Southern Hospitality Magazine by Debbie Dillard

IN THIS ISSUE Spring/Summer 2011 www.shmagazines.com

Plan your Dream Home with Owner Builder Remember Me â&#x20AC;˘ Remembering 9/11 Provenance wins Best Neighborhood Community Why Adrenaline Fitness is the Talk of the Town! Designer, Fitness & Wedding Awards Weekend Getaways to Dallas

Make Your Dream Home a Reality

Today!

Designer Home Interior Awards Southern Hospitality Magazine is proud to host our Editors picks for the industry's finest Designer Home Interior Awards. The accomplishments of the most innovative design teams of the past year are awarded in several different categories. Both established, well-known firms as well as emerging talent are honored., The competition is judged by a select group of respected industry leaders.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR WINNERS! BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANIES Diamond Realty, Vintage Realty BEST REAL ESTATE TEAM Jeff Wyatt & Wendy Wardlowe BEST PLANNER FOR YOUR PERFECT DREAM HOME Owner Builder BEST BUILDERS General Contractors, Brown Builders BEST DEVELOPER Blushing Creek Land Co. - Warren Cantrell/Residential, John Good/Commercial, Villaggio Shopping District CUSTOM NEW HOMES Penn Homes Builder/The Bluff Subdivision, Custom Homes/Energy Efficient, Schumacher Homes BEST COMMERCIAL RENNOVATION/ RESTORATIONS & ADDITIONS: Port City Builders BEST ARCHITECTS Estopinal Group Architects, Best Engineering Company, Coyle Engineering Co, LLC

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE McInnis & Brothers Construction Willis Knighten Pierrmont Medical Arts Building BEST PLUMBERS Roach Plumbing, Rinchuso Plumbing BEST LANDSCAPER: Dream Lawn BEST HOME & GARDEN BOUTIQUE: Ellis Pottery BEST ANTIQUE/ARTS: Smith Mason Legacies BEST CANDLES: Scentsy/Ashley Cordell, Ind. Consultant (470-3332), Candle Cave BEST SHOWROOM: Home Design Center BEST FINISHING TOUCH: Decorating Den BEST CARPET DISCOUNTS: Snyder's Floor Co. BEST FLOOR/GRANITE Robert Ivey's Floor & Decor of America BEST CARPET/LIGHTING COMPANIES House of Carpet and Lighting Henson's Carpet & Lighting

BEST RUGS: Ark-La-Tex Rug BEST RENNOVATIVE KITCHEN, BEST KITCHEN DESIGN & BEST KITCHEN BOUTIQUE Kitchen & Bath Cottage BEST CONCRETE DESIGN: Pierce Decorative Con. BEST ROOF CLEANING CO.: Re-New Softwash BEST INTERIOR DECORATOR: Decorative Den BEST INTERIOR BOUTIQUE Chinaberry's, Red Door Interiors BEST NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY: Provenance (Traditional Neighborhood Development) BEST TOWNHOUSES Chestnut Park Townhomes Vintage Realty BEST NEW APARTMENT COMPLEX Summertree Apartment Homes, Villaggio BEST SUBDIVISIONS St. Charles Court, Blushing Bluff BEST COMMERCIAL RENNOVATION/ RESTORATIONS & ADDITIONS: Port City Builders APPLIANCE STORE: Barrett Appliance BEST POOL CONTRACTORS Oasis Pools, Moorehead Pools BEST FIREPLACE COMPANY: Fireplace Specialties BEST FURNITURE GALLERY: Ethan Allen BEST ENTERTAINMENT CENTER (Locally Owned) Wright's Sound Gallery BEST DECKS: Ready Decks

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ream Lawn has been in the Shreveport-Bossier area for over 20 years. In that time we have dealt with a variety of unique and challenging projects. Whether you need something simple or complex we can get the job done and put you first while doing it. Here at Dream Lawn we specialize in all types of services. We offer yard maintenance, weed control, cutting, landscaping, and any other yard service you would want or need. We also haul off dirt, rocks, sand & gravel, and any debris. We do pressure washing and can re-strip old and new lots. We accept all payment types. We can help you with a variety of outdoor projects, everything from road construction to maintaining landscaping and mowing lawns. As a fully insured and licensed company we strive to provide our customers with the best lawn service at a fair price. Our qualified staff includes a licensed landscape contractor, a general contractor and a licensed horticulturist to provide you with all the knowledge that your project might need. Give Dream Lawn a call today at 318-532-5476, located in Blanchard La... You will be glad you did!

Whatever your outdoor project is, chances are we can help you accomplish it!

Southern Hospitality 7

FORT CATAMO "The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God." Psalm 104:21

Publishing & Graphics, LLC

How does an individual who has never been particularly fond of the feline population somehow find the compassion within his heart to trap and rescue feral cats and become compelled with a sacrificial devotion to tame and house these animals in a feline safe haven? Perhaps the answer can best be explained by an event that took place in my life a little over two years ago. The doctors, suspecting I had lung cancer, had just released me from the hospital. Unknowingly however, the real culprit that was attacking my lungs was a disease called "Hystoplasmosis." It was during this time of pain and anguish that a stranger appeared at my front door. Old, frail, thin and declawed, this feline fella would not only capture my heart, but

CALL LANCE PALMER FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT! 1105 Island Park Boulevard #1015 Shreveport, Louisiana 71105 Ph: 318.219.3187 | Cell: 318.210.6154 Email:palm3559@bellsouth.net

would also break my longstanding rule against not allowing pets in our home. My wife named this lil' critter"Miko." Up until Miko passed away from cancer a few months later he had become my constant companion. During my ordeal Miko would often place one paw over my heart and rest his body on my chest for hours. I'd be the first to admit that Miko's patient devotion to me during my illness changed my perspective about cats. However, little did I know it at the time but a desire to rescue cats in need had been planted in my heart...a seed that would birth a vision soon to be known as "Ft. Catamo." Before Miko's death there were many rescues followed by many more after he passed away. Some were newborn kittens found abandoned and covered with ants, a few cats rescued from accidents and illnesses, others saved

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from dangerous environments and a few were rescued from predators who were not always a part of the animal kingdom. Now there are 35 cats housed here at Ft. Catamo, each with their own remarkable story. All have been spayed or neutered and are up-to-date on their shots. All of these: food, shelter, topical solutions to control fleas and parasites, medicines, and veterinary care, are all solely funded from my own pocket. Is Ft. Catamo worth the time, money, hard work and sweat it requires to keep its flag flying? "I can't rightly say...but I never con-

DANNY RANEY AND MIKO, THE CAT sidered putting a monetary value on it or I would have given up a long time ago. King David once risked his own life to save one delicate lamb out of the mouth of a lion. Could have been quite a price to pay one might think." Built by faith, defended by prayer, and protected by God, could "Ft. Catamo" be a picture of hope for the untamed animals of the world? "Well, I can only speak for the 35 cats housed here at Ft. Catamo...or better yet I'll let them speak in their own words...Meow!!! DANNY AND DONNA RANEY Special thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, neighbor and friend Richard Self, Dr. Pam Coker and Dr. Daryl Sears.

