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Michelle Lane,
the Louisiana coordinator for the Parkinson's Action Network, has won the national organization's Louis Fishman's Award for Parkinson's Advocacy. The Harahan resident, herself a Parkinson's patient, was honored for her vigilance in pushing for programs and services for those who suffer from the deadly disease, and for their families.

Altria Group Inc.
has made it possible for the NO/AIDS Task Force to add more HIV/AIDS patients to its Food for Friends program. The $20,000 grant by Altria, the parent company of corporations including Kraft Foods and Philip Morris USA, will provide about 5,400 meals to 39 clients, according to the task force. Food for Friends provides regular meals and groceries to more than 1,000 local patients.

LN 1st Class Shannon Minixpryor
of Crowley has been named the U.S. Navy's Legalman of the Year. Minixpryor, who is stationed aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, is also that ship's Sailor of the Year and the leading petty officer aboard its legal department. A legalman (LN) is trained like a paralegal, and also specializes in matters concerning tax returns, voter registration and veteran's benefits.

Verl Emrick
was quickly jettisoned as executive director of the New Orleans City Planning Commission after he made a racially offensive comment during his first meeting with commission staff members. Complaints about Emrick's use of the term "tar baby" poured into Mayor Ray Nagin's office after the April 5 meeting, prompting the commission to quickly oust Emrick from his new post.

Other Stories This Week in News & Views:

Commentary
The Power of the Vote

News Feature
Full-Court Press

Politics
Out of Touch

Penny Post
An Outing to the Country