DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
ADVOCATE THE LIVINGSTON -TANGIPAHOA
T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, Au g u s t 6, 2025
1GN
Jennifer Rivero
Walker volleyball returns to court knowing value of perseverance Walker High volleyball coach Jennifer Rivero knows the value of perseverance, particularly when it has previously been in short supply. In just a couple of weeks, she will begin her second season as head coach of the Walker volleyball program. Interestingly, with Denham Springs and Live Oak each making moves, Charles offseason Rivero is the only Salzer returning coach SPORTS among Livingston’s ROUNDUP three Division I teams, and that’s just fine for the Wildcats. Prior to hiring Rivero before last season, for various reasons, Walker had been a bit of a revolving door with three head coaches in the previous three years. Winning on the court was the ultimate goal, but winning over the team had to happen before anything else could follow. Late in the season, it became apparent that Rivero had done that. Instead of a late season collapse like it had in 2023, Walker won eight of 15 matches to close the regular season. Included in that run were District 5-I wins over St. Amant and Denham Springs, a pair of teams that would make the playoffs along with Walker. Last week, Rivero took a minute to reflect on her team’s late-season run last week. “We were just trying to find a comfort level because we were new and they had been through so many coaches,” she said. “We had a run of beating some people that were big on our list, and that was exciting. As the season went on, we got stronger.” Building off of last season’s finish and staying strong will be the theme for this year’s team. Rivero has had the Wildcats working in the weight room during spring
ä See SALZER, page 2G
PHOTO BY RICHARD MEEK
Tiles painted by artist Alice Downing using alcohol ink were on sale at the Livingston Parish Arts Center on July 19 during an exhibit featuring Downing’s works.
EXPLORING A NEW MEDIUM Artist explains how to paint with alcohol ink at new exhibit
BY RICHARD MEEK
Contributing writer
Brilliant colors popped as Livingston Parish artist Alice Downing introduced several individuals to the medium of painting with good, old-fashioned household alcohol ink. As she went through the process, vibrant reds began to marry oranges, seemingly awaiting the partner of neon blue. The result was a stunning kaleidoscope of colors that had come together as one to create a piece that might be considered nontraditional, which suits Downing just fine. “Once you get the hang of it, it is not so bad,” Downing told patrons who visited her art exhibit July 19 at the Livingston Parish Arts Council during a reception for the council’s latest show. Paying close attention was artist/photographer Jennifer Bauer, feeling the inspiration growing as Downing continued her piece. Bauer has been eager to attempt painting with alcohol ink and even has some of the paints at home, which have been dust collectors. “I was afraid to use (the alcohol ink),” Bauer, a talented photographer whose pictures are liberally sprinkled throughout much of the tabletop book ‘Preserving the Culture of Livingston Parish,’ ” said. “This has made me want to do it, and I can do it easily. “I learned how to do it and now I want to do it and it will fit in with what I do.”
PROVIDED PHOTO
Artist Alice Downing’s enthusiasm was evident throughout her presentation of paining with alcohol ink at the Livingston Parish Arts Center in Denham Springs on July 19. Downing, who was raised in the New Orleans area and lived in other southern states before settling in the town of Livingston three years ago, said a friend from her church introduced her to painting with alcohol ink a year ago. They still get together once a week to paint. Downing admitted she is drawn to the abstract style of painting, sheepishly saying she could never “draw to save her life.
“I found my niche to be abstract because you can’t mess up an abstract unless you muddle colors,” Downing joked. “I was attracted to it because it was something new and it was colorful and it looked pretty easy to do.” Downing walked patrons through the process, beginning with the use of
ä See MEDIUM, page 2G
Assess the Need continues school supply drive
Mammogram coach in Denham Springs
Community news report
Mammograms Drivers are will be offered encouraged to Aug. 6 in Denham exercise caution Springs thanks to when approaching the Woman’s Hosschool zones and at stopped buses. pital mobile mamDarlene And don’t forget, mography coach. Denstorff it is now illegal to The coach will AROUND use a handheld cellstop at Sage RehaLIVINGSTON phone in a vehicle. bilitation Hospital, For more informa8375 Florida Blvd., Denham Springs. A physition, visit school websites. cian’s order is required, Leadership conference, and appointments are strongly encouraged. Call expo registration open (225) 924-8268 to schedule. Registration is underBack to school way for the Livingston Chamber of Commerce’s Livingston and TangipaWomen’s Leadership hoa parish public school students return to class ä See AROUND, page 2G Aug. 8.
Livingston Parish Assessor’s Assess the Need school supply drive volunteers were stationed at area stores Friday and Saturday. Volunteers will be at Livingston Parish Associated Groceries from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Aug. 8 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m Aug. 9. Drop off locations include Carter’s Supermarkets in Denham Springs and Walker; Cain’s Family Supermarkets in Livingston, Albany and Springfield; Oak Point Fresh Market in Watson; and Village Markets in Port Vincent and Head of Island. Checks or money orders can be mailed to: Assess the Need, P. O. Box 1802, Denham Springs, LA 70727-1802.
PHOTO BY DAVID NORMAND
Bobbi Jo Guerin, second from left, with the Livingston Parish Assessor’s Office holds a donation jar as Robert Brown, left, makes a contribution to the annual Assess The Need school supply drive at the Oak Point Super Fresh Market in Watson on Friday. Looking on are Assessor’s Office employee Molli Lati, center, North Live Oak Elementary Principal Melissa DuBois and North Live Oak Elementary teacher Brandy Sheffield. The supply continues Friday and Saturday at area grocers.