The Crescent City Advocate 11-26-2015 by The Advocate

Community mourns animal activist Charlotte Bass Lilly; Animal Rescue ä 2G

THE C ESCENT CITY

ADVOCATE

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2015

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

THENEWORLEANSADVOCATE.COM

Lynne Jensen

THROW ME SOMETHIN’

Santa will be on the run in Warehouse District Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to the winter holiday season, which for some includes costuming for Christmas. It’s only natural for Santa’s helpers in New Orleans to dress and join the merrymaking at the annual “Running of the Santas” on Saturday, Dec. 12, in the Warehouse District. The fun starts at 2 p.m. at the “South Pole,” commonly called The Rusty Nail, 1100 Constance St. The crowd will kick into a four-block fun run at 5:45 p.m. to the “North Pole,” also known as Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd. Registration for the Fun Run will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Rusty Nail. Participants should don creative Christmas attire for a chance to win the treasured Best Holiday Costume award. Popular subjects include Santa, Mrs. Claus, Scrooge, Jingle Bells, Jack Frost and Old Man Winter. Flow Tribe will headline, playing from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Generations Hall, preceded by Category from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. DJ Scott Satchfield will entertain earlier in the day at the äSee JENSEN, page 2G

Eva Jacob Barkoff AROUND JEFFERSON

Advocate staff photos by MATTHEW HINTON

Ashley Kottemann and her son Gabriel, by red door, listen as Pastor Antoine Barriere of HouseHold of Faith speaks and the Rev. Henry Hudson of Trinity Episcopal waits his turn at the house dedication. The churches teamed up with New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanityand AmeriCorps workers to build the home on Oleander Street in New Orleans.

HOUSEWORK Mom and son thankful for a new home after churches come together for build

BY KAREN TAYLOR GIST Community News editor

Ashley Kottemann and her son Gabriel, 6, have a big change to be thankful for this holiday season: They’ll soon be moving into a new three-bedroom Habitat for Humanity home. As per Habitat requirements, Kottemann put sweat equity into the house, helping to lay floors, build walls and paint rooms. The interior colors are standard-issue neutrals, but she did get to add a few personal touches, choosing dark hardwood for the floor and a smoky blue for the home’s exterior. The overarching color scheme Gabriel Kottemann, 6, greets the Rev. Antoine M. Barriere of Household for the building project as a whole, of Faith Church, as Ashley Kottemann and the Rev. Henry Hudson of though, was a mixture of black and Trinity Episcopal Church look on. white.

Toy drive helps steer Santa to Kenner principal gets surprise Children’s thank-you for 30 years of work Hospital The 24th annual Children’s Hospital toy drive gets under way Thursday and continues until Dec. 10. “The last several years our toy drive has been supported by various schools, churches and small businesses,” said organizer Alex Fisher Jr. “This year, the goal is to bring aboard larger businesses, organizations and schools.” The toys will be collected on Dec. 10, and volunteers are needed. “We not only need help collecting the toys, we also need individuals and groups to help sort and box the toys, which we will do from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 475 Franklin St. in Gretna,” Fisher said. The toys will be delivered to Children’s Hospital on Dec. 12. To donate, volunteer or for information, call Fisher at äSee BARKOFF, page 2G

they’re throwing her a surprise party. Students at Greenlawn TerHow do you keep 500 kids ages 4 to 11 quiet? Tell them race Elementary School in that their school principal is Kenner gave a big thanks last on the way to the cafeteria and week to Katherine T. “Kitty” Advocate staff report

The blitz build, completed in 10 days between Oct. 6 and Oct. 21, brought together volunteers from the mostly white Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., and Household of Faith, the African-American church just blocks away at 630 Jackson Ave., New Orleans. Though the construction was fastpaced, the cornerstone for the cooperative project was laid about two years ago, said Household of Faith pastor the Rev. Antoine M. Barriere, when as a Habitat board member, he realized that getting churches to work together on the organization’s building projects would benefit all involved. “Me and Henry (Hudson, Trinity’s pastor) got together and started realäSee HOUSE, page 3G

Croft, as she marked her third decade as principal there. “I was so surprised, I almost passed out,” she said of the äSee PRINCIPAL, page 2G

Advocate staff photos by SHERRI MILLER

ABOVE: Kamdyn Bromfield, 5, hugs Principal Katherine Croft after presenting her with roses during a surprise party to celebrate her 30 years as principal at Greenlawn Terrace Elementary in Kenner. LEFT: The pre-K class sings a song during the surprise party.

2G F Thursday, November 26, 2015 F theneworleansadvocate.com F The Advocate

Animal rescue community mourns Charlotte Bass Lilly

Advocate staff photos by SHERRI MILLER

Teacher Eric Spadoni holds the mic for Danarius Meredith, 5, as he leads his kindergarten class in a song they wrote for the party. It was titled ‘Yo Ho, Yo Ho, It’s a Principal’s Life.’

Croft is stunned as she enters a cafeteria full of students and staff for her surprise party.

PRINCIPAL

Continued from page 1G

Katherine ‘Kitty’ Croft is overwhelmed by a surprise party celebrating her 30 years as principal at Greenlawn Terrace Elementary in Kenner.

party. Fooling the veteran leader took a lot of planning. Much of the work seemed to happen while she was out of town at a conference for four days, Croft said. Then, on the big day last Wednesday, Croft was invited to lunch with a School Board member, a lunch that was mysteriously cut short. Stopping for gas on the way back, however, put her a bit behind schedule returning to school.

“The assistant principal called and said, ‘Where are you? I have a huge problem in the cafeteria,’ … I thought an electrical panel caught on fire. … There were cars (in the school lot), but I didn’t pay attention because they told me there was a parent meeting.” The elaborate planning did the trick. The party brought out family, educators, kids and community members, with a

BARKOFF

Continued from page 1G (504) 367-4743 or Jack Dunphy at (504) 481-2486.

Kenner Christmas Village opens

An annual holiday tradition kicks off in Kenner this weekend when the Christmas Village opens at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Heritage Park, 405 Williams Blvd. in Rivertown. Kenner Mayor Mike Yenni and Santa Claus will turn on the lights. Soon, “snow” will fall, turning the village into a winter wonderland. Animated scenery, Christmas caroling, entertainment by local school students and dance schools, and costumed holiday characters will be accompianed by arts and crafts, food and refreshments. The village will be open Sunday along with the first three weekends in December — Dec.

JENSEN

Continued from page 1G Rusty Nail, where food will be provided by Rock-n-Sake Bar and Sushi. Advanced tickets are $25, and VIP tickets are $75. They’re available at running ofthesantas.com. Information is available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/running santas, and on Twitter, @RunningSantas. A portion of the proceeds will benefit That Others May Live Foundation, a nonprofit group established in 2002 to provide scholarships, family counseling and aid to surviving children of U.S. Air Force rescue heroes. The Running of the Santas holiday event started in 1998 in the streets of downtown Philadelphia.

