Shreveport

Welcome newbies

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Check out those newbies

Check out those newbies

Welcome new members of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce. As you might know, I am a big advocate of the Bossier Chamber. It is my best source for networking and being active in our community. If you are a business owner in Bossier Parish or Shreveport, I really encourage you to join, get involved and participate in the Bossier Chamber. Tell them I sent you!

Katie, Ginger & Robin

Holiday Lanes was the new member orientation sponsor and I was excited to talk with the newbies on the block.

President of the Bossier Chamber, Lisa Johnson

I invite you to the TLA (The Last Appointment) After Hours Event being held tomorrow, June 25, 2015 from 5-7 pm at the Hampton Inn/Towne Place Suites at 1005 Gould Drive in Bossier City. Come on out and do some networking.

Follow the Bossier Chamber:

That just happened.

Robin Williams,

Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes

To Market I Did Not Go

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market_bagDDHow many times have you said you were going to the Farmer’s Market to purchase locally grown fresh foods and then forgot? Yeah, for me, too many times. Well I’ve got a great suggestion for those of you in the Shreveport-Bossier area. Delta Delivered. This is an awesome service that delivers local and organic meals and groceries. lemon cucumberToday, to market I did not go, but I received my first Market Bag full of fresh fruits and veggies. It came just in time to use for dinner. I already had a pork roast in the oven and was trying to decide what to add to the meal. Inside the bag I found lettuce, peppers, a variety of tomatoes, corn, eggplant, zucchini, squash, blue berries, peaches, an onion, and one item that I’ve never seen before. My friend Jada also received a bag and she flushed out the question on social media. We now believe it is a lemon cucumber.

saladFrom the bag, I was able to add a nice garden salad to my pork roast dinner, along with lovely sautéed zucchini. It was almost as if someone went to a garden, picked the veggies and dropped them off to my door. Actually, I think that is exactly what happened.

zuchinniDelta Delivered sells and delivers fruits, veggies, berries, meats, coffee, prepared meals, soaps and flowers right to your door. They source locally from the following vendors:

We are all busy with family, work, fun and play. This is a convenient service that helps balance your time and interest in eating healthy and fresh local products.

Want more information about Delta Delivered? Check them out:

That just happened.
Robin Williams,
Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes

Disclaimer: I received products for review in exchange for writing this blog, although all opinions are my own.

It really takes a community

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People tell me every day that I seem to have such a fun life and then they ask how I know what’s going on in the Shreveport-Bossier community. Most of the time, I rattle off how I heard about particular events. One of the things that annoys me most is when people say that there is nothing to do in our locale. It is so NOT true. Sometimes my calendar has so many events that I have to cull my choices. I thought it might be fun to make a list of the people and organizations who contribute community event information to my life each day.

BCC new logoBossier Chamber of Commerce – I have been a diplomat for the Bossier Chamber for 5 years. This year I decided to take some time off in an official capacity, but I still make an effort to be at the events. The Bossier Chamber is probably my best resource for networking. I find the info to attend on their website calendars:

facebookFacebook Events – I hear people say they hate getting all of the event invites on Facebook. Not me! I rejoice in them, because behind each one is a person that created the event with hopes for even one “going” response. This is my main resource for finding out information about events in our community. Of course, from time to time, there are events that I’m not interested in attending, but I still look at them and value them as a contribution of knowledge in my life. I link my Facebook events with my iCal and Google calendars so that I don’t miss an opportunity. ALSO, I invite people to those events and share, share, share!

IMG_9723Jada Durden – Recently Jada was named my true soul mate by Captain Quizz, so you know it must be true. Jada has a very similar vision as mine and has made a huge impact in contributing to my life. She is in the know when it comes to the events, restaurants and attractions that are appealing. Jada writes the Loving This Life blog and has been honored by Louisiana Travel as a top 11 blogs to follow in Louisiana. She also writes for the Shreveport Times, has her own videographer and more plans in the works for sharing.  Her contribution is enormous and you should be following her every move.

