This timeless longsleeve top features a draped, cropped silhouette with gorgeous embroidered sleeves and a front tie closure. This top is paired with a cropped flare jean and a blue cactus scarf. Accessorize with a rhinestone convertible belt bag that can also be worn as a crossbody and rhinestone embellished platform sneakers.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK MODEL LALAINA WOOD HAIR AND MAKEUP BY MEKA BENNETT

Start school in style with this flattering black top that features a gathered waist and rouched cap sleeve. Pair with these super comfortable white skinny jeans. Accessorize with pink thong flip flops, lightweight graphic earrings and a backpack with combination of embossed leather patched with hide.

This month marks Mr. P’s Tees 10th anniversary and will be releasing several new tees in conjunction with this momentous occasion. The Owls of Louisiana shirt will be available soon. This hand drawn design is on a super soft short sleeve premium tee.

Lalaina is wearing a puffed shoulder shirt with a sweetheart neckline, wooden button, and an elasticated rouched back in a lavender check. Pair with KUT high rise flare jeans and Chan Luu bracelets.

Rock the first day of school in the Whitney Houston Moment of Truth graphic tee. Pair with these pink cropped straight leg jeans and leather sneakers with a retro flair. Accessorize with hoop earrings and Krewe sunglasses.

FLYING TIGER IS KNOWN FOR MORE than just great, local craft beer. They have events nearly every week, as well as big events like the Firecracker 5k, which benefits the Chennault Museum, and Raise the Woof, which helps the new Ouachita Pet Shelter. Don’t forget their Turbulence anniversary party and M’merle Day, a musical tribute to Merle Haggard. Just one look at their calendar, and it’s obvious there is something special to do just about any given week! In addition, they are cooking up something special this fall. Here’s a list of some of their regular monthly events and specials, plus a sneak peek at what is coming:

The Flying Tiger Farmer’s Market: hosting local farmers, bakers, and makers on the first and third Thursday of each month, 6-8 p.m. The market features micro greens, fresh produce, jams, eggs, local beef, and more! It’s family-friendly until 8 p.m., so bring the kids to enjoy the bounce house while you grab some locally grown goodies!

The Downtown Rundown: Join us on the second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. for a free 5k fun run, hosted in partnership with the local running shoe store, Fleet Feet. The safe route begins & ends at Flying Tiger. We welcome all levels of runners/walkers; participants will enjoy free electrolyte drinks, door prizes, and discounted beer! So grab your running shoes and a friend and join the fun!

Trivia Night: Every fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m., put all your useless knowledge to use and win some great prizes! It’s free to play in teams, and the prizes are no trivial matter!

Happy Hour: Every Friday from 4-7 p.m., all brews are only $5! Start your weekend off on the right foot with Heroic Beer & Live Music!

Special Releases: As NELA’s only manufacturing & distributing brewery, Flying Tiger is always brewing up something new. Throughout the year, they release small-batch beers only available in the taproom! Follow them on their social media pages to keep up with new beer releases and special events!

Flying Tiger will reveal a new open kitchen featuring brick oven pizza this fall! They’ll also be expanding their hours and days while adding to their already spacious outdoor area. How does a music stage under the trees sound? You’ll know soon enough. And per usual, Flying Tiger will do all this with the same craftsmanship and attention to detail as they do with their beloved beers. See you there. Cheers!

FOR HIS TEMPLE FAMILY FOODS IS PROUD TO BE ONE of the only businesses in northeast Louisiana where you can find fresh, locally grown, organic meat and produce, pantry items, and so much more. From Tuesday through Friday, you will find owner Dana Milford preparing lunch or helping her regular customers purchase their favorite dairy-free or gluten-free items. She also enjoys assisting new customers in discovering which foods they will enjoy. For His temple offers daily lunch specials like beef stroganoff, chicken fritters, quinoa enchilada bake, buffalo chicken cheese fries, shrimp and grits, chicken marsala and more. The locally owned restaurant and market are located in the heart of downtown West Monroe, steps away from Trenton Street. The idea of serving locally produced, organic meats and vegetables may seem complicated, but with Dana’s passion and success over the past six years, she makes it look easy. September will mark for His temple’s seventh anniversary, which affirms what Dana already knows: our community values locally sourced and healthy food. After working for more than 30 years in corporate America, Dana chose a complete career change. She started cooking and experimenting by using fresh food, herbs, and vegetables and originally started for His temple as a place where people could purchase prepared food for their weekly meals. As interest grew, she expanded and began offering daily lunches. Soon after, she stocked freezers with casseroles, homemade meals and more. Naturally, the marketplace was born as word got out and customers started driving from all areas of Northeast Louisiana looking for healthier options. Since then, for His temple has become a staple in the community. The eatery incorporates seasonal vegetables from local farms into their weekly meals and offers them in the on-site marketplace. Some items include farm-fresh chicken, beef and pork from local farms, ready-to-bake casseroles and delicious sweet treats made by Mylk Belly and Bee Sweets Bakery. Items from Scratch Bakehouse, a true sourdough artisan baker, can also be picked up from the for His temple family marketplace. For His temple prides itself on featuring these small businesses within the northeast Louisiana community. Along with those previously mentioned, below is a list of additional local farms from which His temple sources:

In November, for His temple began hosting Seventh Square Coffee inside the restaurant’s dining room. This allowed Seventh Square Coffee to grow, and they are moving across the street to their own space soon. Each cup of coffee made by Seventh Square Coffee is sourced from quality roasted beans and high-quality ingredients.

