soupablog

barista redux

here's some concrete ways we can help my barista acquaintance, post Katrina:

+ pray for her. let's call her "k.c." for now. pray that her manager would let her off this weekend when her furniture arrives (currently the manager scheduled her, after understanding the situation, and after k.c. went through proper channels to try and get off). pray for needs met, and encouragement.

+ i'm taking up a collection for her. just send a buck or two my way at paypal.com (use my normal email address), and it'll get to her. let me know in the email it's for "k.c./katrina"

+ i told her one of us could let the furniture guys in, if she was stuck at work with no roommates at home; she was not comfortable with this idea, so i didn't pursue. if she changes her mind, i'll let y'all know and we can mini-mobilize :) -- she is employed, and has the basics.

+ oh, and her sister showed up in beaumont.

tempest in the coffee pot, or the once and future barista

one of the san antonio starbucks I frequent had this great barista (this starbucks is a hotel lobby franchise version that isn't a full-on starbucks but is only 2 short blocks away) -- but she disappeared nine months ago. she had said something in passing to me once about possibly moving away, but until she was gone I hadn't thought about it. (a series of mediocre baristas have followed, so i opted to either stop and get coffee on my way in, or make my own using our cappucino machine in the studios)...

then, this morning, i happened back to the old hotel-lobby starbucks, and there she was. back again:

she had lost everything in katrina.

suddenly i had remembered that the place she was moving to was new orleans, to live with her sister. she told the tale of how she had lost it all, but got reassigned back to san antonio, where she's crashing in a borrowed bedroom for now. her sister was in houston last time she called, but is missing now and has no way of getting hold of her.

just another reminder to keep katrina victims in your prayers.

quickpost - texans helping

Link: Lone Star MVPA - ('05 Hurricane Katrina Experience).

Daybreak, up and at 'em. Spent most of the day clearing debris in Biloxi and Gulfport. The deuce makes a pretty good plow when you use a compact car turned sideways as a plow blade. As before, local residents cheered when they realized that we were making access for them.

designers helping their own

[via]

A weblog, called Displaced Designers has been launched to aid creative industry individuals in the New Orleans area who have been displaced by hurricane Katrine and are in need of assistance. The blog appeals to those individuals and companies that can provide office space, living space, computers, other business resources and jobs to those who have been affected by Katrina.

Katrina (2)

San Antonio is in the process of welcoming some of the people who have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina to our city.  San Antonio and area churches are joining together to provide relief for refugees when they arrive.  Here is what is needed:  linens such as new or gently used sheets, comforters, pillowcases, towels, washcloths; toiletries, baby diapers, formula, all kinds of FOOD, tables and metal or other shelving to stack donated items on while they are being gathered and assembled before being driven to Kelly AFB and the shelters in SA where refugees will be staying. 

If you would be able to provide any items, would you please drop them off at the old Alberston's building (now Trinity Baptist Ministry in the Making) at the corner of Hwy. 281 and St. Mary's.  They should be open from 7:30 am - 6:30 pm Monday through Saturday for the next several weeks.  Tomorrow, Saturday Sept 3, they will open at 9:00 a.m.

Also, volunteers will be needed to receive and organize donated items from 7:30 am - 6:30 pm. If you can volunteer or provide food or snacks for volunteers, your help would be much appreciated.  Please pass the word around to as many people as you can.  Thank you so much. 

Get hold of Paul or John Griffin if you want the contact person's name & phone.

One to read.

Horrible scenes at New Orleans airport

In triage center, baggage conveyor
used for grim task of moving bodies