What's Up?
ACT has extended its pre-season discount prices for 2015 Season
The Ascension Community Theatre, 823 North Felicity Avenue, Gonzales, has extended its pre-season discount prices for 2015 Season tickets until the opening of the first show this season, “A Doll’s House,” by Henrik Ibsen.
Use the seating chart for a full year of quality theatre and grab season tickets for less than $45. The show opens on February 26, so find some friends and join in. For more information, call (225) 647-1230.
Bridge club looking for new members
A local bridge club is looking for new members for a group that meets every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Ascension Council on Aging, Gonzales senior center located at 526 S. Irma Blvd, Gonzales, LA. If you are interested and an avid bridge player, contact Gloria Lake at 225-673-1796.
Spectacular Dancing Divas’ Sweetheart Dance
Parents and children (ages 2-15) are invited to attend Spectacular Dancing Divas’ Sweetheart Dance on, Saturday, Feb. 7 at The Geismar Community Center. The dance will last from 6 - 10 pm.
There will be special guest performance including Demi Lavato’s “Frozen” by Thalan Broussard, Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” by Jovin Webb, “Grateful” by Artist Renaldo Price and last, but not least, The Dream Team.
Jerry Carter from Louisiana Healthcare Connections will speak briefly on Anti-Bullying.
There will also be light refreshments and special prize giveaways. Everything is free of charge so come out and have a great time.
Canary Islanders Heritage Society Meeting set
Author and amateur historian Stephen Estopinal will address the February 7 meeting of the Canary Islanders Heritage Society of Louisiana. The subject of his talk will be the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and the subsequent Jacobite risings (1688-1745) which resulted in the mass migration of Irish Catholics to France and Spain.
The meeting will begin at 11 am at the Louisiana State Archives Building, 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge. All meetings are open to the public. Information about the Canary Islanders Heritage Society of Louisiana can be found on the web at www.canaryislanders.org. You may contact the President of the Society by email: president@canaryislanders.org.
Upward Soccer 2015 begins
The Rock Church, 42080 Churchpoint Rd., Gonzales announces that On-line Open Registration for Upward Soccer 2015. This is the 5th year for the organization. For more information, visittherock.com or call Tony Alise, League Director at 225-763-1860.
Ascension Fair Association’s Mardi Gras Gala
The Ascension Fair Association’s Mardi Gras Gala fundraising event that supports the AFA community programs such as economic development, health and wellness, education, family and youth empowerment, as well as support the enhancement of Assocation’s buildings and grounds will take place Friday, February 6, at the Gonzales Recreation (Civic) Center, 219 South Irma Avenue, Gonzales. The evening, starting at 8 p.m.) will feature a night of socializing, dancing and food. Featuring Vince Hutchinson & The Original Heavy Storm Band, the ticket cost is $25 per person and are on sale now.
Contact Gloria Burns 225-939-6861 or Anthony Christy 225-715-1952 to purchase tickets or for additional information, visit our website: www.ascensionfair.com
3rd Biennial Giving Quilt Exhibit
The 3rd Biennial Giving Quilt Exhibit will take place at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, on Feb. 7 and 8.
Sponsored by the Giving Quilt, Inc., this admission free quilt exhibit features hundreds of beautiful quilts made by local quilters that will be donated to various charitable organizations at the close of the show. Many of the quilts go to children with severe health issues while others go to soldiers, hospitals, nursing homes, hospice or similar organizations.
Besides the many quilts on display, this 2-day event will also feature several opportunities for adults and kids to participate in the art of quilt making. On Saturday and Sunday visitors may participate in the Block by Block for Quilts of Valor (QOV), a national organization that provides quilts to soldiers and veterans affected by war. Feb. 7 is National QOV Sew Day and visitors, with the help of some volunteers, may sew blocks that will be set into quilt tops to be presented to soldiers. Three quilt tops in 2 days is the goal of this worthy project sponsored by the National Quilting Association.
At the Kids Draw For Kids booth, founder Renee Hoeprich will help kids and adults draw on fabric to create blocks to go into comfort quilts for children in need. Visitors can also check out camp G.R.A.C.E. Pillowcases, sponsored by Granny Hugs of Gonzales, and try their hand at sewing pillowcases for kids whose parents are incarcerated.
On Saturday Sassi Strippers Quilt Guild will encourage visitors to stuff-a-bear to benefit children at Our Lady on the Lake Hospital and Cancer Cervices of Greater Baton Rouge.
On Sunday Sharon Hicks with Baton Rouge Quilts For Kids will lead her crew in sewing quilt tops for local children with severe health issues.
Visitors can also check out the merchants mall, vote for their favorite quilt, and purchase raffle tickets for A Day in the Park, a traditional sampler quilt pieced by friends of the Giving Quilt and quilted by Charlene Harp.
Doors at the TradeMart Building at Lamar Dixon open Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015 at 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015 at noon – 4 p.m.
For more information visit the website at www.thegivingquiltinc.org.
A Night of Intercessory Prayer and Praise Against Illness
First Pilgrim Calvary Missionary Baptist Church Senior Choir presents A Night of Intercessory Prayer and Praise Against Illness January 30, at 7:15 p.m.
