The Cameron Local Enterprise Assistance and Recruiting Center (CLEAR) in concert with Denison and Associates will provide a twofold approach to technical assistance for business clients located in Cameron Parish and for businesses that serve Cameron Parish. During the month of May 2014, existing businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs can receive one-on-one counseling/consulting and mentoring assistance. Additionally, three professional training workshops with interactive exercises will be held. Workshop details will be available soon. For the CLEAR Project, the main professional consulting, counseling, and training team from Denison and Associates includes Dr. Cathy Denison-Robert, Jody B. Robert, M.Div., and Russ Holder. If you are interested in receiving free professional services, contact Dr. Cathy Denison-Robert at (337) 502-1911 or email [email protected] as soon as possible. The window for receiving the services mentioned above ends on May 31, 2014. The Cameron Local Enterprise Assistance and Recruiting Center (CLEAR) is funded through a SEDAP investment by the Delta Regional Authority. The Delta Regional Authority is a federal-state
505 Bazaar in downtown Lake Charles just received a new shipment of furniture and home items from artisans in India. Check out their new wares at 314 Broad Street.
The international hit show Menopause The Musical� will return to the LUTCHER THEATER for 2 performances May 7 and 8 only at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at 409-886-5535 or by visiting www.lutcher.org. Group discounts of 10+ are also available by calling 409-886-5535.
Advanced Audio Video Technologies is hosting engaging, hands-on demonstrations of the latest interactive technology from Newline Interactive Products. Newline Interactive is a manufacturer of interactive whiteboards and multi-touch displays for professional use. Newline Interactive products allow you to collaborate, present, and conduct meetings like never before! Record meetings and presentations, make notes and annotate on top of photos, videos, and documents, and easily enable collaboration between groups in different facilities. To signs up for a demonstration time, contact Michelle Miller at [email protected] or 337-625-6677.
May is an exciting and busy month at the Children's Museum! On May 9, they are having fun with Play Dough; on May 10, it is Sasol's Second Saturday Science Show; on May 16, they are having Swirl'n Fun; on May 26, artists can make their own patriotic fan at the Memorial Day Workshop; on May 27, they are coloring their own Tropical Fish; on May 29, they are hosting Story Time with Peggy Borel; and on May 30, they are making Pasta Necklaces. The Children's Museum is located at 327 Broad Street downtown Lake Charles. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is $7.50 for children and adults. Call 337-433-9420 or visit www.swlakids.org for a complete list of admission fees, memberships and birthday party information.
Habitat ReStore will hold the grand opening celebration of its new location, 3960 Gerstner Memorial Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 10. There will be a short presentation at 9 a.m., followed by food, refreshments, entertainment and of course, shopping. ReStore's regular hours will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. Habitat ReStore sells new and used building and home items at discounted prices. Net proceeds from the store help fund Habitat for Humanity: Calcasieu Area Inc.'s overall mission of making sure every resident has a safe and decent place to live. For more information, call Habitat ReStore at 310-1771.
The K.I.S.S. Project (Keep It Simple Sister), led by founder and certified fitness instructor Sharmita Rideau, is a free, 12- week, comprehensive weight loss program geared specifically towards women wanting to lose 20 pounds or more. Women wanting to learn more about the K.I.S.S. Project are invited to attend an informational Meet & Greet set for Thursday, May 8, at 6 p.m., in the Westlake Recreation Center Board Room (1221 Sampson Street). Classes will meet three times per week (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) beginning May 12, 5 - 7 p.m. at the Westlake Recreation Center Gym. For more information or to register for the upcoming K.I.S.S. Project in Westlake, please contact Sharmita Rideau at (409) 383-3249 or [email protected]. Applications are available at the Westlake Recreation Center, (337) 436-1124.
On Tuesday, May 13, Dr. Jake Cavanaugh, AuD, audiologist, will be the featured speaker at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital's monthly diabetes support group meeting. Dr. Cavanaugh will speak about the importance of hearing as well as things individuals can do to protect their hearing and prevent hearing loss. The diabetes support group at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital meets the second Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. in the hospital's cafeteria conference room. There is no charge to attend these monthly meetings. For more information, call (337) 527-4282.
Hixson Funeral Home's LIFT program will be kicking off meetings in Moss Bluff on Wednesday, May 14, at 10 a.m. Participants will learn more about the Living Information for Today - a Social Program for Widows and Widowers - and be treated to the songs of Elvis by John Ieyoub. For more information, contact Jody Barrilleaux at 794-3113.
