NESP Forum

Jake's Friends (http://www.jakesfriends.org) is a grass roots group of young people age 7 - 15 who spend their spare time doing nice things for other kids. Whether it is collecting stuffed animals to bring to local area hospitals or toys for the Christmas holiday - small acts of kindness is the theme of Jake’s Friends. These kids make the decisions, do the work and come up with new ideas on how to help.

Jake is an 11 year old who put this group together and is doing some really amazing things for the kids in New Orleans.

BluzKat and the NOMRF teamed up with Jake and Jake’s Friends for an exciting Christmas project. Whenever you purchase a special “BluzKat Whomps for New Orleans” coloring/activity book and donate it to Jake/Jake’s Friends, you are not only helping Jake with his mission to helping children but also helping the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund (NOMRF) because all the proceeds from Pre-sale of the book are going to this awesome charity. Jake himself is even donating crayons for each coloring/activity book given out for Christmas.

Please copy and paste the link http://www.jakesfriends.org to read more about how this wonderful kid is doing great things. You can order the coloring/activity book from there as well. Please designate Jake’s Friends in the paypal section when you place your order.

Let’s join forces to help New Orleans kids like Jake and his buddies and Bluzkat to make a difference to restore the musical heritage of New Orleans for many future generations to come!!

PLACE YOUR ORDER FOR JAKE’S FRIENDS AND NOMRF TODAY FOR THE FUTURE!!

Thanks.

Bluzkat

Did you know that Jake is also a Katrina survivor with his family so he knows what it feels like to lose everything?? This kid chose to turn his tragedy around and help other kids who weren't as fortunate.

This kid is amazing! We are so excited to be helping out this kid with his mission to help the children of New Orleans!

Please visit jakesfriends.org to order your collectible coloring/activity book just for New Orleans! The graphics for the book are one of a kind and they are sooooooooo cute!

BluzKat visits the House Of Blues, Muzik (our deaf kitten) does a serious jam session on the drums at the Jazz and Preservation Hall, Grandma Purrrle shares her "purrrles of wisdom" with the kittens while visiting the statue of Louie Armstrong, and Bluz gets to jam on the horn with Al Hert. Delta even gets into a hairy situation in an encounter while visiting a famous Voodoo shop. There's lots more but you have to buy the book to see it all!

Whomp For New Orleans isn't just a coloring book, it's an adventure!

Bluz,
can't wait to see the coloring book - hope people are visiting your site's home too and "meeting" the "kats" - the great music and wonderful artwork is well worth the trip ! !
http://www.bluzkat.com/index2.htm

I am guessing that people know BluzKat is Taylor  
but wonder if they know Grandma Purrrle is Ms Joni ? ?
and Delta is Bill ?

it's fun to see if you know who the kat is supposed to be - - for example I wonder if Muzik is a poster I remember from GC ? ? ?

if it's OK to tell  - it would be neat to have a Who's Who of these charming creatures a very talented artist has created - - but then that would kinda spoil the fun wouldn't it  

ordered some books earlier for the "kids of various ages" in my life but will do some more for this project especially since it is a double donation -
> music based coloring books for the kids helped by Jake & friends - - any opportunity to interest kids in music is a good thing
> much needed help for the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund (NOMRF)  to keep the music flowing in that very special city


BTW:   Bluz - the version of Louisiana 1927 on the coloring book page is very poignant - tugs hard on the heart every time I've heard it - think it is Aaron Neville's version - is that right ?

ETA:  a FYI for you - - just placed an order and the Paypal link did not offer a comment section to let you know it was for Jake's Christmas project - - will PM you the info so you can re-direct this one

All the cats "muses" have given us their blessings so we are happy Bill's direct order is to keep Delta cute and funny...so we are going by his wishes.

Muzik is inspired by Jane Croft-AKA-JaneyLOL who is deaf The objective for Muzik is to inspire children with handicaps to continue following their dreams and be inspired by the music. Their handicaps shouldn't be an obsticle in life or a road block to having fun.

Melody got her name from Taylor actually. "Melody" is Taylor's mistress, meaning he's in love with the music. She also represents the Soul Patrol because of their intense love for Taylor and his music. And she has a little tiny bit of me in her....(but just a little)

Stanza is inspired by our artist Cougar. She's full of spit and vinegar and that's the way we like her. She's always ready to try new things but has her lessons to learn also.

