Henning Memorial United Methodist Church

The City of Sulphur is proud to announce a new event for the community to enjoy this September. “Stars and Stripes in the Park” celebrates all things that the Sulphur commu­nity believes in, “Faith, Family and Community”. The event will take place Saturday, September 11, on the grounds of Heritage Square and the Henning Cultural Center, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free.

Cypress Cove in on track for completion in October and furniture moved in over the following four to six weeks. By December, students from D.S. Perkins Elementary School are expected to transfer to the new school on Currie Drive, according to Calcasieu Parish School Board president Joe Andrepont, one of three Board members who will have students in their district eventually attending the new school.

For Sulphur resident Carla Jean Cranfill, Waking Ghosts has been a story in the making for seven years. The novel she “knew had to be finished” was finally published and put out to the public in May 2010. On Saturday, July 17, the author celebrated her novel with a book signing at the Henning Cultural Center in Sulphur. Over 60 fans of the book attended the event.

JULY 12, 26
•Math Camp
Mathnasium will be offering math enrichment with one week sessions beginning Monday, July 12 or Monday July 26. The math camp is for students who have completed grades second through eighth. Activities include paper folding, line design, mobius strip, puzzles and games. The cost is $100 for the first child and $75 for each additional child. Classes are limited to 20 students and are from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Call 478-0550 to register.

JULY 12, 14, 21
•Healthy Eating Tips Session
Weight Watchers “Easy Healthy Eating Tips” will be Monday, July 12, 5 p.m., and Wednesday, July 14, 12:15 p.m., at Lake Charles Queen of Heaven, Family Life Center, 3939 Kingston Pl., Lake Charles, and on Wednesday, July 21, 9:30 a.m., at Sulphur’s Our Lady Prompt Succor, 1109 Cypress St. The cost is free. Any questions call 1-800-651-6000 or visit www.weightwatchers.com, for local meetings in the area.

JULY 13
•Diabetes Support Group Meeting at WCCH
The topic for the monthly diabetes support group at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital will be Foot Care and Diabetes. Dr. Green will talk on the subject Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 11:30 a.m. in the Cafeteria Conference Room at WCCH.
•Literacy Council Telethon
The Literacy Council of Southwest Louisiana, Inc. will host its Annual Telethon for Literacy on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. The telethon will inform the community about services available through the Council’s Lifelong Learning Center. Funds raised will support the Council’s programs for adults, children and families.
The telethon will be broadcast by KPLC from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. During the broadcast, community volunteers will call area literacy supporters. Partners for Literacy and Literacy Champions will have the opportunity to make on-air presentations. Literacy Council board members and staff will be available to discuss services offered.
For more information about any of the services available from the Literacy Council, call 494-7000 or 1-888-LIT-SWLA. To make a donation at any time, please call the office to make a pledge or go online and donate at www.literacyswla.org

JULY 14
•Safe Sitter® Class
Girls and boys ages 11 to 13 can learn the fundamentals of babysitting at Safe Sitter®, a medically accurate baby-sitting preparation program available through Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women on Wednesday, July 14. During the one-day Safe Sitter class, participants learn how to have fun with their charges with age-appropriate activities. The cost is $35, which includes all learning materials. Participants will need to bring their lunch.
Enrollment is limited, and reservations are required by calling (337) 480-7243.

JULY 15
•Exceptional Citizen’s Party at VFW
The VFW and Aux 8107, 1325 E. Napoleon St in Sulphur, La, will be hold an Exceptional Citizen’s Party on July 15, 2010, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Music will be provided by Sam Hewitt & Louisiana Dust. You can RSVP to 527-0246, 287-4537, 287-4177, 527-0075, or 527-7104.
•Business After Hours at WCCH
On July 15, it is Business After Hours at the West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital in Sulphur co-hosted by the West Calcasieu Association of Commerce. Come by and check out their grand new addition while meeting other regional business and community leaders. Admission is $1 and one business card for Chamber SWLA and West Calcasieu Association members. Non-members pay $5. Business After Hours is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The address for this month’s event is 701 Cypress Street, Sulphur, LA.

JULY 15, 22, 29
•Summer Film Series
Every Thursday in July, the Imperial Calcasieu Museum is hosting its annual Summer Film Series. This year’s films are Network (July 15), Sergeant York (July 22) and Harry Potter (July 29). Each film begins at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free for museum members and $4 for the public.

JULY 17
•Community Health Fair
There will be free immunizations, vision screeenings, dental screenings, and blood pressure/vital signs/pulse ox checks at the Community Health Fair to be held July 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Pomeroy Center at Westlake United Methodist Church. Many local agencies will be on-site to provide health and fitness related information. LifeShare Blood Center will also be on-site for a blood drive. There will be prize drawings at many of the booths as well. The Community Health Fair is sponsored by the Westlake United Methodist Church.

