A Solution to Your Parking Woes!

[Grigoris]

Greetings, Music Lovers! As a long time music-lover myself and fest goer since 1980, I feel the pain of those who have to deal with all the headaches of parking associated with the Jazz Festival experience: the traffic, the tickets, the crowds, etc. Well, I'm here to tell you I have a solution for you, and if you play your cards right and get in early enough, you should have no hassles whatsoever, it's free, and it's very near by!

What is it? Here's what you have to do: simply drive your car into the neighborhood bordering on Gentilly, Fortin, and Esplanade - this includes Grand Rte. St. John, Ponce De Leon, Maurepas, Sauvage, N. White, and Crete (though excluding N. Lopez and Mystery, where the curbs are blocked by barricades, though you can still drive on them) - drive past the big, meaningless signs that proclaim "NO ENTRANCE EXCEPT FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSES", find yourself a nice shady spot, park, and take a short, leisurely stroll over to Gentilly and the Fairgrounds entrance, and get ready to pah-tay har-tay!

Really, it's as easy as that. I'll let you in on a little-known secret: the thing is, neither the Jazz Fest officials nor the fine men and women on the NOPD and the Parking Division really care about protecting the rights of the residents of the neighborhood, so why should you? I live on one of these streets myself, and I can tell you first hand that I really don't mind that my car is right now - as I write this - completely parked in by two out-of-state SUVs without the residential parking pass that MY car has (boy, do I feel stupid about paying for those, LOL! :o), unable to move my vehicle until they're done with their festivities for the day. The fact that they've been there since 11:30 this morning, with absolutely no visits from the meter persons of the Parking Division of the Department of Public Works (658-8200), should put anyone's mind to rest about getting slapped with a big $20 parking ticket; and, even if by some bizarre chance you actually do get a parking ticket, well hey, it's cheaper than paying for legal parking, right? :D

If you happen to come across the police barricade on N. Lopez and Grand Rte. St. John, you're sure to see a friendly cop in his car, who will gladly let you pass despite the fact that your car likely won't be sporting the "drive-thru" passes distributed two weeks earlier by fest officials. Ostensibly, these passes are used to protect the neighborhood from so-called "abuses" by festgoers, but since they're not even bothering to put up barricades at Gentilly on Maurepas and GRSJ to prevent those abuses in the first place, really, who cares? It's just one neighborhood, right?

Now, don't push your luck and park right in someone's driveway; all that will result in is one quick call by the grinch who's driveway you've blocked, followed by a tow truck being dispatched faster than you can say "Jockamo fee na ney"! That said, most of these houses (including mine) don't have driveways, so just stick with those, and you're gold! :p

Personally, I embrace the fact that the incompetence shown by Fest and NOPD officials is rendering me a prisoner in my own home, unable to leave for any piddling reason whatsoever; it gives me the opportunity to get some stuff done around the house that I've been neglecting. Sure, it's not MY choice, but what do the rights of a long-time resident who has paid for annual residential parking and has repeatedly been assured by Fest officials of the high priority they place on respecting his neighborhood matter to YOU, the soon-to-be-drunken festgoer?

From my experience, nothing at all.

Thanks for reading,
Grigoris
(former Jazz Fest fan) :(

[bluesmama]

bummer man - i feel your pain
really, i don't blame you for being upset. i'm sure i would be too.
i think you'll find that nearly everyone on this board is respectful of other peoples rights and property. they are probably not the ones causing the problems.
try complaining to your officials and maybe you will get a solution. i hope it all goes well for you.
peace

[festbabe]

Yes, you're right to be upset. I did see parking tickets this evening (Sat) on cars in the blocks surrounding Liuzza's where the curb parking is designated 'resident only'.

[stlbarb]

Yes, you're right to be upset. I did see parking tickets this evening (Sat) on cars in the blocks surrounding Liuzza's where the curb parking is designated 'resident only'.

the ticket is only $20, we pay more than that to park. :eek:
and happy to pay it. we get a great spot and leave some funds in the neighborhood.

i suggest a nice application of stickers across the windshiled.
or maybe just one big one that says 'non-resident'.
let them spend some time scrapping them off. maybe they'll take the hint.

