900 Bags of Potato Chips Tossed to the Feed the First Initiative by Zapp’s

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Zapp’s Potato Chips donated 12 cases for Faubourg St. John’s 2018 Feed the First Initiative. Many thanks to Zapp’s for once again helping to feed the officers of the 1st District during Mardi Gras!

Zapp’s takin’ it easy in City Park

Zapp’s admiring the John Scott sculpture in City Park

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900 Bags of Potato Chips Tossed to the Feed the First Initiative by Zapp’s


click on any photo for a larger view
Faubourg St. John gets Zapped

For the 9th year, the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association (FSJNA) will feed officers at the First District Police Station during Mardi Gras weekend from Saturday through Fat Tuesday. During that time, the officers all work 16 hour shifts to cover the parade routes and patrol our district.

We provide a hot breakfast and lunch along with snacks and soft drinks as a show of support to let them know it’s not just them against the world out there over that weekend (and all the time). This year, we will also provide pizza for the night shift so that they can feel the love too.

Zapp's headquarters in Gramercy, LA

Today, Zapp’s Potato Chips donated 900 bags of their wildly popular chips to the Feed the First initiative. It’s donations like this and the many donations from generous neighbors that make this program possible. Many thanks to Zapp’s Potato Chips for their generous donation and kind hospitality at their plant in Gramercy, Louisiana.

Generous Zapp's

article below from WGNO.com

“We like to call ourselves the ‘Little Old Potato Chip Company’ in Gramercy and we joke with people that we’re smaller than some people think we are, larger than other people think we are,” says Richard Gaudry, Vice President of Sales.

“A lot of the equipment we have is state-of-the-art, in some cases we were the first or second people in this country to have a certain piece of equipment,” says Gaudry.

Whats makes this salty, sometimes spicy snack we all love so unique is the variety of flavors. Voodoo has been the most popular chip since it was released. The name itself shows off the fun, quirky personality of Zapp’s Potato Chips.

“We want something that reflects the area here, the spiciness the depth of flavors,” says Gaudry.

“When you’re happy you eat snacks, when you’re sad you eat snacks, when you’re bored you eat snacks, when you’re excited you eat snacks… it’s a good program!”

For more information visit: http://www.zapps.com

Article below by Glen Abbott at NOLA.com

Here in the Big Easy, it’s all about the spice. From po-boys to potato chips, the proper seasoning is essential. So little wonder that our favorite chip comes in a variety of tastebud-tantalizing flavors, with imaginative names like Spicy Cajun Crawtator, Voodoo, and Cajun Dill Gator-Tators – along with the old standbys like Regular, Jalapeno, Salt and Vinegar, and Mesquite Bar-B-Que, among others.

“New Orleans is probably our largest market,” Rod Olson, president of Zapp’s Potato Chips, tells me. “We sell more chips in the French Quarter than Frito-Lay does. Po-boys and Zapp’s go together; muffalettas at Central Grocery and Zapp’s go together.”

Zapp’s processes about 120,000 pounds of spuds and fries them in nearly 8,000 pounds of a peanut oil blend each day. The potatoes are sliced thicker than most chips and go right into the fryer.

“The key to that is you load all these wet potato slices [into the fryer] in less than a minute,” according to Olson. “That drops the temperature of the oil, and it’s that temperature drop that creates the curl, the crunch, and the flavor is basically from the peanut oil blend.”

The result?

“It’s the best-tasting chip made,” Olson claims. “And that’s the mouthfeel and the taste that derives from the peanut oil. And then the seasonings on them, none of them are cheap. They’re selected because they taste good, and as much as possible we try to have interesting flavor combinations.”

Ron Zappe founded Zapp’s Chips in 1985 after his oil-field equipment business tanked, along with the price of crude oil in the early ‘80s. He converted an empty car dealership in St. James Parish into a chippery, installing two small fryers and a packaging machine in the former showroom. Ron passed away in 2010, and Rod Olson – who started with the company its first year as the New Orleans distributor – became president.

