Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic Learning and Global Engagement will offer Pick Up Your Brush painting classes on Oct. 15 and 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the second floor of South Hall. The fee is $45. In these classes, students will learn the art of painting using step-by-step instructions to create a masterpiece of their own. No special or prior skills are required. Just relax and enjoy each class. Students will take home a completed painting at the end of every class. The painting on Oct. 15 will be titled “Blushing scarecrow.” On Oct. 29, the painting will be “Corny Cornucopia.” Children ages 7–12 are allowed to enroll, but a parent must accompany the child throughout the class. Parents do not have to enroll unless they participate. All supplies are included. For more information or to register for classes, go to checkout. nsula.edu or call (800) 376-2422 or (318) 357-6355. 

Pine needle basket maker Becky Thomas-Meziere will be named a Louisiana Tradition Bearer by the Louisiana Folklife Commission and honored at a ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front St. in Natchitoches. Serving as a folklife ambassador for the Louisiana Folklife Commission, Dr. Shane Rasmussen, professor of English and director of the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University, will speak with Thomas-Meziere about her lifetime endeavors preserving Louisiana’s traditional folklife. The event is free and open to the public.

A free community haircut event will be held Saturday, October 24, from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the Coushatta Event Center. Organized by Tray Newton with help from community supporters, the event welcomes people of all ages and genders to receive a free haircut or touch-up. Attendees can also enjoy music and a positive atmosphere while connecting with others in the community. Organizers hope to build on last year’s event and encourage everyone to come out and take advantage of this free service.

The Red River Tourism Commission will host its 2nd Annual Fall Fest on Saturday, October 24, from 1 to 6pm at the Coushatta Ball Park. The afternoon will feature live music by Jeremy Fruge & the Zydeco HotBoyz, along with a performance by the Rangerettes. DJs Sirlo J and BJ Taylor will also provide music throughout the event. Food vendors and other activities will be available during the festival. Organizers are also inviting food, craft, retail, business and community vendors to participate. There is no vendor fee, but a vendor form must be completed before participating. For vendor forms or additional information, contact Chandra Wilson at 318-564-0031.

CHRISTUS Coushatta will host a Trunk or Treat celebration on Friday, October 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the clinic parking lot. Families are invited to bring their children out for an evening of Halloween fun and treats. The event will offer a festive opportunity for local families to celebrate the season together.

Louisiana Christian University ranks No. 2 for the safest campus and best value in the state among the 20 universities evaluated by Niche.com in its 2026 Best Colleges list. Niche.com is a rating and review website that rates and reviews facets of the college
experience. LCU earned an A- in safety and diversity and a B+ in best value.

November 7 is set to be a big Saturday for college football, with six matchups featuring teams currently ranked in the AP Top 15. One of the biggest games for Louisiana fans will be No. 6 Alabama visiting No. 10 LSU in Tiger Stadium. Other featured matchups include Miami at Notre Dame, Georgia at Ole Miss, Oregon at Ohio State, BYU at Utah and Texas at Missouri. The rankings shown are current as of publication and may change before game day.