Rental at 1045 Independence in the Bywater

Hi All,
My friend Maurice is rehabbing houses in the Bywater Area. Here's a place he just finished. it's a one bedroom with all new appliances for $900/Month. let me know if you have an interest and I'll have him get in touch with you!

New Orleans, the city is coming back better than ever!

Peace,

My Visit to the City I Love

Ok, so I can finally write about my amazing trip to New Orleans last week. It’s taken a week to really absorb the energy and excitement that is around the city. I landed on Thursday and had the pleasure of attending the Louisiana Restaurant Association Pub Crawl. The theme this year is “We Live to Eat”, I can’t think of a more appropriate slogan for this city and state.
Friday I was pounding the pavement again to connect for a job. If you haven’t visited the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau at 2010 St. Charles, you just must. It’s a great building and the staff is amazing. I had the pleasure of meeting Arlene Johnson, who worked for Delta Queen in the 90’s but truly is the voice of the city. She loves the city and is an ambassador to the city going above and beyond the call of duty for the city she loves.
I met a new twitter friend Sheri at one of the hippest bars in the city, very European, it’s called Mayorcampdeville and I urge you all to check it out when in the city. It’s located on Campdeville St. in the Warehouse District.
Tranistion New Orleans is moving forward and taking applications, a light is shining on the city with the new Mayor and change will happen!
The Irish Channel Parade on Saturday lived up to its memory as one of the best parades of the year, you just have to watch out for the flying cabbages!
I know my blog is dedicated to the city I love, but this week I need to divert and promote an amazing new singer, songwriter and her group. Her name is Mia Carruthers and the group is Mia Carruthers and the Retros. Her recent EP is entitled “We will grow”, you can check it out on I-Tunes. She is up and coming and I’m all about supporting independent music. I know I will see her soon on the national stage!
I’ll be back in the city on April 8th to look for work and also enjoy my favorite festival, the French Quarter Festival!

Until next week,
Peace!

The True Meaning of Lent

I have a dear friend in New Orleans named Laura. She is raising two amazing children. I wanted to share with all of you the story of her son Ethan and his Lenten commitment. This article ran in the Times Picayune on Thursday March 18th.

St. Andrew student gives during Lent
Facebook page aids animal shelter
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Karen Baker
Staff writer
Sometimes, what you give is more important than what you give up.
During Lent, it's common practice for Catholics to "give up" something, whether it's eating candy, drinking soft drinks or fighting with your brother. When we were growing up, my sister and I would count down the minutes until Easter, when we were free to eat as many chocolate bunnies as possible.
I admit that we were missing the point. The "giving up" is about changing your ways, and not just until Easter.
It's about what you give, not what you give up. Ethan Carroll is 9, and his Lenten journey is proof that you can give a lot if your heart is set on it.
Ethan and his dad, Tim, decided to do something meaningful as they prepared for Easter.
"We were looking for something to do for Lent, something a little bit different," Tim Carroll said. Ethan loves animals, and so he thought he would like to volunteer to help at the St. Tammany Parish Humane Society.
"We called, but you have to be 16 to volunteer," Carroll said. The Humane Society, not wanting to turn down a good deed, suggested a fundraiser. And the Carrolls, being in tune with the times, turned to just the place where they could get the word out.
"What we did was set up an Ethan Carroll Lent Project group on Facebook," Carroll said. "We sent it to friends and asked for donations."
The power of social networking has been a big hit.
"We started about three weeks ago, and we have 95 members in the group, including a couple of teachers I know from when I was in school (at Holy Cross High School)," Carroll said. "Some people are mailing the checks directly to the Humane Society in Ethan's name."
Ethan, a student at St. Andrew the Apostle in Algiers, just wants to help animals who need someone to love them. His effort is reaching far and wide.
"We have all kinds of people" who want to help, Carroll said. "We invited people we know, then they invited others they know. So we have people from all over the state and Mississippi."
"We have been surprised by how quickly everyone joined the group. We thought it would be low-key, but it took off quickly. The response on donations has been amazing. We had donations two days after we started it. The project will be up and running through Easter."
According to Ethan's Facebook group, the Humane Society is need of "Purina food, blankets, toys, bleach, gloves, other cleaning supplies and anything you can think of that a pet care facility may need.
"We're trying to spread out as much as possible. They rely strictly on donations," Carroll said.
"We don't want to handle the money, so we ask it be shipped directly to them (the Humane Society)."
If you want to help Ethan's Lent project, visit his Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.hp?gid=376655452924&ref=mf.

I encourage everyone to support his project this Lenten season.

Peace,

Visit to New Orleans

Hi All,
Just spent five fabulous days in the city I love. Stayed tuned for an update on all the amazing things happening there!

