Shreveport - Bossier, Louisiana's Other Side

NEWS RELEASE

Media Contact:
              
Jessica Oliver
Office (318) 741-7800
Cell phone (318) 207-7363

August 30, 2010

A Full Day of Fun – Saturday, August 28th!

Louisiana Downs is excited to invite the finest vocal sounds to the home of the Super Derby during auditions for Super Derby Star.  Every Saturday, August 28– September 18, anyone 18 years old or older can audition to become the next Super Derby Star. The winning singer earns $250 plus dinner for two at Jack Binion’s Steakhouse and will sing the National Anthem to the thousands in attendance and those watching around the world on Super Derby Day.  The contest is free to enter. 
The first audition will begin at 10:30 a.m., August 28; check-in is at 10:15 a.m.  Five contestants each week will compete for Super Derby Stardom.  To reserve an audition, call Allie Blake at 318-752-6952 or email ablake1@harrahs.com.
Visit www.ladowns.com for more information or to print a registration form.  Walk-ins are welcome if five contestants are not present on audition day and will be accepted on a first come basis. Auditions will be held at Louisiana Downs in the Inside Rail, located in the pavilion. Super Derby Star is part of the Super Derby Festival which includes a series of events leading up to the 31st running of the Super Derby, the premiere race at Louisiana Downs. This year the race is worth $500,000 and will be contested on Saturday, September 25.

Military Appreciation
Louisiana Downs proudly supports our American soldiers and to show their appreciation, they are offering buy one draft beer, get the second free to members of the armed forces on August 28!  Must show your military I.D. and must be 21 or older to buy and/or consume alcoholic beverages. 
Media Race
Give back while watching your favorite media personality. On Saturday, August 28, at noon, watch your favorite radio DJs, news reporters, and newspaper columnists compete against one another in the race for the gold. Each racer will represent their favorite local charity. You can help by placing $5 wagers on your winning prediction. All proceeds benefit the winner’s charity of choice. Featured charities include the American Red Cross, The Providence House, ASPCA, Shriner’s, and more! 
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NEWS RELEASE

August 20, 2010

The 4th Annual Twin City Bomber Bash: Rat Rod and Custom Car and Bike Show will be held 6-9 p.m., Sept. 10, and 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Sept. 11 at Rodeway Inn, 3033 Hilton Dr., Bossier City. Head out to see pre-1969 traditional hot-rods, custom vehicles, bikes, and the Miss Bomber Bash Pageant with a swap-meet, free bands and a drive-in showing of American Graffiti.

There will be 28 cities from three states represented and an estimated 700 attendees. If you want to register your car or bike, the entry fee is $25. Public admission is free. Call Chris Goad at 318-470-4605 for more information.

NEWS RELEASE

August 20, 2010

You are invited to a party with a purpose: the Third Annual American Cancer Society’s Baron’s Ball, 7 p.m., August 21. Dust off your boots, put on your jeans and your cowboy hat and mosey on down the trail to Fox Creek Farms, 11958 Ellerbe Rd., Shreveport, for a casual, western-themed evening full of fun and festivities to help raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Partygoers will enjoy great food, drinks, games and prizes, live and silent auctions, fabulous entertainment and goody bags. The Texas Trailhands will provide the evening’s musical entertainment.
This year’s Honorary Chairman is Jennifer Bland. Mrs. Bland’s husband, Jason, was the head athletic trainer at Airline High School and he taught a sports medicine class at the Bossier Parish Technical School.  Jason Bland passed away June 7 from cancer.  
Proceeds from the Baron’s Ball go to the American Cancer Society to help fund cancer research and free programs and services for local cancer patients like Jason Bland. The local office has been providing these services thanks to the generosity of private donations made by businesses and individuals. Now that’s a reason for a party!
Tickets are $100-$1250. For more information, contact the American Cancer Society office at 318-219-1668 or the event chairman, Julie Colvin at julie1267@comcast.net or visit http://main.acsevents.org.

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August 18, 2010

Shreveport, La.- Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation (SPAR) rescheduled 2010 City Amateur Match Play Golf Championship is set for October 8-10 at Querbes Park Golf Course, 3500 Beverly Place.  This tournament, sponsored by the City of Shreveport, is open to all male amateur golfers.  All players must qualify on September 25-26 or October 2-4, 2010.  All skill levels may participate.

Entry fee is $85.00 per player (includes green fee).  Lunch will be provided on Friday and Saturday only.  Entry deadline is 5:00 p.m., October 6. The event is limited to 120 golfers. All players during qualifying round must have someone who is playing in the tournament or have a marker with them for scoring.

Applications are available at Huntington Pro Shop, Querbes Pro Shop and online at www.myspar.org. Entries may be mailed or dropped off at Querbes Pro Shop, 3500 Beverly Place, Shreveport or Huntington Park Golf Course, 8300 Pines Road, Shreveport.

For more information call 318-673-7773.

