Life in the 318: Changes at the Robinson, Jamaican food in Shreveport, and Jershika

Meredith G. White
Shreveport Times

The holidays are officially in full swing. Thanksgiving is behind us and Christmas is lurking just around the corner. There's been quite a bit going on in the 318. 

Black Friday and Shopping Local 

Black Friday in Shreveport.

For someone who never has gotten to partake in physical Black Friday, I have a lot of opinions about how much this tradition has drastically changed over the years. 

The best gifts are the ones with special meaning. When we asked readers to tell us what gifts represented Shreveport, you came through, giving us lots of local options you can get for your loved ones this year. 

Jamaican fare livens up Food Finds

Chef Robyne Moore-Taylor, owner of Taylor’d Eatz, will host "Taste of Jamaica" on Jan. 30 at MS KICK in downtown Shreveport.

This week's Food Finds features Chef Robyne Moore Taylor, who is bringing authentic Jamaican cuisine to Shreveport with her mobile restaurant Taylor'd Eatz.

Their standard menu is filled with specialties like stewed oxtail, jerk pork rib tips, rice and peas, Jamaican beef patties and pineapple cornbread. Don't worry, Taylor'd Eatz doesn't just cater to meat-eaters, they have plenty of delicious options for Vegans too. 

FilmPrize Junior, LSU Health Shreveport team up for COVID vaccine PSA

The COVID-19 vaccine

On Monday, Nov. 22 five student filmmakers from the Northwest Louisiana area shared their COVID-19 public service announcements in collaboration with the FilmPrize Junior program and Louisiana State University Health Shreveport.

Most children and all teens are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine according to the CDC. While young people are at a lower risk of becoming severely ill from COVID, serious complications can still occur that could lead to hospitalization or death. 

Meghan Avallone announces departure from Robinson Film Center

Meghan Hochstetler Avallone

The Robinson Film Center is saying goodbye to Executive Director Meghan Hochstetler Avallone as she chooses to step down from her role after 10 years. 

Avallone plans to stay in the position until it is filled but will be leaving to work with her husband Thomas at their family-owned business, Maccentric, which is an Apple-authorized service provider. 

Jershika's in the top 10

(l-r) Holly Forbes, Jershika Maple and Joshua Vacanti on "The Voice."

Shreveport's Jershika Maple landed a spot in the top 10 of NBC's The Voice. 

Maple is causing a ruckus on more than just the stage. A trend on TikTok   — #Shikarunchallenge — has users attempting their own runs inspired by the performance Maple gave with "Inseparable" during the knock-out rounds. 

Be on the lookout for The 318, our round-up of the week's top headlines Sunday night.

Also, check out Business in the 318, our weekly roundup of all things business in the area. 

Meredith G. White is the arts and culture reporter for the Shreveport Times. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and Twitter as @meredithgwhite, and email her at MGWhite@gannett.com.