Hard to argue with this opinion......

[ScoopJohnD]

This was in the N.Y. Daily News on the editorial page a few days ago.......


How to help rescue the Big Easy: Visit it
By TIM ZAGAT
Wednesday, February 28th, 2007

We've all heard it: "Doing well by doing good." It's the new mantra of corporate social responsibility. But "Doing well by feeling good"? Now, that's a proposition I can sink my teeth into, personally. And so can you.

In fact, tens of thousands already have.

In a sign that New Orleans - which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 - is again open for business, 95% of the city's hotel rooms were booked for the Mardi Gras weekend that just passed.

But now the celebration is over, and the city's residents still need your help. Instead of writing a check - or a nasty letter to FEMA - why not buy a plane ticket, rent a hotel room, eat a great meal, maybe even find a few leftover doubloons and enjoy your way to good citizenship?

The Big Easy is ready and waiting. Though the city remains desperate for the federal government to come through on its promises, New Orleans' tourism infrastructure has been rebuilt. Throughout the French Quarter, the restaurants and nightclubs are swinging. In the Port of New Orleans, the cruise ships have returned. And at Canal Place and the Riverwalk, the shops are open.

But New Orleans is still a tale of two cities. You don't have to look far to see the devastation. In Lakeview, the heavily damaged northwest part of the city, just 18% of households have electrical permits. Parts of the Lower Ninth Ward remain deserted. And bureaucratic snafus continue to impede redevelopment and the return of the city's displaced population.

Nowhere else can you so fully understand the words of Charles Dickens: "... it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us."

For New Orleans to regain its storied place on the American landscape, it needs you. Not from behind your desk, not as a check or a letter writer, but as a tourist. A visitor. A witness.

As the chairman of NYC & Company (New York City's tourism agency) during and after 9/11, I know the "secondary" damage caused by empty hotel rooms, restaurants and cultural centers.

Cities need people. And cities like New York and New Orleans need tourists. They breathe life into them. They force governments to develop and adapt. And, of course, they provide year-round revenue.

Bringing yourself and your wallet to New Orleans will help speed the city's recovery. The money you spend will work its way into the hands of the people living and working there. And you're bound to have a good time - and learn something - along the way.

After all, we're talking about the city that taught the world about Mardi Gras. We're talking about the bayou, hot jazz, cool blues and the unique tastes of Creole foods. And turning the "worst of times" into the "best of times."

Ultimately, we're talking about doing well by feeling good. There are many things to give up for Lent - don't let New Orleans be one of them.

Zagat is CEO and co-founder of Zagat Survey.

[Orleansnj]

Scoop - most excellent post !!!!!

[Priestboy]

excellent post, scoop! bringin' the wallet, ready to empty...and ready to get "filled up" in so, so many ways!

[Orleansnj]

baby I think you gonna have to confess that last wish.....ha ha ha !!!! ROTFLMAO

[Corona]

perfect scoop, I just sent this to my newbie.

[ScoopJohnD]

Scoop - most excellent post !!!!!

Well I know I rant alot about the powers that be in the city and state, and I'll keep doing it if I think they're wrong. But I also know it's not the powers that be that made my visits special. It was talking to the people ringin me up in a store, or making a po boy at Domilise's, or shucking at ACME, driving the streetcar, waiting on a table, serving a beer and on and on. They and all the hard working people ARE New Orleans and they don't deserve to suffer for the mistakes of others. And if you can, then visiting and spending money is the one way to help, not only with your wallet, but with your presence, to let those hard working people know they haven't been forgotten.

[Priestboy]

baby I think you gonna have to confess that last wish.....ha ha ha !!!! ROTFLMAO

i meant it in the best way, but....YYR, orleansnj!;)

[Orleansnj]

I know you did.....but I couldn't resist....I couldn't I tell ya !;)

[breambob]

Thanks, scoop. I like ZAGAT alot and read him as much as possible. But he is off the mark in one way:

"Though the city remains desperate for the federal government to come through on its promises..."

