APRIL 28
•Baseball Tryouts in Sulphur
There will be baseball tryouts for boys ages 16 to 19 years old at the old American Legion, Post 179, ballfield in Sulphur on Wednesday, April 28, 6 p.m.
•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.
•LOWV’s Luncheon RSVP Deadline
Lake Charles League of Women Voters April meeting will be held on Friday, April 30 at noon. The topic this month is “The REAL ID system, what does it mean to you as a US citizen?” The League of Women Voters’ April luncheon will feature Rep. Brett Geymann discussing the Department of Homeland Security’s national identification proposal, “REAL ID Cards.”
Come join them at Reeves Uptown Catering, 1639 Ryan St. The cost is just $15 for members and $18 for non-members. RSVP no later than Wednesday, April 28 to info@lwv-lc.org or call 474-1864.
APRIL 29
•Boy Scouts Auction
The Calcasieu Area Council, Boy Scouts of America will be hosting their Annual Fundraising Auction on Thursday, April, 29, at the Old Cash & Carry Grocery Store. All proceeds will go to support the programs of the 5,000 youth served in surrounding areas. There will be a wide variety of silent and live auction items to bid on. Sponsorships and tables are still available. For more information, please call the BSA office at 436-3376.
•Ulster project meeting
There will be an Ulster Project meeting on Thursday, April 29, 6:30 p.m. at the Managan Center, in Westlake. The group still needs host families, youth leader, and funds. Sign up for Contraband Cook-off will be done at the meeting. For any questions or to rsvp, please contact Phil and Paula Johnson, 439-9952.
MAY 1
•SHS Class of 1970 Reunion
The Sulphur High School Class of l970 will be holding their 40th Reunion on Saturday, May 1, 2010, at The Castle on Claiborne Street in Sulphur, La. beginning at 7 p.m. If there are any questions, feel free to contact the class at their website classof1970shs@yahoo.com, or you may contact Becky Robbins Venissat at (337) 625-4842.
MAY 1 & 2
•May Day Heli-Fun Fly
Local aviation enthusiasts have scheduled a May Day Heli-Fun Fly for this Saturday and Sunday, May 1 to May 2. This event that is free to the public will take place at Larks Flying Field in Carlyss. Organizers are expecting around 100 helicopters to fly all day Saturday and Sunday. Concessions and restrooms will be available for those in attendance.
Larks Flying Field is located off Highway 27 on Murl Ellender Road. For more information and complete event details, contact event organizer Ernie Nettles at 337-302-4743 or log onto www.larksrc.org
MAY 3
•LCMH First Monday in the Atrium
The Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital is pleased to present First Monday in the Atrium, a musical interlude held on the first Monday of each month from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the atrium at Memorial Hospital on Oak Park Boulevard. Our next performance is on Monday, May 3, and will feature music from the Bayou Jazz Kings. “Each month we see new faces in the audience, many of whom are community members who have heard about First Monday in the Atrium and just want to spend a few minutes of their day surrounded in such a relaxing atmosphere,” said Leif Pedersen, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy at Memorial. “Music truly lifts the spirit of all who attend the series and we can all use this at least one day a month.” June’s performance will be held on Monday the 7, and will feature Swamp Pop to Gospel. First Monday in the Atrium is free and open to the public. The performances are made possible thanks to the generous support of Gold Sponsors - Business First Bank, The Eye Clinic and Todd & Associates, and Silver Sponsor - Rau Financial Group. For more information on First Monday in the Atrium or The Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, please call (337) 494-3226.
•Contraband Chapter of AACA to meet
The Contraband Chapter of Antique Automobile Clubs of America will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, May 3, 2010, with dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m., at Mr. Bill’s (formerly Classic Café), 277 Hwy 171 N, Moss Bluff. Anyone interested in antique or collectable vehicles is welcome to attend. For more information, contact Warren David, Chapter President, at 337-477-8326.
MAY 4
•Self-Defense Workshop for Women
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office will be holding ‘Safe & Secure: A Ladies Self-Defense Workshop’ on Tuesday, May 4, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., in the Sulphur High School 9th Grade gym, 600 Willow Avenue. The class is free for women 13 years of age and over but class size is limited. Anyone interested in attending must pre-register by calling 491-3715.
