25th Anniversary Dinner: The Forum celebrated 25 years of business with a dinner 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at Ernest’s Orleans Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge. Publisher Jay Covington welcomed about 50 contributors to the dinner and thanked each of them for their help in creating a successful 25 years in the publishing industry. Guest mingled with appetizers and beverages at the social hour. Ernest prepared an exceptional dinner selection of Pane’d chicken, filet mignon, fried shrimp and Snapper Shreve. Dessert was a decadent selection of bread pudding or cheesecake.

United Way Kickoff: “Healthy Happy Hour” was the theme of the 2013 community campaign kickoff of the United Way of Northwest Louisiana. It was held Aug. 20 at Sam’s Town. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana sponsored the event. Dr. Bruce Willson, president and CEO, and Jack Andres, campaign chairman, gave remarks and the campaign video was shown.

AdvoCare: The annual AdvoCare V100 Bowl/Northwestern State Kickoff Luncheon held Aug. 22 at Superior’s Steakhouse featured the Demons’ new head football coach Jay Thomas and NSU’s director of athletics, Greg Burke. Thomas previewed the Demons’ 2013 season and discussed the team’s progress during preseason camp. Former State Rep. Billy Montgomery received a special bat for “swinging a big stick” for his assistance in getting the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches.

Ambassadeurs: The coronation for the Krewe of Ambassadeurs out of Minden was held Aug. 24 at DiamondJacks. “Shall We Dance?” was the theme. Rockin’ Rick provided the music for the black-tie-optional event, and there was a silent auction as well.

Book-signing: A former Baton Rouge State-Times and Advocate sports editor/columnist Sam King signed copies of his book Aug. 25 at Barnes & Noble. For 35 years, he covered LSU sports on the “Tiger Beat.” The book gives readers a humorous and anecdotal glimpse into LSU football, basketball and a stride-by-stride account of Billy Cannon’s historic Halloween Night punt return in 1959.

Trivia Night: The AdvoCare V100 Bowl hosted its seventh annual Trivia Night on Aug. 24 inside the club level of Independence Stadium. Guests ate dinner before beginning the categories of sports, college football, history, entertainment and lists. There were prizes for the top three teams, as well as door prizes, including bowl game tickets, airline tickets, autographed memorabilia and various gift cards.

Baby shower: A baby shower for Tina Kallenberg was held Aug. 24, given by Sandi Kallenberg, Heidi Kallenberg and Kimberly Schlosser. The shower was at the home of Sandi Kallenberg.

Baron’s Ball: The Shreveport Convention Center played host to the 2013 Baron’s Ball, presented by the American Cancer Society on Aug. 24. The event featured a silent and live auction, mechanical bull rides, casino gaming and live music by Bret Vidrine. David Alvis’ Silver Star Smokehouse provided delicious dinner for the event. Ali Aaron from Cumulus Radio and Ron Young from KSLA served as hosts for the evening.