The Lake Charles Founders BNI Chapter will host a Visitors Day Luncheon on Wednesday, May 14, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the SEED Center, 4310 Ryan Street in Lake Charles. Tim Paulin, Executive Director of BNI, will be joining us to share the BNI secrets to success through "word-of-mouth" marketing. BNI-Business Network International is a business and professional networking organization whose primary purpose is to exchange qualified business referrals. It is the largest networking organization of its kind. There is no charge to attend, but seating may be limited. For more information, or to register, please call Michelle Miller at 625-6677 or email [email protected].
NAMI Southwest Louisiana will host a special presentation with Patricia Philmon, CSNA with Merril Lynch Wealth Management on preparing for the financial security of your child with a disability on May 15, at 5:30 p.m. at the NAMI Office, 715 Ryan St. Suite 203, Lake Charles, LA 70601. As the parent or guardian of a child with a disability, one of your greatest challenges is providing for your loved one's ongoing financial security. Thankfully, people with disabilities are now living longer, fuller lives than ever thought possible. Yet this welcome trend had left many families unprepared for a significant financial challenge: the desire to help provide a lifetime of support to a child with special needs while achieving other important goals. Please RSVP by calling 337-433-0219, sitting is limited.
With KPLC, SOWELA is also offering a Leadership Institute featuring regional leaders! Each seminar will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in their new Arts & Humanities building. Here is the line-up for the rest of the year: Sam Hebert (May 15), Dr. Philip Williams (June 19), Martin Thompson (July 17), Jeff Lynn (August 21), Fil Bordelon (September 18), Alta Baker (October 16) and Dr. Neil Aspinwall (November 20). Call 337-421-6964 or email [email protected] for more information or to register.
The Toys for Tots Golf Tournament will take place on Friday, May 16, at The National Golf Club of Louisiana in Westlake. Show your military support and register soon for the four-player scramble for only $125 per player, or $500 per team. Only the first 32 teams will be accepted. If you would like to sponsor this worthy event, hole sponsorships are $100 (basic) or $250 (party hole). Call John Lamar at 337-515-2639 or 337-419-1833 to set up your hole sponsorship soon.
The City of Lake Charles' 16th annual Downtown at Sundown concert series will feature Louisiana Express on May 16; City Heat on May 23; Roddie Romero & the Hub City All Stars on May 30; and Boomerang on June 6. Concerts will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. downtown on Ryan Street. The popular, family-friendly event is supported by corporate sponsorships from The American Press, Capital One Bank, CITGO, Delta Downs, Entergy and Sasol. For more information, call 337-494-9159 or go to www.CityOfLakeCharles.com. Beverage sales during Downtown at Sundown will benefit the Literacy Council of SWLA.
On Saturday, May 17th, the city of DeRidder will host a Veterans' Brunch at the War Memorial Civic Center. The brunch is free and open to all veterans, active duty military and their families. Brigadier General William Hickman, Commanding General at Ft. Polk, will be the featured guest speaker and The Victory Belles from the WWII Museum in New Orleans will perform. Please feel free to contact Ashley Rush at City Hall at 462-8900 for more information.
Sailing for Survivors, a charity benefit for Oasis, a safe haven for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, will take place on May 17, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Lady of the Lake. This moonlit river cruise will include delicious food, live music, and a silent auction. Tickets are $150 per person. Corporate sponsorships of $1000 are still available and include free tickets and sponsor recognition. To donate an item for the silent auction, or to secure sponsorships, contact Jennifer Spees at [email protected]. To secure a ticket or for more information, call 337-312-1320.
Join St. Nicholas Center for Children for A Brewer's Plate presented by Hoffoss Devall on Saturday, May 17, at 6 p.m. at the Historic Cash & Carry Building in Lake Charles. This six course meal and beer pairing will feature live entertainment by The Flamethrowers, as well as a silent and live auction. Call Stephanie at 337-491-0800 to email [email protected] to reserve your table of 8 for $800. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1458221064399728/.
Get your week started off right by joining Infinite Health every Monday morning from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for a stress reducing, health enhancing, and meditation practice group. Registration is free, but seating is limited. RSVP to [email protected].
