New Orleans is a wildly dangerous place in this regard. It seems that nearly everyone has guns, and there is tremendous poverty. I say this as a great aficianado of the city, but one who has experienced my share of crime there, as have my family members who live there.

We usually describe the danger in and around the boho neighborhoods of NOLA as relative to NY's Avenue C or D in the early Eighties. Since most of the crime is done by kids for drugs (sadly, Im sure most dont live past their twenties) they are generally happy with small amounts of cash and just move on to their next prey.

This is New Orleans' greatest problem as far as attracting businesses, and one that the city's new mayor seems intent on addressing. There was a scandal recently where police officials were vastly underreporting crimes for two reasons - firstly to make themselves look more in control and secondly as part of a citywide clampdown on this kind of news - it is bad for tourism.

This is not just the fault of the police, but a city that has so little money that there are a scandalously low amount of cops - last figures I read were only 1,500 in all of the city - Compare that to NYC's 50,000 plus.

Sounds like New York once upon a time. Maybe I should look into buying property there.

In the eighties NO had one of the most corrupt police forces in the nation. It is a long way back from a tiny, corrupt police force to one that effectively controls, rather than participates in, crime. And being the South, it is way ahead in the trend towards a two class society -the high and the low- not much inbetween.

to be honest my comment to say "bizzare" was not about the crime but more that Ray davies was nuts enough to be running after a purse snatcher..

...or maybe the balcony of Oz, or St Anne Street...

Coming for Carnival again this year Feb 22 till 27 hoping to rendezvous with NOLA Mboarders or MG attendees. We'll be staying in the "quiet" end of the Quarter near Esplanade since my brother's using his house this year.

I will be there from Feb 19th through the 26th.If you have any suggestions for a first timer please let me know.
The last time I was there in december I ate at the buffet at harrahs casino.I was really pleased with the quality....being that you are not a tourist to the area you might not be willing to try it but I would give it a shot.Maybe I'll see you on the streets.Have fun.

Christopher

yeah I know NOLA crime is one thing that has kept me away from the city for so long (even though I only live 2 hours away!), its gotten worse in the past year.I went down there and had my car stolen while I was in it! with a cop across the street! The police force is so small because the politicians don't want tourists to see nothing but cops walking around... I swaer if they cleaned that place up it would be beautiful.

I am the Queen Bitch of the Multi-verse!

The crime really is a problem.
There must be a way to have a neighborhood that isn't all lawyers & investment bankers (or future lawyers & investment bankers -NYU students) without getting held up at gunpoint.
I love the bohemian charm but hate the crime.
I guess that's the age-old dilema.
Oh well.

Chi Chi and Johnny -

If you haven't already, you should visit John T. Martin at the NO Voodoo Museum (724 Dumaine). He's a druid/voodoo priest and he gave me the most INCREDIBLY MAJOR card reading. I was there for Halloween '03 and was lucky enough to attend a ceremony he held on All Souls Day. Dancing and snake-touching!

And - only in New Orleans - I ended up staying at this incredible mansion on Prytania in the Garden District owned and operated by a TINA TURNER IMPERSONATOR!

I'm sure you two will have a ball - be safe and have fun!

xo
Brian D.

I think I know who you mean and I think he's John Polly's (editor of Next Magazine) cousin. I went to look for him last time we were there in November. I'll def check him out...
But I am not going near any snake!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yes the crime is great in NO. went shopping several years ago before my daddy died, in a mall in a poor section and was starred-down for being white and using a credit card, both mistakes that day in that neighborhood. also spent much time driving around avoiding kids running into the street trying to get hit by cars so they could collect insurance.

also, sat with an ems worker, a good friend from college, and his cop friend and got to listen to their white-eyes version of the problems in NO. they saw all types of people and problems and every kinda situation, and seemed burned out. the poverty is forcing people go to the grocery store and break open bags of sugar and pretend to fall from the loose sugar on the floor at the market, so they can collect. the stores used to pay people rather then call the insurance rep to keep costs down in the long run, that was making people do it more tho as they could collect on the spot. lots of faked car accidents as well were happening at the time.

went to college in shreveport, so know the culture well. the whites have intentionally undereducated the non whites, who have been undereducated for over a hundred years in louisiana, to the point that the work force today is driving down the economy rather then boosting it for it's lack of preparation. so the poverty is not just finding a job, it is getting any training on how to keep or work on the job as well. until there is truly equality in education, we will see these extreme cases of poverty in america.

merlin has seen the eyes of blackmen in shreveport that were never allowed to do anything other than be janitors all their lives when they were in truth intellectual giants for the love, compassion and support they gave to others.

white segregated christian anti-science academies we formed all over the south in the 1960's to promote school segregation while america was attempting to integrate. these poor educational opportunities have infected skills performance at all levels in the society, creating a tremdous intentionally undereducated group both black and white.

merlin almost moved to NO several years ago, to open a photography gallery and live in apartment upstairs on magazine street, but the violent crime and weather have stopped this one for now. that don't mean we can't remember the good times and the promise we know is locked up in the new orleans of our dreams.

sigh, sure miss the big easy.

quote:

---

I will be there from Feb 19th through the 26th.If you have any suggestions for a first timer please let me know.

---

Christopher -

A few tips -

Monday, Lundi Gras (feb. 23) is a huge Zulu festival along the Riverfront. Zulu is the krewe with the most legendary parade on Fat Tuesday. On Lundi Gras around sunset there is a great moment where the King of Rex comes over by boat and the mayor hands over control of the city to him for the remainder of Mardi Gras (till midnight Tuesday night.) Then the King and court of Zulu comes over and exchanges gifts with King Rex and his knights. Rex and his nights stay completely masked, and Zulu has these amazing archetypes in the court like Mr. Big Stuff and the Witch Doctor.

