School Happenings

This week at Abita Springs Elementary School will be a couple of events. First, registration for grades K-3rd will occur on Wednesday from 9am to noon. That day will also be the Pre-K field trip. Thursday will be the kindergarten field trip for students in Liberto, Wolfe, and Gast's classes. The first grade field trip will take place on Friday for student's whose teachers are Adams, Noveh, Jenkins, Harris, and Carpenter.

Historic Meeting

This Tuesday, April 8th, will be a Historic meeting at town hall. The meeting begins at 6:00 pm.

A Perfect Sunday

Today was a perfect day to spend in Abita Springs. My husband and I walked town the trace and had lunch at Rauch's Grocery. Afterwards, we went on to the En Plein Air Exhibit at the Trailhead Museum. The restored structure is simply beautiful. The exhibit featured landscapes in and around Abita Springs from local artists. Pieces were available for sale and some of the proceeds will go to support the museum. I saw a couple that I wouldn't mind having in my home, and wouldn't it be awesome to have a local artist's work? If you haven't been then hurry over and check out the exhibit.

A Busy Weekend

People looking for fun will find it in Abita Springs this weekend. Tonight Bingo will be held in Town Hall as usual. The fun starts at 6:30. Tomorrow and Sunday the new Abita Trailhead Museum will be hosting the En Plein Air Art Exhibit. It will be open on Saturday from 6-9 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. On Saturday night there will also be traditional Cajun Dancing held in town hall. Lessons are from 7-8 p.m. and then the band will begin featuring Bruce Daigrepont. I think there is a nominal admission charge, but one isn't listed.

Garage Sale Recap

The Abita Springs Whole Town Garage Sale happened yesterday. Despite some rain, there were people all over Abita Springs. Bot and Nola's hosted a mini snoball stand on Level; I saw original art, creative bird houses, beaded necklaces, and many other treasures. The flea market was moved to the ball field and I'm not sure if that was a success or not. I talked to several people who didn't feel comfortable walking down the highway, but some said that they would drive out there.

Lit Wits Latest Choice

The Abita Springs Library Branch hosts a monthly book club known as the Lit Wits. The April novel selection is The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory. The discussion will be held on Monday, April 21st at 10:30 a.m. Registration is not required, but it is the responsibility of attendees to obtain a copy of the book. The library does have copies, but cannot guarantee availability. This event is free and open to all adults interested in reading and discussing books.

For more information you can contact Kay Redd at the library at 893-6285.

Bingo at Town Hall

Tomorrow night BINGO will be sponsored at Town Hall by the Ladies Progressive Club. This will help to raise funds for civic projects in and around Abita Springs.

Whole-Town Garage Sale

The Abita Springs whole-town garage sale will be this Saturday. Posted hours are 8-4, but expect to see people here very early in the morning. Individuals and businesses will participate throughout the center of town. Stalls will be set up in the field across from Town Hall and vendors will have booths on the field at the ballpark.

In past years, concessions were also available near the center of town.

Come one, come all and come early!

Update on Latest Town Council Meeting

At our last town council meeting, Mayor ProTem, Sheri Sable Campbell presented a resolution requiring and requesting all FEMA trailers be removed from the town of Abita Springs. It has been three years since Katrina and the time has come for the trailers to be gone. The mayor supported the resolution and all Alderman present voted for it.

Rent Party 2008

Rent Party 2008 was an amazing show and a wonderful experience. It was well-worth the ticket price and I hope they do it again next year.

The night opened with the Maryland Jazz Band of Cologne on the front steps of town hall. The music was fabulous and the singer had a wonderful, Louis Armstrong-style vocals. I couldn't even hear his German accent. We then proceeded inside for the rest of the show. The first act was the Mt. Zion Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church Mass Choir. Dressed in purple and white, they did several religious-themed number including Amazing Grace. They were followed by the BeauSoleil Trio comprised of an accordian, a fiddle, and a guitar. They performed traditional Cajun music. Following the trio was Fredy con su Banda, a Latin band. Various Latin-style number were performed with Fredy Omar on vocals. Most unique was the presence of a flute in many of the numbers. Next was the Louisiana Purchase Bluegrass Band. The Band had a banjo, fiddlers, and several other musicians. They played both classic and contemporary bluegrass. The bands were finished up with Don Vappie and the Creole Jazz Serenaders. They played some beautiful numbers from the 1920s.

