Volleyball Saturday

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Hello volleyball friends,

Mid-City Volleyball Group will set up volleyball courts at our usual time and place this Saturday:
9am along Bayou St John near Orleans Avenue.
We will hold a youth clinic from 9:30am to 11:30am, and any adults who’d like to refresh their memories or improve their skills are also welcome to participate.

At 11:30am we will have a sign-up sheet for the adult “speed” tournament and we will cut off registrants at 11:45am so please don’t be late. We will allow the first twenty people to play in the tournament and the remaining adults will have to play pick-up ball on a spare net. If we exceed thirty people we will take the first thirty people in the tournament and the rest will only be able to play pick-up. We will take tournament players only in multiples of ten, so forty players would work too. Yes, this is a new policy we’re trying for the first time this week. The goal is 1) to only play quads in the tournament format; and 2) to inspire adults to show up BEFORE 11:45am. Thanks.

On a happier note, everyone is welcome to come over to my house for a cookout and a dip in the pool following volleyball play this Saturday. It’s getting hot this time of year, and a quick dunking in the pool will undoubtedly be refreshing. There’s a Rouses Market on Carrollton Ave, so there’s no need to buy food and drink ahead of time. My address is 131 Sherwood Forest Drive which is pretty close to the intersection of Carrollton and City Park Avenue.

I feel like I’m forgetting something else. Hmmm. Did anyone have the pleasure of watching the college sand volleyball championships on CBS Sports Network last night? The first part of the tape-delayed broadcast was last night, and the second part will air next Wednesday. I went to the college sand championships myself (late April), and someday I’ll find the time to post some great photos and videos on the Mid-City Volleyball Nonprofit Organization Facebook page.

Once again, welcome to all the newcomers…

Peter Hickman
President of The Mid-City Volleyball Group

What Happens When Zoning Laws are Ignored?

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A picture really does speak a thousand words does it not?

A Mid-City neighbor sent in this photo this afternoon and explained that this illegal parking lot was just installed on Bienville Street between Carrollton & David St. There is no permit and it was installed over a storm drain, on city property, and on top of an old oak tree’s roots.

The location of the zoning violation is at 4136 Bienville Street. The building is an owner-occupied duplex.

Click on the photo for a larger view.

Fire at Cleveland and Jeff Davis

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Faubourg St. John neighbor Jimmy Fahrenholtz sent in this dramatic photo of a house fire near the intersection of Cleveland and Jeff Davis.

Jimmy said he took this photo at 3:45 pm today – Thursday, May 10, 2012.

***

A vacant house long on the radar of the Mid-City Neighborhood Association burned Thursday afternoon. Fire damaged nearly 85 percent of the boarded double, acting Deputy Chief David Castle said.

No one was injured by the flames, but one of the 38 firefighters who responded to the fire reported he was injured in a way that did not involve a burn, according to preliminary reports. Castle declined to elaborate on the firefighter’s injury.

The blaze at 3323-3321 Cleveland Ave. was called in about 3:40 p.m. Firefighters arrived at the scene three minutes later and it was under control at 4:22 p.m., Castle said.

The fire was starting to spread to an adjacent home at 3319-3317 Cleveland. Firefighters, though, were able to contain it — but not before it melted the home’s siding. There was no apparent damage to the interior of that home, Castle said.

Tyajai Williams, who lives across the street, said she ran to warn the tenants in 3319-3317 Cleveland while her father called the police.

She said she saw two men wearing hard hats on a side of the building but did not see their tools. After they left, she said, she thought she saw smoke, but wasn’t sure. When she saw flames, she acted.

Lili LeGardeur — who has served on the governing board of the neighborhood association and who lives around the corner from the burned house — said she called the owner of the house, Wilma Spiers, in 2008 to complain about the structure being wide open, moldy and blighted.

The house had not been remediated since Hurricane Katrina, she said.

The neighborhood association in 2010 reported the problems to the city’s Code Enforcement division, she said.

Gladys Galindo Silvas, manager of the home with the melted siding and two other homes in the 3300 block of Cleveland Avenue, said she complained about the then “wide-open” house to City Hall “about a year ago” and reported that it was leaning toward the double she manages. She said she was given a number to follow up on her complaint but no one answered that number.

Ultimately, boards were screwed over the building’s openings.

In January 2012, Miles Trapolin, LeGardeur’s husband, sent an email to Code Enforcement stating the property’s windows and doors are boarded. “However, it has only a partial roof,” which makes the structure blighted.

Pura S. Bascos, director of Code Enforcement, replied via email on January 20 that “an inspection was performed on 1/18 and we await a hearing date.”

