NOLA YURP

My Foodcation: We Ate Like Champions

2009-01-04T08:39:00.000-08:00

My friend Juliet from New York came to town for five days for the holidays. She celebrates Hanukkah, I celebrate ... well nothing really, but we were able to meet in mutual celebration of the fact that we both appreciate food to the point where it's almost sick. (Almost.)

Her five-day visit soon turned into a Foodcation. I'm sure I'm only skimming the surface of New Orleans's culinary glories, but this newly initiated New Orleanean and her cynical New Yorker friend were impressed:

Mother's Restaurant:
401 Poydras Street

Yep. Lots of tourists. Worse, they created this annoying line that wrapped clear around the block. Juliet and I were starving and ready to kill each other, but all homicidal tendencies abated once we entered to a tray of biscuits being pulled out of the oven.

I never understood the southern obsession with soul food. This was an "Ah-Ha!" moment.

I had an omelet with grits, three biscuits, and a huge slab of butter to slather over everything.
Juliet had a sandwich named Ralph -- a beef po' boy with ham and cheese.

We had to take five minutes after we finished to lean back in our chairs and stare dreamily at our empty plates. The waitress understood and gave us our space. I'm guessing this happens a lot.

Galatoire's:
209 Bourbon Street

I've read many gushing articles about this place, so Juliet and I got dressed in finery (tight dress ... not a good idea ... no room for expansion) and braved the catcalls of Bourbon Street to pay a visit.

First impression: a lot of "Haw-Haw"-ing and khaki.

But the atmosphere makes you feel just as classy as some of the patrons pretend to be.

We put our trust in the waiter to impress us with some cocktails and he delivered. He got a bit miffed when I unexpectedly changed my wine choice from red to white, but I appreciated his reverence for the food-wine balance.

This is what my lovely dish looked like:

It didn't leave me with that shit-eating Mother's grin, but the potatoes au-gratin had a lotta character, enhanced, of course, by the cavernous ceiling and antique ceiling fans.

Juan's Flying Burrito:
2018 Magazine Street

I ate here during my first New Orleans visit five years ago, and it is still worth every step of the painfully long trek down Magazine.

You can smell the food about a block away. Juliet smelled it too, and looked at me in awe at the glorious culinary images her brain was already conjuring.

You're seated and they immediately get down to business with menus and drink orders. The Margaritas helped us to momentarily forget the yearning in our stomachs, as did the salsa and chips.

Come to think of it, I think this place specializes in preemptive food and beverage strikes, otherwise starving food enthusiasts like ourselves would have long ago ransacked the kitchen and had our way with the black beans and tortilla shells.

We licked our plates -- it doesn't happen often, it's pathetic, but after a plate of glistening black-bean tacos, it had to be done.

Here's a song from their web site that heartwrenchingly lists some of the other menu items:

Dave's Flying Burrito from Juans Flying Burrito on Vimeo.

Mona's:
Various locations around N.O.

A lot of people know about this place, but I have to extol the virtues of their Lebanese iced tea. It's this delicately floral tasting tea with pine nuts floating on top.

I got a cup to go one afternoon (with extra pine nuts), started drinking it while wobbling down Decatur on my bike, and narrowly missed using a small dog as a speedbump -- that's how much I like this stuff.

Turkey Frying:

One messed-up southern tradition that could explode your house, melt one of your limbs off, or create a fireball. Most fire departments issue stern warnings against it.

Men love it:

This a trashcan in front of a house that burned down on Napoleon. Turkey fryer? Highly likely ...

-Annika

Work Nola

2009-01-03T21:09:00.001-08:00

Join worknola.com- new job finding website will launch March 1st

YURP Profiles: Westley Bayas

2008-12-17T08:44:00.000-08:00

By Isaac Arnsdorf

When Westley Bayas, who grew up in New Orleans, left for college, he said he never planned to come back. He fully expected to live somewhere else. But today he is the director of community outreach for Phoenix of New Orleans, a rebuilding non-profit named after the mythical bird that is reborn from ashes.

Asked what changed his mind, he answered immediately, “Katrina.”

He was a student at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge at the time. The gym was converted into a makeshift triage center, and Westley volunteered to help. “I realized I had to go back home,” he said. “I wanted to play whatever part I could to make it into the New Orleans I remembered.”

He remembers the look and the feel, the neighbors shooting the breeze on their porches. But after Katrina, he saw overgrown grass, and blocks and blocks of emptiness. He wants to help bring the old New Orleans back.

Hopefully a little better, he added. At Phoenix, he helps displaced homeowners get back into their homes. Now he expects to stay for the foreseeable future. “I need to stay,” he said. “I’m taking part in a lot of things to improve the city and push it in the direction that I want.”

As New Orleans rebuilds, it has opportunities for young people to get jobs for which they would not otherwise be qualified, to start businesses or to “blaze their own path,” Westley said. “New Orleans is a place where young people can come and prove themselves.”

I'm Just Here for the Gin and Horses

2008-12-04T08:11:00.001-08:00

I spent Thanksgiving at the New Orleans Fair Ground Racetrack. I'm a sucker for showy hats, cigars, and horses, so the experience appealed to me immensely... despite making only $4.

Here is my writeup of the experience on the blog I edit (my day job), along with some semi-interesting betting analysis and news about how the racetrack is boosting New Orleans's economy.

The photo above was taken by Sean Gardner (a local) for U.S.A. Today. I'm the one with the cigar.

-Annika

YURP Profiles: John Moore

2008-11-30T19:12:00.000-08:00

Isaac Arnsdorf, a student at Yale, is writing different profiles about YURPs. The first one is about John Moore. Contact isaac@nolayurp.org if you would like to be profiled.

John Moore left New Orleans for college with no intention of returning. Then when Katrina hit, he thought it was the city’s death knell. He tried to convince his family to stay with him in Atlanta.

But they would return, and — in a twist of fate — so would he. John took a job with Global Green, an environmental non-profit developing affordable and sustainable housing in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward. Today he is an energy and environmental policy analyst in the city government’s newly founded energy unit.

John’s roots in New Orleans stretch back five generations to the earliest settlers of the city. But as John followed another family tradition — becoming a third-generation student at Morehouse — he thought he would leave the Bayou behind.

So did leagues of his peers. New Orleans’ population has been declining since 1960, and young people in particular were leaving the city en masse in recent decades. Katrina, John thought, would be the knockout blow.

But the opposite happened. Since the storm, young people have started flocking back to the city, including John.

“I felt like I had to return,” he said. “That’s what I knew I had to do, and I did it.”

John was in Atlanta interning for Southface, another environmental non-profit, when the storm hit. His family took refuge with him but were determined to return, despite John’s urging otherwise.

John studied architecture in college and helped develop an eco-friendly dorm. At a major conference of U.S. developers, he caught Global Green’s eye. They wanted him to join the Holy Cross Project, which partnered with Brad Pitt to sponsor a design competition for sustainably redeveloping the devastated Lower Ninth Ward.

At first, John didn’t want to go back. But when he realized all his family was returning, it wasn’t even a choice anymore, he said. His grandmother, aunt and cousins were all trying to rebuild their homes, and he knew he could help.

But the city he returned to was not the city he remembered. Surrounding by roving military police, he rode around the neighborhoods where he grew up. John said it was like looking at ghosts.

“It was a gut-wrenching thing to see all these neighborhoods destroyed,” he said, “like, the first place I hung out, or the first place I had a beer.”

Though John felt a sense of duty in his homecoming, in other ways he had to make some sacrifices. He had been accepted to architecture school in California, which he deferred to join Global Green. In some ways, he said, he had to put the rest of his life on the back burner. But that’s because he had a responsibility in New Orleans that came first.

His new job with the city runs through 2009, so he’s sure he’ll be in town at least that long. After that, he’s not sure where grad school or career moves might take him. He wants to be back in school by 2010. For now, he’s been working with Tulane as a consultant on sustainable construction.

As he returned to help his family recover, he joined of movement of young people helping to rebuild his hometown.

“I’m passionate about what I’m doing,” he said. “I feel like I have some effect. I want to see if I can push the ball forward.”

When You're Serious About Getting Stuff Done, and Eating a Homemade Bran Muffin

2008-10-27T20:21:00.000-07:00

I dragged myself to the Orange Couch cafe (2339 Royal St.) last Monday with a hangover still lingering from the weekend and a yucky work deadline staring at me from an hour ahead.

I love sitting in New Orleans cafes (listening to gossip-masked-as-small-talk, making said gossip-talk with the few people I'm starting to recognize).

But that day I needed this place (which just opened two days prior) to part the thick fog of too much gin and bar bands.

I set up my laptop and spread the tools of my trade on a luxurious expanse of white table under the reassurance of everlasting wireless.

With other people on laptops around me, I felt like part of a productive brotherhood. (This is my brain on three jobs.)

Upon walking in, everyone realizes this place isn't from around here. (The owner, in fact, is from San Francisco.) But they go on to marvel at the light fixtures and order the highly-recommended mango black tea.

One guy even asked permission to have ice-cream with his coffee.

I rewarded myself for doing stuff with a piece of green-tea Mochi.

This was on the wall somewhere in the cafe. Look for it if you go there.

They're open until 10. I don't know if I'm cool enough to go there late-night (at least not without a serious beehive or maybe a jumpsuit), but here's what it looks like:

-Annika

Getting My Hair Did

2008-10-20T21:09:00.001-07:00

I hate hair salons: the $60 for a haircut, the "funky L.A. vibe," the stilted hairdresser-client prattle.

Every Monday at the R Bar, New Orleans provides a hair-cutting experience that involves none of the above:

As I folded my laundry last night and waited for 9 p.m. to roll around, I was nervous about two things: what $10 could do to my hair, and whether I would look like a loser sitting at a bar alone waiting for a haircut.

There were two people in line before me. I ordered my drink at the bar, marveling at the low price (my $4 drink would have been $7 in NYC), then tried my best to ignore the current haircut being performed.

Everyone else was more enthralled with the sex scene in the movie Fear being projected over the bar.

When it was my turn, the hairdresser summoned me from my bar stool, I gave a quick, jittery description of what I wanted, and the cutting commenced.

I never caught her name -- or any conversation at all -- but she did pause once to tell an inebriated regular named Dan (?) to get out.

Though I felt pretty cavalier gripping my gin and tonic while my hair flew in pieces behind me, I was taking mental stock of my hat and bandanna options.

