Katrina: Lest We Forget ... (Part 2)

OUR STORY:


A friend of mine hit me up on MySpace yesterday to let me know New Orleans was in evacuation mode and she may be making it to my 30th birthday party after all.

This same friend just returned to her hometown this year to teach in the Recovery School District. She’d been here ever since Katrina ran her away from New Orleans, and she finally made it back.

Even more good news, she recently got engaged to her boyfriend of some time who is a New Orleans firefighter. From their engagement pictures they look extremely happy their life is finally on the up and up.


Enter Gustav – The tropical storm (soon to be hurricane) that is barreling right for New Orleans. Everyone’s hoping it will change course like Rita did, but for the most part, until that happens, South Louisiana is on high alert yet again. Every is feeling a bit of déjà vu ... as my friend pointed out in her e-mail:

This is the exact same week 3 years ago that Katrina hit. It was right after the 2nd week of school and the weekend of the Jamborees. The Jamborees are this weekend and this is the second week of school. It just seems all too familiar. I never knew that when I went home that Friday after work, that I wouldn’t be back for three years...and now look. I’m already on edge because my fiancé' can't leave because he is a firefighter, and I am just all tensed up.

Everyone is. Especially those who’ve been through it before.


This weekend is the 3rd anniversary of Katrina’s landfall, and though the government may be better prepared this time around ... no resident, parent, or loved one is ready to go through the same devastation all over again.


Not in this lifetime.





Three years ago today, authorities were issuing mandatory evacuations for resident of New Orleans and other Gulf Coast cities.

Katrina was coming, and the damage was expected to be devastating. Maybe the government had a clue, maybe forecasters had a clue, but I don’t think anyone living in South Louisiana could have fathomed exactly how devastating it would be.


Over 1,800 people were killed (only about 250 Americans were killed in the first YEAR of the Iraq War) ... Over 1,500 of those victims in New Orleans (and surrounding parishes) alone. Hundreds of thousands of residents displaced (most of which never returned – mostly because they couldn’t).



I spent my 27th birthday (and the days after) watching my people stuck on rooftops and in the Superdome for days while the government “figured it out,” watching our “President” give praise to the head of FEMA who left them there and never even went NEAR the CBD or St. Bernard area to visit those hit, seeing waters covering places I used to drive and buildings I used to patron, and panicking because I couldn’t find any of my friends who used to live there. It was like 9-11 all over again.


We were hit – hard – and couldn’t do anything about it but WATCH.


I remember rushing to volunteer at the Hirsch but was turned away because they didn’t need anymore. I remember wanting to drive down there and pick up some people and take them to safety. I remember gathering everything I could find and taking to the LSUS shelter to help those living there. I remember it all like it was yesterday ... and I wasn’t even in the storm.

I was a New Orleans resident for one year. Spent many Thanksgiving Day weekends at the Superdome and in the French Quarter at the Bayou Classic. New Orleans was my home for a while. It was crazy to see how my people were treated, how chaotic it was, and it’s even crazier to see how – three years later – there is still so much devastation and so much left undone.


This past May, I returned to New Orleans for the first time since Katrina, to see a friend of mine graduate from UNO.

As part of the weekend, we all wanted to take a tour of the Lower 9th and other parts of the city to see the devastation, and if there was any progress.


Here’s what we saw:

Ironically, our tour brought us to Humanity Street. But there's nothing humane about people still living like this ... In AMERICA ... three years later.

Most of this neighborhood was uninhabited. For every row of homes, maybe 2 were being lived in or had been rebuilt. There were apartment complexes, neighborhoods, schools and churches -- all empty. One complex had maybe 5 residents among dozens of apartments.

In another part of the Lower 9th, there were still FEMA trailers sitting in front of destroyed homes. There were still dumpsters full of debris from gutted homes sitting there. It was like time stood still. Like it happened 3 months ago and not three YEARS ago.

It made me sick.

We also took a trip to one of the levees. I believe this was on 17th -- One of the levees that flooded the Lower 9th Ward. There were bugs everywhere but I had to get up to the top. (The view above).

