Metairie Picayune - Times-Picayune

• A HOME AT LAST
Maria Alvarez wasn't looking to add to the menagerie of pets at her Metairie home, but when the need came to take care of a paralyzed kitten she affectionately named Bubba Lu, it was a story she was determined would have a happy ending.

• BUILDING PERMITS
The following permits were issued by Jefferson Parish Department of Inspection & Code Enforcement for the month of July.

• CALENDAR
TODAY

• Cancer patients to get help sprucing up
To learn more about fashion choices available for women with cancer plan to attend Hair Stylists Unlimited's fashion show fundraiser on Monday.

• Cancer patients to get help sprucing up
To learn more about fashion choices available for women with cancer, plan to attend Hair Stylists Unlimited's fashion show fundraiser on Monday.

• CELEBRATING A CULTURE
A slice of Nicaraguan culture came alive in Kenner when more than 500 people converged on Kenner Heritage Park in Rivertown for the eighth annual Tope de Santo Domingo Festival.

• Festival celebrates culture of Nicaragua
A slice of Nicaraguan culture came alive in Kenner when more than 500 people converged on Kenner Heritage Park in Rivertown for the eighth annual Tope de Santo Domingo Festival.

• Flags will fly in memory of Katrina's dead
To honor the memory of the lives lost to Hurricane Katrina, Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemeteries will display its memorial flags at the cemetery, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., from Monday through Sept. 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

• GOOD SPORTS
GREGORY J. SMITH

• GOOD SPORTS
DEREK BALDERRAMA

• IT'S YOUR CALL
If you took a vacation during the summer, did the price of gas change your plans, in any way? Call 504.826.3779.

• Kenner police offer defense course
The Kenner Police Department will sponsor a self-defense course for women, with sessions to be held Sept. 8, 9 and 11 in Kenner.

• Local Lions working to be better leaders
Members of Lions Clubs from southern Louisiana gathered for a yearly leadership seminar at the Radisson Hotel in Kenner on July 19.

• Local senior citizens enjoy 'space' trip
John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi was the destination for 188 Jefferson Parish Golden Age Club members who participated in their yearly mystery trip this month.

• Photo caption
Philip Schmalz, of Metairie, recently received a commemorative plaque from Louisiana Medical Mutual Insurance Company president and CEO Thomas H. Grimstad. Schmalz, a Metairie resident and recent graduate of Metairie Park Country Day, is tha lamic scholarship recipient for the 2008 entering class at the Tulane University Medical School. He received $12,000 to help with tuition and other expenses.

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ashton Goldring

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nick Cassisa

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Hunter Linn

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Zack Mesman

• Police offer defense course
The Kenner Police Department will sponsor a self-defense course for women, with sessions to be held Sept. 8, 9 and 11 in Kenner.

• Program aims to help cancer patients
To learn more about fashion choices available for women with cancer plan to attend Hair Stylists Unlimited's fashion show fundraiser on Monday.

• SCHOOLS
--- Elementary and middle schools ---

• Schools embrace Mandarin
St. Martin's Episcopal School on Airline Drive in Metairie will begin the yearlong Mandarin Enrichment Program.

• SELF-HELP EVENTS
ADOPTEES BIRTHRIGHTS COMMITTEE

• Senior citizens enjoy 'space' trip
John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi was the destination for 188 Jefferson Parish Golden Age Club members who participated in their yearly mystery trip this month.

• Senior Soldiers look for recruits
The Senior Soldiers of Marine and Mount Mariah Church in Shrewsbury are celebrating their first anniversary today with a party and a call to recruit others into their circle of fellowship, exercise and fun.

• Shrewsbury 'soldiers' looking for recruits
The Senior Soldiers of Marine and Mount Mariah Church in Shrewsbury are celebrating their first anniversary today with a party and a call to recruit others into their circle of fellowship, exercise and fun.

• St. Edward's welcomes new pastor
Earlier this month, the Rev. Gerald Seiler Jr. was named the new pastor of St. Edward the Confessor Catholic parish.

• Program seeks to build peace in N. Ireland
Harahan residents Michael and Flossie Bourg recently participated in the New Orleans Ulster Project, along with their children, Seth and Molly.

