About Town for Nov.4, 2012

Advocate staff photo by PAM BORDELON -- Blue Ribbon Soirée -- At the second annual Blue Ribbon Soirée Oct. 25 at the Renaissance Hotel are, from left, Sara Pollock, Janey Nasca, the Rev. Trey Nelson, DD Breaux, Muriel Person and Jewel Fourrier.

WBRZ

EVENT: WBRZ’s 24th annual “Pat’s Coats for Kids” coat drive.
DATE: Through Saturday, Nov. 24.
PLACE: Any location of the YMCA of the Capital Area, Neighbors Federal Credit Union, EMR or Coldwell Banker One.
FOR MORE INFO: http://www.WBRZ.com.
DETAILS: WBRZ will collect new and clean used coats for children and adults or monetary donations for its annual “Pat’s Coats for Kids” coat drive, which has collected more than 195,000 coats since its creation 24 years ago. Participants can drop off coats at any location of YMCA of the Capital Area, Neighbors Federal Credit Union, EMR or Coldwell Banker One. A monetary donation of $20 will purchase a new coat provided by the nonprofit organization, Operation Warm. To make a monetary donation, make checks out to “Pats Coats for Kids” and mail to WBRZ-TV, 1650 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA, 70802. Checks can also be dropped off at WBRZ-TV or Neighbors Federal Credit Union. Monetary donations can also be made by visiting http://www.WBRZ.com or by texting “Coats” to 56512. The drive will also feature the fourth annual “Pack the Pod” day Tuesday, Nov. 20, at Wal-Mart on College Drive, where participants will pack a portable-on-demand storage unit with coats and monetary donations.
EVENT: WBRZ News 2 Louisiana’s 27th annual Food Drive.
DATE: Through Saturday.
PLACE: “Feed-A-Family” barrels placed in area grocery stores.
FOR MORE INFO: http://www.WBRZ.com.
DETAILS: Area residents are asked to place nonperishable food items such as canned goods, dried milk, flour, rice, baby food, etc., in food collection barrels with the “Feed-A-Family” logo in area grocery stores. Donations will be delivered to the Food Bank. A “Feed-A-Family Friday” for the collection of perishable items will be held from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at Matherne’s Grocery Store, 7580 Bluebonnet Blvd.

ARTS & CRAFT EXPO

EVENT: Christmas in New Orleans Arts & Craft Expo.
DATE: Sunday.
TIME: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PLACE: Pontchartrain Convention Center, 4545 Williams Blvd.
FOR MORE INFO: (985) 796-5853.
DETAILS: Admission to the expo is $5 per person. Children, ages 12 and under, get in for free.

