ADVOCATE THE HE LIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOA
1G
DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND • PONCHATOULA
THURSDAY JANUARY 8, 2015 H
THEADVOCATE.COM
Christine Morgan AROUND LIVINGSTON
CMARCENEAUX@ THEADVOCATE.COM
Livingston Chamber to host casino night The Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce will host its 2015 Casino Night Gala on Feb. 28. The doors open at 6:30 p.m.; dinner and the program will start at 7:30 p.m. The music will be from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Forrest Grove Plantation, 8743 Stephenson Drive. Dress is semiformal to formal attire, organizers said. An open bar will be provided and a live auction, silent auction and ticket drop.
COA donates van to Denham animal shelter BY CHRISTINE MORGAN
cmarceneaux@theadvocate.com DENHAM SPRINGS — Animals at the Denham Springs Animal Shelter can ride safely and comfortably, thanks to a donation from the Denham Springs Council on Aging. The Council on Aging donated one of its used vans to the city’s shelter, thus increasing capacity, efficiency and safety for the animals. Shelter volunteer Berkley Durbin said the van, which already is being used to transport animals to veterinarian appointments and to Petco for adoption days, is much safer for the animals than a truck or a sport utility vehicle, especially during inclement weather. “A key component for us is no added expense to our budget,� Durbin said. “(We have) no more transporting issues in inclement weather or require multiple trips.� If homes are available for pets, the van also can be used to transfer the pets to their new owners, Durbin
said. “Transports are usually for a few specific animals that other shelters have selected and found homes for,â€? she said. “We don’t want to just ship to another place for housing.â€? The van also is used to transport animals to be spayed or neutered through Pet Aid, a low-cost spay and neuter program. All animals adopted from the shelter are spayed or neutered, Berkley said. “Animal overpopulation is a health and safety concern, and while animal control and public safety are a significant part of the shelter mission, we also partner with other animal-focused organizations to promote spay/neuter and adoptions,â€? Berkley said. The shelter takes in an average of 50 dogs and 50 cats each month and adopts out about the same, Berkley said. Last month, the shelter adopted out 124 dogs and 114 cats. äSee DONATION, page 5G
Advocate staff photo provided by CHRISTINE MORGAN
The Council on Aging donated a used van to the Denham Springs Animal Shelter last month. The no-kill shelter will use the van to transport animals.
City eyes new signs, park opening
Art Association
The Denham Springs Fine Art Association meets the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Denham Springs Municipal Building, 941 Government Drive. The Art Association is an organization of local artists committed to promoting art education, professional aid and encouragement to all arts at all levels, organizers said. For information, contact Sandra Middleton at (225) 664-9565.
BY CHRISTINE MORGAN
cmarceneaux@theadvocate.com
Commodity pickup
The next St. Vincent de Paul commodities pickup will be from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday at 2151 Tower Drive in Denham Springs. Those not signed up must bring a picture ID, proof of Livingston Parish residence and proof of income. Call (225) 665-1623.
Tech help
Library patrons who wish to learn how to use a new tablet, download apps on a smartphone, set up an email address or check out Facebook can receive a 30-minute session with a library staff member who will walk them through the steps. Those attending are asked to bring in their device. The program will be offered at the following libraries: from 10 a.m. to noon Friday at the Albany-Springfield Branch, 26941 La. 43, Hammond; from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the Watson Branch, 36581 Outback Road, Denham Springs; and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 15 the South Branch, 23477 La. 444, Livingston. Registration is required by calling the preferred library or by registering online at mylpl.info.
Health fair
The Denham SpringsäSee AROUND page 5G
Advocate staff photos by TRAVIS SPRADLING
From left, Denham Springs’ Ethan Desrosiers, 6; Walker’s Tristen Jacobs, 6, and Peyton Jenkins, 6; and Denham Springs’ Blaise Bergeron, 5, go after the ball during the Hoopsters basketball program ‘showcase’ day on Jan. 3.
HOOPING IT UP Children gathered Jan. 3 for the Hoopsters
basketball program “showcase� day at Denham Springs Parks and Recreation’s North Park Fitness and Aquatic Center. Children were “drafted� to teams, received instruction on basketball skills and rules, then put them into Basketball ‘trainer’ Alllie Crain gives one of her players, Zachary Ray, 5, of Walker, a hug after he scored a basket on Jan. 3
practice during short games.
DENHAM SPRINGS — City officials are confident that residents will soon be able to maneuverer through the city better once shiny, new street signs are in place. The signs — which will feature a new reflective coating — will be placed within the city limits, once the money is received, said grant writer and Main Street Director Donna Jennings. “Most of the street signs in the city are 15 to 20 years old,â€? Jennings said. “The reflective coating wears off in about eight to 10 years.â€? The new signs will make it especially easier for drivers at night, she said. The city applied for $48,000 through the state’s local Governor’s Assistance Program, through the Office of Community Development to replace approximately 1,500 signs, brackets and posts. The city is just waiting to receive the money, Jennings said. “We try to look for something the city is in great need of,â€? Jennings said. “It helps to accomplish things for the city that are not in the budget.â€? The city also is currently creating a park, located on a small piece of property at the corner of Centerville and Hummel streets near downtown Denham Springs, Jennings said. The project is a partnership among Denham Springs Main Street, Keep Livingston Beautiful, Denham Springs Green and B & C Sheet Metal, Dale Zuelke, Jimmy Britton, Tom Lay, Jimmy Durbin and Rene Delahoussaye, äSee SIGNS, page 5G
1 RZ $ YD L OD EOH D W 6HOHF W /RF D W L RQV !XzP !eLC`œ 2Wem !eLC`ÂœĂ‹ =eup $PXVWKepWeeN 2umPpbCp_Ptœ