READY, SET, GO: THIN MINT SPRINT AND DAISY DASH ON SATURDAY
THE ST.TAMMANY
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THURSDAY APRIL 9, 2015 H
COVINGTON • FOLSOM • LACOMBE • MADISONVILLE • MANDEVILLE • SLIDELL THENEWORLEANSADVOCATE.COM
Sharon Edwards TAMMANY TIMES SEDWARDS@THEADVOCATE.COM
Relay for Life events scheduled
Operation: BLOCKS FOR THE BRAVE
The American Cancer Society’s fundraising efforts in St. Tammany are gearing up. The annual Covington event was held in March. Called a Festival With the Stars, the Relay for Life of Northwest St. Tammany rolled out the red carpet to honor cancer survivors. With 13 teams, they raised more than $18,000. But there are still more opportunities to join in the fight against cancer. There are four community events planned to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those lost to the disease and help raise funds to find a cure.
Slidell
Relay for Life of St. Tammany East will be held beginning at noon Saturday, April 25, at Slidell High School, 1 Tiger Drive in Slidell. With 30 teams and more than 225 participants registered, the event has already raised more than $34,000 in donations. During the annual event, teams of individuals keep at least one team member on the track or pathway at all times throughout the evening. Top teams include the Slidell Postal Team, which has raised more than $17,000. Honey Island Elementary is second, with more than $3,000 raised. Top participant is Melinda Champaign, with more than $5,000 raised, and Top Company is Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, with more than $400 in pledges. The public is invited to turn out the day of the relay for the opening ceremony at noon, the Survivors Lap at 4:30 p.m. and Caregivers Lap at 5 p.m. A luminaria ceremony will light flames around the track to remember those lost to cancer at 8 p.m. Closing ceremonies are at 11 p.m. Pledge donations can be mailed to: American Cancer Society, ATTN: Relay for Life of St. Tammany East, 2605 River Road, New Orleans, LA 70121.
Mandeville
Relay for Life St. Tammany West has planned a Hope Fest with a survivor luncheon at 11:30 a.m. and opening ceremony at noon Saturday, May 9. It continues through 9 p.m. on the Mandeville lakefront at Lakeshore Drive and Lafayette Street. There will be live music, food and fun for the whole family. Admission is free and there’s still time to join the 13 teams signed up. Gleaux Run on Sept. 11 also will be held at the Mandeville lakefront to light up the night in the fight against cancer. Dates for the Bra-ctober event will be announced. Visit relayforlife.org/East StTammanyLA or relayfor life.org/WestStTammany LA; or contact Nicole Smith at (985) 640-1552 for additional information. Sharon Edwards is community news editor for The New Orleans Advocate.
Photos provided by Bright Hopes Quilting Shop
Quiltmakers with Operation: Blocks for the Brave-South present 168 red, white and blue quilts to soldiers with the Louisiana National Guard 1021st Vertical Engineer Company, 205th Engineer Battalion unit, based in Covington, following their deployment to Kuwait.
Soldiers draped in quilt ‘capes’ from grateful crafters
BY SHARON EDWARDS
tion at the National Guard Armory in Covington. There, they met a line of It was just another drill women assembled to presweekend for members of the ent quilts that had been hand Louisiana National Guard’s sewn for each soldier through1021st Vertical Engineer out the year of their recent deCompany, 205th Engineer Bat- ployment. It was then that Carol Miller talion. No one suspected anything out of the ordinary when they were called into formaäSee BLOCKS, page 6G
sedwards@theadvocate.com
A soldier, draped with a handmade quilt made for them by Operation: Blocks for the Brave-South, hugs one of the quiltmakers.
‘Know Your Child’ to meet needs of youth in trouble
Artist ties life to helping wildlife
BY ANDREW CANLUETTE Special to The Advocate
One of the many organizations that donates thousands of volunteer hours to benefit the people of St. Tammany has founded a new program to help parents help their children. The Junior Auxiliary of Slidell organized a breakfast for community leaders last year, to learn more about the needs of people on the north shore. The women of JA heard from elected officials, and from leaders in both business and charity. One such briefing became a project that the entire civic group has embraced. The idea for “Know Your Child” was launched that day, after St. Tammany Parish Fire District No. 1 Chief Chris Kaufmann said he yearned for more of a proactive effort to assist troubled adolescents and teenagers in the area. Kaufmann remarked on the number of calls to which his department responds that involve young adults who are mired in depression, substance abuse, and even are contemplating suicide. Now, “Know Your Child” is about to be fully introduced to the people of east St. Tammany Parish. Its äSee KNOW, page 3G
Advocate photo by DEBORAH BURST
Anne London uses charcoal and coffee in a unique blend of artistry for her collection of wild animals from Africa. Her work can be seen in galleries across the country and used to help raise awareness on preservation and endangered species.
Wildlife artist and Mandeville resident, Anne London, has entered her fourth decade as an artist, but her journey is far from over. Her work and travels are dedicated to raising money and awareness for endangered animals and wildlife preservation. Inside her studio, dressed in a jean shirt and bandana, traces of charcoal cover her hands and chest as she sketches two female lions. So fluid, they almost seem to jump off the canvas. She shares her first trip to Africa 15 years ago and the magic that keeps calling her back. “The first time you feel a free lion’s roar in your ribcage, the first time you make IN eye contact with an elephant, it’s hard not PROFILE to be hooked,” London said staring at a DEBORAH canvas etched with a life size lion. “They BURST are a compelling group, winners of millions of years of life and death decisions.” She and her husband Jim Hart, started “Arts for Animals” two years ago educating a new generation of African children by teaching drawing skills and conservation. A nonprofit, it received a grant recently from the Krewe of Awe funded through the Northshore Community Foundation. “It’s obvious these are intelligent, emotional beings,” she said admitting the first time she saw a wild elephant äSee WILDLIFE, page 3G
Tourney encourages new doctors in pediatric cancer work
REC & LEISURE ANDREW CANULETTE
St. Tammany Parish has no short supply of charity sporting events. Just about every weekend, there is a road race or a tournament of sorts that aims to aid a local cause. One such event that I keep an eye on each year is the Cool Doctor Classic Tennis Tournament. That’s in part because the Christopher Condon Cool Doctor Foundation organizes the event, and also in part because young Christopher
was a friend of my family before he lost his battle with cancer. This year, the tournament will be April 16-19 at the Henry J. Calamari Tennis Center in Olde Towne Slidell, as well as the courts at Pinewood Country Club. Adult doubles brackets will be played in 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, and open divisions. A singles bracket for junior players is also available. As many as 60 doubles teams can
be accommodated. This will be the fourth year the tennis tournament will be held. Proceeds will benefit local students via scholarships who choose to study medicine with a focus on pediatric oncology in college. Matches will take place from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on April 16-17, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 1819. Cost is $40 for adults, and $30 for children and can be paid with
cash, credit, or check.) That registration fee covers a cochon de lait lunch, door prizes, drinks (including beer), tennis balls and a tournament T-shirt. A raffle will have tennis-related items up for grabs. Christopher’s mom, Alison, said this year’s tournament carries special significance. äSee TOURNEY, page 2G