savvy and sage jan.feb10

Photo by Albritton Photography

Jan/Feb 2010

®

Shreveport/Bossier

READ US ONLINEat savvyandsage.com(Click on “Your Area”)

Acupuncture by Elaine Marze

Stages of Senior Care A Step-by-Step

Guide

Shreveport Symphony

Returns

Love Fulfills Dreams

by Tara R. Thomas

Shreveport/Bossier

Play A Game Help The Caddo Council On Aging

“Life is one grand, sweet song, so start

the music.”Ronald Reagan

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2 www.savvyandsage.com January/February 2010

from the publisher

Greg LockeSavvy & SageShreveport/Bossier Edition520 Spring Street, Suite 202Shreveport, LA 71101Phone [email protected]

Every New Year we all make resolutions that almost always focus on ourselves to

lose weight, quit smoking ,start exercising or stop spending so much money. While all

these resolutions are great, we still see in the newspapers, TV, and internet the pain-

ful signs of all the despair, suffering, hunger and war going on around the world. The

stress of the current recession has produced loss of jobs, hunger and pain in the United

States. Perhaps we should embrace and focus on the wonderful meaning and mystery

of friends, family and The Holy Family!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and wish all of you a truly happy

New Year. I sincerely hope you have all enjoyed our stories as much as I’ve enjoyed

providing them to you. Please continue to read and give us input and suggestions on

what you want to see. Have a great Winter, stay warm!

Sincerely & truly yours,

Life is Better…without CataractsDr. William H. Steen is helping patients daily

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TFG 1705 Cataract_Savvy & Sage 12/2/09 2:04 PM Page 1

January/February 2010 www.savvyandsage.com 3

CoRPoRAteShreveport, LA

Greg Locke, Publisher318.429.8311

[email protected]

InDePenDent PubLISheRSbaton Rouge, Louisiana

Hollis Day, [email protected]

Lafayette/new Iberia, LouisianaLauren & Phil de [email protected]

Lake Charles, LouisianaLauren & Phil de Albuquerque

[email protected]

Monroe/Ruston, LouisianaElizabeth Bryant Reed

[email protected]

Mandeville/Covington, LouisianaHollis Day, Jr.

[email protected]

new orleans, LouisianaGreg Locke

[email protected]

tyler/Longview, texasChris Menard

[email protected]

Dallas/Fort Worth, texasDon Brown

[email protected]

houston, texasKyle Daniel

[email protected]

Savvy & Sage has made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information

presented in this magazine, but assume no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. The opinions of the personalities featured in Savvy & Sage do not necessarily express those held by Savvy & Sage or The Locke Group, Inc.

Savvy & Sage Magazine is published bi-monthly by Locke Group Inc. at 520 Spring

Street, Suite 202, Shreveport, LA 71101.Phone 318.429.8311. Fax 318.429.8453.

Email [email protected]. All rights reserved.

Feature WritersHolly Clegg

Elaine MarzeBlake Rainey

Contributing WritersBrett LodingGilbey Scott

Tara R. ThomasJim Turner

Contributing Photographer

David Humphreys

Art DirectorKathy Sepulvado

PrinterBranch-Smith PrintingFort Worth, TX 76104

800.315.4110

featuresPlay A Game .....................................4

Acupuncture .....................................6

What’s Different About Fitness for Seniors? .........................10

Winter Honeysuckle ........................13

Stages Of Senior Care .....................14

Shreveport Symphony Announces A Season To Resound! ....................16

Surfin’ Seniors: Computers and the Internet for Baby Boomers ...........................18

Yes, I Need Help ..............................22

Don’t Worry – Be Informed! ............25

Warm Winter Soups ........................26

Day 38: Love Fulfills Dreams (And Nightmares) ............................30

39 Things To Do In 2010 .................32

Houston, Texas ................................33

Puzzles ............................................36

Photo by Albritton Photography

Jan/Feb 2010

®

Shreveport/Bossier

READ US ONLINEat savvyandsage.com(Click on “Your Area”)

Acupuncture by Elaine Marze

Stages of Senior Care A Step-by-Step

Guide

Shreveport Symphony

Returns

Love Fulfills Dreams

by Tara R. Thomas

Shreveport/Bossier

Play A Game Help The Caddo Council On Aging

“Life is one grand, sweet song, so start

the music.”Ronald Reagan

in every issue

health issues10

the sage traveler32

taste savvy26

puzzle savvy36

®

Digital Online Version

now available!

www.savvyandsage.com

click on “your area”

on the coverThis photo makes us this of two things: love and vacations. Read a story of true love on page 6. This issue includes two vacation articles. See pages 8 and 15. Photo by Albritton Photography.

winter honeysuckle 13

symphony 16

i need help 22

Phot

o N

eil J

ohn

son

Play a game.Help the Caddo Council on Aging.

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Years ago when I first wrote an article about acupuncture, some people viewed the concept of it akin to voodoo, but in the intervening years acupuncture has gained widespread accep-tance here in the United States. That fact was vividly rein-forced when I saw “Acupuncture” signs on buildings in the small Ozark Mountain towns of Kingston and Huntsville.

My first personal experience with acupuncture was nearly 20 years ago, and it came by way of a Texas cowboy who had spent several years in China learning this ancient way of heal-ing so he could repair his own injuries. He was visit-ing the fire station where my husband, JR, worked, and he learned JR had been suffering for weeks from excruciating elbow pain. A well-respected orthopedic doctor had told my husband that he had a torn tendon that would require surgery. The cowboy, who prefers to remain anony-mous, offered to do acupuncture on him. Though doubtful, my husband decided to let him do this non-surgical needle treatment “just in case it worked.”

One session with the needles, which in JR’s words “sent electricity out my elbow,” was all it took. The elbow pain was gone. A year later, a doctor’s directive that he needed another surgery sent him back to an acupuncturist with another suc-cessful healing. In the years that followed, our daughter would

fly in from Nashville, Tennessee to have acupuncture done whenever she had a sinus infection, water on the knee, or strep throat because she said the healing was much faster than with conventional medicine.

Eventually, the cowboy became so inundated with people wanting him to “help” them that he now restricts his needles to horses mostly. Professional rodeo and race horses or family rid-ing ponies; people bring them to him for everything from horses with nervous problems to serious equine physical ailments. The

same acupuncture that has been practiced for nearly 3000 years in the Orient and is steadily gaining respect here in the West works on animals as well as on people. And, while acupuncture does not always preclude the use of Western medical practices, in some instances it elimi-

nates the need for intrusive surgeries and drugs which adds to the allure of this traditional Chinese health care.

Although the concept of acupuncture may remain unac-ceptable to some traditional scientific thought and research, some insurance companies are now recognizing its worth and also the fact that it costs less than conventional doctor visits, batteries of medical tests and surgeries. It is proving itself as such an effective modality that the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)

By Elaine Marze

AcupunctureThe same acupuncture that has been practiced for nearly 3000

years in the Orient and is steadily gaining respect here in the West works on animals

as well as on people.


®

awarded millions of dollars in grant money for acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medical research.

Such conditions as myo-fascial pain, tennis elbow and musculoskeletal condi-tions including back pain and Fibromyalgia are often treated with anti-inflammatory medi-cations or with steroid injec-tions, both of which have a potential for undesirable side effects. Acupuncture works as a safe, effective alternative and natural approach to healing such conditions.

More and more rheuma-tologists and pain specialists are making referrals to practi-tioners of acupuncture. Other areas where acupuncture is recognized for having high success rates is in adult postop-erative, chemotherapy nausea, headaches, asthma, diabetes and addictions.

The general theory of acupuncture is based on the premise that patterns of energy flow (Qi) through the body. Disruptions of this flow are believed to be responsible for disease. The purpose of acupuncture is to correct imbalances of flow at identifiable points close to the skin. Also described as the Yin and Yang, this refers to the constant state of dynamic balance of all parts and functions of the body. No organ is seen as an isolated problem, but is part of the whole body system.

Among several current theories on the mechanism of acu-puncture is the Neurotransmitter Theory which concludes that acupuncture affects higher brain areas, stimulating the secretion of beta-endorphins and enkephalins in the brain and spinal cord. The release of neurotransmitters influences the immune system and the antinociceptive system.

Some Western studies have led to the consensus that acu-puncture may activate the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, resulting in a broad spectrum of systemic effects.

Most people agree acupuncture, when thin needles are inserted and left for 20-40 minutes, does not usually “hurt” but

you may feel sensations that are “different” – tingly and energized. These sensations are Qi. Also, endorphins that are released during acupunc-ture usually cause a deep sense of relaxation. Depending on whether your pain is acute or chronic establishes the number of treatments you may need.

Sometimes referred to as “alternative” medicine along with chiropractic, reflexology, meditation and even mas-sage therapy, acupuncture is nevertheless making great strides in acceptance among the American public due to its phenomenal effectiveness when applied by a knowledge-able and well-trained person.

