For three seasons, Clayton Burke played T-ball at the Coquille Sports Complex north of Madisonville. And for three seasons, he played as vigorously as any other little boy. In fact, his mother, Susan, said he was known to throw himself on the baseball when it approached him in the field. But this summer, Clayton’s watching … Continue reading →

Sometimes just 12 minutes — if it’s a really special 12 minutes — can be enough to change a life. That was certainly the case for New Orleans filmmaker Amanda Pennington. Twelve minutes is the length of the first film she ever wrote or directed. Born of a passion to get out and “just shoot something,” … Continue reading →

Zombies are in style everywhere these days, but they never went out of fashion in New Orleans. That might explain why the Zombie Run this Sunday in City Park had 400 people signed up to play the role of the undead, ready to lurch along a 5K course to give “human” runners a little extra jolt of motivation. Continue reading →

Covington is looking for some old news. As part of the city’s bicentennial celebration, organizers want to honor the oldest resident in town during the Bicentennial Parade on June 29. There is a little bit of fine print, of course: You can’t just be the oldest person in town; you have to have been born and … Continue reading →

Traditionally, early literacy programs at libraries have focused on the child’s development, with parent or caregiver education not the primary intent. However, the Public Library Association and Association for Library Service to Children have concluded that libraries have an even greater impact on early literacy when they focus educating parents and caregivers. This approach, … Continue reading →

FREE COMPUTER CLASSES: Call (504) 838-1144 STORY WITH CRAFT: 11 a.m. Thursday. MICROSOFT WORD 2010-PART 1: 2 p.m. Thursday. TEEN MOVIE MAKING 101: 3 p.m. Thursday. GENEALOGY EVENT! RESEARCH AT THE ARCHIVES OF … Continue reading →

Lynne Bordelon, director of youth programming for the Jefferson Performing Arts Society, has announced two upcoming summer productions featuring youngsters from throughout the area. Third- through seventh-graders will participate in “Music Man Jr.” Friday through Sunday, and “Bye Bye Birdie” July 26 to July 28. Both performances will be at the JPAS Performing Arts Center on the … Continue reading →

People who have no health insurance are invited to call for an appointment at a free health clinic Wednesday, July 3, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd., New Orleans. The clinic will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees will … Continue reading →

At Animal Rescue New Orleans, foster homes are vital to our existence. Animals in foster homes get to experience life in a home environment, making them more adoptable. Foster homes socialize pets so they are ready for life in a permanent home. Animal shelters and rescue organizations are always in need of foster homes. The benefits are … Continue reading →

The Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association recently hosted its third annual Porch Crawl fundraiser. Broad Street, Orleans Avenue, Carrollton Avenue and Onzaga Street at the Fair Grounds are the boundaries for the historic neighborhood, which was established in 1708. The area’s lush tree-lined streets are home to more than 4,000 residents who are accustomed to hosting … Continue reading →

GOLDEN COMMUNITY LUNCHEON: The Lakeview Shepherd Center hosts its monthly Golden Community Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at 6690 Fleur de Lis Drive in Lakeview, at Community Church Unitarian Church. Mount Carmel is cooking up a culinary surprise for the luncheon. Peoples Health will provide a birthday cake and presents for … Continue reading →

The Louisiana Girls Leadership Academy was held at Nicholls State University June 9-12. The theme was “Light the Torch and Lead.” LGLA endeavors to develop leadership and responsible citizenship among high school girls. Forty-seven girls from 13 parishes attended LGLA. They were broken up into eight groups. On the last day each group presented a … Continue reading →

The Ida Steib Breaux Foundation held a gala recently to benefit hospice patients and families. The Hyatt Regency New Orleans hosted the event, which featured a gourmet dinner, signature cocktail and a live and silent auction. Entertainment was provided by the James Andrews Band with a special appearance by Michael Batiste, and a there was a … Continue reading →

Several Mount Carmel Academy eighth-graders participated in “A Day in the Life of an Engineer,” hosted by the Society of Women Engineers at the University of New Orleans. The girls were split into teams, each led by a different engineering group. They were given a structure to build at the zoo, for example, a bridge for … Continue reading →

Kathleen Fahery, a social studies gifted teacher at Gretna No. 2 Academy, has been named the Louisiana History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, a nonprofit organization devoted to the improvement of history education. Fahery was chosen as … Continue reading →

