What’s Happening Around the Capital City

BATON ROUGE — Events coming up in and around the capital city:

Thursday, March 21 • “Leadership-Preparedness In The New Normal” • 5 to 7 p.m.
Secretary of State Tom Schedler  will launch the Old State Capitol Associates Speaker Series with special guest Lt. General Russel L. Honoré (Ret.).  You are invited to “Leadership Preparedness in the New Normal” in the House Chamber, Old State Capitol.  Reception and book signing.  Admission is free.  For information, contact Dawn Ross at dawn.ross@sos.la.gov.

Thursday, March 21 • WWII Quiz Bowl • 6 to 7 p.m.
The Central High School’s World War II Quiz Bowl team composed of Jack McAdams, Cameron Robertson, and Brantley Pike defeated 30 teams from across the state to qualify for the State Finals.  The team will compete for the championship in a live broadcast on Cox Cable 4.

March 21 through 24 • Zachary Arts & Music Festival
The Zachary Chamber of Commerce’s 7th Annual ZFest will be held at BREC’s Community Park, 20055 Old Scenic Hwy.  There will be arts and crafts, food vendors, petting zoo and pony rides, paddleboards on the lake, rock wall, bungee bounce, gyroscope, carnival rides, and many more activities.  ZFest will be open 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 5 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, March 22, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23, and 12 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 24. Entertainment will be the Todd O’Neal Band, the Chee Weez, national country artist Randy Houser, and the Not4Sale Band.

Friday, March 22 • District IV La. Retired Teachers Assn. Meeting • 9:30 a.m.
Joyce Rome, president of Louisiana Retired Teachers Association, District IV has scheduled the district’s spring meeting at Tezcuco Plantation in Darrow.  All retired teachers from the parishes of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Point Coupee, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana are invited to attend.  Guest speaker will be Renee Siccone, assistant director of the state association.

Friday, March 22 • Lenten Fish Fry • 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Our Lady of Mercy KC’s will hold a Lenten Fish Fry.  Cost is $7 per plate.  Pick up at 445 Marquette Ave.

Saturday, March 23 • Spring Bluegrass & Olde Tyme Music Picnic • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Zoar Baptist Church, 11848 Hooper Road, invites everyone to Spring Bluegrass and Olde Tyme Music Picnic.  This is an outdoor event.  Bring a chair, picnic lunch, and instrument, and come enjoy some bluegrass music.  For information, call 261-3434.

Saturday, March 23 • Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Please join for a picnic on the levee for this annual National Day of Recognition as we “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans.”  Ceremony at 11 a.m. in the Louisiana Memorial Plaza with keynote speaker Brigadier General Sheridan Cadoria.  Presented by USS Kidd Veterans Memorial & Museum, 305 S. River Road.  Full day of activities include tours of the USS Kidd, bring a lunch or purchase onsite vendors, view exhibits and equipment from the Vietnam era and later,  and Big River Express will perform 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 23 • Easter Egg Hunt • 1 p.m.
Our Lady of Mercy’s Family Life Ministry invites you and your family to the annual Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 2 to 9.  Registration begins at 1 p.m. at the Auction House, 410 Marquette Ave.  There will be prizes, games, refreshments, and photos with the Easter Bunny!

Saturday, March 23 • Dancin’ in the Streets • 7 p.m.
Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre’s 4th Annual Dancin’ in the Streets fundraiser will be held at Perkins Rowe Great Hall.  The block party will feature live music by Phat Hat and food and drinks from local restaurants.  Tickets are $25 until Friday, March 22 and $35 at the door.  For information, contact Nicole Naquin or Leigh Phillips at 766-8379 or nicole@batonrougeballet.org or leigh@batonrougeballet.org.

March 23 and 24 • African Violet Show and Sale
The African Violet Show and Plant Sale will be held Saturday, March 23, 2 to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 24, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Baton Rouge Garden Center, 7950 Independence Blvd.  The show is sponsored by the Sun-
downers African Violet Society.  Admission is free.  A lecture and workshop on how to grow violets will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 24.  For information, contact George Ramirez at 985-384-0309.

Sunday, March 24 • Easter Celebration • 1 to 3 p.m.
An Easter Celebration will be held at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.  There will be an Easter Egg Hunt, games, crafts, inflatables, food, and U-Launcher by Games 2 U.  Bring your camera to take pictures with the Easter Bunny!  RSVP by Thursday, March 21 by filling out a registration form online at www.st-alphonsus.net.

