view current edition - The Livingston Business Journal

Transcription

CO
MP
LIM
EN
TA
RY
$125,000
15773 VARNADO RD
Nice 3BR/2BA home on large lot that
backs up to a lake. Great open floor plan
w/walk in laundry room. Ceramic tile
in kitchen, bathrooms and countertops.
Large island btw kitchen & living area.
Fenced backyard.
Contact Robert Perry
[email protected]
$400,000
TBD FLORIDA BLVD
60.23 acres of prime real estate
ideal for a subdivision. Retail
development, or horse farm. Priced
to sell quick. Lot dimensions:
104x3818x1209x2700x1002x1254
[email protected]
$875,000
9819 FLORIDA BLVD
Up to date, Oasis Carwash serving
the Walker community. Great business with computerized equipment! Motivated seller!
[email protected]
ROBERT PERRY
225-803-2855
page 2 • AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 • Livingston Business Journal • livingstonbusiness.com
13464 MEADOWS CROSSING
YOUR REALTOR
YOUR PROPERTY
MANAGER
1110 S. Range Ave., Denham Springs, LA
Search for your home at
www.covingtonrealestate.net
ALBANY
32410 DEER WATER RD
DENHAM SPRINGS
912 DURNIN DR
(225) 667-3711
LAWSON COVINGTON
Broker/Owner
(225) 939-4785
LIVINGSTON
20180 JULIA ST
DENHAM SPRINGS
Lot 4 POWELL LN
This Property is ABSOLUTELY beautiful. The adorable cottage has a wrap around porch with covered
parking . The land was cleared, stumps removed and
completely fenced. It has a full working barn with 5
stalls and an arena for the horses to train.
Amazing remodeled 3 bedroom 2 bath home in Denham Springs
city limits on 2 tree shaded lots with a workshop and boat/RV
storage. Split floor plan with 9 ft. ceilings
beautiful neutral paint, all new oil rubbed Kitchen features
Sandstone countertops and black appliances.
Very nice 3BR/1.5BA with laminate floors, totally renovated and new paint, floors and ceiling
fan. Nice porch, large fenced yard. Storage building to remain. Great location near interstate.
BEAUTIFUL WATERFRONT lot! Extra large!
Great price! Build your dream home on this lake
lot in the highly desired and gated Clearlake
subdivision! Will not last long!
DENHAM SPRINGS
DENHAM SPRINGS
DENHAM SPRINGS
DENHAM SPRINGS
$199,995
Call (225) 667-3711
9803 CLEARLAKE LN
Beautiful 3 bedroom/2 bath home off of Juban Road!
Just seconds away from the new Juban Crossing development. Walk in to this home and it feels brand new!
Formal dining area, open kitchen and living room, and
beautiful backyard that sits on an 8 acre stocked pond.
$184,900
Call (225) 667-3711
$149,900
Call (225) 667-3711
21373 STONE BRIDGE CT
Gorgeous 4 Bedroom, 4-1/2 Bath, with Media/Movie room
Custom home on 2.73 acres in the highly desired Stonebridge
Subdivision. Huge living room with Triple
Crown moulding, double windows, 25’ ceiling, French doors,
and Australian Cypress Floors.This beautiful home also has
built-in house generator and all wiring needed to install a pool.
$679,000
Call (225) 667-3711
DENHAM SPRINGS
WALKER
30557 CYPRESS GLEN AVE
33877 NATURE’S WAY
Beautiful Cypress Park Estates welcomes you to this
custom built home designed by Andy McDonald. This
French design offers 4 bedrooms, office and formal dining
room along open kitchen and living room space. Wood
floors add character to this inviting space.
$350,000
Call (225) 667-3711
Home is in neutral colors. Open, split floor plan.
Walk-in pantry. Crown moulding. Large fenced yard.
Subdivision has community area for walking/jogging,
basketball courts and fishing.
$187,900
Call (225) 667-3711
$86,900
Call (225) 667-3711
909 MONTGOMERY AVE
Peaceful serenity right outside your door. Enjoy
the courtyard in front, patio in back and large
fenced yard. This home offers large bar with
granite countertop. Lots of
cabinets, high ceilings, crown molding and more.
$189,900
Call (225) 667-3711
WALKER
31070 AUTUMN LAKE DR
Brand new quality constructed 3BR/2BA home! Great
floor plan! Estimated completion date is 10/15/2015.
$2000 fence allowance for backyard.
$172,900
Call (225) 667-3711
$65,000
Call (225) 667-3711
11573 MARY LEE DR
Lovely split floor plan with wood floors in living room, entry and hall.
Neutral colors throughout this well maintained home. Wood cabinets
in the kitchen with snack bar,ceramic tile, and black appliances.
Master bath with dual closets and a large dual sink vanity. NO FLOOD
INSURANCE REQUIRED! Must see!
$149,900
Call (225) 667-3711
HOLDEN
23460 JACK GILL RD
Come home to the country. You will love the split floor plan this
Acadian home has to offer. As you enter the front door you will be
greeted with a large 28x18 living room with wood laminate flooring. Lots of cabinets for storage and complete with a window above
the sink over looking the fenced in back yard.
$205,000
Call (225) 667-3711
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 • Livingston Business Journal • livingstonbusiness.com • page 3
PUBLISHER’S note
A decade of disasters
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015
Volume 9 Number 2
Is another one on the horizon?
Margot T. May
Publisher/Creative Director
As we move past the last days of August, I can’t help but think
of Hurricane Katrina which devastated New Orleans 10 years ago.
Katrina, a category 3 storm, struck south Louisiana on August 29,
2005. It had reached category 5 strength in the Gulf, but weakened
to a 3 before landfall – and still wreaked havoc. It is the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history, with damages estimated at $81
billion, and also the deadliest since Florida’s unnamed mega-storm
of 1928, with over 1,8oo people dead across the Gulf coast states.
Winds reached a maximum of 175 miles per hour, but most of the
storm’s devastation in New Orleans resulted from flooding due to
levy failure in the low-lying city. Even now, a decade later, the city is
still recovering.
After Katrina, there was a sequence of punches to our hurricane-weary state: Rita hit in
Sept. 2005 less than a month later. Then came Humberto in Sept 2007, and “bad boys” Gustav and Ike just two weeks apart in Sept 2008.
While damage to Livingston Parish from Katrina was mostly limited to electrical outages
for a few days and downed trees and limbs, Gustav was a different story. Widespread power
outages, twisted trees and destroyed structures were some of the worst ever seen in Louisiana’s Florida Parishes. Ike added insult to injury by causing flooding in many communities.
After reviewing the above storms and looking over a list of other past hurricanes, it
struck me that most of the worst ones occurred in August or September, with quite a few at
or near Labor Day weekend. In fact, looking over a complete history back to the 1800s when
See Publisher’s Note, p5
INSIDE this
Helen Wale Turner
Publisher/Managing Editor
Anne Butler
Kellee Hennessy Dickerson
Jessica Nottingham
Shannon Roberts
Contributing Writers
Bryan May
Sales/Distribution Manager
Teresa Steele
Business Manager
Peter Bondy
Cheryl Jeane
Leslie Jeansonne
Scott Landry
Theresa Mullins Lowe
Kathy Pickerell
Jay Robicheaux
Stuart Salassi
Kenny Sharpe
Columnists
Cindy Scott
Graphic Designers
Issue
Publisher’s Note: Beware the storms of fall........................................................................................ 4
Chamber Dateline: Livingston Parish Chamber update.................................................................. 6
Looking Forward: Teach children to live a better life....................................................................... 8
Around Town – Library Happenings: Events at the library........................................................... 9
Around Town: Upcoming business and community events..........................................................11
Newsmakers: Accomplishments of local people and businesses..................................................12
Have You Heard: Noteworthy business & community news.........................................................15
Inspired Education: Launch Therapeutic Center takes off............................................................18
Community: A Door of Hope is lifeline for women.......................................................................20
Feature: Concealed carry classes are offered by sheriff..................................................................22
Education Update: Pre-K regulations have changed......................................................................23
Real Estate News: Darren James receives honor.............................................................................24
New Business News: Foo Chow’s quick success necessities expansion........................................25
New Business News: The Louisiana Mermaid, Venessa Lewis, swims with sharks....................26
Business Update: Heroman’s Florist & Gifts moves near Bass Pro..............................................28
Cover Story: Stuart Salassi earns title of diamond expert..............................................................30
Business News: Dr. Cynthia Baker provides eye care for all ages.................................................34
Community: Fall Fest returns to downtown Denham Springs.....................................................36
Real Estate: What to expect from a home inspector.......................................................................38
Insurance Matters: Life insurance for mature people.....................................................................39
Money Matters: Investors can learn from workforce......................................................................40
Get It Growing: Roses and fall vegetable gardens need your attention........................................41
Personal Wellness: Unfreeze that shoulder......................................................................................42
Travel Time: Use the USA first..........................................................................................................43
Business Skills: Keep your employees engaged, Part 2..................................................................44
Picture Perfect: Photographing water has endless possibilities.....................................................45
Pierce Creative Marketing Services
Web Master
Linda May
Ed May
Distribution
Livingston Business Journal is a monthly publication
published by Inspired Media, LLC. Reproduction of
any content is prohibited without written permission
of the associate publishers. The publishers of Livingston Business Journal reserves the right to refuse
any advertising which is deemed unsuitable for the
publication.
Livingston Business Journal
1810 South Range Ave., Suite 4
Denham Springs, LA
(225) 773-6600
[email protected]
www.LivingstonBusiness.com
On the cover
Stuart Salassi recently completed his diamond certification training with Gemological
Institute of America, the foremost authority on gems and jewelry. Salassi is the only
jeweler in Livingston Parish to have earned
this certification. He is available to help customers make a smart decision when buying a
diamond and to make expert appraisals.
Publisher’s Note,
continued from pg 4
storms were not yet being named, August
and September are overwhelmingly the most
dangerous months.
Going back to the really big ones that
affected the Gulf Coast, there were destructive hurricanes in Aug 1852; Aug 1856;
Sept 1859; Aug1860; Sept. 1882; Aug 1901;
Sept. 1906; Sept 1912; Sept 1917; Aug. 1926;
and Sept. 1932. After storms started being
named, there were a few that most baby
boomers will likely recall from their younger days: Betsy in Sept. 1965 and Camille in
Aug. 1969. Also, Eloise Sept. 1975; Frederic
Sept. 1979, Elena Sept. 1985, Charley Aug.
2004 and Ivan Sept. 2004.
After doing a quick unscientific count of
hurricanes from the 1800s through 2014, the
number of storms that hit the United States
in Aug. or Sept. as compare to other months
was: New England states, 36 of 41 storms
were in Aug. or Sept.; other Atlantic states
97 out of 141; Florida 62 of 118; Ala. and
Miss. 33 of 42; Texas 39 of 64, and La. 43 of
57.
These are some pretty convincing numbers that we need to pay close attention to
end-of-the-summer storms.
After Gustav and Ike in 2008, Louisiana
had a four-year respite from hurricanes until
Isaac came calling in August 2012. A named
hurricane has not made landfall in our state
since then. With two years of no storms, it’s
easy to become complacent, but we need to
remain alert.
The Journal published information about
disaster preparation for homes and businesses at the beginning of hurricane season, but
it bears reviewing given the propensity for
hurricanes to take aim for Louisiana at this
time of the year. If you don’t have a plan for
your family’s personal safety and for continuity of your business, see our website, thebusinessjournal-la.com, click on Past Issues
and then select June 2015 and scroll to pages
28-28. (Information for business preparation
is on page 28). The time to implement a plan
(with three storms forming in the Atlantic as
this is being written) is now!
Helen Turner
Helen Wale Turner
Publisher & Managing Editor
[email protected]
Send me your comments, questions, suggestions!
CHAMBER Dateline
Livingston announced LA State Chamber of the Year
The Livingston Parish Chamber
of Commerce has been awarded
the 2015 Louisiana State Chamber
of the Year Award in the Mid-Size
Category by the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (LACCE). The award was
presented the Livingston Parish
Chamber in Sulfur, LA on Thursday, August 20, 2015 at the LACCE
Annual Awards Presentation.
The Chamber was recognized
for having a vision that believes
in the business community and
installing pride in Livingston
Parish. “This chamber answers to
the call. The Livingston Parish Chamber has experienced a
complete overhaul aligning with
the needs of the businesses it
represents. The Chamber was also
recognized by peers in industry as
providing an opportunity to partner
with developments, organizations,
causes, employment, and other
avenues that enhance the quality
of life of the parish. Programs of
the Chamber are geared to positive
goals and outcomes,” explains Ron
Erickson, LACCE Chairman who
presented the award on behalf of
the LACCE organization.
“We are honored to be chosen
for this award,” states April Wehrs,
Livingston Parish Chamber CEO.
“The recognition is a win for the
entire parish and all who have
April Wehrs, President/CEO accepts the 2015 Louisiana State Chamber of the Year
Award in the Mid-Size category from LACCE 2015 President, Ron Erickson Sr., on
behalf of the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce.
Pictured (Left to Right): Jerri Ray de Pingre’, President/CEO of Minden South Webster
Chamber; Todd Murphy, President of Jefferson Chamber; April Wehrs, President/
CEO Livingston Parish Chamber; and Ron Erickson Sr., 2015 President of the LACCE.
worked hard to bring a positive
impact and representation of Livingston Parish. Collaboration and
teamwork were necessary for an
award of this stature.”
The LACCE State Chamber
of the Year award criteria include
excellence in the area of business resource and representation,
community alignment, organizational excellence and professional
development.
The Louisiana Association of
Chamber of Commerce Executives (LACCE) is a membership
driven, non-profit organization
formed in order to bring together
Welcome New Members
the Executives of the Chambers of
Commerce throughout the state.
The Organization serves as a
catalyst to network and educate the
Executives and the staffs within the
statewide chamber areas.
The Livingston Parish Chamber
of Commerce is organized to advance the prosperity of Livingston
Parish so that businesses and citizens shall prosper. The mission of
the Livingston Parish Chamber of
Commerce is to lead and facilitate
positive economic impact through
an environment of business and
community working together within
our region.
DeVonna Ponthieu, 32545 LA Hwy 16, Denham Springs
iTradexchange, 6522 Lawnridge Dr., Central,
McKeanCPA, 1810 S. Range Ave., Suite 8, Denham Springs
Mighty Moms, 6984 Hunters Way, Denham Springs
Wonder Years Child Development Center,
31276 N. Corbin Rd., Walker, and 34058 Dorothy Lane, Denham Springs
Log on to
www.livingstonparishchamber.org
for the Latest Job Listings,
Hot Deals and Local Events!
Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce
248 Veterans Blvd.• Denham Springs • 225-665-8155 • Fax: 225-665-2411
[email protected] • www.livingstonparishchamber.org
Rep. Garrett Graves speaks
to Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Rep. Garret Graves Garret Graves opened
his remarks to the Chamber of Commerce members at
their monthly meeting Aug. 29 by declaring that, as a
freshman senator, he discovered that Congress is more
dysfunctional than it appears.
He also revealed that as a freshman Congressman
taking a turn to preside over the House chamber, he was
interrupted by security people rushing in to announce a
security situation with unauthorized aircraft approaching – the infamous gyrocopter.
