Alliance, OH Florists

Alliance Flower Shop News

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

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 market and competition take care of it."___EDITOR'S NOTE: Melinda Deslatte has covered Louisiana politics for The Associated Press since 2000. Follow her at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatteAn AP News Analysis... http://www.idahostatesman.com/entertainment/article207443714.html

A Colorado baker, a Richland florist: Do religious beliefs justify discrimination? - seattlepi.com

The Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group, has represented both Phillips in Colorado and Stutzman, owner of Arlene's Flowers, in this state.The group's attorney Kristen Waggoner, described Phillips' wedding cake as a "temporary sculpture", and that his services cannot be equated to other vendors."The tailor is not engaging in speech, nor is the chef," Waggoner argued."The baker is engaged in speech, but the chef is not engaging in speech?" asked Justice Elena Kagan.Phillips has argued through the case that he is a creative artist, befitting the title "Masterpiece Cakeshop."  The Trump administration argued that under the First Amendment, Phillips is protected from crafting something that "inherently" sends a message opposed to his religious beliefs.But Justice Sonia Sotomayor noted that Subway sandwiches advertises that its employers are highly creative. "There are sandwich artists now," she said.If Phillips wins, the Supreme Court's ruling could be used to throw out the conviction and fine imposed against Stutzman. It could open up other avenues for denying service.How, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg asked Solicitor General Noel Francisco, should courts evaluate and differentiate various protections against discrimination?"I th...

Christmas is coming - The Daily Progress

Orange County may find some relief by visiting the many open houses that will be hosted by businesses on Main Street next week, as part of the first-ever Orange Downtown Alliance Downtown Holiday Village.The Holiday Village will make its debut on the Orange winter calendar Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9:30 a.m.to 3 p.m. The event is intended to “celebrate the spirit of the season and have regional residents explore their town shops, get to know their merchandise and meet business owners,” said Sharon Elswick of the Holladay House Bed and Breakfast, who helped organize the event.All downtown merchants, including The Arts Center In Orange, Finders Keepers, Grelen Downtown, Lacy’s Florist, James Madison Museum, Orange Pharmacy and more, will be participating in the Holiday Village, and many will offer special treats and sales for those who attend. Breakfast from Mountain View BBQ will be served beginning at 9:30 a.m. and various children’s activities will be held throughout the day.Santa will be greeting children one-by-one with small gifts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Orange Train Station, and librarian Michelle Pursel will read Christmas stories aloud during the same timeframe at 111 Short St. ... http://www.dailyprogress.com/orangenews/entertainment_life/christmas-is-coming/article_ae97155a-cfb4-11e7-8e6c-fb2ebf57caf3.html

Support piling up in Arlene's Flowers request for Supreme Court review - Tri-City Herald

Stutzman had refused to make arrangements for a longtime customer’s same-sex wedding in 2013.The U.S. Supreme Court has not indicated whether it will consider her case. Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal group representing Stutzman, says numerous friends-of-the-court briefs have been filed with the U.S. Supreme Court asking it to consider the lower court’s decision.Many of the briefs also encourage the alliance’s request to consolidate the Richland florist shop case with the similar case of a Denver-area baker.In late June, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the case of Jack Phillips, the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colo., who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex wedding reception. Alliance Defending Freedom also is representing Phillips.Robert Ingersoll and Curt Freed sued Arlene’s Flowers of Richland in 2013 after the owner, Barronelle Stutzman, refused to make arrangements for their wedding. Courtesy American Civil Liberties Union of Washington One brief asking that the Arlene’s Flower case be considered was filed on behalf of 29 members of Congress, including Republican Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Mike Lee of Utah and James Risch of Idaho. No Washington members of Congress were among them.“This case involves more than a clash between norms of non-discrimination and religious freedom,” the court filing said.The more fundamental question in both the florist’s and baker’s cases “is whether a government can coerce religious believers to speak or act contrary to their sincerely held religious beliefs,” it said.Briefs also were filed with the Supreme Court by 14 states or their governors. They include Arkansas, Alabama, Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Car... http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article169702567.html

Conservative groups submit amicus brief for Christian florist sued for ... - Christian Daily

She was also ordered to pay the gay couple's legal fees, The Christian Post reported.The Alliance Defending Freedom, however, said Stutzman will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Attorney Kristen Waggoner said the case is all about crushing dissent, adding that people with varying beliefs must be allowed to coexist and not forced to bend to a particular stance on marriage.[embedded content]... http://www.christiandaily.com/article/conservative-groups-submit-amicus-brief-for-christian-florist-sued-for-refusing-to-serve-same-sex-wedding/61012.htm

