August 2022 : Top Realtors of Shreveport-Bossier City

PLUS

• WEDDINGS • BACK TO SCHOOL

CASEY TUBBS, PEOPLES’ CHOICE REALTOR

ealtors TOP

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Weed Man Lawn Care For more than 50 years, Weed Man Lawn Care has created outdoor yards and landscapes that our customers are proud to call home. From lawn fertilization to weed control, integrated pest management, and everything in between, Weed Man has a lawn care program for every lawn.

If you’re interested in improving the health of your lawn, our “Most Popular” lawn care program is a must! However, each lawn is different and yours may require additional services throughout the lawn care season. Your Weed Man technician will advise you if anything pops up during a scheduled visit.

The Weed Man Shreveport, LA team lives and works in the communities that we serve. Offering quality service is our main goal for our customers and neighbors.

(318) 828-2872 4770 Southern Avenue Shreveport, LA 71106 https://shreveport.weedman.com

Convenient Care For Your Whole Family Be Prepared for Upcoming Back-to-School Season It feels like summer just started, but the back-to-school season will be here soon. It’s important to be prepared! Now is a great time to schedule annual checkups and vaccination updates for your family ahead of the new school year. We’re also here for your more urgent needs. Our skilled clinicians are ready to help you find relief from coughs, sprains, stomachaches and a variety of other non-emergent illnesses. We’re dedicated to providing quality care for your entire family with convenient locations for primary care and urgent care needs.

For a complete list of locations, visit ochsnerlsuhs.org

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PUBLISHER

EDITOR

T

G. Byron May

OWNERS

his is our annual Top Realtors issue, and in it you will find a list of all the realtors voted on by our readers, tips for buying and selling a home, an overview of the current housing market, and a section to read about many of the realtors and how to contact them.

Those fall and winter weddings will be here before you know it! We have a section full of vendors with products and services to make the day one to remember, along with some current trends and great ideas for transportation for couples and bridal parties.

Louisiana Downs has a new owner, and we have an article all about the future plans for kids and adults alike to enjoy the venue and the races.

Summer hasn’t officially ended, but summer break has and it’s backto-school already. Check out the section for ideas on setting up your child for success this school year, reasons to stay involved in your child’s education, and information on many of our local schools.

I planned to do a teacher profile this issue on a beloved, outstanding local teacher, Mr. John Gholson, who recently celebrated 50 years of teaching. But he was in too poor health for an interview and sadly, passed away this month.

Mr. Gholson was an icon at First Baptist Church School, and played an instrumental part in establishing the school in 1970. I will never forget when he gave me the creative writing award at 8th grade graduation. His confidence in me set me on a path to become the writer that I am today. My mother taught with him for many years, and my son was fortunate to have him as a teacher 30+ years after I did. My son once brought home a single sheet of paper with a single quote from him, which he had instructed his students to write down. I think it can be inspiring to us all: “You are what you think. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Elizabeth Beard Deal Executive Editor

G. Byron May Seva May Noble Feldman

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Elizabeth Beard Deal

ASSISTANT EDITOR Hailey Lawson

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Teddy Allen Scott “Scooter” Anderson Adam Bailey Ursula Brantley Jon Paule Calcote Gulya Chandler Scott Hughes Hailey Lawson Seva May Ellen Nicholson Lindsey Pennington, MD Alan Richards, MD Sherri Teer Donesa Walker

PHOTOGRAPHY Hailey Lawson Debbie Henry

GRAPHIC DESIGN Ryan Watson

SALES TEAM LEADER Keyle Cavalier

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Danielle Massey Stephanie Pringle Laura Prissy Scott

EDITORIAL INTERN Isabelle Rogers

editor@sbmag.net

HOW TO REACH US

318.221.7264 • Fax 318.676.8850 850 Stoner Ave. Shreveport, LA 71101

ADVERTISING 318.221.7264

WEBSITE May 2018

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Read online www.sbmag.net

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Send address changes to SB Magazine, Inc., 850 Stoner Ave., Shreveport, LA 71101. SB Magazine is published monthly by SB Magazine, Inc., 850 Stoner Ave., Shreveport, LA 71101. Advertising Rates on request.

Subscription Rate: $16 per year. Views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily constitute the view of SB Magazine, Inc. SB Magazine reserves the right to accept or reject advertisements. Third Class Postage Paid at Shreveport, LA 71101.

Copyright © 2022 SB Magazine, Inc. Volume 23, Issue 8

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FEATURES

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Avery and Joe Bingham Photo: Jamie Pratt

Real Estate Buying and Selling a Home State of the Housing Market

87 46

Weddings Wedding Transportation Ideas Wedding Trends

38 12

Back to School About Louisiana 4-H College Checklist Kids Eye Health & Safety Music Teachers Association 60 years New Schools in Shreveport Steps for School Success Louisiana Downs

122 127 106 121 126 124 98

COLUMNS And Another Thing Art and Culture Author's Corner Beauty Boss Events Calendar Eye on SB Good to Know L’Amour de Soi Manology Parenting Pets Profile: Women with Soul Savor Recipes

140 42 136 94 134 5 128 10 102 108 104 97 138

SPECIAL SECTIONS Back to School Top Realtors Weddings

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110 44 16

Photo: Laura Hood

44 ON THE COVER

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Casey Tubbs, People's Choice Top Realtor. Miami Blush Chair courtesy of Ivan Smith Furniture.

Red River Balloon Rally The CenterPoint Energy Red River Balloon Rally,

EYE ON SB

BY DEBBIE HENRY

presented by the Louisiana Office of Tourism took place at the Brookshire’s Grocery Arena. This family friendly festival always draws a huge crowd with hot air balloons, tethered balloon rides, AEP Swepco Kids Zone, balloon glow, food and retail vendors, live entertainment, and a grand fireworks show presented by Red River Bank. The US Team Nationals competed during our Red River Balloon Rally bringing the Top 36 balloon pilots from across the United States to our twin cities.

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1. Stan and Lisa Powell with CenterPoint Energy District Director Eric Barkley and wife Shannon 2. Kyndale Rader, Jocelyn Jeatran, Valaria Ocosta, and Jessica Carter 3. Josh and Chelsea Minter with Emmie and Noah 4. Assistant GM & CFO for Margaritaville and Boomtown Michael Gallagher with Shawn Williamson 5. Rashima and Keonna Owens with Kynn 6. Connie Whitehead Griffie and Christie Stevens SBMAG.NET

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Deaf Action Center Celebrates 40 Years The Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center celebrated 40 years with a full day of fun activities and events for the deaf community. The festivities began with a morning scavenger hunt at Downtown Shreveport’s The Lot. The party continued at the Deaf Action Center with board games, lawn games, music, jump houses for the kids, and ended with a big barbeque. The Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center promotes the independence of the deaf, the hard of hearing, and the multi-handicapped deaf in North Louisiana. 1. Jimmy Challis Gore, President of LA Association for the Deaf with David W. Hylan Jr., Executive Director of The Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center 2. Deaf Interpreters Kenneth Scott, Kimberly Paxton, and Wendi Coker with Will Gorum 3. Sue and Danny Koser 4. Bunni Gentry, Darius Porter, and Cynthia F. LaCour 5. Audrey Duncan with deaf grandson Leon Duncan 1

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Batman Black & White at Artspace Award-winning graphic designer, author, editor, and Batman aficionado, Chip Kidd brought his exhibition of hundreds of original Black and White Batman cover artworks to Artspace. Chip Kidd is best recognized as graphic designer for book covers including his cover for Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park. As a huge fan of comic books, Chip Kidd wrote for DC Comics and designed several covers. Kidd was inspired to invite some of the world’s greatest illustrators to sketch Batman Black & White Covers, bringing a richness to his Batman collection. 1. Batman Kevin Jones with Award-winning Graphic Artist Chip Kidd 2. Mary Catherine Clemons and Steve Lindenmayer with Lucy, Liza, and Jacob 3. Pat Viser with Hilary Joyce and Max 4. Dennis Beckman with Deb and James Cockrell 5. Dynamic Duo from both sides of the river, Alex Richardson and Casey Jones 6. SRAC President Henry Price with Featured Artist Chip Kidd and Academy Award winning Artist Bill Joyce 7. Hannah Riann as “Poison Ivy” with Kevin Jones as “Batman” and Emma Loyd as “Raven” 6

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Feist-Weiller Cancer Center Fundraiser – Life Savers 2022: Taking Flight Life Savers 2022: Taking

Flight, benefitting the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, was held on the runway of the Shreveport Downtown Airport. Guests were encouraged to dress as Pan Am flight attendants and pilots to witness the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center “Take Flight” on their next adventure in cancer research. Dr. Sarah Thayer, Director Oschners LSU Health Shreveport – Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, was the captain for the evening and introduced her crew members (Research Doctors). Held under an air-conditioned tent, guests dined on food faire inspired from global destinations such as Rome, Rio and Hong Kong and catered by Chef Blake Jackson. A silent auction as well as pull stations for jewelry, wine, spirits, and gift cards were available as well as a drawing for a $1000 shopping spree at Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry.

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ENROLL TODAY!

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1. Lisa Hargrove, Camille Tharpe, Waynette Ballengee, and Michael Angelo 2. Dondi Fielder, Drew Mouton, and Dr. Sarah Thayer 3.

Jane and Miles Sugar 4. Auburn Brasher with Federal Campus Credit Union CEO Jane Verret, Dwayne Clayton, Chelsey Weatherly, Dr. Marie Vazquez Morgan, and Dr. Susan Tinsley 5. Andee Fontenot and Ahmad Kasabali 6. Daniel Beckman and Christy Geruard 7. Drs. Shanthi, Moona, and Sudar Tanga 8. Brad Thomas and Tina Hinton 9. Dr. George and Sandy Bakowski

7141 YOUREE DRIVE #100 • SHREVEPORT • 318-995-3043

SHREVEPORT@JUMPSWIMSCHOOLS.COM WWW.JUMPSWIMSCHOOLS.COM SBMAG.NET

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Christmas in the Sky Volunteer Work Party Christmas in the Sky Volunteer Kick-Off Party was held at Louisiana Downs.

Sky Committee Members, Event Chairs, Co-Chairs, Designers, and Volunteers met to discuss and plan out this year’s biggest gala, Christmas in the Sky “Kiss a Frog: An Enchanted Evening of Fairy Tales, Tall Tales, and Cocktales.” More than 30 professional designers, artists, interior designers, architects, and display professionals volunteer their time to transform Louisiana Downs into an enchanted fairyland to fit this year’s Sky Theme. Get your tickets now to Christmas in the Sky. December 10, 2022. For more information go to 2022Sky.com 1

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1. Christmas in the Sky Co-Chair Elizabeth Kennedy with Casey Jones and Sky Chair Heidi Kallenberg 2. Designer for Hansel & Gretal Room KaDavien Baylor with SRAC President Henry Price 3. Volunteer Marion O’Rear with Christmas in the Sky Design Chair Linda B. Goldsberry 4. Designer Michal Ann McGill, Sky Auction Co-Chair Melanie Johnson, and Sky Sponsorship Chair Caroline Marston 5. Designers Josh Jennings and Denver McLendon 6. Silver Star’s David Alvis and Renee Procell offered a banquet fit for a Fairy Tale Prince and Princess 7.

Volunteers Fayline Bass and William Bell 8. Christmas in the Sky Production Director Bruce Allen with Sky Supply & Volunteer Coordinator Betty Semon and Production Assistant Kyle Martin 9. Christmas in the Sky Committee: Co-Chair Ro White, Auction Co-Chair Melanie Johnson, Co-Chair Elizabeth Kennedy, Chair Heidi Kallenberg, Auction Chair Julie Lyles, and Sponsorship Chair Caroline Marston 10. Charles Citrano, Sandra Vickers, and Hilda Risty 11. Volunteers Connie Rogers and Lee Patton

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Shreveport-Bossier Glo Fest at Bakowski Bridge of Lights Glo Fest, a free festival to kick-off the summer, was held at the Shreveport Riverfront overlooking the Bakowski Bridge of Lights on the Texas Street Bridge. The Glo Fest has been held throughout the summer featuring a light show designed by Artbreak students. The family friendly festival also featured live music, food trucks, an artists market, jugglers, hula hoop dancers, stilt walkers, and glowing street performers. A dazzling light show designed by Academy Award winning author and illustrator William Joyce was also presented during Glo Fest.

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1. SRAC Executive Director Pam and Bob Atchison 2. Gulya Chandler, Brad Bullock, and Lisa Arendell 3. Tiffany Allen with Araeiya and Aaron Allen 4. Sonjia Dean with Zack and Alayna Mazurek 5. Maureen Murov with Milena, Margalit, and Alyx Murov SBMAG.NET

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L’ AMOUR DE SOI

THE TOP IN-OFFICE

TREATMENTS

for

Fall

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BY DR. LINDSEY PENNINGTON

all is the best time to start focusing on your skin again and repair the damage summer left behind. Here we breakdown our top treatment recommendations from board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lindsey Pennington and board certified dermatologist Dr. Skylar Souyoul.

Before and After PRP.

“The top treatment this fall for all skin types is microneedling with platelet rich plasma (PRP), which I personally plan on getting myself,” says Dr. Souyoul.

Microneedling with PRP is the perfect treatment to refresh dull skin. It helps improve fine lines, wrinkles, pores, and gives your skin an all-around glow. The procedure takes twenty minutes and helps stimulate collagen growth and elastin while the PRP speeds up healing time.

Downtime for this procedure is minimal with one to two days of redness and flaking, which can be covered with tinted sunscreen. Your skin will feel smoother and looked refreshed in just a few days!

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Before and After IPL.

Before and After Morpheus8.

The best post summer treatment to get rid of sunspots is the Intense Pulse Laser (IPL). This laser uses light to bring brown sun spots to the skin’s surface where they flake off, revealing more even looking skin and stimulating collagen. IPL takes about thirty minutes and requires little to no downtime. This treatment is perfect for lighter skinned patients with unwanted brown spots or redness. This treatment is not ideal for people with melasma as the heat and light from the laser could make it worse. For patients with melasma, we recommend chemical peels instead.

Morpheus8 is another great fall treatment. This is the most in-depth non-invasive skin tightening device on the market, combining microneedling with radiofrequency skin tightening. Morpheus8 can target one to four millimeters into the skin, with customized radiofrequency settings and depths based on your anatomy and skin. The most popular area to treat is the face and neck. This treatment really helps improve skin quality in addition to promoting skin tightening. Most patients experience minimal downtime which includes mild redness with flaking for about three days. Many patients can barely tell they had anything done the next day and the results last up to two years!

Chemical peels are great for treating unwanted pigment like melasma or sun spots while also stimulating collagen production to help with fine lines and improve skin quality. Downtime for chemical peels is usually three to five days of peeling, dry skin. The after-peel glow is amazing and totally worth the downtime!

Laser resurfacing is another fantastic fall treatment. Laser resurfacing is more aggressive than other in-office procedures, yielding results which are more pronounced and longer lasting. Erbium and Fractional CO2 are two resurfacing laser options for medium to full depth treatment of the skin.

Before and After Laser Resurfacing.

Depending on your long-term goals and available downtime, this can be a very good option for more pronounced sun damage, deeper wrinkles, or acne scaring. “This treatment is something I personally do every one to two years to remove sun damage and rejuvenate my skin,” states Dr. Souyoul.

If you are looking to refresh your skin with no downtime, try DiamondGlow Dermalinfusion. This non-invasive, medical 3-in-1 treatment simultaneously exfoliates, extracts, and infuses skin with condition-specific serums. Depending on your skin goals this facial can be tailored to provide hydration, brighten skin, fight acne, or improve collagen production. Your skin will immediately feel smoother and refreshed! Pair DiamondGlow with a dermaplaning treatment to further exfoliate your skin and remove unwanted facial hair.

Dr. Lindsey Pennington is the only female double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon with a solo private practice in the State of Louisiana. She focuses on both noninvasive and surgical facial rejuvenation.

She is joined by Dr. Skylar Souyoul, Board Certified Dermatologist, in Shreveport at their office on Line Ave, Lindsey Pennington, MD Facial Plastics. penningtonfacialplastics.com SBMAG.NET

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I do!I do!

Wedding Trends

Photography by Scarlett and Louise Michaud Photography

Personalization Couples continue to add personal touches to their wedding, giving welcome baskets to out-of-town guests to serving signature cocktails at the reception to using monograms to customize table settings, dance floors, ice sculptures, champagne bottles, and more.

Photography by Scarlett and Louise Michaud Photography

Wedding Reception of Colleen Cowley and Ricky Rogers. Photography by Scarlett and Louise Michaud Photography; Flowers: The Colony House

Flower, Flowers, and More Flowers Florals are making a big statement, becoming a wow factor at weddings.

Flowers are moving beyond table centerpieces, exploding onto arches, ceilings, and walkways.

Seating Nooks Comfortable booths, pillows, and intimate seating areas are joining traditional tables and chairs and high-tops at receptions.

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Live Event Painting Live event painting provides a both unique experience and a forever piece of art illustrating the reception. And watching the artist throughout the event is an intriguing activity for guests. Capturing a moment in time on a canvas has been an artist’s challenge for millennia, according to local artist Hillary George. So how does she do it? She arrives a few hours before the event and takes photos the parts and pieces that make the couple’s event special, like flower arrangements, furniture layout, or special rentals they’ve chosen to make their reception unique. Then she begins painting the background while awaiting the guests. Once the event begins she takes more photos and begins adding in special touches and people. She can even add in pets or family members that couldn’t attend but were there in spirit!

Color Mixing white and colorful hues in interesting combinations has arrived! Floral bouquets, bridesmaids’ dresses, and table linens are exuding brightness and joy.

Chowder Jay Photography

Unity Glass A colorful twist on the unity candle ritual is the pouring of two color mixes of small pieces of colored glass called frit into a glass container, which is later turned. At Sanctuary Glass Studio in Shreveport, couples can select the colors of glass and request a Sanctuary artist to create a one-of-a-kind work of glass art to keep forever. Or once they return from their honeymoon, they can go to the studio with their families and wedding party. Using the color mix, each person will create their own glass item by shaping it and applying color and take home a permanent keepsake. There are many options, and ornaments are always popular!

Photo courtesy of Sanctuary Glass

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Laura Hood Photography

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Photos Couples are making memories by taking photos—many candid—with interesting backdrops from the woods to open fields to downtown streetscapes.

Laura Hood Photography

omething Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue; and a Sixpence in Her Shoe.

Laura Hood Photography

Sparklers and Fireworks From an array of glittering sparklers to dazzling fireworks fountains to full-blown firework shows, brilliant lights add a magical flare to the evening.

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Wedding planner Delia Jeffcoat – Late night snacks.

Late Night Snacks Dinner can only take you so far…Enter the latenight snack. Regardless of how formal the dinner or evening is, the late-night snack is a light-hearted way to feed the crowd and keep the party going!

Kaitlin Haley Photography

Dalton Smiley Photography

Misty Swilley Photography

Ellen Ashton Photography

Groom’s Cakes Groom's cakes, very popular in the South, are separate from the wedding cake and are decorated to celebrate the groom’s favorite things – from sports to hobbies or other interests. Groom’s cakes are usually chocolate and may include liquor or fruit fillings. While the wedding cake typically matches the theme and colors of the wedding, the groom’s cake is a standalone standout.

BACHELOR & BACHELORETTE PARTIES

13 LOCAL IDEAS FOR SOME GOOD, CLEAN FUN! 1.

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Schedule a private paint-and-sip party Take a mixology class Go for Afternoon Tea Take a cooking class Go to a wine-tasting Visit an escape room Go glamping Plan a spa getaway Host a group dinner with a private chef Sing your heart out at Karaoke Rent a cabin or hotel room Go to a festival/concert Spend a weekend at the lake

1. Go axe throwing 2. Try a whiskey or cigar tasting 3. Head to the woods for camping 4. Take in a round of golf 5. Go hunting 6. Play poker or hit the casinos 7. Go to a concert 8. Take a road trip 9. Go see a game 10. Play paintball 11. Go fishing 12. Go skydiving 13. Spend a weekend at the lake

Laura Hood Photography SBMAG.NET

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ntimate weddings, destination weddings, and large weddings or receptions are all familiar in 2022.

Couples are creating personal and distinctive weddings and are also focused on providing memorable guest experiences— from personal notes to surprising entertainment to wedding weekends full of activities.

Planning the perfect wedding involves hiring numerous vendors and for many, a wedding planner. Read on to learn more about the products and services of companies ready to help make your day unique, special, and memorable!

Cotton

Candy Crush

Caters & vendors events: Weddings, school functions, church events, and more! Over 20 flavor choices, including a boozy adult list!

808 E. 70th Street • Shreveport • 318.758.2283 SBMAG.NET

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The perfect venue for wedding receptions

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Open floor plan ballroom adorned with two crystal chandeliers • Room capacity 500

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• 1600 Sq Ft built in dance floor Beautiful outdoor patio overlooking golf course

1000 Stewart Dr • Shreveport, LA 71106 • (318) 868-6571

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East Ridge Country Club Redefining elegance, the Ballroom is perfect for wedding receptions. It is adorned with a 1600 square foot built in dance floor, two crystal chandeliers, and a floor to ceiling wall of windows with a gorgeous golf course view.

The Ballroom capacity for a reception is 500.

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A GREAT PARTY! Pelican Tents & Events is a full-service rental company dedicated to providing quality products, competitive pricing, and superior customer care. We provide a large selection of products ranging from tents, tables, chairs, lighting, fans, dance floors, staging, furniture, linens, draping, inflatables, and much more. We are in the business of making our customer’s ideas come to fruition.

Whether it is planning the perfect wedding, corporate outing, or setting up for a festival, we are here to help you.

We want to create a memorable event for you and your guests. And we know you want your event to be something special. Let us help you dream up the perfect event with a gallery full of events we have done in the past. These may help you get an idea of what you want to do for your event. Check out our product page on our website. We are constantly adding to our inventory to provide you with the best products for your event.

We look forward to the opportunity to work with you to make sure your event is the best ever and memorable for everyone. Let’s make your dreams a reality. Together.

5840 Greenwood Road, Shreveport, LA 71119 • (318) 841-8368 www.pelicantent.com

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Photographer: Laura Caraway Photography

Photographer: Micahla Vaughn Photography SBMAG.NET

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Shreveport’s Hidden Gem THE REMINGTON SUITE HOTEL OPENED ITS DOORS AROUND 1990.

Remodeled by a group of Shreveport companies, the hotel housed offices and 22 rooms. Around 100 celebrities, including Morgan Freeman, Catherine ZetaJones, and Gerard Butler, have stayed at the hotel since the rise of the Louisiana film industry.

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The Remington’s interior continually changes, shifting its layout to accommodate guests and design to fit the era. It’s seen as a place for out-of-towners, musicians, and actors to stay and beginners in the hospitality industry to learn and grow. The Remington aims to become the first choice for lodging in the minds of travelers. It also hopes to continue to be a positive presence in the redevelopment of downtown Shreveport.

Remington Suite Hotel and Spa WEDDING VENUE & BOUTIQUE HOTEL

220 Travis St. Shreveport, LA www.remingtonsuite.com

Flowers by The Colony House • Planning and Coordination by Delia Jeffcoat Events • Send off by Pyromania Fireworks

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Weddings Share your special day

in SB MAGAZINE! Sara Morgan

and Cole Davis MARCH 5, 2015

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Band: Musica l Fantasy Bride’s Cake: Georig eGirl Ca ker y Groom ’s Alyson Cake: Forem an • Weddi ng Dr ess, Mo & Mo the ther of Groom r of Bride, Custo m ’s Dresse of Dallas designed by s: Patti Flo wers • Bella Bri desma ids • Drake Valet

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Featuring Vendors:

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Videographer: Braniff Productions

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Floral Design: Kyle Loyd at Colony House of Flowers

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Fireworks Display: Pyromania Fireworks, LLC

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Band: Earshot Graffiti

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Wedding Gown: Martina Liana at Happily Ever After

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Bridesmaids Attire: Joanna August at Bella Bridesmaid

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Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Squires

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Hair: Shannon Lare at The Ritz

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Makeup: Bel Viso Makeup Artistry sbmag.net

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note about Botox is that, unlike dermal fillers, it is not an immediate noticeable change and can take up to two weeks to be fully effective. The results typically last around four months, at which point a patient will need to have it readministered. Dermal fillers are another option I offer in my practice, and these are most notably known for creating beautiful lips; however, there are many different uses in the facial region. For creases that are too deep or where there is volume loss, dermal fillers are a great option to add that “plump” back to the face. Common areas in the face where fillers can be used are the marionette lines, nasolabial folds, cheek lines, and of course, the lips. In dentistry, dermal fillers can also be used to plump gum tissue in patients who may have “black triangles” of space below where the teeth touch each other. By adding small amounts of filler into these areas of gingival tissue, it can plump the gums back into those voids and give a beautiful contour back to the gum line. One of the biggest benefits of having a dentist trained in fillers is the ability for us to nerve block via oral anesthetic injections, essentially making it 100% pain-free, especially in sensitive areas such as the lips. Dermal fillers are longer lasting than Botox and typically must be reinjected every 6-12 months.

THE RISING TREND OF THE “ONE-STOP SHOP” DENTAL PRACTICE

he fast-paced nature and seemingly endless daily grind for people going about their everyday lives has created unique opportunities for many health professionals to branch out and accommodate more needs, wants, and desires of patients. As we all know, especially myself, almost no one wakes up in the morning and gets excited about going to the dentist for a scheduled appointment; however, if they are going for a routine visit and can also receive cosmetic facial enhancement, teeth straightening and whitening, relieve Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) aka “TMJ” to most, chronic headaches, or myofascial/orofacial pain relief from trigger point injections and have it all done by one person without the nightmare of fighting traffic across the city, then the convenience of all that available in one location may be more appealing to patients who may want to sleep in or cancel an appointment. Welcome to the rising trend of the “one-stop shop” dental practice.

Botox and dermal fillers (Juvéderm, etc.) are rapidly increasing in popularity worldwide. I can guarantee you will certainly see it on a billboard or in a magazine on any given day being advertised.

There is still a lingering stigma regarding Botox and the injection of Botulinum Toxin into the body. OnabotulinumtoxinA received FDA approval for therapeutic use in 1989, and in 2002 Botox received FDA approval for cosmetic use in reducing brow line wrinkles.

Twenty years later, Botox is used for a vast array of treatments, both therapeutic and cosmetic. In my practice, I use Botox to treat chronic migraine, tension headaches, TMD, orofacial pain, and cosmetically for wrinkle reduction. Botox works intramuscularly at the neuromuscular junction by inhibiting the motor neuron’s ability to fire, thereby causing partial muscle paralysis. The constant contraction of muscles under the skin, especially facial expressions, causes creases and wrinkles over the years. So, anywhere there is a wrinkle, there is a muscle running perpendicular to it under the skin, creating the tension which causes the wrinkle. By administering small amounts of Botox in strategic areas, we can almost eliminate that wrinkle entirely without giving you the stereotyped “Botox frozen face,” which, in my opinion, does not look natural. One thing to

HOOPER FAMILY DENTISTRY TREATS PATIENTS LIKE FAMILY AND WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT. YOU WILL BE KNOWN

BY YOUR NAME, NOT A NUMBER. “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.” PHILIPPIANS 4:13

The last thing we recently began offering patients in my practice is orthodontics via clear aligner trays, such as Invisalign! The clear aligner industry for orthodontics is currently a 2-billion-dollar industry with growth expected to reach 6 billion dollars in just a few years! With the ability to digitally scan your mouth, take a few photos, and send them to an orthodontic laboratory, we can have you in trays in less than two weeks, starting the journey of straightening or re-straightening your teeth. The convenience and simplicity of clear aligner trays are what makes them so popular among patients.

