Congrats to Barney’s Police Supply on their Bossier Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting.
Barney’s Police Supply is located at 1701 Old Minden Rd #25, Bossier City, LA 71111. (318) 584-7093
Follow them
That Just Happened,
Robin Williams
Marketing Maven, Holiday Lanes
It is so easy to get caught up in our worries and feel like nothing is good in life. I’ve been feeling a bit down lately and it can be consuming. Today I was reminded that while my worries may be valid, there is always someone out there who has things a little (and a lot) worse. My friend, Candace invited me to tour HOPE for the Homeless, a.k.a. HOPE Connections Drop-In-Center, which is a collaboration of organizations and individuals dedicated to ending homelessness in Northwest Louisiana. Candace is a member of the board for the Volunteers of America North Louisiana (VOA) and she wanted to share how they are partnering with other agencies to provide hope in our community.
The Vision of HOPE for the Homeless is that no individual or family has to experience homelessness in Northwest Louisiana.
I really had no idea what to expect. What I found was so touching. The Drop-In-Center is truly a place of collaboration from over 60 agencies that work together to provide a safe resting place and resource center for the homeless.
What I understand about the challenges of being homeless and trying to obtain help is that navigating the system can be daunting, partly due to the travel distance between agencies. This Center provides shower facilities, laundry facilities, telephones, computers, mail receipt, medical services, and job opportunities. It is run by certified Peer Support Specialists that steer clients towards services that will help them obtain and maintain permanent housing.
What touched me most was hearing from Tony. Tony is a homeless veteran who landed in Shreveport after some set-backs in life. Tony, was resistant to accepting help because he has a dog, Obi Wan Kenobi (a three-legged sweetie). Tony had been offered help from other agencies, but with stipulations that he had to get rid of Obi. This was not an idea open for discussion with Tony. As an animal lover, I understand not wanting to give up the companionship. When the case worker from HOPE for the Homeless assured Tony that they would find a way to help them both and then followed through on that assurance, a trust relationship was formed. Because of the collaborations of several agencies, hope was given to Tony in a way that has allowed for a transition into a safer living situation. It has also given Tony a way to contribute back to the community.
HOPE Connections is located at 2350 Levy Street in Shreveport, LA. I hope you will consider taking a tour of this facility, or one of other VOA tours available. The collaborative efforts being made in our community are outstanding. Upcoming tours dates are as follows:
Want more information about Hope for the Homeless or VOA?
There is hope in collaboration! I’m proud to live in an area where there are people that are working to improve the lives of everyone in the community.
That Just Happened!!
Robin Williams
Marketing Maven, Holiday Lanes
* Source: http://nwlahope.org/ and site visit
Four slow-food minded cocktail crafters competed at Drink The Harvest: A Craft Cocktail Competition event sponsored by Slow Food North Louisiana in hopes of walking away with the big win.
The New Levee Serenaders set the mood for the dancing couples
The event was held at Sainte Terre, a spectacularly gorgeous event venue in Benton, LA. A tasting menu by Chef Holly Moore Schreiber was paired with each cocktail.
Competitor: Albert Eiffes, serving his Shrossierac
Competitor: Brandon Fail, serving his Morning Dew
Competitor: Aulden Morgan, serving the Peach Dandy
Competitor: Angie Stills, serving her Shuqualak Satsuma Slinger
Drumroll please . . .
Congrats to the winner! – Aulden Morgan
And the winner is Aulden Morgan (Zocolo) with the Peach Dandy. Congrats!
Want more information about Slow Food?
That Just Happened!!
Robin Williams
Marketing Maven, Holiday Lanes
I have this really cool side job promoting The Chocolate Crocodile™ on social media. In case you haven’t heard about The Chocolate Crocodile, in which case I’m not doing an effective job, you need to know that it is the most fabulous candy/chocolate store around. They can dip anything (that’s legal). The Monster Croc Apple is their most popular specialty. More about that in a moment.
