29 August 2008

Banksy pays a Proper Tribute to New Orleans and Honors us on the Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

Banksy came to New Orleans this week to pay homage to our fair city and share the love for our struggles with the recovery. In the style that is uniquely Banksy, he has highlighted our frustration with the turtle's pace of recovery and the rats running various public offices.

Banksy - New Orleans - A Reminder of Our Slowing Recovery

New Orleans has had its share of problems, and we've had our share of corruption and we've had it up to HERE with crime, but I still believe in our city. I still believe in the inherent good of the majority of the people. I still believe in the light that radiates the soul of the city...the light of music, food and art. We are a culturally wealthy city, worthy of a greatness that is being robbed from us on a daily basis by corrupt politicians and their award giving friends.

Banksy - New Orleans - But I thought they were the Good Guys?

And what do we do? Do we sit around and bitch about the ailments? NO! We get up off our butts and we rebuild our homes, we rebuild our communities and we rebuild our spirit! And here is a world famous artist, coming to our fair city, putting in the hours and doing what he does best to show what he sees of our city. There will be no more loitering in New Orleans, for we simply cannot afford it.

Banksy - New Orleans - No Loitering

So what can you do? You can be an active part of the change in New Orleans. Get involved. Read the major blogs in the city to see what is really going on. Be the change you wish to see. I've adopted a new personal motto: Paint the change you wish to see. Sure, it's a ripped off adaptation, but that is how I feel and that is how would like to make a difference in this city.

Banksy - New Orleans - The Tragedy of the Buffer

It has long been the goal of NoLA Rising to build up the many individuals that comprise the people of the city. We want to beautify the way we do things. Sure, life isn't all black and white, there are many shades of grey in between, but we can't let all those shades of grey end up being the same one. And those of us here at NoLA Rising are glad that an artist like Banksy has joined in the commentary against the Grey Ghost.

Banksy - New Orleans - The Tragedy of the Buffer

So, when people ask me what I am doing for the anniversary of Katrina, I can simply say that I am appreciating that fact that an artist like Banksy would honor our city with his artwork. I've said for awhile now that what we needed in this city was Banksy and by sheer good fortune, he has arrived. This is an inspiration for bigger things to come in New Orleans. If you're young and talented, see this as an invitation to join the movement for meaningful artwork in public and not as a challenge. Chances are, none of you may ever achieve the notoriety that Banksy has, not the sheer moxy, but one of you could and it could start here. I believe in you!

Banksy - New Orleans - I will not copy things I see on the Simpsons

So get out there and be creative. Paint the change you wish to see in your city! If a bloke from England can come all the way across "the pond" to beautify our city, then you can too. In each of your own separate ways, each one of you has some amazing talent or skill that will benefit us all. Share it!

Thus, officially, ReX gives his most humble salut to Banksy, Ruler of the Rats, King of Kissing Cops, Liberator of Unjust Walls. Thank you for bringing your art to New Orleans. I bow to you and say that my city is always open to you.

New Orleans was my first love, and it shall be my last!

ReX
King of the Night

28 August 2008

AntiGravity News Stands Ready to Make their Debut

Recently, Anti-Gravity trusted their newly acquired news boxes to the care of NoLA Rising. In keeping with their fine tradition of being the New Orleans music and culture alternative, NoLA Rising contacted some local artists to paint the news boxes that will soon be seen on the streets of our fair city.

The following pictures show the work of Grail, ReX, and Tard. As they acquire more news boxes, NoLA Rising will gladly show the love by painting others to be readied for release. Thanks to AntiGravity, Grail and Tard!

GRAIL - AntigravityGRAIL

GRAIL - AntigravityGRAIL

Antigravity News StandReX - NoLA Rising

Antigravity News StandReX - NoLA Rising

AntiGravity news box - TARDTARD

AntiGravity news box - TARDTARD

26 August 2008

Students of NoLA Rising at Mr. Chill's Barbershop



Avi BenBasat, President of the Students of NoLA Rising at Tulane University, was getting his regular head shave at Mr. Chill's Barbershop recently. He couldn't avoid noticing a menacing grey blotch on the side of business and struck up a conversation with Mr. Chill concerning the unsightly spot. It was then Avi learned that Mr. Chill neither gave permission for the grey spot, nor did he like it very much. While he said he wasn't too fond of the graffiti that was there before, he didn't see the purpose of the grey.



