Thefirsttime that Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson walked into the Ernest M. MorialConvention Center during her office’s annual Thanksgivingholiday event she immediately jumped in to help.
“I brought platesoffood to the tables for our guests and then took time to talk to many of them,” Hutson recalled of her experience three years ago. “You could immediately feel it was holidays, and that is how it should be. It was truly an amazing, experience, and Iamexcited to celebrate its 50th anniversary.”
This year,more than 2,500 people are expected to attendthe
event planned for Thanksgiving Day,Nov.28, from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. atthe convention center.Those attending include parish residents whoare economically insecure, residing in assisted living facilities and homeless shelters.
In addition to atraditionalholidaymeal, there will be raffles,coat giveaways andlive music by wellknown performers IrmaThomas, Leo Nocentelli andother surprise guests
Casey McGee, chief communications officer for theSheriff’s Office, said the event needs about 200 volunteers.
“Weask volunteerstoassist with distributingthe holiday meal, greetingguestsand ensuring guestshave an enjoyable time,” McGee said. “Wealsoneed help with settingand breaking down theevent.”
Transportationfor theevent is provided.
continue to do so,” Sams said. “I see this celebrationasaplace of caring and an opportunity for others to give back to the community
“This is achancefor those who otherwise would be alone to have agood meal and spend time breaking bread with others.”
Sams saidfood is donated by Summit Correctional Services, the contractor that provides mealsfor the jail and the staffkitchen.
“And there are several other companies that donate things like rolls and drinks,” she added.
Hutson saidshe is excited for her office to again host the celebration, marking its 50th anniversary
“This department has atough job to do every dayand the event is our wayofgiving,” Hutson said. “Welove this community and want to support the city and its citizens in any waywecan.”
student at Southern University
Office, volunteered for the Thanksgiving program when she was a
Timolynn Sams,the director of externalaffairs for theSheriff’s
“My sorority,Alpha Kappa Alpha, volunteered each year,and I
For more information about the eventortovolunteer,gotowww opso.gov
Mutuallybeneficial:
Studies show that pet ownership can have lotsofadvantages for older people, including health benefits.Owningapet offers increased opportunities for exercise, contributes to overall feelings of purpose,combats loneliness andprovides opportunities to socialize with others.
Senior pets are often great options for senior people because they are usually calm, quiet and usually require less maintenance. Itseems like ano-brainer,right?
Sohow do we connect senior people with seniors of the four-legged variety?
With the holidays approaching, City Park Conservancy is preparing for the holiday light show, Celebration in the Oaks. The event, which is City Park’s largest annual fundraiser,reportedly draws more than 135,000 visitors each year
Senior people paired with senior cats
New Orleans animal welfare organization SpayMart has just the program to make these connections happen. Its innovative Seniors for Seniors Program pairs senior cats (7 years andolder) with senior humans (65 andolder) for amatch thatbenefits both. As part of the program,adoption fees for seniors are waived, and SpayMartcovers necessary veterinarycare for the first 30 days as well as an annual wellness checkup. ASpayMart volun-
teer is also paired with each adopter to answer questions and providesupport, as needed. “Owning apet reduces depression loneliness and stress,” saidSpayMart co-founder Lynn Chiche. “Itisa win-win program,providingasenior citizen withalifelong companion and asenior cat withaloving home.”
Mary Fiser, 77, adopted Maxfrom SpayMart last month. She wasdrawn to him because of his quiet nature, which was so different from an activekitten
“There wassomething abouthis calmness, his face, his demeanor that spoke to me,” Fiser said. “Something Iwas looking formyself, an animalwho wasquieter,not running around zoomingthrough thehouse every morningat6:15 a.m.”
Maxliveduptoher hopes and more, being apeaceful companion while shereadsor watches TV andsleeping withher at night
The benefits of the Seniors for Seniors Program motivated Fiser to adopt Max.
STAFF FILE PHOTO BY SCOTT THRELKELD
Orleans Parish Sheriff SusanHutson, right, talks to JerryCook at last year’sevent, which servedthousandsofmeals.
Orleans. Thursdayhours are10a.m.-6 p.m.Friday hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdayhours are10a.m.2p.m. The sale includes thousands of used books, puzzles, CDs, DVDs andvinyl. Free. libguides.uno.edu/friends/friends.
NOLA FOOD FEST: The festivalshowcasing morethan 40 local and national restaurants, eateries, cafes and food trucks will be held Nov. 23, 1-8 p.m., at CongoSquareinLouis Armstrong Park, 701 N. Rampart St. in New Orleans. Activities include live bands, games and interactiveexperiences. Tickets start at $6 via Eventbrite. Kids8and underare free www.TheNolaFoodFest.com.