EBR LIBRARY

EVENT: United Through Reading Program.
DATE: Now until Sunday, Nov. 25.
PLACE: East Baton Rouge Parish Jones Creek Regional Branch Library, 6222 Jones Creek Road.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 756-1150.
DETAILS: The library will collect new and gently used children’s picture books for the United Through Reading Program. The books go to deployed military parents who are video-recorded reading the books aloud. The videos then go to their children so they can experience story time with their faraway parents. Participants should place the donated books in the big red box in the center of the library.
EVENT: VIPs In Concert of Patriotic Songs.
DATE: Sunday.
TIME: 3 p.m.
PLACE: East Baton Rouge Parish Jones Creek Regional Branch Library, 6222 Jones Creek Road.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 756-1150.
DETAILS: The VIPs (Voices in Praise) Singers from the Greater Philadelphia Baptist Church will present a concert of patriotic songs honoring Election Day and Veterans Day. The VIPs is a youth choir that does seasonal concerts.
EVENT: “Introduction to the Library’s Online Databases.”
DATE: Monday.
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
PLACE: East Baton Rouge Parish Jones Creek Regional Branch Library, 6222 Jones Creek Road.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 756-1150.
DETAILS: Learn how to navigate the library’s online databases. Registration is required.
EVENT: “Introduction to the Internet.”
DATE: Wednesday.
TIME: 10 a.m.
PLACE: East Baton Rouge Parish Jones Creek Regional Branch Library, 6222 Jones Creek Road.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 756-1150.
DETAILS: Learn how to navigate the Internet for research or fun. Registration is required.
EVENT: “Intermediate Microsoft Word 2007.”
DATE: Thursday.
TIME: 10 a.m.
PLACE: East Baton Rouge Parish Bluebonnet Regional Branch Library, 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 763-2250.
DETAILS: Learn how to separate text into columns and more.
EVENT: Crafting for a Cause Crochet Group.
DATE: Thursdays.
TIME: 1 p.m.
PLACE: East Baton Rouge Parish Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library, 13600 Pride-Port Hudson Road.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 658-1540.
DETAILS: The club is open to all skill levels and will meet every Thursday in November except Nov. 22. The club will work on crocheting items for the Veterans Home in Clinton. Donations of yarn or finished items are also welcome.
EVENT: “Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2007.”
DATE: Saturday.
TIME: 10 a.m.
PLACE: East Baton Rouge Parish Jones Creek Regional Branch Library, 6222 Jones Creek Road.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 756-1150.
DETAILS: Learn how to create a basic spreadsheet. Registration is required.
EVENT: “Introduction to Microsoft Word 2003.”
DATE: Saturday.
TIME: 10 a.m.
PLACE: East Baton Rouge Parish Greenwell Springs Regional Branch Library, 11300 Greenwell Springs Road.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 274-4450.
DETAILS: Learn the basics of working in Microsoft Word 2003. Registration is required.
EVENT: “Computers without Fear.”
DATE: Saturday.
TIME: 10:30 a.m.
PLACE: East Baton Rouge Parish Eden Park Branch Library, 5131 Greenwell Springs Road.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 231-3250.
DETAILS: Learn the basics of computers without worrying about breaking anything. Registration is required.
EVENT: “Child Identity Theft.”
DATE: Saturday.
TIME: 10:30 a.m.
PLACE: East Baton Rouge Parish Jones Creek Regional Branch Library, 6222 Jones Creek Road.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 756-1150.
DETAILS: Maria Edwards will discuss child identity theft and how to prevent it. Registration is required.
EVENT: Electronic History Resources Workshop.
DATE: Saturday.
TIME: 11 a.m.
PLACE: East Baton Rouge Parish Jones Creek Regional Branch Library, 6222 Jones Creek Road.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 756-1150.
DETAILS: Melissa Eastin, the library archivist, will show patrons the electronic resources of the Baton Rouge Room Collection. Registration is required.
EVENT: “Introduction to Computers.”
DATE: Saturday.
TIME: 11 a.m.
PLACE: East Baton Rouge Parish Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library, 13600 Pride-Port Hudson Road.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 658-1550.
DETAILS: Learn how to use a mouse, open files, close files and more. Registration is required.
EVENT: GED Prep Class for Adults.
DATE: Saturday.
TIME: Noon.
PLACE: East Baton Rouge Parish Greenwell Springs Regional Branch Library, 11300 Greenwell Springs Road.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 274-4440.
DETAILS: Doris Grimes, a certified adult educator, will help adults prepare for the GED. A practice GED will take place after the session. Registration is required.
EVENT: Chess and Checkers.
DATE: Saturday.
TIME: 2 p.m.
PLACE: East Baton Rouge Parish Zachary Branch Library, 1900 Church St.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 658-1860.
DETAILS: Tweens and teens are invited to play chess or checkers.
EVENT: Decorative Bags.
DATE: Saturday.
TIME: 2:30 p.m.
PLACE: East Baton Rouge Parish Jones Creek Regional Branch Library, 6222 Jones Creek Road
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 756-1150.
DETAILS: Teens are invited to the library to decorate mini canvas tote bags.
EVENT: Adult Study Skills.
DATE: Saturday.
TIME: 3 p.m.
PLACE: East Baton Rouge Parish Greenwell Springs Regional Branch Library, 11300 Greenwell Springs Road.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 274-4440.
DETAILS: Kathleen Johnson, a tutor, will share tips with patrons that help improve note-taking and listening skills needed in school and work. Registration is required.