• AARP planning Saturday meeting
AARP will have a membership meeting on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the conference center, Domino Pavilion, East Jefferson General Hospital, 4200 Houma Blvd., Metairie.

• ARMED FORCES
KENNER

• Bonnabel meeting to focus on canals
The Bonnabel Civic Association will hold its general meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Lakeshore Playground, 1125 Rosa Ave., Metairie.

• Bons Temps Club plans bingo benefit
The members of the Bons Temps Club will host their annual bingo today at 1 p.m. in the auditorium of St. Francis Xavier School, 444 Metairie Road, Old Metairie.

• CALENDAR
MONDAY

• Church schedules bereavement service
Support during a time of bereavement can often bring healing and renewal. To help ease the pain of losing a loved one, River Region Hospice will hold its annual memorial service Aug. 24 at 3 p.m. at Riverside Baptist Church, 9220 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge.

• Command performance at Kenner dog show
Connie Back couldn't restrain her enthusiasm as she lovingly patted the head of Jett, her 6-year-old boxer dog.

• HEAD OF THE CLASS
Melody Baham, of Kenner, has taught at East Jefferson High School for three years. She received a bachelor of arts degree from Tulane University and a master of science degree from Loyola University. At East Jefferson, she is the director of student activities, Student Council adviser and a member of the Louisiana Association of Student Councils, Positive Behavior Support Team, Academic Behavioral Intervention Team and Kappa Delta National Education Honor Society. She was named the 2008-09 Teacher of the Year.

• Jeff man explores highway's history
On the surface, Jefferson Highway appears to be an ordinary, aging thoroughfare winding through a patchwork of neighborhoods and business clusters, some of its stretches faded with wear.

• Kenner dog show gives command performance
Connie Back couldn't restrain her enthusiasm as she lovingly patted the head of Jett, her 6-year-old boxer dog.

• Library has chance to meet authors
The Jefferson Parish Library is partnering with The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival for the seventh annual "Coffee and Conversation" series.

• Library series chance to meet the authors
The Jefferson Parish Library is partnering with The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival for the seventh annual "Coffee and Conversation" series.

• PARENTS CLUB NEWS
--- Elementary and middle school ---

• PARENTS CLUBS
--- Elementary and middle school ---

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Courtney Ward

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nicholas Castro

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Katie Stanich

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Alexis Groce

• Registration set for driver ed
The Jefferson Parish public school system will register students for its fall session of driver education on Tuesday at the cafeteria of Frederick Douglass Elementary School, 1400 Huey P. Long Ave. in Gretna, and Aug. 21 at the gymnasium of T.H. Harris Middle School, 901 Elise St., Metairie.

• SELF-HELP EVENTS
ADOPTEES BIRTHRIGHTS COMMITTEE

• Benefit to emphasize local Filipino culture
The Philippine American United Council of Louisiana will hold Filipiana 2008, an annual fund-raiser, on Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Terrytown Country Club, 1785 Carol Sue Ave., Terrytown.

• CALENDAR
TODAY

• Church planning benefit for girl
On Aug. 23 from 5 to 8:30 p.m., St. Ann Catholic Church and School will hold a spaghetti dinner in the school cafeteria at 4020 Loveland St., Metairie. Proceeds will go toward the medical expenses for Anna Kitchen, a seventh-grader who was diagnosed recently with leukemia.

• Church plans benefit for seventh-grader
On Aug. 23 from 5 to 8:30 p.m., St. Ann Catholic Church and School will hold a spaghetti dinner in the school cafeteria at 4020 Loveland St., Metairie. Proceeds will go toward the medical expenses for Anna Kitchen, a seventh-grader who was diagnosed recently with leukemia.

• Concert to benefit Camp Pelican
A concert to benefit Camp Pelican, a camp for children with pulmonary disorders, will be held Sunday at Southport Hall, 200 Monticello Ave., Old Jefferson.

• GOOD SPORTS
FRANK RANDAZZO

• GOOD SPORTS
KELLY BURNS

• He's headed downriver with his paddle
No matter what happened in the past or what the future holds, Metairie resident Joe Brannon is determined to complete a canoe trip.

• IT'S YOUR CALL
Should the Kenner City Council vote to give Ramelli Janitorial Service more money to pick up garbage? Call 504.826.3779.

• JEFFERSON BUILDING PERMITS
The following building permits for the east bank were granted by the Jefferson Parish Office of Inspection and Code Enforcement for the month of June of 2008.

• Jeff sheriff to speak to civic group
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand will be the guest speaker at the New Metairie Civic Association meeting tonight at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of the St. Benilde Catholic School, 1801 Division St., Metairie.

• Kenner High School earns landmark notice
Catherine Maggiore, a 1936 graduate of Kenner High School, has attended many school reunions. But this year's will be special.

• Kenner High School earns notice as historic landmark
Catherine Maggiore, a 1936 graduate of Kenner High School, has attended many school reunions. But this year's will be special.

• MARKING AN ANNIVERSARY
Fifty years after taking her final vows as a religious, Sister Paula Marie Derise, O.Carm., said she has changed over the years, growing both spiritually as well as personally.

• PIECE OF HISTORY
Catherine Maggiore, a 1936 graduate of Kenner High School, has attended many school reunions. But this year's will be special.

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Trevan Burns

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Brennan Ruppert

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Christian Hess

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Colin Ward

• POLICE REPORTS
KENNER ARRESTS

• Program will focus on diversity in La.
Registration is under way at the Jefferson Parish Library for the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities' RELIC program entitled "Encounter in Louisiana Conflict and Confluence in Literary Currents."

• SCHOOLS
--- High schools ---

• SELF-HELP EVENTS
ADOPTEES BIRTHRIGHTS COMMITTEE

• Minister offers cookbook for healthy eating
The Rev. Mark Gasquet, a retired Episcopalian minister and popular local chef, recently announced the title of his cookbook, "Healthy New Orleans Cuisine."

• CALENDAR
TODAY

• CATHOLIC SCHOOL CALENDAR
Several Catholic schools have announced this 2008-09 calendar.

• FEEDING A NEED
Richard Doster, a carpenter by trade, has worked hard all of his life, and that's something that makes him proud.

• HEAD OF THE CLASS
Phyliss Mandel, of Metairie, has taught at Alfred T. Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School in Kenner for nearly 20 years. She attended Loyola University and received a degree in secondary education. At Bonnabel, she is the student activities coordinator, Student Council adviser, community service volunteer coordinator and a teacher mentor. Mandel is the Louisiana Association of Student Councils District 1 adviser.

• Kenner songfest set for Saturday
Get to know the song writers behind the hit tunes of "Riding with Private Malone" and "Have You Forgotten," along with others, at the Kenner Professional Business Association sit-n-listen songfest fund-raiser on Saturday.

• Kenner songfest to raise money for two programs
Get to know the song writers behind the hit tunes of "Riding with Private Malone" and "Have You Forgotten," along with others, at the Kenner Professional Business Association sit-n-listen songfest fund-raiser on Saturday.

• Neighborhood schools starting another year
All eight of our neighborhood schools will ring the bell for the start of a new academic year this week.

• PARENTS CLUB NEWS
--- Elementary and middle schools ---

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nick Dubuc

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Cameron Roberts

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Chad Kelly

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Cristy Lawrence

• POLICE REPORTS
KENNER ARRESTS

• Pontiff Playground honors top player
Pontiff Playground recently presented the 2008 Sportsmanship Award to Andrew Marks.

• Program focuses on senior achievements
Senior citizens in the East Jefferson area may be eligible for the Peoples Health Champions program.

• Rummel to host football camp
Archbishop Rummel High School will host a football camp for offensive linemen Aug. 23 and Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon at the school, 1901 Severn Ave., Metairie.

• SCHOOL CALENDAR
The following is the 2008-09 academic calendar for the Jefferson Parish Public School System.

• SELF-HELP EVENTS
ADOPTEES BIRTHRIGHTS COMMITTEE

• Songfest to benefit two programs
Get to know the song writers behind the hit tunes of "Riding with Private Malone" and "Have You Forgotten," along with others, at the Kenner Professional Business Association sit-n-listen songfest fund-raiser on Saturday.