At the beginning, Zapp’s produced only regular and jalapeno-flavored chips, but before long, Ron Zappe developed a recipe with spices reminiscent of a crawfish boil. He called the new flavor Spicy Cajun Crawtator, and today it’s one of the company’s best-selling varieties.

Over the years, the company has added flavors, some more popular than others.

“We did a Key Lime flavor … that was one of our most limited editions,” says Olson. “And twice we’ve done pizza flavors that just haven’t taken.”

But the company still gets requests for past favorites like Honey Mustard, Bacon and Cheddar, and even Sizzling Steak. And the newest limited edition – Baby Back Rib (!) – will be hitting store shelves this week.

And Zapp’s is currently phasing in packaging with styling cues emphasizing its Crescent City connection. The updated design features a French Quarter-style signpost, with the package’s distinctive bright, vertical stripes embedded with a subtle fleur-de-lis design. The new tagline reads, “New Orleans Kettle Style.”

Take my advice, and get thee to a chippery. Zapp’s doesn’t offer public factory tours, but you can buy the chips throughout Louisiana, and in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida panhandle, as well as online and through mail order.

Or head to a parade this Carnival season — Zapp’s chips joined the list of edible throws in 1991, when the Krewe of Mid-City first tossed them in 1-ounce bags stamps with the krewe’s name. Other krewes have joined suit, and Zapp’s makes purple-and-gold bags for the season.

Rod Olson’s advice?

“Buy more chips!” he says cheerfully. “We’ll make more; it’s Mardi Gras!”

Many thanks to Zapp’s Potato Chips for their generous donation of 900 bags of chips to the Feed the First initiative

Police Ask Public to Provide Pedal Power for Children

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The Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association, New Orleans Police Department and New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation donated 120 bicycles to pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students at ReNEW McDonogh City Park Academy. December 15, 2016.

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by Linda Landesberg

1a2016bikegiveaway

Here is a great idea for your holiday gift purchasing:
The donation of a bicycle for a child in the name of a friend or loved one.

Forget about the Mall….without even leaving your house you can give a personalized gift certificate to someone on your holiday list saying that a bicycle for a child was donated in his/her name. Much better and easier than those random office gifts!

Please consider donating $50 for a bicycle for a child.

For the last three years the officers in our 1st District New Orleans Police Department have raised money to purchase bikes for needy pre-K, K and first graders in the district. I am writing in hopes that you can help this year; may I persuade you to “buy” one (or two) of these bikes for a donation of just $50 per bike?

1kidonbikestockphotoEvery positive interaction these kids have with a New Orleans police officer makes a positive difference, it is a great program, and your assistance will ensure that it continues.

This year the 1st District is working with McDonogh City Park Academy in the 2700 Block of Esplanade, Below is correspondence from Officer Gill and Commander Ganthier with more information about the program.

This is a charitable donation, checks should be made out to the “New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation” or “NOPJF”  with “First District Bike Givaway” in the note.  We will provide you with a receipt.

Donations are being collected thru December 12th.
Call Officer Gill (504) 385.7221 to pick up your check made out to the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation with 1st District Bike Giveaway in the note section. If you need further information, you can also email Officer Gill at kgill@nola.gov

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The note below is from Officer Kenny Gill

The First District is asking for donations of $50 to purchase bicycles for the Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st grade students at McDonogh City Park Academy. Below an appeal from The 1st District Commander for these bicycles. Please forward and verbally tell others in your neighborhood, friends and members in your association.

This is going to be our 4th year giving bikes to school kids. A different school is chosen every year. This year we are going to be very ambitious. 169 bicycles are needed for children at McDonogh City Park Academy in the 2700 block of Esplanade. Most of the students at McDonogh City Park Academy are very needy (but not all).

Our School Resource Officer got a head count of the Pre-K, Kindergarten and First Graders; 169 students/bicycles. As you can see, the classes are pretty large but we would like to try to and accomplish this with your help.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me.

Thanks,

Officer Kenneth Gill
504 385 7221

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The note below is from N.O.P.D. 1st District Commander Hans Ganthier.
Click on the note below for a larger view in a PDF.