Dentistry is rapidly evolving into a one-stop shop business, and we are trying to be at the forefront of that at Hooper Family Dentistry. These few things discussed are a small taste of things to come in my practice, and there is so much more to explain and discuss than what can fit in a few short paragraphs. So if you have ever wondered what can be accomplished based on your own wants or self-perception, please give us a call, or stop by for a consultation! We would love to have you!

Stay safe and God Bless, MAJ Christopher G. Hooper, D.D.S. LA ARNG State Dentist

Hooper Family Dentistry, Too (Mon-Thurs) 318.752.3939 1613 Jimmie Davis Hwy. Ste. 1, Bossier City, LA 71112

Hooper Family Dentistry (Fri) 318.742.2272 5148 Airline Dr. Bossier City, LA 71111 SBMAG.NET | AUGUST 2022 29

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Life’s milestones deserve a unique experience and planning a wedding can be overwhelming. The staff at Venue de LaChute are here to guide you through this complex process. We offer all-inclusive services or the flexibility of an open-vendor policy.

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20 Wedding Transportation OPTIONS

BY ADAM BAILEY

W

hen you think of wedding transportation, what comes to mind? Do you imagine valet guest parking, arriving in a limousine, the classic “Just Married” send-off car, or are you on the hunt for wedding transportation ideas with a little more flair?

If you’re looking for out-of-the-box transportation ideas for the big day, look no further. Nothing is off the table. Read below and explore elegant entrance ideas, creative group travel options, and some of the coolest wedding transportation ideas you’ve ever seen.

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One-of-a-Kind Wedding Transportation Ideas Want to make a grand entrance, travel between wedding events, or get sent off in style using a unique mode of transportation?

1. Antique Luxury Car Don’t arrive to your wedding in just any old car; an antique is a glam way to get yourselves to the ceremony and reception—and it'll create the perfect backdrop for classic black-and-white photo ops. While any ‘antique’ would do, a few suggestions include a vintage Rolls-Royce, a 1937 Bantam, a 1959 Cadillac Coupe deVille, or even a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle.

2. Vespa Ride off into the night on the back of a Vespa! They’re easy to maneuver, environmentally conscious, and you’ll easily

get plenty of frame-worthy photos and memories to look back on. Just make sure you practice riding in a dress and heels before your wedding day.

Ricky Rogers and Colleen Cowley Rogers. Photography by Scarlett and Louise Michaud Photography

3. Golf Cart If you or your partner are big fans of golf, are getting married at a country club, or are hosting a wedding reception that requires a long walk from the ceremony location—use golf carts as wedding transportation. Some venues are quite large, and hosting events in different venue locations could require an uncomfortably long walk for some of your guests. Additionally, golf carts make it easy to move around quickly without breaking a sweat.

4. Horse-Drawn Carriage Experience the ultimate storybook ending in a horse-drawn carriage.

Buggies can fit between two and six passengers— so you can even bring your wedding party along, or rent a few carriages to lead the entire wedding party on a royal-style procession. Depending on where you are getting married, some cities offer pedicabs—which are a playful getaway if you love the idea of a classic horse and buggy, but prefer a more modern feel.

Wedding Transportation Ideas for Groups

Are you hosting wedding events in different locations or at different venues? Do you have a lot of out-of-town wedding guests in attendance? Are you looking for awesome wedding transportation ideas for the wedding party? If so, explore these unique group transportation methods for your wedding travel needs.

5. Shuttle Service This is one of the most tried and true wedding transportation ideas on this list. Take the guesswork out of wedding transportation by booking a shuttle for your guests.

Many hotels offer shuttle service to and from

local venues, or couples can research local shuttle companies operating in the area. Additionally, group shuttles come in a variety of sizes and price options, making them suitable for a variety of wedding budgets and sizes.

6. Stretch Limo / SUV Limo A classic option, the stretch limousine combines formality and function with a sleek design and enough room for your wedding party and parents to feel like VIPs too. (Most stretch limos hold 8 to 10 passengers.) Or hop in a town car, which is basically the sedan version of a limo and seats up to four.

For a limo-like experience with a little more flash, check out a stretch Hummer, Escalade or Navigator. These mega-SUVs come with fiber-optics, disco lights, lasers, mirrored ceilings and top-notch sound systems, and they can fit up to 20 people.

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7. VW Bus If you’re hosting a ‘70s-themed wedding, or are a lover of nostalgia, use a vintage Volkswagen bus for wedding transportation. Reserve a classic bus, which can hold up to 12 passengers, or book the newest version of Volkswagen’s electric microbus, which can hold up to eight.

8. Trolley Taking a trolley ride used to be reserved for San Franciscans or New Orleans. But thanks to the modernization of cable cars, however, many modern travel and ride services offer trolley transportation—even in Shreveport-Bossier.

On average, trolleys can accommodate between 20-35 people, making them excellent options for carrying your wedding party or the entire guest list for a small, intimate wedding—and make great photo backdrops.

9. School Bus For a blast from the past, a yellow school bus holds 40 to 50 passengers (just make sure it's properly air-conditioned for your guests' comfort).

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10. Hayride Hosting a rustic wedding?

Get your guests excited for some fun on the farm. Ride to your gorgeous rustic wedding with the rest of the wedding party on an old-school country hayride.

Hitch a wagon to a tractor or truck and see your guests smile as they watch you arrive (and exit) in true farm fashion.

Keep guests from getting their shoes muddy and offer a ride from the parking lot to your outdoor ceremony location.

Keep the wagon hitched up during the ceremony and offer guests a ride to the reception afterward.

11. Party Bus The ultimate wedding transportation idea for couples who appreciate a great party and an epic entrance—traveling in a party bus ensures the wedding weekend festivities never stop. Invite your guests (usually up to 40 per bus) along for the ride, complete with a bar, lights and music.

If you're planning on popping open some drinks, triple-check that the rental company is licensed with the local municipality.

Transportation Ideas for Weddings on the Water

Are you getting married lakeside, on the coastline, or even on an island? Take advantage of the setting and travel to your wedding on the water.

12. Sailboat Whether you’re hosting a lake wedding or getting married on the beach, you’re sure to leave your guests in awe when you arrive or depart on a sailboat.

13. Yacht Any ceremony that includes travel-by-yacht is sure to impress your wedding guests. A fantastic option for destination weddings and seaside ceremonies, yachts come in many shapes, sizes, and styles. With the ability to host an entire wedding or carry the couple only, yachts are a luxurious and flexible wedding transportation option — if it fits within the budget.

14. Ferry Book a ferry boat for coastal wedding transportation service. A popu-

19. Helicopter If you want a wedding day that unfolds like an action movie, make a grand entrance or an epic exit by flying in on a helicopter. A chartered helicopter can typically carry three to six people, in case you want to take your attendants along for the ride. Keep in mind that you need a certain amount of open space to land a helicopter safely, and local air travel laws can apply. Consider your reception location and check for restrictions with the charter company when making your choice.

20. Hot Air Balloon Thrill-seeking couples can bid their guests a heartfelt adieu as they travel up, up, and away in unforgettable fashion.

Laura Hood Photography

lar choice for destination weddings, bring guests to your wedding ceremony or bid them farewell on a ferry boat. Ferry boats vary greatly in size, from smaller commercial ferries transporting 300 people or less to massive boats than accommodate over 5,000 people. The Staten Island Ferry, for example, can hold 5,200 passengers at once.

To help get you started on the wedding transportation planning process, here is a shortlist of helpful tips to help you plan, book, and communicate wedding transportation details.

•

Brainstorm Transportation Ideas and Book Early.

Confirm wedding transportation bookings, reservation information, and other details early. Experts recommend booking 4-6 months before the big day. Share transportation information with wedding guests on your wedding website and encourage guests to confirm their travel plans early.

•

Offer Transportation if You Change Venues.

If the wedding reception is taking place at a separate location, and the travel time between venues is more than 10-15 minutes, couples should plan to provide wedding transportation for guests. If there is a significant time gap between events, or the travel distance is significant, you may see the number of attendees drop between wedding events.

Offering transportation can help prevent this problem, as well as ensure that the reception starts on time.

•

Book Transportation for Wedding Guests.

Providing guest transportation is typically necessary for destination weddings unless the wedding venue and reception are within walking distance of the guest hotel, or the guest hotel is providing a shuttle to the venue. In highdemand destinations, transportation demand is often high as well, and availability may be limited. Ask the planning professionals at your destination wedding venue for recommendations, and book wedding transportation early.

•

Don’t Forget the Wedding Party.

Engaged couples have a million things on their plate on the day of their wedding, and wrangling members of the wedding party is not a task they should have to manage.

Keeping the wedding party together as you move from event-to-event can help ensure that the wedding day goes smoothly, and that wedding participants are where they need to be when they need to be there.

Transportation Ideas for Adventurous Couples

Finally, here are some options for couples who appreciate excitement and like to live on the edge.

15. Paddleboarding Perfect for an adventurous couple, row your way across the water on paddleboards. Just make sure you practice a lot before the big day!

16. Canoe Another great transportation idea for weddings near the water. While there’s a higher-than-zero risk of getting wet any time you step into a canoe, making an entrance in one definitely makes a statement.

Use a small canoe for the bridal entrance or the newlywed sendoff or rent a larger canoe with multiple seats to accommodate the bridal party. For a wedding party entrance, however, it is recommended to designate non-wedding party people to steer the canoe.

17. Tandem Bicycle After the reception, hop on a two-seated tandem bike and pedal away with your partner. A low-cost and fun wedding transportation idea for couples with some quirk, riding a tandem bike is sure to lead to adorable wedding photos. Be sure to practice beforehand to find your rhythm to avoid an unfortunate wedding day accident.

18. Horseback You can certainly arrive at your wedding in the classic horse-and-carriage, but you can also choose to take it up a notch. Adventurous couples can opt to forgo the carriage altogether, arriving at the ceremony on horseback or literally riding off into the sunset.

This idea is great for wedding parties who enjoy riding horses or have some experience. Picture the look on your guests’ faces when they see a line of groomsmen riding into a wedding on horseback with the groom leading the pack.

Tips for Booking Wedding Transportation

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SB ART & CULTURE

Members of the group include: Mary Eileen Grant (violin, contracting manager) a graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in Music Therapy. Mary Eileen received her first “violin,” a cigar box with a ruler on it, at age seven and didn’t look back. Music remains one of her largest life influences and is now shadowed only by her beautiful family.

S

trings ALL

FOR GRANTED

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our wedding will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable events in your lifetime.

You’ll want everything to be absolutely perfect. From the dress, cake, bridesmaid dresses, flowers, caterer, and especially the weather, to the music.

With most couples, the planning falls in the capable hands of the bride and her mother. In the event the bride and her mother need a little help, a wedding planner is retained. The latter is, without question, a sensible choice and is the answer to avoiding unnecessary stress and angst. In either scenario, the groom is rarely consulted. He might be asked to chime in occasionally and he will often put in his two cents when it comes to the reception music.

But what if you don’t see eye to eye on the musical component of your big day?

What if you’ve always imagined an elegant, sophisticated affair for the ceremony but would like a modern spin to the reception? That’s when All Strings

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Traditional & Contemporary Music

| SBMAG.NET

BY SEVA MAY

for Granted comes in. This quartet can play a wide variety of traditional music to an even longer list of contemporary songs anyone with ability can dance to.

All Strings for Granted formed when four lifelong friends and music colleagues decided to bring their combined decades of professional experience and mutual love of music to special events around the Ark-La-Tex. You’ll be able to set the mood for your wedding, or any occasion for that matter, with All Strings for Granted. They offer a large, ever-expanding repertoire to clients looking for the right selections to elevate their experience and create lasting memories. All Strings for Granted can add specially requested songs as well.

Not limited to weddings only, All Strings for Granted can play at any special event you may have. From private parties or religious events to corporate affairs and gallery events in the Shreveport-Bossier area, All Strings for Granted will create a custom ensemble to fit your needs.

Zackery Grant (viola) Though raised in Florida, Zack has called Louisiana home for years. After receiving his bachelor’s in Music Education from Northwestern State University, he earned a Master’s in Educational Leadership. When not making music, Zack enjoys property investment and making deals as a Realtor®. He is a proud husband and father and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.

Robert Schaumburg (violin) Robert is a native of Shreveport and began playing violin at the age of four with the Centenary Suzuki School. He earned his Violin Performance degree from Centenary College in 2007. He now works for his family’s business, Casco Industries Inc., which distributes fire equipment to fire departments. His true passion is spending time with his wife and two little girls.

Laura Huff (cello) Laura Huff was born and raised in the Shreveport area. She graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans with a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance and a minor in Business Administration. In addition to playing for weddings, parties, churches, and in local symphonies, Laura owns her own CPA practice. She also dabbles in homesteading with chickens, ducks, and a large garden.

All Strings for Granted ensemble will create a truly romantic atmosphere that both the bride and groom will remember for years to come. They work closely with couples to help them select the music that will make their day perfect and can create the best combination of instrumentalists and singers to match your vision for an unforgettable day.

For events other than weddings, All Strings for Granted promises you will not be disappointed. They will help you make your event stand out — one that will be remembered.

Traditional Music Samples Air from Water Music – Handel Air on the G String – J.S. Bach Amazing Grace America the Beautiful – Samuel A Ward Andante Cantabile – Tchaikovsky Aria – Handel Ave Maria – Schubert Be Thou my vision – Hymn Bridal Chorus – Wagner Canon in D – Pachelbel Come Thou Fount – Hymn Eine Kleine Nachtmusik – Mozart Fairest Lord Jesus – Hymn God Bless America – Irving Berlin Hornpipe – Handel It Is Well With My Soul – Hymn Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – Bach Meditation – Massenet Minuet – Gluck Ode to Joy – Beethoven Ode to Joy/Joyful, Joyful – J.S, Bach Panis Angelicus – Franck Pavane – Faure Prelude to Te Deum – Charpentier Rigaudon – Campra Rondeau – Mouret Sheep May Safely Graze – J.S. Bach Spring – Vivaldi Thaxted – Holst The Gift of Love – Hal Hobson Theme from First Symphony – Brahms Trumpet Tune – Purcell Trumpet Voluntary – Clarke Wedding March – Mendelssohn Winter – Slow Movement – Vivaldi

Contemporary Music Samples 25 or 6 to 4 – Chicago A thousand years – Christina Perri All I ask of you – Andrew Lloyd Webber All of me – John legend All you need is love – The Beatles Ashokan Farwell – Jay Ungar At Last – Etta James Beautiful in White – Westlife Better Together – Jack Johnson Bittersweet Symphony – Jagger & Richards Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve Break on Through – The Doors Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison Can You Feel the Love – Elton John Can’t Help falling in Love – Elvis Presley Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You – Frankie Valli Carolina in my mind – James Taylor Chapel of Love – Barry, Greenwich, Spector Closer – The Chainsmokers Come together – The Beatles Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen Creep – Radiohead Don’t Stop Believing – Journey Dust in the Wind – Kansas Eleanor Rigby – The Beatles Forever and Ever, Amen – Overstreet & Schlitz Friday, I’m in Love – The Cure God Only Knows – Beach Boys Godfather Love Theme Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen

Halo – Beyonce Happy – Pharrell Happy Together – The Turtles Here Comes the Sun – George Harrison Hey Jude – The Beatles I want to Hold Your Hand – The Beatles I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz I’m Yours – Jason Mraz In My Life – The Beatles Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder Killer Queen – Queen King of The Road – Roger Miller L.O.V.E. – Nat King Cole Love Me Do – The Beatles Love Story – Taylor Swift Lover’s Waltz – Jay and Molly Ungar Make You Feel My Love – Adele Marry Me – Train Marry You – Bruno Mars Maybe I’m Amazed – Paul McCartney Melissa – The Allman Brothers Band Moon River – Henry Mancini More Than Words – Extreme My Heart Will Go On – James Horner Old Town Road – Lil Nas x One Hand, One Heart – Leonard Bernstein Penny Lane – The Beatles People Are Strange – The Doors Perfect – Ed Sheeran Secrets – One Republic Senorita – Shawn Mendez & Camila Cabello Shallow – Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding Somebody to Love – Queen Something – George Harrison Something Just Like This – Coldplay and Chainsmokers Stand By Me – Ben E King Stay With Me – Sam Smith Strawberry Fields Forever – The Beatles Sucker – Jonas Brothers Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond Sweet Child O’Mine – Guns n’ Roses Take on Me – A-Ha Tale As Old As Time – Beauty and the Beast Thank You – Led Zeppelin The Dance – Garth Brooks The Music of the Night – Andrew Lloyd Webber The Prayer – Sager and Foster Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers Viva la Vida – Coldplay Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker We Found Love – Calvin Harris What a Wonderful World – Weiss and Thiele Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton Wouldn’t It Be Nice – Beach Boys You Are So Beautiful – Preston and Fisher You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne You Are the Sunshine of My Life – Stevie Wonder You’ve Got a Friend – James Taylor Your Song – Elton John

Buying or Refinancing, We are Here to Help You!

Ashley Brint 318.429.1565

Erin Heacock 318.429.1563

Ashley.Brint@regions.com NMLS #546481

Erin.Heacock@regions.com NMLS # 2316869

Terri Axelson 318.415.6287

Terri.Axelson@regions.com NMLS #1486324

George Monsour 318.429.1066

George.Monsour@regions.com NMLS# 119343

Jessica Simons 318.429.1210

Jessica.Simons@regions.com NMLS #1390743

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SB Magazine solicited nominations from the community for the top realtors in the Shreveport-Bossier City area. The top vote-getters made the 2022 Top Realtors list.

Congratulations to these local agents!

Happy Buying and Selling!

R E A D E R S C H O I C E 2022 TO P R E A LTO R L I S T Brandi Adams Melissa Anderson Tommy Attaway Thelma Babers Karen Baker Wayne Barrett Nicole Barrett-Bryson Justin Batterton Lori Beeman Valley Billingsley Brenda Bison Joe Bison Kiley Bland Shalunda Bogan Maddie Boggs Chase Bowers Paul Bratlie Brooke Huff Team Dotti Bryant Kristen Buckingham Leia Burford Pam Burnside Sarah Cabra Hayli Cagle Debbie Carter Ashley Chance Susan Chance Shane Cheatham Mollie Chiles Marian Claville Burks Ashley Colin Sabra Collier Andrew Cordaro Leigh Ann Couvillon Emily Cristler Mary Cummings Dee Davidson Desiree Davis Yvonne Davlin

Diamond Realty & Associates Durden Property Group Gerod Durden Joshua Durden Cindy Dyer Stefanie Swinney Eades Odessa Eason Sage Easter Denise Evans Jonathan Fayard Adrienne Frierson Annalisa Giddens Danielle Gosslee Beth Graham Mary Jo Gray Joshua Greer Kalette Haley Joel Hall Lucia Hamel Jessica Hammons Joshua Hanson Michele Hardtner Lisa Hargrove Chessica Harville Susannah Hodges Karen Hoell Carlton Holland Latonia Houston Trevor Howell Monica Hudson Brooke Huff Nicole Hurd Jodi Hutto Debbie Hynes Misty Ingersoll Rhalanda Jackson Emily Johnson Meredith Johnson Carol Jones

LaKetra Jones Autumn Keith Arielle Kendall Concetta King-Chevallier Donnette Koertge Heather Hoffee Kreamer Christi Lang Shenequiess Lars Ebony Layton Terri Levesque Hannah Loker Danny Lowery Derrick Mahoney Mina Mann Amanda Martin Nicole Maynor Janet McCord Sarah McCoy Nick McElhatten Chaunta Mero Theresa Miller Carolyn Mills Tammi Montgomery Mike Moore Lisa Nicholson Lee Nugent Stephanie Parks Cassie Person Harold Petteway Opha Phillips Victoria Pickard Natalie Pickett Faith Pinkley-Payne Michael Powell Janet Rankin Alissa Reed RE/MAX Real Estate Services Karen Ricci Ansley Rimmer

Ursula Ross Paige Salas Michelle Savage Robby Schmidt Tiffany Shatto Brittany Shepherd Cristie Sibus Randolph Smith Tristan Smith Abby Sparks Zondra Spikes Jenny Spivey Rebecca Stevens Matt Stevens Gabrielle Durden Stevenson Chris Stokes Kyle Straughan Stephanie Stuart Lindsay Taylor Tamara Taylor Erica Telsee Ragan Terzia Amanda Thaxton Anne Thomas Tracy Thomas Kambri Tracey Casey Tubbs Erica Verret Michael Villalpando Jessica Vowles Shelly Wagner Hayden Wallace Jennifer Ward Mindy Wardlaw Chandra Wilson Jessica Wimberly Kryssy Womack Frances Hodge Young Antonio Zarvace SBMAG.NET

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THE STATE OF THE LOCAL

BY SCOTT HUGHES

REAL ESTATE MARKET

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teel is fascinating to watch being made.

You heat it up to almost molten lava temperatures, meld it to the shape you desire and then throw it in water to suddenly cool it off. The result is one of the strongest building products known to man.

Over the past 12 months, the local housing market has remained durable, but much like steel production, housing has seen a dramatic cooling effect to a red-hot market.

In Northwest Louisiana, the market had already been steadily improving in recent years from 5,200 total sales in 2019 to 5,843 in 2020 to 6,462 in 2021. Average sold price has been rising from $186,756 in 2019 to $193,918 in 2020 and to $218,579 in 2021. Entering 2022, the ‘post COVID’ local market was at the highest plateau we have seen.

Modern day record low interest rates and a sudden shift in the housing demand curve, with fewer homes available for sale and rising lumber and building costs severely limiting new construction starts, created a red-hot sellers’ market. Many homes were only ‘On-market’ for a matter of hours before accepting an above asking price offer and moving to ‘Pending’ status.

But much like steel, sometimes things must be cooled to ultimately be made stronger. All the post-COVID economic activity also resulted in record consumer inflation. In the housing market, this meant increases by the Federal Reserve to the prime lending rates, so we have seen home mortgage rates quickly rise from historic lows around 3% to now at or above 5-6%. And while this doubling of rates has helped cool the market and likely

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made it more difficult for many home buyers to find a house, it is worth noting that interest rates in the 5-6% are historically very healthy rates for housing affordability. It is the cooling effect as rates rise that have tempered the market slightly.

But even a tempered market remains strong, and long-term valuation remains strong.

For the month ended July 31, 2022, the local market has seen ‘Active Listings’ rise to 918, up from the COVID year average of about 600, but still well below the pre-COVID historical average of 2,087. Pending sales have begun to drop as rates have risen, but also remain above pre-COVID averages with more than 700 houses pending in July. Year-to-date for 2022, the market has 3,450 sold residential properties, down 10% over 2021 but up 10% over 2020. ‘Days on Market,’ the average time it takes to sell a house, has fallen from 68 days in 2020 to 21 days today.

And ‘Average Sales Price’ for 2022 continues to climb, now at $235,120 for the year, which is an all-time high valuation rate.

Also, it is worth noting that rental rates are also tracking up to all-time highs for our local market.

Low interest rates, low supply of available housing and high demand continue to create the perfect storm for housing. COVID made many people rethink ‘home’ and new work patterns provided greater flexibility to work from anywhere. The net result was a huge demand for housing. And even though interest rates have started to rise, we continue to see above average activity in all housing sectors. The cooling effect brought on by the rise in rates may allow the market to catch up and ultimately help buyers be able to have more inventory, which should begin to regulate the rapid rise in valuations. Now more than ever it pays to have a professional helping guide you through the home finding and buying process.

Scott Hughes is the CEO of the Northwest Louisiana Association of REALTORS.

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INDEX

The Marian Home Group .............................................................48 Durden Property Group............................................................... 50 Southern Grace ................................................................................52 Shalunda Bogan .............................................................................. 54 Buckingham & Spikes ....................................................................55 Leia Burford Team .......................................................................... 56 Cindy Dyer .........................................................................................57 Steffani Swinney Eades ................................................................ 58 Odessa Eason ................................................................................... 59 Jonathan Fayard ............................................................................. 60 Haley, Miller, & Greer .................................................................... 61 The Brooke Huff Team .................................................................. 62 Laketra Jones ................................................................................... 63 Donnette Koertge.......................................................................... 64 LA Realtors ....................................................................................... 65 Ebony Layton ................................................................................... 66 Derrick Mahoney.............................................................................67 Chaunta Mero.................................................................................. 68 Michelle Savage .............................................................................. 69 Stephanie Stuart............................................................................. 70 Amanda Thaxton ..............................................................................71 Casey Tubbs .......................................................................................72

Mindy Wardlaw.................................................................................73 Frances Hodge Young ....................................................................74 Chessica Harville .............................................................................75 Brittany Shepherd...........................................................................75 Debbie Hynes ...................................................................................76 Jenny Spivey Team ..........................................................................76 Monica Hudson ................................................................................77 Chris Stokes ......................................................................................77 Kyle Straughan .................................................................................77 Chandra Wilson ................................................................................77 ReMax Real Estate Services ........................................................78 Joel Hall .............................................................................................80 Lisa Hargrove .................................................................................... 81 Terzia, Davlin, & Ricci ................................................................... 82 Terri Levesque.................................................................................. 83 Carlton Holland .............................................................................. 83 Concetta King-Chevallier ........................................................... 83 Hannah Loker ..................................................................................84 Cristie Sibus .....................................................................................84 Susan Chance...................................................................................84 Janet McCord ..................................................................................84

Each office is independently owned and operated. Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission.

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THE MARIAN HOME GROUP, LLC

Powered by Keller Williams Realty

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arian has a dream of a different Shreveport-Bossier community. Her vision includes walkable neighborhoods with lush green spaces. Parks where the elderly can safely congregate on beautiful park benches remembering days of yesteryear. Kids respectfully riding their bikes with carefree joy. Beautifully remodeled homes with fresh paint, new roofs, clean, manicured lawns, and radiant colored flowers line the city streets. Businesses, grocery stores, and entertainment are within walking distance in these calmly, busy neighborhoods where you can feel the hope and ease in the air. Community gardens are everywhere, and educational pods are a part of the community’s makeup. This may seem like a fantasy for the inner city of Shreveport-Bossier; however, Marian is determined to make that dream a reality.

Marian Claville Burks, a Shreveport native, was born and raised in the Queensborough area. Her fascination with homes started when she was a little girl living in a two-bedroom, one-bath home with 8-10 people at any given time… she craved to have her own space. Through lots of soul searching, she found her true love... real estate. In January 2016, she became a realtor at Keller Williams Realty NWLA. Today after selling over 200+ properties in her career, owning and controlling over 20 personal investment properties, being the CEO of The Marian Home Group, LLC, a sales team with Keller Williams Realty NWLA, she was recently given the position of Keller Williams Realty NWLA Assistant Team Leader in charge of growth and career development for real estate agents new and seasoned.

Marian started her journey in real estate, wanting to make enough money to pay her bills while providing a better life for her family. Now her passion has expanded to three areas: growing The Marian Home Group, LLC into a household brand of real estate excellence through Keller Williams Realty, coaching real estate agents to gain lives of true abundance through the profession of real estate, and physically changing the fabric of the ShreveportBossier City community to bring her vision to reality. She knows that beautiful communities equal a safer, more creative way of life. She is committed to achieving that goal. Marian is also a published author, speaker, business coach, daughter, friend, and mother to the amazing, Leeyah.

Sarah Barfield is a native of Coushatta, La. She is also a proud Alumni of Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; BA in Criminal Justice. She worked primarily in finance, social service, and law fields until finding her passion in real estate. Sarah started her career as a realtor part-time in 2018.

