What’s Happening Around Central

CENTRAL — Events coming up in and around Central:

Friday, January 25 • Blood Drive • 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

United Blood Services will hold a blood drive at Lane Regional Medical Center.  The blood drive is open to the public and registration is not required.  Donors are encouraged to sign up online at www.bloodhero.com, sponsor code: LaneRegional.

Friday, January 25 • Grand Opening • 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Alexandra’s Boutique and Persnickety Too will have a Grand Opening Event and Ribbon Cutting at 14790 Wax Road.

Sunday, January 27 • Baton Rouge Bridal Show

The Baton Rouge Bridal Show will be held at the Baton Rouge River Center.  Registration begins at 12 noon and the show is 1 to 4 p.m.  Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 cash at the door.  Tickets are on sale at Ashley Manor or batonrougebridalshow.com.

Tuesday, January 29 • Central vs Zachary Basketball • 5 p.m.

Central Wildcats will take on the Zachary Broncos at the Central High School gym.

Thursday, January 31 • Mandatory Cheerleading Meeting • 7 to 8 p.m.

A mandatory parent and student meeting for freshmen cheer and dance tryouts will be held in the Central High School cafeteria.  Information regarding the clinic, tryouts, and the 2013-2014 schedule will be given at this time. Tryout fee is $20.  The tryout clinics will be Feb. 5 and 6, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  Tryouts will be Thursday, Feb. 7 at 5:30 p.m.  Students are to report to the commons area of Central High School on each day.

Saturday, February 2 • ACT Practice Test • 9:30 a.m.

A free ACT practice test will be given at the Greenwell Springs Library, 11300 Greenwell Springs.  The test is open to all teens in grades 9 through 12.  All test takers must bring their own pencils, calculator, and a snack.  The test results will be given at a Scores Back session on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m.  Online registration is required for the test with Princeton Review at www.princetonreview.com.  For information, call 274-4470.

Tuesday, February 5 • Victory Harvest Church MOPS • 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

MOPS will meet on the second Tuesday of each month at Victory Harvest Church, 3953 N. Flannery Road.  Limited childcare is available.  Moms should email Barbara Womack at vhcmops@cox.net or call 275-5255 to check availability.  Mothers who are pregnant with their first child or have a preschooler K-5 or younger are invited to join the group.

Tuesday, February 12 • Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon • 11:30 a.m.

The Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon will be held at Café Americain, 7561 Jefferson Hwy.  The topic will be “Combating Obama’s Gun Control Proposals.”  RSVP at richie@richieedmonds.com.

February 21 through 24 • “A Raisin in the Sun”

New Venture Theatre launches its 2013 season with “A Raisin in the Sun.”  This play will be performed at the Baton Rouge Community College Magnolia Performing Arts Pavilion at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 and Friday, Feb. 22, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24.  Tickets are $20.  For information, call 588-7576 or visit www.newventuretheatre.org.

Saturday, February 23 • St. Alphonsus Action & A Taste of Central • 5 p.m.

The 5th Annual St. Alphonsus Auction and A Taste of Central will be held at the St. Alphonsus Family Center.  There will be a silent and live auctions, delicious local restaurant food tasting, and live rhythm and blues band!  Door tickets and $10,000 raffle tickets on sale after all Masses on Feb. 16 and 17.

Monday, March 11 • Terracon Golf Benefit

Registration is underway for the Terracon Golf Benefit for Capital Area CASA Association.  This is a four-person scramble.  Participants will enjoy a day of golfing at the exclusive University Club Golf Course in Baton Rouge.  For information, contact Lisa Smith at 344-6052 or ldsmith@terracon.com.

March 21 through 24 • Zachary Arts & Music Festival

The Zachary Chamber of Commerce’s 7th Annual ZFest will be held at BREC’s Community Park, 20055 Old Scenic Hwy.  There will be renowned artists selling their works, incredible food vendors, a petting zoo and pony rides, paddleboards on the lake, a rock wall, bungee bounce, gyroscope, carnival rides, and many more activities.  ZFest will be open 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 5 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, March 22, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23, and 12 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 24.  Musical entertainment comes alive in the evening with the Todd O’Neal Band and the Chee Weez on Friday, national country artist Randy Houser on Saturday, and the Not4Sale Band on Sunday.  Local entertainment will perform throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.  There will be a beer and wine VIP event at 5:30 p.m. Friday.  For information or for a schedule of events, visit www.zfest.us.

April 6 and 7 • Kite Fest Louisiané • 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Kites of all sizes and shapes will fill the skies at the West Baton Rouge Soccer Complex in Port Allen, located just off I-10 Exit 151 at Rosedale Rd.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair and spend a day in the great outdoors.  The Go Big Or Go Home and Austin End of the Line flying teams will perform ballets in the sky using two line kites.  Northeast Rev Riders will be featured using four line kites.  This free event is open to the public.

Saturday, April 27 • Central Class of ’83 Reunion • 7:30 to 11 p.m.

Central High Class of ’83 will have a reunion at De la Ronde Hall, 320 Third Street, Ste. 201, Baton Rouge.  Cost is $75 at the door.  Entertainment will be the Chris Leblanc Band.  There will be a buffet and a cash bar.  For information, contact Tami Helmke Misuraca at 937-4083 or email chs1983@cox.net.