The Crescent City Advocate (01/29/15)

JUNIOR D’ARYN THOMAS WINS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK BANNER CONTEST ä Page 7G

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THURSDAY JANUARY 29, 2015 H

JEFFERSON • NEW ORLEANS • PLAQUEMINES • RIVER PARISHES • ST. BERNARD THENEWORLEANSADVOCATE.COM

AARP,IRS provide free tax-prep services

BY EVA JACOB BARKOFF

ship of the AARP Foundation and the IRS, and you don’t have to be a member of AARP to use The American Association of the service,” Dumas said. “Last Retired Persons will once again year, about 4,000 taxpayers were provide free income tax prepara- helped in the New Orleans area. tion services for low- and moder- For those who volunteer to help ate-income seniors 60 and older. prepare individual taxes, the AARP volunteers will begin program is important to them preparing 2014 income tax re- because of the satisfaction they turns beginning the first week receive by preparing tax returns of February, and the service will for free for those who can least afford to pay (a tax preparer).” continue until April 15.

Dumas said taxpayers meetFred Dumas is the local coordinator. He said those wishing to ing with a volunteers must bring use the free service do not have a picture identification, Social Security cards, 2014 tax forms to be members of AARP. “This program is a partner- and records, including the new

Special to The Advocate

Eva Jacob Barkoff AROUND JEFFERSON

Group inspires parade bands The second annual “Rhythm on the Route — Metairie’s Battle of the Bands” has been announced by the Jefferson Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Violet Peters, chief executive officer and president of the JCVB, said the program is an effort to help Metairie Mardi Gras krewes “attract larger and more notable marching bands.”

“The contest will be judged by professional marching band directors and musicians on musical performance, marching performance and general effect” during parades, Peters said. “The top prize for each parade is $3,000, with second and third awards of $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.”

The contest is open to all organized bands consisting exclusively of high school and middle school students, Peters added.

For information, call the JCVB at (504) 731-7083 or go to the website www. experiencejefferson.com.

New director named

The Alzheimer’s Association Louisiana Chapter, 3445 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 902, Metairie, has appointed Brian Berrigan its new executive director.

Berrigan has 25 years Berrigan of experience working in fundraising at such nonprofit organizations as the Ochsner Health System Neuroscience Institute, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Louisiana Chapter, and the Jesuits of the New Orleans Province.

“The services of our chapter will continue to grow to meet the needs of the residents of Louisiana,” Berrigan said. “We are introducing our early-stage support groups in new areas and are excited to continue to expand our program and education offerings.

“The support groups are designed to provide emotional, educational and social äSee JEFFERSON, page 3G

Affordable Care Act Marketplace form 1095-A and any marketplace exemption documents.

Taxpayers also must bring their homeowners insurance declaration page and their 2013 income tax return, Dumas added.

Several tax preparation centers will be located throughout the metropolitan area.

East Jefferson

Jefferson Senior Center: 4518 Jefferson Highway, Old Jefferson, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays Harahan Senior Center: 100 Elodie St., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays Pavilion at Kenner City Park: 3800 Loyola Drive, Kenner, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays.

New Orleans

East Bank Regional Library: 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

AARP Community Resource Center: Mondays through Fridays 3502 Carrollton Ave., by apMetairie Senior Center: 265 N. pointment only from 10 a.m. to Causeway Blvd., 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays äSee FREE TAX, page 3G

Photo provided by Metro Source

“This program is a partnership of the AARP Foundation and the IRS, and you don’t have to be a member of AARP to use the service.”

FRED DUMAS, coordinator

SpiritualSpiraling Whirling Dervishes from Turkey to perform

Advocate staff report

T

he Whirling Dervishes of Rumi, famous for their Sufi spiritual practice of whirling, will perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Louis J. Roussel Hall at Loyola University, 6363 St. Charles Ave. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased by calling (504) 865-3240 or at whirling dervishesnola.eventbrite.com.

These authentic Sufi dervishes from Konya, Turkey, whirl to convey God’s spiritual gift to those who witness their ritual movements.

The dervishes are an ancient Sufi Muslim tradition. It is said that the great 13th-century mystical poet and theologian, Rumi, while walking through the marketplace, heard a blessed rhythm in the hammering of the village goldsmiths. The rhythm spoke to him the sacred words, “There is no god but The God,” and his heart was so filled with joy that he outstretched both his arms and began to spin.

The mesmerizing whirling movements, from which the Whirling Dervishes gets their name, represent the individual’s mystical ascent turning toward truth and growing through love, in order to be of better service to all creation.

Four Sufi musicians will accompany the revolving tradition of the dervishes with live ceremonial music performed with voice and traditional instruments.

The performance is sponsored by the Atlas Foundation, which aims to promote mutual understanding, respect and cooperation among people

Photo provided by Atlas Foundation

The Whirling Dervishes of Rumi will perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 at Loyola University. Shown is a photo taken during an Atlas Foundation’s recent cultural exchange trip toTurkey to promote interfaith dialogue. The group visited this prayer service with the Whirling Dervishes in Bursa, Turkey. of diverse faiths and cultures by creating opportunities for direct communication and meaningful shared experiences.

All hail Dr. Jim, king of Krewe du Vieux This year’s king of the irreverent Krewe du Vieux is Dr. Jim Aiken, one of the city’s favorite physicians and all-around great guy. The parade rolls at 6:30 p.m. Saturday through the Marigny and French Quarter.

What a thrill to ride the mule-pulled royal float in 1996, when my significant rogue was king as the krewe celebrated its 10th anniversary. Writer and former royalty Angus Lind wryly declared Ronnie Virgets “His Decadence, the Sahib of Sartorial Squalor, the Sultan of St. Aloysius and the Uncrowned King of the Yats.”

Here’s wishing King Jim, emergency room maestro,

For information, contact Emrah Aktepe, executive director of the Atlas Foundation, at (504) 909-2424.

St. Thomas fills health care need in community

BY MARY RICKARD

Special to The Advocate

Lynne Jensen THROW ME SOMETHIN’

and his wife, Tonia, royal redhead and brainy beauty, the Carnival ride of a lifetime.

Longue Vue happenings

Cool things are happening in February at Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road. äSee THROW ME, page 3G

Photo provided by St. Thomas Community Health Center

St. Thomas Community Health Center offers sameday appointments for walk-in patients.

In a changing health care environment, St. Thomas Community Health Center has emerged to provide comprehensive primary care for individuals with or without insurance by implementing sustainable practices.

Whether school physicals, flu shots, routine care or illness, St. Thomas clinics provides care at Donald T. Erwin Center, 1936 Magazine St.; St. Thomas Community Health Center, 1020 St. Andrew St.; and Columbia Parc Health Center, 3943

St. Bernard Ave. Optometry only is offered at St. Thomas at Mahalia Jackson, 2405 Jackson Ave. St. Thomas clinics have reached people with and without insurance in the Irish Channel since 1987.

Homeless patients, for example, pay nothing; those earning less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level pay fees on a sliding scale.

And while clinic staff are helping people meet their health care needs, they also help them meet their health care goals. Appointments are available with certified enrollment specialists to offer assistance äSee HEALTH CARE, page 6G

2G F Thursday, January 29, 2015 F theneworleansadvocate.com F The Advocate

community

Some pet symptoms need immediate attention Pet owners are often uncertain whether to bring a sick pet to an after-hours emergency clinic or to wait to call a vet during normal business hours.

Sometimes it is hard to tell whether a situation is truly an emergency.

Calling the vet’s office for advice, even near closing time, can ANIMAL provide peace of RESCUE mind. After busiTRACI ness hours, call HOWERTON the emergency clinic and ask to speak to a veterinarian. Usually the vet can help determine whether an emergency visit is necessary or wise.

Any abnormalities should be reported to a vet, and a visit should be scheduled as soon as possible. However, some symptoms and situations require immediate care and cannot wait until the morning.

If a pet experiences any of the following, get immediate vet attention; do not wait: n Seizures in pets not already on medication for seizures.

