Q&A with Senatorial Candidates/ Ask the Experts / Sep/Oct Issue SB Magazine 2020

EX TH PE RT S

WITH TWO

CANDIDATES SBMAG.NET | SEP 2020 |

3.00

$

08

6

80158 98070

8

SENATORIAL

SENATOR BILL CASSIDY & SHREVEPORT MAYOR ADRIAN PERKINS

Y T R E PROP = O T U A +

• MOM & ME OUTFITS • AFFORDABLE PRICING • INFANT TO WOMAN SIZES

584.7048 • 811 BENTON ROAD • BOSSIER CITY WWW.SLOANSFORMALS.COM | SBMAG.NET

SEPTEMBER 2020

1

FROM THE EDITOR

S

eptember has been a busy, busy month. The kiddos are back in school – well, sort of. This new normal thing has some bumps and pits but we are all working through it. In this issue, we have a wonderful feature on the “interesting and different” architecture to be found in some of our oldest neighborhoods. We also have a lovely, brand new home to show off with insights from the architect, interior designer and the builder and what makes this house as unique as it is beautiful.

Also, September is National Recovery Month and Addiction Awareness month. I couldn’t let this pass by without sharing an informative article from The Louisiana Addiction Research Center (LARC) located right here in Shreveport. A crucial aspect of recovery is staying connected to your loved ones for support. Can you imagine how the Covid-19 quarantine has impacted those in recovery? Plus, what began as a friendly conversation with a young man turned into a discovery of just how strong and special he is. When you read JonPaule Calcote’s story of how he came from nothing, worked hard to reach business success only to have it crumble around him because of addiction – I don’t want to give it away so, let’s just say his journey has been incredible and inspiring.

We can’t let September go by without talking a little about football and giving you some tailgating and football party ideas that will keep social distancing from becoming an issue. We can still pull for our favorite teams while wearing our masks. “Geaux Tigers” will just sound a little muffled this year!

Last, but certainly not least, we had the pleasure of sitting down with two of the candidates in the U.S. Senate race that’s quickly heating up. Our publisher, (my husband) Byron May sat down with Senator Bill Cassidy while I interviewed our Mayor, Adrian Perkins. We asked some pretty tough questions that I think will give you better insight into what each of these gentlemen stand for. You can also go to our website: www.sbmag.net and watch the interviews if you like.

Please enjoy our September issue. We always appreciate our readers’ support and are so, so fortunate to have such loyal advertisers who make all this happen for you. October and The Top Doctors issue will be here before we know it. Until then, have a great beginning of fall!

Seva Day May

Executive Editor

HOW TO REACH US

PUBLISHER

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

G. Byron May

OWNERS

G. Byron May Seva May Noble Feldman

ADVERTISING

318.221.7264, Ext. 12

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Seva May

WEBSITE

www.sbmag.net

ASSISTANT EDITOR Hailey Lawson

SUBSCRIPTIONS

One year $16 (12 issues)

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Ryan Watson, Creative Director for May Marketing

SUBSCRIPTION QUESTIONS

SALES TEAM LEADER

POSTMASTER

Keyle Cavalier

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Stephanie Pringle, Content Contributor Laura Scott-Speer Kristin Timmons

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Adam Bailey Debbie Henry

2

SEPTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

subscriptions@sbmag.net

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 © 2020 SB Magazine, Inc. Volume 21, Issue 9

Quality Professional lawn and landscape services at a reasonable price

(318) 797-0883 www.totalyardcareinc.com

Ballot

#81

Our justice system has been plagued with corruption and unfairness for far too long. Too many families are suffering from losing loved ones to wrongful convictions while violent criminals are allowed to wreak havoc in our communities. CHANGE is on the ballot November 3, 2020.

J. Antonio Florence for Caddo District Court Judge.

www.jflorence4judge2020.com PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT J. ANTONIO FLORENCE SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

3

COVER STORY:

12

40

Q & A with Two Senatorial Candidates

COLUMNS: 12 14 22 36 38 88 90 92

SB Pets Eye on SB SB Community SB Art & Culture SB Travel – Travel Agent Confidential Good to Know Calendar SB Scene

FEATURES: 8 16 20 27 82

Summer Lovin’ – Tailgating Addiction Recovery and Covid JonPaule Calcote – A Recovery Story September Home Feature Note-Worthy Achitecture in Shreveport

SPECIAL SECTION: 53

40

ON THE COVER Shreveport Mayor Adriane Perkins & Senator Bill Cassidy

38 4

SEPTEMBER 2020

Ask the Experts

| SBMAG.NET

HELPING REBUILD

ACTIVE LIFESTYLES What Makes Shreveport Prosthetics Different?

Shreveport Prosthetics is a state-of-the-art clinical facility that provides advanced technology to restore function and enhance the life of amputees with devices specifically suited for each patient, including prosthetic hands, arms and legs.

We travel to you!

ADVANCED PRODUCTS

PATIENT CARE

1801 Fairfield Ave., Suite 301 • Shreveport, LA • 318-734-7933

GREATER MOBILITY

www.shreveportprosthetics.com SBMAG.NET | 5 SEPTEMBER 2020

If you are unfamiliar with using any of these digital resources, the Shreve Memorial Library webpage provides free online tutorials for each. Simply visit www.shrevelib.org and click on the red tutorials tab on the right side of the webpage. Select the resource you’d like to learn more about, watch the tutorial, and get started!

Digital Resources Available on Shreve Memorial Library’s e-Branch:

Back to the

BASICS Did you know that you can access your library anywhere, anytime? Shreve Memorial Library’s e-Branch is your go to for library access on the go. With your Shreve Memorial Library card, you are able to download e-books and audiobooks, stream music and movies, and continue learning from the comfort of home.

Digital services such as Overdrive, Libby and Hoopla contain a vast collection of e-books, audiobooks, movies, and music. These services allow you to download and enjoy e-books, audiobooks, movies, music and more anywhere, anytime from your computer, smartphone, tablet and other mobile devices. Using each service is free of charge, and you simply need your library card and PIN number to get started.

What’s more, our Acquisitions Department recently added 200 new educational materials to Shreve Memorial Library’s Overdrive collection. Children and teens can use their library cards to get access to digital versions of ACT prep, math texts and workbooks, ELA materials, and science publications. Some of the new titles available include: 1,296 ACT Practice Questions, Algebra Demystified, the Summer Bridge Activities series for grades K – 8, Tips and Tricks for Summarizing Text, and much, much more. These digital resources are perfect for those helping to homeschool their children while the schools are closed. Remember, all Caddo Parish Public School students have virtual student library cards with which to access these great digital services.

You can also access the Louisiana State Library Database Collection (Louisiana Library Connection) with your Shreve Memorial Library Card. The Louisiana State Library Database has learning resources such as Pronunciator, Homework Louisiana, and Learning Express as well as a great collection of other resources to help with career building, general research, and additional areas of interest.

6

SEPTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

Entertainment: • • • • •

HOOPLA – Borrow e-books, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, music and comics!

FLIPSTER – Read magazines on your mobile device or computer.

OVERDRIVE – Borrow e-books, audiobooks, videos and more!

LIBBY – The one-tap reading app for OverDrive e-books and audiobooks!

BEANSTACK – Track what books you read online, get suggestions for what to read next, and sign up for reading programs to win prizes!

Homework Help: •

• • • •

HOMEWORK LOUISIANA – Free, live tutoring help for kindergarten through college daily from 2 p.m. to midnight plus test preparation, interview help, and resume review!

PRONUNCIATOR – Learn up to 80 different languages, including ESL! LEARNING EXPRESS LIBRARY – Practice taking standardized tests and achieve educational and career goals!

TUMBLEBOOK LIBRARY – E-Books, audiobooks, puzzles, and games for kids.

LYNDA.COM – 1000s of videos to help adults learn business, software, technology, and creative skills.

Research • •

LOUISIANA LIBRARY CONNECTION – Access over 50 resources of the Louisiana State Library Databases with your Shreve Memorial Library card!

REFERENCEUSA – Get business information for reference and research!

YOUR LIBRARY. ANYWHERE. ANYTIME.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH HOMEWORK AND LEARNING AT

SHREVE MEMORIAL LIBRARY! •

VIRTUAL STUDENT LIBRARY CARDS – All Caddo Parish Public School students have access to a virtual student library card that gives them access to all of the library’s online digital resources and the ability to check out up to two physical items from the library!

•

LOUISIANA LIBRARY CONNECTION – Access the Louisiana State Library Database featuring more than 50 resources to assist with homework, research, test prep, career development, and more!

•

HOMEWORK LOUISIANA – Powered by Tutor.com, Homework Louisiana provides free online tutoring for students in kindergarten through college. Live tutors are available Sunday through Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to midnight.

•

PRONUNCIATOR – Learn any of 120 different languages, including English as a Second Language (ESL), through personalized courses for free with your library card!

•

LEARNING EXPRESS – Practice taking standardized tests and achieve your educational and career goals with Learning Express Library. Learning Express is a comprehensive interactive learning platform of tests, courses, and career preparation for students and adults.

•

DIGITAL LEARN – A free resource available from the Public Library Association, Digital Learn contains basic lessons in using computers, email, social media, and more.

•

TUMBLEBOOK LIBRARY – TumbleBooks features animated, talking picture books for early learners.

•

LYNDA.COM – Lynda.com is available for Shreve Memorial Library cardholders age 18 and older. Lynda. com contains video courses in a variety of topics, including software, technology, art, communication, graphic design, music, and more.

YOUR LIBRARY. ANYWHERE. ANYTIME. SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

7

r e mm SuLovin'

by adam bailey

TAILGATING ALTERNATIVES

tail∙gate. /ˈtālˌɡāt/. verb.

To host or attend a social gathering at which an informal meal is served from the back of a parked vehicle, typically in the parking lot of a sports stadium.

Football season is finally upon us and fans in ShreveportBossier are getting revved up to cheer on their favorite team. And whether you watch the big game from the comfort of your home or head down to the stadium, it’s the perfect time to throw the mother of all football celebrations—a really big tailgating party. But how does one tailgate in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic?

With all the pomp and circumstance in jeopardy as the coronavirus continues to ravage the country, it’s unclear what sort of experience fans will be able to have regarding football games this fall. If actually tailgating at the stadium isn’t allowed, here are a few tailgating alternatives that will allow you to continue supporting your favorite team while keeping safe.

DISCLAIMER. Check all available resources to make an educated decision while pursuing the activities and locations listed in this article. Some businesses listed below may or may not be operating at full capacity due to COVID-19.

8

SEPTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

Remember to Plan Your Tailgating Experience Before the Game Shreveport-Bossier offers lots for football fans—both college and professional—the tradition of a perennial sports city—it’s called Sportsman’s Paradise for a reason. Just remember, an unforgettable day of tailgating starts with a good plan and the right mindset. Whatever you do, be sure and roll out the welcome mat and tackle the tailgating experience head on—creating the ultimate football party zone. Tailgating is about being with people you enjoy for a good time.

Party at Your Place Football? Drinking? Great food? Why head to the stadium or even your living room when you can enjoy the big game from the comfort of your own backyard? This option is perfect if you’re more of a homebody or if the COVID-19 crowds aren’t for you. Hosting your own party can be more fun, anyway! And while a nice living room with a monster TV is fine, football was made to watch outdoors.

You can make that a reality by creating your own mini stadium at home on the back patio. Don’t come in half stepping like a scared quarterback on a winless team though.

You want to make sure your backyard setup is perfect for all your buddies to enjoy along with their wives. Simply set up food and drink stations, arrange a comfy seating area, and watch the game alfresco on an outdoor screen.

The first thing you have to do when creating your own backyard tailgate is to measure your surroundings so you can create an atmosphere that has enough space and room for all tailgating activities. Most importantly, plan for how you are going to actually see the game—whether you are powering an outdoor TV or projecting it onto a screen or wall. You want to utilize the space you have and keep the energy flowing. The more space you can create, the better the tailgate.

Also make sure you have enough gas in your grill, and a designated grilling area. This should be your grilling domain, where food comes in and out of the tailgate with no problem. Consider adding a second grill, so you’ll have plenty of extra cooking space to feed the crowd. Explore other additions to your grilling kit to help you fix up a memorable feast. Invest in that smoker you always wanted so you can perfect your brisket recipe and make your tailgate party an instant fan favorite.

If social distancing is a concern of yours (or your guests) just remember to take a look at your seating situation and give plenty of room for everyone to watch--safely. When people are enjoying the spread of snacks, appetizers and sides, extra tables will keep the buffet well-organized with plenty of elbow room. Good preparation will keep everyone comfortable through this pandemic.

Grab a Bite at Your Favorite Bar or Restaurant With both college and professional football seasons kicking off in September, locals can hit these restaurants in Shreveport and Bossier City to eat, drink and watch the big games.

Twisted Root (8690 Line Avenue) has multiple bigscreen televisions, a wide variety of local, state, national and international drafts of all style, and a large bar and patio seating area that complements a menu of unique and tasty burgers.

Strong. Stable. Here for you.

Bridges Hall Market President 318-675-2914

Mark Rowe Commercial Banker 318-675-2913

Cy Scheffy Commercial Banker 318-675-2948

Andria Beard Treasury Management 318-675-2911

To reach your long-term goals, you need a bank you can count on. Our Shreveport commercial team is experienced, committed and here to make it all happen—today and tomorrow.

redriverbank.net • 318-675-2900 Alexandria • Baton Rouge • Lake Charles • Northshore • Shreveport

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

9

Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar (7031 Youree Drive in Shreveport and 3010 Airline Drive in Bossier City) boasts numerous TVs at each restaurant to provide a complete game day experience. The menu features Cajun cuisine as well as burgers, po’boys, wraps and desserts.

BeauxJax Crafthouse (501 Barksdale Boulevard in Bossier City) recently opened in downtown Bossier City with dishes from its popular food truck menu, including po’boys, salads and Cajun Bowls. The restaurant will be showing regular college and professional football all season, with game day pitchers and other special deals during games.

Driveway Block Party Even if you’re discouraged from getting close to people, you can still have a block party if you’re willing to spread the block out a bit. Driveway block parties have become a popular means of socializing in suburbs that don’t mind a bit of noise. Think of an event like this as a chance to turn your driveway into a miniature party pad. Just like before, this is a great chance to make people jealous by grilling something on your front porch and taunting them with the smells.

Balcony Barbecues More and more people are turning to their balconies for a way of socially distanced interaction, so why not add some grilling to the equation?

Scheduling time for your neighbors to all hang out on balconies and grill some food is a great way to pass the time.

Although social distancing makes sharing tricky, it’s a great way to flex those barbecuing skills by competing to see who can produce the most delicious-smelling smoke.

Just toss in some music, add a couple of beers, and you’ve got a dozen little parties orbiting one big communal one.

Plenty of balcony barbecues have gone viral for live music performances. If you plan on bringing the guitar, make sure you know how to play “Wonderwall” and “Freebird” before people start heckling.

Zoom Tailgating Is there such a thing? Thanks to COVID, there is now!

And although a lot of the appeal of tailgating is the energy that comes from actually hanging out with people, who says you cannot create that magic from the comfort of your own home.

There are multiple downloadable apps that are available for hosting events and gatherings. The ability to display dozens of people on the screen lets you really milk those audience reactions to the game, even if your friends aren’t physically present.

Rotolo’s (1409 East 70th Street in Shreveport) feature multiple televisions with access to almost any football game and drink specials each week. The menu offers a variety of pizzas, sandwiches, wraps, wings, pasta and salads. Rotolo’s, which recently went through a remodeling and re-branding as Rotolo’s Craft and Crust in 2018, offers more than 30 beers on tap.

Lastly, don’t forget about Daq’s Wings & Grill (1935 Southern Loop in Shreveport and 1705 Old Minden Road in Bossier City). Both of the Shreveport and Bossier City locations of Daq’s Wings & Grill offer live performances, numerous taps offering domestic and craft beers and multiple televisions showing sporting events at any given time. As for food, you can choose from wings with a number of different sauces, boneless strips, burgers and hot dogs, salads, sandwiches and po’boys.

10

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

Go Bowling At first, this may seem like a crazy idea until you think about—especially if you have kids that need entertaining. Bowling gives you something exciting to do with your friends so that you aren’t just sitting on the couch.

Holiday Lanes (3316 Old Minden Road in Bossier City) is the real deal for family fun and entertainment. Not only can you bowl, but you can eat, drink, and watch the game all at the same time. What better way to get your blood pumping before and carry that energy with you throughout each quarter of the game?

There are so many other options to enjoy your version of pre-gaming and tailgating this fall. Whatever you have the most fun doing, grab some friends and go get ready to cheer our team on! Just remember to do it safely!

High-quality care where you need us.

At Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, we are committed to providing high-quality patient care where you need us. We currently offer services at convenient locations throughout Shreveport-Bossier with opportunities to meet with over 500 renowned providers in-person or virtually. Our offerings also span over more than 70 specialties to ensure we are meeting your healthcare needs.

Our growth doesn’t stop there. We are continuing to bring on new providers and open new locations across North Louisiana, further expanding your access to high-quality care.

Learn more at ochsnerlsuhs.org

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

11

SB PETS | by hailey lawson

Keep your dog out of the

DOG HOUSE

From spiky squeaker balls to the Kong Classic, there are so many types of toys on the market that pet owners can become overwhelmed when selecting and spending money on the perfect toy for their beloved pet.

Which toy will be both fun and educational for your canine? How do you keep your money from going to the dogs? All pet owners confront these questions when they consider buying toys, and the decision can be a challenge. After wasting time and money on the wrong toys, many pet owners start to search for a single, all-inclusive toy that will make their dog happy and provide stimulation and satisfaction for their pet.

Every dog has its day when his owner brings home that perfect toy! According to research, dogs see their toys in the same way wolves perceive prey. Dogs prefer toys that either taste like food or toys that can be torn apart, and it all comes down to texture, shape, and size.

However, many people make the mistake of wasting a Saturday morning in one of the giant pet stores looking through an overwhelming selection of toys and eventually choosing a toy for its color or cute factor.

Instead, think about your beloved beast. Who wouldn’t want to see their furry friend act like a dog with a bone when they play with a toy designed specifically for their personality, intelligence level, and physical capabilities? The best place to start is by observing and thinking about your pet. For example, some dogs, like Labrador retrievers, require many daily exercises that involve running, chasing, racing, chewing, and playing games with their humans or other pets. However, smaller indoor animals, shy and timid pups, and older dogs may like toys that don't require them to move around too much.

Benefits of Dog Toys While you observe and analyze your dog’s traits, think about some benefits for your pet and yourself as his

12

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

trainer to gain during playtime, training time, and alone time. If you pinpoint your desires for your dog’s behaviors during these times, you can choose and utilize the perfect toys to help your dog exhibit positive behaviors. Bad habits acquired while spending a lot of time feeling bored are the main reasons dogs act out, break the rules, or act as untrainable beasts. A bored dog and bad behavior cycle can have a negative impact on a dog’s wellbeing. Dogs live for the thrill, and a special toy to carry around and show off gives a dog positive feelings that lead to good behavior.

While there is not one particular dog toy that is best for every dog, there are five basic dog toy categories that can be matched to your type of dog. A simple understanding of toy categories and a little time spent analyzing your dog’s personality traits and physical abilities can help you choose the right toy for their special friend. Using the information gained on toys and dogs can keep pet owners from owning an expensive pile of dog toys that their dogs refuse to use. Instead, the right choice of a toy can make a dog wag like they have two tails!

Types of Dog Toys Ř Balls: Softer balls are a favorite with young dogs while they are teething. Harder tennis balls are great for adult dogs with the need to chew. Ř Rope Toys: Rope toys are great for playtime between humans and large, strong dogs who have big teeth and love a good game of tug-of-war. Ř Stuffed Toys: Stuffed animal toys come in so many shapes and sizes that should be selected for the size and strength of the dog’s mouth. Stuffed animals explicitly made for pets are great for dogs who need something like a security blanket or a connection with a pretend friend. Ř Chew toys: Chewing is a common canine behavior. Chew toys provide a permissible object for your dog to chew and not your couch or bed.

These toys come in an assortment of shapes with various solidness levels that should match your dog’s chewing power. Ř Puzzle toys: Physical puzzle or electronic diversion toys challenge your dog’s brain by offering enrichment without food in the form of usually chewable puzzles designed for canines to improve coordination, stimulate natural instincts, and improve dexterity and coordination. Ř Treat-dispensing puzzle toys: These toys are a type of puzzle toy that can be filled and refilled with your dog’s favorite treat. Your dog has to figure out how to maneuver the toy to dispense the treat.

Safety for Pets Select toys that match the size of your pet and your pet’s abilities. Small toys for large dogs can be swallowed and require an expensive trip to your veterinarian. Some dogs are allergic to certain materials or have sensitive muzzles that don’t allow for chewing plastic, treat-dispensing toys without causing mouth pain or injury. Your pet’s age and the condition of his teeth should be considered. Also, get to know your dog. For dogs who can easily chew and destroy toys, be sure to buy toys that cannot break off into smaller pieces and be swallowed. It is very important to purchase toys that have been specifically designed for dogs but will also be safe for them to play with.

Dog’s Health and Well-Being: Man’s best friend can

become lethargic and bad-tempered with a lack of mental stimulation and exercise. Or worse, our furry friends can literally chew holes in the walls while waiting long hours, without anything to fill the need for stimulation or enrichment. The right toy at the right time can help your dog avoid negative thoughts and behaviors. A great toy can focus your dog’s intellect and permit him to test his natural instincts and intelligence, making him feel like a good dog. Like people, dogs cherish playing - a great toy can create playfulness, curiosity, and develop a dog’s mental and physical abilities.

Bring this ad in for a

FREE SLICE OF PIE with purchase of sandwich or salad.

Serving Louisiana Creole cuisine and American lunch classics for more than 35 years!

1324 Louisiana Ave Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 227-8598

www.jacquelynscafe.com

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

13

EYE ON SB | debbie henry

SHRINERS GOLF TOURNAMENT The Shreveport Shriners, known as the El Karubah Shriners,

hosted their annual Golf Tournament. The four man scramble took place at Crooked Hollow Golf Course and a large group participated to raise money. The Shriner’s Golf Tournament has been a tradition since the early 70’s and included golfing with a shotgun start, putting contest, 50/50 drawing, lunch, gun raffles, door prizes and a silent auction to raise money for the El Karubah Shriners and their hospitals for children. The El Karubah Shriners was chartered in 1914 and in 1922 the world’s first Shriners Hospital for Children was established right here in Shreveport. Shriners Hospitals for Children provide care for orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate conditions for children at no cost to the parent or child since 1922.

