November 2022 : Men in Business / Holiday Gift Guide / and more

you like country music, then you’ve probably heard a few Jordan Davis songs, one of which has been nominated for the CMA awards this year. But did you know he’s from Shreveport? Our cover story is all about Jordan growing up and how he and his brother (and fellow songwriter) made their way to Nashville.

We also have a great profile on actress and classical violinist Jennifer Carsillo and how she is sharing her talents locally and nationally and around the world.

Do you have a Thanksgiving tradition? For as long as I can remember, my extended family has taken a photo of and with the cooked turkey! LOL. You might find a Thanksgiving Tradition you’d like to start from the list in the back, right next to the mulled cider recipe. It’s time to get in the holiday spirit! Look for SB’s holiday gift guide this month (and next), check out the write-up of holiday outings all around the Ark-La-Tex, and look up local events on the calendar.

SB Magazine is so grateful to our readers and advertisers! Please support these businesses and our local economy. Happy Thanksgiving!

Elizabeth Beard Deal Executive Editor editor@sbmag.net

PUBLISHER

G. Byron May

OWNERS

G. Byron May Seva May Noble Feldman

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Elizabeth Beard Deal

ASSISTANT EDITOR Hailey Lawson

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Teddy Allen Scott “Scooter” Anderson Adam Bailey Ursula Brantley Jon Paule Calcote Myron Griffing Arshpreet Kaur, MD Hailey Lawson Zoie Swint

PHOTOGRAPHY

Copyright © 2022 SB Magazine, Inc. Volume 23, Issue 11

The Beards 2019

Several factors can lead to a DWI arrest. If the officer believes you are under the influence

The first question I’m asked, generally in the early morning schedule. The amount of bail is pre-set, so it alleviates the need to go before a judge generally 12.5%. Using a bail bond agent prevents you from paying the total amount. under current Louisiana law. However, there are steps to extend hearing to fight the proposed suspension. You must request the standpoint, a DWI first offense is a misdemeanor. In Louisiana, Remember,

Seva May – Shreveport Little Theatre – “On My Own” Shreveport

Deanna

Little Theatre and 101st Season Sponsor Willis-Knighton Health System presented “SEVA MAY, ON MY OWN.” Seva May graced the SLT stage for three performances, sharing memories and music from five decades on stage. This Lagniappe Production written and directed by Erik Champney from his interviews with Seva, reflected on Leading Lady Seva May’s life on stage and her passion for performing. Despite fighting the flu, Seva gave an incredible and hypnotizing performance all three times on stage. Seva Day May has won numerous awards for such roles as Eva Peron in Evita, Fanny Brice in Funny Girl, Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Velma in Chicago, Mame Dennis in Mame, Patsy Cline in Always, Patsy Cline, and Ursula in The Little Mermaid.

1. Stage Manager Rachel Havird with Featured Performer and Leading Lady Seva May, Playwright/Director Erik Champney, and Assistant Director Logan Digilormo 2. Scott Green and Robert Smith 3. Missy Fussell with Dory and Tommy Michell and Joy LePointe 4. Martha and Mike Whitehead with Courtney-Anne Van Toor 5. Jan Querbes with Cindy and Marshall Jones 6. George Kalmbach and Penny Lowrey 7. Playwright and Director Erik Champney with Dylan Goodwin 8. Rob and Weiser Duvall with Virginian and Phil Israel 9. Wayne Sessna, Sandra May, Patti May Carey and Byron May with Blake and Katherine May and Emerson, Reed, and Parker May 10. Moise Allen, Virginia Israel, and JoAnn Ramsey 11. Byron May with Logan May, Deanna Curtis May and Lucas and Lily May 12. Anna Marie Sparke and Rocky Maddox

Red River Revel The Red River Revel, the largest outdoor arts festival in North Louisiana, attracted over 180,000 people to Shreveport’s Downtown Festival Plaza over the course of a week. The Red River Revel Arts Festival is known for traditional Cajun cuisine, deep-rooted cultural music and hand-crafted art. Musical entertainment from every genre, delicious food booths, hands-on arts, education programs, and hundreds of artist booths are just a few of the activities that Revelers participated in this year.  The Revel featured live music performances by chart topping American country singer Neal McCoy, famous bluesman and Shreveport native Buddy Flett, American rock band Everclear, American music producer and rapper Mannie Fresh and American funk, soul, and jazz group The Motet, just to name a few.

1. Aubrey Burkhardt and Graham Schmid 2. Kim and Fred Lucky 3. Kristin Pickering and Michael Tamburo 4. Tyler Gentry, Kinsey Tyson and Megan French 5. The Garrett Family enjoying the Red River Revel 6. Red River Revel 6. Roland Toups and Barbara Lebel 7. Sarah Griffin, Chad Lowery, Jake Gentry and Kami Simonelli 8. Marshall Vick and Catherine Humphrey

Red Hanger Event – Dress for Success

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1. Chef Jordan Raminez, Chef Sean Sullivan, Chef Allison Gras, Chef Eleazar Mondragon, Chef Gio and Giuseppe Brucia, and Chef Blake Jackson 2. Charm and Josh Hathorn 3. Josh Shaver, Catherine Rogers, TJ Marshall, and Darrah Craig 4. Clinton and Olivia Rasberry 5. Courtney Lowry and Hailey Jackson 6. Tera Rachal Cooke and Johann Cooke, Sr.

1. Event Chair Holly Rocca with Dress for Success Executive Director Erica

McCain 2. LaWhitney Johnson, Allyson Smith, Fire Chief Clarence Reese Jr., and Carolyn Tillman 3. Melinda and Stan Wallace 4. Rene’ Davis with Barbara Bryant 5. Joanna and Isabella King 6. Dress for Success Models Sharon Howard, Sirena Spearman, and Maya Jackson

MEMBER FDIC

Gingerbread House Partners in Prevention Luncheon

Taste & Expo by Southern Hill Business Association

The Southern Hills Business Association presented 2022 Expo and Taste at Summer Grove Baptist Church off Jewella Avenue. This “Taste of Southern Hills” event included door prizes, food samples, freebies, multiple exhibits, and an opportunity to network with business owners of Shreveport, primarily in the Southern Hills area. There were many political candidates on hand to discuss the current issues in our community as well. The Southern Hills Business Association has been making a difference and building their community for 21 years in “Keeping the Hills Alive.”

1. Small Cakes of Shreveport, brother and sister owners Jonah and Samone Williams 2. Russell Adams with Chris Giordiano, CEO of Louisiana State Fair 3. Rodney Clements and John Albritton of Edward Jones 4. Lola Kendrick and Lois Sheib of the League of Women Voters 5. Sweet Glaze Donuts owner Sue Iem with son, So Iem 6. Velma Wilson and Marilyn Varnell from The Southern Hill Neighborhood Association

1. Dan and Jacque Jovic with VP Waynette Ballengee, Guest Speaker Rebekah Gregory, and CEO Jessica Milan Miller 2. Judge Santi Parks with Julianna Parks, President Board of Directors for Gingerbread House 3. Megann McDaniel, Jordan Webster, and Jody Waters 4. Holly Roca and Whitney Weeks 5. Brad and Kim Hand, owners of Buttercups with Laura and David Alvis, owners of Silver Star 6. Henry Price, Cecilia Conant, and Greg Shyne

The Gingerbread House Children’s Advocacy Center held their “Partners in Prevention” 2022 Luncheon at Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino Ballroom. Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor Rebekah Gregory, Author of Taking My Life Back and Founder of Rebekah’s Angels Foundation was the guest speaker for the luncheon. Rebekah turned her pain into purpose. Even though the act of terrorism may have claimed her leg, it did not claim her spirit. The inspirational speaker stated “Whatever happens, I will deal with it with grace, and I will be thankful and show gratitude every day. The Gingerbread House, an accredited member of National Children’s Alliance brings healing and hope to children in our community.

Real Estate Professionals Soiree

1. An Evening of Healers Event Chairs Valarie Jamison with Taylor and Destiny Jamison 2. Senator Robert Mills with Dr. Darrl Mitchell and Yvonne Mitchell 3. Randy Morris, Board of Supervisors for LSU Health Shreveport with Dr. David Lewis, Interim Chancellor, Dean for School of Medicine, Professor and Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology for LSU Health Shreveport. 4. CEO of Christus Shreveport-Bossier Health System Dr. Steen and Ronda Trawick 5. Hedy Hebert with son, Kevin Alexander 6. Randy and Tracey James 7. Hunter and Olivia Hoogland 8. Brooks Smitha with Dana and John Pickens and Lisa Babin

1. Ketchum Family: Katie Ivey, Roger and Sharon Ketchum, and Brittney Ketchum 2. Dana Travis and Michael Grace 3. Dustin Christy and Ruby Gentile

4. Brad and Erika Scott

BOSS Beauty

BY JON PAULE CALCOTE

Withthe days getting shorter and the temperatures getting cooler, we are quickly approaching the most festive time of year. With the days getting shorter and the temperatures getting cooler, we are quickly approaching the most festive time of year. ‘Tis the season to dress in your holiday best and celebrate with friends, family and loved ones. So, lets unwrap some of 2022’s biggest holiday trends!

Fashion

1. Classic Velvet Velvet is a holiday staple that designers worldwide continuously reinvent. This holiday season, we are seeing the classic look in much bigger, bolder ways, such as floor length velvet trench coats, velvet maxi dresses and my personal favorite, the head-to-toe velvet jumpsuit.

2. Sparkle & Shine Garments with sparkle and shine embellishments are commonly seen during the holidays, and this season is all about sequins. Sequins were seen on the runways of some of the top designer’s holiday shows embellishing everything from purses, boots, and simple tops to full sequin gowns and pantsuits.

3. The Slip Dress You may not think that a slip dress is practical for this time of year but it’s a great transition piece. Pair with a knee-high boot and an oversized piece of outerwear for a fashion forward look.

4. Metallic Fabrics Talk about standing out! Designers are using metallics in everything from evening wear and cute singles right down to activewear and loungewear. Steal the spotlight by showing up in your most festive metallic attire!

“If you don’t want to wear such bold velvet looks, add velvet touches like a cute velvet clutch, a velvet head band or a chic velvet shoe.”

Hair5. Holiday Braid This hair style is simple and easy to achieve and adds a touch of holiday cheer to any look. Prep your hair to braid as you normally would but replace one of the three sections of hair with a cute holiday ribbon.

6. Embellished Clips and Pins Whether you’re doing a half up, half down look, or putting your hair all the way up, use clips and pins embellished with pearls and rhinestones or glitter to secure your ‘do. This extra little touch of holiday sparkle elevates any hair style to a more festive fabulous look.

7. Low Ponytail This looks shows classic elegance and be worn casual or formal. Simply smooth your hair back in a low ponytail and tie a bow at the base of it. Try a satin ribbon, or a textured ribbon for a more playful look.

8. Big Volume Nothing says you’re fabulously ready for a party like big voluminous hair. Curl different sections of hair and pin them up immediately. Let set and cool to room temperature, then let the sections down, shake out and shape to your liking.