Any method which results in success is worth investigat-ing, especially by high risk individuals (for surgery) such as those over the age of 50 and those with additional health complications. Avoiding an intrusive surgical procedure with all its accompanying risks of infection, anesthesiology, drugs and even doctor error is the answer to many people’s prayers. And, the demand for

low-cost health care cannot be denied.It is common for first time acupuncture recipients to

fear the unknown. Also, a fear of needles is not uncommon. Doubts about the effectiveness of tiny, hair-like needles to heal and bring pain relief are also a shared feeling of the uninitiated to this ancient method of medicine. I had watched as friends and family members were healed of sicknesses and injuries due to acupuncture while I was still relying on repetitive doctor visits, antibiotics and other drugs to treat chronic sinus infec-tions and flu-like symptoms. Though afterward I regretted all the time I wasted being sick, it was two years before I allowed Dr. Ray Luk, of Far East Acupuncture (713-977-2391) in Houston, Texas, to stick needles in me. I chose him because he was described as the “Master” by people knowledgeable on the subject of acupuncture.

Most people agree acupuncture, when thin needles are inserted and left for 20-40 minutes,

does not usually “hurt”...

(continued on next page)

Dr. Baisong Zhong


®

Everybody reacts differently, but one acupuncture treatment will keep my sinuses clear for about two years with no antibi-otics or over-the-counter drugs used. I have been treated by two doctors, both Chinese born and taught, but other people I know have used American doctors to administer acupuncture, also with successful results.

The other doctor I use is Dr. Baisong Zhong, M.D. (China), Ph.D. who was invited to come to the U.S. by the (Houston) American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) to teach acupuncture which he continues to do. He has authored more than 30 papers and nine books on Traditional

Chinese Medicine (TCM). I first met Dr. Zhong and one of his partners, Dr. Ellen Gong, while they were work-ing with Dr. Luk. Their clinic is Eastern Balance Oriental Medicine, and the demand for their needles and exper-tise is so great that one week-end every month they go to

Carthage, Texas to treat people who travel from Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma for treatment. Find out more about them at www.easternbalancetcm.com.

Dr. Ellen specializes in female areas such as menopause,

fertility and even reducing the signs of aging by facial rejuvena-tion to tighten pores, improve muscle tone and dermal contrac-tion and increasing the elasticity of the skin.

Acupuncture is a complex intervention that may vary for dif-ferent patients with similar complaints, but for those who have been successfully treated by acupuncture, this form of treatment is often preferable to expensive, conventional medicine whenever possible. The amazing results continue to astound me and this ancient Chinese method of healing and pain relief is predict-ably gaining acceptance among the masses with no slowdown in sight. The amount of fascinating information on this subject is way too vast to cover in one article (or many), and interested individuals may want to investigate on their own.

Elaine Marze is a freelance writer who also works in public relations and advertising. She can be reached at [email protected].

Acupuncture is a complex intervention that may vary for different patients with

similar complaints...

Dr. Ellen Gong

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Who Says Seniors Don’t Have Time For Health?Senior health is

a popular topic

these days as

aging baby boomers try to figure out

the best ways to keep enjoying their

goldenyears… which happily are lasting

longer and longer in the 21st Century.

Senior fitness is also an important issue

as technology and labor-saving devices

have created a landscape where 'hard

work' is diminished… but so are the

long-term health benefits that come

from leading an active life. And senior

health is also a key to a healthy mind.

Numerous studies point to a strong

connection between regular exercise

and emotional stability, providing

strong evidence that many seniors

can literally exercise away their

depression.

The ABC of Senior ExerciseFor optimum senior health, the ABC

of older fitness is actually ESC –

Endurance, Strength and Cardio. These

three forms of exercise target different

senior health needs and should all be

integrated into your workout program.

Endurance exercise increases blood

flow and may protect older people

from cardiac injury during a heart

attack, according to a new University

of Florida study. Strength exercises

increase muscle mass and improve

metabolism which aids in maintaining

a healthy weight…a key challenge in

senior health. Workouts that target the

cardiovascular system promote heart

health. Add stretching and balance

exercises for a complete approach to

senior health and overall senior fitness.

By Gilbey Scott

About Fitness for Seniors?

Wha

t’s D

iffer

ent


®

Fit Seniors Are Smart Seniors, Literally!When seniors exercise, their

workout a positive effect on

muscles, joints, and bones.

But the amazing news is that

exercise for seniors provides far

more than just physical fitness.

Literally providing a workout for

the brain as well as the body,

exercise supports senior health

by improving blood flow and

increasing metabolism. Overall

brain function is also improved

thanks to better circulation.

This can bring a dramatic

improvement to a senior’s metal

acuity and memory function.

Seniors who workout regularly,

report that their exercise

program leaves them feeling

positive and happy, with a

positive attitude that carries over

into non-workout hours.

Feel The Burn and Set Calories On FireSeniors need to be

aware of weight and

its relationship to

fitness. As the body

ages, it becomes more

difficult to maintain

for seniors to maintain an

ideal weight without a fitness

program, regular workouts

and exercise.

If you can

BOOST YOUR

METABOLISM,

your body

will be able

to burn more

calories per

day. The good

news for senior fitness is that

exercise naturally boosts your

Help for Veterans or Their WidoWs

How much financial assistance can you get?• Up to $1,644 per month

for a single vet• Up to $1,949 per month

for a married vet• Up to $1,056 per month

for the widow or widower of a vet

VA will pay for care even at home or in assisted living.We can help avoid problems! By taking steps to qualify for VA assistance, you may disqualify yourself for Medicaid assistance. The two programs must be coordinated in order to maximize your use of public resources.Errors can be devastating! Benefits lost are money out of your pocket that you can never recover.

We guide you through the VA and Medicaid programs to make sure that you qualify for the optimum benefits from these two programs.

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Call 222-2100. Ask for Brandy to reserve a seat or request more info.

Veterans may qualify for financial assistance if...• You served on

active duty for at least 90 days, one day of which was during time of war.

• You are now disabled, or have significant difficulty with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, walking or driving, or are 65 or older and in a nursing home. YoUr disABiliTY need noT Be serViCe-relATed!

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metabolism. Your fitness level will get

a real boost if you add weight training

or progressive resistance exercise that

builds muscle to your workout. Muscle

burns more calories than fat, and

the more muscle you

have, the more calories

you burn, even when

you’re resting.

Senior Exercise Prevents Embarrassing Senior ConditionsOne of the 'secret' benefits seniors

enjoy from exercise is freedom from

worry. Exercise strengthens muscles

that hold the body’s organs in place

to prevent many of the

conditions that keep

seniors from enjoying their lives fully.

The positive effect on the muscles that

hold the bladder is the reason many

older fitness enthusiasts have found

that keeping to a regular workout

helps them put off some of the most

common (and potentially embarrassing)

signs of aging including urinary tract

problems. Simple pelvic exercises

performed for a few minutes

a day several times a week

can improve senior health

exponentially.

The Secret of SuccessThere’s no ‘magic bullet’ that

guarantees senior health and

fitness. There’s not even a

‘magic’ workout or exercise.

If there’s any ‘magic’ in senior

fitness, it’s a magic word.

That word is COMMITMENT. For

any exercise program or fitness

regimen to work, you need to

follow it regularly… for life. A

great way to stay motivated

is to KEEP A DAILY EXERCISE

JOURNAL. Record the kind of

exercise you did that day, your

heart rate, and anything else that’s

meaningful to you. You’ll feel great

when you review the progress you’ve

made in creating a lifetime of good

health for yourself.

For more articles on how fitness helps seniors stay healthy visit: www.smart-shape.com.

Lonicera fragrantissima (AKA Winter or Bush Honeysuckle)(lo-niśer-a fra-gran-tiśi-ma)Caprifoliaceae 8 x 8’Zone 6 5 x 5’ average

A Native of China, this semi-evergreen shrub performs well from the coastal plains to the upper South. It is tolerant of most growing conditions even with considerable neglect but loves a moist, fertile soil. For best flowering, full sunlight is required but it does extremely well even in shade. This plant is generally pest-free and can be propagated by layering or by cuttings. One of the best things about this shrub is that it will begin blooming when everyone else is lying dormant in the winter. The fragrant flowers bloom in later winter (February-March) and provides a lemon scent-like fragrance for many weeks. This a fast-growing shrub that is long-lived. It produces a small red fruit but is seldom seen because the birds devour it with fervor. Win-ter honeysuckle combines with other shrubs. It can be used as a single specimen or in groupings to provide screening or sound barrier from roads. In addition to screening, its mounding form can be also used a slope cover. This is a low maintenance shrub but may require occasional removal of non-producing canes. The best time to prune is after the plant is finished blooming. Never sheer but selectively cut old canes from the center of the plant near the ground. Fertilizer requirements are low; addition of compost around the plant in early spring and late fall will enhance flower production and fragrance. A complete balanced fertilizer can be applied in late winter before flowering if compost is not available. This is an often over-looked and under-used shrub in our area of landscaping. Being long-lived, it will provide years of fragrance at a time when few other plants are in bloom. The Winter Honeysuckle is an excellent choice to herald in the color and beauty of spring.

