Southern Hospitality Magazine Winter 2014 by Debbie Dillard

SHREVEPORT/BOSSIER

Winter 2014

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Happy Birthday

“Every good and perfect gift comes from me. I lavished my indescribable love on you, calling you my child. You haven't received the spirit of the world but in the Spirit who is from me”. Generously, Your Father of Heavenly Lights James 1, 17, 1 John 31, 1 Corinthians 2 12 "Where ever we are, we are the light of God's goodness." (Mother Teresa)

2 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com

Merry Christmas Everyone, Happy New Year.. May GOD Hold You In the Palm of HIS Hands!

MATTHEW 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

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TableOfContents

TRAVEL SECTION

TRAVELING EAST TEXAS TO COLLIN'S BAKERY.......................................................5 CHAMPAGNE’S CAJUN SWAM TOURS .................................................................6

REFRESHMENT OF THE SPIRIT SECTION COME TRANSFORM YOUR HEALTH AT MASSAGE STUDIO.....................................8

DOWNTOWN MASSAGE STUDIO........................................................................9 SPIRITUAL UNITY FROM THE PUBLISHER, DEBBIE DILLARD ......................................10 FOR I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST .......................................11

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EXPOSURE

THE UNITY OF SIBLING LOVE ..............................................................................12 HOME IMPROVEMENT CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARDS!

Our winners are chosen for their HIGHEST STANDARD IN BEST PRICE, BEST QUALITY, & BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE!

TRIBUTE TO LEXI GORDON..................................................................................14

FASCINATING PEOPLE & AWARDS SECTION FASCINATING PEOPLE: MEET TALENTED AND INSPIRATIONAL MEN AND BEST AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING STEWART'S AIR SERV

BEST OFFICE FACILITY OFFICE FURNITURE SOURCE

BEST TELEVISION REPAIR CAMPBELL'S TV

WOMEN OF SHREVEPORT/BOSSIER, 2014! ..................................................18 MEET YOUNG ENTERTAINMENT PROFESSIONALS: Q/A WITH BRENT LATIN................................................................................36

BEST PLUMBERS AVAILABLE PLUMBING/BOSSIER ROACH PLUMBING

BEST HOME INSPECTION SERVICE PAUL’S HOME INSPECTION SERVICE

BEST HOME AND GARDENING GARRISON'S HOME AND GARDENING

HOME IMPROVEMENT HOME IMPROVEMENT CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARDS .........................................38 BEST STEAM CLEANING/COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL - SIMS PRO

38 BEST ROOFING COMPANY JEREMY OXLEY

BEST CAR WASH ROADRUNNER CARWASH

BEST LANDSCAPING PRO LAWN

INDEPENDENCE BOWL EVENT AND INFORMATION...........................................39 ESCAPE IN THE AMBIANCE AT THE LANDING AT WILLOW BAYOU......................42

EXPERIENCED CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT & EXCEPTIONAL PROPERTY SERVICES - HERITAGE PROPERTIES

EASY LIVING AT THE RESERVES APARTMENTS ......................................................43 BEST FLOORING SNYDER FLOOR COVERING

WINTER WEATHER TIPS ......................................................................................44

4 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com

PAUL'S HOME INSPECTION SERVICE AT ITS FINEST..............................................47 GETTING TO KNOW DR. ANDREW SIMPSON ....................................................52

FITNESS SECTION HOW IT ALL BEGAN AT ANYTIME FITNESS ..........................................................58 TIPS FOR YOUNGER LOOKING SKIN ..................................................................60 THE HEALTY -EATING PYRAMID............................................................................61 15 BEST FOODS TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE ...................................................62 HEALTHY GIFT IDEAS AT ANYTIME FITNESS..........................................................63

HOMETOWN FAVORITES SECTION FAVORITE HOMETOWN BUSINESSES: BOUTIQUES, GIFT SHOPS SALONS, & DINING ......................................................................................66 SHREVEPORT SEWING AT ITS BEST!.....................................................................79 PERFECT TOUCH: Q/A'S WITH CHARLA LORENZEN GUNDERSON......................80 GET TAN FOR SPRING AT ENDLESS TAN..............................................................81 EVERYTHING IS FABULOUS AT KADEEBELL'S.........................................................82 TANGLES SALON: MEET THE RISING STAR OF HAIR STYLING IN BOSSIER CITY .....84

HOSPITALITY SECTION HANGAR 21: THE BAR WITH GOOD FOOD!.......................................................87 DINING & CASINO ENTERTAINMENT .................................................................92 THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF GAMING ..................................................................100 KEEPING BOSSIER INNOVATIVE ........................................................................103 SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY EXPOSURE WITH DEBBIE DILLARD ................................104

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 5

By Debbie Dillard & Stephanie FrugĂŠ

ollin Street Bakery is a familyowned-and-operated bakery, located just 50 miles south of Dallas, Texas, and has been baking the world-famous DeLuxeÂŽ Fruitcake for over 115 years. This internationally famous bakery continues to whip up a storm in their hometown location of Corsicana, Texas. There is nothing artificial about this company; they are as real as they come, right down to their genuine ingredients. All baked goods are made fresh from headquarters in Corsicana, Texas and conveniently shipped to customers. Old-fashion may be hard to find on the Internet,

but it is online every day. Enjoy a secure, fast and convenient ordering experience at www.collinstreet.com. Order Collin Street Bakery's world-famous fruit cake or a delicious pecan cake in time for your next family occasion. Fresh ingredients, traditional baking techniques, and locally grown Texas Pecans make our pecan cakes & fruit cakes a delight. Fruitcake lovers will go crazy for the delicious variety of cake flavors, which include the glazed golden Sliced Apricot Pecan Cake, Pineapple Pecan Cake, Apple Cinnamon Pecan Cake and Texas Blonde Pecan Cake. Each Cake is made with honey rich batter, and drizzled with our se-

cret glaze, and perfectly decorated with two rows of pecans for an elegant presentation. Usually first to leave the shelves is the Cherry Angel Food Cake. Customers love and appreciate the texture that is produced from the real fruit ingredients used in all of Collins Bakery cakes. The number-one seller during the holidays is the Fruit Cake. Whether you are celebrating an anniversary, housewarming event, birthday, wedding, or looking for the flawless treat to congratulate friends or a loved one, send a token of your sympathy, give a college care package, send a Thank You or Get Well gesture, Collin Street Bakery has the perfect option for you. LOCATIONS Historic Downtown Corsicana 401 W 7th Ave, Corsicana, Texas 75110 I-45 Corsicana (I-45 & Hwy 287) 2035 S I-45, Corsicana, Texas 75110 Waco - Bellmead (I 35 & Hwy 31) 701 N I-35, Bellmead, Texas 76705 Lindale I-20 (I-20 & FM 849) 17044 I-20 W, Lindale, TX 75771 **NEW** Greenville TX 1220 Interstate 30 Tyler TX - Collin Street Bakery Express La Piazza Shopping Center 4815 Old Bullard Rd Ste 107, Tyler, TX 75703 DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS AVAILABLE!!! View our menu online or stop by one of our locations *ORDER ONLINE, BY PHONE, OR FAX* WWW.COLLINSBAKERY.COM Customer Service: 1-800-267-4657 Order by Phone: 1-800-475-3589 Order by Fax: 1-903-872-6879 General Info: Toll Free: 1-800-504-1896 Standard shipping & handling is still only $5.95 per shipment to U.S. addresses, U.S. possessions, APO and FPO addresses.

6 Southern Hospitality | TRAVEL

LET US BE A PART OF YOUR NEXT

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I am at the end of production with Southern Hospitality Magazine, and all of a sudden God speaks to me! He says, What does Happiness mean to you? I began to follow his path of what he was teaching me. First, I looked up in the Webster Dictionary and the meaning reads: State of well-being, and contentment: joy, a pleasurable experience. Then I read the Bible on God's meaning of the word and in the verse, Proverbs 3 :13-14, 17-18 it states: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Happy is the man that has found wisdom, and the man that gets discernment, for having it as gain is better than having silver as gain and having it as produce than gold itself. . . Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its roadways are peace. It is a tree of life to those taking hold of it, and those keeping fast hold of it are to be called happy."

Now, I feel the calling of the Holy Spirit leading me to another verse in John, 15:2 which reads: Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. I begin to pray and ask God, What is the message of this story? He tells me to mourn sin now! I want to speak God's word and not my own, and what he is saying to us is Repent! Ask for forgiveness of your sins and be whole and complete in yourself, your true identity of whom God wants you to be! The gift of happiness is wrapped in your heart, not the world. For instance, withhold love, fear takes control of you; withhold kindness and love goes cold; withhold for

By Debbie Dillard

giveness and resentment chokes you; withhold acceptance and peace eludes you; withhold trust and betrayal is certain; withhold yourself, and you will be by yourself! The challenge that God is giving us is this: Do not seek love, just be loving, do not seek peace, just be peaceful, and instead of seeking joy, just be joyful, and stop seeking happiness because the potential for happiness is available to all of us now and forever! It is the answer to true acceptance, everyday abundance, and loving relationships, inner success, and everlasting joy as one with Jesus Christ, our Saviour! We are now living in a world of chaos, terrorism, fear, confusion and tears of loneliness, frustration, rejection, and defeat is upon us. Beneath the pain, your spirit is still at play, blissfully free, and ineffective by the dramas of the world. Stay close to God, surrender to him, and let his strength and wholeness with him guide you , inspire you, and heal you from temptations. Remember, the place where Jesus wants us to be is to Mourn Sin, starting Now!

all of a sudden God speaks to me! He says, What does Happiness mean to you? 8 Southern Hospitality | REFRESHMENT OF THE SPIRIT

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LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 9

SPIRITUAL UNITY:

The Formula to God's Love Act, Chapter 4, Luke wrote these words: By Debbie Dillard

DEBBIE DILLARD Publisher PUBLISHER & PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR Debbie Dillard CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Stephanie Frugé PHOTOGRAPHY John Linden Brent Latin ART DIRECTOR www.PalmerGraphics.net CONTACT INFO Southern Hospitality Magazine Shreveport, LA 71105 Phone:(318) 779-2794 Email: debikdillard@aol.com

www.LittleBigMag.com Watch my new Community Talk Show! Southern Hospitality Exposure with Debbie Dillard : Go to this link: http://youtu.be/MrCUABEemnw

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"If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there's any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself. Do not merely look out for your own personal interest but also for the interest of others." What is Unity? Why is it so vital to us? How to we attain it? Or better yet, maintain it? First of all, Unity means "Oneness", One spirit with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel. Unity is so strong in God, but yet it so delicate if not nurtured. Division is rampant in the world today. Brothers and Sisters are not speaking to one another. There are many offenses, hurt feelings, and distrust. It is critical that we recognize the fact that we are all weak and not one of us are perfect. Can't we forgive? Can't we always hold that brother or sister as being dear in our heart, even if they made a mistake? A passage that has to be considered also in concert with Philippians 2 is Ephesians 4:1, he writes, "I therefore the prisoner of the Lord entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling which you have been called." In other words, he is saying, we need to be a Christian, and trust as a believer, and not just act or play the part of them. As true Christians, we should treat each other with all humility, gentleness, humbly, and lovingly showing patience and forgiveness in all things to preserve the unity of the Spirit in bonding peace to each other. Paul tells us that we are to consider others’ needs before our own. In all modesty, humility and lowliness of mind, we are to “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). A church filled with such people cannot help but have peace, unity and harmony. The truly humble person sees his own faults in light of the perfections of Christ; he does not seek to see the faults of others, but when he does, he speaks the truth in love and desires their sanctification so they will be built up in the image of Christ. He sees his own heart and the corruption that lies hidden there, along with impure motives and evil ambitions. But he does not seek to notice the errors, defects, and follies of others. He sees the depravity of his own heart

10 Southern Hospitality | REFRESHMENT OF THE SPIRIT

and hopes charitably in the goodness of others and believes their hearts are more pure than his. It is the Encouragement of Christ that teaches us how to love one another in the same way he loves us! Most importantly, as Christians, we are to see one another in the light of the cross. Fellow Christians are those for whom Christ died a horrible and painful death so that He might exchange His righteous perfection for their sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). How can we not extend to them the love, compassion, and grace of our heavenly Father? How can we demean, criticize, and defame those covered with the precious blood of Christ? Were we not slaves to sin when He called us, hopelessly lost, dead in our own transgressions and sins (Ephesians 2:1)? But we are now slaves of Christ, slaves to righteousness, and as slaves of the Master, the task before us is not to quarrel and demand our needs be met but to reflect His grace and love to those who are also His by His mercy. A church full of such people enjoying their “common salvation” will be a true, biblical church unified in, and earnestly contending for, the “faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). Jesus Christ sought to create this love in the hearts. He suffered all difficulties and ordeals that perchance the human heart might become the fountain source of love. Therefore, we must strive with all our heart and soul that this love may take possession of us and unite fellowship of the Holy Spirit with true believers. It is the unity of the Spirit, (Ephesians 4:3), that is the bond of peace. Jesus also identified how unity is to be achieved among believers: through their word" (John 17:20). In other words, people must hear the word and the gospel plan of salvation (faith, repentance, confession and baptism for the remission of sins), as well as faithful Christian living. The pathway to unity is simple. God’s truth can be ascertained and known (John 7:17; 8:32). All who truly submit themselves to the Word of God can and will be united. It is my hope that all mankind may become similarly united in the bond and agreement of love. Unity is the expression of the loving power of God and reflects the reality of Divinity. Our duty lies in educating souls and this is possible through the power of the oneness of Jesus. The more love is expressed among mankind and the stronger the power of unity, the greater will be this reflection and revelation, for the greatest bestowal of God is love.

Personal Testimony By Stephanie Frugé My entire life led up to a powerful personal encounter with the Most High God. I came to learn the truth about Jesus Christ and the Bible. I did not see God, but His voice was incredibly familiar. I have no idea why the Creator of the universe chose to save such a wretched person as myself, but I am forever grateful. There comes a point in many lives where we question what is right and what is real. This type of spiritual and philosophical questioning had always been in the back of my mind. I actually preached against the Bible for over a decade due to my disdain for religion. I personally met the Most High God and learned that He is far from being a religion. Jesus did not come to save the selfrighteous; He came to save us sinners. Sin is real, and it is the connecting source to the things of Satan. I know Satan is real because I spent 12 years practicing in the occult. I know God is real, and the gospel of Jesus Christ is legitimate because after accepting Christ, I immediately began to change from the inside. There are sincerely devout and saved Christians in every denomination, but there is deception lurking all over religious hierarchies, and it is inevitably trickling down to the congregations. I speak so boldly against pseudo and man-made religions because it is significant to what kept me from wanting to know God in the first place. God did not create religion as we know it; man did. The Bible states that “pure religion is to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” James 1:27. I did not meet God through a religion. I met Him through a broken heart. In the summer of 2013, I was at the end of my rope and at a complete loss of

hope in humanity as well as myself. I kept looking to the world for inner peace and always found the opposite. Eventually, spiritual, emotional and mental anguish consumed me. I denounced the world and threw what I had left of myself at a God that I wasn’t sure existed. It was either that or commit suicide. As a suicide survivor, I knew taking my life was not an option as I would never wish that feeling on anyone… ever. But if I had not endured the pain of my boyfriend’s suicide in 2006, I cannot honestly tell you that I would not have impulsively ended my life this particular summer day versus me crying out to God. Searching for a way out of this spiritual and emotional hell I was in, I had been conducting extensive research concerning Jesus and the composition of the Bible. At first, I was reluctant to accept the historical, archeological, and prophetic truths, but I ultimately could not deny the reality of what ended up staring me in the face…which was myself. My state of being was an accumulation of stress formed from years of lies, religions, public schooling, being molested, raped, social rejection, depression, anxiety, abortions, hurt, sexual impurity, anger, bad relationships, emotional abuse, alcohol and drug abuse, marriage, divorce, raising kids, demonic influence and possession, and surviving suicide. Needless to say, I was not in a good place and was in complete spiritual bondage. It took a lot of suffering for me to realize that I needed God. No longer able to bear the pain, I dropped to my knees in the shower and completely fell apart. I whole heartedly asked God to forgive and help me. To my surprise, God responded. It sounded as if my conscience was turned up to full volume. I could not have tuned it out if I

wanted. God told me to “Rise in Christ.” I was completely dumbfounded. Facing a mixture of overwhelming emotions, I got out of the shower, wrapped a towel around myself, walked into my bedroom room and sat on the bed. As I started to cry again, a warm, strong presence wrapped around me. I then felt safe, humbled, acknowledged, appreciated, and truly loved. God loved me for who I was at that very moment. Despite the condition of my heart, huge past mistakes and my ignorance, God met me right where I was at. I was not made to feel guilty nor condemned. Still sobbing on my bed, I asked, “God, how could you possibly see me after the life I have lived?” He responded, “Stephanie, I love you like my baby.” Through my acceptance of Christ, I was forgiven. The experience was so healing. I cried, a lot, for weeks after. This encounter was not a religion but the reality of the God who has since moved mountains in my life. As a mother of three, I had an understanding of true love, but I could not comprehend how or why the Creator of the entire universe unconditionally loved me. I was very undeserving of what God gave me, which was His grace, love, and mercy. Who knew a shower could end up so life changing? Knowing God became my desire because the voids I had felt deep down inside were finally filled. God showed me without a doubt that He loved me, and that He actually liked me for who I was. Excuse the simplicity of my descriptions, but the God I met was not mixed among confusion and is extraordinarily compassionate… which is more than I can say for any religion or pagan god. There is no comparison to having an authentic relationship with the Most High God through Jesus Christ.

