Voting season is here and the primary is this coming weekend, October 24th. With that in mind, here are some resources to help you choose which candidate get your vote.
Polls for the October 24, 2015 election will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.
To verify your registration and precinct location, click here and input the information requested.
For past election results by parish, multi-parish, or statewide, click here and input the information requested.
To see a sample ballot of an upcoming election, click here and input the parish and precinct information. Be sure to click on "full text" for a complete description of any propositions/amendments.
Let's reach back into our parish's history by grabbing headlines and other information, getting a little peak in to the way things were.
50 years ago... Friday, September 3, 1965
Headlines
The above image is Elysian Fields School construction. Seems some flooding conditions where halting the work and water had to be pumped out before they could continue.
The Terrebonne Parish School board voted to allow tire chains on buses conveying children from the lower Dularge area due to hazardous bayou conditions.
A streets paving program costing $8 million began, allowing 44.85 miles of Houma roads to be paved in several phases over five years. The first phase included Morrison Avenue, Jefferson Davis Street, Sixth Street, Williams Avenue, Gum Street, and several more.
New non-teacher salary raises were allowed for Terrebonne Parish School employees, including janitors, drivers, clerks, and secretaries. The only salaried mentioned were construction foreman who received $2.50 an hour and construction helpers who received $2.00 an hour.
At the Movies
Shenandoah starring James Stewart at The Park
John Ford's Cheyene Autumn at the Fox
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini at the Bijou
Disney's Monkey's Uncle and Bridge on the River Kwai at the Houma Drive In
At the Market
Zenith Color TV for $359.95 at Houma Electrical Appliance and Furniture Co., Inc on E Main and Grinage Street
The A&P had a 4lb cooked canned ham for $2.99 and a 1lb box of potato chips for 49 cents.
One of the library's most valuable partners is the Terrebonne Genealogical Society. Formed in 1972, the TGS been working in close partnership with Terrebonne Parish Library ever since. Without the generosity and encouragement of the Society, the library would never have been able to develop its extensive genealogy collection.
The group’s focus is the area of the original Lafourche Interior, which was been divided into Terrebonne, Lafourche, and Assumption Parishes. TGS publishes a monthly newsletter, and a quarterly journal called Terrebonne Life Lines. Members have produced books on a large variety of topics, including censuses, indexes to newspaper deaths, and annual collections of obituaries. All publications are completely indexed, making it easy to find where a topic has been covered.
The Society meets at 1 p.m. on the last Saturday of every month (except for November and December), usually in the large meeting room of the Main Library. The public is enthusiastically urged to attend. Annual dues, which include the newsletter and journal, are $25 for an individual and $30 for families. For information on membership, and the many projects the Terrebonne Genealogical Society works on, see their website: http://rootsweb.ancestry.com/~laterreb/tgs/
Did you know there are great local genealogy resources published right here in Terrebonne Parish?One is Terrebonne Life Lines, a journal published quarterly by the Terrebonne Genealogical Society.A complete set, from 1982 to the present, is available at the Main Library.
If you're wondering how to find out if Terrebonne Life Lines includes articles you're interested in, just look in the index. Articles in the journalare indexed by subject, area, article title, and surname; and each reference in the index specifies the volume, issue and page.The journal covers a wide range of topics, including family histories, censuses, courthouse records, conveyances, burials, and more. The indexes are available in the print at the Main Library, but they are also available online; this means you can find interesting articles from home, and then come to the library to read them. Here are the links to the online indexes:
Examples of articles are “Early Settlers of Lafourche & Terrebonne” and “Yellow Fever Deaths, 1853.” There are others on local plantations, such as Ducros, Belle Grove, Augeron, Crescent Farms and Magnolia.Recent issues have included transcripts of oral histories recorded in the 1980s.
If you see something in the indexes that strikes your fancy, come to the genealogy room at Terrebonne Parish Library’s Main Branch and take a look!