It was then that Avi had the idea that maybe he could work with a local Sherman Williams to try and color match the paint of the building. After procuring a sample, he brought the paint by Mr. Chills and worked with him in covering the unsightly grey graffiti. The promise of color matching fulfilled to nearest accuracy given the age of the building's paint job, Avi and Mr. Chill proved that the task could INDEED be completed. Good job on meaningful clean-up Avi!

24 August 2008

Grey Ghost Teams with the Downtown Development District

the boys were here....

"Fred Radtke is just like John McCain: they are both old men with old ideas, trying to paint over the past." ---Lord David---

In an effort to show that he is changing his ways at the urging of New Orleanians, the Grey Ghost joined forces with the Downtown Development District in a color matching attempt that we can finally regard as moderately acceptable.

We here at NoLA Rising International Headquarters (located in sunny and tropical New Orleans) have been HARSH critics of Mr. Ghost and will continue that criticism so long as there is no meaningful change in his attitude towards public art and his methodology of grey remains the same. Despite that stance, we would like to applaud his recent efforts attempting to color match at the building on Canal Street. I'm certain, though, that his effort would never have been necessary had the property owners of the building taken proper care of their property.

Blight of this sort is a sign that the people who own the property might not care or the property is being slated for bigger and better designs, making it nearly a moot issue as it were. My concern for the Downtown Development District's interaction with Mr. Ghost is that they will issue funds to him that may go to the furthering of grey in the New Orleans area and that scourge of grey will destroy the downtown area.

There is an Army of GreyGhostbusters in this town

We've heard tell that he has a magical cleaning solution that would be better than the grey paint and question why he doesn't use this solution to clean traffic signs and other forms of "graffiti" he finds so offensive. This same solution he has supposedly offered to clean the now infamous Dr. Bob sign with and I'm curious why it isn't available for use on other graffiti. Anyone with suggestions, please let me know in the comments section.

I'd hate not to give due diligence and fairness to the Ghost in his new found efforts to reform his greyed ways, so as a token of our supreme generosity, we've decided to put the link to his website here. Fair and balanced. But, for those of you thinking, "Rex, what the hell are you doing man?" It's simple: Graffiti also includes all of those horrible grey blotches he's painted over property (allegedly without their permission).

Thus, if you have had your property greyed out, please feel free to call him and ask that he remove those unsightly blotches that he may have created. According to the city ordinances on graffiti, those unauthorized blotches qualify as graffiti and he is thereby liable to clean them too. Good luck getting any police action should you attempt that route, as his connections there make him invincible and he knows it. Operation Clean Sweep link HERE. Don't be seedy, erase graffiti...grey and otherwise.

City Business wrote an article about his recent attempt at color matching that you can see here: 'Gray Ghost' teams with DDD in blight fight.

Praises of Mr. Radtke's work from the Oak Street Association, HERE. Re-posted from the internet on Operation Clean Sweep webpage.

color matching by fred by city council mandate or GW's visit?!?! Will we see more of this, inquiring minds wanna know...
Building photos by JAUG

---

His other work in case you want to see how well he's cleaned up in the past:
The Graffiti of Fred Radtke
The Graffiti of Fred Radtke
GREY IS GRAFFITI
As always, we will continue to bring you news of this sort in a fun and light-hearted manner, with the full import of seriousness behind the scenes.

Do Something!

"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."

~Edward Everett Hale

23 August 2008

REUSE PROJECT 2 : TEL AVIV : IDIOT THE WISE : INSPIRE COLLECTIVE

If you've been wondering where in the world is Rex because you miss his work, fear not, you may be sharing him with other cities which brings the message of our city's renaissance around the world. Of course, we have big things planned sooner that you'd think. However, Rex's latest venture has been to custom his sketches on re-used office papers for Re-Use : Tel Aviv brought to you by Idiot the Wise of the INSPIRE Collective.