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 11

The Unity of Sibling Love

A T RI B U TE TO M Y B ROTH ER, By Debbie Dillard The importance of sibling relationships cannot be emphasized enough. Chances are the longest relationships in our lives will be with our siblings since we are generally just a few years apart in age. Because our sibling ties are so long, we witness more life changes than anyone else does. We have shared experiences and memories, bedrooms and chores, family celebrations and family tensions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a history and a heritage. To the outside world we all grow old, but not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts, We share private family jokes, We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time until death severed our connection. For these many reasons, sibling grief can be prolonged and complicated. Since siblings have played such an important role in the people that we have become, we feel an intense sense of loss. With the passing of our brother or sister, we lose an important sense of family ties and security. Suddenly, an attachment to our family is gone and we are forced to reorganize and redefine roles in our family. AFTERMATHâ&#x20AC;Ś The effect of this tragedy has been very noticeable on all of the family. We have bonded together to try to cope with the ramifications of this monumental loss. There is no doubt that my brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passing changed my life. I have learned that Unity of Family is so important and that there is a reason that God bonded us together for his purpose on Earth. Siblings are the circle of love and it is vital that we strengthen our connection and give heartfelt love to one another. We are here today and gone tomorrow and we should never take each other for granted!

12 Southern Hospitality | REFRESHMENT LittleBigMag.com OF THE SPIRIT

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We miss you. We love you.â&#x20AC;?

We will see you again in Heaven, Our Eternal Home and never will we part again! In Memory of Jeffery Scott Massey LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 13

A Tribute To Lexi Gordon By Stephanie Fruge’

Lexi Rene Gordon was born on March 30, 2011 and returned to the Lord on March 2, 2014. At 14 months old, Lexi was diagnosed with Tay-Sachs disease, a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder that causes progressive deterioration of nerve cells as well as mental and physical abilities. Lexi’s sufferings were not in vain. Her life kindled the fire of many prayer candles and shone brightly into places that may have otherwise remained dark. Her story made huge impressions through various outlets, and helped to expand research efforts to find a cure. Thousands of dollars were donated to www.curetay-

sachs.org. A multitude of newspaper articles and news segments published and continue to do so. The “Prayers for Lexi” Facebook's page reached over 4,000 members. Mayor Lo Walker of Bossier City and Mayor Cedric Glover of Shreveport Louisiana proclaimed March 30 as Lexi Rene Gordon Day so to honor the Tay-Sachs awareness effort. An innumerable amount of people turned to the Lord in prayer; some who may not have otherwise sought Him as diligently. Lexi’s father, Bryan Gordon stated, “I can’t explain the pain that I feel, but I find comfort in the fact that God had a mission for Lexi and used her

14 Southern Hospitality | REFRESHMENT OF THE SPIRIT

to touch so many lives.” One of God's greatest requests is for believers to practice silence, to be receptive to His messages. Full of distractions and fast-paced, this world usually keeps us focused on everything but God’s voice. Ultimately, this so-called "intellectual" state-of-being has enabled individual and global affairs to succumb to its current positioning. The world is at the brink of World War III and most of our personal lives, as well as our inner worlds, are chaotic. Those who have acknowledged these sorrowful truths often long for signs from up above; signs so obvious, precious

“Lexi’s Life Was A Miraculous Gift From GOD” and bold that there would be no way to deny that they come from God Himself. For thousands across the globe, two-year-old Lexi Rene Gordon was that heavenly sign. Lexi’s life was a miraculous gift from God that relayed one of the most imperative biblical messages, yet, she never spoke a word. Some people spend a lifetime searching for the peace of God. Lexi’s short life relayed the powerful and simplistic truth of how to obtain it, which is to keep a consistent focus on God. God’s glory and grace truly shone through the birth, life, and passing of this child. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” Isaiah 26:3. We often attempt to steer our lives and presume we can, somehow, fix what is broken. This is not much different than blindly taking apart an automobile and trying to put it back together without referring to the manual or consulting the vehicles' maker. We cannot do anything in comparison to the plans of our Creator, and it is once an individual has this realization, they released the desire of control, and truly hand over his or her life to God; thus living according to the will of God.

Flashing alongside Lexi’s adorable photos on the homepage of lexiforlife.com are faithful phrases such as, “everything happens for a reason,” “all in God’s hands,” and “there’s a reason we met.” These are common thoughts among believers who express a sense of trust in the goodness and divine will of God. These beliefs hold a surety of God ordaining higher purposes for large-scale happenings that we cannot comprehend, as well as the small, seemingly insignificant, details of one’s life. This kind of faith holds a deep hope that the good in life is by and for Him, and that the bad will be used for His good. With God in full control of every portion of His creation, there is no fleeing the hands of God except by resting in them. There is no true satisfaction for a soul but in God, in His good will toward us, and in His promising works in us. However, that soul-satisfaction will not be perfected until one enters heaven. Lexi’s life edified these spiritual truths, and taught the imperative act of being in complete submission to God the Father. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Philippians 4:7-9 Only God can give true peace and there is no other way to the Father but through a sincere belief and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. God holds His children close to Him because He loves us all very much. Without the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, there would be no hope for mankind to enter back into God's glorious presence. The Holy Spirit is the breath of God that leads us into all truth, and the reality of the commonly used scripture John 3:16 does not sincerely set in until one asks God to give them His revelation of the true person of Jesus Christ, and then receiving the Holy Spirit. “For through Him [Jesus Christ], we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” Ephesians 6:18. This life on earth is filled with suffering, fleshly lust, demonic influence, evil doings, misunderstandings, and unfulfilled voids that keep us searching for a peace that surpasses all understanding. We thank God for His abundant grace and for sending His angel, Lexi

Gordon; further teaching us about His love and using her to inspire so many to seek God's peace. This life is precious, but our souls know that true life does not really begin until we reunite with our Creator. Lexi now has true peace and pure, heavenly joy. I had the privilege of meeting Lexi in person. Naturally, I wondered why any family, much less a small child, would have to endure such physical, mental, and emotional hardship. If you have ever encountered someone such as Lexi, who was encompassed by the Holy Spirit, you may be able to relate when I say that being around her broke me down on all levels. Like so many others, my heart instantaneously cried out to God. As I sat beside Lexi, the Holy Spirit came upon me and shredded every wall that surrounded my heart. I could literally feel the presence of God. Lexi was sent on a mission to direct our focus back to Him. God worked through the Gordon family in a mighty and powerful way. Blessed be the name of the Lord. “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” Psalm 145:18. It was an honor to know such a precious child of God, and we at Southern Hospitality Magazine thank God for His promise of eternal life to His children and those who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth” Romans 1:16.

Barksdale Hometown Heros Our fallen Airmen of Raider 21

16 Southern Hospitality | REFRESHMENT OF THE SPIRIT

Candlelight vigil held for crew of Raider 21

A World War II veteran makes his way to Veteran's Day program Nov. 11 at the Veteran's Memorial Park in Shreveport.

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 17

TINA & ERNEST PALMISANO OWNERS ERNEST ORLEANS RESTAURANT & COCKTAIL LOUNGE

Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

The restaurant business is something Ernest Palmisano has known most of his life. His father, Ernest Palmisano Sr., who owned Ernest's Supper Club on the riverfront, had been in the business since the 1940s until his death in 1983. Chef Palmisano's restaurant is first-rate, wellknown both in and out of ShreveportBossier City and continues to grow in reputation. The accolades, including Restaurateur of the year in 1994 to his most recent recognizing his community involvement and celebrity Chef at the 9th Annual Gentleman's Cookoff continue to pile up. Always giving his best, Chef Ernest personally prepares and inspects every dish leaving his kitchen. His personal touch and welcoming environment are evident every time guests walk through the door. Tina, who plans to oversee the frontof-house operations, and without question an artist in this regard. Furthermore, Tina does a superb job of coordinating the staff and the overall pace of each meal that is served. Everything simply flows. From food to decor to service, Everything is perfect, and together, they are noted for always remaining focused on camaraderie, and that good ole "Southern Hospitality" they give to everyone who walks in their door of Ernest Orleans!

18 Southern Hospitality | FASCINATING PEOPLE AND AWARDS

Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

TIM BRANDO SPORTS ENTERTAINER FOX SPORTS ANNOUNCER 1976 Brando did a stint as a disk jockey at radio station KROK FM in his native Shreveport, Louisiana. From 1981 to 1986, Brando was the assistant sports director at WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge; he did telecasts of Louisiana State University men's and women's basketball on Tigervision. From 1986 to 1994, he served as a studio host for SportsCenter, for ESPN's college football halftime show, and for the network's coverage of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. In 1994, he provided play-by-play for TNT's coverage of the NBA Playoffs. Brando also called Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Braves games for SportSouth and also auditioned for Wheel of Fortune during this period. In 1996, Brando joined CBS Sports and began calling NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship games. Three years later, he added hosting duties onCollege Football Today, which is the broadcast network home of SEC football. He also provided play-by-play for the NFL on CBS from 1998 to 2002. In addition to his CBS duties, Brando calls games for Raycom's coverage of the Atlantic Coast Conference basketball telecasts. Tim is in his eighth season of hosting Raycom's Emmy Awardwinning show, "Football Saturdays In The South." Brando called the four games in Tampa, Florida, during the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.. Brando announced in January 2014 that he is leaving his position with CBS because of differences with the network over his future as an announcer. In June 2014, reports indicated that Brando had reached an agreement to call college basketball games for ESPNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SEC Network. Brando stated that the deal fell through because the network felt calling college football games wasn't â&#x20AC;&#x153;part of [SEC Network's] short term vision for my future". On June 25, 2014, Fox Sports announced that it had hired Brando to serve as a play-by-play voice for college football and college basketball games on Fox and Fox Sports 1 starting in fall 2014. He was also named as a backup NFL announcer for Fox in October of that year.

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GLYNIS JOHNSTON THIRD GRADE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER AT A. C. STEERE ELEMENTARY

Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

Glynis Johnston is energetic, tireless, charming and above all, tenacious. She has fulfilled many roles in her life, not the least of which was as a single mother who raised a daughter and son, Kendra and Sean, to be wonderful adults in their own right. Currently, Glynis is a third grade English Language Arts teacher at A. C. Steere Elementary in Shreveport. She graduated from Fair Park High School and LSUS. With only five years of teaching experience, she represents not only the school, but Caddo Parish, as Teacher of the Year for 2014-15. She is constantly raising the bar for her students and her creative teaching and love for them assures that they reach her lofty goals. Glynis’ first degree was from the Dallas Fashion and Merchandizing School. In addition to teaching, she is a wardrobe consultant to prominent professionals in our community. She also offers private etiquette classes to young ladies and gentlemen and has coached many young women in various beauty pageants. Glynis is fun-loving and adventurous. In 2011 (need to look that up), she put together a “Bucket List” party which was well-attended by people from all walks of life. She enlisted well-known motivational speakers and solicited photos of people fulfilling “bucket list” dreams, which were combined in an entertaining slideshow. Good food and fun were had by all! Before becoming a teacher, Glynis worked in business, including property management and public relations.

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Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

DENISE ODOM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE LOUISIANA LIONS EYE BANK Denise Odom is the Executive Director for the Louisiana Lions Eye Bank (LLEB). Having spent more than 25 years in the Ophthalmology field as a Certified Ophthalmology Technician (COT), Denise was hired as the Technical Director for the Eye Bank and received her certification as a Certified Eye Bank Technician (CEBT). She later became the Quality Assurance (QA) Officer, and in December, 2011 was promoted to the position of the Executive Director. Since becoming Executive Director, Denise has dedicated herself to bringing community awareness for the need of corneal donations. She has been the keynote speaker for many clubs, and organizations not only in the Shreveport-Bossier area, but also in other parts of Louisiana. She has been interviewed by several media personalities both on television and radio. In addition to her COT and CEBT certifications, Denise has also been a Certified Notary Public since 1987 and OSHA Certified since 2009. In 2012, Denise completed a program in Non-Profit Administration at LSU Shreveport, which included a grant writing course. She is currently the Treasurer and the Immediate Past President for the Shreveport Red River Lions Club. She is a member of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, The Bossier Chamber of Commerce, The Shreveport Optimist Club and sits on the Board of Directors for the Louisiana Lions Eye Foundation. Denise was nominated for the 2014 Athena Award by the Bossier City Chamber of Commerce. Denise was raised in a military family and traveled throughout the United States until 1978, when she settled down in Louisiana, and now resides in Benton with her fifteen year old son, Josh.

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SUZANNE H. STINSON ACOURT ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE 26TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF BOSSIER & WEBSTER PARISH

Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

Suzanne H. Stinson is Court Administrator for the 26th Judicial District Court of Bossier and Webster Parishes in Benton, Louisiana, where she has been employed since 1982. Suzanne graduated magna cum laude from Louisiana Tech University and has a Master of Business Administration degree and a Master of Arts degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University. She is a Fellow of the Institute for Court Management and received her Certificate of Judicial Administration from Michigan State University. She served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 1979 to 1982. She is past president of the Louisiana Court Administrators Association and Past President of the National Association for Court Management. She serves on the board of directors of the National Center for State Courts and board of directors of the International Association for Court Management. She was appointed by Chief Justice Catherine Kimball to serve on the Judicial Compensation Commission. She is a member of the American Judicature Society, Forum for Advancement of Court Technology, NCSC Knowledge and Information Systems Advisory Committee, NCSC International Advisory Committee and ICM Advisory Council. She is also on the editorial board for the Future Trends in State Courts published annually by NCSC. Suzanne was appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court to serve on the State Court Rules Committee, Advisory Committee to the Performance Audit on Jury Practices, Disaster Recovery Planning Committee and the Louisiana Integrated Juvenile Justice Information System Committee. She is past president of the Commission for Women of Bossier City and past president of the Shreveport Bossier Bar Association Auxiliary.

22 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com FASCINATING PEOPLE AND AWARDS

Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

DENISE BANKSTON TRUSTEE/FOUNDER A KIDS CHOICE FOUNDATION The word entrepreneur certainly describes Denise Bankston. Her instinct for sound business decisions has led to her successful career in the Oil and Gas Industry, Real Estate, A Kids Choice Foundation, and her recent; Doodley Dee’s Farm, where she and her son will be educating our community in Aquaponics; Tours of the Farm are already taken place; Denise’s concern over how our food is processed, has lead her to focus on her family’s need for Pure Organic Food. Doodley Dee’s Farm will be the largest private Aquaponic Farm in the world; This farm will also be an educational tour for our colleges and schools across the Ark-La-Tex! A Kids Choice Foundation, which is her passion, Denise is the Trustee/founder a 501c3 non profit org. She went on a journey 14 years ago to find a school for her youngest son, JT who has dyslexia, after being told by many educators, that he was too dyslexic for their program, and he would not graduate from High School, although he had above average IQ. She realized very quickly that in the South, our Teachers were not educated to help our children that learned differently!! She went on a mission to find a school around the US, she found Landmark School, on the North Shore of Boston; which is the best school in the world for children that learn differently and this was the beginning of a new education for her son to succeed, and that he did!! Not only graduated from Landmark, but with honors from New England College!! After returning home to Bossier City, she knew these “Skills,” “Knowledge” and “Strategies” needed to be shared with our Bossier Parish Schools. Denise spent time and her own money to send Bossier Educators to Boston, for Landmark’s Outreach Summer Program for the last three years; this year she brought Landmark’s instructor, Ann Larsen to Bossier Parish and educated every Bossier Parish Elementary Schools along with their Supervisors, Coordinators, Counselors, Principals and Assistant Principals! This was a huge success that was embraced by Bossier Parish Schools and community. A Kids Choice Foundation is about to open its new facility in Downtown Shreveport and branch off to become A Kids Choice Educational Services, another way to help our community!