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SAFE ON OUR STREETS

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Safe on Our Streets New Orleans (SOS NOLA) is working to unify and amplify the voices of New Orleans residents, neighborhood groups, and community organizations about crime prevention. One of the first things they’re doing is promoting a Neighborhood Level Crime Survey for ‪#‎NOLA‬ residents to share their experience with crime, law enforcement response, crime prevention resources, and perceptions of public safety here in town. It is a short (5 minute) survey of 17 questions.

If you’re concerned about crime in New Orleans, please take a look!
Thanks!
www.sosnola.com
StChasAveAssocOur entire city is endangered by out-of-control crime. For the past three months, a coalition led by the St. Charles Avenue Association and St. Claude Main Street has been working with a diverse group of neighborhood leaders and civic associations to amplify and unify our voices and to find real, creative and effective solutions.

stclaudeindexTo date, more than 50 neighborhood associations and civic organizations have participated in our meetings, all focused on tapping into the concerns of citizens and to seek solutions to the crime problems that grip our city. After surveying our neighborhoods citywide and listening to the leaders, we are mobilized.

Our committed organization, S.O.S., (“Safe on Our Streets”) welcomes all neighborhoods to join the effort to make the outrageenough1 heard and solutions known. Neighborhood and civic organizations can join by emailing stchasaveassoc@gmail.com. We need and want your energy and desire to make every New Orleanian safe on our streets.

The survival of this great city depends on solving this heinous problem. By speaking with one united voice, City Hall and others will hear our distress call — S.O.S — and make crime the No. 1 priority.

Camille J. Strachan president, St. Charles Avenue Association New Orleans

Jonathan M. Rhodes past president, St. Claude Avenue Main Street New Orleans

S.O.S  (Safe on Our Streets) works to improve public safety in all neighborhoods in New Orleans. To achieve this, S.O.S supports a network of more than 50 culturally, ethnically and geographically diverse neighborhood and civic organizations  to make all streets safe. S.O.S works to unify the voices of New Orleans residents, advocate for best practices in policing, and ensure the fair allocation of technology, programs and other public resources in order to reduce crime.

 S.O.S was founded in 2015 by a diverse group of community groups all concerned about the staggering rise in crime. Throughout Greater New Orleans, S.O.S. is committed to making the streets of this city safe for all.

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Faubourg St. John residents support the New Orleans Police Department’s 1st District

Thank you from NOPD’s First District

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photos and info from Kristie Carr
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1stDistrictBicycles1Commander Otha Sandifer and the officers of the First District thank you for your contributions and moral support.
Without your generous donations, the Christmas Gift Giveaway would not have been possible.

Because of your donations, the 1st District was able to give bicycles to the pre-Kindergarten students of St. Peter Claver school.

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Click on the letter from Commander Otha Sandifer below for a larger view.

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nopjf
The New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation (NOPJF) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to making New Orleans a safer place to work, live and visit. Financial contributions to the NOPJF are fully tax-deductible, and the Foundation is registered with the charitable-giving information resource on GuideStar.org. Our organization’s financial statements are audited annually by an external accounting firm (Postlethwaite & Netterville). Our annual 990 IRS informatoin return is also prepared by Postlehwaite & Netterville, copies of which can be viewed on GuideStar’s website. We also undergo a “single audit” each year that examines compliance with all federal circulars, regulations and reporting requirements associated with federal grant funds awarded to our organization directly or as pass-through grants where the Foundation is the Fiscal Agent.

Bicycles and Toys for Children

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N.O.P.D. 1st District Commander Otha Sandifer writes:

With the approaching holiday season, the members of the New Orleans Police Department’s First District have been contemplating on how to assist the needy children of our district for Christmas.

In addition to the members of the district donating a toy for a child, we are reaching out to all of our partners which includes businesses and neighborhood associations. We are asking that you consider donating money (preferably at least $50.00), bicycles or toys for this event.