Photo provided by ARNO

Trixie and Timmy are best friends who roamed the Chateau Estates neighborhood of Kenner for months before a vet tech got them to jump in his car. They are little escape artists and need a secure home. The regular adoption fee per dog is $200, but ARNO is offering a special $300 fee for both. The fee will cover the spay/neuter, vaccines, chip and heartworm treatment (if applicable). For information, send email to adoptfromarno@yahoo.com. n Difficulty breathing or breathing that becomes either shallow or rapid. n The pet is nonresponsive, comatose, wavering or collapsing when walking. n Extreme pain, usually ac-

companied by rapid breathing and moans of pain. Animals should not be given over-thecounter medication or human prescription medicines. n Ingesting possible poison or a medication that was not

meant for the pet, or even a quantity of chocolate. Call the vet immediately or the poison control line for animals at (888) 426-4435. The line is available 24 hours a day. n Vomiting that continues, particularly if blood is in vomit. n Bleeding from mouth or rectum. If it is only a small amount in the stool, it can wait for the vet’s office to open, but if it is blood only, get to the vet ASAP. n When a pet is hit by a vehicle, seek help immediately.

While injuries may not be apparent, there could be internal injuries and/or bleeding that could be fatal if not treated immediately.

Always be prepared. Have the veterinarian’s phone number and address handy, as well as an after-hours emergency clinic phone number and address. Recording this information in a cellphone keeps it handy when an emergency arises.

Events

FUNDRAISER: A “Reigning Cats and Dogs” fundraiser to benefit Animal Rescue New Orleans will be held from 7

p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Ridgley Center at Brother Martin High School, 4401 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans.

The event will feature a dog parade, a dance, an auction and a social with food and drinks. The minimum donation is $40 per person. Attire is dressy casual. For information and tickets, contact Ginnie Baumann at (504) 669-1908 or ginnie_baumann@hotmail. com.

KITTEN BOWL: The adorable, athletic Who Dat Cats and French Quarter Felines will take the field of their very own “Supurrdome” during the New Orleans Kitten Bowl and Tailgate Party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Big Easy Sportsplex, 800 Webb St. The Jefferson SPCA is sponsoring the free event, which will feature kid-friendly games, a raffle, halftime entertainment and an appearance by former LSU baseball coach and athletics director Skip Bertman. For information, contact Jacob Stroman at (504) 931-4777 or Jacob @jeffersonspca.org.

SPAY/NEUTER DISCOUNTS: The Louisiana SPCA Community Clinic is offering $20.15 spay/

NORDC teaches kids that Character Counts Throughout the year at playgrounds and rec centers across the city, thousands of girls and boys ages 5 to 14 participate in our athletics programs, including soccer, track and field, baseball, softball, flag football, tackle football, cheerleading, volleyball and basketball.

FUN WITH An integral NORDC part of each VICTOR sport is CharRICHARD III acter Counts, a national character education program from the Josephson Institute Center for Youth Ethics. The program provides training for coaches to help them promote sportsmanship and foster good character through teaching, enforcing, advocating and modeling the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

Each week focuses on one of six pillars of character. Every practice begins with a threeminute discussion about the pillar of the week and how to base behavior and decisions on character. The girls and boys receive cards with the six pillars of character and

steps to making good decisions. NORDC’s implementation of the Character Counts program is supported by Chevron through the NORD Foundation.

SOCCER READY TO KICK OFF: Registration is open for YLC Kicks Soccer, a partnership with the Young Leadership Council, for girls and boys ages 5 to 13. Track and field registration begins Feb. 2 for girls and boys ages 5 to 14.

Proof of Orleans Parish residence is required.

For information on team sports and other events throughout the year, visit nola.gov/nordc; and connect through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, @NORD Commission.

Victor N. Richard III is the Chief Executive Officer of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. For more information, visit nola. gov/nordc.

Outdoors

NATURE WALK: noon Tuesday, Bayou Savage, off U.S. 90 in New Orleans East. Meet just past the main entrance on the right or take the complimentary shuttle from Joe W. Brown Rec Center, 5601 Read Blvd., departing at 11:40 a.m.

NATURE WALK: noon Feb. 10,

Couturie Forest in City Park, 1009 Harrison Ave. Meet at the trailhead for Couturie or take complimentary shuttle from Gernon Brown Rec Center, 1001 Harrison Ave., departing at 11:50 a.m.

YOUNG BIRDERS ASSOCIATION: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 14.

Teen bird-watching club in partnership with the Orleans Audubon Society. Meet at the Joe Madere Marsh Unit at the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, off U.S. 90 in New Orleans East. Meet just past the main entrance on the right or take the complimentary shuttle from Joe W. Brown Rec Center, 5601 Read Blvd., departing at 9:10 a.m.

NATURE WALK: noon Feb. 24, Jean Lafitte National Park Coquille Trail. Meet at the trailhead in the parking lot, found by following Barataria Boulevard all the way into the park, or take the complimentary shuttle from Behrman Rec Center, 2529 General Meyer Ave., departing at 11:30 a.m..

Aquatics

SWIM LESSONS AND CLASS REGISTRATION: Through Feb. 14. For ages 6 months and older. The spring 1 session begins Feb. 15.

Classes including water babies, swim lessons, aqua fitness and lifeguard classes.

Athletics

YLC KICKS SOCCER REGISTRATION: Through Monday. For boys and girls ages 5 to 13. The season begins March 2.

TRACK AND FIELD REGISTRA-

TION: Feb. 2-16. For boys and girls ages 5 to 14. The season begins March 21. For playground locations and registration details, visit nola.gov/nordc.

Teens

TEEN COUNCIL MARDI GRAS MASQUERADE BALL: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Behrman Rec Center, 2529 Gen. Meyer Ave. For ages 13 to 18. DJ Chicken, photo booth, food, giveaways. Photo ID required.

Free After-School Meals

KIDS CAFÉ: Kids Café provides free after-school meals at several recreation centers and playgrounds in partnership with Share Our Strength. Sites are Comiskey Playground, 600 S. Jeff Davis Parkway; Cut-Off Recreation Center, 6600 Belgrade St.; Treme Recreation Center, 900 N. Villere St.; Joe W. Brown Recreation Center, 5601 Read Blvd.; Lyons Recreation Center, 624 Louisiana Ave.; Stallings Gentilly Playground, 2700 Laperyouse St.; and Taylor Playground, 2600 S. Roman St.

Cultural

PAINTING WORKSHOP: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Lyons Rec Center, 624 Louisiana Ave. For ages 6 and older at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. All materials provided.

PIANO LESSONS: now through May 15. Limited space available for winter session.

SENIOR DANCE FITNESS AND ADULT MOVEMENT CLASSES:

NORDC/NOBA Center for Dance offers free classes at NORDC Recreation Centers. Register anytime.

SENIOR CHOIR PRACTICE: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Joe W. Brown Rec Center, 5601 Read Blvd. Join anytime.

CASA SAMBA CLASSES: Lyons Rec Center, 624 Louisiana Ave., and Treme Center, 900 N. Villere St. For all ages. Register anytime.

Fitness

FITNESS CLASSES: Fit NOLA Parks offers weekly fitness at Taylor Park, 2600 S. Roman St.; Norwood Thompson Park, 7200 Forshey St.; and St. Roch Park, 1800 St. Roch Ave. ADULT EXERCISE: For ages 18 and older, including cardio and core strengthening exercises.

Free classes held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday at Treme Rec Center, 900 N. Villere St.; from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday and Wednesday at Lyons Rec Center, 624 Louisiana Ave.; 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday and Wednesday at Behrman Rec Center, 2529 General Meyer Ave.; and from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday at Joe W. Brown Rec Center, 5601 Read Blvd.

LINE DANCING: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Cut-Off Rec Center, 6600 Belgrade St. KEMETIC YOGA: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Treme Rec Center, 900 N. Villere St.

NFL alumni wait tables for A Child’s Wish Advocate staff report

The Louisiana chapter of the National Football Leagues Players Association alumni held a Celebrity Waiters event Jan. 20 to benefit A Child’s Wish, which grants the wishes of Louisiana children with limited life expectancy. The event attracted more than 250

Photos provided by A Child’s Wish

guests who were served

From left are Todd Greene and Chris Scarnati.

lunch by 18 former NFL

TOP LEFT: From left are Jarvis Green, Eric Alexander, Jack Holmes and Warren Bankston.

players.