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LORENZ JAMES WALKER MAYOR BOSSIER CITY

Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

Lorenz James Walker, also known as Lo Walker (born September 1933), is the Republican mayor of Bossier City in northwestern Louisiana. At seventy-five, the self-described "workaholic" Walker, ran unopposed for a second four-year term in the April 4, 2009, municipal elections in Bossier City, the largest city in Bossier Parish, located east of the Red River from Shreveport. "Of course, I'm pleased. To me, it's an indication that the majority of the population is happy" with the mayor and city council, Walker told Shreveport Times on learning that he had procured no opposition for reelection. A Shreveort native, Walker graduated in 1951 from Fair Park High School. In 1952, he enrolled at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, from which he graduated in 1956 as the "Outstanding Business School Graduate". ThroughReserve Officer Training Corps at Louisiana Tech, Walker was commissioned an officer in the United States Air Force. He served for thirty years in the military, including two tours of duty during the Vietnam War at Bien Hoa andNha Trang air bases. Walker retired in 1986 with the rank of colonel. Walker first considered himself a Bossier City resident as early as 1968, and after mandatory military moves, including a stint in California, he returned to Bossier City permanently in 1980. While in the military, he received a Master of Business Administration degree in 1970 from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. Walker is a retired United States Air Force colonel, having been previously stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City. In his military career, he earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses, thirteen Air Medals, a Bronze Star, and the Meritorious Service Medal. He left the military in 1986 to become Bossier City’s chief administrative officer. Walker told The Shreveport Times that he approaches his job "as I’ve worked all my life. I learned at an early age to hold a certain work ethic and accountability and I'm very fortunate in that regard to be able to look forward to each and every day."

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Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

ROBERT R. ROBINSON, DR. P.H. PRESIDENT & SENIOR PARTNER, R. R. ROBINSON ENTERPRISES, L.L.C. Dr. Robert R. Robinson (Bob), a native of this area, is the son of the late Roy and Daisy Robinson of Bossier City. He and his wife JoAnna, a native of Marin County California, live on Cypress Lake in Benton, Louisiana and have an apartment above their offices at Airline Plaza in Bossier City. A graduate of Bossier High School, Bob earned a BA at LSU and a Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Doctoral Degrees in Public Health from the University of Texas. His consulting specialty is epidemiology, which is a branch of health care that deals with the causes, distribution and control of disease in populations. Bob currently serves as President & Senior Partner of R. R. Robinson Enterprises, a diversified company involved in the areas of health care consulting, real estate and oil & gas exploration and development. He, along with his son Mark developed Airline Plaza, an up-scale retail and business complex located at 2151 Airline Drive in Bossier City. In addition, he is a Senior Partner in Fairfield Studios, a media production company in Shreveport. Bobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s civic activities include serving as president of the Mardi Gras Krewe of Aesclepius (the health care Krewe) and as its King. In addition, he was a Duke and later King of the Krewe of Gemini. He served a two year term as President of Shreveport Opera, is past President of the Bossier Arts Council, past Chairman of the Executive Committee of the North Louisiana Film Alliance and is a past member of the Board of the Northwest Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross. Bob also serves as Chairman of the Annual Programs Fund & Polio Plus Committee of Shreveport Rotary and is Chairman of the successful effort to re-elect Bossier City Mayor, Lo Walker.

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CYNTHIA D. HOLMA ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE KMSS-FOX33 & KSHV-MY45

Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

Cynthia Holman is an Account Executive with KMSS-FOX33 and KSHV-My45 television stations serving clients in the Shreveport-Bossier Market and Texarkana. She assist local and regional client in marketing and advertising to grow their business and receive a return on their advertising budgets. She attributes her successful 25-year media career on focusing on the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs and never gouging clients to make a sale. Cynthia is a thespian at heart. She was the on air talent for Norman R. Gordon & Associates for 2 years and Musical Narrator for stage play the color Purple. Cynthia can be seen and heard on television commercials throughout the Ark-LaTex. Her voice is recognized as one of the female voices of the Ark-La-Tex. Cynthiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hobbies include traveling, photography, videography, commercial production and anything techie. Cynthia is the proud mother of Shirley Ann Mayhue and Jamie Lynette Cooper. Her grandchildren are BryShawn Kenneth Cooper, Andrew DeShawn Cooper, Henry Allen Mayhue, Jr. and Cynthia Denise Cooper. Cynthia is a proud member of Mary Springhill African Methodist Episcopal Church where she serves in various capacities: Steward Pro Tem, Sunday School Teacher, Missionary Society, Media Ministry, Administrative team and where ever needed.

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Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

STEPHANIE FRUGĂ&#x2030; SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY EXPOSURE CO-HOST & FREELANCE WRITER Stephanie Fruge' is a mother of three beautiful children and a freelance writer. She recently published her first book on Amazon.com titled Christianity Decoded. Her book aims to promote her testimony of how she came to know Jesus Christ. Before becoming a freelance writer, Stephanie contributed to the local music scene as a band booking agent for the likes of Wes Jeans, and was a live music venue talent buyer. Stephanie also conducted national interviews with stars such as Kevin Martin of CandleBox, LaJon of SevenDust, John Oates of Hall and Oates, J. Loren of Hurt, Slightly Stoopid, and Sylvia Browne. Her hobbies include researching and writing, spoken-word poetry, playing pool and singing. You can purchase her eBook on Amazon.com by typing in keywords Christianity Decoded by Stephanie Fruge' or by visiting the link http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QECP2BA.

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JAMES BURTON PRESIDENT AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF THE “JAMES BURTON FOUNDATION”

Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

Born in Minden, Louisiana, on August 21, 1939, James Burton began playing guitar at the age of thirteen, and turned professional the following year. His first recorded track was the Dale Hawkins hit, "Susie Q", in 1957. His dynamic rockabilly style of playing brought him to the attention of television star-turned-singer Ricky Nelson, who hired Burton as his regular band member. Apart from this high profile exposure on all of Nelson's hit records, James Burton became one of the most indemand Los Angeles session guitarists during the 1960s, playing on recordings by artists, ranging from Frank Sinatra to The Monkees, as well as regularly appearing on the popular music show, Shindig! (1964). It was at the end of the decade that Elvis Presley, recently returned to live performing, was in the process of putting together a band for his Las Vegas shows. Elvis knew a remarkable talent when he heard one, and hired James Burton as lead guitarist of his band. This lasted until Presley's death in 1977, and James Burton can be seen appearing with Elvis in the movies, Elvis: That's the Way It Is (1970), Elvis on Tour (1972) and the television satellite-broadcasted, Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii (1973). James Burton has, since then, worked with many other artists, and is regarded, amongst guitar players, as a legendary figure whose skill and technique has always been balanced by his consummate restraint and good taste.

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Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

LOUISE BURTON VICE PRESIDENT AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF THE “JAMES BURTON FOUNDATION” Louise Burton, wife of James Burton, has assisted James in managing his music career for 48 years. She is currently serving as Vice President and founding Member of the Board of the “James Burton Foundation”. She is Executive producer of the James Burton & Friends Concerts. She isa member of the Board of the “Friends of the Municipal Auditorium” for 7 years, where she is now serving as President. Mrs. Burton owned a mortgage company in Los Angeles for 8 years before moving to Shreveport. She has served on numerous boards and has received many awards. The James Burton Foundation is proud to announce this new “State of the Art” museum project. The children will have a performance stage and will also receive all profits from the museum. We also have two recording studios that will be in full operation by August. Children 18 years old and younger will record FREE. Through the work of the James Burton Foundation, the Burton family and volunteers have given thousands of guitars to young people who will be tomorrow’s guitarists and leaders.

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JAQUELINE SCOTT ATTORNEY AT LAW REALITY TV SHOW MEDIATOR

Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

Attorney Jacqueline Scott has made history again!! Scott is the first lawyer in the State of Louisiana to launch a reality mediation court show. There’s a new Mediator in town to settle real-life, small disputes. Justice Jacque is her name and she is the presiding Justice of Cajun Court TV, a reality courtroom television show filmed and based in Shreveport. Justice Jacque, a Shreveport native and Attorney at Law, brings over 26 years of legal experience to the show. As a Certified Mediator/Arbitrator, Justice Jacque understands the lengthy and expensive process of litigation. Her vision is to give parties a forum in which they can resolve disputes amicably, cheaper and without litigation, by stepping before her to tell their sides of the story. “As an Attorney I have first-hand knowledge that lawsuits can be drawn-out and sometimes stressful for all involved,” said Justice Jacque. “I want to decrease that stress by providing quick resolutions through conflict management.” Born and reared in Allendale, Shreveport, Louisiana, Justice Jacque understands the importance of hard work and integrity, as instilled by her mother and church family. “I want to resolve disputes that affect our community, such as bullying, family disputes, landlord/tenant issues, failure to repay small loans, vicious animal attacks, neighbor disputes, expediently and, in most cases, one day,” she said. Viewers can expect real life drama involving an array of issues, and Justice Jacque will mediate all cases with fairness and impartiality. Jacqueline admits the new endeavor is different from practicing law, because she had to represent only one side of the dispute. Judges have to listen to both claimants’ arguments and make a fair determination and implement applicable laws. As a mediator, Jacqueline “Justice Jacque” can deviate from the legal rule. Cajun Court TV debuted May 9, 2014, at 7:00 a.m. on KMSS FOX 33. Viewers can watch Cajun Court TV every Friday at 7:00 a.m. on KMSS FOX 33, and at 10:00 a.m. on KSHV MY45. The encore airs every Saturday on KTAL NBC 6 at 12 midnight.

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Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

BRENT LATIN PRESIDENT/CEO OF YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ENTERTAINMENT Brent Latin is the President/CEO of Young Professionals Entertainment, an audio, video, and photography production company located in downtown Shreveport. The company also functions as a professional recording studio where many local and regional artists record. Brent is also a talented musician that plays several instruments, and has played for many artists and events. As a young child, Brent fell in love with music and started playing the drums in church at the age of 4. Throughout elementary school at South Highlands Performing Arts School, Brentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passion for music increased and he began playing the piano at age 8. In his early pre-teen years, his interests in audio and video production grew and in high school, Brent and several friends decided to start Young Professionals Entertainment. On January 8th, 2008, less than a year after graduating high school, a legal entity was formed. Initially the company focused on providing music production for local artist, but now the company has expanded to offering many other business and entertainment services. After completing college, the business moved to a commercial location in downtown Shreveport. In 2013 Young Professionals Entertainment was named Small Business of the Year by the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce. Brent is one of the youngest business owners not only in the city of Shreveport, but in the state of Louisiana. In 2011 Brent received a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Accounting from Louisiana Tech University and is a member of the 2007 class of CE Byrd High School. He is also a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity. His greatest accomplishments are marrying his college sweetheart, Jessica Latin in May 2013, and becoming a father to his son, Alex in February 2014.

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ARLENA ACREE DIRECTOR OF FILM, MEDIA, AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT,

Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

Arlena Acree currently serves as Director of Film, Media, and Entertainment for the City of Shreveport, a position to which she was appointed by Mayor Cedric B. Glover in 2006. In 1998, she was appointed by Mayor Keith Hightower as Director of Economic Development. She is also the owner of Career Adventures, which she founded in 1985. She has served on a number of boards and commissions. Past Awards and Honors: Business Woman of the Year Award Athena Award Women Who Have Made a Difference Sam Walton’s Business Leader of the Year Sales & Marketing Executive’s Ambassador Named one of “One Hundred Women of the Century” by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year by the ZONTA Club

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Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

AJ HICKEY OWNER - ANYTIME FITNESS, THE PERFECT BLEND & PRO27 ATHLETICS AJ Hickey was born and raised in New York and moved to Louisiana almost 14 years ago to serve his country in the United States Air Force. He served for six years proudly as he grew into the health and wellness industry. AJ currently owns his own personal training company, Anytime Fitness, The Perfect Blend, and the all new Pro27 Athletics in Bossier City. He has worked with several ex mudbug hockey players, ex NFL athletes, professional MMA fighters, and Miss Louisiana pageant contestants for the last 8 years. He has been featured in articles in Woman’s Day Magazine and has been on the local news multiple times for being an expert in health and wellness. He also does a lot of local events to help other businesses with sales, management, and health consultations for motivation. A.J. Recently competed in the hardest endurance event in the world called GORUCK Selection. He lasted 36 hours and was 1 of 2 contestants out of 84 top athletes left competing before he was medically dropped from the course with rhabdomyalysis, tubular necrosis, and acute renal failure. AJ has made a 100% full recovery in 7 weeks and is a true testament of what good health can do to save your life! He says "you can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself. So you only have one body and one chance to take care of it because you'll never know when it will take care of you!" AJ feels he’s been blessed with opportunity and has learned everything he knows from amazing business people and mentors around him. The difference in his journey has been what most people call good luck, but he believes it’s about seizing opportunities combined with work ethic. Without an amazing support system at home, he feels he would not be able to do what he does. His wife Michelle Hickey and children AJ, and Kaylyn, keep him focused and determined to succeed with a purpose.

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DR. ANDREW SIMPSON South Shreveport Dental Owner, Dentist

Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

Dr. Andrew Simpson received his doctorate of dental surgery from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry in New Orleans. He then moved to Baton Rouge where he practiced dentistry for several years. After practicing n Baton Rouge, Dr. Simpson and his family relocated to the Shreveport area and have been the proud owners of South Shreveport for about two years. Dr. Simpson recently became certified in both Invisalign aligner therapy and laser dentistry. He has completed a one year residency at Georgia Health Sciences in conjunction with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry to become proficient in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of replacing missing teeth. Along with being an excellently skilled dentist, Dr. Simpson is also a compassionate and gentle doctor. He takes the time to get to know his patients, making sure they are comfortable in his care before starting a treatment plan. He is also trend in sedation dentistry, so patients who experience dental anxiety can feel relaxed during their treatments. Dr. Simpson understands the importance of positive doctor-patient relationships and looks forward to meeting you and treating you for years to come.

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Fascinating People Shreveport/Bossier City

DR. JIM HENDERSON CHANCELLOR - BOSSIER PARISH COMMUNITY COLLEGE Since coming to Bossier Parish Community College four years ago as Chancellor, Dr. Jim Henderson has made BPCC a leading institution of learning by expanding the role education plays in promoting our local economy. When Jim came to BPCC in 2009, he brought with him a wealth of academia experience. Having previously served as Senior Vice President for Workforce and Economic Development for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, Jim focused much on crafting the system's workforce development efforts. It’s a philosophy that Jim continues to emphasize at BPCC. Under his watch, BPCC has created a number of programs that have help fill the workforce needs of many local employers. Such programs include cyber security, industrial technology, oil and gas as well as nursing and allied health fields. As a result enrollment has grown from 4600 to a record 7900 during Jim’s tenure. That in itself bears testament to BPCC’s growing success of which Bossier City and Louisiana can be proud.

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Tell us about: Young Professionals Entertainment! Q&A with Brent Latin By Debbie Dillard

â&#x20AC;&#x153;making an impact not only in Shreveport, but in the nation!â&#x20AC;?

SHM Question: I love the story you told me about your dreams as a young boy of becoming a videographer! Can you share the story with us? Brent Answer: Yes I can! As a child I always admired music and even more specifically video. My mom was a reporter and my dad was a TV personality at KTBS channel 3 in Shreveport, so they truly inspired to work in video production. As a child, I would record both audio and video of anything I could find. I would make music videos, TV shows, and anything I could think of at the time. My first entrepreneurial experience was at 12 years old when I recorded my sister's basketball game and sold the VHS tapes to the parents. SHM Question: You video a lot of weddings. Have you ever been kissed by the bride? Brent Answer: I've only kissed one bride and that was my wife, but no I

36 Southern Hospitality | FASCINATING PEOPLE AND AWARDS

have not kissed any of the brides we have done videos for. SHM Question: Your potential clients come to you for a free consultation, and they have a vision of what they want you to capture in there wedding! They are trying to choose the perfect videographer to capture their special moments. Why do they choose Young Professionals Entertainment over any other videographer? Brent Answer: Our company is reasonably priced and we dedicate our time to insure that the client is happy! SHM Question: We know videography is an art. What makes Young Professionals stand out amongst other competitor? Brent Answer: We always look for the most creative ways to capture life moments!

SHM Question: What services do you offer? Brent Answer: Our company is a full multimedia and production company that has a full recording studio for musical artists, video production, photography, DJ services, live sound, and social media marketing for businesses. SHM Question: Do you offer the new technology services as far as equipment, etc? Brent Answer: Yes we have the latest technology. Including professional HD video cameras, editing software, music software, and computer systems. SHM Question: Have you videoed celebrities or famous musicians as of yet, or television shows or movies? We would love to hear about your experience with them! Brent Answer: We have done several TV shows with popular people across the country. Our most recent experience is recording the great musician James Bur-

ton on your wonderful TV show Southern Hospitality Magazine. SHM Question: What Production Equipment do you offer when coming to your studio for filming? Brent Answer: We offer all of the lighting, microphones, video cameras, and green screen to create any professional production. SHM Question: Young Professionals Entertainment caters to a lot of multi media productions including, television stations, broadcasting stations, etc, will you elaborate on that just a bit for us? Brent Answer: Yes. We produce television shows, commercials, and promotional videos for broadcast television. We also produce short films, movies, and documentaries. In 2013 we produced a documentary for The Jean Lafitte National Park in Eunice, Louisiana. This was our first government contract.

