottom oven rack until lightly golden and puffy, about 15 minutes. Serve warm.

OLD-TIME CRAWFISH ÉTOUFFEE Chef Roy Lyons, Frog City Café, Rayne

1/2 stick ………………………………………………………………… butter 2 cups …………………………………………………………… diced onions 1 cup ………………………………………………………… diced bell pepper 1/2 cup …………………………………………………………… diced celery 1 Tbsp. ………………………………………………………… minced garlic 3 Tbsp. …………………………………… Louisiana seafood seasoning mix 1 lbs. …………………………… Louisiana crawfish tails, cooked and peeled 3 tablespoons ……………………………………………… all-purpose flour 1 can (10 oz.) ………………………………………………… Ro-Tel tomatoes 4 cups …………………………………………… stock (crawfish or chicken) As Needed ………………………………………………………… Cooked rice Melt butter in a medium-sized pot. Add onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic and seasoning mix. Sauté until chopped ingredients are soft, about 15 minutes. Add crawfish and cook an additional 10 minutes. Add the flour and cook for 2 or 3 minutes. Add Ro-Tel tomatoes and stock. Simmer for about 30 minutes. Serve over hot, cooked rice. Makes four servings.

GRILLED CRAWFISH WITH SPICY BUTTER Hoffman Media | Grilling/Prep time: 30 minutes

6 Tbsp. ……………………………………………………………… kosher salt 4 lbs. ……………………………………………………………… live crawfish 2 cups ………………………………………………………… butter, softened 2 Tbsp. …………………………………………… Cajun seasoning of choice Fill a large pan with water. Add kosher salt, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add crawfish, and cook about 1 minute. Transfer crawfish to a large ice bath. With a sharp knife, cut through shell on belly side the entire length of crawfish. Remove vein, and remove sack behind eyes in head. Rinse crawfish thoroughly, removing any remaining sediment.

In a medium bowl, combine butter and Cajun seasoning, and beat at medium-high speed with a mixer until smooth and creamy. Cover, and refrigerate up to 3 days. Spray grill basket with nonstick nonflammable cooking spray. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (350-400). Place crawfish in grill basket, and grill, shaking basket occasionally, until shell turns bright red and meat is cooked through, about 6 minutes. In a small saucepan, melt butter mixture over medium-high heat. Serve melted butter with crawfish.

8 www.thriveswla.com

photo by www.lindseyjanies.com

Crawfish Fried Green Tomatoes Dickie Brennan, Palace Cafe, New Orleans

1 cup ………………………………………………… heavy whipping cream 1 tsp. ………………………………………………………… garlic chopped 2 oz. ……………………………………………………… tasso finely chopped 1 tsp. …………………………………………………………………… butter 1/4 cup …………… mixed green, red and yellow bell pepper finely chopped 1/4 cup …………………………………………………… halfmoon leek slices 8 oz. …………………………………………………… Louisiana crawfish tails 2 tsp. …………………………………………………………………… brandy 1 tsp. …………………………………………………… fresh thyme chopped 1/2 cup ………………………………………………… green onions chopped 1 tsp. ……………………………………………………………… butter chilled 1 to 2 tsp. …………………………………………………… creole seasoning 1 …………………………………………………………………………… egg 1 cup ………………………………………………………………………… milk 1 cup ………………………………………………… seasoned bread crumbs 2 ………………………………………………………… large green tomatoes As Needed …………………………………………… Vegetable oil for frying 4 sprigs …………………………………………………………… fresh thyme 4 …………………………………………………… boiled crawfish (optional) 1/2 cup ……………………………………………………………………… salt 1/4 cup ……………………………………………………… granulated garlic 1/4 cup ……………………………………………………… granulated onion 2 tsp. …………………………………………………………………… paprika 4 tsp. ………………………………………………………… cayenne pepper 1 tsp. …………………………………………………………… black pepper For the Creole seasoning: Combine the salt, granulated garlic, granulated onion, paprika, cayenne pepper and black pepper in a small bowl and mix well. Spoon into an airtight storage container. Makes 1 1/4 cups.

For the crawfish: Cook the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until reduced by half. Sauté the garlic and tasso in 1 tsp. butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until the tasso begins to brown. Add the bell peppers, leeks and Creole seasoning. Sauté until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Add the crawfish tails and brandy. Ignite the brandy and allow the flames to subside. Stir in the reduced cream, thyme and green onions. Reduce the heat and add the chilled butter, whisking constantly until thickened. Keep warm over low heat.

For the tomatoes: Mix the flour with the Creole seasoning in a bowl.

Whisk the egg and milk in a bowl. Pour the bread crumbs into a bowl. Cut each tomato into 1/2 inch thick slices, discarding the end pieces. Coat the slices with the seasoned flour. Dip in the egg wash and press into the bread crumbs to coat evenly. Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet and add the tomato slices. Fry until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. To serve, place a slice of green tomato in the center of each of four serving plates.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

for Warmer Weather

by Emily Alford

Spring and summer conjure up visions of outdoor dining. From backyard barbeques to front porch visits to beachside picnics, rising temperatures mean taking those plates outdoors to soak up the sun and spend quality time with friends and family. However, all that outdoor dining doesn’t mean you have to be stuck drinking your alcohol from a pop-tab can (not that there’s anything wrong with that). According to Fran Avery and Melanie McMullen, the owners of Crave, a gourmet food and gift store, there are many wines that are just as, if not more, delicious served up alongside boiled shrimp or burgers.

They offer some guidance for choosing and finding your favorite warm weather wine.

Rosé Rosé is a happy medium between red and white that’s perfect for a warm summer evening. It has a light, fruity flavor that makes it particularly refreshing with salty/sweet summer salads made with fresh tomatoes or cucumbers. Oddly enough, rosé might also just be the perfect wine to pair with your boudin. Its sweetness stands up well to salty pork sausage.

Sparkling Light, sparkly and slightly spicy, bubbly wines were made for beach days. They can also be a welcome addition to your backyard dinner party. Sparkling wines pair well with crisp, green vegetables in the summer, like asparagus and avocado salads. They’re also wonderful with shellfish: think fresh clam linguini or even grilled shrimp. You can even pair sparkling wine with citrusy desserts, like key lime pie. The bubbles help bring out the sweetness in acidic flavors.

May 2016

Whites When the weather gets warmer, most people instinctively reach for the whites – with good reason! Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio are sweet, floral and fruity, which make them excellent lighthearted complements to summer fun.

However, this summer you might want to experiment with some new whites. For example, pair a brightly floral Portuguese Vinho Verde with your grilled chicken or a dry, yet sweet, German Riesling with your salty grilled sausages.

Reds Red lovers, rejoice! Summertime doesn’t automatically mean you have to give up your reds.

While the most common image of red wine is a hearty merlot sipped near a roaring fire with a big slab of steak, there are plenty of lighter options that are nice pairings for your outdoor dining. Tuscan wines like Chianti, that balance spicy and bold, fruity flavors are very refreshing in summer. And pinot noir, which usually has notes of strawberry, raspberry and black cherry is a beautiful wine to sip in the warmer months.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Sangria Be it white or red, sangria is the perfect party beverage. It’s fruity, fun, and served over ice to make it more like punch than a glass of wine. To make: combine half a chopped apple and half a chopped orange with three teaspoons simple syrup in a pitcher. Then add ¾ cup orange juice, a third cup brandy, and a bottle of dry red or white wine. Mix, chill, and serve over ice. It’s the perfect compliment to a backyard burger.

So whether you’re packing a picnic basket or a beach cooler, there’s no reason to leave the wine behind. The ladies of Crave just advise you to make sure the bottle you’re choosing has plenty of light fruit and floral flavors to accentuate all the sweet and spicy tastes of summer.

Crave is located at 2801 Ryan Street in Lake Charles.

Call (337) 421-0040 for more information or visit www.cravegiftbaskets.com.

www.thriveswla.com

9

Wining & Dining

Bold Flavors,

Fresh Ingredients

by Angie Kay Dilmore

“We brine and grill our own chicken, cook our own steak, slice our cheese and cooked meats like salami and ham at the restaurant. Most of our dressings are made in-house from scratch,” says Ryan. Guests can also enjoy flavorful meals on the go with Newk’s convenient Grab-N-Go and online ordering options, as well as its thriving catering service.

More than Your Average Fast-Casual Chain The Lake Charles franchise is the third Newk’s in the nation to boast the brand’s updated “Generation 2” design, featuring streamlined, userfriendly amenities such as dual beverage stations and a modern color scheme that incorporates the hues of Newk’s always-fresh ingredients and the brand’s signature open-view kitchen. Patrons order their meal near the front door, fill their beverage cup, and choose a seat. After that, it’s service with a smile. Staff members bring food to the customer’s table and clean up when guests leave.

Newk’s Eatery made its Southwest Louisiana debut last month and response from the Lake Charles community has been as robust as the food served at this popular fast-casual chain. The franchise is owned by New Orleans-based Southeast Restaurant Group (SRG) and holds the distinction of being Newk’s 100th franchise nationwide.

“We chose Lake Charles for our first Newk’s franchise because we felt the market would be receptive to the kind of food and guest experience we offer,” says Phil Ryan, Special Projects Manager of SRG.

10 www.thriveswla.com

Tempting Diversified Menu Newk’s brand emphasizes bold flavors and remarkably fresh ingredients. Their diverse menu features flavors that range from homemade Southern staples to fresh-tossed salads, artisan pizzas, hot toasted sandwiches, kettle batch soups, and made-from-scratch desserts. Many of their menu selections stem from time-tested family favorite recipes of the Newcomb family.

They pride themselves on fresh ingredients, including imported cheeses and prime meats, hand-chopped seasonal vegetables, house-roasted garlic, homemade dressings and infused olive oils.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

committed to raising $1,000, inviting guests to add a dollar or more to their purchases at the register. The celebration is an outgrowth of Newk’s year-round ovarian cancer awareness movement, named “Newk’s Cares,” which has so far raised more than $280,000 for the cause.

Inspired by the personal cancer battle of Lori Newcomb, wife of Newk’s CEO and Co-Founder, all proceeds raised in Lake Charles and Newk’s other markets will be donated to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance.

Accessorize Your Meal at the Roundtable One of the most unique features at Newk’s Eatery is their Roundtable, a deluxe condiment bar with pepperoncini, capers, fresh shredded parmesan, jalapenos, sriracha and Tabasco sauces, and straw-thin breadsticks. Newk’s encourages you to be creative with your food!

Dining for a Cause Newk’s invites diners in Lake Charles and throughout all their franchise locations to join together in raising $100,000 for ovarian cancer research. Each of Newk’s 100 restaurants have

More to Come Southeast Restaurant Group currently owns and operates 28 restaurants in seven states spanning Texas to Florida, but this is this company’s first Newk’s. SRG plans to open 15 Newk’s Eateries in Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas over the next seven years.

Newk’s Eatery has been open in Lake Charles for just a month, and Ryan says the feedback management has received so far is overwhelmingly positive, especially in regards to their staff members. “We hired positive attitudes over experience,” says Ryan. “We wanted people who would smile and welcome our guests.”

Newk’s Eatery is located at 339 West Prien Lake Road across from Prien Lake Mall.

Spring for Flavor Insta

res ta u ra n tca l l a . co m

at Walnut Grove

Lunch Service: Tue - Fri: 11 am - 2 pm • Happy Hour- Tue - Fri : 4 pm - 6 pm • Dinner Service: Tue - Wed: 5 pm - 9 pm Thurs-Sat: 5 pm - 10 pm May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

11

Places & Faces

first person with Joe Miller Sr. photo by Raymond Stewart

F

or Joe Miller Sr., local baseball has been a lasting personal investment He coached South Lake Charles Little League kids for four decades, then helped McNeese build the field of its dreams.

Local baseball has had perhaps no bigger advocate, as countless Little League alumni and college baseball would attest.

The retired F. Miller and Sons Construction Co. president is variously recognized as a successful business executive, a civic leader, a longtime board member of Foreman-Reynaud Recreation Center and a seven-figure philanthropist to MSU and all corners of Lake Charles.

Baseball, though, has had a special place for his time and underwriting.

“There are truly no boundaries to his generosity and support,” said McNeese President Dr. Phillip Williams when he awarded Miller an honorary doctorate in 2013.

Now 89, Miller can go enjoy a game at the ballpark that bears his name: Joe Miller Ballpark, or “The Jeaux,” on the McNeese campus.

He spoke to Thrive contributor Brett Downer about local baseball, the value of civic commitment and his city.

12 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

How did you get involved in coaching Little League?

(Laughing). We had five girls, then finally had a boy. The Little League had the dads come watch, and the coach needed a helper. After the first year, coach moved on, so I took over. It was 41 years before I left.

How did you go about it?

I wasn’t a big athlete myself, but I read all the things I could to coach better ways to throw a ball and pitch a ball and catch a ball — to try to get them to do better. I really had a different atmosphere than some other coaches — I tried to keep the kids happy instead of hollering at them all the time.

Why’d you coach for so long?

I liked it. I just loved the game.

What did you get out of it?

A lot of fun and pleasure, working with all those kids. I just enjoyed working with them. Even talking to you right now, it makes me happy just to think back about it.

Has youth baseball changed over the years?

When I first got in, it didn’t go below 8 years old.

Now, you have organizations starting younger and younger.

Now they’re starting them at 4 years old— and talking about teams playing in state championships. Then by the time the kids are 12,

May 2016

they hardly have any teams left. Kids get worn out, or tired of it — I don’t know what happens.

For 10-, 11-, and 12-year-olds, it’s become a money game instead of a fun thing. They have daddies putting together coaches and players in these leagues where you have to pay to play.

Instead of letting kids play just Little League ball, daddies decided they wanted to put them on teams where they play in these tournaments all year long. Then the daddies started to put together these championship teams so their kids can go to the World Series when they’re 6 years old.

This gets the daddies all excited. I’ve had people tell me, “Man, my boy is 4 years and you can tell he’s got it in him — he’s gonna be a major leaguer player someday.” When they’re 4 years old! And then they’re worn out and don’t want to play anymore by the time they’re 6.

Back then, all you had to do was buy the shoes and pants and you could play ball. The league furnished your shirt and your cap.

For the 12-year-olds, we even furnished the pants.

We had some who couldn’t afford much of anything. And we had kids out there who were 8 years old and kind of clumsy — but they turned out to be all-star players,

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

even up through high school.

Those kids aren’t getting a chance now. The daddies are picking out the best players and putting them on these traveling teams. That’s sad, really. Kids had fun with the game, and some don’t have that anymore.

So what kind of ballplayer were you?

They didn’t have have organized ball. The American Press had a small league when we were in fourth or fifth grade. I played catcher a little bit. But I was little old skinny kid. I only weighed 96 pounds going into Lake Charles High. But I tried out for football.

(Laughing.)Can you imagine when I went out for the football team? They put me against a big guard.

They wanted me to realize I was too small, I think.

www.thriveswla.com

13

Places & Faces | First Person What’s your favorite baseball team?