Re-Use Project!!!  Tel Aviv

ReUSE & RE-ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK:

For all those hippies who should be wearing boots...for all of you anarchists and artists who should be living like you mean it,, but also for ALL of us who should be using what we're refusing: Coming this Sept. 5, 2008!! ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK: The INSPIRE Collective and Joint Effort Gallery are proud to present this year's ReUse Project 2: a global art exhibition completely reusing one abandoned building in central Tel Aviv... over 100 international and local artists are taking over!!

www.idiotthewise.com

The ReUse Project is an on-going street and domestic planning campaign endorsing urban perma-culture and renewal through artistic means.

www.flickr.com/groups/reuseproject2

www.telavivstreetart.blogspot.com

www.flickr.com/photos/idiotthewise/sets/72057594103444722/


To be added to the mailing list for future INSPIRE Collective events, please email ITW @ idiotthewise@gmail with "street art mailing list please" in the title...

REUSE & INSPIRE!!!

View a preview of some of the process that has been happening on site:



Samples of Rex's work sent to Idiot the Wise (click to make larger):

ReUse Project / NoLA Rising

ReUse Project / NoLA Rising
ReUse Project / NoLA Rising

21 August 2008

Wanted for Questioning in the Death of Jessica Hawk

Hi Everyone-

Please take a look at the sketch below. If you know the person, or think it resembles someone you might know, contact the police at the numbers on the poster. The man in the picture is wanted for questioning in the unfortunate murder of Jessica Hawk. This does not necessarily mean the person in the picture is guilty, but may have pertinent information vital to the police investigation. If you don't feel comfortable calling, you can leave an anonymous tip at Crimestoppers. Don't let this New Orleans tragedy go unsolved!

PLEASE LOOK AND SEE IF YOU KNOW THIS PERSON!!!

Please re-post this wherever you can!

20 August 2008

NoLA Rising Honors Art Teacher Beverly Cook from McMain High School, New Orleans

As many of y'all may have noted, Rex has been busy with many things lately. While he believes that New Orleans has many serious issues at hand, he's asked me to write up a spot of good news from our event this past weekend in hopes to give New Orleans something positive to read.

Obamaham Lincoln

On Saturday, at Cafe Brazil, NoLA Rising held an art bazaar of sorts with the pieces created at the last two paint parties. The first at XO Studios and the second at Dragon's Den with Section 8 magazine. Over 150 pieces of artwork were created of various skill level with the intention of selling off the pieces to raise money for one lucky Orleans Parish art teacher. Only 40 pieces of artwork ended up selling, the remainder of which will be saved for a pending Toys-for-Tots paint party coming this fall.

Checkin' out the goods

On Sunday, Rex and Angela (recently returned from her European sojourn) used the money raised to purchase a $300 gift certificate at local art store National Art and Hobby located on Magazine Street. National offers teacher discounts which will help spread the gift a little further. NoLA Rising, shortly thereafter, delivered the fine-looking, color-it-yourself, certificate to Mrs. Cook's house much to her surprise.

HERE'S TO ART TEACHERS!

Mrs. Cook was chosen because of her dedication to her students and their work, her passion for art, and her love for the city. Rex therefore sends an official salut to Beverly Cook for her service as a dedicated art teacher!

18 August 2008

An Open Letter to the People of New Orleans - It's Time to Take Action Against Crime

I am a river rat. I am an artist. I am a father to two girls who no longer live in New Orleans because their mother had the foresight to move them to another city far away from the madness. I didn't argue with her moving because sadly I knew it was the right thing. Yet, I am still a citizen of New Orleans who has stayed behind to try and make our city a better place. I am a New Orleanian who came back home when I could have gone anywhere because I believed we could build a better New Orleans. Up until last week, I held that belief fervently but now I am not so sure at times.

