What's Up?
5 free Crapemyrtles
Residents of Louisiana can ring in the New Year with 5 free crapemyrtle trees by joining the Arbor Day Foundation any time during January 2014.
The free trees are part of the nonprofit Foundation's Trees for America campaign.
The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting, between February 1 and April 30, with enclosed planting instructions. The 6- to 12-inch tall trees are guaranteed to grow, or they will be replaced free of charge.
Members will also receive a subscription to the Foundation's colorful bimonthly publication, Arbor Day, and The Tree Book, which includes information about tree planting and care.
To receive the free trees, send a $10 membership contribution to 5 CRAPEMYRTLES, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410, by January 31, 2014. Louisiana residents can also join online at arborday.org/january
Tai Chi classes coming soon
Ascension Council on Aging is pleased to announce that Tai Chi classes will be available on Wednesdays starting on Jan. 15.This will be a six week session for $60.00. Classes will be available at the Gonzales Senior Center located at 526 South Irma Blvd. from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Come out and join the fun and enjoy the benefits of Tai Chi! Space is limited. For more information or to register, call our Gonzales Center at 225-621-5750 or our Donaldsonville Center at (225) 473-3789.
AARP Safe Driving Course
The Ascension Council on Aging will host an AARP Safe Driving Course at the Gonzales Senior Center on Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Cost for the course is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Lunch will be available at the site if ordered in advance during the time of registration. Deadline to order lunch is Friday, Jan. 17. Classroom size is limited, so sign up quickly. To register for the course, order lunch, or for more information, call (225) 621-5750.
Free Computer Training
Ascension Parish Library offers the following free computer training seminars during January. In Gonzales: January 7 – Introduction to Microsoft Word 2013, 10 a.m.; January 14 – Internet Basics, 6 p.m.; January 15 – Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint 2013, 10 a.m.; January 23 - Introduction to Windows 8, 10 a.m.; January 23 – A Guide to Writing Resumes, 6 p.m.; January 27 – Job Searching on the Internet, 6 p.m.; January 28 – Introduction to Microsoft Publisher 2013, 10 a.m.; January 29 – Discovering Email, 10 a.m. In Donaldsonville: January 23 – Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2013, 6 p.m. Seminars are free and open to the public and registration is not required. For more information, please call the library at 647-3955 in Gonzales and at 473-8052 in Donaldsonville.
AARP Chapter 1449 meetings
Anyone who is 50 or above and a member of the National AARP Chapter is invited to the local AARP Chapter 1449 meetings held on the fourth Friday of each month. The meetings take place at 11 a.m. at 2337 S. Robert Wilson, Gonzales. For more information, contact Irma Rixner at (225) 289-8939, LaVerne Deal at (225) 644-2724 or Bertha Washington at (225) 673-5968.
StashBuilder’s Quilt Guild meets
StashBuilder’s Quilt Guild meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at St. James Lutheran Church, 1415 E Hwy. 30, in Gonzales. Both new and experienced quilters are invited to attend. Call 225-936-2238 for more information.
Cajun Country Quilt Guild
Cajun Country Quilt Guild meets every second Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church on Burnside. Visitors and new members are invited. For more information, call 647-2720.
Food Pantry every other Tuesday
The Rock Church Food Pantry. 42080 Churchpoint Rd., Gonzales, will be open every other Tuesday from noon-3 p.m. For more information, contact (225) 763-1860 or visittherock.com
Mother Goose Asks ‘Why?’
Watching things grow, shaking things up, and using all five senses for discovery will entertain and delight preschoolers and parents alike. Accompany your preschoolers while they start developing pre-science skills through a series of entertaining hands-on activities and stories. Mother Goose Asks “Why?” is a four week series starting on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 and continuing for the next three consecutive Wednesdays at 10:30 AM at Ascension Parish Library in Dutchtown. We will introduce concepts such as growing and changing, same and different, and the five senses.
This program is designed for preschoolers ages 3 through 5. Please register by calling the Ascension Parish Library at Dutchtown at 673-8699. Space is limited so be sure to register as early as possible. This program is free and open to the public.
Tuesday and Sunday Bingo
The St. Amant Knights of Columbus holds bingo two nights a week. On Tuesday, the doors open at 6 p.m. and bingo begins at 7:30. On Sunday afternoon the doors open at 4 p.m. and bingo begins at 5 p.m. No one under the age of 18 is allowed.
Everyone is invited to come. On the last Tuesday of each month free jambalaya is served to the players. The St. Amant Knights of Columbus Hall is located at 43472 Black Bayou Road.
Weekend Bingo
VFW Post 3693, bingo Friday and Saturday nights. Children six years and older are welcome, must buy at least a $5 book. Doors open at 6 p.m., bingo starts at 7:30 p.m., located at 42430 Church Point Rd., Gonzales.
Ascension Council on Aging events
• Jan. 3
Zumba Gold
Donaldsonville
9:00 a.m.
Gonzales 10:30 a.m.
Karaoke
Gonzales
9:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.
Canasta –Gonzales
1:00 p.m.
• Jan. 6
Fast Exercise
Donaldsonville
9:30 a.m.
Gonzales 10:30 a.m.
Beading club
Gonzales 9 a.m.
Donaldsonville
10:30 a.m.
• Jan. 7
Yoga
Gonzales 8:15 a.m.
& 9:15 a.m.
Bridge – Gonzales
1 p.m.
Zumba Gold
Donaldsonville
9:00 a.m.
Gonzales 10:30 a.m.
Coupon Swap
Gonzales 9 a.m.
• Jan. 8
Oceans Behavioral
R., Lockhart
Finding Peace of Mind
Donaldsonville 10 a.m.
Blood Pressure Checks
Robin Leake-
Southern Care
Gonzales 10 a.m.
Fast Exercise
Donaldsonville
9:30 a.m.
Gonzales 10:30 a.m.
• Jan. 9
Oceans Behavioral
R. Lockhart
Finding Peace of Mind
Gonzales 10 a.m.
Fast – Gonzales
10:45 a.m.
Pilates
Gonzales 8:15 a.m.
& 9:15 a.m.
Cajun Needlers
Gonzales 12:30 p.m.
PIYO – Donaldsonville
9 a.m.
• Jan. 10
Bingo Sponsor
Casey/Canon Hospice
DonaldsonvillAE
10:30 a.m.
Zumba Gold
Donaldsonville
9:00 a.m.
Gonzales 10:30 a.m.
Canasta – Gonzales
1 p.m.
Send your upcoming events to Cheryl LeBlanc Babin, lifestyles editor, at cbabin@weeklycitizen.com or call (225) 644-6397, fax (225) 644-2069 or drop by or mail to The Gonzales Weekly Citizen, 231 W. Cornerview, Gonzales, LA 70737. Follow on Twitter @Cheryl_whats_up