What's for dinner? And lunch?

Foodie Norman Kinsey caught up with us at Brookshire’s on Line Avenue.

He had in hand a story from The Dallas Morning News, "Shreveport-Bossier City new destination for foodies." (Isn’t that impressive?)

The headline writer called it "a nearby melting pot of culinary originality." (More impressing.)

The writer talked about King Cakes sampled at Julie Anne’s Bakery & Cafe. ("For me, raisin bread on the side offsets the sweetness of the gold, purple and green Mardi Gras icing.")

At Lila’s Cakes & Chocolate, vegetable soup was an attraction. (".... fresh vegetable soup brimming with cabbage, squash, potatoes, carrots and beans, plus chicken salad, made with watermelon instead of pickle relish.")

When she stopped by Ristorante Giuseppe, she saw the kitchen viewed from a nearby table. ("Watch the pastry chef shape yeast rolls as the butter melts on the one in your hand.")

And she found "incredible" chocolate at The Chocolate Crocodile on the Louisiana Boardwalk.

Share with me some of your own favorite eateries and why you like them.

Sheriff Prator turns Hollywood down

Hollywood offered to make Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator a star — or at least give him a part — in a forthcoming film.

He turned ‘em down.

But he did give them permission to film scenes at Caddo Correctional Center and they will flim exterior shots of Caddo Courthouse for the forthcoming "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt" starring Michael Douglas, according to Prator and department spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick.

We chatted with the two Thursday after the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier 75th Anniversary Luncheon at East Ridge Country Club. The League presented Prator a check for $75,000 for Safety Town, its 75th Anniversary Gift.

It is Chadwick’s understanding that the movie is a remake of a 1950s movie.

The story line will deal with a crooked Caddo Parish district attorney, said Chadwick, who has read the script. (Before you ask, no, it is not based on any local character nor law enforcement officer.)

Exterior scenes will be shot outside the Caddo Courthouse and interior, inside the Bossier Courthouse and at CCC.

A lot of our people will be in scenes at the center," said Chadwick.

"They will play roles at the center," added Prator.

The company has also borrowed uniforms from the department.

"They already have them," said Chadwick.

Filming is expected to start locally Sunday and specifically in Caddo, March 6 and 7.

Hee Haw Heaven

There is going to be dancin til the cows come home at Southfield Parents Association 2008 edition of the highly popular "Auction & Alibis."

It is always a benefit to see and be seen at.

Info ... invitation ... just in on brown stock with dark brown printing.

Anyway, it is March 15 at DiamondJacks Casino Ballroom.

The theme: "Hee Haw Heaven" and it is sponsored by Sid Potts, Inc.

Become a patron and you'll get to attend the 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m, Private Patron's Preview, with cocktails and hors 'doeuvres and early bidding on the Silent Auction.

7 p.m. . General admission ticket holders get in at 7 p.m and 7:30 p.m., dinner.

The cows come home at midnight.

Dress: country couture, farmhouse fashion, redneck runway ... "or, jes as you are!"

Admission: $75, individual; $125, patron; and $1,200, VIP seating for eight.

Want to know more? Go to www.southfield-school.org.

But hurry up. Deadline for reservations is Friday, as in Feb. 29.

March 15 is going to be one busy night.
Let's see.

There is the Military Ball at Horseshoe Riverdome...Shreveport Symphony Concert at Riverview Hall...Shreveport Little Theater Gala, A Reel Southern Affair, at the Pierremont area home of community volunteer Delton Harrison.

What are the socials to do? Hop, skip and jump around town? Or just settle in on one?

We'll see you there ... somewhere.

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Denzel Washington comes calling

Cindy and Marshall Jones were hosts for Denzel Washington and other Hollywood celebs while they filmed "The Great Debaters" on the property.

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Actor Denzel Washington felt right at home at the Jones Lake House. It is owned by Marshall Jones and members of his family.

Step through the gate and you travel from Texas into Louisiana

Times photos by Paul L. Schuetze

Remember the opening scene of "The Great Debaters?

