McNeese's Leisure Learning is offering the following classes: Basic Blacksmithing Skills, Couponing- How to Save Big for Summer Vacation, ACT Math Review, The Magic of High Dynamic Range & Panorama Photos, College Success Tips for Starting or Returning to College, Flower Arranging for Prosperity, Romance and Health, Audubon Pilgrimage Trip to St. Francisville, Intermediate Adobe Photoshop, and Making Country Wines at Home. For course descriptions, visit www.mcneese.edu/leisure. To register, call 337-475-5616.

The Foreman-Reynaud Community Center is now offering swim lessons! For $5 a day, your child can learn how to swim from 5pm to 6pm, Monday through Friday. Three to Four year olds are starting now, five to six year olds start April 2nd, seven to eight year olds start April 29th, nine to ten year olds start June 3rd, and eleven to twelve year olds start July 8th. For more information, call 436-2500.

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation is revving up for the third annual Run with the Nuns Motorcycle Ride and Charity Event, which will take place on Saturday, March 16, at presenting sponsor L'Auberge Casino Resort at 9am. Registration is $30 for each driver and $20 for each passenger and includes an event t-shirt for registration by deadline, lunch, medal and door prize ticket. The ride will depart L'Auberge Casino Resort at 9:30 a.m. and will make its way on a 117-mile scenic route through Southwest Louisiana along the Creole Nature Trail. There will also be a rice and gravy cook-off during the Run with the Nuns event. The entry fee is $150 per team and includes meat, rice and water for cooking. For more information or to register, visit www.stpatrickfoundation.org. Run with the Nuns Motorcycle Ride and Charity Event benefits Wellness and Diagnostics Services at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital.

The Southwest Louisiana Taskforce for Growth and Opportunity (GO Group) will conduct their next meeting on Wednesday, March 13th, 2pm, at the Contraband Room in the Lake Charles Civic Center, 900 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, LA 70601. This meeting will be open to the public.

Women & Children's Hospital will host a free bariatric seminar Wednesday, March 13, at 6pm in the First Floor Classroom of the hospital, located at 4200 Nelson Rd. Board-certified general surgeon, Keith Chung, M.D. will discuss the three surgical weight loss procedures offered at WCH, a designated Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence and will help you find out if weight loss surgery is right for you.  Call 475-4760 to reserve your place.  Feel free to bring a support person with you.

The agriculture industry is a vital part of the economy in Southwest Louisiana.  The SWLA Economic Development Alliance would appreciate your input on ways that we can collaborate to continue to grow this segment of our regional economy.  We invite you to share your thoughts and ideas at the Cameron Parish meeting on Thursday, March 14, at 9am, at the LSU Ag Center, 180 Henry Street in Cameron. Please let us know of your participation by calling the SWLA Alliance/Chamber office, 337-433-3632 or emailing lclark@allianceswla.org. 

On Thursday, March 14, West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) will hold its monthly "Pink Crusade" Breast Cancer Support Group meeting.  The meeting will be held at 6pm at Dynamic Dimensions in Sulphur, located at 545 Cypress Street.  Venisa Prudhomme, licensed aesthetician with the ENT & Aesthetic Center of WCCH, will speak about aesthetic care for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Refreshments will be served.  For more information, call (337) 528-7320.

Live @ the Lakefront Music Fest will continue on March 15th and 22nd, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Lakefront Promenade. The 2013 season line-up includes Grammy-nominated Lost Bayou Ramblers (crossover zydeco) with John Guidroz (indie rock) on March 15th and Ashes of Babylon (reggae) with the Lochness Mobsters (rock) closing the season on March 22nd. For details, visit www.facebook.com/ArtsCouncilSWLA or call (337) 439-2787.

On March 15, the Foreman-Reynaud Community Center is throwing an "Old School Spring Fling" with DJ CreepCreep. Admission is $5. Call 436-2509.

The City of Lake Charles will host a new traveling exhibition, Pueblo to Pueblo: The Legacy of Southwest Indian Pottery. The exhibition will be on display at the 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center at 1001 Ryan Street beginning with an opening reception on March 15 from 5:30-8 p.m. and will run through May 25. All ages are welcome at no charge and refreshments will be served.

