Fillinganeed
BY EVAJACOB BARKOFF
Contributing writer
Many families have troubleaffording them, but school uniformscan be important to learning,saidRacquel Johnson,a social worker at Walter L Cohen High School.
“When they (students)look good,
they feel good, anddon’thave the additional weight of potential embarrassment weighing them down. This increases the opportunity for our students to achieve.”
That’swhy Cohen is takingpart this yearfor the first time in the school
Kids about to start kindergarten got a preview of what to expect recently at the Louisiana Children’s Museum, where theygot to practice using scissors, packing
Living in south Louisiana, it is not uncommon to encounter wildlife such as raccoons, squirrels, opossums, birds, snakes, foxes or coyotes. Spotting awild animal, however,does not necessarily mean that it needs help.
Wild animals typically do not need human assistance unless they areinjured or are babies thathavebeen orphaned. Birds and mammals, such as rabbits,squirrels, raccoons, skunks,opossums andbats, usually keep their distance from humans and companionanimals, so interaction is rare.
If someone comes across an injured animal
or an animal clearly in distress, though, it’s best to call for help so the proper wildlife agency can get the animal the care it needs.
Aboutbirds
First,let’stalk about birds. The old saying
“If you touch ababy bird, themother will reject it,” is simply false. Butthink the situa-
Babybirds in anest at the Audubon Nature Center in New Orleans. What wouldyou do if youfound one that had fallen out?
ADVOCATE PHOTOBY VERONICA DOMINACH
ALangston Hughes Academy student gets helpfrom social worker Catheryn Major to getrid of the wrinkles on hisnew shirt in 2022.
FILE PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER
Elvia Oveh patiently awaits asnack.
Ariyanna Oates, 4, picks out her lunch in the ‘practice’ cafeteria.
Tiana Hawkin handles alunch trayatthe pretend cafeteria.
Road closurewebsite lauchesahead of SuperBowlLIX
Staff report
Greater New Orleans Inc.ispreparing locals for Super Bowl LIX in February2025with thelaunch of nolastreets.info.
The website will provide infor-
mation aboutmajor road closures and infrastructureupdates within the New Orleans entertainment districttoprovide aquick and easy way for residents to see which roads are currentlyclosed or partially closed at any given time.
ANIMAL
frompage1G
it
If
If there are safety concerns because it’sahigh
PROVIDED PHOTO BY THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF LOUISIANA
The just-approvedlicense platewill help supportgroups thatrehab wildlife.
habilitation may also beable to assist. Call (504) 717-9767.
If an adult bird or pigeon is on the ground and can be approached, it is likely injured and needs medical attention.
Aboutmammals
For mammals, it is importantnot to handle any wild animals. Some carry rabies, plus they may bite out of fear or pain. Calling aprofessional is best if an injured animal is found. If ababy squirrel is found it may have just fallen out of the tree and should be left alone and observed from a distance.
The mother is likely nearby and will help her baby back up the tree. If the mother doesn’treturn, the baby needs to be kept warm and help should be called for further instructions.
Abox or sheet can be used to catch or containaninjured bird or mammal, but it is not wise to touchany wildlife with bare hands.
Whom to call
Local parish shelterstypicallydonot respond to calls for wildlife unless ahuman or animal has been bitten or attacked.
n For orphanedorinjured wildlife, call the Department of Wildlife &Fisheries at (800) 442-2511 for dispatch or (504) 284-2023 for the local office.
n Silent Voices Wildlife Re-
n Alist of additional Louisiana permitted wildlife rehabilitators be found at www wlf.louisiana.gov/page/permitted-wildlife-rehabilitators.
Newlicense plates
Duringthe recentlegislative session,abill was passed creatingaspecialtylicense platetosupport wildlife rehabilitation efforts. Proceeds will be distributed to licensed wildlife rehabbers through grants.
Another new platewill honor and support theHumane Society ofLouisiana. Visit www.expresslane.org to learn more aboutspecialty license plates and how toget one.
Events
AUG. 17:Dog daysofsummeryappy hour takes place at Urban South Brewery 1645 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, from 1p.m. to 5p.m Urban South Brewery will donate$2abrewtoAnimal Rescue New Orleans. Adoptable dogswill be on sitefrom 1:30 p.m.to5:30 p.m. For more info email adopt@animalrescueneworleans.org.
Traci D. Howerton is the volunteer manager for Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO), anonprofit, volunteerbased, no-kill shelter For more information on ARNO, visit www animalrescueneworleans. org.
