KID smART STUDENTS PERFORMING AT JAZZ FEST
It’s that magical time of year in New Orleans. The air is crisp and festival season is in high gear. It’s also that time of cubes.
Jazz Fest cubes, that is.
Joining the Jazz Fest line-up this year, KID smART students will showcase their talents on two dates at the Festival. Throughout the past year students have been working in various art forms, learning their core content through the arts. These performances will demonstrate how learning is coming alive for students in public schools in New Orleans.
The first performance is Friday, May 1, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the Chouest Family Kids’ Tent. KID smART & International School of Louisiana students will perform their entertaining and lively Circus Arts Act. The show will feature teaching artist, Meret Ryhiner’s group of middle school kids doing acrobats, juggling, and balancing acts.
Meret has been working with the students at the International School since 2003 and has been training kids in circus arts for over 14 years. “These kids have worked very hard and are getting so good. They are really looking forward to this year’s Jazz Fest performance. The program is great for kids because it helps them learn life skills such as trusting in themselves as well as in others” says Meret.
On Sunday, May 3 at 12:30 p.m. students from five schools will have a showcase of their work. First graders from KIPP: McDonogh 15 along with teaching artist Voice Touré will be performing their Hip-Hopera about jungle animals; from Behrman school first graders will be performing a short scene from the Wizard of Oz with artist Andy Vaught; students in the afterschool program from the Langston Hughes School will be presenting a short dance with artist Maritza Mercardo Narcisse; a group of musicians from first and fifth grades at Lafayette Academy will be strutting their traditional jazz stuff performing New Orleans standards with artist Seva Venet; and a short program from the circus arts program at the International School of Louisiana with Meret Ryhiner will round out the day. This multifaceted performance will take place from 12:30 – 1:15 p.m. at the Chouest Family Kids Tent.
KID smART is a New Orleans based non-profit program that has a presence in 11 public schools and reaches approximately 3,400 students throughout the city. KID smART’s philosophical approach to education is based on working with the visual and performing arts to tie to the curriculum and encourage creative thinking in children. For more information please visit www.kidsmart.org.
What: KID smART student performances at Jazz Fest
Where & When:
Date/Time: Friday, May 1, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
Event: KID smART’s Circus Arts Act
Performers: International School Students
Location: Chouest Family Kids’ Tent
New Orleans Fairgrounds
Date/Time: Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 12:30 p.m.
Event: KID smART’s Showcase:
KIPP/Mc15 Hip-Hopera
Behrman – Wizard of Oz
Langston Hughes – Dance
Lafayette Academy – Traditional Jazz Standards
International School of Louisiana – Circus Arts Performers
Location: Chouest Family Kids’ Tent
New Orleans Fairgrounds
Why: To showcase KID smART’s programs and accomplishments in our public schools.
Who: New Orleans based non-profit, KID smART
For More
Information: Please contact Echo Olander at echo@kidsmart.org or call 504-410-1990 or visit www.nojazzfest.com
You Can Choose the Leaders of Tomorrow
Special Olympics Louisiana and The First Lady of Louisiana, Mrs. Supriya Jindal, will honor Louisiana’s youth at the 2nd Annual Leaders of Tomorrow event. Nominations opened on April 2, 2009. Nominations should be cast for youth (under the age of 21), who are “Making a World of Difference” in Louisiana, while promoting good citizenship, entrepreneurship, leadership and excellence. Those being nominated can be with or without intellectual disabilities and anyone is eligible to nominate.
Awards will be given in ten categories: First Lady’s Gold Medal, Entrepreneur of the Year, Individual Philanthropist of the Year, Group Philanthropist of the Year, Youth Male of the Year, Youth Female of the Year, The Triumph Award, Youth Individual Inventor of the Year, Organization of the Year and Louisiana Cultural Ambassador of the Year. Descriptions of each category are located on the Special Olympics Louisiana website. To nominate someone please log onto www.laso.org <<http://www.laso.org>http://www.laso.org> and select Leaders of Tomorrow on the bottom left. Nominations can be done online or downloaded as an attachment. The deadline to submit nominations is August 7, 2009.
Selection committees around the state will review the nominees and the winners will be notified. The award winners will be recognized at the Louisiana Leaders of Tomorrow Celebration luncheon on November 6, 2009 in Baton Rouge, LA. Special Olympics Louisiana is the beneficiary of the event and several local Special Olympics Louisiana athletes will be in attendance. Sponsorship packages are available upon request. For more information please log onto www.laso.org
Special Olympics Louisiana (SOLA) is a state-wide organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. SOLA offers year-round programs for 12,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in all 64 parishes with the help of 12,000 volunteers. We have health, education, leadership, family, training and sports programs for people beginning at age 2 and there is no upper age limit. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics. For more information about Special Olympics Louisiana, please visit www.laso.org
‘Brass Bands’ topic of History Ya-Ya talk on May 14
(April 29, 2009, New Orleans, La.) – “Brass Bands” will be the topic of a free presentation by author and historian Margo Moscou on Thursday, May 14 at 6 p.m. as the History Ya-Ya lecture series continues at the Louisiana State Museum’s Cabildo on Jackson Square.
