The Center for Children & Families Launches 2024 Christmas Project to Support Over 1,000 Children
As the holiday season approaches, The Center for Children & Families is excited to announce the launch of its annual Christmas Project, an initiative aimed at providing gifts and essential items to over 1,000 children from hard places across the region. For over two decades, this community-driven project has brought hope and joy to children in foster care, as well as those facing poverty and hardship, making the holiday season a brighter time for the most vulnerable. The Christmas Project, now in its
Annual NELA Celtic Festival to be held this Saturday, Oct. 5 at Lazarre Park
The Kiroli Foundation is excited to announce the annual Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival (NELA Celtic Fest) will take place on Saturday, October 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lazarre Park, located on the Ouachita River in the South Riverfront Cultural District. Admission for this family-friendly event is $5 per person for those 3 years old and up. The NELA Celtic Fest is the longest-running festival still in existence in Ouachita Parish. The festival seeks to preserve the rich Celtic heritage,
Downtown Art Alliance Announces October 2024 Crawl
Downtown Monroe and West Monroe will be “crawling” with art enthusiasts and fun seekers at the October Downtown Gallery Crawl on Thursday, October 3. Presented by the Northeast Realtors of Louisiana, the Downtown Gallery Crawl, an initiative of the non-profit Downtown Arts Alliance, was designed to enhance the art culture of the 318 and to allow North Louisiana artists a platform to grow, prosper and connect with one another and the local community while continuing to revitalize the downtowns of Monroe and
United Way NELA Continues ''The Heirship Project,'' Offering Free Workshops on Heir Property Issues
United Way of Northeast Louisiana (UWNELA), in collaboration with the Northeast Louisiana Bar Foundation (NELA Bar Foundation), is proud to continue The Heirship Project, an ongoing initiative that provides free workshops focused on heirship and issues. As the lead organization, UWNELA is committed to ensuring that individuals and families across Northeast Louisiana have access to critical assistance and resources for handling heirship matters. This year's events will take place on Thursday, November 7,
Grow NELA Adds Brandon Welch for Business Development Role
Grow NELA is pleased to announce a new partnership with Brandon Welch, who has been contracted to serve as the organization’s Business Development Manager. With extensive experience in business development, project management, and community leadership, Welch is set to support Grow NELA’s mission of fostering economic growth and attracting new businesses to Northeast Louisiana. In this capacity, Welch will support efforts to retain, expand, and attract businesses to the region. His expertise in
NEDHSA, Strauss Theatre partner to bring award-winning musical ''Next to Normal'' to stage
Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NEDHSA) and Strauss Theatre are partnering to produce multiple showings of "Next to Normal," a musical that has garnered a Tony Award and Pulitzer Award with themes that include mental health, grief, medical ethics, suburban malaise, and attempting to define "normal." The showings will take place at Strauss Theatre on November 7-10 and 14-17. NEDHSA Executive Director Dr. Monteic A Sizer said, "We must do different things to educate, engage, and inspire the
Discover Monroe-West Monroe 4th Annual MWM Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Monroe-West Monroe, LA– Fall is in the air, and it’s time to show off your pumpkin-decorating skills! Discover Monroe-West Monroe is excited to announce the 4th annual Monroe-West Monroe Pumpkin Decorating Contest—a fun way to celebrate our community spirit.Celebrate Monroe-West Monroe!This year’s theme is Monroe-West Monroe! We want to see your pumpkins decorated to highlight the best of Ouachita Parish. Whether you carve, paint, or decorate, let your creativity shine and show off your hometown
Sterlington Elementary School was recognized on Monday as a National Blue Ribbon School
Sterlington Elementary, under the leadership of Principal Kambra Wilkes, is one of just 356 schools nationally to receive the recognition, which highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups. “This is award is a reflection of all the people who enter our campus every day,” Wilkes said. “We’re just so proud of how our faculty and staff come together as a team to make things like this happen for our
Kiroli Foundation & City of West Monroe to host historical tour at Hasley Cemetery Saturday, Nov. 2
The Kiroli Foundation and City of West Monroe are pleased to announce the launch of a special historical tour at Hasley Cemetery on Saturday, Nov. 2. “Hasley: Voices of the Past” will be a ticketed twilight tour of portions of the cemetery featuring the final resting place of notable community figures. Their intriguing tales and legacies will come to life through storytelling by actors portraying a journey through time. The tour is written and directed by Gayle Frick and Kay
Kiroli Foundation to host River Rat Paddle Challenge
Kiroli Foundation to host River Rat Paddle Challenge on Saturday, Oct. 12 Proceeds from race to benefit Kiroli Foundation and ACE Academy The Kiroli Foundation will host the annual River Rat Paddle Challenge on the Ouachita River on Saturday, October 12. The River Rat Paddle Challenge is one of the largest paddle races in Louisiana. Paddlers from across the state and multiple states will race 7.7 miles down the Ouachita River. The race includes divisions for paddleboards, canoes and kayaks
CONSTITUTION DAY AT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
The Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum has a fun, educational opportunity for visitors on Constitution Day, September 17. Constitution Day is an American federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution. The museum will welcome two school groups to engage in learning about our Constitution and celebrate the Freedoms that Our Founding Fathers secured for us. A voting booth will be on site and one very important topic to be voted on is favorite cookie. While the
Ouachita Parish Police Jury Approves Tax Break for Qualified First Responders
Ouachita Parish first responders, who own and occupy their homes and qualify for Louisiana’s Homestead Exemption, can benefit from a new property tax break. The Ouachita Parish Police Jury (OPPJ) unanimously adopted an ordinance allowing qualified first responders in Ouachita Parish to receive an additional Homestead Exemption. To qualify for this new benefit, a first responder must be a full-time public employee, residing in Ouachita Parish, whose duties include responding rapidly to emergencies.