Key features of nolastreets. info include detailed information on areas impacted by construction, estimated completion dates for each project, identification of agency ownersresponsible for the projects, and an interactive map
in
of
and
Creative combos
COLLEGES
PHOTO BY SUZANNE C. GRIM
Don’t handle awild animal that’sfallen or injured
Dancers gather journals as partofthe program.
Adetermined dancer leaps in the air
Young dancers find their positions.
Drummers set the beat for dancing
STAFFPHOTOSBYMATTHEW PERSCHALL
Dancers performduring the NOLA Youth Town Hall.
uniform drive sponsoredbythe nonprofit La-Adopt-A-Family program. Entering its 31st year,the program has provided generations of elementary,middle and high school students with uniforms.
“Wehelp studentsinNew Orleans schools first since the greatest need is in the city,” said Kevin Buckel, president of theprogram since its inception. “Weget requests from the surrounding area schools and in most cases, we can fill them.
“Last year,wehelped 637 students with anew uniform.”
The group has raisedover $1 million in the past 30 yearsand has spent100% of the donations on school uniforms, according to its website.
School socialworkers help identify needy students.
“The students are either in school with no uniform or not attending school because they don’thave a uniform,” Buckelexplained. “We try to get the names of the neediest students.”
At Cohen High,20students are receiving uniforms
“By providing uniforms for families in need, this program has aided in supporting scholar identity and eliminated barriers to social and emotional functioning in peer interactions,” said Johnson, the social worker Buckel works with area uniform shopstosellthe uniforms at cost, using money from donations.
“Weallocate $50 per student,” Buckel said. “In most cases, each student gets two tops and one bottom. And the donors receive a thank-you note from the students.”
All donations are tax-deductible, he added.
Zachary Harrisonisa site coordinator for Communities in
Schools GulfSouth at Langston Hughes Academy.Asa social worker,Harrison hasworked with Buckel for the past three years to identify students at the academy who need uniforms. This year,20students will receive ashirt and apairofpants
with the option of an additional shirt or pants, he said.
“This program is extremely important to them as theuniform costs have become amajor financial strain on families. And in my experience, studentsand their families have shown immense
gratitude for the school uniforms.”
For Buckel, the most rewarding parts of the program are the thankyou notes thestudents write to the donors.
“I send allthe notes and their receipts back to the donors,” Buckel said. “Reading the notes each stu-
dent sends notonly touches me, but it touches the donors as well.” If your child needs auniform, contact the school’ssocial worker he or she attends. For moreinformation about La-Adopt-A-Family Program, go to la-adoptafamily com.
FILE PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER
ALangston Hughes Academy student models his newschool uniformshirtin2022 as socialworker Catheryn Major,left, and another student watch.
COMMUNITY
AUDUBON ZOO: To celebrate the 52-year tenureofthe zoo’s president and CEO, Ron Forman, prices on Aug. 17 will be $19.72. Guests areencouraged to don their favorite bell bottoms, flowerpower, peace signs and other ‘70s threads. Admission to Cool Zoois$10 for members, $13 for nonmembers. CoolZoo is open weekends only through Labor Day. audubonnatureinstitute.org.
GLASS RECYCLING DROP-OFF: Glassroots will accept glass for recycling on Aug. 15, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the Algiers Regional Library,3014 HolidayDriveinNew Orleans. It will also accept glass Aug. 16, 10:30a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Milton H. Latter Memorial Library,5120 St. Charles Ave. in NewOrleans,and on Aug. 20, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.,in the yard at Alvar Library,913 Alvar St. in New Orleans. WINGSPAN FORWETLANDS
COMPETITION: An evening of strategic board-gaming fun featuring the bird-centric, card-driven game Wingspan, will be held on Aug. 17 at Skeeta Hawk Brewing, 455 N Dorgenois St. in New Orleans. Afreenew-playertutorial begins at 5:30 p.m., and competition begins at 6p.m Registration for competitors is $10. All fees and aportion of food and drink sales go to support forested wetland restoration in Louisiana. www woodlandsconservancy.org
WYES COASTAL EXPO: This free event, to be held Aug. 17, 1-4 p.m.,will showcase coastal organizations from across the state to establish greater community awareness about coastal restoration efforts. It will be held at WYES,916 NavarreAve.in NewOrleans,onthe campus of Delgado Community College. WYES.org.
CULTURE COLLISION: The kickoff to the cultural season will be held Aug. 28, 5:308:30 p.m., at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline DriveinMetairie. The free happyhour introduces potential audience members, volunteers, patrons and artists to the diverse mix of arts organizations. www.culturenola.com.
