Post it if you got it. We're in the process of compiling info from our friends and contacts in New Orleans and will pass it along shortly.

We have companies here in Panama City that have JOBS for people who have lost their businesses or need work! We have people here and in Pensacola who are willing to take people in...

If you know someone who wants work or needs a place to stay, please post here. We will get the information out ASAP!

I am putting together a list of the companies offering work, and we will try our best to put you in touch with families and people who are willing to offer shelter.

If you have a family member or friend who needs help, let us know, we are trying our best to put some real, SOLID job offers and offers of shelter together.

Interesting report from a business contact in New Orleans (Saturday):

Just got out last night. I could have stayed , my supplies would have lasted for seven more days

BUt, the fires have started.

The reports of looting downtown are exaggerated. Yes, they broke into the grocery stores, drugstores, gas stations, for food, etc. Canal street had a few hours of thugs doing sports shops, but all other shops and the ENTIRE FRench Quarter is safe and untouched. The storm did glass and roof damage and trees UPTOWN> Just needs to be swept. Looks LESS dirty than a typical Mardi Gras day.

I was never threatened. 99.9% of our people are heroic, stoic, and human beings of great quality.

THE FLOOD did NOT get into the Fr. QTR> and along the river to AUDUBON PARK>

I stayed and helped and photographed and bicycled these areas every day.

NO shooters, some idiots, but everyone doing the best to get along and survive. Other flooded areas, it is very desperate and there are some battles going on, but very isolated.

From Monday to late yesterday there were NO military, red cross, fema, or anyone with supplies DOWNTOWN>

Even the N.O. Police and Fire Dept were largely absent.

I stayed in the Qtr at A Gallery. The building and contents is presently fine.
I will be going back soon to help the other people

The Amazing people of NEw Orleans will survive and rebuild.

The media stayed on Canal Street and are missing the real story.

Unfortunately, the "looting" story is all they had downtown and its repetitous playing of that footage has setback recovery. IT FALSELY scared off the rescuers, I guess.

Too many rumors reported without eyewitness verification.

Please spread the word.

From the New Orleans CVB:

Sept. 7, 2005

Mayor Nagin, who has never left his city, is considering mechanisms for the forced evacuation of the remaining 10,000 to 15,000 residents because of a deep concern for their health. Health concerns have arisen due to possible medical issues that could arise while the water is drained from the city over the next few weeks. Many have remained because they have no place to go elsewhere and because many have pets whose future they fear would be uncertain. The fear of an unknown future has kept many residents there despite mounting and unrelenting food, water, and healthcare problems.

The 17th St. Levee break that caused so much of the destruction has been temporarily sealed and two pumping stations are now pumping water from the city. It should take from 3 to 5 weeks. The large pumping station near Metairie Road is almost back up as well, an addition which will add significantly to pumping capacity.

The Carrollton Power Plant is a major focus right now. The restoration of this plant will not only facilitate more power to the city but will aid in bringing flowing drinking water back to parts of the city once lines are flushed.

Power has now been restored to the Convention Center. The Hilton Riverside, the Marriott and W also have at least some power restored according to Fox News, as their exterior signage flashed and brought much needed light as symbols of hope back to the city's evening skyline.

President Bush is readying a request for an additional $50 billion of aid to the Gulf Coast region.

Among the scores of heroic stories are those of hoteliers who have remained on site protecting guests, tourists, and locals in their properties with no regard for their own safety.

Some of the officers of the Convention Center bravely stayed behind with the property when the situation at the Center was unstable. They made it through the very difficult circumstances and are assisting the National Guard units in clearing and reclaiming the damaged building.

Power has now been restored to the Center. HVAC engineers are powering up the system. Mr. Fore has done a baseline assessment of damage. Repairs are needed for the roof in certain places. Significant portions of the concrete exhibit floors, especially in Phase III have been cleaned by the military as they established operations there. Carpeting and interior surfaces will be completely replaced when renovations begin and the Center will be better than ever.

Convention Center Boulevard is already being cleaned and restored.

All city-wide conventions to be held in the Center are cancelled through March 31, 2006. The commitment of New Orleans to a flawless experience for our customers means unequivocally that we will not re-open for convention business until the experience is perfect and to your and our high standards. We will err on the side of safety for you.