This structure is all that seperates all that water from covering the city ... again. As you may have read in Part 1 ... the new design is supposed to be more sound ... but a completely sound structure is still not there because funding is tied up in red tape (and the war). Most of us do not want have to find out if these new levees can hold. Hopefully we never have to.

Fortunately, there were some bright spots to this tour. In places where projects used to be (but have since been torn down), new, vibrant government housing has been built.

When we walked around, you could tell it was the "hood" ... with people BBQ'ing and playing loud music and hanging out. We commented on not being about to "get the ghetto out of people," but it was also a sign that they were comfortable again ... they were home again
.

In other parts of the city, rebuilding still goes on ... slowly but surely. We met up with a crew that was rebuilding this home in the Lower 9th.

And other homes are making a comeback as well. Slowly.

As the Gulf braces for another storm, it should remind us that the worst is far from over. The efforts to help OUR people should continue as long as there is devastation and FEMA trailers all over the Crescent City.

It's nice to go to Essence, The Bayou Classic, and Mardi Gras ... But take a tour like I did and see where your money is REALLY needed. Adopt a family or a house ... Continue to support relief organizations and help REBUILD one of the greatest cities in the South.

SAVE NOLA --- Don't forget YOUR people.

If you haven't seen Spike Lee's WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE ... it's a long, must-see film. There's another one going around called TROUBLE THE WATER, but the last thing I want to see is some Caucasian couple's version of how a Black couple from the "hood" made it through the storm and became rappers ... Ugh. I'm so ready to get behind the camera! - m

Katrina: Lest We Forget ... (Part 1)

With the threat of another major hurricane in the Gulf Coast this weekend, its an eerie (and scary) reminder of what happened 3 years ago this week ...


South Louisiana officials and residents are busy scrambling and making preparations before Gustav is expected to hit at Category 3 strength (the same as Katrina, initially), and it's de ja vu all over again ...









Her Story:



Hurricane Katrina was the costliest and one of the five deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States.



The most severe loss of life and property damage occurred in New Orleans, Louisiana, which flooded as the levee system catastrophically failed, in many cases hours after the storm had moved inland.

Katrina formed over the Bahamas on August 23, 2005, and crossed southern Florida as a moderate Category 1 hurricane, causing some deaths and flooding there, before strengthening rapidly in the Gulf, and becoming one of the strongest hurricanes on record while at sea.



After entering the Gulf, Katrina grew from a Category 3 hurricane to a Category 5 hurricane in just nine hours.



On August 29, 2005, at 6:10 a.m., Hurricane Katrina made landfall near Buras, Louisiana with 125 mph winds, as a strong Category 3 storm. A tide gauge in Plaquemines Parish indicated a storm tide in excess of 14 feet and a 12 foot surge was recorded in Grand Isle.

Katrina brought heavy rain to Louisiana, with 8 – 10 inches falling on a wide swath of the eastern part of the state. The highest rainfall recorded in the state was about 15 inches.





As a result of the rainfall and storm surge the level of Lake Pontchartrain rose and caused significant flooding along its northeastern shore, affecting communities from Slidell to Mandeville. Several bridges were destroyed, including the I-10 Twin Span Bridge connecting Slidell to New Orleans. Almost 900,000 people in Louisiana lost power as a result of Hurricane Katrina.



The federal flood protection system in New Orleans failed in more than fifty places. Nearly every levee in metro New Orleans breached as Hurricane Katrina passed east of the city, subsequently flooding 80% of the city and many areas of neighboring parishesfor weeks.

Hard-hit St. Bernard Parish was flooded due to breaching of the levees that contained a navigation channel called the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MR-GO).





At least 1,836 people lost their lives in Hurricane Katrina and in the subsequent floods, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane. The storm is estimated to have been responsible for $81.2 billion in damage, making it the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.


The search for the missing was slow. According to an interview in the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the coroner was still trying to get a list of missing from the Red Cross in November 2005. While there were some victims on this list whose bodies were found in their homes, the vast majority were tracked down through word-of-mouth and credit card records



The catastrophic failure of the flood protection in New Orleans prompted immediate review of the Army Corps of Engineers, which has, by congressional mandate, sole responsibility for design and construction of the flood protection and levee systems.


