NOLA.com: All of Today's news

• 2009 American Music Awards: Scheduled performers include Kelly Clarkson, Green Day and Lil Wayne. Sunday, 7 p.m. WGNO
2009 American Music Awards: Scheduled performers include Kelly Clarkson, Green Day and Lil Wayne. Sunday, 7 p.m. WGNO

• a fairy tale beginning
John Lasseter, you've just created the game-changing movie "Toy Story," the first-ever computer-animated feature film, and you're about to turn 40. What are you going to do next?

• Algiers neighborhood puts its pets on parade
The first Danbury Street Pet Parade in Algiers included more than 20 dogs, not to mention about 40 humans, an iguana and Chris Bergquist's ferret, Rascal.

• Algiers neighborhood puts pets on parade
The first Danbury Street Pet Parade in Algiers included more than 20 dogs, not to mention about 40 humans, an iguana and Chris Bergquist's ferret, Rascal.

• Algiers neighborhood residents put their animals on parade
The first Danbury Street Pet Parade in Algiers included more than 20 dogs, not to mention about 40 humans, an iguana and Chris Bergquist's ferret, Rascal.

• AT A LOSS
The two brothers were so happy to see Thaddeus Delay that they scaled a 14-foot fence.

• Avondale man killed near his home
A 35-year-old Avondale man was shot to death early Saturday a few blocks from his home, a Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman said.

• Broussard's next job: Restoring trust
It is a pretty good chance that morale among Jefferson Parish employees is at an all-time low.

• CENTER OF HOPE
Luis Torres and Erik Torres have more in common than a last name. Though not related, they are both 14 and repeating eighth grade, and thus are at high risk of leaving school before graduation.

• City considering housing partner
The city of Westwego is considering a partnership with a local nonprofit that would provide affordable housing in the city, while potentially combating its tenacious blight problem.

• Come one, come all to Shrine Circus
The Jerusalem Temple Shriners will entertain crowds with their 63rd annual Shrine Circus beginning Friday and running through Nov. 29 in Kenner.

• Doctor researches South plantations
Our community is filled with extraordinary, hardworking residents. One such man is Dr. Marc Matrana of Westwego, a historian and accomplished author of two books.

• Don't get caught sick overseas: Buy travel insurance
Ahem. Are we forgetting something?

• Editorial: Insider deals in Jefferson
Tim Whitmer apparently does not get it.

• Editorial: Rational exuberance
Remember when you were 6 and got a puppy, and your mom told you not to squeeze it too tightly?

• Elenian Club celebrates 75 years
On Nov. 14, the Elenian Club celebrated its 75th anniversary with a luncheon in the Blue Room at the Roosevelt Hotel. The 2010 debutantes were introduced to the 95 members and guests. They will be presented at the Ballo di Natale on Dec. 12.

• Elenian Club celebrates its 75th anniversary
On Nov. 14, the Elenian Club celebrated its 75th anniversary with a luncheon in the Blue Room at the Roosevelt Hotel. The 2010 debutantes were introduced to the 95 members and guests. They will be presented at the Ballo di Natale on Dec. 12.

• Fall all around us
I have heard people from other places say they "miss fall" in south Louisiana, but it is here, all around us.

• Fraternity flexes muscle to get family into home
Combining sweat equity with a financial contribution, New Orleans-area members of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., recently provided several hours of preparatory service to a home purchased for a New Orleans family, helping ready the residence for occupancy.

• Harvest vegetables at the correct time
A great part of the fun of vegetable gardening is in the harvesting. Picking vegetables at the right stage of growth is the best guarantee of good results.

• Hazardous waste collection scheduled
Plaquemines Parish residents who need to get rid of hazardous waste around their homes can do so Dec. 19.

• HEAD OF THE CLASS
Hope Duhe, of Metairie, has been an educator for 25 years. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from Southeastern Louisiana University. Duhe began her teaching career in St. Bernard Parish at Borgnemouth Elementary, where she was named Teacher of the Year in 1991. For the past 17 years, she has taught at Bissonet Plaza Elementary School. At Bissonet, she serves as a member of the Positive Behavior Student committee.

