As all eyes are now focused on the Gulf of Mexico and the latest storm, Gustav, all of us should be in the hurricane preparedness mode.  Please don’t wait until the weekend to get your batteries, water and non-perishable goods.  Whether or not Gustav hits the coast of Louisiana, these items will not go to waste.  Also remember that there will be more traffic on the road as those coastal residents evacuate for higher ground so you may want to run your errands now, too.  Stay tuned to the local news stations in Baton Rouge for updates on forecasts because we don’t want to be caught off guard.  With all this in mind, here’s what’s going on in West Feliciana this weekend and next but check before you go in case something has been postponed.

Farmer’s Market

Rain or shine, they are always there!  Check out the latest produce this Thursday from 1 pm – 5 pm at the 4-H barn.  Last week there were plenty of bellpeppers of all colors, pumpkins, squash, local honey, fresh baked goods, fresh cut flowers, yard eggs and much, much more.

Music at the Mag

Friday night, August 29, it’s the Delta Drifters at the Magnolia Café.  Next Friday, September 5, Gary Bello is scheduled to perform.

Life in a Slave Cabin

The interpretive staff at Audubon State Historic Site offers Life in a Slave Cabin on Saturday, August 30 which invites visitors to explore the lives of the workers on a plantation by visiting where they actually lived.  For more information, call 635-3739.

Ahoy, Matey!

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site presents Did You Know: Pirates on Saturday, September 6 from 11 am until 2 pm.  Learn the different types of pirating and the famous people that made their livings as pirates.  For more information, call 635-3110.

Victorian Finery

Audubon State Historic Site presents this two-parter on Saturday, September 6.  What the Other Time Wore begins at 10 am until noon, and guests will hear about historic clothing, what was worn, who wore it and why for the early 1800s.  Then from 2 pm until 4 pm it will be What the Victorians Wore.  Guests will learn what the well dressed lady and gentleman of the early Victorian era (1850 – 1870) was wearing.  For more information, call 635-3739.

Grave Rendering

Sunday, September 7, from 2 pm – 4:30 pm, at Locust Grove State Historic Site, the process called grave rendering will be taught using the stones of the inhabitants of the Locust Grove cemetery.  For more information, call 635-3789.

That’s all that I have on my calendar.  Remember to call before you go in case times have been changed or events have been postponed.  And let’s all pray that this storm is not as bad as is predicted.  Stay safe!

White Linen Night

It’s the last chance we have to wear the white linen and seersucker, and we’ll have a grand time, too!  This Saturday night, August 23 starting at 6 o’clock pm, St. Francisville Main Street Merchants are throwing a party, and it’s a doozy!  Highlands Bank is providing their popular trolley for transportation to and from all the different shops so find a place to park and hop on.  Each of the shops will have musicians or artists and are paired with a restaurant providing samples.  There is a map showing all the participants at www.stfrancisvillefestivals.com, and maps will also be provided on the trolley.  You’ll be given a “White Linen Night Card” to be validated at each stop for a special gift at the end of the night.  Here’s the line-up: 

MILES BLAIR SALON - 5951 Commerce St.; Artist: Kristen Wray

HILLCREST - 5943 Commerce St.; Refreshments by: Confections by Michelle; Music by: Z Squared!!

AVONDALE ANTIQUES - 5877 Commerce St.; Refreshments by: Oxbow; Music by: Laughing Lizard String Band 6:00 - 7:30

TRENDS SALON - 5755 Commerce St; Refreshments by: Varnadoes; Artists: Lisa Horn, Meg Bankston, Kelli Douglas, Margo Solier

THE WINE PARLOR - 5720 Commerce St.; Music by: Adrian Percy and Friends; Artist: Jill Janss

ST. FRAN. TOWN HALL - 11936 Ferdinand St.; Artist: Blue Goose Media

NEXT TO MILLER ON MAIN - 11917 Ferdinand St.; Music by: Big Shakin

MILLER ON MAIN & THE MASSAGE CLINIC- 11911 Ferdinand St.; Refreshments by: Cypress Grill

ST. FRANCIS ARTS & ANTIQUES- 11914 Ferdinand St.; Music by: Tim & Bonney Brown

BETTER BODIES & BRITCHES & STITCHES- 11890 Ferdinand St.; Refreshments: Smoothies; Artist: Ken Stewart

WFP LIBRARY - 11865 Ferdinand St.; Refreshments by: Sonny’s Pizza; Artist: Linda Fox

THE SHANTY TOO - 11770 Ferdinand St.; Refreshments by: Eight Sisters; Demonstration by: Ooh La La

WFP MUSEUM - 11757 Ferdinand St.; Refreshments by: Que Pasa; Artist: Copperwood Studios

HARRINGTON GALLERY - 9907 Royal St.; Refreshments by: Heirloom Cuisine; Music by: Sweet Olive 6:00 - 7:00

OLD MARKET HALL - 9896 Royal St.; Refreshments by: Nine Oaks Design; Artists: Nine Oaks Design; Music by: Kevin Johnson

GRANDMOTHERS BUTTONS - 9814 Royal St.; Refreshments by: Audubon Café; Artist: Hank Schlau; Music by: Nancy Roppolo

BACKWOODS GALLERY - 5701 Commerce St; Refreshments by: Magnolia Café; Music by: Laughing Lizards String Band 7:30

BIRDMAN COFFEE - 5695 Commerce St.; Artists: Arabie Birdhouses; Arts for All Market

SAGE HILL GIFTS - 5622 Commerce St.; Refreshments by: Heirloom Cuisine; Artist: Donna Kilbourne

Don’t miss out on the fun!

Farmer’s Market

Another way to support our local merchants is by visiting this market each Thursday from 1 pm until 5 pm at the 4-H barn on Wilcox Street.  Our parish’s farmers are out there each week to provide you and your family with fresh produce, and they’ll be there until the first frost.

Live Music

At the Magnolia Café on Friday, August 22 – Late Evening; Friday, August 29 – Delta Drifters

Life on a Plantation

The interpretive staff at Audubon State Historic Site offers this program for the next two weekends in August from 10 am until 4 pm.  This Saturday the program, Curing the Sick, will feature medical practices on the plantation.  On Saturday, August 30, Life in a Slave Cabin, invites visitors to explore the lives of the workers on a plantation by visiting where they actually lived.  For more information, call 635-3739.

High Noon

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will demonstrate the different types of duels fought throughout history and the rules that governed them.  They’ll also discuss the most well known duels and duelists in history.  Join them on Saturday, August 23 at, well, High Noon of course.

Pirates . . . arrrgh!

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site presents Did You Know: Pirates on Saturday, September 6 from 11 am until 2 pm.  Learn the different types of pirating and the famous people that made their livings as pirates.  For more information, call 635-3110.

Victorian Finery

Audubon State Historic Site will feature What the Victorians Wore on Saturday, September 6 from 2 pm until 4 pm.  Guests will learn what the well dressed lady and gentleman of the early Victorian era (1850 – 1870) was wearing.  For more information, call 635-3739.