"The "juke joint" that seemed about to fall down?

Star debater Henry Lowe’s house, looking like a shack on the outside, but filled with classics inside?

The emotionally-charged and riveting lynch scene that had a lot of reviewers talking?

They were all shot during 10 days of filming on the Caddo Lake property owned by oilman/lawyer Marshall Jones and other members of his family. (Interesting note: you drive through Texas to get there, but as you approach the gate, there is a green-and-white sign, "Tex-La State Line." You step through the gate. You are in Louisiana.)

Jones talked about the filming Saturday during a party at The Jones Lake House and in an interview Monday.

The Jones property has been in the family many years, but the house, built recently over two and a half years, was inspired by Western architect and looks like something out of the mountains of Montana or Colorado, not a camp house on Caddo Lake. (See photos above.)

The road to Washington all started with a phone call from David J. Bomba, "The Great Debaters" production designer, who told Jones they had heard how pretty the property was.

Subsequently, Jones chatted with Washington a couple of times who then came up and spent several hours with the Shreveporter in a boat paddling around the lake.

"He got a list of 20 possible scenes. He was always asking questions. He was very polite and the nicest, smartest man I have ever met," said Jones.

"Several of the really emotional scenes, like the lynch mob scene, were filmed up here," said Jones.

The movie company built a shabby, campy building for "the juke joint" on the edge of the lake and the cabin elsewhere for lead debater Henry Lowe, played by Nate Parker.

"It looks like a one-room shack, but inside is filled with classic books and copies of classic art work," said Jones of Lowe’s place.

Washington also filmed the lynch scene here. The film was produced by Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions and some of her representatives were there for those takes.

"It was (considered) a secret project because it was very controversial during the shooting. He didn’t want anyone else to see it. It was very politically/racially charged scene about a lynching in the 1930s," said Jones.

Washington brought Jones and some others "inside the ropes" to look over his shoulder while he watched cameras. "He went out of his way to show us what was going on," said Jones.

"There must have been 125 to 150 brought in from California and he filmed here over about 10 days," said Jones.

Although the lake house was not featured in the movie, Washington and others felt right at home there.

Marshall hosted several social gatherings for them, including Academy Award winning actor Forest Whitaker.

(Which is unusual among the Hollywood types, who ordinarily don’t socialize with those whose houses they rent, according to some of those involved in other films.)

"I hosted several meals for them," said Jones.

And, Jones was able to introduce his new friends to some local pals. They included: Al and Melinda Jones, Jimmy and Ann Marston and Judge James Stewart of the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.

"At one time, there were five Academy Award winners sitting in the living room!" said Jimmy Marston.

If the glove fits, wear it

Photo: Special to The Times

Have you ever wondered when and why phyisicians started wearing gloves?

Leave it to Anil Nanda to come up with such an unusual topic to deliver to a brainy group — a room filled with hundreds of neurosurgeons.

Nanda is a neurosurgeon and head of the department of neurosurgery at LSU Health Sciences center.

He discussed "Surgical Gloves and the Confederacy" at the Southern Neurosurgical Society’s annual meeting in Puerto Rico earlier this month. (That is Nanda on the far right in the photo above, shown with Pulitzer Prize winning author Richard Ford (left), his wife Christine Ford and Nanda’s wife, Laura, at the session.)

In the talk, he outlined the history and development of the surgical glove, illustrating it's beginning by one of the father's of American Neurosurgery, Dr. William Halsted.

To cut to the chase of the speech, apparently, the use of gloves were helped along by a woman.

A surgical nurse and head of the surgical division of Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1889, Caroline Hampton, was from a family of prominent Southerners. She was also Halsted's wife.

Anyway, surgeon Harvey Cushing wrote that Hampton wore "a masculine garb of the plainest sort...She was one of the early nurses at J.H.H."