Tuesday, March 26 • Zachary Artists Guild • 6 p.m.
The next meeting of the Zachary Artists Guild will be at the Zachary Chamber of Commerce, 4633 Main Street.  In preparation for the Guild’s April Art Show at the Zachary Library, the enrichment activity during the meeting will be a Paint In of a fleur de lis.  Bring your own apron plus $10 to cover the cost of all painting supplies.  In addition to displaying a fleur de lis, each artist is encourage to display two other pieces of artwork at the art show.  For information, call Margaret Harmon at 788-5999.

Saturday, March 30 • Cat Show • 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Greater Baton Rouge Cat Club will be having its 40th Annual Cat Show at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center.  Admission is $5 adults, $3 seniors and children, and children 12 and under are free.  For information, call 291-7733.

Sunday, March 31 • Central Community Easter Service • 7 a.m.
Everyone is invited to attend the annual Central Community Easter Service at Wildcat Stadium.  This non-denominational event, hosted by Zoar Baptist Church, provides the community an opportunity to gather together for the purpose of celebrating the resurrection.  There will be special music, choir and congregational singing, and a special Easter message.  In case of inclement weather, the service will be held at Zoar Baptist Church.

April 6 and April 7 • Zippity Zoo Fest 2013
Zippity Zoo Fest will feature keeper chats, face painting, Safari Snapshot photo booth, and animal shows at the Wildlife Safari Amphitheater at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.  A new addition this year is Expedition BREC, a family-style tour around the Zoo.  Zoo admission is adults and teens $8.25, seniors $7.25, children 2-12 $5.25, and one and under is free.  The Zoo is open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

April 6 and 7 • Kite Fest Louisiané • 11 a.m.
Kites of all sizes and shapes will fill the skies at the West Baton Rouge Soccer Complex in Port Allen, located just off I-10 Exit 151 at Rosedale Rd.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair and spend a day in the great outdoors.  This free event is open to the public.

Tuesday, April 9 • Victory Harvest Church MOPS • 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Victory Harvest Church MOPS will meet on the second Tuesday of each month at Victory Harvest Church, 3953 N. Flannery Road.  Limited childcare is available.  Moms should email Barbara Womack at vhcmops@cox.net or call 275-5255 to check availability.  Mothers who are pregnant with their first child or have a preschooler K-5 or younger are invited to join the group.

Saturday, April 13 • Active for Autism 5k Run/Walk • 8 a.m. to 12 noon
The 4th Annual 5k Run/Walk and Fun Fest will be held at the State Police Headquarters on Independence Blvd.  Visit fhfgbr.org to register!  For information, call 216-7474.

Saturday, April 13 • Cajun Dance • 8 to 10:30 p.m.
The Cajun French Music Association’s monthly dance will be held at the UCT Hall, 11175 Florida Blvd.  Live entertainment by Paul Daigle & Cajun Gold.  Admission is $10, children 12 and under free and students with ID, $5.  Free Cajun dance lessons at 7 p.m. with admission.  Party cakes, foods, and snacks are welcome, no drinks or ice chests.  For information, visit www.batonrougecajundance.com.

April 20 and April 21 • Angola Prison Rodeo
Warden Burl Cain invites the public to view the wildest rodeo show in the south.  The gates will open at 9 a.m. and the rodeo starts at 2 p.m.  All seats are only $15.  Tickets can be purchased in advance on-line at www.angolarodeo.com or calling 225-655-2030 or 225-655-2607 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 25 • Heritage Lecture • 6 p.m.
River Road Author Mary Ann Sternberg will share insights on the River Road at a lecture sponsored by the Foundation for Historical Louisiana at the Old Governor’s Mansion, East Room, 502 North Blvd.  Sternberg will be signing two new books “River Road Rambler” and “Along the River Road: Past and Present on Louisiana’s Historic Byway.”  The lecture is free to Foundation members and $10 for guests.  For information, call 387-2464 or visit fhl.org.

April 26 through 28 • Our Lady of Mercy Parish Fair Raffle & Baked Goods
Our Lady of Mercy’s Parish Fair is scheduled for April 26 through 28.  Preorder your baked goods now for pickup Sunday, April 28.  Cakes and pies $25 and cookies, candies, and brownies $5 package.  Limited quantities available.  Orders filled on a first come, first serve basis.  Place your order no later than Saturday, April 6.  For a list of bakers go to www.olomchurch.com.  To order call, Margaret Roberts at 925-1585 or 933-8977.  There will also be a Raffle. For information, contact the church office at 926-1883.