Returning to the scene of the crime: Mary, Patti and a parade of Presidents

Dang. I had every intention of writing every day while we were here but there just aren’t enough hours in the day when you’re in New Orleans.

We didn’t catch any of the Presidents’ speeches. We didn’t go by the Convention Center and relive our time there. We didn’t get angry. We rarely got sad. We basically decided to just talk to people and hear what they had to say.

Rather than try to write about all the wonderful folks we’ve met - folks who’ve shared their stories, shared tears and laughs, danced with us and gave us hugs – I’m just going to pass on their wild words of wisdom. I can't even remember them all, and these are just a small sampling, but these snippets capture a small slice of NOLA life:

“I’ve paid my ticket now I’m livin’ my life,” nice older man at Oakland airport struggling to put his shoes back on.

Rory (wearing a NASA t-shirt), bar back at 13 on Frenchman St. Rory came to New Orleans from Boston three months ago after attending his sister’s graduation from Tulane and just stayed: “People are stupid….and then, there’s space!” “BillCosbywhy?” One word.

The friendly fellow at Hunter’s Park who lost his four dogs in the flood,
“Get me a Budweiser.”

Mr. St. Claire, Vietnam vet, "I'm trawlin' for a bite." His zipper was down.

Beaming father at anniversary gathering in Congo Square telling the crowd that he is always proud of his daughter (the star of her high school basketball team) but he was particularly proud earlier in the day when she politely refused to have her picture taken with George W. Bush. Right on, little lady!!

“We made it out of the water,” Mardi Gras Indian at Tipitina's.

Jonathan, our vampire tour guide, “I have thousands of years of experience to share with you.”

Car full of rowdy frat boys driving down Royal St., “Y’all are lesbians!”

“Mary, what IS it?” said I when the hugest bug I’ve ever heard landed in my hair in the bayou at Jean Lafitte National Park.

“It’s hard work, but it’s honest work,” young man tap dancing on Decatur St.

Joseph at Checkpoint Charlies, "Y'all wanna meet my friends?'

Elderly gent (80+) on Bourbon St., “The night I peed my pants was the best night of my life!”

“Let’s have dinner next time you’re in town,” said Jenna who gave us her mini gold glittered cowboy hat. Jenna was a law student in New Orleans in 2005 and rode out Katrina at Charity hospital comforting the sick and elderly. Jenna now practices – maritime law!!! Crazy!

And to the sweet server at Café du Monde who rushed and got us our iced coffees ahead of several other people when Mary looked like she might pass out and to the wonderful server at Irene’s Cuisine who graciously showed us around the place even though they were about to close. ALL these folks are the true spirit of this town and what keeps me coming back for more.

To my wonderful husband, Mark, who understands. To Kate Kate Millosovich Ruggierowho wasn't able to join us…and last, but no way least, to Mary Millosovich…cuz we always make it out of the water!

Until next time...

Returning to the scene of the crime: Mary, Patti and a parade of Presidents in New Orleans

Broken Jesus

Some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet are folks from Louisiana and some of the nicest, most memorable you’ll meet are from New Orleans.  Quick with a hello, how y’all doin’? and a sassy story with a healthy dose of poetic license and twist of sardonic wit.  Always willing to lend a hand and a smile.

Somehow, this seems even truer now then ever.  After all they’ve been through and over the course of this illustrious city’s wild and tumultuous history, folks here just seem to understand more so than most – we are all in this together.

I met a lovely young woman today, Trudy - a raven-haired beauty with an accent and manner of cadence I could listen to all damn day.  Born and raised in Jean Lafitte, Louisiana, literally, “straight outta the bayou.”  Trudy is Cajun and Spanish with a little Chocktaw Indian thrown in for spice.  For generations the men her family have all been shrimpers and fishermen.  To people in the bayou who make their living off the land, hurricanes are just part of natural life.  Hurricanes “make sense” to folks like Trudy (who’s never had to pay for a single fish, shrimp or crab in her life – imagine!)