9. Ballerina Bun This sweet hair style is inspired by a holiday classic, “The Nutcracker,” and is a go-to when it comes to embracing your holiday style. Simply slick your hair back and up into a high ponytail and fold and shape into a bun. This look will open up your face and is the perfect style to show off your favorite holiday earrings.

Makeup

10. Christmas Red Lip Embrace that classic Hollywood look while staying right on trend for the holidays. Don’t be shy. Give it a try! Downplay your eyes a bit so your makeup won’t seem so bold.

11. Sparkling Eyes Shine as bright as Christmas lights with eye shadows that have some shimmer or shine. To be a standout at the party, try some eye shadows that have subtle yet striking flakes of glitter in it.

12. Holiday Highlighter Facial highlighters are the easiest way to brighten the face and bring out your features! Find a facial highlighter that is very subtle yet noticeable with a hint of shimmer flakes. Apply to your cheek bones, down the bridge of your nose, the center of your forehead and tip of your chin for a look that gives you sassy cheerfulness all while brightening your complexion and giving a dewy youthful glow.

13. Interesting Eyeliner Shades Lining your eyes is a staple in most women’s makeup routine. Try swapping out your classic black and brown shades with playful, fun colors like shades of blue, green, copper, or bronze. To try this look in a more subtle way, just line the bottom rim of your eye.

14. Bold Wispy Eye Lashes The bolder the lash the better, and there are plenty of options to help achieve this look. A semipermanent solution like lash extensions will generally last up to two weeks before having to be refilled. A strip lash can be glued on during your makeup application and will wash off with your makeup. If you don’t think you’re skilled enough to glue on a lash with precision, try magnetic lashes that require no glue at all. Apply a magnetic solution (similar to a liquid liner) and let dry. The lash has tiny magnets in it that stick to the liner.

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

“The beauty of magnetic lashes is you can place and remove the lash until it’s right where you want it, without messing up your eye makeup.”

“Don’t be afraid to mix in other trends with your ballerina bun. Tie a cute ribbon around the base of your bun or add in a few jewel-embellished pins for some extra cheer.”

BY URSULA BRANTLEY

Compassionate Raising Children

Ahuge part of parenthood includes being sure that children understand the importance of exhibiting kindness to others. A study headed by Harvard psychologist Richard Weissbourd showed that 80% of youth in the study said their parents care more about grades and their personal happiness than they do about whether they cared for others. Ensuring our children are valuable members of society goes beyond quadratic angles or knowing the difference between Dali and Basquiat. Having compassion for those around you is a key part of being a healthy human being.

Altruism

& Empathy in Everyday Life, says “It’s almost as though we’re born predisposed to be upset by other people’s pain.” Before a child knows how to comfort someone, they’ll just know that they feel sad when someone else is sad. Being able to understand another’s pain is something that develops as they grow. For example, if you cry around a toddler, they’ll console you the best way they know how. They may hug you, wipe your eyes, or even share their favorite toy with you. They express the love that’s shown to them when they are hurting. Sometimes a child’s ability to be empathetic can be tainted by unhealthy examples in their

says upset comfort able will

environment. In a world that’s more desensitized then ever before, it can seem like a trying task to accomplish. Truth is it isn’t as difficult as you might think. Here are some tips for raising compassionate children.

�������� Never tell your child that they’re mean or bad or not helpful When a person is told something on a regular basis, they will begin to assume it’s true. A child will begin to believe that they are what you say they are. If you instill kindness and greatness in them, then kindness and greatness is what they will shine upon the world.

Alfie Kohn, author of The Brighter Side of Human Nature:

�������� Treat your child with respect

Speak to your children and not at your children. They might be smaller, but they are still human beings with feelings and thoughts. Show them proper respect and they will know how to respect the minds and hearts of others.

�������� Acknowledge acts of kindness

Whether you catch your child or someone else being kind, make sure you point it out to your child. Explain how being kind can really make someone’s day. They may connect more with the idea if you remind them of how good it felt when someone was kind to them.

�������� Acknowledge rudeness

Whether you catch your child or someone else being rude, make sure you point it out to your child. Explain how being rude can really hurt someone’s feelings. They may connect more with the idea if you remind them of how upsetting it felt when someone was rude to them.

�������� Be aware of the things they watch and read Some shows and reading material don’t set good examples of kindness and compassion. Make sure they are watching and reading things that display positive examples of kindness.

�������� Understand that your child’s perception of differences in others and teach your child how to be appropriate Children are born without a filter, so they may not know when they say or do something hurtful. When you

notice they have said or done something inappropriate, calmly explore their actions with them and explain the proper way to approach the situation.

�������� Be a great example

Children model the behaviors to which they are exposed. If they see exclusion, lack of compassion, and negativity, they will see this as normal behavior and adopt those views. If they see inclusion, love, and caring, they will see nothing abnormal about being a shoulder for the next person. When you show them love and show love to others, they learn to be the kindhearted human beings that this world desperately needs.

The beautiful Logansport Riverfront lights up and becomes a “Winter Wonderland” in this small rural community. Located on the Sabine River in northwest Louisiana you’ll experience the Christmas spirit throughout the holiday season. Logansport in DeSoto Parish was added to the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights in 2022.

The Logansport Christmas Festival was started in the 1970’s under the direction of local volunteers and supporters. Throughout the years, the volunteers have kept it alive and introduce new components each year. The lights premier annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and stay bright until the New Year. There is never any admission to the Logansport Riverfront to view the lights. The Premiere weekend features a parade, live entertainment, a car show, fun and games along with fireworks over the Sabine River. Drive-through or park and stay awhile.

115 N. Washington Mansfield, LA 71052 (318) 872-1177

DiscoverDeSoto.com

both Single of the Year and is one venue he still longs to experience

dad would tell me I am wrong. But that’s such a special room.”

Jordan’s family not only loved country music when he was growing up, but all styles of music. It’s another element of his upbringing he credits to his hometown. “I don’t think I would have grown up in such a musical household without living in such a rich musical city,” he said. “From an early age, my dad would talk about the Hayride. He was a big Elvis Presley fan. He had so many Elvis stories, about him being in Shreveport. As I got older, I was close enough to pick up Pat Green in my middle school years. And being in Louisiana, the Southern rock ’n’ roll — the Allman Brothers and Tom Petty. Being around a musical family, there was always some I was dipping into that I’d never heard.”

Davis said he remains a fan of many of the artists his father introduced to him, including Elvis, Kris Kristofferson, and Jim Croce. Looking back, he recalls the one artist he would have liked most to see in

“Jordan was an all-around great guy,” she recalls. “He excelled in football and baseball. He always had a smile. He always helped everybody, and he always had lots of friends. He’s still that same kid he was in high school.” That, too, is part of the family tradition, Prothro said. “His whole family is like that,” she said. “He comes from good people. His brother, Jacob… he’s amazing too. And their younger sister, Gentry. I tell them, ‘You boys are amazing, but Gentry’s got my heart.’”

Stephanie Spring was Davis’ English and drama teacher at Byrd. “He was a good student, but definitely loved to make people laugh,” she said. Prothro and Springer both celebrate Jordan’s success, even if they didn’t see it coming. “Oh my goodness no,” Prothro said. “I mean, I knew he’d be successful. He’s a fantastic kid. But this is so exciting.”

Lake, and my dad would get the boat out.

Jordan’s mother, Luwanna Davis, enough to purchase it,” she said. “We you think about upgrading. But that was a long way to town.” said. “Country music was always part of

the historic Municipal Auditorium. “My dad was big John Prine fan,” Davis said. “He got me into Prine early on. Seeing someone like that there would be really cool. There’s such a storyteller vibe to that room.”

But his greatest influence to become a songwriter was even closer to home. “I really think it was my uncle having such an influence on me and my brother, Jacob,” Davis said. “We always knew you could make a living writing music. We knew it was a path for us, and that we had a gene for it.”

Jordan graduated from C.E. Byrd High School in 2006. Marilyn Prothro, assistant principal at Byrd, has followed Davis since his days as a Yellow Jacket. She saw him in concert most recently in June at the Brookshire’s Grocery Arena in Bossier City, when he opened for Brooks & Dunn.

“I am not surprised he’s in a creative field,” Springer said. “I didn’t know about his passion for writing and music. But it’s not surprising that he found success in it.”

Luwanna saw a quiet confidence in everything her middle child did, even if she didn’t see stardom back then. “You knew he was artistic, but this direction that he’s taken, I would have never ever thought that,” she said. “Jordan was a leader, but he wasn’t a forceful leader. People just wanted to be around him and do good because they liked him.”

After Byrd, Davis moved to Baton Rouge to go to LSU. He got a degree in environmental science, one of his mom’s requirements before he pursued his dreams. “The rule was you have to get a degree, then go be a rockstar,” Luwanna

said. Jacob moved to Nashville in 2010, and Jordan followed his brother there in 2012 with his dream of becoming a songwriter.

“He loved his brother,” Luwanna said. “The boys were two years apart. They were always best friends. Whatever Jacob did, Jordan wanted to do too.”

But performing was something of an afterthought, Jordan said. “I never dreamed I’d be an artist,” he said. “But after six years and no money, I needed to figure something out. I was bartending at

night and writing songs in the day. I said, ’I don’t know how to do this, but I’ve got to start playing shows. I am going to do this artist thing and see if it works out.’”

It did work out for him, with the help of people like Stephanie Wright at Universal Music Group, even if the beginning was a little rough.

“I went in and played her a song,” Davis said. “She said, ‘I want to see you play a concert.’ I’d never played a show before. I didn’t tell her that. I told her I had done a show. She knew, though. She said after that first show, ‘You’re really green.’ But she still believed in me.”

Another one of those believers was Robert Filhart with ASCAP. Luwanna recalls having dinner with Filhart on the first trip she and Gentry took to visit the boys in Nashville.

“I told Robert, ‘I can’t believe Jordan has moved here’,” she said. “There was no glimmer of hope he was going to be OK. Robert said, ‘Mrs. Lou, have you had to pay any of his bills?’ I said, ‘No, but I don’t think he eats right.’ Robert said, ‘He stopped out there, and he’s chasing a dream — living in Nashville, writing songs and getting into rooms with good songwriters.”

Davis said that to this day he remains more of a songwriter than a performer. But he has found the right people to develop both sides of his talent.

“Nobody will ever say I am a great guitar player, but I can get around on one,” he said with a dry laugh. “Every songwriter is an artist. It’s always been there. I just had to find the right people to bring it out in me. Now I am too far in it to turn around.”

find his

Davis released his first album in 2018. The record produced three number one hits: “Slow Dance in a Parking Lot,” “Take It From Me,” and “Singles You Up.” The album propelled him into the national spotlight. But the name of the album came straight from his roots.

“My first album is called Home State,” he said. “It comes from my upbringing in Shreveport, those high school years, and

As I was naming the album, Louisiana kept on the fast track to country stardom. that I was already a few singles in,” he said. “It didn’t affect me as much from a professional standpoint. I think, for me,

to have a song with him is really cool.” Buy Dirt also features Davis’ short version of Prine’s song “Blow up Your TV.”

