Here are some of the events taking place over the next two weeks: 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Oasis, a Safe Haven for Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence, is hosting a series of events. Prior to the beginning of the month, there will be an Awareness Concert on September 29th at Veterans Park from 11am to 2pm. During the month, there are multiple events every week across the region from College Night at MSU (2nd) to a Walk from Vinton to Lake Charles (27th). For more information, call Oasis at 337-436-4552.

Papersmith has a new selection of Fall and Halloween items to delight everyone. Check out their new merchandise at 2925 Ernest Street (across from Prien Lake Mall. Also, like them on FACEBOOK and see more PaperSmith Style.

Performance Employee Assistance & Business Services is providing the following workshop as part of their 2012 Employee Relations Workshop Series: Women in Leadership: Top or Bottom? Research concludes that women are effective leaders for today's world; yet, comparatively few reach the top echelons. What skills and resources do some women have that others will want to develop? This workshop will be on October 3, from 8:30am to 10:30am in the Family & Youth Conference Room. Register at www.fyca.org/erworkshops.html or contact Sue at 337-436-9533 or sue@fyca.org.

The West Calcasieu Association of Commerce is hosting their Empowering Women Luncheon on Thursday, October 4, from 12pm to 1:30pm at Frasch Park (400 Picard Road, Sulphur). The keynote speaker will be Marion Fox, the Executive Director of the Economic Development and Tourist Commission for Jeff Davis Parish. Tickets are $15 for WCAC members, $20 for non-members. Call 313-1121 for more information.

The Cameron Parish Veterans Wall committee is in the process of updating the listing on the wall.  Any Cameron Parish veterans who are not listed on the wall are asked to contact C.W. "Sing" Faulk @ 337-775-8622 or Edward Petersen @ 337-775-5452.  Applications can also be obtained from any Cameron Parish Library branch. 

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) will host volunteer training beginning Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9am to 4pm at Family & Youth, 220 Louie Street, Lake Charles.  Training will continue on Oct. 13, 20, and 27, 2012. Every child deserves a safe permanent home. Be the voice that helps them find one.  A Court Appointed Special Advocate is a trained volunteer child advocate who is appointed by a Family Court Judge to speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children. It's a way for individuals in the community to make a difference in the life of an abused child.  The first step in making a difference is the desire to do so.  To find out more, contact ann@fyca.org or call Family &Youth at 337-436-9533.  Potential volunteers from Allen or Jefferson Davis Parishes can contact judy@fyca.org or call 337-824-8036.

Habitat for Humanity is having a sale on October 5th (7am to 4pm) and 6th (7am to 12pm). The following items will be available: doors, paint, trim, windows, tubs, wallpaper, hand tools, roofing, flooring, carpet, shutters, lighting, fans, and more. All profits will be used to offset operating costs. The sale will be in the white warehouse across from the Habitat office at 3551 Avenue C in Lake Charles.

The Fall season is swiftly approaching and with it comes another stellar lineup for Movies Under the Stars! Beginning Friday, October 5, and continuing the Series October 12, 19, and 26, friends and families will be treated to another great line-up of current and timeless feature films. Moves Under the Stars is pleased to present Puss in Boots (October 5); Some Like it Hot (October 12); My Big Fat Greek Wedding (October 19), and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (October 26). Movies Under the Stars is a free event to the public. Each movie will begin at 6pm. Residents are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, blankets and food. Snacks can also be purchased on-site. Prien Lake Park is located at 3700 West Prien Lake Road in Lake Charles. In the event of inclement weather, dates may be cancelled. For more information please call 721-3500.

The USS Orleck dares everyone to visit their experiment in terror - The Bludd Vessel which will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October (and October 30 and 31). Ship hatches will open at 7pm. For information, call 337-214-7447, email info@orleck.org , or find them on Facebook.

Mediated Solutions & Coaching, LLC is offering six (6) Weeks of Free Coaching for one adult and one teenager. These sessions (valued at $510/person) are one-on-one sessions for any adult or teenager to help improve self-awareness, manage conflicts effectively, achieve fulfilling relationships and pursue their personal and career goals. Each session is for one (1) hour at a mutually agreed upon location.   The drawing will be on October 6. Register at www.mediatorandcoach.com

Women & Children's Hospital welcomes all former NICU patients and their families to attend the 2012 NICU Reunion. The hospital will celebrate 28 years of caring for these special deliveries on Saturday, October 6, from 10am to 1pm on hospital grounds. This event will include games, face painting, picture station, food and more! Register you and your family now at http://www.women-childrens.com/nicu or call 475-4064.  