He went on to comment on several issues facing the
country:
• Israel - Graves expressed his support for Israel and
talked about his recent trip to that country where he
observed concrete structures everywhere, even on playgrounds and parking lots which turned out to be bomb
shelters, because Israeli citizens, due to their proximity
to the border, have 10 seconds from the time rockets
are launched at them to get into a shelter. He criticized
President Obama for abandoning this ally.
• Iranian nuclear treaty – It lifts billions of dollars
in sanctions on Iran and allows that Middle East radical
country a limited nuclear program and allows them to
police themselves. Proclaiming that the U.S. loses more
than it gains, he said, “It is in our interest to cut a better
deal.” When questioned after the meeting, he said the
House will reject the treaty, and he believes they are
very close to getting enough votes in the Senate to also
reject it and to override an inevitable Obama veto.
• Extend free-trade agreements - This is one Obama
initiative he can support, “provided that a level playing
field is guaranteed so the U.S. can fairly compete with
other countries.”
• Proposed clean air regulations – He stated, “They
are so stringent that Yellowstone National Park cannot
comply, so how can Louisiana’s pertro-chemical industries comply?” He predicts the regulations if passed
“will cost the country 1.4 million jobs” and hit Louisiana
hard.
• Obamacare care – It has caused many people to
have “higher deductibles with worse coverage,” and
must be repealed.
• Traffic - “Traffic in the capital region is the worse
in the nation for a city its size; this traffic could have
been projected and planned for 30 years ago. We have to
get additional investment in highway infrastructure.”
• Comite Diversion Canal - “We have to get additional funds for 2016 to get this project moving.”
Save the Date
Sept. 24 - Business After Hours Mixer hosted by
Amy Konieczka Photography, 125 N. Range Ave
Suite C, Denham Springs, 5-7 p.m.
Oct. 5 – Chamber annual golf tournament.
sponsors, player and teams are being signed up;
contact the Chamber office.
Oct.15 - Roof Crafters ribbon cutting, 681 Centerville St., Denham Springs, 10:30 a.m.
In January 2008, I was sworn in as State Representative for House District 71 representing Livingston Parish in the State Legislature. My duty as State Representative
representing Livingston Parish is to be a voice for all citizens of Livingston Parish in the State Legislature. I take that responsibility seriously and I have worked hard to improve
economic development in Livingston Parish, improve roads, improve funding for public education, oppose unnecessary tax increases, and been an advocate for balancing our
state operating budget based on identified resources and limiting the use of one time money.
I appreciate your vote of confidence as I continue to serve as your voice in Baton Rouge.
I continue to secure funding for important road improvements for safety and to ease traffic congestion.
The following projects have been approved for funding in Livingston Parish:
• Upgrade Range Avenue in Denham Springs from US 190 to Vincent Road
• Four lane Juban Road from US 190 to I-12
• Upgrade Cook Road from Pete’s Highway to Juban Crossing to provide another entrance and Exit to Juban Crossing.
• Construct a roundabout at Eden Church Road and US 190
• Construct a roundabout at Eden Church Road and Lockhart Road
• Construct a roundabout at Lockhart Road and Cockerham Road
• Widen and overlay 4-H Club Road from US 190 to LA 16
• Upgrade and add turn lanes at US 190 and 4-H Club Road
• Study approved to determine improvements on LA 64 from Magnolia Beach Road Bridge to LA 16
• Complete the six lane improvements on I-12 to Satsuma
• Improvements at I-12 and LA 447
• Study approved to determine improvements to LA 447 from LA 16 to US 190
As your elected State Representative, I will continue to push for improvements to our local roads and I-12 to improvesafety and travel time.
2015 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW
EDUCATION
During the 2013 Legislative Session, we were able to add $69 million to the MFP for K-12 education in Public Schools with 50% going to Certified Teachers. That funding is now recurring at the rate of
2.75% increase annually. During the 2015 Legislative Session we added $50 million to the MFP for K-12 education in Public Schools.
I supported legislation that requires BESE to submit MFP formula for FY 2016-17 that includes the increase of $50 million in 2015 plus the $69 million in 2013. This action protects the increases for future
years.
I supported legislation that provides public input in developing Louisiana standards for teaching and assessment of those standards. Legislation requires BESE to utilize input from the public in developing
these standards and assessments.
I opposed legislation that would have put a cap on TOPS Program.
I opposed legislation that would have given colleges and universities authority to raise tuitions and fees without legislative approval.
I supported legislation that expands the pool of substitute teachers..
HEALTH/CRIME
I supported legislation to increase domestic abuse penalties.
I supported legislation to provide funding for Rape Kits for victims of rape.
I opposed legislation that would have weakened current abortion laws.
I supported legislation that requires colleges and universities to report sexual abuse offenses and to maintain records of these offenses.
OTHER
I opposed legislation that increases vehicle title registration by $50.00.
I supported legislation that places a CAP on movie tax credits.
I supported legislation that places CAP on solar energy tax credits.
I supported legislation that granted a cost of living adjustment for retired state employees which was approved by the House and Senate but was vetoed by Governor Jindal.
I voted NO on the general appropriations bill as I oppose the continuing increase in spending and not addressing the growing debt. The state budget is artificially balanced using one time money on recurring
expenses. We can do better and we must.
I look forward to continue to serve you in the State Legislature and welcome your comments and recommendations as we continue to work together to improve
Livingston Parish and Louisiana.
I will continue to be a voice of fiscal responsibility in the state legislature. We will continue next legislative session to address the reduction of spending and the
size of state government.
Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding issues that affect Livingston Parish or Louisiana. I always welcome your comments and thank you for expressing
your concerns and recommendations. My email address is [email protected] and my website is www.jrogerspope.com.
LOOKING FORWARD
with President Ricks
People need to live together peacefully
Listen. What do
you hear?
School bells ringing, buses picking
up children, whistles
blowing on the
football field; it’s that
time again.
How important
is it to see that our
children and grandchildren receive a good curricular education?
The obvious answer is, “extremely important.”
With that, I am sure we can all agree.
I think it’s just as important that we make
sure they are educated about life and the way
we should treat one another. I think children
should be taught to show respect toward others, even when others have different ideas and
beliefs. It’s how we handle disagreements and
differences that allow us to move forward to
the next issue and, hopefully, find a way to
work, play and grow together.
I believe whole-heartedly that the only way
to accomplish this is through Christian values.
We may espouse different Christian faiths, yet
all believe that only through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can we be saved and someday
enter into Heaven to spend eternity.
As I observe and interact with people and
watch the news, I think to myself how different things would be if we would only put
Christ first. There is so much turmoil in the
world and so many horrible things occurring
daily that it can be overwhelming and depressing just to think about, let alone talk to our
children about. But my fear is that if we, as
Christian parents, don’t prepare our children
to face the realities of this world, someone else
will. That someone else may not be the person
we would want influencing our children.
The recent movement by ISIS and the im-
pact of their extremist views in this country that it’s acceptable to shoot, bomb and destroy
people and property - is a devastating threat
to our freedoms and beliefs. This movement
should be an eye-opening warning to us all.
Human life means nothing to these people,
and they live among us and our children. They
know how to market themselves and brainwash our children.
How can we stop this? One way is to truly
understand the teachings of Christ so we know
without a doubt what to watch for. Certainly,
we can’t live in fear every day and be afraid to
live our lives as we choose. Because of Christ,
we don’t have to. We find peace and comfort
in Him through our faith.
It is important that we communicate openly
with our children daily, to teach them and
talk to them. It is just as important to listen
to them and encourage them to open up to us
about their experiences, questions, concerns
and fears.
We need to encourage our children to enjoy
life to the fullest, but at the same time to understand the realities of life as it is and what is
happening in our world today. We also need to
encourage them to respond to those realities in
accordance with Christ’s teachings.
The bad realities of this world are not going away. The good news is, neither is Jesus
Christ. He is here, He is real, and He will
claim victory in the end.
Are you on the winning side?
AROUND Town
Library Happenings
For dates, times and details on any event, see the library’s online
calendar and more information at www.mylpl.info or call the branch:
Denham Springs-Walker 225-665-8118; Albany-Springfield 225-5671441; Main/Livingston 225-686-2436; South 225-698-3015; Watson
225-664-3963. All events are free, but registration is required for
some activities and is available through their online calendar.
Notice of holiday closure: All branches of the LP libraries will be
closed on Sept 7 in observance of Labor Day.
Library announces writing contest for all ages
L
ivingston Parish Library will be hosting the Livingston Parish
Book Festival Nov. 7, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Are you interested
in participating in a writing contest that will be featured at the
festival? This “Page Turner” writing competition is for a first page of a
short story or novel. Categories are based on ages: 5-12, 13-17 and 18 and
older. Fill out the online entry form or stop by one of the branches to pick
up a form. For more information, please call Sarah Colombo, Head of
Adult Services, at 225-686-2489, extension 225.
“Ask a Lawyer” free legal clinic
Need legal advice? The Main Branch of the Livingston Parish Library
hosts a free walk-in legal clinic on Sept. 25, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. This clinic
features two local attorneys who will meet one-on-one with interested
patrons for brief legal counseling and advice. Space is limited, so registration is required. Call 225-686-2436 or visit the library’s online event
calendar to register.
Zentangle pattern drawing taught
Ages 12-18 will learn the method of pen stroke patterning within overlapping circles. Whether an expert or a beginning student, it is easy to
enjoy for any artist. Events are: Albany-Springfield Branch - September 1,
5:30 pm, South Branch - Sept 10, 5:30 pm, and Watson Branch - Sept 15,
5:30 pm. Space limited. Registration required.
Artbots and the science of color
Ages 6-11 are invited to design Art Robots, create their own markers,
and learn the science behind color at the Denham Springs-Walker Branch
- Sept 10, 5:30 pm & Albany-Springfield Branch – Sept 15, 5:30 pm.
Space limited. Registration required.
Intro To 3D design in Livingston
If you own a small business or are interested in starting one, take
advantage of free business consulting at the Main Branch of the Livingston Parish Library on Sept 9, 9 am – 4 pm. Receive a private, one-hour
consulting session in areas including business plans, advertising plans, inventory control, financial projections, cost analysis, and much more. This
event is sponsored by the Louisiana Small Business Development Center
(LSBDC) at Southeastern Louisiana University. Space limited. Registration required. 225-664-6638 to register or for details.
Interested in 3D design? Get started with some basic 3D design skills
at the Livingston main library, Sept 10, 6 pm. Explore free, easy to use
3D design software. Basic computer skills are required for this class.
Space limited; registration required.
ren of Living
hild
s
Pari
ton
sh
Helping the C
Free small business consulting private session offered
Adult Scrabble gaming at Albany branch
Ages 18 and up are invited to come to the Albany-Springfield Branch
– Sept 11, 11 am to play Scrabble. Refreshments served.
Thank You.
And Special Thanks to our 2015 Sponsors
MORE THAN $46,000 IN SCHOOL SUPPLIES
for 2600 children this year
“Our program really is a
community-wide effort.
So many people come together each
year with the common goal of
making a positive difference
in our parish.”
-Jeff Taylor, Livingston
Parish Assessor
Like Us on Facebook! | Visit AssessTheNeed.com for more info or to give a donation on-line
AROUND Town
Create an original story using stop-motion animation
Learn the magic of stop-motion animation at the Denham SpringsWalker Branch,Sept 13, 3 pm. Using free apps and library iPads, create original stories with props. Final products will be published on the
library’s YouTube channel. Space limited; registration required.
Harry Potter Night at DS-Walker branch
Welcome, Hogwarts to the Denham Springs-Walker Branch of the
Livingston Parish Library for a Harry Potter filled evening. Includes
wand-making, a game of quidditch, trivia and more. Sept. 18, 6:00 p.m.
Ages 12-18 only. Space is limited, registration required.
Zumba class at Albany branch
Join instructor Vanessa Mills from PARDS for a great workout session at the Albany-Springfield Branch of the Livingston Parish Library
Sept. 19 at 12:30 p.m. Enjoy an energetic Zumba class for adults. Bring a
friend and have fun getting fit together. Space is limited, so registration is
required.
Recurring library events; check with your branch:
Free computer classes: Everything from 3-D design to computer
basics, and e-mail basics, Excel, Word, Powerpoint, internet basics, to
one-on-one tech help. Registration required. Various dates & branches. Details online.
Science Saturday: Explore the world of science at the Watson
branch. Various dates & times. Space limited. Registration required.
Book Babies: The Watson Branch of the Livingston Parish Library
hosts Book Babies, a storytime especially for babies through age 2,
held twice each month to introduce the little ones to books and musicwhile encouraging them to crawl and play. Call the Watson Branch at
225-664-3963 for dates, times and other details.
Clubs: Book clubs for various ages; Lego Club; Teen Anime for
ages 12-18; Young Writers; Writers’ Circle; Music Club. Registration
may be required. Various dates & branches.
Teen advisory board: Join the Livingston Parish Library’s Teen
Advisory Board to suggest programs and help choose books for our
Young Adult section and volunteer at a branch. Call 225-686-2436.
M U R RY
LIGHT CONSTRUCTION
-
D E TA C H E D PAT I O S
SWING SETS
FENCES
D E C K S , E TC .
F R E E E S T I M AT E S
-
H A N DY M A N
P R E S S U R E WA S H I N G
DOOR REPLACEMEMTS
H O M E R E PA I R S
PA I N T I N G
225.936.5151
AROUND Town
Livingston Board of Realtors Forecast Conference
N
umerous real estate professionals will provide necessary
tools to succeed in today’s real estate market on September 10, 7 am – 1:30 pm at Suma Hall Conference Center,
28975 S. Satsuma Rd. Tickets are $40 in advance, $45 at the door
Open House/Business After Hours
event at Amy K Photography
Amy K Photography announces an Open
House/Chamber of Commerce Business-After-Hours event, 5 - 7 pm Sep. 24 at her studio,
125 N. Range Ave. Suite C, Denham Springs.
(The studio has a Range Ave. address but is
in the rear of the building, and the entrance is
on Mattie St. across from Old City Hall). The
event is open to all and will feature live music
and refreshments to celebrate the expansion of
her photography studio.
and include breakfast and lunch. Save $10 when buying your ticket
by entering coupon code “earlybird.” Supporting Sponsors: Champlin Title, Inc., Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company, and DEMCO
Electric/Dixie Business Center. 225.324.0404 or [email protected]
children in Livingston Parish and give back to the
community by helping raise funds for the Mighty
Moms Full Tummy Project and providing educational activities to our Livingston Parish youth.
Integrity will host a Health Fair and Fun
Walk/5K Run on Oct. 24, at the Circle Drive Park
in Livingston. The event will feature fun and educational booths for kids and adults, $5 jambalaya,
a Kids Fun Walk and the 5K Race and many other
exciting activities throughout the day. Everyone is
invited to come out and participate in the run and
health fair.
Sarah Louise Quezada Davis, owner of
Integrity Insurance, is asking the business community and private citizens to join this project as
a sponsor. Various levels of support are available.
By providing your sponsorship, you are helping
to support the fight against childhood hunger in
Livingston Parish. Proceeds will be dedicated to
the Mighty Moms organization.
