PROFESSIONAL SERIES: Small and emerging business owners in St. Tammany Parish can participate in a 10-month development series beginning Thursday. Registration is open. The program, on the second Thursday of each month through May, is a partnership between Southeastern Louisiana University and St. Tammany Corporation. Space is limited to 25 participants. For more information, contact Karen Romero at (985)549-3831 or kromero@selu.edu.

COFFEE & CONVERSATION: Covington Council on Aging will host an Allman Brothers Band author and photographer at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at 19404 N. Tenth St.  Sidney Smith will talk on "70-'74...Plus A Little Bit More — A Photographic Memoir of the Early Years of the Allman Brothers Band." 

LIBRARY QUESTIONS?: Reference librarians will be at small branches of the St. Tammany Parish Library to assist patrons and answer questions. Reference librarian visits will take place:

  • Thursday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Abita Springs, 71683 Leveson St., (985) 893-6285.
  • Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Folsom, 82393 Railroad Ave., (985) 796-9728.
  • Aug. 15, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Bush, 81597 La. 41, (985) 886-3588.
  • Aug. 15, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., South Slidell, 3901 Pontchartrain Drive, (985) 781-0099.
  • Aug. 20, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Lacombe, 28027 U.S. 190, (985) 882-7858.
  • Aug. 21, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pearl River, 64580 La. 41, (985) 863-5518.
  • Aug. 22, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Lee Road, 79213 La. 40, (985) 893-6284.

The sessions are free. For information, visit www.sttammanylibrary.org.

FISH FRY: The American Legion Bayou Liberty Post 374 will have a fish night at 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the post at 2233 Carey St. in Olde Towne Slidell. Included in the $10 meal is fried or blackened catfish, coleslaw, French fries, hush puppies and dessert. Call before 3 p.m. to sign up and choose the type of preparation. (985) 643-7276.

NARFE: The Slidell Chapter 1396 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees will meet at 1 p.m. Friday at the Azalea Estates Assisted Living and Retirement Community, 3574 Robert Blvd. Donna Maeder of the Slidell Ladies for Liberty will speak. Prior to the meeting, the "lunch bunch" will gather at 11:30 a.m. at the Speckled T's Seafood Restaurant, 158 S. Military Road, Slidell. For information, contact Elroy Noel, (985) 290-0757, elroynoel@bellsouth.net.

SSSSALE: The Friends of the Slidell Library will hold a Second Saturday Special Sale of books related to popular culture from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 555 Robert Blvd. The sales are themed, featuring select books and other items. For information, email fsl70458@yahoo.com.

SPORTS SIGNUP: Registration for fall youth sports at Pelican Park are now open through Saturday. The sports and ages include baseball (6-14), football (5-12), girls' volleyball (9-15) and cheer clinic (7-10). The park implements a minimum play time for all players to gain experience and improve, with teams formed after player evaluations to help create competitive and equal squads. For information or to register, visit www.pelicanpark.com or (985) 626-7997.

EXCELLING AT EXCEL: The Madisonville will hold a Microsoft Excel Basics that teaches the beginning skills on how to create and edit a spreadsheet, format numbers and text, input mathematical functions in a spreadsheet and more. The class will be  10:30 a.m. Saturday, at 1123 Main St.  Free course. Adults only.  Registration required at www.stpl.bibliocommons.com/events or call (985) 845-4819. 

MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM: The LSU AgCenter in St. Tammany Parish is accepting applications for the Louisiana Master Gardener training program for residents interested in learning more about gardening and becoming volunteers to assist with programs to educate the public. Classroom lecture material will be presented through online videos, and there will be face-to-face labs at 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Nov. 5. at 1301 N. Florida St., Covington. For more information, contact Will Afton, LSU AgCenter county agent, at (985) 875-2635 or wafton@agcenter.lsu.edu.

YOU'VE GOT YOGA: Floor yoga resumes at the Madisonville and South Slidell branches of the St. Tammany Parish Library with certified yoga instructors. The schedules are:

  • 11:15 a.m. Mondays to Sept. 23 (except Sept. 2), 1123 Main St., Madisonville
  • 10 a.m. Fridays, Aug. 16 to Sept. 27 (except Sept. 6), 3901 Pontchartrain Drive, Slidell.