We hope to be able to give gifts to all of our pre-K and kindergarten children in our district. All monetary donations must be made to the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation in the name of the First District with “toy giveaway” in the memo.

Please donate by Monday, December 14, 2015. This will allow us time to make the presentations to the students before their Christmas break.

We thank you in advance for assisting us with this endeavor. Anything you can assist us with will be appreciated.

click on the check for a larger view
click on the check for a larger view

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nopjfThe New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation (NOPJF) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to making New Orleans a safer place to work, live and visit. Financial contributions to the NOPJF are fully tax-deductible, and the Foundation is registered with the charitable-giving information resource on GuideStar.org. Our organization’s financial statements are audited annually by an external accounting firm (Postlethwaite & Netterville). Our annual 990 IRS informatoin return is also prepared by Postlehwaite & Netterville, copies of which can be viewed on GuideStar’s website. We also undergo a “single audit” each year that examines compliance with all federal circulars, regulations and reporting requirements associated with federal grant funds awarded to our organization directly or as pass-through grants where the Foundation is the Fiscal Agent.

2 Detectives Receive Officer of the Month Award

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photo by Ronnie Brink
photo by Ronnie Brink

Ronnie Brink and Jim Danner presented a gift certificate for Canseco’s from Faubourg St. John to Detectives Sherife Davis and David Aranda.

Detectives Sherife Davis and David Aranda are the New Orleans Police Department’s Officers of the Month in the First District for September, 2015.  The Officers of the Month awards were presented at the September 15, 2015 New Orleans Neighborhood Police Anti Crime Council (NONPACC) meeting.

Commander Otha Sandifer presented the Officer of the Month award to narcotics detectives Sherife Davis and David Aranda for exemplary performance of their duties.

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The next New Orleans Neighborhood Police Anti Crime Council (NONPACC) meeting will be on October 20, 2015 at the 1st District Station 501 N Rampart St New Orleans, LA 70112.

WHO: Officer of the Month
WHAT: NOPD’s 1st District NONPACC meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, October 20, 2015, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
WHERE: 1st District Station 1st District Station
501 N Rampart St New Orleans, LA 70112.
Contact Information: 504-658-6010

Officer of the Month Lawrence Jones

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Jim Danner congratulates Officer Lawrence Jones with Commander Otha Sandifer. photo by Ronnie Brink.
Jim Danner congratulates Officer Lawrence Jones with Commander Otha Sandifer. photo by Ronnie Brink.
Ronnie Brink and Jim Danner presented a gift certificate for Terranova’s from Faubourg St. John to Officer Lawrence Jones.

Officer Lawrence Jones is the New Orleans Police Department’s Officer of the Month in the First District for August, 2015. The Officer of the Month award was presented at the August 18, 2015 New Orleans Neighborhood Police Anti Crime Council (NONPACC) meeting held on August 18, 2015.

Officer Jones received the distinction for successfully ending a standoff that lasted over two hours. An individual was brandishing a machete and other knives. The incident ended without injury.

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The next New Orleans Neighborhood Police Anti Crime Council (NONPACC) meeting will be on September 15, 2015 at the 1st District Station 501 N Rampart St New Orleans, LA 70112.

WHO: Officer of the Month
WHAT: NOPD’s 1st District NONPACC meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, September 15, 2015, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
WHERE: 1st District Station 1st District Station
501 N Rampart St New Orleans, LA 70112.
Contact Information: 504-658-6010

FEED THE 1st

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Feed-the-1st-banner
Here is an update on FSJNA’s Fifth Feed the First program where 78 officers of the first district police department were fed during Mardi Gras weekend thru Tuesday. During this time breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, pancakes, croissants, fruit and protein bars were served.

In addition, delicious breakfast burritos were donated by The Ruby Slipper.

Bag lunches with sandwiches, chips, cookies, mints and gum were delivered to the officers on the route.

