www.shreveport-bossier.org/tourist_talk/current.htm News from the Shreveport-Bossier City Tourist Talk newsletter http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 120 en-us Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:34:52 CDT SubscriberMail RSS Generator - http://www.subscribermail.com Mon., Nov. 19, 6 p.m. at Festival Plaza
This year the lighting ceremony will be held in conjunction with ICE: A Red River Revel Holiday Event. Choirs and other local artists will serenade attendees with their holiday tunes. Shreveport Parks and Recreation will host free hands-on craft activities for kids of all ages. Children 12 and under will also receive free light-up necklaces at the lighting ceremony, while supplies last. Santa will be on hand for free photos. Attendees will also be able to ice skate at a discounted rate.

Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover and Bossier City Mayor Lorenz Walker will throw the holiday switch, lighting up the Shreveport and Bossier City skylines and officially beginning the holiday season in the sister cities.

New to the ceremony this year is the Reindog competition. Bring your pet to the lighting ceremony in full holiday costume. The costumes will be judged and prizes will be given to the winners. . . . more ]]> Wed, 14 Nov 2007 12:50:36 CDT 215a5793e31942dc854df53c33025f7a Julie Anne's Bakery in Shreveport, Louisiana will ship more than 1,000 king cakes around the world during the Mardi Gras season, which started January 6 and runs through February 20, 2007.

The king cake is a ring-shaped sweet bread topped with white icing and purple, gold and green sugar crystals. It's prepared with a small plastic baby hidden inside. Tradition says that whoever is served the piece of cake with the hidden baby must put on next year's party. And Mardi Gras is definitely party time. There is no bigger and better party with more food, beads, and doubloons.

Nonstop fun. Masked balls. Pageantry. Exciting parades. Come experience it! We promise you won't leave as you came, especially if you fill your neck and bags with some of the 8 million beads that will be tossed over the two major parade weekends, Feb. 10 and Feb. 17.

"Mardi Gras is such a long running tradition in Shreveport-Bossier City and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger with more throws, wilder themes and greater parties," said Betty Jo LeBrun- Mooring, a member of the Krewe of Centaur.
Centaur's parade was named a Top 100 Event in 2005 by the American Bus Association. This year's parade will be held Feb. 10. It is the largest Mardi Gras celebration in the Ark-La-Tex region and along with the Krewe of Gemini parade, Feb. 17, the major parades will attract almost a half million visitors.

The thing that makes Shreveport-Bossier City Mardi Gras so special and unique is that we do know how to have a good party, but we are sensitive to the families . . . read the entire article ]]> Thu, 04 Oct 2007 12:16:54 CDT ff1c30e242434689928f87e96237120b browse the new site and give us your feedback by completing the poll at right, or by emailing Internet & Systems Manager Pat Gill at pgill@sbctb.org. We want our website to help you plan a great experience in Shreveport-Bossier City! ]]> Wed, 12 Sep 2007 02:49:50 CDT beec0128cfb94873b16287e96237120b Hilton Hotel in downtown Shreveport, other hotel properties are hoping to cash in on Shreveport-Bossier City's economic growth, as well. Currently, there are nearly 10 new hotel properties planned for the area. Most are set to open within the next year.

In Shreveport-Bossier City, there are more than 8,400 hotel rooms to date. After the nine new properties open their doors, that number will jump to almost 10,000. . . . read the entire article ]]> Mon, 13 Aug 2007 03:26:31 CDT b1fb97147fad46eaa05887e96237120b
You're not alone. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that 44 million people over the age of six go fishing. That's one out of every five Americans - definitely enough to qualify fishing as a national pastime.

It's no wonder, then, that angler Ray Scott envisioned an opportunity to bring together anglers across the country by creating BASS - the Bass Anglers Sportsmen Society. Scott was interested in creating a credible and honorable tournament trail, improving our environment by uniting and amplifying the voices of anglers, and securing a future for our youth. He's done that and more. For example, BASS started the "Don't Kill Your Catch" program in 1972. This program was the basis for the catch-and-release ethic that many fishermen observe today. . . . read the entire article ]]> Mon, 04 Jun 2007 10:35:32 CDT b7dd2b9d304740779bb89e100c75da22 Red River South Marina and Resort
offers boaters and river enthusiasts a new place to stop and enjoy the day on the Red River. The $7.5 million, 56.47-acre resort officially opened to the public the last weekend in April.