After the bands finished, a Tribute to New Orleans Rhythm and Blues commenced. This part of the program featured many well-known and talented musicians. Each of the artists on stage could hold their own beautifully. There was a pianist whose name I missed, Gerald Adams on bass, Don Vappie playing the banjo, and Roderick Paulin playing the horn. There were two featured singers: Lilliam Boutte who sang a crowd-rousing version of Stagger Lee and Al "Carnival Time" Johnson whose famous song, "Carnival Time" is played ever Mardi Gras season without fail. By the end of the night the entire crowd was on its feet.

The Event was hosted by the Abita Springs Opery and the Cultural Alliance of the Americas. CAOTA is always looking for volunteers or donations and can be found online at http://www.bringitonhome.org/

Rent Party 2008

Tomorrow will be the second Rent Party held at Abita Springs Town Hall. This event is sponsored by Bring it on Home, an organization founded after Hurricane Katrina to help musicians find work. The term Rent Party comes from the Depression era where concerts were held to help musicians pay rent.

Tickets will be available starting at 5:20. Prices are $25 for adults, $15 for children, and children under two get in free. Food a drinks will be available for purchase. The Marilyn Jazz Band of Cologne will provide pre-show entertainment.

One of the goals of Bring it on Home is to showcase the muscial heritage of Louisiana. Gospel, bluegrass, jazz, cajun, R&B, and latin music will be represented. The bands that will preforming are The Mount Zion Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church Mass Choir, The Louisiana Purchase Bluegrass Band, The Beausoleil Trio with David and Michael Doucet, Don Vappie and the Creole Jazz Serenaders, and Fredy Omar con su Banda. There will also be a special tribute to New Orleans Rhythm and Blue done by various artists.

The show will run form six to nine.

PTA Meeting

Tomorrow, March 18th, there will be a PTA meeting at Abita Springs Middle School. Remember, involved parents create successful schools. A time was not listed, but I believe they are usually held at 6:30 p.m.

Town Council Meeting

Tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. there will be a town council meeting at town hall.

Sunrise Coffeehouse Anniversary

The Sunrise Coffeehouse will be celebrating their one-year anniversary tomorrow, March seventeenth. It also happens to be St. Patrick's Day, so there's reason to celebrate all the way around. Stop by and celebrate with them tomorrow.

Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny will be appearing at Town Hall tomorrow, March 16th at 2:00. Bring the kids.

More Movie News

While eating at Rauch's today, we had a chance to ask about the movie that was filmed earlier this week. Supposedly, it is a movie that will hopefully launch a TV show on the Disney Channel. The name of the movie is Sunday Sunday Sunday and it will be about monster trucks. What monster trucks have to do with an old-fashioned grocery store is anyone's guess.

Movie Update

I drove by Rauch's Grocery again and got to see a little more. There were two Airstream-style RV's and an old-fashioned looking truck. The rumor is that they're shooting a pilot for a Disney show. I think this is very possible since I saw a few kids around unescorted. Of course, nothing has been confirmed.

Abita Opery

The first Spring performance of the Abita Opery is this Saturday, March the 15th. The doors open at 5:45 and the show starts at 7:00. Tickets can be purchased in advace at Town Hall at a cost of fifteen dollars per person. These are for the reserved section. General Admission tickets will be available at the door at a cost of twelve dollars per person. Children under twelve are free and persons over sixty-five get in for only ten dollars.

Listed performers include the New Orleans Jazz Vipers which play traditional jazz music. Timberland Drive will also be performing. Their style of music is described as "roots music." The House band for the evening will be the Petty Bones who play bluegrass, gospel, and a little jazz. Dirk Billy and Tom Marron will be playing a few Irish fiddle tunes which should put everyone in the mood for St. Patrick's Day.

Other dates for Spring Opery performances are April 19th and May 17th. For more information about the Opery visit their web site: www.abitaopery.com

Movie

Unless my eyes decieve me, I believe that there's a movie or commercial being filmed in or around Rauch's Grocery. I here that this is a popular location for crews looking for an old-fashioned feel. Looks like a pretty big crew from the amount of cars parked in the field across the street from Town Hall.

Animals on Parade

"Animals on Parade" rolled through the streets of Abita Springs today. The Abita Elementary School Kindergarten classes held their annual parade. There were safari guides, zebras, tigers, birds, and more. There was also a marching band and cheerleaders. Students paraded on Level, Cypress, Grover, Pine, and back onto Level. The weather had looked pretty grim, but it only just started to sprinkle towards the end of the route. The event was definitely a success.