Stop by and visit the friendly folks at this creative eatery and see for yourself what all the buzz is about. Each Saturday, the weekly menu is posted on Facebook, Instagram, and the website. For His temple’s hours are Tuesday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Stop by 315 Wood Street in West Monroe for a healthy option eatery.

• 3 Board Farm, Downsville • Wall Greens Farm & Seed, WM • DeLaTerre Permaculture Farm,

Eros • 2 Dog Farm, Flora, MS • Ladelle Farm, Coushatta • Mahaffey Farms, Haughton • Double B Farms, WM • Stowe Creek Farm, Farmerville • Double P Farms, WM

ARE YOU NOTICING THAT IN NOISY ENVIRONMENTS, like in restaurants, that it’s hard to hear what the person across from you is saying? These situations make it challenging for those with hearing loss. Don’t miss out on any more precious conversations and make this the year to test your hearing.

But just in case reconnecting to life and making sure you never miss out again isn’t reason enough to do something about your hearing, let us offer up a dozen more: 1. Hearing tests are painless, frequently free, and there are even online hearing tests that only take about five minutes of your day. 2. Nearly half the people who reported no trouble hearing actually turned out to have mild hearing loss. 3. Adults with moderate hearing loss are 3X more likely to develop dementia over time, and 5X more likely if their hearing loss is severe. 4. Untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of falls by 30 percent. 5. In studies, hearing loss was linked to higher risks of loneliness and social isolation. 6. If your hearing test shows your hearing is normal, you can rub

it in the face of all the people who accused you of being hard of hearing. (Turns out they are mumbling, right?) 7. Researchers think that treating hearing loss early is one of the biggest things you can do to help reduce your risk of dementia. 8. Once you’re 50, experts recommend getting hearing screenings every three years. 9. Per Dr. Frank Lin of Johns Hopkins Medicine, “The earlier hearing loss is treated, the easier it is for the brain to adapt.” 10. Hearing loss may be an early warning sign or red flag for other health conditions including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. 11. Older adults who treated their hearing loss with hearing aids reported their quality of life was significantly improved. 12. Being proactive about your hearing health today will pay off hugely tomorrow and for the rest of your life!

Think you may have hearing loss? You can test your hearing for free using our online hearing test at aucibelmonroe.com. Or, find out for sure by scheduling a thorough evaluation at our Monroe location by calling 318-325-2363 or our Ruston location at 318-251-1272.

BY P. ALLEN SMITH

FINDING THE RIGHT PLACE TO CALL home can be a daunting task. With all of the different options and communities out there, it is difficult to find the right fit. Gardens of Somerset is a multi-generational living community in Monroe, Louisiana that offers a variety of amenities and care options for our residents. We are dedicated to providing a comfortable and enriching environment for our residents, and we are proud to offer the following four things that make our community stand out.

We offer a variety of living options to fit your needs, including independent living cottages, independent living apartments, assisted living accommodations, and memory care apartments. It’s important to us that you feel comfortable and at home in your living space, and we will work with you to find the perfect fit, no matter where you are in your healthcare journey.

Gardens of Somerset has everything you need right here on our 18-acre property, so you don’t have to go far to enjoy the things you love most. We know the importance of convenience, and we do everything in our power to make your life as comfortable as possible. Gardens of Somerset offers an on-site restaurant, hair salon, fitness center, library, and more. There’s simply no need to leave the community to get the things you need, and you can take advantage of our amenities at your leisure.

Our caring and professional staff is here to serve you and make sure that your needs are met. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you with anything you need. We understand that the transition to a new living situation can be difficult, and we are here to help make it as smooth and seamless as possible. We create individualized plans that reduce stress and confusion, helping each community member enjoy a happier, more purposeful life.

We know that pets are family too, and we are proud to be a pet-friendly community. We welcome all kinds of pets, and we have plenty of curated outdoor spaces for them to run and play to their heart’s content. Spending time with pets has shown to be beneficial for seniors in a number of ways. They can help reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness, and they provide companionship and unconditional love.

If you’re looking for a better living community that offers everything you need to live a comfortable and fulfilling life, look no further than the Gardens of Somerset. Our vibrant community, variety of living options, on-site amenities and activities, and dedicated staff set us apart from the rest. Contact us today to schedule a tour. We can’t wait to show you everything that the Gardens of Somerset has to offer!