However, since turning 40 I have had a number of more pressing dental issues. It seems that my bucks have reached their critical mass due to the pressures of being a first-year law student. Ima grinder. I have gone in an out of grinding over the years. But last year, my regular dentist, Dr. Sturm, at Audubon Dental identified about three possible root canals. My insurance with her as a specially chosen provider was limited to $1k a year. That covered only one root canal.

I was in so much pain at one point that I found that the much dreaded root canal was actually the best thing ever! Whew, that pain is hard to compare since it vascilllates between a 2-10 on the pain spectrum within the same day. I was scared the first time but was at a point where I would have blown the side of my head off to stop the pain.

Dr. Arch, my first endodondist did a good job of the first root canal in short order and life went on for a while. But after that procedure, I had used all of dental benefits. Other issues began to loom, I hoped could wait til the new year. That was not possible.

Then, Molar No. 30 started acting up in early September. It was hard to pinpoint the pain, if you’ve had it, you know what I mean, it’s like the whole side of your head is in a spasm.

Since I had already used all my dental benefits to fix the first one and had no more insurance, Molar No. 30 wasn’t in the math. It HAD to be done ASAP but I had no more insurance. Thank God, Aliya, one of the students told me to go see Dr. Schmidt at Riverbend Dental. I was in so much pain I was unable to function. Dr. Schmidt agreed to take me and let me pay half and half over the course of a month.

So he did the root canal for me and saved my life. However, I still had to come up with about $1,000 for the crown on that tooth which now had a big hole in it. I finally did get enough money, but it was too late. I had already cracked the remainder of my tooth in half. I knew it going in to the office today, I could feel it sagging out of its line with the other teeth. One too may Cheese Nips or a piece of pizza did it in. It was fragile.

As I suspected, Dr. Schmidt said we have to pull it and he gave me the credit for the root canal which is now a null issue and explained I could get a bridge or an implant. I chose the implant.

Pulling Molar No. 30 was sheer hell. And I knew it would be. That molar has done so much chewing for 40 years, it’s not as is if it was suddenly going to just take off without a severence package. . . no way.

The extraction was brutal. Piece by piece, Dr. Delaohussay dug and dug and then dig an x-ray and dug some more to get all of the tooth out. There was blood everwhere and I got a few stitches too. Yikes. I was as brave as I could be.

Don’t take your molars for granted. This was a somber day for me. Molar No. 30 had helped me enjoy a lot of slabs of spare ribs over the years as well as helped ground out a lot of stress and do my best in my roughest times without any credit on his part. But today, as he was brutally relieved from his duties, I felt the least that I could do was take his picture, show my appreciation and verbalize the pain I went through, the only reciprocity for the duty which Molar 30 has absorbed for me years throughout the roller-coaster of crisis of life.

I miss him today, as I fill his spot with gauze on the stitches which mark his place today. Eventually, we’ll put a crown to replace No. 30 on top of a fake buildup of bone in the gum. This fake buildup will take months and is the only option aside from a bridge, which relies on the strength of nearby teeth. Teeth which I don’t feel can take the extra pressure.

Poor Molar No. 30 was in such a state today, at his being declared done, he was not at all ready to give up. We might as well have dropped a grenade in his office to get him out of the way. But at Riverbend Dental, they deal with patients holistically and with dignity. They gave me a nice blanket. After all, fear makes the blood run cold. Dr. Schmidt admitted later that he didn’t let on about how awful this was going to be but I told him that I knew it was a big ass-brutal-bloody-mess. But, it had to be done and I totally trusted his staff.

After they numbed me, they kinda let me sit for a few minutes and suddenly I got all antsy and was like, ” let’s go!” I pestered a staff members to get on with what equates to bullet removal from the jaw. I wanted to just get it done. I had a brief breath of bravery I could not afford to waste.

It was rather horrible but we did well and laughed as pieces of my tooth wound up in the suction tube. Progress.

Dr. Schmidt has been working with students like myself who don’t have insurance to pay as they go to get massive dental work like mine done over the years with no community credit of this quiet contribution. I can tell you that without his compassion, many of us would have nowhere else to turn.

My regular endodontist refused to do the work in two installments, Dr. Arch, who’s also very good but just sent me on my way with some Vicodin and no other option beyond the $1100.00 bill right today. See ya later!

