Shreveport - Bossier, Louisiana's Other Side

Great music, locally sourced food and artisan libations are what you can expect at Wine Country Bistro and Bottle Shop.

Starting with the music, Deidre and Bob perform every Tuesday from 6:30-9 p.m. at Wine Country. The duo’s mission is to bring new and different music into the Shreveport-Bossier scene. It’s been important to them to have a diverse selection of music to please music connoisseurs of all ages.

After nearly four years, they have amassed more than 1600 hours of stage performance together. Deidre’s singing talent was discovered and has been nurtured since the age of 3. By 15, she was singing at everything from church weddings to school functions. In 1999, she helped form a band called “Rhythm and Voices.” She’s opened for Maze and the Isley Brothers.

Bob has been a working musician for almost 40 years. He’s played every venue from solo to a 12-piece band and from California to Florida with stops in between at places like New Orleans and the Great Lakes.

The experience with Bob and Deidre is rounded out at Wine Country with exceptional food. The restaurant was created in July 2004 by Jason Brady, Clay Simon and Steve Simon. It was birthed as a small bottle shop, offering a wide selection of boutique style wines at every price point.

It didn’t take long. The popularity grew and so did the wine shop, which now includes a restaurant. Great wine was meant to be enjoyed with great food.

The menu is constructed to offer the freshest ingredients around, combining bistro-style cuisine with an emphasis on wild game and fresh seafood. The Restaurant/Retail concept followed the same principle as the bottle shop –“Bringing great food and wine down to earth!” The wines are priced to be consumed and not admired from afar, with 25 wines by the glass and a rotating selection of wine flights.

The backdrop is warm and inviting with arches of mahogany and walls of wine.  Wine Country offers three distinct dining atmospheres to fit any given mood. It offers a quaint dimly lit rear dining room, spacious patio for al fresco dining and an upbeat bistro/ wine bar fit for a king.  The retail store is a clone of its older sibling with the addition of a European style cheese counter and a large walk in wine cellar that holds some of the finest juice around. The complimentary Thursday tastings became a regular on many locals’ calendars.

To see a menu click here (http://www.winecountrynet.com/menu/windowMenu.cfm)

Deidre and Bob perform at other great local Shreveport-Bossier restaurants. To see a schedule of other local performances click here (http://www.deidreandbob.com/shows.html)

Holiday fun in Shreveport-Bossier starts at 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 18 at the coolest place – the Louisiana Boardwalk. Thousands of visitors and residents gather for the ceremonial switching on of the lights on the tallest outdoor Christmas tree in Shreveport-Bossier standing at 30 feet tall. 

The kids will be so excited because there are special appearances by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Entertainment will be provided by the Fairfield Cheerleaders and the Caddo Middle Magnet Starline Danceline.

Guests at this year’s event will be treated to the Boardwalk Snow Blizzard set to begin at 7 p.m. even if the Mother nature doesn’t agree.

Cory Ryan with Cumulus Broadcast will emcee the Official Tree Lighting Ceremony, which will be located at the fountain entrance of the parking garage. Bossier City Mayor Lorenz Walker will be on hand for the event.

“The holidays in Shreveport-Bossier are meant to be enjoyed with family,” said Stacy Brown, president of the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau. “That’s why you find something to see and do almost every night from the official lighting ceremony until the end of the year.”

The riverfront areas on both sides of the Red River will offer fun with shopping and programmed activities on the Boardwalk to new events like the laser show at Barnwell Garden and Art Center and toy making workshops at Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center.

Last year, the Barnwell introduced the community and visitors to a laser light show. Well, organizers of last year’s event have brought it back bigger than ever. There will be a fast-paced laser show every 20 minutes in the conservatory and constant kid activities outside on the patio. Local artists will be showcasing and selling their works for those looking for a one-of-a-kind gift.

In north Caddo Parish, Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival promises a grand fireworks display, starting at 3 p.m., Dec. 4 in Earl Williamson Park in Oil City. This is the area’s only fireworks extravaganza.

Shreveport-Bossier has so much happening. Other great events include: Benton on the Square Festival, Dec. 11; Highland Home Tours, Dec. 11-12; and Christmas in Roseland, Nov. 26-28; Dec. 3-5; Dec. 10-12; Dec. 17-19.

For more holiday related events in Shreveport-Bossier visit www.holidaytrailoflights.com.

