Jay Covington

This issue of CityLife Magazine is just one of those issues that didn’t seem like work to bring it to life because it was just so much fun to assemble. Having planned an outdoor shoot, heavy rain was predicted the night before so we had to deep-six that idea and took our fashionable selves to some dining hotspots that had both indoor and outdoor options.

First we converged on Bistro Byronz for some casual looks, then we sashayed down to Superior’s Steakhouse for an always fabulous setting — and meal. Of course an iced coffee at Starbucks chilled the deal at the end of a successful day.

While we were busy keeping it fresh and cool, The Lady Who Lunches sought the best patios around for hanging out with friends or plotting their next big adventure. Whether under an awning or a canopy of trees, or catching a breeze as traffic goes by, Lynn Laird and friends have checked out top spots to recommend to our discerning readers.

Not to be outdone, Chef John Strand packs a picnic of traditional faves with a fresh twist that includes pesto pasta salad, crispy fried chicken wraps and, most special of all, mason jar trifles. Delicious and beautiful, you will find these recipes simply inspiring.

And not to miss a beat, it is my great pleasure to share the visionary and personality behind Louisiana Dance Foundation, Artistic Director Carol Smitherman Anglin. I have fond memories with Anglin, having met her at the start of both of our early careers in Shreveport around 1983. At a very young 19 years old I clearly remember meeting her and in fact was the creative person behind her first promotional materials. I didn’t know the first position from a grand jeté. This was my introduction to professional dance. My second experience also involved Anglin and was a lifechanging one. She brought the Alvin Ailey Company to Shreveport and I am forever dazzled. For the first time I saw modern dance live and had a completely different understanding and appreciation of dance as well as other performing arts.

Carol Anglin dancers have literally been around the world over the years, and she is the guiding light sparkling in many of these young students’ eyes. With her friend of 33 years, artistic partner Dianne Maroney-Grigsby, they keep dancers on their toes and in the air, and they do it with style, grace and perseverance.

After choosing to abandon a 30 year career in marketing, Cindy Gleason Johnson takes us behind the scenes of Beignets LLC and shares the roots of her inspiration and her love of southern hospitality and confesses to being a foodie. The culinary skills she has developed over a lifetime are lovingly shared with friends, family and now, customers.

Trending is the use of essential oils to offer some comfort to what ails you. While not claiming to cure anything, many followers are avid in their support of the benefits of the essential oils, whether as calming aromatherapy, applied to the skin or even sometimes adding it to your favorite brew for a revitalizing lift. Hear these women’s stories and decide for yourself whether this might be a link to enhancing your well-being.

We are really proud of this edition of CityLife and are even more pleased to announce we now direct mail the publication to all the residents of Southern Trace and the Provenance community. This should be a real deal maker for our advertisers! Enjoy the magazine, and remember you can always find us online at www.theforumnews.com. Tag and share articles and photos easily.

Enjoy. Have a dazzling summer!

ON THE COVER:

Model Alexis Crowell from the Michael Turney Agency, Tori Richard dress from Imelda’s Shreveport.

AT LEFT:

Our cover model Alexis Crowell takes a break with mother Danielle Robinson and little sister Rylei Robinson. Good looks obviously run in the family!