Gretna Picayune - Times-Picayune

• Algerine moves back to help
Hi, everybody!

• BEST BETS THIS WEEKEND
FREE IMMUNIZATIONS

• Bikefest to rumble in Westwego
Get your motor runnin', because the New Orleans Bikefest Motorcycle Rally and Music Festival will be rumbling into Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego Oct. 17 through 19.

• BIRTHS
OCHSNER-WEST BANK

• Bridge City seniors are Wii bowling winners
Hello, neighbors! Hope you had a great week. There is a lot going on at the Bridge City Senior Center. Every Monday, there will be free Wii bowling at 10:30 a.m., and line dancing with Loretta Guidroz starts at 12:30 p.m.

• CALENDAR
TODAY

• Chamber opens first West Bank office
The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce has opened its first-ever office on the West Bank, with officials noting that the region is where the future growth of Jefferson Parish lies.

• Classes teach ways to cook healthfully
Let's face it. There are many fad diets out there and thousands of ways to prepare them. I can speak firsthand, because I've tried many and will say that it can be a total drag.

• COLLEGES
NUNEZ

• COMMUNITY REPORT
ALGIERS POINT ASSOCIATION

• Giveaway of supplies for school is planned
School is officially back in session.

• Holidays are on the minds of donors
The 10th annual First District Prayer Breakfast benefiting the Thanksgiving Holiday Food Drive was held recently at Gretna Middle School. The theme this year was "Christians committed to working together."

• Home ownership dreams come true
Early in 2005, Volunteers of America had planned the construction of 11 homes in Gretna on Palfrey Street, between Van Trump and Porter. It was called the Gretna Square Development Project.

• INSTRUMENTS OF SUCCESS
The Tipitina's Foundation put shiny new instruments into the hands of New Orleans high school band members with a donation on Saturday. Edna Karr High School in Algiers received new instruments and took part of a Battle of the Bands outside Tipitina's on Napoleon Avenue.

• Jeff chamber opens West Bank office
The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce has opened its first-ever office on the West Bank, with officials noting that the region is where the future growth of Jefferson Parish lies.

• Kids Corner drawings wanted
The Times-Picayune West Bank bureau invites children to submit drawings for Kids Corner.

• LOTS OF NEW FACES
Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts opened on Aug. 11 as an arts school for the first time with a new principal, almost all new teachers and many new students.

• Musician delights historical society
Members of the Westwego Historical Society recently enjoyed the beautiful sound of French music performed by Lou Beyl of Napoleonville.

• New school year brings excitement
The new school term is always an exciting time for me. I can remember the smells as I entered the classroom. The books, paper, pencils and chalk created a completely different aroma than any other place I'd been.

• Rescued boxers are returning to form
The two boxers that were rescued from Sigma Street after a good Samaritan took charge of getting them help are now doing much better, and both should recuperate fully.

• School clinic provides medical service
The LSU Health Care Services Division has brought the equivalent of a family practitioner's office right to the campus of an Algiers elementary school, and the center is helping reduce absenteeism among the student body and faculty, Principal Rene Lewis-Carter said.

• SCHOOLS
ARCHBISHOP SHAW

• St. Stephen opens doors for music extravaganza
The Women of St. Stephen Ministry of St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church, located temporarily at the St. Julian Eymard Catholic Church cafeteria, 2701 Lawrence St., Algiers, invites the public to its Pre-Women's Day Music Extravaganza on Friday at 7 p.m. For more information, call Sister Delores Smith at 504.368.1547, Women's Day chairperson. Sister Edna Bush and Sister Juanesta Bush are coordinators.

• ARMED FORCES
TERRYTOWN

• AWESOME GIVEAWAY
The Awesome Ladies of Distinction Mentoring Program recently celebrated its move into its new mentoring facility in the Woodmere subdivision in Harvey by giving away school supplies and books.

• CALENDAR
MONDAY

• Christ the King graduate comes home to teach
Christ the King Parish School in Terrytown has been like a second home to Katie Terrebonne.

• COLLEGES
OUR LADY OF HOLY CROSS

• COMMUNITY REPORT
KREWE OF GLADIATORS

• Compassion comforts timid pupils
Charlene Andrus has a hard time remembering every minute from her first day of school. But she recalls one moment with striking clarity.

• EARLY GREETING
Joshua Butler Elementary School in Westwego held a 'meet and greet' day recently. Parents were encouraged to bring their children and their school supplies and drop them off while meeting the students' new teachers. As lagniappe, parents and students were treated to ice cream.

• HARTE AND SOUL
Parents recently volunteered to paint, garden and do some general maintenance at Alice Harte Elementary School in Algiers, helping get the school ready for the school year that started on Monday.

• HEALTH NEWS
FREE PARENTING SUPPORT GROUP

• It's back to school for dogs, owners
It's back to school time for kids and students of all ages -- and breeds.

• It's back to school for dogs, too
It's back to school time for kids and students of all ages -- and breeds.

• It's back to school time for dogs, too
It's back to school time for kids and students of all ages -- and breeds.

• LOOK AHEAD
--- RECYCLING DAY ---

• NEW BOOK BASH
Eight teens from the First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland volunteered at the Teen Center for Nonviolence in Gretna and recently gave away more than 100 filled book bags to teens who participated in the YOUTHanasia Foundation Inc. camp during a Back to School Bash.

• New principals ready for challenges
New principals on the West Bank are facing a number of challenges this year, including redistricting due to a new desegregation plan; the creation of specialized magnet schools; and the implementation of a new school driven by an incentives-based pay program.

• School chief turns page on controversy
As the new superintendent of the Plaquemines Parish public school system, Denis Rousselle wants to make one point very clear.

• SCHOOL MENUS
The following meals will be served at Algiers Charter schools this week. Menus are subject to change. Choice of milk is served at all meals.

