The LHSAA, (Louisiana High School Athletic Association), ranks Louisiana high school football teams using a system called the “Power Ratings”. The final week 10 ranking for Central High School was a Power Rating of 12.4 and a Strength Factor of 8.8, placing the team 19th in the state in Class 5A. The only team in this district with a higher ranking was Catholic High which was ranked fourth in the state.

Qualifying for the Central Community School Board ended last Friday. According to the Louisiana Secretary of State website, the following candidates have successfully qualified to run for office:

DISTRICT 1 – Morris Anderson, D -Russell Starns, R

DISTRICT 2 – W.

The following school board candidates have qualified for the elections set for October 4, 2008. We are planning to post statements from all candidates as we get them. Please check back so we can all make an informed decision about who we want to vote for. If you are not sure what district you are in, you can find the map at the following link: http://www.centralcss.org/starnet/media/PDFs/CSB7-3PlanModified2.pdf. If you can’t click on the link, just cut and paste in your address bar.
DISTRICT 1
Morris Anderson, D
Russell Starns, R
DISTRICT 2
W. “Marty” Guilbeau, R
DISTRICT 3
Darren Pizzolato, N
Graydon David Walker, R
DISTRICT 4
Willard “Will” Easley, R
Wade Richard, R
DISTRICT 5
Tammy Briscoe, R
Jim Gardner, R
Charles Hinton, R
DISTRICT 6
Wyndi Bonvillain, R
Gerry Edgens, D
Ruby Wallette Foil, R
DISTRICT 7
Sharon W. Browning, R
Jeff Martin, R

Just a reminder…the last day to register for Wildcat Youth Football is July 13th from 12-5pm at the Central High main entrance.

Below are the qualified age divisions:

Ages 6-8

Ages 9-10

Ages 11-12

***The cut off birth date for each division is August 1st.***

There will be a blood drive held at Blackwater United Methodist Church, 10000 Blackwater Road, Sunday July 20th from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. This blood drive is not limited to members of Blackwater Church. The whole community is encouraged to participate. During a typical month the OLOL Blood Donor Center, according to their website, must draw blood from at least 2,500 donors to meet the blood needs of patients in our community. Donations tend to fall off during summer months, but the need for blood continues. A single blood donation can save the lives of three patients. Please come out and meet your neighbors and help save a life!!

Area residents can buy a discounted backyard compost bin, pick up some free mulch and learn how to recycle residential yard waste on Saturday, July 19, 2008. Compost bins that retail for $100.00 will be sold for $30.00 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. (or while supplies last), at the Louisiana Department of Insurance, Receivership Office, located at 6945 Florida Boulevard in Baton Rouge.

Twelve hundred of the “Earth Machine” compost bins will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis in this city-subsidized program. The Earth Machine is made of black recycled plastic, has an 80-gallon capacity, 10-year warranty, snaps together easily, and can fit into most cars. It does not have a motor. ExxonMobil ExC!TE volunteers will be on hand to distribute the bins. The first 100 people who purchase a compost bin will receive a free kitchen pail. Nature’s Best Organics will be giving away free mulch by the container or scoop while supplies last. Bring a container and load your own, or one scoop per pickup truck.

The LSU Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners and the EBRP Recycling Office will offer an Education Expo to teach residents how to use the compost bins, as well as how to practice other “yard smart, earthwise” measures, such as grass cycling and mulching. The Recycling Foundation of Baton Rouge will demonstrate the new automated recycling collection program and provide information on home recycling.

The event will take place rain or shine in the parking lot of the Louisiana Department of Insurance Receivership Office Located at 6945 Florida Boulevard.

Call the EBRP Recycling Office at (225) 389-5194, or consult our website at www.brgov.com/dept/recycle for more information.

Click here: http://www.brgov.com/dept/recycle/pdf/binflyer.pdf

Source: www.brgov.com

Magnolia United Methodist Church invites all children 3 years to 5^th grade to join us for Vacation Bible School, July 21-25, from 9am to noon. This year’s theme is Beach Party “Surfin’ through the Scriptures”. There are lots of activities with a snack included. Pre-registration is encouraged. Come by or call the church office (261-2789) for a registration form between 9am-noon. Registration starts at 8:30 am on Monday.

CentralSpeaks.com is dedicated to presenting fair and accurate news of interest to the people of the City of Central. We also recognize that many important issues in Central do result in reasonable people having valid differences of opinion. The editorial page exists for that very reason. Anyone wishing to express an opinion regarding an issue facing our community is encouraged to write a letter to the editor and e-mail it to editor@CentralSpeaks.com. Responsibly stated opinions may be selected by the editor for publication. If opinions to the contrary are also submitted then or at a later date, we will endeavor to publish that opinion as well. Letters will be edited for appropriateness and grammar and every effort will be made to present the writer’s opinion in its entirety.

Clean-Up Day was a huge success! On June 21, citizens of Central came out and supported their city and collected large amounts of trash. Fox’s Pizza Den, Wal-mart, Dennis Stewart Waste Services and Central City News helped sponsor this event.

The 10th Annual Central Student Prayer Banquet will be held at the Central High gym, 10200 E. Brookside Drive. Special guest speaker will be B.J. Harris, a christian illusionist.

Student tickets are free, adult tickets $10 and are available at Crossroads Animal Hospital, Central Fire Station and The Central Chamber of Commerce.

This event is for all middle school, high school, and college-aged students in the Central community.