Peace,

Resume

1301 Duncan Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45208

Phone: 513-562-0779
E-mail: thsmith@live.com
Blog: http://neworleanstakmebacktothecityilove.blogspot.com

Tracey H. Smith

Objective
To work in a fast paced environment that demands strong organizational, interpersonal and technical skills.
Qualifications
►Positive, self-motivated, highly organized administrator with proven management skills
► Committed to providing superior customer service, both internally and externally
► Recognized for professionalism, resourcefulness, and competence in administrative management
► Proven creative talent and writing skills in developing and implementing successful programs
► Demonstrated ability to grow positive relationships with clients and colleagues
► Strong communication and presentation skills
► Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Microsoft Publisher

Work History
2006—Present, Schiff, Kreidler-Shell Insurance Company, Cincinnati Ohio
Office services supervisor for 118 employee based insurance company. Company is a full service P&C and Life/Benefits insurance agency.
• Reports directly to Vice-President of Human Resources.
• Company-wide event planner for all employee related events including service dinners, employee outings and holiday luncheons.
• Charity event planner for two major fundraisers each year the United Way Campaign and the Fine Arts Fund Event.
• Editor in chief of all internal and external newsletters and publications.
• Developed and implemented an Office Services Manual to assist the company with future new hires within the department.
• Provide tracking and follow up systems for employee performance appraisals.
• Assist VP Human Resources with recruiting and interviewing
• Developed and implemented a New Hire Employee Packet.
• Administrator and trainer for all phone and voicemail systems. Trained in Avaya/Audix systems.
• Responsible for tracking and recording all PTO time utilizing the Soft Time System.
• Developed and implemented a Wellness initiative which included a successful Weight Watcher Program.
• Developed and implemented a “Go Green” initiative company-wide.

1995—2004 Good Neighbor Coffee house, Pensacola, Florida
Owned and operated successful retail business
• Developed and implemented successful business plan for Good Neighbor Coffee House.
• Effectively managed all aspects of business operations including purchasing, inventory control, employee training and supervision, and marketing.
• Created promotion and advertising strategy including Repeat Customer Rewards program that built customer base.

1982—1994 Delta Queen Steamboat Company, New Orleans, LA
Promoted through a series of increasingly responsible administrative positions supporting three paddlewheel steamboats, carrying up to 600 passengers, on three to twelve nightly cruises, traveling various rivers in the Midwest.
1992—1994 Director of Entertainment
• Managed 60 employee entertainment staff including hiring, training, and work schedules.
• Developed and implemented all entertainment programs including shore tours, cooking demonstrations, guest lecturers and performers
1987—1992 Manager of Entertainment
• Assisted director in staff management
• Developed ideas for organized daytime activities and entertainment shows
• Implemented and developed operational manuals for all Theme Oriented Cruises
1986-1987 Manager of Production
• Directed all video production for the company
• Assisted producer of company sales film that was nominated for documentary/sales award
• Coordinated tour schedules for guest performers and lecturers
1984-1986 Shore Tour Manager
• Analyzed river system to create new and betters tours that increased sales by 70%
• Coordinated shore tours with theme cruises

Fundraising Experience

2009 Photography Broker
Norfolk Photographer, David Grulke. Representing his work at galleries and arts festivals

2006-2010 Fine Arts Fund—Cincinnati, OH Schiff, Kreidler-Shell Campaign
Reorganized an employee led “Event Day” to raise money for the Fine Arts Fund.
Raised the Event Day totals from $572.00 to $4,3000.00 in three years.
Employee participation increase to 100% for last two years.
Pledge dollar committed over three year is over $10,000.00 per year.

2006-2010 United Way– Cincinnati, OH Schiff, Kreidler-Shell Campaign
Reorganized an employee led “Event Day” to raise money for the United Way Campaign.
Increased event day totals from $1000.00 to $2,300.00 in three years.
Employee participation increase to 100% for last two years.
Pledge dollar committed over three years is over $18,000.00 per year.

2005-2009 De la Arts Place—Cincinnati, OH
De la Arts place is a non-profit performance company with a committed mission that dance should be for everyone.
Media and Press Coordinator for all productions including “The Nutcracker Jazzed-up” and Dance Cincinnati ‘06
Wrote and submitted stories and press releases regarding the event as well as submitted photographs announcing the production.
Marketing Director of the “Be an Angel, Sponsor a Dancer Program”

2005-2008 School for Creative and Performing Arts-Cincinnati, OH
Liaison (Instructor/Staff/Parents), Dance Department
Event organizer for “A Winter Wonderland of Talents and Sweets
Planned and presented a major fundraiser to maintain teacher salaries for the 2008 school year. Raised $56,000.00.