Thrive April 2016 Issue

April 2016 Thrive Magazine for Better Living www.thriveswla.com 11 www.thriveswla.com Thrive Magazine for Better Living April 2016

MARCH 2016APRIL 2016

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ADVANCED HEART CARE CLOSE TO HOME

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Regional Heart Center and Imperial Health are proud to announce that our two highly respected organizations have chosen to join together to ensure our community receives the highest level of comprehensive cardiac care.

We’ve raised the bar so that you can have the utmost confidence placing your heart in our hands, right here at home.


Contents

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.

DON’T JUST LIVE, THRIVE!

Editors and Publishers Kristy Armand Christine Fisher

Creative Director Barbara VanGossen

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.

Advertising Sales [email protected] 337.310.2099

Submissions [email protected]

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Now reserving space in Thrive’s Fun-sational Guide to Summer Fun.

This handy pull-out guide is something parents will refer to all summer long!Call to reserve your advertising space

today - (337) 310-2099.

real estate

In This Issue Wining &Dining 6 Go Traditional for Cinquo de Mayo 8 Blenditarian Substitutions Make Dinner Time Delicious

Places &Faces 12 – 29 Special Section:

30 Austin Delafosse: Investor, Celebrity . . . Future President? 34 SWLA: A Main Attraction

Home &Family 40 – 50 Special Section: 52 Planning the Perfect Vacation

Money &Career 56 Five Financial Goals to Accomplish by 35 58 Cast Aside Fears of Success

Style &Beauty 62 Rock Gray Hair 63 The Quest for Better Bangs

Mind &Body 66 Make It Personal: Prepare Yourself for a Good Run 68 Finding the Mattress of Your Dreams 70 Debunking Cataract Myths

Regular Features 10 First Person with Jay Ducote 38 Who’s News 60 Business Buzz 72 Happenings 74 Solutions for Life 75 McNeese Corral


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.

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

Who can resist brand new puppies! Sweetie Pie is being a wonderful mom to this brude of four. Two girls and two boys: Belle of the Ball, Best Beauty, Butter Bean and Blue Ribbon. All of these wonderful puppies will be up for adoption as soon as they are old enough to leave the security of mom.

Sweetie Pie and her new babies

CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CRPS, CRPC Investment Advisor Representative

Ferdinandsen Financial Group is a marketing name. Securities and Investment Advisory services offered throughout Woodbury Financial Services, INc., member FINRA/SPIC.

Butch Ferdinandsen


Wining &Dining

by Mitch Thomas

For this Cinco de Mayo, revelers may want to forgo the typical Tex-Mex and try some traditional foods for a more authentic taste of the way Mexico remembers and celebrates the Battle of Puebla.

While not celebrated as widely as Mexico’s Independence Day on September 16, Cinco de Mayo sees a lot of celebratory activity in some of the southern states in Mexico, especially Puebla, which was the site of the Mexican army’s miraculous victory over the French on May 5, 1862, as well as many places in the United States.

Alfonso Mendoza at La Rumba Mexican Restaurant in Sulphur says he’s seen his share of partying throughout his years working in restaurants.

“In college towns it’s crazy,” Alfonso said. “I’ve been working in the Mexican restaurant industry since I was 14, 15 years old, so my first Cinco de Mayo when I turned 18 working in the restaurant was a day I couldn’t wait to end so I could sit down and join them.”

Foods often seen at Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Mexico include dishes reserved for parties and special occasions like weddings, birthdays, or the like.

“The tamales, the mole poblano, the pozole, it’s all traditional food, all things you have to have for a party,” Alfonso said.

One of the most prominent of these dishes is the mole poblano. Sometimes termed the national dish of Mexico, the sauce of mole poblano, the best known in the variety of mole sauces, will use around 20 different ingredients and spices, in particular one or more types of

chili pepper and, especially, a bit of chocolate, ground up into a fine powder that is mixed with water or broth that is cooked down into a very thick sauce. Because the grinding down of the ingredients can be labor-intensive, mole poblano is usually prepared in large batches. It is traditionally served over turkey, but can also be served over chicken, pork or other meats with rice or beans.

What makes mole sauces unique is the choice and large variety of ingredients used, which can produce sauces of many flavors.

“A lot of people like it sweet, a lot of people like it not sweet, some like it spicy. Myself, I don’t like it sweet. I like it a little bit spicy,” Alonso said.

There are many stories on the origin of mole poblano. One legend tells of nuns of a convent in Puebla who were desperate to prepare a meal appropriate for the visit of an archbishop and, in their haste, threw together what ingredients and spices they had, including a bit of chocolate, into a sauce they cooked down and served over turkey. The archbishop was delighted with the meal and Puebla has since been known for its mole poblano, and serve it in celebration of the May 5, 1862, Battle of Puebla every Cinco de Mayo. The city even holds festivals for cooking mole poblano.

According to Alonso, tamales usually make an appearance at Cinco de Mayo as well. He remembers once having special cheese tamales stuffed with a half of a pickled jalapeño. Tamales, which are made from steamed corn dough wrapped in corn husks, can be filled with pork, chicken and even fruits for sweeter tamales.

The hominy soup pozole, which is also usually a dish served for special occasions, can often be found during Cinco de Mayo, Hominy, which is dried corn cooked in an alkali treatment, can also be ground up and produce dough which is then used to make tortillas and tamales.

For dessert, revers might enjoy pastries like sopapillas and flan or try some arroz con leche, or rice pudding. Alfonso is fond of Buñuelos, a fried dough treat that is popular in many countries. In Mexico, a Buñuelos would be a tortilla deep fried and then covered in sugar or caramel and wrapped in plastic. Buñuelos can be found usually at fairs or carnivals.

At the end of the day, no Cinco de Mayo is complete without guacamole.

“It’s Cinco de Mayo, you have to have guacamole!” Alonso said.

And since, according to Alonso, most people celebrate simply by having a good time, it wouldn’t be a party without margaritas.

Be sure to heat some menudo the next morning. This soup of red chili pepper and beef tripe is commonly believed to be a great cure for hangovers.

Alfonso says that any number of restaurants in both Mexico and the United States will go out of their way to make Cinco de Mayo the party to attend. It’s no Mexican Independence Day, but that doesn’t mean a good time can’t be had, north or south.

“We over here in America, we like to have fun. We’ll think of any day to have fun and party.”

Go Traditional for


4 Tablespoon Olive oil

1/4 Cup Raisins

2 Cloves Garlic, minced

1/2 Teaspoons Cumin

1/4 Teaspoons Nutmeg

1/4 Teaspoons Ground cloves

1 Whole Onion, chopped

1/4 Teaspoons Cinnamon

1 Whole Green pepper, chopped

1/2 Teaspoons Salt

3 Slices Canned pimento, chopped

1/4 Teaspoons Pepper

1 Teaspoons Sugar

2 Large Tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped

2 Squares Bitter chocolate, chopped

2 Tablespoons Chili powder (or to taste)

2 1/2 Cups Chicken broth

1/4 Cups Light rum

1/4 Cup Slivered almonds

Grated rind of 1 orange

In casserole, heat oil and cook garlic for a few moments to flavor oil; add chicken and brown. Remove chicken. In remaining fat, cook onion, green pepper, pimento, and tomato over gentle heat for 10 minutes. To onion mixture, add chili powder, blending well. Add broth, almonds, raisins, seasonings, and rind; simmer, covered, 30 minutes longer. Add chocolate, stirring until melted.

Replace chicken, spooning sauce over. Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 1 hour, or until chicken is tender. Warm rum, ignite it, and pour over contents of casserole; allow to stand for a few minutes.

Mole Poblano(Chicken with Chocolate Sauce)


Wining & Dining

Blenditarian substitutions make dinner time delicious

Finding the right daily nutritional balance is no easy feat. Managing sugar, carbohydrate, fat and red meat intake takes serious effort and planning, but transforming your favorite recipes into more nutritious family meals may be easier than you realize.

Adopting the blenditarian lifestyle is a simple solution to healthier eating. It involves, simply, blending mushrooms into meat to make every day dishes more healthful and delicious. Adding chopped mushrooms to ground beef at a ratio of at least 25 percent mushrooms can enhance the taste of dishes, deliver an extra serving of vegetables and beneficial nutrients, and trim total calories and fat intake.

Any mushroom variety will work. Creminis and portabellas lend rich, earthy flavors to any meal, while white button mushrooms offer a more delicate taste. For the more adventurous eaters, maitake and shiitake varieties bring a bold woodsy taste and meaty texture to the plate.

The key to blending is developing the perfect mushroom consistency. For example, if using ground meat for tacos or burgers, chop mushrooms to mimic the familiar crumbled texture, using a knife and cutting board, food processor or vegetable chopper. For stews, halve or quarter mushrooms, or slice them to match strips of meat in fajitas or stir-fry.

Classic Blended BurgerPrep time: 15 minutesCook time: 10-15 minutesServings: 4

1/2 pound cremini or white button mushrooms3 tablespoons olive oil, divided1 pound ground beef1 teaspoon salt4 buns

Finely dice mushrooms or gently pulse in food processor.

In skillet, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil on medium-high heat and add mushrooms, sauteing 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes.

Transfer cooled mushrooms to medium bowl. Add ground beef and salt, mixing until combined. Make 4 patties. Add remaining olive oil to pan and cook burger patties on medium-high heat until desired doneness. Plate and add desired toppings to bun.

Topping recommendations: feta cheese, romesco sauce, sweet peppers and sauteed red onions.

Blended Chili and MacaroniPrep time: 10 minutesCook time: 25 minutesServings: 8

1/2 pound mushrooms 1 pound lean ground beef1 package chili seasoning1 can beef broth1 can (15.5 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste1 cup medium salsa2 cups elbow macaroni, uncookedShredded cheeseSour creamCilantro

In food processor with metal blade, pulse mushrooms until finely chopped. In large saucepan, brown meat and mushrooms with chili seasoning.In another saucepan, mix broth, kidney beans, tomato paste, salsa and macaroni.Bring mixture to boil and cover. Simmer on low 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. When noodles are al dente, stir in browned meat and mushrooms.Serve topped with cheese, sour cream and cilantro.Find more blended dishes to share with your family at MushroomInfo.com.


Mushroom Tacos with Salsa VerdePrep time: 10 minutesCook time: 12-15 minutesServings: 8

Tacos1/4 pound 85-percent lean ground beef salt and pepper, to taste 3/4 pound white button mushrooms3/4 pound cremini mushrooms 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided2 cups julienned sweet onions1 tablespoon minced garlic4 tablespoons ground chili pepper lime juice, to taste1 cup shredded green cabbage 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 8 corn tortillas4 tablespoons Avocado Salsa Verde (recipe below)4 tablespoons Cotija cheese, grated

Avocado Salsa Verde1 large, ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch dice1/3 cup diced tomato2 tablespoons finely chopped onion1/2 teaspoon seeded and minced serrano chili1/2 teaspoon minced garlic1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice2 tablespoons chopped cilantro1/4 teaspoon sugar

Heat saute pan over medium-high heat. Add ground beef; season with salt and pepper. Saute 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown.

Chop mushrooms to size and texture of ground beef and saute in separate pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil 3-5 minutes. Combine mushrooms and meat and set aside.

Heat pan used for ground beef over medium-high heat. Add remaining olive oil and onions; saute until golden brown. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add mushroom and beef mixture and chili pepper. Saute 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper and lime juice.

Toss shredded cabbage with salt, pepper, lime juice and cilantro. To make Avocado Salsa Verde, combine all salsa ingredients and

refrigerate at least 1 hour.To serve, place 2 tablespoons shredded cabbage on tortilla and

top with 2 tablespoons of mushroom and beef mixture. Top with 1 tablespoon Avocado Salsa Verde and sprinkle with Cotija cheese.

Asian Lettuce WrapsPrep time: 15 minutesCook time: 15 minutesServings: 4

8 ounces fresh mushrooms1 onion, chopped4 cloves garlic1 tablespoon minced ginger1/2 pound lean ground beef1 tablespoon canola oil1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves1/2 teaspoon ground mustard1/4 teaspoon dried minced garlic1/4 teaspoon dried minced onion1 red pepper, finely chopped2 tablespoons hoisin sauce1 tablespoon soy sauce1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar1 head Boston lettuce1/2 cup shredded carrots1/4 cup chopped cashews (optional)

In food processor with metal blade, pulse mushrooms, onion, garlic and ginger until finely chopped. Add ground beef; pulse until combined.

In large, nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add mushroom mixture, thyme, oregano, mustard, garlic and dried onion. Cook, stirring often, 10 minutes, or until browned.

Stir in red pepper, hoisin sauce, soy sauce and vinegar. Simmer 5 minutes; remove from heat.

Serve in Boston lettuce leaves garnished with shredded carrots and chopped cashews.


f irstpersonwith Jay Ducote

by Angie Kay Dilmorephotos courtesy of Food Network

Wining & Dining

When Jay Ducote first jotted down notes about his lunch escapades and formed them into a blog in 2009, he had no idea his musings would lead to the evolution

of a successful epicurean enterprise. But through Ducote’s hard work, dedication, and perseverance, that is exactly what happened. Ducote’s blog, “Bite and Booze”, led to a food-related talk radio show by the same name, which led to video production, a stint on Fox’s reality show Master Chef, and ultimately a second place finish on the popular Food Network Star last summer.

With a following of thousands of foodie fans, Ducote manages two businesses, promotes a product line, makes guest appearances, writes content for his blog and social media sites, and in the middle of all that, he took time to tell Thrive magazine his story.