Oh, McNeese. I just love McNeese.

My involvement with the university was before baseball.

When I got on the McNeese Foundation Board, they had $300,000. It’s going on $70 million now. (Miller joined the board 44 years ago. He has given about $2 million to the university outside of baseball.)

photo by Raymond Stewart Mike Danahay, Mayor Randy Roach, Joe Miller, Sr and MSU President Williams stand at Joe Miller Stadium.

How did your support for the McNeese baseball program come about?

Several years ago, Coach Mike Bianco came to see me because of my involvement with Little League and all. He wanted to talk about how to get attendance up.

So it was decided that they’d start having bat girls. He asked me if I’d sponsor them by paying for their uniforms. That’s how I got involved with McNeese baseball — bat girls! (Laughing.)

When Chad Clement was coach, Hurricane Rita hit and blew down the fences. I went out and talked to him, and they didn’t have any money, so I gave them some to rebuild them. Then I got involved with Coach Terry Burrows. We were planning the improvements to the stadium — ones like what we’re having now.

Then Coach Justin Hill came to see me and got me involved with sponsoring some other things with the team.

A couple of years ago, the new athletic director, Bruce Hemphill, and Coach Hill came to see me about putting turf in for $300,000.

So I paid for that. Now there are other new things. (This year, he gave the program another $700,000.) New scoreboard, some renovations to the office, box seats in front of the stadium and an entrance that’s nicer — a better place to walk through.

The former Cowboy Diamond is Joe Miller Ballpark now.

They had asked me about renaming it, but I told them no.

Two times, actually. But they went a different route where it didn’t require my approval.

They give you free passes to your own ballpark?

I’ve got four gold tickets in the reserved-seat area that are eternal.

As long as I live. (Laughing.) They didn’t mind doing that because they know I’m getting old.

What’s your message about civic commitment — whether it’s youth coaching, civic service, or contributions?

I don’t mean this in a bad way, Brett, but a lot of people get into something and stay there three or four years, but then they move on to something else. I stick. I’ve been on the McNeese Foundation, I think, 44 years now. I went on the Foreman-Reynaud board over on the north side of town years ago, too. Once I got on the board, I had no reason to get off. I’m just that way with everything. The same with Associated General Contractors.

Why should people volunteer and what is the value of civic involvement?

Oh, when you love your town and want it to be better for future generations, you’ve got to work to do it. You can’t just depend on everybody else. I’ve been involved in a lot of things and I’d like to be involved in many more. Just haven’t gotten around to them.

The Lake Charles area has lots of new people here — and more people will be thinking about coming here in the time ahead.

What’s your message to them about what the area is like?

I’ve traveled to a lot of other cities, and frankly, I don’t think there any better place to live than Lake Charles. We’ve got everything you could want right here under our nose. It’s just a town that I think has a brilliant future ahead of it. If you think you should get involved and help make it happen.

photo by Raymond Stewart 14 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

15

Places & Faces

BEAUX ARTS & BANKING An evening at the Whitney

by Angie Kay Dilmore

16 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Step through the door at Hotel Whitney and take a leap back in time.

When you stay at this luxury boutique hotel in New Orleans’ Central Business District, you’ll experience genteel Southern hospitality in a unique historic setting with first-class service and comfortable accommodations.

May 2016

History Built in 1908, the Metropolitan Bank hired architectural firm Diboll, Owen, and Goldstein to design their world headquarters. They chose the highly fashionable Beaux Arts style and built a brick and granite structure with signature arched windows and doors, an elegant curved exterior corner, classic architectural details and decorative sculptural elements, including bas-relief urns, a symbol used in Hotel Whitney’s logo today. The massive “banking hall” projected an image of grand majesty, with tall white marble columns.

“There is so much historic relevance to this building,” says Casey Callais, hotel general manager.

Around 1980, the edifice was slated for demolition in the name of progress. Local concerned citizens protested and the building was spared. In its conversion from financial institution to hotel, many of the bank’s original features were preserved, including the charm and ambiance. The vault is now a meeting room or private dining area.

A Paying and Receiving Teller window serves as the backdrop to the hotel front desk. From the elegant chandeliers to the quaint tiled floor, the building oozes nostalgia.

The Metropolitan Bank was originally incorporated in 1870 and operated until it merged with Whitney Bank in 1929.

According to Callais, Whitney Bank was the only Louisiana-based bank to survive the Great Depression. In the early part of the 20th century, the bank building housed the offices of the Times-Picayune and several other

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

17

Places & Faces | Evening at the Whitney New Orleans businesses. In 1999, Whitney National Bank sold the building to Whitney Hotel Limited Partnership and the building was converted to The Whitney Hotel. It is currently owned by New Orleans Hotel Collection and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

A branch of Whitney Bank still operates on the first floor at the corner of Poydras and Camp Streets.

“Once or twice a month, we still get people who walk into the hotel and up to the front desk with their Whitney checkbook in hand, wanting to cash a check,” says Callais.

Location Because Hotel Whitney is situated in the heart of the Central Business District, the majority of popular New Orleans attractions are within easy walking distance. The Mercedes-Benz Superdome

18 www.thriveswla.com

and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas are just down the street. The Convention Center is also close. Stroll to Magazine St., the Warehouse District, the World War II Museum and other museums. The French Quarter is only four blocks away. Hop on a nearby streetcar for a ride to City Park or the Garden District along St. Charles Street. Everything is close by and convenient.

from the working bank area. It’s a whimsical bank robbery scene straight out of Hollywood, with several recognizable famous characters. Strike up a conversation with the waitress or the chef. They’ll be happy to tell you the whole story.

For more information, visit www.whitneyhotel.com or call (504) 581-4222.

Bistreaux at the Bank Remnants of the original bank are fully displayed in the Bistreaux and bar area. It’s a quiet restaurant, perfect for relaxing after a busy day of work or sightseeing. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offer an interesting selection of menu items. The crawfish beignets with remoulade sauce are particularly tasty. An intriguing mural is painted on the partial wall that divides the Bistreaux

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

Okay, we admit it. We know very little about turning grapes into wine. However, if you happen to be a Louisiana business owner in need of an experienced workers’ comp provider, LCI is an excellent choice. For over 25 years, we’ve worked to provide expert guidance, personalized service, and custom programs to clients from virtually every industry in the state. So put our team to work for your company, and we promise that we’ll always be sure to leave our shoes on.

:: lciwc.com :: 985-612-1230

Put us to work for you.

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

19

Places & Faces

GOLDEN SCHOLAR Promotes a Legacy of Lifelong Learning

by Angie Kay Dilmore photos by Shonda Manuel

20 www.thriveswla.com

If you happen to attend McNeese State University’s spring graduation on May 14, you’ll see a golden-robed gentleman leading the procession who does not look like a typical McNeese student. Seventyfour-year-old Alfred Cochran will walk that day with the “Golden Scholars,” a group of McNeese alumni hosted by the McNeese Alumni Association who graduated at least fifty years ago. But unlike those other alumni, Cochran will be graduating again with a second McNeese degree, a Bachelor’s in General and Basic Studies.

Cochran first attended MSU in 1960 and majored in Civil Engineering. During college, Cochran joined the Advanced ROTC program. While he was a cadet, he was also in the Army Reserves. Upon graduation, he went to Fort Belvoir in Virginia for Officer’s Basic Course and was then assigned to a unit. He served in the Army Corp of Engineers and was commissioned as an Engineer Officer. After a brief stint in Germany, Cochran was sent to Vietnam in 1967, where he spent a year in combat duty – a year that would require a lifetime of recovery.

While no one can truly be prepared for the horrors of war, Cochran was equally unprepared for what awaited him at home. “Returning from Vietnam was an experience for every one of us. I was spared the protesters that many veterans dealt with. There were not a lot of protesters in South Louisiana. That was a good thing.

I spent about a month trying to get my head in order. Then I started looking for a job. That’s when I discovered the plight of Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Vietnam veterans. I was an outstanding engineer from McNeese, but I could not get a job as a civil engineer. Employers did not want to hire Vietnam veterans. Vets had a poor work reputation.” Though the Vietnam War placed burdens, both physical and mental, upon Cochran’s life, he harbors no bitterness. He says the war had a purpose and he is proud of his service there.

Cochran resigned himself to employment in a different occupation.

“In the military, I was trained in explosives and demolition. I blew up a lot of things in Vietnam. I used that training to get a job in the civilian world, and I made a fantastic living at it. I perforated oil wells offshore for a company called Schlumberger.”

Cochran worked offshore for twenty years before retiring from that business.

Then he finally had an opportunity to use some of his engineering education when he took a position as a project engineer for a Southwest Louisiana calcining plant, where he worked for a decade before retiring again.

Eight years later, at the age of 70, Cochran took the initiative to become a Registered Professional Engineer. Though he knew he’d never use this designation professionally, he earned it as a matter of principle. “That was one of the highlights of my life. It’s one of the hardest licenses to obtain and something all engineers strive for.”

A Return to Academia Cochran returned to McNeese State University in 2012. The school allows senior citizens to take one course per semester free of charge. So Cochran did just that.

May 2016

He took one class each semester and he’s accumulated enough credits to earn an additional degree. He started his second college career with a couple of photography classes. Cochran says he’s a “pretty decent shutterbug” and enjoys capturing nature shots in the marshes and bayous. The photography classes led to a myriad of courses on subjects he is interested in but never had time for fifty years ago as an engineering student. His favorite class over the past five years was livestock marketing.

“And it didn’t even count towards my degree.

But I grew up on a farm, was raised in auction barns, and visited area ranches.”

Even a second graduation won’t stop this lifelong learner. He plans to take more courses that pique his interest. Criminology tops his list. He is especially interested in serial killers and terrorism.

Health-Related Setbacks In 2013, Cochran was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation, and recovered from that illness. Two years later, he required open heart surgery due to blockages in his coronary arteries, from which he is still recovering. Cochran is disabled and attributes these health issues, as well as his diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and Parkinson’s disease, to his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. These setbacks took him away from his studies briefly, but Cochran persevered.

Extracurricular Activities Cochran doesn’t let age or disability slow him down. He is very active in veterans’ affairs. He occasionally speaks to school groups about the importance of honoring veterans on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. He is a member of Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. As a member of the Lake Charles Mayor’s Armed Forces Commission, Cochran serves as an advocate for veterans. He was successful in getting a resolution passed called Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, now called Vietnam Veterans Honors Day. It takes place each year in late March; a day for Vietnam vets to come together, share stories, listen to speakers, and enjoy a picnic in the park with each other.

A Legacy of Learning Cochran has endowed a self-funded scholarship through the McNeese Foundation. The Alfred Cochran Civil Engineering Scholarship is awarded to one deserving student each year. “I didn’t get the opportunity to do all I wanted to do as a Civil Engineer. If just one of these students does something important, I’ll be the happiest person in the world.”

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

21

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.”

Women’s & Children’s Honors Its “Elite” Nurses

Valerie Louviere

Sharonetta Brooks

Valerie Louviere, kids E.R. charge nurse; Sharonetta Brooks, kids E.R. nurse; and Tina Boyer, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse are three registered nurses at Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Lafayette who are among the 25 area nurses to Tina Boyer be honored at the 17th annual Acadiana Celebrates Nursing banquet.

The banquet is held during National Nurses’ Week each year to honor 25 individuals and promote nursing excellence, which each honoree represents at its highest level. For more information, call (337) 521-9172.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana Announces New Executive Board BBBS-SWLA is proud to announce the 2016 officers of the Board of Directors. Carly Leonards, JD Bank, will serve as President of the Board of Directors; Dane Bolin, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, will serve as Vice-President; Sara Dupre, L’Auberge Casino Resort, will serve as Treasurer; and Phyllis Hess, Lake Charles Charter Academy, will serve as Secretary. The executive board will work closely with the staff of BBBS-SWLA to ensure the agency continues to positively impact the children and community members of SWLA. Completing the board are its members Randy Burleigh, Sasol; Karen Chamberlain, Karen Chamberlain Consulting, LLC; Jack Drouilhet, SERVPRO; Kimberly Dellafosse, Christus St. Patrick Hospital; Jonathan Fontenot, Attorney at Law; Greg Mack, Farmers Rice Milling Company; and Scott Raley, Allstate Insurance.

For more information call (337) 478-5437.

22 www.thriveswla.com

LeLeux Achieves Membership in Million Dollar Round Table Outstanding client service, ethics and professionalism have enabled Janet LeLeux, of Sulphur, to achieve membership in the prestigious Million Janet LeLeux Dollar Round Table — The Premier Association of Financial Professionals. ® LeLeux is a first-year member of MDRT. Attaining membership in MDRT is a distinguishing career milestone. It requires LeLeux to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics, focus on providing top-notch client service and continue to grow professionally through involvement in at least one other industry association. For more information, contact Janet at (337) 625-3018 or janet.leleux@ceterais.com.

New Leadership at Lake Charles College Prep Felix Harris has accepted the position of principal at Lake Charles College Prep. He most recently served as The Prep’s assistant principal where he has been serving as Felix Harris interim principal during this school year. He previously served as principalin-training at Downtown Miami Charter School, one of Charter Schools USA’s highest achieving schools located in one of the most impoverished areas of Miami.

In addition to Harris’ appointment, Ken Roebuck has also joined the leadership team at The Prep. With a long history in the education field, he started his career in a coaching role at University of Louisiana Lafayette working with the baseball program. He most recently served as an administrator and principal at Carencro High School in Lafayette.

SOWELA Students Inducted into Recently Founded Phi Theta Kappa and National Technical Honor Society SOWELA Technical Community College held an Honors Induction Ceremony for the newly established chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS).

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Phi Theta Kappa membership requires students to have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and complete 12 credit hours of courses that can be applied to an associate’s degree. The students inducted into SOWELA’s Beta Phi Iota Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa include Natalia Arce-Hoffpauir, Brennan Ardoin, Nefititi Blakely, Danielle Breaux, Lequeda Campbell, Aaron Chovanec, Daneeka Coker, Kathryn Cormier, Madelyn Crador, Seth David, Hailey Erickson, Richard Fabacher, Sarah Fox, Charles Freese, Christopher Godair, Sheila Hantz, Jeremy Hoerner, Imani Lartigue, Laura Modlin, Virginia Mumford, Spense O’Neal, George O’Neil, Stephen Parker, Joshlynn Phillips, Pamela Phillips, Anya Sallier, Joelin Sinegal, Willard Slate, Margaret Smith-Myers, Elise Thevis, Jessica Valdez, and John Vincent.

Members of NTHS must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled in a technical program. The students inducted into this honor society include Natalia Arce-Hoffpauir, Quinton Campbell, Hailey Erickson, Jaris Hollier, Courtney LeBlue, Cynthia Nevills, Willie Scott III, and Jade Viator.

Local Software Developer Repeats As Distinguished Microsoft Awardee Earlier this month, Microsoft named local software developer Rion Williams as a recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Rion Williams (MVP) Award for 2016.

