Kindness of strangers

Do unto others as you would have them do until you.

Two complete strangers, who I will probably never see again and whose names I did not get, showed that kind of special kindness to me last weekend.

On Thursday evening, I lost my cell phone. I was frantic. I thought I had dropped it into my purse, but at the end of a long evening, I realized it was missing.

Husband Paul L. Schuetze and I were searching the house and the car when I decided to dial the cell phone number. A last resort.

Nothing.

But as soon as I hung up the land phone at home, it rang.

"Are you calling about your phone?" asked the man on the other end and speaking with a heavy accent.

"Yes," I answered tenuously.

"I found it in the middle of the street. By the science center. Close to the railroad tracks. Close to the water," said the man, who came to Shreveport from New Orleans, via North Carolina.

"I went to the casino for two hours. I thought someone would call about the phone, but no one did," he continued.

All that made sense. I had probably placed it on the car seat and it fell out when I alighted at Sci-Port.

"I am at a hotel at 907 Louisiana," he said, "Can you pick it up?"

Just come pick it up. He said nothing about wanting a reward. Nothing.

"I am sitting on a bench. I will have it at the curb for you."

"I’ll be there," I answered, incredulously.

With a reward in my hand, and Paul driving, we headed to what, in my youth, was the Jefferson Hotel, now Jefferson Apartments.

(And, Paul, who did not grow up here, declared: "There is no hotel on Louisiana." "Yes, there is," I answered.)

Driving South on Line Avenue, we turned left onto Fairfield Avenue and then left on Louisiana.

As we approached the apartments, we saw the man standing on the curb, his arm outreached and my cell phone in his hand!

I handed him the reward — worth every penny to me — waved to his pals sitting on the bench in the hotel. And we were on our way.

The second experience was not quite as dramatic, but certainly appreciated
I parked in the public lot just behind the high rise parking at Shreveport Convention Center.

As I started the two block walk to the center for Trends & Traditions, I heard a beep behind me. "Want a ride?" said a man in the cart heading for the center.

"Sure," I replied.

And we were off.

As we bumped along, he told me that he was going to surprise his fiancee with a surprise candlelight dinner on the Red River. As soon as he got off work.

I kind of think he just wanted to share the excitement with me.

I thank both strangers. I hope the first does well with his interrupted life and the second had a wonderful evening.

Do you have any kindness-of-humans stories to exchange? I’d love to hear them.

Moments to remember

Vada Autrey (left) and niece debutante Tiffany Bailey smile for the camera March 24 before the ball given by Sigma Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Seventeen debutantes made up the 2007 coterie that bowed at Shreveport Convention Center. The sorority refers to the debs as "Cultured Pearls: Precious and Rare." Isn’t that a pretty title?
Greg Pearson/The Times

A Dream Swan Fantasy

Tatianna Longstratt (left) and Alexis Cain slipped on white to bow to society March 24 at "A Dream Swan Fantasy" at Shreveport Convention Center. They were among 17 debutantes presented by Sigma Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. But this debutante business is not all froth and swans. Oh, no. The event took place after months of dedication and planned activities. Before the formal evening, those debs volunteered for community work. They learned the ABCs of leadership and attended workshops on education, culture and social activities. They also took a break to dash to Little Rock, Ark., to see William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library.
Greg Pearson/The Times

To dance or not?

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jim Platz and wife Pam Platz (left) and Cody Smith and hubby U.S. Air Force Maj. Todd Smith cluster up at the Military Ball.
The quartet was having such a delightful time that you wanted to share in their merriment.

I gotta tell you, though, Cody just couldn’t get Todd out on the floor. "Just move your feet," she pleaded at one point, trying to entice him to dance the night away.
(Paul L. Schuetze/The Times)

Is the colonel in?

Former Brooklyn, N.Y., residents — they grew up there — Lisa Pistilli and hubby U.S. Air Force Col. David Pistilli smile for the camera at the Military Ball. They were among 410 at the ball, the men in mess dress or tuxes, women in grand evening attire.
(Paul L. Schuetze/The Times)

Generally speaking

Speaking of Lt. Gen. Bob Elder, here he is with wife Bess Elder and Bossier City Mayor Lo Walker and wife Adele Walker. (Earlier, the general and mayor were deep in an intense conversation that I would love to have overheard!)