Many of the levees have been reconstructed since 2005. In reconstructing them, precautions were taken to bring the levees up to modern building code standards and to ensure their safety. For example, in every situation possible, the Corps of Engineers replaced I-walls with T-walls. T-walls have a horizontal concrete base that protects against soil erosion underneath the floodwalls.



However, there are funding battles over the remaining levee improvements. This past February, the Bush administration requested that the state of Louisiana pay about $1.5 billion of an estimated $7.2 billion for Army Corps of Engineers levee work, a proposal which angered many Louisiana leaders.

On May 2nd of this year, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal used a speech to The National Press Club to request that President Bush free up money to complete work on Louisiana's levees. Bush promised to include the levee funding in his 2009 budget, but rejected the idea of including the funding in a war bill, which would pass sooner



In Katrina’s aftermath, there was widespread criticism of the federal, state and local governments' reaction to the storm, especially that of the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA).


FEMA provided housing assistance (rental assistance, trailers, etc.) to more than 700,000 applicants—families and individuals. However, only one-fifth of the trailers requested in Orleans Parish have been supplied, resulting in an enormous housing shortage in the city of New Orleans.



To provide for additional housing, FEMA also paid for the hotel costs of 12,000 individuals and families displaced by Katrina through February 7, 2006, when a final deadline was set for the end of hotel cost coverage. After this deadline, evacuees were still eligible to receive federal assistance, which could be used towards either apartment rent, additional hotel stays, or fixing their ruined homes, although FEMA no longer paid for hotels directly.



As of early July 2006, there were still about 100,000 people living in 37,745 FEMA-provided trailers.

An investigation by the U.S. Congress into the government’s response to the catastrophe resulted and the resignation of FEMA director Michael D. Brown. Conversely, the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service were widely commended for accurate forecasts and abundant lead time.




The global community poured in support for the Gulf Coast after the storm. Over seventy countries pledged monetary donations or other assistance.


Notably, Cuba and Venezuela (both hostile to US government themselves) were the first countries to offer assistance, pledging over $1 million, several mobile hospitals, water treatment plants, canned food, bottled water, heating oil, 1,100 doctors and 26 tons of medicine, though this aid was rejected by the U.S. government. Kuwait made the largest single pledge, $500 million; other large donations were made by Qatar ($100 million), South Korea ($30 million), Australia ($10 million), India, China (both $5 million), Pakistan ($1.5 million), and Bangladesh ($1 million).



Israel sent aid including 80 tons of food, disposable diapers, beds, blankets, generators and additional equipment which were donated from different governmental institutions, civilian institutions and the IDF. The Bush Administration announced in mid-September that it did not need Israeli divers and physicians to come to the United States for search and rescue missions, but a small team landed in New Orleans on September 10 to give assistance to operations already under way. The team administered first aid to survivors, rescued abandoned pets and discovered hurricane victims.



Countries like Sri Lanka, which was still recovering from the Indian Ocean Tsunami, also offered to help. Countries including Canada, Mexico, Singapore, and Germany sent supplies, relief personnel, troops, ships and water pumps to aid in the disaster recovery. Belgium sent in a team of relief personnel. Britain's donation of 350,000 emergency meals did not reach victims because of laws regarding mad cow disease. Russia's initial offer of two jets was declined by the U.S. State Department but accepted later. The French offer was also declined and requested later.





Despite receiving aid from around the world, there was also a heavy dose of criticism from around the world, including accusations of racism that were revealed at the international level across global press.


Quotations from the UK Mirror such as "Many things about the United States are wonderful, but it has a vile underbelly which is usually kept well out of sight. Now in New Orleans it has been exposed to the world." were common.


Because of the large loss of life and property along the Gulf Coast, the name Katrina was officially retired on April 6, 2006 by the World Meteorological Organization at the request of the U.S. government.


It was replaced by Katia on List III of the Atlantic hurricane naming lists, which will next be used in the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season



(See Storm photos from WWL-TV HERE)






Source

(click the link for ALL information pertaining to Hurricane Katrina, including links to numerous articles and photo galleries)

CONCERT WATCH: From Fantasia to Janet ... Fall 2008 Concerts/Shows

It's that time again! Time to give you the lowdown on concerts/shows coming to or NEAR the SBC (including Dallas, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Houston).