MAY 6
•WCAC After Hours
West Calcasieu Association of Commerce cordially invites you to the "Go West!" Business after Hours on Thursday, May 6, 2010, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Bijoux's, 1705 Maplewood Drive, Sulphur. Come meet with other WCAC members to talk business and make important connections. Admission is $1 and a business card. Kindly call 533-1040 or email your response to associationw@bellsouth.net if you plan to attend. Please join them and bring a guest.
MAY 7
•Senior Citizen Fishing Derby
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office is sponsoring the annual Senior Citizen Fishing Derby on Friday, May 7 from 7 to 11 a.m. at the CPSO Pond located at 5400 E. Broad Street in Lake Charles. Participants must be at least 55 years or older. For more information, please call 263-4563.
MAY 13
•WCAC meeting to be at Isle of Capri
West Calcasieu Association of Commerce will hold its Thursday, May 13 luncheon meeting at noon at the Isle of Capri, 100 Westlake Avenue, in Westlake, Louisiana. The program entitled, “Spotlight on the City of Westlake” will showcase the City. Mayor Dan Cupit and his team will be presenting information about the National Golf Course and will be sharing new and exciting plans for Westlake. WCAC monthly meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month, usually in Sulphur. WCAC members, prospective members and guest are welcome. Make plans join them in Westlake for the May meeting. A big crowd is expected so please arrive early. Call 533-1040 if you have any questions.
•17th Annual ICHRMA Human Resources Conference
Imperial Calcasieu Human Resources Management Association (ICHRMA) will host a one day Human Resources conference on Thursday, May 13, 2010. The conference will be at L’Auberge du Lac from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The conference is packed with enjoyable speakers each delivering meaningful and useful information for HR professionals, office managers, and Operations Supervisors. Speaker topics include employment law, effective communication, leadership skills, strategic management, and wage and hour law. Lunch will be provided and door prizes will be awarded out throughout the day to conference participants. The conference has been pre-approved for 5.5 HRCI credit hours. Sponsorship opportunities are available, email ichrma@camtel.com for more information. ICHRMA is a non-profit organization designed to serve the needs of Human Resources professionals within the Imperial Calcasieu area. Our membership of approximately 170 members is made up of over 90 organizations in the fields of manufacturing, law, healthcare, banking, communications, local government, staffing agencies, and many more. ICHRMA is an affiliate of Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world’s largest association devoted to the Human Resource profession. For information about ICHRMA or the 17th Annual ICHRMA HR Conference, email HYPERLINK “mailto:ichrma@camtel.com” ichrma@camtel.com.
MAY 14, 21, 28 & JUNE 4
•Downtown at Sundown Lineup
The City of Lake Charles and the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana announce the line up for the twelfth annual Downtown at Sundown concert series. The event takes place at the Downtown Merchants’ parking lot at the corners of Ryan and Broad streets from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on four consecutive Fridays. The free shows feature a variety of music from local and regional bands. Also offered are food and beverage booths, table top galleries, art sales and activities for kids.
This year’s line up will be:
May 14 - Travis Matte and the Kingpins
May 21 - Whiskey South
May 28 - T-Broussard and the Zydeco Steppers
June 4 - Static
If inclement weather prevails, the concerts will be held inside the Lake Charles Civic Center. Concert goers are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, however, no outside beverages or pets are allowed on site. For more information, call the Arts and Humanities Council at 337-439-2787 or visit www.artsandhumanitiescouncilswla.org or www.cityoflakecharles.com.
MAY 21
•Tracy Porter Guest Speaker at AHA’s Heart Ball
The Southwest Louisiana chapter of the American Heart Association has scheduled its annual Heart Ball for May 21, 2010 at the Historic Calcasieu Marine Building. The black and gold themed event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will feature guest speaker Tracy Porter, cornerback for the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints. Cocktail attire is required as the evening will feature elegant surroundings, gourmet dining, music and an auction.
This year the Heart Ball will be honoring local cardiologists and CV surgeons for their work in educating and serving the community for the betterment of heart health. Funds raised at the event will directly benefit the community through the continued funding of biomedical research and ongoing educational programs, resulting in lives saved and enhanced health and wellness. For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, call Laura Broussard at the American Heart Association at (337) 781-2198.
MAY 26
•Safe Sitter® Babysitting Class Registration Deadline
West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital will offer a Safe Sitter® class for girls and boys age 11 to 13 on Tuesday, June 8 at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. Registration for the program is open until Wednesday, May 26. The Safe Sitter® program is a medically accurate program that teaches young adolescents how to handle emergencies when caring for younger children. The cost to attend is $35. To register your son or daughter or your child’s babysitter, call 527-4361. Thousands of young adolescents across the country have been trained by Safe Sitter® to handle life threatening emergencies. During the course, students will get hands on practice in basic life-saving techniques so they are prepared to act in a crisis. Safe Sitters also receive helpful tips to make them more confident caregivers. They learn safety precautions, how to understand children of different ages, and even the business of babysitting.
JUNE 5
•CPSO Youth Fishing Derby
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office will hold a Youth Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 5, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the CPSO pond, 5400 E. Broad Street. The event is for youth 15 years and younger. Youth groups welcomed. Call 491-3761 or 494-4520 for more information.
JUNE 5 - JULY 31
•Kid Power - Children’s Weight Loss Program
Kid Power of Southwest Louisiana is an 8-week healthy nutrition and physical activity weight loss program uniquely designed for area children, ages 6 to 14. The program will take place this summer, June 5 through July 31. Throughout this 8-week period participants will be offered an array of physical fitness activity choices and healthy eating education seminars. To qualify for the program participants must be overweight and must go through a one-time health screening process which will include a height and weight check and health history questionnaire. The Kid Power health screening sessions are scheduled for April 19, April 26, May 3 and May 10 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Calcasieu Community Clinic, located at 550 East Sale Road. Cost of the program is $10 cash per child per household and $5 cash for each additional sibling. Payment is required at the time of the screening - cash only. For more information, or to register for any of the upcoming Kid Power health screening sessions, please call Kid Power of SWLA at (337) 478-3780.
JULY 17
•Ninth Annual Lake Charles High School reunion
For nearly a decade, Lake Charles High School has held an open reunion for all classes. This year, there will be a special tribute to the band and cheerleaders. The open reunion will be at 10 a.m. at Lake Charles-Boston Academy of Learning on Saturday, July 17.
Band members who are interested in attending or performing at the reunion should contact Shelley Galloway Johnson at sjohnson@visitlakecharles.org or Charlotte LaFargue Rewerts at crewerts@juno.com.
ONGOING
•Sulphur Alzheimers/Dementia Caregivers’ Support Group
For caregivers struggling to care for a loved one with some form of dementia, the Sulphur Alzheimers/Dementia Caregivers’ Support Group meets at Stonebridge Place each month in the second floor activity room at 6 p.m. Stonebridge is located at 1511 S. Huntington Street in Sulphur. Meeting times for the remainder of the year are as follows: May 18, June 22, July 20, August 17, September 21, October 19, November 16, and December 14. For more information, please contact Kelly Savoie at (337) 527-4433 or Beverly Morrison at (337) 842-6890.
•Memorial Hospital Seeks Junior Volunteers
Lake Charles Memorial Hospital is once again hosting its Junior Volunteer Program, an annual program that provides area high school students between the ages of 15 and 17 with an opportunity to learn about careers in healthcare while making a difference for patients and employees. As Junior Volunteers, students are able to shadow and even aide hospital employees, giving them a hands-on introduction to the healthcare realm and experience in specific hospital departments. The Junior Volunteer Program will begin on Tuesday, June 1 and conclude on Thursday, July 29, 2010. To enroll, students must pick up an application form from the Office of Volunteer Services on the first floor of Memorial’s Oak Park campus between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday, May 3 through Friday, May 7. Applications may be turned in at the Memorial Hospital Gift Shop on Tuesday, May 11 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
For more information, contact Sherry Schofield at Memorial’s Volunteer Services, (337) 494-2493.
•Free litter bags available at Cameron State Bank
Free litter bags are available to the public at all Cameron State Bank locations. According to Roy M. Raftery, Jr., president and CEO, the bank is joining with the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury’s anti-litter campaign, “You Can’t Afford to Be Trashy.” Raftery says, “Reducing litter is not only important to the environment but it is important to the beautification of our parish. The anti-litter phone number is printed on our litter bags. Please call that number if you see someone littering,” he said. Litterers can be reported to the tip line by calling 493-LITR.
•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. 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.
•Care Help of Sulphur “Life Skills Classes” Schedule
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.