BOTTOM LEFT: From left are Bobby Hebert, Michele Hudak and Joseph Zolfo.

neuter surgeries through August for all pets residing in Orleans Parish. In addition, microchips will be available at a reduced fee of $10 in conjunction with a spay/neuter surgery or wellness visit, and T-N-R for feral cats will be reduced to $10. To make an appointment to spay/neuter a pet at the clinic, call (504) 3631333. For information about spay/neuter and other Community Clinic services, visit www. la-spca.org/communityclinic.

LOST OR FOUND PETS: In Orleans Parish, you can send a photo, description of your pet, date lost/found and your contact information to lostandfound@la-spca.org. In Jefferson Parish, email molsen@ jeffparish.net and bbourgeois @jeffparish.net, and in St. Bernard Parish, email cluna@ sbpg.net.

Traci D. Howerton is social media editor of Animal Rescue New Orleans, a nonprofit, volunteer-based, no-kill shelter. Contact ARNO at animalrescuecolumn@gmail.com, www. animalrescueneworleans.org or call its recorded information line at (504) 571-1900.

N.O. Jewish women’s group to honor activist Advocate staff report The Greater New Orleans Section of the National Council of Jewish Women will present its Hannah G. Solomon Award to Julie Schwam Harris during a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, in the grand ballroom on Schwam Harris the 12th floor of the Westin Canal Place, 100 Iberville St., New Orleans.

The council is a grass-roots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired

by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.

The Solomon Award has been presented annually since 1966 to a community leader who exemplifies the qualities of Hannah G. Solomon, founder of NCJW. Past honorees, including Marjorie and Scott Cowen, Ruth Kullman, Mary Keller Zervigon, Joan Berenson, Nancy Marsiglia, Carol Wise, Phyllis Taylor, Millie Charles, Diana Lewis and Sybil Morial, have brought about important community programs and services through their leadership in a volunteer capacity. Each has been a catalyst for social change.

For the past five years, Schwam Harris has been engaged in a variety of women’s issues as a volunteer. She helped to raise the necessary funding to expand Planned Parenthood’s health services.

She helped to organize the Legislative Agenda for Women coalition, which advocates at the state Legislature for equal pay for women, Medicaid expansion to enhance implementation of the Affordable Care Act and improved sex education.

Schwam Harris also works with many organizations to ensure equal rights for all.

The selection committee and luncheon hosts are President June Leopold, Chairman Madalyn Schenk, Ina Davis, Michelle Erenberg, Marjorie Bissinger, Shellye Farber, Barbara Kaplinsky, Tamara Kreinin, Ruth Kullman, Nancy Marsiglia, Dana Shepard, Sue Singer, Pamela Steeg and Nancy Timm.

Tickets for the luncheon are $60 per person. Checks payable to NCJW can be mailed to 5485 Bellaire Drive, New Orleans, LA 70124 or tickets can be purchased online at www. ncjwneworleans.org.

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community Book discussion set with food writer, photographer

Photo provided by Greater New Orleans Foundation

From left are Lisa Romback, Carmen James, Jackie Silverman, Dawn Bradley-Fletcher, Dan Silverman and Maxine Kimbrell.

New Orleans Women’s Shelter receives $100,000 Impact grant Advocate staff report The New Orleans Women’s Shelter in Central City has received a $100,000 grant from Impact 100, an initiative of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. The shelter is one of the few that accept homeless women with children and pregnant women.

“Impact 100 is a group of 100 New Orleans women who came together because of the shared belief that by pooling their resources, they could impact our community in ways they couldn’t achieve on their own,” said Alice Parkerson, vice president for development at the

Greater New Orleans Foundation.

“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude to the women of Impact 100,” said Jackie Silverman, who with her husband Dan founded the New Orleans Women’s Shelter after Hurricane Katrina when they learned that there was no place for mothers with young children to go. “In this community, we have way too many mothers with children living in abandoned buildings, parks and in cars. It’s simply unacceptable.”

The young mothers receive individualized case management, job training and placement guidance and a savings-match

program. Eighty-eight percent of the women NOWS has helped have successfully transitioned to independence and stability.

The Greater New Orleans Foundation is a community foundation that serves a 13-parish region in southeast Louisiana and last year awarded $19.1 million to more than 300 nonprofit organizations.

For information on the nonprofits that participated in Impact 100, visit www.gnof.org/ impact100. For information on participating in Impact 100 next year, contact development officer Allie Betts at the Greater New Orleans Foundation at (504) 598-4663 or allie@gnof.org.

State GOP chairman talks politics with Metairie Rotarians Roger Villere, chairman of the Republican Party of Louisiana, was the guest speaker at a recent noon meeting of the Metairie Rotary Club.

From left are Rotarian Nancy Miller, Villere and Rotarian Juan Prado.

Photo provided by Metairie Rotary Club

JEFFERSON Continued from page 1G

support for caregivers and people in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.”

Timothy Kemery will lead the group, which meets from noon to 1:30 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month at the Rosa Keller Library and Community Center, 4300 S. Broad St., New Orleans.

For information about the group, send email to tkemery@ lrainc.net or call (504) 6484084.

Garden club to meet

The Shady Oaks Garden Club will have its Mardi Gras meeting at 10 a.m. Feb. 12 at the home of Anne Gauthier.

The theme of the month is

THROW ME

Continued from page 1G The opening reception of “En Plein Air,” featuring artist and instructor Phil Sandusky and his students Peg Usner and Ken Hopel, will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 5. The trio created visions of Longue Vue during summer and fall 2014.

The reception is free and an RSVP is required. Light refreshments will be served. The artworks will be displayed in the Gate House at Longue Vue through March 1.

To RSVP, contact Edna Lanieri at (504) 293-4724 or elanieiri@longuevue.com.

There are programs for all ages coming up at Longue. n Children 18 months to 5 years and accompanying adults are invited to “Little Diggers Winter Exploration” in the Discovery Garden from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 10, if it is not raining. Advance

“Enhancing Our Neighborhood,” and the speaker, Dan Johnson, a flower show judge and owner of Greenman Dan Landscape of Metairie, will give a PowerPoint presentation and lecture.

Co-hostesses for the month are JoAnn Christopher, Judy Derbes, Trisha Cook, Glenda Evans, Caroline Frederic and Pat Prewitt.

The month’s floral design is a creative mass design by Mary Ellen Miller. Pat Engel will give the horticultural study about pentas. And the butterfly study on the pearl crescent will be by Marian Gibbs.

The January garden of the month winner was Myrna Meyer, and the community garden of the month winners were Suzzette and Ted Prechter.

registration is not required and the program fee covers one child and one adult. Cost is free for Longue Vue Family members and $5 for other levels; $8 for nonmembers; and $7 for additional children and adult nonmembers. n Registration for Longue Vue’s Summer Camp will be held Feb. 16. Cost is $25 plus a $160 camp fee. The camp is for children 5 to 9 and includes exploration, architecture, drama, gardening and photography, beginning June 15 and ending July 31. Longue Vue members at the Family level or higher will receive a discount. n Toddlers 18 months to 5 years and an accompanying adult will take part in a handson introduction to the world of gardens from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 28, if the weather is good. Guided by education staff, the children will get up close with nature through plantings, digging for worms and crafts. Advance registra-

AARP class

A new smart-driver class will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 7 at East Jefferson General Hospital, 4200 Houma Blvd., Metairie.

The class is open to everyone 50 and older.

Those completing the class will receive a certificate that may qualify them for a discount from their automobile insurer good for up to three years.

The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for others.

For information and to register, call Dr. Carl Drichta at (504) 302-1712.

Ann Benoit is an awardwinning food writer, food photographer and culinary book packager. She is the author and photographer of the Pelican Publishing titles “New Orleans’ Best Seafood Restaurants,” “New Orleans’ @ THE Best Ethnic ResLIBRARY taurants” and CHARLES “Broussard’s BROWN Restaurant & Courtyard Cookbook.” She will discuss her books from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Nix Library.

