Friday, December 28, 2007
Stained Matresses , Baton Rouge LA 2007 from Baton Rouge Blues
Yesterday, today was tomorrow
And tomorrow, today will be yesterday
So ring out the old
Ring in the new
Ring out the old
Ring in the new
Ring out the false
Ring in the true
Ring out the old
Ring in the new
George Harrison
Ding Dong, Ding Dong
1974
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
LOST IN TRANSLATION
Indian Figures, Pensacola FL 10/2007
When considering the litany of follies by the Federal agency FEMA, can anyone be surprised by the agencies’ latest flash of brilliant bureaucracy in action? It was reported today that the trailer warnings , notifying evacuees of possible cancerous air conditions within the trailers , translated into Vietnamese for the large population along the Gulf Coast was so badly translated , that it prompted Vien, pastor of Queen Mary of Vietnam Church to say , “It’s gobbledygook”!
He called the notices “another black eye, a bloody nose” for members of the local Vietnamese community who have had trouble obtaining government assistance in the storm’s aftermath.
Excerpt The Advocate 12/21/2007
All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner
When considering the litany of follies by the Federal agency FEMA, can anyone be surprised by the agencies’ latest flash of brilliant bureaucracy in action? It was reported today that the trailer warnings , notifying evacuees of possible cancerous air conditions within the trailers , translated into Vietnamese for the large population along the Gulf Coast was so badly translated , that it prompted Vien, pastor of Queen Mary of Vietnam Church to say , “It’s gobbledygook”!
He called the notices “another black eye, a bloody nose” for members of the local Vietnamese community who have had trouble obtaining government assistance in the storm’s aftermath.
Excerpt The Advocate 12/21/2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
HEARD A STORY...follow up
Modern House, New Orleans LA 2006
All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner
I recently blogged , in HEARD A STORY, about New Orleans homeless but working people getting kicked out of a park - with no where to go! Today it was reported by the Associated Press, that the community service group UNITY was finding apartments and hotel rooms for over 200 of these folks! However, they reported that there were still 73 people living in or around the area known as Duncan Plaza.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS MY FRIEND
Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport RI , 9/2007
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Baton Rouge City Championship League
Men's 3.0 Champions
undefeated
CCL Ball Bangers
Greg Anding , John Schempf , Trent McCarthy , Chip Lambert , Lawrence Gettys , Kent Moreaux , Jeff King , Brian Dantin , William Greiner , Tom Clark , Randy Roussel , Ron O'Neal , Michael Beychok , Mike Davis , Tony Gregoire and Lenny Cardenas III
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
With Regrets, New Orleans Is Left Behind *
Blue Fence, New Orleans, LA 7/2007
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With Regrets, New Orleans Is Left Behind
LAKE CHARLES, La. — With resignation, anger or stoicism, thousands of former New Orleanians forced out by Hurricane Katrina are settling in across the Gulf Coast, breaking their ties with the damaged city for which they still yearn.
*excerpt The New York Times
Monday, December 17, 2007
Something to smile about!
Musician Mural on Plywood, New Orleans LA 2006 from 8 Days in Spring
All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner
In August , 2006 , I blogged about New Orleans/Times Picayune photographer John McCusker (Let Love Rule , August 10, 2006). John under serve strain from covering Huricane Katrina was facing felony charges after a traffic stop and altercation with police.
It was reported last week that the charges were reduced to a misdemeanor and after paying the fines , John was free!
This is something to smile about!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
When a house is not home.
Green Chairs and Plants, New Orleans LA 12/2007
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In New Orleans, Plan to Raze Low-Income Housing Draws Protest
NEW ORLEANS — At a moment when the shortage of low-income housing in the city is causing significant hardship, the federal government is beginning this week to tear down thousands of apartments in the city’s four biggest public housing projects.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
HEARD A STORY....
Mattress with Cigarette Burns, Baton Rouge, LA 12/2007 from Baton Rouge Blues
All Things Considered, December 10, 2007 · Since Hurricane Katrina, the number of homeless people living in New Orleans has doubled. Many are people who had a place to live before the storm. But many of them were just barely getting by — and were dealing with physical and mental disabilities. Now, they cannot afford the price of housing.
On Tuesday, the state is planning to begin building a fence around a city park that has become an encampment for homeless people. They'll have until Dec. 21 to move out, and that may not be enough time for groups that help the homeless to find them permanent housing.
