The Bossier Arts Council announced the ARTini Party and its Business Person of the Decade during an unveiling at the Boomtown Casino Cantina Thursday afternoon.

John Good — developer of the Louisiana Boardwalk, Stone Bridge and Villaggio — will be honored at the party set for April 17 at 7 p.m. on the rooftop of Boomtown Casino.

"We knew we wanted to have a large fundraising event and we wanted to honor someone at the event. The more the conversation started, our board president was looking to honor John Good and it just clicked," said Kelly Warner, Bossier Arts Council director.

ARTini Party will be a competition among restaurants that will vie for categories such as "most savory," "best theme" and the people's choice. An art auction orchestrated by the West Edge Artists Co-op featuring martini-themed art will also be held.

The Bossier Arts Council is seeking to raise funds to ensure they complete their mission of fostering an artistic environment in Bossier. The council's funding was cut by $30,000.

"We have a dynamic board that sees the need to fundraise and have an art revolution in Bossier. So we have a lot of art projects going on, but you're going to see more projects going on," said Warner.

Every guest to the party will receive a complimentary membership to the Bossier Arts Council and will be entered into a contest to win a trip to Las Vegas. Tickets are $40.

"It's for a wonderful cause. What we do is far beyond the boundaries of Bossier City," said Warner.

Barry Regula, Boomtown general manager, said he has a personal interest in the arts.

"My mother would be very proud of me today because she is an artist. I was raised in an artistic environment and I know how much art will enrich people's live and the community," said Regula.

Linda Morse, Bossier Arts Council Board president, was on hand to announce the selection of Good as the Business Person of the Decade.

"It is a privilege to honor (Good) for his courage, creativity and dedication. He has taken unique development ideas and they have benefitted not only the local areas, but the state as well," she said.

Bossier City Mayor Lorenz "Lo" Walker spoke about Good noting their cooperation on Good's developments.

"What I admire about this gentleman is that he's had his share of failures before his successes, but he learned from his failures and his persistence and faith in God has convinced him he could do things others could not do," said Walker.
Good's daughters Cristal and Faith were on hand to speak to the crowd about the announcement.

"On behalf of my dad, I can't express enough gratitude and thanks. Not only is it an honor to be his daughter, but to be here accepting this on his behalf," said Cristal. "You couldn't have picked a better man, not just an entrepreneur, but a man of his work and of his character."

Faith said "I know personally my dad does not see himself in the way my mom, my sister and I see him, and now he gets to see that his community thanks highly of him as well. For our family it's exciting that he is getting the appreciation that he deserves and it is an honor for him to receive this."

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