APRIL 8
•WCAC Meeting
West Calcasieu Association of Commerce will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 8, at noon at the Holiday Inn, Sulphur (330 Arena Road). The $10 lunch meeting will feature guest speakers Perry Pertuit, Louisiana Site Selection Centers, and Ron Childress, Entergy Louisiana Teamwork Economic Development. Bryan Beam with the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury will also address the group. The meeting is open to all members, guests, and anyone interested in becoming a member of the West Calcasieu Association of Commerce. For more information, call the WCAC office at (337) 533-1040.
APRIL 9
•Spring Art Walk on the Horizon
The Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana will host its annual Spring Art Walk on Friday, April 9 from 5 until 9 p.m. in downtown Lake Charles. The Art Walk will feature more than 75 artists in 16 separate locations. Locals will enjoy strolling down the historic streets of downtown while experiencing first-hand what their community has to offer. Locations will include The Children’s Museum, Pujo Street Café, The Frame House Gallery, Sweets and Treats, Luna Bar and Grill, Mullers Lofts, 1911 Historic City Hall, Gallery by the Lake, the Central School Arts and Humanities Center, as well as several other landmark venues. Once again, transportation will be provided from the Civic Center parking lot in four New Orleans themed Belgian mule-drawn carriages. Sightseers may disembark at any stop along the way, catching the next carriage after they enjoy the sights, sounds, wine and hors d’oeuvres of each location. This service is provided free of charge through a donation by Citgo. The first 150 visitors will receive a shopping bag and Dasani water from Coca-Cola bottlers. The Spring Art Walk brings exposure to local downtown venues and artists, while at the same time improving the overall quality of life for Lake Area residents. For a carriage route map and complete list of participants, or for more information concerning the Art and Humanities Council, contact (337) 439-2787 or visit www.artsandhumanitiesswla.org
APRIL 10
•City of Sulphur Trash Bash
The City of Sulphur will hold a Trash Bash on Saturday, April 10, 2010 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Citizens are urged to clean up streets, neighborhoods, yards as well as adjacent areas. Receptacles will be placed in the back parking lot of W.W. Lewis Middle School on Cypress Street. Let’s keep the pride in Sulphur.
•Spring Fling Clean Up at Boys Village
Local Kiwanis Clubs and the Boys Village Board of Directors are teaming up for a Spring Fling Clean Up at Boys Village on Saturday, April 10 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Invite family, friends, volunteer groups, churches, etc. to spring clean this beautiful campus. Please contact Cindy Mathieu at 436-7553, of Boys Village with volunteers and items donated to ensure the work flow is smooth and plenty of refreshments are available.
APRIL 17
•Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Fest
The movers and shakers of the south are pleased to present the first Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Fest on Saturday, April 17, in downtown Lake Charles. This festival will be held in the Downtown Merchants Parking Lot on the corner of Broad and Ryan Streets between the hours of 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. Crawfish, crawfish, and more crawfish. That’s what going to be happening at the first Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival. Enjoy the best music, food and fun at one of the largest Crawfish Festivals in Southwest Louisiana. Featured artists are the Gator Band and True Spirit, Linda Toussaint, Zydecane, and Lil Nate and the Zydeco Big Tymers. Come out and bring the whole family for good fun and fellowship all day long. Come on and get in on the action Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Fest. Tickets are only $7 before 6 p.m. and $10 after 6 p.m.
APRIL 22
•Senior Citizen’s Safety Awareness & Fun Day
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office will be holding a Senior Citizen’s Safety Awareness & Fun Day on Thursday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be at the Lake Charles Civic Center and is free for seniors 55 years and older. For more information, call 263-4563.
APRIL 23
•Golf Tournament in Sulphur
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso will be sponsoring the LHSAA Golf Tournament on Friday, April 23, at the Frasch Golf Course. It will be a four person scramble with a $75 entry fee per player. For more information, contact Pam LeBlanc at 491-3713.
APRIL 24
•NAMIWalks for the Mind of America
The 8th Annual NAMIWalks for the Mind of America will start at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 24, at the Lake Charles Civic Center Amphitheater. If you would like to walk or find out more about this event, go to www.nami.org/sites/namiswla or call 433-0219.
APRIL 28
•An Evening of Bluegrass and Banjo Sponsored by CPC
Coastal Plain Conservancy presents Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers in concert for an evening of bluegrass and banjo. The concert will be on April 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bulber Auditorium at McNeese State University. Tickets on sale now at www.cpcla.eventbrite.com. For more information call (337) 721-5730.
