Chick-fil-A of Lake Charles is currently hosting their Fill the Truck Food Drive through March 30! Bring in 3 cans of food and receive 1 entrée at No Charge! Bring in a flat (or case) of cans and 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 6:00 am and 10:00 pm (inside the restaurant), Monday through Saturday. All food items donated will benefit local food banks! For additional information, please call 337 244-0637.

The Frame House Gallery is offering a 25% off custom framing, 40% off all antique art and special pricing on framed sports and outdoor pieces sale during March. Visit them at 1640 Ryan Street in Lake Charles. Their number is 433-5530.

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 through May 25. All ages are welcome at no charge and refreshments will be served.

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.

Knowing how to keep your colon healthy, how often you should be screened for colorectal cancer, and what you should look for from a physician who performs your screenings can greatly reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer - an all-too-often silent killer. To learn more about the steps you can take to keep your colon healthy, attend Colon Health: What You Don't Know Could Be Hurting You with Dr. Frank Marrero, a board certified gastroenterologist with Digestive Health Center, a part of the Memorial Medical Group.    Colon Health: What You Don't Know Could Be Hurting You is a free seminar being held Thursday, March 28 at 12 noon in the Shearman Conference Center at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital on Oak Park Boulevard. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance, and a light lunch will be provided. For more information or to reserve your seat, please visit www.lcmh.com/seminar or call (337) 494-2936. You can also watch this seminar live by visiting www.lcmh/watch. 

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 door open at 8pm.

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 learning now, five to six year olds start April 2, seven to eight year olds start April 29, nine to ten year olds start June 3rd, and eleven to twelve year olds start July 8th. For more information, call 436-2500.

McNeese University's Leisure Learning is offering the following courses: Ballroom Dance - Waltz & Foxtrot, April 1- May 6; Advanced Sushi, April 9; Word 2010, Introduction, April 1, 3; Hiring Top Talent, April 18. For course descriptions, go to www.mcneese.edu/leisure. Call 337-475-5616 to register.

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 with wrecking, spying, and  even puppeteering a stellar line-up at  Prien Lake Park! Movie 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.

Tickets are now on sale for Jack Goes Country at L'Auberge Casino Resort. Jack Daniels is hosting a series of $10 concerts starting April 5 (Jackson Taylor & The Sinners), followed by Jimmy Kaiser (April 12), Johnny Gates & The Invite (April 19) and Hillbilly Picnic (April 26). Tickets can be purchased at L'Auberge Business Center, Legends, ticketmaster, and by calling 800-745-3000.

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital will host a free Abdominal Aortic Aneurism (AAA) Screening on Saturday, April 6, from 8am to Noon on the second floor of the hospital, at 524 Dr. Michael DeBakey Drive. If you are a male over the age of 60 with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a history of smoking, you are at risk. AAA is among the top 13 leading causes of all deaths in the U.S. and the third leading cause of sudden death in men. If an aneurysm can be discovered before it ruptures, death can be prevented-this ultrasound can save lives. The screening is by appointment only and appointments are limited. To register, call 491-7577.

On Saturday, April 6, International Dance Company will host a Women's Self-Defense workshop from 2pm to 4pm. The cost is $20 per person and will be taught by Canaan Heard, owner of Next Generation Fitness. Call or email Sarah Ford to register at 337-499-6933 or internationaldancecompanyus@gmail.com. International Dance Company is located at 530 W. McNeese right next door to Cypi's Cake Box.

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 City of Lake Charles hosts Louisiana Crossroads with Zachary Richard on April 10, at the Central School Theater. The show will start at 7pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. You can get you tickets at the Arts & Humanities office or at www.LouisianaCrossroads.org.

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.

The Louisiana Railroad Days Festival will take place in DeQuincy on April 11 through April 13. There will be carnival rides, pageants, contests, live music and a parade! Check out larailroaddaysfestival.com for more information and their schedule.

There will be two economic development workshops available in Beaumont on April 11th and April 12th. Connecting to Capital will take place on April 11, from 2:45pm to 3:45pm and is designed for entrepreneurs and small business support organizations. It will provide strategies for building organizational capacity to connect entrepreneurs to capital. Organizational Management and Finance for Business Incubators will take place on April 12th from 8:30am to 12pm. Its purpose is to provide pratical strategies and best practice case information for building sustainability in the operations and financial structure of a business incubator. For more information, visit http://restoreyoureconomy.org/free-workshops/.

The Jeff Davis Business Alliance is hosting their Spring Golf Scramble on April 12 and currently has many sponsorship opportunities available. They are looking for specialty hole sponsors, door prize sponsors, food, drink and other sponsors. Call 337-824-0933 or email Cynthia@jdbusinessalliance.com for more information.

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.