WinterHoneysuckle

Jim Turner is landscape contractor and Master Gardener. He is currently landscape consultant at Plant-It-Green Nursery in West Monroe, LA.

By Jim Turner



With more than 78 million Baby Boomers on the verge

of retirement, America is facing monumental social and

economic challenges in the ways in which we care for our

seniors. With healthcare concerns at the forefront, and with

time and money management a major factor for American

families in the 21st century, how adult children and seniors can

best prepare

and plan for

their futures

have evolved into a complex process that often involves mis-

information and injects unwanted stress into our most impor-

tant relationships.

To ease this tension and give much needed guidance to

seniors and their adult children alike, Paul and Lori Hogan,

founders of Home Instead Senior Care, the world’s largest

provider of non-medical in-home care for seniors, have taken

their experiences as both family caregivers and senior care pro-

fessionals and written Stages of Senior Care: Your Step-by-Step

STAGES of SENIOR CARE: Your Step-by-Step Guide

to Making the Best DecisionsComprehensive Resource Book Provides

The Tools Needed To Help Readers Make Informed Senior Care Decisions

For Themselves And Their Aging Parents

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

“Informative. Complete. And practical. This book will guide family caregivers through the surprisingly complex world of senior care.”MEHMET OZ, M.D.


You can make adifference in your

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Each Home Instead Senior Care® franchise office is independently owned and operated. © 2009 Home Instead, Inc.

Guide to Making the Best Decisions (November 2009/McGraw-

Hill/$18.95).

Stages of Senior Care serves as a comprehensive guide for

the ever-expanding world of senior care, breaking down the

process by addressing the shared concerns of seniors and their

family members. Featuring

more than 30 sources from

the most credible major

healthcare organizations,

universities and nonprofit

organizations, the Hogans

thoroughly explain each and

every aspect of senior care, including the array of available

care choices, being a caregiver, planning for your own future,

aging in place, family and professional care options, how to

chose an option and what to look for, financing care, insur-

ance, legal matters, dealing with stress, communication and

family relations. Specific chapters are dedicated to inform-

ing families about the many options available for professional

care including senior centers and adult care centers, non-

medical care at home, medical care at home, retirement and

independent living communities, assisted living, skilled nurs-

ing homes, and hospice care.

“Senior care options have expanded almost beyond rec-

ognition in the last 20 years,

yet most Americans are still

only familiar with nurs-

ing homes or family care

at home,” said Paul Hogan.

“In Stages of Senior Care, we

present, fully and fairly, the

multitude of options now available while at the same time

helping people hold together their family and preserve their

own well-being.”

Stages of Senior Care is a comprehensive resource that will

help families to provide the best and most appropriate care

for their loved ones.

America is facing monumental social and economic challenges

in the ways in which we care for our seniors.


®

including world record holders, Gold Medal winners of international com-petitions, and some of the most origi-nal talent seen anywhere. Their perfor-mances are uniquely adapted to share the stage with the symphony, choreo-graphed to classical masterpieces and popular contemporary music.

Two world-renowned pianists, both Wideman Competition Gold Medalists, light up the stage for A Keyboard Extravaganza on Satur-day, May 15 at First Baptist Church. Alon Goldstein and Stanislav Ioud-enitch bring their dazzling virtuosity back to Shreveport after having per-formed with some of the world’s great-est orchestras. Mr. Ioudenitch, also Gold Medal winner of the 2001 Van Cliburn Competition, will perform the Sym-phonic Variations by Franck to open the program. Next, Mr. Goldstein, who is known for his sensitive and musically intelligent performances, will play the Second Piano Con-certo of Shostakovich. Both pianists will be playing one of Van Cliburn’s own pianos, which Mr. Cliburn gifted to the church. After intermission, the orchestra will perform Saint-Saens’ powerful and colorful Organ Symphony, recently bor-rowed for the soundtrack of the movie Babe ! The organ and orchestra are united to spectacular effect in this resounding climax to the concert.

A Season to Resound! marks the return to the stage of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra after an extended labor dispute, now ended. Talks continue between the musicians and representatives of the Symphony Board as they work to complete a multi-year agreement and plan for the 2010-2011 season and beyond.

Board President Dick Bremer commended the new spirit of cooperation among the Board and musicians, and stated, “We are pleased that our professional musicians are back onstage, and we are committed to working effectively together. The musicians and the Board also wish to thank

our community for its patience and for providing financial support to help rebuild our Symphony. The Sym-phony, as any nonprofit, exists to serve its community, and this community has shown it values highly the acces-sibility to the fine cultural and edu-cational programs that the Shreveport Symphony is known for.”

Dr. Rick Rowell, Principal Trum-pet and musician spokesperson, added his enthusiasm for returning to the stage. “Music is our soul and our pro-fession, and we are gratified to bring music to Ark-La-Tex residents and students to enrich and enhance their everyday lives. The musicians are eager

to play again and believe that these very attractive programs will build support for the cause of live orchestral music in our community. Given the opportunity, we believe that our audience, by their attendance and support, will demonstrate that the Shreveport/ Bossier City area wants and deserves a great orchestra.”

Single tickets go on sale January 2nd. Tickets ranging from $40-$15 are available for reserved seating to the first two concerts at the Riverview Theatre; tickets ranging from $40-$25 are available for general admission by section to the concert at First Baptist Church. Previous subscribers will be given priority until December 30 to order their tickets and keep their previous reserved seat locations for the first two concerts. Beginning January 2nd, all tickets will be available online at www.shreveportsymphony.com or by calling the Box Office at 318-227-TUNE (227-8863).

619 Louisiana AvenueShreveport, LA 71101318 222-7496 Voice318 227-TUNE Ticket Hotline318 222-7490 Faxwww.shreveportsymphony.com

“Music is our soul...”Dr. Rick Rowell, Principal Trumpet

Photo Neil Johnson

Music Director Michael Butterman today announced details of the new spring season of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra will perform three programs: Janu-ary 30 and March 5 at Riverview Theatre, and May 15 at First Baptist Church of Shreveport. All performances begin at 7:30pm. Season sponsor for A Season to Resound! is Willis-Knighton.

In announcing A Season to Resound! Butterman said, “I am thrilled that the music is returning to Shreveport-Bossier. Music has a unique power to connect people with a deep spiritual plane, providing both stimulation and healing. Its presence is abso-lutely vital to any vibrant community, and I am confident that our performances this spring will be enormously effec-tive. Each concert is an event not to be missed -- exciting, emotional music from our great orchestra, with internation-ally renowned Gold Medalists and Grammy-nominated guest artists.”

Music returns in a big way with the Tchaikovsky Spec-tacular on Saturday, January 30 featuring Grammy-nomi-nated violinist Jennifer Frautschi performing Tchaikovsky’s beloved Violin Concerto in D. Ms. Frautschi is known for

her brilliant interpretations and wide-ranging repertoire. She has appeared with the premiere orches-tras of the world and has many criti-cally acclaimed recordings to her credit. The program concludes with the composer’s intensely emotional and ever-popular Fifth Symphony.

Cirque de la Symphonie flies high above center stage on Friday, March 5 as the orchestra performs selections by Dvorak, Bizet, John Williams and many more. The Cirque production is winning rave reviews from sold-out audi-ences around the country for their breathtaking aerial fliers, acrobats, jugglers and dancers. It is a program of music and motion, designed to entertain and delight the ‘inner child’ in everyone. These artists are among the best in the business,

Shreveport Symphony AnnouncesA Season to Resound!

Photo Neil Johnson

“I am thrilled that the music is returning to Shreveport-Bossier.”

Michael Butterman, Music Director

Three Concerts to Delight All Music Lovers


®

Everybody knows that learn-ing doesn’t end with high school or college. Once we have finished with our formal educations, we still have a big, wide world to understand and master. Most of us learn to live with our partners, and make a lov-ing marriage work. We have to learn to be parents. We have to learn new skills, and abilities to continue to reach career goals, and find new successes in our cho-sen fields.

We also live in an increasingly changing world that finds new devel-opments in technology challenging our understanding of – and ability to interact with – our media-saturated sur-roundings. From radio to television, the automobile to the airplane, with each new technological development cultural challenges arise that require new skills

and understanding. No single tech-nology has had as much impact on the 21st century as the computer, and the Internet.

In today’s world, it seems that nearly everything involves interacting with computers. From the cell phone, to the ATM machine, to the news we watch on the television set, everything relies on complex computing networks moving information from one point to another for our entertainment and edification. With the introduction of the personal computer, we found that this new tech-nology became a part of our every day lives.

Understanding how to use a com-puter, and negotiate the Internet is becoming a crucial part of living a vital,

active life. Today, even our grand-children are surfing the Internet and sending email. Learning a

few basic skills can provide you with new abilities that can expand

your horizons, simplify your life, and even bring you closer to

the ones you love. There are a number of ways for seniors interested in computers and

the Internet to learn more. Not only can these experiences be accessible and informative, they can also be a fun way to get out, make new friends, and open up a world of new experiences.