The marina can dock 60 boats in the main floating docks and 20 more boats along the retaining wall. Four boats can be launched simultaneously on the dual, double boat launches, in regular, high or low water. The boat slips are covered and can be rented for $200 or more a month with a one year contract, depending on the size of the boat. Drinking water, electricity and shower facilities are located in the store.

Red River South also has a very high-tech fueling system. . . . read the entire article ]]> Mon, 04 Jun 2007 10:33:07 CDT 16834034ba79470cb4029e100c75da22
Horseshoe Casino and Hotel
will be hosting its annual Summer Concert Series with this year's kick-off performer, Johnny Lang, performing on June 7. Lang is a Grammy-nominated performer who topped the Billboard new artist chart at the age of 15 with his album, Lie to Me.

Also this summer at the Horseshoe will be the "Texas Country Roundup." The roundup will feature three hot up-and-coming country stars, all from Texas. Jack Ingram, Kevin Fowler, and the Eli Young Band will all be performing in the roundup. . . . read the entire article ]]> Mon, 04 Jun 2007 10:31:33 CDT f790f9d4ef894fd680999e100c75da22
It has been the question on everyone's mind. The "who's your chimp daddy" mystery that garnered world-wide attention has finally been solved.

Baby Tracy was born to Teresa, a wild-born chimpanzee in her mid-to-late 40s, on January 8, 2007, at Chimp Haven in rural Caddo Parish. The sanctuary is a permanent home for chimpanzees retired from biomedical research, entertainment, or no longer wanted as pets. Tracy is the eleventh baby for Teresa and her first in 13 years. The story took on international interest when it was learned that there were seven possible fathers and the fact that all the males have had vasectomies prior to arriving at Chimp Haven.

After nearly two months of gathering hair and cell samples for extensive DNA testing, the father of nine-week-old baby Tracy has been identified from among seven possible candidates.

The father is . . . read the entire article ]]> Thu, 05 Apr 2007 12:04:55 CDT 3b975a1627d843d09c7887e96237120b Put on your party shoes! The City of Bossier City's Centennial will be the biggest celebration that Bossier City, Louisiana, has seen in its 100 years.

Bossier City was incorporated on April 9, 1907, and officials will hold the 100th birthday party at the Louisiana Boardwalk, located on the same site that Bossier City began.

The fun will begin the night of April 7, 2007, as the officials of Bossier City toast the end of the first 100 years of progress and celebrate the beginning of the next 100 years.

If you attend, you'll have the opportunity to meet Bossier City's oldest living person, have a taste of the largest cake ever made in Bossier City, and enjoy the foods and festivities of the event. There will be a 100-sq.-ft. birthday cake, which should give everyone a taste. The event will host all of the living mayors of Bossier City and allow people time to visit with them. Bossier City's local high school bands will be on hand to celebrate the birthday with plenty of good hometown music.

The opening ceremony will kick off a year of celebration events . . . read the entire article ]]> Thu, 05 Apr 2007 12:03:36 CDT 7bf892be4dd94b4fb7ce87e96237120b
Friday's event, billed as Party on the Plaza, is for real partiers with a jam session of some of the best local and regional talent starting at 6 p.m. and ending at midnight. Saturday festivities kick off at 11 a.m. and continue with James Burton and some of his local musician friends performing at Festival Plaza, followed by a 7 p.m. concert at the historic Municipal Auditorium.

For the Saturday night concert, James and his famous friends Rick Derringer, Chris Isaak, Steven Seagal, Ed King, Monte Montgomery, Rick Vito, Thom Bresch, The Cox Family, Lee Roy Parnell, Muriel Anderson, Doyle Dykes, Dickie Betts, and John Goodman will be sure to rock the house.