The adult classes are free and registration is encouraged at www.sttammanylibrary.org

YOU'VE GOT MAIL: Email basics will be the subject a a course at 3 p.m. Monday at Causeway , 3457 Highway 190, Mandeville. Free course. Adults only. Registration required at www.stpl.bibliocommons.com/events or call (985) 626-9779. 

PROM FOR SENIOR SENIORS: The Blue Moonlight Serenade Senior Citizen Community Prom will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Peace Lutheran Church, 1320 W. Gause Blvd., Slidell. Included will be turkey dinner, the Nightingales Singers with a '50s tribute, election of prom royalty and music and dancing. Tickets are $10, with nursing home residents free. For information and tickets, call (985) 641-6400.

GETTING SOCIAL: Classes about social media will be held at 10 a.m. at the Slidell , 555 Robert Blvd., in August. They are:

  • Tuesday - Social Media Safety will gives tips on securing a personal account.
  • Aug. 20 - Social Media for Business will provide insight on how to best represent their interests on social media. 

Each class can be attended separately or as part of the series. Free events. Limited seating. Adults only. Registration encouraged at sttammanylibrary.org/adult-programs or (985) 646-6470.

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT: The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges Complex is seeking volunteers to assist with the operation of the Bayou Lacombe Visitor Center at 61389 Highway 434, Lacombe. Volunteers welcome and interact with visitors, share their knowledge on local flora and fauna, and the history and culture of the grounds. The center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Volunteers work a 3½-hour shift. Contact Refuge Ranger Diane Barth at (985) 882-2021 or diane_barth@fws.gov.

SITTING YOGA: Chair yoga classes will be offered at Lee Road and South Slidell branches of the St. Tammany Parish Library with certified yoga instructors. The schedules are:

  • 1 p.m. Wednesdays to Sept. 11, 3901 Pontchartrain Drive, Slidell.
  • 1 p.m. Thursdays, Aug. 15 to Sept. 5, 79213 Highway 40, Covington.

The adult classes are free and registration is encouraged at www.sttammanylibrary.org.

FASHION MEETING: The Slidell Newcomers Club will gather at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Pinewood Country Club, 405 Country Club Blvd. A fashion show by My Girl Friend's Closet will be presented. Cost is $22. For reservations, call Jackie Chauvet, (985) 288-0724. 

COMPUTER BASICS: Madisonville , 1123 Main St., will hold a class on computer basics for novices to explore computer skills for adults. The class will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, and registration is required at www.stpl.bibliocommons.com/events. or call (985) 845-4819.

LIBRARY APPS: The St. Tammany Parish Library offers a variety of apps for ebooks, audiobooks, music, comics, movies and more. At Appy Hour, a reference librarian can discuss and answer questions on the offerings at 2 p.m. Aug. 15, and 5 p.m. Aug. 28, Covington Temporary , 1200 Business Highway 190, Suite. 2. Registration for this adults-only class is required at www.stpl.bibliocommons.com/events.

FRENCH CONCERT: "On the Banks of the Seine" will be a featured concert at 5 p.m. Aug. 18 at Christwood Atrium, 100 Christwood Blvd., Covington. Part of the Third Sunday Concert series, the performance will include soprano Vicki Fisk, mezzo Beth Staples and baritone Hugh Robertson, with piano by Stephen Edwards. 

E-COMMERCE COURSE: Southeastern Louisiana University, the St. Tammany Corporation and the East and West St. Tammany Chambers of Commerce will host a day-long class is Slidell designed to help businesses understand and grow e-commerce at 9 a.m. Aug. 28, Slidell Municipal Auditorium, 2056 Second St. Titled “E-commerce: How to Increase Your Sales via Amazon and other Channels, ” the event is $25 and includes lunch. Registration is required. Call (985) 549-3831 or email kromero@southeastern.edu or www2.southeastern.edu/external/event_registration/sbdc/

GALLERY EXHIBIT: More than 30 paintings by or in the collections of residents at Christwood are on display in the Atrium Gallery at 100 Christwood Blvd., Covington. The works, covering a variety of art types and styles, will be on display through  Aug. 30. 

