Some of us see the grass greener in our neighbor’s yard, while never thinking that we have the option to paint our own grass. America, celebrating another birthday on this Fourth of July, takes a lot of hits, and goodness knows we’ve brought a lot of it upon ourselves. But I love it, warts and all. And wouldn’t you rather start cleaning up here, painting the grass here, instead of anyplace else on earth? We’ve got a pretty good head start, what with the fruited plain and spacious skies from sea to shining sea — if only common sense and elbow grease would come back into style.
Home is what we make it.
I’m thinking of how many people must have this cross stitched and framed on a kitchen wall: “Home Sweet Home.”
But … not everyone grew up safe with a tire swing and a dog and a bike. They had to leave home to find home. Any of us can buy a house and a lot of stuff to put in it. But only things that are free can make it a home.
What about your home away from home? For some, it’s holding a needle and thread or holding a baby or holding the attention of a class filled with students. For others, home is on a tractor or on a stage or in a cockpit or in a press box. It’s the realization of being grown but still feeling as secure as you did in the womb, a conscious knowing that where you are is why you were born.
If you’re really lucky, you know home when you find it, when you feel it. Dorothy went all the way to Oz before she realized her heart’s desire was in her own back yard. George Bailey had to “die” and lose home before finding out his drafty house when filled with friends made him the richest man in town.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu or Twitter @MamaLuvsManning

The Fuller Center has 61 established properties in the SBC area and 3 currently under construction in the Stoner Hill neighborhood. Their goal is to build 2-4 homes per year. Each client must complete first time homebuyers’ classes, credit/financial counseling, a certain number of sweat equity hours, and save 1/3 of their closing cost before they can move into their new home. Following that, all homeowners are required to do 52 hours of sweat equity a year. Most Fuller Center homes are in the Allendale and Stoner Hill neighborhoods though they would like to reach as many neighborhoods in the SBC as they can. Jeter explains, “We don’t spend money buying land so wherever we can get property donated is where we will build. We don’t want just one or two lots. We want 10-20 lots. We want to lift up the entire community and it’s difficult to do that with only one or two houses. Our vision in the Cedar Grove area was to build 20 houses in that community, but we’ve only been able to build two on the properties that were donated to us by the Catholic Diocese and Catholic Charities. The vision is to build in Cedar Grove, Queensborough, and the Martin Luther King area in a similar way to what we’ve done in the Allendale and Stoner Hill communities, and what we’re trying to do in Bossier”. The Stoner Hill area is currently where most of the homes for veterans are located. In 2013, Grammy-winner John Mayer contributed his time to help build a veteran’s home in Stoner Hill. The funds for that home were donated by Pink Floyd member Roger Waters.

To help fill that gap The Fuller Center operates their Surplus Store. Materials are donated by individuals and businesses and the Surplus Store sells those gently used and sometimes new construction items at a significantly lower price than you’d find in a typical hardware store. All proceeds from the Surplus Store go towards filling the administrative cost gap. When asked about the surplus store, Jeter replied, “If it’s brand new, then we will take it and use it in the construction of a new home. We’re never going to put anything used in a new home. If it’s something that’s been slightly used, we’re going to sell it to individuals that are trying to fix up their property. These are individuals that may own rental properties or individuals that may own an older home and they’re on a limited income, so they don’t have the financial resources to fix their home. They know they can come here and buy stuff at a price that’s affordable for them. That’s going to help them maintain their current home, but also is going to help us build future homes. It saves those items from going to the landfill and it reduces landfill waste. We like to look at it as we’re recycling, reducing, and reusing”. To become a Fuller Center client, an individual can go online and print an application or stop by their offices on Linwood Avenue and pick up an application. Churches, individuals, and organizations are always encouraged to volunteer their time or make monetary contributions of any amount to help uplift those in our area that so desperately need it.