I paid the $10 as advertised, plus $3 for tip, and sat back down at the bar to let my hair dry and pick some split ends out of my drink.

I received immediate, slightly beer-goggled, reviews from two gentlemen at the bar. One liked my style so much, he was thinking of having a seat himself.

When I got home, I thanked my mirror that it looked like this:

-Annika

Juvenile/Troy Andrews NOLA YURP Fundraiser

2008-10-20T20:06:00.000-07:00

Click above and click on the NOLA YURP ticket

Sweet Sweat

2008-10-11T08:29:00.000-07:00

A week and a half ago, I pulled out of my street in Astoria, Queens and drove myself and my job 24 hours south.

With stinging culture shock and festering loneliness, my first priority here was finding a place to box.

My gym in Queens had been zealously air-conditioned, with polished water fountains and the latest elliptical wonders.

The Freret Street boxing gym I found here is ten times better:

There's no air conditioning, not even a merciful fan: you only go here when you’re very comfortable oozing sweat-rivers in front of others.

The owner Mike, a former New Yorker, is always perched on a picnick table blocking the main door.

On Saturdays he has a beer in hand. Last Sunday, he had a black eye.

“Bar fight,” he tells me. He didn’t win, he says, but that’s because there were two guys.

The speed bag is new, the stationary bike, a little worn -- but it gives you hell, especially to the overhead speakers cranking out Queen’s “Find Me Somebody To Love.”

Though almost everything here is straightforward/no frills, Mike frequently shows off the colored lights he strung along the walls.

“It’s like Vegas,” he explains.

The gym’s only shower was free when I finished my first workout, but I didn’t bother.

It felt too good to walk outside into the Freret Street fair, dripping in sweat, feel the breeze, smell the empanadas, guiltlessly throw down two, buy a little black slip-dress for $20, and walk back down Napoleon to catch the streetcar.

That same day, walking down Canal Street, I found the statue of Ignatius from A Confederacy of Dunces I'd been looking for since I got here:

-Annika

Voting Day in New Orleans

2008-10-06T09:31:00.001-07:00

VP Debate Party

2008-10-03T13:25:00.000-07:00

Watch clips from the Debate Party on WWLTV

Here are a few photos from the debate at nola.com

Last Blog. It’s dark/stark.

2008-09-28T11:05:00.000-07:00

I have a lot to cover and my attention span has been hampered by a severe personality disorder called weakness of self worth and hygiene. I tread lightly.

The Mckenna Museum of African Art had an exhibition of local artist, Ayo Y. Scott, son of the late John T. Scott. The museum is in a beautiful Antebellum house in a quiet neighborhood Uptown. The place is worth checking out for it’s other installations alone, including a series of pictures from Africa during the 1960’s.

Ayo’s work was a lot of fun, much of the time not taking itself to seriously, which was nice, unapologetically bright colors and very recent pop culture references made for a casual viewing. He did have more serious work, as seen in this piece about the overall rebuilding process.

The curator of the museum, was excited about the opening and was drumming up support for future shows the gallery is planning on having. Keep track of the rotating exhibits, as this one was a clear success, and worthwhile investment of time.

Amelia, a fellow UMASS student has just moved to New Orleans, increasing our alumni viola presence 700%. She has been hired by the LA Philharmonic, pretty impressive stuff if you like music or the word viola. She was generous enough to invite me to the season opener at Loyola this last Friday. The place was packed, sold out I’m told and the grand opening of their old venue, which has been in a rebuilding phase since Katrina will be opening in December, that show is already sold out as well, but worth noting. So look out for the philharmonic, riding a wave of momentum with Amelia firmly in there somewhere.

Nate and I got back a little early on Thursday night, so he decided to meet up with a friend for some quality socializing time; this invitation was not extended to me. I sat in the house, tipsy and annoyed with lack of doing something, I have a habit of getting furious with myself if I feel I should be doing something as a young man on a Thursday night. Parlaying this aggression, I grabbed my camera and walked around the neighborhood, snapping pictures as I clumsily walked through the dark streets.

It was hot that night and I had left my pants at home, opting for boxer briefs. Ironically the pictures were not that great, and I can’t help but feel the best picture was the one not takin, me in my boxer briefs terrorizing the locals with my bright flash and slurred speech, but who knows?

Friday, the presidential debate party; which, after much fuss thanks to the Senator from Arizona, ended up happening. The event was at LePhare, a trendy, pricey bar in downtown New Orleans. Two projectors presented wall sized images of the two candidates in all their former glory.

I’d say about 200 people showed up, donations at the door were either directed to the Obama or McCain movement, and while I won’t divulge the end count, McCain would have trouble if he had to go buy something from the Gap.
Lot’s of people who are paying attention, it’s a scene.

Success!

Megan (above), one of the good guys.

The next day we were invited to a funeral service in the French Quarter. There was a second line parade that marched through the streets, picking up stray tourists like an interesting-thing-to-take-pictures-of snowball, present company included.
This was amazing. It was.

end second line.

Ate at Theo’s last night, had a Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil pizza, it was very good. I mean, it’s pizza, you know? Hard to mess up and hard to reinvent the wheel here, but this was definitely on the better end of the limited pendulum I allow for pizza places. Also helps if you’re starving.

National day of action at Lafayette square. They're trying to promote the increase of "green collar" jobs in New Orleans and beyond.

My plane leaves from Louis Armstrong International at 11:10 am this Monday, it’s a non stop flight on jet blue to Logan International in Boston, the place were I grew up. It’s perfect really, I’ve been away long enough that the time lapse in itself is reason enough to be welcomed like a hero.

But I am kind of a hero, after all I spent a month in New Orleans. The place that had Katrina, I went through a hurricane myself in Gustav. What are heroes? I don’t know the exact definition, but I’ve gotta be close. Taking pictures, going to parties and dealing with second hand smoke, I’m not going to win any awards or accolades apart from the ones I make for myself, but the story will grow in its fantasticism with time, the parties getting ever bigger, the second hand smoke ever thicker and you are in there somewhere I'm sure. thanks.

Rebirth at Maple Leaf

2008-09-10T09:41:00.000-07:00

Hello. Things have been a little calmer in my daily life, so things I feel are interesting enough to parlay, have decreased, but last night I had a pretty amazing experience seeing Rebirth at the Maple Leaf.

The night didn’t start well. The red sox blew a lead in the ninth to the devil rays and dropped to 1.5 games back in the A.L. east, on top of that I discovered there was a cover of $12 at the door to Maple Leaf. Having not heard the band yet, I was irrationally annoyed with having to spend money to get a stamp that is a reminder to everyone today that 1. I went out last night and 2. I didn’t bathe since then. But I digress.

The bar is surprisingly big with a cast of characters to match. This woman was posing in front of the fan, almost daring me to take her picture. As you can see I didn’t have a problem with that.

Rebirth took the stage and the sound was instant. It filled the room and my head with a force that didn’t allow for any other reaction then to listen and dance.

I won’t try and describe it anymore, but I strongly suggest if you haven’t seen them (Nate is telling me everyone has) see them.

This guy was cooking outside, I didn’t catch his name, but I think he calls the operation, “Meat For Your Mouth”, at least that’s what it said on the back of his shirt.

He puts all late night sausage stands to shame, to SHAME. An open grill filled with quality sausages, chicken, hamburgers, pork chops and turkey legs have people from surrounding bars congregating and shelling out beer money for the stuff. I had a spicy sausage and it was amazing. I was surprised these weren’t dotting the city, the price was comparable to other late night portable setups but the quality was far superior. The owner informed me he had been doing this for 12 years, and he didn’t feel comfortable putting that hard work and reputation behind someone that wasn’t him. I can’t argue with his conviction, but for the sake of drunk people everywhere I hope he changes his mind and sends these things to Los Angeles while he’s at it.

Currently I’m at yurp headquarters doing some flyer designs for upcoming events. Hope to see you there.

days in new orleans increasing

2008-09-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

Erez daily blog day 10 3:35 PM September 7, 2008

First day at work. I do not have a job so it wasn’t so bad. Nate and I put in some hard hours at the YURP headquarters before heading over to Mona’s for lunch.

Mona’s serves up Mediterranean fair, and while it isn’t quite a chain, there are several of them dotted around the greater New Orleans area. At the location we went to, there was a Mediterranean supermarket, owned by the same family in the adjacent building, pretty convenient if you decide to try this stuff at home.

Atmospherically this place is a little forced. The ‘cabanas’ that surround the booths are a little cheesy and the fountain in the middle of the dining room doesn’t help either. What I’m trying to say is, I wouldn’t recommend it as a date/dinner spot, the vibe just doesn’t add anything to the experience. The food however was pretty good, I had the chicken kabob plate, Nate took the gyro plate. Both came with salad and hummus as well as a plate of pita to be shared. The salad was good, light dressing but generous with vegetables that weren’t lettuce. (wicked annoying when you’re just chewing on cabbage patch pieces of green)

The chicken was well seasoned and tasty, some pieces being moister then others, but overall a solid job. The hummus was average, most definitely better than anything you could buy in a supermarket, but not exceptional. Pita was also just average, seemed like it had been frozen and then thawed as parts of the bread were harder than others.

The price was very reasonable and the service was casual but attentive. Overall I’d recommend it for business lunches and take out if you’re in the mood for solid Mediterranean food.

Walked back to YURP’s offices to inspire good digestion. Lot of people outside, cleaning up doing what needs to be done.

Ended up on Frenchmen Street for the night. Couldn’t really tell you which bar was which, kinda jumped around a lot. All I know is we started at Apple Barrel, and was treated to a gritty, down to earth blues trio. They were damn good, the guitarist/vocalist rasping out a good variety of well known and obscure blues covers. If someone knows who these guys are please let me know, they deserve credit by name.

Woke up late, and went to Stein’s deli. It was a cool Saturday, a strong breeze combined with overcast skies made for a very comfortable temperature, I think I might have inspired more people (including us) to get outside and clean up some of the debris from the forgotten gustav.

Stein's did not disappoint on any level. The place feels like it’s been there forever (even though it has only been open for a couple years) It feels like a much more accessible and down to earth version of St. James Café, a place I went to earlier in my trip. Half sandwich place half ethnic supermarket, it’s the best kind of Jewish deli, a non kosher one.

Fancy (and expensive) meats and cheeses sit behind the glass counters.

