NEW ORLEANS - The annual Mardi Gras celebration began in earnest with five parades back-to-back starting at noon on Saturday, February 18, with the Krewe of Pontchartrain.
|
Katrina Can't Blow Mardi Gras 2006 Away
NEW ORLEANS, (PRNewswire), February 19, 2006 - Parades, king cakes, beads, masks, stars, floats and millions of visitors will return to the streets of New Orleans as the city welcomes visitors back after enduring the wrath of Hurricane Katrina.
Despite Katrina's fury, residents and businesses of the Crescent City have fought back and are determined to throw a successful Mardi Gras. More homes than ever are decorated and flags are flying from seemingly every home in the city. "It will take a lot more than a little storm like Katrina to knock down the spirit of the New Orleans people," longtime resident Rhonda Fitzmorris said.
Although Mardi Gras will go on, the festivities will be a bit different than in years past. Parades will be packed into an 11-day schedule from February 18 to 28 and all uptown New Orleans parade krewes (clubs) will march along the same route down St. Charles Avenue.
The annual Mardi Gras celebration began in earnest with five parades back-to-back starting at noon on Saturday, February 18 with the Krewe of Pontchartrain. The new compressed schedule benefits parade-goers by allowing them to enjoy more parades in a shorter length of time while the city's already-overworked police, emergency services and sanitation crews can focus their efforts along one parade route.
Hollywood stars hit the town again this year, with Jim Belushi and Dan Aykroyd serving as co-Grand Marshals of Endymion. Batman Michael Keaton will lead the Krewe of Bacchus.
In other exciting news, 20 members of the famed Zulu tribe of warriors will travel from Africa to lead the Krewe of Zulu procession at 8 a.m. on Mardi Gras Day, February 28. The famed Krewe of Rex follows the Zulu tribe at 10 a.m. followed by three more parades.
Mardigrasday.com can help visitors sketch each day's schedule and help plan a wild - or not-so-wild - party for the times before, after and in-between. The site features information on all kinds of authentic New Orleans food to give parties a true Cajun flair. Drink recipes even come courtesy from a French Quarter bartender.
Of course, Mardi Gras doesn't have to be all about beads, pastries, plastic babies and mystic krewes. The history of Mardi Gras offers a fascinating look at how an event that began as a small parade of revelers on horseback in 1837 has grown to one of the greatest free parties in the world.
OfficeMax Super Hero Teacher of the Year' Contest
ST. LOUIS, (PRNewswire), February 19, 2006 - OfficeMax has joined TeachersCount and Marvel Entertainment in asking middle school students to nominate their favorite teacher to become the "OfficeMax Super Hero Teacher of the Year" in a nationwide contest recognizing outstanding teachers.
Students in grades six through eight can nominate a teacher by writing an essay in 200 words or less describing "Why My Teacher Is a Super Hero" and submitting their nomination before March 17. Both the grand-prize winning teacher and the nominating student will make an illustrated cameo appearance in a Marvel comic book as well as in a special-edition comic book honoring teachers.
"OfficeMax has a long-standing tradition of supporting teachers and education through our MaxPerks for Teachers program and our Teacher Appreciation events," said Sam Duncan, chairman and chief executive officer, OfficeMax. "This contest showcases America's teachers as the real-life heroes they are, overcoming difficult challenges every day to help educate our nation's children."
"We believe teachers can be heroes, and that's what this contest is all about -- reminding the public that teachers count in a big way and deserve to be recognized," said Diana Burroughs, executive director, TeachersCount.
The winning OfficeMax Super Hero Teacher of the Year will be announced on National Teacher Day -- Tuesday, May 9. A judging committee comprised of representatives from OfficeMax, TeachersCount, Marvel Entertainment, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers will select the winners.
"Marvel is delighted to create this special comic book for the dedicated men and women who truly shape the future by teaching our youth," said Robert Sabouni, vice president, Marvel Entertainment's Custom Publishing and Cover Concepts. "We have been partnering with teachers for a very long time, and have always known that they are our true heroes. We couldn't think of a more appropriate way to recognize that fact."
Build-A-Bear Workshop Opens First Zoo Store
ST. LOUIS, (BUSINESS WIRE), February 19, 2006 - Build-A-Bear Workshop has announced that it will open a store at the Saint Louis Zoo on Thursday, March 16. This is the first ever Build-A-Bear Workshop store located inside a zoo.
Zoo guests will be able to choose their furry friend to make, stuff it just right, add personality with a variety of outfits and accessories, and most importantly give it a heart. Guests can choose from a variety of furry friends, including: Humboldt Penguin, Tree Frog, Asian Elephant and Ring-Tailed Lemur. Guests will also have the opportunity to dress their furry friends in exciting outfits, such as a zookeeper and an engineer.
"Build-A-Bear Workshop focuses on bringing the bear making experience to places families go to have fun," said Maxine Clark, Founder and Chief Executive Bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop. "The Saint Louis Zoo is a world-class Zoo and we are beary excited about reaching more of our friends with this unique location in our hometown."
"At the heart of the Saint Louis Zoo experience is our ability to connect visitors with animals, in the hope that we'll create advocates for wildlife," said Dr. Jeffrey P. Bonner, President and CEO of the Saint Louis Zoo. "Likewise, Build-a-Bear Workshop establishes emotional bonds between children and the stuffed animals they create - right down to the careful placement of a heart and a wish at the animal's core. The Zoo is delighted to be able to offer this Build-A-Bear Workshop experience to our visitors."
Energizer Wins Patent Appeal
ST. LOUIS, (PRNewswire), February 19, 2006 - Energizer Holdings, Inc. has announced that the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) ruled in an unanimous decision that the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) erred in 2004 when it concluded that Energizer's patent covering mercury-free batteries was invalid. The CAFC reversed an earlier ITC decision and remanded the case to the ITC for further proceedings.
On October 1, 2004, the ITC issued notice of its decision to terminate the investigation as to whether the importation into, and sale in the United States of, certain zero-mercury-added alkaline batteries infringed Energizer Holdings, Inc.'s Patent 5,464,709. The Commission rejected the Initial Determination of the Administrative Law Judge in favor of Energizer, and determined that Energizer's claims were invalid for indefiniteness. Energizer appealed this determination to the CAFC.
On January 25, 2006, the CAFC overruled the ITC Commission's determination, and remanded the case back to the ITC for further proceedings. In the ITC, Energizer will again seek the general exclusion remedy, which will bar infringing batteries, including those made or sold by Respondents from importation or sale in the United States by United States Customs.
Energizer Holdings, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the world's largest manufacturers of primary batteries and flashlights and is the parent company of Schick-Wilkinson Sword, the second largest manufacturer of shave products in the world.
|
How To Reach Us:
