News Briefs

Fitness program

The Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk offers Army civilians up to three hours of excused absences per week, for up to six months, to participate in command sponsored physical training or education provided these activities are an integral part of a total fitness program. Participants can begin the program after supervisors approve and submit packets to the Community Ready and Resilient Integrator. For more information about the program or to pick up a packet call Luewana Hannon at 531-1191 or email luewanna.l.hannon.civ@mail.mil. 

Denim day

On April 26 Fort Polk joins other installations and Sexual Harassment/Assault Response Program sister agencies in commemorating SAAPM with Denim Day. The commanding general has authorized Soldiers and civilians to participate in Denim Day activities. The wearing of jeans or other denim outwear is voluntary and at the discretion of commanders based on mission requirements.

Road repairs

*The contract to repair Fourth Street has a required completion date of May 24. Works includes shoulder repairs, culvert replacement, removing asphalt, repaving with new asphalt overlay and new pavement markings. The work will require closures, detours and flagging operations to complete the repairs while ensuring safety for motorists and construction crews. Repairs are planned for three phases to minimize impact to motorists. Alternate routes are encouraged to minimize delays and traffic congestion. At the completion of Fourth Street repairs, Mississippi Avenue repairs will begin and includes shoulder work, crosswalks, milling, repaving and pavement markings.

*The contract to repair erosion along La. Hwy 467 has a required completion date of June 6. Work includes repairing a slope failure just southeast of access control point 2 and repairing eroded sites between Louisiana Avenue and access control point 2. The slope failure site will require a lane shift for in-bound and outbound traffic April 15-26 to ensure safety for motorist and construction crews. Alternate routes are encouraged to minimize delays and traffic congestion at this site.

Abandoned vehicles

The Directorate of Emergency Services traffic section will release the following Vehicles to a Towing Company for disposal on May 6 if they remain unclaimed. Vehicles are listed with the last four numbers of their VIN number. If one of these vehicles belongs to you please contact the Fort Polk Police Traffic Section at 531-1806/2677.

2002        Honda               Accord            3509
2012        Hyundai            Accent             8625
2017        Jeep                  Renegade       7070
1999        Ford                  Mustang         1308
2005        Subaru             Legacy           4766
1993        Saab                 900                3138
1996        Ford                  Explore          9654
1992        Chevrolet         Camaro           1939
2004       Toyota             Celica             7758
2010        Mazda              MZ-3              7594
2008       Dodge              Caliber            9554
2014       Dodge               Charge            0771
2017        Ford                 Expedition       1780
2001       Jeep                 Cherokee         6867
2017       Honda              Civic                 7087
Boat Trailer                    Homemade      None
1992     Sea nymph        Boat                  7340
Boat Trailer                   Unknown          None

Community Briefs

Hiring, education event

Fort Polk hosts a hiring and education event for the military community Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Warrior Fitness Center. Information about education and career opportunities is offered to Soldiers, spouses, retirees, veterans and Department of the Army civilians. For more information call the Soldier for Life-Transition Assistance Program at 531-1591.

Easter services

The following Easter services are held in the Main Post Chapel:

  • April 20, 8-10 p.m., Catholic Easter vigil
  • April 21, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Catholic Easter mass
  • April 21, 10:30-11:30 a.m., collective Protestant service.

Nerf Fest

The Fort Polk Main Exchange in honor of April’s recognition as Month of the Military Child hosts Nerf Fest, April 27, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The event is for ages 8 and older. Assorted blasters and darts are provided. For more information call (337) 537-1001.

ARC VolunTeens

The American Red Cross’ summer Volunteen Program is open to youth ages 13-17 and runs from June 10-July 26. Applications are due no later than May 17 at 4 p.m. and are available for pick-up between 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m.-noon Friday, at the ARC office, 1778 Third St., bldg 220. For more information and to see if you qualify call Leslie Jones at (804) 385-0966.

Toastmasters meet

Toastmasters meets from noon-1 p.m. at the Fort Polk Education Center, 7460 Colorado Ave., room 208, on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. The next meeting is April 3. For more information call LaVersa Wiltz at (337) 208-8557.

Sports Briefs

Gymnastic classes

The Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation Child and Youth Services hosts the following gymnastic classes at bldg 2070, Youth Gym:

  • Parent and child gymnastics, ages 12 months to 3 years, Mondays at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., and Fridays at 5:30 p.m., $25 a month.
  • Preschool gymnastics, ages 3-5 years, Monday, Tuesday and Friday 4:30 p.m., and Wednesday 11 a.m., $35 a month.
  • School age gymnastics, ages 6-9 years, Mondays at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., $45 a month.
  • School age gymnastics, ages 10 and up, Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., $55 a month.

Children must be registered with CYS. Call (337) 531-6004 for more information.

Jiu Jitsu classes

The Fort Polk Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Child and Youth Services offers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes for ages 6 and up for $48 a month. Classes are held in bldg 744 Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m. Participants must be registered with CYS. Call (337) 531-6004 for more information.

