NOLA SUNDAYS HERE ON HEALTHIER, HAPPIER, YOU!!!!

"Fleur de lis" image by Leo Reynolds on Flickr.com

I have decided to devote one day a week to strictly NOLA NEWS. I will bring something positive that is going on and list careers opportunities and/or special events! That way, if anyone needs to converse about the goings-on, or comes across a friend who is in need of work and is willing to relocate, they have a place to start!!! HAPPY SUNDAY!!!

FROM THE TIMES-Picayune:

Festival brings new beat to the heart of the city
Friday, September 28, 2007By Keith Spera
In colonial times, the cobblestone area just inside the main entrance of Louis Armstrong Park was a Sunday gathering place for enslaved Africans. Now known as Congo Square, it was one of the few places in North America where slaves could perpetuate the traditional dance and percussion of their homeland. The intermingling of these traditions with European brass instruments prefaced the eventual evolution of jazz.

On Sunday, the inaugural Congo Square Rhythms Festival aims to highlight the importance of Congo Square in the culture of New Orleans and the nation. Presented by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the nonprofit that owns Jazzfest, the festival is free.

Sunday's festivities kick off with a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine Church, 1210 Gov. Nicholls St. in Treme. "The Amistad Mass: A Tribute to the Unknown Slave" includes an appearance by the Blind Boys of Alabama, the globe-trotting, Grammy-winning gospel group whose forthcoming album, "Down in New Orleans," is a tribute to the city.


Following the Mass, at around 11:30 a.m., the Treme Brass Band leads a procession from St. Augustine to nearby Armstrong Park.

At Armstrong Park, the music gets under way at noon on the Bamboula Stage with a drum circle, a ceremonial assemblage of multiple percussionists. Drummers with an interest in African-style hand percussion are invited to bring their instruments and join in.

Following the drum circle, percussionist Luther Gray leads his Bamboula 2000 drum and dance ensemble at 1 p.m.

For the reminder of the afternoon, music alternates between the main Bamboula Stage and the smaller Calinda Stage, which hosts a succession of three traditional African dance companies.

The roster on the Bamboula Stage includes jazz saxophonist and Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr. with his Congo Nation tribe at 2:30 p.m., followed by trombonist "Big" Sam Williams' brassy Funky Nation at 4 p.m. and finally keyboardist/vocalist Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk at 5:30 p.m.

In addition to the music, the festival includes a food court, African marketplace and a range of children's activities.

Also, the history of Congo Square is the subject of tonight's installment of the Jazz and Heritage Foundation's Tom Dent Congo Square Lecture Series. Tonight at 7:30 at Basin Street Station, 501 Basin St., panelists Ausettua Amor Amenkum, Freddi Evans, Luther Gray and Kalamu Ya Salaam will discuss the historic and cultural legacy of Congo Square. The presentation includes a screening of Royce Osborne's film "Congo Square." Admission is free.

. . . . . . .

The "Congo Square Rhythms" exhibit at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Gallery at 1201 N. Rampart St., features artwork reflecting the influence Congo Square has had on New Orleans culture. A reception will be held Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit is up through Nov. 2, Mondays to Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information on the Congo Square Rhythms Festival and the Tom Dent Congo Square Lecture Series, go to www.jazzandheritage.org/congosquare or call (504) 558-6100.

******************JOBSJOBSJOBS!!!!
http://jobs.nola.com/careers/jobsearch/results?compExact=Tulane+University

NEW ORLEANS ~~

Today is a beautiful day! Do YOU know where your house is??? Many of our brothers and sisters in NOLA have no idea.

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

This week at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York, Brad Pitt unveiled his latest project.

http://www.makeitrightnola.org/

I LOVED this site for many reasons. Yes, Brad Pitt is a hotty, but beyond that, this website offers historical information about the Lower Ninth Ward that many of us, including myself, whose grandmother was born there, had no idea about!!

The site is easy to navigate and then gets right down to what WE can do to help.
Some of us realize that this New Orleans circumstance IS VERY MUCH an atrocity. Being displaced and disregarded, much like other native Americans is disheartening. We have spent billions of dollars this year alone on countrymen who have no relation to us. Not to climb on my soap box, but this will be a big smear on our consciousness, trust me. We might feel a little desensitized where New Orleans is concerned, but do we really want to look back and say, "Man, I could have gone down there and read a book to some of the kids in class...cleaned up one block, or help paint one person's home, but I didn't".

