Live Oak Canopy Endangered

We said this since Katrina and lobbied for assurances that any Oak lost along Carrollton be replaced with another oak.  But now the Louisiana Landmark Society also says that the city's Live Oak Canopy is endangered.

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/06/former_wtc_building_algiers_fe.html

"Citywide live oak canopy
The sight of shaded streets lined with live oak trees is emblematic of New Orleans. But from the destruction of the longest line of live oaks in the nation for the construction of the elevated Claiborne expressway in the 1960s to drastic trimming for power lines, the city's live oak trees are frequently butchered or removed for public works projects. A recent example was the branch mutilation and root damage suffered by trees on Napoleon Avenue in 2012 during a drainage project. "It will be decades before the trees recover, and we will lose much of the scenic character of the city in the process," the society said. "

Costco construction to the left of us, SELA to the right

NorthWest Carrollton is centrally located... and that's good.

But the Construction at Carrollton and Palmetto to improve the streetscape....
is going to be fun for the next few months.  Thank goodness they waited until school was out before kicking it up a notch.  Check out Uptown Messenger for details.
http://uptownmessenger.com/2013/05/south-carrollton-lane-closures-construction-schedule-announced-for-streetscape-project-around-costco-site/

And then there is the ongoing construction on Claiborne for the SELA drainage project that will bring more water to the Monticello Canal.  

And the construction on Broadway........

Be careful out there folks.

Evacuteer looking for volunteers to staff Palmer Park

June 26, 2013

Dear Northwest Carrollton Neighborhood Association, 

I work for evacuteer.org, a non-profit agency that aids and enhances the City Assisted Evacuation (CAE) – a free, citywide public evacuation option that was one of the major improvements in the post-Hurricane Katrina recovery of New Orleans. The CAE can accommodate the over 30,000 residents who lack the ability to evacuate in the event of a mandatory evacuation.

Evacuteer.org has proposed a collaborative effort between the Arts Council of New Orleans and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to commission 17 public art pieces, called EvacuSpots, to serve as visually-striking and memorable rallying points in case of an evacuation of New Orleans. These 14-foot tall EvacuSpots are currently being installed in your neighborhoods for your neighbors. It is our hope for community leaders and organizations, like yours, to embrace these EvacuSpots as your own. You know your neighbors better than we do and thus know how best to help them during an evacuation.

We would like to set up a meeting with you to discuss how your organization can join evacuteer.org as a partner group in keeping all of our neighbors safe and prepared for an emergency. Becoming a partner is simple; we bring the 1.5 hour training to your facility at a time that is convenient and provide refreshments. Once trained, your team is prepared to lead and assist at Palmer Park EvacuSpot. We look forward to working with you to help keep our neighborhoods ready for this Hurricane Season.

Sincerely,
Meredith Cherney
Meredith@evacuteer.org
Community Outreach Specialist

Please feel free to contact Meredith directly

Carjacking 8400 Block of Fig - Arrest Made!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 06/26/2013

NOPD Arrests 15-Year-Old Gunman in Uptown Armed Robbery  Second District officers arrested a 15-year-old gunman yesterday who admitted to pointing a gun at a woman’s head last week and then taking off in her car.  The incident happened last Wednesday just before 7pm in the 8400-block of Fig Street.  The victim said she was about to get into her car when a teenager approached her, put a gun to her head and said, “Give me the keys.  Don’t scream, or I’ll shoot you.”  The gunman then left in the victim’s 2008 Saturn. Two days later, the Saturn was spotted at Iberville and North Lopez Streets.  Four males who were in the car fled the car at the sight of police.  The car was then recovered. Yesterday, detectives went to the corner of Fig and Cambronne Streets to follow up on a call of a suspicious person.  The description of the person was similar to that of the teenager who had stolen the Saturn a week earlier.  Detectives canvassed the neighborhood, describing the suspect to residents in hopes they may have seen him.  Various residents told investigators they were familiar with the suspect, and were able to tell detectives where he might live.  The information led detectives to the 15-year-old’s home, which was in the near vicinity.  Detectives took the teen to the juvenile Bureau for questioning, and in a statement, he admitted to committing the armed robbery, and was subsequently booked with Relative to Firearm Use in a Robbery.    “Great work by our Second District team in this case.  Our detectives were thorough, and left no stone unturned when trying to locate this teenager wielding a gun”, said Superintendent Ronal Serpas.  “And this is another case where residents were forthcoming with our officers to tell them what they knew, because they recognize the NOPD’s ability to track down violent criminals and make our neighborhoods safer.  As always, we’re incredibly grateful for the community’s help.”                                                                       # # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 06/20/2013