One of the best ways to learn more about this brave new world, is to take a look at the programs offered by your local schools, universities, community centers, and recreation departments. With just a little investigating, you’ll find that these resources offer a number of options when it comes to learning everything from computer basics and Internet 101, to mastering sophisticated software applications.

Surfin’ Seniors:Computers and the Internet

for Baby BoomersBy Brett Loding

Understanding how to use a computer, and negotiate the Internet is becoming a crucial part of living a vital, active life.


®

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There are a lot of advantages to this kind of formal, in-class learning. In most of these situations, every student will have the advantage of learning at their own computer, receiving plenty of hands-on practice and personalized instruction. This will save you the expense of need-ing to buy a computer in order to learn how to use one. It will also give you a chance to find out what you like to do on a computer, giving you a leg-up on your shopping once you get around to making a purchase.

Classes of this kind usually start from scratch, walking students through the basics: hooking up a computer prop-erly, terminology, using a printer and a mouse, etc. Once you grab the basics, most courses will move on to an elemen-tary understanding of the Windows operating system, along with the how-to’s of basic word processing and spreadsheet software.

Like any class for seniors, these courses are usually paced for your com-fort, but what about your physical com-fort? For many seniors, the barrier to computer literacy isn’t a lack of curiosity, or a fear of the unknown, it is difficulty with the physical dexterity required to negotiate the keyboard and the mouse. Arthritis, and vision problems can inhibit seniors from even taking the first steps toward learning more about computers. Luckily, there are a number of new prod-ucts available that can remove these bar-riers, and have any senior surfing away in no time.

For seniors with vision problems, computers can be intimidating. Not only does computing require reading a keyboard, it also requires reading a – sometimes dimly lit or glaring – screen. However, these issues don’t need to be a barrier. Visi- Key Keyboards are the same size as regular keyboards, but the letters and numbers are 430% larger. For seniors who need extra help with seeing and typing, Big Key Keyboards are a just the right solution, and products like

the Bigtrack Track Ball and the Vertical Mouse can assist with the fine motor control computing requires. Items like the ZoomText product line can magnify and enhance everything on your monitor screen, making it easier to see under any conditions.

As computers become more user friendly, classes become easier to find, and new products make it easier for seniors to

manage the use of these new technolo-gies, computer geeks of all ages are free to explore cyberspace for all they’re worth. C’mon, jump in! The cyberspace is fine!

Brett Loding is posting for Eric West, who is a proud parent, and has 2 giant maine coon cats.He is the VP of http://www.pawschoice.com, and activeandable.com the webs #1 destination for pets, and people to make life better and easier. Article source: articlesbase.com

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this rise and fall of the

financial market like so

many other people.

“I routinely talk with people

who had an excess of over a

million dollars in investable

assets only a year ago

who now have less than

$500,000.00 due to market

losses,” says Steve Rainey.

“In contrast, none of our

clients have lost a dime!”

Toll Free: 1-888-836-2738

Office: 318-869-3133

920 Pierremont Road, Suite 105

Shreveport, LA 71106www.safeplanning.net

Protect your nest egg!

Call our office for an appointment to come in for a consultation on how to:

• Guarantee your income for life. • Minimize the income net tax when

• Protect your savings from market risk. converting IRAs to ROTH IRAs and

• Protect yourself from nursing home look at benefits of tax free growth.

spend-down requirements.

Allow us to give you a reason to celebrate!


®

If you’ve ever lived in a foreign country you will understand just how exhausting and stressful the act of living can be, espe-cially in the beginning. The excitement of the adventure wears off quickly when it’s not just the language barrier that is problematic, but the little things that you used to do everyday without even thinking, now require work. Imagine that you need to carry a dictionary to do your grocery shopping and need a temperature conversion chart before you can cook dinner. You need instructions on how to sort the trash in the required ways, but instead have to learn the hard way- that is get scolded by a neighbor for doing it wrong. You don’t know if your two-year old son’s crying during quiet hours is disturbing the neighbors, so you expect at any time the noise police to ring your doorbell.

Take these sorts of things about 18 hours a day, add in lan-guage school and advance stage rheumatoid arthritis and you get my state about two months after we moved to Germany almost eight years ago. One particular day, I’ll never forget. My house was a mess, the laundry was out of control and I was on the verge

of a nervous breakdown. My husband was learning language, as well as working. Believe me, he did more than his share, but

it was not enough. I did something that day that was extremely difficult for me to do. I asked someone for help.

Pride swallowed and phone call over I breathed a deep sigh and waited for my rescuers. I don’t remember what we did with our time that day, but I do remem-ber what they did. Nancy and Jimmy Moore showed up at my house with a bucket and gloves. With a smile from ear to ear and a hug, Nancy shooed Todd, my husband, and me out of the house.

I got home that evening to a clean kitchen, laundered and ironed clothes and a happy boy munching on pizza! Jimmy had entertained and fed Samuel

while Nancy did the cleaning and laundry. Overwhelmed with gratefulness, I went to bed that night thanking the Lord for my servant-hearted friends, retired from worldly jobs and now serv-ing the Lord overseas in their later years. These two grandparents had left their own grandchildren behind to serve others overseas and that day they had blessed us greatly. And just think, I almost

By Tara R. Thomas

These reasons it is so hard to ask for help:

• We fear appearing weak.

• We interpret the request for help as an admission of failure.

• We hesitate to give up control.


®

Nancy & Jimmy Moore

Jan . 2007

did not ask for help.”Asking for help is a universally dreaded

prospect,” according to Chicago author, speaker, and master coach, M. Nora Klaver in

her book, Mayday! Asking For Help in Times of Need. On her website, she states these reasons for why it is so hard to ask for help. “We fear

appearing weak. We interpret the request for help as an admission of failure. We hesitate to give up control. So we struggle, alone with day-to-day burdens and serious crises. By not reaching out, we make things harder for ourselves.” Sound familiar?

Obviously, you do not have to live overseas to need help. We all need something some time. Often, though we wait until we are absolutely desperate before asking for help and as Klaver points out in her book, we rob others of the joy of helping someone.

I don’t know how many times I have talked with a friend or family member at length about how bad they felt or how awful

things were going. When I asked if there is anything I can do, the answer is so often, “No. I’ll be fine.” Or, “Just pray.” Which is important and helpful,

but what they really need is someone to pick up a few things at the grocery store or make a dinner.

One time my mother was sick and I wanted to help her. With much effort and

struggle she painfully coughed up a small grocery list. The struggle was not due to her illness, I could tell by the slow-drawn out whisper of each item that she was trying to make sure she did not burden me too much. She did not want to seem too needy.

With that in mind, let’s look at some good ways and bad ways to ask for help.

Bad ways to ask for help:(In my struggle with asking for help over the years, I have unfortunately tried all of these.)

Asking for help if you don’t really need •it. For example, if you are lonely, and you ask someone to help just to get a visitor. Expect people to be able to read your mind •and figure out what you need. Give up if someone turns you down. •Rejection hurts, but get over it and ask someone else.Use someone else to ask for you. •Wearing people out by asking too much or •too often for help. This creates relationship barriers.

Good ways to ask for help:Just ask, nicely.•Be specific about what you need and the details when, •where, and how, but not bossy.Be gracious and thankful. I heard someone say one •time, “Many people like to serve, but no one likes to be treated like a servant.”Be willing to help others as well when possible.•

When Nancy and Jimmy Moore left my home that night. Nancy hugged me as I told her a genuine heartfelt thank you. Her reply was really interesting. With peace in her eyes and a warm smile she told me that it was her pleasure to be able to serve me. She added that all day as she was washing and ironing my clothes and cleaning my house, she was also pray-ing for my family and me. Knowing the devoted prayer warrior that she is, I knew this was true. She and Jimmy had worked hard, as unto the Lord, praying as they worked. It was obvious by their faces that they got a blessing out of blessing me.

So the next time you are in need, I urge you to ask for help before you get desperate. Start by lifting up a prayer and asking the Lord to help you. You can even ask his help asking for help. Think about who might best be able and willing to help you. Ask someone for help. If it does not work out, keep asking until

you find the help you need. Then with a grate-ful heart let that person know how they have blessed you. We can all follow the example of warm-hearted people like Jimmy and Nancy Moore who prove the saying “A friend in need is a friend, indeed.”

A friend in need is a friend, indeed.


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By Blake Rainey

It is not as if seniors and their families do not have enough to worry about, but the old myth is still alive and circulating that “before you can qualify for Medicaid you must sign over your home to the state”. We at S.A.F.E. Planning would like to reassure you of some facts so you can

relax and enjoy the new year with a little less stress, and though state laws vary, at least in Louisiana you do not have to sign your house over to the state in order to receive benefits. The state has a Recovery Department and has the right to try and recover against the estate of the applicant/recipient but only after their death and only if there is no surviving spouse.

