A good meeting last night at Fair Grinds; the YouTube connection wasn't strong enough to use, so we...talked instead. What an idea.
Susan Witt's essay about the practical matters of local currencies sparked an in-depth discussion of what defines formal (taxable, holding civic power?) and informal (without licenses) and underground (mostly illegal) economies in New Orleans, how our economy differs from Western Mass (home of the Berkshares) and what is the purpose of a local currency. We mostly agreed that it measures the trust level held by neighbors and can add innovation in lending money and could keep a local economy stronger than a national economy (witness scrip economies during the Depression).
Ongoing discussion about worker ownership and cooperatives needing to be a part of any local currency system, as well as sobering reminders that we have a great deal of work to do to include our entire community into the emerging economy.
ALL are invited to join in at any time to this study group as we are quite informal and just pick up the conversation as we see fit; no prior experience in serious economics needed!
All we ask is a chance for everyone to speak and debates to be friendly and without anger.
For the next meeeting in August, we should check out:
http://www.schumachersociety.org/publications/essay_land.html
Essays, links and visuals highlighting an alternative, resilient place at the strategic crescent of one mighty river.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
go see Enemy of the People at St. Mark's
An Enemy of the People
"… Ibsen was discharging thunderbolts in all directions. Mr. Miller has abetted him ably."
BY HENRIK IBSEN & ARTHUR MILLER
NEW YORK TIMES
Artwork by Katie Mikulla
As a small town prepares to resuscitate its economy by opening new medicinal baths, the doctor who conceived of the idea discovers the waters are contaminated. Certain he will be thanked for finding the flaw, he is alarmed when the town refuses to acknowledge or correct the defect. In spite of insurmountable opposition, the doctor refuses to ignore the truth and is terrorized by an oblivious and self-serving majority.
Ticket ORDER TICKETS ONLINE
To purchase tickets click on the link above, call 504-891-6815, or come to the door an hour prior to each performance.
Calendar PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES
July 24-August 16, 2008
Thursday-Saturday at 8pm
LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS
1130 North Rampart Street @ St. Mark's
"… Ibsen was discharging thunderbolts in all directions. Mr. Miller has abetted him ably."
BY HENRIK IBSEN & ARTHUR MILLER
NEW YORK TIMES
Artwork by Katie Mikulla
As a small town prepares to resuscitate its economy by opening new medicinal baths, the doctor who conceived of the idea discovers the waters are contaminated. Certain he will be thanked for finding the flaw, he is alarmed when the town refuses to acknowledge or correct the defect. In spite of insurmountable opposition, the doctor refuses to ignore the truth and is terrorized by an oblivious and self-serving majority.
Ticket ORDER TICKETS ONLINE
To purchase tickets click on the link above, call 504-891-6815, or come to the door an hour prior to each performance.
Calendar PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES
July 24-August 16, 2008
Thursday-Saturday at 8pm
LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS
1130 North Rampart Street @ St. Mark's
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Symposium for Sustainable Gardening
Learn to garden in harmony with nature by practicing environmentally friendly and sustainable gardening techniques appropriate for our New Orleans climate. Join local horticultural experts for a full day of presentations and a panel discussion on this increasingly popular trend in home gardening.
Environmentally Responsible Landscaping Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter
Backyard Composting & Soil Health Grant Estrade, Laughing Buddha Nursery
Organic Pest Management Anne Baker, Sustainable Gardening Educator
Organic Weed Control Ron Strahan, LSU AgCenter
Urban Storm Water Management John Cassidy, Cassidy Outdoor Services
Sustainable Lawn Care Bobby Fletcher, LSU AgCenter
Organic Vegetable Gardening Owusu Bandele, Southern University AgCenter
Sustainable Rose Culture Peggy Martin, New Orleans Rosarian
Panel Discussion moderated by Beth Perkins, Banting's Nursery
Your $10.00 admission also includes a box lunch and free publications from the LSU AgCenter.
Pre-registration has been extended due to popular demand and is required by Monday, August 4th, 2008.
Please fill out the registration form attached to this email, or click here
to download the pdf off of the LSU AgCenter Official Website.
Make your check for $10.00 payable to "MGGNO" and mail it along with your completed form to:
MGGNO Symposium, P.O. Box 168, Barataria, LA 70036.
