The Minister Of Health and Welfare and the Mayor caught a flight out of SFO on 28th to be in NOLA for a conference w/ Souther mayors to discuss disaster preparedness issues. Of course, C. Ray Nagin, sitting mayor of NOLA, was not available due to current work loads. By the way, Sunday's NY Times published a front page(magazine) article on NOLA, focusing on the activities @ Memorial Hospital during the post Katrina handling of patients,trapped in the facility by events. The article was written by Sherri Fink, an MD, who did 2 years of research and interviewed most of the staff on site during the evacuation period. She also interviewed the families of survivors and relatives of deceased patients. The story is grim and offers many lessons for all communities; those with and w/o hospitals.
I had a personal interview w/ a local MD who is currently a staff physician @ a large hospital in NOLA. Her candid remarks revealed professional commitments that are most commendable. With young, dedicated staff like this, conditions are sure to improve in the community. Tulane Univ. is dedicated to ensure NOLA will come back, and continue to grow as viable place to live in Louisiana.
I also interviewed medical students, grad students in Public Health and was deeply impressed with their vision for NOLA's future. I was very encouraged by what I heard from each of them. Several of these young students had relocated after the hurricane, but decided to return to help. I'm not easily impressed, but, they did cause me to reconsider the future of NOLA!
Despite the heavy schedule of meetings, the mayor and his entourage found many restaurants able to provide excellent examples of NOLA cuisine. Of course, a dinner @ Mr. B's is a must. The mayor enjoyed a homemade ravioli stuffed with crabmeat. The atmosphere was relaxed and cordial, and the staff very attentive. One guest at our table had left her infant in the care of her spouse, but was able to enjoy her temporary freedom of 2 hours!!!!
On another occasion, the mayor escorted his staff to the Commander's Palace for the Jazz Brunch. This early afternoon meal was memorable from start to finish. One guest at the table provided the mayor with details of the charter schools flourishing in NOLA. As we have found in El Do Cty, there's a place for charter schools. With more effort, we can overcome the opposition of the teachers union and improve the product, ie. better students coming through the system! The jazz musician's, playing favorites, added a nice NOLA touch to a fine meal. The mayor enjoyed a veal loin w/ eggs and blanched spinach with a light wine sauce. I may bring this recipe back to my friends in Tahoma town.
As a guest of the International House Hotel, we had to try the Rambla Restaurant. With tapas on the menu, the advice of the wait staff, we enjoyed a most delicious meal, including empanadas, salumis, cheeses, and fine wine. This spot is popular with downtown business types who can easily walk over from Shell, or Regions Bank, and other businesses nearby. The hotel is located in the old International building, converted to hotel use from a language learning center and locale of numerous embassies and consulates.
We also had to sample the beverages @ The Hotel Monteleone's carousel bar- always a treat.
As a bonus, the mayor and staff were invited to a private home for a strictly social event-no business discussed. Our hosts, local NOLA residents personified southern gentility, and made us feel right at home. The food was wonderful and the evening breeze complemented all the festivities. Several other guests were from out of state and we all shared thoughts of significant local improvements made in the last year.
As a bonus, we rode the ferry to the Algiers neighborhood, to look at the architecture. A walk in the vicinity of the ferry dock provided the staff with a plethora of styles, some dating back almost 150 years. Much recent work was in evidence: new paint, roofs, concrete flatwork, and street repaving. Despite the improvements, many 'For Sale' signs indicated some turnover is ongoing.
All in all, it was a great trip: much seen, much learned, and NOLA, much improved!
Saturday night, as a bonus, we had a cold front roll through with significant thunder, lightning, and rain. Fortunately, the staff had already retreated to our hotel, so we watched the storm from the comfort of our rooms. By morning, the storm had passed on to the Gulf of Mexico. This has to have been one of the best August trips that the mayor has made to The Big Easy.
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