December 2013 “Celebrating Age and Maturity” Hello Dolly! From Baby Dolls to Barbie & Beyond INSIDE Chicago’s Christmas Magic Ringing in the New Year: Traditions from Around the World Managing Holiday Stress What can you get for $1,563 a month? One-bedroom apartment Convenient parking outside the door Delicious daily lunch with multiple choices Free transportation to shopping, appointments Variety of free entertainment, educational, health, spiritual and religious programs from which to choose Wonderful friends to share your life Beautiful, secure gated campus, The Oaks of Louisiana. And, most important, peace of mind. Don’t wait until you need a nursing home to free yourself of the burden of a large home. Continue to live independently. Take charge of the decision and make a move on your terms. Larger apartment homes and additional amenities are also available. Visit our website, oaksofla.com, or call to speak with a lifestyle consultant, (318) 212-OAKS (6257). 600 East Flournoy Lucas Road (318) 212-OAKS (6257) oaksofla.com 2 December 2013 www.TheBestOfTimesNews.com Contents December pg.9 6 Stat! Medical News & Info Hello Briefs 9 Hello Dolly! From Baby Dolls Features to Barbie and Beyond by Mary Flanders 28 Traveltizers by Andrea Gross 15 Ringing in the New Year Chicago's Christmas Magic by Claire Yezbak Fadden Columns Dolly! 30 Tinseltown Talks by Nick Thomas The Real Rod Serling 32 White's Wines by David White Intimidated by Wine? Start Drinking 18 Money Matters by Jason Alderman Advice Beware of the Pitfalls of Public Wi-Fi 20 Laws of the Land by Lee Aronson The Homeless Widower 22 Counselor's Corner by Britni Russell 34 What’s Cooking? Managing Holiday Stress and Blues In HappierEvery Holiday Issue Hors D'oeuvres 26 From the Bench by Judge Jeff Cox 36 Get Up & Go! Holiday Time for Sharing 38 Our Famous Puzzle Pages 40 Parting Shots On the Cover The cover doll was 28 given to June Kirkland by her husband in an Easter basket in 1963. 22 Above Right Caroline Crittell with her look-alike American Girl doll. 303 north Market Street, Suite B Shreveport, la 71107 Rental, SaleS and SeRvice Home Medical equipment • Power Wheelchairs Mobility Scooters • vehicle lifts Portable and Modular Ramps Robert Robinson has over 30 years of experience. We Service all Makes and Models! drop by to visit Us for the Most Reasonable Prices! 318-222-2860 • toll FRee 877-602-8109 • Fax 318-222-0893 4 December 2013 www.TheBestOfTimesNews.com Ina’s urn December 2013 Publisher he Barbie Vol. 22, No.12 Gary L. Calligas doll was Founded in 1992 as Senior Scene News [email protected] introduced in ISSN Library of Congress editor Tthe late 1950s, and #1551-4366 Tina Miaoulis Calligas [email protected] by the early 1960s A monthly publication from: virtually every little TBT Multimedia, LLC design girl I knew had one. I was no exception. P.O. Box 19510 Jessica Rinaudo I received my first (and only) Barbie for Shreveport, LA 71149 account executive (318) 636-5510 Patrick Kirsop Christmas in 1963. She had molded www.TheBestOfTimesNews.com [email protected] brown hair and came with three wigs - THE FINE PRINT: All original content published in THE (318) 588-2763 blond, brunette, and redhead. My mom BEST OF TIMES copyright © 2013 by TBT Multimedia, Webmaster sewed all our clothes for us back then, LLC, all rights reserved. Replication, in whole or in part Dr. Jason P. Calligas so of course, Barbie got new clothes by any means is prohibited without prior written permis- Writers too, made from the scraps. I even had a sion from the publisher. Opinions expressed are the Mary Flanders sole responsibility of the contributor and do not neces- Claire Yezbak Fadden black vinyl Barbie tote case, just for her sarily reflect those of the publication, TBT Mulitmedia, wardrobe. I didn't save any other toy its publishers or staff. Always consult properly degreed contributors Jason Alderman, Lee Aronson, from my childhood, but as I sit writing and licensed professionals when dealing with financial, medical, legal or emotional matters. We cannot accept Judge Jeff Cox, Andrea Gross, this editorial, my Barbie is sitting on liability for omissions or errors and cannot be respon- Britni Russell, Nick Thomas, my desk staring at me with her slanted sible for the claims of advertisers. David White blue eyes. And, although the clothes my mother sewed and two of the wigs are long gone, I still have the case as well. My daughter and I have both played with and loved her, and now she waits patiently for my granddaughter. This month Mary Flanders gives us a look at the history of dolls and intro- tHe best duces us to a special group of ladies who of times december 7 still find a place in their homes, and in "Christian service Program of their hearts, for their