For additional information, please call (504) 838-1170, email mggno@agcenter.lsu.edu or visit
www.lsuagcenter.com/mastergardener/gno
Saturday, August 9th, 2008
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
East Bank Regional Library - Napoleon Room
4747 W. Napoleon Avenue
Metairie, LA 70001
Environmentally Responsible Landscaping Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter
Backyard Composting & Soil Health Grant Estrade, Laughing Buddha Nursery
Organic Pest Management Anne Baker, Sustainable Gardening Educator
Organic Weed Control Ron Strahan, LSU AgCenter
Urban Storm Water Management John Cassidy, Cassidy Outdoor Services
Sustainable Lawn Care Bobby Fletcher, LSU AgCenter
Organic Vegetable Gardening Owusu Bandele, Southern University AgCenter
Sustainable Rose Culture Peggy Martin, New Orleans Rosarian
Panel Discussion moderated by Beth Perkins, Banting's Nursery
Your $10.00 admission also includes a box lunch and free publications from the LSU AgCenter.
Pre-registration has been extended due to popular demand and is required by Monday, August 4th, 2008.
Please fill out the registration form attached to this email, or click here
to download the pdf off of the LSU AgCenter Official Website.
Make your check for $10.00 payable to "MGGNO" and mail it along with your completed form to:
MGGNO Symposium, P.O. Box 168, Barataria, LA 70036.
For additional information, please call (504) 838-1170, email mggno@agcenter.lsu.edu or visit
www.lsuagcenter.com/mastergardener/gno
Saturday, August 9th, 2008
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
East Bank Regional Library - Napoleon Room
4747 W. Napoleon Avenue
Metairie, LA 70001
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Help make cyclists safer
NolaCycle
NolaCycle is a community mapping project to map the ENTIRE Orleans Parish for cyclists.
Learn more and help out:
nolacycle.blogspot.com
NolaCycle is a community mapping project to map the ENTIRE Orleans Parish for cyclists.
Learn more and help out:
nolacycle.blogspot.com
Monday, July 21, 2008
What is a City?
Store Events - August 13, 6:00 p.m.
Time: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 6:00 p.m.
Location: Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St., New Orleans, LA 70115
Phone: 504-899-READ
Title of Event: WHAT IS A CITY?: RETHINKING THE URBAN AFTER KATRINA - presentation & book signing
We hope you will join us for a reading, discussion and book signing featuring Phil Steinberg, co-editor of What Is a City? Rethinking the Urban after Hurricane Katrina along with contributors Jordan Flaherty and Jacob Wagner.
The devastation brought upon New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent levee system failure has forced urban theorists to revisit the fundamental question of urban geography and planning: What is a city? Is it a place of memory embedded in architecture, a location in regional and global networks, or an arena wherein communities form and reproduce themselves?
Planners, architects, policymakers, and geographers from across the political spectrum have weighed in on how best to respond to the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina. The twelve contributors to What Is a City? are a diverse group from the disciplines of anthropology, architecture, geography, philosophy, planning, public policy studies, and sociology, as well as community organizing. They believe that these conversations about the fate of New Orleans are animated by assumptions and beliefs about the function of cities in general. They unpack post-Katrina discourse, examining what expert and public responses tell us about current attitudes not just toward New Orleans, but toward cities. As volume co-editor Phil Steinberg points out in his introduction, "Even before the floodwaters had subsided . . . scholars and planners were beginning to reflect on Hurricane Katrina and its disastrous aftermath, and they were beginning to ask bigger questions with implications for cities as a whole."
The experience of catastrophe forces us to reconsider not only the material but the abstract and virtual qualities of cities. It requires us to revisit how we think about, plan for, and live in them.
Time: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 6:00 p.m.
Location: Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St., New Orleans, LA 70115
Phone: 504-899-READ
Title of Event: WHAT IS A CITY?: RETHINKING THE URBAN AFTER KATRINA - presentation & book signing
We hope you will join us for a reading, discussion and book signing featuring Phil Steinberg, co-editor of What Is a City? Rethinking the Urban after Hurricane Katrina along with contributors Jordan Flaherty and Jacob Wagner.
The devastation brought upon New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent levee system failure has forced urban theorists to revisit the fundamental question of urban geography and planning: What is a city? Is it a place of memory embedded in architecture, a location in regional and global networks, or an arena wherein communities form and reproduce themselves?
