Viewing details of messages, sorted by time of last reply ("sticky messages" first)
Forgottten City
Forgotten City:
Nearly three years after Hurricane Katrina and the massive flooding that followed, New Orleans is still struggling to house their people. Over 40% of pre-Katrina residents have been relocated to other cities or chose to move away to live with friends or relatives. Over 80% of the homes in the city were uninhabitable after the storm and today it isn’t much better. Looters and squatters added to the destruction, often setting fires that were impossible to fight before the water receded. A typical block looks deceptively normal until you look closer. A red X painted on the front wall indicates in code: the home’s condition, who checked the house first, bodies found, or pets inside, and often you find that it is condemned or unfit for human habitation. Badly damaged homes have been removed in some areas, but little has been done in others. Near the broken tank farms, where the homes and yards are contaminated with the spilled oil and gasoline, people may never be able to return to rebuild. Standing water, twelve feet deep in some places, soaked old plaster and insulation and, when the water finally receded, mold and mildew proliferated. Homes must be stripped of all drywall, plaster, insulation, wiring, ductwork, equipment and appliances before rebuilding can begin. Thankfully much of this has been done by non-profits and individuals fortunate enough to get a FEMA trailer to live in while they work on their home. Now we learn that the indoor air in those trailers is toxic and the trailers are unfit for extended living. New Orleans Mayor Nagen has promised to remove all of the FEMA trailers this summer due to fears that the summer heat will force more toxic gases out of insulation and glues inside the trailers.
Governments, Federal, State, and City, appear to have turned their backs to the plight of individuals who have not had the use of their home for over three years. Insurance companies, who told homeowners that they did not need flood insurance in large areas of the city because their was no anticipation that the levees would break (like they did), have not yet paid the people they owe. Families who did manage to collect insurance found themselves vulnerable to predatory contractors who collected an initial payment for rebuilding work and never returned. Mortgage companies insisted that people use their insurance money to pay off their mortgage, which left homeowners with no money for rebuilding. People talk of graft and corruption but details are hard to come by. The sadness, frustration and anger with the actions or inactions of the governments that have a duty to help can be seen clearly in the faces of the men and women I talked with.
The bright lights in this story are: the hundreds of volunteers that come from around the country and the world, the non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together New Orleans, and the neighborhood groups that have bonded together to form their own quasi governments to repair the infrastructure and restore the services of water, sewer, gas and electric power in their neighborhoods. Here you see the best in people. There are heroes at work and hope is in the eyes of those being helped.
Several of us with the 50+ Council of the National Association of Homebuilders volunteered to help for two days while we attended the 50+ Symposium in New Orleans. We offered our labor and our skills to the non-profit group, Rebuilding Together New Orleans. They put us to work on the double shotgun home of Mrs. Hilda Levy 67 and her mother Hazel Tate 87. Shotgun homes, the historic housing form in New Orleans, are narrow houses that are one room wide and very deep. It’s necessary to walk through rooms, including bedrooms, to get from the front to the rear. A double shotgun is just as it sounds, two homes side by side. We repaired damaged siding, installed new siding, scraped and painted the exterior and began work renovating the interior. Other groups of volunteers will pick up where we left off under the capable leadership of the skilled construction superintendents and managers. In this way, Rebuilding Together, one of many non-profit groups working around the city, has refurbished over 1000 homes, but that’s very little when compared to the need for more volunteers, more financing and more help of every kind our brothers and sisters of New Orleans require.
Organize your own group of volunteers and contact Rebuilding Together. We worked in the St. Roche neighborhood which is an older part of the city, but newer neighborhoods across the river suffered the same fate and don’t have the historic homes to attract attention to their plight. You can volunteer for a few days, or a week or more. Even one day is appreciated. Put a group together from: your office, your school, church or club to give up a little of their time and travel money to spend a few days helping those that are in need. If you aren’t able to work physically, go see the city and talk to the people. For some great music after work, Frenchman Street is the place recommended by the locals. Good food can still be found everywhere. New Orleans is struggling but its heart still beats.
Contrary to my initial fear of intruding and being a disaster tourist, we are welcome in any capacity. You can do as I’m doing here, tell your friends and let others know the story of the people who have been forgotten in New Orleans. To contact Rebuilding Together, go to www.rtno.org, call (504) 581-7032, or contact the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans. You can also seek out other groups active in New Orleans. Habitat for Humanity, for instance, is building new homes in Musicians village and in scattered neighborhoods around the city.