The feds have come through on -all- their promises to date. There are billions of that money in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Right Now. Not being used.
We all need to get a grip around this, folks. The problems in NO today are NOT from Washington. Don't displace your anger and frustration outside of Louisiana, please focus on the real hangups here in this state. /rant off/

[Orleansnj]

Good point Breambob....my mother in law said as much last night on the phone.....interestin'.

Hey - quick question - what does your tag line mean? I totally can't figure it out....

[Priestboy]

I know you did.....but I couldn't resist....I couldn't I tell ya !;)

I hear ya, orleans! i woulda done the same thing!;)

[Zydekitten]

Most excellent post, Scoopy!!! That gets you a free dink in the bar fer shure!!

Not only is that article spot on - but it's exactly what I've been telling folks out here since the thing . . . go visit New Orleans and bring your wallets!


"Money, pardon the expression, is like manure. It's not worth a thing unless it's spread around, encouraging young things to grow."

:D

[breambob]

Good point Breambob....my mother in law said as much last night on the phone.....interestin'.

Hey - quick question - what does your tag line mean? I totally can't figure it out....

You mean "breambob"?
Well, it's a small fishing bobber. When a bream nibbles on the bait below, it bobs up and down, maybe letting you know when to set the hook. Or do you wait until the bait is nibbled off trying for a bigger fish?

It's also a deragatory name given to someone who can't make up their mind. Like in a poker game "Come on breambob, fold, bet, check or raise". I've been called that many times.
In poker and many times at Jazz Fest too. WTF to do and WTF to go next. I can't make up my mind lots of times at the Fairgrounds, but overall IJDM cuz IJDM. I just go, but often me not know where or why.

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/breambob/breambob.gif

[ibjamn]

I think she meant:
"Spill the wine, take that pearl..."

I know it's the chorus of an Eric Burdon & War song...

[mwgirlonherown]

Well I know I rant alot about the powers that be in the city and state, and I'll keep doing it if I think they're wrong. But I also know it's not the powers that be that made my visits special. It was talking to the people ringin me up in a store, or making a po boy at Domilise's, or shucking at ACME, driving the streetcar, waiting on a table, serving a beer and on and on. They and all the hard working people ARE New Orleans and they don't deserve to suffer for the mistakes of others. And if you can, then visiting and spending money is the one way to help, not only with your wallet, but with your presence, to let those hard working people know they haven't been forgotten.

Scoop, I see that you live in Jersey City. Have you noticed the billboards eastbound approaching 14A and 15E on Lincoln Highway approaching 440?
"New Orleans Open All Night" They make me smile (first time broght tears to my eyes) because I didn't expect to see NOLA billboards in Jersey City.

[NeenAtlanta]

I think she meant:
"Spill the wine, take that pearl..."
I know it's the chorus of an Eric Burdon & War song...

Spill the wine and take that pearl, Spill the wine and take that pearl
Spill the wine and take that pearl, Spill the wine and take that pearl

I was once out strolling one very hot summer's day
When I thought I'd lay myself down to rest
in a big field of tall grass
I lay there in the sun and felt it caressing my face

And I fell asleep and dreamed
I dreamed I was in a Hollywood movie
And that I was the star of the movie
This really blew my mind, the fact that me,
an overfed, long-haired leaping gnome
should be the star of a Hollywood movie

But there I was, I was taken to a place, the hall of the mountain kings
I stood high upon a mountain top, naked to the world
In front of every kind of girl, there was
black ones, round ones, big ones, crazy ones...