But here is how the gloves got started. Halsted talking: "In the winter of 1889 and 1890 the nurse (Caroline Hampton) in charge of my operating room complained that the solutions of mercuric chloride produced a dermatitis on her arms and hands. As she was an unusually efficient woman, I gave the matter my consideration, and one day in New York requested Goodyear Rubber Co., to make as an experiment two pair of thin rubber gloves with gauntlets."

Hampton inspired the gloves and was the first to wear them, according to Nanda's power point presentation.

And, as J.M.T. Finney put it: "Venus came to the aid of Aesculapius," said Nanda, in his talk.

So, if you were wondering, now you know!

Mustard greens, egg pie and more...

There are few things I enjoy more than discovering new places to eat in out-of-the-way places.

Not only do I like to try the food, but I love the local color you encounter.

In the last few weeks, I found P&J Restaurant in Marshall, Texas.

And enjoyed once again the familiar, Gibsland Grill in Gibsland.

I was in Marshall Jan. 30 doing a story on the Buard Historic Trail, a feature that runs Sunday on the front of the living section.

I grew up in the era of segregation of the 1940s and 1950s and covered integration as it crept into our community.

I remember "colored" and "white" signs on water fountains and restrooms. I rode the trolley for several years and I always thought it wrong — even as a child — that blacks had to go to the back of the bus when I could ride in front. And, that they headed to the balcony in The Strand, while I sat downstairs.

Perhaps, it was the humanistic beliefs of my mother, the late Sabra B. Martin, who treated everyone as a human being, but something about all that always bothered me.

Anyway, the trail addresses the Civil Rights era.

P&J is not on the trail, but is a sidebar to my story.

It was founded in the late sixties by owner Jackie Franklin’s mom, the late Pearl Franklin. "It is down home cooking. Soul food," said Franklin.

The eatery is in a house on a hill and the five tables are set with blue and white check tablecloths.

The menu features each day one menu.
There are such entrees as liver and onion, pork chops, chicken and spaghetti, such veggies as mustard creans, lima beans or cream style corn. Dessert: how about peach cobbler?
Former Shreveporters Charlie and Marsha Andrews own the grill in Gibsland and we dined there previously, but it is always fun to return.

We ate there Wednesday with J.R. and Jan Johnson after interviewing them about Cedar Ridge Cabin, their retreat in the woods. It will be on the March 1 Jonquil Jubilee Home and Garden Tour, Gibsland.

The story runs Feb. 23.

We were going to order a hamburger, but just could not resist the chicken dressing, stewed okra, corn and hot water corn bread.

Oh, yes, and sweet tea accompanied both lunches.

I recommend J&R’s and Gibsland Grill without reservations...for the food and the local color.

Rats! Another year is here!

A dancin' dragon

Maura Pugh poses with decoration

The Walls, Simeon Jr. and wife Holly Casey, Connie Wall and hubby, Simeon Sr.

Maggie, Dr. Simeon Wall Sr. and Kon Tiki owner Check Wing Joe

Photos by Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

Happy New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year 4706! (That is a lot of years.)

It is the Year of the Rat!

We helped the Walls celebrate Sunday at a party at Kon Tiki.

They are Dr. Simeon Wall Jr. and wife Dr. Holly Casey Wall, and Dr. Simeon Wall Sr. and wife Connie Wall.

...and a delightful time was had by all.

I was thrilled to see former Fair Park High School classmate Check Wing Joe and his wife Katherine, who were overseeing the delicious array of food — that included a clever centerpiece with a pink rat carved from a vegetable.

More faces in the crowd: Doctors to the stars ... and stars themselves ... Drs. Jim and Stephanie Barnes, Russ Friedrich and wife, Dr. Marsha Friedrich, Dr. David and Donna Cavanaugh, who just jetted in from Colorado, Dr. Joe and Frances Washburne, Dr. Charles and Joey Black.

We are including some images form the party. Check http://www.shreveporttimes.com/ for the Chinese New Year Gallery.