I have always been told that you can’t help who you fall in love with; it’s what is on the inside that counts and love conquers all. Those same principles or ideas that are in place in my personal relationships hold true to my relationship with my community. It’s not just my community, it’s our community and it’s Shreveport-Bossier.

One thing is certain here in Shreveport-Bossier, life is simple and our hearts are big. We have adapted our own culture that is decidedly distinctive. A melting pot of Texas twang and Cajun customs.  The pace seems to slow in Shreveport-Bossier. People take time to enjoy their surroundings and the history of our cities.

Festivals, concerts, dinners, even trips to the grocery store become some type of reunion; running into a classmate from high school or your third grade Sunday school teacher. You realize this is why you stay; this is what makes Shreveport-Bossier so great. It’s the big small town feel, it the smiles on our faces and our eagerness to help a neighbor. Southern hospitality is alive and well and it lives right here in Shreveport-Bossier.

The weather cools and the leaves begin to change, we see those bright red, white, and blue tents fill Festival Plaza. The streets downtown are filled with people attending the Red River Revel. The smell of food and the sound of live music fill the air. Sidewalk booths showcase unique jewelry and pieces of art. Our cities come alive.

The Revel comes to a close and soon after, carnival rides and food booths fill the fairgrounds. The hearts of children warm as they think of the State Fair of Louisiana. Adults find their inner child as they are flooded with the memories of their own fair experiences. And who doesn’t love fair food?

As we move away from the Revel and the Fair, the Louisiana Boardwalk lights the 30 foot tree and it’s a sign that Christmas is near. The cities soon begin to twinkle from the millions of Christmas lights that decorate the streets. Shreveport-Bossier is as picturesque as a Normal Rockwell painting.

But what would the holiday season be without football? In Shreveport-Bossier we love gridiron action almost as much as we love...okay more than we love anything else. You can’t go anywhere without seeing bumper stickers or t-shirts that say “Geaux Tigers” or “Who Dat.” In Shreveport-Bossier our time-honored football tradition is the Independence Bowl. Thousands gather for pre-game tailgating followed by a rush into the stadium to huddle under blankets, while cheering on our favorite college teams. It is the perfect way to move into the New Year and a new season filled with many more electrifying activities.

I will admit, I am smitten. I am in love with my community. There is so much to see and do in Shreveport-Bossier. I couldn’t imagine my life anywhere else. Shreveport-Bossier is the perfect place to stay, play and fall in love.

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Are you in love with Shreveport-Bossier? If you are, we'd love to hear about it. Check out our Facebook page at Louisiana's Other Side and tell us why you love Shreveport-Bossier. In the meantime, enter our Fall in Love with Shreveport-Bossier sweepstakes for a chance to win an overnight getaway in our cities. Click here to enter.

Are you a self-proclaimed "beer connoisseur?" Do you love to eat great foods and drink different beers? Are you ready to Revel in the Madness? If you can relate to that, you won't want to miss BREW...A Premier Beer Tasting event, Oct. 16.

Spend the afternoon, at this one-day event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., sampling internationally acclaimed and domestically micro-brewed ales, pilsners, stouts and everything in between. In addition to great music, some of the area's finest restaurants including Columbia Café, Tiger Bites, and Café at Artspace will be offering free samples of their signature dishes.

"There is a wide variety of beers to sample, there is plenty of seating and the atmosphere is electric," said Melanie Bacon, Downtown Shreveport Unlimited executive director and a festival organizer.

Few people know this, but Shreveport-Bossier has two local brewer clubs - Malt Munching Mash Monsters and S.U.D.S. They will be on hand with their special beers and you can taste other unusual and more obscure brews like "Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale" or "Widmer Brother's Drifter Pale Ale."

For Louisiana State University Tiger fans, don't worry about missing the 7 p.m. kickoff against McNeese State. There will be three plasma TVs broadcasting the football game.

BREW will be held at Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport. Tickets are $50 per person and include four-ounce samples of the featured beers, a ticket to the concert, free food samples from some of the finest restaurants in the area, answers to your beer questions, and live music during the tasting. If you're not a beer-lover but would like to attend the concert, you can still be part of the fun. Concert-only tickets are available and are expected to cost $15.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.shreveportbrew.com. You'll want to order soon, though, as the event is expected to sell out.  Be sure to read theFAQ section of the website, and check out the list of featured beers. You must be at least 21 years old to attend BREW. Call 318-222-7403 or 318-424-4000 for more information.

Headlining this year’s Red River Revel Arts Festival is country duo Steal Magnolia. The boyfriend/girlfriend crooners will open up the Revel on Saturday, Oct. 2. The festival runs eight days.

Steel Magnolia, consists of Meghan Linsey, a Ponchatoula, Louisiana native, and Joshua Scott Jones. They won season two of the television talent show Can You Duet. Subsequently, they signed a recording contract and released their debut single “Keep on Lovin’ You” in August 2009.

The Revel, which is held at Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport, boasts four performance stages. Many of Shreveport-Bossier’s home grown musicians perform all week along with national and international entertainers.

Though, the music is always at a fever pitch, the diversity of visual art hits on all the right notes. Upwards of 100 juried artists from around the nation show off their masterful works featuring jewelry, paintings, acrylics, clothing, pottery, photography, wood work and much more.

If those things weren’t enough to make for an amazing experience, the Revel is known for equally tantalizing food. Sink your teeth in the expected festival foods such as funnel cakes, nachos and cotton candy. But savor chicken and sausage gumbo, fried catfish, Cajun dirty rice, and muffalettas. Are you hungry, yet?

So make plans to attend this nationally recognized festival, Oct. 2-9, at Festival Plaza. Click here (http://louisiana-bookdirect.com/booking_results.php?cloneID=292&rooms=1&nights=1&sDay=24&sMonth=07&sYear=2010&start-date=07%2F24%2F2010&end-date=07%2F25%2F2010&lodgingID=103&group_id=7676) to book your hotel stay.

Check out the Revel’s website for constant updates on entertainment, kid’s activities, and food at www.redriverrevel.com.

REVEL HOURS
Thursday, Friday, & Saturdays • 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday - Wednesday • 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Children's Area Hours:
Saturdays & Sunday • 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Monday thru Friday • 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION
Admission Free
Monday: All Day
Tuesday - Friday: Until 5:30 p.m.
Every day: Children 12 & under when accompanied by an adult

$5 Admission Fee
Saturdays: Until 6 p.m.
Sunday: All Day
Tuesday - Friday: After 5:30 p.m.

$10 Admission Fee
Saturdays: After 6 p.m.

$15 8-day Reveler Pass at the gate

Buy your Reveler pass at any Porter's Fine Dry Cleaning or Brookshire's in advance for $10 and save!

Who is ShreveBo? My friend, I’ve been asked that question time and again and sometimes the question is more complex than the answer.  But the story, and there’s one hell of a story, is always just a little different each time it’s told…

It all started one cold, rainy Shreveport-Bossier evening.  My momma was a cocktail waitress with sunlit rings of hair like Sally Struthers on a hot day.  As luck would have it – being this is a gambling town – momma just happened to be workin’ that stormy evening at the Horseshoe.  She was tending to drinks around the craps table and all seemed just as it should for the evening, folks carrying-on and such.  She was good at cocktail waitressin’, damn good.  Not a gambler at her table was ever missing a drink.  The liquor was free and the tips were good.  Other than that nasty weather, it was a decent Saturday night.

The thunder boomed with looming vocals that night my friend.  And just as that thunder clapped, the doors swung open and the lightening flashed behind a man whose silhouette was cut straight from solid rock.  His name was Thurston Elmwood Cleveland Hall Smithfield Remington III.  But everyone called him Billy.  They say he was from Dallas and drove east to Shreveport-Bossier each time he had a hankering for fast money and good times. Momma said he took one step inside the Horseshoe and the slot machines stopped mid-spin.  Card shuffling halted. 

The ice among all the drinks on that casino floor clinked together as everyone lowered their glass to take a closer look.  His presence was commanding, cool, and calming all at once – think mid-80s Kenny Rogers with half the mullet. Billy walked straight through, his steel blue eyes fixed ahead.  Are you singing “Islands in the Stream”?  Sorry about that.  Let’s get back on track.  He passed the nickel slots and rounded the Black-Jack tables.  He knew exactly what he wanted. He had itchy palms and a pair of dice was like his Gold Bond medicated powder.  As he walked up to the craps table the players parted like the Red Sea for Moses.  He felt a tap on his shoulder and a woman named Clarice asked what he drank.  “Seven and seven, ma’am.”  His chiseled face told a story of loneliness and strength.  Clarice was intrigued. 

The dice were good to Billy that night and Clarice kept his glass filled.  When the itching in his palms subsided, he asked Clarice if she’d like a steak dinner.  No one ever turned Billy down…

Well, my friends, that’ll do for now.  What do you think happens next? Click here for part 2 of the saga http://www.shrevebo.com/blog/bid/37979/So-Who-Is-ShreveBo-Pt-II.