“The best is John Prine,” he said. “He’s the reason why I fell in love with the art. If I had never found him, I don’t know that I would have pursued music. He passed before I could meet him. I start ‘Buy Dirt’ with my way of thanking him for the influence he had on me. It made me feel good to pay homage to him.”

Davis enjoys collaborating with other artists, including Julia Michaels, and his recent release, “Midnight Crisis” with Danielle Bradbery, who won The Voice in 2013.

unrest at the time, and an unprecedented again. The result was his follow-up EP, Buy Dirt. The title track is a collaboration with on the radio growing up. Their friendship grew through the years as they ran into

“Danielle is unreal,” he said. “She is a great person. ‘Midnight Crisis’ is one we both love. I loved getting to work with her. It was really organic and never felt forced.”

He looks forward to more collaborations in the future, even crossing genres. “Julia (Michaels) is more on the pop side, which is cool,” he said. “I look at artists outside country music. Alicia Keys is one of the most talented musician-singersongwriters to live. That would be a dream collaboration. But you’ve got to have the song. If you have the song, you’ll find who fits it right.”

And Davis believes having the right song means having a great story, no matter what genre you sing in. “The story is the key to any great song,” he said. “What’s cool about the people from Elvis Presley to Kris Kristofferson is their unique way of telling a story. John Prine tells story totally different than Elvis. It could be the same topic, but it’s the way they go about it. That’s what I try to carry on. I try to tell stories in a different way that can resonate with listeners and reflect where I am coming from.”

And Davis will always be coming from Shreveport and his north Louisiana roots. It’s why he calls his fan club The Parish.

“I don’t think there is anybody else more proud to be from Louisiana than me,” he said. “I am a very proud Louisianan. I am proud of my hometown. I try to carry a little of that everywhere I go. It has given me so much. Not just the childhood and so many friends and memories but growing up in a city that’s so rich in country music history. That’s just a way for fans to get to know me a little better.”

And he still stays true to those roots in his work. “I’ll be sitting in a songwriting room with someone, and they’ll write, ‘We’ll be flying out past that county line.’ I’ll be like, ‘I’m from Louisiana. We don’t have counties. I can’t sing that.’”

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Grayson Bailey, Bail-ey Bonds

Grayson Bailey was born in New Orleans, and in 1989, he moved to Shreveport. Grayson attended LSUS for Business and Medical studies, all while working four jobs at the same time and trying to figure out his path in life. He had careers in the service industries with bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and construction. He started as an employee, worked his way up to management, and then finally ownership.

These days Grayson has built arguably the most successful Bail Bond firm in the Northwest Louisiana area, as well as his investments in commercial and residential real estate. BAIL-EY BONDS is currently one of the top producing and most professional Bail Bond companies in the country and was awarded top 10 Nationwide by Palmetto Insurance from 2017-2022. Grayson started Bail-ey Bonds to offer the best services to people who need bail bond assistance in our cities, parishes, and even nationwide. The company’s focus is always on the customer, and providing the best customer service is how they have earned a strong reputation.

In his off time, Grayson loves to snowboard, travel, wakeboard, race cars, and spend time with his family. Grayson is also a percentage owner in Texas Roadhouse, partners with an exotic and classic car storage which they are building off of Line Ave, and a general agent who owns Bailey Surety Group, which is insurance for bail bond companies. Grayson and his business partner, Tim Huck, saved a notorious landmark in Bossier City, Notini’s, and they will use their more than 40 years of combined restaurant experience to continue Notini’s tradition and recipes. Grayson has also sat on the Crimestoppers board for five years and has been on the board of the ShreveCEO group, where he was president from 2019-2020.

601 Texas Street # B Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 221-8828 www.bail-ey.com

Why all the hype about Pediatric Dentists? Can’t my child just see the family practice dentist?

Children are not like adults; their bodies are constantly growing, developing, and changing. While any dentist may know how to provide oral care for your child, pediatric dentists are specially trained to look for problems during a child’s growth and development to avoid major issues later.

Making a big IMPACT on the little smiles of Louisiana

Dr. Jason Gambill

Pediatric Dentist

“Preparing children for a lifetime of healthy smiles isn’t just important to us”, says Jason Gambill, board-certified pediatric dentist, and owner of Pediatric Dentistry of Shreveport-Bossier, “It’s something we have fun doing!” After joining the ShreveportBossier business community in 2013, Dr. Gambill set out to change the way kids (and their parents) think about oral health.

After completing dental school at the University of Tennessee, Dr. Gambill completed his dental residency at Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado. He went on to become board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry which requires additional training and examinations. As he built his team, he looked for other pediatric dentists who were also committed to quality care through board certification.

Building a team for excellence!

Dr. Gambill strives to ensure that your child’s visit to the office is always fun

a

and educational. As a father of four, Dr. Gambill understands the importance of safe and gentle care and the need for a family-friendly environment where children and parents can comfortably get the care needed. Whether your child needs a routine check-up, specialized treatment, or emergency dental aid, Pediatric Dentistry of Shreveport-Bossier is equipped and prepared to assist your child’s smile needs.

Dr. Gambill began building a team of professionals as committed to excellence as he is. Our entire team is specially trained to care for the needs of children and the unique challenges of their growing smiles. Whether your child is 1 year old and needs their very first dental exam or 18 and wants a routine check-up and cleaning while home from college, we have the skills and training necessary to ensure their growing smiles receive the care needed.

The fun and passion this team of dental professionals brings to the office are obvious in everything they do. In addition to providing the very best dental treatment, the team at Pediatric Dentistry also goes above and beyond to educate and enrich our communities.

In addition to being specially trained in the care and development of your child’s teeth, pediatric dentists, and their staff, are trained to make sure children feel comfortable and put their fears at ease. Say, “see you later, alligator” to cavities and gum disease!

From the fun and interactive swampthemed office to the passionate and competent board-certified pediatric dentists, the team at Pediatric Dentistry of Shreveport-Bossier’s goal is to ensure every child’s dental visit is informative and enjoyable, and that both parents and children leave the office with a smile. We offer high-quality pediatric dental care in a setting where it is okay and fun to be a kid.

Dental care in an environment where it is okay to be a kid and having fun is encouraged!

We love to see our patients smile! One way we encourage excitement within the community is with regular visits from Twinkle, our very own Tooth Fairy! “One of my favorite programs we do is Twinkle the Tooth Fairy”, says Dr. Gambill. Twinkle, a character created by Pediatric Dentistry, offers an informative and entertaining way to teach kids of all ages the importance of oral health and help them learn to care for their smiles in a way that is informative and fun.

Changing the way kids think about dental visits in Louisiana!

Creating a place where cutting-edge technology meets passionate employees in an engaging and exciting atmosphere has revolutionized the way children and their families view dental visits. Dr. Gambill is now taking this approach to other parts of our state, saying, “We want to make sure kids across the state of Louisiana have access to quality dental care.”

With that in mind, his office now has six locations:

Bossier City 2285 Benton Rd. C-100

Shreveport 6930 Fern Ave Ste 200

Natchitoches 940 Keyser Ave

Minden 116 Homer Rd

Alexandria 616 MacArthur Dr. Unit B

are a in okay in 200 Unit

Ruston 2025 Farmerville Hwy www.kidsmilesrus.com

Roger Ketchum

Roger owns and operates a Private Equity Real Estate Investment Firm headquartered in N/W Louisiana. His company is a proud member of a Nationwide network of Certified Affordable Housing Providers. Affordable housing does not mean cheap houses nor low-end rentals, but what the buyer can afford!  Their program is not credit-based, but buyer based…what the buyer can comfortably afford to pay.  By broadening the buyer pool in this manner, they are able to make homeownership available to so many more deserving families.

In order to meet buyer demand, their goal is to buy 3-4 properties-permonth.  They only invest in quality areas and in quality assets, where buyers want to live and own. The average value of their inventory is $150K-$200K with several at and above $500K. They work directly with homeowners/ sellers, but most of their acquisitions come from Realtor Referrals. Their Business Model works anywhere there are houses, which is everywhere; It is Fully Replicable! Their “Business-in-a-Box” offers entrepreneurs a fully functioning Business Model, which comes with training, systems, support, documents, websites, field-visits, and other components needed for a successful replication in a remote market. Finally, everything they do is privately funded through their network of Private Lenders within their Private Mortgage Lending Program. People who are frustrated with low bank rates and/or concerned with the volatility of the stock market. People who are simply looking for a higher, better, and more profitable use of their investment capital.  In addition to the Security & ROI their program offers, perhaps the most compelling reason their Private Lenders partner with them is the fact that the lender’s Capital Stays Local:

•

Acquires Local Assets

• Hires Local Contractors

• Pays Local Laborers

• Supports Local Suppliers

• Enhances Local Neighborhoods, and

• Provides Local Families a true Path-to-Homeownership!

Thus, their Private Lenders enjoy not only a Solid Financial Return, but an equally Satisfying Philanthropic Reward, allowing them to do good while doing well!  Their “Lead Investors” enjoy a Multi-Component ROI including Percentage Rate, Points, & Profit Participation!  Their capital outlay is Safe, Secured, Insured, Collateralized, with a High-Yield Upside.

Roger believes in the Biblical Principle of “We are blessed to be a blessing.” We are to serve as a conduit of God’s provision, blessings, and grace. As such, they have recently donated 4770 meals to an orphanage in Haiti. They made the donation through the Caring House Project Foundation. Find them online under the same name!

Local Company Connects-with-the -Community through its Residential Redevelopment Business Model

Surety

LLC 12026 Mansfield Rd Keithville, LA 71047 318-655-8928 www.My-Home-Now.com www.WeBuy11.com

Robby Latham, State Farm Agent

Robby has been in the insurance business for five years, helping families all over Northwest Louisiana plan for the future and the unexpected.

Robby is a lifelong DeSoto Parish resident and a Mansfield High Alum. After graduating from LA Tech University in 2008 with a BS in engineering, he went to work at Coutret and Associates in Shreveport. He worked there for ten years and found his passion for finance and obtained an MBA from LSUS in 2015 before starting his career in insurance with New York Life in the Shreveport Office.

At New York Life, he qualified for multiple Shreveport office awards as well as company awards. He qualified as a Council agent in 2018 and 2019 and was promoted to management as a Partner in 2019, where he hired and trained new agents in the Shreveport firm. In addition, in 2019, he won the Rookie Partner of the year award for the West Central Zone, an accomplishment never achieved in the Shreveport location.

Robby opened his State Farm agency in March of 2021 and continued to succeed in business. His office continues to bring in awards. In 2021 and 2022, Robby’s office qualified for State Farm’s Honor Club as well as Ambassador’s Club. In his first full year of agency, Robby’s office qualified for Chairman’s Circle, a prestigious award that only about 3% of State Farm agents qualify for from over the 19,500 agents across the country.