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NEWS RELEASE

Media Contact
Jessica Oliver
Office- (318) 741-7800
Cell phone- (318) 207-7363

August 18, 2010

Support the fight against breast cancer – August 28th!

(Bossier City, LA) – Breast cancer supporters, survivors, friends, and family will gather at the Little Pink Dress Party hosted by Horseshoe Casino and Hotel, 7-10 p.m., August 28, at the Horseshoe Riverdome to toast Susan G. Komen for the Cure. There will be live music by the Roscoes, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks.

The Little Pink Dress Party will be a night of fun, camaraderie, drink specials, door prizes, dancing, and the list goes on. But more importantly, the special night will foster awareness and support for this serious cause. The party will serve as a kick-off to the 2010 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in hopes of generating more supporters, runners, and walkers from around the area. Half of the proceeds from each ticket and drink purchase will benefit the Northwest Louisiana Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Over the years, the Shreveport Race for the Cure has been quite a success.  Last year, 6,000 participants registered for the annual Race for the Cure, and 300 volunteers produced the event. Since its inception, every year has been more successful than the last, and Horseshoe Casino and Hotel is dedicated to doing their part to ensure the success of the local Race for the Cure and organization.  

“Horseshoe Casino and Hotel is proud and honored to be a part of the fight against breast cancer. We look forward to many years of supporting this wonderful cause, and we commend the Susan G. Komen Foundation on their enormous efforts and success. We encourage everyone to come out and toast the 2010 Race for the Cure at The Little Pink Dress Party,” says Mike Rich, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Horseshoe Casino-Hotel and Harrah’s Louisiana Downs.   

Through events like the Komen Northwest Louisiana Race for the Cure, the Northwest Louisiana Affiliate has invested $1,178,673 in community breast health programs in Northwest Louisiana. Up to 75 percent of net proceeds generated by the affiliate stay in Northwest Louisiana. The remaining income goes to the national Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grants Program to fund research.

General admission is $20 and includes one martini drink ticket. A VIP table is $200 and includes a table of four, four VIP gifts and fashionable themed t-shirts, and two martini drink tickets each. Corporate sponsorship is $500 and includes a table of eight, eight VIP gifts, eight fashionable themed t-shirts, and two martini drink tickets each
Tickets may be purchased by calling 1-888-512-SHOW or visit www.riverdome.com.  Corporate Sponsorship tables can be purchased by calling 318-549-4747.  Must be 21 or older to attend.
For more information on the Northwest Louisiana Affiliate, call 318-220-7050 or visit www.komennwla.org.

News Release

Media Contact:
Francesca Benten
318-227-1515
francesca@williamscreativegroup.com

August 9, 2010

Shreveport-Bossier, LA — For the second time in the Shreveport-Bossier area, the Rotary Club of Shreveport will host the annual Red River Dragon Boat Festival. The deadline for team entries for the festival’s premier event — the dragon boat races — is August 27.

“Dragon boat racing is one of the fastest-growing water sports today and this is an exciting new way we can enjoy our Red River,” said John Coutret, event chair.  “Local residents and out-of-town groups all want to be a part of the fun and are already signing up their teams.”

The festival will provide fun for the whole family. It features races with 41-foot-long dragon boats that hold 21 team members who will paddle to the finish line.  Food and beverages will be available for purchase and a special tent featuring activities for children will be provided.

Applications for up to 40 racing teams are now being accepted. The entry fee is $750 per team. Raffle tickets to win the use of a new Hyundai Genesis for two years are also available for $50 each. Teams will receive event t-shirts, a 10’ x 20’ team tent, individual medals for winning team members and a Team Paddle Award for the winning teams. Proceeds from the event and raffle ticket sales will be donated to Caddo Parish Public Schools and other area non-profit organizations.

Registered teams will have the opportunity to schedule on-the-water training and practice times the week prior to race from Sept. 6-10. The festival is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11. All teams will meet below the steel roses in downtown Shreveport’s Riverview Park.

For team registration, waivers, sponsorship and food vendor opportunities, and more information, contact John Coutret at (318) 465-2145 or visit www.redriverdragonboat.org.

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August 10, 2010

Reggie McLeroy will speak at the R.W. Norton Art Gallery from 2-3 p.m., August 21, as part of the galleries Saturday Speaker Series. Reggie, a native of Ruston, La., discovered his talents as an artist while in his second year of school. Throughout the years, McLeroy has developed his talent and some notable art pieces.

In 1994, he published his first series of wildlife prints – a set of four different white-tailed deer prints in black and white. Today, he has over 25 different wildlife prints done in watercolor, pencil and pen & ink. That same year he also created the cartoon character "Lil Daddy" which has appeared in the Monroe Newstar for the past ten years. "Lil Daddy's Filosophies from Da Hood" is a single panel cartoon that sends out positive messages to young people.

He is most noted for capturing life-like artwork of the legendary coach - Coach Eddie Robinson of Grambling State University, an Independence Bowl painting of General Russel Honore’ and the New Orleans Superdome during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He was also chosen as the official artist of the 2004 U. S. Ryder Cup Team. He won the Louisiana Wildlife Stamp (2000), and chosen to paint the 2003 Texas Turkey Stamp, and the Canadian Whitetail. He is also the official artist of the Independence Bowl.