• Holiday-themed films a reason to give thanks for your own family
Looking to relax at home over the holidays? Need a good movie recommendation? Here are five great Thanksgiving movies, available on DVD, that are worth considering.

• It's the time of year to be thankful
Thanksgiving Day is approaching quickly, a time we are reminded to show gratitude and thanks for our families and communities.

• Jazz and Razz
Saints quarterback DREW BREES is one of several NFL players who played touch football with President Obama and a group of children for a public service ad pushing childhood fitness. The spot is part of the NFL's Play 60 initiative that encourages children to engage in physical play at least 60 minutes per day and the White House's United We Serve.

• KENNER
KENNER

• Kenner and Tiny Tots leagues post scores
Football

• KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

• LA/SPCA gala turns into howling success
Everyone entered on the red carpet at the Howling Success gala, "Hooray for Howlywood" recently. This biggest fundraiser of the year for the Louisiana SPCA was an A-list event in every respect, thanks in large part to its co-chairs Donna Richardson, Shannon Jones and Lynda Woolard.

• LEO KERNER ELEMENTARY HONOR ROLL
LEO KERNER ELEMENTARY HONOR ROLL

• Muniz: Firm's dual names a surprise
Upon entering office as Kenner's new mayor in July 2006, Ed Muniz fielded a litany of complaints from employees about the city's health insurance provider. "The plan is a terrible plan," Muniz recalled thinking.

• Neighborhood puts its pets on parade
The first Danbury Street Pet Parade in Algiers included more than 20 dogs, not to mention about 40 humans, an iguana and Chris Bergquist's ferret, Rascal.

• NOPD sergeant shoplifted perfume, cops say
A sergeant in the New Orleans Police Department's juvenile division retired Friday after he was accused of shoplifting a perfume bottle in a Metairie mall, authorities said.

• O. Perry Walker students turn new page in library
Imagine going to a high school where classic plays and books like "Romeo and Juliet" or "The Scarlet Letter" aren't available to check out at the school library. In the library at O. Perry Walker High School in Algiers, there are many bookshelves, but most are vacant.

• Paper Trails
Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

• Photo Caption
optimist club officers

• Principals always ready to lend a hand to colleagues
As principal of Martin Behrman Charter Academy in Algiers, Rene Lewis Carter keeps a hectic, unpredictable schedule that tends to shift on a whim. Even so, not a day goes by where she doesn't check in with her mentor, Mary Laurie, the principal of O. Perry Walker High School in Algiers.

• REUNIONS
REUNIONS

• Rummel Old-Timers reminisce
The year 1966 stands out in Archbishop Rummel High School's history. It is the year the 222-member charter class graduated.

• Rummel Old-Timers take time to reminisce
The year 1966 stands out in Archbishop Rummel High School's history. It is the year the 222-member charter class graduated.

• Santa sent details of party
Dear Santa,

• Santa sent details of recent holiday party
Dear Santa,

• SCHOOL NEWS
SCHOOL NEWS

• SCOUTS
SCOUTS

• 'State of the Parish' address is Dec. 2
Every year, the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce invites the public to hear directly from Jefferson Parish Aaron Broussard and Council Chairman Thomas Capella on the status of Jefferson Parish.

• St. Clement girls in top four at volleyball playoffs
St. Clement of Rome School's girls junior varsity volleyball team finished regular season with a 6-1 record and in a three-way tie with St. Christopher School and St. Philip Neri in District 1 of the East Jefferson Catholic Schools Athletic Conference.

• St. Francis Xavier Elementary honor roll
St. Francis Xavier Elementary honor roll

• St. Louis
ST. LOUIS

• SUNDAY'S CALENDAR
SUNDAY'S CALENDAR

• THE DEEP DELTA BLUES
Editor's note: A group of 12 Loyola University journalism students recently hit the open road, notepads and cameras in hand, to soak up the music, food, folk art and colorful characters from history-laden Vicksburg to music-friendly Memphis and many outposts in between. Here's a sampler of what they found.