Robby says he is most proud of being able to employ and develop his team. Building a strong team of confident and knowledgeable staff with the willingness to help others is more fulfilling than selling any policy. They are not your typical insurance salespeople. They are risk advisors. You can be sure you will talk to a well-trained and professional individual. When it comes to insurance for your home, vehicle, business, recreational, life, or even financial planning, Robby Latham State Farm has you COVERED!

9700 Mansfield Rd Shreveport, LA 71118 (318) 688-4500 www.robbylatham.com

Luke Thaxton, Thaxton Title

Everyone is excited when purchasing a home, and for any kind of property transaction, you’ll want a title attorney to work with your team. Understanding the importance of having a reputable title company in a real estate transaction is the first step in making one of the biggest investments of a lifetime.

Luke Thaxton has built his career by providing the crucial services needed for residential and commercial real estate transactions. Working with clients, responding quickly and efficiently to their needs, and maintaining a higher standard has made for a successful practice. “I enjoy the people. I get to build relationships with so many people in our city, such as realtors, lenders, and mortgage brokers, nurses, doctors, military, government employees, business owners, and teachers, for example.” He credits his team for working together to accommodate clients and form relationships.

From conducting a title search and issuing title insurance to serving as the closing agent for your transaction, Thaxton Title, LLC makes buying a home a little less stressful. Thaxton believes a Title Attorney should be someone who has great attention to detail, but also has the ability to be extremely personable. “At Thaxton Title, we make the closing process fun and enjoyable for everyone involved, while at the same time ensuring everyone understands all the details of the transaction.”

Thaxton Title serves all of Louisiana including Bossier, Caddo, Webster, and DeSoto parishes. Working with Thaxton Title as a part of your mortgage closing process prevents you from encountering potential problems. Thaxton Title and Thaxton Law Firm go above and beyond to uncomplicate an otherwise complicated real estate closing. By crossing all the “t’s” and dotting all the “i’s” as well as acting as a mediator between the buying and selling party, you can rest assured that all the necessary documentation will be signed, sealed, and delivered.

Thaxton Title, LLC stands ready to make buying a home a memorable experience.

1325 Barksdale Blvd., Ste 105 Bossier City, Louisiana 71111 318.383.1313 www.thaxtontitle.com

Ben Tullos, State Farm Agent

Thank you to the great people of Shreveport/Bossier and surrounding communities for allowing me to serve their insurance needs. I am thankful for every one of my clients as we work daily to provide unmatched service and operate with honesty and integrity. It is truly an honor to serve my community in so many ways.

I opened my agency 30-plus years ago, and being a State Farm Agent has been my dream job. I love getting to be there for people when the unexpected happens and walking clients through their policies to find out what fits their budget and protects their exposure. To develop a personal price plan to include all eligible discounts is what we do best!

My success and continued growth starts with my amazing team of ten professional licensed staff members. They are really like family to me and show up every day with a great attitude and willingness to service others. The State Farm experience in my office is unmatched with my teams combined experience for more than 124 years of service to our State Farm clients.

Being voted #1 insurance agency in N.W. Louisiana for many years by The Times, Locals Love Us, and SB magazine is an honor, and our agency team works hard every day to prove it to our clients. State Farm Agent Ben Tullos really is your good neighbor. If the unexpected claim happens to you, do not call the 1-800 number, CALL ME!

If you are not part of the State Farm family, I urge you to give me a call so we can show you what makes my office different.

2886 Southland Park Shreveport, LA 71118 Bus: 318.688.1522 Fax: 318.688.3541 www.bentullos.com

Dr. Ryan Bates, D.C, Bates Chiropractic

Chiropractic care is for all!

Relief! Something Dr. Bates hears quite often. Dr. Bates has been a chiropractor for over 12 years. He always says people might be smarter, but no one will outwork him. He shares a passion for helping people that is second to none. He has always been a leader since his early days in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dr. Bates excelled in basketball as a youngster. “I was always the shortest, and I had to always outwork and outsmart my opponent.” His father taught him hard work at a young age. Dr. Bates would make over 300 shots a day after he would get off the bus. “Anyone that knows me will tell you if I get involved in something, I am going to go all out.”

That’s just what he has done with his chiropractic clinic in Shreveport. He recently got certified in animal chiropractic through the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. “Animals get better quickly. They don’t have the extra stress, and they get exercise.” Don’t worry he still treats humans 4 days a week. “I literally love everyone that allows me to work on them. God gave me a gift, and I love sharing it with everyone. Chiropractic works on us all, and I am glad to be a part of healing those pains without drugs.”

8610 B Fern Ave Shreveport, LA 71105 318-220-8753 www.bateschirosport.com

Adam Johnston, First Guaranty Bank

Adam Johnston, Senior Vice President and North Louisiana Manager at First Guaranty Bank, began his banking career fifteen years ago after graduating Millsaps College in 2007. He received his Master of Business Administration in 2009 and is a graduate of LSU’s Graduate School of Banking – class of 2014.

Throughout his eleven-year career at First Guaranty Bank, Adam has been recognized as a 40 under 40 for the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce (2016) and for the Independent Community Bankers of America (2019). He was also elected Chairman of the Board for the North Louisiana Economic Partnership in 2020 and named an ABA Emerging Leader in 2022.

His true passions in life are his family, financial literacy, and economic development and a career in banking allows him to add real value to the community in all of those areas.

(318) 383-5234 • 4221 Airline Dr, Bossier City, LA www.fgb.net

Matt Sneed, Owner/Administrator of St. Matthew’s Direct Care Services LLC

Since 2007, St. Matthew’s Direct Care Services LLC has been providing top-notch home health care and sitting services in Shreveport and surrounding areas. Every one of their employees has been with the company since it first opened, and they are a true work family. Owner and administrator Matt Sneed and his team are dedicated to making life at home more comfortable for their clients and families.

Matt Sneed has been in business and running St. Matthew’s Direct Care Services LLC for 14 years. He is very proud of how much he and his family have grown the company. They are currently one of the largest care and sitting services in the state and one of the best health care services in the local area. Matt was inspired by watching others in the healthcare field make a big difference, and that motivated him to do it himself, knowing he could help others and successfully grow a business. Matt’s advice to young entrepreneurs is, “If you want to be successful, you have to EARN IT.” 2620 Centenary Blvd. Bldg. 1 Suite 104 • Shreveport, LA 318-213-2273 • 318-393-8331 • sneed.matt@gmail.com St. Matthew's Direct Care Service

every guy should own

BY ADAM BAILEY

When I say “stuff,” I don’t mean clutter or useless knickknacks. I’m talking about things that’ll make your life easier while helping you look put together (and stay put together). Sure, you might not have considered some of these picks before, but once you’ve incorporated a few into your daily routine, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.

WALLET

We’re all too old now to just shove things in our pockets. Just remember, this isn’t your father’s giant, bulging leather

wallet that protrudes from his back pocket. Go for a thinner version or use a simple card holder.

TRAVEL BAG

and dicing and a blade that will last for years (with proper care and sharpening, of course).

CAST IRON SKILLET

You’ve graduated from backpacks and gym bags. Toss your things into a more respectable carrying case that’s actually designed for a weekend getaway or business trip. The best travel bags are compact but offer plenty of room for footwear, tailored clothing, and accessories. On top of that, they should be able to withstand the elements (or at least the airplane overhead bin) without any damage to your valuables inside.

accessories. On top of that, they should

QUALITY CHEF’S KNIFE

If you’re going to buy one kitchen knife, make it a chef’s knife. Don’t let the price tag scare you off. It’s better to have one knife that can do five things than five different knives that you barely use. Yes, they can be expensive, but a good chef’s knife will repay you with easier slicing

favorite cuts of meat and more are going skillet.

Its non-stick, easy to clean, and you can use it on the stove and in the oven at any temperature. Plus it’s sturdy, doesn’t scratch, and can last you a lifetime. Your favorite cuts of meat and more are going to be amped up in a big way when cooked in a cast iron skillet.

GOOD SUNGLASSES

Emphasis on the good. Those cheap, gas station sunglasses just won’t cut it. Sure they might be a tad expensive, but a quality pair of sunglasses is a worthwhile investment. Not only will they protect your eyes on the sunniest of days, they’ll contribute to your overall sense of style and demonstrate you’ve taken some care in how you present yourself.

PAIR OF WORK GLOVES

This might depend on your own level of yard work, but as someone with a small garden and backyard to maintain, having a set of work gloves is essential. Keep your hands protected and add some grip and grit to your work. Plus, a well-made pair of work gloves can last a lifetime so you can buy a pair once and use them for years of backyard work.

POCKET KNIFE

Between opening packages to sawing through a branch on a

camping trip, a proper pocket knife can come in handy when you need it most. There’s no need to go all out on a tactical, impractical knife. Instead find a stylish, discreet knife that is durable, long-lasting, and easy to use.

MULTITOOL

Wire cutters, pliers, and screwdrivers are must-haves when looking for a trusted multitool.

UMBRELLA

An umbrella is obviously one of those items where you don’t need it until you really need it. But, it’s worth keeping an umbrella handy at all times. Go for something travel-sized rather than a bulky behemoth. Make sure it’s durable enough to handle significant winds and a downpour.

DOPP KIT

A dedicated Dopp kit or toiletry bag is necessary for longterm travel. There’s no dignity in lugging a zip lock bag with your dinky toothbrush and travel-sized toothpaste. Opt for a water-proof, easy-to-clean toiletry kit to keep your grooming essentials organized and tidy.

DECK OF CARDS

You never know when you could use a little diversion. So having a deck of cards is always worth it whether you have guests over or happen to be traveling. Set up a quick poker game or play some Solitaire to pass the time.

PASSPORT

It’s your access card to see the world. Get a passport. Travel for all to see. Get some stamps in it. Enjoy!

the heart of the Historic Jim. “For me, it’s more like 112 days

The way Jim and Kimberly see it, they are simply carrying on a tradition that comes with owning a piece of property in a small-town historic district— originally designed by prominent local businessman Samuel Grigsby for his wife, Sallie Drake, in 1910. Needless to say, over the years, this grand home has seen its fair share of entertaining, intimate

gatherings, and dinner parties. “Oh, where should I start,” says Kimberly of the countless stories she has unearthed since purchasing the property in August of 2022. “You’ll need to hear the story about stomping the gizzard. Or the one where Mr. Grigsby built a brick viewing box so his wife could enjoy watching tennis.” If only the walls could talk.

Charleston and Memphis, both cemented

started the process of stripping back the layers to get it each project, room-by-room, and have completed much proof that patience really does pay off,” notes Kimberly.

“I love the wallpaper in the entry foyer,” Kimberly says. “And even though we still have a ways to go, I’m most proud of the way that everything is coming together.”

Today, both Jim and Kimberly now find that the house is ready to shine for this upcoming holiday season. Entering through the front door you can’t help but

feel a sense of calm. Scents of cinnamon, pine, and clove emanate from all the Christmas decorations. The colors, elegant art pieces, and lavish furniture make you feel as if you walked straight into a luxury home magazine. “Did I mention that I just love Christmas,” Jim says with a grin. “I mean I really love Christmas.”

orange, pine, cloves, and The Big Green Egg Mini or MiniMax are the perfect the ultimate cooking

8. Cuban Liqour

For your favorite whiskey lover, this kit is designed to create a smoother, cleaner liquor flavor in a matter of days, and includes two charred oak sticks and a stopper/pourer.

