Exciting lineup set for ‘Brush With Burden’ art, photography exhibit ä4G
THE SOUTHEAST
ADVOCATE
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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2015 H
COURSEY • HARRELLS FERRY • MILLERVILLE • OLD JEFFERSON • PARKVIEW • SHENANDOAH • TIGER BEND • WHITE OAK THEADVOCATE.COM
Darlene Denstorff AROUND THE SOUTHEAST
DDENSTORFF@ THEADVOCATE.COM
Gain some shade at tree sales Interested in planting shade trees? The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry will hold its annual shade tree sale on various dates throughout the state, Commissioner Mike Strain, said. Pine seedling packets will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 2-4 at the department’s Baton Rouge office, 5825 Florida Blvd. “Our orchard-grown hardwood and pine seedlings are descended from superior stock,” Strain said. “Since the seedlings can be purchased in small packets, they are manageable for just about any home gardener.” Two types of seedling packets will be offered. Pine seedling packets contain 20 advanced generation loblolly with the exception of the Opelousas location, which will be advanced generation slash pine. Hardwood seedling packets contain two seedlings including water oak, sawtooth oak, willow oak, shumard oak and bald cypress. Pine packets are $6 each and hardwood packets are $2 each. All seedlings are bare-root and come with planting and care instructions. They will be available on a first-come basis and cannot be reserved in advance.
League registration
Advocate photos by C.J. FUTCH
Children work on art projects Saturday at the Gardere Initiative’s headquarters.
Survey says ... playtime!
Children get to voice opinions in planning of playground
BY C.J. FUTCH
time, while BREC’s Vice President of Planning Reed Richard went through a presentation on Three-year-old Nathaniel Hollie play structures built for rockspent Saturday morning telling ing, jumping, balancing, sliding, Baton Rouge parks and recre- climbing and swinging. “It looks like swinging is uniation officials his favorite forms of play, along with many other versally liked,” Richard said as children of all ages at the Gar- he waited for the first group to dere Initiative’s headquarters on exit and the second group to come in. The results of the survey will Ned Avenue. BREC Assistant Director Di- be taken into consideration when ane Drake passed out radio-con- planning the design of a new playtrolled voting remotes to groups ground that will be built in the of 10 children and parents at a coming months at Hartley-Vey
cfutch@theadvocate.com
Dana Hollie helps her son Nathan, 3, vote his preference Saturday on playground equipment to be included in a playground being built at Hartley-Vey Park in Southside.
Registration for the Miracle League at Cypress Mounds, a baseball league for children with disabilities, ends Friday. League Executive Director Brandi Polito first conceived of the league in 2007 and has been working tirelessly since to make it the success it is today. It offers every child the opportunity to play baseball. Last season, the league hosted 60 players and five teams. This year, the league is looking to serve even more. The spring season begins March 24 and is shaping up to be the most eventful yet, organizers said. Call (225) 757-5550 for information.
äSee SOUTHEAST, page 4G
äSee PLAYGROUND, page 4G
Tennis at the Y serves up health, wellness BY C.J. FUTCH
cfutch@theadvocate.com
Free dental clinic
The Louisiana Dental Association and LDA Foundation will host a Mission of Mercy charity dental clinic on Friday and Saturday to provide free dental care to about 1,500 patients, a news
Park, just a few steps away from the Gardere Initiative’s offices. The playground project is part of a larger park renovation being funded by two grants, one from Kaboom, an organization that funds play structures in areas without easy access to playgrounds, and a second from Dr Pepper/Snapple, said Cheryl Michelet, director of communications for the parish parks commission. Both grants total $15,000,
Advocate staff photo by HEATHER McCLELLAND
Desiree Marshall gets ready to serve during the first night of league practice at the Paula G. Manship YMCA on Feb. 19. Marshall, who became introduced to the sport through the Y’s tennis apprentice program, is now captain of team Mid-Court Crisis. She said she has gained confidence through playing the sport, and has lost 50 pounds.
Desiree Marshall played basketball and softball in high school, but in the years since graduation, she’d gotten out of the fitness habit. “I’d been looking for something to do to stay in shape, and running’s never been my thing,” Marshall said. When she saw signs for tennis lessons at the YMCA, she said, she decided to check it out, though she’d never played tennis before. She’d been working out at the YMCA, and she wanted her fitness plan to be more than just physical activity. “I do everything I can to continue to try and better myself. I want
to keep learning, always,” she said. Marshall only began playing in September 2012, she said, and has taken lessons at Lamar Tennis Center, 8100 YMCA Plaza Drive, next to the Paula G. Manship YMCA just off Perkins Road. “I was so nervous before the first lesson,” she said. “I hit the first ball over the fence,” she said laughing. While she’s still rated a beginner according to United States Tennis Association rankings, she said she’s gotten considerably more comfortable on the court. “I did a lot of clinics and drills. I like that you can concentrate on Advocate staff photo drills and it translates to skills Aaron LaRose makes a serve in the game,” she said. If you during the first day of league dedicate enough time to practice, practice at the Paula G. ManäSee TENNIS, page 4G ship YMCA.
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