Happening at City Park

The newly constructed Oscar J. Tolmas Center will open

program that included special performances from the students. “I’m never speechless — I’m always full of it. I was at a loss for words,” she said. Croft’s secret to success and longevity is enjoying life after school, as well. She’s an avid traveler. “I love school. There is no greater thing or greater reward than working with little kids,” she said.

The animal rescue community is mourning the loss of Charlotte Bass Lilly, president and executive director of Animal Rescue New Orleans. Lilly, who passed away from cancer on Nov. 15, had been instrumental in the animal rescue efforts after Hurricane ANIMAL Katrina. RESCUE An animal adTRACI vocate since the HOWERTON 1970s, she fought tirelessly to give a voice to the voiceless, devoting her life to the cause. She stayed with her pets during Katrina and then joined the massive rescue mission afterward, saving thousands of animals. Lilly stepped up as national groups left town, starting the first no-kill animal shelter in the region, Animal Rescue New Orleans. Since March 2006, ARNO Lilly has rescued and found homes for more than 8,000 companion animals. Lilly’s joy was saving the animals that seemed to have no hope — the injured, sick, elderly and starved — and helping them become whole and feel loved again. She put the needs of others above her own and was never too busy to help anyone — human or animal. ARNO will continue the good fight in her honor. Lilly’s mission was to “rescue one by one until there are none.” Through relationships with local and regional shelters and rescues, and with devoted and compassionate volunteers, we at ARNO are going to work every day to make her proud and to continue her mission. This Thanksgiving, we are thankful that there are people like Lilly who live their lives selflessly to do good in the world and make it a better place, especially for animals. There will never be another Charlotte Bass Lilly, and although her time here was short, she lived one heck of a

public information officer for the parish, said the grant money has allowed the parish to buy receptacles for cigarette butts and to fund a public awareness campaign. These receptacles have been placed at the pavilion areas at the Bucktown Marina and the Bonnabel Boat Launch to reduce litter on the ground and ultimately, in Lake Pontchartrain. “Preliminary scans of a 10-foot-by-10-foot section at each site, conducted as a prerequisite for grant funding, found more than 650 cigarette butts littered the grounds at those two areas alone,” Fortunato added. The grant, along with the donation of 1,500 pocket ash trays from Keep America Beautiful, will allow the parish to continue its fight against litter and expand efforts to keep Jefferson “Clean and Green.” “The litter program of Keep America Beautiful addresses the problem by encouraging

enforcement of litter laws, raising awareness with public service messages, placing cigarette litter receptacles in public places and distributing pocket ashtrays to adult smokers,” Fortunato said. “Communities implementing the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program consistently cut cigarette butt litter by half.” Also, through its partnership with Keep Louisiana Beautiful, the parish’s department of Environmental Affairs has been awarded an $8,700 Healthy Communities Grant to buy recycling bins to support a new recycling and waste reduction program initiated by the faculty and students of Grace King High School’s Environmental Club in Metairie. Keep Louisiana Beautiful is the state’s anti-litter and community improvement organization focused on education, awareness, litter prevention, beautification and waste reduction.

historic park and its offerings, the facility will include a gift and plant shop and public restrooms. The building was dedicated Nov. 17. The city is counting down the days to the start of City Park’s Celebration in the Oaks, with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and displays, including the Who Dat tree, Mr. Bingle, the Cajun Night before Christmas and a frontrow seat on the two-mile mini train ride, all taking place at Storyland, the Botanical Garden and the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park. Advocate file photo The annual holiday event Some of those who costumed starts Friday and ends Saturat last year’s Running of the day, Jan. 2. It will be closed Santas include Adam Wade, Nov. 30 through Dec. 4; and Tommy Chase, Erin Stevens Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve. and Tom Pace. Hours are 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Monday at 5 Victory Ave. in Saturday, including Christmas City Park, near the entrance night. to Storyland and the New OrTickets are $8; children leans Botanical Garden. Along younger than 3 and Friends with information about the

of City Park members enter free. Amusement ride tickets are $3 per ride, excluding the train; an $18 bracelet provides unlimited rides, including the train. For more information, visit www.celebrationintheoaks. com or call (504) 483-9415.

4-6, Dec. 11-13, and Dec. 1820. Hours are 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Santa will be available for photos. Parking and admission are free. Adding to the holiday spirit will be a special musical light show called “Laser Holidays” beginning at 7 p.m. on Dec. 4, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18 at the Kenner Planetarium and MegaDome Cinema, 2020 Fourth St., Rivertown. Tickets to the light show, which are $2, can be purchased at the planetarium box office. For information about the Christmas Village and the light show, call (504) 468-7231.

Parish receives special grant

The Jefferson Parish Department of Environmental Affairs, a Keep America Beautiful affiliate, has won a $2,500 grant from Keep America Beautiful’s Cigarette Litter Prevention Program. In an email, Kriss Fortunato,

Call for actors

The C.G. Jung Society of New Orleans and the New Orleans Lyceum are calling for volunteers interested in participating in the production of a one-act play to be performed in March. Characters include Carl Jung, a mature man with a Swiss accent; James Joyce, a mature man with an Irish accent; Lucia Joyce, as a young girl; Lucia Joyce, as a mature woman; Frank Budgen, a mature man; Edith McCormick, a mature woman; and Daniel Brody, a mature man. The play consists of six short scenes, mostly conversational. Jung, Joyce, and Lucia have

dogs and info on volunteering and fostering. For info contact adopt@animalrescueneworleans.org. DECEMBER: The Louisiana SPCA will offer half–off adoption fee throughout the month. Regular adoption procedures apply. DECEMBER: Presents for Paws Presented by Gold’s Gym is proud to partner with the Louisiana SPCA for the holidays. Visit either of the gym’s West Bank locations, pick an ornament off the tree and drop off a donation. Visit www.la-spca. org/wishlist to view our wish list and for information. LOST OR FOUND PETS: In Orleans Parish you can send a photo, description of your pet, date lost/found and your conPhoto by MARSHA STECKLING tact info to lostandfound@laAt about 2 years old, Lo- spca.org, in Jefferson Parish gan is young and full of life. send to molsen@jeffparish.net He’s also been through basic and bbourgeois@jeffparish.net obedience training. To find and in St. Bernard Parish send out more about him, email to cluna@sbpg.net. adopt@animalrescueneworTraci D. Howerton is soleans.org. The adoption fee is cial media editor of Animal $200 and covers neuter, UTD Rescue New Orleans, a nonvaccines, rabies and chip. profit, volunteer-based, no-kill

meaningful life and made a positive impact on our community. Lilly’s energy, spunk, humor and love for all animals will be a legacy that we will forever remember.