It is human nature to question and I have been fighting the tossing/turning of what it really means to be a New Orleanian. Does it mean that when I go from place to place that I should have to barricade myself inside my car, home, business? Does it mean that I have to walk down the street in fear? Does it mean that I can't ride my bike on a busy street without kids trying to hit me with concrete? Where are we living? What kind of society are we getting as our second lease on life?

Pardon me for saying, as some of you might, but I'm not going to leave the city to go live in Metairie or the Northshore. I'm not saying there's something wrong with either, as I've lived in both, but if I wanted to live in suburbia, I'd go further away than that. My point being is that if you are going to leave New Orleans to live in Suburbia, you may as well live in a Suburbia that isn't facing the overflow of New Orleans problems.

New Orleans is the shining star of the area and ought to be an example of everything we embody to the world...an epicenter that resonates throughout the consciousness of modern music, a cultural giant of Southern charm that provides artistic and Bohemian qualities to the rest of the South, a trading super-center that feeds vast expanses of the world through the commerce of the Mississippi River. That is who and what we are as a city, but what do they say of us as a people?

As many of you know, I've done some traveling in my day. Any time someone has found out that I am from New Orleans ("like really from New Orleans"...yes, like really, I've papers to prove it), there is such a genuine shift in the conversation. They want to know what it is like to live in New Orleans. They have always wanted to move here and be a part of it and feel the vibe that is our soul. To quote Chris Rose, "We dance even if there's no radio. We drink at funerals. We talk too much and laugh too loud and live too large, and, frankly, we're suspicious of others who don't."

So, what do we make of this crime? Do we make more crime and add to the perpetual cycle or do we demand more from our City Hall and our police? Or do we, as citizens, have to take up arms and become criminals ourselves just to live in a decent society? I won't call for that sort of extremism just yet, but we are getting closer to the day when there is no other choice.

There will be some who say you just shouldn't live in neighborhoods where there is crime. Perhaps they are right, but then how long until the crime spreads into their neighborhood? What will they be crying then? Because fact of the matter is, New Orleans is filthy with crime in nearly every neighborhood. When I say crime, I mean the down and dirty, murder, rape, belligerent beating, senseless, violent and bloody type of crime that makes you shake your head in disbelief. We've had a troubled past, but that does that mean we deserve a bloody future?

I say no. We live in a city that is troubled and getting worse. As New Orleanians, we're naturally distrustful of the Feds, but it's almost to the point where we'd be safer living under martial law. I can tell you, I still shutter every time I hear the Coast Guard helicopter flying above and there's a distinct mist that comes over me when I see humvees driving down the street. What a sad state of affairs that we allowed our big second chance to dwindle into this misery!

I am an artist, not an anti-crime activist. I am one man with a voice and I am not afraid to use it. If my words reach one set of ears and it produces something positive, then I have served my purpose. BUT, I am no longer content being a lone voice while our city is falling apart. A city is a place full of citizens and we must get involved, be involved and stay involved if we are going to make our city a better place. There must be some inkling of hope in me because I am still living here. I still believe in New Orleans and I know things can be better.

As New Orleanians, we are a good and loving people that are being over-run by kids and criminals that lost their way long ago. They have been forgotten in the schools and by their own leaders because too many people in the past of New Orleans was too busy lining their own pockets to care what could happen. So we build more jail space so the sheriffs can have a bigger budget so they can make more money so they can build more jail space so the sheriffs can have a bigger budget. Everything is cyclical, but the powers that be in this town leave each little whirlwind to themselves because they don't want a better whole.

I keep finding myself back at the question of "What, then, is the solution?" It's involvement! It's being the eyes and the ears for the people who don't know where to look. It's being a person with a moral imperative to do good things, even if it means a personal loss. It's being the person who isn't afraid to stand up, fight back, make a difference. Making a difference is the hardest thing a person can do, because so often, you're never fully sure of the quality of the results, but I say to you...don't fear the change you wish to see...MAKE IT HAPPEN.

You, the individual reading this, can make the change. I applaud people who have noticed corruption in City Hall a la NOAH and have put themselves out there on the line to reveal it's ugly side. I say to them, keep going! It's the kind of actions that have "some powers that be" scared enough to have regular citizens followed and photographed. We need to apply this selfless leadership to crime now.