The MVP award is Microsoft’s highest honor and is awarded to outstanding leaders in the tech community for their exceptional expertise, contributions to the technical community, and passion for helping others.

Rion is currently the Senior Software Developer at Structure X, a Systems Integrator and Information Technology firm based out of Lake Charles. He is a Lake Charles native and a McNeese State University graduate (in Computer Science, Mathematics and Visual Arts). Rion was first honored with the accolade in 2014, becoming the first recipient from the state of Louisiana and one of just a handful to receive the award nationwide. 2016 will mark the third consecutive year that he has won.

For more information, call (337) 433-6262.

May 2016

Dr. Michael Turner Named Co-Editor of Medical Journal Dr. Michael Turner MD, FACC, FSCCT, preventive cardiology specialist with Cardiovascular Specialists, has been appointed co -editor for the new CT section of Dr. Michael Turner the international online journal Echocardiography, the official publication of the Society of Cardiovascular Ultrasound.

Dr. Turner is a founding member and Fellow of the Society of Cardiovascular CT and is board certified in both Cardiovascular CT and Cardiology.

He has over 45 years of experience in his field, and over the past decade has actively used advanced CT technology in his preventive cardiology practice. He recently successfully implemented a state-of-theart CT triage system to evaluate chest pain in the Emergency Room, the first program of its kind in Louisiana. He is a senior partner with Cardiovascular Specialists, an affiliate of Imperial Health, the largest multispecialty medical group in Southwest Louisiana. Dr. Turner serves as the Director of Cardiac CT for CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital and Imperial Imaging.

City Savings Banks Announces Promotions

Monica Thompson

Kade Martin

Paris Chaisson

Artem Shakirov

Originally from Simpson, La., Kade Martin has been promoted to Main Office Assistant Branch Manager. Martin holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from McNeese State University, and he has been with City Savings Bank for one year.

He previously served as a lending officer with the Leesville branch.

Paris Chaisson has been promoted to Moss Bluff Branch Manager. She served prior as Assistant Manager for the branch. Chaisson is a native of Lake Charles and has been with City Savings Bank for nearly three years.

Artem Shakirov has lived in DeRidder since childhood, and he was recently promoted to Countryside Assistant Branch Manager where he will continue offering lending services as well as oversee bank tellers. Shakirov graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance from University of Louisiana at Monroe.

For more information, call (337) 463-8661.

Longville-Native Brooke Fontenot Awarded LSU University College’s Anthony J. Losavio Scholarship LSU University College presented its annual “Celebration of Excellence” Spring Awards program.

Brooke Fontenot was awarded LSU University College’s Anthony J. Losavio Scholarship. Fontenot, a freshman majoring in kinesiology, joins an elite group of scholarship recipients. Fontenot, daughter of Joshua and Joni Fontenot, is a graduate of South Beauregard High School.

The Anthony J. Losavio Scholarship is generously provided through the support of the Losavio family. It is awarded to a full-time LSU freshman student enrolled in University College with a minimum of 3.0 GPA. For more information, visit www.uc.lsu.edu.

Women’s & Children’s Welcomes Pediatric Gastroenterologist Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Lafayette is proud to welcome Dr. Jatinder Bhardwaj, board-certified pediatric gastroenterologist, to its team of nearly 40 Dr. Jatinder Bhardwaj pediatric specialists representing over 20 disciplines serving Acadiana families.

Dr. Bhardwaj attended the prestigious Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, India, where he earned his bachelor’s degrees in medicine and surgery in 1999. After finishing his residency in pediatrics at Flushing Hospital Medical Center in Queens, New York in 2007, Dr. Bhardwaj completed a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology/ hepatology/nutrition at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Bhardwaj’s office is located at 4630 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy, Building A, Suite 406, Lafayette. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (337) 889-3817.

City Savings Bank is proud to announce that four of its team members have recently received promotions.

Monica Thompson, a Lake Charles native, has been named Branch Operations Manager for City Savings Bank. Thompson previously served as the Assistant Branch Manager of the Sulphur branch, and in her new position she will oversee operations, policies and procedures for all teller positions and customer service representatives. Thompson has been in banking for 16 years.

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

23

24 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

YOU LAW

and the

The landscape of the law can be overwhelming to navigate.

How do you know when you need a lawyer? How do you know how to choose the right one? For the layperson, the language of legalese is foreign and daunting. This section is designed to see you through.

WHEN DO YOU NEED A LAWYER? There are many reasons why you might need to a see a lawyer, but nearly everyone agrees that you should talk with a lawyer about major life events or changes. According to the American Bar Association, examples when you most certainly should seek the advice of an attorney include: • being arrested for a crime; • being served with documents related to a legal proceeding or lawsuit; • being involved in a serious accident causing personal injury or property damage; • a change or pending change in family status, such as divorce, birth, adoption, or death; • a change or pending change in financial status, such as filing for bankruptcy or getting or losing valuable personal property or real estate.

Cost is often a deciding factor against getting legal representation, but “an ounce of prevention is worth many dollars and anxious hours of cure,” according to the ABA. “Once you have determined that you need professional legal help, get it promptly. You’ll get the most out of the experience if you start sooner rather than later.

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

25

YOU and the LAW These days, the problem isn’t finding a lawyer. According to the American Bar Association, there are currently over 1.3 million lawyers in the United States; Louisiana alone plays host to 18,000 of these.

The problem is finding the right lawyer, a task that is much more difficult than simply phoning the first firm you see that has a billboard ad. Their websites might tell you

is appropriate for your case, your personality and your budget is to get to know them personally.

So go ahead and see about scheduling initial consultations. If a lawyer won’t take the time, best to move on.

“A lawyer who isn’t willing to have a personal consultation with you right off the bat isn’t the lawyer for you,” says Somer Brown, also of Cox Cox Filo Camel and Wilson.

Wilson emphasizes this as an especially important element of the entire process. “Positive results will necessarily flow from your lawyer having a personal relationship with you.”

Get to know their individual case history, the last time they worked on a case like your own and the kind of attitude they bring to the table. If you feel you have to hold back relevant information from them, you’re only hurting your own case. Wilson insists that this kind of comfort, this openness, is essential in any case.

“Be honest and tell us exactly what happened, give us the whole story. It’s easier for us to work for you when we know all of

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT LAWYER a bit – according to Tina Wilson of Cox, Cox, Filo, Camel and Wilson, a good website should tell you much about the firm’s history, its reputation and the kind of work it has done – but that information can only tell you so much. And while the Louisiana State Bar Association has a directory and phone numbers for lawyer referral services, they, too, can only provide a limited array of information.

Personal referrals can be useful for narrowing the list down, but ultimately the best way to figure out whether an attorney

26 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

the facts,” she says.

Be sure to discuss the cost of your case, the potential fee structure they’re looking to charge (beware of hourly rates, since they can add up fast), and the firm’s flexibility with regards to any potential problems you may have with paying. If this seems pushy on your part, Brown assures that it is not. “Lawyers should be willing and able, and you should feel comfortable, to have that conversation, if you need to. That’s something you should ask up front.”

You shouldn’t feel that all this emphasis on having a more personal relationship with your attorney disqualifies larger firms from your consideration, though. Slightly larger firms have more resources and more people.

You may only have one point of contact you discuss your case with but in fact it may be that multiple people are working on your case at any given time.

Of course, this varies from firm to firm.

As with everything else, the specifics are something you will have to discover for yourself.

May 2016

Many clients have trouble navigating their relationship with their attorney.

Understandably so: it’s a vulnerable position to be in, one where you’re often forced to explain many deeply personal elements of your life to someone you barely know and to turn over control of life-altering decisions to their discretion. You may at first be tempted to hold back, embarrassed to

“We’ve heard it all. Just be honest. Because whatever you’re hiding, it will come up. The other side already knows about it and it’s hard to recover when we’re blindsided in court,” Antoon says.

This does not, of course, mean reporting on every little thing that possibly happens.

Much as you may think you’re helping by making too-frequent calls, Antoon assures

HOW TO WORK EFFECTIVELY WITH A LAWYER reveal too much. On the other hand, you may be the kind of client who feels a pressing need to micromanage your own case, to call your attorney every day with even the most minor of updates or to drop in to the office just to check the progress of your case.

It may be that you’re (justifiably) nervous about an important case or because you don’t trust your lawyer. But according to Alyson Antoon of Antoon Law Firm, these behaviors actually interfere with the process instead of assisting.

First, she says, you should never be afraid to reveal every last facet of your case.

May 2016

that these kinds of incessant interruptions do more harm than good.

“Attorneys are busy. They’re often in the middle of something. Much of the time these impromptu calls actually distract us from really working on your case,” she says, adding that she’s had clients who have wanted to press on with frivolous motions and pleadings that waste the client’s time and money. “Trust your lawyer: they know the landscape, they know the best course of action.”

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

This doesn’t mean capitulating on every little thing, of course. Antoon notes that payment is the one thing many clients don’t pay quite enough attention to.

“Many attorneys bill by the hour, and rack up (the client’s) bill, and are charging them bundles of money for small things that could have been worked out if they’d only just communicated with the other side,” she says. Make sure you’ve established the terms of your pay-structure early on and pay close attention to how your attorney is spending the money. Many firms are flexible and willing to work with the client to make sure they have a payment plan ideal for both parties.

This, in turn, frees you up to focus instead on simply being available. It sounds like a small element, but according to Antoon, the clients who get the most for their money are those who stay on top of their appointments and who answer when they’re called.

“Attorneys often have difficulty getting in touch with clients to advise them of upcoming deadlines or court dates. This causes us to spend unnecessary time trying to reach the client—time that the client is paying for,” she adds.

www.thriveswla.com

27

YOU and the LAW People generally avoid discussing wills. It feels vulgar to pester our loved ones with questions about what they plan to leave us and unsettling to consider our own demise.

But the sad reality is one way or the other, your estate is going to change hands when you die. Why not then exercise some control over it yourself?

DO YOU NEED A WILL? “A will is a layperson’s opportunity to write the law that applies to their estate,” explains Pete Pohorelsky, a partner of Scofield, Gerard, Pohorelsky, Gallaugher and Landry Law firm, who specializes in estate planning. “Without a will, your property will be broken up according to state laws, which tends to divvy up your estate in equal shares between

28 www.thriveswla.com

your closest surviving family members,” Pohorelsky says.

Initially, this might seem fine. So long as your property stays with your family, isn’t that enough? The problem is that this division of property is not clear: while it may divide the overall estate equally amongst your heirs, it misses out on nuance, on specifics. If you have four children, how do they evenly divide the family portrait?

You may have promised it to a single child, but without a written will demonstrating as much, what usually arises is years of litigation and in-fighting.

“I’ve seen families spend thousands of dollars fighting each other over items of little monetary value but of deep sentimental value,” Pohorelsky says. “A well-written will could have prevented all of that waste and strife.”

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

When you write a will, you are not simply distributing property between your legatees.

You are, ideally, working to prevent any undue trouble that arises in the wake of your passing.

Of course, you have to be clear about your will’s intent. Though you can always create your own legally binding will on your lonesome – this is called an olographic will and must be handwritten, signed and dated by the one leaving the will; if anybody even so much as writes the date in your place it becomes invalid – Pohorelsky advises working with a lawyer to construct a notarial will.

“The layperson often doesn’t know exactly what he can and can’t do with his property, or how to craft language legally sufficient to transfer his property as he intended.” He also warns that because olographic wills must be

May 2016

entirely handwritten they are often subject to challenge.

No single will is exempt from attack, of course. If you’ve made multiple wills throughout your life that might lead to some conflict. “Someone will file a will for probate – asking the court to execute the will and its terms. Then someone else will file a more recent will, composed and signed after the initially probated will. This more recent will may or may not contain language revoking the earlier will, leading to a battle of wills,” Pohorelsky says. And while most of your property can be transferred, there are a small number of things you cannot leave behind through it, such as the proceeds from your life insurance policy, which can only be left to the beneficiary you designated when you created said policy, or which is designated on a subsequent beneficiary change form.

As complicated as all this might seem, the alternative is actually much worse, according to Pohorelsky—hence why it’s so important to make sure that when you create a will you work as best you can to ensure its power.

EXPERIENCE

SKILL

INTEGRITY

RESULTS

SCOFIELD, GERARD, POHORELSKY GALLAUGHER & LANDRY Attorneys at Law Since 1876 John B. Scofield, Emeritus Richard E. Gerard, Emeritus John R. Pohorelsky Scott J. Scofield Patrick D. Gallaugher Robert E. Landry

901 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 900 Lake Charles, LA 70601 (337) 433-9436

Phillip W. Devilbiss Peter J. Pohorelsky Kevin P. Fontenot Andrea Albright Crawford William B. Swift, L.L.C., Of Counsel

www.sgpgl.com This Firm is Listed in the Martindale-Hubbell Register of Preeminent Lawyers

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

29

YOU and the LAW Most people have some uncertainty about how to handle certain, relatively common situations that involve law enforcement officers. We asked the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office about three of these.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? 1. What should you do when you are pulled over by a cop?

3. What is the appropriate response when driving and a funeral procession is approaching?

Pull over off of the roadway to the nearest safe location.

Have all necessary paperwork in order, i.e. driver’s license, vehicle registration, current insurance card. Roll down driver’s side window and comply with the officer’s verbal directions if given. Keep hands visible at all times by placing them on the steering wheel and advise the officer prior to removing them to gain access to any articles they may request. Also advise all occupants to also keep all hands visible at all times by placing them on the dashboard or headrests.

2. What is the proper way to respond when a cop or emergency vehicle is approaching?

This is both a courtesy and safety response. At intersections, follow any directional signals given by the officer. Once completed, follow traffic signals as usual.

When a funeral procession is approaching from behind or in opposing lane of traffic, pull your vehicle over to the right side of the roadway to allow the procession to safely pass. Once the procession has passed, re-enter the roadway and proceed in your lane of travel when it is safe to do so.

Remain calm and use directional signals to change lanes out of the officer’s path if they are coming from behind. Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible or visual signals, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

30 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

LIVE

WORK

GROW BANK

This is your home, where you’ve built a wonderful life. Shouldn’t your money have a local home too?

Lakeside is local and proud of it. Personal attention and strong relationships are what set Lakeside apart from bigger, non-local banks. The bigger the bank, the smaller the customer, in most cases.

Not at Lakeside. Our customers are our biggest asset, and we treat them that way. We’re fully invested in helping you achieve your financial goals, and offer flexibility, quick decisions and a depth of community banking resources. Our experienced local bankers will go out of their way to make sure your needs are being met, providing the type of responsive, personalized service that only a truly local bank can deliver.

Experience it for yourself.

Sleeping Against the Clock?

