new orleans returns, 2008

new orleans was a beautiful time. i'm moved by the energy and work ethic of the people i encountered, people who are committed to staying and rebuilding. i did some work with rubarb (rusted up beyond all recognition bikes), a community bike shop out in the 9th ward at galvez and tonti. they are open several days a week and provide kids with bikes, parts, tools and the support they need to fix their bikes, build a bike and get a bike on the road. it's also a real community space, a learning center, a place where kids can share time with each other and adults while learning about bikes, about life and about working together. a bunch of us, some kids, liz and lani and i, went out for a bike ride delivering their rubarb christmas cards to the neighborhood. pictures of the ride to come. i also worked with the bridge house. the bridge house has been in new orleans for a long time. as it says on their website, they are a place of intangibles...please visit their site to find out more. if you are at all interested in donating money or time to new orleans you can't do better than these two organizations. there is, of course, still lots of rebuilding going on, and lots of work to be done. our suffering economy is being felt by people in new orleans as it is everywhere. however they are still reeling from the devestation caused by the after effects of katrina. giving to, and working with, particular local efforts is necessary and effective.