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How you can help Texas recover from Harvey
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Volunteers rescue stranded victims during Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017. - photo by Jennifer Graham
Emergency officials say that donating money is the best way to help when a natural disaster strikes, but there are plenty of opportunities for people who want to help in more concrete ways.

Airbnb, the online home rental service, has established an internet site where people can search for or offer accommodations to people displaced by Harvey.

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as at other locations around the country, groups are setting up tractor-trailers where people can bring donations that will be driven directly to Texas.

The needs include not just food, water, toiletries, new clothing and sanitary supplies, but also new toys, said Jim Johnson, program director at WRQQ in Baton Rouge, which is organizing the drive. Toys might not seem like an emergency supply, but they can offer comfort to children staying in shelters and replace those that might have been ruined at home, Johnson said.

The American Red Cross has also asked for blood donations all over the country since it is temporarily unable to collect blood in areas affected by Harvey.

The organization has also set up a way for mobile phone users to easily contribute $10: Text HARVEY to 90999 to make a one-time donation.

Trusted organizations that are collecting money for relief efforts include these, according to the Houston Chronicle:

The Houston Food Bank.

The Texas Diaper Bank.

The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, established by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

The United Way of Greater Houston.

The Jewish Foundation of Greater Houston.

Samaritan's Purse.

The Salvation Army.

Global Giving.

Additionally, the Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce has established a fund specifically to support African-American businesses affected by the hurricane. Donations by mail can be made payable to GHBCC Foundation, 4828 Loop Central Drive, Suite 100, Houston, Texas, 77081, or people can donate online.

There is also a relief fund specifically for members of the LGBTQ community, established by The Montrose Center in Houston.

The American Red Cross has said it expects to have a presence in Texas for months. In Ohio and other states, local affiliates are preparing to train volunteers to go into Texas for spans of at least two weeks to relieve those who are there now.

"Volunteers wanting to go to Houston must be healthy and physically capable to deal with long, strenuous hours in adverse conditions," WKYC, an NBC affiliate in Cleveland, reported.

Finally, for people who want to donate money, internet security experts are warning that scams are already operating. The Federal Trade Commission has urged Americans to only donate through trusted organizations and to be wary of any website recently established or any solicitation received through email.

Internet security expert Brian Krebs notes that anyone can establish a website with hurricane-related pictures and a link to donate through PayPal, and that the donations might be going to a criminal's personal bank account.

"Sometimes these sites are set up by well-meaning people with the best of intentions (however misguided), but its best not to take a chance," Krebs warned.
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Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
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Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Street musician killing it on clarinet

She must have lungs of iron! Its inspiring hearing the upper registers being played so well.

Posted by Clarinet Life on Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
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