Briefs for Nov. 1, 2012

2-school pep rally to be held Thursday

The largest community pep rally in Ascension Parish starts at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center 4-H building when the annual St. Amant/East Ascension Shout Out brings together students, fans and alumni from the two schools.

Up for grabs is the spirt stick, which is given out each year to the school that yells the loudest, event organizer James LeBlanc said.

The Shout Out raises money for both schools, LeBlanc said.

Pep bands, dancers, cheerleaders and color guards from both schools will perform.

Those attending are asked to bring a canned food item for a food drive hosted by Future Farmers of America clubs at both schools.

The two football teams meet on the field at 7 p.m. Friday in Spartan Stadium in Gonzales.

Area businesses to set up at free expo

The Ascension Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 Business Expo opens its doors at 2 p.m. Thursday.

The free expo will continue through 6 p.m. at the Lamar Dixon-Expo Center.

Businesses from around the area will display their products and services.

‘Ask the Doctor’ set for Wednesday

The Ascension Parish Council on Aging’s “Ask the Doctor” series continues at 11 a.m. Wednesday with a presentation by neurologist Dr. Andrew R. Gustavson.

Gustavson, who treats Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders, will speak on “Keeping Your Mind Young” at the Gonzales Senior Center, 526 S. Irma Ave., in Gonzales.

After the brief presentation, Gustavson will answer questions from the audience.

St. Elizabeth’s Physicians and COA are hosting the monthly health-related series. Light refreshments will be served.

For information, call [phone].

Sunshine Festival kicks off Nov. 8

Plans are under way for the annual Donaldsonville Sunshine Festival, which kicks off Nov. 8 at the fairgrounds in Donaldsonville.

The fair, a fundraiser for the Donaldsonville Area Chamber of Commerce, opens at 5 p.m. Nov. 8 for Chamber Night specials for chamber members, fair co-chairwoman Debbie Peliter Roques said.

The fair continues from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Nov. 9 and from noon to 11 p.m. Nov. 10-11.

Carnival rides, games and food are on tap for the alcohol-free festival.

Oak Grove area voting relocated

Officials with the Ascension Parish Office of Voter Registration announced there will be a temporary location change for voting precincts in the Oak Grove area for the Nov. 6 and Dec. 8 elections.

Voting Precincts No. 1-A and 1-B will be located at Oak Grove Primary School instead of the Oak Grove Community Center. Oak Grove Primary School is at 17550 Old Jefferson Highway, Prairieville.

Parish officials said the Oak Grove Community Center will be undergoing construction renovations prompting the need for the temporary voting precinct location change.