Out of the middle came a lady
She whispered in my ear something crazy
She said:

Spill the wine and take that pearl, Spill the wine and take that pearl
Spill the wine and take that pearl, Spill the wine and take that pearl

[spoken:]

I thought to myself what could that mean
Am I going crazy or is this just a dream
Now, wait a minute
I know I'm lying in a field of grass somewhere
so it's all in my head
and then.. I heard her say one more time:

[sung:]

Spill the wine and take that pearl, Spill the wine and take that pearl
Spill the wine and take that pearl, Spill the wine and take that pearl

[spoken:]
I could feel hot flames of fire roaring at my back
As she disappeared, but soon she returned
In her hand was a bottle of wine, in the other, a glass
She poured some of the wine from the bottle into the glass
And raised it to her lips
And just before she drank it, she said:

[sung:]
Spill the wine and take that pearl, Spill the wine and take that pearl
Spill the wine and take that pearl, Spill the wine and take that pearl

[Orleansnj]

Actually - I really did mean Breambob. I didn't know what the spill the wine, take the pearl meant either - but I looked that up a while ago on google (gotta love that dang search engine....).when I first saw it on his posts.

tanx y'all !!!

[Orleansnj]

Sccop, I see that you live in Jersey City. Have you noticed the billboards eastbound approaching 14A and 15E on Lincoln Highway approaching 440?
"New Orleans Open All Night" They make me smile (first time broght tears to my eyes) because I didn't expect to see NOLA billboards in Jersey City.

I know - can you guys BELIEVE that? I think it is totally amazing. Also - must admit that I and a friend got misty eyed heading into the city and then laughed at each other for bein' such fools - cryin' at a billboard.

[Amy Winette]

We've got the New Orleans -- Dry? We Were Never Dry (with a woman drinking a martini and a horn player in the background) on 101 North between Palo Alto and San Francisco (Holly St. Exit). Saw a story on this campaign, it's trying to be clever without being heavy handed, they have an Emeril billboard and some others too . . .

[pokerchick66]

Thanks, scoop. I like ZAGAT alot and read him as much as possible. But he is off the mark in one way:

"Though the city remains desperate for the federal government to come through on its promises..."

The feds have come through on -all- their promises to date. There are billions of that money in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Right Now. Not being used.
We all need to get a grip around this, folks. The problems in NO today are NOT from Washington. Don't displace your anger and frustration outside of Louisiana, please focus on the real hangups here in this state. /rant off/

I noticed that sentence too, BB.

[pokerchick66]

Sccop, I see that you live in Jersey City. Have you noticed the billboards eastbound approaching 14A and 15E on Lincoln Highway approaching 440?
"New Orleans Open All Night" They make me smile (first time broght tears to my eyes) because I didn't expect to see NOLA billboards in Jersey City.

Wow, that's awesome.

[festivalgirl]

Sccop, I see that you live in Jersey City. Have you noticed the billboards eastbound approaching 14A and 15E on Lincoln Highway approaching 440?
"New Orleans Open All Night" They make me smile (first time broght tears to my eyes) because I didn't expect to see NOLA billboards in Jersey City.

We have a few of those billboards up her in L.A. as well.

I guess he could have said "Governement has not kept their promises". This would include State & Local. I'm not sure I can get too upset about anyone bashing this Governement (even if the bash isn't 100% correct).

Zagat just put out their New Orleans Restaurant & Night Life Guide. It includes Hotels & Attractions. They did a nice job putting out a guide to promote all of New Orleans to get people there. I fill out their surveys, myself. Add my opionions and get the Guide as a Thank You.

[bluesmama]

Spill the wine and take that pearl, Spill the wine and take that pearl
Spill the wine and take that pearl, Spill the wine and take that pearl

I was once out strolling one very hot summer's day
When I thought I'd lay myself down to rest
in a big field of tall grass
I lay there in the sun and felt it caressing my face

And I fell asleep and dreamed
I dreamed I was in a Hollywood movie
And that I was the star of the movie
This really blew my mind, the fact that me,
an overfed, long-haired leaping gnome
should be the star of a Hollywood movie

But there I was, I was taken to a place, the hall of the mountain kings
I stood high upon a mountain top, naked to the world
In front of every kind of girl, there was
black ones, round ones, big ones, crazy ones...

