Tuesday, November 26, 2013

WOW... Mardi Gras 2014 Schedules Showing Up Already... Book Your Rooms Now!!!

It was mentioned by one of my friends on Facebook that it was too early to be decorating for Christmas... which traditionally is done after Thanksgiving Day down here in N'Awlins... but is it ever too early to start planning for Mardi Gras???

It starts February 15 (Saturday) and February 16 (Sunday) with some of the smaller and kid parades but also a couple of French Quarter parades on Saturday.  Then the first BIG weekend of the season on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, February 21, 22 & 23.  Then a couple of days off and then the REALLY BIG Mardi Gras weekend starts on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 and runs through Tuesday, March 4, 2014 with non-stop parades and partying for seven days and seven nights!

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/schedule.html


Saturday Feb 15 Krewe of Bilge Slidell Noon View

Feb 15 Krewe of Mona Lisa and MoonPie Slidell 6:00pm View

Feb 15 Krewe du Vieux French Quarter 6:30pm View

Feb 15 Krewe Delusion French Quarter Follows Krewe du Vieux View
Sunday Feb 16 Krewe of Little Rascals Metairie Noon View
Friday Feb 21 Krewe of Cork French Quarter 3:00pm View

Feb 21 Krewe of Oshun Uptown 6:00pm View

Feb 21 Krewe of Cleopatra Uptown 6:30pm View

Feb 21 Krewe of Excalibur Metairie 7:00pm View

Feb 21 Krewe of Eve Mandeville 7:00pm View

Feb 21 Krewe of Atlas Metairie 7:30pm View
Saturday Feb 22 The Mystic Knights of Adonis West Bank 11:45am View

Feb 22 Knights of Nemesis Chalmette 1:00pm View

Feb 22 Krewe of Pontchartrain Uptown 1:00pm View

Feb 22 Krewe of Choctaw Uptown Follows Pontchartrain View

Feb 22 Krewe of Freret Uptown Follows Choctaw View

Feb 22 Knights of Sparta Uptown 6:00pm View

Feb 22 Krewe of Caesar Metairie 6:00pm View

Feb 22 Krewe of Olympia Covington 6:00pm View

Feb 22 Krewe of Titans Slidell 6:30pm View

Feb 22 Krewe of Pygmalion Uptown 6:45pm View

Feb 22 Krewe of Chewbacchus Marigny 8:00pm View
Sunday Feb 23 Krewe of Carrollton Uptown Noon View

Feb 16 Krewe of Perseus Slidell 1:00pm View

Feb 23 Krewe of Dionysus Slidell 1:00pm View

Feb 23 Krewe of King Arthur and Merlin Uptown Follows Carrollton View

Feb 23 Krewe of Alla Uptown Follows King Arthur View

Feb 23 Krewe of Tchefuncte Madisonville 2:00pm View

Feb 23 Krewe of Barkus French Quarter 2:00pm View
Wednesday Feb 26 Krewe of Ancient Druids Uptown 6:30pm View

Feb 26 Krewe of Nyx Uptown 7:00pm View
Thursday Feb 27 Knights of Babylon Uptown 5:45pm View

Feb 27 Krewe of Muses Uptown 6:30pm View

Feb 27 Knights of Chaos Uptown 6:30pm View
Friday Feb 28 Krewe of Hermes Uptown 6:00pm View

Feb 28 Krewe d'Etat Uptown 6:30pm View

Feb 28 Krewe of Selene Slidell 6:30pm View

Feb 28 Krewe of Centurions Metairie 7:00pm View

Feb 28 Krewe of Lyra Covington 7:00pm View

Feb 28 Krewe of Morpheus Uptown 7:00pm View
Saturday Mar 1 Krewe of NOMTOC Westbank 10:45am View

Mar 1 Krewe of Iris Uptown 11:00am View

Mar 1 Krewe of Tucks Uptown Noon View

Mar 1 Krewe of Endymion Mid-City 4:15pm View

Mar 1 Krewe of Isis Metairie 6:30pm View
Sunday Mar 2 Krewe of Okeanos Uptown 11:00am View

Mar 2 Krewe of Mid-City Uptown 11:45am View

Mar 2 Krewe of Thoth Uptown Noon View

Mar 2 Krewe of Bacchus Uptown 5:15pm View

Mar 2 Krewe of Napoleon Metairie 5:30pm View
Monday Mar 3 Krewe of Proteus Uptown 5:15pm View

Mar 3 Krewe of Orpheus Uptown 6:00pm View

Mar 3 Krewe of Hera Metairie 6:15pm View

Mar 3 Krewe of Zeus Metairie 7:00pm View
Tuesday Mar 4 Krewe of Zulu Uptown 8:00am View

Mar 4 Krewe of Rex Uptown 10:00am View

Mar 4 Krewe of Grela West Bank 10:00am View

Mar 4 Krewe of Argus Metairie 10:00am View

Mar 4 Krewe of Elks Orleans Uptown Follows Rex View

Mar 4 Krewe of Crescent City Uptown Follows Krewe of Elks Orleans View

Mar 4 Krewe of Elks Jefferson Metairie Follows Krewe of Argus View

Mar 4 Krewe of Jefferson Metairie Follows Krewe of Argus View

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Profile Of G. Henry Renteria... musician, poet, actor, long-term off-and-on guest and part-timer like me!

(Work in progress but I wanted to get at least this part of the piece on the net today!!!  Hope you like it G!)

I first met G. Henry Renteria (Gerardo Henry Renteria) shortly after I first started working at St. Vincent's.  He was doing background and extra work on a movie that was shooting nearby and they were also using his old Buick in the movie.  He would rent a room or dorm bed from time to time and would come hang out with Ross and I at Down The Hatch or one of the other local bars in the area (Half Moon, Igor's, The Garden District Pub, etc.)  He was also a regular with his guitar in the courtyard and porches of St. Vincent's.

