Maybe more lemonade from lemons....

Almost three years ago the impact of Hurricane Katrina dealt a huge blow to many bridges in the Gulf Coast states. The I-10 Twin Spans, which connect the eastern side of north and south shores of Lake Pontchartrain were rendered unusable to commuters and emergency workers for over a month.



With the construction of the new Twin Spans coming along ahead of schedule, ideas about what to do with the old spans are surfacing.

One such idea is to use the rubble from the existing Twin Spans to create two artificial reefs that, in turn, would attract more fish to the area.

The Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana has presented its reef proposal to the state Department of Transportation and Development, which in recent weeks sought public input on how to use the old bridge once the new one opens.



Artificial reefs made from concrete would be a first in Louisiana, as the state now requires the reefs be created from a particular kind of limestone that must be imported from Kentucky and Missouri, Walther said. The pingpong-ball-sized limestone is expensive and hard to transport, so using the rubble from the spans, as has been done elsewhere in the country, would be a great benefit for the program, he said.

In a somewhat similar vein of recycling for the good of maritime life, hundreds of retired New York City subway cars are being dumped into Red Bird Reef in Delaware, continuing the transformation of a barren stretch of ocean floor into a bountiful oasis, carpeted in sea grasses, walled thick with blue mussels and sponges, and teeming with black sea bass and tautog.

Let's hope the impacts of the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway are short lived and - if this project is allowed to go forward - that Lake Pontchartrain will once again be a thriving ecosystem.

Jazz Fest Cubes

Jazz Fest starts next week.





Here's a link to a site that will allow you to print out the schedules by
stage/day.

Sights from 2008 French Quarter Fest

Saturday was a picture perfect day. We got to the Quarter around eleven a.m. and ate our way to the U.S. Mint and back. Good people watching too. Here are the pix:
(click on pictures for full-size versions)


Flour Power bakery's cakes were the last thing we ate that day. I think it put me over the top!!! Deliciously decadent.


Corky's BBQ Pork Sandwich was soooooooooooo good!


Ralph and Kacoo's jambalaya and exquisite bread pudding


Can't remember who did this fantastic meatball poboy.


The shrimp in this bbq shrimp poboy were a little too overcooked for us. But we ate it anyway!! Hope The Alibi gets it right next year .


The Mrs. Wheat Meat Pies were great, as usual.


We did Maspero's for a light lunch (heh, heh, as if we hadn't eaten enough). This is their seafood pistolette. Pretty good.


This Seafood Caprese Salad from Cafe Giovanni was quite yummy


Saw this cat-on-a-leash for the second year in a row.


In between eating we checked out all of the activity going on around the Quarter.
Here in the French Market area, which was set up with all kinds of activities for kids, we watched this Samba group perform. They were really great.


Just as we were passing by it, the steamboat Natchez blew its horns and almost blew out our eardrums!



The area in the front of St. Louis Cathedral was covered with artists and performers.




These 3 guys were fantastic "mimes". Of course mimes don't talk. These guys made small noises, but moved like animatrons.


Everywhere you turned there was music playing. It just don't get any better than FQ Fest for free entertainment!




Everytime I see a Lucky Dog vendor, I think of Ignatius J. Reilly.


This guy is a wee bit late for St. Paddy's day.


We love to people watch


The crowd was okay all day - up until about 4PM. That's when we decided to leave....too many people to allow one to move freely. We were full and tired by that time anyway.


All in all, another fantastic French Quarter Fest. Thanks to all who helped put this on!!

And remember................