Out of the middle came a lady
She whispered in my ear something crazy
She said:

Spill the wine and take that pearl, Spill the wine and take that pearl
Spill the wine and take that pearl, Spill the wine and take that pearl

[spoken:]

I thought to myself what could that mean
Am I going crazy or is this just a dream
Now, wait a minute
I know I'm lying in a field of grass somewhere
so it's all in my head
and then.. I heard her say one more time:

[sung:]

Spill the wine and take that pearl, Spill the wine and take that pearl
Spill the wine and take that pearl, Spill the wine and take that pearl

[spoken:]
I could feel hot flames of fire roaring at my back
As she disappeared, but soon she returned
In her hand was a bottle of wine, in the other, a glass
She poured some of the wine from the bottle into the glass
And raised it to her lips
And just before she drank it, she said:

[sung:]
Spill the wine and take that pearl, Spill the wine and take that pearl
Spill the wine and take that pearl, Spill the wine and take that pearl

I remember thinking it was "spill the wine, dig that girl". which could lead to a whole new thread - how about "there's a bathroom on the right"

[Frosty]

I always thought that a billboard saying "New Orleans, Come Get Smashed" or "Come Tear Up The Town" would be perfect. It would show relief workers ripping out drywall or smashing up a collpsed shed to be hauled away.

[mightyradgumbo]

Great post, Scoop. YYR, NOLA is about the people and if I can help by having a good time, then it is a win-win situation.

I have to say that NOLA related things seem to reappearing on the radar. Even if it is press is negative, I go with the old saying "any press is good press'. It may seem initially to keep tourists away, etc. It may also light a fire in the strangest of places that gets the ball rolling on a project or give additional spotlight to an issue that someone a thousand miles away gets p.o'd enough to do something about.
Good press, however, is invaluable to the rebirth of the city so any good news is definitely welcomed more heartily.

[saturn]

I remember thinking it was "spill the wine, dig that girl". which could lead to a whole new thread - how about "there's a bathroom on the right"

"Pardon me while I kiss this guy"

"wrapped up like a douche"

:D :confused:

[NeenAtlanta]

I remember thinking it was "spill the wine, dig that girl". which could lead to a whole new thread - how about "there's a bathroom on the right"

LOL - so did I. Then when I googled it, I realized BreamBob was right, and all along I was singing it wrong.

[Priestboy]

During a Buffet show once, my brother (mightyradgumbo) caught me singing "Come Monday" with the lyrics "California has one, big white tan..." (the real lyrics are "California has left me quite thin..." :o

[bluedog]

great post ... everyone I talk to down here that is looking for a vacation I tell them "go to NOLA" and I've yet to visit there .... My husbands boss, owner of IDI Dist., will be holding their annual convention in NOLA this year at the request of my Craiggers:) I *heart* my hubbie 'cuz he appreciates my passions and carries them forward however possible.

[bluesmama]

LOL - so did I. Then when I googled it, I realized BreamBob was right, and all along I was singing it wrong.

Whew, NeenA, glad I'm not the only one!

One year, on vacation, we had CCR cranked up and my youngest son started singing "there's a bathroom on the right". Since then several people have told me they thought the same thing. I always sing it that way now.
I believe that's the same year we were walking down the street in Durango, Co. when he ran over to a parking meter and asked me for a nickel. When I asked him why, he said that he wanted to see how much he weighed. We were laughing so hard that we had to sit on the sidewalk. People were walking by looking at us like we were crazy.(okay, we are crazy) Are we from the stix or what?

(and I wonder why he has turned out the way he has)

[mangoon]

Love the car commercial where the two guys are listening to the Clash " rocking the cat box"

[pokerchick66]

Whew, NeenA, glad I'm not the only one!