EVENTS

THURSDAY: Yappy Hour in the courtyard at Rare Form, 437 Esplanade Ave. at Frenchmen St. from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Thursday. It benefits the Louisiana SPCA. Stop in for dinner, or just enjoy some craft cocktails and listen to relaxing live music with your friendly four-legged friend. Fresh water and treats will be provided for pups, while owners enjoy $1 off all craft cocktails. Don’t forget: When you mention “Yappy Hour,” 15 percent of the proceeds from your outing go to benefit the Louisiana SPCA. Visit www.rareformnola.com for information. SATURDAY: Animal Rescue New Orleans will be at the Arts Market at Palmer Park, South Carrollton and South Claiborne avenues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with adoptable

The grant will give students an opportunity to take an active role in environmental issues and integrate recycling into the school curriculum and practice.

AARP class is next week

A four-hour AARP Smart Driver class will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Elmwood Fitness Center, 1200 S. Clearview Parkway, Harahan. The class is open to all AARP members and non-members age 50 and older; those completing the course will receive a certificate that may qualify them for car insurance discounts. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. To register and for more information, call (504) 828-3962. Eva Jacob Barkoff writes about the people and events in Jefferson Parish. She can be reached at ejbarkoff@gmail.com

long parts. The other parts do not require much memorization. Anyone interested in acting or assisting in production can contact Del McNeely at mcneelydeldon@gmail.com, or David O’Donoghue at druben2@hotmail.com. Lynne Jensen writes about New Orleans community events and people. Contact her at jensencolumn@gmail. com.

shelter. Contact ARNO at animalrescuecolumn@gmail. com, www.animalrescueneworleans.org or call our recorded information line at 504.571.1900.

CONTACT US THE CRESCENT CITY ADVOCATE Published every Wednesday Submissions: Send news by Monday at 5 p.m. to be published 10 days later, as space is available. Original photos will run as space is available and must be high-resolution JPEG attachments, 1MB or larger. First and last names must be included, from left to right. Email news and photos to: crescentcity@theadvocate. com Read online at: the new orleans advocate.com/ community/crescentcity Contact: Karen Taylor Gist The New Orleans Advocate 1010 Common St., Suite 3030 New Orleans, LA, 70112 (504) 636-7434 For Advertising: (504) 636-7421 (classified) (504) 6367425 (display) 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Questions about subscriptions? Call customer service at (504) 529-0522 or visit theadvocate.com/ subscriptions. Questions about Red Bag Delivery? Call (504) 2625998 or email notmc@ theadvocate.com

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HOUSE

A tale of two churches

Continued from page 1G izing that we were on the same street and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know one another. That was one of the things that hit very hard, and let us see how divided we are. â&#x20AC;Ś blocks away and had no relationship at all. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I challenged Henry, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s do this.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; They (Trinity parishioners) were talking about racial reconciliation. They wanted to do something boots on the ground.â&#x20AC;? To Hudson, coming together with Household of Faith a decade after Hurricane Katrina to build a home carried extra significance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The 29th of August was the storm, but the more important day was Oct. 11, the day the church reopened,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We made a commitment to come back and to rebuild and to be part of the transformation of this community. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a happy and powerful anniversary to talk about and to celebrate.â&#x20AC;? That anniversary fell during the construction project. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When Pastor Barriere called and challenged us to build a Habitat house, I thought, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;this is a great way to continue a commitment to rebuilding the city also across racial and denomination of faith lines,â&#x20AC;? Hudson said. If a Habitat build was a perfect project for the two churches, it was a godsend for Kottemann, who is white. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On my own, I would never have thought in a million years Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d ever be able to afford a house,â&#x20AC;? said the 29-year-old New Orleans native. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Or even a down-payment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s check-to-check â&#x20AC;&#x201D; you struggle. With this program, instead of renting and paying someone else, you pay yourself. The mortgage is significantly cheaper than rent. I can save money for my child to go to college.â&#x20AC;? While the financial advantages are substantial, they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the only reasons sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s excited. She expects quality of life to improve as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My son â&#x20AC;Ś thinks itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the greatest thing in the world. He canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to have his room and a yard â&#x20AC;&#x201D; heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never had a yard to play in.â&#x20AC;? It will be easier for them both to have friends over, as opposed to the

After the Rev. Henry Hudson, pastor at Trinity Episcopal Church, and the Rev. Antoine Barriere, pastor at Household of Faith, met almost two years ago to plan the Habitat for Humanity building project, they quickly built a personal relationship. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The first thing we did, we made an agreement that we would pray for each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s churches. ... That brought us into a faith relationship and raised awareness of each other,â&#x20AC;? Hudson said. But the relationship between the congregations also became more concrete. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On Aug. 29 (2015), when the mayor called us all to do day of service in the city, we did our work together and cleaned up gardens and a community center just up the avenue,â&#x20AC;? Hudson said. The church members also came together in prayer in June after the mass shooting in an African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina. And currently, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re coordinating projects to feed the hungry for Thanksgiving. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to get out of your comfort zone â&#x20AC;&#x201D; you have to be intentional about this,â&#x20AC;? Barriere said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come together weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll stay in our little corners because life is busy. This is about working every day (to see) what can we do together.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re calling it a covenant relationship between the two churches,â&#x20AC;? Hudson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;First, we continue to pray for each other, (then) look for ways to fellowship together, and third, to do at least one big project a year, hopefully a house, together. I want it to be infectious â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that means we want other churches to get in on it. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see how itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grown.â&#x20AC;?

Photo provided by New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity

Members of the two churches come together for labor and fellowship at the Habitat for Humanity build. apartment theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re leaving. The positive effects extend beyond Kottemann and her son. At Household of Faith, Barriere talked about the impact of coming together across racial lines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our building this home will forever be a memorial. ... I invited her (Kottemann, along with Gabriel) to church, and everybody showed them so much love. I said to the congregation, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;as far as little Gabriel is concerned, what are going to be his thoughts toward black people? â&#x20AC;Ś All he will think is that these people helped build me a house. Those individuals helped our family,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and it will change forever how he sees black people.â&#x20AC;? While the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana has set up a yearlong initiative to establish racial reconciliation groups in every parish, including Trinity, Hudson described the project in terms of Christianity rather than race. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not a person

Ashley Kottemann, right, hugs a volunteer who helped to build her new home. Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON

Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON

of grand schemes or designs. It feels natural for Christian brothers and sisters to come together and learn each othersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; names and hear each othersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stories and see how God can use us in a very personal way to make a commitment to helping each other.â&#x20AC;? He noted the number of other projects around the city bringing races together. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You know, peace is breaking

out among us, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re getting Ashley Kottemann holds up the key to her new home during an opportunity to do ministry the dedication ceremony and her son Gabriel looks on. At left that the Gospel gives us, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m are pastors Antoine Barriere and Henry Hudson. delighted with that.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had been struggling with As for lasting impressions hold of Faith who had the same from working with Household profession and shared stories faith for a really long time. To of Faith, â&#x20AC;&#x153;First of all, it was about children and grandchil- see these two churches come fun,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of good food dren and laughed and worked together and welcome me â&#x20AC;Ś it made me think there are so and a lot of joy in meeting each together.â&#x20AC;? For Kottemann, the coming many good people out there. You other and having that time doing something good together. Some together of the two churches forget that sometimes and lose real friendships were formed as was a reminder of the good in faith. I just sat and cried and cried it was so beautiful.â&#x20AC;? folks discovered those at House- humanity.