Speakers for the night will be Dr. Richard Rayborn II, Christian Assembly Full Gospel Church.
Minister Kenny Chatman First Pilgrim Calvary Missionary BC.
Ascension Council on Aging cancels Mardi Gras events
Due to construction at the Gonzales Senior Center at 526 S. Irma Blvd., this year’s annual Mardi Gras event has been cancelled and will return next year.
Free Income Tax Preparation
The AARP Taxaide Program will provide free tax assistance for federal and state income tax filers at American Legion Post 81, 421 East City Park Avenue, Gonzales. The tax counselors will begin assisting filers on Wednesday, February 4, 2015, continuing each Wednesday and Friday between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. through April 10. The site will be closed on Good Friday, April 3.
Filers must bring proof of ID, Social Security cards, last year’s tax return and 2014 tax documents, such as W2 and 1099 forms, other income information, home insurance papers, home mortgage statements and real estate tax information.
This assistance is made possible by AARP, American Legion Post 81, and AARP volunteers.
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.
TOPS LA 422
Take Off Pounds Sensibly LA 422 Prairieville meets on Thursday evenings. Private TOPS weigh-ins are from 5:30-6 p.m. and meetings are from 6-7 p.m. Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting free of charge. To find out more information about TOPS, call 313-3180.
Addiction Recovery Support Group
An addiction recovery support group meets at 7 p.m. every Friday at Christ Healing Community, 404 West Pine St., Gonzales (behind Dominos on Airline.) Coed Group. Faith based. Child-care provided. For more information, call 810-8695.
Wednesday Bingo
The American Legion Post 81, 421 E. City, Gonzales, holds bingo every Wednesday night. Everyone is welcome. Children are welcome, but must buy at least a $5 book.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and bingo starts at 7:30 p.m.
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.
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.
The Rock Church Food Pantry
The Rock Church Food Pantry will open at 1 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month. One must provide a drivers license or La photo ID.” Participants will gather at The Rock Church’s Western Town at 1 p.m. and watch a Gospel-centered video together. Then the participant will be given a ticket to redeem groceries at the Food Pantry. Food allotments are limited to one per family.
For more information. call Tony Alise at 225-763-1860.
Free Small Business Consulting
Ascension Parish Library offers free small business consulting on the second Monday of each month at the library in Galvez, 40300 Hwy. 42, Prairieville. Persons wanting to start or improve a small business receive a private, two-hour consultation designed to provide professional help in areas of business planning, financing, marketing, and accounting.
This service is provided by the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southern University – Baton Rouge and is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). All services are free and confidential. To schedule an appointment call the Louisiana Small Business Develop.m.ent Center at (225) 922-0998.
SCORE offers Free Counseling
Ascension Parish Library and SCORE – Baton Rouge offer free, on-site counseling in Ascension Parish for new business start-ups and mentoring for existing businesses. Counseling sessions are held at two library locations each month by appointment: the first Tuesday morning and third Tuesday afternoon at the library in Gonzales and the second and third Thursday evenings at the library in Dutchtown.
SCORE - Counselors to America’s Small Business, a nonprofit Association and a resource partner of the Small Business Administration, is dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide.
Counselors are active or retired business owners and executives with extensive experience, who follow the steps on “How to Start and Manage a Successful Business.” This includes help on the Business Plan, Financial Forecast, Marketing & Sales, Legal and Accounting suggestions, Business Insurance needs, and the Bank Loan Package preparation. SCORE counselors follow a strict code of ethics and confidentiality.
This year SCORE will begin expanding its education opportunities in the community for small businesses with a new Simple Steps Program and a stronger Community Alliance Program. These New Programs will help SCORE become an even more valuable resource in our community.
To learn more visit the SCORE WEB SITE AT www.scorebr.org. To schedule a counseling appointment, call (225) 381-7130 or toll-free (877) 381-7130 and specify which library location you prefer: Gonzales or Dutchtown.
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.
Ascension Council on Aging events
• February 2
Fast Exercise
Donaldsonville
9:30 a.m.
Gonzales 10:45 a.m.
Beading Club
Gonzales 9:00 a.m.
Donaldsonville
10:30 a.m.
• February 3
Yoga
Gonzales
8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
Bridge: Gonzales
1:00 p.m.
Zumba Gold
Donaldsonville
9:00 a.m.
Gonzales 10:30 a.m.
Coupon Swap
Gonzales 9:00 a.m.
• February 4
Painting Party
Old Jefferson
Amanda Quirk
Donaldsonville
10:00 a.m.
Tai Chi (5)
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Fast Exercise
Donaldsonville
9:30 a.m.
Gonzales 10:45 a.m.
Crafts
Gonzales 9:30 a.m.
• February 5
PIYO-Donaldsonville
9:00 a.m.
Zumba Gold
Gonzales 10:30 a.m.
Pilates
Gonzales
8:15 a.m. & 9:15 a.m.
Cajun Needlers
Gonzales 12:30 p.m.
• February 6
Zumba Gold
Donaldsonville
9:00 a.m.
Scrap Booking
Gonzales 9:00 a.m.
Karaoke – Gonzales
9:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.
Canasta – Gonzales
1:00 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.