Around Livingston for Jan. 9, 2012

Walker to celebrate Mardi Gras

Walker will celebrate Mardi Gras with a family-friendly parade, city officials said.

The parade will start 1 p.m. Feb. 4 and feature floats, antique cars, horseback riders, marching bands, dancers and other performers.

Anyone interested in participating in the parade must complete an entry form. Log on to http://walker.la.us/MardiGras.html, or call the Walker Municipal Building at [phone] to sign up.

Science Saturday

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory will host Science Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 21 at the LIGO Science Education Center in Livingston. Organizers of the event will host activities that teach youth about motion.

Every visitor will be able to tour the facility and talk to a LIGO scientist or science specialist. Visitors can also explore and interact with more than 40 LIGO science concept exhibits, including 12 new exhibits related to sound added in July. The event is free.

Call [phone].

ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.ligo-la.caltech.edu/SEC/sechome.html

Community store

The Women’s Ministry of Blood River Baptist Church in Albany plans to open a community store and closet for the needy Wednesday.

The store, 31138 Pea Ridge Road, will carry personal hygiene products, canned foods, clothes, shoes and more. The store will be open 10 a.m. Wednesdays only. Call [phone] or [phone].

Martin Luther King event

Club Outreach will sponsor its Annual Martin Luther King program Jan. 16 at the Club Outreach Center, 30277 Sunset St., Walker. The march will begin 9 a.m. followed by the program at 10 a.m.

The guest speaker will be lawyer Raymond Simmons.

Walker High and LSU graduate Chris Hawkins will be honored. Hawkins plays with the Tennessee Titans.

Call Mary Johnson at [phone] or Velva Trask at [phone].

Parent Outreach

Livingston Parish residents can learn more about services, programs and other events offered by the Livingston Parish Special Education Department at a parent outreach seminar 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Literacy and Technology Center, 9261 Florida Blvd., Walker.

Free outreach will be available for families with children ages 3 to 21 who receive special education services or are in the Gifted and Talented program in Livingston Parish public schools.

To learn more, call Melanie Bueche at [phone].

Healthy Resolutions

North Oaks Community Health Educator Maryellen Jenkins will present a free one-hour seminar on choosing a healthy lifestyle 6 p.m. Thursday at the Albany-Springfield Library, 26941 La. 43, Hammond.

The presentation includes information about healthy eating choices, increasing physical activity, guarding against bone loss, taking age-related health exams seriously, and focusing on oneself. For adults of all ages. Call [phone] for details.

Contact the Florida Parishes Bureau by phone at [phone]; by fax at [phone]; and by email at [e-mail].