Books On Katrina Recovery

As I have time, I'll be posting more links to books regarding the rebuilding of Pearlington, Waveland, Bay St Louis, Kiln and the rest Hancock County. If you know of any, please let me know.

I've long held I wouldn't advertise anything that was a for-profit endeavor, but I think at this point, they need to be shown in an effort to prove rebuilding has yet to be complete.

The first is Pat Holt's Rebuilding Pearlington. She's a lady from basically all over the nation, having served in the military and after retiring, took up photography. I wish her memoir included many more of her photographs, but perhaps she is working on a separate book for those.

HUD Being Sued

Money Steered To Port Project over Housing

POSTED: 11:11 am CST December 10, 2008
UPDATED: 11:37 am CST December 10, 2008

JACKSON, Miss. -- A federal lawsuit accuses the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of failing to properly review Mississippi's plan to divert half a billion dollars from a hurricane housing fund to a port expansion project.

HUD drew criticism from advocacy groups and congressional leaders when it approved the state's proposal to steer the money to the port despite a lingering housing crisis caused by Hurricane Katrina. At the time, then-HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson said he was legally obligated to OK the project because of congressional language associated with the use of block grant funds.

The suit, filed Wednesday in federal court in Washington, names HUD as the only defendant. It is being brought by the Mississippi State Conference NAACP, Gulf Coast Fair Housing Center and individual residents.

New Mold Abatement Tool

Household mold. It’s not just a cleaning issue – it’s a health concern. And now there’s a new way to fight it. Concrobium Mold Control® is a ground-breaking technology that helps do-it-yourselfers and professionals fight harmful mold without resorting to harsh chemicals. It’s the only EPA-registered solution that eliminates mold and keeps it from coming back – without bleach, ammonia or VOCs. Finally a solution that wins the war on mold without nasty effects on people and planet. > click here to find out how Concrobium Mold Control works.It’s the cure for the common mold™.

Pearlington Update

Here are some pictures taken during Gustav. The lady was looking for her father since he refused to leave his home. Fortunately, he only took a few inches of water.

Gustav Update

I haven't bothered posting anything until now since evacuation was so orderly.

Now that the storm has passed and people are checking out what they need, there are some needs that are coming to light...

Hancock County lost its radio station - during Katrina, it was the only one that stayed running out of a few hundred and served the entire area. This time they weren't so lucky.
Hancock county eoc 228 466 8320
www.wqrz.org
I've put the word out to folks in my area of the need, and am going to start reaching out further, but if you know of anyone who has any of the components, please contact me at KatrinaCoalition@aol.com

Pearlington's Turtle Landing Bar was submerged. Unknown what it looks like now.

Homes in Pearlington have taken inches to feet of water.

Everything in Hancock County south of the tracks ended up under water.

Many of the dead trees standing are now down - but came down on power lines, houses, vehicles, etc. There have been many fires, and much collateral damage - the last gift from Katrina.

Will post more as I have it.

If you wish to help, I have access to many organizations other than the Red Cross that can use your help with much appreciation!

Leslie

Katrina-Rita-Ville Express

The Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act (S.1668) is an important bill that would help low-income families return home by ensuring that adequate affordable housing is available. One of the bill’s co-sponsors, Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.), recently offered several amendments that would directly benefit Alabama storm survivors. But the bill is languishing in the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, where Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) is the ranking member. If Senator Shelby would allow this bill to come up for a vote, it would pass overwhelmingly – but he refuses to budge. Please let Senator Shelby know that you support this legislation and want action NOW!

On May 1 and 2, a FEMA trailer called The KatrinaRitaVille Express will be in Birmingham, Ala., to help rally support among Alabama residents and send a message to Senator Shelby about the urgent need for the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act to help hurricane survivors.

Please join us in Birmingham and see for yourself what life is like inside a FEMA trailer.

* * *

Thursday, May 1
Noon, Greater Birmingham Ministries Economic Justice Table
Speakers will include Mary Fontenot, executive director of All Congregations Together; Katrina Survivors living in Birmingham, Zack Carter, organizer, Alabama Arise; and representatives of UUSC and Greater Birmingham Ministries.

Greater Birmingham Ministries
12th Avenue and 23rd Street North
Birmingham, Ala.
Tel: (205) 326-6821

5p.m., Tour The KatrinaRitaVille Express, a FEMA trailer.
Thousands of people are still living in these toxic trailers, recently classified by the Centers for Disease Control as unsafe for habitation. For more information about The KatrinaRitaVille Express, please visit www.krvexpress.org.

7 p.m., Gulf Coast Update –The Struggle Continues
Music and program
Darryl Hunt, president, Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham will introduce speakers who include Mary Fontenot, executive director, All Congregations Together; Zack Carter, organizer, Alabama Arise; and Bev Hoffman, UUSC. Katrina survivors living in the Birmingham area will also be present. Singer Gigi Hines from Mississippi will perform. Admission free; donations to The KatrinaRitvaVille Express are encouraged.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham
4300 Hampton Heights Drive
Birmingham, Ala.
Tel: (205) 945-8109


Friday, May 2
9 a.m. – noon, Tour The KatrinaRitaVille Express

Join us in a show of Gulf Coast solidarity outside the Federal Building. Be part of the delegation that lobbies inside Senator Shelby’s office. If you are interested in taking part, please e-mail Jack Zylman (jzylman@bellsouth) or Helen Rivas (Helen @ helenrivas.com).

