Pretty Weather Ahead

December 08, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

☀️SBC! This is the last week to get your Everything Warm donations dropped off or picked up for Feed the Homeless on December 13th.

Drop off locations:
Copeland's of New Orleans
Prestige Home Cleaning
No Ceilings CrossFit
Mall St. Vincent
Alexander & Company Salon-Spa

Thank you to everyone who’s already helped spread a little extra warmth this season.

In this edition, we’ll shine light on:

The gift of travel
Relax before the rush
Great news stories and local events

Let’s get our shine on!

Sponsored by The Balanced Boarding Pass

^{By Jessica Comegys,}^{Travel Curator}

“Last year, we made a decision that changed our Christmas.

Instead of more toys, gadgets, or “things,” we gifted William something very different, a Disney cruise. Not the kind of gift you unwrap and forget… the kind you talk about for weeks before it happens. It sat under the tree in an envelope, promising adventure, sunshine, and time together. My husband and I could barely contain the secret and by Christmas morning William was finally in on the excitement.

Every time February came up in conversation, his eyes lit up. And when we finally boarded that ship, it felt like the real gift had just begun. We laughed more that week. We slowed down. We were together without distractions. We made memories that still get brought up at the dinner table. That trip didn’t just fill our camera roll, it filled something deeper. It reminded us how special it is to step out of routine and into shared experiences with the people we love. And that’s the part no one really tells you about gifting travel: the magic doesn’t start when you arrive. It starts the moment you give it. The anticipation, the planning, the counting down, it all becomes part of the experience.

As Thanksgiving fades and the holiday rush picks up, I want to gently offer this thought:
What if this year’s gift wasn’t another thing… but something that becomes a shared memory?

A staycation with room service and late mornings.
A weekend away with twinkling Christmas lights and great food.
A family trip tucked into a card under the tree.
A promise of something beautiful to come.

Travel doesn’t have to be extravagant to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s one night away that changes everything. If gifting an experience is on your heart this season, whether it’s a winter getaway, a spring escape, or something just for the two of you, I’d love to help you bring it to life.

Let’s create something worth remembering! Book your holiday trip now!”

_{Want to put your business out there? Send it}_here.

Partnered with the Mobility Doctor

Looking for a relaxation reset before the holidays hit like a runaway train? Dr. Jeremy Sutton, DPT, is offering a limited Christmas Wellness Experience designed to melt stress, loosen tight muscles, and calm your nervous system, all from the comfort of your home. This isn’t your typical spa day; it’s a full-body reset for busy, overwhelmed people who desperately need a moment to breathe. Spots are limited, so grab your session before they’re gone.

Call or Text: 318-278-0330

☀️ This Week’s Happy Highlights

💜 Pajama Power Ignites Future Leaders

On the Bright Side was honored to be a featured panelist at last Saturday’s Pajama Power Leadership Program, hosted by Girls Empowered for More Society and led by Toccara Huckaby. The night brought girls from across the community together for real conversations about confidence, courage, and using their voices for good. We loved being part of such an uplifting event and encouraging these future leaders to dream big, speak boldly, and step into their power. 💜

🔆 40 Under Forty Shines Bright 🔆

YPI hosted its annual 40 Under Forty celebration on Dec. 5 at Sam’s Town Ballroom, where nearly 500 guests gathered to honor this year’s standout young professionals. A big congratulations to Emily Jo Manchester-Sanden, Executive Director of the Renesting Project, who was recognized as the top honoree of the night for her leadership and community impact.

🪪 North Pole Bound ✈️

Passport to the North Pole

PSA: We’ve officially launched the event page for Passport to the North Pole! This is On the Bright Side’s FIRST community event, and it’s going to be a big one. It is free to attend! Be sure to follow our event page for all updates, including schedule and special announcements!

✍🏼 Side Notes & City Talk

🐞 A ribbon cutting ceremony took place last week for the Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park set to open in January of 2026.

🎤 The Voices of the Dream Choir Competition has extended its registration deadline to December 15. Choirs now have a little extra time to sign up for the January event!

📉 The Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) in Shreveport, LA recently voted 4-4, meaning “no”, on a proposed data center, which has local leaders thinking maybe MPC needs a big overhaul.

🏉 Congratulations to Calvary Baptist & North Desoto varsity football teams! Both will be representing NWLA in the Superdome for the State Championship Titles in their divisions. Good luck boys!

💡 Bright Side Smarts 💡
Test your SBC smarts and win!

Here’s how it works:
📅 We post a local fun fact every weekend on our Facebook page.
❓ On Monday, we drop a trivia question here in the newsletter.
🎁 Answer right = You could win!

Last Week’s Winner of a $10 Gift Card to Noble Savage: Meg from Bossier!
Last Week’s Answer: The Noble Savage houses downtown’s unique transformation business called the Noble Pedicab!

This Week’s Question:

How old was Chef Giuseppe when he started culinary school in Siciliy?

👉 Not sure what the answer is? Click here if you need a cheat sheet. Good luck!

Events of the Week
sponsored by

Check out local events this week here!

_{Have an upcoming event you’d like to promote? Send it in}_here!

LIVE MUSIC LINEUP

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Have a Blessed Week, SBC!

Love what you got?

Psalms 56:3