• SCHOOL MENUS
The following meals will be served at Jefferson Parish public schools this week. Menus are subject to change. Choice of milk is served at all meals.

• SCHOOLS
DOMINICAN

• Teachers comfort timid pupils
Charlene Andrus has a hard time remembering every minute from her first day of school. But she recalls one moment with striking clarity.

• VETERANS NEWS
VFW DANCE

• Want to see your news? Here's how
The Times-Picayune West Bank bureau is always looking for new and exciting ways to share good news about schools with readers.

• Algiers writer signing off
I'd like to start today's column saying that it has been my honor to write about the people of my hometown, Algiers. Algiers is home to my children and was home to my father, his father and his father before him. My grandmother's family reaches even further back into the history of Algiers.

• Bikefest to rumble into Westwego park
Get your motor runnin', because the New Orleans Bikefest Motorcycle Rally and Music Festival will be rumbling into Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego Oct. 17 through 19.

• BIRTHS
EAST JEFFERSON GENERAL HOSPITAL

• Bishop's vision for new building comes true
Some people in our world are visionaries. They can look at what is and picture what could be. They are constantly looking for future projects that will make improvements that some people cannot even begin to imagine.

• Bricks raise funds for youth sports
Terrytowners are being offered several meaningful ways of expressing their love and loving memories while helping organizations important to the community.

• CALENDAR
TODAY

• Church says goodbye to its pastor
Parishioners and the Rev. Otis Young were crying as he said farewell to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Aug. 3.

• COLLEGES
SOUTHEASTERN

• COMMUNITY REPORT
JEFFERSON PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY

• CRUISING BACK IN TIME
St. Martha Catholic Church in Harvey hosted a 1950s dance and cruise night on Aug. 9. Benny Grunch and the Bunch provided the music. Food and drinks were also available.

• GOING TO MARKET
Around 50 booths offered a variety of food, crafts and music at the Westwego Farmers & Fisheries Market on Aug. 9. The market, located at the corner of Fourth Street and Sala Avenue, is open every Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market's grand opening is scheduled for Sept. 20.

• GOOD SPORTS
ALAINA RASCO, 10

• Group's impact felt in community
They are back.

• Group's youth council has 'awesome' year
They are back.

• Group youth council has 'awesome' year
They are back.

• Knights install officers
The Monsignor Peter M.H. Wynhoven Council 3091, Knights of Columbus and Ladies Auxiliary recently installed new officers in an evening that commenced with cocktails and dinner.

• Luncheon honors veterans
The Lafitte Senior Center recently honored the veterans in Lafitte at the center's monthly party.

• PAPILLION PERFORMANCE
Louisiana musician and storyteller Papillion, an Algiers Point resident, performed a variety of Cajun, zydeco and Mardi Gras songs for children and parents Aug. 6 at Confetti Park in Algiers Point. The event was sponsored by local parents group Confetti Kids.

• Rock of Ages plans Friday prayer breakfast
The pastor's anniversary committee of Rock of Ages Missionary Baptist Church will hold a prayer breakfast on Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. at 6564 Acre Road, Marrero. Tickets are $10. The Rev. Gilbert L. Barnes is pastor.

• SCHOOLS
ARCHBISHOP SHAW

• Shaw founder dies at age 86
"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."

• West Bank neighbors unite against crime
Children chased bubbles, rode bikes and bounced in spacewalks as adults enjoyed good conversation, food and music at Night Out Against Crime events that spanned the West Bank on Aug. 5. The following reports capture a few of the highlights.

• Words to Grow On
Several members of the cabbage family including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts can be seeded in August.

• Algiers Charter Schools open doors on Monday
The first day of school for the Algiers Charter Schools Association is Monday for grades one through 12, Aug. 18 for kindergarten and Aug. 25 for pre-kindergarten pupils.

• ARMED FORCES
MARRERO

• Boardwalk to lead way through preserve
Construction will begin later this month on a new Palmetto Trail boardwalk at the Barataria Preserve, 6588 Barataria Blvd., Marrero, which has been closed since it suffered heavy damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

• CALENDAR
TODAY

• Cleveland teens spruce up Gretna teen center
Lynne Liu says it's funny how things all come together.

• COLLEGES
DELGADO

• COMMUNITY REPORT
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

• Disease, insects kill thrill of growing fruit
Backyard fruit production can be an enjoyable and rewarding hobby, but you may be disappointed unless you take steps to manage disease and insect pests.

• Fall dance classes offered by NORD
It's time for tap and tutus as two NORD centers in Algiers get ready for free fall dance classes for Orleans Parish children.

• HEALTH NEWS
TOPS WEIGHT LOSS GROUP

• KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
BLENK NEWS

• LOOK AHEAD
--- PAUL SANCHEZ AND FRIENDS ---

• SCHOOL MENUS
The following meals will be served at Jefferson Parish public schools this week. Menus are subject to change. Choice of milk is served at all meals.

• SCHOOL MENUS
The following meals will be served at Algiers Charter School this week. Menus are subject to change. Choice of milk is served at all meals.

• SCHOOLS
KEY HOMESCHOOL ASSOCIATION

• VETERANS NEWS
AMERICAN LEGION JUNIOR STATE BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

• Vets, pet enthusiasts enjoy convention in N.O.
The American Veterinary Medical Association's 145th convention was held last month in New Orleans. Members of the profession are concerned with animal health, human health and public health, which were all reflected in the convention's agenda.

• West Banker a trombone sensation
I'm not sure how, when or why it happened, but I recently discovered that even though I live in New Orleans, I've missed New Orleans. Like a bolt of lightning, this revelation took place last Friday evening, in a brick and stucco room at 727 S. Peter St., otherwise known as Preservation Hall.