“We pretty much do it all,” Justin Sheppard, sales/custom projects at Sheppard’s Countertops, said. “We also have a line of sinks and faucets that we sell. For the countertops we offer: granite, Cambria, silestone, santamargherita, LG Hausys, Quartz Master, Zodiac, Corian solid surfaces, Hi-Macs, Laminates, and more.

Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program celebrated its inaugural year, and Executive Director David Smith said they did so with seven new companies that have already created 27 jobs in North Louisiana and received more than $10 million in additional capital from San Francisco, Austin, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

Greg LeGrand, the director and president of the Ark-La-Tex Music Heritage Festival, has a strong background in local music history. “I have been in radio for about 28 years in this market, and I’ve been a musician playing with several bands around the area.

With over 200 silent auction items and 20 live auction items, guests will have plenty to bid on from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Shreveport Convention Center Captain Shreve Ballroom. The auction’s theme is “Wicked Wonderland,” and organizers promise a “mischievous” night of food and entertainment, along with live and silent auctions.

Shreveport Art Club is truly a local institution. Founded in 1921 by a few local artists, the group remains active and thriving, “furthering art in the cities of Shreveport, Bossier and the surrounding area for the enjoyment of all,” as it says in the group’s artist statement.

Michael John Hoogland, owner of Hooglands Landscape, has been in the business for over 30 years. “I love my job, because of the interaction with the clients. Seeing a project come together from the initial client consultation to finished product is my favorite part,” Hoogland said.