This is what I have decided to do. NoLA Rising is going to join to help United For Peace in their march against crime. United for Peace founder Charles Anderson thought of having a march where painted portraits of those murdered since hurricane Katrina would be carried. I support that idea and will therefore be assisting this project any way I can. Read this post about how to contact Charles: UNITED FOR PEACE GUIDELINES.

In addition, on Sunday, September 7th, Charles and Avi Benbasat (of Students of NoLA Rising at Tulane University), will be hosting a paint party at XO Studios (2833 Dauphine from noon until six) in the sideyard. We will paint the remaining portraits of those murdered in our city to be carried in a march on September 20th. It's time to stand up! It's time to do something! It's time to take the risk because not taking one isn't working. If this doesn't wake people up, then I will call for increased action on the peoples' part.

It seems to me that there is a price to be paid for trying to build a better tomorrow in this city, it's a price we should all be willing to pay. I love New Orleans so much, that I want to make it a place that my daughters can safely come home to. I want to make New Orleans a place where fathers in Ohio can feel comfortable knowing their daughters are moving to. There's a new face for change in New Orleans...and it's yours.

New Orleans was my first love, and it shall be my last...
-ReX

Silence is Violence Protest / Metropolitan Crime Commission / New Orleans, where people are like fish in barrels

A REPOST FROM LORD DAVID:

QUOTE:::

Like many Humid City readers, and fans of my own blogsite, A am still reeling from the recent murder of Jessica Hawk, a kind and loved Bywater resident. As commentary began to come in from her friends and family in Ohio, I found myself trying to explain exactly how such a horrible event could be seemingly shrugged off by city officials. No answer is forthcoming.

I also wondered why lesser violent crime, like the brutal hit and run that crushed Dave Gordon’s leg (half owner/operator of Funrockn & Pop City), could go unanswered, while the police know the actual location of the vehicle involved, and the address of the perpetrator.

A young woman, a fellow artist, in fact, who lives not far from me in the Marigny, has alerted me to another situation, in which two young men are attacking bicycle riders in the marigny/Bywater area.
These are her words:

“Friday night around 11, I was biking home. At the intersection of St. Claude and Frenchmen, there were two black boys on bikes. One looked to be about 16 and the other one no more than 14. They were on low rider new looking bikes. One had on a blue baseball cap, over sized white t-shirt, and long blue jean shorts. The other one was wearing a dark jersey of some type. They said nothing as I rode by them but one of them threw a heavy metallic thing at me and hit me in the spine in between the shoulder blades.

They laughed and took off. I thought it was an isolated incident until I talked with a friend who said that I am the 7th person she has heard of to be attacked in the Marigny/Bywater area. They have all reported two boys about the same ages. They seem to only be targeting people on bikes.

One guy was smashed up against the head with a slab of concrete and then they punted his head. They did not rob him, but I am afraid that someone is going to be killed soon. I was not robbed either. The intent seemed to be to hurt me and go. I reported it to the police, although they were less than interested.“


This then, seems to be the connective tissue between all of these stories of violence. As citizens of these neighborhoods, we are sometimes singled out to be hunted by local thugs, run down in the streets, attacked for no reason other than entertainment. The response of the police force is shockingly simple. They can’t do anything about it without citizen involvement, and we we become involved, they still do nothing except put us at further risk, going so far as to ask a local woman to identify Dave Gordon’s assaulter in front of a large group of his friends, knowing he would not be taken in to custody.

New Orleans has a Metropolitan Crime Commision, which oversees corruption and malfeasance of local government. I believe that these recent failures by the NOPD, at least in our neck of the woods merits their action. I urge each and every one of you to make contact, and let them know how you feel about living like fish in a barrel.

Mr. John Humphries has been receptive about hearing these complaints. Please be polite & concise. The Metropolitan Crime Commision can be reached by phone at: 540 524-7000 or toll free at 888 524-7001. The email address is: info@metrocrimeno.org Simple letters can make a huge difference in large numbers.

