Local bloggers are talking about the storm heading for the Gulf named Dean
Swampwoman gives her views on the available weather information services available. I agree with her on the sensationalist Weather Channel clowns.
Slate lets her loved ones know that they're staying put.
Ray has a link to a much different path for Hurricane Dean then others that I've seen.
From b.rox blog, a link to a blogger in Dominica expressing her fear of Dean
md filter is concerned on this Saturday morning about Dean slowing down
Suspect device mirrors my feelings about the whole world of our August weather.
Craig over at Metroblogging talks about the various forecast models and wonders if Harrah's should be taking bets on them.
Matt over at Blogging New Orleans provides a link to "a website that offers a constantly updated satellite stream of the Atlantic, and shows with great clarity the development of Dean from a cloud system off the coast of Africa to the bruiser it has become."
Nope, I don't like the fact that there's a storm coming towards the Gulf, but that's part of living here. I accept that threat as I accept the killer humidity that comes with August.
Our hurricane provisions are amassed and we've got the cat carriers for the five cats ready. I'll make a decision to make hotel reservations by Monday if Dean heads this way. But let's hope we can stay put and pray for whomever is destined to experience the wrath of nature.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
Pearlington - August 2007
Not quite two years post Katrina, Pearlington, Mississippi is beginning to feel the effects of recovery. Hard hit by the storm, this small town sat stunned by the storm for almost a year due to the fact that it is an unincorporated community. As such, there is no government to advocate for these citizens. Thanks to the thousands of volunteers, Pearlington is coming alive again.
Last week, my husband and I drove through parts of Pearlington to record her come back.
Click on pictures for full-sized versions
The Recovery Center is still open
Utility lines are being reworked and strengthened
New homes are being built
But there is still a lot of cleanup to be done.
A few miles south of Pearlington on Hwy 90 is the White Kitchen Preserve.
Named after a restaurant famous decades ago this sign is all that's
left.
The preserve took a beating from the storm, but it retained some of its beauty as shown from this picture, taken from Hwy. 190.
A few miles down the road we spotted this Katrina-era sign which reflects the feelings felt by those that wanted to deter the scumbag looters.
Last week, my husband and I drove through parts of Pearlington to record her come back.
Click on pictures for full-sized versions
The Recovery Center is still open
Utility lines are being reworked and strengthened
New homes are being built
But there is still a lot of cleanup to be done.
A few miles south of Pearlington on Hwy 90 is the White Kitchen Preserve.
Named after a restaurant famous decades ago this sign is all that's
left.
The preserve took a beating from the storm, but it retained some of its beauty as shown from this picture, taken from Hwy. 190.
A few miles down the road we spotted this Katrina-era sign which reflects the feelings felt by those that wanted to deter the scumbag looters.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Still not OKAY
For the next few weeks I'll be posting pictures that depict where some of the Gulf South is coming up on Katrina plus two years. Because the city of New Orleans gets plenty of coverage via the New Orleans bloggers , I'll concentrate on lesser known areas.
Today I've got pictures taken on August 10, 2007 in the Venetian Isles and Lake Catherine areas just east of New Orleans. This may be a first of several posts of this area, as hubby and I are voracious photographers.
(click on pictures for full-sized versions)
We took LA434 into Lake Catherine to witness the status of the new Rigolets Bridge.
A lot wider than the current span, I look forward to its opening!
After nearly two years, the debris pickup in Lake Catherine is in full swing.
I've been seeing this boat along side Hwy 90 forever.
The construction activity in this area is on the upswing, too.
Other places sit silently, awaiting insurance settlements or new buyers.
This boat has caught our eye for some time now, so we decided to check it out
We saw the name "Mary W" in the rusted metal.
All of the properties surrounding this lonely boat look like this
What's left of the home of the Mary W's owners. Pretty sad, huh?
Further down Hwy 90, closer to Venetian Isles is the church where Father Ginart, better known as Father Red lost his life.
