Could that be because the owner of the abandoned 4-plex where the gang rape occurred is owned by (ironically) a CEO of a biomedical company who is developing the planned Tulane medical corridor? I find this interesting…

The location where the woman said she was raped is a rundown fourplex owned by Jim McNamara, president and CEO of BioDistrict New Orleans, the state agency charged with redeveloping portions of the Central Business District and Mid-City into a medical corridor. McNamara said police had not contacted him. In fact, he was unaware of the attack on his property until contacted by a reporter. His brother lives in the only occupied unit on the property and also was not aware that anything untoward had happened there, he said. The attack probably happened while his brother was at work, he said. “I’m sure if he would’ve been there he would’ve stopped it,” McNamara said.

The thing that strikes me is, how in the heck is one man going to intervene in a gang rape of a lone female by six adrenaline fueled men?

I think this echoes the pathetic state of the city of New Orleans, the utter breakdown of the moral fiber that can fuel such an incredibly heinous act, in 2012. And we are relegated to wringing our hands, expressing outrage and praying for the victim to recover both physically, mentally and spiritually.

The first thing that came to mind when I read this story, buried in the back pages mind you, was JoEllen Smith. Miss Smith was a student nurse who was making a house call in Algiers sometime in 1973, and was brutally raped and murdered while on a “mission of mercy”.

JoEllen Smith has been memorialized, having a hospital named in her honor and a memorial scholarship still actively bestowing funds to eligible people 39 years later. But it was quite unfortunate that she was killed while caring for the health of others. I am not comparing the two crimes, but instead I ask when will the lurid segment of mankind recognize the actions of those who serve a selfless mission to ease the suffering of others, without feeding their own deplorable, twisted need to commit vicious crimes against nature?

Come on NOPD…

UPDATE: NOPD has made some arrests in this case – read about it here – and the Times Picayune published an editorial piece on how the NOPD handled the incident in today’s paper.

Every year this close knit community of Vietnamese people celebrate their New Year by holding Tet Festival on the Church grounds. Tet is an abbreviation for Tet Nguyen Dan, meaning “first day.” This is the most important festival of the year, signifying both the beginning of the year and of spring. And the weather cooperated nicely, making it feel like spring with temperatures in the low 70′s and clear blue skies.

We visited the festival for the first time and enjoyed both the food and the people watching.

The Vietnamese community in “The East” brought themselves back after Katrina. In the 6+ years since the storm, they have welcomed the Hispanics who helped rebuild the city into their area. It’s really very interesting to visit the businesses along Alcee Fortier Boulevard.
There are grocery stores (both Vietnamese and Hispanic), cafes, restaurants, bakeries, pharmacies, etc. One of my favorite bakeries is Dong Phuong where they make THE BEST assortment of breads and desserts. And their prices can’t be beat.

So if you’re looking for a culinary adventure, take a ride out the The East and explore what it has to offer.

Mike perched on the ladder, working on the renovations to the NOPD 8th District Station. (Photo provided by B.B. St. Roman.)

B.B. St. Roman of New Orleans’ Homeless Assistance Collaborative (based out of the NOPD 8th District Station) first met Mike Ainsworth and his brother, Bill, in 2009, when they were assisting one of her neighbors with his home renovation project.

B.B. remembers that Mike joined COPS 8 (Citizens’ Organization for Police Support), an organization over which B.B. currently presides, because he specifically wanted to help our city’s police force. On a visit to the NOPD 8th District Station, B.B. said that Mike “saw how terrible the walls were, started patching, got supplies donated, and he and Bill ended up renovating and repainting the whole interior of the station,” working  for about three months’ time. Speaking with a tone of admiration, B.B. noted that “Mike took the lead on the ideas of what to do, choosing colors for the different details and features, adding lots of beautiful touches. It was his decision to paint the counter tops navy and add the gold trim. At first Mike and Bill wanted to do it all for free, but we insisted on paying them.”

Mike (left) at the "Salute to the 8th District -- Police Appreciation Day" benefit event. (Photo provided by B.B. St. Roman.)

