42 posts categorized "Rebuilding & Recovery"

  • 04/03/2013
  • Posted by Vincent Fedeli

Thoughts from A Special Place

Johny Angel




















"There is always a way to find beauty in something you really care about." - John Taylor

John Taylor works for the CSED as Wetlands Specialist.  "Thoughts from A Special Place" will be made of his quotes and photographs about the Bayou. 

John has spent most of his life enjoying Bayou Bienvenue hunting, fishing, admiring, interacting, (teaching people) and taking photos of the bayou and the wildlife in and around the triangle

Please stay tuned to this blog to see some of his beautiful work!

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  • 04/02/2013
  • Posted by staff

The Trumpet Returns to the Lower 9: Art, Life, Nature and Recovery

The March/April 2013 Trumpet once again shines the spotlight on the Lower 9th Ward: with features on Art in the 9, Food Security, restoration of Bayou Bienvenue, the Lower 9th Ward Village and so much more! Be sure to read this great issue!

  • 03/12/2013
  • Posted by Kathy Muse

Marquette Mardi Gras Madness

Marquette Mardi GrasMarquette Mardi Gras

Making A Real Difference In Gulf Region Areas Surrounding

Students from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin are in town performing Mardi Gras Madness with all their volunteer work!  Today, in only 2 hours, they created a border of recycled slate roof tiles for our Community Garden at 4819 Dauphine Street!  Throw them something Mister!  ;)

  • 02/28/2013
  • Posted by Kathy Muse

Rochester Mission Group Rocks!

Rochester Mission Group 1
We would like to extend great gratitude to the Rochester Mission Group from Rochester, New York which included hard-working volunteers from Webster, Greece & Ogden Baptist Churches. Just look at what they helped us to accomplish  at our 4819 Dauphine Street Community Orchard in just TWO DAYS!! French Drain & Pathway Collage

Donated ginger was planted along the perimeter French drain which they dug & filled with broken brick pieces unearthed from the soil.  The French drain will redirect runoff into the soon-to-be-built rain garden.  Along with general debris & trash removal, the first entrance pathway was created using broken brick, cement, & recycled roofing slate. Recycled Roofing Slate Pathway Collage 

Holes were dug & measured & nine fruit trees were planted, watered, & mulched.  Neighbors will be able to enjoy the harvest from 2 Satsumas, 2 Ruby Red Grapefruit, 2 Blood Orange, 2 Meyers Lemon, & 1 Persian Lime!  Dreams do come true. Orchard Planted  

The efforts of many continue to bear fruit as countless volunteers generously keep coming to help us rebuild & grow our community. Bearing Fruit

  • 02/20/2013
  • Posted by Kathy Muse

Double Entry to Plants Galore

Thanks to a generous donation of a truckload of plants by Mr. Harold Applewhite of Harold's Indoor & Outdoor Plants (at Press & St Claude) http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/harolds-indoor-outdoor-plants/Content?oid=1672363, our blight beautification project at 4819 Dauphine Street has received a major enhancement! We've planted camelias at the entrance, red tipped photinias along the future pathway and we've outlined the space for a rain garden.  A nod to the historical streetface has been given by the creation of a dual entry to the garden reminiscent of the original 4817-19 Dauphine Street double shotgun that existed on this lot. Donated Plants Dual Entry  Additional beds for the fruits trees have been staked and double dug http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPeAvYrfKkU in an effort to improve the aeration of the soil and to facilitate root penetration.  Our dream for a community orchard continues to unfold :) Beds Double Dug                                                       

  • 02/06/2013
  • Posted by Kathy Muse

Lower 9th Ward "Views"

Winter Wonderland

Our Dream Is Becoming A Reality

Our Dreams of an Orchard Project at 4819 Dauphine Street is coming true.  Acquisition, design, implementation, & resource foraging continues to be driven & accomplished with great enthusiasm by CSED staff Kathy Muse, Vincent Fedeli, Charles Reddick, & John Taylor aided by significant input & assistance from surrounding neighbors.  This blight beautification effort was made possible through Louis Lauricella's donation of this vacant lot to the CSED. We are grateful to Mr. Lauricella & to Stephanie Bruno who acted as liason.

Check out our recent progress.  Before the bobcat work began, trees cleared from the overgrown lot were chipped to provide mulch. Excellent bobcat services were provided by Troy Moore who lives right around the corner! He was assisted by CSED staff members Vincent & Kathy.  The never-ending debris was unearthed, a neighbor's damaged fence was removed along with a very tough & extensive poison ivy vine (ouch!), and a neighbor's clothesline pole was righted for future use:4819 Dauphine 1

Community members stopped by to help out:

4819 Dauphine 2

Wood chips were relocated, grass was removed, soil was graded with a slight downward slope to the left for drainage into a future french drain.  Troy surveys his work thus far:

4819 Dauphine 3

River sand was delivered, dumped & graded to cap the lead soil where the planter boxes will be built.  Two trailer loads of debris were hauled away. Kudos to neighbor & friend Troy Moore for a job well done!

4819 Dauphine 4

 

  • 12/20/2012
  • Posted by Vincent Fedeli

GW Law Students Lend a Hand in The L9

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This week George Washington University Law students volunteer with CSED to help L9 community members rebuild.  Pictured above, 4 students fill a 50 gallon water catchment drum to be transported to 4819-17 Dauphine for CSED's Dreams of An Orchard Project. 
  • 12/04/2012
  • Posted by Kathy Muse

CSED Hosts Green Corps Students for Training in Radiant Barrier Installation

CSED Hosts Green Corps StudentsThe CSED hosted Green Corps students last week for training in radiant barrier installation at Mr. Sidney Butler's house. Mr. Butler became the 142nd Lower 9th Ward property owner to save energy & increase his comfort by having radiant barrier installed in his attic by the CSED. http://www.sustainthenine.org/programs/built-environment/radiant-barriers-weatherization    LA Green Corps is a youth & adult training program working to preserve both our environment & architectural integrity in the Greater New Orleans area.  Over 400 students have graduated from their programs.  http://www.lagreencorps.org/
  • 11/07/2012
  • Posted by Kathy Muse

Become a Part of the "Radiant Nine"

If you are a property owner in the Lower 9th Ward, you too can become part of the "Radiant Nine." 

A radiant barrier can be installed at any time, before or after your house is renovated and occupied.  All you need is a roof in good condition.

You can sign up online http://www.sustainthenine.org/programs/built-environment/radiant-barriers-weatherization  or

Call Kathy Muse at 939-9028 or 324-9955 for more information.  You can also come by the CSED office at 5130 Chartres Street, New Orleans LA 70117, Tuesday through Saturday 10am - 4pm.

Sustain the Nine!  River to Bayou