Dogger192003

I live in Baton Rouge now and used to live in New Orleans until 2005. The city is experiencing a "rebirth" economically right now and is certainly a place to consider living. It is moving from an economy based mostly on tourism and services to one that is more tech and small start-up. I agree with the previous poster about the uniqueness of the city, nothing compares to it anywhere in the world that I have visited. The culture, history, and general atmosphere is very unique and can only be explained by visiting there. That unique culture is also not for everyone. It is summer and hot every day, but I love it hot. Winter is amazing. There is a problem with crime in the city, especially drug-gang related murders. They are generally retaliation, drug, or gang related, and generally isolated in the notorious neighborhoods for crime. You definitely want to consult someone with knowledge of the city before you purchase property. But I can tell you that I was never afraid to go places and do things I needed to do while I lived there and I visit there frequently now with my children and have never had a problem. I don't think it is much different that any other major city for crime. The other thing to consider is if you are a family person, things like schools are a pain. I teach at a private school that my children attend so it is not an issue for me and Baton Rouge is more family friendly in my opinion. But public schools are not something most people would send their children to here. You are welcome to contact me if you are serious about moving down here and I can help with other questions.

That Steve Phillips is an idiot is the only reason I am not overly concerned yet.

Milwaukee JS is running an article in which Steve Phillips speculates Braun will be suspended for his connection to Biogenesis.

Anyone could come out and deny taking a substance. But what struck me more than anything else is the sample testing 3 times higher the level than any other previous test recorded by MLB. That in it of itself seems to be such an abnormal test that it should have been highly scrutinized by the testing program and possibly thrown out as invalid. What else could account for this type of result?

This is the place I suggest getting the "purple voodoo" drink if you want to get wasted fast. A nice place to relax and have a drink and sometimes has live piano music. It is a common myth however, that it does not have electricity. They have drink machines, beer coolers, lit exit signs, outdoor patio lighting, and I believe lit restrooms as well a TV and gaming machines. They do however rely on candlelit tables for much of their light source inside which leads many, including locals, to believe it does not have electricity. As for other suggestions: The Bulldog on Magazine is one of my favorite beer bars, good beer on tap selection, brew pub atmosphere, decent bar food. If you happen to be in the Garden District you are in the neighborhood. There is also one on Canal Street near City Park. Grab the Lagniappe, local entertainment paper. It will let you know what is going on around town, bands, festivals etc. You may want to find out where Kermit Ruffin is playing and take a cab there and check it out. He often times plays at neighborhood bars around town and the neighborhood can look a little rough, or for Wisconsinites like us, downright scary, but are fairly safe especially when Kermit is playing. I just would have a couple cab company numbers saved in my phone so when I want to get out I can. The Treme Brass band, Rebirth, Trombone Shorty, and many others are good local jazz music to see and they do play around and in the Quarter as well. The House of Blues has some pretty good local and national music. I have seen many shows there. In fact, I am planning on going there soon for Flogging Molly and/or Dropkick Murphy's. My favorite pizza in the world is at Domenica in the Roosevelt hotel, a John Besh owned restaurant. Great, fairly cheap traditional Italian style pizzas (thin, chewy crust). Happy hour specials too I think. Gautreau's restaurant on Soniat uptown is my favorite most recent place for a more expensive culinary experience. A jacket and tie experience without having to wear a jacket and tie. Reservations are required. I guess they are doing bus tours of the 9th Ward which was famously wiped out by Katrina. I did some pet rescue work there during Katrina and have been back since. If you are into gawking at disasters you may want to look into this, or rent a car and head East on Claiborne Ave until you see where a city residential area used to be. You can tell by the tall weeds, sporadic rebuilding, and empty slab foundations. The old wreckage is mostly gone. Also Brad Pitt's "green" homes and Harry Connick Jr.'s musicians village can be found there. Swamp tours are also popular. My favorite in the New Orleans area is the Laffite Barataria Preserve. It is a walking swamp tour, maybe only a mile or two of walking but, takes you through a swamp to a bayou. I have seen alligators, and lots of other wildlife every time I have been there. There may be a shuttle that takes you there from the Quarter, I would check with the front desk at your hotel. There are some good boat tours as well, I would just suggest you stay away from the ones that load twenty people on to a boat. The smaller the boat the more intimate the experience.

Crawfish are still early, but I have heard they are starting to show up at restaurants. Frankie and Johnny's in the uptown area is good. I have heard of a place called Big Fisherman on Magazine Street past the Audubon Zoo, although I have never been there. In the French Quarter, Acme and Felix' come to mind. There used to be a decent place off Decatur Street down by the French Market that had good ones to go. I am actually planning on boiling a sack this weekend, can't wait.