In these economic times, I had to find another solution to my debilitating pain. Thankfully, a fellow law student told me about Dr. Schmidt. He was more than willing to help me past my crisis.

I also appreciate his bedside manner, explaining yesterday, in fact, he admits had this same issue himself. The too late, but good intentioned crown. He’s just wonderful and his office is full of students from med/dental school which is actually really fun. It creates a feeling of mild chaos compared to some offices, but I support teaching people, period. I enjoy talking to the new students and enjoy being a part of their learning. . . . Today, I was the nutty lady who insisted on saving all the pieces of my pain and they were totally cool about it. It seemed liked I was the only one who seemed to notice all the blood!

2220-22 First Street There are less and less of these cottages throughout the city. They are becoming endangered.

The city of New Orleans has received CDBG funds to tear down more private properties. These were previously labeled Imminent Health Threat properties (IHT) and there were problems with due process constitutional issues regarding the notification of home owners of demolition. Today these properties are being labled as Public Nuisance Properties under Municipal Code 26-165 and section 28 and will be demolished through an allocation CDBG funds. Community Development Building Grants. The list, thus far, is posted on the city’s website.

In reality, most of these demos have nothing to do with building communities at all. What IF we took that same money and invested it with homeowners to do necessary repairs? Why is that not an option? At the end of the day, we will end up with more vacant lots in the middle of the city which is becoming increasingly ‘jack-o-lantern’, even in the areas which are fully populated, like Central City at Baronne.

After seeing the effect of the FEMA demo phase over the last two years, I would call this the 12-ft weed, flat-tire and broken down car fund instead of the CDBG money, because that’s what the neighbors are gonna get. Demos without rebuilding plans with real money behind them are nothing but fields of weeds and dumping grounds for old tires and dead cars and are just dead zones in the middle of block and which destroy prominent corners. It’s not Community Building Grants. It is Community Hollowing Grants.

The definition of public nuisance in the Code is vague. Code Enforcement never has to prove the condition which characterizes a building a public nuisance. We find inconsistencies. We also find that the city often refers to four year old reports from Katrina . . . and there is never a follow-up with a current engineer’s report on any buildings. We’ll have to see what the City produces in our packets which I won’t get til later in the week. I refuse to accept stale reports from four years ago. You really have to follow-up to be sure. For many of these properties I have done it over the course of years.

Sunday I took a total break from everything to go out in the field again to get some photos of these newly classified, taxpayer funded public nuisance, properties. One question I will ask at our next meeting on Nov. 2nd, in City Hall Chambers, is whether the homeowners will be liened for the cost of city sponsored demolitions.

I noticed that there are properties on the list from people who had previously applied for demos, (see Washington Ave) and who were denied demolition permits and have simply held out on blighting the property further . . . and are now again, trying get the city to do the dirty work of destroying something that could be refurbished. The owners of these Washington Ave properties really wanted to build two-story structures, more dense, more money. . . destroying neighborhood fabric, but were denied.

It was great to be out in the field early on crisp fall morning, I forgot about how much I enjoy observing/documenting New Orleans architecture. I haven’t done any photo safaris lately because a) I am in school and work full-time and can’t do the uploading in a timely manner and thankfully, b) Karen at Squandered Heritage and Michelle’s team at the PRC usuallly have it covered. But, we just got a bigger agenda and I got on it early.

In no time at all, I took some 70 photos and then went to work labeling and uploading. It’s a lot of work, especially the labeling. You can’t leave it til the next day, there are so many houses so fast you have to be organized and systematic . . The Preservation Resource Center recently has picked up the work of preservation news in general in New Orleans with a really handsome new Blog Preservation in the Present. They’ve been covering the NCDC agendas online with results available right after the meeting! But our agendas just got bigger and that job’s gonna get harder! 41 properties are on our agenda this time. We had a lull but things are ramping up again.

I must say that I am very grateful to Councilwoman Stacy Head for appointing me to this position on the NCDC, because no matter how busy I am, I really do love it and this weekend I was refreshed because studying law is very humbling and makes you feel like you know nothing, but the NCDC work is something I love and know and am very passionate about.