[Grigoris]

All excellent suggestions, but it's like punishing the child for the parent's misdeeds, as the real problem is the officials themselves; the NAT (Neighborhood Action Telephone) Line is a joke (three calls to them in two days has yielded no results); the Parking Division doesn't take calls on the weekends; NOPD are - even by the candid admission of the individuals who were distributing the drive through passes for the fest - a waste of time (I asked the police officer I mentioned earlier why he was letting cars with no passes through; he just smiled and said he was doing what he was told to do); and as for the Fest organizers, well, there's no WAY they aren't aware of the situation. . . they simply don't care to respond, irrespective of their PR propaganda. If the NO ENTRANCE signs were inforced by the NOPD, then the illegal parking would be next to non-existent, and there would be no reason for the meter maids to be patrolling (at least for that reason).

The sad part is that it did NOT used to be this way; ironically, as the ticket prices have risen, the attention paid to the neighborhood has deteriorated to the debacle that it is today.

[stlbarb]

All excellent suggestions, but it's like punishing the child for the parent's misdeeds, as the real problem is the officials themselves; the NAT (Neighborhood Action Telephone) Line is a joke (three calls to them in two days has yielded no results); the Parking Division doesn't take calls on the weekends; NOPD are - even by the candid admission of the individuals who were distributing the drive through passes for the fest - a waste of time (I asked the police officer I mentioned earlier why he was letting cars with no passes through; he just smiled and said he was doing what he was told to do); and as for the Fest organizers, well, there's no WAY they aren't aware of the situation. . . they simply don't care to respond, irrespective of their PR propaganda. If the NO ENTRANCE signs were inforced by the NOPD, then the illegal parking would be next to non-existent, and there would be no reason for the meter maids to be patrolling (at least for that reason).

The sad part is that it did NOT used to be this way; ironically, as the ticket prices have risen, the attention paid to the neighborhood has deteriorated to the debacle that it is today.

its been quite a while since we had to use resident passes to get into the neighborhood. maybe its all the people who sell parking spots who have asked the officials to allow 'us' in.

and even if were lawful/legal to park on your street, that doesnt give someone the right to park you in. the last one to park had to notice that - and decide you didnt matter. that was beyond rude.

[Grigoris]

its been quite a while since we had to use resident passes to get into the neighborhood. maybe its all the people who sell parking spots who have asked the officials to allow 'us' in.

and even if were lawful/legal to park on your street, that doesnt give someone the right to park you in. the last one to park had to notice that - and decide you didnt matter. that was beyond rude.

Well, as regards your first point, I can't speak for the neighborhood on the other side of the Fairgrounds, but on my side - between the FGs and Fortin, Gentilly, Espanade, and right up to Mystery - there's only one place selling spots that I'm aware of, and it's right on the corner of Maurepas and Gentilly (auto repair place). There would be no problem with re-locating a barricade one block further to Maurepas and Crete to accomodate them. No one's trying to take money away from those who have the space to sell it.

And as to your second point, true, it's beyond rude to do so, but the real issue isn't being able to leave, it's being able to return. If I hadn't been parked in and had gone somewhere, there is next to no chance that my residential paid-for parking would still be there upon my return, nor would I have needed to have my drive through pass on display. That they distribute these things while failing to police them is beyond insulting.

While I primarily place blame with Jazz Fest organizers (starting with Quint Davis himself and on down through whatever chain of command exists; getting these names is pretty much impossible, and believe me I would LOVE to do so), it's really a lack of coordination between them, the NOPD (or whoever works for them as the liason between them and the Fest), and the Department of Public Work's Parking Division. They could all be working together to rectify this dilemma and make the Fest the joyous experience it should be for EVERYBODY including the residents; instead, it's like they're holding hands and forming a circle, dropping their pants, and taking a dump on our neighborhod. Harsh language, I understand, but as one of the recipients of said dump, I'm calling it as I see it.