These musicians come because of James' reputation as a living legend. His career started at the age of 14 when he played as a house guitar player for the Louisiana Hayride, a radio show broadcast out of the Municipal. From there, he went on to play with an incredible who's who list including John Denver, Ricky Nelson, . . . read the entire article ]]> Fri, 02 Mar 2007 11:38:53 CDT 8d89b0e0f8cf458bad4387e96237120b thdeb Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:54:51 CDT 99f11e434b08418b8d0587e96237120b Louisiana Boardwalk in Bossier City will soon be even better! With the addition this winter of apparel outlets Lane Bryant and S&K Menswear, as well as two new eateries, Sushiko Sushi & Grill and O'Brien's Irish Pub, shoppers will enjoy even more variety.

Lane Bryant Outlet is the nation's largest women's plus-size specialty apparel retailer, providing stylish, high-quality fashion for plus- size women. The Lane Bryant Outlet will offer a wide selection of apparel from career to casual, as well as accessories, hosiery and intimates.

S&K Menswear is a retailer of value-priced menswear operating 230 stores in 26 states. S&K will offer a complete line of men's apparel generally priced 20-40% below department store and specialty store regular prices.

The additions of Sushiko Sushi & Grill and O'Brien's Irish Pub will offer the area a wider variety of menu selections that are not readily available in the Shreveport-Bossier City area. Sushiko Sushi & Grill is owned and operated by John Man Sohn and will occupy the former Gimme Sum Fresh Asian Grill space next to Bass Pro Shops. John Man Sohn is the brother of the owner of the Shogun Restaurants. Sushiko Sushi & Grill will offer a wide variety of fresh sushi, as well as a selection of grilled items similar to the menu at his brother's Shogun Restaurant.

O'Brien's Irish Pub will offer a variety of beers . . . read the entire article ]]> Tue, 06 Feb 2007 04:33:01 CDT fae3b7bc0e4c437da81387e96237120b CenturyTel Center has been cancelled due to unresolved technical issues and tour production logistics.

Ticket refunds will be issued at the purchaser's original point of purchase. There are no plans to reschedule at this time. ]]> Tue, 06 Feb 2007 04:15:08 CDT 64a62497733c4561856487e96237120b Hilton Shreveport Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Shreveport's vibrant Riverfront District and just 10 minutes from Shreveport Regional Airport. It adjoins the new Shreveport Convention Center.

The new hotel features 313 elegantly appointed guest rooms with luxurious bedding in either a single king-or two queen-sized beds. Guests will appreciate the Crabtree & Evelyn amenities, complimentary wireless high-speed internet access, in-room refrigerators, coffeemakers, and a spacious work space with an ergonomically designed desk chair. The hotel also features a full-service restaurant, lounge, Starbucks, and 24-hour room service. The state-of-the-art fitness facility includes a panoramic view of the Red River and an indoor pool and whirlpool. Watch for more news on the opening of this property. ]]> Fri, 29 Dec 2006 12:08:09 CDT 7a6f81890113403f84db9e100c75da22
There are a number of ancillary events you won't want to miss, like the FCA Athletes Breakfast on Dec. 26, and the Minuteman Luncheon and the Pep Rally on Dec. 27. Game kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 28.

After the teams are announced, the THS Company will handle room reservations for the game. You can call them at 866-601-8326 (TEAM) or visit them on the web at http://www.thsweb.com/. ]]> Fri, 01 Dec 2006 11:37:28 CDT 20dcfc22930347f7b36987e96237120b Red River Revel 31 is in town! This remarkable eight-day outdoor arts festival just keeps getting better every year!

Of course you'll enjoy The Revel's famous mouth-watering delicacies from 24 food booths - what a selection! And, you can count on having one of the most exciting shopping sprees you've ever had. Just think, you can choose art from more than 120 visual artists from across the nation - just in time for the holidays! Plus, our five performance stages feature non-stop entertainment and will showcase some great Revel favorites.

The Revel is famous for the quality and variety of its live music! Revel 31 headliners include The Wreckers featuring Michelle Branch, Irma Thomas, . . . read the entire article ]]> Sat, 30 Sep 2006 02:28:47 CDT b93a1799e9f54bd3929e87e96237120b