The Center may serve as a key location for FEMA and or National Guard operations in the near future. Those decisions, however, have not yet been made by authorities. The Center has been searched and cleard by the military and is secured.

Approximately 20,000 National Guard troops and active military are in the city to provide stability.

The Governor and Mayor now believe that the death total will rise into the thousands. Some have estimated deaths will reach between 10,000 to 15,000 by the time the city is drained and all bodies are recovered.

Amtrak trains carrying 1,500 passengers a day out of New Orleans are now running.

Three Carnival Cruise Line Ships have been marshalled by the federal government to move to New Orleans to serve as housing.

The Mayor estimates that 10-15,000 people remain of the 450,000 residents. Many of those remaining refuse to leave their homes, believeing the waters will recede shortly. Authorities are attempting to dissuade them.

The historic French Quarter and nearly all of the hospitality infrastructure survived, though battered. The amazing historic texture and fabric of this unique city...all of those things that draw millions of visitors from around the world resiliently remain.

Several bars have now opened in the Quarter as a gathering spot for locals to visit and share stories, though they have nothing to sell. A lone artist living on Pirates Alley next to the St. Louis Cathedral hung his paintings on the Jackson Square fence just like normal in a symbolic gesture for others that New Orleans French Quarter culture would absolutely rebound.

Though we will be down for a period, there is a sense already forming among our leaders and the people that we will succesfully be able to preserve all of those things which have made us world famous, and that we will be able to rebuild an even more welcoming vibrant city in which to live, work and do business. It will require all of us to unite. The work will be hard but gratifying. The challenges are immense. We are up to the task.

The tourism leadership is committed to helping lead the greatest urban rebuilding project in our nation's history. We have a historic opportunity to be a living laboratory for taking disaster, infrastructure degradation, and social ills and rebuilding a new city that remains historic and unique, but is a model for rebirth socially and structurally.

It may be quite a while...but one day the riffs of jazz trumpets, the indescribable tempting smells wafting from the kitchens of our great chefs, the aroma of cafe-au-lait and beignets, the buzz of great conventions, that foot-wide magnetic smile of the front bellman, and the romantic strolls through the Quarter will be commonplace again. The spirit of the multicultural people of New Orleans is indefatigable, and though we may be bowed and emotionally stretched, we cannot be defeated and cannot wait to rebuild the world's most authentic city.

More details from a contact in New Orleans (thanks Josh @ http://www.agallery.com)

Tuesday, September 6, 2005
Dear Friends

TRUTH and BEAUTY and LOVE are UNIVERSAL.

CHILDREN FIRST

Immediate and very direct help, go to
www.braf.org
www.habitat.org
http://www.girlscoutsaudubon.org
http://maps.google.com - Type in New Orleans address and click Katrina link

New Orleans is my home and birthplace. I remained in downtown New Orleans during the difficult first five days. In the French Quarter, downtown, and along the Mississippi River, I witnessed the SURVIVORS of this powerful storm struggle to maintain dignity and life.

Along this narrow unique corridor of the original city boundaries, there was NO FLOODING. All around us, the waters rose and the struggle roared louder than the hurricane winds of that historic storm.

During this time, communication was non-existent. Rumors ruled the street.
The outlaws were bad, but a tiny percentage.
The community worked together to have the stamina to remain calm and alive.
NO water or food was delivered into these historic quarters until late Friday afternoon.
NO evidence was seen of Authority or control.

We were not destroyed through looting or shooting.
In fact, I witnessed a far more remarkable scene than TV or radio was able to report.

The other less famous, but EQUALLY IMPORTANT neighborhoods of this remarkable City, were deluged with water, fear, anger, bullies, and HEROES.
Our policeman, fireman, and individual citizens used their wits and struggled to rescue many thousands of stranded friends and families while their own lives had been shattered.

The historic French Quarter and Riverfront community up St. Charles Avenue and along the Mississippi River survived intact and can be ready for your return soon after the electricity and running water is restored.

We are eager to see the misery calmed and life and vitality restored. Despite the visual images you are seeing, you will be surprised in the upcoming weeks.
As we unite, together we can move forward to bring us together again.

The Daily Challenges are being addressed in a manner that requires everyone to remain flexible, cooperative, resourceful, inventive and respectful. ALL displaced CITIZENS must have the Opportunity to return to their original neighborhoods. These unique neighborhoods must be rebuilt.

