Katrina Update #25Katrina Update #25We went out with Jim and Helen last night to have some great BBQ at the Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot. Adam, Megan, and Barry joined us later and played pool while Janis and Andrea playeed Putt Putt golf and Cary, Chuck, and Jarret played pinball.
Today we took Jarret to a clinic to get him some allergy medicine. Tonight we are all meeting up again at Cafe Lou Lou's for dinner.
Tomorrow it is off to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, KY. I received a surprise phone call today from Maker's Mark. They have asked us to attend their Hurricane Katrina fund raiser tomorrow night and are putting us up with their employees at the Days Inn in Bardstown. I knew all that drinking would pay off someday!
We are resting up and trying to recharge our batteries. Mayor Nagin announced today that we will be allowed back in the city next Wednesday. We will probably have electricity, but we may not have potable water for a while - which means no baths. We are contemplating now how we get supplies into the city that will last us for awhile. Of course, the big issue will be if we have Internet access. If not, Janis and I will have to leave the city and set up elsewhere until we have Internet. According to I-55 (our Internet provider) we should have Internet if we have electricity. Let's hope so.
I got the following email from Art4Now, the company that does the Bayou Wear and posters for Jazz Fest:
First of all, thanks to each of you who checked in to see that we were alright. I'm pleased to report that our entire team evacuated to Houston where we've set up offices. (Phone: 281-494-2700 / Fax: 281-242-1237
Email art4now@sprintmail.com.) And our website (www.art4now.com) is back up and taking orders.While most people escaped with their lives, many didn't. Our hearts go out to their families and to the great city of New Orleans that defined itself through their unique energy. Those that did escape have had their lives inexorably altered. It is our duty, honor and privilege to assist our neighbors in every way we can. We ask that you do the same and are providing several avenues to help yourself while helping others.
Do Good by Doing Well:
Our Summer Sale Benefits Katrina Victims.Looking Good While Doing Good: We pulled a good bit of our inventory out of harms way. We're re-opening our sale of BayouWear? brand wash-and-wear rayon tropical clothing - with a twist. We're donating 100% of the profits from the sale of these items to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation's Raisin the Roof initiative that provides affordable housing to local musicians. Click here for details: http://www.art4now.com/sale.htm.
Give Them The Shirt Off Your Back: Select your favorite BayouWear on sale and designate that it be given to a New Orleans musician. We'll take care of everything, plus we'll donate all of our profit on the sale to Raisin the Roof in addition to paying the Jazz Fest Foundation their usual royalty. The donation to the not-for-profit Foundation will be made in your name, earning you a tax deduction to the extent allowed by law. Click http://www.art4now.com/sale.htm for details.
Lost Your Jazz Fest Poster Collection In The Flood? We suspect that many collections were ruined by Katrina. Send us the details of what you owned by year and type and we'll send you an appraisal on letterhead that can be used in making an insurance claim. Email your needs to: art4now@sprintmail.com
Support The Festival: Buy a Poster: While the destruction of a large number of our collectible posters will likely drive prices of those that remain higher, we're holding our pre-Katrina prices until year-end. If you've always wanted a certain image - or need to replace one - nows the time. And while we only have a few prints from any given year, they're historical markers from before the flood and bound to be cherished as reminders of more care free times. The most sought after will probably be the '05 Hemmerling and Hunt posters. So act quickly. More than half of the purchase price of Jazz Fest posters goes directly to the Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the non-profit sponsors of the Festival. They've kept the flame burning for over three and half decades and can use all the fuel you can spare to keep it going. Click here to see what's available: http://www.art4now.com/jpovalue.shtml
One Thing Hasn't Changed: All of our stuff is produced in limited edition. The BayouWear sale ends when we run out of what's on hand. We have a limited supply of posters and expect demand for replacements to be very high. In every case, hurry: Whether for yourself or the people of New Orleans, speed is critical.
We're sorry to report that Gatemouth Brown, the subject of Hunt's 2005 Congo Square poster, passed away on Saturday, September 10th in Orange, Texas. He was raised in Orange and fled there when his house was destroyed in the flood. Our condolences go out to his many friends and family.
Take Care,
Bea Shipp
Art4now, Inc.
ProCreations Publishing Co.
The reason I reprint the email here is because they are allowing people to order Bayou Wear online and designate that it be given to a musician in New Orleans. I think that's great.
- I added "Brooklyn" Joe Gilly to the People page.
- Janis spoke with Tom West today. I updated his entry.
- I spoke with Joe Fontana today. He and Rebecca are doing well. He finally got online at a cousin's house and will be looking at the site for the first time today. He is planning on returning to his home in the French Quarter on 9/26, at least to see what the status of things are.
- DR forwarded me an email he received from Dan Zimmerman.
In a news conference today, Mayor Nagin announced that people would be allowed back in Algiers on Monday, and in the 70115 zip code on Wednesday, one week from today. People will be allowed back in the French Quarter the following Monday September 26th. Personally, I don't think Nagin has a choice but to allow people back in. Not only do people want to get back, but its probably the only way he can get the economy rolling. I doubt he can secure much of a line of credit to keep workers working while there is no money coming into the city. So the sooner people get back to their homes and businesses, the sooner taxes are collected and the city can start paying its bills - as well as show creditors it has the ability to repay its debt.
If you are one of those planning on going back, try to coordinate with others, and here is a short list of things you should bring with you:
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