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02/01/12
A few months ago I moved into a new wonderful apartment in the Broadmoor neighborhood. And as with every move the colossal stress was physically, emotionally and spiritually debilitating. The many challenges of moving left me with few resources, but during this time of change is exactly when I needed all my resources, because something always goes terribly awry.
The truck I reserved was not really reserved, the movers I hired were really, really late and now I was under pressure to get the move done quickly because the new truck was available for way less time. Heavy boxes of books (why in the world do I save so many books?), bulky kitchen equipment and 82 potted plants are just a few of the things I lugged in and out of that truck and up a flight of stairs.
My...
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01/18/12
Ah, Facebook! Let's face it; not everyone writes great status updates. I have one friend who, every time he posts, posts 10 strident political diatribes. Not one, but 10! I have another friend who aired her bitter divorce updates daily and if I see one more cute cat status I shall hurl up a fur ball.
But some people get it right. Amanda Frentz, development associate with New Orleans City Park, gets it right. Her posts for City Park are a wonderful blend of information and fun, and it's all so very interactive. She makes the park feel like a valued friend.
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01/04/12
I am an addict. My 43-year old dependence is relatively harmless; I am addicted to Diet Coke.
My day starts by slamming back a 32-oz. jolt of caffeine and carbonation. The day continues with two or three more. I am particular about my drink the way a wine connoisseur savors his grapes.
I eschew the plastic 2-liter bottles, though I will drink from them rather than drink - ugh - water. The small plastic bottles are the next least desirable, and then come the cans. What I am always in search of is a properly mixed fountain Coke. I found the best one while living in North Carolina. Every morning I'd start my car for its 3-mile drive to Nirvana, aka Pigg's grocery/filling station. There in a red Coca-Cola cooler was pure heaven: a small glass bottle. As the top...
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12/21/11
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12/07/11
“Thirty years managing businesses and who in the world would have thunk I'd be back doing social work?”
But that's exactly the life Brian Opert's three business cards clearly prove he's doing. He is: a volunteer recruiter/trainer for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates); a board vice chair for Reconnect NOLA and a radio host on WGSO, where he talks to community leaders about viable ways to reduce crime in New Orleans.
Brian has a master’s degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and Community Planning. Early in his career he was appointed by the Massachusetts governor to be the director of the Low Rent Housing Program for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
From there he took a path that veered from the world...
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11/23/11
Some New Orleanians tell us what Thanksgiving means to them.
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11/09/11
A year and a half ago, the CP3 Afterschool Zone began organizing after-school programs for kids throughout Central City. Now there are 10 different programs run through eight providers, sponsored and organized by Chase Bank and the New Orleans Partnership for Youth Development. Here's what some of the kids in the CP3 Afterschool Zone have to say about the program.
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10/26/11
First Presbyterian Church hosts pumpkin picking, a haunted maze, meals and more to raise funds for the Program of Hope Homeless Ministry
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10/12/11
For most of us our hearts beat with boring efficiency. Artists' hearts, however, beat with much more drama, passion and flair. And Edward R. Cox undeniably has the heart of an artist. Since the age of five, he's basked in the spotlight and reveled in the thunder of applause.
“This is how I've always been,” he says of his love of theater. “I'm born for it.”
And the critics agree. He's the recipient of numerous awards and nominations, most notably the Teddy's Award for Excellence in Children's Theatre, which was established by the board of directors of Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré.
He's totally immersed in theater. A prolific actor, he's appeared in thousands of stage roles and numerous...
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09/28/11
I am in awe of those athletes whose grit and determination drive them to succeed. I marvel at how effortlessly they seem to put interceptions, injuries, fumbles, errors or fouls behind them as they focus on the next play and final victory.
Once again this past Sunday we saw this phenomenon exemplified by two stellar New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees with his brilliant leadership and spiraling accuracy and Steven Gleason with his courage and strength as he walked onto the field to serve as a ceremonial team captain. It was a moving experience. In his blog Gleason eloquently shares his insights:
"Yesterday, despite bad luck, poor play and dire circumstances, I saw a team that stayed together, leaned upon its support, and faced its fear head on with a calming sense of...
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Pamela Marquis, MSW is a social worker, community advocate, educator and writer. Most recently, she founded and became executive director of Shine a Light Louisiana, a non-profit agency committed to helping communities and organizers inform the public about their initiatives. She has also worked with the LIFE program, helping Louisiana inmates connect with their families through extended visitation programs.