And the thing of it is, by complaining, I'm likely to get labelled a downer and a party-pooper, and be told that I should just chill out, relax and not worry about it. . . it's all good. But as Edmund Burke once famously said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to just chill out, relax and not worry about it. . . it's all good."

[stlbarb]

Well, as regards your first point, I can't speak for the neighborhood on the other side of the Fairgrounds, but on my side - between the FGs and Fortin, Gentilly, Espanade, and right up to Mystery - there's only one place selling spots that I'm aware of, and it's right on the corner of Maurepas and Gentilly (auto repair place). There would be no problem with re-locating a barricade one block further to Maurepas and Crete to accomodate them. No one's trying to take money away from those who have the space to sell it.

And as to your second point, true, it's beyond rude to do so, but the real issue isn't being able to leave, it's being able to return. If I hadn't been parked in and had gone somewhere, there is next to no chance that my residential paid-for parking would still be there upon my return, nor would I have needed to have my drive through pass on display. That they distribute these things while failing to police them is beyond insulting.

While I primarily place blame with Jazz Fest organizers (starting with Quint Davis himself and on down through whatever chain of command exists; getting these names is pretty much impossible, and believe me I would LOVE to do so), it's really a lack of coordination between them, the NOPD (or whoever works for them as the liason between them and the Fest), and the Department of Public Work's Parking Division. They could all be working together to rectify this dilemma and make the Fest the joyous experience it should be for EVERYBODY including the residents; instead, it's like they're holding hands and forming a circle, dropping their pants, and taking a dump on our neighborhod. Harsh language, I understand, but as one of the recipients of said dump, I'm calling it as I see it.

And the thing of it is, by complaining, I'm likely to get labelled a downer and a party-pooper, and be told that I should just chill out, relax and not worry about it. . . it's all good. But as Edmund Burke once famously said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to just chill out, relax and not worry about it. . . it's all good."

there are lots of folks selling spots in their driveways and yards, and even in front of their house sometimes (providing a residence pass).

the 'powers' should enforce the resident parking rule. and visitors should not park there, but it has become perceived that its ok to park on the streets in the neighborhoods surrounding the fairgrounds.

if you cant get 'them' to change, maybe you could get one of your neighbors to share their driveway with you during fest.

[windowman]

Grigoris,

Please email me at windowman zero five (in numeric) <at> yahoo <dot> com.

[Grigoris]

Grigoris,

Please email me at windowman zero five (in numeric) <at> yahoo <dot> com.

Done; windowman05, correct?

[Headless Hornman]

There must have been some uneven enforcement of the no-entry zones because some of my friends have parked for years in the backyard of a friend's house (in the blocks you described, off street, at no charge) and they were refused entry to the neighborhood for the first time.

[Amy Winette]

We had kind of the opposite problem -- after pre-paying for our neighborhood spot for the weekend, starting second Friday, we couldn't get in! There wasn't a single road on that side that wasn't blocked by a very unsympathetic cop who refused to let us through to our paid spot without a resident pass, which we didn't have. I hoped the 7 months pregnant with 16 month baby in the car might get me to my spot but absolutely no go. Thank goodness Gumbo & Jada had some extra room for us nearby.

[snookums]

The blocked parking/entrance was done at the request of the neighbourhood association... too many issues with blocked driveways etc. He doesn't go to the meetings and didn't know about the "parking" passes; the passes were specially delivered to him on Saturday.

[stlbarb]

We had kind of the opposite problem -- after pre-paying for our neighborhood spot for the weekend, starting second Friday, we couldn't get in! There wasn't a single road on that side that wasn't blocked by a very unsympathetic cop who refused to let us through to our paid spot without a resident pass, which we didn't have. I hoped the 7 months pregnant with 16 month baby in the car might get me to my spot but absolutely no go. Thank goodness Gumbo & Jada had some extra room for us nearby.

yikes. i didnt know you couldnt get in at all.
we will have the appropriate passes next year.

its a shame some people thought they could park anywhere they wanted and ruined parking for us and revenue for the neighborhood.

