times of southwest louisiana

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ver by D

arrell Buck

W W W. T I M E S S W. C O M • N O V E M B E R 3 , 2 0 0 5 / V O L . 1 0 , N O . 2 1

NOVEMBER 3, 2005

Dear Home Owner, Our reputation for providing innovative solutions to the most challenging jobs, the courteous on-site conduct ofour roofers and their thoroughness of end-of-job clean-up has earnedus many compliments of a "job well done." We are craftsmen, skilled inthe application of most roofing materials and are specialists in all single-ply systems, coatings, slate, tile, copper, steel and aluminum roofing systems, as well as conventional residential shingle products.

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NOVEMBER 3, 2005 PAGE 3

L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R

Rage Against the Drum Machine I am writing on behalf of a silent majori-

ty (okay, like maybe three people) whothink that Lake Charles was not only hithard by Rita, but by Apex Broadcasting,who allowed Gary "oh sure" Shannon, LizErrington, and the dyslexic Justin Morris tomonopolize the airwaves during the disas-ter. I believe they did a huge disservice tothe community by giving out misinforma-tion ad nauseum, never owning up to theirmistakes when called on them, and judgingothers who chose to stay in Lake Charles orhad no choice but to stay. People in glassradio booths should never throw stones, I'vealways said. I found these people to beaddle-brained, inaccurate, dull, and verygood all three.

Sorry Mr. Shannon, but a person wholiterally walks into the studios and volun-teers her talents, as you so eloquently put itdescribing Liz Errington, is not a broadcast-er in anybody's book; that's called an intern.Go check out the new film about EdwardR. Murrow, “Good Night and Good Luck,”and bring a notepad, a dictionary, and ifyou're not careful, you just may learnsomething.

For the most part, the community pulledtogether and soldiered on the best it couldunder the dire circumstances. Officialscalled it "Calcasieu Comeback," which Iguess means we're the Teri Hatcher ofparishes. A big shout out to O'Charley's andCooking for Christ (which quickly became"Jumping for Jesus") for their generosity,patience, and spirit during this traumaticevent. I simply take umbrage with the back-slapping mutual admiration society thatseems to have started up. Yes, every day isan improvement, but let's get real and notforget the mistakes that were made, toensure they will never be repeated. Besides,rose-tinted glasses don't go with anything.Listen, I'm sure Gary, Liz and Justin (orJustin, Liz and Gary, if Justin were reading

this aloud) are kind to animals and old peo-ple and so forth, but they are not broadcast-ers of any consequence. They play discsthat go round and round.

On the other hand, let's give due creditto "Roll Call," a little nightly indie programthat provided comic relief to days that werevery long and dark, indeed (literally andfiguratively.) Todd Elliott, Eric Scott andJustin were cracking wise and having alaugh, mostly at their own expense. Moreimportantly, unlike Gary Shannon and co.,they were not pretending to be somethingthey are not; officials giving out officialinformation and most of it wrong. "RollCall" held court on all things ridiculous,sprinkled with news updates that were actu-ally true (!) and cheered us no end. It waslike the Marx Bros. giving you news youcould count on. Imagine that.

In summary, there have always been,and will always be, those who haveresigned themselves to the status quo andcorporate interests -- "meet the new boss,same as the old boss" -- and those who feelrevolution is dissent -- "we are the sons ofno one, bastards of young" -- who believein and applaud creative and independentthinking. Think for yourself or someoneelse will. Remember that the malcontent inthe back row has just as much right tospeak his or her mind as the guy at thepodium selling you something. Don't youforget it. Well then, that's my two cents,bringing the grand total to a buck twenty-five. Got change? Only if you want it, andonly if you stand up and make yer voiceheard. It does count. To paraphrase KurtCobain - the saddest teenager in the world -"You know your rights." Somebody sayamen.

Peace,Lori Malarky

Patrick Marcantel, Scot Hebert . . . . . . .PublishersN E W S

Kathryn Bergstrom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .EditorKelly Roberts Duff, Jen Kober, Gary Shannon, TerryBackhaus, Craig Jones, Barbara Tomek, MD, ManleyJordon, MD, Scott Bergstedt, MD . . . . .ContributorsJohn Maginnis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Politics

A D V E R T I S I N GSabrina Schwaab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sales DirectorGlennita Huber . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Account Executive

G R A P H I C SDarrell Buck . . . . . . . . . . .Art Director, Webmaster

B U S I N E S SRomona Richard . . . . . . . . . . . .Business Manager

Visit us online at: www.timessw.com

The Times of Southwest Louisiana is published every two weeks byPatsco Publishing, 720 Kirby Street, Lake Charles Louisiana 70601.Phone (337) 439-0995. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $25 per year. Bulk mailingpermit #9 paid at Lake Charles, La. Postmaster: Send address changesto The Times of Southwest Louisiana, 720 Kirby Street, Lake Charles,LA 70601. FAX to (337) 439-0418. The Times of Southwest Louisianacannot be held responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts,photographs or illustrations, even if they are sent to us accompanied bya self-addressed envelope.

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NOVEMBER 3, 2005

Former NBA player Larry Robinson hasbeen hired by L’Auberge as a casino host inthe player development department. Priorto returning to hisnative state ofLouisiana, Robin-son played for theNational Basket-ball Associationfor 14 years withthe New YorkKnicks, theBoston Celticsand the HoustonRockets. Robin-son was part ofthe Rockets team during its 1994 NBAWorld Championship season. Robinson willfocus on establishing and nurturing clientrelationships and creating and maintaining ahigh level of customer service at the resortcasino. He will take part in guest programsand special events for preferred customers;in addition to expanding awareness andexcitement of L’Auberge as a gaming andresort destination. In addition to being anaccomplished professional athlete, Robin-son graduated from Centenary College inShreveport, La. with a degree in health andexercise. In 1997, he was inducted into theLouisiana Basketball Hall of Fame for hisaccomplishments on the Centenary basket-ball team.

Damian Meehan, MD, has joined Dr. Aly-cia Rodgers on the pediatric medical staffof Southwest Louisiana Center for HealthServices. Dr. Meehan graduated fromHoward Universityand received hermedical degreefrom MeharryMedical College inTennessee. Shecompleted herresidency in pedi-atric medicine atthe University ofTexas Southwest-ern/ Children’sMedical Center ofDallas. SWLA Center for Health Services islocated at 2000 Opelousas Street in LakeCharles.

Master Trooper James Jacobsen andSenior Trooper Tracy Morgan were pro-

ENTERPRISEBOULEVARDN E W S A B O U T S O U T H W E S T L O U I S I A N A

Who’s NewsWho’s News

Cont inued on Page 5

fter all the angst of Rita; the winds, the floods, the dam-age, the long lines, the traffic, the limited supply ofhousing, groceries, gas and water, the lack of electricity,cell phone service and cable television disruptions, wehave all pretty much reached the ends of our individual,and by this time, frayed ropes. But we are hanging on.

During Rita and her aftermath we heard over andover again, “Someday we are going to look back on this andlaugh,” and “This will be funny, someday.”

Well someday is now. We need to find our humor in the rubble,a chuckle in the debris. A wisecrack to help wipe away the sweatand tears. And, as “they” say, laughter is the best medicine. Sohere are some examples to show our funny bones weren’t dam-aged by Rita. We asked area folks to finish the following phrases.(If you want to contribute, email your Rita one-liners to [email protected].)

“Rita’s winds were so high…”“It rained so hard during Rita...”“During Rita the trees…”“You know you were an evacuee when…”“You know you should have evacuated when…”“You know you survived Rita if…”

HERE’S WHAT OUR CONTRIBUTORS SENT IN:Joey Frazier at the Clerk of Court’s office said, “You know

you survived Rita if your bank account looks better than it everhas! Thanks FEMA!” Joey also coined the perfect term to makeevacuation sound more desirable: “Hurrication.”

Charlene Chiasson, Public Information and Quality Officerfor the Calcasieu Parish School System, quips:

• Rita’s winds were so high, your underwear ended up underyour neck!

• It rained so hard during Rita you felt like you were walkingthrough an automatic car wash.

• During Rita the trees kissed their roots. • You know you were an evacuee when you were thrilled to find

some café that served rice. • You know you should have evacuated when there were more

of your house shingles on your road than on your roof. • You know you survived Rita if you are still vertical and

breathing!

Christine and Gerald Fisher spent an entertaining lunch hourreminiscing and writing their Rita contributions. They came upwith some doozies:

• Rita’s winds were so high Willie Mount's hair almost moved.• It rained so hard during Rita it almost obscured the “Welcome

to Westlake” sign.• During Rita the trees snapped like Jim Haslett after a bad call.• You know you were an evacuee when you have your FEMA

ID # memorized…You know Rita was catastrophe number1607….You find yourself in the company of people who wouldn'tdare eat a squirrel….There's no Tony's on the table.

• You know you should have evacuated when you can count therings in your neighbor's oak tree -- from your couch…The onlything louder than the roar of the storm is your wife saying "I toldyou we should have evacuated."

A• You know you survived Rita if you can identify the brand of

chainsaw by its hum…You can't buy a shingle if your life depend-ed on it, but you can roof your house with leftover Viennasausages….You know every crack in the pavement from here toDeRidder… Members of the National Guard are coming to yourhouse for Thanksgiving.

Dawn Harrington of Harrington Galleries in Sulphur says,“You knew you were an evacuee when: You were bleeding fromseveral places after tangling with an angry and defiant cat whichrefused to be "captured,” then you sprained your ankle attemptingto load three cats, the dog and a bird into the vehicle. Then youhad several nervous breakdowns on I-10 at 1:30 in the morning,stopping to scream at your husband who was traveling ahead ofyou that you could not go one more mile.....not one more milewith one of the cats howling constantly, the other two causingodiferous smells (God only knows what was going on in thebackseat). Then, finally arriving to your accommodations inPineville -- a machine/workshop full of metal shavings, greaseand oil, with a lovely wafting smell of gasoline – sleeping on ablow-up mattresses on the concrete floor of this metal building.Then, just as you are attempting to settle down, after being awakefor more than 24 hours (somewhere around 5:30 am on the Fri-day morning), a bee comes out of nowhere, finds your neck andproceeds to sting the devil out of you! I felt like I SHOULD be inPineville -- in the state mental institute!”

Cathy Chapman had a similar experience evacuating crittersto safety: “You know your head's not on straight when you (andtwo friends who shall remain nameless) attempt to sneak fiveticked-off cats into a "no pet" Houston hotel by stuffing them intosuitcases! And after returning from evacuating sleeping on thefloor for three nights in my sister's laundry room with sameticked-off cats! We were the "traveling poo-poo zoo!" Lookingback on this adventure, I have to ask myself ...WHAT WAS ITHINKING??!!!?”

Richard Hogarth noted, “You know you survived Rita if:Your roof is blue and your checkbook is in the Red.” And, “Youare suddenly in the firewood business.”

From an anonymous and exasperated mother: “You know yousurvived Rita when you consider wrapping your kids in leftoverpieces of blue tarp and tell them to Trick or Treat as a hurricane-damaged house!”

Bob Bergstrom, Jr. came over from St. Augustine, Florida torescue his parents and sister who decided to ride out the storm.He had this to say:

• You know you should have followed the (mandatory) evacu-ation order when friends and family say your decision to stay isnot one that will ever be second guessed - nope, not ever -- nev-er.

• You know you should have evacuated when you first noticedthat clean underwear is needed, but must wait. (About the timethe tree crashed into the room!)

• You know you survived Rita if, in sweltering heat pulling wet

Larry Robinson

Damian Meehan, MD

Cont inued on Page 5

Healing With Humor


veryone in our community has been affected by the recent

hurricane devastation. Our familyshares your overwhelming sense ofloss and uncertainty. However,we are greatly encouraged by thetremendous outpouring of supportand unity that has brought us all together.

As a result, we will bestronger…we will be wiser…

we will be better!

The Rob McCorquodaleFamily

Rob, Keri, Ethan

Headquarters Phone Number: 337-437-7871

e-mail address: [email protected] • Website address: www.robforda.com

Rob McCorquodale Campaign

1830 Ryan Street, Suite A • Lake Charles, LA 70601

E

Paid for by the Rob McCorquodale Campaign for District Attorney, Aubrey White, Treasurer.

moted to the rank of Sergeant by Colonel Henry Whitehorn, Superintendent of the LouisianaState Police, Wednesday, October 12th. Sgt Jacobsen will serve as a Troop D shift sergeantand Sgt Morgan will serve as sergeant in the Indian Gaming Division in Kinder. Jacobsen is anative of Longville and graduated from South Beauregard High School in Longville. He workedas a deputy sheriff 5 years for the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office and attended McNeeseState University with a major of business administration. Sergeant Jacobsen has been with theLouisiana State Police for 15 years. Morgan is a native of Crowley and graduated from Crow-ley High School. He served 5 years in the United States Marine Corps before working for theLake Charles City Police Department for one year. He has received an Associate of CriminalJustice from Louisiana State University at Eunice and a Bachelor of Science Degree in CriminalJustice from McNeese State University. Sergeant Morgan has been with the Louisiana StatePolice for 11 years.