Super informal, walk up, order, pay and pick up when name called. We both got Bagel egg and cheese sandwiches, me with tomato, Nate with Bacon.

Mine was good, fluffy egg, surprisingly good bagel, but needed a dash of salt and pepper. Nate’s was perfect, the bacon giving it the salty kick mine lacked. The place got crowded around ten, with a spread of locals and college kids.

The baby sat next to us and wouldn’t stop staring at the camera, probably a future ham.

Will be coming back here to try some of the lunch menu which sounded amazing as well. Good place for a laid back, community atmosphere with no attitude.

back in old new

2008-09-05T15:40:00.000-07:00

Erez daily blog day 8/9 12:09 PM September 5, 2008

Back in New Orleans! Just had a late breakfast at ruby slippers and everything seems in order. Except the jungle brush laying in the streets, Zack’s lack of power and the unbearable heat that I had too quickly forgot.

Our last night in Memphis was slow and short, marred by a light downpour that was an apt send off. Trying to kill some time before meeting up with a friend of Zack’s, we stumbled across the Lorraine Motel.

Few things can instantly cut a straight line through facts, memories and feelings in your brain like this place. From a distance it has a vague familiarity to it, and when you find out what it is your disappointed, almost furious you didn’t recognize it instantly, and then you stare at it, and you walk along it and you get angry again, not just for the tragedy, but for helplessness, for lost possibilities, for not feeling more sad. Things you would feel if a loved one had past.

The place has been preserved, King’s motorcade still parked outside, the sign unchanged since that day, as if when it happened the event was so powerful it created a spike during the normal linear passing of time, visible forever in both directions. I snapped pictures, having to wipe the lens from errant rain drops, and now that I am back in New Orleans I feel bad I didn’t spend more time there, I’m not sure what I would have done, no amount of time would have allowed me to get it the way I wish I could. Martin Luther King’s murder is a tragedy that transcends any one person’s understanding of tragedy.

We met up with Zack’s friend at a bar just down the street, Earnestine & Hazel's. I’ve never been to a bar and had so many opinions. Bars are easy, you walk in, you look around, you get a drink and you get it. Let me say that my initial reaction was that the place was a hole, no different than any other hole I’d put my head in, dirty, dark and empty. That’s when little things began to give the place an edge.

Nate examined the jukebox and approved of the extensive catalog of soul and funk, ‘Spirit in the Dark’ by Aretha Franklin was his crowning achievement of a choice, it fit the place perfectly.

I asked the bartender if I could take some pictures of the place for my blog, she smiled crookedly and asked if I wanted to take a look upstairs. Being a sucker for smiles, crooked ones in particular I nodded coyly and followed behind her wondering why I was being coy as this woman was two to three times my senior and not what I would consider an “attractive” woman.

She explained the upstairs was once a black brothel in the 50’s, frequented by Otis Redding, Albert King and other greats. Ray Charles even had a room named after him. (Pictures Above)

While every dumbstruck tourist has probably uttered the expression, I couldn’t help but wonder, ‘if walls could talk’. She mentioned the owner often rented out the rooms to psychic’s who had séances with spirits, I laughed, she didn’t, then turned to me and very severely said, “People say they see all kinds of things up here… I can’t say I don’t believe ‘em, been working here ‘bout 15 year myself and I’ve heard and seen things I haven’t.” She told me I was free to take my time and left me alone. I shook my head and started shooting the place like it was a crime scene.

During this picture here (BELOW), I was leaning against a wall to avoid using flash and I heard something crawling, or scratching or something in the wall behind me. It sent a very specific feeling up my spine, not the worst feeling, but the one right before that one, so I quickly saw myself downstairs.

I thanked the woman who smiled at me, like she knew I had shit my pants up there, or maybe it was just a continuation of our coy exchanges, either way, a pretty memorable experience.

On our way out of Memphis we stopped by weird tourist spot called Mud River, which had a scaled replica of the Mississippi river. It was free and I’d say you definitely get what you pay for.

I started the half mile walk with my arms crossed pretty tight, but by the time we got to the ‘Atlantic’ I had flipped that frown and was splashing and corn holing with the rest of the guys.

Paddle rides were $2, but we found this errant swan, her best years behind her, yes, but a special experience for all. We rode around the model Atlantic and all wondered how many children had pissed in it.

We ran into a Tulane professor who took this shot before launching back into the never-ending lecture his 8 year old was being subjected to. And with that, we hit the road.

I was hungry, so we stopped at a little town called Coldwater in Mississippi, no more than 30 minutes outside Memphis.

“Main Street” looked like a set piece from “No Country For Old Men”, it could have been the 1980’s or the 1950’s, the buildings would not better one’s judgment on such matters.

We had some pretty delicious wings at Deeks, which I was convinced was a front for something not wing related.

I can just see Anton Chigurh walking into one of these places and a car exploding behind him.

Back on the road, trying to stay awake, failing often.

Stopped at a bathroom in the deep south somewhere, this was on the urinal stall, just a reminder there are many differing opinions on things in this great land.

We reached New Orleans by nightfall, confused about the curfew, wondering if anyone was even back, hoping we had power.

The curfew had been lifted, some people were back, some not, and we did have power.

There’s a lot of work that needs to be done, on top of what I know has been three years straight of such. I’m in awe of this place. It’s like a guy getting his ass kicked so many times he wins just cause he could take it. It’s good to be back where I haven’t been that long.

Bluff City

2008-09-03T17:26:00.000-07:00

A quick update from a coffee shop in downtown Memphis called Bluff City Coffee, on 505 Main St. Comfortable and clean it kind of feels like a starbucks but there’s only one of them, and it’s not nearly as forced. Trolleys pass just outside the windows at a slow speed, a reflection of the on and off drizzling and general gray feel of the day.

They say a wise man learns from others mistakes, a knowledgeable man learns from his own and the stupid learns from neither. With the David Gibson BBQ problem in fresh memory we went to a highly recommended rib place called Central BBQ. And boom goes the dynamite.

We started off with a full rack of ribs, half dry half wet and sides of cole slaw, potato salad, baked beans and macaroni and cheese. Had we stopped there I think I probably would have been in ok. Before I explain how much I didn’t stop there, let me say that these were the best ribs I’ve ever had. Moist and juicy, you would try to rip off a piece and you’d be left with the bone in your hands, the meat laying on the tray waiting to be covered in the tangy sweet bbq sauce. The ribs had a distinct smokey taste to them, slightly crisp on the outside, red and juicy on the inside. We ended up putting back two full racks of them when all was said and done.

The macaroni and cheese was surprisingly good as well, cheesy but not to liquidy. I was less impressed with the slaw and potato salad, perhaps it was the recent memory of David Gibson’s cole slaw, which was the best I have had in recent memory, but this dish was nothing special. Again, this is a tiny dent in an otherwise flawless experience.

Craig, partner and manager, was friendly and down to earth, he was giving all Louisiana residents half off on their orders in a show of solidarity for the evacuees, what a guy.

Plenty of bottled beers (including fat tire!) as well as a few great local brews on tap. Laid back dining with nearly instantaneous service, I think I waited about 15 seconds before my food was in my hands. Despite the stomach cramps and the impending thunder I will let loose on this unsuspecting coffee shop, I consider the entire experience worthy of high praise.

We checked out the STAX museum, an amazing place in honor and memory of an incredible record company that was responsible for some of the great soul music legends such as Otis Redding and Booker T. and the MG’s. The tour was a great summary if the labels short but impressive run from 1957 to 1972. Admission was free for Louisiana transplants, but even so, admission is fair and well worth it if you consider yourself even a casual fan of Memphis soul music.

On the way from STAX to Main St we took an abbreviated self-navigated driving tour of Memphis.

An Oasis in Memphis

2008-09-03T10:19:00.000-07:00

The days got away from me there for a second, but I put my feet down and stopped my laziness from spiraling into the usual snow boulder of pity. I’m sitting in a coffee shop in Memphis that is so original it’s gone back around to being homogenous, in a good way. Over the course of the last 24 hours we said goodbye to our gracious host Elena in Huntsville and said hey now to our new city of stay, Memphis. But when as much transpired as has, it is best to start were it makes most sense starting.

We woke the morning the day before this eager to leave the comfort and laid back atmosphere of Huntsville. Elena and her house had served as an interesting setting for our stay, and we are truly grateful for her hospitality and accent. As a kind of parting gift to us, she got us day passes to the new local gym down the street, D1.

Elena's shower, songs that should be sung inside include; "Rocket Man" Elton John, "Space Oddity" David Bowie, and "Humans are Dead" Flight of the Concords.

When our soft fleshy bodies walked through the doors of this megachurch of a gym, we were pretty amazed with the facilities. Dallas Terrell greeted us as the door and gave us the tour.

The place was started by former college teammates of my favorite sell out, no chin professional quarterback, Peyton Manning. The name denotes training as if one were in a division 1 collegiate sports program.

As we tried to work out we saw normal people, the kind of people you would see at a normal gym grunting and sweating doing some pretty unique and impressive drills, i.e. flipping giant tires down the turf line practice field, then beating them with sledge hammers. (Not making this up, 50 year old women beating this piece of rubber within an inch of it’s tread life)
The concept is that you show up for scheduled ‘classes’, then train in groups as if you were all on the same team. I think it’s a great concept, and guess what, so does Dallas. We said goodbyes to our muscly friend just as he was posting quote from proverbs on the gigantic white board; ‘A friend who is close is better than a brother who is far away.’

We hit the road hard, determined to reach Memphis under the 4 hours iphone predicted it would take.

I read aloud to Nate from his new book, NIXONLAND, an amazing work on documenting moment by moment, and quote by quote Nixon’s and the rights rise to power out of the ashes and frustration of liberalism’s death rattle following LBJ’s presidency. I think I read it really well, Nate is unavailable for comment.

We were awe struck with the ride and scenery that came with it, not that it was particularly beautiful nor not, it was just interesting and inspired high brow thoughts and monologues of lives outside of our own thoughts and familiarity

We arrived at our Hostel, and I must admit, having had several hostel experiences that I would rather forget but seem to remember inverse to that wanton desire, was trepid. The pilgrim house immediately set my mind at ease, welcoming me with the familiar and comforting air of socialist/co-op/organic/fair trade poster propaganda painting the walls of the homey, laid back and casual hostel.

We put our stuff down and before I had a chance to open my mouth and fuck it up, our group had paired up with a group of transplanted Spanish teachers from Louisiana. And so followed, the natural progression of such a situation.