1

2

3

4

6

5

7

1. Glynn Duncan, Eric Sullivan, Mike Kuhr, and Kyle Mitchell 2. Kyle Snedeker, Matt Boyer, and Jonathan Samolinski 3. John Ayer with Shriner’s Potentate Melvin Fletcher 4. Kenneth and Hannah Trichel 5. Adrian Winham, Robert Goodrich, and Bill Rodriguez 6. David Hall and Casey Hall 7. Tony Rodriguez with Lynn “Hand” Arnold

14

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

EYE ON SB

SBC PING PONG CHAMPIONS

2

1

3

4

5

Welcomes

Elise Edwards, MD, FAAP

PEDIATRICS Board Certified – American Board of Pediatrics joining

On August 15 all ages came out to Red River Brewery for the first ever SBC Ping Pong Champions. Adults and youth were invited to compete for multiple prizes in each division that best fits there skill. “The main goal is for everyone to compete, have fun and enjoy the A/C in August” said founder Brad Petree. They hope to spread this fantastic game to more people in the Shreveport/Bossier area!

1. Brad Petree, Lindsey Lewis, Neil Lewis 2. Molly Ann and mother Ashley Petree 3. Brad Petree 4. Jude Maranto with son Rylan 5. Alexis Pringle with her brother Towner Pringle

WK Preferred Pediatrics

Randall G. White, Jr., MD, FAAP

2300 Hospital Drive, Suite 120 Bossier City, LA 71111

(318) 212-7982 wkpreferredpeds.com

Dr. Edwards accepts new patients and most insurance plans.

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

15

16

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

INSIGHT FROM THE LOUISIANA ADDICTION RESEARCH CENTER (LARC) OF THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON ADDICTION

Every year since 1989, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has marked the month of September as the official addiction awareness month. This year with the global pandemic creating stress and isolation for everyone, people in recovery and those struggling with addiction are faced with a greater challenge. As we come together – at a socially safe distance – we can be better prepared to help our loved ones and our friends stay connected – a crucial element in recovery. SB Magazine hopes that, with the following stories and editorial, you’ll be inspired to seek assistance or to help someone you know on the road to better health.

Addiction touches the lives of nearly every family. Our mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, and spouses are all at risk of addiction, as are our friends and coworkers. Tens of thousands of Americans die each year of overdoses and other fatalities related to opioids, methamphetamine, cocaine, alcohol, and new designer drugs. Countless hours are wasted in the pursuit and use of drugs. Millions of American families suffer the trauma and devastation of addiction.

Although all of America faces these issues, the deeply rooted and historically disposed communities of Louisiana are disproportionately vulnerable to addiction. This is why we have formed the Louisiana Addiction Research Center (LARC) at LSU Health Shreveport (LSUHS). The driving force behind this Center is to work in partnership with the community to help to restore dignity, meaning, and purpose to the lives of those suffering from addiction.

We are here to listen to and learn from the community as we assist in making the positive changes that we firmly believe must and can happen. LARC is not a treatment center rather it is a group of research and clinical professionals committed to engaging in addiction research and in providing addiction education. Such research and education will ultimately lead to more effective and more compassionate care for people suffering from addiction.

Currently the LARC is engaged in several research projects at LSU Health Shreveport, one of only 154 academic medical centers in the United States.

Assessing the Impact of Coronavirus on Drug Addiction LARC researchers are currently assessing the impact of COVID-19 on addiction. The effects of this pandemic are being felt most acutely in communities of low socioeconomic means, communities of color, inner city communities, and rural underserved communities. Communities that are also particularly susceptible to addiction. This coronavirus may have long-lasting impacts on the brain, the heart, and other organs, even when patients survive the pulmonary complications. Potential damage to the brain may compound health disparities in vulnerable populations and may increase the risk of addiction. These studies may identify biological changes that occur followSBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

17

Monitoring Changes in Substance Use Patterns

ing exposure to coronavirus, and the findings may produce new strategies to mitigate and reverse coronavirus enhanced susceptibilities to addiction.

Collaborating with the LSU Health Shreveport Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences (CCDS) The LARC works in partnership with the many centers of excellence at LSU Health Shreveport to develop solutions to improve human health. An ongoing project with the Cardiovascular Center for Diseases and Sciences is built upon a well-established knowledge base, some of which was generated at LSU Health Shreveport, that methamphetamine can produce marked damage to the heart and vasculature, inducing scarring of the heart and blood vessels, irregular heartbeats, and potentially heart failure.

The LARC and CCDS are working together to understand the processes through which this damage occurs to identify new targets for preventing or reversing this damage.

A new study starting soon will determine whether methamphetamine taken in combination with opioids such as heroin (colloquially known as a “speedball”) produce even more severe damage to the heart and blood vessels than methamphetamine alone.

Collaborating with the LSU Health Shreveport Center for Brain Health (CBH) LARC researchers are also working in collaboration with the Center for Brain Health to determine the impact of coronavirus on the brain using the sophisticated facilities for assessing the immune system and the brain available at LSU Health Shreveport. Another study proposes to develop new medications and non-pharmacological interventions for pain to minimize the use of opioids. This study will be conducted with CBH as well as the LSUHS School of Allied Health Professions. Other research is using neuroimaging to create a database of the healthy human brain to identify changes in the addicted brain and develop new medications and other treatments for addiction.

18

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

The LARC is initiating a new partnership with the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory and the Department of Emergency Medicine at LSU Health Shreveport. This partnership uses community-based sampling to monitor trends in the patterns of use of illicit drugs in our community and throughout Louisiana. For example, many drugs of abuse come from international producers to reach the United States, but the coronavirus has disrupted global supply chains, suggesting that locally produced drugs may now be more prevalent in our community. The LARC is working to monitor these patterns for the implementation of more compassionate interventions to protect the community as well as individuals suffering from addiction.

Partnering with the Community Research involving community partners such as the Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse of NWLA (CADA) will identify new and optimal models of care for addiction. We are also working to educate and train providers in our community about addictive behaviors. The LARC recently hosted an “Ask-the-Experts” question and answer session to continue our dialog with the community.

It was a wonderful opportunity for us to listen and learn from the community.

The Louisiana Addiction Research Center is here to serve north Louisiana as well as the entire state. You and your loved ones are not alone in facing addiction.

To learn more about LARC or how you can get involved in these research studies, please visit www.lsuhs.edu/LARC.

Dr. Nick Goeders – Executive Director of the Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Chair of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience at LSU Health Shreveport Dr. James Patterson – Clinical Director of the Louisiana Addiction Research Center and Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at LSU Health Shreveport Dr Kevin Murnane – Director of Basic Science Research, Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Assoc. Professor of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neurosciences at LSU Health Shreveport

MASK NOW so we can

In Louisiana, we love our football games and tailgate parties.

Let’s work together so we all can get back to enjoying the traditions that make us special. Wear a mask or face covering now to protect yourself, your neighbors and the way of life we love in Louisiana.

01MK7374 R08/20

Learn more about ways to protect yourself at bcbsla.com/covid19

later!

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

19

National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life.

When I met Jonpaule Calcote I thought – wow, this young man has got it together.

Smart, good-looking, absolutely wonderful at his job as a make-up artist, Jonpaule’s charismatic charm can light up any room he walks into. A fine business man who is willing to think outside the box and always has a creative idea to bring to the table. The love he has for his community, his compassion for animals and his loyalty to his friends are evident in every breath he takes.

I feel lucky that he calls me a friend. So, you’ll understand when I tell you how honored but totally floored I was when he shared his story with me.

I was determined that our readers get to know this guy and to appreciate where he came from and where he is today. As we observe National Recovery Month, I hope you are as amazed as I am at this man’s story.

I

was born May 27, 1985 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

The youngest of three boys, I grew up in a household where drugs and alcohol were prevalent. I believed drinking and drug abuse was a normal way of life. At the age of 13 I lost my father to cancer then, watched my mother and two older brothers battle their own demons with the cunning disease known as addiction all while

20

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

“I’m sharing my story in the hopes that I inspire one person struggling with addiction to seek the help that I did.”

- Jonpaule Calcote

dealing with my own sexuality. Naturally, I followed in my family’s footsteps. At the age of 17, I was being bullied in high school because of my sexuality, which led me to drop out and start experimenting with substances such as alcohol, marijuana, and pharmaceuticals. At the age of 18 I moved to Dallas to pursue my career as a makeup artist and did quite well for myself. I quickly climbed my way up the Dallas makeup and fashion scene, becoming a MAC certified make-up artist and event specialist for MAC Nordstrom’s Dallas Galleria. I had become a high functioning addict but an addict none the less; having to depend on narcotics to normally function daily.

It wasn’t until the age of 22 that I started indulging in harder drugs such as Extasy, cocaine, and crystal meth.

These drugs brought me right down to my knees and in less than a year’s time, I found myself having to move back home to Shreveport with nothing to my name except for the clothing I could carry.

After having to move back home and sleep on my oldest brother’s couch, depression and mourning for the success and life I had lost quickly set in. Trying to cope and escape from my new reality only led to extreme drug abuse which went on for many years until I found myself being a homeless IV meth addict; not sleeping or eating for days on end. With nowhere to go and no true friends to speak of, I found myself sitting in Columbia Park in the wee hours of the morning wondering what I was living for or why I was even alive. I began to reminisce of the life I once had. I had truly hit rock bottom and I knew in the back of my mind what I needed to do. I honestly don’t know what snapped inside me but it lit up like an eternal flame and the very next day I reached out to the CADA Bossier Treatment Center. I called every day for a week straight until a bed had finally opened up and they took me right in. Admitting myself into CADA on July 7, 2015 was one of the scariest things I ever had to do but the warm and friendly staff worked quickly to get me settled in and immediately I started counseling sessions to help identify and understand some of the underlying causes of my addiction. They also introduced me to other local programs such as Sober living Communities and 12 step programs.

After completing a 24 day stay at CADA, I moved into a sober living house and found a job at a local day spa as the front desk manager and makeup artist. I would walk about a mile to and from work on a daily with fearless determination for the first year. I had to rebuild a network of sober friends and business contacts. It was at that point in my sobriety that I met the love of my life and now my husband, Radames, who has walked by my side on this journey for the past 5 years. I’ve work rigorously within in my industry by taking any and every makeup client I could take a makeup brush to, not having a day off for weeks on end at times. My Networking skills and strong social media presence has helped me build my reputation, exceptional work ethic, creativity in my craft.

I was sought after by one of the most prestigious high-end day spas in our community, the Spa Concepts Franchise.

I am now the head makeup artist, overseeing the makeup department for all three locations. In the past three years with Spa Concepts, I’ve been able further my education and elevate my career by obtaining my licenses in permanent cosmetics and microblading. I have built up a network of contacts in New York City where I have worked several different fashion events. I’ve also had the pleasure of working as the head makeup artist for Shreveport fashion week the past two years. I have worked alongside some of our city’s leading photographers and publication.

On Oct 26th 2019, I married that love of mine in a beautiful, over the top ceremony underneath the oak trees of our home in the historic Pierremont Oaks neighborhood.

Afterwards, we whisked way on a whirlwind honeymoon to France.

I have recently found my passion for community service by serving on the board of directors for the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse of Northwest Louisiana while volunteering on two of their Committees. I’m giving back to the community that has given so much to me. I also feel my heart as I work with a local dog shelter where I enjoy a hands-on experience with the rescue pups as well as serving on their fundraising committee. I am also involved with the Mardi Gras scene, working with several local Krewes on various projects.

I’m living a life I honestly never imagined, and it is all thanks to CADA and the 12-step program. The love and guidance of both my best friends, Jennifer King, my sponsor, Susan Garcia, and my husband Radames Rhines. It truly takes a village.

MATTRESS SALE!

50-80% Off Retail Pricing New Sets Starting At $150 Delivery Available Call or Text

318.464-0547 SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

21

COMMUNITY | hailey lawson

THE COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE OF NORTHWEST LOUISIANA (CADA) National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month

T

his September, thousands of alcohol and drug addiction programs and facilities across the United States are celebrating National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. These groups will share success stories and speak about the accomplishments made by those in recovery.

This helps to raise awareness and understanding about mental and substance use disorders. One of these groups is The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse of Northwest Louisiana (CADA), located in Shreveport.

Millions of Americans have had their lives transformed through recovery, and National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month can encourage and enable those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives.

Just as no one sets out to become a full-blown addict or alcoholic, those who endure that painful existence often do not consider addiction treatment an option. And many addicts refuse to even think about living life without drugs and/or alcohol. The reluctance of going to rehab was expressed in a song, “Rehab,” by the late R&B singer Amy Winehouse, who sang, “They tried to make me go to rehab, I said ‘no, no, no …”. After reaching world-wide fame as a singer, she soon died of alcohol poisoning.

A lot of an addict’s refusal or reluctance to try rehab can be credited to misshaped perspectives that accompany the diseases of addiction and alcoholism. Also, the stigma that society places on the suffering addict who feels unbearable levels of shame when trying to admit to their addictions. Many addicts and alcoholics think of rehab as a negative and even harmful idea. Professionals and others who understand know that “rehab” describes supervised

22

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

programs designed to help people stop using alcohol or drugs and to provide the tools they need to live a healthy life. Support groups offer camaraderie and a sense of empowerment from people who have faced similar challenges and circumstances.

Very few people can break their addictions on their own. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), one of the diagnostic criteria for substance use disorder — the scientific term for addiction — is “a persistent desire or unsuccessful effort to cut down or control use of the substance”. So despite the fact that some addicts and heavy drinkers want to stop, and may even attempt to stop, they’re often incapable of doing so without assistance. Some people think addiction is about a lack of willpower — that someone with a drug or alcohol problem doesn’t really want to quit and could easily quit if they really tried. This misperception is just one more reason for addicts not to seek help. Addiction is far more complex and less forgiving than people realize.

The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse of Northwest Louisiana (CADA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is a private health organization that provides substance abuse services. Established on October 1, 1958, CADA has helped the residents of Louisiana on a continuous basis. In Louisiana alone, there are over 256 drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers. These centers provide drug and alcohol detox support and treatment in a variety of ways and in a multitude of settings. The beginning of rehab for most addicts starts with counseling from a licensed professional, often a drug and alcohol abuse counselor, who can determine which approach, or combination of approaches, is best for the patient, based on their personal needs and circumstances.

CADA is one of 100 affiliates of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD). NCADD affiliates are varied in organization, scope, and approach. CADA started as an information and referral base to those seeking treatment. In 1986, the organization shifted from being an information-only center to one that provides addiction treatment services. With the leadership of Dan J. Talley, CADA secured partnerships with the state and other various organizations to provide quality addiction treatment to the under-served population in Shreveport- Bossier and Northwestern Louisiana. The Dan J. Talley Memorial Center houses outpatient and intensive outpatient programs in addition to the Employment Assistance Program of Louisiana and drug screening services. This facility also houses the Access to Community Education (ACE) Program, the Louisiana Horse Racing Industry Program, and the CADA School of Addiction and Behavioral Health (CSABH).

In 2013, CADA received a three-year accreditation from The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). In 2016, CADA received another three-year accreditation, the highest accreditation awarded by the organization.

Addiction of just one family member can infect the whole family like a disease. Addiction is often a learned behavior from addicts in the family and passed on to children, teenagers, and young adults. When someone you love is addicted to alcohol or drugs, every family member needs support, education, and strategies, so they have the tools to break the chain of addiction. CADA was recently honored by the Greater Shreveport Chamber with a Ribbon Cutting - One Year Anniversary Celebration for the Tootsie Davis Program.

The Tootsie Davis Family Education Program is a support group style meeting combined with education about addiction to help the whole family heal. Edna “Tootsie” Davis believed in the mission of CADA and knew firsthand the stress of having a loved one struggle with addiction. Tootsie left CADA a legacy gift to provide hope and begin the healing process for family members of all ages through the Tootsie Davis Family Education Program. Meeting topics include: Understanding Addiction, Family Roles and Addiction, Self-Care Tips, Establishing Healthy Boundaries, Helping Children Cope, and many more. Childcare is provided with age-specific activities, so kids of all ages are welcome. Meetings are free and include a meal when meeting in-person.

Meetings are currently utilizing Zoom.

Hope for breaking the chain of addiction starts with a phone call to a CADA admissions representative who will conduct a confidential admissions screening. The admissions representative will ask you questions about yourself and the problems you’re experiencing. CADA will schedule a time for you to come in for a confidential assessment, or you may need to take the big step when CADA schedules a time for you to be admitted.

Prospective Employees, Volunteers, and Interns can apply online https://www.cadanwla.org/employment Monday – Friday: 8am – 5pm (318) 222-8511 After Hours & Weekends: (318) 747-1211

People Matter.

318.747.6000 • NMLS#412577 www.citizensnb.com SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

23

24

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

Discover new styles & quality that will last a lifetime.

PHOTO CREDIT ERIC ELBERSON

& 6535 LINE AVE, SHREVEPORT LA • 318.670.3339 1609 JIMMIE DAVIS HWY., BOSSIER CITY, LA • 318.746.3886

W W W . H E N S O N C A R P E T O N E . C O M25 SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

Enjoy

Photo credit Eric Elberson

At Morehead Pools, every pool we build is the pinnacle of luxury. We achieve this by valuing our clients above all, and providing the utmost in quality, craftsmanship, and service.

RESORT STYLE OUTDOOR LIVING

at

26

SE PTEMBER 2020

Home

| SBMAG.NET

7120 LINE AVENUE SHREVEPORT, LA (318) 865-1427 MOREHEADPOOLS.COM

VintageCharm

with Modern Flair

Rustic, yet chic.

Contemporary, yet pastoral.

This modern Louisiana Colonial home—located in the heart of Bossier City’s Oak Alley subdivision—marries the best of old and new.

Encompassing over 5,700 square feet of living space, the exterior whitewashing and light brick give the exterior an airy and elegant feel, while the interior blends modern interior spaces. In offering both privacy and incredible outdoor living spaces— move over Cape Cod and Craftsman—the Louisiana Colonial home is here to stay!

Alex & Katie Dempsey knew exactly what they were looking for when they started looking for a new home. Their focus was to harness country elements with a contemporary spin—wanting a home with modern conveniences that focused on livable spaces for a family with young kids. Their aim was to design something that blended clean lines, neutral color palettes, layered textures, and natural materials that would create a timeless look bursting with character. According to Alex Dempsey, “Katie and I have a casual lifestyle, so we didn’t want anything too fussy or formal. We tried to shy away from current trends, and just create a space that worked for the family.”

The terms “modern,” “Louisiana Colonial” and “architecture” might have once all seemed like opposites, but this combination of home design is currently trending in a big way. Today’s modern Louisiana Colonial homes share a French Creole panache and can be found all over Louisiana (and the southeast), and often include generous galleries, a broad spreading roofline, roofs supported by light wooden colonnettes, heavy timber frame construction combined with an infill made of brick (briquette SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

27

S un V alley

|

J ackSon H ole

|

l ouiSiana

www .F armer P ayne a rcHitectS . com

28

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

entre poteaux), and the placement of the principal rooms. The style successfully blends authentic period French Creole architecture with the spatial and functional requirements of today’s twenty-first century technology and building materials.

To help the Dempsey’s create the Louisiana Colonial home they desired, the couple enlisted the help of architect Scott Payne of Farmer Payne Architects. As it happens, Scott Payne knows a thing or two when it comes to Louisiana architecture. As ninth generation Creole, Payne’s love of “French Creole” architecture has been heavily influenced by Louisiana’s famous architect, A. Hays Town. Using the basic fundamentals of Louisiana Colonial architectural design to guide his approach for the Dempsey’s future home, Payne’s goal was to thoughtfully design spaces and forms that enriched the Dempsey’s lives and experiences.

The end result? Payne created a sleek, sophisticated world far removed from the traditional Louisiana Colonial home one might imagine. He was able to capture the Dempsey’s vision by creating the ultimate place for comfort and style by using a clean, French Creole design that counterbalanced rustic elements (wood beams, brick fireplaces, etc.) with volumetric spaces—making it feel that nothing is too particularly precious or too formal.

Your year round outdoor furniture dealer, with the largest selection.

8320 Line Ave. | Shreveport www.cornercollectiononline.net | (318) 868.6267 SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

29

korishurley.com // 318.560.2385

30

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

Quick to recognize that his design services were just one element of the project’s overall success, several design professionals collaborated with Payne to help fully construct the Dempsey’s dream home—interior designer Kori Shurley (Kori Shurley Design), home builder Ryan Smith (Ryan Smith Builders),and swimming pool designer Michael Morehead (Morehead Pools). Payne said “it takes a village to design and build these projects and I was pleased to be a part of the strong collaborative design effort that produced a home that is nothing less than exceptional.”

Completed in July 2020, this five-bedroom, four-and-ahalf-bathroom home is full of modern conveniences and vintage touches. Here’s how some of the special spaces that make this Louisiana Colonial home really stand out.

The Overall Design and Layout Nested on 1.5 acres, the home is asymmetrical, with the southern wing holding the garage, the main entry in the middle, and a separate two-story wing to the north. A “false “porch” creates a grand welcome— giving you a spacious spot to kick your feet up, sip some lemonade, and wave hello to the neighbors. The floorplan doesn’t sacrifice privacy, with an open arrangement that is both fresh and modern. And while most of the home features a one-story, split-bedroom layout (with a large bonus space above the children’s bedrooms playroom, a guestroom and extra storage).

Dempsey stated that “having a one-story house makes it easier, since you don’t have to worry about navigating a lot of stairs to get to the bedrooms.” With the master suite lying across the house from the children’s bedrooms, mom and dad get to enjoy privacy in their own suite while the kids, and any guests, occupy the other side of the home.

Everyone can then meet in the middle to relax together when watching a movie, enjoying a meal, or stepping out to the back porch for a dip in the pool.

Open Kitchen and Dining Perfect for relaxed entertaining, two grand islands encompass an open kitchen where visitors can pull up a barstool and relax and be entertained. The overall kitchen space allows you to serve up snacks or drinks with ease, while carrying on a conversation with friends and family.

In fact, this gorgeous two-tone kitchen is a great example of why using two different colors works so well. Grey and gold—a tried and true combo—provide warm, eye-catching accents in the otherwise neutral kitchen. You’ll find gold elements on the light fixtures, cabinet hardware, and even the kitchen island stools. The two-tone look is further emphasized by the contrasting cabinets and natural wood floor finish. The kitchen has the perfect dose of rustic comfort with all the pros of modern design.

Likewise, its layout offers a natural gathering spot for guests, which allows the kitchen to be more of a “show stopper” since it’s so open to the rest of the house.

Around the corner, the butler’s pantry provides the opportunity to be used as a utilitarian space— with the ice maker, microwave, freezer and coffee station— further cementing the clutter-free notion.

The far side of the kitchen houses the dining room table, with a built-in china cabinet showcasing the Dempsey’s china collection. The natural lighting from floor-to-ceiling win-

HUDSON-SILVER AGENCY 9241 Wallace Lake Road Shreveport, LA 71106 • 318.686.7700 w w w. h u d s o n s i l v e r. n e t SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

31

32

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

Add some design to your daily routine with the Edgewater Semi-Professional Kitchen Faucet from American Standard.

