CSE gig- Mardi Gras Mambo

From the Dragon's Den on Friday. Arrangement not actually by Mozart, but by Raul Gomez. Just so you know. Enjoy and Happy Mardi Gras!

Democrats don't complain that the stimulus forgets Gulf Coast

I think it's a little hypocritical that the same voices that used Katrina to blast Bush at every opportune moment are not clamoring to help us now. Am I wrong?

2theadvocate.com | News | Democrats strike different tone on Katrina — Baton Rouge, LA

Good call DNR!

The LA Department of Natural Resources has drafted a regulation that will require beneficial use of dredged material. This means that when companies want to do a project in the coastal zone- assuming this regulation goes into effect- they will have to use the marsh mud they dig up in a way that helps with coastal protection and restoration!

Now if only the Corps of Engineers will follow suit, we'll really be getting somewhere!

2theadvocate.com | News | DNR issues dredge rule — Baton Rouge, LA

CSE makes the Times-Picayune!

String ensemble plays at unexpected venues - NOLA.com

CSE this Friday at 7 in NOLA!

Come to the Dragon's Den- on Esplanade by Frenchman- this Friday at 7. The Contemporary String Ensemble is putting on a free show (donations accepted) featuring compositions by several composers here in LA- including a composition by my good friend Ronaldo Cadeu. The below video features him performing a very creative solo piece of his which I love called "Orange Things Inside My Head."

Nah-don't go to the Friday night parade. Save your strength for Endymion and enjoy a different kind of cultural experience!

It's only pork if it's not for your state, isn't it?

Stimulus Watch: Keeping an Eye on Economic Recovery Spending

Just helping you stay well-informed. And cynical.

Art (?), New Orleans Style

Chris Rose: Goodbye Prospect.1, hello Prospect.none - Chris Rose - The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

Another great Chris Rose article.

Look what you missed...

Raul and Ronaldo jam for the CSE at the upper room of the Blue Nile this past Tuesday.

Flooding markers- A good idea to help us remember.

2theadvocate.com | News | Levee panel backs markers denoting Katrina flooding levels — Baton Rouge, LA

Sometimes I feel like people are thinking as if Katrina never happened. Maybe these markers will help people remember and guide their decision-making and priorities.

New Model: No MRGO would have meant 80% less flooding in New Orleans!

New computer storm model condemns role MRGO played in Katrina flooding - Breaking News from New Orleans - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

Losing Louisiana

Losing Louisiana - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

"The price of protection is staggering, but the cost of inaction is unimaginable."

Somebody please give me a coastal law job so I can help!

Congratulations, Liz McCartney!

Liz McCartney, cofounder of the St. Bernard Project has been voted CNN's "Hero of the Year."

St. Bernard Project cofounder Liz McCartney voted CNN's 'Hero of the Year' - Walker, TV Ranger - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

Genius idea of the century: teach kids about money!!!!!

Yes ! Yes ! Yes ! Somebody listen to this guy please!

A College Sophomore Solves the Financial Crisis - The Daily Beast: "The Jump$tart Coalition found the following in its annual survey of high school seniors:

* Only 48% understand that a credit card holder who only pays the minimum amount on monthly card balances will pay more in annual finance charges than a card holder who pays off the balance in full each month. That level of ignorance can easily lead to thousands in interest charges each year, and can easily be the difference between financial security and destitution.
* Only 40% realized that they could lose their health insurance if a parent suddenly lost his/her job....

In the current economic environment, increased financial literacy is absolutely essential for people to understand the issues as consumers and as voters. No one should leave high school without a solid foundation of practical financial skills. Students should be able to understand credit card offers, evaluate investments, compare insurance products, and understand their rights and responsibilities as consumers. Trust me, it's a lot more useful than Latin."

Quick Quips on the Nature of Government

Here's one:

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences."

The Capital Grill: Potent Quotables: P.J. O'Rourke

These are pretty libertarian sounding, and I'm inclined to agree with all of them.
Any thoughts?

Bailout Balogna. Can you believe it?

The mainstream media narrative goes like this: Katrina recovery has struggled because local Louisiana politicians were inept and unable to provide oversight. So much money has been wasted because of lack of oversight... I'm not going to dispute that.

But you would think the federal government-- so brilliant, uncorrupted and efficient compared to our "backwards state" of Louisiana would do things a little more carefully, wouldn't you? You would be wrong. Turns out there is hardly any oversight in the spending of the billions in this humongous national bailout!

Take a little break to restore your faith in humanity.

Fifty People, One Question: Restored from Benjamin Reece on Vimeo.

Giving a shout out to Ben and Sarah- and what I think is a great video!

The New Orleans 100

The New Orleans 100

A great list of good news that has come out of New Orleans since Katrina. This list links to lots of fascinating projects!

(Oh yeah, and I'm doing fine but super busy).

Katrina: Unnatural Disaster

The United States Army Corps of Engineers isn't evil; it's underfunded and not watched over carefully. We can't just blame them for all our problems. However, the Corps does need meaningful oversight. That will take political willpower.

With Gustav on the way, we should all be painfully aware of how vulnerable so many levees are across our country. Of course, levees are not the only answer. We also need coastal restoration in Louisiana and smart building and zoning strategies.

Anyways, all my prayers are going out to everyone in Gustav's path.

Coming up: Three Years After Katrina- 8/29/08

Three years after the storm, many obstacles to recovery and other problems still remain for the Gulf Coast. More than ever, while campaigns are going full blown, it's important that we keep what happened in memory. Here are five easy things you can do to commemorate 8/29/05.

1) Get Informed. There are several great websites you can visits to learn the facts about Katrina, what went wrong, and the recovery efforts. Two of my favorites is are Nola.com's page and America's Wetland.
Of course there's also google.

2) Write/call/email your congressmen. This is so easy and it actually does make a difference. You can either write your own letter about how you want better levees, funding for coastal restoration, a plan for Fema, etc. Or you go to websites like the Gulf Restoration Network for prewritten text. Also, dropping a line to McCain or Obama won't hurt!

Contact your house members.

Contact your senators (including Mac and Oby).

3) Talk to your friends about Katrina. Easy. You can even start a heated debate, but the point is that we don't want people to forget. Especially now that campaigns are in full swing!

4) Attend or host an event commemorating the third anniversary of Katrina.

Finally
5) Volunteer your time or donate your bucks to help spread awareness/ aid restoration efforts.

Check out
The Gulf Restoration Network

Levees.org This group is concerned with levees all over the nation- you'd be surprised how many are inadequate.

The New Orleans Musician Relief Fund

or

Make it Right This is the one with Brad Pitt.

just to name a few.

Thanks for standing with the Gulf Coast!!

Awesome, awesome, awesome

Thank you, Google and You Tube.

Google and You Tube team up to bring presidential forum to N.O. - Breaking News from New Orleans - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com