This starts off with a bike ride through the French Quarter. Then NOmadjik Media Bus travels from Frenchmen St. New Orleans to the French Broad River Hot Springs North Carolina. In route I stop off in Tuscaloosa Alabama with donated supplies for the tornado disaster zone. I hook up with John Wathen who gives the run down on the enviro-friendly tactics he's pushing to use in Hurricane Creek, which happens to have been 1 of the most bio diverse areas on the planet. If you're looking for a volunteer opportunity why not help him ensure that it remains 1 of the most bio diverse areas on the planet?
Time lapse photos of 2 afternoons worth of heating, filtering and pumping about a 100 gallons of waste veggie oil. The Bus leaves for Alabama's Tornado Zone on Wed. the 18th. Then on to the March on Blair Mountain in WV. ~ download
Thanks to the Frenchmen St Deli & Mardi Gras Zone for their lovely fuel.
download ~ March 21st meeting of Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association. Issues presented by Mardi Gras Zone, The Lost Love Lounge Plan B, and the Iron Rail Book Collective.
On February 28th the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force held public meeting for about 12 hours. The initial hours were all about government presentations about various aspects of the ecosystem and constant reminders that this process was and will be a bottom up process with the people who are affected and the people who are doing the work steering the cart of recovery.
Most of the people speaking here are representing one of the multitude of non profit organizations that are and have been working on gulf coast restoration for years. ~ Download
Her's a link to our government's website that is a blatant rah rah, everything's fine top DOWN kinda propaganda.. thing. http://www.restorethegulf.gov
On their website, try to find public comment or any info regarding the UN safety of the Gulf or the Seafood. Try to find out anything regarding the known, independently proven health effects imposed on the Gulf Coast residents by BP et al. Try to find actual transcripts or videos of anything that goes on at these "meetings". Do Not Attempt this unless you have a lot of time to kill for nothing or unless you are currently working for the corporate government.
This public comment dialogue session went from 6-8pm on a day that started at 8am. Lisa Jackson and all but 1 of the Task Force members decided not to attend, decided not to hear the input of the people after telling folks all day how this was going to be a ground up approach and the people's knowledge and expertise was needed. ~ download
This is from the 2nd meeting of the Presidential executive order created Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force. This will be distributed very raw CSpan style. After Mardi Gras I'll have time to put it in context with a short wrap up video.
Feel free to remix this long form content, linked credit makes it nice, for profit organizations can pay me something, right? Much higher quality footage available upon request.
Dec.28th a survival camp fire set in a squated warehouse in New Orleans
took the lives of 8 wandering musicians and artists who were exchanging
home improvement work for a place to sleep in a building that has not
had electric or water since Hurricane Katrina. ~ download
in memory of...
Samuel Thompson Melissa Martinez Katie Simianer Jonathan Guerrero Jeffrey Geerts Nicole Pack Justin W. Lutz 1 yet unknown and 2 dogs
above: Student & Teacher rejoice at the empowerment of SafeHouse. The signs say Thank You Paulette Giguere, OSBG Loves You, and ...heart Archy
Just over 5 years ago I sat where I now sit, at Mojo's in the French Quarter, gazing deeply into the screen of my newly donated computer "SafeHouse". I would oftren come to Mojo's to get away from the voluteer camps so I could work online undisturbed. At the time there were very few places open, even fewer with food; Mojo's became my SafeHouse from post Katrina hardship. When I arrived in New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina I began shooting footage immediatly but lacked a computer that was capable of editing video. My hero Paulette Giguere recognized a need and donated my first Mac to the cause of supporting the New Olreans Anarchist emergency response efforts and allowed me the tools necessary to cover this important period in our history.
4 long hard road years later SafeHouse was just not keeping up with my media demands and I upgraded. I've been carrying SafeHouse around for about a year, loaning it out to varioous events and causes. Today SafeHouse found it's new home and casue, also here in New Orleans. Our School at Blair Grocery is an alternative school and urban farm in the lower 9th ward . At OSBG they are teaching at risk lower 9th ward youth not only the answers to the tests they'll need to take to graduate but more importantly they are teaching the youth to think and giving them the skills to feed themselves and orgainze within their neighborhood to thrive against the challenges present here. The gangs, unemployment, violence and police state that threatens at time to take over these blighted blank slabs and falling down 'hoods are an easy trap for youth with few alternatives. OSBG gives these alternatives and is creating the space for these youth to grow healthy in mind and body by employing them in the gardens and empowering them to be the next generation of leaders.
Guido gives us the run down on the youth organizing principles at
play in the collaborative efforts of Our School at Blair Grocery, New
York to New Orleans Coalition and the Youth Coalition for Community
Action. ~ download
Our School at Blair Grocery is a finalist in the FRESH 1% Grant competetion. The winner of the grant will be selected based on
which organization has the most votes at the end of the voting period:
September 24th - this Friday.
PLEASE VOTE BEFORE
FRIDAY and SHARE with as many people as you can. It only takes a second.
download ~ This sweet old cultural icon went from dynamic community leader to mumbliy disoriented basket case after Karina. At least the few times that I saw Al after this eviction problem he always seemed a llitle worse for wear. He had a stroke, many medical issues ... and has now finally kicked the bucket. I wish I was there for his 2nd line. I'm sure it will be very large.
I still and will always Boycott Igor Margan's businesses. Check Point Charlie's and adjoining tattoo Shop, Igor's, Garlic Clove, Buddha Belly & Lucky's