The monthly History Ya-Ya lecture series exploring Louisiana’s historical and cultural legacies is co-sponsored by the University of New Orleans Midlo Center for New Orleans Studies and the Louisiana State Museum.
Upcoming presentations include: on June 11, “Mayhem and New Orleans Streetcars” with Michael Mizell-Nelson, UNO assistant professor of history; and on July 9, “Bienville’s Dilemma” with geographer Richard Campanella of Tulane University.
For more information, call Gabriela Hernandez, LSM adult programs manager, at (504) 568-8215 or visit lsm.crt.state.la.us/calendar.htm
DOG-A-ROO SNIFF & SOCIAL
On Saturday, May 9th Zack’s Frozen Yogurt and Smoothies introduce their special Pup-Cups made especially for all the four-legged members in your family. Saturday, May 9 from 4pm-7pm head over to Zack’s Frozen Yogurt and Smoothies for your favorite dessert and also bring your doggies to enjoy special “Pup-Cups” — a healthy, refreshing treat for your furry friends. There will also be prizes and loads of fun, to benefit the Louisiana SPCA, a doggone good cause.
A registration table will also be set-up for folks to pre-register dogs and their humans for the 3rd Annual Gatsby Dog Second Line and Celebration, which will be held in Algiers Point on May 17th. This uniquely N’awlins celebration has become one of the “must do” events of the year for pet lovers and music lovers alike. It’s also the only place you’ll find a second line celebration tailored especially for dogs and their humans, and the only one that honors our relationship with our pets, both past and present. To learn more about the Gatsby Dog Second Line and Celebration visit www.la-spca.org.
When: Saturday, May 9 4-7pm
Where: Zack’s Frozen Yogurt and Smoothies, 1820 Belle Chasse Hwy, Suite 101
Public Service Recognition Week
The New Orleans Federal Executive Board (FEB) is again
sponsoring this year’s Public Service Recognition Week Program (PSRW), May 4
– 10, 2009. This year’s theme “Federal Employees – The Heart and Soul of
Government” is reflected in the activities planned by the FEB committee.
The annual interagency Lakeside Mall event is on Thursday, May 7, from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. in Metairie, Louisiana and is open to the public. At this
event, various federal agencies will be on display and feature exhibits that
focus on services they provide to the public. Some agency representatives
will discuss career opportunities with their agency that are rich in
challenges and enhance the quality of life for all Americans.
In conjunction with this year’s Mall event, the Bloodmobile donation unit
will take donations throughout the day at Lakeside Mall. The participating
local federal agency employees are inviting the public in making donations
during this community blood drive.
In addition to the gifts from the heart, the PSRW Planning Committee Members
encourage all employees to give gifts to help feed the soul of our
community. This year’s activities include an interagency food drive, which
will help local food banks, and a Mardi Gras bead recycling drive.
“This program gives all of us an opportunity to get out front to let people
know what we do and to give back to the community,” states Pat Brown,
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration employee and PSRW Outreach
Committee Chair.
Public Service Recognition Week helps to inform Americans about a variety of
federal services provided throughout the country and shows appreciation for
the contributions of all employees. Each year, thousands of civil service,
military and civilian visitors attend such public exhibits to learn
first-hand how public service touches the lives of citizens on a daily
basis.
Biking, Walking in City Park Presentation is May 5
Giving Parks Back to People: Increasing the Walkability and Bikeability of New Orleans City Park is the theme of a program to be presented by University of New Orleans urban planning students on Tuesday, May 5 at 1:30 p.m. at City Park’s Timken Center (Casino Building).
Students in John Renne’s Applied Transportation Planning class will present their proposals for improving biking and walking accessibility in the park.
For more information, call Renne, assistant professor of transportation studies and urban planning, at (504) 280-6519.
Community Resource Center moves into the Upper Ninth Ward, thanks to A Shared Initiative, Inc.
ASII brings first-time homebuyer education classes as well as one-on-one credit counseling to the Clifford N. Rosenthal Community Resource Center, located in the Upper Ninth Ward. Future plans include an ASI Federal Credit Union branch, with remaining space available for lease.
