Do any schools in the area collect these Box Tops for Education? I have some I want to donate.

Many schools accept them, along with Community Coffee Cash for Schools UPC panels and Campbell’s Soup labels.

A list of Box Top schools is available at the program’s website, www.boxtops4education.com. Some Lake Area participants listed there:

Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School.

Cypress Cove Elementary.

Dolby Elementary.

E.K. Key Elementary.

Frasch Elementary.

Gillis Elementary.

Grand Lake High.

Hackberry High.

Hamilton Christian Academy.

Holy Family School.

Immaculate Conception Cathedral School.

J.J. Johnson Elementary.

Johnson Bayou High.

Lake Charles Charter Academy.

Lakewood Christian Academy.

LeBleu Settlement Elementary.

Maplewood Middle.

Moss Bluff Elementary.

Oak Park Elementary.

Pearl Watson Elementary.

R.W. Vincent Elementary.

Reynaud Middle School.

S.J. Welsh Middle.

T.S. Cooley Elementary.

W.T. Henning Elementary.

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Online: www.communitycoffee.com; www.labelsforeducation.com.

UPDATE: Shutdown closes boat bay

The Informer a few weeks ago answered a question on the Calcasieu Lake weirs and the Grand Bayou boat bay, which the state opens only when water salinity in the marsh is at target levels.

The column last Wednesday featured an update, which said the boat bay — the entrance to Cameron Prairie’s East Cove Unit — had been opened thanks to the effects of heavy rains.

Later that day, the American Press posted online a short notice that debunked rumors that the boat bay would be closed in the next day or two, and the boat bay remained open into the weekend.

But Tuesday’s shutdown of certain federal agencies and services included the closing of all lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including the Cameron Prairie, Lacassine and Sabine refuges.

The recorded message for the boat bay access hotline — 855-532-9955 — explains the situation:

“Due to the federal government shutdown, the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge and the boat bay at Grand Bayou are closed until further notice. Once the federal government shutdown is resolved in Washington, an evaluation will be conducted of the salinity and other conditions to determine whether the refuge and boat bay can be reopened. Check back here for updates. If you have any questions, please contact Chuck Perrodin, public information officer for Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, at 225-342-7615.”

A final note: Rockefeller Refuge, which is owned by the state, is unaffected by the federal shutdown.

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Online: www.doi.gov/shutdown.

The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098, press 5 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com

(mgnoline.com)