Imagine the trauma of waking up in Alaska to memories of the dead floating by as you stood on your car and the country, the government, the people you voted for, or even those for whom you did not vote for, sent you some bottled water and a pat on the back, and then never thought about you again! We need to help NOLA's residents return, and when they return, have something to return to! Jobs, education and housing! REBUILD IRAQ? REBUILD NOLA!!!! NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

What is going on out there ~~ but Guess What??? I still have JOY!

With all of the newsworthy occurrences, how will we stay positive and on point? We will; we just have to. If not for ourselves, for our young ones who deserve to envision a future full of love and possibility. The war is turning out to be the least of our concerns. Today's news reported an attack on peacefully protesting monks! If that doesn't evoke mass hysteria on how we need to spread tolerance and peace at all cost, I don't know what will! My friends, make a phone call, share a story or just hug someone today. These simple things travel a long way, much like that Liberty Mutual Commercial depicts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw97CfZtyGw&mode=related&search=

My heart remains in Louisiana though. I will save my Michael Vick comments for later. Check out this blog:

http://myurbanreport.com/

There is some new footage from Jena and interesting commentary from different perspectives.

Be INSPIRED! Waayaha Cusub (New Era)

In the Christian Science Monitor, found this interesting little tid-bit about young Somalis finding a way to be heard as their country continues to be a place of war and misfortune. Living in exhile in Nairobi, Kenya, these youths have begun to rap about peace and betterment!

Check it out: http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0914/p01s10-woaf.html

September 11, 2007 ~~ SIX YEARS LATER

Found this incredible movement to support on this day!!!
Check it out:


http://mygooddeed.org


What do YOU plan to do today???

Women For Restoration! Women For Justice! Women For Change!

Just wanted to acknowledge someone I met while in New Orleans who is making a difference and who has inspired me to do all that I can!

Visit her at: louisianajusticeinstitute.org

She is Tracie L. Washington, Esq.

If you need somewhere to start, she is the one to tell you how!

Vivre des temps troublés

With the release of Bill Clinton's new book "Giving" and with memories of my very recent excursion to New Orleans on my mind, I am very much in the mood to share with you! While it was far from a "feel good" trip, it was a good feeling, and as always a beautiful, scenic and tempestuous food tasting bonanza! Literally, I ate until my eye sockets were full. The food was uncompromising as well as the spirits of many (especially the children) despite the continuance of sallied efforts that produce no real results. Honestly, as we are all aware, so much has been done to assist New Orleans ~~ but the truth is, very little has been effective. It is going to take everyone doing just a little bit more to put in place a movement that will result in a true restoration of NOLA.

If you are in education visit: http://www.nolapublicschools.net/

If you are in health fields visit: http://www2.tulane.edu/article_news_details.cfm?ArticleID=7558

This is all just to get you started. Periodically, I will revisit this subject and share ways I have found that may spur an idea on how to help.

While there are so many ways to give to the world, one must think about New Orleans. Once a vibrant gateway to the United States, its ancestral contributions and its cultural diaspora have been invaluable treasures for centuries. Let's not ignore the crescent city. The "Big Easy". "Nawlins", let's preserve the Vieux Carre, Canal Street and adopt a plan that will do more. Not just bring in new. Rich. Better. If you can return, please try. Let's remember the flavor of this iconic port town and make it our priority. Would Italy abandon Rome? Would Africa abandon Cairo? This is our holy city. This is our gem.
Vivre bien New Orleans! No passe compase!!

Has Your Ship Come In???

Well, I am back to my old self after all of that venting! Not a care in the world! Happy to be alive - AND - wondering if your ship has come in yet! Mine is in the process of arriving. Each day I swab the deck and position myself at the helm.

How about you? 2007 is swiftly closing. Have you made your New Year's Resolutions complete or will they still be hanging around, with those of the past, as you begin to sing "Auld Land Syne" this upcoming December 31st!

Lucky to say, I don't even make New Year's Resolutions. At least I haven't in about 5 years. One year I woke up and decided I was just going to do what presented itself to me. I then thought heartily on how positive and stimulating I wanted my life so that the things that did come my way would be exuberant, healthy, fascinating and zesty!

I even threw in having someone to move me into living because they were so full of life. I have satisfied many of the little life photos that I envisioned in my mind. As I complete them, I file them in my mind and say to myself "On to the next!!"

Sit for a moment. Close your eyes. What do you see? Hm mm, I see my ship coming in. I see a myriad of wealth, health and happiness! I see LIFE! Come on -- Pack your bags!

THANK YOU DAVID BECKHAM!!!!!!

I love hearing things like this!!!!


CLICK and PASTE:

http://fcharlem.com/HYS

www.cnn.com/video/#/video/sports/2007/08/28/mckay.beckham.in.harlem