In 2005, Jim and Cyndi Ragon decided to leave their full time jobs in Minnesota, move to Bossier City, Louisiana and share their love for chocolate at the newly established Louisiana Boardwalk. Ten years later, they have opened two more stores: Cypress, Texas and Huntsville, Alabama. They are committed to bringing life´s goodness in an elegant, personal atmosphere. Their love extends by specializing in the finest chocolate and caramel delicacies covering the largest juiciest fruits and wrapped in the tastiest crunchiest nuts.
Here are some things you might not know, but should:
They dip approximately 1300 bushels of apples each year. That’s 83,200 APPLES!
Let’s talk strawberries and apple sizes. Have you seen them? Extra large may be an understatement. The Chocolate Crocodile™ special orders their strawberries and apples. Quality is very important to Jim and Cyndi. If they run out of the fruit, there will be no run to the corner grocery. The standards for consistency in size and quality are of the utmost importance.
The Chocolate Crocodile™ has chocolate tours available for groups. Jim, or one of the chocolatiers, will show you around the store, give you the history of chocolate and allow you to have a hands-on experience with dipping chocolate.Today, The Chocolate Crocodile™ appeared on the KTBS First News morning show to discuss the upcoming Monster Apple Eating Contest that will be held at the KTBS/KPXJ Independence Day Festival. On-air personalities, Rick Rowe and Brian Fowler took a shot at an early challenge.
Who do you think was the winner there?
So now, let’s talk about how many monster apples you can eat. Let’s find out on the 4th of July. Head down to the Independence Day Festival at Shreveport’s Festival Plaza. 
The Monster Apple Eating Contest begins at 3 pm on the Community Stage, under the Farmer’s Market Pavilion near the train depot. Adults and children are encouraged to give it all they’ve got! You will have 7 minutes to eat all the Monster Croc Apples that you can. There will be cash prizes for 1st thru 3rd place for both adult and children categories. Holiday Lanes will provide water for the event and has provided game passes for anyone who signs up, along with prizes for the winners. My good friend Thomas at Maccentric has provided the apples for the event. (good fit, don’t ya think?)
Sign up online now and don’t forget to follow The Chocolate Crocodile™.
That just happened.
Robin Williams,
Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes
Push Up for Charity – this morning KTBS featured Fairway Independent Mortgage on the morning show about their contribution through its American Warrior Initiative . They will pay $5 for every push up that is done at the KTBS/KPJX Independence Day Festival, up to $25,000 and 100% will be used to support Shreveport/Bossier veterans.
The event will be held at the KTBS/KPXJ Independence Day Festival (July 4, 2015) at Shreveport Festival Plaza.
You can join teams or donate> Read more
That just happened.
Robin Williams,
Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes
Congratulations to Young Scholars on their Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting. They are located at 2601 Line Avenue, Shreveport, LA.
They offer summer camps, after school programs, enrichment programs, tutoring and home school co-ops, promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Check it out:
That just happened.
Robin Williams,
Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes
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
My Two Dads: Bill Rials and Mike Labry
My Two Dads
For many years I was too afraid to speak about my two Dad’s in a sentence together for fear of hurting the feelings of not only them, but other family members who might think I love one more than the other.
My biological Dad and my Mom divorced when I was very young and then he died in a car wreck when I was 10 years old. Although I have few memories, the ones I do have are sweet. I remember his love for books, animals and nature. I often wonder what it would be like today if he were still alive. To Bill Rials I send Happy Father’s Day wishes to heaven, I think of you often with love.
That just happened.
Robin Williams,
Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes<
Congrats to Geeks 4 Life Game Store on their Bossier Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting for their grand opening located 1902 Alfred Lane, Bossier City.
Check out Geeks 4 Life:
That just happened.
Robin Williams,
Marketing Maven at Holiday Lanes
How 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. 
Today, 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.
From 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.
Delta 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.
That Just Happened 