[Dr. A.]

i parked (legally, safely, not in front of anyone's driveway or interfering with coming and going in any way) within 20 yards of the same place every day. i was flabbergasted to find the street pretty open even when i got there relatively late (noonish on 2nd friday). my plan was to head for marconi if i could not find safe and polite parking in the neighborhood, but that never became necessary. every year i say i am going to bite the bullet and park at marconi or some other paid place, but i have done so no more than perhaps 3 times in 20 years of festing. maybe next year.

[Belle]

We rode bikes and would recommend it...The best way to get to fest from the quarter and beyond. Just saying I was home before you ever got to your car.

[BigDag]

We rode bikes and would recommend it...The best way to get to fest from the quarter and beyond. Just saying I was home before you ever got to your car.

Not me.

I gotta secret.

[Belle]

Not me.

I gotta secret.
GFY

[pokerchick66]

GFY

:eek:

[windowman]

:eek:

I am pretty certain Belle was saying Good For You. What in the world were you thinking, p-chicky?;)

[pokerchick66]

I am pretty certain Belle was saying Good For You. What in the world were you thinking, p-chicky?;)

Oh, nothing. http://trustserve.net/themes/default/images/ocf_emoticons/whistle.png

[BigDag]

It's getting kinda thick in this thread!!

(I didn't intend to hit a nerve.)

[mariena]

I am pretty certain Belle was saying Good For You. What in the world were you thinking, p-chicky?;)

What ever it was, I was thinking the same thing! Too Funny!

[pokerchick66]

It's getting kinda thick in this thread!!

On that note, I'm going to watch my new Netflix . . . No Country for Old Men. Be back in two hrs. :)

[rosetree]

GFY

LYNDA BELLE!!!!!

[ohio]

On that note, I'm going to watch my new Netflix . . . No Country for Old Men. Be back in two hrs. :)
So how was it? I haven't seen it but loved the book...

[stlbarb]

We rode bikes and would recommend it...The best way to get to fest from the quarter and beyond. Just saying I was home before you ever got to your car.

we were popping a cold brew from the cooler in the car trunk before you unlocked your bike.

in reply to your reply:
would love to, but i'll buy myself dinner first, then send flowers the next day.

[pokerchick66]

So how was it? I haven't seen it but loved the book...

Okay, I'm pizzed. WTF kind of ending was that!!!

[Belle]

I am pretty certain Belle was saying Good For You. What in the world were you thinking, p-chicky?;)

That is in fact what I was doing. Where was her mind?

[ohio]

Okay, I'm pizzed. WTF kind of ending was that!!!
hmmm, how did they end the movie?

[marignygreg]

Not me.

I gotta secret.

You hitched a ride on the Swedish Bikini Swimsuit teams shuttle bus ???

[Lit]

On that note, I'm going to watch my new Netflix . . . No Country for Old Men. Be back in two hrs. :)

So how was it? I haven't seen it but loved the book...

Okay, I'm pizzed. WTF kind of ending was that!!!

hmmm, how did they end the movie?

Great movie. Un-fulfilling ending. Didn't read the book but heard from those who did that it ended differently. The movie didn't really have an ending, it just sort of stopped after an odd story about a dream that may or may not have relevance as to what has become of the mystery man.

[pokerchick66]

hmmm, how did they end the movie?

*SPOILER ALERT*

lol, ABRUPTLY! It really had no ending to speak of. I get what they were doing but I didn't appreciate it. I like my movies with tidy little endings. And so many things did not turn out the way I wanted! Crazy little movie. I did like the surrealness of it, though. And the villain was wickedly awesome . . . loved the deadpan by him and by Tommy Lee Jones. I hate that he gave up in the end. And wth happened to the money! I was really hoping for Llewellyn or his wife to rise up and kick that guy's azz. Instead we got . . . black screen with credits.

Strange choice for Best Picture.