Over the Chef Pass Bridge is Ft. Macomb and the newly demolished boat launch.
Quite a difference from what we saw in March of this year.
The Lake Catherine Community Center still sits silently by the bridge.
They're FINALLY demolishing the firehouse in Venetian Isles, which looked like this for the longest time
So there's a little piece of the "progress" made in this area in two years Post K.
Contrary to popular belief, people down here are not sitting around whining with their hands out. They're living in FEMA trailers and working their fingers to the bone trying to find some sort of normalcy.
Today I've got pictures taken on August 10, 2007 in the Venetian Isles and Lake Catherine areas just east of New Orleans. This may be a first of several posts of this area, as hubby and I are voracious photographers.
(click on pictures for full-sized versions)
We took LA434 into Lake Catherine to witness the status of the new Rigolets Bridge.
A lot wider than the current span, I look forward to its opening!
After nearly two years, the debris pickup in Lake Catherine is in full swing.
I've been seeing this boat along side Hwy 90 forever.
The construction activity in this area is on the upswing, too.
Other places sit silently, awaiting insurance settlements or new buyers.
This boat has caught our eye for some time now, so we decided to check it out
We saw the name "Mary W" in the rusted metal.
All of the properties surrounding this lonely boat look like this
What's left of the home of the Mary W's owners. Pretty sad, huh?
Further down Hwy 90, closer to Venetian Isles is the church where Father Ginart, better known as Father Red lost his life.
Over the Chef Pass Bridge is Ft. Macomb and the newly demolished boat launch.
Quite a difference from what we saw in March of this year.
The Lake Catherine Community Center still sits silently by the bridge.They're FINALLY demolishing the firehouse in Venetian Isles, which looked like this for the longest time
So there's a little piece of the "progress" made in this area in two years Post K.
Contrary to popular belief, people down here are not sitting around whining with their hands out. They're living in FEMA trailers and working their fingers to the bone trying to find some sort of normalcy.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Art from Destruction
In March I ran a post about artists in Gulfport-Biloxi making lemonade from the lemons given to them by Hurricane Katrina.
This weekend hubby & I took a road trip to survey the coast almost two years since
that master storm. Among the hundreds of pictures we took are the following updates to the awesome work by these gifted artists.
We found several more examples of "art from destruction" along Highway 90. Here they are:
(click on each picture for full-sized versions)
Here are the original items shown in March. They have been stained and sealed.
Each carving bore the name of "Dayton". Dayton Scoggins is "the chainsaw artist and he's given a little bit of happiness and awe to all who traverse Highway 90 in Mississippi where - less than two years ago - the only emotion known was sorrow.
These dolphins show the little bit of elation that will be felt in the years to come over here.
And I like to think that they give hope to all who can experience them first hand.
Thanks, Dayton!
This weekend hubby & I took a road trip to survey the coast almost two years since
that master storm. Among the hundreds of pictures we took are the following updates to the awesome work by these gifted artists.
We found several more examples of "art from destruction" along Highway 90. Here they are:
(click on each picture for full-sized versions)
Here are the original items shown in March. They have been stained and sealed.
Each carving bore the name of "Dayton". Dayton Scoggins is "the chainsaw artist and he's given a little bit of happiness and awe to all who traverse Highway 90 in Mississippi where - less than two years ago - the only emotion known was sorrow.
These dolphins show the little bit of elation that will be felt in the years to come over here.
And I like to think that they give hope to all who can experience them first hand.
Thanks, Dayton!
Thursday, August 09, 2007
The madness never ends in NOLA city Gov't
The Wall Street Journal ran this multimedia page that accompanies an article about the rampant ineptitude of Ray Nagin's administration.
(You can't read the whole article unless you're a WSJ subscriber, but Kim has the article here.)
City officials, trying to step up the struggling city’s comeback, have said they plan to flatten 10,000 hurricane-ravaged properties this year.