Since I have written a few songs and a lot more song parodies, G. Henry and I became friends and I even bought a used guitar with plans on finally learning to play... although I never did!  I eventually ended up selling my used guitar to G. Henry and I'm pretty sure it's being used on at least some of his songs!

Here's a few of his songs on YouTube and his YouTube Channel is here... http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCziVUVXxXsfOmtGBUF4SbIQ?feature=watch

The Who Dat Mardi Gras Song!  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp8XoG7FHNs

 

The Vu Ju Song! 



Here's a "rough" video that I took with my iPad one recent night at Down The Hatch where G. Henry did an impromptu performance of My Delta Angel to Lauren the bartender after learning it was her birthday.



Also, I shouldn't forget two of G. Henry's recent "hits" in tribute to Halloween and Thanksgiving...

Bobo The Great Pumpkin Is Coming Tonight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK70VUhfGQY

 


Sunday, November 10, 2013

Happy 238th Birthday To The United States Marine Corps - Semper Fi


This is one of my favorite stories about the Marine Corps.  My dad was stationed at Parris Island when I was born and my oldest brother and dad both retired from the Marine Corps.  I always heard this story while growing up and after talking to a few young Marine Corps guest recently, they hadn't heard it so maybe political correctness has kept the story out of common circulation so I thought I'd share it on all my blogs to keep it alive... regardless of political correctness running amok!

HAPPY 238TH BIRTHDAY UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS!!!


What is a Marine?

Author Unknown

The USMC is over 237 years of romping, stomping, hell, death and destruction. The finest fighting machine the world has ever seen. We were born in a bomb crater, our mother was an M-16 and our father was the devil. Each moment that I live is an additional threat upon your life.

I am a rough looking, roving soldier of the sea. I am cocky, self-centered, overbearing, and I do not know the meaning of fear, for I am fear itself. I am a green, amphibious monster made of blood and guts who arose from the sea, festering on anti-Americans throughout the globe. Whenever it may arise, and when my time comes, I will die a glorious death on the battle field, giving my life to mom, the Corps, and the American flag.

We stole the eagle from the Air Force, the anchor from the Navy, and the rope from the Army. On the 7th day, while God rested, we over-ran his perimeter and stole the globe, and we've been running the show ever since.

We live like soldiers and talk like sailors and slap the hell out of both of them. Soldier by day, lover by night, drunkard by choice,

MARINE BY GOD!!!

From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli,
We fight our country's battles in the air, on land and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title, of
United States Marines.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze from dawn to setting sun.
We have fought in every clime and place, where we could take our gun.
In the snow of far off northern lands and in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job,
United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps, which we are proud to serve.
In many a strife we've fought for life and never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes,
they will find the streets are guarded, by
United States Marines.

History of the Hymn

Following the war with the Barbary Pirates in 1805, when Lieutenant P.N. O'Bannon and his small force of Marines participated in the capture of Derne and hoisted the American flag for the first time over a fortress of the Old World, the Colors of the Corps was inscribed with the words: "To the Shores of Tripoli." After the Marines had participated in the capture and occupation of Mexico City and the Castle of Chapultepec, otherwise known as the "Halls of Montezuma," the words on the Colors were changed to read: "From the Shores of Tripoli to the Halls of Montezuma."

Following the close of the Mexican War came the first verse of the Marines' Hymn, written, according to tradition, by a Marine on duty in Mexico. For the sake of euphony, the unknown author transposed the phrases in the motto on the Colors so that the first two lines of the Hymn would read: "From the Halls of Montezuma, To the Shores of Tripoli."

A serious attempt to trace the tune of the Marines' Hymn to its source is revealed in correspondence between Colonel A.S. McLemore, USMC, and Walter F. Smith, second leader of the Marine Band. Colonel McLemore wrote: "Major Richard Wallach, USMC, says that in 1878, when he was in Paris, France, the aria to which the Marines' Hymn is now sung was a very popular one." The name of the opera and a part of the chorus was secured from Major Wallach and forwarded to Mr. Smith, who replied: "Major Wallach is to be congratulated upon a wonderfully accurate musical memory, for the aria of the Marine Hymn is certainly to be found in the opera, 'Genevieve de Brabant'...The melody is not in the exact form of the Marine Hymn, but is undoubtedly the aria from which it was taken. I am informed, however, by one of the members of the band, who has a Spanish wife, that the aria was one familiar to her childhood and it may, therefore, be a Spanish folk song."

In a letter to Major Harold F. Wingman, USMC, dated 18 July [1919], John Philip Sousa wrote: "The melody of the 'Halls of Montezuma' is taken from Offenbach's comic opera, 'Genevieve de Brabant' and is sung by two gendarmes." Most people believe that the aria of the Marines' Hymn was, in fact, taken from "Genevieve de Brabant," an opera-bouffe (a farcical form of opera, generally termed musical comedy) composed by Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880), and presented at the Theatre de Bouffes Parisiens, Paris, on November 19, 1859.

Offenbach was born in Cologne, Germany, June 20, 1819 and died October 5, 1880. He studied music from an early age and in 1838 entered the Paris Conservatoire as a student. In 1834 he was admitted as a violoncellist to the Opera Comique and soon attained much popularity with Parisien audiences. He became conductor of the Theatre Francais in 1847 and subsequently leased the Theatre Comte, which he reopened as the Bouffes-Parisiens. Most of his operas are classed as comic (light and fanciful) and include numerous popular productions, many of which still hold a high place in European and American countries.

Genevieve de Brabant was the wife of Count Siegfried of Brabant. Brabant, a district in the central lowlands of Holland and Belgium, formerly constituted an independent duchy. The southern portions were inhabited by Walloons, a class of people now occupying the southeastern part of Belgium, especially the provinces of Liege, Arlon and Namur.