Ouachita Parish Schools holds ribbon cutting for RichwoodHigh multi-purpose building
Ouachita Parish Schools held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday at Richwood High School to dedicate the new multi-purpose building and covered pavilions on campus. The 7,000-square-foot multi-purpose building includes meeting areas, two ROTC classrooms, practice space for Richwood High’s cheerleaders, dance team and band, a mini-kitchen and storage facilities. “This facility was made possible by the commitment of the Ouachita Parish School Board,” Richwood principal Dr. Sharilynn Loche said. “It will
WMWO Chamber Celebrates First Responders Appreciation Day
The West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the tremendous success of its First Responders Appreciation Day, an event dedicated to honoring the valiant men and women who serve our community with unwavering dedication. Thanks to the extraordinary support of our sponsors, we were able to serve over 600 meals to first responders across Ouachita Parish, including those from the Sheriff’s Office, City of West Monroe Fire and Police Departments, City of Monroe Fire and Police
Children's Museum Receives Significant Donation From Graphic Packaging
The Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum received a significant donation towards construction and educational programming from Graphic Packaging International that coincides with the sustainable consumer packaging company’s century of operations in the region. On September 9, during a 100-Year Commemoration Ceremony at their West Monroe paperboard manufacturing facility, Graphic Packaging presented a gift of $100,000 to The Children’s Museum’s Board. “Graphic Packaging has a long history of commitment
NeLA Arts - Are You Ready for the October Brown Bag Concert Series?
Take an hour away from all the hurry, hassle, and bustle of our busy Fall season each Wednesday in October at the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council’s noontime outdoor Brown Bag Concert series. Come relax and chill with a midweek lunch break to refresh, recreate, and renew yourself with some of our area’s best musicians on stage in lush, green Palace Park at 220 DeSiard Street (beside the old Palace Department Store). Public parking is available on the street and at 4th and DeSiard Street. Round up your
Junior League of Monroe Endowment Grant Open
We are excited to announce that the Junior League of Monroe (JLM) is now accepting applications for our annual Endowment Grant! For more than 19 years, JLM membership has been proud to partner with and support local organizations, like yourself, through these grant funds.This year we are excited to announce we are awarding up to $20,000 in grants to support initiatives that align with our impact mission of improving the lives of at-risk women and children in our area with specific emphasis on improvement in
Chamber Announces Small Business Award Winners for 2024
The West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize the winners of the 2024 Small Business Awards presented by Entergy Louisiana. Nominations were accepted from Chamber members in the following categories: Emerging Entrepreneur, Small Business, Female Champion, Community Champion and the Silver Plus Award. And the winners are: Emerging Entrepreneur – Chris Lewis, Coney Island Connection West Monroe! This year’s winner is not only a successful small business owner serving up family
‘Take West Monroe to the Next Level’ Business Appreciation Award Given to Signature Nails & Beauty
The City of West Monroe and West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce are proud to continue to recognize businesses as part of a community pride campaign known as “Take West Monroe to the Next Level.” “Take West Monroe to the Next Level” is a community pride campaign that encourages business owners, residents, nonprofit organizations and others to join the City of West Monroe’s efforts to take greater pride in our community, particularly in the community’s appearance. For the first quarter of this
WMWO Chamber Recognized as 2023 Chamber of the Year
Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Executives RecognizeWMWO Chamber as 2023 Chamber of the Year (September 18, 2023) The West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber is proud to be recognized as the 2023 Chamber of the Year by Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Executives (LACCE) at the annual conference in Lake Charles today. It’s an exciting time to be in the Chamber of Commerce industry and to be a Chamber in Louisiana. Many chambers have risen to the challenge to provide unparalleled leadership and
