Chick-fil-A has decided to extend their Free Breakfast Thursdays through April 25th! Here's the line up for April: Original Chick-fil-A Chicken Biscuit (April 4), Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit (April 11), Spicy Chicken Biscuit (April 18), and Sausage Biscuit (April 25). Each Chick-fil-A customer is encouraged to ask for their "Free Breakfast Thursday" item. You must request it to receive it! This offer is good for the advertised item only, no substitutions. Limit 1 item per Customer per Thursday.
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.
On Saturday, April 6th, FOX29 will host a local audition for the new upcoming season of The X Factor. The FOX29 X Factor Audition will be held at the Bulber Auditorium located at 275 Lawton Drive at McNeese State University campus. Auditions are open to anyone 12 years of age and older, solo or group vocals. FOX29 will pick up to 4 winners, one of each category (Girls 12-25, Boys 12-25, Groups, Over 25's) for a front of the line pass/guaranteed audition in New Orleans on April 14th in front of The X Factor producers and could earn a spot on the show and compete for the Grand Prize of a recording contract and $5 million dollars. Participants are encouraged to register online at www.watchfox29.com. Online registration will allow participants to bring guests to support their auditions. All contestants must sing the song of their choice a cappella in front of a judges' panel.
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.
Lake Area Physicians recently announced the grand opening of their new location - Grand Lake Medical Clinic (GLMC) which will be located at 10071 Gulf Highway. All residents are invited to the open house from 10am to 1pm. Attendees can tour the clinic, meet the staff, and enjoy complimentary refreshments. Free blood pressure checks and body mass index (BMI) screenings are also available. Call 337-905-2151 or visit www.lakeareaphysicians.com/grandlake for more information.
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.
Women & Children's Hospital will host a free Heartburn/TIF seminar Tuesday, April 9 at 6 pm in the First Floor Classroom of the hospital, located at 4200 Nelson Rd. Board-certified general surgeon, Keith Chung, M.D. will discuss common symptoms experienced by patients who suffer from GERD including moderate to severe heartburn, chronic cough, chest pain, difficulty or painful swallowing, sore throat and more. Attendees will also gain a better understanding of the various treatment options available. For more information about the TIF procedure or to register for the free seminar, call 475-4075.
McNeese University's Leisure Learning is offering the following courses: Advanced Sushi, April 9; and Hiring Top Talent, April 18. For course descriptions, go to www.mcneese.edu/leisure. Call 337-475-5616 to register.
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.
Sowela will be hosting an upcoming seminar for Women in Non-traditional Careers on Thursday, April 11th from 5pm to 7pm at the SOWELA Process Technology Building. The seminar will include a panel of speakers from business and industry that include: Two women who have completed SOWELA Process Technology and Industrial Instrumentation program, and are currently working in the field (their experience, opportunities); Two individuals who supervise women in the field and the typical things they see and issues; SOWELA Office of Workforce Development will discuss assistance available (books, tuition, child care, transportation, etc.) for women who are considering a career in these areas, and business and industry human resources specialists who will discuss what they seek in potential new hires. Each topic will involve two 10 minute presentations and will be followed by a 15 minute question/answer session for that particular topic. This event will provide an excellent networking opportunity and provide valuable information regarding opportunities for women in these career areas. Please contact Christine Collins at Christine.collins@sowela.edu if you know of any students/persons who would like to attend this seminar.
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 Calcasieu Workforce Center (CWC) will host its annual Youth Summit and Job Fair Wednesday, April 17, from 7:45am to 1pm in the Mezzanine and Contraband Room at the Lake Charles Civic Center. This year's theme is "Get Over YOUrself" and is designed to motivate the youth of Southwest Louisiana to overcome life's obstacles and be the best they can be. Twenty-five employers are expected to be on hand to interview for various job openings. Youth ages 16-24 are encouraged to come dressed for an interview; bring resume, and a great attitude. For more information, call Jonnika Boutte or Venus DeJean at (337) 721-4010, Ext. 5002 or Ext. 5004. To preregister for the summit visit www.cppj.net/youthsummit.
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 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.
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 Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University is hosting "Starting and Financing a Small Business" on April 25. This free informative seminar will share information on how to finance a start-up, how to write a business plan, and what a banker really wants to know. To register, call 337-475-5529 or email lsbdc.msu@lsbdc.org.
The Calcasieu Area Council, Boy Scouts of America will hold a "Shuck
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.
More than 100 cyclists will leave Houston, headed for New Orleans in the 5th Annual Tour du Rouge, May 5-10, with a pit stop in Sulphur, May 6. The 533-mile cycling adventure raises awareness and money for American Red Cross services along the Gulf Coast and benefits seven Red Cross chapters which provides support for communities in need. Volunteers will be needed Monday-Tuesday, May 6-7, to ensure a successful event and showcase southern hospitality. There will be a variety of duties needed throughout the event in the hospitality area from set up to serving refreshments to cheering on the participants. Volunteer times will be available in increments of 3-4 hours to allow for a steady stream of at least a dozen volunteers at any given time. To sign up to be a volunteer, please visit www.visitlakecharles.org/volunteer or for more information, visit www.visitlakecharles.org/tourderouge.
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 Foreman-Reynaud Community Center is hosting Spring Back Into The 70's Fundraiser with DJ CreepCreep. This benefit will be on April 19 from 8pm to 2am. Admission is only $5 per person and the best 70's attire will win a prize! Call 337-436-2509 for more information.
The Marine Corps Forces Reserve is hosting the Toys for Tots Golf Tournament on June 14th at The National Golf Club of Louisiana in Westlake. This four-person scramble starts at 10am. Registration is $100 per player and only the first 32 teams will be accepted. To be a part of this wonderful event, please contact John Lamar at johnlamar56@yahoo.com or 337-515-2639 to set up your hole sponsorship or to reserve your team.
The Girl Scouts have many available camps this summer, check out this guide.
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.
Healthy U Camp, a camp focusing on healthy lifestyle habits for children ages 7-11, will be held June 17-21 at Dynamic Dimensions in Sulphur. Camp will be held from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. each day. Cost to attend is $100 for members of Dynamic Dimensions, and $125 for non-members. A charge of $75 will be applied for additional children. Camp activities include crafts, nutrition activities including hands-on preparation of lunch and snacks, fitness games and pool time. Deadline for registration is Friday, May 31, and limited space is available. To register, call (337) 527-5459.
'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. 
