Shreveport - Bossier, Louisiana's Other Side

NEWS RELEASE

American Rose Society
8877 Jefferson-Paige Rd.
Shreveport, LA  71119
318-938-5402
www.ars.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 14, 2010

GARDENS OF THE AMERICAN ROSE CENTER HOSTS CHARLEEN KENNEDY PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT

Shreveport, LA- The Gardens of the American Rose Center is showcasing the art of award-winning photographer Charleen Kennedy. The “Reflections of Our Garden” exhibit features 24 rose photos taken in her garden in Alexandria, LA. The exhibit continues through July 31 and may be viewed during normal garden hours in the Klima Rose Hall, the American Rose Society Education & Visitor Center. The public is invited to attend a reception to meet Charleen Kennedy on Sunday, July 18, 2010 from 2:00-4:00 pm. For more information, please call 318-938-5534.

FAST FACTS:
WHAT: Charleen Kennedy’s “Reflections of Our Garden” Photography Exhibit
WHEN: Now- July 31, 2010, Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays - 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Reception on Sunday, July 18, 2010 from 2:00-4:00 pm
WHERE: Klima Rose Hall, the American Rose Society Education & Visitor Center, Gardens of the American Rose Center, just off I-20, Exit 5 in Shreveport, LA

Charleen Kennedy
Charleen Kennedy is a member of the Cenla Rose Society, the American Rose Society and the Heritage Rose Foundation. In 2009, Charleen won the Pete Haring Trophy for her Garden Activity photo of “William’s Worm,” which is among the photos exhibited. She and her husband John reside in Alexandria, LA. They have a five year old son, William. She studied art at Louisiana Tech University and Northeast Louisiana University and is a member of the International Association of Color Consultants.

Gardens of the American Rose Center
It is the home of the American Rose Society, created in 1974 through the contributions of rose lovers around the world. The 118-acre park contains more than 65 individual gardens with each bed and planting specially designed to demonstrate ways roses can be grown in the average home garden. It is conveniently located just off of I-20, Exit 5, in Shreveport, LA.

Released By:
Maria Scott, Director of Communications, 318-938-5402 ext 101, maria@ars-hq.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
John Hill
America’s WETLAND Foundation
johnhill@mcopr.com
504.756.0101


“CUPCAKES FOR THE COAST” FUND DRIVE
Funds to help rebuild marsh grasses in the Gulf Coast

BOSSIER CITY – Buttercups Cupcakes of Bossier City announces a “Cupcakes for the Coast” fundraising event on June 26, 2010. Total gross sales from the day-long event will be donated
to the fund for coastal restoration in response to the oil spill.

Shocked by the images on television of the embattled Gulf coast, Kim Wood, a 31-year-old entrepreneur has found a way to engage local North Louisiana residents in showing their support for the wetlands. Wood decided to host a “Cupcakes for the Coast” event at her popular Buttercups Cupcakes shop in the Villaggio Shopping Center near the Louisiana Downs racetrack.

The gross amount from the sale of her cupcakes, which have been featured in People magazine, will go to the America’s WETLAND Foundation to buy plants needed for marsh restoration projects.

“I was watching so many programs showing those poor little birds and their habitats that were covered in oil,” Wood said. “And I had so many friends who had to reschedule vacations because of the tragedy unfolding on the coast, that I just had to do something, and I couldn’t find any other fundraisers underway in this part of the state. So, I decided to donate 100 percent of the sales to the coast,” Wood said.

Thus was born “Cupcakes for the Coast,” a day-long fundraiser at Buttercups Cupcakes, 1115 Villaggio Blvd., Bossier City from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm, with every dollar going to the help rebuild Louisiana’s battered wetlands.

America’s WETLAND Foundation managing director Valsin A. Marmillion said the “Cupcakes for the Coast” proceeds will be used to buy plants for restoration projects undertaken by the America’s WETLAND Conservation Corps, an AmeriCorps program that AWF supports with its partner, LSU AgCenter.

“We appreciate the support from local residents that will go towards buying the plants for the AWCC’s corps their many volunteers,” Marmillion said.

Wood, a parent, said she hopes other parents use the event to teach their children about public service and doing their part to help restore and preserve the environment. “A parent could say to their child, Let’s take $3 that you earned last week and go buy a cupcake, since you will be donating it to help save the coast,” Wood said.

“We’re very grateful to Kim, as it is unusual for gross proceeds to be donated, rather than just a portion of the profits,” said Marmillion. “Kim is a welcomed new partner in our fight to save the coast.”

Kim said People Magazine ran a story on her cupcakes when they became favorites of movie stars who were on location filming in Northwest Louisiana. “Katie Holmes bought a lot of them when she was here,” Wood said.