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Destrehan senior’s T-shirts raise wetlands awareness Photo provided

As part of her senior project at Destrehan, Savannah Sadaiappen designed, made and sold T-shirts to help raise awareness for environmental protection in Louisiana. The shirts, which are being sold for $10 each, feature a pair of drawings by fellow Destrehan student Cole Grishop.

As a student at Harry Hurst Middle School in Destrehan, Savannah Sadaiappen was one of hundreds of pupils assigned to take a science class with Barry Guilliot. She also beRIVER came one of the VIEWS hundreds of stuLORI dents to join the LYONS Wetlands Watchers, who learn about the wetlands surrounding St. Charles Parish and the desperate efforts to save

them from coastal erosion. But it wasn’t until her senior year at Destrehan High School that Sadaiappen became an activist. As part of her senior project at Destrehan, Sadaiappen designed, made and sold T-shirts to help raise awareness for environmental protection in Louisiana. The shirts, which are $10 each, feature a pair of drawings by fellow Destrehan student Cole Grishop. On the front is an image of Earth with the words, “There is no Planet B.” On the back is a drawing of Louisiana depicting the land in green and the

encroaching Gulf of Mexico in blue. “I’ve been interested in saving the wetlands since I took Mr. Guilliot’s class,” Sadaiappen said. “I mean, we live so close and, in a couple of years they could be gone. I’m doing this project because I feel that it’s important that people become aware about the degradation of our environment so they can take action to help preserve it. I hope to communicate with the public how important our environment is, especially the wetlands, since they are our home.” Sadaiappen said she has

almost sold out of her initial order of 50 shirts. Anyone interested in purchasing a shirt may call (504) 327-0659 or email savannahsadaiappen@ yahoo.com. All funds raised will go the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, which will use the money for a project of its choosing. All senior students at in St. Charles Parish are required to complete a multifaceted project to exhibit their skills, knowledge, creativity and talents. Students must present their completed projects to a panel of community members as part of their final exam.

Thanks for reading

This is the last of my weekly columns for The Advocate. After three years freelancing for The Advocate sports department and the Crescent City weekly, I have taken a full time job as Sports Editor of L’Observateur in LaPlace. I have enjoyed telling River Parishes’ stories over the past year, and I hope I have kept the community informed about interesting events. Please continue to send your news, your events and your photos to crescentcity@ theadvocate.com. And thanks for reading.

Photo provided

Advocate photos by ZACH BRIEN

Ryan Downie, right, of Dutchtown, fixes his team’s robot during the second round of Robot Games match.

Students compete at Lego tournament Advocate staff report Ten teams from across south Louisiana assembled at the University of New Orleans recently to compete in a First Lego League qualifying tournament. Students went bot to bot in Robot Game matches. A Trash Trek Challenge asked students to identify a problem with the way we make trash, design an innovative solution and share their ideas with others. The Cyberbears team from Benjamin Franklin Elementary Mathematics and Science School in New Orleans is among the winners advancing to the Louisiana State Championship on Dec. 5 at Holy Cross High School in New Orleans.

Sophia Bernmen, left, and Jeda Williams, of the Techno Cajuns at Country Day School in Metairie, compete in the Robot Challenge.

Tommy Effler is Jefferson Art Guild’s October artist of the month for his oil painting, ‘Running Wild.’ The guild meets on the last Wednesday of the month in the Foundation Center at Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie. For information, visit jeffersonartguild.com.

Photo provided by Colonial Garden Club

Jim Campbell, president of the American Camellia Society, was the guest speaker at the November meeting of the Colonial Garden Club, held at the Harahan home of member Susan Bradley. The hostesses were Sandy Anzelmo, Michel Boudreaux, Melinda Jackson and Jeanne Turner. From left, are Bradley, Campbell and club President Susan Hardeman.

NEIGHBORHOOD BRIEFS LITERACY BENEFIT: Free writing programs for New Orleans youth will be the beneficiary of a Dark and Stormy Night fundraiser from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, in the Arbor Room at Popp Fountain in New Orleans City Park. Tickets are available at bigclass.org/ darkandstormy; they are $40 for general admission or $125 for patrons, who will also be admitted to the patron party beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event benefits the youth writing nonprofit Big Class, which will open a new space on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard in the summer. The Youth Writing Center will enable Big Class to add several new programs, so it can serve more than 3,500 students annually through an innovative approach to literacy that combines project-based learning with one-onone volunteer support. NEW ORLEANS GARDEN SOCIETY: Artist Joyce Laporte gave a program on “Landscaping in Art” during a recent meeting of the New Orleans Garden Society. She exhibited painting and related stories about their

Denise Mehurin, president of the New Orleans Garden Society, left, with artist Joyce Laporte Photo provided

creation. The Garden Society meets on the second Wednesday of each month in the Playhouse at Longue Vue Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, New Orleans. UNITED WAY OF ST. CHARLES: Valero St. Charles Refinery has become the first single organization to raise more than $1 million for United Way of St.

Charles. On hand for the check presentation were Ralph Phillip, vice president and general manager of Valero St. Charles Refinery; Don Davis and Kim Duvall, 2015-16 campaign chairs for Valero St. Charles Refinery; and Melissa Frederick and Kacy Kernan of United Way of St. Charles.

Louisiana Center for Women adds 12 members to Hall of Fame Advocate staff report

Photo provided by Shady Oaks Garden Club

From left are Paul Walker, Michael Rankin, Monica Bell, Karen O’Malley, Troy Laurent, Joseph Federer, Jeffrey Thornton, Sandy Huston, Paul White, Joan Rasch and Stephanie Abadie.

Shady Oaks Garden Club joins in therapy project lia Community Services, which serves people with developMember of the Shady Oaks mental disabilities, showed Garden Club visited Magnolia off raised beds brimming with Community Services on Oct. 14 herbs, vegetables and colorful to participate in a garden ther- flowers. One flower bed was planted apy project. Adults at MagnoAdvocate staff report

with pink petunias and dusty millers, following the garden club’s “Plant it Pink” breast cancer awareness theme. After planting annuals, garden club members helped harvest beans.

