FoodBanter.com - View Single Post - Wishes for Safety and Good Health to Subscribers in the Deep South/US

In article >,
says...
>
>On 31 Aug 2005 01:23:40 GMT, (Hunt) wrote:
>
>>Thanks to everyone for the "well-wishes." So far, all but two members of my,
>>and my wife's, families have been accounted for, and all of those are well.
>>Some lost businesses, and others homes, but they are all safe.
>>
>>It looks like I might be very, very glad that we did all of the "old
>>standards" when dining in New Orleans with the Wine & Food Experience in
May,
>>as many may never exist again.
>
>That's probably an understatement. New Orleans is my second home, and
>I can't begin to count all the good friends I have down there. I have
>no way of contacting them now; the city is underwater and the
>prognosis is distressing.
>
>One of my pals kept his wines at his studio on Canal Blvd, in the
>section of town that flooded when the 17th Street Canal levee busted
>through. I know at least three others who live within blocks of the
>levee. The water may be 12' deep or more in that part of town, and so
>far the Army Corps hasn't had any luck sealing the break. So much for
>any wine storage.
>
>The levee has also broken through on the Metarie side. Martin Wine
>Cellar has a huge store on Veterans Blvd in Metarie, as does
>Dorignac's. I imagine Martin's Uptown store is also swamped.
>
>I had $5000 worth of framed photo art stored in a shop on Tulane Ave.
>Compared to what others have lost, it's less than insignificant. I can
>always print new photos. I can't print new friends and loved ones.
>
>People in New Orleans are fond of saying, "Be safe" when they part
>company. It was never more appropriate than it is right now.
>
>JJ

JJ,

Reports that I have gotten from people on the street in the East Metairie Area
indicate that Martin's Metairie shop is probably under some water. I have
heard nothing from the area of the other shop in the University Area.

Depending on the elevation of the Canal Blvd houses, there may be hope. Just
off of City Park, some of the older residences (brother-in-law's property in
this case) are probably above the water.

Most of my family is in West Metairie and the Kenner/Harahan Areas, and it
appears that they may be OK, but we will not know until Monday, when family
members are allowed into the area for one trip.

As an aside, my brother in Gulfport reported that one resident on the Beach
Drive (Hwy 90) off of Kelly Ave, was observed removing some bottles from his
cellar, though the entire house was gone. He did not get this person's name,
but I believe that I know whose house this WAS. If I am correct, he had a 5k
btl collection of Bdx, and I can only hope that he was able to retrieve some
of them, and that his family is safe and well. If I could only be there and
help him!

Good luck with your art collection, and to the wonderful staff of both
Martin's Wine Cellar stores, and prayers and wishes for great things to all in
that area.

Hunt