General

February 23:  CHRISTUS Cabrini Winter Ball, Paragon Casino Resort, 7p.m.  Sponsored by CHRISTUS Cabrini Foundation.  32^nd Winter Ball to be held at theMariCenter in Marksville.  Entertainment will be announced.  Proceeds will enableCabriniHospital to provide an educational program on stroke prevention, stroke risk factor modifications, and stroke screenings for underserved families.  Cost:  $3,500 Gold Table of 10, $3,000 Silver Table of 10, $2,000 Patron Table of 10, $175 individual ticket.  Call Teresa Slater:  448-6580.

February 10:  Alexandria Mardi Gras Parade, Mid-town Texas Ave/Masonic Dr., 2p.m.  Sponsored by Alexandria Mardi Gras Association.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Chris Chelette:  443-1200 or 623-7359.  www.alexmardigras.com

February 9:  Children’s Mardi Gras Parade, Downtown Alexandria, 10:45a.m.  Sponsored by Alexandria Mardi Gras Association.  Entry fee is $100 per unit.  To download form visit website.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Jenna Bonner:  443-1200 or 542-9084.  www.alexmardigras.com

February 8:  Classic Car – College Cheerleader Mardi Gras Parade, Downtown Alexandria, 4:45p.m.  Sponsored by Alexandria Mardi Gras Association and Hixson Autoplex.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Greg Gormanous:  792-2777.  www.alexmardigras.com

January 31:  LSUA Mardi Gras Parade, Campus of LSUA, 12p.m.  Sponsored by Student Life.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Kyra Turner:  427-4403.

January 26:  Calmex Plastic Model Contest and Show, Managan Center, 1000 McKinley St., Westlake, LA, 8a.m.-5p.m.  Sponsored by Southwest Area Modelers of Plastic.  Three divisions:  adult, junior and pre-teen with over seventy categories.  Free demonstration, vendors, raffle and food on site.  Cost:  Free for vendor showcase and general viewing; visit website for contest entry fees.  Call Robert Leishman:  337-244-9938.  www.ipmsswamp.com

January 20:  Jewish Food Festival, 2021 Turner St., 11a.m.-3p.m.  Sponsored by the Jewish Temple.  In the tradition of New York’s Lower East Side, come and dine on some favorite Jewish foods:  corned beef sandwiches, kosher hot dogs, brisket, noodle kugel, bagels and lox, pickles, falafel and more!

January 19:  Partners in Literacy Scrabble Tournament, Hastings, LA, 9a.m.-5p.m.  Sponsored by Volunteers of America, Central Louisiana.  Support Partners in Literacy and Volunteers of America with this fun way to raise money and promote reading. Competitors will play each other for first, second and third place.  Two divisions offered, youth for those under 18 and adult for those over 18.  Cost:  $25.  Call Lalita Monroe:  442-8026.

January 14, February 11 and March 11:  Moms Club of Alexandria Monthly Meeting, First United Methodist Church of Alexandria, 10a.m.  Come and find out about the Moms Club by joining us at our monthly social, when we discuss upcoming events as well as have some snacks and a fun activity for the kids.  Cost:  $20 a year.  Call Hannah Morgan:  790-6302.

January 4:  Epiphany Service – Burning of the Greens – Gumbo Dinner, St. Rita Church, 5:30p.m.  Sponsored by Alexandria Mardi Gras Association and St. Rita Church.  Gumbo dinner followed by a Service of the Word and Burning of the Greens.  Cost:  Small donation for gumbo.  Call St. Rita Church Office:  445-7120   www.alexmardigras.com.