TABLE OF CONTENTS ALL THE REASONS YOU SHOULD BUILD AT PROVENANCE...................................................................... FORT CATIMO................................................................................................................................................. MONRO BROWN: QUEEN OF SOUTHERN SOUL......................................................................................... THE ALLMIGHTY SOVERIGNITY GOD........................................................................................................... REMEMBER ME............................................................................................................................................. REACH YOUR GOALS AT ADRENALINE FITNESS........................................................................................ PLAN YOUR DREAM HOME AT OWNER/BUILDER..................................................................................... LEARN HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOUSE A HOME AT DECORATIVE DEN.....................................................

3 8 9 10 11 14 17 23

ST. CHARLES COURT/A SOUTHERN CHARM HAVEN, WILLOW BROOK, THE PERFECT PLACE TO LIVE!...................................................................................................................... Q/A TIPS FROM ROACH PLUMBING............................................................................................................ HEALTH AND FITNESS AWARDS.................................................................................................................. WEDDING AWARDS ...................................................................................................................................... AAA RENTAL: SHREVEPORT/BOSSIER'S PREMIERE PARTY AND WEDDING GALLERY......................... DISCOVER DALLAS! ....................................................................................................................................... NICKY'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT: A LEGACY OF GREAT FOOD & QUALITY SERVICE ............................

27 30 34 36 39 40 43

SCOTTY OSBORNE STEVE OSBORNE 505 E. Kings Hwy Shreveport, LA 71105 Phone (318) 869-3407 Fax # (318) 869-1543 www.broadmoorgarage.com

MONRO BROWN Queen of Southern Soul Headed to the national music scene.

onro is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. She began singing gospel at the tender age of three. The current Monro Brown project began in 2009 with Executive Producer , Eugene Mosley and Grammy Nominee, Ron Johnson as the Producer along with B.J. Beatz, who has produced songs for the most famous rapper in the world, Lil’ Wayne, and Shreveports own “Hurricane Chris”. This cd intrestingly contains three genres of music which are zydeco, southern soul, and R&B. She has performed with Keith Pringle and Dorothy Norwood. Monro has recently opened for Wilson Meadows, and Carl Sims. Her sounds of Zydeco Headlined the 2010 “Let the Good Times Roll Festival”. Monro Brown sounds can be heard world-wide in Swissgroove radio @ swissgroove radio ch. She is the singer, Co-Writer and Co. Executive Producer for the album “Reality Check-No Free Rides”. Her internet communities are: Monro Brown at Facebook Myspace.com/brownsinger www.twitter.com/Monroe_Brown

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Debbie Dillard - Publisher

PUBLISHER & PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR Debbie Dillard

ART DIRECTOR Palmer Publishing & Graphics, LLC

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jeanene Deen Teresa Maddison Donna & Danny Raney

PHOTOGRAPHY Julie Scogin Photography Scot Smith, Smith Photographic Services, Inc. Terry Atwood, Atwood Photography

PRINTING Midway Press

CONTACT INFO Southern Hospitality Magazine Shreveport, LA 71105 Phone:(318) 264-9621 Email: debikdillard@aol.com FIND US ON FACEBOOK Search Keywords: Southern Hospitality Magazine

ABOUT THE COVER COVER PHOTO BY: Julie Scogin Photography

COVER DESIGN BY: Palmer Publishing & Graphics, LLC

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PUBLISHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NOTE By Debbie Dillard

July 4 is significant for something Americans did; September 11 for something that was done to us. The identification of the vicious attacks was comparison of an existential stroke of doom that had befallen us. We saw the images, over and over and over again, of those shimmering airplanes crashing into the Twin Towers, but it was still hard to fathom that the planes caused the buildings' collapse. Our minds associated the events together, the impact preceding the downfall, but that the one caused the other remained a thought somehow so appalling that it was hard to believe. We had to see the images again. There are many hero's in the broken glass of 9/11. Not the least of which are the officers, nurses, doctors, & firefighters who so valiantly tried to save lives only to lose their own. It was the bloodiest day of the U.S. since the Civil War. It was a day burned into the hearts of every American on 9/11 when the Twin Towers tumbled. We will Never Never forget the cowardly and demonic acts that were perpetrated against our

country, our freedom, and thousands of innocent lives. This moment of tragedy and evil was not a happy sight. For what has become conspicuous by its scarcity, is a spiritual gravitas, one which could match the depth of horrendous evil and address issues of such seriousness. Yes, September 11 was a terrible day. Sin reared its ugly head and caused great devastation. However, God is still in control as his sovereignty is never to be doubted. Let's not ever forget the thousands of miracles that occurred that day. Hundreds of people fled the buildings just in the nick of time, a few firemen and one civilian survived in a tiny space in a stairwell as one of the towers collapsed around them. The passengers on Flight 93 defeating the terrorists was a miracle in and of itself. Could God have prevented what happened on September 11? Of course He could, but He chose to allow the events to unfold exactly as

they did. He prevented that day from being as bad as it could have been. Since September 11, how many lives have been changed for the better? How many people have placed their faith in Christ for salvation as a result of what happened? The words of Romans 8:28 should always be in our minds when we think of 9-11, “And we know

in us the strongest faith in the supremacy of Christ, and the deepest comforts in suffering, and the sweetest fellowship with Jesus that we have ever known. The biblical categories of God’s sovereignty lie like landmines in the pages of the Bible waiting for someone to seriously open the book. They don’t kill, but they do explode

that all things work together for good to those who love God, and are called according to His purpose.” God is absolute and eternal and infinite.. God himself is the great supreme value. Everything else that has any value has it by connection to God. God is supreme in all things. He has all authority, all power, all wisdom—and he is all good “to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him” (Lamentations 3:25). God stands forth and reassert his Creator-rights in our lives, and show us his crucified and risen Son who has all authority in heaven and on earth, and waken

trivial notions of the Almighty. God's sovereignty is not merely that God has the power and right to govern all things, but that he does govern all things, for his own wise and holy purposes. Oh, there is a high price for Freedom, just ask the families whose loved ones have paid the price. And, not only them, but those who served their country well; either still living or gone on "Home" to glory. Our prayers continue for the brave troops still under fire: USA troops and their allies as well as other people in lands where war is raging.

God's truth is Marching On: Jesus Christ, The Truth, The Life, & The Way. Let Jesus Christ Reign!

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John 14:1-3 (Jesus speaking) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in

God, trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

My Brother…

Your Face When the sun has taken leave for the day, And the fear steps in its place, It is then that I look for COURAGE, it is then that I see your face. When my heart and mind are at battle, and a choice is there to be made, It is then that I look for WISDOM, it is then that I see your face. When I feel as though life has taken its toll and the COURAGE and WISDOM seem to fade, It is then that I look for STRENGTH, it is then that I see your face. With the COURAGE, WISDOM and STRENGTH combined, and the FAITH in me in place, It is then that I wonder, how could this be?

