Please take a few minutes to call and E-mail both Ed Blakely and Shelley Midura regarding their meeting with developers who choose not to meet with and work with neighborhood organizations and residents. According to yesterday's paper, Victory Real Estate Investments has been promised financial incentives from Blakey's office (and help with Go-Zone monies) for a project that the neighborhood residents have not seen. T.P Article: T-P article
The vast majority of residents are not in favor of a massive suburban style shopping complex in the heart of our city as first proposed by Victory. Blakely should not decide what will be built in our neighborhood. It is the loyal residents who love our neighborhood who should decide. There is a plan developed by mid-city residences (UNOP/Lambert) for a retail presence in Mid-City. That plan should be followed.
Please let them know how you feel about the nefarious meetings and the lack of public disclosure.
Ed Blakely: 658-8400 ejblakely@cityofno.com
Shelley Midura: 658-1010 SMidura@cityofno.com
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Essays, links and visuals highlighting an alternative, resilient place at the strategic crescent of one mighty river.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Festivus is for the rest of us
yes, gift buying is rampant; but so is Re-Gifting, Re-Costuming, Cookbook swapping, free massage, Airing of the Grievances, Free Flattery (find all of that at The Office of Homeland Serenity), live music, hot food, cocktails and sunshine.
I promise.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Can we learn something from the South Bronx?
http://beta.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif Click to read Alternet story
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
A fascinating morning
in lagalou. Biked with co-worker to the Quarter to meet with local non-profit entrepreneur Eric Kugler to discuss a wonderful idea he has to build small decentralized fresh food buying clubs in the 7th ward and beyond.
We met at Cafe Envie, a coffeehouse with a full breakfast menu to discuss and plan.
As we saw Eric sitting outside with his pit bull Sweet Potato, we also saw another Envie patron yelling down the street at 2 men having a heated discussion.
Turns out one of the 2 men was the Grey Ghost, the infamous graffiti coverer, hated by those artists and many property owners as well. GG has been labeled a vigilante by those who are tired of his one man paint slopping over graffiti, and stories have been told of careless work that often disfigures more than the original graffiti. Property owners have argued with him about painting their building, saying they will decide how to handle graffiti when needed. He has been known to argue for his position and then to ignore the pleas to not return to their rescue.
Of course, there are property owners who applaud his work, saying the graffiti is an attack, and GG is just responding with what the artist would find most distateful, and what would discourage them from coming back around.
The Envie patron was waiting for a police cruiser he had called to back up the second man who clearly was asking GG to stop putting grey industrial paint over the graffiti.
The police cruiser came, ran off GG, went. As soon as the cruiser pulled off and GG walked away, the second man came to thank the Envie patron for backing him up. Turns out he works for the city, and has no love for the GG and told us how he explained to GG that he had no right to further disfugure buildings. He called the Envie patron a hero, gave him his card and asked him if he would testify at city hall if needed.
Wow.
That, and a pretty good veggie wrap before 10 a.m.
We met at Cafe Envie, a coffeehouse with a full breakfast menu to discuss and plan.
As we saw Eric sitting outside with his pit bull Sweet Potato, we also saw another Envie patron yelling down the street at 2 men having a heated discussion.
Turns out one of the 2 men was the Grey Ghost, the infamous graffiti coverer, hated by those artists and many property owners as well. GG has been labeled a vigilante by those who are tired of his one man paint slopping over graffiti, and stories have been told of careless work that often disfigures more than the original graffiti. Property owners have argued with him about painting their building, saying they will decide how to handle graffiti when needed. He has been known to argue for his position and then to ignore the pleas to not return to their rescue.
Of course, there are property owners who applaud his work, saying the graffiti is an attack, and GG is just responding with what the artist would find most distateful, and what would discourage them from coming back around.
The Envie patron was waiting for a police cruiser he had called to back up the second man who clearly was asking GG to stop putting grey industrial paint over the graffiti.