Nearly three years after Hurricane Katrina and the massive flooding that followed, New Orleans is still struggling to house their people. Over 40% of pre-Katrina residents have been relocated to other cities or chose to move away to live with friends or relatives. Over 80% of the homes in the city were uninhabitable after the storm and today it isn’t much better. Looters and squatters added to the destruction, often setting fires that were impossible to fight before the water receded. A typical block looks deceptively normal until you look closer. A red X painted on the front wall indicates in code: the home’s condition, who checked the house first, bodies found, or pets inside, and often you find that it is condemned or unfit for human habitation. Badly damaged homes have been removed in some areas, but little has been done in others. Near the broken tank farms, where the homes and yards are contaminated with the spilled oil and gasoline, people may never be able to return to rebuild. Standing water, twelve feet deep in some places, soaked old plaster and insulation and, when the water finally receded, mold and mildew proliferated. Homes must be stripped of all drywall, plaster, insulation, wiring, ductwork, equipment and appliances before rebuilding can begin. Thankfully much of this has been done by non-profits and individuals fortunate enough to get a FEMA trailer to live in while they work on their home. Now we learn that the indoor air in those trailers is toxic and the trailers are unfit for extended living. New Orleans Mayor Nagen has promised to remove all of the FEMA trailers this summer due to fears that the summer heat will force more toxic gases out of insulation and glues inside the trailers.
Governments, Federal, State, and City, appear to have turned their backs to the plight of individuals who have not had the use of their home for over three years. Insurance companies, who told homeowners that they did not need flood insurance in large areas of the city because their was no anticipation that the levees would break (like they did), have not yet paid the people they owe. Families who did manage to collect insurance found themselves vulnerable to predatory contractors who collected an initial payment for rebuilding work and never returned. Mortgage companies insisted that people use their insurance money to pay off their mortgage, which left homeowners with no money for rebuilding. People talk of graft and corruption but details are hard to come by. The sadness, frustration and anger with the actions or inactions of the governments that have a duty to help can be seen clearly in the faces of the men and women I talked with.
The bright lights in this story are: the hundreds of volunteers that come from around the country and the world, the non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together New Orleans, and the neighborhood groups that have bonded together to form their own quasi governments to repair the infrastructure and restore the services of water, sewer, gas and electric power in their neighborhoods. Here you see the best in people. There are heroes at work and hope is in the eyes of those being helped.
Several of us with the 50+ Council of the National Association of Homebuilders volunteered to help for two days while we attended the 50+ Symposium in New Orleans. We offered our labor and our skills to the non-profit group, Rebuilding Together New Orleans. They put us to work on the double shotgun home of Mrs. Hilda Levy 67 and her mother Hazel Tate 87. Shotgun homes, the historic housing form in New Orleans, are narrow houses that are one room wide and very deep. It’s necessary to walk through rooms, including bedrooms, to get from the front to the rear. A double shotgun is just as it sounds, two homes side by side. We repaired damaged siding, installed new siding, scraped and painted the exterior and began work renovating the interior. Other groups of volunteers will pick up where we left off under the capable leadership of the skilled construction superintendents and managers. In this way, Rebuilding Together, one of many non-profit groups working around the city, has refurbished over 1000 homes, but that’s very little when compared to the need for more volunteers, more financing and more help of every kind our brothers and sisters of New Orleans require.
Organize your own group of volunteers and contact Rebuilding Together. We worked in the St. Roche neighborhood which is an older part of the city, but newer neighborhoods across the river suffered the same fate and don’t have the historic homes to attract attention to their plight. You can volunteer for a few days, or a week or more. Even one day is appreciated. Put a group together from: your office, your school, church or club to give up a little of their time and travel money to spend a few days helping those that are in need. If you aren’t able to work physically, go see the city and talk to the people. For some great music after work, Frenchman Street is the place recommended by the locals. Good food can still be found everywhere. New Orleans is struggling but its heart still beats.
Contrary to my initial fear of intruding and being a disaster tourist, we are welcome in any capacity. You can do as I’m doing here, tell your friends and let others know the story of the people who have been forgotten in New Orleans. To contact Rebuilding Together, go to www.rtno.org, call (504) 581-7032, or contact the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans. You can also seek out other groups active in New Orleans. Habitat for Humanity, for instance, is building new homes in Musicians village and in scattered neighborhoods around the city.