YOUTH POETRY: Alvar Library is hosting a youth poetry workshop with Slam New Orleans, which is a community-

based organization and home of Team SNO. The team, established in 2008, promotes literacy, creativity and selfexpression by urging youth and adults alike to become vocal about what matters to them.

The workshop for youth and teens will engage participants with poetry both through hearing it and creating their own. The workshop will be held from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Saturday.

HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION: Do you need health insurance? Representatives from the Common Ground Health Clinic will be at the Hubbell Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday to assist in selecting coverage. Participants are asked to bring a photo ID/ proof of citizenship, Social

Security number or I-9, proof of income (W2 or recent pay stub) and policy number for any health insurance currently in force.

DISNEY PREMIERE PARTY: Algiers Regional Library is hosting a premiere party for the Disney series “Miles From Tomorrowland” beginning at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

The party will include storytime, crafts, raffles and a viewing of the first episode of “Miles From Tomorrowland.”

Light refreshments will be served.

The program is sponsored

by Westbank Macaroni Kid. Charles Brown is the executive director of the New Orleans Public Library. For more information, visit neworleanspubliclibrary.org.

Authors to discuss faith, love, murder and Mardi Gras During February, the East Bank Regional Library will host appearances by eight authors of fiction, nonfiction, anthology, art, romance and Mardi Gras.

All author signings happen at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 West Napoleon Ave., Metairie.

Author events JP LIBRARY are free of LAGNIAPPE charge and CHRIS are open to the SMITH public. Friends of the Jefferson Public Library will be present with books available for purchase.

“N.O. LIT”: Nancy Dixon will discuss her book “N.O. Lit: 200 Years of New Orleans Literature” at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The book is a comprehensive collection of the literature of New Orleans. Dixon has gathered some of the most prominent writers long associated with New Orleans, such as Lafcadio Hearn, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote and Eudora Welty, as well as lesser-known authors such as the writers of Les Cenelles, French Creoles of color who published the first anthology of African-American literature in 1845.

FEMALE AUTHORS: Men are welcome at this event at 7 p.m. Wednesday as Christa Allen talks about “Test of Faith,” Colleen Mooney dis-

cusses “Rescued by a Kiss,” and Vicki Salloum talks about “Faulkner and Friends.”

“THE MARDI GRAS PAINTINGS OF BOB GRAHAM”: Bob Graham started his New Orleans career painting in Jackson Square. He has exhibited or been recognized by the New Orleans Museum of Art, the American Artist Professional League, the Salmagundi Club, Knickerbocker Artists and the Allied Artists of America, and as a master “pastelist” by the Pastel Society of America.

7 p.m. Feb. 10.

ROMANCE: Two New York Times best-selling authors, Alex Kava and Erica Spindler, talk about their newest books.

Kava will discuss “Breaking Creed,” and Spindler will talk about “The First Wife.” 7 p.m.

Feb. 11.

“BLACK LIFE IN OLD NEW ORLEANS”: Keith Weldon Medley will be on hand at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 to discuss his book, which captures 300 years of history from the perspective of African-American society, culture and politics. His research encompasses Congo Square, Old Treme, Louis Armstrong, Fannie C. Williams, Mardi Gras and more.

Branch libraries

RENOVATIONS: The North Kenner Library, 630 West Esplanade Ave., is closed for renovation, probably until March.

When it reopens, it will have a meeting room.

GREAT BOOKS: The Great

Books Foundation Discussion Group will discuss “The Knight of Faith” by Soren Kierkegard at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Old Metairie Library, 2350 Metairie Road. The Great Books Foundation is dedicated to helping people learn how to think and share ideas by educating them to become participants in, leaders of and advocates for shared inquiry.

TOASTMASTERS: The APAS Toastmasters will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Old Metairie Library, 2350 Metairie Road. The group provides a supportive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills.

CAMERA CLUB: The West Bank Camera Club meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan, in Harvey.

WILLS AND TRUSTS: William Perry will discuss the importance of the will, trusts, beneficiary designations, powers of appointment, property ownership and powers of attorney at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., in Harvey.

For information about programs at the 15 branches of the Jefferson Parish Library, go to www.jplibrary.net or “like” the library’s Facebook page for daily programming updates.

New Orleans MLK parade includes representatives of Jewish groups

Eva Jacob Barkoff writes about the people and events on the east bank of Jefferson Parish. She can be reached at ejbarkoff@gmail.com or by calling (504) 430-8053.

tion is not required and the program fee covers one child and one adult. Cost is $10 for members; $12 for nonmembers; and $5 for additional adults. Siblings will receive a discount.

For program information, contact Lydia Vaughn at (504) 293-4722 or lvaughn@ longuevue.com or visit www. longuevue.com.

New Orleans Rose Society

Pruning and other spring gardening practices will be discussed during the New Orleans Rose Society meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Whitney Bank Room, 441 Metairie Road. Nonmembers are invited.

For information, call Clare Madere at (504) 368-6885.

Lynne Jensen writes about New Orleans community events and people. Contact her at jensencolumn@gmail. com.

Photo provided by BARBARA KAPLINSKY

The Jewish Community Relations Council coordinated the participation of several Jewish organizations in the New Orleans Martin Luther King Parade on Jan. 19. Representatives took part from the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, the Jewish Community Day School, Sisters Chaverot, Anshe Svard, Gates of Prayer and Jewish War Veterans, Post 580.

From left are Rabbi Bob Loewy, of Gates of Prayer; Sharon Pollin, of the Jewish Community Day School; Jewish War Veterans Post Commander Judge Sol Gothard and his wife, Jackie Gothard; and Barbara Kaplinsky, of the Jewish Community Day School.

FREE TAX

Norman Mayer Library: 3001 Gentilly Blvd., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Continued from page 1G Tuesdays and Thursdays Rose Keller Library: 4300 S. Broad 2 p.m. Wednesdays, (504) 485- St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays 2164; Algiers Regional Library: 3014 HolEast New Orleans Regional Library: 5641 Read Blvd., 10 a.m. to 2 iday Drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mondays. p.m. Wednesdays Latter Branch Library: 5120 St. Charles Ave., 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 River Parishes p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays Destrehan Regional Library: 160 W.

Campus Drive, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tuesdays through Thursdays St. John Parish Library: 2920 U.S. 51, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays Edward A. Dufresne Community Center: 274 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway, Luling, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.

For more information, call (888) 687-2277 or visit aarp. org/taxaide.

4G F Thursday, January 29, 2015 F theneworleansadvocate.com F The Advocate

community SPECIAL NEEDS CALENDAR ARC EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR: Dorignac’s Food Center in Metairie recently received the Arc of Louisiana Employer of the Year Award for its continued support of individuals with disabilities. The store accepted its achievement award at the Arc of Louisiana’s awards ceremony Jan. 20 in Baton Rouge.

“Dorignac’s is honored to be chosen as the recipient of this award from Arc of Louisiana,” said Ronnie Dawson, president of Dorignac’s.

“Disabilities do not prevent a person from being a great employee and colleague, and we are proud to offer employment opportunities for all.”

Dorignac’s was selected among nominations from around the state for its excellent working atmosphere for employees with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, the employees at the store form lasting relationships with customers and are offered regular schedules that do not fluctuate according to store sales. Employees referred Photo provided by Dorignac’s Food Center by the Arc of Greater New Orleans have been working Ronnie Dawson, left, president of Dorignac’s Food Center in at Dorignac’s for more than Metairie, accepts the Employer of the Year Award from Tom 10 years.

Barnes, of the Arc of Louisiana.

Photo provided by Louisiana Master Naturalists

Bob Thomas, right, immediate past president of Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans, leads a group of nascent naturalists along a trail in Jean Lafitte National Park as part of a training workshop.

Master Naturalist Training Program gets underway Advocate staff report The spring 2015 Master Naturalist Training Program is underway with 26 students, including four with doctorates, one with an MBA, three former AmeriCorps volunteers, a medical doctor, an elementary school teacher and several herbalists.

Bob Thomas, director of the Environmental Communications Center at Loyola University, leads the program, which

is sponsored by the Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans. Team leaders are Julia Lightner and Hilairie Schackai.