9. Pretenses

A classic black lace dress is perfect for a festive holiday party or to celebrate the New Year!

10. Moppett Shoppe

The Banwood Trike has a soft padded oak seat, oak wood pedals, and Banwood’s iconic wicker basket in front for packing the essentials for a day’s adventure!

11. Learning Express

Squishmallows are super soft stuffed animals that come in a variety of sizes and designs. The Junior Boxing Set is freestanding, adjustable, and comes with a pair of boxing gloves.

12.

Jolie Blonde

Perfectly pretty platters add a special touch to any holiday gathering with friends and family.

13.

Enchanted Garden

You will love these interchangeable pillows and pillow swaps, perfect for changing seasons in an easy and affordable way!

14.

Sloans

Step out in style with a new fringe top and jeans this holiday season!

15. High Gravity Glassworks

Impress your guests at your next dinner party with wine glasses made of handblown glass with bright swirls of color!

16. Village Cuisine

Catering trays and desserts are available for the holidays! Choose from charcuterie trays for any size party, decadent desserts, cookies for Santa, or gift certificates to fill the stockings. Let Village Cuisine make the holidays a bit easier.

17. Ramirez Mexican Restaurant

Treat your friends, family, or colleagues to an authentic Mexican dish made with fresh ingredients!

18. Yeero Yeero

Enjoy a delicious apple tart with whip cream and icing on top, drizzled with caramel.

16.

On Screen & Stage Carsillo

Jennifer Carsillo loves to share her passions whenever and wherever she can.

The classical violinist and actress has several opportunities coming up to share her passion for music and film, both locally and internationally. This winter, Carsillo will be traveling to Cuba as a Cultural Ambassador. But first, Carsillo is part of welcoming Cuban piano virtuoso Aldo López-Gavilán for two performances in Shreveport.

López-Gavilán will join the Shreveport Symphony for the Willis-Knighton Masterworks Series performance “Latin Nights” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at RiverView Theater. The performance will celebrate music of the Americas and will feature LópezGavilán’s work “Emporium,” Ravel’s “Bolero” and the world premiere of “Cloud Scraper: Symphony Americana,” a work the symphony commissioned Shreveport native James Eakin III to compose.

The next day, Carsillo will join López-Gavilán in a concert of chamber music, marking her return to the stage in her first violin performance since late last spring, when a rotator cuff injury sidelined her playing.

The Noel Foundation Chamber Music Series recital begins at 3 p.m. at Anderson Auditorium on the Centenary College campus. That performance features López-Gavilán on piano, Ertan Torgul and Carsillo on violin, Michele Gunn on viola and Brett Andrews on cello. They will present several of López-Gavilán’s original compositions. The next time López-Gavilán and Carsillo see each other will be in February 2023, when Carsillo and her husband, Shreveport Symphony Music Director Michael Butterman, will travel as guests of the Cuban government to Havana.

“Michael’s worked with Aldo before,” she said.

“They got along really well, and Michael adores his music. Aldo’s wife is the conductor of the Havana Chamber Orchestra, which is an amazing group of musicians. We are so excited to have this

that he considers it an honor to arrange confident about myself. I ‘knew’ that’s

playing the violin. Her acting teachers told her she was doing too much music. Her violin teacher told her she was doing too much acting. Her parents told her it was time to make a choice.

She chose the violin. “I guess because acting came so easily to me, I didn’t value it as much,” she said. “Violin was so hard. I took to it well. But there is so much that goes into it… so much more I wanted to learn.”

an actress at Shreveport Little Theater Academy. It stirred something in Carsillo.

“I saw how much fun she was having onstage, but I could kind of feel I was a little more into it for her than she was,” Carsillo said. “She loved it, but I was SO into it. I decided I should pay attention as to why.”

She stepped onto a stage for the first time cast as Lucy Van Pelt in a Charlie Brown play.

Carsillo still considers herself a student of the violin. “I can’t perfect it,” she said. “I can play well, and I have played at Carnegie Hall and many other great venues, but I will always be striving for perfection. And I will never reach it.”

But Carsillo never lost her passion for acting, either. Her mind would often drift to thinking about the kinds of roles she longed to play if she were an actor, especially during bouts of tendinitis when she had to limit her concertizing. Carsillo began to ask herself why she couldn’t do both. As she and Butterman traveled the country with their music careers, she began to explore acting again. She was signed by an acting agency, and right away landed some commercials. But she also had to decline several jobs, including a good movie role, because of her commitments with the violin.

“I said to myself, ‘Why did I ever think this is going to happen? I knew I could do it; I just didn’t have time for the opportunities.”

The Music Directorship of the symphony brought Carsillo and Butterman to Shreveport in 2006, at which point Carsillo was concentrating on balancing motherhood of a two-year-old with a violin career. Their daughter, Olivia (“Bunny”), later excelled as a competitive dancer and

Bunny was homeschooled while Carsillo and Butterman both traveled the country for performances. When Bunny decided to attend public school in the eighth grade, that necessitated Carsillo to stay in Shreveport with her. Without homeschooling duties, she had a lot more free time during the day, but found she couldn’t physically add seven more hours of violin to her routine.

Carsillo was asked by the Shreveport Opera to play the title role in “Fiddler on the Roof.” She enjoyed her experience so much that she prepared a monologue and answered an open call at Shreveport Little Theatre. John Daniel cast her as the lead in “Dead Man’s Cell Phone,” a play by Sarah Ruhl. “It was like coming home,” she said of being on stage again. “It was so comfortable. I had been out of that whole scene for so long. I don’t know what made me think I could do it. But it all came back.” Carsillo has been in seven theatre productions at SLT, including starring roles in the musicals “MAMMA MIA!” and Steve Martin’s “Bright Star.” She also won Bravo! Awards for Best Leading Actress and Best Supporting Actress in the 2018-19 season.

Carsillo also began hearing about something called Film Prize. As with everything else in her life, she dove straight into the deep end. She worked with fellow “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” actor Camille Gladney to create the short film Gloria for the 2018 Louisiana Film Prize.

Anatomy of a Selfie: Los Angeles-based actress Iris Almario (Tales of The Walking Dead, NCIS) coming out to support friend Jennifer Carsillo for her appearance as “Angel” in the Hollywood premiere of Hard Up. (Photo credit: Ilja von Nagel, Valley Film Fest 2022)

with Gladney. The following two years, Carsillo appeared in and composed/ performed the music for writer-director Abigail Kruger’s films, Green’s Alley and Amber the Acrobat, part of a trilogy of films that premiered at Film Prize. Amber the Acrobat has screened in film festivals around the world, including the Berlin Short Film Festival, Berlin and Amsterdam Lift Off Film Festivals, Wisconsin Film Festival, and Berlin Art Film Festival. Carsillo will soon represent the short at the Hollywood Florida Film Festival. Attending film festivals is something Carsillo enjoys greatly, as it allows her to meet other filmmakers and “see all the creativity in independent film, which is really inspiring.”

For this year’s Film Prize, she played a British character, Corporal Shawcross, in the Top 5 Film Bamber Bridge, a World War II-era short film that explored the issue of racism, by 2021 Grand-Prize winner Mark Bonner. And Carsillo received a special gift herself as she was altering the costume Bonner provided, a genuine World War II uniform. “I found some secrets in the pocket,” she said. “That was the coolest thing ever. I reached my hand in and I pulled out this art deco lighter. I just burst out crying. It was so emotional to think that was actually used

by a soldier. I also pulled out an old British coin from the breast pocket. I just popped them back in and said, ‘This is for the next person that gets to wear this costume.’”

Carsillo said she is grateful to Shreveport for giving her the opportunity to embrace all of her artistic interests. “There are so many motivated people here, and it has been fun to pool our talents to create art, be it for the stage or screen. I have been so fortunate to do so many different things: story writing, scriptwriting, producing, costumes, helping with art design. And in the world of performing, acting, dancing, singing, violin, and composing. I’m thrilled to have really unique opportunities here in Shreveport.” But since the pandemic, Carsillo says that acting auditions are mostly taped, so she’s been able to take advantage of callbacks and projects throughout the country. Case in point, Carsillo just booked a beauty campaign for Bambu Earth, a brand she has admired for its safe ingredients and belief that beauty shines through healthy, natural skin.

Whatever role she is playing, Carsillo has one goal when it comes to her audience.

“The thing that has been important to me—in whatever endeavor—is to infuse my passion for the activity into it,” she said. “I want them to feel how important it is.”

BY HAILEY LAWSON

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD) in dogs is known as Canine Compulsive Disorder or CCD. Dogs that exhibit compulsive behavior will perform repetitive behaviors over and over to the extent that it interferes with their normal everyday lives. Compulsive behavior can develop for many reasons. Sometimes this behavior doesn’t seem to have any obvious purpose (such as tail chasing), but the dog is compelled to do it anyway—and will spend hours engaging in the repetitive behavior. However, other dogs might develop compulsions from a physical ailment that causes them to lick or chew their skin obsessively. For example, if your dog injures its leg and licks it, he might continue this repetitive licking behavior

even after the injury has completely healed. Also, a dog’s living environment can contribute to the manifestation of compulsive behavior. A dog living in high-stress and anxiety situations can develop repetitive behavior such

as pacing, circling, or spinning. This behavior is often found in dogs who lack opportunities to engage in normal canine behavior, such as socializing with people and other dogs.

Compulsive behaviors that dogs exhibit take many forms. Some of the most frequent compulsive behaviors exhibited by dogs include:

Ř Fly snapping

Ř Tail chasing

Ř Toy fixation

Ř Pacing, circling, or spinning

Ř Chewing, licking, scratching self

Ř Eating inappropriate items

Ř Excessive eating or drinking

Ř Light or shadow chasing

Ř Licking others or objects

Ř Air licking

Ř Nose licking

Ř Barking

A variety of factors contribute to these repetitive, compulsive behaviors in dogs. Much is still unknown about CCD, however, some of the more widely considered contributing causes are:

Ř Genetics

Ř Medical issues

Ř Response to stress or anxiety

Ř Response to Arousal or Frustration

Unfortunately, the underlying cause of the compulsive disorder is not always easy to diagnose. A trip to a veterinarian is always a good place to start. In general, helping a dog with compulsive behavior to live a normal life takes a holistic approach—a combination of lifestyle changes, behavior modification, and maybe even medication. A treatment plan for CCD might include the following:

Ř Avoiding known triggers

Ř Interrupting and redirecting compulsive behavior

Ř Behavioral modification and training

Ř Teaching an alternative response

Ř Creating a structured daily routine

Ř Increasing exercise and brain stimulation

Ř Medications, such as psychotropic drugs

Ř Desensitization and Counterconditioning

Ř Environmental Enrichment

We all have compulsions, and the same is true for our dogs! But if we keep these obsessions in check, there is no harm in being a little weird. We love our dogs for their little quirks. However, we still need to keep an eye out for strange behaviors to ensure they don’t get out of hand and interfere with our dog’s quality of life. Remember that actions that appear harmless at first can become destructive when engaged compulsively. If you think your dog might have CCD, speak with your veterinarian.