One year, on vacation, we had CCR cranked up and my youngest son started singing "there's a bathroom on the right". Since then several people have told me they thought the same thing. I always sing it that way now.
I believe that's the same year we were walking down the street in Durango, Co. when he ran over to a parking meter and asked me for a nickel. When I asked him why, he said that he wanted to see how much he weighed. We were laughing so hard that we had to sit on the sidewalk. People were walking by looking at us like we were crazy.(okay, we are crazy) Are we from the stix or what?

(and I wonder why he has turned out the way he has)

ROFLMAO! That was a good one. :D

[Carolina Beadhead]

Whew, NeenA, glad I'm not the only one!

One year, on vacation, we had CCR cranked up and my youngest son started singing "there's a bathroom on the right". Since then several people have told me they thought the same thing. I always sing it that way now.
I believe that's the same year we were walking down the street in Durango, Co. when he ran over to a parking meter and asked me for a nickel. When I asked him why, he said that he wanted to see how much he weighed. We were laughing so hard that we had to sit on the sidewalk. People were walking by looking at us like we were crazy.(okay, we are crazy) Are we from the stix or what?

(and I wonder why he has turned out the way he has)

Another detour off the thread in the same "Kids say the darndest thing" vein:

One time, when my son was about 4 or so, he came running downstairs.

Richie: "MAMA! These pajamas don't have a wasp in them!!"

Me: "A wasp? A WASP??!!???.....................Oooohhhhh, you mean a FLY!!!"

:D

[bluesmama]

Another detour off the thread in the same "Kids say the darndest thing" vein:

One time, when my son was about 4 or so, he came running downstairs.

Richie: "MAMA! These pajamas don't have a wasp in them!!"

Me: "A wasp? A WASP??!!???.....................Oooohhhhh, you mean a FLY!!!"

:D

Toooo Funny!

[Frosty]

One of my daughters favorite songs is "Dogs Say Goodnight"

You know:

I see skies of blue
and clouds of white
bright blessed days
the dogs say goodnight.

[bluesmama]

One of my daughters favorite songs is "Dogs Say Goodnight"

You know:

I see skies of blue
and clouds of white
bright blessed days
the dogs say goodnight.

The same son that wanted to weigh himself on the parking meter, once came up with a new word "yestergo". I was once asking him when something had happened and he told me, "yestergo". His reply to when is "yestergo" - "you know, Mama, not yesterday or the day before, but a while ago. (one of his brighter moments)

I will not worry about my children during JF, I will not worry about my children during JF, I will not worry, I will not worry, I will not......
HELP, IBROCKN, it's starting again!

[Zydekitten]

"Pardon me while I kiss this guy"

"wrapped up like a douche"

:D :confused:
Those are some of the best mondegreens ever!! For those not in the loop about mondegreens, follow this link to Jon Carroll's excellent and hilarious collection of columns about them:

http://www.sfgate.com/columnists/carroll/mondegreens.shtml

:D

[rosetree]

Another detour off the thread in the same "Kids say the darndest thing" vein:

One time, when my son was about 4 or so, he came running downstairs.

Richie: "MAMA! These pajamas don't have a wasp in them!!"

Me: "A wasp? A WASP??!!???.....................Oooohhhhh, you mean a FLY!!!"

:D
To continue "off thread"...
I guess this is an only in New Orleans/Kids say the darndest thing...
After one of our famous torrential downpours, my son, about three at the time, was woken up by the thunder and came downstairs to our bedroom. He reached the bottom step and then came running in crying " Mommy, I think someone peed on the carpet!" We got up to find that our carpet was flooded!.... We had a good laugh, but had to replace all of our new carpet that we put in one year earlier to the day...

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Another good reason to attend JF.....

[mwgirlonherown]

I know - can you guys BELIEVE that? I think it is totally amazing. Also - must admit that I and a friend got misty eyed heading into the city and then laughed at each other for bein' such fools - cryin' at a billboard.

I'm get so sentimental when it comes to New Orleans.

My coworkers and I had lunch at Todai today. I was so excited to find crawfish rolls. 100' of all you can eat sushi and I'm thrilled to find mud bugs!