Spring Festival April 28: Antiques, arts, crafts and more

The place to be April 28, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., is the Denham Springs Antique District for the annual Spring Festival. This year's Festival is on tap to be bigger and better than ever before. The Festival has sold out of vendor booths early and organizers predict record number crowds for this popular event.

Now in its 17th year, the family-friendly Denham Springs Antique Village Spring Festival is the largest in Livingston Parish. Range Avenue between Centerville and Florida Blvd. will be closed to traffic for the day as the street is filled with over 150 booths featuring local and regional vendors showcasing their outstanding crafts, antiques and art. Children will thrill to free rides courtesy of the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Department. There will also be a Military exhibit that includes complete uniform, artillery and vehicle displays.

The Denham Springs Antique Village has been voted the "Best Antiques Shopping" and also voted in the top 3 "Best Antique Shopping", behind only New Orleans and Natchez. Many of the 25-plus Village shops will feature special sale prices on antiques, collectibles, clothing, books and other merchandise during the one day festival.

Outstanding Festival entertainment is scheduled this year. Swamp People's newest team, Austyn and Blake, from the popular History channel show will be on hand signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. The ever popular Floyd Brown will perform at the Train Station Park. The complete schedule of entertainment is as follows:

• 10:00 am - 11:00 am - The Life Point Church Praise Team
• 10:00 am - 1:00 pm – Swamp People’s Austyn Yoches and Blake McDonald
• 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm - Odyssey School of Dance
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm - Westbound Train (Variety Music)
• 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm - The Floyd Brown Band

Visitors are welcome to bring chairs or use provided seating. The entertainment venue is within easy walking distance of Range Ave. and an array of delicious food booths.

Art aficionados will enjoy Mattie Street as it is transformed into "Arts Avenue" with local artists exhibiting a variety of unique works. "We're really excited about the entertainment at this year's festival." Festival organizer, Al Bye said. "Between the arts, crafts, kid rides, Floyd Brown, Swamp People and the Military exhibit, there should be something fun for everyone."

Produced by the Denham Springs Antique Village Merchants Association, the Spring Festival is one of Livingston Parish's premier events. The festival takes place in the Antique District of Denham Springs along Range Ave. For more information, please visit denhamspringsantiquedistrict.com

Louisiana Artisans Showcase Artwork: WOW

“Louisiana Artisans” recently held a ribbon cutting and open house at the Women Outreaching Women gallery on 4-H Club Road in Denham Springs. The new program, a partnership between WOW and many diverse artists from across the state, benefits both the artists and WOW. The fundraising tool is the result of WOW Executive Director Mona Mistric’s love of art, combined with a heart for those affected by domestic violence, and the never-ending seeking of funds.

The event was attended by Parish President Layton Ricks, Susan Ricks, Mayor Jimmy Durbin, Councilwoman Annie Fugler, Police Chief Scott Jones, Chamber of Commerce members, WOW staff and volunteers, and some of the participating artists.

Louisiana Artisans is a slick, new catalog showcasing 75 original, one-of-a-kind art pieces produced by local artists to support Wow’s emergency shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Jewelry made with beads and stained glass, swamp driftwood with flowers, acrylic paintings, abstract paintings, prints and sculptures are available. WOW operates a 24-hour Crisis Hotline, an Emergency Shelter, Supportive Housing program for women with disabilities, and many other community outreach services and programs.

On May 8, Women Outreaching Women will be holding a Fundraising Golf Tournament at Greystone Country Club to raise funds to support the emergency shelter for battered women and children. Registration is at 11:00 a.m. and Shotgun start is at 1:00 p.m. Entry fee is $500.00 per four man team with 18 holes of golf, dinner, prizes for top 10 scores, poker run, door prizes and silent auctions. Raffle will include a memebership to Greyston Country Club and one lucky golfer could win a new Jeep Wrangler courtesy of All Star Dodge. Entry deadline is April 30, 2012. For more information, contact Andy DeShazer at: Office - 225-791-3940 or Cell - 225-615-0577 Email - facilitator@womenowomen.com

Historic Sewer Upgrade Completed

The city is proud to announce the completion of the new $23.7 million Denham Springs Sewerage District #1 collection system. The first project bids were accepted in May 2010.

In 2007, the state DEQ issued a warning that after 2012, sewer discharge permits would no longer be issued for Gray's Creek. The city was already designing a major sewer and water expansion and upgrade plan, but due to the impending restrictions, Mayor Jimmy Durbin began working with DEQ on agreeable solutions. The city council had some very tough and costly decisions to make. As a result of those decisions, the exceptional utility systems are a tremendous positive investment in the future of Denham Springs. Mayor Durbin has steered the project through from inception.

The first and most significant part of the eventual $53 million long-range plan was the construction of a state-of-the-art mechanical treatment plant, for which the city won the DEQ Environmental Leadership Award in pollution prevention. The new sewerage collection system, like the existing one, brings wastewater to the city’s innovative treatment facility.

The plant meets DEQ’s stringent effluent discharge standards for Gray’s Creek. The facility has a design flow capacity of four million gallons per day and a maximum flow capacity of six million gallons per day. By utilizing exceptional quality sludge, the city proactively enhanced recycling and eliminated wastes being sent to area landfills. A portion of the final water discharge is used for irrigation at Greystone golf course.

That sewer plant project was followed by a major water system rehab, also including construction of new water wells and water storage towers, one of which holds a million gallons. On the heels of the water project completion, the city created the Denham Springs Sewerage District #1, and with the blessing of the Parish President and Parish Council, began expansion of the city sewer system over five square miles, about twice the area of the existing city-owned system. City sewer lines now track city water lines outside the city’s boundaries, opening up those areas mostly south of the city for residential and commercial development.

The Mayor and city council run the financially independent collection system. Construction bonds are being retired with customer service fees. Customers served by the new collection system pay the same fees as existing city sewer customers outside the city limits. Word was sent out from City Hall last week that those new customers who have not yet tied into the system must do so immediately. They will begin receiving utility bills for the sewer service in the city’s next billing cycle.

ACS: Relay for Life Success

The 2012 American Cancer Society Relay for Life event held March 23 at DSHS was a great success. Pictured above is Councilman John Wascom taunting potential customers from atop the dunking booth. Other volunteer "dunkers" included Fire Chief Melvin Wheat, Fire Prevention Officer Robert Ballard, Sheriff's Deputy Patrick Bedwell, Councilman Chris Davis and former Chief of Police Jeff Wesley. Many thanks to everyone who participated and came out to support survivors and volunteers. You helped make every aspect of the evening's activities fantastic, and funds raised by your efforts will make a difference in Livingston Parish lives. We look forward to doing it again in 2013!