Latest news with #MardiGras-themed
American Press
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- American Press
Westlake camp empowers those with special needs
The Westlake Recreation Center recently hosted a 'life-changing' three-week special needs camp led by center staff, sheriff's deputies, police officers, firefighters, church leaders and volunteers. Campers were able to experience sitting in antique cars and an ambulance, catching live crabs, playing doctor and attending a Mardi Gras-themed dance and dinner. 'It's life-changing,' said Leslie Deville, facility manager at the Westlake Recreational Center, who has worked with campers since the camp was launched five years ago. Deville said the camp's goal is to introduce key elements that campers can take home with them that can lead to a fuller life. Each day the center would transform for the campers, and each week had a different theme. The center also created two rooms for the campers if they needed a break from the crowd. One was a 'zen' room for those who might get over-stimulated; the second room, called the 'rage' room, was for the campers to get their frustration out if need be. This room had balls to throw, bubble wrap to pop and a punching bag. During the camp, each camper was assigned a buddy to stay with them throughout the week and so they could share experiences together. 'Every day is something different. When we do the camp, we do it in the perspective of trying to stimulate all those senses and really make it a unique experience,' Deville said. The first week's theme was nature and animals found in Southwest Louisiana. Steve German from Steve German's Taxidermy Art in Westlake brought some of his work for the campers to see. The campers got to feel and learn about different animals and taxidermy. The campers also got to experience a petting zoo with Almosta Ranch bringing animals for the campers to pet and enjoy. 'We try to bring those experiences here because of the challenges they face with traveling or going out in public and this is a great space for them,' she said. The second week's theme was medical. The recreational employees and volunteers created an imitation doctor's office and waiting room for the campers to experience the minute they walked through the door. Each camper got to play 'going to the doctor' with their buddy and took turns playing the doctor and the patient. 'Going to the doctor can be really scary, so we set up in the lobby and they got to pretend like they were the doctor and their buddy was the patient. They loved it,' she said. 'They were very intrigued and what I found is that we're the ones that limit them, they can do everything; it might be adaptive or look a little different but they can do everything.' The campers got to dress up like doctors and wear a coat for the day, check their buddy's blood pressure and give pretend shots, which they loved according to Deville. The thought process behind the day was to get the campers comfortable in a medical setting. Acadian Ambulance came, as well, and let the campers tour an ambulance. 'God forbid they ever have to ride in an ambulance or ride with a family member, but maybe now it would be a little less scary for them,' Deville said. Carway's Pharmacy, Westlake Physical Therapy and Memorial Rehab Hospital all donated props for the campers to enjoy during medical week. The third week's theme was Louisiana and what it means to live in Louisiana and be a native of the state. The campers learned about products made in Louisiana, tasted Louisiana cuisine and even got to catch live crabs on their own. The crabs were donated by Steamboat Bill's. The camp ended with a Mardi Gras-themed day filled with dancing with DJ Earl J. LaPointe. 'We try to give them the experience that every person that lives in Louisiana should have — like to catch a fish or go crabbing,' she said. The concept of the special needs camp came from a mother years ago when she asked the center if they did anything for people with special needs. 'When she asked, she and I were just talking about it and we realized how there are a lot of resources available for children with special needs, but there is a gap for adults with special needs,' Deville said. 'There's not a lot of opportunity once they age out of high school and that was something we were passionate about — making sure we include everyone and that's how it got started and it's grown every year. One small thing that we do can have a ripple effect.' Brylee Trahan, 12, has been volunteering at camp for two years now and is a buddy during camp. Her favorite part about helping is how happy the campers are all the time and seeing the joy in everything they do. Her favorite theme this year was medical week, when she got to dress up like a nurse. 'Seeing that we're not all the same but you still have to accept that because there are people that are different in this world and they also have talents, too,' Trahan said. Sharon Ellender and Dillon Ledoux, from Visit Lake Charles Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point in Sulphur, returned for their second year and participated in camp on the last day. Ellender said she enjoyed seeing their smiles while educating them at the same time. The two brought alligator stickers, alligator tattoos, a real alligator head and an alligator puppet for the campers to see. 'I was overjoyed that everyone here was so attentive. It takes a special person to work with someone with special needs and it's great to watch that happening,' Ellender said. Edward English, brother of two campers, dropped off and picked up his two sisters each day of camp. He said they loved the camp and each drive home would tell him about their day. 'This was their first year at camp and they will be back next year,' he said. 'It's nice for them to have a place to go and be safe and have fun on their own.' Deville said it just takes one small thing to make a big difference. 'It matters,' Deville said. 'Our goal is to bring awareness and to inspire others and that if we can do this so can you.' For more information on the camp or to volunteer, call the center 337-436-1124.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Frothy Monkey to close after nearly 3 years in downtown Knoxville
