GO FLY A KITE

Kite Flying, Gulfshores AL 4/2007

all reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

AMTRAK *offered a train to Mayor Ray Nagin and the City of New Orleans prior to Huricane Katrina hitting the city! The train could have move 1,000 people out of harm's way! However, the Mayor and City officials declined the offer.

AMTRAK is now offering multiple trains , in the event, another huricane bears down on the city. Guess what? The Mayor has yet to sign any formal agreement accepting the offer.

*The name "Amtrak" is the blending of the words "America" and "track." It is properly used in documents with only the first letter capitalized. The railroad is also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.

Got Balls?

Tennis Court, Baton Rouge LA 3/2007 from Baton Rouge Blues
copyright Wm. Greiner

Tennis has become a big part of life in Baton Rouge post Katrina. It’s a distraction, something to focus on, work at , and enjoy.

EYES WIDE SHUT

Girl with Baseball, Baton Rouge , LA 5/2007 from Baton Rouge Blues

copyright Wm. Greiner

Hurricane Season Approaching -- Are You Ready?

Thursday May 24, 4:41 pm ET Yahoo News

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Hurricane Center is predicting a very active 2007 hurricane season with at least 17 named storms, nine hurricanes and five major hurricanes with category three to five range. Even though last season had no landfalling hurricanes, forecasters remind us we remain in an active hurricane cycle likely to last another 10 to 20 years.

As hurricane season begins, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., the country's sixth-largest property and casualty insurance company, urges policyholders to review their insurance policies as part of storm season preparation.

"It's crucial for policyholders to know about their insurance coverage before a storm hits," said Ken Enscoe, Nationwide's director of catastrophe claims operations. "Advance planning is key to surviving the aftermath of a hurricane."

NKE*

Red and White Sneakers - Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge LA 10/2006

copyright Wm. Greiner

Nike Inc. announced on Monday that it would be donating 13,000 pairs of shoes to New Orleans’ teenagers as part of a national campaign to promote physical fitness!

*NKE is the New York Stock Exchange symbol for sports shoe manufacturer Nike Inc.

FICTIONALLY STRANGE!

No Arms - Jazzfest, New Orleans 4/2007

copyright Wm. Greiner

The Associated Press reported on May 20th, in an article titled “Nagin, city staffers to get crisis training”, that the New Orleans mayor and staff will train to respond to natural disasters in a seminar which will include lectures, planning sessions, practical exercises and (get this) simulated disaster role playing!!!

It strikes me as a bit odd that a mayor and an administration which governed through the worst natural disaster in U.S. history would need such training? You would think they could be doing the training? The kicker , however, is the fact that the seminar will be sponsored by FEMA!

That is strange.

The Power of Words

Discover the talent......, Baton Rouge LA 4/2007 from Baton Rouge Blues

copyright Wm. Greiner

"If talk, bureaucracy and promises were enough, we would've

rebuilt New Orleans three times over by now."

HILLARY CLINTON , Democratic presidential candidate speaking at Dillard University

in New Orleans 5/19/07.

LIVING IN A VACUUM!

WARNING, Baton Rouge LA 5/2007 from Baton Rouge Blues

copyright Wm. Greiner

"The reason for this letter is to let everyone know that their prayers have helped me."

"I am so blessed that you care enough about me to be concerned and will continue to live in this brighter state with all of you by my side during this trying time."

"We are all lights of the world and we all need to continuously inspire others and look to the higher power. You are all in my prayers. Godspeed. Love Britney."*

*as posted on Britney Spears website

Are You really in Good hands?

Doll and Hands, Baton Rouge 1993 from Cryptography

copyright Wm. Greiner

Allstate Insurance CEO backs leaving risky areas (i.e. Louisiana!)*

The Baton Rouge Advocate/Associated Press by Dave Carpenter 5/16/07

ABC's

WE WASH, New Orleans , LA 4/2007

copyright Wm. Greiner 2007

A New Orleans report says two-thirds of high school seniors failed graduation exams since the state's schools takeover following Katrina.*

*What's News, The Wall Street Journal 5/11/07

COLOR CODED

New Orleans, LA 4/2007

copyright Wm. Greiner

PAIR OF UNRELATED MOMENTS

Baton Rouge LA 4/2007 from the series Baton Rouge Blues

copyright Wm. Greiner 2007

LOOKING FORWARD

Love Eyes - Jazzfest, New Orleans LA 4/2007

Copyright Wm. Greiner 2007

Second weekend of Jazzfest starts tomorrow!