Covington High School held commencement ceremonies Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. The top six honor graduates, the college they plan to attend and their intended careers are: Faith Conlin, Brigham Young University, Idaho; piano performance. Continue reading →

The International High School of New Orleans celebrated its first commencement ceremony Monday, June 10, 2013, graduating 99 seniors. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu was the keynote speaker. Valedictorian: Dani Edwards. She will attend Loyola University, where she will study criminal justice. Continue reading →

Mandeville High School held its commencement ceremonies on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond. Honor graduates, the colleges they plan to attend and their intended majors are: Evann Michelle Cookmeyer, Louisiana State University, mass communications. Continue reading →

Slidell High School held its commencement ceremony Thursday, May 9, 2013, at the school’s stadium. Nine students are ranked first in the class. Their names, the colleges they will attend and their planned majors are: Samuel Nicholas Bilica, Louisiana State University, petroleum … Continue reading →

The Community Section this week includes photos from local civic, community and school groups and highlights recent events around New Orleans, Jefferson Parish and St. Tammany parishes.

On an open grassy lot in central city, 20-year-old Ron Laugard received a standing ovation for his candid speech at the opening of Youth Empowerment Projects’ latest program, the Trafigura Work and Learn Center. As one of the eight participants in the program, Laugard was nominated by his peers and teachers to talk at the grand … Continue reading →

The lights were dim and the music was thumping as New Orleans’ young and beautiful gathered on a recent Saturday night at the House of Blues Foundation Room. There were drinks, a dizzying array of short skirts and high heels, lively conversations punctuated with boisterous laughter — and sewing machines. The occasion: WildHouse, … Continue reading →

Memories will be for sale Saturday when Catholic Charities holds a Treasure Sale on the campus of Hope Haven in Marrero. Hope Haven was founded in 1925 by Monsignor Peter Wynhoven as an orphanage; the campus includes the St. John Bosco chapel and the school building, last used in 2008 as a residential facility for children. Continue reading →

Father’s Day is Sunday, and for those looking for a festive yet frugal way to spend the day as a family, the Audubon Zoo has things covered. To be precise, the Audubon Zoo has things covered with tasty batter and deep-fried, since Father’s Day happens to coincide with the second day of the Southern Fried Swamp … Continue reading →

Congratulations to Harvey resident Tommy Santora, who received the volunteer of the year award at the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America National Conference last month in Miami. The award recognizes one member of MGFA who displays outstanding service to the organization by raising awareness and funds for research of myasthenia gravis, a neurological disorder. Santora founded … Continue reading →

Liz Mavromatis and her family passed the Gretna BMX Raceway dozens of times before they stopped. And it was a bike-riding experience of a similar sort that led them to the facility on Gretna Boulevard. “The kids were riding bikes down a hill near the house and were having a great time doing it,” she said. “I … Continue reading →

FRENCH QUARTER BUSINESS ASSOCIATION: The French Quarter Business Association’s June lunch forum will be at 11:3 a.m. June 20 at Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse, 716 Iberville St. Featured speaker will be Bob Johnson, general manager of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and there will also be a presentation by Alan Rafael, marketing … Continue reading →

As Covington celebrates its bicentennial, you can’t help but notice that one of landmarks in the heart of town is St. Scholastica Academy, a girls Catholic high school founded in 1903. And if you know anything about SSA, you know that Marguerite Celestin has been the heart of the school since 1979. Celestin, the school’s president and … Continue reading →

Through the support of the Friends of the Hubbell Library, the Cita Dennis Hubbell Branch in Algiers Point, 225 Morgan St., is hosting a monthly Author Night at Hubbell event on Tuesday, June 18, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The featured guest for this month’s event is Erin Greenwald of the Historic New Orleans Collection, who edited and … Continue reading →

FREE COMPUTER CLASSES: Call (504) 838-1144 LOUISIANA CONNECTIONS ACADEMY: 11 a.m. Thursday. STORY WITH CRAFT: 11 a.m. Thursday. GNO ISACA: noon Thursday. MICROSOFT WORD 2010-PART 2: 2 p.m. Thursday. TEEN MOVIE MAKING 101: … Continue reading →

Few events are as quintessentially New Orleans as the Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Society’s annual Juleps in June fundraiser. William Faulkner scholar Kenneth Holditch, writer Rosemary James and New Orleans attorney Joseph DeSalvo Jr. founded the society in 1990. The husband and wife team of DeSalvo and James set about the monumental … Continue reading →