Federal Building
5th Avenue North and 18th Street
Birmingham, Ala.

Laura Katz ParenteauAdmin. Assist./Disaster Relief Coord.City Action Partnership1801 Third Ave. NorthBirmingham, AL 35203
www.CAPISDOWNTOWN.COM
Email: CAPbham@aol.com

Carnival of Hurricane Relief

2/14/08 This week's Carnival of Hurricane Relief, the 125th, is a valentine to the Gulf Coast. It's hosted at Prosthetic Device:

http://www.cehwiedel.com/blogs/prostheticdevice/?p=382

Highlights:

- a crafty Gulf Coast mom inspires the illustration for this week's CoHR homepage

- the Gulf Coast makes an appearance on a short list of romantic getaways

- Norman Love Confections is a Gulf Coast mainstay for Valentine's Day

- a self-described "Girl Raised in the South" is passionate about Valentine's Day

- getting married in the French Quarter on Valentine's Day

Please post about this week's CoHR so that your readers will know. And, as always, thanks for your ongoing support.

Sincerely,

cehwiedel
"Carnival of Hurricane Relief"
http://www.cehwiedel.com/cohr/
"CoHR Squidoo Lens"
http://www.squidoo.com/cohr/

2/1/08 This week's edition of CoHR, the 123rd, is hosted at Kneadle Work:
http://www.cehwiedel.com/blogs/kneadlework/?p=277

Highlights:

- Ms. Delores loses her fight
- Miss Malaprop serves as travel guide
- Queen Barkus welcomes revelers
- The Masked Observer scoffs from Mobile
- The St. Charles trolley clanks and clangs back to life

1/24 This week's Carnival of Hurricane Relief, the 122nd, is hosted at Red County, California:
http://www.cehwiedel.com/blogs/redcountycalifornia/?p=1160
Highlights:
- an alternative to Mardi Gras
- Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army rock
- Biloxi's Old Brick House gets funds from FEMA
- a good day for a Gulf Coast volunteer

Please post about CoHR so that your readers will know. And, as always, thank you for your ongoing support.
Sincerely,
cehwiedel
"Carnival of Hurricane Relief"
http://www.cehwiedel.com/cohr/
"CoHR Squidoo Lens"
http://www.squidoo.com/cohr/

1/17 This week's CoHR, the 121st edition, is hosted by the indefatigable Leslie at Katrina Networking: http://katrinanetworking.blogspot.com/2008/01/january-17-cohr.html
Highlights:
- The American Farm Bureau meets at Bourbon Street
- more Gulf Coast insurance woes
- NOLA's lower 9th ward gets a health clinic
- journalism during disasters

Please post about CoHR so that your readers will know. And, as always, thanks for your ongoing support.

cehwiedel
"Carnival of Hurricane Relief"
http://www.cehwiedel.com/cohr/
"CoHR Squidoo Lens"
http://www.squidoo.com/cohr/

1/10 This week's Carnival of Hurricane Relief, the 120th, is hosted at Kicking Over My Traces:
http://www.cehwiedel.com/blogs/traces/?p=2874

Highlights:
- LSU gives the Gulf Coast something to crow about
- the SBA gets rebuilt
- a mausoleum gets renovated
- a museum gets saved
- blueberries replace tung oil

Please post about CoHR so that your readers will know. And, as always, thanks for your ongoing support.

cehwiedel
"Carnival of Hurricane Relief"
http://www.cehwiedel.com/cohr/
"CoHR Squidoo Lens"
http://www.squidoo.com/cohr/

1/3
This week's edition of the Carnival of Hurricane Relief, the 119th, is hosted at Dark Spark:
http://www.cehwiedel.com/blogs/darkspark/?p=493

Highlights:

- a mobile laundry service to wash disaster away

- the indefatigable Leslie gets a write-up

- an interview with Dr. Neil Frank, former head of the NHC

- This Old House does NOLA

- A teen volunteer dies

Please post about CoHR so that your readers will know. And, as always, thank you for your continuing support.

Special note: CoHR is looking for a new proprietor. Details on the CoHR home page:

http://www.cehwiedel.com/cohr/

Sincerely,

cehwiedel
"Carnival of Hurricane Relief"
http://www.cehwiedel.com/cohr/
"CoHR Squidoo Lens"
http://www.squidoo.com/cohr/

Katrina Connection - NOLA Site

Because of the genuine concern you have displayed since 2005, I'd like you to visit katrinaconnection.com, which was created to offer a fresh new outlet of expression for survivors, rescue workers, and concerned citizens, and help change media perceptions and offer positve views.

This site is not soliciting funds, which is why it is not a non-profit. There is and never will be a membership fee. It is simply an all-new, social networking & current affairs site, offering a change from the usual media about the New Orleans & Gulf Coast areas.

Objectives include, among other things, offering the most comprehensive current online links to resources available for survivors; offering interactivity through forums & visitor participation; providing news & news features affecting survivors; offering updates on life in and around New Orleans; and to push for indefinite investigations into the many unsolved missing or dead cases involving the hurricanes of 2005.

