June 2014 | Bridge The Gulf Project

Most of you have heard of "Fats Domino" and "Minnesota Fats" but have you ever heard of "Africatown Fats"? He was an unsung community baseball champion who touched the lives of hundreds of players through his involvement in owning and managing a "negro" baseball team in Mobile, Alabama during the ‘40s, ‘50s, ’60s, and ‘70s.

Climate and Environment

Disaster, Response and Renewal

Health and Wellness

Dr. Riki Ott Seeks to Change How We Respond to Oil Spills

Marine toxicologist and Exxon Valdez survivor Dr. Riki Ott, who first sounded the alarm regarding the abundant use of chemical dispersants in the early days of the 2010 BP Deepwater Drilling Disaster, is once again touring the Gulf.

Climate and Environment

Economy and Work

Land and Housing

Energy Extremes in Alabama, from Florence Rally to Mobile Forum

Opposites appeared at opposite ends of Alabama on June 5. At the upper extreme a rally in Florence called for tar sands mining to stop before it begins. At the lower extreme of the state the energy industry staged a forum to which the public was invited — as spectators, not participants – in Mobile.

Distrust In God We Trust

Originally posted in New American Journal on June 18th

Image: Translation of In God We Trust, by W. Simon

MOBILE, Ala – From the agenda for the Mobile County Commission meeting on June 19, 2014:

resolution authorizing the public display of the national motto “In God We Trust” in Government Plaza

Climate and Environment

No Más Tar Sands! – Healing Begins at the Source

The Keystone XL pipeline begins in Alberta, Canada and ends in my backyard. Here in Houston’s East End, we’re well acquainted with the risks of living so close to the oil refineries whose toxic emissions poison us every day. Like so many other kids in this neighborhood, I grew up with constant headaches, asthma and skin rashes. Cardiovascular diseases and cancer are not uncommon. Now, the tar sands are here in my home.