With features like a SelectFlo multi-function spray head and memory position valving that remembers your preferred temperature, you’ll truly have everything in the kitchen sink.

V I S I T C O B U R N ' S K I T C H E N & B AT H S H O W R O O M T O D AY !

5030 Commerce Dr. // Bossier City, LA 71111 Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (After-hours appointments are available) (318) 752-9780

Trend on Tap

coburns.com

Cold Sandwiches Hot Sandwiches Frozen Yogurt Treats Soups, Salads, & Sides

www.eatcounterculture.com SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

33

in shelves and a reading bench carved out from under the stairs. The third has a large bay floor-to-ceiling window with custom accent chairs for lounging or reading. Shurley stated that “the colors, wallpapers and furnishings were selected to match all the kids’ different personalities—adding their own element of fun, growth and practicality.”

Mud Room and Laundry Room An inviting first impression is key to farmhouse-style homes. And what better way to welcome guests than with a cozy modern farmhouse mudroom and laundry space!

The mudroom entryway, off the garage, nails the look with battleship gray cabinets and natural wood accents. Builtin storage lockers add iconic farmhouse flair. dows overlooks an outdoor seating/dining area and makes the dining area charismatic.

Master Bedroom and Bath Understanding the need to delineate between public and private, the master bedroom and bath are nicely isolated from the rest of the house—a welcoming retreat for the Dempsey’s from their three children. Payne downplayed the link between the rest of the house by keeping master suite isolated. It was important “to create a separation between the private spaces which was a priority to the client.” The main design element is the large windows, which brings in both natural light and views of the pool and outdoor dining areas.

The Dempsey’s each have their own walk-in closet, flanked off the master bedroom, with multiple storage spaces and built-in shelving. The master bath, while one room, is separated into his-and-her vanities, with the shower and tub occupying the middle space.

Kids’ Bedrooms For a child, a bedroom is more than just a place to sleep. It’s a spot to do schoolwork, play games, rough-house, read, daydream, visit with friends and stockpile toys. Each of the kids’ rooms was designed around their personalities, and each room has its own special element. One has an exposed red brick wall and another has a nook with built-

34

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

Quality home lighting & flooring.

318.868.3671

4344 Youree Dr. M-F 8:30-5:30 Sat 9:00-3:00 houseofcarpets.net

The laundry room focuses on maximizing storage, the space is very organized and as simplistic as possible to avoid clutter. Unsightly laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and any other products are concealed in fronted cabinets. The washer and dryer are tucked away in the corner, allowing the remainder of the room to be used for builtin storage and desks. In the center of the room a storage island doubles as a folding area.

Back Porch Patio and Pool The back porch and swimming pool are the pinnacle of the outdoor appeal. Making the most of the space, the patio runs the length of the back facade, and is truly multi-functional. The bluestone tiles, which connects with the dining room, gives this area a gorgeous, faded, lived-in quality—proving great views of the swimming pool and surrounding landscape. A pigeonniere doubles as a changing room, as well as entertaining area—with a large television mounted to the side.

Be sure to check out even more photos online at SBMAG.net!

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

35

art

by seva may in SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER

CULTURE

His daughter, Vernae Ewing Thompson recalls sitting on her daddy’s lap and listening to his adventure stories and the stories in the Bible. As she grew up, she didn’t always like the ending to some of the books she read or the movies she saw so she would spend hours rewriting them.

Bruce took an interest in Vernae’s creative ability and encouraged her to do more.

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

— Proverbs 22:6 Years later, father and daughter have teamed up to write a book series that reflects not only their own family values but the biblical principles Bruce has taught throughout his 48-year ministry.

ruce Ewing always enjoyed a bit of adventure as a child. Many of the stories he grew up on came through his grandmother in the oral tradition. Bruce himself wasn’t a good reader until a 7th grade guidance teacher put him on the right track.

The Treasure Tree, the first book in the series, lays the foundation for the ensuing books. The story takes place in a fictional “other” world based on a little bit of fable blended with a message of morality and truth. You’ll visit a land of kings, some of whom are also watchmen, prophets, and seers. These three groups find themselves contending for food and land, while fighting for the well-being of their people. As the cast of characters journey through life, you might be reminded of the Genesis story in the Bible. Their adventures and experiences will set you up beautifully for the second book of the series, Coming Home.

As a young man, Bruce felt compelled to join the military and spent 28 years as an Air Force Chaplain. To him, the military was a calling as was his call to become a minister. Armed with a Bachelor of Ministry and a Doctorate in Theology, Bruce was well equipped to serve as a Marriage and Family Relationship Consultant.

Bruce Ewing and Vernae Ewing Thompson work well together as a writing team. With Bruce creating an outline that ensures the flow of the storyline, and Vernae’s experience as an actress enabling her to flesh out the characters and their back stories, they are able to create wonderful imagery that keeps readers from ages nine to 99 completely engrossed.

B 36

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

•

The Treasure Tree and Coming Home are both published by High Bridge Books, a Houston Based, Christ-Centered Professional Book Publishing Group. They are available on

Amazon. For more information, visit www. thetreasuretreebook.com. You can also become a fan on their Face Book page and Twitter at thetreasuretreebook.

ELECT

PAUL

WOOD CITY COURT JUDGE

EXPERIENCE

MATTERS

PAID FOR BY PAUL WOOD 2020 CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

37

cooped up at home for 6 months and I can’t take it anymore. We had a Caribbean cruise booked for June.” Exasperation filled her voice as she fell back in the chair and threw up her hands. “It cancelled, rebooked and cancelled again! I don’t care where we go. Just book us a cruise!”

Folding his arms and turning to Angela, “Look,” Ryan grumbled, ”I’m not going anywhere just to quarantine for two weeks when I get back!”

Elton & Carol Richey

TRAVEL AGENT

CONFIDENTIAL:

The All-Inclusive Affair We thought we’d have a bit of fun with our Travel Column since Covid-19 has made traveling such a challenge. We’re backinintime timeto to century magazine going back thethe 19th19th century whenwhen magazine pubpublishers printed episodic narratives. of first the first lishers printed episodic narratives.

One One of the sigsignificant American release in the “serial” format nificant American release in the “serial” format was was UnUncle Tom’s Cabin

by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

In many fact, cle Tom’s Cabin

by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

In fact, many American authors became recognized through American authors became highlyhighly recognized through seriserialization. the characters in Travel Agent alization.

Let’sLet’s see ifsee theifcharacters in Travel Agent ConfiConfidential become as popular as those of Charles Dickens dential become as popular as those of Charles Dickens or or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

“W

hooah!” Ryan exclaimed as Angela whipped the car across two lanes of traffic and into the shopping center parking lot. “Mask Up!“ she commanded, “We’re going in.” “In where?” he complained.

“In there,” she pointed through the windshield. “That travel agency.”

Fumbling with his mask, Ryan questioned, “They still make travel agencies?” “Of course they do,” Angela retorted, jumping from the car and marching toward the agency.

“You a Travel Agent?” Angela demanded of the man sitting at the front desk computer. “Uh,” he stammered, clearly caught off guard, “ uh, yes. How can we help you?”

“Book me something Danno,” Angela commanded planting herself in the chair in front of the desk.“ “Excuse me?, he fumbled.

“We need to go somewhere. Now! Ryan and I’ve been

38

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

The front desk commotion disturbed Carol’s morning reading. “He’s getting in over his head again,” she thought, laying down her Travel Weekly and walking over for the rescue. “We’d love to book you a cruise,” she said, smiling at Angela. “But, ships aren’t sailing right now. So, we’d be looking at Winter or Spring of 2021. When are you interested in traveling?”

“Next Week.” Angela shot back, scrolling her cell phone calendar. “We want to go to the Caribbean next week!

Who you got sailing?”

“There are no ships sailing Angela,” Ryan complained.

“And I ain’t gonna be stuck at home for two weeks just because I took a vacation.”

Pulling up a chair next to Angela, Carol acknowledged, “I’m afraid I got nothing. Nobody’s sailing the Caribbean before November. But, if you enjoy cruising, I may have solution. Sounds like you want sand and sun?”

“Yes,” Angela sighed, looking up from her phone.

“You like cruising,” Carol continued, “So, I presume you would enjoy all-inclusive pricing, multiple dining choices, spacious ocean front rooms with the pool outside your door?”

Angela’s face brightening with anticipation. “Yes. Yes. Yes!” she said.

Turning to Ryan, “What about you?” Carol asked, “Relaxation or action?”

“He just needs a book, a beach umbrella, and a Mojito,” Angela interjected. “And snorkeling. Can we snorkel?”

“Hmmm,” Carol mused while getting up from her chair.

“Yes, you can. You might enjoy a little all-inclusive resort on Isla Mujeres, just off Cancun. I’ll be right back.” Walking to the literature rack she returned, brochure in hand.

“This,” she said, “is a family friendly, adult oriented all-inclusive resort. Small, secure property, private beach, infinity pool overlooking the ocean. “And,” her voice rising with emphasis, “we can get you there!”

“But isn’t the U.S.-Mexican border closed?” Ryan quizzed.

“If you’re crossing on land, yes,” Elton smiled, adding, “But, not if you’re flying.”

“Book it. Now!” Angela insisted.

“Wait! Wait! Wait! Is it really safe to travel?” Ryan questioned, with more than a little incredulity in his voice.

“Travel has always carried risks,” Elton pointed out, “everything from kidnapping to disease. And, it always will.

Where we, as travel advisors, can help is to identify those risks for you and help you plan a vacation within your comfort zone.”

“Yes,” Carol added. “Coronavirus is real. The risk of contracting it is real. We have to consider that risk when recommending a vacation destination and activities. But, the entire travel industry working through the World Travel and Tourism Council, and this resort in particular, has implemented enhanced sanitation protocols to guard against coronavirus exposure. We can’t completely eliminate the risk, but these enhanced protocols and practices reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 and other illnesses as well.”

Pointing out a green circle on the brochure, Elton said, “You can tell which destinations have adopted these protocols by looking for the WTTC’s Safe Travels Logo.”

“Really?” Ryan queried, staring at the logo. “So, that’s kinda like the old ‘Good Housekeeping’ seal of approval?”

to send them for a spectacular vacation.”

“Spoken like a true professional,” he replied.

“But, speaking of spectacular vacations, let’s grab some dinner and start planning our Christmas vacation.”

“Great idea!” Carol said locking door behind them. “Let’s go!”

To be continued . . .

Travel Agent Confidential is sponsored by Expedia Cruises™ in Broadmoor. Send your travel related questions to broadmoor@expediacruises.com

“Kinda,” Elton replied.

Steps Fo Follow th

“Yeah?” Ryan shot back, “I still ain’t going if I gotta quarantine when I get back.”

“Don’t have to anymore,” Elton said, turning his computer screen toward Ryan. “CDC dropped the recommended post-travel quarantine back in August. See here?”

Squinting at the CDC COVID-19 travel page, Ryan visibly relaxed. “Well,” he said “if I don’t have to quarantine when I get back? . . . Okay, I’m in.”

“CDC says travelers are advised to ‘follow State, territorial, tribal and local recommendations or requirements after travel,’ Elton said. “So, we will need to check those, but otherwise you’re probably good to go!”

Step 1.

Double c Spanish l

Click "Ap

The countdown to your next adventure begins now Whether your next vacation is in a few months, or even next year, we're here to help you turn your daydreams into a reality.

“Well. Book it!” Ryan said, turning to Angela and smiling.

“No. You book it” Angela shot back, standing and picking up her purse. ”There’s a sportswear store next door, and I need a new swimsuit!”

Carol smiled at Ryan. “Come on over to my desk. We’ll get the paperwork started.”

Later, after Ryan walked out, travel documents in hand, Carol turned to Elton intimating in a deliberately mischievous and playful tone, “I saw you Googling over there earlier. I’m glad you found that CDC notice.”

“Yep,” Elton smiled back. “And I’m glad you thought of the all-inclusive resort option. It really is a great alternative to a cruise.”

“Well,” she said, picking up her purse and preparing to lock up for the day, “It’s just a matter of figuring out where the customer wants to go and knowing where

Contact Us 318.317.2882 broadmoor@cruiseshipcenters.com

5725 Youree Drive Shreveport, Louisiana 71105 318.317.2882 | www.expediacruises.com/broadmoor SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

39

Step 2.

Double c

Click "Ap

Step 3.

Double c

Click "Ap

Step 4: Once you downloa

WITH TWO

CANDIDATES SENATORIAL

On November 3, 2020 we have been asked to go to the polls and cast our vote for not only the President of the United States but the person in the U.S. Senate who will work to represent our best interests here in Louisiana. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, favored to win a second term, has drawn multiple challengers. Shreveport Mayor, Adrian Perkins has drawn the enthusiasm of the Democratic Party as a strong candidate in the competition.

SB Magazine met each man in a face-to face, individual interview to ask some tough questions. In doing so, we have gained some insight into the candidates’ platforms and we are pleased to share them with you. You will also be able to view both interviews by going to our website: www.sbmag.net.

40

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

SB: WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BIGGEST NEEDS IN LOUISIANA FOR FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS? Perkins: Right now, in this particular moment, the biggest need in Louisiana for federal appropriations would be unemployment benefits, for one. Our working-class families, through no fault of their own, have lost their jobs. We’ve lost hundreds right here in our community in Shreveport, thousands throughout the state. Hundreds of thousands. As a matter of fact people that are very much depending on those unemployment benefits to get them through this crisis, so that they can maintain their family and the strength of their family so that on the other side, they can get back to work, and really continue to contribute to society in the way that they have.

Another thing is not just unemployment benefits but also health care coverage. Obviously we’re in the middle of a pandemic, and people need to have access to health care coverage so that if they do contract the virus, or somebody in their household, they have the access to the medical and health tools that they need to be healthy, we’re going to need everybody’s hands on deck to rebuild our economy, to rebuild our state and rebuild our country and those are the two things that Congress can do right now to help the families of Louisiana.

Cassidy: We’re talking several different elements, here.

Immediately, we have to take care of Corona Virus. And Corona Virus has several aspects to take care of. We need to add more money for testing, which I’m working hard for and then a strategy as to how to use that. Until we unlock the public health aspect of it, the economy and the educational aspects will not be helped. Secondly, we’ve got to support families through this rough patch. Our focus just has to be on that family around their kitchen table – how are they going to make ends meet so their child will have a better future, so their marriage does well, etc?

Then thirdly, we have to think about the employer. See, the employer – she’s invested her life’s savings in a coffee shop. She and her husband work there, their making a go of it then all of a sudden boom, it’s closed down. It affects her, her life’s savings, also the people she employs. Now I will say that one thing I’ve worked on and I think Congress has worked towards is money for testing, the unemployment payments and the so-called stimulus checks, then the payroll protection plan. We’re trying to hit those.

We just need to continue to do that. It starts with the testing and the strategy for the testing…one more thing I’ll say about that. We want our schools and Universities to reopen. Mothers will feel more comfortable sending their child to school if she knows there’s a testing plan to make sure the child is safe and when she or he comes home does not bring infection into their household. Men – they may not care. But the momma – she really cares. I’ve been working very closely with the universities – LSU, Southern, UL system - the governor’s office, and the President, Donald Trump’s office to make sure we have the resources to address those needs.

SB: HOW DO YOU MAKE LOUISIANA MORE COMPETITIVE IN ATTRACTING INDUSTRY TO OUR STATE AND TO THIS AREA IN PARTICULAR?

SB: HOW DO YOU MAKE LOUISIANA MORE COMPETITIVE IN ATTRACTING INDUSTRY TO OUR STATE AND TO THIS AREA IN PARTICULAR? Perkins: I think we have to diversify our economy. I think we have to continue to build on the strengths that we have. We know we have a lot of natural resources, but we also need technology. And that’s a message I brought from my race for mayor and I’m bringing the same thing into the senate race. A big part of my platform is going to be talking about infrastructure, on the other side of this, and Congress has talked about a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill for some time now. The urgency of that is higher than it’s ever been because, on the other side of COVID-19, we’ll need jobs. We’ll need good paying jobs and you can’t outsource road repair; you can’t outsource

Cassidy: There’s several components to that. All your eggs are not in one basket, right? First, one thing I’ve worked on with the Cyber Innovation Center, with Barksdale, etc., is how do we take advantage of this cyber economy which is forming in northwest Louisiana? That has to be a component building upon the strengths that you have.

Secondly, you see many of the more successful firms in the Bossier-Shreveport area, they take advantage of a central location. It may be a trucking company, it may be Morris-Dickson distributing drugs out of their warehouses, it may be the Port of Caddo in which goods are coming in and being distributed, it may be the paper recycling plant that takes scrap paper from a multi-state area – you have a central location. Thirdly, you’ve got to pay attention to young people. They’re going to vote with their feet.

And you have to have a community which is appealing to them. You and I, we’ve voted with our feet. We love this state, our roots run deep. But if you have a degree from LSU or Tech or Grambling and you wish to go to – pick a city – you still can. We need to make sure that this comSBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

41

a bridge repair. Those jobs are going to have to come from right here within the community. And, in addition to the, you know, repairing that conventional infrastructure, we also look at infrastructure like broadband internet. Right now, COVID-19 has exposed large disparities within broadband internet and the digital divide is really known throughout the country right now if people didn’t know what it was before. Our children in urban areas, our children in rural areas don’t have access to educational tools that they need so if we’re cutting up the roads to make stronger roads or bridges or - you name it - we need to be laying broadband within those the infrastructure, so that people can really have access to the tools that they need for not just that particular job but also to prepare themselves for the economy of the future.

SB: THERE’S A MOVEMENT IN A LARGE NUMBER OF MAJOR CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO DEFUND OUR POLICE FORCE. Perkins: Yes.

42

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

munity is as attractive for someone to stay or to move to so that when they decide “where do I want to live for the rest of my life and raise my kids?” they decide here. I tell people, I want my folks to be Tiger fans not Texas Aggie fans and that goes with making it a community in which a young couple wishes to stay.

SB: SO HOW DO WE MAKE THAT HAPPEN? Cassidy: You look at what they want to do. They love recreation. They want to have bike paths, and they want to have a livable community in which there is something that they can partake of. You see a little bit of the historic tax credit initiative in downtown Shreveport. That’s another component. An urban life which is, how do you say, “jazzed up.” Or something which is flavorful. One thing I’ve worked on in D.C. is the historic tax credit program because you can see how much it’s done for New Orleans.

After that comes Baton Rouge, after that comes Shreveport, after that comes Monroe. But you do see in every place an area of town that wasn’t doing well shows a little

SB: AT THE SAME TIME, RIOTING AND LOOTING BUSINESSES IS ON THE RISE IN MANY OF THESE CITIES. WHAT’S YOUR STANCE ON DEFUNDING POLICE AND DO YOU THINK THE NATIONAL GUARD SHOULD BE BROUGHT IN TO RESTORE THE PEACE? Perkins: Well, this is a question where I have a very unique and intimate perspective. I’m a mayor and I have a city.

And I’ll tell you I’m not going to defund our police officers. These are our heroes in our community or any of our first responders firefighters, you name it, our community needs them and what I’m hearing from our community members is that that’s a crazy idea. So, we’re not going to defund the police here. But I am okay with reform. What reform represents is strengthening our police department or our fire department and making sure that they’re safe, that they have the resources they need, and it boils down to -research shows- that, hey if government invests in housing or government invests in early childhood education, and it’s going to make our community safer over time, that, in turn makes our police officers job safer, our firemen safer on the job, and I’m okay with it. I think a budget should be a reflection of the values of the city. So, I’m okay with reform and making sure that we’re keeping our officers safe. Another thing about having my own city, looting and rioting may be on the rise throughout the country, but I am focused on Shreveport, I’m focused on Louisiana and that’s not been the case here in Louisiana.

Shreveport had all peaceful protests and demonstrations.

As a matter of fact, I was out there I was listening to their concerns and that’s the reason why I have a renewed sense of urgency for police reform. And I think that’s one of the reasons why they were peaceful here too. We went and listen to the protesters. We were, you know, walking alongside and we heard their concerns and it wasn’t a government versus the people who were all one so I think that’s why we’ve been very successful here in Shreveport. So no, I wouldn’t have the National Guard come to Shreveport nor would I have them come to Louisiana because local leadership has proven themselves well equipped to handle what’s going on - the civil unrest that’s going on.

SB: OKAY, NOW WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ROLE SHOULD BE IN DEALING WITH THE CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC? Perkins: Right now, I really think the federal government has missed the ball a bit with this response and the reason why I say that if you look to other countries, they had a very strong response immediately and they were able to get the virus down to, you know, minimal levels.

And I think our response was one that was a bit piecemeal and we allowed states to, you know, impart their own instruction and precautions. And when you do that, I mean, we are in close proximity to Texas so if Louisiana is strict and Texas isn’t, you know we have open borders, so it didn’t help. So, I don’t think our initial response was strong enough. And I think that’s why we’re kind of, you know, limping through this virus and it’s really just tear-

bit of life. And that little bit of life becomes a spark so that somebody that wishes to live downtown before their married has a place to live downtown or to visit when they live in the suburbs has an interesting place to visit. So that’s another component. There’s a tipping point. You’re not sure it’s going to work and then you hit New Orleans and – Boom – it works in New Orleans. And all of a sudden people are living, working, shopping in a four-block area.

Spontaneous generation. That’s what we want across the state. That’s what I also hear that young people want.

They also want a challenging work environment. They want a place where they can pursue their career. That’s where I think the cyber aspect allows that. You can work in Shreveport and be employed in. San Francisco but have an affordable house. You can go to a great school for much less money than you can, if it’s a private or parochial school, than in San Francisco. You can have more access to outdoor activity. But we have to make sure that we construct this in a way which keeps those young people here.

SB: THERE’S A MOVEMENT IN A LARGE NUMBER OF MAJOR CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO DE-FUND OUR POLICE FORCE. AT THE SAME TIME RIOTING AND LOOTING BUSINESSES IS ON THE RISE IN MANY OF THESE CITIES. WHAT IS YOUR STANCE ON DEFUNDING THE POLICE AND DO YOU THINK THE NATIONAL GUARD SHOULD BE BROUGHT IN TO RESTORE PEACE? Cassidy: De-funding the police is about as stupid an idea as I’ve ever heard in my entire life. The only people that would be truly in favor of that, who have a lick of sense, are people who are murderers and rapists because it will help them get away with their crimes. And if I sound just a little bit intense about it - those police officers, or those sheriffs, those law enforcement officers are the ones who keep us safe. Are there problems? Yes. But can those problems be addressed without baby and bathwater both going out? Emphatically, yes. And we must do so. There’s a nice video on-line of an African-American, Republican woman running for office in downtown Baltimore, nice little video that my wife showed me. And she asked the people who live in downtown Baltimore about eliminating the police – NO, hello? So, I think it’s about as dumb an idea as it can possibly be.