On June 19, 2013 at approximately 6:55 p.m.,  a Carjacking  occurred in the  8400 block of Fig Street. The victim stated she exited her residence and walked toward her vehicle which was parked on the shoulder of the road in front the side door of her residence. As she opened the driver door an unknown black male who was  armed with an unknown black semi-automatic handgun placed  the gun to the temple of her head and stated "Give me the keys, don't scream or I'll shoot you". The victim relinquished the car keys and the perpetrator drove off west on Fig Street then unknown. The victim described the perpetrator as a black male about 5'8 height, thin build, about 17 years old, no facial hair, black shoulder length dreadlocks, wearing a black sweatband around his head, white tee shirt and black sweatpants with a white stripe along the side leg. The victim's vehicle was a 2008, Silver, Saturn, 4 door., Louisiana license plate SMD212. Citizens with information that can help solve this crime are asked to call 2nd District Detectives at 658-6020 or CRIMESTOPPERS at 822-1111 or toll-free 1-877-903-STOP(7867) or Text your crime tip to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637), Text TELLCS then your crime information.  You could receive a cash reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person(s) responsible. You do not have to give your name nor testify to receive the reward.

Protect Yourself Against Being Carjacked

NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT CRIME PREVENTION UNIT

Protect Yourself Against Being Carjacked 

While there is no guaranteed way to avoid being carjacked, certain precautions can be taken to reduce or minimize the potential.

        While Driving Your Vehicle 

• Plan your route
• Don’t drive in unfamiliar areas, avoid trouble spots
• Keep your doors locked and windows up
• Look in the rear view mirror often
• Observe 180 degrees around you
• Keep packages, purse, etc. on the vehicle floor rather than on the seat where they are easier to see.
• Be observant as you approach an area or intersection
• If a suspicious looking person approaches your vehicle, drive away carefully —  even if you must go through a traffic light.
• Don’t “drift off” when stopped —— Stay Alert
• If you are driving home, and there is someone walking down the street you don’t recognize, drive around the block and come back after that person has left.
• If bumped from behind, motion for the other driver to follow, drive to the nearest Police/Fire 24 hour station. Notify the Police
• When stopping to use ATM’s, choose a well-lighted and highly visible area
• Keep your vehicle in good working order and with plenty of gas
• When stopping in traffic, leave enough distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you, so you can pull away quickly if necessary.

        If Confronted While Stopped 

• Don’t panic
• Avoid verbal/physical confrontation
• If pulled from your car or confronted while in your car, cooperate —— move away quickly
• Walk/run away from the immediate area
• Call the Police immediately
• If you have a cellular phone, call for help
• Give a description of your car and the suspect(s).

          Option to Consider 

• Have a plan —— do something, just don’t sit there
• When confronted by a suspect(s):
• Drive away with caution —— usually a right turn is safest.  If traffic prohibits this, use the sidewalk or yard, etc.
• Be extra cautious when someone approaches your car and asks you for information.  If you must talk to them, do so with the window up, the doors locked and ready to drive away if necessary.       
• Call the Police immediately.

           Getting Out of Your Vehicle 

• Park in a well-lighted area
• Park near a main aisle
• Park in an outside parking lot with an attendant if possible
• If you suspect something is wrong, don’t stop
• Always park where you have a 360 degree view around you
• Be aware of your surroundings before you get out
• Use your auto alarm, if you have one, as a personal safety device
• Carry an additional personal safety device or alarm
• Roll up your windows before parking
• Leave your doors locked until you have observed your surroundings and are ready to exit your vehicle
• Take your keys with you and have them ready in your hand
• Move quickly away from your car
• At home, make sure the garage door is down before exiting
• Keep your car in working order at all times

           If Confronted Getting Out of Your Vehicle 

• Avoid verbal/physical confrontations
• Cooperate —— move away quickly
• Walk/run away from the immediate area
• Call the Police immediately
• Give the car description
• Give the suspect description
• If at all possible, never go with the suspect(s)
• Remember, the primary rule: “If a gunman wants your car, give it up.”