The Master Naturalist Training Program is designed to advance awareness, understanding and stewardship of the natural environment of the Greater New Orleans area by developing a corps of well-informed citizen volunteers dedicated to conservation education and service within their communities. The

group will visit a variety of ecosystems in southeastern Louisiana, where they will learn from experts in the various natural history disciplines.

In the past two years, Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans has trained a total of 130 students, with 66 of those reaching the level of Louisiana certified master naturalist. For information about the fall 2015 training program, email Thomas at rathomas48@gmail.com.

Lakeview Shepherd Center luncheon features ‘Medical Mayhem’ The Top of the Hill Players provided entertainment with their ‘Medical Mayhem’ skit during a recent Lakeview Shepherd Center luncheon.

From left are Errolyn Villarubia, Marilyn Zaeringer, Jeanne Garman, Henri Deters, Charlotte Swain, Craig Tidy, Elaine Forstall, Beverly Wellmeyer, Martha Chaplain and John Browne.

Photos provided by MARIE EVANS

Artists Ryan Corkern, Glenn Gibert and Greg Dimarzio are seen at the recent art showing held at The Vineyard Church in Kenner.

SPECIAL CONNECTIONS ART SHOW: Special artists recently held a Special Connections Art Show and Holiday Boutique at The Vineyard Church in Kenner. All of the work created by the artists with Special Connections was for sale. Artists wore black berets to signify their artistic ambitions.

Special Connections is a nonprofit organization that assists adults with developmental disabilities.

Photo provided by Lakeview Shepherd Center

Harvey Golden Age Club members celebrate birthdays

The Special Needs Calendar lists meetings, workshops, and other events of interest to individuals with disabilities or special needs. To send news for the calendar, email crescentcity@ R.J. Polito stands in front of some of his artwork on display at theadvocate.com. the recent show.

Photo provided by Harvey Golden Age Club

Members with birthdays in November and December celebrated recently with others in the Harvey Golden Age Club. From left are Nola St. Pe’, Monafae Meyers, Joyce Caire, Maedore Langford, June Olano and Jewel Albarado.

COLLEGE BRIEFS

Artist Brandie Dean’s paintings are displayed Artist Andrea Dutilh’s painting was awarded at the recent Special Connections Art Show a blue ribbon at the recent Special Connecand Holiday Boutique. tions Art Show.

FAITH NOTES CITY UNITED IN PRAYER: A City United in Prayer walk will be held from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, on the exterior concourse of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

Free parking will be available in Garage 6, and participants will gather at Gate C. LENTEN RETREAT PLANNED: The Archdiocesan Spirituality Center will offer a directed retreat,

“Lenten Retreat in Daily Life,” with an opening group session from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 22 and a closing group session from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. March 26 at the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center, 2501 Maine Ave., in Metairie. The retreat assists participants in experiencing sacred scripture and growing in faith and prayer. Personal prayer with scripture is held

privately approximately 30 minutes a day, and there is weekly private guidance by experienced spiritual directors. Cost is $40 as a suggested donation. To register, visit asc. arch-no.org or call (504) 8613254.

Send news of faith events to crescentcity@theadvocate. com.

LOYOLA HALL OF FAME: Tickets are on sale for the Loyola University New Orleans Wolf Pack Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Danna Student Center.

The 2015 Hall of Fame class will include DoBee Plaisance, women’s basketball; Luke Zumo, ’08, men’s basketball; Greg Castillo, volleyball; Matt Cagigal, ’07, cross country; and James “Argo” Meza, ’70, baseball. Wing Fok will be honored with the St. Sebastian Award for his outstanding efforts on behalf of Loyola athletes off the field of play. WGNO-TV sports director Ed Daniels, ’79, will host the induction ceremony.

Tickets are $30 per person and the event is open to the public. To register, visit www. alumni.loyno.edu/hof15. For more information about tickets, contact the Loyola Univer-

sity Alumni Association at (504) 861-5454 or alumni@loyno.edu.

CHOCTAW IN THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS: The Nunez Community College History Lecture Series continues the 14th season with the sixth lecture, titled “Battle of New Orleans: The Choctaw Involvement,” on Monday. A wine and cheese reception begins at 6:30 p.m., with the lecture beginning at 7 p.m. in the Nunez Auditorium.

The guest speaker will be Donald Keith Midkiff, author, historical researcher and New Orleans tour guide. He will talk about the involvement of the Choctaw in the Battle of New Orleans. The Choctaw warriors entered into battle alongside militia and would eventually be on both sides of the battle lines, encompassing enlistment with the British and American troops.

The Nunez History Lecture

Series is a series of free lectures generally held the first Monday of each month during the school year at Nunez Community College. Topics explore the rich heritage of the area.

The next lecture, to be held March 2, will be given by Jerry Schumacher on the topic of the life of P.G.T. Beauregard.

MBA OPEN HOUSE: The MBA program at Loyola University New Orleans College of Business will host an open house and informational session at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Room 112 of Miller Hall at Loyola’s main campus, 6363 St. Charles Ave. Registration for the open house is recommended but not required. Loyola’s MBA $50 application fee will be waived for any open house attendee.

For information on Loyola’s MBA program, contact Christina Morales at mba@loyno.edu.

The Advocate F theneworleansadvocate.com F Thursday, January 29, 2015 F 5G

community

Strutting his stuff

Advocate staff photos by SCOTT THRELKELD

Arthur Hardy, author of the ‘Mardi Gras Guide,’ at home in Mandeville

Arthur Hardy celebrates new book, new Mardi Gras Guide

BY DEBORAH BURST Special to The Advocate

Arthur Hardy has been publishing his Mardi Gras Guide for more than 30 years, and in addition to his 164-page magazine, he released his book “Mardi Gras in New Orleans: An Illustrated History.” Released in November, it is the fifth edition and published by his own publishing company, Arthur Hardy Enterprises.

His book chronicles the history of Mardi Gras from ancient times in Europe to post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans.

Hardy grew up in Mid-City, and after getting married in 1972 he and his wife, Susan, lived in Uptown, Gentilly and

Metairie, and moved near the Causeway in Mandeville in 2007.

Music was his hobby and he played several instruments including the trumpet, baritone and then trombone at John Dibert Elementary, Beauregard Junior High and at Warren Easton High School.

In 1962, he was voted the most outstanding male student in junior high school, then in 1965 received the same title in high school.

“My mother used to take me to the parades on the streetcar and bus,” said Hardy, adding that they didn’t own a car but he loved the parades. “I marched in the parades with the Warren Easton band.”

Hardy received a degree

from Loyola University in 1970. He taught instrumental music and served as band director at Brother Martin High School. His role as band director helped him connect to the parade krewes, and the first digest-size Mardi Gras magazine was printed in 1977.

“My writing experience was limited to working on my school newspaper and yearbook,” he said, adding that the first magazine was a financial disaster. “We almost gave up after the first issue sold only 1,500 copies of the 5,000 printed.”

Today, his weeks are full of television interviews with dozens of parade captains and multiple invites to carnival parties.

New Orleans Volunteer Orchestra invites singers to collaborate St., New Orleans.

Subsequent rehearsals will The New Orleans Volunteer be held at 2 p.m. Sundays on Orchestra is planning a choral- March 1, 8, 15 and 22.

The combined choir and ororchestral collaboration this spring and is inviting vocalists chestra will perform at 7 p.m.

Friday, March 27, at Holy Name to participate.

The choir’s first rehearsal Church, 6367 St. Charles Ave., will be from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the Loyola University camSunday, Feb. 22, at St. Paul’s Lu- pus.

The leaders of the choir retheran Church, 2624 Burgundy Advocate staff report

hearsals will be Matt Wood, director of St. Paul’s Choir, and Dale Norris, of Nicholls State University.

The orchestra will be directed by Chris Bergeron and Joseph Cieslak.

For information, visit www. novorchestra.com or email new orleansvolunteerorchestra@ gmail.com.

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS ZONING DISCUSSION: People concerned about the provisions of a Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance proposed for New Orleans will gather at 6 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 29, at Holy Angels, 3500 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans.

