Vitter and Legislation

According to the Times Picayune, “Sen. David Vitter, R-La., has unleashed an onslaught of legislation, filing 34 bills and resolutions, on the first day of the 111th Congress that convened Tuesday.

Beyond making plain his intention to seek re-election in 2010, Vitter's opening-day volley also amounts to a political manifesto, staking unambiguous claim to issues dear to Christian conservatives -- abortion, public prayer, stem cell research, home schooling, drugs, the death penalty, illegal immigration and protecting the American flag -- with a thoroughness that leaves little room for any challenge on those issues from the right.“.  So far, Vitter faces no opposition, has the support of very popular Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and other Republicans. 

LABI and Jindal 

The Louisiana Association of Business And Industry showed its enormous clout with hundreds attending its annual luncheon and with Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and others in his cabinet discussing the past and future plans.  Also, on the program was a road show with conservative commentator Cal Thomas and liberal, Bob Beckel, sharing their opposing but shared views of the country.  Jindal quipped that he interviewed Governor Jindal and asked the Governor one question and received a twenty minute response.  Jindal gave an almost one hour rapid overview of the state and his agenda displaying his unique ability to present information.  He outlined much of the gains in the past year and provided an overview of the future.  He also spent significant time talking about the opposition to child molestation and repeatedly called the offenders “monsters”.  One of the main points of discussion during the event was a rumor that there would not be any special sessions beginning the year which would be a departure from last year where the legislature was in session for five out of the first six months. 

 Lafayette Music

A new resource center for Lafayette’s creative community is now open, offering technology access, training, tech support, production assistance and other services. Tipitina's Music Office Co- Op, located at 510 Johnston Street in downtown Lafayette, is part of a statewide network of Music Co-Ops operated by the non-profit Tipitina's Foundation.

A workforce development and job skills training program, Tipitina's Music Office Co-Op was first established in 2003 in New Orleans and also operates in Shreveport, Alexandria, and Baton Rouge. The project is funded in part by the State of Louisiana, through the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, and The Goldring FamilyFoundation.

A 2007 economic impact study shows Co-Op members reporting substantial year-toyear increases in their music or media income, which are directly attributed to participation in the Co-Op. Reported income gains range from 30% pre-Katrina to around 9% post-Katrina.

"Tipitina's Music Office Co-Op has a simple, persuasive offer," says Todd Souvignier, Co-Op coordinator for Tipitina's Foundation. "If you could give yourself a raise, and do so by having better tools, some help with the tools, a pleasant and fully-equipped place to work, plus interaction with others who are engaged in the same pursuits, would you give it a shot? More than twelve hundred Louisiana cultural workers have already said 'yes' to that proposition, and make use of the Co-Op." Co-Op members have access to Windows PCs with Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite, Macintosh computers with Pro Tools, Final Cut Pro, Garageband and Reason, high-speed Internet, plus phones, fax, scanners, printers, and other office equipment. In addition the Co-Op provides an array of educational and training resources, access to

pro bono legal services, and referrals to a host of other services, programs and

opportunities. Although geared for adults, Tipitina's Music Office Co-Op welcomes professional and aspiring musicians and artists of all ages. Active members pay a $10 membership fee each month that they use the Co-Op. The Lafayette Co-Op is managed by Lafayette native Rachel Nederveld. Hours are 11AM to 7PM Monday through Friday.

Also, All are invited to attend Tipitina’s Music Office Co-Op/Lafayette’s Grand Opening on Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 from 12 pm to 2 pm,

at the new Co-Op located at 510 Johnston St. (on Johnston between Jackson and Vermillion) followed by a Benefit Concert at the Blue Moon beginning at 8pm that evening.The Grand Opening of Lafayette’s Tipitina’s Music Office Co-Op will have music by Cedric Watson and Blake Miller, remarks by city and state officials, and food catered by Big Blue from New Orleans. Staff and members will be available to answer questions and visitors are welcome to tour our facilities that offer technology access, training, tech support, production assistance and other services.

The Blue Moon will host a concert to benefit the Tipitina’s Music Office Co-Op that evening at 8pm featuring local musicians such as Carol Fran, Andy Cornett, Marty Christian, Hungry Hungry, and Cedric Watson.

Tipitina’s Music Office Co-Op/Lafayette is part of a statewide network of Music Co-Ops operated by the non-profit Tipitina's Foundation, and is funded in part by the State of Louisiana, through the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, and The Goldring Family Foundation. Please contact Rachel or visit www.musiccoop.blogspot.com for updated info on the benefit show or Grand Opening.

Palin and Kennedy

In an article by Howard Kurtz,  Sarah Palin, is still “smarting” over coverage of her vice-presidential run, calls the media's reporting on her family "very scary" and says there may be "a class issue" that explains the more sympathetic treatment of Caroline Kennedy.

Blagojevich, Impeachment and Jindal

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is on the hotseat.  The Illinois House is set today to vote on impeaching the governor. The Governor is being charged for numerous crimes including the attempt to peddle the US Senate seat held by Barack Obama.  Yesterday, at a LABI program, Louisiana Governor Jindal, in his attempts to emphasize the ethics gains in Louisiana joked about the Illinois ethics reputation and how Louisiana was once ripe with poor leadership.

Louisiana Grant

Today, Governor Bobby Jindal announced $87,000 in grants awarded to five organizations conducting drug and violence prevention programs in Louisiana. These cost reimbursement grants are awarded under the Governor’s Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program.  

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The new grant recipients include $20,000 each for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council for South Louisiana of Houma, the Alpha Community Outreach Center, Inc. of Jeanerette and For Today and Tomorrow of Baton Rouge. Additionally, $13,500 each was awarded to Mary Springhill Foundation, Inc. of Shreveport and World Impact Ministries of Winnsboro.

Funding is granted to programs that strive to combat drugs and violence in schools and their surrounding communities. Including today’s awards, 41 programs are now being funded across Louisiana at total of $1,231,150.

Governor Jindal said, “The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program offers invaluable services to our state’s youth. The funding will support organizations that offer mentoring and substance abuse programs, providing positive role models for our state’s children and making both our schools and our communities safer for Louisiana families.”

The program is supported by Title IV of the “No Child Left Behind Act of 2001” and the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program supports the Drug Policy Board and works to eradicate substance abuse and its related consequences through the Prevention Systems Committee and State Epidemiology Workgroup.

Michelle Aycock, Executive Director of the Governor’s Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Program said, “We set some pretty aggressive goals for ourselves this year, including new grant criteria intended to ensure that funded programs are evidence-based and data-driven.  We not only want to be a source of funds for worthy programs throughout the state, we also want to concentrate on building programs in those areas in dire need of substance abuse prevention programming where none currently exist. We are very excited about the success of our grantees that we are working with and look forward to growing substance abuse prevention efforts statewide over the next few years.”

For Today and Tomorrow Executive Director Karla Cormier said, “For Today And Tomorrow is enthusiastic with the receipt of a letter from the Governor awarding $20,000 to implement a mentoring program to 25 at-risk fourth and fifth graders in Crowley, Louisiana.  The Mentoring Across the Ages program will reduce substance abuse and at-risk behaviors by pairing 25 adults who will provide guidance and encouragement to the at-risk students.  We would like to thank Governor Bobby Jindal and the amazing staff of the Governor’s Safe And Drug-Free School and Communities for awarding this grant and look forward to the impact that will be felt immediately and for years to come.”

Information regarding the grants and applications can be found on the Governor’s Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities website or by calling 1-800-827-5885.