Valerie Burton, R.N., a certified diabetes educator, will lead a free diabetes support group meeting Tuesday, June 18, at 10 a.m. at in Suite C309, third floor of Touro Infirmary, 1401 Foucher St., New Orleans. Participants will learn tips to keep their diabetes in control, including diet, … Continue reading →

The Elenian Club held its installation luncheon recently at Chateau Golf and Country Club. President Faith Peperone welcomed the members and guests. LeeAnne Leopold-Savoie said the Elenian prayer, and Marita Romano lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Vince Vance entertained the Elenians with Italian songs, then ended the afternoon with “God Bless America.” The Rose Award … Continue reading →

The Board of Trustees of the Greater New Orleans Foundation announced that Ludovico Feoli, Ph.D., has been elected chairman; Cheryl R. Teamer, vice chairman; Robert A. Bories, treasurer; and Leann O. Moses, secretary. Anthony Recasner, Ph.D. is past chairman. The following individuals have been invited to join the Board of Trustees: Mark Blanchard, president … Continue reading →

These days, pet cats usually have complete run of their house. We tend to meet all their demands — special treats and food, carpeted cat condos, scratching posts that never seem to get scratched, and more. However, is your cat demanding to go outside? Does she hang around the door and meow until you let her out, … Continue reading →

Kingsley House hosted a tea for mothers and daughters at Columbia Parc recently in the Columbia Parc Community Room. More than 40 people attended the event. Nurse educator Debbie Regan gave a presentation, titled “Growing Up for Girls,” discussing how mothers and daughters can learn to communicate effectively with each other through the emotional and physical … Continue reading →

HARAHAN — The Visiting Pet Program, New Orleans’ oldest and largest animal assisted therapy program, will offer its volunteer orientation from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Harahan Senior Center, 100 Elodie, Harahan. This is a people-only orientation; no pets. Pre-registration is required and there is a $10 fee to attend. To … Continue reading →

Dominican High School students received honors at this year’s Louisiana State Literary Rally. Winners were: First place: Elizabeth Champagne, Latin I; Christina Recto, Physical Science overall winner. Second place: Victoria Donze, Biology II; Noelle Fresneda, Civics; Roen Garretson, Journalism; Stephanie Reuter, English IV. Third place: Yarina Novick, French I; Jennifer Parent, Psychology; Lily … Continue reading →

NEW ORLEANS — Fifteen De La Salle High School students were honored by the National English Honor Society at a recent induction. Four returning members received Certificates of Merit for their work during the past year. They are Margaret Fraizer and Taylor Tebbe, three years; and Alexes Aikena and Marisa Thomassie, two years. New … Continue reading →

Benjamin Franklin High School has appointed Donald Jackson as new assistant principal. “Mr. Jackson has distinguished himself as a superb educator. As such, he has won the respect and admiration of students, teachers and parents,” said Benjamin Franklin High School Principal Dr. Timothy Rusnak. Continue reading →

Diplomas were awarded to 320 graduating seniors at John Ehret High School’s 38th commencement exercises on Sunday, May 19 at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner. Valedictorian: Hevinkumar Patel. He will attend Louisiana State University, majoring in biology/pre-med. Salutatorian: Anthony Huynh. He … Continue reading →

Cabrini High School has released its principal’s, alpha and beta honor rolls for the spring semester. Ninety-one students were named to the principal’s honor roll, earning a scholastic average of 4.0. Twenty-three seniors: Emily Anne Arceneaux, Alyssa Maria Bienes, Chelsea Lynn Brossette, Heather Marie Cochran, Amber Teresa Domingue, Katherine Elizabeth Dornan, Alexis … Continue reading →

The Community Section this week includes photos from local civic, community and school groups and highlights recent events around New Orleans, Jefferson Parish and St. Tammany parishes.

In the dark of night, a figure silently moves through the shadows of oak trees along Magazine Street. Carrying a bundle, he is disconnected from the auspices of any community improvement organization, acting of his own volition. Stealthily, he places a brightly painted bench at a bus stop for anyone who might wait to … Continue reading →

“Ladies in Red” — and in scarlet, crimson, vermilion, carmine, cerise, magenta, claret, cherry and maroon — will gather June 14 to honor New Orleans jazz musicians and institutions while raising money for preservation. The event raises money for the African American Heritage Preservation Program at the Preservation Resource Center. “Ladies in Red” … Continue reading →