Planners, architects, policymakers, and geographers from across the political spectrum have weighed in on how best to respond to the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina. The twelve contributors to What Is a City? are a diverse group from the disciplines of anthropology, architecture, geography, philosophy, planning, public policy studies, and sociology, as well as community organizing. They believe that these conversations about the fate of New Orleans are animated by assumptions and beliefs about the function of cities in general. They unpack post-Katrina discourse, examining what expert and public responses tell us about current attitudes not just toward New Orleans, but toward cities. As volume co-editor Phil Steinberg points out in his introduction, "Even before the floodwaters had subsided . . . scholars and planners were beginning to reflect on Hurricane Katrina and its disastrous aftermath, and they were beginning to ask bigger questions with implications for cities as a whole."
The experience of catastrophe forces us to reconsider not only the material but the abstract and virtual qualities of cities. It requires us to revisit how we think about, plan for, and live in them.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Small Is Beautiful study group in July (air-conditioned!)
On the last Tuesday of July at 6:00 pm at Fair Grinds Coffeehouse (this runs once a month with the day of the month changing if needed) we are having our second study/discussion group around the principles and strategies of creating communities/economies that are sustainable and human-scaled.
Based on essays, videos and examples of the E.F.Schumacher Society (www.smallisbeautiful.org), we will read or do some (short online) research beforehand and hold discussions, look at examples, hear from those engaged in face to face community organizing around the placement of labor, land and capital in a more dynamic, democratic system that could answer some questions that New Orleans still must answer about its future.
The first essay that was discussed in June was "The Economy of Regions" by Jane Jacobs.
For the second meeting, we are going to try to show some short videos of Jane Jacobs, Schumacher and also talk about Susan Witt's essay that we hope people can find time to read beforehand.
http://www.smallisbeautiful.org/publications/essay_orion.html
(I might have linked another essay on the last email that was not the one i meant, so do check your last email. This is the currency story that I was thinking of). If you are unable to make the meeting, feel free to send comments via email which I will add to the discussion and also to the ning site.
It was also suggested that people start to read Schumacher, most easily to enter is Buddhist Economics: http://www.smallisbeautiful.org/buddhist_economics/english.html
The group will alternate between our downtown location at Fair Grinds and an Uptown location, Mockingbird Cafe
.
And hey, if you are the kind of person who does not read, then by all means just show up and soak up the talk. We expect it to last just about 90 minutes as a group; if some want to continue the talk, Fair Grinds is open late for the ongoing discussion....
We also have social network group that Iupload comments received between meetings and will also post updates or ideas from other parts of the country. No need to join this to participate in the face to face, but it's there if you want to join; just let me know and I'll send you an invite.
here are some ideas for the framing of the discussion for July, do let me know if there are other ideas to get the talk flowing and to stay on essay discussion. Open to all ideas.
- Will have a short round of introductions
- will show 3-5 minute videos, 2 or 3 of them
- someone will open discussion of the essay from Susan, and any other ideas from last month's talk about Jane Jacobs. We hope to ask ongoing members to help facilitate, so please see Dar if you will assist with pointing out questions, bringing the conversation back to these readings etc.
- any other ideas from the group? This month, a reading list will be sent around that people can add to, and in future months, we can pick readings beforehand online...
how about notes? shall we take some and post on the ning group? large pieces of paper with someone putting ideas up? yes? hell no?
.
do RSVP and I hope you can all come as I think we can create an enjoyable time monthly...
Dar Wolnik
Based on essays, videos and examples of the E.F.Schumacher Society (www.smallisbeautiful.org), we will read or do some (short online) research beforehand and hold discussions, look at examples, hear from those engaged in face to face community organizing around the placement of labor, land and capital in a more dynamic, democratic system that could answer some questions that New Orleans still must answer about its future.
The first essay that was discussed in June was "The Economy of Regions" by Jane Jacobs.
For the second meeting, we are going to try to show some short videos of Jane Jacobs, Schumacher and also talk about Susan Witt's essay that we hope people can find time to read beforehand.
http://www.smallisbeautiful.org/publications/essay_orion.html
(I might have linked another essay on the last email that was not the one i meant, so do check your last email. This is the currency story that I was thinking of). If you are unable to make the meeting, feel free to send comments via email which I will add to the discussion and also to the ning site.
It was also suggested that people start to read Schumacher, most easily to enter is Buddhist Economics: http://www.smallisbeautiful.org/buddhist_economics/english.html
The group will alternate between our downtown location at Fair Grinds and an Uptown location, Mockingbird Cafe
.
And hey, if you are the kind of person who does not read, then by all means just show up and soak up the talk. We expect it to last just about 90 minutes as a group; if some want to continue the talk, Fair Grinds is open late for the ongoing discussion....