B.B.’s stories of Mike’s hard work and his unwavering generosity are plentiful. “There were two generators just sitting out in the Station’s yard, in boxes, for about three years’ time. Mike looked at them one day and took it upon himself to organize getting them hooked up. He got the electrical work donated and arranged for the gas line hook-up. When the plumbing went out, he took care of it. The flooring on part of the second floor was rotten and he worked to repair that, too. He got cabinets from Home Depot and installed them.”

Mike also made improvements at the horse barns for the NOPD’s Mounted Unit. “If we were decorating the Station, he would come help, especially when we needed someone to climb up the tall ladder. He made a cabinet himself, to fit a particular space, for magazines at the station. When he saw that the remnants of the NOPD Homeless Assistance van’s wheelchair lift were still on the van, he made the arrangements to have them finally removed. He would call every few weeks and ask, ‘I’ve got a couple of hours — is there anything I can do at the Station?’ He’d say, ‘Miss B.B., Whatcha need?’ He’d find it and get it donated.

Mike and his longtime partner, Cheryl Conner, at a St. Peters Street "Kelly Marrione Night Out Against Crime" block party. (Photo provided by B.B. St. Roman.)

“He just kept seeing things that needed to be done, noticing things, pitching in, and helping. It was just amazing. He was always volunteering, always willing to help, always thinking of improvements… He’d wanted to put a star and crescent in the tile at the entrance to the Station. The tile needed to be replaced anyway, and he thought that adding these things would make it more interesting.” Mike also helped officers with repair work on their homes; he would accept money for the supplies, but refused to accept payment himself.

“The last project he happened to do was just a week or so ago. The light in the lamp post on the side of the Station was out, and the streetlight nearby happened to be out, too. When we took the Christmas lights down, it was really dark at the side entrance to the Station. He and his brother came over and discovered that the glass at the top of the lantern was broken and that rain was leaking in. It wouldn’t have made sense to just replace the bulb because it would short out whenever it rained again. They went and got the right kind of glass, had it cut to fit, and then replaced the bulb. As his last repair job at the station, Mike left a shining light.”

B.B. St. Roman at the Grand Opening of the New Orleans Healing Center on 8-28-11. (Photo by Kalen Wright.)

“If he had a little extra money at Christmas time, he’d get $5 bills and hand them out to needy people on the street. I’d tell him, ‘Maybe you should save this to take care of your own needs,’ and he’d say, ‘No, it’ll come back to me.’  For him, everything was in service to others, all the time. He considered it to be doing God’s work, doing what’s right.”

B.B. believes that Mike died while doing the right thing. “To me, he died in the line of duty — not as a police officer, but as a good Samaritan and a good citizen.”

Mike’s desire and enthusiasm for helping others was simply the core of his day-to-day life, every day. He didn’t have a life insurance policy, so now it’s our turn to give it back to him by helping his family. Memorial arrangements are in progress and his family has requested donations to help celebrate his life and commitment to our community. However, after the service, I ask that people consider that the needs of his family will continue. His sons are both good students who need our caring at this time — therapeutic support has been recommended and the family will benefit from any assistance that we can provide as they learn how to live with Mike’s absence. Please open your hearts and contribute what you can to help — it matters.

At the request of Mike’s family, B.B. St. Roman was honored to be asked to administer the Harry Michael Ainsworth Benefit Account. Donations can now be accepted at any Whitney Bank branch location and may also be mailed to Whitney Bank – Algiers Branch, 501 Verret St., New Orleans, LA 70114.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1/28/12 Update: The memorial service for Mike Ainsworth will be on Friday, February 3rd, at St. Louis Cathedral, with visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 AM and the service at 11:00 AM. Following the service, there will be a reception at the NOPD 8th District Station, 334 Royal Street.