Since the People Magazine story, Buttercups Cupcakes has done a brisk business in telephone orders for overnight shipments. “We ship everywhere, so give us a call. It’s an opportunity to help out and get the community involved in this important event,” Wood said. “I really hope that a lot of people come and buy, or call and we can ship anywhere in the U.S. – I look forward to showing our support with the largest possible donation to help save the wetlands.”

SALE DETAILS
“Cupcakes for the Coast”
Saturday, June 26, 2010
10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Buttercups Cupcakes
1115 Villaggio Blvd., Bossier City, LA
318-658-9908

Buttercups Cupcakes are made from scratch daily. Flavors on sale during the “Cupcakes for the Coast” event will include: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, red velvet, peanut butter, coconut, wedding cake, cookies and cream, banana pudding, and chocolate/vanilla. Join us on Facebook. Or visit http://www.shopvillaggio.com/directory/buttercupscupcakes/index.php

America’s WETLAND Foundation is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that has acted as a neutral arbiter for coastal interests since its inception in 2002, elevating issues facing the Gulf Coast, specifically those of coastal land loss, to regional and national attention. Learn more at www.americaswetland.com

The America's WETLAND Conservation Corps is a partnership of the America's WETLAND Foundation and the LSU AgCenter, which is supported by AmeriCorps through the Louisiana Serve Commission, and the Office of Lt. Governor. The Corps build community pride and environmental awareness through volunteerism and education. It supports collaborative efforts to organize and engage participants in a variety of activities, all with the message of responsible stewardship and a call for action to save coastal Louisiana.

Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center will be open free to dads with one paid child’s admission on Father’s Day weekend. The following activities geared toward dads will take place 11 a.m.-4 p.m., June 19 and 2-5 p.m., June 20:

Dissection Section – Get the “inside story” on computers, power tools and a variety of appliances by taking them apart. Sunday will include a lawnmower dissection, time to be announced.

Marshmallow Golfing – Test marshmallow golfing skills using putters and drivers.

Fishing for Fun – Cast a fishing line into a mystery bucket to win a prize.

Sci-Port: Louisiana's Science Center is a 92,000 square-foot science and entertainment center featuring 290 hands-on exhibits, Space Dome Planetarium, IMAX Dome Theatre, demonstration theater, daily changing programs, gift shop and cafe. Sci-Port is located at 820 Clyde Fant Parkway on the downtown Shreveport Riverfront. For general information call (318) 424-3466, toll-free (877) 724-7678 or see www.sciport.org

For more information on this weekends festivities, contact Eric Gipson at (318) 424-8678; egipson@sciport.org or Lou Papai at (318) 424-8714; lpapai@sciport.org.

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Two organizations will be meeting at the end of June in Shreveport. The first is the School Nutrition Association of Louisiana, an organization representing members who provide high quality, low-cost nutritious meals to school children. They will hold their 57th Annual Conference from June 22-25 at the Shreveport Convention Center. They have estimated 450 attendees for the event.
Registration is 9 a.m.-3 p.m., June 22-23, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m., June 24 at the Shreveport Convention Center. Andy Core will be the keynote speaker. He will help attendees execute a better way of life and live to enjoy it by combining stories from his experience as a successful consultant and the latest findings in research.
For more information, contact Belinda McMichael at 318.549.5047
 
Another group meeting is the Southwestern Diocese of the Church of Christ. They will hold their 70th Annual Session June 24-27, at Holiday Inn-Shreveport and Christ Temple Ministries, 4000 Hearn Ave. Worship services will be held nightly at 7 p.m., with the first session to be held at Holiday Inn-Shreveport.  The keynote speaker will be Bishop Vernon E. Kennebrew. An estimated 400 attendees are expected to be at the event.
For more information, contact Betty Brown at 318.278.1136.

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The Leadbelly Foundation & NXNWLA Music Foundation present "An Intimate Evening with Bugs Henderson & The Shuffle Kings,” 6:30 p.m., June 12, at the NXNWLA Music Museum, located on the second floor of 516 Texas Street, Shreveport. Tickets are $30, with the proceeds going to benefit the NXNWLA Music Museum.

This fundraiser will feature dinner catered by Charlie & Rebecca Bush, a tribute to Leadbelly, and the induction of 8 talents from the North by Northwest Louisiana region, followed by a performance by the legendary Bugs Henderson, and afterwards, an All Star Jam!

The mission of the NXNWLA Music Foundation is to document and preserve the music traditions of North by Northwest Louisiana. The NXNWLA Music Museum will be an educational resource which will promote the diverse genres of music tradition which have made up this region. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the NXNWLA Music Foundation office at (318) 402-5432.

The Ark-La-Tex Sports Museum of Champions will induct five new members during ceremonies beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7 in the Shreveport Convention Center. The five new members will join the list of 113 past inductees.

