Coca Cola

The Coca-Cola Foundation announced Thusday that it will continue its mission to assist Hurricane Katrina victims by providing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the Gulf Coast region with a $200,000 grant. Ten students from each of the HBCUs selected – Dillard University, Grambling State University, Southern University System Foundation and Xavier University of Louisiana – will receive $5,000 to further their education. Ingrid Saunders Jones, chairperson of The Coca-Cola Foundation, will present the award to the HBCU Presidents during the 2007 Essence Music Festival Presented by Coca-Cola in honor of the landmark event’s return to New Orleans.

“We are inspired by the perseverance of those affected by Hurricane Katrina who remain steadfast in the journey to complete their education,” said Ms. Jones. “We at Coca-Cola hope this gift will encourage students not to allow the disaster to destroy their dreams of becoming the best and brightest, no matter what career path they choose.”

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners shipped more than 30 million servings of filtered water, juice, sports drinks and other beverages to relief organizations including the American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency and foodservice partners such as Aramark, and pledged $5 million in cash to organizations such as the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army and the Coca-Cola System Hurricane Katrina Employee Relief Fund.

Tech Breaches

Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports today evidence suggesting that breaches of sensitive personal information have occurred frequently and under widely varying circumstances.

According to Government Technology, “GAO was asked to examine the incidence and circumstances of breaches of sensitive personal information; the extent to which such breaches have resulted in identity theft; and the potential benefits, costs, and challenges associated with breach notification requirements. To address these objectives, GAO reviewed available reports on data breaches, analyzed 24 large data breaches, and gathered information from federal and state government agencies, researchers, consumer advocates, and others.

More than 570 data breaches were reported in the news media from January 2005 through December 2006. These incidents varied significantly in size and occurred across a wide range of entities, including federal, state, and local government agencies; retailers; financial institutions; colleges and universities; and medical facilities.

Marc Morial

Akidemics , a Los Angeles based non-profit organization that produces entertainment events for children will partner with The New Orleans Public Library, The New Orleans Recreational Department and The New Orleans Urban League to produce a Day of Reading & Entertainment for 1000(age 5-14) New Orleans Area Children

The Day of Reading & Entertainment (Fundamentals Program) will take place at Tulane University’s McAlister Auditorium. Legendary New Orleans radio personality Wild Wayne of Q-93 will host the event. Local artists and celebrities will appear to read books, stress the importance of education, and provide a few words of encouragement to the children. Urban League President/CEO Marc Morial, Hip Hop Pioneer Doug E. Fresh, Donald Trump’s The Apprentice star Omarosa, actor Mel Jackson, Inside Edition First

, April Woodard, Actress Napeira Groves, story teller Mama Saba, spoken word poet, local Hurricane Katrina hero John ‘The Can Man" Keller and other celebrities will be participating in this event. Cartoon character Clifford, The Big Red Dog will be on hand to meet and greet the children.   The event will be held Friday July 6, 2007 @ 12:30pm at Tulane University’s McAlister Auditorium

First Responders

Responders Fund will début a major annual Halloween event to raise much needed dollars for first responders to be held Tuesday, July 10, 2007 for 10:00 a.m. at Gallier Hall in New Orleans First Responders Fund is comprised of private citizens who are genuinely committed to the future New Orleans.

The mission of the Fund is to provide tangible benefits that will aid the recruitment and retention efforts of local police and fire departments and contribute to the betterment of New Orleans area first responders. The first priority is the development a comprehensive housing program that includes financial assistance for the purchase of a home and the rental units for the occupancy of newly recruited first responders.

The Halloween events will produce a direct and positive economic impact while providing the funds necessary to support our housing assistance program for NOPD, NOFD, and EMS.

Floodwall

On Friday, July 13, 2007, the Louisiana State Museum will proudly present FLOODWALL, a tribute installation in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the Diaspora of New Orleanians. FLOODWALL, a collaboration between New Orleans artists Jana Napoli and Rondell Carter, opens at the Louisiana State Museum-Baton Rouge with a free public reception July 13 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. and will remain at the museum until October 13, 2007.

FLOODWALL is an installation of 350 drawers collected from flood debris in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. The drawers are mounted in an 8’ by 96’ wall and positioned as though the drawers are being pulled open. FLOODWALL is meant to help amplify the voices of New Orleanians as they tell their own story through oral histories of the former drawer owners. As visitors experience the installation, each voice tells the tale of their own fate within this American tragedy.

FLOODWALL opened, in reduced form, to rave reviews at the World Financial Center in New York City with Ground Zero as a backdrop. Now, FLOODWALL comes home to Louisiana to open, for the first time, as a full installation at the Louisiana State Museum-Baton Rouge. One of the stated goals of the installation is to “honor our state capital for the open arms it extended New Orleanians displaced by the storm” according to artist Jana Napoli. FLOODWALL serves as a journey through loss and transformation, as well as the human connection to culture and community through the everyday objects we use.

Admission to FLOODWALL is included with the purchase of regular museum admission: $6. adults; $5. seniors, students, and active military; and free for children under 12

Auto Insurance

The Senate last week voted 25-12 supporting House changes to a bill that would increase the minimum requirements to $25,000 for the property damage of others, $50,000 for everyone killed or injured and up to $25,000 for each person injured. The bill is SB223.