Please take time now to visit katrinaconnection.com, join and participate in our forums, and/or send a comment and tell us what you think.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Wayne Filmore
Publisher/Editor

Help Katrina Survivors This Christmas

12/12 - 2 new families in as many days. Will post their information as I get it gleaned...
First - What friends, family and I are doing for some survivors Updated 11/26

Now - do you want to help a family? If you are from the Binghamton Area and would like to assist, please contact me at KatrinaCoalition@aol.com. I am more than willing to pay for shipping if you are willing to buy the gifts. I have them categorized by family below, with head of households listed first. ALL of the families want the children taken care of first! Items in Bold Red are Promised to be gotten. 11/23 - list is up only a few hours and someone has already started helping! Woo!

Or would you like to help an organization helping Katrina Survivors? I am compiling a list of local Gulf organizations in need as well as national agencies that are assisting. You can contact them directly from the information I list, or you can contact me for further information. Have posted this on another page

The following is a Wishing Tree of sorts. It is all of the items that are needed by the families that are still able to contact me. Many have lost internet service - they can't afford home phones anymore. But, those who have responded have sent me lists of needs and wishes for this Christmas.

The following was written by one of the mothers:
12/1/07 As I said before, I know that many people think that everyone who went through Katrina must be settled by now, but that is far from true. We struggle daily with the loss of our town, community of friends and just dealing with the fact that overnight our lives have been changed forever...but in the end through our own determination and the help and kindness of others, our lives will be repaired and hopefully we will be stronger human beings. We have learned that there are wonderful people in this world such as you, who can and will make a difference in many lives...and on behalf of myself and my family, I thank you for that.

For Dogs - Many of the families have pets:
Flea Collars
Regular Collars
Treats
Beds
Food

12/12 28 y.o. mother's children
http://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2007/11/elizabeth-4.html
Caleb - 9 sizes – top: 14 ,bottom: 14 husky, shoes 6 youth
For Xmas Glasses, Anything Pokemon, video games (National Geographic For kids Promised; Reader's Digest Promised, 1 Book, Some Pokemon promised)

Celina -2 - sizes – clothes 3T, shoes 8 toddler, diapers size 5
For Xmas Clothes, Shoes, Diapers, anything Dora, anything Diego (Dora coloring book, Barbie coloring book, stuffed animal Promised)

Cristina -1 sizes – clothes 12 m, shoes 2 infant, diapers size 2
For Xmas - Hair accessories, Hello Kitty, Light up toys, Age Appropriate toys (baby blanket, stuffed animal, promised)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
12/12 39 y.o. mother's children
http://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/12/tracie-p-camrie-blade-maycie-emai-l.html
camrie 13-size 4 pants,large shirt.Size 9 shoes
blade 11,wears 14 pants,14 shirt
maycie 1 2t{a }.
We would like computers, games, baby educational toys. Music cd's, cd players. Thank you very much

http://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/10/ginger-et-al.html
69 y.o. Grandmother - Disabled with Bad Hips
Pinks, Blues & earth tones.
pants/jeans size 24
shirts (button ups or T-shirts).
Bra - 44D (no under wire please, white or beige)
Panties - Size 13 any color (she likes the silky fabric, rather than the cotton).
Shoes - 10 wide.
Socks - ankle socks size 10 women's (tennis & dress).
electrical drill with both forward and reverse, she would love an warm winter blanket - king size to wrap up in
Reader's Digest Promised
46 y.o. Mother - Disabled with traumatic arthritis
Purples & earth tones, frills
T-shirts - 3X-5X Long
Pants - 28 tall women's, 3X in stretch pants and shorts.
Bra - 44DD (no under wire please, any color) is allergic to fiberfill
Socks - Size ladies 9/10 anklets and crew cut (any color).
Shoes – 8 1/2 Wide/Extra wide
I do enjoy decoupage, crotchet, knitting, painting, drawing and other creative crafts.

32 y.o. Working Mother
Black (think subtle goth style)
Shirts/T's size S-M.
Skirts/pants/jeans size 0-4 women's. Some promised
Bra - 36A
Panties - Ladies size 6/7
Socks - Ladies size 9/9 1/2
Shoes - 9/10
Would love to have hair accessories and scrunchies. a warm ski suit, since she freezes even down here.

Their Children:
School Uniforms (all public schools in the south require uniforms)
Khaki, navy for pants, skirts and jumpers. Navy, light blue & Maroon for shirts. Socks - white, navy, maroon.
National Geographic For Kids Promised
15 y.o. girl
Camouflage, pinks, blues. Some promised
Shirts/T's size M-L ladies.
Skirts/pants/jeans size ladies 6/7
Bra - 36B
Panties - ladies 6/7 (any color)
Socks - ladies 9-91/2 anklet & crew
Shoes - women's size 9-10
Would love to have hair accessories and scrunchies.
Make up.
CD's - Country & Rap, DVD's - Comedy & Horror

14 y.o. Boy
Red, black, & green.
Shirts/T's - boys size L
Pants/shorts/jeans - size boys 18 regular
Boxers only - size 16/18
Socks - 9-91/2 crew
Shoes - men size 91/2 - 10 1/2
Model Cars & Airplanes Playstation-II Games DVD's - something 14 year old boys would like

13 y.o. Girl
Pinks, blues. Some promised
Shirts/T's size M-L ladies.
Skirts/pants/jeans size ladies 6/7
Bra - 36B - 36C (pastel)
Panties - ladies 6/7
Socks - ladies 9 - 91/2 anklet & crew Loves toe socks.
Shoes - women's size 9 - 9 1/2
Would love to have hair accessories and scrunchies, jewelry, stuffed animals. Something pretty to sit on her dresser, CD's Country (her favorites are Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Nelly and Kid's Pick), earrings, Make up and finger nail polish.