BACK WORK TO

BY MYRON GRIFFING

Now more than ever, it is imperative to have a welcoming and inviting work environment. Gone are the days of the utilitarian, all grey/white/ beige, humdrum office space. Even the verbiage is different, note I initially said, ‘work environment,’ not office space. Nowadays, you must create calming, relaxing work environments to coax folks back out of their pj’s and back into the office. The foundational dynamics of any thriving business is a healthy, relaxing, workspace which encourages teamwork, intermixing of departments, sharing ideas, and fostering friendships. Businesses with a workforce that is happy, friendly, trustworthy, reliable, and loyal will not only succeed, but excel almost every time!

With the pandemic in our rearview mirror, we are now trickling, if not streaming, back into our workspaces. We’ve had 2+ years of sittin’ around in our jamjams, sipping coffee whilst on a zoom call and folks are feeling a-might anxious about returning to the office. That’s plausible, I’m certainly not immune. I’m far more likely to order something to-go rather than sit and eat. Everyone gets excited about a new outfit or car, but what about a totally transformed work environment? Too few people think about this, so many offices are a mostly utilitarian space versus one that is modern, fresh, inviting, and relaxing. Multiple studies show that aesthetically pleasing spaces can ease stress and help increase productivity!

This is a great time for owners and leaders of companies to spend some of that ‘cha-ching’ you’ve been making over the past few years. Why not ease some of that anxiety by refreshing the environment for your employees (and yourself)?

Having the right color palette, furnishings, lighting, and workstations will improve your employees’ attitudes about returning to the office, and it’s impressive to your customers and visitors. Remember, first impressions are the longest lasting.

Photos

With these aesthetic improvements in place, the biggest thing you’ll have to worry about is enforcing the “no pajama bottoms at work” policy.

Myron Griffing is an interior decorator and owner of SPACE: interiors in Shreveport.

LOCAL NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY RENEWAL INTERNATIONAL AWARDED $1 MILLION OPUS PRIZE

Community Renewal International, in honor of founder Mack McCarter, has been awarded a $1 million prize from the Opus Prize Foundation.

Community Renewal was one of three global finalists for the esteemed Opus Prize. Each year a Laureate is chosen from the three finalists and the 2022 winner was announced Thursday, Nov. 3, at the convocation at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. The other finalists were from Ecuador and Nigeria.

The Opus Prize is given not only to expand the humanitarian efforts of the recipient, but to inspire others to pursue lives of service. The $1 million award and two $100,000 prizes make up one of the world’s largest faithbased awards for social entrepreneurship.

Opus Prize laureates combine the spirit of innovation with amazing faith to inspire long-term, local solutions to address poverty and injustice. Opus Prize laureates prove change is possible, empowering and inspiring us all. Opus Prize finalists are leaders who carry an unshakable faith, believing the problems they see around them not only can be resolved—they will.

Kerry Alys Robinson is the executive partner for global and national initiatives at Leadership Roundtable and the Executive Director of the Opus Prize Foundation. “The 2022 Opus Prize finalists exemplify faith-filled leadership through service and indefatigable dedication to alleviating human suffering. We are edified, ennobled and inspired by their example, and the world is more loving, healthier, and peaceful as a consequence of their work,” she said.

THE WIDEMAN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION IN SHREVEPORT

The Wideman International Piano Competition has been held for over 70 years. Students from around the world come to Shreveport to compete at the Hurley School of Music at Centenary College in the annual three-day piano competition, sponsored by the Symphony Guild.

Judges for the 2022 Competition are Angela Cheng, Alexander Tutunov, and Nikita Fitenko.

The Wideman Competition has long believed its mission is to help contestants -- particularly its Medalists -- to prepare themselves for future careers. The winners are awarded a cash prize (Gold Medal: $5,000; Silver Medal: $3,000; Bronze Medal: $2,000). The Gold Medalist will also receive an orchestra performance with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, solo recitals in Chicago and New York, and other concert engagements.

Dr. Lester Wilson served as the Executive Director of the Wideman Competition from 1985-2020. The current Artistic Director Alon Goldstein is one of the most original and sensitive pianists of his generation, admired for his musical intelligence, dynamic personality, artistic vision and innovative programming.

Community Renewal is a movement of hope helping to restore the relational fabric of our lives and create safe, connected, and caring communities. Founded in 1994, Community Renewal restores the foundation for safe and caring communities by building intentionally caring relationships. Three primary strategies — Renewal Team, Haven House, and Friendship House — are used to turn neighborhoods into safe havens of friendship and support. Major crime has dropped an average of 55 percent in our Friendship House areas.

communityrenewal.us opusprize.org

of

School Gold intelligence, and who

He has played with the Philadelphia orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, the San Francisco, Baltimore, St. Louis, Dallas, Houston, Toronto and Vancouver symphonies as well as the Israel Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Los Angeles and Radio France Orchestra. In 2019, Mr. Goldstein was elected to the Johns Hopkins Society of Scholars, an honor bestowed upon graduates of the institution who have achieved excellence in their field. He is one of only two Peabody graduates to have been selected. A dedicated and creative teacher, Mr. Goldstein was appointed Strandberg Endowed Chair, Visiting Piano Professor at the UMKC Conservatory.

The Wideman competition accept donations and all contributions are tax-deductible.

2022 Wideman Piano Competition

• Preliminaries - Free

• Friday, Dec 2

• Saturday, Dec 3

• Finals - $10/person

• Sunday, Dec 4 www.widemanpiano.com

From annual well woman exams to pregnancy and delivery, we have the most specialized care in the region.

regi

Delivering our best for all stages of womanhood.

The Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – St. Mary Medical Center campus is fully equipped to meet and exceed the healthcare needs of women and babies, from family planning to postpartum and every moment in-between.

We have more than 20 OB/GYN physicians and advanced practice providers dedicated to the patients of North Louisiana.

From your first gynecology exam to your first mammogram and through menopause care, our physicians are here to provide cutting-edge, compassionate care to daughters, mothers and grandmothers alike.

Locations

Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – Women’s Health Center

1801 Fairfield Avenue, Suite 106 Shreveport, LA 71101 318-626-0469

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – St. Mary Medical Center 911 Margaret Place Shreveport, LA 71101 318-626-4300

Call 318-626-0050 to schedule an appointment at any of our locations, or learn more at ochsnerlsuhs.org

We offer a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and a Level II Nursery with expert providers to care for newborns.

Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – Center for Perinatal Medicine

1801 Fairfield Avenue, Suite 307 Shreveport, LA 71101 318-626-0388

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport - OB/GYN Specialists

One St. Mary Place, Suite 160 Shreveport, LA 71101 318-626-2800

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Quick and convenient appointment scheduling through MyOchsner. ochsnerlsuhs.

LOCAL WWII VETS IN NURSING HOMES FLY AGAIN

On October 26, Winnfield-based Central Management Company, which owns several local nursing homes in the area including Garden Park, Roseview, Southern Oaks, Cypress Point, Harmony House and Magnolia Manor, partnered with Dream Flights to fly veterans in these facilities. The goal was to give the vets the the opportunity to experience the magic of one more flight in a restored, bright yellow open-cockpit Stearman biplane, the same aircraft used to train aviators during World War II. Garden Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center created a patriotic atmosphere with music and decor and donated the refreshments.

Dream Flights has honored more than 5,000 veterans and seniors living in long-term care communities since 2011. In 2021, Dream Flights launched Operation September Freedom, the largest barnstorming event in U.S. history and its first to honor veterans who served in a particular war. Dream Flights pilots, who primarily fly for major airlines and are active duty or retired military veterans themselves, volunteer their time to fly these veterans in the country’s largest fleet of restored/fully operational Stearman bi-planes. There is no charge to the veterans who fly.

James Bissell, who was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, was one of the lucky

vets, and two of his sons were there to watch. He was excited about the opportunity, and loaded up in the plane with Seattle-based pilot Molly Littlefield, whose husband Keith was her crew chief and also served in the military. They travel the country as volunteers with Dream Flights

to fly vets in the Stearman. The C.E. Byrd High School ROTC flanked the walkway as Bissell returned from the plane. “That wind was some kind of blowing up there. I’m glad I had on a heavy jacket. I was smiling the whole time. May God bless all of you for being here today to make this happen,” he said.

Shreveport Farmers’ Market has placed 1st in Louisiana in the 2022 America’s Farmers Market Celebration, an annual celebration of farmers markets coordinated by the Farmers Market Coalition and American Farmland Trust. Since 2008, the America’s Farmers Market Celebration (AFMC) has highlighted the important role farmers markets play in communities across the nation while celebrating the vendors, staff, and volunteers that make markets happen week in and week out.

In 2022, supporters visited markes.farmland.org more than 1.25 million times from June 20 – September 19, 2022 and more than 125,000 votes were cast in the AFMC. In the end, the Shreveport Farmers’ Market came out on top as one of America’s favorite farmers markets and the number one farmers’ market in the state of Louisiana.

The Shreveport Farmers’ Market, currently gearing up for their 37th season in 2023, hosts over 75 vendors that have variety of homegrown and homemade items such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, plants, honey, breads, jams, jellies, pastries, candies, pickles, cheeses, shrimp, various canned goods, seasonings, sauces, and meats. In addition to the variety of foods, there are local artisans that have handcrafted items such as art, jewelry, crafts, candles, soaps, and dog treats. Prepared breakfast and lunch meals are available for purchase and consumption.

The Shreveport Farmers’ Market is the only market in

our community that accepts SNAP/EBT and offers a match program from Louisiana Healthcare Connections. SNAP users receive up to $20.00 in matching benefits, which they can shop with at the market. This puts more fresh and homemade goods in SNAP users’ hands and pantries, along with making a bigger financial impact with the farmers and vendors.

The Shreveport Farmers’ Market will open for the 2023 season on June 3.

JOLIE BLONDE GIFTS CELEBRATES THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Jolie Blonde Gifts celebrated its three-year anniversary on Saturday, October 29. Seven local merchants were on site with pop-up booths showcasing their unique pieces. Among the local artists were Edie Monday, Sarah- Katherine Semon, Jenny Lazarus, and others.

local

NOEL MEMORIAL LIBRARY NAMED LOUIS LIBRARY OF THE YEAR

LSU Shreveport’s Noel Memorial Library has been awarded the LOUIS Library of the Year Award, which recognizes a LOUIS member library that demonstrates excellence in at least one of the following areas: service to their community; creativity and innovation in developing specific community programs or a dramatic increase in library usage; leadership in creating programs that can be emulated by other libraries. LOUIS is a consortium of public and private college and university libraries in the state of Louisiana. This partnership was formed in 1992 by the library deans and directors at these institutions, to create a cost-effective collaboration among the institutions for the procurement of library technology and resources.