And so time passed and I find myself at this coffee shop across from the hostel, talking to two more New Orleans displaced. Nate and Gill share some similar frustrations that are also attributed to making the city a unique place for opportunity.

We’ve heard that New Orleans is letting people back in today, sounds like we’ll get silly one more time before reentering the city that expelled us a few days ago, at which point I will have spent more days outside it city than in it.

Day 5; September 1, 2008 Hello HUNTSVILLE

2008-09-01T21:06:00.000-07:00

Hello again. First full day in Huntsville Alabama, it’s no New Orleans, but it knows how to let its hair down.

I awoke this morning and realized that I dream exclusively things I cannot recall. With this in mind we started off our day at FUNNTASIA, a place so fun they added a whole bunch of letters to the word and called their place that.
We ran into a transplanted family; here the mother is glued to the TV, hoping to hear some fresh news on the ongoing GUSTAV. At that point, the levees seemed to be holding, video footage did show water spilling over the top, but for the most part being held timidly back.

Nothing takes your mind off a storm that could decimate the city your friends helped rebuild like a much too competitive round of mini golf. It was a nail biter with Nate, Zach and I trading strokes and the lead all the way through the Zebra course. (Our other option was the elephant course, but we didn’t know there was another option till we finished, still I stand by the decision) Gill was too busy wearing sunglasses and talking on his Bluetooth ear thing to put up much of a fight, so he became the comic relief, but he sucked at that too.

Here we argued at a seminal point about the etiquette of mini golf. Nate had an almost preternatural sense of the topic, but tempers did flare up. At one point I had to walk away and pee in the pond just to cool off. (I suggest if you do go to funntasia to try the elephant course) In the end I walked away the victor, my prize was lunch, courtesy of the sorry bunch I had beaten. (tensions continue to be high in the group, Nate still contending I miscounted on several holes when I did not. Rather I knowingly gave the wrong score)

This gorilla cannot wait to haunt me tonight. Or hug me I guess. It’s probably going to do both.

This was a very cool local coffee shop down the street, great little place with more people outside and around it than actually inside.

Based on an Internet recommendation, we headed to David Gibson’s BBQ, on the way we stopped at this… large tribute to the holy man’s son, JESUS. Here he has been tastefully plastered onto a 60 ft building.

Where to begin with David Gibson’s? Well, we ate at 3pm, it’s now nearly 11pm and me eating is as likely as me watching hotel erotica 3 over the phone with my mom. We all stuffed our faces with slow cooked beef and pork, sides of slaw, beans and potato salad. Everything was moist and the BBQ sauce was a perfect compliment to the piles of pulled meat. We were given a full bag of white roles and plenty of house hot sauce to create massive pulled pork/beef sandwiches. It was bare bones simple and done perfectly.

Harold Gibson, David’s son and current owner took us in the back and showed us the operation. Massive hickory logs stacked out back led us into the kitchen. He explained the entire smoking process in such detail and with such passion that it would be disrespectful to try and do it justice here. All I knows is it was good, and if I’m ever in Huntsville this will definitely be a spot I come back to.

His Mom is 88 and still works in the kitchen.

Being so full it hurt to sit down/breathe, we checked out a local park, adjacent to a large series of housing projects. While the area was somewhat neglected, the kids were amazingly friendly and it was a nice way to let my body digest.

It seems New Orleans was able to avoid the brunt of the storm; we are all relieved and look forward to returning promptly.

Gustav has made us move to Huntsville, AL

2008-08-31T17:27:00.000-07:00

Erez, our guest blogger, looks at the headlines in Tuscaloosa, AL

Erez daily blog day 3/4 3:49 PM August 31, 2008
We ended up at Tukami last night, dancing contently by ourselves to mixes from soul sister. The lounge at Tukami was near empty, many people having gotten out of dodge (more on how much I hate that expression and its origins later) It was a chill, comfy spot, that I could see getting crowded quickly if not on the eve of an incoming natural disaster whose name reminds me of a fat French cook. Ben was the manager and bartending; he made me a stiff gin and tonic while sharing his excitement about the new space and his plans for it. He says a website is on the way, and I’ll post the link soon as possible.

Waking late, we soon discovered that most of uptown had not procrastinated as we had. Boarded up shops and empty streets were disconcerting and left an odd feel in the air. Walking around was one of the odder experiences I’ve had.
After packing up things I couldn’t stand to lose, we headed over to an air-conditioned house to have a last meal. These generous giants of men (from left to right; Hampton, Joel and Dan) were attempting to cook everything they had left in their fridge. The many courses we enjoyed were true hodge podges of ingredients and creativity. Drinks were being mixed and handed out in mason jars by none other than Chris Hanna, bartender at Arnauds. He created a delirious elixir, which tasted like a margarita and a mojito dry humping in my mouth. I’ll get the recipe and post it later…

We left at New Orleans at 11 pm, sound bites of Nagin’s ominous warnings being played and played again. The radio was the perfect soundtrack to driving out of the abandoned, boarded up city.
We hit a few hours of traffic on the 10 east before listening to a radio dj and jumping on the 90. It was an unusual event, sitting in traffic, surrounded by tens of thousands, all trying to get out, all listening to the same thing. It conjured up memories of the type of disaster movies that usually come in two’s.
We drove through the night, taking turns at the wheel, surrounded every mile we drove and at every pit stop we took by similar transplants. The city was on the road.
We would switch places when the familiar, heart-thumping roar of a rumble strip would shake us awake. Coffee, conversation and radio kept us in the right lane, above 70.
Arrived in Huntsville, AL at 2:00 pm, 13 hours after we had left the night before. Our mutual hate for the other car traveling in our caravan was the clearest byproduct of the ordeal. Next stop Memphis.

" The VA Hospital in Birmingham, AL- Very different situation than our VA in New Orleans.

A Painting in our final destination of the day- Huntsville, AL

“ It has not been easy to watch the images on television and to now be able to identify very closely with each location. When I heard the Mayor call the storm, “the mother of all storms,” it sent a rush of panic and anxiety through me, and my passion for the city became clearer than ever. It is never easy to leave a place you want to stay, but it’s even worst to not know what you will be coming back to. I want to be back in New Orleans and I hope to see you there soon.”- Nathan Rothstein

Breakfast on the Bayou

2008-08-29T19:18:00.000-07:00

Day Two of Erez general thoughts: 9:25 PM Friday 8-29-08

Hello again NOLA people. I am updating from Gill's house on South Tonti St. Beautiful place, listening to BB King's 'something you got' and munching on homemade cookies/brownies courtesy of Anna.

Woke up a little ripe from the night previous, and went to a late breakfest at Ruby Slipper. As there was no one there, it being 10:45 and a weekday, the service was amazing.

Kathy (not her name, I'm guessing) brought us out breakfest, Nate had a fried egg and bacon sandwich, I had the shrimp omelette. The food was great, the omelette was fluffy and moist and the shrimp inside was generous, but we agreed both meals were a little heavy on the black pepper. It's just personal preference, if you like black pepper you could have thought the meal was perfect. Either way it was affordable and overall very good, next time I'll just ask for a less generous pepper portion.

Since the storm was possibly coming, Nate didn't want to leave town before voting. Here are the few photos I was able to take before I was told to put the camera away. Isn't city hall a public place?

The town was definitely gearing up for GUSTAVIO (not it's real name) these men were boarding up a pay less shoes, and I am now kind of wishing I had taken a picture of people boarding up something worth saving.

Allright, well, we're going to Takumi to see Soul Sister spin her music into our silly lives. Ladies drink free it says, so they got that and pay less going for them.

Trying something new....

2008-08-28T14:19:00.000-07:00

For the next month, we will have a guest blogger/photographer capturing the new, old, exciting, innovative, interesting tidbits of New Orleans. If you would like to suggest something for us to cover or you have a great story to tell, post a comment and we may feature it.

Now allow our guest blogger to introduce himself,

Hello, my name is Erez. I recently purchased a one way ticket from Los Angeles to New Orleans, arrived yesterday. The first thing I heard is that the whole city was evacuating. While not the start I was anticipating... it wasn't the start I was not anticipating.

Confident that Gustav was going to be as powerful as it sounded, Nate and I spent the entire day slapping up posters for this Saturday's "NEW ORLEANS SPEAKS", after painting Tulane, Loyola and most of Uptown with posters to prove our confidence in the storms no show, the event was postponed.

Hopefully the next month will be a different but still interesting experience. I'll be reporting often about restaurants, bars, events and our evacuation road trip to the Memphis capitol of the world, Memphis, TN. As Nate mentioned, if you know of a place worth checking out, let me know.

Below are some pictures of what turned out to be a day with no point.

We went to Loyola to pass out flyers for "New Orleans Speaks", which Gustav has taken away from us (it's postponed for October)

At Tulane, t-shirt by Dirty Coast. Go up to the 6th floor of the parking garage, pretty nice view of the city.

IN Exchange store in the Tulane Campus Center, Erica Trani runs the place. It's a cool little shop with fair trade coffee and chocolate, sweatshop free clothing and other environmentally conscious products. It's a laid back place worth checking out.

Had lunch at the St. James Cheese Company, pretty ridiculous spread of fine cheeses and deli meats, couldn't fit them all into a picture. Ordered the Crater Lake Blue, a roast beef sandwich with worcester mayo on multi grain. It was amazing, usually cheese is a lost taste in sandwiches, but here it was the perfect compliment to the roast beef. The place is definitely reasonable, the meal came in under 10 bucks. The seating indoor and out is nice and simple. Eric is the manager and though I didn't have a chance to talk with him, he's clearly a guy who knows too much about, cheese.

New Orleans 100 and the New Orleans Institute

2008-08-25T06:45:00.001-07:00

The New Orleans 100 list is available. Check out all the projects that are going on in the city.

*To hear from many of these people on the list, you can attend the New Orleans Speaks Conference on August 30th at UNO.

* NOLA YURP is collaborating for the first time with Southern Rep Theatre. Here is the event

What is a City?

2008-08-12T10:15:00.000-07:00

Join NOLA YURP partner, Stay Local as they host a presentation and book signing for "What is a City? Rethinking the Urban after Hurricane Katrina." at Octavia Books on Wednesday night at 6pm.