12 y.o. Boy
Yellow, blue & orange.
Shirts/T's - boys size L.
Pants/shorts/jeans - size boys 16 husky.
Boxers only - size 14/16
Socks - 9-9 1/2 crew
Shoes - size 8 1/2 - 9
X-Box Games, Playstation-II Games to play at a friend's house.

7 y.o Girl
Purples, reds/magenta, blues Some promised
Jumpers/dresses - size 12 -14 chubby.
Shirts/T's - child's size Large
Pants/shorts/jeans - size 12 - 14 chubby.
Socks - anklet & knee highs, Loves toe socks.
Shoes - 5 1/2
hair accessories and scrunchies. Children's DVD's (she loves watching these!), Mermaids, Brat dolls, Coloring Books.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2007/09/keisha-1.html
28 y.o. Mother - unable to find consistent work
everyday/work environment attire , button down blouses, bottoms etc. I wear M/L in blouses it differs,sometimes L will be to big in blouses and tops sometimes not, ,bottoms size 12
washer/dryer
Toiletries - all
Paper products - all
Dental assistance
Gas for travel.
Laptop for College
Purse
Christmas Tree "Kit" Promised
10 y.o. Girl
couple of burgundy uniform tops for school, navy bottom, everyday tops/bottoms, undergarments.
She is growing up. I was in denial still trying to squeeze her into a 10/12 but she needs size 14 bottoms,and 14 tops to be safe.
bratz the moviez remote control corvette cruiser
bratz atm machine
bratz microphone
bratz styling head (mannequinn head)
bratz cyber style kids interactive laptop
camera
purse
kids watch
mp3 player
clothes or gift card to purchase
shoes or gift card to purchase
National Geographic For Kids Promised
Reader's Digest Promised
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2007/11/carol-5.html
41 y.o. Mother/Grandmother
Clothes (shirts size large, pants 7, pajamas, socks, etc)
*Work clothes (blouses size large, dress pants size 7) 1 of each Promised
Purse - Promised
Pots or other kitchen items such as plastic storage containers, cooking utensils
Rice Cooker - Promised
Gift card for groceries would come in handy (Winn Dixie, Walmart, Sam's)
Reader's Digest Promised
21 y.o. woman
Clothes (Shirts size xlarge, jogging suit xl, paiamas, socks, etc)
Camera Promised
Photo album/scrapbooking items
Purse/Wallet
Bath and body products (body wash, lotion, etc)

19 y.o. son
Clothes (Shirts size Large or XLarge, jeans size 34 waist, underwear Large, socks, tee shirts) Shirt, T-shirt Promised
Wallet
Electric Razor
Any sports items (he loves Basketball and Football)
Blank CD's
Alarm Clock Promised

13 y.o. girl
Clothes - Either 14/16 or a small in juniors (tops, jeans, jogging set, socks, underwear, etc)
Pink Digital Camera - Promised
CD's - She loves country music (Kellie Pickler, Carrie Underwood, also Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers) National Geographic For Kids Promised
Games - Twister (She has scattergories and clue...family games)
Items from Claires - Hair accessories, earrings, necklaces...any girly type things
She enjoys shopping so a gift card would be great - she loves Aeropostale, Target, Walmart

20 month old girl
Clothes - 24 months (preferably winter clothes.) A few Promised
Shoes - Size 6 or 7 in infants/children Promised
Toys - She likes baby dolls, toys that make music/sounds, toys that teach shapes/colors, books
Hair Accessories - Barrettes, hair ties, etc
Other - Diapers (size 4), baby wipes, sippy cups, powder, lotion, warm character blanket.

8 month old boy
Clothes - 9 to 12 months (preferably winter clothes...shirts, pants, socks, winter jacket, etc)
Toys - Anything with sound/lights, any baby toy trucks, books, etc
Other - Diapers (size 3 - he's a big boy :), baby wipes, etc)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2007/11/christie-s-2.html

31 y.o. Disabled Mother
I am in serious need of electric assistance

45 y.o. Disabled Father
Food, cleaning supplies, blankets. Would like hunting interest stuff. 4X shirts, 5x pants

9 y.o. Boy with ADHD
shirts men's med., men's 9 1/2 shoes, pants men's 40x30's
needs some long sleeved white shirts no collar and royal blue polo shirts for school uniforms
he loves games and fishing, science and animals
he is ADHD and has several learning disabilities
National Geographic For Kids Promised
Reader's Digest Promised
12 y.o. Girl
Shirt women's med.'s Some Promised
shoes 9 1/2 pants 10 or 12
loves music
games
make up and girly stuff
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/12/shannon-w.html

28 y.o. Mother
shirts - large
Pants size 9/10
Shoes size 7
Cookware
Bakeware
Plates
Silverware
Cleaning Supplies
Gas cards
Food

60 y.o. Grandmother (dying of ulcerative cholitis)
Shirts - large
Pants - 9/10
Shoes - 7
Pull-ups
Instant Carnation Breakfast Powder
CVS gift cards for medications

13 y.o. Boy
Shirts - sm mens
Pants - size18 boys
X-Box game - Halo 3 to play at friend's house
National Geographic For Kids Promised
Reader's Digest Promsied
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2007/11/elizabeth-4.html