After deciding she had found her calling, she became a full-time agent in 2020. In late winter of 2021, Sarah was honored to join The Marian Home Group sales team at Keller Williams Realty NWLA. Her greatest motivations are legacy, her son, and her family. Her biggest hobby is traveling and seeing the world with her family unit. This summer she traveled to Orlando, FL and St. Louis, MO. Seeing the amazement and excitement on her son’s face while at Disney is forever etched in her memories. Tennessee and Oklahoma are her next stops in the Fall. Serving others in

multiple capacities brings Sarah great joy. Listening to someone’s story, seeing a smile, and hearing laughter is the best part of serving her real estate clients. It fills her heart with immense gratitude.

Shanquenelle “Shan” Washington was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. She joined the military during her junior year in high school and served 6 years in the Army National Guard.

During this time, she earned an Associate degree in Criminal Justice Administration. Shanquenelle’s skills of leadership, professionalism, and effective time management gives her a competitive edge in her real estate career to serve buyers, sellers and investors. She entered the real estate field in order to provide a better life for her family and help people accomplish homeownership along with generational wealth. She has four lovable kids and is the proud owner of Time 2 Makeup, where she is the lead makeup artist. She enjoys spending time with her family and relaxing.

Roovelroe Swan Jr. is the proud father of 3 amazing children; Trey, Ryan, and Ryleigh. Swan is very close to his family and really enjoys having fun with them as well. He is a dual career agent which means he is a probation/parole officer as well as a realtor. Fun fact about Roovelroe, he really has a passion to WIN and see people in his inner circle win as well! His hobbies include traveling, going to sporting events, and having a good time.

Amber-Nytya Patterson was born and raised in Shreveport, La. Her career started in retail where she had 8 years of experience in management and visual merchandising. Once leaving retail, she worked in telecommunications for 5 years in call center management focusing on administration, hiring, onboarding, training, along with coaching, and developing her team. During both career ventures, she obtained her Associates degree from Bossier Parish Community College then her Bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University in Shreveport majoring in Business Management. Amber is currently the newly appointed Chief Operations Officer of The Marian Home Group, LLC while she’s working on obtaining her real estate license. Outside of the office, Amber is a wife and mother. She takes joy in caring for her family and being entangled in their many activities. When she’s not working or mothering, she enjoys the simple things such as listening to a good book while sitting on the patio, traveling, and hosting events with her friends. One fun fact about Amber is she LOVES Harry Potter.

The Marian Home Group has a combined 12 years in Real Estate.

Marian started her career in 2016, Sarah in 2018, Roovelroe and Shanquenelle in 2021, all at Keller Williams Realty. Their mission is to uplift the community through homeownership by educating individuals who never imagined they could be homeowners in the community and equipping them with knowledge of homeownership, real estate investments, and financial stability.

The Marian Home Group has the ability to serve clients all over the world through their network of real estate agents with a focus on clients in Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia. No matter the amount, location, time frame, or person, The Marian Home Group will serve clients with excellence. Their advice to homebuyers and sellers: Don’t listen to what the masses say, we create our own market with education and execution. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. The Marian Home Group, LLC • 318.780.2302 and 318.464.6196 SBMAG.NET

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GEROD DURDEN

success, Gerod gives God all the glory and holds a special place in his heart for his family and friends for always supporting him.

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Gerod was very proud to have his son, Joshua, join his team last year. Joshua Durden is a finance major and now a commercial lender at Carter Credit Union. Harold Petteway, a great showing and buying agent who is excellent at working with first-time buyers and investors, has accomplished winwin real estate solutions since 2014. Gerod’s team is one of the top teams in this area and is highly committed, knowledgeable, loyal, and passionate to everyone they encounter.

The Durden Property Group, LLC hen Gerod Durden got his real estate license, listed his first house, and received several offers on it the first day, he knew he was meant to be a realtor. The Greenwood native and Huntington High School graduate watched his grandparents invest in real estate while he was young, and he’s been hooked on the profession ever since. It’s always been a top goal for me to be a superstar agent,” said Durden. “I love helping change people’s lives through real estate.”

Gerod’s wife, local attorney Lori C. Graham, is his biggest fan. Durden enjoys spending time with his wife, Lori, and children, Joshua Gerod Durden, Brooklynn Nycole Durden, and Jeremy Ryan LaCour, cooking and traveling. With his

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Now, not only is Durden a top producing agent, but also he is a broker with his own brokerage company.

“We are equipped to assist new agents with the necessary knowledge and technology with the latest systems that have proven to work,” says Durden. “We welcome new agents to add to our firm where you will stand apart from the rest and be prepared to conquer and complete any deal.”

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Meet the Durden Property Team: Joshua Gerod Durden, Harold Petteway, and Gabrielle Stevenson. Gerod’s team is one of the top real estate teams in this area and highly committed, extremely knowledgeable, loyal, and passionate to everyone they encounter.

Joshua Durden, Durden’s son, is a finance major and now a commercial lender at Carter Credit Union. His strong financial background is a plus in assisting clients with their real estate needs.

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Harold Pettaway is our great showing and buying agent who has excellent communication skills and works well with first-time homebuyers and investors.

He has been accomplishing win-win real estate solutions since 2014.

Pictured is Gerod and his family; Joshua his son, Brooklynn his daughter, Lori his wife, and Gabrielle D. Stevenson his cousin/agent. Durden is helping his kids invest in income-producing properties!

Gabrielle Stevenson, also known as the “Dream Catcher,” has over 15 years of experience in the banking industry and has a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and passion that helps individuals buying and/or selling capture their dream real estate deal.

Ursula G. Ross builds her business on effective communication and unmatched devotion to her clients. She understands that buying and selling a home can be complex and deeply personal. As an independent agent, she makes sure her clients feel supported and know that they have a trusted advisor by their side.

444 W 61st St, Shreveport, Louisiana 71106 • 318-458-8017 • durdenpropertygroup.com SBMAG.NET

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SOUTHERN GRACE

several years and never pursued it. My family had a history in real estate, so it always piqued my interest.”

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“We have a lot in common, but our approach is almost opposite,” Lori said. “Our core values are the same, so it really makes for a good team.

We believe the same things, but our strengths are opposite.”

Home & Property Group hey say that real estate is all about location, location, location. At Southern Grace Home and Property Group, it’s about something more. It’s about relationships. And that starts at the top with brokers and owners Lori Beeman and Melissa Anderson.

“I met a friend about 16 years ago, and we just instantly clicked,” Melissa said of Lori. “We had two things in common: We loved Jesus and water skiing. We worked together nine years before real estate. That season came to an end and we both really enjoyed a challenge. I had considered real estate off and on for

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The key to their relationship is the way their strengths enhance each other.

When that first season of working together ended, they each began searching for their next path. Without knowing it at the time, they each turned to the same person for advice that eventually put them on that same path again.

“Out of more than 1,000 real estate agents in Shreveport, we both talked to the same person,” Melissa said. “She encouraged both of us to get our license.”

So they did it — together. They learned the ropes together at another

brokerage. But even then, they had a longer term goal in mind — together.

“We knew you had to have your license for four years before becoming a broker,” Melissa said. “When we first got our license, we opened up our LLC. We knew we wanted to do something where we could work for ourselves and not someone else. We said that after four years we would get our brokers license. In our fifth year — the COVID year — we did it.”

Working in real estate taught them another key principal that was pivotal in taking that next step: Timing.

“After we had been there for five years, we knew it was time for change,” Lori said.

“We took a look at what we liked and didn’t like, and what we would do differently.”

The dynamic duo launched the Southern Grace brokerage in 2020.

They brought on longtime friend and fellow agent Carol Jones and thought the team was set. But in 2021, they both felt another stirring.

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“We were happy to be on our own,” Lori said. “Back in the fall of last year, we were at the place where we felt it was time to think about growing. We looked at what we had to offer others in being better agents. We believe it’s better to help others than just to take care of yourself.”

It all goes back to relationships.

“We saw the opportunities that were available for not just us, but other people,” Melissa said. “We thought we were opening it for ourselves. But then other people started approaching us. The more we looked around and the more confident we became, we added our first new agent.

A lot of it is the relationships we built over the years working with other agents, and the relationships we have in the community. It just made sense for them.”

“There’s just something about being a part of something that’s different,” Lori said. “Some people like really big franchises. We’re smaller. We have more of a family feel to the brokerage.”

In addition to that family approach, the Southern Grace team believes in offering exceptional service to their clients.

It’s a lesson Melissa brought from her background with several companies known for brand loyalty, including Disney, Chick-fil-A and Goodwill. “It’s all about customer service and the way you treat people,” she said.

That Golden Rule approach has created repeat clients. The leadership at Southern Grace is grateful for the trust those clients place in their business. It benefits the clients, the agents and the community at large.

“We are locally owned and operated, not part of a franchise,” Lori said. “There is a benefit to that. We care about the people that we serve. When we make money helping them, it stays in this community.

It’s invested in this community. We believe in this community.”

the mission at Southern Grace. Lori and Melissa consider it a pleasure to serve and support their agents and their clients.

“Our job is highlighting the community,” Lori said. “The great thing about real estate is we really do get to share with people the things that we love in our community and show them different opportunities they have here.

Listening to people’s hearts and desires.

It’s what we enjoy doing.”

If real estate is on your horizon, Southern Grace will help you find the path to get there. Welcome home.

Welcome to Southern Grace.

2911 Paradise Dr, Shreveport, LA 71105 318.723.7447 • realsoutherngrace.com

Building strong relationships with clients, agents and the community is SBMAG.NET

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Shalunda has taken her love for real estate to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Ally Real Estate, where she works with homeowners, homebuyers, and investors to acquire and sell property. Understanding that your home is your largest investment, Shalunda believes you should be represented by a professional who is upfront and honest with you throughout your homebuying/ selling experience. It does not matter if you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned real estate investor, Shalunda will help you make an informed, educated decision that will produce the best results.

Whether Shalunda is listing, selling, or everything in between, she possesses the local marketplace familiarity, industry knowledge, and negotiation skill set necessary to provide a streamlined transaction for each client she represents. Both driven and equally as dedicated, she strives to make her client’s real estate goals a reality by being there for them from contract to closing and beyond.

Blessed with the ability to connect with her clients allows Shalunda to build and maintain lifelong relationships, which explains why her business has and continues to achieve tremendous growth.

When she is not immersed in the world of real estate, Shalunda enjoys traveling and spending time with family.

Office: (318) 213-2000 Mobile: (318) 218-2875 www.allyrealestate.com shalunda.bogan@allyrealestate.com

SHALUNDA BOGAN

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

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halunda Bogan has worked in the real estate industry in the Shreveport-Bossier and surrounding areas for over 15 years. From day one, she has sought to provide the highest possible standards of service to everyone she is given the opportunity to represent.

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ZONDRA SPIKES AND KRISTEN BUCKINGHAM

Trinity Elite & Associates powered by Southern Grace Home & Property Group

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ondra Spikes and Kristen Buckingham have a combined 7 years of experience in the Northwest Louisiana Real Estate Market. They have been top producing realtors over the last several years while serving on the Young Professional Network of the Board of Realtors and Women’s Council with the Board of Realtors. Zondra and Kristen truly believe in providing quality customer service to their clients and ensuring they have a memorable experience in their home buying or selling journey.

Zondra Spikes has only been in the real estate business for 3.5 years and has already shown record-producing results.

She enjoys being a part of the buying or selling of a real estate transaction because she knows this is the largest investment anyone can make. She believes everyone deserves a piece of the American Dream. Zondra works with home buyers, especially first-time home buyers, by educating them throughout the entire process, from education on credit to recommending lenders, and helping with negotiating contracts, and ensuring the clients are well educated and taken care of during the process. She is a Certified Short Sale and Foreclosure Specialist. Outside the joys of working in real estate, Zondra enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends, including her son Zachery.

zspikes@trinityeliteassoc.com 318-519-7574 Kristen Buckingham represents Northwest Louisiana homeowners and future homeowners, and is committed to listening to her clients’ needs and utilizing her keen negotiating skills to ensure a successful transaction. Raised in the Shreveport Bossier Area, Kristen understands the numerous benefits of living in the SBC area, with its unmatched weather, culture, and diversity. She is the wife of Fireman Daniel Buckingham and the mother of two beautiful girls Madison and Maci. Kristen worked in healthcare for four years, but she joined the real estate profession as her children approached school age. Kristen has become an esteemed realtor in the past four years, highly regarded by her clients and professionals in the field. As a Top Producing agent, her impeccable work ethic, commitment, enthusiasm, expertise, and client dedication comes as no surprise why her clients love her. Relocating several times and buying and selling her own home has afforded Kristen sensitivity towards her client’s journey, which can be attributed to the first-hand perspective she gained through her personal experiences. Kristen uses a professional services team to assist with her clients buying

and selling needs, including transaction coordinator, showing assistants, contractors, painters, handymen, and inspectors.

She is communicative, thorough, detail-oriented, and she’ll be alongside you every step of the way.

Kristen@trinityeliteassoc.com 318-572-8421 Trinity Elite & Associates (318) 519-7574 2911 Paradise Drive, Shreveport, LA 71105 Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission Each office is Independently Owned and Operated

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Alissa Reed is our detail-oriented transaction coordinator and is the core of LBT. She keeps meticulous records of our offers, contracts, counters, addendums, every invoice, and for goodness sake, the termite inspection! She also is an exceptional agent and enjoys the hunt for the perfect home for her clients. alissareed.leiaburfordteam.com Mollie Chiles is our purposeful sister. Her every move is decisive, detailed, and determined. She is “in the know” about all the new happenings and opportunities that come into Northwest Louisiana. An exceptional agent on every level, buying, selling, or investing. molliechiles.leiaburfordteam.com Justin Batterton is our authentic brother. To know Justin is to know that he is unshakeable. He is sincere, genuine, and grounded. He is always working toward a goal. He will set one, achieve it and set another! You can count on Justin to hustle for you no matter what your real estate goal may be! justinbatterton.leiaburfordteam.com Vanessa Davis is our newest sister, who is highly sought after in the real estate industry. Vanessa is credible, helpful, reliable, and extremely thoughtful. She brings forward to all her clients a trusted understanding that they are well represented by a skilled, seasoned agent. vanessadavis.leiaburfordteam.com Hope Marcantel is our determined sister. She is energetic and persistent when searching for the perfect home for her buyers.

She is the eyes on the market, and she knows what inventory is available at all times. She studies the market and the trends and is always looking for the next opportunity for her clients. hopemarcantel.leiaburfordteam.com

LEIA BURFORD TEAM

Mollie Chiles, Vanessa Davis, Justin Batterton, Hope Marcantel, Alissa Reed and Leia Burford

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et me start by saying, THANK YOU to all of our clients! Every listing client trusted our process and believed in our strategy to get their home SOLD! Every buyer trusted our experience and determination to get their DREAM HOME purchased!

We are so grateful and humbled and have loved the opportunity to serve each of you. The agents you see in this picture are some of the most caring, considerate, generous people I have ever known. They are communityfocused by serving Northwest Louisiana in different roles at our schools, churches, and hospitals. Each one of them is qualified, determined, and well-versed as a real estate professional.

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The Leia Burford Team is a family and when you choose to work with us, we welcome you in and make you a part of our family too.

I also want to take a minute a say a special thank you to our wonderful brokerage. Southern Grace Home and Property Group, Lori Beeman and Melissa Anderson. Lori and Melissa have built a local brokerage that is supportive, tech-savvy, and innovative. They believe in us; they support us and they continue to be creative in making the brokerage an out-of-thebox experience not only for the agents but also for our clients.

To all the lenders, title companies, agents, and contractors who have been a part of our success, THANK YOU!!!

To our spouses, children, family, and friends, THANK YOU!!!

Keep those referrals coming; we appreciate every single one!!

Leia Burford Team 318-218-5359 Southern Grace Home and Property Group 2911 Paradise Drive, Shreveport, LA 71105 318-723-7447 • www.leiaburfordteam.com Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission

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CINDY DYER

Associate Broker Diamond Realty & Associates LLC

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indy Dyer is an Associate Broker with Diamond Realty & Associates. She’s been serving Buyers and Sellers in Northwest Louisiana for the past 18+ years. She builds relationships with her clients while maintaining a professional approach throughout every transaction. By keeping up with the latest tools and market trends, Cindy takes pride in the fact that her client’s real estate experience is a pleasant one. She believes honesty and communication are vital in bringing the transaction from contract to close. Her way of doing business is simple, treat others as you would want to be treated.

Real estate is not only her career; it is her passion. Cindy has been a Top Producer her entire career and while serving her profession on the local, state, and national levels. She was the former 2016 President of Northwest Louisiana Association of REALTORS®️ and currently serves as the 2022 State Secretary/Treasurer for Louisiana REALTORS®️.

Cindy will serve as 2023 State President-Elect, and in 2024, she will serve as the State President of Louisiana REALTORS®️, being the first female from Northwest Louisiana to serve as President in over 100 years.

Cindy has served on the Board of Directors for Diamond Realty since 2007 and has been a member of the Louisiana REALTORS®️ Board of Directors and Executive Committee since 2015. In addition, she has been a Louisiana REALTORS®️ Political Action Committee major investor (Sterling R) since 2014 and a strong advocate of homeowner rights.

Besides her knowledge and experience in the real estate arena, Cindy also believes in giving back to the community that she serves. She has a special love and desire to help homeless pets in the area. In 2016, she founded and is Managing Director for Real Estate to the Rescue, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Their mission is to mobilize the Real Estate community to address the plight of homeless pets. All proceeds from their annual Paws in the Park event goes to participating 501(c)3 Animal Shelters and Rescues.

Cindy received the prestigious National Association of REALTORS®️ Commitment to Excellence endorsement (C2Ex). She is a graduate of the Real Estate Institute (GRI) and also holds her Military Relocation Certification from NAR. Cindy was REALTOR®️ of the Year in 2016 and Diamond of the Year in 2019. She specializes in new construction, existing home sales, relocations, military reassignments, and commercial properties.

Cindy enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her three furbabies - Maggie, Mia, and Allie. Whether you are buying or selling, Cindy Dyer would be honored to assist you with all your real estate needs.

EXPERIENCE | INTEGRITY | PROVEN RESULTS 315 East Texas Street Bossier City, LA 71111 Mobile: 318-393-8487 Office: 318-746-0011 Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission

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STEFANIE SWINNEY EADES Coldwell Banker Gosslee

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tefanie is a realtor with Coldwell Banker Gosslee.

She is a true country gal who lives in Rocky Mount and enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Stefanie loves everything outdoors, from her horses to traveling and even a little gardening. Her dream was always to be a realtor and help others find the home of their dreams!

Eades specializes in country/rural properties but can help with any part of the buying and selling process.

She was awarded the Rookie Of The Year award through Coldwell Banker Gosslee earlier this year.

“Stefanie was an absolute dream to work with. She went above and beyond! She took care of every aspect, was always on top of what needed to be done, and constantly reassured us that things were going as planned. She was truly a blessing. She was even willing to take care of things herself when our seller didn’t finish things as promised. In a fast-moving seller’s market, she made sure we saw listings asap and had offers presented quickly. She truly cares about her clients and wants to help find the perfect home for you.”

– Micheal & Meagan | Home Buyers (318) 578-1297 2146 Airline Drive, Suite 100 Bossier City, LA 71111 stefanieswinney.cbgosslee.com

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ODESSA EASON

HomeSmart Realty South

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dessa is one of the amazing Realtors on the Mike Moore Team at HomeSmart Realty South. After obtaining her license in August of 2021, she has truly found her niche, accomplishing in only one year what it takes many to do in three. She loves helping clients find the perfect home, investment, or commercial property.

Odessa’s work ethic and care for her clients far exceeds most others. She is knowledgeable about the NW Louisiana market and is well versed in the process of purchasing from beginning to end.

Odessa is married to Shreveport Fireman and fellow Realtor Brian Eason, who has served on the Shreveport Fire Department for 16 years. They have 3 children: Ledger, 7, Mackynzie, 17, and Ami, 23, who is married to Ethan, 25.

They also have two granddaughters, Brynlee and Blakelynn. Odessa also serves as the Vice-President of the Shreveport Fire Department Spouse Organization.

Through this Organization, they hope to start a legacy of opportunities for the Shreveport-Bossier area.

Odessa has an outgoing, bubbly, and nurturing personality that everyone is sure to love. Her hardworking, persistent nature, along with her knowledge and experience, will make the purchasing process a simple one. Odessa enjoys the constant movement in the real estate industry and no obstacle is too big for her to overcome.

If you’re looking for a Realtor with a huge heart that will work seven days a week for you, call Odessa. She doesn’t care about your price; she just wants to be your Realtor.

2151 Airline Drive, Suite 1000 Bossier City, LA 71111 O: 318.731.1887 • C: 318.780.8255 odessaeasonrealtor@gmail.com

Each office is independently owned and operated.

Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission.

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Growing up in Bossier City and currently residing in Shreveport, I absolutely love our area and am proud to call it my home. I obtained my license in 2016 and have had the opportunity to assist over 200 buyers and sellers with their Real Estate needs in Shreveport, Bossier, and surrounding areas putting me among the top 3% of agents locally. My business is 100% fueled by the relationships I’ve built and by the referrals I receive from past clients. I’ve been honored to receive a few awards along the way, including Rising Star, Top Producer, People’s Choice at Diamond Realty, and one I’m exceptionally proud of is being a member of the 2020 Class of the 30 under 30 for REALTOR Magazine where I’m the only agent from Northwest Louisiana selected in the 22 years of the recognition and only 1 of 6 from Louisiana. Each year the magazine handpicks 30 candidates out of several hundred applicants who are considered rising leaders in the industry. I’ve also been an active advisory board member for the Young Professionals Network (YPN of NWLAR) since 2017, where I served as President in 2020, and I serve on the Board of Directors for my company, Diamond Realty & Associates.

JONATHAN FAYARD Diamond Realty & Associates

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knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a Real Estate Agent one day. As odd as that may sound, being a REALTOR embodies all the things that excite me the most. I’ve always been drawn to and appreciative of architecture, design, landscape, décor, and all things that come together to make not only a house but a ‘home.’ Aside from that, as cliché as it may sound, I really love people. I get energy from being around others, and I feel honored that I get to play a role in the story and season of their lives through the Real Estate process. Whether my client is buying their first home, selling a home, downsizing, upgrading, investing, building a new home, or relocating to or from the area, my goal is to be right by their side and to make the entire transaction as simple as it should be.

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My ultimate goal in my work is to be someone that can be trusted as a Real Estate consultant and an advisor, not a salesman. At the end of the day, buyers are looking for a place to call home. Home is a place that brings comfort, where milestones are celebrated, and where memories are created. I always tell my clients that I’m happy to show them as many houses as it takes because I want to hear them say, “this is the one.” If they say those words, I’ve done my job, and I’ll work tirelessly to ensure it becomes theirs. My job when working with sellers is to show their home in the best light. I love to create a story and an experience around their home where potential buyers can envision themselves in that space. Professional photography is always a must, and depending on the home, light or heavy staging can set us above the competition and help us obtain a strong offer in less time. I constantly study our market and know market statistics to the point I’ve jokingly been called “The Walking MLS” by colleagues. I feel that it’s my responsibility to always know the ins and outs of the market so I can educate those around me. With the market we’ve experienced in the area (and all over the country) for the last 2+ years, an active, knowledgeable, and creative REALTOR is imperative in the buyer or selling process. I’ve been able to build strong rapport over the years with other agents, mortgage lenders, title attorneys, and many other contacts needed to ensure a smooth transaction with happy parties all around at the closing table. If you’re searching for a friendly, hardworking, and trustworthy Real Estate Professional, it would be an honor to interview for the job and to earn your business.

Thank you to SB Magazine for the opportunity to be featured in this edition!

315 E Texas St. Bossier City, LA 71111 318-286-3621 jonathanfayard1@gmail.com

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CENTURY 21 ELITE

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entury 21 Elite is extremely proud of their agents for being recognized by their clients and SB Magazine. This honor aligns with our core values of people-focused, excellence, fun, and authentic culture. Century 21 Elite represents stability, professionalism, and visionary thinking. Congratulations to all the outstanding Realtors honored in 2022!

THERESA MILLER

Realtor and Operations Manager Theresa has over 20 years of experience in the Human Resource field and another 16 years in Real Estate. She has served as a leader for the Northwest Louisiana Real Estate Association, serving as President in 2020. Theresa has earned her ABR, MRP, MRS, PSA, and ePro Designations. She proudly supports the Louisiana PAC by being a Sterling R supporter. caddobossierhomes@gmail.com • (318) 422-4150

JOSH GREER

Realtor and Sales Manager Josh is a 9-year United States Air Force Veteran; serving his community is a top priority. He received his real estate license in 2019. He understands the importance of effective communication, teamwork, powerful negotiating, and doing whatever it takes to get the mission done! Josh is so honored to receive this accolade from his clients and wishes to thank them for voting for him this year! Greerjosh38@gmail.com • (318) 771-1168

KALETTE HALEY Realtor

Kalette Haley has always been passionate about Real Estate and serving others. As a Century 21 Elite Agent, she is dedicated to representing the brand and her clients well. She has been a top producer with the company since 2017. Kalette has also been part of the top 25 in Louisiana as an independent agent, and in 2021 she earned a Globe Masters Emerald award and five years of loyalty awards with Century 21 Elite. She plans to continue her relentless commitment and dedication to each client in and out of her community. khaley801@gmail.com • (318) 461-9733

8575 Fern Ave, Suite 105 Shreveport, LA 71105 (318) 868-3600

Each office independently owned and operated. Licensed in Louisiana.

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THE BROOKE HUFF TEAM

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

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he Brooke Huff Team started with the saying teamwork makes the dream work. We truly believe that together we can achieve great things. We focus on the relational sense of business.

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No client is a transaction, they are a relationship. We believe that every relationship is unique and should be treated as such! All of the women on this team are moms and wives that have mastered the art of juggling! We handle everything in-house from start to finish. From marketing, to open houses, agent open houses, neighborhood mailouts, and more. We are a group of competitive, goal-oriented, dreamchasing women that have become family. We laugh hard, love hard, and work hard. If you’re looking for a full-service real estate team that will

treat you like family, look no further!

The Brooke Huff Team is continually growing, learning, and hustling. We love what we do and believe it shows with every home we sell. Be on the lookout for more great things to come from the girls in pink!

700 Ogilvie Suite D Bossier City, LA 71111 Office 318.231.2000 Cell 318-489-8462 A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Each office is independently owned and operated. Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission.

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LAKETRA JONES eXp Realty

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s a Registered Nurse with over 25 years in healthcare, servicing the Shreveport/ Bossier City community is a way of life for LaKetra Jones.

She hit the real estate ground running in 2008 when she was originally licensed as a real estate agent.

Currently, she works with buyers, sellers, and investors with an emphasis on properly educating them on the transactional process. Her personal mission is to utilize every resource available to meet the client’s real estate goals. In February, she joined eXp Realty and subsequently joined the BOLD Team under the leadership of Kyle Straughan. She chose eXp because of their spectacular training program and cloud-based platform that allows easy management in today’s busy society.

LaKetra owns and operates KACE Investment Group, which consists of long and short-term rentals for traveling professionals. Future real estate goals are to continue building a real estate investment portfolio and one day become a broker with plans to educate future real estate agents and investors.

Her advice to potential buyers and sellers is to choose a knowledgeable real estate team that can guide them and negotiate the best terms for their transaction. In her spare time, LaKetra enjoys spending time with her husband Johnnie, daughters ShaKetra and ShaDarrius, grandbabies Ace, Kensley, and Kailee, and the family husky Zeus, as well as spending time gardening.

Laketra.jones@exprealty.com 318-207-6482

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a realtor for 6 years and loves the challenge of negotiating on both sides. She loves to get her buyers the best deal possible and her sellers the most money possible! Whether you are looking for a residential, land, or commercial agent, Donnette Koertge can help! She has experience with all three. Donnette has been a top producer for the last few years, and she is very thankful that her business continues to grow. She is also a fairly new “Mimi” and loves her life, both personal and professional.