• Thrill seekers get chance to rappel
The Louisiana Special Olympics and Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office are teaming up to offer the public an opportunity to leap from a tall building -- safely -- and indulge their inner SWAT team member for a good cause.

• Thrill seekers get chance to rappel, train with SWAT
The Louisiana Special Olympics and Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office are teaming up to offer the public an opportunity to leap from a tall building -- safely -- and indulge their inner SWAT team member for a good cause.

• top of the news
top of the news

• Trip Tips
Frequent fliers beware

• Veterans programs at school, legion post
American Legion Post 175 and Wilma Pretus' fifth-grade class at St. Angela Merici Catholic School recently held Veterans Day programs.

• Voters agree to sales tax increase
Plaquemines Parish voters have agreed to raise the parish sales tax by a penny to help finance the creation of a paid fire department.

• Westwego considering housing partnership
The city of Westwego is considering a partnership with a local nonprofit that would provide affordable housing in the city, while potentially combating its tenacious blight problem.

• Westwego doctor releases new book
Our community is filled with extraordinary, hardworking residents. One such man is Dr. Marc Matrana of Westwego, a historian and accomplished author of two books.

• where's the Big Easy page?
The Big Easy page does not appear

• Bulldogs defend their Division II swim title
SULPHUR -- Jesuit and Lutcher continued their dominance of the state's swimming Saturday, as both the Blue Jays and the Bulldogs successfully defended their state championships.

• BY THE NUMBERS
TU | UCF

• BY THE NUMBERS
SWIMMIMG

• CLOCKED OUT
OXFORD, MISS. -- LSU nearly stole one from Ole Miss on Saturday night, but a maelstrom of confusion in the final seconds left the Tigers on the Rebels' 5-yard line and at the short end of a 25-23 score.

• Cooler heads were nowhere to be found
OXFORD, MISS. -- Confusion apparently overtook. Or maybe shock dominated.

• Freshman guides LSU to victory
BATON ROUGE -- Freshman guard Adrienne Webb scored a career-high 17 points, lifting LSU past Houston 72-54 Saturday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

• Green Wave ready to face Explorers
Tulane hopes to ride the momentum of Friday's 63-60 victory over Penn State when it takes on LaSalle today in the final round of the 2009 Charleston Classic at Carolina First Arena in South Carolina.

• HORNETS at HEAT
Time/place: 5 p.m., CST, American Airlines Arena (19,600); TV/Radio: TV/radio: CST, 106.7-FM; Notable: This is the first meeting between the teams this season. . . . The Hornets swept the season series a year ago, winning both games and have won the last six games against the Heat. . . . New Orleans is seeking its second win of the year on the road.

• Hornets' latest wins come vs. NBA's best
For the second straight game, the Hornets got the opportunity to gauge their progress against a team that had recently beaten them.

• McDonogh 35 falls to Neville in OT
Neville scored a frantic 39-36 overtime victory against McDonogh 35 Saturday night in a Class 4A regional playoff game at Tad Gormley Stadium.

• Northshore successfully defends Division I crown
SULPHUR -- Last year Northshore showed itself to be the up-and-coming team in the state after winning its first state swimming title.

• OMINOUS OPENING
Every sport has its singular expressions of frustration, but few are as direct as the phrase waterfowlers use for poor results: "Where are the ducks?"

• PERFECTLY UNDERSTANDABLE
With pinpoint accuracy and brilliant decision making, Drew Brees made it look all too easy.

• Rookie duo helps Hornets clip hot Hawks
A week ago against the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Hornets rookie point guard Darren Collison appeared confused, unable to set the pace or know exactly what was expected after plays were frantically given to him between timeouts.

• This winning thing is getting redundant
Man, it's getting to be a habit.

• Tulane stuck in reverse versus Central Florida
ORLANDO -- Frustrated? Angry? Numb?