For more information see www.wegotyoucovered.org or call Integrity Insurance 225-686-1217.
Cottages for CASA presents
“Sundresses & Shrimp Boots”
This Playhouse Party kick-off event will
bring funds and awareness for abused children
in 10 parishes including Livingston Parish.
On September 13, 2 pm - 5 pm, come to the
Berry Barn at Liuzza Farms, 56457 Holden
Cir, Amite. Cost is $50. Enjoy live music by
Cuisine; Masters of Ceremony Jenny Heroman
and Matt Pryor. Includes food and celebrity
host appearance. Unique playhouses built by
local talent will be raffled off. 800.798.1575 or
www.childadv.net. CASA advocates for children in the area including Livingston Parish.
Submit information of interest to the business community or the general
public to [email protected]. Submissions are due
by the 8th of each month for publication that month. There is no charge.
Cry Out America remembrance
ceremony for 9/11 anniversary
The 2015 “Cry Out America,” 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony and Prayer Service, will be
held in the Livingston Parish Council Chambers, 20355 Government Blvd., Livingston,
September 11- 11:45 am. Everyone is encouraged to take an hour off to come together as a
parish.
Live Oak Class of ‘95
having reunion at high school
A free reunion family picnic will be held at
the high school Sept. 26, at noon. Bring your
family, your own picnic lunch and drinks.
After lunch, a tour of the new school grounds
will be offered. At 7 p.m., graduates are
invited to Forrest Grove Plantation in Denham Springs. Ticket cost is $50 per person or
$100 per couple and includes rental of facility,
buffet dinner, DJ and decorations. Cash bar
available. 225.955.4101.
Integrity Insurance health fair to
benefit Full Tummy Project
To thank Livingston Parish for supporting them
over the years, Integrity Insurance will host a
fundraiser to help nourish and improve the lives of
NEWSMAKERS
Walk On’s Bistreaux & Bar construction underway at Juban Crossing
Walk On’s Bistreaux & Bar will have the distinction of being the first
restaurant to open in Juban Crossing. On Aug. 14 in a section of the development south of Academy and near I-12, owner Brandon Landry presided
over a ceremonial groundbreaking while actual ongoing construction was
already underway in the background. Landry said he chose the spot to be
near the attractive retaining pond and be highly visible from I-12. The
7,800 s. ft. building is expected to open in Feb. 2016.
Walk On’s is undergoing an active expansion with locations opening in
Sept. in Houma and soon after in Shreveport and Lake Charles.
Landry said, “We’re excited about coming to Juban Crossing. Just look
at this development; our concept fits perfectly here.”
Juban Crossing stores update
The report noted that students statewide earned nearly 1,300 more
qualifying
scores of 3, 4 or 5 on AP exams in 2015 than in 2014, increasDeveloper Stephen Keller shares the new stores soon to open at Juban
ing the total from 6,410 in 2014 to 7,703 in 2015 -- a 20 percent increase.
Crossing: Kohl’s - Sept. 20; 2015; Moe’s Southwest Grill - Nov. 2015;
Since 2012, the number of qualifying scores earned has increased 89
Burgersmith - end of 2015; Movie Tavern - Jan. or Feb. 2016; Forever 21
percent, from 4,112 in 2012.
clothing store - 1st quarter of 2016; Strobe’s restaurant - end of March
Watson noted that Livingston Parish Schools have increased overall
2016; to be followed later in 2016 by Charming Charlie (apparel and acces- AP participation by more than 1,000 students in a three-year period.
sories) and Men’s Wearhouse.
Meanwhile, the level of success for students achieving qualifying scores
on AP exams significantly grew across the district.
Nick Erdey passes at age 95
State education officials report that expanding access to AP courses,
Nick Erdey, former mayor of Livingston, passed away on Aug. 19. He even among students who do not score 3 or higher, has been shown by
was 95 and the father of state Sen. Dale Erdey. He served in the Army
studies to increase the likelihood of college completion, even for students
Air Corps during WWII on a B-25 bomber in the Pacific. He founded
not achieving a 3 or higher on tests.
Erdey Insurance Agency which is still run by his family, and other businesses. He is remembered for his service to the community and his entre- North Oaks Medical Center receives national recognition
preneurship, and is survived by his wife Ethel Beregi Erdey; daughters
Premier Inc., a health care improvement alliance, recently honored
Donna Erdey Bencaz and Terry Erdey Hughes, sons Rodney and Dale
North Oaks Medical Center as one of 120 health care organizations
Erdey, 8 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
nationwide for outstanding work improving community health and cost
efficiencies. North Oaks earned Premier’s “Supply Chain Innovation
Students continue to perform on advanced placement exams Award” for introducing an innovative, high-impact health care improvement idea in the area of antimicrobial stewardship.
Livingston Parish students continue to be among the state’s top per“Health system and supplier recipients of Premier’s 2015 Breakformers in Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to a recent report
through Awards are industry leaders that are transforming health care,”
by the Louisiana Department of Education. According to the report, 368
according to Susan DeVore, Premier president and chief executive officer.
students in the 2014-15 school year earned an AP exam score that reThe Antimicrobial Stewardship program at North Oaks has been
sulted in college credit, which is a 50-percent increase from the previous
in place for 4 years to promote the appropriate use of antimicrobials,
year, when 243 students earned college credit.
including antibiotics, to improve patient outcomes, as well as reduce drug
AP courses in high school offer students the opportunity to earn
resistance and the spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant
college credit in the same subject, depending on the outcome of an endorganisms.
of-course exam. Those students who score a 3, 4 or 5 on the AP exam
In the 4 years that the program has been in place at North Oaks, the
can earn college credit and have those credits transferred to nearly any
effectiveness of antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections has increased
college in the nation and all colleges in Louisiana.
NEWSMAKERS
from 82 to 98 percent. The hospital’s efforts also have resulted in an
estimated $2.5 million in savings over the 4-year period. According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antibiotics are among the
most commonly prescribed drugs used in human medicine and can be
lifesaving drugs. However, up to 50 percent of the time antibiotics are not
optimally prescribed.
Jared Rochelle, MD, joins North
Oaks Pain Management Clinic
Dr. Jared Rochelle has joined North Oaks Physician Group’s newest Hammond clinic, North Oaks Pain Management. Specializing in the
diagnosis and management of chronic pain, Dr. Rochelle is accepting
new patients. To schedule an appointment or get more information on
accepted insurance plans, call (985) 230-7480.
He earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University Health
Sciences Center in New Orleans, where he also served as Chief Resident
of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and completed a fellowship in
Multidisciplinary Pain Medicine. Professionally, he belongs to the North
American Spine Society.
North Oaks Pain Management Clinic is located on the second floor of
North Oaks Office Plaza in Suite 206 at 15770 Paul Vega, MD, Drive in
Hammond. Clinic hours of operation are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Property donated to Livingston Parish Schools for future
school campus site
The Livingston Parish School Board on Thursday (Aug. 6) voted to
accept a donation of nearly 16 acres of land off 4-H Club Road, located
south of Denham Springs, to be used as a potential site for a future elementary or middle school in the Denham Spring School District.
School Board Member Buddy Mincey, Jr., noted that the donation is
from a corporation led by Mr. Lee Foster. The property, which consists
of 15.981 acres, is located adjacent to the future site of Nickens Lake
Subdivision off 4-H Club Road.
“This donation will provide the Denham Springs district with the
land it needs to build a new campus in an area where we are anticipating future growth,” Mincey said. “While we do not have a projection on
when a new campus will be needed, we want to prepare for what appears
to be an inevitable need to help us manage our growth.”
Mincey said the donation agreement will stipulate that the Livingston Parish School System has 25 years to build a school on the property
or the land could revert back to the original owner. The agreement
includes an additional five-year period to purchase the land at the appraised value if the school system had not begun construction on the
property within the first 25 years. Mincey noted that the agreement
gives the school system a full 30-year option on the property.
Mincey and fellow board members noted that the district is currently
focusing on expanding existing campuses in the Denham Springs area
to maximize the capacity of those facilities in an effort to save taxpayer dollars. Still, they said the school board wanted to be proactive
in addressing future needs and to take advantage of the opportunity to
acquire the land through a donation.
“We wanted to be forward thinking, work with local property owners
and form responsible agreements that can benefit everyone, and especially our children,” Mincey said. “This agreement is most beneficial to
our community.”
Submit notices of a person’s or group’s newsworthy events for this
“Newsmakers” column to [email protected]. Submissions are due by the 8th of each month for publication that month.
There is no charge. Items are published as space allows.
• Antique Shops
• Gift Shops
• Art & Photography
• Women’s Specialty Shops
• Bookstore
• Multiple Dealer
• Pottery
• Home Decor
• Restaruants
Antique Stores
• Consignment Stores
• Children’s Specialty
FREE PARKING
Shops
Treasure Hunting At Its’ Finest
25 Discover?
Shop at Over
What Will You
STORES!
From I-12, take exit #10 North for 2 miles.
Turn left at Centerville St. and then left on
Ranger Ave. and you’re there!
www.denhamspringsantiquedistict.com
Spend a day with us- And we’ll take you back in time”
201 antiques, vintage, and More
Benton Bros Antique Mall
Chandlers Antique Mall
The Copper Hutch
Heirlooms By Jo
Heritage house Antiques
Korner Shoppe
Louisiana Purchase
Mockingbird Lane Antiques
Rusty Rooter
Serendipity in the Village
Theater Antiques
Amy Konieczka Photography
Beall & Thies, LLC Attorney’s at Law
Brushfire Studio
Cavalier House Books
DeLou Glass Designs
Ferret Brothers
Imagine More
La’MeJen
Mothers and Daughters
Salassi Jewelry & Fine Gifts
Sublime Salon & Boutique
The Bee’s Knees
Taste of Louisiana Cafe
HAVE You HEARD
Help celebrate Women’s Week at the Arts Council
The Livingston Parish Arts Council is celebrating Women’s
Week with the Women’s Council of Greater Baton Rouge. In
recognition of the theme of “Women Leading the Way,” the ACLP
will feature women artists in their September gallery exhibit and
Learn the art of painting
still life with oil
sale. Visit the Arts Council September 1 - 30. The public is also
invited to attend the reception September 12, 10 am - 2 pm at the
Arts Council Gallery, 133 North Hummell St., Denham Springs.
Refreshments served. www.ArtsLivingston.org.
provides a loving environment, room and
board. 225.603.6147 or [email protected].
The Arts Council of Livingston Parish, 133
North Hummell St, Denham Springs, invites
ages 16 and up to this event on Sept. 29, 1011:30 am.
Attendees will paint a small still life as
demonstrated by Instructor Paulette Ferguson.
225.664.1168 or www.ArtsLivingston.org.
Albany Community Fall Arts &
Crafts Festival is seeking vendors
The 4th annual Albany Community Fall Arts
& Crafts Festival will be held Nov. 14, 8 am - 5
pm, at 31415 Gill Road. Vendor cost is $50 for
a 10 X 10 space. Vendors must bring their own
table and chairs. 985.320.2639, 985.974.8649 or
visit the Facebook page. The festival offers fun
for all ages with shopping, fun, food, music,
great classic cars & motor bikes.
New hours for
Lake After Hours Urgent Care
Lake After Hours Urgent Care Denham
Springs location has expanded their hour and
now is open 9 am – 9 pm daily.
BBQ Cookoff benefits Killian
Police & Dive Team
4th Annual Chiasson’s BBQ Cookoff to
benefit Killian Police Department and Dive
Team will be September 12, 10 am - 4 pm at
Lagniappe Restaurant, 30161 La. 22, Springfield. Entry fee $50. Sponsorships $150 with
company banner display and two wrist bands.
$10 for all you can eat BBQ at 1 pm. Food,
music, car show, spacewalk, water slide, face
painting and more. janel@chiassonsseasoning.
com for registration forms, or visit Chiasson’s
Seasoning on Facebook.
Help Challenger Field
become a reality
The Denham Springs Pilot Club is seeking
help to make a new ADA compliant baseball
field to be used by mentally and physically disabled children throughout Southeast Louisiana
become a reality. 225.304.6225.
Smokey Mountains
Christmas Show Trip
VFW Travelers host this tip November 1-7.
Trip includes lodging, 10 meals, 6 Christmas
shows, motorcoach transportation and more.
Highlights include Smokey Mountain Opry,
Comedy Barn, Smith Family Dinner Show,
Smoky Mountain National Park and Lookout
Mountain Incline Railway. Cost of the trip is
$587, with $75 deposit due now. 225. 665.2930
or 225. 665.1201.
Become a host family for
an exchange student
International Cultural Exchange Services
(ICES) is seeking local families interested in
hosting international high school students,
ages 15-18, from Europe, Asia, Latin and
South America for the 2015 - 2016 School
Year. Students have their own spending money
and insurance, and a Local Coordinator provides supervision and support. The host family
HAVE You HEARD
Interested in learning Hebrew?
Eight-week courses are being offered at
King’s Harvest Fellowship Church in Walker
beginning September 14. Classes are Monday
and Tuesday nights, 7 pm - 9 pm. 225-7913063.
Use child safety stickers to help
prevent heatstroke
Due to the total number of U.S. heatstroke
deaths of children left in cars this year, Marshal Jerry Denton announced a new community awareness program. The Marshal’s office
has printed a sticker to place in vehicles to
remind parents/caregivers to check for children. Stickers are available at Denham Springs
Marshal’s Office, 398 Mayor Herbert Hoover
Ave, Mon - Fri 8 am - 4:30 pm.
Volunteers needed for Livingston
Parish Animal Shelter
Volunteers are needed at 13525 Florida
Blvd., Livingston, to play with dogs, and give
them treats and love until they are adopted.
Volunteers 18 and under must be accompanied
by a parent/guardian. 225.686.7798.
Donations will make a difference
for children in Haiti
The Rotary Club of Livingston Parish, in
partnership with Louisiana Baptist Convention and Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home,
is collecting flip flops in all sizes, hard candy,
Hot Wheels, hair barrettes, crayons, markers,
school supplies, etc., for a mission trip to Haiti.
This long-term project to build a children’s
home, school, and medical facility on the same
property will provide safe refuge for orphans
in Haiti. 225.907.7270.
Car show will benefit
Nicaragua mission trip
Southside Baptist Church in Denham
Springs will hold an open car show on September 19, 8 am. All vehicles & motorcycles
are welcome. Barbecue chicken dinners are $8.
Judging begins at noon, followed by awards
1:30 pm - 2 pm. There will be a silent auction
and door prizes. Pre-registration is $25 or $30
at the gate. 225.241.4886 or [email protected].
Helping Hands Ministries Charity
Golf Tournament for food outreach
You are invited to come to Carter Plantation in Springfield October 10 to help raise
money for local feeding outreaches. For the
last three years Helping Hands has made a
great impact by creating serve opportunities
for others through hot meal distribution and a
food pantry for local families. To register as
a sponsor, golfer, or volunteer, 985.687.4518,
[email protected], or www.helpinghandsmw.com/golf-tournament.
