Saturday, November 26, 2005
New Orleans Music news
NPR will be broadcasting its 11 hour new year's eve show from Tipitina's, where Galactic will be performing.
The Mayor's Bring New Orleans Back committee would like your input on their survey here
Phish offering a show for download to benefit Katrina relief
The Mayor's Bring New Orleans Back committee would like your input on their survey here
Phish offering a show for download to benefit Katrina relief
Friday, November 25, 2005
The most incredible post-Katrina story I have read
I'm pretty sure that I can never in good conscience feel sorry for myself again.
KAMPALA, Uganda, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Some 200 Ugandan women who earn $1.20 per day breaking rocks into gravel in Kampala have donated $900 to the U.S. victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Rose Busingye, a 36-year-old Ugandan nurse, works with the women, many of whom have AIDS and work at a strip mine outside Kampala.
She said the women's hearts had been touched last year when they donated some of their earnings to victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia. She told the New Orleans Times Picayune she didn't have the heart to ask for another effort, so she asked only that the women pray for Katrina's victims.
But at least 200 women began donating their mining wages, and money from selling bananas, necklaces and small chairs.
The women turned over their money to AVSI, a Catholic Italian aid organization in Kampala, which will forward it to an AVSI office in the United States.
Source story here, and T-P article here. The 2nd link is a pretty good read, and it will definitely make you question if you're doing all that you can do to help the world around you.
KAMPALA, Uganda, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Some 200 Ugandan women who earn $1.20 per day breaking rocks into gravel in Kampala have donated $900 to the U.S. victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Rose Busingye, a 36-year-old Ugandan nurse, works with the women, many of whom have AIDS and work at a strip mine outside Kampala.
She said the women's hearts had been touched last year when they donated some of their earnings to victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia. She told the New Orleans Times Picayune she didn't have the heart to ask for another effort, so she asked only that the women pray for Katrina's victims.
But at least 200 women began donating their mining wages, and money from selling bananas, necklaces and small chairs.
The women turned over their money to AVSI, a Catholic Italian aid organization in Kampala, which will forward it to an AVSI office in the United States.
Source story here, and T-P article here. The 2nd link is a pretty good read, and it will definitely make you question if you're doing all that you can do to help the world around you.
New Orleans quote of the day
"It's terrible being here," said Thompson, who carries a Coleman lantern from room to room to dispel the darkness. "But it's even worse being away."
source story here
source story here
I botched the biggest catastrophe in our nation's history, let me help your company prepare for disaster
Michael Brown, the bureaucrat who headed America's response to Hurricane Katrina and himself became a symbol of man-made calamity, is going into the disaster management business. He is setting up as a consultant, marketing his expertise on coping with catastrophe - natural and self-made.
Full story here
Full story here
Quick Hits 11/25
Katrina survivors more thankful than ever. It's true, the one common refrain that you will hear if you're in town for more than a few minutes and talk to somebody who lived here before the storm is "we were lucky". Regardless of whether the storm knocked their house off the foundation, filled it with 10 feet of water, and they lost their job, they were lucky. Everybody says it.
Another story of those thankful amid Katrina's ruins
FEMA calls Hurricane Katrina response one of its top accomplishments for the year
Some financial assistance for hurricane Katrina victims
An editorial on bonds issued by Katrina affected areas before the storm
Another story of those thankful amid Katrina's ruins
FEMA calls Hurricane Katrina response one of its top accomplishments for the year
Some financial assistance for hurricane Katrina victims
An editorial on bonds issued by Katrina affected areas before the storm
Inspirational Quote of the Evening
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work." – Thomas Edison, inventor
Inspirational Quote of the Day
"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe."
Anatole France
Anatole France
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Fannie Mae and FEMA reach deal
http://www.heraldnewsdaily.com/stories/news-00104043.html
WASHINGTON - FEMA settled a disagreement Wednesday with one of the nation‘s largest mortgage lenders to help 1,500 Hurricane Katrina families into rent-free houses for 18 months.
Responding to a complaint by a Democratic congressman, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it would take Fannie Mae up on its offer to provide 1,500 homes — many of them single-family houses — to Katrina evacuees.
WASHINGTON - FEMA settled a disagreement Wednesday with one of the nation‘s largest mortgage lenders to help 1,500 Hurricane Katrina families into rent-free houses for 18 months.