Laura Latronico Promoted to Director of Spa and Retail Operations at L’Auberge.L’Auberge du Lac Hotel & Casino has promoted Laura Latronico to director of spa and retailoperations. Latronico joined L’Auberge earlier this year as director of spa operations. In hernew position, she will manage the day-to-day operations of the marina, Spa du Lac, The Salonat Spa du Lac as well as the resort’s cardio fitness center and pool areas. Her new dutiesinclude management and oversight of all retail outlets for L’Auberge; including Nouveau, L’Sun-dries, Modele, The Arcade and The Floral Shop. Latronico brings to L’Auberge 10 years ofexperience in the health and wellness industry. Prior to that, she was the lead spa task forceproject manager for Starwood Hotel & Resorts, where she assisted the Starwood Hotel spadivision with more than 70 spa projects across the country. In addition to being an accom-plished collegiate athlete in volleyball and soccer, Latronico graduated Cum Laude and holds abachelor’s degree in health recreation and sports management from Saint Edward’s Universityin Austin, Texas. She is also affiliated with several professional organizations, including TheInternational Spa & Fitness Association (ISPA), International Health &Racquetball Sports Association (IHRSA).

John Noble, Jr., MD, board certified orthopaedic surgeon with theCenter for Orthopaedics, has received the Physician’s RecognitionAward (PRA) from the American Medical Association (AMA) and theLouisiana State Medical Society (LSMS). This certificate is awarded tophysicians who demonstrate a commitment to continuous professionaldevelopment. To earn the PRA, physicians must complete at least 50hours each year of educational activities that meet AMA and LSMSstandards. Dr. Noble is board certified by the American Board ofOrthopaedic Surgeons and a member of the American Academy ofOrthopaedic Surgeons, as well as several other societies and organiza-tions. He serves as a Clinical Instructor of Orthopaedics for LSU School of Medicine. Hisresearch has been published in numerous academic journals, including Orthopaedics, The Amer-

ican Journal of Knee Surgery and Clinical Orthopaedics and RelatedResearch. Dr. Noble has been in practice with the Center forOrthopaedics since 2000.

Yoon C. Nofsinger, MD, has joined the medical staff of LakeCharles Medical and Surgical Clinic. Dr. Nofsinger is an Ear, Nose andThroat (ENT) physician, with a special interest in allergy treatment.She received her undergraduate degree from Duke University in NorthCarolina and her Medical Degree from the University of PennsylvaniaSchool of Medicine in Philadelphia. Dr.Nofsinger completed an Intern-ship in General Surgery and a Residency in Otolaryngology at the Hos-pital of the University of Pennsylvania. She has seven years of prac-tice experience, working first at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New

York and then at Gainesville Otolaryngology Group in Florida before joining The Clinic. Dr. Nof-singer has also started an Allergy Clinic at The Clinic. Her office islocated in the ENT Department at The Clinic, on the second floor ofthe main office building at 501 S. Ryan Street in Lake Charles.

David Drez, Jr., MD, and Nathan Cohen, MD, board certifiedorthopaedic surgeons with Center for Orthopaedics, recently received

certification for new minimally invasive, com-puter assisted techniques for total and par-tial knee replacements. The training pro-grams were: "Computer Assisted SurgeryCourse; Ci-Total Knee and Minimal InvasiveUni-compartmental Knee." The courses weresponsored by DePuy at the Endo-SurgeryInstitute (ESI) in Cincinnati, Ohio. Both Dr. Drez and Dr. Cohen seepatients in the Lake Charles and Sulphur offices of Center forOrthopaedics.

Who’s News, Continued from Page 4

John Noble, Jr., MD

Yoon C. Nofsinger, MD

carpets out of a house, covering the roof with tarps, piling tree parts on the curb, eating headcheese sandwiches on dry white bread, drinking bottled warm water, getting only forty-sixfire ant bites and then, that night sleeping on the floor -- sounds to you like a pretty goodday.

• You know you survived Rita if sharing a drink with another that has visible backwashin it is acceptable.

• You know you survived Rita if you get a lump in your throat when you see armed sol-diers patrolling the streets.

• You know you survived Rita if driving around town with a bunch of gas cans tied to thecar seems normal.”

And, finally, Chris Garrison with Go Technology offers: 10 Signs Things Are Return-ing To “Normal”:

1. The sounds of chainsaws outside your window no longer serve as an alarm clock. 2. There’s no waiting line to get into Wal-Mart. 3. You can go all day without seeing an assault rifle. 4. There are more than 3 restaurants open after 8:00 p.m. 5. You can drive down the street without having to dodge debris. 6. National news channels talk about something besides the Gulf Coast. 7. MREs are no longer a regular part of your diet, but you miss getting Skittles with your

breakfast. 8. It takes less than three attempts to dial out of state.9. When you go to the gas station, you don’t have to fill up any extra gas containers. 10. You can't believe gas is "only" $2.49 a gallon.

Chris also offers the beginning of a list of “Things We Missed" during and after Ritawhich are special to this area such as:

1. Early Morning Nelson's Doughnuts2. Fresh Coffee from Chez Caffe3. Free Popcorn at Rikenjaks

Do you want to add to the lists with your funny favorites? Email us [email protected]. And keep smiling. We’re all in this together, so we might as welllaugh.

Enterprise Boulevard, Continued from Page 4

Nathan Cohen, MD

David Drez, Jr., MD

NOVEMBER 3, 2005

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The Symphony’sConcert Seasonwill resume with theDiscovery Serieson February 9 and concert onFebruary 12, 2006.

Complete concert details willbe announced before thatdate. For more information,please call the Lake CharlesSymphony office at 433-1611.

ith so much destruction and devastation in the world -Tsunamis, Hurricanes, the Bush Administration, it's hardsometimes to get your daily dose of laughter. I have been talk-ing to my mom everyday, hearing stories of hurricane after-math. Businesses gone, homes ravaged. Some of my favorite

places in Lake Chuck just bulldozed away. I see the pictures ofCameron Parish and the Hibernia Tower on TV and I just can't believeit's Lake Charles they are talking about. I always use my life in mycomedy, and finding something funny about Rita has been a challenge- especially after conversations with my insurance agent about blackmold, warped floors and missing rooftops.

I address my FEMA frustration and All State angst onstage thusly:I'm from Lake Charles, Louisiana.(This always causes uproarious applause now that they've seen us

on CNN. Thanks, Rob Marciano!) That's right. Louisiana. All of a sudden it comes in handy that I can

float. My house got 4 ft of water in it, which wouldn't have been bad,

except it's only popped up on 3 ft stilts. Oh well, something had to getthe pee stains outta the carpet.

I always love to express my pain through song, so I've written a par-ody of Eric Clapton's Cocaine called Hurricane. It's quickly becomingan underground cult classic on the road. I'm also excited about myPeter, Paul and Mary parody of Blowin’ In the Wind:

How many windows must a man board up, before you will call hima man?

And how many hours must I sit on Hwy 90, before we devise an

Kober Riffs on Rita

WReporting In From Her Comedy Tour On The Road Somewhere In The Western United States…

evacuation plan?And how many times must the damn phone ring, before FEMA

answers the line?And how many times can I go to Shreveport before I lose my damn

mind?The answer my friends came blowing in the wind, the answer came

blowing in the wind.

While driving countless hours on America's highways, I am eventossing around some corny hurricane one-liners:How many Rita evacuees does it take to change a light bulb?

What? You have power?

99 Hurricanes walk into a bar. The bartender says, "Sorry, Wedon't serve hurricanes here."

And the 99 Hurricanes said, "Man, this place blows."

How can you tell when a hurricane has been in your refrigerator?All the Tupperware lids have been replaced with blue tarps.

Why did the hurricane cross the road?To dump 6 feet of water on the chicken.

I hope this helps bring a smile to you. Can't wait to be there for myThanksgiving Hometown Comedy Jam. Laughter is truly the bestmedicine. But a bottle of Nyquil and a 6 pack comes damn close.

Laughingly,Jen

“LAUGHTER IS AN

INSTANT VACATION.”~MILTON BERLE.

“SEVEN DAYS WITH-OUT LAUGHTER

MAKES ONE WEAK.”~MORT WALKER.

“EVEN WHEN YOU

CAN'T AFFORD TO

LAUGH, LAUGH ON

CREDIT!”~JEN KOBER.


Voted Best Radio Personality by The Times of Southwest Louisiana Readers

6-9 a.m. Monday-Friday

Tune in to hear the fun, entertaining interviews with Dale Mann, the most popular name in Southwest Louisiana.

Listen to what the movers and shakers are saying!

Be Sure to Listen for The Times of Southwest Louisiana Review!

e've been there.Done that. Got the t-shirt. (There are actually "I Survived Rita" tees now selling at various street

corners). This bit of humor has been making the rounds via email, but since some of us were

"disconnected" for a while and some of us may still be, we printed it here for your amusement.And, since we have all been there - done that, we can identify.

The original author is unknown, but as it makes the rounds of Gulf Coast communities, thelist is continually fine-tuned by additional jesters to reflect regional humor. Enjoy!

YOU KNOW YOU LIVE ON THE GULF COAST WHEN…… You have FEMA's number on your speed dial. … Your SSN isn't a secret; it's written in Sharpie on your arms. … You can wish that other people get hit by a hurricane and not feel the least bit guilty

about it. … Three months ago you couldn't hang a shower curtain; today you can assemble a

portable generator by candlelight. … You can recite from memory whole portions of your homeowner's insurance policy. … At parties, women are attracted to the guy with the biggest chainsaw. … Ice is a valid topic of conversation. … You are thinking of repainting your house a plywood color to match your windows. … When describing your home to a prospective buyer, you say it has three bedrooms,

two baths — and one safe hallway. … You are delighted to be able to pay only $3 for a gallon of regular unleaded. … You are on a first-name basis with the cashiers at Home Depot and Lowe’s. … The road leading to your home has been declared a No-Wake Zone.… You catch a 5-pound catfish – in your driveway.… Someone comes to your door to tell you they found your roof. … You have 2-liter coke bottles and gallon milk jugs filled with water in your freezer … You can rattle off the names of three or more meteorologists on the Weather Channel. … You know the difference between the "good side" of a storm and the "bad side." … Relocating to South Dakota does not seem like such a crazy idea after all. … You've been laughed at over the phone by a roofer, fence builder or a tree worker. … Your baby's first words are, "Hunker down!" … Your kids start school in August and finish in July. … Having a tree in your living room does not necessarily mean it's Christmas. … You spend more time on your roof than in your living room.

You know you live on theGulf Coast when…

Illustrations by Darrell Buck

W

… You catch a 5-pound catfish – in your driveway.

… At parties, women are attracted to the guy with the biggest chainsaw.

… A battery powered TV is considered a home entertainment center. … You rationalize helping a friend board up by thinking "It'll only take gallon of gas to

get there and back." … You have more than 300 C and D batteries in your kitchen drawer. … You have had Vienna sausages more than 5 days in a row. … Your pantry contains more than 10 cans of Spaghetti Os. … A "drive-thru" meal consists of MRE's and bottled water.

NOVEMBER 3, 2005

701 Cypress St., Sulphur(337) 527-7034www.wcch.com

In matters of the heart, you can trust the heart specialists at West CalcasieuCameron Hospital. We can provide every type of interventional heart procedure,including coronary angioplasty and drug-coated stents. Our cardiology staff hasbeen nationally recognized for their success rate in caring for patients with heartfailure. From our excellent cardiologists to our state-of-the-art DigitalCatheterization Lab, if you have a heart problem, quality cardiovascular care isjust a heart beat away.

You have a choice in cardiac care.Choose West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital.

But have you carefullyweighed your choices for

heart care?

You know how much exercise you need.

The number of calories you should eat daily.

And you're making progress reducing your stress.

hen it came time for TreasurerJohn Kennedy to offer his twocents on a contentious debatebefore the state Bond Commissionhe chairs, he recalled the advice aveteran legislator offered him inhis first days in the State Capitol.

It had to do with not getting onthe wrong side of a certain top Senate aide,not trying to drink more whiskey than a cer-tain state senator and, most importantly,Kennedy recalled being told, "Don't messwith capital outlay."

Capital outlay, the process for financingstate construction projects, is of intenseinterest to legislators, for it is the means ofproving their worth to constituents by bring-ing home the bacon.

At last week's meeting, the Blancoadministration proposed holding back $45million of projects that were set to go beforethe hurricanes changed their circumstances.Instead of setting aside that money in theseuncertain times, the administration substitut-ed another $45 million worth of projects forless affected areas of the state.

Clearly, some of the new projects areneeded as much or more now than twomonths ago, such as a new outpatient healthclinic in bulging Baton Rouge. There werealso flood control and sewer improvementsand long overdue repairs to state buildingsand college campuses. But at some point thelist took on the flavor of pork, includingreservoirs in Washington and Richlandparishes, a recreation and picnic area inSimmesport and $400,000 for a film centerfor the Red River Film Society in Shreve-port, among dozens of others.

In the past, such items would cause a feweyes to roll but there would be no big fuss.These extraordinary times, however, broughtforward a quartet of Republican state sena-tors who warned that the commission andthe Blanco administration that controls itwere sending the wrong politics-as-usualmessage to Washington at a time when thestate is looking for massive reconstructionaid from the nation.

"We ought to be picking up pennies inthe parking lot and giving them to Kennedyto put in the treasury," argued Sen. TomSchedler, R-Mandeville.

"You know there are some boondoggleshere," added Sen. Robert Barham, R-OakRidge, singling out a project in his own dis-trict. "A horse arena in MorehouseParish? Come on, people."

Commissioner of Administra-tion Jerry Luke LeBlanc coun-tered, "You cannot ignore the restof the state when you deal withthose parts of the state that areincapacitated."

Rep. Roy Quezaire, D-Donald-sonville, agreed, defending a $1.4

million study of the proposed giant cargoairport in his district by quoting Sonny andCher: "The beat goes on."

