Is it already time to start planning the next school year? Guess so …

The 2012-2013 kindergartner parent meet and greet for Lakewood Elementary is Thursday, Jan. 26 from 6:30-8 p.m. at 3613 Vintage Place. Teacher Ms. Thompson, the kindergarten team and parents will be on hand to answer prospective parents’ questions. Open to neighbors — just the parents this time —who have children that will be kindergartners in 2012-2013.

Sign up for our newsletter

* indicates required

JL Long Sports Poker Tourney is Saturday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Backyard Beach Bar on Grand Ave., just south of White Rock Lake. This is the time and place, according to promotional material, “to shake off the post-holiday blues with a night of cards, drinks and plunder .“

There will be $4000 in prizes, including a 42: HDTV, Kindle Fire, Stars Tickets, wine tasting for 20 at Times Ten and much more, and profits benefit the neighborhood middle school.

What else? Free eats and cheap beverages all night, professional dealers plus FREE “Poker Primer” lessons. Last year’s event sold out so sign up online now JL Long Poker Tourney.

And save the date: Long’s open house is Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. in the school’s auditorium.