The Louisiana Center for Women in Government and Business inducted 10 women and two men known for their outstanding support of leadership among women into its Hall of Fame on Nov. 21 at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. The Center for Women was established in 1990 as a statewide, nonpartisan resource to help elect more women to public office. In 2013, its mission expanded to include women in business. The 2015 Hall of Fame inductees are Stephanie Burks, co-founder and vice president of RYCARS Construction, which operates in 10 states;

Leah Chase, owner of Dooky Chase’s restaurant in New Orleans; New Orleans City Council member Jacquelyn B. Clarkson; Felicia Frederick, manager of governmental affairs at Chevron; Russ Herman, senior partner, Herman, Herman & Katz Law Firm; Christian LeBlanc, actor; Leslie Marsh, donor relations officer, Tulane University; Nell Nolan, journalist; Karen Puckett, former president of global markets, CenturyLink; Brandie Toups, chairwoman, Louisiana Girls Leadership Academy; Chief Judge Vanessa Whipple, Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal; and Donnell Zeringue, Lafourche Parish Commission for Wom-

en. Co-chairwomen of the 25th anniversary events were Cherry Fisher May, publisher of IND Media in Lafayette, and Maj. Renee Brinkley, of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. The Center’s Hall of Fame was begun in 1994 and includes former Congresswoman Lindy Boggs, former Louisiana Treasurer Mary Evelyn Parker, former newspaper writer Iris Kelso, Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s Beth Courtney, former Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, former state official Sandra Thompson Herman, Levees.org founder Sandy Rosenthal and former Lt. Gov. Melinda Schwegmann.

Audubon chefs offer chance to feast from the ground up Advocate staff report Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium wants to put a bug in your ear about a special holiday program. More accurately, it wants to put a bug — lots of bugs — in your mouth, instead. Photo provided by The Audubon Audubon executive bug chefs Institute on Wednesday are offering visiIt may take a bit of bravery to tors a chance to taste twists on sample the bug-filled dishes. traditional Thanksgiving fam-

ily recipes: turkey with cornbread and mealworm stuffing, wax worm cranberry sauce and cricket pumpkin pie. Mouth watering yet? Go to the Tiny Termite Café at the insectarium. You’ll also learn how people all over the world cook with insects. Other dishes will include chocolate “chirp” cookies and six-legged salsa. (The cafe will be serving its regular fare as

well.) The tastings, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, are free with regular admission to the Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, 423 Canal St., New Orleans, while supplies last. Tickets are $16.95 adult; $11.95 ages 2 -12; and $13.95 for seniors over 65. Advanced tickets are recommended; visit AudubonInstitute.org. Call (504) 524-2847 for Audubon executive bug chefs will do the cooking in the Tiny Termite Café. information.

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FAITH NOTES PEOPLE PROGRAM: Registration for the People Program spring semester will be open from Nov. 30 through Dec. 11 at 2240 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, and at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 6201 Stratford Place, New Orleans. Registration hours are from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at both locations. The spring semester will run from Jan. 19 through May 13. The People Program is a nonprofit dedicated to the well-being of people 50 and older. More than 120 classes designed to enhance body, mind and spirit are offered. People Program participants can take an unlimited number of courses for $150 per semester. For class listings, visit www. peopleprogram.org or call (504) 284-7678. TRIDENTINE MASS: The Roman Rite Mass, known as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;triden-

COLLEGE BRIEFS DILLARD UNIVERSITY: The Greater New Orleans Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals has named Marc A. Barnes, of Dillard University, its outstanding fundraiser of the year. Barnes has been vice president for institutional advancement at Dillard since February 2013. Before that, he was director of development at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation Inc., where he was Barnes responsible for the development of a major gifts fundraising operation and the launch of a major capital campaign to support the renovation of the Jazz & Heritage Center. Barnes serves on the finance council at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, where he is also a lector and coordinates the marriage ministry with his wife, Kiki. He is immediate past president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater New Orleans Chapter, and is a member of the Louisiana Advisory Council for UNCF. He serves on the board of directors at St. Augustine High School and the advisory board of St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Academy. NUNEZ COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Michael Doran and Nadia Stevens, of Nunez Community College, have been awarded scholarships by Shell. They are among 17 Louisiana community and technical college students to receive the scholarships, which range from $1,800 to $2,200. The scholarship program provides an incentive for students to pursue careers in the oil and gas, petrochemical and maintenance craft labor fields. MILITARY-FRIENDLY CAMPUSES: All 13 of Louisianaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s community and technical colleges have met the state standards for designation as military-friendly. The Louisiana Community and Technical College System is the only highereducation system in Louisiana to have all of its colleges receive this designation. The mandatory criteria involve the military articulation and transfer process, waivers from application fees, specialized orientation programs, deployment and readmission policies and priority class scheduling. The other criteria involve courses specifically designed for veterans, free tutoring, career workshops and ROTC programs.

tineâ&#x20AC;? or Latin Mass, will be offered at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Stephen Church (Good Shepherd Parish), 1025 Napoleon Ave., New Orleans. The Mass intention will be for the repose of the soul of Giuseppina Belmondo Cellini, who died recently at age 97. She was the widow of Renato Cellini, who was conductor of the New Orleans Opera Association

â&#x20AC;&#x153;GODâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S UNCONDITIONAL LOVEâ&#x20AC;?: The Rev. Msgr. Doug Doussan will begin the Year of Mercy with a day of prayer with the theme â&#x20AC;&#x153;Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Unconditional Loveâ&#x20AC;? on Dec. 11 at the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center, 5500 St. Mary St., Metairie. A $35 offering is suggested. For information, visit retreats.arch-no.org or call (504) 887-1420.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;PRACTICING MERCYâ&#x20AC;?: The Rev. Philip Chircop will lead a program, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Practicing Mercy: Kissed by Mercy, Embraced by Love,â&#x20AC;? Jan. 22-24 at the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center, 5500 St. Mary St., Metairie. A $225 offering is suggested. For information, visit retreats.arch-no.org or call (504) 887-1420.

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SPORTS BRIEFS TURKEY DAY RACE: Spina Bifida of Greater New Orleans will be the beneficiary of the New Orleans Athletic Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Turkey Day Race, which the New Orleans Track Club will present at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, beginning and ending at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans City Park. The road race, held since 1907, is open to participants of all running and walking skill levels. The event will include a scenic 5-mile run/walk and a half-mile kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; race. Registration is open at runNOTC.org, with fees of $30 for the five-mile event and $20 for the half-mile event. Race-day registration opens on-site at 7 a.m.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;FINDING PEACE THROUGH FORGIVENESSâ&#x20AC;?: The Rev. Tony Rigoli will lead a day of prayer with the theme â&#x20AC;&#x153;Finding Peace Through Forgivenessâ&#x20AC;? on Jan. 12 at the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center, 5500 St. Mary St., Metairie. A $35 offering is suggested. For information, visit retreats.arch-no.org or call (504) 887-1420.

HEALTH BRIEFS HEALTH INSURANCE BASICS: The League of Women Voters of Louisiana has posted a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Health Insurance Basicsâ&#x20AC;? report on its website, www.lwvofla.org. It briefly discusses the benefits of health insurance coverage; the dates for Marketplace enrollment, renewal or change of an existing plan; information to have on hand; and steps to enroll in, renew or change an insurance plan. The report also includes a table showing for each size household the range of incomes that may make individuals eligible to receive help to pay for health insurance in the Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act. The ACA extends health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. A number of organizations provide free assistance with the Health Insurance Marketplace. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Health Insurance Basicsâ&#x20AC;? provides telephone and email contact information for these organizations.

from 1954 until his death in 1967. The Good Shepherd Choir will be heard in the Missa Cantata, under the direction of Brian Morgan, director of music and principal organist, in the Gregorian â&#x20AC;&#x153;Missa de Angelis.â&#x20AC;? Phyllis Treigle will be soprano soloist, with Bart Folse as chanter. For information, call the rectory office at (504) 899-1378.

