Help Holy Cross

The Lower Ninth Ward Urban Farming Coalition invites you to check out what's growing in the Nine!

Lower Ninth Ward Urban Farming Coalition GARDEN TOUR
Saturday, May 23rd
Meeting Time: 8:30 am (tour bus leaves at 9 am)
Meeting Location: School At Blair Grocery on N. Roman and Benton Sts.

We're celebrating growth and sustainability in the Nine with an urban agriculture tour of 7 gardens right here in our neighborhood (and a couple in the Bywater!). The tour focuses on vegetable gardens and micro farms, including raised beds and container gardens. It's a great opportunity to not only see what's growing, but to get ideas and inspiration for your own garden, get involved in community gardening and/or meet other neighborhood gardeners. Free tour bus service will be provided on this group tour.

The Lower Ninth Ward Urban Farming Coalition is a partnership of local groups and individuals committed to food security and environmental responsibility through urban agriculture.  Please visit lowernineurbanfarming.org for more information.

MLK Community Garden This Summer

The “King’s Community Garden” Summer Program will engage approximately 20 students, from 6th and 7th grades. As a new addition to the MLK Charter School’s annual Summer Science Academy, this program will be held June 1-June 30, 2009, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Students will work with a variety of volunteers from Common Ground Relief, Urban Farm Network, etc. to learn the “ins and outs” of gardening, the importance of community gardens, and learn about fruits, vegetables, and herbs indigenous to Louisiana. Students will also be engaged in a variety of service learning activities centered around supporting the Lower 9th Ward community.  The primary goal of this program will be the construction of a community garden on campus.

Download “King’s Community Garden” for more information and contact Justin Mack, Science Coordinator, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School for Science & Technology.

Snow in the Lower Ninth Ward

A beautiful blanket of snow covered Holy Cross and the Lower Ninth on December 11th...Darryl Malek-Wiley sent along these fantastic photos of Bayou Bienvenue, the Make It Right project, and the Claiborne Avenue Bridge across the Industrial Canal. Enjoy!
ALL PHOTOS: Darryl Malek-Wiley

Merry Christmas, Holy Cross

PHOTO: "Snow on the Levee", by Sarah DeBacher

PHOTOS: "Holiday Lights in Holy Cross", by Kathy Muse

Snow in Holy Cross

Thursday was a snow day for Holy Cross and the rest of New Orleans as the white stuff blanketed the semi-tropical city. Thanks to David Eber for these photos in the Holy Cross Neighborhood. Check out more photos of the snow in the area here.
PHOTOS: "Snow Day!", by David Eber

It's a Holiday Potluck!

The Village: "Where's Your Neighbor?"

WWLTV ran a nice story yesterday on the one year anniversary of the Lower 9th Village and their new initiative to bring back the elderly and disabled who have been unable to return to their homes since Katrina.

"Mack" McClendon and the folks at the Village call it the “Where’s Your Neighbor?” Program. It’s designed to help as many of the 600 elderly, handicapped and disabled residents who want to return to their damaged homes but simply can’t afford the renovations.

"'Here, it's been one exciting year to see that one person can make a difference,’ said Wood "Mack" McClendon, director of the Lower Ninth Ward Village. ‘You've got to at least try.’

McClendon's try came in the form of the Lower Ninth Ward Village, a non-profit community center he opened exactly one year ago after buying an abandoned warehouse on Charbonnet Street.

‘It's getting some good attention and hopefully giving people a chance to see the community and what it can be again, McClendon said.”

Check out the full story and watch the video “Group aims to bring back elderly and disabled back home to New Orleans”.

Salute to The Village

Join your friends, neighbors and supporters of the Lower Ninth Ward Village for a “One Year Anniversary Celebration”, November 30, 2008, 1:00pm~Until. The Village is located at 1001 Charbonnet Street in Holy Cross.

Featured will be guest performer Shamarr Allen. Opportunities to tour the facility with Village Director Ward "Mack" McClendon. And a special presentation of the first beneficiary of The Village’s “Where's Your Neighbor Program”, a special initiative focused on saving the lives of elderly residents throughout the Lower Ninth Ward.

 For more information on the Anniversary Celebration, contact The Village.

News You Can Use: Latest HCNA Newsletter

The September/October 2008 newsletter is out for the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association. Check it out! Inside, you'll find info on Rebuilding Together activities in the neighborhood, returning (and new) Holy Cross residents, the upcoming Lower 9th Ward Bayou Bienvenue Days – and more.

Oct. 29: Lower 9th Ward Village Benefit Concert & Dinner

Join friends and supporters of the Lower 9th Ward Village for the first in a series of fundraisers: “A Jazzy Affair & Dinner”, at the Howlin Wolf, 907 So. Peters Street, New Orleans. This special evening will feature pro bono performances by veteran entertainer Charmaine Neville and newcomer Davelle Crawford. Crawford, who at 22 years old, already has four recordings under his belt, has been hailed as the crown prince of New Orleans music. He has also appeared as guest artist on more than 20 other recordings.

The Lower 9th Ward Village is a post-Katrina nonprofit community center in progress. Its mission: to become a multi-purpose facility offering services, skills training and recreational activities for youth and the elderly. The Village currently serves as a community meeting space, with housing for volunteers, and facilitates social, artistic events and activities. Coming soon will be culinary arts classes and training in all aspects of restaurant operations. Future plans also include a full sized gym with accompanying basketball court; a computer lab and classes; a professional audio/visual recording and photography studio; and a full service café & eatery.

Dinner for “A Jazzy Affair” will be contributed by several New Orleans restaurants. Tickets cost $10.00 for the concert and $18.00 for the concert plus dinner. RSVPs go for $30.00. Doors open and dinner is available at 8 p.m.; show time is at 9 p.m.

For more information: 504.228.5927, 504.861.5017, 504.522.WOLF or go to www.lower9thwardvillage.org. Download the flyer here.