United States employers lose around $18 billion in productivity due to sleep loss each year. Shift Worker’s Sleep Disorder (SWSD) is common in those who work non-traditional hours, usually between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

SWSD can lead to an increase in accidents, work-related errors and sick leave, not to mention the direct health risks to the suffer. Increased irritability or mood problems and increased stroke and heart disease risk along with a higher likelihood of weight gain are just a few of the side effects of sleep deprivation.

Do you work shift work and suffer from the following?

DIFFICULTY SLEEPING EXCESSIVE TIREDNESS DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING HEADACHES

Join the Migration to Lakeside.

LACK OF ENERGY

Call us today to put your sleep to rest.

Change your sleep.

Change your day.

Change your life.

The Way Banking Should Be Lake Charles

Lake Charles

Westlake

(337) 474-3766 (337) 502-4314

(337) 502-4144

4735 Nelson Road

2132 Oak Park Blvd.

2203 Sampson Street

LakesideBanking.com May 2016

Sleep Specialists Jana P. Kaimal, MD Phillip Conner, MD Michelle Zimmerman, NP

4820 Lake St. • Lake Charles, LA 70605

(337) 310-REST (7378) • (877) 597-REST (7378)

www.sleepdisordercenterofla.com www.facebook.com/SDCofLA

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

31

Home & Family

Oasis BACK YARD

photos by Barbara VanGossen

32 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

Allan and Donna Carter have the luxury of an oasis in their backyard; a place where they can sit by a fire in the early morning sipping coffee to start their day, or wade in a refreshing pool to cool off their afternoons.

It’s a place of openness and serenity – a project that started when they redesigned their pool and added an outdoor fireplace.

There are hints of history, too: vintage duck decoys, a set of lockers from Lake Charles High School and a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted chandelier that is partially over 100 years old.

Landscape Management developed the garden plan, but the Carters did all the work.

The result? A rich and beautiful respite from the rest of the world – just a few steps away.

Allan and Donna Carter with their well-mannered and loving rescued boxers, Miley and Max. May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

33

Home & Family

Miley keeps to the path made particularly for the pups to follow, keeping them mud-free and out of the beds.

The Carters stay on top of removing the dead foliage and flowers to keep the garden looking great. A tub full of purple petunias lends a splash of contrasting color in the foreground.

A budding teddy bear magnolia tree stands tall amidst the amaryllis, drift roses, fox tail ferns and red ruffle azealias. The Carters chose a color-enhanced, contaminant-free SoftscapeTM mulch as the base to the flower beds. This mulch goes a long way and keeps its coloring much longer than traditional wood mulch.

No garden is complete without a certain amount of whimsy. This rain gauge snuggles in perfectly amongst the multitude of colorful roses.

A garden favorite of Allan’s is the 40-year-old duck decoys adorning the outdoor, tiered, brick fireplace.

34 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

The unique centerpiece for the outdoor ramada is this over 100-yearold Conastoga wagonwheel purchased at Larry’s Old Time Trade Days in Winnie, Texas.

The Carters pulled an iron chandelier up through the wheel center to make this one-of-a-kind light fixture.

A beautiful Spring showing of amaryllis (top), red and pink drift roses (right) and yellow iris (below).

This old set of lockers came out of Lake Charles High School. It is a natural fit for storage, but with the addition of wheels, it works perfectly as a serving buffet that can be pulled out for entertaining.

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

35

7

Home & Family

Places Mosquitoes Might Be Hiding in Your Yard

Mosquitoes could be living, flying and breeding right in your yard, and you might not even know it.

Mosquitoes aren’t just a nuisance, they are also a health threat. Some species common in the United States can carry and spread Zika virus, Chikungunya virus, West Nile virus and canine heart worm. The first sign of mosquito activity is usually buzzing from female mosquitoes and their bites.

Where Mosquitoes Breed

Female mosquitoes can lay as many as 100 eggs at a time. They can lay eggs in just a few inches of standing water, making pinpointing breeding sites a challenge.

To help homeowners, Orkin Entomologist Ron Harrison, Ph.D., reveals seven places mosquitoes like the most and offers advice on how to help keep them out of your yard.

Gutters. If enough debris is left to collect over time, dirty gutters can clog up and create pockets of water perfect for mosquito breeding. Cleaning gutters regularly to make sure water is flowing smoothly can help keep mosquitoes from breeding so close to your home.

Toys. They are an often overlooked source of standing water, but toys can collect pockets of water and just a few inches is enough for a mosquito to raise a family.

Bird baths. Even though birds eat a variety of insects, standing water in bird baths left unchecked for days at a time can become an oasis for female mosquitoes looking for a place to lay eggs.

Inspect and change the water weekly to avoid an infestation.

Flower pots. Rainwater can collect in saucers under flower pots. If left to sit for days, the water becomes an excellent breeding spot for mosquitoes.

Plants. Some plants can hold water in their “mouths” and offer mosquitoes enough standing water to lay their eggs. Other shrubbery can serve as a hide-out for grown mosquitoes. In addition to blood, mosquitoes feed on nectar from flowers, so they often hide in shrubbery during the day. Thinning dense shrubbery to increase air flow can help reduce the number of adult mosquitoes in your yard.

Rain barrels. If water is used within a few days, it will likely not be enough time to create a mosquito problem, but if water is left standing for multiple days, be prepared to find a hotbed of hungry pests.

Tree cavities. Each year, cavities in tree stumps and trunks are filled with water by rainfall or melting ice and snow, and mosquitoes may choose these holes for breeding. While it can be difficult to remove the standing water, a licensed professional can help identify and treat these areas.

Low points in the yard. Any areas lower than the rest of your yard may collect and hold standing water. Make note of these areas when patrolling and be sure to inspect and drain them if necessary.

Take Back Your Yard

It’s important to do a weekly inspection of your entire yard to locate and eliminate any standing water. It’s also a good idea to encourage your neighbors to do the same so that mosquitoes aren’t traveling from their yard to yours.

If you’ve done everything you can to help prevent mosquitoes and are still having problems, you may need a licensed professional.

TXT + DRV = safetycouncilswla.org 36 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

Does Everyone Deserve a Trophy?

Not everyone deserves a trophy in youth sports, according to psychologist and former professional athlete Jason Richardson. He believes unearned rewards can ultimately be harmful.

“Self-esteem alone is not the measure by which we should prepare our children for greatness,” says Richardson, a Pan-Am Games gold medalist and author of It’s All BS! We’re All Wrong, and You’re All Right!

Richardson isn’t alone. Last year, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison returned two participation trophies given to his sons, awarded not for a specific victory, but simply for being studentathletes.

Anyone can give and get a trophy, but the true value of youth sports is in the occasional tough lessons – and successes – children experience through hard work and merit, Richardson says.

Instead of handing out trophies, Richardson offers these tips: Stop saying “the problem is …”. Too many people blame the coach, the school, the other kids, the equipment, the schedule. This kind of thinking immediately rules out your child’s goals. Instead, say things that rule in positive outcomes, such as, “I/We/ You can do this!”

Make failure a teachable moment. If your child missed a free throw that would’ve won the team the game, encourage free-throw practice the next day. Better yet, ask them what they are going to do differently next time. Use a coach’s staple: remind your child that Michael Jordan was cut by his high school basketball team during his sophomore year.

Parents can always reward persistence and effort.

Don’t let your child’s ego run wild. The flipside of low self-esteem due to failure can be cockiness with success. Children have far less experience keeping the ego in check. Try to catch this early. Temper their ego by showing examples of humility, respect and gratitude. Use examples of great athletes who have overcome slumps or adversity.

Show them how to be a better student. It may seem odd that a star quarterback can memorize every detail of a complex playbook, but has trouble with class studies. If he’s having trouble with chemistry, for example, place the playbook next to the textbook and show him the parallels of complexity. Don’t let him believe he’s “just a jock.”

May 2016

We’re the Perfect Fit

Bessette Realty, Inc.

for Any Real Estate Need

O U R 2 0 1 5 AWA R D W I N N E R S :

PRESIDENT’S AWARD 2015 DOUBLE CENTURION® PRODUCER

2015 CENTURION AWARD

Lydia Holland Office Awards

Larry Turner 2015 QUALITY SERVICE PINNACLE

2015 QUALITY SERVICE

Analee Dupuie

Kim Granger

Shellie Hoffpauir

Tammy Ardoin

Karen Thibodeaux Barker

Kimberly Blanchard

Sharon Leger

Suzanne McCoy

Jade Miles

Karen Davis

Sharel Hebert

Lydia Holland

Jackie Myers

Grace Robideaux

Larry Turner

John Koetter

Keisha LaFosse

Linda Moffett

MASTERS EMERALD PRODUCERS

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

OFFICE SPIRIT AWARD

Jade Miles

Kim Blanchard

Sharel Hebert

Karen Davis

Grace Robideaux

MASTERS RUBY PRODUCERS

Karen Thibodeaux Barker

Analee Dupuie

Kim Granger

2015 GOLD LEVEL

Tammy Ardoin

Kimberly Blanchard

Shellie Hoffpauir

Sharon Leger

337.474.2185 Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Sharel Hebert

Suzanne McCoy

Linda Moffett

Jackie Myers

2015 SILVER LEVEL

John Koetter

Paula Hilliard

Peggie Dando

Joy Dumesnil

Rebecca Slone

century21-bessette.com Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

www.thriveswla.com

37

Home & Family

The practice is

growing!

For more than 11 years, Dr. Prestia & her staff have been committed to providing the best, most up-to-date care possible, and thanks to all of you, the practice is growing and thriving! To continue to offer you professional, compassionate, and timely care, Anne B. Griepsma has joined our staff as Nurse Practitioner. She is available for annual exams, routine primary care, and together with Dr. Prestia, new comprehensive weight loss services!

Call us for more information and to schedule your appointment. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Alice Babst Prestia, M.D. APMC Anne B. Griepsma, APRN, FNP-C 4150 Nelson Rd. Suite E - 3 Lake Charles, LA 70605 337.475.8949 ph 路 337.475.8946 fax 38 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

5 Simple Tips for Birthday Bash Success WHETHER YOU’RE PLANNING A PRINCESS TEA PARTY OR A SUPERHERO BIRTHDAY BASH, THE SECRET TO ORGANIZING A PARTY YOUR CHILD WILL TREASURE IS TO KEEP YOUR LITTLE ONE’S INTERESTS AT THE FOREFRONT. IF YOUR CHILD DOES WELL IN SMALLER GROUPS, KEEP THE GUEST LIST SMALL. PLAN THE MENU AROUND HIS OR HER FAVORITE FOODS AND LOOK FOR LITTLE TOUCHES THAT CELEBRATE THE UNIQUE JOY HE OR SHE BRINGS TO YOUR FAMILY. HERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO MAKE YOUR LITTLE ONE’S BIG DAY EXTRA SPECIAL:

1

SET A THEME. Building your celebration around a theme that reflects your child brings an added touch of fun and excitement.

Popular options include a favorite color, sport, activity or character. While the Internet offers a mind-boggling array of ideas for crafting the perfect theme, there also are a variety of party-ready options for busy parents with limited time.

2

DECORATE THE GUESTS. There’s no reason to stop with streamers and balloons. Integrate your guests into the decor with fun activities that bring your theme to life.

Face paint, washable tattoos or stamps let little guests take an active role in the party and express a little creativity of their own.

3

AMP UP THE ACTIVITY. Create opportunities for all the little partygoers to participate in

the festivities with interactive games that tie back to the theme of the party.

Old-school favorites like pin-the-tail on the donkey can be updated to reflect today’s popular characters; make-yourown slime or clay is the perfect project for a group of mad scientists; or a treasure hunt can be adapted to nearly any theme.

4

ADD SOME FANCY TO THE FOOD. If your party menu calls for more than cake and ice cream, you can take advantage of another avenue to carry through your theme. A little creativity, some clever monikers and a few basic modifications can quickly transform everyday snacks into festive fun. For example, a dinosaur party might feature Brontosaurus Burgers and T-Rex Trail Mix. The options are nearly endless,

and if you’re at a loss, you can find ample inspiration online.

5

OFFER A FOND FAREWELL. No birthday party is complete without treats to send partygoers home happy. However, goodie bags need not be costly or elaborate. An inexpensive item such as bubbles or sidewalk chalk tied in theme-colored ribbon is a fun choice for many ages.

Simply package items in a vessel that fits the theme, such as a purse for a princess party or a small pail for a beach blast.

Find more party ideas, visit HersheyBirthdays.com.

INTRODUCING

A NEW STANDARD OF CLEAN

RYTECH OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

CARPET

We use the highest quality, most advanced equipment providing maximum cleaning capability without distressing your carpet or leaving residue behind.

377-477-8400 May 2016

AIR DUCT

We offer air duct cleaning services that will remove airborne contaminants and improve your indoor air quality.

TILE/GROUT

Our process can be used on a variety of tile, including ceramic and porcelain, and is ideal for kitchen and bathroom floors, showers, countertops, and entranceways.

rytechofswla.com Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

39

Money & Career How to Master the Art of

by Erin Kelly

The art of complaining has changed significantly over the years. In the old days, you’d begrudgingly approach a manager, bellyache to your spouse, or write a tersely worded letter. But today’s society is immediate, with short attention spans and little patience—not to mention the frightening beast of social media, which has given disgruntled complainers (of which there are many) a worldwide platform to air their grievances.

That’s not to say that you can’t or shouldn’t complain. There are times when a well-timed complaint can get you the restitution you deserve.

But there’s a smart way to do it, and a less effective way. For one, make sure you actually have

something to complain about. We all know the guy who has something negative to say about every service, or the woman who finds the cloud behind every silver lining. You don’t want to be that person.

“Ask yourself: What do I want from this?

Is it worth my time and effort? What good reasons does the other side have to address my complaint?” says Linda Swindling, author of Stop Complainers and Energy Drainers: How to Negotiate Work Drama to Get More Done.

You also want to find out if you have any shared interests in getting the issue resolved. If so, work them to your advantage, Swindling says.

Here’s a few more tips on how to master the art of complaint: Ask for help. That’s the best place to start, according to Randi Busse, author of Turning Rants into Raves. An example: “I’m hoping you can help me. My name is John, and here’s what happened. How can we resolve this?”

Go to the source. Don’t waste time complaining to someone who can’t do anything about it, says communications expert Marilyn Suttle, author of Who’s Your Gladys? How to Turn Even the Most Difficult Customer into Your Biggest Fan. Start by asking, “Do you have the authority to … (upgrade my seat, make an exception to the company’s return policy …).” Ask to talk to someone who has the authority to say yes.

If you’re speaking directly with a person, appeal to them as a person, not as a representative of the company with whom you hold a grudge, says Busse. Suttle notes that you can be upfront with your anger, but make sure the person you’re talking to

40 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

knows that it’s nothing personal against them.

“When you’re too angry to hide it—don’t.

Instead, be upfront about it. Say something like, ‘I’m really upset right now, and it has nothing to do with you personally.’” You’ll be more likely to get support rather than defensiveness from your service provider. A defensive service provider won’t be as helpful to you. Every action you take creates a reaction – so choose actions that will create an ally not an enemy.