Every campaign the Marines have taken part in gives birth to an unofficial verse. For example, the following from Iceland:

"Again in nineteen forty-one
We sailed a north'ard course
And found beneath the midnight sun,
The Viking and the Norse.
The Iceland girls were slim and fair,
And fair the Iceland scenes,
And the Army found in landing there,
The United States Marines."

Copyright ownership of the Marines' Hymn was vested in the United States Marine Corps per certificate of registration dated August 19, 1991 but is now in the public domain. In 1929, the Commandant of the Marine Corps authorized the following verses of the Marines' Hymn as the official version.

On November 21, 1942, the Commandant of the Marine Corps approved a change in the words of the fourth line, first verse, to read, "In air, on land, and sea."

Former-Gunnery Sergeant H.L. Tallman, veteran observer in Marine Corps Aviation who participated in many combat missions with Marine Corps Aviation over the Western Front in World War I, first proposed the change at a meeting of the First Marine Aviation Force Veterans Association in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Many interesting stories have been associated with the Marines' Hymn. One of the best was published in the Stars and Stripes, the official newspaper of the AEF, under date of August 16, 1918.

"A wounded officer from among the gallant French lancers had just been carried into a Yankee field hospital to have his dressing changed. He was full of compliments and curiosity about the dashing contingent that fought at his regiment's left.

"'A lot of them are mounted troops by this time,' he explained, 'for when our men would be shot from their horses, these youngsters would give one running jump and gallop ahead as cavalry. I believe they are soldiers from Montezuma. At least, when they advanced this morning, they were all singing "From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli".'"

The Marines' Hymn has been sung and played in all of the four corners of the earth and today is recognized as one of the foremost service songs.


The history of the Marine Corps emblem is a story related to the history of the Corps itself. The emblem of today traces its roots to the designs and ornaments of early Continental Marines as well as British Royal Marines. The emblem took its present form in 1868. Before that time many devices, ornaments, and distinguishing marks followed one another as official marks of the Corps.

In 1776, the device consisted of a "foul anchor" of silver or pewter. The foul anchor still forms a part of the emblem today. (A foul anchor is an anchor which has one or more turns of the chain around it). Changes were made in 1798, 1821, and 1824. In 1834 it was prescribed that a brass eagle be worn on the hat, the eagle to measure 3 1/2 inches from wingtip to wingtip.

During the early years numerous distinguishing marks were prescribed, including "black cockades, "scarlet plumes," and "yellow bands and tassels." In 1859 the origin of the present color scheme for the officer's dress uniform ornaments appeared on an elaborate device of solid white metal and yellow metal. The design included a United States shield, half wreath, a bugle, and the letter "M."

In 1868, Brigadier General Commandant Jacob Zeilin appointed a board "to decide and report upon the various devices of cap ornaments for the Marine Corps." On 13 November 1868, the board turned in its report. It was approved by the Commandant four days later, and on 19 November 1868 was signed by the Secretary of the Navy.

The emblem recommended by this board has survived with minor changes to this day. It consists of a globe (showing the Western Hemisphere) intersected by a foul anchor, and surmounted by a spread eagle. On the emblem itself, the device is topped by a ribbon inscribed with the Latin motto "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful). The uniform ornaments omit the motto ribbon.

The general design of the emblem was probably derived from the British Royal Marines' "Globe and Laurel." The globe on the U.S. Marine emblem signifies service in any part of the world. The eagle also indirectly signifies service worldwide, although this may not have been the intention of the designers in 1868. The eagle they selected for the Marine emblem is a crested eagle, a type found all over the world. On the other hand, the eagle pictured on the great seal and the currency of the United States is the bald eagle, strictly an American variety. The anchor, whose origin dates back to the founding of the Marine Corps in 1775, indicates the amphibious nature of Marines' duties.

Reference Section
History and Museums Division
March 1998

The Marine Corps Seal, designed by the Marine Corps Uniform Board in accordance with instructions of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, then General Lemuel G. Shepherd, Jr., was adopted by Presidential Executive Order 10538 of 22 June 1954.

The traditional Marine Corps emblem - eagle, globe and foul anchor - forms the basic device of the Seal. Of these three, the eagle and the foul anchor are the most venerable, dating from 1800 when they first appeared on the Marine uniform button - a button which has remained to this day virtually unchanged from its original form. Influenced strongly by the design of the emblem of the British Royal Marines depicting as their domain the Eastern hemisphere, the U.S. Marines adopted in 1868 as their emblem a globe showing the Western hemisphere. To this was added the spread eagle and foul anchor from the button. Twelve years later the motto, "Semper Fidelis," completed the design.

The scarlet and gold surrounding the emblem are the official Marine Corps colors. These in turn are enclosed by Navy blue and gold signifying the Marine Corps as an integral part of the naval team.

Reference Section
History and Museums Division
March 1998

No one knows with absolute certainty who designed the first stars and stripes or who made it. Congressman Francis Hopkinson seems most likely to have designed it, and few historians believe that Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, made the first one.

Until the Executive Order of June 24, 1912, neither the order of the stars nor the proportions of the flag was prescribed. Consequently, flags dating before this period sometimes show unusual arrangements of the stars and odd proportions, these features being left to the discretion of the flag maker. In general, however, straight rows of stars and proportions similar to those later adopted officially were used. The principal acts affecting the flag of the United States are the following:

On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."

Act of January 13, 1794 - provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.

Act of April 4, 1818 - provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state, to be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the admission of each new state, signed by President Monroe.

Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912 - established proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, a single point of each star to be upward.

Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically.

Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizon tally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.


"First to Fight"
Marines have been in the forefront of every American war since the founding of the Corps. They have carried out over 300 landings on foreign shores. They have served everywhere, from the poles to the tropics. Their record of readiness reflects pride, responsibility and challenge.