You can also hear Tom Piazza talk about Why New Orleans Matters and his new book, "City of Refuge" tonight at 6pm

Be a TV Star while learning Voodoo, doesn't have to be in that order

2008-08-11T13:35:00.000-07:00

The New York Times reviewed the New Orleans Voodoo Museum today. Read the article

Share your story with WWL

"We are starting a new project at wwltv.com where we'll profile people that
moved to New Orleans post-Katrina, either because they felt compelled to
help with the recovery effort, or they thought they could make some money in
town after the storm, or chance blew them into town.

They could have just come to help and fell in love with the city and stayed,
or ended up being stuck here because of unforeseen circumstances -- not all
have to be positive or uplifting, though that would be nice, nor do they
need to be titans of industry. We want every story and every slice of life.
It is one way that we want to look at the upcoming third anniversary of
Katrina.
The main rule is that they came and stayed post-Katrina.
If you know of anyone that could be a unique or worthy profile, please get
in touch with me. Feel free to forward this email onto others.
Thanks,
Michael Luke
mluke@wwltv.com
504-377-8015"

Maybe the Uptown version of Mimi's

2008-08-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves Mimi's on Saturday Night with Dj Soul Sister, now you can have it on Friday night too

"soul sister presents

ENJOY

a NEW PARTY ~ the uptown get down with resident dj soul sister & special guests

kicks off this Friday, August 8 @ a new spot, the awesome upstairs space at Takumi sushi lounge. (2800 Magazine St. at Washington Ave, across from Starbucks)

10pm-1am and then some

no cover

dancefloor classics, spirits and japan-nola fusion tapas served late. ladies always drink free sake.

come ready to party on a FRIDAY!

another right on party situation: djsoulsister.com"

New Orleans Brain Gain

2008-08-07T10:21:00.000-07:00

*The blogging community continues to comment on the New Orleans Brain Gain. Read Kenneth Cole's Awearness Blog

*Add your ideas to the New Orleans 100

*Nominate Curious Tribe for The 2008 Black Weblog Awards

* Join us tonight at Ogden After Hours

48 Film Project, Fotos for Humanity, SENO

2008-08-06T08:42:00.000-07:00

48 Hour Film Project Winners Announced Tonight!

What: Award Soiree during Purplesaurus Rex Indie Dance Party
Where: Hostel New Orleans
When Tonight @ 10:30pm
Cover: Free

NOLA YURP member Devin Meyers, who contributed photography to our original website, is part of the ideablob.com ideas contest. Check out his photography and vote for him!

The website for the Social Entrepreneurs of New Orleans is live! Check it out, here

Pictures from the Second Day- Urban Next Summit

2008-07-28T11:26:00.000-07:00

Pictures from the first day- Urban Next Summit

2008-07-24T15:07:00.000-07:00

Urban Next Summit Program Guide

2008-07-21T13:38:00.000-07:00

*If you will not be able to attend the Urban Next Summit, you can download the program guide by going to nolayurp.org

*Ian McNulty mentioned the Summit in his "Top New Orleans Stories" of the Week

*Not your average BBQ on Sunday. Listen to the sounds of New Orleans

Rebuilding and Drinking Together

2008-07-17T10:17:00.000-07:00

Everyone did their job ( ordering drinks) and we were able to raise over 400 dollars for Rebuilding Together. Thanks to everyone who came out!

Cause for Drinks Tonight

2008-07-16T11:42:00.000-07:00

*We will be at Hookah Cafe at 7pm today to support Rebuilding Together. One of the reasons we picked Rebuilding Together is because we have gotten such great feedback from people who have volunteered with them. They are organized and know how to manage volunteers, which is easier said than done. 2 dollars from every drink will go back to Rebuilding Together.

*If you are in another city, check the All Day Buffet website to see if you can drink for a cause tonight

* The New Orleans Institute website is now alive. Check it out!

NOLA YURP gets vetoed

2008-07-15T10:28:00.000-07:00

The Downtown Development District wrote a blurb about our upcoming Urban Next Summit

We were one of the 258 vetoes the Governor did yesterday. The most vetoes ever! We had asked for money to build a better job board that would have helped a lot more people have access to job openings.

Our friends at Next American City are accepting applicants for their New Urban Leaders Fellowship Program. Here is the information

Call for Applications for Next American City’s New Urban Leaders
Fellowship Program

We are thrilled to announce a call for applications for our new Urban
Leaders Fellowship Program. The fellowship, designed to support emerging
journalists, leaders and thinkers, is a unique opportunity to write about
the development and future of our nation’s cities. The 9-month fellowship
comes with a $10,000 stipend.

Through substantial contribution to our print magazine and website, as
well as a presence in other media outlets throughout the country, fellows
will conduct new research and in-depth reportage on the issues at the
forefront of urban change. In addition to diversifying and expanding the
editorial content of our publications, the Urban Leaders Fellowship
Program will help fellows have a sustained, positive impact on the cities
and urban communities they will cover.

We are looking for candidates with related published writing, as well as
passionate urban thinkers, activists and professionals working in
city-related professions – law, urban planning, social work, real estate
development, education, and others. Candidates must have a demonstrated
area of interest or expertise that they would like to further develop
through writing and advocacy opportunities made available by the Urban
Leaders Fellowship.

For more information about this program including a full program outline
and application form, visit americancity.org/fellows. Email questions to
fellows@americancity.org.

AmeriCorps Positions with the Neighborhood Partnership Network

2008-07-14T10:34:00.000-07:00

Community Technology Coordinator – Americorps Volunteer

Neighborhoods Partnership Network (NPN)'s mission is to improve our quality of life by engaging New Orleanians in neighborhood revitalization and the civic process. NPN is looking for a Community Technology Coordinator (CTC). The CTC is a full-time Americorps position for 11 months (August 15 - July 15) and serves to connect the NPN network using our communication tools, most specifically our upcoming social network website. The Community Technology Coordinator will have the opportunity to develop unique web content, lead trainings and create lasting partnerships to help revitalize New Orleans' neighborhoods. They will work closely with the Americorps Trumpet Editor.

The CTC with the Neighborhoods Partnership Network will:
- Develop and coordinate website trainings for volunteers, residents and member organizations.
- Assist with workshops and information distribution.
- Improving and developing website content for the NPN "Faces of Recovery" social network.
- Write the weekly E-Newsletter read by over 2,500 people every week.
- Serve as technology liaison to the community through public speaking and presentations.
- Work with NPN volunteer coordinator on digital storytelling initiative.
- Press Releases and other PR communications.

11 Month Positions - Starting August 26th 2008
Please send cover letter, resume and writing samples to jobs@npnnola.com

Experience or Skills of Interest:
- Comfortable with Websites and internet applications.
- Initiative and ability to anticipate needs of clients (neighborhoods and non-profits).
- Flexible and able to multi-task efficiently.
- Writing Skills, Video Editing and other media communications experience.
- Knowledge of programming (css, xhtml, etc) is a big plus.

Benefits:
• Monthly Stipend - $860 approx
• Education Award - $4,725
• Health Care
• Exposure to many businesses, universities and government agencies

The Trumpet Editor Position: Americorps Volunteer

NPN is looking for the magazine’s next Editor-in-Chief. This is a great opportunity to lead an authentic, growing community publication as part of the recovery of New Orleans. The position is a full-time Americorps commitment for 11 months (August 26 - July 26).

The Trumpet Editor-in-Chief, with the Neighborhoods Partnership Network, will:
- Reach out to community residents, students and non-profits and work with them on submissions, as well as write articles and editorials.
- Help set the thematic arc of the Trumpet by finding topics and neighborhoods to spotlight with each issue.
- Ensure the magazine’s sustainability by researching potential underwriters.
- Collaborate with established leaders in non-profit, community organizing, and government sectors.
- Design and layout issues (as experience allows) and determine the magazine’s visual direction.
-Proofread and edit submissions to ensure that they meet NPN’s standard of quality.

11 Month Position - Starting August 26th 2008
Please send cover letter, resume, writing and design samples to: jobs@npnnola.com.

Experience or Skills of Interest:
- Previous outreach or organizing work.
- Previous experience as editor or manager of publication.
- Knowledge of InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop a necessity
- Organized and able to meet deadlines.

Benefits:
• Monthly Stipend - $860 approx
• Education Award - $4,725
• Health Care
• Exposure to many local and national non-profits, universities and government agencies

Learn more at http://www.npnnola.com

NOLA 100

2008-07-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

Our friends at All Day Buffet are asking for people to contribute to the list they are compiling of the 100 most interesting ideas/organizations/ businesses (really anything) in New Orleans. Please take the time to add your thoughts. You can read more about it, here

Tonight NOLA YURP will be at the Summer Swirl, then catching a glimpse of Sam's Funky Nation as they perform for VH1 at Blue Nile, followed by DJ Damion Yancy at Lephare for the Good Life

The Times-Picayune had a front page article about David Simon's new pilot "Treme" set in New Orleans. We are very excited about the prospect of Simon coming down south to dig around and expose what makes New Orleans great, and what needs to be improved. Read the article here

Wednesday is Survey Day

2008-07-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

It seems like New Orleans is all about surveys today- including us

If you are going to choose one to complete, we prefer if it is our new membership survey, but if not, here are some others to choose from

LSU/NOLA YURP Membership Survey

Resident of Greater New Orleans- Click here

If you do not live in Greater New Orleans- Click here

Downtown Mobility and Parking Study

Click here if you want to vent about your frustrations for parking tickets downtown

Curious Tribe survey

Click here if you want to add your input

A study by University New Orleans came out today (because they already did a survey) about people's thoughts on the recovery process. Read about the findings, here

New Job Postings on the NOLA YURP website

2008-07-07T14:54:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the latest job postings from the NOLA YURP website...

Catholic Charities (New Orleans) Job Openings

ABOUT CATHOLIC CHARITIES................

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans is one of the largest health and human service providers in the Gulf South. We are a not-for-profit agency made up of over 52 programs and serve the poor and vulnerable population of our community, regardless of religion, race, color, or economic status.

Catholic Charities serves the physical area of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, which is made up of the civil parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany and Washington Parish.

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans has the following openings:

Driver
Social Worker
Case Manager Supervisor
Court Advocate
Credentialed Substance Abuse Counselor
Youth Build Construction Trainer
Certified Nursing Assistant
Registered Nurse
*Many more positions within their organization*

You can view the complete listing of jobs and more information about these job posting from Catholic Charities by visiting the NOLA YURP website!

You can also apply online www.ccano.org or email resume to ccanohr@archdiocese-no.org .