I met with Jarrod and Michelle several times to discuss their wants, needs, colors, etc., and from there created a soothing palette of warm grey, ivory, taupe and a bold Navy blue as an accent color.  Michelle wanted a modern vibe for the furnishings and artwork.  As a designer, it’s imperative to make certain you give your clients what they want but also, push their boundaries a bit further.  

Deconstruction started in early 2022 and the project went on for what seemed like forever.  It only took about seven to eight months.  This is an eternity for a designer because we’ve already envisioned what the space will look like but must wait on construction, materials, and all the little elements before getting to a point where the “pretty” stuff starts happening.

The shelves were painted and filled with original exterminator equipment and photos of the company from the 1960’s.  We also added more modern pieces and artwork. I threw in a few bug-themed pillows and voila, the seating was complete.  Other standouts are the kitchen and breakroom areas, (there are two) we added a smoked oak, wood grain laminate for a clean, modern vibe with leathered quartzite countertops.  The tactile quality of leathered countertops is best conveyed by touching, but I can say that it feels slightly dimpled.

The end results turned out phenomenal and everyone involved is thrilled!  It’s always a pleasure working with folks that know what they want but are also open to new ideas.  This collaboration is an exemplary example of that.  

I could write several more pages on what a pleasant experience this project was to work on, but don’t wanna “bug” ya.

No one can deny the deep connection we have with the sun.  That feeling of warmth on our cheeks in early spring, or the “hot stone massage” beach sand does to our feet on a sunny day.  We need the sun.  Everyone has heard about the importance of the sun in our natural production of Vitamin D.  We also know of the relationship with daylight and our circadian rhythm.  But, our skin takes a beating from the ultra-violet (UV) and infra-red (IR) damage that occurs with prolonged exposure to sunlight.  Let’s take a look at what a Facial Plastic Surgeon has to say on the issue of safely enjoying the sun.  I have been in practice over 20 years and I treat patients with sun-damaged skin every day.  I’ve developed several basic rules to help protect our skin from premature aging related to sun damage.

Rule 3—Use the highest SPF available. 

While it may be true that the benefit of any SPF over 50 is minimal, why not take advantage of this minimal help?  There are sunscreens with SPF of even 100 now and there are no downsides to using a higher SPF except that these high SPF sunscreens are almost always chemical barriers so the re-application rule applies.

Rule 4—Post treat sun exposed skin. 

It is important to wash off any sunscreen residues that remain and then treat whatever amount of damage you have acquired.  I recommend using multi-blend antioxidants (AO) and human derived growth factors (GF) on a daily basis but especially after significant sun exposure.  Think of your skin as really thirsty after a day in the sun and give it a big glass of rejuvenating AO and GF..  

We all need the sun and with some good planning and diligence towards the steps listed above the aging and damaging effects of sun exposure can be minimized.

As you drive north on Line Avenue toward downtown Shreveport, you will pass a large, red brick building with stately columns on the left.  It’s very prominent and right next door to Shreveport Little Theatre.  It’s called the Women’s Department Club and you’ve probably wondered, “What’s inside?”  It’s quite breathtaking and rich in history.

The WDC Dining Room is perfect for small gatherings of up to 50 people.  The adjacent kitchen with dual swinging doors makes this the perfect room for seated dinners, supper clubs or entertaining of clients.  The Dining Room is also perfect for occasional pop-up dinners, wedding receptions, bridal and baby showers, and tea-parties.

The Parlor of the WDC is adjacent to the Dining Room and can be sectioned off with pocket doors for smaller gatherings. Perfect for cocktail parties or club meetings, this area is adjacent to the foyer area where bars are generally set up for parties and other functions.

The WDC has a nice sized kitchen that can accommodate many arrangements and a full bar service for a private event.   A 60-day advance notice is necessary for ticketed events to secure appropriate permits. 