"Semper Fi"
That Marines have lived up to their motto, "Semper Fidelis" (latin for Always Faithful), is proven by the fact that there has never been a mutiny among U.S. Marines. This motto was adopted about 1883. Before that, there had been three mottoes, all traditional rather than official. The first, "Fortitudine" (With Fortitude), appeared about 1812. The second, "By Sea and by Land," was obviously a translation of the Royal Marines' "Per Mare, Per Terram." Until 1848, the third motto was "To the Shores of Tripoli," in commemoration of O'Bannon's capture of Derne in 1805. In 1848, after the return to Washington of the Marine battalion which took part in the capture of Mexico City, this motto was revised to "From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli." The current Marine Corps motto is shared with England's Devonshire Regiment.


"Leathernecks"
The Marines' long-standing nickname goes back to the leather stock or neckpiece, which was part of the Marine uniform from 1775 to 1875. The leather bands around their throats were intended to ensure that Marines kept their heads erect.


"Devil Dogs"
In the Belleau Wood fighting in 1918, the Germans received a thorough indoctrination in the fighting ability of the Marines. Fighting through supposedly impenetrable woods and capturing supposedly untakeable terrain, the persistent attacks, delivered with unbelievable courage soon had the Germans calling Marines "Teufelhunde," referring to the fierce fighting dogs of legendary origin. Ooohhh Raaah!


"Esprit de Corps"
The "spirit" of a unit. This spirit is commonly reflected by all members. It implies devotion and loyalty to the Marine Corps, with deep regard for history, traditions and honor.


"Uncommon Valor"
Refers to the victories in World War II, especially at Iwo Jima, the largest all-Marine battle in history. Admiral Nimitz's ringing epitome of Marine fighting on Iwo Jima was applied to the entire Marine Corps in World War II: "Uncommon valor was a common virtue."


"Gyrenes"
The term "gyrene" is a jocular reference to Marines which was first used in England as early as 1894. It was used in the United States around the time of World War I. Its exact origin is unknown, but it did appear to have a derogatory meaning in its early usage. It has been suggested that the term may embody a reference to pollywog, a naval slang term for a person who has not yet "crossed" (the equator), hence, a landlubber.


"Jarhead"
A slang term used by sailors as early as World War II to refer to members of the Marine Corps, drawing the term from the resemblance of the Marine dress blues uniform, with its high collar, to a Mason jar.

General Order 1
To take charge of this post and all government property in view.

General Order 2

To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.

General Order 3

To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.

General Order 4

To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.

General Order 5

To quit my post only when properly relieved.

General Order 6

To receive, obey and pass on to the sentry who relieves me all orders from the commanding officer, officer of the day, and officers and noncommissioned officers of the guard only.

General Order 7

To talk to no one except in the line of duty.

General Order 8

To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.

General Order 9

To call the corporal of the guard in any case not covered by instructions.

General Order 10

To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.

General Order 11

To be especially watchful at night, and during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.

ARTICLE I:

I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

ARTICLE II:

I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

ARTICLE III:

If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

ARTICLE IV:

If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmfull to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them in every way.

ARTICLE V:

When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my coutry or its allies or harmful to their cause.

ARTICLE VI:

I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

Creed of the USMC

THIS IS MY RIFLE. There are many like it but this one is mine.
My rifle is my best friend.
It is my life.
I must master it as I master my life.

My rifle, without me is useless.
Without my rifle, I am useless.
I must fire my rifle true.
I must shoot straighter than any enemy who is trying to kill me.
I must shoot him before he shoots me.
I will….

My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of or burst, nor the smoke we make.
We know that it is the hits that count.
We will hit….

My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life.
Thus, I will learn it as a brother.
I will learn its weakness, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel.
I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready.
We will become part of each other.

We will…

Before God I swear this creed.
My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country.
We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.

So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but Peace.

One of the main aspects of military courtesy is the salute. It is a gesture of respect and a sign of comradeship among service personnel.

Accordingly, it is a uniform gesture; meaning that the highest man in rank in the Marine Corps returns the salute in the same form in which it is rendered to him.

By saluting first, no officer or man implies that he is in any sense inferior of the senior whom he salutes.

The words of General John J. Pershing, commanding general of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I indicates the importance of saluting in the minds of fighting men. "Send me who can shoot and salute," he demanded.

The salute probably originated in the days of chivalry when knights in mail raised their visors to friends for the purpose of identification. Because of strict adherence to rank, the junior was required to make the first gesture.

Still, another probability as to the originating of a salute comes from the time when assassinations by dagger were not uncommon. It became the custom to approach each other with raised hand, palm to the front, showing that there was no concealed weapon.

It seems reasonable to assume that the hand salute as now rendered stems to some degrees, from the British Navy. There is general agreement that the hand salute is actually the first part of uncovering. That was the start, uncovering in front of a senior.

Gradually, that was changed into merely touching the cap, and now the present salute.

There are many types of salutes; the hand salute; the rifle salute at order arms; the rifle salute at right shoulder; the rifle salute at present arms. Another type of salute in eyes right, given by men in ranks when passing in review.

The noisiest salute rendered is a gun salute which has quite a history. Actually, perhaps in a sadistical sense, there is also a bit of humor attached to the gun salutes as rendered years ago by not so accurate gunners.

During the days of Columbus, after firing a salute, it would take as much as a half an hour to reload the guns. Therefore, the first ship firing the salute showed that he came in peace, and after firing the gun, was helpless.

It is said that firing blanks is the safest way of firing a gun salute; at least safest for the individual being honored. History records that at least one man so being honored was killed by unskilled gunners who blasted him with a cannon ball!

The origin of a 21-gun salute, an international salute, took years to come into being. Originally warships fired salutes of seven guns, probably because the number had some mystical or symbolical significance stemming from the Bible.

Although regulations stated that the salute at sea was seven guns, shore batteries were authorized to fire three guns to the ship's one, the difference being due to the storage of powder. Lack of facilities for maintaining low and even temperatures aboard ship was a serious problem for powder spoiled easily.