It is then that I see YOUR FACE. 12 Southern Hospitality

…myfriendImissyoueveryday. Youleftthisplacetoosoon,Ihavesomuchmoretosay. Icanstillhearandseeyouasifyouwerenear, Yourinfectiouslaughterstillsingsinmyear. Youwerealwaysmyrock,wewerethereforoneanother TherewasanunspokenlanguageSpokenonlywitheachother. Youmadeeveryonefeelliketheywerefirstclass. Iwasalwaysyourprincesswithaslippermadeofglass. Withaheartofgoldyoutouchedusall, Waitingwitharmsopentocatchuswhenwefall. Thetimethatwesharedissoprecioustome, Butithelpsmetoknowthatnowyouarefree. IwishIcouldgiveyouahug,andIwastheretoholdyourhand. Maybeyou’d changeyourmind,maybeIwouldunderstand. Iwillgoonwithmylifeandmakeyousoproud. Iwillkeepyourspiritwithmeandlivemylifeoutloud. Whenthesunshinesthroughthecloudsorthewindblowsthroughmyhair, Iwillsmilethebiggestsmile…BecauseIknowyouarestillthere! By: MichelleMiller

“My 37th Birthday of a Mother’s Love” What is a Mother's Love we ask? We think of all her exhausted tasks. Or like me some Mom's like mine who come back into your lives a little later, My heart had grieved and sighed in those young years with out her, after being two. So one day in March before my 37th birthday in April 1995, I set out to find my long lost Mom. We welcomed each other that day with no reservation. Only to find out All of my growing up years I was blessed with another loving Mother, that her years away from me, her health was failing. Her time was going named Julia, But back in my mind I was always wondering about my Mom fast and by 2005 she past. I will always remember the warmth in my heart, and how could she be gone? My teenage years would pass and I grew up to that day in April she rekindled, On my 37th Birthday!! marry. And it was not until my 37 birthday our paths would cross again. Love ya Mom and you are missed!

GodCalledyouuptoHeavenafewmonthsago- whyyouhadto

Remember Me by Debbie Dillard

leavesosoonsohardforustoknow-hehadaroomreservedforyou withyournameuponthedoor- heknewyourlovedonesneeded you-butHeavenneededyoumore- Youleftbehindaspeciallovethesunshineofyourlife-theonewhobroughtyouloveandjoywassoontobeyourwife-- Heavengainedaspecialsonwithaheart ofgold-anwearelefthereonearthwithpreciousmemoriestohold. MammaMassey

Memoriesarefilledwithlove,nottears, reminiscingallofourhappyyears. WhenIwassick,yougavemelife Soforgetthosefears,youtriedtohide. InowsitinHeaven'sHomewithallmyloved onesbyGod'sThrone. NowtheLordhassetmefree,thatishowyoushouldrememberme. NeverwillwebeapartIleftaplaceburiedinyourheart. Whereveryourgoing,orwhateveryoudo,Iwill alwaysberightnexttoyou. Mybodyisnowlikeastarthatshines&InowlivewithTheGreatDivine. Southern Hospitality 13

ABOVE: Our clean professional atmosphere will help you unload the stress of your crazy days.

Q&A with ADRENALINE 24/7 FITNESS & SPORTS What two words best describe Adrenaline Fitness? What makes you stand out from other facilities?

TOP PHOTO: Look for our Inflatable Adrenaline Dome around your community and stop by. We are constantly offering guest passes and information about our facility. BOTTOM PHOTO: A wide variety of treadmills, elliptical cross-trainers, stair-masters, and bikes with personal TV’s and IPod docks to help you burn those calories away.

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NO EXCUSES. At Adrenaline 24/7 Fitness and Sports we give ‘no reason’ for someone to fail in the reach of fitness goals. We are open 24 hours; you can always find some time to work out; we have free childcare, so taking care of the kids cannot be an excuse. We accent our facilities in the great certified personal trainers helping to plan a course of action to reach your goals. We have amazing group exercise classes conveniently scheduled so you can get a greatworkout in 60 min-

Drop your little one off at our professionally-staffed, safe and clean (most importantly) fun children’s play zone. I promise your children will be begging you to come back to the gym. utes, building a great relationship with other members, and last but definitely not least, we have sports performance training programs for young kids starting at the age of 7 through 18 and as you are training and your kids can also be training. So again - NO EXCUSES; REACH YOUR GOALS that is who we are. The owners of Adrenaline Fitness have a simple vision: What is that vision and what will the benefits be to the members of Adrenaline Fitness?

The owners of Adrenaline had a vision of providing the North Bossier and Benton communities a clean, professional environment at affordable rates and provide the individual or a family perfect environment to help them meet their fitness goals. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

We hope and envision bettering with new services, which will enhance the overall fitness and performance of our members. We also hope to extend ourselves to other communities in the Shreveport and Ark-La-Tex regions.

How do I get the best experience at your facility?

Right after sign-up, our first step should be a facility orientation. Our certified fitness professionals will help to design a 4-week workout and meal plan that will launch you in the right direction.

Your Kids Play Zone is getting a lot of accolades in the area, tell us about that! Congrats, by the way!

We are over 12,000 sq./ft. of pure fitness and fun and our aerobics room is over 3,000 sq./ft. with our childcare area of 1,200 sq./ft. We have full-size locker rooms with lockers for your convenience and showers.

We believe that parents should feel confident and secure their children are safe and having fun while they are working out. This is not your average Play Zone. One look and you will see that our room is decorated with special arts and crafts projects produced from our members’ kids. We also allow grandparents to bring their grandchildren. The great thing is when we see our member’s children dragging their parents to the gym.

Can you tell us about the Equipment you feature?

What can you tell me about your Personal Trainers?

We carry top of the line fitness equipment and spared no expense when it came to our equipment. We have a wide variety of free weight, plateloaded, Olympic lifting plates and bars, and a full array of selectorized machines. All of our cardio equipment (treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, and stair climbers) have televisions with cable and iPod/mp3 docks, so your mind can go to a happy place while you walk and run those calories off.

I find by having a professional certified personal trainer, the client is more likely to reach fitness goals. Our Adrenaline Trainers are all Nationally Certified. We train our trainers to focus on the specific needs of the client. We provide one hour, half hour, and partnertraining sessions. When it comes to our personal trainers, your goals are our priority.

How large is your facility?

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE

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Take advantage of the latest technology in tanning, with our stand-up express and lay down tanning beds.

State-of-the-art Hammer Strength and Life Fitness equipment to help you build and tone your muscles.

Train on our vast variety of free weights, plateloaded, Olympic lifting and selectorized machines.

Our convenient and clean locker rooms offer you a secure place to change and shower.