WORDS &MUSIC FESTIVAL: Theevent will be held Nov. 20-23 at the Andre Callioux Center for Performing Arts and CulturalJustice, 2541 BayouRoad in New Orleans.Activitiesinclude thePatty Friedmann WritingCompetition,presentations by artists and scholars, acelebration of the literary lineageof theBlack Arts Movement and Kalamu ya Salaam, theLate Night Lit tribute to the late FrankieBeverly andmore. wordsandmusic.org.
CROATIAN BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION: The associationwill celebrate its150th anniversary on Nov. 24. An anniversary Mass will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 8968 LA 23 in Belle Chasse at 12:30 p.m., with alunch following at the Croatian American Society House, 220 Croatian WayinBelle Chasse. The event will include an exhibit of artifacts brought by members and their familieswhen theyimmigrated, Croatian musicand dancing, and adiscussion of life in America. Tickets: $100 for adults, $50 for teens and freeunder 12. cbanola.com.
TURKEY DAYRACE: The New OrleansAthletic Club’sannual Thanksgivingrace starts and ends at TadGormley StadiuminNew Orleans City Park on Nov. 28. Registration opens at 7a.m., with the Kids Half Mile Race beginning at 8a.m. The five-mile run/walk beginsat 8:30 a.m. Registration startsat$25. Proceeds benefit Spina Bifida of Louisiana. runsignup. com ARTS MARKET NEW ORLEANS: The market showcasing 300 rotating vendors from the region will be held Nov. 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m at Marsalis HarmonyPark, 8211 S. Claiborne Ave. in NewOrleans. www.artsneworleans.org
CHRISTMASTOY DRIVE: Adrivefor new, unwrapped toys takes place through Dec. 6, sponsoredbyNew Orleans Recreation Development Commission, Mobilization at Xavier andthe City of New Orleans. Donationscan be taken to all NORD reccenters,greenway, tennis centers, pools, City Hall lobby/foyer and Xavier University locations. nordc.org.
THANKSGIVING GIVEAWAYS
H.O.P.E. FEST: Helping Our People Eat Fest, a free community celebration to help put food on the tables of New Orleanians in need this Thanksgiving, will be held Nov. 23, noon2p.m., at Bishop McManus Academy, 13123 I-10 Service Road. The event will include a turkey giveaway, with one turkey per address on afirst-come, first-served basis; food, live music and more. citychurchnola.life.
THANKSGIVING GIVEAWAY: Greater St. Stephen Ministries will giveway nonperishable itemsonNov.24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at 5600 Read Blvd. in New Orleans East. All itemswill be first come, first served. www.houseofgreater org.
THANKSGIVING GIVEAWAY: Queendom Aesthetics will host aturkey and ham giveaway on Nov. 26,noon-5 p.m., at 1125 N. Rampart St. in New Orleans. One hundred hams and turkeyswill be given away.Items will be available on afirst-come, first-servedbasis. queendomaesthetics.com.
MOVIES
COMMUNITY MOVIE NIGHTS: Centered Church will host free movies at Samuel Square, 2100 Napoleon Ave. in New Orleans. “The Secret Life of Pets” will be the featureNov.22, 7-9:30 p.m.centeredchurchnola.com.
CULTUREAND CONCERTS
ARMY JAZZ AMBASSADORS: The Army’s touring big band will be in twofreeconcerts. On Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m., it will be at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Drivein Metairie. Spots can be reserved through Ticketmaster. The group will perform again Nov. 21, 7-9 p.m., at L.B. LandryHigh School, 1200 L.B. Landry Ave. in New Orleans.
THURSDAYSONTHE RIVER: The free concert series continues at Spanish Plaza, 500 Port of New Orleans Place in New Orleans. Live performances for the month include Jazz and Blues Night on Nov. 21 with Treme Brass Band
Teens, tweens canjoin book parties, volunteerdays
BY JANE LEGROS
Contributing writer
There’slots going on for young peopleinthe coming weeks at New Orleans Public Libraries. Check out teen volunteer days, aspecial interactive storytime,and a book party VOLUNTEER DAYS: Youths ages 14 to 18 can earn servicelearning hours at the New Orleans PublicLibrary’s teen volunteer days,coming up at two branches.
On Nov.20from 4p.m. to 6p.m., the event will be held at East New Orleans Regional Library,5641 Read Blvd.
On Nov.23from 2to4p.m., teens can gather at Algiers Regional Library, 3014 Holiday Drive. Participants will get the opportunity to serve their community,becreative, and socialize, all while earning volunteer hours. Registration and completion of teen volunteer applications are required. Visit nolalibrary.org/teens for more information.