Here are some reactions from other local bloggers:

Michael Homan discusses the disgusting show put on by Chris Owens

Prytania Waterline has some good pictures

New Orleans Daily Photo has a great picture of the riverfront at dusk

Coastal Photography

Photographer Matthew White has put together a collection of photograpy of Louisiana

from his website:
This project documents the unique landscape of south and coastal Louisiana, the very existence of which has been threatened by environmental factors, federal indifference, and the hurricane season of 2005. Since the summer of 2000 Matthew White has been working on a project of photographing rural and/or coastal communities in southern Louisiana, shot alternately on 35mm black-and-white film, and in large-scale color. He has compiled a sizable collection of documentary-style, often contemplative photographs of most remote locations in all the southern parishes. Nearly all of these communities were completely destroyed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and face uncertain recovery; they may never be the same again, if they make it back at all. 

"The very existence of the Louisiana coast is at issue here, and I feel that I can do my part for its preservation not by depicting its withering away, but by showing  what is still beautiful about it; that it is, and always has been, one of the most unique and spellbinding landscapes in the nation. I try to convey a sense of you are here in my photos; if the viewer can for one second sense the peace, solitude, and wonder I feel standing in these landscapes, then there would be no question about whether or not Louisiana should be rebuilt."

Scuzzbucket of the week

From b.rox website, a
comment from a real open minded citizen from Ohio:

Ilove NO and would like to live there someday but the mentality of a large part of the minority population is that they are owed something. Since Katerna, there has been Taco and Mexican restaurants popping up every where. That is great because the people rebuilding NO need to eat. It is sad the lazy locals have no energy to rebuild there town. I was in NO 3 times in the last 2 monthes and see alot of sitting around. There are parts where I can’t tell what ghetoo was pre or post Katrena. I send my money to the MS Gulf Coast where the real damage occurred.

Joe Gallagher Worthington, Oh

Finding those who will listen

Taken from the Colby College (Maine) magazine, "Pulling Nails Is Not Yet the Beginning: Telling the Katrina Story"
This is Nico Porot's reflection on a month spent working with a reconstruction team in New Orleans this year. The work is still going on; the stories are innumerable and all are compelling


......The United States at large must remain informed on the progress that is not happening. For as much as is being done, I (and I think I speak for a lot of people) really had no idea how many years of work remained for New Orleans before I saw it this month. The hands-on work and even the donations to organizations like Helping Hands, Common Ground, Make It Right, Mustard Seed and others, cannot do the job alone. It is difficult to point a finger at any one organization, since corruption, mismanagement, maladministration, and general negligence have plagued and continue to plague New Orleans at the city, state, and even federal levels.

Through the education and empathy of those in the United States furthest removed from the issue, we ought to feel an obligation to force politicians to bring the tragedy of Southern Louisiana and the entire Gulf Coast back into the spotlight. And now, as I prepare to head back to central Maine, and eventually Idaho and Southern California, this is the task I will take on—even if it is in the smallest gesture of mentioning it to those around me. What is most important now is that I have encountered the Katrina Story, or at least a few pieces of it. My interest now is in finding those who will listen



thank you, Nico.

Louisiana Springtime

A few pictures from our springtime.

all photos taken by my husband. Click on photos for full-sized versions.







Hard to believe something this pretty comes from something that looks like this:

More on bridges

Although it's been open a few months now, I'm finally getting around to posting about the opening of the new Rigolets Bridge.

click on pictures for full sized versions







The old bridge - built in 1930 - was very narrow and I used to hold my breath as I crossed it until I got used to it. This bridge was not damaged by Katrina (like its cousin, the Highway 11 Bridge to the west).


Image from southeastroads.com

There is a wonderful view from the top of the new bridge, absolutely stunning!


About ten miles to the south is the Chef Pass Bridge, built in 1929.



The Chef Pass Bridge was closed for about a year after Katrina due to issues with soil erosion.

This bridge takes one into the community of Venetian Isles in far east New Orleans.

Another bridge on the road to completion is the I10 Twin Spans.
Decimated by Katrina, the new spans were begun in July 2006. The new westbound span is scheduled to open in 2009 with the eastbound span to follow in 2011. The old bridges will then be dismantled.

This view was taken from Highway 11 as it crosses I-10.