You asked for it, and now here it is! This is the schedule of Mardi Gras Parades that will roll in Terrebonne Parish. The Main Library will close at FIVE O'CLOCK for those parades highlighted in red. The entire library system will be CLOSED completely on Mardi Gras Day.
Friday, February 5th 6:00 pm, Krewe of Hercules (Houma)
Saturday, February 6th Noon, Bayou Tee Callou (Chauvin) 6:30 pm, Krewe of Aquiruis (Houma)
Sunday, February 7th 12:30 pm, Krewe of Hyacinthians (Houma)
Friday, February 12th 6:30 pm, Krewe of Aphrodite (Houma)
Saturday, February 13th 6:30 pm, Krewe of Mardi Gras (Houma)
Sunday, February 14th 12:30 pm, Krewe Terreanians (Houma) Following Terreanians, Krewe of Tut (Houma) 2:00pm , Krewe of Montegut (Montegut)
Monday, February 15th, Lundi Gras Day 6:30 pm, Krewe of Cleopatra (Houma)
Tuesday, February 16th, Mardi Gras Day 11:00 am, Krewe of Houmas (Houma) Following Houmas, Krewe of Kajuns (Houma) 4:00 pm, Bonne Terre (Montegut)
If you or someone you know has family members in Haiti, you may be able to find out more by calling the U.S. State Department's Haiti Hotline at (888) 407-4747. Call volume has been heavy, so callers may hear a recorded message or end up on hold for a while.
The Volunteer Income Tax Association will be at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library from Tuesday, February 2nd, through Tuesday, April 13th, to help you file your tax form at the following times:
This service is primarily for the elderly and low-income filers.
Those Wanting VITA Assistance Must Have:
- All W-2 and 1099 forms for 2009.
- Driver's license or other photo ID.
- Social Security cards for everyone in the household.
- Birth dates for everyone in the household.
- 1099-INT forms showing interest earned on bank accounts.
- The name, address and tax ID or Social Security number of child-care providers for child-care credits.
- 1099-G forms that show unemployment payments.
- SSA-1099 forms showing Social Security payments.
- Pay records from jury duty.
- W-2G forms for gambling or lottery winnings.
- Those who wish to have their tax refunds directly deposited into their checking accounts or payments to the IRS drawn directly from their accounts must bring a voided check that includes a routing number and bank-account number.
For more information about VITA, contact Jennifer Gaudet of Catholic Social Services at 985-876-0490.
Every day in America, according to the Occupational Safety Hazard Administration, sixteen people die while doing their jobs. Of course, some are firefighters or police killed in the line of duty while doing jobs that are by nature somewhat dangerous. But others are just regular folks who become the victims of inattention, ill-training, recklessness or, worst of all, a co-worker or customer's criminal intent or mental illness.
Below are some links that you or someone you know might find informative (or life saving). Pass the information along.
The National Safety Council--This hotlink will take you to the website of the Arkansas-Louisiana-Texas chapter of the National Safety Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to safer products and workplaces.
Fatal Facts--OSHA Reports about specific situations in which workers died on the job. Includes investigator opinions as to how the accidents might have been avoided.
Workplace Violence--An excellent handbook, written by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, about the danger of workplace violence and how it can be dealt with by co-workers, supervisors and law enforcement.
From The Dictionary of Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World by Omnigraphics Press, Inc.:
"Halloween has its ultimate origins in the ancient Celtic harvest festival, SAMHAIN, a time when people believed that the spirits of the dead roamed the earth. Irish settlers brought their Halloween customs—which included bobbing for apples and lighting jack-o’-lanterns—to America in the 1840s.
"In the United States children go from house to house in costume—often dressed as ghosts, skeletons, or vampires—on Halloween saying, 'Trick or treat!' Though for the most part the threat is in jest, the 'trick' part of the children’s cry carries the implication that if they don’t receive a treat, the children will subject that house to some kind of prank, such as marking its windows with a bar of soap or throwing eggs at it. Most receive treats in the form of candy or money. But Halloween parties and parades are popular with adults as well.
