HGTV's Design Star

Last night was the finale of HGTV's Design Star. The two finalists Jennifer and Matt were sent to New Orleans to design rooms for 2 families whose homes were destroyed by Katrina. Viewers get to vote on the winning design. I liked them both but am leaning towards Matt.

The best part of the show came at the end when the St. Augustine marching band, The Purple Knights, marched up the street playing When the Saints Go Marching In. The St. Augustine band is the best High School marching band in New Orleans and probably the best in the United States. Seeing them march was always the best part of any Mardi Gras Parade and I'm glad they're still around.

March Madness in New Orleans

St. Patrick's day is a pretty big deal in New Orleans with parades and festivities comparable to Mardi Gras. It's also close to St. Joseph's Day and sometimes the festivities are combined.

One of the largest and oldest organizations, The Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Club held their annual parade on Saturday. It began with a pre-parade mass and then a parade up Magazine Street. Riders on the floats throw cabbages to the people along the parade route. There was also a parade in the French Quarter on Friday and today more parades in Metarie and downtown.

Earlier in the month there were also several Italian parades in honor of St. Joseph's day and one Irish-Italian-Islenos Community Parade in Chalmette. There are also elaborate St. Joseph's Day altars set up in churches and in private homes.

A lesser know tradition is Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday held on the Sunday nearest St. Joseph's Day. This is the most important time for the Mardi Gras Indians aside from Mardi Gras day. The various Indian tribes dress in their elaborate costumes and parade in various locations around the city and meet up with other tribes where mock battles are sometimes staged.

These are not my pictures. I wish they were. I haven't been back to New Orleans since sometime in the 90's. I'm glad to see that Katrina didn't destroy all the traditions that make New Orleans such a unique and wonderful place to live or visit.

Brad Pitt makes it right in New Orleans

Brad Pitt has pledged 5 million dollars to help rebuild New Orleans Lower Ninth Ward. He has commissioned architects to come up with designs that incorporate environmentally friendly building materials and techniques including solar energy. His organization is http://www.makeitrightnola.org/

Here is one of the proposed designs. You can see more on the web site listed above.