           Getting Into Your Vehicle 

• Park in a well-lighted area at night
• Be aware of your surroundings (360 degrees)
• Appear confident and assertive
• Walk with someone to your car (friend, co-workers, escort)
• Keep a free hand when approaching your car
• Have your keys ready
• Separate your car keys from other keys in case you need to go back to a place of safety.
• Look for anyone near your car or near you.
• Check the exterior of your car
• Check the interior of your car before entering
• At home, lock car doors before opening the garage door to leave
• Use your auto alarm, if you have one, as a personal safety device
• Carry an additional personal safety device or alarm
• Keep your car in working order at all times (tires, fluids, oil, maintenance, etc.)
• Never let the gas tank get below half full

            If Confronted Getting Into Your Vehicle 

• Avoid any verbal/physical confrontations
• Cooperate —— move away quickly away from your car
• Walk/run away from the immediate area
• Call the Police immediately
• Give the car description
• Give the suspect(s) description

         Remember 

• Anyone can be a victim
• Your safety is your responsibility
• Have a plan and share it with your passengers
• If at all possible, never go with the suspect(s)
• If a gunman wants your car, give it up.  It’s not worth your life!
• If or when an incident occurs, only you can make a decision as to what action to take.  Every situation is different and must be evaluated accordingly.  Remember your safety is most important. 

Thank you,

Sergeant L. J. Smith

New Orleans Police Department

Commander, Crime Prevention Unit

715 S. Broad Avenue, Office # A- 412

New Orleans, LA 70119

(504) 658-5590 – Office Phone

Sylbrown@nola.gov - Email

  

For Police Service

(504) 822-1111 – Crime Stoppers

(504) 822-2222 - Non-Emergency

911 – Emergency

NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT CRIME PREVENTION UNIT

NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT CRIME PREVENTION UNIT 

CITIZEN’S POLICE ACADEMY

PROGRAM BACKGROUND 

The Citizen’s Police Academy is managed by the Crime Prevention Unit of the New Orleans Police Department under the leadership of Superintendent Ronal W. Serpas.  The academy is a program designed to provide citizens with information on various functions of the New Orleans Police Department and the criminal justice system.  The academy does not teach citizens how to become police officers.  The program consists of various topics, which will be presented by several police officers and other city officials and leaders.  Some of the topics that will be discussed are: Communications Division (complaint calls); Community Policing (Neighborhood Watch, Crimestoppers); Public Integrity Bureau (complaints against police officers); Domestic Violence (laws and police procedures); Special Investigations (various criminal investigations), Crime Lab Division (evidence collection); Education and Training Academy (probable cause, search and seizure); Crime Prevention Unit (programs and functions) and several other topics. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

 •           At least 21 years old

                        •           A resident of the City of New Orleans

        •           Must submit an application 

DATE FOR FILING APPLICATION 

Applications will be accepted until announcement is withdrawn.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE 

The 8-week program begins on Wednesday, August 21, 2013.  Sessions are held every Wednesday from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the Special Operations Division Compound located at 1899 Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans.  

REGISTRATION FOR THE PROGRAM 

See program application attached to this email.

Submit completed application to the contact information listed below: 

New Orleans Police Department

Crime Prevention Unit

715 South Broad Street, Room A-412

New Orleans, Louisiana  70119

Office Number: (504) 658-5590

Fax Number: (504) 658-5170

Email: sylbrown@nola.gov

How to build community

Pick up litter....

or old tires....

We pick up old tires in the neighborhood. The city's contract for garbage handling indicates the 2 tires can be picked up each week as long as they are next to a city supplied garbage can on garbage day.

We also report abandoned cars to NOPD.