Some in the rest of the state would dis-agree, and have no problem delaying workon the nearby reservoir, picnic area orequine center until the state's financial situa-tion stabilizes.

The testy exchanges mark the start of thedebate that will go on for months or years,mainly involving the Legislature and theadministration, over how to fill the hugehole blown through the budget and, beyondthat, how much and how fast shouldLouisiana change to meet its new reality.

Conservatives, mostly Republicans, see

the hurricane's fiscal damage as a com-pelling reason to act now on their agenda todown-size government and to offer taxbreaks for struggling businesses and fami-lies. They are pressing the governor tobroaden the November special session inorder to restructure the current budget soon-er rather than later.

Many Democrats, including legislativeleaders, argue that monumental changes,which could entail wholesale layoffs anddisruption of public services, should not berushed into, especially until it is known howmuch Congress will pay for. The governoris siding with the latter. She could havetrimmed down the $45 million list to essen-tial projects but instead chose to refill thetrough.

For his part, Treasurer Kennedy, choos-ing not to mess with a larger fightthan is his to decide, offered amotion he knew would not pass:to vote on the 73 items individu-ally instead of, as is customary,all at once. Sure enough, hismotion was met with silence andwas not seconded. The beat goeson, for now.

INSIDE BATON ROUGE by John Maginnis

W

The Beat Goes On For Now

"We ought to be pickingup pennies in the parking

lot and giving them toKennedy to put in the

treasury…"


By Gary Shannon

sk me how proud I am to be aresident of SouthwestLouisiana. If I wore a vest, thebuttons would have popped offweeks ago. Friends fromaround the country have sent meeditorials from all over the

nation and all of them are amazed at thedifference in the responses of this com-munity and New Orleans. I don’t sharetheir amazement; I know the people ofSouthwest Louisiana. I do share theiradmiration.

As much as my trip to New Orleansfollowing Katrina upset me, my trip toCameron uplifted me. Sure Cameron wasdestroyed by Hurricane Rita but the spiritof the people of that area was enflamed. Ispoke to several Cameron residents dur-ing that trip and every person had thesame complaint. It wasn’t, “Where’sFEMA” or, “When is the governmentgoing to knock on my door with a big fathandout”. No, my friends, the people ofCameron want to know when the rubblewill be cleared so that they can rebuild.And when I say “they”, I mean the resi-dents of Cameron themselves. Sure, theywill have help rebuilding but that helpand better be prepared to work or get outof the way of the residents of that finecommunity.

I had the incredible privilege of meet-ing General Honore while I was inCameron. He is the new John Wayne inmy book. He is tough, to the point anddoesn’t use words like “maybe” and “if”.He told us point blank, “We ARE goingto help these people rebuild”. In a worldthat seems to worship two-bit movie starsit is refreshing to meet someone whodeserves the respect and admiration ofmillions. For all his toughness andstraight talk, he is also very human andapproachable. His love for this great stateis obvious. We could hear the heartbreakin his voice as spoke of the people ofCameron, Delcambre and VermillionVille. He also shared a great story with uswhich makes me even prouder to live inSouthwest Louisiana.

The General told us of meeting a manwho was standing looking at all thatremained of his home; a set of concretesteps. In the surrounding field were the

remains of the sugar cane crop that hadonce held the promise of a year’s income.The General approached the man andasked what he needed, what could thiscountry do for him. Now, keep in mind,the General has the phone number of thePresident of the United States pro-grammed into his cell phone. I’m sureGeneral Honore, like a genie in camogreen, could have dialed a number and inshort order, granted any wish the man

expressed. The man turned to the Generaland said, “I don’t need anything. I’m justgoing to rebuild my house and replant mycrop”.

I have to tell you, my respect for thatnameless, faceless sugarcane farmer isequal to my respect for General Honore.My friends, those are the people weshould be elevating to hero status.

To the people of Cameron: I can’tthank you enough for what you taught meabout people and character in adversity. IfI ever begin to forget those lessons, Ihope I have the sense to hop in my carand drive to Cameron and get my headand heart readjusted. You have my undy-ing respect.

I’m not from Louisiana but, with yourpermission, I’d like to tell people it’s myhome state.

A

Those are the people we shouldbe elevating to

hero status.

BUSINESS notes

L’Auberge Donates $250,000 to American Red Cross of Southwest LouisianaL’Auberge donated $250,000 to the American Red Cross of Southwest Louisiana, to

assist with relief and recovery efforts in the 5-parish area following the devastation of Hurri-cane Rita. Larry Lepinski, vice president and general manager and Kerry Andersen, man-ager of community and public relations, officially presented the donation to Ralph Wright,executive director of the American Red Cross of Southwest Louisiana, and Ted Shelton,Red Cross board member. L’Auberge, which was closed following Hurricane Rita, reopenedto the public on Oct. 8 after being used as a base for utility crews and law-enforcement offi-cials during the hurricane crisis.

“As our guests have told us in the days since we reopened, our resort provides a respitefrom the tireless and hard work that thousands of people in the southwest Louisiana regionare enduring in order to rebuild,” said Lepinski. “We are extremely grateful for all that theAmerican Red Cross has done for our communities and we hope that our donation helpsthem continue with the incredible work they have been doing.”

Lake Charles-Boston Library Being ReplacedCalcasieu Superintendent of Schools Jude Theriot has announced that the entire Lake

Charles-Boston High School Library will be fully replaced. “We have ordered books toreplace those lost in the library to avoid a negative impact on the level of education offeredthe students at Lake Charles-Boston”, states Theriot. Board Member Clara F. Duhon says,“The community’s support to help replace the lost library books has been both overwhelmingand heartwarming. It’s good to know people are there to help when you need them themost.”

Over 19,000 library books in the Lake Charles-Boston High Library were lost due to Hurri-cane Rita. Principal Solomon Cannon states, “Our students were very proud to learn howmany people truly care about them and about their education with all of the offers of donat-ed books. A special thanks to Superintendent Theriot for responding so quickly with thereplacement of our library.”

Sam’s Club Grand Opening Honors Lake Charles CommunityAs the Lake Charles community reemerges from the destruction of Hurricane Rita, Sam’s

Club, honored those who’ve made a difference throughout Calcasieu Parish during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grant presentation, Thursday, November 3, celebrating the more than30,000 feet expansion of the Club. Grand opening activities included a ribbon-cutting cere-mony with more than $29,500 in charitable contribution. More than 1 million dollars in taxrevenue is expected to be generated for the City of Lake Charles. Community leaders, localdignitaries, grant recipients, and area small business owners participated in the grand open-ing. SAM’S CLUB provides a range of additional small business services and benefits thathelp entrepreneurs increase productivity and profitability.

“We are proud to be a part of this great community and be able to provide the suppliesthat many of the folks need as we all attempt to recover from Hurricane Rita’s devastation,”said Steve Schnake, general manager. “The citizens of Lake Charles and the surroundingareas can count on us to offer quality brands and additional benefits, as we attempt to helprebuild our community.”

Ralph Wright and Ted Shelton with the American Red Cross, accept a donation from Kerry Anderson and Larry Lepinski from L’Auberge Du Lac.

NOVEMBER 3, 2005

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BUSINESSnotes

Chamber SWLA Encourages FederalSupport for Rita-Ravaged Businesses

As businesses move through therebuilding and recovery phases followingHurricane Rita, representatives of theChamberSWLA shared their stories withfederal officials on Wednesday, October26th. ChamberSWLA President/CEO,Donna Addkison, visited with U.S.Department of Commerce Secretary Car-los Gutierrez and Small Business Admin-istration Administrator Hector Barreto.Both officials assured Ms. Addkison thatpriority would be placed on finding solu-tions to challenges facing all Louisianabusinesses.

“We heard Administrator Barreto saythat he will be in Southeast Louisianatwice in the next two weeks with his lead-ership team so they can see first handthe needs facing Louisiana businesses.Southwest Louisiana business owners areworking hard to rebuild and get back tobusiness. We need the federal responseto work just as well and just as hard,”Addkison said. “We have asked theadministrator personally to bring this lead-ership team to Southwest Louisiana aswell, to be responsive to the needs ofsmall businesses in Southwest Louisiana,and to be accountable for responding inan adequate and timely manner to thosebusiness owners in Southwest Louisianawho have submitted loan applications tothe SBA.”

In addition to continuing operations atthe Business Recovery Assistance Centerin a partnership with Louisiana EconomicDevelopment, Small Business Develop-ment Center of McNeese State University,the SWLA Partnership for EconomicDevelopment and the SBA, the Chamber-SWLA is expanding its staff to ensure thatpublic policy issues affecting SouthwestLouisiana businesses are monitored fully.

Volunteer Connection, a program of theVolunteer Center of SouthwestLouisiana, on behalf of the Women’sShelter, is looking for volunteers to workon cutting up tree limbs and clearing theyard to the street. This is in a one acrelot with two houses. Groups and individu-als would be greatly appreciated. TheSalvation Army, is looking for volunteersto work its distribution center at 1410East Prien Lake Road (the former Kiadealership), to route cars to parking,work crowd control, prepare food boxes,and do some data entry work. Volunteersare needed from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.Please call David Wilburn at 337-439-6109 or email [email protected] formore information on this or any volunteeropportunity.


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ow can you go home again when there is no home to gohome to? When there isn’t even a “there” there?

Mary Kaye Allemond recently returned to Grand Che-nier with her mother, Dora Pinch, and her young niece,Gracie Benoit, so they could all “look and leave” at the

sight of the former family homestead.“Audrey was a nasty little thing,” Mrs. Pinch recalled. “June

27, 1957. But I rode out Audrey with 12 other people in the atticof a house in Grand Chenier. There wasn’t any comparison toRita, though. Rita was much worse. Houses that remained afterAudrey are gone now – or gutted.”

Mrs. Pinch was 7 1/2 months pregnant with Mary Kay’sbrother, Bobby, at the time. “My husband heard that the waterwas going to get 10 feet high, so he took me to a house with anupstairs,” she said. He left her there and went to get more fami-ly to safety. “He never made it back. Water was coming upthrough the rafters – and that house was three feet off the ground– the flood was that high.”

She and her daughters survived Audrey with the homeownersand others who took shelter there – 12 people in all. Later shelearned her husband, two brothers, and her mother rode out thestorm in the attic of another house with 13 people. But Audreytook 38 members of her immediate family including her grand-mother, and first and second cousins; over 500 people inCameron Parish perished that day.

“Grand Chenier was a modern little place,” Mrs. Pinch said,bringing us back to 2005. “We have city water and modern TVservice and I could walk to the post office. 9-1-1 was right downthe street. But we lost four churches, the Methodist, Baptist andtwo Catholic churches, and the elementary school to Rita. Therewere about 250 homes here and only 5 are still standing and livable.”

Going Home to Grand ChenierBy Kathy Bergstrom

HAs we drive south, Rita makes her visit known in cruel ways.

Homes sit in the middle of the marshes, miles from their originalsite. The marshes are twisted, flattened and brownish-gray. Largemetal tanks and bright-white appliances dot the landscape. Bitsof clothing cling to tree limbs and poles. A home sits half on-half off the highway with a spray painted identity; “VirgieLeBove.” Clumps of marsh grass drape over fences and in treesand the height of the flotsam increases the further south we trav-el.

“You have to look hard to find something to recognize,” Mrs.Pinch says as we approach what should be the familiar landmarkof Creole. “Looks like a bomb went off!” The little main streetis brown and dusty. The few trees and buildings that remainstanding are coated with dust and twisted by the winds andwaves.

The long green tunnel of ancient live oaks that lines the mainhighway through Grand Chenier is no more. Many of the treesremain, but they look like the Definitely Not Jolly Green Gianthas gone after them with a monster weed whacker. They willsurvive but it will be decades before the old highway is a coolgreen tunnel again. Their trunks are marked by angry scars asfrom saw blades -- on the south side. “From the downed powerlines that whipped them in them during Rita,” explained MaryKaye.

We pass driveways with no homes. Addresses are spray paint-ed on trees or concrete blocks to show where people once lived.When we reach the block where four generations of Mrs. Pinch’sfamily have called home, there is nothing but three foundationsand one gutted house. “Not much left after 48 years,” Mrs. Pinchcomments.

The afternoon is bright, cool and sunny; remarkably beautiful to be at the scene of such

Dora Pinch notes the marsh grass left high in a treeby Rita’s storm surge.

NOVEMBER 3, 2005

destruction. Gracie and Mary Kaye searchthrough the yards for bits of family treasure.Mrs. Pinch shows me around her “house,”now a giant flat floor plan. “This was mykitchen. Now we are in the hall. Over herewas the living room. Here was my bedroom. Right here was my dresser againstthis wall. I had my rosary on the dresser.Everything is gone, but Mary Kaye foundmy rosary right there by the foundation onthe outside. It was in pieces but all thepieces were there together,” she marveled.“Mary Kaye’s husband, Al, was lookingthrough the bricks and he said, ‘I found awatch!’ And it was still running and had thecorrect time! Imagine that. And it wasn’t aTimex!”

“When we first came back and saw it, wecried and cried,” Mrs. Pinch explained.Now they have a resolute humor and thethankfulness that all family members madeit to safety. “In Audrey they told us that wehad time. To go to bed and get a goodnight’s sleep, we wouldn’t need to leaveuntil the next afternoon. We had the carpacked. They were wrong.”