Lake Area Medical Center, located at 4200 Nelson Road in Lake Charles, will host a free surgical weight loss seminar on Wednesday, May 21, beginning at 6 p.m. in the hospital's First Floor Classroom. This informative session will be presented by board-certified bariatric and general surgeon, Keith Chung, M.D. Dr. Chung will provide an overview of surgical weight loss procedures offered at Lake Area Medical Center. Participants are invited to bring along a guest or support person. Seating is limited and registration is requested. Call (337) 475-4064 to register.
The Alliance is working with Louisiana PTAC and the Small Business Development Center at McNeese on "Preparing to Compete, Level II" which will take place on May 22. Attendees will learn about the upcoming regional expansions, company formation and business plans, continuity planning and more. Preregistration is required. If you are interested in attending, contact Peggy Sammons at [email protected]. This event will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce is hosting their next Empowering Women Luncheon on May 22, at the Frash Park Rec Room. This meeting will feature Christy Moore Clark who will be talking about S.M.I.L.E. (Stop Mourning It's Life Excuse). To reserve your seat, call the WCCC office at 337-313-1121.
Infinite Health is hosting "The Infinite Life Series: Three ways to virile, vigorous, and vital health. This free seminar will teach what it takes to go from surviving life to experiencing a thriving life. The seminar will begin at 6 p.m. It is free, but seating is limited. Register by May 20 at 337-312-8234.
L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles recently announced its 2014 lineup for Liquid Society, its wildly popular summertime poolside concert series. The series launches on May 22 with American rock band The Wallflowers and runs weekly through August 14 with Weezer scheduled as the final powerhouse concert of the season. The 2014 season features 13 dynamic acts; tickets are $10 or $25 per show. - See more at: http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2014/04/28/630725/10078689/en/Photo-Release-L-Auberge-Casino-Resort-Announces-Lineup-for-Liquid-Society-Poolside-Concert-Series-Launches-May-22-With-Iconic-Rock-Band-The-Wallflowers.html#sthash.5Y0vo6YE.dpuf.
Education Day Camp at Kids College/McNeese Teens is starting May 27 and will run through August 9.
This McNeese Day Camp of educational and enrichment opportunities is for Grades 2 - 7. If your child have an interest in science, art, dance, writing, folklore, music or higher level computer skills, or need an educational boost-math, reading, speech, science, thinking skills, sign up. They can also learn a new instrument, craft, sewing, magic, photography, golf, or tennis. Each camp is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration is $40 plus the weekly/monthly fees which includes a camp t-shirt. For more information, please, see www.mcneese.edu/leisure. To enroll, call 337-475-5616.
The Fort Polk ACAP Center is sponsoring a Job fair/Hiring event at the ACAP Center, Wednesday May 28, 2014, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The location for the Job Fair is 7438 California Ave., Bldg. 4275, Fort Polk. Their last fair resulted in over 200 job seekers in attendance. This is a great way for employers to recruit/hire and/or provide pathways to employment for our transitioning soldiers, wounded warriors, veterans, and family members. These are the best candidates for your jobs! There is no cost to employers. For more information, please contact Denise Tresch, d[email protected] or Noel Collins, [email protected] phone 337-531-1591 or 337-531-8792.
The Arts Council of SWLA is accepting applications for the 2014-2015 Tourism Marketing Initiative grant. The grant is funded annually by the Lake Charles/SWLA Convention & Visitors Bureau and is one of four grants the Arts Council administers. All applications must be received, not postmarked, by Friday, May 30, 2014 by 5 p.m. at the Arts Council office at Central School. Nonprofit organizations domiciled in Calcasieu Parish are eligible to apply for special projects and events occurring within the parish, and funds are dedicated for only marketing and promotional expenses such as billboards, advertising, and brochures. Applicants may submit one application and may request up to $2,000 for a specific project. All projects must take place between June 15th, 2014 and July 14th, 2015. Applications and guidelines can be downloaded at www.artsandhumanitiesswla.org. Grant assistance is provided by the Arts Council and can be requested before the grant deadline by calling (337) 439-2787 or emailing Arts Council grant administrator Amie Herbert at [email protected].
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Holiday Travel has lined up the following bus trips: Grand Canyon & The Hoover Dam on June 3; Niagara Falls on August 27 (passport required); Cape Cod on October 3; the Holy Land Experience - Orlando on October 19; and Christmas in the Smokey Mountains on November 30. For more information on trip you can take, they host special meetings at their offices on trips to Disney, Alaska, River Cruises and more. They are located at 3020 Ryan Street in Lake Charles. You can contact them at 337-480-1090, 1-888-480-1090, or [email protected]. You can also visit their website at www.gowithholidaytravel.com.