Explain your transition from blogger to successful entrepreneur.The blog started out as just a hobby and a way to pass time. As the blog took off and developed readership, that was cool, but I still didn’t see it as a business. That changed in 2011 when I got into some other opportunities – the show Master Chef on Fox and my Bite and Booze radio show. The radio show was the catalyst I needed, because I had to pay for the airtime. The only way for me to do that was to go out and find sponsors and advertisers. That’s what turned my hobby into a business. Once I started going down that path, I realized there was more to it. There was a business model I could follow. By the end of 2011, I had quit my day job and did the “Bite and Booze” blog, radio show, and video production full-time. At that point, it was just me and I just needed to make enough money to survive. I tried to figure out ways to grow the business. I got the idea to do a product line, but I got so busy I didn’t have time to focus on the barbeque sauce until 2014.

How would you define the keys to your success? For me, success comes from a passion. I found something I really enjoy doing; a message I really enjoy sharing. I wake up every day and I’m excited to be a part of it. I try to celebrate Louisiana food, Louisiana culture. I bring that with me wherever I go. Consistency is the other key. Be consistent with whatever you are putting out, whether it’s a product, a service or a message. I have a great team of three fulltime employees -- Blair Loup, Charles Pierce, and Sydney Blanchard, and three interns who have helped me get the business to where it is today.

Briefly describe the process of building your brand. When I first started, I didn’t know what I was doing with branding. It’s something I pay a lot more attention to now. The way I tie everything together is what I think sets me apart, and has made everything unique in my world. The blog, the radio show, social media, appearances, my products – they all tie together and promote each other. That’s been a part of my overall branding. There’s a synergy between the things I do.

Tell me about the competition on Food Network Star. You earned second place out of a field of twelve competitors. What did you learn from that experience?The show and the experience competing on it was one of the most challenging and intense things I’ve ever gone through. We were in Los Angeles, completely isolated from family, friends, and our businesses. No communication with the outside world was allowed while we filmed the show, which lasted about six weeks. No cell phones, no laptops, no television. It took me two weeks to adjust to that, then I started to appreciate being cut off from all forms of communication. At that point, it helped me focus on the challenge at hand without the distractions we have in our normal, everyday lives. I could focus on getting the job done and doing the best I could on the show. Every challenge

we were given was a surprise. We knew nothing in advance. That was intense and stressful. I fought through that and decided my attitude would be to enjoy the competition, the element of surprise, and have fun with it. The challenges were varied and what we had to cook on the show was different every time; a different theme, different set of ingredients or set of limitations that were thrown on us at the last second. I learned to have confidence in myself and my own abilities. I was very successful on the show, just being myself, with my style of food and my style of presentation; the way I talk about food and celebrate Louisiana culture. The show definitely helped me build that level of confidence by being able to do that on a national level.

You currently market a barbeque sauce, a molasses mustard, and a regional white wine under your label Hug Jay D. How do you formulate the recipes for your products?The product line takes a good bit of recipe testing and development to get my products exactly right. The barbeque sauce took 20-something different tries before I was happy with the result. Then I had to work with a manufacturer and tweak it some more. But the initial recipe testing was just me in the kitchen weighing everything out by the gram and trying to pay attention and measure. The molasses mustard was something I made on Food Network Star and became my second product. That required about ten different variations. The wine is a collaboration between me and Landry Vineyards in West Monroe, Louisiana. It’s made with a grape they grow on their property called Blanc Du Bois. This collaboration allows me to be a part of the Louisiana wine scene and to help Louisiana grape growers and wineries promote the good wine that does come out of the state.

What is your personal favorite food and drink?I’m a big barbeque guy. Ribs are usually my favorite barbeque to eat. I love chowing down on barbecue spare ribs and brisket. And I love all the Cajun food I get to eat. Fried catfish, fried shrimp, fried chicken, raw oysters. I’m a big craft beer guy. That’s my number one beverage of choice. I try to drink local beer wherever I am.

What do you love most about what you do?I love that I get to do something different every day. I thrive on not having a routine, not knowing what’s going to happen next, enjoying the journey that I’m on, and appreciating the unknown. Every day is different and it’s not necessarily as expected. No two days are ever the same. It’s never routine, or boring, or mundane. I get to make cool stuff happen.

What’s next for Bite and Booze and Hug Jay D?What's next is always a tricky question because I really don't know. I hope for continued growth in all facets of my business. I'm hoping for increased product sales and distribution. I’ll be launching a barbeque dry rub this spring. I'm hoping to do more traveling, speaking,

and filming. And I'm just going to see where this crazy journey takes me. One of my favorite things about what I do is not always knowing what's next but to just keep pushing forward anyway and enjoying the adventure.

For more information or to order products, see biteandbooze.com or hugjayd.com

SIDEKICK TO A FOOD STARWhen you hear a success story like Ducote’s, you don’t have to look far to find the person they count on to keep their business running smoothly. Ducote struck gold in his choice for a right-hand man – or in this case, woman – and she was actually his very first hire, Blair Loup.

Originally from Sulphur, Louisiana, Loup was hired just after she graduated from LSU with a degree in business with minors in entrepreneurship, management and communication studies. Her education prepared her well to be the jack-of-all-trades that Ducote needed. “At first I didn’t really have a title,” says Loup. “Someone suggested my title be ‘Chief Confusion Coordinator/Spin Doctor,’ and it stuck.”

Loup is involved in almost every aspect of Ducote’s businesses. “I manage the calendar, write for the blog, do a little social media, handle communications with our clients and contacts for events we’re involved with, and I’m often cooking along side Jay.”

When she first started, Loup thought the job would be a good resume builder for a few months until she found something more permanent. “It’s exciting to see how much we’ve grown. From day one Jay has trusted me, tested me and treated me like a partner in this business,” she says.

A shared passion for the work has helped Loup and Ducote ride the rollercoaster of success from local foodie to network food star. “We eat and drink for a living. How cool is that?” she asks. “There’s a lot that goes into it to allow us to have these incredible experiences, but there’s nothing better than sharing our love of culinary culture with people.”

“I plan to keep pushing the boundaries and I know with Jay we can make it happen,” Loup said. “He thinks a million steps ahead. My job is to help him get where he wants to go and try to keep up.”

Blair Loup, Jay Ducote and Sydney Blanchardphoto by Ray of Light Photography


| 30 Somethings

Places &Faces

E ach year, Thrive Magazine

asks the public to nominate local “thirtysomethings” who have excelled in their career, contributed to their community, and made Southwest Louisiana a better place to live and work. We receive so many nominations, and it’s become our most popular issue. Clearly, this community loves to celebrate its local success stories.

After we compile the nominations, a selection committee considers each name individually and narrows down the list to the lucky thirteen.

Here they are.

by Angie Kay Dilmore and Erin KellyPhotography by Shonda Manuel and Erik Jessen


| 30 Somethings

Alexander, CandiceBoudreaux, Cheyenne Chavis, Cary

Garner, Rachel Green, Hillary Harrington, KatieIannone, Anthony

Lasher, Sara Manuel, Shonda McGee, Beth Melancon, Beth

CongratsG rads!

Stewart, CurtisTurpin, Lonnie


Places & Faces

CandiceAlexander

MOST LIKELY TO PAINT THE TOWN

| 30 Somethings

Through years of hard work, dedication, and talent, Candice Alexander has built a successful art business. If one other word could describe this popular artist, it might be generosity. After all her achievements, Alexander focuses much of her energy on giving back to the community. She developed an art and mural program in several local schools, inspiring students to be creative. Alexander allows other artists to come into her studio and create and learn. Her Art Association won the 2015 Lake Charles Mayor’s Art Award for their Tree of Life mural on the wall outside her storefront studio at 900 Ryan

St. The mural serves as a community landmark and tourist attraction. Alexander strives to change people’s lives through her art work.

After completing her education, Alexander hit the road to make a name for herself in the art world. For a time, she lived out of her car, peddling her designs at art shows. It was a simple fleur de lis print that propelled her career into the empire it is today. But she won’t stop there. She intends to “keep moving forward, do big things, continue to find my passions and educate myself with things and ideas I love.”


Cheyenne Boudreaux

MOST LIKELY TO GET WASTED

| 30 Somethings

Cheyenne Boudreaux talks a lot of trash. It’s his business! He owns Southern Solid Waste, LLC. His company is responsible for residential, commercial, and industrial trash disposal in Southwest Louisiana and Boudreaux is driven to grow the company into other parts of Louisiana and Texas. He attributes his success to a positive attitude and effort. “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.”

Boudreaux recently won a Volunteer Service Award from the SWLA Chamber Alliance, and with good reason. His list of volunteer activities include Leadership of SWLA Alumni Chair, Kinder and Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce, Cameron Lions Club, Kiwanis, Homebuilders Association, SWLA Chamber Small Business Committee, Fusion Five, SWLA Apartment Association, Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance,

Chenier Chefs, McNeese Boosters, and he coaches Little League and

tournament baseball.Boudreaux’s proudest

achievement thus far has been the awarding of the Cameron Parish Garbage Collection

Contract. As a Cameron native, he is thrilled to see

the smiles of his young children when his own

company truck picks up the garbage at their

home. “On the first day, October 1, 2015, when the SSW trash

truck picked up our trash, I could see

the pride in my children’s eyes.”


Places & Faces

Cary ChavisMOST DEBATABLE

Cary Chavis teaches English at Washington-Marion High School; the same high school he attended as a teen. After graduation, he served as debate captain of the internationally acclaimed Great Debaters of Wiley College. Chavis returned to his roots and is most proud of his revival of Washington-Marion’s Speech/Debate team, which is now ranked 4th in Louisiana.

As an educator in North Lake Charles, Chavis mentors at-risk young men and helps them find direction and success in life. He also owns Speak Pretty LLC, where he

teaches young people public speaking skills through workshops locally and throughout the state. His goal is to “continue to be used as a vessel for God’s work,” including a trip this summer to Beijing China where he will create speech/debate programs for the National Speech/Debate Association-China.

Chavis believes our actions have the ability to impact others’ lives. “Good or bad, our energy determines what happens in our environment. So as much as possible, I try to put out good energy and hope that it doesn’t return to be void.”

| 30 Somethings


R achel G arner

MOST LIKELY TO HELP YOU SUCCEED

Rachel Garner assumes many roles – wife, mother of four, full-time employee, volunteer, mentor – and performs each one remarkably well. She is a pretrial supervision compliance officer with the 14th Juvenile Detention Center/Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. Garner works with criminal offenders and helps them get their lives back on track. She understands everyone has a story, and stories can be re-written.

Garner volunteers for several area organizations, including the Junior League, Girlie Girls Mentoring, and Pink Life, a non-profit organization that serves young pregnant women. She tutors youth in English and Social Sciences. Garner believes we can make our community stronger by setting a good example for children. This Thriving Thirtysomething strives to make a difference in someone’s life every day, whether it’s a smile standing in line at the grocery store, or encouraging her clients to aim higher. She lists her top priorities as serving God and caring for her family.

Garner has often thought of moving to a bigger city, but Lake Charles is her home. “I feel I can make a huge impact here by helping the citizens of my community; especially women. I want women to look in the mirror and say, ‘I can do the impossible!’”

| 30 Somethings


Places & Faces

Hillary G reen

MOST LIKELY TO MAKE THE GRADE

As a teacher with three young sons, dealing with the struggle to juggle different aspects of her life is nothing new to Hillary Green. Like all Thriving Thirtysomethings, she is a busy woman! In addition to work, she volunteers with Special Olympics, Mad Hot Ballroom (a fundraiser for the Whistle Stop’s Dancing Classrooms program), Fashion Gives Back, and extensively with the Junior League of Lake Charles. She’s been a part of this organization for five years and has served as community chair, community vice president, and advisor for new members. Next year, she’ll serve as executive vice president.

How does Green manage to accomplish so much? She is efficient. “Steer clear of recipes with more than six ingredients.” She’s practical. “Never grocery shop while hungry.” She’s vivacious. “Nobody cares if you can’t dance well -- just get up and dance.”

Aside from her work and volunteer commitments, Green focuses on the challenge of raising her sons in today’s world. She instills in them the value of hard work, the importance of gratitude, and compassion for the less fortunate. Her goal for the future is simple. “I want to

inspire people. I want someone to look at me and say, ‘Because of you,

I didn’t give up.’”

| 30 Somethings


| 30 Somethings

Fusion Five cultivates a positive impact on

Southwest Louisiana by connecting and

engaging young professionals, ages 21-45,

in regional opportunities for growth and

development. Join today and pick up the skills

and knowledge necessary to progress in your

industry. If you are looking to help increase

awareness and be a voice in our community,

then look no further.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WORKING TOGETHER

FOR A BETTER SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA


Places & Faces

Katie Harring ton

MOST FANATICAL

If there’s one thing Southwest Louisiana can thank Katie Harrington for, it’s gumbo. Under her leadership, the Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana’s annual gumbo cook-off, which she chairs each year, has tripled in size. A degreed travel marketing professional, Harrington knows what it means to live and breathe the Lake Area—she currently serves as digital media coordinator for the city of Lake Charles and worked for the Lake Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau for several years. She is also a member of the Calcasieu Soccer Club’s board of directors.

“I have always said that no matter where I go in life, or what career role I find myself in, the most important title I will ever hold will be Mom, or Momager, as my oldest

daughter likes to call me. The concept of leaving the world a better place starts at home, and raising my two daughters (ages 14 and 11) to be loving, compassionate, respectful adults is my way of making Southwest Louisiana and the world a better place,” says Harrington, who is married to her high school sweetheart. “In the future I hope to continue to leave a positive footprint on my community, whether it’s through my job, volunteer work, or my children. Every day is a journey, a new opportunity to make a positive impact.”

| 30 Somethings


AnthonyIannone

MOSTRESOURCEFUL

Anthony Iannone, a native of Philadelphia, has embraced Southwest Louisiana and made a lasting difference. In addition to working as human resources manager at L’Auberge Casino Resort—where he received the Living Our Values Award in 2015—he’s a member of the Family & Youth Business Advisory Board and has also served two years on the board of New Life Counseling. He’s also active with Bowl for Kids’ Sake.