Taken last month (March '08), this photo shows the progress being made.


This shot shows how much higher the eastbound span will be from the current bridge


Another bridge being constructed in this area will serve people and horses. It's the long-awaited bridge that crosses Bayou Lacombe on the Tammany Trace. It will be 80 feet long with an eight foot wide pedestrian walkway.



Once this span is complete, the Tammany Trace will offer 36 miles of bike path thru the backroads of St. Tammany Parish. From Slidell to downtown Covingtonm each leg of the trip provides a unique experience far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.



Bayou Liberty is also getting a new bridge. With a price tag of $6.8 million dollars the bridge will take the place of one that's been in use for many many decades.

Here's a great you tube video on the construction.

Press from Travel Writers

From Travelvideo.tv website:

By Bea Broda
(travelvideo.tv) New Orleans, April 5, 2008: Hurricane Katrina descended on New Orleans on August 29th 2005 – one of the worst years for hurricanes in history. Some 80% of the city was affected by the floodwaters and almost three years later the devastation continues on so many levels. New Orleans needs people to come and help to recover – the tourist economy is vital to its recovery. To date, the government has not come to the plate to help. The first order of business is to try to get people interested in visiting again.

I have personally come to New Orleans as President Elect of SATW (The Society of American Travel Writers) whose Editors Council is holding their annual conference here. After taking a four-hour "Katrina Tour" yesterday and witnessing the enormous breadth of the destruction on so many neighborhoods, it is impossible not to feel very strongly for what this distinctive city has gone through. A panel named "New Orleans Today and Tomorrow: Recovery and Resurgence" addressed issues relating to the city's tourism challenges in the wake of the devastating natural disaster faced in 2005.

The question posed: New Orleans is one of the greatest cities in the US and also the one most in need of the most help - How can we love it back to health?

According to this panel, to date, it’s only the people that have helped with the recovery – not the government at all. It is felt that this is a government level disaster but there has not been adequate response. Things have been so ridiculous that citizens that received some financial assistance to help re-build are expected to claim those funds as income and pay around a third of it back in taxes.

Three panelists weighed in on the issues:

TOURISM

Sandra Shilstone, President and CEO of New Orleans Tourism says they place special emphasis on developing tourism especially in slower times. Tourism employed over 80,000 people before Katrina and contributes a third of the economy. Some 15 million dollars a day in revenue was being lost from conventions being cancelled after the hurricane. War correspondents were coming instead of travel journalists and were giving the rest of the world a frightening picture of the state of things.

A huge initial decision was to continue with the 150th anniversary Mardi Gras, despite the turmoil. A “Thanks America” campaign was launched to everyone that helped during the worst of it. One week after Mardi Gras, New Orleans hosted the SATW Freelance council meeting, targeting some of the most successful travel journalists to help spread the word that New Orleans was still open for business and that the city’s spirit was still alive and well. There was a “Come Fall in Love with New Orleans All Over Again” campaign that had huge media placement across the US.

The latest high spirited commercial stars Jerry Davenport and a cast of thousands. The arts community has returned with vive, starting a bit if a cultural renaissance. The Audobon Nature Institute is opening an Insectarium in June, creating terrific family entertainment.

“Voluntourism” is inspiring, as volunteers come to help mend the devastation. In fact, enrollment is on the rise at the major universities such as Loyola with students that came to help with the rebuilding effort.

Prior to Katrina, annual tourists were 10.1 million and in 2006 that had decreased to 3.7 million people. In 2008, there has been a 90% increase, but certain misperceptions remain. People think the city is still under water and not ready to be visited. The city IS coming back, but there is a need for more leisure tourists to continue the recovery.

