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Contemporary Christian ROCK concert at Luling church Aug. 12

LULING – A concert featuring Christian rock band “Come Follow Me” will be held on Sunday, Aug. 12 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the First Union Presbyterian Church located at 134 Lakewood Dr. in Luling. Charlotte Fire, a praise and worship band from Charlotte, Nort Carolina, has been given a mission – to aid in the recovery of the greater New Orleans area by lifting spirits and increasing awareness of the needs the restoration and renewal effort, says pastor Lisa Easterling.

The band is composed of 12 musicians, two technicians and seven family members, from ages 11 to 61 and will also introduce musician Lucy Drive of New Orleans.

Band member Elaine Pruitt describes the group’s sound as “as all out rowdy rock … to recharge the soul!”

They will perform as three bands: Robinson Fire, Trewth and the combined Charlotte Fire.

Cooks: Battle for the Paddle is Oct. 4

LULING – The Annual United Way of St. Charles’ Battle for the Paddle is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 4 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the West Bank Bridge Park.

The event is a gumbo and jambalaya cook-off between teams who cook up their own special recipes on-site and serve the results to attendees of all ages who pay $5 for this all-you-can-eat extravaganza.

Sign up your tem to battle ir out for the 2007 title. Registration deadline is Sept. 21. Entry fee: $50. Teams are limited to four people.

For more information or to register, contact Cindy Johnson at 985-331-9063 or email her at cindyj@uwaysc.org.

Youth pageant on tap at Paradis church

PARADIS – The St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Parish in Paradis will hold its annual Family Day Kings and Queens Pageant on Sunday, Aug. 26 at the church hall. The theme is St. John Celebrates the St. Charles Bicentennial. Attire is red, white or blue or a combination of the three.

Entry fee: $40. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. with registration until 1:15 p.m. with the pageant beginning at 1:30 p.m. Admission: $3 and no charge for children under the age of 2.

For more information, call Denise Lirette at 985-785-9553.

Business incentives workshop Sept. 5

LULING – The Department of Economic Development Department of Labor and the South Central Planning and Development Commission invite anyone who is anticipating opening or expanding a business to a free “Business Incentives Workshop” on Sept. 5 from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the St. Charles Parish School Board Office in the Dufrense Conference Room located at 13855 River Rd. in Luling.

RSVP Melissa at 985-851-2900 by Friday, Aug. 31.

Back to school bash at Mimosa school

LULING – Mimosa Park Elementary will hold their “Back to School Bash” on Friday, Aug. 10. Families can come to the school anytime between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to meet the teacher, drop off school supplies, order uniforms, sign up for a library card, join the PTA and the Boy and Girl Scouts. Free jambalaya for all attendees.

Regional genealogical society holds meet

NORCO – The German-Acadian Coast Genealogical and Historical Society will host guest speaker Jane Boddie, curator of Evergreen Plantation, and will present “Evergreen Plantation and Allied Becnel and Songy Families” and on Wednesday, Oct. 24 the group will hold a special dinner with guest speaker Gerald F. Patout – head librarian at the Williams Research Library of the Historic New Orleans presenting “Researching the Origin of Creole Cooking” at La Maison Magnolia located at 950 First St. in Norco. Paid reservations: $23.

Loan & grant program open to businesses

LAPLACE – Joanna Jones of South Central Planning will attend the Aug. 9 meeting og the River Parishes Tourist Commission to explain the state’s business grant and interest free loan program for businesses damaged financially or physically as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

Open to the public, the meeting begins ar 9:30 a.m. and will be held at teh St. John Community Center located at 2900 Highway 51 in LaPlace in meeting room No. 1. Businesses in St. Charles, St. John and St. James are eligible for assistance.

For information, contact Jesse Lambert at 985-359-9562 or jesse@takemetotheriver.com.

Drama guild holds adult workshop

NORCO – The River Region Drama Guild will hold an adult theater workshop for novices and veterans 18 years and older, who want to take to the stage, enjoy theater games, improvisation and best of all laughter and have fun. This free adult theater workshop will be held for four weeks on Tuesdays and Thursday beginning Tuesday, Aug. 28 and ending on Thursday, Sept. 20. The workshop will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at the River Region Performing Arts and Cultural Center, 15146 River Road, Norco.

Community ed sign up ends Aug. 31

LULING – The St. Charles Parish School System is now accepting applications for the 2007 community education fass semester. The brochure can be accessed online at www.stcharles.k12.la.us under the “Community Link” For more information, please call the information line at 985-785-7268 and leave a message for Jayne Tate – West Bank Coordinator or Valerie Townly-Smith – East Bank Coordinator.

Luling church hosts back-to-school bash

LULING – The Luling United Methodist Church will hold a 2007 Back to School Bash on Sunday, Aug. 12 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on church grounds located at 1001 Paul Maillard Road. For registration information, call the church office at 985-785-6868. Priority will be given to those who preregister by Friday, Aug. 3.

Parish networking group meets monthly

DESTREHAN – The St. Charles Networking Group for businesses meet each Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in Mochaccino’s second-floor meeting room on Ormond Boulevard in Destrehan.

For information, call Cory Faucheux at 504-251-5726 or Diane Rattray at 985-703-2251.

Humanities groups holds annual tea

DESTREHAN – The River Region Arts and Humanities Council will hold its annual member and guests tea and fashion show on Sept. 15 at 11 a.m. at Ormond Country Club in Destrehan.