S O R G OUN

SHM Question: As a Young Professional yourself, what tips would you give young adults as a Entrepreneur? Brent Answer: One important aspect in thriving as a young professional is to always stay motivated! At times it is difficult to work for yourself and get people to hire you and pay you, but it is a rewarding experience. Networking is also a very important aspect to building your contact list. You also want to keep your name "clean" so that people will hire you and have confidence that you can get the job done. Most importantly you want to make sure that you have great, professional work! SHM Question: As a proud owner of Young Professionals Entertainment where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? Brent Answer: In the next 5 years we will have more on staff and making an impact not only in Shreveport, but in the nation! We hope to be producing more TV shows, music projects, and providing great services for all events!

T N E M N I A T R E E NT ction dio u t S g n i vices

ET E R T S L L A T, L A EVEPOR 767 7 -7 9 5 -7 8 31 t.com n e s o r p g

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www.LittleBigMag.com

EXPOSURE

HOME IMPROVEMENT CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARDS!

Our winners are chosen for their HIGHEST STANDARD IN BEST PRICE, BEST QUALITY, & BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE!

BEST AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING STEWART'S AIR SERV

BEST OFFICE FACILITY OFFICE FURNITURE SOURCE

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BEST HOME INSPECTION SERVICE PAUL’S HOME INSPECTION SERVICE

BEST HOME AND GARDENING GARRISON'S HOME AND GARDENING

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EXPERIENCED CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT & EXCEPTIONAL PROPERTY SERVICES - HERITAGE PROPERTIES

BEST FLOORING SNYDER FLOOR COVERING

About The Event Admission: $30.00 - $45.00 Venue: Independence Stadium 3301 Pershing Blvd., Shreveport, LA Presented by: Duck Commander Independence Bowl Event's Website: independencebowl.org/ Phone: 888-414-BOWL Email: amy@independencebowl.org Date: Sat, Dec 27, 2014 • 3:00 PM - til

Event Description The teams have been announced! The Miami Hurricanes from the Atlantic Coast Conference will face off against the South Carolina Gamecocks from the Southeastern Conference in the 2014 Duck Commander Independence Bowl. Independence Bowl Foundation officials are proud to announce Duck Commander as the new title

sponsor of the Independence Bowl, the nation’s 11th oldest bowl game. The game will be known as the Duck Commander Independence Bowl and will be played in Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La., where it was first played to honor America’s bicentennial celebration in 1976. The mission of the Independence Bowl Foundation

is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. The Independence Bowl Foundation will enhance economic impact and growth in our communities through an alliance of volunteer, individual, and corporate support along with government and educational participation.

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 39

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 41

Escape E s c app e iinn th the he A Ambiance mbiance Landing La a n dii ngg at a t Willow W i lll l o w Bayou Wi B ay ayou -.$!,+'*)'(!&%%$#"!&'$1!0/&!+'*! 0.#$$!4$*#&&2!+3+#02$'0!.&2$"! /)0.!0.$!0&3!&%!0.$!5)'$! +2$')0)$"1!65&"$0!"3+6$!+'*! 4$*#&&2!")8$7!,&6+0$*!)'!9&#0.! <&"")$#!;:"0!2)':0$"!%#&2! ".&33)'(1!4+'=)'(1!#$"0+:#+'0"1! +'*!2:6.!2&#$7!! ! ,:A:#@!?2$')0)$">! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U .S. policy for the achievem ent of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirm ative advertising and m arketing program in w hich there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, p fam ilial status, or national origin.

MA R K ETIN G D ISC LA IMER :

Need Not Be Built. For M arketing Purposes O nly. All renderings, floor plans, features and photography are artist's depictions only. Features, pricing and dim ensions show n herein are subject to change w ithout notice. All dim ensions are approxim ate. Developer reserves the right to m odify or adjust prices and/or speciffications w ithout notice. Special offers are subject to change w ithout notification. A ll m ove in discounts and specials are not for existing residents.

Come Visit the Landing at Willow B Bayou Monday thru Friday 8am to 6pm Saturday 10am to 4pm

CARPET CLEANING & FLOORING • • • •

Professional Carpet Care 24 Hour Emergency Water Extraction Licensed And Bonded Residential and Commercial

Sims Pro Carpet, a Father and Son is owned and operated company providing fast and friendly services! All our employees are clean cut and in uniform. We provide Residential and Commercial services.

(318) 682-3799

402 Tony Dr, Shreveport, LA 71106

44 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com

Campbell TV Service

Campbell TV Service has been serving the Shreveport area and surrounding communities for over 50 years. We’ve established ourselves as a prominent TV repair company within the area thanks to the continued support from our loyal customers. Campbell TV Service is dedicated to the customer service that you will experience as well as the qual-

Campbell TV Service

4071 Fern Ave Shreveport, LA 71105

ity of work completed on each project. We are happy to offer pick-up and delivery services for added convenience. We offer the sales and repairs of televisions and service most brands and types including Plasma, LCD and DLP. Contact Campbell TV Service today to learn more about our services as well as our Pioneer TV Warranty service.

Phone: 318-869-3287 Email: campserv@yahoo.com Business Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-noon.

www.CampbellTvService.com

Winter Weather Tips Temperatures are expected to dip below normal across much of the eastern half of the country from the Plains to the East Coast and as far south as Texas and Florida. As this first taste of winter moves in, the American Red Cross offers ten steps people can take to stay safe during the big chill. 1. Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing your body heat. 2. Don’t forget your pets - bring them indoors. If they can’t come inside, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water. 3. Protect your pipes - run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent your pipes from freezing. Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children. Keep the garage doors closed if there are water lines in the garage. 4. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night. Your heating bill may be a little higher, but you could avoid a more costly repair job if your pipes freeze and burst. 5. If you are using a space heater, place it on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable at least three feet away – things such as paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs. 6. Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed. 7. Never use a stove or oven to heat your home. 8. If you are using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs. 9. Use generators correctly – never operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage. 10. Don’t hook a generator up to the home’s wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 45

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(318) 861-7660 LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 47

PAUL’S HOME INSPECTION SERVICE

My name is Paul and I am a Home Inspector, licensed by the State of Louisiana. Providing my clients with the most professional, thorough and complete home inspection and a report with photos in an easy to read format. If you are new to the area, a first time home buyer or both you will find a lot of useful information on my website at, www.yourhomeinspection.com (at least that’s what I am hoping for). If you are a “seasoned” home buyer then you know the importance of a quality home inspection, which I strive to provide all my clients. I am a member of the NW Louisiana Association of Realtors as well as a board member of the NWLA Home Inspectors Committee. An Accredited Business recognized by the Better Business Bureau. Also hold a “Supra Key”. That means I can enter a home without the aid of a Realtor. When I do an inspection for you, it is you and your family’s best interest that I have in mind, I like to take my time and if I see or smell something that is questionable I have a small arsenal of tools to help me look evenfurther. For more information in that regard see “Tools & Services” on my website at www.yourhomeinspection.com. I believe that Honesty, Diligence and Integrity should never

be compromised. There are questions and concerns many clients have - listed here are four of the most common with simple but honest answers. The - Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors website has an abundant amount of information that you the buyer or seller might be interested in.

Can a Home actually "fail" an inspection? Realistically speaking, no. An inspection is merely a thorough examination of the home's current condition. It is neither an appraisal (which determines market value) nor a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not "pass" or "fail" a house, but will accurately and objectively describe its physical condition and indicate potential problems or concerns. What if my inspector finds problems with the home? First of all, it's important to remember that virtually no home is perfect. If your inspector does identify some problems with the home, it doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't buy the house, only that you will know in advance what to expect. What's more, you may be able to negotiate the purchase price of the

home with the seller if significant problems are found, which will help you offset the required repair costs.

What exactly is a Home Inspection? A standard home inspection is a visual examination of the physical structure and major interior systems of a residential building. However, it should be clearly understood that a home inspection is not to be confused with an appraisal, warranty evaluation, building code inspection, a guarantee of any kind, and/or an insurance policy on the condition of the property. What does a standard Home Inspection Include? During an inspection, the inspector will review the readily accessible exposed portions of the structure of the home, including the roof, attic, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, basement and foundation, as well as the heating/air conditioning systems, interior plumbing and electrical systems for potential problems. Keep in mind that a home inspection is not intended to point out every small problem or invisible/latent defect in a home. Most minor or cosmetic flaws, for example, should be apparent to the buyer without the aid of a professional.

Providing an honest, unbiased inspection with integrity, diligence and putting the client first is the first priority!

www.yourhomeinspection.com Mobile 318.820.1187 • email: pcollucci@comcast.net

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 49

Christmas Wonderland at Paper Shack

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 51

South Shreveport Dental is taking their patient care to the next level with a large dose of southern hospitality and state-of-the-art technology

52 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com

Getting to Know...

South Shreveport Dental is taking their patient care to the next level with a large dose of southern hospitality and state-of-the-art technology. When you first enter the cozy waiting room, you are greeted with a warm smile and the smell of movie style popcorn. Led by Doctor Andrew Simpson and his team, you will immediately realize this is not your typical dental office. This hidden gem, located at 9220 Ellerbe Road, between E Bert Kouns Industrial Loop and Highway 3132, has analyzed every aspect of patient comfort, reducing dental anxiety and relieving many of unnecessary dental pain. “We understand the hesitation to visit any dental office. That’s why we have analyzed every aspect of our daily operations and we hope you’ll find comfort from the changes we’ve made,” says Dr. Simpson. It’s the little things that his research has uncovered, such as, “the piercing noise of the dental handpiece (also referred to as the dental drill),” he says. “That’s why we’ve switched to electric motor handpieces rather than traditional air-driven motor handpieces. These are much quieter during use and work more efficiently while also generating less heat.” This means less post-operative discomfort and faster treatment times. Another area of focus combats something we have all experienced - that

not-so-pleasant smell within many dental offices. Dr. Simpson explains, “The popcorn is not only for enjoyment. It provokes a warm, palpable sensation that makes everyone feel less stressed almost instantaneously. The movie industry is very aware of this.” Other amenities include electric blankets if you tend to be cold, memory foam backing within the chairs, cable television with or without headphones to remove the noise during treatment, or simply to catch up on the weather forecast while your filling is completed. A coffee bar with to go cups also awaits you when you enter. Dreaded wait times are also a thing of the past. “We do our best to keep on schedule and keep wait times to under five minutes. We know your time is important too. When we schedule an appointment for you, it’s a commitment from all of us that we are not going to double book your appointment and be forced to choose which patient will have

to wait. That’s not acceptable,” he said before adding, “We’ve also invested in time saving technology as well, allowing you to receive same day restorations which provides many benefits.” “We are in the process of equipping our rooms with an oral cancer screening device. The goal is to detect cancer during its pre-cancer stage. It uses a fluorescent light with special glasses and is completely painless. Traditionally, when oral cancer is visible, it’s beyond stage 2 or 3 and debilitating surgeries are needed. If we can detect lesions much earlier, many lives can be saved. The most comforting change comes from the way anesthesia is administered. Simpson explains, “Our process of administering local anesthesia, the whole technique, has been much improved, removing the sting as much as possible. Our goal is for every patient to leave thinking, ‘Wow, that was the best experience I’ve ever had.’”

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 53

A Tale

of Two

Technologies...

You probably have been to a 3D movie recently. Or you may even own a 3D television at home. At South Shreveport Dental, Dr. Andrew Simpson and his team have launched themselves into the future with the most advanced 3D technology available for dentistry. This technology is provided in two different forms - 3D imaging as well as 3D “printing.” The 3D imaging, called the Galileos, allows Dr. Simpson and his team to see the skull and all of its components. 3D printing, also known as CEREC technology, includes a 3D wand like camera for imaging an area of treatment in order to design, mill, or “print,” and place custom made restorations to repair damaged or weak teeth. These two technologies can also communicate and work together to provide very advanced treatment options for individual missing teeth, or even full arches of missing teeth. “We cater to all dental needs with a focus on comfort, education and prevention,” said Simpson. “We have in-

vested in the most advanced technology offered in dentistry today because we believe in the technology and the many benefits it provides. Before upgrading to this system, our imaging sensors, which were only eight years old, were nearly obsolete due to the continuously improving field of technology these days. Now, we can simply do a software upgrade to stay afloat of the changes. The software also allows us to be interactive with the image. It’s no longer a static interpretation. We can zoom in or even rotate the image allowing us to see things in ways we never thought possible. We can also add layers, such as locating and tracing a vital nerve or artery, or virtually placing a dental implant in a space formerly occupied by a tooth that has been lost (see figure).” Simpson continues, “This allows us to make definitive diagnoses from the very first appointment, limiting any guess work and providing accurate treatment times.” The new imaging is eliminating some of the more uncomfortable processes of a visit to the dentist, while providing the staff with a more definitive picture that clears up any uncertainties. “The scan uses minimal radiation, and takes about fifteen seconds to complete,” Simpson says. “With advanced imaging, the guesswork is gone. For the first time, we are able to truly see. We no longer have to interpret images and hope our interpretation is accurate, we can diagnose pathological changes within the bony anatomy of the head and neck with more certainty and confidence. Patients can now see themselves on the screen and quickly recognize the difference. Seeing is believing.” Doctor Simpson believes in keeping up with the waves of new technology, as it better serves the patients by keeping their health at the forefront of progressive dental care. He said that the new imaging not only allows both patient and doctor to see a clear picture of the image captured, but it also has the ability to detect potentially life-threatening issues. For example, we can clearly detect osseous (bony) cancers or cysts and calcifications within the carotid arteries of the neck, an early indi-

54 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com

cation of heart disease, atherosclerosis, can be detected. Life threatening pathology can be present even if there are no signs or symptoms during routine examination. This is why we believe in the technology and staying up-to-date.” “Now that we can see the pathology, a clear and justifiable treatment plan can be made with more confidence, and timelines are more accurate,” said Simpson. “Now those toothaches that don’t appear to have a cause using traditional imaging can be clearly identified with 3D imaging. Sometimes we don’t see anything unusual on a traditional x-ray, but after a scan, one can clearly see infection surrounding a tooth.” Simpson said that the new technology also has intuitive and powerful software that allows them to plan a dental surgery in real time with the patient. In addition to the precision and accuracy the new machine provides, it can also discover whether other procedures are necessary. Simpson said this aspect saves time, money and unnecessary exploratory surgery. “This technology truly removes the surprises giving us all the information we could ever need before treatment,” he said. “This allows the patient to know the length of treatment, expectations of treatment outcomes, and all associated costs of treatment from the very first appointment.” “Before acquiring this technology, patients were referred to hospitals or imaging centers to obtain the information, Simpson continued. “Patients are reluctant to go to multiple offices and multiple doctors in today’s busy world. This is very convenient for the patient and our staff, not to mention, hospital-based CT’s have a heavier dose of radiation. Our device uses considerably less radiation to capture the information we need and is extremely safe. After imaging and making a definitive diagnosis, treatment is simplified and more comfortable with the ability to make same day restorations. With 3D CEREC technology, full porcelain restorations can be manufactured in the office while you wait. In fact, the staff

Imaging of damaged teeth before designing the repair.

encourages patients to watch the process as it is performed. The milling unit, a machine that quickly cuts the custom fitting restoration out of a block of porcelain, is stationed in the waiting room next to a coffee bar. The advantages with this technology are numerous, but the highlights are that, “It allows the patient to have their permanent restoration before they leave. Not having to take a gooey, sticky impression for the laboratory, not having to make a temporary restoration, not having to be numbed a second time, not having to take off from school or work for a second appointment, are all improvements the patients have welcomed,” Simpson says. “When we offer the patient the option to come back in at another time rather than wait, the answer is always no. So we’ve stopped asking,” says a smiling Simpson. The materials today are also much improved, truly making all of this possible. “We no longer need metal in any of the restorations made. It’s simply unnecessary, affecting those with a metal allergy, and creates problems making restorations appear natural even if there is porcelain covering over all of the metal.” Having metal under the porcelain can lead to a gray line appearing at the gum line of restorations, but also due to its nature, light cannot be absorbed and reflected the same way as enamel or the newer all porcelain restorations. To make them

stronger and more durable, porcelain restorations are now, “cut out of a single block of porcelain, and not built up in layers. In the past, you might have a restoration chip at its weakest point, the bond between those layers of porcelain or most likely the bond between the porcelain layer and metal layer, leaving an unsightly metal exposed to the oral environment. The porcelain is different, it’s stronger, and better built to resist fracture. In six years of using this material, I’ve only seen one or two restorations fracture, and those were not due to a material defect.” The process is much simpler than one would think. After the tooth is made ready to restore, a small camera is used to image the teeth. “The camera picks up the fine details in a live video in color within seconds to minutes,” Simpson explains. “From there, we design the restoration, chairside, on a dedicated computer while the patient can watch and from there it’s a matter of sending the final design wirelessly to the milling unit in the waiting room to mill. The design takes under five minutes and the milling process takes 4-8 minutes for a single tooth. Then, it’s often tried in before being placed in a ceramic oven, similar to the way pottery is made,” says Simpson. He adds, “The response has been overwhelming. We are doing more dentistry, preventing more toothaches, and also doing a lot more cosmetic dentistry.”

