A brand new day for Louisiana

There has been an idea brewing in my head for months now, I can't seem to shake it, so I'm going to go for it. One of the goals of this blog is to promote and bring attention to the great things that Louisiana has to offer. I focus on North Louisiana because this is where I grew up. This is what I know. This is my backyard. I am not an expert on Louisiana but I am passionate about this state and the culture. There are so many things to do and see. To visit Louisiana is to experience a people and a culture that is very diverse. The natives of Louisiana know how to live and experience life. There's a deep connection to the land, the outdoors, the arts, music, food, friends and family. The people of Louisiana are proud of their heritage and their history. This culture is what makes Louisiana unique. The food is influenced by so many cultures from around the world. To travel to Louisiana one must experience the food and flavors, the sounds and vibes, the arts and music, the products and people. Louisiana is not just a destination, it is an experience.

In the beginning, this was just a way to promote the people, places, products and events of North Louisiana; now it has become a journey. The very way of life in Louisiana is being threatened. For generations this state has relied upon tourism and industry to survive. There are very good people who work to make these jobs happen. Now, their very existence is threatened. My attention is still going to be focused on North Louisiana but I will not neglect the rest of the state. I will support my local seafood industry as I have since the beginning. I will support the entire state and their products and I implore you to do the same.

My family and I have supported local products for many years. When we have a choice we buy local, Louisiana-made products. We support great LOCAL Louisiana restaurants. We purchase great Louisiana food from many different people. You would be amazed at the many products that are available that are made right here in this great state!

This journey is not ours alone, there are many who have taken it before us and many who will continue it long after we are gone but my goal now is to take it up a notch. I plan on still promoting Louisiana events, businesses, travel destinations and products but I also want to give you an inside look into things that make this state great. If you are from Louisiana I hope that you will email me and share your ideas and comments. If you know of a business or place that I should feature, please let me know. Like I said before, I'm not an expert on Louisiana but I am passionate. I'd love to hear from you.

When I was growing up, I did not realize what a special place Louisiana was. I took for granted the pine trees, lakes and outdoor activities. I took for granted the friendly people and the great food. Now that I'm older I appreciate these things and I am thankful that this is where I call home. I have fond memories going to Toledo Bend with my grandparents. I have fond memories of playing outside. I have fond memories of traveling the great state to visit relatives. These memories are what keep me grounded and give me a sense of belonging. The past ten years I have had the opportunity to travel extensively in North Louisiana and explore the area with my family. We've hiked Mt. Driskill (Louisiana's highest elevation), visited Bonnie & Clyde Trade Days, enjoyed fishing and playing at Toledo Bend, visited Grand Bayou and Nichols in Coushatta, walked through historic Natchitoches front street, eaten at many, many great restaurants, visited alligator farms and the Alexandria Zoo.

If you haven't had the pleasure of exploring your own backyard, then please make plans today to explore the back roads of Louisiana. Stop at some local restaurants, shop at local stores, meet some new people and make some new friends. Enjoy one of the many festivals that celebrate our heritage. Our state needs help right now. We desperately need people to come visit and explore. We need locals to shop locally and keep their money here. This is a plea to think before you go out to eat, try some of the great local establishments. Shop at your local stores and look for locally produced products. Support our local economy. In the end everyone will benefit!

Thanks for reading and please email me if you have any suggestions! I look forward to sharing my journey with you and I would love to hear what you are doing and finding in this great state!!

July events in Monroe

The Monroe Jaycees present
CenturyLink Independence Day Celebration
Activities from 2 pm to 9 pm
Fireworks 9 pm

Forsythe Park
Free Admission

****

WMMX Independence Day Celebration
July 3 & 4 · 3 pm
West Monroe Motocross


Don't miss a weekend filled with racing, BBQ, live music,
children's activities and a fireworks show!

****

Lunch at the Children's Museum
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Noon
NELA Children's Museum

Enjoy "Tales and Tunes" every Friday in July with the
infamous storyteller Mrs. Moran! Be sure and
bring a sack lunch. Admission is $5.
www.nelcm.org · (318) 361-9611

From: www.monroe-westmonroe.org

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