Goodwill Industries of Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana is holding their Back to the Beginning Saturday Night Fever 40th Anniversary Gala on March 15, at the Holiday Inn Grand Ballroom in Beaumont. There will be a silent auction, dinner, and dancing. Tickets are $60 each. For more information or to register, call 409-838-9911.

The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana's Department of Commerce, along with the Imperial Calcasieu Resource Conservation and Development Council, will present a major Agri-Business Marketing Conference on Tuesday, March 19. This half-day conference will take place at the Coushatta Multi-Purpose Complex, 1974 C.C. Bel Road, in Elton, La. It will feature sessions on a variety of topics, including agricultural trends in Southwest Louisiana; farmers' markets; agricultural tourism and marketing; the Coushatta Tribe's hydroponic gardening project and long-leaf pine tree farming operation; and successful 4-H and Future Farmers of America efforts in Allen Parish and Jeff Davis Parish. Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the event. The conference will focus on discussion of regional and Tribal agricultural efforts and success stories, and it will offer educational programs for area farmers, students and agricultural industry leaders. Attendance is open to the public, but registration is required and the cost is $10 per attendee. To register, visit http://coushattaagribusiness.eventbrite.com or contact Shana Harmon of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana Department of Commerce at 337-584-1435 or shanajohn@CoushattaTribeLA.org.

Nicholas Hunter, chef and owner of Harlequin Steaks & Seafood, is hosting a benefit dinner for the Autism Support Alliance a program of Family & Youth Counseling Agency on Sunday, March 17, at 5:30pm. This event will include a wine tasting, a silent auction, and live entertainment. For tickets call 337-436-9533 or email roxanne@fyca.org.

McNeese's Small Business Development Center is hosting "Starting and Financing a Small Business" on March 21. This evening event will take place at the Burton Business Center (room 121) from 5pm to 7pm. There is no charge, but participants must pre-register by calling 475-5529 or emailing lsbdc.msu@lsbdc.org.

American pop rock band, Matchbox Twenty, will hit the stage of L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles on Friday, March 22. Matchbox Twenty recently released its fourth album, "NORTH," which debuted at number one on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. Tickets will go on sale on Feb. 8, and can be purchased for $55 via www.ticketmaster.com. Must be 21. For more information on upcoming concerts log on to www.mylauberge.com or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/laubergedulac.

American Cancer Society is having its Bark For Life - A Canine Event to Fight Cancer on Saturday, March 23, from 9am to 1pm at the Lake Charles Civic Center. This event is $20 entry per dog. For more information contact BarkForLifeSWLA@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/BarkForLifeSWLA.

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital will hold a free foot screening on Saturday, March 23, from 8am to 12pm at the Center for Advanced Wound Healing located at the back entrance of the hospital on Lillian Street. Foot screenings can prevent foot problems. If you have poor circulation, nerve damage, previous foot ulcers, high blood sugar levels, skin changes, deformities, shoes that don't fit correctly or frequently walk barefoot, this screening is for you. The free foot screening is by appointment only and appointments are limited. To register, call 491-7577.

Southern Spice Restaurant will have its 16th annual anniversary celebration on March 23, from 5pm till 9pm. There will be live Cajun music, boiled crawfish and food & drink specials along with many door prizes throughout the evening!

The Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society announces its 38th Annual Palm Sunday Tour of Homes for March 24.  Themed "Windows on the Water" the Tour will feature five distinctive homes with breathtaking lakeshore views on prestigious Shell Beach Drive.  The Tour is set for 1pm to 5pm on that Sunday afternoon.  A separate Traditional Sunday Brunch will be available by reservation with 121 Artisan Bistro (located at the gates of the historic Margaret Place Historic District) between 10:30am and 2:30pm. Tour of Homes ticket sales begin March 1 online at www.calcasieupreservation.org. Pre-sale Tour tickets are available for $10 (by cash or check) from Gordon's Drugs on Lake Street and the Arts and Humanities Council at Historic Central School. Tickets may be purchased on the day of the event for $15.

The Annual Fill the Truck Food Drive will be held this year from March 25 - March 30. Each person who donates 3 cans of food will receive 1 entrée at No Charge! Those who bring in a flat (or case) of cans will receive a free Value Meal! Chick-fil-A of Lake Charles is located at 3435 Nelson Road. Food may be donated between the hours of 6am and 10pm (inside the restaurant) Monday through Saturday.