SB: DO YOU THINK THE NATIONAL GUARD SHOULD BE BROUGHT IN TO SOME OF THESE MAJOR CITIES TO RESTORE PEACE. Cassidy: If you look at places, like in Portland, where they’re dragging people out of automobiles and kicking them and the police have apparently been given orders by the mayor to stand down at various points – you need to restore law and order. That is a basic function of government. And you’re not going to necessarily get that from of the news reports unless they interview the shop owner.

And she says, as the woman in Philadelphia did, “I was burned out. This is a shop that my husband and I have had SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

43

for (however many) years and now it’s destroyed. This is my life savings.” Again, happened to be an African-American. So, people who are speaking of social justice should speak of those people who are seeing their livelihood destroyed. Their life lost, their home values crushed because a mayor of – pick a certain city – won’t take a stand to maintain order.

SB: WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ROLE SHOULD BE IN DEALING WITH THE CORONA VIRUS EPIDEMIC?

ing our economy apart. It’s taking a toll on our psyche so I don’t think we’ve responded strong enough. This virus has shown us that it has a vote and is going to wreak havoc in our community, no matter, you know, well, no matter what we do but if we try to just kind of muscle through it so we need to have a very strong response and needs to be collaborative throughout all agencies, it needs to be a cohesive one that all states adhere to. And we need to get to the same levels that we’re seeing with the countries that have the greatest success around the globe. And I think that we could have a football season and we can have a, you know, an economy that goes into phase three and phase four but the piecemeal approach -the half approach- that’s not going to quite get us there.

SB: SO, WHAT I THINK I’M HEARING YOU SAY IS IF EACH STATE HAD BUCKLED DOWN AND SAID THIS IS WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO AS A WHOLE...

Perkins: A national approach SB: ... EVERY STATE WOULD HAVE TO DO THAT. Perkins: Yes, yep, a national approach, not state by state, This is something that has wreaked havoc on our country. And I think the asymmetrical nature of “precautions here, no precautions here” is the reason why the virus has been able to move around as freely as it has and it’s taken a massive toll that I don’t think we necessarily would have had to go through. But it’s not too late, we can still, we can still do that, because there’s still a lot of life to protect. A lot, you know, of our economy to protect.

SB: OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD, CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE FOR SHREVEPORT BOSSIER? Perkins: I do not know. The number that that stands out to me, that I go to sleep at night thinking about, are the over 300 lives that have been lost because of this virus. That’s the one that really stands out to me and it’s not because it’s a number actually. It’s because it’s our neighbors, our parents, our children. So that’s the number that I really

44

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

Cassidy: The Federal Government – we clearly need a testing strategy and we need more money for testing.

This issue is bigger than any single state. I was just over at Willis Knighton – they have a clinic in Springhill, Arkansas. I’m sure that there are people who live across the Texas line who drive here. They showed me their proton accelerator and mentioned they get multiple people out of state. So, it’s not like Louisiana can put up barriers and only we treat those in our state. No, we’re going to have people coming back and forth which tells you that there needs to be something more than a state effort. That said, that’s number one, number two – you still want states to take the lead. If you’re in an area in Montana in which there is no corona virus, you don’t want someone in Washington forcing you to wear a mask when you are in the wide-open space of Montana and there’s no corona virus around. So what it requires is the federal government to give resources to, I think, interstate compacts, where we might have Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana banding together as a regional compact in which we share testing, we can lower the cost so we get more money for the tax payer dollar, but we can also recognize it as an economic unit with people going back and forth and you can actually help control within that economic unit. If you went to southeast Louisiana, it would be Mississippi. You go to northeast Louisiana…you see what I’m saying with that?

It recognizes that yes, we’re a state but we’re actually kind of metropolitan areas.

Now, I’m actually working on this with both Democrats and Republicans. General Russel Honore, who is the hero of Katrina, connected me with some folks out of Boston and we’ve been working very hard on this plan to allow states to come together for this sort of testing compact to lower the unit cost but to also to do a holistic effort for their region recognizing that Texarkana is going to be on both sides of a border – it can’t be a single state addressing the issues of Texarkana.

SB: THE CORONA VIRUS AND WHETHER OUR CHILDREN SHOULD GO BACK TO SCHOOL HAS CREATED A NATIONAL DEBATE. WOULD YOU EXPAND ON WHETHER OUR CHILDREN SHOULD GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND WHY? Cassidy: They should absolutely go back to school. The medical scientist tell us that they can safely go back to

carry around in my head and also, obviously I track the trends and whether or not we’re going up or down and fortunately we are going down at this point.

SB: BUT YOU SAID WHEN YOU GO TO SLEEP AT NIGHT, THOSE ARE THE NUMBERS YOU WORRY ABOUT, BUT YOU DON’T CONSIDER THIS YOUR FAULT, OR WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STOP IT? Perkins: No, no I don’t it don’t consider it my fault. I have tried everything in my power - my authority to keep the citizens of Shreveport safe. I don’t consider it my fall but I’m still the leader of the city so I have to make phone calls to a lot of these families to see how they’re doing, to see if there’s any lessons to be learned. If there is something within my power to help them out. So, without fault I’m still, you know, over the city and these are still my citizens so I guess if anything, I don’t feel fault behind it but I feel a sense of sorrow behind it.

SB: NOW, THIS NEXT QUESTION IS ALSO ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS BUT IT HAS TO DO WITH OUR CHILDREN AND THE ABILITY TO FOR US TO SEND OUR KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL. DO YOU THINK THAT OUR CHILDREN SHOULD GO BACK TO SCHOOL? Perkins: I’ll tell you that I was in our schools on the first day of school, and I don’t envy our teachers right now in trying to figure out the technology and teach the kids.

Um, I think this is an example of where we should listen to whatever the health experts are saying. If the health experts deem it safe to send our children back into the classroom, then I think we make the decision to send our children back into the classroom. If they don’t, and they say our kids should stay at home then we should do that as well. And I think there’s going to be pros and cons to both. The pros to sending them back to the classroom is that a lot of students don’t have the technological infrastructure at home as I referenced earlier to really get access to those educational tools that they need. So that’s the strength to going back into the classroom. A strength to staying at home is if this virus is pretty asymptomatic in children and children are super spreaders and all that other stuff, then obviously there’s a public health strength to that. So, I think we should just listen to the experts on whether or not we go back to school and I will admit that I’m not a health expert. I listen to what they have told me throughout this pandemic.

SB: NOW, OKAY, THIS IS A DICEY ONE. DO YOU THINK THAT THERE IS SYSTEMIC RACISM IN OUR COUNTRY? Perkins: This is not a dicey one to me. I very much think that there is systemic racism in our country. You know I’ve grown up, I’m African American male that grew up in the deep south. I grew up in a rough neighborhood here - a low-income neighborhood here - a high crime neighborhood here. I’ve been a mayor of a city that’s had civil unrest and has pointed out a lot of the systemic racism

school. The Centers for Disease Control tells us that they can safely go back to school. They can safely go back to school. And why should they go back to school? Because if you look at a child who’s five or six years old, there only five or six once in their life. So, you and I, we have to really study something to learn it. When you’re five you hear the word, it might be Chinese, you understand it just from the context. You can say it back because you are able to take and process. You’re only five once in your life. If you stay at home for that year or two, when you’re five and six years old, it has incredible consequences for your long-term education. By the way, the less well off the household, the less likely they have internet access the worse it is for the child. But let’s look at the health aspect. I’m a doc, so of course I’m concerned about the doc aspect of it. 1. CDC says we can do it safely. But let me also say this, younger children are much less likely to get infected, they’re much less likely to communicate it to other people and if they do get infected they are extremely unlikely to have a significant problem. Extremely unlikely. On this hand, you miss two years of education or one year of education at the most critical learning period of your life for minimal risk of health effects. I go with minimal risk, CDC says it’s safe, let the child learn. One more thing I’d like to add on that, if you read about children at school testing positive, every time you read that if you study it a little bit more, they’re bringing it from home. They’re not transmitting at school and when they come, they’re detected and they’re asked to stay at home. In terms of intraschool, if kids are wearing their mask, washing their hands, sneezing into their sleeves, maintaining social distancing as you and I are here, then they will be safe. I use that example because there’s a recent report two hairdressers were - and I say hairdressers, not barbers – a barber will get you out in ten minutes – a hairdresser is dying hair, she’s curling hair, she’s doing this or he’s doing that – they were both positive and didn’t know it. They were wearing a mask. Each of them sees about 25 clients in a day. Not a single client became positive. Now hairdressers talk, right? There has never been a mute hairdresser. (laughingly) I go to the woman who cuts my hair and she’s telling me – “Oh, yeah, speaking about Vladimir Putin…” I learn about the world from the woman who cuts my hair! So, they’re talking and cutting hair for a little bit longer and not a single client became positive. If we do what we’re supposed to do, we can be safe even around others who are positive.

SB: HOPEFULLY THAT DOESN’T LAST FOR MUCH LONGER. Cassidy: Hopefully it doesn’t last for much longer, but if it has to – just tie it on, America. Because we’ve overcome more. It’s an inconvenience, but if it allows us to reopen up our economy , I’ll do it.

SB: DO YOU THINK THERE’S SYSTEMIC RACISM IN OUR COUNTRY? Cassidy: It depends on what you mean by systemic racism. If you mean that every time someone who’s of a SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

45

in our society. When I enter West Point 2003, I was the first African American class president there to graduate so you know the we are still breaking barriers. We’re still breaking barriers and there are reasons behind it so yes there is systemic racism that exists in our country. And I think the silver lining to that is I think this year, even with the demonstrations that we saw throughout our country, I think we’re coming to terms with it. And we’re dealing with it and not just putting it on the back burner because we can’t afford to push this off to another generation. We need strong leaders that’s going to deal with it, that’s going to talk about it, that’s going to acknowledge that it exists. And I’m 100% - I mean that’s just a starting point to acknowledge that is exist. After that conversation you got to go to “okay, how do we fix it?” That’s the big reason why I started the commission on race last year even before all this happened because I saw it in our society and I wanted to fix it. I don’t want our children to go through the same things that we’re going through right now.

SB: YOU’RE SEEING IT RIGHT HERE IN SHREVEPORT? Perkins: Oh yes. Yeah, the civil rights, I mean we’re going through, people will argue we’re going through another civil rights movement to this day. You know a lot of people are saying, you know, voters, why not a lot of people vote. Voter suppression is on the rise and various places and people’s franchises being challenged and a lot of the same themes that we saw in the 1960s are present again in 2020 and I think that is because you know we didn’t deal with everything at that particular point and we kind of let some things lie, and didn’t address them. And here we are again. Again, let’s not do it anymore.

SB: SO, WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON GUN CONTROL. Perkins: Well, I am a military guy. I’m a proud gun owner myself and by the same token, I know the destruction that these weapons can wield as well. I’ve been trained on very sophisticated weapon systems and I’m the mayor of a city that we have gun violence. So, when it comes I’m okay with certain reforms they’re reasonable reforms there, but also making sure that we protect our constitutional right of owning a gun, the second amendment constitutional right. So, and when I say the forum we’re talking about closing, you know certain loopholes that certain gun shows might have, or, you know, doing background checks on people that might have mental illness, you know, and their access to weapons, but you know, it’s not going to go too much further beyond that because again we have the constitutional right to own guns in this country.

SB: SO, WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON ABORTION, SPECIFICALLY THE LATE TERM ABORTION. Perkins: Oh no. Well, I do not agree with late term abortion. I think that that should only be under a medical like that has to be, you know, by the doctor saying “hey,

46

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

different – whatever – walks down the street the whole system works against them, it’s hard to say that when the last President of the United States was an African American. He would not have been elected had there not been many whites or Hispanics or Asians who voted for him.

So, I think that we can acknowledge that there is opportunity here for folks no matter their race. Do I think that some people are targeted because of their race by some?

Absolutely and we have to root that out. There’s a former police officer here in Shreveport named Rod Demery and I’ve had some wonderful conversations with Rod. And Rod would say police officers are professional, and Rod was a police officer – Shreveport PD, and he said, “one of my colleagues when he goes in (who happens to be white) when he goes in to address a situation, he’s doing it as a professional, leaving his own feelings aside.” He is a professional and that’s how we must view him. Are there bad apples? Absolutely. Do I trust the police officers to be professional? Absolutely. And if you can separate out those who are bad and recognize that these folks are going to be professionals, I think that is the attitude that we must have. I’m not minimizing the fact that, as Tim Scott, the Republican Senator from South Carolina said, “Every now and then I get stopped for the crime of driving while black.” So, we can recognize that African Americans have had more scrutiny to their experience but if you speak to Tim Scott, he’s one of the biggest supporters of law enforcement. That question is almost what you bring to it. So, I went a little long because I wanted you to understand the perspective to which I bring.

SB: WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON GUN CONTROL? Cassidy: I’m a pro second amendment guy. A+ with the NRA. We need to keep guns out of the hands of those who are mentally ill, those who are convicted of spousal abuse and such. Often times the shootings that occur have been a failure of systems that are already in place. The shooting in the church of a man who had previously been convicted of beating up his wife – the Air Force did not report that to the national data base. So, he’s able to buy a weapon even though he should not have been able to. Usually these terrible shootings relate for me somebody who has a diagnosed mental illness for which nothing has been done.

I’ve worked hard to “How do you get those mental health resources available to somebody who may be troubled and how do you have a robust reporting system so that if somebody shouldn’t have a weapon, and it’s adjudicated as such, then the company which may sell them are notified.” I think that’s kind of consistent with… I just think that’s the right way to go forward. I think that’s just going to be how we get there.

SB: SENATOR, THIS IS A THREE-PART QUESTION SO IT’S A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT. WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON ABORTION, LATE-TERM ABORTION, AND TAXPAYER FUNDED ABORTION? Cassidy: Pretty straight forward. I am pro-life. I think

the right to life – I’m an A+. I disapprove, disagree and oppose tax-funded abortion and late term abortion…I just cannot imagine. If it’s the life of the mother, that would be one thing. But if it is as the Democratic Party nationally currently embraces…the child is going through the vaginal canal and yet, none the less, it’s okay to abort? I just cannot imagine that. I will say one more thing. We also have to recognize that there are many young women who have become pregnant. I think the way that those who favor abortion rights speak to this. It’s as if she is on an island by herself. I do think it’s important for us to wrap everything we can around that young lady and make sure she has the support she needs as she delivers. I am totally committed to that. But I’m also committed to the life of the child in her womb.

SB: WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ROLE SHOULD BE IN OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM?

this mom is at risk of losing her life.” But I’m pro-choice.

I think that that is an extremely personal decision that a woman has to make and she should consult her god, she should consult her family and her healthcare professional in making a decision. It is her legal right to do so.

SB: WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ROLE SHOULD BE IN OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM? Perkins: I think the Affordable Care Act has been extremely successful throughout our country. I mean, just in Louisiana alone, 500,000 Louisianans have gotten health care, since governor Edwards signed Medicaid expansion into law here. Over a million Louisianans could have possibly lost health care because they have preexisting conditions.

So, I think the role of government with health care is to, you know, continue to not just have the Affordable Care Act but expand it as much as possible because if this virus has proven anything, it’s that people need health care. So, I very much support the Affordable Care Act. SB: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN OUR ENERGY POLICIES? Perkins: Yes, the federal government’s role in our energy policies. I think that, honestly, I mean, honestly, the federal government… so I guess a reference point would be

Cassidy: The people of the United States have kind of decided that. They want to make sure that all Americans have access to health care.

I worked in the charity hospital system for 25 years or so. I tell folks that if you’re doctor’s less than – at least in south Louisiana - I taught with LSU Med School – if you’re doctor’s less than, why don’t we say, 55 now, she or he heard my lectures on diarrhea and hepatitis. I was famous for them. I spent those 25 years making sure that those who otherwise would not have health care had access had access to health care. I am committed to people having access to health care. And the people of the United States have basically said they think the federal government should help ensure that. What you have to make sure is that it is sustainable. You can promise the moon and we run out of money and then people don’t get what they need. I worked in a Charity – a government run health care system – and at the end of the fiscal year there wasn’t any money, and we’d have to cancel cases. Wait – you cancelled a case? You have somebody scheduled for a colonoscopy cause you think they have colon cancer but you can’t do the colon cancer because you don’t have a snare? But it’s going to be four months before you can get them back on the schedule? That’s wrong. So, I think we also need to have a system which is sustainable. Sustainable for any contribution the tax-payer is making. Also sustainable for the family. Under Obamacare, middle class health insurance premiums skyrocketed. Skyrocketed! There was an accountant in Shreveport who just told me about how he went from – I don’t know – $8,000 a year for his family to $25,000 a year for his family for health insurance premiums. That’s not sustainable for a family. Whatever system we have has to be sustainable for the family and also for the tax payer. Last thing I’ll say, SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

47

the Paris accord, that the Obama administration signed, an agreement to manage carbon, how much carbon that we put in the air, and I think that is a good place for the federal government to go to kind of set guidelines because when our energy policy starts to affect, not just what Louisiana is doing but what the rest of the country is going through and what the globe is going through. Now as far as those details I think that the details, should be pushed down to the state level with something like energy policy because energy policy intertwines with our economies, and clearly Louisiana is much more dependent on those natural resources than a lot of other states so I think the federal government can, after setting certain limits, can very much leave it up to the states on how exactly they adhere themselves to energy.

SB: WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE FEDERAL TAX POLICY? Perkins: My views on federal tax policy is a reasonable taxing that’s not regressive. What I mean by regressive tax policy, the most vulnerable among us economically, don’t need to be carrying a burden of being overtaxed by government. What we’ve seen over the last couple of decades is a shift to where a lot of our capital are concentrated a very small amount, a small amount of Americans you know the top 1%. As you know, nearly I think know 40% of our capital in our country, so they can afford to be taxed, you know, at reasonable rates in order to take care of our system because a lot of times as Americans, I think we take for granted, our roads and our school system and our health care now. And a lot of the things around us that, make sure that we live a healthy life to make sure that we live in a life that we can have opportunities, and those things cost money. I have a real appreciation for being a mayor, and we have to make sure that those that have benefited from that infrastructure, not just the physical infrastructure, but the educational infrastructure and technology infrastructure, that they pay back into the system for future generations to benefit from it as well.

So, my belief is that those that are in a position to be taxed that they should be taxed at a reasonable rate so that we can maintain our way of life as best as possible.

SB: YOU DON’T THINK A FLAT TAX WOULD TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING? Perkins: I do not think a flat tax would take care of everything. Not at all. Too many loopholes. I took tax law in law school and it is such a complicated system, whenever you start to tinker with it but you know again regressive taxes and flat taxes don’t typically work because discretional - I grew up in a low income household - my mother’s discretionary income when she was raising me and my two older brothers, it’s not that of Bill Gates. You know there was no, the discretionary income was a vocabulary word that we knew nothing about at that point. Every single dollar went to, you know, food or education or, you know, health care or clothes. You know, rent, mortgage and, there’s no way that my mother should have been paying taxes at the same rate that a billionaire should, so no no.

48

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

that I learned working in the public hospital system, if you make the patient first, everything lines up to serve the patient. Willis Knighton, which I just visited, is so good They make the patient first. What is your experience as you come here? You can also make them first as regards cost. I’ve been working on something called Surprise Medical Billing. Somebody goes to the emergency room at an in-network hospital and they get this shocking bill – what? And a piece of equipment was so-called out of network. I have a bill now that I’m working on – we have 17 Republicans, 17 Democratic Senators – it’s in both the house and the senate, bipartisan – that takes the patient out of the middle so it becomes sustainable for the patient. There’s a federal government role too. The federal government says hospitals, doctors, insurance companies – if you disagree on price fight with each other but don’t use the patient as the point of leverage. You’re just going to charge her whatever she thought she was going to be charged, you take her out of the middle and anything that goes beyond that you go at each other. And so that’s the next role for the federal government and one I’m very involved in. How do you protect the patient from things like surprise medical billing? And I’m all for that.

Cassidy: It’s interesting you say that. You know, I had an epiphany once. The EPA has actually been deciding our energy policy for the longest period of time. Not the Department of Energy and not Congress. If the EPA says that you can’t use this type of fuel, that type of fuel is not going to be used. And an entire coal industry goes out of business. So, I do think it’s important that Congress gets this right. We’re going to have a debate over our energy future. Fortunately, the United States has dramatically decreased its greenhouse gas emissions. So, if the debate is how we’re going to maintain jobs in a modern economy and lower our greenhouse gas emissions, natural gas is front and center as the answer. And we actually now have lower greenhouse gas emissions in the United State than we did in 1994 even though we have – or 2004 – even though we many more people and much larger economy and that’s because of natural gas. Now when you ask, “What is the Federal Government’s role?” The left, the Green New Deal folks, want to have a federal government role that says leave it in the ground. You have natural gas resources that power your modern economy and lower your emissions but we’re not going to let you develop it.

That’s a wrong federal role. You can have a federal role that says, “Listen, we would like to decrease our greenhouse gas emissions and isn’t it great we have domestic natural gas?” Which actually creates jobs in the United States of America. And yes, you can have windmills and solar panels but if the sun’s not shining and the wind’s not blowing you need a power source and we’re going to use natural gas.

I think that’s actually where the Federal Government should be which is kind of a reasonable approach that addresses multiple concerns but makes sure that we have jobs in the U.S. and prosperity for people that depend on those jobs.

SB: THAT’S FEDERAL INCOME TAX. WHAT ABOUT THE TAXES THAT ARE PLACED ON US WHEN WE BUY GROCERIES? WE’RE TAXED ON THAT. Perkins: Yeah, so, you got federal taxes, you got state and you’ve got local taxes as well. I think at every level - same, principle applies at every level this shouldn’t we should not have, you know, certain scenarios where you can have a flat tax for instance if there is a particular service that’s being provided. I can give a specific example: like trash collection. If you look across the river you know trash collection, I think they have like a $20 thing on their bill, and in my administration we passed a $7 fee for trash collection - something that’s low enough for even, you know, my single mother to have paid for.

I mean, obviously would have went a lot further, but those are some exceptions to a flat tax. I think overall we should be looking at progressive taxes, the more money you make, the more you pay into the system that has been good to you, been kind to you.

SB: WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON OUR FEDERAL TAX POLICY? Cassidy: Well I think the Tax Cut and Jobs Act bill was incredibly effective at doing what it was supposed to do which was to jump-start the economy and start getting jobs for all Americans. Before Covid hit, because of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act bill, we had record low unemployment for – fill in the blank. Record low unemployment for Veterans, for women, for high school drop-outs, for the disabled, for African Americans, for Hispanic Americans – you name the group. And we had such a hot economy we had record low unemployment for that group with wage growth being in the folks who were in the lower end of the income scale. Now the left likes to say – you just cut corporate tax rates. And they know they’re lying.