WHO: Helen Godfrey Smith, National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions Board Member; Connie Majors, Louisiana Credit Union League; Sr. Clarita Bourque, A Shared Initiative, Inc. Board Member; LaVerne Saulny, Senator Mary Landrieu’s office; Jeffrey Dekro, Jewish Funds for Justice; James Ross, NeighborWorks America; Mignhon Tourné, CEO, ASI Federal Credit Union; Clifford Rosenthal, President & CEO, National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions
WHAT: Celebration of rebuilding the St. Claude neighborhood. A Shared Initiative, Inc has completed the construction of the Clifford N. Rosenthal Community Resource Center and is open for business. The center will house office space for ASII to teach homebuyer education classes and provide one-on-one credit counseling in the building. Future plans include an ASI Federal Credit Union branch, with remaining space available for lease to other organizations that will provide services to the community.
WHEN: May 5, 2009, 11am, 3401 St. Claude Avenue New Orleans, LA 70117
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Free Agents Brass Band will join in the celebration. The center is made possible through the generosity of ASI Federal Credit Union, Deutsche Bank, Jewish Funds for Justice, National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions, NeighborWorks America, Solidago Foundation, Inc., The Ella West Freeman Foundation and other private donations.
About A Shared Initiative, Inc. The mission of A Shared Initiative, Inc. is to assist the rebuilding efforts or families and communities by providing affordable homeownership opportunities and expanding access to vital community services. The organization was formed in early 2005 to expand anti-poverty programs designed by ASI Federal Credit Union. ASI FCU is a certified Community Development Financial Institution servicing predominately low-income individuals and families across southeast Louisiana. www.asharedinitiative.org
LA/SPCA Upcoming Events:
May 9th Dog-A-Roo Sniff & Social, to benefit the LA/SPCA will be held at Zack’s Frozen Yogurt and Smoothies, located at 1820 Belle Chasse Hwy, Ste. 101 in Gretna from 4:00pm-7:00pm. A doggone good time for a doggone good cause! Show your support and stop by Zack’s Frozen Yogurt and Smoothies for your favorite dessert and help support the LA/SPCA. Special “Pup–Cups” will be available for your furry friends, too! We will also be pre registering dogs & their humans for “The Gatsby Dog Second Line and Celebration” held in Algiers Point May 17. Silly Pet Tricks at 6:30pm. Prizes! Dessert! Fun! Call 366-4044 or visit www.theoriginalzacks.com or www.la-spca.org for more information.
St. Tammany Humane Society Thanks the Community for their Support
Covington, LA-The St. Tammany Humane Society finishes the national ZooToo.com shelter make-over contest in 6th place, winning $10,000 in improvements to the shelter. The community and supporters from across the nation came together to vote and try to put St. Tammany Humane Society back on top in the Million-Dollar Shelter Make-Over, but it just wasn’t enough to win the grand prize. However, the $10,000 has already gone to make much-needed improvements around the shelter, and as Executive Director Vaughn Maurice puts it, “While we didn’t win the million-dollar makeover we are still trying to improve the living conditions of our orphaned guests. We now have an opportunity for people to help just by doing normal internet searches. Please go to www.goodsearch.com and download the goodsearch toolbar. Every time you do an internet search we receive a penny. It may not sound like much but pennies do add up to dollars.” Dollars are exactly what they need to continue their life-saving efforts and find a home for every homeless pet in St. Tammany parish.
For more information on how you can help St. Tammany Humane Society and the orphaned companion animals of our community, please visit www.sthumane.org email leslie@sthumane.org. Thank you in advance for your love and continued support.
NEW ORLEANS HAMBURGER & SEAFOOD CO. ANNOUNCES SPONSORSHIP OF NEW ORLEANS JESTERS SOCCER TEAM
New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co. is pleased to announce that they will be the title sponsor of the New Orleans Jesters’ Soccer Team for the 2009 season. Through this new partnership, New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co. and the New Orleans Jesters are also giving back to the community by launching the Kickin’ Back project, a youth development initiative which will focus on promoting healthy, safe activity through the sport of soccer in the Greater New Orleans area and surrounding region.
“As a growing company, our goal is to participate in events that make a positive impact on the community, especially on our children,” said Paul McGoey, Owner and Managing Partner of New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood Co. “It was important to us to find a partner who had the same vision for community activism and we have absolutely found that partner in the New Orleans Jesters.”
“We couldn’t be happier to be aligned with New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co,” said Jesters owner and CEO Dana Stumpf. “They are a family-friendly business, committed to the community. Their business model and their desire to give back to local families fit perfectly in line with the type of community involvement and entertainment that the Jesters will provide.”
The Jesters’ home opener will be played on Saturday, May 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the newly renovated Pan American Stadium in City Park. The first game is dedicated to area youth and all children can get in free by becoming a member of the Jesters Kids’ Court at nolajesters.com/kidscourt/> Adult tickets are just $10.
