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New Orleans celebrates refurbished Superdome cont...

Eight hours before the Saints were to meet the Atlanta Falcons on the field in a National Football League game, local fans already were cooking and enjoying cold beer outside the Superdome. The stadium looked brand-new after a multi-million-dollar face-lift that included a new roof, new artificial turf, new concession stands and animated scoreboards.

The pre-game ceremony featured the rock bands U2 and Green Day and by game time, the 68,000 people who packed the stadium were in the highest spirits seen in the Crescent City since Katrina flooded 80% of New Orleans in August 2005. The flood forced thousands of residents to flee with nothing but the clothes on their backs and killed 1,400 people.
Less than half the city’s 450,000 pre-Katrina residents have returned.

The roaring crowd of happy football fans was a far cry from the 30,000 people who had come to the Superdome a year before because they were unable to evacuate as Katrina approached. The stadium was damaged by the storm and the steamy, dark unsanitary conditions provided a poor refuge as it became a symbol of an emergency response that was unable to protect the city or rescue its poorest residents.

The team’s first appearance in the Superdome since December 2004 carried special meaning for everyone in hurricane-ravaged New Orleans . Last year the Saints had to play their games in San Antonio and Baton Rouge , Louisiana .

“It’s a big day for the Saints and the city,” said Chris Gordy, a Louisiana State University student partying in a parking lot with a half-dozen friends before noon a few blocks from the Superdome. “Rebuilding the Superdome shows the city can support the team.”

Gordy and his friends purchased season tickets for the Saints’ return to New Orleans , the only way to get into Monday night’s sold-out game.

“If you look there are people who don’t have their homes rebuilt but they have season tickets,” Gordy said.

The Saints put their fans in high spirits by blocking a punt and scoring a touchdown in the first 90 seconds. They went on to win, 23-3, and improve their record to 3-0.

The renovation of the Superdome will total about $185mn when complete in another year, including $116mn in federal dollars.

“The Superdome is a sign of hope and of progress,” Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco said on Monday. “It rises as a symbol of renewal and progress. We know we can bring our communities back.”

Monday’s “events reveal the passion, love and tears of an entire community and what they have overcome,” said Mark Nicholls, president of a company that supplied new turf, one of three dozen contractors who had to start the restoration by removing nearly 4mn gallons of water, 4,000 tonnes of debris and cleaning or replacing 70,000 seats.

While the Superdome is open again, signs of Katrina’s damage remain highly visible in the city, from boarded windows in the still-shuttered Hyatt Regency Hotel next door, to dumpsters full of trash and building material, to miles of deserted neighbourhoods where rebuilding has yet to begin.

“The city leaders are dragging their feet but this gives people a little extra life, something to be proud of,” said Bob Derbes, a long-time Saints season-ticket holder from nearby Belle Chasse. – Reuters

Gulf Times Newspaper, 2006

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As I write this editorial, the City of New Orleans is struggling to recover. The lifeblood of the city, it's people, get stronger each passing day as their bodies and minds re-acquaint with normality.

However, this difficult period of recovery is not as a result of nature's bitter sense of humour. Katrina cannot be blamed for this one. Oh no..... The blame lies firmly at the feet of Bacchus, Endymion and Rex. Yes folks, a sure sign that the Big Easy's spirit is returning was visible loud and clear recently when MARDI GRAS 2006 both encompassed and enthralled the people of New Orleans, culminating in Fat Tuesday's final day celebrations.

If ever each year's Mardi Gras was the subject of a simple phrase, then Mardi Gras 2006 would have been represented by the words " WE NEEDED THIS " as that is the comment uttered by one and all when referring to this year's celebrations. Many people expressed surprise that officials could consider holding Mardi Gras this year following the aftermath of Katrina.In fairness, these people cannot be native to this part of South East Louisiana. They cannot have been exposed to the city's attitude towards the festival of life. They cannot have witnessed the joi de vivre that vibrates throughout New Orleans whenever a cause for celebration is introduced. Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Swamp Fest and Voodoo Fest , all occasions meticulously planned as annual family get togethers with an impact similar to Chritmas or Thanksgiving. They cannot have noticed how important these celebrations are towards maintaining the small town, family first values synonomous with New Orleans . Positive values that I have yet to witness or experience on my visits to other towns and cities across the USA.