Farmers Insurance Group Sponsors SWAC Basketball Tournament at CenturyTel Center

BIRMINGHAM, AL (February 2, 2010) The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Basketball Tournament has spent the last few years in Birmingham, AL, at the Fair Park Arena, and is now making its debut in Shreveport-Bossier City, LA, at the CenturyTel Center Wednesday through Saturday, March 10-13, 2010. Farmers Insurance Group is the title sponsor for the tournament and continually reaches out to support students and communities.

The tournament is made up of 16 teams from SWAC’s 10 member institutions—Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Alcorn State, University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Grambling State, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State, Prairie View A&M, Southern University and Texas Southern. The top eight teams from the men and women’s regular season meet in single-elimination action with the championship games culminating on Saturday, March 13, 2010 live on ESPNU. The men’s and women’s tournament winner will receive the Conference’s Automatic Qualifier and participate in the 2010 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament. 

“We are excited about this move,” says Duer Sharp, Commissioner of SWAC. “The SWAC Basketball Tournament will now be in a centrally located area with just a five hour drive for most schools. We want the fans, alumni and students to really get involved this year and not only support the tournament, but the city of Shreveport-Bossier as well.”

“I’m excited to welcome fans to a family friendly community that is committed to making the SWAC Men and Women’s Basketball Tournament a success,” says Stacy Brown, President of the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau. “The diversity of our region offers a wide array of exciting hotels, attractions, restaurants, historic sites, shops and outdoor recreational activities, so there’s something for everyone.”

Family activities include The Louisiana Boardwalk on the Red River in Bossier City with more than 60 outlet stores and restaurants; the Barksdale Air Force Base, the world’s largest airfield of its time and a key player in today’s military; Southern University Museum of Art features more than 300 original pieces of African-American art; the Louisiana Audubon Golf Trail; Gators and Friends Alligator Park and Exotic Zoo; and the Red River District, featuring comedy shows, live music and food.


“Bossier City is glad to be the host city for the SWAC Men and Women’s Basketball Tournament,” said Mayor Lorenz Lo Walker, Bossier City Mayor. “We are always proud to bring new events to our city. This only adds to the great quality that we offer.”

“We are excited to partner with SWAC,” says Mayor Cedric B. Glover, Shreveport Mayor. “An opportunity to interact with each school and have not only a great tournament, but a great place for fans to visit is important. We know that our location plays a part in this tournament, and we are glad to be able to unite the schools and our communities together for this great event.”

The CenturyTel Center features 75 TV monitors in the concourse, seats approximately 8,000 fans and with a center hung video scoreboard, fans can experience the up close action of the game.

“This great event will only strengthen the relationship and commitment that we have for SWAC,” says Mary Ann Tice, Executive Director/CAO of the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority. “We are looking forward to this tournament and the excitement that the fans will experience.” 


For tickets and more information, visit www.swac.org.


About SWAC

SWAC, a historically black college athletic conference, is a Division 1 member of the NCAA and consists of 10 member institutions—Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Alcorn State, University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Grambling State, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State, Prairie View A&M, Southern University and Texas Southern—across Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas. The purpose of SWAC is to encourage, promote, advance and conduct intercollegiate sports activities. Along with the basketball tournament, SWAC also holds tournaments and championships involving football, track and field, golf, softball, baseball among others.

About Shreveport-Bossier

Shreveport-Bossier City has over 300,000 residents and has a myriad of shopping, casinos, food and family activities. They call themselves “Louisiana’s Other Side” because of the mix of Texas character and Cajun flare. Among the entertainment available in the city, there are festivals, comedy shows, live theater and symphony performances, museums, historic churches, boardwalk shopping, gaming at casino

NEW DESIGN WOW’s GUESTS, FEATURES HIGH TECH GoBoard^TM, FLEXIBLE WORK AND SOCIAL SPACES AND 24/7 FOOD AND BEVERAGE

Bethesda, Md. – February 15, 2010 – Courtyard by Marriott is rolling out its new lobby and room design in Shreveport, LA.  This is the first Courtyard in the area featuring the “refreshing business” makeover.  The 90-room Shreveport Courtyard by Marriott located at 6001 Financial Plaza is owned by LJ Hotels, LLC and operated as an InterMountain Management, LLC managed hotel.

Courtyard by Marriott was the first lodging brand exclusively designed for business travel by business travelers.  And now it has completely redefined the hotel lobby experience.  This Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) “power brand” is fast-tracking its lobby makeover.  The rest of the world is also getting a chance to experience the new lobby by visiting www.gocourtyard.com – a highly interactive website.

“From day one, Courtyard has prided itself as a brand that listens to what business travelers want from a hotel,” said Brian King, vice president, Global Brand Manager, Courtyard by Marriott.   “Guests want more control and choice with services and amenities that create a healthy balance between working and relaxing. We redefined the Courtyard lobby so it invites guests to get out of their rooms to work, socialize or for entertainment, whether traveling alone or with colleagues.”

The open, bright and contemporary new Courtyard hotel lobby welcomes guests with vivid contrasting colors, including blue, green, orange and red.  The traditional front desk is replaced with separate welcome podiums to create more personal and private interactions when guests check in.  Flexible seating options range from a communal table in the middle of the action, to more private media booths with high-definition televisions, to a more intimate, semi-enclosed lounge area.

A signature element of the new lobby is the exclusive Courtyard GoBoard^TM, a 57-inch LCD touch screen packed with local information, maps, weather, and news, business  and sports headlines.  Guests can navigate using the touch screen to find restaurants, local attractions and directions.

Guests can connect to free WiFi and there are ample electrical outlets throughout the lobby to power digital devices.  The enlarged business library features several complimentary computer terminals along with a free printer and separate computer stations dedicated to printing airline boarding passes and checking flight status.

Dining has been completely redesigned with casual, flexible seating; easier access to food and higher quality, healthier menu options for breakfast; and light evening fare, including snacks, wine and beer so guests can unwind.  The Market^TM, a 24/7 shop for snacks, beverages and sundries, is always open for late night cravings or the toothpaste you forgot to pack.

Guests looking to take their minds off work can grab a snack, their favorite beverage and take a seat in front of the large high-definition television located in the lounge to watch a variety of programming, including top news, business, sports and entertainment channels.  They’ve added a welcoming outdoor element integrated into the lobby design that encourages guests to grab a beverage and get a breath of fresh air at the end of the day. Adding to the lobby ambiance, the new Courtyard soundtrack will change throughout the day from upbeat in the morning to more casual in the evening.

Guests walking into the lobby will immediately notice individual welcome podiums designed to create more personal interactions between staff and guests when checking in. Courtyard staff will be able to move about to show guests the lobby features and provide assistance.

Green has been Courtyard’s signature color since Marriott launched the brand more than 25 years ago.  Now it is even greener with the introduction of a guest recycling program for the environment. Receptacles for paper, glass, plastic and metal will be conveniently located by side exits.

The Courtyard Shreveport Airport is one of the first of the new lobby redesigns.  To take a video tour of our first lobby redesign click on the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mB05QhrG2s.  For reservations or additional information, please visit their website at www.Marriott.com/SHVCY or call the hotel directly at 1-318-686-0880.

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Our statements about the number of, and particular hotels at which, we expect the new lobby to be introduced are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws.  These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those described in Marriott International, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which could cause the new lobby introduction dates or locations to be different than we anticipate.

About InterMountain Management, LLCAs one of North America’s leading hotel management and development companies, InterMountain Management, LLC specializes in the select service and extended stay hotel segments.  Over the last 25 years, InterMountain Management’s dedication to success is proven in the results as a hotel owner, management company, and hotel developer.  Their managed hotel owners have benefited from the development and management knowledge and experience gained from owning and operating our own hotel portfolio.  They currently own and/or manage over 65 premium branded hotels nationwide within Marriott and other leading hotel brand portfolios.  For more information or to view hotel locations across the U.S., please visit their website at www.intermtn.biz.

About Courtyard by Marriott
Courtyard by Marriott offers a refreshing environment that helps guests stay connected, productive and balanced.  Intuitive services and design accommodate guests’ needs for choice and control.  With more than 860 locations in 30 countries, Courtyard is Marriott’s largest brand; 200 additional Courtyard by Marriott hotels will open around the world over the next three years. All Courtyard by Marriott hotels participate in the award-winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay.  For more information go to www.courtyard.com

About Marriott International, Inc.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with about 3,000 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories.  Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott  brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers.  The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end.   It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best places to work by FORTUNE®.  The company is also a 2006 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Partner.   In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International, Inc. reported sales from continuing operations of $13 billion.  For more information or reservations, please visit our Web site at www.marriott.com.