Later, all four were tried out the dance floor .
(Paul L. Schuetze/The Times)

Waiting in the wings

U.S. Air Force Capt. Pat Williams and wife Teri Williams boogied the night away at Holiday in Dixie Military Ball March 24 at Barksdale Air Force Base Hoban Hall.

Pat must have one of the Air Force’s most interesting jobs. He is the aide to Lt. Gen. Bob Elder, head of the mighty 8th U.S. Air Force.

"He is with the general more than he is with me," quipped Pat’s cute wife.

The night of the ball, for instance, Pat was within eye sight of Elder most of the evening. He held coins at the ready for Elder to present band members from the "Band of the Gulf Coast" with whom he performed on stage as a drummer.

Not easy to get this job, I understand. You have to undergo a biggie interview process. And, of course, get along with the general — famously.
(Paul L. Schuetze/The Times)

One serious moment

The black-tie Holiday in Dixie Military Ball is filled with pomp and circumstance and frivolity.

But for a few minutes on March 24, the 410 participants at Barksdale Air Force Base Hoban Hall were somber a Staff Sgt. Orlando Dawson explained the importance of a small table set to one side in the front of the room.

And, it didn’t garner much attention, until he explained what it was and its importance.

It sat in a special place of honor for it was a way of symbolizing those missing from the ranks, those held as prisoners of aar or listed as missing in action, Dawson explained.

Dawson explained its symbols.

The script said, in part:

"The table is small, symbolizing the frailty of one lone individual against their oppressors.

"The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.

The single red rose ... is symbolic of the families and loved ones who keep the faith as they await their return.

"The yellow ribbon, tied so prominently on the vase, is reminiscent of the ribbons worn on the breasts and lapels of thousands who yearn for the return of their loved ones.

"The red candle stands alone as they have stood; its red color symbolizing the blood they shed for us.

"The slice of lemon on the bread plate,reminds us of their bitter fate.

"The salt on the plate is symbolic of the families tears as they wait."

And, because POWS in Vietnam toasted each other silently with water, so did the gala ball attendees. During one of the ball’s few quiet moments.

I must say, though: the ceremony gave all of us pause to think.
(Paul L. Schuetze/The Times)

Nothing simple about these souvenirs

Holiday in Dixie Cotillion King LIX Mike Adams holds onto am armload of his lavalieres that he presented Thursday to board members at the Cotillion Club board meeting. Although they were still under wraps when he entered, I understand it was designed to look like a piece of jewelry that one would expect the socialites of Newport to have worn at the turn of the 20th century.

"It is stunning," said Susan Falbaum, in an e-mail.

So they perfectly fit the Cotillion theme: "A Royal Newport Cotillion in America’s Gilded Age."

The lavalieres are sort of the king’s badges and are traditionally given to officials and friends.

Can I just call them glittery souvenirs of a very special event!

I can’t wait to see Mike’s.

What a proclamation!

Holiday in Dixie Cotillion chief Debbie Hall signs one of 52 proclamations that are presented to the event’s participants. They are also signed by Cotillion Club prez Bill Broyles and King LIX Mike Adams.
Talk about something to remember the Cotillion by.

An evening in space

Sci-Port Discovery Center chief Al Najjar and his son, Sami Al-Najjar, play around in space Thursday night. Najjar’s wife, Nancy Boulianne, was also in the crowd in the new Sci-Port space center for a send-off for Al. He leaves the local center next week and will become head of the Children’s Museum of Tampa, Tampa, Fla. The Sci-Port Board held the farewell reception.

I will miss you, Al! You were a great source.

A model man

Surgeon Charles Black gets ready to take the ramp at Shreveport Country Club for Shreveport Medical Society Alliance Style Show. He and wife Joey Black were among physicians and wives who excelled at modeling — dancing, holding hands, swirling and even kissing — in a theatrical approach to showing off the clothes from such spots as Pope’s and John Pickens.

A lion’s share

Dr. Paul Price was high bidder for the lion’s head sculpture at the Shreveport Medical Auxiliary Alliance Style Show, "Southern Bells and their Beaus," Thursday night at Shreveport Country Club.
Price’s wife, Sarah Price, is alliance president. The show featured physicians and their wives as models for an evening.

