EVENT ALERT: Autograph Auction + Coming Out Day

Autograph Auction to Benefit Reading Program

An auction of more than 40 autographs of famous people will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today (Sunday) at Cush's Grocer and Market (9535 Ellerbe Road in Shreveport).

The event is by Books Out of Kindness, an organization founded by Charlton Boyd, a 13-year-old student at Caddo Middle Magnet. The organization provides a reading program for children in the area.

Admission to the event requires a book to be used by the organization in the program.

Among the autographs: President George H. Bush, First Lady Barbara Bush, Tom Brokaw, Sean Hannity, President Jimmy Carter, Coach Trent Johnson, Tom Cruise, Alan Jackson, Ted Turner, Dick Vitale, Lee Iacocca, Archie Manning, Coach Les Miles, John Grisham, Coach Dale Brown and Coach Mike McConathy.

Donations to the group can be made by mailing a check to: Charlton Boyd-BOOKS, 411 Pierremont Road, Shreveport LA 71106. For more information, call (318) 861-2022 or (318) 458-5252. Donations of used or new books are also accepted.

• Also having an auction -- LIFESHARE Blood Center -- They'll be auctioning off items like LSU football tickets, items donated by David Toms, jewelry and other items. Learn more about the event (and the auction items) HERE.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

PACE to host Coming Out Day on Sunday

People Acting for Change and Equality and The Center for Families will host "Living Authentically-National Coming Out Day 2009."

The event will be held 2 to 5 p.m. Today (Sunday) at 864 Olive St. in Shreveport in honor of National Coming Out Day, a day of empowerment for millions of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people across the country.

"Coming out of the closet can be a traumatic process marked with fear and shame as well as fear of rejections from family, friends, classmates and co-workers and the religious community," PACE president Bryan Sullivan said.

PACE and The Center for Families will provide a support panel to help those in the process of coming out of the closet. They are available by phone at (318) 222-0675 or visit the location to speak to someone in person.

The support will include psychologists, attorneys, ministers and medical professionals as well as members of the local college Gay-Straight Alliances.