Before Real Estate, Donnette was the proud owner of a quilt and fabric shop on Benton Road called Cotton Candy Quilts.

She loves all textiles and introducing fabric and quilting to new hobbyists. The wonderful commonality between her previous business and real estate is that she was and is always surrounded by people, which is her real passion.

Donnette’s goal is to make her clients feel comfortable and make the process of buying or selling a home less stressful. Her clients view her as knowledgeable and professional: like a friend helping them accomplish their real estate goals. Real estate transactions can be stressful on either side. Donnette likes to take as much of the stress from clients as possible, providing a sense of calm, answering their questions, and making herself available as much as possible. They know they can reach her and that she returns all calls on the same day.

This is increasingly important in a market where, in some instances, homes are listed and sold in only a day.

Communication is vital and one of Donnette’s strengths in Real Estate. There really are no dumb questions, only missed opportunities to ask them.

DONNETTE KOERTGE

Realtor, Coldwell Banker Gosslee

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onnette Koertge was a military spouse for 26 years and moved a total of 17 times. She knows firsthand the challenges of moving with the military, from VA loans to scrambling to find schools and temporary housing, and sometimes living for weeks without household goods. Donnette is very sympathetic, but also well-versed in getting herself and others through a military move or corporate relocation. She helps her clients connect with groups and organizations that fit their lifestyles as well as their medical needs. Years of uprooting her family of three kids have given her great insight and tools to help others find their way in a new city.

Donnette has lived in Shreveport/Bossier City for 16 years and considers it her forever home. She has been licensed as

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If Donnette could offer any advice to a buyer, it would be: Get prequalified with a local lender BEFORE you begin looking at homes. Do all of your research about the areas you are considering: school rankings, crime rates, traffic, convenience, etc. Narrow it down to neighborhoods you truly love and see yourself happy in. There is no such thing as over-communicating in real estate. The more you share with your agent about what you want, the better they will serve you. Donnette’s advice to sellers would be: Purge!

If you don’t need it or love it, let it go. When it comes to pricing, have realistic expectations. Hire an agent you trust to always be honest with you and not just say the things you want to hear. Look at the comps with your agent when it’s time to price your home. Listen to what they share with you about appraisals and how those comps lead the appraiser to establish a value for your home and, therefore, where your list price should fall.

Above all else, Donnette believes that communication is the key to a successful real estate transaction. She hopes you will consider her if you are ever in need of a motivated, knowledgeable, and friendly agent!

2146 Airline Drive Bossier City, LA 71111 (318) 747-5411 Office (318) 780-8969 Direct Each office is independently owned and operated.

Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission

Sponsored by Louisiana REALTORS®

should commit to maintaining regular communication from day one to closing so that you are always in the loop on your transaction and prepared for the next step. A REALTOR® will keep you focused on your negotiating position, especially in a multiple offer situation. Leveraging the service of a good REALTOR® to manage your transaction can save you thousands of dollars and unnecessary stress.

It Makes A Difference: Why Work with a REALTOR® The state’s real estate market has been fast-paced and competitive, primarily because the available inventory is low.

Whether you are dealing in residential or commercial, especially in this climate, real estate transactions are time-consuming and complicated.

Is it worth your time and money to hire someone who has kept up with industry changes inside and out and is engaged in the business full time? Definitely! A REALTOR® who is knowledgeable and professional will save you time and money.

Real estate licensees who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and the state association, Louisiana REALTORS® (LR), market themselves as REALTORS®, and they are accountable to a strict Code of Ethics to remain in good standing.

What makes a knowledgeable and professional REALTOR®?

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments you will ever experience. Here are four ways to ensure you are well-represented: Save the Stress. A Professional REALTOR® should make the process feel seamless, handling issues that may arise during negotiations, inspections, the mortgage process, etc. REALTORS® are better equipped to handle difficult negotiations in your best interest, keeping you at ease during what could be a stressful process. More importantly, they

An advocate looking out for you and only you. Professional REALTORS® are part of an association to keep a pulse on the ever-changing rules and regulations governing property sales, which can directly affect the market.

Remember, this is a legal transaction with a lot of moving parts. You need someone who fully understands the entire process and brings expertise to the transaction. Select a REALTOR® that understands your needs and puts your interests at the forefront. Make sure to work with a REALTOR® that has good relationships with others associated with the transaction– this means expert recommendations on professionals to help you navigate any unforeseen issues.

Get the inside scoop. Your REALTOR®’s knowledge of the community and information about specific neighborhoods and development plans is invaluable. REALTORS® are often pillars of their community, serving as a collective voice and invested in issues that protect homeownership and property rights. They know the market and have the tools to identify and connect great opportunities for buyers and sellers. The engaged REALTORS® pays attention to the constant flow of information from NAR & LR on issues that impact the real estate market.

A professional you can trust. Committed to learning. A trusted REALTOR® goes beyond licensing requirements to seek out education opportunities, like nationally recognized designations or certifications. Knowledgeable REALTORS® go beyond the minimum continuing education required for licensees and have a thirst for information. They may leverage the experience of their colleagues or associate with companies that offer ample growth opportunities. Be on the lookout for REALTORS® with valid credentials in their signature or business cards- like ABR, CCIM, CRS, GRI, SRS! Taking and investing in these additional steps better prepares agents to handle tricky transactions with skill and poise.

Louisiana REALTORS® (LR) is the statewide trade association of 16,000+ residential and commercial practitioners. Its mission is to connect REALTORS® to resources for success while championing economic development and serving as an advocate for homeowners and private property rights. There are 10 local associations across the state under the LR umbrella – each one provides location-specific resources and service for its members.

Visit larealtors.org/consumers to find a REALTOR® today.

THE TRUSTED VOICE OF REAL ESTATE

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EBONY LAYTON

Realtor, Keller Williams NWLA

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’ve now been a licensed realtor for four years serving all of Northwest Louisiana. Since becoming a realtor I’ve had the opportunity to meet and help so many families accomplish the American dream of becoming a homeowner. My goals in this profession continue to expand beyond what I could have ever imagined initially. When I first started practicing real estate, I wasn’t sure how or where I would fit in, in this business.

However, I knew that if I focused on my purpose to serve that everything else would fall into place.

Being able to be a part of such a significant moment in someone’s life and helping guide them towards the goal of home ownership is the most rewarding feeling. Every single experience I have with a client inspires me even more to want to learn as much as I can, to better help as many families as I can.

My number one priority is and will always be to put the needs of my clients first and to provide them with exceptional service.

Professionalism, compassion, patience, and integrity are the core values of my brand. I believe those key elements have attributed to where I am today and have afforded me the opportunity of reaching so many people.

Whether my client is buying or selling a home I want them to know that they can rely on and trust in me wholeheartedly. My primary focus is continuing to add value to my community by leading, growing, and serving in any capacity that I’m able to. Selling real estate is more than just a “job” to me. I believe that it’s part of my purpose here on Earth.

When I’m not working, I love spending time with my husband and family, traveling, and shopping. I absolutely love what I do and feel so blessed to be able to do this daily. I couldn’t be more thrilled about the future, the families I have yet to help and the beautiful moments I will create. Always remember, #BuyandSellwithEBONY! Keller Williams NWLA 795 Brookhollow Dr. Shreveport, LA 71105

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DERRICK L. MAHONEY Real Estate Broker, Mahoney Elite Realty, LLC

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y name is Derrick L. Mahoney, and I am a Shreveport native, Huntington High School alumni, and entrepreneur. Through my companies, Mahoney Elite Realty, LLC (a Louisiana real estate brokerage) and Mahoney Elite Construction, LLC, I have served as a trusted real estate agent in Shreveport-Bossier City for over 12 years, having obtained my Brokers license from the Louisiana Real Estate Commission and starting Mahoney Elite Realty. I am a member of the Northwest Louisiana Real Estate Association of Realtors and Licensed in Louisiana by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission.

I am a seasoned sales expert adept at showcasing and selling the distinctive features of both residential and commercial properties. Through Mahoney Elite Realty, I pride myself on “Empowering the People,” all while offering real estate services for both buyers and sellers. I prioritize professionalism, quality, and community involvement at the highest standard.

I have an unparalleled quest for knowledge, enabling me to publish educational resources as the author of three noteworthy books intended to strengthen the foundations of those I serve. As a dedicated real estate broker, my first best-selling book, “The Home Game,” is a guide for first-time buyers to navigate the home buying process. While my second book, “The Success Game,” is a model that instills in young boys and men the concepts of unstoppable entrepreneurship. My most recent addition to the real estate market is the book “The Elite Game of Real Estate Investing,” published to help future real estate investors make well-informed decisions. Through Mahoney Elite Consulting LLC, a subsidiary company, these potent books were created to enhance our investor community.

With my service-oriented zeal, I aim to provide the finest value and experience possible to the community and my team. Mahoney Elite Realty’s service benefits sellers, homebuyers, investors, and agents.

333 Texas St. #1300 Shreveport, LA 71101 318-562-1888 mahoneyeliterealty.com derrickmahoney26@ gmail.com SBMAG.NET

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CHAUNTA MERO Real Estate Broker

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haunta Mero is a Shreveport native and has over 17 years of real estate experience.

She believes in developing an extended family relationship with her clients by providing unparalleled service.

She has gained respect from her colleagues and clients by displaying commitment, dedication, and negotiating skills, resulting in recent successes through referral recommendations. Her favorite statement is, “For me—it’s the passion for real estate—not the money.” She is a multi-million dollar producing agent with sales to diverse home buyers, including community leaders and physicians.

She received her real estate license in 2006, and in 2008, she became an Independent Real Estate Broker.

She considers herself a life learner, mentor, and coach.

In addition to continuing education courses, she stays on top of trends, technology, and innovative strategies to ensure all clients (particularly first-time homebuyers) experience the joy of the process and success of receiving their ownership keys.

Chaunta serves on the Northwest Louisiana MLS Board, the Northwest Louisiana Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors. She is also an MD Preferred Agent. Additionally, she is a Civil Law Notary Public.

She has been married to Joe for 24 years, and they have a son, Pershing, who will be attending LSU this fall to study Biology to become a future Optometrist. She takes pride in giving back to the community. She formed the Mero Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides youth and seniors with essential supplies.

318-617-6685 chauntahbr@gmail.com

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MICHELLE SAVAGE

Realtor, Keller Williams NWLA

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he past five years that I’ve been a Realtor in NWLA have been some of the most fulfilling years I have ever had in any career! I’ve helped so many wonderful home sellers and buyers and have made more friends doing it than I could have ever imagined! I’ve achieved and surpassed my personal and business goals year over year, and I have no plans for slowing down! From Rookie of the Year to Mega-Agent to Top Producer with nearly 18 million SOLD in 2021 - my journey in real estate has been marked by hard work followed by hard-earned success thanks to my supportive family, exceptional colleagues, and an innate drive to become the very best real estate agent I can be. Whether it’s a first-time homebuyer, an empty-nester paring down, or a family moving up into a home that will give them room to grow, the sense of joy I feel walking away from a successful closing is what really sparks my joy!

The real estate market here in NWLA is strong. The inventory of available homes for sale remains low compared to pre-pandemic, which makes this a great opportunity for sellers. While a year ago, homes were selling in days for full-price and sometimes multiple offers, the slight rise in interest rates has slowed the pace a bit, making it much easier for buyers to find (and actually purchase) a new home. Regardless of the market, buyers and sellers need a competent and proactive professional to help them through a sometimes taxing process. I’m not the Realtor who will just drop a sign in the yard and cross my fingers or set you up on an auto email hoping you find your dream home on your own. I am out and about every day actively looking for buyers for my listings and homes for my buyers. I go the extra mile to ensure that all of my clients are informed about the latest market trends and have the information and guidance they need to succeed. If you need me to hold your hand throughout the entire process… no problem; that’s exactly what I’m here for!

I just celebrated my 21st anniversary with my high school sweetheart and business partner, and our talented son is thriving in his new position at Porters Industrial. My career as a real estate agent has changed our lives for the better and introduced us to many new avenues of personal and financial growth. But the biggest thrill is realizing that sharing the skills and knowledge I have acquired can really make a difference in other people’s lives as well! So if you’re thinking about buying, selling, or investing in NWLA, let‘s sit down and talk about all the ways that I can help!

795 Brookhollow Dr. Shreveport, LA 71105 318-402-6788 Direct 318-213-1555 Each office is independently owned and operated. Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission.

HomeSavage.com

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STEPHANIE STUART Lark Realty

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rior to real estate, I spent the first part of my career in outside sales and network marketing. Having been part of the network marketing world, connecting with people comes naturally to me. My career in real estate began in 2007, but I was not in a chapter of my life where I could pursue it the way I wanted to and do today. Fast forward to 2019, I was very successful in Network Marketing, and a local realtor noticed my presence in the social media world and asked if I could help with her social media. After dabbling my toes back into the real estate world, I was ready to jump back in feet first! I had no idea I would be so fulfilled in helping many families along the way.

Along with my fiancé, David Sneed, and our sidekick Gary Von Sneed (Cavapoo Realtor Pup in training), we love to visit all the local businesses and reinforce all the reasons that SBC is home! When I’m not hustling houses, we travel and explore every inch of this big world we can! Making connections across the country and worldwide has really been an asset to my business by connecting home buyers to realtors in other states and countries.

After getting my real estate license back in 2020, I set a goal to be in the top 100 Realtors in the year 2021 for NWLA. I was not only successful in reaching that goal, but I was also able to help over 30 people with all their real estate needs during my first full year in real estate! Being trained and mentored by Josh Hanson at Lark Realty has been an honor and game changer in my business. Josh has taught me not only the ins and outs of real estate but also the importance of mentoring others to make positive changes in this industry and community. I am forever grateful for all of my past, present, and future clients. Having the privilege of serving them in all their real estate needs is the best reward I could possibly ask for.

(318) 518-3246 1105 Benton Road Bossier City, LA 71111

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AMANDA THAXTON

RE/MAX Real Estate Services

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haxton has been a realtor in Shreveport/Bossier City for the last six years. She was born and raised in Bossier Parish, and after obtaining degrees in Business and Psychology, she moved back to the area with her husband, Luke, and daughter, Tegan. Once her daughter started school, Amanda obtained her real estate license and joined Tammi Montgomery’s team in 2016. Since then, Amanda has worked both residential and commercial real estate transactions. While working general residential and commercial transactions, Amanda developed a niche in multi-family transactions.

Amanda, alongside her husband, Luke, also owns several other real estaterelated companies, including Hardy Developments, Inc. and GP Legacy Holdings, LLC. They feel that it is important to invest in the Shreveport/ Bossier City area.

Amanda loves to travel and spend time with family and friends. She loves the outdoors, the beach, the lake, saltwater fishing, and being on the golf course with her husband. You can also catch her having brunch with her family at Frozen Pirogue most Saturdays.

RE/MAX Real Estate Services 2323 Old Minden Road, Suite 100 Bossier City, LA 71112 Office: 318-752-2700 Cell: 318-560-1577 Email: athaxton11@gmail.com

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CASEY TUBBS

Diamond Realty & Associates

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y career as a Realtor began in September 2018. I have been a Realtor for four years at Diamond Realty and Associates. Prior to September 2018, I was a dental hygienist for 15 years, with a master’s degree in health administration. My plan was to transition slowly out of hygiene and into a Realtor position gradually.

However, that was not God’s plan. In November 2018, I was involved in an auto accident where I was hit headon. My neck was injured, causing severe neck pain, and required neck surgery to correct. Now I am fully healed and have reached goals as a Realtor that some only dream about achieving. I am reminded to this day that God is ALWAYS in control. His plan was greater than my own!

We all go through seasons in life, whether it’s a career change, a growing family, military relocation, job relocation, retirement, or a loss of a family member. I am here for my clients through any and all circumstances they may be in, and I do it with a servant’s heart. I serve ALL of northwest Louisiana and assist clients with purchasing or selling of land, new construction homes, existing homes, commercial property, townhomes, etc.

No property is too big or too small for me to take on. I absolutely LOVE my clients!

Continuing my education is of the utmost importance, so I can best serve my clients in any market. So far in my career, I have earned special designations that go beyond the general Realtor licensing. I am an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), a Seller Representative Specialist (SRS), and a Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA). Currently, I am earning the Military Relocation Professional (MRP) designation! In 2019, I received the Rookie of the Year award. Since then, I have been one of the top producers and listing agents at Diamond Realty, receiving multiple awards for my exponential growth in production each year. My focus remains on continuing to provide exceptional service to my clients! Serving others is my passion, and my goals are to help my clients achieve THEIR real estate goals!

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MINDY WARDLAW

Associate Broker Diamond Realty & Associates LLC

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urn key, concierge service with a personal touch is Mindy’s standard. Mindy has over 25 years of experience and has helped over 3000 families.

She has also earned Top 1% Nationwide Realtor.

Mindy proudly introduces Meagan, her daughter, for your real estate needs. For the knowledge to find your next home or get the most when selling, call Mindy and Meagan to get the service you expect and the personalized touch you deserve.

• • • • • • • • • • •

Top 1% of National Association of Realtors Closed Properties 1996-2021 Top 1/2% Realtors Properties Closed Northwest Association of Realtors 1996-2021 Member of Northwest Louisiana Board of Realtors Commercial Investment Division Louisiana Political Action Committee Chair Dave Ramsey Trusted Realtor Certified Residential Specialist CRS Graduate Realtor Institute GRI Senior Relocation Specialist SREA Military Relocation Professional MRP Accredited Buyers Representative ABR

mindywardlaw@gmail.com • 315 East Texas Bossier City LA Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission

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FRANCES HODGE YOUNG Real Estate Broker

F

rances Young is a Shreveport native born and raised on Cooper Road and has over 21 years of real estate experience. She has been a full-time agent since day one and was first licensed as an agent in 2001 and later got her Broker’s license in 2007. Frances can help you all the way from Mansfield to Monroe and all areas in between. She serves all types of clients but developed a huge passion to assist first-time homebuyers after purchasing her first home in 1998.

That process left her with more questions than answers, and the agent at the time did not do a good job of making sure Frances understood everything. Frances’s goal is to help her clients understand the entire home buying or selling process.

Frances became a REO and Foreclosure agent in 2008 and saw the downside of financial stress and hardship. Because of that, she makes it her mission to educate buyers and sellers on their options. She stresses how important it is to set a budget and prepare for a rainy day, just in case there are unexpected emergencies, which there always are. This past May, Frances became a Licensed Life Agent. She believed it was a great fit since she always stresses the importance of family and ensuring they are provided for and protected.

Frances has been a consistent Top Producer for every company she has worked with. Earlier this year, she decided to go back on her own and reopen her Brokerage, NWLA Realty LLC, where she is the owner and broker of record. Real Estate has changed significantly over the last 20 years, but Frances’s love for it has not. If she could give her homebuyers a piece of advice, she would tell them to create a budget and stick to it, just because the lender may approve you for more, only you know your true lifestyle. Don’t overextend yourself, and don’t stress. Frances’s motto is “What’s for you, is for you.” Her advice for sellers is that sentimental value is not the same as market value. Don’t take it personally if buyers don’t see your home the way you do. Listen to your agent. Choose an agent you can trust.

Family is extremely important to Frances; she is the mother of two amazing daughters, Madeleine and Zoe. Before Frances got her license to sell real estate, she was in school, obtaining her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and getting ready for medical school. After having her first daughter, she knew that she wanted to be more present and at home instead of trying to balance the hectic schedule of medical school.

Frances is now engaged to Alderman Antonio Washington of Mansfield, Louisiana, and they plan to wed in September of this year. Her favorite pastime is working out. But she also enjoys a quiet evening at home, reading a good book or cooking for her family.

910 Pierremont Rd. Ste 242, Shreveport, LA 71106 (318) 218-3711 • francanrealtor@gmail.com

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CHESSICA HARVILLE 318 Real Estate

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t an early age, Chessica was introduced to the world of real estate by her parents. She grew up watching her mom help others purchase real estate, all while watching her father build a residential and commercial construction company. During those times, she found her passion for helping others achieve their goals of homeownership and wealth in real estate.

Photo Credit: Ashely Concilio

In 2014 Chessica gained her real estate license and so began her journey as a realtor. In 2020 Chessica joined 318 Real Estate and founded 318 property management. With this growth, Chessica has been able to learn more innovative ideas and real estate strategies that go far beyond the norm of real estate transactions. These skills included building community

relationships that come naturally to her, and with that comes the ability to ensure all your questions are answered, your needs are met, and your goals are measured, strictly defined, and achieved.

Your real estate goals are more than a transaction. They’re a step toward your future, and Chessica wants to help you achieve those goals.

Chessica takes pride in guiding our military through the home buying process by specialization in military relocation and has taken the necessary and essential steps in attaining certifications in Military Relocation Professional (MRP) and Certified Military Residential Specialist (CMRS) training programs.

“To Say that ‘Real Estate is My Passion’ is an understatement. It’s an opportunity to bridge the gaps of an often stressful and detail-saturated process by ensuring your real estate experience is not only seamless to you and your family but memorable for years to come.”

C: 318-676-2114 O: 318-200-0552 4330 Panther Drive Suite 208 Bossier City, LA 71112

BRITTANY SHEPHERD

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

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rittany Shepherd has been selling real estate in the Northwest Louisiana area for over seven years. Born and raised in Shreveport, she is very familiar with the local market.

She has a true passion for helping families fall in love with everything Shreveport/Bossier City has to offer!

Last year, Brittany and her team sold over $27 million in local real estate.

Brittany’s team includes her Buyer’s Agent, Ashley Smith, and her full-time Assistant/Transaction Coordinator, Courtney Levy. Together these three ladies form the dream team of real estate. Before selling real estate, Brittany was an attorney specializing in oil and gas and land transactions but

Brittany Shepherd

Ashley Smith

decided to start selling real estate fulltime in 2016. When she is not selling real estate, she loves spending time with her husband of ten years, Wes, and their seven-year-old son, Charlie, and five-year-old daughter, Murphy McRae. Ashley Smith has been a licensed Realtor for two years and is passionate about helping first-time buyers find the perfect home for them while staying within the budget! When she is not showing houses or negotiating deals, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.

Courtney Levy

Courtney Levy has been working with Brittany Shepherd Realtor for a little over a year and a half and is a Jill of all trades! She assists Brittany with everything from the very beginning of the process as the listing coordinator, then as the transaction coordinator, to the very end of the deal at the closing table. In addition, she keeps Brittany and her team organized and efficient.

If you are considering buying or selling in the near future, please contact Brittany Shepherd Realtor.

700 Ogilvie St Suite D, Bossier City, LA (318) 588-7224 • brittanyshepherd.com SBMAG.NET

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DEBBIE HYNES

Realtor Century 21 Elite

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fter attending LSUS and LA Tech and majoring in human resource management, Debbie had a successful career of 30 years in HR leadership at BASF/Dr. Reddy’s and Calumet. Her passion for God and people inspired her to bring her best every day, no matter what. Post-retirement, she felt her background was a perfect fit for real estate. In 2019 she became a licensed realtor and joined the Century 21 Elite team. She loves her team and enjoys working with realtors throughout the community.

Debbie received the following awards in three years: • • • • •

2020 Rookie of the Year 2020 Customer Service Award 2021 Top Performer Sales Volume 2021 Customer Service Award 2021 Century 21 Ruby Award

JENNY SPIVEY TEAM

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Debbie enjoys spending time with her family - husband Hunter, son Garrett, stepson Joel, daughter-inlaw Megan, and fun grandkids, Ellie, 6, and Harry, 5, and her other family and friends.

“I am grateful to God, thankful for my clients, and blessed with great family and friends. Special thanks to all of you for your awesome support.”

4012 Benton Rd. Bossier City, LA 71111 Cell: 318-218-4249 Office: 318-746-8000 Ind. Owned and operated, Licensed in LA #yourrealtor #hynessellshomes

their lives, such as relocating for a job, bigger home due to a growing family, building or searching for their dream home, the first time home buyer, the list goes on. This experience needs to be as stress-free as possible for them. I strive for a stress-free transaction.”

RE/MAX Real Estate Services

s a RE/MAX® agent, Jenny is dedicated to helping her clients find the home of their dreams. Whether you are buying or selling a home or just curious about the local market, Jenny would love to offer her support and services. She knows the local community — both as an agent and a neighbor — and can help guide you through the nuances of our local market. She started in real estate over 16 years ago and learned early that real estate is her passion. While working for another brokerage, she wanted to branch out and become larger. In late 2018 she went with a world-renown company, Remax. The tools that Remax had to offer were so innovative and would help her clients on a whole new level.

Buying/selling is an important time in your life. Debbie studies the market, does her due diligence, and works tirelessly for her clients.

She educates them to make the best decisions about their real estate needs. Assessing a seller’s home and getting it market-ready is one of her strengths. But it isn’t just a strength; she loves doing it.

Jenny has expanded her license and is now Dual licensed in the state of Oklahoma, helping all investors and families over the Shreveport/Bossier City area get their dream vacation cabin, investment cabins, and hunting land in Broken Bow. In Oklahoma, she works for Remax Freedom.

Brooke Stevens joined Jenny Spivey in 2019 and was someone she could train from the beginning. Brooke is amazing and has a genuine love for helping others and making sure all is in perfect order. Brooke will be on the go rain or shine. She is always up and willing to help. Organization is key to her, and Brooke can tell you from start to finish of each transaction where you are. “My main drive is the satisfaction of helping people through the major milestones in

Together the Jenny Spivey Team are a tight-knit group and have become a family. With access to top listings, a worldwide network, exceptional marketing strategies and cutting-edge technology, Jenny and her team work hard to make your real estate experience memorable and enjoyable. Their goals are their client’s goals.

2323 Old Minden Road Suite 100 Bossier City, LA 318-588-1277 Jenny.spivey@hotmail.com

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MONICA L. HUDSON

CHRIS STOKES

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C

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

onica Hudson is a realtor with over 14 years of experience. She is a top producer with over 5+ million in Sales and is a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ally Real Estate Leading Edge Society member. She is also a Notary and has obtained a Certified Residential Military Specialist designation. Monica has demonstrated her superior knowledge and clear passion for serving others and obtained certification to become a loan officer to increase her knowledge of the mortgage industry further. As a former military spouse, she understands the challenges that may come with relocating.

Monica loves people and loves helping them sell or find their perfect home. It is not just a job to her, but a mission to find a home that makes them happy. She believes that helping people make their dreams come true is one of the best feelings in the world. Monica’s genuine concern for her clients and their happiness sets her apart from others.

Monica was born and raised in the Shreveport/Bossier City area and loves that there is something for everyone to enjoy here. Outside of real estate, she enjoys photography, cooking, gardening, spending time with family and friends, volunteering and serving in church and community activities, and learning new things.

Walker-Alley & Associates hris Stokes grew up in Shreveport and joined Walker-Alley & Associates in 2016. He puts his legal education, corporate real estate, marketing, and sales experience to good use as a Commercial Realtor.

Chris represents buyers and sellers in all aspects of commercial real estate including industrial, office, retail, and multi-family in Louisiana.

He has successfully represented large landowners, small office tenants, big corporations, local small business owners and entrepreneurs. He has a passion for working with historic property owners to find Buyers & Tenants that will bring the historic buildings back to life. He understands zoning laws and other complicated land development issues. He successfully works with surveyors and architects on large land development and construction contractors on tenant improvements for an office space or large warehouses. His corporate experience also includes sales and marketing training allowing him to showcase his Listings to their maximum potential.

