TURTLES, BLUES, AND A RIVER SWEEP
We hit "send" a little too fast today and accidentally sent you last week's edition instead of the new one. A sharp-eyed reader caught it within minutes (thank you!), and honestly, that's exactly the kind of neighborhood we love being part of.
Here's the real deal this time. In today's Meet Monroe:
- Field Notes from snapping turtles and nature trails at Black Bayou
- Cleaning up our waterways with the annual Ouachita Water Sweep
- 30 years of neighbors with the Food Bank and a blues grand opening
- A win for planetary defense and save-the-dates for the University Mile
Let's get right into it.
Looking up: Exploring the bird exhibits at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge during First Saturday Kids.
Catch the USAF Band of the West live at ULM Brown Auditorium in Monroe this Friday for a moving, free 9/11 commemorative symphonic concert for the whole community.
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Children's Fun Day at the Biedenharn
Bring the kids to Biedenharn Museum & Gardens in Monroe for a morning of creativity, painting black cats in preparation for spooky season. All supplies included.
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Brown Bag Concert Series: Clay LaBeff
Pack a lunch and head to The Pavilion at Seventh Square in West Monroe for free live acoustic tunes from Clay LaBeff. Chairs and cold water are provided on site.
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D.J. Grissom Live at Enoch's
Kick off the weekend early with local favorite D.J. Grissom playing upbeat acoustic sets and classic covers at Enoch's Irish Pub in Monroe.
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Spare Parts Live at El Paso
Sip margaritas and listen to local cover favorites Spare Parts playing classic rock hits on the patio at El Paso Mexican Grill in Monroe.
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Jarrett Bailey Live at Heirloom
Enjoy dinner and relaxed acoustic guitar from Jarrett Bailey on the patio at Heirloom Cuisine in Monroe.
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The Waymores Live at Enoch's
Honky-tonk duo The Waymores bring their vintage country twang and lively roadhouse harmonies to the stage at Enoch's Irish Pub in Monroe.
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Live Music with Pearson Cross
Pearson Cross plays an intimate acoustic evening set featuring folk-rock originals and heartfelt covers on the patio at Heirloom Cuisine in Monroe.
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Mike McKenzie Live at Star Bar
Catch singer-songwriter Mike McKenzie playing southern rock and blues jams late into Saturday night at Star Bar in West Monroe.
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The Matt Dean Band Live at Flying Heart
End the weekend on the patio with craft beer, wood-fired pizza, and southern rock grooves from The Matt Dean Band at Flying Heart Brewing in West Monroe.
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Market on the Square
Shop fresh regional produce, local honey, homemade baked goods, and handcrafted gifts at The Pavilion at Seventh Square in West Monroe.
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Music Bingo at Flying Heart
Head to Flying Heart Brewing & Pub in West Monroe to name that tune, mark your card, and compete for brewery prizes during Monday night music bingo.
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Loud in the Library: Open Mic
Share your poetry, spoken word, writing, music, or visual art at Ollie Burns Memorial Branch Library in Richwood during this creative community open mic night.
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Come From Away
Strauss Theatre Center in Monroe opens its production of the hit Broadway musical that shares the uplifting true story of stranded airline passengers on 9/11.
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masurKIDS Free Drop-In Art Activity
Kids can drop in at the Masur Museum of Art in Monroe anytime between 1 and 4 to create their own mixed-media project with museum art educators.
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The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition
Talented youth performers take the stage at Strauss Youth Academy for the Arts in Monroe to bring Dorothy and the classic tale to life. Tickets are $12 for students and $18 for adults.
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Shake Your Hips: Louisiana Blues Exhibit
Explore Northeast Louisiana's rich blues heritage with historic photos, memorabilia, and rare recordings at Chennault Aviation & Military Museum in Monroe.
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Treat Yourself Tuesday: Open Mic
Share poetry, songs, or comedy, or just relax and listen during open mic night at True Releaf in West Monroe.
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9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
Join local first responders, veterans, and community leaders at Chennault Aviation & Military Museum in Monroe for a morning tribute honoring the 25th anniversary of September 11.
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Ouachita Parish Water Sweep 2026
Lend a hand cleaning our local bayous and riverbanks. Check in at Forsythe Park, Lazarre Park, or Sterlington, with free event t-shirts, breakfast, and lunch for volunteers.
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Baskin-Robbins Food Bank Fundraiser
Cool off with a scoop at Baskin-Robbins on Forsythe Ave in Monroe or 7th St in West Monroe. 15% of all sales support the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana.
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Pub Quiz Benefitting The Renewal Center
Team up for pub trivia at Enoch's Irish Pub & Cafe in Monroe. Tonight's game benefits The Renewal Center's work supporting unhoused neighbors across Ouachita Parish.
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ULM Volleyball vs. McNeese
Cheer on the Warhawks at Fant-Ewing Coliseum in Monroe as they defend home court against in-state rival McNeese in non-conference volleyball action.