"Because nuts were a favorite means of foretelling the future on this night, All Hallows’ Eve in England became known as Nutcrack Night. Other British names for the day include Bob Apple Night, Duck (or Dookie) Apple Night, Crab Apple Night, Thump-the-door Night, and, in Wales, APPLE AND CANDLE NIGHT. In the United States it is sometimes referred to as Trick or Treat Night."
The rest of October will be busy for the Terrebonne Parish Library System, with many Halloween-themed events and craft times for kids and teens. Here's what's happening from now until Halloween.
For Kids
Thursday, 10/22 at 5 p.m. Haunted Library Storytime for pre-k – 3rd graders. Chauvin Branch
Saturday, 10/24 at 2 p.m. Halloween Craft Workshop for pre-k – 3rd graders. Main Library
Monday, 10/26, Wednesday, 10/28, and Thursday, 10/29 from 3-5:30 p.m. Halloween Pumpkin Painting Craft. Bring a clean pumpkin. Montegut Branch
Monday, 10/26 at 4 p.m. Halloween Story Time and Candy Workshop for k – 4th graders. Dularge Branch
For Teens
Friday, 10/23 at 4 p.m. Wii Games and Halloween Craft Dularge Branch
Tuesday, 10/27 from 4-5:30 p.m. Pumpkin Painting Workshop. Bring a clean pumpkin. Montegut Branch
Wednesday, 10/28 from 4-5:30 p.m. Playstation 2 “Buzz Quiz” Game. Registration is required--call 985-575-2639 Gibson Branch
Saturday, 10/31 at 2 p.m. Michael Jackson “Extravaganza” featuring his Live in Bucharest – The Dangerous Tour and a Michael Jackson “Look-a-Like” Contest. East Houma Branch
October is Fire Prevention Month! October is traditionally the time of year when people start firing up heaters and fireplaces (soon, we hope!), so this is also the time people need to be mindful of what it takes to keep fires from happening.
And Remember! You can get a free smoke detector from any office of the Houma Fire Department in Terrebonne Parish! Just call Fire Chief Todd Dufrene's office at (985) 873-6391 for more information.
So. School is back in, huh? And maybe this year you or someone you know really has to start getting serious in order to meet TOPS core curriculum requirements.
Well, the Terrebonne Parish Library System has some databases that will definitely help make getting through the TOPS curriculum easier.
Click on the course side for databases that may help.
> Historical Hurricane Impacts on Coastal Louisiana; Factors Influencing Hurricane Storm Surge in Coastal Louisiana
> “What If” Hurricane Storm Surge Impacts on Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes
> New Flood Zones: What They Mean and How They Will Impact You
This program was hosted at the Main Library last year and, since then, storm surge and wind-speed models have been updated, taking the impact of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike into account.
Lsu AgCenter staff will be available to help those in attendance access windspeed, ground level and storm surge models available online through the LSU AgCenter.
Attendance is free.
For information on other locations where this meeting will be held, follow this link:
There's a lot going this summer at the library, and here are some events and programs you might want to know about:
1. The annual summer reading program, titled "Once Upon a Time" begins May 26 and ends July 25. Children through the sixth grade can read books to win prizes, participate in arts and crafts workshops and see live performances. Coupons and certificates from local businesses reward those kids who complete the program.
Teens and adults aren't left out, either. The teen summer program, "Express Yourself" will have workshops just for teens. Remind the young adult in your life that the library is a safe and sophisticated place to meet a friend or just hang out.
2. In June, a collection of folk art featuring the work of 21 southern artists from 9 states will be passing through. This display of so-called "outsider" art will feature text panels and photographs explaining where the artists got their inspiration.