Then came the fire.

Its cause is under investigation, Castle said.

As firefighters left the scene Thursday, LeGardeur spoke of being “disappointed, frustrated.”

People work hard to care for their homes in Mid-City, she said.

“People who don’t care, pose a real danger to us,” she continued. “Code enforcement is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.”

http://www.nola.com/traffic/index.ssf/2012/05/house_with_history_of_complain.html

GOLF ONE FOR THE TEAM

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The Mid City Cyclones AAU Basketball Organization is sponsoring its 1st Annual Golf Tournament on June 1, 2012 at City Park Golf Club. As the organization grows, the number of young boys participating in the program continues to grow as well. So this year, all funds raised will go towards the Mid-City Cyclones’ program and Team Gleason, Steve Gleason’s foundation to raise awareness towards ALS.

We hope that you will be able to help us by becoming a Tournament Sponsor — as a Hole Sponsor, an Individual Player, or a Foursome.

We would also invite you and your friends to participate in our tournament. All of the information is attached so that you can make plans to attend and play on June 1,
2012.
Please be sure to call or email if you have any questions concerning our tournament.

Wesley Laurendine Jennifer Dowd
Tournament Director Tournament Director laurendine@jesuitnola.org jenniferdowd77@yahoo.com
504-388-4532 504-250-8796
Jonathan Hernandez
Mid City Cyclones Director
jonathan@midcitybasketball.com
504-237-5781

Tournament Sponsorships
The following sponsorship opportunities are available
for this exclusive golf event to support the athletes of
Mid City Cyclones and Team Gleason

Hole Sponsor ………………………………….. $100
• On-course tee sign

Individual Playing Spot………………….. $125

Foursome Playing Spot………………..… $440

Cyclones Sponsor ………………………… $1,000
Includes foursome, hole sponsorship and each member of your foursome receives a polo shirt

Tournament Includes:
• Lunch and Beverages
• Golf and Golf Cart
• Tournament Gift Bag
• Driving Range Balls

Donation Opportunities:
Tournament Prizes
Items used as prizes for contest winners; i.e., closest to
pin, putting contest, longest drive, etc.
Tournament Gift Bag Donation
120 pieces (for all tournament players)

Golf Tournament Agenda
11:00 am Registration
Driving Range Opens

11:30 am Luncheon

1:00 pm Shotgun Start –
Four Person Scramble
Exciting par 3 challenges and
other contests await you!
5:30 pm Presentations of Team
& Contest Winners
Winner need not be present.

Golfers,
We are still looking for some foursomes for our Mid City Cyclones golf tournament benefitting our youth aau organization and Team Gleason at City Park North Course. Raising awareness towards ALS and making sure that our AAU organization remains affordable for players from all over the metro area. June 1st will be the date. All you can eat and drink from 11:00 till the end of your round. Prizes galore. Raffle with items such as signed memoriblia, golf bags, and Hornets Swag Gift Baskets. 10th Hole Tee Box Bar. Tequila girls riding around the course. If you know of a company that would like to sponsor a hole for a $100, please let me know. Foursomes are $440. All going to two great causes and will be a great time. Let me know if you need a registration form and we can get you signed up.
Thanks,

—

Jonathan Hernandez
Mid City Cyclones
cell – (504) 237-5781
jonathanhernandez17@gmail.com

Keep the Bayou Boogaloo Free!

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Join the Krewe of Boogaloo  

VIPpassesJoin the Krewe
of Boogaloo and receive a VIP pass for added comfort and hospitality.  Perks include
a signed, limited edition “Artist Proof” 2012 Bayou Boogaloo poster by Isabelle Jacopin, VIP
parking for one car the entire weekend, access to shaded VIP area at Orleans Stage, air conditioned ‘people pleaser’ restrooms,  and more.
Tickets are on sale now, prices will increase on April 1st, so get yours today!

The festival remains FREE to the general public with a suggested donation at the gate.  However, the MotherShip Foundation is offering fifty VIP passes to public and only a few remain.  Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Join the Krewe

Call To Volunteers

Volunteers are critical to making this event, a reality. Help is needed in a variety of areas from stagehands
to parking to trash. All areas are critical to a smooth running festival.  If you’re interested, please e-mail
volunteers@thebayouboogaloo.com.
 
Volunteers receive a t-shirt, water and a snack during the festival.
Please feel free to pass along the volunteer request to your friends and co-workers.  Thanks again for helping out.