And let me explain how they’re lying. There’s a little bit of a subtly here. If you are Apple, or Amazon or – pick a multi-national – and you had 500 billion dollars in Europe, if you brought it back to the United States you had to pay 35% tax. If you kept it in Europe and invest it in Europe creating jobs in Europe you never pay taxes on that. Think about that. We were encouraging companies to take their money abroad and leave it abroad and create

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

49

SB: THIS IS ABOUT ELECTIONS AND BEING PROTECTED. OUR VOTES BEING PROTECTED. WOULD THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS BE PROTECTED IF WE USE THOSE MAIL IN BALLOTS THAT THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT? AND DO YOU THINK VOTER IDENTIFICATION SHOULD BE REQUIRED? Perkins: Yes, so I’ll tell you I got to start with... unequivocally the integrity of our elections, would not be tampered with if we rely on mail-in ballots, and we know this because we’ve been doing it for decades. I’m a veteran, our service members have relied on mail-in ballots, forever to get their votes into their respective jurisdictions, and also our seniors, we know a lot of our seniors rely on mail-in ballots as well. So, we’ve seen it and studies show that it’s like less than 1% of any kind of fraud that takes place with mail-in ballots. So, I’m not sure what this new conversation that comes in and tries to undermine that process that we’ve been relying on for so long. It is a safe way to do it and we’ve got to remember, we’re in a pandemic. People should be able to exercise their constitutional right in a safe manner, you know, and that has to be consistent across the board so I don’t think that would undermine our political process at all and I actually encourage you. I think people should have the option in the middle of pandemic to mail in their vote.

SB: WHAT ABOUT VOTER IDENTIFICATION? Perkins: Voter identification - that’s a little bit more of a trickier one because it would depend on what the identification would be. For instance, a lot of people can’t afford driver’s license so if you said, “hey you need to bring in your driver’s license,” then that will create a certain, like, bar to allow ... just a voter ID is fine. When people register to vote just mail in their voter... I think, you know, the card that they get that says they are a registered voter should be enough. I don’t think it should be any kind of special form of identification that they need to bring in.

SB: NOW, THE LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WHY ARE YOU THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THIS JOB? Perkins: I’m the right person for this job because I grew up born and raised in Louisiana. I came from a low-income household. I have lived the American dream because my mother set a phenomenal example for me. She worked two jobs to raise me and my two older brothers. She went to school as well. She kept us in the church, she showed us how important faith is and how it can ground you in your life, and I mean she kept us in the church. So, you know, I was able to live the American dream. I graduated; I went to West Point. I served in our military when our country needed me when we were attacked by a foreign enemy. After I left the military, I went to Harvard Law School. I’ve lived the American dream. I’ve experienced a lot of things throughout my life, and these are the experiences that I would bring to being the United States Senator. I could be able to represent all Louisianans, not just the wealthy

50

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

jobs in China, India and Europe and never bring it back.

What Republicans did is we said you’re going to pay tax on it, now we’re going to cut the tax rate. You’re not going to pay 35% , you’re going to pay 21% but you’re going to bring it back. And you’re going to use that money here to create jobs in the United States. As opposed to creating jobs over there where you effectively never pay tax. So, when the left says, “well you cut taxes on corporations.”

We were never going to see that money anyway and by the way they were creating jobs overseas. So, what we did was say, “bring it back, lower tax rate, but now you’re going to invest it here.” And did I say, before Covid, we had record low unemployment for everybody? That’s because of that. Bringing those dollars back. I think our tax policy has worked to incentivize the creation of American jobs. And that’s what we should be about.

SB: WOULD THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS BE PROTECTED IF WE USED MAIL-IN BALLOTS AND SHOULD VOTER IDENTIFICATION BE NECESSARY? Cassidy: I do think voter I.D. is okay. I think it’ a good thing. And the way Louisiana had their law set up you actually didn’t need a picture I.D. You could just bring a utility bill from where you live. So, if you live at 123 Main Street and that’s your address, Oh I live at 123 Main Street and here’s my bill they would actually allow that as a form of identification. But it does eliminate the potential for fraud. I smile, I once read a biography of Andrew Jackson.

And the first time he won a Presidential race, he won 900 votes in Plaquemine’s Parish. The only problem there was only 300 registered voters. I’m thinking even back then Plaquemine’s Parish had a little bit of an issue. So, we want to avoid that. And seems like a pretty little hurdle to have somebody to show a bill addressed to the address on their voter roll. As regard to the mail-in ballot, I think that, first let me say, I don’t think the Federal Government should dictate it. It should be the state and local community that decides whether they’re going to have mail-in ballots.

You can imagine that in Alaska, in which they have about 500,000 people in a state that’s as big as half of the lower 48, it’s going to be hard to have a precinct. Yeah, you will in Anchorage but elsewhere there’s going to be one person who lives 50 miles from someplace else. Mail-in ballot. If that’s what the Alaskans want to do – all for you.

But it shouldn’t be the Federal Government telling you to do that. I am all about state and local control. And if a state wants to try – God Bless You. Our founding fathers set up Federalism. But if a state say’s no, we like it the way we have it, then the state can leave it the way they want it.

SB: LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WHY ARE YOU THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB? Cassidy: I’ve worked really hard for the last 6 years to address the needs of both the people of Louisiana and the people of the United States. If you look at the issues which most confront us right now they often center around both health care and around energy policy and related jobs in

ones or the well-connected ones. I can speak with a voice to, you know, speak to whether or not you’re a doctor or whether or not you’re a single mother working multiple jobs to raise your children, and that’s what we need in DC right now. We need a strong leader, that’s going to be able to bring interests of Louisianans, interests of the unemployment benefit I was talking about when families need us the most to get through a crisis, health care that they need, not just in time of crisis but to improve all healthcare outcomes. And I’m going to go to Washington DC and I’m going to fight for Louisiana. I’m always going to put people before politics and Louisiana first in everything that I do.

Cassidy cont. both. I’m a doctor who worked for 25 years in the charity hospital system. So, the patients I know are the patients who not only had private insurance but also the patients who had no insurance whatsoever. And I would work in public health doing vaccine programs.

We vaccinated 36,000 school children – vaccinated in their school so that they wouldn’t have to miss school – at no cost to the mother or to the school system. And knowing that we had to do that so that the momma could continue to work because some mommas needed to work in order to have income so her child could have a better life. If the problems that confront our society now are “what do we do about healthcare, what do we do about public health, what do we do about energy policy knowing that it is an incredible driver of jobs,” I feel like my background of working in public health in healthcare and in a state in which jobs are such closely linked to the energy economy prepares me extremely well. I can also say over the last six years, I’ve used that experience and I have a bona fide track record.

Just speaking about health care as an example, me and another freshman Democratic Senator from Connecticut passed a Mental Health Reform bill of 2016 which was called the most comprehensive reform of mental health laws in 30 years. So that a young lady or a young man who had their first psychotic episode at 18, they would have the resources so that it would be their last psychotic episode. And when their 50, it would be a distant memory instead of a life defining event. Most recently, if you look at people committing suicide leaving the Department of Defense, so you get out of the Marines or the Air Force, they most likely commit suicide within six months of separating from the service.

On average, their first appointment in the VA is six months after they separate. We have a gap. I just had an amendment, my amendment which passed, which requires the Department of Defense and the VA to look at those people committing suicide within six months of separation to find out what could be done so that the Department of Defense works more closely with the VA so at risk people in the service are quickly warm hand shake passed off to the VA to try and make sure that the veteran has all the services she or he needs in order to have their needs met. That as informed by my work as a physician who knows that this service can be better. On energy policy I could give you example after example on energy. So, I think I can say to the voters, six years ago you trusted me that I would take my healthcare and energy and other policy expertise and work for our state and our country. And I think I can now say, in the last six years I have just given you two examples but I can give you many more. I would like to spend the next six years likewise working on that. Building upon that which I have achieved to achieve even more because again, I want to serve the people of this state and this country and there’s no better privilege.

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

51

Bank Any Place

On the Way Home

9405 Ellerbe Road

HOME OF

EWARDS CHECKING

9405 Ellerbe Road (318) 213-5750

52

SE PTEMBER 2020

You Choose Rewards Cash Back or Rewards Interest Checking!

Open an account ONLINE or at one of our branch locations.

4523 Youree Drive (318) 213-5760

8550 Fern Avenue (318) 213-5725

Shreveport | Bossier City | Monroe | West Monroe | Winnsboro ProgressiveBank.com

| SBMAG.NET

2600 Beene Boulevard (318) 213-5700

THEXPERTS

THEXPERTS Wouldn’t it be great if we all had the free time to sit around and read a book on how to do things for ourselves? Or get on You Tube and watch a demonstration on how to fix something and then actually be successful doing it? How many of us went to school to get multiple degrees so that we could manage anything that came our way in life? — Unless you’re real special, every SBMAG.NET | SEPTEMBER 2020 53 now and then it pays to ask an expert for help.

THEXPERTS: THEXPERTS

RECORD MANAGEMENT THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT CENTER

THE FINAL ANSWER FOR RECORDS STORAGE AND DESTRUCTION Located in the shadows of downtown Shreveport on North Common Street, The Records Management Center is a locally owned family business that’s been serving NWLA for over 35 years. We offer you a full-service solution and the last stop for securely managing your records.

“JUST FILL THE BOX – WE DO THE REST.” We began offering records management services in 1985 as a reaction to several problems with other storage solutions that haven’t changed much in 2020. The most common of these outdated solutions is office space storage, which is unsightly cluttered space that could be better utilized growing your business, mini-warehouse storage, which never delivers to your office and is inconvenient and more expensive, and basement storage where your records could be open to unauthorized personnel with no long term upkeep or supervision. These and most other options are also subject to water, fire, and other security hazards.

54

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

Our solution? A well placed, over 81,000 sq. ft. building where your records are safely stored on steel racks off the ground. The entire building is camera maintained with central station security alarm system. We go way beyond simple storage! As the last stop for your file storage needs, we offer file retrieval, pick up and delivery, vault storage, specialty records storage, and secured shredding destruction.

Perhaps best of all, your numbering and filing system remains unchanged, and there is NO CHARGE FOR INITIAL PICK UP if they are readily accessible.

We very much want to earn your business and take the stress of clutter off your plate. Please, visit our website dcirecordsmanagement.com, call us at 318-424-3453, email bpetree@dci.la, or make an appointment to come by and see us at 225 N. Common St. right by downtown Shreveport. The Petrees hold many records around town, and we hope that you will allow us to hold some more!

Thank you, The Petrees

THEXPERTS

THE FINAL ANSWER TO YOUR RECORDS AND STORAGE PROBLEMS • • •

• • • •

The Distributions Center is a FULL SERVICE records and electronic data storage facility.

NO CHARGE for initial records pickup if they are readily accessible.

Your records are stored on steel racks, in a safe, secure environment. Our 81,000 sq. ft. building is camera maintained with central station security alarm system.

The Records Center is centrally located within 2 minutes of downtown Shreveport.

24 hour access, 7 days per week – Courier delivery service available.

Your numbering system remains unchanged – Just request file retrieval using your number.

References available on request.

225 N. COMMON • P.O. BOX 1219 SHREVEPORT, LA 71163-1219 PHONE: (318) 424-3453 SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

55

THEXPERTS:

EVENT PLANNING 601 SPRING, EVENT VENUE WHAT IS IMPORTANT WHEN SELECTING AN EVENT VENUE? Of course, style and size is important but on top of that you want a venue that will take care of your needs.

601 Spring provides a complete service from the planning process, food/beverage, vendor selection and day-of coordination creating a seamless and stress free event. 601 Spring offers 15 years of event planning and coordination experience setting us apart from many other venues.

WHY IS HAVING YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY AND RECEPTION IN THE SAME VENUE BECOMING SUCH A POPULAR THING TO DO? Having your entire wedding in one location makes things convenient for your guests but also for everyone involved in the wedding. There is no more shuffling of guests/family, chance of traffic delays, weather issues, plus the bride and groom no longer have to wait to get to the reception/party! Transition is flawless at 601 Spring as we have space for the ceremony in our Bishop Ballroom and the reception in our Grand Ballroom. Our Lobby allows for grand entrances and can be used for cocktail hour. Our Green Room doubles as our bridal suite that makes every bride feel like a queen! Our Coach Room allows for our grooms to get ready on

site as well. We have the largest privately owned event space in Shreveport; however, we can also house small intimate events.

YOU MENTIONED STYLE AS BEING IMPORTANT WHEN SELECTING A VENUE, WHY IS THAT? Choosing a venue that has character not only adds charm to your wedding or event but makes decorating much easier. You are no longer having to create an atmosphere. Instead your space already has it. At 601 Spring your guests are WOWed the moment they enter our historical building with original tile floors, antique glass, ornate chandeliers and mahogany cathedral style doors. The allure doesn’t stop there as guests continue into our Grand Ballroom where vast views of the city through our warehouse style windows and natural lighting take their breath away.

HOW CAN PEOPLE GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU FOR MORE INFORMATION? They can contact Allie at 318300-3177 or allie@601spring.com to begin planning their perfect event.

WHAT IS SOMETHING ELSE YOU WOULD WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR FACILITY? Our versatile spaces are a blank slate allowing you to create your own vision or we can help you find your vision.

COMPLETE SERVICE EVENT PLANNING WEDDING VENUE AND PLANNING EXPERT OF SBC

318.300.3177

56

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

www.601spring.com

ARCHITECTURE PREVOT DESIGN WHAT IS AN ARCHITECT AND WHAT DO THEY DO? An architect is a licensed professional who is trained to design houses, buildings and other structures. An architect designs and plans spaces that are functional, safe, visually appealing, and meet the needs of the occupants.

Those designs are communicated through plans and technical documents for construction.

WHY HIRE AN ARCHITECT? An architect is always looking out for your best interest and advocates for your needs throughout the design process. Architects are problem solvers that work to develop solutions within your budget. Architects coordinate with other experts – engineers, local governing officials, contractors – to make sure your project is completed in a smooth and efficient process.

WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS OF YOUR ARCHITECTURE FIRM? Our strengths include providing a diverse and comprehensive design process; we have the ability to take on any

THEXPERTS

type and size project ranging from small home renovations to multi-million-dollar building structures. Our firm works in an open, collaborative environment as a team of architects and interior designers.

YOU MENTIONED THAT YOUR FIRM WORKS IN A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT. HOW DOES THAT STRENGTHEN YOUR QUALITY OF DESIGN? When you work together as a team, the members bring their unique talents and individual perspectives to each project. The client benefits from the creativity of multiple team members as opposed to a single viewpoint.

WHERE CAN WE SEE MORE OF YOUR WORK OR CONNECT WITH YOU? You may check out our website www.prevotdesign.com or any of our active social media accounts by searching us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. You can reach out to any of our team members at 318-227-9244. We look forward to building a relationship with you for your next project!

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

57

THEXPERTS:

HEALTH AND BEAUTY AVALON HAIR SALON

A DREAM IS A WISH YOUR HEART MAKES. The phrase was made famous in one of the early Disney animations, but it could also be written as the story of Avalon Hair Salon. Avalon Hair Salon started with a dream….my dream…and a vision to serve guests of all ages with dignity and respect, while helping them to create beauty, style and grace.

While we ALL are looking for that steady moment through uncertain times ... know Avalon Hair Salon is consistent in providing our community for 22 years with

beautiful hair and beauty experience

a . We have always been a leader in our local beauty/barbering industry providing continuing education for our team, staying up to date with great practices using systems that give our stylists what they need to best meet your needs... So please come for a tour of our salon company and meet the dedicated stylists of Shreveport Bossier who love what they do and that is creating beautiful hair and make up for You and Your special moments.

If, indeed, a dream is a wish your heart makes, my dream came true with the creation of Avalon Hair Salon. Come

58

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

join our family of valued guests, and let us create for you a new way to

beauty, style and grace.

Thank you from Grace Anne and Team Avalon!

3730 YOUREE DRIVE SHREVEPORT, LA 71105 318-861-HAIR AVALONHAIRSALON.NET LIKE US @AVALONHAIRSALON FB AVALON HAIR SALON @graceannerockshair @heatherharrishair @curlupanddyewithchrystalb @victoriacoatesredken @elizabethlongo_redken @hair.bykyrah @hairbyhannahbison @abbieatavalon @hairartbyandy

THEXPERTS

ROOFING BAYOU STATE ROOFING Bayou State Roofing is a locally owned and operated company that specializes in Residential and Commercial Roofing. For 8 years, they have served the Shreveport Bossier area, and most recently helped those in need of roofs and repairs in Lake Charles after Hurricane Laura.

Bayou State is licensed and insured to specifically work on roofs, while many roofing companies and contractors do not have roofing on their liability insurance. Out of state roofers, builders, contractors are not bound by the warranties of Louisiana. They are also not here to personally answer questions and help with your specific needs. They go back home and you’re left with their possible mistakes.

Bayou State works with you from beginning to end and after the job. They aren’t done when the roof is up. They want to make sure you’re happy and safe in your home.

WHAT IS BAYOU STATE ROOFING’S GOAL? We aren’t just in the roofing business. We are striving to revolutionize roofing and labor standards in Louisiana. While we love our state, it is true we face some serious weather conditions. We need roofs to withstand hail and high winds. We need to protect our workers and make sure our customers are receiving the pinnacle of service available.

WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER ROOFING COMPANIES? We try new technologies and think outside the box. We are the first roofing company in Louisiana to install the patented F Wave shingle, the 99th in the country. A 30% decrease in the electric bill has been seen in just a few months of installation of the F Wave shingle.

WHAT DO I DO IF I THINK I NEED A NEW ROOF VERSUS KNOWING THERE IS DAMAGE? High wind and hail damage, or general wear and tear, may not be seen by the homeowner without actually getting on the roof. We can do that for you. An estimate is free.

However, if you know there is damage, multiple estimates are not needed to make a claim with your insurance company. Your insurance company will provide a scope for the claim and Bayou State will work with your insurance company to provide the best option for protecting your home and family.

TESTIMONIAL “I love my F Wave Roof, and I am happy to talk to anyone about it, or let them come up with me and see. We wanted a roof that looked like a Highland roof and would also be durable.

Bayou State Roofing did a great job handling my claim and roof. I couldn’t be happier.”

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

59

THEXPERTS:

CBD & CBG HEMPRESS

WHO ARE WE? We are proud to be the finest CBG retailer in Shreveport and Texarkana.

Our mission is to provide our community with a safe and natural way to promote wellness. We strive to provide dedicated care, service, and top quality products directly to our clients. We offer CBG skincare, stress and pain relief products, and other wellness products.

NOT SURE WHAT WOULD WORK BEST FOR YOU? Through our success we have opened a storefront to help better educate our clients on what our products are and what products would be best for you based on your needs.

We have an in house bakery and fresh baked products, CBG Terpenes Candies, and CBG candles, bath bombs, serums, tea, and more. Our clients can rest assured that they’ll receive only premium grade CBG products from Hempress. We always ensure every product is safe and effective and will be happy to educate you on which products best suit your needs.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE AILMENTS WE CAN HELP TREAT WITH OUR PRODUCTS? Our broad spectrum oils, balms, and lotions offer a variety of health benefits including the reduction of inflammation, pain, nausea and has been effective in working to slow the proliferation of cancer cells. These are just a few of the many products we have in store.

FORMERLY KNOWN AS CANNABIS WITH LOVE, WHAT DOES THE NAME CHANGE MEAN FOR YOU? Cannibas with Love is now Hempress! Same owners, same products (with more being introduced), and same philosophy that we only sell products that we manufac-

60

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

ture and formulas we create! You will not find our products in our competitor’s storefronts. You can find us at 3766 Youree Drive in Shreveport. We are continuously adding to our inventory to better service our community ensuring your health, wellness, and lifestyle is the absolute best it can be!

IF YOU’RE NOT AT CANNABIS WITH LOVE/ HEMPRESS, THEN YOU’RE IN THE WRONG SPOT! HEMPRESSCBG.COM 318-310-3700 OWNER: MISS PENNY RYAN

THEXPERTS

CREDIT UNION CARTER CREDIT UNION

WHAT MAKES CREDIT UNIONS DIFFERENT FROM BANKS? One of the most important differences between credit unions and banks is the credit union industry’s philosophy of “people helping people.” Whether you are sixty-five or twenty, this philosophy resonates well with all generations.

Another difference is our not for profit status. In simple terms, this means that a large portion of a credit union’s profits will be returned back to its customers in the form of lower loan rates and higher rates on deposits. Banks, on the other hand, are responsible for profits being distributed to both shareholders and the board of directors.

Board of directors for credit unions are made up of volunteers and receive no payment for their commitment to serve. There is a great misconception that you have to work or live in a certain area to take advantage of credit union services. This simply is not true. Anyone can bank at Carter Credit Union!

WHY SHOULD SOMEONE BANK WITH CARTER CREDIT UNION? There are many reasons for doing business with Carter, but a few of the most important reasons would be our people, products, and technology. Carter prides itself on the level of services we offer and the many avenues of technology available for our customers. For example, applying for a loan like most banks is automated. This is great for customers with excellent credit. On the other hand, there are many applicants with less than excellent credit that need a different look. Carter understands that not everyone fits perfectly into the narrow lending pro-

files a computer relies on, so we are here to help.

Our product line and services offer everything from free checking, free auto buying consulting service, to business lending and commercial deposit services. Our Member Business Services team provides business customers with an extensive level of experience and knowledge in the industry. With our advancements in technology, we are continually enhancing how we serve our customers.

Our Personal Teller Machines allow customers to interact, if they choose, with a live teller to conduct their transactions. These systems allow us to extend our hours for customers, as well as provide the convenience if they prefer not to come into a branch. If they prefer branch visits, we offer that atmosphere as well.

At Carter, we understand that it’s not always easy to get to the branch. We will soon be providing a service that will allow us to come where you are. CarterLIVE! is a free video banking service that allows you to meet face to face with a Carter lending team member from your smart device or pc in the comfort of your home or office.

Carter is transforming your banking experience! We are excited about our new location and would love for everyone to stop by and visit us on Ellerbe Road in Shreveport.

8988 ELLERBE ROAD • SHREVEPORT LA • 318-864-9964 2901 MEADOW CREEK • BOSSIER CITY, LA • 318-746-6447 6885 BERT KOUNS • SHREVEPORT, LA • 318-688-3620 COMING SOON • SHREVEPORT BLANCHARD HWY • SHREVEPORT, LA SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

61

THEXPERTS:

OUTSOURCED ACCOUNTING CFO PROSOLUTIONS

TESTIMONIAL FROM CLIENT LAUREN LECOMPTE — OWNER OF JB PINNACLE GROUP I started my business in early 2016, but work didn’t really take off until 2018. The business grew faster than I could manage, and I found myself in desperate need of a Director of Finance or CFO. Unfortunately, I couldn’t justify a full-time employee in that role. Coincidentally I was browsing through SB Magazine, thinking about the quandary I was in. I was especially interested in that edition of SB because it was about women in business. That’s when I saw a snapshot of CFO Pro Solutions, and I immediately called. Missy fit me in for a consultation the same week. From the moment I walked into her office, I knew

she was the person for me. It’s no secret that people are a business’s most important asset, Missy and her staff are absolutely included as part of that collective group for me.