Speaking of which .... Guess what's coming to H-Town?


As you can see the House of Blues is finally opening up in HOUSTON, on October 18th. Click the pic for news on the grand opening (and upcoming shows). Hmmm I wonder if they're hiring? lol.




Anyway, on to the business at hand ... Here are the major concerts and shows coming to the SBC and beyond this Fall:

Common

Tuesday, September 9th @ 8:00 PM – Verizon Wireless Theater, Houston TX

Buy Tickets HERE




Three 6 Mafia

Saturday, September 13th @ 8:00 PM – House of Blues, Dallas

Buy Tickets Here




B.B. King

Thursday, September 18th @ 7:30 PM - CenturyTel Center, Bossier City

Buy Tickets Here




Pioneers of Hip-Hop: featuring Whodini, Slick Rick, MC Lyte and Doug E. Fresh

Friday, September 19th @ 8:00 PM – Arena Theatre, Houston

Cameras Allowed. No camcorders or video equipment allowed. Non-smoking Venue. Parking included in ticket price for this event.

Buy Tickets Here




Best of Both Worlds: Fantasia & Rickey Smiley

Saturday, September 20th @ 8 pm – CenturyTel Center

Buy Tickets HERE




Marvin Sapp plus Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC's , Doc McKenzie & The Hi-Lites , George Dean & The Gospel Four , Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson , Darrell McFadden & The Disciples and Teddy Cross & The New Gospel Keynotes

Saturday, September 20th @ 4:00 PM - Longview High School

Buy Tickets Here

End of Summer Jam 2008 Feat. V.I.C., Raheem Devaughn, Boosie & Webbie

Sunday, September 21st @ 1:00 PM – Baton Rouge River Center Arena

Buy Tickets HERE

Nelly

Monday, September 22nd @ 7:00 PM – House of Blues Dallas

Buy Tickets Here

Temptations

Friday, September 26th @ 8:00 PM – Nokia Theatre, Grand Prairie TX

Buy Tickets


Saturday, October 25th @ 8 PM – DiamondJacks Legends Theatre, Bossier City

Get Ticket Info HERE




TBAAL Presents: Poets N' Jazz #1 with Malcolm Jamal Warner

Saturday, September 27th @ 8:00 PM – Bruton Theatre, Dallas

Buy Tickets Here




Kem

Friday, October 3rd @ 7:30 PM – The Palladium Ballroom, Dallas

Buy Tickets Here




Mike Epps

Saturday, October 4th @ 8:00 PM – Beaumont Civic Center

Buy Tickets Here




Ledisi

Saturday, October 4th @ 8:00 PM – House of Blues, New Orleans

Buy Tickets Here




Rickey Smiley

Thursday, October 9th @ 8:00 PM – W.L. Jack Howard Theatre, Monroe LA

Buy Tickets Here




3rd Annual Delta Fest 2008 Feat: Frankie Beverly & Maze

Saturday, Oct 11th @ 10:00 AM – Chennault Park, Monroe LA

Buy Tickets Here




America's Best Dance Crew

Wednesday, Oct 22nd @ 7:30 PM – Nokia Theatre, Grand Prairie TX

Buy Tickets Here




Janet Jackson

Wednesday, Oct 22nd @ 7:30 PM – American Airlines Center, Dallas

Buy Tickets Here

It's Party Time!!!

This Saturday, your girl mahogani will be doing it BIG for the big 3-0.

Just a reminder to those who missed it, I'm having a party (much bigger than the one in the pic above lol).

Join me this Saturday night at ADAM's Lounge in Bossier City (attached to the Holiday Inn).

The doors open at 9 pm and with three other parties going on (shouts out to C. E. Byrd's C/O '98 and my fellow Virgo, Mr. James Bradford, Jr.) ... the building won't be big enough!

DJ Marle-Mar will be on the 1s and 2s ... and I have cupcakes from Cush's Grocery (if you don't know, you better get there early to find out).

