Gonzales, LA Florists

Gonzales Flower Shop News

Analysis: Louisiana's strict licensing standards targeted - Idaho Statesman

Being licensed to me is not necessarily to obstruct business or to stop someone from growing their business. It's to protect consumers," said Republican Rep. Clay Schexnayder, of Gonzales, as he opposed ending florist licensing.Work to lessen licensing rules crosses party lines, making for strange alliances. Libertarian organizations are championing the issue, along with the Louisiana chapter of the staunchly conservative Americans for Prosperity and Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards."Louisiana ranks as the sixth-worst in the nation for convoluted occupational licensing requirements. We can fix that," Edwards said.He's singled out the florist license: "I'm not sure why we do that."The Goldwater Institute, a libertarian think tank, said Louisiana licenses more low-income professions in the country than nearly every other state - and requires licensing for professions that rarely have such requirements elsewhere. Beyond the flower-arranging license, Louisiana is one of only three states that licenses interior designers.Emerson has shelved proposals to remove licensing requirements for interior designers and landscape horticulturists, instead focusing on deregulation of florists and hair braiding. She's also proposing an Occupational Licensing Review Act, backed by Edwards, that would set up an annual review process of Louisiana's regulations governing individual professions.Even the review proposal received pushback as it won passage in the House Commerce Committee. Representatives of the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission and the Louisiana Board of Cosmetology described it as an unnecessary burden."This is just piling on," said Steve Young, executive director of the cosmetology board. That bill awaits debate on the House floor, along with Emerson's proposals to exempt braiding services from regulation by the state cosmetology board and do away with the license . That hair-braiding deregulation effort passed the House last year but didn't win Senate passage.Fourteen states require hair braiders to have a cosmetology license, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.Emerson's bid to end florist licensing also emerged from committee Thursday and will be scheduled for full House debate.Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain said that license began in 1950, aimed at ensuring that no plant diseases or pests were transmitted through cut flowers. Under Emerson's bill, florists still would be subject to inspection and regulation from the agriculture department, and permits still would be required.Beyond those safety reviews, Emerson said she believes the free market can determine if a florist is competent or not."It's a service-based industry," she said. "You have to let the mark... http://www.idahostatesman.com/entertainment/article207443714.html

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Ascension - The Advocate

Christmas lights are already up at city hall in Gonzales and a drive-through Christmas light show is welcoming visitors at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center.While many folks try to delay holiday decorating until after the Thanksgiving turkey is carved, Christmas has come to the area a bit early this year and the calendar is dotted with several activities throughout the month.Most area holiday events are family traditions and some are new or rarely seen in Ascension Parish.New light displayNew this year is the Shadrack Christmas Wonderland at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center. The two-mile long display, which began Nov. 17, runs through Jan. 7 and features a synchronized LED light show with large animated displays. The light show started as one display in Bristol, Tennessee, at Shadrack Watersports and has grown to six locations in five states.The display is open from dusk to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and until 11 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It's $25 per car and $40 for activity vans and small buses.Holiday trainKansas City South... http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/ascension/article_6acaf198-c8c0-11e7-bf38-4b494c06bee1.html

Local businesses help plan a wedding for couple that lost 'everything' in Oildale fire - The Bakersfield Californian

April, after they lost "everything" in a fire in Oildale last week.Because they were left with only the clothes on their back, their cars and pets, Jessica Crabtree and Elijah Gonzales decided to, "spend time rebuilding their first home together," said friend Makenzie Hollar on Facebook.But friends and family collaborated to find a way to make the wedding happen in April.Hollar began telling the couple's story to local wedding vendors, and asked if they could help.Hollar wrote on Facebook, "One by one, moved by their story, there was no hesitation for these vendors to give to this couple, yes yes yes!"Thanks to these local businesses, the couple's wedding is back on."With all of the recent tragedy Bakersfield has been experiencing with the Las Vegas victims, the fires, the world is so dark these days," said Hollar. "I just really felt led to shed some light and show this couple that people in Bakersfield really do care. We have an awesome community."Most of the venders got together Thursday night and surprised the couple with the news at Dewar's"I told her we heard about what happened," Hollar said. "(Jessica) started crying before I even finished my sentence! She had mascara running down... http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local-businesses-help-plan-a-wedding-for-couple-that-lost/article_458cada2-b27e-11e7-9508-ebddc1e2d40a.html

Old City Florist sign donated to Museum of Redlands - Redlands Daily Facts

Peter Lenker, with his truck; Redlands Historical Museum Association board members David McLaughlin and Bob Evans; Monte Stuck of the Redlands Historical Museum Association; and Nathan Gonzales, archivist at the A.K. Smiley Public Library.To donate any item related to Redlands-area history to the Museum of Redlands, call the A.K. Smiley Public Library Heritage Room at 909-798-7632.Source: Redlands Historical Museum AssociationAdvertisement... http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/lifestyle/20170224/old-city-florist-sign-donated-to-museum-of-redlands

