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Peace
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Bringing New Orleans to me and my friends
There are so many exciting things happening in the city I love. Since I can’t physically be in New Orleans right now, I am bringing New Orleans to me and my friends through my blog. I find myself still living in football. In fact, I have yet to see any Olympic games. Instead I find myself going to ESPN.COM to the NFL section and reading about our amazing boys in black and gold, our SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS…WHO DAT BABY!
May 5th will be here before we know it and the new Mayor will take office. Mitch Landrieu gave his third news conference on February 24 with inspiring words and a call for more civic involvement. According to the Times Picayune article by Frank Donze, quoting Mayor Landrieu, “I want the people to remember what it feels like to win and to be happy because it’s worth fighting for. And it does require a fight…and as wonderful as it was and as hopeful as we are, I ask the people of New Orleans to remember that we still have streets that are unsafe, schools that don’t teach well, not enough jobs, roads yet to be repaired, a City Hall that doesn’t work and a very, very long list of chores that need to be done…The road will be long and hard, and it will require from all of us more than just sitting in the stands, cheering, or sitting on the sides of a parade route shouting, Throw me something, mister…We watched. They played. We yelled. And they threw. It’s time for us now to get on the field. We’re not spectators anymore. We are not the 12th man. We, in fact, are the team, the people of the city. So today it’s time to get down to business and to begin the very hard and tedious task of governing well for the common good.” His words certainly inspire me and hopefully all the citizens of New Orleans to move forward. He has also created a movement called Transition New Orleans which encourages people to move back and also for citizens to give opinions on how to move the city forward. I have sent my resume and hope to be a part of this hopeful change in New Orleans. You can check it out at www.transitionneworleans.com .
New Orleans is not a city to take it slow, even during Lent. The parades just keep on comin’!! Next weekend brings back a great parade that has not rolled since Katrina hit the city in 2005. On Saturday, March 6, The Italian-American St. Joseph’s Day Parade is at 6:00 p.m. in the French Quarter. The Grand Marshall: Chef David Greco. On Sunday, March 7, catch the Irish-Italian-Islenos Community Parade in Chalmette. The parade rolls at noon. Friday, March 12, Jim Monaghan’s Annual Irish Parade rolls in the French Quarter at 6:30 p.m. As is the custom, the parade ends at Molly’s at the Market. Saturday March 13, don’t miss the Irish Channel St. Pat’s Parade (one of my personal favs). The parade rolls at noon uptown/Irish Channel. Sunday, March 14, the St. Patrick’s Parade rolls in Metairie at noon. It’s also rumored to be the date of the Mardi Gras Indian’s Super Sunday. And the celebration to truly honor St. Patrick takes place on Wednesday, March 17 at Parasol’s Restaurant and Bar. It’s a memorable experience to say the least.
I continue to miss the city I love and know I’ll be home soon.
Peace,
May 5th will be here before we know it and the new Mayor will take office. Mitch Landrieu gave his third news conference on February 24 with inspiring words and a call for more civic involvement. According to the Times Picayune article by Frank Donze, quoting Mayor Landrieu, “I want the people to remember what it feels like to win and to be happy because it’s worth fighting for. And it does require a fight…and as wonderful as it was and as hopeful as we are, I ask the people of New Orleans to remember that we still have streets that are unsafe, schools that don’t teach well, not enough jobs, roads yet to be repaired, a City Hall that doesn’t work and a very, very long list of chores that need to be done…The road will be long and hard, and it will require from all of us more than just sitting in the stands, cheering, or sitting on the sides of a parade route shouting, Throw me something, mister…We watched. They played. We yelled. And they threw. It’s time for us now to get on the field. We’re not spectators anymore. We are not the 12th man. We, in fact, are the team, the people of the city. So today it’s time to get down to business and to begin the very hard and tedious task of governing well for the common good.” His words certainly inspire me and hopefully all the citizens of New Orleans to move forward. He has also created a movement called Transition New Orleans which encourages people to move back and also for citizens to give opinions on how to move the city forward. I have sent my resume and hope to be a part of this hopeful change in New Orleans. You can check it out at www.transitionneworleans.com .