Lake Charles Memorial Health System will celebrate its 60th Anniversary with a Sensational 60th Celebration at L'Auberge Casino Resort. The event will take place Saturday, October 6, in the grand ballroom from 7pm to 12am. The night will feature music by Johnny Rivers, Chapter One, and The 1944 Big Band. Proceeds will benefit The Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit entity. All gifts to The Foundation are tax-deductible. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased by calling 337.494.3226 or clicking www.lcmh.com/gala.

McNeese University's Leisure Learning has even more classes of interest to the business community! Starting October 8, they are offering QuickBooks I - Setting Up a Company, Sales & Receipts, Purchases & Payments. The class will run for three Mondays from 5pm to 8 pm. On October 9, they begin Microsoft Word 2007 - I: Introduction from 8:30am to 12:30 pm and Golf Basics on October 11th from 6pm to 7pm. If you are interested in Outdoor Portrait Photography, that class is on October 13, from 7:30am to 1pm. They are offering Professional Floral Design 101, starting October 15 from 6:30pm to 8:30 pm, and Chef Richard Lipton's Roll Your Own Sushi on Oct 16. Starting October 29, they are offering QuickBooks II, Setting up Payroll, Financial Reports & Misc. Transactions which will run for three Mondays from 5pm to 8pm. To register, call 337-475-5616. Go to their website: www.mcneese.edu/leisure for more class descriptions.

The Senior Circle Chapter at Women & Children's Hospital is hosting a "Facing the Future One Wrinkle At a Time" Lunch and Learn Thursday, October 11, at the Lake Charles Country Club at 12 p.m.  The speaker will be board certified Plastic Surgeon, Ralph W. Colpitts, M.D. Senior Circle is open to men and women ages 50 and better. To RSVP, call 475-4018 by Wednesday, October 10.

The American Cancer Society is teaming up with Quad Clothing Company to host the second annual fashion show on October 13,at the McNeese State University Parra Ballroom. This formal event begins at 5:30 pm and is open to the public. The show will honor breast cancer patients, survivors and care givers. There will be food, fun, fashion, a silent auction, testimonies and so much more! The cost is $10 per person. For more information or to model for this event, please contact Indrea Gordon of Quad Clothing at 337-309-0945 or visit www.quadclothingcompany.com.

The annual Clean Out The Freezer and Pantry Day, benefiting Abraham's Tent in Lake Charles, is set for Sunday, October 14, from 1pm to 4pm in the Gordon's Drug Store parking lot, located at 2716 Lake Street. The community is encouraged to donate food items, such as: wrapped and labeled frozen meat and fish (wild and domestic), canned and boxed food, rice, cooking oil, seasonings, vegetables and paper goods.  A convenient drive-thru service will be provided.  For more information, please contact event organizers Sally Foret at (337) 433-7090 or George Paret at (337) 477-6773.

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese is hosting IRS Updates for Tax Preparers and CPAs on October 16th. The workshop will last from 9am to 1pm and includes a continental breakfast. Admission is $15 per person. Pre-register online at lsbdc.org and search under events. For more information, call 337-475-5528.

Women & Children's Hospital will host a free informational seminar on an innovative new treatment for chronic heartburn this Tuesday, October 16, at 6pm in the Hospital's ICU Classroom located at the rear of the hospital campus at 4200 Nelson Rd. General surgeon Keith Chung, M.D. will discuss the various treatment options for individuals suffering from heartburn or acid reflux disease, including an incision-less surgical option. Call 475-4064 to register to attend.

Tickets are now on sale for the first Wine Down: Vino 101 event scheduled for Wednesday, October 17, at the Lake Charles Country Club. The event will kick off at 6pm and will feature wine basics in a fun, casual atmosphere. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about different types of red and white wines from Nathaniel Allured, area manager for Republic National Distributing Company's wine division. The wine will be paired with delicious food samplings. Tickets are $35 each and proceeds will benefit the Calcasieu Community Clinic which serves more than 2,000 patients in the community and provides hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical services and pharmaceuticals to underinsured citizens in the Lake Area. Each ticket is an entry to win one of 12 door prizes. Tickets can be purchased at the following Lake Charles businesses: The Wine Store (4070 Nelson Road, #100), Mimosa Boutique (3101 Ernest St., Ste. 1) and Healthy Image Marketing (836 University Drive). For more information on purchasing tickets or becoming a sponsor, call (337) 478-8650.