This family is brand new to the list and is currently dealing with a death in the family. No list yet, but I'm sure general "kid" stuff would be most appreciated.
33 y.o. Mother
32 y.o. Father
9 y.o Boy
2 y.o. Girl
1 y.o. Girl (8 weeks premature)
National Geographic For Kids Promised
Reader's Digest Promised
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://realpeoplerelief.blogspot.com/2006/11/jessica-l.html

30 y.o. Mother
housewares, towels, dishes (any solid color), glasses,
clothes jeans (size 16 can be bought in tall sizes), bedding, shirts (L or 16),shoes 11, a car (haha), anything for a house really
My mom has lost alot of weight so she would love some clothes that fit! Stress is a great diet sometimes. Jeans: 20Tall Shirts: 1x or 2x Shoes: 12
National Geographic For Kids Promised
11 y.o. Boy
any WWE action figures or anything to do with WWE or wrestling
Jeans: 34 x 29; Shirts - men's medium or boys XL
any transformers
Ladder Match (WWE)
Modern Warfare (video game for xbox)
Call of Duty (video game for xbox)
The NOLA Saints
Football
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
11/23 - 21:15
26 y.o. Mother - working
Bedding for twin mattresses
ink for HP Printer (#s 21,22)

8 y.o. Boy
Clothes - size 10/12
Books - Any for an 8 y.o. boy. Curious George, Goosebumps, etc.
National Geographic For Kids Promised
Reader's Digest Promised
6 y.o. Girl
Clothes - size 7/8
Books - Disney, coloring books, cartoon books, stuff for a 6 y.o.

FEMA Air Quality Testing Issues

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=41629
11/7
FEMA is working with health and environmental experts at the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct air quality assessments of temporary housing units issued after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
As part of that study, the Centers for Disease Control will oversee indoor air quality testing of randomly selected temporary housing units in Mississippi and Louisiana. Testing was to have begun the first week of November, but previously scheduled appointments have been postponed until health and environmental experts finalize the testing process and action levels for responding to the results of the testing are determined. The testing will begin once these matters have been resolved.
Meanwhile, FEMA continues to work actively with all residents to help them move them out of temporary housing units and into more permanent housing that fits their individual needs. More than one-quarter of the occupants who have asked to be relocated from travel trailer units have moved to long-term housing, and the remaining households are evaluating their housing options.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312067,00.html
11/17
NEW ORLEANS — Lawyers for a group of hurricane victims living in government-issued trailers are asking a federal judge to order the Federal Emergency Management Agency to test the housing units for hazardous fumes.
Earlier this month, FEMA postponed plans to test the air quality in its travel trailers for levels of formaldehyde. The chemical, a common preservative found in materials used to build manufactured homes, can cause respiratory illnesses and is classified as a carcinogen.
FEMA says it needs more time to prepare before scientists from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta begin the formaldehyde tests, which were scheduled to start in Mississippi on Nov. 2.
However, attorneys for trailer occupants in Louisiana claim FEMA's delay in testing the trailers is jeopardizing the health of thousands of Gulf Coast residents displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
In court papers filed Friday, the trailer occupants' lawyers asked a federal judge in New Orleans to issue a preliminary injunction that would compel FEMA to begin the tests. The injunction also calls for FEMA to immediately comply with any trailer occupant's request to move out of a unit and into alternative housing.
U.S. District Judge Kurt Englehardt did not immediately rule on their requests.
"Without this Court's intervention," the storm victims' attorneys wrote, "FEMA will continue to delay and this national public health emergency will continue unabated."
FEMA spokesman Michael Widomski, who would not comment on the litigation, said a date to start the tests has not been set. "We're continuing to work with the CDC," he added.
Roy Rodney, Jr., a New Orleans-based attorney who filed the motion for an injunction, said the formaldehyde tests are a "matter of critical public health."
"It's important to understand what the level of exposure is, particularly in regard to children," he said. "Children are the most at risk, more so than adults."
In Louisiana and Mississippi, more than 48,000 FEMA trailers were occupied this month by victims of the 2005 hurricanes. Reacting to residents' health concerns, FEMA has moved hundreds of families in both states out of trailers and into apartments, hotel rooms or other temporary housing.
FEMA also has temporarily suspended the sale of its used trailers and says the units won't be used to shelter victims of future disasters until the safety concerns are resolved.
Hundreds of Gulf Coast residents are suing trailer manufacturers for allegedly providing FEMA with poorly constructed units contaminated by formaldehyde. Several of those federal lawsuits in Louisiana were consolidated on Oct. 24 and transferred to Englehardt, who scheduled a Jan. 18 initial hearing on the litigation.

YouTube Vidoe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SgirfFOQDU

8 a.m.: FEMA Ordered To Submit Air Quality Plan
December 4, 2007
NEW ORLEANS, La -- A federal judge in Louisiana has ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency to submit a detailed plan for testing the air quality in government-issued trailers in Mississippi.
U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt says FEMA and its top administrator, R. David Paulison, have until Dec. 17 to respond to court papers filed by a group of trailer occupants who want the air-quality tests to begin immediately.
On Nov. 2, federal scientists were scheduled to start testing FEMA trailers in Mississippi for levels of formaldehyde.
FEMA postponed those tests, however, saying it needed more time to prepare.
FEMA spokeswoman Mary Margaret Walker said Monday that the tests are expected to begin "soon," but she couldn't elaborate and wouldn't comment on the judge's order.