We also have social network group that Iupload comments received between meetings and will also post updates or ideas from other parts of the country. No need to join this to participate in the face to face, but it's there if you want to join; just let me know and I'll send you an invite.
here are some ideas for the framing of the discussion for July, do let me know if there are other ideas to get the talk flowing and to stay on essay discussion. Open to all ideas.
- Will have a short round of introductions
- will show 3-5 minute videos, 2 or 3 of them
- someone will open discussion of the essay from Susan, and any other ideas from last month's talk about Jane Jacobs. We hope to ask ongoing members to help facilitate, so please see Dar if you will assist with pointing out questions, bringing the conversation back to these readings etc.
- any other ideas from the group? This month, a reading list will be sent around that people can add to, and in future months, we can pick readings beforehand online...
how about notes? shall we take some and post on the ning group? large pieces of paper with someone putting ideas up? yes? hell no?
.
do RSVP and I hope you can all come as I think we can create an enjoyable time monthly...
Dar Wolnik
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Open Sounds Event
Hello, dear New Orleanians!
My partner, Heather Booth, and I have been working since March toward creating a collaborative "soundmap" of the city of New Orleans. Many people have contributed their own beautiful and idiosyncratic recordings of moments in time around our city. Many others have been generous with their time and candor and voices and allowed us to stick microphones in their faces. Many of you have talked with me about the project, and offered help and encouragement. Thank you!
Now I come shaking the change cup.
Our goal is to create a living archive of the sounds of the city, organized by exact location on a map of New Orleans. We've encountered many people who would like to contribute their own recordings but don't have the means. We want to make sure that anyone who wants to contribute isn't impeded by something as silly as a lack of a $330 recording device.
That is where you come in. We are having a fundraiser BBQ block party at Liuzza's by the Track, 1518 N. Lopez, on Sunday, July 27 at 6 pm. We'll be selling plates of delicious grub and raffling prizes. We'll be listening to some of the recorded sounds of our fair city and doing some dancing.
We hope you can make it, and bring your friends. If we raise a mere $1,000, we can purchase three recording devices which will be lent out to people in the city (including you, if you're interested). Then you can go and enjoy more recordings at Open Sound New Orleans.
Some of you may be out of town or busy. If you can't make the BBQ, we hope you'll consider buying some raffle tickets or making a small donation now. The raffle prizes are, in my humble opinion, awesome: 1) A one-night stay in the most incredible room at the Royal Street Inn (valued at $350); 2) A complete book set from the Neighborhood Story Project; 3) A $100 gift certificate to Liuzza's by the Track. Contact me to buy raffle tickets – 1 for $5, 5 for $20. Or, you can make a donation to Open Sound New Orleans via the PayPal donate button on our site. We happily accept all donations, of any size.
I thank you for your support.
All my best.
Jacob Brancasi
518.698.9013
http://opensoundneworleans.com
My partner, Heather Booth, and I have been working since March toward creating a collaborative "soundmap" of the city of New Orleans. Many people have contributed their own beautiful and idiosyncratic recordings of moments in time around our city. Many others have been generous with their time and candor and voices and allowed us to stick microphones in their faces. Many of you have talked with me about the project, and offered help and encouragement. Thank you!
Now I come shaking the change cup.
Our goal is to create a living archive of the sounds of the city, organized by exact location on a map of New Orleans. We've encountered many people who would like to contribute their own recordings but don't have the means. We want to make sure that anyone who wants to contribute isn't impeded by something as silly as a lack of a $330 recording device.
That is where you come in. We are having a fundraiser BBQ block party at Liuzza's by the Track, 1518 N. Lopez, on Sunday, July 27 at 6 pm. We'll be selling plates of delicious grub and raffling prizes. We'll be listening to some of the recorded sounds of our fair city and doing some dancing.
We hope you can make it, and bring your friends. If we raise a mere $1,000, we can purchase three recording devices which will be lent out to people in the city (including you, if you're interested). Then you can go and enjoy more recordings at Open Sound New Orleans.
Some of you may be out of town or busy. If you can't make the BBQ, we hope you'll consider buying some raffle tickets or making a small donation now. The raffle prizes are, in my humble opinion, awesome: 1) A one-night stay in the most incredible room at the Royal Street Inn (valued at $350); 2) A complete book set from the Neighborhood Story Project; 3) A $100 gift certificate to Liuzza's by the Track. Contact me to buy raffle tickets – 1 for $5, 5 for $20. Or, you can make a donation to Open Sound New Orleans via the PayPal donate button on our site. We happily accept all donations, of any size.