Who needs to drive out East to a Nickelodeon theme park and spend a bunch of cash on rides and snacks when you can pile the kids on the rider and get ‘er done at the same time? The Pentacostal’s keep the grass cut on this empty lot religiously, which is a huge blessing for the neighborhood, but today I was in shock to see these two toddlers aboard. How could someone be so completely and reliably responsible and then do this? Plus, having now taken Torts and Products Liability, I have a new perspective beyond the basic lack of common sense of this decision. Jesus Murphy !

The manufacturer surely has warned against such antics as reckless use of the mower. But who reads directions/warnings? They don’t matter til your kid’s leg is catfood. Maybe they could design and elevated side-care version which doubles as kid work=entertainment. Cringe, it just makes me nervous . . . but it’s just another reason for looking forward to the St. Aug grass going dormant and for the end of regular lawnmowing, for the gradual advent toward shorter days and our own, subtle advent of fall . . . .

The last time Circle Food had one of these events I went to show support. It was supposedly intended to have people sign up in support of re-opening the grocery again. I don’t know if it will really work this time. Not only is the Circle Grocery an architectural icon in the neighborhood, this area of the city just really just needs a place in their immediate area to make groceries. C’mon Circle !

Karen and I both got our instant grits on today when we saw the properties here as part of the agenda for Monday’s NCDC meeting. I emailed a “?” and she picked up the subsequent call with a fast, “What the fuck?” She tried to backtrack with a “Hello, how are you?” I wasn’t up for the pleasentries. I said, “No apologies necessary, any sense of urgency in this city is much appreciated on my end.” Neither of us are “from here”, so we’ve always worked together very well because we can skip the ‘Hello, it’s Karen, how are you?’ part of the conversation and get to the issue at hand!

After our brief discussion, we both went over to the 8th Ward ASAP to get a look at this unbelievable prospect to see if it was for real. Half a block, in the middle of a neighborhood, potentially gone. The neighbors I spoke to weren’t happy. They could see the tires and abandoned/stolen cars which would immediately replace the three structures. One neighbor said, well, “Maybe they are unable to pay the taxes?” But I pointed out that they are a church and don’t pay any property taxes. One person suggested they are tired of boarding up the door on the side of the church. . . still, not reason to tear down half a block of very sturdy, pretty significant buildings.

New Orleans Churches Website
History of Annunciation

This issue sits along side a number of other high profile demo requests for Monday’s NCDC meeting; There are a handful of Louisiana Land Trust properties (see photos) which should be sold “as is” as NORA acquires them and before they request demolition. We also have another application for a CVS going in where the Quiznos sits at Napoleon and S. Claiborne Ave right across from the Walgreens. I am somewhat amazed at the prospect of handling another pharmacy on Claiborne Avenue Uptown, while some three downtown grocery stores in the 6-9th wards, (Circle, Robert’s and Winn-Dixie and others), remain shut since the flood.

Nick and Josh and I went to visit Randall and see how big Sullivan has gotten in a year. Randall has taught Sullivan to roll-over on command.

It was really nice to visit with the Fox family. Sue, Randall’s mom, made the boys some scrambled eggs and Randall’s sisters graciously kept the boys occupied while we visited.

I was happy to hear Randall has been awarded full scholarship to UNO, where he’ll start in the fall. He’s going study Urban Planning. He was accepted to every college he applied to but UNO gave him the best deal and has the program he’s interested in. Randall’s also going into college with a buttload of AP credits from his extra work in high school. I am really proud of him. In addition to that good news, we were happy to see Sullivan is with a family who gives him plenty of love. He’s a very lucky and very smart cat !

I found this example of two starkly contrasting blocks of old and new construction located uptown at the intersection of Annunciation and Amelia.

Standing in the intersection, in immediate proximity of these contrasting styles, I found that they illustrate quite well criteria numbers three, four and six of the ordinance governing the NCDC (Neighborhood Conservation District Committee), on which I currently serve. We are obligated to consider all of these criteria collectively as we contemplate the impact of proposed demolitions on a case-by-case basis.

The main factors we consider under the new ordinance are:
1) Current Condition fo the structure.
2) Architectural Signifigance of the structure.
3) Historical Signifigance of the subject structure.
4) Urban Design Signifigance as it relates to the pedestrian perception and movement and the height, area and bulk of the structure and how it relates to the street scene traffic.
5) Neighborhood context of the structure.
6) Overall effect on the blockface.
7) Proposed time/length the subject site is anticipated to remain undeveloped.
8) Proposed plan for redevelopment.
9) Stated position of adjacent neighbors, neighborhood associations or other interested individuals or organizations, either in writing(email).