It will be a GRAND affair and I'm soooo excited ... and of course there will be party pics to follow (along with a review of how the whole affair was handled by ye old Lounge).

So come out! and stay tuned!

OH, there are other parties this Labor Day weekend, but just know, you're not getting in ANY club in the SBC for $7 (besides Adam's) ... so choose carefully ... and prices usually go up after midnight so bring some bank with you ... lol

Party hard, and party safe ...

-m

Event Alerts: Fashion & Fantasia, Comedy and Camradarie

Designer, Tiffany Shemise Walker will be celebrating the grand opening of her showroom and studio this Saturday, August 23rd at 7:00 PM.

The studio is located at 1545 Line Avenue Ste 209 (corner of Line and Jordan).


T'Shemise is inviting everyone to celebrate this event as they showcase the first design house and fashion group in the SBC.


Walker is the fashion design instructor for Caddo Parish Schools at the Caddo Career Center. In addition she founded a mentoring program for young girls - emphasizing the importance of education, image and self esteem,


Find out more about Tiffany Walker and T'Shemise at www.t-shemise.com




FLASHING FORWARD to SEPTEMBER EVENTS:

VIP Ent. is back on the scene with another event celebrating heroes.

Earlier this year they hosted a send-off for local members of the military. And next month they will be honoring ALL those who serve and protect us every day -- Military, Firefighters and Police Personnel ... with an event called UNITED WE STAND.


The event will be held Thursday, September 11th at GiGi's Martini Room.

The event will include performances from The United States Air Forces Honour Guard, Total Choice (live jazz band) and a house DJ.

Sponsorships for the event are available. Packages are as follows:


$100 donation-Advertising on all flyers (5,000)

$200 donation-Advertising on all flyers, radio, and is permitted to set up a booth at the event.

$50 donation- Advertising on a big screen during the event.

For more information on the event or to become a sponsor, e-mail them at vipgb_2006@yahoo.com

Guess what -- the CenturyTel is finally going to have some Black folks there! (Did I type that?) LOL.

American Idol Fantasia and Comedian/Actor/Radio Host Rickey Smiley will be hitting the CT stage on Saturday, September 20th.

Tickets are now on sale at the CenturyTel Box Office, House of Style, Lakeshore All Around Sound, Lil J's Music, and Vernon's Barber Shop (in Bossier City). You can also Buy Tickets Online HERE.

Cheapest tickets are only $20! So get them while you can!!! I asked the head promoter why Fanny and not J-Hud, but I never got an answer lol ...

Ah well, Fanny we love you and we'll see you and Rickey at the C-Tel!!!

And speaking of comics coming to town ... Guess who's coming to the Funny Bone?

Jimmie "J.J." Walker (Good Times) and Michael Winslow (Police Academy) will be in town next month ...

Check out the flyer bin (at the bottom of my blog) for details and go to http://www.funnyboneusa.com/ for ticket information.

Y'all have a good week/weekend and be safe! - m

Movie News: CBS Movie Casting Call + The Longshots In Theaters Friday!

GLORIOSO CASTING IS SEEKING EXTRAS for the CBS/Hallmark movie of the week, "Front of the Class."


They are currently SEEKING:


BOYS & GIRLS: 7yrs - 8yrs old to play 2nd graders. ALL ETHNICITIES

BOYS & GIRLS: 11yrs - 13 yrs old to play Junior High School Students. ALL ETHNICITIES

ADULT EXTRAS: If you are not registered on the database DO IT!! They will need many different types to include:

BANQUET GUESTS
BRAVES FANS
CONSTRUCTION WORKERS (W/TRUCKS)
TEACHERS
TOURETTES SYNDROME SUPPORT GROUP
SPORTS BAR TYPES
BEAUTICIANS
KIDS BASEBALL TEAMS (Junior High)
BARTENDERS
WAITRESSES
BARISTAS


Note: These are EXTRA Roles all should be local SHREVEPORT or SURROUNDING AREAS or WILLING TO (Work Local)

Please register by CLICKING HERE !

Please fill out the registration completely and attach a VERY RECENT PICTURE!!