Old Houses are worth MORE than charm

Taken from InsideOut  June 14, 2013 Marni Jameson's column

"It's a national crisis," said Curtis. "Historic homes are on demolition lists all over America. We have so few perfect examples of old architecture left in this country that are intact and well taken care of. We need to preserve them."
Her advice to buyers like these: "If you don't like old houses, don't buy one. Find some vacant land and build there."

Here, according to Nicole Curtis, host of HGTV's Rehab Addict, are six reasons why more Americans should care about saving old homes"

Because tearing them down is wrecking our history. Countries rich in culture value history and buildings. "In Italy and France, you see 300 year old buildings housing subways," she said. "They make them work, they don't tear them down."

Because it's bad for our Earth. Most of the wreckage will not be salvaged. All that glass and plaster goes in landfills.

Because you can never replicate these houses once they're gone. The woodwork alone came from 200 year old trees. These homes were built before electricity and were made by hand with handmade nails.

Because we don't need new homes. "We have enough vacant homes to put everyone in America in a house," Curtis says. "We need to take care of what we have."

Because we are losing our uniqueness. "There is something beautiful about traveling through America and seeing its distinct neighborhoods. Houses that get torn down and rebuilt erase that character."

Because of their quality. "When you have a 100 year old home made of timbers not particle board, it is solid. These homes have withstood decades of human life and natural disasters. But not city commissioners and other self interests."

Louisiana Irises in the Costco landscaping

When you see Louisiana Irises in the Costco landscaping... this is the back story.
I guess this is what they mean when they say the power of social networking.

These Costco folks are pretty amazing.
Can't wait for the store to open!

From: NorthWest Carrollton
Sent: Jun 2, 2013 11:58 AM
To: Susan Guidry - Council District A, Stacy Head, Ann McDonald - Parkway & Parks
Subject: Irises at Costco and Washington & Carrollton streetscape

Dear Council Members and Parks & Parkways;

This weekend there was an interesting post and conversation on Facebook regarding the streetscape at Washington & Carrollton regarding Louisiana Irises.

Here is the link that started the conversation:http://southeasternarchitecture.blogspot.com/2012/10/lost-louisiana.html

and here is the quote that created the idea to have Costco (and Parks & Parkways) include native Louisiana Irises in the landscaping. 

" 'During the past twenty-five years, I have witnessed the most frightful destruction amongst the irises within the city limits of New Orleans and adjoining parishes, even worse than that of the Frenchmen Street location. At the junction of Washington and Carrollton Avenues, there was a patch of several acres, which when in bloom appeared to be a solid mass of iris; today not one remains. At the site of Newcomb College there was a fine stand of Iris fulva. This has disappeared entirely.' "
As a result of this conversation, we are asking if it would it be possible to request that Costco ( and Parks & Parkways) use Louisiana Irises in their landscaping. These are local, native plants and when it rains their blooms explode. It could be a nice nod to the location and honor the site's history. Additionally large clumps of irises don't require as much maintenance and could be more cost effective long term.

Respectfully & hopefully,
Jenel Hazlett
Elaine Leyda
(with thanks for the e-conversation that included Cathe Mizell-Nelson, Kiki Reinecke, Timmie Reinecke Cass Cairns, Barb Masinton)

The email above got us a contact at Costco and we wrote a second email

Mr. Fuller;

We are looking forward to having Costco so centrally located and close to our neighborhoods. This Saturday our City Council Representative Susan Guidry participated in the ribbon cutting for the streetscape at Washington and Carrollton. Today there was an e-conversation regarding the lost of Louisiana Irises in the New Orleans streetscape.  Given the synchronicity, we are writing you with the hope that Costco might be interested in an idea that bubbled up among neighborhood leaders this morning on Facebook to have Costco use Louisiana Irises in the landscaping at the new New Orleans location.   As the article in the link below indicates  "At the junction of Washington and Carrollton Avenues, there was a patch of several acres, which when in bloom appeared to be a solid mass of iris; today not one remains."  We are hoping that you will bring this idea forward to the team responsible for the New Orleans site.  We feel it would be a nice nod to our history and could even long term be cost effective landscaping as once established irises require very little maintenance. We also contacted our city council representatives to see if we can't encourage the city to use irises in their portion of the streetscape.