Mardi Gras, in the format witnessed each year in New Orleans, could not exist anywhere else in North America. Many other cities may attempt to copy this eccentricity but they are missing the one vital ingredient essential when planning such an occasion. A city's characteristic can change through evolvement but you have to be born eccentric. It is this eccentricity that comes so natural to New Orleans and it's people. The city has been described by many as strange, quirky, even downright weird and I find it impossible to disagree. The city makes no sense....It doesn't add up. It's not quite sure where it's from, what it currently is, or even where it's going. And the most endearing quality that it possesses is that it doesn't really give a damn. Financially the city is challenged, politically it is inept , managerially it is corrupt. But hey, what the heck this is New Orleans, The Big Easy.  LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL. That's why I love New Orleans like a  second home.

Unfortunately, I had to cancel planned trips to the city last year but through regular contact with friends Lawrence and Kathy Hannigan of Uptown New Orleans, I have experienced  the city's recovery. Slowly at first but the recovery is now in full swing and believe me the patient is out of bed and pacing the ward, soon to be discharged for good. I will soon be making the travel arrangements for the British Saints tour to see the Saints emotional return to the Superdome on September 24th and would welcome any fresh faces willing to join our pilgrimage. I'm sure that we have all had doubts as to whether we would ever see the Saints back where they belong and that reason alone makes this trip extra special and a must see.

There is no miracle cure for the recovery of post Katrina New Orleans. The cure is quite simple. Money. The city has long been dependent on tourism and never more so than now. In order for the city to be restored to it's former "glory" it needs the people to return. This involves evacuees and tourists alike. This is the only way that the city can be reborn. This growth in returnees will bring much needed revenue to a city in great need. This will hopefully have a snowball effect in convincing more and more people of the viability of New Orleans and it's ability to support it's population. Then, and only then, will the "major league" business community have the confidence to invest in the City of New Orleans.

Each week Lawrence informs me of another "old friend" finally able to open it's doors to the public. Shops, bars and restaurants are the heartbeat of New Orleans and their re-emergence from adversity provides an immeasureable boost to the lives of all affected by Katrina.

To that end I would like to encourage British tourists to consider planning a trip to witness this great city for themselves. As I originally planned, I would be more than happy to help with any advice needed in order to experience all that New Orleans has to offer.

Furthermore, I would like to offer a similar service to any friends from the USA contemplating visiting these fair shores of Blighty.

LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER

Simon Alcock   Editor                           

5th March 2006

"Pre-Season, Post Katrina
August 2005.

Our aim is to keep Saints fans throughout Europe abreast of Black and Gold news along with the opportunity to network with Saints fans from around the world.

This venture has been a longtime ambition of mine and a more satisfying labour of love I could not imagine. My initial motivation was to introduce overseas visitors to the greatest city on Earth and to enable such visitors to enjoy the Big Easy to the maximum. I planned to help with tailor-made itineraries to suit the individual and to offer experienced advice on all aspects of trips to New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf South.

The website was due to be launched on Wednesday 7th September 2005. On the following day, three of us fly out to Charlotte, North Carolina for the saints first game of the season against the Panthers.

Having attended many Saints games, the season's opener was an occasion too big to miss. The excitement of finally launching the website and witnessing the Saints opener was building towards fever pitch.

However, as I write this introduction on Friday 2nd September, I feel numb. I have felt numb since Katrina spat her venom upon my second home. I feel numb as I sit glued to FOX News, watching the horror unfold. I feel numb as I witness the districts, landmarks and streets, so familiar to me, being abused by mother nature.

When I see the Superdome, battered and torn, my numbness turns to tears. A grown man of 41, crying unashamedly at the sight of a sporting arena scarred by Katrina's foul breath. The Louisiana Superdome was my Mecca. That was where I went to worship. Each year saw members of the British Saints make our annual pilgrimage to a Saints game in the Dome. Old friendships were renewed while new friends were available around every corner. On entering our favourite bars, no introductions were required. Everyone knew us as the crazy Brits who follow the Saints, the quirkiest and most unsuccessful team in the NFL. The Saints are often the subject of ridicule across the United States, but strangely, moreso in their home city. "They hurt me so much I quit on them ", is a comment I have heard too often, but simply dismissed as bar talk.

Disconcerted, I have planned every available holiday around getting to see the Saints each year and manage on average to attend maybe 5 games per season. For that pleasure I thank my wife and her understanding of my love for the New Orleans Saints.

