Welcome to your mid-January guide for community happenings around town. With mild winter days and cool evenings, it is a great week to get outside, lend a hand, and enjoy local culture across Slidell.
This Week at a Glance
- Mon Jan 12 - After-School Homework Help, Main Library, 4:00-6:00 pm. Volunteer tutors assist students with math, reading, and science. Parents are welcome to sit in.
- Tue Jan 13 - Winter Nature Walk, Camp Salmen Nature Park, 9:00-10:30 am. A guided stroll highlighting winter birds, bayou edges, and native plants. Bring water and binoculars if you have them.
- Wed Jan 14 - Pickleball Open Play, John Slidell Park courts, 6:00-8:00 pm. All levels welcome. Loaner paddles available while supplies last.
- Thu Jan 15 - Community Blood Drive, Civic Center Hall A, 10:00 am-3:00 pm. Bring a photo ID, eat a good breakfast, and stay hydrated. Walk-ins taken as space allows.
- Fri Jan 16 - Porch and Plaza Music Night, Olde Towne square, 6:30-8:30 pm. Acoustic sets, lawn chairs encouraged. Family friendly.
- Sat Jan 17 - Camellia City Farmers Market, Olde Towne, 8:00 am-noon. Winter greens, citrus, local coffee, and handmade goods. Live chef demo at 10:00 am.
- Sat Jan 17 - Bayou Bonfouca Cleanup, Heritage Park launch, 9:00-11:30 am. Gloves, bags, and grabbers provided. Closed-toe shoes recommended.
- Sun Jan 18 - Family Fishing Basics, Heritage Park pier, 8:00-11:00 am. Casting practice and knot-tying stations. Limited loaner rods for kids.
Good to Know This Week
Parks and paths may be damp after morning dew, so bring a light jacket and shoes you do not mind getting a bit muddy. For outdoor events, pets on leash are typically fine, but check on-site signage. If you plan to attend evening programs in Olde Towne, arrive a few minutes early for parking near the square. For programs with gear to borrow, early arrival improves your chances.
Spotlight: Seasonal Flavor and Community Spirit
King cake season is underway, and you will see plenty of sugar-dusted boxes around markets and meetings. If you are new to the tradition, watch for pop-up tasting tables at the farmers market and community centers this month. Meanwhile, several groups are organizing neighborhood service days; this is a great time to help tidy up common spaces before the height of carnival festivities.
Later This Month
Mark your calendar for these key dates through the end of January:
- Mon Jan 19 - MLK Day of Service. Morning volunteer projects at parks and schools, followed by a unity program in the afternoon. Wear work clothes and bring gardening gloves if you have them.
- Sat-Sun Jan 24-25 - Camellia Bloom Show, Community Center. Gardeners share prized blooms, with short talks on caring for camellias in our climate. Family friendly; children can vote for a People's Choice ribbon.
- Tue Jan 27 - Coastal Resilience Talk, Slidell Library, 6:00-7:15 pm. A practical overview of living with water: rain barrels, native plant buffers, and simple yard fixes.
- Thu Jan 29 - Teen Creative Night, Youth Annex, 5:30-7:30 pm. Button-making, zines, and open mic. Supervised drop-in format.
- Fri Jan 30 - Olde Towne Stroll, 6:00-8:30 pm. Galleries open late with live sketches, casual brass, and hot cocoa stands.
- Sat Jan 31 - January Art and Maker Market, Griffith Park, 10:00 am-2:00 pm. Local artisans, kid craft corner, and a noon demo on rehabbing wooden furniture.
How to Participate
Most events are free or low cost. If you plan to volunteer, bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. For library and indoor programs, light layers help with varying room temperatures. If you need accessibility accommodations, contact the host site a few days in advance so they can set up seating or ASL support where available.
Stay Involved
Have a neighborhood cleanup, club meeting, or youth clinic coming up next week or early February? Share the basics with your community center so it can be added to the bulletin. Until then, enjoy the cooler air, lend a hand where you can, and we will see you around Slidell.