STORYTIME: The library and BlackBox NOLA are teaming up to presentaninteractive storytime on Nov.20 from 5p.m. to 6p.m. at Nora Navra Library,1902 St. Bernard Ave. It will be based on the life
of Dr.Charles Drew,apioneering Black scientist and medical professional from the 20th century Black Box NOLA aims to bring engaging, educational Black history programming into the classroom and other learning spaces. Alondra Eugene founded Black Box in2021.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library BOOK PARTY: “Keepers of the Lost Cities” fans ages 6to12 are invited to abook party celebrating the popular series on Nov.23. Stop by the Children’sResource Center at 913 Napoleon Ave. between 10:30 a.m. and noon for slime-making, geode-cracking and themed snacks.
Haven’tread the series? No problem. The party is open to all. Registration is appreciated. Visit events.nolalibrary.org to sign up. The library holds book parties for kids every month at adifferent library location Book parties are sponsored by the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library
Jane LeGros is the director of marketing and communications for the New Orleans Public Library
and Alicia Renee akaBlue Eyes. Performances are5-8 p.m. www.riverwalkneworleans.com.
BATTLE OF THE BANDS &GREEK SHOW: The annual band competition that is part of the BayouClassic showdownbetween Southern and Grambling universities will be held Nov. 29, 6p.m., in the Caesars Superdome. Tickets start at $43. www.caesarssuperdome.com.
BOOKS
“NEW ORLEANS,ALITERARYHISTORY”: Author and professor T.R. Johnson will shareinsights from his book on Nov. 20 at 6p.m.atHistoric BK House &Gardens, 1113 Chartres St. in New Orleans. Admission is $10 for nonmembers and $5 for BK House members. www.bkhouse. org.
“ALLIGATORSTEW”: Author Jeanette Weiland will launch and sign her children’s book at Dickie Brennan’s Acorn Café in the Louisiana Children’s Museum, 15 Henry Thomas DriveinNew Orleans, on Nov. 20, 5-7 p.m. The free event includes adult and kids’ sips and snacks. Reservations arerequiredthrough Eventbrite. Copies of the book are$19.95 and can be preordered through the museum. Book sales benefit the Louisiana Children’s Museum and KID smART. lcm.org.
TWISTED RIVER POETRYSERIES: Old Arabi Lighthouse Records and Books will host a Nov. 21 reading starting at 7p.m.byKayla Min Andrews, Cid Galacia and Cate Root, followed by an open mic. The Old Arabi Lighthouse is at 234 Mehle St. in Arabi.
“GARYAND HIS LITTLE FRIEND JERRY”: Author Adam Dennis will read from his children’s picturebook on Nov. 23, 11 a.m., at the Garden District Book Shop, 2727 Prytania St. in New Orleans. Glitter Up NOLAwill be in attendance, and kids areinvited to peruse their glitter collection and get their face decorated. gardendistrictbookshop.com.
“WHATTOCOOK WHEN YOUDON’T FEEL LIKE
COOKING”: Author Caroline Chambers will appear at Garden District Book Shop, 2727 Prytania St. in New Orleans, on Nov. 23, 1-3 p.m. Tickets start at $40 via Eventbrite and include asigned copyofher book. At 6p.m. Chambers will host aVIP dinner at Commander’s Palace, 1403 Washington Ave. in New Orleans,with a cocktail hour and aseated three-course meal along with signed copies of her book.Tickets for the evening start at $250 via Eventbrite. www.gardendistrictbookshop.com.
FUNDRAISERS/GALAS
FOUNDERS BALL: The Louisiana Museum Foundation will hold its black-tieevent at the Cabildo on Jackson Square, 701 Chartres St. in New Orleans, on Nov. 22. Apatron party will be held 6:30-8 p.m.with aspecial presentation recognizing 2024 Founders Ball Honoree Bill Goldring, followedbythe gala, 8-10 p.m., with liveCajun music, local cuisine, and more. Tickets start at $150. www.thelmf.org.
MATTRESS
SAVINGS EVENT
IMPROVISATIONS GALA: The fundraiser for the New Orleans Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade Ave. in New Orleans, will be Dec. 7, 7-11 p.m with the theme, “Aquatic Gardens,” and will featureperformances, an online auction, and access to the museum’s exhibitions. Tickets start at $150 via Eventbrite, with VIP packages available.
YULE EVENTS
Legion of Mars krewehonorsveterans
Staff report
The Legion of Mars Mardi Gras Krewe hosted its annual Veterans Day lunch recently at the VA Hospital in downtown New Orleans Krewe members served 400 veterans and hospital employees. During the event, the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health CareSystem hosted an exhibition wheelchair basketball gamefeaturing the New Orleans Saints Wheelchair Football Team versus theSLVHCS staff.