Gorman, When I go to New Orleans I generally am trying a new restaurant every time, or =go there for a specific event. I have two young children so we take them to the zoo, aquarium, and insectarium. Then we usually go have a snowball (they are out of season now) get a bite to eat and leave town. What I would suggest you try for not too pricey but very good New Orleans food is Jacques Imo's on Oak Street uptown. They are closed Monday's I think and do not take reservations unless you have a group of 5 or more. You could take a cab (probably less than $20) or the street car. The street car is $1.50, (I think) and you could get off at Carrollton and Oak, walk about two to three blocks North on Oak. The street car will pick-up at Canal and St.Charles and there are lots of stops along the way. Another restaurant that is good for your first experience is Dooky Chase, you would need to cab that. I would suggest trying a Pimm's Cup (drink) from the Napolean House. Good thirst quenching beverage. If you want to get wasted try a Purple Voodoo from The Blacksmith Shop (east end of Bourbon) it is a frozen blended drink with who knows what in it but it will mess you up. I like to get a Guinness from the Kerry Pub on Decatur. Strange place with weird looking locals, but usually has good music at night. They are famous for mean bartenders that will kick you out late evenings while the rest of the riff-raff sit at the bar and all night. I also like the Main Bar at Pat O'Briens. It is the first bar on the left across from the piano bar when you enter from St. Louis? Street. Also try a King Cake, Mardi Gras tradition. The best is Manny Randazzo's in Metairie. I have gone to the Katrina museum in Jackson Square at it was good. I think it is free. Have fun.

I used to live in New Orleans and now I am in Baton Rouge. It is Mardi Gras season, so there are decorations going up and some possible early parades that may roll by, although I think most are on the weekends. Crawfish season is just starting up, there are some places in the Quarter that serve them boiled. Music and bars are everywhere. Lots of free music just playing in the streets usually. Many people like to experience jazz, old school at Preservation Hall. Harrah's Casino is near by. I love the D-Day Museum in the warehouse district. Most of the best bars and restaurants are located far enough away from the Quarter that you would want to cab it or take the street car. It really depends on what type of bar scene and food you like. There are many very highly rated restaurants. For example, Emeril has 4 restaurants here including NOLA in the Quarter. Susan Spice, John Besh, etc. also have restaurants near the French Quarter. There are also some really good cajun, creole and soul food places. Decent shopping on Magazine Street. As far as safety, use common sense and keep your guard-up for suspicious activity like anywhere else. Daytime is usually no problem. At night, stay on the beaten path or take a cab. There are a couple projects just north of the French Quarter, so familiarize yourself with the layout of the area before you stray too far. Any more specific questions, I will answer if you wish.

Just because it feels so good to pile on the Cubs...From "The Onion" "Confused Cubs Think They're Going to Arizona to Start Spring Training" PHOENIX-Chicago Cubs players reluctantly followed Coach Lou Pinella's orders to pack their equipment for a trip to Arizona Monday, causing many on the ball club to wonder why they were starting spring training nearly six months ahead of schedule. "Last offseason I at least got to spend a little time with my family," said Cubs second baseman Ryan Theriot while examining the unusual 2007 MLB Playoff patch on the right sleeve of his jersey. "We must have done something right this season, though, because I heard our first exhibition game is already sold out." Upon their arrival to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Theriot's theory regarding the team's improvement was immediately abandoned when he realized that the fans who had gathered to greet the Cubs were in fact booing them mercilessly.

I like the thought of letting Cordero walk, he's going to likely get big money elsewhere. When you look at Cleveland's closing situation, I'd rather see if I could go that way. Brian Fuentes or Jorge Julio could be available from Colorado. Fuentes lost his job to injury, Julio got off to a rough start but was a closer in the past and may make a good SU option. I don't mind the thought of Bush to the pen because he has done it before and seems as though he may embrace the new role. No matter what happens all I want is strike throwers in the pen, the most frustrating thing is RP's walking batters, I'd much rather they give up some hits here and there in a bad outing.

I've ran into this problem before as well. What I did was find a family that was near and explained what my problem was and they were very understanding and watched her while I used the restroom. The other choice may be if there is a designated area where parents go when they lose their children, I'm sure someone in charge their would watch her for you as well. Good luck.

The way I look at it is we have added a SP in Gallardo and a big bat in Braun since the beginning of the year to go along with the addition of Linebrink. That makes us a much better through those additions than arguably any other team in baseball save maybe what the Braves have done. The only thing DM was not able to address was the extra bat off the bench and that may still come after the waiver period.

From Ken Rosenthal at Foxsports.com The Brewers, a late entry into the Eric Gagne sweepstakes, are one of the 12 teams that can acquire the reliever without his permission, according to a major-league source. Class AAA center fielder Tony Gwynn Jr. likely would be part of any package for Gagne -- the teams discussed him earlier when the Brewers inquired about Rangers setup man Akinori Otsuka. The Brewers already paid a high price for right-handed reliever Scott Linebrink, trading three pitching prospects to the Padres in part because they believed they would not make another significant deal. It remains to be seen whether they could meet the Rangers' price for Gagne. Gwynn alone would not be enough; it is not certain he will develop into an everyday player Sounds like the Brewers are not on the no-trade list.

Without knowing the type of I-pod you have it is difficult to say for sure, but I do know that if you recently upgraded to i-tunes 7.3 many people have had problems with i-pods. Best solution is to go to apple.com and find a support discussion that describes your problem. I have always had my questions answered there.

Thanks much!! We will be in section 332 so your assumption was correct.