A Man Named Pearl Coming to New Orleans

If you are in the New Orleans area, you must come & see this extraordinary man speak. Otherwise search out the documentary "A Man Named Pearl". It is the most warming,restorative story of the human spirit,humilty & artistry.

He will appear on CBS affliate WWL-4 Thursday morning

SELF-TAUGHT TOPIARY ARTIST PEARL FRYAR
Fryar to Speak on a Panel with Leah Chase and Edward "Kidd" Jordan

When Pearl Fryar and his wife sought to buy a house in an all-white neighborhood of Bishopville, SC, they were discouraged with the explanation that "Black people don't keep up their yards."

Remarkably, instead of fueling bitterness and anger, this comment motivated Pearl to win the Bishopville "Yard of the Month Award," and eventually to transform his ordinary suburban yard into a horticultural wonderland.

The garden's topiary centerpiece emblazons both its message and Pearl's own philosophy: "Love, Peace, and Goodwill."

Schedule:

WHAT: "An Evening with Pearl Fryar"
WHEN: 5:30 p.m., Thursday, October 14
WHERE: Longue Vue's Playhouse
COST: $10 Suggested Donation

WHAT: A Man Named Pearl Screening
WHEN: 9 a.m., Friday, October 15
WHERE: Dillard University Lawless Chapel

COST: FREE

WHAT: Topiary Sculpture Demonstration by Pearl Fryar
WHEN: 10:15 a.m., Friday, October 15
WHERE: Dillard University Lawless Chapel
COST: FREE

For more information, contact Hilairie Schackai at 504.488.5488, ext. 401 or hschackai@longuevue.com

N.O Food & Farm Network~Who Would have Thunk it?

Who would have thunk it?

Me with an organic garden

All thanks to the New Orleans Food & Farm Network http://www.noffn.org/ who have been huge advocates of people grown their own healthy foods.

For me, since I am somewhat limited in mobility until post surgery, mine were put in containers so I can actually sit & sown, weed & plant....
Right now I have tomatoes, green peppers, eggplants growing... I am seeing the tops of my watermelons, cantaloupe, African Daisies & Echincea rearing up. I will be starting the Thai basil cucumbers, green beans, okra & artichokes before departure as to have something nice to come back to...

When I return I will get the berries going and a host of other things.

Who would have thought I would have an organic garden? I read today there are in many places over a half a million or more people without access to a supermarket to buy healthy food but that have instead a cornerstone of a convenience store, fried fast food, a liquor store instead. So it is not by accident that there is a correlation with obesity and other nutrition related issues.

Here in New Orleans the New Orleans Food & Farm Network has been going out aiding people to start growing their own food. They assist as in my case with start up container gardens with basic soil, mulch, help to start a compost, seeds and seedling + labor.

Then you take it from there as to what else you want to, er, bring to the table.

I had not had a veggie garden since I was a child although in the last couple of years I started back to planting flowers. Now I have expanded.. My hope is to take what I do not need & will be donating to a local food bank that aids young women with children & the homeless.

Way to Grow: This is the Way & How You Do it...

http://www.noffn.org/


I am delighted to learn that this Thursday the New Orleans Food & Farm Network will be bringing a host of volunteers in to plant. I will have container gardens chocked full of herbs veggie, fruit and floweras to boot. I am delighted as it will be my 1st vegetable garden since I was a child although I have been growing flowers for the last few years. They have been providing immeasureable service to people as the city as been moving along toward being more green.

From their website:

"The New Orleans Food & Farm Network believes everyone should have access to fresh, healthy, and sustainably produced food for the long-term health of our environment, economy, and communities. We work with individuals, organizations, growers and communities to help make fresh, healthy food more accessible to everyone. We do this by:Celebrating and supporting "what's right" in our local food systemBringing people together to identify gaps in access to fresh foodsCreating, with our partners, neighborhood and city-wide food projects that fill those gaps for all members of the community.

Find out more about how we work through:
Advocacy & Networking

Building Good Food Neighborhoods

Educating & Supporting Our Communities"



New Orleans Food & Farm Network
P.O. Box 13185 New Orleans, LA 70185-3185
504-864-2009


We have mad community gardens all over the city with more popping up. And I am delighted to be able to choose what veggies, herbs & fruit I want. I will tend to it which the side benefit with be movement, burn calories & food that taste like food. Of course the artist in me will find a way to create some art on the containers to enhance the produce...

I like their proactive weigh of ensuring that all have equal access to safe & healthy food.

Check out their website and if you are not here, perhaps you can create it in your own neighborhood.

http://www.noffn.org/


I plan to with my extra food to donate it to a local food bank.

"Each one reach one, teach one"

Also from their website (Please pass it forward):

The Oil Spill and How You Can Help
"Dear Friends of NOFFN

NOFFN is helping provide volunteers to support those in the affected areas of the oil spill. We are committed to supporting the fishers, their families and all the residents of coastal Louisiana. Currently, NOFFN is providing volunteer support to Second Harvest to prepare food boxes for those in the affected area. The first boxes will be delivered today. We also strongly urge you to donate much needed food to Second Harvest in support of emergency food assistance. Sign up with Brendan at 504 864 2009 or brendan@noffn.org to be placed on our volunteer list. You will be notified as volunteer opportunities become available. Please consider a donation of food as well as your volunteer support. Every donation counts and you will make a difference! Please contact me at any time: 504 864 2009 ext 1 or daphne@noffn.org.


Annually, Second Harvest serves approximately 262,800 people, including 82,000 children and 40,000 seniors, through 235 nonprofit and faith-based agencies across 23 south Louisiana parishes. In any given week, nearly 42,000 people access emergency food services through Second Harvest Food Bank member agencies.This is a critical time for food donations. Second Harvest Food Bank is working to ensure that families along coastal Louisiana whose livelihood may be impacted by the devastating effects of the explosion and oil spill will not go hungry. Moreover, Second Harvest is preparing for the increased need for emergency food assistance during the summer months when families in need are faced with replacing meals for children who are out of school.

Suggested food donations include:
peanut butter
soups / stews
canned fruits / vegetables
canned meats (chicken, beef, ham)
tuna fish
chili
cereal
hot cereals (grits, oatmeal)
beans
juice
rice
pasta
shelf stable milk
water
juices
baby items
toiletries


Food donations may be delivered to Second Harvest Food Bank at 700 Edwards Avenue in the Elmwood warehouse district area, Monday through Friday from 8am – 3:30pm. Food donations may also be brought to local Rouses Supermarkets and placed in red collection barrels as part of the Rouses Stop Hunger Program.

Way to Grow!NOFFN!