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 55

Analyzing a smile with CEREC and then creating a new smile

Here, a dental implant was inserted to replace a missing tooth. With CEREC, a custom made restoration is designed and manufactured in the office.

CEREC makes mouths beautiful.

We’d Love to

Meet You... At South Shreveport Dental, the patient is the primary focus for Simpson and his team. A comfortable and welcoming environment is what they aim to provide, while also remaining committed to being knowledgeable and qualified dental care providers. “We maintain an atmosphere of enthusiasm in the workplace, an atmosphere in which our team is caring of our patients

Before and After with CEREC

and one another, and is unwavering in its commitment to excellence in dentistry,” said Simpson. “Our mission is to offer our patients the highest standard of quality dental health care available, in the most caring and efficient manner. We continually advance our knowledge and expertise in all areas of dentistry to ensure the highest standard of care.” Simpson recently completed a yearlong residency in dental implants through the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID). He is also pursuing a fellowship with the AAID as well as the Academy of General Dentistry, or AGD, with over 500 hours of continuing education in 4 years. The state board of dentistry requires approximately 20 hours per year. “Our philosophy is to treat every pa-

Phone: (318) 868-0830 Email: southshreveportdental@gmail.com For more information and to request an appointment online, go to dentistinshreveportla.com To read reviews, see before and after photos, and interactive updates, visit facebook.com/SouthShreveportDental

56 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com

tient as our family member,” said Simpson. “We understand the hesitation to make your dental appointments. Our goals are to be a patient-centered practice, putting you first and we will accommodate you in any way we can. We will always keep abreast of the latest techniques, materials and equipment. We are proud to be one of the most technologically advanced offices in the world, and we maintain a fun and positive work environment while keeping a professional attitude and work ethic.” “We invest in ourselves because we believe in ourselves, advancing the practice with technology, education, training and study,” he continued. “We are lifetime students and servants to our community and patients.”

Testimonialsâ&#x20AC;Ś Dr. Andrew Simpson (Dr. Drew) I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you again for changing my life. Both in how people view me but most of all in how I feel about myself. I'm learning how to really laugh and smile in front of people. A close friend told me I look happy all the time. From the first time I walked into your office, your staff has been nothing but courteous, professional and even nurturing (giving me a caring pat on the arm telling me I'm going to be fine, knowing I was nervous). I was impressed with the state of the art equipment and the

ability to make all my crowns right there in the office. Plus you going the extra mile wanting my smile to be perfect, by staying late with me in our office after all your staff had left for the day, making sure that everything was perfect. As I try to search for the words to tell you how much my new smile means to me, and how much what you have done for me changed my life, I realize there are none. All I can say is Thank You!

My family and I have been patients of Dr. Simpson's for about 2 years now, and he has always delivered excellent dental care. He continues to exceed my expectations and proving to me that he was the best choice for my family's dental care. Dr. Simpson is a perfectionist who delivers outstanding results, and I would like to thank him for that. Dr. Simpson was also very patient and com-

forting when working on my children. You do not usually hear of children loving to go to the dentist, by my children always look forward to their dental appointments and visits with Dr. Simpson.

The main reason I decided to schedule an appointment with Dr. Simpson is that his office offers the latest technology. I knew that I had made the right decision at my first appointment. Dr. Simpson did an amazing job at restoring my smile.

I appreciate him and his staff so very much and I will be referring all of my family and friends to him.

My husband and I moved back to Shreveport earlier this year and I needed a root canal. My daughter told me to go to Dr Simpson, but I was very nervous about having this procedure done and using a new dentist! Well, I did it and Dr. Simpson was fantastic.

I would recommend Dr. Simpson to everyone, he and his staff are the best. They are all so nice and friendly. ~ Cindy Welch

"Dr.Simpson is an excellent dentist. He took the time to explain every procedure he was doing. For example, when I got my tooth filled and a touch of cosmetic work done, Dr.Simpson was very supportive, and thorough when explaining the process. He is a professional and has a naturally lovely person-

ality. His attention to detail makes you feel totally comfortable and at ease and I would recommend Dr.Simpson to everyone. He is the best dentist I have ever had."

It's great to work for a dentist who is so committed to his patients and his staff. He teaches us something new everyday. We can honestly say we enjoy coming to work everyday. Dr.

Simpson always makes his staff and patients feel like they are family. ~ Joan and Tori, Account Administrators

Sincerely, Kevin Sisson

~ Clint White

~ Frank Koerner

~ Debbie Dillard

Proud members of:

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 57

How It All Began! In the Beginning What do people really want from a health club? That's the key question Anytime Fitness co-founders Jeff Klinger and Chuck Runyon asked themselves seven years ago. The answer was relatively simple. When you boil it all down, people want a convenient and affordable place to go – with quality exercise equipment and a friendly atmosphere. Thus was born the Anytime Fitness franchise – an alternative to over-sized and over-priced health clubs – providing a viable business model for independent franchisees and affordable fitness options for hundreds of thousands of members nationwide. The first Anytime Fitness club opened its doors in Cambridge, MN, in 2002. The Best Place for Fitness 24/7 At Anytime Fitness, we understand how important convenience is to our

members. People want to exercise on their own terms, whenever their busy schedules allow, close to their homes or work places, and when they travel. That s why Anytime Fitness clubs are open 24/7, allowing members to work out any time of the day or night, even when our clubs are not staffed. It’s also the rationale behind our membership reciprocity program, which is known as Anywhere Club Access. With this benefit, members join one Anytime Fitness club and can use any other club – worldwide – at no extra charge. What could be more convenient than that? Other features which separate Anytime Fitness from the rest of the pack include 24-hour tanning facilities (at most locations) and our integrated use of access software, security, and surveillance systems, which allow owners to operate

safe and secure clubs with greatly reduced staffing needs. Neighborhood-Style Clubs Anytime Fitness prides itself on its commitment to community involvement. We're also one of the few fitness franchises to succeed in smaller population centers traditionally ignored by larger clubs. In fact, most members live or work within 13 miles of our clubs. That convenience is fueling the growth of Anytime Fitness!

Try us FREE for 7 days* SEE WHY AN ANYTIME FITNESS CLUB IS JUST RIGHT FOR YOU!

We’ll see you at the gym! *New customers only. Length of trial typically 7 days. At participating locations only. Terms and conditions may vary. Each location is independently owned and operated.

NORTH BOSSIER LOCATION

HAUGHTON LOCATION

ELLERBE ROAD LOCATION

318.549.1247

318.949.4004 4800 Hwy 80 • Haughton, LA 71037

9250 Ellerbe Road • Shreveport, LA 71106

AIRLINE DRIVE LOCATION

BARKSDALE BLVD LOCATION

MANSFIELD ROAD LOCATION

5212 Airline Dr, Suite E • Bossier City, LA 71111

5930 Barksdale Blvd • Bossier City, LA 71112

9315 Mansfield Road • Shreveport, LA 71118

3011 Airline Drive • Bossier City, LA 71111

318.549.1247 BENTON LOCATION

(318) 965-0159 185 Burt Blvd • Benton, LA 71006

318.746.1886

318.677.2600

318.688.5900

www.anytimefitness.com

ea! d i t f i o l i d g a y h y h t l a He

Open 24/7, 365 Days a Year Pictured Right:

LEE HUDSON Owner

Angela Ray Anytime Fitness has completely changed my whole life for the better! Weight Loss: 60lbs I (Angela Ray) started my fitness journey at a starting weight of 195. I started working out on my own at first then I met Lee Hudson and he became my personal trainer at Anytime Fitness in Benton, Louisiana and he became my mentor. He has been a wonderful influence in my life and now a year and a half later I am down 60lbs and even got certified and became a personal trainer, working for Lee at the very gym that changed my life. I want to inspire everyone to see their full potential. I have had three C-sections and I never thought I would be comfortable with my body ever again, but now I proudly show off how fit I have become. Anytime Fitness is so convenient, I

have a five year old, a 15 yr old and my disabled father to take care of at home, so it was really hard to find time to work out, but with the 24 hour access it made it possible for me. If I could make it to where I am now, then so can each and every person that doesn't feel comfortable in their body. Anytime Fitness is there to help you make that change. I strongly recommend hiring a personal trainer to help you because there are so many things they can teach you that make your goals more attainable and doing things the right way makes a difference in keeping the weight off. I will continue to help as many others as I can…I want someone to look at me and say “because of her I didn’t give up!!”

NORTH BOSSIER LOCATION 318.549.1247

3011 Airline Drive • Bossier City, LA 71111

BENTON LOCATION (318) 965-0159

185 Burt Blvd • Benton, LA 71006

AIRLINE DRIVE LOCATION 318.549.1247

5212 Airline Dr, Suite E • Bossier City, LA 71111

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 59

Tips for Younger Looking Skin No matter how old we are, we all want to enjoy the benefits of healthy skin - that's why the anti aging skincare industry has become a multi-billion dollar one. The good news is that you can use natural skin care combined with a change in lifestyle to improve the texture, tone, and feel of your skin, and to reduce lines and wrinkles that can make your skin look aged. them, and simple relax for about fifteen minutes. Afterwards, rinse the facemask off your face and pat dry. You can then moisturize your face, and you should be left with smoother, softer, and suppler skin. You can do this once or twice a week to help keep your skin nourished and replenished.

Apple Juice You can treat fine lines, fine wrinkles, and cracked skin by applying the juice of green apples to your face each day. You should leave the juice on for around ten to fifteen minutes each day before rinsing off. Pineapple If you want another fruity way to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, you can use the juice or the core of a fresh pineapple. Apply the juice either by hand or by rubbing the core over your face, and leave it on for ten to fifteen minutes. This helps to improve the tone and texture of your skin, enabling you to feel fresh and look younger. Nourishing face mask If you want to enjoy a more luxurious home remedy, you can make up your own face mask. This will leave your skin feeling supple and revitalized, and can help you to look younger by replenishing your skin. You simply combine a couple of tablespoons of natural whole yogurt with a tablespoon of pure liquid honey. You then squeeze in some cucumber juice and give the whole mixture a good stir. Chill the mixture in the fridge for a short while (you don't want to get it too cold, but refrigerating it for a short while will help to 'set' it so that it won't slide off your face). Apply the mixture to your face liberally, lie back, pop a couple of cucumber slices onto your eyes to soothe

60 Southern Hospitality

Protection From The Sun The UV rays from the sun can have a very harmful effect upon the sun, and not only do unprotected sun worshippers risk cancer, but they are also likely to see their skin wrinkle and age very prematurely (depending on the amount of time spent in the sun). Whatever time of day you go out, you should wear an appropriate SFP sunscreen or moisturizer to stop your skin from burning and losing its elasticity.

Cucumber If you are having problems with discolored age spots, you may find that cucumber juice is very effective in bleaching out these age spots. Simply combine cucumber juice with water (one tbsp of juice to two tbsp of water), and apply to the affected areas twice daily. Dab the solution on in the morning and at night, and allow to dry on the affected area.

Quit Smoking If you smoke, you've probably heard many reasons why you should give up this habit. One of them is that smoking can age your skin prematurely and leave you with deep and numerous wrinkles.

Papaya Juice This fruit contains an enzyme that can remove dead surface skin. So, if you have rough skin or blemishes, fresh papaya juice rubbed into the skin can remove the affected skin and leave you with softer, smoother skin.

Reduce Stress Stress is another factor that can affect our skin and leave us looking and feeling old before our time. In order to try and enjoy younger looking skin, you need to take the time to relax and de-stress.

Massage A five minute facial massage each day can help to keep your skin looking younger and wrinkle-free for longer. You should take off all make-up, wash your face, and remove any excess oils by using a suitable cleanser (or use the juice from a fresh lime to do this). Starting from your neck up, gently yet firmly massage in an upward motion right up to your hairline. Once you have done this, rinse your face and apply a suitable moisturizing cream or lotion. When you apply your cream or lotion, apply it in using the same upward motion so that it is massaged into the skin.

The tips above are designed to help you make the most of your precious skin, and to keep it looking and feeling good for as long as possible. By combining the simple skin treatments listed earlier with the lifestyle tips outlined above, you could enjoy more resilient, supple and fresher looking skin.

Water It is vital to drink around eight glasses of water a day to keep your skin in top condition. Diet Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and vitamin-E rich foods can help to keep your skin in good condition and help keep signs of aging at bay.

Building a Better Pyramid and Plate If the only goal of the USDAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food icons is to give us the best possible advice for healthy eating, then they should be grounded in the evidence and be independent of commercial interests. Instead of waiting for this to happen, nutrition experts from the Harvard School of Public Health created the Healthy Eating Pyramid, and updated it in 2008. And in September 2011, working with colleagues at Harvard Health Publications, they

created the Healthy Eating Plate. The Healthy Eating Pyramid and the Healthy Eating Plate are based on the best available scientific evidence about the links between diet and health. They fix fundamental flaws in the USDA food pyramids and plate and offer sound information to help people make better choices about what to eat.

For more information about the Healthy Eating Pyramid: www.TheNutritionSource.org LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 61

THE 15 BEST FATBURNING FOODS These are foods that start winnowing your waistline the moment they leave your fork and enter your mouth. They build muscle, promote fat burning, or simply use energy (i.e., burn calories) just to digest them! Stock up today. Almonds and other nuts (with skins intact) Build muscle, reduce cravings Dairy products (fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese) Build strong bones, fire up weight loss Eggs Build muscle, burn fat Turkey and other lean meats Build muscle, strengthen immune system Berries Improve satiety, prevent cravings Enova oil (soy and canola oil) Promotes fullness, not easily stored as fat Peanut butterÂ Boosts testosterone (a good thing even in women), builds muscle, burns fat Fatty fish (such as salmon, tuna, mackerel) Trigger fullness, fire up fat burning Grapefruit Lowers insulin, regulates blood sugar and metabolism; be sure to eat the fleshy white membranes Green tea Fires up fat burning Chili peppers Spikes metabolism Spinach and green vegetables Fight free radicals and improve recovery for betterÂ muscle building Whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, whole grain cereal) Small doses prevent body from storing fat Beans and legumes Build muscle, help burn fat, regulate digestion Whey Builds muscle, burns fat.

62 Southern Hospitality

ea! d i t f i o l i d g a y h y h t l a He

Always Open Convenience BARKSDALE BLVD LOCATION 5390 Barksdale Blvd. • Bossier City, LA 71112

Pictured Right:

A.J. HICKEY Manager/Co-Owner The Barksdale Blvd Anytime Fitness opened its doors in January 2008. We have an aerobics room, tanning room, and multiple training programs. The training programs at our club are second to none. We have worked with Mudbug Hockey players, Miss Louisiana pageant contestants, motocross riders, and numerous other athletes and fitness competitors. We do what most other clubs can’t by fitting someone’s personal goals with a program that works for them. In most clubs you get whatever trainer is

available or whoever is working that day, not what that trainer specializes in with what the client needs. Anytime Fitness clubs are open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! Talk about no more excuses! Fitness is not month to month or seasonal, it’s a lifetime commitment. Our staffed hours are: Monday – Friday: 9am – 7pm, Saturday: 9am - 1pm, Sunday: By Appoinment Take some time to get to know who we are and what we do.

1 FREE PERSONAL TRAINING SESSION

Take a free 7 day pass on us! Come in and mention you read this article and we will honor it to you with no obligation.

2 MONTHS FREE TANNING

with New Contract

with New Contract NOT VALID WITH OTHER PROMOTIONS, SEE CLUB FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. • ONLY 1 COUPON VALID PER CONTRACT

NEW MEMBER SPECIALS; 1 FREE MONTH

NOT VALID WITH OTHER PROMOTIONS, SEE CLUB FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. • ONLY 1 COUPON VALID PER CONTRACT

NO ENROLLMENT FEE with New Contract

with New Contract

NOT VALID WITH OTHER PROMOTIONS, SEE CLUB FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. • ONLY 1 COUPON VALID PER CONTRACT

BARKSDALE BLVD LOCATION

318.746.1886

5930 Barksdale Blvd • Bossier City, LA 71112

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 63

Healthy holiday gift

idea!

