Tips for businesses this Halloween

Halloween is just days away and that means thousands of children will be walking up and down streets in our community. For those businesses in a high foot-traffic area, Halloween is a greaty way to connect with the community.

There are some safety tips for businesses to keep in mind on Halloween:

Clear the Runway - prepare your business for trick-or-treaters by clearing your entrance, lawn and sidewalks of any tripping hazards.

Flame Off - avoid using Halloween decorations with real flames - use battery-operated lights instead.

Shine a Light - even if your business isn't participating in Halloween, turn on your exterior lights for the big evening, which will help reduce the risk of vandalism and help pedestrians navigate sidewalks safely.

Drive Safely - if your business employs a substantial number of drivers, emphasize safe driving habits. Slow down, especially in neighborhoods.

 

For more ideas on Halloween safety, visit:

http://www.protectamerica.com/static/pdf/halloween-business-safety-guide.pdf

Happy Halloween!

Early Voting in Ouachita Parish through October 28

Early voting for the November 4 election begins today and continues through October 28. There are several high-profile races in this election including United States Senator and Congressman for the 5th Congressional District.

Some voters may not realize there are also 14 proposed amendments to the Louisiana Constitution.  Those amendments include:

Amendment No. 1 - Medical Trust Fund and Provider Base Rate

Amendment No. 2 - Hospital Assessment, Trust Fund and Fee Formula

Amendment No. 3 - Sales of Property with Delinquent Taxes

Amendment No. 4 - Fund Transfers for an Infrastructure Bank

Amendment No. 5 - Elimination Mandatory Retirement Age of Judges

Amendment No. 6 - Higher Millage Cap for Police and Fire Protection in Orleans Parish

Amendment No. 7 - Property Tax Exemption for Certain Disabled Veterans

Amendment No. 8 - Artificial Reef Development Fund

Amendment No. 9 - Tax Exemption Reporting for Permanently Disabled Residents

Amendment No. 10 - Tax Sale of Vacant, Blighted or Abandoned Property

Amendment No. 11 - Increases the Number of State Departments from 20 to 21

Amendment No. 12 - Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Membership

Amendment No. 13 - Orleans Lower Ninth Ward Vacant Property

Amendment No. 14 - Tax Rebates, Incentives and Abatements

More information about these proposed amendments can be found at the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana's web site at www.parlouisiana.org

Early voting takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day through October 28 except for Sunday. In Ouachita Parish, early voting can take place at the Registar of Voters office at 1650 DeSiard Street, Suite 125 in Monroe or at designated times at Chennault Aviation Museum. Call the Ouachita Parish Registrar of Voters office at (318) 327-1436 for more information.

For a complete list of races taking place in Ouachita Parish, visit the Louisiana Secretary of State's web site at www.sos.la.gov.

 

October 2014 Member2Member Profile - Landrys Vineyards

The West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce celebrates its October Member2Member Profile - Landry Vineyards.

Landry Vineyards was established in 1999 by Jeff and Libby Landry and their four sons - Ethan, Kohen, Noah and Micah along with the loving labor of family and friends. Landry Vineyards was licensed as a Louisiana Native Winery in 2003.

Originally from south Louisiana, the Landrys moved to Northeast Louisiana soon after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The Landrys used the opportunity to relocate to higher ground. They now reside in the beautiful hill country of West Monroe on a 20-acre site including a new winery, vineyards and beautiful tasting room.

The Landry family strives to produce quality Louisiana wines that are distinctive to the region while complimenting the rich flavorful Cajun foods of their French Acadian heritage. Landry Vineyards wines may be purchased in 300 stores throughout Louisiana, from their web site or by visiting Landry Vineyards.

Be sure to visit Landry Vineyards for yourself for a tasting or make plans to attend one of their popular outdoor concerts.

Landry Vineyards

5699 New Natchitoches Road

West Monroe, Louisiana 71292

(318) 557-9051

www.landryvineyards.com

 

 

 

Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival October 4

One of Northeast Louisiana's most unique and interesting festivals will celebrate its 10th Anniversary on Saturday, October 4 in West Monroe.

The Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games will take place on October 4 at Kiroli Park in West Monroe.  The all-day festival is family friendly.  There is no admission to attend the festival, but there is a 50 cents per person fee to enter into Kiroli Park.

The festival features a day filled with authentic Celtic music performed by well-known bands such as The Pure Drop, Emerald Accent, Traveling Murphys and a special performance by the Jackson Irish Dancers.

