Around Ascension for May 11, 2012

The Ascension Parish 4-H Junior Leaders annual dance is set for 6 p.m. Friday at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center.

The dance, which has a “Rock Star” theme, is open to all fourth- through eighth-graders. Admission is $5 and concessions will be sold. Dress for the event is casual.

The Junior Leaders Club is a service-learning organization for seventh- through 12th-graders.

All proceeds from the dance will fund Junior Leaders’ service projects and educational experiences.

For more information, call the Ascension 4-H office at [phone].

Hazardous materials day

The annual Ascension Parish Household Hazardous Materials Collection Day is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, parish officials said.

Materials accepted include a limit of five automobile tires, car and golf cart batteries, cellphones and batteries, electronic equipment, fluorescent bulbs, gasoline, oil, antifreeze, home and garden chemicals, household batteries, ink and toner cartridges,

Latex and oil-based paints, thinners, varnishes, scrap metal in small quantities, rechargeable batteries, televisions, small propane tanks and appliances for scrap metal will also be accepted.

They also will accept telephone systems, video cameras and DVRs, computer accessories, Xboxes, PlayStations and Wii boxes, fax machines, monitors and printers.

For more information, call [phone].

Baseball skills contest set

Aquafina’s 2012 local Pitch, Hit and Run competition will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Lowery Middle School in Donaldsonville.

Saturday’s event is sponsored by Major League Baseball, local event organizer Mark Peters said.

“This event is designed to provide youngsters with the opportunity to compete, free of charge, in a competition that recognizes individual excellence in core baseball/softball skills,” Peters said.

Competitors are divided into four age divisions, with boys and girls competing separately, he said.

All first-place winners in each category will advance to a sectional level on May 19 in Donaldsonville.

For more information, call Peters, executive director of Hope Youth Development, at [phone].

Garden Club plant sale

The Gonzales Garden Club’s annual plant sale is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday next to the Gonzales City Hall.

Plants, vases, used garden tools and baked goods will be for sale, club spokeswoman Diane Cosenza said.

Funds raised will be used for the club’s public service and beautification projects.

Coupon program

“Saving with Coupons” will be presented by Maggie Howest at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Ascension Parish Library in Donaldsonville.

Registration is required. Call [phone].

Flag football

Registration for the Donaldsonville and Gonzales Youth Flag Football Club’s summer program continues through May 31.

Boys and girls ages 5 to 12 can take part in the program, which charges a $35 fee.

Registration forms are available at the Donaldsonville and Gonzales city halls.

Call [phone].

Contact Darlene Denstorff: phone, [phone]; fax, [phone]; email, [e-mail]. Deadline: noon Wednesday.