Remembering our Gulf Coast neighbors on Hurricane Katrina's third anniversary

Today is the 3rd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. I am humbled by the resilience of those who fought to get their lives back after the unreal devastation of that storm. People who lost family members, friends, homes, pets and businesses in Bay St Louis, MS ~ Waveland, MS ~ St Bernard Parish ~ NOLA ~ Lower Ninth Ward ~ Biloxi, MS (too many communities to list here). Yet, they would not give up! Rebuilding not only their own lives, but helping loved ones, neighbors & strangers to do the same. Add to that the outpouring of assistance and care from every state.... and around the world. It is awe-inspiring!

Several friends in New Orleans are asking for our positive thoughts as they nervously watch the approach of Hurricane Gustav. I know shelters and charities in Oklahoma City are gearing up to receive possible evacuees, in case of emergency. Patients from hospitals in Louisiana are already being transported to one of our medical centers.

Please, remember the people of the Gulf Coast!

Of course, the Red Cross is preparing to help. I am soooooooo proud of my fellow Moonlight (tv show) fans for supporting such an important organization with countless blood drives and donations :)

For those who want to donate &/or volunteer ~
http://www.redcross.org/

Fast Times 80's Night Dance Party @ One Eyed Jacks

One Eyed Jacks is hosting a totally tubular dance party every Thursday night. Enjoy cool retro music at their Fast Times 80's Night! Only five bucks to get in.

Fast Times 80's Night
One Eyed Jacks
Thursdays ~ August 21st, 2008 thru December 25th, 2008
$5 cover charge
615 Toulouse Street
French Quarter
New Orleans, LA
www.oneeyedjacks.net

Video ~ Street musicians playing at Bourbon & Canal Street intersection

Street music is always one of the first things most New Orleans fans mention when asked what we love about the city. Rijbaklvr has shared this awesome video from a recent trip. The clip shows a fun group of young, musicians performing on the corner of Canal and Bourbon Streets. This is a frequent scene in the French Quarter. We have stood many, many times at that exact NOLA intersection enjoying the sounds of street, brass bands!

First preseason game for the New Orleans Saints

ESPN will broadcast the New Orleans Saints first preseason football game tonight. Saints will be playing the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Football season is almost here! YEA!

NOLA Saints Football
NFL Preseason Game #1
ESPN
Thursday, August 7th, 2008
7:00 pm Central Time
8:00 pm Eastern Time

Dirty Linen Night in the French Quarter

Now that you've celebrated White Linen Night, it's time for Dirty Linen Night! Royal Street is one of my favorite strolls in NOLA. We love wandering in & out of the antique shops, art galleries & stores that line this famous avenue in the French Quarter. A good friend of ours had a wonderful gallery on Royal before Hurricane Katrina. But.... I don't want to digress into that.

Dirty Linen Night began as the Royal Street merchants response to the Warehouse District's White Linen Night. Now, it includes Dumaine Street, Jackson Square & Dutch Alley Artist's Co-Op. You will be surrounded by sidewalk music, performances & demonstrations. Enjoy dirty martinis, dirty rice ~ you get the idea :) The shops will be open late, and many offer special sales for the night. You will see lots of laundry baskets as props too.

Blocks 500 to 1000 of Royal will be closed to traffic turning the street into a great pedestrain mall.

The festivities will wrap up with a Second Line Parade. It will start at Dutch Alley Artist's Co-op ( Decatur & Dumaine ) around 8:45 pm. From there, you will end up on Bourbon Street.

Dirty Linen Night Art Walk
Saturday, August 9th, 2008
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Royal Street & surroundings
French Quarter
New Orleans, LA
http://dirtylinennight.org

This year, Dirty Linen Night has partnered with a non-profit called Better Opportunities Right Now. "BORN specific purpose is to provide Better Opportunities Right Now by connecting socio-economically disadvantage citizens with life skills information and resources through education, advocacy and referral services."

www.BetterOpportunitiesRightNow.org