Events to Checkout in New Orleans Tonight!

2008-07-03T13:43:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of events going on tonight in the Big Easy! Check out a couple of can't miss events tonight!

The Good Life @ LePhare
523 Gravier St.
9pm-until

It's The Good Life and we're living it again this Thursday night at Le Phare. If you're looking for a hot party this Fourth of July weekend, but don't want to deal with the crowds or hassle of those celebrity parties, this is the place to be! Audio hotness provided by Damion Yancy from 9PM until.
So grab some friends, get a table and come party with us!

Good people. good drinks, good music.....that's just how we roll at The Good Life.
NO COVER

Thursday is Friday @ Handsome Willy's
218 S. Robertson St.
5-10pm FREE BBQ, Pork Treats, Our Now famous All Beef Big Hot Weiners!, Chef John's Secret Recipe Chix Breasts & Fresh grilled Veggies!
Dj Justin Thomas 5-9 (Deep Fried Southern Groovesl)
Dj Scoob 9-cl (Electroo Boogaloo)

Prove to any dj throughout the nite you a patriot (through dress or diction) and win t-shirts, free drinks & other fun prizes.

Free Shots throughout the nite. As always!

Harrahs New Orleans
8 Canal St.
8pm-2am

Harrahs New Orleans, Masquerade, and Bud Light Lime invites you to Experience the Good Life.

On Thursday, July 3rd, come and celebrate the 4th in style. We are giving away free Bud Light Limes, giving select people VIP passes, and we are giving away a limo ride and free tickets to a few lucky partygoers.

You want a chance to win.... then text, "VIP to 427724" to get entered into the sweepstakes.

Djs San-D and DJ Mion will be spinning the latest and greatest in music today.

So come to the party where EVERYONE gets in FREE, we are giving away FREE DRINKS and we are giving you and your whole crew a chance to be VIP for Essence Weekend.

**The Harrahs Goodlife is meant to be experience by Adults, 21 and older **

Thursday, July 3rd...
Revel @ Republic - A Pre-Independence Day Celebration!
828 S. Peters St.

Think Tank Productions, Red Carpet Events, and the A-List have joined together to produce a Pre-Indepence Day Celebration.

Join celebrity guest hosts, Hollis Thomas, Roman Harper, and Fred McAfee of the N.O. Saints along with the Lovely N.O. Honey Bees as we Revel at Republic.

DJ Kemistry will provide the sounds spinning hip hop and pop on the eve of America's independence.
Every Thursday is Ladies Night, so ladies have complimentary admission before Midnight.

Doors open at 11pm
Proper Attire Required: No Tennis Shoes, Caps, or Shorts
Valet Parking Available

For VIP Bottle Service: 504.267.7345

Volunteer in the Arts, Purplesaurus

2008-07-02T14:05:00.000-07:00

Different events going on around town led by...NOLA YURP members

Volunteer in the Arts Summer Kickoff Meeting
Columns Hotel
6pm

This a project of the Young Leadership Council that seeks to promote volunteering in the New Orleans arts comunity

For more information, contact Semmes Walmsley at semmes.walmsley@gmail.com or Julie Willoz at jcwilloz@yahoo.com

Tonight at Hostel
10:30pm
Purplesaurus Rex Dance Party
Dj Kemistry and DJ Damion Yancy

Summer Swirl

2008-07-01T14:54:00.000-07:00

Thought there was nothing to do in New Orleans during the summer? Join Puentes, Common Good, New Orleans Young Lawyers Association, Urban League Young Professional movement, Young Leadership Council and NOLA YURP for a little summer fun with DJ Damion Yancy, food and drinks on July 10th at Ray's on the River.

Save the Date
July 10th
Ray's on the River
6-9pm

After party
LePhare

Support Americorps

2008-06-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

Many NOLA YURP members, including myself, are either Americorps alumn or current members. Many non-profits in New Orleans have benefited from having Americorps volunteers and there is now a bill to help make Americorps more attractive to young people across the country. Members of the House of Representatives are leading a bill to end the taxation on the Eli Segal Education Award. This is the money that Americorps volunteers receive to use for education after they complete their term of service. You can support the bill by writing a letter to your representative in support of HR 6407. Here are some talking points

If you are in New York City, you can join NOLA YURP members at

Forever New Orleans: Drinks for Expats
July 2, 2008 :: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
The Redhead
349 East 13th Street (corner of 1st Ave)
RSVP: http://alldaybuffet.pingg.com/ForeverNewOrleans/

Citizen Participation Summit, Small is Beautiful

2008-06-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

I went to a meeting yesterday with different New Orleans residents who are interested in thinking about ways to create a local currency to support the New Orleans small business community. If you are interested, you can join the discussion, here.

We also encourage you to participate in the Citizen Participation Summit- more information below

Citizen Participation Summit
To be held
Friday, July 11th and Saturday, July 12th
at the
Pan-American Life Center, 601 Poydras
To be held in the Bayou Room, on the 15th floor

The Summit will begin at 5 pm on Friday, July 11th. Friday will be educational and action-oriented, with different models of citizen participation distributed, studied, and discussed, all while considering the diverse needs of New Orleans' neighborhoods. Participants will take on an active role and define some of the activities, conversation topics, and ideas to be explored on the second day. The evening will also feature a keynote speaker, Judith Mowry. Judith serves as the Effective Engagement Solutions Coordinator in the Office of Neighborhood Involvement in Portland, Oregon. Dinner will be served.

Saturday, July 11th will begin with registration and coffee at 8:30, with the activities beginning at 9 am. The day will focus on the various challenges facing the process, how to engage our communities, and what our action plan and structure of engagement will be following the Summit. We anticipate that the conversation will be diverse, engaging, and interactive, with the identification of concrete solutions and goals, and culminating in the creation of a strategy and structure of involvement. The Summit will end at 3:45, with a celebration following.

We encourage everyone to attend the Summit. Registration is required, but free and open to everyone. To register, please email Breonne DeDecker at breonne@npnnola.com. If you have filled out a registration form, confirmed by phone, or already registered via email, do not worry about registering a second time. Childcare will be provided on site by Agenda for Children. Registration will close on July 3rd.

For more information, please call 267-4665.

New Orleans Hornets 2008 Draft Party

2008-06-25T09:06:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 26, 2008
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Fox and Hound - Green Room
1200 S. Clearview Parkway
Elmwood Village Center
Harahan, LA 70123

Food and Drink Specials including $0.35 wings, a free apetizer with the purchase of an entree, and drink specials.

Appearances by Hugo and the Honeybees

For more information
http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/2008_Draft_Pick_Party_Informat-275222-2057.html

New Orleans Film and Lifestyle

2008-06-24T10:49:00.000-07:00

There are some new blogs floating around town by some NOLA YURP members:

www.minorityweirdos.blogspot.com

www.nocitychic.com

Also, check out the preview for this new film about some of the New Orleans' charter schools. There will be a screening on Wednesday at 7pm at Canal Place.

NOLA YURP around the blog and podcast world

2008-06-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hear us talk to Craig Kraemer at New Orleans Podcasting.

The America Forward Coalition mentioned the Urban Next Summit in their blog today! We read it, you can too....

Looking for something to do tonight?

Share your story for the New Orleans Institute

2008-06-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

As a reader of our blog, you have been chosen!
We want to hear your story and also give you the opportunity to present it to a national audience. Read the details below

The New Orleans Institute

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

June 20, 2008

Dear New Orleanian:

You are receiving this letter because you have a story worth sharing.

For many months after the levees breached in 2005, we waited for someone to come and help us "recover." Who was that "someone"? FEMA? The federal government? A university? Developers? We were waiting for experts to arrive with answers.

In time we learned that the experts—and the answers—were already here. In the midst of public failures have been countless successes, brought about by willing, able and imaginative individuals drawn together to resurrect their communities.

You are one of those individuals.

Perhaps you have been working to bring back neighbors, or to establish better governance of the public infrastructure, or to restore the environment, or to create well resourced schools. You may be working to restore and grow neighborhood economies, to create new businesses for the new economy, to protect historical housing stock, to provide a mobile health system, to address racist and outdated systems, to encourage neighborhood-friendly development, to nurture precious cultural traditions, or to create a safety net for neighbors and family still struggling since the storm.

On behalf of The New Orleans Institute, an emerging network of organizations and individuals involved in every aspect of community-based recovery in New Orleans, we invite you to submit a proposal to present in New Orleans on Saturday, August 30, 2008. "New Orleans Speaks: We are the Ones We've Been Waiting For" is a forum to tell your story and that of your constituents to a broad audience including members of the media, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, national and local funders, and others. Presentations will be recorded and webcast to have widespread and lasting impact.

If you are interested in presenting, click here to get the application and submit your proposal electronically by July 3, 2008. If you have any questions please contact nolaspeaksconference@gmail.com or call 866 0985.

Sponsorship Opportunities for the Urban Next Summit

2008-06-19T12:59:00.000-07:00

Want to be a sponsor of a conference in New Orleans that will bring young leaders from around the country to think about how to retain and attract young professionals?

We INVITE YOU to be a part of CEOs for Cities and NOLA YURP's Urban Next Summit July 24-25, 2008 at the International House Hotel in the historic French Quarter New Orleans!

For more information on sponsorships please contact us at info@nolayurp.org or give us a call at 504-267-4004.

*All donations are tax deductible through our fiscal sponsor, the Young Leadership Council*

A few things to click on

2008-06-19T12:52:00.000-07:00

Need a place to live next year? Get on the list for more information

Want to restore the New Canal Lighthouse in New Orleans? Vote Here

Do you need a new myspace friend? Try our friends Curious Tribe

Next American City Features article about Charity, JCPA includes NOLA YURP in their fact finding mission

2008-06-18T09:42:00.001-07:00

First, our friends at Next American City have a new issue. In it, Brentin Mock writes about the issues surrounding Charity Hospital. Check it out here

Also, the Jewish Council of Public Affairs has been in town this week, with both Black and White religious leaders to hear from the New Orleans community about the state of recovery. Last night, they spoke with NOLA YURP Board Member, Dr. Vera Triplett, and today I spoke about what NOLA YURP is doing to try to build diverse coalitions of young people who are working together to help rebuild the city.