For me, as I reflect today; If I wasn’t from New Orleans; this day right now I wouldn’t want to visit. I would be disgusted at all the things I hear going on and terrified and scared probably for those who live here. We as New Orleans citizens don’t understand that though, because we been here so long, dealt with this so long that it’s not affecting us anymore, but it’s time for this mentality to stop. We can’t progress, move forward and be Effective New Orleans citizens, if we don’t start feeling affected by the crime in this city. Take for a moment and imagine all the hurting mothers all around this city right now crying because their baby is gone or the mothers who are worried to let their children out their sight because they don’t know if they will ever get the chance to see them again. Imagine them and their hurt and how it affects their lives. Imagine it was you and get angry about it and use that anger to be a part of the change. Look at all the kids around you and imagine their future. You want to see them have one, well this can only come to happen when we all get a little less comfortable and start doing something. Getting involved in our community, becoming informed, informing others, getting our thoughts her, volunteering in the community to change the lives of youth and just letting them know you there. We can’t just depend on police department; we also have to do our part in this too. Every little piece of action helps make big change. Do you know how powerful this city could be, how we could regain our own city if everyone got uncomfortable and do their part. Step out your world and just start opening your eyes and understand that this has to stop now. Our hearts are being broken daily and with each murder a piece of the soul our city has goes away, a chip of us goes away. We need to preserve our culture for all the wonderful things it is. This is a city of passion and love. We saying we love this city can’t be enough because love is an action word and we must do our part.

Sorry for my early morning rant. Excuse the language.

neigh·bor [ney-ber]

noun

Haydel’s Bakery adds a ceramic doll to its king cakes. Each year, it’s a different set of dolls. When the Saints won the Superbowl, they had three Saints-themed dolls, including a flying pig. Post Katrina, a Captain Blue Tarp doll and a FEMA trailer float. The dolls are as uniquely New Orleans as the artist who creates them, Alberta Meitin-Graf. I had the pleasure of hearing her speak at last year’s Jefferson Parish Library king cake party. (Damn, I love this town!) She’s simply fascinating.

This year’s theme does not disappoint in its nod to Louis Armstrong’s famous expression when he ended his letters: “Red Beans and Rice-ly Yours.” I give you the Red Bean Lady and her Rice-ly Escort carrying a trumpet.

New Orleanians took the most mundane day of the week, Monday, wash day, and of course turned their attention to food. A pot of red beans slowly, cheaply, simmering on the stove as the laundry was done. Even today, with mothers working and not doing wash all day on Mondays, we STILL eat red beans on Monday. It’s like going home again.

Why would you live elsewhere than where Mondays are Red Beans and Rice-ly Yours?

Enjoy Carnival! And king cakes! And if you find a king cake offers you too much sugar, do what I do: tap it into your coffee.

This post was originally published on www.nolanotes.com on January 19, 2012.

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I walk often in the Quarter trying to take shots of New Orleans from a local perspective, rather than usual shots you always see from vacationers. As I was walking on Decatur I happened to come across one of those sticky posters you see slapped on a pole or whatever happens to be at eye level. The image that I first saw was of a machine gun…an AK I believe it is. As I stopped and read the poster I was rather flabbergasted at its words.

Now at first appearance, if I was a tourist this would scare the shit out of me. In fact, even as a local I was determined to find out a bit more. Who is this posting this??? What is their supposed message? At a time when we will have many tourists here for Mardi Gras, I am still trying to form an opinion.

After going to their website nolaanarcha.blogspot.com and reading, it seems to me they are very much at cross purposes and contradict much of their own observations and rants.

On one hand they are promoting the poor, and make some very valid points on the problems with New Orleans. I actually agree with several of them in regard to our housing problem. I have been touting the idea of selling houses that are left abandoned for $ 1.00, require them to bring the house up to code within 3 years, live in it for 5 and then be eligible to sell it. This program worked extremely well in areas such as Detroit and a small town called Sanford, Florida where I used to live myself.

Then on the other hand they become bigots and racists by grouping this as a race war with posters such as this one:

This is in response to the new curfew which would be in place to keep those 16 and under out of the French Quarter after 8 pm unless accompanied by an adult or going to/from work. This curfew is in effect for ALL children no matter their race…Why then does the website and poster seen here make it a race issue? It’s not about race, it’s about everyone’s safety considering the rise in crime in the entire city. To say a curfew “ Effectively teaches kids to get used to living under permanent Martial Law” is bullshit to me. Many cities across America have curfews! You can bet they don’t have the crime stats we do in New Orleans.

The website and the person’s message that the city is trying to create “White Zones” does nothing but ferment attitudes that have been in place for way to long in this city. It seems to me that to cry and whine (along with a bit of a warped attitude) because things are now being rebuilt, laws that benefit everyone are being put in place, and communities are becoming much more diverse than in recent times sends an extremely unrealistic message of what New Orleans is all about.

