Research for BLOODROOT left me unable to deny how easily, if we’re not careful, the lives of our communities’ children can go up in smoke. I also realized how easy it is to lend a hand to kids in need, and how the impact of small generosities can reverberate through entire families, blocks, and neighborhoods. One thing the last four years in New Orleans has taught me — if enough do a little, a lot gets done.

So I ask that you please join my wife AC and I in supporting the Roots of Music, a not-for-profit organization designed to address the critical need for middle-school music education in the city of New Orleans with the goal of becoming the city’s largest youth marching band.

By rekindling the marching band culture for youths, The Roots of Music is working to preserve New Orleans’ musical legacy and most importantly, provide a productive alternative to street life. Please see therootsofmusic.com for more information.

AC and I are also supportive of the Matheny Medical and Education Center in Peapack, NJ, a special hospital for children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities . . . a special education school providing academics, combined with functional life skills, for students, ages 3-21 . . . a comprehensive outpatient center meeting the health care needs of people with all types of disabilities in the community . . . and a teaching hospital developing ways to train healthcare professionals, therapists and educators in how to work with persons who have developmental disabilities. Learn more at www.matheny.org.

I also support the work of One.org - the campaign to make poverty history by providing medical, educational and entrepenurial aid to everyday folks throughout the African continent

Other Sites of Interest: Louisiana, Literary, and Otherwise.

nolafugees.com - the “truth” about what life is really like in the new New Orleans. Out now from nolafugees press, Andrea Boll’s provocative novel, The Parade Goes On Without You.

TREME: the startling new series on HBO from resident genius David Simon and his group of venerable storytellers. Gets a firm stamp of approval. And this link gets you access to behind the scenes videos and links to get your hands on the music.

www.indiebound.org - the web collective for America’s independent booksellers. Buy Local, yo.

Joseph Boyden: A New Orleans-based novelist of extraordinary talent. His first novel, the award-winning, international best-seller Three Day Road, the story of two Cree snipers in WWI is now available in paperback. His new novel, Through Black Spruce, winner of Canada’s Giller Prize, is out in the US.

Dirty Coast - purveyors of fine, fashionable pro-NOLA gear. Show the love and Be A New Orleanian, Wherever You Are.

FOR THE RECORD Bill has supreme and total control over any and all content on this site. If there’s anything you don’t like about it, blame him. If you dig it. let him know. Either way, please spare all these other hard-workin’ peoples The Grief. It ain’t on them, ya heard?