Core issues will be presented and an open discussion will follow. All City Council members have been invited to participate and respond to the public.

The meeting is being organized by the Riverfront Alliance of Neighborhood Organizations, which comprises the Algiers Point Association, Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association, French Quarter Citizens Inc., Holy Cross Neighborhood Association, Neighbors First for Bywater and the Vieux Carré Property Owners, Residents and Associates.

For information, visit www. riverfrontalliance.org or www. sizematters.info.

MARDI GRAS INDIANS: A free presentation on the history and cultural importance of Mardi Gras Indians will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at the New Orleans Athletic Club, 222 N. Rampart St., New Orleans.

Tribe members will make an appearance, and spoken-word artist Chuck Perkins will give a talk. This event was originally scheduled for an earlier date, when rain threatened the Indi-

ans’ feathers. For information, send email to Morgan Molthrop at morgan.molthrop@gmail. com.

JUNG SOCIETY: Award-winning playwright John Biguenet will be the featured guest when the C.G. Jung Society of New Orleans meets at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Parker United Methodist Church, 1130 Nashville Ave., New Orleans. Biguenet will discuss his work, and actress Kerry Cahill will do a dramatic reading from his recently produced play “Broomstick.”

Jungian analyst Constance Romero will facilitate discussion. Admission is free for Jung Society members and $15 for others.

BUSINESS NETWORKING: BNI Louisiana has launched a new chapter that will meet at 8 a.m. every Tuesday at Copeland’s Restaurant, 701 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie.

BNI helps businesses maximize their marketing efforts through word-of-mouth, referral networking. BNI members share ideas, contacts and business referrals in a positive, supportive and structured environment. Only one person representing a professional specialty can join a BNI chapter.

For information about the new BNI N.O. Summit Select Chapter, contact Janet Blohow-

iak at (504) 834-5264 or info@ louisianabni.com.

NEW ORLEANS ROSE SOCIETY: The New Orleans Rose Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Whitney Bank Room, 441 Metairie Road, Metairie.

The topic for discussion will be pruning and spring practices.

Admission is free, and all are welcome. For information, call Clare Madere at (504) 368-6885.

ALGIERS KIWANIS: Will Ginoble, director of the Boys Club/Girls Club Westbank Unit, will be the guest speaker when the Kiwanis Club of Algiers meets at 7 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Aurora Tennis and Swim Club, 5244 Gen. Meyer Ave. Guests are welcome at the Kiwanis meeting. For information, call (504) 391-0667.

LAKEVIEW GOLDEN COMMUNITY LUNCHEON: Arthur Johnson and the Chosen Few will perform rock and blues during the Lakeview Golden Community Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 20, at the Lakeview Shepherd Center at the Community Church Unitarian Universalist of New Orleans, 6690 Fleur de Lis Drive, New Orleans. The suggested donation is $5. To make a reservation, call (504) 484-0885.

Send news for Neighborhood Briefs to crescentcity@theadvocate.com.

Promotional figures sit on a window sill at the home of Arthur Hardy on Thursday in Mandeville.

But Hardy never forgot his roots, especially his high school Warren Easton, where the school’s auditorium carries his name. He was the founding member of the Warren Easton Charter Foundation, which reopened the school after Hurricane Katrina thanks to Hardy and Sandra Bullock, the Oscarwinning actress who owns a home in New Orleans.

“Sandra was looking for a worthwhile cause to help after Katrina, and a mutual friend in the Rex organiza-

tion, which stepped up to help public schools after the storm, put her in touch with me in my role on the Warren Easton Charter Foundation board,” Hardy explained. “She visited the school and fell in love with the kids, and we have been working together for nine years now and I consider her a friend.”

Hardy has appeared on NBC’s “Today” show six times and has worked for multiple radio and television stations.

His Mardi Gras Guide magazine has sold more than 3 mil-

lion copies. He has donated a large portion of his Mardi Gras memorabilia collection to Loyola University.

Among the newer trends of Mardi Gras, Hardy says, is the incredible success of the female clubs.

And although his days are full of interviews, parties and book signings, his heart always stays true to the longheld traditions.

“I am still a street guy at heart, so it is always about the parades,” he said. “I never grow tired of seeing them.”

Metropolitan Republican Women installs officers, bestows awards

Photos provided by Metropolitan Republican Women

Jefferson Parish President John Young, right, installed the 2015 officers of the Metropolitan Republican Women during its January meeting at the Southern Yacht Club. From left are Nancy Young, corresponding secretary; Constance Albert, treasurer; Pam Cresson, recording secretary; Linda Vinsanau, third vice president; Linda Bergeron, second vice president; Brenda Higgins, first vice president; Pam Clower, president; and Young. The next meeting of the Metropolitan Republican Women will be Feb. 4 at the Sheraton Galleria in Metairie.

For information about The Metro Club, contact Linda Bergeron, membership chairwoman, at lindabergeron@yahoo.com.

LEFT: Membership chairwoman Linda Bergeron is seen here accepting the President’s Award in recognition of her exceptional participation in all areas of the Metro Club.

FAR LEFT: The Executive Committee of the Metropolitan Republican Women selected Linda Vinsanau, left, for the Member of the Year Award. Vinsanau accepts the award from club President Pam Clower.

YMCA honors humanitarian, volunteer of year Advocate staff report The YMCA of Greater New Orleans will honor Phillips 66 as humanitarian of the year and Rebekah Fontenot, of Buras, as volunteer of the year during its annual meeting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at the home of Richard and Jackie Yancey, 2911 Prytania St., New Orleans.

The C. Allen Favrot Humanitarian of the Year Award is going to a company for the first

time in the 163 year history of the YMCA of Greater New Orleans.

The Phillips 66 Alliance Refinery team has been a champion of the Belle Chasse YMCA through its employee volunteer efforts, including its most recent partnership with the YMCA to build a community garden in Belle Chasse. In the past two years, Phillips 66 has made $600,000 in grant commitments to the YMCA to help build both a community gym-

nasium and walking/jogging track in Belle Chasse.

“I am grateful for the service of so many dedicated volunteer leaders and community partners like Phillips 66 who make the everyday work and mission of the YMCA possible,” said Pratt Provosty, chairman of the board of the trustees of the YMCA of Greater New Orleans.

To l e a r n a b o u t t h e YMCA of Greater New Orleans, visit www.ymcanew orleans.org.

6G F Thursday, January 29, 2015 F theneworleansadvocate.com F The Advocate

community/schools

Leah Chase to be honored as Native Son Appetite for Arts Gala and Fundraiser

BY SHARON EDWARDS

sedwards@theadvocate.com Leah Chase’s name is almost synonymous with New Orleans’ Creole cuisine. Her reputation as executive chef at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in New Orleans is legendary.

She has won accolades around the world. Now, Chase will return home to the north shore Saturday, to receive an award she said has special meaning.

Chase will receive St. Tammany Parish’s first Native Son award. The honor will be bestowed during the President’s Arts Awards gala at the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center in Covington.

Recently, she talked about growing up in Madisonville and the foods they raised and fixed in the Lange family home.

“That’s where I grew up,” she said. “I know how to go through the woods” along Bayou De Zaire where it merges with the Tchefuncte River. The family house is still there, now surrounded by the Madisonville Junior High School. Several of her siblings still live in the area.

“We’d go three miles to pick strawberries and I knew what berries I could eat and which I couldn’t,” she remembers.

The family had 15 acres on which they raised strawberries to bring to market.

“We got up at 4 a.m. in the morning and would walk there, pick them, then come home and go to school.” Sometimes her dad would take the horse and wagon to bring the berries to market in Hammond.

She said the school allowed them to be a little late during picking season, because that was their livelihood.

Her father, Charles Lange, was from Madisonville, and he married Hortensia Raymond, from New Orleans.

They would have 14 children.

Chase’s mother traveled to New Orleans to give birth to Leah because at that time, her grandmother Adonicia Raymond was a registered nurse and midwife. Later, her aunt became a registered nurse and midwife and traveled to Madisonville to help with the births of the other children.