All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner
I heard a story on NPR the other day that made me want to cry! Without affordable housing in New Orleans, many people are being forced to sleep on the streets! One man interviewed, a working man, who sounded quite articulate and responsible had no place to sleep! The story:
All Things Considered, December 10, 2007 · Since Hurricane Katrina, the number of homeless people living in New Orleans has doubled. Many are people who had a place to live before the storm. But many of them were just barely getting by — and were dealing with physical and mental disabilities. Now, they cannot afford the price of housing.
On Tuesday, the state is planning to begin building a fence around a city park that has become an encampment for homeless people. They'll have until Dec. 21 to move out, and that may not be enough time for groups that help the homeless to find them permanent housing.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Friday, December 07, 2007
LUCKY No. 7...how do you know?
Ships on Horizon, Gulf of Mexico, 10/2007
Gray forecasts seven hurricanes for 2008
The 2007 Atlantic hurricane season just ended Nov. 30, but already there’s a prediction for next year. Hurricane forecaster William Gray called Friday for seven Atlantic hurricanes, three of them major, during the 2008 season. Gray's team at Colorado State University issued the prediction six months before the June-November season begins. The preliminary forecast calls for a total of 13 named storms in the Atlantic. It also says it is probable that at least one major hurricane will hit the U.S. coastline.
All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner
Gray forecasts seven hurricanes for 2008
Daily Report
by Business.com
12/7/2007
Thursday, December 06, 2007
A Park worth saving
Foliage, Baton Rouge, LA 4/2007 from Baton Rouge Blues
Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of the park, causing over $43 million in damages. We have made significant progress over the last two years, reopening the Botanical Garden, Storyland, the Amusement Park, tennis courts, and many other attractions.
But New Orleans City Park still needs your help. The golf courses have not been reopened, many athletic fields are in need of major repairs, the staff needs to be replenished, and facilities which host family attractions are still not up and functioning.
This season we are asking you to remember City Park in your holiday gift giving. Your gift will help sustain the park for generations to come. A brighter future for New Orleans City Park can be achieved with your generous gift that will give us the opportunity to restore the heart of New Orleans, the heart that keeps beating, bringing New Orleans City Park back better than ever.
All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner
For thousands of people, the holiday season is a time for remembering the past and dreaming of the future. New Orleans City Park remembers the past, the past before Hurricane Katrina when the gardens were blooming, the forest was plentiful, kids played in Storyland and the Amusement Park, and families came out to picnic under the trees.
Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of the park, causing over $43 million in damages. We have made significant progress over the last two years, reopening the Botanical Garden, Storyland, the Amusement Park, tennis courts, and many other attractions.
But New Orleans City Park still needs your help. The golf courses have not been reopened, many athletic fields are in need of major repairs, the staff needs to be replenished, and facilities which host family attractions are still not up and functioning.
This season we are asking you to remember City Park in your holiday gift giving. Your gift will help sustain the park for generations to come. A brighter future for New Orleans City Park can be achieved with your generous gift that will give us the opportunity to restore the heart of New Orleans, the heart that keeps beating, bringing New Orleans City Park back better than ever.
Scroll to bottom of homepage to donate:
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Picturing People - W. Sheldon Bivin
Sheldon at the Y before Tennis matches 11/2007 from Baton Rouge Blues
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I know W. Sheldon Bivin only as a tennis player. We play just about every Thursday morning at the YMCA courts. Only recently, through a magazine article about Sheldon, did I find out he was an esteemed head of Veterinary Medecine at LSU and care taker for much beloved Mike the Tigers III, IV and V.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Pretty in Pink
Pink Light Socket, Baton Rouge, LA 10/2006 from Baton Rouge Blues
Strewn around him a half-mile in every direction were hundreds of enormous pink blocks, 8-foot-high boxes and huge triangular wedges, representing the uprooted foundations and dislocated roofs that littered the area beside the Industrial Canal for months after Hurricane Katrina.
"Right now there are scattered blocks, like they were scattered by fate's hand, symbolic of the aftermath of the storm," Pitt said as crews installed more of the metal-and-tarp structures. "But we will be flipping the homes, essentially righting the wrong."
All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner
Brad Pitt busy making it right in the Lower 9
At the center of a buzzing construction zone in the heart of the worst-ravaged corner of the Lower 9th Ward, movie megastar Brad Pitt took a break Sunday afternoon to imagine the future.
Strewn around him a half-mile in every direction were hundreds of enormous pink blocks, 8-foot-high boxes and huge triangular wedges, representing the uprooted foundations and dislocated roofs that littered the area beside the Industrial Canal for months after Hurricane Katrina.
"Right now there are scattered blocks, like they were scattered by fate's hand, symbolic of the aftermath of the storm," Pitt said as crews installed more of the metal-and-tarp structures. "But we will be flipping the homes, essentially righting the wrong."
Complete story: