City Life
April 2014

Editor’s Note
For example, when I was young, my mom would have at least a piece of gum in there at all times. A mother’s purse is like a bag of tricks to keep children in check. Armed with a purse, moms can manage anything. Every mother is a manager in their own right.

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Gender reveal
It’s difficult to explain how a moment can feel both familiar and brand new at the same time. I’d been in this dark ultrasound room before. I’d felt myself fully absorbed in the wonderful thumping sound of my child’s heartbeat. I remembered my breath nearly ceasing from the anticipation of wanting to know the gender of my growing baby.

Growing Up Sci-port
To facilitate this type of play, you may tell a small group of children to work together to make a scene; this scene is successful by each player accepting and building on one another’s storyline.

Bananas and Scrub Brushes
When there are two other people in the house, however, the wine/ Febreeze solution doesn’t really cut it so much anymore (no matter what those Febreeze commercials may lead you to believe), and dishes, dirt and laundry pile up at an exponential rate.

Social Graces
The world of yesteryear had people who introduced themselves, greeted others, opened doors for others and never forgot to say thank you. Customers could bet on being greeted and ask if they could be assisted in any way (without feeling they were an imposition).

Road Trip To ‘Funroe’
Sara and I love food. We love eating it, cooking it and watching others cook it on television. Like millions of other food-lovers, we’re fans of the Food Network program “Chopped,” a reality-based cooking show that pits four chefs against one another in a cook-off with a $10,000 prize.

Shreveport’s Sweetheart
Shreveport local Mary Thoma is one woman who not only knows how to go after what she wants but knows how to accomplish her goals and bless others along the way. An award-winning actress, founder of three theater companies, a teacher, wife and mother, Thoma is as well-rounded, fun-loving and sweet-hearted as they come.

The Queen of Kings
Co-owner of King Hardware & Gifts in Shreveport alongside her husband, Nick McElhatten, Elizabeth demonstrates what it means to work hard, love a family and be true to one’s self..

IN FOCUS: Advertiser Spotlight | Silver Star Smokehouse
Silver Star Smokehouse originally opened in 2007, and quickly developed a reputation for great BBQ and premier catering service. In 2011, Alvis transformed a run-down cookhouse into what Silver Star is today, a stylish take on classic cowboy chic.

IN FOCUS: Advertiser Spotlight | Kitchen & Bath Cottage
Owned and operated by Terry and Mary Ann Elston, Kitchen & Bath Cottage offers custom remodels that meet each client’s individual needs and vision – from cabinetry and countertops, to fixtures and pulls, each detail is perfected until a dream space is realized.

IN FOCUS: Advertiser Spotlight | University Veterinary Hospital
Compassion, reliability and expertise – are qualities vital to effective care, and are all offered at University Veterinary Hospital.

MEET YOUR RE/MAX SALES TEAM
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RE/MAX Real Estate Services
300 Benton Road | Bossier City, LA 71111 318-752-2700 | Fax: 318-746-4402.

Lifestyle Change
Her father soon shared his concerns. “My dad and I were talking, and he broke down and said that he was proud of the woman I had become with my dedication to helping others but that it pained him to know that if I kept up with my current lifestyle that he would have to bury his daughter beside his wife,” Fertitta said.

Fertitta’s tips for those considering surgery:
• Find a positive support group. I am on several Lap Band online community sites on Facebook. • Even after surgery, you are going to have road blocks. Please do not get discouraged.

Mom-a-gers
hardest job in the world. there are no 40-hour weeks. there are no coffee breaks or bonus programs. and more often than not, there is little recognition. From the first diaper to the high school diploma and beyond, being a mom means making sacrifices for.

Space efficient
“When I am creating a storage solution for a customer, I take into consideration what will be stored in that area and the size of available space,” Locke said. “Whether it is a closet, pantry, laundry room, garage or any other space, inventory taken is the first step to creating a solution.

Simple tips:
For the frequent cleaner, having a handy cleaning kit stowed away will make minor messes a breeze. Keep items such as rubber gloves, cleaning solutions, sponges and rags, towels and a scrub brush in a mop bucket for all-in-one easy access..

Spring into Cleaning
clean is the start to “Then I will come back with a design welcomed warmer weather that will work for you. I really think and a fresh, clean house.

Clearing your mind
Laura McFerrin, a child, adolescent and adult psychotherapist in Shreveport, said, “By most definitions, a person with good mental health is able to handle the everyday stresses of life effectively by using healthy coping skills and effective problem solving strategies.

AGENDA
JOHN WAGONER AND STEVE ZIHLAVSKY, Free. 12-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Gallery Fine Art Center, 2151 Airline Drive, Bossier City. Call 741-9192..

LIGHT GRILLING
he lawn is slowly turning green, buds emerge waking plants from their winter slumber, and birds make nests in preparation of new family additions, all in celebration of spring.

The year of apex
Event planning is the art of bringing people together and can be considered the new member of a corporate communications team. In the corporate world, event planning can fall under the guise of any one of these departments: marketing, human resources, sales, finance, public relations, etc.

Pulpwood Queens
Murphy believes reading is the best entertainment in the world, adding that books make great movies. A documentary about Murphy, “For the Love of Books,” won audience choice at the Phenom Film Festival in Shreveport in 2013. She is taking it to other film festivals across the country.

Gemini Bal
Krewe of Gemini hosted its 25th annual Mardi Gras Bal on Feb. 15 at the Shreveport Convention Center. This year’s theme was “Throw Me A Memory, Mister.” Royalty included Capt.

Centaur Bal
The Krewe of Centaur, Shreveport’s largest krewe with more than 650 members, hosted their Mardi Gras Grand Bal XXIII Feb. 8 at Shreveport Convention Center. This year’s captain was again Corky Bridges. King Centaur XXIII is Doug Kochenderfer, and this year’s queen is Cindy Watson.

MS. BPCC
Larissa Phillips, the 18-year-old daughter of Collette and Lee Phillips, is the 25th Ms. BPCC, selected in a pageant Feb. 22 on campus. Seven other women competed in casual and evening wear with interviews held prior. Phillips is majoring in criminal justice.

Best in sheaux
RiverView Hall went to the dogs Feb. 15 for the Robinson’s Rescue “Best of Sheaux.” The cocktail attire event included a variety of activities. A disc jockey played “Hound Dog,” music by Three Dog Night and “Who Let the Dogs Out?.

ARTINI
The Bossier Arts Council hosted their annual spring fundraiser, ARTini on March 15 at Horseshoe’s Riverdome. From Don Juanz’s smoked chipotle mango martini to Abby Singer Bistro’s strawberry and whipping cream martini, there was something for everyone’s palate at the event.

Mad Scientist Ball
The theme was Superheroes vs. Supervillains, and guests dressed in character at the Mad Scientist Ball held March 14 at Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center. Guests drank endless cocktails and fueled up on buffets from Good Eats.

Shopping for a Cause
This night included a style show and food from Cantina Laredo. Proceeds from the event make up a third of the League’s budget and help such projects as Between the Lines, a literacy program between incarcerated parents and their children, and Kids in the Kitchen, to empower youth to make healthy lifestyle choices.

A Night At the Oscars
Brandon Oldenburg, creative partner at Moonbot Studios, and his mom, Martha Oldenburg, attended the Oscars this year. Martha is wearing beautiful jewelry from Sid Potts, and Brandon’s special Mardi Gras beads are available in Moontbot Studios’ online store: http://store.