Rock the Red in Alexandria

Summer Genealogy and History Camp

Monday, July 19, to Friday, July 23, 2010
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Alexandria Genealogical Library
503 Washington Street, Alexandria, Louisiana
318-487-8556

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Camp is open to boys and girls who have completed 6th grade to 15 years. Camp is limited to 15 campers. Camp fee of $10.00 must accompany Registration Form (call museum for form).

This Summer Camp is sponsored by the Alexandria Genealogical Library, the Alexandria Historical Museum and the Central Louisiana Genealogical Society.

Purpose of the Camp is to acquaint the participants with proper genealogical and historical research. Campers will fill out family group sheets for themselves, their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. Proper documentation of these sources will be discussed.

Campers will be given instruction on the use of computers in genealogical research and the role that the Internet plays.

Campers will need a three (3) ring notebook/binder for their information. Handouts will be given out to be placed in this notebook/binder. Campers will be acquainted with records found in parish/county courthouses. Campers will tour the Alexandria Historical Museum.

Louisiana History Museum, 503 Washington Street, Alexandria, Louisiana 71301
Dale Genius, Director & Curator, 318-487-8556
Web sites:
www.louisianahistorymuseum.org

See How They Run presented by Lagniappe Theatre Company

You DO NOT want to miss this comedy featuring professional actors from all over the country and also some amazing local talent mixed in!

So swift is the action, so chaotic the situations, so rib tickling the plot in this Comedy Smash that at its finish you're left as exhausted from laughter as though you've run a foot race. Galloping in and out of four doors of an English parsonage are an American actor and actress, a boy-crazed maid, an old church lady lurking around every corner, while four men dressed as ministers try to hide their true identities. Russian Spies, Mistaken Identity, and Loads of Laughs. It's like I Love Lucy on steroids! Great for the whole family! Don't miss the laughter!

You'll pay for the whole seat, but you'll only need the edge!!

WHERE: Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center,
1202 Third St., Alexandria, Louisiana

WHEN: Thursday July 15 at 7 p.m., Friday July 16 at p.m.,
Saturday July 17 at p.m., Sunday July 18 at 2:30 p.m.

HOW MUCH:
$15 adults, $12 for children 12 & under/Seniors 55 & up,
$10 for groups of 10 or more.

For tickets call 318-48-STAGE or purchase them at Cenla Broadcasting
at 1115 Texas Ave.

Lagniappe Theatre, PO Box 14015,
Alexandria, Louisiana

From: Lagniappe Theatre

Celebration on the Cane set for July 4

There will be fun for the entire family at Celebration on the Cane, Natchitoches’ Fourth of July celebration.

Enjoy a free live concert on Sunday, July 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Fleur de Lis Stage. Rivers Revue, led by Hardrick Rivers, is a four-piece band specializing in a variety of jazz, rhythm and blues, zydeco and folk music.

The highlight of the evening will be a fireworks show over Cane River Lake that will take place at approximately 9:30 p.m. The downtown bridge will also illuminate with patriotic lights and patriotic music will play for all in attendance.

Many retail shops and restaurants located within the National Historic Landmark District will also be open for business on July 4. Visitors can also take a horse and carriage tour of the downtown area and visit other local attractions including the Fort St. Jean Baptist State Historic Site and the Natchitoches Alligator Park.

For more information about Celebration on the Cane, please call the Natchitoches Main Street at (866) 941-6246 or the Natchitoches Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 259-1714.

From: Natchitoches Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) announces that beginning at 11:30 pm on Tuesday July 6, 2010, the bridge over the Red River on LA 6 (Grand Ecore Bridge) will be completely closed until 4:30 am on Wednesday July 7, 2010. The Grand Ecore Bridge is located over the Red River on LA 6 approximately 0.35 miles west of its junction with LA 486.

The intent of this closure is to allow the contractor to set deformed reinforcing steel on the bridge structure. During this closure, detour signs will be in place which will direct traffic to the next closest bridge crossing of the Red River in Coushatta.

For more information on upcoming night closures and general project updates, the public can call (318) 793-4445 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, the public can view project information and updates at the following web address: http://www.dotd.la.gov/administration/public_info/projects/GrandEcoreBridge/

Any questions regarding this information should be directed to the project engineer who is administering this contract for the LA DOTD, Mr. Michael DeSelle, at 7900 Hwy 1 Bypass in Natchitoches, LA or 318-357-3158.

Blueberry Bake-off at the Cane River Green Market

The Cane River Green Market will host a blueberry bake-off Saturday, July 3 on the downtown riverbank.