Help Bring New Orleans Musicians to HBO

2008-06-17T11:13:00.000-07:00

"By watching the following videos, you have a unique chance to help local New Orleans filmmaker, producer, and NOLA YURP member, Chris Brown pitch HBO on creating a series for New Orleans music, the more exposure we create for New Orleans, the more video views, the greater the chance that HBO will move and do something to help us produce this series.

This clip was shot during French Quarter Fest 2007 filmed by Television Producer Phil Silver (Last Comic Standing and more).

We are the Ones We've Been Waiting for

2008-06-16T15:29:00.000-07:00

NOLA YURP is working with some great New Orleans non-profits to put together an event for the third year anniversary that will highlight the "stories of personal and community recovery, present visions for urban renaissance, and identify targeted resources communities need to bring their visions from concept to completion."

Save the Date for August 30th from 9-4.

The New Orleans Institute is being supported by the Blue Moon Fund and includes Beacon of Hope Resources Center, City-Works, Common Knowledge, Idea Village, Neighborhoods Partnership Network, The Urban Conservancy and NOLA YURP.

If you would like more information,please email us at info@nolayurp.org

NOLA YURP joins America Forward

2008-06-13T13:18:00.001-07:00

NOLA YURP has been invited to join the America Forward Coalition...Read about the organization here

"America Forward exists to create the conditions in which leaders from across sectors and at all levels work with social entrepreneurs to help solve our country’s most pressing domestic problems.

Who are we?

The America Forward coalition is organized by New Profit Inc. and includes more than 60 results-oriented, entrepreneurial nonprofit organizations with programs operating in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Together, these organizations serve more than 10 million people per year and have a collective budget of more than $400 million. Coalition members and the America Forward effort focus directly on the toughest domestic challenges facing our nation in education, public health, poverty and economic mobility, workforce development, crime prevention, and civic engagement.

Read more by visiting their website

(www.americaforward.org)

Ultimate Club Mix 2008 June 11th @ the W-New Orleans on Poydras St.

2008-06-06T15:16:00.000-07:00

NOLA YURP, Trumpet, AD CLUB, AMA, PRSA, and IABC present to you the "Ultimate Club Mix 2008". Please join us at the W-New Orleans Hotel on 333 Poydras St. from 6:30pm to 10:30pm on Wednesday June 11th.

Sponsored by Stiletto Vodka, Tabasco, The Bottled Water Company, the W-New Orleans Hotel, and PSAV

*Free featured Drink from Stiletto Vodka*
*Free food from 6:30pm-8:30pm*

Music brought to you by DJ Damion Yancey

NOLA YURP Joins Be The Change Inc Organizing Committee

2008-06-03T08:20:00.000-07:00

NOLA YURP has been asked to be a part of the organizing committee for Be The Change Inc Service Nation Summit. The event will take place September 11th and 12th in New York City.

Below is more information from their website

"ServiceNation Summit will bring together young Americans with 500 leaders from every sector of American life —from universities and foundations, to business and politics— to craft and endorse a Declaration Of Service that will lay out a compelling case for dramatically expanding service opportunities for all Americans. The Declaration of Service will also detail a strategy for using citizen service to target specific challenges —from the high school dropout crisis to disaster response— by creating meaningful opportunities for Americans to do some form of service at every age, from kindergarten through the retirement years.

The ultimate goal of the ServiceNation Summit and the Declaration of Service is to inspire a culture of service that engages one million Americans a year in full-time service by the year 2020.

The ServiceNation Summit is being convened by Be The Change, Inc., City Year, Civic Enterprises, and Points of Light / Hands On Network working in partnership with TIME Magazine."

New Orleans is Forever Good

2008-05-29T14:18:00.001-07:00

Please Join the All Day Buffet, Good Magazine, NOLA YURP, Trumpet, and the Idea Village for a fund-raiser at Republic 828 S. Peter St. Doors open at 8pm and the cover is only $10 and includes complimentary drinks and food until 11pm. All proceeds benefit Sweet Home New Orleans a non-profit organization that perpetuates the cultural traditions of New Orleans through the musicians that carry it forward.

Urban Next Summit

2008-05-29T13:37:00.000-07:00

Save the Date
July 24-25, 2008
New Orleans

Almost three years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is still recovering from a storm that destroyed 80 percent of the city. While many are still struggling, New Orleans has also attracted thousands of young people from diverse backgrounds, who are passionate about rebuilding an American city in a more equitable way. By creating coalitions of talented young people in the private and public sector who work together, New Orleans is engaging urban enthusiasts in the rebuilding process.

While New Orleans has a unique opportunity to build its talent pool, what makes a city a magnet for passionate young people? How can a city engage this talent? And how can a city hold onto these individuals in the future?

We invite you to participate in the Urban Next Summit to help answer these questions. This special opportunity to join the national conversation on cities will take place in a city where young people from diverse backgrounds have been instrumental in the rebuilding process. While exploring a number of city issues together, this gathering will be organized to facilitate meaningful connections between emerging and established leaders.

Conference attendees will have the opportunity to:

Hear from and meet a number of distinguished speakers and panelists
Share and learn about innovative strategies for cities
Participate in discussion forums to inform others on the work happening in cities
Connect with emerging and established urban leaders from cities across the nation
Explore New Orleans as an insider

Topics will include:

Attraction and retention of talent
Creating a culture of opportunity
Advocacy for urban enthusiasts
Idea generation surrounding current urban challenges and opportunities
Messaging for cities
Connecting innovators to our cities

Apply to be part of the Urban Next Summit by clicking here. Applications are due by June 15, 2008. View the draft agenda here.

About the presenters:

CEOs for Cities is a cross-sector network of urban leaders from the civic, corporate, academic and philanthropic sectors exploring the future and inventing next practices for cities. Find out more at www.ceosforcities.org.

The mission of New Orleans Young Urban Rebuilding Professionals (NOLA YURP) is to create a support network to connect, retain and attract young professionals from diverse backgrounds for a sustainable New Orleans. Find out more at www.nolayurp.org.

If you have any questions please contact me at bmarquis@ceosforcities.org. I look forward to receiving your application.

Best,
Bridget

CEOs for Cities
177 North State Street, Suite 500 - Chicago, IL 60601 - 312.553.4630

Sharing Ideas with Russian Delegation

2008-05-19T08:11:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, we got an opportunity to exchange ideas and stories with a delegation of young leaders from various cities in Russia. The two-hour meeting afforded us the opportunity to have a candid discussion about the city of New Orleans, the rebuilding process, the government's response in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and how young leaders are shaping the new frontier of the city. It was exciting to hear that this movement of "engaged young professionals" has become an international phenomenon. Young people around the globe are becoming increasingly aware and dedicated to fixing today's most pressing social problems.

Nathan Rothstein on the Impact of AmeriCorps

2008-05-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

NOLA YURP Executive Director, Nathan Rothstein talks with Earthtimes about the importance of AmeriCorps.

Just follow the links below...

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/rigorous-longitudinal-study-of-americorps-
finds-significant-impacts-eight-years-later,390427.shtml

http://lifetimeofservice.yourmembership.com/news/15504/Stories-Of-Service-Alums-Who-Are-Getting-Things-Done.htm

Nathan Rothstein on Rebuilding After Katrina

2008-05-08T11:42:00.001-07:00

Job Opportunities in New Orleans Workshop at UMass

2008-05-08T10:48:00.000-07:00

The Job Opportunities in New Orleans Workshop was held April 22nd, 2008 at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Students came out to hear about unique opportunities that are available for students here in New Orleans. The workshop also featured a photo slide show by UMass student Erin Fitzpatrick chronically her Alternative Spring Break Trip to New Orleans this year. If you would like to host one of these workshops on your campus please send us an email at info@nolayurp.org.

Millennium Campus Conference 2008 at MIT

2008-05-07T09:08:00.000-07:00

The Millennium Campus Conference was held at MIT on April 18-20, 2008. The event brought together over 1700 students over three days to discuss topics on international development and action-plans among students to be actively engaged in the process. Confirmed speakers included Jeffrey Sachs, Dr. Paul Farmer, Nathan Rothstein and Kendrick Pullen of the NOLA YURP Initiative, Grammy-winner John Legend, Ira Magaziner of Clinton Global Initiative, and John Wood among many others! The three day event provided attendees with opportunities not only to see and listen to world-renowned lecturers and professionals, but will also allowed them to engage in debate, take part in activities and workshops, and make connections to address the root causes of national and global poverty.

The Millennium Campus Network is an organization of university student groups committed to supporting the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to eradicate extreme poverty. The MCN brings together student organizations at leading universities to make the anti-poverty movement - in the spirit of the MDGs - a fully cross-disciplinary, collaborative and integrated effort.

ADL's Unity Through Understanding Day

2008-04-09T13:16:00.000-07:00

NOLA YURP staff members Kendrick Pullen and Nathan Rothstein were invited to participate as facilitators for the Anti-Defamation League's Unity Through Understanding Day. The workshop/conference was attended by nearly 150 high school students from around the city to provide an open forum for these students discuss issues of race, class, and religious discrimination with students from around New Orleans.

The Anti-Defamation League was founded in 1913 “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Now the nation’s premier civil rights/human relations agency, ADL fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights for all.

NOLA YURP panel discusses "Soul of the City" with 500 Students from Howard University

2008-04-08T13:52:00.000-07:00

http://media.www.blackcollegeview.com/media/storage/paper928/news/2008/03/23/News/Young.Professionals.Discuss.The.Soul.Of.The.City-3278908.shtml

NOLA YURP and UNO Fraternity honor Community Leaders

2008-04-08T09:46:00.000-07:00

The Theta Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. located at the University recently honored two outstanding community leaders for their service to the New Orleans community. Dr. Earl V. Bryant, tenured professor of English, at the University of New Orleans and Mr. Shannon Verrett, principal, Pierre Capdeau High School were honored at a ceremony at UNO's Alumni Center Ballroom. NOLA YURP co-sponsored the event to help highlight two individuals that are working to groom the next generation of YURPs here in New Orleans. Kendrick Pullen, NOLA YURP Program Director, gave closing remarks praising these two leaders and also highlighting the work that NOLA YURP is doing to make sure their efforts are not in vain.

NOLA YURP Networking Event at the New Orleans Museum of Art

2008-04-08T09:24:00.000-07:00

The New Orleans Museum of Art, the Louisiana Children's Museum, the Idea Village, the Young Leadership Council, the Young Friends Society, and NOLA YURP teamed up to host a networking event at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Over 200 people attended to see some great art work, hear spoken word poetry from Asali Devan, and vibe to the tunes of DJ Damion Yancey. Local non-profit organizations were also on-hand giving out information and recruiting volunteers. We were also delighted to host students from Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania, and American University. An extra special thank you goes to all the groups involved to make this event possible.