I’ve also received an email from Baty Landis at SilenceIsViolence, letting me know that many citizens are outraged, like myself (read my posts about this), about Mayor Ray Nagin accepting an award for bravery and recovery from his millionaire developer friends. We are planning on assembling for protest. The Award Ceremony takes place Friday Night at the Ritz Carlton, at 7pm. I urge all who are interested to meet there for the Silence Is Violence protest at 6pm sharp.

This is a chance to make our collective voices heard. Contacting the Metro Crime Commision about the failure of our local police is a chance to tell your individual story. Please, do whatever you can to help make a difference. The life you save could be yours or that of one you love.

Lord David
Skull Club
New Orleans
lorddavidtruth.blogspot.com
humidcity.com

16 August 2008

We Won't Forget Jessica Hawk - A City Full of Hearts



To all of our neighbors and friends, if you knew Jessica, go to her friend's site that was set up this past week and honor the memory of a wonderful person, who came to our city because she loved it and believed in it. I won't dishonor her memory here and now by mentioning the ills of New Orleans, there will be time enough for that.

I call on everyone in her neighborhood and anyone passing through her neighborhood to honor her memory by placing a heart along the 3000 block of Chartres. It's time for us to show our love for a fallen sister in the belief of a better tomorrow.

-=-=-=-=-

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

A place in honor of our beloved friend Jessica Hawk who was murdered at her house in New Orleans. With this place we want to remember her so she can rest in peace knowing that many people loved her.

For Jessica's family all our love and support, we will do all we can so her life will not be forgotten and her death will not go unpunished.

Please if you have any information concerning Jessica's murder please call 5046585308 or 504 6585300. If you saw something or heard something Please do not hesitate to contact with us at these numbers.

http://wont-forget-jessicahawk.blogspot.com/

=-=-=-=-=

Thanks to Ivonne for creating the site in Jessica's memory.

13 August 2008

New Orleans Crime Stats - A Damned Dirty Shame

A GODDAMNED DIRTY SHAME

Typically, I try to shy away from too much social and city commentary. I feel like I best serve the world by being positive and trying to do good things in the way of art, but today does not get to be such a day.

You see, my brothers and sisters for a better tomorrow in New Orleans, someone has spoiled by congenial mood and my moderate vocalizing. Thus, you get ReX, fully pissed off and ready to say it.

I received a rather bad spot of news today and when I say bad, I mean horrible. Horrid, loathsome, vial, disgusting and on and on.

In New Orleans, we have grown immune to the flashing blue lights of the NOPD at yet another crime scene. We drive by, process a crying woman, and chalk it up to the drug wars between the neighborhood groups. We don’t look back and assume it’s someone else’s problem to have to deal with.

Each and everyone has our Katrina story…and it’s one that is often times more painful to remember and recount than we still care to deal with. We shared them with our friends, neighbors, relatives and even news camera. We poured our hearts out to the world because we needed to get it off our chest and it was good therapy. Still, we are not a “fixed” people.

And yet, how many of our friends and neighbors have a crime story? How many times have you shared a story at the water cooler, over a drink, at the park about the crime in your neighborhood? Your own personal story about the AK-47 fire on St. Roch where more than a single shot was fired…your drop and roll on the floor story…your run to the back of the house story?

Back on the nineties, my brother was footsteps away from the young man shot outside of Port of Call on Esplanade. My brother held the door open for him and his girlfriend and while they turned one way down the street, my brother turned the other. Only by chance was that not my brother’s night to die. Bang Bang…it could have been his unlucky night.

They caught the two “kids” who killed the young man, but that doesn’t erase the horror of the girlfriend, nor of the sight of the blood spilling from a man’s head.

And so here we are, flash forward to 2008. We’re almost three years after Katrina where we had our collective “what the F#*!” that was shortly followed by our collective sigh. If anything, we should be a city that knows about unity. If anything, we should be a people that understands what our city means to us. If anything, we should be a group of individuals who comprehend the importance of our people as a whole.