The police cruiser came, ran off GG, went. As soon as the cruiser pulled off and GG walked away, the second man came to thank the Envie patron for backing him up. Turns out he works for the city, and has no love for the GG and told us how he explained to GG that he had no right to further disfugure buildings. He called the Envie patron a hero, gave him his card and asked him if he would testify at city hall if needed.
Wow.
That, and a pretty good veggie wrap before 10 a.m.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
How can we hurry with public transportation like this?
Although this video shows a faster ride than any I have been on...
http://beta.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif Ride the streetcar
http://beta.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif Ride the streetcar
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
movie night
Dear Friends;
Join us Wednesday NOVEMBER 14, 2007 for Fair Grinds Movie Club Night at 8.15pm and a screening of The Sugar Babies, joined by Amy Serrano, the film's acclaimed Director/ Writer/ Cinematographer and Producer. FREE and open to all.
New Orleans film maker Amy Serrano shot, produced, wrote and directed The Sugar Babies to expose the exploitation of children of Haitian ancestry by the sugar industry in the Dominican Republic. Amy encountered fierce opposition to prevent the first screening at Florida International University. Miami based lawyers, representing friends of the sugar industry, attempted to thwart the event with a cease and desist letter to the university. After the screening, the Dominican goverments represenative, General Cousul Manuel Almanzar rushed the stage to denounce the film.
"I feel it was God that led me to the Dominican Republic, and Angels that guided me through a very hidden and dangerous part of our world," said Amy. "At every step of the way, as my discoveries got deeper and many times thinking to myself that I was in over my head, I constantly asked God how much farther can I go? I relied on my inner voice to keep going, delving, and later diffusing this information as the Truth that I and other colleagues on the field have found to be; even when those that would seek to remain in power and profit from the misery forged upon others, equally seek to cover it up through insidious means. But Truth has a way of revealing itself at the right moment in Time."
The Sugar Babies examines the moral price of sugar -- present and past -- from the perspective of the conditions surrounding the children of sugar cane cutters of Haitian ancestry in the Dominican Republic, and the continuing denial of their basic human rights.
After the screening, we will visit with Amy Serrano and discusses the meaning of Fair Trade practices and consumer consciousness as a way to improve the lives of those who work to produce or food and consumer products.
Robert Thompson
Fair Grinds Coffeehouse
3133 Ponce de Leon
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 913-9072
www.fairgrinds.com
info@fairgrinds.com
Join us Wednesday NOVEMBER 14, 2007 for Fair Grinds Movie Club Night at 8.15pm and a screening of The Sugar Babies, joined by Amy Serrano, the film's acclaimed Director/ Writer/ Cinematographer and Producer. FREE and open to all.
New Orleans film maker Amy Serrano shot, produced, wrote and directed The Sugar Babies to expose the exploitation of children of Haitian ancestry by the sugar industry in the Dominican Republic. Amy encountered fierce opposition to prevent the first screening at Florida International University. Miami based lawyers, representing friends of the sugar industry, attempted to thwart the event with a cease and desist letter to the university. After the screening, the Dominican goverments represenative, General Cousul Manuel Almanzar rushed the stage to denounce the film.
"I feel it was God that led me to the Dominican Republic, and Angels that guided me through a very hidden and dangerous part of our world," said Amy. "At every step of the way, as my discoveries got deeper and many times thinking to myself that I was in over my head, I constantly asked God how much farther can I go? I relied on my inner voice to keep going, delving, and later diffusing this information as the Truth that I and other colleagues on the field have found to be; even when those that would seek to remain in power and profit from the misery forged upon others, equally seek to cover it up through insidious means. But Truth has a way of revealing itself at the right moment in Time."
The Sugar Babies examines the moral price of sugar -- present and past -- from the perspective of the conditions surrounding the children of sugar cane cutters of Haitian ancestry in the Dominican Republic, and the continuing denial of their basic human rights.
