• Armed Forces
Armed Forces

• Big Read discussion features Southern novel
The New Orleans Public Library's main branch will host a free book discussion with Chris Smith of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum on Saturday. "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston is the 2009 Big Read book, which is the focus of a series of public programs and cooking events. The one-hour book discussion will start at 12:30 p.m. in the third-floor auditorium at the library, 219 Loyola Ave.

• Celebration in the Oaks preview is Friday
One of my favorite times of year is coming up.

• Colleges
Colleges

• Community Report
Community Report

• Discussion features Southern novels
The New Orleans Public Library's main branch will host a free book discussion with Chris Smith of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum on Saturday. "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston is the 2009 Big Read book, which is the focus of a series of public programs and cooking events. The one-hour book discussion will start at 12:30 p.m. in the third-floor auditorium at the library, 219 Loyola Ave.

• DWI
DWI

• FALLEN TIME
FALLEN TIME

• Faulkner festival a feast of words
Famed writer William Faulkner once lived on Pirate Alley, so we claim him as our own and pay tribute to him each year.

• Honor Rolls
Honor Rolls

• Local lawyer named Jesuit Alumnus of the Year
Kevin G. Heigle, a 1969 graduate of Jesuit High School, has been named Alumnus of the Year for 2009. The award is given annually to an outstanding alumnus who is recognized for his achievements and distinguished service, either to Jesuit or the community at large, and in many instances, both. He has served as an active alumni leader for more than 25 years, while also providing counsel to the school on a variety of real-estate issues.

• Local students learn about alcohol abuse
A group of Latino students from Warren Easton High School recently visited the laboratories of Dr. Patricia Molina, professor of physiology and chairwoman of the department of physiology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, to find out more about the dangers of alcohol abuse.

• Many older animals need good homes
During the year, there are months such as Be Kind to Animals Month in May and Adopt a Shelter Cat Month in June to honor companion animals. But of all the annual animal observances, the one closest to my heart is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, which is every November. Although my furry friends range in ages from 5 to 11 years of age, I've made a vow to adopt a senior pet when the time comes for me to bring another one into my life.

• Older animals need homes
During the year, there are months such as Be Kind to Animals Month in May and Adopt a Shelter Cat Month in June to honor companion animals. But of all the annual animal observances, the one closest to my heart is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, which is every November. Although my furry friends range in ages from 5 to 11 years of age, I've made a vow to adopt a senior pet when the time comes for me to bring another one into my life.

• Radio for the Blind faces financial crisis
Inside WRBH FM-88.3, Reading Radio for the Blind and Print Handicapped, it's a beehive of activity, with almost 200 volunteer readers broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Registration is open for the People Program
The People Program, which offers more than 140 classes in computer, dance, exercise, art, needlework, crafts, games, language and music to adults 50 and older, continues registration for spring 2010 now through Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the main campus, 2240 Lakeshore Drive.

• SALE WILL FUND CAROLING IN THE SQUARE
One of the oldest garden clubs in the city, Patio Planters of the Vieux Carre, recently presented their annual White Elephant Sale and Auction on the grounds of the French Quarter's "Little Red Schoolhouse," McDonogh No. 15 School for the Creative Arts. The special fundraising event was a bargain shopper's mecca.

• Seminary holding three-day conference
"Come, Let Us Reason," a three-day conference beginning tonight at 7 p.m. at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 3939 Gentilly Blvd., features leading Christian speakers and teachers on challenges posed to Christianity in today's culture.

• Special Connections art show a big draw
The second annual Special Connections Art Show, Sale and Fundraiser recently drew a large gathering of parents, friends and patrons of the arts.

• Special Connections art show a big draw
The second annual Special Connections Art Show, Sale and Fundraiser recently drew a large gathering of parents, friends and patrons of the arts.

• Special Connections art show a big draw
The second annual Special Connections Art Show, Sale and Fundraiser recently drew a large gathering of parents, friends and patrons of the arts.

• Students learn about alcohol abuse
A group of Latino students from Warren Easton High School recently visited the laboratories of Dr. Patricia Molina, professor of physiology and chairwoman of the department of physiology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, to find out more about the dangers of alcohol abuse.

• Students learn about alcohol abuse
A group of Latino students from Warren Easton High School recently visited the laboratories of Dr. Patricia Molina, professor of physiology and chairwoman of the department of physiology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, to find out more about the dangers of alcohol abuse.