Do you want to re-establish trust, intimacy and fun back into your relationship? Building a Positive Relationship for Couples is a hands-on course that helps couples reignite the passion back into their relationship. The course is divided into 2 sessions (2 hrs each) from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on March 26 & Apr 2. Cost $60/person. Another hands-on course is Managing Emotions which provides valuable techniques in understanding emotions and how to manage them and difficult personalities effectively. The date is April 3rd from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm. Cost $80/person. Mediated Solutions & Coaching, LLC is also offering parenting courses and a course on Helping Someone Deal with Separation/Divorce on April 23 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Cost $40. To learn more about each course and to register, please go to www.mediatorandcoach.com.

Do you want to know more about Federal Contract Negotiations? Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Louisiana Economic Development, the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese, and The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance will host a comprehensive overview of the negotiation process in federal contracting. This event will be from 9am to 11am at the Chalkley Room at the Burton Coliseum. This event is free, but pre-registration is required. Register with your name, company, address, email and phone to prs6182@louisiana.edu or by calling 800-206-3545. Registration deadline is March 25.

The West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce is holding their Empowering Women Luncheon on March 28, from 12pm to 1pm in Frasch Park (400 Picard Road, Sulphur). The keynote speaker is Federal Judge Patricia Minaldi. Tickets are $15 for West Calcasieu Members and $20 for non-members. Call 313-1121 to purchase your tickets.

L'Auberge Casino Resort invites you to Throw Back with Jack, a series of concerts and events starting with the Chee Weez on March 28, Bag of Donuts on March 29, and The Molly Ringwalds on March 30. Tickets are $5 and doors open at 8pm.

Dr. Ray Miles, Dean, College of Liberal Arts at McNeese State University, will conduct a gallery talk on Thursday, April 4, from 6pm to 8pm at 1911 Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center located at 1001 Ryan Street in Lake Charles. His talk entitled "Art Traditions among the Pueblo Indians" will cover the many different types of artistic expression, the cultural aspects of it, and how the Pueblo peoples have managed to keep these traditions thriving. The event will be open to all ages at no charge and is being held in conjunction with "Pueblo to Pueblo: The Legacy of Southwest Indian Pottery"currently on display.

Movies Under the Stars returns withwrecking, spying, and even puppeteering, a stellar line-up at  Prien Lake Park! Movies Under the Stars begins on April 5th with Wreck It Ralph and continues with James Bond's Skyfall on April 12, The Muppets on April 19, and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol on April 26. Each movie starts at 7:30pm (or at dusk). Admission is free and refreshments will be available.

The Louisiana Casino Association in conjunction with host facility L'Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge announces a statewide minority vendor fair.  Set on April 10, 2013 from 8:30am to 4:30pm, in Baton Rouge at the L'Auberge Event Center, this one day event will provide an opportunity for qualified prospective vendors to demonstrate their products and services. Vendors will have the opportunity to meet with casino purchasing personnel from more than a dozen Louisiana casino properties to establish face-to-face communications and discuss potential business. Gaming regulators will also present information relative to permitting and other requirements.  Participants must meet the current definition of a Louisiana Business Enterprise and a Minority Business Enterprise as set forth by the State. 

The Governor's Prayer Breakfast will be held on April 11, at Reeves Uptown Catering. This year's speaker is Coach Bobby Bowden of Florida State University. The breakfast program will begin at 7:30am. To register, email Stacy Johnson at sjohnson@lwcpafirm.com or call 337-477-2827.

Join the Literacy Council of Southwest Louisiana, Inc. for "Hitting the Links for Literacy" Golf Tournament presented by SONIC on Friday, April 12, at The National Golf Club in Westlake. Complimentary lunch and beverage service begins at 11:30 a.m. and the 4-Man Scramble Shotgun Start begins at 1 p.m. Registration for a 4-Man team is $400. Registration includes a Tiger Shark golf shirt. For more information, contact the Literacy Council at 494-7000 or email info@literacyswla.org.

United Way of SWLA has 9 sites around Southwest Louisiana to help taxpayers file their federal and state individual income tax returns.  IRS Certified preparers are available at a variety of times and locations to prepare and efile returns free of charge.  Another option this year for eligible taxpayers earning $57,000 or less in 2012, the United Way of SWLA and Walmart is offering a website for taxpayers to prepare their own returns for free. Powered by H&R Block®, www.MyFreeTaxes.com/uw-swlaoffers technical support, and tax-law answers if taxpayers need assistance. (Please note that if earnings are MORE THAN $57,000, there is a fee to use this online service). Taxpayers they have until April 15th to file their Federal Returns, and May 15th for State of Louisiana returns.  Taxpayers are encouraged to call United Way or a site close to them for more information on the available options for taxpayers in SWLA. 