But the bulging list of doomed buildings includes some that weren’t damaged much by Katrina or that have already been significantly repaired — with building permits to prove it. Often, these property owners don’t even know they’re on the demolition list, because warning letters that are supposed to be mailed to them never arrive.
Thanks to the Library Chronicles for the heads up.
(You can't read the whole article unless you're a WSJ subscriber, but Kim has the article here.)
City officials, trying to step up the struggling city’s comeback, have said they plan to flatten 10,000 hurricane-ravaged properties this year.
But the bulging list of doomed buildings includes some that weren’t damaged much by Katrina or that have already been significantly repaired — with building permits to prove it. Often, these property owners don’t even know they’re on the demolition list, because warning letters that are supposed to be mailed to them never arrive.
Thanks to the Library Chronicles for the heads up.
Scuzzbuckets of the Week
From the Times Picayune (8/9/07)
Under fire for how it spent millions of dollars in donations earmarked for rescuing and caring for animals in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, a California animal rescue organization has agreed to relinquish the $4 million that remains to help the storm's animal victims, particularly those in hard-hit Slidell.
Noah's Wish, which spent several weeks in Slidell after the storm and received more than $8 million in donations from around the country, reached the settlement last month after the California attorney general's office investigated spending practices by the organization that included a mammoth pay raise and the purchase of new vehicles for the organization's executive director.
As part of the settlement, Noah’s Wish must hand over the $4 million to the attorney general’s office. The money will be placed in a special account and distributed to beneficiaries that assist animal victims of Hurricane Katrina. Of the $4 million, $1 million was contractually agreed to go to the City of Slidell, La., to construct a shelter to replace one that was destroyed in the hurricane. Money will be reserved specifically for that purpose to fulfill the agreement. In addition, approximately $125,000 will be used to reimburse the attorney general’s office for costs incurred during the investigation.
The settlement also states that Terri Crisp, board member and founder of the nonprofit, may not be employed or attached to Noah’s Wish in any manner. Crisp also is forbidden from serving as a director, officer or trustee with any other nonprofit for the next five years.
While I don't fault all of the wonderful volunteers for this organization and the awesome job they did for months after Katrina, I am pretty disgusted with the higher ups that made the decision to embezzle monies from donations for the relief of these lost and abandoned pets.
Under fire for how it spent millions of dollars in donations earmarked for rescuing and caring for animals in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, a California animal rescue organization has agreed to relinquish the $4 million that remains to help the storm's animal victims, particularly those in hard-hit Slidell.
Noah's Wish, which spent several weeks in Slidell after the storm and received more than $8 million in donations from around the country, reached the settlement last month after the California attorney general's office investigated spending practices by the organization that included a mammoth pay raise and the purchase of new vehicles for the organization's executive director.
As part of the settlement, Noah’s Wish must hand over the $4 million to the attorney general’s office. The money will be placed in a special account and distributed to beneficiaries that assist animal victims of Hurricane Katrina. Of the $4 million, $1 million was contractually agreed to go to the City of Slidell, La., to construct a shelter to replace one that was destroyed in the hurricane. Money will be reserved specifically for that purpose to fulfill the agreement. In addition, approximately $125,000 will be used to reimburse the attorney general’s office for costs incurred during the investigation.
The settlement also states that Terri Crisp, board member and founder of the nonprofit, may not be employed or attached to Noah’s Wish in any manner. Crisp also is forbidden from serving as a director, officer or trustee with any other nonprofit for the next five years.
While I don't fault all of the wonderful volunteers for this organization and the awesome job they did for months after Katrina, I am pretty disgusted with the higher ups that made the decision to embezzle monies from donations for the relief of these lost and abandoned pets.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
FEMA's Formaldehyde Cover-up
From the July 31, 2007 edition of Gambit Weekly, an article on the FEMA cover-up of
the impacts of the presence of formaldehyde in the thousands of FEMA trailers issued Katrina victims in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
The article reports on the decisions made by FEMA attorneys to keep a lid on any talk of formaldehyde problems in the trailers.
