King Cake!

My very thoughtful sisters sent me a big Haydel's King Cake that even came with a Mardi Gras 2008 music CD from Basin Street Records. I had to dig in to the cake immediately, even without a fresh cup of coffee. Mmmmmm ....

Eli Manning Took Cues From Mother

A nice NYT article about the Mannings, especially Eli. I didn't realize how young Eli is (or perhaps how old I am). He was only 3 when Archie retired, so he didn't really grow up around the NFL. Eli Manning Took Cues From Mother

Probe: FEMA sugarcoated danger of hurricane trailers

It's almost painful to watch FEMA in action. Has there ever been a more inept organization? Now we learn that those overpriced FEMA trailers also come with a free dose of cancer: Probe: FEMA sugarcoated danger of hurricane trailers

HUD OKs Diverting Katrina Housing Funds

The governor of Mississippi has declared that he is diverting $600 million in housing funds to the port of Gulfport. That's a lot of money, and I don't recall Gulfport being much more than a marina. HUD was called in but claimed it was powerless to do anything about this diversion of funds. I wonder why $600 million in housing money is still sitting around two and a half years after Katrina: HUD OKs Diverting Katrina Housing Funds

Whole Foods Market® King Cake Promotion to Help Rebuild the Louisiana Shrimper Community

Whole Foods Market® King Cake Promotion to Help Rebuild the Louisiana Shrimper Community

Hard times in the Big Easy

I just finished watching Bobby Flay's 'Throwdown' on the Food Network. It took place in New Orleans and was a mufaletta challenge with the Serio brothers. I can't say I'd eaten at Serio's but it made for a good New Orleans flavored show. At the end a very brief photo of one of the brothers with 'In Memory of" beneath it sent me on a Google. I found this recent article from the Denver Post about how tough it is still for small businesses in New Orleans: Hard times in the Big Easy

Goodbye, Wet bank Guide

I see our blog neighbor Mark Folse at the Wet Bank Guide has ended his two year+ series of postings on post-Katrina New Orleans. I guess this is a sign that things in the city are returning to something resembling normal. Thanks Mark for all the postings.

Oil canals' role in La. land losses debated

Another USA Today story (complete with inane comments from readers): Oil canals' role in La. land losses debated Of course, the only one contesting the massive impact of the oil industry is, the oil industry. A quick look at Google Maps will show the swiss cheese that is southern Louisiana.

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Chris Jordan Photography

I ran across Chris Jordan Photography twice recently. Very nice stuff. I was surprised to see his pictures from New Orleans immediately post-Katrina in his book "In Katrina's Wake: Portraits from an Unnatural Disaster". Sorry, he has one of these sites that you can't easily link to, but use the main link above and you ought to be able to find everything.

Louisiana Football

Even though the Saints didn't make the playoffs, the two Manning boys did. Eli and the NY Giants are still in the running, though Payton had some bad luck against the San Diego Chargers. And then there is national champion LSU. Not a bad year for Louisiana football.