Responding to a complaint by a Democratic congressman, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it would take Fannie Mae up on its offer to provide 1,500 homes — many of them single-family houses — to Katrina evacuees.
Quote of the month
"Before I prepare my seafood dinner, I think I'll put on some jazz, sip my sugared coffee, turn up the thermostat, and lecture New Orleanians about how unwise it is to live where they do. I should have told them in person when I vacationed there last year, but I was too busy having the time of my life."
From Oyster
Great article on what it is like to live in New Orleans now
Written by a Loyola University professor.
"On my way every day to where we used to live, I drive through a city I love that lies in ruins. The park that lines one side of a boulevard I follow home is now a solid wall of debris 20 feet high. On the other side of the street, desolate houses destroyed by the flood gape back with shattered windows, open doors and ragged holes in rooftops kicked out by families trapped in their attics when the water rose. Every single thing - wrecked houses, abandoned cars, even the people - everything is covered in a pall of gray dust, as if all the color of this once vibrant city has been leached out. "
Read the full article here
Thanks to Murph for turning me on to this
"On my way every day to where we used to live, I drive through a city I love that lies in ruins. The park that lines one side of a boulevard I follow home is now a solid wall of debris 20 feet high. On the other side of the street, desolate houses destroyed by the flood gape back with shattered windows, open doors and ragged holes in rooftops kicked out by families trapped in their attics when the water rose. Every single thing - wrecked houses, abandoned cars, even the people - everything is covered in a pall of gray dust, as if all the color of this once vibrant city has been leached out. "
Read the full article here
Thanks to Murph for turning me on to this
Tropical Storm Delta
From the latest NHC dispatch: THE 2005 ATLANTIC TROPICAL CYCLONE SEASON REFUSES TO END
It's pretty far out there, and hopefully it will dissipate, but it is November 23rd! The fact that there are still systems in the Atlantic is mind boggling.
For more: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
It's pretty far out there, and hopefully it will dissipate, but it is November 23rd! The fact that there are still systems in the Atlantic is mind boggling.
For more: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
Need a one-way ticket home? free?
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Hurricane evacuees and their dependents still in Texas shelters, hotels and motels who wish to relocate have until Dec. 31st to get a free one-way ticket.
The offer from the Federal Emergency Management Agency applies to evacuees from Katrina and Rita. One-way plane, train or bus tickets are available.
Travel is restricted to the 48 states in the continental United States. Katrina made landfall on Aug. 29, slamming parts of the Gulf coast and swamping New Orleans. Rita came ashore Sept, 24 near Sabine Pass.
Officials estimate more than 50,000 evacuees are still in Texas hotels and motels, facing an updated January seventh deadline for FEMA to continue paying those housing costs. To apply, call: 1-800-621-FEMA.
Source story here
The offer from the Federal Emergency Management Agency applies to evacuees from Katrina and Rita. One-way plane, train or bus tickets are available.
Travel is restricted to the 48 states in the continental United States. Katrina made landfall on Aug. 29, slamming parts of the Gulf coast and swamping New Orleans. Rita came ashore Sept, 24 near Sabine Pass.
Officials estimate more than 50,000 evacuees are still in Texas hotels and motels, facing an updated January seventh deadline for FEMA to continue paying those housing costs. To apply, call: 1-800-621-FEMA.
Source story here
Finding affordable housing difficult for evacuees
"I had so many doors slammed in my face," she said. "I'm displaced. I'm not on vacation. I didn't come here because I want to be here. Two thousand dollars ain't no money to put your life together."
More here
More here
FEMA hotel deadline extended
WASHINGTON -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency gave a holiday reprieve Tuesday to roughly 150,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees, saying the vast majority will not lose government subsidies until Jan. 7 for the hotel rooms where they have been living.
Full story here
Full story here
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Quick Hits 11/22 - Great Headline edition
Katrina turns oil-contaminated town into the epitome of despair
Hurricane Katrina Provides a Silver Lining for Louisiana Prostate Cancer Patient
“We’d never heard of the da Vinci robot or this kind of prostate cancer surgery in New Orleans,” said Allen. “So if it hadn’t been for Hurricane Katrina, I don’t know what we would have done. This has definitely been the silver lining.”
Mayor Nagin blames racism, class bias for slow Katrina response
"I think that if this (New Orleans) was Orange County, California or South Beach in Miami, I do think the response would have been different," Nagin said. "I think it's a combination of racial issues and a combination of class," the mayor added.