JULY 22
• CPSO Free Lunch In Starks
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso and the Starks Law Enforcement Center will host a Community Lunch Thursday, July 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Starks V.F.W. located at 4202 Hwy. 12.
This free red beans and rice lunch will be an opportunity to meet with Sheriff Mancuso and talk about any ideas or concerns regarding the Starks community. The public is invited to attend.

JULY 24
•Free Eye Screenings
Hart Eye Center of Lake Charles will hold a free eye screening on July 24 to help people protect their vision from the damaging effects of cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration are serious eye diseases that cannot only damage vision, but if left undetected or untreated, each has the potential to cause blindness. To schedule a free screening, you must call Hart Center at 439-4014 to make an appointment. For more information on free eye screenings or to check for future dates and schedule changes visit www.harteyecenter.com or call 439-4014.

JULY 26-30
•2nd Annual Wee Wiggles Rhythm and Art Camp
Wee Wiggles Rhythm and Art Camp will use creative movement, music, and hands on art activities to bring out the imagination in each child. Children ages 3-5 will learn about a variety of music styles and that classical music can be fun to move to! Children will also paint, create collages, help design a dance costume, and make their own musical instrument! The five day workshop is from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the cost is $50. This covers all materials needed for the art projects, child’s photo, and snacks. The 5-day camp will be at Sulphur Academy of Dance Arts. Call 496-3912 to register. Class size is limited, but a second time session may be added if necessary.

OCTOBER 1-3
•SHS Class of 1980 Reunion
The Sulphur High School Class of 1980 has started preparations for its 30th class reunion celebration October 1 to October 3, 2010. They are seeking current information on their classmates. You are asked to submit your information (mailing address, email address, phone numbers) to Allison Andreyk Kullenberg either via email (lsudiva85@yahoo.com) or phone 972-729-5465. They have established a Facebook alumni group “Sulphur High School (SHS) Class of 1980 - Louisiana “. Organizers are asking all friends, family and relatives to help in spreading the word to any classmate who might have moved out of the area.

ONGOING
•Sulphur High 4th Annual Classic Movie Series
The series runs as follows from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays, July 13, 20, 27, and August 3. The cost is $35. To register call (337) 475-5616 or (800) 622-3352, ext. 5616. For course descriptions and registration form, see www.mcneese.edu/conted.
•Care Help - Life Skill Classes
Care Help of Sulphur offers free Life Skill Classes taught by well known job educator, Carol Pettyjohn. Ms. Pettyjohn not only helps you with the necessities of preparing for a new job, but the classes also encourage students to gain the confidence needed for the job search process. Classes are free and open to all regardless of income. The purpose of these classes is to prepare job seekers by finding out what skills they already have, important job interviewing tips, how to create a resumé, and how to budget money. The location for the classes is 200 N. Huntington St. in the Social Service waiting room, enter through the double doors on south side of building. Classes are from 9 to 10 a.m. and seating is limited so please call to reserve a spot at 528-2273. Classes are every second Friday of each month.
•Care Help Requesting Used School Uniforms
Care Help of Sulphur at 200 N. Huntington St. is collecting gently used school uniforms now for the upcoming school year. Donations are accepted between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 6 p.m. Sundays. Call Sandy Friesner at 528-2273 if you have any questions.
•SHS Class of 2000 Reunion
Sulphur High School Class of 2000 is searching for former classmates addresses for its 10 year class reunion. If you haven’t already turned in your address, please do so to one of the following committee members. Brandi Bares Trahan at bbares906@yahoo.com. Carly Cluck Landry at carly.cluck@gmail.com. Shawna Boullion Carlson at bou1281@yahoo.com.
•Sulphur Academy of Dance Arts Dance Technique Classes
Classes will focus on technique needed to execute dance movements with beauty, grace, and proper form. Exercises to improve strength and flexibility will also be part of the class. Tuesdays in July: ages 5-7, 9:30-10:30; ages 8-10, 10:30-11:30; ages 11 and up, 11:30-12:45. Call 527-5377 or 496-3912 for information. Classes are open to all area dancers.
•Teen Dances at VFW
The VFW and Ladies Auxiliary 8107, located at 1235 E. Napoleon Street in Sulphur will sponsor Teen Dances every Wednesday night from 8 until 11 p.m. all summer until the Wednesday night before school begins. Cost is $6. Teens will be required to sign in and sign out. Dress and behavior codes are enforced. Security will be on duty and there will be plenty of chaperons as well.
•American Flags Needed
The VFW and American Legion are soliciting American flags (9 1/2 x 5 or 9 1/2 x 5 1/2) for a display on the Avenue of Flags for Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and the 4th of July celebrations. For more information please call 528-2907 or 527-7104 and leave a message.
•Sulphur Alzheimers / Dementia Caregivers’ Support Group
For caregivers struggling to care for a loved one with some form of dementia, the Sulphur Alzheimers / Dementia Caregivers’ Support Group meets at Stonebridge Place each month in the second floor activity room at 6 p.m. Stonebridge is located at 1511 S. Huntington Street in Sulphur. Meeting times for the remainder of the year are as follows: July 20, August 17, September 21, October 19, November 16, and December 14. For more information, please contact Kelly Savoie at (337) 527-4433 or Beverly Morrison at (337) 842-6890.
•Literacy Council Offers Online G.E.D. Course
Need help preparing for your G.E.D.? Work on-line at your own pace. All that’s needed is access to a computer with Internet and a $25 registration fee. Call the Literacy Council of SWLA to schedule your orientation at (337) 494-7000. Orientations are offered in Sulphur, Lake Charles, Westlake and Cameron.
•Wise Penny Thrift Store Hours
Care/Help of Sulphur’s Wise Penny Thrift Store regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Every first and third Friday is 50 Cent Day for clothes, shoes, and purses as well as daily 50 percent off sales.
•Life Drawing Classes at Gallery by the Lake
Life drawing classes are being offered to the public from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Creative Arts Center of the Gallery by the Lake, 106 W. Lawrence (Pryce) St. in Lake Charles. Fee and other information is available from Associated Louisiana Artists at (337) 436-1008. Gallery by the Lake is operated by Associated Louisiana Artists Inc., a nonprofit organization.