To celebrate blueberry season, vendors, customers or anyone interested can show off their baking skills by entering their favorite blueberry dish in the Cane River Green Market blueberry bake-off.

All baked goods must be at the Cane River Green Market tent by 10 a.m. The first-place winner will be announced at 10:30 a.m. and an assorted baking gift basket will be awarded.

Blueberries are at their peak during the month of June in Louisiana. These little blue treats make a great snack and not only are they good, but they are good for you too. Blueberries are a great source of vitamin C, manganese and dietary fiber.

Blueberries are currently available at the Green Market each Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon on the downtown riverbank.

So come out to the Green Market, get your blueberries and show off your blueberry baking skills! For more information, please contact Leslie Smith at 352-CRGM.

By: Leslie Smith, Main Street Manager, City of Natchitoches

Cane River Green market will continue May 22

Variety of children’s activities to be held on Saturday

Cane River Green Market, Natchitoches’ local farmers market, will continue its 2010 season on Saturday, May 22 from 8 a.m. to noon on the downtown riverbank.

Besides fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs and plants, customers can choose from a selection of “value-added products” including farm fresh eggs, homemade breads, jams, jellies, pickles and much more. Craft vendors have handmade items such as woodwork, furniture, jewelry, bird houses and feeders, one of a kind art work and soaps.

This Saturday, customers can find beans, cucumbers, squash, green tomatoes, onions, cabbage, potatoes, goat cheese, honey, smoked boudain, tamales, smoked crab dip and so much more. Market patrons can also enjoy free coffee and “Louisiana Cooking” magazines while supplies last.

This Saturday children and families will be entertained with a variety of activities including live music by children’s artists Monty and Marsha Brown from 10 a.m. until noon. The Browns have written many songs together, including "Would You Fly?" and "Cajun Christmas" used in the movie Steel Magnolias.

Sci-Port Science Center will also be onsite presenting “Stufee’s Lunchbox” at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. During this interactive educational program kids will discover where there food goes after eating and how it is processed by their body. There will also be education information regarding the food pyramid and healthy foods.

There are still openings for the Breakfast with the Chef for Kids-Green Eggs and Ham. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 352-2746.

The Green Market will be open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon until July 31 and a complete schedule of events can be found at www.canerivergreenmarket.com.

All activities of the Cane River Green Market are free and open to the public. For more information, please call 352-CRGM.

By: Leslie Smith, Main Street Manager, City of Natchitoches

Forest service and Kent House to host "Kent House Bug Day"

The USDA Forest Service and Kent Plantation House invite children of all ages (and their parents) to attend the third annual “Kent House Bug Day” from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 8. The event will take place at the Kent House, 3601 Bayou Rapides Road in Alexandria. “Kent House Bug Day” is free and open to the public.

“For the third consecutive year, we’re partnering with the Kent Plantation House to offer kids the opportunity to have fun while learning about the beneficial role insects play in maintaining Earth’s ecological health,” said Doug Streett, project leader for the Southern Research Station’s insect research unit in Pineville, La. “We have an exciting line-up of activities for kids to enjoy as they explore the world of insects and see first-hand the benefits and challenges bugs bring to our lives.”

After entering the event, children will be given a “Bug Passport.” Children who get their passports stamped at all eight “bug stations” will receive a special gift. The stations are:

• Louisiana Insects: See mosquitoes, fire ants and termites, and learn fascinating facts about these pesky pests;
• Insectivores: See a hedge hog, bearded dragon, toad, bullfrog and salamander – some of which may eat live insects;
• Night Insects : Visit a dark room with night insect sounds, place your hand inside mystery boxes and guess contents, and view live cave cockroaches with flashlight;
• Beneficial vs. Pest: Hold live Bess beetles, see insects up close and personal, learn how insects help or harm humans;
• Honey Bees: Learn about honey bees, hold honeycombs and taste different kinds of honey;
• Pet Bug: Make your very own bug home and take home a live insect, learn how to care for your bug and how to catch/trap additional insects;
• Ant Trail: Pretend you’re a leaf-cutting ant and carry a leaf through an obstacle course to reach your nest; and
• Bug Food: Create ants on a log, pretzel butterflies and other delicious snacks. There will also be a photograph opportunity to have pictures taken with live Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches.

For more information about “Kent House Bug Day,” call the Kent House at 318-487-5998 or the Southern Research Station at 318-473-7242.