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ULM Volleyball vs. Mississippi Valley State
The Warhawks close out their home tournament at Fant-Ewing Coliseum in Monroe with a Saturday afternoon matchup against Mississippi Valley State.
MWM Restaurant Week 2026: September 14-20 celebrating locally owned dining across Monroe and West Monroe.
ULM University Mile 2026: Wednesday, September 23 at 5:30 PM on the ULM campus. An annual community favorite for all ages (and the long-sleeve shirts are in). Details and signups at runsignup.com.
Curry Farms 45th Season Opening: September 26 featuring the pumpkin patch, corn maze, and family farm activities.
The Ark-La-Miss Fair: Returns October 2 in West Monroe with carnival rides and fair food favorites.
Fall Celebration at Black Bayou Lake NWR: Saturday, October 17 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM celebrating the refuge with family activities and exhibits.
| Sunrise | 6:48 AM |
| Sunset | 7:24 PM |
| Moon | Waning Crescent |
| Temp | 97°F / 36°C |
| Sky | Mostly Sunny · Excessive Heat Watch |
| Humidity | 47% |
| River | Ouachita: 18.37 ft |
| Air | Good 38 AQI |
Toss the Trash, Keep the River: This Saturday, September 12, grab gloves for the annual Ouachita Parish Water Sweep from 8:00 to 11:00 AM. Volunteers meet at Lazarre Park, Restoration Park, and Highland Park Wetland Trails to clear our waterways. Participants receive a Texas Roadhouse card and enter to win a $50 gift card to Restaurant Cotton.
Hidden Trail: Looking for a cool, shaded morning walk? A paved path runs along the bayou behind St. Thomas Episcopal Church on the ULM campus (3706 Bon Aire Drive).
Happy 6th: River City Nutrition marks its 6th anniversary this Monday, September 14, starting at 6:30 AM at 302 Bridge Street in West Monroe.
Shake Your Hips: The traveling exhibit Shake Your Hips: Louisiana Blues (from the New Orleans Jazz Museum) opens Monday, September 14 at 6:00 PM at the Chennault grounds (1051 Chennault Park Drive) with live music and refreshments.
RUNNING LATE, TALKING TURTLES
A Saturday morning at Black Bayou Lake
Here's a universal weekend lesson: when swim class ends at 9:45 AM and you think the next stop starts at 11:00 AM, you take your time. You grab a quick bite, pump gas, and cruise.
Except the First Saturday Kids program at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge actually started at 10:00 AM.
We rolled up right at 11:00 AM as families were packing up, but the room was still buzzing. Nineteen kids and 15 adults had gathered at the Conservation Learning Center to learn about six local turtle species, complete with a cardboard alligator snapping turtle and a catchy song ending in "Bubble, bubble, POP!"
My son took one look at the handmade turtle necklaces everyone was wearing, marched right up to the volunteers, and asked to make his own. The Friends of Black Bayou team didn't miss a beat and set him right up.
We took our time wandering through the discovery cottage, testing out the interactive buttons that play bird calls, checking out the bumblebee and insect displays, and watching native fish in the big aquarium.
On the way out, we crossed paths with a group of local naturalists gathered on the porch with hats, boots, and butterfly nets for the annual butterfly count.
The rest of the week had that same community rhythm: an impromptu football toss on Monday with two neighborhood kids who showed off their throwing style, shaded afternoon walks at Forsythe Park, and wrapping up Labor Day weekend sharing food and laughs outdoors. Sometimes running behind schedule still lands you right where you're supposed to be.
30 Years of Neighbors: The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana is celebrating 30 years of community support. On Monday, September 14, both Baskin-Robbins locations (2604 Forsythe Ave in Monroe and 2400 N 7th St in West Monroe) will donate 15% of afternoon sales (3:00 PM to close) to the Food Bank.
Paws & Pottery: Clay and Canvas on Cotton Street is teaming up with River Cities Humane Society for Cats this Saturday, September 12 at 3:00 PM ($60) to throw custom ceramic pet bowls, benefiting shelter animals.
Senior Center Bingo: Seniors at the Monroe Senior Center on Ferrand Street enjoyed a morning of bingo called by City Marshall Cherry, sponsored by Senator Katrina Jackson Andrews, Representative Adrian Fisher, and Attorney Janet Floyd with a catered lunch.
"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir's words rang true this weekend at Black Bayou Lake. Whether you're chasing kids asking for turtle necklaces, running behind on the clock, or watching a monarch butterfly drift past the cypress trees, nature sets its own pace. Speaking of hitting the ground running: ULM's annual University Mile returns Wednesday, September 23rd at 5:30 PM, easily one of our favorite local traditions. Are you lacing up to run it this year, or will you be on the sidelines with us cheering? Hit reply and let us know!
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