IMG_7664Chris Jay and Sara Hebert – This dynamic duo = THE cool kids in town. Chris knows lots, and even more about food. Sara is who I strive to be, even though I’m sure she is 20 years younger. I follow both on social media just to pick up any nuggets they might be chucking, especially the events that they share. They know about music, food, events and even weird stuff that you didn’t think you needed to know. I’ll let you figure out those on your own. Oh, and they dress really cool. I want to rip off their style, yet I’m afraid I’m too old to pull it off. Together Sara and Chris produce the All Y’all Blog, Live Storytelling Events and Podcasts. Sara is the marketing genius at Moonbot Studios and Chris is the extra hard working Public Relations and Social Media Manager for the Shreveport- Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau and writes the 20×49 Blog (listed next).  I hear that Chris writes for six magazines. Ask him about it.

19120_10153133965946328_887482314413511101_nShreveport- Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau (SBCTB) – I serve on the Attractions Association Board with the SBCTB and get lots of info just by hanging around those folks. On days when I can’t think of anything to do, I check out the SB Fun Guide and 20×49 blog:

1507837_10201883458861266_1240861387_nRobert Trudeau – Robert is one of those people who you just want to stand close to in hopes that his creativity will waft over to you. If I’m looking for info about music, art, or community, Robert is the one I look to. Robert is the editor of the Shreveport Blog and I look to him for my cultural arts fill. His wife Talbot is a fabulous artist and they make a great team.

Shreveport Chamber of Commerce – As with the Bossier Chamber, the Shreveport Chamber has many opportunities to connect with others in our community.

These are just a few of the info powerhouses that I look to for my pulse on the community. I wanted to add paragraphs to acknowledge the likes of:

but we would be here for quite a while. It really takes a community to know your community. I guess what I’m saying is . . . get to know those who know.

That just happened.
Robin Williams,
Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes

Happy Blogday to Jada

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Congrats to Jada Durden on the first anniversary of her “Loving This Life” blog. I was so excited to share in her celebration at Ernest’s Orleans Restaurant. I aspire to be in the same blogosphere realm as Jada one day.   

    Follow Jada:

Jada Durden:   Facebook   |   Website   | Twitter

That just happened,

Robin Williams,

Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes

Summer is here at Mall St. Vincent

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Summer has arrived and Mall St. Vincent is bringing fun and fresh food to the Shreveport-Bossier area. Every Friday (May 15 – July 24) from 5pm to 9pm, located in the parking lot near Fairfield Avenue Entrance. Featuring live music, fresh organic produce, artisan crafted items, homemade food products and more.

That just happened.

Robin Williams,

Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes

How fun are these carrots?

Love our awesome beach bag find

Fresh fruit and veggies!

Gifts are a SNAP at Enchanted Gardens

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Without spoiling the surprise, I won’t tell you the name of the person for which I was looking for a gift. I’ll just say I stopped by Enchanted Garden in Shreveport with no idea of what I wanted to buy. That Deb Cockrell is one savvy lady. Deb owns Enchanted Garden and is one of the sweetest southern ladies you’d want to meet. She asked me a few questions and in a snap had a suggestion – Gingersnap Jewelery. Apparently this is the new rage with the gals and I’m too old or not cool enough to know.

Ginger Snaps are interchangeable and fun charms that you snap in and out of a variety of jewelry and accessories. They have bracelets, necklaces, rings, shoes, purses and probably more that I didn’t see. There is a limited selection of collegiate snaps for those who want to sport their favorite team. The best part about Gingersnaps is that they are so affordable.

While I was in the store, there were at least three people who came in just for Gingersnaps. So you better head on over and get yours! 

