Around the Westside for July 11, 2012

The West Baton Rouge Parish Library will host several events throughout July starting Wednesday, when the library partners with the parish Department of Parks and Recreation to present an exotic animal awareness program at the Port Allen Community Center featuring Zoo Zoom, the Little Zoo on Wheels.

The presentation will consist of 15 to 18 animals, such as a rabbit, guinea pig, small goat, hedgehog and an Australian blue tongue lizard.

The program is scheduled for 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the community center, 749 N. Jefferson St.

On Thursday, the library will present the “Dulcimer Guy,” Mike Anderson, at the Dow Westside YMCA, 3688 Sugar Plantation Parkway, Addis, beginning at 10 a.m.

Award-winning musician and children’s book author Johnette Downing will make appearances on Tuesday and July 18 to perform in the summer “Dream Big” programs for youth presented by the West Baton Rouge Parish Library and parish Department of Parks and Recreation.

Downing is scheduled to perform at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Erwinville Community Center, 5111 Rougon Road, and at 10 a.m. July 18 at the Port Allen Community Center.

Downing also will present haiku poetry writing workshops at 1 p.m. both days at the centers.

The concerts and workshops are free and open to the public.

The West Baton Rouge Parish Library’s Lego Club will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 21 and July 28.

Anyone 3 years old and older is invited to join. Register by calling [phone], ext. 224. The public can also register by logging onto the library’s website. Club membership is free.

Softball tournament

The Gueho family and friends will host their 11th annual Co-Eds for Cody Memorial Softball Tournament at the Fordoche Ballpark on Saturday to raise money for the children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Those who would like to enter a team are asked to contact Ronnie at [phone], Chad at [phone] or Corey at [phone].

Donations can be made at the tournament or mailed to Cody Eugene Gueho Memorial Account, 4357 Smith Acres Lane, Fordoche, LA 70732.

Barbecue fundraiser

The Kiwanis of Pointe Coupee will host its annual “Winner, Winner, Bar-B-Q Chicken Dinner” at St. Mary Kiwanis Park on Sunday.

The dinners consist of barbecued chicken, baked beans, coleslaw and a roll.

Tickets are $8 per plate and can be purchased from any Kiwanis member. For more information, call [phone] or [phone].

Uniform drive

“Uniforms for Kids,” a program of St. Vincent de Paul Society, will distribute uniforms to needy students in Head Start and pre-K through eighth grades attending West Baton Rouge Parish public schools.

Distribution will take place from 9 a.m. until noon July 27 and July 28 at Port Allen Elementary School.

To qualify, a parent or guardian must show proof of need.

For more information, call Julie Millard at [phone].

To submit news about Iberville, Pointe Coupee and West Baton Rouge parishes, contact Westside Bureau Chief Terry Jones by phone, [phone]; fax, [phone]; or email, [e-mail]. Deadline: noon Tuesday.