For my birthday this year I received a Saints Season Ticket courtesy of my partner in crime Craig. Many people dream of wealth and untold happiness in life, well that gift saw me achieve my life's ambition. I finally belonged in the Superdome. Craig, a fellow Saints nut, often accompanies me on my trips and I thank him for his support and unquestionable friendship.

Sunday 28th August is a day I will never forget. Sat in a hotel in Scotland alongside two longtime friends from New Orleans, Lawrence and Kathy. We watched on TV as warnings were given of impending doom for the City of New Orleans. Lawrence and Kathy were flying back to New Orleans the following day and......................Well the rest is history.
Never can I imagine their fear as they tried to contact loved ones and powerlessly contemplated the loss of everything.

The scenes witnessed since, belong on a Hollywood screen. This should not have happened in a major North American city. Fears for New Orleans have been voiced since 1965 when the city was once again targeted by nature's temper. The city's unique situation (below sea level) and it's borders surrounded by water held back by a series of levees was an issue that should have been addressed by Federal Government, following numerous warnings by specialists, experienced in the prevention of disasters such as this. Many people feel angry that Louisiana and it's Gulf Coast neighbours, Alabama and Mississippi, seem neglected by the the Federal Government in favour of faster growing and more prosperous states. Unemployment, illiteracy and poverty is more visible in these three states and this problem needed to be addressed years ago. As we saw, on receiving the mandatory order to evacuate, many people had no means of heeding this order through lack of available transport or neccessary finance

I urge the Federal Government to right this great wrong and to spare no cost in re-building the beautiful City of New Orleans.
I urge Saints owner Tom Benson to be patient and to put aside any differences with Kathleen Blanco's State Government, whilst working together towards ensuring that the long term future of the New Orleans Saints is cemented firmly in the Crescent City. Please Mr Benson, avoid any rash decisions that could jeopardise this .Instead, give the people this dream, this small crumb of comfort to enable them to believe in a future for New Orleans. Go public yourself and denounce talk of San Antonio and Los Angeles as permanent homes for the Saints.

To all our friends in New Orleans, Biloxi and along to Gulf Shores, we have prayed for you constantly and trust God that you are safe and can find the strength to re-build your lives and your communities.To Lawrence and Kathy Hannigan, we love you both. Stay strong and believe me when I say that we will once again sit side by side in the Dome watching our beloved Saints. First beer is on me. Dad, I'm glad you managed to get to see the Saints with me and I know that you fell in love with the city too. It ain't over yet. And to my old mate Lobby who joined us for last year's Kansas game. I told you that it was worth it mate and I'm glad you got to experience it.

Finally, I now know why I fell in love with the Superdome. The rock that held tight and gave shelter to thousands of New Orleanians. What a fitting tribute it would be to see the Dome fully repaired and modernised and to take it's place as the rightful home of the New Orleans Saints

The marketing motto used by the Saints Organisation this year reads "YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH ". Simple words but never more appropriate.

To the Lone Star State of Texas................ THANK YOU

And to people like me who still believe in the magic of New Orleans. It may be a long, hard road but the Big Easy will rise again.

Simon Alcock The English Saint

Fans cross ocean to see Saints
9/11/2005 3:55 PM
By: Glenn Bolin, News 14 Carolina

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Simon, Craig and John just may be the biggest New Orleans Saints fans in the world.

“(People) think we are crazy,” said Simon Alcock.
The trio is part of the New Orleans Saints British Fan Club. They’ve come all the way from England to see their Saints take on the Carolina Panthers in the first regular season game.

And, they don’t even have tickets.

“It is chess on grass – people think it’s just a load of big guys running into each other,” Alcock said. “We try to explain to the Brits over there that if you get the tactics involve, that’s what it is – chess on grass. And that’s why we love it – the color, the razmataz, the noise, the whole day – it’s just worth every penny coming over here, every penny. Even when they lose, and they do that quite often.”

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Sunday’s game means more than just the start of the season to these guys. The die-hard fans come to the states as many as five times a season, and they have strong ties to the Big Easy.

“It’s heart-breaking, from a personal point of view,” said Craig Rushton. “We shed a lot of tears, that’s the truth. We have got a lot of friends there and a lot of friends’ families there. A lot of people have lost their homes and jobs at the moment.

Despite the devastation on the Gulf Coast these blokes still have high hopes that this just may be the season the Saints go all the way. They said although no one is certain just where the team will play this season, they will continue to come watch their team, wherever that may be.

Web Journalist: Lindsay Varner