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6G F Thursday, November 26, 2015 F theneworleansadvocate.com F The Advocate

schools

Stacking the odds

ABOVE: Students at the International School of Louisiana in New Orleans participated in the World Sport Stacking Association’s attempt to break a Guinness World Book of Records. They rushed to stack as many cups as they could within a given time period. LEFT: Isabella Alvarez, 9, carefully stacks her cups in a pyramid formation.

Students at the International School of Louisiana were some of those from around the state, country and world who worked recently to break a Guinness World Record mark for most people sport stacking at multiple locations in one day. As part of the World Sport Stacking Association’s 2015 Stack Up Day

Advocate staff photos by SHERRI MILLER

on Nov. 12, 671 ISL students spent at least a half hour stacking and unstacking in the event.

Joseph Margin, 9, starts a new stack of cups.

SCHOOL BRIEFS CABRINI HIGH SCHOOL: Cabrini High School senior volleyball player Bailey Hepting has been named a WWL-TV A+ Athlete. She will be honored at a luncheon and awards ceremony Dec. 3. Hepting’s academic honors include National Honor Society, Cabrini Scholarship 2011-2015, Presidential Hepting Honor Roll all semesters, LSU Tiger Excellence Scholarship and TOPS Honors Award. As setter on the volleyball team, she was volleyball team captain and a fouryear letter winner. NOCCA VOCAL MUSIC: Vocal music students from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts received awards in their divisions in Southern regional competition of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, recently held at the University of Louisiana Monroe. NOCCA students placed first, second, third and fourth in high school women and first place in high school men, with nine of the 13 students making it to the semifinal round. The competition was open to high school and college students from Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. Among the women, the winners from NOCCA are Emily Sheets of Metairie, first; Lindsey Reynolds of New Orleans, second; Caitlin Ecuyer of Lacombe, third; and Allison Romaguera of Marrero, fourth. All are students at the NOCCA Academic Studio. Ryan Reynolds, a homeschool student from New Orleans, was first among the high school men. WARREN EASTON CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL: Warren Easton Charter High School in New Orleans will be adding a mobile-application development curriculum, in connection with its selection as part of the 2015-16 Lenovo Scholar Network. The Easton students involved in the program will participate in a project-based competition focused on designing and developing a mobile app and a business plan for taking the app to market. The Lenovo Scholar Network is open to academies affiliated with NAF, a national network of education, business and community leaders that gives businesses the opportunity to shape America’s future workforce. Warren Easton is one of 20 NAF academies across the United States selected to participate in the Lenovo Scholar Network during the 2015-16 academic year, and the only school from Louisiana selected. Last school

year, more than 400 hundred students from 10 NAF Academies of Information Technology participated in the Lenovo Scholar Network. This year, the program will expand to include students from across all of NAF’s career themes, including engineering, finance, health sciences and hospitality and tourism. SAFE DRIVING: Sophomores from St. Mary’s Dominican High School recently participated in a seven-hour safe-driving program called Sudden Impact. The program, created by the LSU Level 1 Trauma Center in New Orleans and the State Police, addresses the consequences of impaired driving, distracted driving and not using a seat belt. YOUNG AUDIENCES CHARTER SCHOOL: Young Audiences Charter School at Kate Middleton will hold open houses Dec. 3 and Dec. 5 for Jefferson Parish families with children who will be entering kindergarten through sixth grade next year. The open houses will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 3 and from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 5 at the school, 1407 Virgil St., Gretna. Young Audiences Charter School is an arts-integrated elementary charter school. Prospective students and families may schedule a tour of the school if they cannot attend either of the open houses. For information, visit www.yacharterschool.org or call (504) 304-6332. WARREN EASTON CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL: Warren Easton Charter High School will hold an open house for parents and prospective students in grades nine through 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at the school, 3019 Canal

Photo provided by St. Mary’s Dominican High School

Master Trooper Rob Mire of the Louisiana State Police explains a field sobriety test before enactment by St. Mary’s Dominican High School sophomore Ady Becker, who wears “drunk goggles” that emulate an inebriated state. St., New Orleans. For information, call the school at (504) 3247400 or visit www.warreneastoncharterhigh.org. ST. CHARLES CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL: The teacher of the quarter at St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace is Suzy Bologna. The students of the quarter are Kelly Campbell, Kameron Fernandez, Terriona Ford, Brady Jacob, Maggie Morton, Richard Nyguen, Cordelle Rojo, Ashley Toups, Lexi Tran and Grant Vicknair.

Featuring Michael Cunningham, Michael Lewis, Dave Eggers, George Saunders & more

Photo provided by NOCCA

Winners in regional competition of the National Association of Teachers of Singing from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts include, from left, Ryan Reynolds, Allison Romaguera, Caitlin Ecuyer, Lindsey Reynolds and Emily Sheets.

schools

The Advocate F theneworleansadvocate.com F Thursday, November 26, 2015 F 7G

Metairie kindergartners participate inThanksgiving prayer service

Cabrini High School food drive to benefit Hispanic immigrants The Hispanic Apostolate is an outreach project of the Cabrini High School stu- Archdiocese of New Orleans dents, faculty and staff kicked that provides assistance to off the Thanksgiving food Hispanic immigrants. Cabrini drive for the Hispanic Aposto- spent her lifetime in the serlate of New Orleans as part of vice of immigrants, which rethe celebration of Saint Fran- sulted in her being named the ces Xavier Cabrini’s Feast Day patron saint of immigrants by Pope Pius XII. on Nov. 13. Advocate staff report

Sophie Wilken brings a gift during a Thanksgiving prayer service for prekindergartners Photos provided by St. Catherine of Siena School and kindergartners at St. Kindergartners ring bells during a Thanksgiving prayer service for prekindergartners and Catherine of Siena School in kindergartners at St. Catherine of Siena School in Metairie. Metairie.

Dominican hosts French exchange students Advocate staff report St. Mary’s Dominican High School welcomed students from Lycée Caousou in Toulouse, France, who stayed with host families from Dominican during their New Orleans visit Oct. 19 through Nov. 1. The highlights of their stay included celebrating their first Halloween, a Honey Island Swamp tour, a Natchez Riverboat cruise and attending their first American high school football game. Their visit is the second time Dominican has done an exchange with Lycée Caousou.

Photo provided by St. Mary’s Dominican High School

Students visiting from Lycée Caousou in Toulouse, France, are, front row from left, Chloé Benoit, Valentine James, Thais Constaty, Marie Berthous, Clothilde Jolivet, Emmeline Diene and Perrine Latour. In the back row are Dominican French teacher Joan Regard, Marcelle Kepper, Katherine Hill, Grace Brown, Lycée Caosou international exchange coordinator Dominique Hombourg, Kristina Plunkett, Claire Karcher, Emily Meyer, Maya Dancisak and Dominican French teacher Remi Pastorek.