Donations needed for
Shoes for Students program
The Family Resource Clinic, 12201 Florida
Blvd., Livingston, is seeking donations for the
Shoes for Students program. With donations,
$30 vouchers are given to students to purchase
new shoes. 225.686.1123, Familyresourcecl@
aol.com, or www.familyresourceclinic.com.
Casas for CASA concludes
with playhouse giveaway
Capital Area CASA (Court Appointed Special
Advocate) Association’s annual playhouse fundraiser, Casas for CASA, raised nearly $93,000
to support the organization’s advocacy efforts
on behalf of abused and neglected children. The
fundraiser was held July 25 through Aug. 16.
The winner of the 2015 CASA playhouse was
Amy Owens. She and husband Raymond are the
parents of Brenna, 20, Bailee, 18, and Browyn,
11. The family resides in Walker, La. Amy has
loyally purchased Casas for CASA playhouse raffle tickets for many years. This year, she bought
four tickets on the final day of the fundraiser.
“I couldn’t believe it when (CASA) called
because I just bought the tickets. It was unbeliev-
Nicole Gautreau
Mortgage Lending Manager
Cell: 225-445-4778
Email: [email protected]
NMLS# 419445
HAVE You HEARD
able. I was sitting at the table shaking I was so
excited,” said Amy.
After eyeing CASA playhouses year after
year, Browyn had always hoped to win. So when
Amy got the call, she and Raymond decided to
surprise her.
“We did everything we could to keep her
from seeing it until it was all set up,” explained
Amy.
While Browyn was at school, Casas for
CASA title sponsor Faulk and Meek General
Contractors delivered and assembled the playhouse in the Owens’ backyard.
“When I got home…I walked outside, and I
saw the playhouse! I was super excited,” Browyn
said.
So far, Browyn has furnished the playhouse
with two chairs and a table. Raymond ran the
electricity so the lighting and air conditioner
would be in working order. There are plans to
add an air mattress in time for Browyn’s 12th
birthday when her friends will come over to see
the playhouse.
All proceeds from Casas for CASA support
Capital Area CASA Association, a nonprofit
organization that recruits, trains and supervises
community volunteers who advocate for the best
interests of abused and neglected children in
need of safe, permanent homes. The fundraiser
enables Capital Area CASA to continue serving
every child in East Baton Rouge Parish who
needs a voice.
basics and begin to “see”
people again. Ultimately
their goals is to encourage
authentic, face-to-face relationships with others.
Periodically, the women
of At Our Table will plan
events that will allow them
to literally gather together
in our communities. But in
between those gatherings,
the website At-Our-Table.
com functions as a forum
for women to share stories
of the good things happening around “our tables”
– which doesn’t have to
be a literal table; it can be
anywhere women meet or
greet one another.
Submit information of
interest to the business
community or the general public to [email protected]. Submissions
are due by the 8th of each
month for publication
that month. There is no
charge.
Captivating women’s
retreat announced
“Capitivated,” a retreat for women discovering what it means to be the beloved of Christ is
being presented by At Our Table. The retreat
will have four teaching sessions with quiet
reflective times provided. It is geared to be a
retreat in the true sense of the word. Lunch and
snacks are provided, as well as a retreat workbook and other surprises.
The event will be held Oct. 24, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
at Oakleigh House of Receptions, 48160 Hwy.
16, Denham Springs (north of Watson). Seating
is limited and registration is required. Registration is $35 and is being accepted through Oct.
20. Registration form is at their website https://
at-our-table.com/event-items/captivated.
Session hosts are Rachel Blocker, Teri
Amedee, Jennifer Kirkes, and Tami Arceneaux.
For more information email [email protected].
At-Our-Table.com is an online community
for women to gather together in order to learn
how to become more than just women who
study God’s word. Although encouragement
from God’s word is an important component of
At-Our-Table.com, they want to actually issue
a call to action for each person to step out of
their comfort zones and open their hearts to the
people around them. They want to get back to
INSPIRED Education
Therapists are the teachers at Launch Therapeutic Preschool and Therapy Center
The Faith Formation Center at Immaculate
Conception Church in Denham Springs will soon
be home to Launch Therapeutic Preschool and
Therapy Center. Launch is a non-profit organization that will provide physical, occupational and
speech therapy services for children in Livingston Parish and its surrounding areas. Therapy
will be provided on an outpatient basis and as
part of a three-hour preschool program. The
unique aspect of this service is that the therapists
are the teachers.
Dr. Chantelle Varnado’s, Launch’s Executive Director, has 14 years’ experience working
with children with disabilities in both Livingston
Parish Public Schools and Children’s Hospital of
Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has also taught classes in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Louisiana State
University. She indicates the mission is simple:
to serve the needs of exceptional children in her
home parish.
“Baton Rouge has great services, “ she said,
“but currently local children and families are
enduring long commutes several times a week to
receive services. They’re missing out on school
time and family time.”
And while the mission is simple, the design is
far-reaching. “We want to offer more to children
with disabilities,” said Dr. Varnado. “Eventually
we’d like to support participation of children with
disabilities in extracurricular activities including, but not limited to, sports, social groups and
religious education programs.”
Launch has plenty to offer Livingston Parish. Their therapy services will target children
from newborn to eighteen years old. Therapy
will focus on fun activities that are based in
research and have shown high quality results. In
the mornings, the preschool will provide three
hours of therapy for children with disabilities
that need more intensive physical, occupational,
and speech-language services. The preschool
will target the children’s speech, fine motor,
gross motor, and sensory goals while exposing
them to a preschool curriculum in a small class
setting.
Services through Launch may be funded by
insurance, Medicaid or on a private pay sliding
scale.
On October 31, Launch will be holding an
awareness walk titled, “Disable the Label.”
The goal of this event is to bring awareness to
Livingston Parish and surrounding areas about
pediatric developmental disabilities. Local
business, universities, and the Launch staff and
volunteers plan to provide a safe and fun opportunity for children with disabilities to “Trick-orTreat” while offering a 1-mile family fun walk/
run and a 5K run.
More details regarding this event are upcoming, so visit the website and Facebook page for
more information. Proceeds will be used to fund
materials, equipment, and facility costs for the
programs offered by Launch.
Details:Launch Therapeutic Preschool and Therapy Center, 225238-1741, at Immaculate Conception
Church, 865 Hatchell Lane, Denham
Springs. Website: www.launchpeds.
com and Facebook: www.facebook.
com/launchpeds, or email Dr. Varnado at [email protected].
Suddenly
Sick?
Don’t Worry. Just Walk In.
No Appointment Needed.
WALKER
Walk-In Clinic
28050 Walker S. Rd., Suite L
Next to Walmart
(225) 664-2111
Now Open Earlier on Weekdays!
Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
www.northoaks.org
IMPROVING LIVES. EVERY TIME. EVERY TOUCH.
COMMUNITY
Ministry opens a Door of Hope for teen girls and women
By Shannon Roberts
A Door of Hope had been a dream in Kristen
Maddox’s heart for seven years before she was
able to start the ministry that helps both teenage
girls and women. She is both the founder of the
ministry and one of the hosts of their television
talk show “Keeping it Real.”
Maddox was finally able to realize her
dream of helping women in May 2012, and for
the last three years, the ministry has grown
immensely—seeing about 80 to 100 women
a month. A Door of Hope helps teen girls and
women of any age with their struggles, including addictions, dealing with past abortions,
depression, and finding stability, among other
things.
“I had a vision for girls stuck in a cycle who
didn’t know how to get unstuck to break that
cycle,” Maddox said.
Her hope for the ministry is to provide a safe
place for women no matter what their personal
struggle may be and to help them get back on
their feet—whether through finding them a job,
helping them save money or just providing an
emotional balance.
The dream Maddox had for the ministry
started after she had gone through her own
decade-long struggle with addiction and going
to jail. She credits the Lord for saving her when
Kristen Maddox’s A Door of Hope Ministry offers free counseling services to women at risk. Her TV talk
show, “Keeping It Real” is part of her outreach to let people know what resources are available to them.
she walked through Suite 5 – the current
location of A Door of Hope – thinking
®
ON E LOVE FOR M I LES
LES MILES
Visit our 2 Livingston Parish locations!
2364 S. Range Ave. | 31685 Range Ave.
raisingcanes.com
she had walked into an abortion clinic. Instead of
entering a clinic, what Maddox discovered was a ministry. The ministry changed her, and Maddox in turn
had the idea for A Door of Hope.
For girls between the ages of 13 and 17, the ministry offers Camp Hope, a free summer program. There
is also a Girl Talk night every Thursday where the
teens can talk openly about subjects like abstinence or
domestic violence. Other services include counseling
and a Hope Closet for women who are in need of clothing. Maddox wants potential clients to know that the
services are free, and everything is confidential.
“As a client, know we’re here and that we’re a safe
place to work through your problems,” she stressed.
“For the mom with the teenage daughter, to women
in their 70s and 80s who’ve carried a secret and never
told, we’re here.”
One of the most recent additions to A Door of Hope
has been the talk show which Maddox co-hosts with
Shona Butler. Season two of “Keeping it Real” will air
on Fridays at 7:30 a.m. on Fox 44 beginning this fall.
In season one, there were a number of guests who
each dealt with a different battle, Maddox said. On
one show, a mother and father talked about how they
came to forgive the man who abused and eventually
murdered their daughter. Another lady who originally
had a food addiction talked about her victory of losing
more than 400 pounds.
For this coming season in October, Maddox said
they are filming her and Butler’s testimonies documentary-style, keeping things “just real” for the audience.
Volunteers are always welcome, and the ministry
will put a volunteer through eight weeks of intense
training to earn a certificate of completion in counsel-
COMMUNITY
“I had a vision for girls stuck in a
cycle who didn’t know how to get unstuck to help them break that cycle.”
Kristen Maddox
founder of Door of Hope ministry
ing. However, Maddox emphasized that their gift doesn’t have to be in
counseling. She noted there is always room for office workers, cooks and
wherever else a person wants to serve.
Maddox’ dream for A Door of Hope extends farther into the future.
She hopes the ministry can one day open a residential home for girls in
crisis situations. In the meantime, however, Maddox said the ministry is
open to speaking at churches, clubs and schools. She especially desires
to take the ministry into schools to talk about a subject dear to her heart:
suicide prevention. Maddox lost her 26-year-old son to suicide, and she
believes there is a gap that needs to be bridged.
“Suicide prevention really needs to be talked about with our youth,”
she emphasized.
A Door of Hope is open, and Maddox encourages any woman needing
help to visit and break the cycle she finds herself in.
Details: A Door of Hope Ministries, 8369 Fla Blvd, Suite
5, Denham Springs, 225-665-HOPE;
email: [email protected] ; website: adoorofhopela.com; Facebook: A Door of Hope Ministries. Hours:
Tues.- Thurs. 9:30 to 2:30
FEATURE
Sheriff’s firearm concealed carry classes offered this fall
Louisiana is an “Open Carry” state which
means a person is allowed to carry a visible
weapon to any place that isn’t specifically
restricted. Their vehicle is considered to be
an extension of their home, therefore a person
can legally carry a weapon in their vehicle In
Louisiana.
However, to carry a weapon that is concealed
from view in our state, a person must have a
“Concealed Carry License.” Before applying
to the Louisiana State Police for a license, applicants are required to first take and successfully complete a Concealed Carry course with a
registered instructor. (Some military personnel
are not required to have additional training).
The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office offers
such a class designed to provide students with
the requirements necessary to apply for and
obtain a concealed carry permit. The course
consists of both classroom and weapons firing
instruction.
In addition to fulfilling the Louisiana State
Police Requirements, the sheriff’s firearms instructors provide attendees with adequate firearm handling instruction to insure that they will
be able to use firearms in a safe and confident
manner. The extensive professional background
of the instructors allows students to participate
in interactive discussions and teachings involving “real world” experiences. The instructors
Sheriff’s Concealed Carry classroom requirements
for classes offered Sept. 12, Oct. 10 and Nov. 14
• A valid form of identification.
• A copy of the paid receipt for the class.
• A firearm (semi-auto handguns and revolvers are allowed, ex. 9mm, .40 or .45). No firearms
are allowed in the classroom.
• At least 50 rounds of ammo for the firearm (students will fire at least 36 rounds of ammo).
• Use of eye and ear protection (soft plugs provided).
• Students must come dressed in proper attire; no revealing or obscene clothing is allowed.
• No alcohol permitted on property.
are certified by the Peace Officers Standards &
Training Council.
Upcoming one-day classes will be offered
Sept. 12, Oct. 10 and Nov. 14, from 8:30 a.m.to
5:30 p.m. each day. Classes will be at the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office Training Center,
29225 Woodside Dr. in Walker. Class is limited
to 20 participants who must be at least 21 years
of age and meet the Louisiana State Police
Requirements.
The Sheriff’s Office recommends that you
download and bring the Louisiana Concealed
Handgun Permit Application Packet to class.
Packets can be downloaded and printed from the
website www.lsp.org/pdf/chapplication.pdf .
Attendees who successfully complete the
course will receive the following items from
the class: a training certificate, three notarized
affidavits and a photo. These items, along with
the properly filled-out Louisiana Concealed
Handgun Permit Application are all the materials needed to apply for the Louisiana State Police
for a concealed carry permit.
Interested persons can apply for the class
online; go to www.lpso.org/community and click
on Concealed Handgun Class. Cost of the class
is $125, and there is no refund. If anyone can’t
attend on the date chosen, the Sheriff’s Office
will offer another class date.
For any questions concerning the sheriff’s
training class, contact Sgt. Stacy Dufour at 225435-1560 or email [email protected].
What you need to know about applying for a Louisiana Concealed Carry Permit
In addition to completing a Concealed Carry training class, there are
other permit application requirements which must be met. Following are
highlights of those requirements; for complete details see the application
packet at the Louisiana State Police website, www.lsp.org/pdf/chapplication.pdf or call the Concealed Handgun Permit Unit at 225-925-4867, or
email: [email protected]. Also see FAQs and other info
at www.lsp.org/handguns.html.
• The State Police 5-year permit application fee is $125, with discounts for those over 65, veterans and active militar(for whom supporting
documents are required). Lifetime permits are also available. Fees are not
refunded for denied applications.
• Fingerprints must be taken by trained fingerprint technicians employed by a law enforcement agency and submitted with the application.
• The applicant’s Social Security Number is requested on the application in order for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to fully
conduct a criminal history background check.
• Anyone who has ever been divorced must provide a copy of the
divorce decree.
• Anyone who has ever been arrested, charged, detained, indicted, or
summonsed for any criminal offense must submit certified true copies of
the final court disposition of the case(s), even if the charges were expunged, dismissed, set aside or the person was pardoned.
• Anyone who has unlawfully used certain specified drugs, or been
committed to a drug treatment or mental facility, or been hospitalized or
prescribed medication for depression or mental illness, or currently has
any mental of physical infirmity must disclose the details and have the
treating physician sign the form.
• The average processing time for applications is approximately 90120 days.
EDUCATION Update
New requirements for Louisiana pre-K program implemented
By Kellee Hennessy Dickerson
With the prospect of the state tightening the belt once again when it
comes to funding education, additional resources may soon be needed to
complete the overhaul of the Louisiana Pre-K system that has actually
already gone into effect as of August.
