Voter Registration Week underway
Voter Registration Week runs through Friday, Sept 20. The week has activities aimed at registering Louisiana citizens to vote ahead of the Nov. 5 election. The deadline to register to vote in person or by mail is Oct. 7, and the deadline to register to vote through the GeauxVote Online Registration System is Oct. 15.
To register and vote in Louisiana, individuals must:
- be a U.S. citizen
- be at least 17 years old (16 years old if registering in person at the Registrar of Voters Office or at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles) to register and 18 years old before the next election to vote
- not be under an order of imprisonment for conviction of a felony or, if under such an order, not have been incarcerated pursuant to the order within the last five years, and not be under an order of imprisonment related to a felony conviction for election fraud or any other election offense pursuant to La. R.S. 18:1461.2
- not be under a judgment of full interdiction for mental incompetence or partial interdiction with suspension of voting rights
- be a resident in the state and parish in which they seek to register and vote
- apply at least 20 days before an election if registering online or 30 days before an election if registering in person or by mail.
Citizens with a valid Louisiana driver’s license or Louisiana ID card can register online 24 hours a day, seven days a week by visiting https://voterportal.sos.la.gov. Louisiana residents can also register in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office, when they apply for or renew their driver’s license at any Office of Motor Vehicles, or when obtaining services at public assistance agencies and Armed Forces recruitment offices.
Baker Buffalo Festival coming
The 2024 Baker Buffalo Festival is Oct. 24-26 at the Municipal Center, 3325 Groom Road. Events include a parade with a float and marching band contest, live music, rides, food, vendors, car show and more. Parking is free. Vendors need to register.
For information, call (225) 778-0300 or Ashley Williams at awilliams@city of baker.com.
Hunter sight-in set
The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office invites the public to its annual Hunter’s Sight-in Program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 20. This event gives hunters the opportunity to make sure hunting and sporting rifles are safely zeroed-in before the opening of hunting season.
The event is at the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office Firearms Training facility, 999 W. Irene Road, Zachary.
- All weapons will be sighted in by the range staff only.
- All weapons must be in good working condition.
- Firearm must be unloaded.
- Ear protection available, but attendees are highly encouraged to bring their own.
- No muzzle loaders.
- Shotguns for use with slugs only (No buckshot, birdshot, etc.)
- Bring the ammunition you use in the rifle for hunting.
- Only factory loaded ammunition will be used.
Halloween around the corner
Zachary invites local businesses and organizations to decorate a trunk for the fourth annual Trunk or Treat from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 27 on Lee Street.
Around 1,500 children are expected. Setup starts at 1 p.m. and must be finished by 2:40 p.m. Register by Oct. 14 at https://forms.office.com/r/g35VpCq0Az. For information, contact ashleigh.mchugh@cityofzachary.org.
Pink Out Zachary
The Zachary Chamber of Commerce Leadership North Group is holding a Bust Out Cancer campaign. Among the awareness campaigns are two Pink Out days. The schools will use Oct. 18 as their day. Mayor David McDavid has designated Oct. 24 at the date for the entire city. T-shirts for the day are on sale at https://shorturl.at/3BE2r. Deadline to order is Sept. 6. Proceeds will go to Woman's Hospital.
Prayer luncheon set
Mayor David McDavid invites all community members to join the Mayor’s Community Prayer Luncheon on Oct. 25 at the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church Zachary, 4200 Main St. This year, the event will be held as a luncheon, making it more convenient for everyone to attend.
A complimentary fried fish lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The luncheon will feature guest speaker Col. Paul Pride, a retired superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The theme for the luncheon is “Faith and Service.”
“The community prayer luncheon is a meaningful opportunity for our citizens to come together, reflect on our shared values of compassion and service, and pray for a prosperous and safe future for our city,” McDavid said.
Lantern festival rescheduled
The Water Lantern Festival, at Zachary Community Park, 20055 Old Scenic Highway, has been pushed to Sept. 21. Visit tinyurl.com/556f2tu8 for details.
Novemberfest seeks vendors
Crafters and vendors are invited to participate in St. Patrick’s Novemberfest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2 for food, fun, games, activities, crafts/vendors and more. The church is at 1322 Church St. in Zachary. For information or applications, go to www.stpatsla.org, email churchoffice@stpatsla.org or call the church at (225) 654-4091.
Christmas parade
In a recent newsletter, the Zachary Chamber of Commerce announced the Zachary Christmas Parade is at 10 a.m. Dec. 14. The theme will be "Luau Under the Mistletoe."
Speak French and find other activities at the library
- Adults interested in speaking French are invited to the Zachary Branch Library, 1900 Church St., for Zachary’s French Table at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month. Adults at any level of French are invited. Call (225) 658-1840.
- The Pride-Chaneyville Branch, 13600 Pride-Port Hudson Road, will host Bridgerton: Tea, Trivia and Strategy Games at 1 p.m., Sept. 21. Twenty-somethings will play games with the goal of an auspicious marriage proposal. Afternoon tea and tea trivia round out the event. Call (225) 658-1540.
- The 47th annual Author-Illustrator Program featuring Jerry Pallotta is set for Sept. 26-27 at the Main Branch on Goodwood Boulevard, Baton Rouge. School librarians, teachers and administrators are invited to register for a Virtual School Visit with Jerry Pallotta at 10 a.m., Sept. 26. Register at www.ebrpl.com/events.html#/events by Sept. 24 to receive the virtual link.
All ages are welcome to meet Pallotta at the Main Library at 7 p.m., Sept. 26. An autograph session and reception will follow the free presentation. No registration is required.
Teachers, librarians, writers, parents and lovers of children’s literature are encouraged to attend Behind the Writing at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 27. Registration is required, but the event is free. Call (225) 231-3760 or email tdearing@ebrpl.com. Snacks will be provided during breaks, and an autograph session will follow this professional presentation.