If you want someone to listen to your complaint and care to fix it, make it easy for them to want to help you, Suttle says.

Realize that it’s a human being you’re talking to. Humans respond well to rapport-building communication. Acknowledge how things are from their point of view. Say something like this: "I imagine it’s not easy having to deal with complaining customers all day.”

May 2016

Haters gonna hate, so you’ve got to shake it off. “The song’s got it right,” Suttle says. “Remember, service providers don’t feel good about solving problems for people that make their lives miserable. Hating on service providers by demanding, name calling and threatening to write a negative online review may make you feel powerful in the moment, but the stronger your reaction, the less credible you’ll be.”

Stick to the facts, Swindling suggests. Don’t go off on a tangent about anything that’s not related to your complaint, and don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Stay the course with accurate, tangible information.

Be smart on social media. According to Butte, there may be times when you want to take your case to Twitter—if you can’t reach the company, are being ignored, or feel compelled to warn others about a bad situation, for example—but make sure you use social media purposefully.

“Instead of bashing, ask a pointed question, be clear and concise about the complaint and your desire to have it resolved,” Suttle says. “Whenever company’s see a 1-star online review, they click on that person’s handle to see their other reviews. If they have ten reviews that are all one star, it means they really aren’t looking for a solution to a problem, they’re just griping. Know what you want and ask for it.”

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

41

Money & Career

Workforce Demand Means Strong ROI for New Business Administration Degree SOWELA’s First Fully Online Associate’s Degree Program Creates Opportunities for Southwest Louisiana’s Working Adults The newly minted Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration degree will begin this summer in SOWELA Technical Community College’s School of Business and Applied Technology. Students can earn the degree on campus or online.

“This is the first fully online degree program at the College, and it’s a great fit for working adults.

The addition of a Business Administration program will help equip students to fill the demand for current and future growth in management-related fields,” said Dr. David Shankle, dean of the School of Business and Applied Technology.

According to a published report from the Southwest Louisiana Chamber Alliance , projections in our five-parish service area indicate that management-related careers will increase 263% by the year 2020.

The goal of the Business Administration program is to offer students a well-rounded business education that equips them for entrylevel administrative or supervisory positions. A degree in Business Administration offers a broader skill set, including marketing, management, economics, accounting, ethics, and personal finance. This program differs from SOWELA’s other business degrees in that it is more general.

The Office Systems Technology and Accounting

Technology programs are targeted toward specific careers and skills.

Due to a compressed schedule for online classes, students can complete two classes every seven weeks, including during the summer months, and finish the program in 20 months.

More than half of the courses in this program, a minimum of 33 credit hours, are fully transferrable to four-year universities. Additional credits can be accepted based on the receiving institution.

The program was granted approval from The Council on Occupational Education (COE).

Program launch is pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)—the same accreditation body of other Louisiana public four-year universities.

SOWELA Technical Community College provides traditional, distance, and lifelong learning experiences and awards associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates that empower learners in transfer, career and technical education to excel as globally competitive citizens. The College has been educating the region’s workforce for more than 75 years.

For more information or to apply to the program, call (337) 421-6550 or visit www.sowela.edu/academics/business-administration.

42 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

WIN ONE OF TEN HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES ®

OR A SHARE OF $32,000 IN CASH AND BONUS REWARDSTM OR PROMO CHIPS!

SUNDAY, MAY 29, 2016 • 3PM – 7PM Earn entries from 5am Sunday, May 1 – 6:55pm Sunday, May 29. Every 10 points earned is one entry. Earn 5X entries by playing Sundays and Mondays prior the giveaway.

Must be 21 or older to enter casino and event center. ©2016 Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

Play LegendaryTM

GAMBLING PROBLEM? PLEASE CALL 800.522.4700.

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

43

3

Money & Career

Ways to Network

Networking is a small nightmare for many. The more businesses move to a global mindset, the more would-be employees and creatives expand the scope of their networks and it will no longer cut it to follow the old script of showing up at a small trade show, flashing a few smiles, bantering through some small talk, exchanging business cards and shaking hands. If you’re going to stay afloat and competitive in this world, you have to find inventive ways to expand your reach and make new connections.

Here’s how.

Make a Name for Yourself on Social Media This is the most immediately exciting way to really grow your network – but also the most immediately difficult. This doesn’t mean embarrassing yourself, of course; Barnum’s pithy rejoinder that it’s not what they say about you so much as it is if they spell your name correctly doesn’t apply so well in an age where future business partners or bosses will be browsing your various internet profiles to make sure you aren’t a liability. Instead, it means building a personable, unique and exciting brand that distinguishes you as somebody of presence.

Talk with other professionals in your field on Twitter: you’ll be surprised how quickly even supposedly unapproachable people are to carry on a conversation if they like what you have to say. You may also be surprised how

44 www.thriveswla.com

by Austin Price

quick they are to introduce you to other accounts. Join up on Linkedin and see whom your coworkers or friends connect you to. Chances are you’re only a step or two away from somebody working in the field you want to be in or at the level you’re eager to get to.

Collaborate Collaborate on small, independent projects with other creative types.

Many small artistic communities tend to have art jams, little no-pressure meetings that throw you and a few other like-minded sorts into impromptu collaborations. There’s always the risk of wasted time and bruised egos, but it’s a perfect chance to see what others in your field or in a closely connected field are doing with themselves. And if you really click you may find that a tenpage proposal you two bandied has grown into a hundred-page script.

Find Opportunities to Speak If you’re comfortable with public speaking, go out of your way to find opportunities to talk on panels or present at conferences. It’s a perfect way to demonstrate your expertise to a wide group of your peers and attract others without you having to do the normal rotten work of networking; think of it like putting a flame out for moths to gather around.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

Let Today’s Habits Foretell Tomorrow’s Needs A difficult task people face when planning for retirement is trying to gauge whether their spending will go up or go down. No single answer fits everyone. But it’s prudent to plan on spending at least the same amount the month after retirement as you spent the month before, says Ken Sutherland, president of LifePlan Group, an independent Registered Investment Advisory firm.

“I always ask clients to figure out how much they need to pay the bills and enjoy life prior to retirement,” he says. “That’s what they should figure they’ll need.”

Sutherland provided the following tips for mapping out retirement spending: Expect to spend more earlier.

Most people are healthier and more energetic in the first decade of retirement, so they may want to budget more for that period.

As they get older, expenses may decrease because they are less active.

One possible exception is medical expenses.

Don’t assume a surviving spouse will need less. “For every widow I have worked with who spent less, there were others who spent more,” Sutherland says. “Some of that is because they need to hire help for chores around the house. But they also may do more traveling and more dining out.” Make budget plans with that in mind.

Use a modest inflation assumption.

According to Sutherland, inflation has been high in the past and could be again, but in the near term inflation doesn’t impact you as much, and in the long term you likely won’t spend as much. If you use a 5 or 6 percent assumption, which is much higher than today’s inflation-rate reality, you’ll conclude you need more money than you likely do. A 2 or 3 percent assumption would provide a more realistic scenario.

IndustryInsider

Straight Answers to Your Questions on Industry and the Environment

Q:

How can I find out about job openings at area industries?

A:

LAIA.com has links to websites of area industries.

Area industries provide good paying, long-term jobs to thousands of people in Southwest Louisiana. There’s a constant need for new employees thanks to expansion and retirement.

As industries expand, there’s a need for short-term workers for construction as well as long-term employees. Experienced workers are needed on an ongoing basis and the demand will increase in the next few years. Now is a good time to train for a job at area industries.

Bryan Taylor

representative with area industry

Visit www.laia.com for links to the websites of area industries where jobs are posted.

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

45

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

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Celebrates 108 Years

Modern Pantry Now Open at L’Auberge Lake Charles On April 7th, L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles held a ribbon cutting to introduce its newest dining concept, Modern Pantry. The casual restaurant serves up PJ’s Coffee, breakfast, pastries, local creole favorite’s boudin and gumbo, sushi from the chefs at Asia, salads, sandwiches, our legendary gelato and decadent desserts baked up by an internationally recognized pastry team. All housemade. All fresh.

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital celebrated its 108th anniversary with a St. Patrick’s Day Mass in the Convent Chapel and the annual Grace Gardens Brick Dedication and Blessing Ceremony.

The hospital’s anniversary marks 108 years of delivering dignity, integrity, excellence, compassion and stewardship in healthcare through a mission of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

CHRISTUS St. Patrick was the first hospital in Lake Charles and was dedicated on St. Patrick’s Day in 1908 as St. Patrick Sanitarium, with 50 beds, an operating room and a sterilizing room. The name was later changed to CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital, which has continued its tradition of dedication and quality medical care for 108 years.

Lyons Insurance Agency Receives Award The Northlake Insurance Group, LTD recently presented Lyons Insurance Agency, Inc. with an award at their annual member meeting. The award was for the largest revenue growth percentage in 2015. The revenue growth, 26.2%, was the largest among the 16 independent agencies throughout Louisiana that make up Northlake Insurance Group.

Lyons Insurance has been serving the insurance needs of Southwest Louisiana since 1960. The agency is licensed to write personal and commercial insurance in Louisiana and Texas. For more information, visit lyonsagency.com.

ICHRMA Receives Prestigious SHRM The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) recently awarded the Imperial Calcasieu Human Resource Management Association (ICHRMA) its prestigious EXCEL Bronze Award for ICHRMA’s accomplishments in 2015.

The award is part of the SHRM Affiliate Program for Excellence, which aligns individual chapters and councils’ activities with SHRM’s aspirations for the HR profession. The award recognizes accomplishments and strategic activities and initiatives that enhance the human resources profession.

46 www.thriveswla.com

McDonald’s of SWLA Holds Ribbon Cuttings McDonald’s of Southwest Louisiana held ribbon cuttings in DeQuincy and Sulphur to celebrate the remodel completion of all ten Calcasieu Parish McDonald’s. The entire market in the parish now has the new look of McDonald’s, both exterior and interior.

McDonald’s of SWLA consistently ranks in the top 50 privately owned businesses in the parish, and it has employed over 23,000 people since 1972. Currently it employs over 600 people across Calcasieu Parish with a payroll of more than $6 million a year. For more information, visit www.mcdswla.com.

L’Auberge SVP and General Manager Keith W. Henson and Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach are joined by Modern Pantry Manager Billy Rase, Chefs Jeff Senegal and Marshall Harmon and members of the Chamber ribbon-cutting committee for the grand opening.

North American Process Technology Alliance (NAPTA) Endorses SOWELA’s Process Technology Program The Process Technology program offered at SOWELA Technical Community College has achieved the NAPTA Endorsed College Status for the year 2016. The NAPTA consists of Process Technology (PTEC) education providers and their business, industry, and community advisors cooperatively working toward common goals.

The NAPTA, the standard bearer of the PTEC curriculum, audits PTEC degree programs in North America and endorses those that meet its criteria.

To be granted NAPTA endorsement, a college must teach specific learning objectives, must establish and maintain an active industry-based advisory committee, must receive a successful audit of its program from NAPTA members, and must remain in good standing with the organization.

For information, visit www.sowela.edu/academics/ Process-Technology.

Sulphur Ribbon Cutting: Sulphur Mayor Chris Duncan, Chamber SWLA representatives and West Cal Chamber representatives join Doug Gehrig, owner and operator of McDonald’s of SWLA, and his staff at the Maplewood McDonald’s, located at 297 N. Cities Service Highway in Sulphur.

DeQuincy Ribbon Cutting: Representatives from the City of DeQuincy and the DeQuincy Chamber join Doug Gehrig, owner and operator of McDonald’s of SWLA, and his staff at the DeQuincy McDonald’s, located at 601 E. 4th Street in DeQuincy.

Human Resources Conference to Take Place in Lake Charles The Imperial Calcasieu Human Resources Association (ICHRMA), the local affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), will hold its 23rd annual Human Resources Conference on Friday, May 13, from 8:00am to 4:30pm at L’Auberge. This year’s conference will include topics such as effective presentations, employment law update and how community involvement impacts your workforce.

ICHRMA is very excited to announce that Steve Gilliland will be the closing speaker. Gilliland is a national speaker and author who has been featured on “Blue Collar Comedy” radio. He will be speaking about leadership. The conference is open to all professionals who are interested in attending. The conference is pre-approved for both SHRM and HRCI recertification credit. For more information or to register, go to ichrma.shrm.org/annual-spring-conference.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

Don’t Get Baited By Rebates

Rebate offers can be irresistible to consumers, slashing the price of consumer goods at the time of purchase or promising partial or full reimbursements after the purchase, but there are times when the rebates arrive far later than they should, if at all. By law, companies are required to send rebates within the time frame promised, or if no time is specified, within a “reasonable” time.

“Reasonable” in this case often is interpreted as within 30 days.

The Federal Trade Commission cautions consumers against being “baited” by rebates that never arrive or arrive far later than promised. When purchasing a product that offers a rebate, the FTC encourages consumers to: Follow the instructions on the rebate form and enclose all required documentation in the envelope when filing for a rebate.

Make a copy of all paperwork to be mailed when applying for a rebate. It’s the only record a consumer will have of the transaction if anything goes wrong. Contact the company if the rebate doesn’t arrive within the time promised. If the rebate never arrives or arrives late, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, the state Attorney General or the local Better Business Bureau.

Looking to Strengthen Your Financial Future?

Investments* 401K Pension Rollovers

Long Term Care Insurance Education Savings

Let me do all the heavy lifting.

Trying to figure out how to prepare for a strong, financial future can really feel like a heavy burden. Chris Craven, Agent New York Life Insurance Company, has been lightening the financial strategy load for people for over 22 years. He knows that everyone’s financial situation is unique, and requires an agent who won’t crack under pressure. Call for an appointment today to start building your financial nest egg. * Registered Representative offering securties through NYLIFE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC).

A Licensed Insurance Agency.

3105 Lake Street, Lake Charles | (337) 475-6226 May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

47

Style & Beauty

At the Blow-Dry Bar,

It’s All Style

by Angie Kay Dilmore | photography by Cree Photography

W

AnnaBeth Scarle, left, and Sarabeth Price 48 www.thriveswla.com

hen they were children, both AnnaBeth Scarle and Sarabeth Price, each the youngest sibling in her family, couldn’t wait to get their hands on their older sisters’ makeup. Twenty-some years later, these budding businesswomen have opened Blush Blow-Dry and Beauty Bar. A blow-dry bar is a fresh take on the traditional salon experience and focuses solely on shampooing and styling. No cuts.

No color. This business model hit the salon scene in larger cities eight years ago. In other salons, the hair wash is often a hurried first step. Not so at Blush. Here, the wash is a luxurious, integral part of the experience and includes hot towels infused with essential oils, deep tissue massage of the scalp, face, and neck, and products that detox, hydrate, and condition hair. Blush also offers a full range of beauty services, including custom make-up application, airbrush spray tans, and waxing services. The amenities extend to men, as well.