[pokerchick66]

Great movie. Un-fulfilling ending. Didn't read the book but heard from those who did that it ended differently. The movie didn't really have an ending, it just sort of stopped after an odd story about a dream that may or may not have relevance as to what has become of the mystery man.

My take on his dream was that he was subconsciously justifying his giving up.

[Lit]

My take on his dream was that he was subconsciously justifying his giving up.

I saw the movie a long time ago. I always stop and watch it for a while when I catch it while surfing, but haven't seen the ending since the first time I saw it. I remember that I thought about it for a while and, like you, I ended up more annoyed than anything else because, no matter what the intent, I thought it was a weak ending to such a strong movie. Once I settled on being annoyed at the ending I stopped thinking about what it was supposed to mean. I'll adopt your theory as my "working theory" until I see the ending again though.

I don't always need tidy endings, but I thought that one was particularly lame.

[pokerchick66]

I saw the movie a long time ago. I always stop and watch it for a while when I catch it while surfing, but haven't seen the ending since the first time I saw it. I remember that I thought about it for a while and, like you, I ended up more annoyed than anything else because, no matter what the intent, I thought it was a weak ending to such a strong movie. Once I settled on being annoyed at the ending I stopped thinking about what it was supposed to mean. I'll adopt your theory as my "working theory" until I see the ending again though.

I don't always need tidy endings, but I thought that one was particularly lame.

Yea, it was like they just dropped the ball. Way too many loose endings. I think I would prolly like it better the second time around knowing what's coming. I think.

Did you also notice the recurring theme of "Kids today" and "This country is going to hell in a handbasket"? I did like that but if the movie was emblematic of us and today then I'm even more depressed at the outcome they portrayed in the movie. Of course, it could make us have more resolve and rise up to the occasion of actually doing something about it and not letting the movie decide for us by giving up like Tommy Lee did. Sighhh.

[ohio]

Great movie. Un-fulfilling ending. Didn't read the book but heard from those who did that it ended differently. The movie didn't really have an ending, it just sort of stopped after an odd story about a dream that may or may not have relevance as to what has become of the mystery man.
Sounds very unlike the book. I guess that's why I read a lot more books than I see movies. I generally avoid seeing movies when I have already read the book; usually disappointing. The most notable exception being Shawshank Redemption, which follows the book almost word for word. It's also one of my top 3 movies...

[Lit]

Sounds very unlike the book. I guess that's why I read a lot more books than I see movies. I generally avoid seeing movies when I have already read the book; usually disappointing. The most notable exception being Shawshank Redemption, which follows the book almost word for word. It's also one of my top 3 movies...

Shawshank is definitely top 3 for me too. I always stop on that and watch through to the end. And I always get a little choked up during the scene where Andy comes back from solitary and describes how it was worth it to him because of what music means to him. That one gets me every time.

I was an avid reader of books growing up through shortly after college, but sadly I don't read many books any more. It is one of the casualties of my work. I read so much for work that I simply find myself wanting a different medium in my "free" time. Music comes first, tv/movies second and books a very distant third. I wish it wasn't the case, but I've got a stack of half-finished books on my nightstand to remind me about it often.

Another movie I remember tracking the book quite well was "Presumed Innocent." And I loved both. Not on the level of significance to me as Shawshank is, but a good read and good watch nonetheless.

[jonnygospeltent]

Would you prefer a really good 3/4 of a movie with a crappy ending or a medocre flick with an amazing conclusion?

[Lit]

Would you prefer a really good 3/4 of a movie with a crappy ending or a medocre flick with an amazing conclusion?

C. A really good movie with an amazing conclusion.

[Amy Winette]

yikes. i didnt know you couldnt get in at all.
we will have the appropriate passes next year.

its a shame some people thought they could park anywhere they wanted and ruined parking for us and revenue for the neighborhood.

There was only one day we couldn't get in (Saturday as we planned to park at Jada and Dan's Sunday anyway). If we have a car next year, we'll have to get resident passes! But if we come kidless, we'll probably just be cabbing it.