Robin Roberts to speak at Mentor Magic gala for Each One Save One
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THURSDAY JANUARY 8, 2015 H
JEFFERSON • NEW ORLEANS • PLAQUEMINES • RIVER PARISHES • ST. BERNARD THENEWORLEANSADVOCATE.COM
MLK Day event’s aim to inspire service BY MARY RICKARD
Special to The Advocate Most national holidays are times spent relaxing and enjoying the pleasant company of families and friends, but Martin Luther King Day is specially marked to commemorate the life of the great civil rights leader with positive, unselfish social action. King was an African-American pastor, civil rights activist and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize who advocated for racial equality through
nonviolent civil disobedience. Honoring Dr. King’s legacy, the Seventh New Orleans Day of Service, “MLK Day On/Not Off,” will be hosted Monday, Jan. 19 to underscore the need to spend time volunteering to help others and improve neighborhoods. Day On/Not Off is being coordinated through a collaboration of the Archdiocese’s Office of Black Catholic Ministries, Office of Racial Harmony, Office of Catholic Schools, Office of Religious Education, CYO and Young Adult Ministry
and Catholic Charities. “People live in their own little bubbles, but this is a day to put our faith and values into action to make a difference,” said Ansel Augustine, director of the Office of Black Ministries. Following a morning prayer service led by Archbishop Gregory Aymond at Jesuit High School, 4133 Banks St., volunteer groups will spread out doing community service projects, including planting, painting, repairs and other projects at various sites, including City
AROUND JEFFERSON
The city of Kenner’s department of Community Development, along with the Hispanic Resource Center and Second Harvest Food Bank, will provide help to those eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the program formerly known as food stamps. Applications for assistance will be taken from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and again on Jan. 23 at the center, 4312 Florida Ave., Kenner. The income schedule for those who are in need of assistance is as follows: Household of one: Monthly income is less than $1,265 and net income is less than $973, you could receive SNAP benefits up to $194 a month. Household of two: Monthly äSee JEFFERSON, page 3G
leans. Its mission is to evangelize, highlight, enhance and celebrate the contributions of the Black Catholic community as it shares its gifts in the church and society. If additional work sites are to be considered for the day of service, contact Shannon Murphy at Volunteer Services, Catholic Charities at (504) 310-6962. Participants must register in advance by calling (504) 8616207 or download the forms at obcm.arch-no.org. Packets are due Jan. 12, and space is limited.
off the
Marsalis’ business receives historical marker
Food assistance offered
the third Monday of January a national holiday. The bill passed into law on Nov. 2, 1986. The national Martin Luther King Day of Service was started by former Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford and Atlanta Congressman John Lewis who co-authored the King Holiday and Service Act. The Office of Black Catholic Ministries identifies and fosters the rich diversity of the Black Catholic community in general, and particularly, in the Archdiocese of New Or-
Kicking new
Eva Jacob Barkoff
The Jefferson Parish Historical Commission, along with Jefferson Parish officials, and the Marsalis family will dedicate the Marsalis Mansion Motel with a Louisiana Highway Marker unveiling at 11 a.m. Friday at the intersection of Shrewsbury Road and River Road in Old Jefferson. Kriss Fortunato, public information officer for Jefferson Parish, said the Marsalis Mansion Motel opened at 110 Shrewsbury Road in 1944 to serve African Americans during segregation. “The motel was the first black establishment in the area to offer a full service restaurant, banquet facilities, bridal suites and other amenities to which the traveling black public was not accustomed during the early 1950s,” Fortunato said. “It also became home to the Music Haven, a popular music spot in New Orleans in the 1960s. “By operating what came to be known as Marsalis’ Motel Inc., proprietor Ellis Marsalis Sr. gained a reputation for being an insightful businessman.” Marsalis was patriarch of the well-known New Orleans Jazz musical family. He was a civil rights pioneer.
Park and Second Harvest Food Bank. Last year, more than 350 individuals participated in service projects. High school student groups, church groups, families, organizations and individuals who want to join in this citywide campaign should register by Monday, Jan. 12 with the Office of Black Ministries at (504) 861-6207 or email bcatholics@ arch-no.org. Fifteen years after King’s assassination, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill to make
year
Advocate staff photos by REBECCA RATLIFF
TOP: Tia Alexander, 15, stretches during the repertory and movement workshop hosted by NORDC and NOBA at the Lyons NORDC Center on Jan. 3. MIDDLE: Cori Lewis, 15, warms up at the workshop. BOTTOM: Wayne St. David, head of the University of the Arts’ department of Jazz/Theater Dance in Philadelphia, teaches the repertory and movement workshop. RIGHT: Ashlie Russel, 18, learns new choreography.
Dance students recently attended the 2015 Winter Intensive, an invitation-only workshop led by teachers from top college programs and hosted by the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission and New Orleans Ballet Association at the Lyons NORDC Center. For afterschool dance program information, call (504) 522-0996.
Hobby horse high jinks planned for Fair Grounds The self-proclaimed “tell it like it is” reference and travel publication Rough Guides recently named New Orleans one of the top 10 cities in the world to visit in 2015. Maybe this “rough ride” event is among the reasons why. The historic Fair Grounds race course is hoping to create the largest stick pony race in Louisiana history at 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at 1715 Gentilly Blvd. A limited number of track visitors who are 18 and older will take part in the 110-yard giddyup along the main track, starting at the 16th pole and
Lynne Jensen
THROW ME SOMETHIN’
ending at the finish line. Recalling images of adults acting the fool after “borrowing” stick ponies from children at Christmas gatherings, this event should be lots of fun. The cost for “jockeys” taking part in the event is $5, and participants 21 and older will
receive wristbands for two complimentary beers before the event. Complimentary water, coffee and soft drinks will be available for all participants, who will be able to keep their stick ponies as souvenirs. Sign-up starts at 10 a.m. inside the Starlight tent on the west side of the track apron. General admission to the track is free, and thoroughbred horse racing begins at 1:25 p.m. The Fair Grounds is the nation’s third-oldest racetrack, in operation since 1872. The 143rd racing
season will run through March. For information visit FairGroundsRaceCourse.com.
Roaring back to the 1920s
The first Thursdays at Twilight concert of the year will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at the Pavilion of the Two Sisters in the Botanical Garden at City Park. The group New Orleans Banjos + 2, including four banjos, upright bass and piano, will perform music from the 1920s, when banjos were the rage. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and admission is $10. Food and drinks will be sold at
the event. Tickets may be purchased by calling (504) 4839488 or at the event. Season passes for Thursdays at Twilight performances through April also are available. The music series is sponsored by the Louis and Virginia Clemente Foundation with support from WWNO 89.9 FM. For information visit NewOrleansCityPark.com.
January Jung gatherings
The C.G. Jung Society will present the Disney film “Maleficent” at 6 p.m. at Parker äSee THROW ME, page 3G