By Kevin Chiri

Got a reminder recently from my friend Sandra Chaisson that the River Region Arts and Humanities Council is gearing up for their annual fundraiser, this year with the title of “Denim & Diamonds.”

The event is always a fun one, with a live auction featuring decorated cowboy hats by local businesses and organizations.

This year you should plan to attend the gala event at Destrehan Plantation on Saturday, May 3 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., on River Road. The party will be held in the Mule Barn in the back of the property.

I got to know Sandra when she put on a former fundraiser, which was a memorable one to be sure. It was called “Herons in the Hall,” and RRAHC got many local folks to paint small sculptures of herons.

It was a lot of fun for those who participated, and equally as much fun for those who saw the herons on display. There were prizes for the best ones, and then the herons were auctioned off for the charity event.

It just so happens I got asked to paint one as well, but I solicited the help of my teenager daughter Vicky, who did a very cool looking heron that was dedicated to her favorite band Switchfoot.

Of course I ended up buying the heron, and it sits in my front foyer at home, providing what I think is a most unique bit of decoration when you enter my home.

This year the fundraiser will take on a western theme with “boots, bolas, diamonds and denim,” but the truth is that the River Region Arts group is mostly just looking for your money so they can continue to support arts in the region. Heck, that’s a pretty good idea and you need to dig deep to support it.

For tickets to the event, so you can enjoy the party and have a chance to bid on the special pieces of art, call 985-764-9596, and talk to Sandra.

Here is a good joke my wife sent to me, obviously as a joke, since we are first-time married people to each other. But the joke is still a funny one.

A man and his wife were sitting at a table at his high school reunion, with the man staring at a drunken woman swigging her drink, as she sat alone at a nearby table.

The wife asks, “do you know her?”

“Yea,” he said. “That is my old girlfriend. I understand she started drinking right after we split up those many years ago, and I heard she hasn’t been sober since.”

“My gosh!” the woman responded, “who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?”

The River Region Chamber of Commerce is holding a great seminar on Wednesday, April 30 from 9 to 12 noon, giving you a chance to learn more for your business about customer service.

The Customer Service Seminar for businesses in the River Parishes will be held that day at the St. James Public Relations Building, located at 1876 W. Main St., Lutcher.

Diane Lusher will be making the presentation to attendants.

Admission to the seminar is $25 for Chamber members, and $40 for non-Chamber members.

This is a great seminar for any business, since those who are in management know that excellent customer service frequently keeps customers with you, even if prices may not always be the same.

For more information on attending, and to see if there are still spots left, contact the Chamber office at 359-9777, or e-mail to info@riverregionchamber.org.

 Check out these typos in a church bulletin:

“Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say ‘Hell’ to someone who doesn’t care much about you.”

Kevin Chiri is Publisher of L’Observateur and can be reached at (985) 652-9545 or at kchiri@bellsouth.net