New Orleans Can Thrive

Second-lining’s silver lining: mainstream embrace of our cultural exotica | The Lens

2013-05-16T12:35:00.000-05:00

Second-lining’s silver lining: mainstream embrace of our cultural exotica | The Lens

Original Big 7 will "re-do" Mother's Day second line

2013-05-15T19:27:00.001-05:00

Original Big 7 will "re-do" Mother's Day second line | Blog of New Orleans

Letter sent to NY Times Public Editor today

2013-05-13T17:06:00.001-05:00

Letter I sent to NY Times Public Editor today – The Éclaircissement

Disaster Cooperativism - Politics - Utne Reader

2013-04-28T11:45:00.000-05:00

Disaster Cooperativism - Politics - Utne Reader

Voodoo Distillery to open in New Orleans this summer | NOLA.com

2013-04-28T11:24:00.001-05:00

I'm a believer in more entrepreneurs selling their products that are appropriate to a well balanced life. Claiborne and Bienville is a great place for more small businesses to set up shop to produce import-replacing goods. Raise a glass....

Voodoo Distillery to open in New Orleans this summer | NOLA.com

NOLAFugees Press|Productions » Reading the Leaves in the White Teapot

2013-04-09T20:21:00.000-05:00

NOLAFugees Press|Productions » Reading the Leaves in the White Teapot

NOLA Bike to Work Day

2013-04-08T15:17:00.001-05:00

Maybe I'll see you on the Jeff Davis Parkway path on my way to the farmers market Uptown...

NOLA Bike to Work Day · Bike Easy

Slow train but its moving on.

2013-04-04T13:55:00.003-05:00

As I have mentioned before, You Tube is one of the few ways to share songs, so it is not always about watching the video, which is true in this case. But I thought it was an appropriate song for April 4.

Bicycle Share Public Input Session

2013-04-02T18:36:00.001-05:00

Bicycle Share Public Input Session · Bike Easy

Phuck the Fork in the Road, sez this opinion writer...

2013-03-11T11:28:00.001-05:00

Well. This is quite an opinion piece on the idea of food trucks in New Orleans. I was glad to see it when a friend linked it on fb, although I will have to say that some of the connections the author makes I cannot yet agree with, not having seen all of the information. Additionally, there is some polemic language, like hipster-capitalists, which is an oversimplification in my estimation, although not entirely untrue. Of course, reading the comments one finds even more name calling and ridiculing of the author. Truly this sort of behavior doesn't seem to be a way to learn about each other's ideas and opinions.
Having said all of that, I agree with much of this piece and would hope that those trying to "fix" New Orleans would take a little more time to understand the context of our history and stop comparing us to other places that have almost no similarities with us, except of course what seems to be the important one for those trying to fix us, that those places they compare us to have a large young population that moved there recently. Whether or not our resources should be spent on holding those folks here by offering them what they could find elsewhere seems illogical and quite possibly a fools errand.
I'd much prefer that we invest and legislate for the return of decent programs to help the least fortunate of our citizens and to encourage the widespread ownership of businesses and homes anchored in neighborhoods among those who have roots here, whether new or not. As for roaming trucks: I am for a few of them, within reason. As a matter of fact, as a community food system advocate, I have spent most of the last decade and a half working on behalf of roaming farmers markets. However, the Food Truck Coalition seems to be focused on capturing CBD lunch business and asking to compete side by side with anchored restaurants rather than encouraging healthy food in food swamps or food deserts if you prefer.
If access to food is the goal, then let's legislate that and ask those who are allowed to operate food trucks to offer local products and healthy choices with low sodium or fat options, work in food insecure areas at least 3/4 of their time and also not allow these trucks to pollute with noise or trash or to set up within 300 feet of a existing restaurant.
Let's also stop the name calling and realize that every issue has many more than 2 sides to it and all of them should be heard and read by the citizens that live in our fair city.

