New Orleans Podcasting - Listen To The Voices That Are Rebuilding New Orleans. Click On The Link Below To Hear The Latest Int

Sandy Rosenthal is the founder and executive director for Levees.org. Sandy founded Levees.org because as a New Orleanian she felt compelled to get the word out that the levee failures were a man made disaster. According to Sandy, the good news is "the Corp of Engineers has agreed to build temporary protection that will be complete by 2009." Sandy points out that this temporary protection is crucial because permanent flood protection will not be completed until 2011.

New Orleans native Gregory Schramel, Artistic Director for the New Orleans Ballet Theatre, founded NOBT in 2002."As soon as we opened after Katrina we had more students then ever", Gregory says. The ballet school, located in the Contemporary Arts Center, has both professional and non-professional dancers. Gregory believes the key to success is quality. "We don't have to be Atlanta or Houston. If we have the best quality in what we do, people will come."

Ron Biava is the Executive Director of the New Orleans Public Library Foundation. Ron tells us they are back to about half of their pre-Katrina staff and just added their latest temporary branch on Carrollton Avenue. Ron explains how the library helps people rebuild their lives and re-build New Orleans. He gives us a run down on all the open branches and the ones under repair. In closing Ron points out that the library is interested in donated books, and tells us where to deposit them.

Sinesio Canseco is the owner of Canseco's Esplanade Market . Sinesio opened his Esplanade location on August 2, 2007, much to the delight of residents in the Faubourg St. John neighborhood. Sinesio tells us about his family's grocery business and his roots in Cuba. We talk about the importance of neighborhoods in New Orleans and how neighborhood groceries play a vital role in keeping neighborhoods thriving.

Virtually all New Orleanians know Al Johnson affectionately as "Carnival Time Al Johnson". A genuine New Orleans musical treasure, Al wrote one of Mardi Gras' most popular songs--, "Carnival Time"-- in 1959 when he was17 years old. His latest song, "Lower Ninth Ward Blues", has been called the Katrina Anthem. In this moving work, Al expresses his uncertainties about life after Katrina. By so doing he helps all of us to heal by recognizing we are not alone.

Alexis Jacknow is a member of the NOLA Project, a nonprofit theatrical company in New Orleans. She recently directed Wind in the Willows, based on Kenneth Grahame's children's classic. The play is currently running at New Orleans Reparatory Theatre. Alexis shares her love for New Orleans and her interest in keeping theatre alive in our city. We are also privileged to have a rare interview with Wind in the Willows' own Mr. Rat!

Cindy Mandina is the co-owner of Mandina's Restaurant in Mid-City New Orleans. Mandina's defines the essence of traditional New Orleans neighborhood cooking. Cindy tell us about the damage that resulted from Hurricane Katrina and why it took so long for the restaurant to reopen.She tells us what the original business started out to be and when it became a restaurant. Cindy also shares her thoughts on the New Orleans recovery.

Randy Feldman is President and General Manager of WYES, one of two Public Broadcasting television stations in New Orleans. Randy describes the Herculean effort involved to get the station--a favorite of New Orleanians since 1957-- back on the air. He enthusiastically shares his thoughts on the recent Art Collection Twelve Auction and expresses his gratitude to the donors, volunteers, and staff who made it such a success.

John Blancher is the owner of Rock'n' Bowl in New Orleans Mid-City. In operation since 1988, Rock'n' Bowl has become a New Orleans icon, to the delight of both young and old. John recounts how he has seen boys and girls meet on his lanes, get married, and return years later with children of their own. John re-opened on November 10, 2005, less then three months after Hurricane Katrina. He has been an inspiration to New Orleanians and is an example of the power of optimism in the New Orleans business community.

Johnny Blancher is co-owner of Ye Olde College Inn. When locals think of their favorite neighborhood New Orleans restaurants, College Inn is high on the list. Locals were thrilled when the restaurant re-opened following Hurricane Katrina. Johnny tells us about the restaurant's origin in 1933 and the recent demolition of the old restaurant building. The "new" building, home of the first A&P grocery store in New Orleans, is actually older than the building that was demolished.