The Kent Plantation House is one of the oldest standing structures in the state of Louisiana. Kent House offers tours and special events to visitors who want to see the homestead and working plantation of a successful Creole family typical of 18th Century Louisiana.

Learn more about the Southern Research Station’s Insects, Diseases, and Invasive Plants of Southern Forests research unit, based in Pineville, La., online at: www.srs.fs.usda.gov

BY: Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

Louisiana Resort Unveils Six-Mile Mountain Bike/Hike Trail

Cypress Bend Resort, set on 600 acres along the shores of Toledo Bend Reservoir in northwest Louisiana, will celebrate the grand opening of its new mountain bike and hike trail on Sunday, May 23.

Appropriate for most skill levels, the new trail is designed with elevation changes up to 190 feet and features five possible loop distances ranging from one to six miles. Moreover, several loops can be combined to create longer distances. Winding through tight and open-forest sections, the trail also runs along Toledo Bend Reservoir providing great views with every turn. Hikers are welcome to enjoy the trail but must yield to riders.

Resort guests have free access to the trail while non-resort guests pay $10 per day. Or, for $20 per day, non-guests can access the resort’s fitness center, indoor/outdoor pool, sauna and showers.

As part of the grand opening, Cypress Bend Resort is hosting a free Fast Lap Challenge event for mountain bike enthusiasts to officially establish the fastest lap time.

Starting at 12 noon, the Fast Lap Challenge will allow mountain bike enthusiasts to race the clock along six miles of grueling climbs, wicked downhills and a diverse mix of land characteristics and elevation.

Participants must register for the Fast Lap Challenge by May 16, 2010 at www.cypressbend.com/trails. Bikes and helmets will not be provided.

These new mountain bike and hike trails complement the resort’s existing amenities including 18-holes of world-class golf (the course is part of Louisiana’s famed Audubon Golf Trail), guided fishing excursions, a full-service day spa and indoor/outdoor pool.

For reservations, call 877-519-1500 or visit www.cypressbend.com.

About Cypress Bend Resort

Located 73 miles south of Shreveport in Many, Louisiana, Cypress Bend Golf Resort is an intimate, full-service resort nestled in a forest of oak and pine trees on the shores of Toledo Bend Lake. Features include 18-holes of on-property, championship golf; a full service spa and fitness center; heated indoor/outdoor pool; and a restaurant and bar.

Cypress Bend’s 95 guestrooms and suites include a large desk with data ports, an ergonomic chair and complimentary high-speed Internet service. The resort also offers fourteen spacious Golf Suite condominiums overlooking the driving range with 1,250 square feet of pure luxury. Each Golf Suite contains a fully equipped kitchen, fireplace and whirlpool tub.

Photo Credit and Submitted by: Cypress Bend Resort

The Public is invited to attend rose show and educational seminars

The American Rose Society's 2010 Spring National Convention

The American Rose Society Spring 2010 National Convention & National Rose Show will take place in Shreveport, Louisiana, April 29-May 2. The public is invited to attend the Rose Show, a display of hundreds of spectacular blooms, on Saturday, May 1 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Shreveport Convention Center. The National Rose Show is a free event.

The public is also invited to attend various educational seminars on how to grow great roses from the ground up, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 1. Topics include: “Soil… the lowdown on Dirt!”; “New Notions of Good Fertilizing Practices”; “Integrated Pest Management, including Chilli Thrips”; “Landscape Design and Healthy Roses, the Earth-Kind Way”; “Companion Planting in the Rose Garden” and “From the Ground the Vase: Arranging your Roses.” It is $10.00 to attend any or all educational seminars.

NATIONAL ROSE SHOW FAST FACTS:
WHAT: American Rose Society, 2010 Spring National Convention, National Rose Show
WHEN: Saturday, May 1, 2010, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m., Ballroom B
WHERE: Shreveport Convention Center, 400 Caddo Street, Downtown Shreveport, LA

EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS FAST FACTS:
WHAT: American Rose Society, 2010 Spring National Convention, Educational Seminars
WHEN: Saturday, May 1, 2010, Red River Board Room
WHERE: Shreveport Convention Center, 400 Caddo Street, Downtown Shreveport, LA
TIMES:
10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. “Soil… the lowdown on Dirt!”
11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. “New Notions of Good Fertilizing Practices”
1:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. “Integrated Pest Management, including Chilli Thrips”
2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. “Landscape Design and Healthy Roses, the Earth-Kind Way”
3:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. “Companion Planting in the Rose Garden”
4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. “From the Ground the Vase: Arranging your Roses”

By: Maria Scott, Director of Communications,