Pricey balloons

These pink balloons were $10 each at the Shreveport Medical Society Alliance Style Show at Shreveport Country Club. But one of them held the winning ticket for a $1,000 Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry Shopping Spree.
When the balloons were popped late in the evening, one said, "You are the winner," in so many words. Mine said, "Sorry, but you did not win!"
Danette Colvin took home the shopping spree certificate in a Lee Michaels bag.

Shopping mania

I didn’t buy anything, but I loved hanging out Wednesday at the "HLGH" booth from Kilgore, Texas, at the Junior League Trends & Traditions Preview Party at Shreveport Convention Center.

Owner Leonor Heynes, who wore an exquisite layered crystal choker, said she makes most of the products herself.

As for booths, I give top honors for elegance to the Hedge Farms of Red Banks, Miss., booth. Owner John Loftin set his candles — cached in heavy stone miniature urns and pots — on a table layered with spring green linen, burlap and deep green silk strips, also layered for the booth’s backdrop. Two silver trumpet-shaped vases filled with formal red gladiola bouquets center the display. When shopping there, you feel as though you are in someone’s home. (It wasn’t available at the show, but, because I have two bois d’arc trees in my yard, I coveted the bois d’arc candles featured prominently on a poster.)

The most fun booth? Oh, hands down, Donna Collins Frog Pond where Harold and Donna Collins of Attalla, Ala., sell hand-carved wooden frogs in the colors of the rainbow — and beyond. And, with a little help from you, they — the frogs — sing. Uh, make that croak.

According to the Collins’ handout, their Musical Frog was invented 400 years ago as a musical percussion instrument, part of the box percussion family.

But one of the hot spots all through the show is "Under Wraps" of Dallas, where Bruce Einsohn peddles raffia and tulle to tie up the wrapping paper packed in boxes.

Best sellers? "No. 1 is the pastel dots and plaids. It is reversible. And leopard. Last year, it was zebra and giraffes," said the affable Einsohn.

Did you go to the party? What was your favorite booth? And why?

In the pink

Guys like Richard Biernacki and Tannie Frierson were among those trying their hands at a miniature putting green at the Junior League Trends & Traditions Preview Party.
Shown here: a basket of the pink golf balls used for putting.

PGA Golfer Hal Sutton regretted, but his wife, Ashley Sutton, stopped by the green.

Book report

Did you read and guffaw at "Being Dead is No Excuse?"

Authors Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays, both natives of the Mississippi Delta, made an appearance at Tower Book Shop when it first came out.

It was a hoot!

Well, they’ve now turned their pens to Southern weddings and the moms who plan them. The title: "Somebody is Going to Die if Lilly Beth Doesn’t Catch that Bouquet, The Official Southern Ladies’ Guide to Hosting the Perfect Wedding."

Tower Books is once again on their calendar. They are scheduled to be there at 4 p.m. May 8. Their practical guidelines include: "Top 10 foods not to serve at your wedding (anything on a Saltine or Ritz cracker)." And, "The 10 songs you should never play at any self-respecting Southern wedding (with ‘Love Me Tender’ topping the list)."

And, oh, yes, they’ve once again shared recipes at the end of each chapter.

House raisin’ ball

Martha Lawrence builds houses. Not for herself, but for Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Louisiana.

Lawrence is president of the Habitat board and co-chairwoman for the construction committee and volunteer coordinator.

She posed by one of the centerpieces Saturday at the first "Hammers, Hearts and Homes Ball" at Sam’s Town Casino & Hotel Ballroom.
"I have learned to saw. I can cut Sheetrock, hammer Sheetrock. I cut boards. I build houses," said Lawrence.

She and her husband, Bill Lawrence, got involved in 2000 when he retired as an engineer with International Paper Co., and they were looking for something to do.

"We started building a house that weekend and we have not missed one yet," said Lawrence.

Going, going, gone

Betty McClain (left), Barbara Gramling and Linda Dennig were among guests bidding on live and silent auction items, visiting or dining at the Hammers, Hearts and Homes Ball.

Dinner is served

An ice sculpture spotlighted a food station at the first "Hammers, Hearts and Homes Ball" Saturday at Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino. It was a benefit for Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Louisiana that helps builds homes for people who need a roof over their heads. The Sam’s Town staff prepared mouth-watering hors d’oeuvres and delectable desserts, accompanied by a variety of tasting wines donated by Glazier Companies. One hot spot: The pasta table where Jeff George cooked up pasta to order. It was delicious.