401 Market Street, #1000 Shreveport, Louisiana 71101 C: 318.564.7906 O: 318.222.2022

Cell (318) 470-3728 Office (318) 231-2000 www.MonicaHudsonRealtor.com

KYLE STRAUGHAN

CHANDRA WILSON

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BOLD Group, eXp Realty

yle Straughan, born and raised in Shreveport-Bossier City, is an associate broker and the CEO/Team Leader for the BOLD Group brokered by eXp Realty.

He is a top-producing agent that has been practicing real estate in the SBC area since 2014. His thirst for knowledge and always providing quality professional services to his clients has led him to earn several designations and certifications from the National Association of REALTORS. When he isn’t helping people buy or sell, he loves to travel and take road trips, especially when it means trying new restaurants. His advice to buyers and sellers: contact us and LET BOLD GET IT SOLD! Cell: 318-455-4713 Brokerage Phone: 888-247-9882 www.soldbyboldgroup.com 333 Texas St., Suite 1300 Shreveport, LA 71101

Keller Williams NWLA

handra Smith Wilson has the natural ability for seeking functional and beautiful spaces for her clients. This journey started in the Fall of 2019, while she continued to work full-time in the mental health field, which she has done for 8 years. She was born and raised in Coushatta, which is the parish seat of rural Red River Parish in North Louisiana, and attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. She is beyond blessed and grateful for the love and support that the community has shown her.

Chandra is committed to actively listening to her client’s needs and utilizing her keen negotiating skills to ensure a successful transaction. She loves working with first-time homebuyers. She also supports St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and the American Cancer Society. Serving others and being able to put a smile on someone’s face is the fuel that keeps her moving forward.

When she’s not in the office or out with clients, Chandra loves traveling, shopping, and spending time with her spouse of 16 years, Mr. Willie Wilson Sr., and their four children. Her favorite inspirational verse is found in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, and plans to give you hope and a future.”

Cell: 318-564-0031 Office: 318-213-1556 Chandrawilson@kw.com Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission. Each office is Independently Owned and Operated

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Tammi Montgomery

Joel Hall

Karen Hoel

Jenny Spivey

Dena West

Yvonne Davlin

Karen Ricci

Heather Kreamer

John Lorick

Paul Bratlie

Malinda Scott

Nicole Bryson

Jessica Hammons

Muna Sofyan

Candice Starr

Kellee Huff

Katrina Patrick

Rachel Pacheco

Jennifer Burrus

Marc Vagrin

Greg Ryan

Brandi Smith

Christina Jones

Trey Deeds

Robby Schmidt

Kristen Sullivan

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Two locations to serve you.

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Brooke Stevens

Amanda Thaxton

Nicole Hurd

Carolyn Coatney

Tim Bell

Brianna Lepper

Joey Hagood

Jessica Oliver

Sue White

Leigh Ann Couvillon

Britany Murphy

Debbie Harris

Rebecca Rasmussen

Jessie Fox

Sarah Cabra

Rene Escobar

June Alexander

Chase Bowers

Christina Hunsucker

Claire Tebbano

Wayne Barrett

Frank Kelly

Guy Mauerhan

Ragan Terzia

Melissa Forney

Sandy Austin

Our Bossier Office is the #1 RE/MAX in the state of Louisiana and the #1 office by sales in Shreveport/Bossier City.

Meet our top agents that are dedicated to making your real estate experience memorable and enjoyable and have the experience to get the job done in today’s market.

9242 Ellerbe Road, Suite 300 Shreveport, Louisiana 318-862-3560

2323 Old Minden Rd, Suite 600 Bossier City, Louisiana (318) 459-7870 SBMAG.NET

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MAKE THE CALL

9242 ELLERBE RD. SUITE 300 SHREVEPORT, LA 71106 E A C H O F F I C E I N D E P E N D E N T LY O W N E D & O P E R AT E D L I C E N S E D I N T H E S TAT E O F L O U I S I A N A , U S A L I C E N S E D BY T H E L O U I S I A N A R E A L E S TAT E C O M M I S S I O N .

͠ Ranked in the Top 5

of ALL Individual RE/MAX Agents for Louisiana in 2021

͠ #1 Individual Agent

for RE/MAX Real Estate Services in 2021

͠ Over $17.5 Million

and 83 Transactions Closed in 2021! No assistant, no closing coordinator, and no buyers agent; From START to FINISH, you only deal with Joel.

READY TO SELL YOUR HOUSE? THEN IT’S TIME TO #MAKETHECALL

#MakeTheCall 80 AUGUST 2022

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JOEL HALL, RE/MAX REAL ESTATE SERVICES � 318.464.7003 tv JOELHALL.REMAX-LOUISIANA.COM

It’s time to love where you live.

Lisa Hargrove

No. 1 Coldwell Banker Agent in Northwest Louisiana

Experience & Professionalism Matter

Each office independently owned and operated.

318.861.2461 Office / 318.393.1003 Cell / www.lisahargrove.com SBMAG.NET

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WELCOME HOME

REAL ESTATE SERVICES

RAGAN TERZIA 318-564-9558

YVONNE DAVLIN 318-294-1568

KAREN RICCI 318-617-1448

OFFICE: 318-752-2700 E ACH OFFICE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED, LICENSED IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, USA LICENSED BY THE LOUISIANA RE AL ESTATE COMMISSION.

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Realtor of Excellence

A state of mind to provide the best possible Real Estate experience for all Clients.

Terri Levesque’s mission is to help others achieve their dreams of home ownership, whether it’s a full-time residence, a second home, or an investment property.

With her years of experience and team of experts, she has the necessary tools you need to enjoy the process from start to finish. Every person…Every family has a story. She helps to make their real estate goals become a reality.

The Market is ever-changing. Now, more than ever, having a trusted and knowledgeable real estate agent representing your best interests, whether you are buying or selling property, is essential.

Looking to Buy, Sell, or Invest in Real Estate?

It’s Time to Talk to Terri!

Licensed in Louisiana by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission.

318-464-2914 • 315 East Texas Street • Bossier City, LA 71111 www.terrilevesque.com • terrilevesque@suddenlink.net

Terri Levesque REALTOR®

“Because moving is a big deal… When deciding who represents you, let me continually work hard to put your needs and interests first!”

Concetta King-Chevallier has been a realtor with a locally owned and operated brokerage in Shreveport/Bossier City since 2015. She specializes in residential properties, routinely representing both buyers and sellers in the transaction process.

Carlton Holland REALTOR®

Coldwell Banker Gosslee 8805 Line Avenue, Suite 100 Shreveport, LA 71106 Licensed by the LREC Cell (318) 393-6665 Office (318) 861-2461

"Carlton was professional, personal, and transparent during our time together. It is easy to see that he genuinely cares for his clients and the local community of Shreveport/Bossier. 10/10 would recommend him to handle your real estate needs." – Matthew

CONCETTA KING-CHEVALLIER Realtor, Pinnacle Realty Advisors

Concetta prides herself on taking time to identify her client's wants and needs, and the patience and honesty she brings to her representation of any buyer or seller.

Concetta is not interested in making a quick sale and will never withhold her honest assessment of any situation in an effort to get a deal done.

"My husband and I have bought and sold several homes through agents and for sale by owner. Carlton made this by far the best, most efficient, and fun home buying process ever. His attention to detail and responsiveness eliminated so much potential stress.

We are very grateful that he represented us and highly recommend Carlton as an agent." – Jennifer

CarltonHollandRealtor@gmail.com www.carltonholland.cbgosslee.com

pinnaclera.com/agent/concetta-king • concetta@concettaking.com 717 Crockett street, Suite 201, Shreveport, LA 71101 SBMAG.NET

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Hannah Loker

(318) 303-6658

– Cristie Sibus

ASSOCIATE BROKER | REALTOR

"My goal is to be the BEST!

318-990-9001 • 318-746-0011 LokerHrealestate@gmail.com

THANK YOU!

For me, success comes from a job well done, quality over quantity."

Northwest Louisiana for your outstanding support in keeping my business growing and thriving!

LICENSED IN LOUISIANA

BY THE LOUISIANA REAL ESTATE COMMISSION

www.cristiesibus.summitexecutiverealtyhomes.com Summit Executive Realty® 4530 Barksdale Blvd., Suite E, Bossier City, LA 71112 Office: 318-747-3117

REPROGRAPHICS, ART/PHOTOGRAPHY PRINTS, BUSINESS CARDS, BANNERS, SCANNING & DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT AND MORE!

PRINTS, NG & E!

THINK BIG.

it ALL

REPROGRAPHICS, ART/PHOTOGRAPHY PRINTS, THINKCARDS, SMALL. BUSINESS BANNERS, SCANNING & DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT AND MORE!

WE PRINT IT ALL!

THINK BIG.

THINK SMALL. We

print it ALL

O: 318-393-3995 • Direct: 318-572-1122 1000 Chinaberry Drive, Suite 403 Bossier City, LA

www.JanetMcCord.com

SUSAN CHANCE REALTOR®

700 Ogilvie, Suite D Bossier City, LA 71111 Office 318.231.2000 Cell 318.272.9015 A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Each office is independently owned and operated.

Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY HEATHER MCKINNEY

1325 BARKSDALE BLVD., STE 105 • BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA 71111 • 318.383.1313 SBMAG.NET | AUGUST 2022 85 W W W.T H A X T O N T I T L E .C O M

PATIO HOME FOR SALE

Call Your Realtor for a Showing of 415 Persimmon Drive.

Tall ceilings, wood floors, and large windows await you in this uniquely decorated South Shreveport home. The seller has purchased a fully furnished home in Alabama, so all furniture and accessories are available to the buyer 2022 | SBMAG.NET 86 AUGUSTof this home at vastly reduced costs.

In the foyer, the faded colors of an antique rug set the mood of natural materials throughout. There are two full baths plus a powder room. The game room with a fullsize Murphy bed makes sleepovers a fun visit. Call your Realtor today!

Want to Buy or Sell

a Home?

Here’s Everything You Should (and Shouldn’t) Do.

W

ith interest rates on the rise and housing inventory still low, it’s important to keep these homebuying (and home selling) tips in mind.

From finding representation to the inspection process, a bit of background knowledge can help prevent expensive mistakes.

The last eighteen months in the real estate market has been, well, something. And, as we move further into 2022, home prices continue to grow—just not at the accelerated rate we saw in 2021. What does this all mean? More home sales mean more profitable opportunities for homeowners. So, with that, here’s everything you need to know about buying (or selling) a home in 2022.

BY ADAM BAILEY

Interview Real Estate Agents Before Committing The real estate agent you choose is extremely important to maximizing both your home-buying or home-selling experience. You rely on them to complete your purchase, and your choice of representation can have a significant impact on your stress levels.

Your real estate agent should demonstrate their expertise before you sign anything. There should be an initial meeting where your needs and goals are discussed. You’ll be led through the process and review some potential options so that the agent can gauge your preferences. Remember that you are under no obligation to work with them until you sign an agreement.

Don’t be afraid to interview different real estate agents to gauge SBMAG.NET

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request interviews with potential agents.

The right agent should present you with a buyer agency agreement, which commits you and your agent in a way that both of your financial interests are protected.

Be Flexible in Your Home Search With a good agent secured, search with an open mind—it’ll be easier than adjusting your expectations later. With today’s market, the vast majority of home buyers are unlikely to get their top choice. The more flexible you are, the higher your chance of success. It may be helpful to discuss and rank the features you want most before you start your search—that’ll help you assess your options once you begin visiting potential homes.

their experience and make sure you’re compatible. Your agent should explain things thoroughly, be familiar with your desired locale and respond to you in a prompt and professional manner. Above all, you should trust them. Once you’re under contract—that is, you’ve signed the

paperwork to purchase a home—you’re legally bound to your agent, and it may be difficult, time-consuming and expensive to switch.

To find the right realtor, ask local homeowners for real estate agent recommendations and contact a local brokerage to

If you’re priced out of one market, you may need to consider an alternative locale. This is where you can get more proactive and get an edge on other buyers by researching new construction on the outskirts of a hot market, or learning about upcoming local infrastructure projects.

Open and closed permits for residential work can give you insight into where commercial development may be going on. If you’re willing to wait out plans for a few years, you may be able to get a discount on a home. This approach can also help boost

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your equity over a short amount of time. This information is typically available through your city or county website. Your agent should be able to help you find this information, as well.

CRITICAL. Understand Your Real Estate Contract Real estate contracts are dry and long, but they’re not written in stone until you sign. You can negotiate any parameter when you submit an offer. If something doesn’t make sense, ask for an explanation from your realtor. Keep in mind, if any part of the contract does not suit your needs, you can request modifications before you submit the contract to the seller. When in doubt—or to get a reality check—you should consider the advice of your knowledgeable and experienced agent.

Know your ‘contingency elections.’ These determine what types of inspections and negotiations can be done and in what time frame—such as standard home inspections, inspections for pests, whether you can qualify for a mortgage, and more.

Remember, a Home Inspection Won’t Reveal Everything After the contract is signed by both parties, the homebuyer usually has 10 to 14 days to get a home inspection. Based on the results of the inspection, your real estate agent can request monetary concessions or ask that repairs be added to the contract to offset any concerns or potential problems.

A thorough inspection report can be overwhelming, especially if it’s an older home. No house is perfect, and most problems are addressable. But if you come across something you don’t want to deal with, you can always negotiate or walk away —as long as you are within the contingency period.

On the other hand, inspectors are not foolproof. They won’t be able to get behind walls or move the current occupant’s belong-

ings to inspect. They also won’t be responsible for any mistakes made or issues missed in their assessment.

If you’re searching in a hot market—where homes are selling fast, and competition is fierce—you may feel pressured to forgo an inspection. If you’re considering that, recruit some help and bring someone knowledgeable about buildings and systems to the home showing. It may give you more insight into the state of the home and highlight major red flags.

You Don’t Have to Put Down 20% to Buy a House While the traditional 20% down payment has its benefits—like a lower monthly mortgage payment and exemption from private mortgage insurance costs—there are drawbacks, too, such as being required to have private mortgage insurance, or PMI. However, PMI isn’t always a major expense. Generally, PMI costs 0.5% to 1.5% of your mortgage balance per year, so as little as $125 per month on a $300,000 mortgage. And that rate is partially determined by your credit score, so if you have good credit, it may boil down to a negligible amount.

There is a risk in waiting to save up for a bigger down payment, too. If increases in home prices outpace your savings rates—not to mention inflation in other areas of life—you may be doing yourself a disservice by waiting. Even if home prices stay stagnant, mortgage interest rates are on the rise. With the Fed likely to raise interest rates through 2022 in response to high inflation, this trend is expected to continue for now.

A smaller down payment may also allow you to keep a healthy pile of savings accessible for unexpected repairs on your new home.

Financing Is Not One-Size-Fits-All There are also various loan products designed for different types

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The path forward to a new home should be a little clearer now. Start figuring out how to budget for your home ahead of time so you’re not tripped up by logistics when you find the right house. And remember, homeownership is not necessarily for everyone—there are pros and cons to both owning and renting. Make sure you want to be a homeowner before you make this commitment.

If you’re thinking about selling your home, this may be the time. Here are a few things to consider.

of mortgage applicants that are tailored to specific financial circumstances. For instance, FHA loans allow for smaller down payments and let people with lower credit scores qualify for a mortgage. VA loans, meanwhile, exist for service members and veterans to acquire a home with no down payment and other benefits.

Even conventional loans allow you to put as little as 3% down.

But you should never make a purchase you cannot afford. Be mindful of what you feel comfortable spending, both upfront and on a monthly basis, because that’s a far more important metric than whatever purchase price you may be preapproved for.

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Price Your Home, Correctly.

If the past few years have proven anything, it’s that buyers will pay almost anything to get a home. Bidding wars were common. They may be less so in your community, so pay attention to the numbers your agent brings to the table.

Pricing your home competitively may generate a number of offers in excess of the list price. What you want is to generate interest and showings, and a “pie in the sky” price won’t do that, even with the dearth of homes for sale.

Stage Your Home to Create a Warm, Inviting Space.

There may not be a crowd of homes for sale, but you want yours noticed for all the right reasons. Anyone looking in your neighborhood will see that your home is for sale. But they’re probably pretty seasoned buyers at this point, and they’ll quickly be able to tell if your home is a possibility.

The pandemic has seen people confined to their homes, leading to a craving for more space. An important thing to do if you are selling is to radically declutter your home so it looks spacious, and anyone viewing it can see the potential for living space. Trends on a home buyer’s wish list include open plan living and an office area. You don’t need to do all that to your house, of course, but let a buyer visualize the potential.

So do what you can to make your home look as clean and polished as possible: Strip your home of all personal effects and artwork, clear out half the furniture (or all, in some cases), repaint the walls white, buff the floors, and put-up neutral bed coverings. Give your home a deep cleaning, re-grout dirty tiles and replace carpet as needed. Replace old fixtures with modern LED lights. Open the window shades (or remove them) and clean the windows.

Charming exteriors will get noticed faster, and if prospective sellers do a drive-by showing, your home must dazzle them into stopping to take a closer look. To that end, repair anything that’s broken. Repaint where needed. Be sure to clear the driveway and walkways. In spring, plant colorful flowers and mow and edge your lawn. Decide if your front door and walkway could use sprucing up with a coat of paint or a more complete refresh.

If your agent recommends it, hire a stager who will bring in fur-

niture and design pieces to show all your home has to offer (or work with an agent who provides complimentary staging as part of their services — many do). Professional help can be especially useful if you’ve already moved out and your home is vacant. An empty house is the most difficult for buyers to take in. iBuying is Here to Stay.

Not interested in all the hassle that comes with staging and open houses and waiting to close before you buy another home? iBuying might be for you.

Selling to an iBuyer is a simple way to sell your home, as is, at a “fair market price.” They take it off your hands and take care of the rest. This concept has been around for years but now larger real estate companies, like Redfin and Open Door, have made it a competitive industry.

Sellers May Still Need a Real Estate Agent.

In some cases, you might consider for sale by owner (FSBO). But, for the most part, hiring a real estate agent will pay off in time, effort and money.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the median selling price for homes sold by agents was $58,000 higher than those sold by owners, which, in most cases, will more than make up for the commission you’ll pay. The great thing about hiring a real estate agent—they’ve been there before and have the experience. They will take care of negotiation and paperwork. And they have the connections you might need to hire a handyman, photographer or stager.

The real estate market can be unpredictable, but real estate agents aren’t going anywhere.

Home sweet closing date.

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Negotiation is as Important as Ever.

In normal times, buyers usually have the upper hand when it comes to negotiation. But as we know, these are not normal times in the real estate market. In a seller’s market, the seller has the advantage. That’s incredibly important to know when you’re negotiating a home sale.

Everything from setting a smart price beforehand and knowing the unique, marketable aspects of your home to knowing what your buyer is looking for and counter offering over the right things all play into a good negotiation. All of this can be stressful, and that’s why hiring a real estate agent, again, might be a good idea.

Even When Selling, Home Inspections Still Matter (a Lot).

If you’re selling, you know the inspection is coming so it’s important to get out ahead of it if you want to get the maximum amount for your home. Of course, you may balk at replacing an entire HVAC unit, but you need to know that will factor into the price eventually. The important thing is to know what the inspector will be looking for—whether it’s structural components, electrical and plumbing issues, or insulation and dated appliances.

All of these things will affect your home’s sale price. Be strategic about what you want to fix or replace and what you are content with leaving as is.

Be Prepared for a Fast Sale.

The demand for homes means that houses can sell faster than you think, so work with your agent to plan for what you will do if you do get a quick sale. You need to ensure all your documentation is up to date so it does not delay the selling process.

Think through various scenarios such as putting your belongings into storage temporarily, renting a property while you research an area, or starting to look for your dream home. If you get a good offer, it would be a shame to decline it because you don’t have a plan of where to go.

Nonetheless, 2020 and 2021 have shown us just how unpredictable the market can be—which could be a warning for the rest of 2022. If you’re in a good place to sell, and your life circumstances make it a good time to sell and move on to your next home, then you may not want to wait and see how the next round of supply chain issues, COVID variants, political unrest, or rising mortgage rates impact the market.

With all that said—good luck!

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Quality Professional lawn and landscape services at a reasonable price

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Attention Realtors!

Do you have a seller with a unique situation?

• Not Enough Equity to Hire you?

• Not enough time for a traditional sale?

• Too many repairs?

• Problem Properties or Pocket Listings?

We are in Full-Acquisition-Mode, looking to buy 3-4 properties-per-month! So, keep us in mind on any property which does not fit the traditional listing agreement criteria. We happily pay handsome referral fees should we be able to acquire the asset! Our target market Price-Point is $100K - $500K+.

Attention Private Lenders!

Are you frustrated with low bank rates? Concerned with the volatility of the Market? Our Private Lending Program offers the Best of Both Worlds:

Security & Return / Growth & Income Your Capital Stays Local: Acquires Local Assets / Hires Local Contractors / Pays Local Laborers Supports Local Suppliers / Enhances Local Neighborhoods Provides Local Families with a Path-to-Homeownership Our Lead Investors enjoy a Multi-Component ROI including Percentage Rate Points, & Profit Participation. Earn a Solid Financial Return as well as an equally Satisfying Philanthropic Reward allowing you do good while doing well!

Please plan to join us Friday September 30, 2022, 6:30PM for our 2nd Annual Real Estate Professionals Soirée in the Grand Paradise Theater at Margaritaville Casino in Bossier City!

Admission is FREE and includes…

• 2-Cocktail Coupons • Huge hors d’oeuvres buffet • Over $2,500.00 in door prizes We hope to see you there!

RSVP: info.suretyllc@gmail.com Event Coordinator: Brittney Ketchum 903-931-3602 SBMAG.NET

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SB BEAUTY BOSS

As

Stylish PETS

Bleu & Bunny

BY JON PAULE CALCOTE

pet parents to adorable fur babies, we often love dolling them up and showing them off.. It’s no surprise that many of us think of them as so much more than just our pets. Our love for them is closer to the love we have for our families. And I have no problem personally admitting that I love mine like the children I’ve never had myself. I have Bleu, a 120-pound Weimaraner, and Bunny, a 25-pound little bull terrier mix, my rescue baby.

By the way, I’m still confused on the whorescued-who part in that situation!

Both dogs have birthday parties every year with all their dog buddies and a few of their favorite humans. They even get to open gifts on Christmas morning to experience Christmas cheer with the rest of their family.

We take time to fix ourselves, our homes, and our vehicles, so why not do the same for our pets? Let’s look at some trends in pet care that will purrrfectly fit your four-legged family member’s unique personality and keep those precious tails wagging.

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Grooming & Cuts

Pet Faux Hawk Whether your fur baby is canine or feline, the pet faux hawk is one of the biggest trends, a fun, punky way to make sure your little bundle of fur joy stands out at the local dog park.

Lion Cut This cut, where the body is cut short and close, while the feet, face, tail, and ears are left longer and fluffier, is timeless and always on trend.

Dyed Hair Another huge trend in pet grooming right now is having your pet’s hair dyed in funky colors. As cute and fun as it can be to see a hot pink cat or lime green dog, this trend is somewhat controversial!

Accessories

Pet Strollers and Carry Abouts Sometime while taking our little buddies on a joyful outing, they can get a little tired, or down here in the South, way too hot. Animal strollers are not only a practical option but just the cutest thing you’ve even seen. Many designers of animal luxury goods are making cute and stylish ways to transport your animal, whether you live in a major metropolitan city, or your sweet baby happens to be a touch on the spoiled side. Pet carriers in forms of strollers, backpacks, crossbodies, and even vests have been seen worldwide carried by several celebrities.

Collars & Leashes are one of the most common accessories for your pet. With there being so many cute designs and styles, I say go for one that speaks to your pet specific personality. For example, my little rescue bull terrier, is all girl, so hers are pink, frilly, and exude sass.

Where, my Bleu on the other hand is all man. His tend to be rough and tough boyish.

Pet Care

Tech for Pets There are several products on the market that not only allow you to monitor your pets while you’re away but also lets you speak to them and dispense treats—all from a device in your home and an app on your phone—helping to maintain that bond and connection as if you were right there at home together.

Microchipping Long gone are the days of the traditional dog tags which tended to jingle throughout the house, fall off your dog’s collar and get lost, or rust easily. These days everyone is having their pet microchipped. The microchip is about an eighth of an inch that is inserted under the skin at the nape of the neck and stores all your most pertinent information such your name, address, phone number, your pet’s name, and shot records. You can even add a second emergency contact person.

Pet Daycare “Yep, you heard it right!” Many facilities right here in the SBC not only offer long term boarding for when you go on trips, they also offer daily daycare programs. So instead of your fourlegged BFF’s laying around the house during the day, your bundles of sweet joy can be socializing and staying active with others while you’re at work.

Our pets are loving, living, God’s creatures. These are not just playthings or collectables for us to own.

They have feelings and emotions just like we do. It is so much fun owning a pet, and I urge you to do your research to make sure you pick the right pet for your family or household.

Jon Paule Calcote is a MACcertified makeup artist and a four time certified licensed permanent cosmetic artist.

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SB PROFILE

BY SCOTT “SCOOTER” ANDERSON aroma of home cookin’ will hang in the air over downtown Shreveport the last weekend in August as the Louisiana Soul Food Fall Festival moves to Festival Plaza for its second year.

The festival not only has a new venue but a new title sponsor in Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning. “We have done over 20 years of community service things with them,” Tammy Wright said. “When they said they were going to sponsor, that was major.”

The inaugural festival was at the State Fairgrounds last year. Before that, it was just a dream for Tammy and her twin sister, Cammy Wright, of Shreveport, the founders and chairpersons of the festival.

“May 13, 2019, God gave a vision,” Tammy said. “We walk by faith. So, we started thinking about soul food. We weren’t just thinking about Shreveport, though. That’s why we call it a Louisiana festival. And we had so many people who wanted to be a part.”

One of those people was Chris Giordano, president and general manager of State Fair of Louisiana. He opened the fairgrounds to the inaugural festival. “We couldn’t have done it without Chris Giordano supporting us,” Tammy said. “He’s an awesome individual.”

Cammy said part of the vision for the festival was to shine a positive light on their hometown.

“Shreveport is growing,” she said. “We wanted to do something on a wide scale to bring a lot of people to Shreveport. You hear the negative, but we have a lot of greatness going on. Maybe some of that greatness will bring people in to see that we have more to offer here.”

They chose to build their event around soul food because, in their minds, it’s something anyone can relate to. “Soul is really what’s inside of you,” Cammy said. “What you have grown up with from childhood. You travel other places or experience different dishes, but soul is what you feel is good. It depends on your taste. It’s what inside of a person. It’s not a cultural thing.”

The sisters come from a large family that enjoyed sitting down to meals together on the weekends. Tammy said their aunt cooked for Tina Turner. Of the two, Cammy developed a love for cooking. “I tried to push her, saying, ‘You need to get a food truck,’” Tammy said. “She wouldn’t do it. But she’ll cook for the masses.”

For Cammy, it’s more than just delicious food. “I love to see a spread,” she said. “When we were growing up, we would go to Morrison’s buffet. We would always have a variety of food. I said when I get older, I want to do something like that.”

The Wright sisters said the inaugural event was relatively smooth. “It was nice we finished it from beginning to end with no problems,” Cammy said.

“We had a couple of glitches, but we sat down and talked about those. It was a blessing to get that accomplished.”

Tammy said they learned a lot from that first event, and those lessons are paying off. “There are so many festivals in Louisiana,” Tammy said. “Over 400 and growing.

So, to be a new festival, we have to bring an array of activities to lure every liking, from flavors, textures — a little bit of everything.

That’s what we’re doing, and it’s blowing up.”

This year, chefs will complete in a live competition at the festival.