New Orleans is not a city to take it slow, even during Lent. The parades just keep on comin’!! Next weekend brings back a great parade that has not rolled since Katrina hit the city in 2005. On Saturday, March 6, The Italian-American St. Joseph’s Day Parade is at 6:00 p.m. in the French Quarter. The Grand Marshall: Chef David Greco. On Sunday, March 7, catch the Irish-Italian-Islenos Community Parade in Chalmette. The parade rolls at noon. Friday, March 12, Jim Monaghan’s Annual Irish Parade rolls in the French Quarter at 6:30 p.m. As is the custom, the parade ends at Molly’s at the Market. Saturday March 13, don’t miss the Irish Channel St. Pat’s Parade (one of my personal favs). The parade rolls at noon uptown/Irish Channel. Sunday, March 14, the St. Patrick’s Parade rolls in Metairie at noon. It’s also rumored to be the date of the Mardi Gras Indian’s Super Sunday. And the celebration to truly honor St. Patrick takes place on Wednesday, March 17 at Parasol’s Restaurant and Bar. It’s a memorable experience to say the least.
I continue to miss the city I love and know I’ll be home soon.
Peace,
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Mardi Gras
WHO DAT NATION is still celebrating in the city I love, New Orleans. As I find myself housebound due to inclement weather (9-12 inches of snow) I streamline WWOZ.ORG and catch some great Mardi Gras Music on Lundi Gras. The city has been energized and alive since Super bowl Sunday when the Saints took home the Lombardi Trophy. Sean Peyton, Drew Brees and the entire team showed the nation and the world the tenacity the people of New Orleans have, Drew has been all over the airways expounding the virtues of the city and the people. The Saints are truly a class act under the great direction of Sean Peyton. Over 30,000 people lined the airport route to welcome them home and over 800,000 watched the Saints Parade live. I watched it on CNN.COM and felt the excitement over the internet. Drew reigned at King of Bacchus last night and the projections were for the largest crowds ever. What this team has done for the city and showed the nation is priceless..bless you boys! Perhaps all this strange weather is due to so many people saying “Hell will freeze over if the Saints ever win the Super Bowl” watch what you say and throw into the universe.
Today’s USA Today had a great article about Sidney Torres IV. He is the trash king of New Orleans. Check out the article at: Katrina, Mardi Gras, Super Bowl made him trash king - USATODAY.com He is another example of the people who love the city and are determined to keep moving forward and be energized.
The election in New Orleans has delivered a new Mayor in Mitch Landrieu. This is an exciting time and a time for change.
When I returned from New Orleans, I worked on my vision statement. This is much harder than you could imagine but I finally found the words that felt comfortable and best described me.
Vision Statement
VISION: TO BE A PASSIONATE DRIVING FORCE IN THE REBUILDING OF NEW ORLEANS
Throughout history New Orleans has been blessed with visionaries. Now the future of our once devastated city is in the hands of our community. New Orleans is alive with opportunities for growth and revitalization. The creation of community (common unity) is essential for the city to move forward. By using my passion, determination and love for our city I intend to facilitate bringing groups of people with the same passion together toward our common goal, rebuilding the city of New Orleans.
Whether I work in tourism, marketing, public relations or hospitality I will bring my energy and love for the Crescent City with me.
Now is the time to move, so y’all keep me in mind and forward my blog and resume. Let me know your thoughts as well about the city I love, New Orleans.
Peace
Today’s USA Today had a great article about Sidney Torres IV. He is the trash king of New Orleans. Check out the article at: Katrina, Mardi Gras, Super Bowl made him trash king - USATODAY.com He is another example of the people who love the city and are determined to keep moving forward and be energized.
The election in New Orleans has delivered a new Mayor in Mitch Landrieu. This is an exciting time and a time for change.
When I returned from New Orleans, I worked on my vision statement. This is much harder than you could imagine but I finally found the words that felt comfortable and best described me.