Try It Risk Free for 7 Days ELLERBE ROAD LOCATION 9250 Ellerbe Road • Shreveport, LA 71106

Pictured left:

MICHELLE HICKEY Manager

The Ellerbe Road Anytime Fitness was the 1st Anytime Fitness to open in Shreveport when it opened in October of 2007. The location is 3600 square feet and already has some very respectable people in the health and fitness industry as members and would love for you to join them. We have every-

thing you can think of to get a good workout in and you can get it done whenever you want. We are on your time: Anytime Fitness is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We have treadmills, ellipticals, a stair climber, bikes, circuit training machines, plate loaded machines and free weights. We also offer personal training services, a tanning bed and a shower facility for your convenience. There is 1 specific thing that sets us apart from any other Anytime Fitness or health club in the area: we have a HydroMassage Bed. The HydroMassage service is available to everyone, not just members of Anytime Fitness. HydroMassage is a fully customizable, user-friendly massage system that gives users a powerful, heated massage in as little as 10 minutes. Users remain clothed and comfortably dry throughout their massage. HydroMassage is a cost-effective alternative to traditional, hands-on mas-

1 FREE PERSONAL TRAINING SESSION

sage. The HydroMassage Bed is used to help promote relaxation, relieve stress and anxiety, relieve muscle tension, increase circulation, reduce muscle soreness and increase flexibility. It has been trusted by doctors, professional athletes and hospitals for over 20 years. HydroMassage customers include Walter Reed Medical Center, U.S. Olympic Training Center, Mayo Clinic, University of Notre Dame, Rutgers and many more. Who wouldn’t love to get a massage every day? I know I would and you could do for as little as $15 a month. You can visit www.HydroMassage.com for more information or come in and try it for yourself for FREE! Please come in to meet our Anytime Fitness family. We would love for you to try our club and HydroMassage risk free for 7 days. Come in and see Michelle today to get started at the Ellerbe Road location where we care about you and your health and fitness.

2 MONTHS FREE TANNING

with New Contract

NOT VALID WITH OTHER PROMOTIONS, SEE CLUB FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. • ONLY 1 COUPON VALID PER CONTRACT

NEW MEMBER SPECIALS; 1 FREE MONTH

NOT VALID WITH OTHER PROMOTIONS, SEE CLUB FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. • ONLY 1 COUPON VALID PER CONTRACT

NO ENROLLMENT FEE with New Contract

with New Contract

NOT VALID WITH OTHER PROMOTIONS, SEE CLUB FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. • ONLY 1 COUPON VALID PER CONTRACT

ELLERBE ROAD LOCATION Owners Cliff Vandiver

318.677.2600

64 Southern Hospitality

9250 Ellerbe Road • Shreveport, LA 71106

ea! d i t f i o l i d g a y h y h t l a He

Try It Risk Free for 7 Days MANSFIELD ROAD LOCATION 9315 Mansfield Road • Shreveport, LA 71118

Pictured Right:

SARA LAFORTUNE Manager Anytime Fitness opened its doors on Mansfield Rd in 2011. This gym is over 7000 sq ft which includes a large group aerobic room. Our cardio machines include treadmills, elliptical, stair climbers, spin and regular bikes, an AMT machine and an Octane machine. The AMT combines the movements of a treadmill, elliptical and stair climber into one machine. The Octane gives you the motions of a cross country skier and focuses on the legs. We also have strength training equipment and a large free-weight area along with two tanning beds and his/her showers. Our goal is to accommodate our member’s needs. We are located at 9315 Mansfield Rd just west of Bert Kouns. We offer a large variety of classes which are free to members and our trainers and fitness leaders are all certified on multiple levels. Our classes include RIP, Pilates, Yoga, Spin Dance Fitness and Boot Camp. Coming soon will also be a class for our Silver Sneakers members. Along with our free classes we have several different types of personal trainers on staff. All are focused on our member’s success and well-being not just physically but also mentally. In addition to our instructor led classes we also offer Wellbeats. Wellbeats is a video led class. We cur-

rently offer over 150 classes which range from spin to kickboxing and yoga to TRX. These classes are accessible 24 hours a day based on your personal schedule. Another offering is Anytime Health. Anytime Health is a website that we encourage all of our members to become familiar with. It is a free website that links you to your home club and offers recipes, workout tracking, body specific exercises, supplements and athletic wear. Our staff includes Independent Beachbody Coach, Tina McKay. In addition to being our morning manager, Tina also leads our Boot Camp, Spin and Yoga classes as well as filling in on our RIP classes. Our main manager is Sara LaFortune. Sara has been with us since September of 2013 and is a joy to have on staff. She loves helping people whether it’s existing members or potential members coming in for the first time. She wants everyone to understand how important their health is and that it should be a priority. When Sara is not at Anytime Fitness, she is the Director of Youth Ministries at Christ UMC. We can’t wait to see you soon and help you achieve or even maintain your fitness/health goals!

MANSFIELD ROAD LOCATION Owners Cliff Vandiver & Ricky Lennard

318.688.5900

9315 Mansfield Road • Shreveport, LA 71118

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 65

FAVORITE HOMETOWN BUSINESSES When it comes to businesses that are charming, idiosyncratic, and lovable,we asked a host of well-known writers, and influential people to tell us about their favorites in the catagories of Unique Boutiques, Day Spa/Salons, and Dining... Congratulatins to all of our winners. UNIQUE BOUTIQUES, SALON/SPAS, & GIFT SHOPS... Aperio Salon Aperio Salon & Day Spa is a full service salon and day spa, offering a wide range of sophisticated, personalized services. We are caring, dedicated professionals who pledge to present each individual with a relaxing and unique experience. 3835 Gilbert Dr Shreveport, Louisiana (318) 861-5955 www.aperiosalon.com

Enchanted Gardens (Shreveport) Gifts • Bath/Spa Specialties • Collectibles • Home & Garden • Louisiana Specialties • Kitchen/Gourmet • Seasonal • Fun & Games • Men • School Corner • Nursery • Books & Music • Cards & Stationery We are not associated with Menards, Inc. nor do we supply products to them. 2429 Line Avenue Shreveport, LA 71104 (318) 227-1213

Cabello's Hair Salon.. Hello from Cabello! We are a full service salon offering Trendy Haircuts and Styles for the whole family, Hi-lites & Lo-lites, Coloring, Brazillian Blowout, Teeth Whitening, Extensions, Spa Manicures & Pedicures, Special Occasion Hair and Make-up!!!! 2922 Knight St, Shreveport, Louisiana (318) 868-4000 Ext 9

Kadeebell's (Bossier) Nicknamed, The Happy Place, as this gift shop is truly a place to de-stress, and rejuvenate.. Selling a wide variety of merchandise for men, women, and children, including LSU, and Saints items, jewelry, purses, crosses, home decor, and more! They are the Queen of Gift Baskets, as you tell them what you need, and in return they create a masterpiece, Every time! 1700 Old Minden Rd Bossier City, Louisiana (318) 747-7920

Tangles Salon Childrens, Women's, and Mens hair cuts. Other services include Special Occasion Styling, Photo Shoot Styling, Bridal and Prom packages! Deep conditioning, specialty weaves, make-overs, highlights, lowlights, blowouts, perms,professional color, shampoo and styles, hair extensions, manicures, pedicures, braiding, and updo's. 2716 Plantation Dr, Bossier City.. Walk-ins Welcome! Cell...318-210-1988 Absolutely AbIgail's When the ordinary just won’t do.” Come visit this unique and eclectic shop and check out their website at 3795 Youree Dr Shreveport, Louisiana (318) 219-0788 www.absolutelyabigails.com Sassafras Sassafras Gift Boutique will offer gifts, women's apparel, and monogramming. 9824 Mansfield Rd Shreveport, Louisiana (318) 686-3900

Endless Tan Endless Summer Tanning is your premiere tanning experience. Located at 635 Bert Kouns Ind. Loop in Shreveport, La. A clean environment with many available services from UV bed tanning to spray tanning to teeth whitening. Year round packages and discounts. 635 Bert Kouns #400 Shreveport, Louisiana (318) 688-0404 www.endlesssummertanningshreveport.com/

Air Brush Tan, by Leslie Matthews Get a glowing, natural looking tan with Air Brush Tan, by Leslie! We provide a sunless tan to compliment your preferences and skin tone from our certified spray tan professionals. Discover a better way to tan, the safe and smart way. Cell number- 318-469-6053 Located in Tangles Salon 2716 Plantation Dr, Bossier City.

66 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com

Bella Donna Salon/Spa We are a full service salon and Boutique! The Boutique carries all new clothing lines including MEK, Rock Revival, Grace of LA, and Mine! Also we buy, sell, and trade jewelery! (318) 797-8788 1409 E. 70th, Shreveport, LA, 71105 Shreveport Sewing Shreveport Sewing Center is a family owned business devoted to sewing and service for over 50 years. At Shreveport Sewing Center, we want to help you discover and develop your creativity. We offer classes, repairs, embroidery, baby lock machines, and alterations. 635 Bert Kouns, Suite 200 Shreveport, Louisiana (318) 688-2402 shreveportsewingcenter.com Connie and V Cross We are a full service "fun" jewelry store--we are locally owned, and specialize in diamonds and custom designs. We would love to see your similing face in our store. 1700 Old Minden Road, Suite 175 Bossier City, Louisiana (318) 747-7000 Ladies in Waiting Best Baby Boutique.. It's a wonder why Ladies in Waiting is noted as Best Baby Boutique in Shreveport! They carry. 3 Marthas Collection, Accessories, Art, Books, Backpacks, Lunchboxes & Nap Mats, Bedding, Bib and Burp Cloth, Clothing, Diaper Bags, Essentials, Gear, Gifts, On the Go! Rugs, Collections, Socks and Shoes , Cradle Cuties Hats, and jellycat! 7735 E Kings Hwy Shreveport, Louisiana (318) 798-6611 www.liwbaby.com

gifts, womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apparel, monogramming, and more 9824 Mansfield Rd | Shreveport, Louisiana | (318) 686-3900 Like Us On Facebook: SassafrasGiftBoutique

Shop Abigail’s For All Your Holiday Gifts & Fashion

Necklaces & Wearable Art

Absolutely Abigail’s Serene Shea Body Butter

Absolutely Abigail’s Oatmeal, Milk & Honey Moisturizing Milkbath

Pamela Cassidy Designs

Cat’s Carpetbags

Dee Jay’s

eye•bobs, bracelets & more!

3795 Youree Drive • Shreveport, LA • Hours: Mon - Sat, 10 - 5:30

318.219.0788 • Shop Online: AbsolutelyAbigails.com

! 2429 LINE AVENUE • SHREVEPORT, LA • 318-227-1213 " 6 Blocks North of Kings Hwy • Open Tues - Sat

• Ladies Accessories • Bath & Spa Specialties • Melissa & Doug Toys • LSU & LA Gifts • Gifts You’ve Never Seen Before!

GINGERSNAPS JEWELRY - hundreds of affordable interchangeable snaps that fit bracelets, rings, necklaces, scarves, boots and purses! $6.99 each - buy 4, get 1 free! Bracelets begin at $12.99

Large assortment of everyday and Christmas Charles Viancin covers that seal bowls - works in refrigerator, microwave and oven.

Fun, educational toys that kids of all ages enjoy! A great selection of Melissa and Doug Toys!

KAMELEON Sterling Silver Jewelry with 100’s of Jewel Pops to Choose From.

POO-POURRI – Spritz The Bowl Before You Go And No One Else Will Ever Know!

“Come Discover our Wonderful Christmas Gift Selection and Stocking Stuffers for all Ages!”

UNIQUE GIFTS & STOCKING STUFFERS

ONE MINUTE MANICURE fresh pomegranate shown - variety of sizes and sets -your hands and feet never felt so good!

ROMAN FONTANINI NATIVITY SETS AND WILLOWTREE FIGURINES

E-CLOTH - The easiest way to clean your house for Christmas or any time! Whether you love to clean or hate to clean, you'll love the e-cloth! Just use water, no chemicals!

CAPTAIN RODNEY'S BOUCAN GLAZE makes the most delicious bacon and cheese appetizer ever!

ASPEN MULLING SPICES add to cider, tea or your favorite drink for a delicious treat!

DEPT. 56 DICKENS VILLAGE AND ACCESSORIES -

Snow Village, North Pole, Dickens, Christmas in the City and others!

BROWN BEAR HAT Adorable Baby Gifts! MARK ROBERTS SANTAS AND FAIRIES amazing assortment!

Like Us on Facebook! EnchantedGardenShreveport

GET THE

HOLIDAY

SPECIIALIZING IN TRENDY CUTS • COLOR HIGHLIGHTS • NAILS • WA AXING FACIALS • MASSAGES • SKIN CARE NOW OFFERING: NORVELL AIRBRUSH TA ANNING

GLAM LOOK Be a Holiday Hero Give the gift of Beauty!

Call one of our beauty professionals today!!

Convenient after wor k hour s: OPEN 9AM - 8PM TUES-FRI 9AM - 6PM SAT T

3835 Gilber t Drive, Shrevepor t

318.861.5955

By Leslie Matthews

q e uttiiqu ou ur B o u eeu by Coul msuitt by wiim SSw ews ew h t th t at M e i zi n Keen deled by MccK ode Mod

76 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com

Hello from Cabello! We are a full service salon offering Trendy Haircuts and Styles for the whole family, Hi-lites & Lo-lites, Coloring, Brazillian Blowout, Spa Nails, Extensions, Spa Manicures & Pedicures, Special Occasion Hair and Make-up!!!!

uw !

Air Brush Makeup and Tanning Hair Extensions Highlights Spa Nails Weddings Walk Ins

Come By And See Amanda Cruse Alexis Cruz Leslie Currington Charla Gunderson Kelly McGuffee Robbie Meshell Jarred Montgomery Terri Ross Kathy Sanders Mollie Talbert Misti Shepherd Heather Whitman

2922 Knight St Shreveport, LA 71105

(318) 868-4000 uw !

78 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com

SHREVEPORT SEWING CENTER Offering custom embroidery with a wide variety of designs and monogram styles, Shreveport Sewing Center is your one-stop shop for all of your sewing needs. Business hours is Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm and Saturday from 9am to 12pm. This store offers kids sewing classes, adult beginner and intermediate sewing classes, free value classes, sewing project classes, software classes, various clubs, and special events. Shirley Clark stated, “Shreveport Sewing Center is the finest place to buy Babylock machines, and they have the very best dealers in the nation.

Babylock stands behind their warranty, but the dealer is the main person to ensure that any problems are taken care of first. They offer classes and free clubs for those that are interested. It's a great place to shop.” Machine services include tune-ups, repairs and adjustments on all makes and models. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, Shreveport Sewing Center carries everything needed to set you up on any sewing adventure. Maggie Roberts stated, “I will never forget my first time in this store. I was looking forward to starting my own embroidery business. I was terrified.

They answered all of my questions and made me feel comfortable and confident. I bought a Babylock machine. They taught me everything and provided me with tools and knowledge. I love this place. I am now able to work from home and stay with my children. I couldn't have done it without them.” You can save money by printing and using in-store coupons available from the website at www.shreveportsewingcenter.com. 635 W. Bert Kouns Industrial Loop Ste 200 Shreveport, LA 71118 (318) 688-0404

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 79

Questions and Answers with

CHARLA LORENZEN GUNDERSON of Perfect Touch

What are three things we should do to have beautiful hair? 3 things you should do to have beautiful hair get frequent haircuts to take off dry dead ends, brush hair daily and always use the right shampoos and conditioners for your hair. Everybody's hair Is not the same. What are things we shouldn't do? Things you shouldn't do avoid over processing your hair. Not just from your hair designers prospective but wanting more done or changing from brown brunette to blonde. Dont just shampoo and not condition. Everybody needs to condition their hair. . You have 21 years experience as a stylists, your talent exceeds one of the top 10 hair stylists in the area, what do you contribute your success? As a hair designer/color correction specialist and make up artist, I have experienced my career with success by being genuine

PERFECT TOUCH at Cabello Hair Studio Beauty Begins with Us fusion hair extensions, cuts, colors and updos Charla Lorenzen Gunderson Lic. Cosmetologist, Air Brush Makeup Artist

318-868-4000 or cell 318-751-5778 2922 Knight St., Shreveport, LA 71105 Look us up on Facebook @ Cabello Hair Studio

80 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com

to my clients and coworkers. Living in Texas, Oklahoma, Las Vegas, I now call Bossier City my home, afterall, I was born and raised here. Over 21 years of experience I have built a large clientele base, and the biggest lesson i have learned is to listen to what they want when it comes to hair style. I will give my professional opinion , of course, and together we achieve the best in what they are looking for in color and in style. After owning a day spa and closing it, I moved to Cabello Hair Studio (on Knight Street, across from Walmart), and it has been my dream come true for me! My co-workers truly have a heart of gold and I couldn't ask for anything more in working with them. I still find myself (after this many years), attending many education classes, learning the newest trends, and being the best stylist I can be for my clients! I've recently became a make up artist to benefit my wedding partys, pagent girls, homecomings, proms, ect... and it paid off! I now offer a complete package of hair and make -up together! I really love that. Its brought out the artist in me. Everything I've ever wanted in hair and make up I've accomplished. As the saying goes with hair dressers:" You can never have to many clients and never make to many friendships". I am always looking forward to meeting new clients and calling them my friend!

