Monday, April 30, 2007

"No Victim Left Behind"


Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans and the Reverend Jesse Jackson led hundreds of marchers to the crumbling houses that dominate the Lower 9th Ward. The march was to draw attention to the area's slow recovery from Hurricane Katrina.

The mayor, whose leadership since the storm has been questioned by many residents of the area. Nagin, indicated that problems with New Orlean's recovery stem from the slow flow of government aid.

Nagin said" This march is important because it basically sends a message to the nation that people in New Orleans are still here,we're still fighting for our land. We're fighting for our recovery. We want the resources to flow much faster."

Jackson felt the Bush administration and much of the nation had largely forgotten the working class and mostly black hurricane victims in the Lower 9th Ward. Areas that draw tourists and more affluent sections recover more quickly but what about other areas of the city that people visit when they come to visit friends and relatives?

We should not look over the victims who are still suffering from the Katrina Hurricane but yet try to console and offer ways or words of closure to the horrible memories of the disaster.

"The waters have subsided, but the abandonment continues. The president did not mention Katrina in his last State of the Union address," Jackson said. The Saints, the city's professional football team, and the Mardi Gras have returned, "the people are not back," he said.

A few hundred people walking with Jackson and Nagin marched about 10 abreast over the Claiborne Avenue bridge that arcs into the Lower 9th, stopping near the site of the levee breach that allowed in the storm surge flood that destroyed homes and took lives there in August 2005.

Saturday, April 28, 2007

"The Water Diviner''s Tale"

Ruins left behind have not "ruined" supporters grove to reach out and help Katrina victims. Support has been so tremendous that a new musical was inspired by the hurricane and will set the global warming theme of this year's world famous Promenade Concerts.

Nicholas Kenyon, concert chief said "Climate change is such a subject of the moment and the Proms does reflect what is going on in the world." 2007 will be the 112th anniversary of the Proms, as they are popularly known, and the 80th year the BBC has been involved.

Commissioned by the BBC "The Water Diviner's Tale" tells the story of how a group of children are lost after a storm sweeps away their homes. The musical will be performed by 40 children backed by a youth choir.

British Composer Rachel Portman collaborated with poet, Owen Sheers, for the musical and for the annual series of concerts in London's Royal Albert Hall.

Although inspired by Hurricane Katrina,Kenyon says New Orleans will remain anonymous.

"There will be no overt mention of New Orleans but it is clear that the inspiration was Hurricane Katrina," said Kenyon.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

U2 can help Katrina Victims


Celebrity memorabilia was the event. Held by Julien's Auction at New York's Hard Rock Cafe, celebrities donated a wide selection of memorabilia to collectors at the auction.

The auction at New York's Hard Rock Cafe raised $2,436,900, including a 20 percent buyer's fee, for Music Rising, a charity set up by the Edge and other musicians.

The Edge's Les Paul guitar was the most emotional sale of the seven-hour-auction. The guitar was used by him on every one of U2's tours since 85' and amongst other guitars was the 2nd highest bid. Jimi Hendrix's 1966 Red Fender Mustang guitar, fetched $400,000.

Along with the instruments sold was former President Bill Clinton's saxophone and a pair of John Lennon's round, bluetinted sunglasses.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

An Inconvenient Truth


The man who was once our next president finally won a vote that counts--The vote for Best Documentary Oscar. Al Gore's " An Inconvenient Truth" chronicles Gore's career as he focuses on potentially one of the biggest issues facing future generations, global warming. The movie is a must see primarily because it's based on....The truth we were all in denial of, the world coming to an end.

However, Gore is not the only one schooling on global warming, Sheryl Crow has headed back to school to talk to colleges about the growing problem of global warming. Teaming up with environmentalist, Laurie David, Crow hopes to get the word out to students how they can participate in the environmental movement.

The issue which is a personal one for Crow, talks about how her family grew up owning a home on the Florida gulf coast ever since she can remember. Crow hopes to educate campuses along with entertain them with a few songs. She says her real objective is to motivate the students to participate in the movement and to get them talking with a question and answer discussion.

"We open up the floor to questions and answers, to have a dialog with students. We also want people to be part of a campaign toward leadership, and vote for people who are environmentally conscious."

Crow and company will be trailed while on the road by a documentary film crew. The Stop Global Warming College Tour wraps up on Earth Day (April 22nd) in Washington D.C.

Link

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Allergies and Pollen


Spring has joined us once again and accompanying it of course is allergies and pollen. With warmer days in the forcast, people need to stay ahead of the harsh conditions it can bring by getting familiar with Allergie Tips.

Although the weather may seem inviting, there are many precautions one must take in order to keep from sneezing away.Many allergen sufferers may think that their is one particular season for allergies but allergies come in the spring, summer, and fall.Different people are affected by allergies at different times throughout the year but some people will suffer from year round allergies.

With seasonal allergies, symptoms are usually worse in the warmer months of the year. Likely to be triggered by pollens from weeds,grasses, and trees seasonal allergen suffereres experience these the most.

Perennial allergies are not influenced by the outdoor allergies but yet the indoor ones. Dust mites, mold, dust, and pet's dander all contribute to those sneeze attacks we encounter while lying on the couch.

To check out your allergies hotspots and to get additional advice on allergie check out the link below.http://www.weather.com/activities/health/allergies/helpclinic/index.html?from=allefl


Link

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Disaster now Disease strikes Solomon Islands

Rescuers feared that infection would slowly and painfully creep into towns and villages hit by the tsunami.

Disease began showing up amongst victims of the Solomon Islands, as aid workers helped supplies were running out.
Appealing for more water, tents and medicine for thousands of homeless people, aircraft and ships loaded with food, water, tents, tarpaulins, blankets, medicines and other emergency supplies began arriving in the western islands.

"Conditions are very, very difficult," said Dr. George Jalini. With nearly 5,500 homeless and at least 30 people reported killed, victim's needs are becoming increasingly urgent as water and supplies run low. Malnutrition is hitting the area and attacking the smallest of people. Children are starting to experience diarrhea due to a water shortage. Food has been destroyed because villages are all on the seaside and covered with mud and debris.

The French government has stepped in to provide victims with emergency supplies and water treatment equipment. A New Zealand Air Force cargo plane has delivered several hundred bags of rice and supplies and another C-130 cargo plane from Australia is due to arrive with more supplies and more aid.

Monday, April 2, 2007

Undersea earthquake unleashes tsunami

The Solomon Islands were hit by a powerful undersea earthquake Monday. The earthquake destroyed entire villages and killed at least 15 people, officials expect toll to rise. A wall of water was triggered by the quake flooding towns, flattening homes and sparking panic amongst the South Pacific state.

Death toll expected to rise after the rescue teams move into stricken areas, where the true damage is yet to be known. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a region wide warning immediately after the quake hit. Why not before the quake hit, probably would have resulted in less deaths.

15 people were killed in and around the town of Gizo, the main town in Western Province. Due to telephones being down in the area, it was harder to assess the number of casualties and damages.

Some villages were completely wiped out and officials found bodies floating above the water. Other bodies were unable to be saved due to the rough seas.

The people of Gizo rushed for shelter behind a hill and badly need water and emergency supplies. Waves were reported up to 500 meters inland.
Linkhttp://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070402/wl_asia_afp/solomonsquake

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