NOLA YURP and The Next American City Magazine

2008-03-12T10:07:00.001-07:00

On March 6-8, NOLA YURP and The Next American City Magazine partnered for a weekend full of events starting on Thursday, March 6th with an educational forum called "Sparking Creativity: Investing in Entrepreneurship and the Future Human Capital of New Orleans." Our panelist included Andrea Floyd, co-founder of Consciously Rebuilding, Blake Haney, creative director of Whence: the studio/Dirty Coast Press/Humid Beings/Willdo, Timolynn Sams, executive director of Neighborhood Partnership Network, and Janet Speyrer, associate dean for research and professor of economics at the University of New Orleans. The forum was held at the Historic New Orleans Collection in the French Quarter located on 533 Royal St., and moderated by Brentin Mock and NOLA YURP's Executive Director Nathan Rothstein. The event was even more special because we were joined by a group of Alternative Spring Break volunteers from Georgetown University. The students where allowed to interact with some of the young people in New Orleans that are involved in the rebuilding and participate in the forum discussion. Much thanks to the Historic New Orleans Collection, NOLA YURP intern Christopher Powe, The Next American City Magazine, and all those who help to make this event a success.

New Orleans Leadership Retreat: The Prophetic City

2008-03-05T15:49:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the Blue Moon Foundation for their wonderful generosity and for hosting a New Orleans Leadership Retreat that brought together some of the brightest minds in the non-profit field. It was a great weekend to connect with people who are doing innovative/excellent work here in New Orleans. It was a tremendous opportunity for NOLA YURP staff and one of our Board members to get to know more personally some of the people who are working towards meaningful change here in New Orleans. Getting to talk with the leadership of the Urban Conservancy, the Neighborhood Partnership Network, Louisiana Spirit, Puentes New Orleans, Inc., and many many more was a great experience/opportunity for our organization. NOLA YURP looks forward to partnering and collaborating with as many of these great organizations as we possibly can.

NOLA YURP and THE NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

2008-02-21T15:35:00.000-08:00

Get the NOLA YURP Six Pack

2/27 vs. Phoenix
3/12 vs. San Antonio (free Hornets jersey with admission)
3/14 vs. Lakers
3/19 vs. Houston
4/4 vs. Knicks
4/15 vs. Clippers (free drink voucher)

For only $100 dollars

Invite your friends and if you sell the most packages, you will receive two courtside tickets to the 4/15 game against the Clippers

Call Remi Valda
and mention you are a "YURP" member

Remi Viada

Group Sales Account Executive

New Orleans Hornets

1250 Poydras St., 19th Floor

New Orleans, LA70113

O 504.593.4965 - C 985.966.0568 - F 504.593.4702

Remi.Viada@Hornets.com

Bringing it All Together

2008-02-20T12:43:00.000-08:00

Last night we had a great panel discussion with a group of volunteers from different parts of the northeast. The panel consisted of Tiffany Joseph (Homeland Security Senior, Tulane University), Amanda Winfield (Accounting Senior, Dillard University), Joel Ross (Licensed Architect), Nathan Rothstein (Co-founder, Executive Director, NOLA YURP), and myself (Kendrick Pullen Co-founder, Program Director, NOLA YURP). As the panel discussed their experiences in pre and post-Katrina New Orleans, it led to a Q and A series that really made me think about how NOLA YURP is helping bring the synergy to young people who really want to change this city for the better. The panel represented all phases of the recovery effort here in New Orleans. As I looked to my left and right, I saw the future leaders of this city and realized that with leaders like this New Orleans may finally get it right.

"Life After College" at Loyola University

2008-02-15T10:39:00.000-08:00

NOLA YURP recently conducted its 5th Life After College workshop on the campus of Loyola University, February 14th in the University's Danna Center. About 20 students attended the discussion to find out about options available to them after graduation in the city of New Orleans. Our panel consisted of two Loyola Alums (David Robinson-Morris and Leigh Thorpe) and the staff of NOLA YURP. The workshop at Loyola University was the 5th "Life After College" Workshop that the NOLA YURP Initiative has conducted since October. Yale and Spring Hill College are two of the other schools, just to name a few, that has hosted NOLA YURP for this workshop.

NOLA YURP Staff @ Allan Houston Foundation Event

2008-02-14T13:28:00.001-08:00

Yesterday will go down in history as the day I had the most fun in my life. The last couple of months I have had very little time to enjoy the one activity which gives me the greatest joy i.e. interacting with kids! I am one of the biggest kids at heart and to have an opportunity to spend the afternoon with some of the greatest kids in the world at Harry S. Truman Middle School truly did this "old man" (according to the kids) some good. I got an opportunity to have this interaction due to the great work of the Allan Houston Foundation and his Young Entrepreneurs Class, which Nathan (Director of NOLA YURP) is a participant in. From basketball to sack races, I got a chance to do it all! The goal of the event was to reward the high achieving kids and their parents with fun events and games to continue to build the family unit. I met some bright, intelligent, energetic, and wonderful kids which has me excited about the future of New Orleans. My hats off to the teachers, parents, staff, and administration at Harry S. Truman Middle School you guys are doing an excellent job! In the picture below you will notice me exploding past Nathan to capture 2nd place in the Sack Race! I LOVE KIDS! If anyone knows of any youth sports coaching opportunities please send me an email @ kendrick@nolayurp.org.

NOLA YURP's Financial Literacy Workshop

2008-02-14T13:06:00.000-08:00

NOLA YURP kicked off the month of February with our first financial literacy workshop. We had a great turnout and our experts where able to answer a lot of peoples financial questions. I want to personally thank Natasha and Louis Riley, Christopher Johnston, Daniel Simpson Jr., and Kerry Foley-Kessler for providing their extensive knowledge on financial topics ranging from real estate to insurance to ROTH IRA's. I always want to thank all the people who showed up and participated in the workshop. NOLA YURP owes a big debt of gratitude to Shantrelle Lewis curator of the McKenna Museum of African American Art for being such a gracious host. We look forward to many more workshops to continue to engage the young professionals of this city. If you have more ideas on programs that you would like to see here in New Orleans please feel free to send me an email at kendrick@nolayurp.org or info@nolayurp.org.

NOLA YURP speaks at Spring Hill College in Mobile,AL

2008-01-31T07:04:00.000-08:00

New Year, Same Misssion, and Office Space?

2008-01-20T19:55:00.000-08:00

Its 2008! Happy New Year! Happy MLK Birthday, and all those important events that happen in January. I want to welcome back the thousands of college students that are returning for another semester at the college or university of your choice here in New Orleans. NOLA YURP is still at it, still connecting, still trying to retain, and working overtime to attract the talent that is represented here in New Orleans and across the country abroad.

This is my first blog of the New Year and my first blog at the new address http://nolayurp.blogger.com its taken a long time for me to get to a computer and jot down some of my thoughts about the new year and the role of the organization in the immediate future. The fast past world of the non-profit industry leaves you very little time to take a breath and just write.

The team was able to accomplish two major goals this month already: 1) We are semi-finalist for the prestigious "Echoing Green" Fellowship. 2) We have an office! So after Wednesday feel free to stop by and find out what's going on with the NOLA YURP team, and always you can always access our website www.nolayurp.org.

We are focusing on a couple of things over the next couple of months: 1) Helping young people connect with other young people to find jobs here in New Orleans 2) Keeping the Hornets in New Orleans (stay posted for more details on how you can help) 3) We are inviting every University or College who is coming to New Orleans for Spring Break to let YURP's come and speak to your student group! College students should be able to hear directly from YURP's about the challenges and opportunities here in New Orleans for young people.

If you know of any student groups that are coming down please share with them about the great things that NOLA YURP is accomplishing. Send me an email at kendrick@nolayurp.org.

I quickly want to spotlight some "new orleans websites" please check these sites out!

www.nolayurp.org - connect with young people in New Orleans and find jobs!

www.curioustribe.com - the one stop place for the latest art, culture, and fashion discussion

www.nolacouture.com - find some classy authentic New Orleans clothing

NOLA YURP speaks to Student Hurricane Network Volunteers

2008-01-06T19:43:00.000-08:00

Kendrick Pullen speaks to Student Hurricane Network volunteers about networking opportunities while they are in the city.

Rebrew Orleans

2007-12-21T14:54:00.000-08:00

Please join the Rebrew Orleans site, generate new business in New Orleans, and revitalize the historic OC Haley corridor.

Goal: Open the first for-profit business in an economically challenged area in the Central City neighborhood of post-Katrina New Orleans.

Being eco-minded is one of the main themes of the coffeehouse. Recycling will be promoted. Literature on recycling and related events in the city will be displayed. The electricity used in the building will be at least partially supplied by the sun. Only fair-trade coffee will be served. Bicycle racks out front will promote exercise and a better quality of life. The coffeehouse will be a gather point for community and non-profit events.

Oretha Castle Haley, formerly known as Dryades Street was a booming commercial district from the late 1800s to the 1960s. The walls of the coffeehouse will feature photographs and other antiquities helping it serve as a museum of the former grandeur of the neighborhood."

Some of the positions we are looking to fill:

1) Design Team – Assist with the immediate design and construction needs of opening the coffeehouse, including the rear walls, chairs, tables, counter, floors, light fixtures, signage and bike rack.

2) Public Relations – One person in charge of coordinating attention and news for the coffeehouse.

3) Green Team – Team and team leader to coordinate costs and ways to make the enterprise green: solar panels, costs, tax breaks, installations, available grants, water cistern, recycling of materials, green design etc.

4) Events Team – Coordinates evening and weekend events for the space. Events team can have separate persons to be in charge of specific areas such as film, theatre, music, lectures, bands, public speaking forums, art gallery, fashion shows, flea markets etc.

5) Coffeehouse Retail – Suggest and determine what retail items to sell.

6) Branding – Branding and marketing the coffeehouse, including coordinating the manifesto, the naming of it, the logo, the design theme, the marketing, and overall customer experience (see the book, 'Experience Economy').

9) Community Outreach – To work with people in the neighborhood and other volunteers in the non-profit community to raise awareness of the Coffeehouse and NOLA YURP. This team handles the responsibilities involving other neighborhood revitalization efforts.