The largest annual training conference in Southwest Louisiana for emergency responders will be hosted by the Calcasieu Emergency Response Training Center July 9 through July 11 at the Sulphur High School Ninth Grade Campus on 600 Willow St., Sulphur, LA

Law enforcement officers across Louisiana will be out in full force over the Fourth of July holiday making roads safer for travelers through a crackdown on drunk drivers on state roadways and waterways.

Sulphur Mayor Chris Duncan has announced that weather permitting, Post Oak Road, from Hwy 90 to Carr Lane, will be closed to through traffic on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Motorists are encouraged to detour via Carr Lane and Rhua Drive. The closure is required so that City crews can perform routine maintenance work.
 

The 2010 state legislative session was contentious, stressful, and challenging, according to four local legislators.
Senator Willie Mount and Representatives A.B. Franklin, Mike Danahay and Chuck Kleckley were the featured speakers at the 2010 League of Women Voters/Chamber SWLA legislative wrap-up luncheon on Friday. Each legislator had a few things to say about the session, but they all had said one thing in common: that this time it was extremely challenging.
"It's been a pretty stressful session," Mount said.
"There were 33 votes in the House of Representatives against the budget. Even the Speaker of the House voted against it. I have never, ever heard of that happening," Kleckley said.
"The budget last year was $29 billion. This year it's $26 billion. We're dwindling it down," Danahay said, expressing optimism.
"However, we're not going to sugarcoat it. It's going to be very tough, next year," he continued.
Even with the contention, Mount said she was satisfied with much of the work done this year.
"We've done a lot of good things in reducing government while maintaining the basic services everyone needs," she said.
Kleckley was a little bit more pessimistic about the budget this year.
"We spent $2 billion of one-time money on recurring expenses," he said.
"It's as if you were doing your family budget: you know what you'll be making for the year, you know what things will cost, and the two don't match up. So you raid the college fund, or your retirement, or whatever, without a plan to put anything back into those places. Where will we be next year?" Kleckley said.

The public is advised that the north bound right lane of the U.S. 171 Calcasieu River bridge will be closed from 7 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, June 29. Closure is necessary for routine maintenance.

Republicans in the Senate have defeated an election-year bill to continue weekly jobless benefits for millions of long-term unemployed workers.

Earlier this month, BP boldly predicted the oil gushing from the bottom of the sea would be reduced to a "relative trickle" within days, and President Barack Obama told the nation last week that as much as 90 percent would soon be captured. But those goals seemed wildly optimistic Thursday after yet another setback a mile underwater.

DWI offenders just off of their second offense had better keep out of trouble, because new legislation on the Governor's desk would place third offenders in jail or a treatment facility for a full year, and the offender may have to pay for it themselves.

More than 8,000 square miles of closed fishing waters have been reopened in the Gulf of Mexico because no oil has been observed there.