McLeroy currently he works for the Lincoln Parish School Board as a Discipline Coordinator.

For more information, call The R.W. Norton Art Gallery at 318-865-4201 or visit them online at www.rwnaf.org.

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NEW RELEASE

Media Contact:                

Jessica Oliver
office (318) 741-7800
cell phone (318) 207-7363

August 10, 2010

(Bossier City, LA) -  Horseshoe Casino and Hotel is proud to present Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Smokey Robinson live in concert on Friday, September 1 0th in the Horseshoe Riverdome!  Doors open at 7pm, and the show starts at 8pm.

With his eternally smooth and instantly recognizable falsetto alone – without the strings, bass, guitar or drums – legendary singer/songwriter/producer Smokey Robinson’s honey-coated voice absolutely is the audio equivalent of comfort food soul. The Motown legend’s forthcoming ROBSO Records CD, Time Flies When You’re Having Fun has certainly been “prepared in a traditional style,” while that oh-so-familiar, highly identifiable crooning has an indisputable “nostalgic or sentimental appeal.”

From “Shop Around” (1st Motown #1 R&B hit/1st Motown million-seller) to “Just To See Her”/”One Heartbeat” (both 1987 Top Ten smashes) Robinson began collecting accolades which never seemed to stop coming over the years. Smokey has been the recipient of a Grammy, a 1988 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a 1991 recipient of the Soul Train Music Award for Career Achievement, a 1999 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a 2006 Kennedy Center honoree, a recipient of a Doctorate of Music degree from Howard University, a 2009 recipient of an Honorary Doctorate degree from Berkeley College of Music, a Songwriter’s Hall of Fame honoree and a rare double-honoree of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Hence, a much beloved Smokey Robinson fully intends to continue this wonderfully weaved music legacy with the sultry-sounding Time Flies When You’re Having Fun (set for an August 25th release).

Tickets are between $70-80 and are now on sale. You may purchase tickets at www.riverdome.com, 888-512-SHOW (7469) or the Horseshoe Gift Horse® Gift Shop .Must be 21 years or older to attend.

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August 5, 2010

Shreveport-Bossier, La. --- Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation (SPAR) Southern Hills Community Center Summer Playground presents “Its The Wiz at Princess Park” 6 p.m., August 12,  at Princess Park, 800 Snow Street, Shreveport.  The purpose of the event is to bring theatrical awareness to youth in the area.  The play will be performed by first time actors from Southern Hills’ Summer Playground.

Sidney Lumet’s “The Wiz” is the film version of the popular Broadway musical that retells the events of L. Frank Baum’s classic novel The Wonderful Wizard of OZ thorough the eyes of a young African-American kindergarten teacher, Dorothy, who has “never been below 125th Street.”  On her journey down the yellow brick road Dorothy (Diana Ross) encounters the scarecrow (Michael Jackson), the Tin Man (Nipsy Russell), the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross), the Wicked Witch of the West, and finally the Wiz (Richard Pryor).

Directing the play will be Angelique Feaster.  Other facilitators include Roshanda Spears - Choreographer, Nia Savoy – Cast, C. A. King – Center Manager, Annette Evans & Brandon Morris – Instructors.

For more information call C. A. King, Center Manager at 318.673.7815.

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August 4, 2010

Shreveport-Bossier, La.- The Bossier Parish Library Historical Center, 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City will host a six-week series of readings and discussions about the region of the state that is called North Louisiana geographically, socially, culturally, and in other frameworks.  The program is entitled—appropriately—“Where Is North Louisiana?” 

The program will be held on Thursdays, 6-8 p. m., August 19-September 23. It is free and open to the public.  Heavy refreshments will be served.

“As a New Orleans Catholic boy growing up, I didn’t know the area existed,” stated James Segreto, Director of RELIC (Readings in Literature and Culture) programs. “Despite challenges with defining it, there is a vast collection of people who say they live in North Louisiana and they have been part of the state’s history for over two centuries…Where it is depends on whether it is defined geographically, topographically, culturally, economically and so on.  The readings will look into some of these areas and attempt to raise fundamental questions about the region, even if answers may be more challenging to come by.” 

"Where Is North Louisiana?" will be conducted by Cheryl White and Hubert Humphreys professors of history at Louisiana State University at Shreveport.  The six sessions are entitled: 1) Where Is North Louisiana? 2) The Sounds of North Louisiana; 3) Perspectives on Rural Life in North Louisiana; 4) Faith and Religion in North Louisiana; 5) My North Louisiana: Race, Gender and Art in the Life of a North Louisiana Artist; 6) Fiction and Literature and North Louisiana: Final Summary. 

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged because of the limited number of books and expected public response. To register by telephone or for information, call 318-746-7717 and ask for Pam Carlisle or Ann Middleton.

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