Price and Scarle have been friends since college. These sorority sisters first met on bid day on the Chi Omega lawn at LSU in 2003.

“We turned to introduce ourselves to one another, and felt an immediate bond when Thrive Magazine for Better Living

we realized our names were so similar. And we were right! Here we are thirteen years later launching a business together,” says Scarle. “We have always had an appreciation for anything spa-like and fell in love with the blow-dry bar concept. We have visited blow dry bars from Baton Rouge to New York.”

Both women work other full time jobs – Scarle is a healthcare director in Baton Rouge and Price is a Lake Charles pharmacist -- but they always dreamed of owning their own business. They’ve employed a manager to oversee the day to day operations at Blush.

These forward-thinking entrepreneurs have designed their shop in a crisp modern white on white with a touch of black. They take appointments but walk-ins are welcome.

Clients relax and enjoy a complimentary beverage while being pampered. “We hope our guests will feel like they escape a bit when they enter the salon,” says Price.

Scarle says their quality products set their brand apart. “We pride ourselves in carrying holistic and environmentally friendly products. Kevin Murphy hair products are all paraben and sulphate-free and represent an emerging and progressive movement in May 2016

BLUSH BLOW DRY

the industry. Our make-up line, Jane Iredale, is 100% mineral-based. Aside from its known reputation for flawless application, it also boasts the ability to improve your skin. Our airbrush tanning solution is Norvell, an industry leader in application, color, and life span. It’s also one of the safest solutions you’ll find.”

Whether for a big event, a special night out, or just a refreshing pick-meup, Blush can have you in and out of the salon in 45 minutes, typically for under $40. Price says their fees are purposely reasonable. “We want the everyday

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

woman to experience Blush.” For those who desire to linger at Blush or stop in regularly, they offer service packages and a variety of monthly memberships.

Price and Scarle want women to look good and feel confident. “We believe the most important form of beauty for women radiates from the inside, but we are also dedicated to helping women feel their best on the outside.”

Blush is located at 4080 Nelson Rd, Ste 300, Lake Charles 70605 and on social media: Facebook\blushblowdrybar and Instagram: @blushblowdrybar.

www.thriveswla.com

49

Style & Beauty

2016’S HOTTEST TRENDS for Spring and Summer

Clothes

Fashion is like the weather; if you don’t like it, wait a minute.

That sentiment has been plenty evident in the sea change of both men’s and women’s fashion for spring/summer 2016.

Past seasons have seen us buttoned into high-waist jeans and contoured to the nines with caked on makeup. 2016 is about loosening up in floral prints and even sweatpants as daywear.

And men, the time has come to set those man buns free!

So if the winter months have left you feeling a little too confined, you can rest easy. Spring and summer 2016 are all about less restrictive clothing, fresh faces, and lowmaintenance hairstyles. Sign us up. Here are the top trends for warmer weather.

Floral Prints

Makeup

Outfits from Mimosa Boutique in Lake Charles

Matte Red Lips

Revlon's ColorBurst in Sultry. $9.49 at Ulta.com

Snow White seemed to be a muse for many designers on the 2016 runways. However, those ultra-slick lipsticks from a few years back are a bit passé this year. The new reds aren’t shiny. Look for matte styles or rub a bit of translucent powder over your favorite shade of red to give a shine-free finish.

No-Makeup Makeup For the last few years, makeup has focused on a polished, 1950s-style face, with a winged eye and boatloads of contouring, but many in the know are lightening up lately. Natural, sun-kissed faces are big for spring and summer 2016. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean we can all dump our makeup bags in the trash. The natural look focuses on fresh-scrubbed, well-moisturized skin, full brows, and sheer foundation to give an “I’m not wearing makeup” vibe while totally wearing makeup.

Double-Duty Products

Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek in Swish. $24.00 at Sephora.com

50 www.thriveswla.com

For those looking to simplify their beauty routines, many brands are offering duel purpose products that can be used on eyes, lips and cheeks for all-over, subtle color.

Milk Makeup is a new brand offering many different stains, oils, and glosses that can be used anywhere on the face for a subtle, polished look. However, you might have to wait to try it. The brand’s launch was so big that online retailers sold out in hours.

After a few years of mostly muted tones for both men and women, florals are back in a big way. Loud and proud floral prints have popped up on runways everywhere from Alexander McQueen to Gucci. For women, the biggest floral trend is pairing bright flower prints with soft Victorian details, like high necklines and lacy trim. But men are getting in on the flower power as well, sporting floral prints in more sedate colors on button downs, jackets, and even suits.

Athleisure

And if all those floral prints have you feeling too soft, you can always lean towards the sportier, “athleisure” trend, which combines workout gear with lounge wear that is surprisingly wearable. For example, varsity jackets with bomber-style cuts and snap button closures are stylish for both men and women; underneath, women might pair the look with a jersey-style tank from Beyonce’s brand new Ivy Park line, men with a low-key v-neck or even a hoodie.

Drawstring jogging pants have suddenly gone from gym staple to streetwear chic.

Ladies, bonus points if you can pair them with high heels a la Rihanna. If not, a sleek Women's Soft Slim pair of white running shoes or Converse are Pants at LandsEnd.com cool for both men and women.

Slip Dresses Fashion is cyclical, and nothing illustrates that more than the reemergence of the slip dress, formerly a 90s post-punk wardrobe staple and currently the summer’s hottest trend. Slips as daywear have popped up on runways from Burberry to Celine, and 90s celebrities have come out of the woodwork to celebrate being relevant in the fashion world again.

If you want to try the trend on a budget, check out Courtney Love’s collaboration Love, Courtney by Nasty Gal Malibu with online retailer Nasty Gal. Satin Slip Dress at NastyGal.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

Hair Blonde and Blonder This summer, fashionistas are taking blonde to the extreme. Even celebrities who have always been known for their honey-toned hair are seeing how light they can get it. From Taylor Swift’s platinum blonde turn on Vogue’s May cover to Jennifer Lawrence’s recent white-blonde look, the hottest hairstyles this summer are decidedly icy.

The “Lob” Ultra long mermaid locks were the look of 2014, while thick banged bobs caught fire in 2015. 2016 seems to be a happy medium with the rise of the “lob,” or long bob. A lob is generally a shoulderlength, blunt cut. This year, loose waves without bangs seem to be the style of choice for lob lovers.

Exclusive brands at affordable prices!

Visit us to shop the latest Spring and Summer trends!

Shorter Styles for Men We may finally be seeing the decline of the man bun.

On most 2016 runways, male models had hacked off their long locks to embrace a new spin on the “high and tight” instead. These styles are neatly shaved around the sides, while the top remains a few inches longer and either brushed to the side with pomade or shaped into a subtle pompadour.

3101 Ernest St. Suite 1 Lake Charles, LA 70601

337-564-5818

Mimosa Boutique-Lake Charles Insta

@mimosaboutiquelc

Forget flowers and candy, give Mom something she’ll really love:

a gift card for facial cosmetic treatment from Dr. Mark Crawford at the Aesthetic Center.

Our services include:

MAKE MOM feel like a

• Cosmetic Injections: - Botox - Juvederm - Voluma - Belotero - Sculptra - Kybella • Chemical Peels • Microdermabrasion

QUEEN

Treatments are provided under the medical direction of facial cosmetic specialist Mark Crawford, MD. May 2016

• Targeted Skin Care Treatments • Eyelid Surgery • Latisse for Eyelash Growth • PCA Home Care Products • Jane Iredale Mineral Make-up

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

facehealth.net • 310-1070 • 1717 Oak Park Blvd.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

51

Style & Beauty

How to Choose the Right Perfume

–For Yourself or Someone Else

by Erin Kelly

You might think choosing the right perfume comes down to how it smells on the tester rack, but there is an art behind finding the right fragrance. A science, almost.

52 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

“Fragrances are truly personal, and all fragrances react with your own body chemistry,” says Scenterprises President Sue Phillips, who creates custom perfumes for men and women at the Scentarium in New York.

It’s important to remember that fragrances don’t smell the same on every person. “The best way is to discover what your olfactory preferences are. Do you like fresh, citrusy, bright fragrances? Or lovely sweet florals?

Or warm, creamy woodsy fragrances?”

According to fragrance expert Patti Kapla of FragranceNet.com, your personality plays a large role when deciding what scent is best.

“It’s extremely important to be true to you and consider your lifestyle, habits, and personality when choosing your signature fragrance,” Kapla says. “A lot can be determined about a woman by the scent she chooses to wear, so find something that matches your personality. If you’re the girl who loves frills, lace, and flowers, a floral scent might make you feel truly feminine. If you’d rather go camping than a cocktail party, a light and airy fragrance that holds the scent of soft fruits, flowers and woods could match your zest for the outdoors. If fashion is your passion, a delicate floral scent with underlying fruity notes that won’t overwhelm and distract from your wardrobe could put the finish touch on any ultra-trendy ensemble.”

Selecting the perfect scent that works well with your lifestyle, personality, and body chemistry can be tricky enough, but what if you want to buy perfume as a gift for someone else?

How do you know which fragrance to choose?

According to Victoria Collette of Inner Essence Perfumes, you need to know what essence you want to portray when you select perfume, and the same applies when you’re buying it as a gift.

“Make sure you know that person. What is their personality? Are they strong-willed, bold, feminine, quiet? Knowing this will help in choosing the right perfume. If the person is quiet and soft-spoken, then I would definitely go with a lighter fragrance,” Collette says.

Don’t make the mistake of buying something because it’s the hottest new trend or the most recent release from the celebrity-of-now, Phillips warns. Celebrity personalities don’t necessarily reflect your personality, or that of the person receiving your gift. It’s okay to consider them, but don’t make them your first and only go-to.

To find out your “fragrance personality,” take Scenterprises’ online quiz at www.scenterprises.com/scent-personality-quiz/.

May 2016

Tips from the Pro: • Phillips says that it’s important to wear fragrance on clean, unscented moisturized skin.

• Never wear fragrance on clothes – firstly the fibers don’t breathe, and you can potentially ruin or stain delicate fabric, such as silk.

• Don’t spray fragrance in your hair. It’s a waste. If you have hair spray, shampoo, conditioner or hair products that have a fragrance—which you probably do—it will distort the scent.

• Wear fragrance at the pulse points, but don’t rub your wrists together. It crushes the molecules. Let the fragrance air-dry on the skin.

• Apply fragrance from the bottom up – start at the ankles, behind the knees, between the thighs, at the wrists, inside the elbows, and at the nape of the neck. It will envelop you and surround you.

Heating Up Optics Unlimited at The Eye Clinic has the hottest sunwear styles—just in time for spring and summer fun. Retro styles, aviators, oversized frames, colors, embellishments— we’ve got it all. Come in and see for yourself!

designer sunwear Save* on now through June 30

25%

(800) 826-5223 Lake Charles • DeRidder • Sulphur Jennings • Moss Bluff Thrive Magazine for Better Living

theeyeclinic.net

*Offer good for non-prescription sunglasses only. Some exclusions may apply. Cannot be combined with any other discount. Valid through 6/30/16.

www.thriveswla.com

53

Style & Beauty

A New Way to

Keep your “Chin Up”

by Kristy Armand

New cosmetic injection dissolves unwanted fat under the chin

BEFORE

54 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

Dr. Mark Crawford, facial cosmetic specialist with the Aesthetic Center in The Eye Clinic, is the first to offer the new FDAapproved Kybella, the first and only injectable treatment that safely and effectively reduces and improves the appearance of moderate to severe fat below the chin without surgery.

This common problem affects both men and women.

According to a 2015 survey conducted by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, 67% of people said they’re bothered by under-the-chin fullness, or double chin.

“Some people try their whole adult lives to eliminate fullness under the chin with little or no success. A fuller chin profile can also make a person look older and heavier than they really are,” says Dr. Crawford. “Until now, the only treatment option was surgery, but Kybella effectively resolves the issue without the downtime that comes with surgery. Patients see permanent results after only a few sessions.”

He explains that the active ingredient in Kybella is deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. “Once injected into the area, Kybella causes the destruction of fat cells, which are then eliminated naturally by the body.”

During the initial consultation, Dr. Crawford performs a careful examination of the area and develops a customized treatment plan to address the anatomic needs and goals of the patient. He says treatment requires multiple sessions – anywhere from two to six – scheduled about a month apart.

The injection process takes about 20 minutes. Afterward, there is no down time; patients can return to normal activities, although Dr. Crawford says some tenderness, swelling and possibly slight bruising, is normal. Results should begin to be noticeable within a few weeks, with the final outcome apparent after a few months.

“Once destroyed, those cells cannot store or accumulate fat, so the results of Kybella are permanent,” says Dr. Crawford. “It is very exciting to have a minimally-invasive way to contour a double chin or fatty neck with no surgery, no downtime and relatively little discomfort.”

Featured in Signatures Salon was one of six nationwide salons featured in Salon Today on how to create a solid corporate culture.

Owner, Wendy White McCown shared her proven strategies for defining and maintaining salon culture.

803 West McNeese Street Lake Charles, LA 70605 www.signaturessalon.biz 337.478.4433

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

DE: INCLU L L I TW EVEN mps, ks Fun ju, food truc g s. aintin endor face p various v and

AFTER

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS

Dates: Friday, April 29 • Finding Nemo Friday, May 6 • Goonies Location: Behind Pier 1 For more information please call (337) 477-7487 or visit Facebook @Prienlakemall

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

55

Mind & Body

Steps to Get Your

Summer Mojo New beginnings are the most exciting and energizing times in life. According to Sherrie Campbell, PhD, author of Loving Yourself: The Mastery of Being Your Own Person, summer is a great time to get fired up, motivated, and start making changes to get to your next level.

“Mojo is that magical charisma that makes you feel good and infectious to others,” Campbell says. “Most of us are great starters but not all are great finishers. If you have lost your mojo and want to be a better you for summer, commit to a new beginning right now.”

Campbell provides eight tips to get your mojo back and keep it flourishing.

56 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

1.

CHANGE YOUR ENVIRONMENT

Change the environments in your life which are now grey and uninspiring. Do some of your work out of the office, redecorate your house and add more color, spend time on your patio, leave your cubicle and go out for lunch. If you are getting tired, get up and move to another room. Add music or white noise to create something soothing.

“Changing the appearance and location of your differing environments helps you to think in more different and innovative ways,” she says. “The more innovative you are the more mojo you have.”

2. STRIVE TO BE YOUR BEST

Always envision yourself as being your “ideal self.”

Your ideal self is that part of you which is in front of you encouraging you forward. This part of you is holding up the guideposts and possibilities for your growth, happiness and expansion. What you think determines your outcome.

Strive towards meeting your ideal self at the finish line. If you can dream it, then you can achieve it. Work backward from the ideal self by setting small, incremental goals for each area of your life to keep your mind positive. “Before you know it you will be thriving as a much better you before you hit summer. You will feel your confidence growing as you begin to manifest all you have been working towards,” Campbell says.

3.