Cammy said the competitors will have to rely on their creativity as much as their culinary skills. “They don’t know what they are cooking,” she said. “They will find out when they are there. They know they will have a protein and a dessert to make their meal. They will only know what they have to work with when they see their groceries.”

The festival also will include cooking demonstrations, live music, and children’s activities, including a cupcake decorating contest and a Southern Maid doughnut eating competition.

Celebrity chefs scheduled to appear include Chris Scott of New York City, Queen Nola from New Orleans, and Chef Maurice from the Bahamas. Local chefs participating include Roosevelt Williams, Besheka McCoy-Harris, and Chef MeMe. “We kind of got some of the chefs who hadn’t been out there,” Tammy said. “We picked them to blossom.”

The Louisiana Soul Food Fall Festival is for both adults and children, and a VIP experience is available that includes souvenirs and signature food and drinks from participating chefs. louisianasoulfoodfallfestival.com SBMAG.NET

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Louisiana across Downs: the board BY

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ouisiana Downs Casino and Racetrack might replace “First Call” with “Everything Old is New Again” as its call to post.

That’s because the new ownership and management team at Bossier City’s horse racing venue is preserving its history while looking to a bigger, brighter future.

Louisiana Downs operates as a racino — a combination of a racetrack and a casino. It opened in 1974 with approximately 15,000 fans in attendance for the first day of its inaugural meet. In its glory days throughout the 1970s and ’80s, it set numerous national records for handle and attendance.

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Rubico Acquisition bought the property in November from Caesars Entertainment. Rubico President Kevin Preston felt he had found a diamond in the rough.

“Going into any kind of business, you are looking for opportunities,” he said.

“The track had been neglected for a long time. Going into it, understanding how we operate, we knew if we could put our culture in there, especially where it’s located, it was good opportunity to bring it back to life.”

Preston had one goal in mind with the purchase of the racetrack: putting the race back in racino.

Through the years, the focus became to drive the market dollars to the casino and not to the racetrack side. The new owners

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are looking forward to new glory days as they reintroduce the property and horse racing in general to a new audience.

“We are not only excited, but proud to have a venue that appeals to multiple interests,” Preston said. “We are very much investing in both our racing and casino assets and look forward to elevating both.”

Preston has been in the casino business since 1992. While this is his first venture into racetrack ownership, he is no stranger to horse racing.

“It’s always been something that intrigued me,” he said. “When I was young, growing up in Chicago, my dad took me to the tracks. I fell in love with the sport.

I have a passion for it. I knew if, at some point, there was an opportunity, I would

the track hopes to convert first-time visitors into repeat customers.

“We love the energy of our customers,” Butler said. “Bringing back family days was a priority at the start of this race meet. We wanted to show our community that we supported them and wanted to see them enjoy their weekends with us.”

With all the new, the track hasn’t forgotten about its regulars, who have noticed more than the crowds. “They have noticed things like Race Replay Drawings — a program where bettors enter their losing tickets into a drawing to recoup the lost bet,” Butler said.

take advantage of it. Even before owning the track, we would go to racetracks and enjoy everything about it. So, while I am a casino guy, I enjoy the racing side of it as well.”

The Rubico team has been renovating the facility to create a more engaging and inviting atmosphere. Louisiana Downs added a Sportsbook, is replacing almost 100 slot machines with more modern games and adding 50 Historic Horse Racing machines. HHR machines are a game of skill that simulate historic races. Louisiana Downs also runs an OTB & Casino venue in Mound, LA, that has added 50 HHR machines with plans to add four additional OTB Casinos soon. The balance between the racing operations and the casino operations is essential to create a healthy life cycle in the Louisiana Downs ecosystem. People play the slot machines and soon to be HHR machines and that play directly affects horse racing. For good consistent purses, people must be playing in the casino.

Louisiana Downs also is expanding the on-site dining options, which had dwindled to only Fuddruckers’s before Rubico took ownership. For the first time since 2019, the third-floor clubhouse level is being used. While it is not yet open all four days of racing, the plan is to open and expand the offering with increased

demand. Box seats are open for reservation each Saturday, holiday weekends, and special event dates as well.

The Clubhouse buffet, previously the Pelican Room, is also open for special event days such as Preakness, Belmont, and Louisiana Cup Day. “The team here has worked hard to reinvent the current food and beverage offerings,” said Andrea Butler, director of marketing.

“While we feel we have made our customers happy, we are more than ready to be able to share with you all our two new food ventures coming very soon.”

Another key factor in their success is getting people out to the racetrack. “A lot of people are coming back to the track to see the things we have done,” Preston said. “They are coming back to the races because someone is paying attention again.”

Preston said the employees have also taken notice. “We’ve got team members who have been here 30 or 40 years who wanted someone to come in and care about the track,” he said. Uniting the racing and casino sides of the operation again was a key step.

“The biggest thing is getting team members together,” Preston said. “They felt separation between the two sides. We are bringing everybody together. All our meetings are together now. Everybody’s in the same room, addressing the same issues.”

And that’s not all. The new management team has improved the racing and backside operations for the horsemen and guests. Improvements are far larger than what the general population can see at first glance such as new paint, updated signage, and new features like their upgraded Finish Line poles. They have also completely renovated the backside kitchen area with updated appliances and a recreation area with new TVs and a pool table for the horsemen.

Areas like the Test Barn The track has hosted have also been updata number of events to ed. Ownership also has draw those crowds, closely collaborated from Exotic Animal Kevin Preston with consultants to races, live music, and evaluate and analyze the conditions of the cornhole tournaments, to a movie night, turf and dirt courses to ensure the surfacface-painting, and other family-friendly es are the safest possible for the horsemen activities including the fan favorite Wieand horses. ner Dog races on Labor Day. That’s how SBMAG.NET

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Improving Louisiana Downs will not only improve things for the local horsemen, the regulars, and newcomers, but it will help improve horse racing throughout Louisiana. “At the end of the day, I stand behind my statements from the beginning,” Preston said. “We are here for the people. For our guests, our team members, and our community. Progress takes time, and it doesn’t come without its hurdles, but we stay committed to restoring Louisiana Downs to its iconic being and hope that we continue to serve everyone well.”

The handle at a racetrack is the total amount bet on the races. The handle is up this season at Louisiana Downs, Preston said. “Everything is gauged by the handle on the racing side,” Preston said. “Handle has been up, which is great. We have to keep customers coming and entertained.”

It’s a sign things are moving in the right direction, Preston said, to make Louisiana Downs once again “the place to race,” like it was in its heyday, when

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cars lined the road outside the property waiting to get in.

“We may not get it back to what it was in the 90s, but we are going to give it our

best shot,” Preston said. “Even if we get it halfway back, it’ll be something special.”

Photos: Hodges Photography

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MANOLOGY

BY ADAM BAILEY 2. Go With Her If you have agreed on a list and you have a game plan, get in the car and go with her. Gentlemen, you can make this a good experience; it is within your power. Marriage is all about communication and teamwork, right?

Consider these times together a test on how you will handle harder and more complicated decisions that will come.

Work together.

3. Grab a ‘Pre-Game’ Snack Upon arrival to the grocery store, find the bakery or the coffee shop and get something to snack on. Trust me, this helps. Personally, I like to grab something in the bakery. But if you’re a coffee drinker, have at it. Maybe go for a bag of chips and soda. Whatever it is, grab something small as soon as you get there. It will make you happier, it will calm you down, and it will take your focus off the store chaos. There is always chaos!

What Men Need to Know

when Grocery Shopping With Their Wives

It

’s no secret that grocery shopping—no matter who you’re with—is almost never fun. For men, we’re simply not interested. For me, I would often dread the time of the week when it came to getting groceries. Something about it just annoyed me to no end. My wife and I would decide that we needed groceries, and we would take off. I never liked the idea of spending that much money for just food, nor did I like shopping around other people at the grocery store. Having to deal with people only added to my anger and frustration.

After about a half hour of meandering down aisles and disagreeing on what to get, we would get mad at each other, annoyed with those around us, and the rest of the day would be ruined. Don’t call me crazy yet, I think this happens more than you think.

Now, I know that there are men out there that don’t mind a good grocery store experience, but I would say they are a minority. Think of the last time you saw a

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couple at the grocery store. The woman will typically be with the cart, with the list in hand, while the man will be walking somewhere behind her hating life.

Seriously think about it. You see that scenario all the time.

Who says it has to be that way? Having your wife as a shopping partner need not be an ordeal. Here are 5 tips every man should know when grocery shopping with your wife (or significant other): 1. Make Your List Together We are men and we have to eat at some point. Am I right? This is the first crucial step to grocery store experience success! Gather with your wife in the kitchen and decide on your breakfast, dinner and lunch options. Say what you need or want out loud to each other and add it to the list.

Surprises at the grocery store are never good (as they often end in conflict). Get the list done and agree to stick to it. Got coupons? If so, get to clipping and compare those to the list and use the ones you need. At this point you both agree on the food and therefore the expectations are established.

4. Make It Quick and Stick to the List In my experience, the longer you are at the store, the worse it gets. The tension starts to escalate, the emotions start to get crazy and that doughnut you ate was finished way too long ago. Less is more, gentlemen.

Work together. Someone take the cart and someone take the list. Mark things off the list as found and move to the next item. Ladies, if you’re reading this, men love to have a task. In a respectful way, try to get your man to find specific items as you look for the harder to find items. This will make him feel important and part of the team. If you have coupons, use them.

Honestly, I don’t think they are worth the hassle (but that’s a story for another day).

5. Watch the Total Go Down Got everything? Good! Get in line and get out of there! Want to really have fun? Make shopping competitive and see who can save more money at the register. Give each other a high five. Load up the car and head home to enjoy some great food.

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PETS IMPACT ON

KIDS

K

BY HAILEY LAWSON

IDS LOVE PETS! They are a big part of many children’s lives— offering children a special kind of companionship. Animals love unconditionally and are always ready to love and listen to a child without judgment. Additionally, a child who learns to care for a pet with kindness and patience will often gain invaluable experience in how to treat people the same way. In fact, many studies have shown that pet ownership can help kids develop important social and emotional skills as well as help decrease stress. It’s surprising the number of ways a pet can positively impact a child’s life. The extra love and affection from a pet can result in several benefits.

Here are ways your child might benefit from having a pet to care for and love!

Higher Self-Esteem: Caring for a pet helps children improve their self-esteem. Owning a pet requires a lot of work, and a child develops a sense of

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accomplishment that comes with taking care of a pet. Taking care of a pet also helps them build a sense of independence—especially when your child is old enough to handle responsibilities on their own. Additionally, taking care

of a pet can give them a sense of purpose and help them see themselves in a positive way. Ultimately, the relationship with their pet helps build a belief in themselves as well as develop their social and emotional skills.

More Compassionate: Children who own pets are more empathetic towards others. Pets are dependent on people to take care of them; they cannot get their own food or refill their water. Pets also rely on their owners for play and exercise. This dependence of pets often stimulates empathy and compassion in children. Pets are a great way for kids to look outside of themselves and think about what it might be like to be in someone else’s shoes, even if that someone is a pet.

Feeling of Support and Acceptance: A pet can promote a child’s feeling of social support and make a child feel accepted, whereas another person might make them feel judged or criticized. With a pet, there is no fear of judgment or rejection. Children know that their pets love them unconditionally. Their pet doesn’t care how popular they are, how they look, or the clothes they’re wearing. Their pet loves them exactly as they are!

Better Cognitive Skills: Kids who talk to their pets show improved cognitive development. Learning to read is not an easy task for many kids—especially for reluctant readers. Often reading is filled with a sense of anxiety for a child.

They worry about pronouncing words correctly. However, if you ask a child to read to a pet, some of that stress seems to disappear. Kids get excited about reading to their pets because it doesn’t feel like homework. Often you will find that a child will show their pets the book’s illustrations and talk to them about the story.

Less Stress and Happier: Petting a dog has been shown to lower cortisol levels in both people and their pets. We all know that life can be stressful—especially for teens. Challenges at school and friendship struggles are just some of the issues that young people deal with daily. However, a pet can help reduce this stress. Petting and playing with a pet decreases the stress hormone cortisol while increasing the release of feel-good hormones dopamine and serotonin.

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Healthier Life: Pets keep children active and get them outside more—especially a dog. Pets help active kids burn off extra energy and get sedentary kids up and going. Taking a dog for a walk is a great way to fit daily exercise into your child’s life. Also, it will help strengthen the bond between your child and their pet.

Teaches Responsibility: Feeding time is a great way to involve kids in caring for their pets. Have your child help prepare the pet’s meal. Also, have your child use some of their allowance money toward paying for pet food or other necessities. Every parent knows that teaching responsibility to children is not easy, but owning a pet is a great motivator because children realize that their pet depends on them to take care of them.

Whether cleaning the cat’s litter box, walking the dog, or cleaning a bird cage, owning a pet provides a great opportunity to teach kids responsibility. The lessons they learn while taking care of a pet will prove invaluable later in life.

Before bringing a pet home, accept that you, as the parent, ultimately are responsible for its care.

It’s your job to teach your child by example and ensure that your pet receives everything it needs.

Children learn by watching their parents, so your child needs to see you caring for and spending time with the pet. Reminding your child to take care of their pet is important but teaching through example will go much further over time.

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👁👁👁👁 One eye does not move as well as the other

👁👁👁👁 One eye sticks out of the eye socket farther than the other

👁👁👁👁 Eye has an unusual pupil size or

shape: look at the pupil to see if it is round. If not, a serious eye injury is likely present 👁👁👁👁 Blood in the clear part of the eye 👁👁👁👁 Foreign body in the eye (or under the eyelid) causing tears and blinking can't remove

Eye Health & Safety for Kids

BY DR. ALAN RICHARDS

V

ision is an incredible gift that enables us as humans to accomplish amazing feats.

Visually impaired individuals can often learn to function quite well, but good eyesight is required for a number of human tasks. Simply to see the world clearly in three dimensions is a wonderful experience.

Your child’s first eye exam should occur shortly after birth by a pediatrician. He or she shine a light into the eye to make sure your child can see clearly. Cataracts can occur at any age, including birth, and are important to detect early. Your pediatrician should check that your child normally follows objects by age two to four (or two to four months past the due date if the child was born prematurely).

Eyes should be lined up with one another by age six months. If not, a pediatric ophthalmologist (Eye MD) should be consulted.

Photo-screening using automated computer devices can now detect many ocular problems at a young age. Many pediatricians and Lions Clubs use these devices from age 12 to 72 months to determine if one or both eyes are out of focus, or if problems such as cataracts are present.

Amblyopia is loss of vision in one (or both eyes) and is the most common causes of visual loss under age 50. It is present in two to five percent of all persons. This problem is caused by one (or both) eyes being out of focus and requiring glasses, or an eye that deviates and is not used. Serious amblyo-

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pia can be caused by cataracts that occur at birth or during childhood. Amblyopia can usually be successfully treated with patching, glasses, eye drops, or, at times, surgery for an eye that deviates and is not being used.

Ocular injuries account for one-third of all eye-related emergency department visits in the US each year. Common causes of eye injury are:

👁👁👁👁 Blows from hands, balls, or other sports equipment

👁👁👁👁 Falls upon sharp toys 👁👁👁👁 Bungee cords 👁👁👁👁 Paint ball: failure to wear protective mask (very common)

👁👁👁👁 Airsoft: lack of mandatory eye 👁👁👁👁 👁👁👁👁 👁👁👁👁 👁👁👁👁

protection (airsoft shoots plastic pellets up to 590 ft per sec) Pellet guns Throw from sports balls, sticks, glass or metal item, sharp toys Chemicals: hand sanitizer, pool supplies ( Fireworks: Children should never have access to illegal or legal fireworks. (cause serious damage)

Blunt trauma to the eye can cause a broken blood vessel inside the eye leading to blood accumulation inside the eye called a hyphema. The blood can lead to increased pressure inside the eye and permanent loss of vision if not treated properly.

Common Signs of Eye Injury include: 👁👁👁👁 Ongoing pain in the eye 👁👁👁👁 Trouble seeing 👁👁👁👁 Cut or torn eyelid

Most individuals have experienced a scratched eye at some point in their lives. Common symptoms of a scratched eye include: 👁👁👁👁 Eye pain 👁👁👁👁 A feeling that something is stuck in your eye 👁👁👁👁 Tearing If you've scratched the white part of your eye, you may see a spot of blood, a scratched line or an area of general redness on your conjunctiva (the clear tissue covering the white part of the eye and under the eyelid) or sclera (white part of eye).

If you've scratched or scraped your cornea (the clear, round dome at the front of the eye, that covers the iris and pupil) you may experience more severe symptoms:

👁👁👁👁 Blurry vision 👁👁👁👁 Sensitivity to light 👁👁👁👁 Headache This is called a corneal abrasion and it can permanently affect your vision. It's important to see an ophthalmologist (Eye MD) right away. If you experience significant pain, have trouble seeing or are worried about your eye, go to the emergency room.

Sand or Other Small Particles in Your Eye Getting sand, dirt, dust or other small natural particles in your eye is usually not an emergency. Our eyes are very good at flushing out these kinds of particles with tears and blinking. Let your eyes try to take care of the particles naturally before doing anything else. Irrigation can be helpful.

If you have gotten metal, glass or other man-made materials in your eye, that can be more serious. These kinds of objects can become embedded in the surface of the eye and cause ongoing irritation and more damage.

👁👁👁👁 DO NOT rub the eye. 👁👁👁👁 Blink several times and allow tears to flush out the particle.

👁👁👁👁 Lift the upper eyelid over the lashes

of your lower lid to let the eyelashes try to brush the particle out. 👁👁👁👁 Use eyewash, saline solution or running tap water to flush the eye out.

Injuries other than Small Scratches or Particles in the Eye to the Eye Should be Considered Potentially Serious.

👁👁👁👁 DO NOT touch, rub or apply pressure to the eye.

👁👁👁👁 DO NOT try to remove any objects stuck in the eye.

👁👁👁👁 DO NOT apply ointment or medication to the eye.

👁👁👁👁 Over-the-counter eye drops can be

more painful or make the injury worse.

👁👁👁👁 Prescription medications should only

be used for exactly the condition they were prescribed for, not for emergency treatment. 👁👁👁👁 See a doctor as soon as possible, an ophthalmologist (Eye MD) if you can. 👁👁👁👁 If you cannot get to an ophthalmologist right away, go to the emergency room.

👁👁👁👁 See a doctor or go to the emergency room as soon as possible If you can't get the particles out of your eye or if it still feels like there’s something in your eye after you've gotten the material out.

Chemical Burns and Splashes in the Eye: 👁👁👁👁 Immediately flush the eye with plenty of clean water.

👁👁👁👁 Look for information on the

chemical that got into the eye as certain chemicals cause more eye damage than others.

👁👁👁👁 If pain, redness or loss of vision is

present, seek emergency medical treatment or see an ophthalmologist (Eye MD) immediately.

Alan Richards, MD, is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at LSU Health Shreveport. August is Children's Eye Health and Safety Month.

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SB PARENTING

Why YOU should be involved

in Your Child's

BY URSULA BRANTLEY

T

here’s the old saying “It takes a village to raise a child.” This saying used to be a way of life for most people. Everyone looked out for each other’s children and had their best interest at heart. Nowadays, it seems like it’s everyone for themselves. Every school year, many parents send their children to school with the expectation that the teachers and school administrators will provide all the learning and stimulation they need to be intelligent, productive members of society. Though teachers and staff are there to foster the educational development of children, the job is not theirs alone. Parental involvement in education is a key factor in the growth of children and adolescents.

In a paper “Analyzing Parental Involvement Dimensions in Early Childhood” published in Educational Research and Reviews, author Zeynep Kurtulmus found that involved parenting promoted healthy education outcomes for children. Kurtulmus said, “Parenting is the parental involvement dimension that includes the attitudes, values, and practices of parents in raising young children. Nurturing, warm, and responsive parent-child relationships in child-centered activities relate to positive learning outcomes in early childhood.” When children are raised in a welcoming environment, they have a

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better chance at absorbing a quality education.

Their outlook on education is more positive, and they’re more receptive to learning when their environments aren’t toxic. A child’s first classroom is always at home and a parent/guardian is always the first teacher. The home is the foundation of a child’s development on multiple levels, especially education. This is where they should be learning the basis and importance of education. Kurtulmus’ research showed that parents with higher levels of involvement in their

tions for the school year while parents are given the opportunity to ask any questions about the upcoming school year. Here are some great questions to ask teachers and administrators on back-to-school night (or any other time during the school year).

children’s educational experiences at home have been associated with children’s higher achievement scores in reading and writing. The research also showed that parents’ higher level of involvement at school activities and interaction with the teachers is associated with better achievement in mathematics and reading.

what they can do to cultivate their young minds. Children’s teachers know their strengths and weaknesses and are always elated to have parents who are just as concerned as they are about the children’s education. In a survey “Parent and Family Involvement in Education: 2019” published by the U.S. Department of Education in July 2020, well over half of the parents who participated had attended a general school or PTO/PTA meeting, attended regularly scheduled parent-teacher conferences, and attended school or class events. This shows that many parents are doing what they can when they can to support their child’s education, but there is still a gap in the level of parental involvement in education.

The best way for parents to get involved with their children’s education is to go straight to the source. There’s no one who will know your child’s educational needs better than the teacher. Parents should take every opportunity that they can to discuss how their child is doing in class and

One of the best times for parents and teachers to introduce themselves would be at back-to-school night, designed specifically for the purpose of giving parents and teachers a chance to meet face-to-face at the beginning of the school year. During this time, teachers lay out the goals and expecta-

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🍎🍎🍎🍎 🍎🍎🍎🍎 🍎🍎🍎🍎 🍎🍎🍎🍎 🍎🍎🍎🍎

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What skills and/or mindset should my child be developing during the school year?

Will my child be able to set their own academic goals?

What types of tests will be given during the school year?

What are helpful apps/websites when it comes to homework?

What apps/websites are used during the school day?

How much homework will require internet access?

What is the grading scale?

Is extra credit ever an option?

What types?

What type of practice/learning will be dedicated to standardized testing?

What is the best way and time to contact the teacher?

Do you have everything you need for school?

A Shreve Memorial Library card is your key to succeed this school year! Unlock hundreds of learning materials and resources for research projects, access free live online tutoring with Homework Louisiana, learn a new language with Pronunciator, use the library's computers and free Wi-Fi to complete assignments, and so much more!

Sign up today at your local branch.

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Summer is almost in the rear-view mirror, and it’s back to school time already! That means new clothes and uniforms, new teachers, fresh haircuts, sports practice, and more school supplies. New routines are upon us.

Teachers are preparing their classrooms, participating in training, and finalizing course work. Parents will soon be making lunches and helping with homework again.

We wish all students, parents, and guardians a safe and successful school year!

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Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Catholic School

Starting off the year running, the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Catholic School is led by its principal, Trey Woodham. He not only has been an instrumental part in expanding the novel LSUS and SJB partnership, but he has also worked behind the scenes taking an already excellent curriculum to the next level for all grades and hiring four excellent teachers. The LSUS and SJB partnership brings higher education enrichments into the middle school classrooms, which allows students to be taught humanities

by LSUS college professors.

The middle school science program is one of the best in the entire state.

This is evident by the ten State Championships and two second place finishes at the Science Olympiad over the past thirteen years. Additionally, through their relationship with Loyola College Prep, the middle school uses a block schedule to give its students credits for high school. Along with the staff of St. John Berchmans Cathedral, they celebrate their namesake patron saint, Saint John Berchmans, through various activities for their students and parishioners throughout the year, with special focus on the virtues he modeled.

The school building is frequently being improved to project a fresher, more refined look and to bring innovative tools, resources and technology for teaching and learning. Classrooms are being remodeled and the school is maintaining a safe environment for its children. SJB maintains and uses the CASPR System for continuous air and surface disinfection and the reduction in pathogens. Landscaping projects have beautified our campus, including the addition of an outdoor classroom. Furthermore, SJB is anchored in faith and in educating the whole student - mind, body, and soul.

The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Catholic School has serviced the Shreveport-Bossier area for more than 70 years with its uniquely traditional approach to education and enrichment. Embodying the Gospel message of Christ, we cultivate a life of virtue, integrity, service, and a love for learning in each student that walks through our doors. sjbcathedralschool.org

Centenary College

Centenary College proudly welcomes a new class of incoming students this month as the College anticipates its 200th anniversary in 2025. Since 2014, the Centenary in Paris program has given all first-year students at Centenary the opportunity to immerse themselves in the history, culture, art, music, and food of Paris while forming close bonds with their fellow students and faculty members in diverse academic courses exploring subjects such as the African-American experience in Paris, great moments in STEM, food, and culture, and the formation of personal and collective beliefs and values.

During the summer of 2022, a cohort of Centenary pre-med students shadowed Willis-Knighton doctors during the inaugural session of the Medical Scholars Program, a collaboration between WK and Centenary. Other students participated in LSUHSC’s CURIOUS program; one student won an international fiction contest with a short story written in French; and both current students and alumni joined the cast of StageCenter’s production of Kinky Boots at Centenary’s Marjorie Lyons Playhouse.

This past spring, the Gents baseball team celebrated a conference championship and berth in the NCAA Division III postseason. We are also excitedly anticipating Centenary’s first varsity football team in more than 60 years (coming Fall 2024) for which Head Coach Byron Dawson is actively recruiting student-athletes. Coach Dawson hosted football camps over the summer for both prospective college players and local youth.

academic discipline, technological skills, and personal faith necessary to realize their potential in God’s world.”

To achieve this vision, our instruction is challenging, enriching, and differentiated for all types of learners. The academic instruction students receive is preparing them for the next phase of their education and their lives. Also, FBCS offers pull- out programs during the school day for gifted students, students with language disabilities (dyslexia), and those needing general academic support.

The curriculum we utilize is based on national standards in Education.

Although state-approved textbooks serve as the foundation of our instruction, we do not follow the Common Core State Standards. We reflect on our teaching practices and make changes based on students’ needs to ensure supplements are strategically implemented to improve instruction. Technology, hands-on activities, and manipulatives are highly utilized to support the instruction at every level.

In addition to the core-subject curriculum, students enjoy a variety of enrichment classes, including Bible study every day and Chapel weekly. With caring, experienced teachers as role models and instructors, and a seasoned administration, First Baptist Church School provides students an experience that is not only academic, but one that focuses on development in all aspects of their lives. fbcschool.org

Ignite Classical School

Ignite Classical School is a private Christian, Classical school where EVERY child experiences success. At Ignite, we focus on who our students will become by intentionally walking with them through what they can learn today. Good character is just as much a part of learning as reading, writing, and arithmetic! Young people with the ability to think critically, wisely, and analytically can enjoy great success in life. For this reason, we ensure that each student is seen and taught as the whole child they are.

As a Christian school rooted in biblical principles and values, we ensure that God’s story is the golden thread in every aspect of our school from policies to lesson plans. We provide a Classical education that is based on how children learn naturally and founded on classical literature. Our multiage format acknowledges the potential in each child, and develops our students’ leadership skills, autonomy, and connection to community. Individualized learning plans for each student allow them to learn and grow at the pace that works for them whether they are gifted and talented or “behind.”

Ignite students learn five foreign languages, preparing them to learn culture and people while equipping them to better understand language and words. Our financial education program for every student teaches students how to be good stewards of their time, talent, and resources, while they give back to the community through weekly service-learning opportunities.

We are intentionally diverse ethnically and socioeconomically, offering tuition based on income and transportation with scholarships available. igniteclassical.org

Southfield School

Since 1934, our talented and experienced faculty have cultivated curiosity, character, kindness, and a lifelong love of learning in each of our students.

We believe in developing a partnership with teachers, parents, and students to provide the best education in the region.

First Baptist Church School is a Preschool Young K3 through 8th Grade school. Founded in 1970, FBCS has a rich tradition of providing excellent academics in a Christian environment. The school serves over 400 students.