Flash forward to August, 2008, where over another humid and hot weekend, a girl is stabbed and beaten to death in her apartment on Chartres Street. I’d met her some time ago at a friend’s Christmas party where we all had the wonderful time of wearing fake mustaches, eating too much food and drinking too much liquor. She was friendly, lovely and fun, even if quiet at times. I’ll miss not getting to see her again, and I’m sure her friends will miss all of the wonderful times they got to share with her.

I won’t say it very often, and it’s a form of candor and a side to ReX you don’t ever get to see publicly, but here’s my special wording to the individual (s) responsible for this: “FUCK YOU!”

The most important thing to remember in all of this is that we have lost one of our sisters in the building of a better city. Every time one of our citizens are murdered, a piece of our city is murdered. You are not just killing an individual, but also the spirit and the vitality of our community. Everything that New Orleans embodies dies with each and every crime like this.

We have been a broken city for far too long. We have been a hurt city for far too long. But these two things don’t excuse the tolerance of crime. Nothing excuses the flagrant disregard that criminals have in this town. Yet, what do we do? Offer me solutions you say. I wish I had some concrete plan that would pull us out of the funk.

In the interim of having a decent criminal justice system...one that isn’t focused on luring homeless people with food or putting victimless offenders of marijuana crimes in jail…it will have to be up to us on the streets. It will have to be up to the individual to police his or her own neighborhood and be active. Sadly, we live in a city where being active in the security of your neighborhood may cost you. And we proceed into a Catch 22 that is lethal.

But do we leave ourselves no option but to run into our houses as quickly as we can and bolt the doors behind us? I don’t want to live like that…do you? So stand up and be heard. Monitor your neighborhood, keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it. According to a NOPD friend of mine, 9-1-1 is as useful as nipples on a hotdog, so call the district station directly and report suspicious activity. Get involved, be alert, be vigilant and let’s take control of our city again. The life you save may be yours…

Sure, I’m living in a utopian dreamland where one person can make a difference. But I believe that one person can make a difference and there is no other way for us to proceed from here because our system has failed us. Nearly everything “official” in this city seems corrupt, inept, or uncaring, but that’s no excuse for the citizenry to take this as status quo and live the same way.

If it is to be, it is up to me. Now say that to yourself over and over again until you realize that the potential to change this city begins and ends with you. The revolution for a better tomorrow is in you…now do something about it before you end up burying another person you know and love. Or, do you want your crime story to be as tragic as your Katrina story?

So, this is for our friend, neighbor and sister Jessica...

Mournfully,
ReX

NOPD District Phone Numbers

First District (1st)
504.658.6010

Second District (2nd)
504.658.6020

Third District (3rd)
504.658.6030

Fourth District (4th)
504.658.6040

Fifth District (5th)
504.658.6050

Sixth District (6th)
504.658.6060

Seventh District (7th)
504.658.6070

Eighth District (8th)
504.658.6080

12 August 2008

Art for Schools! & Lost and Found Artist's Bazaar - August 16th at Cafe Brazil

August 16th is our going away party to summer. That's right...just when you thought it was safe to put your art linens away, we invite you to Soiled Linen Day in the Marigny/Bywater. Sure, you put on your old, dirty white linen and trounced around shamelessly like a filthy bum on Royal Street. I applaud your sense of style! But, what you didn't realize is that maybe you sullied yourself in ways that you didn't realize. It's a good thing, because we don't judge and decided to honor you by having a day where you aren't expected to wear anything you don't want to (like linen...dirty or otherwise).

On August 16th, NoLA Rising is bringing to you another art show on Frenchman street during the middle of the day. From noon (or there-bouts depending on when I wake up) till say five or so, NoLA Rising compatriots will set up the artwork from the last two paint parties. It's not completely free this time...because we are asking for a donation. We'll let your conscience dictate what you give. An

And what will we do with all this donation money? One lucky art teacher from a local New Orleans public school will receive art supplies that we custom buy for his/her class.