Louisiana has had the right to recover against the home-stead for some time, but up until this point the Recovery Department has done little to actively recover from individu-als who have legitimately received benefits. The most activity I have observed from Louisiana’s Recovery Department was trying to recoup monies when they found that they had paid benefits to someone incorrectly. This can happen when assets or income is not disclosed during the ini-tial application or a transfer for less than fair market value was made but not disclosed. Changes in income or assets that are not reported to Medicaid once an individual is determined eli-gible can also cause a problem. If these are not found or are overlooked and benefits are received, then once discovered the Recovery Department would be responsible for trying to col-lect any monies incorrectly paid to an individual.

However, we have begun to see a substantial increase in notices being sent to the families after the death of a Medicaid recipient. The letter consists of a form to be filled out and sent back to the state that helps the state make a determination if recovery is going to be financially beneficial for the state, and also outlines the hardships and exemptions that could allow a family to avoid recovery of the homestead.

Depending on the value of the home, the financial status of the direct heirs, and several other determining factors, you

may avoid recovery without any planning, but what can you do to plan to protect the home? First, understand that recovery can only be made from the estate of the person that received benefits and the state is limited to recovering only from the pro-bate of that individual. In other words, if it doesn’t go through probate, they can’t get it. Now, many know that a Revocable Living Trust will avoid probate but a home in a trust loses its exempt status and would keep the individual from receiving benefits in the first place.

One strategy for a married couple would be to transfer the interest of the applicant/recipient to the well spouse at home. If the well spouse owns the entire house, it will keep the home out of the probate of the applicant/recipient. It is obvious in this instance that a Pre-Planning strategy would be to transfer the home out of their names completely. Whether married or single, a transfer could be made to the children, for example, and get past the look-back period and/or the penalty period for transfers for less than Fair Market Value.

Consideration should be given to whether or not Usufruct is retained when making a trans-fer like this. By retaining the Usufruct, the individual will do several things. First, they are able to continue to claim homestead

exemption. Next, because usufruct is retained, the donee will receive a step-up in cost basis on the property upon the death of the donor. Finally, because the donation was made in this manner, the individual still had the use and control of their home until they died, yet it isn’t required that it goes through probate. The kids already have possession of the property and Medicaid has no ability to recover against the home.

There are other strategies that may be available to protect from recovery – many depend on your particular situation and family dynamic. As always, Pre-Planning will offer the most protection.

Please understand that I am writing about how Louisiana deals with recovery. If you are in another state, there may be some differences. If you have concerns, we will be happy to talk to you and will make sure the advice we give you will take into consideration your state regulations.

(See S.A.F.E. Planning ad for contact information, page 20)

Don’t worry – be informed!

As always, Pre-Planning will offer the most

protection.

Shrimp, Corn and Sweet potato SoupTime and time again this recipe gets rave reviews, especially prepared with the naturally sweet yams.

1 red onion, chopped1/2 cup chopped celery1/2 teaspoon minced garlic1 green bell pepper, seeded and

chopped2 cups diced sweet potatoes (yams)1 (16-ounce) bag frozen corn1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream style corn1 (10-ounce) can chopped tomatoes and

green chilies1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste4 cups canned fat-free chicken broth1 1/2 pounds peeled medium shrimpSalt and pepper to tasteSliced green onions (scallions), optional

Coat a large pot with nonstick cooking spray and sauté the onion, celery, garlic, and green pepper until tender. Add the sweet potatoes, frozen corn, cream style corn, tomatoes and green chilies, tomato paste, and broth; bring mixture to a boil. Add shrimp and continue cooking until shrimp is done, about 10 minutes. Garnish with green onions, if desired.

Makes 12 servingsNutrition information per servingCalories ................................................. 153Protein (g) ................................................ 13Carbohydrate (g) ..................................... 26Fat (g) ........................................................ 1Calories from Fat (%) ................................. 6Saturated Fat (g) ........................................ 0Dietary Fiber (g) ......................................... 4Cholesterol (mg) ...................................... 81Sodium (mg) ...........................................513Diabetic Exchanges: 1 very lean meat, 1.5 starch, 1 vegetable

hether it is a cold wintry day or you’re entertaining a group,

this is the perfect opportunity to highlight savory, simmering hot

soups. Soups are comfort foods as well as a source of internal heat-

ing and fuel on those cold winter nights. Best of all, traditional soups

have been revamped into nourishing one-dish meals making them ideal

for the busy person. A good fulfilling soup will meet the needs of all the

food groups in one pot, which definitely simplifies cooking.

Soups are ideal for any size group, from small to a larger group that

might happen to pop in during the winter festivities. Best of all, soups

are truly the ultimate make-ahead recipe allowing you to cook on your

own time frame. The old adage, “the longer it sits, the better it gets”

is true with soups. To the delight of the cook, a soup pulled out of the

freezer might attract more compliments than when initially served. To

reheat, take out the night before and thaw in the refrigerator, and heat

in a saucepan over a low heat. After freezing sometimes more liquid

needs to be added if the mixture is too thick. If you need to stretch the

soup, just add more broth and toss in extra ingredients, as soups are very

crowd accommodating.

A loaf of hot crusty French bread and possibly a salad may be served

with soup to round out the meal. These Trim & Terrific soup recipes

might be hearty and filling but they won’t affect your waistline. These

one-dish meals will warm you up on a cold winter night and satisfy the

most demanding taste buds from family to friends.

Shrimp, Corn and Sweet potato Soup

Holly Clegg, author of the best selling trim&TERRIFIC™ cookbook series including a dia-betic cookbook with the ADA and Eating Well Through Cancer, has sold almost 1 million copies. Holly has appeared on national shows including Fox & Friends, NBC Weekend Today, and The 700 Club. Known as the healthy “Queen of Quick,” her focus is on fast, easy and healthier recipes using everyday ingredients.

what’s happening:Mobile Rush-Hour Recipes •phone application-delivered directly to your phone, easy daily healthy and delicious recipes with photo, shopping list, directions and nutritional information - availble on iphone, blackberry and smart phonesWatch Holly’s monthly •cooking segment, Holly’s trim&TERRIFIC® Kitchen on “This Week In Louisiana Agriculture.” Sign up for Holly’s Monthly •Menu Newsletter and check out recipes: www.hollyclegg.com

Yummy, yummy to my tummy, It’s soup weather!

tuSCan Bean Soup This earthy soup with a full array of assorted veggies and barley seasoned with rosemary and thyme whips up with ease. If the soup gets too thick, add more broth.

1 tablespoon olive oil1 onion, chopped1 green bell pepper, chopped1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic2 tablespoons all-purpose flour1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves1/ 4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves1 bay leaf2 tablespoons tomato paste8 cups fat-free low-sodium chicken or

vegetable broth1/2 cup medium pearl barley1 cup sliced carrots2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini or Great

Northern beans, rinsed and drained2 cups packed fresh baby spinach leavesSalt and pepper to taste (optional)

In a large nonstick saucepot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion, green pepper, and garlic over medium heat until tender, about 7 minutes. Sprinkle with flour and cook for one minute.

Stir in the rosemary, thyme, bay leaf, tomato paste, and broth. Bring to a boil and add the barley, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add the carrots and continue to cook, covered, for 20 minutes. Uncover, add the beans and spinach, and continue cooking for 5 minutes until well heated. Season with salt and pepper (if using). Remove bay leaf before serving.

terrific tidbitCannellini, white kidney, or Great Northern beans are all terrific in this soup.

10 servings/serving size: 1 cupCalories ................................................. 145 Calories from Fat ................................17Total Fat ................................................. 2 g Saturated Fat .................................... 0 gCholesterol .......................................... 0 mgSodium ............................................ 248 mgTotal Carbohydrate ............................... 25 g Dietary Fiber .................................... 6 g Sugars .............................................. 2 gProtein .................................................... 7 gDiabetic Exchanges: 1.5 starch

tuSCan Bean Soup

taste savvy


Shrimp, Corn and Sweet potato SoupTime and time again this recipe gets rave reviews, especially prepared with the naturally sweet yams.

1 red onion, chopped1/2 cup chopped celery1/2 teaspoon minced garlic1 green bell pepper, seeded and

chopped2 cups diced sweet potatoes (yams)1 (16-ounce) bag frozen corn1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream style corn1 (10-ounce) can chopped tomatoes and

green chilies1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste4 cups canned fat-free chicken broth1 1/2 pounds peeled medium shrimpSalt and pepper to tasteSliced green onions (scallions), optional

Coat a large pot with nonstick cooking spray and sauté the onion, celery, garlic, and green pepper until tender. Add the sweet potatoes, frozen corn, cream style corn, tomatoes and green chilies, tomato paste, and broth; bring mixture to a boil. Add shrimp and continue cooking until shrimp is done, about 10 minutes. Garnish with green onions, if desired.

