CSED Newsletter October 2, 2015

CSED welcomes grad students from 13 Southeast Asian countries   Graduate students from over 13 Southeast Asian countries visited the CSED Environmental and Wetland research facility as part of their tour of the Lower 9th Ward. This group will be studying environmental issues with a specific focus on climate change and natural disaster recovery and mitigation in coastal areas at the University of Montana's Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center. Lower 9 ladies get fit with GirlTrek   Ladies in Lower 9 are getting fit with GirlTrek, a national organization of more than 35,000 black women that aims to re-establish walking as a tradition, healing bodies, inspiring daughters and reclaiming neighborhood streets.    Read their story in "The Advocate" and get involved. Labyrinth of Love gathering   Special thanks to Elder Turner and his church family from Disciples of Christ Christian Fellowship Ministry, his parishioners, and all of our neighbors who joined us to celebrate our "Labyrinth of Love", a donation from our American Baptist Mission Society volunteers. Many experienced the true meaning of its origin, which is designed for reflection, meditation and prayer for our community and personal experiences. We hope you'll join us for future events at the Labyrinth. Stay tuned for more details.  PAR Releases the Guide to the 2015 Constitutional Amendments   The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana recently released the PAR Guide to the 2015 Constitutional Amendments. The Guide explains the potential impact of the four constitutional amendments that the public will consider on the October 24 ballot statewide. This independent, non-partisan review will help voters understand the issues and the potential changes so they may develop their own positions on each proposition.   Download the guide Tutors needed for All Souls After-School Program    All Souls' After-School program needs more tutors for Thursday evenings. If you can help out, or know someone looking for extra community service hours, please contact Happy Johnson at [email protected] or 504-315-9955.

In This Issue Lower 9 ladies get fit with GirlTrek Labyrinth of Love gathering PAR Releases the Guide to the 2015 Constitutional Amendments Tutors needed for All Souls After-School Program Free Kayaking Lessons Capstone Farmer's Market Free Kayaking Lessons this weekend   CSED is partnering with Kayak-iti-Yat to offer a series of free events. Learn how to kayak this Saturday, Oct. 3, at Bayou St. John. No experience is necessary and life jackets will be provided. Participants must be 14 or older. If you'd like to sign-up or ask questions, please call 512-964-9499 or e-mail [email protected].  Fresh produce at Capstone Farmer's Market every Friday  The Capstone Farmer's Market will be open every Friday through Nov. 20, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. at 5001 N. Claiborne Ave. Credit and debit cards are accepted and special discounts are available for customers who make purchases with SNAP cards.  For more information, e-mail [email protected]  and check out the Capstone website.  CSED Team  Chief Executive Officer  Arthur Johnson Program Manager Kathy Muse Volunteer Manager Warrenetta Banks Wetland Specialist John Taylor Energy Efficiency Assistant Charles Reddick Community Resilience Assistant Beverly Jackson Resiliency Manager for Coastal Restoration and Community Awareness  Rachel Pickens Stay Connected