Making music

Singer Christina Ashley was among the Sigma Jewels-Timeless Treasures showing off their talents Saturday at Debutante’s Talent Show/Dinner. The event was given for the debutante coterie by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority-Beta Omega Sigma Chapter.

A time to dance

Debutante Tiffany Cooper praise dances at the Debutante’s Talent Show/Dinner Saturday at Bill Cockrell Community Center, Shreveport. The event was presented by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority-Beta Omega Sigma Chapter.

Birthday bash

It was director Renny Harlin’s ("Cleaner") birthday party Thursday and local John F. Daniel was there, schmoozing with actor Thomas Jane ("The Mist," "Deep Blue Sea" and "The Punisher.") The location: "Undisclosed," answered Daniel. Jane and several actors in "The Mist" were shooting a block away and stopped in after they wrapped for the night.

Daniel worked in "Harold and Kumar 2," and was cast in "The Mist," but cut the day before rehearsals. (They don’t tell you why.) However, he didn’t pout. "It was nice to at least be able to meet some of the actors since I wasn’t going to be in the film," said Daniel.

Sounds like fun to me.

Anyone else have star stories or photos they would share? Send ‘em in.

Wedding bells

Here comes the bride and the groom isn’t far behind: Shreveporter Nell Shehee and Graham Kramer of Alexandria married in a St. Patrick’s Day-themed wedding Saturday at the Shreveport Club. The bride wore a stunning St. John knit, embellished with Swarovski crystals on the jacket and skirt. And she slipped around her neck a diamond necklace that her father, the late Peyton Shehee, gave her mother, Virginia Shehee, on their 35th wedding anniversary.
(Paul L. Schuetze/The Times)

Gettin’ to the church on time

Andy Shehee, brother of bride Nell Shehee, escorts their mom, Virginia Shehee, down the aisle Saturday at the Shreveport Club (Virginia is one of the state’s most powerful citizens, but this day, she is proud to be "mother of the bride.") Shehee married Graham Kramer of Alexandria in a joyous, memorable wedding and reception.
(Paul L. Schuetze/The Times)

All in the details

Details! Details! Details! It was a St. Patrick’s Day motif, the Shehee-Kramer wedding was. Among the most whimsical details: tiny shamrocks that glimmered on the sash of junior bridesmaid — the only attendant — Alden Elena Woods as she walked down and back up the aisle and was a sprite among guests at the reception.
(Paul L. Schuetze/The Times)

Merry minglers

Lynn and Vernon Chance (left) and Sybil and Fred Patten were among guests mixing and mingling at the Shehee-Kramer wedding at the Shreveport Club. Although the groom has known the Shehee family forever, Shehee only really paid attention when they ran into each other at a board meeting in Alexandria. (He had been married 40 years and was a widower, said the bride.) Their first date: "I asked him for a tour of his funeral homes! We never stopped dating," said Shehee, who is vice president of Kilpatrick Life Insurance Co., and Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Homes, Crematorium and Cemeteries, Inc.
(Paul L. Schuetze/The Times)

Don’t throw these balls

Flower balls scattered along the entry table at the Shreveport Club added depth to the orchid bouquet. The arrangements were the first things guests saw Saturday when they entered the portals for the Nell Shehee and Graham Kramer wedding.
(Paul L. Schuetze/The Times )

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

A leprechaun at the door and two carnation shamrocks greeted kith and ken when they stepped to the door of the Shreveport Club for the Shehee-Kramer wedding.
(Paul L. Schuetze/The Times)

Posy perfect

Former Shreveporter Jack Lucky makes flowery waves in Washington, D.C.
He’s designed flowers for 10 Corcoran Gallery of Art balls, including the most recent, and has already been commissioned to do them for 2008, according to his mom, Shreveporter Cherry Sue Lucky.

She shared this photo that shows off just a small sampling of his work.
So what was the ball? "The gallery’s annual la-di-dah fundraiser," was the way a Washington Post writer described it in a column.

A starry evening

No one is saying who, but one wag in the know says they are expecting a movie star(s) at the Robinson Film Center’s May 11 "An Evening with the Stars Under the Stars."

"Special guests who plan to attend will be announced soon," said development director Jane M. Akins, in a press release.

The new fundraiser will be at the much-talked-about Ockley Drive home of Bill Robinson.

The price tag for the honor of your company?