This block, with the traditional setback, is the type of architecture built by craftsmen and materials which are no longer available except through salvage shops and are a big attraction tourists who come from places where this style of architecture doesn’t exist. Along with our lovely oak trees, it is part of what makes our citys’ streets unique.

It is also worth considering the interior characteristics of the older shotguns which are often taken for granted in the traditional shotgun’s interior. Fireplaces, high ceilings, large floor-to-ceiling windows, including dormers as well as the old oak flooring, and often, plaster walls, all of which make New Orleans School homes more valuable and desirable. This compared with small, vinyl windows, low ceilings, cheap sheetrock and cheap parquet floors, plastic showers and non-descript home depot doors. At least the new construction on this block included porches.

Which block is more inviting/compelling to walk down? Which block offers the most compelling backdrop in which to carry on with the drudgery of life’s daily activities?

The one to the left of the intersection, or this one, on the right which could be anywhere U.S.A.:

While I know the importance of affordable housing, we also need to be careful where we put it. Imagine this old blockface with one of these new modular styles stuck smack in the middle of it.

As a member of the NCDC, I am often dumbfounded by the applicants who apply for demolition who have one of these old homes with superior construction and declare ignorantly to us that the property is not historical in their plea to demolish it and replace it with cheap alternatives, usually after years of their own neglect.

Today, the Times-Picayune ran an article about affordable housing issues in New Orleans.

This is a timely issue personally because I found out that my friends, the Causey family, have been evicted from their shotgun rental this week.

From what I know, actual eviction takes 3-months of deliquent rent to take action and according to Betty she did go before a judge who ordered the landlord to work with her because she had $600 of the required $800 but the landlord refused to accept it. Plus, Betty has pride and I think she was apt to try to walk away from someone who wouldn’t work with her. Who knows. I can’t find a good reason why the landlord wouldn’t work with Betty, maybe they wanted more rent or were trying to get tenants in who are friends. Sure, maybe I am not getting the full story, but I am not an idiot. Even in the best of circumstances, it doesn’t take a Bernanke to do the math about how to raise three kids on a supermarket salary.

What I can say is that Miss Betty works at Rouse’s and her kids are the most polite and smart kids in the entire neighborhood. I am a private person, not a crusader by any means. I am not one to invite the entire neighborhood brood into my home. However, Nick and Josh have proven their integrity with me over time. They always ask for snacks and even to use the bathroom. We have done great projects together of all types and we have enjoyed our time together and I have posted those episodes below. In fact, Nick and Josh are far more self-sufficient and resourceful than most adult house guests to whom I have played hostess over the years.

I am concerned because Miss Betty works hard and she’s very level-headed and has not benefitted from any rental assistance so far, she’s been trying to make it on her own But right now they are unable to do so. Of course, there is the chance that if this family is left without any help that these kids, 11 and 12 yrs, could fall into the easy-evil that abounds in New Orleans and be sucked into the drug dealing/violence culture.

One might say, “Well she shouldn’t have had so many children.” Perhaps, but Miss Betty is doing one helluva job raising these kids and the fact is, they are here, and they are exceptional and they have added a lot to my appreciation of life in very short order. What is the alternative? To ignore them?

This week, Miss Betty had to give up some hours at work to find a place, giving up some income, it’s a vicious cycle. She found a shotgun for rent for $800 a month with central air and heat and a washer and dryer on site in the LSU/VA area on Palmyra. Betty put all their stuff in storage quickly, banking on the fact that the first month is only like $40, hoping to get it moved before the $100+ amount kicks in next month. They can move in on Tuesday, once Betty gets the Entergy hooked up, however, they are short $380.

Tuesday is also Betty’s birthday. I am doing my best to rally some resources to help make this happen because in the meantime they are spending $40 a night in the Holiday Inn downtown, wasting valuable monies which could be spent on rent in a stable home.

Ultimately, I know we have to figure out a way to get the family some sort of rental subsidy, such as a voucher, so that they can have a stable place to live. So far, Betty has only applied for housing that is currently being built and is on a waiting list . . . Of course, they don’t have internet at home, so even resources such as Craiglist and other information is not within easy reach.