Makes 12 servingsNutrition information per servingCalories ................................................. 153Protein (g) ................................................ 13Carbohydrate (g) ..................................... 26Fat (g) ........................................................ 1Calories from Fat (%) ................................. 6Saturated Fat (g) ........................................ 0Dietary Fiber (g) ......................................... 4Cholesterol (mg) ...................................... 81Sodium (mg) ...........................................513Diabetic Exchanges: 1 very lean meat, 1.5 starch, 1 vegetable

hether it is a cold wintry day or you’re entertaining a group,

this is the perfect opportunity to highlight savory, simmering hot

soups. Soups are comfort foods as well as a source of internal heat-

ing and fuel on those cold winter nights. Best of all, traditional soups

have been revamped into nourishing one-dish meals making them ideal

for the busy person. A good fulfilling soup will meet the needs of all the

food groups in one pot, which definitely simplifies cooking.

Soups are ideal for any size group, from small to a larger group that

might happen to pop in during the winter festivities. Best of all, soups

are truly the ultimate make-ahead recipe allowing you to cook on your

own time frame. The old adage, “the longer it sits, the better it gets”

is true with soups. To the delight of the cook, a soup pulled out of the

freezer might attract more compliments than when initially served. To

reheat, take out the night before and thaw in the refrigerator, and heat

in a saucepan over a low heat. After freezing sometimes more liquid

needs to be added if the mixture is too thick. If you need to stretch the

soup, just add more broth and toss in extra ingredients, as soups are very

crowd accommodating.

A loaf of hot crusty French bread and possibly a salad may be served

with soup to round out the meal. These Trim & Terrific soup recipes

might be hearty and filling but they won’t affect your waistline. These

one-dish meals will warm you up on a cold winter night and satisfy the

most demanding taste buds from family to friends.

Shrimp, Corn and Sweet potato Soup

Holly Clegg, author of the best selling trim&TERRIFIC™ cookbook series including a dia-betic cookbook with the ADA and Eating Well Through Cancer, has sold almost 1 million copies. Holly has appeared on national shows including Fox & Friends, NBC Weekend Today, and The 700 Club. Known as the healthy “Queen of Quick,” her focus is on fast, easy and healthier recipes using everyday ingredients.

what’s happening:Mobile Rush-Hour Recipes •phone application-delivered directly to your phone, easy daily healthy and delicious recipes with photo, shopping list, directions and nutritional information - availble on iphone, blackberry and smart phonesWatch Holly’s monthly •cooking segment, Holly’s trim&TERRIFIC® Kitchen on “This Week In Louisiana Agriculture.” Sign up for Holly’s Monthly •Menu Newsletter and check out recipes: www.hollyclegg.com

Yummy, yummy to my tummy, It’s soup weather!

tuSCan Bean Soup This earthy soup with a full array of assorted veggies and barley seasoned with rosemary and thyme whips up with ease. If the soup gets too thick, add more broth.

1 tablespoon olive oil1 onion, chopped1 green bell pepper, chopped1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic2 tablespoons all-purpose flour1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves1/ 4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves1 bay leaf2 tablespoons tomato paste8 cups fat-free low-sodium chicken or

vegetable broth1/2 cup medium pearl barley1 cup sliced carrots2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini or Great

Northern beans, rinsed and drained2 cups packed fresh baby spinach leavesSalt and pepper to taste (optional)

In a large nonstick saucepot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion, green pepper, and garlic over medium heat until tender, about 7 minutes. Sprinkle with flour and cook for one minute.

Stir in the rosemary, thyme, bay leaf, tomato paste, and broth. Bring to a boil and add the barley, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add the carrots and continue to cook, covered, for 20 minutes. Uncover, add the beans and spinach, and continue cooking for 5 minutes until well heated. Season with salt and pepper (if using). Remove bay leaf before serving.

terrific tidbitCannellini, white kidney, or Great Northern beans are all terrific in this soup.

10 servings/serving size: 1 cupCalories ................................................. 145 Calories from Fat ................................17Total Fat ................................................. 2 g Saturated Fat .................................... 0 gCholesterol .......................................... 0 mgSodium ............................................ 248 mgTotal Carbohydrate ............................... 25 g Dietary Fiber .................................... 6 g Sugars .............................................. 2 gProtein .................................................... 7 gDiabetic Exchanges: 1.5 starch

tuSCan Bean Soup



Speedy ChiliI add a teaspoon of Chipotle chili powder to add that smoky flavor. Easiest chili and most popular in my house.

2 pounds ground sirloin1 teaspoon minced garlic1 tablespoon chili powder1 teaspoon ground cumin1 (16-ounce) jar chunky salsa1 (16-ounce) package frozen whole

kernel corn2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans seasoned beef

broth with onion1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans,

rinsed and drained, optional

In a large pot, brown the meat and garlic until done. Drain any excess liquid. Add the chili powder, cumin, salsa, corn, beef broth, and beans. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes.

Makes 6 to 8 servingsNutrition information per servingCalories ..................................................212Protein (g) ................................................ 26Carbohydrate (g) ..................................... 14Fat (g) ........................................................ 6Calories from Fat (%) ............................... 24Saturated Fat (g) ........................................ 2Dietary Fiber (g) ......................................... 2Cholesterol (mg) ...................................... 60Sodium (mg) .......................................... 794Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch

Speedy Chili

Some crispy garlic bread or a loaf of hot crusty French bread makes any of these meals complete!


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I hate sweat, mosquitoes, rattle snakes, briars, un-level ground, climbing rickety board ladders nailed to trees, cold weather, smelly men, unwashed linens, worn-out hand-me- down pillows, coyotes, hot weather, outdoor hole-in-the-ground toilets, no running water, poison ivy, red bugs, red ants, (again I say) smelly men, ticks, crude speech…

All of these loathsome things come to mind when I con-sider deer hunting with my husband. A thought, might I add, that I would not have considered if it were not for DAY 38!

Last Christmas, I got the most wonderful gift from my husband – two LOVE DARE 40 Day Challenge journals, along with a promise that upon completion of the 40 Day chal-lenge, we would take a romantic get-away trip. We had watched the movie Fireproof and loved the message of the film. Thankfully, our marriage was NOT headed toward divorce like the one featured in the film. However, after twelve years of marriage and two children, our lives had gotten very busy and we realized the need to nur-ture our relationship like we once had.

Sparks began to fly after just a few challenges were com-plete. Memories of our early love together came flooding back and romance heated up again. Due to baby-sitting needs we took our little trip a couple of weeks before we finished the chal-lenge. It was better than our honeymoon, I proudly admit.

Then came DAY 38. LOVE FULFILLS DREAMS.“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. –Psalm 37:4TODAY’S DARE: Ask yourself what your mate would want if it was obtainable. Commit this to prayer, and start mapping out a plan for meeting some (if not all) of

their desires, to whatever level you possibly can.”Up until this point the LOVE DARE had been

fun although not always easy. Some of the harder dares were in the beginning. For example on Days 1, 2 and

3 we were not allowed to say anything at all negative to our spouse. On Day 27 we had to “eliminate the poison of unrealistic expectations you have in your home.” But with only two days to go at Day 38, it was looking like this hunter’s wife might not finish.

My husband’s dream is my nightmare. Like the rich ruler in Luke 18 that went away sad when Jesus told him that in order to inherit eternal life he must sell everything he had and give to the poor, the thought of this Love Dare challenge made me very sad. Do I really have to do this one? CAN I really do this? I thought to myself as I began to count the costs.

My son tried to help by telling me with excitement in his eyes, “It’ll be fun, Mama! We’ll even give you some of that stuff that makes you smell good!” He was referring to the

Day 38:Love Fulfills Dreams

(And Nightmares)By Tara R. Thomas

The purpose of the

LOVE DARE is to teach

you how to love.


®

scent-killer spray that makes you smell like dirt. I guess you have to be a 9 year-old boy to understand that logic.

It’s not that I am against hunting – I grew up with it and appreciate it. I remember when hunting season was a few glori-ous weeks out of the year when the guys were gone to the camp and Mom and I had the house, the kitchen and most importantly the TV all to ourselves! We celebrated the season with Christmas shopping, pretty food, and chick-flick marathons. That was years ago, before hunting became a year-round hobby.

When I was a child there was an unspoken rule at the deer camp – no girls allowed. That was fine by me. I accepted it as a general order of things – the way God created boys and girls differently. I embraced the idea whole-heartedly. But all of those things are not important now.

Dares are challenges that take you out of your comfort zone. The LOVE DARE does that, but not for the purpose of your own personal accomplishment. The purpose of the LOVE DARE is to teach you how to love. Love is sacrificial not self-centered. The LOVE DARE challenges you to move out of

your comfort zone in order to pour out love extravagantly on your spouse even if he does not deserve it.

As I wrote these words and pondered these things, I glanced up from my laptop at my husband. He deserves it. He

deserves for me to try as hard as I can to make his dreams become a reality. His dream that he has car-ried since he was a young man is that his wife would

go on a hunt with him. He even has a rifle that he has had since before we met – set aside for his wife.

I hate many things that you have to endure in hunting. But, I love my husband.