Encore Azalea Gulf Restoration Project

CONTACT: Encore Azalea®
Brand Management
Corrina Stellitano
251-960-5439

OHR-O’KEEFE MUSEUM OF ART CHOSEN AS RECIPIENT IN ENCORE AZALEA® GULF COAST HURRICANE RESTORATION PROJECT

Biloxi, Miss. — November 30, 2007 — Encore Azalea®, the only patented brand of azaleas to bloom in spring, summer, and fall, has chosen the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art as a recipient of its Encore Azalea® Gulf Coast Hurricane Restoration Project.

An initiative designed to aid those affected by hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, the Encore Azalea® Gulf Coast Hurricane Restoration Project offers planners the opportunity to include the 23 varieties of Encore Azalea in their landscape renovation plans.

On Saturday, area residents will have a chance to view the recently planted Encore Azaleas at the special event “Celebration of Rebuilding: The Dance Begins.” The ceremony at the new museum site, 386 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, will be open to the public at 10 a.m. with free admission.

The awarded Encore Azaleas were grown by Loxley, Ala.-based Flowerwood Nursery — one of nine licensed Encore Azalea growers across the Southeast and Northwest.

Twenty other cities or public spaces have submitted applications for the Encore Azalea® Gulf Coast Hurricane Restoration Project: Atmore, Al; Orange Beach, Al; Pascagoula, Ms; Bogalousa, La; Franklinton, La; Ocean Springs, Ms; Long Beach, Ms; Biloxi, Ms; Dauphin Island, Al; Long Beach, Ms; the Louisiana Political And Science Museum And Hall Of Fame, Winnfield, La; the Harrison County Courthouse, Gulfport, Ms; Renaissance Public Gardens, Diamondhead, Ms; St. Tammany Parish Library, Covington, La; St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Gulfport, Ms; Covington Tammany Trace, Covington, La; Gulf Hills Rebeautification, Ocean Springs, Ms; Lsu Agricultural Center/Burden Research Center, Baton Rouge, La; and the Humane Society, Gulfport, Ms.

The only patented brand of azalea that blooms three times a year, Encore Azaleas begin blooming each spring like a traditional azalea. Once this initial blooming concludes, new shoots begin to grow and set buds. Then blooms emerge again in mid-summer and continue in many areas until first frost; a feat no other azalea can consistently achieve.

Encore Azaleas were developed and invented by plant breeder Robert E. "Buddy" Lee of Independence, La. Plant Development Services Inc. assisted with the extensive 15-year testing and selection process. Currently, PDSI manages the Encore Azalea brand and the wholesale grower group responsible for growing and distributing Encore Azaleas to local garden centers throughout the United States. Encore Azaleas are also available via the web at www.plantsbymail.com.

For more information about Encore Azalea®, visit www.EncoreAzalea.com.

Thanksgiving CoHR

The only reason I see a need to push the seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas is when people in need are involved. Last year, many organizations and people (myself included) got blind-sided by the holidays, scrambling to organize assistance.

So many of these survivors still don't have Christmas ornaments! No stockings, no money for presents for their children, nothing for Thanksgiving.

This year, many of us have been anticipating this and have begun our campaigns early. The following links are different examples of what people are doing, what some hope to have done, what some wish could be. If you are touched in anyway, please help. $10 buys a gift or 50 ornaments. $20 can buy a prelit Christmas tree. $50 buys Thanksgiving for at least a family of 4.

My Pop Art is doing its part to help

Buy a Calendar For Your Babe!

Boat People Reports On The Katrina Cash Crunch

Hurricane Katrina Relief's Efforts

TryNova's Holiday Coping For Survivors

CE's Post for Pickin' Up The Pieces

8 Days of Hope is Going for New Years

JudyB of Thanks, Katrina, posts about a volunteer memorial

NOLA Catholic Charities Event

Baton Rouge Catholic Charities

Leslie's Work for The Holidays

Carnival of Hurricane Relief Oct 18

Progress Seen From Southern Miss Alumni

Desert Bayou being shown in Iowa

Ana Marie's Reporting on Congressional Bill For Home Owners

A Book Review of Holding Out and Hanging On By Freshare

Facing South Shows The Continued Neglect of Washington Leaving Children Behind

Marine Environment News Highlights More Small Business Help

Beyond Katrina Publishes Report On Non Profits

CL&P discusses Foreclosure Rates and Katrina Connection

Brave New Films Highlights Kaiser Family Foundation Study on "Lazy Katrina Victims"

YA'LL Sponsoring Events

One Survivor's Ongoing Story....

CoHR September 20 Edition

When I first discovered this Carnival of Hurricane Relief (CoHR), I had no clue what it was. Not being of the "normal" blogger sort, I didn't know there was such a thing as a "Carnival". It's folks searching out others of similar topics and like-minded nature, sharing their finds with each other and whomever stumbles across them.
The CoHR was started the week following Katrina, and has never had a week without submissions. I am proud to say that I am going to be hosting the Carnival once a month, starting with the 75th edition.

September 20/07
This is going to be an overview of sites I've found with no specific topic. LOL - I'm not up to looking for topic specific - too depressing.