Fork in the Road: Who’s Behind the Push for New Orleans Food Trucks? – Antigravity Magazine

Nagin and out

2013-03-04T10:02:00.003-06:00

Gentrification and its Discontents: Notes from New Orleans | Newgeography.com

2013-03-01T14:26:00.001-06:00

A landmark article for all to read and absorb.

Gentrification and its Discontents: Notes from New Orleans | Newgeography.com

Black Widow Salon Monday March 4

2013-03-01T13:23:00.001-06:00

Monday, March 4th Black Widow Salon, upstairs at Crescent City Books, 7-9 p.m., starting promptly at 7:15 p.m.
The March salon welcomes Liz Williams, the founder and president of SOFAB (Southern Food and Beverage Museum) and author of the new New Orleans: A Food Biography; and Sara Roahen, author of the acclaimed Gumbo Tales and former restaurant critic for Gambit Weekly, who has been published in Food & Wine, Oxford American, Wine & Spirits, Gourmet, Tin House, Garden & Gun, et al.

Lower 9 driving

2013-02-27T11:29:00.000-06:00

Note to self- when conducting tours of Katrina devastation, do remember to watch for road hazards...

New Orleans yaks it up on “The Goodnight Show with John Calhoun” | New Orleans Entertainment | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

2013-02-21T14:24:00.001-06:00

John is a great performer: edgy, a bit odd and yet able to maintain the right rhythm for his cast. The show will be a great success and I am glad that I can say I saw it when..
Do yourself a favor and see it.

New Orleans yaks it up on “The Goodnight Show with John Calhoun” | New Orleans Entertainment | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

John Sinclair Reading

2013-02-14T09:02:00.001-06:00

One of the pleasant things about Carnival/Festival season in New Orleans is that legendary poet activist John Sinclair comes back to read and share some wisdom. Check it out if you have the noive.....

http://www.17poets.com/

John's blog:

FATTENING BLOGS FOR SNAKES And John's (et al) Radio Free Amsterdam archives are really coming along and available for a listen. Great to click and listen when your day is lacking a little something: RFA

Giant Endymion float can't make turn onto Carrollton Avenue | NOLA.com

2013-02-10T09:20:00.001-06:00

#OnlyIn NewOrleansHeadlines

Giant Endymion float can't make turn onto Carrollton Avenue | NOLA.com

Citiwire.net » Two Storms, Two Cities: Not Many Parallels Between Sandy, Katrina

2013-02-06T20:09:00.001-06:00

Roberta is the best writer out there talking about federal imperialism and the evils of unrelenting bureaucracy. Her analysis of the destruction of the MidCity area being so developers can get filthy rich from ground-level retail development in the face of a shrinking economy is spot on.
Go Roberta.

Citiwire.net » Two Storms, Two Cities: Not Many Parallels Between Sandy, Katrina

Chewbacchanal, Ping Pong Ball, Pink Collar Comedy and parades Saturday | NOLA.com

2013-01-26T10:10:00.001-06:00

Chewbacchanal, Ping Pong Ball, Pink Collar Comedy and parades Saturday | NOLA.com

MidCity Apocalypse

2013-01-23T07:48:00.002-06:00

DuBos: Nagin set city's (hurricane) recovery back 3-4 years | wwltv.com New Orleans

2013-01-19T20:52:00.001-06:00

DuBos admits his paper's complicity in helping to elect Nagin and (I think) redeemed himself by birddogging him for the next 7 years.
Good interview.

DuBos: Nagin set city's (hurricane) recovery back 3-4 years | wwltv.com New Orleans

Peter Boutte piece today

2013-01-19T10:19:00.002-06:00

Peter's website

Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin indicted on federal corruption charges | wwltv.com New Orleans

2013-01-18T12:18:00.001-06:00

Yes, this is necessary for the city to thrive.