We walked around to the tall shrub thatshaded the corner of her home. Sea grassstranded 8 feet high in the shrub whenRita’s floods finally receded. Next door,Gracie stood on the floor of what was herbedroom. She found a few little dolls andtoys among the rubbish. Many of theirhousehold possessions may be right acrossthe Mermentau River where the floodwaters dumped them against the trees andhome of a neighbor. “They called me andsaid, ‘We think we have some of yourMamma’s things over here,’” said MaryKaye. The family planned a weekend trip togo down and salvage what they could.

It is unusually quiet at the home sitesbetween the Mermentau and the Gulf. Andthen we realize why. There are no birds.

Dora Pinch, Mary Kaye Allemond and Gracie Benoit visit the remains of their family church, St. Eugene’s Catholic

Church in Grand Chenier.


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The parish is eerily devoid of the usualbirds and waterfowl. On a sunny Octoberafternoon there should be mocking birds,cardinals, red-wing black birds, robins,sparrows, or grackles. There should bemarsh birds and water fowl. No flocks ofducks and geese call from overhead. Noherons, egrets, anhingas or cormorantsstand in the marshes or along the ditches.No kingfishers wait on the newly-strungpower lines. No birds. Very eerie indeed.We reason it’s because their food supplyand nesting grounds have been disrupted.Or perhaps they sought shelter from Ritaelsewhere and have yet to return. Eitherway, without birds, the marshes are quietand strange.

When we leave the remains of their fam-ily home site, we drive east toward theRockefeller Refugee. “That was whereImmaculate Conception stood after Audrey.Rita took it.” Mrs. Pinch remarks. The onlylandmark is the statue of the Virgin Mary.We turned down a street to check on afriend’s house. Only the street isn’t there.Half is washed away and the remainingasphalt is deceptive; it is a mere bridge withno dirt underneath. All throughout the com-munity, the storm surge scoured the ground,washed away driveways, foundations androads gouging large holes in the land.

The family remarks as we pass, “That’sthe old Fawvor house. It’s gutted…There’sthe old Doxey house. It survived Audrey butRita sure damaged it… Sonny McCall’s.It’s gutted.” Signs on some damaged build-

ings plead, “Please do not bulldoze!”Grand Chenier Elementary, Gracie’sschool, has been destroyed by the stormsurge. The fire station is gone. So is thecommunity center.

We stop at St. Eugene’s CatholicChurch. The ground floor is gone. Thestorm surge went through the front doorsand took the walls, windows and pews. Thechoir loft remains, coated in a layer of mud.The altar is gone but the beautiful paintingbehind the altar remains. Gorgeous stainedglass windows above the choir loft sparklein the afternoon sun. The floor of the churchcrackles with curls of thick dried mud. Seagrass and seaweed clings to the shells ofwindow frames. Father Vincent was in Indiaduring Rita, for his father’s funeral. He hasyet to see the destruction of his Parish.

The family shows me the house whereMrs. Pinch survived Audrey. The sturdy oldhome at 127 Jones Street now sits lopsided,twisted off its foundation by Rita. MaryKaye and her mother consider those whoare planning on moving back and rebuild-ing; and those who won’t. “We could goanother 48 years without another hurri-cane,” Mrs. Pinch noted. But when they docome, they take it all.

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n recent weeks, this state, its government and its people have had to endure one ofthe most horrific periods in our long history. Unbelievably, we were targeted by notone, but two record breaking hurricanes, either one of which was capable of inflict-ing fatal wounds to the near future of Louisiana.

Nor was all the damage inflicted by nature. We also had toendure the tide of media which descended upon our state followingthe scent created by massive destruction and death. It was like watch-ing the making of a real life disaster movie.

If the plot in the Katrina story was survival, the villain should havebeen the storm. But from the beginning the media wanted the rolesreversed in the telling of this drama.

The unprecedented fact that less than 100 thousand of the 1.2 mil-lion inhabitants of the New Orleans area did not evacuate before Kat-rina struck should have been a credit to Governor Blanco but it wasalmost never mentioned. Instead, reports centered on the frightenedand angry survivors in the Superdome and Convention Center who,unable to vent their wrath on Katrina, blamed everyone in a positionof authority.

If that misplaced anger was understandable, what followed wasnot. A barrage of exaggerated and inaccurate reports was unleashed,making almost every tragic facet of the Katrina story seem evenworse.

During the first days of coverage, 10 thousand people were report-ed dead in the flood waters of New Orleans. The actual count turned out to be about onetenth of that number.

Stories that implied an all-out sniper-war stopped rescue efforts for days. Not one per-

National Media: Lurid Katrina Coverage, Ignored Rita

ISubmitted by “Anonymous,” a Baton Rouge Beltway Insider

son, evacuee or rescuer was ever killed by sniper fire.Reports of scores of bodies stacked like cordwood, allegedly the victims of gang warfare

in the superdome, turned out to be six bodies, not any, victims of violence. Stories were aired predicting an outbreak of a wide range of deadly diseases in the

Orleans area, none of which has ever materialized.Lurid and false rumors were reported as fact. The rapes of small

children, police charging gun-muzzle flashes in the dark, and packsof wild dogs stalking the streets sounded like the script of a Holly-wood horror movie.

And then along came Rita. By contrast, she offered few of themedia enticements which help create a media circus.

In fact, during the first days of Rita coverage, the media focusedalmost exclusively on the city of Houston which escaped all but themost minor damage. Robbed of a dramatic blow to another majormetropolitan area, storm coverage was finally redirected towardLouisiana’s southwest coastal parishes and towns which had bornethe brunt of the storm.

It later turned out, that while the cameras were focused on thetraffic jam of evacuees in Texas, Vermilion Parish and its coastalfishing communities were being smashed almost beyond recogni-tion. While the media was talking about gas shortages on the high-ways in Texas, Calcasieu and Lake Charles, the economic epicenterof its surrounding towns and parishes was being pummeled, along

with coastal Cameron Parish. Thankfully, rescue and recovery policy is determined by state and local authorities who

have hands-on knowledge of recovery needs and not by priorities established by media

History will be kind to the

state, its leadership and

people, who labored much

better than could be

expected under incredible

circumstances.


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attention. State leaders quickly grasped the fact that Louisiana had suffered through almostsimultaneous visits by two deadly storms which struck two very different places in two verydifferent ways.

Rita attacked a self reliant, basically rural population not dependant on a sprawlingmetropolis and its expansive and complicated economic infrastructure. Many of Rita’s vic-tims are tied to the land and the sea, both of which, given time, will return to normal. Still,absent the Katrina experience, the extensive residential and urban damage inflicted by Ritawould have easily ranked with the most serious in Louisiana history.

Unlike Rita, Katrina found the underbelly of civilized life. She attacked a large metro-politan region with a big urban population, a flood prone landscape and an economic sys-tem dependant on an elaborate and delicate infrastructure.

But with all their contrasts, Katrina and Rita were more alike than different. The Gover-nor recognized that when she asked Congress to view both storms as single event for recov-ery purposes. She successfully argued that we cannot let recovery from one storm take aback seat to the recovery effort already under way from the other.

No state government anywhere has ever had to contend with two almost simultaneousmassive and destructive storms, a reckless national news media, an admittedly flawed fed-eral relief system, and an out migration of a large percentage of the states displaced popu-lation, all at virtually the same time.

History will be kind to the state, its leadership and people, who labored much better thancould be expected under incredible circumstances.

But we must finish the history of Katrina and Rita. The Governor has wisely created TheLouisiana Recovery Authority to address the challenges of rebuilding very much like theGovernor of New York did when he created the Lower Manhattan Recovery Authority after9/11. This distinguished panel will guide us through the rebuilding process without any con-siderations other than those of for the welfare of the state and our people.

We must make sure that the awesome footprints of Katrina and Rita create a seed bed fora better life for our people. Out of these classrooms of carnage we must improve on whatwe had before the storms came. Only then can we honor those who suffered and died, thankthe many who offered us a helping hand, confound those who kicked us when we weredown, and delight those who will once again live in and visit them.

NOVEMBER 3, 2005

n our tenth anniversary, my husband sur-prised me with a limo ride to the SallierOak where he had a musician play thesaxophone as we sat on a blanket underthe majestic old tree. The smooth soundsfrom the sax floated gently through theoutstretched branches and into a sky that

held more stars than it knew what to do with. Itwas one of the most memorable nights of my life.The fact that it took place under the canopy of a liv-ing piece of history estimated to be over three hun-dred fifty years old somehow made a statement tome. Our life together would be as long-standingand magnificent as that grand old tree. It is kind ofstrange to think that trees can have that sort ofimpact on our memories, but they do. Most peopleremember the first tree they ever climbed or thefirst tree they carved their initials on. I recently dis-covered that my favorite tree in town has beenunder the care of local doctors, surgeons to beexact. Well, tree surgeons that is. Craig Burns andAndy McLachlan of Burns & McLachlan TreeSurgery have had the awesome responsibility ofnurturing the Sallier Oak for the past twenty-fiveyears, and what a fantastic job they have done.

I thought an article on a tree service would betimely since the Rita cleanup is still very much onall of our minds (and yards). Quite frankly, I hadmy doubts that I would be able to pin anyone downfor an interview, but I was willing to settle for aphone conversation rather than the usual face-to-face. When I dialed Craig Burns’ number, he wasen route to Hackberry but was more than happy togive me a verbal tour of his business while hedrove. Having only five days off since the hurricane, I can tell that Craig has become veryefficient at multitasking. As he drove, he described the scenes he was passing: pieces ofasphalt highway buckled up like accordions, boats and tanks stranded in the middle of themarsh, and trees down everywhere. You would think that fallen trees would be good news forsomeone with a tree service business, but he expressed how difficult it was to get excited abouta boon to your business when it means that your friends and neighbors are negatively affectedby it.

Craig’s roots run deep in this area (no pun intended). He was born and raised in Sulphurwhere his grandfather, Dr. A.H. LaFarge, was not only a physician in town but also a formermayor of Sulphur and a founder of the Cal-Cam Fair. Working as a welder at a local refinery,Craig started his own stump grinding business in the early 70’s. His brother-in-law, AndyMcLachlan, joined Craig when Andy moved to town to attend McNeese State University.Andy earned his forestry degree in 1975 and became a licensed arborist. Burns & McLachlanTree Surgery provides just about every service available to help you care for your trees includ-ing trimming, removal, stump grinding, spraying, fertilizing, and tree diagnostics. Craig andAndy both expressed how much they enjoy being outdoors and working with people to helpthem create a functional and aesthetically appealing landscape through the proper care of trees.

Coming home after Hurricane Rita was especially difficult for them because they had apersonal stake in many of the yards that were decimated by the storm. I asked them why therewas so much tree damage in our area. One reason is that this part of the state has not had amajor storm in nearly fifty years; therefore, the area was densely populated with very large,older trees. Another very significant factor was the sheer magnitude of Rita. Although it wasofficially classified as a Category 3 hurricane at landfall, many areas saw wind gusts wellbeyond 130 mph. Craig has friends in Carlyss that measured 175 mph and 180 mph winds attwo separate locations. That is a great deal of force to withstand, even for a deeply rooted tree.Personally, I lost over forty trees in my yard, with many of the tall pines snapping in half like acarrot stick. Tornadoes? Surprisingly, Craig said that most of the cleanup he has beeninvolved with was not indicative of the damage typically seen with a tornado. Tornadoes willusually strip the tree of the foliage and limbs leaving behind a gnarled trunk. Most of the treeshe has cleared have simply been broken in half. Many trees were uprooted as well, which atornado will do if the ground is very wet, but the ground was pretty dry in this area right up

until the storm. Although tornadoes were a factor, the majority of the damage was essentiallyfrom the high winds.

As for a game plan for the trees that did survive, Andy suggests having a professional comein and inspect the damage. Some of the things to look for would be a root system that is notintact, broken limbs still hanging on the tree, and stress fractures in the trunk. The brokenlimbs should be cut off smooth but not too deep into the trunk. This will allow the cambiumlayer (the layer of living cells between the bark and hardwood that produces additional woodand bark cells) to heal over the wood and help the tree recover from the damage. Make surethe cut is smooth since a jagged cut could allow water to get into the trunk and cause rottingand disease. On the decision to take a surviving tree down or leave it up and hope for the best,Andy suggests giving the trees further away from your house a fighting chance but those clos-er to your house should be scrutinized more carefully. If the trunk is cracked or the tree isloose in the ground, it may need to be removed.

Most of the tree debris is being disposed of at various licensed dump facilities around theparish. FEMA plans to help with the cleanup for another month, but Andy and Craig say itmay take up to two years to see the complete fallout from the storm. Disease and bugs maypenetrate the wounded trees and take a while to complete the damage. Andy estimates thatthere probably will be an increase in pine beetles as they prey on damaged trees, but the coolermonths ahead will be in our favor since they are not as active this time of year. Termites canalso be an issue for trees. Formosa termites can attack high in the tree and can go undetecteduntil the damage is irreparable. It goes without saying that if you have a tree in question thatyou value as an irreplaceable piece of your landscape, you would be wise to contact CraigBurns and Andy McLachlan and let them assess the situation.

Now, back to my favorite tree. Andy assured me that the Sallier Oak received minimaldamage during the storm, with only some of the leaves and branches being blown off. As apreventative measure, shortly after Hurricane Katrina, they decided to remove a water oak thatwas growing right next to the Sallier Oak. Who knows? This might have been a factor inkeeping the beautiful live oak from succumbing to the storm. Conditions permitting, live oakscan live to be over five hundred years old. I guess my husband has time to plan another one ofthose great date nights under the old oak tree!

