Steve Wheeler

Steve Wheeler
Originally uploaded by dsb nola

I ran by City Hall to see my lovely assessor, Betty Jefferson, indicted Rep. William Jefferson's sister, to contest the new assessment of our house. Afterwards, I stopped and talked to a cadre of homeless people who have taken up residence in the gazebo outside City Hall (no, the irony isn't lost on me). Steve Wheeler is the Vice President of the Homeless Pride Association and says his group has been in negotiations with the Mayor's Office and the City Council to help the homeless population in New Orleans, primarily through opening up some public housing buildings. He says they get along well with the police and are keen to hook-up with a non-profit (or create one) to more effectively empower the homeless. He seemed like a thoughtful and committed advocate and I hope to check back again from time to time to see how things are going. Steve asked me to publicize an upcoming event:

Homeless Pride Invites You to March for Housing!

March for housing, Monday, August 6, 2007.

Meet @ 8 a.m. @ Duncan Plaza, across from City Hall, 1300 Perdido St. March begins @ 8:30 a.m. and ends at the HANO office, Sojourner Truth Community Center, 501 N. Galvez (by the Lafitte Housing Development).

For more information, contact Elizabeth Cook @ 504-343-6781.

This thing working?

I think it is. I forgot my password and had other things to do and didn't bother digging for it, but I'm back. I intend to ratchet up this blog and reconfigure on wordpress and actually update it regularly.

Until then, imaginary reader, wait. It's going to get better.

Jazz Procession in the Rain

Jazz Procession in the Rain, originally uploaded by dsb nola.

Jazz & R& B reedman Frederick "Shep" Sheppard died Jan. 21 in Phoenix, his home after he evacuated from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. He played bass, fllute, and soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxaophones.

source:
www.nola.com/obituaries/t-p/index.ssf?/base/obits-33/1169...

Post-K Pep Talk

, originally uploaded by dsb nola.

I took this during the Freret Street Festival yesterday while the Hot 8 Brass Band played. The combination of the torn American Flag, boarded-up house, and the horn player says plenty.
dsb

I know I shouldn't complain--in fact, I should be thrilled that this traffic light is functioning at all, many still aren't--but damn, is there anything more pathetic than a duct taped traffic light?
dsb

Accidental pairing of signs on Louisiana Ave. near the Brown Derby restaurant after it burned down recently.
dsb