ALS Benefit This Saturday

    Al and Sharon Naquin (owners of Laura Blair’s, LLC) of Central and John Firth of Greenwell Springs (co-owner of Commercial Liquidators, Inc.) are part of a team of friends and family members working to coordinate an ALS fundraiser for Sharon’s cousin, Mark Manchester.  Please save the afternoon/evening of March 8th to attend this benefit festival on the levee of downtown Port Allen. 
    Mark, a native of Zachary, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Scleroses (ALS) in July of 2011.  ALS is considered a terminal neuromuscular disease.  Lou Gehrig first brought national and international attention to the disease in 1939 when he abruptly retired from baseball.  ALS can strike anyone at any time.  Sadly, this disease has already touched the lives of many, including Central residents, and researchers expect the number of diagnoses to rise as our troops return home.  Medical professionals have already determined a correlation between head injury and the onset of this debilitating disease.   
    Despite his diagnosis, Mark continues to challenge the works of technology and science to identify and implement their most promising developments toward new treatments and a cure.  Mark has adopted the motto, “NO WHITE FLAGS” as shared with Steve Gleason, a friend and former New Orleans Saints football player who is also fighting the same disease.
    The mission of the project is to raise funds to help support the ALS Association of LA/MS/ALS-TDI, MDA of LA, Team Gleason, and The Manchester Project.  After months of planning and with the help of many, The Manchester Project is proud to announce that the first annual “Mark’s Madness” event which will be held from 2:00 to 10:00 p.m. on March 8, 2014 on the levee in downtown Port Allen.  There are 8 bands booked for the event; The Chee-Weez, Don Rich and the Don Rich Band, Central’s own Floyd Brown, JJ Calllier, Big Pokey, Greg Martinez, and performers coming from York, England Craig (Vinne) Whitehead, and Johnny Pat and Al Kilvo.  Food and beverages are to be provided by multiple vendors and will be on sale at the site.  Tickets are on sale now at http://marksmadness.eventbrite.com/and may be purchased at the gate for a $20 entry donation.  Children 12 and under will be admitted free of charge. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to sit on the levee as you enjoy the great musical performances.   
    Laura Blair’s, LLC (a home décor shop featuring new furniture and antiques), located at 13623 Hooper in Suites B, C, and D which is at the corner of Sullivan and Hooper Roads will also be selling any remaining Mark’s Madness tee-shirts in a morning  sidewalk sale on that same date.   In addition to Laura Blair’s vendor merchandise, the sidewalk sale with have hot dogs and beverages for sale and will also feature items from other area merchants.
    Enjoy your post-Mardi Gras weekend with a morning sidewalk sale and evening concerts for a good cause.