Community Spirit

Morial urges city leaders to develop strategic plan

Submitted by Michelle McCalope, Web Producer

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011, 3:07pm

Morial urges city leaders to develop strategic plan

"I just love Louisiana. I'm so glad to be home," gushed Former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial while speaking recently at the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge. "I miss crawfish, catfish, gumbo, and boudin. This is an incredible state."

He should know. The native New Orleanian served as mayor of New Orleans for eight years. He is now president of the National Urban League and living in New York.

Morial spoke about what Baton Rouge officials need to do to plan for longterm growth. The city must focus on transportation, developing North Baton rouge, and building the best education system available.

"The question is where do you want to be in 2020 or 2025?" Morial said to a packed house of Rotary members, family, friends, and former colleagues. "For this state, the priority has to be on building a first-class education system."

He challenged state leaders to work on a strategic plan to prepare for the future.

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District 5 Community Meeting

Submitted by Michelle McCalope, Web Producer

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011, 11:19am

There will be a community meeting regarding the potential re-zoning of Lot 2-A-1-B of Hooper Road on Monday, May 16 at 6 p.m.

The meeting will be held at the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 216, 6150 Hooper Road. This item will be heard at the May 23 Planning Commission meeting and brought to the Metropolitan Council on May 25.

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Mix it up with Menchie's and Family Service of Greater Baton Rouge

Submitted by Evelyn Gibson

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011, 11:16am

Mix it up with Menchie's and Family Service of Greater Baton Rouge

Mix it up with Menchie's and show your support every Saturday in the month of May. Just Mention Family Service of Greater Baton Rouge and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to Family Service of Greater Baton Rouge. Both locations LSU Northgate 3260 Highland Road and Mall of Louisiana 6401 Bluebonnet. Thank you for your support.

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Youth expo will provide job opportunities, workshops

Submitted by Michelle McCalope, Web Producer

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011, 9:05am

Youth expo will provide job opportunities, workshops

Do you know a teenager looking for summer work? The City of Baton Rouge will hold a Youth Expo Saturday May 14 and it will include opportunities to interview with potential employers. The Expo is for young people ages 17 to 21 and will be from 8 am to Noon at the Baton Rouge River Center’s Exhibition Hall. Interim WIA Administrator Penny LeDuff-Collins said participants should plan on showing up at 8 a.m. to take advantage of the program’s series of mini-workshops. For more information, contact the WIA Youth Services Program at 358.4576 or 358-4593.

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Free parenting classes for single mothers

Submitted by Evelyn Gibson

Monday, May 9th, 2011, 3:52pm

Free parenting classes for single mothers

Family Service of Greater Baton Rouge is excited to offer FREE parenting classes to single mothers through our YWCO grant. Pre-registration is required for all classes by calling (225) 330-6333.

You may also visit the website at www.fsgbr.org to see the list of classes being offered. Family Service of Greater Baton Rouge is located at 4727 Revere Ave in Baton Rouge.

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Organizations to hold strategic planning meeting

Submitted by Michelle McCalope, Web Producer

Monday, May 9th, 2011, 3:05pm

Members of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and other community organizations have scheduled a meeting Tuesday, May 10 at the Capitol Area United Way offices located at 700 Laurel Street.

The meeting, scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., will focus on outlining the strategic planning process and calendar.

The East Baton Rouge Parish School System began revising its current Strategic Plan Monday, April 4, when more than 230 participants took part in 20 different focus groups over a three-day period.

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Rescue teams assist in tornado-stricken areas

Submitted by Michelle McCalope, Web Producer

Monday, May 9th, 2011, 2:58pm

Fire Marshal Butch Browning recently gave a report to Governor Jindal and Colonel Mike Edmonson, Deputy Secretary for the Department of Public Safety, about last week’s successful efforts in Tuscaloosa, AL by the Louisiana Urban Search and Rescue Teams. On Monday, May 2, 130 Louisiana first responders deployed at the request of Alabama officials to assist in rescue and recovery operations in Tuscaloosa, an area devastated by the recent tornados and related storms.

The mission of the Louisiana USAR Teams were to conduct secondary searches in a dense residential and commercial area of Tuscaloosa. Technical expertise was needed to ensure that no persons were trapped beneath the rubble. Many family members had gathered in the area and were waiting for information on their loved ones who were still missing. The Louisiana Teams were able to search and clear a 3 square mile area which allowed for heavy earth moving equipment to move in and begin clearing debris.

Governor Bobby Jindal said, "We’ve gotten several words of thanks from the folks in Alabama. The mission of this team was to help conduct secondary searches in a dense resident

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