Ohio State University Showing Films by Students Of Current Damage
Program Notes For OH State Event

Jim Burton Shares on Operation NOAH

The Katrina Iraq Connection by Ismael Hossein-zadeh

Neurophilosophy Delves Into The Art of Katrina Children On Display in NOLA

U of MS Upcoming Lecture on Culture and Katrina

Merlin Law Group Updates Status on State Farm Claims

LA Purging Voter Rolls Of Evacuees From View From Left Field

Blogging Stocks Notes Reasons For Slow Recovery in NOLA

Children's Art by KMareka

Harry Shearer On The Template of NOLA Coverage

LA Times On The Elderly Left Behind

TV Tonight (Aussie Blog) Previews K-Ville (Katrinaville in NOLA)

Hurricane Bush

Hurricane George: How the White House Drowned New Orleans
by Greg Palast Aug 24 2007 - 9:35am

"By midnight on Monday, the White House knew. Monday night I was at the state Emergency Operations Center and nobody was aware that the levees had breeched. Nobody."

"FEMA knew at 11 o'clock on Monday that the levees had breeched. At 2p.m. they flew over he 17th Street Canal and took video of the breech."

Question: "So the White House wouldn't tell you the levees had breeched?"

Dr. Van Heerden: "They didn't tell anybody."

Question: "And you're at the Emergency Center.'

Dr. Van Heerden: "I mean nobody knew. The Corps of Engineers knew. FEMA knew. None of us knew."

The charge is devastating: That, on August 29, 2005, the White House withheld from the state police the information that New Orleans was about to flood. From almost any other source, I would not have believed it. But this was not just any source. The whistle-blower is Dr. Ivor van Heerden, deputy director of the Louisiana State University Hurricane Center, the chief technician advising the state on saving lives during Katrina.

WHY? Why on earth would the White House not tell the state to get the remaining folks out of there?

The answer: cost. Political and financial cost. A hurricane is an act of God - but a catastrophic failure of the levees is a act of Bush. That is, under law dating back to 1935, a breech of the federal levee system makes the damage - and the deaths - a federal responsibility. That means, as van Heeden points out, that "these people must be compensated."

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/9523

Carnival of Hurricane Relief Monthly

When I first discovered this Carnival of Hurricane Relief (CoHR), I had no clue what it was. Not being of the "normal" blogger sort, I didn't know there was such a thing as a "Carnival". It's folks searching out others of similar topics and like-minded nature, sharing their finds with each other and whomever stumbles across them.
The CoHR was started the week following Katrina, and has never had a week without submissions. I am proud to say that I am going to be hosting the Carnival once a month, starting with the 75th edition.

September 20/07
This is going to be an overview of sites I've found with no specific topic. LOL - I'm not up to looking for topic specific - too depressing.


Ohio State University Showing Films by Students Of Current Damage
Program Notes For OH State Event

Jim Burton Shares on Operation NOAH

The Katrina Iraq Connection by Ismael Hossein-zadeh

Neurophilosophy Delves Into The Art of Katrina Children On Display in NOLA

U of MS Upcoming Lecture on Culture and Katrina

Merlin Law Group Updates Status on State Farm Claims

LA Purging Voter Rolls Of Evacuees From View From Left Field

Blogging Stocks Notes Reasons For Slow Recovery in NOLA

Children's Art by KMareka

Harry Shearer On The Template of NOLA Coverage

LA Times On The Elderly Left Behind

TV Tonight (Aussie Blog) Previews K-Ville (Katrinaville in NOLA)

Operation Sea Angel

Angels From The Sea: The Soft Power of the United States

In late spring of 1991 a US Navy Amphibious Task Force (ATF) returning from the Persian Gulf war was diverted, on order of President George H.W. Bush, to the Bay of Bengal. A Bangladeshi citizen, rumor has it, on seeing the ATF approach from the sea, called them "Angels from the Sea." Thus began Operation Sea Angel, one of the largest military relief operations ever undertaken.

April 29 1991, Cyclone Marian, a storm with top sustained winds of 160 mph (Category 5), made landfall as a strong Category 4 storm (155 mph) along the coastline of Bangladesh. The resulting 20 foot high tidal wave killed over 138,000 people and left over 5 million people homeless. Marian was one of the deadliest tropical cyclones on record.

Within 24 hours of a request for support from the government of Bangladesh, Operation Sea Angel was launched, and advance teams from the III Marine Expeditionary Force arrive in country for initial liaison. Operation Sea Angel began on 10 May and involved over 7,000 US soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen. A fifteen-ship amphibious task force composed of Amphibious Group 3 and the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade was diverted to the Bay of Bengal to assist. Over the next month, 6,700 Navy and Marine Corps personnel working with U.S. Army, Air Force, and multinational forces, provided food, water, and medical care to nearly two million people. The relief efforts of U.S. troops are credited with having saved as many as 200,000 lives.

All of those lessons learned from Operation Sea Angel could have and should have been brought to bear on Katrina. Instead George W Bush fiddled while New Orleans sank and while people pleaded for their government to rescue them. The richest country in the world, under competent and less arrogant leadership, was able to come to the aid of one of the poorest countries in the world in a time of need. Yet, faced with a challenge within its own homeland, the United States government, under incompetent and arrogant leadership, failed to come to the aid of its own citizens. That is simply inexcusable.

http://www.taylormarsh.com/#

Newt Gingrich on Katrina Victims

Here's the full quote:
How can you have the mess we have in New Orleans, and not have had deep investigations of the federal government, the state government, the city government, and the failure of citizenship in the Ninth Ward, where 22,000 people were so uneducated and so unprepared, they literally couldn't get out of the way of a hurricane. (emphasis original)
To listen to the audio, click here.