More social news:

..A nugget of news gleaned from Libby Siskron at the Women of Community Renewal Annual Luncheon today at East Ridge Country Club:

Siskron's son, Trent, who is in commercial real estate in Houston, is marrying Sarah Elizabeth Todd, Nov. 1 at St. Martin's Episcoal Church in Houston.

"She is part of the family of Mary Todd Lincoln," said Siskron.

Mayor Cedric Glover heads to Hollywood

Mamie Love Wallace at the African American Awards Banquet. She was among those who walked with Martin Luther King Jr.

Photo by Maggie Martin/The Times


Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover is mixing and mingling with the glittery Hollywood stars, producers and directors ... and whoever will listen to his plea to come to Shreveport and make movies.

Glover jetted out late last week to Los Angeles with Louisiana Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu to attend the Grammys, but also to woo producers and directors to come to Shreveport and make more movies, said mayor’s assistant Gwen Campbell, executive assistant to Glover, during the African American Awards Banquet on Saturday.

"He is out at the Grammys on a hard business trip. He is out wooing folks to come to Shreveport!" said Campbell.

Campbell, dressed in glittery silver, introduced Shreveport Police Chief Henry Whitehorn, who won an award and gave the keynote talk. Campbell is really out and about these days. She also attended the A-List Goodwill Black Tie Bingo Friday at Sam’s Town.

No chance yet to speak to the mayor because he is still in Los Angeles.

I have a call in, though, and as soon as I talk to him, I’ll post.

... Speaking of the Grammys, they didn’t win, but Lisa Haley & The Zydekats were nominated for "Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album," a new category. Anyway, The Zydekats, based in California, played last week at the Krewe of Highland Masque Grand Bal at Randle T. Moore Center and they wowed the crowd!

... On a more serious note, Whitehorn’s speech, was powerful.

He reminded listeners that this year marks the 53rd anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the event that introduced Martin Luther King Jr. to the world when he was only 26.

Some highlights — punctuated by applause from the audience:

"King (and others) did not live and die to create a world in which people kill each other with reckless abandon."

"Something as simple as pulling up our pants and standing with our head high could make the biggest difference in the world’s perception of us."

"Our young men are failing academically, professionally and morally. They don’t understand honor, respect, and duty."

"I tell our youth that they need to remember — all eyes are on them as young black men. All eyes are on them as young black women."

"We have let not only the media, but the government and the world taint the pure essence of us. They have stripped our culture down to the point where we only believe we can become rappers and athletes.

"We are so much more."

And, he reminded them: "I would not be the Chief of police had it not been for the efforts and courage of so many ... ordinary people who were willing to sweat and bleed so that you and I could have a better life."

He discussed the importance of every child equipped to graduate from school; getting drugs and guns off the streets; stopping destruction of the innercities; and the sadness of parents and grandparents being prisoners in their own homes.

And, he added, one voice can make a difference.

Welcome to Shreveport, Pen

We are in much ado about nametags at First Presbyterian Church of Shreveport as we get ready Sunday for the appearance of our new senior minister the Rev. Pendleton Peery, who comes to Shreveport with wife Lindsey and child Wells from Richmond, Va.

On Sunday, we were asked which door we entered to get to the sanctuary.

The tags are color coded depending on where we come in and we are to wear them, so Pen — as he is called — will easily learn our names. (What happens if we step in a different door?)

We had a name tag dress rehearsal Sunday and Wednesday for the special ash Wednesday service. (Yep, a dress rehearsal for wearing nametags.) Oh, and Pen and Lindsey attended the service. He is tall, dark and handsome! (And, young! 31, I think they said.)

So, Sunday....we start a new adventure at First Pres at 900 Jordan St.

Pen preaches his first sermon and starts learning our names. (Shall we give him a test soon to see how he is doing?)

He makes a grand entrance, too, since there will be only the 11 a.m. service. The sanctuary should be full. Maybe packed? (Cannot wait to hear his first sermon.)

We will welcome him with a fried chicken lunch after the benediction.

Come join us and see what’s up!!

It should be interesting.