Tables start at $2,500 and seating is limited, said the release. (No individual tickets available, Akins stressed.)

Bella Fresca will serve the fine vittles and there will be an open bar.
Lauren Humphrey and Mary Frances Querbes are the glittery co-chairs.

I am sure this will be one social evening to remember.

Memories are made of this

Memories came flooding back when I received Focus, LSU Health Sciences Center Foundation newsletter.

"A Donation Worth 1,000 Words" (I liked the headline too) caught my eye. It said photographer Gordon Maxcy has donated 1,100 photographs to the LSUHSC Medical Library.

The photographs recorded the center’s milestones when he worked there for 30 years, retiring in 1982.

The item brought back many special thoughts because I was a young reporter covering medicine when Maxcy was shooting those milestones. It was in the 1960s and long before the school building was completed, even before there was a faculty, staff or students. Although personnel were added at a rapid rate, the lone person on staff when I initially roamed the beat was Dean Dr. Edgar Hull.

But back to Maxcy’s contribution.

"One highlight of his exceptional career was photographing the first heart transplant in Shreveport," said the newsletter.

The photos will be housed in the library’s Archives Room as the Gordon Maxcy Photograph Collection.

Anyone else have special memories of those first years of the school? Send ‘em my way and I’ll share.

Attention! Lunch bunch

If it is Friday or Saturday night, the patio at Giuseppe’s is likely to be packed.

But Giuseppe’s isn’t just for dinner and cocktails any more.

It is now open for lunch. Harvey Anne Leimbrook and I stopped by today and each selected the same lunch special. It was light and quite tasty: baked vegetable tart and soup of the day, English pea in a chicken broth. (Coffee was good, too!) We also spotted John and Angelina Manno and Margaret Rice among the diners.

Other things that sound delish: sauteed shrimp, pimiento, green onions and mushrooms with a cognac cream sauce and grilled breast of chicken with sliced cantaloupe. The Canneloni di Vegetali, ricotta and vegetable-stuffed canneloni, would be interesting. I am one of those who loves calves liver, so will sometime try the lightly sauteed calf liver with onion, bacon and balsamic demi-glace sauce.

Not to be fixated on bathrooms, but the women’s is decorated in rich tones of brown with white, green, blue and red print, lop-eared rabbits running across the walls — on the wallpaper, of course.

Montessori Silent Auction

Rebecca Tully (left), Tabitha Thames and Wes Ballew were among those seeing and being seen Saturday at the Montessori School for Shreveport Silent Auction. Some 400 gathered at Riverview Hall for the gala affair. Among those bidding: Claude Dance, Kenneth Koonce, Dan Brown and Marguerite Cherry.

An arty gathering

Mike and Susie Santoro were among those working the crowd at the Montessori School for Shreveport Silent Auction — previously Montessori Art Auction — Saturday at Riverview Hall . (We bought the most precious woodcut that hangs in our kitchen at the auction years ago. It was fun, because there was back and forth bidding between me and another bidder. Me getting more and more nervous as the amount got higher and higher!) Anyway, guests were in the most trendy attire. For instance Susie wore an A-line style dress with leggings.

Power play

Cantina Laredo!

Boy, does it attract the power crowd! (And everyone else, too.)

We were there for the first time Thursday evening dining with a group of friends, when we noticed a passel of the powerful coming and going. A little snooping and we found they were there for a fundraiser for state Rep. Taylor Townsend of Natchitoches, who is running for state senator. In the photo: Adrianne Bradford, Townsend, Ron Miciotto and Jason Waltman.

The power pack included Louisiana Atty. Gen. Charlie Foti; two district attorneys, Paul Carmouche of Caddo and Schuyler Marvin of Bossier-Webster; at least four district judges, Woody Nesbitt, Roy Brun and Scott Crichton, all of Caddo, and Glen Fallin of Bienville, Claiborne and Jackson.
Other luminaries: Bossier City Marshal Johnny Wyatt; former Shreveport Mayor Keith Hightower; former City of Shreveport CAO Ken Antee; Shreveport City Councilman Joe Shyne; Carey Schimpf; Cliff Poimboeuf; Shreveport Bar Association prez Marty Stroud; Joey and Amy Greenwald; Carmouche’s wife, Marti Carmouche; Bill Kendig and Eric Johnson.
(Photo by Paul L. Schuetze)

Gooo for the guacamole

The margaritas at Cantina Laredo are awesome, but our very fave thing — the chunky guacamole made tableside by our waiter Ryan Kliolz. (We’ll be back for that.)