Gifts are a snap at Enchanted Garden, so shop local and keep up online with them:

That just happened (check out pics below),

Robin Williams,

Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes

 

Laney takes flight at Holiday Lanes

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pelicanlaneyI’m so excited about the new Laney’s Kid’s Club (LKC) at Holiday Lanes! Why? Because it’s all new AND it’s our own. For the past few years, we have been affiliated with a national program for our summer free bowling. Don’t get me wrong, the program was great and exposed lots of kids to bowling. It’s just that we didn’t have much control over what we were saying or promoting with the program. We wanted to offer something BIGGER & BETTER to our bowlers and that’s where Laney’s Kid’s Club comes in. LKC is a FREE year-round membership for kids 18 & younger that offers 2 free games bowling every day from May 1 – September 30. Not only is this great for the pocketbook, it’s a fun and fit way to keep kids active. ALSO . . . there is a family pass, a shoe pass and a school employee pass offer that extends the value and gives the rest of the family a chance to bowl with the kids.

One of the first sketches of Pelican Laney by Laurie (done on a train bound for Willie Nelson concert)

One of the first sketches of Pelican Laney by Laurie (done on a train bound for Willie Nelson concert)

I love the fact that I work in a job that allows me such creativity and fun. About a month ago, I was just about to sign up with the national program when my boss called and said that we were going to create our own program. I was fortunate that she is connected with other bowling proprietors around the country. My friend and marketing colleague, Rocky from Mel’s Lonestar Lanes, had made a switch last year and designed a program that was working. So I loaded up and headed to Georgetown, TX to pick Rocky’s brain. laney_bowlingLet me tell you, Rocky’s got it going on. After my two day visit with her, I was ready to take on the world. A month wasn’t a lot of time to design web sign ups, email marketing and overall promotions, but projects like this get me on a roll. The next thing I did was call an artist friend of mine, Laurie Jarecki, to design our mascot. Laurie was on a train bound for Austin to see Willie Nelson, but within a few minutes on her sketch pad, Pelican Laney was born. After several proofs, Laurie cranked out the final draft of Laney.  That’s when Laney took flight at Holiday Lanes.

So here are the details:

signupSign up kids online to become Laney’s Kid’s Club members. As a Laney’s Kid’s Club member, you’ll receive the following just for signing up:

  • 2 FREE Bowling games every day May 1 – Sept 30, 2015. (Awesome Approx Value $1530 per person)
  • Coupons emailed each Saturday
  • Exclusive Event Access all year long
  • A fun and fit activity – BOWLING is healthy!
  • LKC members who book their birthday party at Holiday Lanes will receive a free Laney t-shirt for the birthday child.
  • Opportunity to extend value by purchasing a family pass for up to 4 other adults in the household
  • $20 Shoe passes available to cover the entire 5 months of shoe rental with your bowling
  • & More to come!

ATTENTION TEACHERS: As a way of thanking teachers and school employees for sharing info about Laney’s Kid’s Club with students, Holiday Lanes is extending a FUN & FIT summer of bowling with 2 FREE games for teachers and school employees too. It’s free to sign up for a Teacher and School Employee pass

Bowling builds community. It’s a fit activity (burns lots of calories!) and so much fun. Laughter is guaranteed when you bowl. Our intentions with Laney’s Kid’s Club is to expose as many children to the sport of bowling as a healthy life choice. Holiday Lanes is a great smoke-free environment for adults and kids to play.

Make sure you are following Holiday Lanes to keep up with all the fun and fit stuff going on:

That just happened,

Robin Williams,

Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes

Bugs and Beer

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 Have you heard about Slow Food North Louisiana? Slow Food North Louisiana, which was founded in 2007 in Shreveport, is a chapter of Slow Food USA, and shares the mission to ensure good, clean and fair food for all. I have been fortunate to be a part of the Slow Food activities because of my job with Holiday Lanes. In an effort to continually improve the quality of food that we serve, Holiday Lanes became a corporate sponsor of Slow Food North Louisiana this year. We did so in order to keep our finger on the pulse of the Slow Food mission.