Retiring boomers
I have started putting excerpts from my book, Boomerizing Active Adult LIving, into a blog. You can find that by going to my profile, my blog.
MonkontheLoose
MonkontheLoose
Small Town, Active Living
Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, are just now beginning to reach 60 years in age, and are starting to retire. Many will continue to work past 65 and many will look for a new way to live. Two thirds of the boomers would prefer to live in a rural location or a small town, according to recent surveys by the National Association of Realtors.
Facts
Young adults leave town after high school or within a few years to seek work in a larger city with a stronger job base and greater career opportunities. Those in their career building years must stay in a large metropolitan area for the same reason. Former residents cannot seriously consider moving back, even if they would like to, until they reach retirement age.
Agriculture today will not support as many families as it once did, before farming became big business like everything else. Small towns must cast about for a new economic base.
Some rural towns have changed and survived by finding livelihoods other than agriculture. Perryville, Missouri has been able to entice small industries such as the Toyota supplier, Gilster-Mary Lee and others. Interstate 55 connects St Louis and Memphis running close by town reducing the travel time to St. Louis to 1-1/2 hours and providing access to Lambert International Airport, professional sports, cultural venues and first-rate medical services.
Madison, Georgia is a successful example of a small town, which has found a way to capitalize on the tourist trade. Madison is rich in southern history and is reputedly the only town between Atlanta and the coast that General Sherman’s army didn’t burn during his famous Civil War march to the sea. Atlanta was left in ashes but only the commercial buildings in Madison were burned. Today, those old antebellum mansions are operated as museums or restaurants or both. Bed and Breakfast Inns abound and tiny Madison boasts about its 21 world-class restaurants. Madison is now a top retirement location for Atlanta residents desiring a change of pace from Atlanta’s bustling atmosphere.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas has grown around the big business of Christian “Passion Plays” held in several large venues around town. Eureka Springs is blessed with one of the most charming downtowns in the country, which provides a focus for the tourist trade. Other rural towns, similar to Eureka Springs, are fortunately located near scenic areas, the mountains, lakes or oceans.
The “Active Living” Concept
Active Adults is a term commonly used to describe people over 55 who have lots of living left to have numerous experiences and accomplishments. They are healthy, productive and energetic, and their children have embarked on their own lives. The couple is now alone in a house bigger than needed and demanding time and maintenance than they want to spend.
During this moment of reflection and questioning, the idea of retirement is considered. Where to retire is paramount in people’s minds and the choices are unlimited. Historically, as many as 50% of people move to a new home sometime in retirement. The desire to stay near the familiar is powerful, but is eventually outweighed by the promise of adventure, new relationships, the fun of retirement and an easier, relaxed lifestyle.
Active Adult Communities are specifically designed to offer the fun, adventure and the new relationships with like-minded people that young retirees want. Sun City in Arizona, created in the 1960’s, continues to attract thousands of active adults in communities around the country. An active adult community typically has at least one 18-hole golf course, tennis, bocce ball courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, ballrooms, fitness center, wellness programs, walking and bike trails, and a variety of special interest clubs and meeting spaces. Many of the amenities are assembled in a grand community center that serves as a focus of the community.
Small towns can offer all of this in a more authentic package. The people are friendly and they include children and young adults, as well as others our own age. Most of us at this age enjoy the spirit of young people and the inspiration they give us to enjoy each day as the start of a new life.
See my profile for photos and more on homes for the 50+.
MonkontheLoose
Facts
Young adults leave town after high school or within a few years to seek work in a larger city with a stronger job base and greater career opportunities. Those in their career building years must stay in a large metropolitan area for the same reason. Former residents cannot seriously consider moving back, even if they would like to, until they reach retirement age.
Agriculture today will not support as many families as it once did, before farming became big business like everything else. Small towns must cast about for a new economic base.
Some rural towns have changed and survived by finding livelihoods other than agriculture. Perryville, Missouri has been able to entice small industries such as the Toyota supplier, Gilster-Mary Lee and others. Interstate 55 connects St Louis and Memphis running close by town reducing the travel time to St. Louis to 1-1/2 hours and providing access to Lambert International Airport, professional sports, cultural venues and first-rate medical services.