He also shot our photo: Dixey Thornton (clockwise from right seated), Marti Westmoreland and hubby Dr. Bud Westmoreland, Harvey Anne Leimbrook and me with hubby, Paul L. Schuetze.

And we were impressed that owner Chris McJunkins was mixing and mingling, being sure everything was taken care of and seeing people to their tables.

"It is just like a big party," said Leimbrook.

And, so it was.

Across the way, people stopped by the table of Bob and Molly Stewart and, a few steps back of us, Keitha Avant.

Up high on another level, Times staffers and a pal, sipping sangria or strawberry margaritas, waved to us: Nishia Livingston, Janelle Rucker, Ashley Northington, Donecia Pea and Vanessa Deggins.

Speaking of the Cantina, with its levels for eating, bar in the center and the upscale decor, it is reminiscent of a big-city restaurant. You can also eat outside. (Since, we also judge an eatery by its loos, we gotta tell you that the "women’s" was stunningly sophisticated in all black with a bouquet of seasonal white flowers on a counter. The guys swore to us that there are televisions over the urinals in the men’s.)

So, what are your favorite hot spots and why? Favorite bathrooms? And why!

No smoking gun here

David Alvis sold Country Tavern in Shreveport, saddled up, took his entire staff and moved to Benton Road where he opened the Silver Star Smokehouse three months ago. (After he had estabished Texas Street Tavern on East Texas, Bossier City.)

From the very beginning, The Star was filled with the elite of Bossier City and Shreveporters too. What about Mayor Lo Walker and Bossier Police Chief Mike Halphen. (At the lunch hour — which is the time to see and be seen — you can get in, but sometimes you have to ride around the parking lot a couple of times to get a spot.)

Others from Shreveport and Bossier City spotted there from time to time: Steve Ramsey, Pete Camp, District Attorney Schuyler Marvin, state Rep. Billy Montgomery, Skipper Dickson, Witt Caruthers, Bossier Metropolitan Planning Commission director Sam Marsiglia and Dave Colvin, a member of the Bossier MPC; and our dinner partner attorney Neil Erwin.

The menu is extensive. We ordered the Southern-style chopped brisket sandwich which is Southern style because the coleslaw is part of the whole. (But you knew that, didn’t you?) The baby back ribs and Silver Star Steaks also look enticing.

The natural way

"Bring me what you will, but leave me my wide open view of the sky, the wind on my face, sweet clean earth to dig in, the whirr of wings — and all my gift of the wild things."

We just love the words of Caroline Dormon.

She was a naturalist who founded Briarwood, a wonderful nature preserve near Saline.

The quote was the postscript on a letter from Evelyne C. Taylor, president of The Foundation for the Preservation of the Caroline Dormon Nature Preserve.

It told of a benefit that will be held there from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 14.
There will be music, a buffet and tours. The stars: Louisiana native iris, pitcher plants and massive stands of wild azaleas. Can you even imagine how beautiful they will be?

Debutante doin’s

Shantell Huricks (left) and Kristina Henry wait backstage at Municipal Auditorium for the formal festivities to begin. They were among 30 young women making debuts Saturday at the Delta Debuante Ball. It was brought to you by Shreveport Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta.

"The Beauty of Bronze" was theme for the event and Edward Allen was set designer.

Using bejeweled pediments, red carpeted runway, gold gossamer curtains and other materials, creative Allen, as always, made it all fabulous.

Among the 30 debs: Amber N. Williams, Sirita Danielle E. Webb, Deidre M. Shepherd, Annie P. McCulloch, Olivia L. Hill, Jeremeka A. Bradley, Christian C. Davenport and Audrius M. Ball.

In fashion

Maurice Ramey (left), Laurice Merritt, James Hall and Maurice Conway were stylishly seeing and being seen Friday at Saks Fifth Avenue The Art of Style Fashion Show, Style Presentation and Luncheon. It was held at Shreveport Regional Arts Council artspace as part of "In Fashion: The Art of Style."

And, what a delightful interlude it was.

Becky Morris, public relations manager for Saks-Galleria, Dallas, discussed all the trends with us.

So, what is hot?