SECURITY

Warren J. Riley, Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department with 27 years in the police force, says: In terms of crime and redevelopment - three precincts were completely destroyed and 5 out of 19 were greatly devastated. 174 officers were hired last year and another 72 this year. Many officers have been living in trailers that are 10 by 25 feet with four people in the same trailer. The criminal justice section was destroyed – people have been working out of trailers and bar rooms, but the system is now operating on all cylinders mainly because there has been such a strong determination to get home. The first two years was very tough, trying to stabilize the situation after such rampant evacuation.

Superintendent Riley feels that the police force of New Orleans handles huge events better than any other in the country. The force is still short with around 170 officers but Riley feels they will fill this in the next year. He hopes to convey that the city is safe to visit and people should feel quite comfortable. Significant strides have been made and there is a focus on tourism areas. Over 800,000 people are handled during Mardi Gras without incident, a fact of which Riley is proud.

Some of the terrible headlines after Katrina were accurate because of the lack of manpower in the police force, but the recruitment efforts have now changed all of that. Undercover officers also patrol some of the major popular areas such as on Bourbon Street. The numbers have increased from 88 officers pre Katrina to 124 assigned to the French Quarter. Like any other large city, there are areas of concern regarding crime. Much crime is very internal and drug related.

There are four hospitals that are capable of handling large crowds in the city, as well as other facilities with in a twenty-minute drive from the city. There is a heightened state of readiness for emergencies since the days prior to 9/11.

THE JAZZ AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Quint Davis – Producer and Director of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, says they look at the festival as a metaphor for the city – a microcosm of New Orleans. There are around 5000 musicians that participate in a festival, but during Katrina, obviously there was a tremendous shortage. They decided to have it, despite the fact that the population of the whole city was around the size of a typical one-day audience. Huge names agreed to appear for the event and somehow 50 or 60,000 people came. The will of the people to see the festival happen and go on was palpable.

Last year New Orleans was back to around 30,000 rooms and there was more international travel to the jazz festival than there has been since 9/11. There ensued an effort to advertise in national newspapers that resulted not only in a growth on a regional base, but from all over the country and the world. In fact, the numbers even exceeded pre 9/11 numbers.

Jazz Fest is a New Orleans experience – not just a music event. The impact on the city of the Jazz and Heritage Festival is around $285 million dollars. 103 live bands are advertised in today’s paper as playing in the city right now. As you walk down famous streets like Bourbon Street, live music emanates from so many establishments, a pleasure in an era of piped music and DJs. It is expected that this year’s festival will be the largest in history and Davis believes they have not just recovered but are actually moving forward.

Aaron Neville, Santana, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Diana Krall, Jimmy Buffet Elvis Costello and Sheryl Crow are some of the names expected to entertain this year.

The success of the Jazz and Heritage Festival is more a testimony that there is a mission to keep the essence of New Orleans alive.

The first weekend of the festival this year is April 25th to 27th, and May 2 to 4 is the last weekend. The New Orleans Wine and Food Experience runs May 21 to 25, 2008.

June 13 – 15 – Creole Tomato Festival
June 13 – 15 – Zydeco Music Festival

The city is ready to welcome back the tourists and hopes very much that they won’t stay away, thinking that the city is not capable of handling tourists.

It appears as though it's impossible to stop the people of New Orleans from dancing!

Another step further away from Katrina

from the "Did We Survive Hurricane Katrina" website:


photo from biloxibridge.com

"Phenomenal" Biloxi Bridge Completely Open: "After 31 months, one week, and two days, Biloxi and Ocean Springs have been reconnected, by a $338 million concrete marvel. The federal government paid for the replacement roadwork, just like it paid for the $283 million bridge that reconnects Pass Christian and Bay St. Louis."



Click here for before and after images of the Biloxi Bay Bridge from the SunHerald.

image from http://mceer.buffalo.edu
Katrina's 28-foot storm surge destroyed the Biloxi Bay Bridge, which connected Biloxi to Ocean Springs.