The WDC theater was built at the same time of the Strand Theater, which makes both facilities the oldest theaters in Northwest Louisiana. Today, the theater sits in almost pristine condition with an excellent space with incredible acoustics for musical and performances. More and more improvements are on the way that are positively going to put the WDC high on your list of “must visit” venues.

The Woman’s Department Club is still active today and meets every Thursday with their variety of programs and exhibits for its members. The patronage and enjoyment of the building with each of the events continues to help with the upkeep of the building and preserve an important historic landmark in our area. The WDC has been listed on the National Archives Historical List and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019.

Water safety is an important issue for everyone to be aware of, especially when it comes to swimming pools and waterparks. It is essential to know the proper safety tips for swimming in pools and waterparks, as well as safe swimsuit colors. In addition, it is important to be aware of drowning emergencies and how to respond quickly to save a life. Knowing CPR and having life vests available are also key components of water safety.

 maintained. It is also important to find and reduce water hazards, such as by installing fencing, locks, and alarms around pools and not leaving toys or items of interest near water. Finally, it is always best to swim in places that are supervised by a lifeguard, as they can anticipate changing ocean currents, rip currents, and sudden storms. 

Learning swimming and basic water skills is an investment in your and your loved one’s well-being and is one of the most important precautionary measures for water safety. It is essential for both children and adults to know how to swim and be comfortable in the water. Swimming lessons can be taken at local community centers or through private instructors. Many organizations, such as the YMCA, offer water safety programs that teach basic safety lessons over several sessions. These programs can be especially beneficial for children who are non-swimmers or beginners. It is recommended that children learn to swim with a certified instructor and that they receive annual refresher courses to maintain their skills.

In the event of a water accident, performing CPR and first aid can be critical in saving a life. It is important to learn how to perform CPR on infants, children, and adults. The American Red Cross offers Learn-to-Swim programs taught by Water Safety Instructor certified professionals, which equip people of all ages with knowledge and skills to respond to water emergencies. When performing CPR, it is recommended to give five initial rescue breaths, followed by cycles of 30 compressions and two rescue breaths. Knowing how to safely assist a drowning person, such as “reach or throw, don’t go,” can also be essential in preventing further harm. Taking a first aid course that covers these topics can empower individuals with the skills needed to keep themselves and others safe when swimming.

Seeking professional medical help is also crucial in emergency situations. If someone is experiencing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or loss of consciousness, it is important to call 911 immediately. Additionally, if someone has been submerged in water for an extended period or has inhaled water, they should seek medical attention even if they appear to be fine. It is important to remember that even if someone appears to have recovered from a water accident, delayed complications can arise, and seeking medical attention can help prevent further harm.

Boys, the big day is coming up. It’s the Superbowl of Summer, the High Hamburger Holiday—the Fourth of July is near. That means stocking up on beer of all kinds, plus sunscreen and ground beef and maybe some Advil and Gatorade. To help you live your best Fourth of July-celebrating life, here’s a list of a few of the best activities in creating an Independence Day to remember!

Have a Block Party.
Gather all the neighbors on your street and get together for a block party. Have all the dads bring their grills, along with coolers of meat and beer; the moms can bring salads and desserts; and the kids would have water balloon fights and light some fireworks. Stuff your faces with all the hot dogs and potato salad we could eat.

Light Up the Grill.
Barbecues and grilling have been a part of our observance of America’s freedom since the early days. And whether it be hotdogs or burgers, you know what they say about good food: they bring people and families together.

Blow Stuff Up.
Remember all those fireworks you bought earlier in the day? After the sun set, the parents would take the kids out to the fields behind our houses to light fireworks.

Watch Some Epic Fireworks.
An Independence Day celebration is never complete without an iconic display of fireworks lighting up the night sky. Go sprawl out on some grass with your hands behind your head and watch the loud bursts of color explode in the sky. Some of the area’s
best and brightest fireworks celebrations include Freedom Fest (Shreveport-Bossier City)
It’s the perfect way to end a day full of food, family, fun, and patriotism.