Go to http://www.gloriosocasting.com/ for more information!

AND SPEAKING OF MOVIES MADE IN THE SBC ... DON'T FORGET ABOUT :

The Longshots (formerly known as The Comeback), stars Ice Cube, KeKe Palmer and Tasha Smith is out in theaters THIS FRIDAY, August 22nd.



Here's the storyline ... Courtesy of MovieFone:


Based on a true story, a poor Illinois town comes together behind the local Pop Warner football team and their unlikely quarterback, Jasmine Plummer, the first female in Pop Warner football history.


Under the tutelage of her uncle Curtis, a former high school football star, Jasmine leads her team, the Harvey Colts, to the Pop Warner Super Bowl and inspires the town of Wallace to reclaim some of its former glory.

Jill Marie Jones (pictured above, on the left), who most know as "Toni Childs" on the CW's now-cancelled series Girlfriends, is also in the film.

Other noteable cast members include: Glenn Plummer, Garrett Morris, and comedian Earthquake.

The movie was shot mostly in Minden, but also in Shreveport. It's rated PG.

Here's a little known fact about the film ... KeKe trained for 7 weeks with a professional quarterback so she could REALLY play the game and throw like a QB.


KeKe celebrates her 15th birthday on the 26th of this month (she's a Virgo! I knew I liked her for a reason! lol). Looks like one of her birthday's presents will be a hit movie!








Ice Cube is also a producer for the film under his Cube Vision production company, but the director credit goes to (former?) Limp Bizkit front man Fred Durst (I know, huh???), but it seems like it will be a great film anyway lol.

SO CHECK IT OUT!!!!

School's Back In Session ... Yaaaay?

Ok so I'm not a parent but I'm hella happy that school is back in session.

Not only because I won't have to hear kids at the pool and out in the parking lot of my complex at all times of the night, but because it makes life a photography studio much easier lol. (PLUS, I'm eager to substitute again).

I'm sure parents all over the SBC are breathing a silent sigh of relief this week.

Teachers -- maybe not so much lol.

The Times did an article on what teachers face in the classroom on a daily basis.

I thought I had it bad as a sub, but I guess I only have to deal with them one day (sometimes only for one hour) and teachers have them for nine months.

Check the story out HERE ... and parents, please work with the teachers! They're with your child (x30) every single day!

I think if every parent had to sub for a day they'd greatly appreciate the teachers of the world.


Anyway ... Both Caddo and Bossier Parishes started school this week. I think most of East Texas (as well as local colleges) start next week.


One of the biggest changes this year is the new High School Redesign plan for the state of Louisiana. (Check out the details HERE).

When I was in high school we were required to complete 17 credits for graduation plus pass senior English and the GEE (Graduate Exit Exam).

Starting this year, all high school students have to complete 24 credit hours and test out of each class at the end of the year.


Some say it will hold kids back and drive them to dropping out, others say it will prepare them better for college. Honestly I agree with both.

I personally think every student should have four years of English plus a Creating Writing course. I had too many people in my freshman (college) English class who couldn't read aloud with stumbling, much less contruct a proper paragraph for the many essays we had to write.


One drawback for students (besides more classes) is that if you don't pass your test at the end of the course, you have to repeat it (sort of like college! lol).

The state is giving those who fail, or doing want to go to college, the option of going to vocational school. I think that option will drive a lot of people away from college when they should stick it out and complete high school.


There are pros and cons for days with this new program that could go on for days.

I had to complete four years of English, Math and Science anyway because I went to Byrd and was in the Math/Science program. But, unlike future students, I had six hours of school. Some schools (including my alma mater) may have to convert to block scheduling like Southwood High School just to meet the new requirements.

Changes like these may prepare students for college, but what the state may not be oonsidering is the COST of college.

Even if students pass the tests, who's to say they can AFFORD college by the time they graduate. While students have to spend more time on more classes they may have to give up extra-curricular activities, part-time jobs and social activities just to stay afloat. While it MAY make them better students, it may hold them back in other ways.

I took 17 credits and have a Bachelor's degree and a lot of my classmates have higher degrees.