favorites. Do you Radio shreveport-Bossier City” Al Moore, interim executive have fond memories of a special doll? Director We would love to hear from you. HouR december 14 We also bring you a great feature by osted by Claire Yezbak Fadden about New Year's H “Latest Advances in Orthotics and traditions around the world. As the child GaRy CalliGas Prosthetics ” of Greek immigrants, I always hoped to Clint snell and Chris snell of snell’s Broadcasting every be the lucky family member that found Orthotics and Prosthetics Saturday morning 9 to 10 a.m. the treasured coin in my slice of Vasilo- on News Radio 710 KEEL, december 21 pita on New Year's Day. It's a beloved a Townsquare Media radio station “Unusual and Humorous Product annual tradition that my family and I in Shreveport, LA. Labels and Instructions - Part 1” still keep to this day. Gary Calligas and Vicki Franks Proudly presented by Hebert’s Town This month also marks the conclu- december 28 sion of our Fan Appreciation contest. and Country of Shreveport featuring Dodge, Chrysler, RAM, and Jeep. “Unusual and Humorous Product Our final winner is James J. Markes of www.hebertstandc.com Labels and Instructions - Part 2” Bossier City. James, please contact us to Gary Calligas and Vicki Franks collect your prize. Streaming live on the internet at January 4 www.710KEEL.com Until next month I pray that you, and “The Art of Doll Collecting” Listen to previously aired programs at all of those you love, have a blessed and Anita Berg and Robin Grubbs very merry Christmas and that the new www.TheBestOfTimesNEWS.com year brings you much joy and happiness. Do you have a question for one of our guests? Please email [email protected] prior to the show. Tina The Best Of Times December 2013 5 regular, moderate exercise does not Worsen Pain in People with Fibromyalgia For many people who have fibro- myalgia, even the thought of exercising is painful. Yet a new study from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center shows that exercise does not worsen the pain associated with the disorder and may Flu Shot Halves risk of Heart attack or Stroke in even lessen it over time. The study found People with History of Heart attack doing light to moderate exercise over The flu vaccine may not only ward off serious complications from influenza, it may a prolonged period of time improves also reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by more than 50% among those who have overall symptoms, such as fatigue and had a heart attack, according to new research led by Dr. Jacob Udell, a cardiologist at trouble sleeping, while not increasing Women’s College Hospital and clinician-scientist at the University of Toronto. What’s pain. The study found that participants more, the vaccine’s heart protective effects may be even greater among those who who engaged in moderate intensity exer- receive a more potent vaccine. (Journal of the American Medical Association) cise for at least 12 weeks showed greater improvements in clinical symptoms as routine Tasks Pose Problems for Older compared to participants who were un- able to achieve higher levels of physical Individuals with Vitamin d deficiency activity. More importantly, the findings Vitamin D-deficient older individuals are more likely to struggle with everyday tasks showed that long-term physical activity such as dressing or climbing stairs, according to a study in The Endocrine Society’s at levels consistent with current medical Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Scientists estimate as many as 90% of recommendations is not associated with older individuals are vitamin D deficient. The vitamin – typically absorbed from sun- worsening pain symptoms in fibromyal- light or on a supplementary basis through diet – plays a key role in bone and muscle gia. (Published in an online issue of the health. In addition, the study found vitamin D-deficient individuals were more likely journal Arthritis Care & Research) to develop additional limitations over time. deep Vein Thrombosis can Put an end To Fun as Quickly as you can Say "Happy Holidays" Many people will hop on a plane or get into their car and travel long distances to see family members over the holidays. They will worry about presents, food and other such things, but most will not give a second thought to deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a condition where blood clots form in the deep vein of the lower legs and thighs. Sitting for long periods of time, either in an airplane or car can lim- it circulation in the legs, leading to a blood clot forming in the vein. The clot can travel unnoticed through the blood stream and lodge in the brain, lungs, heart and other areas causing severe damage to organs, and in some cases, death.