It's a Dixie Beer Christmas

Just taking a blog break, visiting the folks (hence the beer), and enjoying opportunities to get pics of rust on the way. Happy Holidays yall-

Thrift City 1/2 Price Day tomorrow December 20

They'll be open 7am-9pm. 1/2 off all clothing and shoes. 601 Terry Parkway in Gretna. From New Orleans take the Terry Parkway exit. Stay in your lane and follow the road 1.1 miles past the Stumpf Blvd. intersection. Thrift City is up ahead 4 blocks on your left before you get to the intersection of Carol Sue.Se Habla Espanol.
Also accepting donations on behalf of Amvets. Tell Dave I sent ya!

Wrapping up 2007 in New Orleans

Walking around the Bywater neighborhood this weekend, you'd be hard pressed to find evidence of what we've all been through, save a few scars and spray painted traces left behind by rescue groups.




Bywater has really never looked better and as we reflect on the season we've had with art markets and recovery activities, the spirit of community has never been stronger.Folks came out in droves to check out the goods,hang out,eat deliscious food from the Tipitina's food truck and just enjoy the fabulous weather.We may not have as many yuppies as we did before, but what knocks us out is the astounding number of social entrepeneurs and young folks coming here to support the city and its people.

It's just been an incredibly rewarding and uplifting year on so many different levels. There is a lot more to do here, and a long way to go, but we are inching closer and it just feels great.

Lakeview Goodwill reopens after Katrina

Today, Saturday December 15, 2007, is the grand reopening of the Lakeview neighborhood's Goodwill Store at 123 Robert E. Lee Drive in New Orleans. They were last open on Saturday August 27, 2005. They are open today at 9 am and will stay open until 6pm.We used to shop there a couple of times a week, sometimes just driving by to see if there was anything new.They had great mid century finds and lots of old china. Currently this is the only place other than Bridge House that is taking clothing and household goods for donation in the city. Small furniture only and no pickups as of yet.

Also, the Savvy Gourmet is having a recycled kitchen utensils drive at 4519 Magazine to benefit Hope House. All donators will receive a 15% off coupon for lunch or brunch at the Savvy Gourmet.

Make it Right Foundation Helping New Orleanians Get Home

It was really cool this week to hear abut the pink houses going up in the lower ninth ward. This art installation of 100 symbollic homes, represented by pink canvas tents, demonstrates on a smaller scale the displaced who are unable to come home to their neighborhoods.

I created these Christmas tree ornaments to find a way to help. If you go to the Make it Right website, you can click on a house and purchase items for these homes. Our street team leader was saying she wanted our team to at least be able to donate some trees.

We have all of these wood scraps of cypress from the ninth ward and also found buckets of nails in the 7th ward and have been looking for a project for them.

So hopefully having 50% of the sale of these will at least buy some lovely trees for these folks to make it right.

New Orleans Festivus Celebration Starts Today

We're so excited because today Festivus starts. This is the first festival we ever did about 4 or 5 years ago. Festivus has an almost 100% recycled and/or fair trade component for vendors.

There are also a lot of vendors that we get to see that have moved away due to Katrina but come back just for this. We also get to meet customers who are looking for recycled items.

If you are in the area, just check out www.festivusmarket.org for more details, directions or stop by the intrsection of Julia and Magazine in the CBD today 12-4 pm. Free parking too!