You can't punish the kids for the state's failure to pay teachers, improve schools and provide a better education. Most of the teachers educated in Louisiana, move to Texas ... and not because of the curriculum ... because of the schools' environments and low pay.

Fix the system ... not the kids ...



(This has been a mahogani commentary ... lol)



WELCOME BACK STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND FACULTY ... HAVE A GREAT YEAR!

Are U Ready 4 Some Football?

Yeah it's that time again ... and I must say ... I'm kind of excited! :)

Yes, I like football. Never though those words would come out of my mouth, but after watching The Replacements one year, I finally realized the game was more than running up and down a piece of grass with a leather ball.

Plus, they have some REALLY sexy brothaz in the NFL :) (ok that was more for the ladies ... and psuedo-ladies, but I had to make a point) .... There's a reason for EVERYONE to watch.


Pre-season has begun (though most of us are paying more attention to the Olympics). I don't have a favorite team in the NFL yet, but I'll try to pay better attention this year.


By the way ... Shout out to Arnaz Battle ... lol ... Do you know he has his own website? Check out http://www.arnazbattle.com/.


Click HERE for the schedule for the ENTIRE regular season. Saints fans click HERE ... Cowboys fans ... Click HERE.



MOVING ON ...


This blog was not about the NFL ... it was to inform college football fans like me of the schedules for Louisiana's favorite teams ...

The GSU Tigers, SU Jaguars and my personal favorite, the LSU Fighting Tigers :) ....


Get your stadium seats, coolers and portable BBQ pits ready! It's GAME TIME!!!

8-30-08 @ Nevada - Reno, Nev. - 6:00PM

9-06-08 vs Alcorn State - Grambling - 6:00PM

9-13-08 @ Northwestern State - Nachitoches, La. - 6:00PM

9-20-08 vs Jackson State - Grambling - 6:00PM

9-27-08 vs Langston - Grambling - 3:00PM

10-04-08 vs Prairie View A&M - Dallas, Texas - 6:00PM

10-11-08 @ Alabama A&M - Huntsville, Ala. - 3:00PM

10-18-08 vs Alabama State - Grambling - 2:00PM

11-01-08 @ Mississippi Valley - Itta Bena, Miss. - 1:00PM

11-08-08 vs Arkansas-PB - Little Rock, Ark. - 4:00PM

11-20-08 @ Texas Southern - San Antonio, Texas - 8:00PM

11-29-08 vs Southern (Bayou Classic) - New Orleans, La. - 1:00PM

For more on GSU's season, roster, and tickets .. Go to http://www.gsutigers.com/

08/30/08 at Houston - Houston, TX (Robertson Stadium) - 6:00 p.m.

09/06/08 at Tennessee State - Nashville, TN (LP Field) - 6:00 p.m.

09/13/08 vs. Mississippi Valley State - Baton Rouge, La. - 6:00 p.m.

09/27/08 at Alcorn State - Alcorn State, MS (Jack Spinks Stadium) - 1:00 p.m.

10/04/08 at Jackson State - Jackson, MS (MS Veterans Memorial Stadium) - 6:00 p.m.

10/11/08 vs. Texas Southern (Homecoming) - Baton Rouge, La. - 5:30 p.m.

10/18/08 vs. Florida A&M - Baton Rouge, La. - 6:00 p.m.

10/25/08 at Prairie View A&M - Houston, TX (Reliant Stadium) - 6:00 p.m.

11/01/08 vs. Arkansas Pine Bluff - Baton Rouge, La. - 5:00 p.m.

11/15/08 vs. Alabama State - Mobile, AL (Ladd-Peebles Stadium) - 6:00 p.m.

11/29/08 vs. Grambling St. - New Orleans, La. (LA Superdome) - 1:00 p.m.

Get more info on SU's roster, season and tickets at www.subr.edu

As for LSU ... Most of the National Championship team's games are already sold out.

But you can TRY to get more information on waiting lists at www.lsusports.net.


Tailgaters usually go down there and find tickets (not cheap ones, but at least you'll be in Tiger Stadium on game day). I'm not encouraging scalping ... I'm just sayin' ... lol ...