The Calcasieu Parish School System and the Arts Council of SWLA are pleased to announce the 34th Annual Summer Arts Camp 2014 with this year's theme as "Wacky, Wild & Whimsical!" Art classes, which offer a variety of engaged study in visual arts media and performing arts, are open to students who have completed grades kindergarten through eighth. The Arts Camp will take place at Lake Charles Boston Academy at 1509 Enterprise Boulevard and will begin Tuesday, June 3rd and end Thursday, June 26th. Friday, June 27th has been set aside for parents to pick up the students' artwork. Classes will be limited in size, and class assignments will be made upon receipt of registration and tuition. Tuition is $250 if registration is received by the early bird deadline of May 10, and rates increase on May 11. 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. Tuition balance is due May 30th. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis, and 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.
The Louisiana Workforce Commission and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury is hosting "Ticket to Work" on June 9 for people who have a disability and want to work. They will receive valuable information on programs and services available in the region. It will be held at the Business & Career Solutions Center located at 2424 Third Street in Lake Charles at 10am. To register or to get more information, contact Catherine Thomas at 721-4010 ext 5010 or cthomas@lwia51@com.
The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team (WWAST), a nationally recognized team comprised of amputee active duty military personnel and veterans, will return to Southwest Louisiana and play against Olympic Gold medalist Jennie Finch-Daigle and a team of all-stars June 20-21 in the "Battle on the Bayou II" softball tournament. The tournament will be held at McMurry Park in Sulphur, with game events beginning each night at 5 p.m. Beginning in May, tickets will be available at all Calcasieu Parish McDonald's locations and the offices of the Chamber SWLA for $10. All proceeds from the event will go toward helping the WWAST. The mission of the WWAST is to raise awareness of the sacrifices and resilience of military personnel despite the challenges arising from being an amputee. Their goal is to demonstrate that unlimited possibilities exist for those with disabilities and that "Life Without a Limb is Limitless." For more information on the Battle on the Bayou II tournament, please like the event's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/battleonthebayou, or visit the event's website at www.wwastswla.com. Sponsorships for the event are available and donations are also being accepted. For more information, please call (337) 528-4735.
Chick-fil-A is hosting a Big Trout Bonanza benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project on June 21, at the Calcasieu Point Landing. The event will be from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 337-244-0637 or email [email protected] for more information.
The Girl Scouts of Louisiana - Pines to the Gulf recently announced the following camps. Beau Camp 2014 is an overnight camp at the Uskichitto Retreat Center in LeBlanc from June 29 to July 4. The deadline to register is May 29 and camper fees are $125. (Call Leslie Rougeau at 337-340-0753 or email [email protected] for details.) There is also a specialty day camp - Adventures in Nature - at Tuten Park in Lake Charles. This camp will focus on nature themed outdoor activities about gardening, flowers, native plants, insects and hiking. Through crafts, games and badge activities girls will get an introduction to nature while having fun! The camp is from June 2 - 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for only $60. The deadline to register is May 12. (Call Kara Guillory at800-960-2093 ext 312 or email [email protected] for the details.) Another specialty day camp is Girls Power Up at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette - Madison Hall from June 9 through the 13. The camp is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and campers will be exposed to various types of Energy, design, build and test a conservation device in preparation for a STEM competition, tour a solar energy power plant and lots more. (Call Genny Vaughn at 800-960-2093 ext 105 or email [email protected] for details.)
The Marshland Dash 5K is making its debut run on Saturday, July 26, 2014. The 3.1 mile run will allow runners to enjoy the beauty of our lake front homes and the magnificence the lake. Your business has an opportunity to be out in front of the thousands in attendance through the highly visible advertisement, and your donation is supporting the Hackberry High School 4H members - 4th through 12th grades - as they are "preparing to impact their community and their world". Organizers are looking for business sponsors at the Mallard Level ($500), Pin Tail Level ($250), and the Teal Level ($100). Each level has a wonderful slate of benefits. Please contact Angela Guth at (337) 794-2626, or [email protected].
The Odyssey Salon is once again giving back to the community with their Haircuts on the Beach Bayou event on July 26. There will be great food, live music, a Car & Bike Show, Boat Run, Poker Run, and haircuts! Organizers are currently looking for bands and sponsors. Volunteers and Suggestions should call 437-3997.
