Walkable Urban Places are proliferating!

Looks like WalkUPs are growing big time!

Here's a fine article posted by the George Washington University Business School with lots of charts and pictures that tell the story.

Maybe we're emerging out of our civilization's sedentary age!  

If so, is there any doubt we'll live longer, happier lives?

(Photo by Christopher Leaman)

                            Wine & Whine, a Dog Park Art Affair

Shreveport Dog Park Alliance invites you to a fund raiser for the proposed dog park at Hamel Memorial Park. You and your dog can enjoy a stroll in the artwork lined garden and indoor theater area of the Karpeles Museum-3201 Centenary Blvd, September 22, 2012 from  4-7pm. Wine, breads and spreads will be served up by our own Carolyn’s Catering. Purchase local paintings, prints, photographs, pillows, jewelry and more, and help the dog park efforts at the same time. $15 suggested donation, includes one glass of wine or lemonade and breads and spreads. Music provided by Sid Crump & Leonard Service. Dress is garden casual. Featuring prints of Sheriff Prator’s dog park painting, signed & numbered; if you are lucky you can track him down during the event to personalize your print.  Purchase paintings done by chimps from Chimp Haven. Louisiana Society of Animal Artists prints for sale, and more.  Hope to see you there!  For more info visit our Facebook cause page for Shreveport Dog Park Alliance, www.shreveportdogpark.org, or cynthiakeith@bellsouth.net, 318-469-1325.

They want to hear from you!

August 23, 2012: Volunteer Louisiana Listening Tour in Shreveport

From Volunteer Louisiana: 
 This summer, Volunteer Louisiana is hosting a statewide listening tour to ask citizens to evaluate volunteering and service in their communities. Volunteer Louisiana asks citizens in the Shreveport-Bossier area to join us in Shreveport on August 23 at the Municipal Auditorium at 705 Elvis Presley Ave. The event will be free and open to the public. While registration is not required, it will help us to plan to accommodate everyone planning to attend.

The comments made at this Listening Sessions will be used in the development of Volunteer Louisiana's three-year State Service plan to guide the state in designing programs and services to help communities and organizations as they engage citizens for greater impact.

"In these difficult economic times, the role of volunteers in our communities is taking on even greater importance," Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne said. "As Volunteer Louisiana works to create the plan for state service, it is important to hear from as many citizens as possible about what volunteering and service look like locally."

"Everyone is important to this conversation," Chris Gorman, Volunteer Louisiana commission chairman said. "We hope that volunteers, nonprofits, board members, faith-based groups, universities, schools, neighborhood associations, grant makers, business leaders and elected officials will attend and share their views."

The meeting will be designed to inform and explore ideas and actions concerning service in Louisiana. The ultimate goal is to encourage community efforts and to identify additional avenues for service.

Those attending the event will be asked to share their views on topics such as the top social issues in their community that can be addressed through service and volunteering and how technology can be better utilized to engage service and volunteering among citizens.

About Volunteer Louisiana

Volunteer Louisiana was established as the Louisiana Serve Commission in the Office of the Lt. Governor in 1993 to foster and expand citizen service in Louisiana. Its mission is to build and sustain high-quality programs that meet the needs of Louisiana's citizens and to promote an ethic of service. In 2012, The Louisiana Serve Commission officially changed to Volunteer Louisiana.

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Ready to Register?

Pre-registration is not required, but is appreciated.

You can sign up here: www.crt.state.la.us/laserve/register

Cool volunteer hours: help run digifest Sept 7 - 9, Bossier Civic Center

Cool volunteer hours: help run digifest Sept 7 - 9, Bossier Civic Center, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Digifest South is Shreveport-Bossier at its best. Like the Louisiana Film Prize, this is an event positioned to grow and to spark a lot of talent.

Volunteers, or thinking-that-you-might volunteer, please see James Holoubek at 318-834-2281.