TheLegion of Mars and krewe caption Rico Alvendia, the king of Washington Mardi Gras 2025, alsosupport the Mars Hero Fund, a
nonprofitthat supports veterans, active and reserve military,aswell as first responders andtheir families.
The krewe raised more than $13,000 for the fund at a golf tournament earlier this month.
Alvendia hasnamed the Mars HeroFund as the King’s Charity for 2025.
Alvendiaco-founded the Legion of Mars alongside a group of combat veterans aiming to celebrate both past and present military members and first responders.It’sthe only Mardi Gras Parade with amembership composed of active duty and veteran military, first responders and patriotic civilian friends andsupporters.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY SPAYMART MaryFiser with her senior cat, Max
SENIOR
Continued from page1G
“Knowing they provided acat who had been vetted and cared for made a big difference,” Fiser said “Also, that they wouldbe there to provide support through the cat’slife, and mine. It eases any worries about adopting at this time of my life.”
November is Adopt aSenior Pet Month, the perfect time to bring asenior person and senior pet together Senior cats and dogs are often harder to place because most families are looking for ayounger pet to adopt. To learn more about the Seniors for Seniors Program or to see senior cats available for adoption at
SpayMart,visit Seniors for Seniors–SpayMart or email adoptions@spaymart.org
Events
NOV. 24: AYappy Hour for ARNO will takeplace at Port Orleans Brewing Company,4124 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, from 1p.m. to 4p.m. Meet adoptable dogs, andaportion of sales will bedonated to ARNO. Applicationstofoster or adoptare available. For more info: adopt@animalrescueneworleans.org.
Traci D. Howerton is the volunteer manager for Animal Rescue New Orleans,a nonprofit, volunteer-based, no-kill shelter.For moreinfo on ARNO,visit www animalrescueneworleans. org.
PETOFTHE WEEK
PROVIDED PHOTO
Stevie is a7-year-old cuddle bug who’sablind Chihuahua andPomeranian mix. He is super smartand finds his way around his foster home easily.Heplays well withthe small foster puppyhecurrently lives with. For moreinfo, email adopt@animalrescueneworleans.org.
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Veterans mark Veterans Day at lunch with the Legion of Mars krewe
Willow School science teachers receive honors
Staff report
Cindy Ferrara, high school environmentalscienceteacher at The Willow School won a $10,000 Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge grant, awarded by the National Science Teachers Association and Carolina Biological.She used herfunds to enhance environmentalscience classes with new laboratory equipment. Middle school science teacher Jodi Sanchez has been named the 2024 Louisiana Science Teachers Association Outstanding Middle School Science Teacher of the Year.Her award includes a$400 cash prize, aplaque andformal recognition at theLSTAawards ceremony
COLLEGES
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY: Loyola
Presents in the School of Music &TheatreProfessions will perform the modern adaptation of the 15th-century moralityplay “Everybody” through Nov. 23 at the LowerDepths Experimental Theater in the Communications/ MusicComplex at Loyola University,6363 St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans. Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. for evening performances, 2p.m. for matinees. This playcontains strong language and themesof death and dying. Tickets start at $8. cmm.loyno.edu.
UNIVERSITY OF HOLYCROSS:
Cynthia A. Thomas will be the keynote speaker at the 28thannual prayer breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 22 at the Blessed Basil Moreau Center on the UHC campus in Algiers, 4123 Woodland DriveinNew Orleans. Thomas, a 1997graduate of UHC with amaster’s in education, serves as the president of St. Mary’sDominican High School. Tickets startat$60. plopez@uhcno.edu.
BEN FRANKLIN MIDDLE: Benjamin Franklin Middle Mathematics & Science School ispartnering with Southern UniversityofNew Orleans to introduce acybersecurity program for eighth grade students, preparing them for futureeducational and career opportunities. Students in SUNO’s cybersecurity program will assist BFMS teachers with classroom instruction.
WARREN EASTON CHARTER HIGH:
The Warren Easton choir will host a concert on Nov. 22, 6:30 p.m., in the Arthur Hardy Auditorium on campus, 3019 Canal St. in New Orleans. Otherlocal school choirs, including McDonough 35, Kennedy,Booker T. Washington andFrederick Douglass, will join in. Proceedswill go for the Easton’s choir’s trip to New York. Tickets start at $30.