MERMAID PARADE: KreweDu Fool hosts its parade along the river front from St. Philip to the Audubon Aquarium, 1 Canal St. in New Orleans, on Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m. Mermaids, mermen, sea creatures, fish pirates and sailors areinvited to participate. Fees are$25, with proceeds benefiting the Audubon Institute educationdepartment (504) 444-3604.
MOVIES
“A STREETCARNAMED
DESIRE”: The Classic Movie Evening on Aug. 15 will be the Tennessee Williams melodrama set in New Orleans. It will be shown at 6p.m. at the River Ridge Library,8825 Jefferson Highway in River Ridge. www.jplibrary.net.
SHORT-FILM SCREENING: Women in Film &Television in Louisiana will host an afternoon of short films on Aug. 17, 3-6 p.m at Big Couch, Suite 101 at 1045 DesireSt. in New Orleans. Ticketsstartat $12.50 via Eventbrite. www wiftlouisiana.org.
“DUNE: PART TWO”: The 2024 science fiction sequel based on the novels by Frank Herbert will be shown Aug. 17, 2-4:45 p.m., at Rosedale Library,4036 Jefferson Highway in Jefferson. www.jplibrary net.
“FIELD OF DREAMS”: The SaturdayMovie Matinee is the baseball fantasyset in an Iowa cornfield. It will be shown at the North Kenner Library,630 W. Esplanade Ave. in Kenner, on Aug. 31,1-3 p.m. www.jplibrary.net.
“THE COLOR PURPLE”: The 2023 musical based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novelwill be shown Aug. 31, 2-4:30 p.m., at Rosedale Library,4036 Jefferson Highway in Jefferson. www.jplibrary net.
CULTURE&CONCERTS
SURVIVAL THROUGH SONG: The Chabad Jewish Centerof Metairie presents “AnEvening with Holocaust Survivor Saul Dreier” on Aug. 14, 7p.m., at the JeffersonPerforming Arts Center,6400 Airline Drivein Metairie. Dreier, who worked at Oskar Schindler’s factory during World WarII, is the founder of the Holocaust Survivor Band. Tickets start at $15. www.jewishlouisiana. com. HNOC CE SOIR: The Historic New Orleans Collection will host acelebration Aug.14, 4:30-8 p.m., at the Collection, 533 Royal St. in NewOrleans. The event will featurelive music and free Italian Ice from Angelo Brocato for the first 100 guests. The café and shop
the Pavilion of theTwo Sisters at the New Orleans Botanical Garden, 1Victory Ave. in New Orleans.Aug.15isAudrey LeCrone &the Crawzaddies. Aug. 22 is the Pfister Sisters. Admission is $15. NewOrleansCityPark.org. BATTLE BONDS AND BEYOND: WWII’SUNOFFICIAL CLUBS: The National WWII Museum’s dinner with acurator series continueswith adiscussion of the camaraderie that led to the formation of manyunique groups and exclusiveyet unofficial clubs, which often had strange and oddly specific criteria for membership. The dinner and presentation will be Aug. 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m.,at BB’s Stage Door Canteen, 945 Magazine St. in New Orleans. Tickets are$80. www.nationalww2museum.org. CANDLELIGHT AT THE CA-
BILDO: Mark AnthonyThomas and members of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra will perform aprivate concert featuring songs spanning the generations to celebrate the ministry of Next Generation Clubs on Aug. 16, 6p.m., at the Cabildo State Museum, 701 Chartres St. in New Orleans. Tickets start at $250 and include access to the after party.www.nextgenclubs.com.
JEWISH CULTURAL ARTS SERIES: The New Orleans Jewish Community Center’s series celebrates Jewish authors, music, film, and art each month. The fall 2024 lineup kicks off Aug. 15, 4-6 p.m with ascreening of LexGillespie’s documentary,“The Catskills.” The food-and-film experience will takeplace at the JCC, 5342 St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans. Free; RSVP required via Eventbrite. nojcc. org/culturalarts. BOOKS SATURDAY WRITER’SCLINIC:
Getcollege applicationadvicefromanexpert
BY JANE LEGROS Contributing writer
Another college application seasonisaround the corner,and stress may already be building forteens and their parents. The New OrleansPublic Library is ready to help with apresentation by author and college admissions expert Irena Smith.
Smith will visit the library via ZoomonAug. 15 to discuss her memoir “The Golden Ticket:A Life in College Admissions Essays.”
