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Archive for the ‘Baton Rouge’ Category

One Eyed Jacks truly held down the rock ‘n’ roll fort this year in New Orleans. The venue grabbed up an endless string of marquee indies (search for “One Eyed Jacks” on our blog to get an idea). Baroness, Jay Reatard and The Slackers all headlined just this past week (on separate nights, even).

But Red Stick’s Spanish Moon will be treating crowds to a generous helping of road trip-worthy gigs, kicking off tonight with reverb-loving pop-up-and-comers Surfer Blood (pictured above), with support from NOLA boys MyNameIsJohnMichael. Things get heavier tomorrow night with a reunited New Orleans punk rock supergroup the Faeries (with BR’s metal monsters Thou). Next week, stay tuned for Crystal Antlers (Dec. 16); Bill Callahan of SMOG (!!!) (Dec. 17), and Lafayette’s answer to Dirty Projectors, GIVERS (Dec. 19). Look for Bowerbirds and RJD2 in February.

Phew.

Baton Rouge has thrown down the gauntlet. What you got in 2010, New Orleans?

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The Louisiana Commission on Streamlining Government approved a recommendation today, requiring an independent study to evaluate the overall plan for the proposed LSU/VA medical centers in Mid-City. A source from within the commission says that the study will look at all of the options for the medical centers, including rebuilding Big Charity hospital, or constructing a new site to house both the LSU teaching hospital and the VA medical center.

The streamlining commission, which was created in an effort to reform government and eliminate bureaucratic waste, reports to Governor Jindal, who can either act on or reject specific recommendations.

The full commission took up the matter this morning after an advisory committee, headed up by state treasurer John N. Kennedy, had earlier proposed a recommendation for renovating Big Charity in order to save the state $300 million. After hearing testimony from both sides of the issue — including representatives from the state’s Department of Health and Hospitals, LSU officials, National Trust for Historic Preservation and local activists — the commission’s chair, state senator Jack Donahue (R-Mandeville) presented an amended version of the recommendation, calling for the independent evaluation. The amended version passed by a 7-3 vote.

Even though the recommendation was changed from renovating Big Charity to conducting an independent study, local organization Save Charity Hospital considers today’s vote to be a victory.

“(The study) has been something that’s critical, and should be something that everybody can agree upon because this is the biggest economic development project in the city’s history,” says Jonah Evans, spokesperson for Save Charity Hospital.

The commission must submit its initial proposals to the governor and the legislature by December 15.

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While you’re waiting for President Barack Obama to arrive (Air Force One touches down at MSY at 11:20, unless he pulls a switcheroo and comes in on JetBlue), here’s some background reading…

• The New York Times and The Washington Post both report on the duration of the visit and the contretemps over whether it’s long enough….

• Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao is still disappointed in Gov. Bobby Jindal for not getting in on the funding for the proposed high-speed rail line between here and Baton Rouge….

• On the HuffPo, Harry Shearer examines Obama’s to-do list, and weighs in on what’s been checked off and what’s overdue….

• Michael Bauer of the San Francisco Chronicle interviews Leah Chase, who will be packing up a takeout lunch for the president today. (Hail to the chef!) Then the topic of another president arose:

In another photo, President George W. Bush was seated at a table with other dignitaries, and he was grasping her hand as she posed behind him.

At the end of the meal I asked about Obama and her eyes took on a joyous sheen as she practically sang his praises in her deep, rich voice.

I couldn’t resist: “So you seem to be an equal opportunity cook,” I said, as I drew attention to the other President. Her twinkle shifted a bit.

“He’s a lovely man,” she said. “He’s invited me to the White House twice and he’s such a gentleman.” After a short pause she said: “However some men just find themselves in the wrong job.”

That ought to keep you occupied. Meanwhile, Clancy DuBos will be on CNN at some point this morning, and we have reporters at both the UNO town hall and the Crescent City Recovery protest on the river. We’ll also be Twittering Obama’s speech, as well as all the bloviating from the punditocracy. Later.

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Photographs courtesy of Greg Rhoades

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John Georges hasn’t officially come out and said that he’s running for mayor — he came just barely shy of saying so on the radio — but considering his actions of late, you could pretty much count on it. See that picture up there? That’s Georges with Jazzfest founder Quint Davis (far left in white jacket) on the back of a car at the head of the Young Olympia 125th Anniversary Second Line back on Sunday. See that bag Georges is holding in his lap? Well they were full of these:

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He was also handing out plastic cups and Mardi Gras beads with the same slogans on them. Oh, and GeorgesforMayor.com has been booked, meaning somebody (probably Georges) has bought the rights to the URL and is creating a site for it.

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We were there filming second line footage for our brass band documentary and noticed Georges handing out the trinkets. With all the people that were out on Sunday (not sure on the actual count but it had to be in the thousands) I can’t think of a better grassroots effort than giving out plastic cups at a second line — most of which were promptly filled with booze.

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Now far be it from me, a humble sports and entertainment writer, to do any political prognosticating. But when someone who has already run for governor of Louisiana is talking about his possible platform on the radio on one day and is then handing out “Georges for Mayor” trinkets on the next, it’s a good chance that that person is most likely running for mayor. Official announcement or not.

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Oh, and it always helps to have a guy like Quint Davis on your side. That should keep people from making any references to Tommy Carcetti from “The Wire” (though he did become Mayor of Baltimore and then Governor, so that may not be a bad thing).

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