Florist Tiger Lilly backs 'Chase After a Cure' with special arrangement - Palmetto Business Daily

Attendees at the 9th Annual “ChaseAfter a Cure” gala on Feb. 4 bid onthe Charity in Bloom arrangement as part of the silent auction. Tiger Lily owners Manny and Clara Gonzales said they started the Charity in Bloom program to increase awareness and raisefunds for nonprofit organizations that work to improve the health and wellnessof children and families through medical research, education and mentorship.The Charity in Bloom arrangement for February includes a variety of pink and white roses andhydrangeas. Pink and white flowers are symbols of youth, innocence and joy -- anexcellent fit for an organization devoted to helping children during their mostdifficult times, they said.“Chase After a Cure” raises money to fund innovative research andpromising clinical trials that have the potential to immediately impact the livesof pediatric cancer patients.Summerville resident Whitney Ringler started the organization in 2009 after her3-year-old son, Chase, was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma. Since its founding, "Chase After a Cure" has awarded more than $500,000 topediatric cancer research at the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital.The arrangements are available in four sizes atfour price points: $85, $105, $135 and $200. Order the Charity inBloom arrangement online at www.tigerlilyflorist.com or call (843) 723-2808. http://palmettobusinessdaily.com/stories/511077155-florist-tiger-lilly-backs-chase-after-a-cure-with-special-arrangement

Effort to end florist licensing in Louisiana nipped in the bud with Senate panel's rejection - The Advocate

A Senate panel has rejected an attempt to do away with retail florist licensing in Louisiana – the only state that requires such occupational certification to arrange flowers.The Senate Agriculture Committee shot down House Bill 561 in a 6-1 vote on Tuesday after hearing objections from florists who said they agree with tighter regulations on their industry."Having a license is not a barrier," said Annie Taylor, a licensed florist in Scott. "To say you are a licensed florist sets you apart in the industry."She warned committee member that if the measure passed then it would denigrate the profession."You have let us down and you have demoted us," she said. "We are artists. It's not an occupation." ... https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_4058ed8e-4d59-11e8-aced-a3f61ef63b1c.html

Arkansas florist selected to decorate floats at Tournament of Roses Parade - MyArkLaMiss

Then, it was called Bridget's Holiday Shop. Since then, she has mastered her design skills and has built up her floral resume. She is a member of the Louisiana floral board, has received her Arkansas master floral license and just recently became a certified floral designer."She's very good," said Annie Dunn, a loyal customer and friend of Joslin's.In January, she'll be able to add another accomplishment to her resume. She was one of 59 floral designers to be selected to build a flower-filled float at the Rose Parade. She will join the Fiesta Parade Floats team."I believe with all of my heart that if you follow the passion that's in your heart, dreams can come true," Joslin said. "This is an answered prayer for me."The 128th annual Tournament of Roses Parade is Tuesday, January 1. You can watch the spectacular two hour event live right on NBC channel 10 at 6 a.m. ... https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/local-news/arkansas-florist-selected-to-decorate-floats-at-tournament-of-roses-parade/1663736375

Arkansas florist selected to decorate floats at Tournament of Roses Parade - KTAL

Then, it was called Bridget's Holiday Shop. Since then, she has mastered her design skills and has built up her floral resume. She is a member of the Louisiana floral board, has received her Arkansas master floral license and just recently became a certified floral designer."She's very good," said Annie Dunn, a loyal customer and friend of Joslin's.In January, she'll be able to add another accomplishment to her resume. She was one of 59 floral designers to be selected to build a flower-filled float at the Rose Parade. She will join the Fiesta Parade Floats team."I believe with all of my heart that if you follow the passion that's in your heart, dreams can come true," Joslin said. "This is an answered prayer for me."... https://www.arklatexhomepage.com/news/local-news/arkansas-florist-selected-to-decorate-floats-at-tournament-of-roses-parade/1664383787

Effort to eliminate florist licenses in Louisiana becomes a thorny issue - Fox News

BATON ROUGE, La. – In Louisiana, florists must know the proper storage temperature for plants, wiring methods for various flowers and how to construct a cascade bouquet. They pay $100 a year.The Pelican state is the only state in the country that requires a license to sell flowers, a distinction that has become a point of contention among florists who say it legitimizes their trade and state lawmakers who feel Louisiana is too overwhelmed with a dizzying number of professional license requirements.State lawmakers wanted to cut back on the number of licenses by eliminating the floral one. That has drawn the ire of florists who take pride in regulating their profession – by weeding out people who know little about floral arrangements. Orchids sit on display at Red Onion in Baton Rouge. Several florists throughout the state say they want to keep a licensing and testing requirement in place. Louisiana is the only state in the country that requires florists to be licensed. (Fox News)Part of the... https://www.foxnews.com/politics/effort-to-eliminate-florist-licenses-in-louisiana-becomes-a-thorny-issue