After the screening, we will visit with Amy Serrano and discusses the meaning of Fair Trade practices and consumer consciousness as a way to improve the lives of those who work to produce or food and consumer products.
Robert Thompson
Fair Grinds Coffeehouse
3133 Ponce de Leon
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 913-9072
www.fairgrinds.com
info@fairgrinds.com
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Slow Solnit
Was just reading an article by Rebecca Solnit called "Finding Time" in the latest Orion magazine. Saw it online on aldaily.com, a very good listing of essay, review and opinions.
I have started to look forward to finding Ms. Solnit's pieces in the odd places that my brain and eyes wander to, coming across them almost like free range chicken eggs in a morning backyard hunt.
I see title, first lines and then, eyes travel for author-
her?
recognition
another one found.
This started with her quirky but delightful book on walking a few years ago, and then recently I was in San Francisco and picked up a book titled "Storming the Gates of Paradise: Landscapes For Politics", noticed the same author's name and when I went to the counter to purchase it, the City Lights bookseller told me "Rebecca is spending a lot of time in New Orleans right now" as he read my driver's license state of origin. Hmmm, I thought sourly, even her? thinking she can-what?
Still, I liked the premise of the book and bought it.
As I read her essays while waiting in the hotel or at the North Beach coffehouse in the evening, I realized that instead of another outside voice flying in on Friday til Tuesday morning to tch silently over the state of affairs in my poor city and to look for consultant's fees, this voice could probably add something. If she could share her knowledge and critical eye on the degradation of place and the disappearance of long-held traditions that we worry and fight for daily here, she is welcome on my street and at my farmers market.
So, when I arrived home from San Francisco, I tried to tell 2 friends that I thought would get it about the book, but they just kept talking about other essays that they had each recently read (that I HAD to read right away); when they saw the book, they both said, "hey, that's her!"
more eggs.
The article in the Orion Magazine talks about her choices for the new 4 Horsemen: Efficiency, Convenience, Profit and Security. Her premise is one that my neighbors and others agree with and are glad to see in print. The need to slow down and connect in more ways is mandatory for the future of community; it is only on a meandering walk through the nearby landmarks of your own landscape that you will find the place you deserve to call home.
And when you get back from that walk, look for those eggs.
I have started to look forward to finding Ms. Solnit's pieces in the odd places that my brain and eyes wander to, coming across them almost like free range chicken eggs in a morning backyard hunt.
I see title, first lines and then, eyes travel for author-
her?
recognition
another one found.
This started with her quirky but delightful book on walking a few years ago, and then recently I was in San Francisco and picked up a book titled "Storming the Gates of Paradise: Landscapes For Politics", noticed the same author's name and when I went to the counter to purchase it, the City Lights bookseller told me "Rebecca is spending a lot of time in New Orleans right now" as he read my driver's license state of origin. Hmmm, I thought sourly, even her? thinking she can-what?
Still, I liked the premise of the book and bought it.
As I read her essays while waiting in the hotel or at the North Beach coffehouse in the evening, I realized that instead of another outside voice flying in on Friday til Tuesday morning to tch silently over the state of affairs in my poor city and to look for consultant's fees, this voice could probably add something. If she could share her knowledge and critical eye on the degradation of place and the disappearance of long-held traditions that we worry and fight for daily here, she is welcome on my street and at my farmers market.
So, when I arrived home from San Francisco, I tried to tell 2 friends that I thought would get it about the book, but they just kept talking about other essays that they had each recently read (that I HAD to read right away); when they saw the book, they both said, "hey, that's her!"
more eggs.
The article in the Orion Magazine talks about her choices for the new 4 Horsemen: Efficiency, Convenience, Profit and Security. Her premise is one that my neighbors and others agree with and are glad to see in print. The need to slow down and connect in more ways is mandatory for the future of community; it is only on a meandering walk through the nearby landmarks of your own landscape that you will find the place you deserve to call home.
And when you get back from that walk, look for those eggs.
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