FEMA knew about the formaldehyde problem a year and a half ago and engaged in a concerted effort to hide it from Congress, trailer residents, other federal agencies -- even its own field staff, which consistently raised the issue to higher ups. Fearing litigation, FEMA attorneys in Washington stopped the agency's field staff from admitting the problem, from testing trailers, even from relocating sick individuals who asked to be moved.
I certainly hope your fear of litigation turns into your worst nightmare. But knowing the track record of this dysfuctional appendage of George Bush's domestic policy, you'll probably walk away scott free.
Warning to the victims of future national tragedies: beware of presidents making empty promises and FEMA.
Update August 8th, 2007 FEMA suspends use, sales of ‘toxic’ trailers... From MSNBC dot com:
Residents can get refund, new housing while agency tests for formaldehyde....
“Nothing is as important to FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security as ensuring that disaster victims have a safe and healthy place to reside during their recovery,” the agency said in a statement.
bullshit, you just got caught.
Bridge Ratings
Louisiana Bridge Ratings
in the aftermath
of the Minnesota bridge tragedy, the T.P. has put together an article on the health of SE Louisiana bridges
It's not good news for commuters from Slidell and Mississippi and beyond.
Update 8-8-07: MSNBC has a link to bridge ratings by parish
From the Times Picayune article:
The National Bridge Inspection System requires states to collect inspection reports at least once every two years on all public bridges longer than 20 feet. States use a scale of 1 to 9, with 6 meaning satisfactory, 5 fair, 4 poor, 3 serious, 2 critical and 1 forcing immediate closure.
The U.S. 11 bridge over Lake Pontchartrain,
the Interstate 310 Mississippi River bridge at Luling (aka the Hale Boggs Bridge),
and both of the Interstate 10 twin spans over Lake Pontchartrain were rated either "serious" or "critical," although the twin spans appear to be a special case, having been reconstructed since crumbling in Hurricane Katrina and inspected on a daily basis.
In December, inspectors found deteriorated and cracked girders, joints, diaphragms and caps in the 79-year-old U.S. 11 drawbridge, as well as exposed rebar, earning the bridge a "serious" rating. The Interstate 310 bridge is only 24 years old, but corrosion on girders above the roadway also earned it a "serious" rating, even though the structure below the roadway had few problems.
I commute over the 11 bridge daily. Have been for 25 years. It's always been in crappy condition and
I'm sure Katrina did a number on it based on the dips in the roadway and missing guardrails.
I stay away from the I10 Twin Spans due to crazy drivers who brake at the top of the hump. Gives me the
creeps.
I use the Hale Boggs bridge every time I take the trip to Thibodaux to see my daughter at Nicholls State.
Living in this part of the state we're surrounded by water. On my daily ride to and from work, its possible
to cross ten bridges on a roundtrip. I don't think of myself as a gambler, but I guess I'm always
playing the odds when I venture out from home, don't I?
in the aftermath
of the Minnesota bridge tragedy, the T.P. has put together an article on the health of SE Louisiana bridges
It's not good news for commuters from Slidell and Mississippi and beyond.
Update 8-8-07: MSNBC has a link to bridge ratings by parish
From the Times Picayune article:
The National Bridge Inspection System requires states to collect inspection reports at least once every two years on all public bridges longer than 20 feet. States use a scale of 1 to 9, with 6 meaning satisfactory, 5 fair, 4 poor, 3 serious, 2 critical and 1 forcing immediate closure.
The U.S. 11 bridge over Lake Pontchartrain,
the Interstate 310 Mississippi River bridge at Luling (aka the Hale Boggs Bridge),
and both of the Interstate 10 twin spans over Lake Pontchartrain were rated either "serious" or "critical," although the twin spans appear to be a special case, having been reconstructed since crumbling in Hurricane Katrina and inspected on a daily basis.
In December, inspectors found deteriorated and cracked girders, joints, diaphragms and caps in the 79-year-old U.S. 11 drawbridge, as well as exposed rebar, earning the bridge a "serious" rating. The Interstate 310 bridge is only 24 years old, but corrosion on girders above the roadway also earned it a "serious" rating, even though the structure below the roadway had few problems.