Today, one reader who has previously assisted the family is helping out with a donation toward the family’s first months’ rent and I am going to float some money. Some good samaritans who have recently become aware of the situation also have offered $40.

The previous posts of our adventures :

Dinosaur Days at the Zoo

Nick’s Essay Assignment

Back to School

Eight Books

The Body Betrays Us

Sully’s Story

Adopt-A-Dump

Betty’s Birthday

Nick and I Do Blue Dog

Nameless Kitty RIP

Established in 1979, Friends of City Park is dedicated to the preservation and improvement of 150-year-old New Orleans City Park. Quietly nestled at the center of City Park’s 1,300 acres is a hidden gem—Couturie Forest. Destruction from Hurricane Katrina-spawned tornados and floodwaters killed 95 percent of the forest’s trees, disrupting the habitats of alligators, box turtles and over 100 species of migratory and resident birds. Friends of City Park is committed to transforming the damaged woodland into a verdant and thriving ecological destination. The revitalized Couturie Forest will offer 62 acres of preserved land featuring eight native ecosystems. New Orleanians of all backgrounds and income brackets will enjoy the seclusion and beauty of the woodland right in the heart of the city.

“I hate lunges”, Dr. Hoffman said, upon my first visit to his office. He’s my orthopedist. I was having off and on pain around February and then some minor swelling in my knee, it eventually prevented me from running. I knew I was going to finally have to do something about it. Dr. Hoffman ordered an MRI which verified his suspicion that the lunges had resulted in a minor tear in my meniscus cartilage.

I was cleared for cycling and started doing yoga at Audubon Yoga. I did these alternative activities as much as possible in order to stay strong before surgery and tone up from months of blobbing out during the past year with little time for anything besides school and work. The cycling and yoga really helped me get stronger before the procedure. However, there is no shade on the levee and I am turning into a french-fry, I really need to get back to my routine light runs in the shade at the park.

The surgery itself didn’t really worry me as much as being put under, I’ve never been in the hospital for anything. I met the anesthesiologist the week prior to my procedure and she made me feel better about that part. I give Baptist Hospital high marks overall. They have you pre-registrer days before you go in and so all you have to do is head up to the out-patient area at 5:30 am the day of the surgery. My best friend Emily is a saint for getting up and taking me there and picking me up. I am very grateful to her for her help. And for taking this rather unflattering photo. . . good girl!

When I arrived the nurse got me dressed in that stupid gown that fits no one at all, she gave me some traction sockies to put on and administered a shot of Versed to relax me. Then, the best part, they put some pre-warmed blankets on me, I was no longer afraid.

My biggest concern was being delirious and nauseous from the anesthesia and barfing all over Emily’s car. But I envisioned myself being up-and-at-em and hoped for the best. Not being able to have a sip of any liquids the morning of the surgery made me really crabby, I didn’t focus on the fear, I just want to be done so I could eat a freakin’ pop tart and drink some coffee.

The last thing I remember was the antesthesiologist telling me they were giving me some oxygen and to take deep breaths. By 8:30 I was conscious and it was all over!

The nurse wheeled me into my own room and offered me a gloriously effervescent cup of diet coke with a little sippy straw. Aaaahhhh. I drank that and some water and I was ready to bust out, I felt great but I had wait to get my personal belongings. I peed as required and waited to be released. They made me ride out in a wheelchair, which came before my wallet arrived from the security detail. Meanwhile, I wheeled myself around the ward, much to amusement of the staff. They saw my potential for escape. I was just so happy to feel so good!

Today, my knee sounds like it has indigestion. It’s all squishy when I bend it because they inject saline in the area to give the doctor room to scope. The saline will be absorbed or seep out the incision holes. I can walk, and so far, and I am not in any real pain. I haven’t had to take any of the Vicodin given to me, not even an Advil. But I know the knee will likely get stiff and the impact to the muscle tissue will not manifest til tomorrow or the next day. I walked a good bit today, in order to keep the knee from stiffening. It’s so bloody hot, a little movement results in a lot of sweat but I was able to give myself a little kitten bath with 4 inches of water in the tub, keeping my knee up. It felt good to move around after being horizontal all day yesterday eating junk food and watching too much reality tv.

Now, it’s back to more of that, and reading some law review articles for a project I am working on, elevating the knee and keeping cool. It’s a good time to convalesce, it’s too hot out to do much else!