O

Burns and McLachlan Roots Run DeepBy Kelly Roberts Duff

S O U T H W E S T L O U I S I A N A ’ S H O M E G R O W N B U S I N E S S E S


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YEARS OF MEMORIESFall Harvest Festival is on the threeSaturdays following Thanksgiving Day.Which features Ole Time demonstra-tions of syrup making, Arts & Crafts,Live Music and Hayrides. Our countrykitchen will be serving up homemadebiscuits with fresh syrup, sausage andmilk gravy.

You’re sure to have fun andfind the perfect tree!

• Homemade 100%Pure Sugar Cane Syrup!

• Unique Gift Shop• Petting Zoo/Goat Walk• Concession Stand

Serving Hurricane and Earthquakevictims for over 37 years. I have beenthere for victims of Hugo, Lili andIsabella. I have been honored withthe Award of Excellence three times.Specializing in roofing, remodelingand tree removal.

For a fair and honest quotecall Thomas Todd

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EXPERT ROOFINGEstablished 1969

Gayle’s Hardware~ AND GENERAL STORE ~

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7:30am - 5:30 Weekdays8:30 - 4:30pm Saturday

2625 Ryan St. (Next to Pappy’s)

436-4126

“IF WE DON’T HAVE IT, WE CAN ORDER IT!”

NOVEMBER 3, 2005

The physicians of Lake Charles Medical & Surgical Clinic proudly announce the association of Yoon C. Nofsinger, MD, Board Certified ENT (Ear, Nose and

Throat) Specialist.Dr. Nofsinger received her undergraduate degree from

Duke University in North Carolina and her MedicalDegree from the University of Pennsylvania School ofMedicine in Philadelphia. Dr. Nofsinger completed anInternship in General Surgery and a Residency inOtolaryngology at the Hospital of the University ofPennsylvania. She has seven years of practiceexperience, including three years at Mount SinaiMedical Center in New York.

In addition to her expertise in the ENT field,Dr. Nofsinger has a special interest in allergytreatment and has started an allergy clinic at The Clinic.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Nofsinger to our community. There’s A Difference Here.

501 South Ryan, 2nd Floor, ENT Dept. of The Clinic

Lake Charleswww.lcmsc.com

(337) 312-8563Yoon C. Nofsinger, MDENT Specialist

Cardiology

Ear, Nose & Throat

Facial & Reconstructive

Plastic Surgery

Family Practice

Gastroenterology

General Surgery

Internal Medicine

Neurology

Oncology/Hematology

Orthopaedic Surgery

Pulmonary Diseases & Critical Care

Urgent Care

Weight Loss Surgery

Ancillary Services:

Allergy Clinic, Endoscopy,

Laboratory, Pharmacy,

Radiology & Research

Meet Our Newest

SPECIALIST

Dr. O'Byrne has more than 12 years of ophthalmic practice experience. His main areas ofinterest are glaucoma treatment and advanced cataract and refractive surgery techniques.Dr. O'Byrne is recognized as one of the country's most experienced surgeons with the SLT(selective laser trabeculoplasty), an advanced surgical technique for open-angle glaucoma.He was the first in Louisiana to use this technology and is on the faculty of Lumenis, thecompany that developed the SLT. Dr. O'Byrne has also been recognized by theAmerican College of Eye Surgeons for his innovative cataract surgery technique.

Dr. O'Byrne is from New Orleans and received his Medical Degree from LSUMedical School. He completed his internship at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City, New York, and his residency at LSU Eye Center in New Orleans.Dr. O'Byrne is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is amember of several medical organizations, including the American Academy ofOphthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Dr. O'Byrne will be seeing patients at all offices of The Eye Clinic in Lake Charles, Sulphur, DeRidder and Jennings. Call the office nearest you or 1-800-826-5223 to schedule an appointment.

Look Who’s New

F O U R C O N V E N I E N T L O C A T I O N S I N S O U T H W E S T L O U I S I A N A

Lake Charles, 1717 Oak Park Blvd., 478-3810 • DeRidder, 501 S. Pine, 462-3937 • Sulphur. 2100 Maplewood Dr., 625-8948 • Jennings, 1219 Elton Rd., 824-0040

The Eye Clinic PROUDLY WELCOMES THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR MEDICAL STAFF:

A. J. O'Byrne, MD, Board Certified Ophthalmologist

The Eye Clinic(337) 478-3810 or 1 (877) 95 FOCUS

www.theeyeclinic.net


November 11 at 9 p.m. &November 12 at 8 p.m.

in the Flamingo Bay BallroomTicket prices range from $25 to $40 and are on sale now in the Banana Cabana Gift Shop.

Supply is limited. Must be 21 to attend.

Travis Tritt

I-10, Exit 27 • Lake Charles, LA1-800-THE ISLE (or 1-800-843-4753)

Compulsive or Problem Gambling?Call 1-877-770-STOP (7867).

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Gladys A. Miller, M.D.Obstetrics & Gynecology

MANAGED CARE PLANS PARTICIPATION• Aetna• American Life Care• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana• CIGNA • CCN - Community Care Network• First Health• Humana Choice Care• One Health Plan• PHCS - Private Healthcare Systems• State of Louisiana - EPO & PPO• United Healthcare

4150 Nelson RoadBuilding E, Suite 3

Lake Charles, LA 70605Appointments may be scheduled by calling

475-9995

Gladys A. Miller, M.D.Obstetrics & Gynecology

MANAGED CARE PLANS PARTICIPATION• Aetna• American Life Care• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana• CIGNA • CCN - Community Care Network• First Health• Humana Choice Care• One Health Plan• PHCS - Private Healthcare Systems• State of Louisiana - EPO & PPO• United Healthcare

4150 Nelson RoadBuilding E, Suite 3

Lake Charles, LA 70605Appointments may be scheduled by calling

475-9995

NOVEMBER 3, 2005

If you have asthma, then you know that this chroniccondition can limit the way you live. You may think you'recontrolling your asthma, when in reality, it's controlling you.

In fact, asthma is one of the leadingcauses of missed work and school days,

as well as emergency room visits and hospitalizations. That's why the Asthma Care Center was created -- to

improve the quality of life for people with asthma in ourcommunity. The Center is designed to be a communityresource, providing education, assessment, monitoring,treatment and support for asthma patients age 12 and older.

Under the medical direction of pulmonologists withPulmonary Associates of SWLA, the staff of the Asthma CareCenter will work in partnership with you and your primarycare physician to develop a personal Asthma Action Plan tohelp you better control your asthma. And when your asthmais under control, you'll have more control of your life.

If you’re ready to breathe easier, call the Asthma CareCenter today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

sthmaCareCenterPulmonary Associates OF SWLA

494-2746 • 494-2750 • 2770 3rd Ave., Suite 110

Breathe Easy.The AsthmaCareCenter

is Open.

ASTHMA CARE FROMPHYSICIANS YOU KNOW

AND TRUST.

The Asthma Care Center was created by the physicians of Pulmonary Associates of SWLA to address the community need for specializedasthma management services. These physicians bring together over 60 years of experience in the field of pulmonary medicine.R. CRAIG BROUSSARD, MD • GARY KOHLER, MD • BEN F. THOMPSON, III, MD • MANLEY JORDAN, MD

Our board certified Cardiologists andElectrophysiologist work together with our staff to offer a comprehensive range ofcardiovascular services, including:• Office-based Patient Care & Diagnostic

Testing• Congestive Heart Failure Management• Pacemaker & ICD Care• Coumadin Management• Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

Management• Peripheral Vascular Disease Treatment

In the aftermath of the hurricanes, many things are uncertain. Your cardiac care does not have to be one of them. If you needa heart care provider, give us a call. We’ll make your heartfeel right at home.

Call Heart & Vascular Center at 474-5092or 1-800-732-5196 for more information.

US

474-5092 or 1-800-732-5196DeRidder • Lake Charles • Jennings

1717 Oak Park Blvd. • lcmh.com/hvc

YOUR HEARTHAS A HOME WITH US

Ram Nileshwar, MA, CCC-A,FAAA, audiologist, holds theCertificate of ClinicalCompetence in Audiology fromthe American Speech, Languageand Hearing Association and is aFellow of the American Academyof Audiology.

Listen to Experience(337) 474-3880 • toll free: 1 (877) 271-5874

2000 Oak Park Blvd.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUYTry your own custom-fitted hearing

aids for a month before you buy.

The Hearing Center makes it easy for you tohear what you’ve been missing:• Complimentary consultations• Licensed and certified audiologists• Conventional and digital hearing aids• Personalized assessment of your

hearing needs to find the best devices for you

Hear,but not

understand?

If any of these apply to you, chancesare you have a hearing loss.

Call us today to schedule your freehearing screening and consultation.Because hearing loss often occurs gradually,you may not even realize just how much oflife you are missing, even though family and friends are often quite aware of it.Hearing loss can have a big impact on yourquality of life.

Don’t let this happen to you.

Do you find yourself askingothers to repeat what theysay?Do you feel people aremumbling?Do others complain aboutthe volume of the TV orradio?


he emotional toll that a natural disaster like hurricane Rita brings can

sometimes be even more devastating than the financial strains of

damage and loss of home, business, or personal property.

UNDERSTAND DISASTER EVENTS• Everyone who sees or experiences a disaster is affected by it in some way. • It is normal to feel anxious about your own safety and that of your family and

close friends. • Profound sadness, grief, and anger are normal reactions to an abnormal

event. • Acknowledging your feelings helps you recover. • Focusing on your strengths and abilities helps you heal. • Accepting help from community programs and resources is healthy. • Everyone has different needs and different ways of coping. • It is common to want to strike back at people who have caused great pain.

Children and older adults are of special concern in the aftermath of disasters.Even individuals who experience a disaster “second hand” through exposure toextensive media coverage can be affected.

RECOGNIZE SIGNS OF DISASTER RELATED STRESSWhen adults have the following signs, they might need crisis counseling or

stress management assistance:• Difficulty communicating thoughts. • Difficulty sleeping. • Difficulty maintaining balance in their lives. • Low threshold of frustration. • Increased use of drugs/alcohol.

• Limited attention span. • Poor work performance. • Headaches/stomach problems. • Tunnel vision/muffled hearing. • Colds or flu-like symptoms. • Disorientation or confusion. • Difficulty concentrating. • Reluctance to leave home. • Depression, sadness. • Feelings of hopelessness. • Mood-swings and easy bouts of crying. • Overwhelming guilt and self-doubt. • Fear of crowds, strangers, or being alone.

EASING DISASTER-RELATED STRESSThe following are ways to ease disaster-related stress:• Talk with someone about your feelings - anger, sorrow, and other emotions -

even though it may be difficult. • Seek help from professional counselors who deal with post-disaster stress. • Do not hold yourself responsible for the disastrous event or be frustrated

because you feel you cannot help directly in the rescue work. • Take steps to promote your own physical and emotional healing by healthy

eating, rest, exercise, relaxation, and meditation. • Maintain a normal family and daily routine, limiting demanding responsibil-

ities on yourself and your family. • Spend time with family and friends. • Participate in memorials. • Use existing support groups of family, friends, and religious institutions. • Ensure you are ready for future events by restocking your disaster supplies

kits and updating your family disaster plan. Doing these positive actions can becomforting.

Healthcare

Recognizing and Treating Disaster Related Stress

T

NOVEMBER 3, 2005

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ooler weather is finally here, but Dr. Alan Hinton says you shouldn't let winter tem-peratures be an excuse not to exercise. Dr. Hinton, an orthopaedic specialist withCenter for Orthopaedics says, "Although research has shown that athletes are morelikely to suffer muscle and joint trauma when exercising in cold weather, there is noreason you can’t safely maintain a workout schedule in the winter.”

Dr. Hinton says the injuries that occur moreoften in cooler weather are usually strains that result from themuscles and tendons being cold; or muscle, joint or ligamentinjuries that result from slipping on wet or sometimes evenicy surfaces. “That is why it is important to make somechanges to your exercise routine to ensure your well-beingand safety during the colder seasons,” he explains. “Outdooractivities like running and walking, for example, are excel-lent ways to stay fit year-round.”

Dr. Hinton offers the following tips to help you maintainyour fitness level and achieve maximum enjoyment of yourwinter workouts:

• Layer your clothing: During cold weather, you'll need less heavy clothing as long as you aremoving briskly. Wear several light layers, and wear a jacket or windbreaker to keep you warmduring the early part of your run or walk, then take it off and tie it around your waist after you arewarmed up.

• Don't forget your hat and gloves. A great deal of vital body heat is lost through the top ofyour head, like a chimney, and through your hands.

• Always warm up and begin your workout slowly before you begin your run or walk in thecold. Take extra time for stretching before workouts.

• Don't attempt short, fast speed workouts, especially fast intervals, when it is extremely cold.The cold weather will cause your muscles, ligaments, and tendons to remain very tight and youwon't be able to loosen up adequately, resulting in a lack of efficiency in your motion and possi-ble injury.

• Cool down in cool weather. The cool down period is extra important when exercising in thecold. Be sure to include a good stretch after your workout. If youare running, keep jogging to prevent tightening up, and then headfor a warm place. Remove all wet clothing and replace with drythings if you are not going home immediately. As soon as possi-ble, take a warm bath or shower, but not until your body has ful-ly recovered from the workout and your heart rate is back to itsnormal level.

• Beware of wind chill: The actual air temperature is often notthe problem in cold-weather running and walking - the wind-chill factor matters more. Start your workout into the wind andfinish with it behind you to minimize wind chill.