Spread the Word

We need your help to spread the word about this wonderful festival that has become New Orleanians favorite events before the long days of summer set in. Visit our website for banners that can be placed on your personal social media sites by simply copy and pasting the image. There are several sizes available to fit your specifications.

Follow or Friend us TODAY!

Your support helps us continue the mission to encourage social change by improving the quality of life in New Orleans through the promotion of arts, culture, and recreation.

We will continue to provide you with updates about our progress with monthly community announcements.

Sincerely,

–The Team at MotherShip

Mid-City Library to have Grand Opening

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Mid-City Branch
3700 Orleans Avenue (in the American Can Building)
10 am – 7 pm, Mon. – Thurs.
10 am – 5 pm, Sat.
(504) 596-2654

I wanted to let your organization know about the belated Grand Opening Celebration the Mid-City Branch Library will be having on Saturday, Feb. 25th from 11-2 with special events and refreshments. We are located at 3700 Orleans Ave. in the American Can Company building next to the Olive Branch Cafe. I hope some of your members can come see and make use of our branch. Thanks.

Rodney Smith,
Branch Manager I,
New Orleans Public Library,
Mid-City Branch,
3700 Orleans Ave.,
New Orleans, LA 70119
504 596-2656
rsmith@neworleanspubliclibrary.org

Play Dates at Mid-City Theatre

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“Play Dates” will leave you laughing and maybe even ready to fall in love all over again..”Play Dates” also was the first production I’ve attended at the newly opened Mid-City Theatre – a most welcome addition to the local board. comfortable, (with) central location and ample parking, this will become a sought-after location. – Theodore P. Mahne, Times-Picayune

Theatre 13 presents at Mid City Theatre

“Play Dates” by Sam Wolfson.is a hilarious examination of love and relationships, ranging from kindergarten to adulthood that has audiences roaring with delight!

Directed by Ashley Ricord Santos

Starring: Ashley Ricord Santos, Gary Rucker, Leon Contavesprie and Lisa Picone

NOW through November 19, 2011
Thursday through Saturday at 8pm

Tickets $25 Cash or Credit Cards accepted.
Mid City Arts Theatre, 3540 Toulouse St.

Behind the American Can Company, Free Parking and Cash Bar

Nov 20: Last Show at Mid-City Theatre

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ONE NIGHT ONLY – Don’t miss Ricky Graham & Friends at the Mid City Theatre on Nov 20th!

Hey, y’all!
It’s our last show this year!

Mandy Zirkenbach, Yvette Hargis, Matthew Mickal, and Jefferson Turner
join Ricky Graham for one night of REAL New Orleans comedy and music!< Check out the Mid-City Theatre, which has a bar
and free parking!
SUNDAY, NOV 20TH
AT 6PM
No Saints game that day!
TICKETS: $25

LIMITED SEATING!

http://therickygrahamshow.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.htmlCall Su for tickets:
504-488-1460

Costco to Offer Sneak Peek

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Costco Wholesale would like you to preview plans for their proposed New Orleans location Wednesday or Thursday, October 19 and 20 from 5 pm until 7 pm at Xavier University in the Qatar Pharmacy Pavillion.

For information about Costco, visit Costco.com or call 1-800-774-7678.

Click on the link below for more information about this new development:
http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2011/08/costco_mulls_building_warehous.html

NOV 5: Tax Free Original Art

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Faubourg St. John artists Sandra Burshell and Beverly Morris will be showing their art at Mid-City Studios on November 5th.

Mid-City Studios will host an open house where thirty-one local artists will be displaying and selling their work on Saturday, November 5, from 10:00-5:00 p.m. at 4436 Toulouse Street.

Located in a converted warehouse, Mid-City Studios has operated as a workplace for local artists for fifteen years. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, artists have renovated their studios, resumed their studio practices, and created outstanding works in a variety of media.

This annual event takes place in a tax-free zone for original art. It is free and open to the public. For more information about Mid-City Studios and its artists, please visit www.midcitystudios.org.

Click here for the Mid-City Studios flyer

Mid-City Studios, 4436 Toulouse Street, is located in the former Century Graphics Building. In 1996, wood sculptor Marlowe McGraw converted a portion of this 19th century brick industrial structure into 15,000 square feet of studio spaces.

Today, more than 30 artists work there in light-filled studios that include original hardwood floors and 16 foot ceilings. They create original works of art in a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, watercolor, prints and photography.

The artists periodically open their studios to invite the public to view their creative efforts and their workspaces, and to enjoy the ambiance of this 19th century industrial space conversion.

Mid City Studios is a designated tax-free zone for original artworks.