I hate Day 38 for daring me to do what I hate! But I love Day 38 for daring me to love my husband extrav-agantly! He deserves it!

Actually, I don’t hate everything about hunting. I like honey buns, campfires, sing-a-longs, story telling, camaraderie, four-wheeler riding, beautiful colors of leaves, seeing animals in the wild, peace and quiet. More than all of these things I love the idea of making my husband, Todd, happy. So, pass me some of that scent-killer and a honey bun! I’ve got a dream to fulfill.

...pass me some of that

scent-killer and a

honey bun! I ’ve got a

dream to fulfill .


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1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

4. Live with the 3 E's — Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.

5. Make time to pray.

6. Play more games.

7. Read more books than you did in 2009.

8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

9. Sleep for 7 hours.

10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.

14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

16. Dream more while you are awake.

17. Remember you already have all you need. Envy is a waste of time.

18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

19. Don't hate others. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

20 Things To Do In 2010


Houston is an excellent representative of “Texas-sized” everything! And, like so many Texans, Houstonians happily and frequently voice their pride in the attractions and points of interest which includes museums, sports teams, shopping centers, restaurants and first class medical facilities. Houston is the nation’s fourth largest city.

Second only to New York City, Houston’s 17-block Theater District boasts nine performing arts organizations and 12,000

seats. In the heart of the down-town Theater District, Bayou Place is a trendy indoor entertainment complex

that offers everything from a game of pool, a con-cert at the Aerial Theater

or blues rhythm music heard at Harlon’s Barbecue and Blues. Or, the Alley Theatre features two post-modern-

istic stages, one of the oldest resident professional theater companies in the country.

The Holocaust Museum, located at 5401 Caroline Street, is a sobering but factual reminder of what can hap-

pen to a nation that loses individual freedoms and is a learning experience as visitors re-live history from the origins of Judaism to the rise of Nazism, the Holocaust and the aftermath of the Final Solution. This commemorative facility pays tribute to the survivors of the Holocaust, and specifically features Houston survivors including a film and montage of personal accounts. Do not miss The Wall of Tears and the Garden of Hope dur-ing your tour.

This is the perfect time of year to watch or enjoy Kinder Lake as it is transformed into an ice skating rink. Part of Discovery Green, located in the downtown area, this 12-acre

area provides facilities and equipment for musical concerts, various sports and games such as bocce ball and shuffle board, walking trails shaded by old oaks, and playgrounds.

The grand lobby of the Jesse H. Jones Hall for Performing Arts provides the perfect ambiance for concerts by the Houston Symphony or the Society for the Performing Arts.

Another popular local attraction is the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center where visitors can experience solitude in nature by hiking meandering trails through an urban forest, meadows and alongside ponds where hikers can spot swamp rabbits, woodpeckers, turtles and other wildlife. The Discover Center invites participation through interactive exhibits, games, field guides and aquariums. Visitors can learn

from experienced naturalists about snakes, birds, coyotes and other creatures. Guided nature walks are scheduled each Saturday and Sunday at 2 and 3 p.m.

While at the HANC, visitors can learn about such subjects as “Backyard Habitat Building” or attend a Winter Native Tree and Shrub sale. During the spring and summer, many people are fascinated by the Hummingbird and Butterfly Island, or walk the paths of the Sensory Garden to smell, touch and listen to the gar-den buzz (bees). Not all of native Texas critters have been run off by rampant urbanization so visitors can experience swamp rabbits, armadillos and Green Anoles (lizards) in the Wildlife Garden.

An entire day can be spent at the Houston Space Center on NASA Road One while getting reacquainted with the accomplishments of America’s manned space flight programs.

By Elaine Marze


“Texas-sized” everything!

the sage traveler


®

Regardless of a person’s age, it is exciting and interesting to learn how astronauts eat, sleep and shower with zero gravity. The cen-ter includes interactive exhibits and the largest IMAX Theater in Texas, which is saying a lot. For those who once dreamed of going into outer space but haven’t realized that dream yet, you can at least enjoy a full-size space shuttle mock up that includes the flight deck, control panel and astronaut quarters.

Anybody who has ever been to Houston has probably been to The Galleria, an indoor shopping mall which is located in the Uptown Houston District – a four-mile area known for its

gourmet restaurants, art galleries and inter-national haute couture. The Galleria fea-tures more than 330 shops and exclusive

stores such as Lord & Taylor, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus in addition to nearly 50 restaurants and an indoor Olympic-size skating rink. Also on Westheimer Road, the Highland Village is another popular shop-ping spot, though it is an out-door mall with palm tree lined walkways.

Downtown’s only shop-ping center can be found on

McKinney Street and boasts more than 75 shops. And, for shopaholics who can

never get enough, Rice Village is a trendy outdoor shopping center located near Rice University and has as many stores as The Galleria in a 14-block area.

After or during a day spent shopping or touring Houston’s many attractions, a visit to one of the Chocolate Bars is an absolute treat, especially for chocoholics! Any and everything imaginable is available drenched in chocolate – dark, sweet, milk – your choice. I highly recommend the German Chocolate Ice-cream and the chocolate pecan meringue cookies or, basi-cally any of the hundreds of selections available to chocolate lovers there.

Two of my favorite restaurants in Houston are Landry’s Seafood House and Pappadeaux’s Seafood. Landry’s has a lun-cheon buffet with a nice selection that should satisfy most sea-food lover’s palates, and I don’t know anybody who has ever left Pappadeaux’s unhappy with their meal. Their light and slightly crispy batter is excellent, and the dinner entrees are usually large enough to feed two people.

My husband and I have toured Houston numerous times over the past 35 years while visiting friends and fam-ily who reside there. But in the

past months we have traveled multiple times to Houston, like so many other people, for appointments at the medical facilities there. Thousands of patients from literally around the world come to Houston as patients of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Methodist Hospital, Texas Women’s Hospital, Texas Children’s, Memorial Hermann, and St. Luke’s Hospital.

The Houston medical complexes have a definite impact on the city’s economy and MDA’s reputation is worldwide. Indeed, during our trips to M.D. Anderson, we see people and hear languages from across the globe. And, because each time we are there we run into people we know, I decided to include pertinent information in this travel article regarding facilities there. Maybe it is because most Savvy readers are age 50 plus, but we seem to be at the age when cancer and heart disease is common among our peers, and many families, at some time or other, end up at a Houston hospital.

First-timers should be aware that some hotels located in the medical facility area are attached to various hospitals by sky-walks which are invaluable to people who are making doz-ens of trips back and forth to one of the hospitals, or who have spouses with physical disabilities, and especially for small town folks who get rattled and lost driving in Houston’s traffic. We spent several nights at the Marriott on Fannin Street, which is a very nice hotel that is attached to Methodist Hospital. And, like most of the downtown hotels, the Marriott has shuttles that take patients and family members to the various hospi-tals. The shuttles are better than driving oneself, but it does mean you have to wait on their schedules, and you can get crammed in with sick people which can be a problem for those with immune system deficiencies.

Our hotel of choice is the Jesse H. Jones Rotary House because of the sky-walks that connect directly to M.D. Anderson. After outpatient surgery, it is so much easier for the patient to be wheeled directly to a Rotary House room. Most

The Houston medical complexes have a definite impact on the city’s economy...


®

of the rooms are stocked with dishes / utensils, a micro-wave, dishwasher and refrigerator. The lowest priced rooms we have gotten in the downtown area begin at $105.00, before taxes and other fees so be prepared. Many downtown hotel parking fees are $20.00 plus per day. Also, hotel restaurants have breakfast buffets for $15.00 and dinner entrees typically range from $15 - $30. The hospital cafeterias provide food at more moderate prices.

Some patients have told me they stay at hotels on the outer edges of Houston such as the Holiday Inn where they pay an $85 room rate before added costs which then brings the total to around $108. But, because doctor appointments may be spaced so haphazardly, it can be a real hassle traveling back and forth in all the traffic, though it is a cheaper option than staying at one of the hotels near the medical complexes. Since many patients and their families have to make multiple trips and sometimes the stays are long-term, costs can quickly become a financial hardship.

Because of the H1N1 flu, children under 12 are not allowed in M.D. Anderson unless they are patients. Still, some fami-lies bring their children when they visit so it is very handy that the Houston Zoo is within walking distance of the Rotary House. The zoo is open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and has a train ride for lazy viewing of re-created habitats for the animals. A new Children’s Zoo has been added which re-creates the six ecosystems of Texas – city, farm, desert, forest, coastal, and prai-rie in addition to interactive displays and of course, animals.

Another museum that may be of spe-cial interest to families who have a member under-going treatment for a serious ill-ness is the Museum of Health & Medical Science at 1515 Hermann Drive. Among exhibits are huge sculptures of human organs that include a 10-foot brain and 22-foot rib cage that visitors can actually tour for an up close and special encoun-ter. This museum is all about learning and exploring the body and everything under the skin.

