Best links for info on the oil spill and volunteer opportunities

Here are some particularly good links I’ve found:

Volunteering:

• Mobile Bay National Estuary Program – Provide contact information to the MBNEP office by phone at 251- 431-6409 or by email to mbnep@mobilebaynep.com.
• Pascagoula River Audubon Center – “If you are interested in being trained to help wash oiled birds, please email the Center (contact us) with your Full Name and phone number. We are being inundated with phone calls for volunteer request, please use the contact link to submit your information.”
• Oilspillvolunteers.com – An excellent site created by a couple in Ocean Springs, MS. Includes general information on the volunteer effort (not Mississippi-specific) that is constantly updated. Mississippi-specific information includes how to sign up to volunteer and training sessions.
• Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana – Collecting volunteer information for Louisiana

Spill Status

Happy Earth Day!

Hey, wanna join me in my new Earth Day tradition? Let’s commit to giving up something specific for Earth Day. Sort of like Lent, except permanently. Change one habit that’s hurting Mother.

I like to think I’m pretty green.

Be healthy the au naturel way: April 10

No, this isn’t about nudist colonies (got your attention though, didn’t it?). It’s about healthcare. Waaaaay too complicated a topic for a single blog post. Suffice it to say I’m a big fan of holistic and alternative healthcare. This Saturday, the Gulf Coast Holistic Health Fair will give you an opportunity to learn about holistic heathcare options

Happy Kick Butts Day

Not exactly a major holiday. Heck there wasn’t even a parade downtown. But members of SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) did gather in Cathedral Square today in recognition of National Kick Butts Day. Their goal is to see the city of Mobile join Citronelle, Bayou La Batre, Prichard, and Saraland in banning smoking in public places.

Oakleigh’s biggest party of the year tomorrow

Callaghan’s Irish Social Club will celebrate St Patrick’s Day tomorrow, March 13th. If you’ve never been to Callaghan’s St. Patty’s Day party and you’re picturing a quaint celebration in a cozy Irish pub, this isn’t it. This is more like Mardi Gras with no gold or purple and more drunks.

The party starts at noon with traditional Irish music followed by bands all afternoon and into the evening.

There’ll also be live music at Callaghan’s on the real St. Patrick’s Day. For more information, go to the Callaghan’s web site.

Hot Now – free Krispy Kremes! Last day today!

When I drove by the Krispy Kreme last night the HOT NOW sign was flashing and it was so crowded you’d have thought they were giving away free donuts. Well, they ARE. And today’s the last day. You can swap Mardi Gras beads for free donuts. You declutter and recycle, the beads benefit a good cause AND you get free KK’s. How hot is that? Check my February 25th post for details or just grab a bunch of beads and head to the Krispy Kreme.

Recycle Gras follow-up: how to melt your beads

Want to recycle your beads into a cool lamp like this? Below are detailed instructions from Mark Kirk of UP/Unique Products in New Orleans. I took UP’s Recycle Gras workshop at The Big Top this past Saturday and had a bon temps. Check my previous Recycle Gras post for other ideas on how to recycle your beads.

At the Recycle Gras workshop, the big kids (like me) created mosaics with glue (I’ll post my objet d’art when it’s finished). The little kids created nightlights using the technique below. This is a good (supervised) project for the kiddies.

I’m looking for more creative ideas on how to re-use Mardi Gras beads and other throws. Please post your ideas in comments below or email me at sharman@sharmanegan.com.

Recycle Gras! DO-nate your beads for free DO-nuts!

Finally got around to taking down the Mardi Gras decorations yesterday. Which means The Tree Formerly Known as The Mardi Gras Tree (and before that the Christmas Tree) has now morphed into the St Patty’s Day Tree. I love this tradition. First of all, my last name is Egan so a St. Patty’s Day tree helps me get in touch with my inner Irish even if I did have to marry into this good Irish name.

Kiss your ash goodbye this Ash Wednesday

I stole this title from a Heroes ad in the Lagniappe. It was too good to resist and I’m going to plug the restaurant so it’s okay, right?

First I should say that Heroes is one of our favorite restaurants downtown. Love the grilled tuna salad. Every time we go there I think I’ll order something else. But I never do. Same thing with Kevin.

Love the deck. The perfect place to enjoy the Mobile weather, especially when there’s something going on in Cathedral Square. The prices are great, the vibe is good. What more could you ask for?

How about no smoke? Done. On February 17, 2010, Heroes will go smoke free inside. HAAA-lay-lou-ya.

All aboard for Birmingham?

Mobile’s train karma is high this week. How would you like to be able to take a train from Mobile to Montgomery or Birmingham? It could happen. In our lifetimes.

The feds announced this week that $200,000 in stimulus funds is headed our way to try to figure out whether this is a good idea.