His rules to live by: “Examine your influences, big and small. You are a product of who and what you surround yourself with. Make sure they are guiding you in a positive direction.”

Iannone, a father of four, brings that attitude with him into his family life, as well as his professional life. He says he hopes to “continue to have a positive impact on the community, the company I work for and the people around me.” Where does he want to be in five years? “Playing a larger role in all three of these areas, bringing impactful guidance, leading to long-term growth with positive outcomes.”

Ultimately, his bottom line in life: “Just make sure you are helping people.”

| 30 Somethings


Places & Faces

Described as a “rockstar in the event world,” Empire of the Seed’s Director of Business Development Sara Lasher coordinates some of the finest events Lake Charles has to offer in addition to operating her own wedding and events business. According to those who know her, she handles both jobs with grace, personality and professionalism, making her clients feel as though they are her one and only priority.

Lasher, who earned an MBA from

McNeese, is also active in the community as co-chair of the Louisiana Winter Beer Festival, which was a huge success in its first year, and at her church.

Lasher is often at the helm as people experience some of life’s greatest moments, whether it’s a successful business event or a once-in-a-lifetime wedding. She makes special occasions happen with style, precision, and positivity.

| 30 Somethings

MOST PROMIMENTSara Lasher


MOST PHOTOGRAPHIC

Always deliver more than you’re asked to deliver—that’s something Shonda Manuel strives for each day. Not only does she serve as the Associate Creative Director of Healthy Image Marketing, she is active on several boards and organizations, including the Southwest Louisiana Arts and Humanities Council (she currently serves as board president), Fusion Five board member, the LaGrange Athletic and Educational Fund co-chair, and Family and Youth Counseling Kids Can board member. This 2014 Chamber Leadership graduate has also received numerous gold, silver, and bronze Addy Awards for her work in advertising, as well as honors from the Louisiana Press Association.

Despite her drive to get things done, she tries not to take life too seriously. It’s a happy balance she hopes to pass along to her two children, Reese and Aiden. “I will do whatever it takes to never miss one piano recital, soccer game, softball game, awards day, play, field trip or book fair. My kids see how hard I work with late nights, long weekends, but they can always count on me to have their back. I want them to always give more: to their family, their school, their teams and their community,” says Manuel, who has been married to her husband Chris for 14 years. “I hope I’m setting a good example.”

Shonda Manuel

| 30 Somethings


Places & Faces

MOST QUESTIONABLE BEHAVIORBeth McG eeWhile she was a student at McNeese, Beth McGee applied for a part-time job at the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. They offered her a full-time position in the communication division instead. She took it, but didn’t abandon her education. She worked full-time and stayed at McNeese as a full-time student—all while fulfilling a six-year commitment in the Army Reserves.

After graduation, McGee—the first member of her family to graduate from college—continued her career at the Sheriff’s Office before moving into probation and parole for 12 years. In 2008, she was selected as Probation and Parole Officer of the Year for the state of Louisiana. Five years later she returned to the Sheriff’s Office, where she has become one of the most respected and dedicated detectives in the violent crime division.

On the community side of McGee’s life, it’s easy to see how her work has influenced her volunteerism. She is very involved in Safe Sleep, an organization that educates parents and caregivers on proper sleeping positions for infants and provides funding for cribs. She became passionate about this cause after investigating a tragic infant death. McGee also volunteers with the support group Halo, which was created to help family members whose loved ones have committed suicide.

“I believe you should love what you do,” McGee says. “Above all, don’t let anyone steal your happy. You own your happiness.”

She says Dr. Seuss gives great advice: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

| 30 Somethings


MOST SPIRITEDBeth Melançon

| 30 Somethings

Beth Melançon has lived in Lake Charles for less than three years, but that hasn’t stopped her from diving full-force into making it a better place. She chaired the Junior League’s largest fund-raiser last year, exceeding their $100,000 goal. She also serves on the board of directors for Boys Village and the Children’s Museum. She is PTC President Elect of Our Lady Queen of Heaven School and has served on their advisory committee and as a parent ambassador.

“When my days are crazy, which they often are, I turn to one of my favorite quotes: ‘I’ll look back on this and smile because it was life and I decided to live it.’ My other favorite life motto:

‘As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others’ (from) Audrey Hepburn,” Melançon says.


Places & Faces

MOSTGOAL-ORIENTEDCurtis StewartCoaching requires patience, dedication, and teamwork—three traits that Curtis Stewart brings to the field on a regular basis, according to those who know him. Stewart serves as head coach of the boys’ varsity soccer team at Barbe High School and as director of coaching for the Calcasieu Soccer Club, in addition to his full-time job as an inspector for the Department of Agriculture. Those who have been part of his teams say he always finds a way to bring out the best in every person he coaches.

His most important role of all is husband and father. “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain,” says Stewart, of his life motto. He also strives to live by the golden rule. “I try to do my best to not only inspire kids to play soccer but to help them become better players and people.”

| 30 Somethings


MOST MATHLETICLonnie Turpin

Lonnie Turpin is often one of the first professors in his department to arrive and one of the last to leave. In addition to serving as assistant professor of management at McNeese, he’s worked with various organizations to conduct analysis designed to better their outcomes and sits on several university committees, including quality enhancement, student advocacy, and instructional resources. He also co-advises the professional business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi.

Turpin received his doctorate in industrial engineering with specialties

in operations research and applied statistics from Lamar University. His research interests focus on logic-based mathematical modeling applications in operations research, and its integration with management analytics and operations management.

Within a month of completing his doctorate, he married the love of his life, Morgan. Both are his greatest accomplishments, he says.

His life advice? “Be passionately curious about the world.”

| 30 Somethings


Places & Faces | 30 Somethings


| 30 Somethings

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Places & Faces

The years flew by and even in elementary school it appeared that he was on the fast track to success with his academic excellence and the great personality of an all-around kid.

Middle school brought harder work in the classroom but it didn’t deter Austin, who has plans to be a cardiologist someday. The eighth-grader excelled throughout middle school and was chosen this year as S. J. Welsh Middle School “Student of the Year.” From there, he competed at the district level and won there and then also won “Student of the Year” at the regional level. In mid-April, after a new round of interviews and competition, he will gather with the five other top students in the state and find out who will be named Louisiana Student of the Year.

“I have always set very high standards for myself,” said Austin. “But the most important thing to me is that I stay humble. I think I get

Investor, Celebrity…Future

President?Austin Dellafosse has been a high achiever his entire life. One might even say that he was on his way to becoming a high achiever just after he was born two months prematurely. His mother Kimberly recalls a nurse telling her that Austin had a “fighting spirit” because he lifted himself up and pulled his own tubes out in the hospital when he was in the neonatal unit.

Eighth-grader’s achievements catch attention of national TV

by Lisa Addison


that from my dad. No matter what he accomplishes he is always quiet and humble about it. I like being that way too.”

His achievements attracted the producers of “The Steve Harvey Show” who wanted Austin to be one of the students on an upcoming teen panel for a segment on leadership, social media, and bullying. The show aired in February and although Austin enjoyed almost every aspect of the filming and the show itself there was one thing he didn’t like. “I did not like when they put makeup on my face just before I went on air,” he said.

There was one serious thing he took away from his experience with the show. “We talked about bullying, and I learned even more about how you should always stand up and do the right thing if someone is being bullied.” He said his older brother was bullied when he was in middle school. “I just wish I could have been there and helped him. It makes me angry because it wasn’t right, and it still bothers him today. I will always be a person who will stand up and do the right thing if I see someone being bullied!”

Austin enjoys baseball, basketball, and cooking. He also likes to talk about the stock market. “I’ve been investing in stocks since I was 11,” he said. “When I get more money, I plan to do a lot more investing. If you’re good at it, you can make pretty good money!”

His mother said she feels “thankful, blessed, and fortunate” when thinking about Austin’s achievements and how he has handled his success so far.

Asked if his friends have teased him or treated him differently since his recent notoriety, Austin said, “Oh yes. It’s funny, but they call me ‘Mr. President’ now!”

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Places & Faces

Community volunteers committed to growing the music scene in the Lake Charles area are working hard to create an unprecedented music festival. Local and traveling musicians will be featured in the inaugural year of Bring It Home Fest.

“Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana are destined for greatness, and music is a key element to bringing everything together. Bring It Home encourages more live music in music venues across the city, more investments in music education and creates the opportunity to bring all the things we love that exist outside of our city, home,” said Braylin Jenkins, executive media and marketing director.

There will be a series of music contests from June 2-16, with a mixer and social event for participating bands and ticket holders on Friday, June 17, and an all-day, family-friendly music event, a culmination of talent on Saturday, June 18 at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

Headliners for the event on June 18, include Tank & the Bangas, Gill Landry, Marc Broussard and a special reunion performance of Ashes of Babylon. The competition winners will perform throughout the day.

An exciting part of the Bring It Home Music Festival is the opportunity for regional bands to participate in a competition leading up to the main event, the day of music in the Civic Center Coliseum. One winner will be selected from four categories. Solo performers and bands performing their original work will be competing for prizes and the opportunity to play at the main event, alongside the headlining artists. Categories include Solo Performers, American Roots, Rhythm & World as well as Rock.

The local venues that will host the competitions are My Place American Pub, 171 Junction Roadhouse, OB’s Bar & Grill, On the Rocks and The Center Stage.

Bands participating in the music competition will have an opportunity to take part in private music education workshops and panel discussions with the headlining performers on June 17. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Francis G. Bulber Youth Orchestra.

“What I love about the Bring It Home Music Festival is how we have tapped into a growing desire in Lake Charles to see the live music scene become a thriving community that not only supports our local musicians and venues, but brings home some of the best talent in the music industry. Everyone we are working with, including local bands and venues, individuals with a passion for music, and our non-profit partner, the Dr. Francis G. Bulber Youth Orchestra, is excited about this new venture in Lake Charles and the potential for growth that this festival holds. We’re creating an opportunity for local aspiring musicians, including those involved in the Bulber Youth Orchestra, to interact with and learn from established talent. Our hope is to foster a supportive network of musicians that will benefit the Lake Area for years to come. We are perfectly located between the music hubs of Austin and New Orleans to become a must-stop destination for musicians and music lovers, alike. This year’s Bring It Home music festival is just the beginning of what we envision for the growing Southwest Louisiana,” said Danita Noland, executive director.

For more information, to purchase tickets or to sign up as a performer, visit www.BringItHomeFest.com.

bring it home fest:A Deep South Music Festival

Tank and the Bangas:Tank and the Bangs, known for high-energy performances, brings a new sound to traditional New Orleans music by playing a mixture of soul, R&B, hip-hop and spoken lyrics.

Gill LandryGill Landry is a singer, songwriter and guitarist born in Lake Charles, who began his music career on the streets of New Orleans.

Marc Broussard Marc Broussard’s contemporary “Bayou Soul” sound is a blend of classic R&B, rock and soul.

Ashes of Babylon,special reunion performanceAshes of Babylon is a unique roots reggae group originally from Lake Charles. Their original style of music, self-described as, “Louisiana Reggae” is a blend of jazz, R&B, hip-hop, & funk.

June 2-16Music competitions

June 17All-day Private music

education workshops and panel discussions with headlining performers

7:00 pm VIP reception at Rikenjacks Brewing Company

9:00 pm ‘Choctaw Wildfire’ performs live at Rikenjacks Brewing Company

June 18All-day Bring It Home

main event, Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum

break-downfestival


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14 AREA HIGH SCHOOLS

Sowela Breaks Spring Semester Enrollment Record

Sowela Technical Community College’s impact in Southwest Louisiana continues to grow as the 2016 spring semester enrollment reached an all-time high. The college is serving 3,544 this spring semester with 1,057 of those students participating in dual enrollment programs, which gives high school students the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit for one or more classes.

For-credit coursework at Sowela leads to a two-year associate degree, technical diploma, or certificate. Non-credit programs result in an NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) credential.

Customized workforce training is available to employers looking to equip

prospective employees with job-ready training. Sowela’s workforce development training meets employer needs and leads to high-paying jobs at minimal cost to students. Programs vary in length from a one-day ServSafe® course to a 12-month Machinist program. Day and night program options provide students with the flexibility to maintain outside jobs and family obligations while pursuing their studies.

Sowela offers higher educational opportunities at approximately two-thirds the cost of four-year public universities and financial assistance may be available for qualified students.

“I believe that enrollment at Sowela will continue to break records as the

industrial expansion in Southwest Louisiana progresses,” stated Anna Daigle, Interim Executive Director of Enrollment Services and Student Affairs.

In addition, Sowela offers extracurricular activities, including clubs, student government, internship programs, and other on-campus engagement opportunities, to provide students with a holistic college experience that transcends the classroom.

Registration for summer and fall classes begins Monday, April 11. Start dates for workforce training programs continue throughout the year.

For information, visit www.sowela.edu or call 421-6550.


Places & Faces

A Main Attraction by Angie Kay Dilmore

According to Shelley Johnson, executive director of the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau, the local

region is ranked about seventh in the state for visitor expenditures.

“And I see that continuing to grow, with all the new tourism infrastructure, like Golden Nugget and several other hotels opening,” Johnson says.

The CVB has no way of knowing exactly how many tourists visit SWLA a year because, as Johnson says, “there are no turnstiles.” But Johnson and her team have worked diligently to bring those visitors to this corner of the state.

“We see about 3,000 people a month who come in our front door just for information and advice on what to see and do in the area,” says Johnson. “We are a resource for information.”