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A trendy all-day cafe and bakery in downtown Knoxville will close this month after nearly three years of operation. Frothy Monkey, located at 419 S. Gay Street, will serve customers for the final time on Wednesday, May 7. The business wrote on social media that the owner of the Kress Building has decided to sell and they made the difficult decision to close. Dollywood still growing, giving back as it enters 40th season The Kress Building also houses the Mardi Gras-themed bar Fat Tuesday. Details of a potential sale were not immediately available. Property records show it was acquired in 2020 for $5.8 million by Jackson Central Properties LLC, which is registered with the state to Thomas Boyd. This is a developing story. or for updates. Frothy Monkey first opened in Nashville's 12South neighborhood in 2004. It now operates six other locations in Tennessee and two in Alabama. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Downtown Knoxville streets will close to cars starting this weekend: Here's where and why
Routes to get around downtown Knoxville on the weekends will change starting this week, whether you're in a car or on foot ‒ or on four paws. This year's Young-Williams Animal Center's Mardi Growl Parade on March 1 will follow a different route. Starting at 11 a.m. from the staging area on Depot Avenue in the Old City, the annual parade featuring creatively, colorfully costumed dogs will travel to Gay Street and over the viaduct, then turn right on Jackson Avenue to World's Fair Park Drive, ending at the Performance Lawn. At the park will be a pet-focused, Mardi Gras-themed festival until 3 p.m. featuring vendors, food trucks, live music, games and more. The parade and festival are free to attend, but entering your pet in the parade costs $15. To register your dog for the parade, go to Related road closures for Mardi Growl to keep in mind Saturday morning: On-street parking along the parade route will close at 6 a.m. and reopen at noon. Roads for the parade staging area ‒ Depot Avenue between Williams and Gay streets and Williams Street between the Alley and Depot Avenue ‒ will be closed 7 a.m.-noon. World's Fair Park Drive between Clinch and Grand avenues will be closed 8 a.m.-3 p.m. for the event. Over the longer-term, beginning Feb. 28, two downtown streets will be designated as pedestrian-only every weekend through the end of the year, the city said in a news release. Coming to downtown: Knoxville's horseback police will debut in March, and the goal is community engagement New retractable bollards will be used to close Market Street between Union and Clinch avenues and Union Avenue between Walnut and Gay streets to vehicles from 6 p.m. each Friday to 6 p.m. each Sunday, unless the city announces otherwise. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Downtown Knoxville streets to be closed to cars on weekends
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
West Virginia Public Theatre hosts Mardi Gras themed fundraiser
MORGANTOWN, — West Virginia Public Theatre hosted a Mardi Gras-themed fundraiser Thursday night at 123 Pleasant Street in Morgantown. Guests were treated to live performances by Matt's Blues and The Soul Mines while savoring a buffet of Cajun favorites and signature drinks inspired by the lively spirit of the Big Easy. The fundraiser also included a silent auction featuring artwork for bidding, along with a Mardi Gras mask decorating competition. 'These funds are so important because the one great thing about WV Public Theatre is that we are an equity theatre which means that actors get paid, the tech crew gets paid, everybody gets paid. So, these funds go directly back into the show,' Board for WV Public Theatre Vice President Jack Thompson said. Thompson emphasized the importance of live theatre, noting that many people, including school-age children, have yet to experience a live theatre production in person. 'One of the things that we do, do is an educational component so some of our performers and members of the staff will go into schools beforehand and we provide teachers with educational packets,' Thompson said. 'So, not only are they getting to see the live theatre they'll learn more about how it's performed.' This summer, WV Public Theatre will present two productions: Waitress and Driving Miss Daisy. During the holiday season, it will also stage a production of It's a Wonderful Life. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
You're invited to Centenary's Mardi Gras party
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A staple of the Highland community will host a party for the Krewe of Highland Parade attendees. As part of a year-long bicentennial celebration, Centenary College is throwing a Neighborhood Mardi Gras Celebration on Sunday, March 2. They invite the community to join the fun as the Krewe of Highland rolls by the campus. Bleachers will be placed along the route across the street from the Meadows Museum. Free Mardi Gras-themed popcorn will be provided for those in attendance, and local food trucks The Cajun Asian, Joe's 2 Geaux, and Taqueria Flores will satisfy foodie cravings as parade-goers await Highland. Centenary College announces new student housing construction The parade rolls at 2 p.m. near the Gilbert and Gregg Streets intersection and winds through the Highland neighborhood. Centenary is closer to the parade's end, but party refreshments and food trucks will be ready to serve before 1 p.m. Please note street closures and parade routes to ensure you don't miss out on this fun culmination of Mardi Gras in Shreveport. The bleachers are family-friendly seating, and no alcohol will be allowed in that seating area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