Trudy went on to tell me that her family had never really known hardship and fear until the BP oil spill.  That is a disaster they are still coping with today.  As you hopefully recall, over 200 million gallons of oil was leaked into the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.  It went on for 87 gut-wrenching days, making it the biggest oil spill in U.S. history.   The spill forced Trudy’s uncle to retire early and broke her father’s heart and spirit. 

“They (BP) threw a lot of money at that problem hoping people of the Gulf would move on and forget, “ Trudy said, “but the damage was done.”  She went on to give me a very detailed and somewhat complicated explanation of the damage done to the regional ecosystem that I am, unfortunately, too dense to relay back with any kind of accuracy.

When we started to talk about Katrina and the 10-year anniversary, Trudy got quiet. Since we’ve been here, whenever Mary and I tell locals our little piece of the Katrina story a look of horror and total understanding passes over them. 

“I’m so sorry that happened to you,” said Trudy, almost in tears, and I knew she meant it.

It is of great comfort to me to talk about our Katrina story without having to explain it.  I believe that’s part of the reason why I’m here.  Another reason:  some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet are folks from Louisiana and some of the nicest, most memorable you’ll meet are from New Orleans.

Water Woes

By Patti Cary
Originally published on The Alamedan - May 19, 2015

With all the news about water shortages and climate change, it’s hard not to think maybe Chicken Little was right.  Bees disappearing, millions of trees lost, metallic tasting water – all pieces of a troubling, interconnected puzzle.

Hopefully, most of us understand with four straight years of water shortages in California come brown lawns, dirty cars and shorter showers.   Still, it’s unthinkable for most of us to imagine a day when we turn on the tap and nothing comes out.

Some of us are already taking extra steps to capture grey water, replant gardens with more sustainable landscaping and take good care to fix any leaky faucets and plumbing.  We drive electric cars and we compost – because it’s not just for hippies anymore!

Some of us briefly consider the role we play in water and resource conservation, but then figure the crisis will eventually pass or we hold out hope someone else somewhere will surely come up with a solution soon and so we go back to our business as usual.

Some suspect all this drought and climate change business is mostly hype or some kind of scam.  We dismiss it as political posturing or simply tune out when we hear yet another news story about earthquakes and fracking or California water woes. 

Before we get too cozy and settle down with whatever our perspective might be, consider this:

A comprehensive soil moisture study released in February by NASA, along with Columbia and Cornell Universities, conclude that, on our current course, there is a 60 - 80% chance the American South-West is headed for a mega drought before the end of the century.  Naturally occurring droughts last about ten years (1930s Dust Bowl) but a mega drought could last for several decades, presenting “a substantial challenge to adaptation.” 

You might want to read that last part again.

It has to be said: our natural resources are in serious distress.  It’s time to change the very culture of how we interact with all our natural resources, not just water. This is not breaking news to most, but it bears repeating again and again (and again!) until it is a consideration in everything we buy, sell, consume and waste.

So, can we do?  Unlike the story of Chicken Little, all is not lost.

Be informed and take action.  EBMUD has dozens of resources on their website along with a Rebate Incentive Program to get us started and to help make a difference.  Talk to friends and neighbors about what’s working for them and attend free local meetings by groups like Alameda Backyard Growers or Greywater Action. 

Teach our children well.  Adults can lead by example to make sure the future stewards of our families and homes understand the delicate balance and importance of our natural resources.  Encourage youngsters to love and appreciate our natural surroundings. Thanks to some very conscientious and dedicated science teachers,

we can all learn from sixth graders over at Lincoln Middle School who are getting hands-on lessons on ecosystem restoration and at Alameda Academy where they’re exploring future energy alternatives.   Bravo!

Start simple and don’t give up.  Work past apathy, the naysayers and the politicianswho play the blame game.  We can all do better and fix our home if we all work together by taking personal responsibility.  Let’s keep Chicken Little at bay and keep our eyes on the prize – a safe and sustainable future.