Keeping our area up front

If you look deep enough, you'll find a lot of awareness about this area across the country. Here is one article written by a senior at Whitworth University in Washington State

OPINION: The hurricane of coverage is no more, but New Orleans remains

Karla Rose, Staff Writer
link to this editorial


Maybe it's because the average American has an attention span of eight seconds.

Whatever the reason, "out of sight, out of mind" is probably a fair assessment of the state of New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast affected by Hurricane Katrina.

While media coverage and promises to rebuild were rampant in the first months following the storm, nearly three years later, those promises are still unfulfilled and we've all but forgotten - we being America at large.

Though thoughts of Katrina and its victims are less prevalent today, for six Bonner Leadership Scholars who spent this past Spring Break rebuilding on the Gulf Coast, the reality of Katrina victims' continued devastation will not quickly be forgotten.

Witnessing the influx of refugees in her Texas hometown prompted sophomore Katie Petitt to volunteer in New Orleans.

"I am from Texas and so we got a lot of refugees after Katrina, so the storm was more of a real thing to me than maybe others. [In New Orleans] we saw a lot of devastation and hopelessness. The city is still not rebuilt, and there were countless houses gutted out, rotting, or just turned into rubble by bulldozers," Petitt said in an e-mail interview.

Despite claims of progress, much of New Orleans and the surrounding area remain uninhabitable.

Katrina left 80 percent of New Orleans flooded, took over 1,800 lives and displaced over 800,000 people.

While some have returned to New Orleans, many residents of lower-class neighborhoods lack the means to rebuild and have been permanently displaced. Unlike low-income areas such as the 9th Ward, wealthy neighborhoods such as Lakewood have been reconstructed using private funds.

During the 2008 State of the Union Address, President Bush commended the effort that has gone into rebuilding the Gulf Coast and announced plans to convene the 2008 North American Summit of Canada, Mexico and the United States in New Orleans.

Scheduled for April 21-22, the impending Summit places government leaders in the very place they have been accused of abandoning.

In April 2007, the New Orleans Office of Recovery Management released the Unified New Orleans Plan, which outlined intentions to begin rebuilding throughout 17 "Target Areas," including the Lower 9th Ward.

To date, rebuilding of these areas has yet to commence.

Junior Skye Staley recalled her experiences in New Orleans.

"One of the most poignant memories I have of New Orleans is a sign we passed in the Lower Ninth Ward, the neighborhood literally right next to the area of the levee that broke.

"Nearly three years later, most people have not even returned to the area, and the few houses standing are still in complete disrepair," Staley wrote in an e-mail.

Part of the sign's message read: "We want our country to love us as much as we love our country."

At one point America did love the Gulf Coast.

Within a month after Katrina, American charities raised over $1 billion, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

In recent months, American citizens have proved less charitable, less concerned.

And while the federal government has provided over $144 billion to assist reconstruction, little of that money has made its way to those who need it.

Professor of theatre Rick Hornor accompanied the student volunteers during the Spring Break trip.

"I was stunned at how bad the situation still is. It's interesting to see where the money has gone. The casinos and hotels, those are back. But all along the coast there are still piles of bricks. In between Bay St. Louis and Biloxi you can count on maybe two hands the number of beach front homes. Police departments and the city hall are still in FEMA trailers," Hornor said.

With the third anniversary of Katrina approaching, it would be nice to know we have made progress in returning survivors to a state of normalcy and stability.

It would be nice to know that as a country, we have not forgotten our neighbors. With attention divided between politicians and their intentions for the country, Iraq, healthcare and so on, we must remember to remember those in our own land.

If a national crisis is not met with appropriate concern, what of foreign policy?

No, we can't all rebuild in New Orleans or donate thousands of dollars.

But what we can do is keep talking, keep reading and keep remembering.

Maybe those in charge will take notice if we can make Katrina the "Most Popular" story on Google.com.

It's a start.

Karla Rose is a an opinions columnist and a senior majoring in English. Contact her at karla.rose@whitworthian.com.

Thanks, Karla.