The Forum, February 5 - 18, 2014 Vol. XXVI, Issue XI
Willis-Knighton to unveil new Innovation Center in former Bossier General Hospital.

SOUTHERN COMFORT
Manning’s fascination with the culinary arts was fostered as a child in an unusual way; growing up in a military family, she lived all over the world and was introduced to many diverse food styles through her friendships with military wives.

‘A PHOENIX FROM THE ASHES’
illis-Knighton Health Systems has been busy making changes to the landscape of healthcare in Northwest Louisiana. Their latest project to near completion is the Willis-Knighton Innovation Center in the former Bossier General Hospital, located at 2105 Airline Dr.

'The Cynic'
Overheard… My wife doesn’t lie about her age but some friends wonder if our son was really born when she was three..

.

DOWNTOWN’S SUCCESS
We chat every three months or so about things going on downtown. I encourage him to make a move before all the best buildings are gone, and we talk about how so many local people are interested in downtown living, how cities across the country are reinvigorating their urban cores, how a strong downtown can help an entire region.

.

GENERAL ELECTRIC
As I look at our great businesses here in the Northwest Louisiana region, I notice that most are single product or a bundle of tightly related products. Perhaps this article can stimulate thought about whether or not they should consider diversifying. The payoff is high in terms of increasing firm valuation but so are the risks.

PEAKING PRICES
As I write this, a winter storm named “Leon” is delivering freezing rain, sleet, snow and frigid temperatures to most of Louisiana south of Shreveport.

MARDI GRAS UNTRUTHS
This is my annual rant about the Centaur and Gemini Mardi Gras parades, which continue to intrude on businesses on Shreveport- Barksdale Highway and in residential neighborhoods, such as Shreve Island and Broadmoor, where a disaster is waiting to happen.

CONSIDERING LODGING
Among the slew of bills to be filed for this year’s legislative session is likely to be one to increase the local hotel/motel occupancy tax. Such a proposal will be something of a continuance of last year’s similar legislative effort, which failed due to lack of local leadership support.

OUR CHANGES
It may have been the least watched State of the Union address since President Clinton’s, back in 2000, but for those listening to President Obama last month, it may have been the most important State of the Union address of his presidency, especially for the almost 66 percent of Americans who feel that our country is heading down the wrong path.

The Way it Was in 1999
.

CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS
The week of Feb. 7-14 is dedicated as the annual Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. A time to raise awareness about the most common birth defect and a leading cause of birth-defect related deaths, congenital cardiology centers and national organizations alike dedicate the week in raising funds for continued research and education.

A BOLD FIGHT
The AHA has reported in the last decade, the Go Red for Women movement has saved the lives of more than 650,000 women through educating on healthier lifestyles and the power women have to take control of their heart health. Feb.

NATIONAL DONOR DAY
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services statistics show that an average of 79 people receive organ transplants every day. However, 18 people die on average each day waiting for transplants that cannot take place because of the shortage of donated organs.

HEALTHY GEEZER
A. Hypnosis is one of several relaxation methods that was said to be useful by an independent panel of the National Institutes of Health. The panel found it may be helpful for treating chronic pain, alleviating anxiety, reducing the frequency and severity of headaches, and controlling bleeding and pain during dental procedures.

at HOME
HISTORIC BED AND BREAKFAST CELEBRATES SEASON WITH CARNIVAL-STYLE DECOR.

FESTIVE on FAIRFIELD
Avenue is the Shreveport equivalent to St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, where fine old houses adorn themselves for the Mardi Gras season. It seems natural that.

Fondues and don’ts
Rather than traditional individual fondue pots with ames or sterno burners lit beneath, I wanted to experiment with recipes for crock pots. A three-pot crock pot with individual heating controls can be purchased for between $26 and $76 and is ideal for preparing and serving two types of cheese fondue and a chocolate fondue.

TALK of the TOWN
decks painted by area artists donated by Santa Cruz & PS Stix Skateboards. artspace, 710 Texas St., Shreveport. Call 673-6535. THROUGH MARCH 29: CREATIVE ARTS CONNECTION’S WINTER JURIED SHOW,.

Homegrown, delicious
Lunch kicked off with chips and salsa, and the salsa (made fresh in-house, of course) was excellent. The salsa had just the right degree of spiciness to make it popular with everyone. The avors were perfectly blended to make this a great start to a great meal and the fresh chips were just right.

‘ THROW ME A MEMORY, MISTER!’
is rolling through the streets once again March 1, marking its 25th anniversary by organizing one of the largest parades in the state with about 40 oats that will include participation from other krewes throughout the area along with commemorative anniversary throws.

Join the Krewe
Krewe of Aesclepius: Founded in 1990, the Krewe of Aesclipius is the second oldest Mardi Gras Krewe in the Ark-La-Tex. It is known as the “Medical Krewe.” Many members work or have ties in the medical fi eld, but membership is not limited to medical professionals.

On the Scene
To be included in OTS, email your high-res photos to editor@theforumnews.com.