In shore batteries, the powder was easily stored near the guns.

With the powder as we now know it, (one that preserves at sea longer) the number of guns for the naval international salute was raised to 21.

Another type of salute is rendered over a grave. Originally three volleys were fired into the air, to "scare away evil spirits escaping from the dead." It was thought that their hearts were ajar at such time, allowing the devil to enter.

Today, the gun salutes, as rifle salutes and hand salutes, are all administered by the individual, the group or the ship as a sign of respect.

Dating from the time of Columbus and Roman emperors, the salute has become an important part of a proud tradition. The salute means something...something important. Learn how to use it, and use it well.

Reference Section
History and Museums Division
February 1996

And some more pics that I found on the net that I like!




Friday, September 6, 2013

NOLA... Welcome To St. Vincent's And SAF - Southern Animal Foundation.. And Request For Donations

UPDATE - "NOLA" went for her first Vet visit at SAF and the bill was more than the donation account.  Please "Like" and "Share" this post to your Facebook and other Social Media accounts to get the word out that more doncations are needed.  Thanks.


I was driving out to my Metairie job on Friday, September 6th, after dropping off a friend at his job near Canal Street and I was sitting in traffic at the traffic light at N. Galvez Street when, all of a sudden, the lady in the white SUV in front of me dropped a puppy out of the driver's side window... right into the traffic lane with LOTS of drive-time traffic on Canal Street.  She took off and the little puppy actually chased the SUV for a moment and was only a few inches from the rear tire as the SUV sped away.  I was too shocked to get a license plate but I did immediately block the middle and left lane of traffic and jumped out of my car and fortunately, the little puppy ran towards me since there was still one lane of traffic buzzing by.  I scooped it up, got back in my car and went to my Metairie job.

I called Brandie at STV and told her what happened and asked her to start finding someone who can adopt the puppy since I already have Barney, my Rat Terrier.

Here are a few pictures I took as it (now known to be a she) snuggled up in the passenger seat...





After getting back to STV and introducing the little puppy to a few people, we started going over some potential names and came up with NOLA.  We now know NOLA is a little girl and probably a Dachshund or Dachshund mix http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dachshund and about four months old based on the experience of another guest who has owned Dachshund's before..

Since we're not sure who the permanent parent(s) of NOLA will be (although Diane is looking like she will be NOLA's mommy) I set up a Veterinarian care fund at SAF - Southern Animal Foundation - http://southernanimalfoundation.org/ which is just a few blocks from STV at 1823 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA (or NOLA... which is where we got NOLA's name from ;-)), 70130.  (504) 671-8235.  I put up $50.00 as the initial donation into NOLA's care fund but would certainly appreciate any other donations on NOLA's behalf or just into the general donation fund at SAF since they are a non-profit foundation set up to help people with their pets in New Orleans.  Her name is listed as "NOLA Vasbinder" for now, with SAF, and you can call them at 504-671-8235 to make a donation or do it through their PayPal link on their website.  http://southernanimalfoundation.org/donate-to-saf-.html  Make sure to email them or add a note that the donation is for "NOLA Vasbinder" unless you are making a general donation to SAF on behalf of any other strays or rescues that they help.  http://southernanimalfoundation.org/contact-us.html  Once on that page, click on the PayPal button OR go here...  https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=zja5WhMsJRTyHACbLQTJiULiSkDHG0mvXOp8Pln2pCO7B0QLlWjaTgHt7JC&dispatch=50a222a57771920b6a3d7b606239e4d529b525e0b7e69bf0224adecfb0124e9b61f737ba21b08198c3bf94e94910b98592d3f6a39690aaea  and make sure you put "NOLA Vasbinder or Glidden" in the description line and then put the amount of your donation.  Thanks so much, whether you make a donation directly to NOLA or to the general fund.  Here is a snapshot of the SAF PayPal donation page where I have highlighted how you should fill out the description section.



If Diane does end up keeping NOLA.. and it looks like she will, I will probably change the SAF records to reflect her last name, Glidden, so check on or indicate both names upon any donation. 

Since food and other items will be needed, you can also make a cash donation at the Front Desk of St. Vincent's Guesthouse.  Just make sure the FD clerk puts the money in an envelope set aside for "Diane in Housekeeping for NOLA".  I know another resident is already buying food for NOLA but I'm sure other things will be needed as she grows.

More to come later since I wanted to get this post online right away.

Lenny Vasbinder

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Southern Gothic Festival Chapter 3 - UPDATE!!!

Just doing a little update to the previous post about SoGo 3 (Southern Gothic Festival Chapter 3 - IMMORTAL) at St. Vincent's Guesthouse in New Orleans.  The most important part of this update is the recent YouTube premiere of the Ashes To Ashes (by Infekt) music video shot here at St. Vincent's during the SoGo 3 festival... with a special cameo appearance by none other than ME!  ;-)  I guess they needed a priestly looking guy to play The Priest and I just so happened to be dressed for the part while working the front desk on the Sunday night shooting of the video so with no further delay... here it is!


 


Of course, the first version is my favorite as the credits were on just one frame so my name and character stayed on screen much longer in the credits at the end. :-D  Here's the link to that version since that version doesn't seem to want to embed in my blog post.


Here is the SoGo Festival FaceBook page and YouTube Channel with more links, photos and videos.



And last but certainly not least, a couple of still images from the music video...


Thanks again to all the SoGoFest fans and guests and to all the St. Vincent's Guesthouse guest and employees that were able to attend some or all of the multi-day festival all around town.

Lenny Vasbinder

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Southern Gothic Festival Chapter 3 - IMMORTAL at St. Vincent's Guesthouse!!!



Go to SoGo's FaceBook Page for more info but I'll cover a lot in this post also.
Also go to the St. Vincent's Guesthouse Pool page on Yelp.