• TULANE VS. LASALLE
Time: 11:30 a.m. Site: Carolina First Arena in South Carolina. Radio: 690-AM. Coaches: Tulane, Dave Dickerson (61-64 at Tulane, fifth season); LaSalle, John Giannini (370-229 overall, 21 seasons, 61-64 at LaSalle, 6 seasons).

• UNO falls to Southern Methodist
After shooting 48.5 percent in its first two games, UNO lost its touch Saturday.

• UNO's defense halts Texas State
The points will come for UNO.

• Views vary on defense's play
BATON ROUGE -- Looking for a slice of sunshine after botching the end of Saturday's 25-23 loss to Ole Miss, LSU Coach Les Miles praised his defense for an improved performance in the second half.

• Landrieu yea vote moves health bill
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., provided a crucial vote Saturday night to enable the Senate to proceed with debate on health care legislation.

• Owners got grants, but haven't rebuilt
A worrisome new survey appears to confirm fears that a significant portion of Road Home grant recipients would use the money on something other than rebuilding

• Photo Caption
REAChing out

• PROCESSED OYSTERS ACCEPTED EVERYWHERE [EVERYWHERE BUT HERE]
After a whirlwind month for the Gulf Coast oyster industry, with stringent food safety requirements on raw oysters coming and then going, restaurant owners, oyster dealers and lovers of the salty delicacy are resting easier.

• Whitmer to get $171,000 yearly pension
Jefferson Parish Chief Administrative Officer Tim Whitmer, facing federal scrutiny of his business dealings with government agencies, will retire Feb. 1 at age 49 and collect a lifetime pension of about $171,600 a year.

• BY THE NUMBERS
SWIMMIMG

• BY THE NUMBERS
TU | UCF

• John DeShazier:Cooler heads were nowhere to be found
OXFORD, MISS. -- Confusion apparently overtook. Or maybe shock dominated.

• Letter to the Editor: Doctor is shocked and appalled
As a retired physician who specialized in cancer treatment for over 30 years, I was shocked and appalled at the recent study that came to the conclusion that women should not start screening mammograms at age 40 unless they were at high risk.

• Letter to the Editor: Female abusers overlooked
Re:" Dark image of offenders emerges," Page 1, Nov. 16.

• Letter to the Editor: Freedom for Jefferson is unjust
Re: "Jefferson to stay free for appeals," Page 2, Nov. 19.

• Freshman guides LSU to victory
BATON ROUGE -- Freshman guard Adrienne Webb scored a career-high 17 points, lifting LSU past Houston 72-54 Saturday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

• Hornets' latest wins come vs. NBA's best
For the second straight game, the Hornets got the opportunity to gauge their progress against a team that had recently beaten them.

• Letter to the Editor: Military tribunal is proper terror trial venue
We should all be horrified by President Obama's decision to prosecute war criminals in our judicial system rather then in the more appropriate military tribunals.

• Northshore successfully defends Division I crown
SULPHUR -- Last year Northshore showed itself to be the up-and-coming team in the state after winning its first state swimming title.

• OMINOUS OPENING
Every sport has its singular expressions of frustration, but few are as direct as the phrase waterfowlers use for poor results: "Where are the ducks?"

• PERFECTLY UNDERSTANDABLE
With pinpoint accuracy and brilliant decision making, Drew Brees made it look all too easy.

• Stephanie Grace: Sketchy contracts all over
Can we all finally agree that the public has the right to know who benefits from government contracts?

• Peter Finney: This winning thing is getting redundant
Man, it's getting to be a habit.

• Tulane stuck in reverse versus Central Florida
ORLANDO -- Frustrated? Angry? Numb?

• UNO falls to Southern Methodist
After shooting 48.5 percent in its first two games, UNO lost its touch Saturday.

• UNO's defense halts Texas State
The points will come for UNO.

• Letter to the Editor: Who will pay for uninsured?
Some say that it is "socialism" to force Americans who have the financial means to purchase health insurance.

ALL OF TODAY'S REPORTS