... Two weeks ago, we bid our adieus to interim pastor Bob Shelton.

He and wife Fran, a minister in Dallas, were given a fond farewell with a reception and a flurry of gifts — LSU hats and T-shirts to remember the rabid fans by; money for a trip; and a painting of the church for their dining room.

But, two nights before the church's sendoff, Doug and Ardis Caulkins invited us to one of their famous lasagna dinners for eight at their South Highlands home and Bob was guest of honor.

Paul and I were in the midst of Mardi Gras, so, wearing an evening attire and a tuxedo, really had to dash in, eat and dash out to Krewe de Les Femmes Mystique Ball.


When we arrived, I slipped in blowing a horn and clapping a clacker I had received as a favor at another ball and threw beads around the neck of a startled Shelton.

But, really, i think he got a kick out of it all.

And, I insisted, he wear them all night!

Spring slips in unannounced

Even as the temperatures dip to the 20s and chilling rain falls over the land, spring slips in unannounced and surprises us.

It teases us with blue blossoms of native iris low to the grown in the azalea bed.

In the pink quince on a low bush. (Quince was one of my mother’s very favorite flowers. She grew a pink one at the east end of the porch and, in later years, she planted a white one that she cherished.)

And, in white narcissus that have bloomed for weeks and weeks around trees, near the gate, along the driveway. In the back by the fence that overlooks the deep glen.

And in the low-to-the-ground yellow daffodils that popped up in a faraway corner of the yard.

I picked a bouquet of the daffodils and narcissus for my desk.

The arrangement is a reminder that spring and the flowers it brings is on the way.

Soon, the tiny yellow and white wild flowers that cover our seven and a half acres will fill the landscape. Even though I do love fall better than any season of the year, it is in the spring, when these tiny wild flowers blanket our yard, that it is the most stunning.

What is blooming in your yard?

Share the springy news with me.

Spring slips in unannounced

Even as the temperatures dip to the 20s and chilling rain falls over the land, spring slips in unannounced and surprises us.

It teases us with blue blossoms of native iris low to the grown in the azalea bed.

In the pink quince on a low bush. (Quince was one of my mother’s very favorite flowers. She grew a pink one at the east end of the porch and, in later years, she planted a white one that she cherished.)
And, in white narcissus that have bloomed for weeks and weeks around trees, near the gate, along the driveway. In the back by the fence that overlooks the deep glen.

And in the low-to-the-ground yellow daffodils that popped up in a faraway corner of the yard.
I picked a bouquet of the daffodils and narcissus for my desk.

The arrangement is a reminder that spring and the flowers it brings is on the way.

Soon, the tiny yellow and white wild flowers that cover our seven and a half acres will fill the landscape. Even though I do love fall better than any season of the year, it is spring, these wild cover flowers blanket our yard, that it is at its prettiest.

What is blooming in your yard?

Share the springy news with me.

Spring slips in unannounced

Even as the temperatures dip to the 20s and chilling rain falls over the land, spring slips in unannounced and surprises us.

It teases us with blue blossoms of native iris low to the grown in the azalea bed.

In the pink quince on a low bush. (Quince was one of my mother’s very favorite flowers. She grew a pink one at the east end of the porch and, in later years, she planted a white one that she cherished.)
And, in white narcissus that have bloomed for weeks and weeks around trees, near the gate, along the driveway. In the back by the fence that overlooks the deep glen.

And in the low-to-the-ground yellow daffodils that popped up in a faraway corner of the yard.
I picked a bouquet of the daffodils and narcissus for my desk.

The arrangement is a reminder that spring and the flowers it brings is on the way.

Soon, the tiny yellow and white wild flowers that cover our seven and a half acres will fill the landscape. Even though I do love fall better than any season of the year, it is spring, these wild cover flowers blanket our yard, that it is at its prettiest.

What is blooming in your yard?

Share the springy news with me.