Our faculty has an average of 20 years of classroom experience, and our students are taught a modern and engaging curriculum in a supportive environment. Instruction features a hands-on learning experience with integrated problem solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. Middle school students earn as many as four high school credits in algebra, geometry, French, and Spanish. Our commitment to excellence leads to success in high school. Southfield Alumni in the Class of ’22 have achievements that include three National Merit Semifinalists, ROTC Battalion Commander and Legion of Valor State recipient, Student Council President, a valedictorian, two perfect 36 ACT scores, two Louisiana Boys’ State delegates, and two Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Scholars.

Our vision states: “First Baptist Church School strives to produce a generation of confident and self-directed lifelong learners with the strong

Our inviting and beautiful 12-acre campus hosts an industry-leading preschool with age-specific classrooms, a gross motor skills room, and a kids’

Centenary prepares global citizens to live productive lives of vitality and purpose and is proud to be carrying out this mission in the heart of Shreveport-Bossier City. centenary.edu

First Baptist Church School

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café. Inside our STEAM building, you’ll find a spacious science lab, music and art rooms, Suzuki Strings practice room, and Hazel Kytle Theater. Our stateof-the-art 200-seat Dickson Theater showcases many of the 30 performing arts opportunities our students have during their time at Southfield.

We’d love the opportunity to show you our beautiful, historic campus to see the Southfield Way firsthand. Contact Lesley Brice, Admissions Director, at 318.213.6344 or LBrice@southfield-school.org southfield-school.org

St. Mark's Cathedral School

Founded in 1953, St. Mark’s Cathedral School is an Episcopal school serving boys and girls from age two through eighth grade. St. Mark’s is a ministry of St. Mark’s Cathedral in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana, is fully accredited by the Southwest Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES) and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES).

The mission of St. Mark’s Cathedral School is to value the individual who comes to us, to help that student to realize his or her potential, and to foster a culture that reflects Christian values, intellectual curiosity, and a strong work ethic. Our goal is to develop a student who first feels self-confident educationally, socially, and spiritually, and can reach out to help others in our community. Our small class sizes allow teachers to develop strong personal relationships with each of their students. We foster a culture of Christian values by offering Christian Education courses for all ages, attending weekly chapel services, and incorporating prayer into the daily routine. We offer vibrant classes that encourage intellectual curiosity and engage hands-on learning, including a variety of enrichments such as science lab, art, music, foreign language, computer, life skills, and more.

We educate the whole child through our social emotional learning curriculum and offer many opportunities for service, from food and toy drives to volunteer opportunities throughout the community. Our graduates have attended an impressive list of colleges and universities throughout the nation. stmarksschool.com

St. Joseph Catholic School

It is a great time to be a Falcon! For the seventy-first time, St. Joseph Catholic School is excited for the academic year to begin! After being recognized by the community as the best private school in the Shreveport-Bossier area for two years in a row, we are excited to welcome well over 300 students on August 15th! In order to facilitate the growth that has taken place, St. Joseph has opened additional classrooms for pre-k and kindergarten. We have also hired additional faculty to better form and educate our students. Such growth would not be possible without the support of St. Joseph Catholic Church as well as our S.J.S. Alumni who wish to see the school remain successful in accomplishing the mission for which it was established. St. Joseph Catholic School cannot say thank you enough for the prayers and support.

Academic Excellence Surrounded by Faith is our school motto, and it is our goal that each child experiences the love of Christ so that they may achieve great things in and out of the classroom. There is no better place for your child to learn and to grow in order to become the person in which he or she was created to be. If you wish to learn more about St. Joseph Catholic School or if you wish to register, there is still time! Please schedule your personal tour for the upcoming school year with our principal, Mr. Clayton Cobb, by calling the school office at (318) 865-3585. sjsfalcons.org

LearningRx

In July 2022, LearningRx Inc. honored LearningRx of Shreveport-Bossier as a Top Center in the Nation with the 2022 Community Impact Award as well as a top center in Customer Service award. This center ranked highest in Customer service with 100% of customers ranking this center at 99% out of 100! This is not only amazing in this industry but is outstanding in terms of all industries. Additionally, Donesa Walker was honored as the MBOA Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Small Business Owner of the Year in June 2022.

These awards are the highest awards of achievement in our company and winning these awards both locally and nationally celebrates the amazing

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impact that this local business has had on the Shreveport-Bossier community. LearningRx of Shreveport-Bossier is the only brain training center in the state of Louisiana and has ranked in the top 10 nationally since opening in 2008. Locally and nationally, this center has continued to be recognized as one of the stars in achievement because of the passion of Donesa Walker and her staff.

Donesa has served on multiple boards locally including Chairperson of the Minority Business Dinner Gala and Nationally on the National Association of Cognitive Training, National Marketing Board, National Scientific Advisory Board as well as currently serving on the LearningRx National Advisory Board. LocalsLoveUs voters have selected LearningRx as the Top Learning Center year after year including 2022 and The Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce has awarded Small Business of The Year award in 2012 and a 2021 Business Innovator of the Year for their creativity during COVID closures. Congratulations to this center and Donesa Walker for showing out nationally for Shreveport-Bossier! In short, changing lives one brain at a time is not only life changing for that one person but for our whole community! learningrx.com/shreveport

Louisiana Tech

Louisiana Tech University offers students an unparalleled learning experience as they pursue degrees or certifications in its five colleges. We have been recognized as the top public university in the State of Louisiana in the Niche 2022 Best College Rankings and were named a Top Tier National University for the 11th straight year in the USNWR 2022 Best Colleges Report.

Louisiana Tech was the only university in the State of Louisiana recognized for sustainable development in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings for 2020, and we have also been recognized as a Military Friendly School for eight years running by Victory Media. Affordable Colleges Online honored us in 2021 as No. 1 in the state and No. 2 in the country for low-cost online programs, and we’re in the top 5 percent of universities worldwide according to the Center for World University Rankings.

With 79 undergraduate majors, 32 master’s degree programs, and nine doctoral programs, Louisiana Tech has a history of and commitment to creating programs that are the first in their fields, like biomedical and cyber engineering. Louisiana Tech’s partnerships with business, government and the military help create academic programs, opportunities for research, and job development in the I-20 Cyber Corridor.

The traditional core campus of approximately 280 acres connects with the Enterprise Campus, a home for innovative companies, and to the heart of Ruston. Louisiana Tech and the City of Ruston continue to work hand-inhand to create a healthier and more environmentally responsible community by developing safe pedestrian paths, lighting, sustainable landscaping, bicycle paths, and more. latech.edu

Louisiana State University – Shreveport

Northwest Louisiana has been home to Louisiana State University Shreveport since 1967. Despite its humble beginnings, LSUS has become an established higher ed frontrunner, touting award-winning National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics teams, a top-notch intercollegiate debate team, a list of faculty members with extensive research patents and recognition as the fastest growing higher education institution in Louisiana.

LSUS Pilots are winners, on and off the field and both inside and outside of the classroom. We are tenacious, future-focused and dedicated to excellence. We are anchored steadfastly in the Shreveport community but provide pathways for our students to go wherever they want, connecting them with tools, resources and an extensive alumni network to assist them in reaching their greatest heights.

Starting a successful career is closer than you think. With exceptional academics and generous financial aid, LSUS allows you to get your degree close to home while launching you to new heights.

Here at LSUS, we are more than a university. We are the first chapter of your exciting academic journey, and we can’t wait to see where your degree takes you! Find out more about our degree programs and scholarships today! LSUS.edu/learn-more

The Centenary Affordability Pledge (CAP) provides full tuition coverage for all new, incoming Louisiana students who are Pell Grant and TOPS eligible.

The College will cover any tuition expenses that remain after the Pell and TOPS awards have been applied, providing up to four years of full tuition for eligible Louisiana students.

CENTENARY.EDU/CAP

Join us for a Preview Day on September 17, 2022!

Contact admission@centenary.edu for more information.

centenary.edu/visit

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Go to visit.lsus.edu to register for NSO on August 19th.

LSUS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, genetic information, veteran’s status or any status or organization protected by state or federal law, in its programs and activities.

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Music-making is truly a lifelong skill and joy. With different educational backgrounds, varying from incomplete undergraduate up to doctoral degrees in music performance or music education, our members share many professional opportunities for continued education through local, state, and national conferences, collaboration,

GREATER SHREVEPORT MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION Celebrates 60 Years of Making Music BY GULYA CHANDLER

If

you lived in Shreveport/Bossier area long enough and you or your children took private music lessons, chances are your teacher was a member of the Greater Shreveport Music Teachers Association (GSMTA). Your teacher probably introduced you to all kinds of music festivals and competitions, where you met other parents, sat through numerous recitals and concerts, listened to many little wonderkids, and maybe even traveled to state competitions. So, what is Greater Shreveport Music Teachers Association?

Greater Shreveport Music teachers Association was founded and affiliated with the Louisiana Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association in 1962. Sixty years ago a group of independent music teachers was united with the mission to improve teaching methods, encourage participation in MTNA and LMTA Certification programs, develop higher degrees of musical education and culture in the community, and broaden social relationships among members. For sixty years this group has been an excellent asset and a resource for this community, uniting music-teaching professionals.

Our members teach in all types of settings, including churches, private and state schools and colleges, and in independent private studios. Two of our founders, Martha Bordelon and Billie Leach, are still teaching piano and playing for church services.

networking, ongoing training in pedagogy, repertoire, and new technology and web trends.

Aside from continued education, GSMTA members also have legal and business support, discounts for office supplies and auto and life insurance. The association has been closely working with local churches, businesses, and music stores. First Baptist Shreveport, First Presbyterian Shreveport, Kings Highway Church, Broadmoor United Methodist, Asbury United Methodist, Centenary College, LSUS, BPCC, Pendley's Piano Gallery, and Shreveport Music are just a few of the favorite and supportive partners of the GSMTA. Throughout the last couple of years of Covid shutdowns, GSMTA did not miss a beat (pun intended!). Our members were able to hold online competitions and festivals, online conferences and workshops. Parents and students were able to watch the performances through streams and recorded videos. Now that we are back to somewhat normal, GSMTA is picking up the tempo (another pun!), planning events for the upcoming school year, actively recruiting new members, and connecting seasoned educators with those at the beginning of their careers.

GSMTA is as vibrant as ever, focused on providing a more musical future for students and the community! New members are always welcome. www.gsmta.org Gulya Chandler, Ed.D., NCTM, is President of GSMTA and Professor and Music Program Director at Bossier Parish Community College. Photos courtesy of GSMTA. SBMAG.NET

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ouisiana 4-H is ready to kick off the 20222023 school year with something for everyone!

4-H is the largest positive youth development organization in the U.S with over 7 million members and includes opportunities for youth of all ages and many volunteer opportunities for adults. 4-H is conducted in Louisiana by the LSU AgCenter and its Louisiana Cooperative Extension Services. The three main program areas in extension are Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development and Nutrition and Food Science.

& more

Louisiana 4-H Programs for Students

BY SHERRI TEER

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The mission of Louisiana 4-H is to provide meaningful opportunities for all youth and adults to work together to create sustainable community change.

Programs engage youth within their community, schools and families in a way that enhances youth strengths, fosters positive relationships with adults and promotes positive outcomes for youth. Louisiana 4-H influences youth from all ethnic, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds who live in rural, suburban, and urban communities by helping them develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will enable them to become productive and contributing members of society. The 4-H vision is to give all young people access to opportunity and create a world in which youth and adults learn, grow, and work together as catalysts for positive change.

State and parish programming includes Healthy Living, STEM, Agriculture and Citizenship. Healthy Living programming efforts address nutrition, school gardens, safety, health, character, and fitness. These efforts are incorporated into 4-H through cooking camps, Yoga for Kids, workshops focused on being substance free, and MyPlate Nutrition Education.

The STEM initiative offers youth opportunities to interact with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math through hands-on demonstrations, problem-solving, personal in-depth projects, and career explorations. These programs include Louisiana 4-H Shooting Sports, Marsh Maneuvers, Youth Wetlands Programming and Youth Science Day. Through 4-H Agriculture projects youth can engage in hands-on experiences which increases their knowledge of Animal Science, Entomology, Natural Resources, Aquaculture, Horticulture and Farm Safety. These experiences include AgMagic events, livestock shows, Ag demonstrations and judging and evaluation contests.

The Louisiana 4-H program addresses Citizenship by providing youth with experiences that allow them to express themselves, understand community issues, and practice active citizenship. These initiatives include a yearly state service focus, character development, Junior Leadership Conferences, and state leadership boards.

One of the most valuable resources within the Louisiana 4-H program are the volunteers. During the 2021-2022 school year, 4,283 adults and 1,360 youth volunteers contributed to the success of the programs. Volunteers devoted over 18,000 hours of their time, an estimated monetary value of over $1.1 million.

Volunteers contribute to Louisiana 4-H in three major ways: leading, chaperoning and advising. All 4-H clubs are led by volunteers who develop and deliver programs, both within schools and outside of schools, in project clubs. Volunteers serve a critical role as chaperones for overnight trips, camps, and day field trips.

4-H summer camp is the first interaction with the 4-H program for many youths. Summer camp would not be possible without the volunteers who serve with their parishes as adult chaperones and youth camp counselors.

Volunteers also sit on advisory and foundation boards to provide critical direction about community needs for both parish and state programs. Louisiana 4-H volunteers help to create amazing opportunities for the youth in the state.

There truly is something for everyone within Louisiana 4-H! Find out more at www.lsuagcenter.com Sherri Teer is an Assistant Extension Agent of 4-H Youth Development in Caddo Parish. Photos courtesy of Louisiana 4-H. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the LSU AgCenter will make reasonable accommodations to enable persons with disabilities to engage in programs offered. The LSU AgCenter and LSU provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.

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Steps to Success this School Year

D

EPENDING ON THE PERSON, a new school year can bring either a sense of dread or a sense of excitement! Who are you sending back to school? Returning to school for a school aged child can be a first, mid or last year with all the hullabaloo or a transition to a new campus or even homeschooling—a field that expands greater each year. Returning to school for the adult learner can be a launch fresh from high school, returning after a summer break, or even a relaunch into the education process.

For whatever type of learner, there are tips guaranteed to make your year successful if followed. Here are a few from the educational brain experts at LearningRx:

BY DONESA WALKER

1. Select a space and prepare your study area. Organize school supplies, books, computers, and printers. By setting a purposed mindset with an organizational location, clutter can be reduced, and systems can be practiced. You can even purchase books such as “What Every nth Grader Should Know” and make sure all these goals were met for previous building year.

Set up a snack/hydration area as well with nutritional snacks of their choosing.

2. Set expectations and rewards. Goal set and make charts to track progress. What are realistic goals? Should they be tied to mastery rather than grades? (Hint: that answer is yes!). Helping a student to understand that mastery is simply the process to learning completely will allow the student to place less importance on the numerical grade and more on learning the skills being taught. Set up agreed upon rewards for obtaining mastery both intrinsically and extrinsically (this means both praise and prizes). Typically tying rewards to food is not the best idea unless it is a special treat that isn’t a common nutritional food.

3. Get checkups done. As students age, things change from eyes, ears, teeth, body, and brain. All of these should be checked yearly by a proper professional (eye doctor, ENT, dentist/ortho, pediatrician or other general practitioner/specialist as needed and LearningRx for a cognitive assessment as well as any other academic testing if desired). It is much easier to achieve goals if all our “equipment” is working!

4. Practice. Spend time practicing the morning and evening routines so that there is reduced anxiety as the actual days roll closer. Take your student to the school campus and walk around with them. Make them feel natural. Call ahead and request permission or even arrange a tour if it is a new campus. This can alleviate a lot of anxiety and make a bond that allows student to open up easily about concerns. Practice the routine of what it looks like if riding a bus. Drive that route so the student knows landmarks which can help reduce confusion and getting lost on those first few days especially if it is a youngster or a new campus.

5. Arrange sleep patterns. Maybe a new pillow or pillowcase or a new cuddle buddy can be purchased or traded for bed-

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time. Lavender scented rice bags for warmth or coolness are a great addition and can assist with the transition period. Scented oils or lotions are also an option.

6. Read together nightly and mornings too (no matter how old they are). Create time and space for this into your routine. Go to the library or bookstore and pick up a couple of chapter books that you’ve never read that are above the student’s reading level. Demonstrate how good readers think and interact with the book as you read. A child who is read to for 15 minutes a day will achieve as much as a two-year growth in academics compared to peers. This increase of vocabulary above grade level from chapter books also allows students to be challenged into accepting difficult material as a challenge rather than an obstacle.

7. Regulate your kids’ media diet. Gone are the summer days where kids had more free time than they were used to. You most likely allowed them more screen time, especially with the heat, but gradually prepared them for returning to school. Limiting, but not completely taking away, screen time allows for kids to continue having other means of entertainment without depending on it too much. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 10 minutes times the age of a child daily and no screen time an hour before bed, so choose times and games and stick to them!

8. Family Game Night arrives or continues. Instituting a family game night early on can lead to better spelling patterns, writing, reading and math as well as history/science.

Choose a closet or shelf and get some games purchased or made to have fun with the family. Playing a skill allows that skill to be built 5 times faster! That’s right. By playing math with Uno cards or even a plain deck of cards, a child will pick

up math more simply. For a great list of games to stimulate the brain, see Brain Training Games at the LearningRx website.

9. Cool down magic is a game changer. Create a cool down/ calm down sensory area or outdoor space for downtime. Every student of all ages needs a place to decompress after a hard day.

Create a safe place. Perhaps a bean bag corner or an outdoor energy center depending on the nature of your child. Have fun adding sensory items that they can touch, smell, and see that bring peace. After a hard day, a few minutes of “staycation” can revamp the mind and allow an emotional dump that will release hairpin triggers from a rough day. Knowing they have a place to decompress that is theirs gives them safety and security. These are important to any student of any age.

10. Create a date. Set aside celebration dates in advance. Put up a calendar and set up times to spend one to one with the student especially if you have several. Each person needs to feel that individual touch. Plan it. Maybe it’s a trip to get ice cream or a nature trail walk but plan a deliberate celebration of growth mindset. A growth mindset comes from planning to grow and when negativity hits, three little letters can change it.

For every “I Can’t” add YET! And when YET arrives...celebrate!

Celebrate success!

Growth mindset starts with believing you not only can achieve but you will! As Dr. Seuss says, “You are off to great places...you have brains in your head and feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose!”

Donesa Walker, M. Ed., BCCS, is the owner of LearningRx Shreveport and Brain Train Learning Solutions Educational Consultants.

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Two New Schools Open in Shreveport In Fall of 2022, two new faith-based schools will be open in Shreveport: Ignite Classical School and Mercy Christian Academy.

Ignite Classical School is a Christ-centered Classical school that teaches academic skills and character formation through classical literature and the arts. A classical education is considered leadership education because it teaches children how to think analytically, debate, use logic and reasoning, and engage in persuasive writing and speech so that students can thrive in any environment. Students learn five foreign languages: Latin, French, Italian, Spanish and Chinese to provide them with a solid understanding of words and language, to expose them to people and culture, and to increase their ability to learn.

Research shows that children introduced to languages at a young age have increased capacities to learn and retain information. At Ignite, a child’s education is enhanced by being rooted in biblical virtues, shaped by books that have built nations, and set in an environment where every child experiences success. These elements establish an environment where the love and excitement of learning is the norm.

In addition to a classical education, students receive a financial education through a Vanguard program that teaches them how to use their talents, time, and resources responsibly. Students also participate in weekly service learning projects with nonprofit organizations in the city to make Shreveport a better place for everyone while helping an organization further its mission.

Ignite founder is Head of School Adia Wells. “The future of Shreveport is important. Our city possesses much treasure in our children. They deserve an education that gives them as many tools as possible to be the treasures they are,” she said. The school offers financial support through state and school-based scholarships and individual and business student sponsorships.

Ignite is committed to its mission of diversity and bridging communities to ensure there is a place for every student representing the various demographics and ethnic groups represented in the Shreveport-Bossier area. The school wants to “ignite the love of learning” and describes its uniqueness in these ways: Christ Centered: Teaching for Transformation ensures that Christ and scripture are infused into every aspect of the student experience from the Head Office to lesson plans.

The power of a Christ-centered education is experienced not just through the curriculum of Ignite, but through joy-filled relationships that equip each student for the future with habit formation, interpersonal growth, and connections that create mature young adults.

Community Model: Multiage, multi-grade cohorts make learning fun and engaging for everyone involved! In a community atmosphere, students have the advantage of being exposed to academic material before arriving at grade level and learn the skills they need to be connected, compassionate leaders, even in the classroom.

Family Involvement: Parents have opportunities to get deeply involved in their child’s education through intentional events that surround students with those invested in their spiritual, character and academic development. Families are encouraged to be a part of our diverse community.

Diverse by Design: Students grow and learn from one another in a beautiful display of God’s imagination and creativity in creating us, His image bearers. The purposeful drawing of students and families from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds creates a special place where we truly celebrate the differences which too often divide us while learning daily what unifies us.

Authentic Learning: Through our unique classical curriculum, students integrate rich ideas from history, literature, mathematics, science, art, music, nature study, and 5 languages including Latin. Students are prepared for life beyond Ignite by participating in weekly service learning and introducing them to one-of-a-kind experiences.

Mercy Christian Academy is a donor-supported microschool, with the mission to bear witness to the mercies of Christ by providing a high-quality, Christian education to Shreveport families, regardless of income.

As a microschool, the total number of students will be capped at 150. Co-founder Jessica Elston was driven to open this school after seeing so many failing public schools in our area and high tuition being a barrier for those students to transfer to a private Christian school. Kristen Thomas is the other founder.

The donor-supported model enables the school to serve upper, middle-, and low-income students. Every student pays something in tuition, and every student receives some level of scholarship to attend. There are a few other donor-supported schools around the country. Donations are welcome from both individuals and businesses, and as a 501c(3) organization, all donations are tax deductible.

The teaching method is loosely based on both classical and Charlotte Mason. The Charlotte Mason method is based on Charlotte’s firm belief that the child is a person and we must educate that whole person, not just his mind. Mercy especially wants to create a natural environment for the students with lots of green space and the ability to build a garden. This year, Mercy has partnered with Broadmoor Baptist Church which has donated space for the school to use for classrooms. In the future, MCA wants to buy land and build a small building or purchase a small building on a piece of land and renovate the building.

Mercy has five educational values to satisfy a child’s thirst for knowledge to ensure the students are GROWN in God’s love: Global: By placing a high emphasis on things like world geography and history, global cultures, and languages, we get to proclaim the creativity and vastness of God, his kingdom, and his mercy that extends to people from every tongue, tribe and nation.

Restful: As humans we are prone to hear truth and forget it. We see beauty and don’t ponder. We don’t pause. We don’t wait. We don’t meditate. In the end, we don’t think. At Mercy Christian, we will teach from a robust liberal arts curriculum. With great books and ideas comes the need to slow down. As educators we will strive not to rush students from one project to the next, but to develop a deeper, slower pace of learning.

Original: We want to move students toward original work by giving them room to work independently and time to think and discuss their work with others. A child can use this freedom to write and recite their own poem, read on a topic of interest, or build a 3D puzzle. Students will take some measure of responsibility for their own learning and develop their own unique interests and abilities.

Worshipful: God has created human beings for worship, namely the worship of himself. As free beings, we either worship our Creator or something else. To live for him is to function as we are designed. As a school, we believe there is no greater purpose than to train a child in the knowledge and grace of God. As children see, hear, and savor their Creator and Redeemer, they will learn how to worship him in all of life. When this happens, they will flourish as human beings.

Financial Education: Integrating a world-class financial education into every class and every subject, ensures that students learn lifelong skills that will allow them to be good stewards while being prepared to make a lasting difference in the local community and beyond.

Natural: Children learn best when they are outside. God has richly provided nature as a means to help ease anxious and overwhelmed children, and as a school want to utilize this gift as much as possible. By having extensive recess time, we want to help students hit a “reset button” so their minds can relax and be ready again to learn. Nature also has much to teach us. We want children to study leaves, birds, and animals, and learn from the wisdom of their Creator.

igniteclassical.org

mercychristianacademy.com

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A Complete First-Year

COLLEGE CHECKLIST Things To Do ˼ Open bank account (with parent/ guardian access) ˼ Get car checked (if taking it with you) ˼ Bring personal identification and health insurance card ˼ Check move-in instructions

Shared Items (double check with roommates(s)) ˼ Mini fridge ˼ Microwave ˼ Coffeemaker ˼ TV and other electronics ˼ Extra furniture (couch, chairs, etc.)

Room ˼ Trash can ˼ Bed/desk lamp ˼ Mini-toolkit (screwdriver, hammer, wrench) ˼ Storage bins ˼ Fan ˼ Air purifier ˼ Command hooks and strips ˼ 2 sets of sheets/ pillowcases (check college’s bed sizes) ˼ Bath towels ˼ Beach towel(s) ˼ Dish towel ˼ Mattress pad ˼ Blanket ˼ Pillows ˼ Comforter/bedspread ˼ Laundry bag/basket ˼ Laundry detergent and dryer sheets ˼ Clothes hangers and hanger expanders ˼ Personal decorations ˼ Paper towels ˼ Trash bags ˼ Dish soap ˼ Disinfectant wipes ˼ Tissues ˼ Area rug ˼ All-purpose cleaner ˼ Microwave-safe bowls and plates

˼ Silverware and cups ˼ Food storage containers ˼ Water bottle ˼ Vacuum cleaner ˼ Shower curtain/ bathmat (if not using communal bathroom) ˼ Mirror (if one is not in room) ˼ Ottoman (storage, seating, and climbing onto lofted beds) ˼ Personal laptop ˼ Smart phone ˼ Umbrella ˼ HDMI and Ethernet cord ˼ Surge protectors and extension cords ˼ Headphones/earbuds ˼ 10-ft phone charger ˼ Portable speaker ˼ Batteries ˼ Scissors ˼ Tape

School Supplies ˼ Backpack ˼ Pens and pencils ˼ Pencil holder and sharpener ˼ Notebooks ˼ Folders ˼ Printer paper (if you have your own printer) ˼ Sticky notes ˼ Rubber bands ˼ Tape ˼ Stackable desk trays (if you like organized supplies) ˼ Paper clips ˼ Index cards ˼ Stapler and staples

Personal Care ˼ Prescriptions ˼ Pain reliever ˼ Vitamins ˼ Antacid ˼ Antidiarrheal medicine ˼ Cough drops ˼ Thermometer ˼ First aid kit ˼ Sunscreen

Toiletries

CONGRATULATIONS

CASEY TUBBS! on being voted as the Peoples’ Choice Realtor! Your family is so proud of you!

˼ Shampoo and conditioner ˼ Face and body wash ˼ Shaving cream and razor ˼ Lotion/moisturizer ˼ Hair dryer/curling iron/straightener ˼ Toothbrush and toothpaste ˼ Dental floss ˼ Mouthwash ˼ Hair brush/comb ˼ Hairstyling products ˼ Nail clippers ˼ Tweezers ˼ Cotton swabs ˼ Band aids and antibiotic ointment ˼ Feminine hygiene products ˼ Hand soap ˼ Deodorant ˼ Shower caddy ˼ Shower shoes (communal bathroom)

Clothes ˼ Shirts ˼ Pants ˼ Shorts ˼ Sweaters ˼ Hoodies/jackets ˼ Rain jacket ˼ Light and heavy jackets ˼ Blouses/button-ups ˼ Pajamas/loungewear ˼ Gloves and scarf ˼ Hats ˼ Business casual ˼ Dresses ˼ Athletic wear ˼ Socks ˼ Underwear ˼ Swim suit(s)

Shoes ˼ Comfy slip-ons ˼ Sneakers ˼ Sandals ˼ Rain boots ˼ Winter boots ˼ Dress shoes

Like us on Facebook, or even better, c’mon by and visit us at our Bossier City store or Country Store, or give us a call today!