Cropped jackets. Details, like fringe or other embellishments on purses. Narrower silhouettes. "Long and lean," said Morris.

Trapeze look, reminiscent of retro.

Black patent platforms — some four-inches high — but also ballerina flats.
Shine as in satin fabric or gold threads.

And, what were the trendies themselves wearing?

Frances Anderson had it down pat. She wore a trapeze-shaped gray print dress with shiny details.

SRAC chief Sandi Kallenberg toted a Prada purse with fringe she bought in New York. The same purse was featured in the Saks video presentation.

Waynette Ballengee wore a version of the "Little Black Dress," which Morris said is a closet mainstay. (A spring suggestion: "Trumpet skirt. With accessories, there are a million ways to wear it."

And Morris. She pulled her hair back with a headband, wore a short navy damask-inspired coat over a soft short dress with high-heel black knee boots.

In Fashion exhibit curator Mark Hermosillo is always stylish and wore with his plaid jacket a solid shirt with a smashing vertically striped tie.

By the way, "In Style: The Art of Fashion," which features vintage togs from local closets, closes Saturday with "Show Off Your Chapeau."

The doctor said ...

When his doctor speaks, floral designer extraordinaire Prentis Brown pays attention.

"He said to me, ‘Now you listen to me. You have got to lose weight,’" said Brown, during a recent chat.

Taking the doctor’s advice, Brown has already lost several pounds on his way to losing 40!

His secret: He eats mega veggies, particularly carrots.

"I have never had any tennis shoes, so I bought some tennis shoes, so I can walk 120 steps a minute. You are supposed to walk 120 steps a minute," he said. (He later corrected himself: "Athletic shoes.")

Next on his list: a pair of blue jeans. "I am probably the last person in the United States who doesn’t have a pair of blue jeans," he added.

Khakis are Brown’s pants of choice.

He wears them with an assortment of basic linen jackets. "I have a white one. A black one. A turquoise one," he said.

Good luck, Prentis!

Gala goers

Mark and Floy Hebert (left) and Brenda and Tom Bartle were in the crowd at Shreveport Little Theatre "Night of the Stars." The Bartles gave the $1,000 shopping Spree at Wright’s Sound Gallery for the live auction.

'Night of the Stars'

Pat Reynolds and Libby Gleason share time at the microphone Feb. 24 at Shreveport Little Theatre Guild "Night of the Stars." Reynolds was much lauded for underwriting the event at Superior’s Steakhouse and Gleason chaired the event with her usual aplomb. Playing a little night music for the entertainment — The Timeless Tunes.

Talk about glittery. This was it.

Gary Greer was high bidder for the live auction’s $1,000 off carpet or flooring at Robert Ivey’s Flooring America.

Robert Darrow, SLT general manager and artistic director, was working the crowd. So were Patricia Davis, silent auction committee co-chair, and SLT board chief Gene Bozeman.

T’was a night to remember.

Star watch

D’Agostino's Cafe at artspace must the place to eat and been seen in the downtown area.

Actor Denzel Washington noshed there Wednesday with a table of six to eight others and Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu stopped by with state Sen. Lydia Jackson.

Artist/author Bill Joyce was also in the eatery, owned by Horacio D’Agostino.

In fact, the second story eatery was so hot that there was a line all the way down the stairs. (If the food is good, they will come. And, waiting becomes part of the ambiance.)

If you didn’t spot actress Demi Moore, who kept a low, low profile while here last year, she is front and center on the recent cover of Architectural Digest. Story is about her Beverly Hills digs.

Seen any stars on your daily rounds? Share your star sightings with us.

Mammy’s for chicken salad

NATCHEZ, Miss. — Foodies love Mammy’s Cupboard.

Housed in a 1940s architectural icon, it is a favorite lunch stop.

Shreveporter Martha Ann Evans and Dallas jeweler Joe Pacetti-De’Medici treated a bunch of us to lunch there while we were here for Shreveport restaurateur John Cariere’s 42nd birthday. It is small, but lots of fun.

Sandwiches are on home-baked breads and the blueberry lemonade is served out of wide-mouth jars. There are also daily luncheon specials such as Brazilian black beans, yellow rice, and broccoli corn bread and chicken rosemary. "The food is finger lickin’ good," said Shreveporter June Porter.

It was built by Henry Gaude and is still owned by his family.

And well worth the trip to 555 Highway 61 South — Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.