Sincerely;
Jenel Hazlett
Elaine Leyda
residents of the Carrollton neighborhood in New Orleans
http://southeasternarchitecture.blogspot.com/2012/10/lost-louisiana.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Irises

And within 6 days we had this answer from Costco

Jenel and Elaine,

Thank you very much for your recent e-mail concerning the Louisiana Iris and our new Costco.

 

We have identified a few areas on our site where we can substitute scheduled plant material for Louisiana Iris.

These areas would be at our site corners and entrances at Dixon and Carrollton, Dixon and Dublin and at the entries along Palmetto.

Please see the attached PDF with the areas highlighted in pink. 

I hope that this effort meets the spirit of your request, and regret that we can not provide additional coverage due to the fact that the majority of the plant material has already been ordered or purchased.

 

We are looking forward to our first Louisiana location joining the neighborhood.

 

Sincerely,

Todd Thull

Vice President

Costco Construction

Obstacle Course in 2400 Block of Dante

You have to LOVE the how this city functions:  

Dear Constituent:

Your Roadway Surface Repair - Pothole service request, reference # 101000149918, was closed on 06/20/2013 at 1:55 PM.

Your case was in the DPW Maintenance - District A - Needs Scheduling queue when it was closed.

If your case was referred to an external agency the city is unable to service your request as it is the responsibility of that agency. 

Please use information from the following list to contact the external agency: 

AT&T: 1-800-225-5288 

Cox Cable: (504) 304-8444 

DOTD: 1-877-452-3683 

Entergy: 1-800-368-3749 

S&WB: (504) 529-2837

If you have any questions about this case, please contact NOLA 311 by dialing 311

or (504) 658-2299.

We are available M-F 8am-5pm to answer any questions or handle city-related concerns you may have.

Sincerely, NOLA 311

And then there is this:

Dear Constituent:

Your Roadway Surface Repair - Pothole service request, reference # 101000149927, 
has been completed and was closed on 06/20/2013 at 1:54 PM. 

If you have any questions about this case, please contact NOLA 311 by dialing 
311 or (504) 658-2299. We are available M-F 8am-5pm to answer any questions or 
handle city-related concerns you may have.

Sincerely, 

NOLA 311

This fun run is located in the 2400 block of Dante one block off of Claiborne toward Earhart. Obstacle is a large pile of asphalt that was dug up and left to resettle in the middle of a very narrow street The other is a pothole. They are so close to each other that anyone driving in this area has to stop, go angle one way to get around one and then stop and angle the other way to get around the other.  There is no way that this block is the 2 way street. Cars have to wait at one end of the block for the other one to get through this obstacle course before they can pass.  And the pile of asphalt is very near the corner of Claiborne making the turn off of Claiborne onto Dante more dangerous than it should be.
This same block suffered from repeat Sewerage & Water Board repairs and at one point was essentially a dirt road.  With the traffic reroutes going on because of the SELA project on Claiborne this mess really need to be *permanently* addressed.

Mound of asphalt, 2400 Block of Dante, just off Claiborne, right side of street.
NOLA 311 Case 101000149927: Subsidence




Large pothole on left hand side of street, middle of the block just past pile of asphalt.
311 Case 101000149918: Pothole/Roadway Surface Repair
Was reported last October 2012 and again in June 2013.




The combination slalom obstacle couse, 1st Asphalt, then pothole.
Both issues are registered as being located between 2418 and 2439 Dante Street.


Photo below taken looking back from pothole toward Claiborne.

Miller became a different kind of role model

Brice Miller is a NorthWest Carrollton Resident

A discussion at Tulane University asks: "Does Progress destroy Culture?"