State educators believe revamping the system will have a positive
impact on younger children and make them better prepared academically before they start Kindergarten. This new plan, the Early Childhood
Education Act, officially kicked off this month, August, 2015. Any child
care center or Head Start program which receives public funding for PreK falls into this category. However, only early learning centers and child
care centers who accept child care assistance programs or CCA providers
are required to participate.
Dawn Sommer has owned two locations of Denham Springs Christian Academy Learning Centers since 2012. Sommer has more than 25
employees combined at both locations. Buying the already-established
learning centers was quite an investment, and since then she and her family have been investing more money into preparations for new Early Start
and Pre-K programs that are being implemented by the State Department
of Education.
The Livingston Parish Early Childhood Community Network has been
developed as a pilot program to hold meetings and training seminars to
get everyone involved properly trained and up to speed on the requirements and regulations. Sommer has been going through this very detailed
training process.
Louisiana has multiple publicly-funded early childhood programs serving birth to age 5 “at risk” children, or children of low income families.
The programs include Pre-K in public schools, Child Care Assistance
Program or CCAP, Early Head Start, Head Start, Non-public School Early
Childhood Development Program and Early Steps.
Act 3 legislation which was set up in 2012 creates a state-wide system
to ensure children are ready for kindergarten and most importantly, ready
to learn.
The state will establish performance guidelines and standards for children through age three and academic standards for 3-4 year olds, while
issuing report cards to “grade” each location on their effectiveness.
“They have developed a system known as CLASS or Classroom Assessment Scoring System to both observe and grade the teachers all based
on interaction with the children,” Sommer explained. “Now, it can be a
little overwhelming and teachers are a little apprehensive.”
Teachers and facilities will be scored excellent, proficient or unsatisfactory, and not given a letter grade. An observer who goes in and
inspects the classroom setting will administer the grade, or ranking, if
you will. Sommer has taken classes and is now qualified to be a classroom
observer at other facilities throughout Livingston Parish.
Carla Gongre and Belinda Watson are the co-directors of this program
at the Livingston Parish School Board. They all agree with Sommer that
the implementation may be happening too soon because there are still so
many unknowns.
“The DOE hasn’t really been able to tell us much about the grading
scale. So we do not know specifically what to expect. And, of course no
one wants a failing grade. We all want to do well,” Sommer said.
“We have been working on this for more than a year and there’s still so
much work to be done and so much training that is still needed,” Congre
said. “The high quality teaching and workforce support and development
are crucial as well as good leadership,” Watson added.
The training seminars have been held at the school board office in
Livingston and the Literacy and Technology Center in Walker. The pilot
program has been funded by a grant and every child care center who participated had laptops purchased for their facilities. But, with recent news
of more budget cuts to education, those involved with the program wonder
“They have developed a system
known as CLASS or Classroom Assessment Scoring System to both observe
and grade the teachers all based on
interaction with the children”
Dawn Sommer
owner of Denham Springs
Christian Academy Learning Centers
just how long the funding will last.
“We will do everything we can, to make this a positive experience
and valuable educational tool to all learning professionals. There are just
so many variables yet to address but it will continue to take a great deal
of effort and teamwork,” Congre said.
Sommer admitted that while training has been challenging, she feels
it has also been extremely rewarding. “First, Belinda and Carla are amazing and have bent over backwards to provide us the resources and tools
we need as child care center providers involved in this program. Secondly, it’s amazing how we, as competing centers, are all working together
to share information to make this happen to educate our Pre-School
children.” Additionally, some training may become available online.
Helping Hands sessions are being offered once a month for providers
who need assistance. A network coach (a retired teacher) also visits child
care centers to offer one-on-one assistance. Centers will most likely need
to repeat training as employee turnover occurs.
If any child care center has questions, Carla Gongre and Belinda Watson are the contact people. The number to reach them at the Livingston
Parish School Board Office is 225.686.7044.
REAL ESTATE News
Louisiana Realtor Darren James named to
The Wall Street Journal Top 250 Teams in U.S. list
The Wall Street Journal and REAL Trends
have just named Darren James as one of
America’s top 250 real estate teams. Ranking
No. 51 nationally for closed team transactions,
James and his team moved up 15 spots on the
annual list from No. 66 the previous year.
Darren James is the broker and owner of
Darren James Real Estate Experts, located
in Denham Springs, La., a suburb of Baton
Rouge. His team achieved a personal best of
456 closed transactions for 2014. The team
specializes in residential real estate in several
parishes within the Baton Rouge area.
This ranking of the nation’s top real estate
Darren JAmes
professionals has been around for 10 years and
this marks the third consecutive year Darren James has made the list. He is
one of only three Louisiana real estate teams to make the top 250 transactions list and the only team that focuses on Baton Rouge real estate.
“This honor would not have been possible again without the personal
commitment of our clients to become repeat customers and to refer us to
their friends and family,” said Darren James. “And my name may be at the
head of the team, but this was truly a group effort to help nearly 500 area
families with their real estate needs.”
Being in the highest 20 percent of this Top 250 list was even more of an
accomplishment when considering James was competing with agents in
much larger markets like Chicago, Atlanta and Dallas.
The exclusive list was officially published June 26, 2015, and can be
found at http://www.realtrends.com/rankings/rt1000. It is comprised of
four separate categories honoring the top 250 residential agents and agent
teams for excellence in:
* Individual Sales Professionals—Sales volume
* Individual Sales Professionals—Transaction sides (in each real
estate transaction, there are two sides that can be represented by a real
estate agent: a buyer’s and a seller’s.)
* Team Professionals—Sales volume
* Team Professionals—Transaction sides
A Baton Rouge native, James attended Louisiana State University. He
had a nearly 10-year career in law enforcement with the Department of
Public Safety before earning his real estate license in 2001.
James has been a multi-million dollar producer every year since
becoming a Realtor. Prior to starting his own real estate firm, he earned
numerous awards with Keller Williams Realty and Coldwell Banker.
After earning his broker’s license in 2005, Darren James Real Estate
Experts, LLC was opened in 2011.
Committed to his profession, James is a member of the Livingston
Board of Realtors, where he served an elected year as president in 2009,
the Baton Rouge Association of Realtors, the Louisiana Association of
Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.
To learn more about metro Baton Rouge real estate available for sale
or the Darren James real estate team, visit www.Agent225.com or call
225-304-6363.
LET’ S Eat OUT
Foo Chow Asian Buffet Hibachi Grill and Sushi already expanding
By Jessica Nottingham
Business is booming for owners Nick Xiao
and U.V. Li at Foo Chow Asian Buffet Hibachi
Grill and Sushi in Walker. After being open for
five months, the two restaurant owners have already had to expand their dining area to accommodate customers. Xiao and Li added another
1,500 square feet to their original 6,800 sq. feet,
for a total of 8,300 square feet. They’ve even had
to create additional parking.
Their loyal customers are excited about the
expansion and additional parking as Xiaok
shared, “Some of our customers had willingly
been parking down the road and carpooling to
Foo Chow. Now the dining area can hold 200
customers, and there is a banquet room for big
party dining.”
The new lot has increased parking by 100
spaces.
Xiao owned several Hot Wok locations,
including the one previously in Walker for over
10 years, but decided he wanted to serve a larger
customer base. That called for a bigger space. He
plans to eventually re-open his Hot Wok location
in Walker to serve customers that are in need for
fast in-and-out service.
Currently, Xiao and Li are focused on their
success with Foo Chow, located at 28600 Walker
South Road. While Xiao is involved with the
restaurant on a daily basis, “I’m on standby
24/7,” as he attends to the business aspect. Li
fills the role as general manager, securing their
expectations of quality food and service. Xiao
is confident in their future as restaurant owners, and said, “U.V. and I have the same business
ideas, and we are both hard workers.”
The goal for Xiao and Li is to provide the
ultimate buffet experience by preparing food
with an abundant assortment of American and
Asian options. The Hibachi chef grills fresh
meats and vegetables in full view and the sushi
chef prepares one of many rolls right before the
customer’s very eyes. The buffet offers an expansive selection of traditional Asian cuisine.
The Friday and Saturday night seafood
buffet brings in a large crowd with choices of
crawfish, shrimp, crab legs, oysters, flounder and
other authentic Cajun seafood choices.
Xiao smiled, “We are more than just a Chinese buffet.” Li added, “We have buffet variety
with dine-in quality.”
Xiao, who has had many years of experience
in the restaurant industry, revealed, “I’ve had 30
restaurants in the past; now I’ve scaled down.”
He explains that from his experience, “If
you don’t feel like you’re the best, then there is
always room to be better.” That is why Xiao and
Li depend heavily on customer feedback. They
believe strongly in serving their customers well
and living up to the expectations of their diners.
Contributing to those expectations is
Foo Chow Buffet owners U.V. Li, left and Nick Xiao, above, are happy about the response from customers to their
new restaurant, above left. The restaurant features an extensive buffet (above, right), Hibachi grill and sushi, as well
as American options.
Head Chef Jack Lin, with 15 years of experience in the kitchen. He works behind the scenes
ensuring the dishes are fresh and well-executed.
The name “Foo Chow” is derived from
Fuzhou, Xiao’s hometown in China. He and his
family have been residents of Walker for over a
decade, and they are proud to call it home.
Xiao and U.V. are very appreciative of all the
support they have received for their new restaurant. “As the owner, I want to say thanks to all of
our customers who have supported us throughout
the years. Fuzhou is my hometown in China, and
now Walker is my home,” Xiao said.
Li, who is well-traveled, added, “People from
Walker and surrounding areas are much nicer
than the rest of the country; they are sincere and
polite.”
They look forward to many years of providing fresh food and friendly service to the people
of Livingston Parish.
Details: Foo Chow Asian Buffet Hibachi Grill and Sushi, 28600 Walker
South Road, Walker; 225-791-7778.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10:30
a.m.-9:30p.m, Friday & Saturday
10:30a.m.-10:30p.m. Facebook: Foo
Chow Asian Buffet Hibachi Grill
and Sushi.
NEW Business NEWS
Whale shark expedition inspires Louisiana Mermaid to
launch new education program for school children
Tales of mermaids, creatures once believed
to be half woman, half fish have been woven
through the folklore and mythology for many
cultures for ages. More recently, mermaids
have seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to
their appearance in movies, television shows
PURCHASE | REFINANCE | NEW CONSTRUCTION
Jackie Dykes
Senior Mortgage Banker
178 Del Orleans Ave. Ste. D
Denham Springs, LA 70726
225.405.6964
[email protected]
gmfslending.com/jackie.dykes
NMLS #121882
#1
GMFS LLC is an Equal Housing Lender. All mortgages are originated by GMFS LLC at 7389 Florida Blvd. Suite 200A Baton Rouge, LA 70806.
NMLS #64997. LA License 619. Branch is located at 178 Del Orleans Ave. Ste D, Denham Springs, LA. Branch NMLS #307667.
A+ Rating
and children’s literature. Women around the
world are donning expensive, highly customized “fins” to live out the fantasy of becoming
one of these mysterious sirens of the deep.
One such woman is Venessa, the Louisiana
Mermaid. Known to friends and family as
Venessa Lewis, she ordered her first custom mermaid tail almost 2 years ago. Last
summer, Lewis made both local and national
headlines for her unique hobby after swimming in public pools in her tail, and has since
turned her interest into a full time entertainment and educational business venture.
Lewis takes bookings for mermaid appearances year round to appear at festivals,
fundraisers, charity events, birthday parties –
any event that is looking for a family-friendly
promotional “hook.”
She contracted with the Livingston Parish
Convention and Visitor’s Bureau last October
to promote recreation and tourism in the parish and has done so through attending many
of their events as well as on social media.
Although she has been helping promote
the parish and its many waterways, when
one envisions mermaids, they are most often
imagined as dwelling in the deep blue sea.
Lewis herself makes that connection, and she
longed for a “true mermaid experience” in the
sea, but had one problem with that -- she was
NEW Business NEWS
“Who better to bring the magic of this
watery world to the classroom than a mermaid? The tail gets their attention, and I
can’t wait to see those little minds turning
when I tell them, ‘Yes! I really do swim with
sharks!’” Lewis exclaimed.
terrified of sharks.
Determine to overcome that fear, she
signed up for the third annual “Mermaid
Portfolio Workshop” held July 24-29. The
workshop is held on the small island of Isla
Mujeres, Mexico, and participants include
several “mermaids” from around the world,
along with three highly talented mermaid photographers. During the workshop, participants
learned important facts about ocean conservation and environmental threats.
Participants are usually experienced freedivers who are used to swimming in 40-pound
silicone tails and can hold their breath for up
to a minute or more. The highlight of the trip
includes two days of swimming with whale
sharks, the largest fish in the ocean and an
endangered species.
The whale shark is a slow-moving filterfeeding shark that feeds on tiny plankton and
krill. Their average size is 30-35 feet long, and
they weigh about 9-10 tons, but are considered
harmless to humans – in other words, the
perfect animal for Lewis’s first open-ocean
free-diving experience.
Whale sharks are especially abundant in
the late summer in several areas around the
world during mass spawning of fish shoals.
One of the highest concentrations of whale
sharks is found near Isla Mujeres. The island
has built a considerable ecotourism business
around this annual feeding.
Lewis completed four free-diving sessions
with these huge, yet docile creatures during
the workshop. She described her first dive,
and said, “Once you are in the water, you have
no idea where the shark is. The boat captain
will signal the photographer, and you are
instructed to dive immediately. The first dive
was absolutely thrilling. As I opened my eyes
and looked to my left, the HUGE creature was
swimming right along next to me! I was nervous as first, but then as we swam, I became
so peaceful… we seemed to glide along in
sync and enjoy each other’s company.”
During her visit, Lewis also was able to
observe dolphins and sailfish in the wild and
swam as a mermaid with many colorful tropical fish in the crystal clear lagoons around the
island.
So inspired by this experience was she
that upon returning home, Lewis “adopted”
a whale shark via the World Wildlife Federation’s Species Adoption program. Next, she
began to develop an educational program
geared towards children to get them interested
in the ocean and its creatures. Lewis includes
topics close to home such as native Louisiana
fish identification and issues affecting our
coast. Her program is being offered to classrooms across Livingston Parish this year. But
this isn’t her first time in the classroom; Lewis
has served as an adjunct instructor for LSU’s
Manship School of Mass Communication for
the last four years.
Last year, she was named “Communicator
of the Year” by the Public Relations Association of Louisiana.
“Who better to bring the magic of this watery world to the classroom than a mermaid?
The tail gets their attention, and I can’t wait
to see those little minds turning when I tell
them, ‘Yes! I really do swim with sharks!’”
Lewis exclaimed.
For more information, visit thelouisianamermaid.com or Venessa the Louisiana
Mermaid on Facebook .
Details: Venessa Lewis, the Louisiana Mermaid, 225.664.0829 office/225.603.4229 cell;
25817 Royal Birkdale Drive, Denham Springs, LA 70726. Email:
[email protected]; Facebook:
LouisianaMermaid.
BUSINESS
Spotlight
Heroman’s Florist & Gifts is enjoying new location
By Jessica Nottingham
On the corner of 4th and Main Street in
downtown Baton Rouge in 1878 sat a religious
gift and bookstore, the business which was the
beginning of the Heroman legacy.
