Around Ascension for Nov. 2, 2012

The Advocate's River Parishes Bureau: Bret H. McCormick, left, Darlene T. Denstorff and David J. Mitchell.

A new thrift store has opened its doors in Gonzales.

Treasures of the Arc, a new resale store operated by Community Opportunities-The ARC of East Ascension, is raising money to provide training and services to people with developmental disabilities in Ascension Parish, a news release from the agency states.

The store accepts donations from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mondays and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. Residents also can drop off items from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

Treasures, 108 E. Ascension St., Gonzales, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

Call [phone].

Gonzales Veterans Parade

It’s not too late to get involved in the Ascension Parish Veterans Parade set for 2 p.m. Nov. 11 in Gonzales, organizers said.

The parade, which starts and ends near Veterans Memorial Park on Irma Boulevard, is looking for marching groups and residents interested in hosting floats to honor area veterans, parade committee member Missy Jandura said.

The daylong celebration will start at 11 a.m. with a program in the park, followed by the parade, a classic car show, a children’s tent and children’s parade.

A candlelight service will be held at 7 p.m.

For more information, call Jandura at [phone] or [phone] or Sherry Kinchen at [phone].

‘Ask the Doctor’

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

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.

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

Call [phone].

Sunshine Festival starts

The Donaldsonville Sunshine Festival kicks off Thursday at the fairgrounds in Donaldsonville with a special Chamber Night for its members.

The fair, a fundraiser for the Donaldsonville Area Chamber of Commerce, opens at 5 p.m. Thursday with Chamber Night specials offered to chamber members, fair Co-chairwoman Debbie Peltier-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.

Voting relocated

Officials with the Ascension Parish Office of Voter Registration announced there will be a temporary location change for Oak Grove-area voting precincts 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.

Contact Darlene Denstorff: phone, [phone]; fax, [phone]; email, [e-mail]. Deadline: Noon Wednesday.