Come join us for a great conference that will give you tips to Motivate, Integrate and Innovate your business.

There will be great networking opportunities, door prizes, professional headshots and much more for a low cost affordable price..

The conference is open to anyone who wants to improve the workplace environment.  Speakers/Topics include:

Janell Johnson                   Managing Change in the Workplace

Shelly Aguillard                 Innovation in the Workplace

Terry McCay                       Employment Law Update

Dr. Joe Fierro                     Motivation in the Workplace

Calcasieu Parish Assessor, Wendy Curphy Aguillard, and Staff, will be at the DeQuincy City Hall on Thursday, April 25, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 pm. They will be providing an opportunity for local Seniors, Disabled Veterans, & Disabled citizens to sign for "Special Assessment Level Freezes" without having to fight the "Bridge Traffic" to come to the Lake Charles office. "Special Assessment Level Freezes" freeze the value of your property against any future adjustments due to reassessment.

You need only apply if you have not previously applied for a special assessment level freeze; if your household income is less than $75,594; you have recently reached the age of 65; become a disabled Veteran with a 50% or more service connected disability, or 100% disabled through the Social Security Administration.

For more information on the qualifications to file for these "Special Assessment Level Freezes" and the documentation needed, please call the Calcasieu Parish Assessor’s Office at 337-721-3000.

*Applicants must bring proof of age, proof of disability and proof of income (as required by law) for the "Special Assessment Level Freezes”.

**May be applied for during regular office hours 8:30-4:30 M-F at the Lake Charles Office, 1011 Lakeshore Dr., #101 OR on Wednesday mornings 8:30-Noon at our West-Cal Satellite Office, 500A N. Huntington St., Sulphur.

This 3D-CGI animated feature is an adaptation of Dr. Seuss' classic tale of a forest creature with the enduring power of hope. The adventure follows the journey of a boy as he searches for something to help him win the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world (Rated PG).

Westlake City Hall, 1001 Mulberry St, Westlake LA.

Friday April 26th at 8am. Feel free to arrive anytime after 8am. 

On Friday, April 26, from 5pm to 9pm, downtown Lake Charles will celebrate the Lake Area’s vibrant cultural community during the Arts Council of SWLA’s annual Spring Art Walk. This year’s free event focuses on creating a unique bazaar atmosphere through a full-force showcase of the arts, including the visual, theatrical, literary, and musical talents that make Lake Charles unique.

Coffee shops, businesses, restaurants, and other downtown spaces will be transformed into pop-up galleries for the evening, complete with street performers, art competitions, and an extensive outdoor art market. Residents and visitors will be able to tour historic downtown properties and businesses while enjoying refreshments and the best in Southwest Louisiana arts. Participating venues will offer drink specials, concessions, and giveaways, in conjunction with art exhibits and creative, interactive games and activities.

The Art War competitions, in which teams of adult and student artists compete to create a mural in one hour in front of a live audience, will make its highly anticipated return. Mediums and styles range from ink and brush to traditional oil and acrylic and even graffiti will be used as the audience gets to watch the entire creation process, and vote with tip money to choose the winners.

Participating venues plus featured artists and performers will be released soon. Maps of participating locations and artists will be available on the Arts Council website as well as at each venue during Spring Art Walk.

Spring Art Walk is presented by the Arts Council of SWLA, the City of Lake Charles, and PPG Industries with major sponsorship from the Art Factory, ASI Printing, Event Solutions, Image 360, Knight Media, Inc., The Limo Daddy Buddy Russ Bus, Magnolia LNG, Nick Reina State Farm, and Redfish Rentals. For details on participating venues, artists, and activities, visit www.artscouncilswla.org or call (337) 439-2787

April 26th - June 30th . 5:00pm - 9:00pm daily 

The City of Lake Charles will host opening receptions for three new exhibits during Spring Art Walk at Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center on Friday, April 26 from 5 to 9 p.m.F.G. Bulber Youth Orchestra will perform throughout the evening in the third floor gallery. The event will be open to the public with free admission, and refreshments will be served.

Louisiana Proud: The Cajun Experience is a tribute to old-time craftsmen and artists showcasing master artist Darrell Chitty’s deep respect for the vanishing Acadian culture. This is an artist who sees not just the surface, but down to the soul of such beloved characters as woodworkers and musicians, spinners and teachers, blacksmiths and gardeners, and others so necessary in early-day life.

Testing paint samples from these canvases might indicate a contemporary provenance, but the sensibility and soul in each could just as well date them back to Renaissance painters. Raised in Houma, Chitty throughout his life has been an accomplished musician, boat builder, world traveler, and scholar, besides having been twice named Louisiana’s Photographer of the Year. He will be present at the opening reception to speak with attendees.

His works on display are tributes to a subject dear to his heart, the authentic Cajun experience. The exhibition will hang in the second floor gallery until June 30.

Also opening at Spring Art Walk on April 26 will be a multi-media collection by the Artisans Gallery. The group is comprised of more than 20 well-known local artists offering an array of ceramics, sculptures, jewelry, paintings and much more. Many works will be available for purchase. The exhibition will run through June 8.

A photography exhibit entitled PhoteauxBien by Jeanie Rhea, a DeRidder native, will also open on April 26. From Louisiana swamp scenes to magnificent plantations, from quiet sunsets to shrimp boats working the waters, from birds on the wing to local festival scenes; this exhibit showcases a Bayou State that is a rich paradise for photographers. Many works will be available for purchase. The exhibition will be on view until June 30.

The City of Lake Charles will host an opening reception for three new exhibits during Spring Art Walk at Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center on Friday, April 26 from 5 to 9 p.m. The event will be open to the public with free admission, and refreshments will be served. Spring Art Walk is annually presented by the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA.

Louisiana Proud: The Cajun Experience is a tribute to old-time craftsmen and artists showcasing master artist Darrell Chitty’s deep respect for the vanishing Acadian culture. This is an artist who sees not just the surface, but down to the soul of such beloved characters as woodworkers and musicians, spinners and teachers, blacksmiths and gardeners, and others so necessary in early-day life.

Testing paint samples from these canvases might indicate a contemporary provenance, but the sensibility and soul in each could just as well date them back to Renaissance painters. Raised in Houma, Chitty throughout his life has been an accomplished musician, boat builder, world traveler, and scholar, besides having been twice named Louisiana’s Photographer of the Year. He will be present at the opening reception to speak with attendees.

His works on display are tributes to a subject dear to his heart, the authentic Cajun experience. The exhibition will hang in the second floor gallery until June 30.

Also opening at Spring Art Walk on April 26 will be a multi-media collection by the Artisan’s Gallery. The group is comprised of more than 20 well-known local artists offering an array of ceramics, sculptures, jewelry, paintings and much more. Many works will be available for purchase. The exhibition will run through June 8.

A photography exhibit entitled PhoteauxBien by Jeanie Rhea, a DeRidder native, will also open on April 26. From Louisiana swamp scenes to magnificent plantations, from quiet sunsets to shrimp boats working the waters, from birds on the wing to local festival scenes; this exhibit showcases a Bayou State that is a rich paradise for photographers. Many works will be available for purchase. The exhibition will be on view until June 30.

While visiting the center, don’t miss the last chance to see HITNES The Image Hunter: On the Trail of John James Audubon in the third floor gallery.  

Historic City Hall is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. Charlestown Farmers’ Market is open on Bilbo Street behind the center every Saturday 8 a.m.-noon. For more information, please call 491-9147 or visit www.cityoflakecharles.com.

Lake Charles, Louisiana, April 12, 2019 – Dragons will invade the city Lakefront during the 2019 Dragon Boat Race on April 27, at 9:00 a.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center Seawall. More than 30 local teams will compete for the top spot in their division.

The CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation, along with presenting sponsors Louisiana Mortgage Associates and Golden Nugget Lake Charles, will host the seventh annual event to help support the efforts of the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) at CHRISTUS Ochsner Health Southwestern Louisiana. This event is open and free to the public.

“The community’s participation in the event has always made a huge difference for the health of our kids in Southwestern Louisiana,” said Kay Barnett, CFRE, CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation Executive Director. “This event is a gift that continues to impact children’s lives long beyond race day, and we are looking to make an even greater impact this year by adding more teams to the mix!”

A dragon boat is a human-powered watercraft. This amateur team paddling water sport has roots dating back 2,000 years to southern China where the ancient folk ritual involved races between contending villagers. Now, thousands of years later, the sport is still known for building teams and creating spirited fun.

“With our 2018 event, we raised more than $155,000 for Children’s Miracle Network efforts supporting CHRISTUS Ochsner Lake Area Hospital and CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital,” said Cara Wyland, Children’s Miracle Network Director, CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation. “That money is now helping us fund critical life-saving equipment for babies being treated in our Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Labor and Delivery Unit at CHRISTUS Ochsner Lake Area Hospital. These incredible programs, treatments and services make a real, tangible difference in the lives of children.”

In this year’s race, 32 teams will compete to capture the coveted traveling trophy that goes to the fastest team on the Lake. Each team consists of 20 members who paddle a 41-foot vessel to the beat of their team drummer. Each team will have 1 hour of practice the week of the race. Teams can develop a unique theme and team name and will compete in two races for their best time. After the qualifying races, all the teams are classified into three groups based on their best time and compete in a final race to determine the winners in each of the groups.

During the races, a Kid’s Activity Tent will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Kids of all ages can enjoy arts and crafts, games, face-painting and more! There will be food and drink vendors, music and a family-friendly atmosphere. This is truly a community event for the whole family. The CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation is excited to bring this opportunity to promote fitness and wellness in an atmosphere of camaraderie at our picturesque Lakefront Seawall and Boardwalk.

Proceeds will benefit CMN and will be used to purchase pediatric surgical and treatment equipment for CHRISTUS Ochsner Health Southwestern Louisiana and to support special school-based programs in our five-parish area.