REMINGTON COLLEGE

EVENT: Remington College-Baton Rouge campus’s “Cuts for Cause” food drive.
DATE: Through the end of November.
PLACE: Remington College-Baton Rouge campus, 4520 Sherwood Forest Blvd., Unit 001.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 291-4660 or to schedule an appointment.
DETAILS: Remington College-Baton Rouge campus will hold a food drive to benefit local food banks by offering haircuts, manicures or pedicures to people who bring in canned foods or other nonperishable food donations. The services will come from the students and instructors of the college’s Cosmetology Program. Appointments can be made between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

LSU AGCENTER

EVENT: LSU AgCenter’s Biodiesel Workshop.
DATE: Wednesday.
TIME: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
PLACE: W.A. Callegari Environmental Center, 1300 Dean Lee Drive.
FOR MORE INFO: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/callegari.
DETAILS: The one-day, hands-on workshop will show attendees how to make biodiesel fuel from used vegetable oil in their own backyards. There will be a break for lunch. Cost is $50. Participation is limited to 15 people. Call (225) 578-6998 to register.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

EVENT: Habitat for Humanity’s “Repurposing with a Purpose: Annual Auction of Artful Creations from Recycled Items.”
DATE: Thursday.
TIME: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. silent auction reception.
PLACE: Arts Council Community Gallery, 427 Laurel St.
FOR MORE INFO: http://www.habitatbr.org/restore.
DETAILS: The recycled art auction will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge with all proceeds going to the nonprofit organization that is dedicated to eradicating poverty housing. Recycled artwork will include jewelry, wall decor, folk art and more from local artists. The auction is free to attend and comes with refreshments. Artwork can be viewed in advance of the auction beginning Monday.
EVENT: Habitat for Humanity’s Blue Dog Print Raffle.
DATE: Now until Dec. 10.
PLACE: Habitat office, 6554 Florida Blvd., Suite 200.
FOR MORE INFO: http://www.habitatBR.org or to purchase tickets.
DETAILS: Habitat for Humanity will raffle off a framed “We Are Marching Again” Blue Dog print signed by George Rodrigue that is valued at $2,500. Raffle tickets are $25 each and are available at the Habitat office or online. The winner will be announced Dec. 10. All proceeds will go toward Habitat for Humanity’s Blue Dog Habitat House.

WOMEN’S COUNCIL

EVENT: Women’s Council of Greater Baton Rouge’s annual Fall Meet & Greet Luncheon & Silent Auction.
DATE: Thursday.
TIME: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
PLACE: First United Methodist Church Gymnasium, 930 North Blvd.
FOR MORE INFO: http://www.wcgbr.com.
DETAILS: There will be a lunch ($10) and a silent auction to benefit the WCGBR and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. RSVP by Monday to wxgbr09@yahoo.com.

FHL

EVENT: Foundation for Historical Louisiana’s Heritage Lecture.
DATE: Thursday.
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
PLACE: Old Governor’s Mansion, 502 North Blvd.
FOR MORE INFO: Or to register, (225) 387-2464.
DETAILS: Ann Reiley Jones, preservationist and chair of Our Courthouse LLC, will share the story of the award-winning historic restoration of the East Feliciana Parish Courthouse. The event is free to FHL members and $10 for guests. A reception will begin at 6 p.m.

FGBRCA

EVENT: Federation of Greater Baton Rouge Civic Associations meeting.
DATE: Thursday.
TIME: 7 p.m.
PLACE: BREC Independence Park, Room 111.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 751-6318.
DETAILS: The meeting speaker will be Ingolf A. Partenheimer, chief traffic engineer, Department of Public Works Traffic Engineering Division.