There's more to say about Newt Gingrich (who looks more like a presidential candidate after today) but let me call attention to this from his grand finale address to CPAC:
He blamed the residents of New Orleans' 9th Ward for a "failure of citizenship," by being "so uneducated and so unprepared, they literally couldn't get out of the way of a hurricane."
And he called for a "deep investigation" into this "failure of citizenship."

UPDATE: Huffington Post's Harry Shearer reacts:
...the folks in the Ninth Ward weren't caught by a hurricane. They were surprised at 5:30 Monday morning (according to [LSU Hurricane Center co-founder Ivor] Van Heerden's timeline) by an eighteen-foot-high wall of water as their federally built flood protection structure catastrophically failed.
Who's the uneducated one?
For more, check out our Conservative Failure page
http://blog.ourfuture.org/newt_on_new_orleans_9th_ward_residents_a_failure_of_citizenship

A Quilt For Hurricane Survivors

Fortitude - A Quilt For Hurricane Survivors copyright 2007 leslie holly
















I had decided to make a quilt for a gentleman on my Real People Relief site because he had moved back into his house without it being finished, without there being heat or hot water, without having a bed. I found out from his daughter what size bed she was buying him, and a few things about him and set about designing a quilt for him.
I'm a 5th generation quilter and take very much after my great grandmother, loving scrap quilts. So, I made this quilt with shirts or fabric donated by about 8 different people. While working on it, I looked at the names of the blocks - for they all have names - and was astounded at how appropriate they are. WhirlWind and Flying Blocks. WOW. The names, along with his sheer stubborn nature, I chose to name the quilt Fortitude.

Left Block - WhirlWind
Right Block - Flying Squares


I have written the directions up for anyone to use - trying to focus on the beginner. Here, I am supplying enough information for experienced quilters to work with. However, since the directions are 4 pages (With graphics), I can't post all of it.

The directions include a picture of a finished quilt, pictures of the blocks, the layout, the arrangement of some of the pieces, a table for figuring out size/size of block/number of blocks and working in "rounds" (round 1, round 2, etc.).

If you would like the directions via email, there is no cost. KatrinaCoalition@aol.com
If you would like the directions hard copy, email me for the address to send a whopping $5 to. I need to cover my costs. I'll send the directions and if you know what size blocks you'll use (I have 6"-12" listed in the directions), I'll print them up for you as well. If you're a beginner, I'd suggest 9". It's a great size to learn on without being too big.
As I make more of these, I'll post their pictures. If you make one, I'd love to post the picture of that as well! It's a great design that will work up in any color scheme. I'm pretty proud of it.
"During" the making of Fortitude.

I found a great site that has a yardage calculator far more accurate than the software I was using...
http://www.hickoryhillquilts.com/fabric-calculator.htm
3/12 Just sent this off to a great lady who teaches at the Hancock County schools. Yes that's snow.
3/13 - Just heard from the "head quilter" of the group - 2 boys have joined the group of quilters and she'll be taking pictures as time goes on. Woo! I told her to tell the boys some of the most dramatic quilt designs have been by men - Giant Dahlia, Lone Star, Star of Twilight and my mom says Double Wedding Ring. Those are all 100 year old designs too!

3/9 A school in NH:
A quilt has been started here! After school yesterday, seven girls and two staff members started a weekly quilting meeting to make a quilt for your program. All these girls are beginners.
Becky A., our resident quilter, thought the "Fortitude" pieces were too difficult for beginners so she is using a simpler design. Becky said once she has these girls better trained they'll go with a Fortitude quilt.
They are hoping to have the first quilt finished early to mid April. We'll work out sending it to you or down to Mississippi then.
This is an exciting way to pick-up again with our Katrina efforts. I'm glad Miss Jeanne got us in contact.
Cheers
Rick
3/19 - Now that I know the age of the beginners, WOW - the work they are doing is incredible!
Follow their progress in Pictures:

Charitable Giving Report for MS

New charities report published
The Clarion-Ledger
Secretary of State Eric Clark today announced the publication of the ninth annual comprehensive financial report on charities operating in Mississippi, the first to contain initial financial information on charitable giving since Hurricane Katrina.
"Mississippians always rank near the top nationally for generosity," Clark said. "This report is a great tool for those who want to give wisely as well as generously. It also sends the clear signal that the Secretary of State's Office will carefully examine the financial records of every single Katrina-related charity to ensure the law is followed and all donations are accounted for."
Copies of the report are available from the Secretary of State's Office by calling 601-359-6344 or 800-256-3494. There is no charge for single copies to individuals, Clark said.
The complete report is available on the Secretary of State's website at www.sos.state.ms.us. This year a supplemental report on Katrina charities is being published separately. Clark 's office reports that 76 charities registered after the hurricane to provide relief to Katrina victims. Eighteen previously registered charities expanded their mission to include Katrina relief. In all, 55 Katrina-related charities are based in Mississippi.
Mississippi ranks No. 2 in the nation this year on the "Generosity Index" compiled by the Catalogue for Philanthropy in Boston . Arkansas ranks #1 this year. Over the past ten years, Mississippi has ranked #1 eight times. The ranking is based on the percentage of income given to church and charity in each state."
Mississippians practice Southern hospitality and take seriously the Biblical injunction to love thy neighbor as thyself," Clark said.
"The ranking proves that."