A fully equipped Sports Performance Training Facility to help the athlete hone the body.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 What is your training/exercise philosophy?

We believe that one should approach the overall health regime from four different angles. We assess a memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nutritional history, body composition, posture, and cardiovascular conditioning. By obtaining this information, our staff can better determine a realistic goal and design the appropriate routine to help the member get to their goal. Tell us about your tanning beds you offer?

We have state-of- the- art Wolf Tanning beds with photo facial features. Our

three tanning rooms meet the needs of our clients. We have two upright express beds that offer 10-minute, full body tan, and one lay-down bed that will tan a member in 20 minutes. Our beds are available 24 hours a day and members with children can use the play zone while tanning for convenience. The play zone hours options an amenity not offered at conventional tanning salons. I understand you have a program for young kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ages 7 years and up. Can you go into detail and explain? What benefits do they get?

See Our Full-Page Ad Inside Back Cover For More Information.

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There is a growing need today to train young children for a variety of reasons. First, we are seeing a rise in childhood obesity; that is a concern for many parents. Our certified strength and conditioning coaches create

an environment that is age appropriate, challenging, and most of all fun. By laying an early foundation in fitness for our children, we can ultimately help them live healthier and longer. Second, we believe it engrains healthy life trends. What is Sports Performance training? Who can participate in it?

Sports performance training is specific training programs for the development of strength, speed, and power for the purpose of athletic performance. We specialize on working with children as young as 7 through college age and will work with any athlete of any sport. We separate our athletes into three groups: First phase 1, which are athletes ages 7 to 10; Phase 2 are athletes 11-14; and, Phase 3 for athletes ages 15 -18, which can include collegiate and pro-athletes. All are run through a battery of tests that evaluate their speed, agility, strength, and power. The client is then re-evaluated every three months to ensure that our workout programs are producing the result an athlete will need to have as an edge over the competition.

You Can... By Teresa Maddison

Be Your Own Builder

t’s 5:30 am and I’ve tossed and turned all night for the last time. Certainly doesn’t make any sense to drag this out any longer – I need answers. I have done my research; this project will be BIG…but not “big-impossible.” I grab my first cup of coffee and sit, mulling over my idea book – an exhaustive collection showcasing years of pulling photos from magazines, sneaking a camera into numerous custom showcase home events and silently critiquing the quarters of the random celebrities I have happened upon…you know the drill. Planning your dream home is like taking a walk thru the past, the present and

the future all at the same time…and most of us keep meticulous notes on the subject…while others laugh at us for being so, well, meticulous. Several years ago my best friends built their dream home, sparing not a single detail they wanted, and moved in with equity of over $100,000 from just the construction cost vs. initial plan appraisal. They graciously shared with me the final jaw-dropping price per square foot…but still, with granite on every raised surface, a gourmet kitchen Bobby Flay would put his stamp of approval on, woodwork that left me speechless and distressed hand-scraped wide-plank flooring under the stained coffered ceiling…that is a

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package quite impressive at any price, but was it possible at that price?? So here I am, a few years later. I’ve sold my home of 10 years, own a 5 acre piece of land in what feels like a national park…and have the overwhelming need to extricate myself and my family from the 700sf 1-bedroom apartment we are temporarily living in as we finalize the design (yes, it’s really that small). I’ve taken our plans to several builders, all of whom have come back with prices well over $120sf – and I’m disgusted. Partly because I

18 Southern Hospitality

know what my friends built their home for, partly because I am savvy enough to know that a little work on my part would save me the markup, but perhaps mostly because I know I’m going to need some help to pull this off. Ok…I’m going to need a lot of help. Enter Bill Martin of Owner/Builder LA. Remember, I was familiar with the setup because of my friends’ experience, but I have this inane need to see everything spelled out. I need proof that this option is indeed possible for a wife and mother of two to accomplish

without ending up in a glorified pole barn where the hot and cold faucets were installed backwards - forcing us to relearn a lifetime of “cold on the right and hot on the left” just to wash our hands. Bill listened to my concerns via phone and email several times. He met my family 2 hours away over dinner where he fielded questions from construction financing to interior design color preferences - all the while eating Red Lobster out of their entire stash of Cheddar Bay biscuits - before I was finally convinced. …and now, here I sit, wait-

ing for the sun to come up so I can contact these references without startling them right out of bed. My first call is to Jonathan & Amy Harris. Recently having moved back to their hometown from Arkansas, Jonathan had completed his home and shared with me his construction experience. This was their second home to build. The first was with a builder, and there were things he’d admittedly change about the process. When thinking about the second build, he and Amy took the plans they had selected to a few builders in the area and the price was “really too high,” Jonathan noted. “None of the builders could touch where we wanted to come in at on price.” Bill and Jonathan were actually lifelong friends. “But I still wanted him to show me the outline…the entire bottom line,” said Jonathan, with a smile in his voice that betrayed years of fish stories and good natured competitiveness. I immediately jumped to the concerns I had personally – was anything about the process overwhelming? Jonathan answered me directly, “Yes. We had never done anything like this…we wondered: how do you keep everyone happy? How do you keep the quality up to the highest standards?” He continued, “What made this great was Bill and his team. Bill set us up with a great bank and made it super simple. We were fearful of that part, but they

made it easy and the anxiety I had went away.” That’s a biggie…securing a construction loan in the current financial market without a registered builder to sign on the dotted line. I

was instantly a bit relieved to hear this. Jonathan graciously shared a few details of their process. “Amy and I tag-teamed this project together. We had some really distinct

design ideas and were very pleased to find that Owner/Builder LA had such a vast resource of subs in their network that we could locate exactly what we wanted. The entire thing went really smooth…better than expected.” One would wonder…in fact, I wondered…how long would it take to build your own house? My personal experience is limited to Little House on the Prairie (where it takes months or even years) and Extreme Makeover Home Edition (7 days), so the “something in between” could be a really scary number considering our current temporary quarters. Jonathan interjected into my thoughts, “4 months and 2 weeks.” Uh, come again? “We had some rain that delayed the plumber about 10 days, but things move pretty fast if you keep up with the calendar Bill provides.” There’s that feeling again…the “YES, I can build my own home” certainty that accompanies a visit with Bill. How did Jonathan and Amy feel about the fact that they just built their own home? “It gives you a huge sense of completion. This is the biggest thing you’ll undertake in your life, so many things you think can go wrong from financing, to plans, to structural issues, etc…but it is something you CAN DO…it was a real sense of accomplishment!” Their favorite part of the process? “Moving in,” Jonathan said without much hesitation. Here’s the true test, I thought…would he do it again? “Oh, ab-

Southern Hospitality 19

ing finally worked out and we are now about 6 weeks out from finishing our dream home!” So that was the background noise… his floor was being laid as we chatted. I don’t know why, but for some reason I did not expect to be getting the 411 from someone currently in the trenches! Very exciting. Total anticipated construction time is 4 months for the Lary’s. Always curious as to how people find Owner/Builder LA in this process, I asked about the relationship. “Bill has a lot of houses and we knew friends who had used him. When we were ready to start, we called him immediately.” John continued, “He met with us 2 or 3 times…we were extremely nervous; didn’t know if we could do it or not. He helped us out and calmed us down. Even though we knew it would take a bit of work paying, calling subs, getting bids, etc., we felt comfortable with Bill and the group.” John and Gretchan committed at the very beginning to go over each day in detail throughout this process. Gretchan even keeps a journal to document everything that happens, including rain delays. Sounds like fabulous content for an Owner/Builder LA blog! I asked John how he was feeling now that he is more than halfway through his project, considering how admittedly nervous he was at the Owner/Builder LA has saved individual homeowners MILLIONS of dollars since opening its doors in February of 2004. We are a network of Financial Institutions, Suppliers, Subcontractors, Engineers, and Inspectors that offer prices at or below contractor costs and we assist Owner Builders throughout the entire building process while constructing their custom home.