Not familiar with Celtic music?  Check out the link below as our very own WMWO Chamber of Commerce Membership Director Tom McCandlish and his pal Josh Madden performed at a recent Brown Bag Lunch Concert.  The duo played a selection of Irish tunes that had toes tapping.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJCXHDfL6bE

The festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Besides musical performances throughout the day, there will be plenty of food vendors and crafters.  One of the highlights of the festival is the sanctioned Scottish Highland Games, where athletes in kilts compete in such events as the caber toss and throwing telephone poles.

The Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival is one of the oldest and longest-running festivals in the Northeast Louisiana area.  Bring the family and experience first hand the unique food, music and traditions that are part of Celtic heritage.

For more information, call the WMWO Chamber of Commerce at (318) 325-1961 or "like" the Celtic Festival on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NELACelticFest

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Ouachita Green will host annual Water Sweep on September 20

Ouachita Green and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host the 9th Annual Water Sweep this Saturday, September 20 at boat landings throughout Ouachita Parish.

The Water Sweep event is held every year to raise awareness about the cleanliness of our local waterways, particularly along the Ouachita River, an area that brings economic development to the community while providing recreational activities to the public.

Members of the ULM Fishing Team and Ski Team have stepped forward as spokespeople this year to let the public know the importance of a clean waterway.  Not only does a clean waterway have aesthetic appeal, but it creates a safe environment for boaters and marine wildlife.

Volunteers are asked to participate this Saturday by removing litter along the banks of area waterways and debris that may be floating in the water.  Those who can volunteer can work by land, but those with boats are greatly needed along the waterway.

Various boat landings will be equipped with cleanup supplies and water for volunteers.  Staging sites will be set at Lazarre Park, Moon Lake, Forsythe Boat Landing, Bawcomville Recreational Area, Sterlington, Bayou DeSiard and Black Bayou National Wildlife Refuge.

Staging sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.  To sign up as a volunteer, please visit:

 

http://watersweep.org/Volunteer.html

 

There are a number of sponsors for this year's Water Sweep.  Sponsors include Angus Chemical/Dow Chemical, Coastal Conservation Association, The Radio People, and the organizations that make up Ouachita Green - Keep Monroe, Keep Ouachita Parish and Keep West Monroe Beautiful.  

Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series kicks off in September

The West Monroe Brown Bag Lunch Concert series continues during the month of September.

Every Wednesday during the lunch hour, a local band will perform at the Pavilion located at 7th Square in West Monroe, directly behind the West Monroe Farmer's Market.

These free concerts are a great way to take a break during the work day and enjoy fresh air and the company of other business and community leaders and area residents. 

Local musicians perform each week, offering a variety of musical styles.  The Waterboys will perform a mix of classic favorites and alternative hits on September 10; Strauss Youth Academy of the Arts performs Broadway hits on September 17 and Josh Madden and Tom McCandlish perform on September 24 with a tribute to Celtic tunes and American rock 'n roll standards.

The concerts are conveniently located in the heart of West Monroe and amenities are provided to help you relax and enjoy the music.  Each week, local sponsors and partnering organizations provide beverages and light snacks for concert goers.  Refreshments such as bottled water, cookies and coke/rootbeer floats are provided to attendees at no cost.  If you don't want to bring your own lunch, food trucks are on site to sell you lunch.  The Pavilion offers plenty of shade, and the City of West Monroe provides chairs.

The concerts are organized by the City of West Monroe and West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce.  Sponsors are the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, Centric Federal Credit Union and Ouachita Valley Federal Credit Union.

Make plans to attend this month's Brown Bag Lunch concerts and listen to some of the great musical talent found right here in our own community.  If you need more information, call the WMWO Chamber of Commerce at (318) 325-1961.

WMWO Chamber to host Congressional Candidates' Forum Sept. 2

The West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce will host a Congressional Candidates' Forum on Tuesday, September 2.

The forum will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the West Monroe Convention Center.

Candidates who have qualified for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District race are invited to attend the forum.  Each candidate will given a set amount of time to address the audience, introduce themselves and explain why they want to be this district's next Congressman.

With the 5th District being large in geographical size, some of the candidates live in other parts of Louisiana.  This forum is an opportunity for voters of northeast Louisiana to meet the candidates in person and learn more about them and their platform.

The election is Tuesday, November 4.

The cost to attend the forum is $15 per person. Reservations will be taken through Friday, August 29 at noon.  To reserve a seat, call the WMWO Chamber of Commerce at (318) 325-1961 or email reception@westmonroechamber.org.