Robert Morris from Uptown Messenger responds with an article in Gambit

Full Article Below:
Whether New Orleans properly takes care of its musicians and other artists is a never-ending saga — but one that may finally be showing some improvement, according to a panel discussion held at Tulane University June 6.
  The panel was titled "Does Progress Destroy Culture?" and that question can only be answered "yes" in literal fashion when a bulldozer knocks down a historic building, said Tulane University geography professor Richard Campanella. But in New Orleans, the debate often takes a broader meaning in the tension between the city's residents and its performers — in the case of music venues, food trucks, parades and many other forms of expression.
  But while proponents of the culture usually decry the interference as the end of their ability to exist, what happens instead is they transform; decreasing profits and standards on Bourbon Street, for instance, led to the creation of an alternative scene on lower Decatur Street, and its success led to the growth of Frenchmen Street, spreading now down St. Claude Avenue. That balancing act between the rights of residents and the rights of performers is exactly how civics is supposed to work, Campanella said, and results in a movement he deemed a "dynamic equilibrium" — akin to how a bicycle remains upright by moving forward — which only falls down when it comes to a stop.
  "Progress does not mark the end of history nor the destruction of culture, but rather, the next chapter of both," Campanella concluded.
  Journalist Katy Reckdahl described those unending neighborhood-versus-club fights as tiresome but said Mayor Mitch Landrieu's administration has done a better job connecting performers and residents before the fight gets out of hand. Mardi Gras Indians no longer clash with the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), and NOPD Chief Ronal Serpas even defended the second-line groups after the Mother's Day shootings.
  "Some of these battles have gotten better, but I still see people discussing how to protect it," Reckdahl said afterward. "Maybe we care more about culture than we ever have."
  Musical patriarch Ellis Marsalis, 78, took an even broader view: musicians who formerly could be seen only in person, he said, can now be watched on TV (or, presumably, the Internet). The fall of segregation — in everything from Jim Crow laws to Mardi Gras krewes — represents clear progress as well, Marsalis said.
  Hotelier Michael Valentino said that the hospitality industry — sometimes caricatured as the Disney-fying enemy of culture — actually has a stake in preserving New Orleans culture, because that's what it sells to tourists.
  Ultimately, musician Shamarr Allen said, if the city can protect its culture and traditions, it may be culture that saves the city. When he was growing up in the 9th Ward, he remembers one day asking his parents for $20 for a school field trip. They didn't have it, and neither did his grandparents. Allen went outside to pout.
  The neighborhood drug dealer walked by and asked what was wrong. Allen explained. The dealer handed him a $100 bill.
  "That situation to me makes him my role model — you understand?" Allen said. "And that happens every day."
  But Allen went on to study music in the city's public schools under the mentorship of Brice Miller, the Mahogany Brass Band leader whose music has taken him to Carnegie Hall and who was present in the Tulane audience. Miller became a different kind of role model, Allen said —one that ultimately saved Allen's life.
  "Everybody don't have that," Allen concluded, focusing his attention on Miller, "and I just want to say thank you."

— This story was produced in partnership with Uptown Messenger. To watch a complete video of the forum, go to www.uptownmessenger.com.

Why we plant the largest trees we can....

"Mature Live Oaks can absorb 50 gallons of water per day.

As the 3rd rainiest city in the continental U.S., nothing is more important in the New Orleans than responsible water management."

Trees are GOOD! and help with helps city wide flooding control.

Tour Bus almost takes out fire hydrant

On the evening of June 4th, 2013 this New Orleans Tour Bus
was parked on Claiborne, one block from the Rock 'N Bowl.
It then turned on to Pritchard Place and then on to Dublin.
As you can see from the bus's white tail lights in the photo,
it is backing up because it could not make the turn.

It is also VERY close to taking out the fire hydrant.

This bus is too big for the neighborhood. 

We're asking City Council Representatives to determine next steps to ensure that buses
(and trucks!) this size stay on the larger streets like Earhart and Carrollton and Claiborne.

New Orleans 38th out of 50 largest metropolian areas in Fitness

Article published in Times Picayune See Link http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/05/at_least_new_orleans_isnt_dead.html

 

By Bruce Alpert, NOLA.com | Times-Picayune The Times-Picayune
on May 29, 2013 at 9:39 AM, updated May 29, 2013 at 10:00 AM

WASHINGTON - New Orleans ranks 38th among the 50 largest metropolitan areas for health and community fitness status, according to a survey released Wednesday by the American College of Sports Medicine.