VOLUNTEER SEMINAR: Seniors age 55 and older are invited to a number of seminars on becoming a Senior Corps RSVP Volunteer at 11 a.m. Aug. 21, Sept. 12 and Oct. 14 at Christwood Communit Center Conference Room, 100 Christwood Blvd., Covington. For information, call (985) 612-1057 or email gbyars@voasela.org.

BIG GAME RAFFLE: The Northlake-Mandeville Rotary Club will draw Aug. 22 for more than 50 prizes including pro and college sports events tickets, dining excursions, vacations, museum experiences and more as part of its annual fundraising program to benefit several local charities. Tickets are $20 and available at www.rafflecreator.com/pages/30553/11th-annual-big-game-rotary-raffle or via check, payable to the club to Steve Saux, 525 Rue Jardins, Covington, LA 70433. 

WORD BASICS: Designed for those who know computer basics, the Madisonville will host a session on Microsoft Word at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 24 at 1123 Main St. The adult classes are free and registration is encouraged at www.sttammanylibrary.org.

ATHENA AWARD: Sept. 4 is the deadline for nominations for the Athena Leadership Award sponsored by Slidell Memorial Hospital and Ochsner and presented in October at a luncheon hosted by the East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce. The award is presented to individuals who live or work in St. Tammany Parish and meet the following critieria:

  • Demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in his or her business or profession
  • Provide valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in the community
  • Actively assist women in achieving leadership potential
  • Personify the tenets of the Athena Leadership Model.

For information and forms, visit www.estchamber.com/athena-comittee or call (985) 649-6284 or (985) 640-0450.

CLEAN SWEEP: Keep Mandeville Beautiful's Fall Citywide Clean Up will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, gathering at the Lakefront Gazebo on Lakeshore Drive. Volunteers are urged to sign up in advance. For information, contact kmb@cityofmandeville.com.

HEROS RUNNING: Hope Charities, helping families living with chronic illnesses, is the beneficiary for the SuperHero Hope 5K Run/Walk and Family Day Sept. 14, at Terra Bella Village, 111 Terra Bella Blvd., Covington. The 5K starts at 8 a.m. and the fun run starts at 9 a.m. There will be food, games, entertainment and activities for kids, food vendors, music and awards for superhero costume, fastest race time and most money raised. The costs are $15-$25. Registration is open. For information, visit www.runsignup.com

TENNIS TIME: Sept. 14 is the deadline to enter the "We Want You" tennis benefit for Rainbow Child Care and the Slidell Boys & Girls Clubs. The tournament will be held Sept. 18-21 at Crossgates Athletic Club, 200 N. Military Road, Slidell. Individual entry is $25-$40. For more information and to register, call Paul Chiasson at (985) 290-7524 or paulchiasson@bellsouth.net.

DANCING ELKS: The Slidell Elks Auxiliary annual fundraiser dance will be 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 28, Elks Lodge located at 34212 Elks Road. Tickets are $15. Music will be provided by LA 2 Band. For tickets or information, contact Cathy Neight at (504) 237-4152 or Carol Graff at (504) 236-6814.

REUNION PLANNED: Sept. 30 is the cut-off date for the 50th reunion of Covington High School's class of 1969 planned for Oct. 19 at the American Legion Post #61, 2031 Ronald Reagan Highway, Covington. Cost is $50 and includes food and setups. Other classes are invited. The group will also attend the school's homecoming game Oct. 18 for $8. For information, contact Marie Achee Miller (985) 705-8265, Mary Lee (985) 285-4466, Cathy Oalmann Coyne (985) 302-6821 or Deborah Elliott McCarney at deborahmcctn@gmail.com or (985) 705-0817.

KIDS' SUMMER ACTIVITIES

STEAM COMING: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics will be added to the Open Arms Community Center's faith-based summer camp program, which runs through Thursday, at 1410 8th St., Slidell. For more information on rates, dates and registration, visit www.openarmsslidell.org or call (985) 259-4781.

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