Photo provided by Cabrini High School

Members of the Cabrini High School National Honor Society collecting food for the Hispanic Apostolate of New Orleans are, from left, Katie Bigner, Sydney Taylor, Cabrini Mission Corps volunteer Denzel Stanislaus, Katie Ourso, assistant principal Vivian Deschapelles Coutin and Elizabeth Cutrer.

8G F Thursday, November 26, 2015 F theneworleansadvocate.com F The Advocate

Art to art

When the International Convention of Exhibition and Fine Art Transporters came to New Orleans recently, members volunteered to help create a mural at Cohen College Prepatory School, 3520 Dryades St. Panels were painted inside, and the whole mural was to be assembled outdoors later. Advocate staff photos by SHERRI MILLER

Photo provided by Kerri Becker

Members of the New Orleans USTA team preparing for national competition include, in front, Margo Daisy-Louise Orgeron, left, and Angela Jeffreys. In back are Maryanne Pranikoff, Phyllis Jacomet, Kerri Becker, Katie McComiskey and Monique Bryson.

N.O. tennis team prepares for USTA national competition the local New Orleans division, the Louisiana state championA local U.S. Tennis Asso- ship in Baton Rouge in August ciation tri-level, over-18 ladies and sectionals in Jackson, Mis4.5-3.5 team will be participat- sissippi, in October. In sectional competition, the ing in national competition in Indian Wells, California, in team went into its last match March. The team captain is tied with Alabama; Louisiana Kerri Becker. The path to the won all 3 lines to win the tournationals included victories in nament.

Advocate staff report

Need a high school diploma? Get it online through the library The New Orleans Public Library is offering adults an accredited high school diploma program online. The Career Online High School is free for Orleans Parish residents who are at least 19 years old, have successfully completed eighth grade and wish to earn their high school diploma. Participants also can earn a career certificate in one of eight highgrowth, high-demand fields. Students who graduate will receive assistance with a résumé, cover letter and other @ THE tools to start or LIBRARY advance their CHARLES careers. To learn BROWN more, please visit nolalibrary. org or call 504-596-2600. HOLIDAY CLOSING: In observance of Thanksgiving, all NOPL locations will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday and remain closed through Friday. HOLIDAY TREES AND GIFTS: The annual Friends of Hubbell Library Christmas tree and holiday gift sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the library, 725 Pelican Ave. The much-loved event will offer Christmas trees, wreaths, garland and gifts as well as ornament-making and craft workshops for children, with a performance by the Confetti Park Players Kids’ Choir at 11 a.m. IMPROVED HOURS: As a result of the passage of the recent Library Millage Proposition, beginning Jan. 3, the New Orleans Public Library will increase hours of operation by almost 30 percent, with daily service at five locations and six-day-a-week service at eight locations. The library will also increase the size of the collection and its investment in technology. Libraries open daily n Algiers Regional Library: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. n East New Orleans Regional Library: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. n Main Library: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to

5 p.m. n Norman Mayer Library: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. n Smith Library: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. n Latter Library: Temporarily closed for renovation, reopening spring 2016 Libraries open six days a week n Alvar Library: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. n Central City Library: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. n Children’s Resource Center Library: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. n Hubbell Library: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. n Keller Library & Community Center: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. n Martin Luther King Library: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. n Mid-City Library: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. n Nix Library: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. BOOK SALE MOVES: Because of the temporary renovation closure of the Latter Library, the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library Book Sale has moved to the Algiers Regional Library, 725 Pelican Ave. The Algiers Regional Book Sale hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. TO STAY INFORMED about upcoming library events, sign up for our weekly events and program listing emails on our website, nolalibrary.org, or like our Facebook page, facebook.com/neworleanspubliclibrary, and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/nolalibrary. Charles Brown is the executive director of the New Orleans Public Library.

Shige Moriyama and Paolo Braggio were among volunteers working on the mural.

Volunteers Francis Petit and Iain Lake work together to carefully measure and tape off the squares that make up the pattern for the first layer of the mural.

Foundation awards Maison Hospitaliere grants Advocate staff report Proceeds from the sale of the Maison Hospitaliere nursing facility in the French Quarter are endowing grants to local nonprofit organizations that serve women and their families. The Greater New Orleans Foundation recently awarded $285,000 in grants from the Maison Hospitaliere Foundation. The grant recipients are: n Boys Hope Girls Hope of Greater New Orleans: $20,000 for “Where Hope Lives.” n Bridge House/Grace House: $15,000 for Grace House Camp Street operations. n Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans: $20,000 for Voyage permanent supportive housing. n Covenant House New Orleans: $20,000 for a crisis center for young women and mothers. n Eden House: $20,000.

n First Grace Community Alliance: $20,000 for Hagar’s House. n Kingsley House: $20,000 for the Kingsley House-Community Support Services Program (CSSP) homelessness prevention fund. n Lakeview Shepherd Center: $5,000. n Luke’s House Clinic: $15,000 for “Women’s Wednesdays: A Well-Woman Health Clinic at Luke’s House (Miercoles de la Mujer).” n Mercy Endeavors Senior Center: $10,000. n Metropolitan Center for Women and Children: $20,000 for “Shelter from the Storm.” n New Orleans Family Justice Alliance: $15,000 for support for an emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence. n New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter: $20,000 for sheltering and transition support services for homeless

women and children. n Ozanam Inn: $10,000 for shelter vouchers for women and their children. n Providence Community Housing: $5,000 for community engagement and supportive services for women and their children. n Raintree Children and Family Services: $15,000 for Raintree House after-school personal development. n St. Bernard Battered Women’s Program, Inc.: $20,000 for domestic violence residential capacity building n The Salvation Army New Orleans Area Command: $15,000 for Overnight Emergency Families Program (Formerly named Women & Children’s Shelter Program). Maison Hospitaliere got its start in 1879 when, in response to the number of impoverished women in the wake of the Civil War, Coralie Correjolles organized 30 women into “La So-

ciété Hospitalière des Dames Louisianaises” to provide them with food and medicine. The group became especially concerned by the plight of elderly ladies who, due to the loss of their husbands in the war, were destitute and living in squalid conditions. Through its collection of 10 cent monthly dues over 14 years, the Société was able to raise the money for its first building, 822 Barracks St., to provide residence for 20 women. Over the next 113 years Maison Hospitaliere evolved into a skilled nursing facility for both men and women. Hurricane Katrina scattered both residents and staff across the country, and in November 2006, the board decided to close the facility. When Maison Hospitaliere sold its French Quarter complex for more than $4 million, the proceeds were incorporated into a grantmaking endowment.

Photo provided by Joseph S. Clark High School Class of 1965

The Joseph S. Clark High School Class of 1965 celebrated its 50-year reunion Oct. 17-18.