...it has been my dream come true for me! My co-workers truly have a heart of gold and I couldn't ask for anything more in working with them

Business Hours:

Join our professional, friendly staff so to customize your tanning and skin care experience at Endless Summer Tanning. Receive expert advice on our wide selection of tanning and skin-care products as well as a personalized program utilizing our high-quality sun beds. We offer UV Tanning, spray tanning, teeth whitening, and Hydro-massage. Hydromassage is a comfortable, convenient, and affordable, fifteen minute heated massage, leaving you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. We know tanning is about more than just looking good. It's also about the satisfaction of knowing you are taking the best care of your skin. Visit Endless Summer Tanning today and treat your skin right. Tan in a clean, con-

February - September Mon - Fri: 8am - 8pm Sat: 10am - 6pm Sun: 1p - 6pm

trolled environment. We provide UV tanning and spray tanning in the safest, cleanest, and most relaxing environment in the area. We also carry extensive line of premium tanning lotions, moisturizers, and skin care products such as Australian Gold, Supre Tan, and Designer Skin. At Endless Summer Tanning, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all about you, your skin and your well-being. We guarantee that everyone at Endless Summer Tanning is committed to giving you 100% satisfaction when using our services. We will help you determine the specific tanning program for your unique skin type, en-

October - January Mon - Thurs: 9am - 8pm Fri: 9am - 7pm Sat: 11am - 6pm Sun: closed

abling an easy way to achieve and maintain a natural-looking glow. Visit us online at www.endlesssummertanningshreveport.com 635 W. Bert Kouns Industrial Loop Shreveport, LA 71118 (318) 688-0404

Like us on FaceBook: Endless Summer Tanning

Supporter of Ascend Combat!!

www.EndlessSummerTanningShreveport.com LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 81

BOSSIER BOUTIQUE

Find d Out Why KadeeBell’s ’ is Vo Voted oted One of the Best Businesses in Bossier City! Owner, Brandy Santoro, worked hard to create a gift boutique where people can shop, relax and socialize. It is nicknamed the "Happy Place," as it is a peaceful getaway to de-stress and rejuvenate! Selling a wide variety of merchandise for women, men, and children, Brandy brings her creative expertise. She has years of experience serving the Shreveport, Bossier, and Haughton areas; furthermore, known as “The Basket Queen." She listens to what you need and returns with a masterpiece.

Let's start with Kadeebells "snoozy's” house shoes! Men and women's sizes are available. Another favorite is the Magnetic bead necklaces that can be taken apart to create a choker, bracelet, long/short necklace - for the small price of $22.00!

Everyyone is sure to love the boot bling! Come see the th he selection sellect se lectio tio ion and ion and her an her he Everyone frienndly trained staff will show you how to accessorize with their fun and friendly sass bling! sassy y If you’re looking for that perfect gift for the sports fan in your life, this ho house ware boutique carries lots of LSU and Saints! The cultural gr greatness continues with Fleur-de-lis wine glasses, jewelry, and am amazing house wares!

Ca Catering to trendy women, Kadeebell’s Ka adeebell’s sells popular pro products, such as the po popular Fabulous Bath line; inc including Bombshell, Starlet an and Envy fragrances. These ar aromatic’s are also available in soaps, body washes, sh shaving products, and sh shimmering lotions. Ka adeebell’s is an exclusive Kadeebell’s w wholesaler of the popular ‘F ‘Fabulous Bath’ spa line.

Fin nd a wide varie Find variety of cross jewelry, han handbags, and decorated scarves at Kad adeebell’s Boutique! Kadeebell’s A m Among their unique stock of chic products, tthey he carry Stephen Joseph brand for kids! E nj gourmet coffees, dips, and soups, by Enjoy ““What’s W Cookin’," and a variety of ccookbooks, oo and cooking accessories! B ra Brandy's staff will customize unique b as baskets on the go, and ship them on any o cc occasion such as Christmas, Wedding, B ir Birthday, House-warming, and much more! T h best part is the quality service! The

SSumm umm mm mer m er is is ju jjust ustt around a the corner and so is a brand new shipment of fun ggifts, s s, Summer souvenirs, and collectibles at Kadeebell's! Monogramming and free gift wrapping are available. Kadeebell’s Boutique is one of our favorite places to o shop, and we believe you will have the same great experience! Call or visit today, and tell them Southern Hospitality Magazine sent you!

1700 1 700 Old Ol d M Minden ind nden R Rd. d. B Bossier ossier er C City, ity, La it La PHONE PH HONE (318) (318 747-7920 747- 920 0

aNeill Reyenga

Owner DaaNeill Reeyenga, is the rising star of hairrdressing in Bossier City!

he is a devoted wife, mother of three beautiful child dren, and a perfect exa x mple of a modern woman!

Special Occasion Styling Photto Shoot Styling Brid dal Packages ning t Deep Condition t Speciality Weeavves t .BLFPWFST t )JHIMJHIUT t Lowlights t #MPXPVUT t PFSNT

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(318) 8)) 741-104 048 2716 Plantation t Dr, Bossier City, LA 84 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com

DaNeill began her cosmetology career from o the age of 16, and developed her knowledge and experience through her gra andmother’s guidance. Her drivving passion has always been to create breathtaking stylles, and offer a unique personal touch to each of her customers. Her creative talents an nd high standards have enabled her to become a leading professional!

tion keeps our team on the front lines of the industry,” stated DaNeill. She per forms a multitude of services and has many unique areas of exper tise. Iff you have seriously considere ed hair extensions, DaNeill Reyenga is your local professional! With years of experie ence, she is a mastermind at a her craft. Her gift with matcching colors and applying nattural-looking hair extensions is i genius!

in Bossier City. This twenty eight-year-old wo oman is on the cutting edge, literally!

Fabulous hair color does not happen by chance. The only way to achieve truly spectacular hair color every time is through the skill and creativity of an exper t. When you want to look especially beautiful “just because,” you can count on DaNeill to give you a gorgeous up-do you’ll never forget! Tangles services include hair sculpting, styling, color, highlighting, color correction, perms, braiding, straight, shor t haircuts, hair coloring, styling, and much more! This salon is dedicated to assisting you in developing a personal style that looks great, and that you love. You are sure to feel good about yourself after a visit to Tangles!

DaNeill is always looking for new challengges. She has high attention to detail, is goal oriented, an nd has high standards for herself and her business. “Ongo Ongo oing educa-

Get pampered and look your very best! Awaken your true style with fresh vibrant color at Tangles Salon, where your hair is the ultimate fashion accessory!

After earning a degree in Cosmetology at Guys Academy, she opened her own salon entitled Tang angle gles. Tangles S l is Salon i loca l ted db behind Good Eats Restaurant in Bossier City, and occupiies a highly trained yet friend dly staff. Not only dedicated to her own clients, she selects her stylists based on ttheir unique styling techniques, talents, and exper t servicce. DaNeill’s clientele include es some of

FAVORITE HOMETOWN BUSINESSES Our new Hometown Favorites section announces our top favorite choices in the dining category. This section is based upon finding the Best in Fine Dining, Quality, and prestigious culinary accolades! Also in a casual setting, our best finds as people choice when it comes to family dining, sandwiches, pizza's and more! RESTAURANT WINNERS IN SHREVEPORT/BOSSIER CITY 1. Ernest Orleans.. Ernest's Orleans Restaurant has been a part of Shreveport's history for over sixty years! Located at 1601 Spring St, sitting on top of the hill, Ernest's features prime steaks, fresh seafood, and Italian eats. Ernest's famous marinated crab claws and red snapper Ernest are just two dishes that highlight our menu. Tableside desserts and after dinner drinks await our guests! If it's a night to remember, be sure to celebrate with us! Four large dining rooms provide an atmosphere for any occasion...Dancing in the

club room alleviates all of your daily worries, the main dining room provides and elegant and intimate setting, the captain's room and veranda are accompanied by a scenic view of downtown Shreveport! 2. Guiseppe.. At Ristorante Giuseppe, our mission is to provide Shreveport diners with the most authentic and delicious Italian experience as possible. Every piece of pasta, every pastry, every sauce, everything that can be made from scratch, is made entirely from scratch

from our well trained and tireless kitchen staff. Chef Giuseppe Brucia has diligently perfected many classic recipes from his homeland andÂ along side his son Gioacchino, "Joe", the combination of old world meets new has come together to create a rustic Italian cuisine that people have been enjoying now for 4 years.Â When you walk through our doors it is our sole purpose to provide you with the best italian experience available anywhere in the Ark-La-Tex. From our exemplary service, to our rustic, delicious Italian cuisine, and to our

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FAVORITE HOMETOWN BUSINESSES (CONTINUED) RESTAURANT WINNERS IN SHREVEPORT/BOSSIER CITY expansive..."not expensive"... wine list...ask for our "Wine Guys" and let them pair your dish with the perfect wine. We take alot of pride in what we offer. We promise it is unlike any other Italian restaurant in Shreveport. And we promise it will leave you hungry for more. Come see what everyone is talking about. 3.Lucky Palace.. A Unique Experience at an Award-Winning Restaurant! When you visit, you will feel relaxed in our cozy atmosphere, not to mention that we were named one of the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the country! At the Lucky Palace, we make sure your experience is enjoyable from the first bite to the last sip of wine. We are open for lunch and dinner daily. An Extensive Wine List Lucky Palace offers a diverse wine list with 250 selections to choose from. We have an extensive wine by the glass list and a large selection of champagne along with a number of affluent chardonnays such as Lewis Cellars, Kistler and Peter Michael. Whether you’re looking for a light wine, something richer, or something in between, we have it all here at Lucky Palace. Gourmet Chinese Food at Its Best At the Lucky Palace, we are known for our gourmet Chinese food. We have items that you’d find at most Chinese restaurants, but with a gourmet twist! We also serve food that is unique to the Lucky Palace. Come visit our restaurant today to browse through our menu and enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner! We deliver in the Bossier City and Shreveport areas. Call us today to place an order! 4. Notini's Family Italian Restaurant Notini's Italian Restaurant first opened for business in June of 1981. Jerry Notini Kolniak and his brother Ronnie and their father Stanley started the Italian restaurant. The restaurant was opened in honor of Jerry's grandfather, Antonio Notini, who immigrated to this country from Barga, Italy on November 19, 1909. Antonio worked in the restaurant and bar business until his retirement in 1960. Notini's Italian Restaurant is a casual dining experience with a family atmosphere. You may see some customers in

shorts and t-shirts and others in tuxedos and evening dresses. Prices are moderate. Notini's prides itself in producing their food from scratch on the premises in their own kitchen. Our own recipe for a plain tomato sauce and a white fettuccine alfredo sauce are made daily at the restaurant and is the basis for other menu items, like lasagna, chicken fettuccine, shrimp fettuccine and other items. Notini's Italian Restaurant is located in the 2000 block of a busy Airline Drive in the Bossier Corners Shopping Center. 5. L’Italiano The best Italian food in Shreveport/ Bossier since the '80's. We offer a romantic, out of the way, experience with authentic Sicilian style cuisine, great wines, and a fantastic staff ready to meet your every need. 701 Barksdale Blvd Bossier City, Louisiana (318) 747-7777 litalianorestaurant.webs.com/ 6. El Marachi Mexican We have Happy Hour Mon.-Sat. 3:007:00pm. 2 for 1 Margaritas, $1.75 Domestic Beer, and $2.50 Import Beer. We also have Lunch Specials 7 days a week starting at $5.75, as well as Dinner Specials Sun.-Wed. for $5.75. 3500 Barksdale Blvd & 2369 Airline Dr Suite 500, Bossier City, Louisiana 318-747-2348 (Barksdale) & 318-549-1974 (Airline Dr.) 7. Firehouse Subs Specializing in hot subs, Firehouse Subs serves large portions of premium meats and Sargento cheeses, “steamed” hot and placed atop fresh produce on a toasted sub roll. Each restaurant offers a family-oriented dining atmosphere, complete with an authentic firefighter theme that celebrates local firefighting history, as well as the founding family’s 200 years of firefighting service 7230 Youree Dr Suite 113 Shreveport, Louisiana (318) 798-6547 www.firehousesubs.com/

86 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com

8. Sho Gun Japanese Shogun of Japan restaurants are traditional Japanese-style hibachi steakhouses serving teppanyaki and sushi. 1409 E 70th St Shreveport, Louisiana (318) 798-1001 www.myshogun.com/ 9. Silver Star Saloon: Based on quality, masters of technique, personality, and consistency, this restaurant is a food-lovers paradise. There award winning barbeque has proven to be the recipe for success. The award-winning smoky flavor is a perfected, unique recipe that won the hearts and taste buds of hard-core barbeque lovers not only in our home-town of Bossier City, but visitors from everywhere in the U.S.! Using only the finest cuts of meat, smoked to perfection, over select seasoned wood, each plate is complemented with a combination of incredible tasty sides! For instance, the au gratin potatoes are a one of a kind dining experience! 1201 Dixie Overland Rd Bossier City, Louisiana 71111 10. 2 Johns Restaurant The place 2 be. Bossier City can now "steak" claim to the newest and finest in Bossier Dining - 2 Johns Steak & Seafood. Enjoy white table cloth fine dining, local artistry, a grand piano setting the mood, and a luxurious bar stocked with your favorite wines and our signature cocktails. Fine dining with an elegant atmosphere in Bossier City. 11. Smitty's Pizza The BEST Pizza in Town.. Our Promise to Our Customers Whether you call in your order or are dining in, your pizza will be prepared at the time you place your order, using only the freshest quality ingredients and cooked in our brick ovens. Because we do not “pre-make” any of Our pizzas, you may wait a bit longer. But we promise it’s worth the wait! Open 7 Days a Week • Dine in or take out 9375 Mansfield Road..Phone 318-687-3030 Owned & Operated by Stocky’s World Famous Pizza, Inc.

Status and fun await guests passing through downtown Shreveport Louisiana at the newest hotspot for live music and karaoke entertainment, Hangar 21. As you enter the nightclub, the crisp sound of music expels off the walls of this acoustically inclined venue. Located at 616 Commerce Street, Hangar 21 is the best bar to is the best bar to experience upscale nightlife, pool, entertainment and experience upscale delicious happy hour appenightlife, pool, tizers. entertainment and Owner of Hangar 21, delicious happy Billy Huffman, has 30 years hour appetizers of experience in the nightclub business. The 4,500 sq. ft. space is perfect for entertaining both clients and friends with an atmosphere and energy that comfortably accommodates any audience. You can check out great bands every Friday night. Hangar 21 is open Tuesday thru Thursday from 6:00pm to 4:00am, and Friday and Saturday from 6:00pm to 6:00am. With conveniently close and well lit parking, you can feel safe walking to and from your vehicle.

Hangar 21

Largest Liquor Selection • Craft Beers • Karaoke Great Food • and The Best Rock Bands in The Area

616 Commerce St • Shreveport, Louisiana Phone: 318-221-0064 Email: Hangar21Shreveport@gmail.com Like Us On Facebook: Keyword Hangar 21 Shreveport

hangar21shreveport.com

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 87

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VOTED #1

BEST PIZZA

in the Ark-La-Tex!!! Smittys

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 89

S O R G N U O

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LOW-SODIUM TERIYAKI SALMON

INGREDIENTS

â&#x20AC;˘ Low-sodium teriyaki sauce â&#x20AC;˘ 2Â (6-ounce) salmon fillets â&#x20AC;˘ Sesame seeds â&#x20AC;˘ 2Â small zucchini, thinly sliced â&#x20AC;˘ 4Â scallions, chopped â&#x20AC;˘ Canola oil

PREPARATION

Combine 5 tablespoons teriyaki sauce and fish in a zip-top plastic bag. Seal and marinate 20 minutes. Toast sesame seeds in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, and set aside. Drain fish, discarding marinade. Add fish to skillet, and cook 5 minutes.Turn and cook for 5 more minutes over medium-low heat. Remove from skillet, and keep warm.Add the zucchini, scallions, and 2 teaspoons oil to skillet. SautĂŠ 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Stir in 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve with salmon.

$ 99 to-geros

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Thank You For All You Do!

