12/16/2006 Community Gumbo

Democracy Now (12/13/06)

• "Poverty is a Threat to Peace" - Muhammad Yunus Accepts Nobel, Says U.S. War on Terror "Derailed" Global Pursuit of Poverty Reduction
• Microcredit: Solution to Poverty or False 'Compassionate Capitalism?'
• Vandana Shiva on Farmer Suicides, the U.S.-India Nuclear Deal, Wal-Mart in India and More

Coming Home, Stronger Than Before

Excerpted audio from a December 12th panel discussion at St. Dominic Catholic School in Lakeview.

• LSU Hurricane Center scientist Ivor van Heerden, on what a comprehensive coastal protection plan should contain, including both coastal restoration projects and stronger levee systems.
• UC-Berkeley civil engineer Robert Bea, on how a comprehensive hurricane protection system should be built and maintained.
• New Orleans attorney and Washington insider Bruce Feingerts, on the political dimensions of Congress' role in providing money for rebuilding levees.
• Q&A excerpts.
  

Not included in this broadcast segment, but available on the Indymedia archive:

• Eugene Schreiber, managing director of the World Trade Center in New Orleans, on how New Orleans' role as a major port affects the national economy.
• Anne Konigsmark, a USA Today reporter based in New Orleans, on the role of the media in explaining the city's post-Katrina obstacles.

The forum was organized by Jimmy Delery, and moderated by Garland Robinette.

Announcements:



The Big Easy Roller Girls: Santa's Little Sleighers vs. The Tannenbombers
BIGEASYROLLERGIRLS.COM

You'll want to get your holiday shopping done early on Saturday so you can make it out to the 4th Big Easy Rollergirls bout Saturday, Dec. 16, at Mardi Gras World. There are still tickets available for this one, so if you've missed the earlier bouts because you didn't get your tickets soon enough, this is your chance. There are only a couple more bouts left this season, so don't miss out on this inauguration of a new holiday tradition as Santa's Little Sleighers and The Tannenbombers vie for the Glory in Excelsis Derby. Live music by The Vettes, rebel-rousing by MC Trachiotomy, and food by Juan's Flying Burritos and Slice Pizza. Mascot Ruthie the Duck Girl will have her trademark sack of gifts for the crowd.

If you bring an unwrapped toy or ornament to the bout for a needy family, you'll get a beverage ticket at the door!

7:00 tonight at Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World. Your derby ticket stub gets you into the afterparty at the Old Point Bar.

Unified New Orleans Plan District-Level Meetings

A third round of District-level planning meetings is scheduled across New Orleans today. Planning teams will meet with community members about the draft plan for the planning district. More information at UNIFIEDNEWORLEANSPLAN.ORG.

Festivus, the holiday market for the rest of us
Every Sunday until Christmas, 12-4 p.m.
700 Magazine, corner of Girod in the CBD.
FESTIVUSMARKET.ORG

A human-scale alternative to the loneliness of on-line shopping or the hassle of big box holiday parking lots by featuring the best of local cottage industries whose businesses reflects our core values of ecology, fair trade, craftsmanship and personal customer service. Over 40 fair trade, handmade, and recycled tables, hot food, live music, Office of Homeland Serenity with free massage, airing of the grievances, regifting station, immolation station for those grievances to disappear in a puff of smoke, Flattery from celebrity flatterers like the Big Easy Rollergirls, and the world's first Flattery Slam.

Kingpin Holiday Flea Market
Every Sunday until Christmas, 12-5 p.m.
Kingpin Lounge, 1307 Lyons St. at Prytania

Holiday festoonery, stocking stuffers, vintage & designer clothing, handmade crafts, jewelry, used/rare CDs, albums & books, collectibles, household goods, great junk, offered by local artists, designers, musicians, and nonprofits.

Caroling in Jackson Square

Patio Planters, the Social and Garden Club of the French Quarter, is providing candles and song sheets for caroling at 6:00 Sunday evening under the spires of St. Louis Cathedral. Caroling begins at 7:00. For more information, call 319-6226 or visit www.patioplanters.org. Free and open to the public.

Second-line through the Ninth Ward

A second-line parade will roll through the Ninth Ward this Sunday starting at Marky "B's" Bar located at 5119 St. Claude Avenue at noon on Sunday, stopping at Sweet Lorraine's Jazz Club and other destinations.

Holiday on the Boulevard

Ashé Cultural Arts Center is hosting a weekend festival saluting the spirit of New Orleans with music, food, children's activities, a marketplace, today and Sunday. Saturday performers include the New Orleans Dance Collective, Phillip Manuel and his Trio and Bamboula 2000. On Sunday, look for the Rev. Lois Dejean, Jo "Cool" Davis and Zion Trinity. For a schedule of activities and times of performances, visit www.ashecac.org, or call 569-9070. The Ashé Cultural Arts Center is located at 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.

Caroling on the Bayou

Starting at the launch area in Bayou St. John, at Wisner and Mirabeau boulevards. Riding in his sleigh canoe, Santa leads the procession down the bayou for the annual Christmas caroling on the water, 7 Sat. Carolers are to arrive by 6:30 and are requested to wear a Santa hat, bring bells and flashlights and dress for the weather. Song sheets provided. To participate, call Byron of Canoe & Trail Adventures, at 834-5257, or e-mail byron@canoeandtrail.com.

Hanukkah at Riverwalk

Spanish Plaza at Riverwalk, Poydras Street at the River. Chabad-Lubavitch of Louisiana hosts a menorah lighting celebrating the festival of light and community rebuilding, with a children's program, music, Israeli food from Casablanca restaurant, latkes and more, 4:30 Sun.

More community events listings available at NEWORLEANSNETWORK.ORG, and holiday entertainment listings at NOLA.COM/ENTERTAINMENT.

Music Played:

Charles Brown, "Silent Night."
Banu Gibson, "I'll Be Home for Christmas," New Orleans Christmas, Putumayo, 2006.