ONGOING
•Literacy Council Offers Online G.E.D. Course
Need help preparing for your G.E.D.? Work on-line at your own pace. All that’s needed is access to a computer with Internet and a $25 registration fee. Call the Literacy Council of SWLA to schedule your orientation at 337-494-7000. Orientations are offered in Lake Charles, Sulphur, Westlake and Cameron.
•Life Drawing Classes at Gallery by the Lake
Life drawing classes are being offered to the public from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Creative Arts Center of the Gallery by the Lake, 106 W. Lawrence (Pryce) St. in Lake Charles. Fee and other information is available from Associated Louisiana Artists at (337) 436-1008. Gallery by the Lake is operated by Associated Louisiana Artists Inc., a nonprofit organization.
•The Literacy Council Offers Summer Programs To Students
The Literacy Council of SWLA, Inc. - A United Way Agency will be hosting a 10-week Summer Enrichment Program for students entering grades 1 to 6. The 2010 Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) will begin on June 1 and will end on August 13. Hours of operation will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The purpose of the 2010 SEP is to coordinate activities during the summer that promotes continued development in reading, writing, mathematics, technology, and communication. There will be a variety of experiences including group projects, leadership development, library visits, guest speakers, arts and crafts, and physical fitness. The themes for this summer include Jungle Jim & Jane, Beaches and Sunshine, Health & Fitness, Friendship & the Great Outdoors, and Playful Puppets & Art Explosion. Financial assistance is available. Before-care and after-care are available at no additional charge. To enroll your child in the 2010 SEP, contact the Literacy Council offices at 494-7000 Also being hosted by the Literacy Council is a 7-Week Intensive Summer Youth Program for youth entering grades 7 to 12. The program will begin June 7 and end July 22. The Council will provide help to youth who are enrolled in school and who need help with reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and science. The program will also help youth develop their study skills in preparation for the challenges of the new school year. To be eligible for the program, youth must meet one or more of the following criteria: 1) need to improve their reading or mathematics levels, 2) been held back at least once in the prior two school years, 3) earned below a “C” average in one or more subjects, or 4) scored below grade level expectations on the LEAP, iLEAP, or GEE. The parent or guardian must give permission for the student to participate in the program. Proof of enrollment in school, including grade assignment, must be provided. The most recent report card or standardized test scores are acceptable. A one-time $25 registration fee is required to enroll in the program. To register your child for the program or for more information, please call the Literacy Council at 494-7000.
•‘Frasch Pictures America’ Exhibit
The Brimstone Historical Society and Frasch Elementary would like to invite the public to a very special exhibit. Frasch Elementary’s library (led by Jeni Anderson) and the Art Department (led by Jennifer Manuel) have worked very hard to prepare a display which incorporates history, art, and literature all in one exhibit. The exhibit is part of a “We the People” grant. This grant is given by the National Endowment of the Humanities to special programs throughout the country.The display features paintings, writings, and collages from 4th and 5th grade students at Frasch. This will be on display from now until April 1, so don’t miss your chance to see how “Frasch Pictures America!” The Henning Cultural Center also has new Saturday hours. The Cultural Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, effective immediately. For more information about this or upcoming exhibits, please call at 337-527-0357.
•Care Help of Sulphur “Life Skills Classes” Schedule
April 9 - The Hidden Job Market; May 14 - Skills Assessment; June 11 - How to Prepare a Budget. Location: 112 E. Thomas St. in Sulphur from 1 to 3 p.m. Call 528-2273 to reserve a seat. There is a drawing for a Wise Penny Thrift Store Gift Certificate. Please visit their website at www.care-help.org.
•Wise Penny Thrift Store Hours
Care/Help of Sulphur’s Wise Penny Thrift Store regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Every first and third Friday is 50 Cent Day for clothes, shoes, and purses as well as daily 50 percent off sales.
•Lifelong Learning Center Classes
Take charge of your life in 2010 by enrolling in classes at the Lifelong Learning Center. Classes are available for adults wanting to get their GED or improve their reading, writing, math, and spelling skills. The Learning Center also offers ESL (English as a Second Language) classes. These classes are for people moving here from other countries who need to learn the English language. Classes are taught by experienced and qualified instructors in small group class settings to allow for individualized attention. Morning and night classes are available. Improving your skills today makes for a brighter tomorrow. Call 494-7000 for more information, or to find out how you can register for classes at the Lifelong Learning Center. Free bus tokens are available to help with transportation needs.
•Mayor’s Commission for the Needs of the Disabled
On the second Wednesday of each month, 10:30 a.m., the Mayor’s Commission for the Needs of the Disabled meet in the Sulphur City Council Chambers, 500 N. Huntington Street.