• Thanksgiving service to unite congregations
This year's interfaith Thanksgiving service will be Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 6227 St. Charles Ave. Other participating congregations will be Touro Synagogue, Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church, St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church, First Unitarian Universalist Church, Masjidur Raheem and St. George's Episcopal Church.

• Water bill mistake keeps family out of home
When my sister called me to say there were pink flags on the vacant property next door to my house, I was excited. I was ecstatic when she called again to tell me they were backing a house onto the property.

• Case management organizations receive grants
The Louisiana Recovery Authority was created in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to lead the coordination and planning of the extensive rebuilding effort in southern Louisiana.

• All the old haunts come alive in exhibit
One of the best things I saw in our haunted city this Halloween was at the New Orleans Historic Collection, which presented "Historic Haunts: The Myths and Legends of the Vieux Carre."

• Authenticity rules at Esperanza's festive Day of the Dead
Children with their faces painted like "calaveras," or skulls, parents and teachers danced to traditional New Orleans and Mexican music. The Ballet Folklorico Internacional captured the attention of others with their colorful costumes and variety of Mexican dances.

• Brownies' big adventure has them paddling
Claire Triplett stood on the bank of Bayou St. John last Saturday and gave a short orientation on canoeing techniques to 15 Girl Scout Brownies from Troop 1368.

• CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
The Narcotic Overdose Prevention and Education candlelight vigil was held Oct. 29 at the University of New Orleans Amphitheatre. The vigil, for lives lost to and for those suffering from addiction, featured an audiovisual presentation and stories from family members, clinicians and law enforcement.

• Case management organizations receive grants
The Louisiana Recovery Authority was created in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to lead the coordination and planning of the extensive rebuilding effort in southern Louisiana.

• College News
College News

• Community Report
Community Report

• DWI ARRESTS
DWI ARRESTS

• El Centra is recent add at Loyola
El Centro, the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, is a recent addition to Loyola University.

• El Centra is recent add at Loyola
El Centro, the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, is a recent addition to Loyola University.

• El Centra is recent addition at Loyola University
El Centro, the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, is a recent addition to Loyola University.

• El Centra is recent addition at Loyola University
El Centro, the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, is a recent addition to Loyola University.

• 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.

• GALAS BENEFIT CARING AGENCIES
One of the area's finest annual art exhibitions takes place for the benefit of the Poydras Home. The event, now in its 15th year, attracts local and regional artists using all mediums. Last weekend, more than 2,500 artists entered the juried show and sale, but the biggest winner was the nonprofit that works with the home's residents.

• Gator Fest benefits school, residents
School fairs are part of the fabric of New Orleans, and this weekend Holy Name of Jesus School's Gator Fest will be in full swing. The fair will be Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the school grounds at 6325 Cromwell Place.

• Library offers free video games
For years, the New Orleans Public Library has been discussing how to use video games to bring children into the library. This year, we made it happen.

• Library offers free video games preview
For years, the New Orleans Public Library has been discussing how to use video games to bring children into the library. This year, we made it happen.

• Make sure your pet has proper ID
Bad things do happen despite all of our precautions to prevent them, and one of the biggest problems for pet owners is when we lose our pets.

• Make sure your pet has proper ID tags
Bad things do happen despite all of our precautions to prevent them, and one of the biggest problems for pet owners is when we lose our pets.

• 'Message in Song' to mark milestone
The upcoming 101st anniversary service and this weekend's musical at Old Zion Baptist Church, 430 N. Johnson St., focuses on celebrating God's blessings from the year.

• Oak Park group plants fruit trees
On Nov. 7, residents of the Oak Park Civic Association Garden, 1488 Burbank St., planted fruit tree orchards at several community gardens and schools in areas damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

• Plant sale will feature colors of the holidays
It's that time of year for colorful plants.

• Police hope to spread holiday joy
The New Orleans Police Department's 3rd District has identified 50 very low-income students, from 5 to 12 years old, who are deserving of a little holiday cheer.

• Reunions
Reunions

• St. Pius Men's Club will hold seafood night
The St. Pius X Church Men's Club invites all men of our community to enjoy good food and great fellowship at the Seafood Night meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the St. Pius X Multipurpose Room. Grace will be said at 7:30 p.m., and business will be discussed at 8 p.m. This is a potluck meeting, so please bring your favorite seafood dish to share with everyone. For information about the Men's Club or this event, go to www.stpiusxnola.org/mensclub.htm.