EVER QUIT...

EVENT: Never Quit, Never Forget 2nd annual Gala to honor wounded warriors.
DATE: Friday.
TIME: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
PLACE: Renaissance Hotel, 7000 Bluebonnet Blvd.
FOR MORE INFO: http://www.NeverQuitNeverForget.org.
DETAILS: The gala will honor local wounded veterans and families of the fallen while raising funds for Wounded Wear and Special Ops Survivors. Wounded Wear is a nonprofit organization that provides free clothing and clothing modifications to wounded warriors. Special Ops Survivors is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to embrace and empower spouses of fallen heroes. The gala will also raise funds for the U.S. Navy Sea Cadets Baton Rouge Division. It will feature guest appearances from several highly decorated combat veterans. The gala will also have an open premium bar, hors d’oeuvres, live music and auction. Tickets are $100 per person.

LA. CULINARY INSTITUTE

EVENT: Louisiana Culinary Institute’s “Louisiana Feast of Fields: A Gastronomic Gala.”
DATE: Friday.
TIME: 5 p.m., reception; 6:30 p.m., dinner.
PLACE: Burden Center, 4560 Essen Lane.
FOR MORE INFO: http://www.LCI.edu/feastoffields or (225) 769-3990.
DETAILS: The Louisiana Culinary Institute, LSU AgCenter and the Agribusiness Council of Louisiana will hold the gala to raise funds for the LCI Student Fund, which creates scholarships, and for the Burden Center’s research and development. The dinner will be based on local food products. It will also feature Mike Strain, of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, as guest speaker. Tickets are $100 per person and are available online or by phone.

CITY STARS SOIRÉE

EVENT: Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans Inc.’s “City Stars Soirée.”
DATE: Friday.
TIME: 6 p.m., reception; 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., soirée.
PLACE: JABizTown, 5100 Orleans Ave.
FOR MORE INFO: (504) 569-8657 or gail@jagno.org.
DETAILS: During the soirée’s reception, the Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans Inc. will honor five young entrepreneurs in the greater New Orleans community who are 40 or younger and have demonstrated strong entrepreneurial skills with high moral and ethical standards. The honorees are the co-founders of Cordina, Craig Cordes, Antonio LaMartina and Sal La Martina; G. Perry Eastman, president of Auto Chlor Services Inc.; Jennifer S. Medberry, founder and CEO of Drop the Chalk; Jessica W. Shahien, executive director of 504ward; and Gary Solomon Jr., president of Solomon Group Entertainment. Dress is casual, and tickets are $50 per person and $75 per couple.

‘LSU SALUTES’

EVENT: “LSU Salutes” annual celebration to honor U.S. veterans.
DATE: Saturday.
TIME: 9 a.m.
PLACE: LSU War Memorial on the Parade Ground, LSU campus.
FOR MORE INFO: http://www.olewarskule.lsu.edu or cadets@lsu.edu or (225) 578-0420.
DETAILS: LSU will celebrate Veterans Day with “LSU Salutes,” an annual celebration of the contributions of U.S. veterans sponsored by LSU and the Cadets of the Ole War Skule. During the celebration, LSU will induct 12 distinguished alumni into the Military Hall of Honor. In addition to the ceremony, Hall of Fame inductees will also be recognized during pregame activities for LSU’s Homecoming football game against Mississippi State at Tiger Stadium.

MISTLETOE MARKET

EVENT: 2012 Mistletoe Market.
DATE: Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 11.
TIME: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
PLACE: Atrium at the Belle of Baton Rouge, 102 France St.
DETAILS: Mistletoe Market, an event formed 12 years ago to provide a way for stay-at-home moms to display and sell their products professionally, will feature local and out-of-town merchants who will sell unique holiday gift items. Admission is $4 with half of admission going toward helping local children in need. Parking is free, and child strollers are allowed.

