In her campaign commercials Leslie Jacobs promised that as mayor she would solve the city’s crime problem by firing Police Chief Warren Riley and replacing him with someone who could get the job done. She also vowed to continue working to better the school system and generally make New Orleans a better place to live.

Now, however, she is withdrawing from the race for the city’s chief executive for a very pragmatic reason: she is convinced she can’t win.

The education reformer, former Orleans Parish School Board and BESE member issued this statement:

“I decided to run for mayor because I care passionately for this city and truly believe New Orleans is at a tipping point: Are we going to continue to struggle or become a vibrant city offering a better quality of life and more opportunities for all of our citizens?

“While I believe that I would be a great mayor for the City of New Orleans, after much consideration and thoughtful analysis of the final field of candidates, I have determined I cannot win this election.

“I will be filing the papers to remove my name from the ballot. While no longer a candidate for mayor, I remain committed to working for the betterment of New Orleans and the region.

“I cannot express the extent of my gratitude to those who have opened their homes, invested their funds, and volunteered their time to help my campaign. I reiterate how deeply honored and appreciative I am of your enthusiasm and support.”

<img src=”” alt=”" />

Hats off to Cash Money Records founders Ronald “Slim” Williams and Bryan “Birdman” Williams, who along with Lil Wayne and other Cash Money artists will give away more than 1,400 Thanksgiving turkeys and fixings to needy New Orleanians from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Taylor Park (2600 S. Roman St.). It’s the 13th annual turkey giveaway organized by the Williams brothers with help from other New Orleans celebrities, politicians and hip-hop stars.

The Williams brothers also have established philanthropic organizations in memory of their parents, Johnny and Gladys Williams, including Cash Money for Kids program, which provides free tickets to a New Orleans Hornets home game to students with high academic performances.

Cash Money Records roster of stars includes Lil Wayne, Juvenile, the Hot Boys and Jay Sean.

New Orleans orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert Treuting is teaming up with Our Hearts to Your Soles and Soles4Soulsl to give free foot screenings and shoes to homeless men on Monday, Nov. 23, at Ozanam Inn on Camp Street.

Our Heart to Your Soles is a national campaign to help homeless people with foot problems by providing free shoes, boots, socks and medical screenings. The fourth annual event will be held in 40 cities nationwide, with Red Wing Shoes and Hanger Orthopedic Group donating footwear for the program. About 125 pairs of shoes are available for Monday’s event in New Orleans.

Soles4Souls founder Wayne Elsey says having a pair of comfortable shoes can make a person more confident and is a major step in building self-esteem and finding employment.

For more information about the program or to donate products, visit www.giveshoes.org.

Serve your friends and family a Thanksgiving meal without the stress of cooking — and help Second Harvest Food Bank at the same time with Toulouse Gourmet’s (3811 Toulouse St., 488-4466; www.toulousegourmet.com) Everything But the Bird program.

The menu includes dozens of customary Southern holiday dishes, including several types of dressing, main entrees such as pork loin, potatoes au gratin, green beans amandine, crawfish bique, chicken andouille gumbo, desserts and more, and a portion of the proceeds from each order benefits Second Harvest. Thanksgiving orders must be placed by noon Monday, Nov. 23, and picked up before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25. Order online at www.everythingbutthebird.com or call Kellie or Russ at 488-4466.


Take 10 percent off everything in the store during a Black Friday and Saturday sale Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27-28 at Isabella’s (Fountain Park Centre, 1901 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, 304-4861; 3331 Severn Ave., Metairie, 779-3202; www.isabellasgallery.com. The store also is hosting a Trollbeads trunk show on those days and offering a buy-four-get-one-free sale on Trollbeads as well as a free silver bracelet with the purchase of an upgraded clasp. While you’re there, register to win a Vera Bradley tote. The drawing will be held Saturday, Nov. 28.

By Matt Robinson

After a two-week trial in federal court in New Orleans, the first manufacturer sued over formaldehyde in FEMA trailers was absolved of responsibility Thursday. An eight-member jury found Gulf Stream Coach, an Indiana company that made 50,000 trailers for FEMA’s emergency housing program after Hurricane Katrina, did not construct an unreasonably dangerous product, and Fluor, the FEMA contractor responsible for hauling and installing the unit, was not negligent in setting up the trailer that housed New Orleanians Alana Alexander and her two children.

After the verdict was read, Alexander and her son Christopher Cooper declined to comment on the proceedings and quietly left the courtroom alone.

Alexander and Cooper claimed the temporary housing unit FEMA provided them in 2006 was contaminated with formaldehyde that worsened Cooper’s asthma. The trailer, one of the ubiquitous Cavalier units built by Gulf Stream, was installed by Fluor in May 2006, and the family lived in the unit until December 2007. During that time, the suit alleged, the family suffered health consequences from the toxic exposure, particularly Cooper, who was 9 years old when they moved into the trailer. Christopher had been diagnosed with asthma at age 3; the suit alleges his condition got worse as a result of living in the trailer for 19 months.