The complex and multi-dimensional problems of this event are going to be solved, step-by-step, day by day, brick by brick. THE PEOPLE who are the heart and soul of this great city will be back. It is essential to bring ALL home to let the magic that you love about New Orleans blossom in the SPRING.
The great gumbo of New Orleans requires that ALL our friends and families have a chance to return to their roots. The unique qualities that we love will shine if we continue to act with true dignity and bring back to EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD the artists, cooks, workers, musicians, professionals, carpenters, and more. This is TRUTH for NEW ORLEANS and EVERY community that surrounds it for miles and miles and miles.


Tonight, we are scattered and battered.
Each day, the outpouring of concern has kept us going forward. We will clean it up and want everyone back to their neighborhoods and homes.
For some of us, this will be soon.
For the vast majority, it will be much longer.
WE NEED YOUR HELP and the fantastic response from around the world and especially across the USA must continue.
THE LOVE for New Orleans is evident.
WE sincerely THANK YOU.
We know the stress is spreading and touching all of you.


EVERYONE in the entire region has been affected. I am presently in Baton Rouge organizing and helping people find a place to live, work, and send their children to schools. Baton Rouge has taken in over 350,00 people and nearly doubled in size.
Some of us are in hotels, friends’ homes, strangers’ homes, shelters, churches, temples, arenas, gymnasiums, vehicles, tents, and every available resource you can imagine.

The generosity and kindness of the great people of Baton Rouge, Houston, and every town and state for hundreds of miles is remarkable to witness. They are nurturing my fellow CITIZENS of New Orleans, Mississippi, and Alabama. It will continue.

Many of you have asked to HELP.
We need your resources and immediate attention to a multitude of tasks.

We must continue rescuing, protecting, housing, and restoring health all at once. This test and challenge will require stamina and willpower, infrastructure, money, and planning. Timing is truly critical.
Everywhere I look, the efforts and overtime are phenomenal. Imagine.

My fellow survivors continue to inspire others. No doubt major mistakes have been made. This can be debated at a later date.
I ask all of you to continue focusing on NEW ORLEANS and the entire GULF COAST and pushing this effort forward. Each of you have a role to play as this situation stabilizes.

Tonight, I feel that the children need our most immediate attention. In Baton Rouge alone, there are over 35,000 new children of kindergarten to high school age who are in dire need of stability and EDUCATION.
This TRUTH is repeated in numerous communities all over Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, and many more.

Tomorrow should be a school day for these beautiful children. We must begin to provide and prepare them for the future. NOW!

Schools, teachers, personnel, and supplies need to come together quickly.
An Education Relief Task Force is organizing this effort. I strongly urge you to continue supporting ALL charitable efforts with your donations.

I believe that the Baton Rouge Area Foundation (www.braf.org) is the proper place to direct your financial contributions at this very moment. The EDUCATIONAL CRISIS is critical. The New Orleans School System is wiped out and bankrupt.

As you think about this, if we can get our children on a positive track, then parents will begin to rest easier and thus able to solve all the problems we need to address.
From this will spring forth all the other great projects needed.

At times this emotional roller coaster we are all on, causes us to briefly stop. It is paramount that we work together diligently for a very long time to achieve this GOAL for our CHILDREN.
It can and must be done. With this will follow the jobs and the dignity we all need to rebuild.

CHILDREN FIRST.
Send your donations to BRAC.ORG
My dear friend Marc Sternberg, a Baton Rouge native, (marc@bronxlabschool.org) is a vital part of this effort.
Bring your energy, ideas, and donations NOW.

Throughout all of this, I have heard my mother’s words echo in my sky.
“Pick up the pieces and get on with it.”

Thank you for your prayers, positive thoughts, and energy. You keep me and many others moving forward on this path to recovery.
Every moment of everyday we encounter a changing reality.

FOCUS on the FUTURE by immediately providing the resources needed to get these NEW SCHOOLS up and running. The CHILDREN need you more than ever.
It will take more than 150 million dollars for this effort in Baton Rouge alone.
All the communities of the great Gulf Coast and Deep South region have the same challenge.

I will continue to be here to help.

WE ARE ONE.

CHILDREN FIRST

Immediate and very direct help, go to
www.braf.org
www.habitat.org
http://www.girlscoutsaudubon.org
http://maps.google.com