Parents and educators can attendthe program to learn constructive and healthy ways to approach the college application process, preserve relationships, and help students define success on their terms instead of chasing the elusive golden ticket.
Smith’stalk starts at 1p.m. and will last about an hour.Visit nolalibrary.co/irena-smithtoregister and submit your questions for the author
SEEDS OF CHANGE: Aspiring gardeners are invited to the Milton H. Latter Memorial Library,5120 St. Charles Ave., on Aug. 17 for a seedling starter class withBar-
celo Gardens. In this hands-on session, attendees will learn the skills to take seeds all the way through to harvest,including:
n Ways to start seeds beyond thetraditional method of starting
in pots.
n How and when to transplant into alarger container or into the ground.
n What soil to use in each stage of the growing process.
n Best planting choices for the
summer and early fall seasons.
All attendeeswill also getthe opportunity to practice their skills by planting something to take home.
Barcelo Gardens is acommunity garden and fresh produce market in Upper 9th Ward New Orleans, dedicated to helping people learn to grow and providing access to fresh produce.
This program is foradults and is sponsored by Friends of the New Orleans Public Library
BLAZING TRAILS: The Historic New Orleans Collection’sexhibit “The Trail They Blazed” is on display at the Main Library,219 Loyola Ave., until Aug. 23
The traveling exhibitionwas built collaboratively with the community that participatedin the local civil rights movement and those working to preserve its legacy
It includes stories of boycotts, public school desegregation, the Congress of RacialEquality, the 1963 march on City Hall, the many people who supportedthe movement, voter registration and education efforts, and activism in the Desire neighborhood.
Historic New Orleans Collec-
tion curator Eric Seiferth will lead apanel discussion at the Main Library with NewOrleans civil rights legends Leona Tate, Dodie Smith-Simmons, Malik Rahim, Edwin Lombard, and more on Aug. 17 from 1p.m. to 3p.m. Their conversation will focus on their experiences andthe making of the exhibit.
AUTHOR TALK: New York Times bestselling author Shelby Van Pelt will visit the NewOrleans Public Library via Zoom to talk abouther beloved novel “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” Tune in on Aug. 17 at 6p.m. to learn more about VanPelt’s charming novel, whichhas sold over 1.5 million copiessinceits 2022 publication. The explorationoffriendship, reckoning, hope andmore is a reminder that sometimestaking ahard look at the past can uncover afuture thatonce felt impossible.
Visit nolalibrary.co/van-pelt to register for the event and to submit your questions for the author.
Jane LeGros is the director of marketingand communications for the Orleans Parish Library
dinner buffet, bingo games and more. All proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit Asian Pacific American Society of New Orleans. Space is limited. Tickets are$70 at Eventbrite. apasnola.com.
ST.BERNARD VFCFASHION
SHOWLUNCHEON: The St. BernardVolunteers for Family and Community will host afundraising luncheon on Aug. 24, starting at 10:30 a.m., at the Maumus Center, 721 Friscoville Ave. in Arabi. Proceeds go to scholarships, food banks and other parish organizations. Tickets are $40. Clittle1936@gmail.com; (504) 723-8157.
HONORS
MUSIC INFLUENCER AWARD: The Cutting Edge Music Conference will honor Greg Lambousy, executive
director of the NewOrleans Jazz Museum, on Aug. 23, 7:30 p.m., at the George and JoyceWeinHeritage Center, 1225 N. Rampart St.inNew Orleans.Lambousy has led the museum since 2016. Free RSVP requested. festguide@ gmail.com.
TRUMPET AWARD: Cutting Edge Conferences andEvents will presentWaltLeger III withanaward honoring culturalleadership on Aug. 23, 1p.m., on the secondfloor at the InterContinental Hotel, 444 St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans. Leger is president and CEOofNew Orleans& Co. cuttingedgenola.com.
CLASSES
CUTTING BOARD WORKSHOP: Community Workshop NOLA will host aworkshopled by Ben Dendy on Aug. 15, 5:308:30 p.m., at 3142 CalhounSt. in New Orleans. Participants will learn the safetyand use ofthe drill press,routertable, bandsawand sanders toget cutting boards.Materials are
included in the $80 cost of the class. Register through Eventbrite. www.communityworkshopnola.com.
CIVIC LEADERSHIP ACADEMY:
The the eight-week program begins Aug. 22, 6-8 p.m., at City Hall in the Enterprise Community Conference Room (8th Floor/8E10), 1300 Perdido St. in New Orleans. The program, which provides participants an in-depth look at city government, is for residents 18 and older. Each of the Academy’s interactivesessions will be led by representatives from city departments or guest lecturers. Free, but thereisa substantial time commitment. nola.gov/cla.
CAKE DECORATING: Whitney Oliver, pastry supervisor at Ralph Brennan Bakery will demonstrate the art of cakedecorating on Aug. 22, 6-8 p.m., at Café NOMA, New Orleans Museum of Art, 1Collins Diboll Circle. Participants will followalong with their ownmini caketodecorate and takehome. Registration
is $55. www.cafenoma.com/ the-art-of-summer/. AARP SMARTDRIVER CLASS:
The four-hour class will be presented Sept. 4, 5-9 p.m., at the Ochsner/Elmwood Fitness Center in the Elmwood Shopping Center, 1200 S. Clearview Parkway in Harahan. Open to anyone 50 and older. Completion mayqualify participants for adiscount from their car insurance. Preregistration required.
MEETINGS
NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: The Vernon L. Landry Chapter 1398 of NARFE will hold its monthly luncheon Aug. 14, beginning at 11 a.m., in the Sicilian Room at Rocky and Carlo’s Restaurant &Bar,613 W. St. Bernard HighwayinChalmette. All activeand retired federal and postal employees areinvited. Pamela.e.mark1953@gmail. com. ST.BERNARD VFC: The next
Malaya createdMentor Milo, aplatform connecting studentsand counselors Mentor Miloisacontemporarymethod forcommunication between studentsand counselors. Throughthis software, counselors canschedule meetings, store information and moreeasily connectwithstudents. The programwill first be developed as aweb application and then expanded to mobile devices. Malayashares
he resourcesprovided by school counselorsled me to competein national debate tournaments, enroll in early collegewithRiver Parishes CommunityCollege, and applyfor the YoungEntrepreneurs Academy. It would be ideal if all studentscould receive the individual attention Ireceived.”
Shell congratulatesMalayaon building a productdesigned to help studentsreach their fullest potential!
To keep thebranding fun and recognizable,Malaya’s business planfeatures her
meeting of the St. Bernard Volunteers for Family and Community will be held on Aug. 15, 10:30 a.m., in the Sicilian Room at Rocky &Carlo’s Restaurant, 613 W. St. Bernard HighwayinChalmette. www facebook.com/st.b.vfc/.
DUTCH OVEN SOCIETY: The Wego Cookers, part of the Louisiana Dutch Oven Society, will gather Aug. 17 in pavilion 7atBayou Segnette State Park, 7777 Westbank Expressway in Westwego. Set up begins at 9a.m., and sampling of the creations begins at 11:30 a.m. Free, but park entrance fee of $3 is required for those under 62. (504) 7561853 jheiken209@gmail.com.
INTERNATIONAL ESSENTIAL
TREMOR FOUNDATION: The Greater New Orleans area support group for those affected by essential tremor, aneurological condition that affects an estimated 10 million Americans, will meet Aug. 20, 6:30 p.m., in the Old Metairie Library,2350 Metairie Road in Metairie.
The meeting topic is adaptive/helpful eating utensils. neworleanset@gmail.com, (504) 298-2140.
SPORTS YOUTH GOLF: Registration is open for fall youth golf, to be held on Thursdayafternoons at Cypress Lakes in Ormond, 10 VillereDriveinDestrehan, and
MALAYA MORRISisduallyenrolled as aDutchtown High School junior participating in theRiver Parishes CommunityCollege EarlyCollege Option program. Sheisonthe road to a future filled with unlimited possibilities. Sheisone of 22 graduatesofthe 2024 YoungEntrepreneursAcademyBaton Rouge(YEABR),auniquelearning experience guidingtoday’s youthas they transform intotomorrow’s business leaders.
YEABR, an after-school programlocated on LSU’scampus, teaches high school studentshow to create,execute and pitch business plansfor funding.
Part of anationalorganization, YEABRis sponsored by theBaton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC), LSUE.J.Ourso College of Business, and LouisianaEconomicDevelopment (LED) Each year,YEA BR comestolife throughthe enthusiastic supportofareabusinesses
As asponsor of YEABR, Shell supports programscholarships forstudentsin Ascension Parish,wherethe company employs morethan600 people at its Geismar facility.
Foradditional information about YEABR, visit yeabr.org. Applications forthe 2024-25 programare accepted throughAugust18.
ADVOCATE FILE PHOTO BY ARTHUR D. LAUCK