RIVER ROUX TRIATHLON

EVENT: Rocketkidz Foundation’s “River Roux Triathlon.”
DATE: Saturday.
PLACE: False River, James Audubon Bridge to West Feliciana Parish and historic New Roads.
FOR MORE INFO: http://www.riverrouxtri.com or (225) 454-6146.
DETAILS: The Rocketkidz Foundation, an organization that is creating and sustaining active, fit and healthy children, families and communities, will sponsor a triathlon that will start with a 1.2 mile swim in False River followed by a 56-mile bike ride from the James Audubon Bridge to the hills of West Feliciana Parish and ending with a 13.1-mile run in historic New Roads.

BRITISH EMPIRE

EVENT: Royal Crescent Chapter of the Daughters of the British Empire in Louisiana painting session.
DATE: Sunday, Nov. 11.
TIME: Noon, champagne cocktails and tea time snacks; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., painting session.
PLACE: Corks n Canvas, 700 Dublin St., New Orleans.
FOR MORE INFO: http://www.corksncanvas.com/uptown or (504) 891-3209.
DETAILS: The chapter’s painting session will have participants paint a “Keep Calm and Carry On” poster. The session will follow champagne cocktails and tea time snacks. Tickets are $45 per person. Reservations are required either by going online or by calling. Proceeds will benefit Mountbatten House, a regional assisted living center, and WYES public broadcasting station

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT

EVENT: 12th annual “Louisiana Legacy” Golf Event to benefit Junior Achievement Greater Baton Rouge.
DATE: Monday, Nov. 12.
PLACE: Country Club of Louisiana, 18400 Boulevard Louisiane.
FOR MORE INFO: (225) 928-7008 or pudn@jabatonrouge.com.
DETAILS: The tournament will raise funds for Junior Achievement Greater Baton Rouge, which provides programs to improve graduation rates and help students realize the value of education. The tournament is a premier client entertainment and networking event. AT&T is the title sponsor.

ADF

EVENT: Academic Distinction Fund’s “Distinguished Speaker Series” free presentation.
DATE: Tuesday, Nov. 13.
TIME: 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., check-in; 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., presentation.
PLACE: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 4728 Constitution Ave.
FOR MORE INFO: info@adfbr.org or (225) 922-4560.
DETAILS: The series is designed to provide information on the latest early childhood development research and best practices and is funded by ADF and ExxonMobil along with several other sponsors. This presentation will focus on the value and sustainability of public private partnership in early childhood education and will feature Karen W. Ponder, an early childhood consultant and former president and CEO of the North Carolina Partnership for Children Inc., as the distinguished speaker. Preregistration is recommended.

MOAA

EVENT: Online application available for the Military Officers Association of America Scholarship Fund.
DATE: Now until Friday, March 1.
FOR MORE INFO: http://www.moaa.org/scholarshipfund or edassist@MOAA.org.
DETAILS: Students can apply online for the MOAA Scholarship Fund, which provides interest-free loans and grants for up to five years of undergraduate study or until graduation. Students must be under the age of 24 and be children of former, current or retired commissioned or warrant officers or children of currently or retired military personnel. Students must also be graduating high school seniors or full-time college students working toward their first undergraduate degree. The deadline is noon (EST) Friday, March 1.

UNITED WAY

EVENT: Capital Area United Way’s Social Innovation Fund Sub-Grant application process starts.
DATE: Now.
PLACE: http://www.CAUW.org/SIF.
FOR MORE INFO: http://www.CAUW.org/SIF or (225) 383-2643.
DETAILS: Capital Area United Way has opened the application process for sub-grantees in the Corporation for National and Community Service’s Social Innovation Fund, a federal grant used to improve the lives of people by increasing the impact and scale of evidence-based approaches. CAUW got a SIF in September to support its 10-year early childhood development initiative and is looking for eligible and qualified nonprofit organizations to replicate or expand early childhood development programs for low-income families in the 10-parish capital area. Applications are available on the CAUW website.