The West End Library will be hosting a free talk on how to create a water-wise home presented by Laura Allen, co-founder of Greywater Action, on Tuesday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m., 788 Santa Clara Avenue.

The Art Around Us

By Patti Cary

Spring has sprung on the island and what a great time to get out and ride a bike or take a leisurely stroll down our lovely tree-lined streets and picturesque avenues.  It’s no secret Alameda offers an incredible variety of architecture and beachfront vistas to enjoy but next time you’re out and about, slow down a bit and take a closer look at the amazing art that is all around us.

From the west end of Central Avenue to the tip of the east side, Alameda has many breathtaking sculptures, interesting collections and dazzling murals “hidden” in plain sight.  These works of art add magic to our unique and wonderful landscape and are available for all to see – if you know where to look.

Start at the west end of Central Avenue at the top of the path that runs parallel to Crown Drive.

If you are lucky and the lighting is just right, you can spy a gorgeous display of 56 Chinese ghost puppets mysteriously peering out from a stretch of windows behind the trees. The unique and colorful collection of painstakingly handcrafted marionettes dates back to the 1940s-era of communist ruler Chairman Mao Zedong. Street artists, considered political subversives, were forced to perform their shows in secret and needed to shut down in a hurry and without a trace in order to avoid arrest, or worse. Hence the term, ghost puppets.

After spending over sixty years in a dark, dusty basement somewhere in China, the puppets were liberated from a Beijing flea market in 2008 and found a new home in Alameda.  Very cool.

Continuing back down Central Avenue at Weber Street, you can see one of the many eye-catching house murals commissioned by real estate entrepreneur and art enthusiast, Farhad Matin. The recently renovated corner building definitely adds a playful yet tasteful flair to the neighborhood. The bright splash of multi-layered hearts is signature work of Los Angeles street artist, Free Humanity.

On St. Charles Street at Lincoln Avenue enjoy work by San Francisco muralist, Victor Reyes, the artist also behind the bold, swirling black and white “building wrap” at Matin’s 2029 Central property. Reyes work can also be seen all over the Mission District of San Francisco and has been appropriately described as, “electric in color and obsessive in detail.”

All over the island, Matin has taken his “disruptive innovation” approach to restyling and revamping his several properties because, as he states, “At the end of the day, who strives to be ordinary?”

Over at the 1000 block of Grand Street, you almost can’t miss the stunning work of San Francisco artist Fletcher Benton, renowned for his large-scale geometric sculptures in steel.  The impressive 9-foot modern piece is from Fletcher’s One-Legged Table series and has been a defining characteristic of the 1895 Queen Anne Colonial Revival home for many years.

Current homeowners and caretakers of the sculpture, Erin and Colin Smith, sum up the philosophy of their home in three words: kids/books/art. The couple feel honored to have such a bold, striking work gracing the front yard of their beautiful home.

Across town, we can thank Deborah Finney and Joe Conley for the wonderful collection of sculptures at the very east end of Central Avenue.  Over the years, these generous patrons have nurtured their garden to showcase work from talented local artists including Oakland ‘s Gale Wagner, one of the founders of the Pacific Rim Sculpture Group, and Richard Botto, known for his work, which can also be spotted at the Chandon winery in Yountville, with river rocks.

Take the short walkway and marvel at the several impressive sculptures that line the path that include whimsical stone daisies by Botto and a majestic seahorse of amazing detail by Wagner.

At the end of the walkway at the water’s edge, Finney and Conley, along with some of their thoughtful neighbors, have lovingly created and maintain a peaceful space to pause and reflect and marvel at the natural beauty this area has to offer.

All these fun and fabulous works are just a sampling of the array of accessible art to be found all around the 10.6 square mile island we call home. Alameda is extremely fortunate to have such a talented community of artists and passionate art lovers willing to share their works and who make such important contributions to the culture of our little island on the Bay.

 Originally posted on The Alamedan - April 10, 2015