FoodMusicJustice.com

It’s not often I say this about a US news media outlet, but credit to where it’s deserved.

The New York Times has done a consistently excellent job of reporting on conditions in New Orleans as well as highlighting its unique culture.

The other day they printed this op-ed piece on the reality of floods and levees not just in New Orleans but around the country. It’s the first time to my knowledge of piece demonstrating this level of intelligence on the subject has appeared in a major publication. (more…)

Stumbled on this while going a Google search for something else.

This is a man who clearly loves his food and he found heaven on earth in New Orleans and southern Louisiana. This report happens to be from 1994, but believe me, they’re still doing it here.

Click here for: Eating my way through New Orleans

Is it a crime to be incompetent? Stupid? Wasteful of taxpayers money?

(more…)

Just got back from a community screening of “Faubourg Treme: The untold story of New Orleans.”

I expected it to be good. It was great.

(more…)

The NBA did it right.

They didn’t just come to New Orleans to play a game, they rolled up their sleeves and helped out in various ways. (more…)

There’s probably nothing more important to New Orleans’ survival than getting its story told accurately and completely to the rest of the country and world.

The University of New Orleans has rendered an important service by showing how dramatically “off” most people’s perception of New Orleans are. (more…)

Can someone explain this to me?

We reported on formaldehyde in FEMA trailers on July 21, 2007. It’s now February 14, 2008 almost seven months later and FEMA is only just admitting the problem. (more…)

I don’t know if Sara Roahen can swing a hammer, but she sure has a way with words and food and her new book “Gumbo Tales” is a big contribution to rebuilding New Orleans’ culture and sharing it with the rest of the world. (more…)

This is my last post for the 2008 Carnival season…Enjoy!

More from the Muses Parade. Butterflies.

One of countless local school marching bands. Everyone talks about “troubled youth.” Why don’t these disciplined, dedicated kids get any credit?

A variation on the marching band theme. On Mardi Gras, numerous “freelance” groups parade through the Quarter at will. This was one of my favorites.

A Brazilian drum troop took a stroll through the Quarter too.

The Panorama Brass Band filling a quiet spot during Muses with some brass-ified reggae

I drove down Napoleon several hours before the Mardi Gras parades started.

Yes, that is living room furniture lining the parade route. People here take their parades very seriously.

What’s with the ladders?

The ones with milk crates on the top with one side cut out are for kids. The other ones are for big kids who are really into getting beads.

Note two things:

1. This is HOURS before the parade starts. The actual crowd was much, much bigger.

2. These parades are family and community events. Don’t buy the negative mass media BS about New Orleans.

New Orleans is the last real American city. No malls. No Disney-fied entertainment. Strong communities. Lots of family owned businesses. Just the kind of place Corporate Amerika would like to erradicate.

Shot with a $95 Pure Digital video camera while driving my car. (Not something I recommend doing at home!)

The car radio provided the sound track - “Do whatcha wanna” by the Rebirth Brass band, I believe.