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 8
•German Heritage Day Program at Carnegie Library
Brigitta Malm will be the featured speaker for the German Heritage Day program to be held Saturday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the meeting room of the Carnegie Memorial Library building at 411 Pujo Street in Lake Charles. She will speak about the immigration of early Germans to Louisiana, the different regions in which they settled and their lives and early history here. She will present a slide program developed by Dr. Ellen Merrill, author of Germans of Louisiana. Tables are available for those who have items to display. Reservations are not required and there is no charge to attend. For more information contact the genealogical library at 721-7110 or email gen@calcasieu.lib.la.us.
MAY 8-16
•National Tourism Week
During National Tourism Week, May 8-16, the Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau will sponsor a variety of free events to highlight the role that tourism plays in SWLA’s economy and lives. Be sure to come out on May 8 for Children’s Day and May 11 for Restaurant Day at the Tourist Center. The entire week, refreshments from local bakeries and businesses will be served in the Visitors Center, 1205 N. Lakeshore Drive. Every 100th visitor will receive a special prize and have their photo placed on the “Visitors” Hall of Fame” board in the lobby, which will remain on display for the week. Refreshments will also be served at the bureau’s satellite centers: the Brimstone Museum Complex in Sulphur and the DeQuincy Railroad Museum. Call Shanna Landry at (337) 436-9588 for details.
MAY 10
•Stroke and Osteoporosis Screening in Sulphur
Residents living in and around the Sulphur community can be screened to reduce their risk of having a stroke or bone fracture. The St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church will host Life Line Screening on May 10. The site is located at 4822 Carlyss Drive in Sulphur. Appointments will begin at 10 a.m.
Screenings identify potential cardiovascular conditions such as blocked arteries and irregular heart rhythm, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and hardening of the arteries in the legs, which is a strong predictor of heart disease. A bone density screening to assess osteoporosis risk is also offered and is appropriate for both men and women. Many sites offer finger-stick blood tests to check for cholesterol and glucose. Packages start at $139. All five screenings take 60 to 90 minutes to complete. Life Line Screening was established in 1993, and has since become the nation’s leading provider of preventive screenings. For more information regarding the screenings or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-697-9721 or visit the website at www.lifelinescreening.com. Pre-registration is required.
MAY 11
•Town Hall meeting on underage drinking
Project KNOW will be holding a Town Hall Meeting to address the problem of underage drinking in Calcasieu Parish on Tuesday, May 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Police Jury Meeting Room in the Calcasieu Parish Government Building at 1015 Pithon Street.
•LCMH Junior Volunteer Program deadline
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.
•Louisiana Urban Stormwater Coalition Workshop
The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury is accepting registrations for the Louisiana Urban Stormwater Coalition Workshop which will be held on May 11, at the Lake Charles Civic Center. The Coalition is a non-profit eduational group formed to help Louisiana municipalities and parishes meet Phase I and II Urban and Construction Stormwater permit requirements. The workshop runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and costs $100. E-mail Barbara Monroe at bmonroe@cppj.net to register. Contact Rod Hendrick at rhendrick@agctr.lsu.edu or 225-718-1825 for more information.
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 ichrma@camtel.com.
MAY 14, 21, 28 & JUNE 4
•Downtown at Sundown
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 15
•American Legion Women’s Auxiliary Farmer’s Market
Come out to make your selections from a variety of offerings such as fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade jams and jellies, and hand crafted items. The market will be at the American Legion Hall located across the street from Victory Worship Center on Hwy. 90. Hours are 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Proceeds will benefit American Legion programs, Boys and Girls State, scholarships, Special Olympics, and Veterans programs.
•Hurricane Preparedness Expo
Prien Lake Mall, KPLC-TV and Entergy are teaming up to host a free Hurricane Preparedness Expo on Saturday, May 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The family-friendly event will focus on safety and preparedness this hurricane season, as well as feature vendors, KPLC-TV anchors and meteorologists, and educational presentations. After the educational presentations, children are invited to have fun in the Kids Zone, an interactive play area and many door prizes. This event is free and open to the public.
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 22
•Poker Run for family of Melissa Kathleen Dowers
A family-friendly benefit for the family of five-year-old Melissa Kathleen Dowers will take place on May 22 at Expedited Logistics & Freight Services located at 1665 Swisco Road in Sulphur. Registration begins at 8 a.m., $35 per bike, $10 per passenger. The poker run begins at 9 a.m., at 10 a.m. the barbecue and spaghetti dinners will begin being served, and at 11 a.m. the auction will begin. Music will be going on throughout the day. If you would like to donate directly to the benefit account, the information is as follows: City Savings Bank, Maurice Dowers/Benefit account for Melissa K. Dowers, Account No. 182495. The poker run is sponsored by the following: Raymond Felice family, Bailey family, Bullock family, Duet family, Naquin family, Dowers family, Lognion family, Grabowski family, and many loving friends. Any help rendered or donations made are greatly appreciated and will be a wonderful blessing. For more information, please call Lisa
Dowers-Duet at 337-463-9868, Merrell and Denise Bailey at 337-328-7310, or Raymond Felice at 337-533-8882.
•Swashbucklers' cheerleaders to hold camp
The Swashbucklers' First Mate cheerleaders will be presenting the "Cheer"-Ful Heart Camp, sponsored by Market Basket, on Saturday, May 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center.
Participants will receive a t-shirt and certificate of achievement. Snacks and drinks will be provided for everyone. During the camp, participants will learn a dance/cheer routine and will perform that evening during the half-time show.
To enroll any children between five to 10 years of age, contact the Swashbucklers office between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays at 310-7277, or visit any participating Market Basket stores for registration forms.
•E-recycle Day
CITGO is once again partnering with Team Green, the City of Lake Charles, and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury in sponsoring E-recycle Day at the Cowboy Stadium Parking lot on Saturday, May 22. Residents are invited to swing by between 8 a.m. and 12 noon to drop off computers, computer items, copiers, televisions and other electronics, phones, and mercury items. (They can not accept microwaves, smoke alarms, fire alarms, dehumidifiers, large appliances, non-decontaminated medical equipment, or any unit with sludge or liquids.) For more information, contact the City of Lake Charles at 491-1481.
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.
MAY 27-29
•Barbe Class of 1990 20 Year Reunion
A Party by the Pool at L’Auberge will be the kick off for Barbe’s “Class of 1990” reunion on Thursday May 27 with Bag Of Donuts playing. On Friday, May 28 at 7 p.m. the party moves to Frosty Factory. Saturday the 29th is Family Day at Skate City at 11 a.m. followed by a night at the Brick House at 7:30.
JUNE 1
•Summer Enrichment Program - Literacy Council
The Literacy Council of SWLA, Inc. will be hosting a 10-week summer enrichment program for students entering grades one through six. The 2010 Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) will begin on Tuesday, June 1, 2010, and will end on Friday, August13, 2010. Hours of operation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 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 & 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.
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
•Teen Dances at VFW
The VFW and Ladies Auxiliary 8107, located at 1235 E. Napoleon Street in Sulphur will sponsor Teen Dances every Wednesday night from 8 until 11 p.m. all summer from June 2, 2010 until the Wednesday night before school begins. Cost is $6. Teens will be required to sign in and sign out. Dress and behavior codes are enforced. Sulphur Policemen will be on duty and there will be plenty of chaperons as well.
•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.
•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.
•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.
•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.
Sulphur, La. —
