Slidell LA News Commentary and Reading Recommendations

If you feel drawn to helping others, you might want to check out this volunteer opportunity.

From http://www.edailynews.info/articles/2004...news/news12.txt:
 
Volunteers are urgently needed at Hospice of the Delta which operates in New Orleans, Chalmette, Hammond and across Washington Parish.
A one-day training program is mandatory. The office is located at 1850 Gause Blvd., Slidell. For more info call 641-7373.

06:19 AM   

To become an adoptive or foster parent, previous parenting experience is desired - but not required. The most important qualifications are reportedly being warm and tolerant and having a sense of commitment to helping others by providing a nurturing environment for a child in need.

From http://www.edailynews.info/articles/2004...news/news12.txt:
 
The Louisiana Department of Social Services Home Development Unit will hold an orientation meeting for prospective foster and adoptive parents on Oct. 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the St. Tammany Parish Library, 555 Robert Blvd., Slidell.
To be eligible to foster or adopt a child, people must be between 21 and 65 years of age; they may be single, married, divorced or widowed. They may own or rent their home and may live in an apartment, trailer or house.
For additional information, call the Home Development Unit at 893-6363 or 1-800-256-1918.

Applicants are required to pass a criminal records check and must complete 10 sessions of training.

09:22 AM   

Our prayers are with the victims and families of all people affected by the recent storms.

From http://www.cnn.com/2004/WEATHER/09/17/hurricane.ivan/:
 
Four people died in Georgia, including a 6-year-old girl who was swept away by floodwaters. An electrocuted utility worker, a 4-year-old swept away and a person hit by a falling tree also died, according to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.
(...) Tornadoes in the Panhandle town of Blountstown, west of Tallahassee, and in Panama City Beach caused six of Florida's eight deaths. A tornado destroyed the Blountstown mobile home of Santana Sullivan and her fiance, Chris Ammonds. They returned home to find "a clear lot," she said

Please respect the victims' rebuilding efforts by not going on "sightseeing tours" through their neighborhoods gawking at the damage.

06:11 AM   

Heavy stuff.

From http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/index.ssf?/...18753181490.xml:
 
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office confirmed Friday that it is investigating a recent telephone death threat against George Hopkins Jr. of Covington, an advocate of smart growth in St. Tammany Parish.
Hopkins said Friday that he thinks the threat, made May 27 from a cell phone in Slidell, stems from his opposition to Timber Branch II, a controversial subdivision south of Covington. And he said he thinks the threat is connected to someone involved with the development, an allegation that was denied Friday by Paul Mayronne, attorney for the project.

This is a pathetic, desperate measure by some miserable greedy soul. Unwittingly, they add validity to Hopkins' cause.

07:15 AM   

So nice, to have these organizations in Slidell.

From http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/index.ssf?/...90014183010.xml:
 
The outstanding cultural scene in our community owes much to two organizations, the Slidell Commission on the Arts and the Slidell Art League. The projects, activities and influence of these organizations are a success story for artists of all disciplines and for the city as a whole.
Visual artists are always happy and optimistic when they discover new sites for displaying their work. Such a space recently became available for members of the Slidell Art League to exhibit at The Mansions complex, 513 Spartan Drive in Slidell. Beginning Tuesday, the walls and offices at The Mansions will be turned over each month to a league artist for a solo show.

Support local artists by making sure to go out and enjoy their work!

07:08 AM