Charles Lange worked nearby as a caulker on the wooden

Parish President Pat Brister and the St. Tammany Parish Commission on Cultural Affairs will present Leah Lange Chase with the first Native Son award at the Appetite for Arts Gala and Fundraiser at 6 p.m. Saturday at the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center, 701 N. Columbia St., Covington.

Photo by TROY KLEINPETER

Chef Leah Chase grew up in Madisonville, where much of her family still lives. boats being built at Jahncke Shipyard on the Tchefuncte.

He’d ask his children to pray for him to have work.

“The same soap we washed clothes with, we washed ourselves with,” she said. “But we never had acne.” When her dad would have work, his treat was to buy them Camay soap and good sardines.

“We were poor, but I don’t think we knew we were poor.

We went on living and enjoying it,” she said of her childhood.

He loved farming best, she said.

“His big thing was growing things. When he would plow, he’d make those long rows.”

They grew greens, string beans, bell pepper, potatoes

and eggplants, and lots of okra and onions, she said.

“Sometimes all we had for supper was grits and sautéed onions,” she said. “Now they call them ‘caramelized’ onions. Everything I’ve grown up with has become sophisticated.”

Her father also hunted, rabbit mostly, but not for sport, she said. “He killed only what he needed to feed us.”

Many memories are associated with their times on the river. They would fish, mainly for perch. When she visits now, she notices there are few places “to put in a line for a little perch.”

She remembers the boat races on the river on the Fourth of July.

“The regattas were our entertainment.”

The river “is a mighty thing,” she said, with undercurrents that could easily take a swimmer out to Lake Pontchartrain. There was one part of the river where “nonCatholics would be baptized.”

They would go and watch.

“Father would punish us for laughing. ‘That’s their religion,’ ” he told them, and it was to be respected.

Chase attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Madisonville, where the Sisters of the Holy Family taught black students up to junior high. It was on one corner and on the other was St. Catherine’s, the school for white students.

The gala will feature food from more than 21 St. Tammany Parish restaurants, live music from Ronnie Kole and Christian Serpas, dance performance by Javier Juarez and a theatrical performance by the Slidell Little Theatre.

A patron party will be hosted from 5-6 p.m. by Chef John Besh. Proceeds benefit the St. Tammany Parish Public Art Program.

Other honorees receiving awards will be Sara Pagones, performing artist of the year; Martin Needom, visual artist of the year; Alison Pelegrin, literary artist of the year; Phil Anselmo, musical artist of the year; Erick Loos, culinary artist of the year; and Rotary Club of Slidell Northshore, patron of the year. The President’s Award recipient will be Judge Frederick Stephen Ellis. Roberto Seago will receive the Lifetime Achievement award.

Tickets are $75 or $150 to include the patron party. For information, call (985) 898-5243, email arts@stpgov.org, or visit www. stpgov.org/appetite-for-art.

“We passed every morning,” she said.

Growing up in a small town was good, she said. The people were good, even though there was segregation. She said that was the times, and that was the law.

“There was no Catholic high school for blacks” in St. Tammany, she said. “Daddy was more Catholic than the pope,” so she was sent to live with her aunt in New Orleans to attend the high school the sisters ran there, St. Mary’s Academy.

She returned home after graduation, but there was little work available to her in Madisonville, except housework.

“I wanted to do a little bit more,” she said. “I wanted a

little better.”

So she moved back to New Orleans, where she met her husband, Edgar “Dooky” Chase Jr., and married in 1946. They have four children, 16 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren Chase will make another trip to the north shore in April to pick “pepper grass.”

It will be used in her famous Gumbo Z’herbes. She recently saw some growing “close to the ground like fern.” It was that ingredient that added “a lemony taste, it put some zip into” the traditional dish that’s served each Holy Thursday.

She remembers seeing people with a knife and flour bag digging up the plant.

People used five, seven or nine greens, always an odd number, for their green gumbo. She grinds the greens to prepare the gumbo that will feed as many as 700 people that day at Dookie Chase’s Restaurant. It’s the “last big meal” before the Good Friday fast, she said.

At 92, Chase said longevity seems to run in the family. Her Aunt Lucy Lange recently died at 105 “with a good mind. She was a long-liver.” She wished they could all be there to see her receive the award.

“I thought we were going to never be grown.”

She said Madisonville is different now: “It’s so modern.”

She’s glad to see the growth and prosperity of the community.

“Things had to change” she said of legalized segregation.

But she’s not one to blame.

“You do what you can, depending on the times.” If people would have spoken up, “They would have been cut off. It was illegal, and you have to obey the laws.

“But it’s good to see change.

“For people to grow and be able to use all their resources; you have to educate every child, black and white,” she said.

“I don’t harp on the past; I build on the past and go ahead. So for me to see Madisonville grow, it’s beautiful.”

Chase said she is thankful to return home to receive the first Native Son award.

“To see me receive this award, it’s beautiful. Because it means people have changed.

It means someone learned something different.”

HEALTH CARE Continued from page 1G

Photos provided by Academy of Our Lady

Softball district champions honored were, from left, Jenna Parker, of Marrero, 2014 Softball All District MVP; Taylor Toledano, of Waggaman, 2014 Softball All District; and Hailee Richard, of Gretna.

Academy of Our Lady in Marrero recognizes athletic standouts Advocate staff report

Student-athletes at the Academy of Our Lady in Marrero received patches in recognition of superior performance when the school held its spring sports pep rally recently.

Caitlyn Callais, of Marrero, Madison Boudoin, of Wag- received a bowling patch for gaman, received a patch for being a member of the 2014 being named to the 2014 All district champion team.

District Track Team.

registering for insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The ACA deadline for coverage is Feb. 15.

Not long ago, however, the clinics were in danger of closing, according to St. Thomas Chief Executive Officer Dr. Donald Erwin. It was a turning point last year when Gov. Bobby Jindal refused to expand Medicaid as a component of the ACA. Federally qualified health centers like St. Thomas Community Health Center suddenly faced a fiscal crisis. Uninsured patients at St. Thomas rose from 18 percent to more than 35 percent as a result of a change in Medicaid eligibility requirements.

“With reduced funds provided to safety net clinics through the Greater New Orleans Health Connection, we had to come up with ways to be more efficient and cost-effective,” Erwin said. “Our business model and the number of people we were seeing would not sustain us.”

Confronted by a serious financial shortfall, Erwin was referred to the Institute of Healthcare Optimization in Boston, an independent nonprofit that had helped several hospitals find ways to reduce costs while improving the quality of care.

Erwin said he told IHO, “Unless you give us some help, we may not be in business.”

The firm agreed to discount its fees, providing a seven-month consultation that greatly improved efficiencies in appointment-setting and patient visits with the clinic’s six physicians and six nurse

Advocate staff photo by JOHN MCCUSKER

Donald Costello examines a patient at the St. Thomas Eye Clinic housed at the Mahalia Jackson School in Central City. practitioners. IHO provided a comprehensive plan to achieve “systems optimization.”

“It was transformational for us,” Erwin said.

IHO’s collaborative team, including project managers, senior vice presidents and a data analyst, visited New Orleans in April.

“They are in such an underserved area and to meet the demands, there was a lot to handle without jeopardizing the quality. We wanted to do everything we could to help,” said Meng Kang, IHO’s director of program development.

As a result, St. Thomas Clinic has experienced a 35 percent increase in appointment capacity and a 25 percent increase in inpatient visits. Increased efficiency has created additional time slots for sameday appointments.

“Efficiencies like these are what clinics like us need to achieve,” Erwin said.

Whereas an urgent care center might charge $200 for a walk-in, the average bill for a same-day office visit for lowincome patients without insurance is $30.

“IHO health care research says most people want to see

somebody today rather than their family doctor. We’ll take our chances that you might like us enough to stay,” Erwin said.

St. Thomas Community Health Clinic offers sameday appointments for walk-in patients. Services include pediatric, adult primary care, women’s health, behavioral counseling, allergy testing, optometry and eye exams, chronic disease management, infectious disease, obstetrics and mammography.

For information, call (504) 529-5558 or visit www.st thomaschc.org.