Want to be a legend?  SoGo
Want to save your scene?  SoGo
Want to become IMMORTAL?  SoGo

St. Vincent's Guesthouse is one of the "homes" for the SoGo members and guests and Val Reed and his crew checked in a couple of days ago and have been having some fun around here since then.  Here is a little line-up of more fun to come...

Official SoGo pre-party
Thursday, July 11, 2013 @ 10PM
DJ Lore & Company
@ Howlin' Wolf's Den
901 S. Peters St.  (Warehouse District)
$5.00 cover

Goth Friday
Friday, July 12, 2013 @ 9PM
Sapphire Rebellion
Kali Ra
D:konstruct
Cyberia Organica
@ Howlin' Wolf's Den
901 S. Peters St.
$15.00 cover

After-Party
Midnight - till
The Bleeder Project
Rococo Malade
SoGo DJ's
@ Dragon's Den
435 Esplanade Ave., Upstairs
$10.00 cover ($5.00 with stamp)

Saturday, July 13, 2013 @ 9PM
Industrial
Basement Angel
Dead Frail Honesty
Synical Deliverance
Human Factor Lab
@ Checkpoint Charlie
501 Esplanade Ave.
$10.00 cover

After-Party
Midnight - till
Infekt
Sinthetik Messiah
@ Dragon's Den
435 Esplanade Ave., Downstairs
$10.00 cover ($5.00 with stamp)

Sunday, July 14, 2013 @ 5PM
Official SoGo Closing Ceremony
Corrosion DJ's
Dance Pool
Full Bar
Food Specials
Clothing Optional (Hmmmm... Sounds fun and only taking this from the flyer but haven't heard the OK from the bosses yet!  LOL)
@ St. Vincent's Guesthouse
1507 Magazine Street
$10.00 (free for hotel guests... and employees, I hope!)

SoGo FULL ACCESS PASS is only $40.00

Saturday, June 1, 2013

The Pool Is Now OPEN!!!!!



After a long bout with an algae bloom... not that algae is bad for you but it just doesn't look good in a pool... the St. Vincent's Guesthouse swimming pool is now OPEN!!!!

The pool will be open seven days a week from 8AM - 10PM (subject to change... I'm still lobbying for midnight on Friday and Saturday nights! ;-)) but will be closed from time to time due to inclimate weather and periodic maintenance issues.

We do offer pool passes to folks in the neighborhood and people visiting our guests and residents.  The price list is as follows, as of this writing.

POOL PASS PRICE LIST
(For Locals and Non-Guests)

DAILY - $7.00     1 + their guest is $10.00
WEEKLY - $25.00     1 + their guest is $35.00
BI-WEEKLY - $35.00     1 + their guest is $50.00
MONTHLY - $50.00     1 + their guest is $75.00
FULL SEASON UNTIL 10/15 +/- - $120.00 or $160.00 for 1 + guest

Check back as I'll be posting some pictures shortly. 

I hear there is a contest for a free weekly pass for whomever throws Randy in the pool!  LOL

Lenny Vasbinder






Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Pizza Gusto now OPEN for delivery and limited dine in

PIZZA GUSTO is now open at St. Vincent's Guesthouse serving gourmet pizza's, calzone's, salads and of course, a variety of appetizers!  Go to their website for their menu and hours. Right now, they are only open from 4pm until... But hopefully they will be expanding their hours as they get busier.

So far, I've only had a couple of their varieties of pizza but I've heard reports that they have excellent calzone's, homemade meatballs and also several good reports on their hummus.

Come on by or call Miranda and the gang at 504-309-5900 and get your gusto on!!

See their Yelp.com page for more info, pictures of some of their goodies, etc.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pizza-gusto-new-orleans

Lenny Vasbinder

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

The Ransom Notes at St. Vincent's and impromptu performance at Down The Hatch

A week or so ago (March 25, 2013), I had the pleasure of checking in The Ransom Notes, an A Capella group and since they were hungry and thirsty, I sent them up Magazine Street a few blocks to one of St. Vincent's favorites, Down The Hatch for some good late night snacks and adult beverages.

I showed up after closing up the front desk at the end of the late shift and Renee, the owner, was there so I was telling him about The Ransom Notes and he offered them a round a shots if they would perform.  They did an excellent job but since it was so impromptu, nobody thought about taking video.  On their later performance, I had my iPad 2 and took the below video.  Of course, I was still new (and still am) with an iPad so I didn't realize that when I turned the iPad from vertical to horizontal, that even though the camera automatically adjusted and tilted to proper perspective, when I finished and uploaded it to YouTube, the video turns sideways in the middle... so just turn your head 90 degrees to the left or turn your monitor 90 degrees to the right... but at least the sound isn't crooked.  LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLce9JtNb7U



I'm still doing some video editing to try and fix my above video snafu and will embed the video once it's done.

To The Ransom Notes... thanks for staying with St. Vincent's and I know you all had a really good time on your short stay in New Orleans.

Lenny Vasbinder


Wednesday, February 6, 2013

KIRIAKA is in the house!!!

Well, part of the group is! ;-)

I had the pleasure to check in four very lovely young ladies from Sweden last night and they are here in New Orleans for Mardi Gras as their 30 member drum band (or as they call it, a percussion orchestra) is going to be marching in at least one parade during this coming week.  I didn't get any details so you'll just have to look for the 30 drummer band that has lots of soul and rhythm, at least according to some of their videos on their YouTube channel.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Kiriaka



Here is their website, which of course, is in Swedish but I have the Google Translate link below the original link, if your Swedish isn't very good... like mine isn't.

http://kiriaka.se/

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fkiriaka.se%2F

And the English version of "About KIRIAKA"...

http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&twu=1&u=http://kiriaka.se/node/8&usg=ALkJrhjL0jndAsI_4IW51aqYdUcsMdzK9g

KIRIAKA... WELCOME TO NEW ORLEANS, MARDI GRAS AND ST. VINCENT'S GUESTHOUSE!!!