Last year, the CVB won Southeast Tourism Society’s Shining Example Award for Best CVB of the Year (in the twelve-state region). In 2013, they won CVB of the Year in Louisiana.

These awards are well-deserved. In 2015, they opened Adventure Point, a delightful kid-friendly attraction in Sulphur at the gateway to the Creole Nature Trail. Their promotional video, My Southwest Louisiana Home, swept the Addy awards with four gold placements, including Best of Show. Their website, visitlakecharles.org, is the go-to site for information about events and attractions around Southwest Louisiana (SWLA).

“We’re well-known for being forward thinkers and having a dynamic staff,” says Johnson.

Lots to do in SWLAAs the area gears up for National Tourism Week, the CVB highlights some of the region’s greatest hits.

The CVB offers GPS Rangers (a device that sits on your dashboard and works similarly to the app, talking you through your adventure) to enhance the experience of this National

The CVB –Not Just for Tourists

The CVB on North Lakeshore Drive offers clean restrooms, hot coffee, and warm southern hospitality to road-weary travelers, but they cater to the locals, too. Their deck affords a stunning view of the lake. See alligators in the pond by the parking lot. Visit the gift shop.Does your club or community organization host meetings, conferences, and conventions? The CVB helps with hotel arrangements, venues, caterers, and goodie bags stuffed with tourist information. They can schedule local personality visits from Gumbeaux Gator or Mayor Roach. Are you hosting a family reunion, wedding, graduation or other party with family and friends coming to town? The CVB helps with those, too. Because so many tourists explore on their own, the CVB has developed smart phone apps for self-guided tours through Lake Charles’ Historic District and the Creole Nature Trail. Colorful brochures introduce adventure seekers to area attractions. Their Getaway Guide is a comprehensive brochure for casinos, dining, festivals, and accommodations. The Festival Calendar brochure ensures you never miss a fun event. Travel counselors at the Bureau offer suggestions, directions, and maps. The CVB is a great place for Lake Charles newcomers to discover places they might want to visit. Even if you were born and raised in SWLA, there may be events, attractions, and festivals you have not yet experienced.

In the United States, domestic and international travelers spend 2.5 billion a day on tourism. That works out to 105.8 million an hour. And tourism is big business in Louisiana. In 2014, tourists spent $11.2 billion in the state. Calcasieu

Parish tourism brought in $404 million.

SouthwestLouisiana:

continued on p36


Food Food is part of our Louisiana culture. Étouffée, gumbo, jambalaya . . . we offer food some tourists have never heard of, let alone tasted. “We’re very different here in Louisiana,” says Johnson. “We have that French influence, the Creole influence. Our Boudin Trail is very popular.” Check out the Boudin Trail self-guided tour brochure.

Gaming SWLA is home to four casino resorts: L’Auberge, Golden Nugget, Isle of Capri, and Delta Downs in Vinton. Each casino has its own unique combination of gaming options, hotel rooms, pools, restaurants, golf courses, and shopping.

Sporting EventsLast month, the CVB hosted Marsh Madness, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s Top 28 Basketball Tournament at Burton Coliseum. A myriad of baseball, softball, golf, and swimming championships take place here in Calcasieu Parish.

Creole Nature Trail and Adventure PointNext to casinos and gaming, the Creole Nature Trail is SWLA’s number two tourist attraction. This 200-mile driving trail provides an eco-tourism experience with walking paths, beaches, and wildlife refuges. See birds, alligators, and other wildlife in their natural “Louisiana Outback” habitat. Visit Adventure Point to get your excursion off to an exciting start.

Festivals With more than 70 annual festivals, SWLA is known as the Festival Capital of Louisiana. We celebrate most anything, from Arts and Crabs to Wildlife and Zydeco.

JOIN US MAY 1, 2016Location:

Treasures of Marilyn

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How do You Wear

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Celebrate National Tourism Week!

VisitAdventure Point

Scenic Byway and All-American Road. “It’s like having a tour guide in your pocket,” says Johnson. Rangers are available in English, French, Spanish, German, and closed caption.

Thousands of visitors come to our region each year for these events and stay in our hotels, buy food in our restaurants, and visit our attractions, improving our local economy. Sporting events and other conventions don’t come to our area by accident. CVB team members work hard to entice these organizations to choose SWLA. Whether you’re a hunter, hiker, biker, boater, birder, gamer, food fan, fisherman, photographer, nature lover or patron of the arts, there is something for everyone in Southwest Louisiana. For the latest events and things to do, go to visitlakecharles.org.

The CVB also welcomes volunteers to work at the Bureau a few hours a week or assist with festivals and sporting events. If you’d like to volunteer, or if you know of an attraction visitors might like to see, call the CVB at (337) 436-9588.

Places & Faces | Southwest Louisiana

May 1-8 is National Tourism Week! The CVB will celebrate with several opportunities for the community. Visit Adventure Point on May 7 for a Creole Nature Trail Fun Day. Meet Gumbeaux Gator, pet baby alligators, enjoy face painting and free coloring books. On Mother’s Day, May 8, every mom visiting Adventure Point will receive a flower. Throughout the week, refreshments will be available at the Lakeshore office as well as their satellite offices at the Brimstone Museum in Sulphur and at the DeQuincy Railroad Museum. The CVB will also once again host a Top 20 Restaurant Contest that week. The public votes online for their favorite eateries during the month of April through National Tourism Week. Steamboat Bill’s won the contest last year.

Adventure Point celebrates its first anniversary this month. The attraction showcases the unique culture of SWLA through fun interactive exhibits. Learn about the local plants and animals living in our swamps, bayous, and prairies. Smell the spices used in regional cooking. Play music with a Cajun/Zydeco band. It’s fun for all ages!


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Dr. Andrew Foret Earns Certification in Hand SurgeryAndrew Foret, MD, hand and wrist specialist with Center for Orthopaedics, has completed the requirements to receive Certification in Surgery of the Hand from the American Board of

Surgery. Dr. Foret has previously earned Board Certification from the American Board of Surgery (ABS), and is the only surgeon in Southwest Louisiana to earn the added qualifications in surgery of the hand. Successful completion of the five-hour Hand Surgery Certifying Examination is required for this hand surgery certification. To be eligible, exam applicants must be board certified in general, plastic, or orthopaedic surgery, in addition to completing the required training in hand surgery.Dr. Foret sees patients in the Lake Charles, Sulphur and DeRidder offices of Center for Orthopaedics, an affiliate of Imperial Health. Call (337) 721-7236 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Craig Morton Named a Patients’ Choice Award WinnerCraig G. Morton, MD, FAAPMR, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist with Center for Orthopaedics, was among a select group of physicians honored with

the prestigious “Patients’ Choice Award” from Vitals.com for 2015. Of the nation’s 120 million active physicians and dentists, just five percent received top scores from their patients, qualifying them for this honor. Originally from Lake Charles, Dr. Morton received his Medical Degree from Louisiana State University Health Science Center in Shreveport. He joined the Center for Orthopaedics in 2007. His primary focus is the non-surgical management and treatment of injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, with the goal of restoring pain-free function to patients.

Ricky Hanks Appointed to Autism Services of SWLA BoardRicky Hanks has been appointed to the board of directors of Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana. Hanks is a senior account manager for First Federal Insurance

Services, LLC, and has been an insurance agent for over thirty-four years.A 1981 graduate of McNeese State University, Hanks is a member of the board of the Homebuilders Association of Southwest Louisiana. He previously served on the boards of directors for the McNeese Alumni Association and Family and Youth Counseling Agency, and recently completed a term with the St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church pastoral council.

New Junior Achievement Board MemberTaylor Finchum Alexander, CRPC has joined the Junior Achievement of Southwest Louisiana’s Board of Directors. Mrs. Alexander is a financial advisor with Edwards Jones and her financial

expertise is a welcome addition to the board. Mrs. Alexander has served as a repeat volunteer during JA Finance Park student simulations. Her enthusiasm and knowledge while working with students has proven she is dedicated to Junior Achievement’s mission of “empowering young people to own their economic success®”.

Granger Joins Wells Fargo Advisors The Lake Charles branch of Wells Fargo Advisors today announced that Danielle Granger has joined the firm as a Financial Advisor. Granger, who is Series 7 and Series 66 certified, joins her brother and father, Dustin

and Glenn Granger, in Lake Charles, who collectively have over 45 years of experience.

Prior to joining Wells Fargo Advisors, Granger graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in Marketing. For 10 years, she has worked alongside businesses to develop, plan and implement marketing strategies to help them grow. Wells Fargo Advisors’ Lake Charles office now has 13 Financial Advisors serving investors in the area. The office is located at One Lakeshore Dr. Ste. 1500, Lake Charles, LA 70629.

Dr. Tyson Green participates in LPMA-Podiatry Institute MeetingDr. Tyson Green, foot and ankle specialist with Center for Orthopaedics, an affiliate of Imperial Health, was a guest speaker at an educational conference co-sponsored

by the Louisiana Podiatric Medical Association and the Podiatry Institute in New Orleans last month. Dr. Green was a featured presenter and served on speakers’ panels. The Podiatry Institute is approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education as a provider of continuing education in podiatric medicine. The LPMA is official state component society of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

Movers and Shakers in Southwest Louisiana... Who’s News? You tell us! Send press releases to

[email protected] with the subject line “Who’s News.”

Places & Faces

Craig Morton, MD

Taylor Finchum Alexander

Tyson Green, MD

Danielle Granger

Andrew Foret, MD

Ricky Hanks


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Home &Family

Ever-increasing rent and the desire to start a family are driving them toward buying a home. “This age range is from 20 to 37 years old. It’s been the typical first-time buyer demographic for years, but many young adults chose to rent apartments or homes,” said Jennifer Sproles, Realtor with Century 21 Bessette Realty. “They might have wanted to stay mobile for their career, or in some cases, the difficulty in qualifying for or affording a mortgage was a deterrent. Now that the real estate market has stabilized, Millenials are interested.”

Sproles says that while this trend is especially apparent nationwide, here in Southwest Louisiana, young adults are

increasingly part of the home-buying demographic. “We’re seeing an increase in this age group. Our area has a lot to offer thanks to the economic growth happening. We’ve always been a family-friendly area and now we have great opportunities that are enticing families to choose Southwest Louisiana over other regions.”

One of the features many Millenials enjoy about our area is the small town feel with proximity to larger cities. “With Houston, Baton Rouge and New Orleans nearby, a lot of up-and-coming professionals are easily settling into Southwest Louisiana. Great schools, job growth, entertainment, and quality of life are all here, while big-city opportunities are

within an easy drive,” she said.In the past, first-time homebuyers

gravitated toward the biggest house they could afford. That’s not the way Millenials are thinking. They’re willing to sacrifice square footage for high-end finishes and energy-efficient components.

Most do not want to spend their weekends doing repairs and improvements. They will choose a smaller home that’s in great condition over a home that has a lot of square footage but comes with a long list of to-do’s.

“New construction homes with low maintenance, upscale condos and fully renovated homes with character are their go-to choice of styles,” Sproles said. “While

A new wave of homebuyers is hitting the real estate market: Millenials. Born between 1980 and the late 90s, this tech-savvy generation, also known as Generation Y, is changing the way homes are built, bought and sold.

millenials are changing the home buying process

by Christine Fisher

This section serves as guide to help you find your way.

Whether you’re buying a home, investing in real estate, looking for office space, or gearing up to sell, the real estate market can be a tricky and intimidating landscape.


fixer uppers aren’t as appealing to most Millenials, they can be a great investment to those who are willing and able to put in sweat equity.”

An open floor plan continues to appeal to these buyers. In most cases, they do not want a formal living room or dedicated dining room. “They look for homes that can be adjusted to fit their needs rather than having wasted space,” she explained. “They want flexibility to turn a dining room into an office or a playroom for the children.”

Entertaining, even if it’s low-key, is a priority for this age group. An outdoor space and a great flow between the kitchen and living area can entice them to choose one house over another. They enjoy spending time with friends and family and they’re looking for a home that will enhance these experiences.

“I’ve found that this demographic has done their homework. They usually have a list of homes that they want to see. What they need from me is interpreting the information; guiding them through the home buying process and providing accurate information,” said Sproles.

Even though they are super tech-savvy, nothing replaces the value of a good relationship with a qualified realtor. “They’re looking for guidance so that their experience is efficient and smooth, because they’re ready to begin enjoying their home and making memories,” she said. Millenials know that information can be found anywhere; navigating through it with accuracy and ease is best done with help from a realtor who knows the area, the process, and the potential pitfalls.


Home &Family | real estate

When investing in commercial real estate, the inevitable question is: Should you lease or buy? Each has its potential benefits and risks. So how do you know what will work best for you?

There are several things to consider.

LOCATION. You’ve heard it before: location is everything with commercial space. But you can’t just think about today’s location. Think about tomorrow, too. Today’s hot neighborhood may not be hot in five years—and vice versa. With commercial property, you need to think long-term. What is the neighborhood like? What will it look like in five or ten years?

IT TAKES A VILLAGE. If you choose to buy commercial property, you’ll likely need an accountant, lawyer, commercial broker and mortgage broker. Make sure you have all your bases covered.

GOT TENANTS? If you’re buying a commercial property that you plan to lease to tenants, factor in the unexpected. Tenants may not always pay on time, for example. Repairs might be needed at inconvenient times. Look at your cash flow and make sure you have enough to foot the bill when you’re hit with unplanned expenses.

GET PHYSICAL. If you’re moving into a new space, you have the benefit of knowing that you’re its first tenants. But if you’re moving into a previously utilized space, it’s important that you have every inch of the property inspected. Things to consider: What was in the space before, and what are the possible long-term effects?

commercial real estate: lease or buy?