The New Orleans area ranked 11th on a scale measuring such factors as recreational facilities, park-related expenditures, physical education requirements and primary health care providers.

But the area ranked dead last on personal health indicators related to health behaviors, chronic health conditions and health care access.

If there's any good news, it's that 12 metro areas fared worse in the survey than New Orleans score of 41.6 out of a possible 100 points.

The five with the lowest scores, starting from the last place city, were Oklahoma City, Detroit, San Antonio, Louisville and Memphis.

The healthiest urban areas, according to the 2013 survey, were Minneapolis-St. Paul, Washington D.C., Portland, San Francisco and Denver.

"We have issued the American Fitness Index each year since 2008 to help health advocates and community leaders improve the quality of life in their hometowns," said Walter Thompson, chair of the AFI Advisory Board. "As urban areas attract more and more residents, it's imperative for cities to create a built environment, fund amenities and form policies that get residents active and encourage healthy lifestyles."

In 2012, the New Orleans area was ranked 37th, one spot better than in 2013.
To assist with measurement and to provide a baseline measure of health and fitness status, the American College of Sports Medicine worked with the Indiana University School of Family Medicine and a panel of 26 health and physical activity experts. Researchers used data obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The Trust for the Public Land City Park Facts.

NorthWest Carrollton Resident in Next to Normal

You'll wish you saw Southern Reps' performance of Next to Normal at the Contemporary Arts Center. 
Next to Normal is the Winner of 3 Tony Awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize.
It's at CAC until June 9th.

Here's the Inside Out Review
http://www.nola.com/arts/index.ssf/2013/05/with_next_to_normal_southern_r.html

"As Dan, Diana’s husband, Richard Hutton (and NorthWest Carrollton Resident) is deeply affecting as he struggles to help his wife while holding his family together. The sense of loss he encounters is visceral."

And here is the Jim Fitzmorris Review
http://jimfitzmorris.com/blog/a-return-to-normalcy-next-to-normal-a-review/

"(NorthWest Carrollton Resident) Richard Hutton’s Dan is both a great guy and enabler. We feel for him while fully seeing the flaw in his approach."

They're here.... Hurricane Season 2013 begins

The "Ooo! Ooo! I have to potty" statues
(or "Hail a cab" or Throw me something mister")
are here to mark the pick up location
should you need to get on a bus to get you to the train station
should you need assistance evacuating in case of a hurricane.

And it is GOOD that the plan to assist folks getting out of town in the event a hurricane evacuation is required continues to improve.
See Evacuteer.org

But many of us here in NorthWest Carrollton find the constant reminder ....
well...... wrong.

This Evacuspot is located in Palmer Park next to the RTA Bus Stop on Claiborne at Carrollton heading into town. 
It seems that this main RTA intersection would be easy enough to find in the even of an emergency.
Just saying go to the RTA Bus Stop at the corner of Claiborne and Carrollton should be good enough.

Here is Evacuteer's viewpoint:

"Dear New Orleans,

You're going to start seeing these sculptures on your thoroughfares. Four are up already. 11 more and two more signs will be done in the next few weeks.

They're called evacuspots.

These sculptures signify an evacuation plan that I hope we never have to use. Where people who don't own cars will go if we ever need to evacuate the city.

They are our answer to the saying our parents all told us once upon a time.

When you make a mistake you learn from it.

So when you see one of these sculptures, they are a tangible recognition of those who’ve left us, but an investment in the safety of those with us now and those who’ll come after us.

Never again will anyone need to say, “We don’t have anywhere to go.”

We lost too many once.

Best,
Robert

Robert X. Fogarty
Co-Founder, Evacueer.org
Founder"

 

Most of us are professionals when it comes to Hurricane Season.
BUT if you are new to it here is a jolly article on Uptown Messenger to help you get started.
http://uptownmessenger.com/2013/05/jean-paul-villere-birth-control-chainsaw-practice-and-the-return-of-hurricane-season/

And if you have some time watch this..... It's an education.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI3hML6U06g