Thanks, Katrina

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Restoration Baby Steps

The Army Corps of Engineers has unveiled a $2.9 billion plan to restore the environmental damage caused by the construction and operation of the now-closed Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet. The plan includes:

- a new freshwater diversion near Violet

- restoration of cypress swamp in wetlands adjacent to the Lower 9th Ward,
Algiers and Chalmette

- protection of shorelines along the eastern New Orleans land bridge

- restoration or nourishment of wetlands along Lake Borgne

If approved, the project would take 10 years to complete, with construction beginning as early as 2012. It would restore, nourish or protect about 92 square miles of wetlands and land.

Click on picture for larger, more legible version

Congress ordered the corps to develop a plan after deauthorizing the MR-GO as a navigation channel in 2007. This plan still must clear a variety of major hurdles, including whether Louisiana would be required to pay 35 percent of the cost of most of the projects. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Chairman Garret Graves, the state's senior coastal official, notified the corps in August that the state believes the federal law authorizing the restoration plan requires that the federal government pay 100 percent of all costs.

Unlike other corps planning documents, which require Congress to vote to authorize the project and then hold a separate vote, often years later, to appropriate money for construction, Congress already has authorized the MR-GO restoration and need only begin appropriating money for its construction.

There are a lot of hurdles to overcome in order for this plan to come to fruition all of them spelled out here, but it's a start.

Saturday, January 01, 2011

No Resolutions

Pistolette blogs about the absurdity of New Years Resolutions in New Orleans hereNo Resolutions

Friday, December 31, 2010

Janitas - A GOOD Lunch Spot

Hubby and I went to the aquarium today and after seeing all those fish, I was hungry for fish!! So we headed over to Janita's at the Rendon Inn on Eve Street.

Click on pictures for larger versions

Their menu will make your mouth water just reading it!

These two are amazing chefs!!

After reading over the menu and talking to the fantastic bartender, we decided on our meal: Billy would have the Swamp Rueben and I wanted the Brown Redfish and Chips. Lemme tell ya, we were NOT disappointed!

Billy's sandwich was delicious. He got a cup of Kimmie's veggie soup to go with it and I have to tell you - a food lover and cook - it was GOOOD!

My redfish and chips was deluxe!

They're also a great late nite place, folks, so there's no reason to not check it out.

Their address is on Eve Street in NOLA

Just a few pix

I didn't have too much to do on Thursday, so I took a little road trip on my favorite backwoods road - Highway 90 - in the far eastern part of St. Tammany Parish

I found a few things I'd never seen before and decided to use my beautiful new D90 Nikon that my hubby got me for Christmas to document them.

These stairs belong to a church that obviously was hit hard by Katrina. But it looks as if the congregation is trying to save the church

The church is located on Indian Village Road in East Slidell, which is very near Lake Borgne.

Katrina's tidal surge from Lake Borgne reached miles into eastern St. Tammany Parish
taking HUGE boats, homes, trees and other things and pushing them miles inland.

Here's the homemade sign for the Church

Here is a side view (which made me think they're still trying to save it, bless their hearts)

Faith is a powerful thing.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Library Chronicles' Brother??

AAAText SizeDoggone, What A RidePOSTED: 4:40 pm CST December 29, 2010
UPDATED: 5:08 pm CST December 29, 2010
MINDEN -- A Minden man left his van running with his dog inside -- and when the dog hopped behind the wheel, things literally went downhill on a wild trip from the grocery store to the bank.

It happened Tuesday on Minden's busiest street after the dog either knocked the sport utility vehicle into gear or it wasn't properly put into park.

The van -- with the dog, Honeybun, in the front seat -- went across the parking lot of Brookshire's supermarket, crossed Homer Road and crashed into a support column at Regions bank across the street.

It was about 7 p.m. and the street was heavy with traffic but no one collided with the runaway van.

Honeybun made it through the wreck no worse for the wear. Police said they found her in the back seat of the van.

Minden police said Alexander Bostick left his vehicle running while he went inside Brookshire's to pick up some items. His dog and van were across the street when he came outside.

"He came running across the street, wanting to know what we we were doing with his van," witness Rob Balentine said. "I showed him, 'Your dog drove across the street, man.'"

The first police officer on the scene, Bo Turner, happens to be Minden's K-9 officer and his partner was riding shotgun with him.

"Coincidence, it had to be a dog call," Turner quipped.

The dog's owner declined comment on the incident. He didn't get a ticket.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Musicians who passed in 2010

From NPR "In Memoriam: Musicians We Lost In 2010"

NPR Music remembers the singers, instrumentalists, songwriters and producers who died in 2010. Explore the musical legacies they leave behind.

It's a great site with plenty of interactive built in.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Vick - Again

The more I read/see the more I think Michael Vick should be put away from society.

the image on the left is a typical pitt bull that was used for fighting to give thrill to the asshole on the right.

The asshole on the right now has the ability to make millions of dollars after a paltry two years in prison - probably torturing creatures smaller than himself.

Hey, you big empty minded football fans: IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER IS NOT EVIL LIKE MICHAEL VICK. Read here what your "hero" is capable of.

I can't believe he's a father.

Just my opinion - that's all.

A beautiful Christmas Tradition

here's a link to an article about the Southeast Louisiana tradition of Christmas bonfires.

Here is the text for the above video

GRAMERCY, La. – Just after nightfall it happens. Dozens of bonfires all along the Mississippi River light the way for Papa Noel and light up the faces of all who watch.

It’s a centuries-old tradition that’s been passed on for generations.

“Since I was a kid my father started building one with me, and now I’m building one with my kids,” said bonfire builder Paul Zeringue, Jr.

And people from around the country come to watch.

“I love Texas to death, but half the things here it’s just like so much more, you know, traditional, and family and friends, and it kind of brings tears to your eyes sometimes,” said Sandra Thurman.

It’s a tradition that brings friends and family together along the river and that many say captures the generous spirit of Louisiana, with house parties where strangers are welcome like family.

“Being able to come down here and go into any one of these houses, and you can go in. You can go in and go get something to eat right now or something to drink, whatever you need, use the bathroom – anything,” Zeringue said.

For Miranda and her sister the bonfires have special meaning this year: it’s their first Christmas Eve back since Hurricane Katrina.

“We just feel like we’re at home whenever we see the bonfires,” Miranda Theisges said. These masterpieces take days to build but burn in a matter of hours.

“Tomorrow morning there’s going to be a pile of ash still burning,” said bonfire builder Darnell Jackson.

But those who come to witness the flames pierce the night sky say it’s worth it.

“You don’t mess with a good thing,” said bonfire builder Frank Ester. “It’s a good thing they do here. I love it.”