Finding himself working as both a teacher and translator in a Heating, Ventilating and Air-conditioning Installation and Repair (HVAC) program was a surprise for Duc Nguyen. An experienced HVAC professional, he said, “I have always been a very hands-on type, and I never really liked the classroom. I have learned to appreciate the importance of the time spent there since teaching this class.”
Originally published as an email to the Gulf Coast Fund's network of grantees, December 15th 2010.
I am currently en route via Amtrak to today's White House Summit on Environmental Justice - an historic, all-day gathering of federal cabinet secretaries and environmental leaders from across the United States (see details in Press Release below).
Coden, Alabama – On Saturday, this small coastal community became home to one of the largest solar power systems in the state of Alabama.
The 25,000 kilowatt system, powered by 108 solar panels, was installed in the Coastal Response Center, a hurricane shelter, community center, and home to the local group South Bay Communities Alliance, whose advocacy repaired and renovated the building after Hurricane Katrina.
After Hurricane Gustav in 2008, north Baton Rouge residents were left without electricity for nearly two weeks. Across the street at ExxonMobil’s Baton Rouge refinery, the second largest refinery in the country, workers were dealing with their own mess.
Bridge the Gulf contributor Mickey Sou recounts his experience distributing pies and turkeys over Thanksgiving to people who are hurting because of the BP oil disaster.
Fishermen, seafood factory workers, shrimpers, truck drivers, even the man who sits there at the corner and sells those delicious Gulf Shrimp; All came for a free turkey and pie! Free? Yes, you heard me, FREE turkeys and pies for people affected by the oil disaster.
Finding himself working as both a teacher and translator in a Heating, Ventilating and Air-conditioning Installation and Repair (HVAC) program was a surprise for Duc Nguyen. An experienced HVAC professional, he said, “I have always been a very hands-on type, and I never really liked the classroom. I have learned to appreciate the importance of the time spent there since teaching this class.”
Coden, Alabama – On Saturday, this small coastal community became home to one of the largest solar power systems in the state of Alabama.
By Sue Sturgis, Crossposted from 
After Hurricane Gustav in 2008, north Baton Rouge residents were left without electricity for nearly two weeks. Across the street at ExxonMobil’s Baton Rouge refinery, the second largest refinery in the country, workers were dealing with their own mess. 