The 2008 Mardi Gras season ends

Krewe of Harambee Queen Sharon Braggs stands by her man Harambee King Tymwa Dixon

Guest Roxann Johnson and LaKesha Mosley flank Krewe of Harambee Captain LeMar Flukers.
Photos byPaul L. Schuetze/The Times

Wow!

When the last note on the Michael Ward band shut down the Krewe of Harambee Ball Saturday night, the Mardi Gras ball season was over.

And, what a ball it was at Horseshoe Riverdome.

So was the Shreveport Opera Krewe of Arepo held two nights earlier and Krewe of Highland, the night before.

King Tymwa Dixon and Queen Sharon Braggs as King Ramses II and Queen Nandi and Captain LeMar Flukers as King Mansa Kankan Mussa, were among court members who honored "Great Kings and Queens of Africa."

Drums and other percussion instruments filtered through Horseshoe Riverdome on Feb. 3 and costumes reflected the royals the locals portrayed.

We heard about the great king of the Zulus, King Shaka Zulu and three women queens, two of whom I had never heard of — Queen Nzingha and Queen Tiye.

Just a glimpse of them enchanted and enthralled and made me want to head back to history class so I could learn more. They were powerful women.

Those of you who see our good friend, Chieftain VII Ron Weems, in court or on the streets should know that he is now a king, King Tutankhamun.

Other royals: High Priestesses VII Katrina Thomas, Queen Nzingha; Tenisha Thompson, Queen Tiye; and Lisa jackson, Queen Cleopatra.

Chieftains VII: Daniel Moore, King Shaka Zulu and Al Bradley, King Shamba Bolongongo.

The Orchesis Dance Company, led by Diane Maroney Grigsby traditionally performed at this ball. They are professional and flawless and I wish everyone could see them.

Intermission entertainment: Christian Dance Center.

Each royal was introduced by a dance performance. Some performed rhythmically belly dances. One literally crawled out of a box and I wondered, "How is she doing this?

A very special Harambee moment: Entrance of all the past Harambee royalty and all Harambee krewe members.

Assignment: Estate sale

I love estate sales!

So, I was thrilled when assigned to cover the estate sale of Susybelle Wilkinson Lyons on 7130 Gilbert Drive. Lyons was one of those delightful folks we met through our long career. We loved eating at her restaurant years ago, attending a party in her home and writing about her.

So, how perfect to be able to shop and write.

Good to see Pat Thatcher who was holding the show.

I bought a vintage green trellis for $5. A frog for arranging flowers for $4.

Just had to have chipped Haviland-Limoges oyster plate with whimsical cabbage roses on it. Now, those plates were $100 each, but the chipped one I picked up for five bucks. Who will see the chip when I display it on a shelf, I asked myself.

I also got three china plates of different sizes for $5, a large pumpkin shaped plate — I love fall — for $5 and a little glass box for $1. And a sterling silver spoon for $16 that is a gift for a friend.

Oh, and some wonderful sterling, cheap, because it was bent! I don’t care. I’ll display it so no one will know.

And did I mention, two wire plant stands.

Best of all — a large wooden turkey for decorative display outside. Five bucks! You just can’t beat that, though I am lamenting the moose figure soap dish that I just didn’t see.

I can tell you, my RAV 4 is full.

But I am not done. I have a bid on some bone dishes. And I am eyeing a huge bisque turkey, a leopard print, gold fringed stool and odd-shaped glass pitcher and maybe some more spoons for gifts. (Country Home editor Mary Emmerling says everyone needs leopard print something in their home.)

Among those I ran into working, browsing or buying: Carolyn Prator, Judy Stoer, Dru Florsheim, Maggie McElroy, Mimi Hussey, Tom Craig, Emily Mott, Lisa Hargrove, Karla Loftin, Betty Chapman, Mary O’Neal, Lola Herndon, Tiddle Florsheim Mogg.

It runs through today. Things are 25 percent off from 9 a.m. to noon and 50 percent off from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Maybe I'll see you there.

Let me know if you go and what did you buy.

Haved a grand weekend. See you Monday!