The Louisiana Economic Development Incentives Seminar will take place on April 17, from 8am to 3pm at the McNeese State University Alumni Center.  Topics will include Industrial Tax Exemption, Quality Jobs, Restoration Tax Abatement, the Enterprise Zone Program and more.  Pre-registration is required for this free seminar. Call 337-475-5529 or email lsbdc.msu@lsbdc.org. 

Women & Children's Hospital is a presenting sponsor for the 2013 Lake Charles March for Babies Walk, which will be held on Saturday, April 20 at Prien Lake Park. Anyone interested in starting a company or family team can sign up at http://www.marchforbabies.org.  This is the 75th anniversary for the March of Dimes and the walk will include a big birthday celebration for the organization. Call Community Director, Martha Grant at (337) 233-8476 for more information.

The Southwest Louisiana AIDS Council (SLAC) is hosting their 4th annual Dining Out for Life® fundraising event.  On Thursday, April 25th local restaurants will be donating a percentage of your bill to SLAC.  Check out their website for a complete list of restaurants.  www.diningoutforlife.com/swla   It is easy: DINE OUT! FIGHT AIDS!

The Calcasieu Area Council, Boy Scouts of America will hold a "Shuck 'n' Jive" fundraising event on Thursday, April 25, at the Historic Calcasieu Marine National Bank starting at 6pm.  The event will include its annual auction with completely new items, seafood delicacies and music.   This year promises to be a little different.  All proceeds benefit the local Scouting program here in Southwest Louisiana. If you would like to help with the steering committee or have a unique idea, please contact Shawn Chamblee at 436-3376.  Sponsorship and table information will be available soon. 

Cheniere Energy, Inc. is sponsoring their 2nd Annual Charitable Golf Classic at Gray Plantation Golf Club on Friday, April 26. The proceeds will support RW Vincent Elementary School in Sulphur and the Foreman-Reynaud Community Center's After School Homework Program.

Prien Lake Mall will host National Mom's Nite Out, presented by Lysol, Thursday, May 9, from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in Sears Court. Mom's Nite Out is a much deserved night out with the "girls", this free event for Mom's is a great way for local moms to have a night out at Prien Lake Mall! It's also a great way for your business to advertise to this consumer! If you are interested in sponsoring or reserving a table for Mom's Nite Out please Contact Nikki Buxton at 337-477-7487 or email to abuxton@simon.com.

The 2013 Mac Burns/West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, May 11 at Frasch Golf Course in Sulphur.  The tournament will follow a 4-man scramble format with a double shotgun start at 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.  This year's entry fee is $400 per team and covers food, drinks, shirts, range balls and mulligans.  Various levels of sponsorships are available.  For more information or to participate in the tournament, call (337) 527-4241.

The American Heart Association invites everyone to the 2013 SWLA Heart Ball on May 10.  This event sparks aweness, compassion, and a deeper understanding of the nation's deadliest  killer!  This event will be held at L'Auberge Casino Resort with cocktails starting at 6:30pm and dinner and program starting at 7:30pm.  For tickets, visit www.heart.org/SWLAheartball.  This year's fundraising goal is $150,000. 

Prien Lake Mall, KPLC-TV and Entergy are pleased to announce the Fifth Annual Hurricane Preparedness Event on Saturday, May 18, from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., with presentations in Food Court and tables set up throughout the mall. If you would like to be part of this exciting event, please call Nikki Buxton at 337-477-7487 or email at abuxton@simon.com.

Larry the Cable Guy will bring his award winning comedy act to the L'Auberge Event Center for two shows on Friday, May 24 at 7pm and 10pm; doors open one hour before each show. Show tickets can be purchased for $45 (stadium) or $60 (floor) by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 488-525 or online at www.ticketmaster.com . Tickets are also available at the L'Auberge Business Center and Legends at L'Auberge. All major credit cards are accepted.  Guests must be 21 years of age and present a valid photo ID.  For more information log on to www.llakecharles.com/entertainment.