In supporting the LSUS academic community, the Noel Memorial Library provides or assists with cost saving measures for students through partnerships with LSUS faculty, LOUIS, and OERs, to provide free e-textbooks to students. Over seventy percent of LSUS students benefit from free course materials and have saved over $8.8 million since 2019.

In the past year, the library has drastically increased the material it circulates outside of traditional print and online materials to technology and equipment that supports LSUS’s academic programs and student wellness, including anatomy models, Go Pros, adapters, and active workstations with desk bikes.

TINA FIROUZBAKHT, MD, JOINS WILLISKNIGHTON CARDIOLOGY

Tina Firou zbakht, MD, has joined Wil lis-Knighton Cardiology, part of the Willis-Knigh ton Physician Network. Dr. Fir ouzbakht, a cardi ac eletrophysiol ogist, specializes in the treatment of patients with abnormal heart rhythms. Dr. Firouzbakht comes to Willis-Knighton from a fellowship in electrophysiology at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. Previously, she completed a cardiology fellowship at LSU Health Sci ence Center following an internal medicine residency there. Dr. Firouzbakht earned her medical degree from University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

Wil in

CENTENARY COLLEGE RANKED TOP 10 PERFORMER IN SOCIAL MOBILITY BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

Centenary earned the #8 spot among national liberal arts colleges in the recently released U.S. News & World Report social mobility ranking. This ranking, introduced by U.S. News in 2019, measures graduation rates for students who receive federal Pell Grants and recognizes institutions that excel at supporting Pell Grant recipients through to graduation. Federal Pell Grants help create greater access to higher education for students whose families earn less than $50,000 annually.

Best Performance was awarded to John F. Beach for his role as Brian in “They Grow Up So Fast.”

PRIZE FEST ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF FILM, FOOD, MUSIC, FASHION & COMEDY FESTIVAL

Prize Fest, a celebration of Film, Food, Music, Fashion and Comedy, announced its winners. The festival, now in its eleventh year, showcased the work of independent filmmakers, fashion designers, musicians, chefs and comedians during a festival spanning two weekends across multiple venues in downtown Shreveport, LA.

Louisiana Film Prize

The 2022 Louisiana Film Prize grand prize winner is “They Grow Up So Fast,” directed by John F. Beach. Beach walks away with $50,000, the world’s largest cash prize for a narrative short film.

The winning film was chosen from the Top 20 short film finalists, all of which were filmed in the state of Louisiana, and determined by a unique 50/50 combination of votes from online and in-person attendees and a panel of industry judges from across the country.

The other short films that joined “They Grown Up So Fast” in the Top 5 this year were: “Bamber Bridge” (Mark Bonner), “Betty Lou Had A Son” (David Long), “Credit” (Patrick & Susan Kirton) and “Unicorn Poop” (Lorna Street Dopson).

The Film Prize Foundation also announced the recipients for its Founder’s Circle Grants. Founder’s Circle is a $3,000 reimbursable filmmaking grant that allows filmmakers to come back and make a film for Louisiana Film Prize 2023. The recipients of this award for 2023 were Josh Munds (“Peeping Todd”), Jaya & Jacob McSharma (“Please Scream Inside Your Heart”), Monique Morton Derouselle (“Rising Dawn”), Carlos Jiminez (“Strangers in Common”), John F. Beach (“They Grow Up So Fast”), and Lorna Street Dopson (“Unicorn Poop”).

Common”), John F. Beach (“They Grow Up So Fast”), and

Food Prize

Food Prize 2022 again featured its premier Come and Get It event. Seven local chefs were paired up with nationally recognized celebrity chefs across the country to collaborate to create a dish and then serve incredible tastings to attendees. These celebrity chefs, like Chopped winner Chef Tristen Epps, came from all over the country to be a part of this celebration of the culinary arts.

Epps,

Attendees of Come and Get It voted on their favorite dish, crowning local chef Anthony Felan (Fat Calf Brasserie) and celebrity chef Denise Joseph (Dallas, TX) the People’s Choice winners. The attendees also chose the Golden Shaker champion, voting local mixologist, Andy Flook of the soon-to-open Cypress by the Revenir, the winner. The Food Prize Mentor-Judges crowned this year’s grand prize Golden Fork Champion team: local chef Sean Sullivan (Frank’s Louisiana Kitchen) and celebrity chef Eppie Connolly (Detroit, MI).

Food Prize also introduced its inaugural Food Prize University event in which Food Prize Mentor-Judges and visiting celebrity chefs participated in a roundtable discussion with the public on life in the industry and how to build a food city that cultivates community.

Comedy Prize

In its second year, the Comedy Prize hosted 7 hopeful national touring comedians who each performed 10 minute sets in front of a live sold out audience. Son Tran of Houston, TX was crowned Comedy Prize’s grand champion for 2022.

Louisiana Music Prize

Louisiana Music Prize 2022, the GRAMMY-affiliated competition for rising musicians, saw 10 musical acts from across the country compete for the $10,000 grand prize. The grand prize winner, The American Hotel System out of Grand Rapids, MI, was chosen by a jury of nationally recognized music industry professionals. The competition also featured a People’s Choice Award which was won by Shreveport-based band Benedetto.

This year’s Louisiana Music Prize also saw the return of MPCon (Music Prize Conference), created to offer artistic and career building mentorship to up and coming musicians.

celebrity career

Fashion Prize

Now in its fourth year, the Louisiana Fashion Prize hosted a live runway presentation of 5 designers’ collections at the Phoenix. Sophia Omoro (odAOMO) of New Orleans was named the judges’ grand prize winner. The event also featured a capsule collection from 2021’s winner, Jessica Hall. prizefest.com

Generations of

care We’re here for you and your family through the stages of life, with the strength of the cross, the protection of the shield. The Right Card. The Right Care.

market, featuring over 100 local and regional vendors, does more than bring holiday cheer to the Ark-La-Tex, but gives back to the arts in Shreveport-Bossier, as the primary

Another

favorite is the Shreveport Aquarium’s shreveportaquarium.com). Starting Nov. 25, on select

family

www.shreveportevent.com/

Celebrate the season with ShreveportBossier’s flourishing arts scene! One beloved

The Nutcracker Riverview Theater, 600 Clyde Fant Pkwy., . This year’s performance

through downtown. Taste cocoa from

West Church St., free, www.facebook.com/ food trucks, visits with Santa, light displays,

Logansport River Front, Veterans Blvd., free, www.logansportchristmasfestival.com). The , with fireworks shows and special events

, relax with some holiday classics www.christmasoncaddofireworks.com

Desoto High School, 1027 Highway 171 . Take the

Not a Creature Was www.backalleygrandcane. units from local schools, motorcycle groups,

Before the festival, you can sip, shop, and socialize through historic downtown at the

chance to view the historic city under the famous Natchitoches Christmas lights.

Northwestern State University have put on Mistletoe Market

where guests will enjoy stories, Christmas www.natchitocheshf.com) will be

of extended store hours and special Center, 401 N. Trenton St., free, www. www.facebook.com/

Ruston, W. Mississippi Ave., free, www. stage.

RustonCulturalDistrict ) with the

Countdown to Christmas with a movie

www.greatermindenchamber.com/ Holly Jolly Christmas”), a fireworks show, a movie

During the first two weekends in December, experience the warmth of an old-fashioned Christmas with the 40th Annual Jefferson Candlelight Tour of Homes ( Port Jefferson Outpost, 220 N. Polk St., $25, www. jeffersoncandlelight.com ). View Jefferson’s lavishly decorated historic homes as women in lovely, hooped gowns and gentlemen in top hats and tails regale each home’s history and finery. The Art on the Bayou Gallery will host an Artisan Makers Market ( 205 N. Walnut St., $100, www.facebook.com/ artonthebayougallery ) Dec. 1-4 with hand-crafted items and specialty artisan and food items for sale.

Holiday Trail of Lights Hayride tour will highlight some of Minden’s past Christmas memories from illuminate downtown Marshall during the Downtown Marshall, free, www.marshalltexas. ). The festival will kick off the holiday season on with a ceremony illuminating the historic , complete with an outdoor ice-skating rink, a vintage carousel, a train, horse-drawn carriage rides, live entertainment. and a collection of tiny houses “Santa’s Village.”

600 Martin Lake Rd., $10-$20, www. adventure through dazzling light displays. Be awed Maze, take pictures with Santa, slide down Piney Jefferson Christmas Express Train can ride aboard an antique narrow-gauge gas Downtown Jefferson, free, through downtown to Lions Park for the grand

For more shopping, on Dec. 3 , the Marion County Chamber of Commerce will host the Wassail Walk ( Downtown Jefferson, free, www. marioncountychamber. org ), so you can sip and stroll and welcome in the Yuletide season.

For the kids, Red Bus Cupcakes will be hosting a Petting Zoo & “Reindeer” Pony Rides ( 302 N. Polk St., $7 pony rides, $4 petting zoo, www.facebook.com/ redbuscupcakes ) on Dec. 10 . Satisfy your sweet tooth and get a picture with the Christmas pony!

enjoys. One of his goals is to create the same kinds uniqueness of our area and our numerous small beverage, entertainment, and exclusive discounts for

SB EVENTS NOVEMBER 16 - DECEMBER 15

ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL

Venue: Strand Theatre Date: Nov. 18 Time: 7 PM Info: www.thestrandtheatre.com (318) 226-8555

GOBBLE WOBBLE EVENT AND AUCTION BENEFITING GINGERBREAD HOUSE

Venue: 601 Spring Date: Nov. 18 Time: 7 PM to 11 PM Info: turkeyfryguys.com

SHREVEPORT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS LATIN NIGHTS

Venue: RiverView Theater Date: Nov. 19 Time: 7:30 PM Info: www.shreveportsymphony.com/

QUEERPORT 2022

Venue: 800 Block of Louisiana Avenue Dates: Nov. 19 Time: 4 PM – 9 PM Info: https://www.queerport.org/2022

EVERY WARRIOR’S

THANKSGIVING FEAST

Venue: Shreveport Convention Center Date: Nov. 20 Time: 5:30 PM Cost: Free for individuals currently serving in the military (Active/Guard/Reserves) and their families. Info: www.everywarrior.org/feast

PEPPA PIG’S ADVENTURE

Venue: Shreveport Municipal Auditorium Date: Nov. 20 Time: 2 PM Info: www.shreveportmunicipalauditorium.com/

SPORTSPECTRUM’S LOG JAMMER HALF

MARATHON

& 5K

Venue: Sportspectrum New in 2022 – Wheelchair Division Dates: Nov. 20 Time: see website for race times Info: www.runsignup.com/Race/LA/Shreveport/ LogJammerHalfMarathon5k

AN R–RATED MAGIC SHOW

Venue: RiverView Theater

Date: Dec. 2 Time: 7 PM & 9:30 PM Info: www.bossierarts.org/east-bank-theatre-2/

ICE CUBE & CYPRESS HILL: HIGH HOPES TOUR

Venue: Brookshire Grocery Arena Date: Dec. 2 Time: 7 PM Info: https://brookshiregroceryarena.com/