Teddy Pierre is a masonry craftsman. He describes his work restoring old tombs and explains the importance of using proper materials. Teddy is vice president of the New Orleans Craft Guild and he introduces us to guild president, Jeff Treffinger. Jeff tells us about the guild's vision to create a school to train youngsters in the lost arts of craftsmanship. He talks about the current Priestly School project where ten lucky students will learn craftsmanship skills from local master craftsmen.

Earl Barthé's family company specializes in historical plastering. Mr. Barthé, a retired plasterer himself, is now a plastering historian. Plaster is in Earl's blood: the Barthé family has been plastering since 1850. Earl tells us that his father worked on such historic buildings as Saint Louis Cathedral, the French Market, and the Saenger Theater. "New Orleans is well known for plasterers", Earl says; at one time more plasterers lived in New Orleans' 7th ward alone than in all of Louisiana.

Beth Galante is the director of Global Green in New Orleans. The local office functions as an educational center to show residents how to make their homes and businesses more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Beth shares a tip on saving energy, describes Global Green's project in the Ninth Ward, and tells us about Global Green's monthly seminars that highlight energy saving strategies and "green" approaches to rebuilding and repairing in New Orleans.

Ivory Coco, a retired streetcar motorman, operated streetcars from 1971-2004. We tour one of the St. Charles Streetcars as Ivory explains the working of this beloved New Orleans relic. He shares his scariest moment as a streetcar motorman and compares the green Perly Thomas streetcars with the newer "Red Ladies". We also talk to New Orleans Regional Transit Authority representative, Rosalind Cook. She tells us which streetcar lines are in service and when we can expect to see the streetcars gracing St. Charles Avenue once again.

Brian Williams, popular NBC Nightly News Anchor, experienced Hurricane Katrina first hand when he and his crew rode out the storm in the Superdome. Brian clearly has great affection for New Orleans and its people; he tells us about his network's commitment to the city and the full Bureau NBC continues to operate here. Brian is broadcasting NBC Nightly News on May 18 from the Morial Convention Center to show the world that New Orleans is open for business.

Leslie Kramer is the owner of Equest Farm in New Orleans City Park. Since Hurricane Katrina, many people are taking riding lessons because, as they tell Leslie, "Life is too short and I've always wanted to ride; now, finally, I am going to do it." Leslie observes that we have helped each other move forward together and have been each others' strength. Now, more than ever, we know our neighbors, and our sense of community in New Orleans is much stronger than ever before.

Beth Ribblett co-owns Swirl with Kerry Tully. The retail wine shop, located in historic Faubourg St. John, opened in 2006. Beth explains how she found the courage to embark on a new business venture post- Katrina. She tells us about her shop and describes the weekly Swirl wine tastings. Beth hosts the tastings, in part, to help people get to know each other and Swirl has become a popular neighborhood gathering place. Beth is very community minded; she holds fundraisers for groups such as the Metropolitan Center for Women and Children.

Pierre Hilzim is the President and CEO of Kajun Kettle. Many locals are devoted fans of Pierre's famous creation: Crawfish Monica. Pierre tells us how this New Orleans Jazz Fest favorite came to be, and how it got its name. Kajun Kettle produces approximately ten tons of Crawfish Monica each year and has recently become an international company, shipping products from New Orleans to as far away as the Middle East. Be sure to have a serving of Crawfish Monica at Jazz Fest; you'll enjoy every bite!

Susann McMahon is founder and executive director of ActiveMusic, a national nonprofit fundraising organization raising money for GlobalGreen's rebuild New Orleans Green project. The fundraising auction will feature memorabilia, private performances, tickets, autographed guitars, and other items donated by some of the top names in music including Allen Toussaint, Rod Stewart, and Dr. John. To participate in this auction go to CharityFolks.

Hicham Khodr is the proud new owner of the legendary Camellia Grill. Although not a New Orleans native, Hicham has lived here for 25 years and understands what Camellia Grill means to New Orleanians. Camellia Grill, closed since Hurricane Katrina, has reopened 20 months later. The restaurant's opening day seats were auctioned at $1,000 each. Twenty-nine seats were sold; proceeds went to the Audubon Zoo. A loyal Camellia Grill fan also shares a few memories as she waits in line for a coveted seat.