• Always choose the proper footwear for your outdoor activ-ity. Proper tread is important to prevent slipping on wet or icy ground surfaces.

• Stay safe in the dark: Consider running with a partner and always wear bright, reflective gear. • Take advantage of indoor exercise opportunities and equipment like an indoor track, station-

ary bike, treadmill, or the pool when the weather is severe.“And as always, listen to you body and use common sense when exercising in cooler weath-

er, “adds Dr. Hinton. “Suffering an injury because you failed to exercise caution will more thanlikely put you on the workout sidelines for a longer period of time than our brief SouthwestLouisiana winter season.”

Healthcare

CBe Prepared for Cold Weather Workouts

The cool down period is

extra important when

exercising in the cold.


xplosive emotions such as anger and hostility are bad for the heart. Newresearch shows that even subdued, sad feelings are just as damaging. Peoplewho get lonely and depressed are more likely to die prematurely. “Women,who are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression, should take the infor-mation to heart,” said Tansel Turgut, MD, cardiologist with Heart & VascularCenter.

“Emotions affect the heart. There is a physiological link that we’re still trying to under-stand, but evidence shows that people who have negative emotions, such as anger, depres-sion, and bitterness, tend to have more heart disease than people who have a positive out-look and strong socialconnections,” Turgutsaid.

The link betweendepression and heartdisease has spawnedseveral studies in recentmonths. One such studystates that depressionraises the chance of hav-ing a heart attack two orthree times above nor-mal, which is on parwith smoking or havinghigh blood pressure.

The way a woman’sheart rate changes inresponse to fluctuationsin the body’s hormonelevels could indicate atendency for depressionand possibly heart dis-ease. A lower responseis linked to symptoms ofdepression in a largepopulation of otherwisehealthy postmenopausalwomen, according to arecent study from theWomen’s Health Initia-tive.

“We’re finding thatdepression is related toabnormalities in theautonomic nervous sys-tem, which regulatesheart rate. This influence may put people who have no obvious disease more at risk fordeveloping disease in the future,” Turgut said.

The outcome of the study supports the notion that increased hormone levels not onlyaffect mood but also can lead to heart disease by promoting higher blood pressure, heartrhythm problems and blood platelet stickiness, which in turn can cause blood clots to lodgein arteries and trigger a heart attack.

Physicians often look for depression after a heart attack in their patients during follow-

Healthcare

E

Depression May Increase a Woman’s Risk

for Heart Disease

up appointments, as it is a very common emotion after major surgery. But, upon closerlook, they are finding the depression symptoms actually predate the heart attack, and mayhave been a factor causing the episode.

“Depression after a heart attack usually dissipates within a matter of weeks,” explainedTurgut. “If the symptoms persist, then we’re dealing with depression that is independent ofheart disease. These emotions should be given attention because of the potential effectdepression has on the cardiovascular system and the patient’s overall health.”

Women are often the caregivers of the family, whether it’s looking after an elderly rela-tive, or taking care of the children. It’s common for women to put themselves last on thelist and not take time to exercise, eat a healthy diet or socialize. “These stressed-out, time-crunched women are likely to have more fragile hearts than a woman who lives a healthy,balanced life and is in good mental and physical health,” explained Turgut.

Sudden emotional stress, such as being in an accident, or hearing devastating news, canresult in severe weakness of the heart muscle, making it seem as though the person was hav-ing a heart attack. This “broken heart syndrome” is more common in women and is anexample of how emotions affect the heart.

“The heart is a muscle, and when it is not exercised, it deteriorates,” Turgut said. “Exercise goes a long way in helping both women and men fight depression and heart

disease.”Depressed adults tend to weigh more and obesity triggers the release of inflammatory

molecules that can block arteries. The hearts of depressed people have been shown to beatat a less variable rate than hearts of adults who aren’t depressed. Lack of exercise may bethe key reason for the difference. Such a lack of variation can promote fatal heart arrhyth-mias.

Dr. Turgut says regular exercise can do wonders for relieving depression, and conse-quently, lowering the risk for heart disease. “Taking a walk lifts the mood, elevates theheart rate and strengthens the body. Partnering with a friend or family member on a walkis even better, as it also provides social stimulation,” he said. “Isolation breeds depression.It is helpful for people to participate with others in activities of interest.”

A sense of connection, whether it’s with family, friends, as a volunteer in the communi-ty or through an occupation, is important in fulfilling the basic human desire of being need-ed. Generating positive emotions can help protect one’s heart health and emotional well-being. For more information on how heart disease affects women, call Heart & VascularCenter at 474-5092 or 800-732-5196.

NOVEMBER 3, 2005

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ven a little bit of high bloodpressure increases your risk ofheart attack and cardiovasculardisease, a new study confirms.

People with blood pressureslightly above the recommend-

ed level but not high enough to be classifiedas having hypertension, the medical namefor high blood pressure, are three times morelikely to have a heart attack compared tothose with normal blood pressure. The newresearch report was published in a recentissue of the medical journal “Stroke”.

Cardiologist William R. Condos, MD,FACC, with Heart & Vascular Centerexplains that these people have "prehyper-tension," a category created about a year agoby the Joint National Committee on Preven-tion, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment ofHigh Blood Pressure. “There is an interme-diate zone, where you are not hypertensivebut your blood pressure is not normal either.We need people to understand that being inthis intermediate area of prehypertensionsignificantly increases the risk of heartattack. It’s not something that should beignored.”

Normal blood pressure is defined as areading lower than 120/80 millimeters ofmercury.

Hypertension is defined as a readinghigher than 140/90. The higher number, sys-tolic blood pressure, is regarded as moreimportant. The prehypertension category isapplied to blood pressure falling between120/80 and 139/89.

According to the American Heart Associ-ation, approximately 59 million people inthe United States are prehypertensive. High

blood pressure is most common amongpeople over age 35, and is particularlyprevalent among blacks, middle-aged andelderly people, the obese, heavy drinkers,and women taking birth control pills. Peo-ple with diabetes, gout or kidney diseasealso are more likely to develop high bloodpressure.

In the new study, researchers examinedthe records of participants taking part in alarge health survey called the FraminghamStudy. They studied more than 5000 partic-ipants who fell into the prehypertension cat-egory for a follow-up period of 10 years.Volunteers in the study who were in the pre-hypertension range were not only threetimes more likely to have a heart attack, butalso 1.7 times more likely to have heart dis-ease than a person with normal blood pres-sure.

“People with prehypertension shouldwork to lower their blood pressure withlifestyle changes, “ advised Dr. Condos. Herecommends:

• Losing weight if you are overweight • Exercising regularly • Adopting the DASH (dietary approach-

es to stop hypertension) eating plan thatemphasizes a low-fat and low-salt diet richin fruits and vegetables

• Limiting alcohol consumption • Not smokingResearchers estimate that potentially 47

percent of all heart attacks could be prevent-ed if prehypertension could be eliminated.For more information about prehypertensionor blood pressure management, call Heart& Vascular Center in Lake Charles, DeRid-der or Jennings, or 1-800-732-5196.

E

arrying around extra weight putsstress on joints, but even a smallweight loss makes a big differentin the amount strain.

A recent study shows that forevery pound of body weight lost,

there is a four-pound reduction in knee jointstress among overweight and obese peoplewith osteoarthritis of the knee. The study’sresults were printed in a recent issue of Arthri-tis and Rheumatism.

“This finding is significant as it gives moreincentive for overweight people withosteoarthritis to follow a weight-loss plan,”said Geoffrey Collins, MD, orthopaedic sur-geon with Center for Orthopaedics. “Sinceeven a small weight loss will lighten the loadon the joints, this finding may help those whosuffer with knee pain due to osteoarthritisstick to a healthy lifestyle.” He added thatobesity is a major risk factor for osteoarthritisof the knee.

Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease,

CKnee Pain Decreases with Small Weight Loss

affects more than 15 million Americans,according to the Arthritis Foundation. Theonset is usually gradual and often localized inone or a few joints; they most commonlyinclude the knees, hips, fingers and spine.

“Accumulated over the thousands of stepstaken each day, a reduction in the stress onknees adds up significantly,” said Collins.“It’s not clear if the weight loss will slow theprogression of osteoarthritis of the knee, butthe indications are good that it will lessen thestress on the joint, and will likely decrease theassociated pain.”

Because knees are primary weight-bearingjoints, they are very commonly affected byosteoarthritis. They may be stiff, swollen, andpainful, making it hard to walk, climb, and getin and out of chairs and bathtubs. Work-relat-ed repetitive injury and physical trauma mayalso contribute to the development ofosteoarthritis. For more information onosteoarthritis, call Center for Orthopaedics at494-4900.

Prehypertension Triples Heart Attack Risk


What is the difference between a screen-ing and a diagnostic mammogram? Ididn't know there were different types.

A screening mammogram is an x-ray ofthe breast used to detect breast changes inwomen who have no signs or symptoms ofbreast cancer. It usually involves two x-rays ofeach breast. With a mammogram, it is possi-ble to detect microcalcifications, which aretiny deposits of calcium in the breast that aresometimes a clue to the presence of breastcancer, or a tumor that cannot be felt. A diagnostic mammogram is an x-rayof the breast that is used to diagnose unusual breast changes, such as a lump,pain, thickening, nipple discharge, or a change in breast size or shape. A diag-nostic mammogram is also used to evaluate changes detected on a screeningmammogram. This type of mammogram may be necessary if it is difficult toobtain a clear x-ray with a screening mammogram because of special circum-stances, such as the presence of breast implants. A diagnostic mammogramtakes longer than a screening mammogram because it involves more x-rays toobtain views of the breast from several angles. The technician may magnify asuspicious area to produce a detailed picture that can help the doctor make anaccurate diagnosis.

Barbara Tomek, MD, Radiologist with Lake Charles Medical and SurgicalClinic

Can eating certain foods such as chocolate trigger an asthma attack?Sensitivities to certain foods have been reported to trigger asthma symp-

toms or increase the frequency or seriousness of asthma symptoms. In partic-ular, chocolate, milk, eggs, nuts and shellfish are the most common types offoods associated with asthma symptoms, but there are others as well. Youdon't have to test positive for a food allergy to have asthma symptoms trig-gered by that food. If you notice that asthma symptoms worsen with certaintypes of foods, your best bet is to avoid those foods altogether.

Manley Jordan, MD, Pulmonologist with the Asthma Care Center

Every month I begin to crave red meat and salt before my menstrualcycle begins. Is this normal?

PMS or premenstrual syndrome is caused mostly by an imbalance of miner-als in your body. Just like when a woman is pregnant, her body must gothrough a chemical transformation every month before and during her menstru-al cycle. Your body needs more iron and more calcium before and during men-struation. Many women are already deficient in both calcium and iron, so dur-ing PMS women often crave protein and calcium. Women should enjoy lots oflow fat proteins like whole grains and legumes, but avoid excessive amounts ofsalt and sugar -- even if your body seems to keep begging for salt and sugar.You should also steer clear of caffeine and saturated fats. Get lots of water,caffeine-free herbal teas, and vegetable and fruit juices. And, it doesn’t hurt totake a daily vitamin supplement to make sure you’re rounding out your intakeof necessary vitamins and minerals. If you haven’t already, stop smoking andavoid secondary smoke. Nicotine inhibits good hormone production. And maketime for plenty of fresh air and exercise, even if that means just one brisk out-door walk each day.

Scott Bergstedt, MD, ob/gyn with OBG-1

WHAT’S

UPWHAT’S

UP DOC?

inge sleeping may not be as badas binge drinking or binge eat-ing, but the behavior is consid-ered harmful for a healthylifestyle.

The pattern of staying awakelate into the night to get more things accom-plished and then “crashing” on the weekend inan effort to catch up on sleep missed is knownas binge sleeping. It occurs in a wide range ofages, but is most common among teens andworking adults who are juggling many differ-ent activities and don’t have enough time dur-ing the day to get it all done.

“Complicating matters is that after beingawake fourteen or sixteen hours, people oftenget a ‘second wind’ so they may not get tireduntil the early morning hours,” said BoyaceHarlan, Ph.D., Registered Polysomnographerwith the Better Sleep Center. “Their naturalrhythm of sleep and being awake is out ofsync.”

Catching up on sleep isn’t as easy as catch-ing up on paperwork, for instance. The paper-work remains in a constant state, on yourdesk, ready for you whenever you sit down tofinish it. Sleep and your body, unfortunately,aren’t that static.

“You can’t catch up on sleep. Whateveryou don’t get during the night is just lost,” saidHarlan. “Your body will continue to functionnormally even when it loses a little sleep, butwhen you begin making drastic withdrawalsin your body’s sleep account, you will end upwith a huge sleep debt. You’ll notice a lack of

concentration, a feeling of sluggishness, achange in moods and not being as alert as youshould be,” he explained.

This sleep debt is costing high amounts inpoor productivity. Teenagers, who routinelyget only five or six hours of sleep each night,should actually be getting between eight andnine hours of sleep. “There are high schoolstudents who are getting low grades, whodon’t get involved in school activities, and aremaking mistakes at their part-time jobs, allbecause they aren’t getting enough sleep,”Harlan said. “Adults are taking on more andmore projects at work due to the corporateenvironment of downsizing. They are jugglingmore projects with fewer resources; they aresqueezing in family activities and trying toplease everyone. In order to do all of thesethings, they are taking time away from sleep.”

