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Mayor's Press Office

Section: Business

Mayor's Press Office
City of New Orleans
1300 Perdido Street, Suite 2E04
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112 Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2009

CITY OF NEW ORLEANS HOSTS 2ND 'STATE OF NORD' COMMUNITY PROGRAM

NORD TO EXTEND SUMMER PROGRAM REGISTRATION DURING PROGRAM

New Orleans, LA -Tomorrow, May 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., The New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) will host the second State of NORD community event at the St. Bernard Center (1500 Lafreniere Street). The event theme "The Re-Building of NORD: Quality Cultural, Recreational and Educational Experiences for Youth and Families" will showcase the talent of NORD participants while updating the community on the recovery on NORD facilities and additional programs returning this fall.

"Our mission remains to provide wholesome, cultural and recreational activities for our youth, seniors and families -- citywide. We will continue to work diligently to restore and return parks and playgrounds back to our neighborhoods," said Larry Barabino, Jr, director of NORD. "Although, we have encountered challenges during this recovery process, I am proud to work with a dedicated, hardworking team who put the children and community first everyday!"

The event will feature performances by a student vocalist, the NORD Marching Band, Dillard University and NORD Cheerleaders, and the St. Bernard Senior Citizens group. The Vietnamese American Youth Leadership Organization will sponsor a performance by its hip hop dance group. The department will also acknowledge a host of local and national volunteers that assisted in the recovery of NORD facilities.

NORD booster clubs and partners will provide informational tables with brochures and pamphlets on the department's programs and activities. These partners include: GNO Afterschool, Positive Image Entertainment & Hip Hop, Council on Alcohol and Drugs Abuse for Greater New Orleans, 2-Cent Entertainment, Girl Scouts Louisiana East, New Orleans Ballet Association, A's And Aces Tennis, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Anthony Bean Community Theater & Acting, New Orleans Public Library, Agenda for Child, Louisiana Children Museum, Job 1, Foundation for Science & Math Education/Creative Forces and Stage to Stage. NORD cultural programs including music, ceramics and sewing will also set up displays for viewing.

NORD and the City of New Orleans continue their work to accelerate the rehabilitation of more facilities, parks and playgrounds. To date, approximately 40 NORD rebuilding projects are either in the planning, design or construction phase. The department is also working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to restore and return 14 facilities to the City. So far, FEMA has completed 5 of the fields, with 10 remaining.

To date, FEMA has obligated $7.4 million for the restoration of NORD facilities, and the City has received $1.5 million from the state. The City estimates it will cost approximately $73 million to repair all recreational facilities.

To register for NORD summer camps, call the NORD main office at 504-658-3000. For more information on NORD programs dial 311 or visit www.cityofno.com.

END

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