There were so many wonderful people involved in Feed the First this year. Soprano’s thoughtfully donated a beautiful large box of fresh fruit to the 1st District for Mardi Gras Day including bananas, apples, oranges and pears. This was a big hit and the officers were very appreciative.

linda-pies-Feed1st-2014mar2On Monday Charlotte Pipes, Linda Landesberg and Susan Roth peeled several pounds of apples so that Linda could bake six scrumptious homemade apple pies. Talk about loving from the oven! Needless to say everyone loved the pies. On Monday night, hot dogs and chili were dished out at the station.

On Tuesday, Jim Danner provided his special red beans and rice for lunch with the help of his faithful crew.

Special thanks to Diane Angelico, Linda Landesberg, Bonnie Lee, Charlie London, Mona McMahon and Charlotte Pipes who got up as early as 3:30 in the morning to prepare and serve breakfast and once finished report back to make lunches with delicious Terranova Brothers sandwich meat. I’d especially like to point out the good cheer that these volunteers shared with the officers, making a very long day a bit brighter.

Thank you to cash donors, Suzanne Accorsi, Frank Israel, Meg and Rocky Seydel and Priscilla Zeller.

Rodney Beals once again came through and provided all the sandwich rounds and hot dog buns which was a big saving for us. Terranova Brothers donated goods as well.

deutsches1-Feed1st-2014mar1We wouldn’t be able to offer such a wonderful breakfast without Deutsches Haus’ Joe and Doranel Stephany who have shown what great neighbors they are even before moving into our area. Deutsches Haus provided their professional kitchen and Joe and Doranel arrived early to get the breakfasts started. Thank you Joe and Doranel, you’re delightful!

It was truly a rewarding experience to be able to work side by side with fantastic Faubourg St John neighbors. Thanks to everyone who participated.

If you have any ideas on how we can step up our game for 2015 we’d love to hear your suggestions. A couple of ideas that we’re tossing about is to offer grilled hamburgers one day and maybe sloppy roast beef sandwiches another.

Regards,
Brenda London

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Great things happen when you FEED THE FIRST!

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photos for this post courtesy Mona McMahon, Charlotte Pipes, Linda Landesberg and Brenda London. These ladies along with Diane Angelico who not only helped but donated to the cause, all helped to make the 5th annual FEED THE FIRST program a success.
FeedFirst2-2014mar4Mardi Gras began at 4 a.m. for Mona McMahon, Joe Stephany, Brenda London and Charlotte Pipes who were all part of feeding the New Orleans Police Department’s First District officers.
FeedFirst3-2014mar4The First District officers were all very grateful to have a hot meal ready for them before the went to their assigned posts along the Mardi Gras routes.

Many thanks to all the great people who helped
FEED THE FIRST!



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Linda Landesberg made apple pies for the
1st District officers


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THANK-YOU
by Brenda London
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Happy Mardi Gras!

The Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association
will again “Feed the 1st District” during Mardi Gras weekend.
During that four day period hot breakfasts are served along with bag lunches for the officers. Last year dinner was also served to the officers before they went out on their route on Lundi Gras and red beans and rice lunches were provided on Mardi Gras Day. This was all accomplished because of wonderful neighbors of Faubourg St. John who volunteered their time. Our First District Police Officers work 12 hour shifts during this time and are very appreciative of the fresh food that we provide.

We’re very fortunate that the Deutsches Haus is helping us again this year with use of their kitchen and food preparation, but we need you! Volunteers are needed to help prepare and deliver food on Saturday and Sunday of Mardi Gras weekend!

If you’re available to help or have any questions please write back to info@fsjna.org If you can’t donate your time please consider supporting this worthy cause, donations are always welcome in any amount.

Thanks for your consideration. This program has been personally rewarding and if you participate I promise you’ll be glad you did!
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Many thanks to the Ruby Slipper Cafe for helping to FEED THE FIRST.

terranovas

Terranova’s consistently donates to events and programs in Faubourg St. John.

The table is all ready to FEED THE FIRST!
The table is all ready to FEED THE FIRST!

Lots of supplies are needed to Feed the 1st. Can you help?
Lots of supplies are needed to Feed the 1st. Can you help?

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Brenda London made sandwiches for the 1st District officers out on the Mardi Gras routes.