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Oak Crossing is south Lake Charles’ newest commercial development, located on the corner of Nelson and Ham Reid Roads. We’ve merged green space with beautiful, high-quality construction to create an inviting setting where people can work, shop, relax, dine and be entertained.

We have over 12,000 build to- suit square feet of our total 35,000 square feet available for lease. We work with tenants to create their restaurant, retail, or professional office space specifically to their needs. We are excited to share testimonials from our tenants with you.

“We looked at several buildings in the Lake Charles area to build our office site. Oak Crossing is the perfect place for G2X Energy because of its proximity to the Industrial Canal, where we are in the process of constructing of our industrial facility. It was very important to us to find a place that was professional looking and we have found that at Oak Crossing.” – Trey Fielder, Director of Operations

“Our family chose Oak Crossing for three reasons: 1) its location, 2) its beautiful architecture, and 3) the way the leasing manager and landlord treat everyone that knocks on their door. Building LaVoglia was a wonderful experience.”

- Alfredo Kulici, Owner/Chef

“Oak Crossing is the perfect location for us. The buildings and grounds are beautiful, and it’s located right outside the ‘hustle and bustle’ of Lake Charles, offering the serenity a spa should have. We could not be more pleased with our decision to grow our business at Oak Crossing.”

– Jennifer Lemons, Owner and Esthetician, and Jerry Lemons, Co-owner

“With south Lake Charles continuing to grow, this is such a convenient location. I’ve received great feedback from my clients on the overall look and feel of Oak Crossing. The property managers have also been very easy and enjoyable to work with.”

– Kayla Stark, Financial Advisor

“We love how aesthetically pleasing Oak Crossing is – the oak trees are beautiful. The buildings are wonderfully constructed and the complex is like a sophisticated business park. The property management team is great to work with and are very responsive to any issues that may arise.” – Calcasieu Endodontics

“I chose to bring my business to Oak Crossing because of the great location and the business park’s unique features. It has been a pleasure working with the property management team at Oak Crossing. They are very professional, reachable and are really great to work with. We couldn’t be more excited about opening our business here.”

– Dr. Jennifer McCann, Owner, VIVID McCann Wellness and Aesthetics

“We love the relaxing atmosphere of Oak Crossing. Our clinic has a lot of natural sunlight with views of the oak trees, and the location being on Nelson Road can’t be beat. We wanted our clinic to feel like a retreat away from the hectic pace of daily life, and we feel like once you drive into the development, the setting takes some of the stress away.” – Laurie Baynard and Joey Kuluga, Owners

Opening Summer 2016



Navigating the real-estate business on your own as a buyer – novice or veteran – is tricky, and doubly so on your lonesome. Best to seek out a good realtor. For one, that means a realtor who’s experienced and who’s doing real-estate full time, not just on the side. As Robert Irwin, the author of Tips and Trap When Buying a Home, warns: Any agent who doesn’t have adequate experience “is learning on you, and that’s not good.” Make doubly certain they know the real estate trends and history of the neighborhood they’re showing you. According to Teresa Mears of U.S. News, they may be able to save you up to $100,000 through canny observation or even put you in

contact with sellers who haven’t yet put their houses on the market. Most importantly, make sure their credentials check out. Ask for a list of your realtor’s listings and sales over the past year and make sure they include the contact information for former clients so you can gauge those clients’ satisfaction. It’s an essential step, says Ron Phipps, past president of the National Association of Realtors, to make sure you’re not just dealing with an agent interested in a quick buck or two.

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You may be tempted when selling property to rush through the process and find a realtor who agrees with everything you say. After all, the process is a head-ache inducer. But heed the words of realestateabc.com and realize that “convenience shouldn’t be your primary reason for choosing a realtor.” Look out for any agent who immediately agrees with the listing price you propose (a practice known as “buying a listing,” and which generally indicates a realtor is more interested in his own success than yours). And be sure to shop around. You want to find a realtor with a plan and system that work for you. Be wary of any agent who tries to push you too hard, too early into an agreement. Consider, as well, the company the agent works for. And make sure the agent is up-to-date in their education, which means you’ll be working with someone at the cutting edge of the market. The bottom line: Do your research to find the best personal fit you can.

how to find a realtor who works for you, the seller

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the value of having title insurance

The value of title insurance may not be immediately apparent to most first-time property owners. Even seasoned owners who have never encountered any contest to their ownership may find themselves asking why they’d want to pay for protection on property they officially own. Didn’t the title company research the history of the property thoroughly enough? Aren’t they protected by official city records? Sadly, as Ben Cormier of Landmark Title in Lake Charles explains, records are often spotty. “Sometimes people under 24 are left out [of the succession], but because they are forced heirs, they’re entitled to the property. Sometimes people who sign don’t have legal capacity. Sometimes it’s a matter of fraud: someone’s sold you something they literally don’t own. Sometimes it’s just because some things been misfiled in courthouse,” Cormier says. While these kinds of mistakes may seem rare, Cormier assures that they’re common and devastating enough that the one-time premium you pay to own it is negligible compared to the amount of protection and peace-of-mind it offers. “Title insurance is the only thing that guarantees you full protection in terms of actually owning your home completely and Office 337.478.1601

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will pay against whatever the mistake was in the chain of title, help you reclaim your property fully or, failing that, compensate you for your loss. Owning a title without title insurance is like driving around a car without insurance: you don’t think you need it until you crash,” he says. He offers these insights: What does title Insurance cover?It insures against any defect in the title to your property. Sometimes you end up not owning the property you bought, or not owning it 100 percent. Title insurance will pay against whatever the mistake was in the chain of title and compensate you for your loss. It protects against fraud, in case you bought property from someone who didn’t really own it. It also protects you from recording mistakes that might have happened in the clerk’s office.

What are some of the hidden risks regarding titles? The most common is in successions, when an heir is left out of the judgment. Sometimes, people under the age of 24 are left out, but because they are forced heirs, they’re entitled to their property. Occasionally, people sign documents but they don’t have the legal capacity or authority to sign. In some cases, things are misfiled at the courthouse.

What options to I have concerning choosing a title company?Buyers have the ability to choose who does their closing. You can shop around to get the best deal on closing costs.

How long does title insurance last?It’s a one-time cost and it expires when you sell the property.

“Title insurance is one thing people don’t think of, until they need it,” said Ben. The more you know about it, the more you see the need for it.

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Nobody wants to take all the time to sell their house and then see a chunk of the profit go to a realtor: after all, it’s your house, your money. And nobody looking to buy a house wants to put even more money out to hire a realtor, either. But the fact is that more often than not, working with a realtor actually saves you money. As Jace Hidalgo, a realtor formerly with ERA Moffet of Lake Charles, explains, hiring a buying agent’s generally 100 percent free, since the sellers typically cover the agents’ commissions. What’s more, they can generally point buyers to a variety of financing opportunities. For a seller, the agent’s understanding of the housing

market and other properties you’ll be selling against and their access to records and resources allow them to determine the most effective price to sell your house at. Finally, as explained by Tara Struyk of Forbes, licensed realtors have been trained on the ins-and-outs of the legal elements and are required to stay up-to-date with the ever-shifting laws and regulations in their field. They’re familiar with the incredibly complicated contracts you’ll be handling and can prevent you from ending up entangled in deals you don’t want and a knot of red tape you’ll never be able to cut your way out of.

why it helps to have a realtor instead of doing it yourself

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Call any Walnut Grove certified agent for information on any property.Call (337) 497-0825 for the model home and sales center. West Sallier Street, Lake Charles www.walnutgrovetnd.com

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2090 Jabez Drive• 2,971 sf of living • 4 bedrooms/ 3.5 baths • Private courtyards• Attached garage • Across from Marion Park • Near Restaurant Calla and Village Center • Expected completion: September 2016• For Sale $560,000 • For Lease $3,350/month with 1-year

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2060 Jabez Drive• 3,175 sf of living• 4 bedrooms /3.5 baths• Private courtyard• Double Master Suites• Across from Marion Park• Near Restaurant Calla and Village Center• For Sale $579,000• For Lease $3,450/month with 1-year

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The prospect of owning a house is exciting. It is also a daunting and deeply complicated prospect that only ever seems to get more complicated as it goes along. Thankfully, you can mitigate against this building complexity early on with just a few simple steps.

Figure out where your credit stands. There’s no point chasing after a home if you won’t even be approved for a mortgage loan. If it’s low, spend time building it.

Consider where you want to live: study the cost of living, the convenience of the location, its access to schools and other amenities and how much you’re willing to sacrifice for those. This plays directly into the next step.

Figure out what your budget on the home is going to be. How much do you spend per month on other debts? How ritzy is your lifestyle and how much of that would you be willing to cut back on for the sake of owning a home? What are your savings like?

Start building up savings for the inevitable down payment; the sooner, the better.

Get a pre-approved loan and see how this changes your budgeting plans. It’s an essential step that will make sellers and agents more eager to work with you and help you narrow the field.

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IBERIABANK Mortgage, NMLS #362451. All loans subject to approval, including credit approval. Some restrictions may apply. Other programs available. Program conditions subject to change without notice. *Restrictions apply. Contact your mortgage consultant for details.

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Lender A Lender B IBERIABANK

Credit Report $18 $53 $0

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IBERIABANK Mortgage, NMLS #362451. All loans subject to approval, including credit approval. Some restrictions may apply. Other programs available. Program conditions subject to change without notice. *Restrictions apply. Contact your mortgage consultant for details.

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© 2016 BHH Affiliates, LLC. Real Estate Brokerage Services are offered through the network member franchisees of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Most franchisees are independently owned and operated. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway

HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.

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Home &Family

Planning the Perfect VacationTHE BEST VACATIONS NOT ONLY ALLOW YOU TO STEP BACK FROM THE HASSLES OF DAILY LIFE, BUT ALSO CREATE MEMORIES OF A LIFETIME. HOWEVER, IF NOT CAREFULLY PLANNED, TRAVEL GLITCHES CAN CAUSE AN ARRAY OF STRESS AND TAKE AWAY PRECIOUS TIME THAT SHOULD BE USED FOR FUN AND RELAXATION.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU AVOID ANY HEADACHES.

When to Work with a Travel AgentIt’s best to hire the services of a travel agent when planning a cruise, resort or excursion vacation.

Travel agents who specialize in cruises, resorts like Disney World, and tours are not only experts who will be able to help to custom design your perfect vacation, but have relationships that allow them to offer discounted rates.

There are many moving parts that come with these types of vacation; with a cruise there may be a flight then the transfer to the ship. If one part of the itinerary goes off course and you have booked through a site and not a travel agent, you will likely find yourself swimming through phone battles without a life boat.

Online BookingIt’s important to take the time do your homework and shop around before booking a vacation package, flight, hotel room or car rental online.

The prices and convenience of travel booking sites like Travelocity, Priceline and Expedia are appealing, but do not always offer the best rate or expected standard of quality. Often airlines and hotels listed among “top picks” in the search results are business partners of the booking sites and may not be the best value.

Visit each vendor’s web page before booking on a travel site. You may find that a hotel is running a seasonal special that is a better rate. Some airlines offer better, unadvertised bargains on their own sites, while others such as Southwest Airlines--known for significant deals--do not work with third party vendors.

Working directly with a vendor offers you greater flexibility, including the ability to manage and change your flights and usually does not require money down at booking.

If you do proceed with a travel booking site, read the fine print on any travel and car rental insurance they offer as it may not be honored by the vendor.


Home &Family

Spring CleaningMaster the Art ofIt’s spring cleaning season again and while this is a great time to hit the refresh button and declutter your life, it can quickly start to feel overwhelming.

We spoke with some of the nation’s leading organization experts to help you master the art of spring cleaning. The secrets to success are in preplanning and maintaining post-cleanup organization.

Creating and implementing a strategy will make your efforts more effective and efficient.

The Pre-CleanDiane Regalbuto, professional organizer and owner of Betty Likes to Clean, who has worked with celebrities like Jill Scott, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and NFL players Dhani Jones and Duce Staley, suggests purchasing all supplies before you begin and pre-scheduling a day/time for the cleaning when it won’t be too hectic, such as a day when the kids are in school.

Jamie Novak, author of Keep This Toss That, provides these four pre-clean tips: • Make a cleaning caddy filled with the supplies

you use most so you won’t waste time searching for item.

• Write out a list for each room. Note your top

three must-do’s and then list the “would like to do” if time and energy permit.

• Clean tools like the vacuum filter, replace other cleaning supplies, such as the toilet brush.

• Shake out the outdoor welcome mats and replace burnt light bulbs.

“Always start by cleaning your least favorite spot first to avoid getting tired and then leaving it undone,” said Novak.

The Post-CleanOne the largest challenges, if not the most significant, is the aftermath. Once you’ve purged and scrubbed to transform your space into a new oasis, how do you maintain it and not end up back to where you started?

An organized home’s biggest enemy is procrastination.

Emma Gordon of Clutter.com, who has worked with celebrities including Neil Patrick Harris, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Whitney Port, reveals some of the secrets of organized people and tips on how to beat the temptation of procrastination to keep your home clutter-free.

• Clutter piles up quickly when you’re not paying attention. One of the easiest ways to prevent clutter is to follow a simple rule: when you have an object in your hand don’t just put it down anywhere, put it away. When you challenge yourself to put things away in their designated places, not in the most convenient location at the moment, keeping your home organized becomes second nature.

• If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. Small tasks that are allowed to pile up will turn into fodder for procrastination later.

