Screencap of Jack Mackenroth interview (click through to view)

When I received an invite to interview Jack Mackenroth during his trip to New Orleans for the NO/AIDS Task Force’s 20th anniversary walk, I was more than a little confused. I mean, (a) that’s not the sort of thing I normally do, and (b) if Jack’s PR company wants media outlets to cover his “Living Positive by Design” HIV education campaign, I’d think they’d be better off courting Andy, Joe, and several other high-profile LGBT bloggers. But whatever. I have a habit of saying “yes” a lot, and it seems to work out pretty well, so why mess with a good thing?

I tried to prepare a little before the interview, but even so, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from the guy. I watched Jack on Project Runway, of course, but he left so early in the season that I didn’t get a feel for his personality. All I knew for sure was that he seemed a little over the top, a little dramatic — but then, that comes with the territory. The last thing you’d want on reality television is a zhlub of a contestant like me.

We met at a coffee shop on a busy corner in the Marigny. I thought the skies might be cloudy, but they weren’t — not at all. Still, Jack and the PR pros who accompanied him didn’t seem to mind the broiling sun. Jack plopped down with a bottle of water and proceeded to tell me about the “Living Positive by Design” campaign (which is sponsored by Merck), plus a little about his work in fashion. And of course, I had to ask about Dale. Who wouldn’t ask about Dale?

Anyway, enjoy the clip, for what it’s worth. And thanks to everyone — including Jack — who got their asses out of bed and went to the NO/AIDS walk this morning. Obviously, you rule.

Dock Board approves moving New Orleans Cold Storage Uptown

The Dock Board that governs the Port of New Orleans this morning approved moving New Orleans Cold Storage to Uptown cargo docks, abandoning longheld plans to relocate the poultry exporter from the Industrial Canal to docks near the French Quarter.

A cadre of Louisiana politicians — including Lieutenant Gov. Mitch Landrieu, New Orleans City Councilwoman Jackie Clarkson and Rep. Juan LaFonta — hailed the decision at a news conference after the board’s monthly meeting.

“This is a day we should all celebrate with a lot of joy,” said Landrieu, praising the port for listening to neighborhood groups that opposed initial plans to put NOCS at the foot of the French Market.

Residents of the Faubourg Marigny, French Quarter and Bywater launched a grassroots campaign against the project, saying the blast-freezing facility and trucking operation would harm the environment, cause traffic and threaten historic neighborhoods. The campaign grew stronger with the involvement of local politicians, including those present at Wednesday’s news conference and Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La.

[Port CEO Gary] LaGrange said opposition from so many New Orleans residents played a key role in Wednesday’s decision to put the new NOCS headquarters on riverfront docks at the foot of Henry Clay and Nashville avenues. Existing terminal operator Ports America agreed to give up some of its space to make room for NOCS, which will get a new lease for the site.

“Certainly we listened to the neighborhoods,” LaGrange said. “We’re sensitive people.”

– full story at NOLA.com

Would it be too bitter and boastful to call Gary’s claim pure hogwash?

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 . . . .

I knew that Ray Nagin had announced a deal with Nickelodeon to redevelop the Six Flags theme park that’s lain abandoned in New Orleans East since Hurricane Katrina rolled through nearly four years ago.

What I did not know was that there’d been a photo op at the announcement:

I can only presume that by this time next year, C. Ray will be comfortably ensconced under the sea, living in an upside-down pineapple with his new paramour. Or possibly alone, ensconced in some very heavy footwear. Either way.

[WWL]

Half of me thinks this is crazy. Another half of me thinks it’s nice that someone’s envisioned New Orleans’ architectural landscape in a wacko, high-on-life, rich-from-petroleum, bring-on-the-Bangladeshi-slave-girls kind of way. And a third, nonexistent half of me thinks that the residents of One River Place are probably already pissed that someone bothered to imagine this Tron-style tenement (click through for video):

Rebuilding New Orleans is an ongoing effort and pitching into the concept-zone is the New Orleans Arcology Habitat or NOAH. Since the details on this structure are in-depth and plenty, lets plunge into them right away. NOAH proposes to be a habitat for 40,000 residents who can benefit from the planned residential units, school system, commercial, retail, hotels, casinos, parking, and public works facilities.

NOAH is based upon the following preliminary program outline.

1. Residential Units / Rental and Condominium; 20,000 units @ average 1100 Sq ft
2. Three Hotels; Average 200 rooms plus associated services
3. Time Share Units; 1500 units @ average 1100 sq ft
4. Three Casino Facilities
5. Commercial Space / Rental and Condominiums; 500,000 sq ft
6. Commercial Space / Retail; 500,000 sq ft
7. Parking Garage / within foundation; 8,000 cars
8. Cultural Facilities; 100,000 sq ft
9. Public Works; 50,000 sq ft / includes storage
10. District School System; 100,000 sq ft
11. District Administrative Office; 50,000 sq ft
12. District Health Care Facility; 20,000 sq ft

Estimated Total Square Footage : 30 million

Location/Site Specific: In reviewing all the options and possible sites for NOAH, the most logical location is on the Mississippi riverfront and adjacent to the Central Business District.

Oh: and it goes on.

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 !

Question: What sort of person leaves her dog — a large and thick-haired one at that — in the back seat of a Pontiac Vibe on a sunny August afternoon in New Orleans while she roams the aisles of an over-air-conditioned Office Depot?

A) Leona Helmsley
B) Cruella DeVille
C) Paris Hilton
D) Michael Vick’s mother
E) A veterinary acupuncturist

Personally I’d lean toward “C”, but I’m awful at these things.

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.

It’s that time of year again, folks:

HURRICANE CEREMONY XII

What: Public prayer ceremony dedicated to Our Lady of Prompt Succor (who has intervened historically on New Orleans’ behalf when a hurricane has threatened) and Ezili Danto (also associated with Mater Salvatoris and Moumt Carmel) to ask for protection from hurricanes

When: Saturday, July 18th at 7:00 pm

Where: Achade Meadows Peristyle, 3319 Rosalie Alley (off of Rampart, between Piety and Desire)

What to bring in offering:

For Our Lady: flowers, statues, candles, religious pictures, jewelry

For Danto: Barbancourt Rum, Clarin, Florida Water, candles, daggers, dolls dressed in red and blue with gold trim or calico prints, spicy black beans, peasant cakes, unfiltered cigarettes, pan fried cornbread with peppers, fried pork, white crème de menthe

What to wear: Please dress in white (the color of purity), with red head scarves, or all red (the color of Petwo rites).

Just as a tiny update to yesterday’s post:

Jefferson authorities probing ammonia leak on West Bank.

So I guess containment of noxious chemical fumes really isn’t a concern in these situations. Well, not for the Port, anyway.