They are professional, knowledgeable, prompt to reply, reasonably priced, and always willing to help. Perhaps the most important thing to me is their sincere desire to help me become more successful in my business. They’ve taught me so much and further enhanced my accounting knowledge. I used to lose sleep worrying about whether or not my financial housekeeping was in order. Though I might still lose sleep, it’s not ever because I am concerned about bookkeeping or my financial reports. Missy has created a culture of confidence and professionalism that spills over from her employees to her customers.

We offer a broad range of services for business owners and individuals.

Our professional services are designed to save you valuable time with your accounting, so you can spend your time focused on running a profitable business.

Missy Fussell, Owner Accountant & QuickBooks Pro Advisor

BOOKKEEPING

QUICKBOOKS

OUTSOURCED PAYROLL

405 Ashley Ridge Blvd. • Shreveport, LA 71106 • 318.629.6266 • shreveportcfo.com

62

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

BUSINESS VALUATION THEXPERTS & FORENSIC ACCOUNTING CHAD M. GARLAND CPA, LLC

A licensed CPA in Louisiana since 1981 and in Texas since 2009, Chad specializes in forensic accounting, business valuation, expert witness testimony and litigation services and is one of only four business appraisers in the state of Louisiana to hold the ASA business valuation credential. His mission is to provide outstanding value and results for every client.

•

3 MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DO YOU PERFORM TRADITIONAL CPA SERVICES? Yes, my firm provides a wide variety of services such as Tax Preparation & advisory services, management consulting, and accounting/bookkeeping services.

WHY DO I NEED A BUSINESS VALUATION? A business valuation helps establish a baseline value which enables you to create more informed financial goals, business strategies and marketing objectives. If you are buying or selling a business, going through a divorce, estate & succession planning, in shareholder/partner disputes, or participating in gifting programs, you will need a business valuation.

WHAT TYPES OF WORK DOES A FORENSIC CPA DO? • Embezzlement and employee fraud investigation • Business economic claims • Personal injury claims-assist attorney with economic calculations • Bankruptcy-assist attorney with court filing on accounting matters

• •

Divorce- assist in finding hidden assets, preparation of detailed descriptive lists of assets/liabilities, business valuation, & child support calculations Assist in designing internal controls for a business Provide expert testimony in court on accounting, economic, finance, and other business-related topics

CREDENTIALS: • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) • Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) • Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) • Certified Global Management Accountant (CGMA) • Master Analyst in Financial Forensics (MAFF) • Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) • Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) • Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) • Master in Business Administration (MBA)

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

63

THEXPERTS:

SPEECH PATHOLOGY JETER SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY SERVICES SOCIAL/PRAGMATICS: Make connections with other families learning to speak English or Spanish by joining us to enrich language and social skills naturally in our unique, bilingual play groups (certified interpreter present for all sessions).

CERTIFICATIONS: VITALSTIM®: a non-invasive, external electrical stimulation therapy that uses specifically designed electrodes applied to the muscles of the throat to promote proper swallowing.

LSVT LOUD®: an effective speech treatment for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other neurological conditions. LSVT LOUD improves communication by helping you speak with a voice and volume that’s easy for others to hear and understand. The treatment is built on tailored exercises that strengthen the voice box (larynx) and speech system.

Jeter Speech Language Pathology Services is a locally owned Speech and Language Clinic in Shreveport. For 6 years we have offered proactive, quality healthcare in a safe and comfortable environment. Our mission is to provide evidence-based assessment and treatment to pediatric and adult patients with feeding, swallowing, speech-language, cognitive and voice disorders. We develop and implement patient specific plans and educate/ train caregivers to carryover those plans in the natural home environment for continued progress. At Jeter Speech Language Pathology Services, your treatment is our number one priority, and we make sure to meet all your needs in a timely manner.

AMPCARE ESP™: a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment for dysphagia that combines the most effective electrical stimulation parameters with resistive exercises. The result is improved quality of muscle contraction and swallowing function.

3 COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS DO YOU JUST TREAT KIDS? No, we treat both adults and children.

DO YOU ONLY OFFER SERVICES IN THE CLINIC? Actually, we are able to offer some services in the home depending on your insurance. We are able to treat most Medicare Part B patients in the home. We also provide telehealth therapy services.

SERVICES:

SHOULD I WAIT IT OUT FOR MY CHILD TO START TALKING? We recommend obtaining an evaluation if you, as a parent or physician, believe the child is showing signs of being developmentally delayed.

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SERVICES: Our professional team is here to assess and treat speech and language disorders in both the pediatric and adult populations.

CAN MY CHILD HAVE FEEDING OR SWALLOWING ISSUES AT TWO? Yes, it is more common than one may realize. Feeding and swallowing disorders do exist in pediatric populations.

SWALLOWING AND FEEDING DISORDERS: Specialized care for feeding and swallowing disorders in all age groups.

COGNITION AND MEMORY: Expert treatment for all patients with speech-language and cognitive declines due to neurological diseases such as Alzheimers and other dementias, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, or traumatic disorders due to head trauma and cerebrovascular diseases.

64

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

DOES YOUR CLINIC HAVE OCCUPATIONAL AND PHYSICAL THERAPY? We are excited to announce we will be offering both occupational and physical therapy services in the Fall 2020.

318-219-6064 WWW.JETERSLPSERVICES.COM INFO@JETERSLPSERVICES.COM 1950 E 70TH ST SUITE C, SHREVEPORT, LA

THEXPERTS

CUSTOM ARMS & AMMO DAVTAC Davtac is the local expert in Custom Arms and Ammo.

Lee Daville has been in business for 7 years serving Bossier City, Shreveport, and surrounding areas. He strives to be the place where you can meet all of your firearm related needs under one roof. He meets your safety and training needs with an on- site gun range. DavTac literally does anything firearms related.

WHAT CLASSES DO YOU OFFER? We offer security guard training, concealed carry and renewal, Ladies only classes, and any NRA pistol/rifle courses. We have a full calendar on our website.

DO YOU JUST SELL GUNS AND AMMO? Not even close. We can apply Cerakote and we also have a variety of gun safes, optics, concealed carry purses, shirts, and many more accessories. We build custom bolt rifles here in house to our customers specifications.

WHAT IF I WANT TO PRACTICE? TRY OUT DIFFERENT GUNS? DO YOU OFFER A GUN RANGE? We have an onsite gun range with ten, climate controlled lanes. We have rental guns available to try, to get used to a different feel, or just to see if you like it before you buy it. You can also bring your own to shoot, and see what accessories we have that could customize your own gun.

You can basically just walk in, and we will provide you with everything you need for a fun, safe experience at our shooting range.

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

65

THEXPERTS:

GENERAL DENTISTRY RABALAIS DENTAL CENTRE, DR. SHELLY RABALAIS

Rabalais Dental Centre offers general family dentistry for all ages. The team approach to dentistry, which includes the patient, is most important from start to finish. Treatment ranges from general dental care to complex dental procedures, utilizing modern technology.

Services include dental cosmetic procedures, crowns, bridges, implant restoration and a wide array of other preventative care procedures.

Dr. Rabalais earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, a master’s degree from Louisiana Tech, and her doctorate from Louisiana State University Dental School at New Orleans. Dr. Rabalais is a member of the American Dental Association, the Louisiana Dental Association and the Spear Study Group.

WHAT PROTECTIVE MEASURES ARE TAKEN AGAINST COVID-19?

Just as before Covid-19, sanitation and hygiene are our highest priority. Since the on-set of Covid-19, we take extra measures to ensure strict adherence to public health and safety as recommended by the Louisiana Department of Health. We have implemented the use of questionnaires regarding wellness which are administered 24 hours prior to and upon arrival to your dental appointment in addition to temperature checks as you enter. To reduce occupancy we are heavily scrutinizing appointment times for separation and we do not permit patients in the waiting room. Doors have been installed in every room utilized for patient care, as it is our goal that there be no interaction between patients. Hypochlorous acid is used between patients to disinfect and sanitize all surface

areas and is mist into the air. Air purifiers with UVC filters are used in all rooms to ensure pure air quality.

Hypochlorous acid is a hospital grade disinfectant that is extremely safe and effective against Covid-19. The health of our patients and staff is always at the forefront of our minds, we are constantly evolving with the ever changing information we receive about Covid-19.

DO I REALLY NEED TO FLOSS? Unfortunately, there is no getting around the need to get around your teeth daily (pun intended) with dental floss. It is vitally important to remove food and plaque from between the teeth and under the gum-line. If not removed, plaque forms and hardens into tartar. This creates wedges between the tooth and gum, widening the space between them. The result is the progression of painful gum disease. Waxed or un-waxed floss will get the job done as well as floss picks or interdental brushes.

IS TEETH GRINDING REALLY A PROBLEM? Yes, teeth grinding can lead to big problems. One of the most common causes of teeth grinding is stress but it is also linked to malalignment of teeth, some medications or even some medical conditions. Problems that can occur are damage to teeth or dental work, pain in the jaw, headaches, tooth mobility and tooth sensitivity. It is important to inform your dentist if you are experiencing any of these problems. It is common to treat teeth grinding with an appliance called a nightguard.

OUR MISSION We pride ourselves on

providing dental care for the entire family focusing on all aspects of your oral health in an anxiety free atmosphere. Our impressive combination of the latest dental technology, up-to-date training, and compassionate customer service allow our team to provide you with personalized care and service to make your visits to our office as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Through a cooperative effort of both the patient, and our dental team, we produce customized treatment necessary to keep your smile as bright and healthy as it can possibly be.

2164 Airline Drive | Bossier City 318.747.3270 rabalaisdentalcentre.com

66

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

OFFICE HOURS Monday - Thursday 7:00am-4:00pm

THEXPERTS

AUTO GLASS GLASS SERVICES, CHARLIE PIPPIN Charlie Pippin has been in the glass business for over 24 years in north Louisiana. He owns Glass Services located in Shreveport, Bossier City and Mansfield. Glass Services is a member of the Auto Glass Safety Council (agsc.org) and Charlie is licensed with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors specifically for glass and glazing.

WHAT ROLE DOES MY WINDSHIELD PLAY IN AN ACCIDENT? The windshield is a structural component of the vehicle providing integrity to the cabin when an accident occurs. It absorbs the force of the collision and is a part of the safety restraint system. The windshield keeps the roof from crushing the occupants of the vehicle, allows airbags to deploy correctly, and prevents the occupants from being ejected during a crash. Some assume that windshield cracks are only a cosmetic distraction and do not realize that it can affect the safety of the vehicle. With the addition of ADAS technology to vehicles, many cameras are mounted to the windshields now and have to be calibrated after the windshield is replaced.

WHAT IS ADAS TECHNOLOGY? Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology is a group of rapidly

growing new features that make the vehicle safer and provide additional tools when operating the vehicle. Some examples of this technology include adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, collision avoidance system, lane departure warning system, lane keep assist and night vision.

Glass Services has the experience to ensure a complete, correct and safe windshield replacement every time. After the windshield is replaced it is necessary to have the cameras calibrated. Glass Services can calibrate the cameras for most makes and models.

WHAT IS CALIBRATION? Calibration is the process of returning a vehicle’s ADAS to the original manufacturer’s specifications. It is necessary after a new glass installation when a camera is mounted at the windshield. This ensures that the safety features function as originally intended. If the system is not properly calibrated, then the system may not function safely. Glass Services can take care of the calibration for the customer at the same time that the windshield is replaced and insurance companies cover the cost of the calibration with a glass replacement.

S E C I V SER AUTO GLASS REPAIR & REPLACEMENT SHOWER ENCLOSURES & MIRRORS TABLETOP & WINDOW GLASS COMMERCIAL STOREFRONTS SHREVEPORT • BOSSIER CITY • MANSFIELD 318.524.9980 • GLASSSERVICES.ORG SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

67

THEXPERTS:

PEST CONTROL JP PESTS AWAY, LLC

I HAD MY HOME TREATED FOR FLEAS, BUT THEY REAPPEARED. WHY?

ARE THE PRODUCTS I USE IN MY HOME SAFE FOR MY CHILDREN AND PETS?

Fleas, like butterflies, do complete metamorphosis—egg, larvae, cocoon, and then adult. Once in the cocoon stage, it could take 4-5 months for them to emerge; therefore, you must use a growth regulator to prevent this. They will last 6-7 months.

Yes, all products are safe when properly applied. A lot of insects can be controlled by exterior only. Also, baits put in strategic locations are safe and have a low impact on pets and humans.

I HAVE A FAIRLY NEW HOUSE THAT IS BRICK ON A SLAB. SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT TERMITES? Yes, the majority of houses we treat are 5-10 years old.

Look for mud shelter tubes on the slab. You won’t see the termites, just the mud tunnels.

CAN YOU GET RID OF MY INSECT PROBLEM WITH ONE TREATMENT? Some insects, yes, but others will need routine treatment to control them, especially flying insects like mosquitoes, waterbugs, and wasps.

DO YOU DO WILDLIFE TRAPPING? Yes, we have an expert at setting out live traps to catch and relocate squirrels, raccoons, opossums, and other critters.

68

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

THEXPERTS

CLEANING & PAINTING KLEAN ME UP KLEANING & PAINTING SERVICES, LLC

Klean Me Up Kleaning & Painting Services, LLC, is a family and locally owned business established in 2013. We are dedicated to providing you with professional residential and commercial cleaning and painting services at affordable prices. You can also count on us for reliable and top of the line work. When you choose us to do the work you are choosing quality in both cleaning and painting services. Call us today and learn more about our services.

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER? We offer cleaning and painting services. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the company has taken extra precautions to not only protect themselves, but to help protect others, while working by following the CDC recommended guidelines. We are now using the disinfectant fogger machine to disinfect entire office spaces, buildings, residential homes, nursing homes, car lots, and more. It is capable of cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and deodorizing in a single step.

WHAT KIND OF DISINFECTANT DO YOU USE IN THE FOGGER? Botanical Disinfectant Solution WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO SPRAY THE DISINFECTANT? We like to come in after everyone is gone so we can spray everything down real good from door handle to chairs and armrests, throughout the entire building. We make sure a surface is not missed and all is disinfected with our Botanical Disinfectant Solution.

CALL OR EMAIL TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE 318-393-2068 VGLOVER02@AOL.COM VERONICA AND KENNETH GLOVER

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

69

THEXPERTS:

PEDIATRIC THERAPY LITTLE WORKS IN PROGRESS MY CHILD WILL NOT PAY ATTENTION WHEN I SIT DOWN TO READ TO HIM. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET HIM TO PAY ATTENTION DURING STORY TIME? Start off small. That is the golden rule for any child with attention difficulties. Read for a small amount of time, then give a reward. Gradually increase the time reading; as well as, the rewards. Make it fun! Make silly faces and read in funny voices to engage your child and create a fun environment during reading time.

HOW DO I CHOSE WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO WORK ON? Speak with your child’s therapist and ask them what specific area or task should be addressed before moving on to others. This can be determined through their evaluation, coupled with your input and observation as a parent.

WHAT ARE SENSORY ISSUES? Our bodies receive information from the environment through seven senses: touch, sound, sight, taste, smell,

70

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

movement, and pressure on the body. Sometimes the body is over or under responsive to one or more areas resulting in behavioral changes. A few common behaviors parents often notice are sensitivity to loud noises, crashing/bumping into walls or the floor, picky eaters, dislike getting their hands “dirty”, and seeking oral input (biting, putting nonfoods in mouth).

DO MILESTONES REALLY MATTER? In short, yes, but it is important to understand why. A milestone is what 90% of children can do at a certain age. For example, while the 24-month-old milestone is to have 50 words and a 2-word phrase, the average 2-yearold might have more like 200-300 words and multiple 2-word phrases. So, if your child has not met their speech milestones, it is more than likely they’ll need intervention. If you suspect your child is behind, early detection and intervention are key to catching them up.

THEXPERTS

BAKING

LOWDER BAKING COMPANY WHAT TIME DO YOU START BAKING IN THE MORNING AT LOWDER BAKING COMPANY?

Our baking crew typically starts their morning at 2:00 am! Every croissant, cinnamon roll, loaf of bread, cookie, and more is made from scratch each day using the highest quality ingredients. The majority of our breakfast pastries and breads are a two-day process – beginning with measuring, mixing, kneading, shaping, then allowing the dough to slow rise overnight.

Our early morning start time allows for our doughs to begin their final proof before being baked in our ovens either our stone deck oven or convection oven, depending on the item. This allows for our croissants to be fresh and flaky, with the perfect buttery crisp – and our cinnamon rolls to be light and airy by the time our doors open. After the final batches of fresh baked breads are out, we are already preparing for the next day by mixing and working more dough.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO HOME BAKERS? 1.

Use a scale to measure your ingredients! This can make a huge difference when it comes to consistency with your recipes. Cooking may be an art, but Baking is a science. And science requires exact measurements every time! Depending on how tightly packed a certain ingredient can be, a 1/2-cup scoop can vary quite drastically in weight each time. We recommend a simple, small digital kitchen scale.

2. Windowpane Test. When kneading your bread dough at home, it can sometimes be intimidating to know: how much kneading is enough? A great way to tell if your bread dough has been sufficiently kneaded is to use the “windowpane test”. After kneading, take a small piece of your dough (ideally the size of a golf ball) and stretch it between your thumbs and pointer fingers until you create a square-shaped , thin, translucent “windowpane”. If you can do this without it tearing easily, your gluten-structure is well developed and ready to proof. If it breaks apart, continue to knead for another few minutes, then test it again.

WHAT ARE YOUR MOST POPULAR ITEMS AT LOWDER BAKING COMPANY? We have a few categories on our menu throughout the year: 1) Breakfast Pastries, 2) Breads, 3) Sweets and 4) King Cakes during Mardi Gras season! Our best sellers typically are: Breakfast Pastries: Cinnamon Rolls, Fresh Fruit Danish; Breads: Baguettes, Jalapeno Cheddar Bread; Sweets: Cookie Cakes, Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies FUN FACT: On average, we use over 1,200 lbs of flour each WEEK at Lowder Baking Company!

4019 FERN AVE #500 SHREVEPORT, LA 318-562-1150 LOWDERBAKING.COM @LOWDERBAKINGCO SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

71

THEXPERTS:

EDUCATION LSUS, CYBER COLLABORATORY

PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF INDUSTRY LEADERS Digital Dexterity is defined as the ability and desire to exploit existing and emerging technologies for better business outcomes*. As organizations around the globe work to adapt to the rapidly changing needs of the new technology-driven paradigm, human resource needs are changing as well. Across all industries there is a growing demand for employees who can adapt quickly to new realities, and who have the foundational skill sets that allow them to learn and grow while performing their roles at the highest levels. At LSUS, we understand what this means for our students, and we have enhanced our curricula and facilities to provide a more outcome-focused and holistic developmental path to success.

The LSUS Cyber Collaboratory, a major component of this on-campus evolution, is a state-of-the-art immersive learning space where students, faculty, and industry partners can come together to discuss, research, and create their visions utilizing cutting-edge technologies. The mission of the Collaboratory is to give students hands-on real-world experience by fostering cross-discipline collaboration with industry partners, to teach K-12 students and teachers how to use emergent technology, and to be a resource for local industry.

INNOVATION THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURE •

72

The 10,000 sq. ft Cyber Collaboratory houses a multitude of cutting-edge technologies. From industrial metal, carbon fiber, and large-scale 3D printing, to robotics, virtual reality, holographics, and even esSE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

ports, there are a wide range of technologies available for almost any project and interest.

•

The Design-Thinking Lab, modeled after the Stanford Design-Thinking Process, teaches students problem-solving through critical thinking in a technology-free zone. These creative solutions can then be built and tested in the Cyber Collaboratory.

INDUSTRY TESTED FACULTY •

New faculty members in Computer Science are being brought on for their expertise in cutting edge technologies such as Internet of Things, Machine Learning, and Cyber Security.

•

New faculty members in Digital Arts are being brought on to focus on Virtual Reality, Industry Modeling and Design, and Data Visualizations.

•

New faculty in The School of Business were brought on for their expertise in Data Analytics.

A CAMPUS-WIDE IMPACT Whether students enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, or the College of Education and Human Development at LSUS, there will be key opportunities for intersecting with the Cyber Collaboratory through projects and research. With the Cyber Collaboratory’s advanced technology supported by passionate faculty and students, no matter where your path may lead you can find your anchor at LSUS. COLLAB.LSUS.EDU *source: Gartner.com

THEXPERTS

WEDDING PLANNER

MANDY CATHEY

WHY HIRE A WEDDING EVENT PLANNER? Planning a wedding can be exciting but also a stressful time. There is much more involved than booking vendors for the ceremony and reception. There are many details beyond that to pay attention to that you would not normally think of before your big day. Additionally, making decisions about music, food, or stationary are all important as well. But most important is the logistics of taking care of these details in a timely manner and the logistics of how the wedding weekend will take place. Having a wedding planner that works with you during this process makes the process go smoother and much more enjoyable when the actual big day arrives. Leaving your parents, the Bride and Groom and family the time to enjoy everything about this special occasion. This time should be magical for you and your significant other and should be focused on your happily ever after… not meeting with vendors and selecting minor details.

WHAT SERVICES DO I OFFER? Mandy Cathey Weddings & Events is a full-service wedding design and coordination company that is passionate about and committed to providing the utmost service to clients. I have been a licensed florist for 29 years and have been planning weddings and events for over 15 years. We have a broad inventory of vessels for florals and candles in assorted sizes and styles, prop rentals, linens and much more! I take pride in working with you during this process. Creating an event that exceeds your dreams and expectations. To see some of my creativity you can go to my website and look at my photo gallery.

HOW TO DECIDE WHAT COLOR AND DESIGN FOR YOUR WEDDING? This day should be a reflection of you and your fiance’, so make choices and decisions that will help tell your personal story, your love story! It could be a quote, favorite color, piece of art, or a cherished heirloom that has been used or passed down. If it’s something that is near and dear to you, there are various ways to incorporate it into the ceremony or reception. Favorite colors do not necessarily have to be the main color but can be incorporated in as napkins, accent color or an additional color to floral’s. I always love that one thing that sets your event apart from everyone else’s.

HOW TO SURVIVE PLANNING A WEDDING DURING A WORLD WIDE PANDEMIC? My advice is to accept the State guidelines at the presence phase that your date is scheduled. Embrace the venue and guidelines. Work with your planner or professionals to have a fabulous event. Consider the venue, number of guest it will accommodate, your menu and the layout. Safety for your guests will provide comfort for them to enjoy the event you’re hosting.

WWW.MANDYCATHEY.COM 318-663-5384

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

73

THEXPERTS:

MORTGAGE LENDING NOLA LENDING GROUP, A DIVISION OF FIDELITY BANK

NOLA Lending Group offers Residential Mortgage Lending and has been a mutually owned community bank since 1908.

