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Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Last Tuesday there was a Katrina fundraiser A "Poetic Protest" at La Pena in Berkeley. The program consisted of short alternative films of the victims affected by the disaster. The Film by Gloria La Riva of the ANSWER Coalition interviewed young men who saved over 200 other residents during the flood.

The program also had a silent auction of art by local artists and a continuous presentation by local poets, spoken word artists, musicians and singers. La Pena was full, the funds from the fundraiser were donated to the Center of Independent Living in Berkeley. The center provides services for the disabled in our community and funds were to be sent to assist hurricane victims.

I volunteered for the event and made myself available to assist the organizers. Mailing out PSAs, delivering and setting up artwork, working the door, and other tasks, I was happy to participate in the event.

A little about La Pena, the facility is a restaurant and performance space with a Latin-favor. La Pena was one of the first places I attempted Salsa dancing many moons ago. It's friendly and has a Berkeley community feel.

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Thursday, September 15, 2005

This weekend I need to give myself a break and return to my favorite activities of enjoying the arts, outdoors and cultural scene of the bay area. during its' 1960's heyday Golden Gate Park was known for it concerts which some claimed were weekly.

If true, weekly concerts are a thing of the past but concerts do occur and last weekend 911 Power to the Peaceful was the happening in Speedway Meadow. The event was a music and arts festival with a social justice vibe,
Angela Davis spoke and Michael Franti and Spearhead, Zap Mama and others performed. The huge crowd was mellow and had the world beat hippie aesthetic groove happening.

It was a feel-good event for me but sometimes you should just relax and enjoy a pleasant energy.


The Dancing Dove of Peace


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Wednesday, September 07, 2005

No Photos of the Dead

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is not allowing photographers and journalist to accompany them on the search and recover of decease flood victims. and they are not allowing photographers to accompanying them requesting no photographs are taken of decease storm victims.

Please contact your Congressional Representatives let them know that there should be an Independent Commission to investigate FEMA's response.

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Tuesday, September 06, 2005

Ms. Rice the people do not have shoes!!
Well responded Rice, let them buy Ferragamos

Last week while New Orleans and the Gulf Coast was being ravage by floods and hurricane Katrina, Condoleezza Rice was busy enjoying her New York vacation, seeing the Broadway show Spamalot and Shoe Shopping in New York City.

Everybody wasn't amused, a disgusted shopper seeing Condi on a shopping spree confronted her and was removed by security. We won't even ask where was Cheney.

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Sunday, September 04, 2005

My mood is still somewhat sour, I spoke to an Aunt today in Alabama she lives South East of Birmingham Alabama in theCity of Sylacauga. Her town received light damage from Katrina nothing serious.

The fog has returned to my neighborhood so I escaped again this time to Oakland which is hosting its' Labor Day Weekend Arts and Soul Festival. The entrance fee is $5.00, usually paying for a street festival is a big negative but it is well organize, ample programs, clear directions to the 5 stages and new beecher seating at the stages.

My focus was the Blues Stage which featured Cajun/Zydeco music today. The talk on the stage was Katrina, the MCs encouraged the audience to donate money to the Red Cross for the storms victims. They challenged the spin in the press/news stating that the citizens of New Orleans are not refugees within their own county but evacuees. They also asked for our compassion and prayers. Listening to the musicians and watching the Gumbo Ya Ya dancers on the World Dance Stage reminded me of the cultural contributions New Orleans - Louisiana has given this country.

On Monday George Duke and Roy Ayers will be performing at the festival I'm hoping to visit Oakland one more time before the weekend is over.

The NAACP has started a relief fund and HurricaneHousing.Org offers ways to contribute.


Afro-Cuban Dance Troop perform ENESE M.O.T.A.D performing at the World Dance Stage


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Friday, September 02, 2005

Why is it that the most powerful country on the face of the Earth takes so long to help so many sick and so many elderly people?" he asked.

Tens of thousands of people are still waiting to be evacuated
"Why? That's all I want to ask President Bush."

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