Joseph S. Clark High School holds 50th reunion Advocate staff report The Joseph S. Clark High School Class of 1965 celebrated its 50th reunion Oct. 1718. Reunion events included a dinner-dance on Saturday, a church service at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church on Sunday and a brunch at the Fair Grounds. Clark was founded in 1947 as one of two public high schools in New Orleans open to black students. Its location in the Treme neighborhood made it the first such high school on

the downtown side of Canal Street. It was named after the first president of Southern University at Baton Rouge. Attending the reunion were: Veleria Riley Allen, Kenneth Braxton, Rose Brion, Gail Bernard Brown, Cleo Bush-Lewis, Janice Martin Butler, JoAnn Ash Butler, Richard Caiton, Ulysses Claverie, Sandra Crowley Cook, Carol Delay, Cheryl Brown Delpit, Madeline Doyle Edwards, Ethel Coston Fields, Barry Forstall, Albert Franklin, Ethel Smith Gabriel, Beverly Green, Joe

Green, Eva Weary Griffin, Kenneth Grimes, Margaret Dugais Hardy, Gilda Elly Harrison, Claire Hithe-Robinson, Richard Jefferson, Eraina Harrell Jessie, Althea Jacques Joanos, Sammye Landry Johnson, Ferdinand Juluke, Barbara Rankins Keller, Eli Lee, Gwendolyn Lee, Peggy Guitchard Lewis, Joseph Lodree, Janis Bates Mason, Gloria McClainScott, Brenda Smith Meredith, Ronald Mike, Shirley Johnson Mitchell, Andrew Jason Morgan, Ernest P. Morgan, Andrain Parker-Francis, Pamela Santa

Cruz Perry, Brenda Louding Pierre, Catherline McKendall Robinson, Connie Robinson Seymour, James Seymour, Brenda Daniels Smith, Mary Randall Starks, Linda Johnson Stelly, Beverly Taylor-Goodwill, Marlene Robinson Taylor, Barbara Louding Temple, Julie Huntley Thomas, Pervis Thomas, Barbara Trevigne, Larry E. Turner, Ruth Johnson Turner, Joseph Washington, Lydia Parnell Weaver, Omega West, Rhea Anderson White, Marie Porter Williams and Urania Brown Winnier.

schools

The Advocate F theneworleansadvocate.com F Thursday, November 26, 2015 F 9G

Mimosa Park Elementary School holds holiday food drive

Photo provided by St. Mary’s Dominican High School

Teams compete at Louisiana’s FIRST Tech Challenge League, the first robotics competition league meet in Louisiana.

St. Mary’s Dominican hosts robotics league competition shore High School’s Team Pyrogen, first; Jesuit High School’s Robotics teams from nine Blue Jays, second; and Manarea high schools converged deville High School’s S.S. Epiat St. Mary’s Dominican High metheus, third. Other competitors were DoSchool recently for a Louisiana FIRST Tech Challenge League minican Robotics; the Tech Titans, of Brother Martin High event. FIRST Tech Challenges allow School; The Power-Struck Girls, students in grades seven though of Academy of Our Lady; Hel12 to compete head to head us- lion, of Salmen High School; ing a sports model. Teams are Dark Matter, of Mandeville Juresponsible for designing, build- nior High School; and Patrick F. ing and programming robots to Taylor Academy High School compete in an alliance format Robotics. “The students had a great against other teams in a game time, and I know learned a lot called Res-Q. The top teams were North- by having our competition so Advocate staff report

early in the season,” said Dominican robotics coach and science teacher Crissy Giacona. “This will allow them to make adjustments to their robot and be more competitive at the next competition. I look forward to seeing how their robots evolve.” “This was the first of many FTC league matches for the state of Louisiana. I think this robotics competition offers a fun challenge for our students, and I’m excited to be a part of its growth in our state,” said Kyle White, a physics teacher at Jesuit High School who is coach and moderator of its robotics team.

Dominican Robotics team members, from left, Kelly Jackson, Heather Ordoyne and Kayla Nguyen adjust their robot between rounds at the Louisiana’s FIRST Tech Challenge League event.

De La Salle school holds reception for new parents

Photo provided by De La Salle High School

The De La Salle High School Parents’ Club sponsored a reception recently for parents new to the school. From left are Kacy Wainwright, Stacie Rivera and Jessica Meehan, advancement coordinator.

The reception provided an opportunity for parents new to De La Salle High School to meet faculty members. From left are parents Iggy and Christine Perrin, and faculty member Peggy St. John.

The reception provided an opportunity for parents new to De La Salle High School to meet Parents’ Club leaders. From left are Larry Zummo, Parents’ Club Treasurer Melanie Wesley and De La Salle Vice President Tony Bonura.

Cabrini students float ‘missionary boats’ on Bayou St. John Advocate staff report Students at Cabrini High School honored the feast day of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini recently by engaging in one of her favorite pastimes from her childhood in Italy: floating paper boats filled with violets, representing missionary sisters she imagined sending out to do good in the world, traveling to help those that were poor and most vulnerable. The students floated their boats in Bayou St. John across from the school, honoring Mother Cabrini and one of the school’s core values: service to others.

Photo provided by Cabrini High School

Cabrini High School students launch ‘missionary boats’ in Bayou St. John to honor St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. From left are Sydney Taylor, Dianna Roxas, Victoria Simeon, Rachel Coleman, Elizabeth Cutrer and Ashley Duncan.

Photo provided by Mimosa Park Elementary School

A Thanksgiving food drive at Mimosa Park Elementary School in Luling brought in 1,553 food items. The food will be donated to a local church’s food bank and will benefit local families in need just in time for the holidays. Pictured with the donations are second-graders HaleyKate Doucet, Ethan Arellano, Nia Taylor, Lucien Michel and Lana Vieau.

Network honors innovators, exemplars Advocate staff report The Orleans Public Education Network highlighted innovators and exemplars in selecting the winners of the 2015 OPEN Public Education Awards, which were presented Nov. 14. The Enduring Impact Award went to Jay Altman and Anthony Recasner, founders of the New Orleans Charter Middle School. The Distinguished Product of New Orleans Public Schools Award went to Calvin Mackie, founder of STEM NOLA. “OPEN is so proud to celebrate the innovators of our public school system. It is my hope that telling these untold

stories will shine a light on what we should be thinking about in the future of public education in our city and across the nation,” said Deirdre Johnson Burel, OPEN’s executive director. “The honorees stand as exemplars of looking to the future while building on the lessons of the past.” Morris Jeff Community School was honored for its innovative approach to school design and delivery. Mahalia Jackson Elementary School was honored for its innovative approach to early childhood integration, bridging the gap between little school and big school. The New Orleans Center for

Creative Arts was honored for exemplary arts education. Benjamin Franklin High School was honored for excellence in high school achievement. The Silverback Society was honored as an outstanding community partner. The International School of Louisiana was honored for exemplary language immersion education. The New Orleans Job Corps Center and Youth Empowerment Project were honored for adult and opportunity youth education. Opportunity youth are young adults, ages 16-24, who are neither in school nor working.

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