CHANGE YOUR PATTERNS

When you break your routines you essentially create a new life. You cannot grow stuck inside the traps of familiarity and comfort. “To get your mojo back, be brave!” Campbell says. “Buy that Groupon for the new class around the corner and give it a go.

Change your diet, change your work out, change your wardrobe, buy different make-up, and class-up your personal style. Eat at new restaurants, go to new bars. Go to the gym after work? Try raising your heartrate before you get to the office. If you eat at the same restaurant for lunch all the time, walk one block farther to check out a new spot. See what happens by simply sitting on the other side of your desk, giving you a new perspective by looking out at a different wall or window.”

4.

SHIFT YOUR PRIORITIES

Your daily schedule is a reflection of your deepest priorities. If you have zero fun, free time or time for family and friends actually on your calendar, and instead your calendar is booked up with meetings and other task oriented responsibilities, then you are missing out on the juiciest parts of life.

“Robots do not have mojo,” Campbell says.

Schedule time for yourself first. On a plane they always tell you to put on your oxygen mask before helping someone else. Once you have given yourself time to refuel, block times to enjoy with family, friends, children to add joy and vitality to your life.

Consider this: On your deathbed you are not going to look back and wish you had worked more hours.

5.

INVEST IN PERSONAL GROWTH

6.

CHANGE YOUR FRIENDS

The best of the best have the best of the best of the best as mentors, friends, family and colleagues.

Learn as much as you possibly can from other successful, happy people who want to share their wisdom with you.

The ball is in your court: Make the effort to keep yourself in a place of personal expansion, whether that means going to seminars, meeting weekly with a coach or therapist, reading books each night and writing goals, but strive to be your very best at all times. This always gives you something to talk about and it makes you interesting to other people.

The people with whom you surround yourself heavily influence you. If you’re lacking motivation and feeling down about everything, it might be time to upgrade your circle of influence. Negativity is contagious, as is positivity. Those closest to you should be those who bring out your best qualities, including your mojo for life’s adventures.

If more time with family is important to you then start planning some vacations and staycations for all of you to get away and enjoy being a family without other distractions.

continued on p58

“Because of their lifesaving heart care, I have a second chance.”

--- Brice Perrin

Heart attack survivor Photographer Radio personality

“I got to the ER at Lake Area Medical Center just in time,” explained Brice Perrin. “My chest was hurting and I had pain down the back of both arms. It was a heart attack! They took me to the cath lab and immediately opened my blocked artery. I wouldn’t be here without the staff’s prompt care and attention. They gave me a second chance at life!

And I’m making the most of it.” For more information on Lake Area Medical Center’s cardiac services, visit LakeAreaMC.com.

In a medical emergency, call 911.

4200 Nelson Road • Lake Charles, LA • LakeAreaMC.com

91200_LAMC_CardBrice_8x4_875c.indd 1

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

4/21/16 4:39 PM

www.thriveswla.com

57

Mind & Body | Mojo Take time out to have dinner with the girls or watch the game with the boys or go play a round of golf. Your net worth emotionally is the average of that of your five closest friends. When you hang out with successful people, happy, fulfilled people you elevate your own mojo, so choose wisely.

7.

CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS

8.

BE AUTHENTIC

You are what you think. You cannot think negatively and have powerful mojo. “Thinking negatively doesn’t accomplish anything,” Campbell says. “Discipline your mind towards the goals of what you want to look like and be like and start putting the effort in right now to get there.”

Suffering over your own suffering doesn’t work.

Know the areas of your life you want to change and be deliberate in changing them.

There is nothing sexier than to be beautiful inside and out. When you are committed to loving and respecting yourself you exude a quiet confidence. Your focus is on being genuine, kind, strong, courageous, intelligent, successful, elegant, steadfast and fulfilled. You possess enough composure that if you cannot say something kind you have the wisdom to remain quiet.

You make sure the kindness of your character speaks more deliberately to who you are than what designer you are wearing.

“There is nothing more mojo promoting than authenticity and having a strong sense of who you are,” Campbell says. “Not all of these changes are easy. They all require a deliberate change of habit, which can feel like an insurmountable challenge. Getting your mojo back is critical for your quality of life so it is certainly cause for some radical changes and the outright shattering of your own tired habits. Face it – feeling passionate and motivated every day for your work, family and self is a win for yourself and those that depend on you.”

When it Comes to Heart Attacks, Men and Women Aren’t Equals Women typically suffer from less obvious symptoms, and wait longer to get help.

58 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

Every 43 seconds, someone in the U.S. suffers a heart attack. Each year, more than 600,000 of those afflicted will not survive the attack, with nearly half of the victims being women. While we’ve all become familiar with the “Hollywood heart attack,” wherein the man suddenly clutches his chest and immediately falls unconscious, only a portion of victims will experience a heart attack in this way – and women’s symptoms may be significantly different, according to cardiologist Jake LeBeau.

According to the American Heart Association’s recent statement in Circulation, women frequently have different underlying causes to heart attacks than men, such as the types of plaque build-up; compared to men, women tend to be undertreated and are less likely to participate in cardiac rehab after a heart attack; and risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes increase heart attack risk in women more severely than in men.

“While the most common symptom for any heart attack victim is chest pain and discomfort, women are more likely than men to experience one or more of the other, less obvious symptoms,” said Dr. LeBeau, an independent member of the medical staff at Lake Area Medical Center.

“Women are also less likely to assume their

symptoms are heart-attack related, and to wait longer to seek help. I tell my patients that time loss actually means muscle loss so every minute matters. Even if you have doubt – call 9-1-1.”

Women and their loved ones need to know what a heart attack looks like so they can get treatment fast.

According to Dr. LeBeau, “In addition to the obvious feeling of pain, pressure or heaviness on your chest, here are the most common symptoms experienced by women having a heart attack”: • Sharp pain in the upper body, including in the neck, back and/or jaw area • Severe shortness of breath, either at rest or with minimal level of exertion and with or without chest discomfort • Sudden “cold sweating” that you suspect is NOT menopause-related • Unexplained or sudden fatigue – one of the most common symptoms, and the easiest to ignore or misdiagnose • Unfamiliar dizziness or light-headedness • Unexplained nausea – women are twice as likely as men to experience nausea or vomiting during a heart attack.

Awareness campaigns over the past decade have helped improve survival rates for women having heart attacks but much work remains.

Here in Louisiana, cardiac-related conditions are responsible for 1 in 3 female deaths, and are more deadly than all forms of cancer combined, according to LeBeau. Some other heart health facts include: • Heart disease and stroke account for 30.9 percent of all female deaths in Louisiana.

• On average, nearly 17 women die from heart disease and stroke in Louisiana each day.

• Heart disease alone is the leading cause of death in Louisiana, accounting for 4,891 female deaths in 2009.

Unfortunately, some women are in more danger than others. Black women of any age have a higher incidence of heart attacks of all women.

And black and Hispanic women more often have related risk factors like diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure compared to non-Hispanic white women.

“The statistics are both telling and alarming, in terms of the impact on our local communities,” says Lake Area Medical Center CEO Bryan Bateman.

For more information and to learn more about heart health, visit LakeAreaMC.com.

How DoesYour Heart Score? MAY Find out, with a coronary calcium test at Imperial Health Imaging Center.

77.78%

582.35% 64.66%

One in three adults has some form of cardiovascular disease, and heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.

We use advanced, non-invasive CT technology and low-dose radiation to take an in-depth look at your heart and blood vessels to determine your level of calcium buildup. This calcium score can help your doctor determine if you are at risk, or have, coronary artery disease, even you are not displaying symptoms.

Calcium scoring is painless and takes just minutes to get results that could give you an early start on beating heart disease.

Call Imperial Health Imaging Center at 312-8761 to schedule your appointment today to take advantage of this special offer.

$75 Cardiac Calcium Score Test

ONLY

Perfec t Mom for

Consider coronary calcium testing to assess your heart health if you have any of these risk factors: • family history of heart disease • high cholesterol • high blood pressure • smoke • overweight • diabetes • inactive lifestyle • high stress

through 5/31/16 - cash price only

(337) 312-8761 1747 Imperial Blvd.

Lake Charles www.imperialhealth.com

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

59

Mind & Body

How Food Affects Your We all know the old expression: You are what you eat. When it comes to hormones—especially when they’re fluctuating in menopausal or perimenopausal women—what you eat can affect everything from your blood pressure to your weight.

“Menopause is a time in a woman’s life when estrogen and progesterone hormones take a dip, and several symptoms start appearing. Finding natural solutions to these changes can make the transition a little easier,” says Rene Ficek, a nationally recognized dietitian who has been featured in Newsweek, Women’s Health, and LiveStrong.com. “Changes in hormones are linked to high blood pressure and weight gain, as well as increasing chances of breast cancer.”

Hormone replacement therapy is an option for most women, but Ficek advises that women try battling their hormonal changes with proper nutrition and lifestyle changes as well.

She offered the following tips on how women can tackle hormones through proper diet.

Hormones

by Erin Kelly

Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese Calcium and vitamin D help keep bones strong. In one large study, postmenopausal women who took calcium and vitamin D supplements regularly had fewer hip fractures. Calcium and vitamin D may also help with weight management—possibly stimulating the breakdown of fat cells and suppressing the development of new ones. Eat and drink two to four servings of dairy products and calcium-rich foods a day.

Quinoa, Beans, and Whole Grains Help yourself to foods high in fiber, such as whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice, beans, and quinoa. Because it becomes more difficult to maintain a healthy weight after menopause, a high fiber diet is of the utmost importance.

High fiber diets can help one feel full and satisfied, plus high fiber foods are lower in calories, thus making weight management easier. Most adults should get at least 25 grams a day, but the more the better.

Salmon, Flaxseed, and Walnuts Yes, it is important to avoid eating a diet that is high in fat, especially saturated fat. Highfat foods are usually high in calories and low in nutrients, exactly the opposite of what a woman in or past menopause needs. But it’s even more important to get the right fats in your diet -- fats that may protect against heart disease and cancer. Up your intake by working in oily fish (salmon, tuna, sardines), flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, and walnuts.

Fruits and Vegetables Have at least 1 1/2 cups of fruit and 2 cups of vegetables each day. Fruits and vegetables offer many health benefits. In addition to its high fiber content, fruits and vegetables also contain vitamins, minerals and are naturally low in fat. Plants have chemicals that help protect our bodies’ health and well-being.

Phytoestrogens are particular plant chemicals that are very similar in structure to estrogen, and may act as weak estrogen in our bodies. Simply put, phytoestrogens may trick your body into thinking it has more estrogen than it really does -potentially diminishing some of the discomforts caused by lower estrogen levels during menopause.

60 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

Watch out for Behavior Changes that Could Signal Vision Problems Do you find yourself reaching for the lamp switch more often? Avoiding driving at night? Taking extra care when pouring your coffee to avoid spilling?

These behavior changes could be the result of vision problems that you are not aware of.

According to Dr. Rebecca Kindler, optometrist with The Eye Clinic, vision changes can take place gradually, versus a more drastic change that would cause you to immediately call the eye doctor. “As these changes occur, you may be compensating by adapting your behavior instead of focusing on the real problem – your vision.”

She says vision changes can be caused by many factors, ranging from age to specific eye health conditions. “It’s important to be aware of the types of adaptive behaviors that could be linked to vision problems, and get your eyes checked if you have noticed these changes in your daily habits.”

Dr. Kindler says these are some of the most common behavior changes that could indicate the need for an eye exam: Reading distance. Do you need to hold a book or newspaper close to your face to make out the text, or at a certain angle in order to read it clearly? If so, your vision may have started to decline.

Need for more light. Do you turn on more light sources to complete daily tasks like reading, eating or watching TV? Do you have trouble seeing clearly

May 2016

by Caroline Landry

with the lights on or feeling like they are always dimmer than normal? Difficulty seeing in low light or thinking a room is darker than it is actually is can be signs of vision deterioration.

is a common symptom for several eye conditions.

For safety, you should stop driving until you have a proper vision exam if you are experiencing any of these vision issues, advises Dr. Kindler.

Handwriting changes. Has your handwriting become messier and unclear? Do you find it hard to write in a straight line, or that your writing has a new slant to it? If you aren’t sure, compare your handwriting to see if your writing has changed and become illegible.

Dining difficulties. Trouble cutting or getting food on a fork, dropping silverware when eating, frequently knocking over glasses, or overfilling your cup can all be signs of vision problems and/or indicators of coordination issues brought about by poor vision.

Wardrobe mix-ups. Having trouble telling the difference between colors close in shade, mixing up color combinations or not seeing stains on your clothing can indicate symptoms of vision issues.

Walking with caution. Have you noticed that you are moving more slowly to avoid bumping into furniture, shuffling your feet when you walk, or walking closer to the wall for stability? Bumping into objects or tripping more frequently are coordination issues that could be linked to vision loss.

Driving problems. Driving hunched over the steering wheel, struggling to read street or store names and difficulty judging the different colors on traffic lights can all signal vision loss. Problems with glare and seeing details while driving a night

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

If any of these descriptions sound familiar, or if you are having any other symptoms of vision changes, Dr. Kindler says you should make an appointment to have your eyes checked, especially if you have not had a comprehensive eye exam recently.

“Even slight changes can mean your eyes need attention. Some of the changes you are noticing could be caused by conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy. Or you could just need a new prescription,” says Dr. Kindler. “If it is something more serious, early detection is often the key factor in preventing permanent vision loss.”

Call The Eye Clinic nearest you or 1-(800) 826-5223 schedule an appointment, or visit www.theeyeclinic.net for additional information on preventive eye care.

www.thriveswla.com

61

Mind & Body

Dr. Jared Gremillion Chosen for CHRISTUS Podiatric Residency Program

Foot and ankle specialist Jared Gremillion, DPM, will be joining the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital Podiatric Medicine and Surgical Residency Program, which is a partnership with Imperial Health’s Center for Orthopaedics. He will be the second doctor entering the program, which began last year, and he will begin in July.

Southwest Louisiana is home for Dr. Gremillion, who is originally from Sulphur.

He has 11 years of experience in the healthcare field. He began working as an Emergency Room tech at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital after high school, while earning a B.S. in Biology from McNeese State University. During his undergraduate studies, he also completed a surgical research internship at Uniformed Services University Health Science Center in Bethesda, Maryland. After completing his degree in 2009, he began working as a medical assistant for Dr. Tyson Green, foot and ankle specialist at Center for Orthopaedics, where he became passionate about the podiatric specialty and decided to continue his medical education.

Dr. Gremillion recently completed a four-year Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree at the Arizona School of Podiatric Medicine of Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona. He is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and the Academy of Physicians for Wound Healing.

“We are very proud of Dr. Gremillion and pleased to have him back as a part of

62 www.thriveswla.com

our medical community,” says Dr. Tyson Green, who serves as the residency program director. “He will be a huge asset to our team.”