Over the years, the Heroman family has
become a well-known name throughout the area.
As a third generation business owner, Rickey
Heroman opened a floral and gift shop, Rickey
Heroman’s Florist and Gifts, on Range Ave. in
Denham Springs in 2002.
After more than a decade of success at that
location and years of planning, he made the
decision to build Heroman Plaza at 121 Bass
Pro Blvd. and move his shop there into Suite
A. He needed a bigger space, a more accessible
location, and he wanted to provide opportunities
for other local businesses to grow. With nearly
every suite leased, Heroman says he only has
one space left which is 1300 square feet.
With a passion for floral design and pleasing
his customers, Heroman explains that his drive
has come from “wanting to sell products to help
people express emotions, feelings and sentiments.”
From weddings, anniversaries, births, graduations and birthdays, to business functions,
funerals, or “just because,” Heroman’s offers a
wide variety of floral arrangements and gifts for
every occasion. The shop even provides landscaping services to residences and businesses.
The most popular product is fresh flowers,
available daily for in-store pickup and delivery.
The shop offers a wide area of delivery, from
Walker, Denham Springs, and Livingston, to St.
Barbara McCumber (designer), Mary Edmonds (customer service
representative), and Rickey Heroman (owner).
Gabriel, Prairieville, Baton Rouge, Plaquemine,
Zachary and Baker. Same-day delivery is available if an arrangement is ordered by 3 p.m.
Their services extend to on-site setups for
weddings, funerals and other events, with no
request too large or too small. A bridal and gift
registry is available in-store and online at www.
RickeyHeromans.com.
Many specialty items and name-brand décor
can be found at Rickey Heroman’s, such as a
Spode (an Old English China company) biscuit
barrel. Heroman recalls a specific occasion in
which a lady came in looking for that biscuit
barrel, “She explained that her husband would
BUSINESS
This display of flowers and gifts is a just a sample of the home
decor, gifts, plants and other items available at the new location
of Rickey Heroman’s Florist and Gifts.
be coming in soon to find her a birthday gift.
She listed that item on her registry and made
it much easier for her husband to shop for her
birthday present.”
While deliveries account for a large portion
of their business, there are also many options for
walk-in customers. Inside the store, one can find
a large selection of home décor (crystal, candles,
picture frames and more), LSU tailgate items,
plants, baby clothes and toys, pewter objects,
platters, and a wide variety gifts. Additionally,
Cash & Carry options of fresh flower bunches
are available for customers on the go, and there
are also weekly specials for those in search of a
good deal on fresh flowers.
Rickey Heroman’s has seasonal gifts, decorations, and arrangements throughout the year for
holidays including Valentine’s Day, Mother’s
Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and
Christmas. During fall and winter they sell
wreathes, fresh garland and artificial trees. Fall
and winter are popular times for the Thymes
Frasier Fur diffuser that they have available.
His Denham Springs location and two stores
in Baton Rouge, one on O’Neal Lane, the other
in Towne Center, keep him 100 percent occupied. He acknowledges his wife and two
daughters who provide invaluable help during
busy times.
Rickey Heroman’s has been recognized in
the Flower Shop Top 100 by FTD, an organization that provides services out of town. Also,
he has won a State Award of Flower Design. He
has even made time to teach design classes. He
Spotlight
recently taught a class for cancer survivors at
Mary Bird Perkins.
Rickey Heroman’s ultimate goal is complete
customer satisfaction. He said, “We’re here
whenever our customers need us to be; we’re
here to help with anything they need.”
In order to fulfill their customer expectations, he is adamant about purchasing quality
products, “I buy straight from the growers, not
wholesale.”
He also employs a scientific process of using
three levels of preservatives that result in longlasting, colorful, blooming flowers. He smiled
and said, “A customer recently told me in excitement, ‘Your flowers last me 10-12 days!’ and
that is why we do what we do. Just remember,
no matter how large or small the occasion…it
can be arranged.”
Details: Rickey Heroman’s Florist
and Gifts, 121 Bass Pro Blvd, Denham Springs; 225-665-5181; Hours:
Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat. 9
a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday (B.R. only)
12p.m.-4p.m. (D.S. during Christmas); Facebook: Rickey Heroman’s
Florist and Gifts; website: www.
rickeyheromans.com.
COVER Story
Diamonds are often a
person’s second- or thirdlargest investment of a
lifetime. Stuart Salassi
knew that in order to sell
fine diamonds to people
with confidence, he would
have to have confidence
in his ability to appraise
a diamond and advise a
customer on its quality.
There’s more to diamonds than just sparkle and size
Let Stuart Salassi, graduate of the GIA Diamonds Program, be your guide
By Helen Wale Turner
Stuart Salassi, co-owner with wife Renee
of Salassi Jewelry & Gifts in downtown
Denham Springs, recently completed his
diamond certification training. As far as is
known, he is the only jeweler in Livingston
Parish to be so certified, and one of only 12
in Louisiana who have earned that distinction.
It has been a journey for him to achieve
that level of excellence. It began shortly
after he and Renee opened their store on
Florida Blvd. in 2012, before moving the
business to the Antiques District in April
2013.
“Renee is a jewelry designer who had
worked at department stores and with
designer Mignon Faget, so she came in with
experience in the jewelry world,” Stuart
said. “I came in as the business manager
with business experience, but only a little
knowledge about the jewelry trade.”
In the beginning, designer Misty Catalano became a big help to the couple, putting
them in touch with other jewelers, in particular, Shavarsh K (the K is for his last name,
Kaltakdjian), a well-known and respected
jeweler and designer in Baton Rouge.
“I met Shavarsh and asked if he had any
advice he could give me to help set us up for
success,” Stuart explained, “and he immediately said, ‘Yes, I can, and what you need to
do is learn all you can about diamonds and
There is far more to appraising diamonds than the 4 Cs
that everyone hears about - cut, clarity, color and carat.
Other factors include identification of inclusions, feathering, cracks and other characteristics. Stuart Salassi
cautions everyone to make sure the person they buy a
diamond from is someone who is knowledgeable and
trustworthy. He especially cautions people about buying
diamonds through the Internet.
COVER Story
go into diamond sales.’”
Through Stuart’s relationship with
Shavarsh and a couple of other jewelers he
quickly learned there is far more to diamonds than the 4 Cs!
“They basically all said they could tell
me how to look at diamonds the fast way,”
Stuart said, “but they advised me to learn
more. So that’s when my journey began. I
had a lot of questions in my head, and was
wondering, where do I even start?”
Diamonds are often a person’s second- or
third-largest investment of a lifetime. Stuart
knew that in order to sell fine diamonds to
people with confidence, he would have to
have confidence in his ability to appraise
a diamond and advise a customer on its
quality.
“I also knew that the only way to get
that confidence was to become educated,”
he said. “I started researching and found
that GIA far exceeded any other diamond
evaluation and appraisal company by a long
shot. They have always been number one in
the industry.”
Established in 1931, GIA (Gemological
Institute of America) is the world’s foremost
authority on diamonds, colored stones and
pearls. A public benefit, nonprofit institute,
GIA is the leading source of knowledge,
standards, and education in gems and
jewelry. They educate students around the
world, providing them with the knowledge,
skills and credentials to launch successful
gem and jewelry careers.
“They are the standard in the industry,
and I didn’t want to learn from second best,
so I contacted them,” Stuart explained. “I
found out it was a pretty lengthy and expensive process, but knew it was something I
needed to do.”
Stuart enrolled in July 2014, and started
his online coursework on August 4. There
are three different courses/certifications
that have to be completed in order to be
a certified graduate of the GIA diamonds
program: diamond essentials, diamond
grading and lab certification.
1. Diamond essentials: Students acquire
the skills to sell diamond jewelry effectively and confidently with the GIA clarity
grading system; learn how diamonds are
graded for color, and how color affects
value; discover how modern technology is
changing the way diamonds are cut; and
learn the relationship between size and
weight. Typically this course takes three
months, but Stuart finished it in in three
weeks.
2. Diamonds and diamond grading:
Students gain the skills to grade the color,
clarity and cut of diamonds; using authoritative texts and magnified photos, learn to
determine proportions and estimate weight;
Stuart Salassi with his diploma from GIA (Gemological Institute of America), the world’s foremost authority on
diamonds, colored stones and pearls. He completed oursework and passes testing in the areas of diamond essentials,
diamond grading and lab certification.
COVER Story
Salassi Jewelry & Gifts moved to the donwtown Denham Springs Antiques Village in April 2013 and the
owners couldn’t be happier with their location and the walk-in business it generates.
study diamond treatments, synthetics, and
simulants, and understand the effect of fluorescence on diamond body color; analyze
the role cut plays in the marketplace; and
acquire the technical knowledge needed to
make profitable buying and selling decisions. Stuart completed this 15-month
course in three months.
3. Diamond grading lab class: Students
learn to grade diamonds in a hands-on process using a gem microscope and jeweler’s
loupe; they also learn the Master GIA’s
Diamond Grading System; discover timesaving shortcuts to determine a variety of
grading factors; learn to read and prepare a
GIA Diamond Grading report; and practice
grading techniques on diamonds graded by
GIA.
Stuart traveled to Lafayette to the global
headquarters of Stuller, Inc., one of the
country’s largest diamond wholesalers,
where GIA representatives conducted this
intensive one-week course and administered
the final testing.
The rigorous testing including identifying a diamond’s inclusions (imperfections).
Stuart noted there are so many things that
go into grading and valuing a diamond.
“Feathering and black coal specks are the
most common inclusions. Most surface
imperfections can be buffed out. Internal inclusions can sometimes be cured by re-cutting the gem, however, this can sometimes
drastically reduce the size of the gem, thus
reducing the value potentially by thousands
of dollars. Cracks and feathering can be
filled with lead (glass) and made invisible to
the naked eye, but they can still be detected
by the trained eye and this process will
devalue the gem by hundreds to thousands
of dollars”.
The significance of Stuart’s completing
this course and receiving his certification is
that people in Livingston Parish no longer
have to leave the parish to buy a diamond
from a diamond expert.
He cautions people to make sure the
person they buy a diamond from is someone
who is knowledgeable and trustworthy. He
especially cautions people about buying
diamonds through the Internet.
“I’ve had people bring in a diamond they
bought online who were disappointed with
the appearance,” Stuart said. “They wonder
why it is cloudy when the seller said it was
COVER Story
an eye for what looks good on people. She is
brutally honest, almost to her detriment, because she doesn’t dance around; she will tell
someone which piece of jewelry looks better on them even if it is the less expensive
piece. But that’s also why customers keep
coming back. She is genuine and believable
and has a way with people. It’s a natural
thing for her to want to help people.”
And now Stuart has the training and
certification of a GIA diamond graduate to
add to their resume.
“It means so much to me and our store to
have this recognition, to be able to expand
our business and help customers make
a smart decision when investing in diamonds.”
Details: Stuart Fine Jewelry & Gifts,
111 N. Range Ave., next door to the
Taste of Louisiana Café,, Denham
Springs, LA 70726; 225-271-8641;
salassijewelry.com; salassijewelry@
gmail.com; facebook: Salassi Jewelry.
Hours: 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat.,
or later as customers demand.
This cute little guy keeps a watchful eye on customers and his
owners, Stuart and Renee Salassi.
certified. The question is, who certified
it? Anyone can make up their own criteria
and call it certified, and it is – as far as the
seller’s criteria go, but not by industry standards. The EGL USA certification is the
closest to GIA but is still well below GIA
standards.”
When someone with lower standards or
qualifications appraises a diamond, there
is the potential for several thousand dollars
of difference in the evaluation of the stone
because GIA is more stringent in their
grading.
“It could still be a very nice-looking
stone but may not be worth the selling price
if the grading is not done by a GIA-certified
jeweler,” Stuart cautioned. “Also, be wary
when someone offers a diamond at a very
low price. When buying a diamond, you
usually get what you pay for.”
He added that someone giving themselves the title of gemologist is meaningless. A gemologist is simply someone who
studies gems, and anyone can claim that
title. Having the GIA diploma certifies that
the person is a consummate professional
who has the proper training to do a complete and accurate appraisal.
Salassi Jewelry & Gifts may be the only
locally-owned store in Livingston Parish
selling fine jewelry and diamonds. They
sell all types of jewelry and gift items,
and they design, build and repair jewelry,
including but not limited to, appraisals, ring
sizing, and service all brands of watches.
When someone comes in with a ring,
Stuart can do a complimentary steam
cleaning and inspection. He noted that a
lot of women are walking around with a
ring in danger of losing its diamond. A ring
should be inspected every six months or so
depending on how active the customer is
and how fragile the mount and prongs.
“Renee does what she knows best –
design jewelry and assist customers,” said
Stuart. “She’s a great salesperson because
she knows fashion and trends, and she has
BUSINESS
Spotlight
The staff for Dr. Cynthia Baker, seated in front, are, standing, l-r, Susan Mitchell, Susie Anders, Debbie
Babin, Jennifer Beck, Susan Bouquet and Tonya Achord.
Dr. Dr. Baker expands scope of optometry practice to meet needs of patients
By Shannon Roberts
When Dr. Cynthia Baker was just a high
school freshman, she knew she wanted to
become an optometrist. From that point on, she
worked hard to make her dream come true—
even when it meant being one of few women in
the field at first.
Dr. Baker graduated from Southern College
of Optometry in Tennessee as the youngest in
her class. She attended LSU and the University
of Southern Mississippi for undergraduate studies. Upon graduation from the school of optometry, she accepted a job in Denham Springs—a
far cry from the New Orleans area where she
grew up.
“When you’re from New Orleans, this place
just seems so small,” Dr. Baker laughed.
She soon fell in love with the people of
Denham Springs, and for the past 32 years, she
has worked as an optometrist in the area. She
is married and has two children, both of whom
are in school studying for different medical
programs.
After starting work under Drs. Carnaggio
and Adams for two years, Dr. Baker purchased
the practice. When she first began her private
practice, her business mostly involved routine
eye visits from young families. Now, she sees
people of all ages with everything from contacts
refills and dry eye to macular degeneration issues.
At her office on South Range Ave., Dr. Baker
can perform a host of different services: dilated
eye exams, contact fittings, treatment of eye injuries, removal of foreign objects from the eye, and
treating eye infections, glaucoma and macular
degeneration. Dr. Baker often treats diabetic patients for the retina issues which can arise from
the disease.
When she was in school, Dr. Baker was stuck
between pursuing a career in social work or optometry. Now that she has worked in the eye care
business for more than three decades, Dr. Baker
said she knows she made the right choice: “I can
minister just as much by being an optometrist.”
Dr. Baker is firm in her Christian faith, and
she believes that her role as a doctor can help
others with more than just eye issues. She said
the conversations she has with patients are often
on a deeper level.
“People share; they just want to talk to someone. I have a true understanding of what it’s like
for people to go through rough times,” she said.
“God has blessed me.”
The optometrist spends time with each of her
patients, no matter how busy her schedule is that
day. She believes this is what makes her practice
different from other eye care practices: the quality care of her patients’ wellbeing.