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Artify the 1st

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photos from Henry Artigue
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Linda Landesberg and Henry Artigue would like you to help them “artify” the 1st District Police Station on Rampart. Call Henry at (504) 669-0048 to donate.

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Linda and Henry are looking for any New Orleans and/or Louisiana themed art…prints or original.

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It must be ready to hang…framed or wired so that Linda and Henry can easily hang the piece.

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Inspirational Leader Gets Praise

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Commander Robert Norton

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. ~John Quincy Adams

May 25, 2013
Dear Bobby:

For the past six years, you have brought the First District out of its Katrina depression into one of the safest communities in New Orleans. There has never been a problem too small or too large that you could not personally respond. Even though you worked all day, you went to all of our crime walks and whatever other little thing we did.

Every police officer in the First District is professional in appearance and demeanor. It’s no accident that the First District has lower crime statistics than many areas in New Orleans: this condition is the result of a cohesive, professional unit of law enforcement officers. You have been a beacon of hope, kindness, and effective law enforcement for the First District.

Although we can be a fussy, picky group of people, you have always dispatched exactly the right Quality of Life Officer for Faubourg St. John. I know of no one who would hesitate to ask or tell Robert Norton anything. You have always responded to our email complaints and questions, phone calls and conversations graciously and attempted to understand our points of view.

Not long ago, you mobilized this entire community to find an armed robber. As vigilant as we were–and we were extremely observant and communicative with each other– we didn’t find him. But we ceased to be targets of opportunity, were able to relate information in a timely fashion that led to the arrest of others, and never heard from the armed robber again.

When Commander Norton asked for tips, everyone looked everywhere and came up with some tips! Actually, you probably got way too many tips. Still, this incident stands out for me as emblematic of our respect and trust in Robert Norton.

Bobby, you have been a unifying presence in a district that likes to be divided into little neighborhoods! You have taught us that we’re all in this together and have illustrated how far a little teamwork can go. Whenever I talk to neighbors in Esplanade Ridge, Treme, and Fairgrounds Triangle, everyone knows you and speaks fondly of working with you and your department to solve real problems.

Although you are leaving, you have made permanent changes in the police-community relationship in the First District. You will bring the same professional and caring spirit to your new post as you continue to be a change agent wherever you go. I will miss you terribly and want you to know if there’s every anything I can do for you, I would be so happy to do so.

Kindest Regards,

Mona McMahon

Community Mourns Loss of Lt. Chris Cambiotti

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This photo was taken on the occasion of one of our neighborhood “Walk Against Crime” events.
This time we started at Pal’s Lounge.
The weather was rainy that day but nothing could dampen his spirit or diminish his smile.
Bless his heart. He will be remembered.
Charlotte Pipes

The New Orleans Police Department is mourning the untimely death of First District Lieutenant Christopher Cambiotti. Lieutenant Cambiotti was a passenger in a car that was involved in an accident yesterday in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He died on the scene. He was 42-years-old.

Chris joined the NOPD in 1997. During his time with the department, he served the people of New Orleans by working in the Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Districts. He also worked briefly in the department’s Special Operations Division. Finally, during the last five years of his career, Chris served as the Second in Command to First District Commander Bobby Norton.

Commander Norton said, “This is a great loss for me, both professionally and personally. This is also a true loss for our community. Chris was a dedicated officer who cared for and respected this community very much.”

Superintendent Ronal Serpas said, “Chris Cambiotti was a great person, as well as an exemplary police officer. He’d always make a point of coming over to say ‘hello’ during breaks at weekly COMSTAT meetings. He always had something positive to say, and he always had a smile on his face.”

“Chris was very popular with the officers and made tremendous contributions to this police department, as well as to the people of New Orleans. He will be sorely missed.”

The New Orleans Police Department sends sincere condolences to the Cambiotti family as well as to NOPD Homicide Detective Maggie Darling.

A memorial service for Lieutenant Cambiotti will be held at Saint Louis Cathedral. Details of that service will be released when confirmed.

May his parade of peace last for an eternity.