Relief Meeting at TiGeorges

I've never been to Haiti, but like many Angelinos, I feel like I have thanks to TiGeorges Laguerre.

TiGeorges is a longtime friend, and I've been working with him on his memoirs. The manuscript is about Los Angeles, Brooklyn, and Haiti, where Georges is from.

I stopped by his Echo Park restaurant, TiGeorges Chicken, a few minutes ago. Two television news vans were parked out front. No surprise -- TiGeorges is our city's preeminent Haitian cultural ambassador. He's also undertaken philanthropic, social, and business ventures both here and there.

Georges said he had been able to reach people in Haiti only once, yesterday, briefly. With the aftershocks, he said, he's had no contact today.

He said he's having a meeting at his restaurant Thursday @ 5pm to discuss relief efforts.

Anyone is welcome to attend, he said.

Also, here's a list of aid organizations and how to contact them, via KCRW and the Clinton Foundation.