Madison, Georgia is a successful example of a small town, which has found a way to capitalize on the tourist trade. Madison is rich in southern history and is reputedly the only town between Atlanta and the coast that General Sherman’s army didn’t burn during his famous Civil War march to the sea. Atlanta was left in ashes but only the commercial buildings in Madison were burned. Today, those old antebellum mansions are operated as museums or restaurants or both. Bed and Breakfast Inns abound and tiny Madison boasts about its 21 world-class restaurants. Madison is now a top retirement location for Atlanta residents desiring a change of pace from Atlanta’s bustling atmosphere.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas has grown around the big business of Christian “Passion Plays” held in several large venues around town. Eureka Springs is blessed with one of the most charming downtowns in the country, which provides a focus for the tourist trade. Other rural towns, similar to Eureka Springs, are fortunately located near scenic areas, the mountains, lakes or oceans.
The “Active Living” Concept
Active Adults is a term commonly used to describe people over 55 who have lots of living left to have numerous experiences and accomplishments. They are healthy, productive and energetic, and their children have embarked on their own lives. The couple is now alone in a house bigger than needed and demanding time and maintenance than they want to spend.
During this moment of reflection and questioning, the idea of retirement is considered. Where to retire is paramount in people’s minds and the choices are unlimited. Historically, as many as 50% of people move to a new home sometime in retirement. The desire to stay near the familiar is powerful, but is eventually outweighed by the promise of adventure, new relationships, the fun of retirement and an easier, relaxed lifestyle.
Active Adult Communities are specifically designed to offer the fun, adventure and the new relationships with like-minded people that young retirees want. Sun City in Arizona, created in the 1960’s, continues to attract thousands of active adults in communities around the country. An active adult community typically has at least one 18-hole golf course, tennis, bocce ball courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, ballrooms, fitness center, wellness programs, walking and bike trails, and a variety of special interest clubs and meeting spaces. Many of the amenities are assembled in a grand community center that serves as a focus of the community.
Small towns can offer all of this in a more authentic package. The people are friendly and they include children and young adults, as well as others our own age. Most of us at this age enjoy the spirit of young people and the inspiration they give us to enjoy each day as the start of a new life.
See my profile for photos and more on homes for the 50+.
MonkontheLoose
Put Mom in the Yard
I Have a beautiful backyard that has grown into a burden, a duty demanding my time, rather than a pleasure that fulfills me with a sense of accomplishment, as mowing, planting and pruning once did. This “duty” now intrudes into my time playing golf, fishing, or hanging out with friends at the corner coffee shop.
At first, having mom move in was great for the family. She helped with household chores, and fixed my old favorites such as, fresh baked biscuits and country ham for breakfast. She baked fresh peach cobbler when peaches were in season (another favorite) and, in the holiday season she made thick country custard you drink, so delicious and so addictive.
It was like a second childhood for a while, but like all fantasies, that illusion soon vanished. Her constant offers of high caloric foods began to irritate me as it did when I was a young adult. I had dreams during which, I had to answer for my many faults and failings to both my wife, my mother, and my kids. True to my dream life, I would hurriedly search my dreaming brain for the reason today was so important until I would wake up in a terror, fearing that I would never know.
Mom had to go! It got so bad that I threatened to pitch one of my tents in the backyard for one of us. The real truth was hidden behind all of these clouds of old emotions and habitual behavior. Mom and I had switched roles and we were both ignoring that obvious reality. I was now the caregiver, and she the recipient of my care. Neither of us knew how to act or to relate to each other in those new roles. Mom revealed to me that she was as uncomfortable as me, fearing she would be a burden if she didn’t do her share. Talking brought out the adult in both of us and we began searching for options. An assisted living facility might be in her future, but right now she was healthy and able to care for herself and wanted to live as independently as possible. Grudgingly, she admitted that moving out of the big old home she shared with dad was still a wise choice, but where now? An apartment close by seemed like a viable option, but for us it meant money down the drain with no hope of a return. The apartments we looked at in good secure buildings cost $1,000.00 per month or more, and we weren’t comfortable with the lack of security in others that cost less.
We discovered, through a process of elimination, that we would follow my first instinct and “put mom in the yard”. However, we would build her a beautiful cottage of her own, one she could care for easily and live independently. A second mortgage on our home provided the needed cash to build the small cottage above a new two-car garage out back, and if mom decides to move somewhere else later we can rent the cottage and actually make money in the process. Since the cottage has an elevator we can rent to an older adult, like mom, or to anyone else we choose. So, for now, mom is close by
Monk on the loose