It is completely and uniquely Mardi Gras, and free and open to all.

That night are two major parades - Proteus (the last of the old-time flambeau parades (lit by torches) and Orpheus, the biggest, showiest parade with the hugest floats.

On Fat Tuesday there are multiple layers of nthings to do all day, which is part of the beauty. If you love the alternative side of life, there is the artists's walking krewe The Society of St. Anne, which parades through The Bywater and Marigny beginning at about 10 AM and rolls into the Quarter about noon. (Look for them on Royal Street).

If the gay/drag/big costume side appeals, you'll want to be on St. Ann Street by noon for the Bourbon Street Awards - or just their aftermath.

If you want to see the two big parades Zulu and Rex, you'll need to be at least at Canal Street by noon.

Definately end up on Frenchmen Street at night and stay off Bourbon as much as possible past 6 PM. People are incredibly wasted by then, and it only gets uggier. On Frenchmen, the tribes that you'll want to be with converge in a big street party.

And definately stash some food in your room as most restaurants wisely choose to close on Mardi Gras night, and the waits at others can be staggering. The scene at Angeli on Decatur is about as good as dinner gets that night, and there's a lovely brunette transexual waitress whose career and transformation we've been following for years now.

Wear comfortable shoes, lock up everything possible in your hotel safe, and have a great time! Hope to see you there..

Chi chi,

Thank you for all the tips on mardi gras.I am fortunate enough to be staying at someone's house on royal and st.peter so that will alleviate alot of the formalities of dealing with issues.
It's good to know about those parades since nola.com can be confusing to a newbee.The only thing I dread is the traffic from the airport to the french quarter but I arrive pretty early in the morning so we'll see how that turns out.
I think bourbon street gets pretty ugly no matter what.I've seen fights break out every time I've been there and always right in front of papa joes and the cats meow.
I do suggest you try harrah's buffet it really rocked!! Dont know what their doing for mardi gras but they had all the new orleans treats in one buffet and there is a resteraunt called QRS (quarter scene resteraunt) on daphine(spelled wrong) close to north rampart Gay owned/gay operated with an amazing breakfast menu.
I'll look out for you guys.I hope to see you too.CANT WAIT!!!!

Christopher

We'll be back..

in NOLA this coming week 8/30 - 9/3

If anyone's in town, send me a private message or email.

Sending GIANT BEAMS to all the Motherboarders, friends and family as Ivan approaches our beloved second home town.

Love and luck, and we'd love a report from Molly's if the wifi next door holds up!!

Hang on to your hurricanes girls, it's going to be a bumpy night.
Good luck.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: daddy,

Terrible! A 13-foot rise in the ocean there? All first-stories in town to be submerged? the littler houses swimming? Graveyard-bones released in soupy mud?
brrrrrr! I dread to see the damage.

From the Times Picayune, Thursday 9/16 ...

Damage Appears Minimal Uptown

While Ivan's winds made some mischief Uptown, by 1 a.m., damage from the storm appeared minimal. Power stayed on throughout most of the neighborhood, although the odd block lacked power, and several traffic lights were not functioning.

A lot of tree debris littered the streets, but very few large limbs or trees appeared to have been knocked down.

[In this section following, I hear the voice of Tennessee Williams...]

One exception: On Plum Street near Carrollton Avenue, a large palm tree fell, crushing a hurricane fence -- killing several members of a green parakeet family nesting in the tree.
Friends Jerry Lopatka, Kyle Bryant and Simon Beck, all recent Loyola grads, were sitting on their porch watching the storm when the tree fell. When they pulled some fronds back, a couple of birds and a squirrel escaped. But at least one other bird that lived in the tree was crushed.

[as per "I heah 'one greeen pah'keet fam'ly... been kilt in that damn stahm."]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: S'tan,

The hurricane mysteriously swerved to the east as it approached New Orleans. Weather watchers just stared in disbelief.

Marie Laveau did it again!

The Wifi Report

Well, since our last trip at Carnival, wifi is everywhere in NOLA, but in classic laidback style, you often have to know it's there!

Some fav spots to log in from, free and easy:

Envie - the coffeeshop at Decatur and Barracks, - so pleasant to sit in the window with the doors open and a big cold beverage. Dogs, smoking, wifi, macs and iced chicory coffee. My current fav..

Coop's Place

This local extremely reasonably priced bar/restaurant has free wifi, along with rabbit jambalaya, alligator bits, Cajun fried chicken and other acquired tastes. In their laid-back wharf-rat style, they dont mention this anywhere - not a sign inside or out or anything on the tables or menu. You just have to know its there.

Alternately, you can sit in the famous Molly's at the Market bar next door picking up Coops free wifi. This is the bar that always stays open during hurricanes, ignoring the tv. This also isnt advertised anywhere.

Coops and Mollys are next door on Decatur, and Coops serves food till 3 AM.

There are many more funky, fun and free wifi points in the Quarter and the Marigny, with more all the time.

Happy Mardi Gras y'all

Sadly, daddy and I wont be down for the first time in several years - MG is so early this year that it coincides with Fashion Week. So, we'll miss all of you, and especially the St. Anne contingents - both Society of, and Street!

If you'll be following it all from a distance this year, i really enjoy these galleries and video clips on nola.com.

Just saw three galleries of our favorite early parade - the all-pet Mystic Krewe of Barkus. Check them out - this year's theme was "Harry Pawter" and the cozzies divine.

http://www.nola.com/mardigras/photos/