We help our clients achieve their dream of home ownership by delivering an exceptional experience focused on their needs.

Our mission, vision and values define Fidelity Bank’s foundation. Our core values are our promise to our clients. When we live the mission, “Here for Good”, and our values we enrich our strong heritage and ensure our longevity as a financially stable and operationally sound institution.

BRIAN DAVIDSON –NOLA LENDING GROUP SHREVEPORT

JONATHAN CLEM – NOLA LENDING GROUP BOSSIER CITY

9242 Ellerbe Road Suite 100 Shreveport, LA 71106 318-703-3531

1000 Chinaberry Drive Suite 402 Bossier City, LA 71111 318-716-7621

WHAT ARE INTEREST RATES DOING? In 2020, we have seen extraordinarily low interest rates. This summer 30-year mortgage rates fell below the Prime Rate (currently 3.25%) for the first time in my 27-year career in home lending! This has created a huge surge in the demand for both purchases and refinances.

If a person is considering either, then now is the time to act! I am 51 years old, and it is possible that mortgage rates may not be this low again in my lifetime.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAMS? We have an excellent portfolio of first-time homebuyer programs, offering low down payments and interest rates.

In some cases, we can provide down payment assistance.

And, in even other cases, a down payment may not even be required, such as with Rural Development (USDARD) Loans and VA Loans.

NOLALENDING.COM

74

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED TO BUY A HOME? There are several factors that are considered when determining if someone is qualified to purchase a home.

Several of those factors considered are the “three C’s,” (Credit, Capacity and Collateral). For credit, we pull a mortgage related credit report with FICO scores through Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. Generally, to be eligible for our loan programs, the median credit score out of those three credit bureaus scores would need to be 640 and above. These scores are representative of several factors…how long you’ve had credit (credit depth), how well you’ve made your payments on those accounts, and how much you utilize credit. In other words, how much of your credit limit are you using?

We also want to see how well you’ll be able to pay back your mortgage loan with the amount of stable income that you can document (capacity). Typically, we’ll want a 2-year history of receiving your current income, but you don’t necessarily have to be with the same employer for those 2 years. For the most part, if it’s the same line of work and we can document that the income level is stable or increasing, we can use that income for qualifying. All loan programs will have a maximum Debt to Income (DTI) requirement, although your Gov’t loans like FHA and VA will allow for a higher DTI. For capacity…most loan programs, other than VA or USDA (Rural Development) loans do require a down payment.

However, you don’t have to put 20% down in order to purchase a home. Although, some buyers may not be approved at a higher LTV (loan to value) but would receive an approval with an additional amount of money down.

THEXPERTS

FUNERAL PLANNING ROSE-NEATH FUNERAL HOME

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PRE-PLAN YOUR OWN FUNERAL? Pre-planning benefits both you and your loved ones. You get to work with a funeral director to plan the funeral that you want without the pressure of time. The funeral that you want at a price that you are comfortable with and the price is locked in. This is much less stressful than your loved ones trying to put together a whole funeral in a few hours, where it is too easy for those in grief to emotionally over spend and you get your wishes followed.

YOU MENTIONED MONEY. DOES PRE-PLANNING ALSO AFFECT OTHER COSTS? It does. Once you have planned out your funeral, you will know the costs and can begin to prepare. This may involve creating a savings account or a pre-need policy. The traditional method of financing a funeral is a life insurance policy designed to pay for the service and other expenses. A Kilpatrick Life agent will be happy to create a policy tailored to meet your needs. By pre-planning not only your service but also how to pay for it, it saves your family money by freeing them the need to pay for the service with a high interest rate credit card or having to come up with cash with no notice.

YOUR FAMILY HAS BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY FOR THREE GENERATIONS, DATING BACK TO THE GREAT DEPRESSION. DOES THAT PUT ADDED PRESSURE ON YOU? Not pressure. We are privileged to serve families generation after generation. When we help a family get through such a difficult time, we don’t intend for the relationship to end there. At Rose-Neath we aren’t just here to earn your business but also to earn your trust.

WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU MADE DURING COVID19 TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO SAY GOODBYE TO THEIR LOVED ONES SAFELY? We have reduced the amount of people who can attend the funeral to 50% until restrictions are lifted while maintaining social distancing. All services now have the capability to be done live through the zoom platform, allowing those who can’t travel or attend to watch via their phone, tablet or computer. The option to hold a memorial service for your loved one once the pandemic restrictions have been lifted will be an option for all of our families.

“Since 1932, Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Homes, Crematorium and Cemeteries, Inc. have been serving northwest Louisiana families during the most difficult of times.”

— Margaret Shehee, President, Rose-Neath Funeral Homes

www.rose-neath.com 1815 MARSHALL STREET SHREVEPORT, LA 318.222.0348

2201 AIRLINE DRIVE BOSSIER CITY, LA 318.746.2543

2500 SOUTHSIDE DRIVE, SHREVEPORT, LA 318.687.1256 SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

75

THEXPERTS:

REAL ESTATE EXPERT SARAH MCCOY — DIAMOND REALTY & ASSOCIATES

MOVING WITH MCCOY “I STRIVE TO MAKE EVERY TRANSACTION AS STRESS-FREE AND STRAIGHT FORWARD AS POSSIBLE FOR BOTH BUYERS AND SELLERS.” KNOWLEDGEABLE AND DEPENDABLE, SARAH MCCOY IS READY TO GET YOU A QUICK CLOSE!

Meet your local realty expert Sarah McCoy. Raised in the SBC area, Sarah holds the title of being a top producer for Diamond Realty, dealing primarily with properties in Shreveport, Bossier City, and the surrounding areas.

Sarah loves watching her community grow and values the real estate progress in this area. “I want to help the community to continue growing in the right direction by helping my clients buy and sell their homes, making their dreams come true.”

• • • •

DIAMOND REALTY ROOKIE OF THE YEAR 2018 TOP LISTING AGENT (#1 LISTING AGENT IN MAY FOR DIAMOND) HOLDS TITLE OF BEING A TOP PRODUCING AGENT OVER 6 MILLION DOLLARS IN CLOSED SALES FOR 2019 AS AN INDEPENDENT AGENT

TOP 3 COMMON QUESTIONS:

important thing to do first. It makes the process easier for you and your agent. When you know exactly what your budget is and the type of loan you are doing, your agent is able to show you homes that will be a perfect fit and not waste any time. If you look for homes without being approved first, you are only hurting yourself... and by that, I mean you may get your hopes up for a home you love but can’t afford it. Or you can afford more than you think. Getting pre-approved first will allow you to waste no time and find the perfect home quickly! When you find the one, you will be able to submit an offer with no delays.

HOW DO WE GO ABOUT SELLING AND PURCHASING A NEW HOME? WHAT COMES FIRST? I get this question a lot when my clients have a home to sell and want to purchase a new one. This process can seem a bit scary and have a lot of moving parts, but it really is simple. I always tell my clients first get approved for your next purchase, so we know your budget and have that ready to go. Then we will prep your home and get it on the market! Once your home is on the market, we will begin shopping for your new home. Once we find it, we will submit an offer, and our goal is to close on your old and new home the same day! Many factors come into play when selling and buying, but with the right agent to guide you, it truly can be a seamless process.

I AM A FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER, WHERE DO I BEGIN? • • • • • • •

Get a copy of your credit report.

Improve your score to be eligible for the best rates!

Get pre-approved before house hunting - that way you know your budget upfront!

Hire me as your personal real estate agent!

Budget for closing costs - down payment and other expenses you may have!

Make a list of MUST haves for your home!

Begin your search to find the perfect home that fits your needs!

Shannon B. Donaldson

SHOULD I GET PRE-APPROVED BEFORE LOOKING AT HOMES? Yes! Getting pre-approved for your mortgage is the most

76

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

Owner

315 E Texas Street • Bossier City, LA 71111 (318) 518-6447 w w w. mov i ng w it h mc c oy.c om Office 318.868.6066 Fax 318.868.9763 2924 Knight Street, Suite 426 • Shreveport, LA 71105 E-Mail: sbrum1970@aol.com www.castlerockmtg.com

PROSTHETICS

THEXPERTS

SNELL’S ORTHOTICS AND PROSTHETICS CAN I HAVE A CUSTOM DESIGN ON MY PROSTHESIS? Yes! And what a great way to express your creativity and make a personal statement; your choices for selfexpression are virtually limitless!

Choose a design from a piece of fabric or an item of clothing; provide a printed image from a computer scan; or ask us to apply one or more popular stickers available at many stores or online in a wide array of patterns, shapes, shades, and sizes.

We can add your signature design to the prosthesis by incorporating it into the device. Computer-scanned prints can be turned into stickers and applied directly to the prosthesis. Another simple way to make your prosthesis unique is by selecting a different overall color.

This can be easily achieved in your favorite shade.

DOES MY BABY NEED A CRANIAL HELMET? It is normal for a newborn to have an irregular head shape for the first few weeks. However, if your baby’s head continues to have flat areas and/or an asymmetrical shape after the first 3-4 months, talk to your pediatrician to determine if a cranial re-molding helmet is needed.

If a helmet is prescribed, we at Snell’s O&P will make the process as easy and stress-free as possible. We use Orthomerica’s Starscanner® technology to noninvasively capture the precise shape of your baby’s head, which allows us to create a custom-fitted helmet that provides the needed correction, that can be completely customized for your baby! This helmet is typically worn for 4-6 months, with regular scans and adjustments made periodically, as your child progresses.

WHY CHOOSE SNELL’S ORTHOTICS & PROSTHETICS?

DO I NEED A PRESCRIPTION AND APPOINTMENT FOR MY ORTHOTICS? Despite some common misconceptions, the answer is yes! Snell’s Orthotics & Prosthetics is a medically accredited facility that requires orthotic prescriptions written by medical doctors. Once you visit your doctor and receive your diagnosis and prescription for a device just call our office to schedule an appointment. We will have you evaluated by one of our certified practitioners who will fit you with the best orthotic for your needs; and we’ll follow up in the future, as necessary.

Because we truly believe the best patient care comes from the hearts of people who genuinely care for others.

We strive to always provide the most appropriate level of technology for each of our patients and deliver outstanding customer service to all.

1833 LINE AVENUE SHREVEPORT, LA 71101 318-424-4167 800-219-5273 MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:00AM - 5:00PM CST SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

77

THEXPERTS:

WEIGHT LOSS CLINIC WEIGHT KNOW MORE • • • • •

Grocery list Motivational DVD Daily Menus Physicians on site daily 2 locations to serve you in Louisiana

HOW DID WEIGHT KNOW MORE EVOLVE INTO WHAT IT IS TODAY?

#1 WEIGHT LOSS IN ARKLA-MISS AND ARKLA-TEX FOR OVER 331/2 YEARS!

WHAT CAN A PATIENT EXPECT AT WEIGHT KNOW MORE?

First, you will meet with the doctor for a consultation and our staff will carry out virtually any evaluations needed.

They will integrate the exam results with your medical history to develop an altered plan for your weight loss.

Endermologie, a non invasive treatment for cellulite and fat reduction is available if you meet treatment requirements. No prepackaged foods, no liquid diets, no contracts, no consult fees, physicians on staff daily, and medicated and non medicated programs. You will receive a meal and exercise plan tailored to your needs and weight loss goal.

WHAT MAKES WEIGHT KNOW MORE UNIQUE AND THE LEADING EXPERT IN WEIGHT LOSS? There is NO liquid diet, NO pre-packaged meals and NO contract. We supply:

78

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

For over 33 1/2 years, Carl Lapeyrouse has been the proud owner of locally owned Weight Know More. In 1989, he was hired by a weight loss corporation as a nutritional counselor, conducting seminars under the advisement of physicians. He was soon valued not only for his knowledge of nutrition and its real-life applications, but also for his ability to motivate people in achieving a healthier lifestyle.

“The Fat Kills, Learn the Painful Truth about Weight Loss” program is a product not only of Carl Lapeyrouse’s lifestyle evolution, but also of the exciting new directions he has taken at our clinics helping thousands of successful patients improve their health, their appearance and their lives. There is no magic potion or pill. The magic is in believing in yourself.

THE #1 IN WEIGHT LOSS!

1953 E 70TH STREET, SUITE 7 SHREVEPORT, LA 77105 • (318) 798-0323 1500 ROYAL AVENUE MONROE, LA 71201 • (318) 388-3534 WEIGHTKNOWMORE.COM

THEXPERTS

FINANCIAL ADVISOR WIL ADAMS, EDWARD JONES

WHEN SHOULD I SEE A FINANCIAL ADVISOR? Since it’s my career and you’re asking the question, I’d say right away! An advisor will help you most in creating a plan to achieve your financial goals or objectives, most commonly retirement. But creating a plan is often the easy part. You’ll want to continuously revisit that plan to ensure, as situations change, you remain on track. When you get to your objective, let’s again say retirement, they will help you create a plan to distribute your assets the best way for your situation – tax-efficiency, timing of taking Social Security, among many others. I’d recommend choosing someone who will be with you and your family in the long run, and be willing to work with your attorney, CPA, and other professionals.

HOW HAS THE RETIREMENT LANDSCAPE CHANGED? A generation or so ago, people didn’t just retire from work – many of them also withdrew from a whole range of social and communal activities. Now, retirees are insisting on an active lifestyle and continued involvement in their communities and world. This wonderful movement makes it more important than ever to revisit your retirement plan.

The many variables that exist, such as outliving your assets or how to save for health care costs, are best worked through with a trusted professional. By addressing topics like these, you can set yourself on the path toward the type of retirement that’s not really a retirement at all – but rather a new, invigorating chapter of your life.

WHAT HAS YOUR CAREER LOOKED LIKE AS AN ADVISOR? It’s been a lot of fun! Becoming a part of people’s lives to help their families is such a blessing. I opened my office here in 2011, the first few years were kind of a blur – I was working hard trying to build a business. Several years ago I got an offer to become a partner with the firm and my responsibilities expanded. Now, along with running my own office, I oversee 55 of our offices in North Louisiana and East Texas. I’ve got 2 young girls with another girl on the way in January, so I’m still growing - but I’ve been shifting some of my time and resources to local schools and universities advocating the importance of financial literacy. Speaking to students and teaching basic financial skills has been a great way to use my position to give back to our community.

Wil Adams, AAMS® Financial Advisor

Proudly serving our Shreveport/ Bossier community.

Thank you for your support!

2223 Old Minden Road Bldg A, Suite 4 Bossier City, LA 71112 • (318) 741-0085

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

79

THEXPERTS:

FRESH EATS COUNTER CULTURE

In 1977, two young, ambitious college girls opened the first Counter Culture in Shreveport, Louisiana. Frozen yogurt and simple, fresh food was a new concept for that market. Decades later, the same idea of serving fresh yogurt treats along with a menu of healthy food is still an enjoyable and satisfying alternative. With the opening of many locations and Counter Culture’s loyal customers, our brand is becoming recognized throughout the South.

At Counter Culture, we serve only the freshest ingredients that enable us to treat our customers to something truly flavorful and nutritious. Our many unique yogurt flavors, endless topping combinations, and delicious sandwiches, soups, and salads make us a great alternative to familiar fast food brands.

Our most famous food dish is “Humphrey Yogart.” It includes our signature “plain” yogurt, Counter Culture Blend, a choice of three fruits, granola, and honey. Our sandwiches and salads are also equally delicious and well known, especially the “Turkey Melt.”

Currently, there are eight locations in the Shreveport-Bossier area. There is also a location in Baton Rouge and one in Slidell. We are interested in acquiring more owner operators to open more locations. Our goal is to further expand our brand all over Louisiana, Texas, and down around the gulf coast. If you are interested in owning a Counter Culture, please email us at ccfroyo77@gmail.com.

We would like to thank all of our loyal customers who have supported us over the past 43 years and especially through this pandemic. We are committed to making your experience with us as pleasing and fun as possible. We want you to come back, and that’s why we focus on providing excellent customer service and creating an ambiance that complements the experience your taste buds will enjoy!

PET CREMATORY HEAVENLY ACRES FOR PETS

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CREMATION AND HOW DOES THE COST VARY? We offer both private and communal cremation. A private cremation is where your pet is labeled first and last name and cremated privately so you get just your pets remains back home. The cost for this service starts at $150. Turnaround time is generally a week. A communal cremation is where we pick up several pets from veterinarians’ offices and they are all cremated together. This price is set forth by your veterinarian. These are labeled communal cremation. The cremated remains are then mixed with Let Your Love Grow soil so that it can be used to plant living memorials in our cemetery. This process allows us to celebrate life while protecting our planet.

WHAT TYPE OF MEMORIALIZATION OPTIONS ARE OFFERED? There are many different types of urns, caskets and memorials to choose from. You can see these in our selection room; www.heavenlyacresforpets.com ; or our Facebook page. Memorial options include: ink & clay paw prints; a hair clipping; Memory Glass; Buddies Beloved Pet Keepsakes; Madelyn Jewelry and Life Gem. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A DEATH OCCURS AND HOW ARE THEY TRANSPORTED? Unfortunately, some deaths are unexpected and happen at home. We respond 365 days a year to these emergency calls. You can schedule a time to bring your pet to our facility or we can pick up from your home. If you have to make the choice for euthanasia, most families choose for us to pick up from your veterinarian’s office.

80

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

OWNER: JACI DEARMOND

TUTORING KEMP TUTORING

THEXPERTS

Parents- tired of the stress of keeping your kids on task during the pandemic? One local tutoring company is leading the way through this changing educational landscape and taking the stress off of students and parents alike. Kemp Tutoring offers one-on-one, small group, and virtual sessions in all subjects, middle school through college, right on time for the new school year.

Owner Steve Kemp has built the business from the ground up over his 18 years of experience as an educator. Starting as a one-man show in local cafes and libraries, Mr. Kemp has grown the service into a brickand-mortar establishment with a diverse, dedicated, and degreed staff of young tutors who serve as academic coaches to the Shreveport-Bossier area’s students of all subjects, grade levels, and backgrounds.

KT has a proven record of success. Students regularly report letter-grade increases in classes or on assignments and appreciable improvements on standardized test scores. More importantly however, the KT staff equips students with the confidence and study habits needed to succeed.

This is why students often stay with the company for years, utilizing virtual sessions to tackle new challenges while away at college, often with the same tutors with whom they’ve already established a rapport and achieved academic success.

BOOK YOUR SESSION TODAY! One-on-one tutoring sessions Virtual tutoring sessions available Physics • Calculus • Chemistry • Test Prep And much more!

3819 GILBERT DRIVE • SHREVEPORT, LA 71104 (318) 426-5777 • KEMPTUTORING.COM

KT offers a challenging but fun learning environment where education is not boring or intimidating but crafted to the personal academic needs of a given student. If your family is having trouble with school this semester, consider patronizing a local success story with a history of results.

INSURANCE

TAG ROME STATE FARM

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR BENEFITS OF BEING PROPERLY INSURED? The time to figure out what you want in your insurance coverage is not when you NEED insurance! Therefore, it is very important to always assess your liabilities and valuables so that you will not be devastated and will be able to recover in the event of an unforeseen life event.

WHY PROPERLY INSURE? We don’t ever know when a life event, whether minor or major will happen. But if it does, you want to make sure that you can recover. This is how our mission comes SHREVEPORT - 318-226-3011 alive. At State Farm®, we help customers manage the risks of everyday life, recover BOSSIER - 318-742-9120 from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. As an agent, I provide one on one TAGROME.COM service to all my customers – helping them to identify ways to create a stable financial plan for their families now and in the future. Most customers have five key financial goals - Retirement, Education, Large Purchases, Debt Reduction, and Estate Planning. I pride myself on providing effective needs-based conversations with customers to meet their insurance needs and financial goals.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE INSURANCE LINES THAT MOST PEOPLE NEED? State Farm provides a variety of insurance products to meet the needs of individuals and growing families. Auto and homeowers/renters insurance are the most basic, however most people would benefit from other services as well such as health, life and financial services products. Our team of local licensed professionals are ready to service the needs of our community and help them identify the best products for their family.

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

81

thor and LSUS history professor, Dr. Gary Joiner. “Our architectural styles are a blend of things you will see typically in other cities. We still have a very good stock of modern architecture.”

Nestled within that “very good stock” are dozens of gems of modern architecture that help give the region a healthy building diversity with their distinguishing signature and style. Who do we have to thank for such modern architectural innovation? Look no further than Shreveport’s own Samuel G. Wiener and William B. Wiener.

Samuel G. and William B. Wiener

Shreveport’s Modernism: An Often Forgotten— Yet Surprisingly Famous—Mix From the establishment of the Shreve Town Company to the Louisiana Hayride—Shreveport has experienced a plethora of historic events which have helped shape the diversity of the city we know today. While most people think of the strong collection of traditional Victorian-era and Neoclassical buildings that contribute to our city’s architectural design, there is more. Much, much more!

Architectural historians often bemoan at the narrative of modern architecture in the United States. It is a story that typically begins with Philip Johnson and Henry Russell Hitchcock’s famous 1932 Modern Architecture: International Exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art—which situated on the notion that the “International Style” of architectural modernism was a European import. From Walter Gropius’ teachings at Harvard to Richard Neutra’s breezy Californian bungalows, the history of this movement tends to merge around particular ‘household’ names—Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, Alvar Aalto, Richard Neutra. Given the movement’s geographical boundaries, people often ask are there any ‘modern architecture’ examples here, in Shreveport? The answer?

Yes, very much so!

“Shreveport’s architecture is distinctive,” says local au-

82

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

When someone says, “Hey! Look at that ‘Wiener House’ over there,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For those that don’t know, a “Wiener House” is local terminology used to describe any one of the areas many modern residences designed by two homegrown architects—brothers Samuel G. Wiener and William B. Wiener.

Following a 1931 voyage of personal discovery to Europe’s most prestigious design school—known as the Bauhaus— the brothers returned to Shreveport determined to introduce the school’s infamous style to north Louisiana (of course with a few innovations to accommodate the region’s climate).

In 1933, architect William B. Wiener collaborated with his half-brother Samuel G. Wiener to design a weekend home for his family on the shores of Cross Lake. A year later the house would appear in the pages of Architectural Forum, the leading architectural journal of its day, as a foremost example of the new modernist style yet to take hold in the United States. The featured home would mark the first in a series of buildings—residential, commercial, and institutional—designed by the Wiener brothers that incorporated the forms and materials found in this new architecture of Europe, later known as the International Style.

For the next three decades, the Wiener brothers were two of the most innovative and prolific modern architects in the American South, designing both public and private buildings, composing one of the largest and earliest clusters of modernist buildings by American-born architects. They placed the unexpected area of northern Louisiana in the forefront of architectural innovation in the mid-twentieth century.