WHO: the NoLA Rising crew
WHAT: Art for you to take home for a donation of your choosing
WHEN: Saturday, August 16th , from noon until say six or so
WHERE: At Cafe Brazil on Frenchman Street
WHY: Why not! But more importantly, so we can do our part for getting some more art supplies to a teacher who can and will use them...

8-8-08 with Section 8 - Dragons Den Paint Party

But all the fun doesn't end there. At XO Studios, there is an Artist's Bazaar in the side yard. Whether you want to sell your wares or buy some of the local artwork/crafts, the artist's bazaar will have a little bit of everything. Come visit the neighborhood and see what real New Orleans artists and crafts people are up to.

XO Studios : 2833 Dauphine (at the corner of Press in the MArigny) : See flyer below for details

FW: Attached Image

11 August 2008

Picasso said...

Picasso said, "Never take a part-time job because it will become your full-time life."

09 August 2008

Prospect 1 - New Orleans - Dan Cameron Interview

Wednesday, August 6, 2008 - From NoLA Ninja Girl

Can Creativity save New Orleans?
On November 1, 2008, Prospect.1 New Orleans [P.1], the largest biennial of international contemporary art ever organized in the United States, will open to the public in museums, historic buildings, and found sites throughout New Orleans. Prospect.1 New Orleans [P.1] has been conceived in the tradition of the great international biennials, and will showcase new artistic practices as well as an array of programs benefiting the local community. Over the course of its eleven-week run, Prospect.1 New Orleans [P.1] plans to draw international media attention, creative energy, and new economic activity to the city of New Orleans.



Methinks.

For more information:
http://prospectneworleans.org/
Posted by nola ninja girl at 2:59 PM

Dave Gordon, Run Down by Gold Sedan

Hi everyone! Please read the following post from Humid City and then report where this guy is if you know or see him.

ReX

target="_blank">Lower Decatur Community on LJ by biteduringclass

Dave Gordon is the co-owner of Funrock'n, on Decatur Street, Bootsy's Funrock'n, on Magazine Street, and Pop City, also on Decatur.

He and his business partner, Rhonda, have done a great deal for local culture, support of local businesses, and now feature a display area for local music and art at their newest location, Pop City, on Lower Decatur Street.

On Tuesday of this week, a gold colored sedan rounded the corner from St Claude on to Congress Street, hitting Dave, who was on the corner.

The driver stopped and got out, and after seeing Dave writhing in pain, with broken bones protruding from his leg, said, "I didn't hit you" got back in his car and drove away from the scene, leaving Dave laying by the street.

Not only do I write this to support any effort made to help Dave Gordon make a report and file an insurance claim, but also because this ass wipe is out there riding through YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD next.

The tag number and description follow. PLEASE REPORT THIS VEHICLE as soon as you see it. The driver is described as a black male, 18 - 23 years old.

Repost this information and keep him in your prayers:

06 August 2008

8-8-08 with Section 8 / Schiro's in the Marigny

That's right kids...the end of the summer is rapidly approaching and all I got left in me is a whimper as a protest to the heat. Fear not, it's what really makes us better people down here (or maybe that's the food or the music or the art). Ramble ramble...this Friday night, 8-8-08, come join the festivities at the Dragon's Den where Section 8, Defend New Orleans and NoLA Rising have joined forces. In the back courtyard, NoLA Rising will take over with a late night/all night painting party to add to the coffers of art for our upcoming show/sale of artwork to benefit a lucky New Orleans public school art teacher. More on that later...grab your gear and get to painting this town red!

Photobucket

BUT, if you are in to a more subdued evening, we have back-up plans for early Saturday night. At Schiro's in the Marigny, there will be an art showing featuring the likes of Steve Whatstyle, Lance Vargas, Mardi Claw, Gary Perez, Rex Dingler, Dr. BOB, Lord David, Amie Davis and Scott Mosely. Come and join us and enjoy the neighborhood.



ScadNola..

01 August 2008

Artwork At Cutter's

Been looking for some fresh artwork for your girlfriend's loft while your wife is out of town? Well, look no further than your neighborhood Marigny establishment. Check out Cutter's at 706 Franklin Ave., New Orleans, LA 70117.