Lenny Vasbinder

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Rumor Of Lee Harvey Oswald Having Lived At St. Vincent's As A Child... Debunked???

I heard a rumor last night that Lee Harvey Oswald had lived in St. Vincent's Orphanage as a child.  Well, it wasn't actually a rumor, it was one of our local, slightly inebriated (OK.. heavily inebriated... lol) guests telling a new check-in this information as if it were fact.  I had never heard that before so I decided to do a little Googling.  See the below links and snips... which claim that LHO's older brothers were actually placed in a Catholic boarding school in Algiers, LA at some point and then later on, the brothers and eventually LHO were put into a Lutheran orphanage (St. Vincent's was a Catholic orphanage)... so unless there is better evidence found, there is no viable evidence other than an inebriated guest's claim that Lee Harvey Oswald was ever an orphan at St. Vincent's.  Of course, all of these official reports could be wrong and the inebriated guest could be right... wouldn't be the first or last time that happens.  LOL

Lenny Vasbinder

http://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/warren-commission-report/appendix-13.html

Two months later, on October 18, 1939, a second son was born.31 He was named Lee after his father; Harvey was his paternal grandmother's maiden name. 32 For a while after her husband's death, Mrs. Oswald remained in the Alvar Street house without working; she probably lived on life insurance proceeds. 33 Sometime in 1940, she rented the house to Dr. Bruno F. Mancuso the doctor who had delivered Lee.34 (Dr. Mancuso continued to rent the house until 1944,35 when Marguerite obtained a judgment of possession against him.36 She sold the house for $6,500 to the First Homestead and Savings Association, which resold it to Dr. Mancuso.)37 She herself moved to a rented house at 1242 Congress Street, where she lived for about half a year.38 For part of this period after Oswald's death, the two older boys were placed in the Infant Jesus College, a Catholic boarding school in Algiers, La., a suburb of New Orleans. 39 Neither they nor their mother liked this arrangement, 40 which John thought was intended to save money;41 it lasted for less than a year, after which the boys returned to the school Frantz and then transferred to the George Washington Elementary School. 42

Probably in contemplation of the sale of the house, Mrs. Oswald applied in December 1941 to the Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem Orphan Asylum Association for the admission of her two older sons to the orphan asylum, known as the Bethlehem Children's Home; she stated on the application that she could contribute $20 per month to their maintenance and would supply shoes and clothing.51 She had inquired also about Lee, who was too young to be admitted. 52 John and Robert were accepted and entered the home on January 3, 1942.

http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/orphan.htm

By January 1944, Mrs. Oswald and Ekdahl had decided to marry. She withdrew Lee from the Children's Home and moved with him to Dallas, where Ekdahl expected to be located. They planned to postpone the marriage until the end of the school year so that the older boys could complete the year at the home before they left it. In the meantime, she would care for Ekdahl, who was recovering from a serious illness, probably a heart attack. Mrs. Oswald has testified that when she arrived in Dallas, she decided that she did not want to marry Ekdahl after all. Using part of the proceeds from the sale of the Alvar Street house, she purchased a house at 4801 Victor Street, a portion of which she rented. In June, John and Robert left the Children's Home and joined their mother in Dallas. They entered the nearby Davy Crockett Elementary School the following September.

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fos06

OSWALD, LEE HARVEY (1939–1963). Lee Harvey Oswald, alleged assassin of President John F. Kennedy, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 18, 1939, the third son of Marguerite Claverie Oswald. His father, Robert Lee Oswald, had died of a heart attack two months earlier. Young Oswald was placed in a Lutheran orphanage at the age of three, but he was removed when his mother left for Dallas in January 1944 and remarried.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Oh yes, it's Mardi Gras time!!!

A couple of Mardi Gras events/parades have already taken place around New Orleans, starting on January 6, 2013 (the 12th night of Christmas) with The Phunny Phorty Phellows and the Krewe de Jeanne D’Arc Parade (Joan Of Arc).  There have also been many Mardi Gras Balls that will continue throughout the Mardi Gras season.

But things are really starting to gear up next weekend (January 19 & 20, 2013) in the French Quarter with the Krewe du Vieux parading in the Marigny, Faubourg and the French Quarter on Saturday evening/night along with the KreweDelusion, January 19, 2013 and the children's parade, Krewe Of Little Rascals, parading in Metairie on Sunday, January 20, 2013 during the day.

The REALLY BIG weekends start on January 25-27, 2013 and February 1-3, 2013 (including the Superbowl in New Orleans) and then Mardi Gras Weekend (as it's called, but it's actually a full week of parades and partying) starting on Wednesday, February 6 through Mardi Gras Day & Night (Fat Tuesday) on February 12, 2013... whew.. I'm getting tired just thinking about all the partying!!!

Complete Parade Schedule compliments of Arthur Hardy's Mardi Gras Guide follows:  

SUNDAY, January 6TH
Phunny Phorty Phellows Uptown 7:00 p.m.
Krewe de Jeanne D’Arc ♫ French Quarter 6:00 p.m.  

SATURDAY, January 19th
Krewe du Vieux French Quarter 6:30 p.m.
krewedelusion ♫ French Quarter 7:15 p.m.