Thousands Still Unaccounted for After Katrina
A group of New Orleans firefighters today went searching for bodies in the Lower Ninth Ward — for the third time.
Katrina victims adjusting to new lives in Kentucky
"I'm going to make some of my jumbalaya and my gumbo to make it feel like home," said Bratcher, who lost almost everything after Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans.
Hurricane Katrina Provides a Silver Lining for Louisiana Prostate Cancer Patient
“We’d never heard of the da Vinci robot or this kind of prostate cancer surgery in New Orleans,” said Allen. “So if it hadn’t been for Hurricane Katrina, I don’t know what we would have done. This has definitely been the silver lining.”
Mayor Nagin blames racism, class bias for slow Katrina response
"I think that if this (New Orleans) was Orange County, California or South Beach in Miami, I do think the response would have been different," Nagin said. "I think it's a combination of racial issues and a combination of class," the mayor added.
Thousands Still Unaccounted for After Katrina
A group of New Orleans firefighters today went searching for bodies in the Lower Ninth Ward — for the third time.
Katrina victims adjusting to new lives in Kentucky
"I'm going to make some of my jumbalaya and my gumbo to make it feel like home," said Bratcher, who lost almost everything after Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans.
New Orleans: Proud to Call it Home
The Young Leadership Council has re-launched the Proud to Call it Home campaign to encourage people to come back to New Orleans and to work on the rebuilding process. The YLC is going to take the show on the road to various cities across the country where expatriates are living, and there will also be a large number of events in New Orleans and the surrounding areas.
Read the story here, and visit the Proud to Call it Home website here
New Mexico State Police refuse to work with Baton Rouge police
This is pretty crazy.
BATON ROUGE (AP) — A complaint filed by an out-of-state law-enforcement agency alleges that Baton Rouge Police officers shot innocent people with stun guns, struck handcuffed suspects and damaged personal property.
A New Mexico State Police official confirmed troopers refused to work post-Hurricane Katrina duty with Baton Rouge Police after witnessing incidents they concluded “could lead to criminal charges.''
Full story here
BATON ROUGE (AP) — A complaint filed by an out-of-state law-enforcement agency alleges that Baton Rouge Police officers shot innocent people with stun guns, struck handcuffed suspects and damaged personal property.
A New Mexico State Police official confirmed troopers refused to work post-Hurricane Katrina duty with Baton Rouge Police after witnessing incidents they concluded “could lead to criminal charges.''
Full story here
Businesses that are open in New Orleans
The city wants you to register on their website. Scoot over to www.cityofno.com and fill out a short form, about halfway down the page is a link that will get you there.
I do have to say that it would be great to have a comprehensive list of what is open. Tom Fitzmorris has a great list of open restaurants at www.nomenu.com but there is no such list of businesses. This would have been helpful before I went to the TCBY on Tchoupitoulas to find it closed. Thank God that the Creole Creamery on Prytania is up, serving deliciousness to all. They were the 2nd business open uptown after the storm.
I do have to say that it would be great to have a comprehensive list of what is open. Tom Fitzmorris has a great list of open restaurants at www.nomenu.com but there is no such list of businesses. This would have been helpful before I went to the TCBY on Tchoupitoulas to find it closed. Thank God that the Creole Creamery on Prytania is up, serving deliciousness to all. They were the 2nd business open uptown after the storm.
Inspirational Quote of the Day
"Everything passes, everything". - Anthony de Mello
Monday, November 21, 2005
Inspirational Quote of the Day (from somebody in New Orleans)
Hopefully this will be a new re-occurring feature.
"Is it commit or invest? I mean this is the thing that that people miss. The country has to decide whether it really is what we tell the world what we are. Or are we just saying that? Because if we are that powerful, if we are that focused, if we are that committed to all of our citizens, then there is no decision to make. Of course you rebuild it"
Greg Meffert - city official
"Is it commit or invest? I mean this is the thing that that people miss. The country has to decide whether it really is what we tell the world what we are. Or are we just saying that? Because if we are that powerful, if we are that focused, if we are that committed to all of our citizens, then there is no decision to make. Of course you rebuild it"
Greg Meffert - city official
Inspiring Quote of the Day
"I get up every morning determined to both change the world and to have one hell of a good time. Sometimes, this makes planning the day difficult."