The residency is a three-year, surgically oriented program in which Dr. Gremillion will focus on foot and ankle surgery and comprehensive podiatric medicine. Dr. Gremillion will receive intense training in CHRISTUS St. Patrick’s operating rooms as well as at Imperial Calcasieu Surgical Center. He will also gain extensive direct patient-care experience in the areas of wound care, diabetic care, and podiatric research and will receive podiatric and orthopedic experience, including clinical and practice management in the hospital and office settings. Dr. Gremillion will also rotate in various specialties at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital including emergency medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics and radiology.

In addition, he will complete rotations through LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, which will give him advanced surgical and enhanced research experience in the field of podiatric medicine.

Because the residency is in collaboration with the Imperial Health Center for Orthopaedics (CFO), and the region’s largest musculoskeletal group, Dr. Gremillion will have the opportunity to work closely with experienced orthopaedic surgeons and specialists, and he will also work within the group’s Sports Medicine Program, which provides services to McNeese State University and 14 area high schools.

Learn more about the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Podiatric Medicine and Surgical Residency at www.louisianapodiatricsurg.com.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

Spring into Summer

Goody-Two-Shoes Giveaway: One lucky attendee will win a pair of “doctor-approved” designer summer sandals at the seminar!

with Healthy Feet

Suffering for the sake of fashion isn’t a healthy decision, particularly when it comes to your feet. Learn how to make the best choices for your feet when it comes to summer footwear, and how to prevent and care for the most common female foot problems at this free seminar.

Our foot and ankle specialists, Dr. Tyson Green and Dr. Kalieb Pourciau, will discuss what to look for and what to avoid when it comes to summer shoe fashion, as well as common female foot problems, including nail care, calluses, bunions, heel pain, hammer toe, arch pain and more.

Summer Foot Care Seminar Thursday, May 12, 5:30 pm l Center for Orthopaedics 1747 Imperial Blvd., Lake Charles

Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited and pre-registration is requested.

Dr. Tyson Green & Dr. Kalieb Pourciau, foot and ankle specialists

JDB-0012-NspAd-THRIVE-HalfPage-02222016-v1.pdf

1

2/22/16

Cardiovascular Specialists Cardiovascular Specialists

3:53 PM Call 721-2903 or register online in the event section of www.centerforortho.com.

Dr. John Noble

Dr. John Noble

Dr. John Noble Orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr. John Noble Orthopaedic Surgeon

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

63

Mark Your Calendar!

CSE Federal Credit Union Presents An Afternoon With MusicMakers

cleaning, refurbishing and purchasing of instruments to be given to local students.

Two-time Grammy Winner, Terrance Simien will Kick off Downtown at Sundown’s 18th Season The CSE Federal Credit Union will present An Afternoon With MusicMakers, on May 7 at 3pm in the Tritico Theatre on the McNeese State Campus.

Sharing the stage with the MusicMakers will be several other artists, including the Sulphur High Jazz Band under the direction of Mr. Tim McMillen, the Washington-Marion Jukebox Marching Band under the direction of Ms. Tamekia Holliday, and featured performer Mickey Smith, Jr.’s “Sax in the City”.

A reception and silent auction will precede the performance, from 2-3pm in the Shearman Fine Arts Grand Gallery. Tickets for the concert may be obtained by visiting www.MusicMakers2U. org or by purchasing tickets at the door. For more information, call (337) 244-9314. All proceeds go toward MusicMakers2U projects of obtaining,

The City of Lake Charles announces plans for the 18th annual Downtown at Sundown concert series featuring four consecutive Fridays of live music from 5:30-9 p.m., beginning May 13. The event brings thousands of residents and visitors to beautiful Downtown Lake Charles. The “streetfair” format will feature a variety of music and entertainment as well as food and beverage, table

top galleries, merchandise vendors and activities for kids.

From 2 to 10 p.m. each Friday, Ryan Street—from Iris to the parking lot entrance of the Phoenix Building—will be closed to vehicle traffic in accordance with a special event ordinance.

The series will kick off with two-time GRAMMY winner Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, with the opening act being Young Band Nation.

For more than 30 years, Terrance Simien, an 8th generation Louisiana Creole, has been one of the most respected and accomplished artists in American roots music. He and his band mates have performed more than 7000 concerts and toured millions of miles to more than 45 countries during their eventful career. Their music has been featured in TV commercials and a dozen or more films. Simien was the featured guest artist on “Gonna Take You There” in Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog”, making it the first time Disney featured zydeco music in a film. He co-wrote a song with Dennis Quaid for the movie “The Big Easy”, and was joined by Stevie Wonder on stage at Bill

Email or Text Notification when your RX is ready!

ThriftyWay PHARMACY #2

Friendly service from your home town pharmacy.

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

601 S. Pine Street • DeRidder, LA 70634 • (337) 463-7442 www.thriftyway.com • thriftyway2@thriftyway.com 64 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016

Clinton’s second inaugural celebration.

Simien furthers his effort to raise awareness about his music and Creole heritage by presenting an Arts-in-Education program, “Creole for Kidz and the History of Zydeco”, for students K-12.

Simien has received countless awards, grants and recognition for his artistic contributions as a Cultural Ambassador for his state and country. (www.terrancesimien.com) The season will continue with Barbe Show Choir opening for Grammy winner Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys on May 20; Jazz in the Arts opening for Cold Sweat on May 27; and Grammy finalist Mickey Smith opening for City Heat on June 3. In the event of inclement weather, the concerts will be held inside the Lake Charles Civic Center. Bring your lawn chairs; no pets or outside beverages will be permitted on site. For event and vendor information, call 337491-9159 or go to www.CityOfLakeCharles.com

Spring Bridal Showcase hosted by The Majestic Hall at Walnut Grove Brides-to-be and their guests are invited to the Spring Bridal Showcase taking place on May 1 from 11:30am-2pm. The event will take place at The Majestic Hall in Walnut Grove, the area’s newest showplace for wedding events.

Future brides will be able to meet with local vendors in attendance featuring their unique products and services, including photographers, caterers, florists, formal wear, and much more.

Other highlights include a bridal fashion show, cake tasting and drawings throughout the event for door prizes. Mimosas and light hors d’oeuveres will be served.

Tickets can be purchased for $15 on Eventbrite. No tickets will be sold at the door and space is limited. The Majestic Hall is located on the first floor of the Walnut Groves’ Lawton Building, 1450 William Street. For more information, visit www.walnutgrovetnd.com.

A Brewer’s Plate Benefits Local Children with Autism There’s a good time brewing at A Brewer’s Plate presented by Hoffoss Devall and Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana on Saturday, May 21st at 6pm at the historic Cash & Carry building in downtown Lake Charles. This is the marquee fundraising event of St. Nicholas Center for Children, a local non-profit dedicated to providing services to children with autism and developmental delays.

The 8th annual event features a four-course meal and premium beer pairing with an auction and live music by community favorites, City Heat. The attire is dressy casual and the vibe is lively! Tables of 8 are $1,000 and sponsorships are available. For ticket information, sponsorships, or to donate an auction item, call (337) 491-0800.

May 2016

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

www.thriveswla.com

65

!

Solutions for Life

from Solutions Counseling & EAP

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

Letting Go of Clutter I moved recently after 18 years. As most of you know, that is a huge undertaking.

Here is what I have learned: we are filthy (seriously, I could not believe all the “dust bunnies”), I might as well go ahead and build a trip to Target every day into my schedule, and we have too much stuff.

One of the changes in the new house is that my closet area is smaller. I had to get rid of about ¼ of my clothes to make it work. Some of you are having heart palpitations thinking about that. Me, not so much. I love the process of organizing, which includes getting rid of things you don’t want or need.

I do not like clutter. I can’t think when there is stuff everywhere. People have commented on how clean my kitchen countertops are. I’m a big believer in displaying only things you love. Anything else should have a home hidden out of sight. My office is the same way – no stapler, pens or hole punch out for all to see. In fact, I wish I had a way to hide my adding machine, computer monitors and phone!

Please note, I don’t hold everyone else to my level of “unclutteredness.” I’m OK if you have your coffee pot on your countertop, and seeing your stapler on your desk doesn’t bother me. But unorganized mess does bother me – a lot!

I don’t understand how anyone functions in chaos. And I have observed that messy people are much less efficient than organized people.

I think efficiency is the key for me.

Anyone who knows me knows I am all about the shortest/fastest route to the goal. I do not meander. My idea of hell is a road trip with no destination.

(Seriously, I was dragged on that kind of trip as a kid and was miserable the whole time!) My idea of hell in the therapy setting is the same thing – I’ve got to have a destination or goal in mind. What are we working towards? My favorite

66 www.thriveswla.com

kind of exercises are those that work more than one body part at a time. See what I mean? Efficient.

Being a “clutterbug” definitely hinders one’s ability to be efficient. Everything your little eye spies as you are looking for something requires a process for your brain to go through to filter out the undesired objects. Have you ever been looking through your junk drawer for something and couldn’t find it, but when you pulled everything out of the drawer, sure enough, it was there? You couldn’t see it because of all the filtering your brain was having to do.

My husband laughs at me when we are staying at a hotel. I keep everything picked up, trash in trash cans, etc. He’ll say, “You know, there will be someone coming in to clean up after we’ve gone.”

Of course I know this, but every time I see that piece of paper on top of the desk my brain has to process if it is something I need or not. I’d rather skip that process by getting rid of what I know I won’t need as I go. That way, if it is out, I must need it. And, guess what…I rarely forget things at hotels.

If it’s time for you to do some uncluttering, may I suggest these areas: Unclutter Your Mind. I don’t know about you, but my brain can handle only so much. So, I have learned to ease up on the expectations I have for my memory. I document everything. All appointments, even recurring ones, go in my calendar.

Same thing with errands I need to run.

That way I don’t have to remember that weekly meeting, or the fact that I wanted to get the oil changed next weekend. I simply look at my calendar and it’s all there. Along that same vein, I encourage you to have only one calendar. Some people have a personal, work, and family calendar. Now you have three places to write everything and three places to

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

look! Lastly, consider going electronic if you haven’t already done so. It’s so much easier to put recurring events in once and have the computer do the recurring for you. You can also share appointments with others easily, so everyone knows where you are.

Unclutter Your Time. Just as I only want things I love to look at around me, I only want to do things I love in my free time. If I don’t love it, I try really hard to get out of it or delegate it. If I am going to give up some of my precious free time, I need to be passionate about whatever I am doing. If I am volunteering, I must believe in the cause and it must be well run (back to efficiency). And I am spending time only with people who are uplifting and with whom I feel a strong connection.

Unclutter Your Possessions. Seriously, take a look around you. Do you either need or love everything? As I decorate for the various holidays, I ask myself that very question. Every year I have a little stack of holiday items that I move along. If I didn’t put it out, or if I did put it out but didn’t love it, it’s time for it to go. I do that with the rest of the house too. I have a once/year motto: if I haven’t used it or worn it at least once in the last year, I don’t need it. Either I obviously no longer love it, or I forgot I had it. Either way, its cluttering up my closet and my mind and it needs to go!

As you may recall, I have proclaimed 2016 the “Year of Letting Go.” I hope I’ve inspired you to re-evaluate and let go of some of the things cluttering up your life!

May 2016

McNeese Art Professor Creates Art for Super Bowl 50 Ad

by Georgia Osburn McNeese State University Intern

What does a McNeese State University professor, rock star Steven Tyler and Super Bowl 50 all have in common? This year’s popular Skittles commercial.

You know the one –Tyler comes face to face with a caricature-like portrait of himself made out of Skittles that comes to life and is encouraged by Tyler to go “higher” and “higher” as it belts out the iconic rock song “Dream On” performed

by Tyler with the band Aerosmith back in the 70s before it explodes into a million pieces on that last high note?

Martin Bee, professor of art at McNeese since 1987, created the artwork for Tyler’s portrait for that commercial. And no one knew, not even his classes, until the night of Super Bowl 50.

2016 McNeese Student Employee Award

Cassi Duhon

May 2016

McNeese State University nursing student Cassi Duhon, of Jennings, has been recognized as the McNeese 2016 Janet Delaine Student Employee of the Year.

Duhon works in the Office of Financial Aid. Duhon was one of five finalists for this award. Other finalists and their oncampus employers are: Aimee Dobos, Seabrook, Texas, Harold and Pearl Dripps Department of Agriultural Sciences; Bill

“I had signed a non-disclosure agreement so that’s why I couldn’t say anything,” said Bee. He did provide a link to the finished commercial on his Facebook page during the game and the word spread.

Bee, who teaches courses in illustration, graphic design and graphic design history at McNeese, said his students were excited for him. “It blew their minds,” said Bee. “And they wanted to know how I got the job.”

So, how was his artwork selected for the Super Bowl spot? Bee was contacted a week before Christmas by a representative of Doyle Dane and Bernbach Chicago, a branch of the DDB Worldwide advertising agency, after someone at the agency saw some of his work in the Directory of Illustration, a showcase for illustrators that is outsourced to major media outlets all over America. Bee has been with the directory for four years.

Deggs, Lake Charles, graduate nursing program; Candace Prejean, Sulphur, Master of Business administration program; and Gemma Bridge, Shillingford, England, career services and student development center.

McNeese currently employs 550 students throughout the campus. The Student Employee of the Year Program - sponsored by the National Student Employment Association and the Southern Association of Student Employment Administrators

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

“As a part of the creative team producing the commercial, I worked closely with the art directors at DDB and Tyler to quickly produce - in just three days - the right artwork for the commercial,” said Bee. “It took several illustrations until the ad agency and Tyler agreed upon the sketch used in the commercial.”

Bee’s illustration of Tyler was then altered to incorporate the Skittles candies and turned into a live animation clip used in the commercial titled “The Portrait.”

He said he has worked on other national campaigns but not along the lines of “this magnitude.”

Bee’s original portrait created for the commercial belongs to Skittles, owned by confections leader Wrigley Co. headquartered in Chicago, Ill., and part of Mars. Inc. The commercial can be viewed by searching “Skittles: The Portrait” on www. youtube.com.

- recognizes students who demonstrate reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism and contributions, according to Derek Fontenot, student employment administrator.

The annual award is named in of honor the late Janet Delaine, a member of the Student Employee of the Year Committee and assistant director of financial aid at McNeese.

www.thriveswla.com

67

Critical Care Starts Here Heart Attack

Stroke

Orthopedic Trauma

Trouble Breathing

GI Bleeding

Life threatening illness and trauma require the highest level of expert care. That’s why Critical Care Starts at Memorial. We’re filling the critical care void in southwest Louisiana by • Doubling the size of our ICU and Emergency Room • Pioneering stroke assessment and trauma care • Expanding heart and cancer treatment technology • Building a new office complex, urgent care center and mental health hospital Since 2006, your community hospital has renovated and upgraded our healthcare services environment closing in on $166 million through 2017. And there is more to come.

The future of critical care medicine is here.

Memorial. Building a better patient experience for you.

Find out more at www.lcmh.com/criticalcare

68 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

May 2016