Bossier Store: 318-746-0311 Country Store: 318-965-0311 Power Equipment Rentals, Lawn Mowers, Chainsaws, Grills, Crawfish Cookers and More! www.tubbshardware.net

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SB GOOD TO KNOW

PRAESES AWARDED $950 MILLION CONTRACT The US Air Force has awarded Praeses a contract of up to $950,000,000 for the maturation, demonstration, and proliferation of capability for the Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) environment. Praeses is a Shreveport-based company which develops customized software solutions and analytics-backed services. Leveraging open systems design, modern software, and algorithm development this JADC2 contract is part of a multi-level security effort to provide development and operation of systems as a unified force across all domains (air, land, sea, space, cyber and electromagnetic spectrum). JADC2 operates in an open architecture family of systems that enable capabilities via multiple integrated platforms.

Praeses’ robust software applications – RookTM, AMASS, and ConnoteTM - will support the ABMS program.

ABMS is hosted within the Department of Defense’s larger JADC2 framework and targets an agile, adaptable, decentralized enterprise data ecosystem addressing the challenges to connect disparate data sources supporting warfighters’ missions. The Praeses’ solutions, both individually and collectively, address the US Air Force’s needs through digital modeling, simulation and analysis, cloud-based repositories, data ingestion, data fusion, data analytics, predictive modeling, artificial intelligence, command and control and visualization across multi-domain operations.

“Praeses is honored to be selected to support the US Air Force and the DoD through the Advanced Battlefield Management System (ABMS) contract,” says J.D. Hunsicker, Vice President of Government Programs at Praeses. “This partnership allows Praeses to materially impact the Air Force’s need for rapid and agile delivery of communication technology and data management services with our proven and uniquely innovative software systems.”

KIDS WATER SAFETY LAW The Louisiana Legislature passed the “Riley Bourgeois Act” requiring instruction in water safety for public school students, which was signed into law and became effective August 1, 2022.

GRANTS FOR GARDENING PROJECTS The Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners are proud to again offer grants for gardening projects in Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto, and Red River Parishes. Applications will be accepted September 1 – October 14, 2022. Grants will be awarded to projects that promote beautification, provide horticul-

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tural education, showcase sustainable gardening practices, or enhance the quality and quantity of publicly accessible green spaces. NWLA Master Gardeners want to fund projects that make a difference in the community and involve collaboration among organizations. The NWLA Master Gardeners will accept grant applications from $300 to $10,000.

Groups eligible for Community Grants include municipalities, schools, garden clubs, neighborhood associations, charitable non-profit organizations with current 501(c)(3) status, and faith-based organizations serving the general public on a non-denominational basis. http://nwlamg.weebly.com/ community-grants-guidelines.html ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIP FOR CENTER FOR BRAIN HEALTH The Center for Brain Health (CBH) at LSU Health Shreveport has received a $100,000 gift to create the Noel Foundation, Inc. Endowed Professorship Honoring Dr. Robert C. Leitz, III in Parkinson’s Disease Research. The gift represents the first endowed funding in support of the Center for Brain Health. It will expand the study of age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia and fund neurological training equipment for graduate and medical students studying at LSU Health Shreveport. One goal of the research is to determine how to make care available to the estimated 55,000 citizens in North Louisiana living with Parkinson’s disease.

The CBH was established to increase neuroscience-related education, improve and expand care for patients with brain disorders, and attract young specialists and pioneering clinical trials to North Louisiana. Through the endowment, the CBH will expand its team of researchers and clinician scientists with expertise in Parkinson’s disorder and increase competitiveness for federal research grants.

The endowed professorship honors the Noel Foundation’s former president, Dr. Robert C. Leitz III, who has courageously battled Parkinson’s disease for many years. Dr. Leitz is a Professor Emeritus of English at Louisiana State University in Shreveport and served the Noel Foundation for over 20 years. “The Noel Foundation is pleased to establish the first endowment at the Center for Brain Health and proud to honor Dr. Leitz,” said Merritt B. Chastain Jr., President of the Noel Foundation. “We hope that through this gift, others will also give to support Parkinson’s disease research at LSU Health Shreveport to help the many victims of the disease.”

The Noel Foundation’s endowment has been awarded to Elizabeth Disbrow, PhD, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Center for Brain Health. Dr. Disbrow has been at LSU Health Shreveport for nine years and, in that time, has led the effort to establish the CBH and “The Bridge,” a community resource for patients and families struggling with dementia. Her work in Parkinson’s disease helped identify cognitive deficits in motor planning and cognitive flexibility as major contributors to the symptoms of the disease, over and above the traditional definition of Parkinson’s as a motor disorder.

CENTENARY COLLEGE EDUCATION PROFESSOR CHOSEN FOR NATIONAL INITIATIVE

Phase Two (beginning in 2023): • Construction of Safety Training Innovation Center coshared with other transportation systems. Will feature a state-of-the-art drivers’ training simulator.

• Construction of Regional Transit Technology Center.

Will allow SporTran leadership and staff to monitor real-time bus/vehicle movement and mechanical needs, improving efficiency and function.

UPCOMING EXPO

Dr. Terrie Johnson, assistant professor and education department chair at Centenary, has been selected to participate in the inaugural “Inquiry Initiative” sponsored by the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE). The Initiative is a “first of its kind” collaborative exploration of teacher education practices and research, focused on opportunity gaps in education.

Opportunity gaps are unequal or inequitable distribution of resources and options individuals or groups encounter in schools, colleges and universities, and employment and professional contexts. The inaugural Inquiry Initiative will run parallel to the ATE Nashville 2022 Summer Conference to be held July 29 through August 2. Follow-up events will occur during the next three years at and between ATE’s annual meetings and summer conferences.

SPORTRAN BEGINS REHAB OF SUN FURNITURE BUILDING Following the recent completion of asbestos abatement, SporTran has begun Phase One of its demolition and rehabilitation plans for the Sun Furniture building at 1253 Texas Avenue in Shreveport. In 2018, SporTran acquired the Sun Furniture building to serve as the SporTran Resource Center. The COVID-19 pandemic slowed progress on the project, which resumed in 2021. The completed SRC will feature a transit mall, employee wellness center, a safety training facility, a public food court, and more. “The Sun Furniture project will have a huge impact on the economy and viability of an underserved area of downtown,” states SporTran CEO Dinero’ Washington. “We’re combining cutting edge technology with studied and thoughtful preservation of a Shreveport landmark to create avenues for investment in our community. It will improve our service and greatly benefit our passengers.”

Phase One (scheduled for completion in early 2023): • SporTran has procured funding to refurbish the historic Sun Furniture sign. The sign will be removed during this process and reinstalled upon completion.

• Construction of the retail food court.

• Store front and original windows will be rehabbed.

Southern Hills Business Association (SHBA) Expo and Taste Affair featuring local businesses, restaurants, caterers, and food vendors will be held the evening of September 27.

To be a sponsor, sign up by August 31! Email SHBA@bellsouth.net.

NORTH LOUISIANA COMMUNITY COLLEGES FORM WORKFORCE TRAINING ALLIANCE The U.S. Chamber reports that 11.3 million jobs were available in America in July. As the COVID pandemic releases its grip, companies across the country are scrambling to fill vacant positions. With so many new or re-positioned employees, the demand for workforce training is growing at a rapid pace.

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The latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that 2.8% of employed people quit their jobs while the hiring rate for available jobs hovered at 4.3%. Even though recent months have shown improvements, the labor force participation rate dropped a whole percentage point since January 2020 to 62.3%.

The unemployment and hiring rates are particularly important to community colleges because worker shortages impact business and industry. One of the primary missions of Louisiana’s Community and Technical colleges is to be ready to train new employees and upskill incumbent employees. The mission includes training people who want upward mobility or attain skills that make them employable at a more desirable living wage.

To address the training and worker shortages of businesses in north Louisiana, Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC), Louisiana Delta Community College (LDCC), and Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College (NLTCC) have collaborated to form The Workforce Training Alliance (WTA).

The WTA will address business and industry training needs along the I-20 corridor from Texas to Mississippi. The alliance was created from a realization that these three colleges could offer a broader range of services consistently if they formed and leveraged the unique strengths that each institution brings to the mix. The WTA will be a one-stop shop to facilitate training in the region.

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NEW TECHNOLOGY HELPS GROW HEALTHY FOOD YEAR-ROUND FOR SHREVEPORT Southwestern Electric Power Co., an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, in collaboration with Shreveport Green and EPRI, today announced the first harvest of Shreveport Green’s Urban Farm, an indoor agriculture facility that utilizes new technology to grow nutritious food year-round.

The Urban Farm on Sprague Street near downtown Shreveport features a controlled environment agriculture (CEA) farm made from a custom shipping container equipped with LED lighting, a high efficiency HVAC system, recirculating water pumps, a dehumidification system, and sensors. Indoor agriculture facilities like this allow for the year-round local production of crops regardless of outdoor conditions. The container uses electric technologies to create a microclimate that optimizes plant production and helps meet other community energy, water, and sustainability goals. “SWEPCO is proud to collaborate on this exciting project that will help increase access to healthy food in our communities using this innovative farming method,” said SWEPCO President and Chief Operating Officer Malcolm Smoak.

The produce planted inside the container is closely monitored via remote sensor technology, which continuously gathers real-time data on growing conditions. This information allows farmers to remotely control the lighting, tem-

perature, and watering conditions to create the ideal setting needed for produce to thrive. Shreveport Green is growing nearly 1,200 Tuscan kale plants in the hydroponic container that holds 88 growing panels. It will be harvested once every week-and-a-half and distributed through the Shreveport Green Mobile Market to provide fresh, nutritious food to the Choice Neighborhood recipients living in Allendale, Ledbetter Heights, and Lakeside communities of Shreveport.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting and practical program,” said Donna Curtis, Shreveport Green Executive Director. “We hope to eventually harvest 90 pounds of produce every three weeks, giving our Mobile Market a dependable source of food. This hydroponic container nicely complements the 22 additional community gardens we have around the city.”

SWEPCO is one of 13 energy companies nationwide participating in a two-year EPRI study designed to demonstrate and better understand opportunities surrounding indoor food production through operation of a CEA farm. Through automated monitoring, researchers at EPRI will be able to evaluate how energy loads, water use, and other controlled parameters vary across different facilities and locations.

Other trackable data will also help address questions regarding distribution planning, rate design, and larger societal benefits.

“Indoor agriculture is a rapidly growing and evolving industry across the United States. We’re seeing innovative designs, technologies, and energy applications that are helping

CEA farms not only achieve year-round crop cultivation but also contribute to areas of community need like energy and water efficiency goals,” said Frank Sharp, Principal Technical Leader at EPRI. “We’re thrilled to be working with SWEPCO and Shreveport Green to explore potential opportunities from this CEA farm to benefit the Shreveport community.”

LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF STATE RECEIVES IDEAS AWARD The Louisiana Department of State was the recipient of the 2022 National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Innovation, Dedication, Excellence and Achievement in Service Award at the 2022 NASS Summer Conference. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin accepted the award for Louisiana’s submission, the Operation Geaux Vote Task Force.

“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of members of the Operation Geaux Vote Task Force, our Department of State staff, Clerks of Court, Registrars of Voters, and election commissioners who helped successfully execute the 2020 and 2021 statewide elections in Louisiana,” Secretary Ardoin said. “They did so in the face of extraordinary challenges during a global pandemic and the aftermath of major hurricanes which upended their own lives and the lives of the citizens they serve. I could not be more proud of their work, dedication, and service.”

Making the Most of Our Senior Year!

MAKING THE MOST OF OUR

Senior Years!

2022

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LOUISIANA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION HONORS ELROD AS LIFETIME MEMBER The Louisiana Hospital Association (LHA) recently honored James K. “Jim” Elrod, FACHE, as a Lifetime Honorary Member of the AssociPaul Salles, Jim Elrod, Jaf Fielder ation in recognition of his substantial contributions to the hospital industry and his community. He was the longest tenured hospital administrator in the nation, having served as president and CEO of Willis-Knighton Health System in Shreveport for more than 56 years.

“It has been a privilege and an honor of a lifetime to both lead and serve as president and CEO of Willis-Knighton Health System for more than five decades,” said Elrod. “Never as a boy from Texas did I dream I would find my promised land in the piney woods of Northwest Louisiana and together with legions of excellent doctors, nurses and support staff grow Willis-Knighton to the level of prominence in healthcare it enjoys in the region and beyond.”

Elrod began serving on the Association’s Board of Trustees in 1975, served as chair of the board from 1976 to 1977,

and served as an ex-officio board member until last year. In addition, he served as board chair of the LHA Trust Funds from 1979 to 1995.

“Serving the hospital industry for more than half a century, Jim Elrod’s dedication to healthcare is unmatched,” said LHA President and CEO Paul A. Salles. “His leadership has been instrumental to the Association, and we are grateful for his commitment to improving healthcare in Louisiana.”

“James K. Elrod is a visionary and an exceptional leader. For more than five decades, he has made unparalleled contributions to healthcare in Northwest Louisiana and beyond,” said Jaf Fielder, president and CEO of Willis-Knighton Health System. “He leaves a lasting legacy at the local, state and national levels through his commitment to advancing the health and well-being of all patients and growing Willis-Knighton from a small community hospital to one of the largest healthcare systems in Louisiana.”

In addition to making a difference in Louisiana, Elrod has been active in the healthcare field nationally. He served on the American Hospital Association (AHA) Board of Trustees from 1985 to 1988 and on the AHA Regional Policy Board for Region 7, which includes Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana, from 1980 to 1992, serving as chair from 1985 to 1988.

“Jim is a legend in Louisiana, and I extend my congratulations to him for being honored as a Lifetime Member of the Louisiana Hospital Association,” said Rick Pollack, AHA president and CEO. “Jim led Willis-Knighton for a record 56 years, taking it from a small community hospital to one of the largest health systems in Louisiana that provides es-

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sential services to patients. Jim’s service to his patients and communities is immeasurable and his influence will be felt in our field for years to come.”

WILLIS-KNIGHTON MEDICAL CENTER RECOGNIZED AS HIGH PERFORMING HOSPITAL Willis-Knighton Medical Center (which includes North, South, Bossier, Pierremont and Rehabilitation locations) has been recognized as a High Performing Hospital for 2022-23 by U.S. News & World Report. It is the highest performing hospital in northwest Louisiana and was ranked second in the state.

The annual Procedures & Conditions ratings, now in their 7th year, are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for common conditions and elective procedures. These ratings extend the U.S. News mission of providing consumers with patient decision support beyond the Best Hospitals rankings, which are geared toward complex specialty care.

Willis-Knighton Medical Center earned a “High Performing” rating for 14 adult procedures and conditions: aortic valve surgery, back surgery (spinal fusion), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), colon cancer surgery, diabetes, heart attack, heart bypass surgery, heart failure, hip replacement, kidney failure, knee replacement, pneumonia, stroke and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This was awarded in recognition of care that was significantly better than the national average, as measured by factors such as patient outcomes. “High Performing” is the highest rating U.S. News awards for those types of care.

“We appreciate this confirmation yet again of the diligent and conscientious work of our doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and support staff,” said Jaf Fielder, Willis-Knighton president and CEO. “We continually strive for excellence in all our services as we provide the latest technology and innovation to the people of this region. Our consistent performance is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to providing the very best care to the people we serve.”

For the 2022-23 ratings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide in 13 medical procedures and seven chronic conditions. Fewer than half of all hospitals received any high-performing rating, and only four earned this rating in all 20 procedures and conditions.

The U.S. News Procedures & Conditions methodology is based entirely on objective measures of quality such as level of nursing care, patient experience, survival rates other care-related indicators.

WILLIS-KNIGHTON RECOGNIZED FOR COMMITMENT TO QUALITY STROKE CARE Willis-Knighton Health System’s stroke program at WK Pierremont Health Center and WK Bossier Health Center have received the Get with the Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association. The award recognizes the health system’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

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SB EVENTS

GEEK’D CON Venue: Date: Time: Price: Info:

Shreveport Convention Center August 19 through August 21 Check website $20-$80 geekdcon.com, 318-688-1130

Geek’d Con is Shreveport’s comic con featuring tons of celebrity talent, over 200 vendor and crafter booths, and plenty of family fun!

THE 2ND ANNUAL LOUISIANA SOULFOOD FALL FESTIVAL Venue: Date: Price: Info:

Festival Plaza August 26 through August 28 Tickets start at $10 LouisianaSoulfoodFallFestival.com

The 2nd Annual Louisiana Soulfood Fall Festival will include three days of enjoyment featuring amazing Southern Cuisine, live music, a vendors’ village, judged soul food cooking competitions, numerous awards for culinary excellence, various contests, and safe fun for all ages.

SBC GLOFEST Venue: Date: Time: Price: Info:

Louisiana Boardwalk September 2 Check website Free TexasStreetBridge.com

SBC GloFest will feature new light shows monthly on the Bakowski Bridge of Lights on the Texas Street Bridge. GloFests will rotate between Shreveport Riverview Plaza and the Bossier Louisiana Boardwalk and include an arts market, food trucks, and entertainment.

KIM CRAWFORD WINES EVERYDAY $ .49 LOW PRICE

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WATERMELON SPRITZER COCKTAIL RECIPE • 2oz Watermelon Juice • 1/2oz Lemon Juice • 1oz Vodka • 1oz Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc • 1 ½oz Sparkling Water • Lemon Twist

For catering & daiquiri machine rentals call Tyler Miller (318) 742.3240 • 15 LOCATIONS!

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HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS WIENER DOG RACES GAMEPORT EXHIBIT AT SCI-PORT Venue: Festival Plaza Date: May 27 through October 2 Info: www.sci-port.org Sci-Port Discovery Center’s special exhibit, GamePort, will be open through October 2, 2022. From coding challenges to classic games, GamePort puts a new spin on learning S.T.E.M.

BOSSIER CITY FARMERS MARKET Venue: Date: Time: Price: Info:

CREATE YOUR OWN GLASS BLOWING ART WORKSHOPS Venue: Sanctuary Glass Studio Date: Recurring weekly Time: Wednesday–Thursday, 9am to 5pm Friday–Saturday, 12pm to 8pm Sunday, 9am to 5pm Price: Contact the studio for pricing Info: sanctuaryglassstudio.com Visit the Sanctuary Glass Studio and create your own glass artwork such as hummingbird feeders, wine glasses, pilsner beer glasses, decorative bowls, and flowers. You heat the glass, gather the color, and blow the glass while an artist assists you in creating a one-of-akind work of art.

Venue: Louisiana Downs Casino & Racetrack Date: September 5th Time: starting at 11 am Price: Free Info: ladowns.com Head out to the racetrack on Labor Day, Monday, September 5th, for the famous Wiener Dog Races at Harrah’s!

Bring the family; the fun starts at 11:00 am. The first race begins at 12 pm, with the Championship Race happening at approximately 2 pm. There will also be race heats for children to participate in and much more.

Pierre Bossier Mall Every Saturday through November Saturdays 9am to 5pm Free bossiercityfarmersmarket.com

Produce, arts & crafts, food trucks, handmade goods, plants, baked goods, and more!

SHREVEPORT FARMERS MARKET Venue: Date: Time: Price: Info:

Festival Plaza June 4 through August 27 7:30am-12:30pm Free redriverrevel.com/farmers-market

Fruits, vegetables, herbs, plants, honey, breads, jams, pastries, candies, pickles, cheeses, shrimp, seasonings, sauces, meats, and local artisans with handcrafted art, jewelry, crafts, candles, and soaps.

SHREVEPORT’S PREMIER FLOTATION THERAPY STUDIO

HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS SUPER DERBY DAY Venue: Louisiana Downs Casino & Racetrack Date: September 5th Time: starting at 11 am Price: Free Info: ladowns.com Don’t miss one of the biggest sporting events in Louisiana; The Super Derby is the premier race in the racing season.

GLASSBLOWING SHREVEPORT/BOSSIER’S HOTTEST PARTY VENUE

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AUTHOR'S CORNER

ASHLEY MADDEN ROWTON

CopperCOOKBOOK Whisk W THE

as it the brightly colored sprinkles on the homebaked Christmas cookies of her childhood that first hooked Ashley Madden Rowton on cooking? Perhaps the holiday sugar cookies played a part, but this life-long Mindenite says the joy and comradery of preparing dishes and meals with multiple generations of her family and then sitting down together to share the flavorful results is what sealed the deal for her then — and continues to make cooking a passion for her today.

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With a great-grandmother and multiple grandparents who excelled in the kitchen, plus parents who loved to cook as well, it’s no surprise that Rowton had plenty of inspiration to carry on the tradition. What’s the next natural step for an excellent home chef with a knack for writing? A cookbook of course!

What started out as passing thoughts during Covid-19 isolation began to take a more definitive culinary shape in the months that followed. Rowton found herself sorting through literally hundreds of

BY ELLEN NICHOLSON tried-and-true, hand-scribed family recipes with the thought of creating a publication similar to those revered fundraiser cookbooks put together by churches and other organizations. Encouragement from friends, family, and her husband, Nick, plus a suggestion to include photos to go along with the recipes, led her to think outside the plastic-spined cookbook box.

An internet search helped rule out self-publishing a hard-cover cookbook, but a friend’s coffee table book led her to contact designer/publisher Chad De-

Board in Illinois. The collaboration bore fruit in the form of The Copper Whisk – Rowton’s first professional publication.

With so many family offerings to choose from, how did she whittle the selection down to the 200 or so recipes included in The Copper Whisk? According to Rowton, she focused on her life as the working mom of three active boys – Ryan, 13; Hank, 9; and Grady Woods, 3.

Sharing cooking and time management tips from their own family experiences as well as beloved family favorites rounds out the cookbook that offers a Louisiana flare as lagniappe!

Included are many of the makeahead dishes that are a lifeline for the 38-year-old construction accountant who often rushes from work at the family’s Madden Contracting to pick up one or more of her boys to make it to football practice or the ballpark on time. Meals that can be served and then re-heated for latecomers are a must! And as for the much-loved Louisiana offerings like jambalaya, etouffee, and gumbo, now that her eldest sons are old enough to hunt, adding game from their outings makes the dishes even more special.

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A personal note from Rowton at the end of each recipe shares an interesting tidbit about the dish’s origin, a preparation or serving tip, or maybe a mention of which family member considers it their favorite.

The Louisiana nod, quality photos and delicious recipes have combined to create a success, with the cookbook’s initial printing of 2,000 books having sold out. A second printing is expected this fall in time for holiday gift giving.

What about all those other recipes?

Food is meant to be shared, according to Rowton, who says feeding her sons and their buddies gathered around the kitchen island along with dropping off dishes to friends and family are some of her greatest joys. Future cookbooks on the drawing board will continue the theme of sharing home-cooked Southern bounty at parties, game day events, and family gatherings.

She might even drop in a sugar cookie recipe. copperwhisk.com Ashley shares recipes daily through her public Facebook group that inspired the name of her cookbook, The Copper Whisk. In Shreveport-Bossier, the cookbook is carried by Ivy & Stone, Jolie Blonde, and Lewis’ Gifts.

MEMBER FDIC

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7/29/22 11:54 AM

Easy

Strawberry Daiquiri T

his easy strawberry daiquiri recipe is the perfect rum cocktail for the weekend and is so simple to make for parties! You will love this cocktail if you are a strawberry fanatic! The ingredients are simple, but the combination is beyond delicious! Especially if you have sweet, ripe strawberries.

INGREDIENTS ˄ ˄ ˄ ˄ ˄ ˄

4 cups frozen strawberries 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries 5 ounces of simple syrup 4 ounces of light rum juice of 1 lime fresh strawberries, margarita salt, and lime slices for garnish if desired.

INSTRUCTIONS 1.

2.

3.

4.

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Add frozen and fresh strawberries, simple syrup, rum, and lime juice to a blender or food processor.

Blend until completely smooth.

Pour into glasses and garnish with fresh berries and lime slices if desired.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Shrimp

T

Ceviche Recipe

his shrimp ceviche recipe is fresh shrimp marinated in lemon and lime with diced tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, and avocado.

It takes just minutes to make and is full of bold and zesty flavors. Serve this shrimp ceviche as an appetizer or a light meal; it’s perfect for any occasion and it’s a great dish for days when you want a light and fresh meal or appetizer without a lot of fuss.

INGREDIENTS ̗ ̗ ̗ ̗ ̗ ̗ ̗ ̗

1 pound shrimp cooked, peeled, and deveined 1/4 cup lime juice 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 1/4 cup diced red onion 2 roma tomatoes diced 1 large avocado diced pinch of salt

INSTRUCTIONS 1.

2.

3.

Cut the shrimp into 1/4-inch pieces and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.

Pour in lime juice and lemon juice. Cover and let marinate for 30 minutes.

Stir in diced cilantro, red onion, tomato, and avocado. Season with salt to taste. Serve chilled.

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Word to the wise if you’re getting a bride or groom hitched soon: rent a kid to stake out some cake for you. You’ll be too preoccupied keeping water iced down and spirits propped up, especially if something Messed Up during the wedding.

But even if that happened — the flowers didn’t do “just right” or the preacher went a bit too long or even if the lights didn’t get turned on in the rented trees (that were a bear to haul in and out and decorate) — all should still be well because of The Marriage Mantra.

Very few things that come from my mouth are worth remembering, but this might be one of them, even though the thought was formed in a very highly non-wedding-educated mind. Quoting my ownself: “What I know about weddings, you could put in a pecan shell and have room left over for several English peas. I know less about Wedding Protocol and Planning than I do about bitcoin, ice hockey, heavy metal, tattoos, and the gross national product of Norway. But this I do know: no matter what happens at the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception, at the end of the day, if they still want to and if we can find an ink pen that works, they’ll be married. A preacher and pen are all you need.

“And that is all that matters. The rest is gravy. And gravy is good! But it’s gravy. If you don’t have the pot roast or the potatoes or the yeast rolls, gravy’s not so hot.

“That will be the case on your child’s wedding day, even if there’s a rain storm or a nervous passed-out groomsman or the preacher shows up late. (I’ve been a part of two ceremonies in which the preacher forgot; he eventually showed up and BAM! Married. It all works out.)”

The Marriage Mantra. Works every time.

Our daughter was married to her betrothed May 5 (Cinco de Matrimony), 2018, a gorgeous day, the only real spring day in what seemed like a six-month-plus summer.

The wedding was in Ruston and the reception in Simsboro, as most outstanding receptions are, but I don’t have to tell you that. Over the course of several years, our friend Gary actually built cabins and bridges, pavilions, all sorts of seating areas, a lake, just a spectacular and cozy celebration spot, all with his own hands and creative brain.

G

ot “little ones” getting married?

They were in the sandbox and on a swing set yesterday and suddenly you’re calling bridesmaids and renting tuxes and finding out that flowers cost more than they did when you got hitched?

Pull up a chair and a Valium and let’s talk a second…

The wedding for our daughter was lovely and sentimental and efficient (short!) and went off better than we’d hoped, starting with when our church’s wedding hostess, right before the bride walked down the aisle, remembered to plug in the lights on All Those Rented Trees up on the stage — made a big difference — and ended right before I realized at the reception that the groom’s cake was gone before I’d had any.

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He’s retired, but his Creekwood Gardens is still there. And with it my memories of that wonderful afternoon and night when we had our wedding cake and ate it too — just not any groom’s cake.

Heard it was really good…

Teddy Allen is an award-winning columnist and graduate of Louisiana Tech, where he works as a writer and broadcaster.

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