Slow Food is about real food. It’s about connecting the planet to the plate. It’s about celebrating the bounty of this planet through shared meals. And making sure we can continue to do this for generations to come. Today, I attended the Slow Food North Louisiana’s 4th annual crawfish boil. The event partnered with local Great Raft Brewing for an awesome bugs and beer event. I’m a big fan of “All you can eat crawfish” and today was no exception. The bugs and beer were flowing to the awesome music by Twang Darkly. 

Angie White, HBIC

Angie White, chairwoman of Slow Food NLA, is passionate about sharing the message of encouraging people to eat real food. She says that SFNLA is the opposite of fast food . . . Real food. Memberships are available and she wants you to join!

Make sure you go check out these links:

That just happened,

Robin Williams,

Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes

 

Lindsay says hi

  

Twang Darkly

    



Bugs and Beer



My daughter, Laura, and me

  

I have Jada privileges

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I have Jada privileges. And by “Jada Privileges”, I mean I get to do all the fun stuff when Jada Durden calls. If you don’t know Jada, I’m afraid you are just not a cool kid.

To describe Jada as a blogger would be a disservice. Jada is a blogger, but more importantly she is a connecter of people. She is on a mission (like me) to dispel the idea that there is nothing to do in Shreveport-Bossier City. Jada was tired of hearing it and decided to start making a list of things to do in the community.  Her blog “Lovin’ This Life” sparked. From there, the Shreveport Times asked her to publish that list in the ACE entertainment section. History! Recently Jada’s blog was listed as a blog to follow on the Travel Louisiana website, which shares information about travel and tourism in the state of Louisiana. This is huge!  As a person who has tried to make the same impact, I am so honored to know that Jada is “doing it” with “Lovin’ this Life“. 

Loving This Life! has partnered with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau to provide one lucky winner a fantastic Staycation adventure in Shreveport-Bossier City. Be sure to check out and sign up for Jada’s “Loving This City-Giveaway” contest. Contest ends today.

Today, Jada was being interviewed by Clay Ostarly at KSLA about the influence her blog is having on our community. She asked a few of her friends to come out and support her. This is where I felt the “Jada Privilege”.  I feel like a cool kid when I get to be a part of her group. 

I’m really glad that Jada is sharing the love of our community and our state. Keep it up Jada! 

Follow Jada:

Jada Durden:   Facebook   |   Website  | Twitter

That just happened,

Robin Williams,

Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes

LokSafe on the move

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loksafefrontFor over 20 years, LokSafe Services, and Door Hardware, Inc. has provided the largest, most trusted, professional locksmith in Shreveport-Bossier at their location on Grimmett Drive. Today they celebrated their move to 933 Grimmett Drive with a ribbon cutting, along with their neighbors Richardson Auto Glass. Their new location will allow them to continue providing the great service they have been giving and allow for growth.

loksafedoorlocksI’ve been honored to serve in the past with Katie Queen as a diplomat for the Bossier Chamber of Commerce. Katie is part of the family who owns and operates LokSafe. Katie has been an inspiring community representative for LokSafe and I was glad to show up today for the Grand Opening of their new location.

LokSafe was founded in 1992 and was recognized as the Top Business of the Year by the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce in 2013. They have seven licensed and insured locksmiths on staff with one master locksmith and three certified registered locksmiths. They have six fully equipped service trucks ready for immediate response. Commercial and residential lock services are available.

loksafewallOn the commercial side, they can handle all door and lock work in any kind of business, from keying locks and installing doors, to full-site security inspections. On the residential side, Loksafe can do everything from rekeying current locks to performing free home security inspections. They can also provide high security locks, cameras, or keyless electronic
locks for home and businesses.

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If you are looking to be the owner of a new AMSEC gun safe valued $1500, all you have to do is crack the code. They will give you a few numbers to the combination, you guess the rest. Open it and its YOURS! I tried, I failed, maybe you will be the lucky one. Stop by their store and give it a try.

Congrats to LokSafe Services, Inc on your move!

Follow them:

That just happened,

Robin Williams,

Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes

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