Rep. Cedric Richmond Elected Chair of CBC
In late November, U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond (LA-02) was elected chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) for the 115th Congress.
As a member of the House of Representatives, Richmond currently serves the House judiciary and homeland security committees.
Richmond was first elected to Congress, representing Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District, in 2010, after serving eight years in the Louisiana state legislature.
He is a graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, Morehouse College, Tulane School of Law and the Harvard University executive program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Also elected to the Congressional Black Caucus’ leadership were: Andre’ Carson (IN-07), 1st Vice Chair; Karen Bass (CA-37), 2nd Vice Chair; Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Secretary; and Gwen Moore (WI-04), Whip.
The new CBC executive board will officially take their offices when the 115th Congress opens on January 3, 2017.
Since its establishment in 1971, members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have joined together to empower America’s neglected citizens and address their legislative concerns. For more than 40 years, the CBC has consistently been the voice for people of color and vulnerable communities in Congress and has been committed to utilizing the full Constitutional power and statutory authority of the United States government to ensure that all U.S. citizens have an opportunity to achieve the American Dream.
To learn more about the Congressional Black Caucus, visit http://cbc-butterfield.house.gov.
RTA UPDATES ITS WEBSITE
Earlier this month, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority launched a new and improved website to better serve New Orleans riding community with easy-to access, up-to-date information about the public transit system.
This website is equipped with enhanced tools that are designed to increase the mobility of our community. Riding the bus, streetcar, Paratransit bus or ferry with RTA is now easier than ever. New and improved tools including the Trip Planner, Maps & Schedules and Service Alerts place information at your fingertips.
The Trip Planner widget on every page helps take you from one address to another.
The Maps & Schedules tool gives you easy access to each line’s individual route maps, stops and timetables.
The Service Alerts tool is now prominently featured in a red bar that can drop down to indicate all transit lines experiencing any detours or irregularities.
The GoMobile App and Buy Fares and Passes widgets on each page allow riders access to three different ways to buy Jazzy Passes – online, at a retail vendor such as Walgreens or via RTA’s GoMobile ticketing application RTA invites everyone to try all of the great features at www.norta.com. Email feedback to comments@transdev.com or call our Rideline at 504-248-3900 for any questions regarding getting around town.
NEW MID-CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCH OPENS
On Tuesday, Dec. 13, officials with the city of New Orleans and the New Orleans Public Library celebrated the opening of the newly-relocated Mid-City Library (4140 Canal St.) This $200,000 investment, housed in the city’s historic landmark Automotive Life Insurance Building, includes over 9,000 square feet of literature, entertainment and educational opportunities for New Orleans residents.
This relocation brings new resources and opportunities to Canal Street. The new two-story Mid-City branch includes a large meeting space creating opportunity for expanded programming for the community. It also includes a collection of over 14,800 books, audiobooks, DVDs and CDs, as well as a larger children’s room, a dedicated teen space and a Spanish-language collection.
In June 2007, the Mid-City Library opened in a North Carrollton Avenue retail complex as a temporary location until the Smith and Keller Libraries opened. However, the great response of the community to this new library resulted in the creation of a permanent location.
In February 2011, the Mid-City Library moved to the American Can Building on Orleans Avenue, where it was housed before its relocation today.
“We are so pleased that the Library will continue its service to the Mid-City neighborhood, now in a larger location with convenient access to both public transportation and parking,” says Charles Brown, executive director of NOPL. “Having a public library in such a beautiful, classic mid-20th century building, in such a highly visible location on Canal Street is a wonderful statement to the City’s commitment to its libraries which provide the community with access to educational and entertainment resources.”
The Mid-City Library is open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday–Thursday and from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday–Saturday.
NOPD’s Sixth District Gives Dozen of Bikes to Local Youth
A total of 80 neighborhood students rode off on brand-new bicycles at the department’s “Christmas in the Sixth” event over the weekend.
The Sixth District, which includes the Irish Channel, Central City and Garden District neighborhoods, holds the event every year in partnership with local businesses. Teachers from area schools select the students who are treated to a free meal, a visit with Santa and a free bicycle and Christmas toy.
The event is one of several holiday events planned throughout the month of December to bring together officers and the community they serve. On Saturday (Dec. 10), officers in the Third District hosted a pancake breakfast and toy giveaway for dozens of students.
NBA Cares, New Orleans Pelicans and KaBOOM! to Build New Playground for William Hart Elementary School
Ahead of NBA All-Star 2017 in New Orleans, NBA Cares will work alongside KaBOOM! and local students to design a brand new playground for William Hart Elementary School in Gretna, Louisiana.
Wednesday, Dec. 14 was Design Day, the tip-off event to determine how best to create and catalyze the new play space, allowing more kids to have the childhood they deserve, filled with balanced and active play.
More than 30 students attended the Design Day event and were greeted by New Orleans Pelicans dancers, Pelicans Mascot Pierre the Pelican and KaBOOM! leadership before they begin designing their future playground, to be constructed and unveiled in time for NBA All-Star in February 2017.
The special event was held William Hart Elementary School, 2001 Hancock Street in Gretna. Student representatives from each class had the opportunity to get KaBOOM! design tips, learn about playground safety and enjoy fun activities with the Pelicans dancers and Pierre the Pelican.
