Please place your seat backs and tray tables in their upright position....

Baton Rouge Airport, 2009

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The New Orleans economy is heavily reliant on tourism, so the news that Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is to be overhauled with upgrades costing $755 million is very good news!

16 projects have been identified, including new signage, brighter lighting and a new concourse.

BLOGGING SILENCE

Blogging silence will end tomorrow

After Mr. GO is gone

Drainage Ditch, Baton Rouge LA 2009 from Lands' End

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Yesterday, U. S. District Judge Stanwood Duval awarded seven plaintiffs $720,000., in a judgment determining that the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers was responsible for flooding in New Orleans due to shoddy oversight , of the now closed, Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet (Mr. Go).

This ruling opens the door for more than 100,000 other individuals, businesses and government entities to also sue, which could cost the U.S. Government billions of dollars in claims!

Complete story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_katrina_flood_lawsuit

The State we are in.....

Louisiana State Capital steps, Baton Rouge LA 2008

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According to the nonprofit United Health Foundation, Vermont is the healthiest state in the Union! Louisiana ranks towards the bottom at #47!

The annual ranking considers 22 indicators of health, including levels of obesity, smokers and cancer deaths.

Mississippi came in dead last for the 9^th consecutive year, in large part due to sky high rates of heart disease and infant mortality.

INSECURITY STINKS

Fish and Knife, Venice LA 2005

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The USDA yesterday reported that one in seven households are struggling to put enough food on the table! This statistic is for 2008 and I fear it has only worsened with a slowing economy and higher unemployment in 2009! It was also reported that one in four children are not being adequately feed!

This means that about 49 million Americans or 14.6% of U.S. households are suffering what the USDA calls, “food insecurity” – not having enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle.

NOT SOCIALISM

DUMPSTER with Decals, Baton Rouge LA 2009

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Once again this weekend , the Levi's jeans "Go Forth" ad was broadcast. The ad , if you have not seen it, opens with a black and white image of a flicking neon sign "America" , half submerged in water.

The ad also features abandoned and boarded up New Orleans apartment buildings.

Does this sound enticing to you?

Well, it doesn't make me want to run out an buy Levi's!

VETERANS

U.S. Army Soldiers - Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge LA 2008

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Many of our military veterans, whose day we celebrate today, walk among us having served to protect our lives and land.

There are many more who have given their lives for us.

And to all of them, I say thank you!

SUPPORT

Retaining Wall, Baton Rouge LA 2009

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In an unusual display of bipartisan support, Louisiana’s two U.S. Senators are backing a measure to extend the GO ZONE tax incentives for another two years for the parishes hardest hit by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Sen. Landrieu , a Democrat , is joining Sen. Vitter, a Republican , in sponsoring the bill which provides tax credits for low-income housing and historic rehab. projects.

The two Louisiana senators often vote against each other, thus canceling out a voice for all Louisianans.

new New Orleans

Old next to New Construction - Lakeview, New Orleans LA 2009
New Construction - Lakeview, New Orleans LA 2009
Construction Site - Lakeview , New Orleans LA 2009

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Reflecting on Style

Driveway Mirror, L.A. CA 2009 from Cali Days

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There is no doubt that the architectural style of housing in New Orleans is evolving as a result of rebuilding after Katrina. I have periodically driven around the city over the last four years, looking and watching.

Yesterday , in Lakeview, I found styles ranging from Spanish, Tudor , Modern-Minimalist , Colonial and what I call “Raised – Four Plex”. “Raised” is also a whole new sub-category applicable to all styles.

It’s the new New Orleans.

For the Birds

Birds and Boy, Pensacola FL 2009

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New Orleans city council president Arnie Fielkow, this morning , condemned the recent remarks made on a college tv station by former city recovery czar Dr. Ed Blakely.

Reportedly, Blakely characterized New Orleanians as lazy and racist. Blakely went on to predict New Orleans will not exist in 100 years. He also forecast race riots in the near future for the city, saying that "everyone's a racist" in New Orleans.

Complete story:

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/11/fielkow_ed_blakelys_comments_o.html

ENVISION

The Vision, Miami Beach FL 2005 from South Beach Sampler

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It is hard to envision a hurricane season without a single named storm hitting the Gulf of Mexico!