• Save time straightening your house with this simple technique. Grab an empty laundry basket with paper towels, all-purpose cleaner, and a small garbage bag. Work clockwise through the room, wiping down surfaces as you go, and using the laundry basket to hold items that don’t belong in that room. Before moving to the next room, check the basket to see if there is anything you picked up from another room that needs to be put away, and then repeat in the next room.

by Jen Breen


Family Promise of Calcasieu: ‘First and Foremost, For Children’As it stands, Calcasieu Parish has a number of organizations dedicated to helping the homeless, the destitute and the disenfranchised members of our community. Abraham’s Tent is our primary soup kitchen, the Calcasieu Women’s Shelter makes certain that women have a safe harbor, Harbour House makes certain that children have a stable residence, and organizations such as the Daily Bread Refuge Mission provide people with substance abuse problems much-needed assistance. As of now, however, there is no single service dedicated to assisting families that have been broken up either by insolvency or homelessness.

It is a gap Paula Anderson, Vince Endris and Terra Hillman are hoping to fill by opening up a local chapter of Family Promise, a national nonprofit organization that seeks to provide housing and rehabilitative resources to homeless families.

As an inner faith organization, Family Promise depends on participation from community churches, which will serve as the backbone of the project. Each week, four of the participating churches will provide housing to one of the four participating families by Family Promise during the evenings, allowing them a place to congregate, eat, and shelter.

“Our program is first and foremost a program for children,” Terra explains. “Because we have a lot of children who aren’t homeless but whose parents are and have to move around a lot and stay with a lot of different family members ...we’re trying to provide a way to keep them together.”

During the days, Family Promise will provide transportation to school

for the children and a bus to take the parents to the organization’s home center, where a social worker will be on hand to help them secure permanent housing and jobs while providing guidance on budgeting, financial management and investment.

Currently, the local branch has two churches – including Saint Luke Simpson – signed on to provide housing; nice as that is, Terra insists the organization won’t be ready to host families until they sign on another 10 churches.

“Nationally, we’ve seen the most success with groups that have about thirteen churches,” Terra says. Interested churches should, she insists, contact co-chairman Vince Endris—himself a pastor and the current middle-man between the churches and the office—via the Calcasieu Parish Branch’s Facebook page, or attend one of the monthly staff meetings. Interested individuals may not be able to contribute quite so directly, but Terra insists there’s always room for financial donations and, eventually, volunteers.

Though the Calcasieu branch of Family Promise is still in the early stages, Terra says she feels that “by the end of the year we should have ten of the required churches committed and should be looking for a day center and a social worker.” That’s not a promise per se – as Terra notes, “building interests takes time” – but it is promising. There are over two-thousand homeless children in Calcasieu Parish currently and yet only a handful of organizations dedicated to helping them; the announcement of one more should considered a cause for celebration.

by Austin Price

Leithead Orthodontics, the office of ABO-certifiedDr. James A. Leithead, Jr., has been serving the Lake Charles and Jennings communities for over twenty years! We pride

ourselves on providing the highest quality orthodontic care to our patients and their families, and have made it our mission

to create beautiful, healthy smiles of which our patients can be proud. We offer the best of today’s orthodontic technologies and techniques, and we strive to ensure all our patients achieve the

smile of their dreams in a comfortable, friendly environment.

James A. Leithead, Jr., D.D.S.

Lake Charles Office | 615 W. College StreetJennings Office | 310 N. Louise Street

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Money &Career

For better or worse, our finances play a critical role in the quality of our daily living. Most of us don’t need to be rich to enjoy life, but when you’re strapped for cash, swallowed by debt, and wondering where your next dollar is coming from, it shadows every decision you make—where to eat, what to buy, how to spend your downtime. When our pocketbook struggles, so do we.

We may become legal adults at age eighteen, but for many, life doesn’t start to settle down and make itself comfortable until we reach our 30s. If 35 is still on the horizon for you, use that as a marker to reach a set of definable financial goals.

Here are a few tips from Lyles McDaniel, senior vice president with Lakeside Bank, to get you started.

Know how to live within a budget. It doesn’t matter how much money you make, you can benefit from a budget, McDaniel says. You might have $10 in your bank or $10 million; either way, you need to understand how to spend within your means. “Budgeting takes practice and discipline,” McDaniel says. “You have to take time to sit down and look at bank statements, review all the details of where you’re spending or overspending your money, and then create an action plan for the future. It may seem like a daunting, tedious and stressful task, but it does wonders for your personal finances in the long run. Many people are surprised to discover how much they spend on certain things.” According to McDaniel, once you start living within your budget, it becomes second nature.

Invest. The younger you invest, the better. Ideally, you’d already have an investment portfolio by the time you hit 30. “The younger you are, the more risks you’re able to take,” he says. “Typically, investments with greater risk generate greater returns. But the pendulum can also swing the other way. When you’re young, you have more time to make up the loss. If you wait until later in life to invest, you’re not in a position to take as many chances.”

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Have three months of living expenses in a savings account. It’s a good rule of thumb to have three months’ worth of expenses tucked away in savings. “This provides a cushion in the event of a major life change, like job loss,” McDaniel says. “It creates incredible peace of mind to know you have something to fall back on if needed. The key is to keep it off-limits. Live within your budget. Don’t overspend and then pull from savings to cover yourself.”

Know what you want. By the time you reach your 30s, you generally have a good idea what you want out of life. Are you motivated by material things? Do you want to travel? Would you like to become a homeowner? “Each of these goals paves different financial paths,” McDaniel says. Determine what you want in the future and understand what role your finances will play in that vision. You may need to save more, invest more, focus on increasing your credit score. It’s easier to create a map when you know where you’re going.

Feed your retirement. “It may seem like a lifetime away, but you don’t want to reach retirement age and discover you have no money. You can’t depend on Social Security alone, especially if you want to enjoy the perks of retirement, like traveling, leisure, rest, and relaxation,” McDaniel says. But you shouldn’t just invest in your retirement. You need to understand what’s going on. “So many people invest a percentage into their plan and then sit back and let the numbers work their magic,” McDaniel adds. “While you don’t want to obsess or over analyze your reports, it helps to understand how your retirement works and what those numbers mean. That way you always know where you stand.”

For help achieving your financial goals, call the Lakeside Bank nearest you, or visit www.lakesidebanking.com.

by Erin Kelly


Money &Career

23RD ANNUAL CONFERENCE

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Legal UpdateGreg Guidry, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak, & Stewart, P.C.

It’s Not Just About the Job: How Community Involvement and Integration Impacts Your WorkforceJulie Laperouse, Screaming Peacock

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Register at ichrma.shrm.org/annual-spring-conference

Cast Aside Fearsof

When it comes to attaining success, the biggest hurdle or enemy is often ourselves. Even if you’re a hard worker and can see the rewards on the horizon you may be unable to latch onto success because of deep lying fears and insecurities.

Here are five “tried-and-true” tips to help you breakthrough through the walls to discover the secrets to your success.

Determine your own level.No one becomes successful through hope or luck. Instead, it comes by realizing and accepting that everything is in your court and not running the course of circumstance.

Failure can be a gift.Successful people view failure as a learning experience; not a setback.

Stop fueling fear.Determine what you can and cannot control. Do not focus on the worst case scenario. Instead focus on the steps needed toward the desired outcome.

Think first, then act.Many people ruminate on a great idea, but never act on it. Others act on it quickly without time for reflection and planning. Successful people make it a habit to create a thoughtful action plan for their best ideas. They may not pursue each one, but this approach provides a view into a project's possibilities.

Avoid procrastination.Benjamin Franklin was on target when he said, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” Avoiding a dreaded project only increases insecurities and worries. Successful people tend to dive into the most uncomfortable projects first, which in turn alleviates their fears and increases their confidence.


CHRISTUS St. Patrick Regional Heart Center Receives American Heart Association Accreditation

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Regional Heart Center has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Heart Attack Receiving Center Accreditation.The accreditation program — sponsored by the American Heart Association and the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care —recognizes centers that meet or exceed quality of care measures for people experiencing the most severe type of heart attack, ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), in which blood flow is completely blocked to a portion of the heart. For more information, visit www.heart.org/missionlifeline or www.scpcp.org.

Memorial/LSUHSC Family Medicine Center Earns National Recognition for Patient-Centered CareThe National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announced that Memorial/LSUHSC Family Medicine Center & Residency Program has received Level 3 NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term, participative relationships. The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care, improve patients’ experience of care and reduce costs. Medical homes foster ongoing partnerships between patients and their personal clinicians, instead of approaching care as the sum of episodic office visits.To find clinicians and their practices with NCQA PCMH Recognition, visit http://recognition.ncqa.org.

Young Band Nation to Perform at Jazz FestivalSWLA Music Studios has announced that the students of Lake Charles Young Band Nation’s Advanced Industry Training Program (AITP) will perform at the 2016 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 24. This is the first year that these

students have had the opportunity to perform at this prestigious and legendary festival. SWLA Music Studios hopes to make it an annual outing. The AITP is a program designed to teach young musicians the skills needed to function in the ever-changing music industry, and to prepare them to enter the industry’s job force with prior experience in many of the functions that make up the entertainment industry as a whole. For more information on this and all of our programs, call (337) 513-7905, or email [email protected].

Memorial Hospital Honors Elementary School Artists

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital recently honored students who participated in their Young at Art Program. The program, which spotlights artwork from a different local elementary school each month, was designed to make a positive impact on hospital patients, employees, and the young artists themselves.

The display featured artwork by

students from JFK Elementary School. A panel of Memorial volunteers recognized third

grade students Kierra Manuel and Patricia Lede, and fourth grader Malayah Glass with a $25 gift card.

Lake Charles Partnership Grant Awarded to Area EventsThe Arts Council of SWLA has announced the grant awards for the 2016-2017 Lake Charles Partnership Grant. This competitive grant program is funded annually by the City of Lake Charles and administered by the Arts Council, and it awards funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, libraries, and other groups for arts and cultural events and programming, as well as organizational support. Twenty-four grants were awarded to projects and organizations located within the city limits of

Lake Charles, including Tipitina’s Foundation, Bayou Writer’s Group, Dr. F. G. Bulber Youth Orchestra, Whistle Stop, Cajun French Music Association-Lake Charles Chapter, Lake Charles Civic Ballet, Lake Area Ballet Theatre, LA Film & Video Art, Inc., Lake Charles Symphony, Common Ground LA, Children’s Theatre Co., LA Choral Foundation, Lake Charles Little Theatre, Lake Charles Community Band, Black Heritage Festival, KC Productions SWLA, Inc., ACTS Theatre, Itinerant Theatre, and Jazz in the Arts. The Arts Council also provides qualitative grant administration for the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Louisiana Division of the Arts. For more information, visit www.artscouncilswla.org.

WCCH Receives the 2016 Women’s Choice Award®West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) has received the 2016

Women’s Choice Award® as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Safety. This evidence-based designation is the only patient safety award that identifies the country’s best healthcare institutions based on robust criteria that considers patient satisfaction and clinical excellence among women. For more information on the 2016 America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Safety visit www.womenschoiceaward.com/awarded/healthcare.

Delta Downs Announces Team Member of the Year

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel has announced the 2015 Team Member of the Year during the property’s annual awards banquet. Monique Mitchel, a server in the Triple Crown Buffet, was selected from among 24 team members nominated throughout the year. The banquet also celebrated landmarks in years of service for 10- and 15-year team members. As Team Member of the Year (TMOY), Mitchel receives $1,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Hawaii. In addition, she will be flown to Las

Kierra Manuel

Patricia Ledet

Malayah Glass

All you need to know to stay in the know!

Money &Career


All you need to know to stay in the know!

Vegas to personally meet and have dinner with Bill Boyd, Boyd Gaming’s Executive Chairman of the Board. Mitchel has been a team member in the Food & Beverage Department since 2008.

Black Heritage Festival Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event

The Southeast Tourism Society (STS) honored the Black Heritage Festival as a Top 20 Event for the month of March. Held March 4-6 at the Lake

Charles Civic Center, the festival brings together the cultures of Africa and Southwest Louisiana and brings out the best in our community. Celebrating diversity, culture and education, the festival is filled with legendary Zydeco, Blues and Gospel performers as well as The Market Place, featuring African art, clothing and more! The Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau is a member of STS, an organization that promotes travel to and within the southeastern part of the United States. The bureau nominates all area fairs, festivals and events quarterly. The STS Top 20 Events marketing program highlights the “best of the best” from submitted entries. For more information, visit www.visitlakecharles.org.

SOWELA Hires Instrumentation InstructorSOWELA Technical Community College has announced the hiring of Ceth Talbot as an Industrial Instrumentation Instructor in the School of Industrial Technology. Ceth will prepare students

to install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair various types of measuring and control instruments and peripherals. Ceth joins SOWELA with eight years of experience working in industrial hygiene and analytical instrumentation while consulting as an industry contractor. He also was employed as an Instrument Technician for the Town of Iowa. For information, visit www.sowela.edu.

SOWELA Hires Four New Faculty for Expanding School of Nursing and Allied HealthSOWELA Technical Community College has announced the hiring of four new faculty to the School of Nursing and Allied Health. These instructors are key to enhancing academic enterprise through the delivery of top tier teaching and student success.

Dr. Valarie Waldmeier joins SOWELA as faculty with over 30 years of experience in the Nursing profession. Valarie holds an Associate of Science degree in Nursing from Louisiana Tech University; a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Northwestern State University; a Master of Science degree in Nursing with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner from McNeese State University; and, a Doctorate degree in Nursing Research from Texas Woman’s University. She also serves as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Calcasieu Oaks Behavioral Center. Elizabeth “Kaye” Martin will serve as faculty having joined the college with 23 years of experience working as an RN. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and a Master of Science degree in Nursing Education from McNeese State University, where she also taught in the nursing program for six years. Jennifer Bruney joins SOWELA as faculty with 20 years of experience working as a Pediatric Nurse. She taught Pediatric Nursing at McNeese State University, her alma mater for her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and a Master of Science degree in Nursing Education. Kristine Stout joins the College with 14 years of experience working in the emergency room, outpatient surgery, and maternal care prior to transitioning to the role of Nursing Educator. She is a certified CPR Instructor and was a previous recipient of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award. For information, visit www.sowela.edu.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to Celebrate Opening of Calcasieu Urgent Care

On March 2, Calcasieu Urgent Care, along with the Ward One Economic Development Board, celebrated the opening of its new Moss Bluff facility with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 242 Sam Houston Jones Parkway. The new three thousand square foot Calcasieu Urgent Care facility contains two specialized trauma rooms, one dedicated pediatric room, as well as two all-purpose exam rooms. With extended hours of 8:00am to 8:00pm, Monday through Friday, and 8:00am to 5:00 pm on Saturday and Sundays, Calcasieu Urgent Care is ready to improve the health and wellness of Moss Bluff and the surrounding area. For more information, call (337) 426-0919.

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation to Host Fourth Annual Dragon Boat Races

The CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation, along with presenting sponsors Louisiana Mortgage Associates and Northwest Mutual, will host the fourth annual Dragon Boat Races on Saturday, April 23, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center Seawall. VIP Event Sponsors include L’Auberge Casino Resort, Entergy, Coushatta Casino Resort and Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana. A dragon boat is a human-powered watercraft and is the basis of the team paddling sport of dragon boat racing, an amateur water sport, which has its roots in an ancient folk ritual of contending villagers held over the past 2000 years throughout southern China. The sport is known for team-building. In this year’s race, up to 35 teams will compete to be awarded the 2016 Dragon Boat Race winning team. Each team consists of 20 members who paddle a 41-foot vessel to the beat of their team drummer. Each team will have one hour of practice the week of the race. Teams can develop a unique theme and team name and will compete in two races for their best time. After the qualifying races, all the teams are classified into groups of three based on best time and race again to determine the winners in each of the groups. During the races, Kohl’s Kids Club will hold a Healthy Living Fair at the Lake Charles Civic Center Seawall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be activities for the entire family that encourage good nutrition and healthy choices. Everyone is invited out to watch this exciting event. There will be food and drink vendors, music, karaoke and a family-friendly atmosphere. Proceeds will benefit Children’s Miracle Network. For more information or information on volunteering for the race, visit www.stpatrickfoundation.org or call (337) 430-5353.

Ceth Talbot


Style &Beauty

gray hairROCK

Most women know how to spot a “silver fox,” as it has long been acceptable and stylish for men to go gray. But it hasn’t been the same for women until recently. Gray is no longer just for grannies--it’s in and powerful.

Here are some tips to help you both embrace and rock gray hair

by Jen Breen

Go with a modern, shorter haircut with strong edges. Not only will you look sharp, but it will minimize the transition if you decide to stop dyeing cold turkey.

Interested in a gradual transition? Consult with a colorist to have toners and highlights woven in with your usual hair color.

Gray hair tends to be frizzier, so consider using a flat iron to make your hair silkier and shinier.

Use high-quality hair products to maintain a fresh and stylish tone. Shampoo with a blue base can prevent your grays from developing a yellowish cast. Speak with your stylist on the best products to use for your individual hair needs.


Round Face Square Face Oval Face Heart FaceSide-Swept Bangs Lash-Grazing Bangs Take-Your-Pick Bangs Blunt Cut Bangs

Ah, bangs. No other word can strike fear and envy like they can. Often viewed as the “holy grail” of a hair style, the search for those elusive perfect bangs can seem never-ending. There’s always the hope that just the right style and stylist who can deliver it for you are just inside the next salon.

Well, fear no more! Bangs are flattering on all face shapes – you just need to pick the right style of bangs for your face shape. Jessa Lavergne, stylist with Dermalogix Salon and Day Spa, offers the following suggestions to get the “best bangs” for your individual facial features.

“Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and to discuss your bang options with your stylist,” adds Lavergne. “The bangs can put the finishing, perfect touch to your hair style, so it’s worth taking the time to get them right.”

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Lavergne says heavy, slightly angled cut bangs will accent cheek bones and thin out a round face. Thicker cut bangs are the most flattering for round faces, but straight, blunt bangs are a big no. These will only accentuate the fullness in a round face shape.

A heavy fringe that grazes your lashes compliments both long and short hair styles. Any bangs that are too straight-across will mimic the same angles in the jawline, which is exactly what you want to soften, according to Lavergne. A textured cut that blends into your hair line will soften your face.

Heart-shaped faces have more width across the top of the forehead and are more narrow toward the chin. To get the most flattering cut, Lavergne suggests starting at the bottom and take away length as you go up toward the middle. A sculpted, blunt cut will accent the cheek bones and softens chin lines.

Oval faces look good with all parts and bangs, so you have the freedom to create any type of fringe. “Blunt bangs can be equally as flattering, but to make it less severe, angle the sides to blend into your existing hair length,” says Lavergne. “For either option, be sure to leave length in the corners to keep the face elongated.”

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Style &Beauty

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Prepareto be Dazzled10 Tips to Find Quality GemsThe allure of gemstones has captured hearts and imaginations for as long as we can remember. Whether it’s for a ring, necklace or bracelet, the gemstones you purchase essentially create part of a legacy to be admired by generations to come. The expense of a cherished heirloom makes it critical to ensure that the stone’s value coincides with the price, and that it’s of high enough quality to maintain and potentially exceed its value in the future.

All that glitters isn’t gold. The same is true for dazzling gemstones. Even if a stone is stunning, it doesn’t mean its value equals the price tag, making it critical to only deal with reputable jewelers. Research any jeweler you are dealing with and make sure to ask questions. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Not all stones are created equally. Gems are broken down into three categories: precious, semi-precious and synthetic.

Precious stones include diamond and colored gems: ruby, sapphire and emerald. They were determined to be the most highly valued stones by the ancient Greeks due to their difficulty in accessibility. While more plentiful today, they are still considered by most to be the highest-valued stones.

The rest of the colored gemstones, including aquamarine, amethyst, citrine, opal, and so on, fall under the semi-precious category. This includes organic gems, such as pearls, which are formed by oysters, and amber, which originates from tree sap. Gemstones considered rare by modern standards, whether only available in large cuts, such as amerine, or small, including alexandrine and demantoid garnet, also fall under this category, regardless of value.

Synthetic, man-made stones are created in laboratories. These stones have grown in popularity and are often flawless in appearance.

Look at the “four c’s”—clarity, color, cut and carat weight— to determine the level of quality when shopping for a natural precious and semi-precious gems

Clarity is determined by the lack of a stone’s internal and external imperfections. While it usually takes an expert to find the internal imperfections, the external are visible to the eye and includes, cracks, scratches, and chips.

Color can determine up to 50 to 70 percent of a gem’s worth. It is graded by tone, hue and saturation. When a gemstone is saturated with hue, it creates a darker, more vivid tone. Ask the jeweler where a stone falls on the scale. A high-quality gem should fall within the range of five to six. Also, evaluate the brightness of the light being used to inspect the gem.

The cut is often confused for being the shape of the stone, but instead speaks to its proportions, symmetry and polish. It is a great determinant of value and brings out the gem’s brilliance.

Carat weight is the final factor in determining the value of a gemstone. Make sure to ask the jeweler to give you the weight before purchase. Charts with the ranges by stone shape can be found online for reference.

The value of organic stones is generally not determined by the four c’s. For instance, when choosing a pearl--one of the most highly-valued organic gems--it’s important to ask if it’s natural or cultured. Cultured pearls are harvested on oyster farms dedicated to the formation of pearls and are typically of lower value. It’s also important to evaluate a pearl’s luster, which is the way it reflects light. The clearer the reflection; the higher the value. Like the pearl many organic gemstones carry their own set of rules for assessing quality, so it is important to do some research on the specific type of gem you are shopping for before your trip to the jewelry store.


Mind &BodyMake it PersonalHow to Prepare Yourself, Mentally, For a Good RunLike many people, Dave Griffin spends most of the workweek indoors at a desk. He interacts with his computer monitor more than other people. All the normal demands of life once capitalized his non-work hours, leaving little time for self-fulfillment.

For Griffin, the solution was simple: Run. Literally.

“Life is so different now. We have luxuries designed to simplify our life, but our lives aren’t simple,” says Griffin, author of After the Last PR – The Virtues of Living a Runner’s Life. “You can’t escape your obligations. You can run away, but guilt and new responsibility will soon find you. Every day, (we must) spend time doing something deeply personal. It may not change your life, but it will change your perspective about it. For me, that deeply personal thing has been running.”

At first, running was an outlet for Griffin’s competitive spirit. He set goals, trained hard, and pushed the limits of his own capability. More recently, running has become a peaceful escape.

If you need an outlet in your life, or have ever considered a peaceful run, Griffin provides these tips to prepare yourself—not physically, but mentally.

Accept where you are. Whatever your situation, it’s okay. Everyone has limitations. Everyone has doubts. Acknowledge those things, but don’t let them become excuses.

See yourself worthy. You deserve a happy and peaceful life, but no one can give it to you. Do it for yourself because that is reason enough.

Set new habits. In order to accomplish anything new, you’ll need to invest time. Be honest about your personal schedule, and then set the time aside that you’ll use for your new endeavor.

Make a list of the benefits you hope to gain. You’ll never follow through with the new habits if you don’t see value in the benefits.

Think long term. Look back on #1 – you didn’t evolve into your current situation quickly, and change won’t happen fast either. Measure short term success based on your ability to keep commitments to yourself, knowing the benefits you are looking for will come in time.

Enjoy the journey. Whether you chose a new challenge, or just set time aside for self-fulfillment, use this new personal time to reflect on the good things in your life. Find a new destination point, and appreciate the beauty around you.

“If you are intrigued about running, or if you are already a runner hoping to enhance the activity, find a book or a local resource to help you. You’ll be surprised what you can accomplish, and how the activity will enhance your life,” he says.


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Mind &Body

Visiting a mattress store can feel like walking into a Princess and the Pea fairy tale. There are so many choices that

it can be difficult to decide which mattress will best fit your specific needs and lifestyle.

Finding the Mattress of Your Dreams

“Restful slumber is determined by a number of factors, including room temperature, and an individual’s level of stress and comfort. Having the right mattress is at the center of this equation,” said Michelle Zimmerman, NP with the Sleep Disorder Center of Southwest Louisiana. “Most people tend to sleep on the same mattress for eight years, so having the right fit is critical in avoiding chronic fatigue and improving your memory, weight loss and even increasing your lifespan.”

What should you look for?Dr. Craig Morton, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist with Center for Orthopaedics says, “The first thing you need to look at when shopping for a new mattress is how well it supports your body while lying in a neutral position, which is when your spine, buttocks, heels, shoulders and head are in proper alignment. If the mattress is too hard or firm it will place too much pressure on each of these areas, pushing you out of

alignment. If too soft, it will not be enough support. Both scenarios can lead to regular discomfort and aches and pains.” Spend at least 15 to 30 minutes testing it before purchase, said Zimmerman. “You want to try to replicate your sleep position as closely as possible. Some people find it helpful to bring their pillow from home.”

When is it time?“If you are experiencing back pain after you wake up in the morning and it does not go away after stretching for 15 or so minutes, it’s time to buy a new mattress,” said Dr. Morton. “You should not feel any pressure after sleeping on your mattress.”

There are many types of mattresses on the market but the most popular ones are the innerspring, memory foam, latex and air. Each variation has benefits and downsides depending on an individual’s needs.

Innerspring MattressesInnerspring mattress are the most widely known and commonly used. It supports the body with coil springs. Most modern

innerspring mattresses have individually enclosed coils, which helps it withstand years of use. For additional comfort, there are a variety of materials used to cover the coils, including memory foam and latex. “One of the main benefits of shopping for an innerspring mattress is that there is a wide variety to choose from, including ranges in firmness, soft tops and cost. Certain brands of mattresses are especially beneficial for people with a bad back or are significantly overweight,” said Dr. Morton. ”While it is not necessary to go with the most expensive version or those above a 390 coil count, it is important to avoid those at the lowest price range as they may not provide proper support.”

by Jen Breen


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Email or Text Notification when your RX is ready!Memory Foam Memory foam mattresses are composed of foam with various layers

of density to respond to user’s weight and temperature. This increasingly popular mattress contours to shape of the body. “Since the memory foam mattress molds to the shape of one’s body it can relieve pain and reduce the weight on pressure points,” said Dr. Morton. Many memory foam mattresses absorb movement, which can be especially helpful if one is disturbed by their partner’s tossing and turning, according to Zimmerman “The downside to this type of mattress is that it can make some feel too warm too get a restful night’s sleep, especially if a person is temperature-sensitive.”

Latex MattressesLatex mattresses are composed of natural and synthetic rubber,

and are often referred to as a firmer version of the memory foam mattress. “Latex mattresses or toppers can be of great benefit to someone experiencing significant back pain on a regular basis as they are very firm, but still provide the same kind of comfort as a memory foam mattress,” said Dr. Morton.

Air MattressesNot to be confused with portable air mattress, this variation replaces the springs of the innerspring mattress with air chambers, allowing each side of the bed to be adjusted to fit the user’s preference, making it the perfect fit for couple with sharply different sleeping needs.

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Mind &Body

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Debunking Cataract MythsBy the time we hit the golden age of 70, over half of us will have cataracts. Even if many of us have plenty of time before our eyesight begins to dim, nearly 22 million Americans north of 40 will develop cataracts.

“The development of cataracts is a natural process in our bodies, and while it is unpreventable, cataracts can still be treatable,” said Dr. William Hart of Hart Eye Center, a leading provider in cataract surgeries in the Lake Area. “Cataract surgery has become one of the most reliable and successful vision correction surgeries in recent decades.”

It’s easy to look on the Internet to learn about the telltale signs of cataracts, such as blurred, dim or fuzzy vision, but there are also some myths floating around about cataracts that can easily be debunked by simple facts.

Myth: Cataracts are reversible or can be prevented. “Just as we get a few wrinkles as we age, cataracts are simply a fact of life,” said Dr. Hart. “What matters is how and when you decide to treat them.” As the eye ages, its lens slowly becomes yellowed and cloudy, which causes dim vision. While cataracts are bound to happen, you may be able to slow the process by eating healthier, smoking less and wearing sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection.

Myth: Cataracts can worsen with eye-straining work.“Cataracts don’t develop because of how you use your eyes,” said Dr. Hart, “but you may notice changes in your vision when you are performing close-up work, such as sewing or reading.” One red flag of cataracts is the need for more light to perform the same tasks that once required less light. After undergoing cataract surgery, many patients are surprised by a brighter vision and vibrant colors.

Myth: Cataract surgery can be put off.Cataracts can take decades to develop, but the end result is always the same. When symptoms like haloed lights or murky colors begin to appear, it may be best to commit to corrective surgery before it gets worse.According to the World Health Organization, cataracts cause over 51% of blindness globally, but it is also one of the easiest conditions to correct with surgery. “Tackling cataracts early can keep your eye health strong for years to come,” said Dr. Hart. “Your lenses may become harder as you age, which makes them more difficult to break up with ultrasound during the procedure. The sooner you take care of it, the better.”


ENTandAllergyClinic.net1920 W. Sale Road, F3 | Lake Charles

The Ear Pull.

ENT & Allergy Clinic

Specialized treatment for little ears, noses and throats.

If you notice your child pulling or rubbing their ears, that’s your signal to take them to an experienced ENT specialist. Dr. Bridget Loehn with the ENT & Allergy Clinic offers advanced diagnostic and treatment options for a wide range of pediatric ear, nose and throat problems, along with comprehensive allergy testing and treatment.

Call Dr. Bridget Loehn (337) 312-8564

It’s a classic move, and one that could be a sign of allergies, sinus problems or even an infection.

Myth: Cataract surgery is painful.Over the years, cataract surgery has become a highly perfected procedure that has an incredible success rate. During the procedure, ultrasound breaks up your dimmed lens, which rests behind the pupil, and it is replaced with a clear plastic intraocular lens that can last for the rest of your life. “Cataract removal is an outpatient procedure usually with little or no discomfort to the patient,” said Dr. Hart. “The best way to ease anxiety about cataract surgery is to come by Hart Eye Center and find out more information about it.”

A wound that hasn’t healed after 30 days is one you shouldn’t ignore. It can keep you from enjoying life the way you used to. So don’t wait any longer to get the help you need. Lake Area Medical Center’s Wound Care Center offers convenient, outpatient treatment with a specially trained staff and effective techniques, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, to help heal chronic wounds of any type. Same-day appointments are often available. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 337-475-4001.

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

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

90134_LAMC_WCcb_8x4_875c.indd 1 2/16/16 10:40 AM

If you think you may be developing cataracts or if you’d like to find out more, Hart Eye Center offers free cataract screenings twice a month.

For more information, contact Hart Eye Center at 439-4014 or visit www.HartEyeCenter.com.


Mark Your Calendar!

GRAND EVENT CENTERApril 1 The Spinners 8:30 PMApril 2 Leon Russell 8:00 PMApril 8 KC and The Sunshine Band 8:30 PMApril 9 Travis Tritt 8:00 PMApril 16 Aaron Neville 8:00 PMApril 22 Belinda Carlisle 8:30 PMApril 23 ZZ Top 8:00 PM

RUSH LOUNGEApril 1 Tricky Dickies 9 PM – 2:30 AMApril 2 Tricky Dickies 9 PM – 2:30 AMApril 5 Angel Garcia 8 PM – 1 AMApril 6 Orphan Annie 8 PM – 1 AMApril 7 Orphan Annie 8 PM – 1 AMApril 8 Orphan Annie 9 PM – 2:30 AMApril 9 The SLAGS 9 PM – 2:30 AMApril 12 Matt and Katie 8 PM – 1 AMApril 13 The FUSE 8 PM – 1 AMApril 14 The FUSE 8 PM – 1AM April 15 The FUSE 9 PM – 2:30 AMApril 16 The FUSE 9 PM – 2:30 AMApril 19 The Strangers 8 PM – 1AMApril 20 3-H-G 8 PM – 1 AMApril 21 3-H-G 8 PM – 1 AM

April 22 Rapture 9 PM – 2:30 AMApril 23 Rapture 9 PM – 2:30 AMApril 26 Kris Harper 8 PM – 1 AMApril 27 BRENA 8 PM – 1 AMApril 28 BRENA 8 PM – 1AMApril 29 BRENA 9 PM – 2:30 AMApril 30 BRENA 9 PM – 2:30 AM

BLUE MARTINIApril 1 After Party 9 PM – 1 AM DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 3 AMApril 2 After Party 9 PM – 1 AM DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 3 AMApril 3 DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 2 AMApril 7 ENCORE 9 PM – 1 AM DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 2 AMApril 8 ENCORE 9 PM – 1 AM DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 3 AMApril 9 ENCORE 9 PM – 1 AM DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 3 AMApril 10 DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 2 AMApril 14 Swagger 9 PM – 1 AM DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 2 AMApril 15 Swagger 9 PM – 1 AM DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 3 AMApril 16 Swagger 9 PM – 1 AM DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 3AM

April 17 DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 2 AMApril 21 The New Waves 9 PM – 1AM DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 2 AMApril 22 The New Waves 9 PM – 1AM DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 3 AMApril 23 The New Waves 9 PM – 1AM DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 3 AMApril 24 DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 2 AMApril 28 On the Dance Floor 9 PM – 1 AM DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 2 AMApril 29 On the Dance Floor 9 PM – 1 AM DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 3 AMApril 30 On the Dance Floor 9 PM – 1 AM DJ Jose Mata 9 PM – 3 AM

THE COUNTRY CLUB AT THE GOLDEN NUGGETApril 16 Kay Miller 6 PM – 10 PM H2O POOL + BAR April 2 DJ Jose Mata 1 PM – 7 PMApril 3 DJ Jose Mata 12 PM – 6 PM

For more information, visit www.goldennuggetlc.com.

Court Appointed Special Advocates to Hold Volunteer TrainingCourt Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a division of Family & Youth Counseling Agency Inc. (Family & Youth) will host volunteer training beginning, April 2, 9 am-4pm at 220 Louie Street, Lake Charles. Training will continue on April 9th, 16th, and 23rd. Volunteers must attend all four training days. To find out more, contact [email protected] or call Family &Youth at (337) 436-9533.

Joining Hands for Autism WalkJoining Hands for Autism is an awareness walk benefiting Autism Services of SWLA, Autism Society SWLA Chapter and St. Nicholas Center for Children. This year’s 1-mile awareness walk will be held at McNeese State University’s Rec Center on April 9 at 8am. Registration begins at 7am. Pre-event registration is $25/person. No participation charge for persons with autism. For more information, call (337) 491-0800.

State Library Announces Poetry Month Program LineupIn celebration of National Poetry Month, the Louisiana Center for the Book has announced the sixth annual Just Listen to Yourself: The Louisiana Poet Laureate Presents Louisiana Poets program. Peter Cooley, Louisiana Poet Laureate, will host the event on April 14 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Seminar Center at the State Library of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Cooley has invited poets from throughout the state to participate in readings of their work. Those included are Jack Bedell, Darrell Bourque, Mary Katherine Brake, Gina Ferrara, Lara Glenum, Kelly Harris, Julie Kane, Donney Rose and John Warner Smith. Registration is not required for this free event, and attendees are invited to bring brown bag lunches. For more information, visit www.state.lib.la.us.

West Calcasieu Job Fair ScheduledThe West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a job fair on May 18 from 9am-12noon at the West Calcasieu Events Center in Sulphur. For more information, contact Business Services at the Calcasieu Business & Career Solutions Center at (337) 721-4010.

GOLDEN NUGGET LAKE CHARLES ANNOUNCES LIVE ENTERTAINMENT FOR APRIL 2016


Solutions for Life from Solutions Counseling & EAP ! by Keri Forbess-McCorquodale, MS, LPC, LMFT, CEAP

No, don’t clean your glasses. You read the title correctly. As you may recall, I have declared 2016 the “Year of Letting Go,” and this month we are letting go of constantly trying to achieve happiness.

Pretty interesting statement from a therapist, huh? No, I am not throwing in the towel on having a good life. Stay with me and I think you’ll see where I’m headed.

You see, trying to achieve and maintain happiness is, frankly, a bad goal. Many people equate happiness with euphoria, and believe that they want and should feel euphoric all the time. Clients will say “I want to have no worries, and just love life!” Boy, is that a setup for failure. No worries? Love life all the time? As a respected peer of mine says, “Even if you love the thrill of roller coasters, you wouldn’t want to be on one all the time.”

So, if you are not to try to achieve euphoric happiness, what should your goal be? In a word, contentment. People who view themselves and their lives in a contented way are the real winners in life. Think about words like “safe,” “secure,” “calm,” “peace.” All those words convey true happiness and contentment, and are much easier to attain than euphoric happiness.

You should know that your ability to attain contentment is not all in your control. Fifty percent is genetically determined (i.e. your temperament, and your perception/interpretation of things). Only 10 percent of contentment is environmental influence. For example, lottery winners have been shown to be

about the same level of happiness six months after winning the lottery as they were before winning, even though now they are rolling in the dough. And now the good news—40 percent of your level of contentment is determined by YOU! That’s right! What you do, how you choose to spend your time and energy, and what you put into your mind all plays a significant role in how content you feel.

Here are my top suggestions for letting go of happiness and getting yourself some contentment:

Become more grateful. We know that people who appreciate what they have instead of focusing on what they don’t are more content. Really content people are masters of being grateful for little things (getting to work with few traffic problems, the person who smiled at them in the hallway, still being physically able to cut the grass). Start a gratitude journal where you must come up with five things each day for which you are grateful.

Become more optimistic. Content people can find the good in almost any situation. They tend to go into unknown situations looking for potential positive outcomes. If they are stuck in a boring meeting, they will re-frame it as a time they can give their mind a rest. If their child is acting out, they try to appreciate the fact that their child is brave enough to let his/her voice be heard (and give a consequence, of course). Asking yourself “what’s good about this situation I am in?” is a good way to start this practice.

Do more acts of kindness. If you’ve ever volunteered, you already know one of the secrets of life: helping others really helps you. Begin being kind to others, whether it’s paying for the coffee of the person in line behind you, opening doors for others instead of racing to get in first, or giving compliments. Look for little opportunities every day.

Be more mindful. A big part of becoming more content is to be more “tuned in.” Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, make every effort to truly be present. What do you see, hear, smell? The next time you take clothes out of the dryer, or drink your coffee, or play with your child, try to fully experience the moment.

Start slow with this – pick the easiest of the suggestions above and do just that one for a few weeks. Then add the next easiest in, and so on. Over time, they will become a natural part of you.

So, now I hope the title of this month’s article makes more sense to you. Here’s to your contentment!

Letting Go of Happiness


The Southland Conference champion McNeese Cowboys opened spring practice on March 11 under new head coach Lance Guidry in no other way than a Guidry-coached team is expected to perform – lots of energy, up tempo and great competition. The 2-hour, 15-minute practice consisted a lot of reintroducing the basics but it also had the feeling of a mid-season, non-padded practice as well. “I thought the defense picked up where we left off. It helps that Coach (Tommy) Restivo is already familiar with the things we’ve been doing already. “Offensively we did well. We hit a couple of balls. I thought (Grant) Ashcraft threw the ball pretty good. We have depth problems at offensive line right now and we knew that we would, but I thought it was a good day. Guidry did his part at nudging the nerves of either side of the ball. “I was kind of talking it up on offensive and making the defense respond a little bit,” said Guidry. “I like

playing devil’s advocate. I can jump from side to side.” Guidry has been a head coach at the high school level and was interim head coach at both Miami (OH) and Western Kentucky, so jumping from side to side is nothing new to him even though it is new to McNeese. But that doesn’t mean the DWA (Defense With Attitude) doesn’t take notice and react. “I think what’s great about it and the way it’s set up is the defense knows I’m a defensive guy,” said Guidry. “And they know I’m DWA. But they see me on the other side of the football encouraging them and it gets to them. But at the same time the offense feels the love. So I think it’s going to make both of them better. It’s going to make the defense play with more of a chip on their shoulder and I think it’s going to make the offense have more confidence.” One position change to note, senior Khalil Thomas has moved to cornerback after playing the previous three years at wide receiver.

“We thought it was best for the team that we moved him,” said Guidry. “He’s a fast kid. Some of the younger kids we didn’t think were ready after last year. With Khalil being a senior we felt he could benefit from it and give us more depth at the position. He’s in as the starter right now and he needs to be the starter.

It’s Beginning to Feel a lot Like Spring

Rouge et Blanc 2016 Dates AnnouncedRouge et Blanc, the premier food and wine event held each year in Lake Charles has been announced for October 8, 2016. Tickets will go on sale to the public on August 5th at 9am. This event is unlike any other in the region and attracts thousands of food and wine lovers who gather under the stately live oaks of McNeese State University to enjoy the best the region has to offer. For more information, visit www.rougeetblanc.us.

PMS 7622Font: Caeldera


Memorial. Building a better patient experience for you.Find out more at www.lcmh.com/criticalcare

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.

Critical Care Starts HereHeart Attack

Orthopedic Trauma

Stroke

GI Bleeding

Trouble Breathing

Thrive April 2016 Issue

Documents

Transcript of Thrive April 2016 Issue