The website conflicts many times in its articles. On one hand they advocate for the poor, the homeless, green initiatives and how new programs are revitalizing the neighborhood, but then goes on to say it’s the white population only that is benefiting. The Author’s anger comes across to me as if he is very much stuck in a time warp that really doesn’t exist today. His posters are in places that are
extremely diverse. To group people or to try to make tourists think that it’s only the black population that are in these zones is ridiculous to say the least. I live in one of these zones….I am living next to not less than 5 houses that are considered blighted and abandoned. I pay an outrageous price for my rent just like the author of the site. I battle New Orleans crime, fear of walking my dog, sitting on my porch and corrupt politicians just as he does. However, I am White. Where does this put me in the Anarchists eyes?

I had posted this poster and it’s URL to get other’s take on the site on a G+ post and received mixed opinions. I am only one person, and this is only my opinion, but I think residents should be aware of this message being sent to the masses.

On January 15, 2012 St. Genevieve opened to her parishoners. It was a beautiful thing to witness.

This is what she looked like before Katrina

During the groundbreaking in October of 2010, parishioners were asked to place a small amount of dirt from their home into the groundbreaking hole in celebration of their unity.

The doors to the church were donated by Dr. John Breaux and were produced in Honduras. They depict the history of the parish from the time it was a mission until the present new church.

In 1852, a brick chapel was built by Mrs. Anatole Cousin on land she donated.

In 1914, Father Francis Balay renovated the old church and rededicated it

In 1950s another Bayou Liberty Church – St. Linus – was merged with St. Genevieve

In 1958, a new church building was built and dedicated Dec. 28 by Reverend Joseph Rummel.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the church. Immediately following the storm, Mass was celebrated under an oak tree for several weeks and then in the parish hall.

It was such a good feeling to see the old steeple rising toward the heavens again

The original stained glass windows are used in the new church (photo by Slidell Sentry News)

The altar looks out over Bayou Liberty

The old Chapel is shown here after the church was razed

And now the Chapel is once again united with the church

After Katrina, St. Genevieve’s pastor is quoted as saying: “The church is not the building, but the people, we are the church.”
~ Reverend Roel Lungay

I salute the strength and faith parishioners of St. Genevieve and congratulate them on this long-time coming occasion.

So for those of you who dream of cold, of glistening snow, of bare trees that filter the low lying sun, of flowing water suspended in motion and of purple and white mountains, here are a few pictures to transport you away from this current “heat wave”

I took a deep breath, cleared my mind and listened to the music. The husband came back in and I apologized then I took the dogs outside and watched as they played in the yard. I looked at the beautiful day it was, I breathed in the fresh air and I felt all the grumpiness draining out of me. I had made a conscious decision to stop being grumpy and enjoy the day and it worked. The easy thing would have been to continue down the negative road I was on but the easy way can take you to hell. I don’t want to be in hell, I want to be in paradise. And so I am. Thank you, New Orleans. I love you.

In the back yard

These majestic birds gave us all the time in the world to photograph them, much to our delight. Here are a few shots.
Click to view slideshow.

• I still live in the first house I bought in 1980. When my peers “traded up” from their first homes, I stayed in mine because I liked the neighborhood and I didn’t need or want a bigger home. I like the sense of place I feel by living in the same home for so long. My mortgage was paid off years ago which has given me peace of mind in knowing I will always have a roof over my head as long as I can pay the taxes.
• Much of the furniture in my house is the same I bought initially.
• I rarely eat out and never buy from fast food places – we (my husband and I) cook real food and look at it as fueling our bodies and souls as well as honing a skill. Eating out is for special occasions and the best restaurants.
• I don’t have much in the way of tech gadgets. We don’t have a Wii or whatever the equivalent of video games are right now, we do have satellite TV but only the basic package.
• We have dumb cell phones which we use sparingly. I tried a smartphone but sent it back after three weeks because I found it added no value to my life.
• We don’t belong to gyms; we walk for exercise.
• We really don’t spend a lot of money on entertainment because we really aren’t night people and prefer a picnic in the park over fighting the jostling crowds. That’s not to say we don’t go to events; we do.  We’re fortunate to live in New Orleans where there are so many free and low cost events and those are the ones we enjoy.
• I buy clothes when I need them or if I need something for a special occasion. I don’t shop for pleasure or entertainment because I don’t usually find it pleasurable or entertaining.
• We have two cars but could easily get along with one and we have in the past. The car I now have is only the fourth car I’ve owned in 31 years.
• I use things (household items, electronics, handbags, etc,etc) until they wear out instead of robotically buying the “new thing”.