THE WILLOW SCHOOL: Prospective students ingradesK-12 and their families can attendanopen house at one of the school’s New Orleans campusesinNovember and December.LowerSchool, 7315 WillowSt., will hold open houses for grades K-4 at 6p.m. Nov. 20. Students entering grades 8-12 can attend tour the High School on the Elijah Brimmer campus, 5624 Freret St., at 5p.m. on Dec. 5. willowschoolnola.org.
HYNES CHARTERSCHOOLS: Hynes will hold open house tours at its threeschools: the Hynes-Lakeview campus (PreK3-8), 990 Harrison Ave. in NewOrleans, Hynes-UNO campus (K-6, growing each year to K-8), 1901 Leon C. Simon Drive,and the HynesParkview campus (K-8), 4617 Mirabeau Ave. Tours are8 a.m. on Nov. 21, and Dec. 5. Participants must register. ID isrequired. hynesschool com/admissions.
NOCCA: Applicationsare open now through Jan.17, 2025, for the New OrleansCenter for CreativeArts. Students interested in pursuing training with the regional, professional arts trainingcenter can receiveintensiveinstruction in a variety of fields. Admission is by audition only.Auditions areFeb. 15 and22. app.getacceptd.com/nocca.
DISCOVERY SCHOOLS: Discovery Schools will holdopen houses: Kenner Discovery’s lowerschool (grades PreK-4) will be 5:30-7 p.m. on Jan.22, 2025, at its Maine Campus, 2504 Maine Ave, in Metairie.The open house for Dr. John Ochsner Discovery (grades PreK-8) will be held 5:30-7 p.m.on Jan. 15,atDJOD 1108 Shrewsbury Road in Jefferson. www.discoveryhsf.org.
BROTHERMARTIN HIGH: AThanksgiving holidaybaseball camp for boys 6-12 will beheld9 a.m.-noon Nov. 25-27onE.A.Farley Field at the school, 4401 Elysian Fields Ave. in NewOrleans. The three-day camp will emphasizefundamental skills with Coach Jeff Lupoand the varsity coaching staff andplayers. The cost is $135 percamper, withregistration
The Brother Martin High School Crusaders celebrated Homecoming 2024 with apresentation of its homecoming courtduring halftime of the Nov. 8football game with Holy Cross. Escorts were members of the Brothers of the Sacred HeartAlumni Association. Homecoming courtmembers are, from left, Sophia Becnel, Mount Carmel; Emma Cruikshank, Mount Carmel; 2023 Homecoming Queen Lily Diaz, 2024 Homecoming Queen Gabriella Brent, St. Mary’s Dominican; GabrielleCummiskey, Mount Carmel; RileyDanos, St. Mary’sDominican; and Seren Rodriguez, Mount Carmel
PROVIDED PHOTO
NOCCA students receiving awards at the National Association of Teachers of Singing SouthernRegional Competition were, from left, TimothyDavis, NOCCA Academic Studio; Tyree Arso, Eleanor McMainSecondary School; Jonathan Tran, Ben Franklin High School; Susi Cuartas, NOCCA AcademicStudio; AcasiaHenry, Ben Franklin High School; Clodomir Garside, NOCCA Academic Studio; and MaliaSuggs, Patrick F. Taylor Science & TechnologyAcademy
and payment due by Nov. 21. www brothermartin.com.
LAKE FOREST ELEMENTARYCHAR-
TER SCHOOL: The school has been named aNational ESEA Distinguished School by the state education agency.The program recognizes qualifying federally funded schools for the academic achievements of their students. This is the thirdtime LakeForest, founded in 2006, has received this awardfor Exceptional Student Performance and Academic Growth.
NOOCA: New Orleans Center for CreativeArts vocal music students
received top awards at the annual National Association of Teachers of Singing Southern Regional Competition held recently at Mississippi College. In the High School Treble Category,Susi Cuartas received first place, ClodomireGarside second place, AcasiaHenry thirdplace and Malia Suggs fourth place. In the High School Tenor Baritone Bass Category,Tyree Arso received second place, Jonathan Tran thirdplace and TimothyDavis fourth place.
YOUNG AUDIENCES CHARTER SCHOOLS: YACS arts-integrated school Young Audiences Charter Schools at Lawrence D. Crocker
(PK4-8) will hold an open house for prospectivestudents and families Jan. 16, 5:30 p.m., at its campus, 2301 Marengo St. in Uptown. www.yacs org.
NOMMA: The NewOrleans Military and Maritime Academywill host a series of open houses for prospectivestudents and families in grades 8-11. Prospectivecadets and their parent/guardian must attend an open house for eligibility to apply The dates areDec. 12 and Jan. 14 and 23, 2025. Presentations begin at 6p.m. Register at nomma.net/ admissions.