Treble was inspired by LMBO's Jeff Lopez in a way. When I met Jeff in March, he struck me as a fun loving guy who isn't prone to getting into mischief now and again. The smile did it. Treble is learning to play the wind instruments, so look forward to some funny antics coming from him.

Tune represents all the little kids out there with emphasis on the ones who feel displaced. Tune is a homeless kitten who finds his family with BluzKat and takes a special interest in Delta who will become his inspiration.

We have a horse name Charley. I can't tell you who... I can't spill on this muse.... Let's just say that he's the "keeper of secrets" who will be guiding the cats on their journeys and saving them from mischief.

We have a serious adventure about to start as soon as we get an animator. We are searching for one now.

We also have books in the works that will be introducing children to musical instruments kicking off with the harmonica. We are searching for a publisher right now.

Thank you all for your continued support and we look forward to the continuing involvement of the soul patrol with this. Even though Bluzkat is moving into the New Orleans music scene, Taylor's music plays a vital role with this because Bluzkat is helping Taylor with his mission in being the Ambassador of music to the kids.  Taylor has close musical ties to this great city and played an instrumental role in him going onto American Idol.

Anymore questions, feel free to ask! Any suggestions are welcomed!

I love it that you are taking Taylor back to his grass roots! It's all about THE MUSIC, and kudos to you for steering in that direction.

Any help I can offer, please let me know. I am offering to roll up my sleeves and help with anything you may need me to do.

Since I have met you, BluzKat has gone in an uphill direction, and it's all due to you and the great staff you have onboard. Your energy and dedication are an inspiration to us all!

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseactio...d=17045971

This is Jake Lewis, an 11-year-old who wrote this speech Tuesday night and delivered it on Wednesday in front of St. Louis Cathedral. Disregard the buses going by, the ups and downs of the amp and the wind blowing in before yesterday's torrential rain.

Jake is one of the best reminders that the city's children have a better grasp on what needs to be done than any armchair adviser.

He collects toys for kids in children's hospitals. He's boycotting Lionel Trains because they didn't replace his train set after Katrina and he had a money back guarantee. And he reserves the right to run for office in 20 years.

Here is the copy of his speech:

Hello Fellow New Orleanians!
Thank you!
" all who question the future of the Crescent City need to know there is no way to imagine America without New Orleans, and this great city will rise again." Those were the words of President Bush as he spoke to the nation Sept 2005. While many of us feel that our leaders could have and should have done more - now is the time to be Katrina survivors instead of Katrina victims!

Now is the time to move forward on sheer determination and the spirit that we all have in our hearts to do what we can to help each other, to make things better and to not rely on promises but the strong wills of our people to bring New Orleans back to where it needs to be.

My name is Jacob Lewis and I am an 11 year old native of New Orleans. I am not running for office (but I retain to the right to do so in about 20 years - haha) I am here to remind you all that we appreciate the wonderful people who have worked so hard to help us.
While we have come a long way since Katrina - we still have a long way to go!
I am here to let President Bush know that there are weapons of mass distraction here in New Orleans. Just to be clear, I said weapons of mass DISTRACTION.

The distraction of STILL living in fema trailers and waiting to rebuild homes. The distraction of too much crime for me and my friends to feel safe playing outside. The distraction of worrying about another hurricane hitting the area when we are not protected and losing everything that we have AGAIN. The distraction of too many people still dying from suicide, not enough health care and too much crime. We have allot of problems, and still, in all of this, have a undying love of this city and a fierce heart to make sure that we deliver for ourselves on the promises that were made to us.

I want to thank all of the heroes, the regular people, the military, the NOPD, NOMRF, the moms and dads and yes, the kids who have worked so hard to bring this place back together and who keep trying every day in spite of the distractions and challenges that we face!

Thank you America for all of the volunteers and for the love that you sent our way. Thanks to all of the people of New Orleans for not giving up!


Let' s Redefine 8 - 29! My name is Jacob Lewis and I approve this message!

Please visit jakes friends . org on the internet to find out how you can help some of us kids help each

Heres an actual page from this Coloring & Activity book.....

"Muzik Beats.... for NOMRF"

WHOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO! Thanks for describing all the kats for us! What you are doing is great, and as I've said........Harmony for the Soul is completely behind all of you!