Here's the schedule (* denotes SEC games):

Sat, Aug 30 vs. Appalachian St. - Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium) - 4:00 p.m. (ESPN)


Sat, Sep 06 vs. Troy - Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium) - 7:00 p.m.

Sat, Sep 13 vs. North Texas - Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium) - 7:00 p.m.

Sat, Sep 20 at Auburn * - Auburn, Ala. (Jordan-Hare Stadium) - TBA

Sat, Sep 27 vs Mississippi St. (Homecoming) * - Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium) - TBA

Sat, Oct 11 at Florida * - Gainesville, Fla. (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium) - TBA

Sat, Oct 18 at South Carolina * - Columbia, S.C. (Williams-Brice Stadium) - TBA

Sat, Oct 25 vs Georgia * - Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium) - TBA

Sat, Nov 01 vs Tulane - Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium) - 7:00 p.m.


Sat, Nov 08 vs Alabama * - Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium) - TBA

Sat, Nov 22 vs Ole Miss * - Baton Rouge, La. (Tiger Stadium) - TBA

Fri, Nov 28 vs Arkansas * - at Little Rock, Ark. (War Memorial Stadium) - 1:30 p.m. (CBS)

Last, but not least .... for all the high school football fans ... search for your favorite team's schedule by going HERE.

The local high school Jamboree is on Friday, August 29th, which is the kickoff for high school football season.

Happy tailgating!!! - m

A Tragic Loss ... Bernie Mac & Issac Hayes + Lil' Wayne's Daughter Is Alive & Well

The entertainment world suffered two major losses this past weekend ...

On Saturday, August 9th, King of Comedy/actor Bernie Mac succumbed to complications associated with pnemonia.

The funnyman had been admitted to the hospital eight days prior to his death. Ironically the day after he was admitted, he was rumored to have passed. A week later, the rumor became a tragic reality.

Bernie Mac (real name Bernard McCullough) was 50 years old. He leaves behind his wife of 31 years, Rhonda: a daughter Je'Niece, 30, who is a graduate of Xavier University in New Orleans. He also leaves behind one granddaughter, Jasmine.

Bernie Mac did suffer from a lung disease, sarcoidosis, but doctors say it was unrelated to his death. His disease was said to have been in remission for years. No funeral arrangements have been mentioned as of yet, but a public memorial will be held this weekend in his hometown, Chicago.

Read more about Bernie's last days in an interview with his sister-in-law HERE ...

Just one day after the loss of Bernie Mac, another long-time entertainer was taken from us ... Soul legend Isaac Hayes.

The Oscar-winning singer was found unresponsive in his home east of Memphis. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital ... just 10 days shy of his birthday.

Hayes died at the age of 65. The cause of death is unknown at the date of this post.

Hayes leaves behind his (4th) wife, 12 children, 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Read about his long life and legacy HERE and HERE. And fans can leave a memorial message HERE.

In another shot of irony, both lost legends (Mac and Hayes) were right here in the SBC earlier this year shooting the upcoming release Soul Men (directed by Malcolm D. Lee).

Mac stars with Samuel L. Jackson as two former soul singers who reunite after 20 years apart. Hayes playes himself.

Click HERE for an interview with Lee about working with the two entertainers.

Soul Men will be released on November 14th.

In another tragic rumor mill, text messages and e-mails circulated this past weekend claiming Lil' Wayne's 8-year-old daughter Reginae (pictured with him above) had been killed in a car accident. This is FALSE.

Lots of my friends turn to me to confirm these types of things because as a journalist I rarely believe what I hear unless it's confirmed by two or three different sources.

Many celebrity gossip blogs had to recall this story because they didn't bother to check it out.

As of this post, no major media outlets have confirmed this story.

In fact, on one site a person claiming to be one of Reginae's relatives adamantly denied this rumor and was enraged that someone would start that rumor concerning a small child. (CLICK HERE to read the article).

I'm glad to hear this isn't true ...

I think many were quick to believe it after Wayne's former labelmate Juvenile lost his daughter when she was murdered this past February. But thankfully, this tragic story is completely false.

Condolences to all the family of those lost ... RIP Bernie and Isaac.