Soccer camp

Challenger International Soccer Camp is back at Fort Polk by popular demand for two sessions: June 3-7 and July 22-26. Classes for TinyTykes (ages 3-5) are 8-9 a.m. and cost $96. Classes for ages 6-12 are from 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and cost $149.

Applications can be picked up at Child and Youth Service, bdlg 400, 6880 Radio Road. Mail applications and payment (checks payable to Challenger Sports) to:

Mike Rees

Challenger Sports

4403 Manchaca Road, Suite C

Austin, Texas  78745

Email mrees@challengersports.com for more information.

Recreation Briefs

BOSS

Check out Fort Polk’s Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers. The organization offers single Soldiers the opportunity to volunteer, as well as participate in fun events. Don’t miss your chance to take part.

BOSS meetings are held the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 10-11 a.m. at the Home of Heroes Recreation Center. The next meeting is Wednesday April 24, 2019.

Festivals

International festival

 

Visit Lafayette for Festival International De Louisiane. A premiere International music and arts festival known for bringing a variety of unique and emerging performers to Louisiana while incorporating the best sounds Louisiana has to offer. Downtown Lafayette transforms into an entertainment mecca for all ages, attracting more than 300,000 attendees over 5 days — April 24-28. Join in the fun as music brings communities together for this cultural celebration. Admission is free. Check out this years lineup from all over the world at www.festivalinternational.org.

Jazz festival

New Orleans Jazz Festival celebrate 50 years of jazz history and music April 25-May 5. You'll enjoy performers such as the Indigo Girls, Tank and the Bangas, Bonnie Raitt, Alanis Morissette, Jimmy Buffett, Chris Stapleton, Katy Perry, Pitbull, Santana, Logic, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Gladys Knight, Leon Bridges and more as they take the stage for fantastic live performances. For more information visit www.nojazzfest.com.

Mayfest

Mayfest is an annual festival held in historic downtown Leesville. This year’s festival takes place May 3-4. Bring your lawn chairs and join the rest of the crowd on the courthouse lawn for free family fun including live music, vendors —from all over Louisiana and beyond offering home made arts and crafts, food and other items for you to browse — and more. For more information call (337) 238-0783 or visit www.vernonparish.org.

Pirate festival

The Louisiana Pirate Festival takes place May 2-5 at the Lake Charles Civic Center, 900 Lakeshore Dr., Lake Charles. Pirates of all ages are invited to this unique festival celebrating the legend of pirate Jean Lafitte. The story goes that Lafitte docked his boat on the sandy shores of Lake Charles and buried his treasure somewhere along its banks. If you love dressing like a pirate, or even if you don’t, folks of all ages are encouraged to stop by the festival filled with carnival rides, games, entertainment and live music on multiple stages and have a good time. For more information visit www.louisianapiratefestival.com.

Fair fun

The 30th annual Cajun Heartland State Fair, May 23-June 2, is an annual state fair that offers ride specials, food, free attractions, live entertainment and family oriented games make an outstanding summer experience. There’s something for everyone to enjoy at the midway and around the fairgrounds. The fair takes place at the Cajundome, 444Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette. For more information call (337) 265-2104 or visit www.cajundome.com.

 

Miscellaneous 

Treasure fest

Shop the day away May 5 from 7 a.m.-3 p.m.with over 100 yard sales in one location. If you are interested in participating, call and pre-register your sale with our staff. A $20 refundable deposit is required. Call (337) 463-5534 for details. Admission is Free

 

Concert series

The City of Leesville, in conjunction with KJAE radio, hosts the 2019 Leesville Concert Series each Friday on the Polk stage in downtown Leesville at the corner of Texas and Fourth Streets at 6 p.m.

The event includes live music, food trucks and encourages dancing. The lineup is as follows:

April 26 — Michael Kuk

May 3 — Rootsicana.

Children’s theatre

The Children’s Theatre Company, located in the Central School of the Arts & Humanities Center, 809 Kirby Street, Lake Charles, presents its third season of pizza pie theatre with a performance of James & The Giant Peach May 11 at 7:30 p.m. and May 12 at 3 p.m. Audience members enjoy pizza, beverages and dessert 30 minutes before the performance. Tickets are $13 per child 13 and under and $15 per adult — which includes the performance and pizza. For more information call (337)433-7323.

 Clubs/groups 

Language club

Immerse yourself in learning a foreign language such as Russian, Spanish, Brazilian, Portuguese or Tagalog by attending the Language Immersion Table. The club meets the first Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. The next meeting is April 3. For more information call Miguel Moyeno at (636) 577-4274.

 Bass Masters

If you like to fish and want to be part of a group with common interests, the Fort Polk Community Bass Masters is the right club for you. The club meets monthly on the Tuesday before each tournament. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. at the New Llano American Legion, Post 387, 500 Vernon St., New Llano. The next meeting takes place March 26. The March tournament takes place on Sam Rayburn Lake March 30. The entry fee is $40. For more information call (337) 535-7591 or visit www.fortpolkcommunitybassmasters.com.

 Lose weight

Join Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) every Thursday at the Vernon Parish Library meeting room. Weigh in is from 5-5:50 p.m. The meeting starts at 5:50 p.m. For more information call (337) 208-0896.