~ E. B. White
~ E. B. White
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Battle of the Editorials
The Times-Picayune ran an editorial on the front page of the paper today, titled It's time for the nation to return the favor. It's a good read, if a little too over the top for my tastes.
Vs.
Timothy M. Kusky is a professor of natural sciences at Saint Louis University, and he wrote a damaging editorial in the Boston Globe today. "Katrina (even before Rita) was a warning: New Orleans is sinking unbearably below sea level, and it's time to move to higher ground." Read his full article here. It also looks like he was scheduled to appear on 6o minutes tonight, but the State of Louisiana along with a lot of other actual coastal experts have written the show asking them to forgo the report as it is filled with inaccuracies. That story is here.
I wonder what Mr. Kusky would have to say about the fact that the city of St. Louis sits on the New Madrid fault line, and there's at least a 25% chance that it will be destroyed by the year 2040? Read more on that here.
Whatever. It's all getting to be a little bit much to take down here, where you just don't turn on the tv and you try not to read the news too much. I'm still hopeful for our fair city, but not nearly as much as I was a few weeks ago. We're losing our opportunity ya'll.
Vs.
Timothy M. Kusky is a professor of natural sciences at Saint Louis University, and he wrote a damaging editorial in the Boston Globe today. "Katrina (even before Rita) was a warning: New Orleans is sinking unbearably below sea level, and it's time to move to higher ground." Read his full article here. It also looks like he was scheduled to appear on 6o minutes tonight, but the State of Louisiana along with a lot of other actual coastal experts have written the show asking them to forgo the report as it is filled with inaccuracies. That story is here.
I wonder what Mr. Kusky would have to say about the fact that the city of St. Louis sits on the New Madrid fault line, and there's at least a 25% chance that it will be destroyed by the year 2040? Read more on that here.
Whatever. It's all getting to be a little bit much to take down here, where you just don't turn on the tv and you try not to read the news too much. I'm still hopeful for our fair city, but not nearly as much as I was a few weeks ago. We're losing our opportunity ya'll.
Quick Hits 11/20
Interesting stuff in here today.
Possible Katrina aid abuse in Jackson, MS. Lee Montgomery, the manager of a pawn shop in Jackson, said many people cashing relief checks at his business immediately bought jewelry, firearms, DVDs and electronics.
Allen Toussaint working his way back to New Orleans. I personally can't wait to hear this new project: The move has not slowed him down. In the weeks since Toussaint relocated to New York, he's become acquainted with Elvis Costello. Last week, they began recording an album together. Costello is following the lead of Paul McCartney, the late Robert Palmer and Paul Simon, all of whom have collaborated with Toussaint.
New Orleans family says that Massachusetts is like "heaven". They haven't been through winter yet.
New Orleans Streetcars damaged by Katrina. The Canal line cars are all totally destroyed, thankfully the St. Charles line cars are ok, needing only their power supplies to be replaced. I know I'm probably being a little impractical, but I do wish that they would start ticketing people for parking in the neutral ground. I hate driving down St. Charles and seeing all sorts of cars just parked on the tracks. They're almost as bad as those incessant little plastic signs everywhere (think election day, they're just like the political ones and they are at every major intersection).
Retailers adjust to post-Katrina reality
Possible Katrina aid abuse in Jackson, MS. Lee Montgomery, the manager of a pawn shop in Jackson, said many people cashing relief checks at his business immediately bought jewelry, firearms, DVDs and electronics.
Allen Toussaint working his way back to New Orleans. I personally can't wait to hear this new project: The move has not slowed him down. In the weeks since Toussaint relocated to New York, he's become acquainted with Elvis Costello. Last week, they began recording an album together. Costello is following the lead of Paul McCartney, the late Robert Palmer and Paul Simon, all of whom have collaborated with Toussaint.
New Orleans family says that Massachusetts is like "heaven". They haven't been through winter yet.
New Orleans Streetcars damaged by Katrina. The Canal line cars are all totally destroyed, thankfully the St. Charles line cars are ok, needing only their power supplies to be replaced. I know I'm probably being a little impractical, but I do wish that they would start ticketing people for parking in the neutral ground. I hate driving down St. Charles and seeing all sorts of cars just parked on the tracks. They're almost as bad as those incessant little plastic signs everywhere (think election day, they're just like the political ones and they are at every major intersection).
Retailers adjust to post-Katrina reality