SUNDAY, January 20th
Little Rascals Metairie 12:00 p.m.
Krewe of Slidellians Slidell 1:00 p.m.
Krewe of Claude - CANCELLED Slidell follows Slidellians  

FRIDAY, January 25th
Krewe of Cork ♫ French Quarter 3:00 p.m.
Krewe of Oshun Uptown 6:00 p.m.
Krewe of Cleopatra Uptown 6:30 p.m. ***moved from Westbank***  

SATURDAY, January 26th
Krewe of Pontchartrain Uptown 1:00 p.m.
Krewe of Choctaw Uptown follows Pontchartrain. ***moved from Westbank***
Knights of Sparta Uptown 6:00 p.m.
Krewe of Pygmalion Uptown 6:45 p.m.
Chewbacchus ♫ Faubourg Marginy 8:00 p.m.
Mystic Knights of Adonis Westbank 12:00 p.m.
Krewe of Bilge Slidell 12:00 p.m.
Mona Lisa & Moon Pie ♫ Slidell 7:00 p.m.  

SUNDAY, January 27th
Krewe of Carrollton Uptown 12:00 p.m.
Krewe of King Arthur Uptown 1:15 p.m.
Mystic Krewe of Barkus ♫ French Quarter 2:00 p.m.
Krewe of Thor Metairie 2:00 p.m.
Krewe of Perseus Slidell 1:00 p.m.
Krewe of Dionysus Slidell follows Perseus
Krewe of Tchefuncte Madisonville 2:00 p.m.
Pearl River Lions Club Pearl River 1:15 p.m.

FRIDAY, February 1st
Knights of Excalibur Metairie 7:00 p.m.
Krewe of Atlas Metairie 7:30 p.m.
Krewe of Eve Mandeville 7:00 p.m.
Krewe of Hercules Houma 6:00 p.m.  

SATURDAY, February 2nd
Krewe of Caesar Metairie 6:00 p.m.
Knights of Nemesis St. Bernard 1:00 p.m.
Krewe of Alla Westbank 12:00 p.m.
Krewe De Paws ♫ Slidell 10:00 a.m.
Krewe of Push Mow Abita Springs 11:00 a.m.
Krewe of Olympia Covington 6:00 p.m.
Mystic Krewe of Titans Slidell 6:30 p.m.
Krewe of Tee Caillou Chauvin 12:00 p.m.
Krewe of Aquarius Houma 6:30 p.m.  

SUNDAY, February 3rd

Krewe of Hyacinthians Houma 12:30 p.m.
Krewe of Titans Houma follows Hyacinthians  

and The Superbowl  

WEDNESDAY, February 6th
Mystic Krewe of Druids Uptown 6:30 p.m.
Mystic Krewe of Nyx Uptown 7:00 p.m.  

THURSDAY, February 7th
Knights of Babylon Uptown 5:45 p.m.
Knights of Chaos Uptown 6:30 p.m.
Krewe of Muses Uptown 6:30 p.m.  

FRIDAY, February 8th
Divine Protectors of Endangered Pleasures or DIVA ♫ French Quarter 1:30 p.m.
Knights of Hermes Uptown 6:00 p.m.
Le Krewe d'Etat Uptown 6:30 p.m.
Krewe of Morpheus Uptown 7:00 p.m.
Krewe of Centurions Metairie 7:00 p.m.
Krewe of Selene Slidell 6:30 p.m.
The Original Krewe of Orpheus Mandeville 7:00 p.m. - CANCELLED
Krewe of Aphrodite Houma 6:30 p.m.  

SATURDAY, February 9th
Krewe of Iris Uptown 11:00 a.m.
Krewe of Tucks Uptown 12:00 p.m.
Krewe of Endymion Mid-City 4:15 p.m.
Krewe of Isis Metairie 6:30 p.m.
Krewe of NOMTOC Westbank 10:45 a.m.
Krewe of Bush Bush 9:00 a.m.
Krewe of Salt Bayou Slidell 2:00 p.m.
Krewe of Mardi Gras Houma 6:30 p.m.  

SUNDAY, February 10th
Krewe of Okeanos Uptown 11:00 a.m.
Krewe of Mid-City Uptown 11:45 a.m.
Krewe of Thoth Uptown 12:00 p.m.
 Krewe of Bacchus Uptown 5:15 p.m.
Corps de Napoleon Metairie 5:30 p.m.
Grand Isle Independent Grand Isle 1:00 p.m.
 Terreanians Houma 12:30 p.m.
Krewe of Montegut Montegut 2:00 p.m.

MONDAY, February 11th
Krewe of Proteus Uptown 5:15 p.m.
Krewe of Orpheus Uptown 6:00 p.m.
Krewe of Hera Metairie 6:30 p.m.
Krewe of Zeus Metairie 7:00 p.m.
Krewe of Cleopatra Houma 6:30 p.m.  

MARDI GRAS DAY, Fat Tuesday, February 12th 2013
Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club Uptown 8:00 a.m.
Krewe of Rex Uptown 10:00 a.m.
Krewe of Elks Orleans Uptown after Rex
Krewe of Crescent City Uptown after Elks
Krewe of Argus Metairie 10:00 a.m.
Krewe of Elks Jefferson Metairie after Argus
Krewe of Jefferson Metairie after Elks Jefferson
Krewe of Grela Gretna 11:00 a.m.
Lions Covington 10:00 a.m.
Krewe of Covington Covington, after Lions
Krewe of Lyra Mandeville follows Covington
Krewe of Houmas Houma 11:00 a.m.
Krewe of Kajuns Houma follows Houmas
Krewe of Bonne Terre Montegut 4:00 p.m.
Krewe of Skunks Lacombe 1:00 p.m.
Krewe of Chahta-Ima Lacombe 1:00 p.m.
Mardi Gras Day Marching Clubs Irish Channel Corner Club ♫ Uptown 6:30 a.m.
Jefferson City Buzzards ♫ Uptown 6:45 a.m.
Lyons Carnival Club ♫ Uptown 7:00 a.m.
Pete Fountain's Half-Fast Walking Club ♫ Uptown 7:45 a.m.
Mondo Kayo Social & Marching Club ♫ Uptown 7:45 a.m.
Societé de Saint Anne ♫ Marigney / Bywater French Quarter 10:00 a.m.
KOE ♫ French Quarter 10:15 a.m.