©Smith Photographic

solutely, we’re talking about doing it again immediately! We spent $83 per square foot, saving a conservative $90,000 and never once felt alone. Other than the savings, that is the best part of Owner/Builder LA – we never felt like we were alone. I mean, we never felt like we were alone.” Well! As I thanked Jonathan for his time and hung up, I realized I had started to actually visualize the huge potential for success in this venture for our family. My next call was to John & Gretchan Lary. Not having been prepped on these references, I assumed I would be chatting with another client who

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was happily sitting in their new study staring blissfully at the 3-step crown moulding they’d chosen to accent their luxuriously textured and faux-finished walls. John answered his phone with a bit of curious background noise…I introduced myself and noted my interest in chatting with him, delving right into the questions I’d prepared. I was curious as to how he arrived at the decision to build. “We’ve always wanted to build our own home – since we were kids.” John and Gretchan were high school sweethearts and wanted, since the moment they fell in love, to build their own home together. “Tim-

• As little as $1500 down builds any size home (with approved credit) • Lot can be included in interim construction financing (in most cases) • Individualized Budget Analysis • Itemized Building Specifications • Building Construction Schedule • Permanent Financing

beginning. “Owner/Builder LA is always available when we need them. There have been times when I was on the phone with Bill late in the evening about something and then again the next morning at 7am. He is a great

©Smith Photographic

resource to have! Oh, and we have enjoyed the subs immensely. You get to know these craftsmen; you are hands on with them. They have been extremely cordial, polite, even helpful – the framer, for instance, added a dormer on the back of the house that wasn’t anticipated but was needed. It would have been much more expensive to add that dormer after construction was complete.” It is obvious that John is enjoying literally every step of this process. His favorite part? “Seeing every step completed! It’s our first house to build…every part is so unique, from the dirt work being moved to now my floors being laid; the bricklayer making the hearth – it has all been great!” John continued, “I am so grateful and humbled to have had this oppor-

tunity.” I let that statement sink in and I find, in contrast, I’m beginning to feel an undeniable sense of pride in this company. Owner/Builder LA is providing a way for individual families to make their dream home a reality…today. I asked John’s thoughts on the benefits of building his own home with Owner/Builder LA, “It’s kind of surreal, the savings…there’s no way we, as a family of 5, could afford the size and type of house we are building.” I asked if anything was overwhelming, “Timing feels that way, especially at the beginning, but as long as you follow the plan and stick to it, it all works out. We just keep plugging along.” So, thinking of the end

result for myself and my family, I asked John how building his own home has made him feel. I smiled at his answer, “We are FIRED UP!! We are on budget and on task for a 4-month complete time. I’m most surprised at how fast it has gone. We are not overwhelmingly busy, we just set aside a little time each day to keep our stuff in order.” It crossed my mind to ask how friends and family initially responded to John and Gretchan’s desire to build their own home. “They were nervous, as were we,” John said. “But the budget is so detailed that you really feel comfortable with the investment. Now, even though we’re not yet complete, our friends and family love it. They have been over several times to see the progress and are really

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©Scogin Photography

©Smith Photographic

happy with how it’s going.” Bottom line for a numbers girl like me is always the dollars, so I had to ask how much they are on target to save. John answered, “We are budgeted to save, and this is a very conservative number, $70-80,000 at completion.” I have no words. I thanked him for his time and he left me with this thought, “Working with Bill has been a great process for us, and that’s our heart…we are excited to move in!” ¥µ I would say that was a fabulously productive morning. The vision of our dream home had finally become something I could tangibly measure. We signed and started construction and soon will have another success story to add to the mix. I ran a few things by Bill as we went about this process, hoping to share a bit with you about the vision he has for Owner/Builder LA and soon-to-be Owner/Builder Little Rock. The Shreveport office has constructed approximately 200 homes since they opened their doors in Feb-

ruary of 2004. What has he found most people worry about prior to starting the process?? “Clients don’t know if they can do it, they are understandably intimidated. When I ask them why they would think about building

Come out and see our booth at the 2011 LA State Fair! Owner/Builder LA is not affiliated with the Northwest Louisiana Home Builders Association

their own house and they say, ‘We want to save money, but we don’t know what we’re doing,’ they are actually the ones who do the very best. They just glue themselves to the book and the instructions given and don’t waver.” Back to the book…I heard that phrase several times from the referrals I called…they were adamant, in fact, that sticking to the book was the #1 predictor of success.

OWNER/BUILDER LA: 8990 Mansfield Road | Shreveport, LA 71118 318-687-8118 Phone | 318-687-8111 Fax W W W

O W N E R B U I L D E R L A

C O M

COMING FALL 2011 New Little Rock, AR Office! Call for more details…

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When I asked Bill what he found most surprising about his business, he answered thoughtfully, “Our clients and their end result…how beautiful the home is and how much money they save. We have three objectives at Owner/Builder LA: we want to see our clients build a quality home at the most efficient price. We provide our clients with multiple subcontractors who share their same vision. We are dedicated to making the home building process efficient, affordable and exact.” Bill’s clients would tell you he’s forgetting one very important thing. His commitment to communication is a huge part of this process. Bill says it best actually. “Call me, I don’t care what time it is or what it is, just call me.” Rarely does he miss a call as it’s coming in, but if he does, he likes to return it before his clients can finish leaving a message. That makes me smile. It’s not often you encounter someone with the ability to not only visualize your dream with you, but with the talent to inspire your confidence to make it happen…today.

Do you know how lines in decorating influences your mood?

Wonderful Embellishments!

n understanding of what constitutes good design is essential if your decorating project is to be successful. The whole purpose of spending time, thought, effort and money on decorating your home is to make it as attractive as possible. True, comfort and convenience are just as important, but these are more specific and usually easier to come by. The things a home must have to be comfortable are quite concrete; the things that make it attractive are harder to define. This is where good design comes in, as well as

working with a professional. To put it very simply, good design attracts and pleases the eye; bad design repels it. And design â&#x20AC;&#x201C; either good or bad â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is made up of line, form and composition. Line is the beginning point of all design, because it establishes shape or form. While weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all somewhat aware of lines, have you ever considered how lines influence mood? You can set the theme of a room by your choice of lines. This is because the human eye involuntarily travels the length of a line, and different lines give different impressions. Horizontal lines are restful! They create a feeling of relaxation and informality,

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Together we will make your house the home you have always dreamed about!

and almost always have a lighthearted look. If you want a light and romantic look in your new room, use furniture designed around controlled curves. Free form curves reflect the flowing lines of nature. These irregular forms are considered contemporary. Just as controlled curves have a fanciful effect, free-form curves create a casual, free and easy mood.

probably because a horizontal position is associated with sleeping. Contemporary styles in furniture are often based on horizontal lines. Vertical lines are formal! They create a feeling of strength and regularity, especially when repeated. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re undoubtedly associated in our minds with an upright position, thus signifying alertness and conventionality. Circles and Squares are static. The eye recognizes these shapes at a glance.

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Stars and flowers patterns that fit into circles and squares are also static. Rectangles and ovals give an impression of motion. This is because the eye involuntarily travels around them due to their less regular shape. Controlled curved lines are romantic

Enid Harvey's designs - Your lifestyle, your taste, our expertise! Diagonal lines usually create a disturbing element, unless supported by opposing diagonals or by verticals to give them strength. A variety of diagonal lines

Taking the ordinary to the extraordinary - Stunning and Inviting!

used together produce a very busy look, which is often unsettling. For more information contact Enid Harvey at 318-798-2214 or visit her website at www.enidandtom.decoratingden.com Enid Harvey owns Decorating Den Interiors in Shreveport, La. and is a Certified Interior Decorator Window Fashions Certified Professional Green Certified Leader by the Sustainable Furnishing Council.

Enid Harvey Enid Harvey has been a Decorating Den owner since 2002 when she bought her franchise in Florida. She operated her business there, until 2005 when she decided to apply for a leave of absence for almost three years and moved to the Shreveport-Bossier in Northwest Louisiana. Believing in second chances, Enid came back with DDI in the summer of 2008, and has developed her business in the Shreveport-Bossier, La. area. Enid Harvey’s professional work has been published in local magazines and papers, as well as trade magazines such as Window Fashions magazine, now Vision. Enid is an active member of several Chambers of Commerce including Bossier City, Mansfield De Soto in Louisiana, and also in Marshall and Kilgore, Texas. She is also a member of the East Texas Builder’s Association as an associate, and has the honor to have been installed in the Associate’s Council Board. Enid has been associated with the home décor industry for over 16 years in her native Puerto Rico,as well as in the U S. She is also a contributor for the home décor section of The MinuteMagazine in northest Louisiana, as well as in Family Matters, a publication of The Mashall News Messenger, in Mashall,Texas. Enid’s design philosophy is to listen carefully to her clients in order to discover their dreams, taking a plain canvas and transforming it into a special place, paying careful attention to the details in order to make their spaces a beautiful expression of their lives. For Enid her customers are royalty and she is very committed to combine and coordinate every necessary effort to exceed her client’s expectations within their budget. Enid loves to give back to the community that has helped her grow her business. Every year Enid supports the Louisiana River Bend Reveau to benefit students’ scholarships through Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Enid also started adopting a military family for Christmas through the Bossier Chamber of Commerce Liaison Program for Barksdale Air Force Base members and she is committed to do it every single year. Enid operates her business with her husband and partner Tom Harvey. In their leisure time they enjoy reading, singing together and playing the piano, as well as their love for good theater, traveling and visiting historical places. Enid is a Certified Interior Decorator, a Window Fashions Certified Professional and a Green Certified Leader through The Sustainable Furniture Council of America. You can contact her at 318-798-2214 , email decdenbc@gmail.com, visit her webpage at:

www.enidandtom.decoratingden.com

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MATTHEWS Thoroughbred Farm

Leslie Matthews w w w. M a t t h e w s T h o r o u g h B r e d F a r m . c o m â&#x20AC;˘ ( 3 1 8 ) 4 6 9 - 6 0 5 3

QUESTION: We need to replace a toilet in our home and I have been told that new toilets donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t flush properly. What do you recommend?

QUESTION: How high do I have to set the temperature control on my water heater to make sure I have an adequate supply of hot water?

ANSWER: Buy name brand toilet.

ANSWER: Depends on how many people are in the dwelling, we recommend 120 or 130

QUESTION: Sometimes I hear a whistling sound in the plumbing. What causes that? ANSWER: High water pressure air or old faucet with space between bibb, washer and seat. QUESTION: When the water heater is operating, I hear a banging, bubbling, rumbling sound. Should I get it checked out? ANSWER: This is caused by sediment in the bottom of the heater and should be flushed out. QUESTION: I have a slow draining kitchen sink. Should I have it cleaned? ANSWER: Yes, but do not use drain cleaner, as it will damage the pipes! QUESTION: My shower has a weak stream. What's the cause? ANSWER: Calcium build up! Have a plumber take apart or clean and replace.

QUESTION: My water bill has increased but I'm using the same amount of water as always. I can't hear the toilet running, and I have checked the faucets for leaks, but nothing appears wrong. What now? ANSWER: Get a technician to check for water leaks, or possibly a slab leak. QUESTION: My kitchen faucet sprays out the sides and the flow is less than normal. Do I need a new faucet? ANSWER: More than likely you need a new aerator. QUESTION: With two kids in the house my wife and I always run out of hot water by the fourth shower. What can I do? ANSWER: Get rid of wife and kids! Not really!! More than likely you will need a new tankless water heater. For additional questions or more information on these questions give Roach Plumbing And Heating Co. a call at (318) 631-4533 and also check us out on the web: www.roachplumbing.com

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P H OTO G R A P Y B Y

(318)393-9334 â&#x20AC;˘ juliescogin@ymail.com iblinked.shutterfly.com

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Health, Hope & Attitude Zumba Classes Main location: Auditorium at The Bossier Council on Aging facility 706 Bearkat Drive, Bossier City, LA 71111 (across from Bossier High School) Visit our website: healthhopeattitude.com for class times and prices. We take a “tag-team” approach to teaching Zumba and our clients love the energy and fun it brings to their fitness experience. With five certified Zumba instructors, Health, Hope & Attitude offers a variety of music and dance styles with high energy for all fitness levels. If you are looking for a new and fun way to get fit, come and visit one of our many weekly classes. Printed calendars for the current month are available at each of our class times. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask Cindy Kelley (text 518-7312 or email clkwynn@yahoo.com).

Health And Fitness Awards Southern Hospitality Magazine is proud to host our Editors picks for the Industry's Finest Health And Fitness Awards. The accomplishments of the best health and fitness companies of the past year are awarded in several different categories. The competition is judged by a select group of respected industry leaders.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR WINNERS! 1. Over All Leading New Fitness Center/Best Family Nursery Adrenaline Fitness Personal Trainers: Chase Duggins and Cliff Whallon Benton La • 747-11417 2. Overall Best Fitness Center with Olympic Pool Fitness World 1450 East Bert Kouns • 524-0000 3. Best State Of the Art Equipment/ Corporate Wellness Packages Snap Fitness Personal Trainer: Jeff Consiglio 539 East 70th • 344-7640 4. Best Place for 24 Hour Fitness Anytime Fitness (Over 11 locations) Personal Trainers in all locations!

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5. Best Health Club - Shreveport, La Drew LeBlanc Elite Fitness Personal Trainer: Drew LeBlanc Mansfield Rd, Shreveport • 688-7714 6. Best Leading Lady's Fitness Center Fitness Lady Personal Trainers: Brianna and Kedgy Larson 1700 Old Minden Rd • 747-1897 7. Best Zumba/Line Dancing Facility Hope, Health, & Attitude Personal Trainer: Cindy Kelley 706 Bearkat Drive • 518-7312 8. Best Day Spa Fitness Center Rose Spa & Fitness Samstown Casino Spring Street • 424-5616

9. Best Personal Training Facility Gary Drakes Personal Fitness Personal Trainer: Gary Drakes 800 Brook hollow Dr. • 798-8333 10. Best Boot Camp Fitness Plex Fitness Personal Trainers: Bill Maynor and Ken Meeks 2015 Meriwether Rd. • 687-2582 11. Overall Best Lady Fitness with Pool Fitness Lady Personal Trainers: Brianna and Kedgy Larson 1700 Old Minden Rd • 747-1897

Dress Provided By: Bella Amore' Weddings & Ballroom, Dress Designer: Casa Blanca - Ivory Satin Corset Gown Embelished with Delicate Crystals and Mini Pearls, Modeled by: JoAnna Wilson.

Wedding Awards

RENTAL AND DECOR: AAA Rental Gallery

Southern Hospitality Magazine is proud to host our Editors picks for the Industry's Finest Wedding Awards.

SPA FOR BRIDAL PARTY: Destiny Spa (in Bossier), Spa Concepts, The Longevity Center

The accomplishments of the best wedding related companies of the past year are awarded in several different categories. The competition is judged by a select group of respected industry leaders.

HAIR AND/OR MAKEUP: Permanent Cosmetics (Make-up), Aperio Salon Bella Donna Salon & Boutique, Cabello Hair Studio Ultimate Appearances, Salon Leveau

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR WINNERS! GOWNS/DRESSES: Azure's, Bella Amore' Weddings & Ballroom FORMALWEAR FOR MEN: Squires CATERER FOR SMALLER WEDDINGS AND EVENTS (UNDER 100 GUESTS): Old Oaks Golf Course, Ristorante Giuseppe Ralph & Kacoos CATERER FOR LARGE WEDDING RECEPTIONS (100+ GUESTS): Savoie's Catering, Silver Palate Ashley's Event Productions & Catering JEWELER: Bailey's Jewelers, Connie & V Cross DJ SERVICE: D.Jay's Entertainment, Greem Team Music System Professional Karoke & PJ FLORIST: Consider the Lilies, Flower Power, Chinaberry's, Weddings by Cusom Creations, Levres Flowers & Framing Gallery

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WEDDING CAKE: The Pastry Chef, Dough Basket & Catering (Shreveport) GETAWAY CAR/TRANSPORTATION - WEDDING PARTY: Shreveport Limousine, A-1 Charter CEREMONY MUSICIANS: Four String Quartet, Bruce Flett INVITATIONS: Dixie Chicks ENGRAVING: Styrons PLACE TO BUY ATTENDANT GIFTS/WEDDING FAVORS: AAA Rental BEST HOTEL BALLROOM FOR REHEARSALS, RECEPTIONS OR WEDDINGS: Rodeway Inn & Suites OUTDOOR WEDDING AND/OR RECEPTION SITE: American Rose Center, Gazebo at Fairfield Gardens RECEPTION SITE FOR WEDDINGS Olde Oaks Golf Course, The Golf Club of The StoneBridge Eastridge Country Club, Shreveport Country Club, Holiday Inn (Bossier), Hilton Garden Inn (Shreveport)

AIR BRUSH TANS Thea (Ultimate Appearances) Leslie Matthews (Bella Donna Boutique) LOCAL BOUTIQUE FOR WEDDING REGISTRY: Lewis Gifts (Shreveport), Chinaberry's (Bossier) VIDEOGRAPHER: M&M Sound and Media Precious Memories PHOTOGRAPHER: Terry Atwood Smith Photographic Services, Inc Harrington House Photography Studio Jennifer Robison WEDDING AND EVENT CO-ORDINATOR: Chez Rivage Events & Paperie Mandy Cathy Wedding & Events BEST WEDDING PUBLICATION: Weddings in Style International PRODUCTION CO & TALENT CO Sadlers Production Co.

AAA Rental Gallery

Shreveport Bossier's Premier Party & Wedding Rental Gallery

ehind every excited bride, great event planner, caterer, production company or private party host, you will find a great rental company. at AAA Rental Gallery, known as Shreveport Bossier's Premier Party & Wedding Rental Store. AAA Rental Gallery provides an

outstanding level of personal service to you and your Guests, allowing you and your partner to sit back, relax and enjoy the experience. Our commitment is to provide the very best Wedding Rental experience available. We have a large selection of party rentals including tables, chairs, linens, china, flatware, glassware, and much more. We now offer our very own charming gift boutique selling a wide selection of wedding accessories including frames, Unity Candles, and Unity Candle Sand sets, champagne glasses, flower girl baskets, gifts for brides maids and groomsmen. Cozy up with our Mr. & Mrs. bath wrap sets! If we don't have it in stock, we will order it for you! Discover new and unique wedding ideas and wedding tips to help make your big day a memorable one at AAA Rental Gallery as each event specialist is passionate about making your wedding a success. They have the expertise and dedication to make your event a true cel-

ebration of life! Whether you are planning a corporate event, a fundraiser, a wedding reception or a backyard party, we can help with our extensive inventory and

event planning experience. Furthermore, we help you stay within your budget by offering highly competitive rental rates. Stop by our showroom at Southfield Rd, or call us at 797-7337 to set up an appointment so we can help you with planning your next event. We look forward to your visit!

a city built on big dreams, freshly blazed trails and an attitude that all things are possible, is experiencing a renaissance.

ore than $15 billion in new and ongoing development assists in creating a richly diverse city with countless luxury accommodations, leading arts district, endless shopping opportunities, a thriving culinary scene and trendy entertainment districts. The ninth largest city in the nation and No. 1 visitor destination in the state of Texas has something to offer everyone. The city continues to position itself as a top destination for business and leisure travelers with the additions of The RitzCarlton, Dallas and W Dallas-Victory and the renovations of Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, The Fairmont, Hilton Anatole, Hyatt Regency and the Sheraton Dallas. Visitors have more than 70,000 rooms to