Besides caring for her patients, Dr. Baker is
one of only 3,000 diplomats for the American
Board of Optometry. She travels regularly and
often visits the Capitol to meet and discuss policies with legislators. Dr. Baker said she began to
be involved with legislation concerning optometry and healthcare in the 1980s. Her passion for
optometry has helped her speak with Senators
Bill Cassidy and David Vitter about laws vital to
her profession in Washington, D.C., such as the
Affordable Care Act.
BUSINESS
Spotlight
Dr. Cynthia Baker
In 1993, Dr. Baker went to the legislature to speak to members about gaining full prescriptive authority in the field of
optometry. Before that, she could only use two different types
of drops to numb and dilate her patients’ eyes. More recently,
Dr. Baker has been able to gain the authority to perform laser
procedures for glaucoma and drain both cysts and lesions in
her office.
“You think you can just practice optometry, but you have
to expand your scope and protect your profession,” Dr. Baker
asserted.
Dr. Baker sits as the fourth female president of the Optometry Association of Louisiana. The organization is in its 101st
year, and she is proud to be a part of the group and surrounded
by dedicated optometrists. The state of Louisiana is among the
top states in the field, and Dr. Baker said many states look to
be mentored by the Louisiana group.
“It’s a great time to be an optometrist in Louisiana,” Dr.
Baker said.
When she is not busy working, Dr. Baker enjoys a host
of physical activities, including diving, swimming, running,
tennis and several types of skiing. While on a business trip to
Seattle earlier this year, the optometrist even ran a 5K.
“I don’t stop,” she smiled.
Details: Dr. Cynthia Dr. Baker, Optometrist, 1330 S Range Ave., Denham Springs,
225.664.2189; www.drcynthiaDr. Baker.com;
Facebook: Dr. Cynthia Dr. Baker; Hours: Mon.Fri. 9 am-5 pm. with other hours for emergency
appointments.
TALK of
the TOWN
Denham Springs Antique Village Fall Festival Oct. 3
Festival a day of antiques, art, music, food
Nearly two decades in the making, one of the biggest, continuously run festivals in the Livingston Parish area, the Denham Springs
Fall Festival once again provides a free family fun day for all. On
Saturday, October 3, from 9 to 5 p.m., the community will gather in
the historic Denham Springs Antique District for the best in arts and
crafts, children’s activities, rides and games, live stage entertainment
and festival foods for all tastes.
Thousands of visitors will experience this unique one day event
which is held rain or shine and for many is a long standing tradition
of family fun and excitement. The Festival hosts over 150 local and
regional artists and craftsmen, offering a wide range of interesting
items including everything from furniture to collectibles, country,
folk art, rugs, jewelry, glass, textiles, pottery, garden, architectural
antiques and much more. Plus there is an assortment of other popular
and trendy items such as children’s handcrafted clothes, purses, hats,
as well as collegiate-wear featuring the Saints, LSU and Southern
universities to name a few.
Other festival attractions include FREE carnival rides courtesy of
the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Department. The children’s games and
activities are always a family favorite. Children (and adults) will also
enjoy face painting as well as many other amusements.
Two stages of live entertainment are within easy walking distance
of Range Ave. and provide an excellent place to sit and relax or tap
your toes and dance. Visitors are welcome to bring chairs or use
provided seating. This year’s entertainment includes:
At Train Station Park the audience will be enjoy Odyssey Dance,
Big River Express and Soul Salvage Project. On the Centerville Stage
, Jim and James Linden Hogg, West Bound Train and Flash Drive will
entertain the crowd.
Produced by the Denham Springs Antique Village Merchants Association and their partner, Pelican State Credit Union. For more information, please visit denhamspringsantiquedistrict.com. As always,
admission and parking are free.
denham springs
antique village
FREE RIDES
saturday 9AM
october 3 5PM
The place to be October 3 is the Denham Springs Antique
District for the annual Fall Festival. A fun-filled day of antiques,
art, music, and delicious local foods, plus MUCH more.
This year’s festival is on tap to be bigger and better than
ever before. Visitors will enjoy unique crafts, great
entertainment and free carnival rides courtesy of
the LP Sheriff’s Dept. This festival is one of the
area’s premier events and takes place in the
award-winning, historic Antique District where
the streets are lined with booths. Don’t miss it.
Come enjoy the activities, sights and sounds.
Everyone is invited to this family friendly festival.
As always, ADMISSION is FREE!
PET FRIENDLY
The Denham Springs annual
Fall Festival is presented by
Pelican State Credit Union and
the Denham Springs
Antique Merchants Assocation.
pelicanstatecu.com
ARTS & CRAFTS
150+ VENDORS
TWO STAGES
LIVE MUSIC
Train Station Park
Odyssey Dance
Big River Express
Soul Salvage Project
Centerville Stage
Jim & James Linden Hogg
West Bound Train
Flash Drive
Photos by Amy Konieczka
Photography : theamyk.com
DISCOVER
LOUISIANA’S BEST!
DenhamSpringsAntiqueDistrict.com
Thank you to our sponsors:
livingstonbusiness.com
arceneauxFP15.indd 1
theadvocate.com
livingstonparishnews.com
piercecms.com
8/25/2015 10:47:34 PM
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 • Livingston Business Journal • livingstonbusiness.com
• page 37
REAL Estate
LISA BICE
What a home inspection does and does not do
Here’s what a
home inspection
is not: It is not a
pass or fail test.
When purchasing a home,
the buyer has an
option to obtain a
home inspection,
at his own expense. The cost of a home
inspection varies by inspector and the size
of home.
What a home inspector does is provide
an independent review of the property, to
educate the buyer as to the overall condition
of the home and specifically to search for
hidden defects in the major systems. Then
it’s up to the buyer to determine whether or
not the repairs are acceptable or if they can
be responsibly repaired.
It is not a “to do” list for the seller. The
home inspection is the inspector’s opinion of
the home’s condition and any major defect
identified needs to be independently verified
by an expert in that particular field. You will
need to discuss how to handle any request
for repairs with your Realtor.
A typical home inspection includes an
assessment of:
· Exterior features – outside walls, soffits, decks, the roof, chimneys and drainage
conditions.
· Interior items – the condition of windows, doors, plumbing fixtures, appliances,
electrical outlets and switches.
· Heating and cooling systems
· Attic and crawlspace and whether they
have adequate insulation and ventilation.
· Foundation – How is the structural
integrity of the foundation? Is there any
evidence of cracks, shifting, or moisture
problems?
· Electrical – Do any dangerous electrical situations exist? Are there apparent code
violations in the electrical system?
· Attached Structures – What is the
condition of any attached structure (sheds,
decks, garages, etc).
Home inspectors do visual inspections
but do NOT take things apart. They cannot tell you exactly how many years are left
on the roof, but they can tell you if it needs
replacing right now. They are looking for
anything that is a significant safety hazard.
They are usually not equipped to do specialized work, such as checking for termites.
That’s a job for a pest inspector. Likewise,
you usually have to hire specialist to assess
the conditions of swimming pools, septic
systems or the health of trees and shrubs.
Choose wisely when it comes to deciding.
Price is never a reason to select an inspector. Look for someone who participates in
on-going education and feel free to ask for
references.
Contact Lisa Bice with questions about
real estate pricing, comparable home sales,
buying or selling, etc. She is a full time
Realtor licensed to sell real estate in Louisiana. In addition, Lisa is a licensed home
stager and is a member of the International
Association of Home Staging Professionals. Contact Lisa for all of your Real Estate
needs: 225-572-9575 direct phone, email
[email protected], visit website LisaBice.
com. Darren James Real Estate Experts,
225-304-6363, Denham Springs, LA.
This and all other columns and articles, including archives of past issues, are
available online at: thebusinessjournalLA.com.
INSURANCE Matters
PETER BONDY
Changes to social security must be made – and the sooner the better
T
he Federal Old Age, Survivors and
Disability Insurance programs —
which for most Americans means
Social Security — is read and heard about
often lately, from those running for the presidency of the United States and from others.
They indicate that entitlement programs need
to be modified and brought under control;
that such programs require a major proportion of the federal budget, and this has an
adverse impact on the economic growth of
the country.
As an entitlement program, Social Security has a number of characteristics. Benefits,
for example, are not guaranteed. Benefits are payable in accordance with
current legislation, which could be changed at any time. There is no account
in participants’ names other than a record and earnings quarters of service
which are used to determine benefits eligibility and benefit amount.
Many feel that Social Security needs improvement, that it does not provide sufficient benefits, and that the amounts withheld from our paychecks
are too high. These and other issues are likely going to be debated not only
among candidates but also among us, the taxpayers.
So, how will you react to comments relating to Social Security? What
is important to you? How extensive do you believe corrective measures
should be? How will you select the candidate that you feel will best support
necessary corrections? Of all the potential corrections, which one(s) would
you support? Even though there are several months until the presidential
election, positions and choice of corrective measures are being designed and
selected now.
The following information should be helpful:
The initial intent of Social Security was to provide a basic level of living for those retired, for the survivors of those who died and to replace
some of the income lost as result of the disability of the participant. Cost
of living adjustments were not contemplated. The maximum taxable wage
basis equaled the maximum income level used for benefit calculation, and it
remained at that level for many years.
If monies from contributions and Social Security trust fund balances
are not sufficient, the benefits paid would be reduced proportionately to that
amount for which funds would be available. For example, based on current
conditions, the trust fund for the disability insurance program is projected
to be totally depleted by the end of the 4th quarter of 2016. After that, unless changes are implemented, the system would only have sufficient funds
to pay 81% of the disability benefits otherwise payable. Under current
conditions, the old age and survivors insurance trust fund would run out of
monies around 2034.
In summary, Social Security cannot continue to provide the level of
benefits it pays today without change. The sooner we implement corrections
to our Social Security program the less drastic they will need to be and will
benefit us all.
There have been many possible fixes mentioned and discussed, one of
which, or more likely a combination of which, would be adequate to fix the
system for the long term. Among the potential solutions are the following:
(1) accelerate the increase to the normal retirement age of 67 by one year;
(2) increase the maximum taxable wage base which is used for calculation
of the required contribution to the system; (3) increase the percentage for
the contribution; (4) increase the maximum taxable wage for contribution
calculation purposes but not for benefit calculation; (5) reduce the cost of
living adjustment.
Want to see how far these changes or a combination would go in fixing
the problem? You can play “The Social Security Game” which is available
through the website of the American Academy of Actuaries at: http://actuary.org/content/play-social-security-game. It is easy, informative and fun.
Peter J. Bondy, FSA, MAAA is an expert actuarial and insurance
consultant. He has experience with annuity and life insurance products
and has assisted the legal profession with insurance related matters. He
has taught insurance courses and has served on actuarial professional task
forces and working groups on various insurance and annuity product matters. He continues such service. Bondy is a member of the Social Insurance
and Public Finance Section of the Society of Actuaries. He also provides
insurance policy analysis and actuarial appraisal evaluations of life insurance policies, disability claims and annuity benefits. 225-323-5904, email
[email protected].
This and all other columns and articles, including archives of past
issues, are available online at our website, livingstonbusiness.com.
MONEY Matters
SCOTT LANDRY
Investors can learn much from the American workforce
This time of year we observe Labor
Day, a celebration of the men and women
who roll up their sleeves and go to work
each day. If you’re in the workforce yourself, you can appreciate this recognition of
your efforts. And as an investor, you can
employ these attributes of the American
worker:
• Organization – The most productive
workers are those who organize their time
and efforts to maximize their productivity. When you invest, organization is also
important. You might have trouble gaining traction toward your goals,
such as a comfortable retirement, if you own a bunch of scattered
investments that aren’t really working together to help you. Instead, try
to build a portfolio in which all your investments combine to provide
the opportunities for growth and income you need to help reach your
objectives.
• Perseverance – As workers, all of us go through difficult times,
whether with our bosses, co-workers or even the work itself – but we
persevere. As an investor, you, too, will experience bumps in the road,
in the form of market downturns. Yet, if you avoid making hasty and
ill-advised moves in response to potential short-term volatility, you
can maintain your focus on your long-term needs and goals – and, as a
result, you can help improve your chances of meeting those needs and
attaining those goals.
• Vision – Workers put in their time, year after year, because they
have a vision of what they hope their efforts will yield – a rewarding
career, sufficient financial resources for their family, and so on. As an
investor, you also can benefit from articulating a picture of what you
hope to achieve. And that means you need to be specific about what
you want. Instead of saying to yourself, ‘I’d like to retire comfortably
someday,’ pin yourself down as to what this really means. At what age
would you like to retire? Will you want to travel the world or stay close
to home to pursue your hobbies? How much money will you need to
make these wishes come true? Where will this money come from? By
answering these and other questions, you can define a vision for your
financial future, leading you to the next step – creating a strategy to
help turn this vision into reality.
• Diversity – The American workforce benefits from drawing on the
experiences and viewpoints of people from all different backgrounds.
When you invest, you should also seek diversity. If you only owned
one type of investment vehicle, such as growth stocks, and the market
hit a downturn, your portfolio would likely take a big hit. It’s a given
that the value of investments will fluctuate, which means, under some
circumstances, you could lose some or all of your principal. But if
you spread your dollars among a range of vehicles – including stocks,
bonds, government securities, certificates of deposit and real estate
– you can reduce the impact of volatility on your holdings. (Keep in
mind, though, that diversification, by itself, does not guarantee a profit
or protect against loss.)
By emulating some of the characteristics of the American workforce, you can continue making progress toward your goals – without
even having to work overtime.
For information on investment strategies at every age, contact Scott
Landry, an investment representative and branch manager administrator with Edward Jones. 225-664-9798 or toll-free at 800-256-6664; 179
Del Orleans, Denham Springs, LA 70726. www.edwardjones.com.
This and all other columns and articles, including archives of
past issues, are available online at livingstonbusiness.com.
GET IT Growing
KENNY SHARPE
Tend roses and plant veggies for fall production
Roses have
benefited from the
moisture this year
and have really
grown. Prune roses
in late August to
early September to
get ready for their
fall floral display.
There are a
number of shrub roses or landscape roses, such
as Knock Out roses that are very popular and
tend to grow larger than advertised. You can plan
on trimming shrub roses back up to one-third of
their total size now. If you still think they are still
too large after pruning, wait until late January to
early February and you can take off up to twothirds then.
For the more traditional roses, such as hybrid
tea types and large roses you can increase your
fall flowering and control size by pruning your
canes back to 24-30 inches from the ground.
Do not prune climbing roses now, they should
be pruned right after they flower or you will cut
off the blooms for next year.
Once you have finished pruning your roses,
remove weeds from the bed and add a new layer
of mulch. Apply a light application of fertilizer to
stimulate flower production.
August is the time to start preparing for your
fall garden. This time of year there are still some
traditional warm season crops that can be planted
but each passing day limits what you can get
harvested before the first frost. You can also start
planting cool season crops that can take some
heat but mature later in the fall when the temperatures start to cool down.
Fall bush snap beans can be planted from now
until about September 10, while pole snaps should
be planted by the end of August. Irish potatoes
go well with snap beans and fall potatoes can be
planted from mid-August through September 10.
Cucumbers can be planted until the first of
September. Cucumbers are a fast crop this time
of year, but the vines do not handle frost well so
do not delay planting too long.