Vision Statement
VISION: TO BE A PASSIONATE DRIVING FORCE IN THE REBUILDING OF NEW ORLEANS
Throughout history New Orleans has been blessed with visionaries. Now the future of our once devastated city is in the hands of our community. New Orleans is alive with opportunities for growth and revitalization. The creation of community (common unity) is essential for the city to move forward. By using my passion, determination and love for our city I intend to facilitate bringing groups of people with the same passion together toward our common goal, rebuilding the city of New Orleans.
Whether I work in tourism, marketing, public relations or hospitality I will bring my energy and love for the Crescent City with me.
Now is the time to move, so y’all keep me in mind and forward my blog and resume. Let me know your thoughts as well about the city I love, New Orleans.
Peace
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Another Great Visit to the City I Love, New Orleans
Super Bowl Sunday has arrived and WHO DAT fever has taken over the nation. It seems appropriate today to write more about the city I love. Last weekend at this time I was in the city I love enjoying a shrimp po-boy at Parasol’s. My visit last week was multi-faceted, I reconnected with a long lost friend, David Tringali and we spent many hours in the Community Coffee House on Royal St. I dropped resumes at hotels and Harrah’s in the anticipation of returning to the city I love permanently.
My dear friends Rick and Barb hosted me on Thursday evening and we had time to catch up on our lives while enjoying some music and beverages at the Old Point Bar in Algiers. Rick is the mastermind behind Neslort. Anyone in New Orleans who has not caught this great band needs to check them out.
Friday evening I had the pleasure of meeting Sean Cummings at LOA in the International House. As you know from previous blogs, I am energized by the changes Sean is making in the city. He is dedicated to seeing the city move forward and showing the world there is more to the city than Katrina. We had the opportunity to share our visions on the importance of community in the city. He too had read “The Great Good Place” by Dr. Ray Oldenburg, which was the inspiration for my coffee house in Pensacola. Community is vital to the survival of a city and common unity of the people. During the visit, I met a wonder woman Tracey Flemings-Davillier who was running for Juvenile Court Judge, Sec. E. The election was yesterday and Tracey received 38,786 votes the majority cast. She will make a difference in our juvenile justice system, congratulations to her and the city of New Orleans! The mayoral election brings a new mayor, Mitch Landrieu. The Landrieu family is rich is Louisiana politics and I have faith that Mitch will continue to move the city forward.
The Krewe de Vieux rolled on Saturday night. This is one of my favorite parades of the Mardi Gras season. It is always filled with political satire and this year’s parade did not disappoint. From the Ray Nagin coloring books to the Such a Blight stickers, everyone was rolling with a satirical look at New Orleans, the state of Louisiana and the federal government Stimulus Package (wooden nickels). It’s just one more thing I love about the city, the ability to find humor in all things!
Following the parade, we enjoyed a wonderful meal at Maximo’s on Decatur Street. Featuring amazing Italian fare and an excellent wine list, this is a most do restaurant whenever I visit. Enjoying a glass of wine following dinner, I struck up a conversation with a woman named Vanessa. She has started a company called Who Dat Ladies Attire. This is a line of clothing to show our support for the Saints with a “classier” line to replace the standard jersey. Check out her site at www.whodatladies.com . I have a shirt and absolutely love the fit and the message WHO DAT! I have no doubt that this line will continue to expand over the year with many other offerings.
Sunday dawned with the anticipation of the Buddy D Parade. Buddy Deliberto was a longtime New Orleans sportscaster. Buddy once commented that if the Saints ever made it to the Super Bowl he’d walk down the street wearing a dress. Former Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert is now carrying on the sports casting tradition of Buddy D. Bobby suggested on his radio program that an impromptu parade to honor Buddy D be organized. Sunday’s parade paid great tribute to a true Saints fan when 5,000 (projected) men and boys turned out in dresses, heels, lipstick and evening bags to march from the Dome to Bourbon St. During the parade, cries of Buddy, Buddy, Buddy and WHO DAT rang through the parade marchers and spectators along the route. I am proud to say I was there and became a part of Saints history. I know Buddy D was watching and his family I’m sure was overwhelmed with the love and support the citizens of New Orleans have for him.
My weekend was memorable for many reasons, but more than anything I felt at home. New Orleans is where my heart is, I am driven to find a job, and I am passionate about finding a way to return.
Peace and GEAUX SAINTS!
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