For more information on the New Orleans Jesters soccer team, ticket packages, game schedule, youth camps, community appearances, or to request players for appearances, please visit www.nolajesters.com.
The 2009 home game schedule is below:
Sat, May 16 7:00 p.m. Bradenton Academics at New Orleans Jesters
Fri, May 22 7:00 p.m. Central Florida Kraze at New Orleans Jesters
Sat, Jun 6 7:00 p.m. Nashville Metros at New Orleans Jesters
Sat, Jun 20 7:00 p.m. Mississippi Brilla at New Orleans Jesters
Thu, Jun 25 7:00 p.m. Nashville Metros at New Orleans Jesters
Sat, Jun 27 7:00 p.m. Panama City Pirates at New Orleans Jesters
Sat, Jul 11 7:00 p.m. Baton Rouge Capitals at New Orleans Jesters
Fri, Jul 17 7:00 p.m. Atlanta Blackhawks at New Orleans Jesters
PHOTOGRAPHY ORGANIZATION TOPIC OF NOPCC MAY MEETING
For immediate release: (New Orleans) Ever wondered what to do with all your photos when your memory card is full? Chris Bennett, of Bennett’s Camera, will offer solutions at the next monthly meeting of the New Orleans Personal Computer Club. The event will take place Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at the Harahan Senior Center, 100 Elodie Street in Harahan, from 6:30pm-8:30pm
Bennett’ presentation, “Cine and Still Digital Photography and Computers”, will offer information on all the file types, methods of file transfer, photo storage and photo organization available to today’s digital camera and pc users. Discussion will focus on the challenges to today’s amateur and professional photographers and how computer organization can make a world of difference.
The New Orleans Personal Computer Club has been feeding the interest of computer users since 1981. Informative, consumer related meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month at the Harahan Senior Center. Organization president, Walt Christensen, invites the public to join the organization at a monthly meeting. Christensen noted, “NOPCC is a wonderful opportunity to meet others who share an interest in computers, the internet and the intricacies that make both tick”. Guests are invited to participate in a meeting free of charge. Annual membership is $40.00.
For more information about the New Orleans Computer Club, contact Walt Christensen at 504-982-3705 or President@NOPC.Org<mailto:wchrist@bellsouth.net>
BROAD STREET BAZAAR
Last-stop shop for Mother’s Day at Broad St. Bazaar on Saturday, May 9
The Broad St. Bazaar celebrates M-O-M on Saturday, May 9, which falls on the day before Mother’s Day. The popular community flea market and arts-and-crafts bazaar, held the second Saturday of every month, runs from 11 AM to 4 PM in the old Robert’s parking lot at the corner of Bienville and Broad.
Vendors will be on hand with fresh-cut flowers, airplants and bromeliads, handmade arts and crafts and a vast array of recycled treasures and handmade crafts. Browse for vintage clothes; used books; collectible records and coins; recycled bicycles, furniture and household items; collectible "smalls," postcards and prints; and a delightful selection of original art, jewelry, fashion and crafts by some of New Orleans’ most creative artisans. Shoppers can also pick up fresh local produce , homemade baked goods and pepper jellies, and choose from several tempting lunch options in the Bazaar food court. Live music kicks off at 12 noon.
The Broad St. Bazaar is sponsored by Broad Community Connections and Downtown Neighborhoods Improvement Association, with support from the Musicians Union and Keep LA Beautiful.
Contact: Jeffrey Schwartz, Director, Broad Community Connections
504-561-7495; bazaar@broadcommunityconnections.org
Angel Award Deadline Extended to May 15
Eight $20,000 grants will benefit Louisiana’s children
The deadline for nominations for the 2009 Angel Award®, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana’s annual statewide recognition program that honors outstanding efforts on behalf of Louisiana’s children, has been extended to May 15, 2009.
Now in its 15th year, the Angel Award, a partnership of the state’s largest health insurer and its nonprofit Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, seeks to recognize Louisianians performing extraordinary volunteer work for the state’s children.
Since its creation in 1995, the Angel Award program has helped to identify and honor more than 100 outstanding individuals and given more than $900,000 to their designated charities throughout the state. This year Blue Cross will give eight more Louisianians their wings, and the Foundation will contribute a $20,000 grant to each honoree’s chosen charity.
To nominate someone or learn more about the Angel Award, visit www.bcbsla.com <<http://www.bcbsla.com/>http://www.bcbsla.com/> and click on Community. The website allows visitors to research information on hundreds of past Angel Award nominees, finalists and overall winners by name, year of nomination or geographical location, as well as review nomination criteria and fill out a convenient online nomination form.