Because alertness is diminished with lackof sleep, the quality of work produced is not ashigh as it normally would be. “It comes downto a decision. At some point, a person has todecide to stop sacrificing sleep. When thatoccurs, the body’s natural rhythm will hope-fully return, and after getting regular sleep,they will be more alert and able to provide ahigher quality of work,” Harlan said.

Sleeping in on the weekend is a luxurymany teens and working adults enjoy. Anextra couple of hours doesn’t cause any harm,according to Harlan, but sleeping until noonwhen the normal wake-up time is 6 a.m. justconfuses one’s body.

“The bottom line is that you can’t make up

B

‘Binge Sleeping’ CommonAmong Teens and Working Adults

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ontrary to the popular belief thattesticular cancer always leads toinfertility, researchers report thatmost testicular cancer patientswho try to father children aftercompleting their treatment are

successful. They found that men who havesurgery to remove the tumor have the leastproblems, but even patients who have radio-therapy and chemotherapy are able to havechildren.

“The vast majority of men, after testicularcancer treatment, can go on and have a familyas normal,” says James Jancuska, MD, Urolo-gist with the Urology Center of SouthwestLouisiana. However, he adds that a certainpercentage of patients, regardless of whattreatment they have for their cancer, will havedifficulty having children.

Cases of the testicular cancer, whichaffects mostly men in their late 20s and early30s, have risen rapidly in recent decades. Insome countries it is the most common canceramong young men. About 50,000 new casesare reported worldwide each year.

In the new study, approximately 700patients who had been treated for the diseasebetween 1982-1992 were asked to complete aquestionnaire about their health and fertility.Of the 200 patients who said they were tryingto have a child, 77 percent were successful. Anadditional 10 percent fathered childrenthrough fertility treatment. Men who had sur-gery and no follow-up treatment had an 85percent success rate, followed by 82 percentfor patients following radiotherapy and 71percent after chemotherapy. For patients whohad both chemotherapy and radiotherapy thefertility rate dropped to 67 percent.

These results represent good news for menwith the disease who plan on having children,but despite the promising statistics, Dr. Jan-cuska says men with testicular cancer whowant children are still advised to bank their

sperm before having treatment. “We wouldalways advise men to bank their sperm beforechemotherapy just as a safeguard, even thoughwe would expect most of them to recover theirfertility.”

Testicular cancer begins in one or both ofthe testicles. A hard, painless lump is the mostcommon sign, but other indications include apain or dull ache in the scrotum, a feeling ofheaviness or having a swollen scrotum. If thedisease is diagnosed and treated early, survivalrates from testicular cancer are very good.Seven-time Tour de France winner LanceArmstrong suffered from the illness beforegoing on to father three children and becomerecognized as one of the greatest athletes inthe world.

Testicular cancer is common is some fam-ilies so researchers know there is a geneticcomponent to the illness which accounts forabout 20 percent of cases. Doctors also sus-pect that environmental factors and exposureto higher levels of the female hormone estro-gen in the womb are contributing factors to theincrease in the disease. Early symptoms of theillness include a lump or sore on the testicles,pain or soreness, a persistent cough, blood inthe urine and stomach or bowel problems. Aswith most cancers, an early diagnosis greatlyimproves the outcome. A monthly self-examis a good way to notice any changes. The besttime to do the exam is during or right after ashower or bath. Any lumps should be report-ed to your physician.

Dr. Jancuska explains that the survivalrates for testicular cancer have greatlyimproved. “Fifty years ago, the survival ratewas 63 percent, now it is over 90 percent.Because of better education, improved tech-nology and increased public awareness, we’reseeing a decline in the mortality rate.”

For more information, call the UrologyCenter of Southwest Louisiana at 433-5282 inLake Charles, or 527-0022 in Sulphur.

C

Most Testicular Cancer PatientsDo Not have Fertility Problems

lost sleep. The sleep you get in a night is partof the energy reserve you have for the nextday. You can’t bank extra sleep hours prior toa busy day, and you can’t try to make up forlack of sleep by sleeping in on the weekend,”Harlan said. “Being consistent with theamount of sleep you get, and trying to getabout eight hours of sleep for an adults, ninehours for a teen, will help.”

Harlan recommends the following to getyour body ready for sleep:

• Maintain a bedtime. Except for occasion-al activities, try to go to bed at the same timeeach night. Your body will develop a rhythmto this and begin to prepare for sleep as youget close to your bedtime.

• Keep cool. Sleeping in a cool environ-ment will help you stay asleep. Having thetemperature too warm will make it difficult tofall asleep. Whenever possible, set the temper-

ature of your bedroom to a cool, but comfort-able setting.

• Turn down the lights before bedtime. Tryto avoid bright, overhead lighting late in theevening. Instead, try to keep the lights low. Itsends a signal to your body to begin slowingdown.

Understanding the process of sleep willhelp busy people put the proper importance onit. Parceling out sleep in varying amounts overtime doesn’t work. Setting aside adequate,regular time for sleep each night is part of ahealthy lifestyle. Routine “sleep bingers” willfind that behavior unnecessary as they beginto develop a consistent sleep schedule.

For more information on sleep difficulties,call the Better Sleep Center in Lake Charles at494-2393 and in DeRidder at 462-6617. Freeconsultations are available.


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ith the abundance of effective medications, Americans are often spoiled to the ben-efits of taking a pill to control a disease, and not making lifestyle changes that con-tributed to the disease in the first place.

To combat this mindset, in some cases physicians are prescribing healthylifestyle changes to control blood pressure before filling pill bottles.

Jason Robinson, MD, internal medicine physician with Southwest LouisianaCenter for Health Services says exercise can erase high blood pressure in many people, withoutmedication. “For some people with an elevated blood pressure, who have no other disease riskfactors, a plan of regular exercise and other lifestyle strategies should be discussed with theirphysician before turning to medications,” he said.

“Losing weight and getting regular exercise works to reduce blood pressure,” he said. “One ofthe best ways to control high blood pressure is to become more active. Adding moderate physi-cal activity, such as walking, to your daily routine will help.”

High blood pressure is often related to today’s fast-paced lifestyle of stress, poor diet, inactiv-ity, smoking and other unhealthy habits.

Nearly one in three American adults has high blood pressure, and 30 percent don’t know theyhave it. Because there are no symptoms,it can go undetected for years, causingstress on the cardiovascular system andputting people at risk for heart disease.

Risk factors for high blood pressureinclude:

• high intake of sodium in the diet• being overweight• increased age• lack of exercise• being African American• drinking too much alcohol• family history“Some of these risk factors are hered-

itary, but others are lifestyle habits thatcan be modified to lower the risk,” saidDr. Robinson.

Regular exercise is among the mostpowerful of the recommended lifestylestrategies that include eating more fruitsand vegetables, reducing sodium intakeand losing weight. “It can lower hyper-tension in people who have the conditionand prevent the development of hyper-tension in people who don’t,” he said.

Walking regularly improves thestrength of the heart. A stronger heartcan pump more blood more efficiently.“The less your heart has to work, the lessforce that’s exerted on your arteries,”explained Dr. Robinson.

According to the Mayo Clinic, beingmore active can lower blood pressure byas much as 4 to 9 points. That could put someone who previously had high blood pressure intothe category of normal. And, there’s no medication side effects with which to contend.

Think you’re too out-of-shape to get into shape? Don’t worry, keep moving; according tohealth experts. “Walking is a great form of exercise. Take a brisk walk for as long as you can inthe beginning; then, increase gradually until you are up to about 30 to 45 minutes every day,” Dr.Robinson advised. “As long as you can carry on a conversation while you’re exercising, you’re ata good level.”

For patients who are currently on blood pressure medications, or know they have severe hyper-tension, or are being treated for other serious health concerns, Dr. Robinson said they shouldcheck with their doctor prior to beginning an exercise program.

In as little as three to four weeks of regular exercise, people may begin to see a drop in theirblood pressure; not to mention losing weight and feeling more energetic. These benefits worktogether to reduce blood pressure. By losing weight, decreasing stress and exercising the heart,the whole body benefits and many health concerns are eased, such as improving cholesterol andglucose levels.

For more information on exercise and high blood pressure, call the Southwest Louisiana Cen-ter for Health Services at 439-9983.

W

Walk Away from HighBlood Pressure

NOVEMBER 3, 2005


y now most residents of SW Louisiana are starting to understand why they call ahurricane a catastrophe, not only from the viewpoint of the physical damage, butalso from the financial ramifications! You may still be waiting on your insuranceadjuster (if you are fortunate to have your damages covered by an insurance com-pany), or possibly assistance from FEMA, but you may see these storms take a realhit to your personal balance sheet! What resources do you have to mitigate thedestruction to your bottom line?

The first place to start is obviously your insurance coverage. If you have a copyof your renters/homeowners/flood insurance policy, pull it out and read it. If you don’t under-stand some of the terms, ask your insurance professional. If your insurance professional justwants to give you an 800 phone number to some call center to answer those questions, maybe it’stime to find another insurance company and/or representative once you have completed the claimprocess! Make a complete inventory of possessions that were lost or damaged, along with an esti-mated cost and date of purchase. Even if your insurance company doesn’t cover the lost of thosepossessions, you might possibly need that information for FEMA assistance or taking a casualty

b

Picking Up The(Financial) Pieces After Rita/Katrina

By Terry Backhaus CFP — Backhaus Financial Group

F I N A N C E

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loss on your 2005 tax return (more on this later in this article). Also, as most people know, takepictures (still or video) of all your damaged property. Keep notes with all your conversations withrepresentatives of the insurance companies. This should include date, time, who you spoke with,and a brief summary of what was discussed relative to your claim. While getting your home orbusiness restored is very important to you, try to keep in mind the thousands of claims these com-panies are trying to process.

What should you do if there is a substantial disagreement between what you and the insurancecompany say is a fair settlement? First of all, ask yourself, is your number reasonable? Also, ifyou think that flood damage was automatically covered under your homeowner’s policy youprobably should move to Arizona! Before you contact one of the may law firms that are tryingto profit from your situation, consider trying to resolve it with the insurance company first. Makesure that your claim for loss is based upon repair/replacement bids from competent local con-tractors and businesses, and that you understand the policy that you have. If there is still a sub-stantial difference, contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance for assistance (1-800-259-5300 or www.ldi.state.la.us). Only after you’re exhausted these options would I advise contact-ing an attorney for assistance. Remember, there are time limitations on litigation, so time is ofthe essence.

You also check to see what assistance is available from your employer. Certain employers areoffering grants or low interest loans to those that were substantially impacted by the storms.

Also, when it comes time to file your taxes, you may get some relief because of the KatrinaEmergency Tax Relief Act of 2005. While this act was passed before Rita came ashore, it appearsthat the provisions could possibly be used by those financially affected by Rita, depending uponyour situation. Some of the major items are;

• A distribution from a qualified savings plan (401-k, 403-b, etc.) can be make for up to$100,000 without the 10% tax penalty. You would still be responsible for the income tax associ-ated with this distribution.

• For those that itemize, the 10% of Adjusted Gross Income & $100 thresholds for a casualtyloss deduction has been waived.

• Deadlines for filing of the 2004 returns have been extended to 2/28/2006.• You may be able to borrow up to $100,000 from your retirement plan.These are only a few of the tax law changes that could benefit victims of Katrina/Rita. Of

course, due to the complexities of the IRS tax code and your individual situation, you must con-tact your tax advisor for information specific to your return.

In closing, through a combination of insurance, government assistance, and possible tax reliefthe financial ramifications of these storms may not be as bad as you first thought!


ConocoPhillips thanks the United Way agencies and all the volunteers for their dedication to caring for those in crisis following Hurricane Rita.

As the United Way campaign continues, we are reminded that

"TOGETHER WE DO WHAT MATTERS."

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Proud Supporter of the United Way of Southwest Louisiana

hether your home has been damaged or youhave a business that was interrupted, manyvictims of Hurricane Rita feel drained by theirloss and have no idea how to document or filean insurance claim. Often your first instinct isto rely on “insurance adjusters” to do thatservice for you. But, if you simply acceptwhat the insurance company wants to pay, you

are likely making a big mistake.“Insurance adjusters” work for the insurance company

and are motivated to make company inspired settlements.These insurance adjusters are well trained to cut cornersand, more and more, look for ways to avoid paying claims.Do not assume that the insurance adjuster will take care ofeverything and treat you fairly.

Here are ten (10) tips on how to deal with insuranceadjusters

1. Be prepared. Most insurance adjusters are paid a flat

w

Ten Tips On How To Deal With Insurance Adjusters

rate for each house or business that the adjuster inspects. A“re-inspection” of your home or business will not put anymore money in the insurance adjusters pocket and your bestchance to get the quickest result is the first time the insur-ance adjuster shows up. So, be ready. Have all of the evi-dence of your loss available, including itemized lists,appraisals, videos, still photos, receipts -- whatever you canmarshal to prove your losses.

2. Put it in writing. Some insurance adjusters will tellyou anything to get you off of their backs so they can go onto the next house on their list. Send a letter to the insuranceadjuster recapping your conversation and end the letter bysaying, “unless I hear from you or my insurance company tothe contrary, I will assume my understanding of our conver-sation is correct.”

3. Follow up and be persistent. If the insurance adjustersaid he or she would get back with you with an estimatewithin 2 days, recap that conversation in a letter, and followup in writing on the 3rd day. Do not wait weeks before you

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follow up with the insurance adjuster. If you repeatedly get no response from the insuranceadjuster, write to the insurance adjuster’s supervisor and complain. Then carbon copy thesupervisor on all future correspondences to the insurance adjuster. Remember, most insur-ance adjusters simply want you to take what they give you and go away.

