Around Acadiana for June 12, 2012

Basin flora and fauna discussed

The Center for Cultural and Eco-Tourism’s lecture series continues at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Vermilionville on the topic “Atchafalaya Flora and Fauna.”

The event is free and open to the public.

Trade show planned

The Carencro Business Association will hold its first trade show from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Carencro Community Center to highlight local businesses.

The event is free to the public and to local businesses that wish to participate.

Businesses may contact the Carencro Business Association President Charlie Brunt [phone] for more information.

The community center is at 5115 N. University Ave.

Adult tutors needed

Volunteer Instructors Teaching Adults needs volunteers to provide reading instruction to adults in Acadiana who want to improve their reading skills.

Tutors provide instruction to low-literate adult learners or English as a second language learners.

The next tutor training workshops are from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. June 21 and June 29. Training is held at the Whitney National Bank, 905 Jefferson St., Suite 404. Call [phone] to register.

Legal workshops offered

The Lafayette Young Lawyers Association will hold free legal education seminars entitled “Advice Attorneys, Answers” from 9 a.m. to noon June 23 at the Lafayette Bar Association building, 2607 Johnston St.

Topics covered by local attorneys include: DWI and criminal defense, protective orders, divorce, notary basics, child custody and support, and workers’ compensation.

Space is limited. Reserve a spot at: http://www.lafayettebar.org.

Orchid sale next weekend

The Acadian Orchid Society will hold its “Jewels of the Swamp” show and sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 23 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24 at the Ira Nelson Horticulture Center, 2206 Johnston St.

Admission is free.

Fundraiser for student

“Miracles for Meghan Benefit Band Bash,” a fundraiser for Meghan Briley, a 15-year-old recently diagnosed with inoperable cancer, begins at 10 a.m. June 23 at Opelousas Catholic School.

The event will feature silent and live auctions beginning at 3 p.m. and live music throughout the day. A rice and gravy cook-off and a poker run are also planned.

Tickets are $5 at the gate and may be purchased in advance at St. Landry Bank, the main branch. Donations may also be made at the bank to the Miracles for Meghan Band Bash Fund.

Briley was diagnosed with an inoperable glioblastoma brain stem tumor and is undergoing treatment at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis. Proceeds will be directed to her family.

To register for the cook-off, call Tammy Roberts at [phone], ext. 2129 and for the poker run, call Earline Doucet at [phone] or Reggie Doucet at [phone].

Submit items to Acadiana bureau chief Richard Burgess at [e-mail] or by fax to [phone].