I realize our lifestyle isn’t for everyone but it’s perfect for us. We’ve always been this way, not just since we became older.  I just don’t need to be entertained by something or someone every minute of the day – I can entertain myself. I don’t need huge amounts of stuff in my house that only creates clutter and is a background stress plus has to be dusted and cleaned. I’d rather be doing something else than cleaning or paying someone else to clean my stuff. One of the greatest benefits of a simpler way of life is the decrease of overwhelm in your life.

I haven’t always been the perfect minimalist, I can’t lie. Over the span of a 30+ year marriage I’ve accumulated lots of stuff by not purging while accumulating and through shopping binges that I thought would make me happy but didn’t. Last year I began a quest to declutter my house which I’ve written a little bit about on my personal blog. This decluttering has dramatically decreased the background stress I was feeling and has made my  place a more tranquil refuge from the world.

Q: Why be a minimalist?

A: “It’s a way to escape the excesses of the world around us — the excesses of consumerism, material possessions, clutter, having too much to do, too much debt, too many distractions, too much noise. But too little meaning. Minimalism is a way of eschewing the non-essential in order to focus on what’s truly important, what gives our lives meaning, what gives us joy and value.” ~ Leo Babauta

As I said, in the past year I’ve discovered a growing movement toward minimalism and simple living. I can only imagine it’s the result of the economy, the rampant trend of foreclosure and the high unemployment rate among other things. Many appear to be scaling down their spending and making do with less. Some people look at “making do” as a negative instead of looking at it creatively and giving the minimalist lifestyle a chance. There are a few websites and newsletters I read by the pioneers (relatively speaking) of the new minimalist movement who mostly appear to be in their 20′s and 30′s. Although much of what they write about are ideas and habits I already use, I like communicating with others who think like I do and I do find that I’ve learned things I didn’t know by reading their work. If you’re unfamiliar with this concept and want to explore the minimalist lifestyle, read this and check out the websites of the minimalists that I follow below. (Be sure to peruse the archives for specific topics.)

Zen Habits
The Minimalists
Rowdy Kittens

Checking out these sites doesn’t mean you have to drink the kool-aid,  it just means you’re mind is open. And that’s a good thing.

Here’s a sampling of over 30 pictures that are in my slideshow:

Fremins Restaurant

For some reason, WordPress won’t allow me to link to the slideshow I created on Photobucket, so please click here to look at it

Happy New Year!!

Speaking of blogging, I haven’t done any link love in a long time so I’m going to share a list (in no particular order) of blogs from all over that I’ve read regularly in the past year and recommend you check out. Just so you know, I trend toward lifestyle, photography and blogs with a lit bent. I read political blogs too but I don’t talk politics here. Happy New Year to all and here’s looking forward to a great year of – yes – “traditional” blogging!

Zoom Yummy ~ Cooking, knitting, photography. I’ve found some great dessert recipes here.

Broadside ~ Writer Caitlin Kelly blogs about about women, work, journalism, books, culture, family and relationships.

Mighty Termitey ~ My online sista from another mother who always makes me smile and I bet she can make you smile too!

Cliff’s Crib ~ Proud parent, community leader and New Orleanian who points out our warts as well as our beauty marks. This man takes no prisoners but also has a soft-ish side.

Kiss My Gumbo ~ One of the smartest women I read and know personally. Her recent posts on caring for her father with Alzhiemer’s are truly inspirational.

Odd Bits of Life in New Orleans ~ Amazing writer and poet focusing mainly on life in New Orleans, of course.

Shay’s Word Garden ~ An extremely talented poet whose work will astound you. If you think you don’t like poetry, try reading her. Her work is street smart and tender all at the same time.

My two favorite photography sites: 504ever and My Life in the Quarter – two very talented men you need to meet.

YatCuisine ~ Yummy food blog!

B2L2 ~ A group blog consisting of writers doing their thing including essays and opinion pieces. Good stuff.