4. Never sign a release. A release is never necessary for you to collect payment underyour homeowners insurance unless there are legal issues involved. If you are presentedwith a release, refuse to sign and consult with an attorney experienced in bad faith insur-ance practices.

5. Be wary of anything you sign. Less than scrupulous insurance companies may try toslip in language on a small settlement that states that the payment is for a full satisfactionof the company's liability. Most major insurance companies will not require that you signanything other than endorsing the check. But, even before you do that, make sure that thereis no language on the back of the check that prevents you from making any further claims.

6. Don’t be afraid to complain. If you are not happy with the way your insurance com-pany is treating you, file a written complaint with the Office of the Louisiana Commissionerof Insurance. Make sure you include all your complaints, even if you need to attach sever-al pages to the form. Your insurance company has to answer every allegation in writing andyou are entitled to receive a copy of their responses.

7. Don't give up. Even if you have already received a check from the insurance compa-ny, you should not assume that it is the final settlement offer. If the payment is not enoughto repair or replace your damaged property or if you forgot to include an item that was dam-aged, your claim can be reopened.

8. Recognize delay tactics. Your insurance company knows that it controls the cash thatyou need to start your home repairs and put your life back in order. Some insurance com-panies will delay paying your claim in full hoping that you will accept a smaller amount as"payment in full” or simply go away. Our experience is that these tactics follow patterns,so look for the following:

• Inexperienced or poorly trained adjusters• Multiple adjusters• No management involvement• No return phone calls• Not enough time spent to evaluate your damages• Estimates insufficient to pay for your repairs• Unwillingness to discuss the possibility that the adjuster could be wrong• Unwillingness to provide copies of photos, estimates, diagrams or expert reports to

insured• Wrongful denial of claim9. Know when to ask for help. If the insurance adjuster ignores you or if your insurance

company does not settle your claim to your satisfaction, it is time to consult an experiencedattorney.

10. Chose wisely. When considering legal help, most homeowners are torn between adeep disappointment in their insurance company and a fear of becoming tangled up in pro-tracted litigation. But, just because you retain a lawyer does not mean that you have to filea lawsuit. The vast majority of homeowners’ claims can be resolved short of filing suit ifthe lawyer you chose has experience with property damage claims and bad faith insurancepractices.

J. Craig Jones is a native of Southwest Louisiana and a founding member of the Jones& Hill law firm. Mr. Jones has over 20 years experience in civil litigation with an empha-sis on insurance bad faith practices and has won large judgments and obtained multi-mil-lion dollar settlements against large insurance companies. He has also brought numerousclass action lawsuits on behalf of insurance consumers. Mr. Jones can be reached at Jones& Hill, LLC, 888-481-1333, or [email protected].

he U.S. Small Business Administration urges those applying for disasterassistance in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to be on the alertto scam artists posing as federal officials offering help, while trying to takeadvantage of those facing the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives.

“The SBA will not tolerate the defrauding of those who have already lostso much in the aftermath of these devastating storms,” said SBA Administra-tor Hector V. Barreto. “Those who are found taking advantage of the disad-vantaged will be prosecuted to the fullest extent that the law provides.”

The federal government has set up a “Hurricane Relief Fraud Hotline.” Residents andbusiness owners who have knowledge of fraud can call 1-866-720-5721, send a fax to 1-703-604-8567, or email the hot line at [email protected]. Those without internetaccess can write to: Hurricane Relief Hotline, Washington, D.C. 20301-1900.

Disaster survivors have reported receiving calls from individuals claiming to representSBA, asking for upfront payments of as much as $3,000 to be considered for a disaster loan.Others are also using newspaper ads promoting help with disaster loan applications for “asmall processing fee” of up to $250. In Mississippi, residents and business owners havereported seeing roadside signs advertising help with disaster loan applications for a fee.

The SBA does not charge fees for the processing of disaster loans. Individuals and busi-ness owners in the region affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita should continue tobeware of possible scams and misrepresentations by those claiming to be SBA officials.

For free help with the disaster loan application, visit one of Disaster Recovery Centersor SBA’s Business Assistance Centers located in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Floridaand Texas, or the Small Business Development Centers. Disaster loan applicants may alsocall SBA’s customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 for questions about the loan applica-tions process. Operators are taking calls 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, daily.Questions can also be e-mailed to [email protected].

Homeowners, renters and businesses in the areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina andRita are encouraged to apply for federal assistance by registering online with FEMA atwww.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for thehearing and speech impaired. The toll-free numbers will operate 24 hours daily until fur-ther notice. For more information about SBA’s disaster loan program, visit the Web site atwww.sba.gov/disaster .

t

Hurricane SurvivorsUrged To Be Aware Of

Fraud Attempts

F I N A N C E

month after Hurricane Rita, children still need extra support. Somechildren may exhibit troubling behaviors in response to a disastermany weeks after the event. Since schools are back in session, it iswise to watch for signs of upset such as refusing to go to school,behavior problems at school, poor performance, fighting, dis-tractibility, and loss of interest and ability to concentrate. Issues

with peer groups may come up such as withdrawal from playgroups andfriends, withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities, and aggressive behav-ior towards friends and siblings.

Most often problems are transient and soon disappear. Reactions are gen-

ARita Stress May Show Up at School

erally considered “normal” if they occur for a short period following a disaster.When the behaviors persist, however, parents will want to recognize that a moreserious emotional concern may be developing and professional help can thenbe sought. Call Family and Youth Counseling Agency at 337-436-9533 andmake an appointment to help your child rebuild his or her emotional health.

Family and Youth Counseling Agency, a United Way Agency, believes thatall individuals possess the ability to solve their own challenges and live full andhealthy lives when support is available. For experienced professional assis-tance, contact Family & Youth Counseling Agency at 337-436-9533 or 1-888-414-FYCA.


pickspickst i m e s

the best in lake area entertainment

Jay Leno to Perform at L’Auberge du Lac — Saturday, November 5th.One of late-night’s most popular comedians, Jay Leno, is bringing his stand-up act to L’Auberge du Lac Hotel

and Casino. Leno will perform for one night only in the L’Auberge Event Center on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 9 p.m..Leno’s zest for comedy helped him earn two Emmy Awards in 1995 and 1996, and a star on Hollywood’s Walk ofFame. Even after his 12-year milestone as the host of “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” he remains passionateabout performing in front of live audiences. Leno’s “everyman” style and personality have helped earn him millionsof fans worldwide. Tickets for Jay Leno are priced at $125 and $75. L’Club cardholders will receive a $5 discounton all ticket sales. To purchase tickets, visit the L’Auberge Business Center between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7p.m. or call (337) 395-7569.

Avenue of Flags — November 11th.Arts Fest — November 12th at Central School.“Cabaret” at ACTS — November 11 & 12th, Also performances November 18-20th, 26-27th; 7:30 p.m.

and 3 p.m. on Sundays. At ACTS Theatre on Reid Street.“The Butterfly, Legends of Middle Kingdom” MSU Theatre — November 9 -11. Moss Bluff Harvest Fest — November 17-19th.

‘Mom and Me’ Scouting Weekend Rescheduled — November 12th. The Calcasieu Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America's ‘Mom and Me’ weekend has been rescheduled for

November 12. The camp is for registered cubs and participating parents. Local scouting officials say that allscouts and families who were pre-registered for the previously scheduled Mom and Me Weekend or the Cub ScoutHaunted Weekend will automatically be registered for the November 12 Mom and Me Weekend. Deadline for regis-tration is November 7. The fee is $20 per pair and $10 for additional scouts in the same family. Call the CalcasieuArea Council at 436-3376 for more information, or to request a registration form.

Creedence Clearwater Performs at L’Auberge du Lac — Nov. 18-19Rock group Creedence Clearwater Revisited will deliver two powerhouse performances at L’Auberge du Lac

Hotel & Casino Friday, Nov. 18 and Saturday, Nov. 19 at 9 p.m. Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and rhythmic part-ners Doug “Cosmo” Clifford and Stu Cook have been the driving force behind the Creedence name. Starting out

as Creedence Clearwater Revival, Clifford and Cook are the onlytwo band members that remain part of the timeless

group, forming a new chapter in this legacyknown as “Revisited.” Since rebirth,

Revisited has been playing classichits throughout North America,

South America, New Zealand,Europe and Asia. Most recent-ly, the band reissued the livedouble CD, Recollection, fea-turing popular hit singles suchas “Susie Q,” “Down On TheCorner,” “Who’ll Stop The

Rain” and “Bad Moon Rising.”

Jen Kober Hometown Comedy Jam — Thursday, Nov. 24th One Night Only! With featured comedians Meghan Hounshell from

Girls Behaving Badly and Jennifer Bascom from World Cup Comedy.9 p.m. Dagostino's, 1025 Broad St Lake Charles. Tickets are $10online; $ 15 at the door. General seating, so get there early, and grabyourself a hot seat! Buy tickets now by calling (800) 838-3006.

Whistle Stop “Best Friends” Fun Dog Show — December 3. Pedigree is not the point! This is an opportunity to show off the fam-

ily’s Best Friend. 11:00 a.m., Civic Center Grounds. Entry fee is$25.00 for 6 classes. Over 560 Rosettes will be awarded. Categoriesare limited to 20 dogs and include: Best Owner Look-Alike, Most Out-standing Weiner Dog, Couch Potato, Truck Dog, Mardi Gras, Best Res-cued Dog, LSU/McNeese Fan, Most Pampered Pet, and MysteriousHeritage. Again this year, a Special “HERO” Award will be presented.Nominate any dog you know who has performed outstanding acts ofcourage. New Classes for Hurricane Evacuee Dogs Only (Entry fee forHurricane Dog classes is $25.00 PER Class) include; Most Dogs Evac-uated in One Vehicle, Most Dogs Evacuated to Safety, Most HumorousSurvival Story. In each Hurricane Dog class, judges are looking for adog and owner who survived the ordeal and are on the road to recov-ery. Judges will take into consideration the facts and circumstances ofeach entrant’s story. Please submit your story on a separate sheet ofpaper along with your entry form. Early registration is encouraged.Late Registration starts at 9:30 on the day of the show. Contact theWhistle Stop for a brochure and entry form: 562-2344.

NOVEMBER 3, 2005

Celebrating Surviving at GrayFest II

Pumpkins and Tots. A great combination at Graywood.

The community turned out Sunday, October 23rd at GrayFest II to honor the law

enforcement agencies and area leaders who protected our neighborhoods during

and after Rita. The weather was beautiful for the event and a huge crowd attend-

ed. Along with autumn fun and a break from Rita clean-up, GrayFest II kicked

off the "Rita Law Enforcement Benefit Fund."

Children selected the perfect pumpkin at the GrayFest II Pumpkin Patch.

Young artists decorated pumpkins with paint at GrayFest II.

Games and hugs at GrayFest II.

The crowd at GrayFest II enjoys a wagon ride in the sunshine.


Can You Still File Bankruptcy?Can You Still File Bankruptcy?

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The human body is made up of hundreds ofparts and connections working together tokeep you in motion. But just likeanything else, parts of your bodycan become damaged or canwear out, causing pain andlimiting your activities.

At the Center for Orthopaedics,our seven board certified specialistsbring together more than 100 years ofpractice experience. We provide everylevel of care from diagnosis to treatment,attracting patients of all ages from throughoutSouthwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas to ourpractice. Our physicians specialize in findingsolutions for every body, offering expertise in:

Choosing a qualified orthopaedic specialistcould be one of the most importanthealthcare decisions you make,impacting your future mobility andquality of life. So choose wisely,and the next time knee paincramps your style or back painhas you bent out of shape,call the Center forOrthopaedics. After all, body work is our specialty.

• General Orthopaedics• Fracture Care• Sports Medicine• Arthroscopic Surgery• Joint Replacement Surgery• Knee and Shoulder Surgery• Hand, Foot and Ankle Surgery• Children’s Orthopaedics• Occupational Injuries• Back Pain and Spine Surgery

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David Drez, Jr., MD • Dennis Walker, MD • Nathan Cohen, MDJames Perry, MD • M. Alan Hinton, MD • John Noble, Jr., MD • Geoffrey Collins, MD

We’ve Got the MostExperienced Doctors inThese Parts

A Special Thanks To OurCustomers & EmployeesA Special Thanks To OurCustomers & Employees

To Our Customers:

We want to express our concern for you and your family during this time ofrebuilding and want to let you know that we will be here to provide you with thepersonal service you have come to expect from Cameron State Bank. Thank you forbanking with us.

To Our Employees:

Thank you for your dedication and hard work during this devastating blow to ourhome, Southwest Louisiana. Because so many of you reported to work during andwithin days of Rita, we were able to set up provisions on our computer system thatprovided a daily $300.00 off-line limit for all ATM customers, a $1,000 increase tothe credit limit of all credit card customers, and refunded NSF fees. We also hademployees answering the phones in Customer Service, maintaining the generatorsthat allowed us to open our branches without electricity, and technicians thatbrought our automated RediCall and Internet/Billpay services back on-line.

All Cameron State Bank branches and departments in Allen Parish and CalcasieuParish are open regular banking hours, except the following two branches:

Lake StreetDowntown

These two branches will be open as soon as repairscan be made to the facility.

All on-site ATMs in Allen Parish and CalcasieuParish are available for use.

Greg Wicke and Connie Johnson from theCameron Banking Center are now located at theMid-City Banking Center at 2901 Ryan Street.Come by or give them a call today at 312-7100.

P e r s o n a l B a n k i n g A t I t s B e s t !

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