40 Southern Hospitality

choose from with accommodations ranging from luxury and boutique to family friendly and economical. Culture is also drawing visitors to Dallas, as the city boasts the largest urban arts district in the U.S. Five cultural venues were designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects, and the 19-block area is a definite eye-catcher. Highlights include the Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, Crow Collection of Asian Art and Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. The feather in the cap of Dallas’ Arts District is the multi-million dollar, multi-venue AT&T Performing Arts Center. Venues include the 2,200-seat Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, with its distinctive red panes; the 600-seat Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre for classical and experimental theater; and the 10-acre

Sammons Park. City Performance Hall, constructed by the City of Dallas for smaller performing arts groups is slated for future opening. Additionally, the Meadows Museum at Southern Methodist University displays the largest collection of Spanish art outside of Spain, drawing crowds to its cultural center. And Fair Park, the 277-acre site of the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition, is home to the world’s largest collection of 1930s exposition-style buildings, State Fair of Texas, and the following attractions: Music Hall at Fair Park, Gexa Energy Pavillion, Women’s Museum, African American Museum, Firefighter Museum, Museum of the American Railroad, Hall of State, South Dallas Cultural Center, Cotton Bowl, Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park, Texas Discovery Gardens and Museum of Nature and Science.

Home to the first planned shopping center in the U.S., Highland Park Village, Dallas is often called the “birthplace of shopping.” The city provides the best experience in the Southwest with unsurpassed locations such as NorthPark Center – the largest in North Texas with 235 distinctive stores – Victory Park, West Village, Mockingbird Station, Bishop Arts District and Galleria Dallas. The flagship Neiman Marcus in downtown Dallas has set the standard for fashion and elegance since its grand opening in the early 1900s. The downtown store also features a fifth-floor museum that tells the story of this ready-towear couture retail legend. Dallas features a cutting-edge culinary scene led by nationally acclaimed celebrity chefs such as Stephan Pyles, Dean Fearing, Kent Rathbun and Wolfgang Puck. And with more than 7,000 restaurants in the Dallas area, there is an endless variety of dining to please any palate and price point. The city’s 13 entertainment districts

meet any visitor’s needs. From familyfriendly offerings and quaint settings to vibrant nightlife and exciting atmospheres, you can do and see it all in Dallas’ various neighborhoods. In this city of big ideas, sports and recreation are no exception. The Sporting News consistently ranks Dallas near the top on its list of the nation’s “Best Sports Cities.” Teams from six professional sports leagues and associations call the Dallas area home – Dallas Cowboys, NFL; Dallas Desperados, Arena Football League; Dallas Mavericks, NBA; Dallas Stars, NHL; FC Dallas, MLS; and Texas Rangers, Major League Baseball. Dallas enjoys a reputation as a “championship” city, having hosted a multitude of top competitions, both professional and amateur. It continues to build on this reputation by hosting the 2009 Visa Championships, NBA All-Star 2010, SuperBowl XLV in 2011 and the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2014. With more than 100 golf courses of varied levels of play within city limits, and more

than 100 more in the surrounding area, Dallas is the premier locale for the golf enthusiast. And residents and visitors alike enjoy the 21,000 park acres in Dallas Parks, including 17 lakes and 61 miles of jogging/bike trails. Travel to and from Dallas is convenient and enjoyable due to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field Airport. DFW, the world’s third busiest airport and home to American Airlines, provides visitors with non-stop flights to more U.S. cities than any other airport in the nation and has flyer-friendly service, hotels, dining and shopping. Travelers enjoy DFW for its central location in the North Texas area, allowing for easy travel by rental service, taxi or the Trinity Railway Express, which services Dallas, Fort Worth and Irving. Dallas Love Field Airport, located minutes from downtown, serves as the headquarters for Southwest Airlines and offers service to select cities across the U.S. A new, $625 million terminal with 20 gates opens in 2014.

Voted Best Mexican Bossier City SHM 2011

lias Sifuentes left his home in Monterrey, Mexico forty years ago, making his home first in Los Angeles where he worked in a couple of restaurants. By the end of 1966, he was ready to go elsewhere and took a job with Houston’s Mexican Patio Restaurant. It was at that point that he began thinking seriously about the food business, maybe having a restaurant of his own. “I started working there and visualizing what I would do if it were mine, but I wasn’t ever dreaming this,” Sifuentes admits, looking around his office on Bossier City’s Airline Drive filled with memorabilia gathered over the past two decades. It was a job with Pancho’s (which is based in Houston) that transferred him to Bossier City in the late Sixties. This summer Elias Sifuentes will be celebrating twenty-five years as proprietor of the seven Nicky’s Mexican Restaurants in Shreveport, Bossier,

Minden, and Springhill. The years at Pancho's were somewhat rocky, definitely disenchanting, so much so that Elias had to look for other work to support himself and his family. He took a job with the City of Bossier, starting at the bottom as a garbage man. His only regret today is that he never got to drive the truck. During that time he applied for and landed a job at General Electric, where he worked on the line. In 1979 he left GE and not long afterwards became reacquainted with Nicky Ponce. The two men began a Mexican eatery called La Margarita, “Suddenly though it closed, and I was unemployed; Nicky

and I both were unemployed,” In August of 1979 both men started Nicky's Mexican Restaurant along with co-founder Thomas Eason. Three years later, Elias bought out Nicky. With speaking very little english at the time that he left Nicky; Elias and Thomas Eason met the challenges of the restaurant business. Later on Thomas Eason retired and Elias Sifuentes became the sole owner of Nickys Mexican Restaurant. Elias has managed to bring us seven Nicky's Mexican Restaurants with great quality and service. Today Elias is joined by his son Johnny Sifuentes to continue the legacy of great food and service. ❖

Nicky’s Mexican Restaurant, a Legacy of Great Food, Quality and Service!

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Rodeway Inn & Suites 3033 Hilton Dr. Bossier City, LA 71111 Phone: (318) 747-2400 Fax: (318) 747-6822 www.southernhosthospitality.com

Best Extended Stay Hotel SHM 2011

Quality Inn & Suites 2717 Village Lane Bossier City, LA 71112 Phone: (318) 742-7890 Fax: (318) 742-7891 www.southernhosthospitality.com

Best Luxury Corporate Hotel SHM 2011

Best Corporate Hotel SHM 2011

Microtel Inn & Suites 2713 Village Lane Bossier City, LA 71112 Phone: (318) 742-7882 Fax: (318) 213-6316 www.southernhosthospitality.com

Howard Johnson Inn 1984 Airline Drive Bossier City, LA 71112 Phone: (318) 742-6000 Fax: (318) 742-4615

Best Budget Hotel SHM 2011

ÂŠ Photos by: Smith Photographic Services, Inc.