Read the rest of this entry »

If you were planning on spending Saturday afternoon (Sept. 12) at the Sankofa Marketplace in the Lower 9th Ward, you’ll have to take a rain check — but only for a week. The Marketplace (5500 St. Claude Ave.) at the Corner of Caffin and St. Claude avenues has postponed its monthly farmers market and a special school-supplies giveaway until next Saturday (Sept. 19) because of forecasts of inclement weather.

The marketplace will be open next Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with fresh produce, Louisiana shrimp, crafts, artist demonstrations and music from DJ Ro of radio station Q93 (WQUE-FM).

Children can pick up a book bag and notebooks, journals, paper, folders, erasers, rulers and other school supplies, then enjoy activities including print-making, face painting, coloring, playing with hula hoops and other games.

The school-supply giveaway was made possible by local businesses including Mickie Bee’s Lounge, H&R Block, House of Dance & Feathers and dentist Dr. Kendall P. Parker; the All Souls Episcopal Church & Community Center; and community groups such as the Healthy Heart Prevention Project, Big 9 Social Aid & Pleasure Club, Lower 9th Ward Lady Divas, Lower 9th Ward Steppers and the Original Lower 9th Ward Ladies.

Kick off your weekend with the artistic endeavors of area youngsters from 7 to 14 who participated in the Creative Arts Program at Metairie Park Country Day School. The school is hosting a Creative Arts Festival at the school (300 Park Road, Metairie) from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, July 17. The event is free and open to the public.

Young artists from all over the New Orleans area and the Northshore will display what they created during a five-week program, including art exhibits, artistic food (for sale) and performances of live music, theater and dance. The creative arts program also includes instruction in sports, writing and technology.

Festival goers can enjoy hands-on art activities for all ages, a play involving giant pirate puppets and stilt wakers in sea-creature costumes, a demonstration in which children improvise music and paint at the same time, a display of art bikes you can ride, a real “flea” circus and a performance of several of William Shakespeare’s plays mixed together. There also will be a performance of The Red Tennies, featuring songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber, in which 60 children will act, sing and dance. In addition, you can watch experimental videos, listen to a radio show, ukulele ensemble, jug band or beat-boxing, see a marching band, hand-puppet shows and exhibits of a range of arts including soft sculpture, mosaic bird baths, photography, art books and more.

While Americans have been focused on bailouts, plummeting stocks, layoffs, foreclosures and President Barack Obama’s health care proposals, Congress has been considering the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act, or the “Mothers Act.” It is proposed legislation of which everyone should make themselves aware.

At first glance it seems innocuous and even helpful, promising national resources for pregnant women and those who have just delivered babies to find mental health help in dealing with postpartum depression (PPD) or postpartum psychosis. It came about as the result of the suicide of Melanie Blocker-Stokes, who suffered postpartum psychosis after the birth of her daughter in 2001 and ended up leaping off a building in Chicago when her baby was 3 months old.

Read the rest of this entry »

Instead of washing your dog yourself, which often means getting all soapy, wet and smelling like the dog did before it got into the bath, let the folks at Canine Culture (8110 Hampson St.) do it from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 16. It’s only $10 per dog, and the proceeds go to the Sula Foundation.

The foundation is certainly a worthy cause. It’s focus is to increase people’s understanding of American Pit Bull Terriers — that they are smart, sweet dogs instead of the scary, aggressive canines they are often portrayed to be because of dogfighting and bad owners. Sula also is dedicated to promoting responsible ownership of pit bulls and helps with low-cost veterinary care, education programs and more.

The stress of the national recession, mercury in the triple figures, trying to squeeze a vacation into the last days of summer and dealing with the busy schedule of children who are out of school can wreak havoc on your blood pressure. Want to check yours out for free? You can during August and September, thanks to West Jefferson Medical Center.

West Jeff professionals from the Stroke Team, Emergency Medical Services, Elder Plus Program, Family Doctors and Cardiac Services Line will conduct the screenings at four locations on the West Bank.

You can pick up some heart-healthy produce and get your blood pressure checked on Aug. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Gretna Farmers Market (Huey P. Long Avenue at the River), or from noon to 2 p.m. at the Algiers Branch Public Library (3104 Holiday Blvd.).

Health care workers will set up at Dillard’s in the Oakwood Center (197 Westbank Expwy.) from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 11 and Sept. 8, or you can get screened at the Elder Plus Office (1225 Avenue C in Marrero) from 11 a.m. to noon on Aug. 18 or 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sept. 15.