The Advocate F theneworleansadvocate.com F Thursday, January 29, 2015 F 7G

schools SCHOOL BRIEFS CATHOLIC SCHOOL WEEK BANNER WINNER: National Catholic Schools Week 2015 is observed in dioceses around the country Jan. 25–31. This year’s theme, “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, KnowlThomas edge and Service,” focuses on the important academic, faith-building and societal contributions provided by a Catholic education. D’Aryn Thomas, a junior at St. Mary’s Academy, is the overall winner of the Catholic Schools Week Banner Contest sponsored by the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Her winning design concept will be displayed as the performance backdrop in Lakeside Mall during the 2015 annual Catholic Schools Week Fine Arts Festival. Additionally, Thomas will be awarded a $100 scholarship to St. Mary’s Academy for her efforts. Thomas studies with art instructor Christine Bagneris.

PARKWAY PRESBYTERIAN: National School Choice Week will be celebrated with a special presentation at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at Parkway Presbyterian Preschool and Kindergarten at 6200 Camphor St., Metairie.

Jenni Evans, of the Parenting Center, will speak on “The Social/Emotional Development as the Key to School Success.”

Topics include, “What is social/ emotional development and how is it linked to success in later years?”; “What are ageappropriate goals to set for my child and how can I tell if there is a problem?”; and “What can we do, as parents and teachers, to promote positive development?” For information, call (985) 733-6340 or visit parkway presbyterianchurch.org.

YOUNG AUDIENCES CHARTER SCHOOL: Open houses are planned at 6:30 p.m. Thursday,

Photo provided by Archbishop Rummel High School

Administrators, faculty and parents at Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie recently heard a presentation on ‘Managing a New World of Needs’ from Sister Carol Cimino, superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Buffalo, New York. From left are Brother Michael Livaudais, vocation director of the Christian Brothers; Jan Lancaster, superintendent of Catholic schools in New Orleans; Cimino; Brother Gale Condit, president at Archbishop Rummel; and Michael Scalco, principal at Archbishop Rummel. through fifth grade. Each academic year, the school will add one grade to serve students in kindergarten through eighth grade by fall 2018.

For enrollment information, visit www.yacharterschool. org, call (504) 304-6332 or send email to charter@ya4la.org.

DRUM MAJORS OF EDUCATION: The Friends of King School District will honor its 2015 Drum Majors of Education during its Event Fit for a King scholarship gala at 8 p.m. Friday at the Crystal Palace, 10020 Chef Menteur Highway, New Orleans.

The Friends of King School District operates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School and Joseph A. Craig Charter School.

The 2015 Drum Majors of Education are Metro Service Group, state Rep. Wesley BishPhoto provided by St. Mary’s Academy op, Sharon Coard and the Rev. Award-winning banner by D’Aryn Thomas, a junior at St. Willie Calhoun. For informaMary’s Academy tion, call Sylvia Ellison at (504) 940-2243.

SATURDAY ENRICHMENT: Monthly Jan. 29, and at 10 a.m. Saturday the school if they cannot attend enrichment programs for chilat Young Audiences Charter either of the open houses.

Young Audiences Charter dren ages 10 to 15 will begin School at Kate Middleton, 1407 School at Kate Middleton is with a session from 10 a.m. to 3 Virgil St., Gretna.

Prospective students and open to any Jefferson Parish p.m. Saturday at the Learning families may schedule a tour of student entering kindergarten Laboratory, Room 209, 7100 St.

Dominican celebrates centenarian

Charles Ave., New Orleans. The cost is $50, and registration is available at learnlabnola.org/ event/saturday-enrichmentjanuary-2015.

January’s theme is “Get Your Clean On.” In the process of making homemade soap and being introduced to issues surrounding household chemicals, participants will reinforce skills in math, science, persuasive writing and economics.

The Learning Laboratory is a nonprofit organization committed to offering high-quality nontraditional after-school, Saturday and summer programs for K-12 students at a reasonable cost for parents. The Learning Lab seeks to inspire and excite students in ways that they may never experience in a traditional school environment with hands-on activities, projects, technology explorations, field trips and travel.

LIVING GREEN: Jewish Community Day School will present a Living Green family fun fest from noon to 2 p.m.. Sunday, Feb. 1, at Bart Field at the Goldring Woldenberg Jewish Community Campus, 3747 West Es-

planade Ave., Metairie.

The festival, a celebration of Tu b’Shevat, the Jewish Arbor Day, will feature a petting zoo, solar energy discovery, an upcycling creation station, and a tasty, eco-friendly lunch. The event is sponsored by the Jewish Community of West Esplanade Avenue.

PREKINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: The Jefferson Parish Public School System will hold two parent information sessions on the prekindergarten registration process for the 2015-16 school year.

The hourlong meetings will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 in the boardroom of Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School, 2801 Bruin Drive, Kenner; and at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the JPPSS Administration Building, 501 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey.

General information on the prekindergarten program can be found at jpschools.org/ department/pre-kindergarten.

Details on the times and locations for the 2015-16 prekindergarten registration process will be posted on the website later.

4-H CHALLENGE CAMP: Six Jefferson Parish 4-H members recently participated in the 4-H Challenge Camp at Tickfaw State Park in Springfield.

4-H members from 16 parishes learned about the environment and healthful living choices in an outdoor setting. They also participated in numerous challenge and teambuilding activities. 4-H Challenge Camp is held each November and is open to seventh- and eighthgrade 4-H members.

The 4-H members participating were Katie Maise, of Junior Leader Club; Hope Hebert and Bailey Ledet, of Concordia Lutheran School; and Bobby Diaz, Blake Bonnette and Julian Simmons, of Patrick Taylor Academy.

LSU AgCenter 4-H Agents Julie Boyd and Chantel Williams accompanied the group.

NOCCA singers to present operetta version of ‘Cinderella’ Advocate staff report

Advocate staff report Florence Grush Ward, of Metairie, an alumna of St. Mary’s Dominican High School’s Class of 1933, recently celebrated her 100th birthday as guest of honor at a monthly luncheon with Jesuit alumni that included her son, Larry Ward (’59). In a surprise visit at the gathering, Alumnae Director Celeste Anding ‘Dominicanized’ the honoree with a ‘Dominican is Proud of You’ sign and brought a Dominican memory book from 1933.

When asked what she attributed to her 100 years, Ward credited healthy eating. Ward’s daughter and granddaughters, Donna Ward Heim (‘56), DebPhoto provided by St. Mary’s Dominican High School bie Heim Sachs (‘78) and Darra Heim O’Keefe (‘80), are Domini- Honoree Florence Ward, center, with her daughter-in-law Jo Ward, left, and Celeste Anding, holding sign at the luncheon. can alumnae.

Vocal music students at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts will perform “Cendrillon,” a chamber operetta version of “Cinderella,” at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Jan. 29 and 30, in Lupin Hall on NOCCA’s campus, 2800 Chartres St., New Orleans.

Pauline Viardot’s “Cendrillon” has been described as “a retelling of the Cinderella story with Gallic wit,

Metairie school fields flag football team

Italianate bel canto and a quirkiness all her (Viardot’s) own.”

Tickets are $15 and are available at www.

NOCCA.com.

Photo provided by NOCCA

NOCCA vocal music students performing in ‘Cendrillon’ include 11th-graders Caitlyn ‘Harry’ Ecuyer, of Lacombe, and Ryan Reynolds, of New Orleans.

Middleschoolers present projects at ISL science fair

Photo provided by St. Philip Neri School

Members of the girls’ flag football team at St. Philip Neri School in Metairie are, front row from left, Ashley Faustermann, Demi Benitez, Madalyn Attardo, Megan Faustermann and Taylor Rumney. In the second row are Catherine Poche, Sara Rohli, Casey Pappas and Madilyn Giglio.

In the back row are Coach Wendy Paladino, Zoe Braun, Lindsey Adams, April Lewis, Coach Chad Terminie, Brianne Kron, Alexis Crawford and Coach Lesley Terminie.

Students at the International School of Louisiana recently showcased their skills at the Middle School Science Fair.

From left are Sauji Mitchell, science teacher Karen Marshall, Max Fitzgerald and Kennedy Photo provided by International School of Louisiana Johnson.

8G F Thursday, January 29, 2015 F theneworleansadvocate.com F The Advocate

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