BARRY REGULA General Manager Margaritaville Resort Casino

LO WALKER Mayor Bossier City, Louisiana

AUSTIN MUCHEMORE General Manager Boomtown Casino & Hotel

CASINO

HOTEL

BOSSIER CITY, LA

MIKE RICH General Manager Horseshoe Casino & Hotel

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY MAGAZINE

DINING & CASINO ENTERTAINMENT IN BOSSIER CITY 1. 2 Johns Steak and Seafood Voted: Best All Round Elegant Fine Dining Restaurant - Full service bar, live piano music, and patio www.2johnsrestaurant.com 2. Ralph and Kacoos Voted: Best Seafood Restaurant Cajun cuisine featuring a variety of seafood dishes, and famous bread pudding! www.ralphandkacoos.com

3. Texas Roadhouse Voted: Best Steakhouse Restaurant Hand cut steaks, fall off the bone ribs, cold beer, and family friendly www.texasroadhouse.com

6. Notini’s Restaurant Voted: Best Family Italian Restaurant - They have a wide variety of homemade family dishes such as Fettuccini Alfredo, Lasagna, Ravioli, and Muffulettas. Don't forget their most popular and successful Spiced Mint Tea! Freshly brewed mint tea www.notinis.net 7. Shogun Voted: Best Japanese Restaurant Sho Gun restaurants are traditional Japanese-style hibachi steakhouses called "teppanyaki". At Shogun of Japan, your meal is prepared and served by a performing chef, right at your table. Diners can choose from a variety of sushi and other Japanese favorites. Now open for lunch! www.myshogun.com

horseshoe.com

4. El Mariachi Voted: Best Mexican Restaurant in Customer Service, Quality, and prices, and voted from the people of Shreveport/Bossier, a Hometown Favorite Facebook: El Mariachi/Bossier City 5. Nicky’s Mexican Restuarant Voted: Best 2 for 1 Enchiladas every Monday and Tuesday! Best Shrimp Fajitas and Margarita’s www.nickysmexicanrestaurants.net

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INTO LEGEND DS. You can walk alk lk into any casino and gamble. ble. But it’’s only l when h you come to Horseshoe H that you can leave e with a story for the ages. Since the beginning, nning, we’ve proudly offfered d the largest jackpots and highest table limits. imits. Which means you can end up raking in a pot so big, you go down wn in gambling history. So iff you’re looking to make a name for yourself, urself, Horseshoe is the place e where legends are born.

Mu s t be 21 year s or old er to gam ble. K now W hen To Sto p Before You St ar t.® ©2 012, C ae sar s L icen se C om pany, LLC.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 94

GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800 -522-4700

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 93

DINING & CASINO ENTERTAINMENT (CONTINUED) 8. Good Eats Voted: Best Sandwich/Deli Lunch, Groceries, sandwiches, salads, soups and more. Best Basil Soup ever, and smoked turkey cheddar sandwiches! www.visitgoodeats.com 9. Strawn's Eat Shop Voted: One of the Best diners in the south! Hot lunch specials, and famous strawberry pie! www.strawnseatshop.com

10. Monjunis Voted Best Italian Cafe' and Grocery - Monjunis is a great place for some really good Italian food! Great atmosphere, service, food and drink, Monjunis is one of the best Italian restaurants in town! Crawfish or shrimp fettuccini, and muffulettas! www.monjunis.com 11. Silver Star Smokehouse Voted: Best Barbecue Wall Street Journal rated Silver Star in Top 10 for barbecue. Lunch specials daily.

Tiger Town Diner

12. Tiger Town Diner Voted: Best New Diner (in Bossier City) - Home Cooked Breakfast, Gourmet Burgers & Subs, Daily Home Cooking!

El Potrillo, Mexican Restaurant Grill & Cantina Voted: Voted Best New Popular Mexican Restaurant (in Shreveport) We care about the good taste of our food as well as providing our customers with personal, hospitable service. We are proud to be part of this beautiful community and hope to always make your time with us enjoyable. www.elpotrillo-ms.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 96

94 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com

LittleBigMag.com | Southern 95 A â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fine-Dining Experienceâ&#x20AC;? with the Southern California & Baja Mexican cooking Hospitality experience.

DINING & CASINO ENTERTAINMENT (CONTINUED) 13. BOOMTOWN CASINO & HOTEL Voted: Most Friendliest Casino in CASINO HOTEL town Voted as having the “Best Reel Slots” and “Best Video Poker" by Casino Player Magazine! Boomtown features three floors of gaming with more than 1,100 of the newest and hottest slots and video poker machines, plus more than 29 table games. Everyone’s a winner at Boomtown! Boomtown Casino & Hotel is located close to Sci-Port Discovery Center, Louisiana Boardwalk, and Riverview Park. Nearby points of interest also include Shreveport Convention Hall and Spring Street Historical Museum. A person can workup quite an appetite by mingling with friendly strangers and familiar faces. So why not invite your new and old friends to break bread? Whatever food you’re craving, you’re sure to find it at Boomtown. From juicy steaks to your favorite Mexican dishes, a snack from our café or a feast at our buffet, we know what you like and serve it up with a smile. www.boomtownbossier.com BOSSIER CITY, LA

1800 Prime Steakhouse You’re invited to experience Prime Steak perfection. We serve the very best in steakhouse dining that includes a selection of quality prime rib and seafood.

14. HORSESHOE CASINO & HOTEL Voted Best Luxurious Hotel and Casino (in Bossier City) Topping the skyline is the 24-story Bossier City tower that houses the world-class Horseshoe Bossier City luxury hotel. From the moment you enter our hotel lobby, you'll see that we have placed luxury and comfort at the top of our priority list. These Bossier City accommodations include 606 Luxury Tower Suites. To ensure easy access to the hotel, casino and restaurants, you’ll find 3,200 spaces of free parking, including free valet service, as well as covered parking in our convenient garage. Horseshoe Bossier City is where gamblers belong - a Bossier City Casino offering the very best slots, table games and poker. Entertainment from big name concerts exciting nightlife. Whether you prefer a rock show or laughing the night away Horseshoe is the place to be. www.horseshoebossiercity.com DINING AT HORSESHOE BOSSIER CITY At Horseshoe Bossier City, restaurants ranging from casual dining to fine dining are ready to satisfy your every hunger in legendary style. 8 OZ. BURGER BAR IT’S NOT JUST A BURGER, IT’S A COMMITMENT, AT THIS 24HOUR SPOT WITH A FRIENDLY, RELAXED ENVIRONMENT.

Cattleman's Buffet Even the biggest of appetites doesn't stand a chance! So go on feast on all of your favorites!! Whatever your tastes, we've got it! Just make sure you leave room for dessert!

FOUR WINDS Our exotic and authentic Asian restaurant features five cuisines: Cantonese, Mandarin, Szechwan, Vietnamese and Thai.

Sundance Cantina In between the action of the tables come and enjoy American favorites with a southwestern flair, like our signature burgers, fajitas or sizzling shrimp.

JACK BINION’S STEAK HOUSE The signature fine dining experience at Horseshoe, Jack Binion’s serves steaks as legendary as the man whose name is on the door.

Boomer's Cafe For a tasty meal or quick snack on the go, Boomer's Cafe offers a variety of tasty food that's always on the money.

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96 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com

THE SPREAD Indulge without remorse at The Spread, Horseshoe Bossier City’s buffet all-you-can-eat experience.

DINING & CASINO ENTERTAINMENT (CONTINUED) 15. HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS Voted: Friendliest and Quality Service Casino & Hotel, (in Bossier) With over 150,000 sq. ft. of fun, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs is the place to Come Out and Play your favorite slots. This new Bossier City entertainment complex offers casino gambling at its finest and most fun, and features 22-foot-high ceilings, a High Limit area and dozens of plasma screen televisions where you can watch simulcast racing from across the country or catch your favorite sport while you play the slots. If you’re looking for Bossier City hotel accommodations, SpringHill Suites by Marriott is located right on the Harrah’s Louisiana Downs grounds. If you are looking for a great place dine, look no further than Harrah´s Louisiana Downs. www.harrahslouisianadowns.com Fuddruckers Chow down on the World’s Greatest Hamburgers at Fuddruckers, now at Louisiana Downs. Choose from signature burgers or customize your own, with different meats, toppings and the famous Fuddruckers produce bar. Try a half-pound Bacon Cheddar Burger, Tricked Out Nachos, a Dogzilla hot dog or any of our other amazing burgers or signature entrees, then hit the sweet spot with a shake or malt.

BOSSIER CITY SHREVEPORT

CASINOS CELEBRATE 20 YEARS! 98 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com

Harrah’s Club Located on a prime perch on the third floor of the Harrah’s Louisiana Downs casino and racetrack complex, Harrah’s Club is an elegant Bossier City restaurant offering Southern style fine dining all day long. Reservations are recommended. Pepper Rose Too Pepper Rose Too is a Harrah’s Louisiana Downs casual dining option serving up everything from Cowboy Creole cuisine to Deli selections on the second level. Favorites from the grill include BBQ ribs, burgers and chicken dinners. The Buffet This is a great spot for lunch or dinner, offering the best Bossier City’s buffet - all-you-can-eat spreads served at lunch or dinner from nine live action stations cooking up over 100 menu items, including Mexican, Italian and Asian cuisine. Plus, the Center Cut Grill features a rotisserie and carving station. Save room for dessert and enjoy fresh-baked pastries, pies and cakes and mark your calendar for the Prime Rib dinner on Fridays, seafood dinner Saturdays and Brunch every Sunday.

THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF

GAMING in Northwes t Louisiana

By Mayor Lorenz “Lo” Walker

Since the first riverboat casino opened here 20 years ago Bossier City has received more than $250 million dollars in direct tax revenue.

As Bossier City grows in the twentyfirst century, a significant part of the economic engines that have helped grow the community over the past thirty five years has been the gaming industry. Louisiana Downs and the three riverboat casinos in the city have been a major factor in the region’s economic success. The excitement of opening Louisiana Downs, October 30, 1974, on 350 acres in east Bossier City, brought 15,000 thoroughbred racing fans to its inaugural meet. Built by Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr., the track was a huge success from the beginning, setting numerous national records for handle and attendance throughout the 70’s and 80’s. In 1980, plans were announced for the first running of the Super Derby, a one and a quarter mile race to be run in the fall. The intent was to attract the best three-year-olds in the country and to have an impact on the end-of-the year championships. With a $500,000 purse, the race was the richest ever for three-yearold Thoroughbreds. The annual race has rightfully taken its place nationally as one of the most anticipated of the year. Beginning in the late 80’s and early 90’s racing facilities like Louisiana Downs began to experience a decline in interest leading to some states looking at the gaming industry of Nevada and how it had become a tourist destination and revenue generator in that state. In 1991, Louisiana became the fourth state in the country to allow riverboat casino gaming within its borders. Shortly after the passage of the

state’s riverboat legislation the ShreveportBossier area was identified by the casino gaming industry as an excellent location using the Red River as the backdrop for five riverboats. Three of the riverboats are located on the east side of the river in Bossier City. The new law initially required a gaming vessel to be a true riverboat that could navigate the waterways of the state. Lawmakers soon learned that the Red River would not allow for the safe movement of the boats and they were subsequently allowed to be permanently anchored to the land based portion of the casino facility and could remain dockside and open 24 hours. In 1993 the first riverboat casino in Northwest Louisiana the Isle of Capri, now Diamond Jacks Casino, opened in Bossier City. It was followed by the Horseshoe Casino and then Casino Magic, now Boomtown Casino. Each casino’s opening led to more excitement within the region. They became a new economic engine that soon became a permanent and major asset to the community. Two casinos opened in Shreveport and each of the five casinos in our area have become destination casino/resorts offering to Bossier City and Shreveport the resources that have transformed Northwest Louisiana into a tourist destination for millions of visitors. The advent of casinos brought some early concerns but the community quickly realized this new industry brought significantly more positives than negatives.

Myths surrounding the arrival of riverboat casinos simply turned out not to be true (see right). Since the first riverboat casino opened here 20 years ago Bossier City has received more than $250 million dollars in direct tax revenue. These funds have allowed Bossier City to complete millions of dollars in capital improvements without increasing the tax burden on our own citizens. When Bossier City first began receiving tax revenue from the riverboat casinos, the city’s elected officials saw the need to safe-guard the new revenue source by establishing a trust fund with the first $30 million dollars collected. None of these monies were spent until the trust fund achieved the $30 million level. When that amount was reached the city started using the interest earned from the fund and all subsequent riverboat casino tax revenue for capital improvements. Those smart planning practices resulted in over $100 million dollars in transportation improvement projects, infrastructure investments in two premier retail shopping centers (Louisiana Boardwalk and the Stirling Retail Center) and the construction of the CenturyLink Center just to name a few. Now in 2013, we look forward with growing anticipation to the opening of the area’s sixth riverboat casino. Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritavile Casino and Resort is scheduled to open mid-June 2013 bringing a new tropical look to the banks of the Red River and making Bossier City an even greater tourist destination. Local casino managers and their staff have become a major part of the fabric of this community. They have been actively involved in civic and business projects and exceptionally generous in their philanthropic actions for the region. The leadership of casinos has been pro-active in addressing the problems of individuals with gaming addiction. While not everyone likes the presence of gaming in our community, few can deny that their presence has had a tremendous economic impact on our community and provides a quality adult entertainment component for a large segment of our community and its visitors.

MYTH #1 Gaming creates nothing. It merely takes away money that would otherwise be used by residents for other means.

FACT: Riverboats casinos have become a major economic force that benefits not just Bossier City but the entire state by pumping millions of dollars into our economy in several ways. Approximately 53% of all gaming revenue comes from out of state, mostly from Texas. Local merchants such as service stations, restaurants, hotels and retail stores benefit from the increased traffic from out-of-state visitors. More than 70% of goods and services used by Bossier City’s riverboat casinos are purchased from local businesses.

MYTH #2 Gaming in the community would increase crime.

FACT: There is no negative correlation established between the arrival of riverboat casinos and crime rates. Studies have shown that the increased police protection afforded by the increase in tax revenue from the riverboat casinos and thousands of jobs created has decreased crime. Statistics show that crime in Bossier City decreased significantly during the first three years of having the riverboat casinos.

MYTH #3 Society as a whole suffers when gaming is introduced.

FACT: Each casino that has opened in Bossier City and Shreveport has resulted in employment for thousands of people. Each casino averages approximately 1200 employees per casino with an average salary of $25,000 plus full health benefits. With dependable and competitive salaries, employees have bought homes, cars and major appliances, causing an economic ripple effect throughout the community.

LittleBigMag.com | Southern Hospitality 101

www..bpcc..edu

by: Debbie Dillard & Suzanne Stinson

Our city is a wonderful place to live, work, visit and do business. We are experiencing our first net population growth in decades and neighborhoods all over the city are buzzing with new life and commerce. Our education reforms are starting to yield positive results based on the diverse economy of Quality Education, Job Creation, and safe communities. We now live in a city that can be enjoyed and treasured by all who live here. We are bound together as one to say," Thank you Mayor Lo Walker in helping our dream become a reality for our Home Town, Bossier City, Louisiana! Our community is a better place because of Lo Walker. Providing a positive environment for residents and tourists, Bossier City has not only added to Shreveport’s prestigious reputation, but has become an equal. “Lo Walker is a paSuzanne Stinson, 26th Judicial District triot who works tirelessly for his Court Administrator and Past President of country and for our community,” the Commission for Women of Bossier Julian Whittington, Bossier Parish City, provided a quote, demonstrating her Sheriff. support for MayorWalker; “He is very “Mayor Walker is a true leader humble in his accomplishments and what who always sees the big picture; I he has done for the City of Bossier City. have seen him, when the chips are Not only does he serve as a diplomat for the down, doing the right thing even men and women who serve in the military, though everyone else was counselhe continues to sponsor a quarterly breaking to go to a different direction. It fast that includes leaders in the Bossier takes a lot of guts to stay the course Parish community and brings them together in the face of adversity to do what to help foster the working relationships he thought was right that flew in between the different agencies.” the face of what everyone was telling him he needed to do. It takes a really strong, confident person to do that.” - Bill Altimus, Bossier Parish Administrator “Mayor Lo Walker has continued to move Bossier City forward knowing ‘what to do, when to do it’, as well as knowing the right thing to say at the right time.” - Sandy Cimino, Vice President of Ouachita National Bank and Bossier Chamber of Commerce 2012 Business Person of the Year vision and dedication have advanced and transformed Bossier City.

n behalf of the citizens, and the leaders of the community, We want to congratulate Lo Walker, for another 4 years as Mayor of Bossier City, Louisiana.

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EXPOSURE

with Debbie Dillard Hello! Thank you for the opportunity to tell you about our new TV Show, Southern Hospitality Exposure with Debbie Dillard! Southern Hospitality Exposure is all about giving our clients the Exposure needed to boost business by ways of National Television distribution, and the digital world of digital media which includes our website www.littlebigmag.com, a once per month Email blast, video promotion on YouTube and on Facebook. We utilize many aspects of online distribution to ensure that your potential customers and clients view our show.

104 Southern Hospitality | LittleBigMag.com

Be sure and view the latest Southern Hospitality Exposure TV show episode by copying this link into your browser: http://youtu.be/MrCUABEemnw or YouTube keyword search: Southern Hospitality Exposure November 2014 Like us on Facebook! God bless, Debbie Dillard and Stephanie FrugĂŠ (318) 779-2794 â&#x20AC;˘ debikdillard@aol.com

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NORTH BOSSIER LOCATION

HAUGHTON LOCATION

ELLERBE ROAD LOCATION

318.549.1247

318.949.4004 4800 Hwy 80 • Haughton, LA 71037

9250 Ellerbe Road • Shreveport, LA 71106

AIRLINE DRIVE LOCATION

BARKSDALE BLVD LOCATION

MANSFIELD ROAD LOCATION

5212 Airline Dr, Suite E • Bossier City, LA 71111

5930 Barksdale Blvd • Bossier City, LA 71112

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318.549.1247 BENTON LOCATION

(318) 965-0159 185 Burt Blvd • Benton, LA 71006

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