MY FAIR LADY

Venue: Strand Theatre Date: Dec. 8 Time: 8 PM Info: www.thestrandtheatre.com (318) 226-8555

TURKEY TROT

Venue: Stoner Boat Launch off Clyde Fant Pkwy Dates: Nov. 24 Time: 8 AM – 11 AM Info: www.runsignup.com/Race/LA/Shreveport/ SportspectrumTurkeyTrot

ROCKETS OVER THE RED FIREWORKS FESTIVAL

Date: Saturday, November 26 Time: 4-6 PM Santa at Riverview Park

4-6 PM Live Music at Riverview Park and Louisiana Boardwalk

5:30 PM Lighting of the Christmas Tree in Riverview Park

7:00 PM Fireworks Show - Riverview Park and Louisiana Boardwalk

THE 85 SOUTH SHOW LIVE - GHETTO

LEGENDS

2: UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Venue: Shreveport Municipal Auditorium

Date: Dec. 8 Time: 7 PM Info: www.shreveportmunicipalauditorium.com/

BOSSIER CITY R&B MUSIC EXPERIENCE

Venue: Brookshire Grocery Arena

Date: Dec. 9 Time: 8 PM Info: www.brookshiregroceryarena.com/

BOSSIER NIGHT MARKET

Venue: Pierre Bossier Mall (South Parking Lot) Dates: Dec. 10 Time: 3 PM – 9 PM Info: www.bossiernightmarket.com/

UNDER THE MISTLETOE BRIDAL SHOW

Venue: Silver Lake Ballroom Dates: Dec. 11 Time: 2 PM – 4 PM Info: silverspooneventscakes@gmail.com

JOE GATTO’S NIGHT OF COMEDY

Venue: Shreveport Municipal Auditorium Date: Dec. 11 Time: 6 PM Info: www.shreveportmunicipalauditorium.com/

COCOMELON LIVE JJ’S JOURNEY

Venue: Shreveport Municipal Auditorium Date: Dec. 14 Time: 6 PM Info: www.shreveportmunicipalauditorium.com/

SB CALENDAR ADVERTISING

SB Calendar is one of the first places our readers turn to for information on what’s happening in Shreveport-Bossier City. Let it be the first place they see your ad! The calendar is the perfect spot for special offers, coupons and coupon codes to be seen and acted on. Our readers will often take a picture of the calendar to have handy on their phone – Every time they look at the calendar – there you’ll be! For information on how to grab your spot, call Keyle Cavalier at 214-803-0368.

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS AT PROVENANCE

Venue: Greenleaf Park Dates: Dec. 15 Time: 4:30 PM – 8 PM Info: www.yourprovenance.com Featuring The Grinch (2018) Sponsored by Hargrove Roofing

FALL GLASS-BLOWING ART WORKSHOPS

Venue: High Gravity Glassworks Dates: Recurring weekly Time: See website for available times Info: www.highgravityglassworks.com/

CREATE YOUR OWN GLASS-BLOWING ART WORKSHOPS

Venue: Sanctuary Arts School Dates: Recurring weekly Time: See website for available times Info: www.sanctuaryartsschool.org

SHREVEPORT’S PREMIER FLOTATION THERAPY STUDIO

• Reduce inflammation

• Soothe back & joint pain

• Relieve stress

Gift Cards Available! www.floatshreveport.com 318-426-1910 • 714 Azalea Dr. • Shreveport, LA

HOLIDAY SBMagazine Events Guide

OCT. 16 – NOV. 15

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER

Venue: Emmett Hook Center Dates: Nov. 18–20 & Nov. 25–27 Time: Nov. 18, 25 at 7:30 PM & Nov. 19–20, 26–27 at 3 PM Info: https://emmetthookcenter.org/

ARTIPSY ORNAMENT AND CRAFT PARTY

Venue: Artipsy in Shreveport Date: Nov. 19 Time: 4 PM to 6 PM Info: artipsystudio.com

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Venue: Strand Theatre Date: Dec. 1 Time: 7 PM Info: www.thestrandtheatre.com (318) 226-8555

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Venue: Shreveport Aquarium Dates: Dec. 3, 10, & 17 Time: 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM Info: www.shreveportaquarium.com/ santabreakfast

EAST BANK HOLIDAY

MARKET

Venue: East Bank District and Plaza Dates: Dec. 3 Time: 4 PM – 9 PM Info: Bossier Arts Council Facebook

SALVATION ARMY WOMEN’S AUXILIARY RED KETTLE RUN

Venue: LSUS Campus-behind the HPE building Dates: Dec. 3 Time: see website for times Info: www.runsignup.com/Race/LA/ Shreveport/SAWARedKettleRun

NEW ORLEANS BALLET

THEATRE PRESENTS THE NUTCRACKER

Venue: Strand Theatre Date: Dec. 3–4 Time: Dec 3. at 7 PM Dec. 4 at 2 PM Info: www.thestrandtheatre.com (318) 226-8555

WORLD BALLET SERIES PRESENTS THE NUTCRACKER

Venue: Shreveport Municipal Auditorium Date: Dec. 7 Time: 7 PM Info: shreveportmunicipalauditorium.com

DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS RUN

Venue: Rhino Coffee on Texas St. Dates: Dec. 15 Times: 7 PM Info: runsignup.com/Race/LA/ Shreveport/DowntownChristmasRun

10 Traditions Thanksgiving

BY ADAM BAILEY

Thanksgiving offers a great opportunity to pass traditions onto your family that can make them understand why this holiday is not only uniquely American — but uniquely important as well. Here are a few traditions that you can pass along during the Thanksgiving break. If you don’t like any of these, you can come up with a few of your own!

1. WATCH THE MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade tradition actually began in 1924, and has grown into an annual event of balloons, bands, and floats, enjoyed by more than 46 million people each year in person and on TV. Watch with family or friends to get your day started.

2. TURKEY AND ALL ITS TRIMMINGS

Turkeys have been a part of Thanksgiving dating back centuries. According to the National Turkey Federation, 95 percent of Americans eat turkey at Thanksgiving. Of course there are regional twists that offer variations on the traditional roasted bird—coffee rubbed turkey in Hawaii, salt encrusted turkey in New England, and deep fried

turkey in the South. Whether you go with the flow or start a tradition of your own— that decision is completely up to you.

3. MAKE A WISH Known as a “lucky break,” the tradition of tugging on either end of a fowl’s bone to win the larger piece and its accompanying “wish” dates back to the Etruscans of 322 B.C.

4. RAKE A PILE OF LEAVES. JUMP IN! What better way to trick your entire family into doing a loathsome chore? Challenge them to how big of a pile of leaves they can muster in the front yard—and then dive into it. When you’re done, your yard won’t be any worse than when you started.

5. RUN IN A THANKSGIVING DAY RACE (OR TURKEY TROT)

It’s great exercise, you don’t have to feel as guilty about all the turkey you’ll eat later that day, and it’s for a good cause (the proceeds usually go to a local charity).

6. WATCH THE LIONS, COWBOYS, AND VIKINGS—OH MY!

The first lesson of Thanksgiving should be to give thanks. The second should be to watch any assortment of professional or college football games. True, the Minnesota Vikings don’t always play on Thanksgiving

Day. But they do this year (as they play host to the New England Patriots).

7. PLAY A FAMILY FOOTBALL GAME

For families that have a large gathering at Thanksgiving, a game of football is a great way to work up an appetite for turkey-and-dressing later that day.

8. DELIVER TO A FAMILY IN NEED

Some people choose to express their gratitude by giving back to the community. Adopt a less-fortunate family in your area, buy them a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, and deliver it to their home.

9. GET IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday season, so why not get in the Christmas spirit, too? You can start listening to Christmas music and watch Miracle on 34th Street (the original, of course), as you enjoy leftovers from the day’s feast.

10. GIVE THANKS

This is what Thanksgiving is all about — giving thanks. So before you eat your thanksgiving meal, whether through prayer, saying grace, or a supplication … no matter what it is, ask everyone what they are thankful for. You may be surprised what flows out once that tap has been turned on.

LIKE THE You Shine (yes, YOU!)

NOTsaying this just because it’s Thanksgiving and Christmastime and peace on earth and all like that, but hard as my brain worked, just could not quite put it into words, how I feel about you.

And then a voice from the past, right on time, did it for me. “There is no way,” a guy said, “of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun.”

Which you are doing, whether you know it or not. You — you reading this — you are walking around, shining like the sun. So says Thomas Merton. And so says me.

Thomas Merton was an American monk, not to be confused with a Shreveport-Bossier monk or a Spanish monk or a Russian monk. Once you put the loose brown robe on and start being quiet, you’ll fit right in with whatever order you’re assigned, it seems. But what made Merton stand out in what the average person like me inaccurately supposes is the one-size-fits-all world of monks, is that he was a prolific author described as a “devoted spiritualist and tireless advocate for social justice until his death in 1968” at age 53.

The guy wrote 50-plus books, and not just because he didn’t have to think of what to wear every day. Merton was bona fide. He cared.

He might have monked, but he didn’t monkey around. It is, in general, a quiet existence, the job of monk. But Merton, he could not keep quiet, not when it came to you and me. He cared too much.

His thought that we were all special, all full of a special light, came to him one day when he was in Louisville, Ky., at the corner of Fourth and Walnut to be exact, the center of a

shopping district.

It’s in his cleverly titled book, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander. Don’t tell me monks can’t be witty.

Time out for a couple of things here.

One, who knew a monastery was in Kentucky? Merton’s was. Apparently, he was on a day pass.

And two — probably because he’d been isolated and was now in the middle of all the actual people he’d been praying for — he realized he had a fightin’ man’s chance. These people were awesome!

Sure, they were strangers. They were, as he was, flawed, either slightly or, like most of us, deeply. But they were his. They were the same people he inhabited the world with, and he wasn’t going to get new people. Neither are we.

For Tedders, who started out as a youngster, as did you, the days are growing shorter. Life is short, we often hear. But life’s too long to live like this if “like this” is being mad at the slow group in front of you on the golf course, or at the goober who cuts you off in traffic — it’ll happen this week — or at the lady in the checkout line who writes a check!, and God help us all, doesn’t even start writing it until the cashier is done.

Maybe we can do this instead: “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year and this time, like all times, is a very good one,” wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson in the 1800s. He was a bit weird, but I’m with him on this.

Less than five hours ago, I was told a hero of mine was going to die, either tonight or in the morning. It was very fast, the illness and all, and there was nothing medicine could do. He’d lived a marvelous life, in his 80’s, but still …

His final thought will not be of the driver ahead of you who drives you crazy or of the holiday shopper who does the same. Remember, both were little people at one time who believed in Santa Claus. They are probably doing the best they can with what they’ve got. Same as us all.

Step back and chunk some mercy and some grace out there. We’ve all been losers in need of a hand. And at the same time, we’re all shining like the sun.

You really are. Thank you for that.

Teddy Allen is an award-winning columnist and graduate of Louisiana Tech, where he works as a writer and broadcaster.