I commute over the 11 bridge daily. Have been for 25 years. It's always been in crappy condition and
I'm sure Katrina did a number on it based on the dips in the roadway and missing guardrails.
I stay away from the I10 Twin Spans due to crazy drivers who brake at the top of the hump. Gives me the
creeps.
I use the Hale Boggs bridge every time I take the trip to Thibodaux to see my daughter at Nicholls State.
Living in this part of the state we're surrounded by water. On my daily ride to and from work, its possible
to cross ten bridges on a roundtrip. I don't think of myself as a gambler, but I guess I'm always
playing the odds when I venture out from home, don't I?
Monday, August 06, 2007
browsing my favorite blogs, I found some interesting things to share:
From the Dead Pelican the story of
the continuation of nonexistant communication and the pain it causes.
FEMA and the city of NOLA mistakenly tear down a home
The last call I made yesterday, they told me FEMA did it. Then, a guy called me back from FEMA and said they're not in the business if tearing down homes,"
arrests have been made in the quadruple murder that happened last year.
Varg over at The Chicory tells a humorous but sad tale of the state of the city
Ashley posted an excerpt from Michael Irvin's Hall of Fame enshrinement speech in which Irvin related his feelings about the Saints' game on September 25, 2007. He gets it.
This house in eastern Slidell has finally been torn down. Nearly two years after the storm, demolitions have at last come!
From the Dead Pelican the story of
the continuation of nonexistant communication and the pain it causes.
FEMA and the city of NOLA mistakenly tear down a home
The last call I made yesterday, they told me FEMA did it. Then, a guy called me back from FEMA and said they're not in the business if tearing down homes,"
arrests have been made in the quadruple murder that happened last year.
Varg over at The Chicory tells a humorous but sad tale of the state of the city
Ashley posted an excerpt from Michael Irvin's Hall of Fame enshrinement speech in which Irvin related his feelings about the Saints' game on September 25, 2007. He gets it.
This house in eastern Slidell has finally been torn down. Nearly two years after the storm, demolitions have at last come!
Friday, August 03, 2007
Scuzzbuckets of the Week
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference president
President, Alabama Senator Charles Steele
recently announced during a news conference that the group will find a way to honor Atlanta Falcons
former quarterback Michael Vick
during its national convention that starts today in Atlanta.
Now, as I understand it, the SCLC is a civil rights group. In my opinion, Mr. Steele has very bad standards when it comes to honoring "upstanding citizens".
"We will recognize Vick for being an outstanding human being," said Steele. "We will work with anyone who opens their heart and arms to us."
Hmmm, perhaps Vick donated money to the SCLC to get some positive press to offset his misbehavin recently.
The 27-year-old Vick has pleaded not guilty to charges of sponsoring a dogfighting operation. His trial begins November 26.
Co-defendant Tony Taylor changed his plea to guilty earlier this week in a deal with prosecutors. He is expected to testify against Vick.
Just "sponsoring dog fights" is bad enough. But this sick puppy abused the dogs
thru shooting them, drowning them or even electrocuting them.
I'd like to understand how this "civil rights" organization considers sick Vick and outstanding human being. I'd say their values are a little tainted.
President, Alabama Senator Charles Steele
recently announced during a news conference that the group will find a way to honor Atlanta Falcons
former quarterback Michael Vick
during its national convention that starts today in Atlanta.
Now, as I understand it, the SCLC is a civil rights group. In my opinion, Mr. Steele has very bad standards when it comes to honoring "upstanding citizens".
"We will recognize Vick for being an outstanding human being," said Steele. "We will work with anyone who opens their heart and arms to us."
Hmmm, perhaps Vick donated money to the SCLC to get some positive press to offset his misbehavin recently.
The 27-year-old Vick has pleaded not guilty to charges of sponsoring a dogfighting operation. His trial begins November 26.
