Happy weekend, CenLA! In today’s happening-today edition: Puppy yoga, a first mayoral bid, and a cheer squad on the rise + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around CenLA protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Teamwork in motion: Inside Natchitoches Flipping Athletics, cheerleaders hone trust, timing, and tumbling. Fueled by peers and coaches, they train and travel nationwide to represent their Natchitoches gym and make friends -- meet the cheer squad.
Community celebration awaits: Alexandria will celebrate America’s 250th with free Rock the Red on July 4 at the Riverfront Amphitheater and Mini Park, featuring live entertainment, patriotic programming, and activities for all ages -- see what’s planned.
First campaign announcement: Local businessman Lorenzo Davis Sr. launched Alexandria mayoral bid, becoming the first to publicly campaign for the Nov. 3 election. He earned over 4% in 2022 and prioritizes youth -- follow the mayoral bid.
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Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Park it close: Need a clean, no-fuss spot for your rig that’s actually close to Alexandria and Pineville? Alexandria RV Park keeps things simple with full hookups, long level sites around 75 feet, and a quiet setting that works for visiting family, remodel downtime, or a low-key weekend reset.
Weekend fairway fix: Whether you're dusting off the sticks or chasing a personal best, Oakwing Golf Club blends CenLA bayous, rolling hills, and undulating greens on a Jim Lipe design that stretches 7,043 yards, with on-site pros, a driving range, night golf availability, and a legit bar and grill to celebrate afterward.
Pinch, peel, repeat: Pop's Crawfish & Seafood is your local fix when the craving hits hard, with Cajun comfort that tastes like weekend even on a Tuesday. Skip the kitchen shuffle this week, let the pros handle the boil and fry while you focus on the important part, pinching and grinning.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🏀 City of Natchitoches Basketball Showdown @ MLK Recreational Center | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Juneteenth energy meets hometown hoops, with our best local players trading buckets and side-eye for bragging rights. Bring the family, the folding chairs, and your loudest clap. Expect spirited play, neighborly ribbing, and that easy Natchitoches fellowship we keep bragging about.
📚 Historical Fiction Book Club: Fortune Of Sand @ My Secret Shelves (Pineville) | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Whether you root for the auto barons or the artists, this book club chews on Fortune of Sand, a 1927 Detroit tale of smoky glamour, grift, and women who refuse the gilded frame. Expect juicy family power plays, locked doors, and satisfyingly sharp conversation.
🧘 Puppy Yoga @ Fighting Hand Brewing Company (Pineville) | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Ready for a workout where panting is encouraged? Puppy Yoga is a relaxed flow with actual puppies wandering through your poses, equal parts stretch, snuggle, and laughter, ideal for creaky hips, stressed minds, and anyone fine with a little fur on the mat.
🧸 The Muse Teen Plushie Making Workshop @ Alexandria Museum of Art | Saturday (6/20) at 1:00 PM – If your teen needs a break from scrolling, The Muse has a plushie-making workshop where they learn stitching basics and conjure tiny creatures and animals. It is free for ages 13 to 19, registration required, and participants must be newly 13 within the last month.
📘 Beginner Lessons @ Bam With Mary Anne (Alexandria) | Saturday (6/20) at 6:00 PM – Swap your crossword for clacking tiles and learn American Mah Jongg in a relaxed, welcoming class, no experience required. You’ll get the NMJL card decoded, tiles and the Charleston demystified, etiquette covered, and your first game played, materials included, bragging rights pending.
⚔ Battle at the Red @ Johnny Downs Sports Complex (Alexandria) | Saturday (6/20) – Feel like reliving your glory days without the pulled hamstring? Battle at the Red brings softball showdowns to Alexandria, with dugout banter, big swings, and concession-stand nachos. Bring a lawn chair, sunscreen, and your best umpire side-eye.
🚗 Wild About Wheels @ Alexandria Zoo | Sunday (6/21) at 11:00 AM – If your Father’s Day plan is stuck in neutral, head to Alexandria Zoo for big trucks, keeper chats on flamingos and red river hogs, and chaos. He explores rigs, kids craft cards, and dads, dads-to-be, and grandpas ride train free with a ticket purchase. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The CenLA report Weather forecastToday — High: 91°F — Low: 76°F — Precip: 56%
Patchy fog and a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then patchy fog and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7am and 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and 10am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and 4am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tomorrow — High: 93°F — Low: 78°F — Precip: 21%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. This house is wildSet on more than an acre in Rapides Parish with a Dry Prong address, this 4-bed, 3-bath home balances roomy comfort and easy accessibility. New kitchen appliances, a separate dining space, and a wood-burning fireplace add charm, while French doors open to a covered patio. A detached garage, concrete parking, gardenias, and magnolias complete the scene.
Take a peek inside → |
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