English peas, Snow peas and Sugar Snaps are
cool season peas that can be planted from midSeptember to mid-November. They need to be
planted to bloom before it frosts but late enough
to bloom when the heat is not so high to disrupt
bloom set. All three pea types have both short
vine varieties which do not require a trellis and
tall vine varieties which do require a trellis. Plant
peas 1 to 2 inches apart, which will require 6 to
12 ounces of seed per 100 feet.
You may know English peas as Sweet Peas or
Green Peas. Short vine varieties to plant would
include Little Marvel, Knight, Laxton’s Progress,
Progress #9, Early Frosty and Wando. A tall vine
variety to consider is Thomas Laxton.
Sugar snaps are edible pod peas. The pods
are typically thicker and the whole pod is eaten
without shelling the peas. Short vine varieties are
Sugar Ann and Sugar Daddy. A recommended
tall vine variety is Sugar Snap.
Snow peas have flat pods that cling tightly
to the peas and the entire pod is eaten raw or
cooked. The short vine variety to plant is Oregon
Sugar Pod II and the tall vine variety is Mammoth Melting Sugar.
Broccoli and cauliflower can be direct seeded
in late August to early September or transplanted
in September. Plant broccoli seeds 9 to 12 inches
apart and cauliflower every 12 to 18 inches. Recommended broccoli varieties include Packman,
Windsor, Diplomat, Patron and Gypsy. Cauliflower varieties to consider are Snow Crown, Majestic, Freedom, Cumberland and Candid Charm.
Cabbage is a fall favorite and can be planted
by seed now or transplant now through mid-October. Space cabbage plants every 10-12 inches.
Cabbage varieties to try are Bravo, Rio Verde,
Dynasty, Blue Vantage and Vantage Point.
This should keep your garden growing for
months to come.
For more information on these or related
topics contact Kenny Sharpe, LSU AgCenter
County Agent, at 225-686-3020 or visit our website at www.lsuagcenter.com/livingston.
This and all other columns and articles,
including archives of past issues, are available
online at livingstonbusiness.com.
PERSONAL Wellness
CHERYL JEANE
Frozen shoulder? In hot, humid Louisiana?
As hot as it is
in southern Louisiana, how could
you get “Frozen
Shoulder”?
Frozen shoulder is simply
when you have
stiffness, pain,
and limited motion in your shoulder. This
may happen over time, with overuse or
from giving in to “pain.” It may happen after an injury or from a surgery where your
shoulder is kept “still” so it can heal.
Typically, it comes on slowly and is
slow to go away. Most often, it happens in
people between 40 and 70, more often in
women, and typically in more sedentary
people, especially if they have chronic illness.
So what do you do? First, go to a physician to make sure there is nothing torn or
fractured. Then consider receiving physi-
cal therapy because often it will help. You
will need manual physical therapy, which
involves stretching and loosening all of the
soft tissue surrounding the shoulder joint.
You can assist in loosening your shoulder joint with the use of a tennis ball, or
foam roller placed between your shoulder
blades, and along the side of your rib cage.
Just be careful not to push too hard.
Once you get your motion back, often
the “real” problem reveals itself - which
is an underlying tendonitis, bursitis or, in
worst case, a tear.
Another thing to work on is your posture. Stretching out the front of your chest
is important. This is easy to do by lying
on a firm surface and placing a “swim
noodle” along your spine, and letting your
arms gently fall out to the side.
Stretch your rib cage by placing the
same swim noodle perpendicular to your
spine, about under the end of your shoulder
blades, and holding this position for 2-3
minutes. If ever you have pain, however,
STOP immediately and contact your physical therapist.
When your shoulder is properly aligned
your shoulder can work better and there
is less of a chance for something to pinch
or get aggravated and become inflamed.
Take care of your shoulders! They are the
only ones you have!
Dr. Cheryl Jeane, PT, DPT, is a physical
therapist with Triton Healthcare in Denham Springs. For more information about
physical therapy services, contact her at
225-791-8666, email [email protected], or visit www.tritonhealthcare.
com.
This and all other columns and
aticles, including archives of past issues,
are available online at livingstonbusiness.com.
TRAVEL Time
K ATHY PICKERELL
Travel to see America the beautiful
One of the best
memories I have
from childhood is
the iconic trip that
my family took
every summer.
My grandparents,
parents, and we three
kids would load up
in a car the size of a
tuna boat with enough luggage and provisions to last
three months in the wilderness. We played games like
Punch Buggy, I Spy, and License Plates. We made unexpected detours to see things like the world’s largest
ball of string, to shop at cheap souvenir stores and we
made pit stops at rest areas to dive into the cooler to eat
my grandmother’s chicken salad sandwiches wrapped
in wax paper.
There was the usual bickering of who got to ride
shotgun, and “he/she touched me”, and “are we there
yet?” The road trip was something straight out of the
movie “National Lampoon’s Vacation.”
Flying was unheard of, and what with seven people
squashed in a car and sometimes traveling for eight
hours straight, it could even be a little Dickensian at
moments: “It was the best of times, it was the worst
of times.” Yet I wouldn’t trade those memories for
anything, and I firmly believe that every family should
experience The Great American Road Trip whether it’s
by plane, train, automobile, or an RV.
Last month’s column addressed the importance
of having a passport, but what with over half the
American population not having one, the reality is that
there are wonderful trips that don’t require leaving U.S.
soil. After all, America is a beautiful country, there is
so much to see and do within our own 50 states that a
traveler could spend a lifetime exploring.
Besides not needing a passport, there are other
advantages of domestic travel. There is no language
barrier or a difference in money. Seasons in the
Northern Hemisphere are the same, and the only major
difference in locations is time zone. And although we
take it for granted, all appliances will use 110 volts so
there’s no need for a converter.
Although there is always the comfort of being able
to eat “normal” food at national recognized chain restaurants, there is an opportunity to try regional foods,
such as Gullah cuisine in the Carolinas, Tex-Mex in the
west, and Pacific Northwest cuisine on the West Coast.
After all, isn’t our cuisine one of the best reasons that
travelers come to Louisiana?
Domestic travel is sometimes more affordable with
shorter travel times and in many cases, may require
less planning. There’s a lot to be said for being able
to hop on a short flight or take a weekend drive for
a mini-vacation. Keeping it short and simple doesn’t
lessen your vacation experience.
Stressed out? Need a romantic get-away? Then take
a long weekend and just go.
Since I’m always asked for mini-vacation ideas,
here are a just a few of my favorite: Napa Valley/
San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Austin, Chicago,
New York City, Niagara Falls, Key West, Charleston,
Savannah, Boston, Newport, Las Vegas, San Diego,
Orlando, San Antonio and absolutely anywhere that
there is a national park.
You can stay within America and experience a
great deal of diversity with culture, history, architecture, museums, national parks, outdoor activities, and
mountains and oceans. While we may be a new country when compared to ancient civilizations such as
Egypt and Rome, we still have so much to offer. And
when you think you’ve seen most of what our beautiful
America has to offer, I’m ready to help you broaden
your horizons past her borders.
“The object of travel is not to set foot on foreign
land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a
foreign land.” – G. K. Chesterton
Kathy Rainey Pickerell is the owner of World
Travels, 225-279-0135, has been a travel consultant for
21 years, and is a native of Denham Springs. Besides
being an avid traveler who has been to 6 continents,
46 states and 59 countries, she’s a mother and grandmother, a voracious reader, scuba diver, gardener,
cook, and she keeps a bucket list for the places she has
yet to see.
This and all other columns and articles, including archives of past issues, are available online at
livingstonbusiness.com.
BUSINESS Skills
LINDA CALLENDER
10 ways to keep your employees engaged
(Part 2 of 2)
Regardless of the size of your business, a
lack of engagement among your employees
will cost you time and money. The best way
to ensure their engagement is to make it a
priority. If your employees feel like they have
a place in your business, they will reward
you with a sincere effort.
Last month, we outlined the first four
employee engagement tips. This week we wrap things up with tips 5
through 10:
Tip #5: Ask Your Employees How They Are (Really) Doing - A crucial aspect of increasing employee engagement is to have open dialogues
with your staff. Start a conversation with a statement like this: “I want to
improve my skills as a manager/business owner/GM. Tell me, what could
I be doing differently?” Follow up by asking them specifically, “What
could I be doing to make your job easier?” Remember, you asked them
for their opinion, so be prepared for an honest answer.
Tip #6: Follow Through On Your Efforts - If you initiate a companywide reengagement program and do not follow through, it can backfire.
Why? Because programs not backed by management only cause more
stress for employees. Are you committed to seeing the project through?
Are your managers committed to keeping your employees engaged in
and excited about their day-to-day work?
Tip #7: Invest In Training For Your Staff - Training comes in a
variety of flavors. You can hire an inside trainer, assign mentors to your
employees or hire a company like Dale Carnegie Training. We suggest a
core training program in communication, problem solving and conflict
resolution skills. Better communication results in more positive outcomes - and more positive outcomes result in happier employees.
Tip #8: Laugh Often - Running a profitable business is a stressful
undertaking, both for managers and employees. Keep in mind that
laughter takes the edge off stress. When something happens that frustrates you, find a way to laugh about it. The change in atmosphere will
do wonders for you and your staff.
Tip #9: Reward Your Employees In Motivating Ways - This tip
goes hand in hand with getting to know your employees. As you learn
more about them, you will find new ways to motivate them and boost
their productivity. We encourage you to find the good in all your workers and reward each and every one individually.
Tip #10: Stay Away From Negative Discussions - Though it may be
difficult at times, make a point of avoiding negative topics of discussion. Wherever possible, promote discussions that unite your employees instead of dividing them. Topics that can quickly turn divisive
include politics, religion and world events.
Summary: Your employees are your company’s greatest asset.
Make sure they are committed to you by investing in them, asking for
their ideas and rewarding their efforts. Their united enthusiasm will
help strengthen your business in ways nothing else can.
[Editor’s Note: If you missed Part 1 of this column, you can find it
at www.livingstonbusiness.com; click on Past Issues and then on July
2015; then scroll to page 47.]
To find out more about how Dale Carnegie® Training can make your
business more effective, or need more information on this subject, contact
Linda Callender at 225.247.2418 or e-mail her at [email protected].
This and all other columns and aticles, including archives of past
issues, are available online at livingstonbusiness.com.
PICTURE Perfect
THERESA MULLINS-LOW
Capture feeling of water in your photography
Water in art allows for interesting
and creative images. Whether it is a waterfall, a city scape at night with water
in the foreground, people or animals in
water, these are all scenes beneficial to
knowing how to illustrate the effects of
water.
Our goal as a photographer is to
capture a scene the way we see it in
our mind’s eye. Upon approaching a waterfall we see that smooth
velvety look of the water. A blurry motion shows the flow of water.
The most important setting on our camera to get the smooth look or
blurry motion is a slow shutter speed which should be about one (1)
second.
But you really can’t just walk up to the fall with a slow shutter speed and click the shutter release button on the camera. The
tripod is essential! If not used, the rest of the scene will most likely
not be sharp. You can use a nearby prop to brace yourself but I can
almost promise a quality print will not be produced. The key thing
to remember about a slow shutter speed is that anything that moves
will be blurred and the still objects remain in focus. Keep your
aperture and ISO as low as possible. The slower the shutter speed
the smoother the water.
Lighting for waterfalls is best late in the day in that golden hour
when the light is not so intense. If you should be shooting during
the day there may be too much light; however, either a polarizer or
a neutral density filter or even both can be used to reduce the light
to capture that smooth effect. You may stack these one on top of the
other. The polarizer minimizes bright objects that may appear in
water and both filters help with contrast. Neutral density filters are
available in different strengths that reduce light.
When you’re composing your shot keep in mind that waterfalls
should appear as large as they can to portray that majestic feel.
Position yourself low to the ground and shoot up getting as close to
the waterfall as possible.
Reflections in the water have such a calming effect. One favorite
is animals and their reflections. It is best to get the shot early in the
morning when the water is calm and the sun is not too harsh. But
quite honestly I love seeing the ripples of water from the movement
of animals. A reflection adds another point of interest to an image
and also adds depth. If you’re photographing animals in water a fast
shutter speed (over 1/500 s) is recommended to get the animal in
sharp focus. Louisiana has vast waterways for plenty photographic
opportunities.
[Editor’s note: Did you know there are waterfalls within about
an hour’s drive of Livingston Parish? The Clark Creek Natural Area
just north of St. Francisville has established hiking paths which
lead to several waterfalls – not to be confused with a Clark Creek
Natural Area in Mississippi. There is an improved trail or, for more
of a challenge, the primitive trail. There is a $3 hiking fee. Driving directions and a map of the trails are at www.packpaddle.com/
where-to-go/hiking-backpacking/clark-creek-natural-area. Don’t
forget your camera!]
Notice of FREE World Class Photography Lecture with
Q&A Sept. 26-27, 2-5 p.m., hosted by LPS and featuring Mr.
Parish Kohanim, one of Canon’s “Explorers of Light” (www.
parishkohanim.com) who will lecture on creativity – how photography equates to all the arts and evolves to creativity. It will
This an
archives o
stonbusin
be held at the Louisiana Arts and Science Museum (LASM), 100
River Road South, Baton Rouge. Register at http://laphotosociety.
com/?page_id=1737
Our next LPS meeting is being held---- at 7:00 PM, and is held every
third Thursday of each month. The meeting is held at the Goodwood Library,
1st Floor, large conference room. For more information visit our website at:
Louisiana Photographic Society The scheduled guest speaker is -------.
U
(
A
SOUTHSHIRE
UPSCALE SUBDIVISION LOTS AVAILABLE SOON
(BETWEEN HOSPITAL AND PROPOSED NEW SCHOOL)
ALSO ASK ABOUT:
TIMBER CREEK
NEW SINGLE FAMILY ATTACHED HOMES
(1700-2800 SQ FT)
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT - GREAT VENUE FOR
WEDDINGS/RECEPTIONS/REHEARSALS/
BANQUETS MEETINGS/PLAYS/RECITALS
CALL 225-686-1111 FOR INFO
GREAT
COMMERCIAL
LOCATIONS
HIGHLY
VISIBLE AT
EXIT 19
INTERSTATE 12
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AT: www.facebook.com/sumalakeliving
EXCEPTIONALLY LOW UTILITY COSTS!, ALL APPLIANCES – INCLUDING MICROWAVES AND
ICEMAKERS, PRIVATE PATIOS OR PRIVATE DECKS, DECKS OVERLOOKING LAKE AVAILABLE,
GRANITE COUNTERTOPS / ABUNDANT CABINETS, STORAGE AND WALK IN CLOSETS, LOCATED
“RIGHT ON” INTERSTATE 12 – 11 MILES EAST OF BATON ROUGE, GARAGES AVAILABLE

view current edition - The Livingston Business Journal

Transcription

Similar documents

rutgers international student association

Area Day – Cressing Temple Barns - JDC

File

property - Expert Agent

Lower Breitenbush Hot Springs Visioning

For Events That Create Lasting Impressions.

1 simpson parkway

We ARE Livingston County

Two Locations: Our Lady of Lourdes, Northridge Incarnation Parish