From chess games and math problems to spelling and debates, middle schoolers will be going toe to toe in several contest rounds on Saturday, Jan 28 at 8 a.m. at McKinley Middle Academic Magnet School, 1550 Eddie Robinson Senior Drive,  during the district’s fourth annual Academic Competition. About 400 students will be representing middle schools from across the district and surrounding area in rounds focusing on various subjects, including a catch-all Quiz Bowl.  Sites represented will include Broadmoor, Capitol, Glasgow, McKinley, Park Forest, Sherwood, Southeast, Staring, West Feliciana and Westale middle schools.

If you ever wanted to learn how to do the Chicago Step, here's your chance.  Steppin' in the Bayou presents a series of events to showcase the ballroom style dance.

The events which will be held Friday, Jan. 27 and Saturday, Jan. 28 include a meet and greet, the Fourth Annual Mardi Gras Dance and Graduation Exercise at the Lyceum Ballroom, 124 Third Street, and a workshop. 

For more information, call (225) 270-9202 or go to www.steppininthebayou.com

Father Greg Boyle, also known as "Father G" to his "homies" who has been an ordained Jesuit priest for 28 years will be the guest speaker at the Power of Hope on Thursday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel.

His impressive academic credentials include degrees from Gonzaga and Loyola Marymount. In the 1980’s, he taught at a parochial high school in Brazil. Upon returning to the U.S., he became the chaplain at Folsom Prison, in Represa, CA.

Serving as founder and executive director of Homeboy Industries since 1992, Father Boyle released his first book in 2010 titled Tattoos on the Heart. Homeboy Industries employs former gang members in its own social enterprise ventures as part of a prisoner re-entry program. Homeboy Industries’ business ventures include a bakery, a café, a silkscreen and embroidery studio, and a full branded apparel line. In preparing for employment, clients have access to a free, on-site tattoo removal clinic.