Spotted in the Garden District:

"Here 'Lies' David Vitter and Republican Family Values"

This is the time of the year when the weather here gets wonky. We had a gorgeous weekend - clear, dry, sunny skies. Monday we got soaked, 8" of rain in my part of town. Thankfully one of my office mates called me and told me I needed to move my car because the street was flooding. The water was up to the bottom of the doors-just in time! It smells a little funky but drives fine. Tuesday a front came through and we were in the 50s! One day you have to put on the A/C, the next day the heat. Today it's beautiful again, clear and in the 60s. I had to go dig out some "winter" clothes, especially shoes since all I've been wearing the last 6 month has been sandals.

Joe Heller, Wisconsin -- The Green Bay Press-Gazette

Sometimes it's strange to live in a part of the country where lack of water is not an issue. Atlanta and surrounding areas are facing a "water crisis" and fear they will run out of water in 3 months. Southern California sure could use 8" of rain right now. We here in gulf south feel sympathy towards everyone in SoCal dealing with the fires and evacuations. A friend in LA has been in San Fran on business and his wife and daughter have joined him. His parents get conflicting reports as to whether or not their cabin in the mountains has or has not burned down. One of the worst things about events like this is the lack of communication and all the miscommunication; I learned not to trust the media following Katrina. My sister, who lives in Hollywood, has been in Iowa (or is Idaho?) for the last few weeks for work so she's thankfully missing out on all the drama. NOLA blogger Editor B posts a chilling email from a friend of his from San Diego. When we were in SanFran last year, it was the 100th anniversary of the 1906 earthquake and there were signs and billboards everywhere prompting people to make sure their "disaster kit" was ready. Disaster kits ain't just for hurricanes and earthquakes y'all. I was about the use my hurricane stash of bottled water, but after Monday's deluge, decided I better not. We didn't lose power and the water supply was fine but... you never know next time.

Dive update.... work is in full swing at Ms. Mae's. Workmen were toting in rolls of insulation this morning. Every morning when I drive by Ms. Mae is there supervising.

For those of you uptown, swing by China Orchid on S. Carrollton Ave. They've been renovating the place, including a fancy new façade with a neon sign. It's still a work in progress but if you ever set foot in the place before, the change will take your breath away.

Pistolette left a comment on my earlier post about dives and such and I too agree that in some cases, the dive-iness of a place is what makes it. Saturn Lounge is a prime example. But some places have spiffed up and retained their sense of charm, like Pascal Manael's. I wouldn't say it was ever a dive, but like many older establishments, it needed some love. I was in there this past Mardi Gras and it felt the same. I haven't been to Madinas's since they reopened, but I hope it feels the same as it did before the storm and major renovations.

Streetcars!!!!! We haven't seen the Perley Thomas green cars on this stretch of St. Charles since, you know when.

G and I have been busy (G more so than me) working with a committee to put together a forum for the candidates running for the City Council At-Large seat, vacant after Oliver Thomas resigned. We had a pretty good turn out, especially for a rainy day and considering how hard it is to navigate Loyola's campus. One candidate who never confirmed, showed up, which required some scrambling, and Kimberly Williamson Butler was 28 minutes late! I enjoyed Adrastos' commentary on the event.

I wish I had gotten a better picture of the candidates. Cox Communication is supposed to air the forum and I think video is also supposed to appear on NOLA.com. I saw a FOX8 camera guy, but can't find anything on their website.

The group that put on the forum started with the City Council District B seat race a few years ago. It was great they way a group of concerned citizens, faced with 6 candidates no one knew anything about, pulled their knowledge and resources together. It feels good to be doing something positive and also learning more about candidates.

Tuesday, we present a forum for the candidates running for State Senate District 5.
Date: Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Location: SJ Green Charter Middle School, 2319 Valence St.
Candidates: Cheryl Gray, Jalila Jefferson-Bullock, David Williams, Irma Dixon

You may have noticed some posters around that say things like "Complacency is for Complainers" and "Rise Above Sea Level." If you haven't gotten up close to one, you might not know who is responsible. I'm here to enlighten you - they were done by a creative cooperative call Faub.org (say it out loud, without "dot") "Creative Aid and Pleasure Club." Check out their website - it's pretty groovy. The group is open to all creatives in any and all mediums.