Edward Hubbard Stewart - The Star Democrat

Stewart, who pastored Methodist Churches in the Havre de Grace and Ellicott City area. Ed was predeceased by his sister, Linda Stewart Eklof.Ed was born in Baltimore on May 26, 1914. He attended Ohio Wesleyan University and transferred to the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. He earned a BA in Vocal Performance and a Master’s Degree in Musicology and Hymnology. He felt privileged to have sung in the Westminster Choir, touring with the New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestras led by prominent conductors of the time, including Arturo Toscanini and Leopold Stokowski. Ed also sang with the Westminster Choir during the recording sessions for the 1940 Disney movie “Fantasia.”During WWII, Ed worked as the director of music for churches in Philadelphia and Baltimore and served in the Coast Guard’s Chesapeake Bay patrol.In the 1950’s, Ed pursued a dual career in church music and home contracting in Florida. In the early 1960’s, when his marriage ended, he returned to Maryland, settling in Oxford. He continued his home building work and also his musical career, becoming the Director of Music for the newly formed Presbyterian Church, where he met and married Mary Trader Dyott, a member of the choir.After Mary’s passing in 2001, while living in Easton, he remained active in the church, was a member of the S... http://www.stardem.com/obituaries/edward-hubbard-stewart/article_da8e54da-1939-579f-b9c5-75bdc5e68906.html

Hidden Gems in the CLE: Love, Anji Paper Florist makes a colorful gift last - fox8.com

We're talking about the Hidden Gems in the CLE.  And, thanks to our friends at Destination Cleveland, we're showing you one of Northeast Ohio's coolest places.Love, Anji Paper Florist does it all for people who want to spend extra time with their flowers. They're handcrafted paper flowers, made intricately to look like the real thing.You can even make them smell like your favorite flower by adding a scent, sold in-house.Anji Barshick got into paper-flower making when she did her own wedding.  That eventually led to opening her own business inside the 5th Street Arcades in 2013.Barshick says the process can take up to 30 minutes per flower, but the result is stunning.  The shop has just about every flower you can imagine having for a multitude of occasions.Not only can you make your own bouquet in the store, Barshick also takes custom orders. But flowers aren't the only items you can pick up at Love, Anji.  There's a large array of handcrafted cards, stationary, and Cleveland mementos for purchase.If you're someone who wants a Mother's Day floral gift to last a little longer, or you have allergies to certain bloomers, this is a good fit for you.**For a sneak peek at Love, Anji, watch our Facebook Live!**For much more about Love, Anji Paper Florist, click here.Look for our hashtag on social media: #HiddenGemsCLE.  Do you know of one in Cleveland? Send ideas to lbuckingham@f... http://fox8.com/2018/03/20/hidden-gems-in-the-cle-love-anji-paper-florist-makes-a-colorful-gift-last/

Saving spring: How the Ohio River almost stole thousands of tulips - Cincinnati.com

Smale Park, thank the intrepid workers at the jewel of a park on the city's riverfront.Tulip beds, park workers know from experience, get wet when the Ohio River hits 55 feet. And the water was rising on Presidents Day, Feb. 19.How to save spring? How to make sure those tulips survive drowning?The team that tends Smale Park went to battle stations.They were ready. When the park flooded three years ago, the workers had made a point of watching how far up the water came and what was going to be planted there.The park florists – actually they're horticulturalists – saw that the tulip bulbs in the Memory Garden bed needed attention.Workers all over the park were moving the foot piano, chess pieces, picnic tables and all the stuff that required electricity. They also moved salt and mulch and potting soil. (They moved everything into the parking garage only to learn that the garage would also be submerged. So they moved all that stuff again.)But the bulbs, planted in an intricate pattern of undulating color, couldn't be just yanked out of the ground and put in a bag and replanted when the water dropped.The bed was replanted this year with bulbs to create a special ombre effect, shading from dark purple to light pink. (Photo: Provided by Corrie Carswell)It was supposed to be this fabulous show of color. "We were excited to see how it turned out," said florist Corrie Carswell.So, moving the bulbs required some, well, innovation."As a Hail Mary to try to protect 3,500 tulips, we tarped and sandbagged the overlook bed," she said.A ...

Over the Garden Fence | Flower show displays focus on world water issues - Bucyrus Telegraph Forum

I will close.The trip did succeed in bringing spring into our hearts.Mary Lee Minor is a member of the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club, is an accredited flower show judge for the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs and a former sixth-grade teacher.Read or Share this story: http://ohne.ws/2pc2m1j...