3. June's Summer Performances--
Bourg Branch (11am), East Houma(2pm)--Friday, June 5--Betsy McGovern, Musician--KIDS
Main Library--Monday, June 8 (2pm)--Johnette Downing, Musician--KIDS
Bourg Branch--Monday, June 15 (11am)--Character Two, Storytellers--KIDS
Main Library--Tuesday, June 16 (1pm)--Healing Force, Musicians--KIDS, ADULTS
Main Library--Wednesday, June 17 (2pm)--GrayHawk, Storyteller--KIDS
Montegut Branch--Friday, June 26 (11am)--The Jack and Jill Players, Acting Troupe--KIDS
Montegut Branch(11am) and East Houma Branch(2pm)--Tuesday, June 30--Toni Batiste, Dancer--KIDS
Chauvin Branch--Tuesday, June 30 (1pm)--Mary Lecompte, Storyteller--KIDS
The Terrebonne Mobile Library will be available at the Ladybug Ball this weekend, so be sure to stop by and see how we bring the library show on the road!
"The 10th Annual Ladybug Ball, sponsored by Re/Max Good Earth Realty of Houma, is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Southdown Plantation, 1208 Museum Drive in Houma.
Admission is free. Activities range in price from $1 on up.
A shuttle service from the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“It’s just a magical day,” said Linda Faulk, founder and chair of the event.
The Ladybug Ball centers on the release of 100,001 ladybugs and 201 butterflies, scattered into the air by local officials stationed at 10 to 12 release posts around the plantation grounds."
Click here for more information about the Ladybug Ball.
Until April 24th, the first floor of the Terrebonne Parish Main Library will be the temporary home of a travelling exhibition about founding father Benjamin Franklin entitled Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World. The exhibition was organized by the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary of Philadelphia and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The creation of the exhibit was also made possible by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The Terrebonne Parish Main Library is located at 151 Library Drive, across from the Civic Center. Interactive computers have been set up to allow patrons to explore more aspects of the exhibit and we encourage the public to check out materials dealing with the life, accomplishments and philosophy of Benjamin Franklin.
For more information, call 985-876-1733 or email us.
If you are someone you know is a nurse or nursing student or other allied health worker or student, you may want to let them know that they can obtain access--FOR FREE--to some pretty powerful nursing and allied health databases through the Terrebonne Parish Library.
The Gale Nursing and Allied Health Collection (click above), will provide you with an intuitive and easy-to-use search interface that will allow you to find full-text and PDF articles pertinet to the nursing and allied health fields.
Through the Louisiana Library Consortium, the Terrebonne Parish Library also gets EBSCO's nursing and allied health offerings. The EBSCO interface isn't quite as easy to use when it comes to nursing sources (but still powerful), so a video is provided here to make it a little easier:
Spread the word to any nursing or allied health students you might know. We try to make their lives a little easier!
Approximately 5 million people were victims of identity theft in the past year, according to FBI crime reports. That's more people than live in the entire state of Louisiana. Identity thieves are ruthless and shrewd and, worse, without conscience. December is National Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month, and thus a very good time to learn to protect yourself. Here are some links that might help you do that:
So you want to vote next Tuesday and you might not be sure where to go or what's going to be on the ballot here in Terrebonne Parish? Okay, let's take a look.
First, you'll need to find out what precinct you live in. The ballot will vary slightly in each. To find out exactly which precinct you live in and which polling place you should use, try going here: LOUISIANA SECRETARY OF STATE POLLING LOCATOR. Just type in your name or address, and it will tell you which precinct is yours. Be sure to follow the data entry instructions at the bottom of the form. A bit of a hassle, I know, but isn't democracy worth it?
After you have your precinct number, you can look at a sample ballot for your precinct in Terrebonne Parish here: TERREBONNE PARISH SAMPLE BALLOT PAGE. Click on your precinct number in the long list of numbers on the page. Voila'! You're an informed voter!
If you have any questions, call the Terrebonne Parish Library Information Service at 985-876-5158 ext. 201 or the Terrebonne Parish Registrar of voters at 985-873-6533.