The DownTown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival will be April 12-14 at the Lake Charles Civic Center. There will be over 10,000 pounds of boiled crawfish, the best music, food and fun at one of the largest indoor/outdoor Crawfish Festivals in Southwest Louisiana. There are activities for everyone!

Get set to shop 'til you drop at the all new Flea Fest, a truly unique flea market festival that will feature nearly 4 covered acres of anything and everything! A bargain hunter's dream, the show will be unlike anything ever held in Southwest Louisiana, boasting vendors of all types. Shoppers will find Antiques, vintage and handcrafted items, toys, collectibles, clothes, art work, and other flea market style goods. But they'll also enjoy unexpected surprises like a farmer's market, a pet section, and "The Lot" featuring used and vintage cars, trucks, boats, tractors, ATV's--basically anything on wheels! Flea Fest will also offer wares from locals looking to do a spring de-clutter amidst a section of affordable "garage sale" booths. When they're ready for a break from the bargain hunting, shoppers can enjoy refreshments in the Flea Bites Food Court, featuring a smorgasbord of food booths, plus music from area artists. Flea Fest is set for 9-5 on April 13-14 in the Burton Coliseum Livestock Barn. Tickets are $5 for adults and free for Kids 12 and under. Saturday from 8-9 is a specially priced "Early Bird Hour". Visit www.FleaFest.com or call 337-502-8584 for more details or to book a space.

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-swla offers 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.

Jody Barrilleaux, Community Relations for Hixson Funeral Homes, is starting a "Social" Group for ALL widows and widowers in the Lake Area.  It will be called The "LIFT " Program, (Living Information For Today), it will be fun and informative. The first meeting is set for Monday, April 22, at 10am, with "John Ieyoub sings Elvis" to be the "Special Host". It will be held at the Hixson Funeral Home on Ryan Street in Lake Charles. Call or email Jody to reserve your seat: jodybarrilleaux@yahoo.com , 794-3113.

Junior Achievement of SWLA is hosting a JA in a Day at Nelson Elementary on April 24, from 8am to 2pm in honor of financial literacy month.  Twenty-nine K through 5th grade classes will experience a complete JA program that day, and Junior Achievement is looking for 2 volunteers per classroom.  Volunteers have a couple of forms they will need to fill out and sign, and may have to attend a 30-minute JA volunteer training at their place of business or elsewhere.  Call (337) 527-6168 or email jaswla@sbcglobal.net 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 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.

Habitat for Humanity Calcasieu Area is hosting a Women Build project on May 4 - 11. Women can sign up to build a home for a local family! Call 337-497-0129 for more information or to sign up. Get a group together and give back to the community.

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 American Heart Association invites everyone to the 2013 SWLA Heart Ball on May 10.  This event sparks awareness, 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. 

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.

Lake Charles Memorial Sports Medicine will provide sports physicals for high school athletes involved in both spring and fall sports on Saturday, May 18, at the Memorial/LSUHSC Family Medicine Center.   Student athletes will have their blood pressure, pulse, height, weight, upper and lower extremities, and flexibility checked by a volunteer army of nurses, nursing students and athletic trainers prior to their physical examinations, which will be conducted by Memorial physician specialists and resident physicians who will be volunteering their time for the event. The cost is $5 per student, and coaches are urged to call to set up an appointment time for their teams to come in that day. Appointment times will be available from approximately 8am to 2pm. The deadline to schedule your team is Wednesday, May 15. For more information about the Memorial Sports Medicine program and the annual high school sports physicals, call (337) 494-4790.

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.

The Calcasieu Parish School System and the Arts Council of SWLA are pleased to announce Summer Arts Camp 2013 with this year's theme as "South of the Border." Classes are open to students who have completed grades kindergarten through eighth and offer a variety of engaged study in visual arts media and performing arts. The Arts Camp will take place at Lake Charles Boston Academy at 1509 Enterprise Boulevard and will begin Tuesday, June 4th and end Thursday, June 27th. Friday, June 28th has been set aside for parents to pick up the students' artwork. Tuition is $235 if registration is received by the early bird deadline of May 10th, and rates increase on May 11th. Tuition covers three classes of specialized instruction for the entire month, all art supplies, a themed T-shirt, and an open house reception. Reduced rates are provided for additional children within the same family. Available classes include drawing and painting, theatre, cartooning, photography, pottery, puppetry, musical theatre, portraits, masks, 2-D and 3-D mixed media, storytelling, and stained glass. Registration forms can be downloaded under the Parents and Students menu at www.cpsb.org and credit card payments are accepted on the Arts Council website at www.artsandhumanitiesswla.org. Forms can also be picked up at the Arts Council office at Central School or at Lake Charles Boston Academy. For more information call Bobbi Yancey, Arts Camp Director, at 337-526-2908.