Today the Wieners are primarily remembered for their International-style residences built between 1933 and 1939, three of which are enshrined on the National Register of Historic Places, the Flesch House, the Samuel Wiener House, and the Wile House. These multi-story residences are locally famous to the point where any house built after 1945 without a pitched roof is often called a “Wiener House” and all help make Shreveport a hotbed of modern architecture in the state.

As both Samuel and William progressed professionally, so did their aesthetic. Unfortunately, a number of the brother’s buildings have been lost over the past twenty years. William Wiener’s magnificent lake house—known

to the architectural world as the Weekend House—was destroyed in the 1980s. In 2003, one of his best-known commercial structures—the Big Chain Store on Youree Drive—was lost to fire. The Municipal Incinerator—a building so striking it was featured at the Paris International Exposition of 1937—was demolished in 1974 by the City of Shreveport. Luckily, there are a few Weiner public buildings that still remain, including Broadmoor and Linwood middle schools.

The house has an L-shaped plan consisting of an entrance vestibule, living room and dining room across the front and a rear wing containing a breakfast room, kitchen, utility room and garage. Behind the entrance vestibule is a garden room, and a stair hall runs laterally at the rear of the living room. The architect enlivened the facade by projecting the dining room beyond the main block. Also, the rear wing projects beyond the main block on the side elevation.

And while many of their structures have been demolished, damaged or altered, Samuel G. and William B. Wiener’s spirit of architectural innovation has irreversibly chanced the face of Shreveport.

One enters the home from the side beneath a cantilevered projection supported by an industrial steel pipe. The garden room is defined by an almost continuous window surface and a thin metal flashing strip marks the edge of the roof. Many of the windows wrap around the corner, “a hallmark of the International Style,” says Ed. Ivey, CEO of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

The Wile House The Wile House, designed and built in 1934 by Samuel G. Wiener for his cousin, Ed Wile, who was the manager of The Big Chain Grocery Store. It is two-story structure located on a small, rectangular wooded lot in the middle of Shreveport’s South Highlands neighborhood.

The exterior surface treatment is white stucco, except for a section of the ground story on the front, which is brick and makes the house seem to float. “The house was unlike any other Shreveport had ever seen. It’s white. It’s cubic. It’s very clear volumetrically. It has a flat roof and fairly large planes of glass,” describes architect Christopher Coe.

Unlike other houses designed by the Wiener brothers, where the rear elevation is an architectural statement on its own, the back of the Wile House is undistinguished, chiefly because the rear lateral hallways (upstairs and down) create an expanse of uninterrupted wall surface.

Other interesting interior features include recessed lighting, original cork walls in the breakfast room, and decorative double doors between the dining and living rooms.

To help keep the integrity of its historical significance, changes have been very minimal since it was originally constructed.

COMPLETELY TRANSFORM YOUR KITCHEN. MANY PROJECTS COMPLETED IN ONLY 1-5 DAYS FROM $99-$249 A MONTH!

REFACING • CABINET PAINTING REDOORING • CUSTOM CABINETS 1 DAY TUNE-UP • AND MORE!

Before

FREE VIRTUAL

CONSULTATIONS AVAILABLE! SHANE & RENEE YARBROUGH Local Owners

318.562.3727

KITCHENTUNEUP.COM Kitchen Tune-Up Shreveport Bossier After Refacing

Each franchise is locally owned & operated.

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

83

William B. Wiener’s House William B. Wiener independently, or with his brother Samuel G. Wiener, designed seven unique post-war houses which utilized a modular bi-nuclear “T-shaped” planning strategy including the William B. Wiener House.

The “T-shaped” plan was clearly influenced by the bi-nuclear designs of Marcel Breuer—the earliest built version of which dates to 1945. All “T-shaped” designs utilized modular glazed curtain wall interspersed with regularly spaced wood or steel columns.

The home includes windows with minimal exterior surrounds, set flush in the wall so they are seen as a continuation in the linear surface of the wall, which is typical of the International style. The home also features many “ribbon” windows which reinforce the style’s horizontal lines.

When it was built in 1950, this turn-of-the-century modern home on Longleaf Lane in Shreveport was a curiosity.

Most folks had never seen anything like it. The home is still a bit of a curiosity today as neighbors walk by, admiring what little of the home they can see, and wishing they could see what’s inside.

Unfortunately, even seeing the exterior of the home is a challenge. When designing the home, William B. Wiener accentuated the privacy afforded by his lot selections surrounding the house by planting copious amounts of hedge bamboo. This, according to William Wiener’s son, architect and planner Bill Wiener, Jr. can be described as a “living fence.”

to its array of architectural styles. There were Greek, Spanish Mission, Romanesque, Gothic, and Tudor—almost one of every architectural style he studied at college.

And it wasn’t just the houses on Fairfield Avenue that Coe would be drawn to. He would also drive by what he believed was a “lost gem of architecture” known as the John Preston House. To Coe, the Preston House presented a break with local architectural traditions.

“Commissioned in 1934, built in 1935, William B. Wiener designed the house for John Preston and his wife, Gladys, an average Shreveport family,” says Louisiana Tech School of Architecture Professor Guy Carwile. “John Preston owned an automotive repair shop, so he was definitely middle class. This is the smallest house either brother ever built. They hadn’t done a lot of modern buildings up to that point.”

The cost? $3,638. To better understand this price-point, you need to remember what was happening in 1934—the Great Depression.

One of the many struggles of that time was the difficulty in finding work—any work! Therefore, many architects took small residential commissions to address the charges of elitism—the idea that only the powerful or wealthy could afford good architectural design. The result, the International Style of architecture. This occurrence was happening so much that, in October 1935, The Architectural Forum devoted an entire issue to affordable housing. The Preston House, along with projects by Richard Neutra and R. M. Schindler, were specifically selected for inclusion.

“The phrases ‘bigger isn’t always better’ and ‘small is beautiful’ describe William B. Wiener’s design for the John Preston,” says Carwile. “The diminutive Preston house shows that Wiener’s skill as an environmentally sensitive modernist is in no way affected by the physical size of a project or indeed its budget.”

Fast forward to 2010, as Coe considered leaving California for the comforts of Shreveport, he decided to make the Preston House his retirement home. He purchased the crumbling house in 2010 and started weighing his options on how to showcase this “diamond in the rough” while making it functional to today’s standards. All he knew was that wanted to do it right and not mess it up.

William B. Wiener’s John Preston House Christopher Coe left Shreveport in the 1980s to work as a project designer for renowned architect Richard Meier.

Coe, who has both an architecture degree from Louisiana Tech University and a master’s degree from Yale University, would occasionally return home to visit his family. During those visits, he would often drive through the city—specifically Fairfield Avenue—because of its diversity when it came

84

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

In 2011, he moved the 900-square-foot house from Jordan Street to College Street because the original lot didn’t have enough room for any of the renovations he had planned.

Upon completion, the additions feature a new garage, three-story tower, and an asymmetrical façade with large steel windows—all elements of the modernist International style. The interior is traditional, at the family’s request, with four boxy rooms. Coe’s office and studio occupy the tower, while he and his family live in the original house.

Coe’s renovation of the Preston House has won a couple of awards. Currently, Coe is concentrating on sharing the legacy about the Wiener brothers with several commu-

nity groups, including the Highland Restoration Association, Shreveport’s chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and the Louisiana Architecture Foundation.

Richard Neutra’s O’Brien Home While you can find numerous “Wiener Houses” scattered throughout the area, there are few others—especially any with international recognition. There is, however, one Richard Neutra designed house located in Shreveport’ South Highlands neighborhood.

When it came to his designs, Neutra sounded the environmental alarms on sustainable building systems well over a half century ago. He embraced technology—oddly enough— as a way to connect man with nature. His philosophy of “bio realism” sought to use biological sciences in architecture “so that design exploited, with great sophistication, the realm of the senses and an interconnectedness to nature that he believed fundamental to human well-being,” as described by architect and Neutra scholar Barbara Lamprecht.

Known as the O’Brien Home, it was built in 1950 for Mr. and Mrs. J.C. O’Brien. Their goal at the time was to simplify their lives and enjoy the natural surroundings that northern Louisiana had to offer. After briefly considering Frank Lloyd Wright to design their house, they decided to hire Richard Neutra, known as one of the major California mid-century modernists of the time. Neutra would go on to win an Award of Merit for its design from the Amer-

ican Institute of Architects in 1952.

Since 1950, the home has had three owners, with the latest being local architect Jeff Spikes, who is crafting his own mid-century modernist love story into this treasured, historically significant home.

“When I first toured the home, it seemed like an exploration because it went on and on like a maze,” said Spikes, comparing the home to an M.C. Escher drawing. “The home didn’t look like anything I had ever lived in before, with two stairwells that went down and one going up all in the same space or two bookshelves that pushed into a secret room.”

Upon its purchase, Spikes immediately started removing items that weren’t included in the home’s original drawings. Currently, according to Spikes, “any new project is aimed to keep the home’s integrity intact with Neutra’s design philosophy.” In doing so, he believes Neutra would be proud of the changes he has made.

A favorite space in the home is the living room with its redwood ceiling and accent walls flanked by a palette neutral stacked stone fireplace and walls of windows that allow the family to enjoy the natural surroundings from the comfort of their sleek furniture. At well over 20 rooms, the home is currently full of architectural comforts that keep Spikes and his family living quite happily in a part of architectural American history.

Everyday!

W W W. G A R D E N PA R K N U R S I N G A N D R E H A B . C O M SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

85

Get

MAXIMUM MArKET IMPACT

on 16 digital billboards!

“GREAT results every year.

Locally owned & easy to work with!”

Logan Lewis Walk-On’s Independence Bowl

“We like being on every board for one affordable price!”

Angel Scott Jean Simpson Personnel Services

“I see my ads working all over my market area!”

Eric Massey Fireplace Specialties

86

| SBMAG.NET

up to 16 digital billboards in shreveport-bossIer SE PTEMBER 2020

! t I e c n e i r yourself!

Expefor Call 318.629.SIGN

for a demo

“The high traffic locations have been fantastic for my business!”

Ernest Palmisano, Jr. Ernest’s Orleans Restaurant

“Sales are up We’re on ALL twelve digital billboards in Shreveport-Bossier!”

Mark Hebert Hebert’s Town & Country

“Fantastic! A huge help for the re-launch of Sci-Port.

Thank you, DigiVision.”

Dianne Clark Sci-Port Discovery Center

The first

digital network

in America.

Experience our unique Patent Pending digital billboard network. Get up to 16* digital panels for just pennies per commercial - programs as low as $750 per month. Call for details! | SEPTEMBER

www. d igiv isionbillboards.com SBMAG.NET

2020

87

GOOD TO KNOW Assistant Dean for Admissions announced for School of Medicine at LSU Health Shreveport (LSUHS) LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor G. E. Ghali MD named Dr. Wanda Thomas as the Assistant Dean of Admissions for the School of Medicine.

She received her undergraduate degree in biology from Yale University in New Haven, CT and a medical degree from the School of Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans followed by a pediatric residency at LSU Health Shreveport. Dr. Thomas joined the LSUHS faculty in 2003 and is currently serving as Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and as a Pediatric Hospitalist at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Academic Medical Center.

Dr. Thomas is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Association of Academic Minority Physicians, Northwest Louisiana Pediatric Society, National Association of Minority Educators and a Gold Humanism Society Member. She serves as the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program Director, Pediatric Interest Group Faculty Mentor, and as a member of the Pediatric Junior Clerkship Curriculum Committee, Internal Medicine/Pediatric Resident Promotion Committee and the Professionalism Committee. Dr. Thomas is active in the community as a speaker and through service on numerous community boards.

Spring Street Museum’s new virtual exhibit celebrates centennial of women’s voting rights A new virtual exhibit curated by the Spring Street Museum highlights Shreveport’s role in the ballot-box battle over women’s voting rights.

On August 18, the United States will mark the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. The Spring Street Museum, a cultural outreach of LSU Shreveport, has assembled more than 100 artifacts to tell the story behind that historic moment.

The exhibit includes a section about Lavinia Hartwell Egan, a Shreveport woman at the forefront of the movement. Artifacts also trace the development of the women’s suffrage movement from its roots in the mid-19th century to its coordinated campaigns in the early 20th century.

“The virtual exhibit will be an interactive application with photos, embedded videos and embedded audio recordings from the Library of Congress,” said Spring Street Museum Curator Marty Loschen.

You can visit the exhibit from the safety of your home anytime by visiting the museum website exhibit page at https://springstreetmuseum.org/exhibits/.

88

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

LSU Shreveport Announces Dr. Kenna Franklin as Assistant Provost of Diversity, Inclusion, & Community Engagement Louisiana State University in Shreveport is proud to announce Dr. Kenna Franklin as the new Assistant Provost of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement.

The Assistant Provost for Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement will lead and coordinate university-wide initiatives fostering and sustaining a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community partners. The Assistant Provost will report to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and will serve as a member of the Chancellor’s senior Administrative team. Dr. Franklin will assist the Provost in ensuring a culture of equity, access, and inclusion by collaborating with the Office of Student Affairs and the academic Deans and Chairs in offering resources and programming both on and off campus that promote diversity, respect, and openness. The Assistant Provost will be responsible for strategic planning, diversity education and training for students, faculty, and staff, community outreach and relationship management, policy development, and campus climate issues.

Franklin, the founding Director of the LSUS Office of Multicultural Affairs, will now occupy the Assistant Provost position. Franklin, an Associate Professor of Professional Practice, teaches both Social Work and Sociology courses and has been a member of the university’s faculty for the past 30 years. She possesses a Bachelor’s in sociology and criminal justice from Grambling State University, a Master’s in social welfare administration from the University of Michigan and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Texas. Dr. Franklin’s research interests align with her new role, as she has done extensive work in the areas of underserved student populations, transfer students, African-American, Latino-American and LGBTQ student issues, educational disparities, retention strategies, student success, and university/business/community partnerships.

Dr. Maroun J. Mhanna Appointed Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at LSU Health Shreveport Maroun J. Mhanna MD, MPH has been named Chairman and Professor of the Department of Pediatrics at LSU Health Shreveport. Dr. Mhanna will see patients at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport - Academic Medical Center and at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport - St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Dr. Mhanna comes to Shreveport from Metro Health Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio where he was a Professor of Pediatrics, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Medical Director of Pediatric Respiratory Therapy, and Director of Inpatient Services.

He received his medical degree and completed a pediatric residency at Saint Joseph University School of Medicine in Beirut, Lebanon and continued his education with two additional residencies at the Institute de Puericulture de Paris and at Metro Health Medical Center, Case

GOOD TO KNOW Western Reserve University in Cleveland. His fellowships were in Neonatal Perinatal Medicine and Pediatric Critical Care at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital and at the University Hospitals of Cleveland. Additionally, he completed a Master of Public Health (MPH) at Cleveland State University.

Dr. Hugo Cuellar named Chairman of the Department of Radiology Hugo Cuellar, MD, PhD, MBA, DABR has been named Chairman of the Department of Radiology at LSU Health Shreveport.

Dr. Cuellar is a Professor of Radiology, Neurosurgery and Neurology and serves as Director of Neuroendovascular Surgery and Neuroimaging and Co-Director of the Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, which is 1 of only 10 American Heart Association Stroke Certified Thrombectomy Centers in the US. He completed his internship and residency at the University of Neuvo Leon in Mexico followed by fellowships at LSU Health New Orleans and Hospital Nuestra Senora del Rosario in Spain and an observership at John Hopkins Hospital in interventional neuroradiology. His advanced studies include receiving a Master’s in Neuroscience from the University of Madrid, a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain and his MBA with a healthcare concentration from the University of Texas in Dallas.

Dr. Cuellar has presented nationally and internationally and is a member of numerous national and international societies including the Radiological Society of North America, the European Society of Neuroradiology, and the World Federation of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology.

LSU Health Shreveport Appoints New PR Coordinator Jazmin Jernigan, MBA has been named as the Public Relations Coordinator for LSU Health Shreveport. This position reports to the Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs.

Jernigan is a Shreveport native with deep community ties and years of volunteer service. She brings in-depth marketing, design, content creation, and business communication experience to the position. She was a 2014 “40 Under 40” honoree, a 2016 Athena Leadership Award honoree, serves as the treasurer for the LSUS Alumni Board of Directors, and on the board of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.

Jernigan holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and a master’s degree in Business Administration from LSUS.

Medical Directory 2020 Corrections Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Academic Medical Center 1541 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71103 318.626.0000

Ochsner LSU Health Neurosurgery Center 1 St. Mary Place Suite 100, Shreveport, LA 71101 318.626.0203

Ochsner LSU Health Urgent Care 1641 East 70th Street, Shreveport, LA 71105 318.626.0037

Ochsner LSU Health Neurology Center 1 St. Mary Place Suite 102, Shreveport, LA 71101 318.626.2482

2113 Airline Drive, Bossier City, LA 71111 318.626.0038

Ochsner LSU Health Gastroenterology Center 1801 Fairfield Ave Suite 305, Shreveport, LA 71101 318.626.0029

Ochsner LSU Health Asthma, Allergy, & ENT Center 463 Ashley Ridge Blvd Suite 200, Shreveport, LA 71106 318.221.3584 4440 Viking Drive Suite 100, Bossier City, LA 71111 318.626.0038 Ochsner LSU Health Internal Medicine and Pediatrics 1023 Provenance Place Blvd Suite 130, Shreveport, LA 71106 318.626.0100 Ochsner LSU Health - FeistWeiller Cancer Center 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71103 318.813.1000 Ochsner LSU Health Ambulatory Care Center 1602 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71103 318.675.5000 Ochsner LSU Health - Eye Center 1420 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71103 318.626.0012 Ochsner LSU Health Orthopedic and Sports Medicine 950 Olive Street, Shreveport, LA 71104 318.813.7100 Ochsner LSU Health - St. Mary Medical Center 1 St. Mary Place, Shreveport, LA 71101 318.626.4300 Ochsner LSU Health Heart & Vascular Institute 1541 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71103 318.626.0000

Ochsner LSU Health - Sleep Medicine Center 1801 Fairfield Ave Suite 400, Shreveport, LA 71101 318.626.0016 Ochsner LSU Health Women’s and Children’s Services 915 Margaret Place, Shreveport, LA 71101 318.626.0050 Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport - Health Center, St. Vincent 6670 St. Vincent Ave, Shreveport, LA 71106 318.626.0050 Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport - Health Center, Fern Avenue 6841 Fern Ave., Suite 100, Shreveport, LA 71105 318.626.4200 Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport - Viral Disease Clinic 1606 Kings Hwy 2nd Floor, Shreveport, LA 71103 318.626.0050 Ochsner LSU Health Monroe Medical Center 4864 Jackson Street, Monroe, LA 71202 318.330.7000 Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists 1453 E Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Suite 112 318.798.9400

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

89

CALENDAR | seva may

September&October

New Moon Flow Yoga Fest Sep 16, 2020 Remington Suite Hotel and Spa 220 Travis St Shreveport

WDC Rummage Sale Sep 18 - Sep 19, 2020 Woman’s Department Club 802 Margaret Pl Shreveport

The Great Pumpkin Season Begins, Sanctuary Glass Studio @ Sanctuary Glass Studio Sep 18 @ 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm Make your own hand-blown glass pumpkin. Sign up on our website under the classes tab: www.sanctuaryglassstudio.com

Mission Possible 5/10k and Fun Run presented by the ShreveportBossier Rescue Mission Sep 19, 2020 First Baptist Church Shreveport 543 Ockley Drive Shreveport

Heritage and Harvest Tour Sep 26, 2020 Red River Crossroads Museum 12797 Main St Gilliam

Summer Send Off: Drive-In Concert Series Recurring weekly on Friday until Sep 25, 2020 Stoner Park Stoner Avenue at Clyde Fant Parkway Shreveport Pioneer Heritage Festival Sep 18 - Sep 19, 2020 Open Range Fellowship 9950 Greenwood Road Greenwood The New Normal Drive-In Concert LIVE Sep 18 - Sep 19, 2020 Common at Milam St. (Behind FUMC) Shreveport

90

SE PTEMBER 2020

| SBMAG.NET

Ark-La-Tex Poker Run and Car Show Sep 26, 2020 Kickstands 4445 Meriwether Rd Shreveport

Def Leppard + ZZ Top Sep 30, 2020 CenturyLink Center 2000 CenturyLink Center Dr Bossier City

The Magic of Robby Bennett Sep 23, 2020 The Strand Theatre 619 Louisiana Ave Shreveport

Babes in the Woods Recurring monthly on the 1st Thursday Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park 8012 Blanchard Furrh Rd Shreveport

Yoga Farm Fest Sep 25 - Sep 27, 2020 Perkins Property 10560 Ellerbe Road Shreveport

The Red River Quilters Quilt Show Oct 2 - Oct 4, 2020 Shreveport Riverview Hall 600 Clyde Fant Pkwy Shreveport

CALENDAR Classic Arms Productions Gun and Knife Show Oct 3 - Oct 4, 2020 Bossier Civic Center 620 Benton Rd Bossier City

Purse & Accessories Bingo Oct 6, 2020 Woman’s Department Club 802 Margaret Pl Shreveport

7th Annual Great Raft Ramble Oct 10, 2020, Great Raft Brewing 1251 Dalzell St, Shreveport Antique Adoption Trade Days Oct 9 - Oct 10, 2020 Antique Adoption 9533 Hwy 5, Keachi Doobie Brothers: 50th Anniversary Oct 14, 2020 CenturyLink Center, Bossier City

The Revel Run Oct 3, 2020 Sci-port Discovery Center 820 Clyde Fant Pkwy Shreveport Shreveport Bossier Rescue Mission Volunteer Orientation @ Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission Oct 3 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Make an impact in our community.

Volunteer your time to help change the lives of homeless men, women and children in our cities. 901 McNeil Street. Orientation can be accessed by coming through the administrative office.

SBMAG.NET

| SEPTEMBER

2020

91

SB SCENE | debbie henry

FRIERSON WEDDING RECEPTION

2

3

1

4

5

7

like us on facebook 6

1. Bride and Groom, Katie and Max Young 2. Groom’s Parents, Max and Lyn Young 3. Bride’s Parents, Chris and Paula Frierson 4. Spenser Frierson Caleb Cormier, Caroline Frierson, with Emma Gayle and Leone Frierson 5. Judson Smith with Bridesmaid Frances Phillips, Bridesmaid Merrill Grace Hartline, and Daniel Miller 6. McKenzie Palmer with Brooke and Bailey Thompson SE PTEMBER 2020 | SBMAG.NET

92

With a close-knit campus in the heart of our community, Centenary College of Louisiana is ShreveportBossier City’s college. At nearly 200 years old, Centenary is constantly adapting to prepare 21st century graduates for success in the arts, business, education, medicine, and a variety of other fields. It’s a great time to stay here and go far.

C E NTE NA RY.E D U/STAYHE R EGOFAR

Ready When You Are introducing the crown collection The perfect engagement ring settings to compliment our hand-selected diamonds.

Lifetime trade-in | 30 day money back guarantee | Financing available