The list of 2010 inductees includes Canadian Football Hall of Famer William Thomas “Tommy” Hinton, LSU and Baltimore Colts defensive tackle Fred Miller and Louisiana Tech and NBA basketball coach Robert “Scotty” Robertson. Ruston High School football coach L.J. "Hoss" Garrett and motorcycle drag racing great Richard Nallin will be inducted posthumously.
Receiving a special lifetime achievement award for his contribution to sports is renowned orthopedic surgeon William S. Bundrick, Sr., M.D., of the Bone & Joint Clinic in Bossier City, La.

The museum will be open at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 7 for a reception followed by the banquet at 7 p.m. Individual and group tickets can be purchased for the event by contacting Dr. George Bakowski at (318) 221-8445.

Forced to close its doors in 2002, the Sports Museum of Champions reopened in 2007 in its current home, the lobby of the Shreveport Convention Center. At that time, the museum’s name changed to the Ark-La-Tex Sports Museum of Champions and the selection area expanded to include more athletes from the Ark-La-Tex region.
For more information, contact Charlie Cavell at (318) 746-3069 or (318) 423-3996.

The arrival of warmer weather has many families planning family reunions. The below are some upcoming reunions for June and July.

Jamison, Brown, Sparks Family Reunion
“Remembering the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Embracing the Future.”
The reunion will be held June 17-20. Registration takes place June 17 at the Bossier Parish Historical Center in the Meeting Room. For more information on the reunion, call Loretta Wiley at 318.949.2216.

Barnes Family Reunion
The reunion will be held July 2-4. Registration is 6-10 p.m., July 2, and 7 p.m.-midnight, July 3, at the Holiday Inn-West, Shreveport. This reunion will have a driving tour of downtown Shreveport with a convoy of vehicles displaying the family reunion flag. For more information, call Evelyn B. Dawson at 318.631.4556 or 318.617.3328.

Willis Family Reunion
The reunion will be held July 8-11. Registration is 7 p.m., July 8, at the Courtyard by Marriott. Events include “A Day at the Races” at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs and the Willis family Banquet at Boomtown Casino and Hotel. For more information on the event, contact Georgia A. Hicks at 318.635.6440, 318.393.4510, or ghicks7@gmail.com.

Lilly-Sweet Family Reunion
The reunion will be held July 8-11. Pre-registration is 6-8 p.m., July 8, and registration is 9 a.m.-4 p.m., July 9 at Holiday Inn-Downtown, Shreveport. Events for the reunion include a talent show and a 70’s themed dance. For more information, call Donna Young at 318.655.6382.

Presley Family Reunion
The reunion will be held July 16-18. Registration is 7 p.m., July 16, at the Holiday Inn-West, Shreveport. The reunion will have a family banquet. For more information, call Inez W. Clark at 318.687.4326.

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A year ago Kris Allen was a struggling musician living in Conway, Ark. Today he is signed to a major record label with his first album about to be released. His collaborators include members of The Fray, Train, The Script and Switchfoot as well as musicians who have written and produced for Maroon 5, Natasha Bedingfield, Fergie, Beyoncé, James Morrison, Duffy, Lily Allen, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Carolina Liar, the Veronicas, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent. That’s the way things are these days for Kris Allen, winner of the eighth season of “American Idol.”

It’s been an incredible journey for the 24-year-old who came very close to giving up on having a music career. “I was going to return to college and get a decent job so my wife and I could have a comfortable life together, which would have been fine,” Allen said. “But things worked out a different way, and I’m really happy!”

Allen has just put the finishing touches on his debut album (simply called “Kris Allen”) for 19 Recordings/Jive, which is set for release on November 17. Fans can already get a taste of the record’s pop-rock sound with his strong first single, “Live Like We’re Dying.”

On June 9, Kris Allen will bring his talent to the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. Prices are $18-28 and can be purchased at all TicketMaster locations, via phone 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

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The Gardens of the American Rose Center will host a Green Thumb Seminar with Carolyn Hayward at 10 a.m., June 12, in the Klima Rose Hall, the American Rose Society Education & Visitor Center. Hayward will be discussing “Landscaping with Roses.” The seminar is free and open to the public and all attendees will receive a complimentary copy of American Rose magazine. Hayward is a Consulting Rosarian for the American Rose Society.

Green Thumb Seminars are held each month at the Gardens of the American Rose Center and feature a new gardening topic and speaker. The center is the home of the American Rose Society, created in 1974 through the contributions of rose lovers around the world. The 118-acre park contains more than 65 individual gardens with each bed and planting specially designed to demonstrate ways roses can be grown in the average home garden. It is conveniently located just off of I-20, Exit 5, in Shreveport.

Attendees are invited to tour the gardens after the event. General admission is $5.50, $4.50 for seniors 65+. For more information, please call (318) 938-5534.

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