I thank you for your support.
All my best.
Jacob Brancasi
518.698.9013
http://opensoundneworleans.com
Gardening with Masters
Learn how to garden in harmony with nature by practicing environmentally friendly and
sustainable gardening techniques appropriate for our New Orleans climate. Join local
horticultural experts for a full day of presentations and a panel discussion on this increasingly
popular trend in home gardening.
Environmentally Responsible Landscaping, Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter
Backyard Composting and Soil Health, Grant Estrade, Laughing Buddha Nursery
Organic Pest Management, Ann Baker, New Orleans Food and Farm Network
Organic Weed Control, Ron Strahan, LSU AgCenter
Urban Storm Water Management, John Cassidy, Cassidy Outdoor Services
Sustainable Lawn Care, Bobby Fletcher, LSU AgCenter
Sustainable Rose Culture, Peggy Martin, New Orleans rosarian
Panel Discussion moderated by Beth Perkins, Banting’s Nursery
Your $10.00 admission also includes a box lunch and free publications from the LSU AgCenter.
Pre-registration is required by Monday, July 28, 2008. Please mail your check payable to
“MGGNO” and this completed form to: MGGNO Symposium, P. O. Box 168, Barataria, LA, 70036.
East Bank Regional Library - Napoleon Room
4747 W. Napoleon Avenue
Metairie, LA 70001
Hosted by
Master Gardeners of Greater New Orleans and LSU AgCenter
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2008
9:30 A.M TO 4 P.M.
sustainable gardening techniques appropriate for our New Orleans climate. Join local
horticultural experts for a full day of presentations and a panel discussion on this increasingly
popular trend in home gardening.
Environmentally Responsible Landscaping, Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter
Backyard Composting and Soil Health, Grant Estrade, Laughing Buddha Nursery
Organic Pest Management, Ann Baker, New Orleans Food and Farm Network
Organic Weed Control, Ron Strahan, LSU AgCenter
Urban Storm Water Management, John Cassidy, Cassidy Outdoor Services
Sustainable Lawn Care, Bobby Fletcher, LSU AgCenter
Sustainable Rose Culture, Peggy Martin, New Orleans rosarian
Panel Discussion moderated by Beth Perkins, Banting’s Nursery
Your $10.00 admission also includes a box lunch and free publications from the LSU AgCenter.
Pre-registration is required by Monday, July 28, 2008. Please mail your check payable to
“MGGNO” and this completed form to: MGGNO Symposium, P. O. Box 168, Barataria, LA, 70036.
East Bank Regional Library - Napoleon Room
4747 W. Napoleon Avenue
Metairie, LA 70001
Hosted by
Master Gardeners of Greater New Orleans and LSU AgCenter
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2008
9:30 A.M TO 4 P.M.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Broad Street Market
Broad St. Bazaar Flea Market & Community Services
(contact broadstbazaar@msn.com for more info)
WHEN: 4th Saturday of every month, beginning
Saturday, September 27. 9 am – 3 pm.
WHERE: Robert’s parking lot, Broad St. @ Bienville
WHAT: Flea market vendors, neighborhood garage
sales, artists and crafters who work with
recycled materials. Plus healthcare
screenings, and personal services like
braiding, manicures and massage.
WHY: To help revitalize the Broad St. corridor and
link to the Bayou Rd. development district,
which has a Fresh Market every 4th Saturday.
FEATURING: Jazz Brunch with food by Ruby Slipper
and jazz musicians from the neighborhood; kids’ activity area and daycare services; pet adoptions
VENDOR FEE: $20 for 10 x 12 space, BYO tent
(contact broadstbazaar@msn.com for more info)
WHEN: 4th Saturday of every month, beginning
Saturday, September 27. 9 am – 3 pm.
WHERE: Robert’s parking lot, Broad St. @ Bienville
WHAT: Flea market vendors, neighborhood garage
sales, artists and crafters who work with
recycled materials. Plus healthcare
screenings, and personal services like
braiding, manicures and massage.
WHY: To help revitalize the Broad St. corridor and
link to the Bayou Rd. development district,
which has a Fresh Market every 4th Saturday.
FEATURING: Jazz Brunch with food by Ruby Slipper
and jazz musicians from the neighborhood; kids’ activity area and daycare services; pet adoptions
VENDOR FEE: $20 for 10 x 12 space, BYO tent
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