Since its inception in 2008, Auctions in August has raised $946,000 for hundreds of non-profits. Auctions in August is a silent auction Gulf Coast Bank hosts & facilitates beginning August 1st and ending August 30th. Items are available for bidding at each our 19 branches and online. The auction is open to everyone: bank employees, customers, and the general public. Please consider donating a gift certificate, unique gift, or priceless item that will attract bidders and help us raise funds for your favorite non-profit organization. Donors are able to choose which non-profit they would like 100% of the proceeds from the sale of their items to benefit. For more information, please feel free to contact [email protected] with any questions.

JPSO is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2019 Citizen's Academy! It runs on Thursdays from 6-9 pm beginning on September 19. Come get a behind the scenes look at all divisions within JPSO that make us one of the best around! Spots always fill up quickly, so be sure to get your application in as soon as possible. You can find the application by clicking on this article.

Miss Creole Gumbo reigns as an ambassador for the Bridge City Gumbo Festival for one year. Being Miss Creole Gumbo is about community, involvement with other Fairs and Festivals, Friendships and allaround Fun. Promoting the Gumbo Festival is a chance of a lifetime. As Miss Creole Gumbo, you will get to experience Louisiana at its best and do fun things along the way like; pick strawberries in the fields, have orange eating contest in Plaquemines Parish, race down the levee in a cardboard box, shuck Oysters in Amite, race frogs in Rayne, light bonfires, and so much more. Most of this is on the weekends with a group of other festival queens you will soon call sisters. As Miss Creole Gumbo you will receive a trophy, two beautiful embroidered banners, signature personalized Gumbo crown (outgoing). She will receive a travel reimbursement up to $50 or each of the 12 mandatory events. Her chaperone will also receive the same travel reimbursement (see details in contract). An award of $1,000 on odd years, i.e. 2019, 2021, 2023, will be payable to the Queen upon fulfillment of signed contract. On even years, i.e. 2020, 2022, 2024 Miss Creole Gumbo will represent the Gumbo Festival at the Mystick Krewe of Louisianians Washington Mardi Gras Ball held in our Nation’s Capital, Washington D.C. Entry and accommodations will also be paid for her to represent the Gumbo Festival at the annual Louisiana Fairs and Festivals (LAFF) convention held in Baton Rouge. During this weekend, Miss Creole Gumbo will compete for the title of Queen of Queens. After almost a full year of traveling the state of Louisiana as an ambassador for the Gumbo Festival, she will reign over the Gumbo Festival enjoying a fun-filled weekend welcoming visitors from across the state. As she ends her reign Miss Creole Gumbo will host visiting queens from across the state, during the coronation ball weekend, in a weekend of fun activities including staying at the cabins at Bayou Segnette, a swamp tour and many other fun activities. This weekend will be the culmination of a year of travel and fun as Miss Creole Gumbo. However, although your reign will end you will always be a member of the past queens club with opportunities to stay involved in the strong tradition of the Gumbo Festival. If you are a Catholic young lady between the ages of 17-23 by January 2020, Natural born female and a citizen of the United States, single status, never having been married or cohabitated with anyone, no children and have never been pregnant, currently do not hold a binding title, have never been convicted of a crime, are of moral character, reside on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish (minimum 1 year), and/or the daughter / granddaughter of an active parishioner of Our Lady or Prompt Succor or Holy Guarding Angels (minimum 1 year). YOU could be the next Queen of the World Famous Bridge City Gumbo Festival. Please read full details by clicking on this article. The deadline is August 30, 2019.

This year marks two decades since GACC opened its doors at 519 Huey P Long Avenue. The Center's Museum interprets the unique German immigrant contribution to Louisiana's history through exhibits, lectures, and events. Free of charge, the museum is open from 10 am to 3 pm Wednesday through Saturday. In recognition of the center's 20 years, a special exhibit of photographs will debut on July 24 entitiled, "From Mechanickham to Gretna: German Families, Events and Landmarks."

Clarence Acosta died Friday June 28, 2019 on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Clarence served faithfully at St Joseph Church & Shrine for many years as an Altar Server. His funeral will be on Wednesday July 3, 2019 at St Joseph Church & Shrine. Visitation is from 10 am to 11 am and Mass will begin at 11. Please come and pay your last respects and keep Clarence and his family in your prayers. Well done good and faithful servant. Come and receive the place prepared for you since the foundation of the world.