The new year will be here before you know it. How well did you manage your money in 2019, and how can you do even better in 2020? If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to review your financial goals. In fact, having a plan in place before being completely swept up in the holiday shopping frenzy can help ensure that 2020 starts strong.

Tony Simpson, chief operations officer, said that phase one of the project is nearing completion. Phase one includes demolition, new walls, floors and floor joists, and a new roof. He said Wieland Construction, the contractor on the project, expects phase one to be complete in mid-November, barring any unforeseen delays.

The Better Business Bureau recently announced its 2019 Torch Award winners. The awards honor companies that meet the highest standards of ethics and demonstrate trust among their employees, customers and the community. The company leaders also must demonstrate a high level of personal character.

“We all love what we do,” David Bridges said. “When you’re around people who don’t like what they do, work becomes difficult. Then it actually becomes work. When you love what you do, it’s not really work. It’s just like you’re hanging out having a party every day.

The Knight Street building opened in 2017. Since then, the YMCA’s programming has grown to serve more than 30,000 people a year, Goodman said. It offers more than 160 group exercise classes every week, reaching all ages from children to seniors across all walks of life.

Current plans for the building include a kitchen for Sweetport, the ice cream and confection business Spikes and his wife, Nicole, operate. The space also will house the Sweetport food truck when it is not in service. Spikes also plans to put a workshop in the space as well.

Foreman encourages taxpayers to ask their tax professional for a list of the necessary paperwork for tax preparation. When it comes to pulling that information together, the sooner the better, Foreman said. After February, taxpayers run the risk of getting caught in a backlog with their tax professional.

“That whole nine-block area of Shreveport Common was once a very thriving corridor,” said Henry Price, president of the board for Shreveport Regional Arts Council. “Then it became blighted. This is an opportunity for a renaissance for the whole area. Common Park is the nucleus for that.