Drew Mouton. That’s who. The 49-year-old, divorced father of five (three girls, two boys) has a resume’ lined with work as an entrepreneur and in areas of government, higher education, and most recently, health care. But Mouton is confident his not-so-obvious economic experience intersects with what the city needs to grow its economy.

What began as a Tuesday night event at a local eatery has grown into a big stage production complete with glamorous fur baby models, says Robinson’s Rescue President Dr. Andrea Master Everson. “The dogs are what set this event apart from everything, and it ties in with our whole mission,” she said.

Let me explain. This was no ordinary English test or algebra quiz, where it took a 93 percent or better to make me happy back in high school. This was an echocardiogram. A normal result is anywhere from 50 percent to 70 percent, according to Dr. Google..

Provenance, located in South Shreveport on the Southern Loop, recently broke ground on Building 1 of Phase II of the Provenance Commercial Village Center. That means more than 5,200 square feet is available for lease, in addition to the seven businesses already open.

Mayor Perkins and City of Shreveport Chief Technology Officer Keith Hanson are well aware that among the resources lacking in this area’s workforce is digital fluency. Thus, they signed up for a program to be taught by Tech Talent South. The program “was probably a $13,000 value per student,” noted Randy Roberson, one of a couple of dozen graduates.

Life and activities are returning to normal downtown, and we couldn’t be more pleased about it, or the variety of events happening the weekend of April 23-25. The fun begins in earnest Saturday morning with the Snowmageddon Plant Swap at The Lot, 400 Crockett St.

I have passed so many visible benchmarks along the way. I can see the number on the scale. I can count the notches on my belt. I know how baggy my jeans have become. All of those things pointed toward a positive test result. That wasn’t good enough, though.

“What I think that the spring fair does is it shows people that with certain restrictions, with wearing masks, with social distancing, with getting vaccinated, there is a path to normalcy,” said Liz Swaine, chairman of the board of the State Fair of Louisiana.

The Morell Dairy Farm is a premier dairy farm and creamery located on the cusp of Blanchard and Mooringsport. Farm owners Randy and Ann Morell produce quality milk, chocolate milk and butter made from Jersey cows. During your visit, you can pet their cows, learn about the milking process and tour their factory.

I saw a billboard on a trip to Texas to see my grandchildren with the word “freedom” beside a picture of someone taking off their mask. It certainly is a thought shared by many. However, the most accurate picture depicting freedom in this pandemic is a picture of someone receiving the vaccine.