Clancy DuBos from The Gambit slams Ray Nagin: "[After Katrina] He just collapsed onto the ground and leaned up against the wall and said, ‘I did not sign up for this (expletive).' And I’m thinking, wait a minute, you’re the mayor. You absolutely signed up for whatever comes. But that was his attitude. It was all about him. I frequently call him a narcissist because that’s what he is." Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin indicted on federal corruption charges | wwltv.com New Orleans

New Orleans Lyceum-2013

2013-01-16T09:56:00.004-06:00

2013 LYCEUM ANNOUNCEMENTS Thursday, January 17, 7:30, 4511 Chestnut St. Existentialism in the Helping Professions We will be discussing the attached article comparing Sartre to Marcel. Next up is Herbert Marcuse’s Eros and Civilization. Order it now or get it at a local bookstore. Friday, January 18th, 7:00 Parker Church 1130 Nashville St. The History of Spirituality in Film Series Our first film of the series will be from 1914: “Hypocrites” Forward-thinking director Lois Weber spins a controversial morality tale in 1914's Hypocrites, an art-loving priest is stoned to death for placing a nude statue in the town square; the statue then comes to life whenever one of the townsfolk acts hypocritically. AND we may have an optional surprise if the group is up for it. Saturday, January 19th, 10:30 Philocafe New Orleans Lyceum Philo Café for Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Fairgrinds Coffeehouse, 3133 Ponce de Leon, 10:30 to 12:00. What is honor? If honor is scrubbed of misplaced loyalties, does it emerge as something authentic, timeless and universal? Do warriors have a distinct standard of what honor requires? Is honor dead (more or less)? SPECIAL LYCEUM/CHAUTAUQUA OFFERING Starting January 25 Lifetime Learning Class at Poydras Home “The DNA of Freedom from the Greeks to the American Constitution” Co-sponsored by Lyceum & Chautauqua Elevate your thinking, your spirits, your being. Beginning January 25th ~ 12 consecutive Friday mornings ~ 10:00 -noon. Refreshments will be provided. Beginning January 25, Poydras Home will host the course, “The DNA of Freedom from the Greeks to the American Constitution” taught by Dudley “Bud” Flanders, historian and frequent lecturer of Democracy and the American Constitution. Mr. Flanders studied at Washington & Lee University and earned his J.D. at Tulane Law School. The historical periods of the course include: The Greeks, Alexander the Great, The Romans, The Renaissance, The Reformation, The Enlightenment, Discovery, Colonization, Revolution and the U.S. Constitution. The class covers the historical progression of Freedom and Equality that led to American Democracy and provides a deeper understanding of the great personalities and ideas which created the changing beliefs and opinions that led to the Declaration of Independence. The final two of the 12 classes are sponsored by Chautauqua and will cover the ratification and legacy of the U.S. Constitution and the daunting decisions confronting its writers. If time permits, there will be a Mock Constitutional Convention. If you are open to celebrating democracy, then, and, now, please join us. The informal class and discussion group will be held in the Poydras Home Board Room in the Main Historic Building. Parking will be available at the 825 Jefferson Ave entrance to Poydras Home. There is no fee to participate. “The subject matter is history, not partisan politics. Our focus will be to observe changes in public consensus about four main questions: What is Mankind? What is Man’s Relation to Man? What is Man’s Relation to God? What is Man’s Relation to Nature?” For more detailed information about the course and to learn more about Lyceum and Chautauqua, including current newsletters, and information on the schedule of classes, please visit www.nolachautauqua.com or email neworleanslyceum2@gmail.com or call Charlotte Thomas, Director of Development, Poydras Home, 504.342.2515 or email cthomas1217@aol.com.

I Think It's Going To Rain Today

2013-01-10T00:30:00.000-06:00

This has been running through my mind since yesterday morning. I love 1970s Streisand and this song of Randy Newman's (piano throughout and the man's voice at both ends are of Randy himself), so needless to say it has been a favorite track of mine since it was released on her latest album of 2012. This album is full of unreleased tracks from her long career; therefore its title: "Release Me"

And the more I hear it, the more I think that John Boutte should cover it.

sorry for the needless video, but as many have figured out, YouTube is one of the few open places to place music for others to hear.