Co-defendant Tony Taylor changed his plea to guilty earlier this week in a deal with prosecutors. He is expected to testify against Vick.
Just "sponsoring dog fights" is bad enough. But this sick puppy abused the dogs
thru shooting them, drowning them or even electrocuting them.
I'd like to understand how this "civil rights" organization considers sick Vick and outstanding human being. I'd say their values are a little tainted.
Remember this come elections
From Bayoubuzz website
Today, it was confirmed that a veto override session will not occur. A majority of Louisiana legislators returned ballots to cancel the session, which means that legislators will not be reporting to Baton Rouge next week to override the horrible vetoes made by Governor Blanco. Legislators are now free to participate in a junket in Boston, a national legislative convention, which many of them were looking forward to attending.
Other legislators will be campaigning for re-election. Yet, any legislators that voted to cancel this session should not be re-elected. Voters should not forget this momentous decision.
Unfortunately, the publicity campaign waged by the Louisiana Chemical Association failed. A more effective intimidation campaign was waged by the Governor's office, which threatened New Orleans legislators with retribution if they supported the veto session. New Orleans legislators crumbled in the face of this threat.
The override session could have restored necessary tax cuts for parents of private and parochial school students and businesses who face high taxes on utilities.
What is truly sad is that $32 billion was spent in the last session, but only a paltry amount was allocated to tax cuts. Then, several of the meaningful tax cuts approved by legislators were vetoed by Governor Blanco.
Our priorities are wrong, at least with this administration and this legislature. Hope springs eternal however, for elections are coming soon. These tax cuts should be restored by the next legislature, who will most likely have a much more cooperative Governor to work with.
Following is a list of Senators who voted not to hold a veto session.
No Veto Session Declaration List 2007 RS
Robert Adley
Diana Bajoie
Walter Boasso
Sharon Broome
Ann Duplessis
Reggie Dupre
Noble Ellington
Clo Fontenot
Butch Gautreaux
Nick Gautreaux
Francis Heitmeier
Ken Hollis
Don Hines
Lydia Jackson
Charles Jones
Art Lentini
Joe McPherson
Ed Murray
Ben Nevers
Derrick Shepherd
Mike Smith
Today, it was confirmed that a veto override session will not occur. A majority of Louisiana legislators returned ballots to cancel the session, which means that legislators will not be reporting to Baton Rouge next week to override the horrible vetoes made by Governor Blanco. Legislators are now free to participate in a junket in Boston, a national legislative convention, which many of them were looking forward to attending.
Other legislators will be campaigning for re-election. Yet, any legislators that voted to cancel this session should not be re-elected. Voters should not forget this momentous decision.
Unfortunately, the publicity campaign waged by the Louisiana Chemical Association failed. A more effective intimidation campaign was waged by the Governor's office, which threatened New Orleans legislators with retribution if they supported the veto session. New Orleans legislators crumbled in the face of this threat.
The override session could have restored necessary tax cuts for parents of private and parochial school students and businesses who face high taxes on utilities.
What is truly sad is that $32 billion was spent in the last session, but only a paltry amount was allocated to tax cuts. Then, several of the meaningful tax cuts approved by legislators were vetoed by Governor Blanco.
Our priorities are wrong, at least with this administration and this legislature. Hope springs eternal however, for elections are coming soon. These tax cuts should be restored by the next legislature, who will most likely have a much more cooperative Governor to work with.
Following is a list of Senators who voted not to hold a veto session.
No Veto Session Declaration List 2007 RS
Robert Adley
Diana Bajoie
Walter Boasso
Sharon Broome
Ann Duplessis
Reggie Dupre
Noble Ellington
Clo Fontenot
Butch Gautreaux
Nick Gautreaux
Francis Heitmeier
Ken Hollis
Don Hines
Lydia Jackson
Charles Jones
Art Lentini
Joe McPherson
Ed Murray
Ben Nevers
Derrick Shepherd
Mike Smith
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