Whether for pleasure or business, when

traveling to Houston, you can be sure to find something in this city to inter-est or entertain you. And, I did not even get into the city’s draw as a sports

Mecca or the historical aspects of Houston’s colorful heritage. As one man explained, his reason for refusing to travel outside the state, “If it ain’t in Texas, it ain’t worth seeing!”

Elaine Marze is a freelance writer who also works in public relations and advertising. She can be reached at [email protected].

“If it ain’t in Texas, it ain’t worth seeing!”


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16

17 18 19

20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31 32 33

34 35 36 37 38

39 40 41 42 43

44 45 46 47

48 49 50 51

52 53 54 55 56

57 58 59 60

61 62 63 64 65 66

67 68 69

70 71 72

2 1 66 8 5 7

3 7 17 41 4 6 9

7 34 9 62 4

Across

1. Planted area6. The rite place?11. Furry friend14. Maui greeting15. Jungle vine16. Place (a bet)17. Piercing19. Pharaohs’ symbol of

power20. Hot tubs21. Auction offering22. Wedding page word23. Radio interference26. Tyrolean refrains28. Biretta or beret29. Guitar parts33. Call’s counterpart34. Diamond judge35. Falls, as into a chair36. Some medical

procedures39. Charges for admission41. Hand cream ingredient43. De ___ (too much)44. Brief chapters?

46. Look narrowly47. Sundial figure48. Wharf pest49. Canned ham glaze51. Ossuary52. Flew55. Finds fault with57. Merlot cask58. Set as rivals60. All that’s seen of the

Wizard of Oz, at first61. List abbr.62. Golda Meir, e.g.67. Historical period68. Web-footed mammal69. At attention70. Fancy affairs71. Prominent features of

Bob Hope and Jimmy Durante

72. ‘___ Becomes Her’ (Hawn/Streep comedy)

Down

1. Fare for the toothless2. Tap output3. Bon or won follower4. Caisson5. Cloche fastener6. Word of woe7. Like cherries jubilee8. Follow9. Get one’s goat10. They have retractable

roofs11. Solar system model12. Stand for a portrait13. Varieties18. They’re in a heat23. Walk without lifting the

feet24. Circus employee25. They can be deceiving27. Air carrier30. Second word of an

apology31. Joints with caps32. Quite high37. Bête ___

38. Kissing game turns40. Name on the marquee42. Bands of Indians45. Greg Brady, to Carol50. Scratched52. Lieu53. Expenditure54. ‘Me, too!’56. Be taken with59. Skin designs, for short60. Not his63. Player’s peg64. ___ culpa65. It may be passed on the

Hill66. Utmost

sudoku rulesSudoku rules are extremely easy. Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 3x3 box.

TipsUse a soft erasable pencil.

Double check before placing a number.

Make small pencilmarks to show which numbers are allowed in empty squares. This will come in handy when analyzing techniques are used.

Never guess. Only make moves based on logical deductions.

puzzle savvy


®

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16

17 18 19

20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31 32 33

34 35 36 37 38

39 40 41 42 43

44 45 46 47

48 49 50 51

52 53 54 55 56

57 58 59 60

61 62 63 64 65 66

67 68 69

70 71 72

2 1 66 8 5 7

3 7 17 41 4 6 9

7 34 9 62 4

Across

1. Planted area6. The rite place?11. Furry friend14. Maui greeting15. Jungle vine16. Place (a bet)17. Piercing19. Pharaohs’ symbol of

power20. Hot tubs21. Auction offering22. Wedding page word23. Radio interference26. Tyrolean refrains28. Biretta or beret29. Guitar parts33. Call’s counterpart34. Diamond judge35. Falls, as into a chair36. Some medical

procedures39. Charges for admission41. Hand cream ingredient43. De ___ (too much)44. Brief chapters?

46. Look narrowly47. Sundial figure48. Wharf pest49. Canned ham glaze51. Ossuary52. Flew55. Finds fault with57. Merlot cask58. Set as rivals60. All that’s seen of the

Wizard of Oz, at first61. List abbr.62. Golda Meir, e.g.67. Historical period68. Web-footed mammal69. At attention70. Fancy affairs71. Prominent features of

Bob Hope and Jimmy Durante

72. ‘___ Becomes Her’ (Hawn/Streep comedy)

Down

1. Fare for the toothless2. Tap output3. Bon or won follower4. Caisson5. Cloche fastener6. Word of woe7. Like cherries jubilee8. Follow9. Get one’s goat10. They have retractable

roofs11. Solar system model12. Stand for a portrait13. Varieties18. They’re in a heat23. Walk without lifting the

feet24. Circus employee25. They can be deceiving27. Air carrier30. Second word of an

apology31. Joints with caps32. Quite high37. Bête ___

38. Kissing game turns40. Name on the marquee42. Bands of Indians45. Greg Brady, to Carol50. Scratched52. Lieu53. Expenditure54. ‘Me, too!’56. Be taken with59. Skin designs, for short60. Not his63. Player’s peg64. ___ culpa65. It may be passed on the

Hill66. Utmost

sudoku rulesSudoku rules are extremely easy. Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 3x3 box.

TipsUse a soft erasable pencil.

Double check before placing a number.

Make small pencilmarks to show which numbers are allowed in empty squares. This will come in handy when analyzing techniques are used.

Never guess. Only make moves based on logical deductions.

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Call today for a FREE inspection!

What you can’t see can hurt you!

Answers to both puzzles on next page.


March/April 2009

www.savvyandsage.com

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Please Send Information on:❏ Alzheimer’s❏ Assisted Living Facilities❏ Doctor - Specialty: ________________________❏ Equipment (Lift chairs, scooters, etc.)❏ Physical Therapy❏ Exercise & Fitness❏ Pain Management❏ Hearing Aids❏ Hospices❏ Home Health❏ Caregivers & Sitters❏ Financial Planning❏ Attorneys - Wills & Successions❏ Churches❏ Nursing Homes❏ Independent Living Facilities❏ Retirement Communities❏ Senior Activities / Events & Travel❏ Pharmacies❏ Funeral Homes / Planning❏ Trust & Estate Management❏ Medicare Planning❏ Weight Loss❏ Credit Union Membership❏ Alternative Medicine/Therapies❏ Cosmetic Procedures❏ Hand/Foot Surgeons❏ A/C and Duct Cleaners❏ Replacement Windows❏ Other:___________________________________

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Dementia/Alzheimers Caregiver

Support GroupMeets Monthly

Horizon Bay/Merrill Gardens Library on Fourth Monday

from 10-11 a.m.

HOSB office on Third Tuesday from 2-3:00 p.m.

Live Oak on Fourth Wednesday

from 2-3:00 p.m.

Contact Sandra Huber, Chaplain,

318-865-7177

Grief Support GroupMeets Monthly

HOSB office on Third Monday

from 1:30-3:00 p.m.

Christus Coushatta Hospital on Second Tuesday

at 3:30 p.m.

Contact Rosemary Lafargue or Sandra Huber,

318-865-7177

Lewy body Dementia Support Group

Meets Monthly

HOSB office on Fourth Tuesday from 2-3:30 p.m.

Contact Grace Holcombe,

[email protected], 318-865-7177

Hospice of Shreveport/Bossier3829 Gilbert, Madison Park

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LASTCHANCE!for Medicare open

enrollment

Sterling Life Insurance Company is a Medicare Advantage Organization contracting with the federal government. Anyone entitled to Medicare Part A and enrolled in Medicare Part B may apply. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. A Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service plan works differently than a Medicare supplement plan. Your doctor or hospital is not required to agree to accept the plan’s terms and conditions, and thus may choose not to treat you, with the exception of emergencies. If your doctor or hospital does not agree to accept our payment terms and conditions, they may choose not to provide health care services to you, except in emergencies. Providers can find the plan’s terms and conditions on our website at: www.sterlingplans.com. *All plans may not be available in all areas. Federal law limits the type of changes that can be made during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period.

M0010_S4802_10510 F&U (9/09)

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period runs Jan. 1, 2010 through Mar. 31, 2010.

Sterling has a variety of options available to you, and our Medicare experts will make sure you’ve got a smooth road ahead.

•MedicareAdvantagePlans •MedicareAdvantagePlansthatincludePrescriptionDrugcoverage •Stand-alonePartDPrescriptionDrugCoverage

Call TODAY for more information!

You have one more chance to change Medicare Advantage plans for 2010

Toll-Free: 1-866-217-3666 TTy: 1-888-858-8567

318-865-7177 • 1-800-824-4672 • www.hospicesb.comHospice of Shreveport/Bossier

FREE Workshop for family or friends who have assumed the role of caregiver

January 21stLSU-Shreveporthttp://www.ce.lsus.edu Limited Seating Must Pre-RegisterCall (318) 798-4177

For Someone Elderly, Disabled or Sick?

LEARN TO:

Give a Bed Bath

Give Oral Care

Lift and Transfer

Use Medical Equipment

RECEIVE INFORMATION ON:

Caregiver Support

Financial Assistance Programs

Long Term Care

Hospice

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