One of Shreveport-Bossier’s major thoroughfares, Line Avenue, was just a dirt road when the Davis Homeplace (www.davishomeplace.org) was built back in 1916. Constructed of cypress wood, the home contained many “amenities” of the day – working transom windows, pocket doors, high ceilings and push-button lights.

The home is filled with furnishings from the estate of A. J. Ingersoll and Effie Dalzell Ingersol. “Cap’n Jack” Ingersoll was one of the South’s major cotton buyers. He was instrumental in Shreveport’s transition from a rough, riverfront trading post to a thriving city. Miss Effie’s father, Rev. Dalzell, was a medical doctor and another early Shreveport hero. During the yellow fever epidemic of 1873, he risked his own safety and chose to stay in the stricken city to help other patients rather than flee.

Rather than let history be buried in the trees and vines that covered the home when Terry and Marsha Gill purchased it in 2002, the couple decided to resurrect the home and preserve history. They have set about to lovingly restoring it. Visitors to the home are enchanted by the second floor sleeping porch and artifacts like Mary Montgomery Davis’ wedding dress, Cap’n Jack’s pocket watch, and Miss Effie’s opera glasses. The house and its contents offer visitors a peek back to scenes of yesteryear.

“If you don’t know where you’ve been, you don’t know where you’re going,” Marsha said. “It’s important to know what things were like, and you appreciate the way people lived then.”

She said, that helps you to be more grateful for the conveniences you have now.

When asked to name some of her favorite treasures in the home, she said, “That’s like asking which if your children you love more.” But she is especially proud of the 1937 Detroit jewel stove; 1897 Royal Bonn Jardinaire half tester east lake bed; 24-carat gold dishes that belonged to Ms. Elfie; and an 1890s doctor buggy.

The tour takes approximately one hour and it’s worth every minute.

Although the Davis Homeplace is a residential property, the Gills truly enjoy sharing their home and its history with the public. They offer tours of the property for a small maintenance fee of $10 per person. Groups of any size are accepted, but the owners graciously ask that you call at least 24 hours in advance. You can call Marsha Gill at 318-218-9506 or email marsha@davishomeplace.org to schedule your tour.

Spring break is right around the corner. It might mean a vacation from school and work, but it doesn’t have to mean a departure from fun.

So pack your bags and travel to Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana’s Other Side, a family-friendly place suitable for kids big and small (that includes you, Mom and Dad). Shreveport-Bossier has lots of things to keep you occupied and spice up your family’s spring break vacation. Skip the dull getaways of the past and prepare for thrills, wonders, and good ole plain fun.

On a budget? No problem!  There are many free and inexpensive attractions and reasonably priced hotels in Shreveport-Bossier. The average daily hotel rate is just $70. To book a room today click here (www.shreveport-bossier.org)

For a free list of things to see and do click here (http://www.shreveportbossier.org/pdfs/brochures/FreeThingsToDo.pdf)

Here are some ideas for fun:

· Experience unexpected and unpredictable quality arts at Artspace at the West Edge (http://artspaceshreveport.com). Or just take a relaxing stroll while enjoying the beautiful flowers and lush landscape of the Gardens of the American Rose Center (http://www.ars.org/) or art and gardens at R.W. Norton Art Gallery (http://www.rwnaf.org).

· Art Affaire in the Garden, March 20, will be held at the Barnwell Garden & Art Center (http://www.barnwellcenter.com). A treasure- trove of handcrafted works in glass, jewelry, fiber arts, mixed media, visual art, photography, and souvenirs can be found at the arts market at the Barnwell.

· Take a scavenger hunt and walk the nature trails in search of hidden objects April 10 at Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park (http://www.caddoparks.com/memorial.cfm). The park is a 160-acre pine-oak-hickory forest dedicated to connecting the people of the Ark-La-Tex with nature through interpretation and recreation.

· On April 18 check out The Wizard of Oz at Shreveport RiverView Theater (http://www.shreveportla.gov/dept/spar/CityFacilities/RiverHall.htm). The Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet (http://www.shreveportmetroballet.org) reprises its critically acclaimed original production with choreography by SMB Artistic Director Kendra Meiki and an original score by SMB Music Director Kermit Poling.

For more information about upcoming events in Shreveport-Bossier visit (http://www.shreveportbossierfunguide.com) and to book a room visit (http://www.shreveport-bossier.org).